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Cleaning abandoned properties, adjusting the sign ordinance, and the possible end of the personal property tax were among the items discussed at the Clarendon City Council’s meeting last Thursday, October 25.

Danny Barrett addressed the board on behalf of Texas Communities Group regarding ways the city can clean up abandoned properties and get them back on the tax rolls.
TCG pursues properties through the foreclosure process after five years of non-payment of property taxes or three years of non-payment of taxes if the property has a history of code compliance issues. Barrett said TCG had successfully gotten 77 of 100 properties in Paducah back on the tax roll using this method and gotten $25,000 in revenue for that city.

City Administrator David Dockery said the proposal is a good way to help clean up the community.

“When (Code Officer) Grett (Betts) brought this to me, I thought it was a great benefit to the community,” Dockery said. “Every city I’ve talked to said it is a great program.”
Aldermen approved a $2,500 contract with TCG to work on abandoned properties in the city.

The council also heard an update from Dockery about possible changes to the sign ordinance recommended by a committee of business people. Dockery said the committee is recommending a limited number of temporary “event” signs as exception to the city’s ban on “off premise” signs. The proposal would allow the Whistle Stop Trade Days to still put up a limited number of temporary signs each month if certain guidelines were met.

Dockery asked the council not to take action on the changes last week as Alderman Larry Jeffers was absent from the meeting, and Dockery also wants businesses to have a chance to see the proposed changes. The city’s attorney will also be reviewing the recommendations.

Judy Thomas addressed the council expressing her interest in being appointed to fill a vacant seat on the council. Dockery later informed the council that the city wants everyone to have a chance to express their interest in the position by submitting a letter and résumé to City Hall.

Dockery also updated the council on the USDA water infrastructure project and said contractors will soon be very busy ditching and laying pipe. He said additional interruptions in water service are possible due to boring being done in some areas and the inability to see existing pipes.

The administrator also talked about the city’s airport board and said City Hall is reviewing the qualifications and resolutions governing the airport board and that new members need to be appointed.

Dockery also talked in his administrative report about the possibility of redirecting the half-cent sales tax currently dedicated to property tax reduction to the city’s general revenue, an idea that is part of a discussion about possibly repealing the city’s personal property tax. Dockery is gathering more information about the idea. City officials know the personal property tax is unpopular but also have to keep the stability of city revenues in mind when contemplating eliminating the tax.

A Clarendon man is in jail this week following the death of his three-week-old daughter.

Christopher Bryon Myers, age 37, was arrested Tuesday, October 23, and charged with first degree felony Injury to Child, according to Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn.

Law enforcement and emergency medical personnel responded to Myers’ residence at 718 S. Ellerbe on Friday, October 12, after a 911 call at 5:02 that morning reported a possible dead baby, the sheriff said.

The infant was transported to Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo and placed on life support, and the sheriff’s office, assisted by a Texas Ranger, began investigating.
Aries Renae Myers pronounced dead on Monday, October 15, and an autopsy was performed in Dallas on October 16.

The complaint alleges that the child’s death was due to blunt force trauma, Blackburn said.

The investigation in the case is ongoing, and Blackburn said the felony charge in this case was filed after consultation with 100th Judicial District Attorney Luke Inman.

Myers has a past criminal history on theft related charges. If found guilty, Myers could face five to 99 years in prison.

The City of Clarendon has issued a boil water notice following a water line break Tuesday morning.

In notice published in this week’s Enterprise, residents are advised to boil their water prior to consumption.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, purchase bottled water or obtain water from another source.

Once testing confirms the city’s water is safe, the Enterprise will update readers through ClarendonLive.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Clarendon College nursing students now have an easy path to earn bachelor’s degree from West Texas A&M University after the two institutions signed a new articulation agreement last week.

CC President Robert Riza called the agreement “an outstanding opportunity for our students” and had high praise for the support that WTAMU President Walter Wendler has shown to community college students.

“You will not find a more supportive university president of community colleges than Walter Wendler,” Dr. Riza said.

Wendler returned that respect for the CC president and also praised Clarendon nursing program.

“I have tremendous respect for Robert,” Wendler said, “and you have a tremendous faculty and staff at Clarendon College that will go hand in hand and make perfect partnership with us.”

WTAMU Undergraduate Nursing Program Coordinator Marietta Branson said the agreement allows nursing students to get their RN through Clarendon College and then finish their BSN at WT.

“You get your core requirements at Clarendon and then do the final 30 hours at WT in residence and in upper level classes,” Branson said.

The agreement will allow associate’s degree receiving students with up to 90 credit hours to automatically initiate the transfer process for a bachelor’s degree at WTAMU even before enrolling. Formalizing the transition will allow aspiring RN licensed nurses opportunity to scholarships, academic support and advising resources at WTAMU.

CC students transferring into WT’s BSN program under the agreement will qualify for a scholarship of $225 per course, WT officials said.

Clarendon College Director of Allied Health Sabrina McCain said the agreement will help keep talented students working in the region and fight “brain drain” – a phrase that describes when smart, talented rural youth leave their communities for urban jobs.

