NEWS
Burris only mayoral applicant; Kent resigns to force special election
Former Bowie Mayor Gaylynn Burris was the lone applicant to express interest in filling the unexpired term of Mayor Bill Miller who resigned two weeks ago.
Last week, the council agreed to accept applications for those interested in the position this week, afterwhich they would be interviewed and appointed.
As the called meeting of the council was posted late Friday with interviewing and naming a mayor the only agenda items, Councilman Thomas Kent resigned his position immediately indicating it was his effort to create a double-vacancy forcing a special election in November.
Per the city charter, the council had 30 days in which to fill the vacancy or call a special election in November for the mayor’s position or any council position.
City Secretary Sandy Page said she has sent the issue of a double vacancy to the city’s attorney for a ruling which can be provided to the city council.
In his resignation, Kent said he feels this action best protects the interest of the citizens of Bowie. See his full resignation below.
Burris was named to the council in June 2017 to fill a precinct vacancy and elected mayor in November 2017. She was defeated by Bill Miller last November .
Miller had served just under six months of the two-year term. He did not offer a reason for his resignation in his letter to the council.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 18.
May 15, 2020
RE: Resignation
To: Mayor Pro Tem, Bowie City Council
Please accept my resignation as Councilor PCT 1 City of Bowie, TX effective immediately. I feel that this action best protects the interest of the citizens of Bowie, TX. By this action, it will create a double vacancy within the Council and thus mandate that these positions are filled in a Special election at the ballot box by the citizens of Bowie.
I feel strongly that no elected official that has been voted out of office by the public should be eligible to be “Reappointed to that same office” by a sitting council. They should be put back up before the people to be voted on for that office.
I hope that during the revamping of Bowie City Charter this is addressed and corrected.
Sincerely & Respectfully,
Thomas W. Kent
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Montague County Commissioners wrapped up a few items before the end of the year as they met on Dec. 23.
Grant Coordinator Charley Lanier asked the court to go ahead and obligate $276,961.84 from the American Rescue Funds to complete the new wastewater treatment plant that will serve the courthouse complex.
He explained Dec. 30 is the last date where grant funds can be obligated, and he did not expect any issues since this project had already been approved in court using ARPA funds, he called it a “safety net,” to avoid any problem and possible return of the funds to the federal government.
Montague County has about $276,961.84 in grant funds which has not been allocated.
The court gave approval on the request.
Lanier also asked the court to apply for a grant for a tire cutter. Funded through the Nortex Regional Planning Commission and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the application will ask for $26,865 to purchase a larger gas-powered cutter on a trailer, which can be moved around for use. It would cut the larger tires into four pieces, which would be allowed into a landfill. Lanier said if the cutter comes through the county would need to obtain a permit for its use from TCEQ, which he added should not be an issue.
Commissioner Mark Murphey said he picks up more tires abandoned on the county roads than he disposes of at his own yard, adding he probably has 500 at his yard. The court gave approval to apply for this competitive grant.
The remainder of Monday’s brief meeting were year-end items. Bonds for the justice of the peace one, county clerk, county attorney, district attorney, sheriff, commissioner three and constable two were accepted.
A cooperative agreement with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the county was approved, along with a license and services agreement with Local Government Solutions to provide software for both justice of the peace officers. The county attorney’s Chapter 59 Asset Forfeiture report was presented with no new seizures or forfeiture.
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