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Hardin County Commissioner Alvin Roberts is presented a certificate for his years of service by Laney Brown, a representative from U.S. Rep. Brian Babin’s office. Photo By Dannie Oliveaux
Hardin County Pct. 4 Commissioner Alvin Roberts made his final motion as a county official as he attended his final commissioners court meeting on Dec. 27 in the Hardin County Court Room.
He motioned for the meeting to be adjourned, something he didn’t get to do much because of Pct. 1 Commissioner L.W. “Nubbin” Cooper Jr.
Roberts, who served as commissioner since 2015, worked for the county for 27 years — 19 with the sheriff’s office.
“This is a bitter-sweet moment for me and all the commissioners,” said County Judge Wayne McDaniel. “Alvin has done a tremendous job as county commissioner for the citizens of Precinct 4. He will be missed.”
McDaniel noted that he and Roberts started at the same time on the court.
Roberts’ wife, Patti, said that her husband has worked since he was age 15 after his father was killed.
“He deserves this retirement,” she said.
Patti said Alvin started working as a plumber’s helper, then worked at an automotive dealer in Beaumont.
“Then we got married and he had to have a job, so he went to work for Gulf States Utilities and was a first-class lineman. After that, when Entergy took over, there was a layoff. But God always provided for us with his jobs,” she said.
Former Hardin County Sheriff Mike Holzapfel hired Roberts in 1986 as a reserve deputy and he remained on staff under former Sheriff Ed Cain. He became a deputy in 1995 and also worked as an investigator.
“He’s worked close to 50 years and I think it’s time he retired,” Patti added.
Newly-elected Pct. 4 Commissioner Ernie Koch, who takes over Jan. 1, said he and Roberts worked together for many years in the sheriff’s office.
“One thing I can say is that Alvin has always given his heart,” Koch said. “Whatever he was doing he was all in.”
Koch said he will do “his best to fill Roberts’ shoe” as commissioner.
Cooper noted he and Roberts worked together in the sheriff’s office.
“My first shift partner was Alvin,” Cooper noted. “I had to train him. We’ve been knowing each other a long time and it’s been a good ride.”
Pct. 3 Commissioner Amanda Young said Roberts was the first person to tell her she was crazy for running for commissioner.
“He has been a good role model and he taught me a lot,” she said.
Pct. 2 Commissioner Chris Kirkendall said Roberts was one of the “hardest working commissioners on this court.”
Roberts said he’s looking forward to retirement and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
“They asked me what am I going to do. I answer them, anything I want to,” said Roberts. “Life has been good and good to me in all forms and fashion.”
He added that he’s joined an off-road motorcycle group with Judge Steve Thomas.
McDaniel and the court presented Roberts with a certificate for his years of service for Hardin County, along with a photograph of the court.
Laney Brown, a representative from U.S. Rep. Brian Babin’s office, presented Roberts with a flag flown over the U.S. Capital; and Jennifer Harris, a representative from State Senator Robert Nichols’ office, presented Roberts with a Texas flag flown over the state capital in Austin. Each presented him with a certificate recognizing his years of service.