Elected sheriff declared ineligible

During the November 18 election canvass meeting, Fisher County Judge Ken Holt ruled Simon Wade ineligible to hold the office of sheriff, despite having won more than three times the votes as his opponent, Tom Pohlman. 

Wade was appointed sheriff in July of 2023, after Sheriff Randy Ford resigned.

Wade ran, and won, in the March 2024 primary, in an uncontested race, but he resigned from office a few days later. He does not have a Texas Peace Officer License, which is required to be a sheriff.

Pohlman, who was serving as a deputy with the Fisher County Sheriff's Office, was then appointed sheriff by the commissioners court.

Timeline:

Ford resigns June 29, 2023

Wade appointed July 10, 2023

Wade files for primary December 4, 2023

Wade wins primary March 5, 2024

Wade resigns March 14, 2024

Pohlman appointed March 14, 2024

Pohlman files for general election August 20, 2024

Wade's name remains on ballot, wins general election November 5, 2024

Holt declares Wade ineligible, November 18, 2024

What's next? The Texas election code says that if the deceased, withdrawn, or ineligible candidate receives the vote required for election, the resulting vacancy shall be filled in the regular manner.

Does that mean another appointment? Or keep on keeping on with Pohlman? Will time tell? Does it matter? Maybe not, but it's an interesting study in election minutiae.

Info: Texas Election Code Chapter 145.005

Out west and around the county

- Spring Creek tributary -

The four inches of rain that fell west and south of Hobbs during the beginning of November swelled up the dry creeks. The tank behind my house spilled over twice. That ought to tide us over for a little while. It can be quite a dry spell between fall and February.

Next Wednesday looks like we might get close to a freeze. Those last few tomatoes better grow fast before being pulled to ripen on the window sill.

The Rotan water line project is coming along. Right now, they're about to cut across Fisher County Road 347, north of FM 1614. They are replacing a part of the Snyder to Rotan aqueduct. 

I got lost in McCaulley today. First I went too far west towards Anson, and then I couldn't find the community center. Sometimes I'm a real airhead. Just go to the big bridge east of Roby on US 180, then go north on FM 57 about two miles. Find the old school and then look to the east. There's a huge metal building. There will be a lot of cars around it. 

They're having a big sale out there and have all kinds of good stuff to buy. I got some books and a quilt and a necklace. The sale will be continuing tomorrow (Saturday) at 9 a.m.

Also going on tomorrow, as well as Sunday, is the Pete Garcia Estate Sale in Rotan. It's taking place at 1011 North Tyler and starts at 8 a.m. both days.

It looks like the Dollar General store in Roby will be opening soon. There are people inside of it putting up inventory. I noticed today that the Rotan site is called DG Market. The outside of Ace Hardware in Rotan is up. I'm looking forward to getting in these stores.

I finished up my jaunt by getting a .25 cent gallon of water in Rotan and going to The Country Store. A person can never have too many books, right?

Jones County to house prisoners

A brief commissioners court meeting in Fisher County this morning yielded a tidbit of information when Sheriff Tom Pohlman reported a problem transferring incident tracking numbers. 

"We've had some issues with our TRN numbers, and getting numbers, because of the transfer of the jail to Jones County, and we seem to have a plan now in place to resolve this," Pohlman stated during the meeting.

Fisher and Jones County Commissioners agendas and meeting minutes do not mention an agreement for housing inmates between the two counties, but evidence points to there being one.

Cross-referencing between the Fisher County inmate list and VINE records, six of the nine inmates were shown to have been transferred from Scurry County on Sept 11. VINE does not say where they were transferred to, but the sheriff's comment indicates Jones County.

Prisoners have been kept at the Scurry County facility for the past year or so. Fisher County closed their jail in August 2023, and it has been used as a 72 hour detention center since that time.

Sources:

• Double Mountain Chronicle Facebook (commissioners meeting video)
  
• Fisher County Sheriff (Inmate List at bottom)
  
• VINE (Victim Notification Network)

CAD to meet Wednesday

The Fisher County Appraisal District Board will meet November 13 at 7 a.m. The meeting will take place at the CAD offices across the street from the courthouse in Roby.

Items on the agenda include consideration and approval of: Eagle Property Tax Consulting contract; switching to Global Technologies phone services; designation of excess funds; homestead audit plan; and a chief appraiser's report regarding restitution.

Members of the board of directors are Hunter Stuart, David Mullins, Chris Kiser and Michael Noell. 

Sources:

• Fisher CAD notice of meeting
• Fisher CAD

Commissioners meet Tuesday

Fisher County Commissioners Court will convene Tuesday, November 12. The meeting will be at 9 a.m. in the courthouse in Roby.

