PIPS in action
Zirl Adrian “Z.A.” Myers
Zirl Adrian “Z.A.” Myers, 88, of McLean died Monday, January 15, 2018, in McLean.
Services were held on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, in the One Way Church in McLean with John Murdoch, officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery in McLean. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of McLean.
Z.A. was born an only child on July 13, 1929, in Clarendon to George Amos “Pat” and Mary Foster Myers. He married Lois Franke on February 15, 1951, in Santa Anna, California. He was a US Marine Corps veteran. He had been a resident of McLean since 1964 where he was an Assembly of God Pastor prior to his retirement. He preached in McLean for 29 years and Shamrock for 8 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Lois Myers of McLean; 4 sons, Leland Myers and wife Wanda of Poolville, Steven Myers and wife Christy of Colorado City, Roger Myers and wife Trudy of Wylie, and Darrell Myers and wife Marie of Bellville; 13 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren.
The family request memorials be sent to the West Texas Assemblies of God Youth Camp.
Ara Bogue Garland
Ara Bogue Garland, 92, of Amarillo died Wednesday, January 10, 2018, in Amarillo.
Graveside Services were held January 15, 2018, in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Rev. Winston Curtis officiating.
Arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Ara was born on December 30, 1925, to Floyd C. and Ivy May Lowe Paulk in Dallas. She married Samuel Bogue on July 14, 1947, in Goodnight. She lived in Amarillo for most of her life. She was a member of Bolton Street Baptist Church in Amarillo.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; four brothers; and two sisters.
Survivors include two sons Gary and Dale Bogue both Amarillo; one daughter Judy Lawrence of Florida; 3 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.
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CDL class to be offered in Pampa
Classes are set to begin January 16 in the CDL program at the Clarendon College Pampa Center in Pampa.
The cost of the 8-week program is $3,000. Because this is a noncredit course, traditional federal aid is not available. Career Training loans are available through Sallie Mae, Certification for Education Loans are available through Education Credit Union, and a payment plan is available through the College.
For more information, contact Program Director Ken Carlile at 806-874-3809 or fill out the online contact form at www.ClarendonCollege.edu/CDL.
The CDL program will focus on basic driving skills, material handling equipment, basic maneuvers such as backing, docking, and handling; and safety measures. Students will be taught to drive on various terrains, including city and country roads, and practice driving during both day and night time frames.
Instruction will include time in the classroom, CC’s new CDL simulator, and on-the-road in the college’s recently acquired semi-truck.
Clifford Alexander, Sr.
Services for Clifford Ivory Alexander, Sr. will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 13, 2018, in First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Jeff Riles, Rev. Harry Williams, and Rev. John T. Bowser officiating.
Burial will be in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Clifford Ivory Alexander, Sr. was born on October 29, 1929, in Clarendon to Walter and Lois Pettigrew Alexander. Clifford completed the highest education allotted to him, eighth grade. Clifford started a family, having four children with Joan Dotson. Leaving Texas for California, Clifford worked at the Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino. He also worked for the Santa Fe Railroad company. Texas called, and Clifford returned.
He met and married Stella Mae Houston blending a new family. Clifford was the owner of Alexander’s Used Cars, in Clarendon. Clifford was willing to help anyone that was in need. At the early age of 7, Clifford helped gather material to build True Church of God in Christ. He was a family hero and someone that all could look up to. His friends and family gave him the nickname “Easy Money” and those that knew him well will miss the songs he would whistle and his gentle humming.
He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Lois Alexander, Sister Margaret Perkins; Stella Mae Alexander-wife; a brother Van “Sonny” Allen Alexander; a daughter, JoEva Alexander; and stepson, Ellis Steward.
He is survived by 7 sons; Clifford Alexander, Jr and wife Beverly of Clarendon, Ray Jean of San Bernardino, California; stepsons Billy and Stanley Wilson of Clarendon; Glendale Hearn of Clarendon; Hosea “Jake” Hearn of Memphis; Larry Wilson of Amarillo. 5 daughters; Nita Hill of San Realto, California; Francheska Alexander of Canyon; Kimberlen Alvarez of Amarillo; stepdaughters; Gloria Wilson of Amarillo; Betty Ann Mitchell. 3 sisters Jean Nobles and Carolyn Alexander of Allen, Texas; Ravis Ransom of Dallas; numerous grandchildren, and great grandchildren
Family request memorials be sent to True Church of God in Christ in Clarendon.
