Archives for October 2001

The sounds of jackhammers filled the square last Thursday as work began on the restoration of the 1890 Donley County Courthouse.

Commissioners met in called session October 17 and approved a $2.78 million contract with Phoenix 1 Restoration and Construction of Dallas. The signing follows months of negotiations as the contractor, the county, its architects, and the Texas Historical Commission worked together to bring the cost down after the only bid came in $1 million over budget.

Phoenix’s project manager Dwight Smith says the concrete removal, foundation work, and plaster removal will be the first objectives his six-man team will tackle.

The concrete steps and porch of the building’s main entrance were history by last Friday. Smith says this week workers will be drilling 30-foot holes for new 30-inch concrete piers, which will anchor the tower and its new third story. Existing foundations for the tower only go four feet below grade.

Inside the building, workers are taking plaster off the walls and removing doors to be refinished.

Smith is excited about the local job and has worked on courthouse restorations in Rockwell and Ellis counties.

“I think it’s going to be a great project,” Smith said. “People I’ve met in town have been cordial and very nice. We’re looking forward to a successful project.”

Several items had to be given up in order for the Donley project to go forward. Rehabilitation and replacement of the exterior sandstone was the single costliest item to be deleted from the project. That work would have cost an estimated $250,000. The stonework can still be done at a future time and might be added back into the project if the county can get the funds donated.

Project architect Chris Hutson said the stonework would not have been deleted, but the contractor assured his office that the building could still be sealed from moisture and the masonry repointed without replacing the faulty stones.

Several other job options were also deleted but are not expected to impact the historic nature of the building nor prevent it from being used as a modern courthouse.

The county also found other creative ways to save money. For example, the concrete debris from the steps and other areas was originally to have been hauled off to a landfill. The county instead plans to use that rubble as fill on a bridge project, thus saving landfill fees. Plaster rubble will similarly be re-used by the county.

John Kiehl of the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission is administering the grant for the county and says the project is being carried out in the most cost-effective manner possible, despite the opinions of some local residents.

“The county has pursued every savings avenue possible in an effort to keep this project in line with the original estimates,” Kiehl said in a fax to the Enterprise. “Unfortunately, the bid the county had to work with exceeded those estimates by roughly $1 million, and only through diligent efforts has the county been able to cut that overage by nearly 75 percent.

Kiehl says the project at completion will cost the county $67.80 per square foot, which he says is a bargain compared to other courthouse restorations.

In conjunction with the 2002 Gray County Centennial activities, author Delbert Trew of Alanreed, has published a new book entitled The RO Brand which chronicles the life of Alfred Rowe, founder of McLean and the RO Ranch.

In addition to all known references published about Rowe, the new book presents original photographs received from the Rowe Estate in England and extensive new information gleaned from land abstracts and legal documents filed in both early day Gray and Donley Counties after they were organized.

This personal insight into Rowe’s life shows the intellect, honesty, and hard-working habits he practiced allowing the Englishman to accumulate a fortune in land and cattle assets between the years of 1878 and 1912 when he perished on the Titanic.

Another feature of the book is a detailed explanation of how land acquisition in early day Texas worked allowing the Big Ranch Era to exist for many years. The books ends with the facts and figures of the final disposition of Alfred Rowe’s estate and the start of the Lewis Era of RO Ranch history. A special page reviews facts and details of the Titanic disaster. Detailed maps, early day town plots of McLean and Rowe, and other historical documents are also contained in the book.

The paperback edition has 48 pages, 28 photos, and numerous Western illustrations. It is on sale at the Burton Memorial Library or at the two McLean museums for $8. You can also purchase the book from the author for $9.50 including shipping and handling. Send check to Delbert Trew, Box A, Alanreed, TX 79002.

The Donley County VFW Post 7782 announced today that the Veterans Day Program will be held on November 11, 2001, at 11 a.m. at the Donley County War Memorial located on the Courthouse Square.

The ceremony will be scaled down this year from past years due to Veterans Day falling on Sunday morning. The public is still invited, but the ceremony will only include the VFW ritual of laying of flowers and prayers.

A ceremony in the local schools was discussed, but the veterans felt the program and Veterans Day must fall on the eleventh month at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day, which is the tradtional date of the signing of the Armistace ending World War I.

