County bids farewell to departing employees

Several Hays County elected officials are moving into retirement, and their colleagues had kind words for them at the commissioners’ court meeting Tuesday morning.

County Judge Bert Cobb, who has been absent from commissioners court meetings for more than a year during treatment for leukemia, was the subject of several emotional speeches.

“Most everything he did, he did for somebody else -— his family, his colleagues and his citizens,” outgoing Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant said of Cobb. 

Whisenant spoke of his camaraderie with Cobb and their friendly dispute about which one of them was older. He also spoke of some of their shared qualities, including a certain amount of impatience.

“His impatience came from his desire to do things well and do them for the citizens of Hays County,” Whisenant said.

The commissioner also spoke of the structure and discipline of county officials and staff during Cobb’s absence.

“I think the real testament to the judge, and I think this court as a whole, is the staff of Hays County,” Whisenant said. “Because the staff … kept moving forward without a judge, as much as we would have liked to have had him here.”

When Cobb announced that he would be physically absent from the meetings — though he would watch them online — he also said he felt confident in leaving the business of the county to “the best commissioners court in the state of Texas.”

Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Jones simply said he couldn’t get words to come out about Cobb’s retirement. Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe was similarly emotional.

“I can’t get too many words out, but I certainly wish that he was here with us today,” Ingalsbe said. “We miss him.”

“If he was here we would be laughing, not crying,” Precinct 3 Commissioner Lon Shell said of the county judge. Shell spoke of the judge’s many colorful figures of speech, noting one of his favorites: “I’d rather be beaten with a dead rabbit.”

“We’re going to miss him — miss his humor,” Shell said. “He always kept us laughing.”

Whisenant, who is retiring, also received praise from his colleagues and expressed his gratitude to the residents of Hays County, his wife, his staff and his fellow elected officials.

“Thank you all for your patience,” he said. “Thank you all for your willing help.”

Commissioners Jones and Ingalsbe thanked Whisenant for his service as county commissioner.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you,” Ingalsbe said.

Shell noted that he worked for Whisenant before he worked alongside him on the commissioners court.

“I’ve gotten to know you well,” Shell said. “It’s been a real comfort to have you here beside me.”

Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler also offered praise for Whisenant.

“It’s been a pleasure working for you over the past eight years,” Cutler said. “... As you close this chapter in your life, we wish you the best of luck as you move forward.”

County Clerk Liz Gonzalez also received praise and expressed gratitude for her time in office.

“Everyone here has embraced me,” she said. “It’s felt more like family, not like work.”

The county clerk’s office also received the Five Star Exemplary Award at Tuesday’s meeting.

“She and her staff work hard and are very, very deserving of this award,” Jones said.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, Shell was sworn in for his first full term on the commissioners court. Whisenant’s replacement will be Walt Smith. Ruben Becerra will be taking the helm as county judge. Elaine Hanson Cardenas will be taking Gonzalez’s place as county clerk.