County Commissioners discuss road conditions
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

Cherokee County is in the process of making application for disaster status. Ken Hannah, county emergency management coordinator, reported to the commissioners court Monday morning that Texas has 53 counties affected by heavy rains. Of those 53 counties, 11 have already been declared as disaster areas and 10 are being proposed. County Judge Chris Davis signed application Monday morning for the county to become a disaster area.

Mr. Hannah gave commissioners the necessary forms to determine their precinct damages.

All commissioners expressed concern at the meeting over the theft of road closed signed.

"These signs are placed there for a reason. Please don't take them. It would be sad if a person stole a sign and then read in the newspaper that a family has been killed when that road caved," Commissioner Moody Glass III said.

Numerous culverts have been lost throughout the county.

Commissioner Kevin Pierce said, "I didn't think I had it bad until after lunch yesterday (Sunday). Maydelle got more than seven inches of rain. The road shoulders washed out and a bridge is destroyed on U.S. Highway 84. Our resources are wet and it will take some time for us to get everything repaired."

"I have 12 roads closed," Commissioner Glass said. We have lost culverts, bridges and CR 3802 and CR 3114 are under water. We lost a bridge on Mud Creek," he added.

Mr. Glass spoke to reporters sitting in the courtroom, "Please tell the people not to drive over a closed road just because they can see the black topping. There may not be a culvert underneath. People have moved barricades when there is nothing beneath the pavement." He continued an appeal to local residents not to steal the road signs. "If there is a sign there is a danger and stay off the road. We appreciate the construction companies who loaned us the road closed signs," Mr. Glass said.

"We are all in the same mess," Commissioner Mary Gregg said. "We are doing the best we can and just ask that the public be patient with us. We have all lost numerous culverts and bridges. We cannot control the weather."

"I agree with what Mrs. Gregg said. Since Friday I have lost 14 road closed signs. With good luck we didn't have any accidents. During the storms I did not lose any bridges and all 15 of my closed roads have been re-opened. I want to thank my men who have worked since 3 a.m. Friday morning," Commissioner Byron Underwood said.

He asked local persons to keep four wheelers and similar vehicles off the roads.

Commissioners get back to

business

In another matter commissioners approved the laying of utility lines in Precincts 2, 3 and 4.

Two sheriff 's department employees were approved to attend a conference in Austin July 15-18.

Commissioners also approved the sheriff's monthly report.

Commissioners approved the Texas County and District Retirement System plan for 2008. Patsy Lassister, county treasurer, reported to the court that the county rate will remain the same, 8.43 percent. Mrs. Lassister later explained that for every $1 an employee puts into the retirement system, the county matches with $1.50.

She further explained that the county is being reimbursed $57,427 in health insurance payments from Texas Association of Counties. This will be repaid to the county in 12 equal installments. Also, health insurance for county employees was decreased from $627.60 to $611.92 monthly.

Commissioners discussed the possibility of offering dental insurance at a cost of $18-$23 per employee, which they declined to do.

Sitton addresses court

Mary Sitton, a local citizen, discussed the county going to a unit system. "You will be in the process of preparing the county budget soon. I encourage you to consider a county unit system. This system is working in Nacogdoches and Smith counties. You are at the top as far as finances. The county is in good shape financially and we have the money. It is our money and I encourage you to consider this system. Roads and bridges should be your number one priority."

Mrs. Sitton has appeared before the court before to discuss road maintenance and animal control.

Commissioners met briefly Monday, July 2, to approve a new county road map and appoint Byron Underwood to serve on the executive committee of the East Texas Council of Governments.

The court then recessed for members to attend the funeral of a county employee.

Following the funeral commissioners reconvened in executive session to discuss personnel. No action was taken concerning the personnel matter.

Attending both meetings were Judge Davis; Commissioners Gregg, Pierce, Glass and Underwood; County Clerk Laverne Lusk and County Auditor L.H. Crockett.