Ask Billie

It has been said that timing is everything and I believe I am a few weeks behind. This is early Monday morning, the day before the primary, so when you receive this, we will know the winners in the recent election. Meant to do this earlier, but it is not too late to thank everyone who had their names on the ballot. To those who had the most votes, congratulations. To those who came in with fewer, you are still a winner because you have proven what the American system is all about. Free elections with choices makes us unique in the world.

One of the saddest things and cause for concern is a problem we have. People do not want to place their name on the ballot. Communities are stronger when there are new people with new ideas. We are not encouraging young leaders and new citizens to become involved in a new vision.

Volunteers are making it happen

There is great news on the volunteer front and they are the real leaders who are making a difference. This past weekend was a good example of volunteers making a difference and we must say thanks to each one. These were not volunteers who had a lot of extra time but they were folks willing to give of themselves to make a better community.

Before sunrise last Friday and Saturday mornings a group of volunteers were in Old Ocean for a project benefiting our Boys and Girls Club. Conoco Phillips CPChem had a surplus materials auction with proceeds divided between Tri-City Youth Football, consisting of West Columbia, Sweeney and Brazoria and our Boys and Girls Club. All day Friday was spent inventorying the many items, such as various sizes of industrial pipe, sheet metal, pallets, office furniture and much more. Saturday was the auction, again a long hard day, but at the end Resource Development Director Phyllis Sliva came back exhausted and smiling with a check for $11,500 for our Boys and Girls Club.

Those same two days in Wharton found volunteers preparing for the Seventh Annual Gourmet Guys Gala benefiting the Wharton County Historical Museum. This year there was record attendance, great auction items and delicious food. The theme changes each year and the Brazilian one is going to be hard to beat, both in colorful decorations and gourmet foods. Folks, we have some fine cooks from all areas of Wharton County.

Chamber banquet

What are other volunteers doing? A large number of them are getting ready for the Wharton Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture 89th Annual Banquet.

We hope you have already gotten your ticket for Tuesday, March 11. If not, call 532-1862 immediately because you do not want to miss out on this fun evening. Of course it is at the Civic Center with the reception at 6 p.m. and the dinner at 7 p.m.

Joe and Merle Hudgins have taken the lead in teaching us and preserving the history of Wharton County. It is our turn to say thanks to them. Something new has been added to the Chamber celebration this year. The Business Person of the Year will be named. In addition Joe and Dixie Waldrop will share their musical talent with the community. We all know how they bring excitement to Wharton County Junior College so get ready to have fun.