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News opinion: What will you do to make Bowie better?

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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.

 

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Bowie Council accepts phase two sewer line bid

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By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
The Bowie City Council accepted a $1.38 million bid for phase two of the sewer line replacement program and received an engineer’s update on Nelson Street drainage.
Council members met Monday night and opened the evening with the presentation of proclamations for Emergency Medical Services Week and National Travel and Tourism Week. Members of the Bowie EMS service accepted the first proclamation and Cindy Roller of Bowie Community Development accepted the second.
City Manager Bert Cunningham reported the city received one bid for phase two of the sewer line project that will replace the Glenn Hills lift station and sludge pumps at the wastewater plant. While the bid came in above the original estimate, Mike Tibbetts of Hayter Engineering, said there are several things that can be removed to lower the costs.

Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.

Pictured – replacing a manhole in phase one. (Courtesy photo)

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Bowie budget revenues not meeting projections

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By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
In its six-month financial report for fiscal 2024-25 Bowie City Council members saw budget revenues were not coming in as high as projected, despite the budget using conservative figures.
During the Monday meeting, Finance Director Pamela Woods reviewed the numbers at the half-way point of the year. She said all the department heads are doing well keeping their expenses within budget just below the 50% level or 49.26% overall. Despite that, expenses are above revenues in the utility fund by almost $100,000.
In the utility fund revenues are 46.11% of budget in water; 53.19% in sewer and 43.74% in electric. The total utility fund revenue is at 46.42% of the budget or $5,572,694.

(Pictured above) Carol Moore also addressed the council on disrepair at the Pelham Park walking track urging it to make repairs and maintain it.

Read the full council story in the weekend Bowie News.

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Chain-reaction crash in work zone injures two

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Two people were transported to the hospital with possible injuries from a three-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon in a highway department work zone on State Highway 59.
The accident occurred on Hwy 59 near Allison Road at 4:09 p.m. on May 14. There were three vehicles containing a total of six people.
Vehicle one driven by Carlin Jaster, Bowie with his passenger Zana Lara, Bowie, were traveling south on Hwy. 59. Two other vehicles driven by Kjersti Compton, Sunset and Edward Meadows, Grapevine were also southbound but stopped in a construction zone.
Jaster failed to control his speed and a chain-reaction crash occurred as he struck Compton who then hit Meadows.
Jaster and Lara were transported to Nocona General Hospital with non-incapacitating injuries. The others were uninjured. Tuesday was the first day for road construction along State Highway 59. Digital signs were posted for delays.

(Pictured above) Bowie Rural Fire Department and Bowie EMS responded to this three-vehicle chain reaction crash on State Highway 59 near Allison Road on Tuesday afternoon. There were a total of six people in the three vehicles, and two were transported to Nocona General with possible injuries. (Courtesy photo)

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