Billy Joe Jay, Helen Perry Begin New Terms on City Council

City Attorney Zollie Steakley swears in Billy Joe Jay and Helen Perry.

The top two vote getters in last month’s City Election, Helen Perry and Billy Joe Jay, were sworn in and began new three-year terms on the Roscoe City Council at last night’s monthly meeting at City Hall.  Perry has served for the past fourteen years and is beginning her fifth consecutive term and Jay, who has previously served a term, begins his second.

In his report to the Council, City Manager Cody Thompson noted that yesterday was the first full day in which the new reverse-osmosis water treatment plant has been in full operation.  The plant has been on and off over the past week as testing, activation of old wells, and the working out of problem areas have caused some interruptions. 

Thompson said that citations and warnings are being issued for junk vehicles and other unsightly items.  The big pile of gravel next to the Community Center will be used to sealcoat City and County roads as in past summers.  He also gave water and sewer updates on the Young Farm Estates and Stone Tower RV Park, saying that both are on schedule and progressing well.  The sewer system at Young Farm Estates is in place, and water, gas, and electric lines should be complete in six to eight weeks.

The Council considered a request from 2LM, the owners of Stone Tower RV Park for a fence variance to a height of six feet rather than the eight feet required around RV Parks by City regulations.  After some discussion, the Council denied the request. 

The Council set new water meter installation charges at $175 for ¾” lines, $235 for 1”, $750 for 2”, $1735 for 3”, and $3000 for 4” lines.  City building inspection fees were also set for new residential and commercial buildings at $100 each for plumbing, electrical, and mechanical (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning).  Re-inspections were set at $35 per re-inspection.

The Council also approved a Jessie Marth Day on June 15 as she celebrates her 100th birthday, appointed Billy Joe Jay Mayor Pro-Tem, and approved a fireworks permit for the Independence Day Celebration on July 5. 

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ROSCOE TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY ON SATURDAY, JULY 5

Jason Boland and the Stragglers are headliners for the free concert and street dance.

Preparations are underway for this year’s July 4 celebration, which will take place on Saturday, July 5.  As in years past, the day will begin with a parade down Broadway beginning at 10:00am.  The Plowboy Mudbog will be at the baseball field starting at noon, and street vendors will be on Cypress, Broadway, and in Old Town Park. 
 
The headline band for the free concert and street dance will be “red dirt” singer Jason Boland and the Stragglers, who will take the stage around 8:00pm.  He will be preceded by a local band an hour or so earlier. 

The fireworks show will begin around 9:40pm.

This year’s celebration will also feature a people’s tram which will shuttle people back and forth between the baseball field and downtown.  It will follow a marked route with designated pickup and drop off points.

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CODY CANADA AND THE DEPARTED AT THE LUMBERYARD FRIDAY NIGHT

Cody Canada (center) and the Departed

Popular southern rock and alternative country artist Cody Canada and his band, the Departed, will be playing at the Lumberyard Friday evening.   Canada was the lead singer of Cross Canadian Ragweed, a “red dirt” band from Oklahoma, from 1994-2010, but in 2011, he and bass guitarist Jeremy Plato along with three others formed The Departed and have been playing under that name since. 

The Departed released their first album, This is Indian Land, in 2011 and Adventus in 2012.  Canada also released a solo-acoustic album, Some Old, Some New, Maybe a Cover or Two, this past November.  Popular singles by Canada include, “17,” “Sister,” “Cold Hard Fact,” “Set It Free,” and others.

The Departed will take the stage at 9:30.  Cover charge is $12 in advance, $15 at the door. 

Saturday night’s music at the Lumberyard will be provided by Johnny Cooper & Band.  Cover charge is $10 in advance, $12 at the door.

For more information, call the Lumberyard at 325-766-2457.

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FORMER ROSCOAN’S SON DIES IN HASKELL WRECK

Andrew Kipling Nemir, 51, son of former Roscoan, Billy Don Nemir, was pronounced dead at 12:52pm on Monday in Haskell County when the car he was driving hit a patch of water in the road, causing him to lose control, veer off the road, and strike a tree. He was not wearing a seat belt.

The crash remains under investigation.  Trooper Kim Koeing of Aspermont was the investigating officer. 

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WEATHER REPORT: MORE RAIN

The puddle at 4th and Cypress Streets.

The Roscoe area got more rain this past weekend, one shower early Sunday morning and another lighter one early Monday morning.  The official total for the two recorded by Roscoe weatherman Kenny Landfried was 1.49”.  Totals around Roscoe were reported as 3” by Cristal Aljoe northeast of town, 1.9” by Jeremy Baker north of town, 1.6” at Pyron by Donna Parker, 2” at Claytonville by Belinda Ince, 1.5" near Cottonwood Creek northwest of town by Kenny Landfried, 2” west of town by David Duncan, and 2” near Champion by Keith Johnson. 

The days before the rain were typical for this time of year as regards temperatures.  The high for the week was 96°F on Thursday followed by 91° on Friday and 92° on Saturday.  Lows on those days were in the low to mid seventies.  Sunday, Monday, and yesterday were markedly cooler with highs of 81°, 79°, and 83° respectively.  Lows were 64°, 59°, and 60°.

The forecast is for a return to summer heat today with a high in the upper nineties and a low of 73°.  There is a 20% chance of rain this afternoon and tonight.  Tomorrow should also top out in the mid nineties, but a cool front will come in tomorrow afternoon and drop temperatures to a low of 65° tomorrow night and a high of 86° on Friday.  The weekend will be sunny and hot with highs in the mid nineties and lows in the low to mid seventies.

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† CARL THORP

Graveside services for Carl “Bud” Thorp, 77, of Hobbs, NM, were held yesterday at 10:00am at Prairie Haven Memorial Park in Hobbs.  He passed away last Thursday, June 5.

He was born on July 9, 1936, and attended Roscoe schools.  A former Plowboy who played football at Roscoe High School, he was a member of the Class of 1955. 

He is survived by sons, Smokie Thorp of Midland, Lane Thorp and Sandy Delgado, of Hobbs, and Lance Corporal Colby Thorp, USMC, and wife, Kelly, of Cherry Pointe, NC; stepsons, David Frederick, Jr., and wife, Kyong Ah, of Ellicott City, MD; James Frederick of Los Angeles, CA; and Scott Tillery of Douglas, GA; as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Elizabeth Thorp Jones, and his wife, Wanda Jean (Brown) Thorp. 
 
Online condolences may be made to www.griffinfuneralhomehobbs.com. 

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