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Sunday fire darken’s city’s sky
A weekend tire fire at Panhandle Road & Field Service near Clarendon continued to smolder Tuesday afternoon as the Enterprise went to press.
Clarendon Fire Chief Jeremy Powell said a grass fire was started accidentally Sunday afternoon while equipment was being worked on.
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The fire moved into a storage area and got into a large pile of tires. Some electrical service was lost in the area as the fire took down a power pole that was near the tires on fire.
Volunteer firemen responded at 4:14 p.m. and were able to control the grass fire but were unable to extinguish the tire fire.
Students and staff at Clarendon College moved animals at the neighboring Livestock & Equine Center as a precaution.
Powell said Clarendon firemen did a burnout around the fire to remove grass so that the fire could not spread. Panhandle Road & Field personnel and the fire department monitored the fire throughout Sunday night.
CEDC told hearing on new facade program
The Clarendon Economic Development Corporation Board will hold a public hearing next Monday, February 5, to get feedback on a new plan to help restore and preserve the historic look of downtown properties.
The Historic Façade Grant Program as it is proposed would award grants of up to 80 percent of the actual, eligible costs up to a maximum amount of $400 per linear foot of the storefront (i.e. $10,000 for a 25-foot storefront or $20,000 for a 50-foot storefront).
According to the proposal, the purpose of the new program is to preserve and cultivate the historic character of the Central Business District of Clarendon, Texas, with a special emphasis on the 100, 200, and 300 blocks of South Kearney Street; the 100 and 200 blocks of South Sully Street; and commercial properties directly adjacent to the Courthouse Square.
The program specifically seeks to promote the historic look of downtown as it appeared between 1890 and 1927.
The Historic Façade Program is designed to promote the continued use and maintenance of historic commercial and multi-use properties in the central business district by helping property owners rehabilitate and preserve eligible structures.
Eligible project costs include the following: reconstruction, rehabilitation and preservation of the façade, façade cleaning, professional and consultant fees, tuck pointing, painting, and renovation or replacement of exterior lighting, signage, awnings, sidewalk, curbing, accessibility, or other similar improvements.
Each applicant would have to meet certain criteria and submit detailed plans for their project for the CEDC board’s approval, and any change in the plans would have to be approved by the board.
Unlike the CEDC’s 2008 Façade Grant Program, which was available year-round, the new Historic Façade Grant Program applications would be considered once annually and would be scored against other applications.
The complete 2018 Historic Façade Grant Program proposal is available online at ClarendonTX.com/cedc.
For more information, the public is encouraged to attend the hearing next Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room of City Hall.
Those who cannot attend Monday’s meeting are encouraged to send their comments to CEDCsecretary@gmail.com or by mail to Clarendon Economic Development Corporation, PO Box 826, Clarendon, TX 79226.
Lonnie D. Allsup
Lonnie D. Allsup, 84, of Clovis, NM died Sunday, January 28, 2018 at his home. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at Faith Christian Family Church, Clovis, New Mexico with Joe Howard Williamson officiating. Private family burial has been held.
Lonnie was born September 7, 1933 in Lubbock, TX to Roy Allsup and Ellen Reed Allsup. He was raised and graduated high school in Morton, TX in 1950 where he played football and basketball. After graduation he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Barton August 13, 1950 in Lubbock, TX. Lonnie attended college at Hardin-Simmons University and Texas Tech University for two years. He joined the Air Force for four years and was discharged after serving his country in the United States and Japan during the Korean War.
Always in love with the grocery business, he found a small store to buy in Roswell, NM and he and Barbara operated their first store called Lonnie’s Drive-In Grocery. In 1963 the small company was sold to 7-11 of Dallas, Texas and family moved to Clovis, New Mexico and started a new group of stores. Over 60 years later their company grew from one store to its present size of 318 Allsup’s Convenience Stores. Lonnie always had a passion for cutting horses which he was first introduced
to by his father. In 1981, he began showing cutting horses being instructed by trainers like Pete Branch to train the mare which Lonnie rode to win the non-pro world championship. Lonnie continued to breed, train and show champion cutting horses for many years, owning two horses of the year awarded by the NCHA. Lonnie served a full term as president of National Cutting Horse
Association.
