News

Five years ago, folks in Clarendon felt like they were in an Internet no man’s land, forced to pay long distance charges to hook up to most service providers. Then Extended Local Calling opened up the phone lines to Amarillo and Pampa, bringing the digital world affordably within our grasp.

Now in 2001, we again find ourselves on the communications frontier as broadband Internet services have not yet found their way to our humble hamlet. As a result, local Internet users are stuck hopelessly in the digital slow lane – poking along at a pathetic 56k bps when all the planets are aligned properly and at 28k or less the rest of the time.

Cable Internet is unknown here. Digital Subscriber Line service (DSL) is also no where to be seen. But hope springs eternal. There is a possibility of attracting a high speed, wireless Internet service to come to town, but to do so we need your help.

An Amarillo-based company wants to know how many folks in Clarendon would be interested in their service. If you think you might be one of those people, then please pick up the phone and call the Enterprise at 874-2259 or e-mail us at Clar1701@aol.com.  We’ll give you all the details.

Donley County officials will have a means of keeping the $3 million restoration of the 1890 courthouse within its budget if a state agency grants its approval this week.

Commissioners met Friday in a called session with project architect Chris Hutson of Volz & Associates for the purpose of approving a set of “deduct alternates” – options that would allow the county to scale back parts of the project if the bids come in higher than expected.

This week the county authorized advertising for bids and release of construction documents.

Hutson identified 15 possible deduct alternates totaling more than $800,000. If the bids are too high, the county could exercise one or more of those options to keep the restoration within the budget. The alternates range from not repairing the big stained glass window on the first floor for an estimated savings of $6,037 to not restoring nor replacing existing exterior stonework for an estimated savings of $294,147.

The deductive alternates have to be approved by the Texas Historical Commission (THC). Advertising for bids will begin as soon as THC makes its determination on that issue.

Hutson told commissioners he had estimated the Donley County project at $267 per square foot based on similar projects in Gonzales and Caldwell counties, which cost $131 per square foot and $250 per square foot respectively. The concern is that bids for Llano County’s project recently came in at $350 per square foot.

But officials say estimating a project this size involves a lot of guesswork because of the number of variables involved. While Llano County and other projects have come in higher, Hutson said he had seen it go the opposite way also. One library restoration his firm worked on was estimated to cost $2.2 million, but the bids came in at $1.2 million.

“It’s always easier to hope for the best and expect the worst,” Hutson said.

In other county news, the commissioners’ court met in regular session on Monday. Clarendon Mayor Tex Selvidge addressed the court regarding the new solid waste transfer station being built by the city.

The Board of Alderman are asking the county to close its dump near the municipal airport and use the city’s new facility. The county currently operates a dump box three days a week and has an $11,000 contract with BFI to haul the trash. According to Judge Jack Hall, the mayor said the city would charge the county $10,000. The city plans to keep its new facility open seven days a week. Commissioners took no action on this item, saying they want to hear from rural citizens on the matter.

The court approved a motion to have the Courthouse Annex sprayed for pest control on a monthly basis.

A cell phone for Justice of the Peace Ann Kennedy was approved, and the court authorized the county paying for one-half of the cost of new shelving in the district attorney’s office with the DA paying the other half. The county owns that office building.

A letter authorizing a fire drill on lots 662 and 665 on Gary Drive in Howardwick was approved, and a resolution was passed supporting the state’s Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program.

The county budget was amended to allow the county clerk’s office to use office money for the salary of records management personnel.

The court also adopted a new employment policy requiring county offices to advertise employment opportunities for two weeks in the local newspaper. Employment notices will also be posted on the county bulletin board at the Courthouse Annex.

For more information about the Donley County Courthouse project, click here.

Building permits are not often thought about in Clarendon, but they are required for any project costing $250 or more.

City officials brought the issue of permitting to the public’s attention last fall when private encroachments in city alleyways threatened a waterworks improvement grant project. Some recent residential projects around the town of again called attention to the problem.

