County Judge Brint Carlton showed his support for the Orange County Economic Development Corporation by speaking in favor of it at city council meetings in West Orange and Pinehurst on Tuesday. Both West Orange and Pinehurst city councils voted to provide funding through the end of the fiscal year.
Carlton told the city councils the revision of the Economic Development Corporation starts with getting a new executive director for it. Carlton said he and Commissioner Barry Burton have a candidate in mind for the executive directors’ position that has experience and training in economic development. The judge added the candidate has knowledge of economic prospects throughout Southeast Texas. The Board of Directors for the Economic Development Corporation met Wednesday morning in the Port District offices with the possibility of interviewing the candidate mentioned by Judge Carlton during the meeting.
In an earlier story on KOGT about candidates running for Commissioner of Precinct One, candidate Ryan Peabody told KOGT’s Dan Perrine that he was encouraged to run by Judge Carlton. Peabody wants to clarify that statement.
“In the article regarding candidates in the upcoming election I’d like to clarify the comment that Judge Carlton encouraged me to run. The conversation I had with Judge Carlton was in regards to the pros and cons of running for Commissioner, being an elected official and the challenges the future members of the court will face. At no point did he encourage or discourage me to enter the race. Judge Carlton respects all eligible candidates decision to run and has expressed his neutrality toward all candidates in upcoming races. My own decision to further serve the county was a deeply personal choice. I look forward to a Commissioner race that brings important county issues into the conversation so that we may come together to better our community.”
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