Archives for February 2024

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts is warning citizens that criminals are sending emails impersonating the agency’s Open Records Division, claiming citizens have committed a code violation. Do not click any links in these communications.

To cause you to react and click on the link, these fraudulent emails use the subject line: Code Violation Notice ref::#3364541.PDF. If you click the link, destructive malware is installed onto your computer or electronic device. The malware then steals your sensitive data.

If you or anyone you know receives an email or any other communication like this, again, do not click on any link. Instead, report it to the Comptroller’s office.

The City of Howardwick accepted a bid for road construction during a called meeting January 23 to improve a stretch of Rick Husband Boulevard.

The $219,499.50 bid of G&G Operators of Dalhart was accepted as the lowest bid. The highest bid was $428,980 from West Texas Utility Contractors.

City Secretary Sandy Childress said the scope of the work covers drainage improvements from the draw between Dawn Drive and Porter Drive and extending about 800 linear feet northwest on Rick Husband, tearing up that section of road and replacing it with hot mix asphalt.

Childress the original plan for the grant project when it was first conceived in 2020 was to improve Rick Husband much further, going all the way past City Hall to Swanson Street. Increasing costs over time whittled the project down, she said.

The city is, however, negotiating with the contractor and the agencies providing the Community Development Block Grant funding the project in hopes of issuing a change order on the contract that would allow more paving to be done.

Childress said doing a two-course chip seal instead of hot mix would lengthen the amount of new paving that could be done on this project.

Childress said the city has some COVID-relief funds still on hand that might be used to purchase some equipment that would allow the city to do some of the work to rip up the existing road itself, which also allow more of the CDBG grant money to go further with paving.

“The contractor has no problem with it, but we have to get everyone else to agree,” she said.

Childress is also encouraged that the city will have a good chance at winning a second grant once this one is completed. The next grant could provide as much as $500,000 for future paving.

“They tell me once you get the first grant, it’s easier to get a second one,” she said.

The city expects the paving project as it currently is planned to begin in March and be completed within 60 days. If the city is allowed to make its desired change order, that timeline may change, Childress said.

The Donley County Republican Club will host a Candidate Forum Tuesday, February 13 at the Bairfield Activity Center at 7:00 p.m.

Local candidates for this spring’s primary elections will present their platforms. The forum will be open to the public regardless of party affiliation, and refreshments will be served.

Donations are being accepted by the Donley County Republican Club for the purpose of providing these annual forums and for purchasing food for both Republican and Democratic election workers during the primaries.

Those wishing to make a donation for that purpose can do so by mailing a check to PO Box 789, Clarendon, TX 79226 or by taking a donation to the Donley County Republican Club directly to the Donley County State Bank.

The candidate count is now up to 14, but several positions are still unfilled on local boards as the deadline to sign up approaches next week.

Three boards have enough candidates for all open positions while four other boards are still waiting for people to file for office as of Tuesday.

The cities of Clarendon, Hedley, and Howardwick; the Clarendon and Hedley school districts; the Clarendon College District; and the Donley County Hospital District all have a total of 21 positions available this year.

The City of Howardwick has three people running for three positions available on the city council. Aldermen Mary Grady and Terry Barnes are seeking re-election, and Johnny Hubbard is also running.

All of the Donley County Hospital District Board’s expiring members have filed for re-election. Those are Mark C. White – Place 6, Jan Farris – Place 4, Nikki Adams – Place 5, and Lori Howard – Place 7.

Clarendon CISD has Taylor Shelton and Kenneth McIntosh running for the positions currently held by Wayne Hardin and Wes Hatley. The incumbents have not yet filed for re-election.
Carole Ward has filed for re-election to her seat on the Hedley CISD board, but Dana Bell’s seat has not been filed for.

In the City of Clarendon, Aldermen Tommy Hill and John Lockhart will be on the ballot for two of three positions on the city council up for election this year. Aldermen has not filed.

Mayor Trisha Chambless is seeking a full term in office in Hedley, and two other positions are available on the city council. Those seats are currently held by Aldermen Aaron Hanes and Clayton Beagle.

Janice Knorpp has filed for re-election to the Clarendon College Board of Regents. Three other seats have not been filed for and are currently held by Tommy Waldrop, Lon Adams, and Brittney Word.

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 continues through Friday, February 16. Elections are scheduled to be held May 4, 2024.