News

Clarendon City Administrator Sean Pate will resign next month to take a position as manager of the City of Poteet.

Pate confirmed his decision to the Enterprise Monday morning and formally announced his resignation during Tuesday night’s meeting of the board of aldermen. He will stay on until July 28.

The move means a significant salary increase for Pate. Poteet has agreed to pay him $55,000 per year plus benefits for him and his family. Clarendon currently pays him $35,900.

“I just don’t think I can pass it up,” Pate said. “Obviously this isn’t a political move; it’s a professional move for my family.”

The administrator said he had not sought the Poteet position but learned of it through a fellow city administrator. The Poteet council interviewed him by phone and hired him over the phone. He visited the city, located 20 miles south of San Antonio, over the weekend.

Pate, who has held his current position since June 2003 said he intends to wrap up his business in Clarendon before leaving – getting the street paving underway and beginning the 2005-2006 budget process – and said he will be available if the city needs him.

“I’m not quitting Clarendon,” Pate said. “I’m just moving on. My phone will always be available, and I can help out on my own time if they need me.”

Mayor Tex Selvidge said he hates to see Pate leave but understands that a man has to take care of his family.

“I think he’s done a lot here,” Selvidge said. “I think some were against hiring an administrator, and he’s overcome that.”

Pate said he’s been impressed by the people of Clarendon and is grateful for the chance the city gave him.

“I have always tried to be fair,” he said. “I have respect for everyone in Clarendon, and I thank the board for giving me this opportunity.”

Selvidge said any decision about replacing Pate would have to be decided by the board of aldermen.

“We’ll just have to discuss it at the table,” he said.

The Clarendon Enterprise received one first place plaque and came in second for a Sweepstakes Award Saturday during the Texas Press Association’s 126th annual summer convention in Las Colinas.

The local paper was awarded first place in Division 9 (Small Medium Weeklies) in Page Design and showed strength in most other categories by garnering one second-, three third-, and two fourth-place honors.

Columns by Carrie Helms and Roger Estlack were awarded second and third place certificates respectively. Enterprise Advertisements placed third, local Sports Photos placed third, and the paper placed fourth in Editorials and General Excellence.

The Leonard Graphic was the top paper in Division 9 of the contest, which was judged by the New York Press Association.

Attending the convention and accepting the awards on behalf of the Enterprise were Roger and Ashlee Estlack.

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) submitted a statement last week into the Congressional Record to honor Clarendon resident, Jiggs Mann. Mr. Mann is the 2005 recipient of the prestigious “Rancher of the Year” award presented by Cowboy Roundup, USA.

The following is the statement as submitted by Thornberry:

Statement of Congressman Mac Thornberry Honoring Jiggs Mann

Mr. Speaker,

Our nation includes many traditions and cultures which have influenced our history and our national character. In my area, none is stronger than ranching.

Cowboy Roundup, USA, is an organization dedicated to preserving the Ranching Heritage of Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle. It works to educate the public, “in the spirit of our ranching ancestry and the lifestyle of the great American Cowboy.”

Each year at the Ranch Rodeo in Amarillo, Texas, which this organization sponsors, an individual is named as “Rancher of the Year,” to recognize a lifetime of accomplishment. This year’s recipient is W.C. “Jiggs” Mann, from my home county, Donley County, Texas.

In thinking about ranchers, the stereotype characters from movies, books, songs, and stories will come to mind for many people. But I think that they would be more impressed to meet the real thing. Jiggs Mann is the real thing.

Jiggs began working on the JA ranch as a schoolboy during the summers of World War II. He rode with the chuck wagon all summer as it moved from pasture to pasture on Texas’ second largest ranch, sleeping on the ground and eating by campfire. After returning from serving his country in Korea in 1953, Jiggs went to work at the JA again and served as foreman of the ranch from 1959 until 1969. He leased part of the ranch, running his own cattle, and now runs cattle on his own property in Donley County.

More than his decades of experience with land and cattle, Jiggs Mann was honored because of his character and integrity and because he is a shining example of what a rancher is and should be.

A rancher, like others who make their living off of the land, is a risk taker. His whole year’s work can be wiped out by weather, disease, or a tumble in the market.

A rancher is independent and does not look for – or feel entitled to – a hand-out from government or anyone else, but he will drop whatever he is doing, even at considerable sacrifice, to help out a neighbor.

