Gonzales County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace candidates

The two candidates for Gonzales County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace answered candidate questionnaires for the Gonzales Inquirer this week.

Incumbent Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Deidra D. Voigt faces a challenge from Jacey Trammell in the March 1 Republican primary.

The candidates will be introduced and their responses to our questions will be given in ballot order. The responses have not been edited and are the words of the candidates in their entirety.

Name: Deidra D. Voigt

Age: 65 years

Current Occupation: Justice of the Peace, Precinct One, since taking office January 1, 2011, and appointed Presiding Judge, City of Gonzales, Municipal Court, June 1, 2011.

Certifications held: JPs are required to be certified with 80 in-person training hours our first year and 20 hours each year thereafter. Every 2-years we are required to take 16 mandatory hours for legislative updates. I currently hold 329.5 certified hours and am registered to attend 20 class-hours in March 2022.

Previously elected to any office: Won contested November General Election to JP One, November 2010; re-elected 2014 & 2018.

Won Gonzales City Council Election (2-year terms) District 3, 1989-1998 & 2004-2006, with three (3) being contested elections.

Volunteer work or service in non-elected positions:

 Member Texas Justice of the Peace and Constables Association, 2011 to present

 Served as a volunteer/mentor/committee chaperon to Patriot Academy Classes, 2002-2014.

 Board of Director, Torch of Freedom Foundation, 2015 to present

 An active member of Memorial Heights Baptist Church; Finance Committee, 2017 to present

 Appointed as Gonzales County Republican Party Vice-Chairman 1998-2015; Appointed Secretary 2015-18 & 2021 to present

 Attended all Republican County Conventions & appointed to various duties, 1994 to present Elected to Delegate and attended five (5) Texas Republican State Conventions

 Election Administrator to seven (7) Republican Primary Elections and Run-Off Elections

 Appointed Chairman to Golden Crescent Council of Governments Review Committee (GCCGRC) by Governor George Bush, 1996-98

 Organized local businesses/citizens and brought first internet provider to Gonzales County, 1995

 Appointed Member to GCCGRC by Governor Ann Richards, 1994-96

 Elected to 3-year term, Gonzales Chamber of Commerce Board, 1995-98

 Contacted GTE and negotiated on behalf of local businesses, to re-consider their 10-year plan, upgrading an antiquated analog telephone system to an advanced digital system in 18 months - over $1M investment completed in 1993 by GTE, 1991

 Appointed by Gonzales City Council to negotiate terms of sale of bankrupt area natural gas provider; Terms approved by bankruptcy court, successful sale completed of the 6-city provider – kept all local employees & their benefits, 1990

Name: Jacey Trammell

Age: I am 23 years of age. Which to some, could sound too young to make life decisions. However, think of our military and law enforcement, who are staffed with hundreds of thousands of young men and women who are challenged to protect our beloved country and its interests.

Education: In 2016, I graduated from Abeka Christian Academy and received my High School Diploma. In 2018, I obtained my Funeral Directing Certificate from Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Services, which included courses in General Psychology, Biology, Business Law, and Mortuary Law. Since then, I have completed 32 hours of continuing education to maintain my license. In 2020, I attended Texas EMS School, engaging in studies and clinicals towards becoming an EMT – Basic.

Current Occupation: I am currently employed with Integrity Consolidations Group, Inc., which co-owns Seydler-Hill Funeral Home in Gonzales and O’Bannon Funeral Home in Luling. In conjunction, we service approximately 250 families per year. With this roll, I am responsible for being physically available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. My current job responsibilities include all aspects of funeral directing, such as: meeting with families to arrange funerals and life celebrations, making removals from hospitals, nursing homes, residences, scenes of traumatic events, etc., assist in the preparation of deceased loved ones for viewings, filing all necessary and legally required documents, including death certificates and reports of death, and so much more. As well, I oversee all media and technology, and have previously held the title of administrator while juggling all other duties. Amongst all of these responsibilities, I have shown care and support for everyone in the most genuine way.

Certifications held: I currently hold a license for Funeral Directing in the state of Texas through the Texas Funeral Service Commission.

Previously elected to any office: ---
Volunteer work or service in non-elected positions: I am a volunteer with the EMS and Rescue Division of the Gonzales County Emergency Services District #1, and I have been for over 2 years.

