DECEMBER 2018
TOWN & COUNTRY
County Judge-elect Bill Gravell Talks Transition, Leadership and Customer Service The more we do life together, the more we learn from each other With more than 607,000
residents, 1,800 employees, five senior division chiefs and 28 elected officials, Williamson County is hardly a sleepy Texas hamlet any more. Having earned 103,740 votes on election day, Bill Gravell is already asking himself how he can inspire the remaining 400,000 next time. On his transition from JP3 to County Judge, Gravell says he is looking forward to new challenges and is preparing now for the job; "We are a multi-million dollar corporation and the business of this County doesn't stop. Additionally, the Texas Legislature goes into session January 8, and
to date have given him a sense that what most of his electeds and officials seek is leadership and a path to emerge from current conflicts and move forward. "My first priority is to remind all of our elected officials that we are here to serve and customer service should be everyone's top priority. Internally, in 2019, we are beginning the 'customer service matters' campaign. What my staff accomplished at the JP3 level, in terms of kindness and service, is about to be a major initiative for the entire County. And we have a wall of awards to show that we know how to do that well."
I want people to know we notice and appreciate all the people who keep the county running smoothly, and I will be visible about it. I went to a symposium for training our emergency communications staff recently. I wanted to say thank you to Adam. He has been up in the middle of the night for years, kindly and professionally calling me to report to death scenes. I wanted to thank him publicly but he wasn't there. It turns out he has chosen to work the night shift because he wants to be home during the day as he is raising his 11-year-old nephew and that day he had taken the boy to a professional football game. Those are the people I want to celebrate, and the values I want to share. Fortunately, Adam is just one of 100 stories I can tell about our great County. we can't wait until the oaths are taken January 1 to start preparing. I am confident if we handle it well, the transitions will be flawless and no on will notice much more than one name drifting into the news and one name drifting out." Judge Gravell's meetings
Judge Gravell has enlisted Tax Assessor Larry Gaddes to lead the way and is confident that he will do that job and set an exceptional example. On a larger scale, Judge Gravell will implement a leadership program, "Wilco University", which will be instrumental in preparing
lower level management our citizens every day. "I are making deliberate to be the next generation want us to share ups and choices, taking steps of leadership in the county. downs, work together and and doing it right. "We will use the amazing expect to be exceptional for And, as always, at the teachers, leaders and equip- the sake of the values of the end of the day, it is my pers who already work here people who live here." job to ask everyone I to facilitate the 18-month What is not going to meet, 'What can I do to programs so there will be change is his level of help you?' The answer no additional expense to the visibility. "You're going to always county. Our progress will see more of your Judge; I mean more to the county will tweet and take selfies in terms of succession and you will hear a lot planning so we are well of stories about a lot prepared when senior jobs of people doing change hands." good. We spend Outside County governtoo much time ment, Judge Gravell also talking about will have monthly breakwhat people fasts with the cities' mayors. "Some of the brightest minds I know are in city government. Why shouldn't we want the folks in Liberty Hill to learn from the Mayor of Round Rock, or the Mayor of Granger helping the Mayor of Taylor? I plan to discuss not just our challenges and struggles, but also about life and how we can all learn to live, work, play and fight together. Not among ourselves but together, and for all the people of the County." The Judge also plans to encourage Judge Gravell with Republican electeds on election night • Congressman John Carter (R-TX31) • 368th Dist elected officials to Judge Rick Kennon, 277th Dist Judge Stacey Mathews (right) and 277th court admin. Wanda Davidson. take a day off to "take off the robes duties as JP3, which he and uniforms and put on do that's bad. I want to celleads me to what matters says never stop. But he is their jeans" to volunteer at ebrate the good things and to people and that's where confident that his JP3 and The Serving Center, Habitat the people who do them." the service, and kindness, transition teams are manfor Humanity, or R.O.C.K. For now, Judge Gravell begin." aging both very well. "We and see what people do for continues to manage his
Keeping Williamson County Great
Williamson County voters set a record for voter participation (62.25%) in the 2018 midterm election. But, Glenda Dennison of Sun City personally embodied a true commitment to civic responsibility and inspired thousands on social media with her story. Glenda has a terminal diagnosis of brain cancer and had been homebound for several months. She confided to friend Betty Schleder that she did not want to let this election day go by without helping Bill Gravell become County Judge but she had no way to get to the polls. Schleder, well known for her willing and resourcefulness, made sure that Glenda got her wish. She hooked a trailer to her pickup and strapped Glenda's wheelchair to it. (Glenda and Charlie rode up front to Cowan Creek.) Once there, Schleder had pre-arranged for a voting machine to be brought outside to the truck. Supervised by election judges Cathy Cody (R) and Don Keller (D), Glenda cast an emotional ballot. Judge Gravell commented, "It is deeply humbling to see the sacrifice of one for the sake of a vote. Glenda, I will always remember you." Glenda said, "That's awesome, thank you." At left: Judge Bill Gravell, Charlie and Glenda Dennison, Betty Schleder celebrate voting at the Cowan Creek polling center on election day. 9
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