May 1, 2024 • 16 mins
Witness the dawning of a new era in East Texas with Neil Franklin and the Smith County judge at the helm of a pivotal conversation on our latest episode. Prepare to be enlightened as we uncover the ambitious strides Smith County is making towards innovation and growth, setting the stage for a transformative year of groundbreaking developments. From the forward-thinking jail med program in partnership with UT Health to the promising expansions at UT Tyler's nursing school, hear how these moves are building a brighter future for the county, now the 22nd largest in Texas. The construction of a modern parking garage and a courthouse built to stand the test of time cements the county's commitment to progress, with community input driving the vision forward. Expect a thorough update on the timelines eagerly awaited by residents, as these projects promise to reshape the county's skyline and bolster its infrastructure.
Feel the pulse of Smith County as Judge Neil Franklin captures hearts with his moving State of the County address, invoking a powerful narrative of patriotism and unity. Experiencing the ripple of positive reactions across Tyler and East Texas firsthand, we share the compelling story of a judge who, despite his aversion to politics, champions the art of maintaining friendships across ideological divides. The emblematic American flag emerges as a beacon of hope, one that Judge Franklin and the community yearn to see represent a united nation once more. The overwhelming support and longing for a revival of unity signal a deep-rooted desire for harmony, which resonates throughout our discussion. Join us for this poignant exploration of Smith County's journey, as it honors its legacy while boldly stepping into an enterprising future.
(Show notes are automatically generated and may contain phonetic spellings and other spelling and punctuation errors. Grammar errors contained in the original recording are not typically corrected.)
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
LANDESS (00:04):
Pretty regularly on social media, tv newscasts and
other visual media outlets inEast Texas.
It seems like there's always apicture of a group of people
wearing ceremonial hard hats andceremonial shovels turning over
some dirt for a project'sgroundbreaking.
I'm Mike Landis.
It should be no surprise thenthat the Smith County judge has
declared the coming year asbreaking ground.
Ut Tyler Radio connects withNeil Franklin and judge.
(00:27):
That phrase is about more thanshoveling some dirt.
FRANKLIN (00:30):
It is.
It is when we were thinkingabout the theme this year.
I just I thought we have a lotof new relationships, whether it
be in our jail med programgoing.
We actually switched from anational company to a local
hospital system, ut Health, andwe were able to utilize them in
our jail med and we're reallyexcited about that because
(00:51):
there's in-person psychiatriccare, which is really special,
and with the new medical schoolagain really special we're going
to be able to utilize thestudents to come through the
jail and do those in the newexpansion of the nursing school
here, which you had to walk byto get here today.
Yes, I did have to walk by, andwe share in our contractor there
(01:13):
as well for the new courthouse.
So we are breaking lots ofground.
Our new parking garage andcourthouse that's, of course,
our big projects.
LANDESS (01:25):
That has sprung out from the ground.
It has my wife and I drove byone day and there was nothing.
And we'll drive to the next dayand it's almost done.
FRANKLIN (01:31):
Well, you watch them and it looks like they're
playing in the dirt for a coupleof months and they haul dirt
off and they bring dirt in, andthen they're rolling it, packing
it, doing all these things andtesting and then all of a sudden
the concrete Legos show up, andup it goes.
LANDESS (01:46):
Well put.
FRANKLIN (01:47):
Seriously, in no time it's there and so we're really
excited about it.
I know they have a lot offinishing touches the elevator,
the striping, all the differentthings that have to go into it
so we still have a while to go.
Should be fall, september-ish Ihate to say months or dates now
(02:08):
, but we're excited about that.
Yes.
LANDESS (02:12):
I certainly understand that.
In your State of the Countyspeech the day after
Eclipsemageddon, by the way, youtouched on a number of previous
accomplishments in Smith County, including some perspective on
our growth.
22nd largest out of 254counties is an interesting
number, but what does it meanfor Smith County residents?
FRANKLIN (02:30):
Well, we are growing and we're not the small East
Texas County anymore, and sowith that comes economic
development, all these thingsthat in the past we might not
have had to confront.
And so now it seems like adaily basis that we're talking
about economic development andall the projects that are going
(02:51):
on, whether it be the InterstateCommerce Park, which is a
wonderful addition We've got alot of companies looking,
corporations looking out thereand adding on.
So it started out with theanchor tenant and then out there
and adding on.
