February 16, 2024 - Paxton Water Supply Corporation (PWSC) and county officials gathered with community members on Friday, February 16, 2024, in celebration of the completion of the new PWSC well.
Eric Garrett, President of Paxton Water Supply Corporation, thanked everyone for attending the event and said how grateful and appreciative Paxton Water is for all that the county has done.
“Everybody that's been involved in this project, it’s taken a whole lot longer than I thought it would, and we're not there yet but we're well underway and we wouldn't be anywhere if it were not for all of you,” said Garrett.
Garrett said no one needs to look back any further than the emergency freeze that affected our entire surrounding area, and caused a freshwater supply nightmare, to realize just how important water is to everyone.
He had a customer state during the time the water supply was so badly impacted, “I'd give $100 a month right now just to be able to turn the tap on and water come out,” said Garrett. “And so, here in Texas we rely on water as much as any other state does, maybe more than other states. Our economy, our agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, all of that requires a good stable water supply.”
He commented how much the poultry industry is reliant on the stable supply of fresh water, and how the community came together during the unbelievably difficult time they all had without water.
“Thankfully a lot of neighbors came together to do their best to get us back up and running. I won't even go there, that was a whole other subject. But to mitigate the impact on our corner of Shelby County,” said Garrett.
Garrett was profoundly appreciative to all the assistance received from so many people and public entities in dealing with the water problem, he was hopeful he wouldn’t forget thanking anyone.
“Let me talk to you first about our precinct three commissioner Stevie Smith who along with the Commissioners Court and Judge Harbison authored the idea of drilling a well to mitigate future emergencies to our water supply,” said Garrett. “Stevie's put in a lot of time apart and aside from Commissioners Court work not just in planning, but also in executing what is taking place here.”
Garrett continued by thanking other representatives of the county for all of their assistance in bringing the project to fruition, “To all of our commissioners, Mr. Lout, Mr. McSwain, Mr. Bellmyer, without all of your support, it would have never got off the ground. The kindness that the court has shown to me every time I've come to be with you, you always made me feel welcome and appreciated. Your words were always encouraging and you've backed up your words with your actions. And I thank you for that.”
Garrett said that every PWSC customer owes a great deal of appreciation for the support that has been received in making the project happen.
“To our Judge Harbison, I wanna say how much I appreciate your willingness,” said Garrett. “Thank you for being here, Judge, for putting the interest of your constituents above business as usual.”
Garrett said Judge Harbison recognized early on clean water is at the top of the list of importance in Shelby County.
He elaborated on the help provided by County Treasurer Ann Blackwell who has handled all of the financial details, while also putting up with Garrett’s hectic schedule as pastor and working with Paxton Water Supply.
“She allowed me the leeway of operating in both of those capacities, even though I was often late getting too her what she really needed,” said Garrett.
Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, was also a recipient of Garrett’s gratitude for helping to shed light on an opportunity for the county to assist Paxton.
“Thank you for stepping up on that fateful day. I never will forget when the idea was broached. The subject of money come up,” said Garrett, “Mr. Porterfield stood up and said, ‘not only can we do this, this is how we can do this.’”
To County Attorney John Price Garrett was thankful for his tolerance of Garrett’s request and granting guidance in the process.
The Oates family was intrinsic to the success of the PWSC project and Garrett said how much they appreciate the Oates for donating family land to drill the well on. Although the family had already provided the land, when the state required even more, the Oates family supplied the difference to help the project move forward.
He especially thanked Stacy and Blake Cranford with 5C Utility for all the hard work they put into the project, and he said the Cranford’s are a tremendous help to Paxton Water.
The board of directors for PWSC received Garrett’s appreciation including Jim Boland, who recently resigned following many years with PWSC; Jimmy Hamilton; Becky Barker, board secretary; and Harold Irish.
“I just want to say thank all of you for your support, for your encouragement over the past year in putting all this together,” said Garrett.
Judge Allison Harbison shared a few words on the journey from the project’s inception until its completion, “Whenever we were contacted that we were going to be getting some funds from the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act), this is the kind of thing that I wanted to see happen. I wanted to see rural Texas, rural Shelby County be able to benefit from these tax dollars that are given. So, I am so excited, I'm so excited we got this off the ground, and I know it was painful but it was needed. The people in this part of the county deserve to have water and nothing pointed that out more than two Christmases ago when we had the big freeze in the middle of the holidays and it was such a sad thing, and everybody working together, this is what can happen when everybody works together for the benefit of people, hard hardworking people that need help.”
Judge Harbison introduced Luciana Barr, Emergency Management Coordinator, and representatives with Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Seth Shrell, and Jon Clingaman, Jr. (Regional Director).
“They did trial by fire when they came over and helped with that,” said Judge Harbison. “So, I have my Emergency Management Coordinator, Ms. Luciana Barr, who lives in this area of the woods and then Seth Shrell, who is our (TDEM) county liaison, he hit the ground running. He was not even on the payroll when he stepped in and helped with that disaster. And then of course, Jon Clingaman, Jr. our Regional Director, and we are here to help the community.”
Garrett and Shelby County Commissioners then gathered at the water valve and ceremoniously turned the water on, after which Garrett opened a valve to show the water running.
The event was concluded with a prayer led by Garrett.
