Citizens question Ison’s appointment

During the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court June 14, commissioners approved a bond for Constable Pct. 2 Jesse Ison. Ison is filling the unexpired term of the late C. B. Wiley.

Constable Wiley was up for election in November. He had won the republican party primary against challenger Jesse Ison.

After a lengthy executive session May 24, the commissioners voted 3-1 to appoint Ison to fill Wiley’s unexpired term.

During the June 14 commissioners court, citizens Ronnie Jones and Anthony Katsoulas questioned the commissioner decision to appoint Ison.

Ronnie Jones took the podium first, stating that he had “a problem with the commissioners not answering taxpayer’s questions,” in response to questions concerning Ison’s appointment.

 “You (the commissioners) can’t go back and undo what you have already done, but you need to look at who will be elected in November. But, if you follow the rules that you have set, once a statement has been made, by law you say you cannot respond to taxpayers that ask questions in the court. I think that is illegal,” said Jones. “Someone furnish me a copy of that law, or tell me where to go get it. But, I have looked everywhere and I found nothing that said that commissioners cannot respond to us. So, at some point y’all have to respond to us on issues. Once you respond, you need to give the public the opportunity to counter what was said. That was not done (when Ison was appointed) Y’all need to go through with what you said and follow the policy.”

Anthony Katsoulas also addressed the appointment of Jesse Ison. 

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