archer city, texas

If you are looking for a nice little town to retire in then Archer City is the place you are looking for. I grew up here and attended public school here. We learned to count money and give change, figure percentages and the basics that I used for 40 of working. It is really nice not to have to use an adding machine to figure small totals. People here are very friendly. You had better get used to waving because this is a wave at you town. You can either get involved with various activities in the town or just sit back and do your own thing if you choose to. We can get most things here is AC that you can get in WF.
We have an outstanding school, an excellent library, good law enforcement, a wonderful old courthouse, a good city council and mayor and city secretary. If you need someone to help you just ask and you have the help. When a disaster hits someone there are special things done to raise funds for them. We have the Royal Theater with live productions, live oprey, weekly dances, a very nice park and swimming pool. We have great baseball fields, football complex and track. We have a small airport and flying school, 2 rig companies and so much more. It is a very quiet friendly small Texas town. It is 20 minutes from Wichita Falls.

You have it good in A/C because you are from here. If you aren't from here, do you realize how hard it is to feel like you are a part of this town? Do you realize that this town is run by a few "good citizens" that promote the inbred mentality that you've got to be from here in order to amount to anything? There is obvious favoritism in the school, from K-12, and kids are treated differently if they aren't a second or third generation Wildcat. It seems that "to be someone" at that school is more important than teaching the educational basics and supporting our childrens' self-esteem... I'm not saying that the people aren't "friendly," but what I am saying is unless you can make them or their precious town look good, they don't invite you into their lives... I have met some very nice people here, although most of them aren't "from" here... Iowa Park used to have a very degrading sign regarding black people posted on the outskirts of their town. A/C doesn't need a sign like that, because they "quietly" make you feel like an outsider.

Dear Disgruntled resident
I am so sorry that you feel that way about the
people and school system in A/C. I had written you a long reply, but everyone has their right to their opinions and certainly you do. I lived my first 23 years in A/C and then I moved to WF to take a better job. I liked everyone in AC and if I could have had the same opportunity in AC that I did in WF I would not have moved to WF. I have seen politics in many schools. No, it is not right, but it is still there. What we must do is prepare out kids at home and in church not to believe everything they see or hear. This ole world in bad, there are things in the larger cities that you could not even think about unless you are there. Luckly I learned well enough in my 12 years at AC schools to start at the bottom of the list in WF and work my way to the top. Life is not fair at times, but we must teach our kids not to give up. Right always ends up the winner in the end. Teach them to take up for themselves and treat everyone as they would want to be treated themselves.That has worked for me all my life and it still does. I was from a poor family and I was on the National Honor Society, football/basketball/baseball/t rack team.I was even a class officer, most popular boy and several other things. There were the same conditions when I went to school, but I just lowered my head and kept on trying at everything I did. Teach your kids that it is them that makes the difference. They have to learn to right from wrong and that has to come from you or your church.
My kids both went to Rider and you just think things are rough in AC. My son went out for basketball his freshman year and there were over 700 that tried out. He made the team, but he did it on his own. The coach even told him his was too short to play and he would not make the team, but he did. You see, despite what is going on around your kids they can overcome. I know all the "good citizens" in AC as well as I did in WF. They are people just like you and me. They may have more money and all that, but they are no different from you and me. Fight for your rights and teach your kids to do the same. I could have lived any place I wanted. I did not choose AC because of all the beautiful trees and perfect weather. I just love the people and this small town. Even though some do not like me that does not upset me. I try to be extra nice to them. If I know they do not like me, I am going to take every opportunity to go out of my way to see them.Your name says that you live in WF.Is this correct?

No, I don't live in WF. I live right in A/C and have for over 10 years... I agree with you in that my kids will learn right from wrong from me and my church, etc. Maybe these other parents should teach their children in the ways of the Lord - they aren't any better than we are, they just think they are... I'm am saying that the psychological environment in this school is imbalanced and nobody cares how that will affect the kids who are not related to the special people/names in this town... Everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves, but I've noticed quite regularly, that the system here is set-up and fixed for a select few to achieve what they want - all the way from K-12... You're right, life is not fair. My children will learn to appreciate what they do get more than those kids who are handed their wants/needs on a silver platter.

Another thing I thought about,.. why is it some of these kids will struggle with their self-esteem and their grades are poor, but when they move to Windthorst or Burkburnett, their grades dramatically improve and they are happy individuals who are accepted no matter what? Could it be that because those school officials actually care about every child? Novel concept, huh?

