Court appoints first ESD board, distributes Homeland Security funds

Commissioners appointed a five-member board of directors for Brewster County Emergency Services District No. 1 on Tuesday and agreed on a distribution plan for grant funds to county emergency response organizations.

Commissioners chose John King, superintendent of Big Bend National Park; Robert Wales, a retired attorney; Carlos Mendoza, a TxDOT maintenance foreman; Don McDowell, a representative from Lajitas; and Kathy Killingsworth, superintendent of Terlingua schools, to serve on the county's first ESD board.

Brewster County Emergency Manager Hugh Garrett reported receipt of $210,000 from a Texas Homeland Security grant, with $120,000 allocated for communication upgrades and $90,000 allocated for equipment. "This will provide communications for some of our volunteer fire departments and EMS that are really nonexistent right now," said Garrett. "We're just making do, so this will help us out a lot."

Volunteer fire departments in Alpine, Marathon and Terlingua, Brewster County Emergency Management Services, Alpine Police Department and Brewster County Sheriff's Office will all receive grant funds to augment or update communication and emergency equipment.

Garrett also reported a sublease agreement with Paisano Cattle Company for a Sheriff's Office radio repeater site on Twin Sisters Peak to enhance local coverage and extend communications to the west of Alpine.

Brewster County also signed a mutual aid agreement with Pecos County identical to agreements already in place with Presidio and Jeff Davis counties.

After review by county auditor Shaw Skinner, and on Sheriff Ronny Dodson's recommendation, commissioners chose T-NETIX to provide an updated phone system for Brewster County Jail inmates.

T-NETIX's five-year program offered a 45 percent monthly commission over the life of the contract, with a $10,000 signing bonus the first and second years and a $12,000 advance upon executing the contract. Annual revenue is estimated at $37,500 during the first and second years, and $27,500 in years three through five assuming commissions remain stable.

The court passed a $256 budget amendment to allow two representatives from the County Clerk's Office to participate in Landata Technology's user group training seminar in San Antonio Oct. 26-28. They also approved a $2,570 budget amendment to pay for plumbing repairs at the Alpine Public Library.

Beard reported proceeds in excess of $79,000 from the county tax sale last week. Another will be held some time in February.

The court formally recognized Alpine resident Ted Gray, recently named Working Cowboy of the Year at the American Cowboy Culture awards show in Lubbock. "He's the most fabulous working cowboy I've ever been privileged and intimidated to work with," Beard declared, "and when one of our citizens is honored, we're honored, too."

Commissioners also acknowledged Texas Agricultural Commissioner Susan Combs, the Brewster County Sheriff's Office and organizers and sponsors of last Saturday's Marathon 2 Marathon race, and passed a resolution in memory of Frank Daugherty, past president of the Brewster County Historical Commission.

Commissioners Court will meet next on Friday, Oct. 24, and just once next month on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Comments? E-mail writer@alpineavalanche.com.

Commissioners oppose water plan; Beard calls proposal 'devastating'

Brewster County Commissioners adopted a resolution Monday opposing a plan to mine water from state-owned land in Far West Texas for use downstream.

Alpine ISD 'in limbo' awaiting state review

A political battle between the Texas State Comptroller's Office and the Texas Legislative Budget Board has Alpine ISD in limbo, awaiting its Texas School Performance Review [TSPR].

AHS student missing

Avalanche Staff Report

Alpine attorney hits homerun in court

Alpine attorney Mike Barclay threw a curve at the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals last month and received a free pass to watch baseball's Fall Classic on his home field.

Court appoints first ESD board, distributes Homeland Security funds

Commissioners appointed a five-member board of directors for Brewster County Emergency Services District No. 1 on Tuesday and agreed on a distribution plan for grant funds to county emergency response organizations.