Article Title: A&M Budget Cuts, Wellborn Petitions to Incorporate, and Candidates Announce for Bryan City Council
By Teddy Wilson
Texas A&M University is preparing for a 5% reduction in state funding that will result in cuts in the university’s budget of $28 million over two years. According to a memo by Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin, there is a proposal to eliminate merit raises for the fiscal year of 2011, which would save an estimated $11 million dollars but primarily affect staff members.
Citizens for Wellborn, a nonprofit political action committee, collected over 400 signatures and are requesting the City of College Station to allow residents to vote to incorporate Wellborn as a separate city. If the College Station City Council approves the action then Wellborn residents must submit a petition to Brazos County Judge Randy Sims, and if approved Judge Sims would order an election to allow Wellborn residents to vote.
Bryan Mayor Pro Tem Jason Bienski announced that he will run for mayor, and is expected to file for office this week. Bettye Pool has announced that she will be running for the Bryan City Council seat that Bienski will be vacating. Mitch Morehead, owner of Acme Glass, has also announced that he will run for mayor and is expected to file for office.