You are probably right about kids moving from one school to another and doing much better. That is truly a sign that something is wrong in the school system. I read where the superintendent has been here for 35 years. In most organizations the head person is the one that has to set the goals and make sure everything run as it is supposed to. The school board has the job of making sure the head person is doing right. We need to put people on the school board that will be for all classes of people. It may be that some of the teachers need to be replaced in order to get things straightened out. I agree favortism seems to be to special people in town and that is not right. I guess I went through the same when I was playing sports as a Wildcat. I remember going to the coach and telling that I wanted a chance to show what I could do and I got that chance and that is probably still the way it is today. Some teachers did give special help to some of the atheletes,but some did not. I don't remember me getting any help with anything.

You are right about the well to do parents should be teaching their kids more about morals and that type things, but sadly most are too busy making money. It is such a shame, but it is the truth. Some are taught that they are better than others and that is really sad. I coached kid baseball, basketball and football for 13 years in WF. Most of the time I felt like a babysitter for some. It was easy for them to come to the games about the time games were over then offer $100 to buy treats or something. My policy was that the parents only furnish treats if they could and not to feel bad if they could not because nobody would know. Then I had others that could buy half the town. I always treated everyone the same and I caught flack from time to time, but that is what America was founded on. I guess I am trying to say that some people can be convinced to cater to the well to do and sell out to them. We do need teachers, coaches and whatever in school to have a backbone and treat everyone equal. I feel that if we do not question these things that things do not have a chance to change. What is your feeling on this?

We regularly have members on the school board who are married to some of the teachers. Whose interest do you think they want to protect?.. And as far as asking a coach to let you prove yourself to get a position, in some cases, that is a thing of the past. A third of the town seems like they are related to another third, and it is the same way in the school system. You cannot go to someone to complain, because you will probably be talking about their spouse, cousin, or sibling... I know one little girl that got so upset last year about how things were being handled in grade school that she developed ulcers. Some of these kids are just as mean as their parents, but if a kid complains to a teacher, they are told to either ignore the situation or just live with it. I know they don't have time to deal with all the little tiffs that kids have, but the issues that are causing problems should be dealt with.

And, then there's the PTO people. Since when does being on the PTO make you something special? OMG! Some of the people that are/have been PTO officers have turned their noses up so far at the rest of us that if it rained, they would drown! It is a total power trip for them.

As far as little league sports goes,.. we used to have several teams for machine pitch and kid pitch, but there is not a girls soft ball team. Now, most of the parents take their kids out of A/C to play for the YMCA or they simply refuse to let their kids play until the sport is organized by the school... Why do you think that Windthorst always has such good teams? Because they don't go to WF when they're little and they play sports together all the way through school. It is encouraged over there, but not here... There's too much politics even in little league and I'm sorry you had to endure that yourself. The parents expect you (for free needless to say) to make their boy or girl a pennant winning pitcher, even if they can't through the ball that far... The more "power" the parents have, the more they tend to think that their child is the best and should be the pitcher or quarterback... With that type of mentality, it is difficult for other kids - that do have a natural talent - to achieve greatness in this town.

I am a teacher, but at the college level. I have several relatives that are or have been teachers. I'm not saying all teachers here are bad natured people, but their hands are tied by a system that is not controlled by the superintendant or the principals - it is controlled by a grade school counselor and a handful of "special" people.

Thank you for the opportunity to voice my opinion. If I did this outloud, my children would get even more ostricized.

Christian reader, It is a conflix of interest if any kin works under another kin. It should not be happening. They probably just never get turned in for it.
Every child should be given the chance to play softball, baseball, soccer, basketball. Sports are so important to them when they are young. They not only leans skills and coordination, but they learn team work, the fun of winning and the agony of defeat. At the younger ages they should make it fun for them and no pressure on them from the coach or the parents. One of the prominent parents in WF threw a fit at one of our games becuase a kid missed a hit ball. I walked over to him and asked him to be quiet or they were going to make us forfit the game. I told them we had not signed the boy up to play for the professional, but just a little 6-7 year old boy's fun team. Of course he left, but that was okay too.
The superintendent and principals are not doing their jobs. A good boss does not let this type things happen. I worked for a large city for 20 years and I did not let things get out of hand like that. That is what the boss is far. If I had not fixed things that were wrong I would have felled myself and the city organization. I had over 100 employees under me for 20 years and taht was not too great of a problem for me. You do have to have a backbone.

My wife was teaching college when we married, but she had too many jobs so I asked her to not teach for a while. She needed the money before to raise twins. She could not afford to give up her job at SAFBase because she has been there 27 years and will retire from there in under three years and she will still be pretty young. She has wanted to teach at AC when she retires, but I don't know now. I know one thing though, the kids would love her and they would learn from her. She has a unique way with kids and it works.

I am always here to let you vent. I used to have a good friend at the City that I could talk about anything with and that really helped.

