Ben Estlack

Small nonfarm businesses in Donley County and seven neighboring counties are now eligible to apply for low interest federal disaster loans from the US Small Business Administration, according to Director Tanya N. Garfield of SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West.

These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought in the following primary county that began April 11, 2023.

Donley County is the primary county for the relief. Neighboring counties include Armstrong, Briscoe, Carson, Collingsworth, Gray, Hall, and Wheeler.

“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster,” Garfield said.

Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating.

The Texas Success Center announced Monday the first cohort of the Texas Leadership Academy for Student Success, which will include two Clarendon

College representatives.
This leadership development program is designed to provide mid-level community college faculty and staff with the critical skills and knowledge to improve student outcomes. Clarendon College has two representatives to participate in the 2023-2024 Texas Success Center Leadership Academy. Chancey King and Rodney Donahue were selected by Clarendon College President Tex Buckhaults.

Nationally, community colleges often struggle to attract and retain the talented leaders they need to implement evidence-based reforms that help more students succeed. This project, which is made possible by generous funding from the Ascendium Education Group, the ECMC Foundation, and the Kresge Foundation, aims to address this challenge by strengthening the pipeline of leaders within colleges.

Texas is joining New York and Michigan in this project and will lead two cohorts of mid-level practitioners through the year-long curriculum. The first cohort of the Texas Leadership Academy for Student Success is comprised of 40 faculty and staff from 22 community colleges.

“The Texas Leadership Academy is a crucial investment in the future of Texas as it prepares community college leaders with the tools and knowledge they need to enhance student success and support workforce development across the state,” said Dr. Cynthia Ferrell, Executive Director of the Texas Success Center. “We appreciate the philanthropic support from our education partners at Ascendium, ECMC and the Kresge Foundation for developing a program that will pay dividends for generations to come.”

The National Center for Inquiry & Improvement is leading this project with colleagues at the Aspen College Excellence Program and the Success Center for Ohio’s Community Colleges. The curriculum for this project draws on Aspen’s Curriculum for Community College Excellence and includes the following content sessions: The Essential Roles of Leadership in Student Success; Keeping Students’ End Goals in Mind; The Student Experience; Leadership Traits to Drive Change; Managing and Advancing Institutional Change; and Effective External Partnerships & the Leadership Journey.

The project partners will support the selected states as they replicate Ohio’s successful program over the next three years.

“Many community colleges are working to improve student success, but one of the most common disruptions to their reform efforts is the transition of critical staff members with no one ready to replace them,” said Chris Baldwin, Senior Fellow at the National Center for Inquiry & Improvement.
“The Leadership Academy for Student Success is designed to help colleges build a bench of mid-level employees who are adequately prepared to step into vacated leadership roles.”

District 2-T1 Lions Clubs gathered in Clarendon April 22 for fun, fellowship, and service during their annual convention.

Activities began that morning at the Bairfield Activity Center before local and area Lions began work on the first of two ramps built that day. The Texas Ramp project provided funding for the ramps for two local residents with Lions providing the labor for installation.

Lions remaining at the Bairfield enjoyed training from Past District Governor Ryan Hodge as they discussed the best methods for fostering new Lions Clubs.

The district’s business meeting was held at the Bairfield at noon, led by District Governor Roger Estlack of Clarendon, with lunch provided by the Lions Alert program.

Afternoon service projects included the completion of the second ramp project, the planting of a tree at the Lions Hall under the direction of Lion David Dockery, and the preparation of 500 bags of Texas peanuts as gifts for the attendees of this month’s state Lions convention in Ft. Worth.

Special guest Past International Director Justin Faber also conducted training for incoming club officers during the afternoon.

Lions then gathered at the Lions Hall for bingo games, district voting, and hospitality. The election confirmed Ryan Monroe of Canyon as District Governor-elect, Chris Rogers of Lake Tanglewood as First Vice District Governor-elect, and Deanna Porter of Canyon as Second Vice District Governor-elect. They will take office July 1.

During the banquet that evening, PID Faber provided the keynote address on serving our communities, and several Lions received recognitions from the DG.

Past District Governor Henry Wyckoff and Lion Gemma Mitchell, both of Amarillo, received International Presidential Appreciation Certificates. Boss Lion Landon “El Jefe” Lambert and Lion Anndria Newhouse, both of Clarendon, received International Leadership Medals, and Lion Heath Hodge of Canyon received the International President’s Award, the second highest award in Lionism.

Lion David Dockery was presented with the District Governor’s Special Recognition Award.

Second Vice District Governor Chris Rogers received the Lions Legacy Award, and First Vice District Governor Ryan Monroe received a framed photograph of a sunset at the Palo Duro Canyon Lighthouse in honor of his upcoming year as governor.

Clarendon High School junior Jacob Murillo was recognized as the District 2-T1 Diabetic Essay Contest winner. Wellington High School senior Summer Owens was also recognized as the district’s Outstanding Youth Award winner.

PID Faber presented several pins as well, including to DG Estlack; his Partner in Service, Lion Ashlee Estlack; and their children, Ben and Ella Estlack for their service together as a family.

Constable Randy Bond’s legal action against the Donley County Commissioners’ Court ended abruptly last week.

Bond’s attorney, Vincent E. Nowak, filed a Notice of Nonsuit on Friday bringing a close to the cause less than a month after it was filed, according to attorney Landon Lambert.

“Constable Bond’s decision to dismiss his case was a wise one in light of the law,” Lambert said. “The Donley County Commissioners Court, by and through its members, looks forward to attempting to work through these issues without the need for further litigation.”

Lambert serves as the Donley County Attorney but was hired by the county in a personal capacity to represent the commissioners’ court in this suit with another elected official.

Bond, who serves Precincts 3&4, was seeking a “reasonable salary” for his office. According to the original suit, Bond’s predecessor earned “roughly $22,000” but the latest budget puts that salary at “roughly $2,000.”

The position became vacant when former constable Doug Wright resigned in January 2021. Commissioners took no action to fill the vacancy, and Bond ran for the office and was elected in November 2022. He then took the oath of office in January to fill the remaining two years of Wright’s term.