Morgan Wheatly

David Dockery started his new duties as Clarendon’s city administrator this week and has been busy familiarizing himself with the community.

The administrator and his wife moved into their new home here last week, and Dockery then began his work on Monday, spending the day meeting with the mayor, city secretary, and public works director.

“I’m impressed with the progress the city has made on projects and the dedication of the council and staff as they continue that,” Dockery said.

While he’s still learning about the city, Dockery says he hopes to have a public forum at some point in order to let residents ask questions about the city and get feedback as to what citizens want from the city.

One project that the city has been exploring is a grant application for several water-related improvements, including the possible installation of new electronic water meters. Dockery said he thinks that should become a priority for the city.

“We’re spending too many man hours reading meters, and there’s a more effective and efficient way to do that,” he said. “Electronic meters would give us perhaps 20 percent more accuracy and 25 percent more productivity.”

The net result for the city, he said, would be reduced fuel and vehicle expenses, more productivity, and ultimate more services for the citizens.

Dockery said other issues are being looked at and he looks forward to learning the direction the council and the community want to go.

 

One woman was sentenced to state jail after a district court hearing on Friday, March 6.

District Attorney Luke Inman prosecuted the case for the State of Texas with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.

Patricia Danielle Moffett pleaded not true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate Guilt and was sentenced to 18 months in the State Jail Division of Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the state jail felony offense of forgery.

On September 17, 2012, Moffett, 30, from Amarillo, originally pleaded guilty to offense that occurred on August 15, 2012, in Donley County.

The State filed the motion on December 11, 2013, alleging three violations of community supervision. According to court records, Moffett was not arrested for 14 months after the motion was filed and did not perform her duties as a probationer during that time frame.

During the contested hearing, the State called two witnesses, Mark White with the 100th Judicial District Community Supervisions and Corrections Department and Mike Spier, a Donley County Deputy.

White testified that Moffett performed poorly while on felony probation. Spier testified that Moffett’s reputation was not good for being a law abiding citizen in Donley County.

Moffett is also required to pay $473 in court costs to Donley County, a $2,500 fine, and $3,950.65 restitution.

The District Court also heard three pleas when it met in Clarendon on Tuesday, March 3.

District Attorney Luke Inman, assisted by Greg Buckley, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.

Brandon Eugene McChristian pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate Guilt and was sentenced to 14 months in the State Jail Division of Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the state jail felony offense of forgery.

On July 16, 2014, McChristian, 25, from Amarillo, originally pleaded guilty to offense that occurred on March 30, 2014, in Donley County.

The State filed the motion on December 12, 2014, alleging six violations of community supervision.

McChristian is also required to pay $488 in court costs to Donley County, a $1,000 fine, and $1,322.10 restitution.

Wesley Don Williams was convicted for the third degree felony offense of driving while intoxicated 3rd or more. Williams pleaded guilty and was sentenced to ten years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ for the offense, but the sentence was probated for a period of three years.

Williams, 45-year-old resident of Clarendon, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place July 8, 2014. Williams was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on November 13, 2014 after the investigation was conducted by DPS Trooper Chad Simpson.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Williams was required to pay $573 in court costs, a $3,000 fine, 200 hours of community service, and all DWI requirements under Chapter 49.

Silbester Raymond Rowe-Hodges was placed on probation for a period of three years for the third degree felony offense of possession of marihuana. Rowe-Hodges pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Rowe-Hodges, 25-year-old resident of Dallas, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place December 30, 2013 by DPS Trooper Max Honesto, and was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on November 13, 2014.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Rowe-Hodges is required to pay a $3,000 fine to Donley County, $458 in court costs, $180 restitution, and successfully complete 200 hours of community service. If Rowe-Hodges violates probation, he could face up to 10 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.

 

You don’t have to salute Clarendon’s Kevin Johnson the next time you see him, but he carries a new title that few people ever get. and that some didn’t even know existed. He’s an Admiral in the Texas Navy.

Of course, it’s been a long time since actually had a navy. These days being a Texas Admiral is honorary title bestowed by the governor. It’s position very much like that of a Kentucky Colonel.

Johnson’s commission as an Admiral came in the final days of Gov. Rick Perry’s administration. Congressman John Culberson of the Seventh District and State. Rep. Dwayne Bohac of the 138th District worked to nominate the local spur maker and artist for the honor for the work he has done to promote Texas history and culture and also for the work he’s done to make badges and other things for Texas Rangers.

Johnson is also a former member of the Saints’ Roost Museum board, has done work for the outdoor drama TEXAS, and has been commissioned to make memorials for Stephen F. Austin, Col. Charles Goodnight, and the Immortal 32.

Culberson had previously commissioned Johnson to make a set of spurs for President George W. Bush, and Bohac is a longtime supporter of Texas history and the Rangers. Bohac’s office asked Johnson for a résumé of his work and then submitted that to the governor.

“I was quite honored,” Johnson said. “I’m kind of a fan of Rick Perry. He’s been heavily involved with the Rangers and took an active interest in the Texas State Cemetery.”

The new admiral received a handsome certificate with Perry’s actual signature, and he gets a few interesting perks. He also got a polo shirt with rank insignia and a cap. But have people started addressing him by his title?

“More than you know… it’s kind of embarrassing,” he said.

 

A wind farm tax abatement was pushed back for a one-year period when Donley County Commissioners met Monday, March 9.

County Judge John Howard said the abatement agreement with Cielo Land & Cattle remains unchanged except for the start date. Cielo’s project construction schedule has shifted one year to accommodate the extension of the federal production tax credit and to secure appropriate financing.

“The project is moving forward,” Howard said. “They plan to begin construction next spring and complete it by the end of 2016. Production [of electricity] would start in 2017, and the tax abatement will start that year for ten years.”

In November 2013, Donley County officials approved granting Cielo a ten-year, 100 percent abatement from ad valorem taxes, but the agreement also sets up payments to the county in lieu of taxes during the period of the agreement.

At that time, Cielo agreed to pay the county $2,000 per megawatt of electric generating capacity up to a maximum of $200,000 per year. The agreement also stipulates that Cielo will develop a minimum of 80 megawatts of capacity in Donley County, which would result in no less than $160,000 in income for the county annually for ten years.

In other county business, the commissioners’ court took no action on a request to use the Courthouse lawn for a proposed Wind, Water, & Wildlife Festival on April 20-22. Howard said Judy Burlin, who had requested the item on the agenda, did not appear at Monday’s meeting.

Commissioners also discussed the possible sale of the old appraisal district building on Sully Street across from the Courthouse.

The county will advertise the building to take sealed bids on the property in the near future with the intention of opening bids at the commissioners’ next regular meeting.