Collin County government goes through series of departures

by Bill Baumbach of The Collin County Observer

December seems to be the time for good byes, especially in McKinney. In the last week or so, there has been a series of both expected and unexpected departures of public officials.

On Tuesday, the Commissioners Court gave a retirement plaque to 308th District Court Judge Charles Sandoval.

I guess when you're a judge, losing an election is called "retirement". So be it.

Also on Tuesday, the Commissioners Court noticeably did not give a plaque to retiring County Auditor, Donald Cozad, who keeps winning lawsuits against the commissioners.

I wonder if the commissioners will finally pay Mr. Cozad's lawyers' bills as a going away present?

Also not mentioned at the commissioners court meeting was outgoing Precinct 1 Commissioner Phyllis Cole. Her last day in office will be December 31. She was first appointed to fill an unexpired term on the court in 1991.

Precinct 1 Constable Jerry Kunkle chose not to run for re-election and will also retire on December 31. A retirement party was held for him this evening.

Kunkle has been constable since 1979. My most memorable recollection of this outspoken good ol' boy was when he told the county commissioners they could "kiss my keister" in a discussion over longevity pay.

In a surprise move and citing "personal reasons", the chairman of the McKinney Airport Development Corporation, Victor Lattimore resigned, "effective immediately".

And in another surprise adios, the McKinney Chamber of Commerce announced the departure of its president, Terri Ricketts.

The betting is that Ricketts was canned, but no one is talking.