Cherokee County Commissioners go historical
Cherokee County Historical Commission presents annual report to commissioners
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

Terry Guinn, chairman of the Cherokee County Historical Commission, presented the organization's annual report to the Cherokee County Commissioners Court Monday morning. Also, he presented revised by-laws for the commissioners court approval.

There are 18 members of the commission, who meet 11 times during a calendar year. There is no December meeting of the historical commission. Notices of meetings are posted in the courthouse.

Mr. Guinn expressed his and the commission's appreciation to the commissioners court for its support.

Markers are ready to be dedicated at the Berryman Cemetery, Henry's Cemetery and Tecula Cemetery, as well as at Lookout Valley Church of the Nazarene.

The commission sponsors a junior historical chapter in New Summerfield. Also, members speak at various meetings, sponsor use of county historical marker maps, work with Boy Scouts and do consultation in historical research.

Cherokee County provides $9,760 for the commission's annual budget. Office space is rented and phone and internet service provided. Three members attended the 2007 annual historical preservation conference. The local historical commission is a member of the East Texas Historical Association and the Forest Region of the Texas Heritage Trails Program.

Local historical sites that are damaged in the county include the gym of the old Rusk High School built in 1935 on Henderson Street. The roof is gone and the walls are still standing. Also, endangered is the pump station, CR 2405 off 752, which was closed in the 1950s; the Alto Water tower; the ruins of the steel mill near the Texas State Railroad on U.S. Highway 84; and the State Forest Nursery across from the Caddoan Mounds State Historical Site.

Seven members of the commission staff the office in Jacksonville. In 2007 two markers were dedicated and two more were delivered and will be dedicated in 2008. Three reports for marker applications were submitted to the state.

The commission members interviewed veterans for oral histories and provided information to the Library of Congress.

Members conducted historical tours and provided speeches to various groups on topics that were of interest to the audience. This speaker service included Dr. John Ross and his discussion of Lon Morris College and its history; Dr. Jane Purtle, speaking on how to use oral histories; and Terry Guinn, speaking on how Cherokee County contributed to the history of the county and the state and region.

The historical commission maintains a collection of photos. The collection dates back to 1987. Copies of "Images of America: Cherokee County" continue to be sold by members of the commission.

In other matters coming before the commissioners court was a presentation by Angela Wallace, executive director, of the Richard D. Klein Animal Shelter in Jacksonville. With the county's annual contribution of $15,000, the shelter will reduce service charges to area residents from $35 per animal to $20 per animal.

Plans in the future are to offer special prices for spaying and neutering animals, as well as reduced charges for vaccinations. Details will be announced later.

In another matter, commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with Helen Jane Barrow to lease real property for the purpose of storage of materials and depositing of trees.

Commissioners will consider a resolution creating a HOME Consortium at its next meeting. A representative of the Pinewoods RC&D Consortium met with the court Monday to discuss the possibility. County Attorney Craig Caldwell will review the resolution and make his recommendation to commissioners.

Representatives of the consortium discussed the possibility of the county entering into their program to allow funds to be obtained locally instead of going though the state. When a county has less than 50,000 residents, it can join with another county in a consortium and make application for housing and urban development funding. There are 11 counties seeking membership in the consortium.

Jessie Johnson, Cuney mayor, discussed revenue obtained from FEMA for repair of local roads. Mayor Johnson asked for repair of two roadways in his community. Commissioner Moody Glass Jr. told Mayor Johnson that FEMA will pay $38,493. "We have already spent $18,500 and we have approximately $20,000 left that can be used for materials."

The county cannot pay for any additional work because county monies cannot be spent inside an incorporated municipality.

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