He was a member of the Board of Directors of Affiliated Foods, Tri-State Bakery, Plains Dairy, and past president and lifetime director of NCHA.
Survivors include: his wife of 67 years; Barbara of the home, son; Mark (Jessica) Allsup of Fort Worth, TX, five grandsons; Dwayne Allsup, Ian Allsup of Clovis, NM, Alex Allsup, Andrew Allsup, and Wyatt Allsup of Fort Worth, TX, two great-grandchildren; Bonnie Kat and Silas Allsup of Clovis, NM, sister-in-law; Pat Evans of Levelland, TX, caregivers; Chuck and Suzanne Evans
and their daughter; Lauren of Lubbock, TX, Cassandra Evans of Santa Fe, NM, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son; Todd Allsup, parents; Roy and Ellen Allsup, two brothers; Lloyd and Don, and three sisters; Cordie, Tressie, and Glenda.
The family request memorial contributions be made to Hardin-Simmons University, 2200 Hickory, Abilene, TX 79698, Tarleton State University, Box T-0260, Stephenville, TX 76402, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to Muffley Funeral Home, 575-762-4435, Please send condolences via www.muffleyfuneralhome.com
Xcel names park in Copelin’s honor
AMARILLO – Xcel Energy has honored the life of a former Hedley man by naming the pocket park at its 790 Buchanan headquarters building in his memory. Roper Copelin died after a construction accident at the building in January 2017.
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On Sunday, officials from Xcel Energy, the Opus Group and other entities involved in the building’s construction joined Copelin’s friends and family to dedicate a plaque near the intersection of Southeast Seventh Avenue and South Buchanan Street that designates the pocket park as Roper Copelin Memorial Park. This privately developed urban greenspace was part of the building’s original design but did not previously have a name.
Copelin was working for an electrical contractor at the time of the accident on January 21, 2017. A coworker, Keath Garrison, was severely injured but survived. Copelin passed away the next day.
“Roper was part of a dedicated team of local craftsmen who built a beautiful landmark that now serves as Xcel Energy’s regional headquarters for Texas and New Mexico,” said David Hudson, president of Xcel Energy – New Mexico, Texas. “We understand his friends and family are forever impacted by his loss, but we hope naming the park for him can draw people together to remember a man who was so well-loved, and provide some measure of healing in the process.”
Copelin was 30 years old at the time of his death. He grew up in the Clarendon and Hedley area, and was employed by A-1 Electric as an electrician.
Xcel Energy moved from its Chase Tower location to the new 790 Buchanan building in May 2017. A real estate investment trust owns the new building, and Xcel Energy is the sole office tenant. Jimmy John’s opened its third Amarillo location in ground floor retail space at Southeast Eighth Avenue and Buchanan Street in June 2017.
Roper Copelin Park and the 790 Buchanan building are located directly across from a planned multipurpose event venue that will be the home of a new AA affiliated baseball team beginning with the 2019 season. Construction on the $45.5 million facility is under way.
Greens to headline Chamber banquet
Donley County’s own Dusty and Nikki Green will will be the headline entertainment when the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce holds its annual Awards Banquet on Thursday, February 8, at the Bairfield Activity Center.
The awards to be given will be the Saints’ Roost Award for a lifetime of service to the community and the Man and Woman of the Year, and Business of the Year in addition to recognitions for outstanding youth from Clarendon and Hedley.
The Greens are Howardwick residents who have gained fame traveling the world with their self-produced PBS series “Two For The Road,” which is available to PBS stations nationwide and was nominated for a Lone Star Emmy last year.
This year’s banquet theme is “Denim & Diamonds.” The event starts at 6 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction followed by the banquet, entertainment, and awards at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person and must be purchased in advance at the Visitor Center.
