Ennis Reporter Appointed to City Board

I'm having a hard time understanding this: so the Ennis City Commission appoints an Ennis Daily News reporter to one of their city boards or commissions. And we see why the newspapers don't watch the government as they should. However, if the platform of said appointee were say, "I'll still question the decisions with little or no regard to my employment or city role," then I could buy this arrangement. However, it's obvious that with publishers and editors of our county newspapers sitting on boards of very influential organizations -- chambers, YMCAs, etc. -- the purpose then becomes that of padding agendas and not watching out for what's best for the citizenry.

I have no problem whatsoever in a reporter being appointed to anything, but when that directly conflicts with the newspaper's mission of reporting what goes on, then it becomes a problem. Makes me wonder how the Waxahachie Daily Light got so much free access to the county attorney and district judge. Or better yet, the inside scoop from the Department of Public Safety. Either someone's being appointed, bought off, or people are sleeping with each other...maybe a combination of all three. I'm still a fan of the EDN, though, over the Ennis Journal. The Journal doesn't report anything worth anything. Kinda like all of the WDL-owned papers.

Commission appoints new board members
Matt Cook, Reporter
06-19-2007

Ennis Daily News staff writer Randy Bigham and Ennis City Commissioner Byron Walker were appointed to City boards at last night’s City Commission meeting.

Both men were, according to Mayor Russell Thomas, chosen for appointment because of their experience and interest in the various fields.
The City Commission carried motions appointing Bigham to the Ennis Arts Commission and Walker to the Ennis Airport Board. In a letter to the other commissioners Mayor Russell Thomas stated, "Both of these gentlemen will provide insight to their respective boards."
The Commission also carried a motion suspending the July 30, 2007, effective date of a proposal from Atmos Energy Corp. to increase gas rates. Howerton explained the adjustments would affect the monthly rates for residential sales by increments of 59 cents per measurement, commercial sales by $1.48 and industrial sales by $28.90.
He told the Commission the City doesn't believe the adjustments are appropriate and requested the City Commission approve the request that a study be made of the GRIP rate by the Railroad Commission of Texas.
In other new business, the Commission accepted three parcels of land during executive session related to the Ensign Road right-of-way project.
Two items requested by Sam Ventura were approved during the meeting. The Commission approved an annexation of 14.6441 acres located on the east side of the 800 block of the Hwy. 287 Bypass.
The commissioners also amended the zoning of a tract of land 15.1841 acres in size also located in the 800 block of the Hwy. 287 Bypass. The zoning was amended from "T" Transition District and "A" Agricultural District to "C-PD" Commercial-Planned Development.
A new drought contingency ordinance was approved repealing a previous ordinance. The new ordinance is a response to new state regulations addressing the need to conserve the available water supply and protect the integrity of water supply facilities, with particular regard for domestic water use, sanitation and fire protection, and to protect and preserve public health, welfare and safety and minimize the adverse impacts of water supply shortage or other water supply emergency conditions.
Absent from the meeting were Mayor Pro-tem Bob Taylor and Commissioners Byron Walker and Lola Searcy.
The City Commission meets every other Monday at 7 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall. The meeting is open to the public.