He is honest and straight talking; he has no need to beat-around-the-bush. Mother Nature and the demands of making a living off the land do not allow it for one thing, but more importantly, he comes from a background where a man’s word is still his honor. He tells it as he sees it. The strength of what he says is found not so much in the words used but in his integrity.

He works hard – incredibly hard – from sun up until sun down and understands the value of a job well done, whether measured by the depth of his corner post or the number of hay bales stacked in the field. While some of the tools he uses have changed over the years, like steel post drivers or pick-ups with round bale haulers mounted on the back, others have not changed at all, like a good horse. He realizes that some things, however simple they may seem on the surface, will forever stand the test of time, and it is in those things that he puts his faith.

A rancher has to respect nature and all of God’s creation or he will not last long. From taking care of the land, which may have been in the family for generations, to helping a cow give birth, or nursing a new calf with a bottle, he understands the give and take that this life demands and the sacrifices necessary to maintain those things we cherish most, our families and our heritage.

These are some of the qualities which this award recognizes. Jiggs Mann is not the only person I know with these qualities, but he is the “best of the breed.” It is appropriate to honor him, and through him, this important part of our national character.

A Donley County farmer and rancher died Friday when the pickup he was driving was hit by a tractor-trailer rig.

Department of Public Safety Trooper Chad Simpson said Robert Pittman, age 81, died at the scene 3.5 miles west of Clarendon on US 287 despite efforts by at least four motorists to save him.

Pittman’s Chevy pickup was traveling westbound in the outside lane of 287 in front of the tractor-trailer driven by Darie Monday of Tulsa, Okla., when Pittman’s vehicle was struck from behind. The pickup slid sideways and flipped over, coming to rest on its wheels in the north ditch and catching on fire.

An investigation is ongoing, but Simpson said speed did not seem to be a factor in the accident.

No citations or charges have been issued, but the case will be presented to the Donley County Grand Jury.

Pittman was a resident of Amarillo at the time of the accident but had had ties to Donley County since 1925.

Funeral services were held for Pittman in Clarendon Tuesday.

The Clarendon Economic Development Corporation committed an additional $100,000 to the city’s 2005 street paving project Monday, a move that gives the city the resources it needs to fully fund the project.

Meeting in a called session, the CEDC board voted unanimously to approve the additional funds. Mayor Tex Selvidge thanked the CEDC.

“When [the CEDC] was voted in, one of the things that was to be done was streets.” Selvidge said. “It speaks highly of this board to see them join with the city. They are progressive and want to see the city improve.”

Monday’s vote is in addition to $20,000 pledged to street improvements in fiscal year 2003-2004 and $30,000 already pledged this year.

The CEDC board also intends to provide $30,000 each year – approximately half its annual revenue – to help the city pay the indebtedness on the new streets.

The CEDC is funded by a half-cent sales tax approved by city voters in 1995.

The 2005 paving project is moving forward after Clarendon Aldermen voted 2-1 to accept a $974,485 proposal from B&B Solvent last Tuesday.

City Administrator Sean Pate this week said a contract for the job will be presented to the aldermen for their final approval June 28. B&B, which is a division of Jordan Paving, has expressed to city officials that it will be ready to mobilize early next month.

“It’ll be a good thing for Clarendon,” Pate said.

Aldermen Janice Knorpp and Bobbie Kidd voted for the proposal last week. Alderman Michael Tibbets was absent, and Alderman Mark White was presiding as mayor pro-tem. Alderman Tommy Hill voted against the measure.

“What do you not like about this, Tommy?” Kidd asked.

“I don’t like the price,” Hill said.

“Nobody does,” Kidd replied; and Knorpp added, “If we don’t do this now, the next bid will be more.”

Mayor Pro-tem White said he appreciated the contractor working with the city.

B&B presented two proposals based on its $1.3 million low bid previously accepted by the city. Proposal #1 was priced at $974,485.15 and eliminated planned paving on Fourth and Seventh Streets east of Koogle Street; and Proposal #2 was priced at $905,870.15 and eliminated the work east of Koogle as well as eliminating parts of McLean and Third streets north of Fifth Street.

