Roger Estlack

A resolution that would have resurrected the city police department was shot down by the Clarendon Board of Aldermen during their regular meeting last Tuesday.

Clarendon shut down its police department in 1984 and began contracting with the Donley County Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement service, but issues have come up about enforcement of city ordinances. Code enforcement was taken out of the current contract last fall.

Mayor Chris Ford told the board Tuesday that he had consulted with the Texas Municipal League and the city attorney with about the issue.

“If you want a city code enforcement officer to issue citations, you have to have a police department,” Ford said. “If you don’t want to do that, you can just have a code enforcement ‘official’ who files complaints with municipal court.”

City Administrator John Webb spoke in favor of reviving the police department’s state certification. He said the city could not afford a police department but having a certified peace officer would be helpful in issuing citations and serving warrants from municipal court.

“You have the luxury of having a certified Texas peace officer already in City Hall,” Webb said, referring to himself.

But Alderman Larry Hicks objected to that notion.

“I don’t want (a certified peace officer). I want a city manager,” Hicks said. “I’ve been very pleased with him as a city manager, and I wish he would quit trying to be a cop.”

Webb responded the city has 50 warrants which had not been served and recertifying the police department could help that, noting again that he was wanting a full time police force because, “We don’t have the revenue to start a police department.”

Hicks said he believed the resolution would be divisive.

“If we agree to this it will just drive a bigger wedge between us and the sheriff,” he said. “We should be trying to work with them.”

Alderman Will Thompson agreed that the city should focus on the warrants issue.

“Should we try to work to solve the problem?” Thompson asked. “I have not found that (the sheriff) would not work with us. We’re just not communicating.”

The board voted to turn down the resolution, 4-1, with Aldermen Hicks, Thompson, Kyle Davis, and Tommy Hill voting in the majority, and Alderman Ann Huey in the minority.

The Donley County Sheriff’s Office this week said it has a total of 46 municipal warrants on 25 individuals. About half of those are residing outside the county, and of those inside the county, nine live in Clarendon. Most of the cases are hot checks.

“When we have room and time, we do work warrants,” Sheriff Butch Blackburn said. “But felonies will always take priority over municipal Class C misdemeanors. We’ve been busy with child molesters, rape, and burglary.”

In other city business last week, Aldermen: Unanimously rejected an application for a livestock permit at 514 E. Browning; Approved the Fiscal Year 2009 Audit of the City and the Economic Development Corporation; and Appointed Bunny Owens and Bobbie Floyd as the judge and alternate judge for the upcoming city election.

The 2010 Good Health, Much Wealth, Your Choice Health Fair will be held March 25 from 8:30-2:00 p.m. in the Bairfield Activity Center at Clarendon College.

The health fair is being sponsored this year by Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Clarendon College, Northwest Health Care System, Clarendon Family Medical Center, and Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance.  

Panhandle Community Services will be available for transportation to and from the Health Fair. You will need to sign up with the Center by calling 874-2573 before Thursday, March 25. This service is being offered free to all who call in and are in need of the transportation.

Health fairs are excellent ways to offer screenings for some health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure, catching them early and thereby reducing the risks for costly complications. Both diabetes and high blood pressure can go undetected for up to ten years. Health fairs can also raise awareness of health issues like preventing heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and even skin cancer, the most common type of cancer and one that is preventable even for high risk groups working outdoors.

Northwest Health Care System has agreed to pay for the processing of  tests for Cholesterol – LDL/HDL, and Triglycerides but to get these results you have to provide your mailing address. So if you don’t know your P.O. Box number, Route number or Zip code please write it down before coming to the fair so the results can be sent to you. They want to continue to provide this service, but it is not financially cost effective if results are returned. Your mailing address will be required to receive testing.

Also, organizers have been asked if there will be doctors on site of the health fair. The answer is no. Due to insurance policies and government rules it is not possible to have a doctor at the health fair.  The health fair is designed to help with early detection of illnesses or health problems. You are encouraged to take your results to your family physician when you receive them.

Free Medical Testing will be available in the following areas: Blood Pressure, Pulse, Oxygen, Glucose /Blood Sugar, Hearing Evaluations, Balance, PSA, Carbon Monoxide Screening, Cholesterol – LDL / HDL, and Triglycerides. Additional services and information may be available at the fair.

Information will also be provided on: Disasters, Health and Safety, Food Safety, 2010 Census, Agency on Aging, Hospice Care, Dietary Supplements, Investments, Adolescence Substance Abuse Treatment, Tobacco Cessation and Cancer Prevention, Home Health, Medical supplies, Diabetic Supplies, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Severe Weather, Mobility Adaptive Equipment, WIC, Water Conservation, Pre-Need Funeral Planning, RSVP, TXDOT – Safety, Mental Health Mental Retardation, Victim Services, VA Medical Services, Star Program, and Domestic Violence.

Preventing or delaying the onset of chronic health problems like diabetes, heart disease and stroke can produce significant savings for any insured employee group. Regular physical activity helps people temporarily or in some cases, permanently, prevent having diabetes if they also lose 7 percent of their body weight.

In addition, regular physical activity helps people manage their diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol better, thereby reducing their short and long term health care costs. People who walk at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week, lower their stress, and risks for heart disease, stroke, hospitalizations, osteoporosis, fractures, depression, gall bladder disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, and many other conditions, thereby lowering health care costs.

For more information about the health fair please contact Donley County AgriLife Extension Service at 874-2141.

