2007 - THE YEAR IN REVIEW
July thru December
July
Heavy rains continued, and some Iowa Park residents found themselves cleaning flood water out of their homes, like many area residents. Residents were being evacuated from their homes in Horseshoe Bend Estates, Wrangler’s Retreat, and other areas in Wichita County.
Five Iowa Park churches, along with volunteers banded together to help Iowa Park people during the “Great Days of Service.” The project helps elderly or disabled people who are financially unable to undertake repairs on their homes. Volunteers worked together to provide assistance with indoor and outdoor projects such as scraping, painting and minor repairs. They also did yard clean-up including mowing, pruning and weeding.
A little more than two weeks after filing suit against Iowa Park CISD trustee Robert Johnson to contest the May 12 election, Tommy Riggins filed a non-suit to effectively end the suit, but not before casting assertions of impropriety on the part of the IPCISD school board and school officials.
Riggins said the improper actions of supporting and funding the legal fees of Johnson by the school board should give the public a glimpse of one of the many reasons he decided to run for school board trustee. “It is due to this misuse of school resources to the detriment of the children that I have decided to dismiss the suit contesting the election between Robert Johnson and myself for Place 5 of the IPCISD school board trustee,” he said.
Iowa Parkans will probably have to wait until next year for the opening of the new municipal swimming pool and spray park. Continuous rain delays this spring and summer have slowed work on the facility that was scheduled to open around June 1.
The Iowa Park 4B Community Development Corporation voted to discontinue funding for promotional activities that contributed to the funding of the Economic Development Director’s salary.
Board members viewed the log for the ED’s time and noted the time they were being billed was spent on Chamber of Commerce activities such as Whoop-T-Do and ParkFest.
July ended on a sad note as a Sunday afternoon outing at Lake Iowa Park turned deadly when three-year-old Robbie Stephen Lee Wayne drowned.
August
August brought back practice and training for Iowa Park athletes and band members. Football season kicked off with the beginning of two-a-days, the Lady Hawks volleyball team began practice, and Hawk band members began practice to prepare for the new marching season.
Iowa Park 4A Economic Development Corporation considered a request to provide a financial incentive to assist in the start up of a local industry that would employ a minimum of four to six people. Cryovac-Sealed Air wanted to put together an operation to collect methane gas to make electricity that would be used in the Cryovac plant. They already have the land, and asked for assistance with the building.
The resignation of Economic Development Director Sammie Hatfield was accepted by the Iowa Park City Council. The council also voted to modify contract agreements between the city and the Chamber of Commerce and 4B Community Development Corporation.
First-day enrollment figures for 2007 in the Iowa Park School District saw a total of 1806 students, down from last year’s total of 1870.
September
Iowa Park CISD educators Tim Bartram and Michelle McCord received promotions to serve as co-assistant principals at Iowa Park High School. They will fill the vacancy left when Morris Davis accepted the high school principal’s job at Seymour.
Iowa Park CISD and Vernon College joined together to start up the College Connection Program at Iowa Park High School. The program creates a “college-going” culture at Iowa Park’s schools, and offers IPHS students the opportunity to graduate with up to 36 hours of college credit, and offers skills training for students towards license or certification in specific areas.
IPHS homecoming was highlighted with a tribute to Bob Dawson, retired IPHS principal. A ceremony was held prior to the football game to honor Dawson and his wife, and to name the street that runs in front of the high school Bob Dawson Drive.
Rosie Flanigan, principal at the Texoma Alternative Education Center in Iowa Park, was selected as Region 9 Principal of the Year.
The IPHS Speech and Forensics Team captured sweepstakes at the Forothy Boynton Tournament in Vernon.
Ruth and Gene James opened a bed and breakfast facility in one of Iowa Park’s historic downtown buildings at 103 W. Park.
October
David Owen was the unanimous choice, out of 13 applicants, as the new Director of Economic Development for the City of Iowa Park.
Erin House, a 2006 graduate of IPHS, performed with the TCU Symphonic Choir, together with the New York Pops under the direction of Doc Severinsen at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Iowa Park CISD received a Superior rating on its Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas report. This is the highest rating that can be given from the Texas Education Association.
The North Central Texas Enterprise Corporation, made up of members from Iowa Park and Electra, learned that they will receive state funding in the amount of $120,000 from Governor Rick Perry’s office to assist in establishing the Enterprise Facilitation program.
