Ron Hankins first proposed TWELVE CENTS and then joked about it being like marketing to bring it down to 11.95 to the raucous applause of the unruly buffoons in attendance at the meeting a couple of weeks ago. Remember that after this next vote, which I will talk about after this next meeting on Thursday (after video or audio comes out), on who's responsible for you paying MORE money. Don't know about you, but I voted for the people I did because

1. I wanted them to do an RFP to find out about leasing the hospital out. Granbury has such a deal with in Hood County where they have paid NO taxes for years for their hospital district and Lake Granbury Medical Center is doing the services, running as a private hospital. Obstructionists on the hospital board have not done what they said they were going to do. Suppose that, after an RFP, there were NO viable solutions that would LOWER the tax rate for Somervell County residents. At least we'd all KNOW and could then suck it up. 

2. I wanted them to be fiscally responsible. I, along with a lot of people, am really happy to have a local community hospital here, although I'm not convinced it needs to be the size it is, but I dang sure want the people RUNNING IT to be honest, following the law, and looking for ways to account for every nickel. That includes the 501a SLUSH FUND which contract Ray Reynolds is NOT following. 

3. I wanted somebody to look at us STOP FUNDING PECAN  FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER IN HOOD COUNTY.  As noted at the previous link, I The board will not even, apparently, put this to the Attorney General for an opinion, probably because they're scared if they do, the AG will tell them to STOP. Well, I'm going to continue to believe that the Pecan Family Medical Center, as a private clinic that is NOT open to the public, and exists in a different hospital district, is not permissible under the law. 

When next people run for office, I am again going to look for candidates who want to FIX our situation, rather than play to the crowd.Seems to me that some base their decision on who can shout the loudest at a meeting. You'd think there was an applause meter at the meetings and, based on how obnoxious and noisy the crowd was, that'd be how some would vote. Because, of course, that's the way our voting system works.. oh... it doesn't?

And I sure will NEVER vote for anyone who voted AGAINST following a contract that would account for our tax money being spent wisely  AND wants to raise our taxes. Looking at YOU, Ron Hankins.