Beginning next month, Grimes County will be in need of a new justice of the peace, after the current Precinct One JP, Gene Stapleton, told County Judge Ben Lehman in December that he’d be stepping down at the end of this month.
And although several others on the commissioners court told Lehman that Stapleton had also spoken with them about resigning, the judge said he would get the decision in writing. he also explained to the court why he’d rather have judge Stapleton’s successor in place by the time he leaves. That way, he explained, the transition would be a little more seamless than the 4 to 6 weeks it would most probably take if they didn’t appoint his replacement beforehand.
The judge also noted an up-front filling of Stapleton’s position would let the new JP get some training from him before taking office, for which, Lehman stressed, they would not be compensated.
so Lehman ordered the official notice of an opening for Grimes County Precinct One JP to appear in this week’s (1/4) edition of the Navasota Examiner, with interviews beginning most probably a week from Thursday, January 12th
There is also the matter of a mandatory justice of the peace training offered later this month. it is hoped that the new JP will be chosen in time to take advantage of that, and not have to wait until it is offered again next year.
