May 4 proclaimed Jimmy Lee Jenkins Day
San Jacinto News- Times - May 2008

COLDSPRING – San Jacinto County Commissioners’ Court approved May 4 as Jimmy Lee Jenkins Day last week during a regular meeting. The day is in honor of the former San Jacinto County school teacher who will be 103 years old May 4. Jenkins was born at By Spot in 1905 and later moved to Oakhurst where she taught school for 22 years, according to Pct. 4 Commissioner Mark Nettuno. “She is still active and in good health,” Nettuno told the court as he requested that the day be proclaimed in honor of the resident who resides in his precinct. “Although she never had any children of her own, she has helped to raise many nieces, nephews and others,” he said. The court also approved a proclamation proclaiming the month of May as Elder Abuse Prevention Month in San Jacinto County. Also proclaimed nationally, Elder Abuse Prevention Month recognizes people who are elderly or have disabilities for contributing to the general welfare by helping to preserve customs, convictions and traditions of many people from diverse backgrounds.

They are recognized as residents that are vital and integral members of our society whose wisdom and experience have enriched our lives. In other business, commissioners’ court approved an inter-local agreement between the county and San Jacinto County Senior Citizens for the use of the senior citizen’s building in Coldspring during natural disasters such as Hurricane Rita. During Rita the county used the senior citizen’s building as a command post, which worked out well for the county, according to San Jacinto County Judge Fritz Faulkner. Commissioners approved a motion to adjust the county’s current mileage rate based on Internal Revenue Service publication to 50.5 cents per mile. “It won’t affect the county budgets,” noted Faulkner.

A request by Linda Hix on behalf of Pct. 4 Constable Lou Rogers was tabled pending further investigation by the court. Representing Rogers who was unable to attend the meeting, Hix said the constable would like to transfer Harry Joseph Fifi eld from reserve deputy constable to a paid position of part-time deputy constable for Pct. 4. “He would be working 24-30 hours per week,” Hix said, noting later the position is needed because the speed limit on Hwy. 190 from Point Blank to Oakhurst has increased to 70 miles per hour and 60 inside of Oakhurst. The request was tabled because of the possibility of having to pay unemployment benefi ts to Fifi eld in the future and because Fifi eld would only be paid for the next fi ve months or until the end of the county’s fi scal year. “I would like to see each of us vote move all deputies to the sheriff’s department and have no constable deputies,” said Pct. 1 Commissioner Michael Griffi th. “I’ve heard a lot of comment about doing that from many people,” said Judge Faulkner. “All constable deputy positions would move to the sheriff’s department, giving the sheriff the responsibility of fi lling the positions.” The court approved a motion naming Thomas J. Bartley as a reserve deputy constable for Pct.4 under Rogers’ constable deputy program. The position is a non-paying one.

A cooperative agreement between the county, Pct. 3 Commissioner David Brandon and Evergreen resident Andy Lewis was approved by the court. Under the agreement, Lewis gives the county a right-of-way easement allowing the county to widen Ellisor Road. The county in turn will construct a fence for Lewis. A preliminary plat for Woodland Hills Subdivision was approved by the court. The subdivision contains only seven lots on Lakeview Estates Drive and Hill Creek Drive in Pct. 4.

Discussing the completion of the reconstruction of the San Jacinto County Jail, Faulkner said, “It looks real good and new wheel chair ramps have been added for the handicapped.” Road work around the jail is being completed this week. San Jacinto County Auditor Carole Martin praised Mark Nettuno and other members of the court working hard to bring the county under budget on the jail construction cost. The county is about $146,000 under budget on the project.