Archives for January 2022

A program to help local property owners improve their storefronts was reactivated when the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation Board met on January 11.

The CEDC Traditional Façade Grant Program, as it is now termed, provides fifty-fifty matching grants up to a maximum of $2,000 per project for properties in Clarendon’s Central Business District and along the US 287 corridor through the city.

Under the terms of the program, if the total of a project costs $1,500, the CEDC would contribute a maximum of $750. A $4,000 project would be eligible for the maximum of $2,000, and any projects costing more than $4,000 would only be eligible for the maximum of $2,000 of CEDC funds.

The program was originally authorized by the CEDC in 2008 and ran through 2017. During that time, the CEDC awarded 25 façade grants totaling $32,382.04 to property owners in Clarendon, resulting in more than $64,764 in business improvements.

Projects eligible for consideration could be anything from a simple coat of paint to new signage to a complete rehabilitation of a storefront. Projects must be pre-approved by the CEDC board, and the funds will be paid to successful applicants when invoices are submitted for the completed project.

CEDC funds cannot be used for labor costs if the owner, the tenant, or the applicant’s employees do the work. In that case, the grant would cover supplies and materials only.

Those interested in applying for the CEDC Traditional Façade Grant can find the proper application at ClarendonTx.com/FacadeGrants. The CEDC board will consider façade grant applications during its regular meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at the Clarendon Visitor Center inside the Mulkey Theatre. To be considered, applications need to be turned in by the Friday before that month’s meeting.

For property owners interested in larger renovations to historic buildings, the CEDC Historic Façade Grant Program was approved in 2018. The program is more restrictive than the Traditional Façade Grant Program but provides more money to promote heritage tourism while encouraging rehabilitation and preservation of historic properties. The program awards matching funds up to 80 percent of the actual, eligible costs up to a maximum grant of $400 per linear foot of the storefront (i.e. $10,000 for a 25-foot storefront or $20,000 for a 50-foot storefront). Information on CEDC Historic Façade Grants is also available at ClarendonTx.com/FacadeGrants.

The Donley County Republican Party is reminding all voters that January 31, 2022, is the deadline to register to vote in this year’s primary election on March 1.

The county party will host a Meet & Greet with the Republican candidates for county office on Thursday, February 10, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Bairfield Activity Center.

Early voting in the state primary elections will begin on February 14 and end on February 25. The deadline to apply to vote by mail is February 18.

The county positions up this year are all being sought by Republicans.

Four people are running for one position on the March Republican ballot. Sarah Hatley, Connie Lane Ashley Savage, and Kristen Taylor are running for the Justice of the Peace of Precincts 1 and 2. Incumbent JP Pam Mason resigned her office last month.

The only other competitive race on this year’s Republican ballot will be the position of Precinct 4 Commissioner Dan Sawyer, who is being challenged by Brad Dalton.

Other positions are uncontested and those candidates are Judge John Howard, Treasurer Wanda Smith, Clerk Vicky Tunnell, , Precinct 2 Commissioner Daniel Ford, and Precinct 3 & 4 Justice of the Peace Pat White.
Former Donley County deputy Randy Bond is also running for Constable of Precincts 3&4, a position that is currently vacant.

Texas Secretary of State John Scott last week encouraged all Texans to be registered to vote.

“Every year, the Secretary of State’s Office voluntarily provides voter registration applications to numerous entities, including county election offices, county clerks, public libraries, high school principals, and others,” Scott said. “This is in an effort to reach and register as many eligible Texas voters as possible and assist them in exercising their constitutional right to vote.

“While we are not legally required to do so, we do this as a courtesy to Texas voters and those organizations helping eligible Texans register to vote,” Scott said. “Don’t wait until the last minute if you haven’t already registered – get the process started today.”

Voting information is also available at www.votetexas.gov.

The Pantex Plant has deployed a system to counter all unauthorized unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, over Pantex airspace, which is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) designated “No Drone Zone.”

“The National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office (NPO) is announcing this deployment and the airspace restriction to the public to minimize the threat of unauthorized UAS flights over Pantex,” said Teresa Robbins, NPO Manager. “This will enhance our ability to effectively protect this vital national security facility.”

The Pantex system is intended to detect, identify, and track potentially malicious UAS threats. The 2017 National Defense Authorization Act provides the legal authority from Congress for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to protect its facilities for its counter UAS program.

UAS operators who violate the airspace restrictions at Pantex may also be subject to enforcement action, including potential civil penalties and criminal charges. NNSA and contractor officials are working closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement to coordinate necessary enforcement actions. Advertisements and social media messages will also be issued to remind the public of these restrictions.

NNSA welcomes assistance from the local community and UAS operators to help ensure the safety and protection of the Pantex Plant and its personnel from unauthorized UAS activities. NNSA will educate the public about the “No Drone Zone.” Education efforts will include installing signage around the Pantex site perimeter advising the public of the site boundary where drones are not allowed, as well as outreach to local officials and community groups, the media and UAS hobbyists.

NPO is responsible for ensuring the safe, secure, and effective operation of Pantex Plant and the Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

FAA regulations on UAS and counter UAS measures can be found by visiting https://www.faa.gov/uas/.

The Donley Appraisal District reminding property owners that 2021 property taxes, mailed in October, are due by January 31, 2022, without a late payment penalty.

The amount due increases each month after January until the tax is paid. Accounts unpaid on July 1 will incur a 20 percent collection penalty in addition to the regular penalty and interest of 18 percent. Texas state law prescribes the penalty and interest amounts.

Delinquent notices will be mailed in May to those who still owe 2021 tax at that time. Partial payments will be accepted.

Quarter Payment Plan on Homestead property: If you have an over 65 or disabled exemption or are the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, you may request to pay your property tax in four equal payments without penalty and interest. To apply, you must pay one-fourth of the total tax due before February 1.

Property owners who did not receive their property tax statements should contact the appraisal district. Failure to receive a tax bill does not affect the accrual of taxes, penalties, and interest on an account.

Taxes are payable by mail with a check or money order to the Donley Appraisal District, PO Box 1220, Clarendon TX 79226. In person payments can be made at 304 S Kearney St, Clarendon, Texas.

Taxes can also be paid online through DCAD’s website, www.donleycad.org.

Candidates are slowly beginning to line up to run for positions open at seven local governments this year.

Howardwick is leading the candidate count as of Tuesday morning with all three incumbent aldermen signing up for re-election. Those are Mary Grady, Terry Barnes, and Del Essary.

In the City of Clarendon, Alderman Eulaine McIntosh has filed for re-election. The positions of Aldermen John Lockhart and Larry Jeffers are also up this spring.

Hedley Mayor Carrie Butler has filed to run for her seat again. The terms of Hedley Aldermen Tom Carson and Danny Russell are expiring, but they had not filed as of press time.

Clarendon CISD, Hedley CISD, the Clarendon College District, and the Donley County Hospital District also have positions up for election this year, but they had no candidates at press time.

Clarendon CISD has three positions, Hedley CISD has two seats, six seats – three full terms and three partial terms – are up on the Clarendon College board, and the hospital district has four positions.

All local boards are elected at-large, but hospital board candidates must file for a specific place on the board.

Candidate applications are available from the administrative offices of each entity.

Filing began January 19 and continues through Friday, February 18. Elections are scheduled to be held Saturday, May 7, 2022.