Speak now ...
Public participation urged at town hall meeting
BY CHARLOTTE SMITH Editor

Anyone who has ever attended a city council meeting can attest that attendance is slim at best, resulting in little public input into the major policy decisions that affect the community.

With that thought in mind -- and important issues such as water, transportation and parks development on the table -- the Whitehouse City Council urges the public to attend a special town hall meeting Thursday, Jan. 18 at Cain Elementary.

"We really want a good turnout," said Mayor Jake Jacobson. "We want to urge people to come in and ask questions that don't always get asked."

"We're very excited about hearing public opinion," said Jacobson, adding that the meeting will cover the three main issues of parks, transporation and water, but will not be limited to those topics.

Any person may address the council about any subject; the only limitation is a three-minute timeframe. All comments, questions or complaints are welcome, said Jacobson.

"We're going to be doing a lot of things next year," said Jacobson. "It's going to cost a little money, but they are things we have to do."

"The key to our future is to get people to come in and understand how and why we spend money the way we do."

Money was a key factor in council member Mike Adam's request for the town hall meeting at the December council meeting. The council approved a 10-year water option contract with Lake Striker in the amount of $150,000 annually, as well as a prelimnary park site plan that calls for $3 million, which would include an access road to Hillcreek Road. Estimates suggest that the average homeowner's property taxes would increase by $80-85 to fund the project and the completion of a second water well.

"We want our citizens to come and tell us what they want us to do," said Jacobson. "I think this council has done a great job using their own judgment, but we want to get more community involvement.