Dateline: April 3, 2003

Natural gas increase on temporary hold

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

GreenLight Gas spokesman Brent Wheeler told Clarendon Aldermen last week that he was putting his company’s rate increase request on hold pending a rate review by the Texas Railroad Commission.

City officials had put the rate increase on hold for 120 days back in December, but that time period was set to run out April 16. The city had hoped state officials would make a ruling before that date, but Wheeler said it was unknown how long the commission might take.

With no action by the city aldermen, the increase would have been automatic; but with only 20 days left, Wheeler issued a letter of abeyance, essentially putting the increase on indefinite hold.

Once the commission rules on the justification of the proposed rate increase, GreenLight can lift the abeyance. The city will then have 20 days to rule on the request.

In other city business last Tuesday, the Board of Aldermen ruled in favor of a request by the Community Fellowship Church to close Leroy Street between Ninth Street and Wood Avenue.

No action was taken on a request to close Cottage Street in the same area pending church officials contacting adjoining property owners for their thoughts.

Ricky Rattan addressed the board concerning a drainage problem near his property on Gorst Street. The board agreed with a suggestion by Mayor Tex Selvidge to have the city engineer look into the matter.

Clarendon EDC Executive Director Dee Dee Autry requested permission to rope off the 300 block of S. Kearney Street for the Turkey Strut Festival between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on April 19. The board approved the request.

No action was taken on a request by the Quail Peanut Company to improve a road in east Clarendon. Board consultant Colby Waters will get annexation information for the next meeting.

The board considered bids for re-painting the “Welcome to Clarendon” signs on US 287 and accepted the low bid from Don Stone.

The position of city administrator was discussed, and applications were reviewed. The board selected five candidates to contact for more information and possible interviews.