Hagenbuch Holds Town Hall in Olney
Texas Sen. Brent Hagenbuch made his first visit to Olney since his election last year, drawing a standing-room-only crowd at the Olney Heritage Museum for a town hall meeting. Sen. Hagenbuch, who represents District 30 following the retirement of former Sen. Drew Springer, was welcomed by a cross-section of local leaders, business owners, and residents eager to share concerns about issues closer to home.
The event opened with an introduction by Justin Piegat, board member of the LF and Carla Perry Foundation, and a prayer from Rodney Nantz, director of The Refuge. Sen. Hagenbuch greeted community leaders including City Councilmember Steven Nurre, County Commissioner Alan Craig, Olney Economic Development Corporation executive director Tom Parker, Olney Hamilton Hospital board member Lyndsey Miller, Young County Republican Party Chairman Lane Burgess, and local business leaders such as Brazos Communications CEO Kyle Hinson and CEMCO president Carla Perry.
In his opening remarks, Sen. Hagenbuch reviewed the accomplishments of the most recent legislative sessions, pointing to a new school voucher plan, pay raises for teachers, stronger classroom discipline policies, and the redistricting of the state’s congressional districts. But residents pressed him on matters closer to their daily lives.
Angela Lockard, executive director of the Olney Senior Cub Center, said federal budget cuts are pushing more seniors into food insecurity and asked Sen. Hagenbuch to help secure state funding to expand meal programs. Mr. Hinson raised concerns about broadband infrastructure, noting that carriers like Brazos Communications will need additional state support to maintain and repair aging systems.
Healthcare was also on the minds of many. Mrs. Miller told Sen. Hagenbuch that the hospital lost maternity services this year, mainly due to new state regulations, and urged him to support waivers to bring that service back to the new hospital.
On infrastructure, Mr. Parker asked Sen. Hagenbuch to prioritize Olney for the state’s $1 billion water improvement fund. He explained the city faces unusual difficulties: while its treatment plant and pipes are more than a century old, its water quality is considered “too good” to qualify for funding to upgrade the system and to bring more housing to town.
Sen. Hagenbuch pledged to continue the conversation and said he intends to return soon to tour Olney’s major businesses and community resources, including the Senior Center and The Refuge.