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.

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8 Comments

  1. Although my business is in Houston, I started in my first hair salon in Brenham 36 years ago, my salon was next to the “home burger” across from the Washington county fairgrounds. I like to say that, at the time, I cut everyone’s hair in Brenham at least once, and still to this day have several well known prominent customer’s drive to my salon in Houston weekly. I agree with Mr Lee Gaskamp’s economic plan, it will work. Small business is the Life Blood to your economy. To the Negative comments & nay sayers, read up on past American history on how small Texas towns were established. One more thing, Crack open the pages of that Bible that’s been collecting dust & start Praying to the almighty God that came with Sam Houston to Washington on the Brazos. We believers will prevail Victorious. God bless Texas & The United States of America.

  2. Thank you Mr. Gaskamp for the idea. I think it is great to build on. Many small businesses may very well go out of business and the jobs they supply will disappear too. These businesses have fixed costs they are expected to pay when they get sales because they are told to close. If the government is going to force businesses to close then it ought to provide real relief so those businesses don’t fail. And it is not going to come from the Federal government.

  3. Such a waste of money, just like the $1000 checks are going to be from the federal government. If I have 100,000 or even 10,000 at my disposal, why do I need or expect the government hand out money to me? That is wrong and it’s stealing from my own neighbors and children, be at the local, state or national level.
    We don’t need government checks. Give everyone (those that need it) a ration of food for the week that they pick up at the grocery store once a week and turn off all big bills that people have to pay. 3-4 to four weeks of very limited movement for everyone. This can only be done at the state or national level or through national or statewide county lobby effort. A local check is a waste, we’re not a local economy and not to mention, we have to limit spending to promote isolation and a need for others to get out and work.
    If you really want to do something nice for the community, reduce the rent or mortgage that a family has to pay if you have that ability or have a week’s groceries distributed to a household or pay or forgive debt. Then recognize with names in lights those that do these great deeds. Nationally, we are considering a close of the markets, and that will really help stop the bleeding.

    1. The money is already there. Its not a give a way. Thats why its called a “rainy day” fund. For when it’s raining. Is it not raining right now?

  4. Thank you Mr. Gaskamp for reminding our local government and citizens that the city of Brenham has a 27% at or below the poverty line population who are in serious need. These are the citizens who work for min. wage or slightly above doing jobs which provide numerous services to much of our more affluent citizens. Their lives will be profoundly effected for the worse. And those citizens who are just inconvenienced by an interruption in an active social life need to trim back and sacrifice for the 27%. Donate today to a Bread Partners, Faith Mission and all the local programs which are trying to gear up and provide assistance.

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