No Christmas lights for courthouse

Judge: Four commissioners oppose cost; treasurer declines donations; party still on

NEW BOSTON, Texas—The lights may be out, but the party’s not over for Bowie County.

In an email sent Wednesday to county employees and local media, Bowie County Judge Sterling Lacy said the courthouse will have a community Christmas party at 5 p.m. Dec. 10, although it may not be lit with Christmas lights.

The party will happen “if I have to foot the bill myself,” Lacy said in the email.

He said the expense for installation and operation of the Christmas lights was opposed by the four county commissioners, and donations by the public to fund the event were declined by the treasurer.

He wrote the deadline for “the use of the necessary laborers has passed.”

Inmates from the Barry Telford Unit typically start in October to help install the Christmas lights. The inmates were at the courthouse for about an hour Tuesday morning to help with the lights, but the county judge’s office instructed them to leave, officials said.

On Thursday, commissioners said neither the county judge nor anyone from his office has approached them about lighting the courthouse.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Sammy Stone, Precinct 2 Commissioner Tom Whitten, Precinct 3 Commissioner Kelly Blackburn and Precinct 4 Commissioner Pat

McCoy said they have never opposed lighting the courthouse and said $5,000 is available in the courthouse’s miscellaneous budget to cover the cost. On Thursday, Treasurer Donna Burns said she can’t legally accept public donations without Commissioners Court approval. Carol Dalby, the county’s legal adviser, said Thursday the county does not have a policy in place regarding donations and Commissioners Court must approve them.

She pointed to Local Government Code 81.032, which states Commissioners Court may accept donations for the purpose of performing a function conferred by law on the county or a county official.

Jeff Akin, a local radio host, led an online campaign to raise donations to fund the courthouse lighting.

He said he presented a check to help with expenses to the county judge’s office, but was later told the county could not accept donation.

Akin said he is in the process of contacting donors to either return the money or possibly donate it to charity.

He said he is “disappointed” the courthouse may not be lit this year.

On Thursday, Lacy did not respond to a voice mail or email requesting comment.