It is going to be a busy week — make that month — in Snyder and Scurry County.
This month, Snyder ISD and Ira ISD will welcome new superintendents. Dr. Eddie Bland will begin work in Snyder later this week and Brian Patterson is the lone finalist for the Ira ISD post. The 21-day waiting period for the Ira board to finalize a contract will end Monday. A special board meeting has not been set to finalize the contract, but I expect that to be set over the next few days.
Speaking of schools, Snyder High School students will be able to see firsthand the devastation of drinking and driving when local agencies stage Shattered Dreams in Towle Park. I have covered several of these events and it always makes you think twice about drinking and driving or texting and driving.
Snyder police Officer Robert Clark is spearheading the local effort and I know he will make sure it is as authentic as possible. Nicknamed “O.C.” by students, Clark wants to make sure all kids are safe, especially around prom season and graduation.
While in Sweetwater, Clark helped stage events to show students what could happen during a fatal accident. He also led the Sweetwater DARE program, which I consider one of the best drug education programs for students.
When you hear the sirens or the buzzing of a helicopter Thursday morning, do not worry. Everything is in order and the students will hopefully learn a lesson they will not forget.
One of the Shattered Dreams programs I remember most was at Pickering High School in Louisiana. The school was located on a hill and motorists had to cross the railroad tracks at the top.
The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office coordinated with Kansas City Southern for a train to hit a vehicle. The train came through the tracks and “hit” the vehicle, leaving several students hurt and at least two killed.
Talking to participants and law enforcement officials after the program, everyone said that they learned not to race a train.
In Snyder a few years ago, I had the chance to ride a BNSF engine that was conducting a police operation focusing on motorists running through blinking railroad crossing lights. During my time on the train, one vehicle ran through the blinking lights and the motorist was given a warning.
Once again, I learned not to race an oncoming train. It will always win.
Also on Thursday, the Snyder community can come together and pray for the city, county, state, nation and world. The 66th annual National Day of Prayer will be held in the gazebo area of the Scurry County Courthouse lawn at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.
Organizers set up three different times so people could come when they were able. A large group prayer session is scheduled at each time and smaller groups will break out after that.
I hope that the gazebo is packed with people during this event.
This month also includes the annual Snyder Wheels Car Show and Cruise in Towle Park, Saturday’s municipal election, Cinco de Mayo celebrations at Winston Park and Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and Dancing Under the Stars with the Stars, a fundraiser for the Cogdell Memorial Hospital Foundation.
School activities will culminate on May 26 with high school graduations.
If your group is planning an activity this month, or any month of the year, let me know about it. The Snyder Daily News strives to make sure people know what is happening in the community and we want to help you get the word out.
Ben Barkley is the managing editor of the Snyder Daily News. He has covered news and sports for more than 25 years in Louisiana and Texas. Comments about his column can be emailed to barkley@snyderdailynews.com.