Opinions

I would like to thank the Courthouse Planning Committee, citizens of the Clarendon community, and the Clarendon College women’s basketball team who gave their time last Saturday to start setting up Christmas lights at the Courthouse.

The project takes major planning with several Saturdays of physical labor to accomplish. This community service, so freely given by these volunteers, set us way ahead. In particular, the Women’s Basketball team of at least 15 members were of big help.

The job isn’t done yet though! I encourage anyone willing to show up at 9 a.m. on Saturday to come help.

We want our community to thrive with positivity. This is one good way to make that happen. Give a little time for other’s enjoyment.

So again, to those who have helped so far, you are very much appreciated.

Eulaine McIntosh,
Clarendon

Last Thursday evening, I attended the Music Night at the Donley County Senior Citizens Center. The music was great, and the barbecue and the rest of the meal were great. Unfortunately, there was very little attendance. Denise Bertrand is trying to build participation in the center. Clarendon is fortunate to have this fine facility to all the folks who live in this area.

On Saturday evening, August 21, That Senior Thang is open to our good people in Donley County. The event will begin at 5 p.m. and will be outside of the senior center at Fourth and Gorst streets. This even is sponsored by 12 businesses and people who do good things in our county.

This is another opportunity to bring people together and have a fun evening. You are invited.

Tom Stauder,
A Proud Donley County Resident

By Dean Ridings, CEO, America’s Newspapers

The Local Journalism Sustainability Act (LJSA) was recently introduced in the House and has now been introduced in the Senate – and will benefit every member of this community! Unlike many issues in Washington, this legislation has bipartisan support and is focused on delivering benefits to local communities across the U.S. by sustaining local news organizations, including this newspaper.

Newspapers are facing significant fiscal challenges due to technological disruption, including Google’s and Facebook’s use of newspapers’ content without compensation. This legislation provides an important, but temporary means of support to help newspapers with needed transition, and it deserves the support of Congressional representatives across the country. The bill incentivizes the behaviors needed to facilitate changes to the business model. Please join your local newspaper in calling on members of Congress to support this legislation.

The LJSA has been designed to provide a much-needed boost to newspapers. What it isn’t is a permanent handout for local newspapers. Instead, it’s a well-thought-out approach to help sustain local newsgathering efforts through a series of tax credits that expire in five years. And it not only will provide aid to newspapers, but also to subscribers and local small businesses through tax credits that will benefit them directly.

Newspaper subscribers already understand the importance of their local newspaper and that their continued support is critical. Through this legislation, subscribers will receive a tax credit of up to $250 per year. It’s a win-win for subscribers as this tax credit will cover a significant part of their annual newspaper subscription, no matter if it’s print or digital.

For local businesses, there’s a direct benefit from the LJSA, as well. When they use the effective print and digital solutions of their local newspaper, they will be eligible for a tax credit up to $5,000 the first year and $2,500 per year for the next four years. Not only will this credit offset some of their advertising investment, it also will help them improve their business by reaching more customers and generating more sales. It keeps money invested locally and helps maintain jobs and support other local initiatives.

For local newspapers, the LJSA provides a much-needed bridge to continue the evolution toward a digitally-based model. The temporary tax credits for newspapers will be tied directly to maintaining healthy newsrooms and employing professional journalists committed to producing local news and information. The benefits will be local, not redirected to national media organizations, and provide local readers with continued access to the content that’s most important to their lives.

However, in order for the LJSA to provide these benefits to subscribers, local businesses and newspapers, it needs the support from members of the House and Senate. And the best way for that to happen is for them to hear directly from their constituents and supporters. To support the future of local newspapers, reach out to your representatives and encourage them to support the Local Journalism Sustainability Act, and – in turn – support the communities they serve. There’s a benefit for everyone.

