Commissioners hear complaint about drag races near Cotton Gin

During the public comments portion of the Freestone County Commissioners Court’s June 20 meeting, county resident William Shelton spoke about a piece of property in Cotton Gin that was recently purchased by Texas House of Power, a company that hosts large-scale drag racing events.

In the last 30 days, the company has hosted two of these events, Shelton said, with attendance approaching a thousand people each time.

The infrastructure in Cotton Gin can’t support that kind of event, Shelton said.

The citizens of Cotton Gin have concerns that center around three principal areas, Shelton said: public safety, public health and public peace.

The small community is being invaded by hundreds of people that travel from all over the country to watch drag races that are not confined to the property but are using the streets of Cotton Gin and County Road 930 for these events, and “throwing their trash and litter everywhere,” he said.

“Public health,” he added, “because even though there are approaching a thousand people out there, this is cow pasture; there are no public restrooms. Nor does Cotton Gin have any businesses that offer public restrooms. And they’re out there for a whole day.

“Public peace of mind,” Shelton continued, “because there is loud music, gunfire; and this goes on all day long and does not confine itself to the event center.

“We would like to see Freestone County adopt some kind of ordinances that regulate largescale gatherings that specifically address those concerns: public safety, public health, littering and just the peace of the community,” he said.

Shelton said he had spent ten years and over seven figures restoring his family’s homestead in Cotton Gin.

“I made that kind of investment here because I love the people of Freestone County, the culture and the rich history we have in our area,” he said. “Now, next door I have an eyesore, a nuisance, a gateway to illegal activity, and I’d really like to see some type of regulations in place that would limit or restrict the type of activity that could take place out there.”

County Judge Linda Grant responded by saying she had talked to County Sheriff Jeremy Shipley about the situation and he is looking at some areas that could help.

“They have to do a mass gathering permit,” Grant told Shelton, “so you might want to talk to the sheriff about what avenues he is looking into and some things he would like to put into place to address that.”

Because the item was addressed during the public comments portion of the meeting, no action could be taken at that time, but Grant said the matter would be on the agenda of the next commissioners court meeting.

Also, County Attorney Brian Evans offered to look into what nearby counties, such as Navarro County, are doing to address the same issue; and what ordinances could be put in place to address the issues.

COURT MEMBERS TO CONTINUE ON COMMITTEES

In a separate matter, the court continued to have the county judge serve on the salary grievance committee, per local government code 152.014, along with the sheriff, the county tax assessor-collector, county treasurer, county clerk, district clerk, county attorney and the number of members of the public necessary to provide nine voting members. The public names were drawn from those on the grand jury.

Consequently, the court drew eight names from the grand jury pool, in hopes that three would be found willing to serve. The eight drawn were to be contacted later to see if they would be willing and able to serve on the committee.

In a similar matter, the court agreed that the Freestone County Sick Leave Pool Committee should continue to include current committee members: Dan Ralstin, representing elected officials; Hannah Hale, representing the Sheriff’s Office and Jail; Renée Reynolds, representing the courthouse; Will McSwane representing the Road and Bridge Department; and Jeannie Keeney, serving as the committee administrator.

COURT ADJUSTS PRICES ON INCOMING TAHOES

On a separate subject, County Auditor Karen Craddick requested that the price on four Chevrolet Tahoes on order for the Sheriff’s Department be changed to show their price has increased by a total of $40,020 for all four, or a little over $10,000 each. Since the vehicles are being paid for with ARPA funds, the court was asked to approve the price increase. The Tahoes should be delivered in October, Craddick said.

EMPLOYEES WITHOUT BANK ACCOUNTS MAY BE ASKED TO GET ONE

On a separate matter, the court discussed the possibility of using direct deposit for all employees’ pay. Treasurer Jeannie Keeney said about 10-12 county employees are not using direct deposit, but according to the county’s depository contract with Citizens Bank, the bank has to provide a bank account for any employee who wants a checking account. Alternately, another bank in Fairfield offers free bank accounts and may be used for direct deposit.

Ultimately, the court tabled this motion until they could speak to the employees who don’t have bank accounts.

COURT MEMBERS SENT AWAY WITH “HOMEWORK”

Also at the meeting, each member of the court was given a copy of the current road use agreement, double-spaced so they could write suggested changes on their copy. The suggested changes included proposed changes to agreements for road use by companies.

Also proposed were changes to current subdivision regulations. After some discussion, the court members agreed to study the regulations for any proposed changes and submit them to County Judge Linda Grant, who will put them together and submit them at a future meeting, where the commissioners can vote on any changes.

ONE BID RECEIVED FOR MINI-EXCAVATOR

In a separate matter, Craddock announced that requests for bids were sent to three companies for the purchase of a mini-excavator. Only one of those companies responded: Pomeroy Ranch Equipment, of Kerns. Their bid was for $89,957, and was to be paid with ARPA funds. The court accepted that bid.

OTHER COURT DECISIONS

In other matters, the court:

• Considered but rejected putting on the burn ban, a proposal that remains on the agenda year round;

• Accepted two check donations from Community National Bank & Trust of Texas, Fairfield Branch, to Senior Services for $500 each, totaling $1,000;

• Agreed to change the name on the title of the 2003 Ford F-450 from Freestone County to the name of the fire department so it could be sold. The good parts have already been moved to another fire truck; and,

• Agreed to accept sealed bids to sell a 20-foot tandem axle gooseneck trailer with a 5-foot dovetail for Precinct 1 from the Road and Bridge Department.