You have my curiousity up on the trouble makers at school. Ellen Campbell Cox, Jean Brat Graham, and I have several that I know from old school and there could be or two in that group that would do like you are saying.

Sorry I have not written back sooner, but I had eye surgery and boy, I did not know it was going to keep me from driving and reading and all that. I went back to the doctor today and things are going well and I can see so much better.

Hope you recovery quickly. My husband had eye surgery two years ago and wound up with infections and other problems.

Here's something else I bet you didn't know. The kids in middle school are required to be in band, which means their parents are required to purchase an instrument! There are very few school owned instruments to let the kids use, so everyone else is forced to fork out money - and some don't have it. I know people that can't even afford to pay their water bill every month and are receiving food stamps, another mom is on dialysis - where are they supposed to come up with this money? I spoke with a mom yesterday who said it was costing them $56 a month to rent the instrument her son was told he would play.

Who decided that they have to be in band? When I was a kid (not here obviously) we were given a choice, not forced. If we didn't want to be in band, we chose choir or art or had study hall at that time. This is just another one of those rules made by the "haves" that hurt the "have-nots" and nobody wants to confront the school board about it because, as you know, it rolls downhill and our kids will suffer the consequences.

The school system and the board little dictatorships and will remain that way until the rest of us can figure out how to legally over-throw their reign. These people are in it for the power and have no regard for the children...

All I want is what is right and fair for all kids, not just mine. If you have any suggestions or are in touch with these people, please feel free to assist.

Get well soon!

My eye surgery went well, but they won't let me drive for a few more days. I started out seeing two of everything, but that just lasted for one day. Now things are going pretty well. It is really something what they can do these days.

I have never heard of any place where everyone has to take band. That is so stupid. I went to AC, but they were not like that way back then. If they had made me be in the band they would have changed that rule really fast. It just does not make sense that they do that. It does sound like there is a little dictatorship going on there. I think I told you that I am on two boards and committees and I will kick that around at these meetings. I will do it in a way that they will not know what I am doing. haha I just do not like much about what I am hearing about AC school system. We were all proud of our school when I was going, but I would not have been under these conditions.

The kids are what school and education is all about. They should not be treated like prisoners. I had some really hard and strict teachers when I was in school, but they were fair.

I am with you about all of the kids and all people should be treated equally and all treated fair. I have practiced that all my life. I will make it a point to be around some of the powers that be and I will see what I can do. I have never been one to just sit still and let people get run over. Someone has to stand up for the little person and make their voices be heard. I will see what I can do.
Later

You're a good person. Thank you. There are a lot of us little people here, and if someone with some leverage could stand up for us, we would be greatly appreciative.

I was told the other day the the Seymour ISD is doing the same thing, as far as the band situation goes.

Best of luck to you and God Bless you!

I raised so much noise at the AC Public Housing that we were able to get rid of the people that had contracted ( City of Wichita Falls ). I explained my main purpose for being on the board is to fight for the little people. I know that the senior citizens would have no place to go, but the nursing home. I hope someone will stand up for me if I get in that situation. The WF bunch were not treating the people good so I had to make sure we got rid of them.

You know, right is right and wrong is wrong. I have always believe that and my motto has always to Treat Others As you would want to be treated.

Keep that faith and fighting spirit because we may need it before all this is over.

I guarantee it will be a battle. There are certain names that have been in this town and in control for quite some time. They were probably just starting their climb when you went to school here.

The sad part of this whole thing is, these parents don't realize what they are doing to their own kids, let alone ours. They don't seem to understand that, when their sons and daughters get into the real world, they will have a major culture shock, be suicidal because they don't know why things are going their way, etc... There's one "name" family here that has seen at least two suicides of their young people because they couldn't handle it any more.

Also, you wouldn't believe how many illegal drugs are running around this school. And, some of the biggest suppliers are a few of the bad parents... Due to my prior employment, I have seen what drugs can do to a person and their life, so this concept scares me for my childrens' sakes.

Yes, I too have seen what drugs will do to people. I purchased everything for the North Texas Drug Task Force for years and became very familiar with all those drugs. It is so terrible to see a kid get caught up on drugs because it is really a death sentence.

Funny, but sad. When the superintendent addressed the council that night that I met him he told the council that they have only had two instances with drugs in the school. The police chief did look at him rather strangely. I have heard for years that there are drugs in the school.

I did see first hand the stuff left when the McLemore and McMurtry kids were living in the apartments on Beech Street. I also had a run-in with Jerry Casimir and some of his friends about 4 years ago. They were all shot up on drugs, but they saw my shotgun and they were afraid that I was going to shoot them. I have had no more trouble from them. I don't guess I would have shot them, but they did not know that. haha I know that several of the grown ups in town are heavy users of drugs, but they are protected and nobody bothers them. I do not think that is right, but what really hurts is that their kids grow up to think that is just life. It is really sad.