On behalf of its approximately 1,500 newspaper and associate member companies, America’s Newspapers is committed to explaining, defending and advancing the vital role of newspapers in democracy and civil life. We put an emphasis on educating the public on all the ways newspapers contribute to building a community identity and the success of local businesses. Learn more: www.newspapers.org

By Valerie Borum Smith, MD, MPH, FAAP

Good news for parents – children who are 12 years and older can now get the COVID-19 vaccine, and it couldn’t come at a better time. While children are less likely to develop severe illness from COVID-19, they are still at risk. Families deserve the chance to get back to an active life without the constant worries. The vaccine is the best shot at a normal life, protected from Covid.

Which COVID-19 vaccines can children get?
While adults have several options, Pfizer-BioNTech is currently the only option available for children. To be effective, this vaccine is given in two doses that are given three weeks (21 days) apart. Maximum protection is achieved two weeks after receiving the second shot.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for children?
Yes. The vaccine was developed using science that has been around for decades, and it received emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration. The Pfizer vaccine was tested and monitored for safety and effectiveness in children 12 and older, just as it was tested for adults. More than seven million children under 17 have received the vaccine in the United States.

Can children get the virus from the vaccine?
No. The vaccine does not contain the live virus, so your child cannot get Covid from the vaccine.

Why are pediatricians recommending children get the vaccine?
Our role as pediatricians is to keep patients safe and healthy, and to allow them to get back to those activities they deserve to be doing. When parents ask me if they should get their children vaccinated for COVID-19, I recommend they do. I would never recommend something I wouldn’t recommend for my own child, a family member, or a loved one.

Another reason for getting the vaccine is that children can spread the virus to others. There could be family members, friends, teachers, classmates, or others who have a health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting Covid and facing serious consequences. The vaccine helps prevent the spread of Covid to everyone around them.

Pediatricians, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) all recommend that children get the COVID-19 vaccine.

More than four million children in the United States have tested positive for the virus since the start of the pandemic, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, and more than 300 have died.

When and how was the vaccine tested?
The Pfizer study with children began in March 2021. The study enrolled 2,260 participants ages 12 to 15. Of those children, 1,131 received the vaccine (two shots, given three weeks apart) and 1,129 received saline placebo shots. The study found the vaccine worked even better for children than it did for adults. No children in the vaccine group got sick with COVID-19, while 18 children in the placebo group became ill.

Moderna recently released the results of its test of the vaccine in 3,732 people ages 12 to 17. Two-thirds received two vaccine doses, and there were no cases of symptomatic COVID-19 in fully vaccinated adolescents. More than 160 million people have been fully vaccinated, including more than seven million 12 to 17 year-old adolescents. The CDC continues to monitor for side effects.

When parents ask me if they should get their children vaccinated for COVID-19, I recommend they do. I would never recommend something I wouldn’t recommend for my own loved ones. I have three teenagers, and we were in line the first Saturday we could get them vaccinated. The fact that they are fully vaccinated really does give me great comfort and has allowed us to have a summer filled with vacation, friends, and family.

Did they rush the testing to get the vaccine approved?
No. Researchers have been studying and working with mRNA vaccines for decades. This includes studies for the vaccines for the flu, Zika, and rabies. All of that work made it possible for scientists to create the COVID-19 vaccine. Once necessary information about the Covid virus was available, scientists began designing the specific mRNA instructions that would be effective against the that virus.

Does the vaccine change your DNA (genetic material)?
No. The Covid mRNA vaccine does not affect or interact with DNA (genetic material) in any way. It never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept.

What information is available about the long-term effects of the vaccine?
The long-term effects are not known for children or adults at this time. The long-term effects of getting Covid are not known either. However, research has shown that some children who have recovered from a mild case of Covid may have long-term inflammation in the heart and lungs.
What are the short-term side effects in children who have gotten the vaccine?
Some children have experienced pain at the injection site, fever, chills, tiredness, headache, and joint and muscle pain. These typically lasted one to three days. In general, the risks from getting COVID-19 seem to be much greater than the risks of getting the vaccine.

