25 Years Ago June 28, 1995
Academic Foundation Set To Fund Educational Project
The Cordell Academic Foundation has recently received the financial backing to begin funding educational projects the school can not afford or that go beyond the realm of normal curriculums.
According to the foundation’s president, Tim Merrill, the Cordell School System will probably have an extra $5,000 this fall thanks to a “solid financial base,” which arose from donations made to the foundation by a C.H.S. alum and a former school teacher.
Former U.S. Congressman and Cordell graduate Glenn English donated $21,000 to the foundation. The money came from contributions made to his reelection bid, which one he chose to give up public office had to be donated to charities or other political candidates. Long time Cordell resident and former teacher Ruby Brunk also made a sizeable donation to the educationally minded foundation.
Merrill said the foundation’s principal money, which is invested in securities and treasury notes, may not be touched, but money earned on interest, close to eight percent, can be distributed to teachers whose academic projects go beyond the normal course of education. He cited things like computer equipment, field trips and special educational materials as some of the things the foundation has funded in the past and will fund again in the future. The Board of Directors reviews and eventually approves applications made by Cordell teachers.
Brick Sale To Kick Off In Conjunction With Reunion
The manager of Cordell’s Main Street Inc. said the town’s brick sale drive will officially kick off this weekend during the town’s first ever all school reunion.
Devery Youngblood said he hopes 1,000 commemorative bricks are sold over alumni weekend. He said the sale of 1,000 briks would generate about $9,500. The overall goal is to sell 6,000 bricks, which would generate $130,000.
The bricks, which will have named engraved on them, will be installed in the downtown park on the corner of Market Street. The Community Park on the Square is part of the recently approved Community Square project. The money raised through brick sales will help fund the construction of the park along with the purchase and proposed renovation of the Washita Theater, which will on day be a community center.
He said he hopes to show former Cordell graduates that the town is “alive and well.”
Man Charged With Rape
Joe David Burch, a 26-year-old, was charged Monday with first-degree rape, a felony charge which carries a penalty of not less than five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
The alleged assault occured over the weekend in Burns Flat. Tony Willis, of the Burns Flat Police Department, was the arresting officer.
Willis, in a written affidavit, said Burch smelled of alcohol when he arrived.
50 Years Ago June 25, 1970
Industry Lease-Signing Is Believed Within Days
Cordell’s negotiations with Robertson Factories, Inc., are almost at the lease contract-signing stage, it was reported Wednesday afternoon.
Ken Wesner, chairman of the Washita County Industrial Authority, said he talked Tuedsay with Andy Haswell, Oklahoma City bond attorney. Haswell reported “only a few very minor details” remained to be ironed out before signing of the contract.
“We are well please with the progress thus far,” Wesner said.
Bill Nichols, chairman of the Cordell Chamber of Commerce industrial committee, reported he has been in almost daily telephone contact with Robertson officials.
“We are in agreement on all points,,” he said. “It looks very good.”
Haswell and Bill Cochran, Oklahoma City financial consultant, who have been handling the bond sale arrangements, are expected to met with the county industrial authority and county commissioners probably early next week to conclude the Robertson industrial transaction.
Jim Morris, vice president of the Robertson firm, said in Cordell earlier this month that his company was well pleased with the Cordell project and with the cooperation received here. He stated the company has a goal of getting the Cordell plant in production early in 1971.
Early this year, when the negotiations began, Morris said he hoped the plant could be in operations by Aug. 1. But the project could not be moved along that fast.
County Property Valuations Rise Over Last Year
Property tax valuations in Washita County for 1970 show an increase over last year, according to figures certified to the state equalization board by County Assessor Virgil Dunn.
The gross property valuation total was $25,335,100, compared eith $25,235,287 a year ago. This is an increase of $99,820.
The county’s net valuation gained $122,660 to a total of $22,855,450 this year. The net valuation increase was greater than the gross valuation gain because of a 1970 dropin homestead exemptions.