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OK, suppose you're on the Stafford City Council. You have two choices -- introduce a property tax for the first time, or restrict churches. That's a no win vote.

Or you could limit the government to its' income.

Naaaaahhh!

In most parts of the country the location of churches in residential areas is governed under a "use by right" clause that would not allow the city to prevent a church from locating there beyond assuring that the building was safe. However, I couldn't really say that about Texas because of their aversion to the whole idea of zoning. I lived in Missouri City (neighbor to Stafford) for 10 years 20-30 years ago when the first zoning law was introduced in that part of Texas. My husband was on the Missouri City Plan Commission at the time.

Until 1975, or so, zoning had been considered a swear word in Southeast Texas. To be precise -- a Yankee swear word. A foreign concept that had only managed to creep into Dallas, but hadn't touched (and would never touch) Houston. Houston (the giagantic neighbor looming to the north east) prided itself on being the largest unzoned city in the country.

I know Mayor Scarcella, and I'm amazed that he has allowed ZONING in his town. Stafford city fathers (and mothers) all laughed at Missouri City when they introduced their zoning ordinance -- mainly as a way to control development on the undeveloped parts of Quail Valley Golf course. The natives considered zoning to be a foreign tool brought in by the Yankees who had moved south to work in the oil industry -- in the same league as the idea of public parks. Both ideas were concepts that generated great suspicion among the natives.

During the 1970s it was not unusual in Texas to find a lavish mansion located next door to a trailer park, or a lovely suburban home located next to an industrial plant. Scarcella, himself, built a gorgeous home right on the main highway in the middle of a commercial area. The only protection a home buyer enjoyed was to locate in a subdivision with a strong set of deed restrictions. Of course deed restrictions ultimately were declared unenforceable by the courts, for the most part, and that is when people started looking upon zoning more favorably.

But not in Stafford, which was still run by "born and bred" Stafford natives who still carried a deep aversion to the idea of "gubmint" telling them what to do with their own land.

The only thing I would like to know is what ultimately happened to the old Holy Family Catholic Church in the heart of Stafford that is mentioned in this article? When the parish moved to Missouri City and built the new church, the old church building was sold by the Diocese. However the people who bought it purchased it under false pretenses, and it turned out to be a group of Tridentine (traditional) Catholics who set up a church in opposition to the Galveston Diocese. The pastor of Holy Family and the Bishop were quite upset about the matter because many Staffor parishioners continued to attend the old church. I wonder if that church has survived? I've forgotten what they called themselves.

I could tell a lot of stories about colorful old Stafford, but I wouldn't want to bore all of you. Mayor Scarcella is a good guy, as far as I know. I'm amazed that he is still in power.

>> You have two choices -- introduce a property tax for the first time, or restrict churches. That's a no win vote.

Why only two choices? Cut spending. Hold bake sales. Get out of politics. Get out of town. At least stay within the realm of American constitutional law which does not countenance so repugnant a policy as restricting churches.