A 1952 city ordinance requires a permit for any wall, structure, building, or part thereof that is built, enlarged, altered, or repaired. A plan of the proposed work and a list of materials must be provided for approval by the city.

Officials say the purpose of the permitting process is to insure that structures are not build on city property, in city rights of way, or in city streets.

The process also protects people from encroaching on their neighbor’s property and is a way to ensure the safety of the public.

Not obtaining a permit can cause problems for the city as well as for the property owner. This was highlighted last month when the board of aldermen was approached regarding a home in south Clarendon where part of the porch on a residence and a fence were built out into a platted street. Financing for the sale of that house can’t be obtained because of that situation, the board was told. The city was asked to deed over part of the street to clear up the matter. The aldermen took no action at that time.

 The cost of a building permit is $1.25 for the first $1,000 of a project and an additional 25¢ for each additional $1,000. For example, the cost of a permit to build a $50,000 home would be $13.50. 

The ordinance calls for a penalty of up to $100 per day for persons convicted of a violation of the permitting process.

Attention baseball fans! Bring your organization and make Clarendon proud at Clarendon Day at the Dilla Villa, Thursday, June 21, 2001, to enjoy a great day of baseball with the Amarillo Dillas.

The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce will have a potluck tailgate party at 6:00 p.m. with local radio station KEFH 99.3 FM “Good times and great oldies.” The game will begin at 7:05 p.m.

Dan Hall will sing the “Star Spangled Banner.” Mayor Tex Selvidge will throw out the first pitch while Lacy Eads “Sparky” will hang out with the Dilla Dude. Residents attending the game are asked to wear maroon to show your true Bronco spirit at the game.

You can reserve your tickets through the Chamber of Commerce for $5 and $6 at 874-2421.

Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander this week sent Texas cities and counties $213.3 million in monthly sales tax rebates.

Local cities all posted gains over their June rebates of last year. Clarendon was up 8.63 percent to $14,926.17.  Howardwick’s rebate of $908.76 reflected a 3.22 percent increase for that city, and Hedley received $216.96, which was up from $58.35 last June.

Clarendon and Howardwick are still behind 0.15 percent and 7.82 percent for their year-to-date totals. Howardwick is running more than 22 percent ahead of last year’s rebates.

June sales tax rebates represent sales taxes collected in April and reported to the comptroller in May.

Five years ago, folks in Clarendon felt like they were in an Internet no man’s land, forced to pay long distance charges to hook up to most service providers. Then Extended Local Calling opened up the phone lines to Amarillo and Pampa, bringing the digital world affordably within our grasp.

Now in 2001, we again find ourselves on the communications frontier as broadband Internet services have not yet found their way to our humble hamlet. As a result, local Internet users are stuck hopelessly in the digital slow lane – poking along at a pathetic 56k bps when all the planets are aligned properly and at 28k or less the rest of the time.

Cable Internet is unknown here. Digital Subscriber Line service (DSL) is also no where to be seen. But hope springs eternal. There is a possibility of attracting a high speed, wireless Internet service to come to town, but to do so we need your help.

An Amarillo-based company wants to know how many folks in Clarendon would be interested in their service. If you think you might be one of those people, then please pick up the phone and call the Enterprise at 874-2259 or e-mail us at Clar1701@aol.com.  We’ll give you all the details.

AUSTIN – The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) and American Electric Power (NYSE:AEP) have announced a joint development agreement that will improve the capacity and reliability of electric transmission systems in South and West Texas.

AEP is the parent company of AEP-West Texas Utilities that provides electric services in Clarendon and Hedley.

At its meeting May 23, the LCRA Board of Directors authorized their staff to negotiate a final agreement. The two organizations expect to execute the final agreement within the next few weeks.

Under the agreement, the LCRA will finance and own transmission system improvements, and AEP will build and maintain them. The Public Utility Commission of Texas must review and approve proposed transmission projects before construction can begin.