1. Tell us about who you are and why you are running for office?

Voigt: I am the proud mother of two wonderful children and two special grandkids. I was raised by a single Father from age seven and have two brothers. My father instilled in us the desire and ability to learn from each experience while always considering others. This may be why I believe, when life seems to only produce lemons, I know there is a sweet glass of lemonade around the next corner! With prayer, friends, family, a dash of humor and hard work I’m confident our worst days can be overcome, and I always seek to address problems when they arise.

Being a JP was never on my radar but, sometimes true friends can see things clearer than ourselves; wisely, I listened to those friends took a leap of faith. It has been the highest honor and an extreme pleasure to serve my community as JP and I’m very proud of the positive differences I have been able to make in so many lives. Working with neighbors to make positive improvements is very rewarding for me and it always brings a greater understanding of people and what their hopes are for their community and government.

Trammell: I am a lifelong resident of Gonzales County. My husband Clayton, our three children, and the majority of our families reside here. I am a devoted and dedicated member of the county of Gonzales, and I wish to serve in more depth with my time and energy. I am firmly conservative and Republican. The position of the Justice of the Peace is a very important, long-time goal of mine. I am running for the office of Gonzales County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, for the opportunity to serve, uphold and protect the values and integrity of this community.

2. What do you believe to be the role of the justice of the peace in Gonzales County?

Voigt: The role of a JP is set out in several Texas statutes; however, all Texas court rules are governed by the Texas Supreme Court and administered under the Court of Criminal Appeals. “…A judge shall comply with the law and should act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary; shall not allow any relationship to influence judicial conduct or judgment; shall not lend the prestige of judicial office to advance the private interests of the judge or others; nor shall a judge convey or permit others to convey the impression that they are in a special position to influence the judge; shall not testify voluntarily as a character witness; judicial duties of a judge take precedence over all other activities; …and all the duties of the judge's office that is prescribed by law…”

Trammell: A justice of the peace can be any citizen of the county that is 18 years of age or older. A justice of the peace does not have to be a lawyer, judge, or law enforcement officer. Once elected, the Justice of the Peace is sent to a training course, where they will become educated and up to date on the current procedures and laws. Justices of the peace are required to obtain 80 hours of continuing education during their first year in office, and 20 hours annually thereafter.

In Texas, a justice of the peace has the following duties:
-Conducts inquests for unattended deaths
- Hears traffic cases, and other Class C misdemeanors cases, that are punishable by fine only -Hears civil cases with up to $20,000 in controversy
-Hears landlord and tenant disputes
-Hears truancy cases
-Performs magistrate duties
-May perform marriage ceremonies

3. What role do you see yourself playing for the next four years in Gonzales County?

Voigt: Continuing in my capacity as the finder of facts, dispensing fair and impartial justice, serving the public to the best of my ability while providing respect to each person. I also strive to guide our youth to a better understanding of personal responsibility and hope to lay the groundwork for improved daily decision making and becoming a productive citizen to their community.

Trammell: If granted the opportunity, I would serve as the Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1 of Gonzales County. I would do so with the very best of my ability, working through all of the resources I have available, to meet and exceed all demands of the office. In administering all duties and operations, I will strive to perform such to the highest capacity necessary, while still upholding the most upright character and actions.

4. What is the caseload currently for the justice courts of Gonzales County (civil and criminal) and what can be done to improve efficiency in the office?

Voigt: Caseload is determined by the cases filed in a JP court; courts do not control the number of cases filed. We attempt proper jurisdiction before a filing however, clerks cannot deny a filing. Under my authority, all Texas laws are followed for each trial and all proper notifications are met so a case may properly proceed and ensure each person’s rights are protected. Any court is to dispense unbiased and impartial justice and those decisions are in accordance with current state laws. Fines and fees are set out in statute and where they are distributed. All funds collected are all deposited into the county’s general fund and the governing body sets department’s operating budgets. That body is to ensure departments are sufficiently able to operate in harmony with the Texas Constitution and laws of Texas.

Trammell: I do not have the knowledge of the current caseload for the Justice Courts of Gonzales County. On Thursday, February 10, 2022, I sent via email a public information request to the Justice of the Peace office for Precinct 1, requesting the following information: The number of criminal cases, including traffic and non-traffic citations, filed in the year of 2021 in Justice Court Precinct #1, and the number of civil cases filed in the year of 2021 in Justice Court Precinct #1. As on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 2:55 PM, I have not had a response to said request. In the state of Texas, you are allowed 10 business days to release information.

