Clifton turns over records

Denton political activist Bob Clifton turned over records Tuesday showing he paid at least $6,000 for a series of mailers attacking newly elected Mayor Mark Burroughs’ campaign.

The records — produced in response to a court order — supported Clifton’s claim that no one helped him fund the mailers. But Burroughs’ attorney quickly dismissed the documents as incomplete.

“Wherever he [Clifton] got the money from, he certainly paid a lot more money than is in his bank account,” said Greg Sawko, an attorney for Burroughs, who sued Clifton over the mailers in May. “Reasonable people would be able to interpret that to mean that he got the money from someplace, and he certainly didn’t disclose it to the court today.”

Clifton said the documents truthfully reflected his spending to print and mail political materials during the recent mayor’s race.

“I did get the money from someplace: out of my own pocket,” he said, adding that he paid cash for all services.

Courthouse repairs estimated at $79,000

County commissioners raced through Tuesday morning’s agenda in order to clear out in time for a 10:30 a.m. court hearing.

Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 was moved from the Joseph A. Carroll Building to the Denton County Courthouse on the Square. The five-story building suffered major damage to its electrical system, likely during Saturday’s rainstorm, which brought wind gusts up to 36 mph and 1.42 inches of rain.

County facilities manager Danny Brumley estimated that the repair would cost about $79,000 and take about a week to complete.

Water damaged electrical conduits, he said, and the county is waiting for replacement parts to continue repairs, which will be paid out of contingency funds.

In addition to the justice of the peace offices and courtroom, purchasing, human resources, information services, auditor, treasurer and Precinct 1 constable were all housed in the Carroll Building.

County Judge Mary Horn praised employees who packed up their offices and moved Sunday — most to the Denton County Emergency Services Building at 9060 Teasley Lane.

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