The Ridgerunner

A house filled to overflowing greeted Hays County Commissioners as they presided over an evening extension of their regular Tuesday meeting. The meeting centered upon proposed regulations designed to “set forth procedures to be followed in County proceedings in regulating certain activities associated with development in Hays County.” At issue in this meeting was the proposal that would establish 6.5 acres as the size required for parcels of land on which new wells are to be drilled.

The public was invited to comment on this proposal. Some 28 persons spoke on the subject, and judging from reactions from the audience, by far the most of these were in favor of the limitation. Representatives from the Hays Trinity Groundwater District explained the need for the limitation as a way to help preserve the aquifer that is our sole source of water. It was pointed out that, in fact, for optimum recharge of groundwater, a much larger acreage would be required and that the 6.5-acre figure already represented a compromise.

Many of the individuals speaking in favor of the proposal pointed to their existing problems with water and to their concern that the area’s source of water is already overburdened and that wells and springs are going dry from San Marcos to Hamilton Pool. Those opposed to increasing the county’s ability to regulate development generally held that regulation would interfere with their ability to control their land holdings as pertains to subdividing and de-veloping and selling.

It’s been said that none are so blind as those who will not see. All living in this county and all wanting to develop land and attract ever more population to the area need to understand and proceed with this fact in mind: no water means no life. If overbuilding is allowed to exhaust our water supply and if alternative methods for obtaining water prove insufficient, all will be left with unsalable houses and worthless land. The best remark of the evening: “if you build it they will come; if you pump it dry, they will leave.” Non Sequitur Award: “Las Vegas is in a desert and they have plenty of water”.

We must demand that those we elect to serve this county pledge to serve the best interest of all who live here. Be aware of the actions and associations of each of the commissioners. If the commissioner for your precinct is not working for the good of the entire county, at the next election send him/her packing.

A couple of emails received by The Ridgerunner complaining of our support for municipal status for our subdivision reminded us of just how fascinated we’ve always been with the phenomenon of the sore winner.

Ordinarily, we contact letter writers and request permission to publish their remarks. However, we suspect in this case making such a request would have been futile since one correspondent assured us that “if I find another one (Ridgerunner) thrown in my yard, I will file a “littering” complaint with the Sheriff’s office.” Opinions of sore winners do nothing to change our stand on the question of incorporation because incorporation is needed, is right for the community, and its sole object is protection of individual homeowners. A plan for the first year of the existence of Jacobs Well not only exists, but was presented at an open meeting at the VFW Hall. Below is a summation of that plan.

➢ First year finances:
1. Franchise fees
2. Building permits
3. No paid employees
4. Expenditures held to insurance, publication costs,
membership in Texas Municipal League possible training
NO TAXES

➢ First year priorities:
1. Coordination and cooperation with Wimberley,
and Woodcreek in matters of public safety
2. Investigation of possible grant for enhanced
law enforcement
3. Enlist volunteers for all village boards
4. Create committees composed of volunteers for
P&Z and any other boards deemed necessary
5. Hold an open village council meeting monthly
Consider and pass initial village ordinances
Investigate possibility of starting a village
newsletter
6. Development of a comprehensive plan for
the community
7. Encouragement of participation by all citizens
in village government
Mickey Trent, Editor