Craig Dodson-Removal from 4b Committee at City of Glen Rose Meeting July 13 2009
13 July 2009 at 8:41:05 AM
salon
Mitchell George is replacement. I'll have some audio and selected video clips from the meeting later today but wanted to put this out here. I didn't get the agenda until late yesterday afternoon,so was surprised to see Item # 9 which read
9. Reconsider appointments made to 4B Advisory Board on June 8, 2009, and possibly replace one or more Board members.
Mention was made of the petition that is being circulated in town. Mr. Sabonis said there are two kinds of petitions, but the one that is being discussed in your local paper is against doing the projects. It would force you to have another vote in order to be able to do park projects again. It is much more dangerous because it actually threatens the viability of your 4B Corporation. It is not about stopping the City from issuing debt; it is about stopping the 4B Corporation from undertaking those projects. If that were to be received and validated, then in order for you to undertake any projects that you gave notice for, you would have to have another vote of the general population.
Dr. Terry asked who is circulating the petition. Mr. Bruce said, “Nobody will own up to it.” Mr. Bryant asked if we could put an ad in the paper to clarify it, because there are people who are being misled by the petition, and people who are actually removing their names because they were misled. Mr. Dodson said he would address that issue. Whenever that was done, he said, he contacted Mr. Villa to let him know where there was a petition, and Mr. Villa made threats against that person. Mr. Villa denied ever making any threats. He said he told the person that the information on the petition was not correct and the person might not want to be associated with it, but he never made any threats. Mr. Dodson said that was not how it was related to him.
Amazing. Mr Dodson told Mr Villa that Villa had threatened someone over the petition. Villa told me at the city council meeting tonight that the person referenced is someone he has known for years and he certainly didn't threaten anyone. On that petition-I suspect that Mr Dodson may have something to do with the petition although Linda West's name is associated with it. Why? Because he is a member of what I informally call the SG Club (and which apparently has a long-winded name now.) At any rate, it's just as I thought also, that the petition, although supposedly about accountability in spending the money would actually have the purpose of shutting down the Oakdale project... and, as noted here, the 4b committee itself.
Mr. Sabonis reiterated the danger inherent in any petition, but the one that is circulating would require a public vote before the 4B Corporation could undertake any park project. Mr. Bryant said he had spoken to one of the individuals who supposedly knew about the petition, and was told that they were not against the project, but the dollar amount. Mr. Sabonis said that the bond attorneys had reviewed what was in the local paper, and they feel it is against the Corporation doing the projects.
Gee. Doesn't that sound like what the SG's expressed?
There are 1,500 registered voters in Glen Rose, he added. Ten percent would stop the Corporation’s project; five percent could stop the funding.
Mayor Miller said if worse came to worse and the City decided to purchase all the land, and if the funding was stopped, then if we had to raise taxes to operate and maintain it, we would have to do it because the objectors had stopped all the projects. Mr. Sabonis said he would do a report on how much taxes would have to be raised to support the project. Mayor Miller commented that ever since she has been mayor, the City Council has done everything in their power not to raise taxes. They felt that having 4B and having that revenue would be the best thing possible.
Now, the city entered a motion to ask Dodson to step down and for him to be replaced by George. Seems to me that is a courtesy-the council can replace people at will.
I'm partially sorry to see this happen, only because it's a shame when a committee, any committee, has to replace members. But when a committee, voted in by the City of Glen Rose citizens, whose job is to get things done FOR the city has this type of friction from one of its members, right from the start, it's good to change.
The tax provides cities with a wider range of uses for the tax revenues because it is intended to give communities an opportunity to undertake a project for quality of life improvements, including economic development that will attract and retain primary employers.
Attract and retain primary employers, folks would not object to that. I still have not seen the petititon(s), but I find it a little hard to believe people would sign one without reading it. "Nobody will own up to it" some would consider that a threat. I need an aspirin.
i think a petition is part of democracy!!! Why would someone be removed (whether or not they did it) for challenging authority? I have wondered about collusion on a bunch of this and this adds a little support to my theory. It is worth discussing. Does anyone have anything for me on this?
