The High Plains Food Bank will be offering
application assistance on Monday, February 3, 2014, from 10:00 a.m. – to 2:00 p.m. at the Clarendon Housing Authority at 103 E. 4th Street.
Application assistance will be given to those interested in applying for food stamps, TANF, CHIP/Children’s Medicaid, Adult Medicaid & Women’s Health Care, and Long Term Care.
Bring a copy of the following information to Apply:
• Social security cards, ID and or birth certificates for everyone in household
• Proof of all income: Social Security, Last (4) Stubs, ect..
• Receipt for rent or lease agreement or mortgage payment
• Most recent telephone, electricity, gas, water, insurance premium, medical bills, and prescriptions
• Proof of resources, such as checking or savings account statement or passbook, life insurance policies, tax statements for real estate.
• Immunization Records (TANF and Children’s Medicaid only)
News
Clarendon College names fall graduates
Clarendon College held commencement ceremonies for the fall 2013 graduating class on Friday, December 6, with 51 students honored.
A total of 10 students were awarded associate degrees and 41 students were awarded certificates of completion.
The Fall 2013 graduates are listed below by hometown.
Brittany Ann Balay, Amarillo, Certificate of Completion, Cosmetology; Betsy Beltran, Amarillo, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Joel Anthony Britten, Amarillo, Associate of Applied Science, RFO; Natalie M. Moreno, Amarillo, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Margie Sanchez, Amarillo, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Lionel Benavides III, Childress, Associate of Applied Science, Wind; Alison Lynn Britten, Childress, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Stormy Burrows, Childress, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Michelle Garcia, Childress, Certificate of Completion, Cosmetology; Chelsey Ann Garno, Childress, Certificate of Completion, Cosmetology; Destiny Marie Dann, Childress, Certificate of Completion, Cosmetology; Tabitha LeAndra Noelle Pena, Childress, Certificate of Completion, Cosmetology; Meagan Leianna Weaver, Childress, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Kelsey Blake Mullins, Clarendon, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Tamra Renee Burnam, Hedley, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Neva Marie Corely, McLean, Associate of Science; Samantha Renee House, Memphis, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Monica Miller, Memphis, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Dana Michelle Waller, Memphis, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Sally Frawner, Paducah, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Angie A. Holly, Paducah, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Emily Lauren Barrett, Pampa, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Theresa Daniels, Pampa, Associate of Science; Kimberly Darnell, Pampa, Certificate of Completion, Cosmetology; Kristen Doyetes, Pampa, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Chad Epperson, Pampa, Certificate of Completion, Welding; Meganne Briar Fraser, Pampa, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Susette Stubbs Howard, Pampa, Associate of Science; Pamela R. Mathis, Pampa, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Erika Mauricio, Pampa, Certificate of Completion, Cosmetology; Karen McGahen, Pampa, Associate of Science; Kendra Marie Ruth Myers, Pampa, Certificate of Completion, Cosmetology; Kayla Lynn Parker, Pampa, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Ashlee Nicole Patton, Pampa, Certificate of Completion, Cosmetology; Brenda Reed, Pampa, Certificate of Completion, Cosmetology; Bryan Roberts, Pampa, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Verona Ballard Shook, Pampa, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Cassie Nicole Solis, Pampa, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Jessica L. Gutierrez, Pampa, Associate of Science; Elena Leigh Mercado-Valdez, Pampa, Certificate of Completion, Cosmetology; Shaley Lanae Smith, Pampa, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Tiffany Thomas, Pampa, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Judy Janean Whitten, Pampa, Associate of Science; Shanna Segura Smith, Panhandle, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Alex Stephens, Panhandle, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Chancy Dowd, Quitaque, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Kelly Ann Lowery, Vega, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Shayla Villalon, Wellington, Certificate of Completion, Vocational Nursing; Delta Hartwig, White Deer, Associate of Science; Kenley R’Nae Loveless, White Deer, Certificate of Completion, Cosmetology; and Bridgett Parks, White Deer, Associate of Science.
Powerlifting underway at CHS
By Sandy Anderberg
Several Broncos and Lady Broncos participated in a powerlifting meet at Highland Park and finished with good results according to coach Johnny Nino.
Ray Jaramillo finished fifth with a lift total of 620 pounds in the 123-pound class. Clint Franks also earned fifth place in the 132-pound class with a total of 530 pounds, and Ethan Ballard finished 19th in the 165-pound weight class with a total lift of 685 pounds. Joseph Jaramillo participated in the 148-pound class and lifted a total of 765 pounds for third place, and Nick Shadle finished 11th in that class with a lift total of 600 pounds. Lady Bronco Emberli Holland lifted a total of 500 pounds in the 165-pound class for 4th place, and Chelsea Morris was second with a total lift of 530 pounds in the 198-pound class. Karlee Adams also participated.
