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Mayor Skelton responds to citizen concerns
(Editor’s Note: The following are the comments that were read by Clarendon Mayor Sandy Skelton at Monday night’s town hall meeting. The livestream video of the meeting can be viewed at Facebook.com/TheEnterprise.)
The entire City Council, David Dockery, and I strongly agree that our streets are currently in terrible condition. The Council wanted to pave streets two years ago, but we were constantly being reminded that many of our residents had rusty water as a result of water pipes being 80 – 100 years old and the City was continuously repairing leaks all over town. So out of concern for all citizens, the Council decided to replace the old water pipes before any paving would be done.
With the expertise of our City Administrator David Dockery, the City was fortunate to obtain a USDA grant in 2018. We put the project out for bid and the low bid was awarded to LA Fuller & Sons out of Amarillo. Of course, we vetted the Fuller Company to determine its track record and nothing negative surfaced. They had been in business for many years, and, as far as we could tell, they had never been subjected to liquidated damages on any project. Additionally, we required that Fuller obtain a performance bond in the event they did not complete the project in a satisfactory manner.
Several of the FACEBOOK comments implied that the City had no plan and that Fuller & Sons “could tear up our streets and then leave”. That accusation could not be further from the truth. We have had numerous meetings with Fuller expressing our dissatisfaction with the way they were proceeding (digging holes, replacing pipe and then moving on to another section of town without completing the section they had just left). In fact, we had one meeting with Fuller & Sons owners, their performance bond company’s attorney and our City Attorney. Not only were we unhappy about the manner in which they were proceeding, we were very concerned about how slow the project was moving. Additionally, since Fuller was over 200 days behind schedule, we initiated “liquidated damages” at the rate of $500 a day. So Fuller is currently losing approximately $15,000 a month for being behind schedule.
The City’s influence on the project is further complicated by some of USDA’s requirements. The City has a contract with Fuller, but we were also required to have a contract with a professional engineering company to design the project and to provide oversight of the work being performed. So, the engineer, based in Amarillo, is the one we communicate with and he, in turn, communicates with the contractor (Fuller). The engineer reminds us on a frequent basis that the contractor is in charge. In other words, the contractor can proceed as they wish as long as the work gets done.
What the City does not want to do is create so much animosity with Fuller that they pack up and leave. They have completed about 70% of the work, so we are trying to be as patient as possible to get the other 30% completed. If they were to leave before completion, the City would have to rebid the project and then contract with another company to complete the unfinished work. That scenario is not desirable and would add many more months to the project. So, let me repeat, we must be patient. Our goal at this time is to have Fuller complete the areas of town they have worked on before moving to another part of town. That would mean making the final connections to home owners, repairing the damage done to the streets with asphalt and some concrete around the ball parks, and laying grass sod in certain parts of town. The projected completion date at this time, according to Fuller, is December of this year.
Bricks
According to FACEBOOK comments, Clarendon’s historic paving bricks have been stolen or sold to other communities. None of that is true. Although it is possible that a local citizen has stolen a brick or two, there is no evidence that stealing has been a problem. One FACEBOOK comment indicated that “bricks have mysteriously disappeared with no plans of relaying them.” For your information, no bricks have disappeared. However, at the request of the County Judge and Sheriff, the City transported a load of bricks which were stacked up around the courthouse to a safe and secure location until they can be relayed. After some research on the part of the Mayor, some bricks were apparently sold to the City of Pampa approximately 19 years ago from an old stockpile at the city dump. Clarendon’s current City Council would never do such a thing. The bottom line is that Fuller will relay all the bricks that were moved in order to lay new water pipes. So, the City’s bricks are safe and will be relayed.
In summary, we all agree that our streets are in terrible condition. However, once the new water pipe project is finished, we can move on to improving our streets in a significant way. Progress isn’t pretty. It can be slow and painful. It can feel counterproductive. But it just takes time. We can now see the light at the end of the tunnel so we must be patient a little longer.
Another FACEBOOK comment indicated that Claude had nice streets without curbing but “we are told we have to have curbing.” City officials agree with the comment about Claude’s nice streets, and we have even visited with Claude officials about their paving and associated costs. However, the City Council has never said that Clarendon has to have curbs in the future. More information about paving will be discussed with citizens once the water pipe replacement project is complete. As a reminder, in May of 2012, Clarendon voters approved a bond election for street paving, and that debt was paid off several months ago. Consequently, Clarendon should be able to afford a new paving project if voters choose to do so.
