County Joins Public Defender Task Force
At its July 14 meeting, the Glasscock County Commissioners Court agreed to join an 85-county public defender task force. At a cost to the county of $1,000 per year, the task force is seen as an insurance policy against the cost of possible capital murder trials in the future, the cost of which can easily go from $500,000 to upwards of $1 million. Glasscock County’s last capital murder trial was in the early 1970’s, after the murder of Steve Currie at his home in the county. [Note: capital murder cases allow the death penalty.]
According to County Judge Wilburn Bednar, the cost of participating in the task force is based on the population of the county, with a $1,000 minimum. The organization allows counties to pool their resources to help pay for the rising costs of providing defense counsel for capital cases.
Court Wants Specifics on Proposed Power Line
Bednar reported that Mike Hollister had contacted him wanting an easement along CR 110 where the county-owned west dump ground is located. His company plans to build an electrical transmission line there.
Bednar said Hollister initially wanted to lease the entire 160 acres the county owns in that location for $4 per acre, but when Bednar told him that wasn’t likely, he changed his offer to an easement along the county road. The county commissioners asked Bednar to have Hollister come to a court meeting and present specifics of his project.
Paving Costs Approved
Commissioners approved the bid from Brannan Paving Co. for $172,998 for the 2008 paving/seal coating project. The other bids were from Reece Albert ($230,535) and Ronald R. Wagner ($187,487).
Bednar asked for and got, authority to hire summer help (2 kids) to do some minor repair and repainting to the scout house on the courthouse square. He said materials have been purchased and are available at Harris Lumber. The youth who will be hired were not named.