Dateline: May 2, 2002

Churches return to air on local cable system 

By Carrie Helms and Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

The cable crisis facing local churches is over, according to an announcement made by First Baptist Church TV Ministry Chair Jean Ledbetter at last week’s Clarendon Aldermen meeting.

The church has made a deal with Classic Cable for the churches to be back on the air Sunday morning.

“Services will be just as before, beginning with Calvary Baptist at 8 o’clock,” Ledbetter said.

Co-chair Shirley Osburn said that the people of Clarendon have been instrumental in getting Classic Cable’s cooperation.

“They just can’t treat small towns like big cities because people don’t have that choice,” Osburn said.  “People in the community called, and gave their opinions and now we’re back on the air.”

According to Ledbetter, the church is waiting for a contract to seal the deal.

“We have agreed on a reasonable monthly payment of $50,” she said, “but we want to be sure we have a solid agreement in writing so that this does not happen again.”

Channel 11 has not been so successful, but KEFH-FM owner Patrick Robertson previously told City Council that his company is looking into the possibility of representing a satellite television provider.

“We should be able to finalize some details by the end of the week,”  Robertson said, “but as of now there is no change in the situation.”

In other city news, aldermen voted to lease a new copier from Tascosa Office Machines for $104.36 per month.

The animal ordinance was discussed. Mike Johnson said his property is his livelihood, and he didn’t think an ordinance should tell him what he could do it. Kyle Hill told the board he didn’t think the ordinance was fair and that he didn’t intend to abide by it at all. Mayor Selvidge told Johnson he could bring a petition before the board.

The board approved a request from Darrell Burton to use McClelland Field as a gathering place for some 200 youth for a conference on May 25 and 25.

Austin Howard, Stormie Garrison, and Michael Brooks discussed the skate park and presented the board with drawings and measurements. Board consultant Colby Waters reported he had contacted Texas Municipal League (TML) concerning liability insurance for the proposed park. It will cost an additional $2,759 per year for the insurance, plus there are strict but reasonable guidelines to follow. A representative from TML will be invited to the next board meeting.

Engineering proposals for a street improvement project were presented and considered. The board selected Barber, PSC, and TSC as the top three firms for consideration.