With a 3-2 vote on Monday, Kaufman County Commissioners gave $10 million of the much-discussed transportation funding to Forney for Forney Parkway Bridge project.
Keeping to what I thought, Commissioners Jackson and Rowden voted against the measure while Commissioners Clark and Deller voted for it. County Judge Wayne Gent broke the tie.
In defending his decision, Gent mentioned that the Council of Governments, who lords over the funding, wanted the funding on a project that was "shovel ready," or simply put, one that create a sense of completion in two years.
While I understand that Forney's project, which paves the way for new shopping centers (and i.e. new tax dollars) in Kaufman County, can do that, Gent's response prompted me to wonder: since when did what CoG want coincide with what's in the best interest of Kaufman County?
IJS.
So disappointing. Especially when you consider that any additional sales tax revenue that eventually comes from all of this won't benefit the county as a whole, but another one of these stunts will be pulled to ensure the bulk of it gets used in Forney.
ReplyDeleteNot surprised. I remember a comment a week or so ago about offical email addresses for the Commissioners, were you able to find anything?
ReplyDeleteNope. I dropped the ball on that Jim. I need to track down the fellow who runs their website. Didn't see him today, but I'll follow up on it.
ReplyDeleteReally disappointed to hear this, but not surprised.
ReplyDeleteWhere was the other $10 million allocated and what is the total cost of the Forney Parkway?
ReplyDelete@Jim: The other $10 million hasn't been allocated. Commissioner Clark's proposal only dealt with the Forney deal. The other entities I'm sure will now beginning making pitches for the other $10 million.
ReplyDeleteFrom the Forney Post of June 3, 2009:
ReplyDelete“(Wade) Gent, who is currently a Forney Municipal Court Associate Judge and a member of the Forney Planning and Zoning Commission, was selected by the Council to fulfill the remainder of the Place 5 term which was left vacant when Darren Rozell became Forney’s Mayor.”
Let's see, Wade Gent, Forney City Council = 1
Wayne Gent, Kaufman County Judge and deciding vote on Forney Bridge = 1
1 + 1 = 2
That adds up to Forney gets their bridge!
Is anyone really surprised?
Sounds like Forney did it's homework while the Kaufman group was out playing their regular golf game.
ReplyDeleteWayne has turned his back on Kaufman. He has lost my support forever. 2010 will be here before you know it.
ReplyDelete