Trevor Leeper writes: Mr. Watson [regarding: letter to editor, Oct. 24, 2013http://www.clarendonlive.com/?p=14802], KCDB Channel 11 out of Lubbock, Texas, did a great story on the matter. Try going to Google and searching “Dry v. Wet Counties” and see what comes up. The only crime that was higher in wet counties was domestic violence. You stated statistics of how many alcohol related deaths and accidents there were, but you’re not comparing them to anything. How many of those were in wet counties versus dry? As we’re coming into the final days of voting, something I want to remind everyone in Donley County is this. Don’t let this decision divide our county or town. We are lucky to live in a country where we have the freedom to vote for what we want! Don’t “hate” someone for not having the same opinion as yourself. Don’t stop shopping at a store who supports something you don’t. Drinking alcohol will not make you a bad person. I don’t drink, and never will; but if it will help our local businesses and economy, I’m all for it! I love our town, and I know everyone voting against alcohol loves it too. Remember: John 2:1-11 Jesus turned water into wine. On November 5th, you can to! | Will Thompson writes: Roger, are you charging me and those that speak out against the expansion of alcohol sales with the suppression of free speech? From my understanding of your column [October 24, 2013October 24, 2013], you make the ridiculous charge that the “naysayers” are abridging free speech by advocating their position; a charge that could be viewed as being offensive. For some of us “naysayers” who swore an oath to protect our Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic I find that charge is a very low blow. As for me and my experience, protecting free speech was not some lesson I heard in a high school government class. It was something actively lived, a solemn promise; so your charge that I have sought to revoke this oath is not taken lightly. It seems that it might be some on the other side that are actively abridging free speech and violating federal laws by yanking up the yard sides of those opposing the expansion of alcohol sales within our county, my missing sign being one of them. You might want to rethink that article about those suppressing free speech and who are intolerant of other viewpoints. | Chris Moore writes: I’ll pay $200 dollars for information leading to arrest and conviction of the coward(s) who are trespassing on people’s property and stealing their “VOTE NO to ALCOHOL” signs. I hope this is being reported as to what one side of the issue has stooped to. Let me say that you represent your side well with your actions. If you have information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the punk(s), please contact me or the Sheriff’s office. Thank you. Editor’s Note: The Clarendon Enterprise will match Mr. Moore’s $200 reward. Theft of any kind is abhorrent, and theft of a political sign has an affront to free speech which cannot be tolerated. People on each side of this issue have a right to express their opinion without fear of having their property stolen. |
Opinions
Readers sound off on alcohol
Bob Watson writes: Last week’s letter to the editor by Mr. Leeper started me to thinking. Where did where did he obtain his information that dry counties had more DWI’s that wet counties? I spent several hours searching the web for this information and was not able to find it. I did find several interesting web sites that I would urge you to research. www.txdot.gov/driver/sober-safe/faces.html, www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/AlcoholRelatedOffenses.htm, www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/division/traffic/safety/sober-safe/intoxication.html, and www.txdps.state.tx.us/index.htm. I served 40+ years in Law Enforcement (city & counties both wet and dry), Juvenile Probation Officer, County Judge of Collingsworth County and 6 months as Municipal Judge of Clarendon before Leukemia forced me to retire. Based on my experience I would ask Donley County citizens please vote NO in the upcoming election to serve alcohol. Being arrested for public intoxication (just being drunk) is no big deal, right? It can be a humiliating and traumatic experience. The police often arrest first and ask questions later, minimum time in jail 4 hours. This will end up with you having an alcohol related offense on your record for the rest of your life that could affect future jobs, school admissions, and even the ability to rent an apartment. DWI What’s the big deal about driving after you’ve had a few drinks, anyway? Just in case you missed all the commercials, public safety announcements, and were never taught this is in school, here is a brief refresher. Sobering 2012 Texas Statistics from http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/safety/faces/fodd-fact-sheet.pdf • 25,755 alcohol-related crashes • 9,458 people seriously injured in an alcohol-related crash • 1,170 people killed in an alcohol-related crash Source: TxDOT and Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Reports (CR-3) Drinking alcohol affects your judgment, reflexes, depth perception, and other cognitive functions that are necessary to drive safely. People that drink and drive are far more likely to get in a serious auto accident than sober drivers. Whenever you drink, alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream through the lining of your stomach and small intestine. The alcohol in your bloodstream directly affects your brain, with