County prepares for Nov. 8 elections

Preparations for a special election on Nov. 8, 2005 dominated conversation at the regular meeting of the Caldwell County Commissioners” Court on Monday.
The election, called for by the 79th Texas Legislature, will give voters the opportunity to review and possibly adopt nine new amendments to the Texas Constitution.
The County”s business in the election is geared

toward facilitating voters and arranging polling places for early voting and for Election Day.
With several orders entered by the Court on Monday, polling places, election judges and early voting times were determined.
According to Tax Assessor-Collector Mary Vicky Gonzales, who historically presides over Caldwell County elections, the 26 polling places in the county have not changed since the last couny-wide election in November 2004.
Early voting for the Nov. 8, 2005 election will be conducted from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday from Oct. 24 – Nov. 4 at the Caldwell County Tax Assessor/Collector”s office in Lockhart.
Luling”s early voters will have the opportunity to vote early from Oct. 31 – Nov. 4 from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Church of the Annunciation at 301 S. Walnut in Luling.
Watch future editions of your Lockhart Post-Register for detailed election information.
In other Court business, County Judge H.T. Wright presented a letter he received from the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS), reminding citizens of the county about the services that CARTS provides.
The public transportation system provides transportation to and from a variety of locations throughout the area for those with no other means of transportation. CARTS serves all of Caldwell County”s rural communities, as well as Lockhart and Luling. The service also travels to San Marcos, Austin and San Antonio.
For information on CARTS services, fares and schedules, call (800) 456-7433.
The Court gave approval for a citizens” committee led by Gerry Ohlendorf to move forward with collecting donations to decorate the Courthouse for Christmas.
In the past, the Courthouse has been decorated for the holidays the Courthouse Restoration Committee, and later by a group of private citizens.
Plans for holiday decorations include wreaths and lighted candles in the Courthouse windows, and lighted garlands along the railings at the North entrance.
However, Ohlendorf made it clear that the Courthouse itself would not be lighted.
:”When we did the restoration, we knew that there were no outlets for that,” she said. “No on intends to try to actually attach lights to the Courthouse. We just need the Court”s blessing to move forward.”
The Commissioners gave their blessing without hesitation.
“Anything you can do to enhance the appearance of the Courthouse is well worth it,” Wright said. He also thanked Ohlendorf for her service to the community and complimented the decorations that have been used in the past.
In brief Court news:
The Court tabled a request for a variance that would allow a property owner to sell half-acre tracts of land in the county. The property, currently classified as a mobile-home park, was intended by the owner to be rental property, but she has recently become interested in selling the property. However, subdivision of the property would be in violation of a variety of county subdivision rules, and the Commissioners were concerned that approving the project would set a dangerous precedent. Commissioner Neto Madrigal pledged to continue working with the owner to find a viable solution.
The Commissioners voted to set a speed limit of 30 miles per hour on County Roads 185 (Witter Road) and 186 (Old Kelley Road). Despite the fact that the Court had advertised a public hearing, no citizen attended the hearing to speak either for or against the proposal.
Wright read Proclamations declaring October Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Czech Heritage Month.
The Court nominated three individuals to the Caldwell County Appraisal District Board of Directors. The three, Colleen Rowland, Hye Brown and Frank Hinds, are all seated members of the board that the Court has supported in the past.
The County paid bills in the amount of $97,749.41, including $19,030 in indigent legal defense.