Archives for July 2008

Rising fuel costs are putting Clarendon’s finances in a vice, according to city officials.

With increasing expenses outpacing revenues, the Board of Aldermen approved moving a $132,000 certificate of deposit into the city’s general fund during their regular meeting last week.

The city has three months left in the fiscal year, and officials are optimistic that the infusion of cash will help the city along that far.

“We hope it will last, but it’s going to be close,” Mayor Mark White said. “Hopefully we can adjust the budget.”

White said there is nothing wrong with the city’s budget as it was approved.

“The problem is that revenue has stayed the same, but expenses have gone up dramatically,” the mayor said, specifically citing fuel and supplies – such as pipe and water meters.

To help them deal with the financial problem, city officials will have a representative of the Texas First Group at next Tuesday’s regular meeting. That group is comprised of former and retired city managers who provide interim services and help cities find ways to save money, the mayor said.

“Several area towns have used them and are impressed,” he said.

The mayor said the city is not in danger of being broke and also said there is $200,000 still left in the city’s reserve.

The city also has other funds on hand, but those monies have been set aside for grant matches or other dedicated expenditures.

In other city business, the board considered a plan and time schedule to repair a house at 719 W. Sixth, which the city had previously ordered removed or destroyed. The plan, drawn up by the city attorney and an attorney for the property owner and modified by the board, calls for exterior work to be done first, including repairing siding, windows, and the roof. Aldermen agreed to remove a requirement that the interior of the house must be finished and added “clean up property.” If the work is not completed as stated, the city will take action.

An ordinance regarding trucks on residential streets was discussed again. A sample ordinance was given to the city attorney and will be discussed at the next meeting.

Aldermen approved a motion to revoke Ordinance 371 which governs electronic signs.

The board accepted a bid from Edward Butler for property sold in a recent sheriff’s sale.

A lease agreement with James F. Clifford and the Estate of John T. Clifford for the building which houses the municipal court was approved as modified.

City Superintendent Jim Roberts said city engineers are gathering information on the seal coat project. Included in this project would be portions of Sims, Allen, Third, and Fourth streets at a cost of $3 per square yard. The work would begin in early September.

The M&M Ranch took top honors during the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association’s annual Ranch Rodeo last Friday and Saturday.

The M&M team’s scores beat out 19 other local and regional teams as working cowboys put their skills to the test as part of the 131st annual Saints’ Roost Celebration.  The team was made up of Vance Molesworth, Sterling Molesworth, Chad Mason, Toby Schenk, and Marty Daniels.

Finishing second was Jernagin Cattle Co. with the team of Jamie Jernigan, John Kelly Walden, Justin Bruton, Jake Bruton, and Casey Armstrong.

The Bit Ranch was third with the team of Danny Bennett, Teal Bennett, Tate Bennett, Klay Waters, and Rex Green.

The Top Hand award was won by Chad Mason of the M&M Ranch, and Tate Bennett of the Bit Ranch took home the Top Horse award.

The Wild Mare Races were won by Johnny Mangum, Chris Downer, and John Walden on Friday night and Martin Oliver, Shelby Stepp, and J.T. Christopher on Saturday night.

COEA also hosted events Wednesday and Thursday, July 2 and 3.

The average winner of Thursday’s Bronc Riding Competition was Garett Maness.

In the first go around, first place went to Tell Good; and in the second go around, Garett Maness won first.

 Calf scramble winners from the four nights were Trevor Cobb, Brandon Miller, and Jonathon Cartwright (Wednesday); Ray Jaramillo, Stormy Reynolds, and Brandon Miller (Thursday); Kaden Bennett, Ranch Hargrove, and Easton Frausto (Friday); and Jonah Sell, Zach LaRoe, and Tanner Reynolds (Saturday).

Junior Calf Riding was held all four nights.  Winners were Jake Bacha (Wednesday), Dalton Benson (Thursday), Sierra Sharp and Clay Koetting (Friday), and Kylie Waters (Saturday).  Overall Calf Ride winners were Dalton Benson and Kylie Waters.

Winners of the Junior Steer Riding were Jake Clevinger (Wednesday), Jake Bacha (Thursday), Dalton Benson (Friday), and Ethan Bertan (Saturday).  Overall Steer Riding winner was Jake Clevinger.