One of the items of business is approval of an order for the Innovative Solar 245 Indigo (Limited Liability Corporation) Solar Reinvestment Zone. A resolution for the project was approved during the August 12 meeting. The planned location is about 6 1/2 miles south of Sylvester.

The development is expected to include buildings, structures, and other improvements and fixtures, including but not limited to: fixed machinery; equipment and process units which may consist of one or more electrical substations; underground and overhead electrical distribution and transmission facilities; modules, trackers, transformers, appurtenant electric equipment, containers, batteries, communication cable, and data collection facilities.

The estimated cost is $300,000,000.

Commissioners will have a public hearing in which they will discuss and vote on a tax abatement agreement for the project. That will take place December 9, at the monthly meeting.

Sources:

• Fisher County Commissioners meeting agenda November 12
• Public hearing and commissioners meeting December 9

Information:

• Comptroller of Texas Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone
• Comptroller of Texas Property Tax Abatement Act
• Tax Abatement Act, Texas Statute

Out west and around the county

- Trencher, west of Hobbs -

Work on the City of Rotan water project is continuing out in the Hobbs area. It's pretty busy west of the Hobbs School, in eastern Scurry and western Fisher counties. Equipment and vehicles hauling pipes can be seen going up and down the state and county roads.

The commissioners court is going to be interesting next week, in light of the outcome of the Fisher County election. Simon Wade, former sheriff, who resigned last March, won the race by an overwhelming margin. Tom Pohlman, a sheriff's department employee at the time of Wade's resignation, was appointed as sheriff after Wade's departure. There's an article in the Double Mountain Chronicle this week that explains the situation. 

The commissioners court regular meeting is set for November 12. A special meeting to conduct the local canvass is slated for the following week, November 18.

Three and half inches or so of rain was measured in the Hobbs area last week. More rain is expected today and tomorrow, spurred by an upper level low coming through. Severe weather is predicted.

Sources:

• Double Mountain Chronicle
• Fisher County
• National Weather Service

November public auctions 2024

Sheriff sales will be held Tuesday, November 5.

Nolan County: 

• Sheriff's Sale, 10 a.m., at the courthouse. This is for two pulling units. Information comes from Public Notice #6049 in the Sweetwater Reporter, published in the October 19-20 Weekend Edition.
  
• Trustee Sale, 1 p.m., at the courthouse. The property up for auction is located at 1409 McCaulley Street in Sweetwater. Information for the house and lot can be found on the Nolan County Clerk page.
• Foreclosure sale, 1 p.m., at the courthouse: A mobile home located at 1105 West Louisiana Street in Sweetwater. The listing can be found on Auctions.com.

Scurry County:

• Sheriff's Sale, 10 a.m., at the courthouse. One property out at Fluvanna,14103 County Road 2214. Cause # 27253, published in The Snyder News, October 23.
• Foreclosure sales: 1 p.m., at the courthouse. Three properties up for bid: 3600 40th Street, 3010 38th Street, and 11236 State Highway 208. Information is posted on the Scurry County Foreclosure page.
• Storage room auctions, currently open for bidding, ending November 7. Contents of seven storerooms in Snyder can be bid on at Self Storage Auction. Notice printed in the October 25 edition of The Snyder News.
  

Mitchell County:

• Foreclosure sale: October 27-29, online. 700 County Road 157, out by Dunn. Zip is in the Colorado City postal area. Information can be found at ServiceLink Auction.
   

Texas Communities Group has a property in Sweetwater up for bid, 1510 Bell. That auction ends November 16.

Perdue Brandon does not have any local tax sales listed.

Voting method explained

The Rotan Independent School District uses cumulative voting to elect school board members. 

With this method, each candidate gets as many votes as there are open seats. 

Rotan has a seven member school board. There are four seats available this election, with seven candidates running. 

Each candidate has their name on the ballot four times.

Voters can cast none, one, two, three, or four votes in this race, in any array: vote four times for one candidate; give two different candidates two votes; give two candidates one vote and one candidate two votes; vote one time for one candidate; etc.

The school has been using this method since 1995.

A tale of two stores

- Dollar Generals, Fisher Co -

Construction of the new Dollar General Stores in Rotan and Roby wrapped up this week.

I'm really looking forward to the grand opening of these businesses. I drove to Sweetwater for a new coffee maker this morning. It would have been nice to drive 13 miles instead of 30. 

Snyder is closer to my house, only 21 miles, but I had to go to Rotan and Roby to take these photos. I like the Sweetwater Walmart better, anyway.

