Archives for September 2016

A local service club has put a reward after vandals inflicted more than $4,000 worth of damage to the Chance Mark Jones Playground in Prospect Park.

The Clarendon Lions Club Tuesday voted to put a $250 cash reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for the damage.

Citizens first reported the vandalism last Friday, September 9. A large piece of the top of a plastic crawl tunnel was broken out, and two plastic roofs on the playground also have holes in them.

Playgrounds Etc., the company which installed the equipment, estimates materials to repair the unit will cost $2,900 with an additional $1,300 needed for installation.

The playground designed for children ages two through 12 was constructed in 2014 at a cost of more than $48,000.

City Administrator David Dockery said the playground is insured, and the city will be filing a claim.

Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn said the dollar amount involved in this case would make the crime a state jail felony.

Clarendon Mayor Larry Hicks surprised many in the community when he announced his resignation during last Thursday’s City Council meeting.

“I must regretfully resign my positions as your Mayor,” Hicks told the council. “It was a difficult decision to make, but due to health and personal reasons, I cannot keep with the day-to-day duties. It is a very demanding yet rewarding position.”

The aldermen accepted Hicks’ resignation with regrets and gave the outgoing mayor a standing ovation for his service.

Hicks served as a city alderman before being appointed as mayor following the resignation of Mayor Chris Ford in September 2010.

“It has been a great honor to serve the city that is my home and has given so much to me and my family,” Hicks said. “I want to thank you all for showing your trust in me to oversee the operations of our city and supporting the sometimes difficult decisions I have had to make. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this great privilege.”

Alderman Sandy Skelton was appointed to serve as Clarendon’s 38th mayor following Hicks’ resignation.

“I would like to thank the City Council members for their confidence in me to serve in the capacity of mayor for the City of Clarendon,” Skelton said. “Much appreciation is also expressed to Larry Hicks for his tenure as mayor for the past six years.

Skelton, who has served on the council for 3½ years, said Hicks had provided effective leadership and always made decisions in the best interest of the city, and he said he has enjoyed working with the present council, namely Aldermen Doug Kidd, Beverly Burrow, John Lockhart, and Larry Jeffers. He also praised the work of City Administrator David Dockery for knowledge and experience the respect he has in the community.

“Clarendon has a good team in place,” the new mayor said, “and collectively we will continue to be forward thinking in our approach to city improvements while keeping taxes and fees at an appropriate level.”

Skelton’s term as mayor will expire in May. A reception to honor former mayor Hicks will be held Saturday, October 15, at 1 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church.

City officials took no action on naming someone to Skelton’s seat on the council. City Hall says citizens interested in serving on the council are urged to submit their name for consideration.

In other city business, aldermen approved the fiscal year 2017 budget and adopted a tax rate of $0.748 per $100 valuation to support that budget.

The City Council also spent some time reviewing the monthly code compliance report, and specifically addressed ongoing compliance issues at 1001 W. Third, 1100 E. Third, and 702 S. Carhart. Discussion also centered on compliance issues in the 500 block of S. Sully where an inspection had shown that a trailer house owned by the Mays Estate needs to be condemned and removed.

The 2016 fall/winter edition of the Clarendon Welcome Guide is greeting visitors and newcomers to Donley County this week courtesy of The Clarendon Enterprise in cooperation with the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce.

The 48-page, magazine format guide features welcomes from Mayor Larry Hicks, Donley County Judge John Howard, and Clarendon College President Robert Riza as well as Clarendon School Superintendent Mike Norrell and Hedley Superintendent Colby Waldrop. The guide also includes information on local events scheduled through February 2017.

“We’re very proud of this publication, and we appreciate the support of all the local businesses and organizations who purchased advertising space in this endeavor,” said Enterprise publisher Roger Estlack. “This has proven to be a very popular publication, and it continues to grow with each edition. The first guide one year ago was 36 pages, and it has now grown to 48 pages.”

The Welcome Guide has maps for the county and the cities of Clarendon, Hedley, and Howardwick with locations of popular attractions and landmarks marked; lists important information and contact numbers for those cities and the county; and provides contact numbers and information for local schools, and health care providers.