Should my child get the vaccine if they have allergies?
If your child has a history of severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in the vaccine (such as polyethylene glycol), they should not get the vaccine. It is important to talk to your pediatrician about the vaccine, especially if your child has a history of allergies.

How much does it cost, and do I need insurance?
The vaccine is free for everyone. You and your child do not need insurance to get a vaccine.

When will younger children be able to get the vaccine?
Children 5 to 11 are expected to receive approval to get the vaccine in the winter. Children even younger will likely be able to get the vaccine in early 2022. As we see more contagious variants of COVID-19, such as the Delta variant, we will likely see more unvaccinated people become ill, including young children. While thankfully most young children recover well from COVID-19, there are some that develop life-threatening complications such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). They can also spread COVID-19 to more vulnerable family and community members.

As with any medical concern, talk to your child’s pediatrician or health care provider. They will have the best information regarding your child’s medical history and can make a recommendation based on information specific to your child.

Valerie Borum Smith, MD, MPH, FAAP, is a pediatrician at St. Paul Children’s Services in Tyler, Texas, and is a member of the Texas Medical Association COVID-19 taskforce.

On behalf of my father, sisters, and our families, we’d like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Clarendon Family Medical Center for the wonderfully compassionate and professional care given to our parents in their recent battle with COVID-19.

The doctors and nurses at the center went above and beyond what was expected – seeing them almost every day, making sure they had access to the best treatments, checking on them frequently – and really caring about their recovery. Though Mom passed away after a hard-fought battle, we are grateful to know that she received such good care.

Citizens of this area are truly blessed to have access to this caliber of care so close to home.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, The Family of Janice Alexander – Gary Alexander (Memphis, Texas), Sherry Alexander Bingham (Edmond, Okla.), Angie Alexander Monroe (Memphis, Texas), and Donna Alexander Houchins (Buda, Texas).

Gary Alexander,
Memphis

On behalf of the City Council and all City employees, we wish everyone a Happy New Year. We are pleased that 2020 has come and gone as it was a year like no other. COVID-19 required all of us to adjust our lives in many ways in order to avoid the virus and to minimize spreading it to others. Fortunately, COVID vaccines are on the way and should be available to all of us over the next several months. During that time, citizens are still encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing.

City officials especially thank the Associated Ambulance Authority; the employees of Clarendon Family Medical Center; Devah Pittman, PA; and County Judge John Howard, MD, for their excellent care and leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. We owe them our gratitude for their exceptional care that is not available in many other rural communities.

Despite the pandemic overshadowing our personal lives, the City Council continues to address community needs.

Infrastructure Projects
Infrastructure projects are usually not popular, especially if they are not visible to citizens, but they cannot be neglected for too many years as the neglect has a negative effect on the community. The recent water pipe replacement project was certainly needed as most of the old cast iron water pipes had been in place for as much as 75 years. The city was experiencing leaks on a frequent basis, and the quality of water was not satisfactory in some parts of town.

Fortunately, the water pipe replacement project is quickly coming to an end. Because the project has caused a considerable amount of disruption over the past two years, the City Council wants to thank citizens for their patience and understanding. The project is expected to be completed in late January or early February.

Since the water pipe replacement project will end soon, the City Council will begin discussions in January about the condition of our streets. Water drainage and paving will be a major part of that discussion. Water is the main contributor of damage, such as potholes and cracks, to streets; therefore, proper water drainage is vital before laying down new paving.

Our discussions will include the possibility of hiring a civil engineer to survey certain sections of town in relation to drainage, to identify the most traveled streets in town, and to determine which streets are in most need of repair or paving. Discussions also will include the type of sub-base needed to support new paving, the quality and thickness of asphalt to be used, and, of course, the projected costs for the overall project. It is likely that the City Council will want to conduct a town-hall meeting to discuss the condition of our streets, what the various options and costs would be for major improvements, and whether we should have a bond-election to determine if a paving project is desired by citizens. More information will be forthcoming in the next month or two about these issues.

