Jasper City Council Swears in New Leaders, Releases JEDCO Legal Opinion Amid Packed Meeting

Clark McLane is sworn in as the new Mayor of the City of Jasper during Tuesday night’s council meeting. Photo by Rita Shipp.

The May 6 Jasper City Council meeting opened with a prayer from Pastor Diggles, followed by a heartfelt farewell from outgoing Mayor Anderson Land Jr., who shared a series of inspirational quotes from Albert Einstein.

“Try not to become a person of success, but rather a person of value,” Land said, urging the incoming leadership to serve with compassion, imagination, and purpose.

With those parting words, a new chapter in Jasper’s city government officially began — one marked by the swearing-in of new leaders, a standing-room-only crowd, and a major vote to release a previously confidential legal opinion concerning the Jasper Economic Development Corporation (JEDCO).

Three newly elected officials were sworn in by Judge Robert Jackson.

• Mayor Clark McLane

• District 1 Councilwoman Mamie Horn

• District 2 Councilman Robert “Bob” Mayhar

Each received a framed certificate of election. Councilwoman Horn requested to be sworn in using her father's Bible, a personal moment that moved many in attendance. The crowd applauded as all three officials officially assumed their seats on the dais.

The newly seated council’s first action was the unanimous appointment of District 3 Councilman DeMarcus Holmes as Mayor Pro-Tem. He was nominated by At-Large Councilman LeQuin Hilderbrand and seconded by Councilman Mayhar. Holmes succeeds District 4 Councilwoman Angel McCroskey, who held the role for the past two years and continues to serve on the council.

In addition to the swearing-in ceremonies, the council handled several key agenda items:

Approval of Meeting Minutes

Minutes from the April 14 (regular session), April 21 (special called), and April 24 (special called) meetings were approved. One council member abstained from voting on a set due to absence.

Advance Funding Agreement with TxDOT

Council approved a resolution authorizing an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to install signage at a railroad crossing. While the initial project has no cost to the city, future maintenance could involve minimal financial responsibility.

Setback Variance for 212 W. MLK Drive

A five-foot setback variance for a new home being constructed at 212 W. Martin Luther King Drive was approved to allow for better driveway and garage access. The request was previously reviewed and supported by the city’s building official and code enforcement.

Legal Opinion on JEDCO Released to the Public

In one of the evening’s most significant actions, the council voted unanimously to waive attorney-client privilege and publicly release a legal opinion prepared by attorney Frank J. Garza of Davidson, Troilo, Ream & Garza. The opinion analyzes quorum rules, governance practices, and legal compliance within the Jasper Economic Development Corporation (JEDCO).

Printed copies were handed out immediately to attendees, including the press.

“We should release it to the public and the press tonight,” said Mayor Clark McLane, receiving full support from council members.

The opinion did not cite any intentional wrongdoing but offered clarification and guidance on how to ensure JEDCO’s board structure and meeting procedures align with state law and the corporation’s own bylaws.

Key findings from the legal opinion include:

• The current JEDCO board may not meet quorum requirements, due to expired or unconfirmed appointments, which could impact the validity of recent board actions.

  
  

• JEDCO’s bylaws and state law indicate that the board should include at least five officially appointed members, with quorum based on those confirmed positions.

  
  

• Participation by individuals in “holdover” status (whose terms have expired without formal reappointment) does not count toward quorum under legal interpretation.

  
  

• Board appointments must be clearly confirmed and documented by the City Council to ensure ongoing compliance with Local Government Code requirements.

  
  

• The opinion advises that the City Council review and update board membership to bring JEDCO’s governance structure into alignment moving forward.

Tuesday’s vote reflects the council’s responsiveness to public interest in JEDCO’s operations and signals a continued focus on open communication.

During closing comments, council members thanked supporters, reflected on the tone of the meeting, and emphasized collaboration and forward movement.

“Let’s stop doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results,” said Mayor McLane. “Let’s get results — and let’s have fun doing it.”

The meeting adjourned with applause, photographs, and the kind of hope that only comes with a new chapter.