CEIDC Decision Delayed After Tragic Death
By Greg Ritchie
Messenger Reporter
CROCKETT – Crockett City Council met Monday, Jan. 27 in a joint meeting with Crockett Industrial and Economic Development Corporation (CEIDC), ostensibly to sign the corporation’s final documents and agreements and cause its dissolution after voters rejected continuing to fund the troubled organization.
That part of the meeting had to be postponed after the lead attorney handling the closure reported his wife had passed away, shocking city leaders and forcing them to postpone the long-awaited meeting, amidst prayers for the attorney and his family.
“I was working with him last night on some last-minute items, city policies and deeds and things, and he was leaving the next morning to come to Crockett and be here for this meeting,” City Administrator John Angerstein told council. “He texted me this morning with the news his wife had passed away during the night, and so, that being said, there’s not enough time for him to brief another attorney for the meeting today.”
Crockett Mayor Dr. Ianthia Fisher and others offered prayers and the matter was tabled until a new date could be scheduled.
The issue of the consulting contract for Nancy Wyndham was next on the agenda. Wyndham, an expert in economic development, had worked with CEIDC on previous projects, before being brought in as a formal consultant during the long absence of CEIDC Executive Director James Gentry, during an investigation of CEIDC’s financial practices. With CEIDC soon to be shuttered, Wyndham understood her contract termination would be part of the process.
Given she had a 30-day cancellation contract and would officially still be working for the city for that time, Angerstein offered the council her services in Washington D.C. to try and help secure designating Crockett as a free-trade zone (FTZ), like other cities in the area. Angerstein said along with the formal termination, CEIDC could help Wyndham pay the costs for the trip, in order to take advantage of her knowledge of the process and contacts to secure the designation before she leaves.
Precinct Three Council woman NaTrenia Hicks offered a counter proposal.
“Mr. Gentry was one of the ones who were actually working on the FTZ project before she (Wyndham) came available. Gentry’s very knowledgeable and very aware of the project,” Hicks said. “Other things transpired, but I mean, if economic development’s employees are still in place, allow him to go and be the representative. If not, then we can reserve her services to go and represent us, if that’s what we choose.”
It was explained that Wyndham’s service in Washington would cost only travel expenses, since even with a cancellation of her contract at the council meeting, the talks in Washington would still fall during her 30-day cancellation window, when she would still be paid by the city.
Not seeming to fully understand, Hicks offered more pushback, wanting to table the matter for further discussion, until Fisher weighed in on the matter.
“I think this is something we need to go on and address – either we’re going to do it or we’re not going to do it. In terms of what has been accomplished, a lot of it has been done by her. She does have the connections, and she does know how to maneuver around the legislative sessions and all that. She’s still going to be on the payroll, so to speak – her contract won’t end before, so we still have to honor the contract. Not to take away from what Mr. Gentry’s done, but at this point, I think she would be a better candidate in terms of what she brings to the table, in terms of her past experience.”
The vote was unanimous to give Wyndham the 30-day cancellation notice and ask her to represent the city in the FTZ negotiations.
CEIDC’s work completed for the night, the council then went into executive session to discuss appointing a new city attorney, after the announcement longtime City Attorney William Pemberton would step down, amid reported health concerns.
Councilman Darrell Jones made a motion to approve naming Donna Gordon Kaspar as new city attorney, which was approved unanimously. Kaspar retired at the end of 2024 as Houston County District Attorney, with unspecified plans for her future, although she has long served in county law.
Councilman Mike Marsh asked Fisher if the council could clarify the situation regarding CEIDC, given the council was not able to directly address the issue in the meeting.
“As far as where we are with economic development and what was put on hold,” Fisher said. “You have to have the resolution before you can actually do anything. And because the attorney wasn’t accessible to us today due to his family tragedy, we are having to put it off. Hopefully, next Monday, during our regular meeting, he’ll be able to come in and tell us what we need to do and what the resolution has to be. But before anything can take place, it has to be a resolution that’s approved. In case council can’t come to consensus, then it’s another step that has to be taken, but we’re going to follow all of the rules and regulation for the shutdown as it has been prescribed by law, and that’s where we are. We don’t have control over that at this point. As the council, we can’t vote until we have the actual resolution, because it has to have all of the steps in it the law requires. It’s not in our hands, it’s in the hands of the legal system at this point.”
Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]
