Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 124, No. 82, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 12, 2006 Page: 2 of 22
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PAGE 2A - POLK COUNTY ENTERPRISE, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12,2006
Ambulance permit comes with strings
from page 1
After much discussion, the coun-
cil approved a permit for non-
emergency ambulance services for
Guardian Emergency Medical Ser-
vices, with some restrictions.
Guardian EMS, operating under
Powell Professional Services, met
all requirements for permitting un-
der the city’s ordinance - providing
the necessary financial data, crimi-
nal background checks and other
required information, according to
City Attorney Gaffney Phillips.
The company, which operates in 14
counties in Texas, including
neighboring San Jacinto County,
exceeds basic insurance require-
ments but asked for a waiver of the
$l million “umbrella” policy,
which is designed to cover needs if
other insurance policies fail for
some reason or if coverage limits
are exceeded.
The umbrella policy would be
unduly expensive since it would
have to be obtained for the com-
pany’s entire service area, Ricky
Powell, CEO of Powell Profes-
sional Services, explained.
There are presently two ambu-
lance services permitted to operate
in the city: Americare, with which
the county contracts for 9-1-I
emergency service, and Lone Star
EMS, both of which were repre-
sented at the council meeting. Their
concern was that Guardian would
cut into their non-emergency call
volume - which generates most of
their revenue - and result in down-
sizing of those companies.
Boyd Dickens of Americare said,
through unofficial agreements, his
company is called first fot non-
emergetu v translers and, if none of
his units are available, he calls on
Lone Star Mutual aide agreements
between ambulance services are
standard industry procedure, he
said, adding that he has also called
on Guardian’s neighboring units
when the need arises
Legally, however, no ambulance
is to provide non-emergency trans-
fer.,,l.c city without a permit.
The hospital and two convales-
cent Centers did sign letters of sup-
port for Guardian’s permit, indicat-
ing a need for additional units to be
available.
Powell noted that, while his
company can prov ide mutual aid in
emergency situations, it cannot
legally do so for non-emergency
transfers without a city permit. He
said his units would be based in
San Jacinto County, possibly less-
ening the fears of increased compe-
tition from the ambulance services
already permitted to serve the area.
“I’m getting the sense that the
hospital needs help to make non-
emergency transfers,” Luna said.
The council approved his motion to
approve Guardian’s permit, waiv-
ing the umbrella policy require-
ment, providing they do not base
their units in Polk County and serve
as a “rollover” service for the exist-
ing, permitted ambulance services
when contacted through existing
services. If the hospital or a conva-
lescent center contacts the service
directly. Guardian will have to ad-
vise the agency that they do not
have the umbrella insurance cover-
age the other services do.
Tuesday’s council meeting began
with a public hearing on a dilapi-
dated building complaint against
the James and Helen Ryans prop-
erty at 1005 Texas Street.
Buchanan said the Ryans have
submitted a plan to repair the struc-
ture to a livable condition within 90
days. The council accepted the
plan, with the stipulation that if the
required work is not done within 90
days, the city will proceed toward
demolition.
Updating the council on the
status of previous dilapidated build-
ing complaints, Buchanan said the
90-day periods previously granted
for repairs to the Perez property on
South Washington Avenue and the
Hamilton property (the former Bur-
Mont Nursing Home building) have
expired without the required work
being complete. Because the stipu-
lation made in the Ryans property
action that the city will proceed
with demolition after the 90 days
are up - was not made when the
council granted extensions for the
Perez and Hamilton properties, the
city legally has to begin the process
again, beginning with notification
to the property owners.
He noted that the Jones property
on South Houston Avenue, also the
subject of a previous hearing, has
been cleaned up, secured and ap-
pears to be in compliance.
Crepe myrtle takes root
The Polk County Garden Club
has been planting dwarf crepe myr-
tles in the planters downtown and,
although their abundance has al-
ways made them the unofficial top
tree in town, that designation is
now official.
At the request of the Main Street
Beautification Committee, the
council designated the crepe myrtle
as the Official Ornamental Tree of
the City of Livingston.
Planting of the “official tree” will
be encouraged and some other
Come Party With Us at
Club Adore
Hwy 59 in Seven Oaks
Friday, October 20th - Down to Earth
Friday, October 27th - 70’s & 80’s Party
(Grand Prize for Best 70's or 80 s Costume - $200)
10 pm - 2am
Must be 21 to get in, with valid I.D.
For more info call
(936) 398-5801
_after 6 pm
Haiti -Theatre
Call For Times • 327-4711
^huTLXAS
Cn a I NS AW-
MASSAC R \
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3b*
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businesses have been requesting the
concrete planters, said Pat Cook.
The downtown planters were origi-
nally installed for the 1976 bicen-
tennial.
In other business, the council ap-
pointed City Attorney and Assistant
City Manager Gaffney Phillips to
serve on the Community Justice
Council and re-appointed Ogletree
to serve as the city’s representative
on the Sam Rayburn Municipal
Power Agency board.
Also approved was an interlocal
agreement between the city and
Texas Municipal League for con-
tinued participation in the TML’s
employee insurance pool.
Sutton informed the council that
the city has been awarded the Gov-
ernment Financial Officers Asso-
ciation Certificate of Achievement
for Excellence in Financial Report-
ing for the fiscal year ended Sept
30,2005. This is the 17th consecu-
tive year the city has received the
award.
She also asked council members
to be thinking of possible nominees
to a citizens’ committee to create a
long-range plan for Murphy Memo-
rial Library. The Texas State Li-
brary, of which Livingston’s library
is a member, requires development
of a three to five-year plan.
