After the swearing-in on January 1, I hired two of the finest staffers of any, working for you in Commissioner's Court. Mario Llano is my chief of Staff. He is a 1983 graduate of St. Gerard High School and knows the Precinct quite well. In addition, Mario recently worked in the Precinct at Brooks Air Force Base. Cassandra Jones is my Special Assistant. She brings special knowledge of the Courthouse from her recent work in the County's Planning and Resource Management (Budget) Department. Both are very diligent, caring and hard-working individuals of whom Precinct Four can be rightly proud.

As for a "day in the life" of your County Commissioner, I must tell you that the work is challenging and that in my opinion, your Commissioner's office is definitely up to the task. Does that mean that we will succeed in every endeavor to advance the Precinct? Absolutely not, but worthy challenges will not go without an effort to be met and then some.

And there are many worthy challenges. First, flood victims should be given a hand-up, not a hand out. Both in the city portion of Precinct Four as well as in the County portion, we will continue to see to it that it is provided. We say this knowing that there is always more demand for resources then there is supply.

Next and without prioritizing, flood control by appropriate use of the ad valorem property tax revenues must be provided. Although we just experienced a five hundred year flood, provisions are being made to ensure that our citizens within the Salado and Cibolo flood plains do not ever find their home and their family in the dangerous and financially debilitating position of being subjected to another flood, even a one hundred year flood.

There are many other issues that I will bring to you in this column which I understand through the enlightened, civic-spirited policies of the Southside Reporter will be possible. One last one however, is the status of Comanche Park. It appears that the County will be able to timely and effectively restore Comanche Park #2 to an "as was" before-the-flood condition. All efforts will be made to achieve this. In the meantime, your understanding is appreciated.