I moved back to Waco last summer and decided to drive a bit around downtown today and really take an in depth look.

I have to say, Waco has really become a nice little town. I walked around one Friday evening and seeing people actually walking around Austin Avenue and having an actual night life, I am impressed.

I hope the city continues to invest more into improving the city infrastructure - roads in particular. So many good things going on. I am excited to see the continued progress.

Yogi said:

---

They've done a good job. Certainly, Magnolia has helped, and Waco has done well to develop around Magnolia.

Next for this area is to get new blood in leadership roles. It's still a little of a "good ol' boy" network where not everyone is treated equal, and there is still some nepotism and other corruption that needs to be eliminated from county and city government, especially on the county side of things. The people of McLennan County are good people who deserve better, but many of the issues are related to people who won elections.

I just think having new blood in there will balance out the power around the county, significantly reduce special treatment for particular persons, businesses and firms, and result in a local government that is of the people and represents their interests equally.

---

Not true. We are blessed with solid representation at the local level for the most part. Out of touch as always, Yogi.

Yogi said:

---

Bear_Fan254 said:

---

Yogi said:

---

They've done a good job. Certainly, Magnolia has helped, and Waco has done well to develop around Magnolia.

Next for this area is to get new blood in leadership roles. It's still a little of a "good ol' boy" network where not everyone is treated equal, and there is still some nepotism and other corruption that needs to be eliminated from county and city government, especially on the county side of things. The people of McLennan County are good people who deserve better, but many of the issues are related to people who won elections.

I just think having new blood in there will balance out the power around the county, significantly reduce special treatment for particular persons, businesses and firms, and result in a local government that is of the people and represents their interests equally.

---

Not true. We are blessed with solid representation at the local level for the most part. Out of touch as always, Yogi.

---

Sorry. You are wrong. The corruption is bigger than you think. The Texas Rangers have been involved and could be in here even more in the coming years. I've witnessed it myself since I was a child.

I know you have local friends in power. So do I, but not all of them are acting in duty to the citizens or the Lord..

Reform would do this county welll. Getting the nepotism and cronyism out of government and diabolical efforts to steal government grants and kickbacks would really improve the governance in the area.

The old circle jerk is on hospice care right now.

---

You're just wrong, Yogi. Like most of your takes on this board, you are dead wrong.

Don't spread lies on a post when someone is celebrating the positive change in the city and the exciting development of downtown. No city/county and its leadership are perfect or above being criticized, but the serious allegations you are making are dead wrong and lies.

I get it. It is common when communities grow and change, there is the old guard who wants to criticize and throw stones. It just sounds bitter.

chorne68 said:

---

I suggest you list all the issues instead of making a blanket statement of corruption etc. I am a non-resident and would like to know.

---

Concur. I'm a resident and would like to know more.

I'm familiar with stories of the institutional families taking actions for their benefit and against the community's benefit in years long past, but I don't think Waco is really susceptible to that now and am curious if Yogi has any specifics.

We stop every trip on the way from Austin to Dallas just to checkout downtown Waco. That place is popping! Union Fall, boutique hotels, a Tecovas boot store. Wild.

Should have invested. Probably should still invest.

baylorguy09 said:

---

I moved back to Waco last summer and decided to drive a bit around downtown today and really take an in depth look.

I have to say, Waco has really become a nice little town. I walked around one Friday evening and seeing people actually walking around Austin Avenue and having an actual night life, I am impressed.

I hope the city continues to invest more into improving the city infrastructure - roads in particular. So many good things going on. I am excited to see the continued progress.

---

The next decade plus in Waco is going to be incredibly exciting.

Find ways to get plugged in if you can. We have a great community of public and private folks who are working hard to double down on the momentum that you see today.

I live in the Waco area, and the changes have been amazing. I tell my friends who graduated a couple of decades ago that we have six microbreweries, and they are shocked.

I would also love to hear more about the specific issues. I think the government throughout our country struggles with issues such as nepotism, corruption, etc. This is true for Democrats and Republicans. I really have not seen it here in Waco. I have seen a lot of positive changes, but I am also not naive enough to think it is not there. Outside voices are always good because they bring fresh ideas and perspectives. I experienced the old Waco about 20 years ago. This is one of the problems I have with Ramsower. He was personally a jerk to me on more than one occasion when we served on a committee together due to me not being a person tied into the old Waco power structure.

My wife and I stayed in the AC Hotel downtown a few weeks ago. I never drove anywhere, walked the entire weekend. It was great and downtown was packed on a random Saturday with bad weather. I don't see a great reason to spend a getaway weekend in Austin or Dallas anymore. It's just extra driving when everything I'd need is right here.