Archives for March 2013

In an effort to raise awareness about the looming water crisis in Texas and stimulate discussion on possible solutions, the League of Women Voters of Amarillo and its Environment Committee will host the Prairie Water Film Festival featuring some of the most important environmental films of our time.

The public is invited to attend any or all of three sessions scheduled Friday evening, March 22, and Saturday, March 23, at the Don Harrington Discovery Center, 1200 Streit Drive.  Tickets are $5 per session for ages 12 and older.

March 22 has been designated as “World Water Day” by the United Nations to “generate attention to the importance of water and to advocate for sustainable management of freshwater resources,” said Joy Shadid, festival chair.  “The League hopes to bring together a diverse group of business and industry leaders, educators, students, gardeners, farmers, families and others from all over the Panhandle to view these films and participate in the discussions we will have before concluding each session.”

“The Texas Legislature is considering legislation to withdraw vast sums of money from the Rainy Day Fund to begin to address our water problems in Texas,” she added.  “In the meantime it is vital that all Texans become aware of and educated about the situation and learn how each of us can affect water supplies for future generations.”

Co-sponsors for the festival include Hicks Agribusiness, McCormick Company, Process Art House,  St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, the City of Amarillo, Focal Point Design, the Hemphill County Underground Water Conservation District, High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1, and the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District.

Session 1 of the film festival will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, March 22.  It will feature the short film “One Plastic Beach” about a couple who have been collecting plastic debris off a beach in California for 10 years and using it in their art work, and  a longer film, Last Call at the Oasis.   Last Call, from Academy Award-winning director Jessica Yu, sheds light on the global nature of the water crisis, why it will be the central issue of this century and introduces us to individuals who are championing revolutionary solutions.  The session will conclude with a reception and discussion.

Session 2 begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 23, and features the films Watershed: Exploring a New Water Ethic for the New West and Carbon Nation.  Executive produced and narrated by Robert Redford, Watershed tells the story of threats to the once-mighty Colorado River and offers solutions to the future of the American West.  Carbon Nation is a documentary movie about climate-change solutions and how they also address social, economic and national security issues.  Discussion will be followed by a lunch break at 12:30 p.m.

Session 3, starting at 1:30 p.m. Saturday (March 23), will have three films: Playas: Reflections of Life on the Plains, the short film “Blue Obsession,” and Chasing Ice.  Playas tells of their vital role in sustaining both wildlife and people in the dry terrain of the High Plains. “Blue Obsession” shows both the beauty of the Mendenhall Glacier in southeast Alaska and documents its changing forms as old features melt away and new ones are revealed.  Chasing Ice features the award-winning work of photographer James Balog, who in 2005 set out to document the disappearance of glaciers by setting up time-lapse cameras around the world.  Discussion following the films will conclude about 4 p.m.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the active and informed participation in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy, according to Joyce Hinsley, Amarillo LWV president.

More information on the Prairie Water Film Festival is available on the website www.prairiewaterfilmfestival.wordpress.com.

 Clarendon will be bustling with people this weekend when the annual Clarendon College Invitational Judging Contest is held Saturday.

The contest doubles the town’s population and regularly attracts around 2,000 high school FFA students and 4-H students from around Texas and nearby states and as of Tuesday afternoon more than 1,500 students had pre-registered. This number doesn’t include the hundreds of parents and coaches who accompany the students to the contest.

According to the 2010 US Census, Clarendon has a population of 2,026.

Past contests have had huge impacts on the local economy. Restaurants are typically packed for the event, and this year will hopefully be equally successful.

In fact, the annual judging contest is the single biggest event to attract visitors from out of county for one day. By comparison, the July 4th Saints’ Roost Celebration barbecue annually attracts about 1,000 people and the Col. Charles Goodnight Chuckwagon Cookoff records between 1,000 and 1,500 visitors each September. Each of those events, however, has hundreds of local residents in attendance. The greatest number of people at the judging contest will come from outside of Donley County.

In addition to helping local merchants, the event also presents a great opportunity for CC to showcase its campus, faculty, and programs for prospective students. Johnny Treichel, Clarendon College livestock and meats judging coach, said the event is a big recruiting tool for the college.

“This is the only time each year the college has this many potential students on campus,” he said. “And we are pleased to have such positive support from the community year after year.”

The Clarendon Fire Department recently purchased five Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) at a cost of $18,605, and helped a neighboring fire department in the process.

The new equipment was purchased thanks to donations from local supporters and a grant awarded through the Texas Forest Service Rural Fire Department Assistance Program. The new SCBA units will replace five aging SCBA that the department has had in service for over 25 years.

