Meeting ‘In the Round’

Elgin EDGE president Joe Garlitz addresses participants at the annual "In the Round" organizational conference at the Community Center. - Trish Yerges photo Elgin EDGE president Joe Garlitz addresses participants at the annual "In the Round" organizational conference at the Community Center.

Representatives from nearly 40 groups gathered Tuesday for Elgin Economic Development and Growth Endeavor’s annual “In the Round”conference at the Community Center. Their goal was to review past accomplishments and set future goals.

“Elgin EDGE is here for us,” Garlitz said. “It can operate as a silent committee or up front. It’s 20 years old, and it’s time to rejuvenate it.”

Garlitz acted as host and moderator of the round table. After giving a brief history of how EDGE was formed, he stressed the importance of corroborative efforts toward setting community goals and working to achieve them.

Garlitz stated that most things happen in 20-year cycles and that many of the things that have come to fruition in Elgin began 20 years ago as a wishful dream.

“It’s time for the community to do this again,” he reminded the audience.

Audience members each had an opportunity to tell those present about their respective organizations.

Present at the meeting were city officials Mayor John Stover and City Recorder Terrie Richards. Stover is the chairman of the Opera House Renovation capital committee, and he gave a status report on the construction being done on the building.

“The outside steps are just about done,” he said, “and they will be heated and lighted. Hopefully, we should not have any ice on them now.”

Richards explained that the city will be addressing two major projects this year — the maxed-out sewer system and the clean water project.

“The water project is out to bid,” she said, “and we will be getting automatic meter readers so that it will only take one man a couple of hours to do it.”

The sewer system is at capacity, she said, and the city will receive a report from Anderson Perry Feb. 9. The firm will help the city find funding to correct the problem as quickly as possible.

New Fire Chief Kevin Silvernail was there to summarize the efforts of the volunteer fire department. He said it has 13 volunteers but is seeking more volunteer firefighters to help the Elgin Rural Fire Protection District.

Tracy Little, president of the ambulance service, explained that she is also involved with a substance abuse group that serves children ages birth to 13 years of age and their families.

She stressed education and prevention as the most effective measures of curbing substance abuse.

“Studies show that parent disapproval is still the number one reason why kids don’t drink,” said Little.

Representing Elgin TV Association at the meeting was Harlan Scott. The TV and Internet provider has 10 board members and one chairman. It has 438 television and 116 Internet subscribers as well as Channel 11 advertisers. He announced that due to rising costs for premium channels and a balance due on past infrastructure modifications, Elgin TV will be increasing its rates by $5 per month.

Cindy Chandler is the president of Rockwall Grange No. 679, and she spoke about how the grange had made a comeback after nearly closing its doors last year. The grange has 22 members and is looking for more. Each month the grange is going to host a fundraising event, Chandler said, such as dance classes, pie or basket socials, grandparents’ day and other social gatherings.

Elgin Food Bank President Peggy Hayes explained that the food bank currently serves 235 men, women and children in Elgin and surrounding communities. The food boxes that are given to these families last them about one to two weeks if everything is eaten.

The food bank receives funding from United Way and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but 90 percent of the funds must be used on food. Hayes said that community donations are still needed to help them pay for their store utilities. They have 10 freezers and two refrigerators, and they deeply appreciate their new site.

Bud Scoubes of the Stampeders said that the rodeo is always the second weekend in July and that everyone is invited to the crab feed this Saturday at the Stampede Hall starting at 4 p.m. The Stampede rodeo brings upwards of $300,000 to the community and benefits nearly 30 local businesses and clubs.

The entrance to the rodeo grounds will see an artistic gateway treatment soon. In the future, funding will be secured to create an old Western town motif leading to the rodeo grounds seating area.

Twenty-seven guests spoke about their organizations at “In the Round,” and Garlitz thanked the participants for attending. He stressed that these organizations are run by volunteers who care about their community.

“Without volunteers,” he said, “there would be no Elgin. We would be a shanty town.”