Texas City Turns Down Scrap Yard

The Harlingen, Texas City Commission voted April 7 against a proposal by Wilkinson Iron & Metal to build a scrap yard on the outskirts of the city.

Jim Wilkinson, the owner of the business, said later that he would work with the city to find a different place to open his business.

Wilkinson owns other salvage yards in Brownsville, Laredo and McAllen.

Wilkinson asked that the city allow him to open the wreckage yard, saying it would put money back into the pockets of the city and its residents, both in sales tax and money people would pay to drop off old cars and other materials.

Most of them opposed the salvage yard, saying it could be an eyesore to residents and travelers approaching the city from the north. Mayor Connie de la Garza stated earlier that he didn’t like the location of the scrap yard. The commissioners ultimately agreed, voting against the proposal.

Commissioner Jay Meade told Wilkinson before the final vote that if the city voted against the project in its current location, they would help him find a new location. (Harlingen, Texas) Valley Star