Meetings set for courthouse 'dialogue'

HOPE – A series of informational meetings has been planned to produce a dialogue for a countywide election issue set for the March primary election ballot in Hempstead County.

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The special election will ask voters to consider a one-cent sales tax to fund the remodeling of the former Farmers Bank and Trust building for use as a county courthouse, and to pay for removal of the current courthouse if necessary, according to county information.\r\n

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The series of nine public meetings will be conducted by the Hempstead County Quorum Court and countywide elected officials, according to Hope Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Bobby Hart, who encouraged HPS patrons to attend.\r\n

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“We as a school cannot endorse or oppose, but we can promote the forums and encourage the dialogue,” Dr. Hart said.\r\n

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All meetings will begin at 6 p.m. with the exception of the Fulton Community Center meeting, which will begin at 6:30 p.m.\r\n

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The schedule of meetings is as follows:\r\n

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Jan. 21 – DeAnn Fire Department\r\n

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Jan. 28 – Hempstead Hall\r\n

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Jan. 30 – Spring Hill Fire Department\r\n

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Feb. 3 – Fulton Community Center (6:30 p.m.)\r\n

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Feb. 4 – Bingen Community Center\r\n

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Feb. 11 – McNab Community Center\r\n

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Feb. 13 – Southeast Fire Department\r\n

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Feb. 18 – Blevins City Hall\r\n

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Feb. 25 – Washington Fire Department\r\n

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