Justice of the peace likes making a difference

Blake Sylvia is a 1982 graduate of Barbers Hill High School.

“I never in a million years envisioned myself being in this role as justice of the peace. I spent 30 years working in the petrochemical industry. Circumstances changed there, so I made the hard decision to leave that kind of work. In 2014 I decided to put my name in the hat for the position as Chambers County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace, and I won.

“It’s an honor to serve the community that I grew up in. I have the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. Through this role I encounter many folks, good people, who have fallen off the path, so to speak. I always encourage them to seek help, to get their life right. Many times it falls on deaf ears, but once in a while it gets through to them and they do decide to make the changes to get their life back on track. When that happens, it’s the most satisfying part of my job.”

— Blake Sylvia