So they thought they were going to slip one right past the council...or at least Tommy, Gary and Lorenzo. They (Doc Graham, Bobby and Bobby, David Huseman for starters) put together a "JB Wells Master Plan". They called a special meeting so that you and I wouldn't be there, and then presented this oh so wonderful plan to the city council so that JB Wells could be expanded. Supposedly there would be no cost to the city.
Oh wait, flip the page and there is a $5,000,000 price tag on this master plan!!! That's 5 MILLION DOLLARS!
Now it was shown during the meeting that during the events at a similar town as Gonzales that did the upgrades we are wanting, that tax revenues actually went DOWN during these events. What to know why? Because everyone is out at the rodeo arena, not shopping downtown! These guys aren't interested in our downtown. They are here for a single purpose, that's for the rodeo.
Now don't get me wrong, someone would benefit from it all. Oh Doc Graham would rake in the bucks. I've heard he would triple his profits for a single weekend event. I don't know that for certain, but I assure you Doc did not try so hard to push this through the city council because he loves Gonzales.
Now for those of you who don't know, Doc Graham is one of the largest campaign contributors in Gonzales. Heck, he might even be the top contributor, and he EXPECTS those he donated to vote his way. Well guess what, one of them stepped up and did what is right instead! I'm certain Gary Schroder has caught all kinds of flack for not going with the plan, but I give him two thumbs up for standing up for what's right in Gonzales!
So here's what finally happened. Bobby Logan made a motion (this is not a surprise to anyone that who's been to a city council meeting, as Bobby makes all motions), and the mayor called for a second. Tommy, Gary, and Lorenzo looked straight ahead. Four times the mayor called for a second and it never came. The motion failed for lack of a second! HORRAY for the good guys! David Huseman had to just look down at his Mountain Dew, and Doc Graham just got up and left upset.
The way I look at it is since the election - Gonzales 1 Elitist 0
Keep vigilant Gonzales, because they are going to keep trying till they are run out of town, or till they get their way. Let Gary, Tommy and Lorenzo know that you appreciate them looking out for your interest and not those of the elite few of this town!
God Bless,
Dennis Nesser
WAY TO GO!!! Funny how the "special called" meeting wasn't posted until after the election votes were canvassed on Thursday. I didn't even know about the meeting until after it was over.
ReplyDeleteTommy, Lorenzo, & Gary, thank you so much for not giving in to the pressures of the others and for doing what is in the best interest of Gonzales.
Now one last comment, I do understand that there are some additional RV sites being installed at JB Wells and the City will now ask GEDC to pay for it. My way of thinking is, if you want some one to pay for something, shouldn't you ask for the money BEFORE you start the work? Just a $16,000 thought. At any one time, are all the RV spots full at JB Wells? Why don't we get the reservation records from the city and check that out before we spend more money on additional spots that may not be needed.
I have actually asked the city about the posting of the meeting. I personally didn't see it when I was online this weekend, which would of been in the 72 hour mandatory posting. I could of missed it, that's why I didn't put it in my blog. But I have asked for that to be followed up on, as that would violate the Open Meetings ACT.
ReplyDeleteNo, to the best of my knowledge (and I have asked) there has never been an occasion that all the RV slots have been full. And you are right, someone again put the cart in front of the horse, but that seems to be the way Mr. Huseman likes to operate. We MUST keep pressure on him through our council members and calls to the city.
Things like dumping into our river (oh yeah, we saw you Mr. Huseman), spending our emergency funds, expecting GEDC to pay for things because he wants them, where does this end? And trust me this is the tip of the iceberg.
God Bless
Dennis
Keep up the good work!!!!
ReplyDelete