Morgan Wheatly

Voters casting ballots on alcohol, city board

October 30, 2013 by Morgan Wheatly Leave a Comment

Heavy turnout continues this week ahead of next week’s countywide local option election and city special election.

Early balloting continues through this Friday, November 1, and County Clerk Fay Vargas’ office reported Tuesday afternoon that 506 had voted in the countywide alcohol election and 321 had voted in the City of Clarendon election to select three new members of the Board of Aldermen.

Vargas says this is a good turnout and that in a typical constitutional amendment election, the voting total would only be about 300 people.

The Donley County alcohol question appears on ballots along with nine proposed amendments to the state constitution. Voters will be asked to choose FOR or AGAINST the following option: “The legal sale of all alcoholic beverages including mixed beverages.”

The election for the Clarendon Board of Aldermen is on a separate ballot for city residents only. There are three vacant positions on the board. Doug Kidd is the sole candidate for one term that expires in May 2015, and three people are vying for two other positions which expire in May 2014. Those candidates are Beverly Burrow, Wayne Cole, and Larry Jeffers.

Early ballots for both elections are being cast at the Donley County Courthouse Annex.

Election Day is next Tuesday, November 5, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For the county alcohol election and constitutional amendment election, voters must cast county ballots in their precincts at the following locations:

Precinct 101 – Bairfield Activity Center at Clarendon College.

Precinct 102 – Howardwick City Hall, 244 Rick Husband Blvd., Howardwick.

Precinct 201 – Donley County Courthouse, 300 S. Sully St., Clarendon.

Precinct 301 – Assembly of God Fellowship Hall, Hwy 70 South, Clarendon.

Precinct 302 – Hedley Lions Club, Main Street, Hedley.

Precinct 401 – Clarendon Church of Christ Family Life Center, 300 S. Carhart St., Clarendon.

Check your voter’s registration card to determine which precinct you are in.

Votes for the Clarendon Board of Aldermen may be cast at any polling place in the city limits, specifically the Bairfield Activity Center, the Donley County Courthouse, the Assembly of God Fellowship Hall, or Church of Christ Family Life Center.

Texas now requires voters to show photo ID at the polls. IDs that can be accepted include: Texas Department of Safety (DPS) issued photo IDs (driver’s license, personal ID card, concealed handgun license, and election identification certificate) or one of three United States government issued photo IDs (passport, military ID card, US citizenship or naturalization certificate). The photo ID must be current or expired no more than 60 days. Other photo IDs, including student IDs and employment IDs, cannot be accepted at the polls.

Editorial: This is it… vote alcohol up or down

October 30, 2013 by Morgan Wheatly Leave a Comment

“The vote” is just days away; and when you pick up your paper next week, the outcome will be known. Will Donley County go “wet,” or will it continue being “dry.”

After months of people talking about it, numerous ads on the subject, and lots of statistics, people are largely in agreement about one thing: Let’s just get on with it.

If supporters of the measure succeed, the sale of all alcoholic beverages including mixed drinks will become legal in all of Donley County. If opponents get their way, things will stay just as they are and just as they have been for more than 40 years with alcohol sales being legal in the City of Howardwick but nowhere else.

Articles that your editor has looked at specific to counties going from “dry” to “wet” reported business expansion and increased tax revenues with little to no increase in alcohol-related crime. I’ve read about sales tax revenues going up anywhere from 16 percent to 75 percent.

To put this in perspective, if Clarendon could increase its sales tax revenue just ten percent over 2012’s total, it would be a net gain of $33,594.74. For that to happen, local merchants and restaurants would have to see higher sales of more than $1.7 million. But maybe our sales tax revenue only goes up three percent, and the city nets just over $10,000. Even that would take an extra half a million dollars in sales. Wouldn’t that be nice?

And as for crime, one study of Angelina County in East Texas could find no correlation in DWI statistics as the county went from “dry” to “wet” because it was “functionally wet” already since residents only had to make a 10 to 15 minute “trip to the river” to get alcohol.

That’s our situation. Alcohol is in Donley County, and it will still be in our midst regardless of the vote. The only difference is in where it’s available and who gets the economic benefit.

At the end of the day, it is about rights and responsibilities, actions and consequences, and jobs and revenue. And for some people it’s a moral question.

No matter which side you are on in this issue, you need to vote. Don’t get mad at the results of the election if you didn’t go to the ballot box to make your voice heard. This is your opportunity, so make the most of it.

Meanwhile…

Donley County voters have several other choices on the ballot besides the alcohol question. Nine amendments have been proposed to the Texas Constitution, and many people have no idea what they’re being asked to vote on. So here is the Enterprise voter’s primer on the subject. Feel free to disagree.

Amendment No. 1:

The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services of the United States who is killed in action.

