Sunday, October 19, 2008

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Sleepy Sands Motel Burns; Demolition Makes Way for New Offices

About 5 a.m. Thursday, October 9, Temple firemen rushed to the Sleepy Sands Motel to put out a fire. They were too late to save the cement block structure. The state fire inspector said the fire was started by an electrical short in the attic above the restaurant. It traveled quickly through the entire attic which then fell into the rooms.

It is a sad loss to owners Tim and Tish Covalis and to the town, which has no other overnight accommodation and which realized some tax from the business.

Other changes in town include the demolition of the lodge building (recently known as the electric building).

Pat McIntyre razed the buildings that once were Crow’s CafĂ©, Dan Allen’s Barber Shop, Majestic Theatre, Howell’s Bakery and Dolman’s grocery. Pat has filled the space with an attractive office building for his insurance business. Lots to the south that once housed Rodolph Chevrolet and Worsham Brothers’ Station also have been razed, but remain vacant of buildings.

Is Labor Important to Our Country's Wealth

Economics 101 taught that the earth, capital and labor are the sources of all wealth.  I’d like for a recognized economist to explain what would be the result for a prosperous country that gives up labor to other countries.

Much of the goods we purchase were produced in China, Indian, Indonesia and other countries.

Temple, Oklahoma, once had a clothing factory that employed 300 laborers.  The factory moved to Mexico and later to South East Asia.  The same has happened in thousands of USA communities.

Where are the workers who once produced our goods now?  How many hours of labor have been outsourced during the past 20 years? I have a feeling that the loss of wealth from labor will impair USA wealth for a larger time than can be imagined now.

 

What's Up At Temple City Hall?

Temple now has business-minded trustees.  Mayor Joe Keaton owns and operates K-Star Feeds; Valerie Hale works at accounting; Janice Cole’s family owns and operates Cole’s Greenhouses; Herb Adrian operates a home repair and electric business, and Stephanie Holden is a manager at Sam’s.

The trustees are starting a campaign to rid the town of rundown houses and lots. Will be a big boost for the town if they succeed. An attractive town could help get a tenant for the B&O/Haggar building.

Temple has calmed down much since the police department was eliminated. Those opposed to eliminating the police department feared the town would be overrun by criminals.  They didn’t take into account that the county sheriff and the state troopers would be sufficient policing and that the policemen we’ve had were young and without professional supervision. They were not in town 24 hours a day. The town could no longer afford a full-time policeman. 

Many feel now that Temple is a much more pleasant place without an underemployed police officer.