Thursday, October 29, 1998

Treasurer gets most attention in county races

Of the four contested Taylor County races, the one that is the least political - county treasurer - seems to have become the most heated, judging from the number of letters to the editor the Abilene Reporter-News has received.

The county treasurer's duties are pretty well prescribed by law and don't involve political decisions such as those made by county commissioners or legal judgments like those in 326th District Court. The main "issue" is the simple competence of accuracy and timeliness in record keeping.

County Treasurer Laura Browder took over an office in disarray and under fire. And the problems didn't disappear over night. But Browder persisted. She has reduced the size of the office staff from two-and-a-half to two. And since the end of last year, she has presented accurate reports on time. That's what we expect a county treasurer to do. Having shown she can do the job under the right conditions, Browder deserves another term.

Family Law Court, 326th District

In Taylor County's Family Law Court, Judge Aleta Hacker has established a reputation in the community for fairness and integrity and for demonstrating compassion in addressing situations - divorce, adoption, child custody - that are often highly emotional for the litigants. Hacker has chaired the county's juvenile and domestic relations boards and has a long record of civic involvement. She initiated the formation of the county's Domestic Relations Office, the Family Outreach visitation exchange center and a mandated "Children in Divorce" seminar for parents. Judge Hacker should be kept on this bench.

County Commissioner, Precinct 2

In the contest between two Merkel educators to replace retiring veteran Commissioner Don Dudley, Democrat Nowlin "Corky" Cox brings a rich background of life experience as a former teacher and coach and current construction business operator to the table, along with a jovial, easy-going demeanor and an open-minded attitude about such county issues as a unit road system. He wants better help for volunteer fire departments but is committed to holding the line on county taxes.

County Commissioner, Precinct 4

Republican Chuck Statler has the broad business background and the ability to work with a diversity of people that will make him a solid addition to the Commissioners Court position being vacated by longtime Commissioner Neil Frye. As a former military MP, Statler also has law enforcement experience that will help in that area. Perhaps most importantly, Statler has a thorough grasp of county government's increasingly larger and more complex role beyond just keeping the roads smooth. That awareness will stand him and the taxpayers of Taylor County in good stead.