Archives for February 2006

Clarendon College has received a second gift from the Martha Christine Johnson Schuhart Trust, bringing contributions thus far from the estate to approximately $720,000.

The college received the first distribution of approximately $400,000 in November 2005. The second installment was distributed January 17 in the amount of $320,000.

Schuhart was a resident of Dalhart, and these gifts were made in loving memory of her parents to establish the R.C. and Agnes Johnson Endowed Scholarship.  The intent of the gifts is to provide financial assistance to qualified students who desire to further their education at Clarendon College.

The scholarship is available to high school graduates who are of good character and ability and demonstrate a true desire to obtain an education beyond the high school level.

Preference is given to students graduating from high school in Dallam and Hartley Counties.

Clarendon College currently has 43 named or endowed scholarships available to students.

For more information about how to establish a named or endowed scholarship or to apply for this and other scholarships, please contact Clarendon College at 874-3571.

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen last week drafted an ordinance that, if approved, would prohibit heavy trucks and vehicles from driving or parking on residential streets.

The subject first came up three weeks ago when Alderman Michael Tibbets aired a citizen’s concerns that semi-trucks could tear up the city’s new paving when completed.

During last Tuesday’s regular board meeting, the board first considered a ban on heavy trucks on all city streets, which they defined as weighing more than 20,000 pounds. But concerns about deliveries related to agricultural production and deliveries to local businesses caused the board to narrow its focus.

The ban as it is now proposed would apply only to the R1 and R2 residential zones, which includes most of south central and southwest Clarendon, as defined by a map on the last page of this week’s Enterprise.

Exceptions would be made for moving vans, trucks or vehicles involved in permitted construction, or vehicles accessing an agricultural facility.

The ordinance will be considered for a vote at the next regular city meeting on February 13.

In other city business, Joel Wright presented the 2004-2005 audit on behalf of Dosier-Pickens and made some suggestions regarding how better to track certificates of deposit, municipal court fines, and sales tax allocations for the economic development corporation. The city received a clean report, and the board accepted the audit.

Fire Marshal Kelly Hill addressed property at 422 W. Third and said the structure there is both a health and a safety hazard. The aldermen suggested the mayor contact the Donley Appraisal District to see if the property could be put up for sale for back taxes in order to avoid the city incurring the cost of demolishing it.

City engineer Che Shadle addressed the board concerning a seal coat project proposed by OJD Engineering. Shadle said his firm is still waiting to see how many cities will be involved to set a price on the seal coating, but they are estimating $2 per square yard or less.

Shadle also spoke concerning a groundwater monitoring plan at the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The city will use a plan from 2001 and will use existing water wells for required monitoring every six months.

Aldermen also discussed with Shadle the progress on the 2005 paving project. The board expressed its frustration over the pace of the project with some aldermen questioning when the proper time would be to start charging the contractor.

The board reviewed the city’s employee policy and procedure manual and will take this topic up at a future meeting.

City Secretary Linda Smith reported that filing begins February 11, 2006, for this year’s municipal election. She also reported that a citizen had asked if speed bumps could be put between the baseball fields on Jefferson Street, but the board did not feel this was necessary since cones could be erected during games.

The Donley County Hospital Board unanimously hired Vicky Robertson as the new administrator of Medical Center Nursing Home during a called meeting Monday

Robertson, who passed her state and national administrative exams last week, brings a definite familiarity to the job, having served as the director of nurses at MCNH since June of 2000.

“I’m excited, and it will be a challenge,” Robertson said, “but it’s not like I’m brand new.”

In addition to her nursing background, Robertson has served as the nursing home’s administrator in-training under interim administrator Ron Wetzel since last March, and she also served on the hospital board during the early 1990s.

“We have a good group of people, and we work well together,” she said. “I think we’ll do great.”

Robertson said things are improving financially for the nursing home, which has been in the black since the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1, 2005.

“Things are tremendously better. We feel very positive about it,” she said. “We watch our money, and we’re doing good.”

Succeeding Robertson as director of nurses will be Kenny Bridges of Howardwick, who will start February 13.

“He’s worked for BSA and has lived at Howardwick for several years,” Robertson said. “He knows the community and knows a lot of the people, and I think he will do a good job.”

As administrator, Robertson will be the head of the Donley County Hospital District and oversee the Associated Ambulance Authority in addition to the nursing home.

In other district business, Robertson briefed the board on a training course being held this month by the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission related to future preparedness assistance funding through the Department of Homeland Security. Robertson will attend the courses along with board members Alan Fletcher and Melinda McAnear.

The hospital board also met in regular session on January 24 and approved an order of election to be held May 13, 2006. Places 4, 5, 6, and 7 on the board are up for election this year. Those places are currently held by Gene Hommel, Carolyn Moffett, Onita Thomas, and Bright Newhouse.

Holly Eads gave an indigent care report and said three new applicants had been received and approved, one of which was for an inmate. Two six-month reviews were completed and benefits continued, and one application was denied. A reimbursement of $4,051.35 was received for a client who received Medicaid retroactively.

Associated Ambulance Authority Director Anita Aaron submitted an active report showing 63 calls serving 68 patients in the month of December.

Aaron also reported the receipt of $13,674 from the Amarillo Area Foundation which is 100 percent of the amount requested in the grant. A total of $21,667.68 has been received toward the purchase of an LP 12 heart monitor with a difference of $5,684.86 to be due from the authority. The sale of an older heart monitor will be applied to this amount.

The board approved a request by Aaron to purchase an Internet connection from AMA•TechTel for the ambulance service.