The Chronicle recommends the re-election of Constable Gary L. Freeman in the Precinct 2 race and the election of Ken Jones in the race for the Precinct 3 constable office, being vacated with the retirement of veteran Constable James L. Douglas, in the Nov. 7 general election. This newspaper believes Freeman and Jones, both Democrats, are the more qualified candidates in their races. Freeman served with the Galena Park Police Department for 18 years before he was elected constable of Precinct 2 in 1988. Freeman, first vice president of the Justice of the Peace and Constable's Association of Texas, brings experience to the office, effectively serving civil papers and increasing the visibility of his deputy constables in the area. He began a school truancy program, a child identification program and a school food bank program.
Freeman enjoys a good relationship with other law enforcement agencies.
Jones pledges to develop a more proactive relationship with schools and communities in the precinct to prevent problems before they grow. Jones also plans to create an emergency response team to assist people when storms and flooding occur in the area. We believe that Jones will serve the people in Precinct 3 well and that he has the experience and ability to improve the constable's office without increasing its cost to taxpayers.