Happy hog
Guest Column: 2018 State of the City
As one year ends and a new one begins, we often reflect about the past as well as anticipate the future. And just as we contemplate our personal lives, those of us connected to the City do likewise as we look upon new developments in Clarendon and plan for future improvements.
Although we have lost one restaurant this past year, we are now enjoying relatively new businesses such as the Whistle-Stop and its associated Bar & Grill, Jinda Cafe, the Buckin Bean, the Family Dollar, Stocking Ice Cream Parlor, Garrison’s Convenience Store, the Broken Road Jr. package store, and Shonda’s Snack Shack. And soon to come is the opening of a Donut Shop and a new Allsup’s car and truck convenience center.
Allsup’s is investing $2,600,000 in our community to build a 4,800 square feet structure with Austin Stone exterior walls on all sides, 20 auto fueling positions under canopy, a separate four lane truck fueling island and concrete parking and drives over the entire 2.67 acres. The City will be erecting signs indicating that no large truck traffic will be allowed on Third Street or the streets leading to Third Street. The business will employ between 15 – 20 people.
As we recognize these new businesses, we must also acknowledge our long-time businesses and their enduring commitment to provide goods and services to the citizens of Clarendon. These business owners are truly invested in our town and are greatly appreciated. Shopping locally is a win-win for all of us.
The City is currently working with USDA to get the long-awaited water infrastructure project off high center. We have experienced unexpected delays, but the City should go out for bids in the next two months for replacement of several miles of old cast-iron distribution lines throughout the city, an elevated water storage tank to replace the non-functional stand-pipe on the East side of town, and the replacement of over 700 water meters with computerized automatic meter readers.
The two-year project will be financed with a $1,387,000 grant (no payback) and a 40-year loan in the amount of $2,522,000 to be paid back with the $10 increase in customer water fees which became effective over a year ago. This project represents an inexpensive return on investment to improve the capacity and quality of water throughout our community (some residents still have low water pressure and rusty water). Unfortunately, these improvements must be made before we can begin a new street paving project.
Identifying unsafe and unsightly houses/buildings and their eventual demolition is a high priority for the City Council. A demolition pit is currently being completed in compliance with state requirements, and the City will begin the demolition process in early 2018 contingent upon the cooperation of property owners and available funds.
Regarding recreational improvements and quality of life issues, the Economic Development Corporation and City Council are moving forward with the renovation of the Mulkey Theatre and the building of a public swimming pool. The Mulkey and the pool projects are being financed with private donations, grants and a loan to be paid back with future sales tax and Hotel Occupancy Tax revenues.
It should be pointed out that funding of the loan will have no bearing on the City’s budget, including future street paving, as it will be repaid exclusively with EDC’s future sales tax revenue and the city’s future hotel tax revenue. Additionally, the EDC will still have sales tax revenue left over to fund other local projects, and there are still hotel tax funds left over to continue to promote the City.
The pool idea originated from a $500,000 challenge grant from an anonymous donor and, to date, not only have we matched the grant, we have raised another $260,000 from private donations (individuals, businesses, ranches, grants, etc.). And the City recently submitted a $500,000 grant to the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife and will submit a $150,000 grant to the Amarillo Area Foundation in March. As of January 1, 2018, the total amount raised is $1,260,000 with the $650,000 in grant funds referenced above still very hopeful. The goal is to raise as close to $2,000,000 as possible. The more money raised, the nicer the pool will be.
In a small community like Clarendon, we must be thoughtful, forward thinking and take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. We are fortunate to have David Dockery as our City Administrator. His knowledge of complex city issues and his many years of experience have enabled the City to make numerous improvements. He is well liked and respected by City employees and the overall morale is positive. We have a great group of employees who work hard to improve our city and to take care of emergencies when they occur. Your City Council, consisting of the Mayor and five Aldermen (Larry Jeffers, Beverly Burrow, John Lockhart, Nathan Floyd and Jacob Fangman), meet twice monthly to conduct city business and the public is encouraged to attend meetings whenever possible.
On behalf of all city employees and the City Council, I want to express appreciation to our citizens for supporting the city work that is being done each day and for making Clarendon a truly nice place to live. Happy New Year to all!
