Thinking big and “beautiful,” City of Hearne discusses impactful plans for its future

The Hearne City Council met Tuesday, June 17, to hear citizen response to a proposed tax abatement to encourage a significant GATX expansion and to set up a citizen participation plan to allow a broad-based city planning grant of $300,000, to move forward. 

First, the council addressed citizen concerns over the proposed tax abatement for GATX.  Some expressed concern that GATX was not paying enough taxes with its current plant and that abatements for its 2017 expansion were still in effect.  The city’s attorney, Floyd Akers, reported that GATX paid significant taxes but did not break down how much went to each taxing entity: county, school district and city.  City manager Alonzo Echavarria said he would look into that amount, but he and Mayor Gomez stressed that the benefits would outweigh lost revenue to the city. First, only a portion (to be determined in negotiation) of the tax on the expanded property (approximately 139.434 acres) would be abated. Second, GATX would pay part of that back in grants to the city. Third, GATX would hire about 34 new workers. Fourth, GATX would provide more support to City non-profits. 

After the public hearing, the Council passed its consent agenda–minutes of the previous meeting, accounts payable, and two resolutions for 4A, 4B economic development grants.

Next, the panel heard from resident Ola Mae Redmond who asked the council to move “Hearne, Texas Day,” an unauthorized event, away from Alamo Street. Mrs. Redmon explained that the two-day-plus event blocked the street, making it almost impossible for emergency (ambulance, law enforcement, fire) to get through, and fostered dangerous behavior–drug and alcohol abuse, random shooting.  She stated that she suffered a panic attack in 2021, and fearing a heart attack, called 911.  It took the ambulance 4 minutes to drive less than one block due to vehicles and people blocking the street.  This year, when she went out on her lawn to record the behavior immediately in front of her house, 4 females jumped over a barrier to confront her.  They only stopped when they realized they were being recorded.  

Ms. Redmon read the ordinance prohibiting street blockage and read a letter she also sent to the chief of police expressing her fears that the few police that did respond were in danger. 

Former city judge Hazel Embra supported Mrs. Redmon, stating that Hearne was making significant progress in many areas, but this unauthorized event which seemed to encourage a lot of people from out of town (between 200 and 400) to come in and act as they pleased was a black mark on the city. Embra added that as a nurse for over 50 years, panic attacks could cause serious physical damage. She proposed that it be moved to Gomez Park.