[00:00:04]
>> BECERRA: GOOD AFTERNOON. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? AGENDA ITEM FOR TUESDAY'S COURT DURING THE PUBLIC SCHEDULED TIME FOR US TO DISCUSS THIS ITEM, AND IT DIDN'T PRODUCE ANYTHING FRUITFUL. AND SO I CALLED A SPECIAL MEETING ON MONDAY, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE A QUORUM.
SO I ASKED JORDAN FROM OUR GENERAL COUNSEL'S OFFICE TO RESUBMIT FOR TODAY, AND I'M GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE A DIFFERENT OUTCOME. IN THERE, I MADE IT A POINT TO ENSURE THAT PUBLIC COMMENTS WERE INCLUDED IN THIS AGENDA ITEM.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME THAT THE PUBLIC HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN, WHETHER I AGREE WITH YOU, WHETHER I DON'T AGREE WITH YOU, MY BIGGEST HOPE IS FOR YOUR VOICE TO BE HEARD AND AS THIS IS A COURT OF RECORD, IT WILL BE STORED IN PERPETUITY.
SO HOW I HAVE ASKED OUR CLERK TO KICK OFF THE COMMENTS ARE SIMPLY TO -- WE'LL HAVE THOSE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK THAT ARE PRESENT SPEAK FIRST. IF THEY CHOOSE TO LEAVE THE COURTROOM AFTER THEY SPEAK, THAT'S FINE.
THEY'LL BE RECORDED SPEAKING. AND THEN WE WILL GO PERSON BY PERSON AND READ THE SUBMITTED COMMENTS.
SHE ASKED ME ABOUT THE COMMENTS SUBMITTED ON MONDAY AND I TOLD HER TO BE FAIR, LET'S READ ANY COMMENTS THAT WERE PRESENTED TO THIS COURT, BECAUSE IF PEOPLE TAKE THE TIME AND ENERGY TO REACH OUT TO US, THE LEAST WE COULD DO IS ALLOW THAT VOICE, THAT PERSPECTIVE TO BE HEARD. SO THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO HAVE SUBMITTED A PUBLIC PARTICIPATION WITNESS FORM WILL NOW HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK ON NON-AGENDA-RELATED TOPICS.
UNFORTUNATELY, NO ACTION MAY BE TAKEN BY THE COURT DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS AS WE ARE EXPECTED NOT TO RESPOND.
ANY QUESTIONS WILL BE TAKEN AS RHETORICAL.
ALL COMMENTS ARE OPINIONS OF THE SPEAKER AND ARE NOT MEANT TO BE NECESSARILY CONSTRUED AS TRUTH. PLEASE KEEP YOUR COMMENTS AND LANGUAGE CIVIL AND RESPECTFUL OR YOU WILL FORFEIT THE REMAINDER OF YOUR TIME. IN THE SPIRIT OF RESPECT, PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES. AND DOCTOR, I HAVE THE FIRST
SPEAKER IS MR. BRANDON BURLESON. >> BEBEFORE WE GET STARTED, CAN WE DO OUR PLEDGES AND OUR PRAYER?
OPEN WITH PLEDGES AND PRAYER? >> IT WASN'T ON THE AGENDA THAT
WAY. >> BECERRA: AND I WAS TOLD BY OUR GENERAL COUNSEL THAT TO DO PRAYER AFTER YOU'VE OPENED IS POTENTIALLY CONTROVERSIAL. SO WHATEVER THE COURT WANTS TO DO, I AM MERELY AN INSTRUMENT OF THE COURT AND IF THE COURTMENTS TO DO A PLEDGE AND PRAYER, I'M HAPPY TO DO IT.
>> I DON'T THINK IT WILL HURT. >> BECERRA: YES?
>> I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. >> BECERRA: ALL RIGHT, LET'S DO IT. SO WE'RE GOING TO DO THE PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD.
ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. >> BECERRA: WONDERFUL.
AND WHO WOULD LIKE TO LEAD US IN PRAYER?
>> FATHER GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY YOU CONVINCE TO COME AND WORK IN HAYS COUNTY AND TO CARRY OUT OUR DUTIES.
LORD, I JUST ASK THAT YOU BE WITH THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT TODAY, GIVE US WISDOM AND HELP US MAKE RIGHT AND JUST DECISIONS AND WE ASK THAT YOU BLESS OUR COUNTY AND OUR STATE.
LORD BLESS ALL OUR PEOPLE THAT TOOK TIME TO COME AND I ASK FOR
YOUR BILL TO BE DONE. >> BECERRA: WELL, DONE, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. OKAY.
[Public Comments]
SO FIRST UP, IN THE SPIRIT OF EFFICIENCY, I ASK THAT WHEN YOU HEAR THE TIMER, IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR ME TO LET FOLKS COMPLETE THEIR THOUGHTS, BUT MY HOPE WITH THE TIMER, BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE SPEAKING ON THIS ITEM, I AM GOING TO SHIFT IT AND ASK THAT YOU COMPLETE YOUR SENTENCE TO BE RESPECTFUL BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE, SO WHEN YOUR THREE MINUTES ARE UP, PLEASE FINISH YOUR SENTENCE YOU'RE ON, AND THEN WE'LL GO TO THE NEXT PERSON. SO FIRST UP, WE HAVE MR. BRANDON BURLESON. IF YOU WILL PLEASE APPROACH THE[00:05:04]
PODIUM. >> I WOULD LIKE THE MOMENT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN TO ME TODAY. FIRST, OFF, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOUR PLANS ARE ON THE REPLACEMENT OF RAY HELM, BUT I WILL SAY THIS. THE RUMOR IS THAT CODY TIDUM IS BEING LOOKED AT FOR INTERIM CONSTABLE.
AND MY RESPONSE TO THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MR. CHIDUM WOULD BE A GOOD FIT WHEN HE WAS PART OF THE RAY HELM SCANDAL.
HE KNOWINGLY SIGNED T. CODE DOCUMENTS WHEN HE NEW HE DID NOT HAVE THE TRAINING, ACCORDING TO THE T.CO STANDARDS, THE OFFICERS HAVE TO INDIVIDUALLY SIGN OFF ON THOSE HOURS.
AND IF HE WANTED TO OBJECT AND SAY HE WAS COERCED INTO SIGNING THOSE DOCUMENTS, WHY DID HE SPEAK UP AND REPORT TO CONSTABLE HELM? IT IS BECAUSE HE KNEW HE DID NOT OBTAIN THE PROPER TRAINING AND HAD NO INTENTION ON TELLING THE TRUTH. HE TOOK IT A STEP FORWARD AND INCLUDED THE TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON HIS CAMPAIGN FLIER. FURTHERMORE, CODY CHEATHAM HAS BEEN GOING AROUND, SLANDERING A HAYS COUNTY PRECINCT JUDGE, ROSE BROOKS, THAT HAS DEDICATED OVER 50 YEARS TO THE COUNTY.
AND I'M NOT SIMPLY OFFERING HEARSAY.
ROSE BROOKS IS MY GRANDMOTHER. AND LET ME READ YOU A SOCIAL MEDIA POST THAT I WOULD LIKE OUR CONSTABLE TO PLEASE COME UP HERE AND GIVE THE COURT IN EXHIBIT 1. YOUYOU WERE THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW YOU RECEIVED 1,000 VOTES OVER DONNA IN A PRIMARY, BUT LOST BY 3,000 VOTES IN A RUNOFF. MAKES NO SENSE, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT THERE WAS CHEATING INVOLVED, AND SHADINESS THAT TOOK PLACE IN YOUR ELECTION. IT HAPPENED IN MY ELECTION, AND IT DARN SURE HAPPENED IN YOURS. I'M WITH YOU ALL THE WAY, ANGIE.
YOU HAVE MY FULL SUPPORT MOVING FORWARD BECAUSE WE WILL NOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN IN HAYS COUNTY ANYMORE.
I WAS QUIET ABOUT THE VOTER FRAUD AND ILLEGAL ACTIVITY IN MY ELECTION, BUT I WILL NO LONGER STAY QUIET.
IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE. SO COURT, WHAT THAT IS SAYING TO ME IS ANYONE THAT MAY HAVE READ THIS POST IS A -- THAT ALLOWS HAYS COUNTY -- HAYS COUNTY ALLOWS CHEATING IN THEIR COUNTIES. BECAUSE OF MR. CHEATHAM'S SLANDEROUS CLAIMS AND DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER TO MS. BROOKS AND THE BURLESON FAMILY, WE HAVE RETAINED A LAWYER THAT WILL BE FILING A LAWSUIT AGAINST MR. CHEATHAM.
THE COUNTY SINCE MR. CHEATHAM WORKS FOR THE COUNTY THAT THE COUNTY IS LIABLE FOR HIS ACTIONS AND WILL BE SERVED NOW.
>> BECERRA: MR. BURLESON, I KNOW IT'S KIND OF FAINT, BUT THAT'S THE TIMER. IT'S BEEN GOING OFF FOR A WHILE.
>> CAN I FINISH THIS THOUGHT PLEASE, MR. BECERRA, I NEED TO REALLY FINISH THIS SENTENCE, NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW YOU WOULD APPOINT SOMEBODY THAT ACTUALLY LIVES IN THE COUNTY TO A POSITION IN HAYS COUNTY. WHEN HE RAN FOR CONSTABLE OF PRECINCT 1, HE WAS ACTUALLY RENTING A HOUSE AND NEVER PAID TAXES. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I LIVED NEXT
DOOR TO HIS FO FORMAL LANDLORD. >> BECERRA: OKAY.
>> HE HAD A ONE-YEAR LEASE. WHEN HE LOST, HE BOLTED BACK
TO -- >> BECERRA: SIR, I'M SORRY TO SAY, BUT WE'VE GOT A LONG LIST OF FOLKS AND YOU'VE ALMOST
LAPPED THE TIME ALLOTTED. >> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TODAY, I WASN'T FINISHED, BUT WHAT I WILL SAY IS I WOULD LIKE THIS COURT TO BRING SOMEBODY THAT'S ETHICAL, THAT'S DEDICATED, AND THAT WILL BRING
JUSTICE BACK TO PRECINCT 3. >> BECERRA: THANK YOU, SIR.
NEXT UP WE HAVE MR. SAM BRANNON. >> GREETINGS.
I'M HOPING WE DO ACCEPT HELM'S RESIGNATION AND THE ONLY
[00:10:04]
LEGITIMATE THING WE CAN DO IS PUT SOMEBODY IN THIS OFFICE WHO'S A CARETAKER WHO WILL NOT BE SEEKING A NOMINATION IN NOVEMBER. THERE'S BEEN SO MUCH TALK OF THE CRONYISM GOING ON. IF YOU DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN THAT, IT WILL BE SUSPECT. CRONYISM HAS BEEN PART OF THIS OFFICE, AT LEAST FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS, WHEN DARRELL AYERS SHOWS AT THE LAST MINUTE NOT TO SUBMIT HIS APPLICATION IN 2016 AND RAY HELM WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT WAS GOING TO RUN FOR THAT OFFICE AT THE LAST MINUTE SUBMITTED HIS, THAT WAS CRONYISM, GUYS. CRONYISM HAS STOPPED YOU FROM ACTING OVER THERE LAST MONTHS WHEN WE KNEW THERE WAS AN ISSUE AND YOU HAD BEEN INFORMED OF DETAILS OF THE ISSUES AROUND HELM IN PRECINCT 3 AND YOU DID NOTHING.CRONYISM LED TO THE LACK OF THE A QUORUM LAST WEEK AND IT LED TO THE LACK OF ACTION IN THE LAST MEETING.