So it started out with theanchor tenant and then we're
just adding on.
So we're excited about that.
(03:15):
It is new for the county torealize that we could be upwards
of 250,000 population.
LANDESS (03:22):
I saw that projection.
That's amazing.
FRANKLIN (03:26):
That estimate,000 population.
I saw that projection.
That's amazing, that estimateit is.
It's something that now we havea lot more voices to listen to
as an elected official, and soI'm trying to make sure that we
do that.
I'm trying to make sure thateverybody gets to talk to us.
LANDESS (03:39):
You know the animated video from Fitzpatrick
Architects showing the plans forthe square and all of downtown
featuring the new courthouse.
We're very impressive.
We saw that again at yourpresentation, but for the first
time for me anyway the video wasupdated to show what the new
courthouse will look like inside, a little like the atrium at
Plaza Tower.
FRANKLIN (03:58):
Yes, I had a chance to kind of give that nickel tour
that day and that was exciting.
It was really quick.
We just kind of we went in, yougot to see where security was
going to be and as you walk inand the law library, and went up
to the second floor and thenthe open air lobby very
beautiful building, but it'struly.
(04:21):
The courtrooms are the key tothat.
We'll have eight courtroomsinitially ready to go and then
we'll have one entire floor willbe blank space and that's for
four more courtrooms and so forfuture growth, we needed to make
sure that we were covering this.
This building needs to be a100-year building and that's
(04:43):
what our hope it will be.
This building needs to be a100-year building and that's
what our hope it will be so.
LANDESS (04:46):
Seven stories, more than 270,000 square feet, is it
safe to assume that the countyjudge's office will be larger
than a coat closet, but smallerthan a barn.
FRANKLIN (04:55):
Well, let me tell you, the safety part of that is I'm
staying in the annex building.
Are you really?
Yes, our court stays in theannex building.
Are you really?
Yes, our court stays in theannex building.
The county court laws, thedistrict courts, as well as the
12th Court of Appeals, are goingin the new courthouse.
County clerks leaving ourbuilding?
We've got several folks areleaving our building going into
(05:16):
the new courthouse, but as faras our court, we're remaining in
the annex.
And I was actually excitedabout that because as we went
out and presented the bond topeople, I actually had some
comments where they're saying,oh, you're just building
yourself you know somethingfancy.
And I said oh, no, no, no.
I'm not building anything formyself.
This is for everybody else, sowe're.
(05:38):
I get the chill bumps when Ithink about the courthouse.
I truly do.
It's going to.
It's something that well.
The city I mean not city, butthe county citizens voted, they
wanted it, and so we'reresponding, and I think they're
going to be really pleased withthe product.
LANDESS (05:55):
So give me, as of this date, the latest timeline,
projected timeline for how thissequence is going to take place?
FRANKLIN (06:02):
Yeah, the fall.
This year we should be completewith the parking garage and
during that time right now we'realready doing asbestos
abatement in the on the eastside of the square where the new
courthouse will go.
LANDESS (06:16):
We'll soon start these are the old buildings, the old
buildings.
FRANKLIN (06:19):
Yes, two of them were burned, burned out, so that side
of the square on Spring Street.
So then we'll follow up withdemolition of that side and so
hopefully by the time theparking garage is complete, that
side of the will be smooth dirtready to go up and then we'll
build up from there and itshould be a two year build there
(06:40):
, year build there, and thenwe've added on another year to
move folks into the newcourthouse, demo the old
courthouse and have green spacecompleted.
LANDESS (06:51):
Yeah, as I understand the way in which this is this
place, this project is going totake place downtown, is that the
county is taking care of thecourthouse side of the square
and the city is taking care ofthe other.
FRANKLIN (07:01):
It is it is, and we're all in it together.
The county owns all the land,but the city has, graciously, is
donating funds towards this andI think the end product is
going to be something that'sgoing to be.
People will really want to comedown and spend time on the
(07:22):
square.
We already have a lot of peoplethat do, including myself, but
it's going to be very thewalkability, the shops.
They're going to increase thesize of the sidewalks.
The city is, the traffic flowis going to be easier because
it's going to be two-way.
All the different things thatthe city's kicking in along with
what we're doing.
I think everyone's going to bereally proud.
LANDESS (07:44):
I just hope they save the Arcadia Theater sign and put
it somewhere.
