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Commissioners to discuss ‘protest zones'
By Mary Madewell
Published July 12, 2009
Commissioners may establish “protest zones” for expected July 21 demonstrations by both black and white activists when Lamar County Commissioners Court meets Monday.
Lamar County First Assistant District Attorney Bill Harris and Lamar County Judge Chuck Superville are to lead a discussion about possible precautionary measures, according to an agenda posting for the meeting to begin at 9 a.m. in the Lamar County Commissioners Courtroom.
“Information we are getting about what to expect is somewhat vague,” Superville said Saturday. “At first we thought it was going to be a national call for the African American cause and we received word from the U.S. Justice department that the Ku Klux Klan was going to come as well.”
City and county officials met late this past week to discuss plans, although Superville said “interest appears to be waning somewhat.”
The judge said there is no mention of the July 21 rally on activist Web sites as one might expect for a national rally.
“We really don’t know what is going to happen, but we believe we should be prepared to balance U.S. Constitutional rights of free speech and peaceful assembly with safety for protestors, the public and personal and private property,” Superville said. Although the judge said he “has not been presented with much legal authority,” he is assuming county government to be responsible for protecting courthouse property and adjoining parking lots.
“It is implied in law that it is the commissioner’s court responsibility to take into consideration the safety of the public,” Superville said.
Two items appear on the Monday agenda.
One is to enter an order creating “protest zones” and the other is to give elected officials the option to have their employees take an early or extended lunch on the day of the protest.
Superville said he expects discussion about whether to allow “persons with legitimate courthouse business to enter the building during demonstrations.”
During a June 8 protest at the courthouse organized by Concerned Citizens for Racial Equality of Paris, the New Black Panther Party, the Tarrant County Local Organizing Committee and Nation of Islam, fliers were distributed about the July 21 rally, and the groups met later that day at Leon Williams Park to make plans for a national rally.
Also on Monday, commissioners are expected to execute a resolution in support of the 80th anniversary of local Boy Scouts or America and join the NeTseO Trails Council Boy Scouts of America in recognizing state Rep. Mark Homer, D-Paris, as the NeTseO Trails Distinguished Citizen for 2009. The proposed resolution would establish July 11 as Boy Scout Distinguished Citizens Day.
Commissioners also are to discuss advance funding agreements for bridge replacements or rehabilitation between Texas Department of Public Safety and Lamar County.
A public hearing on an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) application is an agenda item followed by discussion and possible action on an interlocal agreement between the City of Paris and Lamar County to share in a $24,140 JAG award.
In other business, commissioners are to discuss the assessment of local optional fees in addition to annual automobile registration fees.
County Auditor Kevin Parsons is to present bid proposals for group health insurance and commissioners are to approve line-item transfers from various offices.
Commissioners also are to consider a time frame for 2009-2010 budget discussions.
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