Vet officer recovering
from page 1
■“Jack Ass Twoia
agreement with Fort Bend
County for the housing of their
inmates at the IAH Detention
Facility, revising the term to
commence on Oct. I through
Sept. 30, 2007.
During informational reports
from department heads and elected
officials, Precinct 4 Commissioner
reminded everyone of the Indian
Springs Volunteer Fire Depart-
ment’s annual chili cook-off and
meet-the-candidates event on Sat-
urday.
Overstreet also announced that
he attended a Deep East Texas
Council of Governments meeting in
Woodville last week and learned
that there are still funds available
for materials only for victims of
hurricane damage. The funds do
not cover labor, but are for materi-
als only. To apply for the funds
contact Overstreet for additional
information.
Precinct 3 James J. “Buddy”
Purvis said he wants to put road
and bridge funding on the agenda
for the next meeting. He said he
went through three redistrictings
and gained more roads each time,
but never once gained any addi-
tional funding.
County Judge John Thompson
reported that the new veterans’
service officer, Ralph Dunn, suf-
fered a heart attack and is in the
VA Hospital in Houston but is do-
ing better.
County Clerk Barbara Middleton
reported that her office has re-
ceived 1,389 ballot requests by
mail aftd T8 ballot requests for mili-
tary. She reminded everyone that
early voting starts Oct. 23.
Sheriff Kenneth Hammack re-
ported a current population of 97 at
the Polk County Jail and 24 county
inmates at the IAH Detention Facil-
ity. He also introduced the warden
and assistant warden of the IAH
Detention Facility, Eugene Harbin
and Andy Davila. Harbin reported
that the current population at the
facility is 496 and that they recently
received approval to add an addi-
tional 500 beds.
During the portion of the meeting
reserved for public comment, Shep
Green reminded everyone of the
First Presbyterian Church’s Holy
Smoke Barbecue slated for Satur-
day.
Polk County Assistant District
Attorney Lee Hon opened the
meeting with prayer and Joe
Roeder led the pledge of allegiance.
&£ 6Buwufo
MEXICAN
RESTAURANT
REAL MEXICAN DELIGHTS!
LUNCH SPECIALS
MONDAY - FRIDAY
11:00 AM-5:00 PM
Dine-in or Carry Out_
Only The Very Best
Has Been Our Promise
Celebrating 22 Years
100 Southpoint Loop
Sun.-Thur. 11 am - 9 pm
327-3770 ^r,‘& Sat‘ 11 am 10 pm sHOPHNGr
Emporium
Antiques, Primitives & fine furniture
102 W. Main St., Trinity, Texas 75862
Invites you to an
Open
Friday, Oct. 20 6-9 p.m.
Meet Our Antique Dealers and Preview Our
Holiday Gift Ideas
The best antiques are old friends.
Down Solatia LiqjMCDr
2.5 miles north of Rye on Hwy. 146
Vour All Needs
Wholesale
Wines. Beers, Liquor, Ketis Ava
Request. ATM - Texas Lottery
Open 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Monday-Saturday
10% Discount On Case Wine Or Sgijit_ Sales!
WEATHER
Polk County and vicinity
(Provided through the courtesy of the National Weather Service station
in Livingston.) These are the figures for the 24-hour periods ending at 6
a.m.
POLK COUNTY AND VICINITY - Increasing clouds Thursday and
a 50 percent chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Turning cooler
Thursday night with a low near 50 degrees.
DATE
Thursday, Oct. 5
Friday, Oct. 6
Saturday, Oct. 7
Sunday, Oct. 8
Monday, Oct. 9
Tuesday, Oct. 10
Wednesday, Oct. 11
(Rainfall figures obtained form the National Weather Service station at
KETX.)
HIGH
LOW
RAIN
89
63
Trace
91
63
0
92
63
0
92
47
0
84
47
0
85
54
0
85
54
1.33
Total rainfall for 2002.................
Total rainfall for 2003.................
Total rainfall for 2004.................
Total rainfall for 2005.................
Total rainfall for 2006.................
Rainfall for week ending Oct. 11
. 56 83
41.96
.63.23
.37.35
.33.24
.1.33
PRESENTS
Saturday, October 14. 2006
LOOSE CHANGE
7 pm Free Dance Lessons
8 00 pm - 12 00 am *55 00 Per Person Donation
Do Not Have To Be A Member To Attend
Located On U S Hwy 59 North • Livingston
Wednesday - Friday 7 pm Sunday - 6 pm
_ Everyone Welcome
Canteen Open/Pool
Wednesday - Sunday 2 p.m.
Members & Guests Welcome
MEET YOUR
Democratic Incumbent
Office Holders
Who Are On The
November 2006 Ballot
District Judge Elizabeth Coker
District Clerk Kathy Clifton
County Clerk Barbara Middleton
Commissioner Tommy Overstreet
Judge Stephen Phillips
Justice of the Peace Larry Whitworth
Friday, October 13, 2006
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
The City Grille
2201 Hwy. 190 West • Livingston, Texas 77351
Pd. Pol. Adv. by Jot Roth, 102 W. Curch St., Livingston, TX 77351
LOCATED 11 MILES EAST OF LIVINGSTON ON HW190
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14,2006
mmoMm _m^m
i RAFFLE m j
i Uniflame 36,000 i
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BREAKFAST-7:00 AM-11:00 AM
LUNCH-11:30 AM-UNTIL?
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White, Barbara. Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 124, No. 82, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 12, 2006, newspaper, October 12, 2006; Livingston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth788055/m1/2/: accessed June 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Livingston Municipal Library.