The Hood County Development Commission Meeting: The Oath of Office
The following is the oath of office used to swear in each Development Commissioner, and the Ex Officio Chairman, of the Hood County Development Commission.
I (state your name) do solemnly swear and affirm, that I will faithfully execute the duties, of Development Commission representative for Precinct (#) of Hood County, of the State of Texas, and I will to the best of my abilities, preserve, protect and defend, the constitution and laws of the United States, and of this great state, so help me God, and I furthermore do solemnly swear or affirm, that I have not directly or indirectly paid, offered or promised to pay, contributed or promised to contribute, any money or thing of value, or promised any public office or employment, or the giving or withholding, as a reward to secure my appointment, whichever the case may be, so help me God. This is strong, airtight language for an oath of office.
Ex Officio Chairperson: Christine Leftwich
Commissioner, Precinct 1: Tyler Scott
Commissioner, Precinct 2: Matt Long
Commissioner, Precinct 3: Tod Garner
Commissioner, Precinct 4: Robert Carter
At this meeting, the Judge arrived late, held over with previous responsibilities, so he missed the start of the meeting. The Commission began on time, digging right into business, and when the judge arrived, he swore in the Commissioners and the Ex Officio Chairman in by administering the oath of office. Immediately afterwards they had the prayer, then the room stood for the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Pledge to the Great State of Texas.
The Commissioners re-commenced, and the meeting was relive broadcasted as a zoom call. The zoom connection was between the Commission and the lawyer hired by Hood County to represent them as council in this endeavor. The Lawyer, from the Bracewell firm, constantly provided council during the meeting regarding the legalities and interpretations of statutes in this issue.
Clint Head exerted strong influence in the meeting, quoting a thorough knowledge of the procedures and interpretations of statutes that others on the Commission, soaked up like a sponge. He was an invaluable source of information. So was the input of Jeannie Stacks. Who is the Health Inspector/Code enforcement inspector at City of Granbury.
Overall, the meeting was very productive. Commissioners from Precincts 1,2 and 4 had done extensive reading into the intricacies of what is important for this Commission to be productive. There was only one vote. That was to advise the County Commissioners’ Court to establish a moratorium on commercial development until they can conduct a realistic evaluation of what all of the ramifications will turn out to be for a data center to come into Hood County. The vote was four to one. The lone vote against it was Robert Carter.
Later in the meeting, the Commissioners discussed minor things. Among those things was the discussion about having a dedicated email, which Robert Carter suggested. This was a good suggestion. No decision resulted from this discussion so far. To be effective as a Development Commissioner, he or she should have an email address especially related to his or her position with the Development Commission.
