COUNTY LIFE
Finding qualified applicants, keeping them is hard for Bowie PD and Fire
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Trying to keep the staff rosters full of trained personnel at the Bowie Fire and Bowie Police Departments continues to be an ongoing problem, as employees leave after a brief tenure primarily to take more high paying jobs often in the Metroplex.
Both departments have been taking applications and testing for their vacancies. Police Chief Guy Green said in the last few weeks they have lost one long-time dispatcher who is leaving to take a job with the county clerk’s office, and one more patrol officer, as Cpl. Andrew Poole resigned to take a school resource officer position at Valley View.
Earlier last month, the PD lost Patrol Officer Marlon Bryant who left the job to help his father who lives in the Panhandle area, where Bryant is working for the Hemphill County sheriff’s office.
Cameron Hughes, patrol, left for another job on Dec. 14, but that vacancy was filled by Justin Walker who came to Bowie from the Van Alystyne Police Department with about two years of experience. Poole, who lives in Nocona, will remain as a BPD reserve. The department is budgeted for 17 people across the entire department.
While the fire department is fully staffed with one new person coming on to fill a pending departure, Chief Chief Doug Page said since August 2023 they have seen seven officers leave, some with short tenures and a few others with several years depart for other jobs. That number jumps to eight with one leaving this weekend and his replacement coming in.
Bowie fire is budgeted for 15 paid members.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
COUNTY LIFE
ZZ Texas ZZ Top tribute band performed at Music in the Park Saturday in Bowie (brief video)
Watch your Thursday’s Bowie News for more photos.
It’s time to start working on your entry for the 2025 Jim Bowie Days Parade.
The theme is “God Bless Texas.” The entry deadline is 5 p.m. on June 25. Entry forms are available at jimbowiedays.com.
There are four categories for the parade: Youth organization or sports team, civic organization or church, riding club and business.
Kids are encouraged to decorate their bicycles and ride in the parade, and those with antique cars, trucks or tractors should give them a shine. For cowgirls and cowboys bring your horses to town and ride them on the route.
Prizes will be awarded for outstanding entries.
Coming in the June 19 Bowie News see the full calendar of events program for Jim Bowie Days and plan all your family’s activities during this western week of fun.
The Music in the Park Festival organizers welcome guests to enjoy a day under the beautiful oaks of Pelham Park to hear an array of music on June 14 in Bowie.
This free music festival is hosted by the Bowie Community center and R&K Sound Company.
Guests are invited to bring their lawn chairs and set up under the oak trees that fill the park near the amphitheater. This is the second year for this free festival as it expands to a full day.
Live acoustic music opens the free festival starting at 11:30 a.m. with Corben Wolsey, Blake Mangus, Tiffany Chandler, Sara White and Dillon Edwards. Other live music that day will include Bad Daddy Band and Bricktown Band. ZZ Texas, a ZZ Top tribute band, will take the stage at 8 p.m. Live music continues until 10 p.m.
There will be food truck vendors, bounce houses (fee), axe throwing and vendors. Guests are allowed to bring beer in a cooler, but no soda pop or similar drinks. There will be a $5 cooler fee.
Prior to the musical events there will be a 5K run/walk at 8:30 a.m. at the Pelham Park Pavilion. Pre-race warm-up begins at 8:10 a.m. and the race starts at 8:30 a.m. There will be first-third place winners in each age category.
Entry fee is $35 and participants receive a T-shirt. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Clear Choice Pregnancy Resource Center.
Those with questions may call Bonnie at 940-872-4861 or Kenny at 817-704-9847. In case of rain the event will be moved into the center.
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