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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-14 Euless Articles IDISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF 1 • MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN IYOUNG McDONALD COLLINS, C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 //`v /U DATE OF ARTICLE 3 / 7 / v NEWSPAPER DMN 1 LOCAL BRIEFS ' ETHANOL Direct Fuels opens ' distribution facility Euless fuel distributor Direct Fuels said Thursday that it opened North Texas' first ethanol distribution facility. The facility can store about ' 110,000 barrels of ethanol; which is added to the gasoline used in four North Texas ' counties in the summer to cut down on emissions.The distribution center is large,' enough to supply about 75 ' percent of North Texas' ethanol,the company said.. North Texas had lacked the infrastructure to move;stbre i ' and distribute ethanol.That led to minor shortages last: year that left a few service stations out of gasoline for a ' few days. *.. Elizabeth Solider 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF c MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR I DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 /14/ ogDATE OF ARTICLE /1O / 08 NEWSPAPER FWST EULESS I Federal case religious ious freedom pits g and ban on cruelty to animals A federal judge will hear ar- the Santeria religion, has Animal regulations ' guments- today about sued Euless, saying the city Euless North Richland Hills whether Euless'ban on cru is infringing on his religious •Animals except chick- ■It's forbidden to beat,torment,mentally elty to animals infringes liberties by forbidding him ens and turkeys cannot abuse,overload,overwork or otherwise abuse upon religious freedom after to sacrifice goats and other be slaughtered or kept an animal or start or permit any fight between the city declined to issue a animals during ceremonies. for slaughtering. animals or between animals and humans. permit to a religious group Euless officials say the ■Goats and other ■No dog or cat may be killed for human that practices animal sacri- sacrifices would violate or- livestock must be kept consumption or its fur.No domestic animal fice. dinances against animal 100 feet from residenc- may be killed for human consumption in a A similar case in Florida cruelty, keeping livestock . es. way that disturbs neighbors., went to the U.S. Supreme and disposal of animal ■Livestock cannot be ■Any animal that a police officer or animal court. waste. kept on less than half services officer sees is in danger may be ' Jose Merced, a priest in an acre. removed. !;` ,t��< rr�� Jose Merced,-a f ti Santeria priest. �` s #.: ' says Euless is in- iiiii ' {�, ^,. fringing on his i ''` religious liber- . ,:. k ties by forbid- ding him to sac r i , ' rifice goats and , . other animals during ceremo= , nies. S T/ -•} R.JEENA JACOB EULESS—A federal judge will hear arguments today about whether Euless' ban on cruelty to animals infringes upon The plaintiff's view .a religious freedom.Jose Merced,a priest in the Santeria reli-.'' Merced's attorney,John Wheat Gibson,said Merced v.City of gion, has sued Euless, saying the city is infringing on his Euless is a"vanilla First Amendment case." religious liberties by forbidding him to sacrifice goats and ' People"have a right to practice religion in their homes if other animals during ceremonies. they re not bothering anyone,"he said. ..ri Euless officials say the sacrifices would violate ordinanc- He said the city needs to show evidence if there's been any - es against animal cruelty,keeping livestock and disposal of cruelty to livestock. 1 animal waste; In his affidavit,Merced,a flight attendant,said the chickens The background and goats are.slaughtered quickly and then eaten. "' In May 2006,Merced and 10 other church members were at "I just want to do the right thing and legal way and try to find a happy medium and practice my religion,which is pro- his house a day before a planned ceremony when a Euless tected by the U.S.Constitution,"he said. police officer and an animal control officer knocked on his He hasn't had any ceremonies since 2006. `_ N. door. "Do I miss it?Of course,"Merced said. A resident had tipped off police that Merced,president of Templo Yoruba Omo Orisha Texas,and his group would sacri- The city's view fice goats,according to police reports and court documents. The city's attorney for the case,Mick McKamie,said the city is The officer did not see any goats,and Merced said he would treating Merced like any other resident. not sacrifice any animals. During some ceremonies,the group kills at least six goats j, A month later,Merced and a priest from Puerto Rico met and more than 20 chickens,McKamie said. with Euless officials,who told him that the city would not t issue "That's a lot of animal waste to dispose of,"he said. a permit for their ceremonies. McKamie said the ordinances,which have been in place Merced sued in December 2006. --,since 1974,are similar to those in other area communities. In 2007,the city offered Merced a compromise to help "The city is in the business to protect health and safety," settle the lawsuit—he could kill chickens,which city law al- McKamie said."We don't inquire into.people's beliefs." lows,but not goats.The city would still enforce its animal cruelty ordinance and its ban against killing livestock. , Merced declined. 