City earmarks $28,500 for SFA scholarships

Project will stimulate enrollment of Rusk’s new nursing school

BY GLORIA JENNINGS

The Rusk City Council met Thursday evening at city hall to approve Rusk Economic Development Corporation's (REDCO) expenditure of $28,500 as a project expense to Stephen F. Austin State University.

REDCO met Thursday afternoon to authorize the payment. The funds will come from the REDCO 4B corporation money.

All action of the REDCO board must be approved by the city council.

The funds will be used for scholarships for nursing students who are attending the Rusk State Hospital Stephen F. Austin State University campus. Students will be given $700 when they enroll in the program; another $700 when they complete the first semester; and $250 at the beginning and $250 at the end of their second semester.

"SFA hopes to have at least 8-10 students on the Rusk State Hospital campus," Bob Goldsberry, REDCO executive director said. Letters are being mailed from the university soliciting other nursing students for the school.

"They hope to have at least 10 students when the school opens in January. Three of those already registered for classes are from Rusk," Mr. Goldsberry said. Plans are for the school to grow to 20 students.

Rusk State Hospital has converted one of its buildings for the school. Classes at the nursing school will be in the day and Tyler Junior College plans to offer courses at night in the same building.

The council approved the adoption of a resolution authorizing the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master plan. Stephanie Rollings, chief planner for Planning Concepts in Tyler, discussed the plan with the council.

"We can apply for a matching fund grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife for up to $1 million," Ms. Rollings said.

She discussed ways the city could come up with its half of the grant total. She suggested that the city secure work from Boy Scouts, service clubs and other groups.

City holidays approved at the meeting include: Christmas, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Dec. 24-26; New Year's Day, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009; Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 19, 2009; Good Friday, April 10, 2009; Memorial day, Monday, May 25, 2009; Independence Day, Friday, July 3, 2009; Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7, 2009; Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 12, 2009; Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009; Thanksgiving Day, Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26 and 27, 2009.

The council approved a resolution accepting a water plant generator improvement for the city. Plans are to obtain another generator for Well II. The funds for the two generators will come from a Texas Community Development Program grant.

City Manager Mike Murray asked that the council meet prior to Jan. 1 to set the city's goals for the new year. A meeting was scheduled for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2.

A plaque has arrived for the new Judge James Long Municipal Court building. Judge Long's family will be contacted and a time for the building dedication in memory of Judge Long will be scheduled.

Attending the meeting were Mayor Angela Raiborn; Councilmembers Kris Morgan, Walter Session, Don Jones Donald Woodard and Sam Florian; City Manager Murray and City Secretary Fran Wendeborn.