Lawler lays out plans for city at Lions Club

Kilgore City Commission Don Lawler this week told Lions invades Lion’s Club with City Commissioner Don Lawler.

Lawler said things were going good but he didn’t want city employees to lose focus on what they are here for and that is to provide services to the public. “From police, fire and elected officials to those in economic development, parks and roadway workers and health and sanitation workers are what makes Kilgore a safe and pleasant place to live, “ said Lawler.

Lawler said since he took office there have been five city managers (public safety director Ronnie Moorie served as interim manager for a short time after Ron Stephens left)but dedicated city employees have kept the city working. “We all owe them a debt of gratitude,” said Lawler.

Lawler said the budget process is underway at city hall and everything looks good. “With assessments going up and new businesses coming into Kilgore tax revenue is up,” said Lawler. “The other plus is that oil field sales and sales tax have enhanced revenues.”

Lawler said this gives the city a chance to do things they haven’t been able to do in the past such as infrastructure improvements and capital improvements. “But this doesn’t mean we still don’t have to watch city spending,” said Lawler. “We have to look ahead, be conservative in building proposals and put money in the reserve account.”

By watching the budget, controlling spending and keeping money in reserve, Lawler said, the city should not have to raise taxes.

Lawler said another area to look at is land for residential development and possible annexation. “I’ve heard in the future there will be a loop around Kilgore but I figured to be dead and gone before that happens,” said Lawler jokingly. “It appears this could happen sooner then I thought and the city has to take infrastructure to those areas and be prepared for the cost of such projects.”

Lawler said other areas he would like to see the city become more aggressive on is the demolition of abandoned houses, bringing back annual or semi-annual clean-up days, more aggressive code enforcement to help clean up eyesores in what would be beautiful neighborhoods, replacing the city swimming pool with a better facility, and downtown improvements such as sidewalks.

Lawler said even though it is only “in the looking at stage” the city needs a civic center, “a place where city functions and meetings can take place,” said Lawler. “Towns smaller than Kilgore have civic centers and it would really be both beneficial and enhance the city of Kilgore.”

Lawler said he hears people talking about how they love their city and what civic pride they have and at the same time they throw trash on the streets. “Litter is a problem, not only as an eyesore for the city but, money spent cleaning up could be used somewhere else. I would like to see a more aggressive plan to stop people from littering our streets.”

Lawler said he would like to provide for regular pick-up of large discarded items such as refrigerators. “Other cities have the service and I don’t see why Kilgore shouldn’t offer it also to its citizens,” said Lawler.

Lawler said he would like to say what a fine job the new city manager is doing. “Jeff Howell is doing a great job since taking over,” said Lawler.

Lawler was asked by a Lion what his views were on city employees taking home city vehicles and the city covering this cost. “I think in certain cases it can be beneficial to the city for this policy,” said Lawler. “But I think it should be left up to the city manager to deal with it.”

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don lawler