Commissioners honor Wright, family

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

Accolades continue to pour in for the late Caldwell County Judge H.T. Wright and his family. On Monday, the Caldwell County Commissioners Court under the leadership of seated Judge Ronnie Duesterheft and Judge Pro Tem Joe I. Roland, made a touching presentation and offered a proclamation and plaque to Wright”s family, thanking

them for sharing their husband, father and grandfather with the residents of Caldwell County.

“The family of Judge Wright was his beacon of light, and made many sacrifices allowing Judge Wright to put in the countless hours of service to our community,” reads the proclamation, which was matted and framed beneath a photo of the Judge and the seals of two things he loved best – the US Marine Corps and Texas A&M University.

Wright”s widow, Joyce, and son, Terry, were on hand to accept the presentation, framed versions of which will be distributed to other members of the family.

While clearly touched, neither offered any comment beyond quiet thanks to the Court and the community.

After the presentation was made, the Court resumed with regular business, appointing a board of directors to serve the newly-formed Caldwell County Emergency Services District No. 2.

Duesterheft, who said he had been instrumental not only in the formation of the ESD, but in the recruitment of the volunteers to serve as directors, opted to introduce the nominees but abstain from any further discussion or voting on the measure.

The five appointed directors, who will serve as the governing body of the ESD until Jan. 2, 2011, are: David Childress, Jo Anne Germer, Bobby Barboza, Terri Pim and Tony Collins. They were voted unanimously by the four Commissioners, while Duesterheft abstained.

In other business, the County entered a contract with the law firm of Bickerstaff, Heath, Delgado and Acosta for services related to the possibility that Caldwell County will have to undergo redistricting after the 2010 Census is complete.

The contract, which will include not only research and recommendations, but also the creation of maps related to any potential redistricting, could cost as little as $3,200, but could be upwards of $15,000, depending on the needs of the county after the census is complete. Until that time, said Charles Kimbrough, an attorney with the firm who attended the meeting to discuss the issue with the Court, there is no way to tell what the needs will be.

Kimbrough said there could be cases and reasons in which redistricting would not be necessary, but said the chances were unlikely.

Bickerstaff, Heath, Delgado and Acosta was also hired by the City of Lockhart to oversee any redistricting that will be necessary within the city limits.

In brief news:
The Commissioners left the outdoor burning ban off, at the recommendation of Emergency Management Coordinator Jim Parker. Parker said the county is still safe, but that as temperatures climb and summer days become longer and drier, he expects that dangers will increase. He asked anyone engaging in outdoor burning to remember to be vigilant and keep water nearby.

They approved a resolution authorizing filing a grant with the Capital Area Council of Governments for a Solid Waste Enforcement Grant.

The panel approved requests from two property owners to allow the sale of portions of existing, platted tracts of land.

Attorney Ron Heggemeier presented information regarding open range laws within Caldwell County, citing several requests for such information in recent weeks. Briefly Heggemeier informed the Commissioners that the laws on the books in Caldwell County assign liability for most free-roaming animals to their owners, and that with limited exceptions, livestock is expected to be fenced.

The County paid bills in the amount of $370,173.99, which includes nearly $275,000 for the purchase of radio equipment through a grant program, $16,400.16 in indigent legal defense and $153.50 for indigent health care.

The Caldwell County Commissioners will meet next on June 14, 2010, at 9 a.m. in Room 100 of the Caldwell County Courthouse.