Another infrastructure project, installing new wastewater/sewer lift stations, is currently in the planning stage. The City Council recently approved a grant application for such improvements; and according to the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, Clarendon stands a good chance of being funded. Lift stations are needed in order to move wastewater from a lower to higher elevation due to insufficient gravity flow. Currently, the City has two lift stations that are both old and outdated.

One additional infrastructure project the City Council will discuss at its January 14 meeting is applying for a downtown revitalization grant. Applications are due no later than May 3, 2021. Successful applications would receive up to $350,000 with a local match of $52,000. Improvements to our downtown area could include new sidewalks, handicap ramps and rails, proper drainage, and lighting. City officials are optimistic that our grant would be approved since Clarendon has never received these types of funds. Downtown property owners and other citizens will be kept informed over the next several weeks regarding the status of our application.

Clarendon Aquatic Center
After years of successful fundraising and 1.5 years of construction, the pool was completed in December 2020. A curb and gutter as well as a handicap sidewalk are currently being constructed on the west side of the pool (across the street from the post office). Additionally, the parking area directly south of the bathhouse will be paved in early 2021. The shallow area of the pool consists of a splash pad, underwater bubblers, toddler slide, helio spray, water bench, dump bucket trio and zero-depth entry. The deeper area includes a diving board, climbing wall, a basketball goal, a volleyball net, three lap lanes, and a handicap entry. To complement the pool is a bathhouse with bathrooms and showers, admissions office and concessions as well as several large sunshades, tables and benches.

Special thanks go to our numerous donors (an anonymous benefactor, individuals, families, businesses, ranches, foundations, the Clarendon EDC, Donley County Commissioners Court and Texas Parks and Wildlife), as well as to A&S General Contractors (Amarillo) for overseeing the project, to Gold Medal Pools (Frisco) for construction of the pool, and to Waters Edge (Kansas City) for project design.
Grand opening of the aquatic center is tentatively scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, May 29-31, 2021.

High-Speed Internet Access
A representative from Texas Rural Funders recently attended a City Council meeting to discuss the possibility of improving and expanding high-speed internet connection to Donley County. Council members were told that Donley and Wheeler counties have been deemed counties in need of improving their broadband access. In a recent Connected Nation article, our own County Attorney Landon Lambert said “we must take action now to improve access to high-speed internet for everyone. All of us have experienced why this is so important – from kids having to do classroom work at home to the need for telehealth services for our most vulnerable populations.” Council members were told that the first step in the process is for Donley County citizens to complete an on-line survey describing how good or bad their access is and what they are currently paying for internet (apparently the panhandle of Texas has some of the highest internet costs in the country).

The City Council is urging Donley County citizens to take the short survey as soon as possible but no later than January 20 by going to https://myconnectedcommunity.org/donley-county/. Or just google “Connected Nation Donley County Texas.” Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

City Budget/Personnel
The City has finished each of the last five fiscal years in the black (revenue over expense); as a result, we have been able to put a significant amount of funds in reserves (to be used for future projects, emergencies, etc.) The current Operating Budget is $2,646,330 (fiscal year ending September 30, 2021). We have 20 employee positions (12 full-time and 8 part-time). Supervisors are David Dockery, City Administrator; Machiel Covey, City Secretary; John Molder, Public Works Director; Grett Betts, Code Compliance Officer; Jerri Shields, Librarian; Tommy Waldrop, Municipal Judge; and Jeremy Powell, Fire Chief.

City Council
Mayor Sandy Skelton, Mayor Pro-Tem Jacob Fangman, Alderman Larry Jeffers, Alderman Eulaine McIntosh, Alderman John Lockhart and Alderman Nathan Floyd continue to conduct city business in a professional and forward-thinking manner and are committed to making improvements to our town. The Council meets monthly on the 2nd Thursday. City Administrator David Dockery can be reached at 806-673-4500 and Mayor Skelton at 806-206-7506.

