No Action Taken on ESD #2

National Night Out, National 4-H Week Proclaimed by Comm. Court

By Will Johnson

Messenger Reporter

HOUSTON COUNTY – A matter which created quite a bit of tension during the Aug. 27 meeting of the Houston County Commissioners Court was re-addressed, albeit somewhat briefly during the Tuesday, Sept. 24 meeting of the court.

At issue was the resignations of three board members from the Emergency Services District #2. During a meeting between representatives from the ESD and the city of Crockett – held in mid-August – to discuss contractual matters, negotiations broke down. When Crockett representatives proposed a monetary figure, the ESD representatives abruptly ended the meeting and stated there would be no new contract after the current one expires at the end of September.

During that Aug. 27 meeting, ESD #2 President George Crowson, Jr. of conducting a “witch-hunt” by even placing the item on the court’s agenda.

On the Sept. 24 agenda, item 20 called for the commissioners to discuss and consider the resignations of three board members (George Crowson, Jr., Peggy Patrick and Bobby Hutcherson) of ESD #2and appointing three (new) board members

“At this time – it is hearsay only – we do not have those resignations in hand. My recommendation is to pass this by,” County Judge Jim Lovell said.

“I will say there is a meeting tonight of the ESD #2. After that we may – I don’t know,” he added.

Prior to the ESD discussion, a pair of proclamations were adopted by the court.

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The first proclamation concerned support of Porter Springs Baptist Church to host a National Night Out on Tuesday, Oct. 1 to include all emergency personnel, law enforcement as well as fire and rescue.

On hand to discuss the event was Porter Springs Baptist Church Pastor Wayne Stewart who informed the court he had been involved with the National Night Out program for almost 20 years.

“It’s an event for the community to get to know their law enforcement, first responders, rescuers and politicians – the people who are charged to take care of them and to watch over them. What better thing for a church to do than to bring these two groups together? It’s a good chance to get to know your neighbors and a good chance to get to know the people taking care of you,” the minister said.

Stewart was followed by Houston County Extension Agent Jo Smith who said she had brought two groups of 4-H members with her for the court session.

After introducing the Homestead 4-H and Kennard 4-H members she turned the floor over to 4-H leader Carrie Beaver.

“4-H is a youth development program, with adult volunteers providing positive, hands-on fun and educational opportunities for these kids, ages five to 19. It can take place in many different settings such as project clubs, community clubs, after school programs, camp, workshops and lots of other events,” Beaver said.

Next, the 4-H members gave a presentation based on their pledge which states, “I pledge my HEAD to clearer thinking, my HEART to greater loyalty, my HANDS to larger service, and my HEALTH to better living, for my club, my community, my country and my world.”

National 4-H Week is Oct. 6-12.

Both proclamations were unanimously adopted by the court.

The next item addressed by the court pertained to the previously rescinded burn ban for unincorporated areas of Houston County.

“I talked with the emergency management coordinator (Roger Dickey) this morning and our recommendation was to leave the burn ban rescinded. The humidity is staying up and there have not been any problems to speak of that a burn ban would have stopped. On any day, we can initiate a burn ban. At the present time, my recommendation is that we not re-instate the burn ban,” the county judge said.     

In other matters brought before the court:  

• The commissioners approved the minutes from previous meetings.
• The payment of bills and expenses incurred by the county were approved.
• The Houston County Treasurer’s and Compensatory Reports were received as information by the commissioners.  
• Salaries for new and/or transfer employees were approved.
• The date of the next Commissioners Court meeting was moved from Oct. 8 to Oct. 7 at 10 am.
• The court approved setting salaries for all officers and employees of Houston County for Fiscal Year 2020.
• Hotel Occupancy Tax funds in the amount of $3,000 were awarded for the Grapeland Peanut Festival.
• The court approved plans and authorized advertisement for bids on the 2018 TDA road Improvements Project for CR 1860 and CR 4050.
• The commissioners also approved several November election matters.

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].