Mr Smith’s whistle stop tour of Bandera

Contributed

United States Rep. Lamar Smith took full advantage of Congress’ annual Easter Recess.

In a whistle-stop tour of District 21, he met with Bandera County constituents, including high school students and local officials, Tuesday, April 10. Smith’s recently redrawn 21st District once again includes Bandera County.

His visit included an informal luncheon at the Flying L Ranch with city and county elected officials, as well as with community and business leaders. The Bandera County Chamber of Commerce organized the gathering.

As Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Smith told the group he was pleased to be representing Bandera County again after a two-year hiatus necessitated by an earlier congressional redistricting.

He addressed local issues including efforts by the City Of Bandera Economic Development Corporation to secure assistance via the federal Small Business Administration. Financial assistance would facilitate expansion by local businesses in addition to freeing up additional state and federal funds to allow upgrading and expansion of city and county water and sewer infrastructure. The group also discussed issues relating to the area’s population and housing growth.

After lunch, Smith was grilled by senior government students at Bandera High School, fielding approximately two dozen questions from the audience gathered in the school auditorium.

“Those students were obviously well prepared,” he said. “They asked some great questions and we had a good exchange.”

BHS Mike Nezbit introduced Smith who provided the students with a brief update on recent activities in Washington before taking his place on the hot seat. Most of the question and answer period centered on the War in Iraq and the environment.

Smith also stopped in at headquarters of the Bandera Electric Cooperative and met with General Manager Bobby Waid to
discuss issues important to the 30,000-member co-op.