How stupid does Jim Lewis think we are?

It sounded like a good deal. I have a spare pick-up truck because it is paid for and it is nice to have a spare.

A guy made me an offer to rent the truck for $100.00 a day. Friends who don’t own a truck frequently borrow and it does frequently come in handy.

Think about it. Who could not use another $3K a month?

Then I checked the fine print. He didn’t really want to rent the truck he just wanted to be able to say he had a truck. I could not use the truck because it had to be available if he needed it. The contract means I am giving up much of the use of my truck for nothing.

That is exactly the scenario Jim Lewis got us in with the contract with Dallas County. We lose 200 revenue beds and it costs Dallas County nothing. Dallas County officials do not expect to need the beds but wanted to tell the Texas Jail Commission they had access to them if needed.  If the available beds in our jail drops below 200, The Commission comes down on Dallas County and they come down on McLennan County.

The Commissioners’ Court has already waived $30,000-$70,000 a month in revenue by closing down the downtown jail and waiving the fee for prisoners housed at the new jail.

How stupid do they think the voters are?

Dictator or public servant?

In 2006, there was a constable in McLennan County who was serving out the term of office for which he was elected. It was discovered in true public servant fashion, he had additionally been successfully elected to the local city council. This constable had an early Attorney General opinion indicating no conflict existed between the two positions because no compensation was provided for the position of alderman.

The issue was raised of both positions were “positions of trust.”

The question was brought to the McLennan County District Attorney who opined both offices were positions of trust and as such the resigned to run provision applied. The District Attorney wrote that the court was under no obligation to remove the constable and could simply allow him to complete the term of office to which the voters had elected him.

Jim Lewis voted with Wendell Crunk and Ray Meadows to ignore the will of the voters and remove the constable.

The constable campaigned for the opponent of the County Judge.

In 2007, even though the voters went to the polls and elected a new Justice of the Peace, even though the Commissioners’ Court canvassed the election results and declared a winner in the race, Jim Lewis refused to issue a certificate of election. Disenfranchising the voters a second time.

In 2009, the Justice of the Peace in the new combined precinct retired. Even though the previously elected Justice resided in the the precinct, Jim Lewis voted to appoint a person who had not been vetted and for the third time ignored the will of the voters.

Jim Lewis refuses Pledge of Allegiance

In the Summer, Tea Party activists were petitioning the McLennan County Commissioners’ Court to begin their sessions with the Pledge of Allegiance.

After meeting with resistance to the proposal, Veteran and former McLennan County Veterans Coordinator Bill Mahon addressed the court in the public comments section. Mr. Mahon laid out the case in support of saying the pledge before court meetings. After his presentation he rose and led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Not exactly all. County Judge Jim Lewis and Commissioner Precinct 2 Commissioner Lester Gibson refused to participate.

 

In the Tribune Herald the next day, Commissioner Gibson explained he believed an opening prayer was in order and to eliminate the prayer was putting country before God. Noting that Commissioner Gibson is a veteran, and he explained his actions, I can give him a pass.

Jim Lewis took the Mr. Magoo defense. Jim Lewis said it happened so fast he did not realize the pledge was being said. Even though Bill Mahon formerly worked for Jim Lewis as Veteran Coordinator, and Mr. Mahon had spent several minutes laying out the case for the pledge, all this slipped by the County Judge. If you buy that, I have a bridge to sell you. Looks more like Mel Brooks than Mr. Magoo.