The Council expresses genuine appreciation to all citizens in our community for choosing to live in Clarendon, for shopping locally, and for supporting various events throughout the year.

Once again, Happy New Year to you and your family.

Donald Trump is EVIL! It is time to acknowledge reality! His only interests are power and money! He has no sympathy and no empathy for the 350,000+ who have died from COVID-19. He has their blood on his hands. He is America’s Caligula.

Sammie Doering,
Clarendon

On behalf of the Clarendon City Council, I want to stress the importance of protecting others and ourselves as we experience more and more COVID19 cases in the city and throughout Donley County.

The ethical argument for doing what is right is not hypothetical or academic. It is quite literally a matter of life or death for us and our fellow citizens. As reported by Dr. John Howard, in the December 3 Enterprise, virus cases in Donley County have increased rapidly in a two-week period. We had 201 confirmed cases on November 19, and that number stands at 255 as of December 3. More alarming is that the number of deaths has gone from one death to five deaths during that same time period and has increased by at least one death since December 3.

Our health officials have strongly encouraged us to wear masks while shopping and in other public settings. Additionally, we should all avoid close contact by putting six feet of distance between ourselves and people who do not live in our households. It is imperative that we continue to limit our socializing as much as possible in order to minimize the spread of the virus and to decrease the pain and suffering in our families and communities. Unfortunately, almost every Donley County citizen knows someone who has had COVID19, and, more unfortunately, most of us know one or more local citizens who have died.

COVID vaccines are on the way and should be available to us over the next several months. In the meantime, we must persevere by doing the right things for others and ourselves. Please wear that mask for the safety of others and yourself.

By Brett Wesner, National Newspaper Association

The coronavirus pandemic has laid much of the American economy on its back – but a bright spot made the disaster less crippling than it might have been. That is the Paycheck Protection Program, which funneled money to workers through small businesses.

More than five million small businesses took the PPP loans, representing 50 million jobs, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told Congress in June. It persuaded small businesses to keep people on the payroll instead of laying them off. That helped the economy.

Congress said the loans would not be taxed. But Congress is letting the IRS tax the businesses anyway. Unless new legislation is passed by the end of the year, the tax could finish off many of the businesses that are trying desperately to hang on through this impossible economy.

The way the government is going to punish the businesses that saved 50 million jobs is to deny the deduction of payroll, rent and other expenses that they paid out with the PPP money. The Treasury Department, which sets policy for IRS, doubled down this week by reiterating that businesses will have to pay taxes on that money, even though they normally would be able to deduct these business expenses.

A bipartisan group of senators and representatives have been pushing for a change, but not pushing so hard that they are accomplishing the one thing that is needed to fix this problem: pass a new law.

“When we developed and passed the Paycheck Protection Program, our intent was clearly to make sure small businesses had the liquidity and the help they needed to get through these difficult times,” Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, said when he introduced the Small Business Expense Protection Act, S 3612, with a bipartisan group of senators. “Unfortunately, Treasury and the IRS interpreted the law in a way that’s preventing businesses from deducting expenses associated with PPP loans. That’s just the opposite of what we intended and should be fixed. This bill will do just that.”

Unemployment this year hit nearly 15 percent ⁠– the highest the nation has seen since the Great Depression. If businesses had not kept their payrolls running through PPP, unemployment would have zoomed even higher. Yet businesses made the leap of faith – kept their people working, spent the PPP money as directed and now for their good citizenship, they are going to be punished with a tax.

The power to tax is the power to destroy. Chief Justice John Marshall was right. Congress should wake up. It didn’t spend trillions in tax dollars to prop up the economy only to allow one agency to undo its good work. PPP deductibility must be fixed now.

The National Newspaper Association represents 1,600+ community newspapers across the United States.