the amount of impairment increasing as the level of alcohol in your blood increases. By the time you reach Texas’ legal limit of .08, your muscle control is poor, your judgment is impaired, and your ability to detect danger is reduced significantly. In other words, you are in no condition to drive! How do you know when you’ve had too much? Well, everyone’s tolerance for alcohol is different, and your BAC can be affected by factors like weight, gender, and how much you’ve had to eat. The general rule is to consume no more than 1 drink per hour, with one drink being 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1 single shot of liquor. However, this is not foolproof, due the factors mentioned above and also to the fact that if you have a low tolerance for alcohol you could become impaired at a BAC below the legal limit of .08. So, the best defense against a DWI is not to drink and drive at all. Of course, if you drink and drive and the only thing that happens is that you get charged with a DWI, you are actually lucky. It could be much worse. For example, according to the Texas Department of Transportation, someone dies in an alcohol-related accident once every 5 hours! In 2004, 1,642 people died in drunk-driving accidents. Latest information from: http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/division/traffic/safety/sober-safe/intoxication.html states: About every 20 minutes in Texas, someone is hurt or killed in a crash involving alcohol. We urge you to take responsibility for your actions. Don’t drink and drive. Sure, it’s easy to distance yourself from the statistics, but consider this: each one of those 1,642 people had family and friends that they left behind. The tragic thing is that these deaths were entirely preventable-if the drunk driver had called a cab or gotten a ride with someone else instead, those people might still be alive today. | Don Stone writes: Two amendments guarantee we are FREE TO SPEAK…FREE TO VOTE! These give the right of the people to be heard. What majority is heard at the ballot box. Not always the true majority; only those who vote. We speak of the “silent majority” (but their votes don’t count.) Many elections are decided by one vote. Or two or seven. Maybe yours. Intentions, convictions don’t count at the polls without votes. Voting counts. Your vote counts--if you vote! So, vote your convictions. Let your voice be heard. Vote early or late, but VOTE NO TO THE ALCOHOLIC SALES OPTION! | Mary Linn Bills writes: This is a true story. No names have been changed, and it is too late to protect the innocent in this story but not the innocent of Donley County. The person who told this story in 1999 is Michael Dorris. His brave son is named Adam. Adam’s adoptive mother is Louise. “I drank hard in my twenties and eventually got hepatitis,” she related. “I was lucky. Beyond an occasional glass of wine, I can’t tolerate liquor anymore. But from those early days, I understand the urge for alcohol, its physical pull. I had formed an emotional bond with a special configuration of chemicals, and I realize to this day the attraction of the relationship and the difficulty of abandoning it. “Adam’s mother never did let go. She died of alcohol poisoning, and I’d feel sorrier for her if we didn’t have Adam.” By way of background, “the US surgeon general and the American Medical Association recently stated that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption for a woman during pregnancy – a fact unknown in 1971 when Michael Dorris became one of the first unmarried men in the United States to legally adopt a very young child.” The following decades were a time of alarming discovery about the blight of fetal alcohol syndrome. Grandparents and parents of children who are victims of this syndrome may see evidence in adopted grandchildren and children. Teachers see it in their students. These innocents often show physical signs (including seizures), behavioral, mental, and emotional impairment caused by the consumption of alcohol by their mothers during pregnancy. In Adam’s case, his developmental blocks included all the above. He had superior care and training to overcome these deficiencies, but they could not make up for the damage done before he was even born. His IQ was low, and his social development was functional only with care and supervision. Each and every day of his life was a struggle against the staggering effects of fetal alcohol syndrome. You may only imagine how Michael felt on Adam’s 21st birthday when he said, “So Adam, do you feel any older? What’s good about being 21?” “He turned to me and grinned,” commented Michael. “I thought, ‘Then there was something good.’” “Well,” Adam answered, “now the guys at work say I’m old enough to drink.” To learn more about this tragic, preventable problem, look online, or check out The Broken Cord by Michael Dorris from your local library. Oh, yes. I nearly forgot. Please protect our unborn children by voting “no” in the upcoming election. |
Editorial: Alcohol debate needs a dose of free speech
“I may disagree with what you say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”
With that simple sentence, Coach Don Beck summed up Freedom of Speech in Clarendon High School history classes more than two decades ago. Tolerance, although not necessarily acceptance, of differing views is one of the things that makes America special and creates a society where people from all kinds of backgrounds and with all kinds of beliefs can flourish together and accomplish great things.