Concern For The Elderly
According to one FACEBOOK comment, the City has no concern for the elderly. That comment is absurd and just the opposite of the truth. Over the past several years, the City Council has financially supported the Senior Citizens Center and continue to do so. The Mayor has met with the Center’s Board of Directors regarding their interest in having a Senior Night on a regular basis at the new aquatic center. They enthusiastically like the idea and want the City to make that happen soon after the pool opens. Additionally, the City has supported the EDC plan to install handicapped ramps in various places on main street. The EDC has already set aside funds for a ramp between the ice cream parlor and Mulkey Theatre; however, one adjacent property owner has objected to the project. Consequently, the installation of that ramp is currently on hold until something can be worked out. In 2018, the Library Board met with City Administrator David Dockery to discuss the possibility of a handicap ramp in front of the library. But in order to comply with American Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, the ramp would be rather long due to the height of the curb and take up three to five parking spaces directly in front of the library. The Library Board and Friends of the Library were informed of the situation in the fall of 2018, and the Library Board decided to hold off on that ramp for the time being. The City continues to look at other options, but what we do know is that regardless of the design of the ramp, we must comply with ADA in relation to whatever we do in the future.
Aquatic Center
A couple of FACEBOOK comments related to the aquatic center which is due to open next summer. Once again, parking was mentioned as a potential problem and one person questioned the size of the pool. Parking will be on the South side of the pool, and according to the designer of the pool, there should be adequate space. What citizens need to know is that city officials have not received one complaint from the numerous local donors or the foundations that have generously donated. The Mayor has offered to give private tours to anyone interested and to answer questions about the pool. As mentioned in several news releases over the past year, the Clarendon Aquatics Center is designed for a small community and one we can afford. It is not designed to compete with larger aquatic centers like Wellington, Pampa and Canyon. Please contact Mayor Skelton (206-7506) for a tour so that accurate information can be shared.
New City Hall
Another FACEBOOK comment questioned the wisdom of relocating our City Hall. In late 2019, the City Council approved the purchase of the Bill Lowe building across the street from the Courthouse. The purchase solved two problems, the first being the very crowded conditions at the old City Hall. We had four employees officed in one room and had insufficient space when citizens wanted to attend City Council meetings. The second reason for relocating was that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) required us to add a handicap bathroom and make other improvements to the facility in order to comply with American Disabilities Act (ADA). That action would have made our crowded conditions even worse, and the additional costs would have been $60,000 or more.
Although the Lowe Building was appraised at $330,000 by a certified appraiser, we were able to negotiate a sales price of $165,000 which amounted to $45 per square foot, a real bargain for commercial real estate. Although the facility was in excellent condition, we made several changes to the facility in order to accommodate the City’s needs. Numerous citizens have expressed their satisfaction with the new location as it is in close proximity to the courthouse, and most citizens no longer have to cross the extremely busy 287 highway. It is now estimated that approximately 15,000 vehicles pass through Clarendon on 287 each day.
Clarendon Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
There were several comments about the operation of our local EDC. For your information, EDC Board members are appointed by the City Council. Clarendon’s Mayor and City Administrator attend most meetings in order to hear about the various issues being discussed. Citizens with concerns about operations need to request that they be placed on a future EDC agenda(s) and voice their concerns in person. There are several new members on the Board so they would be interested in hearing from any citizen. Current Board members are Steve Hall (Business Owner), Taylor Shelton (Lawyer/Business Owner), Ronna Newman (Business Owner), Brandon Frausto (Pharmacist/Business Owner), Chuck Robertson (Business Owner), Jarod Bellar (CISD Superintendent) and Roger Estlack (Business Owner). The EDC typically meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Mulkey Theatre. EDC agendas are always posted at City Hall 72 hours prior to the meeting. (Editor’s Note: EDC agendas are also posted online at ClarendonTx.com/cedcagendas.)
City Administrator
Several FACEBOOK comments by one person unfairly blamed David Dockery, our City Administrator, for a variety of city problems. Those comments were as follows: “the town looks exceptionally more disgraceful than when he came to town,” and “he thinks his job is to tell people when to open and close their businesses and also to use taxpayers’ private property, because he has done both to me.” The entire City Council was shocked by such untruthful statements as Mr. Dockery has and continues to perform at a high level. According to many local citizens, David is the best City Administrator Clarendon has had in a very long time. Not only is he quite competent at his job, he is also well liked by numerous citizens. Since his employment over three years ago, employee morale has gone up and turnover at City Hall has decreased. Furthermore, the City’s financial condition when he was hired was approximately $698,000, and today it is over $3,000,000. Following Governor Abbott’s Executive Order related to the pandemic and action taken by both the Donley County Judge and Clarendon’s Mayor, Mr. Dockery volunteered to go to each business in the city to make them aware of the executive orders, an action appreciated by most all business owners. As far as causing damage to someone’s private property, which did happen, that was a mistake by the pipe laying company (Fuller & Sons). Mr. Dockery was also unhappy with the damage done and repairs are currently underway. Citizens need to know that the entire City Council is very pleased with Mr. Dockery’s performance and feels that Clarendon is fortunate to have him. Additionally, his salary and benefits are commensurate with other like positions in cities which are approximately the same size of Clarendon.
