Commissioners Handle Varied Agenda
At its regular meeting Nov. 8, the Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court approved lowering all the ceilings on the courthouse’s first floor, including the hallway, at a cost of $7,789. County Judge Wilburn Bednar told the court that Eddie Quine, who was chosen in September to install central air and heat in the courthouse, had said that he could not install the system without lowering the ceilings.
Commissioners signed an oil and gas lease with Carrland Oil and Gas for a primary term of two years at $100 per acre and a one-fifth royalty interest. The lease pertains to the county’s interest in the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 11, Block 34, T-5-S, T & P Survey.
Commissioner Jimmy Strube suggested that the county draft a resolution, which would be sent to President George W. Bush and to area counties, requesting that former U.S. Congressman Charles Stenholm be named Secretary of Agriculture if Ann Venneman steps down, or that he be appointed to another high-ranking position in the USDA if Venneman continues as the Secretary. Strube said Stenholm would be valuable to West Texas in such a position. He said because Glasscock County is unique in the high percentage of votes cast for Bush, the President might pay attention to such a request. The court agreed a resolution was a good idea, voted unanimously in favor, and Bednar was to draft it.
Bednar presented advertisements from a company that makes road signs, offering prices that would be a substantial savings from the usual prices. Commissioners decided to purchase enough signs for use both now and later. The court discussed the deterioration of road signs due to weather and sun. They agreed that many need to be replaced because they are no longer easy to read at night, and they opted to increase the size of some signs.
The court discussed problems with community center flowerbeds holding runoff water from downspouts. They decided to install plastic liners, rock and low-maintenance plants, and to extend the downspouts out far enough that the water will run off on pavement.
In other action, the court agreed to pay Bob Turner, a former state representative who is now a lobbyist, an annual “consulting fee” of $500; signed a resolution asking for grant money to help pay for state-mandated voting machines, and asked Bednar to arrange a meeting with a representative from a company which makes emergency warning sirens.
The court will meet Nov. 10 at 8 a.m. to canvass votes from the Nov. 2 election.