Harold Yates, San Saba County Deputy, community leader and rancher is announcing his intention to campaign for Sheriff on the Republican ticket in San Saba County.

Harold is a long term resident of San Saba County. He joined Humble Oil and Refining in 1971 following receipt of bachelor and masters degrees in engineering with honors from the University of Texas at Austin. He has completed a 35 year career as an executive with ExxonMobil that encompassed engineering and operational management responsibilities for U.S. and international onshore/offshore oil and gas production operations. Upon his retirement in 2006, Harold enrolled in the West Central Texas Law Enforcement Academy from which he graduated as class valedictorian and received two special awards of excellence. Following commissioning as a Deputy with the San Saba Sheriff’s Office in October 2006 he has gained the respect of county and state law enforcement officers plus District and County Courts. Throughout his life, Harold has maintained a parallel career in agribusiness here in San Saba where he and his wife Pam operate Yates Farms, a successful business engaged in livestock and pecan production plus wildlife management.

Harold is well known and respected for his many community service activities. He is presently Vice President of the Rotary Club and always seeks to live his life in accordance with its “Service before self” motto. He is President of the San Saba Property Owners Association, a Director of the San Saba Soil and Water Conservation District, and a Director of the Chamber of Commerce.

Harold enjoys serving the people of San Saba as a Sheriff’s Deputy. He always tries to be service oriented towards all citizens while seeking to protect their safety, their property and their rights in all aspects of Law Enforcement. He believes the office of Sheriff is the most varied and demanding position in County Government. Few positions can match its diversity of requirements for expertise and proven management skills 24 hours a day for 365 days a year.

The Sheriff is the principal law enforcement official of the county. He is charged with protecting citizens’ lives and property, keeping public order, preventing crime, arresting lawbreakers and protecting the rights of all citizens.

The Sheriff administers the County Jail, which might have behind its bars, at any given time, persons apprehended and waiting trial, persons convicted of state crimes and waiting transfer to the state penitentiary, and persons sentenced to county jail terms up to one year by county courts.

The sheriff apprehends and transports mental health and juvenile offenders to state and court approved facilities. He must maintain separate facilities as these individuals may not come into contact with anyone charged with a crime.

In San Saba County there is no constable and the Sheriff also functions as executive officer for the district and all county courts, serving court writs, subpoenas, summonses, and civil processes. The Sheriff also provides a Deputy to work as a bailiff 8-10 days monthly for County, District, Attorney General, Child Protective Services Courts as well as having responsibility for transporting inmates from other county and state jails or correctional units.

In San Saba County, the Sheriff also is the County Tax Assessor Collector and Registrar of Voters.

Finally, as the head law enforcement officer of the County, the Sheriff provides EMS, DPS, City Police, Game Wardens, Fire Departments and other public safety entities dispatch and communications service. He also administers the budget and works closely with the County Commissioners Court to budget, appropriate and release necessary funds.

Harold looks forward to the upcoming election race and its opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with the people of San Saba County during the year leading to the November 2008 election.