Since 2003, the third week of October has been set aside as Free Speech Week, a time to underscore the importance of the principals of free speech and free press to our individual freedom and to the operation of our representative government at the federal, state, and local levels.
![Roger Estlack, Editor](http://www.clarendonlive.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/EstlackRogerPhoto-150x150.jpg)
Which brings us to the main issue of discussion right now in Donley County: alcohol sales. Our citizens are faced with an important choice in the current election, but, with the exception of one letter to the editor last week, we’ve only really heard from people opposed to the legalization of alcohol sales. They have asked questions of the supporters of legalization and urged a debate on the matter, but why would supporters of alcohol sales subject themselves to such an exercise? The “naysayers” have shown they will not tolerate any other viewpoints and will treat alcohol supporters as the devil’s spawn.
Three weeks ago our featured columnist Fred Gray penned a neutral piece on the alcohol question, addressing his outlook on the current state of affairs, the prospects for its passage, and even the lack of public agitation by the supporters of alcohol sales. He discussed George Washington’s whiskey making and Sam Houston’s battles with the bottle. And he also discussed the biblical fact that Jesus Christ turned water into wine… and in so doing he set the opponents of this measure on fire. Fred did not endorse the legalization of alcohol, but the withering criticism he received revealed the vocal opposition’s real reason for fighting this battle.
Consumption of alcohol, in their view, is a sin. And just as they will go through a mental game of Twister to “prove” that Jesus only turned water into some form of Iron Age Kool-Aid, they will dig up all kinds of statistics to fuel their hysterical hyperbole that the legalization of alcohol sales in this county will turn us all into to a bunch of drunken murderers, rapists, and worse leading to the moral and social destruction of this community and ultimately the eternal damnation of our immortal souls.
If that’s your view, then fine. But it’s not everyone’s view, and you have no right to force your religious doctrine on someone else. Many churches and people of faith, believe that Jesus indeed turned water into wine, that He drank wine, and that He served wine to His disciples at the Last Supper. These same people would further put forth that the Bible condemns drunkenness not drinking. If you don’t believe that, fine. It’s a free country. Thank, God.
Those who support legalizing alcohol sales would probably agree with this column in the following statements. That most people are fully capable of consuming alcohol in a safe and responsible manner. That there is nothing wrong with moderate consumption, and that it is your legal right as a citizen of this country over the age of 21 to purchase and consume alcohol.
Are there people who find themselves in the grip of the bottle through some personal weakness? Yes. Do some people act irresponsibly with alcohol? Yes. Does that mean that none of us, therefore, should be allowed to purchase alcohol anywhere in Donley County except in the City of Howardwick? No.
Each side has its own online sources to back up its position. In any study of drunk driving or alcohol-related deaths or alcohol-related violence, it’s all in how you look at the numbers, what the source is, and what, if any, agenda there is behind the source. To say that alcohol is the cause of those social ills is like saying guns are to blame for murders. The fact is the responsibility lies with the individual. Gun laws don’t stop gun violence, and prohibition doesn’t stop people from drinking.
The thing we need to focus on is economics pure and simple. As a member of the economic development board, I can tell you that a business looking at buying property and building in Clarendon pulled out last year when they learned our community was “dry.” As a member of the museum board, I can tell you that the Chuckwagon Cookoff, in its early years, lost out on a major sponsorship by a beer distributor for the same reason. As a patron of local restaurants, I can tell you that I have personally seen travelers walk out when they learned they couldn’t have a beer. Our “dry” status is hurting us. It’s stifling our business opportunities and limiting our potential tax revenue.
The people I have talked to in communities that went from “dry” to “wet” in recent years and months tell me the wild predictions of crime and drunkenness by the “naysayers” have failed to come true. Instead, they’ve seen increased economic activity.
No one is asking those religiously opposed to alcohol to change their beliefs or habits. We’re just asking for you to consider that many good people like to have an adult beverage occasionally and urging you to have an open mind about the opportunities that could come about with legalization.
