Competing in bi-district
Editorial: Keeping the sun shining on officials
“Open government is good government” is the message of Sunshine Week, March 11-17; and while it is proper to pause to r
eflect on that concept annually, the fight for transparency is not one that is limited to seven days each year.
If you asked the average citizen, he or she would probably agree that open government is a good thing and that people should have a right to know what their government is doing. Unfortunately, a shadow is being cast on openness at all levels as those in power now find it fashionable to demonize the people whose job it is to keep government accountable.
This can be seen starting at the highest levels of our government where the president and his administration have taken the traditionally adversarial relationship with the media to new levels and routinely dismiss any unfavorable reporting as “fake news.”
Whether by design or as an unintentional consequence, the United States government is becoming increasingly less open about its business. According to an Associated Press analysis released just this week, “The federal government censored, withheld, or said it couldn’t find records sought by citizens, journalists and others more often last [fiscal] year than at any point in the past decade.”
Closer to home just last month, a representative of the Texas Attorney General’s Office made it seem okay to delay releasing information as a way to punish reporters. The Dalllas Morning News reported that the AG’s communications director, Marc Rylander, said during an open meetings/open records training session, “Communications guys love it when reporters make a request and you all wait until the 23rd hour of the 10th day to send it back to them.” A moderator at the training tried to pull Rylander back in line saying, “Don’t do that. Right? Right?” To which Rylander responded, “Depends on who the reporter is,” and later said, “It’s gotten so bad in newspapers especially that I almost got to the point that I avoid the newspaper people at all costs because newspapers have fired or had to let go all of their good journalists. … They peddle their rags on Groupon. … I mean, it’s a joke.”
It is bad enough that our state and federal officials have such a negative personal view of the press that they let it influence how they conduct their public duties. But the attitude is also becoming more prevalent at the local level as well. Just less than a year ago, one local board member, who was being grilled on open meetings issues by your editor, retorted, “What business is it of yours anyway?”
And sometimes citizens themselves don’t value the job “the media” does when reporting the news. Such was the case last month when the Enterprise came under attack after an illegal meeting was shut down by the sheriff and a small group of attendees began accusing the paper of not printing “the truth” – or at least their version of it.
There is, of course, an adversarial relationship between the press and those in positions of authority. Your editor has at times been at odds with different local officials to the point of even being lectured or ridiculed in public meetings by county commissioners, city aldermen, and school board members.
It happened again just last month when a public official took the opportunity to use the “other business” agenda item to critique our reporting on a previous meeting. It’s not always fun being in the reporter’s shoes, but it typically means you’re doing your job when a public official squeals for having been called out for his actions.
This newspaper, like so many others across Texas and across America, will not back down in the face of bullying, whether it comes from the White House, the state capitol, or a local official or citizen.
You have a right to know what’s going on with your government, and we’re here to champion that right. That’s what Sunshine Week is about. As we have stated before, the biggest defender of that right is not breitbart.com or World Net Daily. It is the traditional media – the often vilified “press” – that people love to hate. The big boys will hold the president’s feet to the fire – and even help bring him down if necessary, while the Enterprise and thousands of other hometown newspapers across this land will continue to shine the light on city councils, school boards, college boards, and county commissions.
Together we’ll fight in state legislatures and in Congress to keep government practices open so that you can see what your elected representatives are doing and find out what they are up to… even when they don’t want you to know.
Taking flight
Welding sculptor to visit Herd Wear store
Donley County and area residents will have an opportunity to meet a Texas artist and participate in a unique project this Spring Break weekend.
Texas artist and rancher Terry Jones will be on site at the Herd Wear Retail Store on US Hwy 287 in Goodnight Saturday and Sunday, March 17 and 18.
Jones created the fabulous and famous 300-pound welded wrench bison statue on display at the store, and he will be discussing the Herd Wear Retail Store’s upcoming 12-foot tall Charles Goodnight statue that he has been working on for the past six months and will take another six months to complete.
