Morgan Wheatly

Three local people were injured – two seriously – during a car accident on US 287 in Clarendon Saturday evening, June 26.

According to records of the Donley County Sheriff’s Office, Gina Canon was driving a 2014 Chrysler when she rear-ended a 2003 Toyota Sequoia driven by Dude Cornell and carrying Ruth Hancock at about 7:41 p.m.

The report by Deputy Mike Spier says that Cornell, age 86, was eastbound in the lefthand lane of US 287 near the intersection of US 70 South and had slowed down to see who was at his son’s business, Cornell’s Country Store, since the store was closed at the time. Two witnesses said they changed lanes to avoid hitting Cornell, but Canon, age 34, did not swerve in time and hit the slowed vehicle.

Cornell’s vehicle travelled across the turn lane and the westbound lanes and then ran into a parked vehicle at Chris McKinney’s shop, causing a chain reaction of impact to two other vehicles and a building.

Cornell’s passenger, Ruth Hancock, was not seriously injured, family members said on Sunday.

Cornell suffered a laceration above his left eye, and Spier said Tuesday that he was still hospitalized with other injuries. Canon also remained hospitalized with severe injuries to a foot.

Spier said a citation for “failure to control speed” has been issued against Canon, and the investigation continues.

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen approved four ordinances last week, setting new water rates and regulating topics from the height of grass in the city to the tethering of dogs.

Ordinance 431 establishes a new tiered system of charging for water in the city that is based on the philosophy of “use more, pay more.” Under the new rates, consumers who use on the base amount of water, 2,000 gallons or less, will see no price increase.

Consumers who use progressively higher amounts of water, will incur stepped up water rates at specific intervals, with high water users experiencing steep rate increases. The specific rates are printed in this week’s Enterprise in a public notice on page eleven.

Aldermen also took action on Ordinance 432, governing the maximum height of weeds and grass allowed by municipal law. Current ordinance allows for a height of 48 inches before the city could take action. City Hall proposed lowering that to 12 inches, but some aldermen thought that was too restrictive and possibly hypocritical.

“If we pass 12 inches tonight, the city will be the biggest violator of the law,” said Alderman Doug Kidd. “Whatever we do, we better take care of our house first.”

The board finally settled on a height of 18 inches, and Mayor Larry Hicks assured Kidd that city property would be taken care of.

The board also approved Ordinance 433, prohibiting grass, limbs, and other yard waste from being placed in city Dumpsters – something most concerned thought was illegal already. These items may be taken free of charge to the city’s recycling center, and plans are in place to locate specific “yard waste” Dumpsters in various locations around the city.

Ordinance 434 also got the okay from the board, amending animal control rules to allow dogs to be tethered according to state law. The specific requirements of this ordinance are also in a public notice in this week’s Enterprise.

In other city business, the board approved a proposal from the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation to have the option of making the position of Director of Tourism & Economic Development a city employee for the purposes of payroll taxes and benefits. The CEDC would reimburse the city the full cost of such employment and the employee would be supervised by the CEDC Board of Directors. The CEDC is a unit of the city and overseen by the board of aldermen.

The board authorized City Hall to seek bids for a skid loader that would be used primarily in the water department and paid for with tax notes left over from the recent water and sewer project.

Mayor Hicks updated the board on the street work and said the guttering was proceeding nicely and that the contractors were doing a great job although they had been slowed down some by rain.

City officials also spent time last Tuesday continuing their budget discussions.

Clarendon ISD is the latest local entity to sign an agreement hoping to benefit from a proposed wind farm in northwestern Donley County.

CISD Trustees approved the deal during their June 16 meeting which will limit the value of the wind farm over a period of 13 years and provided for direct payments to the school district.

Superintendent Monty Hysinger said the project under development by Cielo Wind Energy, doing business as Salt Fork Wind, LLC, will be valued at between $120 million and $140 million for the portion that lies in the local school district, but the agreement will limit the appraised value of the project at $5 million.

Clarendon schools would still levy its ad valorem tax on the $5 million, generating $58,500 in new revenue for the district. In addition, Salt Fork would pay the district directly $100 per student per year, a deal worth $40,000 to $45,000 annually.

Hysinger said agreements such as these are tightly controlled by the state and that the district is cautiously optimistic that the wind farm will be built and hopefully bring jobs to the local economy.

In other school business, the board approved the 2014-2015 Student Code of Conduct as well as the campus handbooks and the athletic handbooks as presented.

