By Lacy Gross, Jimplecute
Caption: Marcia Thomas presents the Marion County Commissioners’ Court with an artistic rendering of the Marion County Courthouse in appreciation of the ongoing courthouse restoration and in honor of her great grandfather who served as a commissioner in 1812 when the courthouse was built.
County commissioners announced the 2021 Marion County Earth Week will be April 16-25. Dumpsites will be open regular hours and days. Earth Week was not held in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions and the dates have been a common question from Marion County Residents. Regular hours for the dumpsites are:
- Pct. 1: Noon to 4 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, and Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday
- Pct. 2: Noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday, and Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday
- Pct. 3: Noon to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday
- Pct. 4: Noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday
Brush, Tires, Shingles, Paint Products, Batteries, Fiberglass Boats and Oil cannot be dumped at the dumpsites. Only Precinct 2 accepts Oil.
There are no charges for Marion County Residents during Earth Week. Other times a dump ticket is required and can be purchased at the Marion County Clerk’s Office.
April 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the United States and Marion County Commissioners, by proclamation, have officially recognized April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month after Commissioners approved the measure in Monday’s regular session.
Partnering with the Women’s Center of East Texas, an organization that provides crisis intervention and support services to victims of sexual violence in several counties including Marion, the Court unanimously supported the effort to assist in its efforts to educate the public and to affirm its commitment to fighting for victims of sexual assault.
County Judge Leeward LaFleur read aloud the proclamation which reads in part:
Whereas, Sexual Assault Awareness Month calls attention to the fact that sexual violence is widespread and impacts women, men and children of all racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds in our community;
and
Whereas, rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment impacts our community, as shown by statistics indicating that one in five women and one in 67 men will be sexually assaulted at some point in their lives;
and
Whereas, child sexual abuse prevention must be a priority to confront the reality that one in six boys and one in four girls will experience a sexual assault before age 18;
and
Whereas, we must work together to educate our community about sexual violence prevention and holding perpetrators who commit acts of violence responsible for their actions;
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) was created six years after the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)—major legislation passed in 1994 which provided funding for the investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women and children. The leading nonprofit for sexual violence awareness and prevention, NSVRC formally recognized April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month one year after its formation.
The Women’s Center of East Texas has served the victims of sexual assault for more than 40 years and promotes empowerment through education and support for survivors and their families, free of charge. For more information about this organization, or to donate, visit wc-et.org.
Additionally, the Court resolved to adopt the Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council and Settlement Allocation Term Sheet by which political subdivisions such as Marion County will receive a percentage of monies recovered from drug companies that have engaged in fraudulent, reckless marketing and distribution of opioids. The resulting addictions and overdoses have added significant costs to the County due to the misconduct.
The county stands to receive an estimated $54,728 as part of the settlement.
Two full bids were received for struck off properties and approved for the issuance of new deeds by County Judge LaFleur.
Eric T. Valenzuela submitted a full bid of $4,588.64 for property in Woodland Shores. The property was struck off in Dec. 2018.
Weldon Moses submitted a full bid of $2,500.00 for property in the Urquhart Addition. The property was struck off in Oct. 2007.
Also approved was the purchase of an excavator in the amount of $30,000 and a bid from Advanced Roofing Services submitted for $6,900 for repairs to Kellyville Center.