Businesses are also invited to purchase blocks of tickets by sponsoring tables at the event. Table sponsors will get to decorate their tables to reflect their business and the theme of the banquet with a prize given for the best table decoration.
For more information, contact the Visitor Center at 874-2421.
Top competitors
The Clarendon High School UIL academic teams began 2018 competition with a bang last week as they participated in the West Texas High invitational meet in Stinnett.
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The Spelling and Vocabulary team placed first in their event with Kira Weatherton leading the way, placing 2nd individually. Kailee Osburn also placed, coming in 6th overall. Zane Sneathen rounded out the winning team.
The Science team also placed first with Marquis McGuire placing first overall, first in Chemistry, and second in Physics. Grayson Burch was second in Chemistry and placed 5th overall, and Tessa Lutters came in 6th overall and third in Biology.
Samara Johnson placed 5th in Calculator Applications, Philip Monds was 5th in Mathematics and 6th in Ready Writing, and Trinity Stribling placed 4th in Ready Writing.
Competing schools included West Texas High, Canadian, Dumas, Gruver, Hartley, Spearman, Fritch, Perryton, and Groom.
Sponsors and students will now prepare for their next invitational meet on February 10 at Canadian. District competition is March 23.
Riza looks to build on 2017 successes
Clarendon College President Robert Riza reflected on the successes of 2017 and put attention on new opportunities in 2018 when faculty reported for All College Day last Thursday, January 11, to get ready for the spring semester, which got underway this week.
“We’ve come a long way, but we’re not done,” Dr. Riza said. “The bus continues to roll.”
The president pointed to the college’s new commercial driver’s license program, which already has graduates who are employed in the industry, and said, “Career technical programing has to be important to Clarendon College.”
Other success from the last year that Riza pointed to were the implementation of an Honors College, the renewal of CC’s horse judging program, and the development of the WT Safety Net program.
Riza said it was okay to make mistakes while trying to achieve, noting that “Failure is an option; failure to learn from it is not.”
He also discussed the shattering of all college enrollment records in the spring, spring-mini, summer, fall, and fall-mini sessions.
“I greatly appreciate all of your efforts in setting those records,” Riza told the faculty and staff.
Enrollment and high graduation rates at Clarendon have gotten attention at the state level.
“There is a reason Clarendon College matters in Austin,” Riza said. “It’s what you do on a daily basis.”
The president quoted motivational points from Kansas State University Coach Bill Snyder before discussing new initiatives for 2018, particularly greater partnership opportunities with West Texas A&M University and the development of an Education Aide Program.
Numbers in the dorms this spring are ahead of fall 2016, Riza said, and enrollment is trending ahead of 2017 as the college looks to continue to grow.
Howardwick alderman threatens legal action
Howardwick Alderman Doc Holladay threatened to see fellow councilmen in court as city officials clashed again in last week’s city meeting on January 9.
With an admonition by Mayor Greta Byars, citizens attending last Tuesday’s meeting remained respectful and quiet while the mayor and aldermen locked horns over a variety of issues.
Byars opened the meeting by recognizing volunteers who have been working on the city’s streets. Susie Langford, Kay Dye, and Barbara Canter were present and received certificates of appreciation for working with Alderman Holladay to patch roads. Also recognized were Gwen Holladay, Alderman Holladay, Debbora Sharpton, Burt Compton, and Billy Holladay.
As the meeting proceeded, Alderman Eric Riddle called a point of order when Byars deviated from the printed order of the agenda, skipping to opening bids on a city-owned Jeep.
Following the reading of the minutes, Alderman Robert Brewster reported that he and Riddle had gone to see Jack Moreman about the concerns the business man raised at the city’s December meeting. Brewster said Moreman was “pleased with our visit,” but Byars said she had also talked to Moreman.
