VOLUME 27, NO. 124 MONDAY, JULY 2, 2012

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Fireworks in Liberty: The City of Liberty’s Independence Day celebration is held annually on the evening of July 3. That means the skies over Liberty will light up tomorrow night in celebration of our nation’s Declaration of Independence. In a departure from past programs, there will be no formal speaker. Music and fireworks are the order of the day. The Independence Day event starts tomorrow at 8 p.m. under the basketball pavilion at Liberty Municipal Park. The program includes opening remarks by Liberty Mayor Carl Pickett, Posting of the Colors by the VFW plus patriotic music from the Invincible Eagle Band. Then, the fireworks display gets under way tomorrow at dark – 9:15 or so. KSHN will broadcast the music starting shortly after 8. Those attending can sit in their car or on a tailgate and listen to the whole program. Then, we will also air the music produced for the purpose of playing along with the fireworks once that part of the show begins. Just tune in to FM 99.9.

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SRMPA Change: A major development at Friday’s Sam Rayburn Municipal Power Agency’s meeting when their long-time legal counsel, Ralph Gillis of Boston, was terminated from his post by the SRMPA Board of Directors. Days earlier, during a presentation at last Tuesday’s Liberty City Council meeting, it was reported Ralph Gillis wanted Liberty out of the agency, which is a power consortium jointly owned by the cities of Liberty, Jasper and Livingston. A question raised by a member of Liberty City Council asked where the attorney got the authority to suggest Liberty leave SRMPA. In the wake of that local meeting, the SRMPA board met Friday and voted that the City of Liberty will not be leaving its membership. Then, the full board voted to fire attorney Ralph Gillis, who had been their legal counsel for many years. Bruce Mintz of Liberty continues as Sam Rayburn Municipal Power Agency’s general manager. 

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Voter Deadline: Today is the last day to register to vote in the upcoming July 31 Party Primary run-off elections. Liberty County voters will be casting ballots in six Republican races, including Pct. 3 county commissioner, Pct. 3 constable, Pct. 4 constable and Pct. 1 justice of the peace. Also on the local Republican Primary Runoff ballot are races for U.S. Congressional District 36 and U.S. Senate. For information on registering call 936-336-8683.

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*Lake Release: 1,420 CFS – Liberty Bridge: 6.93 ASL*