Moving forward, if elected, my goal would be to run the office in the most efficient way possible. That would include having myself and my staff available to serve the public with professionalism and respect. We would dedicate our hours of operation to that of a normal business, in order to best maximize productivity and service to the community. In an office that is required to service the people, we need to be available to the people.

5. What new law changes do you expect to have an impact on your duties as JP?

Voigt: The 83rd Legislature brought much needed restructuring of the Rules of Procedure to Texas Justice Courts. In 2016, I was appointed by our state association to serve on 85th Legislative Committee and most proposals we recommended were passed during the that Legislative Session, with a few language clean-ups made the next session. Our courts should run smooth for the next several years unless there are technical advancements or updates are needed. JP Courts are considered the ‘People’s Court’ and rule changes improve public access to the court, efficiency and improve fairness for all parties.

The passage of the Damon Allen Act was signed into law September 2021 and will bring improved tools to Magistrates across Texas. It provides better ability to share violent criminal history, which is public record, with a magistrate when determining bail after an arrest. That information is an important issue I soon realized was genuinely needed shortly after becoming a JP. It is sad too many peace officers, spouses/dating partners, and friends/family members were killed or maimed by violent criminals out on bond; those families will never be the same. This significant and needed change was finally recognized by the legislative branch and DPS. Supplying greater information to magistrates may have saved some of those lives however, this change will improve all Texan’s public safety moving forward.

Trammell: The most recent law changes were those of the 87th Texas Legislature. The next law changes will be included in the 88th Texas Legislature, which is to begin on January 10, 2023. That is, however, after the first day of the four-year term for the newly elected officials, which begins January 1, 2023. Because of this, no one can predict what the new law changes will bring as the elected official begins their term. However, beyond the changes to the laws and the duties of the office, I have the ability to adapt quickly, along with the intelligence to implement and enforce any and all modifications that need to be administered within the Precinct 1 office of the Justice of the Peace. I would ensure that myself, along with my staff, stayed educated and on top of all the changing laws and procedures.

6. Why are you the best person for this position?

Voigt: Over the past 11 years serving as JP and the Presiding Judge for the Municipal Court, I have been able to encourage improved decision-making for many youths. Helping individuals in considering daily choices has led them to make better life choices, which can make us all become better drivers, parents, friends, and neighbors so our families may live in a safer, healthier community.

Having served on the city council for 6 terms, taught me how to best help constituents cut through the ‘dreaded government red-tape’ and resolve their issues in a timely manner while working with fellow council members, city administration, all the while improving the city’s productivity, communications, and the best interest for the overall public – after all it IS their government!

Additionally, my experience as a 20-year successful small business owner/operator provides me knowledge and understanding of the many required daily pressures and responsibilities regarding civil issues such as meeting payrolls, managing employees and inventory. Maintaining the various mechanics in operating a service business and providing customer service has aided me in making some of the hard, yet fair decisions in a dispute.

Combing my above experiences and public service and working in the Texas Legislature 12 years as an administrative assistant, constituent services advocate and legislative researcher prepared me for my role Justice of the Peace more than I could ever realize. I walked in as JP with the knowledge to make decisions in a court or office setting. My understanding of Texas’ criminal and traffic laws allows me to make fair and unbiased decisions.

I stand on my character, integrity and life experiences and hope you will kindly consider them as well. I ask for your vote to return me to honorably serve as Justice of the Peace, Precinct One.

Trammell: I believe I am the best candidate suited for this position for many reasons. I lead my life with Integrity, Strong Character, and Determination. I vow to be faithful to this position, and impartial throughout its entirety. A Justice of the Peace needs to be a fair, conservative, and compassionate individual. During my tenure of my current occupation, I have shown professionalism and honor, and I plan to carry out all of these qualities into this elected roll, if granted the ability. I vow to treat the Justice of the Peace as a full-time position, being present in court as well as showing up for unattended deaths and inquests. I excel at juggling many responsibilities, and I wish to be there for the big and small parts of the job. I want to take full responsibility for learning the position of Justice of the Peace to its full capacity, and not sway to take the easy way out. If given the opportunity, I ensure myself and my staff will be consistent, reliable, respectful, and involved, and always work as a team to give our county and our community the 110% it deserves.

Please vote Jacey Trammell for Gonzales County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1. Your vote matters!