The Clifton Record (Clifton, Tex.), Vol. 99, No. 33, Ed. 1 Wednesday, August 17, 1994 Page: 3 of 38
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: The Clifton Record and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Nellie Pederson Civic Library.
- Highlighting
- Highlighting On/Off
- Color:
- Adjust Image
- Rotate Left
- Rotate Right
- Brightness, Contrast, etc. (Experimental)
- Cropping Tool
- Download Sizes
- Preview all sizes/dimensions or...
- Download Thumbnail
- Download Small
- Download Medium
- Download Large
- High Resolution Files
- IIIF Image JSON
- IIIF Image URL
- Accessibility
- View Extracted Text
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
THE CLIFTON RECORD, Wednesday august 17,1994- page 3A
Letters to the Editor.
Dear Editor:
Why have there been no comment!
concerning the loss of $42 million
from the county tax base? Your
paper has been running lengthy
columns weekly about the actions of
the Appraisal Board, but you only
ran one short column in the July 27
edition on this action by the board
I would think that the school
boards and county taxing bodies
would be upset about losing such a
large tax source. The Clifton school
district has announced the need for a
six-cent tax increase and all the
county offices are asking for more
money in their next budget.
I know that rural property is not
taxed the same as non-rural.
However, I think that this could add
up to a large amount of money that
will have to come from some other
source.
Could your newspaper identify the
total dollar amount of taxes saved by
the property owners receiving this
reduction?
I understand that all property in
the county will be reappraised in
1995. Guess whose property will be
worth more next year!
Stanley Squires
Laguna Park
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the Main Street
Committee, I would like to thank you
for all thp coverage your newspaper
has given to the Main Street Project.
We feel Main Street is very
important to the City of Clifton, and
your support of the project has been
very beneficial.
Thank you also for taking slide
pictures of some old photographs for
the Main Street application. We
appreciate your taking some of your
limited free time to help us.
Again, thanks for all of the
support you and your staff have
given the Main Street Project.
Julia Conley
Main Street Chairperson
Clifton
Dear Editor:
Subject. The Old Mill Dam
My great-great grandparents, from
Norway, landed in Galveston, Texas.
They walked to East Texas, then
walked to what is now Clifton.
History says they saw this beautiful
river and valley, and it reminded
•them of Norway.
They found the Bosque River to be
a lifeline for their survival. That was
140 years ago, when the Indians
were here.
Things in the world are changing
fast. It is hard to find good water in
some locations. Stop and think what
you could have in Clifton with the
dam.
Someday, in the near future, your
children and grandchildren may need
the water, as your great-great
grandparents did 140 years ago. For
some, locating good ground water is
hard to do.
Help preserve our resources for
future generations. New York is now
dumping their garbage in West
Texas, near five acres we own.
Someone said that, in the near
future, we will run out of the
resources to survive over-population,
water, and pollution.
Stop and think about the good
things we have in Clifton, and hold
on to them!
I have a brochure published by
The Clifton Record for the senior
class of 1931 (my class) with the
picture of the Old Mill on the front
cover. We were proud of the Old Mill
in those days, and still are. Some of
the female students of our class
would hike down to the Old Mill
with a sack lunch, and have a great
time.
Let’s keep the Old Mill for now,
and for the future.
Oliver Bronstad
Laguna Park
f
CLIFTON MASONIC
LODGE #360
meets
4th Monday of Month
At 7:00 p.m.
Teny Bekkelund, Worshipful Master
EA Treadaway, Secretary
Dear Editor:
I am writing you in response to
your front page editorial, highlighted
in yellow, entitled “Let’s Rebuild The
Histone Old Mill Dam...Now.* I am a
city alderman for Clifton, and feel
you have done me a disservice by
misquoting me in your editorial.
I, by no means, said that I would
approve a bond or referendum
election if a feasibility study is
positive on building the low-water
dam on the Bosque River. I did say
that there are more pressing and
urgent issues that need to be
completed and paid for before there is
to be a low-water dam. The idea of
rebuilding an historic part of this
city is commendable, but we must
first count the costs and weigh the
priorities.
