Harold Yates, businessman and peace officer, has announced his candidacy for County Judge. Harold believes the County must have a full-time, hands-on public servant in the Courthouse to address tax, inflation, law enforcement and County issues resulting from deterioration of the nation’s social fabric. Harold would strive to improve financial safety through revisions to budget and tax practices, criminal safety through support of law enforcement, and government safety by increasing citizen participation and his personal interaction with legislators and governmental groups to oppose unfunded mandates, head off adverse regulation/ legislation, and obtain a fair share of grant programs.
Harold and his family are longtime residents of San Saba County. Following receipt of engineering degrees from the University of Texas in 1971, Harold enjoyed a 35-year career as an executive in the oil industry while he built his San Saba agricultural businesses. In 2006, Harold joined the Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy Sheriff where for the past 16 years he has contributed over 20 hours a week. He is a Master Peace Officer and has arrested, obtained warrants, presented testimony in cases, helped convict and transported all classes of criminals. Harold shares our community’s frustration and is saddened by the presence of drugs, dope dealers, run down properties, PR and reduced bonds, lack of prompt prosecution, non-existent federal immigration enforcement, quick release of domestic violence and other criminal offenders back into the community, and lenient county jail and prison sentences. If elected, Harold would take community expectations into account in all these areas. He would also share in necessary judicial duties including being on call 24 hours a day for death investigations, magistrations, issuance of search and arrest warrants plus address the costs and difficulties of holding San Saba’s prisoners in other county jails.
Harold’s office as a Deputy Sheriff is in the Courthouse, and he knows the work habits and internal procedures for the attorneys, prosecutors, judges, and other elected/appointed officials administering San Saba, Texas, and federal law. He is San Saba’s lead Deputy for court issued civil process, environmental, livestock and other specialized duties. For 14 of his 16 years as a Deputy, until a change in county policy, Harold never accepted a penny for this work. He believes as a Christian that he has a moral duty to serve his community and protect his fellow citizens. Harold is proud of the fact his entire family and all his holdings including a spot in the City Cemetery are right here in San Saba.
Harold has been active in many other community volunteer activities. He has served as a Director of the San Saba Soil and Water Conservation District, President of the Rotary Club, President of the San Saba Property Owners Association, and a Director of the Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the First Baptist Church, Republican Party, NRA, Texas Narcotics Officer Association, San Saba Wildlife Management Association, Texas Pecan Growers Association, and the Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Association.
Harold and his wife Pam own Yates Farms which is proudly engaged in San Saba’s mainstay businesses of cattle raising, sandstone rock sales, hay baling, wildlife management and production of pecans for 47 years. Harold loves the land, and his favorite saying is the old Comanche Proverb “We don’t own the land; the land owns us.” He thanks God every day that the love of his family plus the natural beauty of our County have blessed his years.
Harold is a hard-working, high-energy, hands-on leader that would have his office open to the public at 8:00 a.m. and ensure sound financial, budget, forecasting and business management practices are followed. Public participation would be encouraged in Commissioner Court Dockets. He would actively partner with Central Appraisal District Directors and contest State of Texas challenges to agricultural land use taxation valuations and work to fairly tax improvements to the tax base. He appreciates the work of our County employees, Commissioners and would promote cooperation with the cities of San Saba, Richland Springs, and Cherokee community. Looking to the future, Harold believes we should plan for economic development possibilities including those from Interstate 14 along with seeking other ways to make San Saba County a destination for those seeking new opportunities. At the same time, he recognizes the rapid subdivision of properties in our County must be managed with a “User Pays” philosophy that San Saba County not become liable for developer costs and that developers must pay for roads, utilities and other necessary improvements.
Harold believes the upcoming election can build upon the successes of prior administrations to keep the best of our incomparable history and lifestyle. He looks forward to the opportunity to meet, listen and exchange ideas with civic, church and citizen groups leading up to the March 1, 2022, Republican Primary.