This is not why you people were voted into office

Apparently, there are some hidden agendas and NOT the open government you had promised

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Letter to the Editor:

Dear Judge Cobb and Commissioners Ingalsbe, Conley, Whisenant and Jones,

We have supported each of you in your campaigns this past and in previous elections (even those of you who are not in our district elections). We supported you folks because you promised open local government and a more conservative fiscal policy than your predecessors maintained. After the last Commissioner's Meeting, I find that these must have been just words that you spoke since your actions proved otherwise.

I was against the extravagant road bond package that was approved by the past group of Commissioners, two of which still remain on board. I lobbied with many residents against the first bill, which was defeated, and then lobbied against the second, which unfortunately was approved by the voters by a narrow margin. It was a poor decision, especially in these dire economic times. But, that was then and this is now.

To say we are angered and disappointed with you current commissioners for your recent actions may be an understatement. Apparently, there are some hidden agendas and NOT the open government you had promised. With more Hays County Residents unemployed and/or hurting financially than ever before, how do you commissioners justify your actions to throw more money away on a questionable Precinct 2 building project? This is NOT fiscal conservation, is it? This is NOT why you people were voted in office. Basically, you broke your word.

Hays County Commissioners made a promise to cut spending and we voters expect you to keep your promise. That means no salary increases and no large non-vital expenditures until the economy softens, which is NOT in the foreseeable future.

So, we and our Hays neighbors ask that you cease the building project and to rein-in expenditures across the board. Permit only emergency or vital expenditures and maintain open communication with your constituents. By the way, communication goes 2 ways and NOT just from commissioners to the residents. You also need to listen to and hear your constituents – even if only a handful appear at meetings. Not everyone is able to attend meetings and other avenues must be opened to communicate with additional residents.

The bottom-line is that Commissioners Ingalsbe and Conley had promised to do this in the past and you new folks promised the voters prior to this last election. Please keep your promises and stop wasteful spending.

Thank you.

Respectfully yours,

Peter & Dolores Stern

Driftwood, TX