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Members of the Johnson County Commissioners Court honored Gerald Mohr, Johnson County Emergency Management coordinator, on Dec. 28.
Mohr, who has held the position since 2005, recently announced plans to retire at the end of the year.
County Judge Roger Harmon presented a plaque to Mohr and spoke of his service to the county.
“It’s a very special occasion to be able to present this to you but also an occasion with some sadness to it,” Harmon said. “I know God judges us by our heart and by the motives in our heart. In all the years I’ve worked with Gerald, I’ve never known him to have a dishonorable motive in his heart.
“Gerald, I think God has given you a talent to serve people, to make their lives better and protect them. You’ve done a great job serving our county and have made a tremendous difference in our community.”
Harmon praised Mohr’s efforts in working with county school districts to develop emergency plans for staging areas at school campuses in the event of a major disaster, including contingencies for mass inoculations should the need ever arise.
Harmon and Commissioner Don Beeson mentioned Mohr’s efforts in working with state Rep. Rob Orr, R-Burleson, to pass legislation about the containment and transportation of drilling mud on county roads.
Mud spills from trucks have contributed to several accidents and at least one death in the county, Beeson said.
A bill addressing the matter passed the Texas Senate in the last session but failed to make it through the House, Harmon said.
County officials intend to lobby for the measure during the next legislative session, Harmon said.
“This county is a better county today than it was when you came here,” Harmon said.
Mohr thanked the commissioners for their kind words but credited his success to his family and the county.
“It’s been a team effort in this county,” Mohr said. “As long as we all work together on a common goal, there’s nothing we can’t do. And it’s been that effort that’s made our county a county that surrounding counties look up to.”
Census update
U.S. Census Bureau employee David Guinn delivered an update on the 2010 census and encouraged all residents to participate in the census.
Although date collection for the official count will begin early next year, projections show Texas to be the fastest growing state, Guinn said.
Once the results of the census are compiled, Texas should gain at least three new U.S. Congressional seats, he said.
Projected 2010 population numbers for Johnson County total more than 169,000 residents, Guinn said, compared with 97,165 in the 1990 census and 120,000 in the 2000 census.
By 2030, Johnson County is expected to have a population of 328,520, Guinn said.
A huge problem, Guinn said, is that many minorities don’t fill out the information cards, which leads to less federal dollars to the state.
“The hardest groups to reach are the impoverished and minorities, groups that already tend to be suspicious of the government,” Guinn said. “We need to get word out that to participate is a benefit not only to them but to the region as a whole. By under counting, our cities, schools and roads get less money. Last time, we only got 82 cents of every dollar [sent to Washington D.C.] because of under counting.
“By law, the census cannot share answers given with anyone including law enforcement and immigration officials.”
Guinn urged county leaders to meet with church and civic groups to stress the importance of census participation.
Public nuisance
Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Det. Steve Shaw asked commissioners to allow Precinct 3 workers to remedy nuisance problems on two properties located on Foothills Drive near Venus.
The two separate properties are overgrown and in need of mowing and clean up, Shaw said. Both are owned by separate, out-of-state companies, he said.
Numerous registered letters to the owners have resulted in little or no action, Shaw said.
Commissioners approved the mowing and clean up of the properties.
A lien will be placed against both properties for the cost of the clean up and legal notices and $100 administrative fee.
Neither of the owners, or representatives, appeared in court to speak during the two public hearing held to address the matters.
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