Proposed Veteran's Court Gaining Steam, Moving Foward, LIVINGSTON, August 13, 2019 - The Polk County Commissioners Court authorized Polk County's partnership with Trinity and San Jacinto Counties in the creation of a Regional Veterans Treatment Court at its regular meeting on Tuesday, August 13th. On hand to support the passage of the resolution were State Representative James White, State Veterans Treatment Court Coordinator Erin McGann and Veterans Administration Justice Outreach Specialist Mark Norris. Polk County District Attorney Lee Hon thanked County Judge Sydney Murphy and the county's commissioners for their support of the program and the resolution which will allow the counties to pursue available grant funding for the court's infrastructure, staff and services.
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L-R, Mark Norris, VA Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist, Erin McGann, Texas Veterans Court Coordinator, Pct. 4 Commissioner Tommy Overstreet, Pct. 1 Commissioner Bob Willis, District Attorney Lee Hon, County Judge Sydney Murphy, Melissa Gates, Polk County Veterans Services Officer, Pct. 2 Commissioner Ronnie Vincent, State Rep. James White, Pct. 3 Commissioner Milt Purvis.
"This is an idea we have been discussing since 1996 and it's probably past time that we push forward with this effort to provide some extra help to combat veterans who find themselves in the justice system and who are struggling to fit back into society. This concept is becoming increasingly popular in counties across Texas so I'm really excited that Polk County is backing this program," Hon stated. Hon also thanked Representative White and District Judge Travis Kitchens for their support of the program. On the same day, the Trinity County Commissioners Court also approved a resolution in support of that county's participation in the program. "Our goal is to begin the VTC by January 1 or as close to that as we can get our funding lined up. We have received tremendous support from all interested stakeholders and especially our veterans," Hon added.
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