Veteran healthcare concern presented to commissioners

 Frankie Rogers spoke to the Tyler County Commissioners Court about a topic concerning veterans’ prescription access and affordability on Monday. CHRIS EDWARDS | TCB

By Chris Edwards
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WOODVILLE – During its regular meeting on Monday morning, the Tyler County Commissioners Court heard a presentation from Frankie Rogers on behalf of veterans in the county.

Rogers, who served in both the Navy and the Air Force as a medical tech and later, in civilian life, as the City of Woodville health inspector for about 13 years, said that the county’s veterans need some assistance, particularly when acquiring needed medications.

Rogers explained that Walmart pharmacy no longer accepts prescriptions for veterans who use Express Scripts, but that Brookshire Brothers’ pharmacy is looking to expand and possibly take on the veterans’ prescriptions program.

“Our veterans are suffering,” Rogers said, and noted the increasing prices of medications. “Why can’t we just take care of our own?”

Rogers said that many veterans have to go outside of Tyler County in order to get needed medications, and for many older veterans who cannot drive, it is problematic. Rogers, who is 85 himself, alluded to some of the complications that arise with age.

Rogers asked Tyler County Judge Milton Powers for the Commissioners Court to voice support for Brookshires expanding its pharmacy and expanding its offerings to help veterans. Powers said the court would draft a letter, on behalf of the county, and run it by its legal counsel.

Changes approvedfor renovations

The court approved on Monday morning a change order for the Phase II renovations to the Tyler County Courthouse. Pct. 1 Commissioner Joe Blacksher spoke about the issue, and noted changes in the waterproofing job, and that leaks were discovered underneath the staircase, along with cracks in the sidewalk.

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Blacksher noted that the treasurer’s office, which was flooded, is coming along good and “looks really sharp,” which drew a smile from Judge Powers, who said he was excited to get back into his office, which County Treasurer Leann Monk and staff have utilized in the interim.

Other Business

During Monday morning’s meeting, the Tyler County Commissioners Court approved the following items on the agenda:

• The renewal for a lease at the airport for a hangar between the county and George “Jim” Huckins, Jr. Pct. 3 Commissioner Mike Marshall said there are currently six hangars being leased at the airport.

• The bid process was approved for a 2024 Chevrolet for the Pct. 4 road and bridge department.

• The approval was given for county departments to give employees payouts for vacation and compensation pay before the end of the year.

• A donation from the Tyler County Booster to go toward the county’s Veterans Service Office was accepted. The donation funds were raised through the newspaper’s Veterans Day special section project, and Booster publisher Kelli Barnes was present to present the check to Veterans Service Officer Tina Cleberg.

• Commissioners Marshall, Ethel Rogers and Betty Whitworth were reappointed to serve on the Tyler County Hospital Board of Managers.

• Glenn Kenney, L.R. Johnson and Ronald Willmon were reappointed to serve on the county’s Emergency Services District #5 board for a two-year term.

• Judge Powers was authorized to execute the TxDOT Local Government Assistance program agreement for Tyler County.