Juanita Martinez, a member of the Maverick County Environmental & Public Health Association, addressed the court during Item 27 Discussion/Action to approve and to authorize MC attorneys to file a motion for Rehearing with the Texas Railroad Commission requesting them to reverse their decision on the Dos Republicas coal mine permit in Precinct 3.
Martinez began by questioning the time frame set forth by the county on appointing new county commissioners stating that she felt the process was hastened. Although she felt that she would have wanted to be considered for the position, she said to have nothing against those chosen to fill the positions of Commissioners Heredia and Maldonado who still may retain their positions depending on the results of their independent legal proceedings, however Martinez wanted Commissioner's Court to know her feelings on the issue.
Martinez went on to reiterate the issue of the coal mine permit's approval and she along with several residents who came to show their support and concern made a final request for the court to look into reversing the decision to allow the coal partnership to begin to mine as early as November of this year.
Their pleas were heard and responded to by newly appointed Commissioner of Precinct 1 Javier Libson who stressed that if anyone's health is at risk, he does not care if one or a thousand jobs are created by this new venture, he is against it.
"I wouldn't create one job for the sacrifice of our health," stated Libson, who in his first meeting, made a major impact on the citizens of not only his constituency, but for those of Precinct 3 and the entire of Maverick County, "What the committee should look into," he added, "Is to require examinations to test all canals, creeks and ponds to EPA standards right now to see if any changes are noticed six months down the line and if so, we have probable cause to show the powers that be. I was First Sergeant of my outfit in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University, I was a member of the Ross Volunteer Color Guard for the Governor of the State of Texas and I'm here to do what's right."
Libson, who received an Engineering degree from Texas A&M in 1985, received a round of applause from the audience and the well-wishes from the committee members present as Commissioner's Court approved the motion unanimously.