Crime rate up 30%

The safety of Leon County residents was addressed by Sheriff Jerry Wakefield, who petitioned the commissioners for two more full time officers due to the ongoing investigation of the serial rapist preying on elderly residents in Leon and surrounding counties. “Our crime rate is up 30% thus far this year, and we just don’t have the staff to fully patrol the county AND stake out the suspect areas along the Highway 7 corridor. That serial rapist is pulling our manpower,” Sheriff Wakefield concluded. The court responded by authorizing the addition of two full time officers for a specified time, up through September 30, 2010. The Court also suspended the current 120- hour cap on accumulation of vacation for certified peace officers.

Participants offered a silent prayer for the families affected by the Fort Hood tragedy before Bro. Ray Payne of Ephesus Baptist Church led the opening prayer at the November 9th meeting of the Leon County Commissioners Court. In his report which followed, Veterans Services Officer Gary Maples announced that the Adopt- A-Unit program is collecting donations for the victims and the families of the fallen troops at Fort Hood. Anyone wishing to contribute to that account can send their check, payable to "Adopt-A-Unit", to the Maples (3508 DR 581 S, Centerville, TX 75833) or contact them at 97-450-8891 for more information. Maples also asked for assistance in purchasing toys for the children of Charlie Battery, the unit officially 'adopted' by Leon County. Finally, he issued an open invitation for anyone to go with him to the Adopt-A-Unit dinner on November 17. Tickets are $12.

Col. James Wallace of- fered an update on the Leon Health Resource Center, focusing on the efforts to expand the specialty care they want to be able to offer. He described meetings with (eye) Dr. Vicky Camp and (cardiologist) Dr. Robert McFarlane and concluded, "We need to be sure we make space available." The executive director of LHRC also recommended the approval of the contract for Camilla Viator, case manager and services coordinator. The Court approved that agreement, committing $10,000 toward that annual salary, with Madison County and St. Joseph Health Center also contributing.

Financial items were discussed next. - Auditor Susan Pugh was authorized to pay jurors each Friday while serving on the capital murder trial which has begun. - The commissioners approved line item transfers totalling $2,998. - Commissioner Joey Sullivan announced the sale of two old pickups ('85 GMC and '95 Dodge) locally. - Commissioner Mark Ivey announced plans to sell an old backhoe at auction. - Pugh reported on the 14 audit findings from FY08, and she explained the county's response to each finding.

In routine business, the Court: - Approved a wedding at the Gazebo on December 3. - Authorized County Clerk Carla McEachern to contract with Nationwide Binding to do some in-house repairs on books. - Proclaimed November 2009 as "Home Care and Hospice Month" .