Over the next five years the public/private venture will construct up to $500 million of transmission projects identified by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) as crucial to supporting a competitive retail electric market in Texas. ERCOT, manager of a statewide power grid that serves 85 percent of the electric consumers in Texas, is working with utilities and state regulators to prepare the system for retail competition beginning in January 2002.

The agreement will benefit consumers and support retail competition. AEP, with more than 32,000 miles of transmission lines, has the expertise to build and maintain transmission infrastructure. The LCRA, as a nonprofit utility, can provide transmission projects at a lower cost than investor-owned utilities.

Transmission improvements made by the LCRA and AEP also will enhance the ability of power generators to transmit electricity throughout the state.

“For 60 years the LCRA has proven our ability to provide reliable, cost-effective transmission services in Central Texas,” said LCRA General Manger Joe Beal. “This agreement represents a winning combination for the people of Texas.”

“This is a key step in defining AEP’s role for future transmission projects,” said Richard Verret, AEP’s senior vice president for Transmission. “We have had a long tradition of innovation and excellence with designing, building, and maintaining transmission facilities. This partnership is a forward-thinking approach in a changing industry.”

AEP and LCRA have already been working together on a major project in West Texas. In that project, the LCRA and AEP will develop a $90 million, 150-mile portion of a proposed high-voltage power line, pending approval from the PUC. The new line will improve system reliability in the San Angelo area as well as statewide and will deliver wind power from West Texas to help meet the state’s renewable energy goals.

The Texas Legislature authorized the LCRA to provide transmission services statewide as part of the 1999 legislation allowing retail competition because the LCRA can build and own transmission lines at a lower cost than most utilities, saving money for Texas consumers. The annual cost of system improvements and maintenance to the statewide transmission system is allocated to utilities according to their electric loads, then to consumers through a per-kilowatt-hour fee. This ensures that utilities and consumers pay only their share of transmission costs.

The restoration of the Donley County Courthouse is one month behind schedule, but the cause of the delay is an effort to keep the project on budget.

County officials had hoped to begin advertising for bids last month. Now they hope to start advertising next week, according to County Judge Jack Hall.

Representatives from architectural firm Volz & Associates will meet with commissioners in a called meeting this Friday at 1:30 p.m. in the Courthouse Annex to discuss the project.

Hall said the architects have been busy in recent weeks seeking approval from the Texas Historical Commission (THC) for cost cutting measures in case bids for the $3 million project come in too high.

“They want to get approval ahead of time, otherwise it would be a long process after the bids come in,” Hall said.

The county and its architects are concerned because bids for other courthouse projects around the state have come in over budget. Hall said Llano County’s bids came in about $500,000 over budget, and last month The Rockdale Reporter said bids for Milam County’s project were approximately $300,000 over expectations.

Donley County hopes to avoid a similar situation with the local project by incorporating options – called “deductive alternates” – in the bidding process that would allow commissioners to keep the restoration within budget but not affect the restored outward appearance of the 1890 building.

Some items that may be looked at could include roofing materials, the use of cast-stone versus quarried stone, below-grade waterproofing near the courthouse’s foundation, or chimney reconstructions. The county may also have to look at not finishing the interior of the third-story tower and dormers, which were torn off in 1937 and will be reconstructed.

County officials are also hopeful that bids from area construction companies may be more competitive than those received by counties downstate.

“This may go to bid and everything be fine,” architect Chris Hutson told county commissioners in April, “but I would rather prepare for it now than [the county] be hit with sticker shock when the bids come in.”

For more information about the Donley County Courthouse project, click here.

Work on two city projects is proceeding, and one should be finished this month, according to City Superintendent Jim Roberts.

The biggest project is on the west side of town where waterlines are being replaced to help maintain a constant pressure and quality.

The waterworks improvement is being paid for by a $248,034 grant from the Texas Department of Housing and Urban Development. The original plan called for 9,600 feet of waterlines to be replaced. That plan was scaled back at one point as engineers expected increased costs, but Roberts says most of the plan was restored.

