Harold Yates, San Saba County Community Leader and businessman, is announcing his intention to campaign for County Judge. While recognizing the many contributions of the incumbent over his past two terms, Harold believes after eight years in office it is necessary to offer voters a fresh set of ideas and a new mind set.

Harold and his family are long time residents of San Saba County. Following receipt of bachelors and masters degrees in engineering from the University of Texas, Harold joined Humble Oil and Refining in 1971. He completed a 35 year career as an executive with ExxonMobil encompassed engineering and operational management responsibilities for U.S. and international oil and gas operations in 2006. Throughout his lifetime, Harold has also maintained an active business career in San Saba. Harold and his wife Pam operate Yates Farms, a privately held family enterprise engaged in San Saba investments plus the livestock, pecan and wildlife businesses. In 2006, Harold increased his commitment to public service by accepting a commission as an unpaid volunteer Deputy Sheriff where he served the past administration as a lead investigator for major crimes earning the respect of county and state law enforcement officers plus Justice, County and District Courts. Harold is proud of the professionalism and dedication of the individuals he has worked alongside in San Saba’s law enforcement agencies, the courts and especially those who serve with the EMS and our county’s four volunteer fire departments.

Harold is also well known and respected for his many other volunteer community service activities. He is a member, Past President and Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club who seeks to live his life in accordance with its "Service before Self" motto. He is a member and Past President of the San Saba Property Owners Association, a Director of the San Saba Soil and Water Conservation District, and a Member and Past Director of the Chamber of Commerce. His favorite charity is the Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center that helps physically and sexually abused children and assists with the prosecution of their abusers. He is a member of numerous other conservative, law enforcement and agricultural professional organizations including the NRA, Texas Narcotics Officer Association, San Saba Wildlife Management Association, Texas Pecan Growers Association and the Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Association. Harold is also an instrument rated pilot operating San Saba’s only locally based aircraft. His recreational interests include family activities, the study of economics and hunting feral hogs.

Harold enjoys serving the people of San Saba. He believes in an unbiased service approach to all citizens and would work hard to limit property taxes and preserve our safety, property and legal rights. He believes his best qualifications are integrity, honesty, objectivity, a core belief that all citizens must be treated equally, the discipline to hear all sides of an issue before making a decision, the courage to always do the right thing; and, the management experience to realize the Judge must find common ground to cooperate with other elected officials including the Cities of San Saba and Richland Springs plus LCRA and the communities of Bend, Cherokee, Pecan Grove and Elm Grove. Harold believes the office of County Judge is a most varied and demanding job with few positions matching its diversity of requirements for business experience, economic expertise, knowledge of the law plus the duty to be accessible 24 hours a day and be willing to serve as the people’s full-time friend at the courthouse.

Harold looks forward to the upcoming election and its opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with the people of San Saba County during the year leading up to the November 2010 election.