WOODVILLE – Precinct 3 has a new commissioner with the appointment of Leonard “Burtis” Conner, appointed by County Judge Milton Powers.
Conner, who has worked as the maintenance director under long-serving Pct. 3 Commissioner Mike Marshall for the past six years, replaces Marshall, who announced his retirement at the end of September. Marshall’s stepping down was approved by the commissioners in the governing body’s regular meeting earlier in the month, after 30 years of service to the county, with 18 of them spent as an elected official.
Conner was sworn-in last Tuesday, and in a special meeting of the commissioners court on Wednesday, his certificate of appointment was approved, along with a surety bond.
Conner, who has previous work experience in the construction industry, personnel management and project and budget oversight, said he was ready to go to work for Pct. 3, after he was sworn-in.
Burn ban issued
A countywide burn ban was issued last week, on Thursday, by Judge Powers and ratified on Wednesday by the commissioners court.
Powers’ declaration of disaster and order to restrict outdoor burning cites an imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury or loss of life or property resulting from a countywide drought.
The ratification of the burn ban is in effect until the order is rescinded by Powers. Tyler County, at this time, is one of 149 counties out of the 254 in the state, with an active burn ban. Neighboring Polk, Angelina and Jasper counties also have burn bans going.
