Commissioners approve $10 opening bids on county property
San Jacinto Newstimes - April 3, 2008

COLDSPRING – San Jacinto County Commissioners’ Court approved starting bid amounts last week on some resale properties that will be offered during an upcoming tax sale. Commissioners gave their approval to start the bidding off at $10 on some houses to be moved. The houses, along with other county resale properties, will be auctioned on the San Jacinto County Courthouse Square during a May 6 tax sale. In other business, commissioners approved a proclamation naming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Members of the San Jacinto County Child Protective Services are asking that everyone wear a blue ribbon during April to show their support of child abuse prevention. Local businesses, schools and organizations are being asked to get involved by putting this year’s slogan, “There’s No Excuse for Child Abuse,” on their marquee signs during the month of April. Over 60,000 children are confi rmed abuse victims each year in Texas.

In 2006, 227 Texas children died from abuse and neglect. The public is asked to wear a blue shirt, dress, tie or ribbon to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect and encourage individuals and communities to support children and families. A blue ribbon is the international symbol for Child Abuse Prevention. The color blue was chosen to represent the bruised and battered bodies of the thousands of children that are abused everyday. It serves as a constant reminder that all of us have a responsibility to help keep children safe. Pct. 2 Commissioner Royce Wells was appointed to continue serving on the board of directors for the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG).

Giving a report on DETCOG, San Jacinto County Judge Fritz Faulkner said, “San Jacinto County hosted the 12 counties served by DETCOG yesterday at the Coldspring Senior Citizen’s Center and had a great meal with live music provided by the center and visits from Congressman Kevin Brady and Representative Jim McReynolds. It was a very good meeting.” Commissioners approved the resignation of Harvey Hawthorne as veteran’s service offi cer effective April 1, 2008.

Faulkner told the court he has received only one application for the one day per week position to date. Commissioners approved the Federal Emergency Management Agency Community Partner Memorandum of Agreement. The agreement provides for a collaborative process to improve information sharing capabilities to protect citizens from the consequences of disasters and other emergencies, regardless of cause. A second year commitment of $3,000 for the Texas Forest Country Partnership was approved by commissioners.

The Texas Forest Country Partnership (TFCP) emphasizes economic development in the thirteen- county region that it represents, including San Jacinto County. TFCP has championed the development of East Texas’ natural resources, promoted tourism efforts and supported initiatives to improve transportation throughout the region. The $3,000 will be paid from the county’s economic development fund. The week of April 6 through 12 was proclaimed National County Government Week by commissioners. Commissioners approved a request from the Coldspring/San Jacinto County Chamber of Commerce for the use of the county courthouse square every second Saturday March through November for a country market. Approval was given by commissioners to replace two copy machines in the San Jacinto County Clerk’s offi ce.