Citizens question coliseum project
By KATHRYN MARTINEZ news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

After a presentation on the proposed Gregg County Coliseum by Keith Bonds, Longview director of public works, Gregg County Commissioners opened a public forum and heard from David McBride, Gladewater Rodeo board member and former two-term Pct. 3 commissioner, who posed a question concerning county involvement in a 'time of transition.'

"The days of $2 gas are long gone and Gregg county should be focused on energy efficiency and preservation," McBride said.

McBride continually demanded the commissioners produce a cut-off figure.

"Is there a set limit to what the county will spend on this project?" he asked.

Bill Stoudt, Gregg County judge, told McBride it is too early to have that kind of figure, when the project is still in a preliminary state.

"As a court, we are going to wait and see what the total cost is," Stoudt said.

Stoudt has said in past presentations, that neither he, nor the court, would do anything to jeopardize the financial integrity of Gregg County.

"The county has spent nothing at this point. The city of Longview has covered every expense to this point," Stoudt told a surprised McBride.

Another presentation in August will further define the future of the facility. Yet another exhibit in October should mark the half-way mark of plans and Bonds should have a firm estimate of final costs.

County participation is expected in the form of cash and in-kind services.

The proposed facility is planned for a tract of land adjacent to Maude Cobb Convention Center and slated to include a livestock holding area and arena. Bonds told Commissioners the venue could attract rodeos, conventions, exhibitions, and family other family events, such as circus performances and monster-truck shows.

In other business commissioners approved:

- purchase, from the auction proceeds recently transferred to Non-Capital Items Account, a mowing tractor trailer for pct. 1;

- purchase a Three-Quarter Ton Crew Cab Truck; truck to be purchased with proceeds from the last equipment auction, for pct. 3;

- permission to assist the City of Clarksville with boom-axing the right-of-way, clearing drainage ditches and resurfacing with oil on Duncan Road, by Pct. 3; and

- ratification to assist One Hundred Acres of Heritage, a non-profit organization, in moving display cases from the Masonic Lodge, 426 N. Center, Longview, to the Gregg County Historical Museum, as well as permission to assist City of Lakeport in cleaning out ditch lines and culverts on Rocket Street, and patching potholes on Borders and Dodd Streets. Budget estimates are shown, by Pct. 4.

Commissioners also took action to terminate the lease between Gregg County and ARMS Building and Maintenance Company at East Texas Regional Airport and entered into a lease of the same building with LeTourneau University.

Commissioners accepted a grant offer in the amount of $741,606 and approve the award of a bid for apron construction at the Airport.