Mayor wins community development award

The National Center for Small Communities (NCSC) has announced that Clarendon Mayor Leonard “Tex” Selvidge has won an American Hometown Leadership Award for outstanding leadership in America’s smaller communities.

Wal-Mart, which co-sponsors the award to promote strong leadership in small towns, presented a grant of $1,000 to the community in Mayor Selvidge’s honor.

“The vision and dedication displayed by the winners of the American Hometown Leadership Award are qualities that are key to building and sustaining vital communities,” said Betsy Reithemeyer, director of corporate affairs for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “We are committed to improving these small communities by lifting up the best leaders who are making a difference.”

Selvidge, who spent 27 years with Clarendon College, began his political career as a Donley County Commissioner and a commissioner at Hedley, a press release said. He was elected to the Clarendon Board of Aldermen in 1976 and served as Clarendon’s mayor from 1977 to 1981. He then served as an alderman again from 1981 to 1982 before again being elected mayor in 1997.

Selvidge works tirelessly in serving the people of Clarendon and reportedly hopes to use the grant to improve street paving in the city.

City Librarian Carolyn Blackerby praised Selvidge, saying simply, “Tex Selvidge is the most fair man I know,” she said.

Wal-Mart awards more than $4 million annually in Economic Development Grants to support local efforts to attract new business. This year the company will award more than $720,000 to more than 300 communities across the country through the American Hometown Leadership Award. The award recognizes outstanding civic accomplishments by elected local officials in a community with a population of 25,000 or less.

“The winners of the American Hometown Leadership Award demonstrate not only outstanding leadership qualities but also the creativity and initiative needed to bring a measure of excellence to their work,” said Tom Halicki, executive director of NCSC. “Their ability to envision great things for their communities and their ability to translate that vision into action makes them deserving of our highest honor.”

NCSC is the only national non-profit organization devoted to serving the leaders of America’s smaller communities. The mission of NCSC is to provide small town decision-makers with the tools to govern effectively and the skills to expand local economies, protect natural resources, and preserver community character.

Wal-Mart Supercenter Manager Marvin Bender of Amarillo presented the award to Selvidge Tuesday night during the regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen.