Inmates used for Pump Jacks clean-up
By KATHRYN MARTINEZ news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

Many - including two council members and the city's mayor- seem to be out of the loop about the fact that Gregg County inmate labor has been utilized to clean Driller Park after every Pump Jacks home game; and, no one is taking responsibility.

Per Texas Code of Criminal Procedures 43.10 inmate labor "shall be put to labor upon public works and maintenance projects, including public works and maintenance projects for a political subdivision located in whole or in part in the county. They may be put to labor providing maintenance and related services to a nonprofit organization provided that, at the sheriff's request, the commissioners court determines that the nonprofit organization provides a public service to the county or to a political subdivision located in whole or in part in the county."

Maxey Cerliano, Gregg County sheriff, said he approved inmate labor for use within the City of Kilgore.

While Driller Park is a city park, the park is leased to the East Texas Pump Jacks, a forprofit entity.

According to Maxey Cerliano, Gregg County sheriff, in order for the city to utilize inmate labor, arrangements must be made for inmate transport and supervision. Ronnie Moore, director of public safety, said that Kilgore Police Department has furnished an officer for this detail, but twice this week Frank Baggett, the city's only code enforcement officer, has been utilized in the detail.

Jeff Howell City manager is out of town at a city managers conference, leaving Moore, who acts as assistant city manager in Howell's absence, to answer questions.

Moore said the park belongs to the city and inmate labor was ultimately utilized at the request of an unnamed council member.

Joe Parker, city mayor, was unaware of the situation at Driller Park, but feels that East Texas Pump Jacks franchise should supply its own maintenance.

"They ought to be cleaning it up themselves, since they are a for-profit organization," Parker said. "It is their responsibility to clean up their own mess." A call to Jody Clements, superintendent of Kilgore Independent School District, revealed that the Pump Jacks have no maintenance agreement with the ISD.

"The Pump Jacks have total responsibility for all maintenance and clean-up of that field," Clements said. "That work is not being done for the ISD."

Revard Pfeffer, KISD business manager, said the field was leased to the Pump Jacks clean and in good condition.

"The only agreement we have with them is that they return the field in the same condition it was leased," Pfeffer said.

Randy Renshaw, council member was unaware of the use of inmate labor at the field; Harvey McClendon was also unaware; Ronnie Spradlin is out of the country for vacation.

Janice Hancock, while not claiming responsibility, said "we just wanted something for our people to try an keep tourism here."

"I didn't think about it as a for-profit thing," Hancock said. "When asked, I said I didn't see a problem in it."

Hancock stated that she does not see that utilizing county inmate in this capacity is illegal.

"It's just something to keep the park clean for the city," Hancock said. "If there's a problem we'll look into the contract and correct it."

Jeff Howell, city manager, said Driller Park is a public park and an city-owned stadium.

"The East Texas Pump Jacks is also a tourism venture," Howell said. "The city of Kilgore, as a governmental entity, is allowed to aid and assist in tourism."

Howell said his goal is to aid and assist the East Texas Pump Jacks venture, get it off the ground and welcome the team's return for future seasons.

Howell said if the utilization of inmate labor after Pump Jacks games is determined to be illegal the city will take steps to rectify the situation.

"This team brings people to the community that otherwise would not have any reason - or desire - to come to Kilgore," Howell said. "We need to look at the much bigger picture of what is good for Kilgore."