An update on the Texas Parkway Corridor project led to a not-so-friendly exchange between Missouri City Councilman Jerry Wyatt, At-large Position 1, and Councilwoman Cynthia Lenton-Gary, District B, at Monday night’s council meeting.
City council voted earlier this month to approve the effective tax rate of $0.5284 – the rate the city has to levy to generate the same amount of money as the previous year – which was about a penny higher than last year’s rate due to decreased property values. Lenton-Gary was the lone nay vote on the rate, with Councilman Robin Elackatt absent.
Following City Manager Frank Simpson’s presentation on the Texas Parkway project, Wyatt commented that projects such as rehabilitating the corridor cost money – taxpayer money.
“When people don’t support the tax rate, which definitely affects their district, it creates a problem,” said Wyatt at Monday night’s meeting. “When the district person doesn’t support it, it makes it hard for everyone else to have to deal with this.”
“I have to comment because I feel like a finger was just pointed at me,” said Lenton-Gary, to which Wyatt responded that “the finger was pointed at you.”
“You know, Jerry, I think as council what we have to do is respect each other’s opinion,” said Lenton-Gary. “No, I didn’t support the tax rate, and I didn’t support it for my reasons, and I think that instead of attacking me for my opinion, my opinion should either be respected or questioned – you should talk to me about why I made that decision.”
Lenton-Gary explained that she voted against the tax rate because people in her district were approaching her and questioning higher taxes when they say there have been no noticeable improvements in their part of the city.
“I have to think about the people who actually put me in office,” said Lenton-Gary.
“But at the same time, I would tell those same people that I am supporting them, this is what we are doing,” said Wyatt. “And that’s your opinion and I respect that. The fact is your opinion is wrong.”
Lenton-Gary said she did not think that the general public needed to hear council members “debating in a negative way,” to which Wyatt replied, “I think your public needs to hear this kind of conversation.”
Councilman Brett Kolaja made the comment that to decrease the taxes you have to “decide what you want to do without” and said the tax rate is based on the costs of running the city.
“Absolutely,” said Lenton-Gary. “But you have to realize we are individuals…if I choose to vote against a tax increase, that’s my choice.”
The current budget cut almost $700,000 from the previous year’s budget, and with the newly adopted tax rate the city had to cut about $750,000 more. According to city representatives, $350,000 will be saved by not filling all open, full-time position vacancies, other than those in the police department, fire department and public safety dispatchers. Lower than expected employee health insurance premiums will save the city $100,000, and the city will lower the contingency account by $200,000. An additional $50,000 will be saved by a reduction in various line items, such as conference training, travel accounts and minor tool accounts.
“I am going to stand firm on what I believe,” said Wyatt.
“And so will I, I can promise you that,” responded Lenton-Gary.
santhony, megamouth can only add insult to his own ignorance, when what we need is is a fiscally conservative and responcible local government. Who would object to that except those who benefit from the corruption?
If our local governments were as conservative as they advertise, we would have nothing to worry about nationally. As it is our local government, is as irresponcible and fiscally corrupt as they come. Stop the spending. We are pushing ourselves into a fiscal vortex that we will not be able to escape.
Oh man I sure wish there was a Youtube vid of that FBC! haha
“Feeling” is not the issue here. My HOA dues are going up again, my taxes are going up again, toll roads are going up, property values are going down, foreclosures are up, and my hours have been cut by 20%.
These are all reasons to cut spending, NOT INCREASE IT! Who are these local economists?! And if the conman is forcing me to say what should be cut, I say do it across the board. Do it because it must be done. When I tell my wife to cut our spending by 20% because the money is not coming in, I don’t expect her to make me tell her no more new dresses and expensive makeup. So I will tell conman like I told her, “Sweety, the money just isn’t there. We must cut the spending by 20%!”