SCBA is used by firemen to supply them with fresh breathing air when entering a hazardous environment.

The older SCBA, which still have a lot of use left in them, were donated to the Howardwick Fire Department.

The Clarendon Fire Department also recently honored one of their own. On March 14, department members made a surprise visit to the home of recently retired Clarendon Firefighter David Pitts to award him with a plaque honoring him for his 26 years of service to the Department.

David joined the Department in 1984 as a firefighter and was elected to the position of Secretary-Treasurer in 1985. During his time as secretary-treasurer, David applied for and secured many grants that assisted the Department with things including training, firefighter gear, station upkeep and apparatus just to mention a few.

Fire Chief Jeremy Powell said his department is very grateful for David’s service and dedication.

A scrap yard being operated in a residential part of Clarendon must be shut down and cleaned up by April 13, following actions taken by City Hall.

The property at 804 E. Third Street, owned by Shanon Thomas, was the topic of discussion the Board of Aldermen’s regular meeting last Tuesday, March 12, and drew the ire of both city officials and citizens.

Joe Hall, Sr., addressed the board and presented a petition with the signatures of 36 residents living near the property and opposing the business.

“We want it stopped, and we don’t think that is asking too much,” Hall said.

He said that he had seen oil, transmission fluid, and other liquids being allowed to seep into the ground, and he said he was worried about toxins, batteries, and catalytic converters polluting the soil. Hall also discussed the potential effects on the water table.

Alderman Tommy Hill echoed Hall’s concerns and said he had received complaints from neighbors about fumes coming from the property.

Mayor Larry Hicks reported at the meeting that City Hall was aware of the problem and said steps had already been taken to stop the operation.

“He has already agreed to clean it up,” Hicks said.

City officials have also notified the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

In other city business, attorney Kirk Franklin presented the final codification of the city ordinances for the board’s approval. Alderman Debbie Roberts said she had some questions about the section dealing with the city administrator. Franklin explained that the new code just formally organizes the existing ordinances for easy reference and that the board can change it as time goes along. The board then unanimously approved Ordinance 422 adopting the Code of Ordinances as presented upon a motion by Roberts, seconded by Alderman Abby Patten.

Denise Foster of the firm Foster & Lambert presented the city’s audit for 2011-2012 and said the city has total assets of $8,349,219 with total revenues in the last fiscal year of $905,962 and total expenses of $791,028. The board approved the audit as presented.

The board named Bunnie Owens as the election judge for the city election to be held May 11, 2013, with Wilma Lindley as the alternate judge.

The board discussed training Code Enforcement Officer Jason Conatser prior to the completion of his six-month probationary period with the city, which won’t be up for another 2½ months. Alderman Jesus Hernandez moved, seconded by Roberts, to approve the training, and the motion carried.

Mayor Hicks asked the council to consider reimbursing him as mayor about $40 per month for fuel as he drives around and checks on city jobs. Alderman Hill said he felt that the city would then have to pay every alderman for doing the same thing, and Alderman Roberts raised concerns about turning the mayor’s post into a paid position.

“Our mayor has never done what you’re doing now,” she said.

Hicks said he was doing more in the absence of a city administrator and that he wanted to make sure the contractors and employees were doing their jobs if he was going to have to sign off on these projects. The mayor then withdrew his request.

Clarendon Economic Development Executive Director Chandra Eggemeyer addressed the board and said the economic development corporation is now on the list to receive business leads from the governor’s office. She asked if the city would support the CEDC offering to apply for state or federal grants for businesses or firms interested in coming to the city. Each grant would still require individual approval. The board unanimously approved the CEDC to offer this service.

Engineer Clayton Scales reported on the opening of bids earlier in the day for the water and sewer line replacement project for the streets that are targeted for improvements this year. Scott Wampler Construction & Services was the low bidder at $529,074 for the project which was estimated to cost about $538,000. The board approved awarding the bid to Wampler.

Hicks reported that the effluent meter at the city’s waste water treatment facility was now operating and is ready to be calibrated. He also said the water system study by KSA Engineers is completed, and he reported that the city was successful in partnering with the CHS Student Council to get 36 new recycling Dumpsters with a grant for $14,400.

City Secretary Machiel Covey suggested the board hold quarterly town hall meetings to inform the citizens of projects going on in the City and of future plans of other projects. The board reacted favorably to the idea.

Alderman Hill asked if any material for the potholes had been ordered. Hicks said he would check but that he thought it was still too early in the year.