Local churches are listed in Guide as are local real estate agents and rental properties. Greenbelt Lake and the Clarendon Country Club are featured prominently, as is the Saints’ Roost Museum. A directory of Chamber member businesses and organizations is also published in the Guide.

“I think this is one of the greatest things we’ve done,” Chamber Manager Bonnie Campbell said. “It is a great way to get information to people about what we have here and the things there are to do in Clarendon.”

The Welcome Guide is updated and published twice each year. A digital edition of the Welcome Guide will be available this week at ClarendonChamber.com.

The Texas Director of USDA Rural Development, Paco Valentin, formally announced funding for municipal water system improvements during a presentation at Clarendon City Hall last Wednesday, August 31.

“I commend you for making this investment to increase economic opportunity and the quality of life in Clarendon,” Valentin said. “This is an investment in infrastructure to improve the quality and capacity of water here.”

USDA Rural Development approved a Water and Waste Disposal grant of $1,387,000 and a loan of $2,522,000 to the City of Clarendon for improvements to their existing water system. The funds will be used to replace approximately 728 water meters and replace the old cast iron distribution lines which will include some loop lines to improve the hydraulic efficiency.  The proposed improvements will also include a new elevated storage tank which will replace the standpipe.  The City serves a population of approximately 2,026.

Mayor Larry Hicks expressed the city’s thanks to the USDA.

“We certainly appreciate this opportunity to take care of these problems in our city,” Hicks said.

City Administrator David Dockery recognized the city employees and city council for the years of work put in to address the water needs of the city and to address issues of water quality and distribution.

USDA officials also recognized Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) for his support of rural development programs, and Thornberry was represented by Melisa Kalka from his Amarillo office.

Donley County Judge John Howard also praised the funding of the city project.

“Water is the stuff of life for people and for a community,” Howard said. “This opportunity is a blessing and I want to thank everyone involved.”

Representing the city council, Alderman John Lockhart was pleased with the collaboration with USDA as well.

“I’m so excited to see this finally come together,” Lockhart said. “Our council, all of us, have worked hard for this for a long time, and we’re ready to get it all going.”

Valentin commended leaders in both Clarendon and Howardwick, which received funding as well.

“I would also like to commend our rural leaders for their forward thinking vision that ultimately equates to increased economic opportunities and improved quality of life,” Valentin said.

Also attending last week’s announcement and representing USDA were Vivian Klecker and Clyde Jenkins.

The USDA says President Barack Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices.

These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

For information on USDA Rural Development in Texas, visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/tx.

Four grants over the last two years have resulted in improved services and better public safety in the City of Howardwick, according to an announcement made last Wednesday, August 31, at Howardwick City Hall.

The USDA Rural Development funds totaled $131,000 that were matched by $51,000 in city funds, and Texas USDA Rural Development Director Paco Valentin praised the partnership between the local and federal levels.

“This isn’t just a matter of the federal government bailing you out,” Valentine said. “You’ve got skin in this game of about $51,000.”

Valentin also praised City Secretary Tammy Jordan and Fire Chief Will Jordan as being “very instrumental” in going through the paperwork to make the grants happen.

Howardwick used the federal assistance to purchase a backhoe, a John Deere Tractor and Rotary Cutter, and a Road Maintainer.  The City’s old equipment was in need of major repairs and the purchase of new equipment was more economically feasible.

The grant funds were also used to purchase a new early warning siren system with three storm sirens.  The system is activated wirelessly and has battery reserve capabilities which allows the system to function after a power grid failure.  This system replaced the 1975 rotary storm sirens that were only partially operational and replacement parts were no longer available.

Mayor Mike Rowland called the USDA’s grants “a true blessing.”

“The new equipment has helped us clean this town up,” the mayor said. “We’ve been able to cut our maintenance costs to the point that we can start doing something about abandoned buildings also. It has overall made this a more family friendly community through doing business with USDA.”

Donley County Judge John Howard praised the city and federal officials.

“We appreciate the efforts to improve the lives and public safety in Howardwick,” the judge said.

USDA officials also credited Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) for his support of rural development programs, and Thornberry was represented by Melisa Kalka from his Amarillo office.

Also attending last week’s announcement and representing USDA were Vivian Klecker and Clyde Jenkins.

The USDA says President Barack Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. These investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities.

For information, visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/tx.