Divisions continue at Howardwick meeting
The Howardwick City Council met December 12 amid continuing divisions within the community regarding the governance of the city.
Business owner Jack Moreman spoke first on the agenda regarding action taken by the City Council in November 2014 which changed Howardwick from a Type B municipality to a Type A municipality. Moreman said the city had classified his Rolling Plains Compost Ag Compost as a manufacturer when he doesn’t really manufacture anything. He also said if he were actually manufacturing compost it would lead to regulations from the state and federal government.
“I wish you had come to me,” Moreman said. “I’ve tried to be a good neighbor.”
Moreman’s comments led Alderman Doc Holladay to then move to repeal the 2014 resolution, which among other things allowed the city to raise its ad valorem tax rate above 25 cents per $100 valuation. Holladay’s motion also included refunding tax revenues resulting from the Type A status to the citizens.
Alderman Eric Riddle pointed out that such an action was not on that meeting’s agenda, and Alderman Robert Brewster asked for more time to consider the matter and to visit with Moreman as well as former code enforcement officer Will Jordan, prompting outbursts from citizens at the meeting. No action was taken.
Later in the meeting, Mayor Greta Byars read a letter from Alderman Shelly Williamson, resigning her position citing harassment and discrimination by the community against her and her children.
The council took action to accept sealed bids on a Jeep owned by the city, which is no longer needed.
Personalities clashed again over the fire department’s access to City Hall. Mayor Byars said she had been told the fire department did not need access lock codes were changed after she became mayor. Riddle said the fire department uses the meeting room and bathroom of the building. The council voted to let the fire department access the meeting room and restroom.
Resident Susie Langford spoke concerning Ordinance 109, which was approved by a 4-1 vote of the council during a special meeting on November 21 with Alderman Holladay opposed.
The ordinance outlines the roles, responsibilities, and authority of the council, the mayor, and the city secretary. It was proposed by Riddle, who said he drafted it from information in state law and handbooks from the Texas Municpal League. The mayor and others said the ordinance would limit Byars’ authority. An audio file of the November 21 meeting obtained by the Enterprise records the meeting as being punctuated by loud outbursts from citizens and culminating with Mayor Byars refusing to sign the ordinance after its passage calling it “tyrannical or harsh … dictatorial, capricious or volatile, unstable, and unpredictable.”
Speaking on December 14, Langford asked for Ordinance 109 to be “tabled” until citizens can vote on it. She also requested that copies of future ordinances be given to citizens in attendance so they can ask questions and make comments.
Langford called on the council, mayor, and secretary to give up grudges and said that Howardwick has been a great place but things have “turned to crap” with friends against friends.
Byars said she has not had a chance to be much of a mayor and claimed Ordinance 109 was not ‘passed’ because “Eric forgot something, and it is not an ordinance yet.”
Chamber seeking nominations
The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce is now seeking nominations for its annual community awards banquet.
Honorees will be announced during the banquet, which is scheduled for Thursday, February 8.
Nominations are being sought for Man of the Year and Woman of the Year – two individuals who have made a significant contribution to the community in the last year, and the Saints’ Roost Award – honoring an individual for a lifetime of service to the community.
Written nominations should specify what award the person is being nominated for and a brief paragraph stating the reason for the nomination. The nominations should be no more than one page in length.
Nominations can be mailed to the Chamber of Commerce at PO Box 986, Clarendon, TX 79226, or delivered to the Clarendon Visitor Center inside the Mulkey Theatre at 110 S. Kearney. If the center is closed, nominations may be left in the mailbox on the light pole in front of the office.
Nominations must be received by 4 p.m. on Friday, January 12, 2018.
Local man jailed for burglary
A Clarendon man remains in the Donley County Jail this week on charges related to an October home burglary.
Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn says 37-year-old Herman L. “Taz” Jackson III was arrested December 17 for the second degree felony of Burglary of a Habitation related to a crime committed on October 24.
Jackson is also facing an unrelated Class C Misdemeanor charge for Assault. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Pam Mason with bond set on the felony charge at $20,000 and on the misdemeanor at $2,000.
Blackburn said Jackson is also being held on a $5,000 bond for a warrant out of Briscoe County for a state jail felony charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance.
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