Group Requests Town Hall Meetings on Bond Issue

TYLER — A local citizen group wants some town hall meetings scheduled on next month’s Tyler ISD bond issue. Grassroots America – We the People Executive Director JoAnn Fleming says, “Time is running out with early voting beginning on Monday, October 18. It’s time to give voters a chance to see TISD’s bond plan, hear the pros and cons of the plan, and let the people ask questions!” Fleming added, “We are concerned that no town hall meetings have been planned by Tyler ISD since the board called the bond election a month and a half ago.”

State Senator Kevin Eltife, chair of the pro-bond Vote Yes Committee, says town hall meetings are already being held. He says says TISD Superintendent Dr. Randy has already done about eight and has another ten to 15 lined up. But Fleming claims, “According to news reports, Superintendent Randy Reid’s presentations on campuses are thus far limited to district employees, PTA members, and parents with children at the school (where the presentation is being made). We keep wondering when other voters and taxpayers will get a chance to see the plan and ask questions; therefore, we started the ball rolling today by issuing the following invitation.”

Fleming says the ensuing invitation was issued at 9:15 Tuesday morning to Reid, TISD President Ron Vickery, and Eltife, along with Vote Yes Committee Co-Chair and former Tyler Mayor Joey Seeber:

“The Grassroots America — We the People organization invites Tyler ISD and the Vote Yes Committee Chairs to co-sponsor with us two townhall meetings on the TISD bond issue. These events will give voters an opportunity to hear the facts about TISD’s bond package, hear the opposing points of view about the ballot measure, and ask questions.

“Location: We propose both townhalls be held at the Dr. Jack L. Davidson Conference Center located in the Plyler Instructional Complex due to its central location, ample parking, and available audio/visual equipment.

“Dates/times: We propose one townhall meeting to be held the week of October 18 – the first week of early voting — any date and any time convenient for TISD officials and the Vote Yes Chairs. We propose a second townhall meeting the week of October 25 — the second and final week of early voting — on a date and at a time convenient for TISD officials and the Vote Yes Chairs. Our only request is that the townhalls be scheduled for the evening, commencing at a time which will allow people who work during the day to attend.

“Format: We recommend TISD officials make the presentation on the bond package, followed by a presentation of the points of view of the Vote Yes Committee and GAWTP. Grassroots will yield to the preference of the Vote Yes Committee as to the order of the presentations.

“Question & Answer moderators: We recommend inviting a representative from each local media outlet to form a panel of moderators. They will be given an opportunity to ask questions of the presenters. This should be followed by an ample Q&A period from the public in attendance.

“Timing of townhall segments: GAWTP requests the District and Vote Yes Committee draft a proposed duration plan for the timing of each segment of the townhall meetings. We will be happy to work toward an agreement on the time allotted to each segment.

“Please let us hear from you by 10 AM on Thursday, October 21, so that we can plan accordingly.

“We look forward to working with you on these important townhall meetings as an effort to give voters the opportunity to be fully educated on the bond proposal before they vote.

“Best regards,

“JoAnn Fleming, Executive Director
Grassroots America – We the People.”

Eltife says, “It’s not as if there aren’t gonna be any (town hall meetings) without Ms. Fleming’s involvement.” He adds, “We’re gonna do what we can to get the public informed, and we’ll look at her request.”