Out With the Old….In With the New December 23, 2008

Leo Vasquez

 Harris County has a new taxman!

County Judge Ed Emmett  and Commissioners Court voted 4-1 to name  Houston Businessman Leo Vasquez to replace Paul Bettencourt.  

Bettencourt, who was reelected last month,  resigned to start  a full-service property tax consultancy  for taxpayers in Southeast Texas,

 

Commissioner Sylvia Garcia made an unsuccessful motion for the court to name Diane Trautman to the vacant position.

 Trautman, a democrat, lost to Bettencourt in November.

Vasquez will have to run for election in 2010 if he wants to keep the seat.

Meanwhile,  Congressman Elect Pete Olson stopped by to introduce himself to the Court.  Olson will be sworn in next month after defeating Congressman Nick Lampson.  His new district director is Issac “Jack” Molho.

Molho and Congressman Elect Olson

Outgoing district attorney Ken Magidson  also stopped by  Commissioner’s Court. 

Ken Magidson

After stepping in for the former embattled DA who resigned in disgrace, Magidson will be leaving office to make way for Republican Pat Lykos.

She’ll be sworn in on January 1st.