Council approves several contracts and agreements at Tuesday meeting
Big Spring City Council members approved a slew of new contracts and agreements during their regular meeting Tuesday evening.
While the contracts and agreements were presented during the New Business portion of the meeting, the evening began as usual with the call to order, invocation and Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and Texas flags.
Big Spring citizen T.J. Stewart addressed the council during the meeting's Public Comment portion. Stewart related that, at the Dec. 6 Howard County Leadership Summit held at Dorothy Garrett Coliseum, he had submitted two questions for the City of Big Spring's leadership: One regarding the closure of the GEO prisons, and the other regarding veterans, and particularly homeless veterans.
“My question was, what are you doing with veterans issues, concerning homelessness, housing, jobs, and schooling for veterans and our families, so that we can seek and get employment within the city of Big Spring and Howard County? You addressed one question, but you did not address that one,” Stewart said. “So the next day I got a call from the representative with the West Texas VA. I did not give that card to the VA, I gave it to you.”
Stewart went on to say he called several officials within the city, but none of them were available to take his call.
“When you ran, veterans were a priority for you,” Stewart said to Mayor Shannon Thomason. “As a veteran, I am standing before you, and I am going to hold you to that, each and every time.” Stewart criticized the mayor for “cutting down” veterans and lack of transparency.
Following Stewart's comments, City Manager Todd Darden gave his report. He reminded residents of District 6 that the Large Item Pickup is scheduled today. He also mentioned that the city plans to begin Large Item Pickup once again with District 1 in January. Darden also reminded the council that Christmas and New Years' holidays are coming up. City facilities will be closed
Dec. 23 and 24, as Christmas Day is Saturday the 25th. New Year's holiday will be Friday, Dec. 30. He requested that council members nominate new members for the Convention and Visitor's Bureau board. “We need some members appointed to that board so that we can conduct some business that is going to be coming up,” he said. Darden reported that city staff atttended a Public Funds Investment Policy Training event, and that the city needs to do some work on its investment policy to bring it into line with state law. Finally, Darden once again expressed sympathy for the Andrews ISD and pride for Big Spring's assistance following the fatal bus crash earlier this month. “It gives me a lot of pride to see what we did for that community. It wasn't expected, it's just what people who live here chose to do, and that's Big Spring. That's why I choose to live here, the big hearts that this city has.” Darden particularly expressed gratitude to emergency services and to Mayor Thomason for their leadership during the crisis.