1 IDISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE OF MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY GRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN IYOUNG McDONALD COLLINS/ C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATEDISTRIBUTED J /�`Y /6 DATE OF ARTICLE /�� NEWSPAPER FWST IThe religion - . Santeria,deriving from Central and West African religions and " .� ", Spanish Catholicism,was transported by slaves to Cuba and ' I Puerto Rico.Santeria practitioners believe in a supreme deity d .4.!:,..`'‘:. j called Oludumara,who is the creator and sustaining spirit that i �. guides everything. $ Lesser gods are called Orishas and have their own powers. ; , I Each Orisha must be served and placated in some way— ‘3,1 such as by religious ecstasy or possession or by animal sacri ��� fice,said Darren Middleton,associate professor of religion at f •, I Texas Christian University. $ The court's view � 4 ' : When a Santeria church moved to Hialeah,Fla.,in 1987,the '''':-..,P, s" klfrk ;,x„,�� �"° � I ; City Council passed an ordinance that prohibited owning ani- � ! 1,:.t.t.,,,, . � � �� �� ��; mals for sacrifice,making exceptions for slaughterhouses,said Paul Collins,assistant professor ofexceptions political science at the : University of North Texas in Denton. 6 IP:i � The church sued the city,saying it was unconstitutional to Fk target an ordinance at a church instead of applying to every- `''? k body.The U.S.Supreme Court ruled in favor of the church in v 1993."Ultimately,the issue comes down whether the law is ,_v I general or neutral,”Collins said. . x " ,,,,‘‘,,,,,,,,::\.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,:,,:,,,,,,,,.,,,,,,3„; q / �.Q � s �A :: ga:p.„. A �.: This report includes material from the Star-Telegram archil ives. �- ' % € r !�a ! � IJESSICA DELEON,817-685-3932 sy �` If t,. :s • t t.a ,. E a : - ' 7. MSS ' r` Offerings to Thomasa,a deity in the Santeria religion.Lesser gods, III or Orishas,must be served and placated•in some way,such as by I animal sacrifice. - STAR-TELEGRAM/R.JEENAJACOB I DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE I OF MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN cL,IBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 /144 / 049 DATE OF ARTICLE 3 / t I / c b NEWSPAPER DMN 3 • 'Santeraslaughter rejected Merced and Mr.Merced said he would not come entangled in religion. .. Euless priest may other Santeria sacrifice anyanimals at the cere- Last year,Euless officials said followers were mony, planned for the next day, Mr. Merced could kill chickens, appeal after animal ,4°-: going to sacri- but a month later tried to get'a which city law allows, but not fice several city permit for the ceremonies. goats, citing city rules that pro- sacrifice ban upheld goats. When Euless denied his re- hibit animal cruelty,keeping live staff and Wire Reports r d At the end of quest,he filed a federal lawsuit in stock and disposing of animal FORT WORTH — A federal '' ' the one-day late 2006,saying the city had in- waste.Mr.Merced declined. judge on Monday ruled against a Jose Merced trial, U.S. Dis- fringed on his religious freedom. Santeria followers say animal Santeria priest who challenged an trict Judge At the center of the lawsuit sacrifices are an essential devo- animal slaughter ban on the John McBryde said Euless was was a 2000`federal land-use law, tion in their religion, which was grounds that it interfered with his protecting the public's health by which says that local govern- born in Cuba by Yoruba slaves j 1 right to perform religious sacrific- banning the slaughter of animals ments must show a compelling who fused elements of Roman es in his Euless home. in the city limits but that Mr. 