Published: June 03, 2009 02:35 pm      

Henry commended for arson investigation work

Fire Marshal Jody Henry was commended during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting for his efforts in solving the case of the Feb. 21, 2006 attack on the Old Cooke County Courthouse and District Judge Janelle Havercamp.

David Lehde, district communications assistant for Congressmen Michael Burgess, was present to read a proclamation from the congressmen.

During the proclamation Lehde stated that Henry has served 30 years of service as fire marshal and that his help with the case led to the conviction of Timothy York.

In a separate letter from the special agent in charge of the case from the Dallas Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) which was read by Kelton Thornton, ATF group supervisor, it was stated that York was sentenced to a maximum sentence of 41 years and 5 months in federal prison after a 2 1/2 year investigation in which Henry helped with.

“Throughout the course of this criminal investigation, from the initial fire scene investigation, to days of federal court preparation and testifying as an expert witness in federal court, Fire Marshal Henry exhibited remarkable dedication and professionalism,” read Thornton. “It is without doubt that Fire Marshal Henry’s expertise and determination resulted in a successful resolution of this case.”

Thornton also stated that York’s sentence was one of the largest sentences for an arson crime he’s ever seen and that Henry probably saved Havercamp’s life.

Present with Thornton was Blair Ward of ATF who helped present a special photo collage to Henry for his service.

Gayleth Laurence was also recognized with a special proclamation from Mayor Glenn Loch for the Booker T. Washington Alumni Association.

Loch was absent from Tuesday’s meeting, so Mayor Pro Tem Jim Goldsworthy presented the proclamation in his place.

In May 1983, read Goldsworthy, a group of ex-Booker T. Washington students met in the home of a former teacher to begin the process of writing a constitution and bylaws for the creation of the Booker T. Washington Alumni Association and the first school reunion, which was held in August 1983.

That association continues to grow with each reunion and it was announced that this year’s Booker T. Washington Alumni Days will be held on June 19 and 20, 2009.

During the regular agenda, council members approved a resolution to authorize City Manager Barry Sullivan to make an offer to purchase three real estate properties for $33,150 as part of the Pecan Creek Local Flood Damage Reduction Project.

“This is just part of the ongoing Pecan Creek Project so we can get the land we need to extend a sewer line and widen Pecan Creek,” said Sullivan.

Council members also approved a resolution to authorize the sale of various properties conveyed to the city of Gainesville through the Sheriff’s Deed.

“This resolution will allow Jim Robertson to take some items of properties back to the courthouse steps and sell them for less then the tax leans,” explained Sullivan. “Right now, no one made an offer to buy them at the first Sheriff’s sale, so currently no one is paying taxes on these properties.”

If sold, he added, then the properties would be put back on the tax role and the city would receive whatever moneys were received at the auction.

Those properties include: 510 N. Howeth Street, 202 N. Morris Street, 404 E. Elm Street, 902 Gordon Street, 425 Throckmorton Street, 1007 Young Street, 404 Throckmorton Street, 801 Smith Street, 1516 E. Broadway Street, 809 Gossett Street, 412 Preston Street, 713 Anthony Street and 723 Cole Street.

Other agenda items approved during the meeting included:

• A resolution authorizing City Manager Barry Sullivan to execute a 10 X 30 easement and right-of-way to Oncor Electric Delivery Company for electric supply and communications facilities located at the Gainesville Municipal Airport along FM 1201.

• A resolution approving the recreational use of 1311 Grand Avenue parking lot by Summertime Amusements for a carnival to take place on June 11-13, 2009, with the amendment that it is specified that DASH will be the beneficiary of the event in accordance with an agreement with DASH.

• A resolution declaring certain equipment to be surplus; finding that the items may be sold at auction over the Internet and directing the department director to sell them accordingly and to deposit the proceeds of the sale in the fund that provided the funding.

• A resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a contract with the Cooke County Appraisal District for the assessment and collection of taxes and payment of fees due to the city of Gainesville. This contract will be for the period of Jan. 1, 2010 to Dec. 31, 2011.