Dear Editor,
As our community prepares for early voting, I feel compelled to urge my friends and neighbors to consider the true intentions behind the self-styled WATTS or opposition candidates.
Here’s what we know: The WATTS candidates are all financially backed by the Grass Roots Mineral Wells PAC, a political action committee headquartered in Gordon, Texas. According to their latest report, contributions to Grass Roots Mineral Wells PAC total $12,100, with $11,000 coming from the Palo Pinto County Conservatives PAC, and a mere $500 from a resident within the city limits of Mineral Wells, Texas.
The Palo Pinto County Conservatives PAC has reported receiving $27,950 in total contributions, with only $200 from a Mineral Wells resident. Simple math reveals that less than 5 percent of Grass Roots Mineral Wells PAC’s funding, roughly $580, can be directly attributed to Mineral Wells voters.
There’s an undeniable question looming: Why? Why are external interests attempting to influence small-town politics? Why do WATTS candidates dodge questions unless they dictate the terms of discussion? Why does Grass Roots Mineral Wells PAC endorse all three opposition candidates, recalls, and opposition to charter amendments?
Opposition to all charter amendments may be the most telling, yet seemingly innocuous, aspect of Grass Roots Mineral Wells PAC’s agenda. The proposed charter amendments on the ballot aim to align the city charter with state law, such as updating terms like “Corporation Court” to “Municipal Court.” None of these amendments are politically charged; they merely address discrepancies between the current charter and state law.
Yet Grass Roots Mineral Wells PAC and the WATTS candidates advise voting against these amendments. This stance underscores the true intentions of these organizations: to sow discord among our community. The recommendation to oppose charter amendments reveals that these candidates’ real purpose is to disrupt local governance.
Your water bill is being exploited as bait to lure votes for WATTS candidates who will ultimately serve the agenda of the outside interests that funded their campaigns with tens of thousands of dollars that comprise the 95% of Grass Roots Mineral Wells PAC’s campaign contributions donated by people who do not live or vote in Mineral Wells.
Don’t be deceived by this bait and switch. On May 4, 2024, vote for proven leaders Johnson, Watson, and Tomlin, reject the recall measures on the ballot, and support all charter amendments.
Eddie R. McClendon
Resident, Ward 2
Mineral Wells, Texas