Roger Estlack

By Cheryl Johnson, Clarendon Enterprise

During National Fire Prevention Week, October 8-14, firefighters, fire prevention personnel, and teachers across the country will direct attention to the need for fire prevention in the home, on the job, and in fields and forest.

The Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department visited the classrooms at Clarendon Elementary on Wednesday teaching the children about fire safety.  On Thursday, members of the fire department will hold a demonstration with the Jaws of Life at the Clarendon School on the east parking lot after 9 a.m. 

The department will wrap up the week with an Open House at the Fire Station on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.  Refreshment will be served and fire truck rides will be given to the children attending.  The winners of the Fire Prevention Week poster contest will be presented with their awards at the Open House.

The annual fire safety observance commemorates the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, but Texans have only to look at the state’s record fire siege this year to appreciate the destruction wildfires can cause. 

The Texas Forest Service estimates that from January through September, 32,000 fires scorched an estimated 630,000 acres in Texas before being controlled by a combination of local, state, and federal firefighting personnel and equipment.

Texas mustered hundreds of local, state, and federal interagency personnel for fire prevention, mitigation, and suppression duties or threat of possibly devastating fire losses in the face of a record drought.  At the height of the fire siege, over 180 Texas counties had bans on outdoor burning in place.  The Texas Forest Service credits ban implementation with helping prevent additional wildfires and property losses.

“Fall normally brings an increase in fire danger, due to increased outdoor activity,” said Jim Blott, state wildland/urban interface coordinator with the Texas Forest Service in Conroe.  “When this increase in outdoor activity coincides with dangerously dry conditions, wildfires become increasingly likely and potentially more deadly.”

Blott suggested several fire safety precautions. 

County Commissioners extended the burn ban in Donley County on Monday.

The Donley County Commissioners’ Court accepted an environmental inspection report as part of the courthouse restoration project Monday morning.

Luis Acuña of Sun City Analytical, Inc., presented his firm’s findings and said asbestos and lead paint concentrations are low in the 1890 building.

Asbestos was found in the floor tile in five rooms and covers less than 1,500 sq. ft. A small amount of piping in a crawl space also is wrapped in asbestos.

Acuña said lead paint is mostly found on the metal ceilings of the building and can most effectively be dealt with by encapsulating it. In other words, the ceilings will just be painted over.

As expected, Acuña reported the bat infestation to be the biggest abatement challenge for the project. Contractors will use special vacuum devices to suck out as much of the guano as possible.

Most of the bats themselves are expected to migrate out of the building for the winter. Acuña has said previously that special netting will be used to interfere with the bats’ sonar and keep them out.

The bats, which Acuña identified as the Mexican Free Tail species, might take up residence under the bridges along the city’s main drainage ditch, he said.

The next step facing Donley County will be the development of an abatement plan by Acuña’s firm, which will become the basis for letting the bids for the abatement.

For more information on the restoration of the Donley County Courthouse, click here.

The local VFW post and its Ladies Auxiliary will sponsor a Meet the Candidates Night October 16, 2000, at 7 p.m. at the Bairfield Activity Center at Clarendon College.

As of press time, the VFW reported the following candidates as confirmed for the evening: Randall Sims, Stewart Messer, William “Bill” Holden, Wilma Lindley, Wanda Smith, Andy Wheatley, and Jimmy Swinney. Other local candidates were reportedly sent an invitation to the event but have not responded. VFW officials say all candidates are welcome at the event.

Joe Davis, general manager of KLSR Radio in Memphis, will moderate the forum. 

This event is free to the public, and refreshments will be served.

Clarendon Aldermen took on the topic of zoning ordinances and building permits when the board held its regular meeting last Tuesday, September 26.

The issue was raised because of some recent private improvements around town that have encroached on city rights of way. In a statement to the Enterprise, Alderman Smiley Johnson said the encroachments are a problem that can hinder city water and sewer projects and can be costly to the property owner.

Recently, a $248,034 waterworks project set for the west central part of town had to be scaled back partly because of private improvements in the city alleyway. Alleys are supposed to be 20 feet wide, but engineers found that private fences had been built in them.

A city ordinance, passed in 1952, restricts walls, structures, and buildings from being built, enlarged, altered, or repaired if the cost will exceed $25 until a plan for the changes are approved by the city. According to the law, plans must be submitted to the city and a building permit issued. The city will review the plans for property encroachments and other zoning items.

