Tyler County News - Breakout

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By Mollie LaSalle
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COLMESNEIL – Colmesneil City Council held their regular monthly meeting Monday evening, and quickly tackled all agenda items. Mayor Duane Crews attended via teleconference from home, and welcomed Lesley Waxman, who was on hand to advise council that the city has been approved for the grant that they applied for in 2021, for the Pitzer Street improvement project, in the amount of $350K, with a match of $175K.

Waxman said that the city has signed contracts with the engineer, and the admins, and is waiting to get the signed contract from the state to proceed, and once that happens, the process can proceed.

Once they have all the contracts signed, Waxman’s firm will meet with the engineer, and she will facilitate a sit -down meeting with the engineer, the city of Colmesneil and her office to get the ball rolling.

Crews wanted council to acknowledge former mayor Don Baird’s 95^th birthday, which is Saturday, Feb. 18.

He proposed council to get together and send him a card of thanks for his many years of service to the city of Colmesneil.

Council approved gifting the former mayor and his wife Barbara with a gift card to spend at the restaurant of their choice.

Baird was mayor of Colmesneil for 19 years before stepping down in 2021, due to ongoing health problems.

Before adjourning for the evening, council member Gene Allen proposed changing their meeting time from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Councilmember Billy Andrus seconded the motion, and Crews made it official. Council will begin meeting at 6 p.m. beginning in March.

With no further business to discuss, council adjourned for the evening.

Colmesneil City Council will meet at their new time, 6 p.m., on March 14 in the conference room of the Colmesneil City Hall.

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By Michael G. Maness

CHESTER – Mayor Robert Poynter facilitated a council meeting on Monday evening Feb. 6 that approved the taking of bids and onward progress for two road improvements.

Civil Engineer Nick Hoelscher, of firm Goodwin, Lasiter, and Strong, presented the new work-ups for the Ballpark Loop and Veal Street. After explaining the revisions and with the council’s approval, Hoelscher assured the council that bidding will commence soon. The specs included improvements for 1,254 feet of Ballpark Loop and 870 feet of Veal Street.  This was exciting and the plans were approved unanimously.

The council also heard from GrantWorks’ representative Robert Davila, who gave a presentation the federal and state requirements for the Community Development Block Grant and how Chester had met all of them, which included that the contractor’s use of a minimal percentage of Section 3 workers. Those workers need to come from below economic status limits set by HUD.

At the close of the council meeting, Councilman Bryan Davis brought up a petition that has gained traction for a new Dollar Store or Dollar General. A lively discussion ensued on overall economic development ideas, including the long-sought dollar store, a restaurant or fast-food entity, and even a mini-Brookshires. Poynter mentioned he had been in touch with Tyler County Judge Milton Powers, and he asked for help in getting property valuations for contacting businesses to follow through with business solicitations.

The council approved other regular business, including the previous minutes and the financials.

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By Chris Edwards
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Terry RileyIVANHOE – The City of Ivanhoe has a changing of the guard approaching with its law enforcement.

Long-serving Chief Marshal Terry Riley announced that as of Friday, Feb. 10, he will no longer be serving in that position. Riley has accepted a position with the Fifth Circuit Eastern District U.S. Marshals Service. Steve Drumm, who is currently serving the City Marshal’s Office as Deputy Marshal, was appointed to fill Riley’s shoes at a special-called meeting of the Ivanhoe City Council on Saturday. Drumm filled-in as interim Chief Marshal while Riley recovered from a recent illness.

“It has been an honor to work with the citizens and the city council at Ivanhoe,” Riley said.

Of his successor, Riley had nothing but words of confidence. “I know he will do a great job for the city. I know that he and the city council and mayor will work together to make Ivanhoe a great place to live,” he said.

In his time with the City of Ivanhoe, Riley led the city’s law enforcement agency, which he essentially helped establish, as the city was incorporated in 2009.

“It has truly been an honor,” Riley said of his service.

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The 80th Tyler County Dogwood Festival Princesses were selected by the Kingsmen last week. Each public school in Tyler County is represented, and one of these ladies will be crowned Queen on April 1. Pictured (left to right): Savannah Ludewig-Woodville, Gracen Lindsey-Colmesneil, Natalie Standley-Warren, Kaylee Tolar-Chester, Ella Hatton-Spurger.

The Ladies in Waiting were also announced last week. Standing (left to right): Maycie Allen-Warren, Sydnie Odom-Woodville, Chloe Powers-Colmesneil, Brilynn Gore-Warren, Madison Wainwright-Woodville. Sitting (left to right): Emily Mejia-Warren, Lacey Chapman-Spurger, Alyssa White-Chester. The theme for the Dogwood Festival this year is “New Beginnings in Tyler County – 80 Years of Traditions.” The festival will kick off with Festival of the Arts weekend out at Heritage Village on March 18-19, then Western weekend will take place March 24-25 and the Queen’s Weekend is scheduled for April 1. Photographs by Becki Byrd | Dogwood Festival Photographer