Burn ban in effect in Fannin County

<p>BY VICKI GRAVES
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<p>HERALD DEMOCRAT
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<p>BONHAM -- Beginning a lengthy agenda on Monday morning, Fannin County Commissioners Court opened public forum and Sheriff Kenneth Moore said he wanted to thank Commissioner Stan Barker. 
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<p>"We lost an officer on Jan. 7, 2007, who was on his way to assist another agency," Moore said. 
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<p>Deputy Rahamy Mitchell and two other units were in route to Leonard to help with a disturbance call involving a weapon. Rain from the night before had left the roads damp, which might have contributed to the one car accident. Dispatchers heard from Deputy Mitchell for the last time at 1:20 a.m.
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<p>A number of people donated money to have a sign placed where the accident occurred. Moore said the people who own the property allowed Fannin County Sheriff's Office, with the help of Barker's crew, to erect the sign on the north side of State Highway 11 near the intersection of State Highway 78.
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<p>"My guys said they were happy to do it," Barker said.
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<p><b>Burn ban in effect</b>
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<p>The Court approved 4-0 a countywide burn ban to be in effect until the next commissioners' meeting in 14 days. Tim Weiler, with the Volunteer Fire Chiefs Association, said, "We're asking for the burn ban. People are getting careless out there right now. They're letting fires get out of hand. We've had one home burn. The others have been saved."
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<p>Barker said that Fannin County is a little below hazard level. Weiler said Fannin will come into its drought situation shortly, according to the Texas Department of Agriculture. "The weeds are what's really hurting us right now and we have the strong winds," Weiler said.
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<p>Commissioner Pat Hilliard asked if there are any exceptions, such as agriculture burns. 
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<p>"As long as USDA is notified in advance," Weiler said. "You have to call Randy Moore with the agriculture department and he will come out and supervise. There's also the exemption for welders and barbecue grills."
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<p>Fireworks go on sale Dec. 20 and the Court did not take action prohibiting certain fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county. Weiler said this action would have stopped the vendors from selling bottle rockets. 
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<p>County Judge Eileen Cox said the Dec. 15 deadline date would not give the Court an opportunity to notify all the people who sell fireworks.
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<p>"We do have one more meeting before Dec. 15," Barker said. "They're giving rain later this week."
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<p><b>Fannin County Animal Shelter</b>
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<p>Commissioners heard a presentation by Thoi Allen, who lives on County Road 4245 south of Bonham and Pat Ward regarding the location and operation of the new Fannin County Animal Shelter. Allen said it has been temporarily approved by the Humane Society of the United States and the budget is $120,000. The contractor is Brazos Building Co.
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<p>"At this time, we do not know how much Friends of Fannin County Critters has collected so far in donations," Allen said. "But our contractor will make up the difference." She said the USDA has offered $40,000 to the city of Bonham, which also is included in the budget amount.
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<p>Allen and her group have located a piece of county property on Lipscomb Street near Red River Regional Hospital on the east side of Texoma Workforce Commission, she told the Court. The property is 75 yards from the hospital and has electricity, water and sewage. "We are hoping that you will also agree that this is a good location," she said.
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<p>The commissioners approved 4-0 Commissioner Dewayne Strickland, who volunteered to serve as liaison for discussions between the city and county. But they told Allen and Ward they might have a problem with that location. 
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<p>"I think you've got a big hurdle you'll have to jump," Strickland told the two women. And Commissioner Pat Hilliard said they probably need to visit with Doris Shockley, whose home is located nearby. Ward said the shelter would be 75 yards from the hospital and Strickland said they need to visit with hospital administration, too.
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<p>"It's not going to be tacky looking," Ward said. "I understand that. That jail wasn't going to be either," said Strickland, "but it would probably pay you to visit with the hospital and the Shockleys. But I will say, we have a different bunch of folks at the hospital now and they're open minded and community oriented. You probably will be received with open arms, but you still need to talk to them."
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<p>Ector City Secretary Nelba Morris asked where Ector stands. Ward told her that the shelter will be operated by the county and that every city in the county is welcome to house abandoned, abused or dangerous animals. Morris said that's what she wanted to know.
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<p>Commissioner Pat Hilliard asked what happens when the shelter gets full and they can't adopt the animals. 
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<p>"As a last resort, it will not be a no-kill shelter," Ward said.
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<p>Strickland suggested a workshop regarding the shelter be held next Friday.
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<p>Barker asked Bonham City Manager Corby Alexander, who was in attendance, the date of the deadline for the grant money. 
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<p>"We've got to have dirt turning by July, so we've got some time," Alexander said.
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<p><b>Other business</b>
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<p>In other matters, the Court approved 4-0:
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<p>* bids opening Jan. 6, 2009 for the Statzer Land;
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<p>* four older FCSO vehicles to be sold through Lone Stare Auctioneers online;
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<p>* purchase of a copier for Precinct 3 with the money coming from Strickland's road and bridge contingency;
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<p>* purchase of an I-beam for Precinct 3;
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<p>* an interlocal agreement with Collin County to perform autopsies for Fannin County;
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<p>* a contract with Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home to transport to the Collin County medical examiner's office;
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<p>* a Household Hazardous Waste event to be held at the Precinct 4 barn in the spring of 2009; and
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<p>* and extension of the Harnett Grocery contract for county jail supplies.
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