YOU ACTED LIKE YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS COMING UP AND IT'S BEEN ON YOUR RADAR, YOU'VE BEEN MEETING WITH PEOPLE, YOU'VE BEEN LOBBIED BY PEOPLE WANTING THIS ROLE AND YOU CHOSE NOT TO ACT AT THE LAST REGULAR MEETING. THAT'S CRONYISM.
I DON'T KNOW -- WELL, I PROBABLY DO.
I DON'T KNOW WHO'S RUNNING THIS AND TELLING YOU WHAT TO DO, BUT SOMEBODY IS GUIDING YOU. THERE'S SOME HIDDEN HAND THAT'S NO LONGER ON THIS COURT THAT'S STILL INTRUCKING YOU HOW TO BEHAVE AND YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES AS ADULTS FOR NOT DOING THE RIGHT THING. THIS CRONYISM IS NOT REPUBLICAN CRONYISM. IT'S CERTAINLY BIPARTISAN AND WE ALL KNOW THAT. ONE EXAMPLE, HAYS COUNTY GOP.
I'M A NEWLY ELECTED PRECINCT CHAIR.
I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM OUR NEW CHAIRMAN YET.
AS FAR AS THE CONVENTION THAT WE HAD, AS FAR AS SEATING THE NEW COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, BUT YESTERDAY, THEY HAD A MEETING ABOUT JUST THIS SUBJECT, WHICH I WAS NOT INVITED TO.
CRONYISM. IT'S NOT JUST THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. IT'S BIPARTISAN.
AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, WE CALL THIS CORRUPTION.
IT'S BEING CLEANED UP. JUST KEEP WATCHING THE NEWS.
IT'S BEING CLEANED UP THANKS TO OUR FINE PRESIDENT TRUMP WHO'S MKING IT HAPPEN. IT WILL BE CLEANED UP HERE, AS WELL. REST ASSURED.
>> BECERRA: THANK YOU, SIR. THOSE ARE THE ONLY PAPERS I HAVE BEFORE ME. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE OVER
>> BECERRA: JUST TO BE CLEAR BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN A BIT OF CONFUSION. DID SOMEONE THAT IS SITTING IN THIS COURTROOM RIGHT NOW FILL OUT ONE OF THESE SPEAK AND DIDN'T QUITE GET IT TO ME? IT'S A LITTLE UNIQUE SITUATION SO I'M ALLOWING A LITTLE FLEXIBILITY SO THAT YOU CAN BE HEARD. IS SOMEONE INTERESTED, LAST-MINUTE, BEFORE WE PIVOT TO THE WRITTEN DOCUMENT? NO, OKAY DR. CARDENAS, ALL YOURS.
>> OKAY. I HAVE 24 WRITTEN COMMENTS THAT I WILL READ IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER BY FIRST NAME.
STARTING WITH ARNIE AXLEROD. AND I WILL CUT MYSELF OFF AFTER THREE MINUTES. ARNIE AXLEROD OF LAFAYETTE, COLORADO, SAYS LAST WEEK, RAY HELM PERMANENLY SURRENDERED HIS PEACE OFFICER LICENSE. HE CAN NEVER BE A COP IN TEXAS AGAIN. HE DID SEE TO AVOID CRIMINAL PROSECUTION ON MULTIPLE FELONIES, MANY OF WHICH THE COURT HAD KNOWN ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME.
APPOINTING A PERSON OF INTEGRITY WILL ENSURE THAT THE NEXT CONSTABLE IS NOT ANOTHER RAY HELM.
TO AVOID ANOTHER RAY HELM, THE COURT MUST NOT APPOINT A CONSTABLE WHO: RUNS CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR HIS OR HER FRIENDS, LIKE RAY HELM DID; ASKS ONE OF HIS DEPUTIES TO CREATE FALSE TRAINIG RECORDS IN THE MIDDLE OF A PROSECUTION, LIKE RAY HELM DID; CALLS THE HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO FILE A FALSE POLICE REPORT, LIKE RAY HELM DID; ENCOURAGES A DEPUTY TO FILE A FALSE POLICE REPORT, LIKE RAY HELM DID; GIVES SECRETARY MATT FARRIS A COUNTY VEHICLE AND GAS CARD FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS LIKE RAY HELM DID; DRIVES THE COUNTY VEHICLE TO CLASSES AT TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY, LIKE RAY HELM DID; HAS DEPUTIES CHAUFFEUR HIM OR HER TO CLASSES AT TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY, LIKE RAY HELM DID; EXTENDS THE PUBLIC BENEFIT TO A PRIVATE COMPANY TO FILM A DRONE COMMERCIAL, LIKE RAY HELM DID; EXTENDS A PUBLIC BENEFIT TO A PRIVATE PERSON TO FILM A TICKETING PARODY LIKE RAY HELM DID; FILED BOGUS PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVITS TO HAVE A FORMER CHIEF DEPUTY ARRESTED, LIKE RAY HELM DID; SUBMITS FRAUDULENT BODY CAM TRAINING RECORDS TO THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, LIKE RAY HELM DID; SUBMITS FRAUDULENT PEACE OFFICER FIELD TRAINING RECORDS TO TCOL LIKE RAY HELM DID; SUBMITS FRAUDULENT DRONE TRAINING RECORDS TO TCOL LIKE RAY HELM DID; GOES INTO THE CONSTABLE OFFICE ON A WEEKEND TO CREATE MORE FRAUDULENT RECORDS TO COVER UP THE FRAUDULENT RECORDS PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED TO TCOL, LIKE RAY HELM DID; CALLS JEAN
[00:15:05]
ROBINSON TO GET DRONE TRAINING SCENARIOS TO CREATE FRAUDULENT RECORDS TO COVER UP THE TRAINING THAT NEVER OCCURRED, LIKE RAY HELM DID; TELLS DEPUTIES TO LIE DURING AN ACTIVE INVESTIGATION, LIKE RAY HELM DID; LIES TO TCOL INVESTIGATORS MULTIPLE TIMES WITH COUNSEL PRESENT LIKE RAY HELM DID; INTERFERES WITH AN ACTIVE TCOL INVESTIGATION LIKE RAY HELM DID; DOES NOT RUN FOR REELECTION WHILE THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, KNOWING IT WOULD LIKE END WITH A PERMANENT SURRENDER, RESIGNATION, AND WITHDRAW FROM THE BALLOT, LIKE RAY HELM DID; DOES NOT REMAIN IN OFFICE AMIDST MULTIPLE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS, LIKE RAY HELM DID; THERE WAS NO EXCUSE FOR NOT BEING PREPARED FOR HELM'S RESIGNATION. INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR IT, YOU SHOULD HAVE DEMANDED IT.THE NEXT ONE IS FROM ARMANDO PEREZ.
THE OFFICE OF PRECINCT 3 CONSTABLE IS IMPORTANT TO THE CITIZENS OF THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY.
MANY OFFICERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE HONORABLE POLICE WORK ACCOMPLISHED IN PRECINCT 3. WE ARE SADDENED AND DISAPPOINTED IN THE ACTIONS OF OUR CONSTABLE, PRECINCT 3 RAY HELM, RESULTING IN THE SURRENDER OF HIS LICENSE AND RESIGNATION.
WE ARE FRUSTRATED THAT IT HAS TAKEN THE COURT SO LONG TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. RESTORING PUBLIC TRUST SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY OF THE COMMISSIONERS CORRIDOR.
THE REMAINING OFFICERS DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT AND CONTINUED RESPECT. THE CITIZENS OF PRECINCT 3 DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT AND REQUEST.
IT IS YOUR JOB TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND AND TO RESTORE THE PUBLIC TRUST. PLAYING POLITICS BY NOT SHOWING UP FOR AN IMPORTANT VOTE ON RAY HELM'S REPLACEMENT DOES NOT RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST OR SUPPORT THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND.
PLAYING POLITICS BY APPOINTING A CANDIDATE AS THE INTERIM TO BETTER POSITION THEM FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION DOES RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST OR SUPPORT THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND.
THE BEST WAY FORWARD IS TO CHOOSE ONE CURRENT OFFICER TO LEAD THE PRECINCT UNTIL A DULY ELECTED NEW CONSTABLE CAN TAKE OVER. SUPPORT THE OFFICERS THAT REMAIN ON THE JOB IN THE CONSTABLE'S PRECINCT 3 OFFICE.
SUPPORT AND RESPECT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS.
SUPPORT FAIR ELECTIONS. APPOINT AN EXISTING MEMBER OF THE FORCE TO TEMPORARILY OVERSEE THE PRECINCT 3 CONSTABLE OFFICE.
CINDY RODRIGUEZ. FROM WIMBERLEY TEXAS.
THE OFFICE OF PRECINCT 3 CONSTABLE IS IMPORTANT TO THE CITIZENS OF THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY.
MANY GOOD OFFICERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE HONORABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT WORK ACCOMPLISHED IN PRECINCT 3.
THE REMAINING OFFICERS NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND CONTINUED RESPECT.
THE BEST WAY FORWARD IS TO CHOOSE ONE OF THE CURRENT OFFICERS TO LEAD THE PRECINCT UNTIL A DULY ELECTED NEW CONSTABLE CAN TAKE OVER. SUPPORT THE OFFICERS THAT REMAIN ON THE JOB IN THE CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 OFFICE.
SUPPORT AND RESPECT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS.
SUPPORT FAIR ELECTIONS. APPOINT AN EXISTING MEMBER OF THE FORCE TO TEMPORARILY OVERSEE THE PRECINCT 3 CONSTABLE OFFICE.
CLAUDIA PEREZ OF WIMBERLEY, TEXAS.
THE OFFICE OF PRECINCT 3 CONSTABLE IS IMPORTANT TO THE CITIZENS OF THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY.
MANY GOOD OFFICERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED OVER SEVERAL YEARS TO THE HONORABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT WORK ACCOMPLISHED IN PRECINCT 3.
WE ARE SADDENED AND DISAPPOINTED IN THE ACTIONS OF OUR CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 RAY HELM, RESULTING IN THE SURRENDER OF HIS LICENSE AND RESIGNATION. WE ARE FRUSTRATED THAT IT HAS TAKEN THE COURT SO LONG TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.
RESTORING PUBLIC TRUST SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY FOR THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. THE REMAINING OFFICERS DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT AND CONTINUED RESPECT.
THE CITIZENS OF PRECINCT 3 DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT AND RESPECT. IT IS YOUR JOB TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND AND TO RESTORE THE PUBLIC TRUST.
PLAYING POLITICS BY NOT SHOWING UP FOR AN IMPORTANT VOTE ON RAY HELM'S REPLACEMENT DOES NOT RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST OR SUPPORT THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND. PLAING POLITICS BY APPOINTING A CANDIDATE AS THE INHEALTH DEPARTMENT TO BETTER POSITION THEM FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION Y FORWARD IS TO CHOOSE ONE OF THE CURRENT OFFICERS TO LEAD THE PRECINCT UNTIL A DULY ELECTED OFFICER CAN TAKE OVER. SUPPORT THE OFFICERS THAT REMAIN ON THE JOB IN THE CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 OFFICE.
[00:20:02]
SUPPORT AND RESPECT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS.SUPPORT FAIR ELECTIONS, APPOINT AN EXISTING MEMBER OF THE FORCE TO TEMPORARILY OVERSEE THE PRECINCT 3 CONSTABLE OFFICE.