Aldermen said they preferred the first proposal because it tied the project together and was part of the overall plan to control waterflow. Kidd also pointed out that the city was already paying for the engineering work on McLean and Third streets whether it was part of the project or not.

The project as it stands now includes the following streets: Third Street from Collinson to McLean, Fourth Street from Collinson to McLean, Sixth Street from Cottage to Koogle, Seventh Street from the western city limit to Koogle, Eighth Street from Leroy to Bugbee Avenue, Leroy Street from Fifth to Eighth, Johns Street from Sixth to approximately one-half block past Eighth, Collinson Street from Clarendon Avenue to Eighth Street, McLean Street from Clarendon Avenue to Eighth, and Bond Street from Sixth to Eighth.

The city had $833,759 available from tax revenue notes and economic development money to pay for the project. The Clarendon Economic Development Corporation will contribute $100,000 to the project, and the balance will be paid for from the city’s improvement fund.

Before last week’s issue of The Clarendon Enterprise could even hit the newsstands or be delivered to the post office, Enterprise-D subscribers had their digital newspaper in their e-mail boxes, and their response has been overwhelmingly positive.

Chuck Speed in Amarillo was one of the first to cancel his old fashioned print subscription in favor of the new newspaper; and before noon last Wednesday he had already read enough to send this e-mail:

“You all have done a very good job of the new digital Enterprise issue. I think this is definitely the way to go. I recommend it for anyone with access to a computer.”

Other Enterprise-D subscribers agree. Dr. Robert E. Hanes in Oklahoma City says he likes the digital version and votes for depriving the postal service of the revenue. Rebekah Turner in Virginia Beach, Virginia, says she loves the new version and says she can print out the good editorials so that her husband can read them and therefore they are both happy.

Doyce Graham in Clemson, South Carolina, calls Enterprise-D a great idea, Bob Gray in Denton says he loves his digital subscription, and Carrie Helms in Abilene writes: “Totally digital, man! This is the 21st century.”

Enterprise-D carries all the same stories, pictures, and ads as the print edition, and subscriptions cost only $9.95 per year. Print subscribers can add the digital edition to their subscription for just $5. To sign up, visit www.ClarendonOnline.com/subscribe.

Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn is reminding citizens that warning sirens mean “take cover” and do not mean “go outside and watch the clouds” after severe weather threatened Clarendon last Thursday.

“I would like for citizens of Donley County to please heed the warnings and take cover for their safety,” Blackburn said.

Several long whistles signify a tornado warning, and a continuous blast means danger is eminent.

Emergency officials blew sirens in Clarendon repeatedly when a rotating storm cloud passed over the city. A funnel formed as the cloud passed the northeast edge of city, and a tornado touched down in the countryside.

Blackburn said there had been no reports of damage from the tornado. Emergency crews were back out again Saturday as a slow moving cloud produced funnel clouds, high wind, hail, and heavy rain near Wayside in Armstrong County.

“We had lots of cooperation from the fire departments in Clarendon, Hedley, and Howardwick,” Blackburn said. “There are people out there giving their time and leaving their families for the safety of others, and they aren’t getting paid for it like we are.”

School’s out for the summer, but there is still plenty of activity at Clarendon ISD where a $500,000 asbestos abatement and renovation is underway.

The project calls for the removal and replacement of the floors and ceilings in all the 1961-era buildings on the campus. And it’s all got to be over and done with before classes start again this fall.

“It almost seems like an insurmountable mountain,” said Superintending Monty Hysinger, “but we’re going to make it.”

The administration building, elementary school, junior high school, library, and cafeteria all had to be abandoned. The contents from those buildings were boxed up with junior high, cafeteria, and library contents going to the Old Gym and elementary contents going to the Colt Gym.

“We used about 2,600 boxes to move everything,” Hysinger said.

Remodeled in 1989, the high school building has become the hub of all school functions with administrative offices temporarily relocated to the second floor and summer school being held on the third floor.

Work started in the Administration Building and is expected to be finished this week. Abatement workers are currently taking up floor tile and removing ceiling tiles and grids in the C-Wing of the elementary school. Hysinger said work will then proceed to the junior high or A-Wing, then the D-Wing of the elementary, and finally the B-Wing, which includes the cafeteria, library, and home economics room.

In additions to new floors and ceilings, all lights will be replaced or retrofitted with new high-efficiency fixtures, all classrooms will be repainted, and all the old green chalkboards will be replaced with new marker boards.

