Overcoming Small Town Politics To Inspire Change: Grimes County
Public trust in our governmental entities is at an all time low all across America. It’s not hard to see why. It seems daily we are flooded with allegations and reports of questionable dealings and political tactics from national and local news sources. Even our social media platforms are flooded with it. Small towns are especially susceptible to “good old boy” mistrust.
Grimes County is no exception and for those who survived the 2024 primary election cycle, particularly the contested Sheriff race, many would agree that it was a tense time for this county. It quickly became divided by those who were ready for change and those who were not.
With the election over and the majority voting for another 4 years of status quo, it’s important to point out that 2,297 citizens of Grimes County voted for change. The most who have ever voted against the current Sheriff Don Sowell.
While many are disappointed with this outcome, I believe it was a win for the community. There were many issues that came to light and many in the community found their voice during the election. People came together to have overdue conversations about transparency and accountability of their elected officials despite bullying and intimidation tactics. Many are continuing these conversations on social media and asking what they, as an average, everyday citizen, can do to keep challenging our small-town politics and improve Grimes County.
There are several practical ways that “we the people” can get out from behind your devices where questions and concerns are easily ignored and dismissed to make your voices heard.
One of the best ways ordinary, unelected citizens can ensure their community is being run efficiently and transparently is to attend public meetings. For example, Commissioner Court, city council and school board meetings. Attendance at these meetings are usually low which means people aren’t fully aware of what’s going on in their county, municipalities or school systems.
It’s much easier for elected officials to raise rates, award contracts to friends, slip personal agenda items into public policy, avoid transparency and fly below the accountability radar without the public’s awareness. This allows your elected officials and those who benefit from close relationships to craft their own narrative through biased news sources and social media.
Going to a public meeting may not be a high priority with busy schedules, but as citizens of the United States, we are fortunate to live in a country where we can be freely involved in our government. We have the opportunity to speak freely for or against issues that truly matter to us – such as who our city hires to oversee emergency services, which roads get repaired, future development projects and how our tax dollars are being spent or misused.
We can create change by attending these meetings and asking questions of our elected officials. Generally, when people are closely watching and asking questions, our elected officials tend to be more transparent. Going to public meetings is one way we can hold our elected officials accountable on a regular basis.
Another resource “we the people” have at our disposal is the ability to file open records requests. Information like salaries, how much money a school district is paying in legal fees, how much a given construction project costs, if the county budget is being used wisely and even turnover issues of personnel.
These answers can be found by filing a request with the governing body in question. Texas, like all 50 states, has laws that protect a citizen’s right to learn more about the inner workings of our government. This ensures that what our elected officials are saying is true and the excuses they are using for failures in performance can be verified and disputed with facts.
Most citizens aren’t aware of how much information they can access under these types of open records requests, and I’d encourage you to do some research to see just what kinds of information you can rightfully request and obtain.
These documents are often treasure troves of fascinating data, and by simply requesting these records, people can show public officials that accountability is important. Open records requests will often shed light on surprising facts.
If a governing body refuses to grant a request, it’s important to see whether the governing body truly had the right to reject it. Some documents, such as personnel files, are generally off-limits. But some agencies have been known to reject requests because they don’t want people to know the truth. If that’s the case, a complaint can be filed with a higher power, such as the state attorney general. Elected officials on our national, state and local levels are put in power with the trust of our vote. It’s our job and our responsibility to remind them of their accountability.
Another way “we the people” can make our communities better is to focus on grassroots efforts that encourage conversation and change at our local levels. Attend Republican Club meetings, learn more about our local leaders and engage in open and honest dialogue through uncensored community groups and forums. Censorship by elected officials is never acceptable. They are elected by the people, for the people.
It’s easy to sit around and complain about the issues in your community but if you don’t get involved and ask the questions you as citizens and taxpayer have the right to ask, you can’t expect much to change. When we know better, we can do better.
What did you learn from this most recent election cycle? What changes will you make to become more involved, make YOUR voice heard to inspire change?