“This was a new experience for all but one lifter,” Nino said. “I felt like they competed very well and they all have room for improvement.”
The lifters will travel to Childress February 1.
Lady Broncos kick Lady Stangs
By Sandy Anderberg
The Clarendon Lady Broncos went 4-0 in the first half of District and continued their winning streak at home Friday night defeating the Claude Lady Mustangs 53-45. The win puts the ladies in control for the remaining games left on their district schedule.
The Lady Broncos trailed by two points after the first eight minutes, but came storming back in the second quarter and outscored the Lady Mustangs by eight points. Determination and focus kicked in for the ladies in the second half and they were able to get a big win over their opponent. The Lady Broncos went to the free throw line twenty-four times and made good on sixteen of those. The two Taylors on the team led the ladies on the scoreboard with seventeen and fourteen points, respectively. Camra Smith was perfect from the bonus line going four for four and put seven total points on the board.
“We played really, really hard,” head coach Molly Weatherred said. “They came out ready for us and we didn’t shoot very well. But our defense kept us in the game. Not playing Tuesday night hurt us somewhat, but we were able to get it done and get the win.”
Scoring: Degrate 17, Gaines 14, Smith 7, Deborah Howard 7, Phara Berry 5, and Ryann Starnes 3.
The Lady Broncos will play in their final home game on Friday, January 31, against White Deer beginning at 6:30 pm. They will travel to Panhandle on Tuesday, February 4, for their final regular season game.
Broncos struggle against Claude
By Sandy Anderberg
Things did not go as the Broncos planned against Claude at home last Friday night and they were defeated 31-48 after getting a win against them in the first half of district.
The first half of play was fairly even with Claude only holding a three-point lead at the break. The Broncos were right where they needed to be, but a slow-shooting third quarter was devastating for the Broncos as the Mustangs increased their lead to ten. Fouls worked against the Broncos as Claude went to the line numerous times while the Broncos only went thirteen times and made good on only four of those.
“We did not shoot the ball well for the entire game,” head coach Brandt Lockhart said. “We could not buy one inside or outside in the second half. It was a tough loss.”
Scoring: JoJo Cartwright 10, Cedrick McCampbell 6, Charles Mason 6, Taylon Knorpp 4, Chance McAnear 3, and Ashton Smith 2.
The Broncos will host White Deer at home Friday, January 31, and travel to Panhandle on Tuesday, February 4, beginning at 8:00 p.m.
Cat electrocutes self, ignites grass fire
Here, kitty, kitty… Bzzzzzzzzt
A fried cat is being blamed for a grass fire that threatened a residence in Howardwick’s 600 block of Borger Street last week.
Fire Chief Joe Hall said the blaze that was reported at 7:01 p.m. last Friday, January 17, was caused after a cat crawled on top of an electrical transformer and burned through all nine of its lives before hitting the ground as flaming ball of fur and igniting the dry grass.
A quick-thinking neighbor began smacking the fire with a snow shovel and
thereby averted any greater disaster.
Three units and six firemen responded from Howardwick assisted by one unit and two firemen from Clarendon. The fire was completely extinguished in about an hour.
An area more than 400 square feet was burned, but no damage was done to the residence or nearby outbuildings.
Donley County is currently under a burn ban during Red Flag Warning days, and local officials are warning residents to use extreme caution to avoid outdoor fires that could lead to wildfires. Keeping grass and brush cleared is one key to preventing disaster during these dry conditions.
“If you have grass more than three inches tall, get it down,” Hall said. “We are in prime condition for wildfires.”
City drafting rules on alcohol sales
The Clarendon Board of Aldermen began the process of finding common ground on regulation of alcohol sales during their regular meeting last Tuesday, January 14.
About a dozen citizens attended the meeting as Clarendon Economic Development & Tourism Director Chandra Eggemeyer addressed the board in public comments.
Eggemeyer said last summer’s influx of pipeline workers to Clarendon bolstered the local economy and buffered the negative effects of losing visitors to the dwindling Lake Greenbelt.
“The decrease in lake traffic has not hurt us yet,” Eggemeyer told the board. “Only the Lord can make it rain, but we do have some tools available to us to help our economy.”
Eggemeyer said the alcohol election on November 5 was already producing positive results with properties being cleaned up and put up for sale, businesses making investments, and a sense of optimism about the future. She then encouraged the board to act on the alcohol sales issue and said the sales and business activity would result in a bigger impact than the permit fees will.
