NEWS
Citizen debates spending
By Dani Blackburn
dani@postoakmedia.net
Montague County’s proposal for almost a nickel increase to the tax rate is one step closer to approval after the first public tax rate hearing Monday.
The proposed rate of 0.55 cents is a 6.13 percent increase over the effective rate, which is the amount needed to generate the same tax revenue as last year. The new rate will increase the 2016 rate of .5097 by .0403 cents.
However, commissioners were met with some push back during the hearing from Forestburg resident Paul Braswell, who questioned the county’s spending.
“It is amazing to me this county that has gone through this rise and fall in the oil and gas business has expenditures that keep going up,” argued Braswell. This county has about the same number of people as we had about 30 years ago. We aren’t increasing population, but in the last 10 years we’ve doubled our spending.”
Braswell continued to say money for the expenditures comes out of his pocket, the commissioner’s pockets and his neighbor’s pockets.
“I know where you’re coming from on the expenses, Paul, but you can’t buy stuff today for what you could 15 years ago,” responded Precinct Four Commissioner Bob Langford.
After some back and forth arguing on spending for part-time to full-time employees, ambulance services and repairs to the courthouse, Braswell continued to push commissioners to cut spending when he was interrupted by Precinct One Commissioner Roy Darden.
“Where are we spending it? What are we supposed to cut?” asked Darden. Braswell responded he didn’t know.
Read the full story in the mid-week News.
The Supertunia Tiara duo debuted in 2025 and in this brief amount of time has become the darling of the landscape. The love and admiration from gardeners across the country including my area of West Georgia and East Alabama has been nothing short of wow.
As much as gardeners treasure their Supertunia Vista Bubblegum petunias, Supertunia Pink Tiara and Blue Tiara are here to say look at me! Oh yes, and both are building a trophy case with awards.
At first, it would seem the Supertunia Tiara Petunias were designed with the artist gardener in mind. While that could be true it is most likely that these petunias are so unique and beautiful that any combination or application you try simply looks ready for canvas.
Read the full Garden Guy column in your Thursday Bowie News.
The Bowie City Council approved a $950,000 project to improve the walking path at Pelham Park on Oct. 27.
Bowie Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Janis Crawley said the upcoming project will repave 26,277 square feet of pathway in concrete, spanning about 0.6 miles in length.
The work covers the trail section northeast of the Blade, curving past the soccer fields and toward the swimming pool.
Another section goes around the pool and sport courts, then back down toward the Blade. The project will also widen the trail section to eight feet and add a new 36-foot bridge.
Read the full story in your Thursday Bowie News.
Montague County voters joined the rest of the state with a tremendous turnout in Tuesday’s elections.
The elections administration office reported with all 10 precincts counted a turnout of 56.01% or 8,732 casting ballots. There are 15,591 registered voters in the county.
While there were no county contested races, there were two city council and two school board elections.
The Bowie City Council has three places on the ballot. Laura Sproles, incumbent, was not challenged for her place two.
Levi Bailey won the precinct one seat with 925 votes. Valerie Thomerson received 328 votes.
In precinct three, Terry Gunter won with 1,027 votes and Glenda Durham was second with 383
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
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