Another Jasper City Council meeting, another obstruction. Another attempt at governance, another power move by the good ol’ boys. The latest setback? Councilman Lequin Hilderbrand’s blatant no-show, which prevented a quorum and halted a crucial discussion. With Councilman DeMarcus Holmes out of town for work, Hilderbrand’s attendance was imperative to move the meeting forward. Instead, his absence cleared the way for JEDCO to proceed unchecked, emboldened by a system that seems more invested in keeping certain voices out than letting the public in.

Even more concerning, the legal opinion — paid for by the city — has never been formally discussed in a council meeting. Instead, council members received it via email but never convened to deliberate its findings. And yet, it appears that the opinion has been leaked, laying the groundwork for JEDCO’s inner circle to push forward with their plans as if transparency were optional rather than essential.

The dysfunction is no longer subtle — it’s blatant. Councilwoman Angel McCroskey has publicly stated that every meeting she has called has either been canceled, obstructed, or failed due to a lack of quorum. But she’s not backing down. She’s asserting her right, as a council member, to appoint and remove members from JEDCO and other government boards, reminding leadership that the people of Jasper deserve better than this endless cycle of avoidance and secrecy.

If you want to understand why Jasper’s growth has stalled, look no further than the current JEDCO board. A quick glance at their consecutive years of service — illustrated in the accompanying graphic — reveals a system resistant to change.

This raises an important question: Does Councilman-at-Large Lequin Hilderbrand truly represent all the people of Jasper — or just a select few?

What happens next will define whether Jasper’s leadership is truly accountable or merely a façade for backdoor dealings. The economic development board’s meeting is scheduled for today at 5:30, and all eyes should be on whether it proceeds unimpeded. Because if history tells us anything, it’s that silence today leads to regret tomorrow.

Always remember… asking questions isn’t a sign of conflict; it’s how trust is upheld and decisions are made responsibly. I will always encourage people to do their own research, to think critically, and to never be afraid to question the systems that shape their communities.