The third floor courtroom was filled with citizens during the most recent meeting of the Robertson County Commissioners Court. Many came out to support the organizations who do work in the community and who were requesting funds from the court to aid in the continuance of their good works. After the invocation and pledges to the United States and Texas Flags, the court took a good listen to those who came to speak on their organization’s behalf. Cary Baker was the first to speak on behalf of Scotty’s House; an organization dedicated to aiding children who are victims of sexual abuse and their families. They provide a variety of services within Robertson County by collaborating with Child Protective Services and law enforcement officials on every case. From the initial report to the recovery stage, and everything in between, Scotty’s House facilitates all areas of the investigation process; from providing initial needs assessments, forensic interviews and medical evaluations to child abuse counseling as well as counseling to families of the child. They have provided all of their services to the sixty two reported victims in Robertson County this year alone, and they requested $5,000.00 from the court to help aid in their endeavors. Next up, Laurie Ditto spoke on behalf of the Community Resource Center of Robertson County, located in Hearne. Ditto spoke of the growth of services to the people of Robertson County since they began three years ago. The CRCRC has been funded through grants and donations from two congregations in the area, but some of those funds are about to end and they requested help from all the cities in the area as well as the commissioners to help them continue their good works. The CRCRC helps locals get access to all kinds of services, from help with utilities to senior food packages and connecting people with mental health resources. They have clients all throughout the county and even do house calls to clients who can’t always make it to the office for service. One of their biggest goals for the upcoming year is to purchase a van to help transport clients as well as deliver food packages throughout the county. Their main aim is to fill the gaps in services and connect people to what is available to them. “Our services help people in Robertson County to stay housed, fed and healthy so that they can continue to contribute and thrive,” explained Ditto. The commissioners thanked both of the presenters for their hard work and dedication to the community and were pleased that they had made their requests in a timely manner so that they could be discussed at their budget workshops, which are currently ongoing. One other funds request occurred during the latter part of the agenda; the annual HOT funds request for ROLL CALL - Friends of Camp Hearne. Camp Hearne and The Depot Museum request annual HOT funds that they use to advertise the museums and bring people into the community. Most of the funds are used to create travel flyers that go to hotels and motels across Texas. A smaller portion of the funds go to advertising in local newspapers and magazines, including the Robertson County News, as well as Franklin News Weekly and occasionally Insite Magazine of Bryan/College Station. Donald Threadgill had a few questions about some specifics of the application and they decided to table the request for the moment. Judge Scarpinato said that he would sit down with Cathy Lazarus, director of ROLL CALL and get clarification on all of the questions and they would return to the funds request at the next available court session. John Elliott and Jeff Kennedy were sworn in as reinstated members of the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District, finalizing the process and allowing the members to get to work on the board. “Mr. Day will be happy to get these,” said Judge Scarpinato as he signed the oaths to be forwarded to the District’s manager. The Court extended the most recent disaster declaration from the high winds that whipped through the northern part of Robertson County a few short weeks ago. This allowed the commissioners to purchase one new and refurbish one older brush truck, allowing each precinct to have a functioning truck. The county has been using one truck for all four precincts and it was well past time for their workers to have access to a full fleet of trucks to clear roadways and bridges after bad weather occurs. Near the end of the meeting, the commissioners agreed to move forward on the abatement phase of a county nuisance complaint at the address of 3721 E. US Highway 79. A quick google street view of the address shows multiple dead vehicles on the property that are clearly visible from the roadway, which is exactly what the recently passed nuisance ordinance is trying to abate within the county. The commissioners will take the next steps needed to get the property up to code as soon as possible.