Jake Owens took home first in the Junior Donkey Riding on Friday and Saturday nights and had the best score overall. Dalton Benson won on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Overall Junior Rodeo winners from Wednesday night were Smith SJ, first; Coon Ranch, second; and Covered K, third.

The Top Hand winner for the Junior Ranch Rodeo was Tyler Spillers, and the Top Horse went to Dakota Kennedy.

Beef winners for the four days of rodeo were Jim Braddock, Amanda Hill, Holly McClesky, and Brian Miller.

Sorting was held on Saturday, July 5, and the results are as follows:

First: Robbie Selzbrenner, Gary Fletcher, and Allen Fletcher; Second: Randy Crump and Brad Shadle; and Third: Elwynn McClesky, Willie McClesky, Randy Crump, Trey Paul, Tysha Millie, Ray Paul, Cassie O’Neal, Brad Shadle, Chris O’Neal, Alex McAnear, Chance McAnear, and Bob Spiller.

Donley County taxpayers are no longer in the nursing home business.

The sale of the Medical Center Nursing Home closed June 30, and hospital board chairman Alan Fletcher said the hospital district received all its money from the buyer Monday.

“It’s done,” Fletcher said Tuesday morning. “We’ve notified our bond company, and we intend to pay down a huge portion of the hospital district’s debt soon.”

The final sale price was $1.11 million.

Effective July 1 the nursing home’s name became Community Care Center of Clarendon and is owned by Clarendon Skilled Care, Ltd., of Denton.

Facility administrator Billy Ray Johnston said Tuesday that his staff was working well with the new owner and said he does not anticipate any changes other than the way the administration handles some things.

“The employees seem fine with it (the sale),” Johnston said. “There is some fear of the unknown, but I don’t think we have anything to fear. I don’t see a change in the care we provide.”

The hospital district will pay a fee to the new owner for services from December 1, 2007, to July 1, 2008; and after other expenses are paid, the district will be left with about $958,000 to put towards its bonded indebtedness of approximately $1.3 million.

“We’ll know by the end of the week what our final debt payments will be and when will be able to get that paid off,” Fletcher said.

Fletcher said the district will remain responsible for indigent care and the ambulance service.

The hospital district now proceeds with its new fiscal year without the expense of the nursing home and will hold a budget hearing July 22.

“It looks good,” Fletcher said. “The plan is to do away with personal property taxes, and then future tax reductions will depend on what it takes to run the ambulance service.

“I think the sale gives us the option to continue having the best ambulance service for a community our size in the Panhandle, and hopefully we’ll be able to raise salaries to keep it that way,” Fletcher said.

A good sized crowd filled with fellowship and tradition was present during this year’s 131st annual Saints’ Roost Celebration Friday, July 4, on the Courthouse Square.

The day started off with tours of the restored 1890 Courthouse followed by the Craft Fair on the square.

The Al Morrah Shrine Club served 750 plates of barbecue this year, which is down from 934 last year and 882 the year before. Funds from the annual barbecue are used in conjunction with the Khiva Temple of the Shrine in Amarillo to help pay for the transportation of kids to the Shriners’ burns and crippled children’s hospitals.

The Old Settlers Reunion was also held Friday morning. Lee Jones traveled the greatest distance of 2500 miles to be here.  The oldest woman present was Helen Lamberson at 91; and J.T. Lamberson, age 95, earned the right to be called the oldest old settler present as well as the person living in Donley County the longest. J.T and Helen Lamberson were also the old settlers that were married the longest: a good 75 years.

The Chamber of Commerce reports that the Clarendon Jr. High Cheerleaders won first place in the float division, and the Shriners placed second.  In the Riding division, the Mule Skinners won first place for the second year in a row, and the Sharp family placed second.

 In the Antique Vehicles division of the parade, Sherol Johnston won first, and Redell Johnston placed second. Linda Crump won first place in the Miscellaneous division, and Country Bloomers Flowers & Gifts placed second.

The Kids’ Parade led the full parade; and winners were Easton and Elliot Frausto in the 0-4 Division, Jayden Moss in the 5-8 Division, and Brigg Hawkins from Cleburne in the 9-12 Division.

