Approved City of Fate audits still two years behind

While investigating the story yesterday about retired City of Fate secretary Sandra Lobban being convicted for stealing public funds, I learned that the City’s audit reports are still two years behind!

New City Manager Vicki Mikel says she’s been working hard to bring them up-to-date, and the 2008 audit should be able to be approved by Fate’s City Council next week. Then the 2009 report will be completed before the end of the 2010 fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, and audit reports will be up-to-date.

Sounds like Lobban got away with stealing because nobody else was looking.

Prior to Nov. 2008, the responsibility of keeping audit reports up-to-date was the responsibility of the Mayor and City Council. It wasn’t until 2007 that computers were used to tabulate. During most of her years working at Fate, Lobban just used a pencil and paper, plus that trusty ol’ Walmart credit card she used to illegally purchase food, cigarettes and toys.

We will soon learn from the Fate Council why they were as much as three years behind at one point with their audits. Doesn’t sound like very good fiscal management is being practiced there!

Tanning salons triple risk of deadly melanoma skin cancer

National headlines today reveal that the use of tanning beds triples the risk of obtaining deadly melanoma skin cancer.

Tanning beds can greatly boost melanoma risk (Business Week)

Tanning beds triple melanoma risk (WEB MD)

Study: Frequent tanning-bed use triples melanoma risk (CNN)

There are several tanning salons in the Rockwall area. Look for a story soon at TheRockwallNews.com asking owners what they think of these news headlines and asking tanners why they continue to visit tanning salons.

Care to comment or be quoted in the story?

Former Fate City secretary convicted of theft

Add another Rockwall County public servant to the list of those convicted of theft of public property.

Sandra Lobban, who retired in June, 2008, from her job after many years as the secretary and sole bookkeeper for Fate, was sentenced last month by Rockwall District Court Judge Brett Hall to five years probation and ordered to pay the City back for $7,586.29.

She had made the purchases at Walmart using a credit card for such items as food, cigarettes, toys, drink mixes and more.

Be watching for the whole story soon at TheRockwallNews.com.

The above sum is just the amount that they could tabulate. New Fate City Manager Vicki Mikel said the records in some cases were such a mess that they couldn’t make sense of it and had to finally settle on a number so they could move on.

She said Fate records weren’t computerized until about 2005, so all the financial records before that were compiled with pencil and paper.

Have to wonder how much more Lobban stole which couldn’t be uncovered? Rumors from several Fate residents say even more money is missing.

We’re trying to find out more about this story!

Rockwall-Heath tennis player to play in state 4A finals

Rockwall-Heath senior tennis player Brady Bohrnstedt has advanced to the Class 4A state finals today, after beating Austin Mayo of Lake Travis, 6-1, 6-1, in the semifinals.

That followed a 6-2, 7-5 first-round win over Magnolia West’s Kevin Rodriguez.

He will play Montgomery’s Daniel Brown in the championship match today.

Good luck, Brady!

State Farm Insurance names Rockwall resident “Volunteer of the Year”

State Farm Insurance has named Rockwall resident and executive secretary Jeri Watson-Roberts as their “Volunteer of the Year” in 2009 after she spent more than 100 hours volunteering with several organizations, including Attitudes and Attire, Lakeland Academy, Habitat for Humanity, the Plano Balloon Festival, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and Throwaway Ponies.

She is married to Tom Roberts and says she gets the most joy out of helping making someone else’s life better.

Congratulations, Jeri!

Annual Cars For CASA fund raising event May 16

The fifth annual day-long “Cars for CASA” event, raising funds for the Rockwall & Kaufman County chapters of “Court-Appointed Special Advocates” who assist abused children, will be Sunday, May 16, in the parking lots at The Harbor.

Live music and food from local restaurants will also be on hand.

Last year over 300 classic and old-time cars were displayed, 3200 people attended and over $26,000 was raised from entry fees and more.

This year, event founder Dave Hambley, past president of the Homebuilders Association of Dallas, predicts that over 400 cars and more funds will be raised.

We’ll soon publish a full feature article at TheRockwallNews.com about Cars for CASA and the local Lone Star CASA non-profit organization, to help promote the event.

Boys, Girls Club schedules June concert to raise funds

The Rockwall Boys & Girls Club has scheduled a “Harbor Rock” fund-raising concert at The Harbor June 12, featuring a rock and British Invasion band that’s been playing in the Metroplex for three decades called Spector’s Gun Collection.

The cost is $25 per person.

It’s certainly a worthy cause, and it will be interesting to see how many people can afford the ticket price during these difficult economic times. Especially when thousands of people can see concerts for free every Thursday evening all summer-long at the very same location.

Huge athletic complex being considered by Rockwall Council

Although I don’t have any details, I understand that Rockwall City Council member Matt Scott has proposed the building of a $20 million athletic complex in Rockwall.

I’m still awaiting a reply from Matt or other City Council members about it.

During these times of economic uncertainty, I’ve heard enough concerns from citizens about spending that this is sure to be a controversial subject if it goes any further.

Should Rockwall County pay health care bills of ID-less indigent people?

Williamson County Commissioners have decided to stop paying health care costs for indigent adults and children who don’t have valid Social Security cards.

Should Rockwall County Commissioners do the same thing?

Williamson County Judge Dan A. Gattis said last week that he wanted to ensure that there was enough money for the residents of their County who qualified for indigent care to remain covered.

The decision — which came in a unanimous vote on April 27 — was not based on race, Gattis said.

“We are running out of money,” he said.

Click here to read more about Williamson County’s decision.

Although I’m opposed to blanket amnesty to illegals, I have to question the wisdom of such a decision – at least with regard to emergency medical services.

What if one of our “legal” US criminals robs a store and shoots a clerk who may be an indigent illegal? Do we just turn our heads?

What if a child of an illegal is abused? Do we just let him/her suffer without helping?

I think all of God’s children deserve mercy and health care….but perhaps with some limits, too.

What do you think?

For all your boat house, dock needs call Texas Marine

If you need a boat house, boat lift, bulkhead, retaining wall or any equipment for your boat dock and pier needs, I’d highly recommend you call or visit Texas Marine Technology in Heath, owned by Rockwall Women’s League member Kendra Jones and her husband, Eric. They’re great people!

They just put up a billboard on I-30 in Rowlett to get your attention.

Kendra was last year’s RWL Gala Chairperson and she did a fabulous job! She helped me, as well, to meet some advertisers and important people in Rockwall County which has helped us to build our news website business at TheRockwallNews.com.

Contact them today for a free quote at 214-681-1381, or email to: info@texas-marine.com.