Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard was special guest speaker at the KWCC

The Kirbyville Woman's Civic Club had a luncheon Thursday with special guest, Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard. Newton County Sheriff Colton Havard was also invited, but his schedule would not permit him to attend.

The ladies had prepared a wonderful meal and everyone enjoyed the conversation and catching up with one another before Sheriff Havard spoke.

When it was his time to speak, Havard spoke on a number of topics. He gave his background in law enforcement from Court bailiff, to DPS, to Sheriff with numerous positions in between. Havard said that his goal has always been to serve the people in the best way he knew how.

Havard said he graduated from Kirbyville High School in 1993, and he lives in Jasper County so it just made sense to serve in Jasper County.

With all the publicized arrests since Havard assumed his position as Sheriff of Jasper County, he said, "We are working hard cleaning up the streets and communities. Our goal is to make sure to not only get drugs off the streets, but also to give these people a sense of worth in the process. We feed them good because they need to know that they do matter, regardless of what they've found themselves in. They're in jail, but we treat them with respect. Innocent or guilty, they will get their day in court."

Havard continued, "We are also cleaning up the jail, painting and making some much needed improvements. We have made sure to increase our visibility in the neighborhoods so that people know that we are on the job and that they feel safe in their community."

Havard invited the ladies to come to the jail to see the improvements they have made. He even offered to pick them up in the prisoner transport vans which brought a giggle out of the crowd.

The ladies collected blankets, children's books and teddy bears for Havard to give to his Deputies to share with victims of crime or disaster to lend a bit of comfort during that trying time.

Afterwards the ladies spent some time asking questions and getting to know their new Sheriff. All in all, it was a good meeting.