CYNTHIA MELONSEY OF WIMBERLEY, TEXAS.
I AM MORE THAN DISAPPOINTED IN THE ACTIONS OF THE CURRENT CONSTABLE OF PRECINCT 3 AND THE ACTIONS THAT RESULTED IN THE SURRENDER OF HIS LICENSE AND RESIGNATION.
IT IS APARTMENT BUILDING MOUNT THAT THE COURT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BECAUSE WITHOUT YOUR ACTIONS, THE CURRENT CONSTABLE REMAINS IN HIS POSITION, THUS CAUSING FURTHER FARM TO THE OFFICE, THE OFFICERS AND ERODING THE COMMUNITY SPACE AND TRUST.
THE OFFICE OF THE CONSTABLE IS IMPORTANT TO THE CITIZENS OF THE WIMBERLEY COMMUNITY AND THE MANY GOOD OFFICERS THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED OVER THE YEARS TO THE HONORABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT WORK CARRIED OUT IN THIS PRECINCT.
THIS COURSE OF ACTION PROVIDES CONTINUITY, STABILITY, AND OFFERS THE LEAST AMOUNT OF STABILITY TO AN OFFICE THAT HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY AND NEGATIVELY IMPACTED.
IN ADDITION, IT SIGNALS AN EFFORT TO RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST, SUPPORTS THE OFFICERS CURRENTLY SERVING, AND PROVIDES FAIRNESS TO THE ELECTION PROCESS. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE OFFICERS OF PRECINCT 3.
PLEASE APPOINT AN EXISTING MEMBER OF THE FORCE TO TEMPORARILY OVERSEE THE PRECINCT 3 CONSTABLE OFFICE.
DEBORAH MORRIS OF WIMBERLEY, TEXAS.
THE COMMISSIONERS COURT NEEDS TO DO ITS JOB.
IGNORING PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY ARE POLITICALLY INCONVENIENT IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE PRECINCT THREE CONSTABLE OFFICE IS IMPORTANT TO THE CITIZENS OF THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY. MANY GOOD OFFICERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED OVER THE YEARS TO THE HONORABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT WORK ACCOMPLISHED IN PRECINCT 3. RAY HELM COMMITTED VIOLATIONS SO EGREGIOUS THAT HE HAS HAD TO TRADE HIS BADGE AND RESIGN TO AVOID PROSECUTION. THIS COURT HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR MONTHS AND I AM FRUSTRATED THAT IT HAS TAKEN THE COURT SO LONG TO ADDRESS. YOUR INACTION COMBINED WITH HIS SHAMEFUL CONDUCT HAVE SHAKEN THE PUBLIC TRUST.
RESTORING THAT TRUST SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY FOR THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, THE REMAINING OFFICERS DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT AND RESPECT. THE CITIZENS OF PRECINCT 3 DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT AND RESPECT.
IT IS YOUR JOB TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND AND TO RESTORE THE PUBLIC TRUST. PLAYING POLITICS BY NOT SHOWING UP FOR AN IMPORTANT VOTE ON RAY HELM'S REPLACEMENT DOES NOT RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST OR SUPPORT THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND.
PLAYING POLITICS BY APPOINTING A CANDIDATE OF THE INTERIM TO BETTER POSITION THEM FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION DOES NOT RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST OR SUPPORT THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND.
THE BEST WAY FORWARD IS TO CHOOSE ONE OF THE CURRENT OFFICERS TO LEAD THE PRECINCT UNTIL A DULY ELECTED NEW CONSTABLE CAN TAKE OVER. SUPPORT THE OFFICERS THAT REMAIN ON THE JOB IN THE CONSTABLE PRECINCT THREE OFFICE.
SUPPORT FAIR ELECTIONS. APPOINT AN EXISTING MEMBER OF THE FORCE TO TEMPORARILY OVERSEE THE PRECINCT THREE CONSTABLE OFFICE. DEBORAH CHARNES OF WIMBERLEY, TEXAS. THE OFFICE OF PRECINCT 3, CONSTABLE IS IMPORTANT TO THE CITIZENS OF THE VALLEY.
MANY GOOD OFFICERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED OVER THE YEARS TO THE HONORABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT WORK ACCOMPLISHED IN PRECINCT THREE. WE ARE SADDENED AND DISAPPOINTED IN THE ACTIONS OF OUR CONSTABLE PRECINCT THREE RAY HELM, RESULTING IN THE SURRENDER OF HIS LICENSE AND RESIGNATION.
WE ARE FRUSTRATED THAT IT HAS TAKEN THE COURT SO LONG TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. RESTORING PUBLIC TRUST SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY FOR THE COMMISSIONERS COURT.
THE REMAINING OFFICERS DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT AND CONTINUED RESPECT. THE CITIZENS OF PRECINCT THREE DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT AND REQUEST.
IT IS YOUR JOB TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND AND TO RESTORE THE PUBLIC TRUST. PLAYING POLITICS BY NOT SHOWING UP FOR AN IMPORTANT VOTE ON RAY HELM'S REPLACEMENT DOES NOT RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST OR SUPPORT THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND.
PLAYING POLITICS BY APPOINTING A CANDIDATE AS THE INTERIM TO BETTER POSITION THEM FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION DOES NOT RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST OR SUPPORT THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND.
THE BEST WAY FORWARD IS TO CHOOSE ONE OF THE CURRENT OFFICERS TO LEAD THE PRECINCT UNTIL A DULY ELECTED NEW CONSTABLE CAN TAKE OVERMUCH SUPPORT THE OFFICERS THAT REMAIN ON THE JOB IN THE CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 OFFICE.
SUPPORT AND RESPECT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS.
SUPPORT FAIR ELECTIONS. APPOINT AN EXISTING MEMBER OF
[00:25:01]
THE FORCE TO TEMPORARILY OVERSEE THE PRECINCT 3 CONSTABLE OFFICE.GREG FEELEY OF WIMBERLEY, TEXAS. THE OFFICE OF PRECINCT THREE CONSTABLE IS IMPORTANT TO THE CITIZENS OF THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY. MANY GOOD OFFICERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED OVER SEVERAL YEARS TO THE HONORABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT WORK ACCOMPLISHED IN PRECINCT THREE.
WE ARE SADDENED AND DISAPPOINTED IN THE ACTIONS OF OUR CONSTABLE, PRECINCT 3 RAY HELM, RESULTING IN THE SURRENDER OF HIS LICENSE AND RESIGNATION. WE ARE FRUSTRATED THAT IT HAS TAKEN THE COURT SO LONG TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.
RESTORING PUBLIC TRUST SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY OF THE COMMISSIONERS CORRIDOR. THE REMAINING OFFICERS DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT AND CONTINUED RESPECT.
THE CITIZENS OF PRECINCT 3 DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT AND REQUEST. IT IS YOUR JOB TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND AND TO RESTORE THE PUBLIC TRUST.
PLAYING POLITICS BY NOT SHOWING UP FOR AN IMPORTANT VOTE ON RAY HELM'S REPLACEMENT DOES NOT RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST OR SUPPORT THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND. PLAYING POLITICS BY APPOINTING A CANDIDATE AS THE INTERIM TO BETTER POSITION THEM FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION DOES RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST OR SUPPORT THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND. THE BEST WAY FORWARD IS TO CHOOSE ONE CURRENT OFFICER TO LEAD THE PRECINCT UNTIL A DULY ELECTED NEW CONSTABLE CAN TAKE OVER.
SUPPORT THE OFFICERS THAT REMAIN ON THE JOB IN THE CONSTABLE'S PRECINCT 3 OFFICE. SUPPORT AND RESPECT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS. SUPPORT FAIR ELECTIONS.
APPOINT AN EXISTING MEMBER OF THE FORCE TO TEMPORARILY OVERSEE THE PRECINCT 3 CONSTABLE OFFICE. HEATHER CARTER OF WIMBERLEY, TEXAS. THE OFFICE OF PRECINCT 3 CONSTABLE IS IMPORTANT TO THE CITIZENS OF THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY. MANY GOOD OFFICERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE HONORABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT WORK ACCOMPLISHED IN PRECINCT 3. WE ARE SADDENED AND DISAPPOINTED IN THE ACTIONS OF OUR CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 RAY HELM, RESULTING IN THE SURRENDER OF HIS LICENSE AND RESIGNATION.
WE ARE FRUSTRATED THAT IT HAS TAKEN THE COURT SO LONG TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. RESTORING PUBLIC TRUST SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY FOR THE COMMISSIONERS COURT.
THE REMAINING OFFICERS DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT AND CONTINUED RESPECT. THE CITIZENS OF PRECINCT 3 DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT AND RESPECT.
IT IS YOUR JOB TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND AND TO RESTORE THE PUBLIC TRUST. PLAYING POLITICS BY NOT SHOWING UP FOR AN IMPORTANT VOTE ON RAY HELM'S REPLACEMENT DOES NOT RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST OR SUPPORT THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND.
PLAYING POLITICS BY APPOINTING A CANDIDATE AS THE INTERIM TO BETTER POSITION THEM FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION DOES NOT RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST OR SUPPORT THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND.
THE BEST WAY FORWARD IS TO CHOOSE ONE OF THE CURRENT OFFICERS TO LEAD THE PRECINCT UNTIL A DULY ELECTED OFFICER CAN TAKE OVER. SUPPORT THE OFFICERS THAT REMAIN ON THE JOB IN THE CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 OFFICE.
SUPPORT AND RESPECT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS.
SUPPORT FAIR ELECTIONS, APPOINT AN EXISTING MEMBER OF THE FORCE TO TEMPORARILY OVERSEE THE PRECINCT 3 CONSTABLE OFFICE.
ICO STANG OF WIMBERLEY, TEXAS. SAYS I AM ADDRESSING THE COURT TODAY BECAUSE I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE VACANT POSITION OF CONSTABLE IN PRECINCT 3. I SUPPORT ALL THE EXCELLENT OFFICERS IN OUR CONSTABLE'S OFFICE.
THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE OVER THE LAST YEARS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT HERE IN PRECINCT THREE HAS BEEN THE WORK OF MANY.
THE BEST WAY FORWARD WOULD BE TO HAVE THE OFFICE LED BY ONE OF THE COMPETENT STAFF MEMBERS UNTIL AFTER THE OELECTIONS WHEN A DULY ELECTED NEW CONSTABLE CAN TAKE OVER.
ANY RUSHED ACTIONS OR AN APPOINTMENT BASED ON PURELY PARTISAN CONSIDERATIONS COULD HARM THE OFFICE AND SHAKE THE TRUST THAT CURRENTLY STILL EXISTS BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE PEOPLE IN THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY.
AT THIS MOMENT, WE URGENTLY NEED A COMPETENT, LAW-ABIDING AND PROPERLY CERTIFIED OFFICER WHO KNOWS THE PRECINCT TO TEMPORARILY RUN THE DAY-TO-DAY BUSINESS UNTIL NOVEMBER WHEN THE PEOPLE OF PRECINCT 3 WILL CHOOSE A NEW CONSTABLE.
A TEMPORARY CONSTABLE SHOULD BE SELECTED FROM THE OFFICERS IN PRECINCT THREE, AND THE PERSONNEL CURRENTLY PRESENT IN THE OFFICE CAN PERFORM SERVICES AND DUTIES UNTIL HE NOVEMBER ELECTION. IF NEED BE, THE DULY ELECTED CONSTABLE CAN BE APPOINTED TO THE POSITION IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ELECTION. JAMIE PET OF WIMBERLEY, TEXAS.
