It appears that Shawn Todd, founder and CEO of Todd Interests of Dallas, is making a huge effort to support Freestone County kids. Last weekend, Todd Interests set a record breaking purchase of the Grand Champion Steer at the 2023 Freestone County Livestock Sale.
Todd Interests recently became our new neighbor with the purchase of Fairfield State Lake Park in a $110,000,000.00 real estate transaction. The plans are to build a community of, at least, 400 multi-million-dollar homes.
The purchase is being condemned with Eminent Domain by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Mr. Todd is, of course, challenging this act. Todd has inferred that Texas Parks and Wildlife will not be able to afford the injuries afflicted by the State on his real estate business, and there is every indication that the Todd Family has the receipts.
I stand with Todd Interests, in part, because Freestone is an economically challenged county, and the enormous boon that the development would bring in the form of property taxes, sales taxes, and jobs creation.
For many years, County Government, 4 schools, and hospital revenues have been drying up with the loss of Big Brown and the oil and gas wells depletions.
The burden on our citizenry to increased taxes on individuals land and homes simply does not make up for the revenue shortfall.
Forgoing all the enormous advantages Todd Interests brings, it would be detrimental to Freestone, if the State continues to pursue Eminent Domain.
Time shall tell.
Scott W. Marsters, Sr.
