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Parent says BISD board was wrong in its action

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By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
A father urged the Bowie Independent School District Board of Trustees to do two things: Make sure there is funding for schools and make sure the kids are safe, and don’t stray from that.
The board has been under fire for the past month connected to pursuing criminal charges against the late Justin Kuecher, who allegedly recorded school staff when he was filing to run for school board.
Kuecher recorded some unflattering things reportedly said by some of the staff that were caught on his phone he left recording as he stepped out to get his driver’s license. He then allegedly posted that recording on social media.
A complaint was made with police and a warrant issued for the man for allegedly illegally recording the staff without their knowledge or permission. The charge was unlawful interception by electronic device.
At the August meeting, C.J. Grisham, who told the board at the Aug. 26 meeting he was a lawyer for Kuecher, accused the board of pushing his client to the point where he took his own life. According to the Montague County Sheriff’s office Kuecher was found deceased at his home on Aug. 21.

Board President Jacky Betts made a brief statement stating they encourage comment and outlined the procedures.

Brandon Helton signed up to speak about school safety. He has two children in school.
“I find it almost appalling I have to be here tonight so I won’t belittle you or run you down. I don’t agree with the action you took to vote for an arrest warrant, that is not your job here. It is to provide funding for the school and keep kids safe; in return all you have done along with some board members’ inflammatory comments brought great danger to our children,” exclaimed Helton.

Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.


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Amon Carter Lake Board to meet

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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.

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Saint Jo City Council hires fire marshal

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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.

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City of Nocona buys water storage tank, review dam repair

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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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