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I have received a number of calls/e-mails concerning a flyer on KCDC letterhead that was distributed in your last water bill. The flyer set out some of the activities of the KCDC but also urged Kemah residents to vote against Proposition No. 1 which would state the residents' preference that 50% of the KCDC funds be devoted the construction and maintenance of streets and related infrastructure. The principal concern expressed by several citizens centered on the propriety of KCDC officially taking a position on an election matter and whether any tax money was used to pay for a flyer that was attempting to persuade voters on the proposition. I have looked into this matter briefly and can share the following with you. At
KCDC's March meeting, the Board passed a resolution to send out a
letter citing the KCDC's accomplishments. I
did not attend the meeting; however, there is nothing in the minutes
reflecting that the Board took any official position on Proposition No.
1. Of course, each of the Board members
has a right to express their opinion on Proposition No. 1, however, I
think it is questionable whether the Board should taking a position as
an official body. At least one Board
member has told me that she did not authorize the use of her name and
never understood that the letter would be an electioneering piece. I have not polled the other members of the Board
as to whether they intended the letter to specific take a position on
Proposition No. 1 so one should probably not presume that merely
because each directors' name appears on the
letter that the letter reflects that person's position.
I have visited with the KCDC president and I think we are
clear that in the future, that the KCDC Board should not, as an
official action, take any position on election matters. Three of the
complaints that I received asked whether tax money had been used to
distribute the flyer. It clearly would be
improper and a violation of the Obviously, the letter
was mailed by WCID No. 12 in connection with their monthly water bills. While I have my own private opinions, I do not
think it is my place to address the propriety of WCID No. 12 including
political material in a mailing made at taxpayer expense.
I understand that this incident has caused the WCID No. 12
to undertake a review of its policies with regard to what types of
material will be included in the water bills in the future. I also understand
that that, at least, one complaint has been filed with the Texas Ethics
Commission regarding this mailer. Should
the Commission undertake an investigation; the City of I believe that the individuals who initiated this mailing had good intentions and were attempting to legitimately share their views with the rest of the community. Unfortunately, the best judgment was not used in the manner in which this communication was carried out.
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