Constable is writing too many tickets
Commissioners want Eddie Lee to restrict ticket-writing to his precinct boundaries
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

Constable Eddie Lee is crossing precinct lines to write traffic citations throughout Cherokee County, and commissioners don't like it.

Cherokee County commissioners voiced disapproval of Precinct 3 Mr. Lee at their Monday morning meeting.

Commissioners say that Constable Lee has written several tickets outside Precinct 3. They also assert that he has transported a representative of the Texas Comptroller's office around Cherokee County. During this time he has written tickets to local citizens using agriculture red diesel fuel on vehicles traveling on county roadways.

Commissioner Byron Underwood was the first to complain about Constable Lee's activities.

"I agree with Mr. Underwood. If the lady from the comptroller's office needs someone to carry her around the county, let her get the constable from each precinct," Commissioner Kevin Pierce, Pct. 2, said.

"We have had complaints from our citizens that they got the tickets. Then they have to go to Precinct 3 to pay the fine," Mr. Underwood said. "I don't like it," he added.

"I don't like it either," Mr. Pierce said. "The report said that he stopped 32 vehicles and all of those were not in Precinct 3," Mr. Pierce said.

Mr. Lee's monthly report was not approved at the meeting. Commissioner Moody Glass, Pct. 3, motioned that the report be approved and Judge Chris Davis seconded. Voting against the motion were Commissioners Underwood, Pierce and Mary Gregg.

Judge Davis said later, "He probably has jurisdiction to write tickets in other precincts, but it isn't kosher to do so. If the sheriff needed him to help with something that would be different."

In other matters coming before the commissioners, County Road 4630 in Precinct 4 was closed.

Commissioner Underwood said, "The road is only 800 feet long and actually goes to a house.

Petitions have been signed by residents asking that the road be closed and notices have been posted."

County Tax Collector Linda Beard was authorized to return money for overpayment of taxes.

One payment will be $2,240.11 for taxes that were paid by two lending companies.

Another will go to Wells Fargo for $725.33.

Both of these payments did not cost the county anything, but were for taxes being overpaid. The third payment will be approximately $10,445.79 and the returned amount will be because of a suit involving Cingular and AT&T. The county will recover part of this, but not all of it.

The laying of a utility line in Precinct 3 was approved.

No action was taken concerning a resolution to continue tax on tangible personal property in transit which will otherwise be exempt.

Lee Flowers, chief appraiser for the Cherokee County Appraisal District, met with commissioners and discussed the matter involving free port exemption of goods. Commissioners can take action in December to continue the tax.

A contract between the Cherokee County Health Department and Pathology Associates of Tyler was approved.

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

The next meeting of the commissioners court will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 10.