Dr. Ray Perryman of Waco is one of the top economists of our time. In the introduction of an analysis of potential alcoholic beverage sales in Canadian, Perryman’s organization states the following: “Extensive empirical analysis and academic research have demonstrated that enhanced beverage sales lead to greater overall retail activity in that shoppers who come to (or remain in) the local area to purchase alcohol often buy other items as well. In addition, the ability to offer these products is becoming a critical element in locating discount and general merchandise stores and desirable restaurants.”
That’s not hype. That’s the facts. If we want Clarendon and Donley County to grow and thrive, it’s time to make some changes. That’s why I signed the petition, and that’s why I voted “yes” this week. I would ask you to consider doing the same for our community’s sake.
Letter: Thompson needs to know the facts
Will, you are wrong about the DWIs rising if Clarendon becomes wet [Letter: October 10, 2013]. If you do some research, you’ll see that “wet” counties have less DWIs than “dry” counties. You will also see, there are less alcohol related fatalities in a “wet” county than a “dry” county and less alcohol related accidents in a “wet” county than a “dry” county.
As for the alcohol being made available to minors, that part is true. You said you don’t want to hear “they’ll get it anyway,” but obviously you don’t want to hear the truth. They will receive alcohol even if the town isn’t “wet.” I’ve known parents who gave their kids alcohol which they purchased five miles away, sometimes 60 miles away.
Claude became wet; and then shortly after, a beautiful new convenience store was constructed. Why are we keeping that from Clarendon? The appearance of a town is huge for travelers! I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t personally enjoy stopping in an old run down store.
Also, the money that could be made from alcohol sales is a huge amount! Events for Clarendon could be bigger and better! Sponsorships would be easier to receive. Plus, the tax revenue is greatly needed for Clarendon.
Let’s take advantage of it! Or at least give it a try? Citizens of Clarendon, don’t be afraid of change! Change can be a good thing. If you support the alcohol sales, then go vote for it! If you don’t support it, then go vote “no.” Just remember, it’s an opportunity for Clarendon. Are we going to pass it up?
Trevor Leeper, Clarendon
Letter: Alcohol issue is divisive
I have resisted for some time voicing my opinion on this subject. After Fred’s [October 3, 2013] article, I can no longer be silent.
I was interviewed by Roger several months ago, and I gave him several reasons why I did not support this fool hardy push to bring alcohol to Clarendon. One of the reasons he did quote, which is manifesting itself more and more as the election draws near, is how this issue is another divisive issue that our community did not need at this time. During the interview, I asked the question “Why now?” I have not heard a logical and truthful reply yet? It seems that regardless of how divisive this issue is to our community, the other side is bound and determined to get their alcohol no matter what, no matter who is hurt, no matter the costs and without any types of limits to its availability.
Please excuse me for contributing to this divisiveness, but I cannot sit by and be quite any more. My silence would not only betray my faith but my parents’ virtues and their good name by continuing to do nothing, there is a saying that comes to mind about “silence”, but I will suppress that thought for now.
For now I have two questions for those who support bringing alcohol into our community;
1) What are you willing to do to secure the public safety from public intoxication and drunk driving that will occur at these new centers of intoxication within our fair city?
2) What are you willing to do to protect minors from the new availability of alcohol?
What laws and fines are you willing to support to keep our “Mayberry” a great place to raise a family? So far I have not heard one mention by the other side on this nor do they even acknowledge that there will be any negative effects from the passage of enhanced availability of alcohol in our community. My fellow citizens please understand this new measure is only about availability, you can put lipstick on a pig but it is still a pig.
Please do not respond with the shallow, illogical comment, “Minors are going to consume alcohol anyway”? Minors consuming alcohol is illegal and the sale to or giving of alcohol to them is also illegal, not to mention it is immoral (let me know if you need a quote from Jesus on hurting a child). My greatest fear is that the measure will only make it easier for minors to get access to alcohol. If you need some information on of the effects of alcohol on the mental development of a minor there are numerous studies, several can be found at the following NIAAA website; http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh284/213-221.htm. Certainly both sides will agree underage drinking is a problem and is not good for our community.
There will be more to come on this subject and especially on what the Bible says about drinking.
