In reference to the article “Illegal burning smokes county investigator,” by Denis McGinness that appeared in the paper, I for one was unaware that it was illegal to burn debris before one hour after sunrise, and one hour before sunset.

What this means is that large piles of burnable debris cannot be started because it will be next to impossible to have the fires extinguished one hour before sunset unless huge amounts of water are used to douse the flames. Not many landowners or contractors are going to have that much water available. I suppose an option would be to build many smaller fires. Again, large amounts of water will be needed to extinguish the individual fires down to the last glowing ember. Trying to start the soaked debris next day will require large amounts of accelerants, whatever that may be.

It seems to me that if the fires are attended to by responsible personnel, burning at night should be permitted. If left unattended then the miscreants should be subject to heavy fines.

Norbert L. Simon

Bastrop

We live off of Riddle Road and Artesian Drive in the Cedar Creek area. We bought our property in 2001. It has 72 acres of lovely land here.

Unfortunately, lately Artesian Drive and this end of Riddle Road (556) have become very hazardous to drive on. Potholes come up every time it rains. Potholes are “filled” in with asphalt, then have to be filled in again after the next rain. There was a sink hole on Artesian about a year ago that was filled in again, but now has a big dip going over it.

This road is very bad, and causes car damage every day we drive on it. I tried to contact the road commissioner last year, but nothing was done about the pavement except dropping asphalt in the holes at that time. The two roads now are very bad – the worst that I have seen in 10 years!

What does it take to repair them and not our vehicles? They need to be repaved and re-leveled so as not to cause the water to collect in certain areas to cause the holes.

If you also live in this area and want to join forces to see if we can get something done, please email me at gussieup2000@yahoo.com.

Sincerely,

Augusta Thompson

Bastrop County

District Court

There are many forms and varieties of loyalty. Being loyal to a person or an idea means that there is a relationship and bond that makes the relationship special and elevates it above the casual acquaintance. A strong friendship can only exist when there is enough trust for a bond of loyalty that can endure adversity.

We all know of other kinds of loyalties: A doctor’s loyalty to patients; a judge’s to the law; the dedication a teacher has to his or her craft; the loyalty that exists within most families; and, of course, the loyalty we can see in a pet to its master.

When I was a child, a farmer gave my dad a puppy that was part wolf. “Fuzzy” turned out to be a wonderful companion. One day while playing at a neighbor’s house, the tornado sirens sounded an alarm: We were under a tornado warning. Fuzzy tracked me down at our friend’s house and I was dragged home by the seat of my pants. I must add that she did stop and look both ways before allowing us to cross the street. We arrived home safely. Fuzzy was definitely a loyal dog.

As district clerk for Bastrop County and as an elected official, my loyalty in that position is to Bastrop County and its citizens. It was hard work to win the election, and my loyalty dictates I will do the best job I can while I hold that office. I took an oath when I was sworn in and I am loyal to that oath.

There are others who have shown a loyalty to people they don’t even know. We should be reminded of those brave men and women in the Armed Forces who have lost their lives fighting for the freedoms we enjoy; freedoms for which some people don’t give a second thought. Those service members were loyal to our country and for what it stands. For that I am very thankful. For some, there is a way to repay that demonstration of loyalty.

Locally, there is the Honor Guard serving Bastrop County, comprised of military veterans and retirees who volunteer their time and effort to render final military honors to other veterans who have passed away. The families of the deceased are always grateful for such a patriotic service for their loved one. The Honor Guard is loyal to the patriotic tradition of honoring our deceased veterans with a military funeral.

What about loyalty to one’s community? Because of the devastating Labor Day wildfires, all of America saw firsthand the residents of Bastrop County’s loyalty to their fellow man. This whole community pulled together to help each other. This outpouring of compassion gave victims of these fires the encouragement and confidence to put their lives back together and, as a result, “We’re Coming Back.”

The firefighters were our heroes through that disaster. They gave every ounce of their energy fighting that dreadful fire. It was an extremely dangerous fire, incinerating everything in its path, but they were loyal to their goal and persevered.

October 26, 2011. The most devastating day of my life. Our 24-year-old son lost his life tragically. I have never felt such sorrow, shock, helplessness, confusion and anger. Part of me died with him and I did not know if I could survive such hurt. If it had not been for the loyalty and support of people from this community, I would have been totally lost. Your employees in the district clerk’s office stepped up to the plate and took over everything in the office, running it smoothly, as well as keeping tabs on me. I am so proud of them. They are very loyal and hard working and I am very fortunate to have such a wonderful staff.

Meals were organized by friends and Bluebonnet VFD and were delivered to our home each night. I received cards and calls from so many people, some of whom have also lost a child and shared their experience with me. So many prayers went out for us. Another friend arranged hotel rooms for our grieving family, who came as soon as possible to help make the agonizing decisions that had to be made. We were surrounded by a flock of angels sent to comfort us. I felt as though I was being held up by a wall of people. Their loyalty and God gave me the strength to make it through the fog. I will never forget it. That kind of loyalty can never be forgotten or replaced.