Several city council accomplishments in last two years:
Reduced property taxes for the year 2020;
Eliminated the City’s portion of the unpopular personal property tax on vehicles, boats, trailers, RV’s, campers, etc.;
Contracted with Texas Community Solutions to focus on abandoned properties that are tax delinquent with the goal of getting properties up to code, selling to a new owner or demolished;
Coordinated the purchase & demolition of several dangerous properties;
Constructed a new water standpipe on the East side of town which will improve water quality and volume once the pipe laying project is finished;
Installed a new computerized water meter reading system which reduced the amount of manhours it takes to read meters and to identify leaks for property owners;
Made several significant improvements to local airport in coordination with the airport’s Board of Directors (secured a grant and private donations);
Finished in the black financially (revenue over expense) for the past several fiscal years; and
Continued to conduct city business in an orderly and professional manner.
As I close my introductory comments, I want to thank each elected official for his or her willingness to step up and give their time and talent to our fine City. City business is not easy; in fact, it can be very complicated with all the state and federal laws we must comply with. Additionally, we know that we can never please every citizen, now or in the future, but we are doing what we were elected to do, and that is to conduct city business in a thoughtful, professional, and forward-thinking manner and to make the best decisions we can.
Sandy Skelton,
Mayor
City addresses citizens’ concerns at town hall
The Clarendon City County held a town hall meeting at the Mulkey Theatre Monday night to address several concerns and questions raised by citizens on social media.
More than 60 people attended the meeting in person, and as many as 115 were watching a live stream of the event on the Enterprise’s Facebook feed.
Mayor Sandy Skelton called the meeting to order and read introductory comments designed to address most of the concerns or comments that had been raised online. The text of the mayor’s statement can be found here.
The mayor also read a statement from Citizens Cemetery Association Board President Chuck Robertson about improvements that have been made to the cemetery.
Questions and comments from citizens then occupied about two hours of evening with Donley County Judge John Howard serving as the moderator. A video of that portion of the meeting is available for viewing at Facebook.com/TheEnterprise.
Some of the topics covered Monday evening included several questions about the Clarendon Economic Development Board, and city official largely differed those to the CEDC board and encouraged those questions to be asked directly to that body. The CEDC meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Mulkey, and agendas are posted 72 hours in advance at City Hall and online at ClarendonTX.com/cedcagendas.
Handicapped ramps downtown and particularly near the ice cream parlor were brought up several times. Skelton said the CEDC had proposed and approved money for a ramp in that particular location, but a property owner where the ramp would be located had objected to the design. The owner said she felt it would harm her ability to sell her building. Skelton assured those in attendance that ramp improvements would be placed on a city council agenda in the near future for action.
Residents also asked several questions about the USDA-funded water system improvement project, which has fallen behind schedule and taken a toll on city streets. Skelton said the contractor believes they will be done by October 1, but the mayor thinks it will be more likely December.
City officials assured those in attendance that bricks taken from the streets for the water connections would be put back and said a street improvement plan would follow the USDA project and that voters would have a chance to approve that project. When future paving is done, it will likely be a two-course chip seal process, the city officials said. City Administrator David Dockery also said for long street improvements to be made it was important to take care of the deepest and worst water line projects first.
One question was asked as to why Clarendon doesn’t have a paid fire department, and city officials simply declined to answer that since none of them were volunteer firemen. Howard said that he was blessed as the emergency management coordinator to work with the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department as well as local EMS and law enforcement.
Questions also centered on the Clarendon Aquatics Center, including the cost and management of the project. Mayor Skelton reminded those present that the city bid the project three times and that tariffs had been to blame for the higher than expected costs of concrete. One gentleman spoke out about putting general funds into the pool project when the city had originally said they would not do so.
On question focused on insurance for the pool. Dockery said he had been working on the city’s insurance and said the pool portion of the insurance would be $5,380 per year. He also said that with several adjustments, including shifting the insurance for the Mulkey to the CEDC budget, the city’s overall insurance bill next year is actually expected to be $661 lower than this year.
One resident asked about how many jobs the pool and Mulkey were providing. The mayor said the pool would require at least a dozen lifeguards and a pool manager, and it was stated that the Mulkey has three part-time employees.
