Janis, Deborah, Mel, Leslie and Kathy The Friendswood 5 Fight Back In the summer of 2008, the Friendswood City Council began the search of suitable land for a sports ballpark. A contract was signed with a land owner for 60 acres of his property located in another city, Alvin, Brazoria County, Texas – a neighboring town but in another county (this Owner was a Council Member’s friend and business associate). The contract was announced publicly in mid-October in a purchase amount that would be questioned later. In December, the Council held discussions regarding a Spring Bond Election to ask the voters to let them issue new debt (Note: according to the City Charter, Section 8.05 The City Council can issue General Obligation (GOs) Bonds (require a vote of the people) and/or Certificate of Obligation (COs) Bonds which do not require a vote of the people but must be used for “emergencies” only and paid within current revenues.) to purchase the land and improve it. In February, two Council Members were reminded by citizens of the City Charter restriction against COs bonds. On Feb 23, 2009, Council called for a Bond election of 9.6 million in GOs with the (publicized) intent to call for COs after the election to purchase the ballpark. Dedicated in this $14.5 million CO bond was the park and other projects to be funded without a vote of the people. The Council vote was 5 to 2 for the call of the Bond Election. Concerned citizens began to research all aspects of the proposed Election. It was discovered that a State of Texas Statue (Texas Local Govt Code 331.001(c)) does not allow municipalities to purchase park land outside of the County in which they are located. Council was informed of this fact. It made no difference to them. The May 9 (GO) Bond Election for 9.6 million dollars failed by a 2 to 1 vote. In angst and haste to meet commitments and to issue new debt to fund those projects they deemed as an ‘emergency’ (a new dog pound, a new records retention center, some street repairs, and the purchase of the Alvin park land) now in the amount of $11.8 million, the City Council of Friendswood sued its citizens on May 22, 2009 in the Travis County Courthouse located in Austin, Texas -- 180 miles west of Friendswood. Please click on the tabs to the left for further information regarding the five citizens leading all Friendswood citizens to take back City Hall for better and effective government.

Why do this? The "Friendswood 5" believe our City is worth it. They believe citizens deserve a government that works for them, not AT them. Many people are long time residents. They have memories of former great, and not so great Councils, but most recall the former Councils took the oath to, ”Serve the Citizens." Many believe this Council has lost sight of this important responsibility. In 1971 the citizens voted for a Charter that is our Constitution. Many Amendments have since been added over the years. Many were necessary to keep pace with federal and state law. A significant Charter Amendment was passed -- overwhelmingly on May 3, 1997 – Amendment 15. This Amendment clearly states that City Councils cannot issue a certain kind of Bond (debt to taxpayers) without Voter approval. The Amendment has stood for 12 years. No other Council has violated this Amendment since its approval. This City Council believes it does not have to follow that Amendment. The "Friendswood 5" and countless other citizens believe they do. They all believe in Friendswood's City Charter. It is the power we give ourselves to self govern. The "Friendswood 5" have pledged to see our City's Charter upheld, because it is right and just. If the City Council ignores the Charter and our right to vote, what else will they ignore? Their disregard of citizen rights cannot be tolerated. The "Friendswood 5" remain committed to uphold the City of Friendswood's Charter and they commit to stay the course.

Changes in Friendswood have started... Already changes have started to happen. Residents in Friendswood have voted out two of the City Council members and have, instead, elected two professional people from the community that believe the residents should decide what city council should accomplish for Friendswood – and believe our Charter is our City Constitution. 2010 Friendswood City Council Race Winners Dr. Patrick McGinnis, a director at Memorial Hermann Hospital, won with almost 51 percent of the votes in a race that Leslie Reid, an Accountant and the incumbent, decided to not run for again. Dr. McGinnis defeated Kevin Holland. Mr. Holland is a home building supervisor and a very well known Chairman of the Friendswood Planning and Zoning Commission - who recently voted to allow a budget hotel to be built on 528 near an elementary school and between two areas of the well established neighborhood of Boca Raton. Dr. McGinnis ran to restore “a lack of trust” that residents have in City Council because of its failed attempt last year to issue certificates of obligation without voter approval. Deirdre Brown, a highly respected attorney that helps companies in this recession, defeated incumbent and manager of Cloverfield Airport in Pearland, Andy Rivera, more than 2 to 1. However a runoff against Jeff Moser, a local salesman, netted her a victory by obtaining more than 63 percent of the votes. Deirdre decided to run because “we need people for the residents of Friendswood to have a voice on City Council,” The City Council of other Home-Ruled Cities are feeling the affect: Brownsville, Texas City Council also tries to issue bonds without voter approval . Friendswood 5 set possible precedence. Site Maintained by: Glen Grayban - Last Updated on June 9, 2010