The building permit costs $1 for the first $1,000 of construction plus 25¢ for every additional $1,000. Failure to submit plans and secure a permit is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $10 to $100 for each day the violation is continued.

“Most people do not want others building on their property and likewise probably do not want to build on someone else’s property, including that of the city,” Johnson said. “The right of way may go years without any need for its use, and then one day it is needed.”

Johnson pointed to Second Street (US 287) where a storm drain was installed under the sidewalk last year in several blocks of right of way.

The board of aldermen urges all citizens to get a building permit before starting construction projects or installing prefabricated structures.

“In the long run it will help the city with improvements on rights of way adjacent to such areas,” Johnson said.

For more information regarding building permits, call City Hall at 874-3438.

In other city news, the city budget for 2000-2001 was reviewed and approved last week. An ordinance to collect delinquent taxes was tabled until the chief appraiser could visit the board. The law enforcement agreement with the Donley County was signed, and the Pampa landfill contract was approved.

The aldermen also expressed appreciation to Chris Knox who paid for drilling and placing a water well at the municipal airport. The well will benefit pilots and will be helpful in filling firefighting aircraft.

Temperatures may be dropping soon, but the extreme fire danger remains hot throughout the Texas Panhandle. Until the region receives significant rainfall, Texas Forest Service Assistant Chief Fire Coordinator Les Rogers says, “it’s just too dangerous to burn.”

A lack of rain coupled with a heavy fuel load of unseasonably dry grass and shrubs and harvested cornfields have left the Panhandle and its residents vulnerable as extreme fire danger continues to threaten the area. And as the season’s fronts begin to move through the region, fire officials are concerned about the lightning and gusty winds they often produce.

“Fires are burning quickly and intensely in this dry, heavy vegetation. And with gusting winds, fires, whether caused by lightning or humans, are quickly creating dangerous conditions for firefighters,” Rogers said. “I know we can’t stop lightning, but it’s critical for personal safety and that of firefighters that the public do what it can to prevent any accidental or human-caused fires.”

On September 19, a cigarette ignited a fire in Dallam County that consumed ten acres and threatened an affluent neighborhood, said Dalhart Fire Marshal Tom Morris.

The fire was burning through an open field that led up to the housing district. Fortunately for residents, Morris said, an alley separated the houses from burning field.

“The alley helped us stop the fire,” he said. “We were able to cut it off before it reached the houses.”

While Dallam County has seen an increase in fire activity, many regions of the Panhandle have not had the same problem, something Childress Fire Chief Steve Jones credits to the responsible actions of the public.

“People have been real careful,” Jones said. “But just because the temperatures are cooler, I don’t want people to think the danger is over.”

Rogers urges Panhandle residents to continue to keep up their guard and offers these tips: Light no open fires, including burn barrels and campfires; Comply with county burn bans; Extinguish cigarettes in vehicle ashtrays, not out the window or on the ground; Avoid driving or parking in tall grass where hot exhaust systems can ignite dry vegetation; When welding or using metal grinding equipment outside, select a clear area or wet down the work area and keep a fire extinguisher handy; Use caution when operating or repairing harvesting equipment.

A county burn ban continues to be in effect in Donley County. Commissioners will consider extending the ban when the court meets next Monday.

On Tuesday, October 10, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Clarendon College Bairfield Activity Center, nationally recognized author and business consultant Don Taylor will speak to the general public on the subject of “Street Smart Financial Management.”  He will share tips on how small business owners can keep more of the money they make.

A year ago Donley County residents identified economic development as the top issue facing citizens of this county.  This is the third in a series of four seminars which Don Taylor has presented to assist citizens and business owners in creating a more profitable environment for themselves as well as their community.

Attendees will learn twelve financial “must knows;” constructing a well-built financial house; five financial tools that will keep you out of trouble; new methods for managing margins for greater income; understanding and calculating true costs of doing business; and what your banker really needs to see before saying “yes” to your loan request.

Recent research indicates that the typical business owner handles hundreds of thousands of dollars each year and yet most earn less than $50,000 annually.  To gain insight on what the top 10 percent do, join Mr. Taylor for strategies to achieve a bigger bottom line.