Comments then became focused on parliamentary procedure before the meeting resumed with the financial report and list of bills. As the Jeep bids came back up, the mayor raised issues about whether or not a public hearing was or was not held when the city’s tax rate was set last year. Riddle again called a point of order for not following the agenda.
Byars accepted the high bid of $426 for the Jeep with no council action and did not disclose the identity of either the high bidder or only other bidder, who bid $125.
The meeting then turned to Alderman Holladay’s motion from December, seeking to repeal a 2014 resolution that led to reclassifying the city from a Type B municipality to a Type A and refunding taxes collected as a result of that. Riddle argued that motion was still not in order because the original agenda item from December was not an action item. Holladay asked the board if he would get a second for his motion, and there was none.
“Okay, I will see you in court,” Holladay said and noted that former code enforcement officer Will Jordan, City Secretary Tammy Jordan, former mayor Mike Rowland, Aldermen Mac Miller and Robert Brewster, and “the other members of the board” at the time will be defendants.
The board did agree to buy two 24-inch culverts and to issue a city credit card to Mayor Byars before locking horns again, this time over the possible dismissal of a volunteer fireman who pled guilty in November to two counts of theft of service.
Alderman Holladay called the man “a confessed thief,” and moved to dismiss him from the fire department. Riddle said the council had no authority to take that action. City Secretary Tammy Jordan, along with Riddle, pointed out that the 1999 articles of incorporation of the fire department and a subsequent service agreement between the department and the city prevents the city from dismissing firemen. Holladay received no second to his motion.
“Let the record show they support criminal activity in Howardwick and are in full support of the perpetrator,” Holladay said of his fellow council members.
“Alderman Holladay, you need to stop putting words in our mouths,” Riddle shot back. “You have no clue what any of us are thinking.”
Discussion then turned to the need to clean up certain properties in Howardwick and resulted in Mayor Byars agreeing to find out what the city’s legal options are.
Sheriff Butch Blackburn, who also attended in December, addressed the meeting and said he wasn’t one to tell the city how run its meetings but if they will just follow the rules and procedures, “you’ll find that things will go smooth.”
Citizens’ comments followed and were orderly and respectful and covered topics such as working with another city for code enforcement, needing tires for the city dump truck, a presentation to the mayor of a key to the city, working with Donley County on certain issues, and the possibility of unincorporating the city.
Filing open for 22 positions
Filing is now open for seven local governments that are scheduled to hold elections this spring.
The cities of Clarendon, Hedley, and Howardwick; the Clarendon and Hedley school district; the Clarendon College District; and the Donley County Hospital District all have a total of 22 board positions available this year.
In Clarendon, the two-year terms of Aldermen Beverly Burrow, John Lockhard, and Larry Jeffers are up.
Hedley has four aldermen seats and the mayor’s position up this year. The full two-year terms of Mayor Carrie Butler and Alderman Johnny Hoggatt as well as one vacant alderman’s seat are up. Also, Hedley has two one-year unexpired aldermen terms up this season, and those positions are currently held by Lynn Kelsey and Willy Lewis.
Howardwick has three two-year alderman terms up for election this year. Those seats are held by Mac Miller, Robert Brewster, and Doc Holladay.
Clarendon ISD Trustees serve three years, and the terms of Wayne Hardin and Wes Hatley are expiring this year.
Hedley ISD has two full three-year terms up this year. Those seats are held by Dana Bell and Carole Ward.
Three six-year terms are up on the Clarendon College Board of Regents, and those positions are currently held by Edwin Campbell, Doug Lowe, and Jerry Woodard
The Donley County Hospital District Board of Directors has four two-year terms up this year. Those are currently held by Jan Farris – Place 4, Nikki Adams – Place 5, Mark C. White – Place 6, and Lori Howard – Place 7.
All local boards are elected at-large, but hospital board candidates must file for a specific place on the ballot.
Filing began Wednesday, January 17, and runs through Friday, February 16. Elections are scheduled to be held Saturday, May 5, 2018.
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