City votes to continue legal action to remove trailer park
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

Following an executive session Thursday evening, the Rusk City Council voted to continue with a lawsuit against former city manager Kevin Bowden and his father, W.R. Bowden.

The suit is scheduled for trial on July 12.

The city filed suit against the Bowdens after they rented space to travel trailer owners on property on North Main Street.

The city is represented by Eric Penn and the Bowdens are represented by Steve Guy.

During the regular council session, the council voted its intent to create a tax abatement policy. City Attorney Forrest Phifer explained the procedure of allowing tax abatements. Tax abatement guidelines are renewed every year, Mr. Phifer said.

A board will be created with representatives from the council, the chamber of commerce, the school board, the county and the economic development corporation board.

After voting its intent, the council will create a re-investment zone and then vote the tax abatement.

The council agreed to lease property off U.S. Highway 69 N., bounded by Castner and Underwood streets, to the Rusk Chamber of Commerce.

The lease is renewable on an annual basis.

Attending the meeting were Mayor Suzann McCarty, Councilmembers Walter Session, Kris Morgan, Don Jones, Donald Woodard and Sam Florian.