LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Editor,

The Rest of the Story

Mrs. Allums, had it right, the focus of the commissioner’s meeting was the citizen’s right to vote on major issues. Unbelievably, four members of the commission denied the citizens of Kilgore the right to vote, which is very disturbing.

Lawler, as stated, was so set on denying the citizens of Kilgore the right to vote, he made a motion to deny, even before Commissioner Brady had the chance to even make his motion. Then, out of the other side of Lawler’s mouth, came the statement if the commission had to take specific projects to the voters for approval, then he said let’s do it. This is in reference to the KEDC using 4A tax monies to do 4B projects. Lawler even stated that Dale Hedrick and Commissioner Brady were the reasons for nothing being done with $2 million in city sales tax. The truth is, Dale Hedrick, is a citizen, and cannot expend city sales tax monies, that is the sole duty of the commission, and Lawler is the commissioner. Lawler stated that the voters already had the opportunity to vote and approved the 4A plan. That was 16 years ago and one year before the 4B plan was authorized by the Texas Legislature. Lawler’s nefarious antics, actions, and his manners as a public servant are left to question.

Mr. Smith, of Alcoa, stated that the 4A provides for long term. The truth is, there is simply no difference, whatsoever, in 4A or 4B, in the long term. I might say anything if me or my company recently received over $1million, from the KEDC. It is evident that Mr. Smith does not have any or full knowledge of the state statute and law, The Development Corporation Act of 1979.

Ronnie Spradlin, either, out of ignorance or staged ignorance, of the Development Corporation Act of 1979, caused him to state the following false information. "If changed from 4A to 4B, all sales tax monies would go into escrow." That is simply false and misleading. "If changed from 4A to 4B, there would be no money for 4A or 4B, for at least 5 years." Again, simply false and misleading. "All economic development would come to a halt, with no money going to the KEDC or the city." This too, is a false and misleading statement. "The KEDC would no longer exist and the city would have to take on all costs for all KEDC land, buildings as well as cover all administrative expenses." This too, as well as all of Spradlin’s fore mentioned statements, are false and misleading. I suggest, Spradlin, while emailing his group, he take a few positive minutes, to look up and familiarize himself, with the Development Corporation Act of 1979.

Gary Boyd referred to this issue as "created controversy, control, personal agenda, and political motives" on Commissioner Brady’s part. There are people who are so narrow minded that they can see through a keyhole with both eyes. I, unlike Boyd, would not consider a form of democracy, such as an opportunity to vote, as he referred to it.

The sales and use tax is the citizen’s money. The citizens of Kilgore and others spent their hard earned money from which the sales and use tax is evolved from. So, what’s so terrible or wrong with giving the owners of the money at least an opportunity to vote on how it is spent? Just what is the dark motive of a certain group wanting to keep things like they are? Could it be due to the facts there are no required public hearings, no required voter approval, and to keep the citizens in the dark, of how their tax dollars are spent? That group will tell you to come to their monthly meetings and see what they are doing and have nothing to hide, but the vast majority of the KEDC meetings are held early in the morning. The working citizens of Kilgore can’t attend those meetings which, in itself, could be another intentional avenue to keep their actions in the dark. Their answer to that would be, the city commission has to approve any projects and expenditures for such. That is true, however, the KEDC has undertook projects before without prior approval of the city commission. I would not make that statement unless I knew personally, to it being true and documented. Also, the KEDC will receive city commission approval for 99.9% of their projects, due to partisanship of the majority of the city commission and what the KEDC tells them or not tells them.

Citizens, if you believe that you have been denied the opportunity to vote, call the members of the commission and let them know how you feel. We elected them, but they denied us the opportunity to vote. Who and what are they representing? Remember, there will be another election.

FRED GOUGH,

Kilgore