Will Thompson, Clarendon
Editorial: Shut it down and leave it shut down
The federal government embarked on its second week of a “shutdown” as the Enterprise went to press Tuesday, and the country is better for it because it gives Americans a chance to see what they can do without.
The hoopla is centered on the inability of the president and the Imperial Congress to come to an agreement on a continuing resolution to keep several government functions funded. A continuing resolution is different than an actual budget… an actual thought-out spending plan that the government – namely the Senate – hasn’t passed in several years. A continuing resolution in simple terms just means that we’re going to keep on spending like tomorrow will never come and the bank will never run out of money.
![Roger Estlack, Editor](http://www.clarendonlive.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/EstlackRogerPhoto-150x150.jpg)
Which brings us to another problem… the debt ceiling. As unbelievable as it sounds, the government can only borrow so much money before it hits a debt limit prescribed by law. As of Tuesday morning, the United States of America owes its creditors a mere $16,753,619,388,430.93. By the time you read this, that number will be inaccurate, because it goes up thousands of dollars per second or just shy of $2 billion in a day.
Tuesday morning, every citizen’s (man, woman, and child) share of the debt was $53,552. Every taxpayer owed $148,223. Your share is higher by the time you read this. It will be higher still when you’re finished.
There are some who will tell you that’s no big deal, but the time will come when this gravy train runs out of gravy. That time may be next week when some government pencil pushers say they will reach the debt limit, and the president and his party are pressing for Congress to raise the ceiling… again.
Republicans in the House of Representatives… driven by their Tea Party wing… are insisting that any new debt ceiling has to be accompanied by spending cuts. And they are being just as insistent that there will be no deal on a continuing resolution unless the federal takeover of healthcare is repealed, changed, or at least delayed. How long can they hold out before the more traditional Republicans convince them that “compromise” is in the best interest of the country?
Unfortunately, compromise is typically a one-way street in Washington with conservatives caving to the interests of big government and getting little or nothing in return. And that’s why the combination of this shut down and the debt crisis is so important. It gives the libertarian elements in Congress a chance to make something happen to finally put the shackles back on this out of control government and downsize the beast.
To watch the news, you would think that Armageddon is at hand, but the shutdown is not a crisis. One FoxNews.com report says that only about 17 percent of the government is being affected, and if you look at this CNN report – http://bit.ly/1aGsvqy – you’ll see full breadth of government agencies that are getting along just fine as well as some truly non-essential agencies that are appropriately shut down and more that need to be.
Given the state of our national finances and the largely unconstitutional nature of our government, now is not a time for compromise. Now is the time to carve up national government like a Thanksgiving turkey. If something is considered non-essential, close it, privatize it, or send it back to the states. National parks – turn them over to the states. TSA agents – abolish TSA and turn airport security back to local authorities. Go through every department and every agency and fund only what’s most important to this nation and only then what is authorized by the constitution. And here’s a thought, stop spending American citizens’ money to spy on us. Abolish the NSA domestic surveillance program.
And as far as the debt ceiling goes, that door should be closed. $17 trillion is enough debt. It’s time to pay our own way. As long as the government can borrow more money, it will never control its spending.
The GOP is largely to blame for the mess we’re in, but right now the hardliners in the party are giving America a chance to make real changes. They have drawn a line in the sand. Now we just have to see if that line means something… or if just like BO’s red line(s) in Syria – meaningless.
Opinion: Cheers… well maybe not just yet
Well, now that October has arrived, that means that November 5th, is just around the corner. In case you haven’t noticed, November 5th, is the day we go to the polls and decide if Donley County is going to vote for, or against, the local option petition for liquor sales, including mixed beverages (liquor by the drink).
In Texas, particularly in Donley County, this is a sensitive issue for some, not so sensitive for others, while a few folks don’t care much either way. I am one of the “don’t care much” folks. Now understand that I enjoy the occasional cold beer on a hot summer day, or with a heaping plate of fine Texas barbecue, however you spell it. I even enjoy a margarita while dining on fine Mexican cuisine. When chatting with friends and family at small, intimate gatherings, or at family weddings, etc., it is really nice to sip on three-fingers of Wild Turkey to see me comfortably through the evening.
