Editorial/Opinion Take pride in


Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005


* Page 4A


 Arch Thomas Jr. (at right with arms raised) worked on getting the Lakewood
 Subdivision qualified as a firewise community and is shown in this 2003 photo
talking to volunteers who assembled to remove fire threats like downed trees, leaves
and branches on roofs or near chimneys and shrubbery growing too close to homes.




A Bradford icon passes


 Bradford County residents, more.
 especially those around Starke, knew
 Arch Thomas Jr. as a good attorney, a
 good friend and a good citizen, but his
 passage from this earth on Dec. 21-
 brought the realization that we have lost
 an icon from our community. The fact that
 he moved from Starke many years ago
 made him no less a Bradford aficionado
 than when he got his mail here. He and his
 wife, Jean Snodgrass Thomas, were living
 in Ft. Lauderdale when he died at age 80.
 It is unfortunate that I never knew him
 personally, but on several occasions he
 wrote congratulatory notes: when I wrote
 something he liked in the Telegraph. I like
 to believe he always thought of Bradford
 County as being his hom'n :
 He was born in Union County, but he
 has no Union County roots or relatives.
 -His-father:-Arch Thomas Sr., was a native
 of Clay County and was married to Eva
 Mae McKinney, whose family lived near
 Sampson Lake. The couple moved to
 Starke and the three children. Arch Jr.,
 Clarice Wood and Delano, attended
 Bradford County schools.
 Arch Thomas Sr. ran for, and was
 elected, Bradford County clerk in 1933
 and held office until his retirement 20
 years later, in 1953. During his tenure, he
 invested heavily in real estate, buying a
 large tract of land on and around Crosby
 Lake. Arch Thomas Jr. acquired that
 property and adjacent acreage through
 inheritance and purchase.
 Young Thomas graduated from
 Bradford High School and entered the
 University: of Florida, but World War II
 intervened and he entered the U.S. Army
 Air Corps and subsequently attended
 flight school. He was a commissioned
 pilot and a second lieutenant, but the war
 was ending and there was a surplus of
 pilots, so he was discharged from the
 service.
 Thomas returned to the university and
 received his law degree in 1948. He
 returned to Starke, established a law
 practice and married. His practice did
 well, and he became active in the
 community's social and commercial life.
 He held offices : in various ci ic
 organizations, including the American
 Legion where he served as post
.,commander and later as state commander.
In 1960, Thbmdas was elected to the
Florida House of Representatives and
served three terms, 1961-65.
 The law practice was going well, but the
 political campaign required time away
 from the office, so Thomas sought 'an
 associate to relieve the workload.' His
 search led to attorney George Pierce in
 Gainesville, working for the law firm of
 Carmichael and Scruggs. Thomas
 recognized excellence in the young
 attorney, who would one day own the Inw
 .firm,-becomeuacounty judge and retire as
 a circuit judge in the 8th Judicial District.
 Pierce said he came to Starke because
 Thomas offered him more money that he
 was then making and with a young family
 he needed the increased income. He soon
 became a partner in the firm and when
 .Thomas moved away, Pierce bought his
 equity. Later on, Pierce brought Dudley
 Hardy into the firm, made him an


associate and later sold the firm to him as
Pierce donned the robes of county judge.
Hardy's practice is successor to the
Thomas law firm, established in 1948.
 Thomas, after having served in the
legislature and figuratively having
climbed all the mountains of Bradford
County, looked for wider fields. He told
his brother, Delano, that he was "fed-up
with writing land deeds and serving as
attorney for divorce cases." In 1966 he
sold his law practice to 'his associate,
Pierce, and moved to Ft. Lauderdale. In
his new home, he immediately plunged
into civic, social and commercial
activities, and won leadership rolls in
many. His acquaintance and friendship
with outstanding'"office h'1lders'-fri6h'
Bradford County, including Congressman -
R.A. "Lex" Green, Governor Charlie
Johns, Commissioner of Agriculture
Doyle Connor, and others 'frorf--
throughout the state, reflected well upon
him as a person and provided influence
for moving his interests in Tallahassee
and elsewhere.
 Before moving from Starke, Thomas
began working in real estate, buying and
selling real property. Long-term financing
was in short supply in Bradford and
Union counties, so he spearheaded the
drive to establish a savings and loan
association. With his record of integrity
and drive to get things done. he quickly
had enough funding pledged to make the
dream into reality. The names and officers
of the First Federal Savings and Loan
Association read like a list of movers and
shakers in the county.
 Although he had moved away 13 years
earlier, in 1981 Thomas began to develop
Lakewood Subdivision just off SR-100,
near Crosby Cemetery and adjacent to
Crosby Lake. Some of the land near the
lake is.wetlarid and may not be suitable
for home sites, but there are literally
dozens of sites in which the land is high
and dry,'with many large oaks growing. A
homeowners' association has been
formed to regulate buildings and an
association-owned park has been set aside
on the lake for homeowners' use. Many-
beautiful homes have been built in the
subdivision.
 Archibald Thomas III said development
of the property will continue as his father
envisioned, with 'his mother, Jean
Thomas, retaining control of the complex.
 Although he moved away several ears
ago, his memory is alive and his influence
continues to be felt in the community he
loved. He and his family were loved in
return and his death is felt throughout our
community.


