Southeast Texas Political Review Top Story

Last Publish : Monday, August 24, 2009 08:14:44 AM

Bus Ride

You have to ask yourself when will it stop at BISD? Every week more and more corruption continues to leak out like a bleeding wound. And this past week ace reporter Jerry Jordan ran a headline story regarding Trustee Howard Trahan using special education bus to get around to school board meetings and events.

Trahan, who suffers from brain cancer, is unable to drive and according to the article, his wife cannot get him around in the van they own. So, Dr. Carroll Thomas made arraignments for the school district to use one of their special education busses to take him around to meetings and events for the school bond - all of which could be a violation of Texas Law.

According to the article - the practice has been going on for awhile and it costs the district hard dollars in possible overtime by having two drivers on call and waiting during meetings and events for Trahan to be done and either take him home or to a second location.

And we all say? What?

First, there is no doubt that we all pray for Trahan's health and his family.

Second, there is a responsibility that Trahan should have to not only the district but to the taxpayers. There is a time where you cannot serve and must step out of office for the good of the district and taxpayers. If you cannot come to a meeting or an event - then maybe it is time to step out.

Last - is the moral issue of using taxpayers dollars to attend events. The taxpayers should not provide transportation for any trustee. It is there responsibility and obligation to be the taxpayers representative and be there to represent the people. It is that simple.

And as for a criminal investigation - it needs to happen. Just because someone is sick does not mean that the law (s) change.

It is simply another black eye for BISD - the Trustee's - and most of all Thomas. He knows better? Or maybe he doesn't.

And that may just be the problem.