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CORSICANA - An item not even on the agenda drew the most attention and most time at Tuesday’ Corsicana City Council meeting, as supporters of a new animal shelter spoke out during a public forum time.
Proponents asking the council to allow a public vote on the question of a bond to pay for a proposed $2 million animal shelter spoke for an hour Tuesday, with most every person taking the podium in favor of putting the bond question on the council’s agenda — a move that Corsicana Mayor Chuck McClanahan will not support. And, McClanahan heard nothing Tuesday that has changed his mind on the question.
“I know how passionate they are about this,” McClanahan said, “but it’s not about the animals, it’s about what we can do.”
Speakers from both inside and outside the city limits took to the podium to address the council. While most called for support for a new shelter, many lamented the conditions they say are holding the shelter back from being successful, even to the point of impacting the city’s ability to attract new business.
“Is this how this city takes care of business,” is how Phyllis Parks suggested prospective businesses would react on seeing the existing shelter.
“We need this so bad,” agreed Paula Jordan.
Marcia Longo called the present facilities “inadequate” and said suggestions to improve the existing shelter “putting a band-aid on the issue.”
Many speaking urged the council to allow the public to vote, something that won’t happen without a majority of the council putting the issue on the council agenda and then passing.
“We’re not asking you to publicly declare,” said Kristin McCoy, “just for the opportunity to vote.”
“This is not a ‘new’ challenge,” said Julie Maupin, claiming that most council members had decided on the issue prior to even visiting the shelter.
“The last thing you want to do is stifle the community,” said Belinda McCloud in calling for the shelter vote.
“There aren’t enough volunteers in the city,” to fix the present facility, said Marsha McAlister in response to a suggestion in a letter from McClanahan that volunteers could help drive improvements at the shelter.
“Let’s look at some alternatives,” suggested Leon Allard, “and make taxes the last resort.”
Following the meeting, McClanahan said that ultimately a new shelter would be funded by the city, and that it would require a tax increase to do so, something he opposes.
“In these economic times, no way do we have the money to fund this project without a tax increase,” he said.
“I have heard resoundingly from many of the business owners — ‘No tax increase,’” McClanahan added. “I feel like I am representing the community as a whole when we can’t afford it, and they don’t want a tax increase, so therefore I don’t feel we should put it on the ballot.”
Pct. 1 councilman Tom Wilson, to date the lone supporter on the council of a public vote, was pleased with the turnout Tuesday.
“I was very pleased with the showing,” Wilson said. “This whole thing is, as they said, is about giving the citizens the right to vote ... we do not feel the council and the mayor have the right to deny the right to vote on such an important issue.”
“One of the best comments tonight was by Bill Maupin, saying we need to sit down and talk about some alternatives,” said Pct. 4 councilman Don Denbow.
“We certainly realize there’s a problem, and we want to do something about it,” said Pct. 3 councilman John McClung, but said he doubted he had changed his mind about putting it to a public vote.
“I’m still praying about it,” said Pct. 4 councilwoman Ruby Williams. She said she feels the people need to “come together” to try to solve the concerns about the shelter.
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Bob Belcher may be reached by email at belcher@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “Soundoff” on this story? Email: soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com
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