Why Judge Debi Hays?
This may be a question you are asking yourself, and if you would allow me, I would like to help you answer it.
Debi Hays has been a successful businesswoman for several years as well as a leader in the community. She was serving her second term as president of the Ector County Republican Women, which had enjoyed significant growth under her leadership, when it became known that the Ector County Judge had decided not to run again. Serving as County Judge was not on her list of things to do, but after being approached by friends and several community members who encouraged her to run, Debi, with her husband, Dwayne, began to consider the possibility of her running and after seeking divine direction, the decision was made. Her overwhelming win in the 2018 primary with 63% of the vote was further evidence that her decision had been the right one.
The first victory the new Judge experienced was to convince the residents who lived in the County to vote to approve the Ector County Assistance District, a sales and use tax at a rate of 1.25 percent. The new tax was expected to add approximately 16 million dollars annually to the county coffers. The money was earmarked to be used to improve living conditions in the county from roads to increased law enforcement. An attempt to pass the ECAD had failed the previous year.
Judge Hays’ leadership is not only recognized locally but when the newly formed Permian Basin Regional Freight Plan Advisory Committee was formed, the judge was selected by the commissioner of the Texas Transportation Commission, to chair the committee. The Freight Plan encompasses 22 Texas Counties and its purpose is to develop a multimodal freight plan to improve safety and mobility throughout the Permian Basin.
Judge Hays, as CEO of the Commissioners Court, has had her detractors. When the Court voted unanimously to issue a $25 million obligation of debt to build a new juvenile center, Judge Hays was criticized because this issue was not voted on by the citizens. These at-risk students needed more immediate attention than was afforded by waiting for an election. The projected center will be more than a ‘lockup’; it is to be a rehabilitation center. Vocational trades will also be offered so students can learn applicable skills to improve their chance of a successful return to community.
When we learned that Judge Hays was considering not filing for a second term because of her mother’s failing health with a diagnosis of cancer, many of us were very distressed and begin praying for her mother and for the judge to have a change of heart. Judge Hays watched for a qualified, credible candidate to announce but none came forth. She waited until the last day before filing and in the interim, prayers were answered, and a good report was received from the doctor treating the her mom.
This is only a brief glimpse of the success of our Ector County Judge, and I look forward to seeing the continued progress that she and the Ector county commissioners court will make in the future.
R. Jolene Hawkins
Odessa
