News

Staff from U.S. Congressman Jeb Hensarling’s office will be in Van from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, to meet with constituents needing assistance with federal agencies. 

Hensarling’s staff will be available at the Van City Hall, 113 W. Main St.

“Dealing with federal agencies can be an intimidating experience.  I want my constituents to know that my staff and I stand ready to help.  I hope that you will let my office assist you in your dealings with federal agencies or bureaucracies,” Hensarling said.

Providing outstanding constituent service is a priority for his office, the congressman said. He said this meeting in Van provides an additional opportunity for constituents with questions or concerns to bring those to his attention.

District offices located in Dallas and Athens are always open for constituents to visit, as well as mail, fax, email or call for assistance, he said.

During the Sept. 8 Van Zandt County Commissioner’s meeting, the commissioners unanimously approved the budget and tax rate for fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2015, and ending Sept. 30, 2016.

The tax rate for the fiscal year is $0.485847, which is the same as last year’s tax rate.

Court regular Ronnie Jones spoke during the public comment section on the 2016 budget hearing.

Jones told the commissioners that there were several things that needed to be “done,” including obtaining a final outside audit and finding out where the county stood financially.

Jones also asked for transparency regarding what the court does and why it does it, specifically asking commissioners to “do what you say you will do.”

A bit of banter was heard as commissioners discussed the holiday schedule for FY 2016.

Currently, VZC employees receive a holiday on their birthday. 

Texas Star Quilters Guild of Canton has been well represented at the 2015 State Fair of Texas which runs Sept. 25 to Oct. 18. 

Several members of the TSQG entered quilts and quilted items into the Fair and one has received three ribbons, guild officials said.

Of only 40 prize-winning quilts from all over Texas on display at the Fair, Susie Heckman from Edgewood received two third place ribbons and one honorable mention.

Heckman has been invited to enter her quilts in several quilt shows including a recent National Quilt Association show in Little Rock, Ark. In 2014, she displayed more than 30 quilted items at the annual quilt show at the Heritage Festival in Edgewood.  This year, Linda Mathis (another TSQG member) will display her quilts at this local festival.

These quilters and many others will be at the Canton Civic Center Oct. 16 and 17 for the annual quilt show. 

Watch for the “Scarecrow Lawn Party” plus more fun surprise decorations that will be showing up on the courthouse lawn this week. 

They are announcing that it is time to begin planning for the Canton Main Street Autumn Festival Oct.10, the annual fund raising event for Main Street.  

Stew cook off

A new feature of the festival this year will be a stew cook off. 

There will be cash prizes for the top three “People’s Choice” selections: first place $150, second place $100 and third place $75.

The stew can be vegetable, beef, chicken or pork, your choice. 

Entry fee is $35. 

Perhaps your office, church school class or civic organization would like to showcase their prize recipe and end up with the bragging rights for “best stew in the community” this year.

You can request an entry form and complete list of rules by emailing terwin@cantontex.com. 

Members of the 2015 Canton High Homecoming Court took part in the parade and downtown pep rally Sept. 14 as part of Homecoming Week festivities. Members of the court are, front row from left, class duchesses senior Destiny Dolgener, junior Juliana Bratcher, sophomore Rachel Cade and freshman Katie Nava, front row, attendant Addison Bell, queen nominees holly Raitz, Lindsey Lama, Heather Massey, Megan Ellis and Madison Bass and attendant Jacie Priest. The queen will be crowned in a pre-game ceremony Friday, Sept. 18.

For more stories like this one, subscribe to the Canton Herald or pick up a copy from one of our vendors. 

The burn ban put in place for Van Zandt County Aug. 11 has been lifted.

County commissioners met Sept. 14 with County Fire Marshal Chuck Allen to hear his recommendation concerning the burn ban.

 A burn ban was placed on the county for a period of 90 days, as approved by the Van Zandt County commissioner’s court Aug. 11.

At that time, the Keetch-Bryam Drought Index used by the Texas A&M Forestry Service to predict fire danger for the area, rated that the county was in dangerous range and the level was expected to rise.

Allen told commissioners that the county was at a level of 700 with the max level being 800 and said without significant rains the county would remain under a ban.

But, due to recent rains, Allen told commissioners that he felt like the burn ban could be lifted.

“We are still dry, but we can allow people to go ahead and burn their big brush piles and stuff like that. There is still some green vegetation around also.”

The Council of Van Zandt Communities met at the Van Zandt Country Club in Canton Sept. 8 for their monthly Visions meeting on local happenings, and to hear a presentation from Ed Fasulo, the facility manager for the Morton Salt operation located in Grand Saline.

The groups’ goals include “improving communication and coordination among the cities and communities, becoming a force affecting administrative and legislative change that will benefit all individuals, cities, communities, schools, and government bodies, encouraging more effective participation of citizens in local, county, and state government, sharing of calendars of events and supporting city, county, and community events, and supporting a legislative year visit to Austin through Van Zandt County Days at the State Capitol.”

As part of this month’s agenda, attendees to the Vision meeting where given an overview of both the history and future of Morton Salt in Grand Saline and beyond by Fasulo.

Whitton Community Center will be having a bake sale and barbecue to benefit Tarver Cemetery at 5:30 p.m.  Saturday, Sept. 19.

The Whitton Community Center is located on FM 1651, four miles north of Jackson off Highway 198 or three miles east off of Highway 47.

Supper will be barbecue brisket, hot links, beans, potato salad, coleslaw, drinks and dessert all for a suggested donation of $10 for adults, and $5 for children 12 and under.

All proceeds go to the Tarver Cemetery in the Whitton Community for upkeep.

To make a contribution, send donations to Tarver Cemetery Association Attn: Anlene Odom, 1516 VZCR 2816, Mabank, TX 75147. 

The Van Zandt County Genealogical Society’s annual all day genealogical seminar is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 at St. Teresa Catholic Church Fellowship Hall located at 14786 FM 859 South, in Canton.  The deadline for registering is Sept. 24.

The fee for the event is $40 which will include a continental breakfast and a catered luncheon by Laurie’s Kitchen.

Newspaper research, Republic of Texas, American Revolution and Civil War research will be topics with Lynna Kay Shuffield of Houston, a well-known genealogist and lecturer, as the featured speaker.

Advanced registrations are now being taken at the Library of Genealogy and Local History located in the courthouse annex in Canton. 

Registrations are may also be made by sending a check or money order for $40 to the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society, P. O. Box 1388, Canton, 75103. 

Gateway District zoning restrictions, allowances discussed

The Canton City Council officially set the 2016 tax rate and approved the budget Sept. 8.

The tax rate will remain at $0.420332 with $0.170432 earmarked for maintenance and operation and $0.2499 designated for debt service.

Although the tax rate remains unchanged, it will generate 3.36 percent – or about $38,000 – more funds than in 2015. Of that increase, $23,217 was from new property on the tax rolls. The remainder comes from increased property valuations.

The budget – totaling close to $13 million – includes a total fund balance of $56,693.