NEWS
Guns, school safety top Beto O’Rourke Q&A at Tuesday Bowie town hall
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke brought his 49-day “Drive for Texas” tour to Bowie Tuesday afternoon and was greeted by a large audience filled with enthusiastic supporters, and an equally ecstatic group of Republican Governor Greg Abbott supporters chanting and marching with signs in front of the Chapman Building.
Very seldom does Bowie see major state candidates visit, but O’Rourke is taking his campaign to every county in the state. North Texas was early on the tour that began on July 20.
When the town hall meeting was announced last week there was a lot of social media rhetoric about mounting a protest outside showing support for Abbott. Some of the Facebook posts even included comments about coming armed with “our AKs, it’s legal for us to carry them,” it stated.
While the candidate travels with his own security which was stationed around the building, Bowie police also were present. Through it all the participants on all sides remained calm. O’Rourke invited those outside to come in and ask questions.
“This is a campaign by and for all of us. Even those who are outside chanting, jumping, even the one who showed up with an AK, but I’m not sure that is what it was. Everyone is welcome to ask questions,” he began.
It was uncertain how many people O’Rourke would draw in Montague County which is a long-time Republican stronghold. Tuesday he told the audience of about 200 he is well aware probability is not on his side.
“Chances are, I’m taking a big leap here, we won’t win Montague County in November; maybe we crack 20%. I’m a dreamer. What matters is we show up for each other. When we win, I will be a governor for all to serve everyone equally. I am trying to earn your vote, your time and effort. Abbott is taking rural communities for granted he thinks your votes are in the bank,” explained O’Rourke.
The 49-year-old candidate touched on many of the campaign’s top issues but audience questions focused on public school education, gun control, marijuana legalization, immigration and health care. He spoke about 50 minutes before taking audience questions.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
NEWS
Amon Carter Lake Board to meet
Members of the Amon Carter Lake Water Supply Corporation will meet at 6 p.m. on May 26 in the office at 607A Lindsey for a monthly meeting.
Items on the agenda include a consent agenda and minutes and financials. Possible discussion/action may be considered on the following topics: Treasurer’s report, review of finance and current loans; president’s report as to the written agreements with contractual employees; consider current water rates and a possible increase; and review of expenses and areas that need amendment.
An executive session may be entered to discuss personnel issues.
NEWS
Saint Jo City Council hires fire marshal
The City of Saint Jo has a new fire marshal as the city council made the appointment during its May 13 meeting.
Gary Hines, a retired professional firefighter and certified fire investigator, will take the position. City Secretary Debbie Dennis said the post is required by ordinance but has not been filled for a long period.
The council set dates for a budget workshop for 2 p.m. on June 14 and 2 p.m. on June 28 for the ordinance workshop, as the council works to update its rules.
Aldermen gave their support to a proposition by Councilman Jack Dunn who is asking the Legislature to allow Texas’ smallest cities, those with 2,500 or few in population, to receive an additional share of sales and use tax. He would like to see the funds used in these communities to repair and replace aging infrastructure without new taxes or reliance on state grants.
In letter to State Rep. David Spiller, whom Dunn will meet with on June 1, the alderman explains much of the state’s 6.25% share generated locally flows into general funds and is spent on other priorities. He would like Spiller to author this legislation. Dunn gave the letter to the council along with a powerpoint on the plan.
“A single water treatment plant upgrade or sewer rehab carries massive, fixed costs that do not shrink with population size. These communities, often with only a few hundred or a couple thousands residents, simply cannot spread those costs across enough ratepayers or a broad tax based,” the letter states.
Dunn suggests a “graduated sales tax retention policy:” 1% additional share for cities with 2,500 or fewer residents; .75% for those 2,500 and 5,000; and .50% for cities between 5,001 and 10,000. It would be dedicated to infrastructure. Dunn says the overall statewide fiscal impact would be negligible, but could help sustain small, rural cities.
NEWS
City of Nocona buys water storage tank, review dam repair
The Nocona City Council approved a bid for a new 203,000 gallon capacity tank for potable water at the water plant and learned a slide repair to the lake dam is going to be pretty costly.
At its May 12 session the council received three bids on the tank and went with one from Tank Depot of Cleburne for $193,923. It is for a a 217,600 gallon tank usable for 203,000 gallons. The price could change slightly since it was based on estimate freight costs.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
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