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Tri-Canyon’s Only Weekly Newspaper!
Current Weekly News for Leakey, Camp Wood, Sabinal, Utopia and Surrounding Areas Vol. 7 No. 17
INSIDE
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LEAKEY GOLF TEAM HEADED TO STATE ............................ Page 4
www.hillcountryherald.net
April 26, 2017
editor@hillcountryherald.net
3-1-1 VOTE FOR NEW REAL COUNTY SHERIFF Real County Commissioners met Monday to decide who would take the reins as Real County Sheriff following the untimely death of Sheriff Bruce Carr. Real County Commissioner Joe Connell motioned to appoint current Real County Constable Nathan Johnson as interim Sheriff of Real County, seconded by Commissioner Ramon Ybarra, Commissioner Manuel Rubio voted in favor, however, Commissioner Bryan Shackelford opposed the motion and Real County Judge Garry Merritt abstained from voting, making it a 3-1-1 vote. Sheriff Nathan Johnson was sworn in shortly thereafter. On Tuesday April 11, 2017 notice was posted of a meeting of the Real County Commissioner’s Court to be held on Friday April 14, 2017 to consider and/or act upon process for appointment of Real County Sheriff. Commissioners approved notice of posting for the vacant position of Real
by Julie Becker
County Sheriff. The employment notice was posted from April 14 to the following Friday April 21, 2017. One week to take applications for Real County Sheriff. Notice was also posted on April 14, 2017 for a meeting of Commissioners Court to be held on Monday April 24, 2017 to decide upon the appointment of Sheriff. There were only two applicants for the position. Real County Constable Nathan Johnson and former Real County Deputy Don Gass. Following interviews held in executive session Commissioners cast their votes. Newly appointed Sheriff Nathan Johnson submitted this letter to the Citizens of Real County: I want to thank the members of the Real County Commissioner’s Court for placing their faith and confidence in me and appointing me Sheriff of Real County. continued page 3
Real County Sheriff Nathan T. Johnson
DID WE WIN THE BATTLE BUT LOSE THE WAR? ............................ Page 13
National Small Business Week ............................. Page 13
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Last August 24th the headline read “Real County Proposed Budget Drops Constable Salary from $21K to $2,400 Annually.” In that article citizens were made aware that the Real County Commissioners Court was reviewing the upcoming budget and had proposed the reduction of the salary for the Real County Constable from $21,262.07 to $2,400 per year. Citizens were up in arms at the proposed budget item. This was the only Constable position, since Commissioners had earlier dissolved the second Constable position. Real County Commissioner Joe Connell stated the reasoning for eliminating the second Constable position was “The future plan for the Real County Sheriff’s office is to hire another deputy, thereby facilitating two law enforcement officers for each community in Real County. After the headline hit the stands citizens from Real County, mostly from the Nueces Canyon area rallied behind the newly elected Constable Nathan
Johnson and requested the office be fully funded. Real County Judge Garry Merritt told taxpayers “The reduction was based on previous Constables performance and what the taxpayers were getting for their money.” Merritt said “To promote unity in the county, I will support a starting salary of $35K for the County Constable.” In the Sept. 7, 2016 issue we reported Commissioner’s set the Constable salary at $30K, Merrit opposed the motion stating he favored a salary of $35K per year. During this process incoming Commissioner Ramon Ybarra read to the court a petition from citizens of Real County, mostly from the Nueces Canyon, it is noted the second signature on the petition was the newly elected Commissioner, that in part read “ We the undersigned registered voters of Real County believe that the Real County Constable’s budget has been purposely gutted by the Real County Judge and Commissioners Court in an effort to force a duly elected County Official to
resign. We further believe this has been done as retaliation against the newly elected Constable and we feel that it will leave the Western portion of Real County without adequate law enforcement. We feel that the current Real County Judge has failed to meet his duties and obligations to the citizens of Real County by spending adequate time in the performance of his duties. We further feel that the current Commissioners have no concerns for the best interest of the citizens of Real County and have allowed the current County Judge to completely have his way in all County issues. Thus being useless to the citizens as a whole.” Real County Justice of the Peace Pct. 3&4, J.D. Martinez resigned his position last week in Commissioner’s Court. He told the Herald his possible bid for the County Judge position required his resignation from the position as Justice of the Peace. The citizens of Real County stood firm and won the battle for the Constable
