Money Means Nothing Anymore

It may not be any different in Houston or Dallas or El Paso, but in Lubbock, known for its ultraconservative political views, our government officials throw money around like it grows on trees.

The city has been doing this for some time, see http://lookingatlubbock.com/2010/04/26/the-little-guy-gets-screwed-again/. The Lubbock Independent School District, notorious spenders already, now has joined the overspending club (although they’ve probably been a member long before the City Council).

The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported in its April 30, 2010, edition that the school trustees approved three-quarters of a million dollars to buy two pieces of property in downtown.

Near Lubbock High, the trustees agreed to pay $500,000 for an old church that is carried on the Lubbock Central Appraisal District rolls at $499,460. The district expects to tear down the church and eventually use the space for educational purposes.

The real kick in the taxpayers’ butts came when the trustees approved a quarter-million dollars to buy a piece of property valued at less than $76,000 that is located right next to the school administration facilities!

They claim that the property will be cleared and turned into a green space. But we all know that there eventually will be offices built for the growing number of administrators.

I was told that one school trustee said on the radio that basically the price of property is determined by what someone is willing to pay for it. In the case of government, though, that silly statement doesn’t fly.

Kudos to trustee Chris Comer, who voted against purchasing the property near the administration building because LISD was paying more than three times its value. Comer, a banker, pointed out that if someone wanted to borrow $250,000 to buy the property, no banker would loan the money.

What? Common sense from an elected official? What’s the matter with Chris Comer?