![Fred Gray.](http://www.clarendonlive.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/WEB-IMG_0921_freddy-c.jpg)
As in most elections determining “moral issues,” opinions and positions can run a bit hot. So far, folks have pretty much remained calm and quiet. A few people have taken the opportunity to express their opinions in this matter, including some that are a bit more pejorative than others, which is to be expected.
To date, the folks who are adamantly against liquor by the drink are the only ones we are hearing from, at least in public forums. Of course, that makes sense. The folks who are for the sale of liquor by the drink gain absolutely nothing, especially in a small community like Clarendon, by offending their friends, relatives, or customers when expressing their position about this issue. It’s probably best that they let their voice be heard, quietly, through the ballot box.
Now, as is usually the case, a few folks go a bit overboard, when referring those in favor of liquor by the drink. Name-calling, and questioning the religious fitness of the voters who are in favor of going wet is unfortunate. Such behavior can be counterproductive. Suggesting that the folks who are in favor of passing the option are in the grip of Satan, or who must be less religious if they enjoy beer and whiskey, is inaccurate.
Actually, the Bible does shed a little positive light on this issue. For example, consider the Gospel of John, chapter 2. In these verses, John the Beloved (at least in his own mind) tells us the story of Jesus making 180 gallons of wine, for a wedding party, no less. Sound familiar, wine being served at weddings? Anyway, I digress.
The text says, “Two days after this there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee; and Jesus’ mother was there. And Jesus was invited to the wedding and so were his disciples. When the wine had run short, Jesus’ mother said to him: ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said to her: ‘Lady, let me handle this in my own way. My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants: ‘Do whatever he tells you to do.’…
In short, John goes on to tell us that Jesus turned five large jugs (each containing 20 to 30 gallons) of water into wine. He goes on to write that this isn’t some cheap rot-gut wine, this is the good stuff.
Now, I’m not sure how many people attended this wedding, but 180 gallons of wine is plenty to keep a lot of folks happy and festive. Of course, the Fourth Gospel presents those who would study it and him who would expound it with a problem, or two problems, actually. There is the simple surface story that anyone can understand and re-tell; but, there is also a wealth of deeper meaning for him who has the eagerness to search and the eye to see, and the mind to understand. So, rather than spend three days studying this issue, and due to time and space limitations, we’ll just relate the simple surface story. To wit: Jesus was invited to a wedding, and as often happens, they ran out of drink. So, what does Jesus do? He whips up a new batch of the really good stuff, and everyone partied on. In short, Jesus likes for people to be festive and enjoy themselves, especially at weddings. Back in the day, Jewish rabbis expressly stated that in order to have joy at weddings, wine must be served. Enjoy.
Of course, Jesus appeared to be rather upset that his mother assigned him a new “honey-do” project while he was enjoying the festivities with his friends. Even so, being a dutiful Son, he honored his mother’s wishes, and whipped up a batch of really good wine.
Another person whom I respect, and use as an example, is George Washington. From 1797 to 1799, President Washington ran the largest distillery in America, producing over 11,000 gallons of high quality whiskey a year, which also made him the tidy sum of $7,500 – a rather hefty amount for the 18th Century. He gave (in weekly allotments) some of this whiskey to his workers, including slaves, for a job well done.
Now to be fair, we need to consider another American in whom I have great respect and admiration for – namely, Sam Houston. Sam was a congressman and governor for the great state of Tennessee, as well as the president (twice), governor, and senator of Texas. However, Sam had a life-long love affair with whiskey – which kept him from being all that he could be. If Sam Houston hadn’t been a practicing drunk for most of his life he could have made it all the way to the White House.
This November 5th, I suspect that the final vote will depend upon the turnout. If it is large, the local option petition will probably pass. If it is low, the petition will probably fail. Right now, there is little doubt that the opponents appear to be more passionate and motivated, which could present problems for those who support the local option.
It seems to me that neither side is wrong. It’s simply a matter of personal preference. See you on the 5th of November. This is one time in which we all need to be heard. So vote!
Editorial: City needs a fresh start
Death and taxes remain the two certainties in life. But in the City of Clarendon’s case, while taxes remain a certainty, when you will get your tax bill is anything but certain.
You could get your city tax bill in October, but it is more likely that it will show up sometime in November. Regardless of when it shows up, you’ll still owe taxes.
