Griffin questions county over appointment
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

Jasper County Commissioners Court began June 11 with a debate between Ky Griffin of Stringer and Griffin Funeral Home and David Schulz, recently appointed death investigator for Jasper County, who is an employee Forest Oaks Funeral Home.

Griffin presented a letter proposing to rescind Schulz's appointment as a conflict of interest. Schulz's presence at a death scene, Griffin said, would unduly influence the family in the selection of a funeral home.

"It's common sense," Griffin said. "If you have a funeral director already on the scene and it's late and everyone is tired, the family is distraught, are you going to call another funeral director?"

At the May 14 court meeting where Schulz was appointed, he told the commissioners he would assist the Justices of the Peace for free because he needed training hours to receive national certification.

Schulz was approved by a 3-2 vote, with Allen, Precinct 3 Commissioner Willie Stark and Precinct 4 Commissioner Vance Moss voting to approve; Precinct 1 Commissioner Charles Shofner and Precinct 2 Commissioner Roy Parker voted against.

Parker said he called each JP before the May meeting, and the new ones said they needed the help (of a death investigator), "but I still think there is a conflict of interest. It just looks bad."

Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Freddie Miller said, "I think I can do my job. I want the public to know how to handle a death investigation."

Griffin said that he, and he felt other funeral directors would agree, would be willing to help pay for training to allow JPs to do their job.

"If it's something serious, like the shuttle disaster, the FBI will be called in anyway," Griffin said.

County Judge Mark Allen pointed out that Schulz did file an affidavit, as requested, guaranteeing he would not attempt to use his position to sway family decisions.

"The fact is, we're a small county and people do wear many hats," Allen said. No action was taken.

Legal and life insurance

The court granted John Lester Sr. of Prepaid Legal Inc. the right to schedule county employee meetings to propose a payroll deduction plan for prepaid legal services. The plan would cost employees $5.98 per week and would cover things like a will, protection for identity theft, and other legal services. If 51 percent sign of the county employees sign up, it can be done on an automatic payroll deduction plan.

Mary Guillory of National Family Care Life Insurance addressed the court to report that she had met the 51% for the voluntary payroll deduct for life insurance. The court approved that County Treasurer Rene' Kelley begin payroll deductions for those who had signed up.

Sheriff's requests

The court approved a number of requests by Jasper County Sheriff Ronnie McBride and Chief Deputy Jack Jett.

McBride reported that several positions had been reshuffled without impact on the budget. Captain Terry Lee switched to deputy at his own request. Curtis Frame moved up to investigator, and the sheriff's office did away with the position of patrol captain. Stacey Chambers will be over both investigators and patrol.

The court also approved approximately $6,400 to replace the stove, range and fryers in the county jail kitchen.

The court approved the kitchen expenditure, and also a $2,000 upgrade to the fire suppression equipment under the hood in the cooking area.

The court did not approve replacing air conditioners in the old section of the jail at this time; instead they approved a $4,000 temporary fix, and authorized seeking bids to replace all four of the old units beginning no sooner than Oct. 1.

Other business

For Steve Conner, Precinct 6 Justice of the Peace, the court approved a new computer and DSL line, and increased his office supplies and travel budget in light of greater activity in his court than was anticipated by last year's budget.

The court granted preliminary approval to post Section I of the Tiger Creek Subdivision, located near Lake Sam Rayburn. Section II was approved last month but did not involve road work. Approximately a mile of roads will be constructed or brought up to sudivision standards for Section 1.

Michael Hunter of Hunter and Hunter requested that the court authorize McDonald Mobile Homes to order a maximum of seven mobile homes "on behalf of recipients (who have been) approved for participation in the HOME funded rehabilitation/replacement program."

Jasper County initially applied more than a year ago for grant money to replace or repair homes destroyed by Hurricane Rita. Hunter reported than so far, Jackson Abstract has obtained clear property title to four. Afifth is hung up in divorce issues, but two more are expected to be approved soon. the properties must still be surveyed and appraised.

Allen told Hunter he was not prepared to authorize a purchase "until all the lights are green... I will not put my signature on anything that's going to put this county in a bind."

Hunter said time is the issue now, when "we have some folks living in a FEMA trailer" that the government may take back soon.

Moss said, "I've got people living in a barn who have been waiting for this to come through."

After much debate, the court granted Allen the authority to order up to six manufactured homes when he is satisfied that everything has been documented and submitted to the state.