Our CJCAT Annual Conference starts on the 4th of this month and will go through Oct. 7th. If you show up late and want to stay a couple of extra days, I’ll get you tickets to our annual fair and rodeo, which will take place the following 10 days.
Our county budgets should be in place, and I hope everything works out for the best for all counties. I understand through the word on the street that it was about a 50-50 split on the budget as far as giving raises or some sort of cutback. I hope yours fell in the positive and you can continue to provide the services your taxpayers deserve. We all have to be aware of our taxpayers and give them their money’s worth. I hope legislation will work out the under valuation of our oil and gas properties to help those counties that have been affected. We must continue to look for ways to save money, be more efficient, and operate as visionaries.
For those of you in this election cycle, I wish you the best. I know you are nervous or concerned. I have noticed campaign signs going up, and I understand what you are going through. It’s interesting…putting up signs and finding old signs of your opponent’s from 20 years ago. If you have any good sign stories I would like to hear them, or submit them to County Progress for publication.
It is time to get ready for redistricting, and you need to start preparing and getting some old records ready. I am sure you have already started the ball rolling.
There have been many people who have helped me through my career. I’d like to challenge each of you to be a mentor to new officials, to help them as others have helped us. With the election coming, I am asking you to adopt new officials and help them get their feet on the ground. I know how frustrating it can be to take office with the assumption that you have a little common sense; then, as things get started, you feel like you don’t have a clue as to what is going on. I believe it is a two-year process, getting a handle on your new office.
I would like to name names, but I am hesitant because I might leave out some who have helped me or whom I have helped during my 24-year career. But to my many friends in county government, I thank each and every one of you for being a part of my life and helping educate me. For all I have helped mentor, I am just glad none of you got indicted! It really thrills me to see how you have caught on and represented your county and our Association. I am watching four of you right now!
With sadness I know several officials who are leaving county government through the loss of an election or who chose not to run again. I sincerely thank you for your service; please know you will be missed. I have known many of you for years, and appreciate your friendship and your counsel. County government will miss you!
Finally, say a little prayer for those in your county who have passed to a better place and remember them. There are some real memories and characters!