The Woodlands Township nixes road bond support due to concerns

From Conroe Courier By Catherine Dominguez | Posted: Thursday, September 17, 2015 6:51 pm

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors has withdrawn its support of the November road bond referendum because of concerns over how the $280 million package was conceived and its list of projects for Precinct 3.

Board members unanimously voted Thursday not to support the November bond – a reversal of a resolution they passed in June supporting a bond and urging the county to move forward with one.

Board member Gordy Bunch originally placed a resolution on Thursday’s township agenda to support the upcoming road bond but said during the meeting that in light of the controversy, the township board should not support the referendum.

“The way this bond got out is tainted. … I don’t think this bond, right now, has any chance of passing,” Bunch said. “It has an active investigation on whether or not it can be legally upheld and any resolution by the board should be pulled.”

Board Chairman Bruce Tough agreed.

“I’m glad you said that Gordy … because my position would be in opposition because it is a backroom deal that lacks transparency,” Tough said. “I’m very disappointed in the county and I’m very disappointed in the Texas Patriots PAC.”

Board member John McMullan stated his concern on the bond as well.

“The process that was used to advance the bond is deeply disturbing,” McMullan said.

Ninth state District Court Judge Kelly Case, whose court is handling grand jury cases at this time, appointed Houston criminal defense attorney Chris Downey Tuesday as special prosecutor to investigate whether email communications prior to Aug. 24 when Montgomery County commissioners unanimously agreed to put the $280 million road bond on the ballot violated the act.

Downey said he is investigating the process that led to County Judge Craig Doyal and Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley signing a Memorandum of Understanding with members of The Woodlands-based Texas Patriots PAC spelling out the details of the November road bond, including project lists for each precinct.

According to Downey, a violation of the Open Meetings Act is a Class B misdemeanor and could be punishable by a fine of $100 to $500 and/or not less than one month or more than six months in jail.

Downey also said according to the Texas Open Meetings Act, any action taken by a governmental body would be voidable if done in violation of the act, which could put the November road bond vote in jeopardy.

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