JUDGE’S COMMENTS
When I began to consider running for county judge, I thought, “What’s the most important issue’?”
It didn’t take long to realize it was economic growth. I ran and was elected on that issue. Clearly, the voters know and realize that we need jobs and a better tax base to run the affairs of the county. The only way is true economic growth.
This is something that we must and can do for ourselves. We cannot leave it up to Alcoa or some other big company or entity to do it for us.
Of course, we graciously accept all the help we can get, but we as a county must take care of this. The first step is to get the issue on the front burner and to keep it there.
Economic growth is on the Commissioners Court agenda at every session. We talk about what has happened and what we are doing to promote our existing businesses and to get new business in the county.
We had our first-ever economic summit on May 13, 2019 where over 100 business leaders and elected officials met to discuss what can and needs to be done.
The second step is cooperation. We must work together. This is not a Rockdale or Cameron issue, but a county issue. We cannot and must not allow an imaginary line to divide our county. There is a “Milam County Economic Think Tank” that consists of business and elected leaders throughout the county, headed up by Dr. John Weed. It regularly meets to create and foster economic growth. This is the same group that came up with the idea to make the Amazon bid, which was a huge public relation endeavor.
In the spirit of countywide cooperation, we had our first ever Milam County Moot Court competition, where, for the first time ever, all five schools competed in the same event.
Almost every lawyer in the county helped coach and/or judge the event, which led to a heightened sense of cooperation.
For the first time in over 20 years the Milam county Bar Association met. On Aug. 9, 2019 the county will honor the Cameron and Rockdale varsity football teams with a banquet. The banquet will emphasize sportsmanship among these two fine programs and is equally important.
It will demonstrate cooperation of the elected leaders of the county and highlight cooperation or our county wide service organizations, such as Masons, Lions, Rotary, Knights of Columbus, Rockdale and Cameron Chambers of Commerce and many more. Heightened unity of cooperation will enable us to obtain our goal of economic growth.
So yes, we have made a lot of progress in the first six months of being your county judge and I am thankful to have your support.
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