Leonard "Burtis" Conner has been appointed Tyler County Precinct 3 commissioner by County Judge Milton Powers. Conner replaces Mike Marshall, who announced his retirement at the end of September after 30 years of service to the county, 18 of them as an elected official. Conner had worked as maintenance director under Marshall for six years. He has previous experience in construction, personnel management, and project and budget oversight, and said he was ready to go to work for Precinct 3 after he was sworn in.
The commissioners court approved Conner's certificate of appointment and surety bond at a special meeting. Powers also issued a countywide burn ban, which the commissioners court ratified. The order cites an imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, loss of life or property from a countywide drought. The ban stays in effect until Powers rescinds it.
According to the report, Tyler County is one of 149 of the state's 254 counties with an active burn ban. Neighboring Polk, Angelina and Jasper counties also have burn bans in effect.