It is hard for me to believe that
you want to ask a city of over 3,000
people to fund the low-water dam
without completing and funding
major projects and past obligations
that need our full attention now! You
wrote in your editorial that “a new
sewer plant system, an updated
distribution system, and a water
treatment plant could all be gathered
under one common umbrella, for they
all deal significantly with water.’
What you did not tell the citizens
of Clifton is that the cost of the dam
alone could be roughly estimated at
$500,000. The purpose for a low-
water dam is to supply water, but in
order to do that, we must also have a
water treatment plant.
The estimated cost of the
treatment plant is roughly $1.5 to $2
million dollars. And then you will
need to have someone to operate the
plant, so you need additional funding
for salaries and chemical costs. That
alone could roughly add up to
$100,000 a year in additional budget
cost.
Let me the first to say that I would
love to see the dam rebuilt. I think
tourism plays a critical role in our
business community, and an
additional water supply needs to be
researched to provide for future
growth.
However, it would cost a great deal
of money, and we need to count the
costs involved in any proposed
project. You stated that “hundreds"of
people had signed a petition
indicating that they would like to see
the low-water dam rebuilt.
The questions asked was
something like, “Would you like to
see the Old Mill dam rebuilt?" Yes,
but who wouldn't? But no one asked
us how much we were willing to pay
for it.
This total cost of this “umbrella
(low-water dam, water treatment
facility, plant operation and
maintenance)” would be in addition
to the still-needed sewage treatment
plant, water distribution system
(water tower), and past obligations.
When you add up all of these costs,
you will have a small town in serious
debt under your “umbrella.” All this,
you indicate, could be “into place and
up and running inside of three
years,” which means that we would
need to find a way of paying for all of
it in the next three years.
As Mayor Blum has indicated in
several meetings, and in your
interview in this editorial, the city
has several new projects that must
have our immediate attention. The
city also has several past obligations
that we must honor:
1) The water pressure in our
community is below state-required
pressure level. The city is in the
process of getting approval for a
water tower that would bring us
back to the required level, and would
give every citizen in Clifton the
required amount of pressure. The
estimated cost for the water tower
alone is $570,000.
2) The city sewer system has
deteriorated to such a state that a
new one will need to be built. The
Federal guidelines have become so
tough that our treated sewage is not
at minimum federal and state levels.
If we continue to stay at these levels,
we will find ourselves (taxpayers)
paying heavy penalties and fines.
The plant is an antique, and a new
one needs to be built. This is
something that is a more pressing
need than a low-water dam, in my
opinion. A rough estimate for a new
plant is $1.5 to $2 million.
3) The majority of the business
owners in Clifton asked to apply for
the Main Street project, to help make
their businesses more profitable by
increasing tourism. They slso want
to be competitive with the merchants
in Waco, so that people will spend
their money here in Clifton. This is a
commitment that has been made to
the citizens and merchants of Clifton,
and will have to be honored. If the
application is accepted, the city has
agreed to fund over $25,000 a year
for three years.
4) One year ago, the people of
Clifton wanted to keep the
ambulance service, even if the tax
rate had to go up to subsidize it. This
service costs the city roughly $30,000
per year. We will be paying $30,000
for the next four years.
5) Our pool was built with Texas
Parks and Wildlife grant funds.
Under the requirements of this
grant, the city has matched these
funds. The city has been paying on
the loan and, at this date, still owes
over $180,000, not including interest
payments. The pool lost roughly
$10,000 this year. It’s expected to
lose the same next year, unless it is
utilized more by the citizens of
Clifton.
Mr. Editor, there are a lot of
improvements that need to be made
to the city’s operations, but there has
to be a list of priorities. The five
previous items afe some of the items
on the city’s priority list.
They are not in the basic budget,
but are capital expenditures. This
means that they are beyond the
normal funding it takes to run a city.
This also means that these items will
need or have already been given
additional taxes or rate increases in
services.
The rebuilding of the low-water
dam, at this point in time, would
mean an even higher increase in
taxes or rate increases. The citizens
of Clifton need to be aware of this
before they “sign on the dotted line."
As all of this is going on, the Corps
of Engineers is also studying the
feasibility of a series of low-water
dams on the north Bosque. They are
looking at the Bosque watershed and
flood plain to determine the best
location for these low-water dams.
