Buda area community leader endorses Sumter for County Judge

Note: Mr. Patterson resides near Buda in County Precinct 2, Commissioner Jeff Barton's home turf. One could argue that Mr. Patterson's support for Liz Sumter in the Democratic Primary for County Judge is a case of sour grapes for Barton having turned a deaf ear to the wishes of 800 Buda-area constituents. One could argue, too, that's reason enough – but there's more to it than that, as Patterson explains.

Send your comments and news tips to online.editor@valleyspringcomm.net, to Mr. Patterson at budadav@yahoo.com, or click on the "comments" button at the bottom of the story

By David Patterson
Guest Commentary

The most important Hays County Primary in recent history is upon us. It is important because we’re being shut out of the process and we have public officials who will not listen to us.

Let me explain.

I was involved in the BudaFirst fight to stop the land use amendment that will allow an industrial park to be built in an area that was designated for commercial and retail by Buda’s Comprehensive Development Plan. Nearly 800 Buda voters signed a petition in July to put this land use amendment to the vote of the citizenry. By comparison, only 528 Buda citizens voted in last May’s election.

Patterson, on left, with former Buda mayor Jim Hollis
Clearly the majority will of Buda’s voters was to stop this industrial park. Despite the clear showing of the will of the people, some public officials were working behind the scenes to stop any citizen who might get in the way. Chief among those was County Commissioner Jeff Barton.

Barton’s actions deserve close scrutiny.

Jeff Barton tried to straddle the fence on this issue. While giving lip service to the idea of allowing the citizens to settle the issue, he received campaign contributions from Howard Faulkenberg. It is Faulkenberg’s public relations firm that represents US Foods, the first tenant in the industrial park that BudaFirst was fighting.

At the request of US Foods, Barton also placed $1.75 million in road improvements on the County Commissioner’s agenda. These road improvements were required by US Foods as a condition to relocate in Buda. Later Barton voted to spend $1.75 million of our tax dollars for these road improvements.

Apart from his involvement with the US Food scandal, there are some other things you should know about Barton. For example, he is still actively involved in his family’s paper the Free Press, and maintains a part time position with Doucette and Associates, an engineering firm that does business in Hays County.

An elected official should eliminate conflicts of interest and even the appearance of any conflicts of interest. Barton has done neither. If elected County Judge, Barton will favor developers, big business, and his family business, and he will do so at the expense of our quality of life.

Judge Liz Sumter has stood up against Barton. She voted against spending our tax money on special interest road improvements. She supported the voice and desires of Buda’s citizens, even after Barton criticized her for doing so. Liz has and will continue to represent the voters of Hays County. She has been and will continue to be provident with our tax dollars. Judge Liz Sumter has earned a reputation of listening to the citizens of Hays County and representing their will. Without Judge Sumter at the helm, our quality of life is in jeopardy.

If we don’t have responsible growth in our county, it is not a matter of if, but when there will be a collision between irresponsible growth and limited water resources. We cannot count on people like Commissioner Jeff Barton to serve our interests. And that’s why each and every one of us should support the re-election of Judge Liz Sumter.

Please talk to your friends and neighbors and get out to vote early.
Friday, February 19th, Buda City Hall, 11am to 7pm
Saturday, February 20th, Buda City Hall, 10am to 4pm
Friday, February 26th, Buda City Hall, 11am to 7pm