Improvements Continue in Leakey ISD REAL COUNTY CITY CLEANUP
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Legals/Jail Register ... . Page 3Community News ......... Page 4-7 Feature Story ............... Page 8-9 Obituaries ...................... Page 10 Classifieds ..................... Page 14
Today’s Weather
High: 83° Low: 51°
salary and thus the position. But, will Commissioners fill the position? Will they maintain the salary that the citizens fought so hard for? In recent days the Real County Constable had to be on call 24/7 to make any arrest, in the absence of a Sheriff. In months prior questions were asked of the Commissioners and Merritt as to a plan for the Sheriff’s Office without a Sheriff in place, with little or no response. Real County does have two deputies stationed in the Nueces Canyon. So, the Western portion of Real County, the Nueces Canyon, is again without a Constable or JP. Losing these positions was not an option for it’s citizens and they overwhelmingly let the Real County Commissioners know it. But with the appointment of former Constable Nathan Johnson to the Real County Sheriff’s position, have we won the battle but lost the war? Give this important issue your attention and then CALL YOUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER!
submitted by LISD
On April 25th the long-awaited steel building that will house a new weight room/field house arrived at Leakey ISD shortly after 8:00 AM. The 50’X100’ building, unloaded by Leakey Maintenance staff Jim Couvillon and Jeff Bobo, will be erected on a site right outside the Leakey Eagle Football Stadium. Fill saved from the last building project will provide some of what is needed for the site work before the concrete foundation is poured and the building erected. The building will house a weight room, dressing rooms and lockers for middle school and high school football players, storage areas, new guest restrooms, and a ticket booth. The weight room is designed for use by all men and women Leakey athletes. The building is being built with the proceeds of the Cecil Perry Estate, donated for the use of all Leakey athletes. Cecil Perry was a big fan of Leakey athletics. Superintendent, Dr. Barbara Skipper, said “The field house is long overdue. It will support not only our athletes but also visitor athletes during athletic contests.” She thanks the board for its vision and hard work to make this building a reality for Leakey students. Athletic Director, Donnie Dutton, has been instrumental in working with a board sub-committee made up of Charlie Reagor, Amy Springer, and Joel Pigg on the design of the field house. Completion date is estimated as early next fall.
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INDEX
by Julie Becker
Community Council of South Central Texas (CCSCT) Achieves 100% of Federally Mandated Organizational Standards In January of 2015 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Community Services, released Information Memorandum No. 138 announcing the implementation of 58 Organizational Standards that private Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) eligible entities must implement by March 31, 2017. CCSCT is one of 40 CSBG eligible entities funded in Texas through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
(TDHCA). The 58 Organizational Standards are built around 3 major elements of operation including: Maximum Feasible Participation; Vision and Direction; Operations and Accountability. On April 20, 2017, TDHCA notified CCSCT of successfully meeting 100% of the 58 Organizational Standards. TDHCA conducted a thorough review of documents submitted by CCSCT, demonstrating implementation of all 58
Organizational Standards. CCSCT provides services in 23 counties in south central Texas including Atascosa, Bandera, Bee, Comal, Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kinney, La Salle, Live Oak, Maverick, Medina, McMullen, Real, Uvalde, Val Verde, Wilson, Zavala. CCSCT, Inc. is dedicated to empowering low-income families and individuals in South Central Texas by helping
them transition out of poverty and become self-sufficient. The organization does this by providing comprehensive health, nutrition and social service programs that support families and individuals throughout the transition period. For additional information about programs and services provided by CCSCT please visit our website at www.ccsct.org and like our Facebook Page.