Polk County News - Breakout

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A capacity group of veterans, with their families and friends, recently attended the Veterans Day event at the H.E.A.R.T.S. (Helping Every American Remember Through Serving) Veterans Museum of Texas to celebrate the men and women who have answered the call to serve the country as members of the military. Retiring Congressman Kevin Brady spoke on his experiences in Congress working for the constituents. Other speakers credited Brady for engineering necessary programs to aid veterans in need, many of which have been adopted by the H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum. Several members of the Republican Club of Polk County attended the event. (l-r) Stan Goodson, Cindy Goodson, Mickey Kley Stephens, Gene Kohrman, Russ Johnson, Solita Collard and Tracey Shoellhorn.Courtesy photo

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By Albert Trevino
Enterprise Staff

The Onalaska City Council will move forward on an annexation of land as action was taken during its November regular meeting.

An ordinance annexing around 96 acres of undeveloped land near the Yaupon Cove area was agreed on by the council to extend the boundary limits of the city. Although the land is currently undeveloped, this would grant any potential inhabitants within that property the rights and privileges of the city’s citizens. This also binds said citizens to the acts, ordinances, resolutions and regulations of Onalaska.

A property on two Canyon Park-area lots was deemed unsafe by the city council last week and is set to officially be vacated and taken down. Owner representation of the lots (section 1, lots 206 and 207) was reportedly not present to make any defense for the property in question, leaving the council to make the unsafe declaration.

Also, during the action agenda, the council changed contracts with a new law firm for collections. The previous contract with McCreary, Velselka, Bragg and Allen, PC was terminated and the new firm, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP, was approved to enforce the collection of debt and accounts receivable for municipal fees and fines. The council also reauthorized a longstanding resolution for a collection fee of 30% for the city’s fines and fees.

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By Brian Besch
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The Goodrich City Council approved the day rental rate at the community center for a local business and furthered discussions on upcoming celebrations at their November regular gathering.

Motion was made by Karen Hughes, seconded by Bobby Wright to approve $100 deposit and $50 per day rental of Community Center for Ryan Green. Last month, Green asked the council to consider hourly rentals for the Goodrich Community Center. The rental fee is currently $200 for the day. He is hoping to teach martial arts and wants to keep costs for his students down. Goodrich Mayor Kelly Nelson said in October she hoped to have all council members present for discussion before deciding on any changes.

In further discussion of the Christmas tree lighting, the time has changed from 7 p.m. and will now be 6 p.m. at Goodrich City Hall.

The council also continued discussion on the Christmas Market Day and Lighted Christmas Parade scheduled for Dec. 3, at Goodrich City Hall. Mayor Kelly Nelson said she will inquire on vendors to place portable restrooms at the event.

The final count for the annual Halloween Trunk-A-Treat was 112 children. In addition to the City of Goodrich and the Goodrich Volunteer Fire Department, On the Road Truck Stop, Polk County Chamber of Commerce, and Pro Star Waste passed out candy and treats to children in attendance. The GISD student council helped pass out candy and treats.

In further discussion of the city council’s Thanksgiving dinner, the date and time was changed. The dinner will be held on Saturday, Nov. 26, at the Goodrich Community Center. Dinner is scheduled to start after lighting the Christmas tree. The menu served for the council will be Mexican food.

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From Enterprise Staff

Eighty-seven provisional ballots cast locally in the Nov. 8 general election were reviewed by the Polk County Ballot Board Tuesday, not changing the outcome, but just garnering additional votes for the candidates. The Livingston ISD board of trustees election and a bond issue election in the Corrigan-Camden ISD were the only local races on the docket. A ballot is considered provisional when there is some question about a voter’s eligibility.

A little over 41% of the registered voters in Polk County voted in the Nov. 8 general election, a much higher percentage than usual.

In the Livingston ISD school board race, eight people, two of them incumbents, were vying for four spots on the board. Marty Drake and Kevin Wooten were the incumbents seeking reelection to the board. The two other seats were open. Following several terms on the board, Ben Ogletree III did not seek reelection. Krissa Bass Humphries resigned from the board in August and Alex Garcia was appointed to fill the unexpired term but did not opt to run for election to the board.

The other six people running were Andrew Boyce, Kevin Grimm, Chris Moehlmann, John Whiteside, Cynthia Rios Thomas and Mandi Murphy Pipes.

Unofficial vote totals election night reflected Pipes, Wooten, Boyce and Grimm the victors with Pipes receiving 3,608 votes (19.33%), Wooten receiving 2,595 votes (13.90%), Boyce receiving 2,483 votes (13.30%) and Grimm receiving 2,376 votes (12.73%). Drake received 2,372 votes (12.71%), Thomas received 2,234 votes (11.97%), Moehlmann received 2,036 votes (10.91%) and Whiteside received 964 votes (5.16%).

With there being only four votes difference between Grimm and Drake, the ballot board’s decision regarding the 87 votes was crucial as it could potentially change the outcome of the school board election.

The official results following the ballot board meeting resulted in additional votes for all eight candidates although not enough to change the outcome of the election.

Official vote totals reflect Pipes, Wooten Boyce and Grimm the winners with Pipes receiving 3,623 votes (19.35%), Wooten receiving 2,600 votes (13.88%), Boyce receiving 2,490 votes (13.30%) and Grimm receiving 2,383 votes (12.72%). Drake received 2,378 votes (12.70%), Thomas received 2,245 votes (11.99%), Moehlmann received 2,041 votes (10.90%) and Whiteside received 967 votes (5.16%).