Looking back...

10-20-40-100 YEARS AGO

100 YEARS AGO…

The Reporter was pleased to announce that a number of Rockdale’s influential and public-spirited women had undertaken the organization of a Parent-Teacher Association, and that Mrs. M.N. Marrs of Austin, who was president of the state Parent-Teacher Association, would come to Rockdale for the purpose of explaining the work and assisting in the effecting of an organization. Mrs. Marrs, by the way, was the wife of one of the state’s foremost educators, her husband was connected with the State Department of Education.

Mayor H.C. White stated positively to friends that he would not stand for reelection as mayor again. White served the city as its chief executive for more than 10 years, and considered that his duty, as such, had been discharged and that it was time for somebody else to get under the yoke.

Mrs. E.A. Camp was a most charming hostess to the Matinee Musical Club last week. A lively musical game was played and Louise Hale was rewarded with a dainty gingham handkerchief for her skill. Mrs. Camp served most delicious refreshments consisting of pecan cake, marshmallow pudding and hot chocolate. At a late hour the club adjourned to meet in next with Mrs. W. A. Coffield.

40 YEARS AGO…

Bill Ortego, RHS principal for the past two years, was named superintendent of schools in a called meeting of school trustees. The school board named Walter Pond, who had served as assistant to Ortego for the past year, the new RHS principal.

State Rep. Dan Kubiak of Rockdale announced at a press conference in Austin that he would seek the office of Texas land commissioner rather than seek an eighth consecutive term in the legislature.

Wallace Jones was named the new president of Rockdale Emergency Medical Services, and Zeta Rolan was named new vice president.

20 YEARS AGO…

Rockdale Junior High School had a “new” assistant principal after school trustees met and made the position permanent for Richard Taylor, who had held the job on an interim basis for the past five months.

Brian Wallis was the big winner in the annual Project Graduation drawing. Wallis’ ticket was among 3,200 and he took home a 2002 Ford F-150 pickup.

Mayor Wallace Jones signed a proclamation recognizing Rockdale ISD board of trustees and marking January as School Board Recognition month.

10 YEARS AGO…

Motorcycle enthusiasts from all over Central Texas gathered at The Ranch to conduct a run as part of a benefit day for area resident Andrea Bailey. More than $10,000 was raised to help Mrs. Bailey, a cancer patient, pay medical bills. Bikers stopped at five locations along the route before returning to The Ranch.

Rockdale Municipal Development District (MDD) members, meeting in regular session at City Hall, heard an update on the Alcoa smelter. Alcoa recently “permanently closed” two potlines at the formerly six-potline smelter which had been closed since 2008. Jim Hodson, Alcoa spokesman, said the Potlines 3 and 4, the two oldest, would be dismantled over the next 18 months.

First-year member of the Rockdale Police Department, Ofc. Adam Assaker, did two things not usually associated with a “rookie.” Last April he made a capital murder arrest, not something which happens routinely in Rockdale. And this week he was named the department’s officer-of-the-year at the annual awards banquet.