I hope they cut those ribbons, soon. I'm ready to buy cat food, Snickers, ballpoint pens, Windex, motor oil and milk in Fisher County.

Brooks to take over attorney duties, county to get new dozer

The Fisher County Commissioners Court met Tuesday, October 15, 9 a.m., at the Fisher County Courthouse. All commissioners were present, along with: County Judge Ken Holt; Jessika Daniel, filling in for County Clerk Pat Thomson; Joy Dennis, filling in for County Auditor Becky Mauldin.

After a call to order, an unnamed young man made a public comment. Topics he covered: housing inmates; public vote to close jail; use of funds; his former employment at precinct 2 (some back and forth between  precinct 2 commissioner and this fellow afterward, shut down by the judge reminding the commissioner this was a public comment); the new budget; Senate Bill 22 funds; staff undeserving of budgeted 5% raise; ashamed to live in this county. Those in the courtroom gallery applauded when he finished.

Departmental reports were made by: Extension Agent Nick Dickson; an unnamed representative standing in for County Treasurer Jeanna Parks; Dennis (Mauldin) for the county auditor; Sheriff Tom Pohlman for the Law Enforcement Center. There was no report for the Senior Citizens Center. The reports were unanimously approved by commissioners.

New business items started off with conflict of interest bills, which Dennis (Mauldin) reported none.

Dennis (Mauldin) then reported line item transfers. Three items were transferred from non-departmental funds for shortfalls : $5,000 to maintenance; $10,000 to IT, for a bill from last year; $20 to the district clerk. Commissioners approved unanimously.

Each precinct's Tax Increment Financing left over from last year was moved to the new budget: precinct 1, $9,309.88; precinct 2, $15,518.66;  precinct 3, $54,837.63; precinct 4, $13,077.38. Commissioners approved unanimously.

The burn ban was reinstated, approved unanimously by commissioners.

Dennis (Mauldin) came before the court to explain and ask for approval for the difference in price for the LEC (sheriff's department) Kologic contract ($10,000 line item transfer). The court previously approved $54,270 for the contract, but the latest invoice was for $55,350, a difference of $10,080. Kologic said it was for a new user. Commissioners approved unanimously.

Dennis (Mauldin) asked commissioners to approve the annual financial report for publication. There were questions from Commissioner Preston Martin regarding reconciliation of accounts. The item was tabled.

Judge Holt brought the next item to the court: the usage of Morgan Brooks for Fisher County Attorney, beginning January 1, 2025. Brooks won the March primary, and is currently running unopposed in the upcoming election for Nolan County Attorney. Cost for Brooks will be $3,500 per month. Commissioners approved unanimously.

Deliberation put forth by Commissioner Gordon Pippin, regarding the One Way building and the sheriff's storage building, was concluded by being tabled until work bids are received.

Commissioners unanimously approved the 2025 Indigent Defense Grant program.

Use of $100,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds, for purchase of a new John Deere dozer to be shared amongst the precincts, was passed with three votes; Commissioner Martin voted against getting a new tractor. The total cost of the equipment is projected to be $286,000.

Commissioner Micah Evans gave an information only report regarding millings that the Texas Department of Transportation donated to the county, before court was adjourned.

Notes:

• Commissioners: Precinct 1, Gordon Pippin; Precinct 2, Dexter Elrod; Precinct3, Preston Martin; Precinct 4, Micah Evans
• Senate Bill 22 (SB22)
  
• Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
  
• Texas Indigent Defense Grant opportunities
• American Rescue Plan Act info (ARPA)
  

Ballot info, early voting Oct 21; General Election Nov 5

Candidates on all ballots throughout Fisher County:

• President: Trump/Vance, Harris/Walz, Oliver/ter Maat, Stein/Ware 
• Write-in candidates: Ayyadurai/Ellis, Cuellar/Lasley, DeLaCruz/Garcia, Fox/McVay, Sonski/Onak, West/Abdullah

• U. S. Senator: Allred, Brown, Cruz
• Write-in candidates: Andrus, Roche
  

• U. S. Represenative District 19: Arrington, Johnson, Lewis
  

• Railroad Commissioner: Craddick, Culbert, Dunlap, Espinoza
• Write-in candidate: McKibbin

• Justice, Texas Supreme Court, Place 2: Blalock, Jones

• Justice, Texas Supreme Court, Place 4: Devine, Weems

• Justice, Texas Supreme Court, Place 6: Bland, Goldstein, Roberson

• Presiding Judge, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals: Schenck, Taylor