FRANKLIN (07:48):
Yes.
LANDESS (07:48):
Don't let it get away.
FRANKLIN (07:49):
I know.
I know there are some reallyspecial things and we're paying
attention to the historic value,although we have to.
What I try to tell people iswe're building a new historic
building.
It's going to look like thehistoric courthouse but it's
going to have the modernfunctions.
LANDESS (08:08):
It was really, really amazing, those Fitzpatrick
animations.
Now you talked aboutstrengthening relationships,
partnerships and programs withinthe county, and, on the subject
of mental health, you'reproposing that all three of
these aspects work together forgood.
Tell us more about that.
You mentioned the jail earlieron.
FRANKLIN (08:25):
Yeah, we got that new jail contract with the jail med
and psych, but also we have MOUwith the Andrew Center and we're
working with them daily Memo ofunderstanding.
Yes, I'm sorry, memorandum ofunderstanding to where they come
in and help us with a programin the jail.
The jail is a big focus becauseand we've all said it before
(08:50):
our county jails end up beingthe largest mental health
facility in the counties, andthis is widespread.
I just attended a conferencejudicial conference and we were
all saying the same thing.
All the judges were saying thesame thing.
That's where we have a lot ofissues with our mental health,
and so we're really focusing onthat.
Whether we have a thing calledcourt-ordered jail, med hearings
(09:15):
within the jail, or we're doingprograms.
We want to get these peoplethat are in the jail that have
been found incompetent to standtrial.
We want them to becomecompetent to stand trial because
they don't belong just sittingin our jail and we want the best
for them and what's best forour jail as well, and rather
(09:37):
than just being warehoused.
LANDESS (09:38):
Yes, yes, I understand.
There is a mental health summitcoming up in May with UT Tyler
School of Medicine and theAndrews Center.
That's going to be afascinating event.
FRANKLIN (09:47):
Really excited about that.
That's May 7th at the WTBrookshire facility.
It's, I think, two to four free.
You just need to get online.
You can either go to AndrewCenter or just type in, I think,
east Texas Mental Health Summit.
There will be a lot of greatspeakers, but then also contacts
(10:09):
where you could potentiallyplug in, and that's what we
really want.
We want people to come up andfind out that they can actually
help just the general public.
LANDESS (10:19):
When we spoke to County Commissioner John Moore last
year he talked about a programto help with stray pets.
Now he reiterated that point inyour State of the County
presentation.
How does it work?
How's it going so far?
FRANKLIN (10:29):
Well, it has gone fantastic.
In fact, when I first decidedto even throw this out there as
a possibility, we talked about a$100,000 donation from our ARPA
funding and that money.
When I talked about it withdifferent groups when we decided
(10:49):
the veterinarian, they didn'tthink that we would use the
whole.
They didn't think they couldcomplete utilizing $100,000 in a
short period of time.
Well, it's turned out.
It's gone so quickly.
The community has beenresponsive.
We ended up having to adjustthe timing and we've given now
(11:10):
we've actually turned over allthe $100,000 to them and they
will have run through this inprobably six months rather than
a year the very first day, Ibelieve, that we held a clinic.
They had over 120 dogs eitherspayed or neutered dogs and cats
spayed or neutered, so pets inthe community, and so now
(11:32):
they've had to gate it back downin the community and so now
they've had to gate it back down, and so every time they have a
time where they welcome people,a clinic, they'll say 80 is the
number and so so that they don'thave to stay up there for 16
hours and taking care of animals.
But it has just really beengreat and I cannot, as a county
judge, I cannot ask fordonations from outside agencies,
(11:55):
but I know they are asking fordonations to keep that seed
money going.
You're just passing informationalong.
I'm just passing thatinformation on.
Okay, good.
LANDESS (12:06):
Of the many successes, new programs, new outlooks, new
attitudes I heard about that day, I may have been most taken by
the Smith County Prayer Forceproposal.
Tell us what that is and how itworks.
FRANKLIN (12:18):
Yeah, that is.
I think I probably was mosttaken by that as well.
I had a friend over in Marshall, texas, who presented an idea.
That's something they've beendoing in their community for a
while and when I heard about itI just got more excited.
So I actually I realized Icouldn't take it on.
(12:40):
But what this is is a programwhere individuals can pray for
first responders and that's ourdispatchers, law enforcement,
firefighters, ems personnel.
