Archives for March 2007

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) announced last week his support of several measures to improve the way the federal government collects and spends taxpayer dollars.

Cosponsoring or introducing five legislative proposals, Thornberry called it a “common sense package that would significantly improve accountability for federal spending.”

“I always try to remember that every dollar spent by the federal government is taken out of the wallet or purse of an American who earned it – a taxpayer who is also trying to feed a family, pay for health care, or send a child to college,” Thornberry said.

Thornberry has become a cosponsor of the following bills:

H.J. Res. 1, the Balanced Budget Amendment – Constitutional Amendment requiring the federal government to balance the budget annually;

H.R. 689, the Legislative Line Item Veto Act – Allows the President to propose wasteful earmarks for elimination with the up or down approval of Congress;

H.R. 510, the Tax Code Termination Act – Sunsets the entire federal tax code; forcing Congress to debate and act upon a new tax code that is fairer and more equitable;

H.R. 411 – Permanently extends successful 2001 and 2003 tax relief measures like the teacher tax credit, child tax credit, state sales tax credit, and marriage penalty relief;

In addition, Thornberry has introduced H.R. 1586, a bill to permanently repeal the death tax.

In a tax bill passed by Congress in 2001, the death tax is phased-out over a number of years.  By 2010, the tax will be eliminated.  Unfortunately the 2001 measure is only applicable for 10 years.  In 2011, without further action, the death tax will resume at its pre-2001 level.  Thornberry’s legislation would repeal the death tax permanently. 

“We want to encourage people to work hard, save, and leave something for their children to build a better life.  The death tax cuts against the American dream and is especially hard on farmers, ranchers, and small business owners.  It is wrong, and it should go away – permanently.”

In the next two weeks Congress is scheduled to debate and vote on the budget for the next fiscal year. 

“As we debate collecting and then spending $3 trillion dollars next year, we should try to make real improvements in the way the federal government taxes and spends taxpayer dollars,” Thornberry said.  “These are significant and needed common sense steps toward more responsible and accountable government.”

Clarendon third graders saw hard work pay off when three hometown heroes visited their classroom last week.

The students have sent letters, care packages, and e-mails to Marines Greg Wooten, J.C. Blackburn, and Nathan Floyd as part of their Social Studies class with Mrs. Robinson, and they received several e-mails and pictures back from them.

Last week, the Marines came to school and shared postcards, pictures, and stories of what they experienced in Africa.

The students learned about the Armed Forces, the geography of Africa, and the differences in our cultures.  The kids had lots of great questions and were very shocked to see what the town of Djibouti looked like and how people live in other countries.

The class appreciated Wooten, Blackburn, and Floyd for their time.

The Donley County Hospital District canceled its May election when the hospital board met in regular session last Tuesday.

Assistant Administrator Holly Eads certified that incumbent candidates Don Thornberry, Alan Fletcher, and Melinda McAnear were unopposed for the May 12 election.

The board accepted that certification and declared the candidates duly elected.

In other district business, Administrator Vicky Robertson reported the nursing home census at 52 residents and said the ambulance service received 65 calls for February.

Robertson also reported that a new security system had been installed in the nursing home and said extended dining hours would begin March 21. She updated the board on the new Stryker cot received by the ambulance service.

Eads reported that two new applications for indigent care were denied this month – one for income being above the guidelines and one for resources above the guidelines. She also reported on a program that the district will use to investigate assets of indigent applicants, the cost of which is being shared with the Hall County Hospital District.

Bids on delinquent tax property were reviewed and accepted as presented by the Donley County Appraisal District.

During open floor discussion, Robertson said that Panhandle Rehabilitation Services had closed its local office on February 1 and discontinued service to the nursing home on February 15. She is pursuing another physical therapy service for the facility.

By MaryRuth Peacock, County FCS Agent

The health fair cometh! This year’s health fair will be on Thursday, April 12, from 10:00-2:00 p.m. in the Bairfield Activity Center.

The health fair is being sponsored this year by the Texas Cooperative Extension, Clarendon College, and Northwest HealthCare System.

A new service this year is being offered by Panhandle Community Services for transportation to and from the Health Fair. Sign up by calling 874-2573 before Thursday, April 12. The buses will pick up at 10 a.m. and at 1:00 p.m. Buses will return after two hours for the return trip home. This service is being offered free to all who call in and are in need of transportation.