• Judge, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 7: Parker, Mulder

• Judge, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8: Finley, Anyiam

• Member, Texas State Board of Education, District 15: Kinsey, Kirkpatrick, Westbrook

• Texas State Representative, District 69: Coppage, Frank

• Chief Justice, Texas 11th Court of Appeals District: Bailey

• District Judge, Texas 32nd Judicial District: Harrison

• District Attorney, Texas 32nd Judicial District: Thompson

• Fisher County Sheriff: Wade
• Write-in candidate: Pohlman

• Fisher County Tax Assessor-Collector: Speck

Candidates on ballots in divided Fisher County districts:

• Precinct 1 Commissioner: Pippin; Precinct 3 Commissioner: Posey

• Rotan ISD Board Trustee candidates: McWilliams, Weems, Stanley, Mullins, Carrillo, Spruill, Clary

• Roby CISD Board Trustee candidates: Carrion, Whitefield, Estes, Edmonson

• Hermleigh ISD Board Trustee candidates: Tate, Taylor, Pence, Claxton, Minton, Beane

Two bonds for Rotan Independent School District:

• Proposition A: $5,700,000 bond (for school construction)
  
• Proposition B: $800,000 bond (for teacher housing)
  

Notes:

• Vote Texas
• Secretary of State Candidate Information
• Fisher County Election Page Sample Ballots
  

Snyder Goodwill coming soon

- New Goodwill, Snyder -

Goodwill Industries is in the process of getting a new store ready in Snyder. It will be in the former Higginbotham Bartlett Hardware building at 1913 25th Street, northwest of the square.

It's right across the street from The Red Door, a resale shop that's fun to peruse; lots of furniture, and anything else you can dream up, in their large, two-store sized space.You can easily park at Goodwill, then hit both stores in one stop.

To continue on a second-hand store spree, head on up College Avenue to Gateway. They have inventory similar to Goodwill. It's a little funkier with unique items.

I can appreciate stores that you have to dig a little bit for treasure.

Goodwill is now hiring.  There are nine positions for the Snyder store listed on their careers page.

Photos: Top is the new Goodwill location, bottom is The Red Door and Goodwill

Fisher County Vote 2024

Sample ballots for the November 5 General Election have been posted on the Fisher County Election website. 

There is one write-in candidate, Tom Pohlman, for sheriff.

As amusing as it might be to put Willie Nelson or Felix the Cat on that empty line, votes for someone who is not registered to run in an election will not be counted.

Misspelling the name of a write-in is not an issue, as long as the vote-counting authority can easily ascertain the voter's intention. Parker County has a step-by-step guide with photos for write-in voting.

Early voting is October 21- November 1 at the Fisher County Clerk and Rotan City Hall offices.

Notes:

• Fisher County Election Page
• Texas Statute for Write-In Candidates
• Texas Secretary of State: Process for Write-In Votes
• Fisher County Election Day Polling Places

City to test ordinance

Rotan City Council will meet this Thursday. Default meeting dates for the cities of Rotan and Roby are the second Thursday of the month; Rotan at 7 a.m., Roby at noon. That falls on October 10 this time around.

The Rotan agenda will include a public hearing regarding the torn up trailer house and vehicle situated at 511 East Sammy Baugh. This is the first property to come before the council in enforcement of the new substandard structure ordinance that was passed back in May.

County commissioners will meet next Tuesday, October 15, at 9 a.m. They usually meet the second Monday of the month, but pushed the meeting forward a day due to Columbus Day on October 14.

Note: Fisher County: Public Hearing Notice

Like they used to

- Heritage Square, Abilene -

I was in Abilene the other day, using the Grape Street train crossing to get from North First to South First, when I was held up by a sight that had me gaping and almost stopping traffic.

My first thought was, "They're making them like they used to!".

A big, beautiful structure sat before me, complete with grotesque stone creatures guarding the main entrance from above. It was in an obvious state of construction. 

I was only a little dismayed to learn that the building is an old one that is being renovated, but very excited to find out that it was designed by architect David S. Castle.

It was originally built as the Abilene High School in 1924. It sits between Peach and Vine streets, fronting South First, with Third Street running behind. 

This is the Heritage Square project. It will house the library and other community oriented programs. I am looking forward to visiting this mammoth historic site when it is finished, which is projected to be sometime in 2026.

Notes:

• Abilene Heritage Square
• The Portal to Texas History, search "Abilene High School", with quotations

Photos, from upper left, are from Abilene Heritage Square on facebook; The Portal, McMurry Collection; The Portal, David S. Castle Collection. 

