Fannin County, Texas -- Nestled on the edge of the Metroplex, Fannin County is slated to witness the same type of growth experienced by McKinney, Frisco, Prosper, Anna, and Melissa. Grayson County is pressing on our western boundary. Blessed with two new lakes, Bois d’Arc and Ralph Hall, we are attracting population like a magnet. State Highway 121 and US Highway 82 are being upgraded to facilitate increased traffic. Our world is changing.
It is important that we recognize this fact of life and adjust our expectations accordingly. While many of us would prefer that Fannin County remains rural, that we turn back the clock, this is not possible. We do, however, have the opportunity to direct change, to model our future. The open question is what do we want our community to look like in ten to twenty years?
Should we leave our County’s future to be determine by chance, or outsiders whose only interest is making a quick buck, or disinterested politicians in Austin and
Washington? For me the answer to this question is a resounding “No.” As County Judge, I assume most of our citizens feel the same way.
Recognizing that further development of our County is preordained; the open question remains, what do we want our County to look like in the future, what sort of community do want to leave the next generation of Fanninites?
What type of development does the County want to encourage and foster? What type of development do we want to discourage?
I for one, do not want to see the County’s resources, primarily water and land, exploited for the benefit of outside interests.
I do not want to see Fannin County turned into a dumping ground, a green energy plantation, a camp for transient and itinerant workers, or a red-light district.
I do not want to see our residents without water.
I want to see good development.
Just as households, we, as Fannin County citizens, should ask ourselves: what do we want? what do we need? what can we afford?
What is good development? For me, it translates into providing our citizens with good paying jobs, good schools, and safe homes.
I encourage you to share your thoughts. Let’s develop a common vision. Fannin First!