@realworld. I don't recall hearing exactly why Dodson was removed, so the above about him being rude and abrasive is strictly my opinion, and I don't know if that was a factor, or his comments to Ricky Villa or something else entirely. (I will be posting audio from that meeting when I get it) I also heard and saw nothing that it was for *challenging authority*. Do you have some sourced basis for saying that is a reason? Here's video from City Council the other night
There was no reason given about why to replace him with Mitchell George.
You're right. Petitions are a part of democracy. I don't happen to agree with this one, but he or anyone else has a right to push it. From a different angle, because the 4-b board of directors serves at the pleasure of the governing body (the city), the city has a right to change anyone they want, as it's an appointment and not an election and I don't see anything in the rules that says getting rid of a person must be for this or that reason.
Just hear say. It was mentioned to me that he was removed because they felt he was "counter productive" and was "try to stop the progress that was happening". I assume that means Oakdale Park. I would just think that everything would go to a vote and if he were to be out voted then so be it. My only concern is that a board should have a difference of opinions and i hope we do not just have yes-men on an appointed board. On the surface it just seems that the city council had a yes-board before, that was questioned so they put a token person on the 4B board, and now he has been voted off??? Mr. Best also does a good job of asking questions, i hope he is not next.
@James- I can't find where the visitor's bureau has anything to do with this. (I assume you mean the CVB). Is there somewhere that you know of that shows the input and decisions of CVB with regards to 4b money? Not that I don't think it would benefit the CVB since, for example, having Oakdale would provide an excellent place for events and make B Huckaby's job easier.
No, just speculation based on the projects that keep coming up. When I read the Texas Attorney General's 4b plans, I see projects that provide jobs that a person could support a family on. Tourism jobs, as I've said before, are entry level and seasonal. With the current economic climate and Texas reporting a drop in sales tax and running out or unemployment funds, I'm just trying to figure out where heads are on OUR 4b funds. Dobson's dismissal shows some kind of power struggle, as a city resident I would like some kind of answer, consider my above as a cry for help.
Mygonne, don't think for a minute that because we don't always agree, that I don't appreciate you. You have provided more information than anyone. I was not aware that surveys had been done, I've never seen or heard of one, that clears up one thing for me. Many claim to be #1 in Texas even the military, most put tourism as #3 behind oil and gas and real estate, some even put it 7 or 8 because it is often "clumed" with travel dollars, but kind of a moot point if it is #1 in Glen Rose. I keep trying to get on board, and...... well keep my mouth shut.... with these projects, but every time I do something new comes along. Oakdale for sure is a lot better idea than the water park on the hwy, but it is a large commitment for the citizens of Glen Rose especially if things are not done right. For the first time in my life I am still catching up on taxes this year, so when new taxes are mentioned a little fear sets in. Thanks You for eliminating some of those fears.
I have never been polled myself. I guess i wonder who was polled, by who, when, and in what format? Most people i know would like to see a form of YMCA. Even if memberships were charged to help offset cost. Indoor pool, locker rooms, basketball courts, racquetball courts, etc. It seems to be getting hot these days and people don't really want to be outside for all activities. Just a thought, since it is 105 degrees outside. But why not put a poll out there that people know about, with choices. I agree on the tourism point, but how about something for Glen Rose citizens, besides if i remember correctly we pay about 40% of the 4B tax ourself.
The Oakdale project was decided on after the City Council and 4B Committee had numerous public meetings and input from citizens. Circulating a petition against these decisions at this point seems a bit absurd. Also, why are the originators of this petition not being open about it?
Hearsay; The issue seems to be mostly with the 4 mil without a clear plan, and a small part are against the whole enchilada. According to more hearsay, they need 150 signatures (seems small) and have approx. 75. The petition has been pulled for now because no vote has been taken. I was opposed to the water park, but understand Oakdale for location alone, where I get muddled is, some say the facilities are grandfathered in and some say we must spend 2.5 mil, for me that would have to cleared up with a comprehensive plan which I believe they are working on. Looks like it can be worked out. I finally have a name of one person who is circulating the petition but will not post without permission.
I should have noted that I have not seen the petition, my wife was approached with it. My wife does not do politics, her vote would be "shut up and do your job!" , she did not read it.
