The conversation about JEDCO’s accomplishments will continue, but first, we must appeal to our city council. Tomorrow night, the council will hold a workshop, followed by a vote on the future of the JEDCO board of directors. Each council member’s decision will reflect whether they prioritize Jasper Now—the concerns of the citizens living here today—or Jasper Forward—the vision for what Jasper could become. But true progress doesn’t mean choosing one over the other; it means ensuring economic decisions serve both the present community and Jasper’s future.

Over the years, there have been citizens who have stood up and asked questions about certain things happening in and around our community, only to be shut down by the system. Instead of transparency, we continue to see a pattern of deflection and questionable decision-making—public funds being allocated with little oversight, decisions being made behind closed doors, and leadership dismissing concerns rather than addressing them.

We ask questions not out of hostility, but because we deserve answers. Economic development funds should serve the community as a whole, not be funneled into ventures that benefit only a select few. I receive private messages daily—people sharing records they’ve requested, situations they’ve experienced firsthand. The information being put forward isn’t coming from just a handful of voices—it’s coming from many, and it should have raised serious concerns among our elected officials.

And yet, here we are again—facing the decision of whether to truly clean house or simply shuffle names while keeping the same underlying issues intact. Councilman Hilderbrand has voiced concerns about leaving 8 or 9 holdovers to help with “open files”—but what open files? Councilwoman McCroskey made a valid point: when a new administration takes over, they don’t hold onto previous officials for continuity; they take care of business. If we truly want accountability, then the entire illegal JEDCO board must be removed, not just adjusted. We must also recognize that there are still legal board members—Councilman Lequin Hilderbrand, Ronald Sample, and Jennifer Miranda—who should be part of a legitimate, transparent process moving forward.

I personally have not had any business experience with JEDCO, but I have seen how its decisions have affected not just those who have dealt directly with them, but the community as a whole. The consequences go beyond individual businesses—JEDCO’s influence shapes Jasper’s economic future, and that demands transparency, accountability, and leadership that genuinely prioritizes the public good.

Did you know that in 2008, JEDCO themselves decided to give back half of their allotted tax monies to be used for road maintenance? Not long after, they requested the funds be returned to them. Did they ever contribute to maintenance and repair? Because looking at the state of our roads today, the town sure could use it now. This is just one example of how taxpayer funds have been shuffled around with little transparency, leaving the community to wonder whether economic development is truly serving Jasper as a whole.

I love Jasper the way it is. I love the rural small-town life and the sense of community that comes with it. But instead of constantly gambling with taxpayer money on projects that may or may not land on the right numbers, why not focus on the here and now? We need decisions that strengthen the current Jasper—not just abstract plans that may or may not materialize in the future. Smart economic development serves both the Jasper we know and love today and the Jasper we hope to build for tomorrow.

We will continue asking questions until those responsible are held to the standard all officials should meet when using taxpayer money. The future of Jasper should not be dictated by secrecy—it should be built on integrity, public trust, and decisions that serve the people, not private interests.