This week in Milam County
I am writing this on Election Day, so things are happening at a hectic fury around Milam County this morning. County Clerk Jodi Morgan and her staff have done an outstanding job coordinating everything. Between new election mandates and state inspectors observing things, the Elections Staff have done a wonderful job in a stressful environment. I thank them all for their dedication and hard work.
Monday, I got word that the General Land Office (GLO) has approved the nearly $3,500,000 grant to help with road projects in all four precincts here in Milam County. Shortly after we came into office last January, the GLO called to tell me that there was a 2021 Hurricane Harvey grant to be split between Milam and Coryell Counties; a grant introduced long before we took office. Coryell had already received their money, but Milam County was in danger of losing ours as the expiration date was closing in and no one had addressed this.
Thankfully, after bringing Susan Reinders back on staff as Emergency Management Coordinator and with the help of the GLO, we were able to get the grant extended and then get the work done to put in a grant proposal and get this much needed money in to help with problem areas on our county roads. I thank both of them for their hard work and also thank current Emergency Management Coordinator Kenzie Oliver and our Grants Manager Nicole Bolt for all their hard work on this project as well. The Commissioner’s and I are extremely grateful for everything they put in on this.
The two most prominent areas to be repaired being the area known as Ballpark Road (CR-240) north of Cameron and the Lin Luce Road (CR-342) south of Milano. There are a couple of other problem areas on CR-215 and CR-306 that are going to be addressed as well as there are road improvements to be made in all four precincts. I also want to thank the Commissioners for their hard work on this project too. This was truly a team effort, and I want them all to know how much I appreciate everyone who worked on this grant.
Last night I attended the ribbon cutting on the renovations on the old Yoe High building in Cameron and it is truly an amazing accomplishment. The building which had deteriorated greatly after nearly two decades of not being utilized, is now a bright star for the Cameron ISD. When you look around Milam County you see the efforts the school districts are putting in and the improvements being made and it’s an exciting time. Following the lead of Milano with their new buildings and renovations several years ago, all of our school districts are working on improvements to their programs.
Rockdale ISD will be renovating the old hospital, Thorndale has new building projects they are working on, Gause is preparing for new renovations, and Buckholts is working on a plan for desperately needed improvements and expansion in order to save that school district. I know there is still a contingent of folks who still don’t believe the growth is coming, but I can promise you that not only is it coming, but it is already here and continuing to a point that makes these renovations and additions a necessity.
As the county is doing with improving the infrastructure to handle the growth, so must our school districts. It’s imperative that we create schools that allow our children to thrive in the 21st century. After all, they are not just our children, but also our most sacred natural resource and our future. After touring the new classrooms at Yoe High last night and seeing what’s going on at the other school districts, I would say our future looks bright.