Mineral Wells Area News

By Amy Bearden

Mineral Wells Area News

After a group of unapproved users converged on the lawn and parking lot of the County Annex a few weekends ago, officials have adopted a policy that puts rules into place that will combat people from doing so without permission.

A Facebook group known as We the People Uncensored set up shop in the parking lot of the County Annex, without permission, attempting to lure passersby’s to sign their term limits and recall petitions as they yearned to garner more support for their cause.

The group placed hand drawn poster boards with dollar signs and arrows pointing downwards with doodles of water droplets all around the annex parking lot in an attempt to attract passerby’s unhappy with newly raised water rates to sign their petitions. The organizers were seen leaning into car windows at the traffic lights with clip boards. The group placed a bbq grill in the parking lot enticing people to stop for “Free Hot Dogs.” They also erected wind barriers created from plywood to serve as protection from weather.

County officials fielded many complaints about the groups’ activities but were unable to put a stop to them because of a lack of policy in place.

“I went down there and talked to them and let them know we didn’t have a policy in place, but let them know I felt assured that we would have a policy in place pretty soon,” said County Judge Shane Long.

The item was immediately placed on the next regular meeting’s agenda and passed by unanimously by officials.

Commissioners voted on February 12th, 5-0 to adopt new rules for the use of county courthouse/annex property and lawns.

County Judge Shane Long says the new policy was adopted for liability issues.

The guidelines for the new policy are as follows:

RULES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR USE OF PALO PINTO COUNTY COURTHOUSE/ANNEX OWNED PROPERTY AND LAWN

PALO PINTO COUNTY CONFERENCE ROOMS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC USE. Governmental entities may contact the County Judge’s office for availability.

The following rules must be adhered to by the Applicant and/or Sponsors during the use of Palo Pinto County’s properties and/or lawn.

The Applicant and/or Sponsors shall submit applications to the County Judge’s office at least eight (8) weeks prior to an event. All required permits must be obtained from the host City by the Applicant and/or Sponsors, and a copy of each, if any, must be attached with your Event Application at the time of submission.

The Applicant and/or Sponsors shall be present during the event and, will be fully responsible for any damage to County property, for any personal injury caused by or occurring in the proximity as a result of the described activity, Palo Pinto County will not incur any liability or responsibility. To ensure this purpose is served, any person requesting to conduct an event on the County owned Grounds may be required to obtain, and provide a copy or proof of casualty and liability insurance naming the County as a beneficiary in an amount to be determined by the County Commissioners Court based on the anticipated event, its projected attendance and the risks associated with the event, as well as foreseeable damage it might cause to the County owned Grounds or the Courthouse.

Items such as, CONFETTI, POP ROCKS, SILLY STRING. PAINT BALL GUNS, or any other items that would leave a residue and/or stain on county property or lawn, cannot be used, sold, or given away during the event. NO PAINT OF ANY KIND is to be used on county property or lawns. The grounds shall be left clean and unharmed. (Including disposing of all trash accumulated).

Tarps or any other covers are NOT to be placed directly on the county lawn by vendors, nor can they be staked directly into the lawn; they can be weighed down ONLY.

No motorized vehicles can be driven on the county lawn, apart from motorized chairs used by persons with disabilities.

THE APPROVAL PROCESS MAY TAKE AT LEAST SEVEN (7) BUSINESS WORKING DAYS. IF AN APPLICATION REQUIRES APPROVAL FROM THE COMMISSIONER’S COURT, IT MAY TAKE LONGER. FAILURE TO FILE A COMPLETED APPLICATION IN A TIMELY MANNER MAY RESULT IN DENIAL FOR YOUR EVENT.

Please return this application to: County Judge’s Office, at 520 Oak St. Palo Pinto, TX 76484

940-659-1253 option #5 or Email to laurettapoole@co.palo-pinto.tx.us

Amy Bearden is the Publisher/Editor of Mineral Wells Area News and loves celebrating her favorite town by telling the stories of the people in the community. Amy has a passion for local sports, news and business development. She spent 10 years marketing a professional sports team and is now focused on growing the cultural wellness and creative arts space throughout the area. Amy has four kids, two dogs and a garden she cherishes, along with her yoga mat.