Archives for March 2004

Local veterans’ organizations are planning two special services this Memorial Day weekend to honor those who gave their lives in defense of liberty.

Major John Keith Wells, USMCR retired, will be the keynote speaker for events to be held at Rowe Cemetery and on the Courthouse Square.

Wells, a native of Hall County, commanded the most decorated infantry platoon to come out of a single engagement in the history of the United States as platoon leader of the 3rd Platoon, Easy Company, 28th Marines.

The author of the book Give Me Fifty Marines Not Afraid to Die, Wells attended Texas A&M before joining the Marines in 1942. He later commanded the men who raised the US flag on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, – an event that was immortalized by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal in one of the most famous images of World War II.

Wells retired from Marine Corps Reserve in 1959 and now lives in Abilene.

Wells previously spoke here on July 4, 1996, during the dedication of the Donley County War Memorial.

The Adamson-Lane Post #287 of the American Legion will hold services at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Veterans Memorial near the north entrance of Rowe Cemetery outside of Hedley.

Flags will adorn the graves of 199 veterans interred there, and the public is invited to attend this service, which will coincide with the dedication of the National World War II Memorial being dedicated in Washington, DC.

The Donley County Memorial Post 7782 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will host its Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday at 10 a.m. at the Donley County War Memorial on the Courthouse Square. The public is invited and WWII veterans are extended a special invitation.

“We are extremely proud to have such a war hero as Major Wells here to assist us in honoring the veterans who gave their lives for our country,” said VFW District 9 Commander-elect Bill Holden. “We especially want to honor those who fought for our freedom and country during World War II. To have the commander of the men that raised the American flag on Mt. Suribachi here is incredible.”

Other activities scheduled for this weekend include: • May 27 at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. – the VFW and Friends of Donley County Veterans will decorate veterans’ graves at Citizens Cemetery, the Catholic cemetery, and the Odd Fellows cemetery; • May 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – the VFW Ladies Auxiliary will distribute “Buddy Poppy” war remembrance flowers throughout Clarendon; • May 28 at 4 p.m. – the American Legion will decorate the graves of veterans at Rowe Cemetery; • May 31 – VFW Ladies Auxiliary will distribute “Buddy Poppy” flowers around Clarendon; • and May 31 at 9 a.m. – the Girl Scouts will have a brief ceremony at Citizens Cemetery.

“The veterans of this community need the support of all free people to honor those who lost their lives for our freedom,” Holden said. “Let’s not let them down.”

Also, the Donley County Commissioners’ Court has adopted a resolution calling for everyone to take time this Memorial Day “to remember all who have defended in the past and are now defending America against tyranny and terrorism.”

The resolution further states “that it is the wish of all veterans of all conflicts that the future generations… come to understand the tremendous price each generation has paid for America’s and the world’s freedom.”

Work is scheduled to begin next week on US 287 west of Clarendon, according to the the Texas Department of Transportation.

A pre-construction meeting was held Wednesday, March 18, at the Wellington TxDOT Area Office to discuss the upcoming project for the mill and inlay of the north driving lanes on US 287 west of Clarendon. 

The project will start at the west city limits of Clarendon and continue north on US 287 for a distance of 11.5 miles.  Traffic control will consist of a one-lane closure throughout the length of the project. 

The speed limit will remain 70 mph. Motorists are urged to use caution in construction area.

The $588,000 contract has been awarded to Jordan Paving, Inc., of Irving, and the job will begin Monday, March 29, with barricades and signs set up. Construction will begin next Thursday, April 1.  The project should take 15 days to finish.

“The roadway was rutting and cracking in this area”, said TxDOT Donley County Maintenance Supervisor Fu Benavidez. “This project will improve the ride quality and the long term durability of the roadway.”

Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn last week announced that state sales tax revenue in February totaled more than $1.26 billion, up 6.2 percent compared to last year.

Strayhorn delivered $303.6 million in March sales tax payments to Texas cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts, an 8.3 percent increase compared to March 2003. So far this calendar year, local sales tax rebates are up 7.4 percent compared to the first three months of 2003.

“Texas’ economic recovery is gaining momentum,” Strayhorn said. “The latest economic data indicate that the Texas economy will outpace the nation through 2005.”

Locally, the City of Clarendon saw an increase of 11.11 percent for a total rebate of $20,045.30.  City sales taxes for the year to date are 16.64 percent ahead of the same time in 2003.

The City of Howardwick was up 1.25 percent to $779.27; and the City of Hedley was down slightly from $630.05 last March to $547.39 this year.

State sales tax revenue for February, and the payments made to local governments in March, are based mainly on sales that occurred in January.

Clarendon College Regents enacted slight fee increases to keep up with higher costs of doing business when they met in regular session last Thursday.

CC President Myles Shelton said the hike of $4 per semester hour in the building use fee reflects new realities faced by the college.

“We’re going to experience new cost items related to buildings, so we’re raising this fee to meet those new expenses,” he said. “The new library will have 10,000 square feet of space to maintain and operate, and that is coming online in January.”

Shelton also noted that the price of utilities, particularly natural gas, is continuing to have an impact on the economy and on the college’s expenses.

The new fee brings the cost of a semester hour at CC to $55 for in-district (Donley County) students, $70 for out of district, and $85 for non-residents (out of state).

