Bryant’s contract extended

By LOU ANTONELLI

Managing Editor

Clarksville school trustees, at their regular meeting Thursday, Jan. 11, conducted the annual evaluation of Supt. Pam Bryant, and afterwards extended her contract three years, until June 2021.

In Texas, school superintendents traditionally have three year contracts which are extended a year at a time. The TEA recommends school trustees do their annual evaluations of their superintendents each January,

In January of last year, Bryant’s contract was not extended by a 4-3 vote following her annual evaluation, with Manny Avila, Lanetta Roberts, John McPeters and Kathy Garrison  against the extension, and Robert Beaty, Greg Lewis and WaDonna Cherry in favor. Therefore her contract was set to end in June 2019.

Avila was not re-elected in May – being replaced by Pam Russell - and Roberts was not at the Jan. 11 meeting. This time the contract extension was approved unanimously, 6-0.

“I want to express my humble thanks to the CISD Board in their vote to extend my contract back to a three-year cycle,” said Bryant. “Their confidence in my leadership is greatly appreciated.”

:I always have and always will continue to do my utmost best as Clarksville ISD Superintendent!” she said.

In other personnel action at the meeting following the executive session, Debbie Moore was hired as Elementary interventionist (less than half-time) time at Cheatham Elementary.

Dealing with ‘The X Factor’

By LOU ANTONELLI

Managing Editor

We’re already in Week Four of the Lou and Patricia Show – also known as The Clarksville Times is under new management – and I have to say I’m pleased but tired.

In addition to keeping up with the normal work of getting the paper written and to the printer, we’ve had to deal with a myriad of activities required with the change of ownership.

One big step was forming a new LLC to own The Times. We did NOT buy the old company, which still owns the papers in Jefferson and Ashdown, Arkansas. The New Clarksville Times LLC bought The Times’ assets.

Then we had to do all the other things related to starting a new corporation – getting an Employee Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, getting account set up to pay withholding to the IRS, setting up an account to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to pay unemployment withholding, getting ready to pay personal property taxes on the business’ assets – the list goes on and on.

I’m sure you’ve heard of the term “The X Factor”. It originated years ago to mean that thing that’s going to go wrong that you don’t know about.

“X” in formulas mean the unknown. The X Factor means you have to assume as you move forward in your plans something will go wrong, you just don’t know what.

Our X Factor was processing credit card payments. Many subscribers – and some businesses – like to pay using credit cards.

The old account with the company that processed credit cards for the previous owners of The Times was closed, but then we couldn’t get a new account of our own with them.

You would think processing companies would welcome the opportunity to collect the attendant fees – free money – but the hang-up is that our new company has no history, credit or otherwise. I’ve been told such start-ups are screened because the government is concerned they will be used for money laundering.

It took us a week with the first company, and then we tried a second company. It took us another week to come up dry with them, too.

Finally on Monday we got an account set up so we can take credit cards. Hooray!

That may have been the last major substantial hurdle in the transition process. Things are otherwise going great, and as you can see, the paper is doing quite well.

Thanks for your support

County Calendar

Jan.  27

The First Baptist Church of Clarksville will host a Wild Game Chili Supper on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall, It is free to the public and everyone is invited.

Jan. 31

The Clarksville Nursing Center invites everyone to come out and meet their team, tour the facility, and enjoy refreshments on Wednesday, Jan. 31, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Hot dogs will be served from 9 a.m. to noon.

Carter Blood Care will be having a blood drive for anyone wishing to make a life-saving donation.

Clarksville Nursing Center is located at 300 East Baker St. For more information, contact Neicy Herrington at 903-330-2941.

Feb. 1

Teela Hurt will present the quarterly program of the Red River County Historical Society on Thursday, Feb. 1, at 6 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Clarksville. Mrs. Hurt will speak on the Orphan Train Movement and the adoption of children by Red River County families on the train's stop in Clarksville in the spring of 1926.

The practice of relocating children from New York to towns in 47 states began in 1853 and ended in 1929 when the last train left New York for Sulphur Springs. All interested persons are encouraged to attend.

Parent unhappy over campus ban

By LOU ANTONELLI

Managing Editor

The parent of a Clarksville High School junior is appealing a ban from all school district campuses and locations in the wake of a confrontation last Friday.

Missy Griffin, parent of Chakyrah Griffin – a member of the girls’ varsity basketball team – said she was banned by Supt. Pam Bryant.

For her part, Bryant declines to comment.

“Due to CISD policy regarding confidentiality, there is no comment at this time,” she said.

Griffin said she and another parent brought ten personal pizzas from Subway to the cafetorium at lunch Friday for a group of students.

There had been a lot of drama on social media between the girls” and we just wanted to get the ten kids all together,” she said.

The students all reconciled, she said, but then as she left she was confronted by a teacher who had been a monitor in the cafetorium, who complained she never put on a visitor’s badge.

Griffin said she didn’t think about it because her hands were full with the pizza when she came in and nobody stopped her as she went straight to the cafeteria.

She characterized the discussion with the teacher in the high school office as “fussing with each other” and she didn’t think the incident was serious, but later found out once at home that the police had been called to the school.

She said she wasn’t arrested, but when she went to the school administration later that afternoon Dr. Bryant said she was banned from the CISD until the end of the school year, May 31^st, before she had a chance to explain her side of the story.

Griffin said the ban is especially hurtful because her daughter is a starter on the varsity girls team and she cannot attend any home girls’ basketball games.

Griffin said she is requesting an appeal of the ban before the CISD Board of Trustees,

Advance notice

You ever wonder what's coming up in the next issue of the paper? Managing Editor Lou Antonelli keeps track of stories using a whiteboard behind his desk. Here's a peak at some of the notes he was written. Anything here look interesting?

