COMMISSIONERS FORUM RAISES IMPORTANT ISSUES

Mayor Pro Tem Phil Roberts, and Commissioners Bruce Clawson and Dee Ann Haney sat
together and answered questions posed by TJ Aulds as moderator as they vie for the two positions
of Commissioner At Large for Texas City. Commissioner Roberts spoke to the progress
the city has made dealing with what is often referred to as areas of blight within the Texas City
boundaries. Acknowledging that there is still work to be done, Roberts emphasized that progress
has been made and the issue continues to be at the forefront of tasks to be tackled going
forward. Both Commissioner Clawson and Commissioner Haney commented on the need for
additional support for Code Enforcement with Haney suggesting that stricter consequences
would encourage citizens to cooperate. Clawson stated that leaving the task of enforcement to
the police is unrealistic and perhaps a separate entity focused entirely on Code enforcement
would be a more effective approach. Haney commented that a large number of dilapidated
buildings have been torn down but there is a cost that is required to accomplish the task at
hand.
On the topic of economic development, the impact of the big box stores was discussed and
the steps the city is taking to encourage smaller businesses
to move to our city. Roberts pointed out the excellent work
that the chamber is doing by offering numerous benefit to
the small business owners like the educational resources
offered through their organization. Haney pointed out that
the excellent growth we are seeing in our residential areas
will bring the businesses and supporting that growth will
serve to build a healthy economic environment to attract
more small business. Haney also stated that developing
the dike through charging non-residents an access fee to
increase revenues and building an infrastructure that would
attract more businesses. Clawson see the possibilities as
excellent for developing an environment for restaurants
and other entertainment without harming the fishing that is
such a solid attraction.
When Harvey came up, Roberts acknowledged the remarkable
job done by those persons who worked the levee,
the flood gates, and closely avoided a tremendous disaster
and there was some damage to the levee system which
was addressed immediately. He suggested a pump system
that would pump out of Moses Lake and over the levee that
would be a tremendously beneficial to the city overall. 1400
homes suffered due to that inability and Haney agreed that
that is an important, though expensive, step. That said, she
pointed out that the lions share of the Harvey funding is disproportionately
being distributed to the larger cities. Flood
mitigation is a tough issue but Clawson pointed out that the
city has relied far too long on Moses Lake and all too often
the city missed major flooding by mere inches. All three agreed that some kind of system must be
developed to manage the moving of water
away from Moses Lake to increase the
capacity to absorb a large influx of storm
waters. Roberts pointed out the value of
preparedness and how this city’s emphasis
on putting the tools in place, including
educating the citizenry, had proven
to be an approach that has kept Texas
City from being as hard hit as other areas
and pointing out to the federal and state
governments and other agencies that this
city’s approach to preventive preparedness
is a statistically and documentable
proven approach.
At the end of the discussion Aulds
brought up the accident Commission
Haney was involved in where two men
lost their lives. Aulds wanted to know why
she did not show remorse and what impact
is the situation will have on her ability
to serve. Haney responded that it was
an accident and that she was following
advice of her attorney not to say anything
at all about the accident. Clawson pointed
out that facing the media is unpleasant at
best and can bring out less than the best
in a person being asked tough and accusatory
questions.
After each of the individuals spoke, Earl
Alexander spoke briefly about his background
working with College of The Mainland
and for 25 years has knocked doors
and pushed citizens to vote on many,
many bond votes and other elections.
When asked what will I do differently, I
have to say “Not much”. We are one of the
best cities in the country. We just need to
keep doing what we are doing and keep
working to keep this city the best city it
can be.” Mr Alexander is running for the
District 1 commissioner, with the blessing
of Thelma Bowie, District 1’s current
Commissioner, who is retiring after this
session.