Mowdy Posts Open Letter to Williamson County Citizens
"When we see five commissioners unanimously grant an unwarranted 96% contractor pay rate increase with "practically no discussion," and no clear and apparent justification, it warrants suspicion about those decisions. Particularly, when that contractor's political action committee made significant donations to each sitting commissioner before the rate increase."
As time permits, I am sending this communication to every city council member, local business owner, and interested citizen I can identify in Williamson County - Precinct 4.
I am a candidate for Williamson County Commissioners Court - Precinct 4. I do not seek money or other donation for my campaign. I believe I have enough to support my campaign and I feel an obligation and desire to contribute to my community.
The purpose of this letter is to present facts that motivated me to seek this elective position. I believe the evidence proves we have urgent problems in the Williamson County Commissioners Court. I seek your support for correcting those problems, which must be resolved, whether or not I am elected.
I invite you to my website at www.TomMowdy.com to learn about me, my education, my business, government, and military experiences. I believe you will find my credentials to be sufficient and appropriate. I ask you to read, research, question me, and thoughtfully consider the information I am presenting. And then, I ask for your vote.
The Williamson County Commissioners Court is the property taxing and spending authority for Williamson County citizens. The Commissioners have the authority to impose and collect taxes from citizens, and the authority to distribute and spend the collected tax money. The Commissioners allocate the collected taxes to more than 30 government entities within the county.
The commissioners court has a major impact on the lives of every county citizen and business. An important, and very expensive, commission function is building and maintaining county roads and bridges. Our legal courts, jails, tax assessor, county clerk, district clerk, district attorney, and county attorney are all funded by the commissioners court. More detailed information can be found on the Williamson County, www.wilco.org website.
County commissioners do not set national or state social issue policies. The commissioners do manage a government planning and service authority and should each possess a high level of business and government experience, education, leadership, proven management skills, integrity, and dedication to honorable public service.
The citizens of Williamson County have been receiving signals, for years, that indicate we have problems in county government. Specifically, financial management and moral problems. These problems affect the well being of citizens, economic activity, and the moral fabric of the community.
Tax money should only be spent with the utmost diligence and concern for the burden it places on the taxpayer. It is irresponsible financial management to pay more than a fair price for a product or service, and such an act is immoral when taxpayer money is used. And considering that Williamson County now has the highest per capita debt in Texas, we cannot afford to waste any money.
Actions are clear and absolute signals. Unacceptable actions and behavior by the Williamson County Commissioners Court are signaling that citizens must take corrective action to ensure an affordable, fair, open, and honest system that respects each citizen and efficiently manages their financial investment in the county.
When we see five commissioners unanimously grant an unwarranted 96% contractor pay rate increase with "practically no discussion," and no clear and apparent justification, it warrants suspicion about those decisions. Particularly, when that contractor's political action committee made significant donations to each sitting commissioner before the rate increase.
When citizens are confronted with questions about their religion during a government job interview, it is an unacceptable signal that our government decision makers are identifying, judging, and treating citizens according to their religious beliefs.
When sexual harassment is illegally defended with public money, it forces the victim to pay for the predator's defense and is a signal that those public officials will ignore and oppress the citizen to protect their close associates.
When 40 year no-bid contracts are awarded to contractors who then conceal operations of a county facility, it cast suspicion about the true business relationship and signals the need for a thorough and independent audit.
When no leader will speak to demand the truth by a simple DNA analysis, for a questionable murder conviction in our district court, it destroys a family, imprisons an innocent man for years, and signals a disgusting absence of moral leadership.
When we see these kinds of actions continually committed with indifference, arrogance, and no remorse, we must each consider our values and principles and take a stand that follows our conscience. This is my stand, and I ask you to stand with me.
I ask you to closely examine the issues. They are presented on my www.TomMowdy.com website. I am also on Facebook. Please investigate the issues, communicate with your friends and associates, and consider the future with a vision of open and honest government with leaders that are dedicated to honorable service and protecting the interest of the taxpaying citizen.
I have served honorably, in front line combat, in federal and state government, and as a successful businessman and employer. I will not change.
Please feel free to contact me. And, again, I ask for your moral support and vote to create a Williamson County government "for the people."
Sincerely,
Tom Mowdy