June proclaimed as ‘Elder Abuse Awareness Month’

By Jan White
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CROCKETT – At the May 24 meeting of the Houston County Commissioners Court, Judge Jim Lovell proclaimed the month of June as Elder Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. Elder abuse is one of the most underreported criminal offenses. Texas APS in-home caseworkers in Houston County confirmed 65 cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation against the elderly or disabled in 2021. The proclamation encourages citizens of Houston County to use the month of June to help raise awareness and work together to reduce the abuse and neglect of the elderly or disabled in our community.

In other agenda items, the court accepted the request from the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund and Interlocal Agreement Pineywoods Fine Arts for Lightnin’ Hopkins Summer Series to be held on June 3, June 17, and June 24 in the Davy Crockett Park. Also accepted was (1) the donation of services by Lawson Hamilton as a legal intern for the County Attorney’s Office from June 1 through August 31, (2) approval to accept requests for qualifications for engineers to assist Houston County with upcoming construction projects, (3) and a request to State Comptroller for unclaimed capital credits from electric cooperatives to be used in the Community Development Fund within Houston County.

The court also approved to increase the limit on individual fuel cards used by Houston County Sheriff’s Office due to rising prices. Currently, the limit is $1,000, which the court increased to $1,500. 

After a lengthy discussion about rates and rehiring former employees for part-time positions, the agenda item was tabled to give County Attorney Daphne Session time to gather additional information on what steps, if any, can be taken to make a policy change.