Editor: Shannon Cottongame
September 21, 2023
Hill County commissioners approved a proclamation declaring September 17-23 Constitution Week in the county during a meeting held Tuesday morning, September 12.
The resolution signed by County Judge Justin Lewis encourages the public to commemorate the 236th anniversary of the drafting of the United States Constitution.
The annual celebration of the Constitution was started by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). In 1955, DAR petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into public law on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
DAR says that the purpose of Constitution Week is to: emphasize citizens’ responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution; inform people that the Constitution is the basis for America’s great heritage and the foundation for our way of life; and encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787.
The local Fort Graham chapter of DAR encouraged the public to check out books available at local libraries, and teachers and parents are encouraged to access online resources DAR has put together to help inform younger citizens. They can be accessed at http://www.dar.org/national-society/education/dar-lesson-plans.
The court also held public hearings on speed limits for several county roads, along with the placement of a yield sign at an intersection. There were no public comments, and the court voted to establish a 35 mile-per-hour speed limit on HCR 2124 and a 30 mile-per-hour speed limit on HCR 1104 Loop. A yield sign will also be placed at the intersection of HCR 1432 and HCR 1439.
Commissioners also approved the purchase of two 2023 Ford F-150 crew cab pickups from Hillsboro Ford for use by constables in precincts 2 and 3 and the trade-in of their current vehicles.
In other updates during the meeting, Sheriff Rodney Watson presented statistics for August to the court, noting that the department had 1,329 calls for service, responded to 29 agency assists and worked 32 accidents. The sheriff said that deputies have gone through accident investigation training because of the number of Department of Public Safety troopers that have been sent to the border. The sheriff’s office averaged eight calls per day, per deputy. The department had 12 patrol deputies on staff with three more in training as of the meeting date. The jail population was reported at 160.
The court convened in executive session for economic development discussions, but no action was taken when open session resumed.
The Lakelander 