Our government and our privatized governments MUST do the same. Stop this vortex of fiscal insanity
FtBendConservative, I disagree with your willingness to pay more because I moved from Houston because it is cheaper in Sugar Land not more expensive. My home is 3x’s more expensive in Houston compared to Sugar Land. My schools are exemplary and my neighborhood is safe and clean. But, you are willing to pay more, OK. But there are other citizens that say enough to this tax, tax, tax mentalilty. If the constituents from Gary’s district say no, then they say no.
when I’m feelin blue
I think of you
and laugh……hahaha
calvin I was there the day the cops threw you out of the council meeting, I’m stilling laugh at that.
it got real quiet then someone said “what a nut” and the room exploded with laughter.
“# santhony says:
October 20th, 2009 at 4:10 pm (#)
PS JBB/charlie–Whose talking to you AH. We are talking about you…..hahaha”
calvin you can’t STOP talking about me, its called a mancrush yanno?
still needing some attn calvin?
PS JBB/charlie–Whose talking to you AH. We are talking about you…..hahaha
# santhony says:
October 20th, 2009 at 4:06 pm (#)
Like I said it’s like a bad soap opera. It rarely changes…..or maybe a bad “B” movie…..Gary and Robin aren’t part of that clique so they get dumped on by the money boyz….
where was you boy Robin did he cutNrun?
what are you smoking wackytobacky?
Crony-boy (ftbendconman/wadefishin/johnbernardbooks) likes to ignore little facts like the US Tax Foundations that don’t agree with the official party and spec. ints. line he quoted above (without providing any data of course)….but that’s his norm too….
Like I said a very slow and sad soap opera that the public continues to pay for…
ahh my stalker is back
BTW, the crony-boy (“conman”) mentions Mr. Wilcox who is an employee of one such Houston based company that gives to mayor Owen on a regular basis. It is no coincidence that our “Mr. Positive” as he now likes to call himself is quoting one of his clique mocity. Certainly not a big surprise to anyone though…
Like I said it’s like a bad soap opera. It rarely changes…..or maybe a bad “B” movie…..Gary and Robin aren’t part of that clique so they get dumped on by the money boyz….
Here are 3 examples of what fbc calls his decision to not be negative (too bad it only seems to apply when he’s defending that certain tax, borrow and spend clique):
““FtBendConservative says:
September 4th, 2009 at 8:36 pm (#) SillyAnthony don’t you have some little old ladies to kneecap?
« JohnBernardBooks wrote on Monday, Jun 30 at 06:45 AM »
Joe do you even know how to be positive? I’m sorry if life is so bad for you…maybe you’ll ened it all soon?”
FtBendConservative says:
September 24th, 2009 (#) …Joe are you smoking crack?”
These are direct quotes btw….hahaha
“Tom Wilcox is chairman of the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development’s Council Program Oversight Board.
“There are many quantifiable facts about Fort Bend County that are impressive and demonstrate what a great place it is for businesses and families to thrive and grow,” Wilcox said. “Our county’s low crime rate, low tax burden, educated workforce and overall low cost of doing business foster a very favorable business climate for those looking to relocate or start a new business.”
santhonyTheTroll says:
October 20th, 2009 at 3:46 pm (#)
“rather than feeding the spec. ints. as seems to so often be the case in this highly taxed county”
who am I to believe?….”the nut” or Tom Wilcox.
Yep I know its hard….hahaha
MoCity, you are right, sometimes the people that get involved aren’t good stewards of their elected positions. That’s why we are here, to call them out and keep them honest. Locally, most officials are good, and most get the job done, you just have to watch out for the boss hogg’s of the world trying to shrimp cocktail it on your buck. And…on the other side, make sure the utopians don’t take away your rights because they know better than you how you should live your life.
MoCity its called perspective. Some see everything as negative and some see the good. I made a life decision many years ago to not be negative apparently some here enjoy feeling miserable and trying to bring everyone else down.
What a sad miserable life.
Cons1, many do read it. More used to post, but the troll likes to divert the threads and they changed the format about a year ago. It shows less stories with threads and makes it easier for the troll to spam the forums.
Much goes on that needs this kind of exposure. I think Gary did the right thing in standing up for her constituents, rather than feeding the spec. ints. as seems to so often be the case in this highly taxed county and several of its municipal governments (I think the tax foundation has us ranked #1 per median home value in TX and 11th over-all)….
Amen to that conservative1.
