The Early Chamber of Commerce hosted the “State of the Early Community” luncheon on Friday. Early Mayor Bob Mangrum, Early Police Chief David Mercer, Early Volunteer Fire Department Chief Chad Hill, and Early ISD Superintendent Brett Koch each gave an update to the community on issues that occurred in 2012 and an outlook for the new year.
Mayor Mangrum was upbeat about the City of Early based on economic indicators and current projects.
“The state of the City of Early as we enter 2013 is very good,” Mangrum said. “The economy is definitely improving in our city and in the county.”
Mangrum said that the Brown County unemployment rate for December 2012 was 5.3% which is a marked improvement compared to 2011 when the rate was 7.4%. He also said that another measuring tool used to gauge the local economy is the number of building permits issued by the city for residential and commercial projects. 43 total permits were issued last year in Early. Mangrum noted that the new Bruner Auto dealerships and Taco Casa are both currently under construction as well as the remodeling of a feed store into a new grocery store.
“We are moving forward in that sense economically,” Mangrum said.
He also said that Early saw an upswing in sale tax last year indicating progress in the community and local businesses.
Mangrum also said that a big project set to finish up in Early is the road construction on Highway 183S/84 and the construction of Heartland Drive beside the new Bruner Auto dealerships. Early is also moving forward with a water pipeline project to connect their system to the Brown County Water Improvement District water treatment plant instead of treating their own water.
“That project is still online,” Mangrum said. “We are waiting final approval from Austin on the environmental report.”
Early Police Chief David Mercer recapped law enforcement in the City of Early.
“Early’s not exempt from crime as every city and town around the nation has to deal with,” Mercer said. “We work very diligently to clear the cases; property stolen we try to get it back again so we can bring some relief and closure to the people who have been victimized.”
Mercer said that school safety is a major objective for the department and they will continue to work with the schools in that effort.
“We want a proactive approach to ensure safety,” Mercer said.
In 2012, the Early Police Department responded to 5911 calls for service, up by more than 200 calls the year before. The department wrote 1300 citations and arrested 187 people, Mercer said.
“Unfortunately in 2012, there was the first murder for Early ever, and our first officer involved shooting,” Mercer said. Mercer was referring to the murder of Eddie Lopez at Early Donuts earlier in 2012 as well as the Peach House RV double murder where Early Sgt. Means fired at the suspect.
Mercer said that his department works well with other law enforcement agencies in the area.
Early Fire Chief Chad Hill also gave a report on the Early Volunteer Fire Department and their calls for service in 2012. The department responded to 259 calls for service; 137 of those being medical calls, 33 wrecks, 39 grass fires, 11 house fires, and 6 car fires.
Early ISD Superintendent Brett Koch outlined the state of the school district regarding safety, testing, and finances.
Koch said because of state funding cuts in the last legislative session, Early ISD is running on a deficit budget.
“Some difficult decisions had to be made throughout the process,” Koch said. “We are hoping that we will get some relief from our legislators when they finish meeting at the end of May or a special session very possibly.”
Koch also outlined many programs that Early ISD offers such as career and technology, welding certification, culinary arts, dual credit offerings, and robotics.
“The state of the district is outstanding and the future is extremely bright,” Koch said.
He also said that officials are discussing the possibility of building an auditorium for the high school.
Pictured at top – Early Mayor Bob Mangrum (right) talks to Dr. Don Bostic of Ranger College after the luncheon.