“Street Smart Financial Management” is sponsored by the Clarendon-Donley County Chamber of Commerce, Clarendon College, and the Texas Agricultural Extension Service of Donley County.  To reserve a space at the seminar or for more information, contact the Donley County Extension Service at 874-2141.

Rarely is an artist discovered with the varied and eye-catching abilities of Jimmy Vonn Carter, aka J’Vonn of Amarillo.  Here is an artist who can pour himself into any environment, from western to old world to contemporary, and produce works of outstanding quality.

“It is both a thrill and a challenge,” says J’Vonn of his recent acceptance into the Taos art community. 

According to the Summer 2000 issue of High Country magazine, “Taos is where art began in New Mexico some 100 years ago.  Today there are over 80 galleries showing the works of more than 1000 artists,” Mr. Carter adds.  “Competition is fierce, especially when you look at those numbers.  I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to show there.  After all, Taos is one of the top five art destinations in the United States.”

Jimmy is the son of Clarendon resident, Mrs. Clara Mae Carter.  Born and raised locally, he has always expressed himself through works of art since a small child.  His interest and talent was apparent at an early age.  He sketched literally everything he saw on every type of paper he could find.  The son of a farmer, he was often discouraged to “quit wasting his time and get to work.”  But farm life managed only to show him more of the wonder and beauty of God’s creation and deepened his longing to share that with others.  This was his calling.

After graduating from Clarendon High School and attending Clarendon College, he received his BS in Art at West Texas State University and continued developing and refining unique techniques for expressing his passion for art.  His professional life provided him with extensive US and international travel and additional creative challenges to turn into successes.

While managing and/or supporting internationally known musical artists Red Stegall, Reba McEntire, Johnny Duncan, Neal McCoy, and Charley Pride for almost 20 years, he was also establishing himself as an artist of noteworthy respect through commercial art, advertising, (winner of several Addy Awards), specialty designs, and private commissions. 

He has garnered art awards at jured events over the years and was cited for excellence by the National Fair Buyers Association.  In fact, the consensus of Fair Managers across the country regarding his representations of musicians was that, “Mr. Carter should clone himself and represent every entertainer in the industry.”  He has always given everything in his being to the project at hand.  And that is certainly true of his art.

Through extensive study of a particular subject and sincere empathy, he is able to immerse himself in the subject’s environment, mingle, and emerge with a greater understanding of its purpose, direction, and personality, all of which is poured out onto his canvas and beyond.  J’Vonn holds back nothing and realizes no boundaries.  You will find his unusual trademark – art overflowing the frame – intriguing.  This is a deeper expression of his yearning to unite subject with observer.  His artwork “steps” into your life.  This is definitive of his entire life, which he has always embraced with great enthusiasm.  When in his presence, his enthusiasm becomes yours.

His paintings and specialty finishes can be found on residential and commercial doors, fireplaces, walls, floors, ceilings, carvings, furniture, almost any surface.  His first love is for furniture that becomes not only a beautiful work of art, but maintains it functionality. 

While his life has always been very structured and disciplined, his art definitely is not.  Art is the one area where he maintains complete freedom and makes good use of it.  All types of mediums are used; a canvas is literally anything that doesn’t move.  Depth, texture, and antiquity are combined with a dimensional quality to bring about full involvement of all the senses.  You experience his work.  Not only does it express emotion; you are compelled to reach out and touch it, feel it, connect with it, and sense it.

Yet, while he is a highly respected artist, genuine humility permeates his persona.  He considers his talents and creativity on loan from God; he is His tool.  His art expresses his love for God’s marvelous creation and ingenious inventiveness.  Jimmy is astounded by the simple beauty of such things as a stone up close, the grain in wood, the colors of life and death of the forest, plus breathtaking sunsets.  God has shown His love for mankind by providing such beauty in natures and Jimmy’s only desire is to be a worthy representative of God’s attention to detail.  J’Vonn just brings it closer to us.

You can experience his art at Treasures of Taos Art Gallery, as well as exhibits in the historic LaFonda Hotel Lobby, both on the Plaza in downtown Taos. 

His work is also on display at the Taos Country Club and locally at Arden’s of Amarillo in Wolflin Plaza. 

If you would like more information on where to find additional works, you may call (806) 355-1204.