LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Editor,

As the owner and operator of a local business I was very disturbed to learn very recently that Commissioner Billy Bob Brady has placed an item on Tuesday's City Commission agenda that would have the effect of drastically altering the organizational structure and management of KEDC.

As it presently stands all of the 1/2 cent sales tax that the voters previously approved for KEDC is managed by a volunteer board appointed by the City Commission and is earmarked specifically for economic development projects designed to attract industry and jobs to our city. The Board members are all local businessmen who are selected based on their experience and expertise in operating successful businesses. Their decisions are subject to City Commission approval by the ratification of the minutes of their meetings.

In my opinion this structure has functioned well to insulate the day to day operation of the organization from petty power politics and insure that the money goes for the purpose for which it was originally intended and that is to provide jobs and enhance the tax base of this City. The proof has been in the results. While other cities have suffered declining revenues and sales taxes during our recent times of economic hardship, Kilgore has prospered. All you have to do is look at the headlines of our Newspaper to see evidence of the prosperity that KEDC has helped to bring to this town. If it ain't broke why fix it?

The people wanting the change say it is to expand the number of ways the money can be spent. They say if we change the structure we could use the money for "infrastructure" improvements (streets and sewers and such) not just economic development projects. My response is that these needs should satisfied from our regular sales tax proceeds as it was originally intended. Why does the Commission need to dip into the money we are reserving for our future growth. I was always taught that you always “feed the cow that gives the milk.” Besides, after the new change in the law a couple of years ago a 4A (our current form) EDC can do any project a 4B corporation can with voter approval. I think the voters need to approve any use of these “growth” funds beyond the original purpose of the act.

If the Commission cannot balance its budget and keep the streets and infrastructure intact with the windfall that they have received in large part due to the efforts of KEDC, perhaps we as a community should examine closely who we have elected to office and their positions related to this issue. There is more money to spend NOW on infrastructure that there ever has been because of KEDC.

It appears to me that the only real reason someone would want to change the structure is power. They want to control the money in a more direct manner and in my opinion this is wrong. The volunteers who run KEDC have done a good job. I encourage all voters in this City to contact their commissioner and request that they vote against this change as I am doing by copy of this letter.

Tom Brown

Kilgore

Editor,

Christmas ‘05 was great fun at the Crisis Center of Kilgore, thanks to about 30 sources of bounty, both corporate and individual. Those sources provided gifts for 58 families, which included 151 children (unless I miscounted when they started coming fast and furious). We also had people bringing in extra presents so we were able to supplement a family’s gift when needed.

Some employee groups were quite inventive about spreading Christmas cheer, changing lives in a far-reaching way. At least one family delayed their own Christmas to provide Christmas gifts for others. Others spent their last paycheck before Christmas on taking care of people they didn’t know and would never receive a thankyou from. Several came in long past closing date, to ask for help they didn’t know they were going to need. We tried to help them all.

Two toys were left after Christmas Day, and we saved them for birthday gifts in the Shelter. What a great exoerience! Sincerely,

Susie Prater The Crisis Center of Kilgore