The Big Spring City Council has approved the issuance of bonds to be used for street improvements. Before the 9/11 disaster in New York City, a proposal to include the full lengths of Lancaster, Scurry and Gregg streets was being discussed. Because of 9/11, and later, due to the possible closure of the VA Hospital and possible changes to the functions at the Big Spring State Hospital, this project was tabled.

Street improvements are a worthwhile project. These three streets are in very poor condition and are major routes for vehicles. Last year, before any formal action was taken by the council, these same streets were still assumed to be the entire scope of the project.

Before the election to approve or disapprove the issuance of bonds, the city presented no definitive outline of the scope of the work being considered. As I spoke with people prior to the election, they were still under the impression that all of Lancaster, Scurry and Gregg were the streets being considered. The language on the ballot was intentionally vague.

Since the issue was approved by the voters, changes have been made by the council concerning the projected areas. Only two streets, Scurry and Main, are mentioned and the lengths of their improvements are questionable. Added is a “beautification” zone to be constructed in the middle of Main Street, street renovation and period lighting “downtown.”

As a condition of issuance, the entities that will provide the bonds asked if the city is going to ask for any additional bonds during the period of the life of the proposed bonds. In a council meeting, the mayor stated that there are no plans for further bond requests. Only if an emergency were to occur, such as a failure of major equipment in areas such as the potable water treatment or waste water treatment facilities, would any further bond issue be considered. This means that for at least the term of the new street bonds, which I understand is for 20 years, no further street improvements will be made.

The council has once again not been honest with the citizens. These items were obviously planned long before the election was held, but the voters were not informed. If they had been, this issue might not have been approved. The voters who voted for the bonds have essentially given the city a “blank check” to do with as it sees fit. This obviously has direct tie-ins with the proposed renovation of the Settles Hotel.

The scope of the Settles project has also changed. When this project was first proposed, the statement was issued that the potential developer was going to invest $12 million in the renovation. It seems that the developer is now going to be obligated for only $6 million. The Moore Board is to supply $3 million, and the rest of the funds are to come from the federal government.

The council needs to be more honest and open with the citizens, and not conduct its business in a seemingly covert manner.

Ardis McCasland Jr.

Big Spring