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Saturday, September 10, 2016 Volume 118 | Number 21 12 Pages www.herefordbrand.com $1
Movement seen on economic horizon
By C.E. Hanna BRAND Staff Writer
presidential election may be influencing businesses’ decisions regarding expansion and/ or relocation. “I believe that this being an election year, particularly at the federal level, there is an uneasiness,” Kitten said. “Businesses definitely have the brakes on a little bit.” In recent days, however,
After an admittedly slow summer for the Hereford Economic Development Corporation (HEDC) in terms of attracting new businesses, things look to pick up again this fall. HEDC Executive Director Michael Kitten stated during the called meeting that economic uncertainty concerning the outcome of November’s
Last tax hearing set for Monday
KITTEN
a “floodgate” of site locators has opened expressing interest in properties throughout Hereford and Deaf Smith County, he said. The HEDC has not incentivized any business venture, but has connected interested parties with local property owners. “I’ve spoken with one site selector, who was pretty vague, but
I know that it is a fast-food chain looking at property, and we’re continuing to try to make something happen with the Long John Silver’s property,” Kitten said. “Unfortunately, it looks like that property may be tied up until 2019.” Burger King has purchased property at 1005 W. First St. and submitted building plans to the city. The timeline for the eatery’s construction has yet to be
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Recent rains proving more pain than gain
Royal Walk
By C.E. Hanna BRAND Staff Writer
By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor The Hereford City Commission will hold its second and final public hearing on increasing the property tax rate Monday at city hall. With a new fiscal year fast approaching, city officials have proposed a 2-cent increase in property taxes, as well as a 3 percent increase in water and sewer rates, to balance the city’s 2016-17 proposed budget. The $9.6 million spending measure, which could feasibly see property taxes increase from 31 to 33 cents per $100 valuation, also includes a 3 percent raise for city employees, adjustments for jumps in health insurance premiums and a maximum 1.5 percent hike in garbage collection fees. City officials have warned property owners of a potential tax hike for more than a year after the local rate has dropped from 42 to nearly 30 cents this century. Place 2 Commissioner Angie Alonzo has voiced opposition to the tax increase and called it an undue burden on property owners. She suggested a larger increase in water and sewer rates rather than raising taxes. While echoing Alonzo’s concern for property owners, Place 6 Commissioner Marcos
disclosed, he said. “I’ve also been contacted by a clothing chain. They won’t tell me exactly who they are, but they are very specific about what they are looking for,” Kitten said. “I believe the company is more geared towards women’s clothing.” The county may also see a boon in renewable energy businesses as Broadview Energy’s 36-windmill, 324-megawatt wind
BRAND/C.E. Hanna
Hereford High School seniors Ray Ruiz and Alexis Escobal triumphantly walk off the field Thursday following their coronations as HHS's 2016 Homecoming king and queen. The newly crowned pair will reign over Friday's homecoming football game against Pampa. See same-night game coverage on www. herefordbrand.com.
Late August and early September rain showers, totaling more than 5 inches in parts of Deaf Smith County (DSC), have proven to be a mixed blessing for area farmers. According to DSC AgriLife Extension Agent Rick Auckerman, recent rainfall has proven to be a case of too little, too late for most crops and an outright pain for others. “There’s certain parameters, as far as moisture content goes, when harvesting silage,” Auckerman said. “They were just getting started, and now it’s going to be a good three or four days before they can get back out there.” The rain also has potential to pose problems for cotton farmers, although Auckerman doesn’t anticipate seeing open bolls until late October. Since cotton is a warmweather crop, the rain will not prove beneficial as cloudy skies and precipitation work to lower overall temperatures, he said. AUCKERMAN “It [the rain] is going to be good for a wheat crop,” Auckerman said. “We’ve got enough moisture to germinate and get going if you’re going to do it.” Most feedlots begin planting wheat crops in August, while commercial farmers tend to wait until the end of September. Rain may assist late-planted corn, but that remains to be determined as corn producers have varied planting times, he said. “The most beneficial thing is that it is going to help the sunflowers, and we’ve got a couple thousand acres planted throughout the county,” Auckerman said. “That and moisture for wheat are about the only positives we can take from it.” After a summer-long fight with weeds, namely pigweed, the damage has been done save for some small measure of moisture extraction from growing crops. “Obviously, you can’t do much with them right now, but weeds in cropland aren’t doing much damage,” Auckerman said.
Blacksher joins BRAND staff Rep unsure about climate change From Staff Reports
president and publisher Kim Ware has announced The Hereford that April Blacksher BRAND did not need has taken the reins to look outside the as officer manager. community to find “I am very proud its newest member of April becoming in solidifying its part of our team,” office staff. Ware said. “She As part of brings enthusiasm revamping the and excitement business aspects about the Hereford of the paper community.” BLACKSHER following last A resident of month’s departure Hereford since of former publisher Robert 1990 – when the family Arrowsmith, BRAND moved here after her law enforcement-officer father was transferred – Blacksher is a 2003 graduate of Hereford High School. Keeping the family law enforcement chain intact, Blacksher – whose brother is
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a state trooper out of Dumas – received an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Amarillo College in 2013. Blacksher has worked various jobs in the community during the past seven years. She has a 12-year-old daughter attending Hereford Junior High School, and her mother has been employed at King’s Manor for the past 13 years. “I have high hopes of doing the best I can while working for the Hereford BRAND,” Blacksher said. “I am very excited about the opportunity and new experience. “I would like to see the community happy with the BRAND in all aspects.”
By C.E. Hanna BRAND Staff Writer
would be illogical to scrap current stores of military equipment and fuel in favor of newer District 13 alternatives. U.S. Rep. Mac “We need to be Thornberry recareful of what mains skeptical we say in the regarding climate name of climate change due to change,” he said. what he calls a “It has become “politicalization” untethered from of the science what the science behind such really proves so concerns. far.” Thornberry THORNBERRY According to supports alteThornberry, the rnative fuel production, but only EPA is a “heavy-handed” to the degree that it agency whose regulations makes economic sense, negatively impact energy particularly as it relates to and agricultural economic the operation of military sectors. The congressman has machinery. For Thornberry, it pushed back against the
Environmental Protection Agency’s 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards by voting to delay its implementation and altering the review cycle for the standards from five to 10 years. “There are some standards that you can never meet,” Thornberry said. “The dust blows and there’s nothing you can do. Certain counties, especially around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, can never be in full compliance.” Thornberry, who voted to open the continental shelf to drilling and is a proponent of fracking, PLEASE SEE REP | 3A
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