Jasper’s leadership has entered a new phase, and the consequences of unchecked power are now unfolding in real time. What started as political maneuvering before the election has rapidly escalated into strategic appointments, blocked oversight, and legal findings that conveniently sidestep the toughest questions. While concerns about JEDCO’s inner workings have lingered for years, the latest actions confirm what many feared — the structure of power in Jasper isn’t being adjusted for better governance; it’s being fortified to serve the few.

Jasper’s New Leadership Moves Fast — But At What Cost?

An agenda for a special-called meeting has been posted for Monday, May 12, with a key item: the removal and appointment of board members to Jasper Economic Development Corporation (JEDCO).

Danny Walker isn’t wasting any time pushing his agenda forward.

Just as he stated in a recent video, Walker openly admitted that he had someone run on his behalf in the election, hoping this would bring what he called “a better council.” He was referring to the voting record of Council members Sample and McCroskey, implying that their decisions had slowed JEDCO’s plans.

His frustration became crystal clear when he publicly reprimanded Sample for voting against JEDCO, treating him like a schoolboy being scolded for stepping out of line. It sent an unmistakable message — Walker and JEDCO expect loyalty. And now, with his hand-picked candidates securing key positions, he’s proving that he has the influence to make things move.

Jasper is a small town. Many residents have been here for generations, and the powers at play now have been in control for a long time.

JEDCO has long been a point of contention, with its practices and financial losses repeatedly questioned over the years. Despite this, those in control have always found ways to maintain their grip — and now, we’re seeing those same tactics unfolding once again.

We all know the conversations that have swirled around this economic development board. Oversight has been a persistent concern, yet the people in charge continue operating unchecked, facing little resistance.

Walker’s Influence & The Election Shift

On May 3, 2025, Jasper held its election. While elections often bring change, this one came with a distinct power shift — one that appears to be strategic rather than organic.

Walker, long associated with JEDCO’s inner circle, was “having” someone run for the Councilman District 2 seat — and he (Bob Mayhar) won. Mayor Clark McClane also won, and coincidentally, both he and Mayhar reside in District 2, along with Councilman Lequin Hilderbrand.

With three council members now from the same district, Walker’s influence appears stronger than ever. And if Mayhar is Walker’s pick, then it wouldn’t be surprising if McClane fits into the same dynamic.

The Immediate Push for Control

The new council wasted no time, holding a special meeting just three days after the election, on May 6. Without first reviewing the legal opinion together as a team, they waived attorney-client privilege and released it.

One glaring issue? The primary question that led to seeking the legal opinion — whether JEDCO’s directors with long-expired terms were legally serving — wasn’t even addressed. Instead, the opinion affirmed JEDCO’s existence but avoided the most pressing issue.

That silence speaks volumes.

And as their first official act, Walker’s allies immediately set their sights on restructuring leadership within the council itself.

During the very first meeting of the new council, Hilderbrand motioned for DeMarcus Holmes to be named Mayor Pro Tem, stating:

“Mr. Mayor, as a way to maybe keep the boy here at the meetings, I would like to nominate…”

Councilman Lequin Hilderbrand

Holmes, who works out of town frequently and has a history of absences, was suddenly elevated into a leadership role — one that requires consistent presence and decision-making.

Was this about securing strong leadership — or rewarding Holmes for his loyalty?

Holmes had just voted against McCroskey’s motion to remove and replace expired board members — a vote that helped Walker’s faction maintain control over JEDCO. And now, Hilderbrand wasted no time in ensuring Holmes got a leadership position in return.

Instead of addressing transparency concerns, the council moved to secure power for their allies, reinforcing the pattern of control.

Inside Knowledge or Coordination?

At the April 22nd JEDCO meeting, Walker claimed he had not seen the legal opinion from the attorneys, yet confidently stated he “knows pretty well what’s in it.” He also declared that JEDCO is a legal board, that its members serve until replaced, and that none of them had ever been replaced.

This statement raises serious questions:

• If he hadn’t seen the legal opinion, how did he “know pretty well” what it said?
• Why were JEDCO appointments and reappointments never brought to City Council for discussion?
• Was this silence intentional to avoid drawing attention to how long these board members had been serving?

Walker then shifted the narrative further, stating that JEDCO had been advised not to meet until the legal opinion was available — but then later claimed that, despite still not seeing the opinion, the mayor and City Attorney Billy Morian III told him JEDCO could meet.

If Walker hadn’t seen the opinion, why was he making definitive statements about its contents? The inconsistencies in his comments suggest inside coordination rather than true transparency.

Early Warning Signs & The Push for Control

Even before the legal opinion was released, Councilwoman McCroskey recognized the issue and acted. She motioned to remove and replace expired-term JEDCO board members with capable citizens — but the motion was immediately voted down by Hilderbrand and Holmes, with the mayor breaking the tie.

This moment is telling — Walker’s faction was determined to block oversight and keep expired board members in place, rather than appoint new qualified individuals.

Then, Holmes — just days after helping block oversight — was rewarded with the Mayor Pro Tem position.

Instead of addressing transparency concerns, the council moved to secure power for their allies, reinforcing the pattern of control.

Garza’s Legal Opinion — What Information Was He Given?

Frank Garza’s legal opinion was based on the records and information he received. He stated in his findings that he reviewed proposed revisions to JEDCO’s bylaws — confirming that City Council has the authority to identify the number of board members and list who they should be.

But this raises another important question:

Who provided Garza with the proposed revisions to JEDCO’s bylaws?

Since City Council hadn’t taken action on revisions, were these quietly fed to Garza by JEDCO through Jasper’s own City Attorney?

If that’s the case, why was JEDCO shaping its own governance behind the scenes — without direct council oversight?

Jasper’s Crossroads: Oversight or Power Politics?

At this point, residents of Jasper must ask:

• Why was the most pressing legal question about expired-term directors ignored?
• Why did the new council waive privilege so quickly without full discussion?
• Why is JEDCO’s board being reshaped so soon after the election?
• Who provided Garza with proposed revisions to JEDCO’s bylaws — and why was this done outside normal City Council oversight?

Transparency isn’t just about making information public — it’s about making decisions the right way. Jasper stands at a crossroads: Will city leadership be held accountable, or will influence continue to dictate governance?

There have been rumblings about dissolving JEDCO altogether, and the truth is, the people hold the real power here. Leadership shouldn’t be about securing control for the few — it should be about serving the many. The time has come to remove the forces that seek influence for themselves and return the power — and the funds — back to the people of Jasper. After all, true economic development should benefit the community, not just those sitting at the table.