Several organizations held fundraisers, and the following are the results available at press time. The winners of the Lions Club Cow Patty Bingo were Larry Hicks, Jesus Hernandez for his daughter Jenci, and John Morrow. The Clarendon Firebelle’s Penny Raffle winners were Mike Wisenhunt, Randy Crump, and Rudy Jantz. Eloy Comacho was the winner of the $500 worth of gas from the Chamber of Commerce. Mike Word won the John Deere riding lawn mower given by the Friends of Donley County Activity Center that supported Donley County 4-H. Joe Zillmen was the winner of the custom commemorative spurs from the Clarendon Masonic Lodge, and Bob White won the barbeque grill that supported the Donley County Ag and FFA members.

The Henson’s annual Turtle Race was held Saturday afternoon. There were altogether 164 participants; and the winners were Madison Swift of the 0-4 division, Chardy Craft of the 5-8 division, and Josh Clinton, the grandson of Mike and Nera Spier, of the 9-14 division.

The Turtle Art Contest winners for the 13-16 age division were Cody Wood, age 13, with 1st place and Kelsey Floyd, age 15, with 2nd place. The 7-9 age division winners were Colt Wood, age eight with 1st place and Cire Jaurequi with 2nd place.

The Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association held a two-day ranch rodeo and other events, which are reported in a separate story.

MIAMI – All the tools may be in place for ranchers to make more money off their land. They just need to learn how to diversify and utilize what is there, said Texas AgriLife Extension Service agents.

A workshop, Ranching Aimed at Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Diversification of Enterprises, known as the RAWHIDE program, will be held on July 17 in the Miami School Cafeteria in Miami. It is co-sponsored by AgriLife Extension in Roberts and Hemphill counties.

The event is to help producers see the value of diversifying their operations while keeping their primary focus on ranching, said Brandon Dukes, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Roberts County.

There is no registration fee, and a free lunch will be provided. Participants will have the opportunity to earn two general and one integrated pest management continuing education units, he said.

The program starts at 8:30 a.m. with Ken Cearley, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, explaining the RAWHIDE program. Dukes will follow him with a discussion on rangeland health.

Other speakers during the morning session will talk about habitat requirements pertaining to livestock, deer, quail and turkey and habitat management tools such as brush sculpting, chemical brush management, grazing, prescribed burning, and rainwater harvesting.

The afternoon session will look at economic considerations, such as stocking rates and conservation programs through the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife. The program ends at 3:30 p.m. 

Advanced reservations are requested by July 10 for meal-planning purposes,. Call 806-868-3191 or 806-323-9114.

Bruce Ferguson, Executive Director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Clarendon, says that signup begins immediately for the 2008 Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment Program (DCP) which helps deliver certainty for the crop year and the option of a timely advance payment. 

Contracts are available today at USDA Service Centers, and signup will continue until September 30, 2008.  USDA’s DCP readiness follows the June 12 availability of marketing assistance loan and loan deficiency payment (LDP) provisions within three weeks of commodity title enactment.

“Within weeks of its becoming law, we began to put a farm bill into the field and out into the country,” said Ferguson.  “USDA does what its employees do best: putting words into action and delivering results.”

Producers can fill out their 2008 DCP contract at any USDA Service Center.  Producers can also sign-up online.  They can choose payment options, assign crop shares, and sign and submit their contracts from any computer with Internet access.  They can also view and print submitted contract options.

USDA computes DCP payments using base acres and payment yields established for each farm.  Eligible producers receive direct payments at rates established by statute regardless of market prices.  For 2008, eligible producers may request to receive an advance payment of 22 percent of the direct payment for each commodity associated with the farm.  USDA will issue advance direct payments as soon as practical after enrollment.  Final direct payments will be issued after October 1, 2008.  Counter-cyclical payments vary depending on market prices, and are issued only when the effective price, for a commodity is below its target price, (which takes into account the direct payment rate, market price, and loan rate). 

Since 2002, USDA has issued approximately $40 billion in DCP payments to America’s agricultural producers. 

Participants must submit the completed DCP contract by September 30, 2008.  Applications filed after this date will not be approved. 

The online, electronic DCP (or eDCP) service saves producers time, reduces paperwork, and speeds contract processing at USDA Farm Service Agency offices.  It is available to all producers who are eligible to participate in DCP and who obtain eAuthentication accounts. 

