Archives for December 2013

A horse race has developed in the Republican Primary with four candidates now jockeying for position to succeed Donley County Judge Jack Hall.

Jack Craft is the most recent addition to the lineup. Filing on the deadline day Monday, Craft is a local rancher and businesman who spearheaded the petition drive that led to Donley County voting to allow alcohol sales this year.

Gary Campbell was the first candidate to step forward several weeks ago. He is a retired haz-mat engineer and realtor who is currently representing Clarendon on the Greenbelt Water Authority Board.

Randy Bond is also seeking the county’s top job. He has more than 30 years in law enforcement and is currently Donley County’s chief deputy as well as a local businessman.

Last week, Dr. John Howard threw his hat in the ring. In addition to serving as the community’s medical doctor, Howard is active in the United States Navy and serves as the chairman of the Clarendon College Board of Regents.

All four men will face each other in the March 4, 2014, Republican Primary. If one candidate does not get more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates will be in a run-off election. The top Republican is facing no opposition in the November General Election.

A competitive primary race has also developed for the Precinct 2 County Commissioner’s seat currently held by Donnie Hall, who is not seeking re-election. Three candidates will be on the March ballot. Daniel Ford signed up last week and joins Mitchell Martin and John Grady in the race.

Two competitive races have emerged for the November election. Precinct 1&2 Justice of the Peace Connie Havens is running for re-election as a Democrat and is being challenged by Republican Pam Mason. Precinct 1 County Commissioner Dan Sawyer seeks re-election to his post on the Republican ticket and faces a November challenge from Ricky Rattan on the Democratic side.

County Treasurer Wanda Smith (R) and County/District Clerk Fay Vargas (D) are unopposed for re-election as is Precinct 3&4 Justice of the Peace Denise Bertrand (R).

Also of local interest, State Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian) and State Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) have both announced their filings for reelection.

US Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) is also running for re-election and is being challenged by Dr. Pam Barlow of Bowie and Elaine Hays of Amarillo.

The Clarendon Christmas Bazaar will have its debut this Saturday, December 14, at the Donley County Activity Center from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The first of what is expected to become an annual event is being hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and will seek to provide local shoppers with all the choices they need to find that perfect gift for everyone on their Christmas list.

Drawings will be held every half hour for door prizes and gift certificates, and a gift wrapping service will be available at the show.

The Happy Toy Maker will be featured at the Bazaar with his handmade Western toys from Happy, Texas, and more than 20 vendors are registered to display their seasonal wares.

Local and area vendors include Sandy Anderberg, Kevin Johnson Bits & Spurs, Wild Wine Collection, Pink Zebra, Simply Sweetz, Amanda’s Country Whims, Saints’ Roost Museum, Stuff It Taxidermy, The Cowgirl’s Home, Campbell Online Marketing, Straight Off the Ranch, Big Texas Hair & Highlights, Every Nook & Cranny, Diva Bling, Henson’s, Farm Girl Frosting, Hippy Heart Headbands, Don Stone Signs, Alexis’ Treasures, Burrow’s Buckles & Spurs, and Buffalo Gold – Herd Wear.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church will have a concession stand available and will also be serving stew at the Bazaar.

Santa Claus will be available for photos from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department will have one of its trucks at the Bazaar for tours at 5 p.m.

For an afternoon of family fun and shopping, visit the Clarendon Christmas Bazaar this Saturday. Call 940-655-4220 or 806-262-8158 for more information.

Late Night Shopping continues this week and next with Clarendon business making shopping at home fun and easy, and the first ever “Great Bowls of Fire” Chili Challenge is right around the corner.

Local merchants are keeping their doors open until 8 p.m. this Thursday, December 12, and next Thursday, December 19, for your shopping convenience. Santa Claus will be on hand both nights, and wagon rides will be available.

Cathy’s Christmas Candies and the Nazarene Church’s handmade crafts will be available December 12, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church will be serving pasole, tamales, and sopapillas that night at LaVelle’s Coffee Shop.

Late Night Shopping will close out on Thursday, December 19, with the main attraction being the first “Great Bowls of Fire” Chili Challenge sponsored by the Clarendon Economic Development Corp. and the Chamber of Commerce.

Ed Montana will provide the musical entertainment for the Chili Challenge, which is also will be inside LaVelle’s, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. as businesses go up against one another for bragging rights and their chance at a traveling trophy.

Monday, December 16, is the entry deadline for chili teams. The cost is $25 per team. The winners will be selected on a “people’s choice” basis, and admission is $5 per person. All proceeds from the challenge will go to the Mulkey Theatre project.

Challenge details and entry forms are available from Chandra Eggemeyer at the Clarendon Visitor Center inside the Mulkey Theatre.

Local merchants and the Donley County State Bank are also making shopping at home easy this year with zero interest loans available for the holidays for those who qualify. Contact the bank at 874-3581 for details.

Christmas is a great time to support the merchants who support your community.

Donley County Commissioners enacted a burn ban during their regular meeting Monday, December 9.

No outdoor burning is allowed 24 hours prior to or on the day of a forecasted Fire Weather Watch or a Red Flag Warning issued from the National Weather Service in Amarillo.

Under Donley County’s Burn Ban conditions, anyone engaging in outdoor burning must contact the Donley County Sheriff’s office prior to ignition and give the dispatcher a burn location, a contact phone number, and approximate burn time. The persons engaging in outdoor burning needs to be present on site of the burn until the burn is completed.

Anyone engaging in any form of outdoor burning is asked to burn with extreme caution at all times.

Forecasters can issue the watch or warning for all or selected portions within a fire weather zone. The Red Flag event is verified when the weather and fuel conditions listed below are met simultaneously for any three hours or more during the period.

The following weather and fuel conditions must be forecast to occur or already occurring before issuing a Fire Weather Watch and/or Red Flag Warning for the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles: Minimum relative humidities equal to or less than 15 percent; 20 foot winds of 20 mph or higher and/or gusts to 35 mph or higher; and an NFDRS adjective fire danger rating of “high” or higher.

For additional information regarding, log onto www.srh.noaa.gov/ama/ or contact the National Weather Service in Amarillo.

The burn ban will stay in effect for the next 90 days.

In other county business Monday, commissioners approved Justice of the Peace Denise Bertrand’s request to lead up a group of people to decorate the courthouse lawn for Christmas next year. County Judge Jack Hall said Bertrand will work on planning the effort, and the county will put money into the project over a three-year period.

Commissioners also approved a contract for assessment and collection services presented by the Donley Appraisal District, and the court voted to cast the county’s support to Jerry Green and Bonnie Campbell for seats on the appraisal district board.

A motion was approved to authorize the county’s participation in the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool.