Commissioners Court learns of judges resignation

            Ellis County Judge Chad Adams announced during this morning’s regularly-scheduled meeting of the Commissioners’ Court that he is resigning his office effective April 1, 2009.

            “I wanted to give you a heads-up to work toward a replacement of a person for this office,” Adams said.  “I have enjoyed my time.  We’ve made a lot of progress.  I wish I could say it was a masterful plan on my part, but there’s no way.”

            Adams expressed his faith in God’s guidance throughout his ten years of service to the County.  “The good Lord used the personalities of employees and on the Court, and we have made good decisions,” he said.  “One of the things we have accomplished is an enhanced relationship with the people.”

            On hand to support Adams in his announcement was his wife, Gina, and their youngest daughter, Amalia.

            Adams was first elected to the office of Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4, where he served from 1999 through 2002.  He was sworn in as County Judge on January 1, 2003. 

            A regional and statewide leader, Adams sought balanced solutions for transportation and air quality issues.  He now resigns as the immediate past President of the North Central Texas Council of Governments Executive Board, co-chair of the Conference of Urban Counties Texas Clean Air Working Group, and chair of the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition.  He served on many other state and regional boards throughout the last six years.  Adams has been an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors of the Midlothian and Waxahachie Chambers of Commerce, and is a graduate of Leadership Midlothian.

Adams will be joining Victron Energy, Inc., formerly H & H Oil, in Waxahachie.  “I am looking forward to the challenge,” he told the Court.  “I am moving in as a VP of company internal operations – making things more efficient.  It will be some of the same things we did here at the County.”

Victron is one of the largest U.S. distributors of Shell and Exxon fuels.  It distributes whole petroleum products such as diesel fuel and gasoline.  Victron’s other subsidiaries build restaurants, stores, shopping centers and retail sites throughout the region.

Commissioner Ron Brown, pct. 4, brought levity to the somber announcement.  “Judge, this is important,” he said.  “Could you give me a discount on gas?”

Brown went on to thank the judge for his service.  “It’s been good and bad, but we were able to work through it – that’s the key.”

Adams asked the Court to proclaim the month of March 2009 as Meals on Wheels Awareness Month in Ellis County.  On hand to receive the proclamation were Meals on Wheels board members Charlie Morton and Marion Reynolds as well as Development Director Lisa Hicks.

Brown received the Court’s approval of a proclamation recognizing World Kidney Day, to be read at an upcoming Kidney Society event.

In other business, Commissioners:

·                                             Appointed Bruce Moore to the Ferris ESD #5 and Sadie Tellez to the Avalon ESD #8;

·                                             Approved an interlocal agreement with the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) for use of grant funds in the Regional Smoking Vehicle Program initiatives;

·                                             Approved a contract with the Waxahachie Civic Center for the Employee Appreciation Dinner on December 4, 2009;

·                                             Authorized the Emergency Management Coordinator to seek grant funding and make application for grants to make necessary improvements to the County’s communications networks;

·                                             Awarded the bid for purchase of ready mixed concrete to County Concrete;

·                                             Rejected the existing open bids from Cleveland Asphalt and Ergon for emulsified asphalt and rebid allowing primary and secondary contract to be placed;

·                                             Authorized installation of two stop signs on South Westmoreland at the intersection with Lariat Circle;

·                                             Adjourned for a short executive session, taking no action after reconvening.