Overtime pay for all county employees that worked following the April 29 tornadoes was approved during a called meeting May 15 of the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court.
The unanimous decision by the commissioners followed a 30-minute discussion among the commissioners, VZC Judge Don Kirkpatrick, representatives from the VZC Sheriff’s Department and VZC Auditor Freddy Thomas.
“The question is whether to pay our county employees who worked following our April 29 tornado disaster overtime or comp time,” said Kirkpatrick. “In my opinion, we have a policy of comp time and we ought to stick with the policy. It would cost the county right now to pay overtime. I see no reason to change the policy.”
Nearly three weeks later after the April 29 tornadoes in Canton, animals at the Canton Animal Shelter are still waiting to be reunited with their families.
Ladeania Jones, supervisor of the Canton Animal Shelter, said that her main concern was getting animals who had been displaced by the tornado reunited with their families.
“Before the tornadoes, we had about four animals awaiting adoption, after the tornadoes came through, we filled up quickly with animals that were lost either before or after the tornadoes. The best way to see if a pet has a family is to check for a microchip. I stress the importance of getting the animals scanned for a microchip. We can do at the shelter or a vet clinic can also do it. That way, we can get these babies home and where they need to be.”
The Free State Master Gardener Library series titled plant propagation will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Thursday, May 25.
Plant propagation is the process used by gardeners to produce more plants from either a single plant or two parent plants. If a single plant is used then asexual propagation occurs. This type of propagation produces plants that resemble the parent plant.
At the beginning of the May 9 session of the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court, VZC Judge Don Kirkpatrick addressed rumors about the county being bankrupt.
“The rumor started in Smith County that our county is bankrupt,” said Kirkpatrick. “Let me assure you that the county is not bankrupt. The county did not have much money before the recent tornadoes. Anytime you have a disaster, the cost of the cleanup and the appraisal costs are high. The appraisal district will be coming to a commissioners’ court meeting soon and request that we allow them to go out and re-appraise all of the homes that were damaged or destroyed. I can assure you that we are all still working together.”
In other business, the commissioners approved a recommendation from Kirkpatrick to extend the county’s disaster declaration for an additional 20 days to expire May 26.
Colorful hot air balloons filled up the sky during a balloon glow at the Tailwind Regional Balloon Festival. The festival changed focus this year, raising money for the Van Zandt County Tornado Relief Fund after the April 29 tornadoes swept through Van Zandt County.
The fourth annual “Git Bit Catfish Noodlin’ Tournament and crawfish boil” will be held May 19-20 in Ben Wheeler.
Entry fees are $100 per team with $2,000 to awarded in cash prizes. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the VZC Tornado Relief Fund. The event attracts fishermen who are experts in the art of noodling, a fishing technique that requires only your hands to fish.
“Noodling experts from across Texas will be making their way to the event and we want to make sure that people that were impacted by the tornado get the help that they need,” said an organizer of the event, Mitchell Wright.
For additional entry information, sponsorships or vendor information, contact Wright at 903-804-3457.
The Canton High School Class of 2017 will hold graduation ceremonies at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 19 at Norris Birdwell Stadium,
Canton ISD Superintendent Jay Tullos said that due to the size of the graduating class, events will be held on the football field rather than the CHS Auditorium. In case of inclement weather, Tullos said that the ceremony would be moved to the auditorium at the high school.
Texans taking care of Texans is what it is looking out to be for relief efforts throughout Van Zandt County.
While multiple agencies, groups and volunteers have pitched together to combat the destruction from the April 29 tornadoes and piece the county back together, federal officials say that only $9 million in damages has occurred, which includes damages in Smith and Van Zandt counties, which does not meet the $36 million threshold to qualify for federal assistance.
Canton Mayor Lou Ann Everett was re-elected to a second term in office as she defeated former Canton city councilman Roy J. (Yogi) Yarbrough, 191-135, in Saturday’s city election.
In reverence of the recent tornado disaster and recovery efforts, officials behind the Sixth annual Tailwind Regional Balloon Festival has shifted the festival’s focus to a benefit and community appreciation event for Friday, May 12 only.
The event is free to the public. Donations received will go to the Van Zandt County Tornado Relief Fund 2017, a local fund benefiting local families in need.
“So, take a break from the stress, donate to a good cause, bring your picnic and lawn chairs to the west side of the First Monday grounds, and enjoy a great night of fun, music and community,” said Canton Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Julie Seymore.