Robert Wilcox, “The Voice of the Hawks” was honored at halftime of the Iowa Park-Burkburnett football game for his 60 years of announcing Hawk football. He was presented with a gold watch and roses for his wife.
Gold Star Awards were presented to Zach Davis and Leslie Nash during the 55th annual Extension and 4-H Achievement Banquet.
The IPHS Mean Green Marching Machine received its 26th consecutive Division I (Superior) rating during the 2007 UIL Regional Marching Contest.
Mike Price was elected chairman of the North Central Texas Enterprise Corporation. Other officers include Ed Keiren of Electra, vice chairman; Ouida Gartman of Iowa Park, secretary; and Reba Madera of Electra, treasurer.
The Lady Hawk volleyball team captured the District 6-3A title with a 25-10 over Hirschi. It was their second straight undisputed conference title.
November
IPHS senior Kelsey Johnson earned her third consecutive trip to the UIL State Cross Country Track Meet with a fifth place finish at the 1-3A regional Meet in Lubbock. She tripped and fell shortly after the start of the race, but got up and still managed to place high enough to qualify for the state meet. Kelsey medaled with a third place finish in the state meet.
The entire Lady Hawk volleyball squad earned mention in the 2007 District 6-3A All-District selections, led by junior Savanna Braziel who was honored as the district’s Most Valuable Player.
Eleven IPHS Hawk Band members earned a place in the All Region Band through auditions held in Bridgeport, with seven placing high enough to qualify for the area auditions with the opportunity to earn a place in the All-State Band. Selected were Natalie Case, Kirstin Jones, Laura Munoz, Mitchell Armstrong, Hilary Rankin, Michael Crockett, Hannah Johnston and Brady Tyler.
Also, Justin Green and Zac Hamilton earned a place in the State Jazz Band.
Thirty-seven membres of the IPHS Speech and Debate team won sweepstakes in the Stephenville Optimist Club Speech and Debte Tournament.
Two Iowa Park FFA Leadership teams advanced to the State Leadership Contest after placing at the area level. The IPHS Agriculture Issues Team and the Public Relations Team both won the top spot at the Area Leadership Contest at Tarleton State University in Stephenville.
The Iowa Park 4A Economic Development Corporation has reached an agreement with Ameri-Kal, Inc. for purchase of the building the corporation had constructed at 900 Northwest Access Rd.The 15,000 sq. ft. building was built in 2005 as a future economic development project.
December
IPHS juniors and seniors are taking advantage of dual credit course offerings, plus Vernon College skills training.
IPHS has 165 juniors and seniors currently taking college courses through the Vernon College Dual Credit Course offerings. The first year in offering classes at the Vernon Skills Training Center has attracted 24 IPHS students who are attending the classes.
Iowa Park Volunteer Fire Department’s Lighted Christmas Parade, with 32 floats entered, drew a large crowd to the downtown area. The evening was capped off with a chance for the children to visit with Santa, and a free concert provided by singer Bailey Cruthird.
Iowa Park City Council voted not to join the county drug task force, saying the money would be better spent put into Iowa Park’s police department. The city administrator and police chief were asked to come up with a plan that would cover drug enforcement in Iowa Park.
Fourteen Hawk football players were placed on the 6-3A All-District roster. Senior Dusty Ross was a First Team selection at both offensive and defensive end. Other First Team selections from Iowa Park included Randell Wathan at offensive line, Blake Criswell at defensive cornerback, and kicker Nathan Gilbert.
The city council has agreed to help with incentives for a new business, The Pit Stop, under construction at the southwest corner of Pacific and Southwest Access Rd. The city agreed to assist in the demolition and removal of concrete and asphalt from the property.
Donations to the Iowa Park Volunteer Fire Department’s Kidz Christmas program was highly successful this year, and the firemen were able to provide over 125 children from almost 40 Iowa Park School District families with gifts. The program is designed to help families who might not otherwise have presents to open on Christmas.
The W.F. George Middle School Student Council donated $1,000 to the Iowa Park College Connection scholarship challenge grant. The $10,000 scholarship challenge was extended by the Vernon College Foundation to the Iowa Park CISD to create a scholarship fund for Iowa Park High School students taking taking classes at Vernon College.
IPHS senior Kaleb West was named to the Texas High School Coaches Association’s Academic 3A All-State football team as a first team selection.
IPHS senior Karea Belvin was selected to participate in the Texas Girls Coaches Association’s annual All-Star volleyball game in July.