Editor:

When I decided to run for the position of County Commissioner, Pct. 2, it was because I wanted to address issues that none in our present county commission have done, and I mention them here now.

•Taxation without Representation: For the county taxes that taxpayers living within the city limits of Kingsville, what services are being rendered?

The people of Kingsville should be asking themselves this question. Unlike other precincts, Pct. 2 has less than two miles of county roads to be serviced, so how are our taxes dollars being used?

•TAMUK and NAS: I believe we must join our excellent university in its endeavors by supporting and joining in its vision for the future.

We have already seen the efforts of Corpus Christi at work, and some that has gone unnoticed. Namely, no one seems to have realized that the Regional AAA Track Meet, after having been held at TAMUK for so many years was moved to Corpus Christi last year.

NAS Kingsville has been a great economic source into our community, and we have been blessed that it has survived the federal ax thus far. I assure you, elements in Corpus Christi want it there also.

•Employment: If you work in Kleberg County, I believe you should live in Kleberg County. (I believe this should apply for the City of Kingsville as well.)

After all, if one’s livelihood is dependent on our taxes, should not our taxes be paying the salaries of our own? This was never a threat. It was an invitation to those non-resident employees to join, be active and help our community grow and prosper.

•Parks and Recreation: J. K. Northway Exposition Center has always had so many possible familyoriented uses, and yet it seems to lack the proper marketing, management, etc., for it to be utilized to its full potential.

Our parks need serious attention, especially the one that is in Pct. 2, and Dick Kleberg Park could be full of beautiful trees and thick, luscious, green grass for our youth and families to enjoy.

•Library: I believe we are ready for a new, more centrally located library with expanded services to better serve our community, and I believe we should leave our current library as a branch.

I also believe consideration should be given to having a small library branch in the Riviera area to also serve those living in that part of the county.

No, I do not believe the taxpayers of the City of Kingsville should pay for it, so I would challenge the commissioners’ court to find creative ways to make it so.

•Exxon Building: I believe the commissioners need to sell that eyesore of a building to the highest bidder and save the taxpayers the needless expense of renovating it, bringing it up to code. I also believe consideration should be given to building a smaller facility, for no more than $200,000, if justification is warranted to renovating the Kleberg County Courthouse, to serve as its temporary office, and later to be utilized in better servicing the Senior Citizens of Kleberg County.

I could continue to elaborate on additional items, like consolidation to eliminate duplication of services, flood control, future water quality and availability, etc.

Respectfully,
Octavio (Sonny) Alvarez