Have double dippers cause the county to create another program

One has to be careful when they form an opinion based on local news stories but if the latest news about the county is true, taxpayers should take notice of the latest development in county government.

In a previous story, we were informed that some residents were going to different locations and accepting free food that are made available from Laredo's Food Bank distribution center. Some were then allegedly selling the produce to the public, something that is not condone by the Food Bank.

In order to address the problem, the county has decided to designate another "department" which will contract a Director, an Assistant and two workers. It will be their job to distribute the food and prevent residents from re-selling what is given to them for free.

What has caught the ire of two of the commissioners is that $125,000 will be taken from their precinct's budget to help set up this new department. It seems that the justification for such action is that these two commissioners have not done enough for their precincts in the past. The question remains whether these two commissioners have underserved their constituents or have managed their budgets wisely.

Nonetheless, we should see whether the combined $250,000 taken from the two commissioners will be enough to finance this new department and cover the salaries of these four new employees.

What Happens to the Landfill Board

The County Commissioners will be meeting this Tuesday to determine whether the landfill board consisting of Enrique Montalvo, Roberto Mireles, Rafael Santana , Héctor Mijares and Rolando Jasso continue for another year.

By all indications, they have served well. In previous publications, it was reported that Commissioner Heredia want to be allowed to name any replacement because the landfill was his project. That suggestion seemed to go away.

The question that begs for an answer is why were their NO provisions written as to how and when landfill board member would be replaced when the board first created its bylaws. You would think that board governance would be one of the most important aspect of its creation.

I think that the community looks to Mr. Hector Mijares to correct this problem simply because he uses common sense.

Violators, a viable resource

Here is a suggestion for the City of Eagle Pass. In light of the fact that they are both short on staff and funds as a result of cutbacks, an option can be provided to the the hundreds of people that go before the municipal court for different violations. Allow them to volunteer to complete community service as payment for their outstanding fines. It can also be an option for the presiding municipal judges to consider when they sentence violators. Or this could be assessed by the municipal judge as part of a sentence or fine. No?