“This benefits students and the community,” McCain said.

With the convenience of online courses, the nursing program at WTAMU serves hundreds of transfer colleges across the country and has received nearly 50 national rankings since 2014. Students are able to apply up to 56 credits for core and prerequisite courses from their community colleges and 34 hours of nursing course credits toward an RN license.

This is the second articulation agreement for students in the Allied Health Department at Clarendon College. In 2016, CC partnered with Texas Tech University Health Science Center on a “3+1” Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree.

Cultural workshops are planned as part of the tenth annual Clarendon Arts Festival will be held this Saturday and Sunday, October 27 and 28, at the Donley County Activity Center, and this year.

Organizers have been working all week setting up displays and taking entries for the festival, which will also feature Junior Art exhibits by students from Kindergarten through high school.

The event, sponsored by Clarendon’s Les Beaux Arts Club, opens to the public this Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Amarillo artist D. Maldonado will host a special workshop Saturday as she shares a part of her yearly Dia de Los Muertos series and Mexican folk art craft projects.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is not a Mexican version of Halloween. Though related, the two annual events differ greatly in traditions and tone. Whereas Halloween is a dark night of terror and mischief, Day of the Dead festivities unfold over two days in an explosion of color and life-affirming joy. Sure, the theme is death, but the point is to demonstrate love and respect for deceased family members.

In towns and cities throughout Mexico, revelers don funky makeup and costumes, hold parades and parties, sing and dance, and make offerings to lost loved ones. This vibrant homage to life is a true community event and one of the most charming and colorful holidays celebrated by Mexican and Latin American cultures. This lighthearted and joyful tribute honors the memory of family and friends who have passed away in a fun and immersive atmosphere.

There will be two workshops hosted throughout the day on Saturday.

A Mexican Bingo “Loteria” Matchbox Magnets workshops will be at 9:30 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. – These small matchbox magnets are fun, functional, unique, and colorful. In this workshop you will make two Matchbox Magnets from the images of a Loteria/Mexican Bingo game card. Space is limited so be sure to secure your spot early.

A Paper Mache Sugar Skull Workshop will also be held Saturday. The iconic sugar skull associated with Day of the Dead is liked for many reasons; some aesthetically and some for the cultural aspect of what the skull represents within the Dia de los Muertos Holiday. Calaveritas de azucar, or sugar skulls, along with toys, are left on the graves for children who have passed. The skull is used not as morbid symbol but rather as a whimsical reminder of the cyclicality of life, which is why they are brightly decorated.

The sugar represents the sweetness of life and the skull represents death. In this workshop you will paint and decorate a 3D paper mache skull as artist D. Maldonado guides you and explains how to customize your skull. The Sugar Skull painting workshop is 10:30 a.m. and the only one like it offered. Again, space is limited so be sure to sign up and reserve your spot early.

The VFW Auxiliary will provide concessions during the day Saturday as well as stew and chili with cornbread for lunch.

Saturday evening the Preferred Buyers Reception will be held from 6:00 to 9:00, where buyers will be delighted with the variety being offered at the Clarendon Arts Festival this year. Anyone is welcome at the reception; and if you haven’t already pre-paid as a preferred buyer, you can pay that night at the door.

Along with the large selection of art being offered, buyers enjoy the heavy hors d’oeuvres prepared by the ladies of Les Beaux Arts Club.

The Arts Festival resumes Sunday at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. Those attending the Sunday can enjoy St. Mary’s famous Annual Enchilada Dinner.

In addition to the art show, there are many artists setting up booths with hand-constructed items for sale.

For exhibit guidelines or other arts festival information, contact Chriss Cummins-Clifford at 806-206-6767.

The Donley County Health Fair will be held next Thursday, October 25, at the Bairfield Activity Center from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The annual event features information from different health care providers as well as flu shots, blood screenings, blood pressure checks, and more.

For more information or to reserve a booth, call the Donley County Extension Office at 874-2141.

Clarendon College and West Texas A&M University will sign confirmation of an articulation agreement to streamline the transfer process of nursing graduates at Clarendon College at 3:15 p.m. Thursday, October 18, at the Barfield Activity Center in Clarendon.

“WT’s nursing program is very highly regarded in the Texas Panhandle, and this partnership is outstanding for us,” Clarendon College President Dr. Robert Riza said.

The agreement will allow associate’s degree receiving students with up to 90 credit hours to automatically initiate the transfer process for a bachelor’s degree at WTAMU even before enrolling. Formalizing the transition will allow aspiring RN licensed nurses opportunity to scholarships, academic support and advising resources at WTAMU.

“At its core, this articulation agreement between Clarendon College and WT’s RN-BSN program will facilitate a seamless transition for students with an associate’s degree in nursing to pursue a baccalaureate in nursing at WT,” Dr. J. Dirk Nelson, dean of the college of nursing and health sciences, said.

