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January 16, 2019 | P
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Hereford BRAND Volume 118 | Number 53 WHAT'S INSIDE
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SJ Water tells BRAND to ‘shut up’
By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor
Police Blotter Page 2
Loss of playas a Plains disaster Page 5
Lady Whitefaces go to 2-0 in district play Page 7
FORECAST
Today
Partly Cloudy/Wind High: 66º Low: 34º
Thursday
Sunny High: 67º Low: 40º
There will apparently be very little – if any – verbal communication from Deaf Smith County Fresh Water Supply District No. 1 concerning allegations the district has been and currently is in violation of a variety of state laws. Officials for the water district, which is locally known as San Jose Water Authority (SJWA), have avoided contact and ignored numerous telephone messages seeking comment since the story broke the week before Christmas. Mona Hernandez, who identified herself as SJWA director when running for county judge as a Democrat in November but has since said she is “just an employee,” was finally reached – via telephone – at the SJWA office Monday evening. After confirming her identity, Hernandez hung up before a reporter from the BRAND could complete identifying himself. The reporter called back, but Hernandez delivered a terse message before he could begin to identify himself. “I don’t have anything to say to you. Stop harassing me. Shut up, already, OK?” PLEASE SEE SJWA | 3
Verbal communications appear to be halted after officials with San Jose Water Authority told the BRAND they have nothing to say and to “shut up” about allegations the water district is in violation of a number of state Public Information Act laws. BRAND/John Carson
Perrin vents, then abstains from vote
Friday
Partly Cloudy/Wind High: 63º Low: 22º
Saturday
Partly Cloudy/Wind High: 42º Low: 17º
By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor
Sunday
Sunny High: 50º Low: 30º
Monday
Partly Cloudy/Wind High: 60º Low: 29º
Tuesday
Partly Cloudy/Wind High: 44º Low: 21º
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INDEX Page 2............Obituaries Page 3...................News Page 4................Opinion Page 5..............Outdoors Page 6...................News Page 7..................Sports Page 8................Religion Page 9...........Classifieds Page 10................Sports
© 2019 Hereford BRAND A division of Roberts Publishing Group
Closing the purchase on the site for Hereford’s new civic center will be the first order of business now that efforts are picking back up on the project after all funding has been approved. Contributed image
Wheels to turn again on center
By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor
ing following city voters approving the measure in November non-binding referendum. After more than six months of being The project was nine months down idle, efforts for a new civic centhe road when brakes were put ter in Hereford are finally able on it due to public “pushback.” to start forward again after the Public reaction resulted in city Hereford Economic Developofficials halting progress and ment Corporation (HEDC) Board placing the question on the Nov. of Directors approved its fund6 general election ballot. ing portion during a called meetAlthough the vote was legally ing Friday. non-binding, city officials inWith approval for the total tended to let the new civic center $6.5 million for the project in project live or die on the results. HANNA hand, city officials will move Friday’s funding approval from forward with the process. HEDC must be essentially rubberThe Hereford City Commission ap- stamped by the city commission to be proved its $4 million portion of funding during its December regular meetPLEASE SEE CENTER | 6
ment that essentially spelled out his beliefs on HEDC and criticisms Despite objections, for the way things have criticism, contradic- transpired. The statement opens tions and a veritable printed manifesto, Her- with explanation of eford Economic Devel- how HEDC came to be opment Corporation and a liberal interpreta(HEDC) Board of Di- tion of how HEDC fundrectors president John ing is used that has yet Perrin never officially to receive legal verificamade a decision over tion. The second paragraph HEDC funding for a alludes to perceived new civic center. The HEDC board ap- disrespect to the HEDC board by the city proved $2.5 miland potential imlion in funding proprieties after be used for the announcement new center durwas made that ing a called meet$4 million of city ing Friday. funds and $2.5 Vote of the fivemillion of HEDC member board money would be was unanimous used to pay for – 3-0 – with memthe project. PERRIN bers Rocky Favi“It was a quite la, Keith Bridwell and Jerry O’Rear ap- a surprise because the proving the plan and HEDC board had never fellow member Sally been informed of the Noyce not in atten- existence of the project, much less the idea dance. Noyce and Perrin have of spending nearly one been vocal in their re- half of [the] HEDC fund sistance to the center balance,” the statement it first came before the continued. “Through the summer and fall board in August. Although Perrin again of 2017, public reports voiced a lengthy objec- seemed to indicate tion to the project, he that the city planned abstained from voting to spend HEDC funds on this project by their on the matter. However, prior to initiative.” Perrin’s statement the vote, he presented board members, city then accused the city officials and the public PLEASE SEE PERRIN | 3 with a prepared state-
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