Vol. 3- Issue 1 Thursday, September 29, 2011

Gonzales CannonTheWWW.GONZALESCANNON.COM

Apaches rip Yoakum; Mustangs get big win Page C1

Sports

Our annual Come and Take It Special Sections Sections E, F and G

CATI

Homecoming royalty for Shiner, St. Paul Page B1

Region

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Reporting on Gonzales and Surrounding Counties with Honesty, Integrity and FairnessWeather Watch

GEDC abandons VC planTwo small business grants approvedBy NIKKI MAXWELLnewseditor@gonzalescannon.com

Thursday: High-99, Low-69, Isolated Thunderstorms Friday: High-98, Low-66 Isolated Thunderstorms Saturday: High-91, Low-62, Mostly Sunny Sunday: High-91, Low-60, Mostly Sunny Monday: High-90, Low-60, Mostly Sunny Tuesday: High-91, Low-63, Partly cloudy Wednesday: High-91, Low-63,

The Gonzales campus expansion plan for Victoria College was delayed Monday when The Gonzales Economic Development Corporation abandoned the previously approved project during their meeting. We had to do that in order to remove the pledge of funds from the books, explained Economic Development Director Carolyn

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Community mourns loss of Walshak

Gibson. That pledge was $400,000, promised to Victoria College in 2010 to help with the expense of constructing two new campus structures a medical science building and a technical trade school facility. The original plans were approved last year, but increased material and labor costs pushed the project beyond the schools budget. Victoria College received more than $700,000 in private

and corporate donations, however the funds and the evaluated cost did not meet. Project Director Dr. Larry Garrett of Victoria College told The Cannon in August that the school was looking for more grants and other sources to help the school complete this project by deadline August 2012. But all is not lost. The Gonzales City Council held a consecutive meeting with GEDC Monday, and all parties went into Execu-

tive Session to discuss options for the projects success. In the end, they decided to move forward with $400,000 for the purchase of real property for the campus expansion, Gibson said. We had to do it that way, otherwise there would be $800,000 on the books dedicated to the project, and that is just not possible. From large projects to small business, GEDC approved two grant applications submitted by Marlene Metzler and Barbara Crozier. GEDC, Page A3

www.SageCapitalBank.com

830-672-8585

25th Anniversary Santa

Lynn HaneyIn a Rare AppearanceWorld renowned artist in Gonzales to personalize your Santa purchase.

Funeral services are scheduled this week for Lawrence M. Walshak, 91, a beloved local hero, business and community leader. Walshak passed away Wednesday. A rosary will be recited Friday at Seydler-Hill Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday at St. James Catholic Church. Walshak graduated from Gonzales High School in 1937 and joined the U.S. Army. He served during World War II and then came home to create a new hometown radio station, KCTI 1450 AM, and a lifetime of memories. The Gonzales Cannon profiled Walshak and his service in an article originally published June 4, 2010. In honor of Walshaks service to his country and community, we are republishing that story.(Originally Published June 4, 2010)

Relay for Life Kickoff

Gonzales County Relay For Life Chairwoman Arline Rinehart led the 2012 Relay For Life Kick-Off Party Saturday at Victoria College. During the event, survivors shared their experiences fighting cancer, several teams registered for the March 2012 fundraiser, and relay volunteers worked on paper flowers for the Relay For Life float in this weekends Come And Take It parade. (Photo by Nikki Maxwell)

GISD delays decision on joining suit, may decide on redistrictingBy DAVE MUNDYmanager@gonzalescannon.com

Friday, Sept. 30 4 pm to 8 pm Saturday, Oct. 1 Noon to 4 pmPreview our new Inn.Register to win a 2 night stay.

GONZALES Lawrence Walshak wasnt in Normandy, France on June 6, 1944 when the Allied Forces landed on the beaches and invaded. But he does remember the scene when WALSHAK, Page A3

Gonzales school trustees will decide at their regular Oct. 10 board meeting whether or not to join in a lawsuit against the state over equitable school funding, and will also be asked to consider a plan approved by

the districts redistricting committee. During a special meeting Tuesday preceding a team-building workshop, the board tabled action on a resolution to join the legal action sponsored by the Equity Center, representing some 200 or so school districts around the state. The lawsuit seeks a court decision requiring state

lawmakers to distribute education funds equally among districts. We dont hurt as bad as some districts, noted superintendent Dr. Kim Strozier, adding, that funding has never been equitable. An original lawsuit in 1984 by the Equity Center helped produce GISD, Page A3

GADC begins work on new buildingCannon News Servicesnewseditor@gonzalescannon.com

827 St. Joseph, Gonzales 830-672-2484 laurelridgechristmas.com laurelridgeantiques.com

Inn & Antiques

With a focus on fostering local economic development and growth, the Gonzales Area Development Corporation (GADC) took another big step when it broke ground Wednesday on a

second commercial building in the Industrial Park in Gonzales. The groundbreaking took place at the park, which is bordered by Church Street, FM 794 (Harwood Rd.) and Delago St. The new building, located on Block 1, Lot 4 of the GADC Industrial Park subdivision, is scheduled for comple-

tion by the first of November and is currently for sale. Sitting on 1.3503 acres, the building will include 1,200 square feet of office space and 5,000 square feet of warehouse space with an attached 2,000 squarefoot lean-to. In addition, it will GADC Page A3

Welcoming our newest subscribers Sandra Bergey Tommy Bludau Mickie Christensen Terry Nance Johnny R. Longoria Jr. Amanda Frederick.