I'M WRITING TO INSIST THAT THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPOINT AN EXISTING MEMBER OF THE FORCE TO OVERSEE THE PRECINCT THREE CONSTABLE OFFICE. I AM DISMAYED THAT IT HAS TAKEN THIS LONG FOR A REPLACEMENT TO BE APPOINTED AND I'M WORRIED
[00:30:03]
ABOUT THE MORALE OF THE OFFICERS LEFT IN THE OFFICE WITHOUT LEADER THEY CAN TRUST. ALSO, PRECINCT THREE IS A LARGE AREA THAT CANNOT REMAIN WITHOUT A TRUSTWORTHY CONSTABLE UNTIL THE ELECTION. THIS IS UNFAIR TO V AND TAXPAYERS. I BELIEVE THAT YOU SHOULD APPOINT AN EXISTING MEMBER OF THE FORCE TO BE THE CONSTABLE.THIS WOULD ENSURE THAT THERE'S NO PLAYING POLITICS BY APPOINTING SOMEONE WHO MAY RUN FOR THE POSITION IN NOVEMBER.
IT WOULD ALSO BE A SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR THE EXISTING OFFICERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND TIME. BOLTON, WIMBERLEY, TEXAS.
THE OFFICE OF CONSTABLE IS IMPORTANT TO THE CITIZENS OF THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY. MANY GOOD OFFICERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED OVER SEVERAL YEARS TO THE HONORABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT WORK ACCOMPLISHED IN PRECINCT 3. WE ARE SADDENED AND DISAPPOINTED IN THE ACTIONS OF OUR CONSTABLE, PRECINCT 3 RAY HELM, RESULTING IN THE SURRENDER OF HIS LICENSE AND RESIGNATION.
WE ARE FRUSTRATED THAT IT HAS TAKEN THE COURT SO LONG TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. RESTORING PUBLIC TRUST SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT.
THE REMAINING OFFICERS DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT AND CONTINUED RESPECT. THE CITIZENS OF PRECINCT 3 DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT AND REQUEST.
IT IS YOUR JOB TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND AND TO RESTORE THE PUBLIC TRUST. PLAYING POLITICS BY NOT SHOWING UP FOR AN IMPORTANT VOTE ON RAY HELM'S REPLACEMENT DOES NOT RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST OR SUPPORT THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND.
PLAYING POLITICS BY APPOINTING A CANDIDATE AS THE INTERIM TO BETTER POSITION THEM FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION DOES RESTORE RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST OR SUPPORT THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND.
THE BEST WAY FORWARD IS TO CHOOSE ONE OF THE CURRENT OFFICERS TO LEAD THE PRECINCT UNTIL A DULY ELECTED NEW CONSTABLE CAN TAKE OVER. SUPPORT THE OFFICERS THAT REMAIN ON THE JOB IN THE CONSTABLE'S PRECINCT 3 OFFICE.
SUPPORT AND RESPECT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS.
SUPPORT FAIR ELECTIONS. APPOINT AN EXISTING MEMBER OF THE FORCE TO TEMPORARILY OVERSEE THE PRECINCT 3 CONSTABLE OFFICE.
KATE CROSSWHITE FROM WIMBERLEY, TEXAS.
THE OFFICE OF PRECINCT THREE CONSTABLE IS IMPORTANT TO THE CITIZENS OF THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY.
MANY GOOD OFFICERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE HONORABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT WORK ACCOMPLISHED IN PRECINCT 3.
THE REMAINING OFFICERS NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND CONTINUED RESPECT.
WE ARE SADDENED AND DISAPPOINTED IN THE ACTIONS OF OUR CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 RAY HELM, RESULTING IN THE SURRENDER OF HIS LICENSE AND RESIGNATION. WE ARE FRUSTRATED THAT IT HAS TAKEN THE COURT SO LONG TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.
RESTORING PUBLIC TRUST SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY FOR THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. THE REMAINING OFFICERS DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT AND CONTINUED RESPECT.
THE CITIZENS OF PRECINCT 3 DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT AND RESPECT. IT IS YOUR JOB TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND AND TO RESTORE THE PUBLIC TRUST.
PLAYING POLITICS BY NOT SHOWING UP FOR AN IMPORTANT VOTE ON RAY HELM'S REPLACEMENT DOES NOT RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST OR SUPPORT THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND. PLAYING POLITICS BY APPOINTING A CANDIDATE AS THE INTERIM TO BETTER POSITION THEM FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION DOES NOT RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST OR SUPPORT THE OFFICERS LEFT BEHIND. THE BEST WAY FORWARD IS TO CHOOSE ONE OF THE CURRENT OFFICERS TO LEAD THE PRECINCT UNTIL A DULY ELECTED OFFICER CAN TAKE OVER.
SUPPORT THE OFFICERS THAT REMAIN ON THE JOB IN THE CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 OFFICE. SUPPORT AND RESPECT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS. SUPPORT FAIR ELECTIONS, APPOINT AN EXISTING MEMBER OF THE FORCE TO TEMPORARILY OVERSEE THE
PRECINCT 3 CONSTABLE OFFICE. >> BECERRA: IF YOU SEE ANY OTHER LETTERS THAT HAVE BEEN VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT HAS BEEN WRITTEN, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, IF YOU WILL, PLEASE STATE THEIR NAME AND THEIR HOME CITY I GUESS, WHAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING, AND NOT READ IT AGAIN. I'M SORRY, BUT I THINK WE'VE GOT
THAT MESSAGE LOUD AND CLEAR. >> I UNDERSTAND.
I DO UNDERSTAND. LET ME SEE IF I CAN TELL WHICH ONES THOSE ARE. SO THERE'S A LETTER WITH THE SAME GENERAL CONTENT FROM LINDSEY DARRINGER OF WIMBERLEY, TEXAS. THERE'S A VARIATION FROM MOE GIBSON OF WIMBERLEY, TEXAS. AND THE OTHERS I THINK ARE A
[00:35:01]
LITTLE DIFFERENT. >> BECERRA: IF THERE'S ENOUGH DIFFERENCE, READ IT BECAUSE I WANT TO GIVE PEOPLE THEIR VOICE.
I JUST THINK -- >> I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY.
>> BECERRA: THE COPY PASTE PIECES ARE THE ONES WE'RE TRYING
TO MOVE THROUGH. >> THERE'S A FEW MORE.
>> BECERRA: THANK YOU. >> SO THE NEXT ONE IS FROM MANDY WRIGHT OF WIMBERLEY, TEXAS. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED ON MONDAY WHEN SEVERAL OF THE COMMISSIONERS DECIDED TO PLAY POLITICS AND NOT ATTEND COMMISSIONERS COURT.
I HOPE ALL WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE ON FRIDAY THE 7TH.
I FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT TO ALLOW SOMEONE WHO'S AN EXISTING OFFICER OF PRECINCT 3 TO STEP IN AS ACTING CONSTABLE UNTIL WE CAN HAVE AN ELECTION WHERE THE PEOPLE OF WIMBERLEY CAN BE HEARD THROUGH THE VOTING PROCESS. IT WOULD NOT BE FAIR TO CHOOSE SOMEONE AS INTERIM CONSTABLE WHO WOULD BE ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER. THAT WOULD GIVE THAT PERSON AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE. I HAVE FOUND IN THE FIVE YEARS OF LIVING IN WIMBERLEY THAT THE GOOD OLD BOYS SYSTEM RUNS DEEP.
IT IS A HARD SYSTEM TO BREAK, BUT WE MUST TRY.
I WILL SAY AS A LIBERAL WOMAN LIVING IN WIMBERLEY, I RARELY FEEL HEARD AND THAT GOES FOR IF I HAVE TO CALL AND REPORT SOMETHING TO THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE, OR THE HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
AND FROM MINDY WEBER OF WIMBERLEY, TEXAS.
THERE APPEARS TO BE A LOT OF CONFUSION SURROUNDING THIS ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW WHY OR WHY NOT SOME OF YOU DIDN'T ATTEND THE FIRST MEETING BECAUSE RUMORS WERE FLYING LIKE OAK POLLEN. YOU ALL PLAN ON BEING THERE TOMORROW SO PLEASE LISTEN TO MY COMMENTS WHEN YOU MAKE A DECISION. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MARK I'VE PROBABLY LIVED HERE THE LONGEST. I HAVE SEEN THE OFFICE OF THE CONSTABLE GROW AND CHANGE. I USED TO CALL WHEN I NEEDED HELP AND SOMEONE WOULD SHOW UP. I NOW HAVE FRIENDS WHO HAVE REQUESTED THAT IF THERE IS ANY TROUBLE AT THEIR HOME, THE PEACE OFFICERS OF WIMBERLEY NOT BE CALLED.
THIS IS QUITE WORRISOME TO ME. THERE IS NO ABUSE IN THIS PARTICULAR FAMILY, BUT THERE IS FEAR OF OUR LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED SITUATION OR INCIDENT. ACCORDING TO NEWS SOURCES, MR. HELM EITHER HAD TO RESIGN OR FACE PROSECUTION.
WE CURRENTLY APPEAR TO HAVE A RESIGNED YET EMPLOYED MAN IN CHARGE OF THE PRECINCT 3 OFFICE RECEIVING SALARY BENEFITS AND INFORMATION THAT I DO NOT BELIEVE HE IS ENTITLED TO.
REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU VIEW RAY OR HIS GUILT OR INNOCENCE, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.
I AM ASKING THAT HE BE REMOVED FROM THE TAXPAYERS SALARY IMMEDIATELY. I AM ASKING THAT HE IS NO LONGER PRIVY TO CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONCERNING HIS FORMER STAFF AND CURRENT CITIZENS.
I SADLY ASK THAT HIS BENEFITS CEASE, AS WELL.
IT IS NECESSARY TO APPOINT SOMEONE TO FILL HIS PLACE UNTIL THE UPCOMING ELECTION. I ASK THAT THE PERSON BE TEMPORARY. IT WOULD BE UNFAIR TO APPOINT SOMEONE TO CONSTABLE WHO IS LATER ALLOWED TO RUN.
THE CITIZENS WHO HAVE BEEN SO DISTRESSED BY THIS SITUATION SHOULD HAVE THEIR VOICE HEARD AND THAT IS ACCOMPLISHED BY VOTING. THANK YOU FOR READING MY E-MAIL.
FROM NAN BOOTH SIMPSON OF WIMBERLEY, TEXAS.
I AM ONE OF THE THREE PRECINCT CHAIRS DESIGNATED BY HAYS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CHAIRWOMAN DONNA HASHKE TO INTERVIEW AND NOMINATE A WELL QUALIFIED PERSON TO RUN FOR CONSTABLE PRECINCT THREE.
WE HAVE BEGUN THE PROCESS AND KNOW OF AT LEAST ONE PERSON WHO WILL BE APPLYING FOR THE POSITION.
WE BELIEVE THAT IT'S ONLY FAIR TO HAVE CANDIDATES FROM BOTH PARTIES ON THE BALLOT AND TO LET VOTERS DECIDE THE OUTCOME IN NOVEMBER. THANK YOU.
I THINK THE NEXT ONE FROM SANDRA ORGEN IS SIMILAR TO OTHERS YOU'VE HEARD. SO I WILL NOT READ THAT ONE.
>> BECERRA: THANK YOU, DR. CARDENAS.
[INAUDIBLE] >> BECERRA: A QUESTION FROM COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, IS THAT PERSON FROM WIMBERLEY?