Our recommendation: Vote no. Too many exemptions are already in place for property taxes.

Amendment No. 2:

The constitutional amendment eliminating an obsolete requirement for a State Medical Education Board and a State Medical Education Fund, neither of which is operational.

Our recommendation: Vote Yes, unless you like obsolete requirements.

Amendment No. 3:

The constitutional amendment to authorize a political subdivision of this state to extend the number of days that aircraft parts that are exempt from ad valorem taxation due to their location in this state for a temporary period may be located in this state for purposes of qualifying for the tax exemption.

Our recommendation: Vote Yes. It would seem to be a rare circumstance and control is left to local officials.

Amendment No. 4:

The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of part of the market value of the residence homestead of a partially disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a partially disabled veteran if the residence homestead was donated to the disabled veteran by a charitable organization.

Our recommendation: Vote No. Too many exemptions are already in place for property taxes.

Amendment No. 5:

The constitutional amendment to authorize the making of a reverse mortgage loan for the purchase of homestead property and to amend lender disclosures and other requirements in connection with a reverse mortgage loan.

Our recommendation: Vote No. Too much opportunity for scammers.

Amendment No. 6:

The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas and the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas to assist in the financing of priority projects in the state water plan to ensure the availability of adequate water resources.

Our recommendation: Vote Yes. Texas needs water, and this measure has enjoyed bi-partisan support.

Amendment No. 7:

The constitutional amendment authorizing a home rule municipality to provide in its charter the procedure to fill a vacancy on its governing body for which the unexpired term is 12 months or less.

Our recommendation: Vote Yes. Clarendon can attest that cities need to be able to fill vacancies quickly.

Amendment No. 8:

The constitutional amendment which relates to the creation of a hospital district in Hidalgo County.

Our recommendation: Vote Yes. If Hidalgo County wants a hospital district, let them have one.

Amendment No. 9:

The constitutional amendment relating to expanding the types of sanctions that may be assessed against a judge or justice following a formal proceeding instituted by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

Our recommendation: Vote Yes. Let’s have more options to hold judges accountable.

Not every issue is as exciting or controversial as alcohol, but that all deserve the thoughtful consideration of the voters. Read up on the issues at the Texas League of Women Voters’ website. And also be sure your make your choices known for Clarendon’s city board. Get out and vote!

Opinion:The question: To drink or not to drink?

October 30, 2013 by Morgan Wheatly Leave a Comment

Now that November 5 is just around the corner and voting in the upcoming liquor election has commenced – with a pretty good turnout – there is little time remaining for additional discussion on the issue in question. Really, it’s probably a good thing, since things are getting a little out of hand. Now is a good time to wrap things up and get to the polls.

Some claims of the “naysayers,” for lack of a better word, have stretched the credibility of the folks making such dire, destructive proclamations. For example, I’m fairly certain that Claude has not, and will not, become a “destination drinking paradise” in which drunks and winos from around the area, perhaps even around the country, will suddenly descend upon Armstrong County like a pestilence of biblical proportions. Actually, since Armstrong County only passed a version of the liquor laws that allows for package stores, and not liquor by the drink, Claude will be similar to Clarendon as it now is.

Granted, I’m not sure about the three who tarried – those three “winos” who were discovered sleeping in Claude’s nice city park. That sure won’t happen here, lest those who sleep it off in our park end up with a backside full of goat heads and grass burrs. Anyway, as usual, I digress.

Back to the less civil and cordial discussion of the issues. Last week, while seeking sober solace from the trials of the world at a local establishment, I was actually verbally accosted by a person whom I had always assumed was a good, level-headed man. He gave me the Clint Eastwood stare, stated, “I’ve been laying for you,” and then actually accused me of being a blasphemer. Really? Blasphemer? Me? Hmm.

I won’t say who this person is. He needs to brush up on his theology if he is going to call me a blasphemer. The biblical definition of blasphemer is much different that the dictionary definition. For a moment there, I thought I was in some sort of space, time warp in which I was actually conversing with a Jewish Pharisee.

Well, now that I have that out of my system, I feel much better and am ready to point out that alcohol consumption is usually a pleasant endeavor, filled with joyous good cheer, and pleasant conversation. People drink for a reason.

The consumption of alcohol accompanies many of our most dear and heart-felt social and familial rites. We have toasts at weddings and anniversary celebrations. We drink alcohol to celebrate the birth of babies and at special events. We consume fine wines at formal dinners, and that fine wine enhances our dining experience.

Imagine going down to the pizza parlor and ordering a cold, frosty pitcher of beer to go with a steaming, fully laden pizza. That folks is drinking at its finest. Or, say we all head down to the restaurant and order a big frozen margarita to accompany our Mexican plate. If you prefer, have a Lone Star Long Neck or Shiner Bock beer instead.

