Editor:

Have you seen the petition being circulated to annex Bastrop ISD taxing district into ACC’s taxing district? Nowhere does it mention any form of the word “tax.” Now that just seems wrong to me.
Also, the petition to permanently raise Bastrop property taxes for the benefit of ACC says: “Respectfully submitted, Bastrop County Friends of Higher Education–Bastrop ISD Area Steering Committee Initiative”.
What is the “Bastrop ISD Area Steering Committee Initiative?” It looks like a function of Bastrop ISD to me, and to others with whom I have spoken. Apparently John Eaton and the rest of the BISD Board agrees, because they were quoted in the Advertiser a few weeks ago asking that the petition wording be revised.
Is the BCFHE planning to honor that request by the BISD?
I think they should. I don’t care what BCFHE and ACC executives say, the phrase is not an accurate description of the territory proposed for annexation. It closely resembles BISD committee naming conventions. It is positioned as a signature, not as descriptive text. It appears capitalized like the proper name for an organization. It is appears adjacent to, but separated from BCFHE’s name, like a co-submitter. And it makes it look like there is an organizational or strategic relationship between BCFHE and BISD, which, if true, would blatantly violate the Texas Election Code.
BCFHE needs to play straight with Bastrop voters, either by choice or by force.
If we do it, let’s do it right and be straight with voters. After all, this is an educational system issue so lets properly inform our voters, regardless if you are for or against the issue.

Richard Kindred
Bastrop