CC remains competitive with other area community colleges, Shelton said. Frank Phillips College in Borger currently charges $62 in-district, $79 out-of-district, and $86 for non-residents. South Plains College in Levelland charges $57 in-district, $71 out-of-district, and $87 for non-residents.

“When you look at the cost of attending a university – whether it’s West Texas A&M or Texas Tech – Clarendon College is still a bargain,” Shelton said. “It’s a great education at an affordable price.”

The Board of Regents also raised the price of board for students living on campus by $40 per semester, bringing the cost of a meal plan to $990. This change reflects an increased cost from CC’s contract with Great Western Dining, which operates the Dining Hall.

In other CC news, Regents canceled the election for the college district scheduled for May 15 since no candidates signed up to oppose the three incumbents whose terms were up this year. Ruth Robinson, Susie Shields, and Charles Deyhle, Sr., were all certified as the winners for their positions.

The board also approved a proposal to install a new voice mail system. The old system was struck by lightning several months ago, and insurance is covering the cost of replacement.

Regents authorized an agreement with a textbook company, which will provide CC with management software at no charge to manage its textbook inventories.

The board voted to renew for one year the administrative contracts of Dean of Instruction Tex Buckhaults, Dean of Students Joel Zehr, Dean of Pampa Center Joe Kyle Reeve, Comptroller Annette Ferguson, Library Director Jewell Houston, Director of Institutional Advancement Greg Henry, Assistant to the President Darlene Spier, Director of Admissions & Records Sharron Hannon, Financial Aid Coordinator Toni Bryant, Pampa Center Advisor & Recruiter Jennifer Moore, Information Systems & Computer Operations Director Will Thompson, and Assistant Librarian Annis Stavenhagen.

The president’s contract was also extended for one year, making its expiration date June 30, 2007.

After months of anticipation and years of planning, the ribbon was cut on Clarendon’s new three-story Best Western hotel last Saturday.

Jimmy Sindha, one of the owners of the new American Inn, said he is pleased to finally be open.

“We had about 50 people stay here Saturday night,” he said. “That’s good for a first night for no one really knowing that we are here.”

Sindha and his family, who also own the Western Skies Motel here, worked for nearly two years planning the new facility.

“It took a long time to work through the process. It didn’t take long for construction, but it took time up to that point.”

There are still some tasks to be completed, such as completing the staffing of the business and preparing brochures, but Sindha says the American Inn is definitely open for business and is taking reservations for future dates.

“I’d like local families to know that this hotel was built for them, for the college activities, and for other community functions,” Sindha said.

The $1.8 million facility is a showplace for Clarendon. The main entrance features a large front desk on one side and a spacious breakfast area on the other. A continental breakfast will be served in a buffet style, and dataports and a kiosk courtesy of the Donley County Community Network are available for business travelers to connect to the Internet.

Business travelers also can take advantage of a work center with a photocopier and Internet access. Twenty rooms are set up as business rooms featuring a king size bed, a sleeper sofa, and a partitioned desk area.

All guest rooms have dataports and feature granite tub surrounds, counters, and windowsills. Thirty rooms are set up with two queen size beds; and some of those have sleeper sofas, which is the equivalent of having three beds. Two rooms are fitted with Jacuzzis, and two rooms are suitable for handicapped guests.

Vending and ice machines are available on the first and second floors, and a coin-operated laundry is on the first floor. A fitness center and an indoor swimming pool are also located on the first floor.

The Clarendon Economic Development Corporation provided more than $31,000 to assist with bringing the hotel to this city. The new facility is expected to employ ten people including the manager.

Projections are that the new hotel will generate $23,000 per year in additional Motel Bed Tax income for City Hall.

For reservations, call 806/874-0160. Room rates are $89 for singles, $99 for doubles, and $110 for the Jacuzzi rooms. Discounts are available for members of AAA and AARP.

AUSTIN – Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs announced that March 14 to 20 is National Agriculture Week in Texas – a time to celebrate the state’s farmers and ranchers and acknowledge this far-reaching industry that adds some $73 billion to the Texas economy.

“From healthy food to fresh flowers to warm clothing, agriculture touches our lives every day,” Combs said.  “Agriculture provides us with generous amounts of nutrients to feed our bodies – iron from lean meat, calcium from milk, vitamin A from carrots, vitamin C from citrus, to name just a few of the ways Texas-raised foods make us healthier.”

Combs kicked off National Agriculture Week in Texas by signing a proclamation March 14.  She will cap off the week by honoring more than 100 farming and ranching families during the 29th annual Family Land Heritage Ceremony in Austin March 19.

Donley County Commissioners have also adopted a resolution declaring March 14 to 20 as National Agriculture Week in Donley County.

“Whether your role involves growing food and fiber or just consuming it, you can take pride in Texas agriculture and the important role that it plays in our future.” Combs said. “It is an industry that continues to meet the ever-increasing needs of consumers throughout Texas and around the world.”

From the Gulf Coast to the Panhandle, Texas is the most agriculturally diverse state.  Agriculture generates $73 billion annually throughout the state’s economy, with one out of every five Texans working in an agriculture-related industry.

“National Agriculture Week gives us a chance to recognize the people who consistently enrich our lives in many ways.  Texas is the second-largest agricultural state in the United States, accounting for about seven percent of the total US agricultural income. 

“Eighty percent of the land in Texas is in some form of agricultural production.  It is important to honor those in agriculture who have built on centuries of progress by making constant advances in research, technology, production, and marketing to meet the changing demands of consumers.”