Arch Thomas Jr.

1923-2004: Rest

 in peace.


 By BUSTER RAHN
Telegraph Editorial Write


I,


our
community
Dear Editor:
 I live in the county here in
Starke on 21st Avenue. Both
my husband and I are disabled
but we take great pride of our
yard, home and neighborhood.
We like this community but
cannot understand why others;
don't seem to appreciate or
care for it.
 As citizens and Christians
we should all work together,
respect one another and help
whenever possible. One of the
problems that exist in this
neighborhood is loose dogs
that tear up garbage including
dirty diapers that invariably
end up in our yard for us to
clean up.
 We've spoken to the dogs'
owner several times and asked
for the owner's assistance in



Goat club


EITOR:


doing something about that.
These dogs have taken shoes
from our front porch as well
and destroyed.,them.
 The dogs seem to also like
 laying in the middle of the
 street and chasing passing
 vehicles, thus causing an
 hazardous condition.
 Adding to these problems,,
 there are people who seem to
 think the street and yards are
Their personal garbage dump,
as they continuously throw
empty fast food bags, beer
cans and other garbage out
while passing in their cars.
 Other neighbors have
 expressed to us the same
 complaints and frustration with
 this type of behavior. The
 drivers are showing no respect
 for people's properties or for
 that matter the ecology. In the
 six years I've lived here, I've
 never seen the police and
 sheriff's departments
 implement the littering law dr


Tribute Gift


gearing up for :Program
fair helps patients
 In 2005, the Bradford A small rural hospital is
County Fair will once again always in need of more
host a youth goat show and funding than it has and Shands
little kids exhibition. Anyone at Starke is no exception. The
who wishes to participate in Tribute Gift Program allows
either event will want to attend anyone in the community to
the upcoming 4-H Goat Club help meet the needs of a large
meetings. number of patients who use the
 The 4-H Goat Club is a hospital.
special interest club that will Funds donated through the
concentrate on goats. Tribute Gift Program are used
Membership is open to youth to supplement other funding to
in Bradford County or Union purchase needed equipment,
County between the ages of expand the number of
five and 18. Even youth who "community outreach"
are members of a different 4-H programs (providing
Club or of Future Farmers of educational programs related
America are invited to attend to health care) and defray costs
the club meetings. of medical care for people who
 The club will meet on the, are unable to pay.
second Monday of'January, The Tribute Gift Program
February and March from 6:30 can be made in memory of or
to 8 p.m. at the Bradford in honor of a loved one or
County Extension Office respected friend. It can be
adjacent to the fairgrounds'on made to recognize any special
US-301 N in Starke. Those occasion, as a get well wish for
dates are Mondays, Jan. 10, a patient, etc.
Feb. 14 and March 14. Shands at Starke will notify
 For information, call Ricky the person or organization of
or Stephanie Griffis, 904"964- your choice about your
6128, br Lis' Taturrin 94'-,7g-:" donation. Just indicate that you
3078. -.---- ..-- wantl)t is,4pn and.provide the,
 address.
 There, are two ways a gift
3 RiVerS L a-[ can bie made. One is to
 earmark it to be used in the
Services area of greatest need. The
 other is to earmark it for the
Offers services Lillian Stump Endowment
 Three Rivers Legal Services Fund.
will meet with potential clients Stump is a longtime member
 of the Shands at Starke
at the Bradford County hospital auxiliary who has
Courthouse in Starke from volunteered a lot of time and
1:30-3 p.m. on the first and money to benefit the patients.
third -Wednesday of each She donated a substantial
month. The next date for the amount to act as the basis for
service will be on Wednesday, the endowment fund.
Jan. 19. All donations to the Tribute
 For the past 25 years, Three Gift Program are charitable
Rivers Legal Services has contributions and are tax
provided civil legal assistance deductible. If you would like
to low income residents of 12 to donate, send a check with
counties *in North Central name and address of the donor
Florida, including Bradford clearly indicated. Make the
and Union counties. Assistance check payable to Shands at
includes advice, brief services Starke. Indicate if the donation
and/or representation in a is being made in memory of or
variety of civil matters, in honor of someone. Indicate
including landlord/tenant, if the donation should be made
public benefits, consumer to the Lillian Stump
issues, domestic violence and Endowment Fund. Send the
family safety. check to the Shands at Stark
 Three Rivers currently Aouxiliary. Tribute Gift
serves the residents of program, 922 E. Call Street
Bradford County with, initial Starkeg 32091.
 Starke, M, 3209 1.


Sonatli maide ,nhroughl
telephone appointments or
travel into Gainesville. With
new space created by the
expansion of the Bradford
County Courthouse and
approval of filing fee funds
directed' to Three Rivers,
attorneys will once again be
onsite for interviews and
working with clients,
 Three.Rivers Legal Services
is a federally and privately
funded local : nonprofit
organization based in
Gainesville with a second
office in Lake Cirv. It is
funded for the sole purpose of
providing free civil legal
Services, to low income.
eligible clients. Clients must
meet federal poverty
guidelines and cases must fall
' within the program priorities
set by the board of directors.
 Potential clients may call
toll-free to 1-800-372-0930 or
352-372-0519 for an
appointment. Go to the clerk's-
office at lihe courthouse to find
out where Three Rivers will be
for the day.