>> YES, SANDRA ORGEN IS FROM WIMBERLEY.
IT IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT. >> BECERRA: I'LL LEAVE THAT DISCRETION TO YOU, DR. CARDENAS. YOU HAVE THEM IN FRONT OF YOU.
>> LET ME READ THE PARAGRAPH THAT APPEARS TO BE DIFFERENT.
I CAN'T PROMISE. THIS IS FROM SANDRA ORGEN OF WIMBERLEY, TEXAS, AND AFTER AN OPENING PARAGRAPH SIMILAR TO OTHERS YOU'VE HEARD, SHE SAYS EVEN WHILE CONSTABLE HELM ONLY RECENTLY SURRENDEREDDED HIS LICENSING REQUIRED TO FULFILL HIS LICENSING AND RESIGN, HE CONTINUES TO TO DRAW A SALARY, HASN'T BEEN REPLACED AND THAT IS ON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT.
THIS DELAY INVITES RETRIBUTION AND FURTHER SABOTAGE OF THE REMAINING OFFICERS WHO DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT AND CONTINUED RESPECT. PERHAPS APPOINT ONE OF THEM TO
[00:40:01]
SERVE IN THE INTERIM UNTIL THE NOVEMBER ELECTION UNTIL ANOTHER PERSON CAN BE DULY ELECTED BY THE PENAL OF WIMBERLEY WHOM THEY WILL SERVE. HOWEVER, IT WOULD BE AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE TO ALLOW SUCH AN APPOINTED PERSON ALREADY ON STAFF TO RUN FOR THE ELECTED POSITION AND YOU MIGHT ALLOW THE NEWLY ELECTED INDIVIDUALS TO START THE POSITION PRIOR TO THE NEW YEAR, IF THE SEAT IS VACANT. I'M FRUSTRATED AND DISSATISFIED AS IT HAS TAKEN THE COURT SO LONG TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AS RESTORING PUBLIC TRUST SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, AND THEN SHE GOES ON TO SAY SOMETHING SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU'VE HEARD PREVIOUSLY.THE NEXT ONE IS FROM TORA RACINE OF WIMBERLEY, TEXAS.
WOW, I'M DISAPPOINTED IN YOU, COMMISSIONERS, ALL OF YOU.
PLEASE DO YOUR JOB. SHOW UP, EITHER IN PERSON OR ONLINE. THERE ARE A LOT OF AMERICANS WHO WOULD LOVE THE PRIVILEGE YOU HAVE TO WORK FOR A GOOD SALARY AND THE OPTION TO DO SO ONLINE. AND STOP THIS NONSENSE WITH HELM. HE'S BEEN STRIPPED OF HIS LICENSE, HE'S A LIABILITY FOR HAYS COUNTY, AND YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS IRRESPONSIBLE DELAY.
DO YOUR JOB. AND TELL HIM TO GO.
THE DEPARTMENT CAN MANAGE ITSELF QUITE WELL WITHOUT HIM BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN DOING SO FOR MONTHS. IF YOU ASK AROUND WIMBERLEY, HELM HAS BEEN M.I.A. FOR MONTHS. HE'S NOT HELPFUL OR NEEDED.
WE DO NEED THE GOOD DEPUTIES THAT HAVE BEEN HONORABLE IN THEIR WORK AND TOLD THE TRUTH. APPOINT THE DEPUTY'S SECOND IN COMMAND AS THE INTERIM CONSTABLE.
LET THE PEOPLE VOTE IN A FAIR ELECTION.
WHEN A NEW CONSTABLE IS ELECTED IN NOVEMBER, APPOINT THEM.
IT'S EASY TO DO THE RIGHT THING HERE.
THIS IS SOMEONE AND SIMPLE FOR ANY AMERICAN TO UNDERSTAND.
WHY DO YOU MAKE IT COMPLICATED? IN SOLIDARITY WITH THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT IT MATTERS THAT WE BUILD A GOVERNMENT WITH TRUTH AND TRANSPARENCY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
THE NEXT IS FROM MELISSA BROOK, WIMBERLEY, TEXAS.
ELECTED OFFICIALS SHOULD BE ELECTED BY AND FOR THE PEOPLE.
PLEASE DO NOT APPOINT A TEMPORARY CONSTABLE FOR PRECINCT 3. THREAT THE PEOPLE VOTE FOR THEIR CONSTABLE. THERE IS ALREADY A PROCESS AND STRUCTURE IN PLACE FOR WHEN A CONSTABLE IS ABSENT.
IF NEEDED, THE ELECTED CONSTABLE COULD BE APPOINTED IN EARLY NOVEMBER. FROM DEBORAH BOWERS OF WIMBERLEY, TEXAS. DO NOT APPOINT A CONSTABLE.
LET THE PEOPLE VOTE. FROM ANNE TYLER CONRADI OF WIMBERLEY, TEXAS. PLEASE DO NOT APPOINT A CONSTABLE IN HAYS COUNTY. LET THE PEOPLE VOTE.
AND THE FINAL WRITTEN COMMENT IS FROM DONNA HASHKE OF BUTA, TEXAS. IN REGARD TO THE VACANCY OF CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3, PLEASE ALLOW THE ELECTORATE TO DECIDE THE REPLACEMENT. IN THE UPCOMING GENERAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 3. THIS IS THE MOST FAIR AND EQUITABLE COURSE OF ACTION AND WOULD BE APPRECIATED AND SUPPORTED BY THE PRECINCT 3 COMMUNITY BECAUSE EVERYONE WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE THEIR CHOICE.
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERATION OF THIS REQUEST.
>> BECERRA: AND THAT WAS YOUR LAST ONE?
>> THAT'S THE LAST. >> BECERRA: WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE A DRINK OF WATER BEFORE WE OPEN THE AGENDA ITEM?
>> I MIGHT THANK YOU. >> BECERRA: AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR SHOWING UP AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR TUNING IN, AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE THAT TOOK THE TIME TO WRITE LETTERS AND I FELT THAT WE OWED IT TO YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR VOICE WAS HEARD AND THAT'S WHY I ASKED DR. CARDENAS TO READ THEM AND I HOPE EVERYONE FEELS THAT'S REACHED OUT, EVERYONE FEELS HEARD. AND NEXT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, IF YOU WILL, PLEASE OPEN AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2.
[2. Discussion and possible action to accept the resignation of Ray Helm, Hays County Constable Precinct #3, and appoint a new Hays County Constable Precinct #3 to fill the unexpired term (until December 31, 2020). BECERRA]
>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF RAY HELM, HAYS COUNTY CONSTABLE, PRECINCT 3, AND APPINT A NEW HAYS COUNTY CONSTABLE, PRECINCT THREE, TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM. GOING THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST,
> SECOND. >> BECERRA: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. NOW, WE ARE OPENING UP TO THE DISCUSSION PART. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO START WITH COMMENTS? IDEAS?
SUGGESTIONS? >> INGALSBE: SURE.
JUDGE, JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS BEFORE WE GET INTO THE REAL DISCUSSION OF WHY WE'RE HERE. WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I PERSONALLY WANT TO APOLOGIZE TO MY CONSTITUENTS AND TO THE CITIZENS OF HAYS COUNTY. I'M SORRY.
FOR NOT BEING PRESENT ON MONDAY'S SPECIAL CALLED MEETING.
[00:45:03]
IT WAS NEVER, EVER INTENTION TO DITCH MY OBLIGATION OR RESPONSIBILITY TO THIS MATTER OR TO ANY OTHER MATTER THAT COMES BEFORE THE COURT. I TAKE MY JOB AND MY SERVICE TO THE COUNTY AND TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT VERY SERIOUSLY, AND SECONDLY, JUDGE, I JUST HAVE TO CLARIFY A STATEMENT. YOUR STATEMENT REGARDING MY ATTENDANCE ON MONDAY, BECAUSE IT JUST WASN'T ACCURATE.AND PLEASE KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE ANY KIND OF AN ATTACK ON YOU. IT'S JUST VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO CLARIFY OUR DISCUSSION. APOLOGIZE, I DON'T MEAN TO GET EMOTIONAL, BUT IT IS EMOTIONAL FOR ME.
WHEN I WAS INFORMED AT ABOUT 2:25 THAT A SPECIAL MEETING HAD BEEN CALLED ON MONDAY, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED YOU.
I INFORMED YOU THAT I WAS SCHEDULED TO BE OUT OF TOWN.
AND THAT I WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR THE MEETING.
I DID HOW OFTEN SAY I WOULD BE HERE IF THE MEETING COULD BE CHANGED TO 5:00 OR 6:00. YOU STATED THAT YOU WOULD BE FINE AND YOU WOULD PREFER 5:00 AN ASKED THAT I INQUIRE ABOUT THE CHANGE OF TIME. I DID CALL GENERAL COUNSEL'S OFFICE AND ADVISED THAT I HAD SPOKEN TO YOU AND THEY WERE FINE WITH CHANGING THE TIME TO 5:00. I THINK YOU PREFERRED 5:00.
THEY ADVISED THAT THE AGENDA HAD BEEN POSTED FOR SUBMITTING AT 3:00, BUT THAT SHE WOULD WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU REGARDING THE CHANGE OF TIME BECAUSE IT WAS POSSIBLE TO CHANGE THE TIME AND SHE NEEDED TO HEAR FROM YOU BECAUSE THIS WAS YOUR AGENDA ITEM AND I CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CHANGE IT.
THAT DIDN'T OCCUR, SO THE MEETING WAS POSTED FOR 3:00 ON MONDAY. AGAIN, I ADVISED THAT I WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE AND UNFORTUNATELY, AT THAT TIME, CALLING IN WAS JUST NOT AN OPTION FOR ME.
AGAIN, I APOLOGIZE. AND FOR ME, THIS ISN'T PLAYING POLITICS. THAT'S JUST NOT WHO I AM.
>> BECERRA: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
AND I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT -- [APPLAUSE]
>> BECERRA: THANK YOU, GUYS AND I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT COMMUNICATION, BECAUSE YOU DID CALL ME AND WHEN YOU TOLD ME YOU PREFERRED 5:00 INSTEAD OF 3:00, I SAID I HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THEM MOVING IT AND I RECEIVED A MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES FROM YOU THAT IT WAS TOO LATE AND IT WAS POSTED FOR 5:00 AND MY RESPONSE TO YOU WAS I'M SORRY, BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO BE HERE, OF COURSE, AND THAT'S WHERE THE CONVERSATION ENDED AND SO MY INTERPRETATION WAS THAT YOU WERE GOING TO MAKE THE ARRANGEMENTS TO BE HERE TWO HOURS EARLIER THAN ORIGINALLY SUGGESTED.
MY HOPE IS -- THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS CAUSE HEARTACHE, BUT MY HOPE IS THAT THE COMMUNITY REALIZE AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE OPTIONS AND IT'S NOT WHERE WE HAVE TO BE HERE, AND FOR THE MOST PART, YOU JUST SAID YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO, BUT WE CAN CALL IN. WE'VE HAD COMMISSIONERS CALL IN IN THE PAST FOR THESE MEETINGS AND MANY COUNCILS CONTINUE TO RUN WITHOUT THE PHYSICAL BODY IN PLACE AND SO WHEN THE LAST COMMUNICATION BETWEEN YOU AND ME WAS THAT YOU TOLD ME THEY HAD ALREADY POSTED IT, I CONSIDERED THE SHIP HAS SAILED AND THAT THAT TWO. HOUR SHIFT WAS GOING TO BE COMPENSATED FOR AND I NEVER HEARD, AND IT'S MY FAULT FOR NOT ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER SHELL.
