From:  "Chuck McGowen" <removed> 
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:19:00 -0600
Subject: Earmarks are not good for America
 
"Earmarks are not good for America."

Millions of Americans have recently come to realize the contributions that earmarks have made to the outrageous overspending of our Tax Payer Dollars and the Political Power that they yield. I too, came to the same realization several months ago when I obtained and listened to an audio copy of the Rob Curnock-Chet Edwards debate that was conducted in College Station back in 2008. I was shocked that Mr. Edwards time and time again PROUDLY touted the fact that he had worked hard to procure Earmarks for District 17. Throughout the debate Mr. Edwards depicted himself as the Magical Money Maker for his district while Rob Curnock stuck true to his conservative values and in my opinion gave Mr. Edwards an "old fashion whipping."

Rob consistently refers to Earmarks as way for experienced politicians to be able to say "Look at what I have done for the district" and project an artificial need for a politician's help. I was so impressed by Rob Curnock's conservatism that I immediately contacted his campaign and invited Rob and Karen Curnock to Grandview for a meet and greet event held January 14, 2010. At that event I proudly pledged my support to Rob Curnock and his campaign.
 
On February 4, 2010 the Grandview City Council (of which I serve as Mayor Pro Tem) met to discuss accepting or rejecting an Earmark procured by Congressman Edwards. There was a passionate debate between each of the Council Members. The earmark in the amount of $500,000.00 was for an Elevated Water Storage Tank.

Prior Grandview City Leaders had requested the Water Tower Funding, and for the last 2 years the current Grandview Council and Administration did not realize that it was an Earmark. This was discovered as an earmark when there was a request to re-title the so called grant to better accommodate the community's infrastructural needs. The possibility of having the money re-titled was enticing and it made our decision even harder. Later that evening the Grandview City Council voted unanimously to reject the Earmark.

As for myself and the vote that I cast that night, I truly believe that the Grandview City Council did what was right for the Citizens of Grandview and for the American Tax Payers. I also must say that my vote was strongly influenced by the example of principle and conservatism displayed by Rob Curnock.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
Chuck McGowen
Mayor Pro Tem 
Grandview, Texas