Well, folks, you told me in telephone calls, e-mails, and personal contacts that you wanted the streets repaired now. If you will remember, I asked you to contact the other city council members (I know some of you did) but obviously, not enough of you did or your current city council just does not believe in listening to the public. Monday night, by a vote of six to one, your city council voted against completing the repair on the streets and in favor of spending almost $1.5 million to build a new city hall and remodel the old city hall for the police department. As you probably can guess, I was the lone vote for continuing to repair the streets. I was hoping that some or all of the money that will be spent on the new city hall could be used to finish the badly needed street improvements in Bonham.
On a lighter note, it was a privilege for my wife, Kay, and me to share a catfish dinner with U.S. Congressman Ralph Hall last weekend. As you may know, Kay’s uncle, H. G. Dulaney was Speaker Sam Rayburn’s personal secretary for many years in Washington. H. G. and Congressman Hall became good friends over the years. Congressman Hall even tried to get H. G. to come to work for him. It is always a pleasure to hear the tales of the many exciting events that went on during this period. It is also nice to be able to get direct information about what is going on in Washington. Texas State Representative Larry Phillips also attended the same event and informed me of present and future problems and opportunities facing Texas and Fannin County over the next few years. I will also be speaking with Texas Senator Bob Duell in about two weeks regarding some concerns about Texas and Fannin County.
It was nice to see a young man, Thomas Standlee, honored last evening by TCOG at the City Council meeting. Twelve-year-old Standlee called 9-1-1 when his mother appeared to be having a heart attack, remained calm, answered the dispatcher’s questions better than some adults, and provided updates on his mother’s condition until the an ambulance arrived. Standlee’s mother, Mrs. Anna Rutledge, is now doing fine and was with her son last night as he was presented with a 9-1-1 medal and a certificate.
Mrs. Emily Porter, Jack Lipscomb, and John Burnett were re-appointed to two-year terms each on the Bonham Economic Development Corporation (BEDCo) by the City Council.
Speaking of appointments, the Planning and Zoning Commission has a vacancy for a two-year term. If you are a citizen of Bonham and would like to serve on this commission, please contact me, so that I may submit your name for consideration.
Please remember that I am here to serve you and Bonham. Whatever your concerns are regarding Bonham, please feel free to call me at 903.227.4477 or e-mail me at burnett_jw@hotmail.com to let me know. It is my honor to represent you in the City of Bonham.