Mr. Frank Dias , Chairman
Mr. Ray Lawson, Chairman-Elect
Mr. Dana Harris, Secretary/Treasurer
Mr. Gary Chalk, Conventions & Visitors
Mr. Gary Smith, Tourism Marketing
Mr. Alan Grantham, Business & Industry
Ms. Connie Ware, President & CEO
Ms. Geraldine Mauthe, Convention & Visitor Director

Mr. Allin’s letter said: I am writing the Marshall Texas Chamber of Commerce requesting the Chamber publicly state it is against Senator Hutchison's land grab of acreage previously designed for the Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

If the MTCofC believes tourism is good for the Marshall economy and businesses, please immediately forward a letter to Senator Hutchison stating the Marshall Texas Chamber of Commerce is for a strong East Texas tourism industry and against the transfer of land from the Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge for any other purpose.

After four years of PUBLIC hearings and meetings, the local citizens working with all governments and associated agencies agreed that the best use of the Longhorn property was as a Wildlife Refuge .

Mr Allin’s letter (available on this site) provides the Chamber reasons why they should write the letter.

That was Monday. Today is Thursday and Mr. Allin has heard nothing. He is betting he never will.

Remaining silent is equivalent to casting a vote for the Industrial Park.

I believe that all men are created equal until they enter politics. The people favoring the industrial park have worked hard for many years in the political system and positioned themselves well. They have the ear of our elected officials. When they speak they speak with a bullhorn. Their voice is heard.

I still have some faith in the system and I do think the sound of a thousand un-amplified voices can be heard over the sound of a couple of bullhorns.

But that is what it will take. If a large number of people don’t get actively involved and contact their elected officials, we will have an industrial park designated for the land adjacent to the Caddo Lake Wildlife Refuge and the refuge will be 2000 acres smaller.

What will things be like 10 years from now?

We will have an industrial park mainly empty except for industries that were unwelcome in other more desirable locations. It will generate little revenue except for the possible sale of water from Caddo Lake.

But some things won’t change. We will still have people saying we need to attract industry to Harrison County so we can have good paying jobs and can collect more tax money. And yes, they still will not understand what it takes to really attract good industry to the county. Cheap land still will not be the correct answer.