Work is being done by Triple L Utilities of Dumas, which has done other jobs for the city, including the new sewer plant a few years ago. Roberts said Triple L could be finished with the project in about three weeks.

The city’s other project – a new solid waste transfer station – has been staked off, and Roberts said Tuesday he hopes to begin moving dirt on it this week.

The station, located in front of the city’s Three Feathers Recycling on W. North Front Street, will consist of five roll-off boxes where citizens can dump trash, tree limbs, or recyclables. When completed, it is expected to be open seven days a week.

This project will be partially funded by a $52,800 grant from the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission.

Roberts said city workers will haul caliche from near the municipal airport to build an earthen ramp that citizens will drive up on to dump stuff into the trash boxes.

According to the terms of the PRPC grant, the transfer station must be completed by August 31, 2001.

The Outreach Health Services Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is sponsoring a free health and nutrition education class entitled, “Childhood Obesity: Lily Faces a Problem,” throughout the  month of June 2001 for pregnant women and mothers with children up to age five.

Cases of childhood obesity in the United States have risen about 50 percent over the past 20 years. The alarming rise in overweight children is no surprise to Linda DeFrank, Outreach Health Services WIC nutritionist and education specialist.

WIC employees routinely graph the height and weight of children enrolled in local WIC programs. Just as the studies and statistics are saying, DeFrank does see more and more young children who are tipping the scale a little too much.

“This issue is much bigger than worrying about whether or not your child will get teased at school,” De Frank said. “When children are obese, they are at higher risk for developing type II diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and other unwanted health problems. Most people don’t develop these diseases until they are well into their adult years. Also, most overweight children grow up to be overweight adults. So the higher threat of disease stays with them.”

Joyce Devereaux, Director of WIC Programs at Outreach Health Services, said the epidemic of childhood obesity is a combination of two social trends: lack of physical activity and poor food choices.

“Children today are typically more sedentary than their parent used to be,” Devereaux said. “Statistics show that they are spending most of their time in front of a television, computer, or video game. Their parents on the other hand, spent more time as children playing outside and riding their bikes.

“What’s worse, in today’s school environment, children are no longer required to have physical education every day. Today, physical education classes have almost become an option in our schools.”

Perhaps even more concerning than the sedentary lifestyle is the diet many children consume today. According to Devereaux, society eats “convenience” foods more than ever.

Convenience foods can consist of fast foods, such as hamburgers and French fries, packaged snacks, such as potato chips and candy bars and even breakfast items such as donuts and pastries. Unfortunately, most of these types of foods are usually high in fat or high in sugar.

“Convenience foods are usually loaded with calories but very low in nutrition,” Devereaux said. “If the food already has a lot of calories, think about how many more calories we add when we go to Wendy’s and have the meal “biggie sized’ for just 40 cents more. Top that off with the sugar that comes from the soft drink, and you can see how the calories are showing up around the waistlines of our children.”

Devereaux understands why many working parents buy fast foods for their children. The zero prep time and affordability make it an appealing option for busy parents. The downside is that parents have little or no control over the fat or sugar content, and the  menus do not typically offer all of the food groups, either.

“You can’t order cooked broccoli or asparagus at most fast food restaurants,” Devereaux said. “The food groups that seem to be eliminated from fast foods are the vegetable group and fruit group. These are two vital food groups for overall health – and they just happen to be low in calories.”

Outreach Health Services provides a variety of services through its WIC Clinics including free nutrition education, breastfeeding classes, immunizations, health screenings, and vouchers for health foods to pregnant women and mothers with children up to age five.

Outreach Health Services provides WIC services to Donley County and operates a WIC Clinic in Clarendon on the second Monday of each month.

For more information, class schedules, or to make a reservation, call the Outreach Health Services WIC Clinic in Clarendon at 874-3011.