We always pray for those folks,but it's usually group prayer,
so you just kind of group themas a whole.
So what this is is you have aprayer warrior sign up and then
(13:04):
you have a first responder signup and it's intentional prayer
for that first responder everyday for a year.
Then at the end of the year, ifthe first responder would like
to meet the prayer warrior, wehave a banquet and they can
actually meet and talk about it.
And I actually signed upyesterday, got my prayer.
(13:24):
My first responder and I prayedfor that gentleman this morning
and I sent out an emailyesterday to all the chiefs and
leadership in all our agenciesaround and just to tell them
we've got a lot of prayerwarriors signed up, but we
haven't gotten all our agenciesaround and just to tell them
we've got a lot of prayerwarriors signed up but we
haven't gotten all our firstresponders.
So I encourage them.
(13:44):
One of the things they worryabout oftentimes is giving their
personal information, and allthat's given in this is their
first name and the initial oftheir last name first initial of
their last name and then whatthey do.
So I gave an example Neal F,firefighter and I left it at
that, so excited about it.
(14:07):
I've got a close friend, larryMelhart is leading the charge.
I had to have someone.
It's too big a project, butthey've got a website.
It's org.
So it'ssmithcountyprayerforceorg.
He's taken in on his ministryand man, they are rolling.
LANDESS (14:24):
Are you working with local churches?
FRANKLIN (14:26):
Yes, he has worked with local churches.
He'll talk.
Go and talk to anyone.
We'll get them signed up.
But you just get on thatwebsite and you just choose
which one you want to sign up,to no cost to anyone.
It's absolutely free and Ithink it's going to change the
community.
I really do.
LANDESS (14:46):
What kinds of responses have you gotten over these past
weeks to your State of theCounty presentation?
Anybody who was anybody inTyler and East Texas was there
that day.
Were they impressed, skeptical,supportive?
What was the feedback?
FRANKLIN (14:57):
You know, I started my midway into my talk.
I decided to share some of myheartstrings, and one of them is
patriotism, and I told people Isaid you know, if you don't
agree with me, we can still befriends, and that's something I
truly live by.
I don't like what I see in thisworld right now.
(15:20):
If someone disagrees one thing,you're written off, you're
hated, you're.
You know whatever it is, and Ialso started with I hate
politics.
So I guess I'm in a tough job,but I just tough job, but I just
(15:43):
I think that everyone, thefeedback that I've received,
Mike, is that we need to hearmore of that.
People were excited.
People have sent me a lot ofemails, a lot of texts saying it
was so refreshing to hear andto think back about, just kind
of a step back into the past,about how everyone felt when the
American flag was flown.
It just it means something andit meant something and I hope it
(16:09):
can continue meaning somethingand I hope I can stir some
hearts to feel like I do.
LANDESS (16:15):
Thanks for listening as UT Tyler radio connects with
Smith County judge Neil Franklin.
For UT Tyler radio news, I'mMike Landis.
Pretty regularly on social media, tv newscasts and
other visual media outlets inEast Texas.
It seems like there's always apicture of a group of people
wearing ceremonial hard hats andceremonial shovels turning over
some dirt for a project'sgroundbreaking.
I'm Mike Landis.
It should be no surprise thenthat the Smith County judge has
declared the coming year asbreaking ground.
Ut Tyler Radio connects withNeil Franklin and judge.
(00:27):
That phrase is about more thanshoveling some dirt.
FRANKLIN (00:30):
It is.
It is when we were thinkingabout the theme this year.
I just I thought we have a lotof new relationships, whether it
be in our jail med programgoing.
We actually switched from anational company to a local
hospital system, ut Health, andwe were able to utilize them in
our jail med and we're reallyexcited about that because
(00:51):
there's in-person psychiatriccare, which is really special,
and with the new medical schoolagain really special we're going
to be able to utilize thestudents to come through the
jail and do those in the newexpansion of the nursing school
here, which you had to walk byto get here today.
Yes, I did have to walk by, andwe share in our contractor there
(01:13):
as well for the new courthouse.
So we are breaking lots ofground.
Our new parking garage andcourthouse that's, of course,
our big projects.
LANDESS (01:25):
That has sprung out from the ground.
It has my wife and I drove byone day and there was nothing.
And we'll drive to the next dayand it's almost done.
