Thursday, September 12, 2024
Tonna Lynne Newman’s extraordinary legacy as Hood County’s first female district clerk will soon be cherished forever — eternally commemorated at the Ralph H. Walton Jr. Justice Center.
Last Tuesday, the Hood County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the $1,115 purchase of a 20-by-16-inch bronze plaque to be placed next to the district clerk’s office in the justice center. The plaque aims to honor Newman's remarkable 33 years of dedicated service to the community.
Known as the longest-serving elected woman in Hood County government, Newman was first elected in 1990 and took office as the county’s district clerk Jan. 1, 1991.
According to an article published in the Hood County News Sept. 2, 2020, Newman won the 1990 race for district clerk with 58% of the vote. In doing so, she became the first Republican ever elected to a county-wide office in Hood County with a Democratic opponent.
The election was noteworthy in another sense as well: According to Newman — Hitt at the time — she was elected during a time when the majority of Hood County was blue. She said it was during this election that Hood County swung from blue to red, where it remains today.
During a previous Hood County Commissioners Court meeting back in March, the court unanimously approved the placement of a memorial plaque for Newman, with the inscription to read: “In honor and recognition of the first and longest-serving female in Hood County, Tonna Lynn Newman, and her outstanding service to Hood County as district clerk for over 30 years.”
Although the plaque itself had already been approved, the court needed to decide on the purchase details. During the meeting Aug. 13, they considered two options: a 20-by-16-inch plaque costing $1,115 and a 16-by-12-inch plaque priced at $685.
During the discussion, Hood County Judge Ron Massingill asked for opinions on the size of the plaque, noting that Director of Facilities Maintenance Leland Larsen had measured the potential locations.
In response, Larsen indicated that the wall designated for the plaque is quite bare. He suggested that the larger size would likely be more aesthetically pleasing, as the smaller plaque might appear too small for the space.
Before the vote on the agenda item, Precinct 4 Commissioner Dave Eagle expressed concerns about the appropriateness of using taxpayer funds for the plaque.
“This is one of those issues that’s a struggle for me, and it has nothing to do with Ms. Newman,” Eagle said. “At the risk of sounding like, ‘Well, there he goes again,’ I’m just questioning whether this is our place to spend taxpayer money. It seems to me like the taxpayers out here could get together and do this, but that’s just my comment.”
In response, Massingill reminded the court that a resolution had already been passed to honor Newman and that the funding was already allocated for the purchase of the plaque. He emphasized that a 33-year tenure is a significant achievement deserving recognition.
“I don't think this is going to be something that's going to happen every month or every year or anything like that,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Nannette Samuelson added. “If that were the case, I would be a little bit more worried about the taxpayer money. It is taxpayer money that’s going to (fund) this, but she (Newman) had 30 years of service.”
“The next person working for the county, the next elected official that works 33 years, I'll pay it out of my own pocket for a plaque for $1,115,” Massingill said.
He then compared Newman’s milestone to a notable church announcement he remembered, where a 70-year marriage was recognized. Massingill described how the pastor had announced the milestone and offered public recognition for anyone reaching 70 years, noting, “We haven’t had another one since then.”
“Thirty-three is a pretty good solid number there,” he added, emphasizing the significance of Newman’s long tenure.
Massingill then made a motion to authorize the purchase of the 20-by-16-inch bronze plaque for $1,115 to be placed next to the district clerk’s office at the Ralph H. Walton Jr. Justice Center to honor the service of Tonna Lynne Newman. The funds for the plaque will be paid from general contingency.
Following a second from Precinct 3 Commissioner Jack Wilson, the motion passed unanimously.
