GOOD PUBLIC SERVICE BY MAGIC VALLEY, NOT-SO-GOOD BY COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE

I woke up hot, yes sweaty, quickly realizing my AC unit was off as was all electrical power.  

It's easy to find out what's going on in a Winter Texan park.  Just step outside and wait for the first golf cart to pass by.  

That cart was driven by Mary, who stopped to give me the straight scoop; vines had become entangled in the power lines and were being trimmed by the Magic Valley Electric Cooperative.  Power would soon be restored.

Next came Vern on a bicycle, giving me the exact same briefing to which I listened patiently as if hearing for the first time.

Not wanting to go back into my hot RV, I decided to pay the office of County Judge Eddie Trevino a visit to see if I could sign up for Public Comment for tomorrow's meeting of the County Commissioners Court. The receptionist kindly called down to the Cameron County Clerk's Office to make certain the forms were there.

"It's the room behind the elevator on the first floor," Eddie Trevino's staffer told me.

Stepping into Room 136, the office of County Clerk, the lady at the front desk asked:  "How can I help you?"

County Judge Eddie Trevino, Jr.,  

County Clerk Sylvia Garza-Perez

Stating that I was there to sign up for Public Comment, the lady explained the routine:  "Copies of the agenda and the Public Comment Forms will be at the courtroom tomorrow morning at 8:30 AM.  It's on a first come, first serve basis."

"Aren't I one of the first to come?" I asked.

I explained that the City Secretary's office allows day-before signing up for Public Comment, but to no avail.

"They will be available at 8:30 AM," she repeated.

"Have a good day!"