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Residents and advocates press Harlingen commissioners for transparency, call for moratorium on large data centers
Summary
Public commenters and community advocates urged the Harlingen City Commission to act on transparency concerns and the possible environmental and resource impacts of a proposed large data center, citing public‑records evidence of early company contact with economic development officials and asking for a public agenda item and ordinance.
Harlingen residents pressed the City Commission on April 15, 2026 over what they called a lack of transparency around talks with a company proposing a large data center and other city economic projects.
Several speakers during citizen communications urged clearer public disclosure and formal action. Don Leonard, who identified himself as District 3, said repeated redactions and closed‑door conversations have eroded public trust and called for an ordinance to ban data centers in Harlingen, saying, “Just the pollution and toxicity of the water and air alone should kill this deal” (Don Leonard).
Isaac Newman, co‑founder of the For the People…
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