| Jessop wants YFZ to have local representation | |
| The Eldorado Success | |
YFZ Ranch and FLDS Church spokesman Willie Jessop met Monday with Schleicher County Commissioners where he expressed his opinion that residents of the YFZ Ranch pay a lot of taxes and therefore should be represented on local governing boards and included when juries are impaneled. Jessop was accompanied to the meeting by YFZ Ranch residents Edson Jessop and Jake Johnson, neither of whom spoke. He also introduced attorney Stephen C. Clark of Salt Lake City and told the commissioners that Clark had been asked to come and look into the situation in Schleicher County. "He’s very up on ACLU issues," Jessop told the court. Clark also refrained from addressing the commissioners. Later, however, when press reports referred to Clark as an ACLU attorney, Dotty Griffith with the ACLU of Texas released a statement saying, "The ACLU of Texas is not involved in any case as described in the news story." Newly seated County Judge Charlie Bradley provided Jessop with a brochure explaining tax appraisal procedures and noted that the local appraisal district has an appraisal review board. Commissioner Johnny Mayo also pointed out that the county has a grievance committee. Jessop continued by referring to press reports that implied the residents of the YFZ Ranch were wanting to take over the county. He told the men that that was not the case. At that point Sheriff David Doran chimed in to say that press might have been influenced by a public statement Jessop had made in which he claimed to be registering 500 residents of the YFZ Ranch to vote so they could ensure that people of integrity are elected. Jessop assured the men that the residents of the YFZ Ranch want to be good neighbors and invited the men to come tour the ranch. Judge Bradley in turn encouraged Jessop to return in the future if he had additional concerns. In other business the commissioners met with local rancher Myrt Overby who questioned the electrical usage by the new outdoor lighting at the courthouse. Judge Bradley informed Mrs. Overby since he was new on the job he couldn’t answer her question but said he would check into the lighting costs. Maintenance supervisor Mike Haynes told the commissioners that he is looking into rewiring the lights around the ballasts so that smaller light bulbs could be used. The commissioners then voted to designate the south steps of the courthouse as the site for foreclosure sales. They also voted to amend the county’s employee handbook concerning computer systems, as advised by their attorney. The court then hired Tom Brown with Naismith Engineering, Inc to serve as engineer for the swimming pool project and authorized Judge Bradley to enter into a contract with Brown. Brown will present a Master Park and Open Space plan after suggestions are received from a planning committee that has yet to be selected. Sheriff David Doran then presented information on a new Dodge Charger patrol car that is included in this year’s budget. The commissioners approved the purchase through the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments at a cost of $27,292. The unit includes a police package and in car video equipment. Treasurer Karen Henderson’s financial report was received and budget transfers she requested were approved. Judge Bradley was then designated as Schleicher County’s representative to the Concho Valley Council of Governments, replacing Judge Johnny Griffin. The commissioners then discussed electrical outlets available at the north end of the courthouse lawn. They instructed maintenance supervisor Mike Haynes to lock the outlets and put up signs indicating the outlets are available only for specific public events. Amendments to the bylaws with the West Texas Rural County Association were also approved and a recommendation to accept a deal from Jerry D. Harris, the former lessee of the Schleicher County School land in Gaines County. Under the deal Harris would return the land to the county with a 337.7 acre basis for cotton and 127 acres in sorghum. Judge Bradley told the court that legal counsel had recommended accepting the deal and moving on to selling or leasing the land. The issue will be decided at a future meeting. The meeting was the first of the year for the Schleicher County Commissioners Court. Judge Bradley presided over the meeting with Commissioners Johnny Mayo, Lynn Meador and Matt Brown in attendance. Commissioner Kirk Griffin was absent. The court will next meet at 9 a.m. on Monday, January 26th. | |
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myeldorado.net Originally published January 15, 2009 | |
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