A major concern in past fairs has been incorrect addresses or not receiving addresses from participants. Northwest Health Care System agrees to pay for the processing of tests for Cholesterol – LDL/HDL, and Triglycerides; but to get these results, you have to provide your mailing address. Last year over half of the testing results were either returned because of incorrect addresses or not receiving addresses from our participants. So if you don’t know your PO Box number, Route number, or zip code, please write it down before coming to the fair so the results can be sent to you. We want to continue to provide this service, but it is financially not cost effective if over half of the results are returned. Mailing addresses will be required to receive testing.
Also, we have been asked if there will be doctors on site of the health fair. The answer is no. Due to insurance policies and government rules, it is not possible to have a doctor at the health fair. The health fair is designed to help with early detection of illnesses or health problems.

Free Medical Testing will be available in the following areas: Blood Pressure, Pulse, Oxygen, Glucose /Blood Sugar, Hearing Evaluations, Balance, PSA, Carbon Monoxide Screening, Cholesterol – LDL / HDL, and Triglycerides, Weight, and Breast Screening – mammogram. (Additional services and information may be available at the fair.)

Information will also be provided on: Disasters, Health and Safety, Food Safety, Hand Washing Importance, Agency on Aging, Hospice Care, Dietary Supplements, Investments, Adolescence Substance Abuse Treatment, Tobacco Cessation and Cancer Prevention, Home Health, Medical Supplies, Diabetic Supplies, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Severe Weather, Mobility Adaptive Equipment, WIC, Water Conservation, Pre-Need Funeral Planning, RSVP, TxDOT – Safety, Mental Health Mental Retardation, Victim Services, VA Medical Services, Star Program, and Domestic Violence.

For more information about the health fair, contact the Extension Office at 874-2141.

AUSTIN – Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples announced that March 18-24 is National Agricultural Week in Texas – a time to recognize the state’s hardworking farmers and ranchers and acknowledge their contributions to the Texas economy – $73 billion a year.

“Take time especially on March 21, National Agriculture Day, to recognize, celebrate and thank the many individuals who help shape our Texas agriculture industry,” Commissioner Staples said. “From nutritious foods to high-quality fiber and fresh plants, agriculture provides us with the necessities of life while helping ensure a robust economy for all Texans.”

The agriculture industry is currently going through a major transformation. New innovations and advances in technology are turning Texas agriculture into a high tech business. The application of new equipment like global positioning systems, self-propelled machine operations and electronic data has changed the nature of the business. To maintain the leadership role in agriculture, it is important for Texas producers to remain on the cutting edge of this new technology.

From the Gulf Coast to the Panhandle, Texas is one of the most agriculturally diverse states in the nation. Agriculture is the state’s second largest industry and employs about one out of every seven working Texans. Eighty percent of the state’s land is in some form of agricultural production.

American farmers are working harder and are more efficient than ever before, and it shows. Today, each producer feeds more than 129 people. Agricultural crops are America’s top exports and are vitally important in sustaining a healthy economy.

All aspects of the agriculture industry, all the way from the farm gate to the clothing store and grocery store, are vital links in a chain that brings food and fiber to every citizen and millions of people abroad.

For more on Ag Week, visit the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Web site at www.agr.state.tx.us.

By MaryRuth Peacock, County Agent

Come and walk across Texas with us! Walk Across Texas is a program created by Texas Cooperative Extension to help you establish the habit of regular physical activity. From border to border, you and/or your team, can walk 830 miles across the state, seeing your progress across the state on-line, or on a Texas road map.

Donley County will kick off a Walk Across Texas program at the health fair this year, April 12. There will be a sign up table at the fair for you to pick up a packet, sign up for a team, or get some additional information. Teams will meet at the Clarendon College track at 6:30 p.m. that evening to walk the first mile and enjoy a light supper. You can continue walking or visit with other team members. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the fun.

Walk Across Texas (WAT) is a minimal cost program of $10 per person. The $10 fee goes to pay for a t-shirt, wrap-up meal, and prizes. Doing Walk Across Texas with people you know is a great way to help you keep going when you feel like quitting. A map will be displayed at various businesses in Clarendon throughout the eight-week program to track our teams progress.

Start by walking as a member of a team of eight for eight weeks at work or with another type of group such as your church or social group. Team members do not have to walk together. Some prefer walking outside, while others walk on a treadmill. You may even choose to bike, swim, or dance across Texas by using mileage equivalents included in your sign up packet.

Walk Across Texas is NOT a walk-a-thon NOR is it an event to raise money. While teams do compete to walk across the state first and/or to accumulate the most miles during the eight weeks, the main point is to get moving and keep moving after Walk Across Texas ends. After Walk Across Texas ends, you may want to continue on walking by yourself to see how long it takes you to walk across the state all by yourself.