“The sooner we can finalize the details, the sooner we can realize the activity,” she said.
Later in the meeting, the board took up discussion of the issue with Alderman Sandy Skelton asking for quick action.
“We have merchants waiting. Why hold them up? Why can’t we grandfather existing businesses?” Skelton asked.
City Secretary Machiel Covey said the city needed to have its ordinance in place before any permits were signed.
Mayor Larry Hicks brought up the City of Claude’s ordinance, which he said simply prohibits sales in residential zones, but Alderman Will Thompson preferred limiting sales to properties on US 287 and SH 70. Alderman Larry Jeffers also said he would not vote for any rules that would allow sales near a church.
Aldermen generally agreed that they would allow sales on US 287 and the Central Business District but within that area restrict sales within 300 feet of a church or school.
The board also agreed that they would measure distances from front door to front door rather than by property lines and that they would allow businesses to apply for variances.
City officials said the proposed rules would allow for sales at businesses that have already expressed interests in getting alcohol permits, specifically Allsup’s, CEFCO, Lowe’s Family Center, JD Steak Out, and Bar H BBQ & More; but it would give protection to churches downtown and on the highway.
Board members also generally agreed that they wanted to prohibit public consumption of alcohol at city owned parks and ballparks and on property owned by Clarendon ISD.
No action was taken last week, but city officials were planning to draft an ordinance based on these discussions and present it to the board at its next regular meeting on January 28.
Curbing plan at center of city street project debate
Clarendon Aldermen debated curbing plans for streets slated to be paved this year during their regular meeting last Tuesday, January 14.
City voters in May of 2012 approved a bond election that authorized $700,000 for street improvements, but the project was delayed when the board of aldermen later authorized an additional $700,000 in tax revenue notes to replace water and sewer lines under the targeted streets.
At last week’s meeting, Mayor Larry Hicks and city engineer Clayton Scales of KSA Engineers presented aldermen with plans for curbing for the street project. As presented, the project would narrow the streets down to 32 feet wide and use mostly “rollover” curbs to define the streets.
Scales said about eight feet of existing street in some areas would be left between the rollover curb and existing curbs. Hicks said that pavement would be left as intact as possible to let people continue to park there and that the city would repave that area at a later time.
Alderman Sandy Skelton balked at the idea of narrowing streets and focused his attention on Third Street leading up to the First Baptist Church.
“I want to please the citizens,” Skelton said. “I think Third needs to be as wide as it is between Koogle and Allen streets. I want to keep that width with the curbs.”
Hicks said wider streets will increase the cost of the project but said the decision was up to the board.
Alderman Doug Kidd also said he did not like the idea of narrowing the streets, and Alderman Larry Jeffers, regarding the plan for “rollover” curb on most of Third Street, said he couldn’t imagine that those property owners would not want a full curb and gutter.
Asked if he knew of any other cities that had narrowed streets with rollover curbing and left old paving behind the curb, Scales said he had not seen this done before.
Skelton also raised concern that new paving on Sixth Street near the ballparks would not withstand flooding and said concrete paving should be considered there.
Scales said the city needs to finalize its plans soon in order to get the curbing in place in time for the paving season. The plan calls for city workers to do the excavating needed for the curbs and to do all the base work for paving of the streets. Hicks said the city will have to add more help to be able to stay ahead of the contractors.
The curbing plans presented last week includes Sixth Street from Koogle to Goodnight; Third Street from Allen to Bugbee; Allen Street, from Third to Fifth; Carhart Street, from Sixth to Fourth; and Wood Avenue from Jackson to Faker.
The project also includes seal coating Clarendon Avenue from Bugbee to its west dead end (along the south side of the Clarendon College campus) and Regent Avenue from US 287 to Clarendon Ave., up the middle of the CC campus.
CC now offering Amarillo class
Clarendon College has opened its Amarillo cosmetology center with its first group of students this month and will start a second group next month, according to information presented to the Board of Regents’ meeting last Thursday, January 16.
CC President Robert Riza said he appreciated Vice President Raymond Jaramillo’s work on the Amarillo center, and board member Jerry Woodard praised the efforts of college employees, specifically Gary Ferguson and John Havens, who worked hard to remodel the building for the Amarillo center.
Final fall enrollment numbers won’t be available until next week, but Jaramillo estimated 40 students would start the semester in Amarillo.
In other business, regents acknowledged the resignation of Dr. Pat Westergaard as Dean of Instruction and ratified the appointment of Brad Vanden Boogaard as athletic director. Vanden Boogaard has been serving in an interim capacity the past few months, and Riza praised him for the work he had done and recommended removing “interim” from that title.
