VIETNAM VETERANS RECOGNIZED AT WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS MEETING
Veterans of the Vietnam War were honored by Washington County Commissioners at their meeting today (Tuesday).
Friday was proclaimed Vietnam Veterans Day in Washington County, and each of the Veterans in attendance were recognized and given commemorative pins.
Washington County Veterans Association President Ben Seeker said it’s never too late to say thanks to a Veteran. He said Vietnam Veteran’s Day is in observance of those who served on the ground, in the air, and in the waters in and around Vietnam during that era.
Several commissioners gave their appreciation to Veterans, as well as their thoughts on the Vietnam War. Commissioner Joy Fuchs said those who came back from Vietnam were often treated unfairly, but assured Veterans that their sacrifice is appreciated.
Commissioner Kirk Hanath said even now, there are some who say the military shouldn’t be honored, but he doesn’t understand that frame of thought. Commissioner Don Koester recalled his uncle, who was killed in action during the war. He extended his gratitude to all the men and women who have served, along with the ones serving now.
The court also approved the adoption and purchase of a new voting system. County Clerk Beth Rothermel said the county is replacing the vote-counting machine, along with its associated computer hardware. She said the tabulator currently being used was purchased in 2001, and won’t be supported much longer.
In addition, the county will replace the automated voting machines established as a result of the Help America Vote Act passed in 2002.
The act required polling locations to have an automated machine available for disabled voters. Rothermel said the county received its machines in 2004.
Rothermel said this equipment will be used in all elections conducted by the county, including early voting, election day, and ballots by mail.
Rothermel said the new equipment costs $114,000, and has been accounted for in the budget. A precinct counter, which Rothermel said would be used for tallying early voting in specific precincts, makes up about $5,000 of that. She said the county will still use the same optical-scan ballots as before.
Hanath noted that the new equipment will cost the county less in maintenance moving forward, at roughly $13,800 a year.
Also in court, commissioners:
- Approved the addition of a court reporter position to the current operating budget for the Washington County Court at Law.
- Approved a 60-day extension of 21.5 excess vacation hours for Cathy Fritz with Justice of the Peace Precinct 3. JP Ken Tofel said Fritz hasn’t had much time recently to take off, due to an increased workload.
- Approved changes to the title and format of the new Road and Bridge Crew Chief, Drainage. County Engineer Ross McCall said this is an existing position that has been updated to accurately reflect its leadership role.
- Approved action on Natural Gas Pipeline’s crossing of Salem Road, Dierking Road, and Randle Hill Road in Precinct 2, as proposed by AMP Intrastate Pipelines.
- Heard a presentation from Ashley Cureton regarding benefits of the Healthy County Wellness Program offered by the Texas Association of Counties.
- Appointed John A. Brieden, III to the Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley Board.
- Heard a series of monthly reports.