According to “Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General:”

Physical inactivity is a serious nationwide problem. It is a public health problem because it is linked to unnecessary illness and premature death.

More than 60 percent of Americans are not getting enough physical activity to receive health benefits from it.

Twenty-five percent of adult Americans report no physical activity in their leisure time.

Regular physical activity can substantially reduce the risk of developing or dying from heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, and high blood pressure.

Regular physical activity can reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve mood, and enhance the ability to perform daily tasks.

The great thing about Walk Across Texas is that almost anyone can do it – older people, kids, families, business people, rural residents, middle-income families, low-income families – just about anyone with a pair of walking shoes can experience the benefits of Walk Across Texas.

For more information, please contact MaryRuth Peacock, CEA-FCS, at Donley County Extension 874-2141 or Frances Smith at 874-9222.

The City of Clarendon is busy working on fire hydrants around town after fire department officials alerted the Board of Aldermen to problems with the plugs.

Fire Chief Delbert Robertson addressed the board last Tuesday and reminded the aldermen that not properly maintaining the hydrants could cause insurance rates to go up in the city.

“They have to do something so we can get to them,” Robertson told the Enterprise this week, “and they should be flow tested every year.”

Robertson said it appears the city took his department’s recommendations to heart, noting that City Hall is bringing in an expert next Tuesday to make suggestions on what needs to be done.

Robertson said some new hydrants have replaced older ones, but the older plugs were left in place with no water going to them. Those non-functioning hydrants need to be removed altogether.

City Secretary Linda Smith said many of the fire hydrants are just plain old.

“Some of them are so old we can’t get parts,” Smith said. “Some were put in back in the 1920s.”

Dirt has built up around some hydrants over the years to the point that they are now buried, and other hydrants just do not work at all.

City workers have been digging out hydrants this week, and Smith said the city will look at replacing a certain number of plugs every year.

“It will cost between $3,500 to $3,800 to replace a single fire hydrant,” she said.

In other city business, Robertson reported that the doors on the fire hall need to be insulated. He will bring a proposal to a future meeting.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Judy Burlin spoke about the DonleyTx.com web site, which was launched as a community network a few years ago. She presented a proposal from CyberMedics to redesign and maintain the site. The cost for this would be divided among several entities. The board requested Will Jordan to be at the next meeting to explain the proposal further.

The board discussed sick leave that had been accrued by employees prior to policy change in 2002.

Mayor Pro-tem Michael Tibbets said he felt that time had been earned and should not have been taken away. The board approved a motion to reinstate the time for use in emergency cases.

Dates of the citywide clean up were discussed and set for April 14 through April 30, 2007. This will be publicized further closer to the dates, and the board also decided to keep the recycling center open from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Ira Kenneth Morrow, 77, died Wednesday, March 14, 2007, in Clarendon.

Services were held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 17, 2007, in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Darrell Burton, Pastor of the Martin Baptist Church, and Rev. Claude Porter, officiating. Burial was in Citizens Cemetery. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Morrow was born in Alanreed, Texas, on July 31, 1929, to I.B. “Kenneth” and Jewel Elizabeth Walker Morrow. He graduated from Clarendon High School in 1946. He wanted to be a pilot during WWII but was too young to join. As soon as he could, he joined the Army Air Corps pursuing his dream to fly and served his country from 1946 to 1949 in Alaska at Fort Wainwright, and in Roswell, New Mexico. He received training in the service for welding; and because of his skill, he was carried over to the Army when the Army Air Corps was split into two branches of the military: the Army and the Air Force. He then attended Clarendon College for one year, studying accounting and cabinet making. He married Jeanne Marie Percival in 1949 in Clarendon, and the couple settled in Clarendon the same year, where he began the construction of what would be the first of the three homes he would construct for his family.

He was a self-employed building contractor, working with his father and brothers and sisters on various construction projects such as storm cellars, home construction, roofing, and concrete work within Donley County, primarily in Clarendon. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Clarendon.

Mr. Morrow was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Samuel David Morrow; and one sister, Maggie Stewart.

Survivors include his wife, Jeanne Marie Morrow of Clarendon; three sons, Daniel Lee Morrow and Joe Wayne Morrow both of Dallas, and John Earl Morrow of Clarendon; two brothers, Earl B. Morrow and John Tom Morrow of Clarendon; five sisters, Helen Myers of Lelia Lake, Lucy Torres of Memphis, Ina Blasingame of Mineral Wells, Mary Brown and Rosey Myers, both of Amarillo; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren.

The family requests memorials be to Odyssey Hospice or the Medical Center Nursing Home in Clarendon.