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Sherman Sides is a candidate for Commissioner, Precinct #3, Comanche County.

I am married to Joyce and we reside in the Ebenezer community southeast of DeLeon. We have a family farming and trucking business that includes sons Bradley and Brandon. Joyce has a retail business in DeLeon. Bradley’s wife, Leah, is a school teacher in DeLeon. Brandon’s wife, Rachel, is employed at a law firm and abstract office in Comanche. Brandon and Rachel are the parents of two sons, Dawson and Peyton.

I am a lifelong resident of Precinct 3. This is an important position as commissioners have to make tough decisions on the county level and also in their own precincts. I have worked with large budgets and understand appraisal district values and local entity tax rates. I have the ability to get along with people and to reach an agreement with difficult decisions.

I have traveled the rural unpaved roads of Precinct 3 my entire life and know the conditions and problems of the roads. I have experience with machinery and trucks. I’ve had work crews employed by me in the past and I can and will delegate authority.

I am a past member of the DeLeon School Board and served as its President for 12 years. I have also served on various boards and committees in the county.

I will visit with as many residents in Precinct 3 as possible and listen to their concerns.

If elected, I will be your full time Commissioner. I would appreciate your consideration and please vote.

Gary D. "Corky" Underwood has announced his candidacy for County Commissioner, Precinct 1.

He was raised in Comanche County and graduated from Sidney High School in 1977.

From 1978 to 1982 he served in the U.S. Air Force in the Strategic Air Command 7th Bomb Wing.

He is currently employed with the Texas Department of Transportation in the Comanche Maintenance Section where he has worked for 20 years. For 14 years he was an equipment operator on roadway maintenance projects.

For the past six years he has been the office manager for the Comanche section. His duties include purchasing roadway materials and fuel, paying roadway maintenance contracts and processing employee payroll.

Lou Ann, his wife of 24 years, is a school teacher at Comanche Elementary School.

The Underwoods have three children, Terri Cox of Proctor, Sandi, a junior at Lubbock Christian University and David, a senior at Comanche High School.

"I look forward to serving the residents of Comanche County and Precinct 1 and I would appreciate your support," said Mr. Underwood.

Unofficial Minutes

Submitted By Ruby Lesley, County Clerk

Be it remembered that Commissioner’s Court of Comanche County, Texas, met in a Special Meeting on the 26th day of December, 2007, with the following members present: James R. Arthur, County Judge presiding; Garry Steele Commissioner Precinct #1; Kenneth Feist Commissioner Precinct #2; Bobby Schuman, Commissioner Precinct #3; and Jimmy Dale Johnson, Commissioner Precinct #4. >>Full Story<<

By Jerry Morgan, Reporter

A total of 50.04 inches of rain and precipitation was recorded in 2007, a total that is only .77 inches short of the 1986 record rainfall.

At the end of September, 2007 appeared to have a lock on being the wettest year since weather records have been maintained by the Corps of Engineers at Proctor Lake beginning in 1964.

Based on rainfall received through the first nine months and normal seasonal trends, a 2007 rainfall total of around 60 inches was projected.

But, the weather has a way of changing in Texas, and as the fall arrived, the weather began drying out.
Only 3.72 inches of rain were recorded in the last three months of the year. Normally there would be almost seven inches received during the last quarter.

Even though surface moisture has been scarce in recent weeks and months, the subsurface remains relatively wet and our streams, lakes and stock tanks close out the year with almost all in favorable condition.

Heavy plant growth during the wet portion of the year, combined with a dry fall, frost and winter cold fronts have combined to create conditions favoring wildfires. Please observe the restricted burn ban currently in effect. Call for permission before burning outdoors.

By Jerry Morgan, Reporter

VAN DYKE -- The approval of an experienced internal medicine physician to the hospital and clinic medical staff and the acquisition of two new hospital laboratory blood analysis units were the major items of business undertaken at the December special called Hospital District Board meeting.

Five members of the Board of Directors of the Comanche County Consolidated Hospital District, president Gale Easley and members Joe Locke, Karen Petty, Charles Mazurek and Billy Ray Evans, were present for the Wednesday, December 19 meeting. Janna Morris was absent.  >>Full Story<<

It’s time this coming Saturday to see one of the best shows available at any time of the year in DeLeon.

There’ll be some of the best animals and youngsters in the area all competing for the judge’s eye and favor.

The 2008 edition of the DeLeon Stock Show will be held on Saturday, January 5 at the show barn off of Highway 6 east of the old festival grounds.

The local show is a warm-up for the Comanche County show which will be held on the following weekend.

The judge for this year’s event will be Loren Sell, Ag Science teacher from Perrin. DeLeon Ag Science teachers Josh Hodges and Elaine Gibson and the members of the DeLeon Livestock Association will conduct the show. The public is invited to attend.

The show order will start with pigs at 9:00 a.m. in the morning, followed in order by lambs, goats, heifers and market steers.

The DeLeon Livestock Association will be selling BBQ sandwich plate lunches at the midday break.
Grooming and clipping will be conducted on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons at the DHS vocational ag building.

All animals need to be in the show barn by 7:00 p.m. on Friday.

By Jerry Morgan, Reporter

DeLeon Police Chief Ralph Dickey stopped by our offices recently for a visit. When asked about what was happening in the law enforcement buiness, he gave his usual “Not much” answer, and then started talking about BB gun vandalism that had been occuring around town recently.

A number of windows have been shot out around the elementary school. That was bad, but the damage and expense involved got worse on a second occasion when the glass in electrical meters and an expensive liquid dispensing meter were also broken by BB’s.

The vandal(s) are apparently using a CO2 powered pistol, since a spent CO2 cartridge was found at the site of the second vandalism. Chief Dickey said that BB rifles seldom, if ever, utilize CO2 cartidges, so he believes a pistol is being used.

Chief Dickey pointed out that once the damage total exceeds $1,500 that the matter becomes a felony. The damaged liquid dispensing meter, if unrepairable, would cost over $4,000 to replace.

The matter remains under investigation and if anyone has information regarding the BB shootings they are requested to contact the DeLeon Police Department.

By Laura Kestner, Editor

The DeLeon City Council met in regular session, Thursday, December 27, and made short work of a fairly routine agenda.

All council members -- Mayor Danny Owen, Howard Gifford, Norma Locke, Avery Carlise, Roy Dale Freeman and Gayle Stroud -- were present for the 6 p.m. start, as were City Secretary Karen Wilkerson, Police Chief Ralph Dickey and Emergency Management Coordinator Ray Helberg.  >>Full Story<<

The 2007 storm season in north Texas was one for the history books.

Widespread devastating flooding, large destructive windstorms, tornadoes, and hail all made appearances in our area. The toll on life and property was significant, with dozens of casualties and damage in the tens of millions of dollars.

The 2008 severe weather season is just around the corner. Are you ready for whatever this year has in store? Do you have a severe weather plan at your home and your workplace? Can you recognize the clues that suggest large hail, flash flooding, or a tornado is possible? Do you want to become part of the severe weather warning system in your county?   >>Full Story<<

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