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Archives for June 2015
City officials considering downtown grant
Clarendon city officials are still considering a downtown revitalization grant following a public hearing last Thursday, June 11.
The grant through the Texas Capital Fund would be for up to $150,000 for sidewalk, lighting, and accessibility improvements on Kearney Street. The city would have to pay a 20 percent match plus cover any costs beyond $150,000 if the project exceeded that amount.
Clarendon applied for this same grant unsuccessfully two years ago.
During last week’s hearing, comments of both concern and support were made about the possible grant application.
Clarendon Economic Development Board member and former local businessman Bill Stavenhagen raised concerns about spending a lot of money downtown “if you only have two businesses” there, and Mayor Larry Hicks pointed out there are more businesses than that on the city’s main street.
Stavenhagen also said that he did not want his remarks to indicate that he was necessarily against the grant application but said local merchants face stiff competition from the Internet.
Former city alderman Mac Stavenhagen asked questions about the match for the grant and about what economic impact it would have.
Former EDC director and former alderman Bob Watson spoke in favor of the grant application. “We need Clarendon to be the type of city that people want to come to,” Watson said. “I think this is a first step.”
CEDC Interim Director Jack King also spoke in favor of the grant application.
Alderman Doug Kidd said it is important for the city to get input.
“We need everybody’s opinion – negative or positive,” Kidd said. “We need to hear it all.”
The city has until October to submit the application if it chooses to go forward. Last week’s public hearing was a necessary first step in getting ready for an application, and city aldermen will likely be asked to consider approving resolutions associated with a grant application.
City Administrator David Dockery said Tuesday that City Hall is continuing to explore the opportunities presented by the grant but no commitment has been made to pursue the grant at this time.
County asks for donations of road material
Donley County is asking local landowners for help with improving rural roads the meeting of the Commissioners’ Court last Monday, June 8.
Judge John Howard said the heavy rain received across the county has rural roads in bad shape but that county commissioners and road hands are working on the problems as fast as they can.
“The roads are the lifeblood of people who live in the county, and we have to give attention to that, but resources are limited,” Howard said.
The county would like to improve roads overall, but precincts have no material to use for such upgrades.
Howard said the county would gladly accept donations of usable rock, gravel, or caliche from area landowners.
For more information on this or to make a donation, contact your precinct commissioner.
Howard also said commissioners discussed the best ways to care for county roads with the limited resources available.
The court also reaffirmed apportioning responsibility for county roads equally, as best as possible, among the four precinct road hands.
Precinct boundaries are determined by census numbers to have a nearly even population in each precinct. The miles of county roads, however, are not evenly distributed with Precinct One having about 130 miles of road, Precinct Two having about 90 miles, Precinct 3 having about 150 miles, and Precinct 4 having about 80 miles.
Commissioners agreed on letting road hands cross precinct lines in certain areas to balance the loads on each precinct.
In other county business, the court adopted a new policy on the cremation of paupers, accepted a bid on tax delinquent property in Howardwick, agreed to run an ad taking bids or auctioning surplus or salvage county property.
HISD considers vacancies
Hedley ISD Trustees will be appointing two new board members this summer after two of its members moved out of the school district.
HISD Board President Dana Bell announced the resignation of Trustee Ted Wright at the board’s regular meeting Monday night, June 15, and said that Holly McCleskey’s letter of resignation is expected at the July meeting.
Bell said the board needs to be thinking about who might be good candidates to be appointed, and he reminded the remaining members of the board – Aaron Harper, Lana Ritchie, Troy Monroe, and Carole Ward – that they need to pay special attention to their attendance at meetings in order to preserve the quorum until Wright’s and McCleskey’s positions are filled.
In other school business, Tresa Alston administered the oath of office to Bell and Ward as they start their new terms on the board. Trustees then voted to organize the board with Bell continuing as president, Ward as vice president, and Ritchie as secretary.
The board also heard administrative reports from Principal Reida Penman and Superintendent Colby Waldrop, adopted policy updates, approved increasing school lunch rates by ten cents, and met in closed session to discuss personnel.
During public comments, the board heard from Clarendon Chamber of Commerce President Roger Estlack, thanking the school for the job it does educating local youth and as one of the county’s largest employers and encouraging the school district to join the Chamber, and from Robert Papa, who commented about how well his son has done as a student at HISD.
Let the fun begin
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Mulkey close-up
Services held for former CC dean
Hundreds of mourners filled the Harned Sisters Fine Arts Center Sunday afternoon, June 7, to remember the life of Leonard “Tex” Selvidge, – a man who personified Clarendon College for decades.