Energy WatchWednesdays PricesOil $80.00/bbl Nat.Gas $3.79

Crime Beat.............. A2 In Our View............. A4 Faith........................ B3 Obituaries................ B2 Regional.................. B1 Sports......................C1 Classifieds................ B4 Puzzle Page..............D5 In Your View............. A5

Inside:

Lucas Energy Inc. LEI $1.61

Come and Hear It! Tune in to radio station KCTI 1450 AM at 8 a.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Tuesday for weekly updates from Gonzales Cannon news Breaking ground at the new GADC building site are from left Josh Gray, Casey McKee, Ray Raley, editor Nikki Maxwell and General Ross Hendershot, Gary Mobbs. Kenneth Gottwald, Lindsey Lyde, Andy Rodriugez, Jimmy Windwe- manager Dave Mundy with KCTI personality Egon Barthels. hen, David Lindemann and Sasha Kardosz. (Photo by Mark Lube)

GADC groundbreaking

Rural heritage theme of Farm & Ranch Forum Oct. 14-15Conserving Our Rural Heritage is the theme of this years Farm & Range Forum to be held in Uvalde on Oct. 14-15. Friday afternoons program is a field trip to a working ranch, and the Saturday forum is on the campus of Southwest Texas Junior College. As farmers and ranchers struggle to make a living on the land, there are many practices, programs, and exercises in planning that can make a difference between success and failure. At the Farm & Range Forum, we will examine topics such as conservation easements that can generate income or tax relief in exchange for a pledge to keep land out of development. To get the greatest benefit from such programs, we will see how a landowner can maximize the conservation values of the land. For many landowners, diversifying income streams by adding hunting or nature tourism to the mix can help sustain profitability. It is important, too, to understand how many ways conserving open space contributes to the public benefit. We will learn how estate planning can help conserve land and resources into the next generation. Another topic of importance to everyone in south central Texas is water. Our afternoon session is dedicated to learning more about our water resources and how we can best manage them for the long run. New scientific discoveries, management plans for the Edwards Aquifer, and ways we hope to enhance productivity are all topics for discussion, as is the state of our western rivers. We will also hear how the recent legislative session affected land and landowners. As much as livestock and crops suffer from these hot, dry conditions, wildlife, too, are being stretched to their limits to stay alive. Water is scarce, and foraging for food requires more and more energy for less and less success. Whether landowners or not, these circumstances affect us all and the health of our region for the long term. When our rainfall totals are this far below normal, how can we help wildlife survive, and what happens when many animals die? The solutions to surviving are ones we will discover together, commented Susan Hughes, one of the Forum planners. The Farm & Range Forum is a place for sharing concerns and frustrations, as well as ideas and plans to get through these difficult times. Friday afternoon, at the ranch, specialists will lead small groups in discussing range management practices, riparian values and protection, and rangeland plant diversity, as well as income

Page A2

The Gonzales Cannon

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Gonzales Police ReportGonzales Police Dept. News Release for the Week Of Sept. 26: 09/21/2011 Reported Burglary Motor Vehicle 1300 Blk College St. 09/21/2011 Reported Burglary Motor Vehicle 1700 Blk Seydler St. 09/21/2011 Reported Burglary Motor Vehicle 1700 Blk Seydler St. 09/21/2011 Reported Burglary Motor Vehicle 1700 Blk Seydler St. 09/22/2011 Reported Burglary Motor Vehicle 800 Dunning St. 09/22/2011 Troy Swept Rosales 23 Of San Antonio, Tx Arrested And Charged With Possession Of Marijuana And Public Intoxication At 2000 Blk Hwy 183. 09/23/2011 Reported Forgery 200 Blk Smith St. 09/23/2011 Reported Theft 600 Blk Qualls St. 09/24/2011 Reported Criminal Mischief 300 Blk St. Louis St. 09/24/2011 Reported Retaliation 1000 Blk St. Joseph St. 09/25/2011 Reported Credit Card Abuse 500 Blk Wallace St. 09/25/2011 Simon Cantu 67 Of Gonzales Arrested And Charged With Public Intoxication At 300 Blk St. Joseph St.

Gonzales Co. Sheriffs Office ReportThe Gonzales County Sheriffs Office Sheriffs Report for 09/18/1109/24/11 09/18/11 Luna, Ismael, 09/1977, McAllen. Possession of Marijuana $500

T-Bone Steak Cook-O

Art and Photo Contest

Randle-Rather Bldg

ST. GEORGE STREET

Street Dance

Tickets & Info

Biergarten AND STAGE

PARADE ROUTE ---->

ST. JOSEPH STREET

tro Res

oms

CAR SHOW

Chili & Beans Cook ORestrooms

The Come & Take It Square Dancers

ST. LAWRENCE STREET

Carnival