FRANKLIN (01:31):
Well, you watch them and it looks like they're
playing in the dirt for a coupleof months and they haul dirt
off and they bring dirt in, andthen they're rolling it, packing
it, doing all these things andtesting and then all of a sudden
the concrete Legos show up, andup it goes.
LANDESS (01:46):
Well put.
FRANKLIN (01:47):
Seriously, in no time it's there and so we're really
excited about it.
I know they have a lot offinishing touches the elevator,
the striping, all the differentthings that have to go into it
so we still have a while to go.
Should be fall, september-ish Ihate to say months or dates now
(02:08):
, but we're excited about that.
Yes.
LANDESS (02:12):
I certainly understand that.
In your State of the Countyspeech the day after
Eclipsemageddon, by the way, youtouched on a number of previous
accomplishments in Smith County, including some perspective on
our growth.
22nd largest out of 254counties is an interesting
number, but what does it meanfor Smith County residents?
FRANKLIN (02:30):
Well, we are growing and we're not the small East
Texas County anymore, and sowith that comes economic
development, all these thingsthat in the past we might not
have had to confront.
And so now it seems like adaily basis that we're talking
about economic development andall the projects that are going
(02:51):
on, whether it be the InterstateCommerce Park, which is a
wonderful addition We've got alot of companies looking,
corporations looking out thereand adding on.
So it started out with theanchor tenant and then out there
and adding on.
So it started out with theanchor tenant and then we're
just adding on.
So we're excited about that.
(03:15):
It is new for the county torealize that we could be upwards
of 250,000 population.
LANDESS (03:22):
I saw that projection.
That's amazing.
FRANKLIN (03:26):
That estimate,000 population.
I saw that projection.
That's amazing, that estimateit is.
It's something that now we havea lot more voices to listen to
as an elected official, and soI'm trying to make sure that we
do that.
I'm trying to make sure thateverybody gets to talk to us.
LANDESS (03:39):
You know the animated video from Fitzpatrick
Architects showing the plans forthe square and all of downtown
featuring the new courthouse.
We're very impressive.
We saw that again at yourpresentation, but for the first
time for me anyway the video wasupdated to show what the new
courthouse will look like inside, a little like the atrium at
Plaza Tower.
FRANKLIN (03:58):
Yes, I had a chance to kind of give that nickel tour
that day and that was exciting.
It was really quick.
We just kind of we went in, yougot to see where security was
going to be and as you walk inand the law library, and went up
to the second floor and thenthe open air lobby very
beautiful building, but it'struly.
(04:21):
The courtrooms are the key tothat.
We'll have eight courtroomsinitially ready to go and then
we'll have one entire floor willbe blank space and that's for
four more courtrooms and so forfuture growth, we needed to make
sure that we were covering this.
This building needs to be a100-year building and that's
(04:43):
what our hope it will be.
This building needs to be a100-year building and that's
what our hope it will be so.
LANDESS (04:46):
Seven stories, more than 270,000 square feet, is it
safe to assume that the countyjudge's office will be larger
than a coat closet, but smallerthan a barn.
FRANKLIN (04:55):
Well, let me tell you, the safety part of that is I'm
staying in the annex building.
Are you really?
Yes, our court stays in theannex building.
Are you really?
Yes, our court stays in theannex building.
The county court laws, thedistrict courts, as well as the
12th Court of Appeals, are goingin the new courthouse.
County clerks leaving ourbuilding?
We've got several folks areleaving our building going into
(05:16):
the new courthouse, but as faras our court, we're remaining in
the annex.
And I was actually excitedabout that because as we went
out and presented the bond topeople, I actually had some
comments where they're saying,oh, you're just building
yourself you know somethingfancy.
And I said oh, no, no, no.
I'm not building anything formyself.
This is for everybody else, sowe're.
(05:38):
I get the chill bumps when Ithink about the courthouse.
I truly do.
It's going to.
It's something that well.
The city I mean not city, butthe county citizens voted, they
wanted it, and so we'reresponding, and I think they're
going to be really pleased withthe product.
LANDESS (05:55):
So give me, as of this date, the latest timeline,
projected timeline for how thissequence is going to take place?
FRANKLIN (06:02):
Yeah, the fall.
This year we should be completewith the parking garage and
during that time right now we'realready doing asbestos
abatement in the on the eastside of the square where the new
courthouse will go.