I'VE NEVER SEEN VIRTUALLY THE WHOLE COURT NOT SHOW UP, BUT WITH THE THREE DAYS NOTICE, AND THE TWO HOUR DIFFERENCE IN WHAT YOU COULD MAKE, I JUST MADE THE GENERALIZATION THAT A SHIFT IN YOUR TIMING WAS GOING TO BE MADE, BUT I NEVER HEARD THAT YOU WEREN'T GOING TO BE HERE AND SO I JUST ASSUMED THAT YOU WERE AND I'M SORRY FOR THAT. COMMISSIONER JONES?
>> JONES: THANK YOU, JUDGE, AND I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT BEING HERE.
I TRIED TO CALL YOU MONDAY EVENING TO APOLOGIZE FOR NOT
[00:50:02]
BEING HERE. I NEVER GOT A CALL BACK, BUT I DID CALL. I GOT THE CALL FRIDAY FROM JORDAN SAYING THE MEETING WAS WHEN IT WAS AND I WAS -- I VERY SELDOM CANNOT BE WHERE I NEEDED TO BE AND THIS WAS ONE OF THOSE TIMES THAT I COULD NOT. JUST TO CLARIFY A COUPLE OF THINGS. I DID WANT TO SEE THE LIVE STREAM LATER AND COMMISSIONER SHILL ASKED IF I COULD CONTACTED ANY OF US TO MAKE SURE WE COULD BE HERE, AND YOU SAID YOU HAD AND I KNOW YOU DIDN'T CONTACT ME.>> BECERRA: YOU JUST HEARD, I SPOKE WITH COMMISSIONER
INGALSBE. >> JONES: AND ALL I ASKED IS IF YOU'RE GOING TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING, BEFORE YOU SET THE TIME, IF YOU REALLY WANT TO HAVE THE MEETING, MAKE SURE WE CAN HAVE A QUORUM THERE BEFORE YOU SET A TIME AND THAT'S MY REQUEST FOR ANY FUTURE SPECIAL CALLED MEETINGS.
WE'RE NOT TRYING TO GET OUT OF BEING HERE, WE'RE NOT TRYING TO DO ANYBODY A FAVOR. THERE'S JUST SOME TIMES WE CAN'T MAKE IT AND THAT JUST HAPPENED TO BE ONE OF THEM AND, LIKE I SAID, IF WE REALLY WANT TO HAVE THESE MEETINGS AND THEY ARE IMPORTANT, IF YOU WOULD CALL OR HAVE SOMEBODY CALL AND WORK THESE SCHEDULES OUT, THAT'S HOW IT'S BEEN DONE IN THE PAST.
AND I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND WE DO THAT IN THE FUTURE SO WE DON'T IS HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN BECAUSE WE DIDN'T MEET ON MONDAY, THIS IS THE EARLIEST WE COULD HAVE MET.
IF WE COULD HAVE MADE A FEW PHONE CALLS, WE COULD HAVE MET TUESDAY WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY BEFORE THIS.
>> BECERRA: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
>> SHELL: I KNOW HOW MUCH THAT AFFECTS HER BECAUSE ALL OF US KNOW SHE'S SERVED HERE A LONG TIME AND TAKES THIS JOB NOT JUST SERIOUSLY, BUT PERSONALLY. IT WAS UPSETTING TO ME, AS WELL TO SEE PEOPLE MAKE THOSE ACCUSATIONS ABOUT HER WHEN SHE WAS UNABLE TO BE HERE. JUST ALSO A CLARIFICATION THAT THIS PAST TUESDAY'S COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING WAS CANCELED SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. COMMISSIONERS COURTS ACROSS THE STATE ADOPT A REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULE SCHFOR US ARE TUESDAYS AT 9:00 A.M. WE THEN CANCELED COURTS THROUGHOUT THE ZERO FOR VARIOUS REASONS, SOMETIMES HOLIDAYS, SOMETIMES CONTINUED EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COURT WILL GO TO OR TIMES WHEN A QUORUM CANNOT BE MADE AND SO THIS TUESDAY HAPPENED TO BE ONE OF THOSE AND I WAS GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH MY FAMILY.
I HAD PLANNED TO NOT BE AVAILABLE, EITHER.
BUT SINCE THIS ITEM WAS RELATIVE TO MY PRECINCT AND I WAS ABLE TO EXCCHANGE AND CANCEL MY PLANS SO THAT I COULD BE HERE, BUT I DID WANT THAT TO BE CLEAR. EVERYBODY THAT THEY KNEW THAT THIS WEEK WAS A WEEK WHEN MANY OF US WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN HERE BECAUSE IT IS ONE OF THOSE RARE WEEKS WHERE WE DO NOT HAVE A REGULARLY SCHEDULED COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING AND OFTENTIMES WHEN WE TAKE CARE OF OTHER BUSINESS.
THAT'S ONE CLARIFICATION I WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND.
>> BECERRA: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER AND LAST BUT NOT
I JUST WANT TO ECHO MY COLLEAGUES' COMMENTS, COMMISSIONER JONES THE FACT IS WHENEVER I GOT NOTICE ON FRIDAY, AS COMMISSIONER SHELL SAID THIS IS A WEEK THAT A LOT OF US HAD ACTUALLY PLANNED TO SPEND TIME WITH OUR FAMILIES, TO DO SOME THINGS THAT WE HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO IN QUITE SOME TIME.
I ACTUALLY HAD ANOTHER MEETING THAT WHENEVER THE DAY THAT WE CANCELED OUR COURT FOR THIS, I SET UP SPECIFICALLY AT 3:00, AND FOR WEEKS AHEAD AHEAD AND I WAS NEVER CONTACTED AS TO WHETHER OR NOT I WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I COULD HAVE TOLD YOU THREE WEEKS AGO, IF YOU WANTED TO SET IT UP ON MONDAY AT 3:00, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE. AND THE FACT IS THAT IN THE PAST, WE'VE DONE IT STANDING RIGHT HERE, WHENEVER A COURT HAS ADJOURNED, IT'S BEEN MORE THAN ONCE SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS OR I GUESS 19 MONTHS THAT YOU JUST HAVE SAID HEY, IS EVERYBODY AVAILABLE ON FRIDAY.
CAN WE DO SOMETHING FRIDAY AFTERNOON OR CAN WE DO SOMETHING? AND EVERYBODY IS AMENABLE TO THAT. IT'S NOT A SITUATION WHERE -- MY CONSTITUENTS, I VALUE MY TIME WHEN THEY COME IN TO SEE ME.
I MAKE A POINT WHENEVER SETS UP A MEETING OR TAKES THE TIME TO CONTACT MY OFFICE, THAT'S THEIR TIME.
I WOULD JUST APPRECIATE, AND I DO THE SAME THING WITH OUR COLLEAGUES ON THIS COURT, OUR EMPLOYEES AT THE COUNTY, AND I THINK THAT IT'S -- IT'S DISINGENUOUS TO EXPECT ANYTHING LESS FROM OUR COLLEAGUES AND AT THE END OF THE DAY I WOULD JUST HOPE THAT WHEN YOU CALLED THIS MEETING FOR TODAY, I WAS AVAILABLE FOR IT. I DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING SCHEDULED. I WAS HAPPY TO DO IT.
HOWEVER, HAVING SOMEONE REACH OUT BEFOREHAND TO VERIFY THAT
[00:55:04]
ALL OF US ARE AVAILABLE WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE.WITH THAT, I WOULD LOVE TO GET INTO THE REASON WHY WE'RE HERE
TODAY. >> AND SO JUST AS A GENERAL RECAP OF MY OPENING STATEMENT. I HAD MADE THE AGENDA ITEM TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE DURING A REGULARLY SCHEDULED COURT SESSION AND THE COMMISSION AS A BODY WAS GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS AND ADDRESS SO THAT THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY, YOU GOT A CHANCE TO HEAR SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT OUR HAYS COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE COMMUNICATING TO ME BECAUSE IT'S COMMISSIONER SHELL'S COMMITMENT, BUT IT'S ALSO MINE AND AS THE COUNTYWIDE ELECTED OFFICIAL ON THIS BODY, I TAKE THAT FULLY, AT ITS FULL STRENGTH AND I WON'T MY VERY BEST TO LISTEN TO WHAT WE'VE HEARD A SNIPPET OF, AND I HAVE HEARD THIS FOR QUITE SOME TIME, AND THAT IS WHY I CREATED THE AGENDA ITEM FOR REGULARLY SCHEDULED COURT, AND THIS BODY DID NOTHING WITH THE INFORMAION, TID NOTHING WITH THE SUGGESTION IN A PLEA FROM THE COURT TO ACT. THIS BODY DIDN'T.
AND SO THAT'S WHY I CALLED THE MEETING AS I DID AND YOU SEE YOU'RE STARTING TO GET THE FEEL FOR IT, EVERYONE HERE IS VERY BUSY. YOU'RE STARTING TO GET THE FEEL FOR IT. IF YOU DIDN'T BEFORE.
THE IMMENSE PRESSURE TO PROVIDE OUR COUNTY RESIDENTS THE SUPPORT AND THE PROTECTION THEY HAVE COME TO EXPECT AND DESERVE.
>> ONE POINT REAL QUICK. >> BECERRA: ON TUESDAY WHEN YOU BROUGHT THAT UP, WE HAD NOT HAD THE RESIGNATION -- [INAUDIBLE] THE OTHER POINT IS WE FELT LIKE IT WAS COMING ON THE 31ST. THERE WAS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY, IF WE GET IT ON THE 31ST, I'M GOING TO CALL THE SPECIAL MEETING. AND SO.
>> LET ME SAY ONE THING AND IF WE HAD HAD THAT CONVERSATION OR IF WHENEVER WE WERE IN COURT YOU SAID YOU KNOW WHAT, I'M THINKING MONDAY MIGHT BE A GOOD TIME TO DO THIS, I WOULD HAVE TRIED TO
MAKE SOME ARRANGEMENTS, AS WELL. >> BECERRA: YES, SIR.
>> BUT THAT WASN'T THE CASE. >> WHEN WE LEFT HERE, THE ASSUMPTION WAS WE WERE GOING TO TAKE THIS UP ON THE 11TH.
>> BECERRA: MS. MILLER, WHILE YOU'RE HERE, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. DO YOU RECALL WHEN YOUR OFFICE RECEIVED THE RESIGNATION FROM OUR CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3?
>> YES, SIR. I HAVE IT HERE IN MY E-MAIL.
I RECEIVED IT FROM RAY HELM ON TUESDAY, JULY 28TH AT 1:12 P.M., WHICH IS AFTER THE ITEM WAS DISCUSSED IN COURT.
>> BECERRA: OKAY. AND OUR GENERAL COUNSEL HAD ADVISED THAT THE CALL THAT HE MADE TO ME AND I UNDERSTAND THAT WEEKS PRIOR HAD SPOKEN TO COMMISSIONER SHELL.
THE CALL THAT WAS MADE TO ME TO RESIGN WAS ADEQUATE TO ADDRESS IT. JUST TO TELL YOU WHY I PUT IT ON THE AGENDA TO BEGIN WITH. SO NOW, THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT, COMMISSIONER SHELL, THIS IS YOUR PRECINCT.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEAD THE THOUGHT PROCESS AROUND ACCEPTING
THE RESIGNATION? >> SINCE THIS IS YOUR MEETING AND ITEM, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOUR OPINIONS FIRST.
