It’s On: Precinct 1 Local Option Election Slated

CANTON—Van Zandt County Precinct 1 voters will go to the polls Nov. 3 to decide if alcohol will be sold in that portion of the county.

There were enough valid signatures on all three petitions submitted to the county on July 28 for a local option election to be set by the county commissioners’ court Thursday morning.

In fact, there were more than enough valid signatures.

Van Zandt County Clerk Charlotte Bledsoe reported 861 signatures verified for the first option, one for sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption, that will appear on the ballot.

For all three petitions, the minimum number of signatures needed was 776.

At that point, Bledsoe also read from the state election code in reminding the court that it essentially had no choice but to call for a local option election if the petition requirements had been met.

"I spoke with an attorney representing a group in another county where the commissioners’ court simply didn’t act on it, and they are now facing a motion for writ of mandamus (a command from a superior court)," Bledsoe said.

The court unanimously approved a motion to set that local option election, then followed suit on the other two.

The second, for sale of all alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption (full package stores) garnered 855 signatures.

The third option, for sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders only, got 854 signatures.

After the official actions were taken, Bledsoe reported that there would be a number of state constitutional amendments on ballots on Nov. 3.

She said voting boxes would be consolidated into two per county commissioner precinct because, as she explained, "Constitutional amendment elections simply do not draw the voter turnout to justify the expense of having the usual number of voting boxes."

Some boxes on Nov. 3 will also accommodate a special election for the city of Canton and one box will include a Mabank ISD election, Bledsoe added.

Also in Tuesday’s meeting, the commissioners’ court heard presentations on county insurance.

One regarded the life insurance policy for county employees. Larry Hopkins with Hibbs Hallmark outlined a life insurance program through Lincoln Financial Group.

In the discussion, Hopkins explained the program would offer the option of a one-time salary guaranteed issue as an alternative to the $15,000 benefit policy. The county currently offers its employees the latter type through Fort Dearborn Life.

Following Hopkins was Ann Moore with AFLAC Insurance, who discussed the advantages and benefits with that company’s "cafeteria plan" of health and life insurance products.

In other matters in Thursday’s meeting, the court took the following action:

— Approved the list of board members for the Van Zandt County Child Welfare Board for 2009-2010.

— Approved a request from the Van Zandt County Child Welfare Board to apply for a Wal-Mart Grant for its Santa’s Kids program.

— Postponed action on a proclamation to declare Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week in Van Zandt County.

— Tabled an item regarding acceptance of Private Road 8318 into the county road system as a county-maintained road in Precinct 4.

— Approved a local law enforcement agency agreement between Van Zandt County and the Texas Department of Public Safety regarding the Criminal Identification System.

— Approved renewal of the annual contract with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Data Distributions System (TCLEDDS) for the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office.

— Discussed possible ordinance options with nuisance abatement officer J.O. Thompson for abandoned property within the county. Thompson said he would return with a recommendation using most of an unadopted ordinance written in 2004 and one that Kaufman County currently has in place as ordinance models.

— Transferred $91,390 to Precinct 1 Equipment Purchase from funds received from the sale of old equipment on AuctioneerExpress.com.

— Transferred $825.14 to Precinct 1 Road and Bridge Material from funds received from Fruitvale ISD for reimbursement for rock used for repairs to its parking lot.

— Ratified a check to Murrey Motor Company for a pickup for Precinct 3, and ratified a check to S&S Trucking for the purchase of rock for Precinct 2 Road and Bridge.

— Established a $5 District Court Records Archive Fee beginning Jan. 1, 2010, and set a required public hearing for Sept. 22 at 9 a.m. in the county courtroom on that matter.