Shelby County Today

Those attending watch as Judge Allison Harbison swears in Justice of the Peace Melba Rodgers.

July 31, 2020 (Video in the process of uploading) - Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison swore in the newly elected and appointed Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Melba Rodgers.

In the July 15th meeting of the Shelby County Commissioners' Court, the court accepted the resignation of Margie Anderson and approved appointing Melba Rodgers since she had won the position in the March Primary Run-off Election. Her appointment to the position is effective today, July 31, 2020.

Judge Harbison said, "I am so tickled to swear Ms. Melba in. She is replacing a true legend (Margie Anderson). A women who has been there for years and who has done such a great service for that community and I feel like that this is going to carry over with another strong, smart independent women."

Judge Harbison (left) swears in JP 3 Melba Rodgers (right).

Prior to the swearing in, Rodgers' sister Kathryn Schillings gave an invocation. Judge Harbison led Rodgers as she gave her pledge to serve the county, "I, Melba Rodgers, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 of the county of Shelby, State of Texas, and I will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the constitution and the laws of the United Sates and of this state, so help me God."

After applause, Judge Harbison advised lightheartedly JP Rodgers that she had just married this county and she now belongs to them.

"This is really full circle for me because Melba gave me my first big person, adult job. Right after I was married, she took a chance on a young, green girl and I went to work for the Headstart program," Judge Harbison explained. "I just want you to know I appreciate her faith in me back then and I have all the faith in the world in her now."

Melba Rodgers, her family, and other JPs listen to Judge Harbison as she speaks before the swearing in ceremony.

Newly sworn in JP Rodgers thanked her family and friends and community for their support during the election time and now, "I ask for your continued support and your prayers, especially your prayers, to go through this (job)."

Locally elected officials attending the swearing in ceremony and offering their congratulations were Constable Pct 3 Roy Cheatwood, District Clerk Lori Oliver, JP 1 Donna Hughes, JP 2 Marla Denby, JP 5 Tracy Broadway, Sheriff Willis Blackwell, and County Treasurer Ann Blackwell.

JP Pct 3 Melba Rodgers (left) and Constable Pct 3 Roy Cheatwood (right)

From left to right: JP 5 Tracy Broadway, JP 2 Marla Denby, JP 3 Melba Rodgers, and JP 1 Donna Hughes.

Melba Rodgers with her family.

July 30, 2020 - The 6th reminder postcard from the US Census is set to arrive between July 22nd and July 28th in homes that have not responded to the Census.

Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison asks Shelby County to respond to the Census, "I would like to encourage and remind everyone to fill out their Census 2020."

Prior to the postcards and before June 12th field workers went out to update addresses and leave Census questionnaires on doorsteps. This was extremely important for some of our rural areas because some households had not received anything in the mail as late as May/June.

The next phase is Non-response Follow-Up (NRFU) and in Texas it runs August 11 through October 31.

With 500K Enumerators or Census Takers deployed, they will be showing up to households and interviewing them in-person. Enumerators will have Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), masks, sanitizer, gloves, etc. and will be practicing social distancing. (How to Identify a Census Employee?)

1. Enumerators will not ask to enter the home. 
2. They will identify themselves and wear a U.S. Census Bureau badge.
3. They will only ask questions that are on the questionnaire.
4. They will never ask for or request additional documentation.

Mobile Questionnaire Assistance Will begin Early August.

To respond today, Visit the U.S. Census Bureau at https://2020census.gov/en.html to complete your information online; the process only takes a few minutes.

You have the option of completing the questionnaire by phone. To begin, call 844-330-2020, or call the number associated with your preferred language here from their language support list at https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond/responding-by-phone.html.

Additional information about the Census can be found by visiting the 2020 Census website at https://2020census.gov/.

July 30, 2020 - Crews will begin an overlay project Monday, August 3 in Shelby County on SH 87 and motorists are urged to stay alert for traffic control that will be in place.

The work will begin just south of SL 500 in Center and will continue southbound on SH 87 throughout the week, weather permitting. As work moves along the 1.5 mile work zone, there will be moving equipment and workers throughout the project.

Motorists should expect delays and expect traffic to be shifted from lane to lane as work progresses. Obey all traffic control in place and reduce speed. Stay alert for workers and equipment near the lane of traffic.

For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395.

July 29, 2020 - Outgoing Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3 Margie Anderson was recognized during Commissioners' Court July 29, 2020, for her years service to the community.

Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge, read aloud, "I would like to recognize Judge Margie Anderson for her selfless service to her community and county. She has had many titles during her life but I’ve always called her Miss Margie. When her husband, Billy Anderson began his tenure as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3 on January 1, 1987, his right hand man was Miss Margie. They worked side by side for years administrating justice in Precinct 3. When Judge Billy Anderson passed away in August of 2004, the most natural transition for that office was to have Miss Margie continue as the judge. Judge Margie Anderson assumed the office of Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3 on September 3, 2004 and has worked tirelessly up until her retirement on Friday, July 31, 2020.  

Judge Anderson’s respect for the law and the citizens of Shelby County is an example that we should all strive to follow. The contributions that she made to Shelby County will be hard to match.Her dedication to her job is beyond words. When you mention a Judge in the Joaquin area, people automatically assume you mean Judge Anderson. She has been a most conscientious, fair and impartial judge for the citizens of Precinct #3. She has a heart of gold and a gavel of righteous equality. If you did wrong, you were subject to the law. But if you just messed up, she definitely knew the difference.

She has spent countless hours working out of her home to conduct the duties of JP, calls in the middle of the night to go out and see the unthinkable; as well as years of weekend mornings spent at the City and County jails for arraignments. She never hesitated to step up and take on extra duties when other precincts had no JP or had a JP out for illness or other reasons. And she did a large portion of this when she was well into her 70s and 80s. How many of us would be willing to learn how to use a computer and a complicated reporting program in our golden years? This strong, amazing lady has never shied away from anything!

I think she would be the first to tell you that she could not have been such an effective magistrate without the help of her loving son, Charles Ray. He has certainly been her sidekick for many years. She will be sorely missed around the county offices where Judge Anderson has been a mentor and role model to all. So it is with joyful tears that I say Happy Retirement Miss Margie! Thank you for your leadership, your friendship, and your public service. Your integrity, work ethic, and legacy of excellence will forever be remembered and treasured by the citizens of Shelby County."

The commissioners discussed what action the county should take regarding the former Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 office. Several suggestions were heard such as tearing the structure down with a trackhoe and hauling the debris away, or burning the structure where it is located.

Charles Barr volunteered to speak with the Center Fire Department about the possibility of burning the structure and Judge Harbison said she would contact the city about their requirements for the removal of the building.

The commissioners tabled the hiring of a security officer for the courthouse pending further consideration.

"Officer [Jim Ed] Matthews is going to be here, the Sheriff said that we could have him as long as we need him," said Judge Harbison.

A motion carried by the commissioners to approve the bond for Melba Rodgers, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3.

"We'll be swearing her in at 11am on Friday to take office the next day," said Judge Harbison.

Judge Harbison said this would follow the Prayer on the Square ay 9:30am on the Center square.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:46am.

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
1. Pay weekly expenses.
2. Bond for Melba Rodgers Justice of the Peace Pct. 3.
3. Resolution and Agreement accepting the grant awarded to the County by the County Transportation Infrastructure Fund Grant Program administered by the Texas Department of Transportation pursuant to Chapter 256 of the Texas Transportation Code.
4. Adjourn.

Agenda items tabled during the meeting include:
1. Appoint a Courthouse Security Officer.
2. How to dispose of the old JP building located behind the County Jail.