PORT ARTHUR — In response to Councilmember Bob  Williamson’s statements in the Port Arthur News on April 24, where he states, “EDC has completely lost focus and needs to be overhauled”; “EDC needs to get back to economic development” and “We are not making near the progress we should in economic development.”

I do not know where Councilmember Williamson has been. In the past five years, our city and PAEDC Board of Directors have seen unprecedented economic growth, from the Lamar State College-Port Arthur new Student Success Center, City of Port Arthur Police Department building renovation to the planned renovation of the Downtown Pavilion, and the purchase and the planned renovation of the property located at 501 Procter as EDC and other future business offices.

The addition of approximately $32 million in new business has been made to taxable property on the city tax roll with the growth of a number of new secondary service businesses to service our primary industry.

• Reliable Polymer Services

• Dessell Maggard/Carter Chambers

• Triangle Waste Solutions

• Biomedical Waste Solutions

• Lockwood International

• Team Fabricators

• Dashiel Dacon

• Tyco Valve Control

• JZ Russell

• Climate Controlled Containers

• MPW

• GP Industrial Contractors

• Orbital Insulation

• Will Fire - Tyco

• Gulf Copper

• PBC

The EDC Board of Directors has presented a plan rooted in a vision, a vision of a diverse city, united and proud. A city where residents can live, shop and play freely and safely in their neighborhoods, where students have opportunity and means to learn and train, and where business and industry compete to locate. To be a city that cherishes its educational and religious institutions, and its petrochemical companies and its government agencies. A city that harnesses their power to create jobs and train residents for those jobs. A city that values its established communities and is committed to their revitalization.

The PAEDC vision plan was created with input from those who know our city best. As Chairman of the EDC Board, I would like to thank the hard-working members of the PAEDC Board of Directors who volunteer their time, energy, and expertise to chart a course for continued economic success and community revitalization in the city.

Is that what Councilmember Williamson meant by saying “EDC has completely lost focus and needs to be overhauled,” EDC needs to get back to economic development” and “We are not making near the progress we should in economic development”?

The Board of Directors welcomes Councilmember Williamson to attend our scheduled meeting and provide his ideas on what it will take for the EDC to get back to economic development. The Board is aware that it is not the control of EDC he seeks but control of its dollars. We are fully aware of his voting record on EDC proposals and projects. And as long as he could keep control of or continue misinforming the public with his closed-door meetings, no one will ever know. The light is on and Councilmember Williamson can’t hide now, the voter will speak.

One of the findings of the Mercer Report was that economic Development is a major tool in the initiative to revitalizing the economy of Port Arthur, and the relationship of the EDC and City Council presents significant challenges. These actions were displayed in Councilmember Williamson’s personal action taken against EDC projects.

Councilmember Williamson should know the Mercer report states that the city has prepared a 2020 Vision document, the document has yet to be formally adopted by the City Council and key elements of the document have not been incorporated into the daily life of our leaders. He stated he would like to have three more years on council to finish what he started. The questions are what has he started and is the city better today than it was when he was first elected.

Success is measured by the results one produces.

— Roosevelt Petry Jr.