VZC Sheriff Corbett released from hospital
At the beginning of the regular meeting of the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court May 2, VZC Chief Deputy Mike Bates reported that VZC Sheriff Dale Corbett was in the hospital receiving treatment for an infection.
VZC Chief Deputy Mike Bates reported May 7 that VZC Sheriff Dale Corbett is home recuperating after being released from the hospital May 4.
Prior to the start of the VZC Commissioners Court meeting May 2, Bates informed the commissioners that Corbett was hospitalized April 27 for treatment of an infection.
“The sheriff was diagnosed with an infection,” said Bates May 7. “He is recovering at home and is still on antibiotics.”
Bates said that Corbett will have a follow-up visit with his doctor Friday, May 11 at which time, surgery could be scheduled.
“He will have to wait for the infection to go down before he has surgery,” pointed out Bates. “The surgery date could be anywhere from two to six weeks away.”
Bates confirmed that the sheriff did not come into the office May 7 but expects to see him stop by soon.
“He checks in on the phone about three or four times a day,” emphasized Bates. “He was doing that even when he was in the hospital. I expect him back in the office soon.”
In other business, commissioners approved the authorization of the sale of fireworks from May 23 through midnight May 28 for the Memorial Day holiday after hearing a recommendation from VZC Fire Marshal James Lehman.
Lehman reported that the number of fireworks stands set up for holidays such as Memorial Day average around 18 in the county.
The speed limit on VZCR 4205 was reduced to 35 MPH following approval by the commissioners’ court after a recommendation by VZC Pct. 4 Commissioner Tim West.
“The petition we received asked for a speed limit of 30 MPH,” said West. “The problem is that with state law, our state code says that we cannot go lower than 35 MPH. We could go down to 30 MPH if we were declared urban. We don’t qualify for that. If we lowered it to 30 MPH, it could not be enforced.”
Prior to the approval of the new speed limit, Tina Johnston, a resident of VZCR 4205, spoke to the commissioners’ court.
“I grew up on that road,” said Johnston. “My mom and dad have been walking on that road and they have almost been hit by more than one speeding vehicle. This road has multiple curves. People driving their cars have almost been hit by speeding vehicles rounding those curves. We also have a lot of children that live on that road. We have signatures from everyone on our road with the exception of one. We appreciate anything you can do for us.”
During public comments, Pct. 2 Ronnie Jones requested clarity on future agendas as he met with the commissioners’ court.
“It seems like we are having more special meetings,” said Jones. “What is on the agenda is what you get to talk about. I am a citizen and I come to talk about a lot of things if they are important … We need to be able to talk about an agenda item when that agenda item is being discussed because you may discuss something on the agenda item that may take a different direction but we don’t have a chance to talk about it. Either make them very explicit so we know exactly what you are talking about or open it up when you get to that topic so people can talk about what you talked about.” No action was taken following Jones’ remarks.
The court also:
—Approved the abandonment of the alley way in Myrtle Springs, Block 50, Lots 16, 17, 18, 19, 30, 31, 32 and 33 in Pct. 2;
—Accepted the donation of two 24 x 30 culverts and one 48 x 30 culvert from Steve Plunk for use on VZCR 3202 following a recommendation by VZC Pct. 3 Commissioner Keith Pearson.
—Approved an annual contract between VZC and the Department of State Health Services regarding vital statistics section remote birth access following a presentation by VZC Clerk Pam Pearman. Pearman said that the contract involves the printing of birth certificates from other counties.
—Approved One fiscal year 2018 budget amendment;
—Monthly reports submitted by various offices and departments of VZC government to be approved and entered into the court’s minutes was tabled.
—The next meeting of the VZC Commissioners Court is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 16.
