Columns

Tuesday night, April 21, the city council held a special workshop. The purpose was to discuss our visions for the future of Hamilton and prioritize them in order of importance. All-in-all, there were probably six or seven goals discussed and the best way to begin preparing our budget to obtain those. Number one and two were our infrastructure and streets. All of the council members were present, our city administrator, city secretary and finance director. Also in attendance were those running for mayor and city council. Normally, public discussion is not allowed when the council is in session because there is a Public Comment agenda item on all council agendas. But I was asked to allow those who were there who are running for council positions the opportunity to offer their input. I thought this was something that was very important to do.

Letter to the Editor Evant ISD has issued a bond for 5.98 million. The bond estimates are grossly inflated, also any overages in money to proposed projects should be paid towards the bond to relieve taxpayer burdens. The issues at the school are self-inflicted. Issues are due to deferred maintenance. Voters and taxpayers deserve straight answers as to why the school district has allowed the buildings to deteriorate on current superintendent’s and school board watch. We need answers as to why maintenance was not done and maintenance money was spent elsewhere. Taxpayers should not be asked to spend money to pay for mismanagement.

Laura and I moved here six years ago from Allen. While I was on the city council, Steve Terrell was our mayor. As a matter of fact, Steve was mayor of Allen for over 20 years. I learned a lot from him about what it meant to be a mayor. My weekly Notes from the Mayor came from Steve’s article in the Allen American, “A Note from the Mayor.”

There were some items on this month’s City Council agenda to take note of. But first, congratulations to Elyssa Martin for volunteering for and being appointed by the City Council to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The Hamilton community is very blessed to have so many who want to be involved and help make the quality of life in Hamilton better.

On Apr. 14, 1865, five days after Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox, a 26 year old member of the “first family of the American stage” murdered Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C.

Dear Editor, What a wonderful communities we have in Hamilton, Evant and the surrounding areas!

Hamilton H

As the local county elections are over, we can now turn our focus onto our local city elections. There is one council seat to finish an unfilled term, two council seats for a full two-year term and there are three running for mayor. There seems to be some confusion about what the mayor’s role is in our form of government.

Dear Editor, This is a love letter to something that is very dear to my heart, The Gatesville Messenger & Star Forum.