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Announcements
I want to begin
by announcing that I will be seeking the Republican nomination for
Ellis County
Commissioner Precinct 3 in the March 2012 Republican Primary. It has been
a very humbling experience to have served in this capacity over the last
seven years and I want to thank you for this opportunity.
One of my goals
when first seeking this office was to ensure that this county was looking
ahead and not behind, that there was planning being done for the future
and I believe we have done that and are still working in a positive
direction. The county has built a new Courts Administration Building that
was done with voter approval,
within budget,
on time and should stand in service for generations down the road just as
the Old Courthouse has stood. We completed the expansion of the County
Jail which should be sufficient for Ellis County for many years into the
future. We utilized the property called the Old County Farm to construct
a new Juvenile Probation Office and a Sheriff’s Training facility that
should help keep our crime rates going down. The new County Annex in
Ennis that houses the Tax Office, Justice of the Peace, Constable,
Veterans Affairs and Indigent Health Office,
will be able to serve the residents of the east side of the county for
generations in the future. This was all done
to meet the growing population of Ellis County now and in the future and
to help keep Ellis County moving forward,
not backwards. In Midlothian, we
have a good partnership where the City of
Midlothian has worked with Ellis County to use space inside the Midlothian
Law Enforcement Center for the Justice of Peace and Constable Precinct 4
offices and court. This arrangement has been a win-win for both the
county the city and its taxpayers.
Another goal
when seeking office was to help protect the rights of private property
owners in the unincorporated areas of Ellis County. Before being elected,
the county was not very open to making adjustments for private property
owners;
it seemed that they were using the box theory and if your property or
situation did not fit into the box,
there was no help. Now,
the Commissioners Court is looking at each property
or platting situation separately and not trying to squeeze everyone in the
same box. We must,
however,
follow the rules and regulations but we must also be able to look at each
situation with respect and be willing to find a solution and not cause the
problem and above all protect the rights of the property owners.
One of the things that I am proud of was
pushing for the rebidding of the counties ambulance contract. Although it
did stir up questions and concerns, we were able to add two more
ambulances inside Ellis County for a total of 7.5 ambulances and that does
not include the ambulances provided by the City of Midlothian or Ferris
ESD. The additional ambulances are located in Italy and Palmer and this
was accomplished at a lower cost to the county. This has shortened the
average response time for EMS calls around the county and especially for
those out in the country.
Roads are still
the biggest job of the County Commissioner
in Precinct 3
because we will have 292 miles of road beginning in 2012 and will be the
largest Precinct by mileage and land mass in Ellis County, remember the
county does not have responsibility inside city limits or on state
roadway’s. With this size brings much diversity
which you will see if you drive around inside
Precinct 3 --
from the intersection of Highway 67 and Shiloh Road
in Midlothian to Finn Road south of Milford at the Hill County line and
from the east at FM 55 at Holder Road in Nash to Martha Road on the
Johnson County line in the west. Precinct 3 includes all or portions of
the cities of Italy, Maypearl, Milford, Midlothian and Waxahachie. Inside
all this area you will find large housing developments, many 1 to 3 acre
lots and many ranchettes, but most of
the property is still agricultural. The road diversity in
Precinct 3 ranges from black dirt, gravel,
chip seal, asphalt and cement. This diversity brings many different
demands and I have always looked at each situation independently and not
viewed a resident of a large home with any
more importance
than the person that lives in a mobile home. Each is a citizen of Ellis
County and each has important issues,
but all must be treated fairly. Being raised on an Ellis County Farm has
helped me understand the dynamics of the needs of folks in the agriculture
business and their importance to our society.
Finally,
I have always worked honestly
and with
integrity in all situations. I have always tried to ask questions,
seeking advice from people with different backgrounds to try to find a
fair balance in my decisions. There are times when we may not have agreed
but I can assure you that I do not answer to any particular group or take
any decision lightly. I try to represent Precinct 3 and Ellis County as a
whole. I am a conservative who believes in God and accepts Jesus Christ
as my Savior. I believe that this County and Precinct 3 is my home and
has been to my family for almost 159 years. I am a lifetime member of
Bethel United Methodist Church and serve as Worship Leader and Lay
Leader. I firmly believe that The Great State of Texas and this United
States of America are the two greatest Republics ever formed. I believe
that the Constitution is as meaningful today as it was in 1787 and we
should all learn to be more willing to respect one another
rather than to be so quick to judge. I also understand that with growth
comes change but we cannot allow the growth to diminish our rights and
what Ellis County is loved for, small, rural and safe.
I seek
reelection to this office because there are issues that still need
addressing that will move us forward
and will help lessen the burden on the next
generations. We must continue to find ways to shrink county government.
We must continue to work toward a system that will bring all four road
precincts working closer together in sharing equipment and ideas. We must
work to not let our infrastructure deteriorate and not make decisions
based solely on politics. We must continue to keep Ellis County the rural
area that people have and continue to move here for. We cannot do like
Washington and Austin and just push the problem onto another group or
generation, this is our county and we must be responsible for it. We are
here to be good stewards and we must leave the opportunities better for
the next generation.
I want to thank my
family and especially my wife Charlesa for all their continued support and
prayers. I also thank you for your prayers and support over the last
seven years and ask that you will continue to pray and support me. I ask
for your vote in the upcoming Republican Primary. Please contact me
if you have any questions or ideas.
May God’s Peace be
with You,
Heath Sims
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