'public interest before enforcing Catholicism with beliefs they Jose Merced said he may ap- Merced could practice the rituals an ordinance that could limit a brought with them from Africa. peal the ruling. . elsewhere. religious practice. Adherents later brought Santeria "I'm a little surprised about it," Nearly two years ago,a Euless In January,the city asked the to the U.S.during the Cuban rev- he said, adding that the city had police officer and animal control judge to dismiss the lawsuit,say- olution. not received complaints about the officer went to Mr. Merced's ing that the city's slaughter ltian Santerians believe in spiritual 1, practice before May 2006,when house.after receiving the anony- applies to everybody and that forces called Orishas,whose sur- an unidentified person called po- mous tip, according to docu- making an exception for Mr.Mer- vival depends on blood sacrifices. lice and complained that Mr. ments. ced would force the city to be The Associated Press rad I I rr I IDISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF 1 MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN IYOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR/ DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 / I l I 0 DATE OF ARTICLE 3 / ( I I u �, NEWSPAPER FWST IELECTIONS Candidate lists set for May 10 vote Candidate filing ended 1 Monday for the May 10 elections. - CANDIDATE FILINGS sHere are the candidates who Grapevine CityCouncil Northwest school board filed for the May 10 local elec- Place 5:Chris Coy,P Phil Lang, Place 5:Joe Montero Trophy Club Municipal ii tions. Incumbents are indicated Utility Districts Becky St.John,Traci Wilkinson Place 6: Davis Palmer(i) 1.1 by 0)' Place 6: Roy Stewart Q) Place 7: Brent Stephens MUD 1:Jim Hase(i), Dean Also:Voters will consider a Henry(i), Bob Radder Bedford City Council MUD 2:James Budarf i Haltom City Council $260 million bond package. () Place 4:Raymond Cham ne Kevin Carr(i),Jim Thomas(i), Place 6:Chris Brown;Patricia Place 3: Blakely Cabano(i) Richland Hills Steven Kohs,George Rober( Nolan;Jim Wallace Place 4: Dale Clark(i) City Council son,Greg Lamont Also:Voters will consider 33 Place 5: Richard Hutchison (i) Mayor: David Ragan (i) Also:Voters who live in proposed charter changes. Place 6: Kim Reese(i) Place 2: Kenney Davis Municipal Utility District 1 1 L Place 4: Donald Acker(i) will be asked to approve up to Birdville school board Haslet City Council $2 million in bonds to build a Place 1:Joe Tolbert(i)Webb i) Place 1:Bob Golden Roanoke City Council new central fire station. Place 2: Dolores ebb(i) Place 3: Kathy Hopper(i) Ward 1: Brian Darby (i), Kirby 1,,,,, Place 5: Pat Richey(i) Smith Watauga City Council Carroll school board Ward 2: Holly Gray-McPher- Place 1: Ernie Koontz(i) IPlace 1:Craig Rothmeier(i) Hurst-Euless-Bedford son (i), Lewis Rice,Melvin Place 2: Richard Helmick(i) Place 2: Bernie Ausdenmoore school board Smith Place 6: Lee Griffin (i) (i) Place 6:Andy Cargile,Steve Ward 3:Steve Heath (i),Frank Place 7:Jerry Adams (i), Farco, Louis D.Marks Jr. Place 3:Sue Armstrong(i) Temple James Kimmerle Place 7:Mark Cyrier(i) Also:Voters will consider Colleyville City Council proposed charter changes, Westlake Board of Place 3:Stan Hall Hurst City Council including pay for City Council Aldermen Place 4:Jon Ayers(i) Mayor: Richard Ward (i) members and the mayor,and Mayor: Laura Wheat Place 4:Anna Holzer(i) increasing council terms to Two at-large seats(two- Place 5: Bill McLendon0) yearsyear term):Tim Brittan,Euless CityCouncil three from the current , Kevin Mayor: Mary Lib Saleh (i) Place 7: Nancy Welton (0 two years. Council members Maynard (i), Rebecca Rollins, now receive no pay. Peter Steger(i) Place 2:Lorren Britton,Leon Keller City Council At-large seat(unexpired Hogg(i) Place 2:John Baker,Mark Southlake City Council term):Carol K. Langdon —Place 4:Jay Heilman,Donna Harness (i),Scott Zang, Kevin Place 1: Laura Hill (i) Mickan Jerome - Place 6:Suzanne Maisto, Pam Place 3:Tom Cawthra,Bob Kirk Muller, Ralph Williams Flower Mound Town (i), Bob Welch Also:Voters will consider a Council Place 4:Jim Carson (i),Jim civil service ordinance for Mayor:Jody Smith (i) Thompson police and firefighters. Place 2:Steve Dixon,Al Filidoro (i) Keller school board Trophy Club Council Place 4:Jean Levenick,Virginia Place 4:Craig Allen, Richard At-large candidates:Susan M.Jellison Walker Edstrom (i),Philip.Sterling(i), IGrapevine-Colleyville Place 5: Lara Lee Hogg(0, Charlie Youngblood Joseph Boclair,Glenn Strother, school board Michael Zerger,Barbie Kadow, Stephen Skeen. Place 5:Jesse Rodriguez 0) North Richland Hills Place 6: Leon Leal,Vince Rosen City Council iii(i) Mayor:Oscar Trevino (i) Place 7: Mia Green,Jorge Place 2: Ken Sapp (i) Rodriguez P€ace 4:Tim Barth (i) Place 6:Scott Turnage (i) DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE l OF I MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR I DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 / l / 0F DATE OF ARTICLE 3 // / / U s2 NEWSPAPER FWST COURTS I Euless ban Merced declined the deal. kept outside in cages until the ®n animal "They never heard of anyone ceremony.After