Donley County voters will join millions of others across America next Tuesday, November 8, as they head to the polls to help choose the next president of the United States.

Early voting has been busy locally, and the county clerk’s office reports that 654 people had cast early ballots through Monday afternoon. That’s about 43 percent of the entire local turnout for the 2012 presidential election.

Despite high interest in the election, there is one local competitive race. Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Wheatly is facing a write-in opponent from Neil Koetting.

Early voting by personal appearance at the Donley County Courthouse Annex continues through 5 p.m. this Friday, November 4.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, and local ballots can be cast at the following locations:

Box 101 – Clarendon College Bairfield Activity Center, Box 102 – Howardwick City Hall, Box 201 – Donley County Courthouse, Box 301 – Assembly of God Fellowship Hall, Box 303 – Hedley First Baptist Church, and Box 401 – Clarendon Church of Christ Family Life Center.

Check your voter registration card to determine your box number.

Unopposed candidates this year include Sheriff Butch Blackburn, County Attorney Landon Lambert, County Tax Assessor/Collector Linda Crump, and Precinct One Commissioner Mark White. Local congressman, Rep. Mac Thornberry, is facing third party challenges, but State Rep. Ken King, District Judge Stuart Messer, and District Attorney Luke Inman are not.

Voters head to the polls this year with the state’s voter ID law facing legal challenges. Vargas says voters may be asked to show ID when they vote and the following forms of identification are acceptable: state driver’s license, a Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS, Texas personal identification card issued by DPS, or a Texas license to carry a handgun issued by DPS. Other forms of ID accepted under the law are a US military ID card that includes a personal photo, a US citizenship certificate that includes a personal photo, or a US passport.

A July court ruling as provided some relief for voters who cannot “reasonably obtain” the proper ID. They may be asked to sign a form in which they swear that they have a “reasonable impediment” from obtaining appropriate identification. Even then, those voters may be asked to produce one of the following: a valid voter registration certificate, a certified birth certificate, or a copy or original of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other document that shows the voter’s name and address. Any government document that contains a voter’s photo must be an original.

For live local election results, follow facebook.com/TheEnterprise or @ClarendonTxNews on Twitter, and results will also be posted on ClarendonLive.com.

Riza earns Pacesetter recognition

Dr. Robert Riza, President of Clarendon College, was awarded the National Council for Marketing & PR District 4’s Pacesetter Award last Friday in Santa Fe for his strong focus on the college’s marketing, communications, advocacy and fundraising campaigns.

The Pacesetter award recognizes a community college president or CEO who has demonstrated leadership and support in the area of college marketing and public relations.  The Pacesetter Award is presented annually in each of NCMPR’s seven districts with those winners considered for the national award to be presented during NCMPR’s national convention in Charleston, South Carolina, in March.

“It is an honor and humbling experience to be recognized for the cumulative efforts of a great faculty and staff,” Riza said.  “I would like to thank my board for their support and confidence in my leadership as we complete our strategic plan.”

Riza became president of Clarendon College in December 2013 and under his leadership enrollment has rebounded nearly 25 percent.  This fall’s enrollment alone is up 9.8 percent and is the second highest in the school’s 118-year history with 1,482 students.

In addition, Clarendon College is one of only 67 colleges and universities nationwide to be selected as a pilot school for the Second Chance Pell program and CC is now back offering college classes in two area correctional institutions.

The College has also expanded online programs and now offers a fully online associate’s degree that can be completed in one year, and enrollment in the online program doubled this fall.

Another important initiative negotiated by Dr. Riza is the College’s new partnership with Texas Tech University by which Clarendon College students graduating from the Associate’s Degree in Nursing program are automatically accepted into the Tech’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.  The ADN to BSN agreement is built upon an earlier “3 1” agreement with Texas Tech, also negotiated by Dr. Riza, through which CC students can complete three years of a bachelor’s degree in Health Science at CC and finish the fourth year online through the Texas Tech University Health Science Center (TTUHSC) School of Health Professions.

NCMPR, an affiliate of the American Association of Community Colleges, represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges throughout the United States.  NCMPR has more than 1,550 members from more than 650 colleges across the country, including Canada and other countries.  District 4 includes community colleges in Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming.

 

Estlack wins awards for marketing

Clarendon College was awarded two Medallion Awards for its marketing and public relations efforts at the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) District 4 meeting last Friday in Santa Fe.

Clarendon’s Chief of Staff Ashlee Estlack was awarded the Silver Medallion in Outdoor Media for the College’s cosmetology billboard from Summer 2016, and a Gold Medallion in Electronic Newsletter the 2015-16 College Newsletters.

“We are very proud of Ashlee’s accomplishments and these awards are truly a sign of her expertise and talent,” CC President Robert Riza said.  “The cosmetology marketing campaign led to increased enrollment at our Amarillo campus this fall.  The newsletters have been a great source of information for potential students, donors and alumni, and allow us to highlight successes of the College as well as distribute general information.”

The Gold Medallion in Outdoor Media was awarded to Santa Fe Community College and the Bronze went to Temple College.  In Electronic Newsletter Silver was awarded to Wharton County Junior College and Bronze went to Community College of Aurora.

“It is an honor to be recognized by our peers, most of whom come from much larger schools,” Estlack said.

The Medallion Awards is the only regional contest of its kind that honors excellence exclusively among marketing and public relations professionals at two-year colleges.

Donley County residents will have several opportunities to honor America’s veterans next week with services planned in Clarendon and Hedley.

The Donley County VFW Auxiliary will be placing about 500 flags on veterans’ graves in Citizens Cemetery on November 7 starting at 4 p.m. and help is being sought for this endeavor.

