Week 2 Football Contest Winners
First place Mal Manchee
Second place Dan Odell
Third place Lupe Pesina
Wednesday, September 14, 2016 Volume 118 | Number 22 12 Pages www.herefordbrand.com $1
HISD names super in split vote By C.E. Hanna BRAND Staff Writer Following a near three-hour deliberation Friday, the Hereford Independent School District (HISD) Board of Trustees named Sheri Blankenship the lone finalist for its superintendent position – vacated by Kelli Moulton mid-summer. Upon emerging from a closed session, trustees approved Blankenship by a 4-3 margin with
board president Angel Barela, the result of Blankenship’s rise changes in mind,” Bryant said. “I Emily Wade and Robert through HISD’s thought they were in line de la Cruz dissenting. ranks. with what we want and “Region 16 took Bryant further need.” in 20 resumes and agreed with Board vice president narrowed those down Blankenship’s Carolyn Waters said to six,” trustee Mike vision for HISD’s the choice boiled Bryant said. “Out of future and down to Blankenship’s those six, I thought she “insights” for track record of talent, [Blankenship] was the the district’s experience and dedibest candidate.” direction. cation. According to Bryant, “She’s done a Waters also BLANKENSHIP BRYANT the reasoning behind great job, and appreciated that his vote was partially she has some Blankenship’s family
is ensconced in community affairs and activities beyond the district’s offerings. “We interviewed some great candidates, but I believe that Sheri is the best choice,” Waters said. “She’s 100 percent qualified.” Trustee Clay McNeely, who admitted a “personal relationship” with Blankenship, said that he wanted to assure PLEASE SEE HISD | 2A
City gets tax-rate feedback
Love's labor lost
By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor
Weather pinches, could affect construction BRAND/C.E. Hanna
More than 5 inches of rain since Aug. 1 has hampered, but not delayed overall construction plans on Love’s Travel Stop. However, officials said more rain over the next fortnight could jeopardize the planned year-end completion. By C.E. Hanna BRAND Staff Writer Depending upon when it falls, rain can be one man’s blessing and another’s curse, particularly when it comes to construction. Although Hereford Economic Development Corporation (HEDC) Executive Director Michael Kitten stated that Love’s Travel Stops’ construction timeline is on course, he noted that further rainfall within the next two weeks would derail expectations of a December completion. “Mother Nature hasn’t been kind,” Kitten said. “As the saying goes, ‘if you want to make it rain, start construction or have a livestock show.’” Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet’s Hereford site has recorded 4.07 inches of rain in August and .93 inches so far in September. According to the website, Hereford averages 2.14 inches in September and current forecasts predict additional rainfall by the middle of next week. “The weather has pushed them back some, but another weather event in the next week could push them back further,” Kitten said. “At the point they’re at, the weather is crucial.” Approximately 50-70 workers labor daily at the site, which will house a 6,560-square foot facility on 4.3 acres of land. PLEASE SEE LOVE'S | 2A
BRAND/C.E. Hanna
Despite recent rainfalls, construction for the Love’s Travel Stop on First Street is expected to be completed and open by the end of the year.
County united against unfunded mandates By C.E. Hanna BRAND Staff Writer Myriad factors have contributed to the Deaf Smith County Commissioners Court’s (DSCCC) decision to raise taxes in the forthcoming year, but the court will not take them all lying down. County commissioners voted unanimously to approve County Judge D.J. Wagner’s resolution
to oppose the State legislation to expressly of Texas’ unfunded prohibit the mandatory mandates during their imposition of programs regularly scheduled unless fully-funded by meeting. the state. “One of the main All state funds reasons that we’re that support having to raise county programs taxes is to cover are reviewed all these unfunded through the state mandates,” Wagappropriation ner said. “The process, which legislature will may elect to demand that we reduce or implement things, altogether cease WAGNER but won’t give us funding for the money to do these programs so.” and thereby place According to the unforeseeable disrupresolution, the DSCCC tions and reductions of believes it is in the the county budget and best interest of county operations, the resolution taxpayers to support said. and favor the passage of “We would like the
public to know that upon the court to reach we are good stewards out to state senators, of taxpayer money,” Wagner said. Precinct 4 Commissioner “It’s a big animal once Dale Artho said. you get into it,” “There are parts Wagner said. that are completely “Right now, out of our control, they’re considbut we work really ering reducing hard to ensure that county appraisal we remain good or tax rates from stewards.” 8 percent to 4 The resolution percent, so they will be recorded can tell their conin the minutes stituency ‘Hey, ARTHO and passed along we’re lowering to the 85th State taxes.’ Legislature when it “At the same time, they convenes in January. keep issuing mandates Some bills sound like telling us ‘you’re going a good idea, but place to do this’ without undue financial burdens providing us with the on county governments, means to pay for any of making it incumbent it.”
After a first public hearing that came and went within seconds because there was no attendance, the Hereford City Commission did receive response from taxpayers Monday at its second – and final – hearing on a proposed property tax increase. With the city’s $9.6 million, 2016-17 budget calling for a roughly 2-cent tax increase from 31.38 to 33.0 cents per $100 valuation, officials were mandated to hold two public hearings to allow citizen input. Citizens provided input with all three who spoke understanding the nature and need of the increase. Two offered items for commissioners to keep in mind when voting on a tax increase, while the third was ultimately exercising his rights as a citizen. “I hate it when people don’t show up when they’re supposed to,” Steve Horrell told commissioners of his thoughts after reading there was no attendance at the first hearing. “I wanted to come, see the process and know what is going on. “These rights [on attending open meetings] are so taken for granted. Someone needs to be here.” Long-time Deaf Smith County resident Jane Rudd, a member of the Deaf Smith County Hospital District Board of Directors, requested commissioners be mindful of the large number of local retirees when considering a tax increase. “The increases in valuations and [subsequent] increases in taxes have been exorbitant,” Rudd said. “You need to remain aware of people with no increase in incomes.” Reminded by Mayor Tom Simons that any city property tax increases will not affect rates for most seniors through homestead exemption, Rudd said that does not apply to all – particularly her because her exemption was used on farm land in the county. Place 2 Commissioner Angie Alonzo, who was absent from Monday’s hearing, has objected to PLEASE SEE CITY | 2A