As Jasper prepares for Monday night’s city council meeting, a significant decision looms regarding the future of JEDCO, the Jasper Economic Development Corporation. As outlined in the agenda, Item #14 states: “Consider for approval — Waive the Attorney/Client Communication to Make the Memorandum Public from Frank J. Garza, Trolio, Ream & Garza, PC.” Notably, JEDCO is not even named in the line item, leaving citizens who are just now engaging with the agenda or issue unaware of the memorandum’s focus. For such an important matter impacting Jasper’s economic future, wouldn’t it be essential to clearly reference JEDCO in the agenda to ensure transparency and better inform the public?

Let’s recap:

The City Council is tasked with appointing and reappointing members to the JEDCO board, a responsibility meant to ensure fair and transparent representation. However, during a 2008 meeting, this process took an unexpected turn when Randy Sayers presented a predetermined list of appointees rather than adhering to the council’s recommendations. This bypassed the standard practice, as noted by Councilwoman Norsworthy at the time, who remarked, “As I was looking over the names here, I was wondering why not all the council members make a recommendation of someone they would like to have on the board.”
Mayor Barber also emphasized this deviation, stating, “Normally that is how it’s handled. Normally the person nominating doesn’t hold a meeting outside of the council meeting and come up with a list.” Sayers responded by offering to add any names Norsworthy wanted to suggest, but the predetermined list ultimately overshadowed the council’s traditional role in the process.

Interestingly, the very members from Sayers’ predetermined list remain on the JEDCO board today, without undergoing reappointment. This continuity raises further questions about procedural integrity and whether historical concerns have ever been fully addressed.

Fast forward to today, and it’s crucial to ask whether the broader context of these deviations has been fully considered in the discussions surrounding JEDCO. For example, while the attorney’s opinion may primarily rely on the wording found in the 2008 City Council and JEDCO minutes, it’s worth emphasizing that everyone involved in this decision knows full well how the additions were created. Without addressing these foundational concerns and acknowledging the complexities beyond the minutes, can Jasper ensure that future decisions are built on a framework of integrity and trust?

If you recall, following a recent comment, the Jasper Jewel posed a question to all candidates: What does a reworked, strong JEDCO look like? In a recent interview, District 2 Candidate Bob Mayhar acknowledged that JEDCO’s recent criticism is probably correct, and then added, “We need to re-establish it as quickly as possible and curate a forward-thinking group of business people.” In my opinion, the deliberate use of the word “curate” suggests a strategic and selective approach to building the board. Whether his vision includes present members or a new board altogether, he further remarked that it may take a couple of elections to get the exact council needed to shape this group. Drawing from his experience with the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Mayhar noted that it took six years to create the board they needed — again, in my opinion, a testament to the deliberate and strategic nature of building a desired outcome.

He also noted that “we have gotten a little bit bogged down on pettiness.” However, dismissing questions and collaboration — whether from the council or citizens — as “pettiness” undermines the very processes that ensure accountability and inclusivity.
Jasper doesn’t need a council or a JEDCO board that merely follows procedural yeas and nays without meaningful dialogue. Instead, the focus should be on fostering a culture of problem-solving that values the voices of current citizens.

Mr. Mayhar also emphasized the need to focus on numbers, citing projections that a million people are expected to move to Texas over the next decade. While he clarified that he doesn’t want a million people in Jasper, he expressed a desire to attract 500 or 1,000 new residents, tying this vision to the importance of having JEDCO up and running.

While planning for future growth is important, prioritizing hypothetical residents over the needs of Jasper’s existing community undermines the very foundation of public service. Jasper’s progress should begin with addressing the concerns and aspirations of the people who already call it home.

Transparency is the cornerstone of good governance, and the decision to release the memorandum presents an opportunity to build public trust. However, questions remain about the timing and context of this release. Has the council thoroughly considered the broader implications, or is this process being handled as a mere procedural formality?

In discussing JEDCO’s future, it’s vital to involve all relevant stakeholders — including JEDCO itself — while ensuring that the release of the legal opinion is accompanied by full context. However, it’s worth emphasizing that Jasper’s citizens are the ultimate stakeholders in this process, as JEDCO is fully funded by taxpayer dollars.