News

WASHINGTON, DC – Twenty months after he first introduced legislation to establish a Department of Homeland Security, Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) voted for – and the US Senate approved Tuesday – a plan that would do just that.

“I am pleased that we have finally been able to reach agreement on this legislation,” Thornberry stated. “While I had hoped we would have approved the bill sooner, the important thing is that we are doing it now.  Acting quickly is critical to the security of the American people.

“This is not a perfect plan.  I have no doubt Congress will need to revisit portions of this plan at some point down the road.  You just don’t pull together over twenty different agencies and expect it to go off without a hitch.  But we’ve got to start someplace, and this plan will put the foundation in place to make our Nation more secure.

At present, Thornberry noted, more than 40 federal agencies have some responsibility for homeland security.  Under the plan approved this week, a number of these key agencies will be merged into a new Homeland Security Department.  These agencies include the Border Patrol, Customs Service, Coast Guard, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

This bill, which was approved by the House of Representatives by a vote of 299-121 and by the Senate 90-9, mirrors and builds upon HR 1159, legislation Thornberry introduced in March 2001 to reorganize homeland defenses.  Since introducing this bill, Thornberry has worked with the Bush administration and Congressional leadership to craft a reorganization plan.

Improvements are getting underway at Greenbelt Water Authority which will change the way Clarendon’s drinking water is treated.

Greenbelt General Manager Bobbie Kidd said work on the $2.3 million project at the filter plant north of Clarendon will be performed by the firm of R.M. Wright of El Paso.

“They have already been here and rented two houses for their workers to stay in,” Kidd said. “They are just waiting for material to be delivered to get started.”

The project will completely change Greenbelt’s chemical feed system, disinfecting system, filtering process, and reporting process, Kidd said. Half of the money spent at the plant will go toward replacing the old filters which have been in place for 35 years.

 The water authority has until 2004 to comply with more stringent standards set by the federal government. Kidd said Greenbelt started the process of upgrading several years ago.

“Three years ago in October we started with a 12-month evaluation to identify any problems and what needs to be done to meet the new standards,” he said. “We also tried to anticipate the regulations which might be enacted in the next 20 years.”

The new system will change the treatment of Greenbelt water from a chlorine method to a new treatment by chloramines, which uses both chlorine and ammonia.  The system will also stop using dry bulk chemicals and move to liquid chemicals.

Other changes include doubling the electrical service at the plant from 500 KVA to 1,000 KVA and upgrading the computer system in the plant which controls treatment of the water and delivery of the water from the Greenbelt Reservoir from here to Crowell. The present controls were last upgraded 19 years ago, and some parts date back to 1965.

Kidd said the contractor expects to be finished by May 1, 2003, although the contract allows for 56 weeks to complete the job.

Local residents should not have any disruption in their water service during most of the work. But Kidd did say there will be one day next spring that water won’t be pumped to Clarendon. The authority will work with the City of Clarendon to notify customers before that happens.

“If we can pick that day and can pump the water tanks full ahead of time, there should be no problem.”

Greenbelt is also building a new storage tank at Childress as part of the upgrade. The Natgun Corporation was awarded the $1.7 million contract for that job and expects to be finished next July, although they also have a 56-week contract.

Natgun, which is based in Wakefield, Mass., with offices in Dallas, is constructing a new six million gallon concrete tank to replace the old four million gallon steel tank presently in Childress.

Site work has already been completed on that job, Kidd said.

Financing for the project was secured for the project in 2001, and Kidd said the bids have come in lower than expected, which will allow Greenbelt to do some additional work.

Engineering for the filter upgrade and the new tank is under the supervision of Freese and Nichols, Inc. – the same firm which designed the Greenbelt Reservoir and the filter plant in the 1960s.

Citizens in Donley County gathered on two separate occasions over the weekend to remember the sacrifices of America’s veterans.

The Adamson-Lane Post 287 of the American Legion hosted special services in the Rowe Cemetery near Hedley Saturday for the second year. Connie Debord gave the invocation, and the colors were posted by J.D. Skaggs and Doyle Messer. The National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance followed.

Donley County Judge Jack Hall spoke on the history of Veterans Day and its origins with the Armistice which ended World War I. Hall also recited the poem, “In Flanders Fields.”  Legion Post Commander Jack Moreman remembered the 50th anniversary of the Korean War and recited an inscription from a New Mexico war memorial entitled “What is a Soldier?”.

Barbara Collins sang “God Bless America,” and Kristen Dwight performed “Taps.”

A good crowd braved the cold and near rainy weather Monday for the fourth annual Veterans Day service at the Donley County War Memorial hosted by VFW Post 7782.

