While not a ‘sea of blue,’ there were plenty of people wearing blue shirts seated in the courtroom in support of efforts against child abuse for Tuesday’s meeting of the Jackson County Commissioners Court.
“I think we’re all aware that we do have, unfortunately, situations here in Jackson County regarding children,” Sklar said. “It looks like in 2024 it was 153 reports of abuse and neglect here in Jackson County. We have a lot of folks in blue out there who work tirelessly every day to help solve this problem, and we appreciate all that you all do.”
Nicole Nguyen of the St. Jude’s Ranch for Children addressed the court on behalf of the Golden Crescent Children’s Project to discuss the need for more public attention on the issue of child abuse.
“It is an issue in big towns and in small towns,” Nguyen said.
“We have to get past the not wanting to talk about it because it is happening. There’s 153 reports here in Jackson County. Nine of those kids were in foster care from abuse, as well. It’s not always a comfortable topic to talk about, it’s not a fun topic, but it is reality, and it is happening.”
A child abuse awareness display will be erected on the courthouse lawn this week with cut-outs of children to represent the number of Jackson County children in foster care and pinwheels to mark the number who were assisted by Hope of South Texas Child Advocacy Center.
In addition, Friday will be “Go Big Blue Day” to wear blue in support of efforts to end child abuse. County residents are encouraged to wear blue that day and even to switch porch lights to blue bulbs, if possible, to spur conversations about the need to “say something if you see something” happening to children.
In addition, commissioners also entered into executive session for 24 minutes to discuss a possible purchase of property in Edna but took no action when they returned to open session.
In other business, commissioners: Approved the minutes of the March 11th meeting; Renewed the depository contract with Prosperity Bank; Approved a request from the Friends of Edna to place two telescoping poles on the courthouse lawn for Christmas tree display; Approved a resolution in support of Texas Senate Bill 1377 and Texas House Bill 3000, which would provide critical funding for rural emergency medical services; Approved an engagement letter with CapRisk to provide the required actuarial valuations and projections, supportive of GASB75 reporting requirements for “Other Post Employment Benefits” (OPEB) over a fiveyear period; Approved a quote from Austin Wood for $33,500 for brush grinding at the Jackson County Transfer Station; Received the unaudited financial statements as of and for the five months ending Feb. 29, 2025; Approved the property and mobile equipment insurance renewal with the Texas Association of Counties for the period from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2026; Approved the application for county road crossing (utility) with YK Communications on CR 238 in Precinct 2 for fiber optics line; Approved the Treasurer’s Report for February; Approved the payment of county and precinct bills; Approved payroll changes; and Received county reports, news, and information.