Selvidge, the college’s former dean of students and the former mayor of Clarendon, died Tuesday, June 2, 2015. Sunday’s services were led by Rev. Chris Downer and Rev. Lance Wood with arrangements under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
“Tex was totally invested in youth,” Rev. Wood said, “and he never lost touch with youth across multiple generations.”
Clarendon College President Robert Riza also memorialized Selvidge and discussed the long-lasting impact of his 50-year relationship with the institution.
Rev. Downer eulogized Selvidge as the man who influenced him as a young man, saw potential in him, and gave him a chance. He also touched on Selvidge’s own challenges as a youth who faced hard times and said those early experiences made Selvidge the great man and the great leader that he was.
“Tex said ‘community’ was what raised him and so he spent his life investing in ‘community,’” Downer said.
That commitment led the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce to bestow its lifetime service award, the Saints’ Roost Award, on Selvidge in February of this year.
Selvidge was born January 7, 1934, in Bismark, Ark., to Elmer D. and Ella Mae Selvidge. He graduated from Stinnett High School in 1953. He attended Southwestern State Oklahoma University where he played football, graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor’s Degree, and completed his Master’s Degree in 1962. He started coaching in Spearman and later coached in Hollis, Okla., before moving to Clarendon in 1965 to start his career at Clarendon College.
He served in a number of positions at CC in the last fifty years, including Counselor, Registrar, Dean of Students, Recruiter, and Financial Aid Director, and was member of the Board of Regents at the time of his death. Through the college he engrained himself as the surrogate father, grandfather, mentor, and friend for thousands of CC students over the years.
Selvidge’s far-reaching influence is evidenced by Clarendon College’s social media posts regarding his passing which were viewed by 44,923 people. The Enterprise’s social media posts reached another 4,913 people.
Selvidge also ran a small business on Kearney Street for a time, served as an adult probation officer, and served in public office. In addition to his recent service on the college board, he served on the Clarendon Board of Aldermen in 1976 and later served two stretches as mayor from 1977 to 1980 and again from 1997 to 2006. He served more time as mayor than any other person in the city’s history.
He was preceded in death by his Pop, Jimmy Worsham, and his Mom, Geneva Worsham; his biological parents, Elmer D. Selvidge and Ella Mae Selvidge; a sister, Merle Damron; a brother, Cecil Selvidge; and an aunt, Evie Scott.
He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Selvidge, of the home; his son, Chad Selvidge and wife, Carolina, of Dallas; his daughter, Shay Tidmore and husband, Alan, of Lubbock; his son, Scott Newland and wife, Jeanette of Plano; his son, Gary Jack of Clarendon; his daughter, Teresa Dronzek and husband, Dan, of Clarendon; his son, Mark Jack and wife, Beverly, of Springtown; his daughter, Pam Watson and husband, Noble, of Clarendon; his daughter, Shay Ann Selvidge of Austin; 19 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his step-dad, James Griffin of Lubbock, his sister, Sharon Walker and husband, Skip, of Stinnett; and numerous family and close friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all gifts be directed to the Leonard “Tex” Selvidge Memorial Scholarship, c/o Clarendon College, Attn: Ashlee Estlack, PO Box 968, Clarendon, Texas 79226.
Editorial: Selvidge a mentor for all to follow
Tex Selvidge led a life of community service, and this week his community is in mourning for the man who was one if its best known and best respected citizens.
Rev. Chris Downer said he did not personally know anyone who knew more people or was more influential than Tex Selvidge. If you went to any town in a four or five state area from Clarendon, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t know someone who had gone to Clarendon College and known or been influenced by Tex.
I remember getting my own acceptance letter to CC and reading Tex’s signature on the bottom of it. I already knew Tex by that time in my life. In addition to seeing him at numerous college alumni reunions that I attended with my father and grandfather, I had known him from the time he ran the clothing store which was next to the West Texas Utilities office where my Dad was the manager. Even as young boy, I knew Tex, and I knew he was a good and well-respected man.
During my two-year stint at old CC, Tex offered me advice and friendship the same as any other student, and I always knew I could go to him if I ever needed anything.
My favorite memories of Tex are from his time as mayor of our little city. When he stepped down from that position in 1996, he told me, “I’ve always felt like if you’re going to live somewhere, you ought to give something to it.”
Tex gave and gave to this community. He told me he thought serving the community was something everyone should do. “It would thrill me if every election we had 10 or 12 people running for every spot on every board in the county,” he said.