The Goodnight statue will include donated objects that Texas Panhandle families want to include to honor their Panhandle heritage.
“Goodnight did not build the Panhandle on his own,” says Herd Wear Store owner and bison rancher Cecil Miskin. “We want this monument to represent as many of the pioneer families out here as want to participate.”
Local residents can bring something from their family’s history – an old tool, farm implement, car part, etc. –anything metal that Jones can weld into the base of the statue.
“We’ll engrave the family name and make it a part of this art work for all those traveling US 287 to enjoy and recognize that the ‘Panhandle Spirit,’ the cooperation and success that comes with working together, has been here since the beginning,” Miskin said.
Jones loves using old busted guns, spurs, badges, household items, and almost anything metal.
The beauty of Jones’ work is that as you back away from the statue, suddenly, the pieces disappear and only the animal shows up. That is because Jones studies the musculature of his subjects as a whole and captures the essence of his subjects
Metal donations will be accepted for the next three months at the Herd Wear Retail Store seven days a week.
“Come by and let us learn more about your family’s part in the history of the Texas Panhandle,” Miskin said.
Jones will also bring several of his current works – especially his horse creations – that will be on display and for sale over the weekend.
The Herd Wear Retail Store is located at 2000 US Hwy 287 in Goodnight, next to the entrance of the Charles Goodnight Historical Center.
Low turnout marks 2018 primary
County Commissioner Daniel Ford and Precinct 3 & 4 Justice of the Peace candidate Pat White were the big local winners last Tuesday, March 6, when local voters went to the polls.
Turnout was markedly low with less than one-third of registered voters bothering to participate in the process. A total of 675 voted out of 2,199 who were registered, a turnout of 30.7 percent. Republicans cast 672 local votes, and 37 Democrats voted in their party’s primary.
In the Republican Primary, Ford was challenged for his Precinct 2 seat by Randy Bond, but was he retained his party’s nomination, 128-113.
Justice Denise Bertrand was challenged for her position in Precincts 3&4 and lost the nomination to White, 161-119. Bertrand’s second term ends at the end of this calendar year.
Neither Ford nor White are facing any Democratic opposition in the November General Election.
Donley County Republicans rejected weeks of negative campaigning against State Sen. Kel Seliger and State Rep. Ken King, giving them solid local wins of 64 and 59 percent respectively. Seliger and King also both received a majority of votes throughout their districts and avoided the specter of a runoff election. Seliger is unchallenged in November, but King will face Democrat Ezekiel Barron.
Clarendon’s hometown congressman, Rep. Mac Thornberry was unchallenged on the Republican ticket and will face Democratic challenger Greg Sagan this fall.
In statewide offices, US Sen. Ted Cruz picked up more than 84 percent of local GOP support and easily won the party nomination statewide. He faces Beto O’Rourke this fall.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott saw similar local support and won statewide. Democrats Lupe Valdez and Andrew White will be in a runoff for their party’s nomination. Local Democrats were split on the governor question with seven liking Valdez, seven preferring Grady Yarbrough, and six voting for White.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had a tougher time locally but still picked up a majority, 65 percent, of Donley Republicans and carried the state easier. His Republican challenger Scott Midler has since endorsed the Democratic primary winner Mike Collier, who was the local Democrats’ choice.
Majorities of local voters in both primaries approved of the non-binding propositions put forward by their parties.
Going into the General Election, only one local race will be challenged. County/District Clerk Fay Vargas is running for re-election on the Democratic ticket and will face Republican Bobby Woodard in November.
A Scouting Legend
Tyler “Blake” Frye
Tyler “Blake” Frye died Monday, March 5, 2018, at his residence in Flower Mound, Texas.
Services were held on Monday, March 12, at 11:00 a.m. in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon with the Rev. Lance Wood and Eddy Helms officiating. Burial was in Rowe Cemetery, Hedley, with military honors.
Arrangements were by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Blake was born March 25,1986 in Amarillo to Linda and Gerald Frye. He joined two older sisters, Tara and Jamie.