>> BECERRA: OH, YEAH, HAPPILY. I'M YIELDING TO THE COMMISSIONER OF THE PRECINCT. MY BELIEF, I STRONGLY BELIEVE WHAT I AM CHARGED WITH DOING IS ONCE ELECTED ESPECIALLY, NOT TO BE A DEMOCRAT COUNTY JUDGE OR A REPUBLICAN COUNTY JUDGE.
MY TRUEST BELIEF IS TO BE EVERYONE'S, WHETHER THEY LIKE ME OR NOT, WHETHER I AGREE WITH THM OR NOT, I AM EVERYONE'S COUNTY JUDGE IN HAYS COUNTY. SO I BELIEVE THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US, AS HAS BEEN ECHOED AND YOU CAN SEE WHERE IT CAME FROM BECAUSE I'M LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITIES, TO INTERPRET THEIR INTERESTS AND NEEDS AND YET WEIGH THEM OUT WITH WHAT'S FAIR FOR EVERYONE IN THE COUNTY.
SO THE KEY WORDS I HEARD WERE RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST, APPOINTMENT, TEMPORARY, INTERIM, SO TO ME, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT NUMBER ONE THAT WIMBERLEY VALLEY SPECIFICALLY IS ASKING FOR THEIR VOICE TO BE HEARD, THE VOTE TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED, AND NO THUMB ON THE SCALE TIPPING THE SCALES BECAUSE ALL TOO OFTEN IN THE FAST AS A COUNTY, WE HAVE APPOINTED FOLKS THAT END UP ON THE BALLOT AND SO MY POINT IS I SUPPORT THE IDEAS THAT I'VE HEARD GENERALLY SPEAKING, POINTING SOMEONE THAT'S ALREADY IN THAT PRECINCT THAT IS FAMILIAR WITH THE IDIOSYNCRASIES OF ALL THE DIFFERENT PIECES AND ASPECTS OF THE COMMUNITY.
[01:00:04]
I AM IN FULL SUPPORT AND I WISH I COULD DEMAND IT, BUT I DON'T HAVE THAT POWER. THAT THE APPOINTMENT NOT SHOW UP ON A BALLOT, BECAUSE THAT IS VERY FAIR AND THAT IS VERY VALID THAT WE APPOINT SOMEONE, AND THEN THEY MYSTERIOUSLY, MAGICALLY END UP ON THE BALLOT AND WE HAVE TIPPED THE SCALES ON THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE, BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE WILL MAKE THE ASSUMPTION THAT THEY WERE ALREADY IN OFFICE AND SO EVERYTHING'S OKAY. AND JUST VOTE FOR THE INCUMBENT.THERE'S A KNOWN INCUMBENT BENEFIT AND ADVANTAGE THAT WOULD BE UNFAIRLY ASSUMED. AND I ALSO AGREE THAT THE PERSON THAT IS APPOINTED SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY PRE-DETERMINED CONDITIONS TO TERMINATE ANYTHING DEPUTY.
I BELIEVE WE SHOULD SUPPORT THE DEPUTIES THAT ARE THERE AND I BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO CONVERSATION ABOUT TERMINATING PEOPLE, UNLESS THEY HAVE BEEN PROPERLY PROCESSED AND THERE'S A BONA FIDE REASON FOR TERMINATION.
BECAUSE EVERY SINGLE DEPUTY, EVERY SINGLE COUNTY EMPLOYEE, DESERVES PROCESS. WE CAN'T JUST PUT SOMEONE IN THERE THAT'S GOING TO CLEAN HOUSE WHEN IT WASN'T THEIR HOUSE. SO HOW DO THEY KNOW IT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED? AND THEN THE OTHER PART IS -- I THINK I COVERED IT. WHAT DO YOU THINK, COMMISSIONER?
>> DO YOU HAVE IDEAS FOR AN APPOINTMENT? I MEAN, ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS TO APPOINT IS TO HAVE SOMEONE THAT WE CAN APPOINT AND THAT WAS KIND OF MY DISCUSSIONS BACK ON OUR LAST MEETING WERE SORT OF BASED UPON THAT.
WE KNOW MR. HELM SUBMITTED HIS RESIGNATION WHILE WE WERE IN COURT. WE FOUND THAT OUT.
I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD AN APPOINTMENT READY AT THAT TIME.
THAT WAS PRIOR TO HIS RESIGNATION DATE.
WE DID KNOW THERE WERE THINGS GOING ON, THERE WERE INVESTIGATIONS. OBVIOUSLY, WE WEREN'T PARTY TO THOSE INVESTIGATIONS AND AS A BODY, WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO REMOVE SOMEONE FROM OFFICE. THE INVESTIGATION TOOK ITS COURSE. THERE WAS A SETTLEMENT THAT REQUIRED THE RESIGNATION OF MR. HELM, HIM REMOVING HIS NAME FROM THE BALLOT AND THE SURRENDERING OF HIS PEACE OFFICER A LICENSE. WE KNEW HE WOULD RESIGN ON THE 31ST. AND WE KNEW THAT WE WOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT OR NOT MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT THAT WE MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. THERE WERE SOME OF THE COMMENTS WE HEARD OF PEOPLE SAYING DO NOT MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.
LET THE ELECTION DECIDE THIS. SO I DO NOT THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE THE RIGHT COURSE WOULD BE TO NOT MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.
WHAT THAT RESULTS IN IS WHAT'S CALLED A HOLDOVER.
SO IN TEXAS, IF AN ELECTED OFFICIAL RESIGNS, THEY WOULD MAINTAIN THEIR OFFICE UNTIL THEY ARE REPLACED LEGALLY.
S IF WE WERE TO NOT MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, THEN MR. HELM WOULD CONTINUE TO BE THE CONSTABLE WITH PRECINCT THREE.
>> BECERRA: EXACTLY. >> SO I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT'S THE BEST COURSE. THAT'S MY OPINION.
>> BECERRA: SAME. >> THERE ARE OTHER WAYS AN OFFICIAL CAN BE REMOVED BY THE COURTS, SO OBVIOUSLY, IF WE WERE TO NOT MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY SOMEONE COULD GO TO THE COURTS AND HAVE HIM REMOVED.
THAT IS A DIFFERENT PROCESS. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THAT TAKES. AGAIN, I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO GO. WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, WHICH WOULD THEN MAKE HIS RESIGNATION FINAL.
HE HAS -- OUR AUDITOR'S OFFICE HAS DONE A FULL AUDIT OF THE OFFICE AND IS CONTINUING TO AUDIT THE OFFICE.
HE HAS SURRENDERED ALL OF HIS COUNTY PROPERTY AND KEYS AND HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM ALL COUNTY ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INCLUDING E-MAIL AND OTHER DATABASES. SO AT THIS TIME, AND I HAVE TALKED TO SOME OF THE OFFICER DOLLARS AND I BELIEVE THOSE OFFICERS HAVE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB IN WIMBERLEY, AND I'VE SUPPORTED THEM AND WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM BECAUSE I THINK THAT THEY ARE GOOD OFFICERS, AND I THINK THAT HAS BEEN -- THAT OFFICE HAS HAD SOME GOOD OFFICERS IN IT FOR A WHILE NOW AND I WANT TO SUPPORT THEM AS WELL, JUDGE, WHAT YOU MENTIONED I BELIEVE THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT, THAT THEY BE SUPPORTED IN THIS TIME, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THEY ACTUALLY NEED RIGHT NOW MORE THAN EVER IS SUPPORT AND SOME HELP, AND SOME GUIDANCE FROM SOMEONE THAT'S EXPERIENCED, SO YOU KNOW, I HAVE MY IDEAS, BUT THIS IS YOUR ITEM. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO OFFER ANY ONE FOR DISCUSSION, I THINK NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME.
>> BECERRA: MY SUGGESTION IS VAGUE.
I DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC NAME FILLED IN MY THOUGHT PROCESS.
I BELIEVE WE SHOULD HAVE THOSE THAT ARE QUALIFIED AND THOSE THAT ARE WITHIN THE PARAMETERS I'VE DESCRIBED SHOULD BE DISCUSSED. THAT'S THE POOL I FEEL WE SHOULD
[01:05:02]
PULL FROM AND I DON'T HAVE A NAME THAT I AM PICKING AS A CHOICE OR A PARTY AFFILIATION. TO ME, IT IS SIMPLY AND PURELY TO FILL A SPOT. SO SINCE YOU HAD SUGGESTIONS, I'M OKAY WITH YOU STARTING WITH THAT.>> I'LL GET RIGHT TO IT IN JUST A FEW SECONDS.
THE OTHER THING IS DURING THIS PROCESS ONCE IT BECAME KNOWN THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION, PEOPLE REACHED OUT TO MULTIPLE COURT MEMBERS IF NOT ALL OF OUR COURT MEMBERS OF VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS, ALL OF THEM VERY QUALIFIED IN MY MIND.
EVERY SINGLE PERSON I HEARD FROM THE PRECINCT THAT HAD SOME INTEREST I THOUGHT WAS VERY WELL QUALIFIED AND EXCEPTIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WITH THE EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE.
I TOLD EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM WHEN THEY TALKED TO ME THAT THERE WOULD BE A PROCESS FOR THIS, DEPENDING ON THE TIMING AND IF IT WAS BEFORE A CERTAIN DATE THAT THE PARTIES WOULD HAVE THEIR ABILITY TO PUT CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT AND THAT I WOULD TRY NOT TO MAKE ANY APPOINTMENT UNTIL I KNEW WHAT THAT WAS, FOR SEVERAL REASONS. IF SOMEONE WERE TO SAY I WANT THE APPOINTMENT, TEMPORARILY, IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY CAN'T GO GET THEIR NAME ON THE BALLOT THROUGH THE PARTY PROCESS.
ALSO, THAT PERSON THAT GETS THROUGH THE PARTY PROCESS COULD BE SOMEONE THAT'S NOT ABLE TO FULFILL THE DUTIES OF THE JOB IN THE INTERIM. THEY MAY HAVE ANOTHER JOB THEY'RE NOT WILLING TO GIVE UP BECAUSE THERE'S AN ELECTION.
SO I HAVE WEIGHED IN MY OWN WAYS, TO DECIDE WHAT THE BEST COURSES OF ACTION ARE. THE OFFICE THERE, THERE'S NOT BEEN -- THERE HAS BEEN ONE INDIVIDUAL THAT IS A FULL-TIME DEPUTY CONSTABLE IN THE PRECINCT THREE OFFICE THAT HAS MADE IT CLEAR. I BELIEVE HE'S SENT AN E-MAIL TO ALL OF US THAT HE WOULD ACCEPT AN APPOINTMENT.
THAT IS THE ONLY PERSON THAT I HAVE HEARD FROM, FROM THAT OFFICE, FROM TIME TO TIME DEPUTY CONSTABLE FROM THAT OFFICE THAT SAID THEY WOULD TAKE A TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT APPOINTMENT WOULD BE TEMPORARY OR NOT. WE CAN'T HOLD ANYONE TO SAYING WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO GET THEIR NAME ON THE BALLOT.
THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OTHER INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE CONTACTED ME AND SAID THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO HELP WITH THE OFFICE.
HOWEVER, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO TO ACCEPT A TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT. ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS WAS A LICENSED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN A POSITION.
HE SAID HE ACTUALLY LOOKED INTO IT AND IT WAS BEST FOR HIM AND HIS PROFESSION TO SURRENDER THE JOB THAT HE HAD IN ORDER TO TAKE A TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT FOR WHAT WOULD BE A FEW MONTHS.