Visiting groups and organizations amassed their flags, and the colors were posted by James Thomas and T.C. Saye. VFW Chaplain Jimmy Swinney gave the invocation, and the Bronco Band played “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The Hedley School Choir performed “Where the Stars & Stripes and the Eagle Fly,” and the VFW’s Bill Holden gave the introduction and spoke on the symbolism of Old Glory. The Bronco Band played its award-winning medley of war tunes from throughout our nation’s history, featuring songs such as “When Johnny Comes Marching Home,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” and “The Ballad of the Green Berets.”

Jack Moreman discussed the Korean War anniversary and noted that the men and women serving there today are not much older than the students in the band and choir.

The Bronco Band then played snippets from the service songs of each branch of the US military. Veterans stood as their service song was played.

Speakers for the morning included Judge Hall, Holden, and VFW District Commander Paul DeWolfe.

The VFW held its customary memorial service followed by “Taps” as played by Vanna Holton.

A wreath was laid at the War Memorial, and the benediction was given.

The service ended with visitors placing flags near the names of loved ones on the walkway of the memorial.

A petition regarding the property tax rate in Donley County was officially presented to the Commissioners’ Court Tuesday morning.

Don Smith was sworn in by County Judge Jack Hall during the court’s regular meeting. Hall asked Smith several questions about the petition, which had previously been left at the judge’s office on October 31. Smith answered in the affirmative when asked if he had followed the tax code in preparing the petition and said there were no duplicate pages that he knew of.

The court voted unanimously to accept the submittal of the petition and to meet within 20 days to adopt a resolution on the petition’s validity.

A chimney on the northwest side of the 1890 Donley County Courthouse collapsed last Friday, and officials say they are still investigating the cause.

The 22-foot chimney had originally been removed many decades ago and had been reconstructed as part the ongoing restoration of the courthouse.

Friday morning the structure fell over and broke into three pieces. The top piece, weighing 8,000 pounds, knocked a hole in the roof and then rolled off and crashed into the scaffolding surrounding the building. It hung up in the top level of the scaffold.

No one was injured in the collapse, and other reconstructed chimneys – including an identical 22-foot structure – are receiving added bracing as a precaution.

Donley County Judge Jack Hall led all local incumbents in Tuesday’s General Election as he easily defeated former sheriff William J. Thompson by a margin of 2.5 to 1.

Hall won the right to a second full term, capturing more than 71 percent of the vote and beating his Republican challenger by a margin of 1,035 to 414.

“I just appreciate all the voters in Donley County,” Hall said. “This is a great place to live and a great place to be associated with.”

Sparks flew between the Hall and Thompson campaigns in recent weeks as the issue of county taxes became prominent. Thompson spoke out against a 27.78 percent increase in the county tax rate, which took effect this fall, and Hall stood on his record of service and as being a supporter of the courthouse restoration.

In other county races, all incumbents were re-elected in hard fought campaigns. County Treasurer Becky Jackson, a Republican, defeated Democratic challenger Vicki Sloan, 799 to 607. Democratic District and County Clerk Fay Vargas was the voters’ choice over Republican Vicki Knowles, 838 to 611. And Precinct 4 Commissioner Bob Trout, a Democrat, narrowly defeated Republican Wayne Riggs, 165 to 120.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Don Hall (R), Precinct 1&2 Justice of the Peace Jimmy Johnson (R), and Precinct 3&4 Justice of the Peace Ann Kennedy (D) all ran unopposed.

Clarendon native Mac Thornberry (R) was the clear choice of local voters to continue as the representative for the 13th Congressional District over Democrat Zane Reese, 1,222 to 203. At press time, Thornberry led district wide with a 78.7 percent lead.

Local voters also preferred Gov. Rick Perry (R) over Tony Sanchez (D), 1,026 to 343; David Dewhurst (R) over John Sharp (D) for Lt. Governor, 813 to 553; Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander (R) over Marty Atkins (D), 1,138 to 240; and John Cornyn (R) over Ron Kirk (D) for US Senator, 962 to 380. All Republicans were leading those races statewide at press time.

Also of local interest, Donley County voters were in favor of amending the Texas Constitution to allow for abolishing unnecessary constable positions by a margin of 767 to 118. The amendment was leading statewide at press time.

If approved, the new amendment would allow the Donley County Commissioners’ Court to abolish the Precinct 1&2 constable office, which was the source of controversy and a lawsuit following the last General Election. The county or the voters could re-activate the position in the future if it was desired.

A total of 1,449 local voters cast ballots in this year’s election – a more than 56 percent turnout. That is down from the 2000 General Election when 1,759 or 67 percent cast ballots.

A petition to change the tax rate in Donley County was presented to the County Judge’s office last Thursday afternoon but cannot be officially accepted until the next Commissioners’ Court meeting.

Judge Jack Hall said that by law a rollback petition must be presented to “the governing body” of the taxing entity. Hall also said Donald Smith’s name has been placed on the agenda for the November 12, 2002, court meeting along with a line item for the petition to be submitted to the court.

