Breckenridge Texan

County Commissioners honor Begeman, buy road grader

County Commissioners honor Begeman, buy road grader
February 28
13:19 2021

By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

When Christy Begeman stepped up to the podium at last week’s Stephens County Commissioners meeting, she was expecting to give a report on the local COVID-19 situation. But, County Judge Michael Roach had something else in mind for the Chief Nursing Officer at Stephens Memorial Hospital – he announced Feb. 22 as Christy Begeman Day.

Ashley Woodrum hugs Christy Begeman shortly after Stephens County Commissioners named Feb. 22 as Christy Begeman Day. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Begeman has announced that she is leaving SMH for a position with Hendrick Health in Abilene.

“Christy is a rare individual who puts her calling as a medical professional first and serves with compassion,” Roach said as he read the resolution. “We were blessed by her leadership and will always be in her debt. And, therefore, be it resolved that the Stephens County Commissioners Court recognizes February 22, 2021, as Christy Begeman Day in honor of her selfless contribution to the health and wellbeing of our county.”

Roach said Begeman has been a vital part of formulating the local response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “She has worked countless hours to ensure that the citizens of Stephens County had access to testing, vaccines and, most importantly, compassionate care when they were sick. Christy put her community first and to the sacrifice of her personal time and time with her precious family.”

Several of Begeman’s fellow nurses were in attendance, and Ashley Woodrum, a nurse and Quality Director for Stephens Memorial Hospital, expressed her appreciation for Begeman and her work. “When Judge Roach approached me about this, it couldn’t have been a better thing to do,” Woodrum said. “You will be greatly missed. Thank you for everything that you’ve done.”

Road Graders

The commissioners opened bids from people looking to buy a 2008 John Deere motor grader, aka road grader, that recently burned in a fire and bids from businesses wanting to sell a new or used motor grader to the county.

They accepted the bid by Jerry Stuard of $9,600 for the burned piece of equipment.

They also agreed to purchase a 2014 John Deere 672G motor grader from Marshall Pinkston at Yellowhouse Machinery in Abilene for $100,000.

Winter Storm

During the recent winter storm, Roach and Breckenridge Mayor Bob Sims issued a disaster declaration for Breckenridge and Stephens County. The declaration was sent to Austin and then Washington, D.C., and President Joe Biden included Stephens County in the Federal disaster area. That means that local residents are qualified for Federal reimbursement for busted water pipes that have to be replaced.

On Roach’s recommendation, the commissioners agreed to extend the disaster declaration for 30 days to make sure everyone in Stephens County has time to assess their damages and request reimbursement.

Additionally, the commissioners approved the emergency expenditures that the county incurred during the storm.

Burn Ban

With high winds in the weather forecast, Stephens County Fire Marshal Calvin Chaney recommended that the commissioners leave the burn ban in place.

Christy Begeman, center, was honored by the Stephens County Commissioners Court for her contributions to the community. Pictured with Begeman are, from left, Commissioners David Fambro, Eric O’Dell, County Judge Michael Roach, and Commissioners Will Warren and Mark McCullough. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Christy Begeman, Chief Nursing Officer at Stephens Memorial Hospital, listens as Stephens County Judge Michael Roach reads the resolution naming Feb. 22 as Christy Begeman Day. She has announced that she has accepted a job at Hendrick Health in Abilene. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

 


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