PAMPA (FRI. MARCH 1, 2024) – Judge Chris Porter and the county commissioners held their first meeting of the month, addressing the wildfires that scorched the Panhandle last week.
With time constraints and more pressing issues to address, a few items on the agenda were pushed to a later date, allowing the discussion to focus mainly on the wildfires and the opinions shared of what could’ve been done differently and what needs to be done moving forward.
The main cause of frustration was the lack of State support in regards to when fire season actually begins according to them; which ironically started March 1, just a few days after the fires.
“When a County Judge calls in and says I need air support, the reply should not be it’s not fire season. The reply should be let me see what I can do to help,” Judge Porter said.
“So they’ve got to figure out a way to make their people more ready to help instead of explaining why they can’t. I don’t want to know why we can’t do it, which there are a million reasons why we can’t, but I want to know the one reason why we can.”
Judge Porter met with Governor Greg Abbott later that afternoon and this issue was brought to Abbott’s attention and was addressed during the press conference as well.
One item of interest on the agenda was the consideration and approval of a Hygiene Closet provided by Panhandle Community Services to use a facility to operate out of in Pampa.
“We have a big homeless population here in town and you would be surprised at the amount of homeless children as well. A Hygiene Closet basically offers one individual from a family shampoo, a bar of soap, laundry detergent, toothpaste and toothbrush; the basic needs to keep your hygiene up. They can come in and get it for free once a month,” Judge Porter said, who is also a member on the board for this program.
“They are looking for a place to store their stuff and they also have a prescription distribution for non-narcotic medications such as antibiotics and ointments; things prescribed by a doctor that is a non-controlled substance. They need something they can lock up.”
Judge Porter asked the commissioners if they would entertain the idea of using the old bank and vault as a hub for this organization to operate out of for a year, to which they agreed and further discussions will be held at a later date.
Judge Porter also addressed the damages sustained on personal property during the wildfires caused by fire trucks running through gates and cutting fences where they did not need to be cut.
Commissioner Jeff Haley’s property gate was needlessly run down after his fence had already been cut as an escape route, with Haley only being one of many who had the same problem.
Talks about what can be done to prevent something like that from happening again during times of natural disaster will also be brought up at a later date.
The last important item on the agenda was to extend the Disaster Declaration put into place from February 27 by Governor Greg Abbott in order to continue to receive federal support during these times when the fear of more wildfires is still high and expected: the motion was unanimously approved.
