A staple to the justice system here in Navaota for nearly 20 years was honored at Monday’s Navasota City Council meeting, as he nears retirement. Judge John Leflore, who served as municipal judge in Navasota for just under 19 years, will be retiring and the city council decided to give him a special presentation on Monday.
Mayor Bert Miller shared his thoughts on Leflore beforehand.
“I am very proud to have been part o the team that was here and is here while [Leflore] was here. We sadly hate to see him go, but we sure know that he still has a lot in store with his wife and plans ahead. Thank you, Judge, for your great service to the community,” Miller said.
After being presented a plaque for his service, Leflore, who worked as a Bryan Police Officer before coming here, decided to give his own thoughts on his time in Navasota.
“I went to work for Grimes County, I do not know if they could even find the key to the jail. They did not eve jail anyone until I got here, it seems that like what I got paid to do…I went to Brazos county, a big county and watched it grow. Then, I came back here ad was fortunate enough to be elected Justice of the Peace. It was about a month after that, the city manager at the time came to me. He asked me if I would take over city court until they could hire someone. I said ‘absolutely. I will give you 30 days.’ Then here we are, nineteen and a half years later,” said Leflore, as the council laughed.
Leflore announced his retirement earlier this year. City Council has named Patricia Gruner as his replacement. Gruner is a name familiar to Navasota, as she served on the Navasota ISD Board of Trustees for 6 years before becoming Mayor from 2002-2006.
Her date to be sworn in has yet to be announced.