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Donley County

Donley County lifts outdoor burn ban

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Donley County Commissioners lifted the ban on outdoor burning during their regular meeting Monday, June 12.

County Judge John Howard said he had received over nine inches of rain at his house west of Clarendon in recent weeks and recommended lifting the ban.

Commissioners can easily reinstate the ban at a future meeting if dry conditions return, he said.

In other county business, officials discussed rising health care costs for employees as the county works to prepare its 2023-2024 budget. Health insurance will be going up about $1,000 per person on the county payroll, an increase of about 6.5 percent. The county is also expecting an increase in the cost of providing AirMed coverage for county employees in the amount of $10 per month per employee.

Commissioners agreed to adopt a back-up call system for emergency situations. If the county judge is unavailable, a commissioner will be on call to handle emergency situations.

The court approved ordering a new motor grader for Precinct 1 at a cost of about $390,000. Howard said it will take about a year for the new machine to be delivered to the county.

An interlocal agreement with the Department of State Health Services was approved for the county to continue to provide access to vital records such as birth certificates.

A proposal from CTSI was also approved in the amount of $9,863.14 to purchase three new computers for the clerk’s office and one for the treasurers office along with other computer equipment.

Donley voters favor Republicans in 2022 election

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Donley County voters overwhelming favored Republican candidates Tuesday night with Democrats and Libertarians picking up only a small percentage of support.

All local races were unopposed, and the new voting system did not allow voters to mark those races. Those candidates were simply declared elected.

For Congress, US Rep. Ronny Jackson received 1,069 to the 112 received by Democratic challenger Kathleen Brown.

Gov. Greg Abbott was the clear favorite in Donley County over Democrat Beto O’Rourke, 1,084 to 97, with seven votes going to the Libertarian and four votes going to the Green Party candidate.

Donley voters also preferred Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, 1,051 to 114, over Democrat Mike Collier. The Libertarian picked up 17 local votes.

Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton garnered 1,047 votes to 110 for Democrat Rochelle Garza. Libertarian Shanna Steele received 22.

Comptroller Glenn Hegar had 1,069 votes to 103 for Democrat Janet Dudding and four votes for the Libertarian.

Dawn Buckingham got 1,047 to be Commissioner of the General Land Office to 111 for the Democrat Jay Kleberg and ten for the Green candidate.

Ag Commissioner Sid Miller had 1,054 votes to 115 for Democrat Susan Hays.

Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian had 1,044 votes compared to 98 for Democrat Luke Warford, 12 for the Libertarian, and 13 for the Green candidate.

Republicans Debra Lehrmann, Rebeca Huddle, and Evan Young all candidates for the Texas Supreme Court were preferred over their Democratic opponents by Donley County voters. Likewise, Republican candidates for the Court of Criminal Appeals carried the day in Donley County.

Altogether, 1,197 ballots were cast by Donley County voters. The number of registered voters was not available at press time.

 

Rep. King says school safety will be Legislature’s top priority

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Public education took centerstage when State Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian) addressed constituents at the Bairfield Activity Center last Wednesday, November 2.

Rep. Ken King speaks at the Bairfield Activity Center on November 2. Enterprise Photo / Tara Allred

King briefly discussed the new boundaries of his House District 88 before getting into what he would be the two biggest priorities of the Legislature when it convenes in January – balancing the state budget and funding public schools.

“There’s a $26 billion surplus, and everyone has an idea how to spend it,” King said.

Education takes up about 70 percent of the state budget, and King said school safety will be a top priority following the shooting in Uvalde earlier this year.

King sees three main factors with school safety – Hardening schools but with local control, mental health, and funding.

“I’m not for unfunded mandates,” King said. “If we’re going to tell you what you have to do, we need to provide the money for it.”

King also says the state needs to address truancy and believes truancy laws will be reinstated.

Schools will likely see their base funding allotments increase to help offset inflation, the representative said, virtual education, special education, and community college funding will all receive attention by the Legislature. Virtual education will become more important as the teacher shortage grows.

Moving to other issues, King said property tax reform needs to pay attention to appraisals.

“If you want true property tax reform, you have to appraise differently,” he said.

Beyond taxes, King sees the upcoming year as a “infrastructure session.”

“We ran the Republican gamut last time on social issues,” he said. “Now it’s time to do something for the state. Let’s fix things that need fixing.”

Rural broadband will be an important issue, King said, and the state can reap the rewards of using state funds to leverage federal money. Results will take time, but King likened it to planting a tree that provides shade in the future.

“I think you’re going to see billions of dollars to bring broadband infrastructure to places like Donley County, but it’s a ten-year plan,” King said. “Does it solve your immediate need? No, but we have to start somewhere.”

Answering questions about public education and community college funding, King gave his support to local authorities and also advocates giving support to teachers.

“We can’t let the inmates run the asylum,” he said

He also said he believes teachers who carry weapons should receive a significant stipend and also should have required continuing education not just on using that weapon but for mental health issues related to possibly using that weapon against a student.

Voters heading to polls next Tuesday, Nov. 8

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Donley County voters will go to the polls next Tuesday, November 8, to cast ballots in this year’s general election.

The election is gaining a lot of interest with competitive races at the state level for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and other races down the ballot.

More than 400 people had already voted early in Donley County by noon this Tuesday.

Early voting by personal appearance will continue at the Donley County Courthouse Annex through this Friday, November 4.

Balloting on election day for most county voters will take place at the Donley County Courthouse. The only exceptions are Precinct 101 voting at the Courthouse Annex and Precinct 303, which will vote at the First Baptist Church in Hedley.

Polls will be open on election day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

No local races are contested on this year’s ballot. For election results, watch Facebook.com/TheEnterprise and ClarendonLive.com

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