Regents considered and approved a $4,657 proposal from 1-800-Plumber to increase the capacity of sewer and water lines in a handicapped bathroom located in the Harned Sisters Fine Arts Center.
In his president’s report, Riza said senior staff are working on a strategic plan that will take the college three years into the future and preparations are being made to get ready for CC’s upcoming accreditation visit. Employees are also being surveyed for college planning purposes.
The board also met in closed session for 17 minutes to discuss personnel, but no action was taken following the closed session.
Editorial: City should take its time on street plan
Life is often a matter of “hurry up and wait” with any number of subjects and in a wide array of circumstances. But in two issues currently before the Clarendon Board of Aldermen, city leaders need to both “hurry up” and “wait” but not at the same time.
Aldermen made good progress on an alcohol ordinance at last week’s regular meeting, and board members seemed to pretty well be in agreement when they adjourned. Now they are set to meet again next Tuesday to finalize the ordinance. As Clarendon Economic Development & Tourism Director Chandra Eggemeyer told the board, the sooner this is done, the sooner Clarendon will start seeing the benefit of last fall’s election.
To put it more simply, every day a local store can’t sell beer is a day they are losing money. City leaders need to forge ahead without delay next week, finish whatever rules they are going to adopt, and authorize City Hall to begin signing permit applications.
But on another issue – the pending street project, the city needs to take its time and act carefully. An alcohol ordinance can be amended in the future if needs to be, but street projects are long term investments. When done right – like our brick streets, they can serve the citizens for decades. When done wrong or hastily, citizens will likewise live with those decisions for a long time.
Any way you slice it, the street project has changed substantially from what former city administrator Lambert Little sold citizens when they voted. At that time there was no talk of narrowing streets, but now that’s what the plan calls for – reducing streets to 32 feet across mostly bordered by ribbons of concrete known as “rollover” curbs as opposed to full curb and gutter that we saw in the last project seven years ago.
Narrowing the streets is always done as a cost-saving measure, but city officials need to consider what that’s going to look like and exactly what the plan is. In the case of Third Street, the plan is to essentially ignore up to eight feet of currently paved street that will be behind the new rollover curb. People will still be able to park there, and the city will repave that area “later.” Unfortunately, “later” has a habit of never getting here.
In the last project, the city was going to go back and tie in cross streets like Allen, Sims, and others that were eliminated from the last plan to save money. That isn’t on the drawing board. We were also going to see Seventh and Fourth streets from Koogle going east paved. That isn’t being talked about. “Later” means “probably never.” If a future city council has an extra $50,000 to spend ten years from now, they aren’t likely to spend it behind a curb where someone is parking. Why not just keep the streets wider today and allow enough room to park on both sides of the street?
The city engineer admitted last week that he has never seen another city do what Clarendon is planning to do. We therefore have no idea what this is going to look like, but we can be sure that it won’t a proper street that might be seen in other communities.
Third Street in particular, again, is a major thoroughfare for local people and visitors to our city that connects downtown with Bronco Stadium and our beautiful college campus. When paved, it needs to be nothing less than professional and a source of pride.
The city also needs to think about timing. We’ve seen what a disaster occurred when the water and sewer project was going on during football season. It was a muddy, sloppy, embarrassing mess. And that will look like a walk in the park compared to what might happen if the street project isn’t finished before school starts.
City crews are intended to do all the dirt work for the curbing and all the base work for the streets. Our city workers have plenty to do without being tasked with staying ahead of a paving contractor, who could probably more efficiently do the job themselves. This isn’t to say our guys aren’t capable of doing base work. It’s simply pointing out that they already have fulltime jobs to do.
What thought, if any, has been given to how this project will impact activity around the ballparks this summer? What thought, if any, has been given to making sure this project is over and done with before school starts this fall so that we avoid the congestion and mess at Clarendon ISD that we’ve seen this school year?
And then there remains the idea of seal coating Clarendon Avenue and Regents Avenue on the college campus. How will the city time its work so that it doesn’t interfere with activities at the college this summer or, heaven help us, after classes start in the fall? All of Donley County pays taxes to Clarendon College to keep up maintenance on college property. The estimated $50,000 the city proposes to spend on the college campus is really and truly needed elsewhere to make sure that city streets are paved in the same professional manner that we see with the college streets.
The Board of Aldermen needs to takes its time on this. Ask the right questions. Get satisfactory answers, and above all, don’t be rushed. Clarendon will live with these streets for a long time. Let’s make sure we’re happy with what we’re getting and not just “poor boy” this deal for expediency and the sake of saving a buck.
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