By Anita Miller
Even though Hays County Commissioners hadn’t received the written resignation of Precinct 3 Constable Ray Helm at their meeting July 28, verbal documentation from General Counsel Mark Kennedy was “enough,” County Judge Ruben Becerra said.
Helm’s resignation was effective at 5 p.m. Friday, July 31, and also included the surrender of his peace officer certification for life. Helm accepted an offer by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to resign and surrender his license or face prosecution for a number of offenses.
Helm had handily won the GOP primary in March and he had faced a Democratic opponent in November. Now, both parties will have to find a candidate and commissioners will have to appoint someone to serve until Jan. 1, when whoever is elected Nov. 3 will be sworn in.
They could make an appointment as early as Aug. 4. Becerra said he didn’t want to “tip the scales” by picking someone that would be put up as a candidate by either party. Becerra said it will be up to the precinct chairs of each party to select a candidate.
“The court should be responsible to the community the office serves,” Becerra said. “It’s not every day that a constable resigns. There’s no clear roadmap to proceed. I hope we can make a decision that’s most beneficial to the Wimberley Valley and not get involved in picking winners and losers.”
Precinct 3 Commissioner Lon Shell said he “fully expects” an appointment to be considered on Aug. 11.
