FORMER BANK OF BRENHAM PRESIDENT ENCOURAGING BRENHAM, WASHINGTON CO. GOVERNMENTS TO HELP CITIZENS

  

A retired Brenham businessman is asking both Washington County and The City of Brenham to assist their citizens during the COVID-19 crisis.

Lee Gaskamp, past president of The Bank of Brenham, has written letters to Brenham Mayor Milton Tate and Washington County Judge John Durrenberger suggesting they use money from their “rainy day” funds to help citizens and small businesses weather this crisis.  Gaskamp is proposing that the City and County’s “rainy day” funds be used as a liquidity fund to either lend or grant funds to individuals in the community.  His letter reads “I think we should consider giving a sum to every individual to help them through the next 90 days, when we as a state and nation should know much better how long the shutdown of the virus might last.  I would consider 0% loans to small businesses for an amount representing 60 to 90 days of sales so that they may continue paying their employees through this time.”  Gaskamp says he doesn’t have access to information to make more specific recommendations, but believes leaders and staffs of the City and County can fill in the details to make it happen.  He also believes there are a number of businesses that are continuing to do well during this crisis, who would be willing to donate to this fund.

Gaskamp goes on to ask that the utility providers grant abatements or reductions in utility bills for 60 to 90 days, saying those entities also have the future ability to recover their loans and grants.  He says while our national politicians continue to work on their “plan”, we in Washington County need to work on ours.  Gaskamp says, “Or, we can wait for Washington to get their act “together”.  However, we are Texans and we can take care of our own.”

Gaskamp’s letter was addressed to the City of Brenham’s Mayor and Council, and to the Washington County Judge and Commissioners.