One citizen asked if the public had a say in purchasing the new City Hall, and the answer was that it been a decision of the city council.
Former alderman Tommy Hill raised concerns about city employees reportedly treating customers rudely and said it needed to be addressed immediately.
Business owner Virginia Patten said she had nothing against members of the council but voiced her concerns about pool users potentially parking on her property nearby, damage done to her property by the water line project, and the state of the cemetery. She also asked specifically when a ramp would be installed for her business.
Business owner Keith Floyd spoke out on several issues including the need to protect the brick streets and vowed to become the city’s Brick Nazi.
Other topics covered included grants for sidewalks, the need for a community storm shelter, and managing public funds as carefully as if it were personal funds.
Johnny Floyd was one of the last attendees to speak and encouraged people to go to public meetings and make their voices heard, noting that he has a son on the city council and a brother who is passionate about serving the community.
“If you haven’t been on a board, the sometimes you don’t know how hard it is,” Floyd said. “If you’re not showing up for a board meeting, how are you going to get something done? We need to be patting some people on the back.”
Clarendon School Superintendent addresses return to school
Clarendon CISD Superintendent Jarod Bellar released a letter today discussing plans for re-opening the public school next month.
The letter addresses options for remote learning, but Bellar tells the Enterprise he is encouraging traditional in-person learning and says the school will re-open its doors for students on August 13.
COVID-19 UPDATE: Three new cases reported
The Clarendon Family Medical Center reported three new cases of COVID-19 Friday morning, July 10, and the Texas National Guard updated information about its free testing here next week.
Judge John Howard, MD, says there are now five known active cases in Donley County. The local total positives since the pandemic began is now 32.
Two tests are pending, and 117 tests have been negative.
Also Friday, the Texas National Guard provided the county with updated information on its free COVID-19 testing scheduled for Tuesday, July 14. It was previously announced as a “drive-thru” testing, but it will now be a “walk-up” testing and will be held in the Bulldog Gym at Clarendon College.
The National Guard also updated the hours of the testing, which are now 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It was previously announced that the testing would be open until 5 p.m.
Enthusiastic crowd enjoys July Fourth celebration
An enthusiastic crowd gathered at the Donley County Courthouse last Saturday, July 4, to enjoy the activities of the 143rd annual Saints’ Roost Celebration.
Few masks were seen despite the governor’s order to wear one the day before, but people did largely respect social distancing.
Vendor booths were spread out all over the courthouse lawn to avoid crowding, and barbecue was served “to go” style as organizers did their best to celebrate safely in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hand-washing and sanitizing stations were also set up around the square thanks to County Agent Leonard Haynes.
The Kids’ Parade started the day with the youngsters peddling or driving from Third Street down Sully Street in front of the Courthouse. In the 0-4 age group, Shaylee, Daegan, and Dawson Hall were first; Delaney Chambless was second, and Luke Leeper was third. Leah Victory won the 5-8 age group with Lydia Balogh second and Matthew Newhouse third. The 9 and up age group was won by Haylin Bivens, Meredith Artho second and Nevaeh Jaramillo third.
The Herring Bank Parade was somewhat smaller than last year’s but with just as much or more enthusiasm as most participants followed the parade theme: Texas Strong – United We Stand. The Grand Prize was won by Cody Graham and the Bromley Ranch float. The Clarendon Junior High Cheerleaders with their theme specific cheer and routine were the named the Best Float. Dan Sawyer’s John Deere tractor driven by congressional candidate Ronny Jackson was the Best Farm Equipment, the Rolling Hills Riding Club was the Best Animal Entry, Wallace Monument Co. was the Best Other entry, and Steve Carthel won the Best Car/Truck trophy.
There was no organized Old Settlers Reunion this year.
The Al Morrah Shrine Club served as many as 450 plates of barbecue this year. That’s down from 660 plates last year, but it was still considered a great success given the current situation. A portion of the proceeds from the annual barbecue are used in conjunction with the Khiva Shrine Temple in Amarillo to help pay for the transportation of kids to the Shriners’ burns and crippled children’s hospitals.
A celebrity dunking booth was set up by the Bronco Cheerleaders. Eager kids and donors lined up to cool off Clarendon Junior High Principal Travis Victory, Clarendon High School Principal Larry Jeffers, Donley County Social Hour hosts Landon Lambert and Roger Estlack, fireman and Clarendon ISD board member Chuck Robertson, “Two for the Road” stars Dusty and Nikki Green, and Donley County Judge John Howard.