The school’s old boiler was removed several years ago, but the current project will finish that job by removing the old pipes and radiators from the classrooms.

The school is also conducting this work with an eye on the future.

“We’re putting new heavy R-30 insulation in the ceilings,” Hysinger said, “but we’re suspending it in chicken wire so that we have a dead space above the new ceiling tile to run future wiring and cabling.

The abatement work will cost about $150,000, and the new ceilings, floors, insulation, lights, and marker boards will cost some $350,000. Hysinger said CISD will pay for the work with money from its reserves.

The project has to be completed by August 5 and for each day (up to seven days) the contractor gets through ahead of schedule, CISD will pay a bonus of $1,000.

Hysinger said the project should extend the life of the 44-year-old facilities.

“The contractor and I were talking about these buildings,” Hysinger said. “It’s such a simple design, but it’s the type of design that will last a long time with a little care. There’s no reason these buildings shouldn’t last another 30 years.”

A man described by witnesses as “a lunatic” led Donley County’s Chief Deputy on a wild car chase last Friday before he was subdued, escaped, and was subdued again.

Sergio Adrian Silva, age 19, was in Donley County Jail at press time facing charges of Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, Aggravated Assault, Evading Arrest in a Motor Vehicle, Kidnapping, and Escape.

Danny Hill works at West Texas Gas and witnessed part of the chase and its conclusion.

“He was just a lunatic,” Hill said. “He didn’t care if he hurt anybody.”

Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn said Silva took his girlfriend, 23-year-old Celestina Arrevla, against her will from Pampa and headed for Houston. In Clarendon, Arrevla convinced Silva that she needed to use the restroom, and he let her out at West Texas Gas at US 287 and Orpe St., where she told employees there to call the police.

Blackburn said Silva apparently figured out what was going on, and he fled the scene in his Dodge Durango, jumping a curb and blowing out his left rear tire in the process. He drove back downtown and pulled into the alley behind the Clarendon Fire Department to change his flat.

Watchful citizens alerted law enforcement to Silva’s location, and Chief Deputy Randy Bond pulled into the alley from US 287 where he saw Silva attempting to jack up his vehicle. Bond said Silva jumped into the Durango, sped backward down the alley to First Street, and then took off east, running a stop sign before heading back south on Kearney Street. He ran the red light at US 287, barely missed a vehicle, and headed back east toward West Texas Gas, where Arrevla still was.

Bond said the suspect sped through the West Texas Gas parking lot, crossed Orpe Street, went through the parking lot of Cornell’s Country Store, and back out on the highway. Bond then tried to stop on-coming traffic at this point to keep him from returning downtown.

Silva, meanwhile, reportedly turned around in the parking lot at the Clarendon Veterinary Hospital, almost hit a Trailways bus, got back on 287, and headed west. He hit the pickup of Bobby Tolbert in front of White’s Feed & Seed, losing his front left wheel and hub in the process.

As Silva passed by Cornell’s again, he was rammed by Deputy Bond’s patrol truck.

“His vehicle just started fish-tailing at this point,” Bond said, “but I wasn’t letting him back downtown.”

Silva’s vehicle finally spun almost 180 degrees and came to rest near the curb in front of West Texas Gas. He continued to gun the vehicle, trying to get it to move, and Bond pinned his patrol truck against the Durango.

“He then tried to get out his passenger side door,” Bond said. “It was jammed, so he climbed out his back window, which had been busted out.”

Silva then reportedly ran north across the parking lot. Bond told him to stop twice and then fired a warning shot into the air. The suspect lay down, and Bond cuffed him and led him back to the patrol truck.

As other law enforcement personnel began to arrive, the cuffed Silva took off on foot again, and Sheriff Blackburn, Deputy Mike Spier, corrections officer Joe Hall, and Game Warden Adrian Smith of Dennison, who was just passing through town, brought the man down.

Silva was booked into the Donley County Jail, where he has “pulled several incidents,” Blackburn said. Bond was initially set at $80,000, but that figure was expected to rise as additional charges are filed.

“He [Silva] could have killed a lot of people,” the sheriff said. “He showed no regard for other people and still doesn’t at this time.

“I think Chief Deputy Bond did an exceptional job. It could have been a lot worse.”