Lately, I’ve been hearing from a lot of folks—through Messenger, casual conversations, and community check-ins. Some messages are curious, some frustrated, others just trying to make sense of it all. They aren’t always tied to a single item, but many touch on the same concerns: the direction JEDCO is headed, how decisions are being made, and what role the public actually plays in those choices.

With JEDCO’s July 22nd meeting approaching, I’ve gathered a few observations and questions—based on both the published agenda and the public’s ongoing dialogue. My goal isn’t to speak for everyone, but to reflect on the patterns, possibilities, and responsibilities that seem to keep surfacing.

JEDCO’s Agenda for July 22

Information Item 1: Report from the Project Review Committee

Councilman Hilderbrand has publicly referenced “open files” in recent discussions. Are these files being reviewed to clarify which ones remain active? The public deserves clarity on the status and oversight of all projects—especially those still considered open.

Information Item 2: Report from the Sports Complex Research Committee

According to a December 2023 article from KJAS, JEDCO intends to construct and own the sports complex. During the June JEDCO meeting, Danny Walker stated that JEDCO had acquired over 200 acres “to see how the public reacts.” That’s not just research—it’s groundwork.

If this facility moves forward, taxpayers need answers. First and foremost: Is the complex designed for all Jasper youth or just for tournament teams operating on a pay-to-play model? Who will maintain insurance coverage? Who will staff the facility during the season and in the off-season? Will taxpayers be liable for lawsuits involving sports-related injuries or damages?

Consider the comparison: Ford Park in Beaumont spans 221 acres and cost Jefferson County approximately $1.5 million annually in operations, plus $4.5 million per year in debt service—totaling nearly $36 million between 2004 and 2023.

Beaumont’s population is over 115,000. Jasper’s population is just 7,470. Based on size and scale alone, does this project make sense?

Look—I don’t want to crush anybody’s dream of a sports complex. If there are individuals who feel passionately about it, maybe the next step isn’t public subsidy. Those who are truly committed could work together, pull resources, and fund it directly—including purchasing the property themselves. At $865,000, it’s reportedly a good deal—and turning that purchase into action would be a meaningful way to invest in the community rather than ask the community to invest in them.

The vision can still live—but without asking all taxpayers to carry the financial risk. Especially when that money could be used to meet core needs that benefit all Jasper residents.

Agenda Item of Discussion 1: Potential Committee for Executive Director Search

JEDCO is now considering forming a committee to search for a new executive director. But the board’s legal standing remains unresolved.

JEDCO frequently cites attorney Frank Garza’s opinion to justify its current board structure, yet not one recommendation from that opinion has been implemented. Until those structural issues are fully addressed, launching a leadership search prioritizes optics over integrity.

The public isn’t asking for new executive leadership. It’s asking for legitimate governance—and accountability first.

Agenda Action Item 1: Bealls

JEDCO has stated this is a different Bealls than the one that previously operated in Jasper, and I look forward to learning more about what they have to offer. However, this proposal appears to be yet another infrastructure project backed by taxpayer funds. Previous efforts—like the Jewel Bistro Café downtown—received over $100,000 in JEDCO funding and launched with promise. The café closed its doors last week and reopened this morning. What happens next is anyone’s guess, but the agreement with JEDCO reportedly spans 36 months. That means the public is still financially tied to a project whose stability remains uncertain.

This isn’t about criticizing a local business. It’s about recognizing that taxpayer-backed ventures should be built on more than hope. When public dollars are involved, consistency and accountability matter.

According to property records, Judge Robert Jackson sold the bistro building in March 2023 to Davis Investments and Development LLC through a deed of trust and vendor’s lien. Jackson retained a lien but relinquished ownership. The building—improved with public support—is now tied to a private commercial note set to mature in 2038.

If you haven’t read the KJAS report on this issue, it’s worth a look. (Link to full article in the comments).

Attention now turns to the vacant “Bealls” property, reportedly owned by District 21 Representative Dade Phelan. According to his bio, Mr. Phelan is a real estate developer, and his family has longstanding commercial holdings throughout Southeast Texas—yet the building has remained unused for years.

So here’s the question: If the property owner hasn’t invested to make the space tenant-ready, why should taxpayers? When a tenant leaves, is the owner responsible for repaying infrastructure costs? Or is JEDCO renovating private properties at public expense?

Action Item 2: Old Lonestar Ballpark Cleanup

This 13-acre property, purchased from the Lonestar Council, is part of JEDCO’s potential sports complex site. Yet the public hasn’t had an opportunity to decide whether a sports complex is even wanted.

In my opinion, this project should be paused until the entire community weighs in on the ballot.

This isn’t about shutting down ideas or resisting change. It’s about calling for process, stewardship, and a fair return on public trust. Jasper deserves development rooted in clarity, not confusion—and decisions that emerge from dialogue, not silence.

Whether the topic is downtown investment, land acquisition, or board appointments, the same principle applies: public money should serve public purpose. If we’re building something, let’s make sure it rests on shared understanding, honest review, and a foundation the community actually wants to stand on.

After all, Jasper belongs to ALL the people who call it home.