I wish more people would pay attention as well. Instead most individuals will sit back and expect the government to ‘do the right thing’.
Sadly, the question is not ‘Will they do the right thing?’ The bigger and better question is, ‘Who is defining what the right thing is?’
santhony, I don’t know any of these guys. I just like the publication and want to support it with comments. I like talking about these issues, it’s down and dirty local politics. I am amazed why more people don’t pay attention.
The Texas Parkway Project is already non-existent… much like a half dozen other projects that the City is ‘working’ on. It is only a project if work is being done. Without the work, it’s just a vision.
BTW, why did they purchase all that bottom land at above market? Isn’t it amazing it is close to the budget deficit amount. Gotta luv it when they catch you boyz at it.
Those are your words “conman” not conservative1. You sure love stuffing BS in other mouths jerk.
so we’re in agreement the Texas Parkway Project should be cut.
I don’t think thats the free ride lenton-Gary promised her voters.
Good point cons1. It’s amazing how often broken promises catch-up. Kinda like the sidewalk issue, the landfill Owen supports and all those other games the specs. like to play while the residents pay.
PS-Who are you talking to charlie, our resident crony defender “conman”? Did you stir up a hornets nest….hahaha
MoCity, has come out with the real story, this has been promised before and now they want more money to do it. HeHe looks like Lenton-Gary called them on the carpet with this one.
calvin whats wrong no one’s paying you any attn, goodboy sonny.
It is possible to cut taxes and maintain essential services. However, when non-essential services are cut, no one pays attention.
‘Oh, that was cut? Didn’t realize it was even in the budget.’
When essential services are cut, suddenly everyone freaks out, which makes it easy for a politician to come back with, ‘Well, we tried to make it work by cutting only a portion of the essential services, but it didn’t work and people suffered. I guess we will just have to raise taxes like we said in the first place.’
Cut the crap, not the essentials, and watch your budget fall in line.
conservative1 some want “only the best” but don’t want to pay for it, I’m merely pointing out you can’t have it both ways.
I don’t want to live in Houston so I’m willing to pay more to get more, but I’m not paying for someone to get a free ride like Houston/Detroit/Chi-town/NOs does.
They sure don’t mind spending the dollars on bottom land to their favorite Houston developer contributor or the golf course without clear title, oh that’s right. It’s because that is the mayors subdivision and biggest contributor……LOL
“conman” (wadefishin-charlie) is just too transparent this evening mocty….
I did not mean, cut and run or privatizing everything. If the constituents say no more taxes, guess what, you cut taxes and cut services. And no, you can’t have both. Some one needs to gut up and make some decisions. And largely from my experience, that means less trips, less meetings, maybe a project or two gets delayed, that’s it. Manage your business.
Funny you should bring up yet another broken promise from 2006 from mayor Owen and the boyz. You know they never established a TIRZ for that area like they were supposed to and promised during the ’06 and ’08 races? You keep defending those tax, borrow and spenders “conman” from the crony-boyz. Eventually the public will wake-up to you liars!
Fake conservative (real conman)…..hahahaha
“Lenton-Gary explained that she voted against the tax rate because people in her district were approaching her and questioning higher taxes when they say there have been no noticeable improvements in their part of the city.”
Good for her, standing up! If the money was there two years ago when the City first approached that section of town and proposed revitalization, and nothing has been revitalized, then why should she vote to increase taxes? She shouldn’t. The City is all talk.
Funny thing is, I seem to recall the Mayor was up for re-election right around the time that whole ‘revitalization’ of Texas Parkway was being proposed last time. They held a nice little town meeting for all the residents, put together some drawings and here we sit – with nothing to show. BUT WAIT! It is almost another re-election year! Which means, the topic of revitalization should be knocking at the door once more! Hooray! Let’s see if we can’t trick those dumb residents off Texas Parkway one more time!
Bull.
“So which service did lenton-Gary want cut? Police, Fire, etc?”
Why is it that we always come to this? ‘Well, if you know so much – which one of these essential programs are you willing to cut?!?’ How about we leave the essentials where they stand (and will continue to stand regardless of where the taxes sit) and cut the crap?
