Better Eyesight for children, returned grant monies and more were on the agenda for the Freestone County Commissioner’s Court meeting held on December 16, 2020.

The quick meeting began by skipping to the final item on the agenda, a replat in the Wilderness, Phase III, turning Lot 82 and 83 into Lot 82A.

The County decided to partner with the City of Fairfield and the Lion’s Club to purchase a Spot Vision Screener. The County would be paying $2,000.

The Spot Vision Screener is a handheld, portable device designed to help quickly and easily detect vision issues on patients from 6 months of age through adult.

In other business, the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) is a grant that the Court had accepted in the amount of $9,000 but after hearing the difficulties and lawsuits that have been connected with this grant, the Commissioner’s Court voted to return the money.

The CTCL Grant was to help election jurisdictions ensure that they have the staffing, training, and equipment necessary to help every voter vote in a safe and timely way with their vote being counted.

The lawsuits are in different states, including Texas, and are based on who is backing the funding, Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg.
Freestone County Judge Linda Grant stated that this is, “safest thing for us to do.”

The Freestone County Historical Commission new appointments where approved by the Court as follows:

–William Shelton – Chairman

–Brad Pullin – Vice-Chairman

–Angela Oglesbee – Secretary

–Diane Pullin – Treasurer

A discussion over the appointment of a new member to the Sick Leave Pool turned extra interesting as Commissioner Pct. 2 Craig Oakes nominated Commissioner Pct. 3 Clyde Ridge to the Pool which was seconded by Commissioner Pct. 1 Andy Bonner.

The vote did pass, but Ridge made sure to ask Judge Grant, “How do I turn in a resignation?”

Other items discussed were:

–No Burn Ban

–The release of a title of a fire truck that was totaled when a vehicle crashed into it

–Supplemental insurance for retirees who keep their insurance up until 65 years of age.