The reason for all this uncertainty has to do with the animosity that has gripped City Hall for several months and more specifically due to the paralysis of the Board of Aldermen after three of its members resigned in June.
![Roger Estlack, Editor](http://www.clarendonlive.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/EstlackRogerPhoto-150x150.jpg)
Much work has been left undone because of the city’s inability to get a quorum. No new budget could be adopted, for example. The budget from fiscal year 2013 will carry forward and become the budget for 2014 and will have to be amended as necessary after a new Board of Aldermen is seated following a special election.
Most of the city’s day-to-day functions have been undisturbed though, and for the citizens’ part, we have probably welcomed the quietness that resulted from not having one or more city meetings every month.
There are still hard feelings from the arguments that arose in the months leading up to the mass resignations. Time may heal those, but a pesky issue has arisen with regards to the city’s tax rate.
The law prescribes that if a city doesn’t set a tax rate, the cheaper of the current or the effective rate will become the new rate. In Clarendon’s case, that rate is 65 cents per $100 valuation, which has been the rate since 2008. But the law was written for cities where councils were deadlocked or refused to act. Here we don’t have a council to act, and the rub is that even though the rate is set, it still has to be ratified by a supermajority (four of five members) of the board.
And that’s when City Hall blew the dust off the state constitution and found a “holdover provision” which basically stipulates that these aldermen who resigned are actually still in office until their successors are appointed or elected. Therefore if two “former” members would agree to meet with the two remaining aldermen, the city could ratify its tax rate and move on about its business, and the Donley Appraisal District could send its combined tax notices out on time next month.
But, as Alderman Will Thompson said this week, there is too much bad blood for this to happen easily. To her credit, “former” alderman Debbie Roberts showed up at City Hall Monday night to try to help resolve this issue. But two other “former” aldermen were no shows. One is out of state attending college and can’t just drop everything to come to Clarendon. The other, unfortunately, has had very unpleasant conversations with the mayor and will only come to a meeting if the mayor resigns.
This city needs a fresh start, and it will hopefully have one following the November 5 election
Forgiveness is a hard thing to give. It is especially hard if the person you want to forgive is recalcitrant and will not admit to having wronged you. It’s difficult to say “I forgive you,” when the other person doesn’t first say, “I’m sorry.”
It would be nice if for the good of our community, all hatchets could be buried – even if temporarily – so that the necessary people could meet for five minutes and take a quick vote.
Will the world end if this doesn’t get done? No. It will be an inconvenience for the city, for the appraisal district, and for the citizens. There will be confusion of tax bills and a delay in revenue for the city, but all the bills will still get paid. It certainly isn’t worth burning bridges, destroying relationships, or making empty threats.
The situation was and is completely avoidable. The parties involved should appeal to their better angels to put the people’s good above all else. And if they don’t… well, it will be okay. But we still all have to live together and we need to find a way to keep small town politics from tearing us completely apart.
Editorial: School simpler 35 years ago
![Roger Estlack, Editor](http://www.clarendonlive.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/EstlackRogerPhoto-150x150.jpg)
Summer is over, school’s back in session, and lots of parents are thrilled to death. But sadly, I’m not one of them.
Some may relish the hustle and bustle of the school year with all its rules, regulations, dates, and deadlines. But as the father of a six-year-old boy, I prefer watching my child enjoy summertime fun and the carefree days of playing outside, climbing trees, riding bikes, and building sand castles.
Don’t get me wrong. School is important, and my family has always placed a premium on getting a good education. Unfortunately, I remain a product of the 1970s, when a Big Chief tablet, two fat pencils, eight fat Crayolas, a bottle of Elmer’s paste, some rounded-off scissors, and a card board pencil box were all you needed for Mrs. Little’s first grade class.
Monday my son trudged off to the first day of school lugging a backpack that weighed as much as a healthy newborn baby and filled with stuff that I still don’t understand the purpose of sending. Why does he need a whole box of Ziplock bags? And why should he take dry erase markers at all? Didn’t we raise taxes to pay for things like that? And then of course I’m still puzzled over the buck fifty he needed for an Accelerated Reader folder that costs 50 cents or less.
