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Tri-Canyon’s Only Weekly Newspaper!
Current Weekly News for Leakey, Camp Wood, Sabinal, Utopia and Surrounding Areas Vol. 9 No. 9
INSIDE
POLLING LOCATIONS
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MARCH 11 2018 REAL COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE WANTED PERSONS AND FUGITIVES ............................ Page 11
JUST FOR GRINS
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www.hillcountryherald.net
February 28, 2018
editor@hillcountryherald.net
NO POLITICAL SIGNS ON REAL COUNTY PROPERTY by Julie Becker
Several weeks ago Real County Attorney Bobby Jack Rushing was contacted regarding a response to the question “Are political signs allowed on Real County Property?” Rushing’s response questioned if the sign was affixed to the property, but no immediate response was given. I contacted Real County Judge Sonny Sansom late last week to inquire again “Are political signs allowed on Real County Property?” Sansom stated he would contact the Real County Attorney and get back to me. I then placed a call to the Secretary of State and requested an answer to the question “Are political signs allowed on Real County Property?” The SOS stated someone would return my call. Shortly thereafter I received a call from the Real County Clerk D’Ann Green who stated she also had called the Secretary of State and found out that the rule of law regarding this matter is set by each county. Monday morning prior to Commissioner’s Court Green handed me a copy of
“ORDER PROHIBITING POLITICAL SIGNS ON COUNTY PROPERTY.” The document was filed of record on June 11, 2012. It states “Whereas, the Commissioners Court of Real County has determined that political signs on county property would create an unreasonable burden on county resources; NOW THEREFORE, the Commissioners Court of Real County adopts this Order establishing a policy that political signs are prohibited on property owned by Real County. So, the question “Are political signs allowed on Real County Property?” was answered back in 2012. I sent an email on Monday (Feb. 26, 2018) to the Real County Attorney detailing the long road to the answer and requesting from him “a statement as to why this was not researched prior to the beginning of early voting?” This is the response I received “Prior to the early voting period, in response to a citizen query, I did conduct a search on the Real County Clerk’s computer searching the Commissioner’s Court
minutes for political advertisement regulations promulgated by the Commissioner’s Court. I did not find anything, but it appears I missed the order you refer to. If you, or others, are aware of violations of this rule or any other political campaign rules, please report those violations to the Real County Sheriff’s Department or the Texas Ethics Commission. If there are violations occurring at a poling location, please notify the Real County Clerk as well.” While I appreciate finally receiving an
SIGNS answer to the question “Are political signs allowed on Real County Property?” I am disappointed the answer was so elusive, it was not found prior to Early Voting. GO VOTE!!
DOWNTOWN LEAKEY RENOVATIONS BEGIN Monday morning brought the unveiling of long ago memories of downtown Leakey, Texas. Mark and Art chipped away the years of plaster to reveal the still almost perfect sign of the Leakey Drug Store. In the years past the Drug Store was owned by Norris and JoAnn Fisher and served the citizens of Leakey in a variety of capacities. The sights, sounds and smells of the Drug Store back in the day are vivid in many memories. Since then the Drug Store has housed many other businesses but none as well remembered as the Drug Store. Well, good news! Sarah Shook, representative of Historic Leakey, LLP, the current owner of the building, told the Herald on Monday, all the buildings in the downtown area owned by Historic Leakey, LLP will be RENOVATED!! Shook said there will be no demolition of buildings! She said they want to restore and renovate all of the buildings to the beauty they once held. Though she stressed it will be a
by Julie Becker
lengthy and large project, the buildings will be saved. In addition to the good news, there is great news. Shook also said the former Frio Canyon Lodge will under go a complete renovation, NO demolition! Shook said the Lodge is currently under evaluation by an architectural firm for a plan of action. So, for all of you that can close your eyes and see the Drug Store, smell the burgers cooking and hear the stories of the old timers, you can breathe a sigh of relief, the buildings may change a little but it will continue to stand tall and strong as the Pioneers that built this community. But wait there’s more, the latest round of trees planted downtown courtesy of Downtown Leakey, LLC will be a wonderful addition to complete the tree lined walkway for lots of foot traffic. Leakey is changing, but hold fast to the Pioneer spirit and never forget those that came before us and made our community possible.
Real County Commissioners Take Another Look At Elected Officals Budget Requests by Julie Becker
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INDEX Legals/Jail Register ... . Page 3Community News ......... Page 4-6 Feature Story ................ Page 7 Community Events.........Page 8-9 Obituaries ...................... Page 10 Classifieds ..................... Page 14
Today’s Weather
High: 81° Low: 47°
On Monday, February 26, 2018 Real County Commissioners Court held their regular second monthly meeting. The acceptance of the Independent Auditor Report from Ede & Ede was unexpectedly rescheduled. Also rescheduled was the update of progress on Leakey Festivity of Lights. Justice of the Peace Dianne Rogers appeared before the Commissioners to once again request a full time clerk, instead of the two part time clerks as suggested by the Commissioners at the
last meeting. This time Rogers came prepared with figures that included the ability to hire a full time clerk for less that it would cost the county coffers for the two part time clerks. Following some discussion Commissioners voted to support Rogers with the hiring of a full time clerk. Next up was Real County Sheriff Nathan T. Johnson. Johnson again requested permission to sell Real County surplus property. Johnson presented the court with a list of all of the surplus property
for the auction. Following discussion Commissioners voted to authorize the Sheriff to sell the property as well as set the minimum bid for the items. Johnson anticaptes the auction could be held as early as April 7th. Real County Constable Kevin Chisum addressed the court regarding the severe decrease in office expenses in last years budget. The decrease allotted expenses for the Constable went from $15k to $1,500 per year. After Chisum’s presentation to the court detailing the miles
traveled, vehicle expenses (it was noted Chisum supplies his own car) Commissioners voted to increase the Constable’s expense budget by $8,000. Commissioners noted they will review the matter again this year during budget discussions in September. Commissioners approved the dates and locations of the upcoming County-City wide Clean-up (see notice on page 7). With no further business the court was adjourned.
Texas: Marching to Independence March is rich in Texas history, beginning with Texas Independence Day and Sam Houston’s birthday on March 2, Alamo Heroes Day on March 6 and Goliad Heroes Day on March 27. Texas Independence Day began on March 1, 1836, at Washington-on-the-Brazos where delegates met to draft a declaration of independence from Mexico. The next day, the convention adopted the declaration entitled, “The Unanimous Declaration of Independence, by the Delegates of the People of Texas, in General Convention, at the town of Washington, on the Second Day of March, 1836.” Fifty-nine signers along with the convention president, Richard Ellis, finalized the declaration. March 2 became the official day established
by the Legislature in 1915 as Flag Day to celebrate Texas Independence. It is fitting that March 2 also celebrates the birth date of a man who served as Texas’ Commanderin-Chief of the Revolution Army and served twice as the President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston. Another Texas Honor Day was established because one of the most inspiring moments in Texas history occurred at the Alamo Mission in San Antonio. Alamo Heroes Day honors the men who gave their lives for freedom on that Sunday, March 6, 1836. The 189 men who halted the advancing Mexican army for 12 days gave the Texan patriots time to bring the revolution to its end. continued page 5
by Judy Burleson, Caddel-Smith