Stash the horse and buggy

Back in the 19^th century, when communication was difficult and transportation time-consuming, it made sense to divide Texas counties into smaller sub-divisions for the purposes of representation at the county courthouse.

The system of having commissioners from different parts of a county helped insure all the communities were represented. This has not been a big issue historically for Titus County, but it’s a big plus in many counties where cities and towns are scattered all over the map; it insures everyone is represented.

In Bowie County, for example, the largest city – Texarkana – is on the eastern border, but the county seat is New Boston (state law requires a county seat be within ten miles of a county’s geographic center). Texarkana is much bigger than New Boston – or DeKalb for that matter – but the precincts insure everyone gets represented.

Historically, road repairs and maintenance have been done at the precinct level and controlled by the local commissioner. It made sense; the commissioner knows his district, and the machinery and equipment doesn’t have to be driven as far as it might be otherwise.

However, as the 20^th century rolled along, a few things changed. Roads got much better, which made transportation and moving equipment and materials much simpler. Also, the kind of equipment needed to properly maintain roads got a lot more expensive.

With communication and transportation having become so much easier, and budgets becoming so much tighter, there’s been a drive across the state for local public works to be consolidated into a single professionally-run outfit in each county.

It’s time for Titus County to join these other counties and move ahead from the horse and buggy days into the 21^st century

While commissioners can still represent their constituents, they don’t have to be construction managers. It allows people with different backgrounds – like women – to serve as commissioners. There’s never been a female commissioner in Titus County because there are not many women who know construction (there’s not many men, either).

In Upshur County, where they have had the Unit Road system for nine years, one commissioner is of the female persuasion – a nice way to break up the good old boys for sure.

Over the years many of OUR good old boy commissioners have been very protective and territorial of their equipment and materials, some to the point where they refused to share supplies and loan equipment.

People who got it good never want to change; it is up to the people to force them to see what benefits the public the most.

Doing things in the same old way year after year needs to change. The financial burden we all face because of ever-increasing taxes must be fought. You don’t always win, and sometimes you lose ground, but imagine if you stopped pushing?

If Titus County voters approve the Unit Road system, we will see a professionally run system of road management. There will be none of this wasteful duplication of equipment, material and supplies.

The commissioners get to keep their jobs, while the opportunities for savings skyrocket.

What’s not to like?