For his part, Tex always tried to put the community’s interests first; and he said on the rare occasions he was called on to break a tie, he tried to vote for his convictions. He was proud to have been a part of several accomplishments during his time with the city, including the 2006 street project, numerous grants received to improve the city, updating and codification of the city ordinances, and the development of the city-county library downtown.
“I’m not saying I did a better job than anyone else would have, but I hope I contributed something to the community,” he said. “I’m sure some would disagree, but everyone is entitled to their opinions.”
Agreeing to disagree was another of his hallmarks as mayor. It never seemed to be personal with Tex. Occasionally, he and the newspaper editor would have different views on matters, but we always maintained a friendship and could joke about things.
I was standing next to him at reception one time while he was mayor when he was asked how he was doing. “I’m fine,” he said “if I could just get the editor off my ass.” Then he busted out laughing and threw his arm around my shoulder.
I’ll miss that arm. I’ll miss the smile and the laugh and the words of wisdom.
Tex Selvidge led a life that we should all strive to emulate – a life devoted to community, dedicated to helping young people, and committed to friends and family.
How lucky the Selvidge and Jack families have been to have enjoyed the presence of so great a man! How deep their sense of loss must be now without him here on Earth. Our prayers and sympathies are with them as we give thanks to God for having blessed us with the privilege of knowing Tex Selvidge. Our community is stronger, our college is better, and our lives are richer because of him.
Editor’s note: the family requests that all gifts be directed to the Leonard “Tex” Selvidge Memorial Scholarship, c/o Clarendon College, Attn: Ashlee Estlack, PO Box 968, Clarendon, Texas 79226.
Changes in store for July Fourth celebration
A few changes are in store for the 138th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration scheduled for July 2, 3, and 4 this year.
The Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association will kick off the activities with a Junior Ranch Rodeo on Thursday night, July 2, at 7:30 at the COEA Arena followed by a dance at 9 p.m. featuring Chris Albracht as the deejay.
Clarendon merchants will have sales on Friday, and the Ten Commandments marker at the Courthouse will be dedicated that morning at 10 a.m. followed by the Depression Lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Downtown Crossties Ministry building. COEA’s Ranch Rodeo will start that night at 7:30 with No Dry County providing live music for the dance at 9:00.
Saturday, July 4, is when celebration goers will see the biggest changes. The Chamber of Commerce has moved the July Fourth Parade, sponsored by Herring Bank, from its traditional 2 p.m. timeslot to 10 a.m., which has compacted much of the morning schedule.
The Arts & Craft Fair on the square will start at 9 a.m. The Craft Fair is sponsored by the Donley County 4H, and booth space is $25. Booth space needs to be reserved by June 27 by calling 874-2141.
The Old Settlers Reunion and the Kids’ Bicycle & Tricycle Parade also begin at 9 a.m. The Kids’ Parade will line up and register at 8:30 at Keith Floyd’s shop at Third and Sully.
Line up for the Herring Bank Parade will also start at 9 a.m. on Sixth Street north of Prospect Park. At 10:00, the parade will then take its usual route – north on Kearney to Third Street, west on Third to Sully, south in front of the Courthouse, and then wind back to the ball parks.
The Herring Bank Parade features $850 in cash prizes with $200 available for the best float, $100 for the best car or truck entry, $100 for the best animal or riding unit, $100 for the best tractor or farm equipment entry, and $100 for the best “other” entry. From those first place winners, judges will select a Grand Prize winner who will receive an additional $250. Parade winners will be announced at 1 p.m.
Entry forms for the Kids’ Parade and the Herring Bank Parade are available in this week’s Enterprise and at the Clarendon Visitor Center at Mulkey Theatre.
Ed Montana will be handling the parade and celebration announcing and will also be performing live music during the festivities on the square.
Following the parade, the Al Morrah Shrine Club will have its annual barbecue lunch at approximately 11 a.m. and will serve until the food is gone. Tickets will be $10 per plate.
The Clarendon Lions Club has retired its cow patty bingo fundraiser and will instead have Bounce Houses and Water Slides at the Lions Hall from about 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A five-dollar wrist band will let kids bounce and slide to their hearts’ content all day.
The annual Henson’s Turtle Race will be held on 3 p.m. on Saturday.
The COEA’s Ranch Rodeo will close out the celebration Saturday night at 7:30 with No Dry Country again headlining the dance at 9:00.
Box seating tickets are still available for all three nights of rodeo for $150. Contact Theresa Shelton for 654-2993 for information.
More celebration details will be printed as they become available. To add your event or activity to this listing, contact the Enterprise at 874-2259.
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