“This is a win, win, win. Students will benefit by earning a BSN; both Clarendon College as well as WT will benefit; and the public will benefit from healthcare being provided by additional baccalaureate educated nurses in our region,” Nelson said.

With the convenience of online courses, the nursing program at WTAMU serves hundreds of transfer colleges across the country and has received nearly 50 national rankings since 2014. Students are able to apply up to 56 credits for core and prerequisite courses from their community colleges and 34 hours of nursing course credits toward an RN license.

“This agreement provides a great opportunity for our residents working in healthcare fields,” Riza said. “It allows us to be a vehicle to help them in achieving their goals and furthering their education without leaving their jobs and families.”

This is the second articulation agreement for students in the Allied Health Department at Clarendon College. In 2016, CC partnered with Texas Tech University Health Science Center on a “3+1” Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree.

The Howardwick City Council approved a resolution regulating aldermen who serve on volunteer organizations at its regular meeting last Tuesday, October 9.

Action on the resolution came early in the meeting which lasted almost three hours as Alderman Debbora Sharpton said she believed that Alderman Bryce Hawley has a conflict of interest as a member of the volunteer fire department.

“Every time you’re voting for the fire department not for the city,” Sharpton said before moving to go into closed session.

Hawley objected to going into closed session and asked for the issue to be discussed publicly.

Sharpton said Hawley is supposed to recuse himself from discussions about the fire department and votes affecting the department but has not. Alderman Marietta Baird pointed out that the council had asked Hawley to be a liaison with the fire department earlier this year.

“Why can he not speak up?” Baird asked.

At one point, Mayor Greta Byars said she had the power to make motions and moved to adopt Resolution 152. As discussion continued, Hawley asked to strike language in the resolution that prevents aldermen who are volunteers from participating in discussions affecting their volunteer organization, but he received no support for that position.

The board ultimately approved the resolution, allowing aldermen to serve volunteer organizations but preventing them from participating in discussions or votes regarding that organization.

Early in the meeting, Byars announced that an attorney would be coming to future council meeting to train aldermen on the Open Meetings Act and admonished the council about walking quorums or serial meetings of less than a quorum outside of a posted meeting to decide how to vote at an upcoming meeting.

“I know this is happening,” Byars said, calling it “very, very illegal.”
Byars said that aldermen are sometimes “almost stacking the vote before we come to a meeting.”

The meeting was also marked by aldermen having to ask Mayor Byars to be recognized by her before speaking, something Byars had requested during her mayoral comments at the opening of the meeting and she said is required by Ordinance 111.

Other items before the council last week included a discussion of building codes and the enforcement of those code. Code Officer Jerry Mulanax is proposing the city adopt new building codes, and he had two experienced building inspectors with him to speak on that topic.

The issue of adopting new codes as well as the pricing and requirements of permits for buildings was tabled for another meeting.

Jeremy Kindle’s request to set a food truck on Lots 185 and 186 in the Navajo section of the city was approved.

The council approved a motion to purchase a new back door for City Hall as part of its work to come into compliance with a report from the state fire marshal.

Mayor Byars reported on an ongoing situation with John and Kristina Rucker and their desire to put a “tiny home” made from a storage container in the Nocona Hills section. Current zoning rules require that homes in that section be a minimum of 1,000 square feet, and the structure in question is less than that.

Byars said the storage container is already on the property without the city’s permission, which led to a discussion about not needing permission or a permit for storage buildings.

The council approved a motion by Hawley to declare the structure a storage container with the council agreeing that if the Ruckers try to move into the structure they will be in violation because of the building not meeting the 1000-square-foot requirement.

Byars and City Secretary Sandra Childress also reported to the council about their meeting with Red River Water Authority on a number of issues. Chief among those was the discovery that several residents are receiving water services without paying for them and that some residents don’t even have water meters.

While the lack of meters or payment for water obviously impacts the water authority, Red River collects the city’s trash payments through the water bills as well, city officials said.

Childress said that she has calculated that the city is experiencing about $4,000 per year in lost revenue because of those residents not being billed.
City Hall is continuing to investigate this problem and is working with Red River on a new franchise agreement.

Clarendon’s sales tax revenue recovered substantially from its September dip when Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar distributed October funds last week.

The city received $34,348.92 this month, an increase of 26.74 percent over the same period in 2017.

Last month, Clarendon’s sales tax revenue dipped 8.28 percent, marking the city’s first drop after seven months of increasing sales tax revenues.

Clarendon’s calendar year-to-date total now stands at $344,139.71, which is up 8.21 percent compared to one year ago.

Howardwick’s revenue also climbed this month, posting a 151.56 percent gain at $3,111.41 and driving that city’s year-to-date total up 31.25 percent at $12,430.67.

Hedley was down this period 32.16 percent at $293.20, but the year-to-date figure there is still up 71.10 percent at $10,259.89.

Statewide, Hegar sent $735.9 million in local sales tax allocations for October, 11.4 percent more than in October 2017.

These October sales tax allocations are based on sales made in August by businesses that report tax monthly.