To me, the best use of alcohol is simply three-fingers of Wild Turkey straight up. Three-fingers, or at the worst, six-fingers of Wild Turkey takes the edge off, loosens the vocal cords, and allows me to wax poetic into the wee hours of the morning. That folks is living high. It’s good and God is not going to smite me dead for enjoying great American bourbon.

Of course, the “naysayers” must think that we are all going to suddenly drink ourselves into the dirt, become destructive, and radically increase our licentious behavior. Well, sadly to say, that is only a pipe dream for most of us. It just isn’t going to happen.

Over the course of my life, I’ve spent many wonderful years in professional soccer. After every game, the players and coaches from both teams would meet in a local pub for drinks and camaraderie. I’ve spent enormous sums of time and money in pubs from the West Coast to the East Coast. In all those years, and in all those pubs and drinking places scattered around this fine nation, I have never witnessed anything remotely close to what has been proclaimed by the “naysayers.”

Regardless of what has been said, let’s all accept the outcome of this election graciously and get on with our lives. Like I’ve said, I don’t really care which way this election goes. I’m 65 years-young and have no intention of again frequenting bars and pubs. That doesn’t mean that I don’t want others to experience some of the joys and wonders that occur in drinking places if they choose to do so.

For those who are against liquor by the drink, I understand their fears and concerns, as unlikely as they are to prove accurate. Sure, there will be a few issues, but nothing as severe as forecast.

Wayne Lamar Doering

October 30, 2013 by Morgan Wheatly Leave a Comment

Wayne Lamar Doering, 85, died Wednesday, October 23, 2013, in Clarendon.

Services were held on Wednesday, October 30, 2013, in the First Presbyterian Church in Clarendon with Rev. Travis Ellis, officiating.

Burial will be in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with US Air Force honors.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Wayne Lamar Doering was born June 22, 1928, in Wakarusa, Indiana to Remis O. and Maybel C. Felton Doering. He married Sammie Lou Salmon on August 23, 1980, in Santa Fe, NM and together they lived in Clarendon since 1987. Wayne joined the United States Air Force in 1951 serving proudly in the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War. He retired after serving 20 plus years. He also taught at TSTI in Amarillo where he met the love of his life, Sammie. Wayne attended the First Christian Church in Clarendon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Remis and Maybel Doering.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Sammie Doering, of Clarendon; daughter, Gina Dilly and husband Tom, and their daughter Lauren, of Rockford, Mich; 2 sisters, Jean Youngblood of Leesburg, Ind, and Joyce Kruse of Sun City, Ark; and his brother, Jack Doering, of Elkhart, Ind.

The family request memorials be sent to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC or the American Diabetes Association.

Etta Martiel “Carly” Reynolds Webb

October 30, 2013 by Morgan Wheatly Leave a Comment

Etta Martiel “Carly” Reynolds Webb, 97, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013.

Services will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25, 2013, at First Baptist Church of Clarendon in Clarendon, with Genoa Goad officiating. Burial will be in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Martiel was born Jan. 16, 1916, to Robert Oliver and HenriEtta Reynolds in Clark County, Arkansas. The family moved to Hall County, Texas in 1925, then to Donley County in 1930, where she met Wesley Price Webb, whom she married on Feb. 28, 1935, at the Donley County courthouse because they couldn’t get to the church due to a blinding sand storm.

Etta Martiel "Carly" Reynolds Webb — Etta Martiel “Carly” Reynolds Webb

Mrs. Webb was a homemaker that loved to sew which was necessary in order to clothe 5 children. She gardened, raised chickens and loved her flower beds. She belonged to Hudgins Quilting Club and Mother-in-law Club. While the Webb’s owned a laundry in Amarillo, she had an occasion to alter pants for Elvis Presley. She was a longtime member of Immanuel Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sons-in-law, Don Lemons and Ellis Butler; a daughter-in-law, Bobbie Webb; a grandson, Dewayne Butler; a granddaughter, Kathy Webb; and a great-grandson, Billy Dean Webb. Mrs. Webb was the last of 11 brothers and sisters.

She is survived by two daughters, Doris Lemons and Sandra Butler, both of Amarillo; three sons, Kenneth Webb and wife Billie of Goldthwaite, Willard Webb of Amarillo and Wesley Webb and wife Vela of White Deer; 14 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; 51 great-great-grandchildren; and a great-great-great-granddaughter.

The family suggests memorials be made to Citizens Cemetery, P.O. Box 983, Clarendon, TX 79226-0983; or Heritage Convalescent Center, 1009 Clyde, Amarillo, TX 79106.

Spooky!