LANDESS (06:16):
We'll soon start these are the old buildings, the old
buildings.
FRANKLIN (06:19):
Yes, two of them were burned, burned out, so that side
of the square on Spring Street.
So then we'll follow up withdemolition of that side and so
hopefully by the time theparking garage is complete, that
side of the will be smooth dirtready to go up and then we'll
build up from there and itshould be a two year build there
(06:40):
, year build there, and thenwe've added on another year to
move folks into the newcourthouse, demo the old
courthouse and have green spacecompleted.
LANDESS (06:51):
Yeah, as I understand the way in which this is this
place, this project is going totake place downtown, is that the
county is taking care of thecourthouse side of the square
and the city is taking care ofthe other.
FRANKLIN (07:01):
It is it is, and we're all in it together.
The county owns all the land,but the city has, graciously, is
donating funds towards this andI think the end product is
going to be something that'sgoing to be.
People will really want to comedown and spend time on the
(07:22):
square.
We already have a lot of peoplethat do, including myself, but
it's going to be very thewalkability, the shops.
They're going to increase thesize of the sidewalks.
The city is, the traffic flowis going to be easier because
it's going to be two-way.
All the different things thatthe city's kicking in along with
what we're doing.
I think everyone's going to bereally proud.
LANDESS (07:44):
I just hope they save the Arcadia Theater sign and put
it somewhere.
FRANKLIN (07:48):
Yes.
LANDESS (07:48):
Don't let it get away.
FRANKLIN (07:49):
I know.
I know there are some reallyspecial things and we're paying
attention to the historic value,although we have to.
What I try to tell people iswe're building a new historic
building.
It's going to look like thehistoric courthouse but it's
going to have the modernfunctions.
LANDESS (08:08):
It was really, really amazing, those Fitzpatrick
animations.
Now you talked aboutstrengthening relationships,
partnerships and programs withinthe county, and, on the subject
of mental health, you'reproposing that all three of
these aspects work together forgood.
Tell us more about that.
You mentioned the jail earlieron.
FRANKLIN (08:25):
Yeah, we got that new jail contract with the jail med
and psych, but also we have MOUwith the Andrew Center and we're
working with them daily Memo ofunderstanding.
Yes, I'm sorry, memorandum ofunderstanding to where they come
in and help us with a programin the jail.
The jail is a big focus becauseand we've all said it before
(08:50):
our county jails end up beingthe largest mental health
facility in the counties, andthis is widespread.
I just attended a conferencejudicial conference and we were
all saying the same thing.
All the judges were saying thesame thing.
That's where we have a lot ofissues with our mental health,
and so we're really focusing onthat.
Whether we have a thing calledcourt-ordered jail, med hearings
(09:15):
within the jail, or we're doingprograms.
We want to get these peoplethat are in the jail that have
been found incompetent to standtrial.
We want them to becomecompetent to stand trial because
they don't belong just sittingin our jail and we want the best
for them and what's best forour jail as well, and rather
(09:37):
than just being warehoused.
LANDESS (09:38):
Yes, yes, I understand.
There is a mental health summitcoming up in May with UT Tyler
School of Medicine and theAndrews Center.
That's going to be afascinating event.
FRANKLIN (09:47):
Really excited about that.
That's May 7th at the WTBrookshire facility.
It's, I think, two to four free.
You just need to get online.
You can either go to AndrewCenter or just type in, I think,
east Texas Mental Health Summit.
There will be a lot of greatspeakers, but then also contacts
(10:09):
where you could potentiallyplug in, and that's what we
really want.
We want people to come up andfind out that they can actually
help just the general public.
LANDESS (10:19):
When we spoke to County Commissioner John Moore last
year he talked about a programto help with stray pets.
Now he reiterated that point inyour State of the County
presentation.
How does it work?
How's it going so far?
FRANKLIN (10:29):
Well, it has gone fantastic.
In fact, when I first decidedto even throw this out there as
a possibility, we talked about a$100,000 donation from our ARPA
funding and that money.
When I talked about it withdifferent groups when we decided
(10:49):
the veterinarian, they didn'tthink that we would use the
whole.
They didn't think they couldcomplete utilizing $100,000 in a
short period of time.
Well, it's turned out.
It's gone so quickly.
The community has beenresponsive.
