This Week

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.

Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) announced Tuesday afternoon that Donley County has been awarded an additional $185,000 from the Texas Historical Commission (THC) to help complete the restoration of the 1890 Courthouse.

Local officials are pleased with the new award and say it may be able to use the money to reduce some of the county’s debt burden on the project.

“We’re planning to go back and review our finances and see where we stand,” said County Judge Jack Hall. “It is possible that this additional money could be used for debt reduction.”

The county’s restoration project hit a roadblock earlier this spring when it was discovered that 110-year-old bricks concealed behind a metal cornice had deteriorated beyond ordinary repair. The supplemental THC grant will go toward the expense of rebuilding that area.

“I know that Donley County is extremely grateful for this supplemental THC assistance,” Sen. Estes said. “This funding will allow the county to properly complete the restoration of this remarkable, distinguished courthouse so that it will be able to stand and serve the public for yet another 110 years.”

Donley County had requested additional funds from the THC two months ago to help with the unforeseen expense of the brick repair.

“The THC sent notice in August saying that it was making $200,000 available in supplemental funding,” said grant administrator John Kiehl with the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission. “We requested $165,000, which would have covered about 60 percent of what the brick repairs would be.”

With only $200,000 available, county officials privately hoped they would get at least $40,000. There was no guarantee the county would receive anything, and so the county issued another $350,000 in tax notes to finish the project.

“The project was about to come to a standstill (in September), which necessitated issuing additional tax notes,” Kiehl said.

But the THC surprised county officials and awarded more than they requested.

“Once we got the letters and saw how much was needed, we increased the funding,” said the THC’s Stan Graves. “We awarded $746,443 in supplemental funds.”

Donley County’s award of $185,000 was the second highest of the five counties which were funded. Red River County was the highest, receiving $374,443.

“If we knew then what we know now, the county would not have had to borrow that much money,” Kiehl said. “There is nothing to prevent the county from paying that money back early.”

Kiehl said the county intends to refinance the entire project in one year. Paying back early a substantial part of what was borrowed will help reduce the county’s annual payments.

The new supplemental grant requires a 15 percent match, but county officials say they already have that covered with donations from successful fundraising over the last year.

The new award brings the amount of state funds contributed to the project to a total of $3.13 million. Donations to the project as of Tuesday amounted to $145,294; and everything donated since April 12 goes toward a matching grant, which brings the total to $155,424. Other non-taxpayer money has come from the Courthouse Security Fund, which is generated by county fees and fines. Funds from that source in the amount of $52,800 have been used to pay for line items directly related to the security of the courthouse.

The total funds of the project not paid for by local tax dollars is $3.334 million. Tax notes to be paid for by local tax dollars currently amount to $900,000.

“This is really a sweet deal for Donley County,” Kiehl said. “Other counties are having to mortgage themselves for 20 years to fix their courthouses. Donley County will have theirs paid off within eight or nine years of the project completion, and that’s commendable.”

Kiehl said replacing the courthouse with another building of comparable size could not be done for $900,000 and any new building would not have the character of the 1890 structure.

“The county is going to have a really unique asset,” he said.