The Quitman City Council met for its final 2019 meeting with just two items on the discussion/action agenda and a public hearing.

The public hearing concerned a zoning change request to rezone several lots on Block 6 of Quitman Townsites from residential to general business. Plans are to move the county tax office to the property where the new elections office is located. 

Homeowner Mary Kirby said, “There’s traffic constantly using the street. I’m totally against it, (the zoning change), but I know there is not anything I can do about it. It will be just right across the road. The tax office has more traffic than any place in town.” The hearing was closed and the council approved the zoning change request unanimously.

The council also approved the creation of a mayor-appointed committee to review, make recommendations and identify available funding sources to improve the trails located in the park and land leased to the Friends of the Arboretum.

“What we want to do is get a committee together and look at what we have to do to have trails back to the industrial area, and include that because the flow of traffic will increase when the lodging gets put in so people can enjoy the park,” Mayor Randy Dunn said.

“It will enhance what the Friends of the Arboretum have done and increase use of the park. We have a unique park, a very nice park. We can get a group together and get some input. A forester suggested we get our information together and submit for a grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife. Right now people in wheelchairs, on walkers and even with knee replacements can’t walk on the trails because they are unlevel.”

During the public forum Quitman Librarian Delene Allen introduced her mother Virginia Hoffpauir and Sam Scroggins. Hoffpauir gave a bag full of beanie caps for infants and babies to Scroggins as a donation to the Rainbow Room. Scroggins is the child welfare board president.

Also speaking in the public forum was Stitchin’ Heaven owner Deb Luttrell who directed her comments to the many businesses represented at the council meeting.

“What I would like to do is make sure we have a way to bring people who visit Stitchin’ Heaven into to the other businesses. We have a great opportunity with all these people coming to town,” Luttrell said.

“Most of these people are coming in from out of town. There are opportunities for them to eat here, to shop here, but they have to know you are there. They need to know what you have. I’m willing to pass out a packet with your cards and tell people Quitman is a great little town where you can walk around and find something to buy. Be creative and think how you can capitalize on these types of women and customers coming into our town.”