Judge Davis appointed to water group

CHRIS DAVIS

Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis was appointed this month as a member of the governing board of the East Texas Regional Water Planning Group (Region I).

The group met in Nacogdoches March 21 and approved new board appointments.

"I think the people here (in Cherokee County) need to be represented," said Judge Davis.

He said that water issues are complex and that he anticipates a learning curve.

"We have to protect our ground water and take care of our area," he said.

Besides Judge Davis, the group also appointed Jeff Branick of Beaumont.

The two are filling the vacancies of Houston County Judge Chris Von Doenhoff of Crockett and Jefferson County Judge Carl Griffith Jr. Both resigned before the conclusion of their terms.

The group also elected a new slate of officers including chairman Kelley Holcomb of Lufkin, first vice-president Worth Whitehead of Henderson, second vice-president Mike Harbordt of Diboll, secretary David Brock of Jacksonville, assistant secretary Jerry Clark of Orange and at-large executive committee members Ernest Mosby of San Augustine and David Alders of Nacogdoches.

Mr. Holcomb, an executive with the Angelina and Neches River Authority, will succeed Mr. Alders as president.

The East Texas planning region includes all or parts of 20 counties, including Anderson, Angelina, Cherokee, Hardin, Henderson, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Panola, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Trinity and Tyler counties.