Trinity County News - Breakout

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Special to theNews-Standard

LUFKIN — After a successful legislative session distinguished by conservative accomplishments, Republican State Rep. Trent Ashby announced he will seek re-election to Texas House District 9 to build on the momentum gained toward securing the border and cutting property taxes.

Texas House District 9 includes the entirety of Angelina, Houston, Polk, San Augustine, Trinity, and Tyler counties.

“I’m very proud to have helped secure a monumental $5.1 billion investment in border security to take the fight to Biden’s open border policies,” Ashby said. “At the same time, we cut property and business taxes by $18 billion – setting a record for the largest state tax cut in American history. We also expanded rural broadband access and passed a long-needed cost-of-living increase for our retired teachers. It’s the honor of a lifetime to represent the folks of House District 9, and I’m committed to continuing to provide effective and conservative leadership to ensure our rural family values drive Texas forward.”

Rep. Ashby announces his re-election with broad support from elected officials across the district, including Keith Wright, Angelina County Judge; Jim Lovell, Houston County Judge; Sydney Murphy, Polk County Judge; Jeff Boyd, San Augustine County Judge; Danny Martin, Trinity County Judge; Doug Page, former Trinity County Judge; Tom Selman, Angelina County Sheriff; Kenneth Hammack, Former Polk County Sheriff; Byron Lyons, Polk County Sheriff; Robert Cartwright, San Augustine County Sheriff; Bryan Weatherford, Tyler County Sheriff; Mark Hicks, Mayor of Lufkin; and Judy Cochran, Mayor of Livingston.

Ashby serves as Chairman of the influential Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee and on the critical Select Committee on Educational Opportunity & Enrichment, which was charged with reviewing education policy solutions in advance of the forthcoming Special Session. In his capacity as a member of the powerful Transportation Committee, Ashby led the fight for infrastructure project funding for Deep East Texas communities.

Ashby has earned a distinction as an advocate for teachers and rural education. As a graduate of Henderson High School, he remains grateful for his public-school education and is committed to paying it forward. Being raised on a dairy farm and cattle operation, he’s passionate about supporting rural communities and those who make their living off the land.

Today, Trent is Senior Vice President for VeraBank. He and his wife, Nickie, live in Lufkin where they raised their two sons — Garin and Grant — who are both in college. Prior to being elected to the Legislature, Ashby served as President of the Lufkin ISD Board of Trustees. Both he and Nickie are very active in their community and attend Harmony Hill Baptist Church.

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TCNS staff

GROVETON — Groveton ISD is set to host its annual Veteran’s drive-through/sit-down lunch from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at the school.

Veterans, their spouses, and active military members can either pick up meals at the bus line or sit down in the high school auditorium. The menu includes beef brisket, potato salad, beans, and desserts prepared by Groveton ISD employees and culinary art students.

Administrators are encouraging students, teachers and staff members to invite any family member who served or who may be currently serving in the military.

Students are given the opportunity to write or create works of art to express their patriotism.

For additional information please call the high school office at (936) 642-1473 ext. 8118 or 8001 and ask to speak to Maria Plotts or Jim Dillard.

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Vice President Monty Huffman presented awards to the Employees of the Month to Ttione Currie, Professional; Julie Patrick, Paraprofessional; and Ben Stubbs, Support Staff. Pictured are (from left) Huffman, Barry Coleman, Julie Patrick, Ben Stubbs, Ttione Currie and Brittaney Cassidy. Courtesy photo

TCNS staff

TRINITY —The Trinity ISD Board of Trustees approved a change to regulations allowing board members to carry firearms in meetings, provided the member is licensed to do so.

Superintendent Dr. John Kaufman said the board acknowledged the regulation at the Sept. 25 meeting.

Kaufman also said that the regulation is based on Texas Attorney General rules, so he crafted the regulation that board members can carry firearms into a meeting only, and with the proviso that a copy of the member’s license to carry is on file.

He said that the regulation applies only to meetings and not for campuses.

Other matters discuss by the board include approving nominations for Trinity County Appraisal District, of which all were nominated, but nominated none for the portion of the district located in Walker County.

The board also heard a grievance from a parent regarding a student’s punishment for a transgression. Kaufman said the student originally was suspended for three days and send for alternative school placement. The parent appealed to Kaufman, who upheld the original punishment; however, the board lessened the punishment to suspension only.

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By Tony Farkas
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GROVETON — The repairs on the city well are almost complete, and Groveton city officials have ended the Stage 4 drought contingency plan as of Monday.

However, the city has moved to a Stage 1 level of drought contingency, which requests residents voluntarily follow a pattern of odd- and even-numbered residences alternate days for watering lawns and flowerbeds.

Customers also are asked to limit or stop any non-essential water use, such as washing cars.

Water issues also were part of the discussion during the Sept. 25 meeting of the Groveton City Council.

Mayor Ralph Bennett said that at the water well and sewer plant, there is no type of security, and discussed with the council methods to keep people from tampering with the equipment, such as placing signs, additional lighting and security cameras.

The council approved seeking bids for installation.

The city will move forward on construction of water well 3. Bennett said the first phase is drilling, and second phase is to build a transmission line. The council and construction firm will have a preconstruction meeting on Wednesday.

Bennett said the project is funded by the Texas Water Development Board.

The council also discussed forming a committee to tackle dilapidated houses in the community. Bennett said the city has passed other nuisance ordinances, but does not have one specifically for structures.

Bennett said that junk property depreciates the value of neighboring properties, and the city will try to address it to clean up community in hopes to draw more residents to the area.

“This is long past due,” Bennett said. “I’m sure people in community will love to see us pass this.”

In other business, the council:

•tabled action on a well requested by Miranda Wooten;

•approved a request from the Groveton Community Association to begin preparations for Christmas on the Square, which is scheduled for 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 9;

•tabled a request from Gather and Graze for $95,000 for council members to get more information;

•proclaimed Oct. 19 as Christine Kennedy Day, as she turned 100 years old;

•designated the Trinity County News-Standard as the official newspaper of record;

•approved Peoples State Bank as the city’s depository;

•adopted a property tax rate of .9100 per $100, down from last year’s rate .9479, and adopted a budget of $1,698,555; and

•approved payment of the Inframark bill of $6,886.64, and discussed dredging of sewer plant, which has been completed.