Read for yourself.
Was it a Win? Link
to the Waco Appeals Decision that the City of Glenn Heights is appealing to the Texas Supreme Court. You can decide.
The City Council had voted 4 to 3 in favor of a negotiated compromise prior to the first
of a series of costly trials. This compromise had been negotiated by City representatives including
current Mayor Mary Coffman who to everyones utter dismay, chose to abandon her support when pressured.
Former Councilman (and now Mayoral candidate) Jesus
Humphrey, who lives in the affected area, pressured Coffman to drop her support and led a petition drive that overrode
the majority decision claiming the suit was frivolous and had no basis. Now, four years later,
the City's roads are still crumbling, the cost of
utilities have not declined, and this litigation and financial burden still hangs
over the City's head. All this in spite of a decade of record
growth in the City's tax and utility revenue funds.
Voters will soon be deciding
whether to allow Humphey to return to local elected office and the Supreme Court will be soon be determining
whether the City will have to pay the existing damage verdicts and defend in additional damage trials.
The developer no longer is willing to discuss any reasonable settlement
alternatives. Due to the actions of Humphrey in 8 years in control, it
is now a do or die situation depending on the Texas Supreme Court. For the City,
I hope the Supreme Court chooses to overturn all the negative lower court verdicts and for the
City, I hope the voters
say NO to Humphrey's return.
Hopefully next years Council can start concentrating on setting reasonable
policy and sticking to it while applying the revenue growth
to improving the City's roads and lowering the costs of water and sewer service. A financially
stable
City should be goal number one of all candidates this year. Spending hundreds of thousands of
dollars making risky public policy moves, pressuring others to vote contrary to their feelings,
fighting loosing lawsuits, and paying the resulting judgments is no future at all.
It's Silly Season!
The Bible says there is a time and a place for everything under the sun. Now is the time for "Silly Season".
Introduced to me by a a veteran
City employee, the term "Silly Season"
describes the time period each year when local officials are clamoring around campaigning for
re-election and newcomers are trying to knock them off. If you watch closely, you will be
amazed at what you see and hear.
Being a
survivor of three campaigns myself, and the target of some outlandish silliness, I feel
entitled to
dust off the Council Heights Series that I wrote a couple of years back and allow today's
readers to reflect on a fictional scene. As you read, you might reflect on some important questions:
What do we really need and expect from our elected
officials?
Do we want elected officials to look after our every need?
Do we really need
their
help (or interference) in
our every day lives?
We must watch what we ask for in the voting booth because we may just get it.
This series is fictional. While it may contain statements made by some and may reflect actions
taken by others, it does not exist to document the past but rather warn of what could happen in
the
future if we continue to give up our right to think and act for ourselves. Don't read into this
more than you should.
As you read, think uh...uh Silly. This series is a "Silly" way meant to cause us to think about
the
importance of listening to the meaning of the spoken (and written) word. Enjoy.
Don't forget to check the Chamber of Commerce Web Site!
InGlennHeights.com
One of the biggest obstacles to doing business in Glenn Heights is visibility. With several main roads that lead from the City and with most residents working in the urban area to the North, people don't take the time to drive around and see the new businesses. The Chamber of Commerce has acted to boost awareness and increase the visibility for all Glenn Heights area businesses by establishing and promoting a web site for all businesses to use.
All businesses are able to use the directory to list their name and location for free. In addition, Chamber members are able to use the free directory and are provided a free page for their business logo or a picture, and additional information about products and services.
In addition to the business listings, the Chamber has provided a free Classified section for residents to list garage sales, job postings, lost & found and other items they want to sell.
School web pages and classroom links can be listed under the Education section. Churches have their own section and even a section on News Items is included. This site will be a good source to watch to know what is happening around town. For example, did you know that Mayor Coffman is not running for re-election and the Council has fired the City Manager? Readers of the Chamber News have known this for days.
Glenn Heights Chamber President Stephen Pape said "We may not currently have a Main Street in Glenn Heights, but we do have the 'information superhighway.' Don't forget to visit often."
Questions or Comments.
If you want to have a good neighbor you must be a good neighbor.
