Terrell County News Leader

April 17, 2009

Sign a victim of times?

SANDERSON – An electronic “moving” sign designed to increase communication and promote Sanderson was an apparent victim of tough economic times this week, at least temporarily.

Terrell County Commissioners opened bids from two providers, which Commissioner Kenn Norris said were both less than what the county expected to pay.

But he said he recommended doing nothing at this time because people at a public hearing for the proposed convention center last month clearly told the county it should not spend any money it did not already have in the budget.

Norris stressed that he still wants the sign and hopes the county can acquire it but he said most of the initial efforts should go into a proposed convention center.

Norris said the original plan was to take the payment for the sign from the venue tax fund and doing so would detract from the already-limited amount available for the convention center.

County Judge Leo Smith reminded commissioners the county has taken in $2.2 million more than it has spent in over the past three years, the tax rate has been reduced by 24 cents in that time and there is $5 million “cash in the bank.”

Smith said the sign could be purchased with existing resources, protecting the $750,000 in the venue fund so it can all be committed to a convention center.

“It is not wise to put the brakes on and not spend another dime,” he said. “Other counties are not shutting off the tap.”

Arrow Signs of San Angelo offered to provide a sign in a “cabinet” measuring four feet, two inches, by eight feet, five inches, for $48,500.

A cabinet measuring five by seven feet from Arrow would cost $50,000.

Lone Star Signs of Midland offered a sign measuring five feet, 11 inches, by five feet, nine inches, for $48,630.

Both offers carried a five-year warranty.

Norris said he is still committed to having the sign but feels the convention center is more important.

The sign was envisioned as an integral part of the convention center.

“I would rather put that $50,000 into the convention center and maybe put the sign up later,” he said.

Commissioner Yolanda Lopez, who chairs an ad hoc committee looking into the convention center, said she thought the sign could be bought with general fund revenues.

But she deferred to other commissioners who wanted to wait on the sign question.

Doris Tollett, one of the citizens urging the county to stay within the budget, said the request was just for the primary phase of the center.

“There may have been a big misunderstanding,” Mayme Brotherton said. “If the county had the money, you could add on to it once the venue tax is gone.”

Lopez said her committee has already discussed doing the convention center in a Stage I and Stage II with expansion coming after the initial project is completed.

Most commissioners agreed the $750,000 in the venue fund would not buy much of a building.

Norris noted the new Visitor Center and Chamber of Commerce office in Ozona cost $1.3 million.

While the building has received many favorable comments, it is small and makes no claim to be a convention center.

Terrell County ISD spent $1 million on new tennis courts and could spend $2 million on a field house as part of a $14 million bond issue.

Road race set for next week

SANDERSON – The Big Bend Open Road Race that bills itself as “the most challenging open road race in the world,” is next week between here and Fort Stockton.

A total of 160 cars plus 13 alternates have signed up for the race this year, including the ever-present Charlie Friend of Alamogordo, NM, in his 1965 Chevrolet Corvair.

Friend has moved up to the unlimited class this year from the 155-mile-per-hour class in years past.

The Corvair rocketed “consumer advocate” Ralph Nader to fame with his book, “Unsafe at Any Speed.”

Another “antique” entry in the unlimited class will be the 1962 Dodge Polara driven by Joel Hannig of Silver City, NM.

Sanderson coordinator Dale Carruthers said some of the cars will visit Sanderson Elementary School again this year, on Thursday, April 23.

The event was very popular with the pre-teen set last year.

She said there will be a coloring contest for children in Pre-k through fifth grade. Prizes will be awarded for most colorful, most creative and detailed.

Every elementary student will also get an autographed picture of NASCAR race driver Patrick Sheltra.

Carruthers said she still needs volunteer “course workers” for the race day itself Saturday, April 25, and for practice and qualifying runs Wednesday and Thursday, April 22 and 23.

The events start Wednesday, April 22 with registration, qualifying, schools and other activities in Sanderson.

The practice and qualifying runs will be on US Highway 90 from Sanderson ten miles west to the roadside park.

Thursday evening is a reception in Bicentennial Park, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

Friday is Fort Stockton day with more preliminary events, a car show and a parade.

Race day is Saturday from US 285 and Mockingbird Lane in Fort Stockton to the Downie Arena in Sanderson.

After a turnaround at the Terrell County Courthouse, the racers return over the same course.

It all ends with a banquet Saturday night at the Pecos County Convention Center.