October 30, 2013 by Morgan Wheatly Leave a Comment

Several winners were named in the Hedley Halloween Carnival last Saturday. Shown here are (back) Zane Sneathen, Lee Huffman, Mathew Huffman, Issac Booth, Kylie McCann Josh Booth, Asharah Arguello, (front) Aden Woodard, Bryson Early, Mason Allred, Javier Valles, Danielle McCann, Makayla Bowman, Taylor McCann. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

LD Robison

October 30, 2013 by Morgan Wheatly Leave a Comment

LD Robison, 89, died Wednesday, October 23, 2013, in Amarillo.

Services were held on Saturday, October 26, 2013, in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Lance Wood, pastor, officiating.

Burial followed in Claude Cemetery in Claude, with Masonic Grave Rites by Clarendon Lodge #700 AF&AM.

Arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

LD was born May 5, 1924, in Erick, Oklahoma to Chester Arthur and Lillie Dale Baker Robison. LD moved to Texas as a child and enlisted in US Navy serving in the Pacific during WWII. He married Mary Sue Harred on May 24, 1947 in Amarillo. He had been a mechanic, shop foreman, and driver at Bruckner Mac Truck Sales in Amarillo. After LD’s retirement, he moved to the Greenbelt Lake area in 1983. LD was a member of Clarendon Masonic Lodge #700 AF&AM. He was always active in serving God at the First Baptist Church in Clarendon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 4 brothers, Chester Ray, Elmer, J.B., and Jesse Robison; and a sister, Estelle Armstrong.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Robison of Clarendon; 2 sons, Lynn Douglas Robison and wife Nova of Perryton, Gary Wayne Robison and wife Debbie of Mustang, Okla; 6 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.

The family request that memorials be to the First Baptist Church of Clarendon.

Art talk

October 30, 2013 by Morgan Wheatly Leave a Comment

Donley County’s Clovis McCary visits with Dumas artist Manuel Franco Saturday during the fifth annual Clarendon Arts Festival. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

James Philip “Phil” Casto

October 30, 2013 by Morgan Wheatly Leave a Comment

James Philip “Phil” Casto, 61, died Friday, October 25, 2013, in Clarendon.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 31, 2013, at First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Dave Stout and Rev. Lance Wood officiating. Burial will be at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

James Philip “Phil” Casto was born February 9, 1952, in Ripley, West Virginia to James Virgil and Judith Fleshman Casto. He married Trudy Pate in 2006 and has been a resident of Clarendon since then. Phil worked in law enforcement most of his life and most recently served as a Donley County Sheriff’s Deputy in Clarendon and Donley County. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Local Lodge #57 in Potter County, and past member of numerous volunteer activities including the Amarillo Emergency Services and Potter County Fire/Rescue. Phil’s passion in life was his family along with watching the Texas Rangers, hunting, fishing, and anything firearm related. He was an active member of Howardwick Baptist Church in Howardwick.

He is survived by his wife, Trudy Casto, of Clarendon; his parents, James Virgil and Judith Casto, of Westerville, OH; 4 daughters, Carla Jasper of Amarillo, Jamie Burton and husband Jason of Marianna, FL, Susie Follis and husband Odie of Columbus, OH, and Crissy Casto of Amarillo; 2 step sons, Will Drackley of New Braunfels, Tyler Drackley and wife Terra of Perryton; 2 step daughters, Paige Roberts and husband Kellan of Clarendon, and Destiney Pate of Clarendon; 3 brothers, Mike Casto of Cincinnati, Ohio, Jeff Casto and wife Marilyn of Westerville, Ohio, and Steve Casto of Westerville, Ohio; 2 sisters, Katy Batt and husband Bill of Columbus, Ohio, and Meri Erieau and husband Todd of Gahanna, Ohio; 8 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild.

The family will receive friends for a time of visitation Wednesday, October 30, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Robertson Funeral Directors in Clarendon.

The family suggests that memorials be to Potter County FOP Lodge #57, PO Box 2283, Amarillo, TX 79105, or New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home, PO Box 629, Portales, NM, 88130.

October 30, 2013 by Morgan Wheatly Leave a Comment

Clarendon College athletes Tavon Alexander of Washington, DC, Christian O’Neal of Lubbock, and Alex Ramirez of Stinnett joined other members of the CC men’s and women’s basketball teams to collect canned goods for the First Baptist Church food pantry Sunday afternoon. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

https://www.clarendonlive.com/2013/10/14833/

Morgan Wheatly

Voters casting ballots on alcohol, city board

Editorial: This is it… vote alcohol up or down

Opinion:The question: To drink or not to drink?

Wayne Lamar Doering

Etta Martiel “Carly” Reynolds Webb

Spooky!

LD Robison

Art talk

James Philip “Phil” Casto

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