TOP 10 OF 2019 | Honorable Mention: County Judge Carlow retires after 30 years

Speaking with retiring Bowie County Judge James Carlow, left, is Atlanta, Texas, attorney Marvin Weems. At Carlow's side and shaking hands with Marie Martin of Congressman Max Sandlin's office is Atlanta native Eric Cain, vice president for business at State Bank. Cain coordinated the reception for Carlow. In the background is Bowie County Commissioner Tom Whitten.
Speaking with retiring Bowie County Judge James Carlow, left, is Atlanta, Texas, attorney Marvin Weems. At Carlow's side and shaking hands with Marie Martin of Congressman Max Sandlin's office is Atlanta native Eric Cain, vice president for business at State Bank. Cain coordinated the reception for Carlow. In the background is Bowie County Commissioner Tom Whitten.

After nearly 30 collective years of service to Bowie County, Judge James Carlow announced his retirement on Sept. 30.

"I have been a lifelong resident of Bowie County and I'm still very proud to call Bowie County my home," Carlow said upon announcing his retirement.

Upon taking office in his first term, which started Jan. 1, 1987, Carlow went on to win five more consecutive terms. During this time between 1987 and the end of 2010, Carlow played a critical role twice in helping save the Red River Army Depot, which had been targeted for potential closure by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission - first in 1995 and again in 2005.

Following a four-year absence, Carlow won a seventh term in 2014 and an eighth term in 2018, before deciding to retire after nine months.

Upon returning to office in January 2015, Carlow found the county in bleak financial shape, which included having a severely depleted fund balance of $5 million in borrowed money that needed to be paid back and county employee pay reductions.

The county's fortunes, however, soon started to take a noticeable upward trend once Carlow won back the office.

Starting in 2015, the county repaid the $5 million loan within nine months and eventually eliminated the 15% employee pay reduction in addition to granting employees cost-of-living pay increases.

As for the taxpayers, Carlow and the Commissioners Court managed to lower the property tax rate from as high as 47 cents per $100 valuation in 2014 down to a consistent 42 cents during the last few years, while also replenishing the county's fund balance up to a healthy $15 million.

Carlow continued his efforts in advancing regional road transportation projects, such as Interstate 69 as well as improvements on U.S Highway 82, along with widening Interstate 30 in Texarkana. To this day, Carlow still serves as a regional vice chairman for the I-69 Alliance.

"We were successful in securing funds for the segment of I-69 and I-369 from Texarkana to Queen City," Carlow said.

Prior to becoming a county judge, Carlow worked as both a business owner and rancher. He and his wife, Nancy, both still live near New Boston. They have two sons, two daughters-in-law and six grandchildren.

"My strongest supporter has been, and continues to be, Nancy," Carlow said."Her love and support have kept me on track during this journey. All of this couldn't have been possible without the support of family and friends."

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