This interview was recorded Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Henderson County Courthouse Annex.
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In this week's County Report, Judge Wade McKinney talks about redistricting, broadband, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and 4-H Week.
I. Redistrict (:30)
Henderson County has received its initial redistrict assessment from the law firm of Allison Bass & Associates, the same firm that has helped the county with redistricting the past three times.
The numbers show that Henderson County will have to go through redistricting because of a shift in population growth. The overall population for the county is 82,150.
"We were a little bit disappointed in what the total number was," Judge McKinney said. "We were expecting it to be closer to 90,000."
According to the Census numbers, Precinct 2 has grown faster than the other precincts.
In addition, likely changes to the county's State House districts will force the county to redraw some voter districts.
Because of delays in the release of Census data, officials only have a few weeks to complete this year's redistricting efforts.
"This is going to take place, most likely, not on a regularly scheduled Commissioners Court meeting," Judge McKinney said.
Watch this space for redistricting updates and announcements about public hearings on redistricting.
II. Broadband (13:12)
Judge McKinney, along with members of several county EDCs, met with officials from the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) Wednesday at the Athens Partnership Center to discuss broadband in the county.
The meeting was a continuation of discussions about expanding broadband infrastructure in the 13-county region through federal grants.
This week, the discussion was about the "middle mile," which is the segment of a communication system connecting the core network to locals.
"The only way to build a solid foundation to actually have this here is a middle mile network," said Judge McKinney. "That's what we were reviewing."
Unfortunately, a network like that is very expensive, which is why ETCOG is trying to secure federal funding. But that takes time.
Stay tuned.
III. Domestic Violence Awareness Month (20:34)
Henderson County Commissioners approved a resolution proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the county.
Judge McKinney read the proclamation on the courthouse lawn Tuesday afternoon.
The Judge also discussed the unique situation in Henderson County with nonprofits, law enforcement, and prosecution all working together to face the domestic violence problem.
"Our organizations in this county work hand-in-hand with each other, propping each other up because they don't all do the same thing but they all have the same objective," Judge McKinney said.
IV. 4-H Week (26:10)
This is 4-H Week in Henderson County!
"Folks, we have got a great 4-H program," said Judge McKinney, who was in 4-H when growing up.
The 4-H program is part of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
"We've got some great agents were here in the county promoting this," Judge McKinney said.
