JUDGE: Town Hall meetings planned across the county
Sometimes, when writing these articles for the Milam County Judge’s office, it can be easy to focus on one subject. Then, in other weeks, there are multiple issues that need addressed. This is one of those such weeks.
First, let’s talk about town halls. This month we are planning to have two town halls. One in Milano and a second in Cameron. The Milano Town Hall meeting is planned for June 12 at the Milano Civic Center at 120 West Avenue E in Milano. We will kick things off at 6:30 in the evening and I should be joined by some other county and precinct officials. This is a great time to come out and address concerns, ask questions and discuss things with your county elected officials to find out what’s going on in Milam County. Many times, folks don’t always know where to go or how to get the answers they need. We hope this opportunity will help in that effort.
I am not certain how many people will come out and visit with us, but whether it’s five people or 55 people, it’s important that everyone has the opportunity to come out and talk with their elected officials.
As always, if you’d prefer to come into the office and speak, Mondays from 1-4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon are office hours and we are available. Please call ahead at (254) 697-7000 to get a spot as times do fill up. The Cameron Town Hall will be held in the new Bea’s Kitchen later this month. We will get that information out soon. Check the website at milamcounty.net or on Facebook at the Milam County Courthouse page.
As I said in my first article of the year, I believe what Jack Kemp said of public service is about. “Leadership here means finding out where people want to go and figuring out a way to take them there.” These sorts of events allow us all the opportunity to become better informed.
On the animal services front, Milam County is working on a plan to create the first animal shelter in Milam County. With the help of Milam Touch of Love and various volunteers from around the county, we now have a Milam County Animal Services Panel with Precinct 4 Commissioner Wesley Payne serving as the Milam County Commissioners Court’s liaison to the panel. This Panel’s entire focus is on the services provided in not only fostering and caring for stray animals in the county, but also in how to improve the services provided in the county via programs to help curb the numbers of stray animals throughout the county.
Milam Touch of Love has done a tremendous job in the past helping the county with the issue of animal services and they continue to impress with their caring for the counties needs on these issues. They help with spay and neutering programs, microchipping these animals, locating foster and permanent homes for these animals, transporting the animals when necessary, and just about everything else in between when it comes to the stray animals in Milam County.
At their recent annual gathering, it was very nice to see all of the folks who commit so much time and effort into this cause. We should all give them thanks for their passion and dedication. As someone who has only ever had rescued or abandoned animals as pets, I know I greatly appreciate their efforts.