the ceremo being harmed in any way,not Courtroom testimony he wraps the carcasses in pl even a stomach ache." Michael Mason,an anthropol- tic bags and puts them in But Euless officials said ogist/exhibit developer for the Dumpster. sacrificethey are happy with the deci- National Museum of Natural Euless officials said Mere sion. History in Washington, D.C., was violating city ordinancI • "Public health is one of the provided some background that prohibit the killing of am- lS ill)held, most compelling interestssaidMick the that on Santeria He has studied mals, except chickens or tur- es ," religion for 20 years. keys, and that dead anima McKamie, the city's attorney Mason, who testified for have to be disposed of lawhiil A Euless man was prohibited from for the case. Merced, said sacrifice was ly. sacrificing animals in his home as part needed to please the deities, City witness Donald Fe of his Santeria religion. Background called Orishas, so they would alawyerwhospecializesin Merced and 10 church mem- continue to engage with hu- imal law, said that when By JESSICA DELEON bers were preparing for an ani- mans.The ceremony could in- mal remains are put in a jdeleon@star-telegram.com mal sacrifice in May 2006 elude the killing of five to sev- Dumpster, it can attract ve FORT WORTH—A U.S.District Court judge when police went to his home en sheep or goats, a turtle, a min and flies. If dumped in ruled against a Euless man who was chal- to investigate a resident's tip. duck, 10 to 14 chickens and wooded area, they could a lenging city ordinances that prevented him They told Merced he could not five to 10 doves for the initia- tract predators and unwanted from sacrificing animals at proceed with the sacrifice. tion of a new priest. animals. his home as part of his San- The city later refused to is- The animals are usually teria religion. E: sue a permit for Merced to killed with a filletknife insert- Past cases Judge. John McBryde ,,• ,, •., conduct future ceremonies, ed under the jawbone,Mason In 1993, the U.S. Supreme said Monday that Jose r. j1 citing city rules that prohibit said. Merced said the priests Court ruled in favor of a Sar Merced did not need to use Y, animal cruelty, keeping live- are trained to be quick and hu- teria church after the Hiale his house to practice his re- stock and disposing of animal mane.The animals, except for Fla, City Council made laws figion and that the city was Merced waste. the turtle,are usually eaten the that outlawed the ownershi protecting the public's In 2007, the city offered next day. The blood goes to a or possession of animals f health with its laws against animal cruelty. Merced a compromise to help container used to communi- sacrifice, making exceptio "He could go outside the city and do the settle the lawsuit: he could tate with the Orishas, and for slaughterhouses. things he does inside his house," McBryde sacrifice chickens, which the then is washed down a drain, The Supreme Court rul said. city ordinance allows,but not Mason said. The turtle is not that the city was specific Merced, a flight attendant, said he.1s goats as he wanted. The city eaten.Merced said he buys the targeting the church instead thinking about appealing the decision. : would continue to enforce its animals at flea markets in Dal- applying the law to everybody. "I'm a little surprised about it,"he said animal cruelty ordinance and las, Fort Worth, Garland or His attorney, John Wheat Gibson, said, its ban on killing livestock. Mansfield. They are usually JESSICADELE6N,817-685-3932 I I IDISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF / ' MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN IYOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C.BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 / /y /©o DATE OF ARTICLE 3 / / / l 6 V NEWSPAPER FWST BRIEFS IFifth-grader takes chef's knife to school EULESS—Disciplinary action is pending for a fifth- grade boy who took a chef's knife to Lakewood Elemen- I tary School on Friday.About 1:45 p.m.,a classmate saw the knife in the student's open backpack,said Judy Ra- mos,a spokeswoman for the Hurst-Euless-Bedford school district."She reported it to the teacher,and the I teacher called the principal in,"Ramos said."For the rest of the afternoon the child was with the principal,and then the school called the Euless police,which came and I took the knife away."A meeting today will determine the disciplinary action to be taken, Ramos said. In,the mean- time,the student is in in-school suspension.He told school officials that he took the knife to school because I he was not getting along with an older student, Ramos said.Students who bring weapons to school can face expulsion, Ramos said. —Terry Webster I I I I I I I I I I I