The VFW is planning to have a larger ceremony in the near future, perhaps on Loyalty Day next year.

For information on Veterans Day, Loyalty Day, or any other veterans questions, contact the VFW Post at 874-VETS.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) was appointed last week as a Conference Committee Member for the FY 2002 Defense Authorization Act.

This marks the fourth year in a row that Thornberry has been named to the Conference Committee. He was appointed by Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert.

The Conference Committee is comprised of a select group of members from the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. The purpose of the Committee is to resolve differences in the House and Senate versions of the FY 2002 Defense Authorization Act, which passed each chamber earlier this year.

The final version that is ultimately agreed to by members of the Conference Committee will be voted on by both houses of Congress and, if approved, sent to the President for his signature.

“Providing a defense bill with the proper resources, facilities, pay, and benefits for our Nation’s military men and women is vitally important,” Thornberry said.

“It has been made even more important this year since the September 11 attacks. As a member of this Committee, I will work to ensure that our military’s needs are met while pushing for important investments in our area, as well.

“As we wage the war against terrorism, it is critical that we provide our troops with the tools, training, and resources to get the job done. We have the strongest and smartest military in the history of the world. We’ve got to keep it that way, which, in my mind, is one of the top goals of this bill.”

The House passed its version of the 2002 Defense Authorization Act on September 25. The bill included a number of proposals pushed for by Thornberry including $45.2 million for construction of three new facilities at Sheppard Air Force Base, an extra $40 million for infrastructure improvements at Pantex, and $1.5 billion for the purchase of 12 V-22 Ospreys and related research and development.

It also included increases in military pay, steps to help strengthen the security of our satellites and other assets in space, and $400 million in new funding for the Defense Department to combat terrorists.

Additionally, the bill makes fighting terrorism a national security mission.

The final version of the FY 2002 Defense Authorization Act is expected to be voted on this month.

Leon Church, County Agent

Susan Combs, Commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture, has asked the County Extension Agents across Texas to get a message out to all agricultural producers to be vigilant in these troubled times.

We in agriculture have always known that a safe, reliable food supply has been an important part of national defense. In light of the tragic events in New York and Washington, D.C., and with federal officials voicing concern about the potential for other domestic attacks, an assault on our food supply through either biological weapons or the introduction of a foreign animal or crop disease or pest would be a highly destructive force that could be used against agriculture and America.

While we have been vigilant in the past, now is the time for everyone in agriculture to be even more so. That’s why Combs has formed a Texas Border Food Security Coalition of producer groups and associations to work with their members and to encourage farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses to be on the lookout for any unusual activity including strangers on their farms, ranches, and agribusinesses. This is particularly true in the Texas counties along the border with Mexico.

In addition, Combs has asked members of our agricultural community to follow these added security measures. Maintain a list of all emergency contacts and numbers and post these throughout you operation; review internal security, safety procedures, and provide training to employees; report to local authorities all suspicious activities, vehicles, or persons; report to local authorities all threats on personnel and facilities; report to local authorities all thefts, inventory shortages, or missing products that could pose a public health or safety risk; report to local authorities all burglaries, sabotage to facilities or equipment, and all vandalism or activities that may pose a safety or security risk; report any missing blank documentation or identification cards such as shipping forms; and if you notice unusual occurrence of animal diseases, contact a veterinarian and the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242.

These are common sense type measures, but ones we need to keep in mind.

Cheryl Johnson, Clarendon Enterprise

The fate of Hedley’s annual Cotton Festival still hangs the balance following a successful 50th anniversary celebration last Friday and Saturday.

Attendance was better this year than previous years, and Janie Hill with the Hedley Homemakers said she thought the festival went well.

“It was one of the biggest we’ve had as far as people coming back [to Hedley],” Hill said. “If we knew we were going to have that kind of response every year, we could do it again.”

Mary Farris, who organized the Hedley school reunion, said her event saw its largest turn out in ten years, but she’s not sure about the future of the festival, although there will be another reunion next year at Cotton Festival time.

“Some say ‘yes’ and some say ‘no,’ but since we’re having the reunion I think we’ll have something [for the festival,]” Farris said. “We had a super nice time.”

