By Georgia Estrada, Potter County Precinct 2 Constable

This will not be a traditional Thanksgiving article with all the pumpkin spice and fluff. I will reflect on the journey of 2019 and explain my reason of being thankful this year. Let’s go back to December 2018, when I felt an uneasy, unpleasant, strange feeling of what was about to transpire as we usher into 2019.

I was reminded of the prediction I made to my fellow Constables, “2019 is going to rough, I can feel it.” Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine what transpired these past 11 months. I knew in December that a major change was about to happen, in which was verified as we entered in to 2019. This change disrupted the harmonious flow of my office, my service, and what precinct 2 was accustomed to. The bell rang and the fight was on.

Since 2015, I built this office, built relationships, the reputation of both the office and position to where it stands today. The Constable’s office precinct 2 has been recognized on National and State levels by investing countless of hours of hard work. In March of 2019, I was awarded National Constable of the Year by the National Constable and Marshalls Association in Reno, Nevada. I was excited to bring this back to Potter County and especially to precinct 2, being the first Hispanic Female to receive this award. On April 24th, 2019 I had the opportunity to speak to Texas Senators on the Criminal Justice Committee during the Legislative session on the importance of civil process training. The next day, I awarded the 3rd scholarship recipient of the Constable Georgia Estrada Scholarship to Javian Allen from Palo Duro High. Allen was award with a $1000.00 scholarship and currently attending West Texas A&M. Each year since 2015, the Constable 2 civil process revenue has increased, in which goes into the General Fund of the county.

Five months into 2019, a decision was made to sabotage the civil process and revenue of the Constable’s 2 office due to “losing confidence in the Constable.” I received a message to remove public information from the Constable’s Facebook page concerning the ransomware that shut down Potter County’s system. I did not remove the posts and they are still available on the page. Later, I learned that I was under investigation from the County Attorney’s office and being followed. Apparently, a complaint on a trespass that was issued, that should have been directed to my office, was taken and ran with. Shortly after, I was visited by the Texas Rangers and was told that I was under investigation for 4 accusations of being out of my official capacity.

I had to decide to stand firm against a disruption that was aimed to purposely cause chaos. A chaotic motive to bring division into the progressive momentum in Potter County and against the greater good of the people. I refused to compromise the office of the Constable 2, the position of the Constable, and lastly myself. Keeping the promises and the silent vows to represent my precinct, county, and state with the highest degree of respect. The courage, moral courage, of pressing forward through the chaos and having the citizens of the North East and South East of the county being the priority in every decision, I stood unmovable with persistence and relentlessly.

My greatest fear in the tribulations I was facing, was disappointing my precinct. I stood up, dusted myself off and continued to do what I knew best, placing my hands back on the plow and continue grinding. I was later informed that each allegation was found to be false and had no standing of any wrongful act. Good ole Potter County Politics. New levels bring new devils.

Throughout all of this in the past 11 months, I am extremely thankful and grateful this year for the support and encouragement from the beautiful citizens of precinct 2 and those outside of the precinct. I am thankful for my Co-Constables in Potter County and across the great State of Texas, who reached out during this landmark of my life. My family that is my foundation, especially my daughter Jada, who held the fort while I was in the mist of battle.

What I am mostly thankful for is when I became weary of fighting, I was steadfast. When I could not be steadfast, I made sure I was standing. And when I could not stand, you all stood with me during these trials.

God bless and thank you with all of my heart.