 Worldly fame is but a
 breath of wind that blows
 now this way, and now that,
 and changes name ait
 changes in direction.
 -Dante
 4 *


Credit
counseling -
now offered
 Area residents are now able
to take advantage,, of
professional budget ahd credit
counseling in Sturke.
 Consumer Credit
,Counseling Service. which has
served the mid-Florida area for
15 years, is a nonprofit credit
counseling agency providing
counseling, debt repayment
plans and financial, literacy
education. The agency
provides counseling at the
North Florida Regional
Chamber of Commerce at 202
South Walnut Street in Starke
on two days each month,
 Appointments will be
available on the second and
fourth. Wednesday of each
month. The next date is
Wednesday, Jan. 12.
Counseling appointments may
be scheduled by contacting the
agency at 904-964-1444 or
800-245-1865. Counseling is
available by phone 24 hours a
day for those who do not
prefer one-on-one counseling
in the office.
 Consumer Credit
Counseling Service is a
member of United Way and
the National Foundation for
Credit Counseling (NFCC).


I _I


of County Commissioners
will hold a workshop at 5:30
p.m., prior to the Thursday, Jan.
20, regularly scheduled meeting of
the board.
Shands at Starke Auxiliary
has available several volunteer
opportunities including gift
shop, reception desk, X-ray,
medical records, patient services
and filing, For information call
Helen LeVangie, 473-8580;
Dolores Morgan, 964-5748; Kay
McKinley, 964-7284 or Sharon
Gaines, 964-6009.





enforce the speed limit.
 We are fortunate.to reside in
a beautiful green area and
should show pride in ourselves
and show pride to visitors
coming through our town.
 Another large problem that
 exists is speed limits
 violations. Speed limit
 violations don't seem to 'be of
 concern. Many ,people
 disregard the 45 miles an hour:
 and act as if our road was the
 Daytona 500 speedway at all
 hours of the day and night
 There are children in the
 neighborhood and loose,
 animals and some people like
 to walk or bicycle but all.
 this has become a dangerous
 situation.
 I am appealing to the
 community to work together to
 keep our town beautiful and
 safe.
 Thank you
 Maura Northup
 Starke



 The agency is HUD certified
 and is accredited by the
 Council on Accreditation of
 Services for Families and
 Children.

 Experience
 Works serves
 older workers
 Are you. 55 years of age or
 over and living on a fixed
 income? Are you looking for
 employment opportunities? If
 so, Experience Works
 (formerly Green Thumb) is
 here to help you;
 A national nonprofit
 organization, Experience
 Works is best known as
 America's oldest and largest
 provider of. "mature" worker
 employment and training
 services. America's population
 is aging and mature workers
 are in demand.
 Bradford County residents
 can take advantage of this free
 opportunity to assist them in
 gaining competitive job skills
 and in locating employment.
 To complete a pre-application,
 contact the Putnam County
Worksouree office at 386-329- ,
3724":'"
 Fdor more information
Sconcering mie Experience
Works program, contact
Lillian Kemp (on Tuesdays.
Wednesday or Thursdays) at
386-329-3724, ext. 2818, or
Eileen Hendrix (Monday:
through Friday) at 904-247-:
5779.
 You can also fill out an
 application at the Bradford
 Career Center in Starke, at the
 Vo-Tech on' Weldon Street-
 Brownlee Road (CR-229),
 904-964-8092.
 The Ladies Auxiliary of
 American Legion Post 56
 in Starke will meet monthly on
 the second Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
 at the post home on Edwards
 Road.
 Morning Start Lodge #26
 of Starke urges all members
 and past members to attend on
 the first and fourth Monday
 evenings at 7. The lodge is at
 709 E. Brownlee St. in Starke.
 Call 904-964-8474.
 Panorama Homeless
 Coalition Inc., the service
 provider for Bradford County
 grants, meets the second Thursday
 of the month at 6:30 p.m. at 625
 Brownlee St. in Starke. Call 904.
 964-6008 or 1-904-769-9587,
 after 7 p.m. Shade Herring is
 president. '
 A substance abuse support
 group is held every Wednesday at
 7 p.m. at Lawtey Church of Christ.
 CR-200-B foir those who suffer
 from alcohol- or drug-related,
 problems, workaholics,
 compulsive spenders andr
 unhealthy relationships, The
 ,public is welcome. Call 904-782-
 3771 or 904-782-3086 for
 information. ,
 The Bradford County Faith
 Community Center
 (BCFCC) is located in the
 Bradford Executive Center,
 Professional Building, Suite A,
 This non-profit organization
 establishes partnership, with
 families in need, agencies and
 other governmental
 organizations. Call 904-964-5088
 for information.
 The Bradford County Board


I