HISTORY: Judge Jackie Walker, December 2002 - Coke County, TX Contributed by Mary Love Berryman 18 January 2003 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************************** All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** County judges hand up gavels, take look back at their tenures By Melissa Williams Perner Staff Writer December 31, 2002 As the year comes to a close, five area counties are saying farewell to local judges who have become staples in their communities. Each has served in various capacities in addition to county judge, including as member so the Concho Valley Council of Governments. Executive committee that makes decisions affecting the council's 13-county area. Before leaving office, each one talked about his or her impact on the county, any regrets and what the future might hold for the Concho Valley. (Only copied comments of Jackie Walker) Jackie Walker The last 12 years, Jackie Walker has been both mayor of Robert Lee and most recently Coke County judge, and while her presence will no longer be found in these capacities, she does plan to continue public service. Walker, whose duties also included serving the Concho Valley COG Executive Committee for all 12 years, plans to remain active on the MHMR board of trustees and with the Coke County Emergency Medical Service. ''I'm going to work somewhere,'' she said. ''I plan on staying involved in the community.'' During her eight years as judge, the Coke County Juvenile Justice Center in Bronte its workforce, roads were paved and grants were awarded to build several community pavilions. The only goal Walker didn't accomplish was bringing wind power to Coke County. Walker said Cielo Wind Power out of Austin requested tax abatement forms while looking into a wind farm in the area. ''This could be a real asset to the landowners,'' she said. ''I really was hoping to get that finished.'' As Walker served in her different duties, she was often the only woman serving. While many would think this could be a challenge, she said some of it was not that bad. ''You let the men do their thing and stay out of their way, but I am very much a take-charge type of person,'' she said. For West Texas, Walker said the Concho Valley COG is one entity that wants West Texas to grow in providing planning and guidance. ''Water is going to have to come first,'' she said. ''We're all suffering with the same thing.'' Walker said her dream for Coke County is that it would expand to 4,000 or 5,000 people due to thriving industries and good jobs, but the reality is that jobs are scarce, especially for young people. ''We're lucky to hold on to what we have,'' she said. Permission granted by the San Angelo Standard-Times for publication in the Coke County TXGenWeb Archives.