Scroggins named QDC board president

By Larry Tucker
editor@wood.cm
Posted 11/21/19

Quitman Development Corporation (QDC) selected longtime board member Martha Scroggins to take over the helm as president of the organization at their Nov. 11 meeting.

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Scroggins named QDC board president

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Quitman Development Corporation (QDC) selected longtime board member Martha Scroggins to take over the helm as president of the organization at their Nov. 11 meeting.

In other action, Quitman dentist Dr. Greg Eberhardt was nominated to a two-year term to replace Glenn Hanner on the board. Eberhadt’s nomination will be brought before the city council for approval. Other offices will be elected when the group has a full board for voting. 

Current board members include Scroggins, Kevan Burroughs, Steve Straznicky, Randy Bennett, Brad Medlin and David Dobbs. 

Former Board President Dr. Randy Bennett addressed the board during the citizen’s comments portion of the meeting.

“I am still unsure as to why I was asked to step down by the Quitman City Council, but I am at peace with it. I want to thank the citizens of Quitman for the honor to serve the past 15 years. I have tried to serve with honesty and integrity,” Bennett said. “My stewardship role was to push the just cause of improving Quitman. A just cause is greater than ourselves. A year ago I stated that this job on QDC was not about us. It is about those who you serve and I still believe it today.

“I want to personally thank (QDC Executive Director) Denea Hudman, for without her we would not have made the progress or received the accolades Quitman deserves,” Bennett said.

Bennett challenged the board. “We have a legacy to finish. I implore you to finish what we started. Finish strong, Quitman deserves it. Your leadership will be challenged,” Bennett noted. “Your leadership is needed now. Take courage to lead.”

Bennett spoke to the citizens of Quitman. “Just a caution to the citizens, beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Watch for rolling quorums. Proverbs 28:12 tells us when the righteous triumph there is great elation, but when the wicked rise to power, men go in hiding,” Bennett said. “I have prayed for those who think I am not worthy. And prayer is amazing how it removes the sting. I love the people of Quitman. It’s been an honor to serve you. Thank you Quitman, you are the best!”

The board members discussed donating $10,000 to the Bass Masters Tournament. The $10,000 is in the budget, but the recommendation must go before the city council.

“We have been contacted by Sabine River Authority (SRA) and Judge Hebron’s office to go in again this year like we did last year with the $10,000,” Hudman said. “We did budget that in our budget. We need to let the city council know we intend to partner with the SRA.” The board voted to contribute the $10,000 to Bass Masters and take it before the city council.

An update on activity at the business park was given. Mayor Dunn and Medlin have spoken with Debbie and Clay Luttrell, owners of Stitchin’ Heaven, about the city mulching in the back part of their property at the business park.

“I talked to Debbie and Clay and asked them would they want to leave some privacy. They said they would just as soon it would all be cleared, except for leaving the trees of course. That way their folks could see all the way to the park, the arboretum and all that’s over there,” Dunn said. “That would let them have a path to the splash pad, the RV Park and all they could see from there. It would look really nice.”

Hudman added she would be meeting with East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) about developing infrastructure on the south side of the Richards Street in the business park. “I’m going to meet with ETCOG and we are going to work on funding for the business park. We have infrastructure in the middle, but that south side behind Glenn’s (Double HH Liquor Store) has nothing back there,” Hudman noted. “If we had the infrastructure in place, the development company we have been talking to from Houston is very interested in doing a strip mall. There is also local private equity group that has expressed interest as well. Lots are nice, but lots with infrastructure are more attractive.”

Hudman also reported Jamie Wyatt had sold The Shops at 107 building to Wayne Carroll. “Wayne owns a business located in College Station and Saudi Arabia. He also owns three businesses in downtown Bryan-College Station. He is very interested in what we are doing here. He has started talking to Jamie (Wyatt) about helping him finish 109 Lipscomb,” Hudman said. “Wayne has been told some of the vendors are planning to leave at 107 to move into Greenlaw’s building, but he is also very open to them staying. He has got me helping him with a back fill list of potential vendors. On the 109 section, we are looking at some really cool concepts. There is a plan, we just had to get that transaction closed.”