IF THIS ELECTION WERE NEXT WEEK, I WOULD HAVE A DIFFERENT IDEA.
I COULD PROBABLY LIVE WITH WAITING ANOTHER WEEK.
THREE MONTHS, I DO NOT BELIEVE IS WHAT'S BEST FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE PRECINCT. I DO NOT.
SOME OF THE WORDS THAT YOU TOUCHED ON JUDGE, WERE INTEGRITY, TRUSTWORTHINESS. I BELIEVE THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO DO. AND BEFORE MAKE MY MOTION, I DO WANT TO MENTION THE QUALIFICATIONS.
THESE ARE ALSO SOMETHING THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT, JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE IS A DEPUTY CONSTABLE DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE QUALIFIED TO BE APPOINTED FOR THAT POSITION.
SO THERE ARE SEVERAL REQUIREMENTS.
I'M GOING TO BRIEFLY GO THROUGH THESE, SOME OF THEM ARE VERY OBVIOUS. BE A U.S. CITIZEN, 18 YEARS OR OLDER. MENTALLY CAPABLE, HE CANNOT HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO BE PARTIALLY MENTALLY INCAPACITATED.
HAVE NOT BEEN FINALLY CONVICTED OF A FELONY, HAS RESIDED CONTINUOUSLY IN THE STATE FOR 12 MONTHS AND IN PRECINCT THREE, THAT'S THE CONSTABLE PRECINCT THREE, WHICH IS A DIFFERENT TERRITORY THAN COMMISSIONER PRECINCT THREE, FOR SIX MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF APPOINTMENT.
ON THE DATE OF APPOINTMENT THEY MUST BE REGISTERED TO VOTE IN PRECINCT THREE. THAT'S CONSTABLE PRECINCT THREE.
SATISFY ANY OTHER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS REQUIRED BY THE LAW, HAS A PEACE OFFICERS LICENSE OR IS ELIGIBLE TO BE LICENSED AND HAS CERTAIN OTHER QUALIFICATIONS IN THE INSTANCE OF A CONSTABLE, POSTED A BOND AND STAIN A CONSTITUTIONAL OATH.
SO IN MY MIND, I HAVE NOT HEARD ONE SINGLE PERSON HAS CALLED ME THAT HAS SAID THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO TAKE A THREE-MONTH APPOINTMENT TO THIS OFFICE. WE DID HAVE A RESERVE CONSTABLE DEPUTY, I BELIEVE HE WAS HERE LAST COURT, THAT DID AT ONE TIME TALK TO ME AND SAY THAT HE WOULD POTENTIALLY CONSIDER THAT.
HE DECIDED AT THAT TIME THAT HE WOULD I BELIEVE TRY TO PURSUE GETTING HIS NAME ON THE BALLOT AND MADE A STATEMENT THAT, YOU KNOW, FOR THAT SHORT OF A SERVICE THAT PROBABLY WASN'T SOMETHING THAT WAS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HIM AT THAT TIME, WHICH I COMPLETELY UNDERSTOOD. SO AT THIS TIME, I HAVE NOT BEEN APPROACHED BY ANYONE THAT IS QUALIFIED FOR THE OFFICE, ELIGIBLE TO HOLD THE OFFICE, THAT HAS SAID I WILL TAKE A TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT. SO IF THIS BODY DOESN'T ACT, THEN WE KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT, THAT WE WILL HAVE A HOLDOVER UNTIL WE DO. THAT BEING SAID, I'M READY TO OFFER MY IDEAS, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY MET LAST NIGHT.
THEY CHOSE A CANDIDATE. I SAID LAST COURT MEETING THAT I WAS GOING TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER THEY CHOSE A CANDIDATE TO DECIDE
[01:10:03]
WHO I WOULD OFFER AS AN APPOINTMENT.SOME OF THOSE REASONS I EXPLAINED EARLIER, BECAUSE THAT PERSON MAY NOT BE WILLING TO TAKE THE APPOINTMENT.
IT WOULD DEPEND ON WHO THAT INDIVIDUAL WAS AND THEIR TYPE OF EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP AND WHETHER I THOUGHT THEM TAKING OVER IN THE INTERIM WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA OR NOT AND I CAN HONESTLY SAY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CHOSE A MAN THAT MEETS ALL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS THAT MANY OF THOSE THAT COMMENTED TODAY, MANY OF THOSE THAT I'VE TALKED TO OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS BELIEVE VERY IMPORTANT TO THAT OFFICE, INTEGRITY, TRUSTWORTHY ARE TWO OF THEM. DON MONTHTIGUE WAS SELECTED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY LAST NIGHT TO BE ON THE BALLOT FOR THE CONSTABLE PRECINCT THREE. BEGAN HIS CAREER AS A TEXAS HIGHWAY PATROLMAN IN 1967. HE STARTED WITH THE HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN 1987. AS A DEPUTY, A SERGEANT, LIEUTENANT, CAPTAIN, CHIEF DEPUTY, HE WAS ELECTED TO SHERIFF IN NOVEMBER OF 1996. TOOK OFFICE IN JANUARY 1ST, 1997, REELECTED IN NOVEMBER OF 2000, REELECTED IN 2004, RETIRED AUGUST 2005. HE WAS THE DIRECTOR OF THE ADVANCED LAW ENFORCEMENT RAPID RESPONSE TRAINING CENTER TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY AUGUST 2005 TO 15, OBVIOUSLY A PROGRAM HERE LOCALLY THAT WE'RE EXTREMELY PROUD OF.
MASTERPIECE OFFICERSTITION, TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATE, TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, BACHELOR OF APPLIED ARTS AND SCIENCE, TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY, MASTER OF SCIENCE AND CRIMINAL SCIENCE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY AND I'LL TURN THIS IN FOR THE RECORD.
IT HAS ALL HIS OTHER QUALIFICATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE AND HE HAS BEEN VERY INVOLVED IN THE WIMBERLEY COMMUNITY FOR A LONG TIME. I'VE HEARD INWORD PARTISAN AND POLITICS USED A LOT. I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER INGALSBE. I TRY TO ACT THAT WAY, AS WELL.
I DON'T HAVE TO SAY THAT, I TRY TO LET MY ACTIONS SPEAK FOR THAT. IN THIS CASE, I BELIEVE THAT THE BEST PERSON TO TAKE OVER AND TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO OUR OFFICERS AND TO INSTILL INTEGRITY AND TRUSTWORTHINESS IN THE OFFICE IS DON. AND I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPOINT DON AS THE HAYS COUNTY PRECINCT THREE PENDING HIS QUALIFICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE APPOINTMENT AND ACCEPT
THE RESIGNATION OF RAY HELM. >> BECERRA: THERE YOU GO.
THAT WAS THE LAST PART I WOULD HOPE YOU WOULD ADD.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
START OVER HERE. >> INGALSBE: COMMISSIONER SHELL, I WANT TO CLARIFY BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WE DID RECEIVE AN E-MAIL, I THINK YOU MENTIONED IT, FROM ONE OF THE OFFICERS WITHIN THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE CURRENTLY AND I KNOW YOU READ OUT THE QUALIFICATIONS AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE CERTAIN I'M CLEAR ON WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. CODY CHEATHAM IS HERE IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY. I KNOW HE SUBMITTED HIS DESIRE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR COURT APPOINTMENT.
AND SOME O THE QUALIFICATIONS THAT YOU READ, DOES HE NOT MEET
THOSE QUALIFICATIONS? >> SHELL: I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE.
I DO KNOW THAT CODY DID RUN FOR CONSTABLE PRECINCT 1 IN MARCH IN A PRIMARY. THAT WOULD OBVIOUSLY BE WITHIN SIX MONTHS SO I'M ASSUMING HE HAD RESIDENCE IN PRECINCT 1 IN MARCH, WHICH WOULD BE LESS THAN SIX MONTHS FROM TODAY, SO THERE WOULD BE NO WAY YOU COULD HAVE DUAL RESIDENCY IN CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 AND 1. THE OFFICERS IN THAT OFFICE HAVE MY RESPECT, I BELIEVE THEY'VE DONE A GREAT JOB FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY AND I THINK THEY NEED SOME GUIDANCE RIGHT NOW. I THINK THEY'VE BEEN HANDLING THIS SITUATION PRETTY WELL. I THINK THAT THEY'VE TAKEN THIS ON AND WORKED TOGETHER AND TRIED TO DO WHAT THEY CAN AND I TOLD THEM I WAS GOING TO TRY TO MAKE THAT TIME AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE, BUT FROM READING THOSE QUALIFICATIONS, I DO NOT BELIEVE HE WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT.
>> BECERRA: ANYTHING ELSE, COMMISSIONER?
>> INGALSBE: NO SIR, THANK YOU. >> BECERRA: COMMISSIONER JONES.
>> JONES: FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK THE DEPUTIES AND PRECINCT THREE CONSTABLE OFFICE. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE AND Y'ALL HAVE GONE ON WITHOUT MISSING A BEAT AND THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY IS LUCKY TO HAVE YOU ALL OUT THERE SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND I JUST WANT THE NOMINATION THAT YOU'RE PUTTING FORWARD, I DON'T THINK YOU COULD FIND A BETTER ONE. YOU'VE GOT SOMEBODY THAT WAS ELECTED COUNTYWIDE IN THIS COUNTY, NOT THAT LONG AGO SO HE'S GOT RESPECT THROUGHOUT ALL FOUR OUR PRECINCTS.
BUT I THINK HE'LL DO A GREAT JOB AND I'M HOPING THAT HE'LL ACCEPT
THIS NOMINATION. >> BECERRA: THANK YOU, SIR.
COMMISSIONER? >> I JUST -- I, TOO, WAS APPROACHED BY MANY IN THIS PROCESS AND AT THE END OF THE DAY. I PERSONALLY FEEL LIKE IT'S ONE OF THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE SOMETIMES OUT OF THE WOOD WORK, OUT OF THIN AIR, THE SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM THAT'S COMPLETELY
[01:15:02]
UNANTICIPATED, THE SOLUTION BEING UNANTICIPATED.COMES FORWARD AND ENDS UP BEING THE BEST SOLUTION.
I CAN TELL YOU I HAVE THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR DON.
I DID NOT TALK TO HIM UNTIL LAST NIGHT.
AND I'M EXCITED THAT HE WOULD WANT THE POSITION NUMBER 1, BUT THE EXPERIENCE AND INTEGRITY THAT HE BRINGS TO IT ARE UNQUESTIONABLE. I'M EXCITED TO HAVE HIM
CONSIDERED. >> BECERRA: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. SO IF THERE ARE NO OTHER COMMENTS, I WILL CLOSE WITH MY IDEA THAT ALTHOUGH MY VOTE MAY NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT YOUR NOMINATION, COMMISSIONER SHELL, AS I OPENED WITH, BEFORE I HEARD THE NAME, MY HOPE IS TO HAVE SOMEONE WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT AND IT WON'T TERMINATE DEPUTIES WALKING IN FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. AND SO FOR THAT REASON, EVEN IF I AM A 4-1 VOTE, I'LL BE VOTING IN ANOTHER DIRECTION.
SO IF THERE'S NO OTHER COMMENTS, I'M JUST GOING TO ASK THAT
DR. CARDENAS CALL THE ROLL. >> INGALSBE: YES.
>> SMITH: YES. >> BECERRA: NO.
IF THERE'S NO OTHER COMMENTS, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO REACH OUT TO MR. MONTAGUE AND SEE HOW QUICKLY HE CAN TAKE THAT SPOT,
>> BECERRA: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENDANCE.
>> THA
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.