Tornado Watch in effect

A tornado watch is in effect in Red River County until 11 p.m.

A Message from Clarksville Mayor Ann Rushing

Happy New Year!  I hope 2018 proves to be a good year for us all.
A big thank you to the Martha, David and Bagby Lennox Foundation! The Lennox foundation has been so very good to this city and county. For those that have not seen The Clarksville Times, make it a point to read the article in the paper dated January 4, 2018.  There is quite an extensive list of recipients.
The City of Clarksville has been listed as a recipient for many years.  On behalf of the City of Clarksville, thank you! You have made such a difference in the lives of so many.
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Communities Unlimited met this past Monday at the HUB building in Clarksville. For those of you that are not aware, the City, CEDC, and Zip Code are partnering with Communities Unlimited to create jobs, bring business in and help us meet other needs of the community. 
The object is to assist in creating a sustainable community. All efforts to promote our city and county and improve conditions are not only for the present generation but future generations. It is our responsibility to leave something behind that they can use for their benefit. 
We have many needs. Infrastructure, water, jobs, housing, recreational and the list continues. Many surveys have been taken throughout the years through Main Street, Texas Historical Commission, The Rural Resource Team, City Comprehensive Planning and Capacity Plan, hotel assessments, Emergency Management, mitigation plans, tourism, and St. Edwards University. 
All plans always touch on water, housing, recreational, medical, transportation, parks and trails, education, code enforcement, retail development, business and industry, hunting and fishing and our rich and extensive history.
I think we all know what is needed but often times we do not touch everyone that could lend their thoughts and assistance. What do you think is needed and which area or areas would you like to work on as a priority?
The city and county pretty well work on a regular basis with various agencies pertaining to infrastructure, water, wastewater, streets, drainage, airport upgrades, transportation and and other services.
It takes years to get some of these areas addressed but you just keep on letting those needs be known. So, let us hear from you.
Think about it and maybe outside the box, look at our assets and weakness, at what we have accomplished and what still needs to be accomplished.  I, for one, appreciate Ryan and Melinda Watters contacting Communities Unlimited.  If anyone can come in, look at our community and through their eyes and our input, bring ideas, strategies or resources to the table, it is a win for us.
In fact all assessments have been built on our input throughout the years. Many of you have attended these meetings in past years. Communities Unlimited is listening to us, what we would like to see and giving their input on what it takes to build a strong team that can take the ball and run with it when they are no longer assisting.  This is the second year of a possible three  year commitment. 
So, come to the HUB in February and meet with us. Maybe they can assist you in a new start up business or expansion.Do you need assistance with compiling a plan, marketing and promoting, or perhaps a loan?
Do you have suggestions on what sector to work on next along with job creation? This is a county-wide effort. We invite all city and county residents and by that I mean in the county. Avery, Annona, Detroit, Bogata, Clarksville and unincorporated areas.
We also invite those that live elsewhere to join us.  Bring your ideas and strategies.
The Red River County Chamber of Commerce, Clarksville EDC, Lennox Foundation, the City and County, Tourism Committee, Gatekeepers and Lennox Health Resource Center and other healthcare groups, PRIDE Association, RBEG Committee, those in the medical field, CISD staff, school board, teachers and Superintendent, Red River Charities, Inc, Clarksville Alumni Outreach Committee, ZIP CODE, Main Street, The NETT Board, Churches, Red River County Library, Boys and Girls Club, HUB, and Ark-Tex Council of Governments are all trying to improve conditions for our youth and the people that live and work here to promote this area, to entice needed growth, create jobs and business, increase sales tax, recreational activities and  technology,and other sectors or areas, to ensure we remain sustainable.
There are many, many more organizations and committees and boards doing the same. I cannot name them all as there are many. We are not the same face or community we were in the 80’s or 90’s.  But we can find our niche, come up with different ideas and strategies to promote our area and work to bring it about to be even better! 
We have taken many recommendations throughout the years and will continue to do so.  But, we might need to revamp a bit. It also takes a village. We welcome your input.
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Congratulations on the sale of The Clarksville Times. The Times was sold to a new locally-based corporation formed by Lou and Patricia Antonelli of Clarksville. Congratulations! I look forward to the open house!
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Have you noticed how many of the historic buildings downtown are being utilized for lofts?  There are three, with two more of the historic buildings being developed for loft living now.
I am hopeful we can take a tour of these lofts at a later date. A lot of time, effort and money have been spent in the creation and retention of our retail businesses on the square. 
We thank them and our industries. We are appreciative and we are here if any problem arises we might be able to assist with.
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You might have noticed the article Main Street has had in the paper for several weeks. Nominate a business that you feel meets at least one of the four point approaches of which Main Street is founded on - Design, Promotion, Economic Vitality, and Organization. 
Mickey Allen is the Main Street Director. The City of Clarksville has been a Main Street City since 2003. We are proud of that designation and we appreciate the Lennox Foundation providing $10,000 toward that program for our director’s salary.
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The City is getting ready to close out the latest CDBG water and waste water grant and the HOME Program (the substandard housing is demolished and a new home built in its place) is now closed out.
It will be three years before the city will be able to apply for or utilize those funds for CDBG and the HOME Program.  A number of people have contacted us pertaining to the HOME program. In light of the time frame to build any more homes, you might want to apply to the USDA for home improvements. ---
The city has now hired an engineering firm, MTG Engineers, who has already started working with the USDA to submit an application to address our water and wastewater needs.
Dan Boyles, MTG Engineering, has been the city’s engineer for over 20 years.  He knows this system well.  All this takes time.  It is a process.
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I invite you to attend our City Council Meetings.  Those meetings are now held at 6:00 pm on the 3rd Tuesday of the month.