(NOTE: Gun Barrel City Manager Gerry Boren submitted this letter to the editor to Cedar Creek Lake area publications with the note that it is the first time in his career he has felt compelled to write one. His remarks relate to the proposed city property tax that will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot.)
Dear Editor:
As a result of the Property Tax Town Hall meeting last night (Thursday, October 16) at City Hall, I’m very disappointed in the attitude of some of the citizens. Some of those attendees assassinated the character of our elected officials, our volunteers and our City staff. They accused us of being crooks, of being dishonest and having no integrity. The Mayor (no one was specifically mentioned) was accused of accepting bribes and it was said that the Council would line their pockets with the property tax money.
This property tax debate has opened a vain of hate and unwarranted distrust.
It was stated that if we stopped the non-profit organizations from doing fund raisers that take away from the sales taxes, we would not need a property tax. REALLY?!
Through the course of these endeavors a citizen stated that the July festival cast darkness on our community. We were told that the music at the last festival was not appropriate. If you attended this festival, the music being played was country and western, Texas Country music.
In a recent Letter to the Editor, the character of the EDC was questioned. These volunteers are people who live here, who retired here, who are grandparents and who have shown an interest in this City. The EDC is working to bring in good paying jobs to the community. We are working on making park improvements to provide a better quality of life for all our citizens including our children and our elderly. We need to evolve. We need to understand that the people that serve this community are our neighbors. I would hate for my daughter’s heart to be broken because someone called me a crook.
It was stated the reason we needed more police is because we have too many liquor stores and allow restaurants to serve it. REALLY?!
It was stated we had too many trailer houses and they brought low moral standards to the City. REALLY?! They are just as proud of their home as you are of yours.
One citizen stated that all Code Enforcement does is sit in the office and twiddle their thumbs. REALLY?!
The previous paragraphs, all reflect NEGATIVE comments from some of our citizens. NEGATIVE! We don’t need negativity. We need to show a united POSITIVE attitude to attract businesses to our community. Some citizens stated they would like to see better retail shopping venues and more upscale restaurants but we need to promote a POSITIVE outlook that will attract those businesses. Negativity gets you nothing! And, we get too much ‘nothing’ now.
In most cities, 37% of their revenue stream comes from property taxes. With property taxes, we would be able to provide better services to the community. This money will provide more firefighters, new and better fire equipment, needed police officers, better police equipment which entails much more than just cars and better roads.
Personally, I will stand up for this City. We are NOT ‘lake trash’ and that image needs to be discouraged. We will be a progressive City but some would rather tie our hands and live in the past. I am honored to work with the City staff. These employees are as dedicated, loyal and honest as anyone you could hire. Their years of service should attest to their dedication and loyalty. I’m proud to serve this City. I’m proud to be a citizen of Gun Barrel City. I’m proud of our growth over the last few years, the parks, the landscaping requirements and the work from all the volunteers.
We do not judge; it’s not our job.
We the people…………
Gerry Boren, City Manager
Gun Barrel City
