Reader Responses

I was head of the No No Committee.

We worked to defeat two bond proposals from last year because we believed they had a lot of hidden costs and because they did not address security. The downtown plan had been thrown together as an afterthought. Not a single group or individual endorsed either plan.

A broad group of citizens of Smith County have worked 16 months to address concerns raised in the last bond election. The commissioners set up a committee of volunteers who represented our interests. They hired some of the best experts in the county to assist in developing a good plan.

With their proposal we have seen something that has not been done before - groups are stepping out to endorse this plan. The Build The Jail Committee has many former No No Committee members now working to help get this proposition passed. Civic groups also have endorsed the plan. The Chamber of Commerce unanimously endorsed the plan. The Fraternal Order of Police, the largest peace officer group in the nation, has endorsed this plan. Endorsements seem to be growing every day.

The criticisms my group raised have been resolved with the new plan. This is a good plan that provides for the future of Smith County. I am proud to add my support to the Jail Proposition. I plan to vote for the plan and ask citizens of Smith County to vote for it as well.

Bob Randall
Former Treasurer
of the No No Committee