ASK THE MAYOR
El Campo City Council tackled many issues during past year
MAYOR PHILLIP SPENRATH

This will be my last article until after the May 10 election. I hope these weekly updates have been informative and provided you some insight into the weekly activities that come before your City Council. I urge you to get out and vote for the direction that you would like to see our local government follow. By not voting, you will be giving away your right to influence our overall government. In reality, you will take away the "will of the majority that governs this country, and replace it with the will of the minority."

While our legislative process does not provide for popular votes on all issues and agenda items, the framers of the Constitution always intended to preserve our primary guarantee of participating in politics, the right to vote. In reality, the framers never intended for the masses to vote on most legislative actions because the public often lacked the understanding of the existing laws and the totality of facts to make the best decision for the betterment of the country.

However, the framers did provide for the guarantee that every eligible citizen could express his or her thoughts on government progress and reform through their individual right to directly elect representatives into office.

Voting in any type of election, from local school board to Presidential primaries, provides an important way to voice your opinions regarding elected leaders and overall policies. Voting also helps you decide your own future by electing a person who might reflect your own views. The ability to vote exists as one of the most cherished Constitutional Rights that many fought for, marched for, and died for over the centuries.

Over the past couple of years, we have seen some incredible events and developments take place. Along with a new state-of-the-art Middle School being built, El Campo has seen the construction of numerous retail ventures along the rapidly advancing West Loop and North SH 71 areas. Sporting goods, footwear, auto lube, ranching and farming supplies, easy access banking and many more businesses are expanding into northern El Campo.

There has been significant construction and renovation taking place in our historic downtown business district. Along with efforts to have the returning railroad bypass town rather than go through it, a strong contingency of community members are working to initiate an annual festival that will rival the likes of the Luling Watermelon Thump and Poteet Strawberry Festival while enhancing El Campo's identity for tourists and family members alike.

Your City Council and staff have continued their efforts to improve local drainage, provide advanced utilities and continue the improvement of existing roads. In addition, renovation planning is under way to update our Emergency Services Building, El Campo Civic Center and Animal Control Shelter.

We have also focused efforts toward our city gateways by implementing a wildflower planting program, extending the coverage of city trash pickup, emergency services, animal control and by engineering the installation of much needed water and sewer systems.

In our upcoming elections, there are two distinctive groups of candidates with clearly defined viewpoints about the future direction our community should take. As a high school government teacher for the past 17 years, along with earning a B.A. degree in political science, I understand the importance of voting and the impact that political action committees can have in addressing the issues. It's important to fully understand the issues.

Please remember, the majority of El Campo's recent annexation projections will pay for themselves within the next 10 years. Pursuant to Wharton County Appraisal District 2007 valuations, the four recently annexed areas will bring El Campo an overall ad valorem/personal property tax value of $25,461,413. Consequently, the existing residents of El Campo should not experience higher taxes or utility bills as the result of annexation. The expanded tax base should actually help keep future city taxes down for original city residents.

Again, this will be my last city update until after the May 10 election. The El Campo Leader-News and KULP Radio have graciously allowed me to share information and provide answers to many of your concerns involving the big issues that have faced our city over the past year. As your mayor, my primary goal and intent has always been to open the lines of communication in order to improve public understanding and dispel rumors and misinformation.

- Editor's Note: The L-N puts a moratorium on columns by political candidates a month before early voting starts.