Retirement proclamations were presented to three retiring Van Zandt County elected officials Nov. 9 during the regular meeting of the VZC Commissioners Court.

The offices of State Representative Bryan Slaton and State Senator Bob Hall presented retirement proclamations to VZC Judge Don Kirkpatrick, VZC Pct. 4 Commissioner Tim West, and VZC Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Sandra Plaster. Slaton was in attendance to read and present the proclamations. Hall was not present. Kirkpatrick, West, and Plaster will be leaving office effective Dec. 31.

VZC Judge Don Kirkpatrick

“The Honorable VZC Judge Don Kirkpatrick is retiring as VZC Judge on December 31, 2022, drawing to a close two decades of outstanding service to his fellow citizens,” Slaton said in the proclamation. “He first entered public service on January 1, 2003, when he was sworn in as Justice of the Peace in VZC Pct. 1. He went on to win re-election in 2006 and 2010. He was elected as VZC judge in March 2014 and was sworn in as VZC judge in on August 4, 2014. He began his first full term as VZC judge on January 1, 2015.

“During the course of his exemplary tenure, Judge Kirkpatrick worked to lower the tax rate while also controlling spending,” continued Slaton. “On April 13, 2022, he fulfilled his campaign promise to bring fiscal responsibility back to VZC by overseeing the final payment of $8.7 million of debt.

“He is a lifelong resident of VZC,” said Slaton. “Judge Kirkpatrick is a 1979 graduate of Grand Saline High School. He worked for Morton Salt International for 22 years. For four years, he was vice-president of Morton Salt Federal Credit Union. He also served as a union steward for the International Chemical Workers Union. In all of his endeavors, he benefits from the love and support of his wife. Judge Kirkpatrick may indeed reflect with pride on his record of service as he embarks on the next exciting chapter in his life. Our sincere best wishes for your future.”

VZC Pct. 4 Commissioner Tim West

“Commissioner Tim Parker West is retiring from the VZC Commissioners Court on December 31, 2022,” said Slaton as he read the proclamation. “This is a fitting opportunity to recognize his outstanding record of achievement. He was elected to the VZC Commissioners Court in 2015 and has since served his fellow citizens with distinction as a representative for VZC Pct. 4. Over the course of his tenure, he has played an important role in VZC becoming debt-free.

“Mr. West is a veteran of the United States Air Force Reserve,” continued Slaton. “He graduated from McKinney High School in 1959. He received a Bachelors degree in accounting from SMU (Southern Methodist University) in 1963. Mr. West worked for the Texas Power and Light Company for five years and then got a job in the construction industry. Over the succeeding decades, he built numerous single- family homes and restaurants before retiring to VZC.

“In all of his endeavors, Mr. West has enjoyed the love and support of his wife, Carol, with whom he has shared nearly six decades, and he takes great pride in his three children, eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild, and moreover, he is a valued member of the Marvin United Methodist Church,” said Slaton. “Through his dedicated leadership and commitment to good government, Tim West has contributed immeasurably to the community and in so doing, he has earned the lasting respect and appreciation of area residents. Tim Parker West is to be commended for his service to the VZC Commissioners Court and we extend our sincere best wishes for the future.”

VZC Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Sandra Plaster

“Judge Sandra Plaster is retiring as VZC Justice of the Peace for Pct. 2 on December 31, 2022,” said Slaton reading from the proclamation. “Judge Plaster began her tenure in August 2017 when she was appointed to fulfill the remaining term of the previous judge. Throughout her time in office, she has performed her duties with distinction earning the respect and appreciation of the residents that she serves.

“Judge Plaster is a 1977 graduate of Shepherd High School where she was a member of the band and the band team,” continued Slaton. “She earned a gold star award for her involvement in 4H activities. In all her endeavors, Judge Plaster enjoyed the love and support of her husband. They raised two children. The family also includes three grandchildren.

“Judge Plaster has greatly benefitted her fellow citizens through her dedicated service as justice of the peace,” said Slaton. “We congratulate Judge Sandra Plaster on her retirement as justice of the peace for VZC Pct. 2, and we want to extend our sincere best wishes for the future.”

In other business during the Nov. 9 regular meeting of the VZC Commissioners Court, Robert ‘Bobby’ Colacino was reappointed by the commissioners’ court to the Andrews Center board for another twoyear term that began Nov. 1 and will continue through October 31, 2024.

Following a recommendation by VZC Sheriff’s Department Property and Evidence Tech Erin McLeaish, the commissioners’ court approved the disposal of surplus equipment at the VZC Sheriff’s Department office.

The general description of equipment is motorized items and trailer, according to Mc-Leaish and the commissioners’ court.

Following a presentation by VZC Courthouse Facilities Director and VZC Judge-Elect Andy Reese, the commissioners’ court authorized VZC Pct. 3 Commissioner Keith Pearson to continue working with contractors regarding bids for repairs due to water damage suffered in August in the VZC District Courtroom and the VZC East Annex building.

The creation of an additional IT position at the VZC Courthouse was tabled by the commissioners’ court following a presentation by VZC Pct. 1 Commissioner Chad LaPrade and VZC IT Director Scott Slaton.

After a recommendation by VZC Pct. 2 Commissioner Virgil Melton Jr., the VZC Commissioners Court agreed to increase the amount allotted in the VZC Get Well/Condolence Policy from $50 to $100.

Following a presentation by VZC Human Resource Coordinator Jessica Deville and LaPrade, a motion by LaPrade to make a change in the VZC Holiday Time Policy died due to the lack of a second, therefore, no action was taken by the commissioners’ court.

A series of fiscal year 2022 and fiscal year 2023 budget amendments were approved by the commissioners’ court.

Monthly reports submitted by various offices and departments of VZC government were approved and entered into the minutes of the commissioners’ court as a matter of record.

The minutes of the Oct. 12 and Oct. 26 meetings were approved by the commissioners’ court as well as the monthly bills, as submitted and ratified.

No action was taken by the commissioners’ court following a closed executive session at the end of their Nov. 9 regular meeting.

The next regular meeting of the VZC Commissioners Court is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, in the VZC Courthouse.