My first grade year – all the way up through third grade, in fact – was days that started at 8 a.m. and were over by 2:30 p.m. and in between we got the foundation of a good education… all without snack time or PE class. By comparison, my son loses an extra hour of his young life every day of the academic calendar to stretch it out to 3:30.
I don’t blame the teachers for any of this. We have always been blessed with outstanding teachers, and my son’s teachers have been no different. But I do think the system itself is broken… too involved with guidelines, testing, quantitative data, the lure of federal money, and new age “discipline” methods that don’t produce the same results a good old whippin’ did.
I miss simpler times when schools weren’t gated, cafeteria food didn’t have to meet the approval of the First Lady, and you could drink out of the water fountain instead of packing a water bottle every day.
Sure some things are better now, and I have no doubt that Ben will turn out just find. But the old ways were fine too, and they sure seemed a lot less stressful. Although maybe I was just shorter and younger then.
By Roger Estlack, Editor
Opinion: CC makes changes to help students
![Fred Gray.](http://www.clarendonlive.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/WEB-IMG_0921_freddy-c.jpg)
Now that school has started this week, things can “get back to normal” – and mothers can regain some sense of control over their time and sanity, now that the older kids are off to school. High School football once again reigns supreme; all the teams are undefeated, and dreams of championships are being dreamt by our high school football players, and – truth be known – more than a few coaches and parents.
Up on the hill, Clarendon College is abuzz with activity, as the scholars return to continue striving to make their dreams and aspirations become reality. Students come to Clarendon from diverse states and counties. So far, I’m aware of students from Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, New York, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Canada, and far down under in Australia. I’m sure I’ve missed a few states and a country or two.
These young college scholars (300 plus students live in dorms) will spend lots of money in Clarendon and the greater Panhandle region this year. They will also afford us excellent sports opportunities. In case you haven’t noticed, Clarendon College fields very competitive cross country, volleyball, basketball (men and women), softball, and baseball teams. Anyone who enjoys watching sports will do well to get out and enjoy watching our international athletes in action. CC also has nationally respected judging and rodeo teams.
Clarendon College also reopened its cafeteria to local folks. It continues to offer excellent fare at a modest price. Local folks also still have access to the college library. If folks have a Burton Memorial Library card in good standing they may also use the CC library.
This year, CC is also adding a new Resource Learning Center – open until 10 p.m. most evenings – to support their students. The goal of the Learning Resource Center is to offer the students help after their instructors leave for the day. CC is serious about student success and has gone an extra mile in order to provide the students with a double safety net.
The reorganization of the library in not simply a response to vamped-up student support, but it is also a response to Texas legislative changes that attach 10 percent of college funding to student success and tracking. These changes will commence in 2014, and CC is commended to be ahead of these mandatory changes.
Local folks who revisit the CC library will be pleasantly surprised at the changes. New, softer lighting has been installed that offers a more relaxed and soothing study environment. Additionally, soft instrumental music plays in the background, which will hopefully provide an even more pleasurable experience.
The Resource Learning Center will also offer workshops that address a variety of topics. The library has also planned student events that are geared to drawing in students that have not yet discovered the high quality of scholastic support available at the new RLC. It makes no difference if it is a showing of a weekly television series (Happy, happy, happy!), or karaoke and coffee under the stars (which are mighty bright here) – the library and Resource Learning Center are here to serve students, faculty and staff, and the local community. According to James Gordon, the Learning Resource Center coordinator, “This is going to be a revamped space on campus that is hard to ignore.”
CC’ fine young baseball coach Devin McIntosh seems to agree when he says, “When I recruit a student, I point out the level of support that we offer. Faculty comes in early and stays late. This new tutoring center and Brain Fuse are further examples of the way we support students academically. I have 53 baseball players. Some are sitting on 3.6 grade point averages. If they can move up to 3.8, they will quality for academic scholarships.”
Clarendon College continues to develop new programs to help their students become the best scholars possible. These programs also offer wonderful opportunities for the local folks to enhance their knowledge.
Clarendon College continues to be a vibrant magnet for Clarendon and Donley County, with much to offer its students and the community-at-large. Let’s do all we can to support the college, the faculty and staff, and the students who make our area so much richer. We are well served by the institution and folks up on the College Hill.
By Fred Gray, Clarendon Enterprise
Reader Comments