NEWS
News opinion: What will you do to make Bowie better?
By BARBARA GREEN
“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”
At the January Bowie Chamber of Commerce Banquet emcee Dr. Arn Anderson drew upon that quote from Alexander Graham Bell to create a prolific stream of discussion asking residents what they would do to “Boost Bowie.”
He encouraged everyone to stop looking at the closed doors and find new ones to open. It hit home with me.
I spend much of my time writing dire and sad news, so I often find it hard to start each day with a happy face.
I try hard not to be a “whiner” because my life is so very blessed amidst with all the turmoil and sadness in the world.
Let’s face it, Bowie is in a funk and really who could blame it.
Our hospital closed down after nearly 50 years, losing about 130 jobs. That tax district election was very nasty and divisive for our community, often pitting neighbor against neighbor.
Then we have the energy downturn that has hit north Texas hard with hundreds of people laid off right here in our own town.
The cost of living goes up, while wages stagnate. It is no wonder a bad mood abounds.
As I began thinking about how we can improve this negative mindset, I recalled the campaign used to get approval for the bonds that funded construction of the City of Bowie Auditorium back in 1925.
The words came from an ad in The Bowie Blade and they jumped off the page at me because it is all applicable for where we are today in 2016.
It reads:
Think well of Bowie. Believe in its possibilities. Feel that your big opportunity is here — among the friends who admire and respect you.
Talk loyally of your community. Grasp every chance to spread the gospel of faithfulness to your hometown.
Act what you think and talk. Give your efforts to anything that means improvement for Bowie.
Buy from your home merchants. Shoulder your share of civic responsibility. Be generous with good cheer.
Help build Bowie bigger and better! Let’s go!
I can’t think of a more perfect mantra for our community 91 years later.
Read the full column in the weekend News.
The Bowie News office will be closed Dec. 24-25 for the Christmas holiday, and Dec. 30 and Jan. 1.
There is an early deadline of 4 p.m. on Dec. 27 for the Jan. 1 Bowie News for all news and ad items.
Your Jan. 1 edition will be delivered to the mail and racks one day earlier due to the New Year’s holiday. We hope you have a great Christmas week.
Your Bowie News staff wishes you the blessings of a wonderful Christmas as you enjoy time with family and friends. Our offices will be closed Dec. 24-25 for the holiday.
Montague County Commissioners wrapped up a few items before the end of the year as they met on Dec. 23.
Grant Coordinator Charley Lanier asked the court to go ahead and obligate $276,961.84 from the American Rescue Funds to complete the new wastewater treatment plant that will serve the courthouse complex.
He explained Dec. 30 is the last date where grant funds can be obligated, and he did not expect any issues since this project had already been approved in court using ARPA funds, he called it a “safety net,” to avoid any problem and possible return of the funds to the federal government.
Montague County has about $276,961.84 in grant funds which has not been allocated.
The court gave approval on the request.
Lanier also asked the court to apply for a grant for a tire cutter. Funded through the Nortex Regional Planning Commission and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the application will ask for $26,865 to purchase a larger gas-powered cutter on a trailer, which can be moved around for use. It would cut the larger tires into four pieces, which would be allowed into a landfill. Lanier said if the cutter comes through the county would need to obtain a permit for its use from TCEQ, which he added should not be an issue.
Commissioner Mark Murphey said he picks up more tires abandoned on the county roads than he disposes of at his own yard, adding he probably has 500 at his yard. The court gave approval to apply for this competitive grant.
The remainder of Monday’s brief meeting were year-end items. Bonds for the justice of the peace one, county clerk, county attorney, district attorney, sheriff, commissioner three and constable two were accepted.
A cooperative agreement with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the county was approved, along with a license and services agreement with Local Government Solutions to provide software for both justice of the peace officers. The county attorney’s Chapter 59 Asset Forfeiture report was presented with no new seizures or forfeiture.
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