THE SPECTATOR: MAYOR’S RACE ENDORSEMENT

  

I have decided to do something that we don’t do very often at KWHI, which is to endorse a candidate in a political race.  I’ve struggled with this decision for a couple of weeks, but I feel it is something I need to do.  There are two very fine, upstanding individuals running for the Mayor of Brenham.  Unfortunately, as often happens in the political arena, there are some non-truths being spread about the City of Brenham.  One such non-truth is about the City’s debt, making it appear that the current Mayor and City Council have been crazily spending money and going into steep debt to pay for things.  That is simply not the case.  Utility debt is used to expand City utilities and to maintain the infrastructure, and it is paid back through utility rates.  And the City’s most recent debt was for projects that will be repaid by FEMA once they are complete.  Other debt in the recent past has been for things like the police station, firetrucks and the library…all essential services provided by the City.  Brenham’s debt is no greater than any other city its size.  No City just pays for infrastructure improvements and new buildings straight from a savings account.  They all use debt as a tool to grow and improve what they provide for their citizens.

Those of you who have heard or read my comments in the past know that I don’t pull any punches when I think the City is not doing its job.  But I can honestly tell you that the City of Brenham is in the best shape it’s been in a very long time.  There are some sharp, professional people filling many of the top ranks in various City departments.  Is everyone happy with the job they are doing?  Of course not.  Some folks are being made to follow the rules….something that wasn’t being enforced in the past.  The City is actively involving its citizens in planning for the future through public meetings.  And I can tell you the City is listening to those who attend.

All of this leads up to the reason I believe Mayor Milton Tate is running for reelection.  I believe Mayor Tate likes the direction the City is heading, and wants to keep it on the right path.  A man who doesn’t like confrontation, he has calmly led the City Council for almost 16 years.  And Brenham is a far better place now than when he first started.  Lots of things have been accomplished under his leadership.  I also believe he has earned the right to go out on his terms, not because of a power play behind the scenes.  I am excited and encouraged by the people leading our City, and for that reason and many more am endorsing Mayor Milton Tate for reelection.

And that’s the way it looks to this Spectator.