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OP/ED: Another New Year Brings Hope (and more elections)
Every year we go through this. First we close out the old year with the obligatory reflection and then look ahead with hope for the new. How often have we looked back and found that little has changed locally, especially in the political realm. Last years local and national recession appears to be continuing unabated as we look at an unemployment rate in the county of about 8.5%, well up from the 5.5% of a year ago.
Naturally many of our local political leaders won't emphasize these negatives or the facts that our ad valorem (property taxes) increased in this down economy on average by almost 11% making us one of the most highly taxed counties in the U.S., according to the tax foundation, and the leader in Texas for this not so coveted crown, nor will they mention the huge jump in home foreclosures county-wide or increasing crime.
During recent yearly reviews, by organizations like the Fort Bend County Economic Development Council and many of their backed politicians, all we seem to be reading is how bright and "rosy" everything is. I guess we shouldn't bother to look more closely at some of these issues as we move into a bright and "rosy" new year. If we did we might start asking questions and looking at connections as well as projects that won't help many of the issues that impact our quality of life here in FBC, such as the unsustainable development of high density housing (apartments) and low end repeat commercial and industrial development all financed with our taxes and bond debt as older areas empty out.
So rather than bleeding more facts about challenges we must face in our community and the importance of independent elected officials that focus on those already living here, I think it is better to wish everyone the best and urge them to get involved as more local elections are approaching on March 2nd and again in May. Turn-out has been traditionally low, but there is always hope and that is one commodity that is usually free (not always though).
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
To get more involved this year see: http://www.ultimatefortbend.com/2009/10/fort-bend-county-local-blogs-websites-independent-sources-info
