Dalhart City Council – Back to the Future
BY CERISE MERRITT RIPPS
The Dalhart City Council met for three and one-half minutes in a special meeting Monday night to again update its membership. Following the prayer, councilmen wasted no time in filling the existing vacancy on the panel. The seat became open when Justin Moore resigned as Dalhart mayor late last month. On May 28, at their regular meeting, councilmen accepted Moore’s resignation and voted newly-elected Ward 2 council member James Stroud to the one year remaining of the mayor’s term. Stroud previously served as Dalhart City Manager from 2011 to 2022.
This week, with no prior public discussion, the council voted to appoint former City Council member Clinton Hale, who was not available to be sworn Dalhart City Council – Back to the Future in, to the remainder of what was Stroud’s twoyear term. Hale was first elected to the council in 2014 and served until 2020, when he was appointed to complete the remainder of the late Phillip Haas’ mayoral term. Hale ran for re-election as mayor against Moore in 2021, but was not successful. Following Hale’s appointment Monday, council members voted to accept the resignation of former Mayor Pro Tem and Ward 1 City Council Member Ginger Cleavinger, who submitted her resignation May 28.
Next, the council voted to elect Ty Hancock, Ward 4 Council Member, as Mayor Pro Tem just prior to adjourning. The resignation leaves the Dalhart City Council with one vacancy at press time; it is also expected to be filled by appointment.
For the full story SUBSCRIBE to the online edition of The Dalhart Texan, call (806) 244-4511 to setup a subscription to our physical paper or pick a copy up at one of our many convenient news rack locations. You can also stop by and purchase a paper or subscription in person at our news office located at 410 Denrock Ave.
