Childress Residents Sign Texans United Against Data Centers Petition

Childress residents joined Quanah resident Roger Browning’s petition on behalf of Texans United Against Data Centers.

The Petition Collector Registration Form stated, “We need signatures from ALL 254 counties in Texas! We are asking the State Legislature to call for a special session to ban data centers until guardrails can be put into place, including giving local control to counties”.

“I felt compelled to lead an effort here in Childress to get signatures,” Grace Seal Jones said. “I am very proud of Dagny and Echo and their friends that jumped in to go door to door with this petition.”

Like mother, like daughter, Dagny wanted to help – just like her mom.

“This petition is about helping people, especially those at the Madison Chase Apartments,” Dagny said. “She (Grace) protested at the Madison Chase Apartments a week ago.”

Echo Gamboa joined collecting the petition signatures since she missed the Madison Chase Apartments peaceful protest because of a basketball tournament, her mother Melissa Rae-Dawn Gamboa said.

“For us, (Echo and me) the housing issue is a major concern,” Melissa said. “We were very sad to find out about what is happening at Madison Chase and also to renters all over town.”

Melissa drove the teenage girls around, so they could talk to Childress residents about the petition. “We’re going around asking people to sign a petition to stop data centers in Texas,” Echo added.

The signatures had to be collected by Tuesday, July 21, because Grace was asked to join Browning for the Senate Finance Committee in Austin on Monday, July 27.  She didn’t end up going, because her daughter was sick.

“I was asked to join a group of Texans that are fighting for regulations to protect Texas and to speak on our situation here in Childress,” explained Grace, who put Childress’ view into perspective. “Within four hours, they (Dagny, Echo and their friends) had 120 signatures and only 12 noes.”

Those 120 signatures filled eight full pages. “That’s a pretty good poll right there – 90% in agreement,” Grace said.

The teenagers’ contributions left their mothers feeling proud. “I’m extremely proud of the leaders they are growing to be,” Melissa said.

“It gives them a purpose way bigger than themselves,” Grace added. “It gives them a voice that I hope will get more and more powerful as they turn into young woman.”