Local News
Election official reflects
Since Henderson County Election Administrator Denise Hernandez moved into her office, it’s been one new thing after another.
She stepped into the newly-created position in January, 2008, at a time when new technology and regulations have brought constant changes to the way elections are conducted in the county.
Tuesday’s Constitutional Amendment Election brought another first as the county instituted the use of electronic books used at the polling places to check whether or not the voter is qualified, and at the right location.
Some workers had problems working the machines, Hernandez said, but the count was complete earlier than the 2007 amendment election, which only brought 5 percent of the registered voters to the polls. This time the tally was nearly 8 percent.
“This is just something that’s going to take a little time for them to get used to,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez said the electronic poll books enabled her to retrieve information quickly from the various boxes. In the early balloting, she was able to get the number of those casting ballots instantly.
“I didn’t have to wait to the next morning for it to be totaled,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez said the election provided a good warm up for the 2010 Democrat and Republican Primaries, which roll around in March. She said it might be a good idea to take advantage of new rules allowing teens 16 and older to assist at the polling places.
“This time there’s a new law that you can get high school students to work as clerks,” Hernandez said. “Maybe the parties might be interested in getting some high school students to work with their judges. It would be a snap for them.”
With the counties 31 precincts consolidated to 10 polling places, each was equipped with one of the electronic books. In the primary, only a few of the locations will have the machines.
“The Republicans and Democrats will each have to have one, so we will only utilize them at five locations,” Hernandez said.
With the amendment election over, Hernandez’s office will step up preparations for March.
“I’m working on it now,” Hernandez said. “I’m getting my contracts together for the party chairs.”
- Local News
-
-
Fund set up for construction accident victim
Funeral services were held Monday for A 2001 LaPoynor High School graduate who died in a construction accident in Palestine last week.
-
AEDC board approves two performance agreements
The Athens Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors approved two performance agreements on Thursday.
The proposed agreements with Abby Development and the Athens Jet Center are very similar, said AEDC President/CEO Brian Malone.
He said the agreement with Abby Development provides a maximum incentive of $75,000 for infrastructure. -
Local historic treasure recovered
Athens Masonic Lodge No. 165 recovered tokens from its past — both large and small — from a building it had once called its own.
Lodge Secretary Randy Daniel, who is Athens’ mayor, said members retrieved two time capsules last Saturday with the permission of the Ginger Murchison Foundation, the current owner of the building.
The lodge, he said, met on that corner, the southwest corner of the Henderson County Courthouse square, for about 75 years. -
Eustace FFA does well in Fort Worth, San Antonio
The Eustace FFA Show teams have been very busy since the beginning of the year with competitions at two major stock shows.
-
Church News
Church News will run as items are received, based on available space. Items running in Church News will not be published in the Community Calendar.
-
Tenth grade poetry
Athens Christian Preparatory makes writing a priority. Tenth grade students who had poems chosen for national publication are shown.
-
Community Calendar
Community Calendar runs daily in the Review.
-
On the right track
Eustace’s Justin Bersterman takes a handoff from Austin White as they practice their relay before the Athens High School Track Meet.
-
Chamber optimistic about 2010
The Athens Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors are working to make 2010 a big year, according to Chamber Chairman Michael “Mo” Morrison.
-
Scholarship available through HCRSPA
If your senior son or daughter plans to attend a college or university in the summer and/or fall, and pursue a program in which he or she will receive teacher certification, a major in education or a teaching degree in a subject area with teacher certification, then this scholarship is for you.
- More Local News Headlines
-
