2023 Year in Review
The year 2023 was one of accomplishment and determination to get things done in the face of rising inflation and a challenges from higher levels of government.
The City of Olney tackled lingering problems with housing availability and a major eyesore – attracting two housing developers to town and cleaning up a giant tire pile at an abandoned Main Street gas station.
The tire pile cleanup was especially fraught despite diligent efforts by City Administrator Arpegea Pagsuberon as the state environmental agency stepped in to delay the process for nearly a full year.
The designation of a fulltime code enforcement officer, Cpl. Joe Logan, and the purchase of new demolition equipment with federal and grant funding makes good on the City’s promise to start tearing down derelict properties around town.
The City worked with Young and Jack County leaders on a mental health initiative expected to come to fruition in 2024 and to make an enormous difference in the lives of our citizens.
The Council and Keep Olney Beautiful completed a yearlong fundraising initiative to replace the 70-year-old municipal swimming pool, which will start construction in 2024.
The Council took bold steps to replace the aging water treatment plant but was stymied by rising inflation that priced the City out of a new plant. After bids came in over the $13.5 million budget, Councilmembers resolved to find a solution in 2024.
The City expanded the scope of its Industrial Development Corporation in 2023 to encompass quality-of-life projects and to attract retail and entertainment to town.
The City also regained possession of the empty Olney Savings building on Main Street, and the new Olney Economic Development Corporation is exploring options for the long-vacant structure.
Olney Independent School District added to its academic honors, sending more students to state and district academic competitions, and receiving national recognition from the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program in the 2022-23 school year. OISD completed its new baseball complex, upgraded its campus security plan, and welcomed the largest number of new teachers in several years, as well as a new school resource officer, Devin Wright. OISD joined with other rural school districts to fend off the state Legislature’s attempts to pass a voucher plan that administrators and teachers say would undercut school funding and the quality of public education in rural Texas. Retired Olney teachers lobbied local voters to pass the first increase in teacher pension in three decades.
The Young County- Olney Senior Center amped up its programming by hiring a new activities coordinator, Candy McClain, and plans to target nutrition and quality- of-life activities for Olney seniors in the coming year in response to rising attendance and food prices.
Olney Hamilton Hospital took a giant step toward replacing the 1960s hospital building with a new facility by obtaining voter approval in November for $33 million in general obligation bonds. If all goes as planned, construction on the new hospital begins in 2024.
The City also saw changes in representation at municipal, county and state levels, as Mayor Pro Tem Tom Parker, County Commissioner Stacey Rogers, and state Sen. Drew Springer announced they would step down from their positions in 2024. Longtime police dispatcher Deena Clark retired. Kathrine Hamilton Atchely, a founding member of the Hamilton Hospital Auxiliary and a member of the hospital’s board of directors, passed away at age 101.
Throughout the year, city boosters looked to the future and dug in, overcoming hurdles, rising costs and political vagueries to keep their vision for Olney alive.
We salute a year of staying the course and look forward to a bountiful harvest for our efforts in 2024.
Happy New Year!