Griffin repeats DI complaints
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

Jasper County Commissioners will begin the annual budget workshops next week, July 19-20, at 9 a.m. They will also meet this Friday, June 13, at 9 a.m. to complete business tabled from the regular July 9 session.

Death task force?

At the meeting Monday, the court again heard from Ky Griffin of Stringer and Griffin Funeral Home objecting to the appointment of David Schulz of Forest Oaks Funeral Home as the Jasper County death investigator.

Jasper County Judge Mark Allen said at the outset, before Griffin spoke, that this is the third time the office of death investigator has been on the docket, and that this hearing, whatever the court decided, should be the last of it.

Two months ago, Schulz volunteered to replace retired investigator Phil Denney. Schulz said he was willing to serve at no charge to the county in exchange for the credithours of experience he would earn toward being certified by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators.

Griffin has twice appeared before the court to say that this appointment is a conflict of interest.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Roy Parker called Schulz to task for passing out his number to law enforcement officials in Kirbyville, when the death investigator is only allowed to assist at a death scene if requested by the Justice of the Peace.

Griffin offered to help set up a joint task force of law enforcement, Justices of the Peace and constables, and suggested that the county should adopt a manual for death investigations.

"Harris, Ft. Worth, Dallas and Austin all have policies that could be adapted to Jasper's needs," Griffin told the court. "By establishing a task force we could have all our policies and procedures in writing, and this would help the DA in prosecuting cases."

Precinct 3 Commissioner Willie Stark suggested they might consider a task force if the agencies involves requested it. The court moved to table any further discussion until and unless such a written request was received. Precinct 1 Commissioner Charles Shofner was the only dissenting vote.

Bids undecided

In other business, the county extended the deadline for bids for county health insurance to July 20. Allen said while no bids had been received, at least one company had requested more time.

Commissioners tabled a decision on bids for the purchase of tires. County Auditor Dru Miller recommended that commissioners review the bids from Gray's and Southern Tire Mart before making a decision.

Bell Field Airport

The court approved a preliminary request from the city of Jasper to eliminate one of two lift station on county airport property by running a gravity feed line under the runway. The county approved, pending Texas Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration approval for the plan. Shofner observed that the plan would benefit proposed new hangars and development at Bell Field.

The court authorized Allen to sign a letter of intent to Vaisala regarding moving the AWOS (Automated Weather Observing System) at the airport to make room for development. Jasper Economic Development Corportation executive Tom McClurg expressed concerns at an earlier court meeting that moving the AWOS could limit development on the industrial park side of airport property, but Shofner said the AWOS needs a cone of clear airspace and clearances could be set that would not interfere with future construction.

The court also gave preliminary approval to adding up to four more private hangars by tying onto existing T-hangars. Space still must be platted and lease rates reviewed.

Wind generators

Commissioners discussed but tabled action on wind farms on land owned in Pecos County. British Petroleum is developing wind generator property all around the 9,000 acre parcel Jaspers owns, while current lease-holder Pecos Renewable Energy, LLC, does not appear to be making progress, according to commissioners who have visited the site.

"As I understand it, windmill projects are all over and our land lies in a key area with the possibility of 100 windmills, plus access easement to other farms," Allen said.

Shofner said BP has been working directly with adjoining property owners, taking core samples to determine where to put mills.

At Allen's suggestion, the court tabled any further action until they could consult with attorneys, examine contracts, and check other options.

Roads and subdivisions

The county officially adopted the county road map prepared by Allison and Bass, in accordance with new state requirements. Land owners have up to two years to dispute the official designations.

The county also approved contracting with Allison and Bass to update county subdivision plans and requirements.

Parker brought up issues with the developing Tiger Creek Estates subdivision. Parker told the court he had informed developers their plans needed more work.

Allen noted that another developer wanted to build 55 - 70 homes in the Buna area.

Other business

The county approved a mutual aid agreement between Jasper County and Van Zandt County to establish point sheltering in the event of an evacuation. Van Zandt would shelter Jasper's special needs residents or people with no means of evacuating during a declared disaster.

The court authorized a $1,2000 payment to Michael Hunter of Hunter and Hunter Consulting for the first draw on several hurricane-damaged homes to be replaced under a TDHCA (Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs) grant.

Hunter told the court they are probably looking at first of September installation of modular homes, a tight time frame when the deadline to complete the first six homes is Oct. 31.