Good job Cynthia. Keep up the good work. Things are a-changing, aren’t they?
Thanks to Jerry Wyatt for pointing out to Lenton-Gary the Texas Parkway Project in her district costs tax dollars apparently she didn’t realize that.
What service(s) would you cut?
With layoffs happening in our area, we should not be increasing ANY taxes, period.
I believe Lenton-Gary was asked which service did she want cut, I didn’t here her response but I suspect she didn’t want to cut any. So here’s a lesson in econ 191 for those who don’t live in the real world. If appraisals go down, you cut the budget which MC did. With a shortfall you have a chioice cut city services or fund it.
So which service did lenton-Gary want cut? Police, Fire, etc?
once again where was the other “reformer” MIA?
sometimes when the going gets tough some cutNrun.
Excellent Conservative 1, but don’t leave out:
Smaller government does not mean privatizing everything so that we are stuck with a bloated, non transparent, fascist private government.
Megabite, I don’ know. I just jumped on the chance to help my MoCity neighbors out, they need lower tax rates. Do you think Lenton-Gary didn’t get her shrimp cocktail? Is that why she desented? Or is she REALLY taking care of her constituents? Will the improvements help her district?
“I guess you also think $$
grows on trees?”
Nope it looks like he thinks you think there is a money tree…..LOL
Try again tax, borrow and spender…..
You think Lenton Gary is a Conservative, C1?? She’s voting out of spite it looks like to me. I guess you also think $$
grows on trees?
I here a fbc echo, echo, echo……maybe someone should get the budget and see where in the ETJ the money has been going, going, going…..gone (apparently Gary has)……
PS It sure took the fbc echo long enough to get here, here, here…..LOL
Wow, these conservative named poster’s arent’ that conservative. Let me explain it to you ( Right )Conservative = less government and ( Left )Liberal = more government. That is PolySci 101.
Go get them Lenton-Gary! It seems Mo City wants to just charge more and more during tough economic times, doesn’t make sense from a conservative point of view. Nothing wrong with asking questions and maybe delaying projects that cost too much right now.
If the other representatives are dirty and practicing cronysim, then VOTE THEM OUT.
Here is a couple tips everyone in MoCity. vote for the candidate that works for your lower tax rate and brings business to the community to help fund government. Stop all the multi-family housing that erodes your land values and look for ways to move things to user pay for you “paygo” people. If you have a low tax rate you will create a bigger demand for your land.
Lesson over Libs.
How exactly does she think any improvements are going to get made with no $$ to fund them?
This is something. Any fort bend county elected official voting against a tax increase.
I think you missed the crux of the argument as well as who has their handout to the big Houston developers building in the ETJ on the backs of those living in the city and paying those taxes as usual tax, borrow and spender:
“Lenton-Gary explained that she voted against the tax rate because people in her district were approaching her and questioning higher taxes when they say there have been no noticeable improvements in their part of the city.”
Joe didn’t label you the “village idiot” for nothing….hahaha
where was the other “reformer” hiding?
Lenton-Gary an educrat like you just doesn’t live in the real world, if you going to be one of the top 100 places to live in the USA it costs money. “Let someone else pay for me” doesn’t cut it in MC. That only works in Detroit/NOs/Chicago, etc. In MC we believe in “paygo”.
“Following City Manager Frank Simpson’s presentation on the Texas Parkway project, Wyatt commented that projects such as rehabilitating the corridor cost money – taxpayer money.”
Jerry shouldn’t have approved the purchase of the bottom land from the development company that gave to his last election cycle (you know the one he swore he would never take funding from)??? He shouldn’t have approved tax dollars going to the ETJ for the same company.
FBC, maybe that’s where your tax dollars are going. There and to the golf course that the city doesn’t have clear title to. lol
–Keep spinning toadie/charlie-boy…
Leave it to our crony defender “conman” to attack the reformer fighting to hold the line on higher taxes during a recession. You are too predictable fbc (wadefishin/jbb/etc…).
Defend those tax, borrow and spenders……hahaha
Lenton-Gary wants the free ride for her voters. Sound familar?