Additional information and articles:

• Abilene Scene: The Lingering Youth of an Old High School
• KTAB: Restoration Reflection
  

Get this name write

- Official write-in candidate -

The Fisher County Sheriff's race is bound to be an interesting local contest in the November 4 general election.

The Texas Secretary of State has the current sheriff, Tom Pohlman, registered as an official candidate.

Pohlman was appointed as sheriff last March. This was after the former sheriff, Simon Wade, resigned, when it became certain Wade would be ousted for licensing issues.

Wade is still on the ballot under the Republican Party, while Pohlman is designated as a write-in.

Link: Texas Secretary of State Candidate Information

October public auctions 2024

Perdue Brandon doesn't have any local sheriff sales this month. Mitchell County has some parcels in Colorado City, Loraine and Dunn. One parcel is listed as 6,817 acres, but a double-check with Mitchell County Appraisal District shows it to be 6.817 acres, at Lake Colorado City, on the lakefront.

Nolan County: Foreclosure sales for 707 East Louisiana and 806 East New Mexico in Sweetwater. 

Jones County: Foreclosure sales for 1401 12th, Anson; 336 SW Ave D, Hamlin; 17246 CR 467, Merkel. 

Sales this month will be on October 1.

Water plans in progress

- Pipes for water -

Inventory is being stockpiled at a location west of Hobbs for the City of Rotan water line project. The Texas Water Development Board lists the cost as $5,202,068. It is being financed by a general operations bond that the council approved in 2020 to raise $2,275,000, and a $2,927,068 grant from the TWDB Drinking Water Safety Revolving Fund.

Jacob Martin is the engineer for the project. Bids for service on the JM site give an idea of what costs are for labor, materials, and equipment. The work will be carried out in four segments.

The TWDB shows the construction site to be near Midway, on Farm to Market 1614, in Scurry County, where water for Rotan is transported by a network of pipes after purchase from the City of Snyder.

The city awarded the job to Whitewater Construction. Their company office is in Waco.

Second week of September events

- Sept. mud bog -

There are a few things going on this weekend to take pleasure in and enjoy the fresh weather we're having.

It is Rotan Homecoming Week and the Yellowhammers will play against the Rule Bobcats Friday night, Sept. 13, at 7:30 p.m. The parade and bonfire will be on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

There will be a mud bog at the rodeo grounds west of Rotan on Saturday, Sept. 14. Gates will open at 11:00 a.m. General admission is $10. That evening there will be a dance at the pavilion featuring singer Robert Sullivan.

In Nolan County, the Sweetwater Jaycee Roosters will have their annual fall motorcycle rally. The event will begin Friday night and last through Sunday. That will take place at the Sweetwater Lake Park, by the amphitheater below the dam.

The Snyder Downtown Farmer's Market will be going on this Saturday. After this weekend, there are only two more left for the 2024 season.

The West Texas Fair & Rodeo is going into its second week and will finish off Saturday night with a concert by Isaac Cole in the H-E-B Pavilion at the fair grounds in Abilene.

Commissioners court notes Sept 2024

- Fisher County Jail -

Commissioners court started off with scathing commentary by employees from the county tax office. Their remarks depicted a tense and dissonant atmosphere in the courthouse offices.

In budget talks, there were a lot of numbers tossed around confusingly. A declaration from one commissioner that he would not approve a budget in deficit, then going on to approve the budget, did not make anything clearer.

It seems the jail has been left out, but I couldn't tell you for sure. I would recommend money for them to buy a case of Round Up. There are tumbleweeds as big as cows in that yard. 

Aesthetically, I wish they would turn the commissioners tables around so they didn't have to talk over their shoulders to address the judge and the clerks. 

Whoever is clicking a pen throughout the meeting should be suppressed, Alice in Wonderland style.

I wonder, do these people talk to each other before meetings? Everyone except the auditors are ill prepared. The judge seemed angry that members did not know about a Nolan County attorney he was going to propose for Fisher County usage, despite his having told no one of the plan. 

I don't understand the justification for raising tax rates by any of the entities. They are begging poor, but people have paid more taxes in the past two years to the county than in their whole lifetime, due to oil royalties. Multiply that by however many people are on a lease and that adds up to a lot of money. Those amounts are easily verified on the appraisal district site, in case you think I'm exaggerating.

But, what do I know? I'm just an observer. You can be one, too. The Double Mountain Chronicle broadcasts the meetings live on facebook, and the county places video of the meetings on the home page of their website. Just look up to the right and click on youtube.

Links:

• Fisher County, Texas
  
• Fisher County Appraisal District
• Double Mountain Chronicle on facebook
• Fisher County on youtube