Friday, June 27, 1997

Four Winds RC&D gets 15 computers from comptroller

By J.T. SMITH / Abilene Reporter-News

ASPERMONT - One man's garbage is another man's treasure.

It sure wasn't garbage - but the 15 "surplus" computers from Texas comptroller's office in Austin were welcomed just like jewels by the Four Winds Resource Conservation and Development area.

The computers were presented Thursday in the Aspermont Activity Center during the quarterly board meeting of the RC&D, which represents 13 counties.

"I know they will be put to good use," said State Comptroller John Sharp in a written statement to Dan Henson, RC&D executive director.

Sharp characterized them as "15 of our older, unused computers."

But Henson said they can be modernized easily with very little expense by computer experts.

The eight proud recipients of the computers are: Knox City Police Department, Knox County Aging Services, Munday Housing Authority, Throckmorton Public Library, City of Haskell, Stonewall County Sheriff's Department and the Volunteer Fire Department, and the Foard County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Meanwhile, State Rep. David Counts of Knox City said the 75th session of the Texas Legislature that concluded early this month was one of the more productive sessions in the state's history. Agriculture and rural areas did well, he said.

Homestead exemptions were increased from $5,000 to $15,000 - a savings to most property owners, Counts noted.

The legislature also passed the state's first water conservation and drought management plan. Water conservation, including brush control, and weather modification can be promoted under legislation that passed during the 140-day session, he said.

"Cloud seeding money has been set aside," Counts reported.

The technology in seeding clouds to bolster rainfall has been refined, Counts said.

After weeks of heavy rain, "seeding clouds" may seem almost laughable - but only to newcomers to West Central Texas or those with short memories.

Boom and bust weather cycles in this part of the world are typical of floods and drought. When it rains, it pours. Then the rain stops - it seems - forever. Drought always returns, Counts noted.

"During this last drought, we had to haul water to some towns," Counts noted.

Monty Montgomery of Haskell, chairman of the RC&D executive board, praised Counts' work for rural areas.

Counts said rural folks have had a big impact in Austin. He reported that of 36 standing House committees, 31 are chaired by persons with rural backgrounds. And he noted that Comptroller Sharp went to a tiny school just outside Victoria and that Ag Commissioner Rick Perry was raised at Paint Creek in Haskell County. Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock is from Hillsboro.

Bob Phillips, president of the Aspermont Economic Development Board, said a proposed project for a drag strip in this town is still in the works. Aspermont officials are exploring the possible venture with the Double Mountain Motor Sports of Roby and Rotan through an individual investor.