Ben Estlack

The Clarendon City Council put a spotlight on child abuse before tackling a wide-ranging agenda covering the parks system, the airport, and the dog-catcher’s truck during their regular meeting March 12.

Mayor Jacob Fangman opened the meeting with a proclamation declaring April to be Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in the city.

Fangman said there were 33,249 confirmed victims of child abuse in Texas in fiscal year 2025, including 501 cases in Donley, Gray, Hansford, Hemphill, Lipscomb, Ochiltree, Roberts, and Wheeler counties.

The proclamation highlighted the work of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteers who are assigned by a court to speak up to ensure a child’s voice is heard and urged all citizens to dedicate themselves to improving the quality of life for all children and families. The full proclamation is on page eight of this week’s Enterprise.

In other city business, aldermen appointed Laverne Pinion and Misty Speed as the judged and alternate judge for the city’s upcoming election on May 2.

Leasing AED devices was discussed, but no action was taken. Council members directed Administrator Brian Barboza to consult local paramedics to see which locations in the city – specifically the library, City Hall, and the aquatic center – would be the best location for such devices.

Barboza proposed a draft of a parks plan proposal to guide the city over the next two to four years. The plan would cover Prospect Park as well as property on the north side of town the city is acquiring, which currently has some old playground equipment. Alderman Ashlee Estlack said the city needs to get public input and stakeholder input through an advisory committee, similar to the one that guided the construction of the aquatic center – which is also part of the parks system. Fangman said the city will form a parks and recreation committee.

The council approved a resolution authorizing a grant application for plans and survey work at the Smiley Johnson Municipal Airport. This project will lay the groundwork for replacing the runway in the next three to five years.

The council considered a proposal to lease a new truck and ACO box for the animal control officer but opted instead to buy a vehicle outright and make payments back into the city’s rolling stock fund.

At the close of the meeting in Mayor’s Comments, Fangman spoke at length about conversations he has had with Barboza and City Secretary Machiel Covey, as well as other city employees, about working together and improving working relationships within the city. The mayor said all parties have agreed and are making efforts to “put their best foot forward” for the good of the city and to serve the citizens.

Alderman Estlack thanked the mayor for his leadership and the employees’ willingness to work together.

“I’m ready to get back to what streets are next to work on and what waterlines are next and get back to improving our citizens’ lives,” she said.

The City of Hedley announced this week a clarification to its list of candidates who had signed up for this year’s election.

The terms of Mayor Trisha Chambless and Aldermen Clenton Pierce and Aaron Hanes are expiring this year. In the Enterprise’s March 5 edition, it was announced that Chambless was not seeking reelection, Hanes had filed as the lone candidate for mayor, Pierce had filed for reelection, and Caylor Monroe had filed to run for alderman.

Since then, Lauren Glover, the new City Secretary in Hedley, says she discovered that Hanes application was filed late and he therefore is not a candidate for any office.

After the new council is seated in May, aldermen will have to appoint someone to serve as mayor.

Clarendon’s 149th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration will have a new event added to the line-up thanks to Les Beaux Arts Club.

Quilters and quilt lovers are invited to participate in a special Quilt Show on Saturday, July 4. The arts club is hosting the show in partnership with the Clarendon Methodist Church and the Arena of Life Cowboy Church from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Quilt Show will feature entries in heritage, contemporary, and youth categories, showcasing a wide range of quilting styles and traditions.

There is no charge to enter quilts, and admission to the Quilt Show is free for all visitors.

Entry forms are available at Stocking’s Ice Cream Parlor, Burton Memorial Library, and the Donley County Senior Citizens Center.

For additional information, call Howell at 432-296-3883.

Clarendon’s St. Mary’s Day BBQ Fundraiser will be held Sunday, April 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 510 E. Mongtomery.

Barbecue beef and pork ribs by the plate with sides or by the pound will be available along with homemade desserts, hand-crafted items, and homemade bread.

Plates are $20 for adults, $10 for kids, and free for kids 12 and under.

All proceeds go towards finishing the new church building.

It will be a busy day in Clarendon this Saturday, March 28, when the annual Clarendon College Invitational Judging Contest more than doubles the city’s population with participants from far and wide.

As of Tuesday, 2,444 contestants were registered for the event, which is the biggest single event held each year in the city. The contest regularly attracts high school FFA students and 4-H students from around Texas and nearby states.

The number of registrations doesn’t include the hundreds of parents and coaches who accompany the students to the contest, pushing the total attendance for the day close to 3,000. According to the 2020 US Census, Clarendon has a population of 1,877.

Past contests have had huge impacts on the local economy. Restaurants are typically packed for the event, and this year will hopefully be equally successful. The day also features the annual breakfast and lunch fundraiser hosted by the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department and the Associated Ambulance Authority, which feeds hundreds of contest attendees in addition to local residents.

The event presents an opportunity for Clarendon College to showcase its campus, faculty, and programs for prospective students from a wide area.

Johnny Treichel, who is Clarendon College Dean of Students, said the event is a big recruiting tool for the college.

“This is the only time each year the college has this many potential students on campus,” he said. “And we are pleased to have such positive support from the community year after year.”