Lone Star adds two new staff

By J. Leslie Riseden

Two new staff members were formally introduced to the Lone Star City Council at its regular meeting Oct. 20. The Council approved the hiring of Shane Townson to fill the position of Public Works Supervisor. Shane currently resides in Mt. Pleasant, but plans to move his family closer to Lone Star. In related action, the Council also approved an amendment to the Water and Sewer budget for 2016-17 to include the purchase of a truck for the Public Works Supervisor.

Stephen Rathbun has joined the Lone Star Police Department as a reserve officer. Stephen is a graduate of the East Texas Police Academy in Kilgore; he is also a registered EMT and a certified firefighter.

Jim Sly of Scenic View Motel and RV Park made a detailed presentation to the council in support of his request for assistance with drainage problems resulting from flooding during storms. The Council voted to investigate the situation as well as to review the steps taken by the city at this location some years ago, to see if the same action will solve the current problems outlined by Mr. Sly.

Following some discussion, the council also voted to pursue a “Best Value” proposal process in regard to solicitation of bids for the boat ramp improvement project. The City of Lone Star has received a grant from the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife which will match the city’s expenditure at three dollars to one, up to $150,000. A “Best Value” proposal process will require the city to handle some of the bid process in-house, but will allow the city to take advantage of donated labor, equipment and materials when costing out the project.

In other business, the council voted to approve Mitchell Cox as Chairman of the Economic Development Board, following the resignation of Elizabeth Kienzle; and to approve an expenditure by the Economic Development Board in the sum of $7,112 for the purchase and installation of Christmas decorations throughout the city.