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Andrews Residents Question... Will Millions Of County Dollars Be Used For "Community Good"?
Andrews Residents Question... Will Millions Of County Dollars Be Used For "Community Good"? 10/19/12
fbolton@cbs7.com
CBS 7 News Reporter
October 19, 2012
ANDREWS COUNTY, TX – Andrews County has received their first check from Waste Control Specialists and the debate on where the money should go already has residents speaking out.
"Maybe they should set up a committee to help control and see where the money goes," said Andrews Resident Alicia Harper.
“Yea, I think the community ought to have a say on where the money goes," said Andrews Resident Ricky Chesshier.
The county is known for building new parks and facilities for the public. But the recent $600,000 dollar check from WCS and the millions more dollars to come has some residents calling for it to be used on the education and the youth.
"I think if we have extra money, it should all go to the kids… the kids here need something to do. Kids without something to do or else they get in trouble," said Andrews Resident JD Foster.
It’s a factor county commissioners say they've considered.
"I know that some people interpret that different but remember we are elected officials we will do what's best for Andrews citizens. That's why we are here," said Andrews County Commissioner Hiram Hubert.
County commissioners recently denied a new splash park proposal from the city, but its not because they thought it wasn't beneficial. They said there simply wasn't enough money at the time.
"We are trying to work our way through it. It's something you don't really plan on until you get some money. You don't try to spend money before you get it," said Hubert.
County commissioners said they plan to take public input for future projects.
Officials said the WCS money they receive is quarterly and they expect a $2 million check in the next 2 weeks.
Officials stated that they’ve decided to build a new community center and reconstruct the jail with the first check they received.