Vision for city fall under new committee

Twenty-seven Kilgore residents have agreed to serve on the city's Strategic Planning Committee (SPC).

The 27 nominees were approved Monday night by the Kilgore City Commission.

Normally, the commission meets on Tuesday nights, but City Manger Jeff Howell and Mayor Joe T. Parker left after the meeting for Austin to attend CenterPoint's appeal concerning rate increases before the Railroad Commission of Texas.

The SPC is an outgrowth of a retreat held by city officials several month ago.

"We want the committee to help us determine where the community wants the city to go," said City Manager Jeff Howell. "The committee is not responsible for developing a master plan. The wants of the citizens and the master plan should fit together."

Howell said the committee will be charged with identifying a vision for the city, drafting a mission statement, listing the city's strengths and weaknesses and the city's opportunities.

"We want the committee to help set goals for the city and prioritize them," Howell said.

Members of the SPC include Latane Speer, Bill Woodall, Don Bowne, Brian Bittick, Bobby Bustin, Reece Nichols, Bob Davis, Robby Hope and Chuck Maxwell.

Also, Roland Velvin, Gary Boyd, Bobby Beane, Bill Bass, Sanford Stein, Ronnie Spradlin, Mike Colson, Tom Brown, and Sue Brown.

Rounding out the committee are Diana Ponder, Peggy Bowne, J.T. Konczak, Carol Windham, Ronnie Moore, Karen Custer, B.J. Owen, David Hackley, Tim Hobbs and Mike Green.

Committee members were recommended by the city commissioners, Kilgore Economic Development Board, Planning and Zoning Board, Kilgore Chamber of Commerce, Kilgore Historical Preservation Foundation and the Kilgore Improvement and Beautification Association.