To the Publisher,
Through tear filled eyes, I spoke in opposition to the Whitesboro City Council raising our property taxes two years ago at the 2024 meeting. In 2025, I merely submitted my words on a paper to be read at the meeting in opposition once again to the raising of our property taxes. My reason for not attending in person was due to the lack of compassion and understanding I felt in 2024. It is hard enough to have the courage to stand and speak, but when you feel like your words are not being heard, it is extremely disheartening.
My belief is that the elected city council members should be creating and approving laws and budgets that best serve the needs of the community. It is not simply to complete a “to-do” list for the city. If we truly want a community that grows together, thrives in times of adversity, and raises up a generation of hardworking young men and women, we need to feel empowered to do so.
Year after year, it has appeared that there has been no desire to meet in the middle or to gradually raise taxes, just a blatant disregard for those struggling with the increase.
Why would my children want to stay and raise their families in a community where they have watched leadership disregard the needs and concerns of its community members?
You are not sitting in a city council seat to ignore the concerns of your community and families or to fulfill your own wish list.
You are sitting in a city council seat as an elected official, where each vote was given to you as a responsibility to do what is right for our community, the entire community.
This year, as we get ready to vote in an extremely important city council election, I would ask that we each show up and vote for the future of our town. Every vote matters and if we truly want Whitesboro to be affordable, sustainable and community driven, we must all do our part.
I will be voting for change, because I sincerely love this town and want to continue raising my children here. I look forward to watching them grow alongside this beautiful small town that has so much to offer.
Holly Kolbo
Whitesboro, Texas