Clarendon Elementary School will hold its annual Veterans Program on Thursday, November 10, at 12:15 at the Bronco Gym.

Clarendon College’s Veterans Day Celebration is also scheduled for Thursday, November 10, at 7 p.m. in the Harned Sisters Fine Arts Center auditorium. The Honorable Ernie Houdashell, Randall County Judge and veteran of two tours in in Vietnam, will be the guest speaker. There will be military recognition and the families of active service men and women will also be recognized. The VFW Auxiliary will provide refreshments in the foyer following the program.

On Friday, November 11, the American Legion will have placed 231 flags on the graves of veterans buried in Rowe Cemetery and will hold its annual Veterans Day Program there at 10 a.m. Donley County Judge John Howard, who served as a Navy pilot and flight surgeon in the Marine Corps will bring the address. In case of bad weather, the service will be moved to the Hedley Lions Hall. A veterans program at the Hedley school will follow the Legion’s program.

Also on Friday, the VFW will also hold a special Veterans Day ceremony November 11 at 11 a.m. at the Donley County War Memorial. A hot dog lunch will be served at the VFW Hall following the ceremony.

A dilapidated trailer house must be removed from its location near Prospect Park following the action of the Clarendon City Council last Thursday, October 27.

After months of dealing with the Mays Estate regarding the house in the 500 block of S. Sully, a public hearing was held on the property last week. City aldermen voted unanimously to declare the property as a dangerous structure.

The owners now have 30 days to remove the structure.

In other city business, the council took no action on the denied insurance claim for damages suffered at the home of B.J. and Jennie Owens when a sewer line backed up in the residence.

City Administrator David Dockery read a letter from the city’s insurer, the Texas Municipal League, which said the city was not responsible for the damages. The Owens indicated that the city would be receiving a letter from their attorney.

The council voted to approve a $10 increase in the base water fee. The increase which is appearing on city statements this month is intended to pay for a USDA loan for improvements to the water system.

Under the terms of the USDA funding, the city council also approved a mandatory connection ordinance. Residences inside the city limits that are currently on water wells are grandfathered in the ordinance; but if the ownership of the property changes, the property will have to pay for a water connection. Alderman Beverly Burrow voted against the measure.

Under the city administrator’s report, a discussion was held with Delwin Derrick of the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners regarding enforcement of the city’s plumbing and electrical codes and having unlicensed people doing that work locally. The discussion also involved the need for permits and inspections of such work.

No action was taken on the topic, and city officials say the subject will be brought up again at a future city council meeting.

Several Donley County voters could hardly wait to cast their ballots when early voting began Monday, October 24.

County Clerk Fay Vargas said people were waiting before the election officials were even ready to go, and by day’s end, more than 140 people had cast early ballots. That’s about nine percent of the entire local turnout for the presidential election in 2012.

Interest is high in the race for president, but further down the ballot there is little excitement except for one local race drew a late challenger.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Wheatly is facing a write-in opponent from Neil Koetting. The race has generated some spirited advertising in the Lelia Lake community, and is the only office that is being contested locally.

Unopposed local candidates this year include Sheriff Butch Blackburn, County Attorney Landon Lambert, County Tax Assessor/Collector Linda Crump, and Precinct One Commissioner Mark White.

Local congressman, Rep. Mac Thornberry, is facing third party challenges, but State Rep. Ken King, District Judge Stuart Messer, and District Attorney Luke Inman are not.

Voters head to the polls this year with the state’s voter ID law facing legal challenges. Vargas says voters may be asked to show ID when they vote and the following forms of identification are acceptable: state driver’s license, a Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS, Texas personal identification card issued by DPS, or a Texas license to carry a handgun issued by DPS.

Other forms of ID accepted under the law are a US military ID card that includes a personal photo, a US citizenship certificate that includes a personal photo, or a US passport.

A July court ruling as provided some relief for voters who cannot “reasonably obtain” the proper ID. They may be asked to sign a form in which they swear that they have a “reasonable impediment” from obtaining appropriate identification. Even then, those voters may be asked to produce one of the following: a valid voter registration certificate, a certified birth certificate, or a copy or original of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other document that shows the voter’s name and address. Any government document that contains a voter’s photo must be an original.

Vargas also says that she has heard rumors that poll watchers may be out on election day to observe the voting process, but nothing is official yet.

Any poll watcher would be required to have certain paperwork allowing them to observe the election, and they may not watch anyone actually mark their ballot.

Early voting by personal appearance continues through November 4. Mail-in ballots are due in the clerk’s office by October 28. Election Day will be Tuesday, November 8.

Family friendly activities are being prepared in Clarendon as Halloween approaches next Monday.

Trick or Treating will be observed on the usual day, Monday, October 31, but that will be preceded by a fun evening this Saturday, October 29, at the Sandell Drive-In theatre.

Gates at the drive-in will open at 5 p.m. with a costume contest being held and a Trunk or Treat being held for the kids. Admission is $5 per person with gate proceeds going to benefit Girl Scout Troop 5245.

A dusk the Sandell will hold a Halloween double feature with Goosebumps followed by the Night of the Living Dead. The full concession stand will be open during the evening.

Businesses and individuals wishing to participate in the Sandell’s trunk or treat or for more information about the costume contest should call Deb at 806-847-7292.

More trunk or treating will be held at two local churches on Monday.

The First United Methodist Church will hold its annual Trunk or Treat from 5:30 to 8 p.m. with a free chili and cornbread dinner being held in the Fellowship Hall at the same time.

The First Assembly of God will also hold its annual Trunk or Treat from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and kids attending that event can enjoy activities, games, and treats.

The public is advised to use caution when driving around town Monday evening, being sure to watch out for children so that everyone has a safe and happy Halloween.