Tax statements will be mailed soon but without COCISD taxes included
San Jacinto Newstimes , October 2007

COLDSPRNG – When you get your county tax statement later this month it will include taxes owed to the Emergency Services District, Shepherd Independent School District, the county, Special Road and Bridge, Lateral Road and others, but nothing for the Coldspring-Oakhurst Consolidated Independent School District (COCISD).
That’s because the COCISD is having a tax rate rollback election on Nov. 6 and results of the election will not be ready in time to send out with the county’s other taxing entities.
“We’ll hold the schools bill and send the county portion,” San Jacinto County Judge Fritz Faulkner said.
The county has about 40,000 property tax accounts that are normally sent out about this time.
 “There are about 29,000 accounts that include the school district. Depending on the results of the rollback election, they could be as late as December if we wait for them,” Faulkner said. The county’s new budget year started Oct. 1.
“We can send out separate bills at a later date for the school district,” Faulkner said.
The school district contracts with the county to do their tax statements.
“The school will pay for the cost which will be over $13,000,” he said.
In other business, commissioners approved a motion to take action on opening up a former county maintained road to Roark Cemetery.
The 116-year-old cemetery has 55 people buried in it and the public is being denied access by the current property owners.
“We are seeking to use the original road and have the county maintain it. We’ve been working for years to reestablish the right-of-way to no avail,” said spokesperson Elaine Campbell.
“Ninety-five-year-old Penny Roark will be buried there one day so we need to get this done,” she said.
“It is a violation of statutes to restrict access to a cemetery,” said San Jacinto County Criminal District Attorney Bill Burnett.
The court voted to take legal steps to get the once maintained road open.
Commissioners approved a proclamation proclaiming October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“Recognizing the importance of early detection practices available for breast cancer, we urge all San Jacinto County women to become aware that they are at risk and to discuss a screening program with their health care providers. We urge all other San Jacinto County citizens to encourage a woman they love to do so,” Faulkner said.
The proclamation reads: “An estimated 11,500 Texas women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, and about 2,600 women will die of the disease. Nationally, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. Research shows that breast cancer mortality could be reduced by at least 30 percent if women followed recommended breast cancer screening guidelines. All women have a chance of developing breast cancer. Women 50 or older are the most likely to develop breast cancer. African American women are the most likely to die of breast cancer than any other group of women. Getting a mammogram and breast exam only once is not enough. The American Cancer Society recommends that women get a mammogram and clinical breast examination every year beginning at age 40. A woman has the greatest chance of successful treatment if breast cancer is found at an early stage. Early detection practices are part of a good breast health routine. A good breast health routine includes a yearly mammogram, clinical breast examination and monthly breast self-examination.”