WASHINGTON CO. LEADERS DISCUSS PRESENT MATTERS, FUTURE GOALS AT STATE OF THE COMMUNITY ADDRESS
Representatives from Washington County, the Cities of Brenham and Burton, Brenham and Burton ISDs, and Baylor Scott & White Health gathered today (Wednesday) to update the public on major happenings in their fields.
The State of the Community luncheon, hosted by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce at the Blinn College Student Center, featured discussion on topics ranging from current-day issues to some of the expectations and hopes for the future.
Washington County Judge John Durrenberger opened the program with talks about the county’s strategic planning initiative and praised the county’s volunteer firefighters and EMS team. He also gave reports on projects to restore the exterior of the courthouse, convert the old ATS Irrigation building on Highway 105 into a record storage facility, build a new judicial center, and upgrade the site of the Expo.
Next was Brenham Mayor Atwood Kenjura, who talked about the city’s construction of a second fire station, its water plant expansion and groundwater well projects, the Brenham Family Park, and the recent issues with the Brenham Post Office and the need for a new facility.
Burton Mayor Karen Buck said the city’s focus has been on addressing its water management, as well as creating a land division ordinance to allow the city a stronger say with the demands on its water and wastewater infrastructure. She also said there has been a strong push to engage in outside community partnerships and outreach in order to receive valuable insight and resources.
Brenham ISD Superintendent Clay Gillentine spoke on the new state funding from House Bill 2 and the district’s strategic planning committee’s response to see what more can be done on the local level to support its staff and facilities. He said the obstacles faced by the district provide opportunities to think creatively and involve the full school community.
Points of emphasis for Burton ISD Superintendent Vikki Curry included the ongoing facility construction on campus, recent pay raises approved for staff, and the district’s recent ranking of 17th in the Texas UIL Lone Star Cup, placing it among the top 2A schools in the state.
Alford
Dr. Eric Alford, recently promoted to Chief Medical Officer at Baylor Scott & White, said this past year was one of the most successful years in the Brenham hospital’s history, whether looking at finances or the care that patients received. He said the healthcare system wants to affirm its commitment to existing services, like labor and delivery, pediatrics and nursery care, while also looking at ways to expand medical specialties and invest in facilities.
After their individual presentations, the speakers sat for a round of questions from the audience.
Click below to hear the full presentation from John Durrenberger on Washington County.
Click below to listen to Atwood Kenjura’s full address on the City of Brenham.
Click below to listen to the full speech from Karen Buck on the City of Burton.
Click below to hear Clay Gillentine’s complete presentation on Brenham ISD.
Click below to listen to Vikki Curry’s full report on Burton ISD.
Click below to hear Dr. Eric Alford’s full presentation on Baylor Scott & White.
A chicken in every pot…..blah blah blah. Heard all of this before in many different guises.
Who do you expect will be paying for these pie-in-the-sky dreams? We the people. Meanwhile many nests will be feathered with all the graft. I’m feeling all buttered up for yet another tax increase.
Is there somewhere the questions and answers to each person can listened to or read?