Have we coordinated our efforts with
them? Or are we duplicating their
efforts?
One of Clifton’s greatest assets is
the willingness of the citizens to
volunteer their time and efforts to
improve our city. The work done by
the coalition of citizens to research
the feasibility of rebuilding the low-
water dam is to be commended and
encouraged.
I applaud any individual or group *
who is willing to help in civic'
projects. I also encourage those
individuals or groups to visit the
council meetings and public
hearings, so they can become
completely aware of what the city
and other entities are doing, and how
best to coordinate their efforts.
I want to end this letter by again
stating that I would like to see the
Old Mill Dam rebuilt. I will be the
first to encourage and support any
individuals or groups who want to
rebuild the dam.
However, we need to understand at
this time that the funding must come
from individuals, organizations, or
self-supporting grants.
Joe Fry
Clifton City Alderman
EDITOR’S REPLY— Wearesorry
you feel you were misquoted in the
editorial. The reason we contacted
you in the first place was to
determine if you would be willing to
let the public decide the issue by a
vote, if the outcome of a feasibility
study appeared positive.
We had explained that several
community leaders had expressed an
interest in contributing private
money to pay for the feasibility study
and would also be willing to pay the
cost of holding an election, if one was
warranted, so the city would not be
out the expense. However, why go to
the trouble of privately funding
either if the city council already has
it in its mind that it will not approve
an election even if one is truly
warranted?
The mayor had said that, if the
feasibility study came back positive,
he would be willing to recommend sn
election to the council and he felt the
council would probably approve it. So
we decided to ask each alderman It
was our understanding, from the
telephone interview, that you would,
pending a favorable outcome of the
feasibility study, be willing to let the
public decide the issue Judging by
your letter, you do not feel that way.
What was published in the
paragraph in question was a
summarization of interviews
conducted with the aldermen. No one
was quoted. It would have been quite
simple for us to have stated in the
editorial that “most" of the aldermen
had individually expressed
willingness to approve such an
election, or “some" of them had, or
“none” of them had. Since it was our
sincere understanding that “all” had,
that’s what we printed.
Judging from your letter, you feel
an error was made. Although we are
not prepared to concede that it was
our error, we do appreciate your
elaborating on your position in the
Old Mill Dam matter.
You did make a number of
disturbing comments and tossed
around several numbers that I hope
you are prepared to back up. I find it
hard to believe that our city
government is as backward in its
approach to problem solving and
progress as your letter makes it
seem.
The planners who are exploring
the possibility of rebuilding the Old
Mill Dam are approaching it
cautiously, a step at a time, as was
indicated at a recent meeting, which
you did not attend, and at which our
feasibilitystudyconsultantexplained
multiple funding possibilities.
Your letter is riddled with both
inconsistencies and contradictions,
which I hope do not confuse our
readers too severely.
There are several claims you make
that do demand a response. We
intend to provide an indepth one in a
future issue of this newspaper when
it is not fair week and we are not
already overloaded with coverage
responsibilities.
— WLS
Dear Editor:
An excellent update on The Old
Mill Dam. How fortunate Clifton is
to have 600 acre feet of water Jhat
could be tapped at minimum expanse
for our wonderful expensive athletic
complex that is now using precious
well water, not to mention the
municipal swimming pool and
grounds that is still an admitted
indebtedness and financial loss
annually to the tune of thousands of
dollars
The monies Clifton has contributed
to water studies would rebuild the
Old Mill Dam and maybe a facsimile
of The Old Mill for water treatment
plant, plus added historical interest
These monies are down the drain
because well-meaning energetic
citizens try to run a town that has
outgrown the outdated council and
mayor volunteer type of government
I’m speaking from experience.
What a surprise it was to be elected
to a position and realize how
ignorant, inexperienced, and
incapable of doing an important job
for the City of Clifton.
The current problems we were
confronted with we inherited the
same as every'other council or mayor
has since.that time. How else could
we have destroyed a beautiful school
campus and location for an
elementary school?
We allowed a middle school to be
built without city inspection and
studies for sewage, parking, and
access.
Did we need to pay $20,000 for a
condemned government building on
donated property by the City of
Clifton? Such arrangements are
signed back to the landowner for the
legendary $1.
