Consider the Responsibilities of a County Judge
To The Editor:
County judge, who cares? Well, I did some research to find out what a county judge does, and turns out this is a really important position. Being county judge is no small responsibility.
This is a leadership position that demands engagement with the community. A good judge will reach out and coordinate with our business community and other non-profit leaders in the community to ensure all voices are heard. I ask myself which candidate do I see out in the community engaging on that level?
And with leadership comes chairing the county’s commissioner’s court. Why is that important? The county judge sets the tone and agenda for the court. The county judge frames the agenda discussion and sees it through to a vote. I wonder, which candidate is likely to be out in the community with a commitment to a prosperous and vibrant county with public transparency and accountability?
Potentially one of the most controversial areas for the county is land division and development. Whether you are pro-growth or against change, growth and development is coming. And issues of land division, housing for young professionals, and countywide land use are all within the purview of the court. Do we have a candidate who can unbiasedly help decide as a tie breaking vote, land issues in the best interest of the county, avoiding even the appearance of a conflict of interest?
The county judge oversees emergency management when things go bad. Everything from weather events like flooding and freezing pipes, gas leaks, terroristic threats and much more. Preparation, action, and recovery are all part of the county infrastructure’s emergency management. Which candidate has the most experience in this field and has demonstrated ability to manage in a crisis situation?
The county judge is the interface between Fayette County and the Texas governor, our state representatives, other adjacent county leaders, and our congressional leaders. This is the one person in our county who can stand up to mandates, orders for business closures, and top-down directives from state and federal officials. Which candidate am I most confident can present a valid argument and represent our county’s uniqueness in this political arena?
And finally, the county judge is really a business administrator for a $26 million-dollar annual county budget. That is $26 with six zeros. The county employs over 200 people. The county judge is the CEO of one of the biggest companies in the county. Who is the most competent supervisor to lead the county’s business for the next several years?
I want a leader, one that has the energy, passion, endurance, and longevity to lead our county for the next decade. I want Fayette County to emerge from the next ten years (years that are likely to have significant challenges,) as a safe, secure, vibrant and prosperous county. Please carefully consider our candidates and please vote.
Sam Wilson La Grange
La Grange