The Collin County Observer

Tuesday, County Judge Keith Self took on the commissioners court by stating that he could not support any of the county's 2007 bond propositions.

Declaring that he "was standing with the taxpayers", Mr. Self instead alienated the commissioners and for that matter virtually every mayor and city council person in the county.

The best quote after Self's vote came from Precinct 3 Commissioner Joe Jaynes, who said (of Self), I don't know if he's truly that far off the reservation or if he's posturing for future political office.".

Self told the Dallas Morning News that the bonds would drive up the county's debt and possibly force a tax increase. Smoke-screen arguments about budget busting aside, his main issue is he believes the County should be using bond money to help solve congestion on major highways, instead of local roads.

Self posted on his website,

"I voted against the bond package today, as I previously stated I would. All elements of the package passed 4-1.

The transportation bond proposal does not address the #1 issue among Collin County citizens - congestion on our major highways. You will hear many reasons why this bond election should not address the congestion on our major highways, but I believe that addressing congestion on major highways is the correct use of the county taxes that you pay. $235 million will go a long way to influencing our congestion through strategic spending on timely environmental studies, engineering and design, targeted acquisition of right of way, and yes, even contributing to construction costs. It is widely known that state and federal highway funds are decreasing, which makes our participation even more imperative."

What Judge Self does not mention is that the cities in Collin County rely heavily on the county's bond package to finance their infrastructure. Almost all of the bond proceeds are distributed to approved local projects as a 50% participation with city governments in paying for roads and parks.

By taking on the financing of highways that the State and Federal government traditionally pay, Self would force the local cities and towns to raise their taxes to pay for much needed local streets, or do without.

This writer believes it's a shame that Judge Self would hold hostage the entire $329 million bond package for a moment of political grandstanding.

Bill