Dateline: May 22, 2008

Sheriff asks aldermen to consider teen curfew

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Clarendon Aldermen are considering a teen curfew following a discussion with Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn at last Tuesday’s regular city meeting.

The sheriff presented the board with a copy of an ordinance from Childress for their consideration, which sets curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weeknights and 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. on weekends.

“Last year I would have said that we didn’t need this,” Blackburn said; “but after spring break, I can tell you that we have parents who don’t care where their eight- and ten-year-old kids are at 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning.”

Under the Childress ordinance, a teenager 14 or older would be subject to a ticket for being out past curfew. Parents would get the ticket for teens under the age of 14.

Blackburn said his office would give one warning, and he said exceptions could be made for kids going home from school or church events. He also said he wanted to work with the Sandell Drive-In and not hurt their business during the summer.

Alderman Chris Ford suggested that if parents want their kids to see a double feature in the summer, they should take them themselves.

The maximum fine under the proposed ordinance would be $500.

The board tabled the issue and will consider it at its next meeting.

In other city business, aldermen agreed to spend $2,000 from the Motel Bed Tax Fund to promote the Saints’ Roost Blowout Rodeo this September 6.

The board voted to sell the old merry-go-round from the City Park to Shirley Osburn for one dollar.

A motion was approved to amend Ordinance 338, setting the minimum charge at the city’s convenience center at $5 and allowing the gatekeeper to adjust the charge for oversized loads.

Aldermen voted to enact the city’s Dangerous Structure Ordinance regarding a house at 719 W. Sixth and called for a public hearing to be held on May 27.

The board also canvassed the returns of the May 10 election, and Mayor Mark White issued the oath of office to returning Alderman Ford and new Alderman Kyle Davis.

White presented former alderman Janice Knorpp with a plaque with a key to the city and thanked her for her six years of service to Clarendon.