I just couldn’t let a new year begin without saying a few “atta-boys” to those I observed throughout 2007. First place award for being “pro-employee” should go to Precinct 2 Commissioner Grady Prestige, with a close second going to Precinct 4 James Patterson. Grady looks out for the employees and is always championing their cause or saying really nice things about the county’s workforce. He realizes, he says, that the backbone of the county or any other business is a well-rounded, dedicated workforce. How refreshing. Patterson seems to fall in line with that thinking and has done his share of coming to their aide during court sessions that could have reduced take home pay from things like insurance increases etc. Both are good guys and deserve a pat on the back.

Newly hired Election’s Administrator J. R. Perez could probably stand some positive reinforcement. If you remember correctly he got caught in the snowball from the dark side when he innocently had the gall to try and streamline the county’s election process. He found out there is more to operating the office than being right and doing what is best for the taxpayers. Politics halted his plan when a group of “hold your breath” Republicans objected to the consolidation plan that would have eliminated some of them from their elected positions. Oops, J. R.—lesson learned—but he has persevered and continues to try and do what taxpayers expect, so a pat on the back for this new guy who has seen his share of adversity. Keep on plugging!

Thumbs down

Now there are a few folks that really deserve a “thumbs down” for strange behavior or just plain ignoramus actions. One of them is a blogger who seems to live to put Bev Carter in the worst light possible. In fact, this particular person (I’ve been told it is a ‘she’ but for politically correct reasons, I will just say he or she, since I don’t know for sure) gives Bev just way too much power and that isn’t good. Practically every issue this blogger discusses starts with “B.K. Carter is responsible” and then uses two or three predictable sentences to describe all the horrible things and personality traits of Bev. This blogger would be a lot more believable if he or she didn’t try to pin every conceivable world woe on the newspaper publisher. After all, do you really think Bev is really responsible for global warming, influencing the Washington Democrats and Republicans to pass various rules, laws etc., and single-handedly created the entire chaotic battle the Fort Bend GOP got itself into over the past year?

Nah, I don’t think so either. But to hear this person talk, it would appear that Bev is just one step away from walking on water—just way too much power—and that is a scary thought. Bev seems to thrive on this negative barrage. Small wonder since this person is making her invincible, indestructible and totally overpowering. Lay off—we have to work for her, for goodness sake!

Thumbs down to Assistant District Attorney Mike Elliott. Now a lot of people have been busting this assistant DA for his alleged connection to a company that filed charges against a whole lot of workers who quit and started a business of their own. The charges were not pursued and that didn’t look good since Elliott was at the forefront of taking the case to the Grand Jury and trying to get the case to court.