.jpg)
COMMISSIONERS COURT
Colorado County Commissioners had a busy Monday morning April 14, declaring multiple proclamations for the month of April and the coming weeks and establishing more new speed limits across the county.
Proclamations were made recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 13 – April 19), Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month (April), the National Day of Prayer (May 1), Texas Soil and Water Stewardship Week (April 27 – May 4) and National County Government Month (April).
This week marks the celebration of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, recognizing the role they play within the first responder community, highlighting their importance and how dispatchers and call takers can make the difference between a lifesaving call and life changing call.
Colorado County Sheriff Justin Lindemann thanked commissioners for honoring the importance of telecommunicators and the position they play within the first responder community.
“They are the backbone of first responders,” said Lindemann. “They perform a very challenging job. It takes unique skills and a certain mindset that most people don’t have. Our community is blessed to have these individuals behind them on the radio during any 911 situation.”
Colorado County Judge Ty Prause praised the telecommunicators for the work they do across the county and recognized the hard work they do for first responders, and all be- hind the scenes.
“It’s not an easy job,” said Prause. “We appreciate your patience and courtesy and everything else that you all go through to get that information out and doing everything that you do behind the scenes that people don’t see, we appreciate you greatly.”
Commissioners also recognized the month of April as National County Government Month and Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.
Dr. Mazie Leftwich, President of the Wellness Council, highlighted how over 50% of child abuse cases are next reported, particularly sexual abuse, and how vital it is to acknowledge these issues to prevent a lifetime of mental health issues as a result.
“We have children who grow up feeling unworthy because of what they go through and end up with depression, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts as adults,” said Leftwich. “I’d invite anyone to sit for one hour with a therapist and hear a child tell their story where even the parents did not respond to the abuse taking place or were even the cause. We are here to acknowledge that problem in our society and ask that you help us with looking at solutions.”
Thursday, May 1, was highlighted by a proclamation made by commissioners as the National Day of Prayer this year, set to take place at the Colorado County Courthouse grounds. The tradition first began in 1988 when first established by the United States Congress, setting aside a day other than Sunday to come together for prayer and meditation at churches, in groups or as individuals.
“Whereas leaders and citizens of our communities, cities, states and nation are afforded the privilege of prayer with the joy of seeking divine guidance, strength, protection and comfort from almighty God, and whereas recognizing the love of God we citizens of Colorado County treasure the freedom to gather in prayer,” said the proclamation.
In addition to the multiple proclamations made, more speed limits were modified across the county as commissioners make an effort to improve the safety conditions of certain roads that may have seen the speed limits too high previously.
The two roads that saw their speed limits lowered, both in Precinct Three, came after multiple complaints were made about the dangers of the high-speed limits for both roads, Brunes Mill Road from the intersection of FM 109 to Buescher Road from 45 MPH to 35 MPH and all of Schobel Road from the intersection of Brunes Mill Road to SH-71 from 55 MPH to 35 MPH.
Precinct Three Commissioner Keith Neuendorff said he was approached by several residents who made complaints to him about fast driving that has led to several car accidents and dangerous moments that could have been prevented.
“I was approached by several residents in the Brunes Mill and Schobel Road areas,” said Neuendorff. “About fast driving. We have situations where some residents have gotten t-boned because drivers are running stop signs. So, we’re going to try to change the speed limit and slow it down a little bit.”
Public comments were taken at the beginning of the commissioners court meeting separate from the speed limit agenda items, where two individuals, Walt Glascott and Marcy Sable, a resident of Sheridan, made separate complaints about speed limit issues in their areas, with Sable requesting that commissioners look into extending diminished inner city speed limits coming from Hwy 90 through Sheridan, to just “east of Lake Sheridan and Hwy 90 Alt.
“Several accidents have occurred at the intersection of Lake Sheridan Road and Highway 90 Alt,” said Sable. “My main concern is that a Rice Consolidated ISD bus travels up and down Lake Sheridan Road and as the bus arrives from the west, it slows down to turn on the road. The traffic behind it, which is accelerating up from 55 MPH to 70 MPH poses a safety risk.”
The next Colorado County Commissioners Court meeting will be held on Monday, April 28.
