COLUMBUS - The Colorado County Commissioner's Court met for the regular open meeting on Monday, Feb 12.
T he most notable items on the agenda was a proclamation recognizing Febru - ary 2024 as Black History Month. Judge Ty Prause read aloud the proclamation and naming a county building in honor of the late Justice of the Peace Francis Truchard.
Black History Month affords a special opportunity to become more knowl - edgeable about black heritage and to honor the many black leaders who have contributed to the progress of our na - tion. Such knowledge can strengthen the insight of all our citizens regarding the issues of human rights, the great strides that have been made in the crusade to eliminate the barriers of equality for mi - nority groups, and the continuing struggle against racial discrimination and poverty. Now, therefore, the Commissioners Court of Colorado County, Texas does hereby proclaim February 2024 as 'Black History Month' and urges our citizens to join together in making this period of rededication to the principles of justice and equality for all people.
The commissioners approved the action to rename the county building located at 1117 Travis St. in Columbus, Colorado County Elections Building in Honor of Francis John Truchard who was the Colorado County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace from 1963 to 2023. Prause explained that this is the building where Truchard was 'housed for a good number of years.' Prause said, 'He was a part of the fabric of the community. He counseled people and magistrated for 60 years at the jail. There is no telling how many people he touched [throughout his career.]' Commissioner Keith Neuendorff commented, 'He bent over backward for all young people, and we should do everything we can to preserve his memory.' Truchard was the longest consecutively serving Justice of the Peace in Texas having served for almost 60 years.
During the public comments, John Jones spoke about the Seniors Together program, and three women spoke separately at length about their opposition to the cell tower construction happening close to their homes near A. Braden Road in Colorado County.