Henson’s annual Turtle Race was also held Saturday afternoon. There were altogether 98 youngsters with turtles registered to run, which doesn’t include the adults who raced terrapins as well. The winners were Liam Wright for the 0-4 division, Laityn Hanks for the 5-8 division, Madison Moore for the 9-14 division, and Ty Hanks for the adult division.
Latigo Ranch wins annual rodeo again
History repeated itself when the Latigo Ranch took top honors for the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association’s annual Ranch Rodeo last Friday and Saturday.
Winning for the second year in a row, Latigo’s scores beat out 19 other local and regional ranch rodeo teams as working cowboys put their skills to the test as part of the 143rd annual Saints’ Roost Celebration. The team was made up of Jacob Gudgell, Wesley Gudgell, Treston Gudgell, Zane Peters, and Levi Molesworth.
The Heck & Detwiller team team finished second with Cody Heck, Chad Detwiler, Jodi Padilla, Kale Lane, and Ian McDonald; and the IC Cattle team was third with Randy Crump, Tanner Hart, Jared Stoker, Jayton McWright, and Wesley Gudgell.
The Top Hand for the rodeo was awarded to Randy Crump, and the Top Horse award was won by Casey Jo Lewis.
This year’s attendance for the two-day ranch rodeo in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic was 771, which was down from last year’s attendance of 1,391.
The Junior Ranch Rodeo was won by Tongue River team comprised of Cooper McCleskey, Blaine Roberts, Brazos Roberts, Hadley Halsell, and Gus Smith. The second place team was Circle M8 with Rye Reynolds, Cooper McCleskey, Brazos Roberts, Blaine Roberts, Kail Burnson; and the Rockin’ JM team was third in the junior competition with Cooper McCleskey, Blaine Roberts, Brazos Roberts, Rye Reynolds, and Sterlin Mitchell.
Top Hand winner for the Junior Ranch Rodeo was Wyatt Mask, and Cooper McCleskey rode the Top Horse.
Junior Calf, Donkey, and Steer Riding and Mutton Bustin’ were held all three nights. Overall Mutton Bustin’ champion for the three nights was Harper Atwood.
Overall Calf Riding Champion was Jaxon Orr, the Overall Donkey Rider was Colton Britten, and Steer Riding champion was Hunter Atwood.
Nightly winners of the junior events were as follows:
July 2 – Calf Scramble – Cotton Halsey, Emmett Howell, and Aaron Dunnaway; Mutton Bustin’ – Jacob Howell; Calf Riding – Caleb Askew, Donley Riding – Chance Anderson and Eli Ritchie; and Steer Riding – Hunter Atwood.
July 3 – Calf Scramble – Chance Anderson, Colt Mason, and Reece Myers; Mutton Bustin’ – Harper Atwood; Calf Riding – Caleb Askew; Donkey Riding – Colton Britten; and Steer Riding – Hunter Atwood.
July 4 – Calf Scramble – Reece Myers, Bodhi Schlegelmilch, and Brody Bennett; Mutton Bustin’ – Harper Atwood; Calf Riding – Jaxon Orr; Donkey Riding – Chance Anderson; and Steer Riding – Hunter Atwood.
National Guard to conduct COVID tests here July 14
The Texas National Guard will hold a drive-thru COVID-19 testing at Clarendon College on July 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to Donley County Judge John Howard, MD.
“It’s free, quick, and painless,” Judge Howard said. “I would encourage everyone wanting to tested to come by the college next Tuesday.”
Unlike the nasal swab which can be uncomfortable, this will be an oral swab, and there will be no charge for the test. Results will be returned in three to four days.
No pre-registration is necessary for the test and no appointment is needed.
Those wishing to be tested for the coronavirus will need a valid ID (such as a driver’s license) to get tested.
Runoff election to be held next week
Democrats and Republicans will go to the polls next Tuesday, July 14, to make their final selections for candidates for the fall general election.
Early voting in the primary runoff elections continues through this Friday, July 10, at the Donley County Courthouse Annex.
The Republican election focuses on the races between Josh Winegarner and Ronny Jackson for Congress and also between 7th Court of Appeals incumbent Larry Doss and Steven Denny.
The Democratic ballot has races for US Senate, US Representative, and Railroad Commissioner.
Republicans polling locations are: Precinct Boxes 101, 201, 301, and 401 will vote at the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon; Box 102 at Howardwick City Hall; and Box 303 at the Hedley Baptist Church.
Democratic polling places are: Precinct Boxes 101, 102, 201, 301, and 401 at the Donley County Courthouse; and Box 303 at the Hedley Lions Den.
Curbside voting is an option at all polling sites. Election sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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