The petition, which reportedly bears the signatures of 614 Donley County voters, seeks to force the county to hold an election and allow citizens to vote on the 2002 tax rate. But before any election is held, the commissioners’ court must first determine the validity of the petition.

“Just because he [Smith] submits the petition, doesn’t mean we approve it,” Hall said. “We have 20 days to determine if it is a valid petition.”

The judge said commissioners would likely call a special meeting to examine the petition and adopt a resolution on its validity. If commissioners find the petition valid, the county would have 30 to 90 days from the twentieth day following its submission to hold an election.

The tax petition was circulated in response to county officials raising the property tax rate 27.78 percent from 0.372934 to 0.476547.  The addition this year of a special debt component rate of 0.09745 accounts for most of the increase. Funds from the debt rate will go towards the indebtedness related to the courthouse restoration.

Petition organizers have said that a lot of residents are upset with the tax increase and that they felt they ought to have the right to vote on the issue.

Under ordinary circumstances, a rollback election would lower property taxes. But since Donley County’s current tax rate is lower than the maximum rollback rate, a successful election would actually raise taxes by nearly two cents per $100 valuation. For that reason, it is likely commissioners will find the petition to be invalid.

“People in America have the basic freedom to sign a petition, and we’re fortunate to have that right,” Hall said. “But people need to be informed about what they are signing.”

Hall said he has received phone calls from people who have had second thoughts about signing the petition.

“Some residents have called inquiring as to how they could have their name removed from the petition,” Hall said.

Clarendon Lions Club celebrated its 80th anniversary last Tuesday during its annual Ladies Night Banquet.

A total of 47 Lions and guests enjoyed a delicious steak dinner prepared by Lion Alan Graham and his helpers.

Boss Lion Myles Shelton introduced special guests for the evening, including District Governor John Nash of Wellington, Vice District Governor Jack King of the Amarillo Downtown Lions Club, and Mrs. Ruby Dell Estlack.

Gov. Nash addressed the club and praised it for 80 years of service to Clarendon and the surrounding area.

The Boss Lion and Lion Secretary Monty Hysinger recognized several Lions with membership chevrons for their years of service. Those recognized were Allen Estlack, 35 years; A.R. Henson, 55 years; Bill Lowe, 55 years; Delbert Robertson, 15 years; James Shelton, 15 years; and Donald Smith, 20 years.

Other Lions who were not present but who have earned membership chevrons were Paul Bivens, 25 years; Mike Butts, 20 years; Trey Chamberlain, 25 years; W.R. Christal, 30 years; Darrell Leffew, 30 years; Mark C. White, 20 years; and Jerry Woodard, 15 years.

Lion Allen Estlack was recognized with the Lion of the Year Award, and Lion Roger Estlack received the Distinguished Service Award.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by the Clarendon College Choir under the direction of Kevin Gausepohl.

The all-volunteer choir put on an excellent show and even made a dozen Lions sound good when they formed an ad hoc Lions Club All-Junk Band.

With no further business, the club adjourned, looking forward to serving Clarendon for another 80 years.

The American Legion Post 287 will have its annual Veterans Day Service Saturday, November 9, at 10 a.m. at the American Legion Monument in the Rowe Cemetery.

American flags will be placed at all Veterans graves on Friday afternoon by the American Legion Members and will remain there until Veterans Day, November 11.

The Donley County Memorial Post 7782 of the VFW will hold its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11 at the Donley County War Memorial on the Courthouse Square.

The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m.

Many area civic groups will be in attendance, and a special guest has been invited to participate. Also performing at the ceremony will be the award-winning Bronco Band and the Hedley School Choir.

The Clarendon College Board of Regents awarded a $1.8 million contract to Reynosa Construction to build a new residence hall last Thursday.

Meeting in a special session, the regents accepted Renosa’s low bid and approved three alternate additions to the project to allow for installing cable television wiring, installing a veneer plaster system, and installing abuse-resistant ceiling tiles instead of regular commercial tiles.

The cost of the project is being financed by revenue bonds, which are paid for by student fees. No local tax dollars are being spent on the new building.

The new hall will consist of two separate wings housing 40 students each and will be built similar to Southwest Hall with the rooms opening to the outside to accommodate both male and female students. The facility will be located west of Southwest Hall along Clarendon Avenue.

Groundbreaking for the new facility will be held on November 14 at 11 a.m.

In other college business, it was reported that CC has received a $5,000 challenge grant to pay for a scoreboard to be installed at Bulldog Field. The scoreboard is expected to cost between $15,000 and $20,000.

CC President Myles Shelton gave an update on the plans for the Equine Center, the price tag of which has been reduced from $1.25 million to about $750,000. The lower price does not include much of the equipment, such as stalls and other items, needed to make the facility fully functional.

Regent Jim Blackerby voiced his concerns regarding the high cost of the project and its benefits to the college. He asked for the administration to present some numbers to demonstrate how the Equine Center will help the college and its students.

“We can do that,” President Shelton said.