Cass County Connect
Cass County Judge Travis Ransom
People’s Choice Awards for Best County Workers Two Cass County Road and Bridge Department employees have been recognized for their dedication, hard work, and service to the public. The Cass County Journal Sun conducted their annual “People’s Choice Awards” for people and places and two County Road and Bridge Department employees were nominated and selected. Precinct Four employee Scott Byrum was selected as the Cass County Journal Sun’s Readers’ Choice Award recipient for “Best County Worker” and Precinct Three employee Jeff Nolan was selected as runner up. Cass County has almost 1,000 linear miles of county roads to maintain with very limited resources. This year has been especially trying as spring storms caused significant damage to infrastructure throughout the county. We are exceptionally proud of these employees who go above and beyond in their service to the citizens of Cass County.
Texas Association of Counties Legislative Conference
Last week I attended the Texas Association of Counties legislative conference. The Texas Legislature meets every other year for 140 days in odd numbered years. We are quickly approaching the 89th legislative session which will begin in January 2025 with early filing of bills beginning in November. I worked in the Texas State Senate as a legislative staffer from 2004 to 2015 so I always enjoy putting my policy hat back on and working on issues that have a direct impact on our community. Knowing “how the sausage is made” in our legislature gives me some unique perspective as a County Judge. Two issues we are working on for the upcoming legislative session is better funding of rural ambulance services across the state and exempting counties from the state motor fuels tax. Both of these issues have a pronounced impact on Cass County.
National Night Out in Cass County October 1st!
“The best way to build a safer community is to know your neighbors and your surroundings. National Night Out triumphs over a culture that isolates us from each other and allows us to rediscover our own communities.”
Judge Barbara McMillon, Cass County Justice of the Peace for Precinct One in Cass County leads our national night out celebration each year. For Law Enforcement to be effective, it must have the support of the people it services. We are truly fortunate to have the support of this community. National Night Out cements the importance of the partnership that is key to successful policing. This is a night to celebrate that. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. The State of Texas and select areas celebrate the first Tuesday in October. The National Night Out sign brigade has been hard at work during putting out signs to remind everyone to mark your calendars for October 1, 2024 from 5:30 to 7:30pm at the Cass County Law Enforcement and Justice Center, 603 TX Hwy 8 N, Linden, Texas. Bring the kiddos to enjoy seeing the emergency vehicles, medic helicopter, Free Bounce House, Free Hot Dogs, Free Snow Cones, Motorcycles, and much more. Come and visit with First Responders, Law Enforcement Officers, Elected Officials and City Officials. We look forward to seeing you there.
Marvin Nichols Reservoir Feasibility Review The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) was directed by the legislature last year to conduct a feasibility review of the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir. This was made possible by our local State Representative Gary VanDeaver and the work of the Preserve Northeast Texas advocacy group. The draft review is scheduled to be posted to the TWDB website (https://www.twdb.texas.gov/) no later than the end of September. Water availability, or lack thereof, in Texas has always been a big concern considering the state’s ever growing population and frequent droughts. The legislature enacted legislation and voters approved in November 2023, the creation of the state’s new Texas Water Fund. The funding for this program is distributed among several water specific programs at the TWDB including the Texas Rural Water Assistance Fund; State Water Implementation Fund of Texas (SWIFT); Economically Distressed Areas Fund; and many other loan and grant programs. The TWDB’s website states: “The TWDB offers a variety of cost-effective loan and grant programs that provide for the planning, acquisition, design, and construction of water related infrastructure and other water quality improvements totaling approximately $35.7 billion.” Since the agency has so many financial assistance programs with varying rules and deadlines, the agency encourages interested parties to sign up for email notifications about its programs. Check out https:// www.twdb.texas.gov/ for more information.
Feedback is a Gift
Feedback is a gift. County employees receiving people’s choice awards is a great gift. Sometimes, gifts can be like a child receiving socks and underwear at Christmas. You may not want it, but you probably need it. We need and appreciate feedback, both positive and negative. As an elected official representing you as your county judge, I try to always be responsive to feedback. I appreciate those who take the time to provide it because they don’t have to. Knowing both the good and the bad help me prioritize my efforts as County Judge. I can’t solve a problem or address an issue that I don’t know about. It’s my job as an elected official to be open to receiving feedback and taking what’s important to you and making it important to me. Cass County truly has a rich heritage and a bright future.
Upcoming Events
National Night Out - October 1st, 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Cass County Law Enforcement and Justice Center on Highway 8.
October 5th, 10am to 2pm, Fall Maker’s Market and Steven Smith Memorial Cruise Night in Downtown Atlanta, Texas.
The Caddo Wildflower Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Mary Dougherty Senior Citizens Center, 507 S. Kaufman St., Linden. Meetings are open to the public and start with a potluck before ending with a native plants/flowers raffle.