Ed Hillhouse
Former presiding commissioner Ed Hillhouse, who is seeking re-election to the seat – says the current commissioners should vote no on both data centers.
He says there is not enough real information about the data centers, and worries that commissioners have already decided how to vote on the two projects and are trying to figure out how to present or defend their decision.
Mr. Hillhouse who has served as superintendent of the Meramec Valley R-III, school district, Franklin County presiding commissioner and executive director of the East West Gateway Coordinating Council of Governments has launched a Facebook page outlining his candidacy.
He said in his first post on Facebook that comments by the commissioners regarding the data center has only added confusion to the issue.
“What is meant by their statements like, ‘I can debunk that,’” he asked, ‘or China should be involved int the data center.’”
‘The commissioners appear to be in disarray when dealing with such issues as what health/environment problems could arise, what taxes would actually be generated, how taxes would be distributed under current law,” he said. This prolonged, contentious debate with both sides appearing to grow farther apart than ever seems to have sucked the air out of the room and we are losing focus on the other needs of Franklin County.”
In an interview with Hometown Matters, Mr.Hillhouse said he decided the time was right to speak up.
“It doesn’t appear that anyone is looking at the the county as a whole,” he said. “There are issues that are in a state of confusion. We need to clarify the 911 issue, and we need to look at a long range travel plan for Hwy 47.”
“I don’t think anybody is minding the store.”
He also cited the need for a plan for county roads – which one is needed most – working with county senior citizen agencies, and studies for available infrastructure grants.
Mr. Hillhouse stressed that he is not aligned with any organization or focus group leading up to the election.
But he said after having served in the job, he is aware of the issues that come across the commissioners’ desks on a day to day basis.
I’m hearing complaints from citizens that the commissioner’s office is not manned on a daily basis.
Citizens tell me that they go to Franklin County to talk about an issue and don’t have any luck
“They say ‘Nobody’s there,’” he said.
Sounding the alarm sounds good! The question is: Is anyone listening? I believe the Commissioners have already made up their minds to approve at least one of the Data Centers. I don’t know what happens legally if this happens how to reverse it. I suggest this candidate contact an attorney to see if a preliminary injunction or a writ of mandamus is applicable to stop the vote. Once this horse has left the barn ( the vote) it can’t be brought back in.
In my opinion, I wonder if the commissioners have been paid off and will vote yes on the Data Centers? I wonder if Dave Schatz is planning to lay the cable for these data centers and also I wonder if he will try to sell his property that backs up to the diamond farms? That would definitely be a conflict of interest. All of these commissioners should be recalled or voted out. They have already shown they don’t care what the people of Franklin county think.
I am convinced that these commissioners are being paid off, and promised Royal gains.
The citizens at this, County have presented more than enough, adequate evidence as to the detriments associated with the data centers that have already been shown and recorded throughout this nation, which is why 80% of this country has banned together not as red or blue, but as purple!
I’m 61 and never in my life have I seen so many people on both of the side of the aisle collate together in a unified fashion to oppose such a tyrannical government takeover of the people against their will!
Letters of intent to sue have already been drafted, an attorneys have already been retained. We have asked for clarity of initial dealings via request of documentation regarding all dealings with not only Governor Kehoe, but with the owners of both properties, which will be the site of proposed data centers. We also have asked for transparency, as to how Dave Schatz is benefiting from all of this. They come back with exorbitant fees for accessing what is rightfully ours as citizens of this county.
If data centers are so good for Franklin County then why were they done under NDA agreements and closed door deals. Why is it also secretive? These people are so deceptive and corrupt. It makes the head spin.