Crews return to Lockhart for ‘Leftovers’

By LPR Staff

Editor/POST-REGISTER

Prepare to move back to Jarden, Texas.

Lockhart will transform to the fictional home of Miracle National Park, as filming of the HBO blockbuster “The Leftovers” returns to the Caldwell County Courthouse Square next month.

According to a contract approved by the Caldwell County Commissioners

Court on Monday, crews will return to the community for a short time, to film the first few episodes of the series’ third season. The second season, filmed almost exclusively in Central Texas, focused on the town of Jarden, Texas, portrayed on the small screen by Lockhart.

Crews will begin filming on May 4, and are expected to wrap by May 13.

The filming is planned to cease for the weekend, so as not to interfere with the Greater Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce’s Cinco de Mayo festivities, Caldwell County Judge Kenneth Schawe assured his colleagues in asking them to approve the contracts.

The “tower” on the Courthouse Square will be re-erected, according to Lockhart’s Economic Development Director Sandra Mauldin, and the impacted businesses should be notified soon if they have not already been contacted by HBO location representatives.

Information about the impact on downtown traffic routes during filming will be publicized as it becomes available.

In other business, the County discussed, but did not approve, a potential change to the Commissioners’ Court rules which would require Commissioners to submit agenda items one day earlier.

“We have to do a lot of work when we get the items and then don’t get the backup until the next day,” Schawe said.

However, the Commissioners balked at the suggested change, reminding the Judge that they enjoy having the extra time to prepare their requested agenda items.

Caldwell County civil attorney Jordan Powell said she supported the change, to make sure the County is in line with legal requirements regarding posting public meetings. She noted she is unaware of any past problems in posting times.

The Commissioners opted to table the measure, and will bring it back for discussion at their next regular meeting.

They also tabled a request by Caldwell County Elections Administrator Pamela Ohlendorf for a budget amendment to balance her payments for temporary and part-time employees during election season.

Instead of taking action, the Court directed Ohlendorf to meet with Caldwell County Auditor Debra French to find a solution to the budget issue.

In brief news:

The Court opted to leave the outdoor burning ban off.

They approved a license agreement with Camp Gladiator for the use of the Judicial Center parking lot.

They adopted a resolution abandoning a tract of property near Washburn Road.

The County paid bills in the amount of $245,815.85.

The Caldwell County Commissioners Court meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 9 a.m. in the second floor courtroom of the historic Caldwell County Courthouse. The meetings are open to the public and are webcast at www.co.caldwell.tx.us.