Planning for a possible 51st Cotton Festival is months away as community organizations reflect on this year’s golden anniversary.

The 2001 festival started Friday, October 12, with the Lioness Club kicked things off with a Stew and Chili Supper. Terry Hickey of Hedley was the lucky winner of the quilt that was raffled off at the supper.

On Saturday morning, the Antique Tractor Show got underway. The show was sponsored by the Hedley Volunteer Fire Department, but results were not available at press time. The Lions Club served barbecue to over 250 folks at the Lions Hall for lunch.

The Kiddie Parade followed lunch with “Homeland Defense,” led by Zack, MarLee, and Jasie Sargent and Nathan Hoggatt, winning first place. Branson Cruse and the Howard Family Patriots took second and third place respectively.

In the Grand Parade, the Owens family’s float took first place honors in the float division as well as the overall grand prize. Breanne Chase riding on the tropical float placed second, and the Methodist and Baptist churches’ “Light of the World” float placed third.

Alvie Ray placed first in the decorated vehicle category with Sierra Wheatly placing second, and Elva Davis and the girls placed third.

Tiffany Allen Wilkinson riding in a chariot pulled by a mule placed first in the riding club category. The Khiva Shrine Mule Skinners from Amarillo placed second in that category with “Bubba” Thomas placing third.

The Hedley FFA held Bingo throughout the day at the Senior Citizens Center. Winners of the blackout bingo for two quilts were Mark Montgomery and Michelle Clubb. Brady Montgomery was the winner of a knife that was also given away during a blackout bingo game.

After the parade, an ex-students and ex-teachers reunion was held at the First Baptist Church Activity Center with 223 people registering. The Classes of ’61 and ’67 also held their individual class reunions at the same time. Several teachers were in attendance as well.

Saturday evening, Breanne Chase was crowned the 2001-02 Cotton Queen during the Queen’s Coronation in the Hedley School Gymnasium. Sierra Wheatly was crowned the Cotton Princess. The Queen’s Court included Christmas Murrell, Bobbie Morris, Jennifer Williams, Cassie Moore, and Marissa Wells. Contestants in the Princess contest included Timber Burnam, Tamra Burnam, and Harley Hanes. A presentation of 50 years of Queens was also given during the Coronation.

Mickey Seeman of New Mexico, grandmother of Queen contestant Christmas Murrell, was the winner of the bale of cotton given away at the Queen’s Coronation, which was sponsored by the Hedley Homemakers Club.

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen met October 9 in regular session and heard from representatives of the Texas Department of Health regarding public safety issues.

TDH officials John Huss and Robert Badger discussed health issues related to livestock being kept in populated areas. TDH can use state ordinances to protect the public safety regardless of what actions have been taken by municipal authorities. Also, TDH authority is not limited by city boundaries.

Clarendon has had difficultly enforcing its livestock ordinance, and local officials may utilize the TDH to crack down on residents keeping livestock in the city when that situation endangers public health.

In other city business, Kelly Hill requested the city close or fence the non-developed streets between Blocks 72, 81, and 89 in the West End Addition of the city.

Alderman Michael Tibbets moved, seconded by Alderman Smiley Johnson, to close Leroy and Cottage streets and the alleys in the aforementioned area. Tibbets and Johnson voted “aye,” Aldermen Mac Stavenhagen and Billy Jack Land voted “no.” Mayor Tex Selvidge voted “aye.” Stavenhagen expressed concern over the possible future development of land north of Hill’s and future access to that area.

Sheriff Butch Blackburn presented the contract for police protection to the board. The contract, identical to last year’s, was adopted unanimously. The deal will cost the city $100,000 and runs through September of 2002.

The municipal judge contract with Jimmy Johnson was also approved with no changes.

Following a closed session, the board agreed to promote City Clerk Linda Smith to the position of City Secretary effective December 15, 2001, with a salary increase after a six-month probationary period.

Applications for City Clerk were reviewed, and one applicant – Wanda Smith – was interviewed. The board voted on the salary for the clerk’s position.

The aldermen met again Monday evening, October 15, and interviewed ten applicants for city clerk. Alderman Bob Watson said the board narrowed the field to four candidates and will take up the matter again next Monday.