Special to the Review
Charles Curtis has filed for Henderson County Judge in Henderson County, listing his education and administrative experience as qualifications for the office.
Curtis filed his papers earlier this month with Republican Party Chairman Don Geddie.
It is his second race for the seat being vacated by David Holstein.
Curtis has a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M;, Commerce, and a Master of Education from the University of Texas at Tyler.
“I have 72 hours of post-graduate studies in specialized certifications from Texas A&M;, Commerce,” Curtis said. “I was trained to inspect, write response and maintenence plans for hazardous materials in the workplace.”
Curtis was also required to complete a “very rigorous” course to be a certified classroom performance appraiser, which is adaptable to all supervisors in the work place. Curtis made the President’s List, Dean’s List, Tau Sigma National Honor Society and was listed in Who’s Who in America.
“I am not a polished politician,” Curtis said. “I am not endorsed by any big-name politician, but I have the backing of friends who know me, and have known where I came from, how I accomplished those things, and how I got where I am now.”
Curtis says he doesn’t have big financial backing, and plans to run a low-cost campaign with his own money.
“I’ll be just as conservative with the taxpayer’s money as if it were my own,” Curtis said. “I will not need the county’s insurance, and in this time of economic uncertainty, I will give back 20 percent of the judge’s salary.”
Curtis believes his 20 years of administrative experience have kept him in the public’s watchful eye and scrutiny. During that time he prepared million-dollar budgets, and has overseen multi-million dollar construction projects.
“I am well-versed in preparing agendas, complying with the open meetings act, the public information law, competitive bidding law and public notice ad requirements,” Curtis said.
Curtis also knows the components of requests for proposals, and the procedures to follow and bid openings.
“All of these, and much more are essential for a candidate seeking this office,” Curtis said.
Curtis plans to establish and schedule meetings with community leaders from each city in the county with the purpose and goal to assure that everyone gets involved in the planning and growth of Henderson County. The meetings will include, but not be limited to mayors, city managers and chambers of commerce.
Curtis said he will also meet with the sheriff’s department, chiefs of police, other county judges and constables.
The meetings will be an opportunity to brainstorm, share ideas and think of innovative ways to be more effective in assessing punishment or fines.
“I also want to work with the County Attorney and defense attorneys, and challenge them to suggest ways to improve the flow of cases that are current, as well as those that have the court backlogged, and have the potential to overcrowd the jail,” Curtis said. “We must look in depth into changing some of the ways we are doing things now, because it is apparent that it is not effective in this day and time.”
Curtis said he will meet with school superintendents to begin a dialogue as to what they think is needed to help them to better prepare students as to the consequences of their actions.
“Police officers, sheriff’s deputies and constables are a great resource to hold in-service sessions for teachers and administrators as to what to look for in suspected illegal activity,” Curtis said. “They can provide a wealth of information dealing with gangs such as types of clothing, signs and language. The superintendents need to know who to call on to deal with a potential problem, especially if they do not have a campus police force.”
Curtis promises to work tirelessly to implement those and other programs that have the potential of improving the service to the citizens of Henderson County.
He also promises to give the citizens a term limit.
“I had a wonderful career in public schools, and have no aspirations for a political career,” Curtis said.
Curtis plans to get away from business-as-usual.
“Yes, there will be resistance, but if the citizens want to improve, they must get out and try to change the direction that so may have chosen,” Curtis said.
Curtis intends to communicate regulary with the citizens, and inform them as to what is being considered by Commissioner’s Court, as well as the items that have already been acted upon.
“This is your county, and you deserve the right to know how the elected officials are conducting your business,” Curtis said. “I will inform you of the benefits that are provided by East Texas Medical Center, which is a great asset, providing health services for charity and indigent cases.”
