Each year the Women’s Transportation Seminar - Heart of Texas Chapter selects and invites two transportation leaders in the community to be honorary members of the organization, and Commissioner Cook was chosen. She is only one of two recipients selected this year!

The honor includes membership to WTS International with an affiliation to the WTS - Heart of Texas Chapter for one year. Lindsay Wood, P.E, president of the Heart of Texas Chapter said, “We sincerely appreciate your continued leadership of the advancement of women in transportation through your contributions to the greater transportation community in Central Texas.”

Commissioner Cook is shown in the photo speaking to the group on Wednesday, Jan. 17, about a county official’s role in transportation. She explained that state law allows a county to create or participate in a regional mobility authority, which is an independent government agency that addresses roads. The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) was created in 2003 to improve the transportation systems in Williamson and Travis counties. In her speech she also discussed possibilities that could help pay for roads, such as raising the money with bonds, tolls and taxes, and creating road districts.

Top photos shown working hard on the school landscaping are Garry Brown, Commissioner Cook, a master gardener, and Doris Sanchez. Charlotte Reemts is pictured in next to last photo with Garry Brown to her left and Commissioner Cook to her right. Doris Sanchez is in the center of the last bottom photo.

County government is like the gift that keeps on giving, except that the public services and security we provide you—our county resident—aren’t delivered just for Christmas. We do it year-round, especially our emergency and law enforcement providers.

What is it exactly that a county does? For instance, Williamson County, as well as our state’s other 253 counties, play a significant role in both public safety efforts and the criminal justice system. County government keeps communities safe by providing law enforcement, jails, the court system, and emergency preparedness and response services in the event of natural and man-made disasters.

Although they ride patrol cars instead of sleighs, (Click on Read More for the rest of the article)

We are collecting toys in Commissioner Terry Cook's Office for Brown Santa. If anyone would like to drop off a new, unwrapped toy here at her office at the Jester Annex at 1801 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock, we would greatly appreciate it. The biggest need is for toys for newborns to three-year-olds, and for older youths who like sporting equipment, games, and whatever you think they'd enjoy. Please no bikes or skateboards. And no religious items, toiletries or cosmetics. The deadline to drop off the toys is December 14 by 5 p.m. You can call us at 512-244-8610 or email Doris at doris.sanchez@wilco.org. Thank you for making a child's Christmas a little brighter.

Board Members are Dorothy Pistole, President; Heather Smith, Vice President; Josh Lloyd, Secretary; and Kristyn Villegas-Horn, Treasurer.