The recent V.G. Young School for County Commissioners Courts was a great success. Dr. Peter McGuill, program director, hosted a great conference. With a great friend to county government, Dr. Rick Avery, as Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s agency director, the next 100 years of excellence are off to a good start with great education leadership. This organization could not be represented any better. Now, there’s the good!
With so many of our friends retiring across the State, the amount of knowledge and experience to be lost will be impactful during our next legislative session. For example, 62 County Judges and 116 County Commissioners will be leaving at the end of this year. An additional 36 contested runoffs across our State for County Judge and Commissioner positions will greatly impact the strength of our voice.
Through this primary season, contested runoffs and of course the party representation in November will prove to be relevant especially in our State leadership races. The November election will shape the agendas coming into the next legislative session and may truly be historic for the State of Texas.
The reality this election has brought forth is all this controversy regarding mail-in ballots and distrusted candidates making promises that they cannot keep such as eliminating property taxes without a definitive way to do it, preying on a misinformed public, and giving false hope without resolve. This is why the November election will be the deciding vote on the future of our State. The uncertain path that has been outlined by smear campaigns and untruths has frustrated the voters. Without a doubt, the challenges for local leadership will be greater, but despite it all, once again, we all want what’s best for our counties. Therefore, it is essential for us to welcome those who will be coming in locally.
For challengers who won their elections, we need to reach out to them as they will be taking office in January; start the process now of forming a relationship. Help them understand just what they have gotten themselves into because we certainly didn’t really have a clue when we began, did we?
In the next few months, regional conferences will be going on as well as our State Conference Oct. 3-6. Take the time to visit and say your goodbyes.
For all our friends retiring or moving on to the next chapter in their lives, your service has been greatly appreciated, and you will certainly be missed.