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Introduction of Jeff Barton at Painted Horse Pavilion
By Eddy Etheredge, former Hays County Judge
My role tonight is to introduce and say some nice things about my friend and our commissioner Jeff Barton.
But, I want to make sure we are all here for the same Jeff Barton!
I want to talk about that Jeff Barton who reported his car stolen and even filed an insurance claim, after forgetting that he�d parked it at the Kyle Dairy Queen.
I want to talk about that Jeff Barton who went to Fonzie�s restaurant and ordered tacos on whole wheat tortillas. Does that sound like your Jeff Barton?
I want to talk about that Jeff Barton who went to Spain and had his car broken into and all his possessions stolen�two days in a row.
I want to talk about that Jeff Barton who usually can win a debate by talking the ears off a jackass.
I want to talk about that Jeff Barton who actually bought and read a copy of the Local Government Code�perhaps the first commissioner in Texas to do such a thing.
Is that your Jeff Barton?
This is the same Jeff Barton that introduced multi-syllable words into commissioner�s court discussions. He actually used the words bifurcate and multimodal in the same sentence. The court quickly passed his motion, just to get him not to use that kind of language in public.
The Jeff Barton I know frequently wears turquoise or mauve clothing and those funny looking little dapper hats or those Yankee-looking caps that have that snap thing in front, and usually wears some kind of scarf jauntily draped around his neck�not blue jeans and boots with a Ducks-Unlimited gimme cap. I don�t think he even owns one of those trophy-type buckles that reads�State Champion Mud Wrestler.
My friend Jeff Barton is the one who, using that dang Local Government Code book discovered that commissioner�s courts had subpoena powers, and then talked us into using them to get a sub-standard developer into court and under oath. When that developer lied under oath, we held him in contempt of court with a threat of jail time until he re-installed a bunch of failing septic systems.
Is that your Jeff Barton?
The Jeff Barton I�m talking about is the one who, in spite of all I just mentioned and the fact that he frequently seems to be in a zone all by himself or that his elevator hung about mid-way up, can pull it all together and be surgically accurate, extremely well-prepared, politically adept, and as effective as a smart bomb. He can quote baseball statistics, or poetry; discuss history, literature, and politics. He can discuss the environmental issues of today as well as the economic or social challenges we face. He can intelligently talk about AIDS, poverty, excessive wealth, abuse of power or lack of influence�and still be a well-grounded and effective county commissioner.
Now! Are you all here for that Jeff Barton?
Then just let me introduce him by saying�Jeff Barton is the most dedicated, hard working, honest, and open minded commissioner I have ever known. He is patient, but hard-headed. He is willing to negotiate, but won�t give away the farm. He studies the issues and arms himself with the facts. He is loyal to both his constituents and his own values, but respects others opinions. He is a true Democrat with a big D, but plays well with those of other political persuasion. Jeff brings respect to the office he holds and the political party he claims.
But for me, the thing that makes him the most worthy of our respect and support is that he cares about those who frequently find themselves under-represented. He will stand up for the little guy and will fight for government to do the right thing just because it is the right thing to do. We don�t have many of those elected officials these days. We are lucky to have him back representing us. He deserves our support.
My friend�our commissioner�Jeff Barton!
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