We ended up having to adjustthe timing and we've given now
(11:10):
we've actually turned over allthe $100,000 to them and they
will have run through this inprobably six months rather than
a year the very first day, Ibelieve, that we held a clinic.
They had over 120 dogs eitherspayed or neutered dogs and cats
spayed or neutered, so pets inthe community, and so now
(11:32):
they've had to gate it back downin the community and so now
they've had to gate it back down, and so every time they have a
time where they welcome people,a clinic, they'll say 80 is the
number and so so that they don'thave to stay up there for 16
hours and taking care of animals.
But it has just really beengreat and I cannot, as a county
judge, I cannot ask fordonations from outside agencies,
(11:55):
but I know they are asking fordonations to keep that seed
money going.
You're just passing informationalong.
I'm just passing thatinformation on.
Okay, good.
LANDESS (12:06):
Of the many successes, new programs, new outlooks, new
attitudes I heard about that day, I may have been most taken by
the Smith County Prayer Forceproposal.
Tell us what that is and how itworks.
FRANKLIN (12:18):
Yeah, that is.
I think I probably was mosttaken by that as well.
I had a friend over in Marshall, texas, who presented an idea.
That's something they've beendoing in their community for a
while and when I heard about itI just got more excited.
So I actually I realized Icouldn't take it on.
(12:40):
But what this is is a programwhere individuals can pray for
first responders and that's ourdispatchers, law enforcement,
firefighters, ems personnel.
We always pray for those folks,but it's usually group prayer,
so you just kind of group themas a whole.
So what this is is you have aprayer warrior sign up and then
(13:04):
you have a first responder signup and it's intentional prayer
for that first responder everyday for a year.
Then at the end of the year, ifthe first responder would like
to meet the prayer warrior, wehave a banquet and they can
actually meet and talk about it.
And I actually signed upyesterday, got my prayer.
(13:24):
My first responder and I prayedfor that gentleman this morning
and I sent out an emailyesterday to all the chiefs and
leadership in all our agenciesaround and just to tell them
we've got a lot of prayerwarriors signed up, but we
haven't gotten all our agenciesaround and just to tell them
we've got a lot of prayerwarriors signed up but we
haven't gotten all our firstresponders.
So I encourage them.
(13:44):
One of the things they worryabout oftentimes is giving their
personal information, and allthat's given in this is their
first name and the initial oftheir last name first initial of
their last name and then whatthey do.
So I gave an example Neal F,firefighter and I left it at
that, so excited about it.
(14:07):
I've got a close friend, larryMelhart is leading the charge.
I had to have someone.
It's too big a project, butthey've got a website.
It's org.
So it'ssmithcountyprayerforceorg.
He's taken in on his ministryand man, they are rolling.
LANDESS (14:24):
Are you working with local churches?
FRANKLIN (14:26):
Yes, he has worked with local churches.
He'll talk.
Go and talk to anyone.
We'll get them signed up.
But you just get on thatwebsite and you just choose
which one you want to sign up,to no cost to anyone.
It's absolutely free and Ithink it's going to change the
community.
I really do.
LANDESS (14:46):
What kinds of responses have you gotten over these past
weeks to your State of theCounty presentation?
Anybody who was anybody inTyler and East Texas was there
that day.
Were they impressed, skeptical,supportive?
What was the feedback?
FRANKLIN (14:57):
You know, I started my midway into my talk.
I decided to share some of myheartstrings, and one of them is
patriotism, and I told people Isaid you know, if you don't
agree with me, we can still befriends, and that's something I
truly live by.
I don't like what I see in thisworld right now.
(15:20):
If someone disagrees one thing,you're written off, you're
hated, you're.
You know whatever it is, and Ialso started with I hate
politics.
So I guess I'm in a tough job,but I just tough job, but I just
(15:43):
I think that everyone, thefeedback that I've received,
Mike, is that we need to hearmore of that.
People were excited.
People have sent me a lot ofemails, a lot of texts saying it
was so refreshing to hear andto think back about, just kind
of a step back into the past,about how everyone felt when the
American flag was flown.
It just it means something andit meant something and I hope it
(16:09):
can continue meaning somethingand I hope I can stir some
hearts to feel like I do.
LANDESS (16:15):
Thanks for listening as UT Tyler radio connects with
Smith County judge Neil Franklin.
For UT Tyler radio news, I'mMike Landis.
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