The electronic service is available by going to http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/edcp and clicking on “Access eDCP Service.”  To access the service, producers must have an active USDA eAuthentication Level 2 account.  To get a Level 2 account, producers must complete an online registration form at http://www.eauth.egov.usda.gov and then visit the local USDA Service Center to verify their identity.    The service has strict security measures to protect participants’ private information.  Only authorized federal employees have access to information producers submit electronically.  For more information about DCP, which will include a fact sheet, go to the DCP Web page at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject
=dccp&topic=landing

A city order calling for the destruction or removal of a house at 719 W. Sixth is on hold following last week’s Board of Aldermen meeting.

Attorney Rus Bailey, representing Russell Keown and Helen Parker, addressed the board and put forth a proposal to repair the house. Bailey said the house would be sealed to prevent entry by people or animals within 30 days and said other repairs, such as filling in the front porch and shoring up the roof, would be completed in 60 days.

But neighbors of the property expressed concerns about the proposal.

“Haven’t we been through this before,” Heather King asked. “It seems like they just do enough and then let it go again.”

King said she had lived next to the house and the only work on the property she has seen is that it has been mowed twice.

Reneé Betts said she’s lived next door for nearly 12 years and had to look at the property. Her husband, Grett, echoed her comments.

“I’ve been to Russell Keown’s house and see out his kitchen window,” Mr. Betts said. “He has a great view. I wish he could see my view out my kitchen window.”

Parker complained that none of the neighbors have ever called them personally to complain about the house. Mrs. Betts took exception to that and said she had in fact called Parker several years ago.

The aldermen met in closed session with City Attorney James Shelton and afterward agreed to allow two weeks during which time the property owners’ attorney and Shelton will work out a written agreement about the work to be done on the house.

Shelton said the June 27 deadline for the destruction or removal of the house would be on hold and noted that the city was in no way waiving any of its rights in this matter.

In other business, the board also discussed regulations on electronic signs and prohibiting trucks with heavy loads in residential areas, but they pushed decisions on those items to the next meeting.

The tradition continues this week as Clarendon welcomes visitors for its 131st annual Saints’ Roost Celebration to be held July 2-5.

A ten-team junior rodeo will kick things off this year for kids 16 and under on Wednesday, July 2, at the COEA Arena. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. A dance will follow on the COEA slab.

A calf scramble, donkey ride, and calf ride will be held every night at the arena for young cowboys and cowgirls. Boy Scout Troop 433 will provide concessions for all four nights of rodeo activities.

Action begins ginning up downtown on Thursday, July 3, with the Merchants’ Western Days Street Sales all day and a Depression Lunch beginning at 11 a.m.

That night the fun continues at the rodeo arena at 7:30 with a 20-head bronc ride with a dance afterward.

A blood drive will also be held Friday at Stanley Chevrolet, and participants will receive a free American flag T-shirt. Hot dogs and drinks will also be available.

The biggest day of the celebration will be Friday, July 4, with the Country Craft Fair and Senior Citizens Bake Sale beginning at 10 a.m. on the Courthouse Square. For booth space at the Country Craft Fair, contact the Donley County Extension Office. The Old Settlers Reunion starts at 10:30, and the Al Morrah Shrine Club’s Annual BBQ begins at 11 a.m. and continues until the food runs out.

Registration for the kids’ parade and the Western parade will be held at the Chamber booth on the Square. Line up for the kids’ parade will be at 12:30 p.m. across from Henson’s, and the Western parade line up will begin at Sixth and Jefferson by the ballpark at 1 p.m.

The Kids’ Bicycle Parade begins at 1:30 p.m. followed by the annual Western Parade at 2 p.m. The Lions Club Cow Patty Bingo will follow the parade.

The annual COEA Ranch Rodeo will open at 7:30 Friday night with 20 teams competing and an outdoor dance to follow. The rodeo follows the same schedule Saturday night.

The July Fourth activities close out at midnight with the Fireworks Extravaganza at the north entrance to Greenbelt Lake. Donations of fireworks will be accepted at the Chamber booth on the Courthouse Square or at the permit booth at the entrance to the lake. Fireworks may be purchased until midnight on July 4 at any of your favorite local fireworks stands.

During the day Saturday, downtown merchants will have their sales going again; and concessions, wagon rides, and other games will be available downtown.

Henson’s famous annual Turtle Race will be held at 3 p.m. at Third and Kearney. Turtles can be registered for the race now. Henson’s is also accepting entries for its second annual Turtle Art Contest now through Thursday, July 3, and winners will be announced July 5.