A couple of personnel issues highlighted the San Augustine County Commissioners' Court Tuesday morning.

 

Among those was accepting a letter of non-resignation from Pct. 1 Constable Shannon Brazeal. In his letter to the court, Brazeal said since a replacement had not been named, and by state law he was still the constable, and asked to have his resignation rescinded. He had resigned last month to attend the DPS Academy.

 

San Augustine native Shane Bridges was tabbed as the new Texas A&M Agrlife agent for agriculture and natural resources. He replaces long-time retired county agent Jerry Nickerson. Bridges will spend a month observing in Nacogdoches before assuming his position in San Augustine.

 

In addition, Sheila Lewis with Agri-Life advised commissioners that after meeting with County Judge Samye Johnson and other county officials that expressed a need, a county agent for family and consumer sciences will once again be placed in San Augustine. She said applications are being taken for the job.

 

A representive of the faith-based non-profit NextStep Ministries group reported a group of over 100 volunteers will be in San Augustine working this summer doing repairs to homes of elderly residents.

 

In other business, San Augustine County Commissioners gave approval to the Marsh Waterproofing Contract for exterior work on the 1919 Jail Restoration. The renovation work is being done at no cost to the county. Betty Oglesbee of the SA Garden Club is spear-heading the effort and says some $130,000 has been raised, including $15,000 in recent grants.

 

Approval was also given on renewal of the employee health insurance through the Texas Association of Counties. San Augustine will see a 7 percent premium increase.

 

Finally, a presentation was made by local photographer Glenda Harrison of a camera portrait of the San Augustine County Courthouse she took at dusk that was imposed with pictures of Davy Crockett & Sam Houston. "History Shines Through in San Augustine" is an award-winning photo. When addressing the court, she said the portrait was dedicated to be shared in her late husband Woody Harrison's and her legacy.

 

"History Shines Through in San Augustine", a camera portrait of the San Augustine County Courthouse, imposed with pictures of Texas History giants Davy Crockett and Sam Houston was donated to the county by local photographer Glenda Harrison at Tuesday morning's Commissioners' Court meeting. Ms. Harrison said the photo was an award winning entry from the Texas Main Street Media Contest. In addition, County Judge Samye Johnson personally donated a framed copy of the Texas Historic Commission's article on the San Augustine Courthouse that appeared in the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel recently. Pictured are (left) Ms. Harrison, Betty Oglesbee and County Judge Johnson. (Center Broadcasting photo)