A former Clarendon woman will be among seven women honored at the 2010 Distinguished Service Awards Luncheon hosted by the Amarillo Area Women’s Forum and presenting sponsor Happy State Bank on March 27.

Becky McKinley, the daughter of Chuck and Francis Deyhle, now calls Amarillo home, and, according to the nomination, “…many organizations have benefitted from her culinary and event skills that she frequently donates to assist nonprofit organizations in fundraising efforts.” 

McKinley, a member of the Clarendon High School Class of 1972, is being honored for her service to a number of nonprofit organizations, primarily by implementing her culinary expertise.  She was recently reappointed to the Governor’s Commission for Women and serves on the advisory boards of the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health and the Amarillo Area Foundation’s Women’s Philanthropy Fund.  She was recently recognized by the Samaritan Counseling Center for her contributions to organizations that assist families and children. 

McKinley is a past board member of the BSA Foundation, KACV Public Television, Junior League of Amarillo, Amarillo Symphony Guild, and Harrington Cancer Center.

The other recipients who have made a difference through their volunteer contributions of time, talent, and skills include: Kay Brown, Amarillo; Rita Bryant, Amarillo; Cindy Jackson, Stratford; Cari Roach, Amarillo; Rosemary Roach, Amarillo; and Frances Schmidt, Wellington. 

The Women’s Forum was formed in 1975 as a local branch of the Governor’s Commission for Women.  The program began under the umbrella of West Texas A&M University and became a separate organization in 1985. 

For more information and luncheon details, contact Amy Juba, DSA Chair, at (806) 374-2816 or [email protected].

A Donley County Jury convicted a Lelia Lake man last Friday of indecency with a child by contact.
William Lee Baum was found guilty of the second degree felony offense after a two day trial here last week. He was sentenced to 10 years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and fined $10,000.00 by the Donley County jury. 

“The nightmare is over for the family affected by this defendant’s actions,” said District Attorney Luke Inman.  “The child’s willingness to come forward stopped the defendant from committing anymore horrible acts.”

Baum, age 67, was arrested for the offense of indecency with a child on July 17, 2009 after an investigation was conducted regarding an outcry of sexual abuse made by a family member.  Baum was later indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on October 5, 2009, for indecency with a child by contact.

According to documents filed with the Donley County Clerk’s office, the victim was eight years old at the time of the offense.

Thursday, the State began their case with the victim and the victim’s mother. Jennie Waggoner, Forensic Interviewer with the Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center, Danielle Livermore, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Sheriff Charles “Butch” Blackburn, and Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Matt Mull also testified for the State. 

The Donley County Jury deliberated for forty minutes before returning their verdict of guilty. 
The defense put two witnesses on the stand during the punishment phase of the trial, one of whom was the defendant. The jury deliberated for twenty minutes before returning their punishment of ten years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and fine of $10,000.

Under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Baum will also be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life upon his release from the Institutional Division.

“Sheriff Blackburn, Texas DPS, along with the Bridge Advocacy Center and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners from Amarillo did an excellent job in investigating the crime committed against this victim from Donley County.”  Inman said.  “These cases are always difficult, but working with these qualified individuals helps us prepare solid cases against these types of defendants.”

SCAM ALERT: The Texas Press Association is advising that phone numbers are being taken from newspaper classified ads. Scammers are calling individuals and businesses, claiming to be from the newspaper, and asking them to verify credit card information. If you receive one of these calls, you should contact your local newspaper.

Call The Enterprise at 806-874-2259.

Clarendon voters will have a choice of seven candidates to fill three positions on the Board of Aldermen, and five other boards will also have competitive races when local elections are held this May.

Incumbent City Aldermen Kyle Davis and Will Thompson will be joined on the ballot by challengers Jeff King, Jeremy Powell, John Lockhart, Danny Bennett, and former alderman Terry Noble. Alderman Tommy Hill is not seeking re-election.

Voters in Hedley will have two choices for mayor – incumbent Bruce Howard and Dusty D. Wilkinson – and five choices for four positions on the Board of Aldermen – David Wells and incumbents Leon Ward, Tonya Metcalf, Travis Thomas, and Lonnie Roby.

The City of Howardwick has four people running for three positions on the Board of Aldermen. Incumbents Rod Donaldson and Tanis McMorries are being challenged by Johnny Hubbard and Tim Gallagher.
Six candidates are running for three positions on the Clarendon College Board of Regents. Challengers Cindy Myers, Glenda Hawkins, and Jerry Gage will face incumbents Susie Shields, Charles Deyhle, and Ruth Robinson.

One challenger signed up to run with the incumbents seeking re-election to the Clarendon ISD Board of Trustees. Current members Robin Ellis, Jim Shelton, and Marvin Thompson will be joined on the ballot by Linda Rowland.

The Hedley ISD Board of Trustees has three candidates for two full terms. Incumbents James Edward Potts and Troy Monroe will face Bonnie Walsh Brown during the election. Karen Watt is serving an unexpired term on the board and was the only one to file to run for that position.

The Donley County Hospital District is the only local government that did not draw enough candidates for a competitive election. Incumbents Jeannie Owens, Mark C. White, and Lori Howard filed for re-election to Places 5, 6, and 7 respectively. Jan Farris filed to run for Place 4, which is currently held by Greg Collins, who is not seeking re-election.

All local offices are elected at-large, but hospital board candidates sign up for a specific place.
Early voting will begin April 26, and Election Day will be Saturday, May 8, 2010.