Trustees approved a motion to continue with the second year of the current three year plan for the Worker’s Compensation Insurance with Claims Administrative Services, Inc.

The board acknowledged the resignation letter from Tyler Ball – Social Studies teacher.

The board met in closed session for 15 minutes before returning to open session and offering teacher contracts to the following: Jefferson Marshall – HS English, Lisa Grahn – JH Technology Applications, Kalen Grahn – Social Studies/Head Girls Basketball Coach, and Sandi Johnson – PE, Generalist 6-8, ISS, Assistant Girls’ Coach.

The board approved the Clarendon CISD Teacher Pay Schedule for 2014-2015 as presented and also authorized purchasing new rubber floor mats for the weight room and building a bus shed to house transportation.

The 137th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration will be held July 3, 4 and 5 this year.

July 3

Downtown merchant sales and a Depression Lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. will start the celebration on Thursday, July 3.

The Clarendon Lions Club will dedicate and cut the ribbon on the new Chance Mark Jones Memorial Playground in Prospect Park at 11:30 a.m.

The Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association will hold its Junior Ranch Rodeo that evening beginning at 7 p.m. with a dance to follow. Kids events will precede all three nights of rodeo with mutton bustin’, calf rides, steer rides, and donkey rides.

July 4

The bulk of this year’s activities will take place on Friday, July 4, with the Craft Fair starting at 9 a.m. on the Courthouse Square. 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.

Also on the square July Fourth will be the Old Settler’s Reunion and Kids’ Tricycle and Bicycle Parade both starting at 10 a.m.

The kids’ parade will line up at Keith Floyd’s shop at Third and Sully.

The CHS Class of 1984 will be holding their 30th reunion during the celebration and enjoying barbecue together on the square.

Ed Montana will be handling the parade and celebration announcing and will also be performing live music during the festivities on the square.

The Shriners’ Barbecue begins at 11 a.m. Tickets are on sale now at the Enterprise for $10 each.

The Western Parade will begin at 2 p.m. with the Lions Club Cow Patty Bingo to follow.

The COEA’s Ranch Rodeo will be held on Friday and Saturday, July 4 and 5, at 7:30 p.m. with No Dry Country providing dance music on Friday, and the Matt Martindale Band playing on Saturday.

Box seating tickets are still available for all three nights of rodeo for $150. Contact Theresa Shelton for 654-2993 for information.

July 5

The annual Henson’s Turtle Race will be held on 3 p.m. on Saturday, and plans are in the works to introduce an adult division for the more experienced turtle jockeys. There is no charge to enter the kids’ race, but organizers are planning to have entry fees for adults, with the winner getting half the pot and also getting a choice of charities for the remaining money.

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.

The Clarendon Church of Christ will celebrate its 100th anniversary this Sunday with a special service.

Members of the Church of Christ began worshipping in 1914 in Clarendon, Texas. The small number grew to 14 members in 1917 and worshipped in the T.M. Little home at the end of Carhart Street. This same year the group purchased a small wooden building near the present post office site. Members at that time were: Mr. & Mrs. T.M. Little, Mrs. Emma Little Saye, Mr. & Mrs. McGowan, Mr. Cooper, Mrs. Moffitt, Mr. & Mrs. Reed, Mr. & Mrs. John Watters, Mr. & Mrs. U.T Dever, and Mr. M.F. Roberson. Dee Smith and family later joined the group. G.W. Brewer was the first known minister in 1920.

A storm demolished the church building and the congregation was allowed to worship in the court house until a building was constructed at 3^rd Street & Carhart Street. More land was purchased throughout the years by the elders and the present building was constructed. The elders continued to purchase land and built a nice family center across the street.

The present congregation is very active in teaching through the World Bible School and in helping the Navajo nation teach their people the Bible.

The present minister is Christ Moore. Elders are Donald White, Gene Denney, William Thompson and Carol Duncan. Deacons serving at this time are Earl Shields, Jim Stevenson, Jackie Bell, Audie Watson, Bob Watson, Carlton Turvaville, and David McAnear.

The congregation invites all friends and past members to attend a special Homecoming celebration Sunday, June 29, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. Tom Harguess, the local minister from July 1980 to the summer of 1983, will deliver the sermon. A delicious meal will be provided for all guests following the morning service.

Pick up next week’s Pioneer Edition of The Donley County Leader inside the Enterprise for more history of the Clarendon Church of Christ.