County Recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month

By Greg Ritchie

Messenger Reporter

HOUSTON COUNTY – Domestic violence reaches beyond the home where it happens, affecting children, schools and the people who help families find a way forward. That was the message Whitney Burran brought to Houston County commissioners Tuesday, Oct. 13, as they recognized October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Burran, executive director of the Janelle Grum Family Crisis Center of East Texas, told the court the proclamation represents more than an annual observance. It is an opportunity to stand with survivors and acknowledge a problem that often remains hidden.

“Domestic violence is a community issue. It tears at the very fabric of our community,” Burran said.

The center serves nine counties, providing free services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Burran said its work focuses on meeting survivors where they are and helping them move toward lives free from violence.

This year’s awareness theme, “Everyone Knows Someone,” emphasizes how closely the issue touches people, even when they do not recognize it in their own circle of friends, relatives or coworkers.

Burran placed particular emphasis on children, whose circumstances depend on decisions and situations they cannot control.

“We often talk about children being the silent victims of domestic violence because people have a lot of thoughts on why people don’t leave their domestic violence situation, but children have no choice in that matter,” she said.

Helping survivors involves understanding why leaving an abusive situation can be difficult, Burran explained. The center’s work can include expert testimony to help juries understand those circumstances, along with outreach and education about healthy relationships.

She thanked local law enforcement and elected officials for their partnerships with the agency and encouraged continued support throughout the year. The center maintains an outreach office in Houston County and offers presentations for schools and other organizations.

Commissioners approved the proclamation before moving through an agenda that included employee compensation, grant applications, county vehicles and the appointment of a new constable.

The court received Morris Luker’s resignation as Precinct 1 constable and appointed Jason Frizzell as his replacement. Frizzell accepted the appointment and thanked commissioners for their trust and confidence.

Employee compensation drew a longer discussion as commissioners considered reducing the maximum compensatory-time balance for law enforcement officers from 240 hours to 80 hours and paying employees for additional time earned above that balance.

The discussion followed the county’s budget deliberations and an earlier effort to buy down accumulated comp time. Participants discussed preserving an 80-hour bank for employees who want time available for future absences while preventing balances from continuing to grow.

Commissioners approved the change with payouts handled biweekly through payroll.

The discussion also addressed whether the policy would cover dispatchers, jail personnel and sworn officers. Questions about the treatment of civilian dispatchers prompted plans for further review of their scheduling and overtime arrangements.

Other actions included adopting a proclamation recognizing the Old Shady Grove Cemetery historical-marker dedication, accepting a $1,000 Crockett Garden Club donation for Angel Tree and approving the annual $3,106 renewal for the sheriff’s office’s LeadsOnline investigative system.

An airport hangar report identified another matter for future consideration. Commissioners were told that some lease payments remained outstanding and that approximately three hangar agreements had reached the end of their 30-year terms. Options for those agreements are expected to return to the court before the end of the year.

Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]