Dateline: August 3, 2006

City to consider banning disturbance of peace

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen will consider an ordinance prohibiting disturbing the peace when they meet next Tuesday evening.

The board approved the language of the draft ordinance at their regular meeting last week. If the measure becomes law, it would be illegal to “intentionally or knowingly disturb the peace within the city limits.”

The draft defines disturbing the peace as creating any unreasonably loud, disturbing, and unnecessary noises and also includes all the acts considered disorderly conduct under the Texas Penal Code, which covers several offenses such as abusive or profane language in a public place, fighting in public, lewd acts, creation of unreasonable odors, and offensive gestures among other acts.

Anyone who violates the ordinance, if approved, would be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a substantial fine.

In other city business, aldermen approved new guidelines and criteria for tax abatements as presented by Will Thompson, president of the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation. The guidelines have to be reviewed and renewed every two years.

The board approved the sale of tax delinquent property for a bid of $174 as presented by the Donley County Appraisal District.

Aldermen discussed the city’s ad valorem tax rate and will propose keeping the combined rate at the current $0.4955 per $100 valuation during a public hearing on August 22.

In other city business, City Superintendent Jim Roberts said work is underway on several driveways being repaired by the city and is coming along good.

The Board of Aldermen also approved a proclamation presented by Mayor Mark White setting aside July 30, 2006, as a day of prayer for rain.