NEWS
Rhetoric fuels rumors, questions about election voting
By BARBARA GREEN
The heated presidential race, coupled with rhetoric from a candidate about a “rigged system” has fueled skepticism and doubt prompting every aspect of voting to come into question.
Montague County Elections Administrator Brandi Shipman said this week she has had people question the type of machines that are being used, demand a paper ballot and question the hours of an early voting location.
Regarding the paper ballot, Shipman said someone demanded a paper ballot indicating they do not trust the electronic system. That citizen told Shipman federal law allows her to ask for a paper ballot; however, the administrator said this is no such stipulation.
In a fully electronic county, said Shipman, the only paper ballot is by mail where eligibility is based on disability, age or being absent on election day.
Responding to questions, Shipman has submitted a letter to the editor which is published in Saturday’s Bowie News and answers many of these questions. Please see the Saturday print edition to see the full letter.
Montague County appears to be heading to a record early voter turnout with one week left. Through Thursday at 4 p.m. the early voting total for the county was 3,002, which is 22.54 percent of the eligible voters.
Read the full story in the weekend News.
NEWS
County subdivision regulations getting updates
Updating Montague County’s subdivision regulations will be a major topic of discussion at the 9 a.m. commissioner’s court meeting on April 22.
As 2023 wound down the court named a committee to work with legal counsel to see what updates or clarifications were needed to the rules. The agenda list scheduling a public hearing on adoption of the revised rules, along with taking an impact assessment on the draft of the regulations.
An executive session is posted for discussion on the appointment of a development officer in conjunction with subdivision rules. This could be a new position or a present employee, there was no information available on Friday.
The court will consider appointing a local health authority for the county. Dr. Chance Dingler has been serving in that capacity.
The Montague County Historical Commission will ask to place a historical marker at the site of the old agriculture extension farm site outside of Montague.
In other topics they will consider a finance contract with Government Capital to finance the remaining balance of a 2022 Mac Truck for precinct four; allow precinct one to enter the Tyler Stark property on Lake Valley Road to address drainage issues on a proposed driveway entrance and tinhorn installation; precinct two going out for sealed bids to sell excess dirt; precinct three trading a loader; replat for two lots in Silver Lakes Ranch, phase seven in precinct two and a final plat for various lots in the Robb Addition.
NEWS
School bond early voting to open
Early voting for the Bowie and Forestburg Independent School District bond elections begins April 22 at one central location at the Bowie Senior Citizens Center.
Early voting will be April 22-26, and April 29-30, all from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is only one location for early voting for both elections.
On the May 4 election day the polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at these locations: Bowie Senior Citizen Center, Forestburg ISD library and Sunset City Hall.
Voters can cast ballots at any of these locations due to countywide voting.
Bowie ISD is asking voters to reconsider a $65.8 million bond issue, that was defeated in November 1,079 to 855, a shortfall of 224 voters.
There will be two town hall meetings this week where the superintendent will discuss the bond proposal on April 24 from noon to 1 p.m at the administration office, 404 E. Williams, and 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the junior high school.
Read more on the upcoming elections and the proposed bonds in the weekend Bowie News.
NEWS
Traffic stop may have been part of human trafficking
More than a dozen men, believed to be illegal aliens who were being trafficked, fled from a traffic stop at the edge of the Montague and Clay County line early Wednesday morning.
As of Friday seven of the men who ran away from the van had been captured. The search for the men began at 1:05 a.m. April 17 when a Clay County Deputy made a traffic stop in the Bellevue area at U.S. 287 north of Tyson Road. The sheriff’s office announced approximately 11 to 14 suspected illegal aliens immediately fled out of the vehicle on foot into the surrounding countryside when the stop was made.
After a day long search seven were apprehended and the investigation indicates the men may have been taken for human trafficking. They had no ID, no money, no personal items and a couple had no shows.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
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