NEWS
Abatement process turns upside down; owner jailed on Dallas warrant
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
The ongoing saga of the damaged historic building on the Montague County Courthouse Square continues to twist and turn as the “new owner” reportedly turned back the deed to the “previous owner,” who was arrested Tuesday in front of the building on an unrelated warrant.
For months the commissioners have been trying to get something done about the shell of a building that remains after a pickup truck crashed into it back in August.
The owner has failed to secure or abate the building hazard and the Texas Department of Transportation has put up barricades to block one lane of traffic in case of falling debris or a collapse.
Unable to get the abatement process served properly to the owner and then a new owner who said he gave the property back to Chancellor, the whole thing flipped upside down this week.
On the afternoon of March 19 while leaving the courthouse for lunch, District Attorney Investigator Chris Hamilton and Justice of the Peace Kevin Benton saw a man who in front of the damaged building tearing off the posted paper notices and throwing them on the ground.
Building owner Mark Chancellor had gotten through the chainlink fence county officials had put up on Feb. 25 to secure the building prior to its previously scheduled demolition.
Benton said they did not know him and when they ran his truck license plate, it confirmed he was the owner so they began to drive away. However, a dispatcher from the county jail called back to tell them the vehicle’s owner had a Dallas County warrant for a complaint of indecency with a child.
Chancellor, 32, Nocona, was taken to the county jail by Constable Stefanie Horton and booked on the third-degree felony. Bond was set at $25,000 and he was released on March 20.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Members of the Bowie City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on April 8 in the council for its only meeting for the month.
The city manager’s report opens the meeting as he discusses the bid openings for the sewer line replacement project phase two and the North Smythe Street sidewalk reconstruction.
There is only one old item of business, the second reading of the ordinance amending water rates. The average residential customer using 2,000 to 3,000 gallons of water per month will see an increase of $5 to $7.50 based on usage. This is the first water rate increase since 2018.
There are multiple items of new business. The 2023-24 outside audit will be presented by the staff of Mathis, West and Huffines. Four replat requests will be offered through the planning and zoning recommendations.
Base bid amounts for the sewer line replacement project phase two and the Smythe Street sidewalk project also will be reviewed. For the sewer project the base bid is $1,558,103.30. For the sidewalk it is $327,860.66. The sewer work is funded through a loan to the city from the Texas Development Board and the sidewalk through a Downtown Community Development grant program with the city having a matching portion.
The final item before public comments are two ordinance amending the mobile food vendors rules and permits.
After a successful multi-part workshop series last year, the Bowie Business Boost returns with a two-part workshop to take your business to the next level of effectiveness and profitability.
Attend this “AI Made Simple Workshop: Conquer the Tech Chaos and Win Fast” planned for April 24 and May 8. These will be breakfast programs from 7:30 to 10 a.m. The program will be from 8 to 9:30 a.m. with questions and answers to follow. Breakfast will be served 7:30 to 8 a.m.
The programs will be at the Bowie Community Center-west hall. Registration is $20 which includes both sessions. Registration is transferable. Register at accelerationbydesign.com/event-details/bowiebusinessboost25.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewonline.com
About 20 people attended the first of what Mayor Kelly Williamson expects to be regular town hall sessions where citizens can be informed or ask questions on issues in the City of Saint Jo.
Williamson and Police Chief Harvey Johnson conducted the meeting. The mayor was elected last year and is retired from the United States Army. He and his wife, Cathy, moved to Saint Jo about three years ago looking to set down some roots after the military. Their son is serving in the 101st Airborne Division.
The mayor said the top pressing issues he sees for the city are streets, then water and sewer systems. However, he exclaimed it all takes money to do that work, and even if state or federal grants those are often funded 80-20, which still leaves a big hunk for the city to fund.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo – Saint Jo Police Chief Harvey Johnson, Fire Chief Scott Thomas and Mayor Kelly Williamson discussed needs in the city at Saturday’s town hall. (News photo by Barbara Green)
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