Dateline: June 15, 2006

County bans fireworks

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

There will be no rockets’ red glare or bombs bursting in air during the Fourth July in Donley County this year… not without a hefty fine anyway.

County commissioners banned the sale and use of all fireworks during their regular meeting Monday. Continuing dry conditions and the ever-present threat of wildfires were cited as the reasons for the ban.

“It’s worse now than it was when we had the big fires (in January and March),” said Commissioner Ernest Johnston. “We don’t have the high winds we had then, but we sure have the fuel.”

The county did not, however, reinstate the burn ban. Campfires and outdoor grilling are legal.

County Judge Jack Hall said the commissioners’ court initially wasn’t going to ban all fireworks.

“We first just talked about bottle rockets and things that went into the air, but we felt that wouldn’t be sufficient,” Hall said.

While the ban will just put a damper on the fun of most folks, local fireworks vendors will feel a financial pinch.

Jesus Name Apostolic Church has been selling fireworks for more than 12 years, and the small congregation depends on the sales to see them through the year.

“That’s our only fundraiser,” said Pastor Calvin Burrow. “Now we will just do without.”

To make matters worse, the church has already purchased its fireworks for the year and now must find some other outlet for the merchandise.

“We probably should have waited, but it was the only time I had off (to get the fireworks),” Burrow said. “We’re looking for someone to take them, but I suspect it’s going to be this way all over the Panhandle. All we can do now is pray for rain.”

Kathleen Yankie is also affected by the ban but fortunately had not placed her order for this year.

“It’s for the good of the county, but I know the kids will be disappointed,” said Yankie, who has been selling fireworks for 28 years. “There’s nothing we can do about it, so I guess we’ll live with it.”

Chief Deputy Randy Bond says the Donley County Sheriff’s Department will back the commissioners and will enforce as rigidly as it did the burn ban.

“Our concern is for the county,” Bond said. “The grass is dry, and we’re trying to prevent anymore fires.”

Anyone who violates the fireworks ban will face a Class C misdemeanor and could get a $250 fine.

In other county business this week, the court received a plaque from Life Scout McCullough Roach, who is working on his Eagle Scout rank. The plaque lists the names of all past Eagle Scouts from Clarendon and will be hung in the Courthouse.

Commissioners heard from Landon Lambert, who is the only candidate for the office of county attorney in this year’s election. He asked to be seated now as county attorney and to be paid with a state supplement salary and also said that County Attorney Pro-tem Kaye Messer could be left on the county’s payroll. Commissioners took no action on Lambert’s request.

Dr. John Howard was named as the Public Health Authority.

The court also approved a right of way easement for Valor Telecom on CR 18 south of FM 1260 and approved an agreement for two computers from Cyber Medics through a Texas Election Administration Management System grant.