This editorial is presented by The Bastrop Advertiser as part of a series, appearing once a month and written by county leaders on that month’s character trait.

Regarding Denis McGinness’ excellent Jan. 5 article, “Bastrop’s wells await permit.”

I am very concerned about Bastrop’s asking the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District to exempt the city’s new alluvium well in Bob Bryant Park from its moratorium on permits for large wells.

Bastrop’s request, if granted, defeats the reason that LPGCD instituted the moratorium: to protect the aquifers underlying Bastrop and Lee counties from being permanently depleted. Almost every municipality, river authority, water marketer and water utility in Central Texas is considering these aquifers as a major source of future water. Several have submitted permit applications to LPGCD that are being held up by the moratorium.

The Texas Water Development Board has yet to tell LPGCD how much water it has available for pumping. It is certainly not nearly enough to satisfy those seeking permits. If LPGCD begins making exceptions to the moratorium, especially to local favorites such as Bastrop and agricultural users, it will be left with only a weak argument to keep the moratorium in place for those with permits being held up by the moratorium.

Already, in my opinion, the aquifers beneath Bastrop County are being pumped faster than they can be replenished.

Bastrop is exploiting a technicality: that water in the Colorado River alluvium (sand and gravel that surround and underlie the river and hold water), not being part of a legally defined aquifer, is exempt from regulation that defined aquifers are subject to. This is true, but it is also a legal quirk. It could readily be defined as an aquifer, as are other river alluviums in Texas; it just hasn’t been.

Claiming this exemption for Colorado River alluvium water implies that it is somehow separate from, or disconnected from adjacent groundwater, and from the flow of the river. This is not so.

The river, alluvium,and surrounding aquifers are all part of the same system. If a part of the alluvium is pumped it will not remain void of water. It will ultimately be refilled from the flowing water in the river, and from the Carrizo-Wilcox and other aquifers that surround and underlie it. This is fundamental hydrology, not speculation. The argument that water in the alluvium is categorically differently from water in the aquifers surrounding it, and from flowing water in the river, is false.

I am also concerned by the parochial thinking behind the request to exempt the alluvium from the moratorium. Our area faces real and immediate threats to its future: from many entities in Central Texas who want to pump away the groundwater from our area, from our lack of efforts to conserve and efficiently use water, from possible intensive drought during 2012 and a prolonged drought throughout the Southwest for many years to come. Pumping more groundwater and further depleting our aquifers should be a last resort, after comprehensive measures to conserve, reuse, and efficiently use water are being practiced.

I am in no way suggesting that Bastrop should do without water it really needs. I am suggesting that its first step should be efficient and conservation-minded use of the water it already has, and that in this regard it should do much more than it is doing presently. It must see itself as part of a region in which water is a limited and threatened resource, and act in concert with all the other municipalities, water utilities, and agricultural and domestic users, and not seek exceptions for itself.

When Central Texas municipalities and utilities come for our water, our first and most effective defense will be to point out that the water already available to them is being used profligately, and that they must mend their ways before they are given more. We must demonstrate that we are using our water resources wisely, and insist that they follow our example.

Phil Cook

Cedar Creek

Sierra Club

I remember when Elgin’s relations with Aqua Water Supply Corporation were good. One of the several county level committees I served on was the Bastrop County Water Council with John Burke, Aqua’s general manager. John and I communicated well because we were both engineers with knowledge and understanding of water issues affecting Bastrop County.

It was a given that Elgin’s growth would encroach into Aqua’s CCN (Certificate of Convenience and Necessity). It is also a matter of record that Aqua was willing at the time to surrender CCN to Elgin over time with appropriate compensation. We negotiated a 15-year agreement executed Oct. 4, 1994 which described the implementation responsibilities of both parties. Our respective governing boards approved it.

After retirement I pledged to each succeeding Elgin city manager to not interfere with his work, but to be available to help upon request. None came and I was unaware of a problem with Aqua until the current city manager called. I then learned that Aqua had accused the city of breach of contract in 2002.

What I do know is that a good relationship was lost somehow and Aqua now seems determined to bring the City of Elgin to its economic knees. And at what cost to the county and our region? Is not Elgin’s economic growth good for every county resident?

Elgin probably owes Aqua some money – but not nearly what’s being reported. Aqua didn’t have then, nor has it added, any significant investment since in the disputed areas. It wants to have ACC, Walmart and any future large water user foot the bill to deliver not only domestic supply, but fire flows, as well, without any cost to its system.

