Dateline: December 11, 2008

Mayor White resigns, Ford takes city's reins

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen accepted the resignation of Mayor Mark White during last Tuesday’s city meeting.

White was elected to the position of Donley County Commissioner for Precinct 1 on November 4 and will begin his new duties in that office next month.

Mayor Pro-Tem Chris Ford immediately assumed the duties of the city’s chief executive; and, as the Enterprise went to press Tuesday, it was expected that the Board of Aldermen would name him as the city’s 36th mayor.

White had served as mayor since May 2006 when he was appointed to that position after the retirement of Mayor Tex Selvidge. White was elected to a full term in office the following May.

The appointment of an alderman to fill Ford’s seat on the board and the election of a new mayor pro-tem were also items up for consideration Tuesday night and will be reported next week.

In other city business last week, the Board of Aldermen engaged in a spirited discussion about utility rates under Ordinance 385.

Aldermen Tommy Hill and Ann Huey objected to raising the base rate for water while lowering the minimum water usage from 5,000 to 2,000 gallons. The board tabled the matter, and that also was to be discussed this week.

Aldermen reviewed a proposed new logo for the city as presented by City Administrator John Webb. The logo in blue and white will incorporate the five-pointed star from the city seal along with the words “City of Clarendon.”

The board approved a resolution authorizing OJD Engineering to do the work on a new water standpipe to replace the aging water tower on the west side of town.

Aldermen also discussed a proposal to do away with testing the city’s emergency siren at noon every day but ultimately decided to keep blowing the noon whistle.