This Week

The Senate Committee on Redistricting and the House Committee on Redistricting of the Texas Legislature invite all interested parties to attend a public hearing in Lubbock on August 25. 

Public testimony will be taken regarding the redistricting process for Texas Senate, Texas House, congressional and Texas State Board of Education districts that the state legislature will undertake in the 2001 regular session.  Community organizations and individuals are encouraged to attend and offer input.

Donley County has been included in the Lubbock hearing region.

The Lubbock redistricting hearing will be held on Friday, August 25, 2000, at the International Cultural Center, 601 Indiana Avenue, Lubbock.  The hearing will begin at noon with invited testimony, including a status report from the census bureau officials.  Public testimony is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

The Senate Committee on Redistricting is co-chaird by Senators Troy Fraser of Horseshoe Bay and Mario Gallegos of Houston. The House Committee of Redistricting is chaired by Representative Delwin Jones of Lubbock.

The Hedley Aldermen met  August 3 at 7:10 p.m. and approved two ordinances during the meeting.

Ordinance No. 103 rezones all property which borders US 287 within the city limits of Hedley as Commercial Industrial.

Ordinance No. 104 establishes a service charge in the amount of $12 per month for residential sanitation services as $12 per month for residential sanitation service, $12 per month for each dumpster for commercial sanitation service, and $8 per month per connection for sewer service.

The board also set the rates for city-provided rural dumpsters at $65 per month and $35 per month for pick up and transport of Quail’s dumpsters where Collingsworth County provides the dumpsters and pays the landfill fees.

In other city business, Mark Roth and Dean Pfiff informed the board about the additions and improvements which have been made to Crow Hollow Feeders.

City Secretary Randy Shaw informed the aldermen about an upcoming meeting with BNSF and TxDOT, and the board discussed the property tax rate to be set at the September meeting.

West Texas Utilities Company locked the door of its local office Monday afternoon, bringing an end to a 73-year presence on Kearney Street.

Recent personnel changes within the company and deregulation of the state’s electric industry prompted the closure of the Clarendon office.

Brown paper now covers the front windows of the WTU office, and the interior is bare to the walls since the company sold off the last of its appliance merchandise.

The utility, now called AEP-WTU, will continue to occupy the back of the building, and servicemen Leon Ward and Mike Proffitt will still use it as their base of operations.

WTU has provided electric services to here since 1927 when the Abilene company purchased the interests of Central Power & Light. WTU acquired the local ice plant, office, and docks in that transaction.

For many years, WTU also operated an office in Hedley. That location was closed in 1977.

With the closure of the Clarendon office, electric customers must dial a toll-free number for service of any kind. AEP-WTU says the Customer Service Center in Corpus Christi will provide prompt attention to requests from local customers.

For more information, call AEP-WTU at  1-888-216-3523.

Texans will have the opportunity to save some money during the second annual Sales Tax Holiday this weekend, August 4-6.

During the Sales Tax Holiday, most clothing and footwear priced at less than $100 is exempt from state and local sales taxes. Though the holiday is timed to help families outfit their children to go back to school, the tax break isn’t limited to children’s wear.

Terry Askew, owner of Saye’s in Clarendon, says she’s looking forward to the holiday.

“It did bring in business last year,” Askew said. “The timing is nice for back to school clothes, and it’s a great opportunity for people to buy early for Christmas.”

Askew said her store will match the sales tax break by taking an additional 8.25 percent off everything in the store.

Also this year, the state has expanded the holiday to include layaway items.

“Eligible clothes and shoes placed in layaway during the Sales Tax Holiday weekend may be taken out at a later date tax-free,” Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander said. “This will allow hard-working Texas families with limited budgets to pay for their purchases a little bit at a time and still receive the tax break.

“The tax exemption applies to school uniforms, work uniforms, pajamas, robes and slippers, socks and underwear — and even jackets and sweaters if you can find any in the stores during this 100 degree weather.

“The tax exemption does not apply to accessories, jewelry and watches, or items that are carried, such as wallets, handbags, briefcases, and backpacks,” Rylander said.

During the first Sales Tax Holiday last year, Texas families spent more than $400 million dollars on tax-exempt clothing and shoes, saving more than $32 million in sales taxes. This year, the savings are expected to add up to $37 million.

For a list of items that are tax exempt and non-exempt during the Sales Tax Holiday, visit  the Comptroller’s website

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen met in regular session July 25 in the Board Room of City Hall.

Gary McKay of McKay Engineering discussed the need to replace more sewer lines in the upcoming grant application.

Donna Hicks gave an annual report for the Local Housing Authority, and Larry Hicks explained the present project of adding geothermal heating and cooling systems to the housing units.

Mayor Tex Selvidge presented the request regarding the Animal Control officer in the absence of County Judge Jack Hall. The county is wanting to use the city’s Animal Control personnel for use in other parts of the county. The aldermen tabled the issue until more information is provided.

Lynn McKinney addressed the board concerning the condition of Sims Street near his home. The street at that point covers one block between US 287 and Broncho Stadium, and McKinney said it is in very bad condition and requested it be paved. The aldermen took no action but assured McKinney it would be looked at.

Librarian Carolyn Blackerby presented changes she wanted made to the Library Board by-laws. The aldermen approved changing the number of members on the advisory board from five to a minimum of five.

Mary Douglas and Sharon Knox were approved as new Library Board members, and Carolyn Moffett and Amy Auker were selected as alternates. Jim Douglas was approved as the lay representative for the Texas Panhandle Library System.

The water, sewer, and sanitation ordinance was discussed and changes were made.

The trash collection for the county was discussed. The mayor will speak to the county at the next commissioners’ court meeting.

City Superintendent Jim Roberts gave an update on the City Park. The sprinkler system has been installed, and the restroom will be ready soon.

WASHINGTON, DC – For the third year in a row, US Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) has been appointed to the Conference Committee for the FY 2001 Defense Authorization Act. 

Thornberry was appointed to the Committee by Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert.

The purpose of the Committee is to resolve differences in the House and Senate versions of the FY 2001 Defense Authorization Act, which were passed by each chamber earlier this year.

“I think this is an opportunity to do some good for our area and the Nation,” Thornberry stated.

Thornberry also serves as Chairman of the Special Oversight Panel on Department of Energy Reorganization and is Vice Chairman of the Armed Services Committee’s Military Procurement Subcommittee.