Have a nice week and be careful.

Are you a retired cop?.. I worked for the WFPD for 8 1/2 years as an ID Tech... Funny, I probably know you.

No was not a cop. Curtis Harrelson was my brother-in-law. I was over the Central Services Complex. I used to know about everyone that worked for the City, but so many of the cops & firemen have retired and their are men on the force now that look so young.haha Guess I am just getting old. I was the crazy one that worked 7 days a week,90 hours a week. haha

It is a really small world especially since everyone has computers. I kept talking with this guy from Dallas and we had talked back and forth for a long time and we found out we were in the same class room at school.

I have lived here for about 4 years since I retired. Funny, I miss the people, but I do not miss the City at all.

I used to work close with Jerry Riley and I went all around and found undercover cars for them to drive. That is until he got in trouble with the lady down there. haha I purchased the motorcycles so I knew Smittie, David Stout, Weiss and all that bunch. I rode bicycles with Greg Burt, the little short guy. Of course I had a lot of dealings with Stone, Lindsey, Robert David, Trainem. I used to give Pilcher and Gene Davis fits. Yep, there were and are some really good people at the City. I went to work the same day as the BLACK WIDOW, Jan Strickland. They did not give me $100,000 when I left like they did her. Know Karmon or Carmon. I knew a lot of the old guys that have retired that were detectives. I should know you. What years did you work there?

This is getting like a story in a mystery book. Did you know Jerry in the ID department? He left and I do not know where he went.

Gotta go put drops in my eye. It gets dry and feels like sandpaper is in it.

Later

Jerry (I can't remember his last name), the guy who was a little off center and got in trouble when he was in detectives because he kept loading rounds in his gun? The detectives used to keep their vests on the back of their chairs while he was there... If we're talking about the same guy, he retired and I never heard about him again... When I started in ID, Bill Pursley was in charge.

I started working there in Nov 1996, just before Chief Harrelson retired and Schlieper took over on April Fools day, so I didn't really get to know him - or his majors much, since they all retired about the same time... I did know Jerry Riley, Stout is still there, and yes, Greg Burt could use some growth hormones!.. It was a golden day for the City when Cruella Devile (as we called her) left and took Berzina with her... I left there in March 05 after having taken all the crap I could take.

There were some great people there and I miss seeing and talking to 95% of them. The other 5% I could care less if they fell off the face of the earth.

And you're right,.. the drama unfolds,..

Well, I wrote a page and it got lost somewhere. Yes,that Jerry was some kid of different fellow. Curtis introduced him to me over at the police station and he was working with the computers at that time. He was doing well, but he went down hill fast. I am trying to remember his last name. Jerry Simpson.

Mike Little was an officer and then went on to be what ever he is today.I know Bill Pursley well and I think he is preaching full time now. He has married more and buried more people probably than any other in the City. Carl Lilly worked for me for a while before going to the police department.

Did you know Pam Rodgers that was a dispatcher? Her husband Ernie worked for me there at Central. I think they divorced and both remarried.

I was married to Chief Harrelson's sister for 32 years before she decided that the grass looked so much greener on the other side of the road. She did not know that it took a lot of manure to make it that green.

And so, the mystery goes on.

Yup, Jerry Simpson... They put him back on patrol and he went haywire - he threatened a female officer with his weapon and he was finally forced to retire.

Carl Lilly - another piece of work. He was in Internal Affairs when the officer (Jeremiah Love) had his issues with excessive force and the MyPage controversy. He had heart surgery a while back and I think he plans to retire, if he hasn't already.

I knew Pam. She was working in the data processing.

Bill Pursley is an interesting character. He has a lot of knowledge regarding the forensic end of crime scene investigation... He is also a beautiful singer... He was in the recording studio the night of the gunshop homicide, but he was able to eventually get back and make is tapes.

I never met Mike Little, that I remember anyway.

Do you remember the dispatcher they nicknamed "Booger Red?" I can't think of her real name, but she was there for 32 years before she retired.

I've never thought much about Bachman, especially as the chief. I think the only reason he got that job was because he was the best a** kisser to apply. Rumour has it that he is supposed to be retiring soon and Deputy Chief Laura Arnold Drury will probably get the job.

The person I probably have the most respect for up there is Tony Fox - damn good detective. We worked several homicides together and I learned a lot from him... He also has a great fish fry every year!

Bob Guerin is working out of Archer City as a probation officer. I saw him at the post office a couple of months ago.

I've been married nearly 24 years. I would hate to think about the other side of the fence - it would take too much effort to get over there!.. Sorry yours felt the need to go.

To be continued,..