The Ridgerunner

Legislators set goal of finding “consensus” for an area groundwater policy. “As legislators representing Western Hays County, we have witnessed stark divisions within the District’s constituency about what amount of regulation is needed to protect our quality of life in the Hill Country. But we believe that these divisions are surmountable, and are committed to working with the District and the stakeholder group to build consensus.” Our legislative representatives met with the District’s leadership during the summer and those meetings resulted in two initiatives. The District’s leadership will meet with Chambers of Commerce, Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs and other civic and business groups. Andrew Sansom, Executive Director of the River Systems Institute at TSU will be the guide for discussions among identified community stakeholders with a view to establishing a consensus position on legislation that will support the District’s and the community’s long-term groundwater needs before the legislature meets in 2011.

“We are pleased with the commitment from our State Legislators to invest their time and leadership to help guide the District to a policy that is supported by a cross section of our constituency,” said Doug Wierman, President of the Hays Trinity Groundwater District’s board. “Coupled with the District’s community outreach, we have a clear path toward putting policies in place that support our long-term plans.

“Few issues are as personal as water. The stakes for our area are high and I am excited to have the opportunity to work on how to build consensus on how best to support the District’s mission and shape legislative proposals,” added Andrew Sansom.

The stakeholder group is said to include local mayors, Chambers of Commerce, conservation groups, Real Estate organizations, water companies, property owners associations, and elected Hays County officials. When contacted, some listed as part of the stakeholder group indicated that they had not been consulted about participation.

The process that Rose and sidekick Andrew Sansom have launched at the eleventh hour remains sketchy at best, but the list of special interests is clear. Here, for example, are some of the players who showed up on their list:

San Marcos and Austin Boards of Realtors,
Wimberley and Dripping Springs Chambers of Commerce,
Hays County Builders Association,
Texas Farm Bureau
Real Estate Council of Austin

The “stakeholder driven process,” might give Rose something to talk about when he comes under attack from critics, but he may find that his eleventh hour solution is perceived as just another effort to fool voters. For years, Rose would tell people that there are some “players he still had to bring to the table.” It was his standard response when constituents asked why he wouldn’t help the groundwater district. When pressed to identify who the “players” were, Rose would simply say that he couldn’t reveal the names. Now the list is out.

Stayed tuned. Rose’s eleventh hour launch of the Stakeholder Driven Process for Legislative Change may turn out to be the story of the year. At a minimum it’s the story of a man desperate to be re-elected.
-Charles O’Dell

WPOA Roads Manager Jim Westbrook reported to attendees at the November 21st general meeting that new stop signs have gone up in several locations in a continued effort to address the speeding problem on many of our Woodcreek North streets. A recent letter from a local resident with a small child reinforced the importance of this effort to control speeding. “We have a baby and she turns one year-old this month. She’ll be walking soon, and we are very concerned about speeders.”

Westbrook also noted that violators could receive two tickets if caught speeding and running stop sign. Our streets have been greatly improved over the last several years. Now it’s time for all of us to improve our driving habits and to take into consideration the safety of not only our children, but of all of us.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Conley presented information concerning Hays County’s possibly taking over the maintenance of roads within Woodcreek North. All roads within our area are now privately maintained with proceeds from the annual maintenance fees paid by all property owners. A map accompanying the Commissioner’s presentation showed the roads that are currently at the standards required for such an assuming of maintenance. These include major arteries such as Valley Spring, Pleasant Valley, Crazy Cross, Woodacre, Creekside and Saddle Rock Ridge.

Conley explained that a petition from area residents would be necessary to begin the takeover process and that it would in turn be presented to the entire Commissioners Court for study and possible action. He also noted that certain signage requirements would have to be met and that the homeowners association would bear the cost of bringing signs up to the proper standards. He noted that the county has already accepted Vallley Spring from 2325 to just past Peace Pipe.

There are five nominees for three places on the WPOA board of directors and ballots have gone out to all owners, both resident and non-resident. Those nominated by the nominations committee are Bill Bradfield, Joseph Jamieson and Keith Haney. At the WPOA’s general meeting on November 21st, Donna Hathway and Lynn Scudder were nominated from the floor. Ballots contain personal information about and the qualifications of each of the nominees.

It is requested that ballots be returned as quickly as possible. Tabulation and verification will take place during the WPOA annual meeting to be held at 10 a.m. on January 16th, and the board members will be announced. The meeting will be held at the WPOA office located at 109 Woodacre Drive.