Burkeen announces re-election plans
 (Posted 11/5/2009 11:48 am)
 EDITOR’s NOTE: Each  candidate, in making his or her initial announcement for the First Primary, gets a story and photo, if submitted, on Page 1. They later advertise. Today’s story is from County Judge Daniel Burkeen, seeking re-election. The following was submitted for publication by Judge Burkeen.
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    I am proud to announce my intention to run for re-election to the office of County Judge of Limestone County.
    In the past two and one-half years, we have been able to address a wide range of issues facing the county.  The Limestone County tax rate has not been lower since 1998 and is 32% lower than it was five years ago.  The bloated court docket has been reduced to a manageable level.  Turnover among county employees has been stabilized.  We have taken steps to address needs which were previously ignored, such as an undersized jail which has been and continues to be a cash drain on the taxpayers, consuming 9% of general tax revenue just to house inmates.  We are addressing the growth in the southern part of the county.  This growth is a blessing to the county because of the revenues which benefit the entire county, but with growth comes some growing pains which have to be addressed, and which for years have been completely ignored.
    Limestone County is a growing and prosperous county.  During these “difficult times” our unemployment rate has risen but is still well below the statewide rate, is much below the national rate, and is below the average for counties in the Heart of Texas area.  Upcoming projects in virtually all corners of the county will help ensure that this relative strength continues.  I plan to continue to support economic growth in the county.
    During my first term I have been asked to served as vice-president of the Heart of Texas Council of Governments and as president pro tem of the Chief Elected Officials of the Heart of Texas Workforce Board.  I have been selected as an instructor by the Texas Association of Counties, and have taught classes at the North and East Texas County Judges and Commissioners Conference, the South Texas County Judges and Commissioners Conference, the statewide County Judges and Commissioners Conference and at the Texas Judicial Academy.
    I am asking the citizens of Limestone County to allow me to continue to serve them.
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