Federal legislation creating systems like Aqua were enacted to supply domestic water supplies to rural America. They were called Rural Water Supply Corporations, or FHA Water Corporations. Through direct participation, I recall the design parameters being that you were going to be loaned a certain amount per customer even if it meant running a ¾” pipeline a mile to furnish some farmer with water to drink, bathe and water his livestock.

Fire hydrants weren’t called that because the system was too weak to furnish pressure and flow for fighting fires; instead, they were called flush valves.

So how does this apply to the current situation?

How many cows will be served on ACC’s property? How many at Walmart or any of the involved subdivisions? How would Aqua’s fire flow investments be supported by federal loans? These are, by any measure, meant to be municipal customers and John Burke, his board at the time and we in the City of Elgin knew it. We knew it then, we know it now.

Jack A. Harzke, P.E.

Former Elgin City Manager

It looks like the old saying, “If something seems too good to be true, it usually is,” is factual. Just as the stars were finally aligning over Elgin – and businesses and ACC were interested in locating here – a lawsuit is filed by Aqua Water Supply against the City of Elgin, ACC and the TCEQ. Wow! Two steps forward and three back.

I’ve been told that former city officials and Aqua Water officials did not take care of business properly concerning who supplies water to the developments west of Elgin. That may be true, however, it took Aqua Water many years to realize they needed to do something about claiming the service area to supply the water themselves.

Surely the two entities can find common ground and negotiate a suitable agreement for both parties and most importantly, for the citizens of this community. How long have we waited for things to happen for us, not to us?

Here’s hoping all the concerned officials will not mirror the same actions and demeanor our national politicians do…draw a line in the sand and stand off until everyone loses. Please be statesmen…not politicians!

Glynda Schroeder

Elgin

Aqua Water Supply Corporation supports a mediation process to settle its dispute with the City of Elgin over who will supply water to the Austin Community College campus under construction west of Elgin and other neighborhoods. The mediation discussions are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Jan. 31 with a federal magistrate in Austin.

The conflict over authority to provide water to ACC surfaced last year when the college requested water service from Elgin for the 98-acre campus. The city offered to provide service, even though the ACC land is within Aqua’s service area.

All of us want the same thing – to ensure reliable water supplies for residents, businesses and schools so our community can prosper. We are offering to settle this unnecessary dispute in a way that benefits Elgin, ACC and our members. Mistakes were made in the past on both sides, so we want to resolve this disagreement so we can all get on with the business of helping Elgin grow.

Bill Loven

General Manager of Aqua Water Supply

I would like to respond to Mr. Fikes’ letter. The holidays referred to in Happy Holidays are Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice and Christmas. There may be others celebrated at this time that I don’t know about as well. This is a multicultural country and many people are celebrating many different holidays at this time of year, Christmas included. I believe it is respectful to say a general “happy holidays” unless you know for sure which holiday the person you are addressing celebrates. There is no reason to be offended by “happy holidays” because Christmas was not left off, it is included. Are you offended by respecting others’ beliefs and traditions?

Elaine Blodgett

McDade

Mr. Fikes: Your letter angered me. Then it just made me plain sad for you. You are upset because your card from your newspaper carrier read “Happy Holidays” instead of  “Merry Christmas” – really?  Did your house burn? Did you lose everything? Your possessions? Your pets?  If so, I’m very sorry.

Mine burned and you know what?  I’m so glad when someone says “have a happy” anything because I feel so very fortunate.  This season is rough for most Bastropians.   But I’ve managed to see far more good than bad, that’s for sure.

Maybe your news carrier was trying not to offend you.  And since everyone now knows he did upset you with his well wishes, I’ll take it one step further and really upset you: Christianity is not the only religion.  So, if you got a card wishing you a happy anything, you should be grateful.

Your response wasn’t very Christian-like, now was it?  Merry Christmas or happy holidays to all.

Cyndi Poe

Bastrop

Bastrop County Tax

Assessor/Collector

Every day we are faced with a decision.  We can either crawl back into bed, or we can get up and “persevere.”  According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, to persevere means to persist in a state, enterprise or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition or discouragement.

The tax profession has one of the most stringent code of ethics of all government professions. We are guided by very strict rules and regulations from several state agencies. Some decisions are more complicated than others, but even a decision like consolidating collections demonstrates innovative leadership skills and a willingness to listen to the consumer.

We never know from day to day what type of situation we may face. This statement could not be more true than it is today with the recent events which have shaken our community and brought life as we knew it to a screeching halt for so many.

The Bastrop County Complex and Union Chapel fires have challenged this community with the most critical undertaking that our community has ever had to face in the midst of such horrific devastation. Though many lost most, if not all, their possessions, we still have much to be thankful for with the undaunted actions of so many firefighters and volunteers.

I have no doubt, through time we will be able to show our heartfelt appreciation to all those who came to our aid by replenishing our park, re-beautifying our state highways and rebuilding our homes.  Bastrop County will persevere!