HerefordBRAND.com
| Wednesday,
May 10, 2017 | Printed on recycled paper
Hereford BRAND Volume 116 | Number 90 WHAT'S INSIDE
Proudly Serving The High Plains Since 1901
Bond defeated in light turnout By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor
Band brings home the hardware Page 5
10 pages | $1.00
For the second time in as many years, the voters of Deaf Smith County have rejected a bond issue to provide funding for Hereford Independent School District (HISD). The latest defeat (795-557) saw 58.8 percent of voters deny a $45 million measure that would have
addressed a number of pressing need facing HISD. “I am sad, sad, sad,” HISD Superintendent Sheri Blankenship said. “I am disheartened by the response of community members to the needs of our students. “Based on what we had heard, I felt there would have been a different turnout.” The failed bond followed a $42.6
million issue that went down by an almost 2:1 margin in 2015. Like the 2015 issue – and despite the efforts of Blankenship, HISD and a separate political action committee – a light voter turnout played a role in defeat. While the combined early voting and May 6 election balloting was up from 2015’s 14.9 percent, only 1,359 (16.7 percent) of the coun-
ty’s eligible 8,118 registered voters exercised their right. “There were almost 200 more voters than last time, and that is better,” Blankenship said. “I am still disheartened that with more than 8,100 registered voters such a small percentage turned out. “That is not good for the comPLEASE SEE BOND | 3
County approves two bids
Mayor proclaims School Nurse Day Page 6
By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor
Approving a pair of bid were the first two orders of business at Monday’s regular meeting of the Deaf Smith County Commissioners Court. After giving the OK to advertise for bids for sealcoating work and a new prisoner transport vehicle for the Deaf Smith County Sheriff’s Office last month, commissioners opened a total of three and accepted two Monday. The sealcoat paving only drew a single bid – that from Doug Caperton. The bid amount for the work was $1.86 per square yard of roadway, which was unanimously approved. According to Precinct 4 Commissioner Dale Artho, the accepted bid for sealcoating last year was $1.70 per square yard. “The bid was not road specific,” County Judge D.J. Wagner said. “We have not decided exactly what roads and where any work will be done this year.” Although no specific projects have been named, the price for paving will not exceed $1.86
HHS duo completes feedyard tech program Page 10
FORECAST
Today
Isolated Thunderstorms/Wind High: 77º Low: 48º
Sunrise: 6:50 a.m. Sunset: 8:42 p.m. Wind: SSW 22 MPH Precipitation: 30% Humidity: 55% UV Index: 9 of 10
Thursday
Partly Cloudy/Wind High: 70º Low: 46º
Sunrise: 6:49 a.m. Sunset: 8:43 p.m. Wind: NW 21 MPH Precipitation: 10% Humidity: 53% UV Index: 8 of 10
Friday
Sunny High: 75º Low: 48º
Sunrise: 6:48 a.m. Sunset: 8:44 p.m. Wind: NNE 13 MPH Precipitation: 10% Humidity: 57% UV Index: 9 of 10
HEREFORD HISTORY 37 years ago • May 10, 1980
Two-wheelers fight cancer Hundreds of bicyclists, young and old alike, rolled down city streets after leaving Sugarland mall for the annual American Cancer Society Bike-A-Thon.
INDEX
Obits.........................2 News.........................3 Opinion.....................4 Agriculture.............5 Community........5-6,10 Classifieds...............7 Religion..................8 Sports......................9
© 2017 Hereford BRAND A division of Roberts Publishing Group
Making friends Above left, Megal Polan, 10, gets better acquainted with Jackson, while, above right, Linda Baird finds a friend to take home during the Humane Society of Deaf Smith County’s grand opening of its new facility last month. The new digs not only feature more space for cats and dogs, but also some high-tech additions to help with pet adoptions, right. BRAND/John Carson
PLEASE SEE COUNTY | 3
Women who make a difference
Lemons makes ‘a better place’ a life’s work By Carolyn Waters Special to the BRAND
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fifth in a series on women who have and make a difference in Hereford and Deaf Smith County.) In 1956, Jesse and Olivia Gonzales loaded their family and moved to Hereford from Elsa, where their daughter Billie Gonzales Lemons was born. Billie’s mom, Olivia, insisted they move back to Elsa, but that didn’t happen. Billie was in the first fifth-grade class at the new Northwest School, where her teacher was Mrs. Willie Brady. Her sixth-grade teacher, the
Mom...
Need we say more!
next year, was Miss Gladys Setliff. In fall 1965 as Billie was to begin her junior year in high school, her dad withdrew her from school to take care of her ill mother. “When I walked out of high school that day it was like I had lost my best friend,” she said. A year later, she entered the school of Hairdressing in Amarillo and after graduation that became Billie’s life profession. She has been owner and operator of her own shop for many years. The late Margaret Durham was Billie’s mentor for a life filled with volunteering. In 1966, she was asked to join the local hospital
auxiliary, and she continues to volunteer there. She is the purchasing agent for the hospital gift shop, and she travels, at her own expense, to market for these purchases. Much time is spent, sometimes between customers, in checking shipments, delivering and arranging the gifts. Many citizens have been recipients of Billie’s homecooked meals as she so often arrives with food for those who may have medical issues or have experienced a death in the family. And, at times, she may deliver a full meal or a cake just because. Billie is active in First Presbyterian Church and PLEASE SEE WOMEN | 3
Long-time Hereford resident Billie Lemons has owned and operated her local hair salon for a number of years after taking up the profession in 1966. BRAND/John Carson
Terry’s Floral & Designs Open on Mother’s Day! May 14th 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Regular Business Hours Mon. - Sat. 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 315 E. Park Ave. • Hereford, TX