Blake was joyful, curious, and industrious as a baby, child, teenager and adult. He never met a stranger, possessing the gift of gab his Papa, T.E. Naylor predisposed him to have. He became a successful student, graduating in 2004 from Clarendon High School, earning a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Political Science from Texas Tech University and then a Master’s of Business. Upon graduation he joined the U.S. Army through the ROTC Program. He received an honorable discharge from the military and entered into the business of wind and solar energy beginning in 2008-2010. He became a trusted developer in his chosen field while learning and performing all aspects of this exciting and challenging job. His family used to marvel at his ability to maintain the rigors of three to four companies while building his own company.
He attempted to bring this innovative source of power to Donley County but did not have the required amount of landowners to approve the project on their ranch or farmland. He was disappointed yet he pushed forward with a project in Kansas, known as the Bloom Project. He was so proud when the grand opening became a reality in August of 2017 attended by the Kansas lieutenant governor and four state representatives. They were proud of the Texas Panhandle “Kid,” they called him, who brought their community such an important economic project. At the time of his death, Blake was working in multiple states to bring more successful wind and solar projects to various communities.
By far the most important part of Blake’s life was his family. His lovely soulmate, Lauren, his beautiful 10-year-old daughter, Natalie, and the latest addition to his family, a handsome little son they named Jett, who will be a year old three days before his dad’s birthday.
Blake is survived by Lauren, Natalie and Jett of the home; his mother, Linda Naylor Lewis and his stepdad, Jerry of Pampa; his sister, Tara Jackson and husband Steve of Ft Worth; his nephew, Ryan, whom he called brother, and wife Amy of Sunnyvale; two nieces Madison and Ava Jackson; a great niece, Sadie; his Mimie, Faye Naylor, and step grandmother Joyce Holley of Boerne; and numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles and family he dearly loved.
Blake was preceded in death by his dad, Gerry Frye; his sister, Jamie just nine months ago; his Papa, T.E.Naylor; grandparents Babe and Gene Frye; and his Uncle Tex Naylor.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com.
Joann B. Brown
Joann B. Brown, 65, of Clarendon died Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Clarendon.
Services were held on Saturday, March 10, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Jeff Riles, officiating. Burial followed in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Arrangements were by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Joann was born on November 19, 1952, in Memphis to B.W. and Beatrice Jones Smith. She moved from Clarendon to Amarillo before coming back to Clarendon 18 years ago, and she was a member of the True Church of God in Christ. She loved her church and was a foster mom for many years. She enjoyed cooking and exercising. She was always witnessing her faith in Christ to others, and she loved supporting local sports.
Joann was preceded by her parents; a brother, Billy Joe Smith; and a sister, Patricia Ann Smith.
Survivors include four sons, Chris Brown and wife Mandy of Clarendon, Torrence Smith and wife Brandi of Lubbock, Gary Brown of Amarillo, and Trey Brown of Amarillo; four brothers, Bobby Smith of Amarillo, Curtis Smith and wife Annie of Forney, B.W. Smith, Jr., of Amarillo, and Archie Smith and wife Vanessa of Dallas; sisters, Doris Gardner of Clarendon and Essie Jean McCampbell of Clarendon; 17 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren
Sign our online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com
White, Ford win local Republican primaries
Precinct 2 Commissioner Daniel Ford defeated challenger Randy Bond, 129 -113, and Precinct 3&4 Justice of the Peace Denise Bertrand lost her re-election bid to Pat White, 161-119, during the Donley County Republican Primary Tuesday night.
Ford and White do not face any opposition in the November General Election.
Also of local interest, Donley County Republicans were strongly in favor of keeping both State Sen. Kel Seliger and State Rep. Ken King representing them in Austin. Both men narrowly avoid run off-elections with each facing two challengers from their own party. Seliger has no Democratic opponent this fall, but King will have a challenger.
For complete coverage of the local primary, check out next week’s issue of The Clarendon Enterprise
Down the home stretch
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