The need for a trained city
manager type of person is with
us— someone trained in the “ins and
outs” of state and federal funding,
and to recognize the need to install
and study developments pertaining to
city expansion and management
before they become a “hasty fact.”
Sure I’m for The Old Mill Dam,
and maybe The Old Mill to be
rebuilt, because it will add to our
economy if properly promoted and
developed for tourism, but mainly we
have a (chance) more than most
towns to create tourism. Tire Old
Mill project would add a very
meaningful and historic interest.
Yes, 1 think a city manager could
really earn his keep. Think about it.
Joan Spieler
Clifton
The Dam
Restaurant
Owners, Ray & Lea McCauley
Lea’s Salad Bar
is back by
popular demand.
Orders To Go Welcome
Located
6 Grande St., Laguna Park
622-2401
West side of the Dam *
_North st the flashing „yr_
SIZZLING SUMMER
T&P Drive-In
& Grocery
602 S. Ave G
Open 24 Hours
675-4500
Drop by & register to win
Clint Black
concert tickets for Sept 10
Photo Processing
\% Low \% $5.90*
*24 Exposure Roll, Next Day Service, Single Prints
Same Day ^6i99 *24 Exposure Roil, Single
Prints Leave by 1 p.m. Pick Up After 5 p.m. .
Vraar Dno Q
One Hour
$8.99
'24 Exposure Roll,
Single Prints
Your One Stop
Photo Shop
103 N. Ave. G - Clifton - (817) 675-8222
Now Available At Keith's Hardware
in Clifton, TX
All types of Bolts (course & fine thread) Grade 5, Grade 8
Carriage, Plow, Metric, and Anchor
Mounting Screws, etc. — You Name It - We Have It!
Shoe Box
5 qt 50315
~biiuoep3|
Duet Pan
6000889
SCOTT
mega row
Paper Towels
168 sheets/roll
6003974
J&)
Laundry Basket
6006647
■amatoo srsciAunr
Force Cup
Plunger
40929
White 12 pack
79429
1 NATIONAL
JBRUSH
JCOMRANY
Scrub Brush
7Y~. 10384
17713
W//y7T/?;7
Hair Snara
navi ipiiin u
46166
»RMOR ALL
Armor Ml
Proto
88114
CCXljA'E MlMCHIH
Palmolive 's'S
Dish Soap fEszt|
1015643
1012178
©
11" Tool Box
23572 ♦
AUGUST 1994
MR.G0FFEE"
Mr. Coffee Filters
300 ct 64056
fyevmADY
C, D, 9V,
or AA Batteries
30849,57,30111.36490
itcc
6
'EN/'i
Kitchen _
Bags 64055
J0«~.VS.
Drip Cover
Iff x 20V 11166
$
Parts Box
20094
AKHO-MEia
AYS
Murphy
OH Soap
Liquid
13219
BJC
Bic Stick Pens
10 pk , black 90528
•AMATO* SMCIAI7Y
12294
Razor
Scraper
with
10529
You can't
beat these
Best Buys
Dram ■ at only
Oponor m $1 each
32 OZ 44807 VI wwn
Masking Tape
1’,<"x 60 yds. 12705
9' Extension Cord
Brown or while
3267879
ilCE
Light Bulbs 39
Standard 40,60
75. and 100 watt,
or 3-way soft while
31320 32949-51.33357
custom Accrssomi mc
Dial lire Guage
82976
98& |h Sar HURRY WHILE supplies last!
See your helpful hardware folks at:
Keith Hardware
621 West 5 th, Clifton, 675-6513
Monday-Friday 8-6; Saturday 8-5; Sunday 10-4
Duo to physical otto, merchandising pofccioe end menulecturer’o ehorteges. some store* moy bo unebto to *tock oil 'term shown
However, moot Pome con be ordered by your Ace dealer end e "Rem Check" con be weued etsunng you o« the Mle pnee featured Not roaponvbto for print mg error*
V
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Smith, W. Leon. The Clifton Record (Clifton, Tex.), Vol. 99, No. 33, Ed. 1 Wednesday, August 17, 1994, newspaper, August 17, 1994; Clifton, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth787938/m1/3/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Nellie Pederson Civic Library.