Issue No. 14 January 19, 2007
BRCC Reorganizes Leadership Structure
On Tuesday, January 8th, the officers and board of the Parker/Palo Pinto Counties BRCC and the leadership of the Hood BRCC met in Granbury. That meeting resulted in the appointment of 13 members of the Hood BRCC to the reorganized Board of Directors of the BRCC and the acceptance of the resignations of two members from the board and their officer positions. The Hood BRCC advisory board was dissolved. The offices of the newly structured BRCC were expanded. There will no longer be any distinction between the Hood County and Parker Palo/Pinto counties groups. The BRCC now represents a unified membership of over 500.
Tony Goodwin and Larry Jones resigned their seats on the original three member board and their positions as president and vice-president respectively.
The new board is populated by Sandy Wilkins (carried over from the old board), Charles Baskett, Jack D’Amario, Phil Delucchi, Charles Inge, Dominique Inge, Arnold King, Joe Langdon, Barbara Goodwin-Lantz, Clark Lantz, JoAnn Matthews, Josh Rosenfeld, Phyllis Webster and Billy Teels.
The Board of Directors elected the new slate of officers. The offices and officers are President, Billy Teels; Vice-president, JoAnn Matthews; Corporate Secretary/Treasurer, Sandy Wilkins; Treasurer, Phil Delucchi; Recording Secretary, vacant. The board is seeking nominees to fill the recording Secretary position.
The committees and chairs are unchanged.
It is anticipated that the new structure will result in greater vitality throughout the BRCC by spreading the work load and introducing a broad range of talent and backgrounds. The BRCC’s political clout will be enhanced by one voice representing a membership of more than 500 and its effectiveness increased by the connection to those persons of influence that the Parker/Palo Pinto counties group has cultivated.
Ken Hackett Talks Development at January Meeting
At the January 8th public meeting real estate agent and developer, Ken Hackett, discussed residential and commercial development in the Granbury area. In addition to the impact covered by several previous speakers, he responded to a question on traffic conditions and road construction needs. The various proposals for addressing the situation in Cresson and the completion of the northeast by-pass were discussed. His final analysis is that the state is shortchanging Hood County to pay for highway projects in other areas. He left the impression that things would get worse before they get better.
Ken said his opinion is that the county and the city need to revise their zoning regulations so that, where practical, they a more similar, particularly regarding utilities and minimum lot sizes.
State Representative Jim Keffer Will Address The February Public Meeting
The Tuesday, February 12th, 7:00 PM public meeting at the Langdon Center will feature a talk by Texas State Representative Jim Keffer. Rep. Keffer will discuss the various legislative activity that effects the Brazos River and Lake Granbury.
A Proposed Sewage Treatment Plant at Mallard Pointe
The developer of a residential community proposed for the Mallard Pointe area is seeking to put a sewage treatment plant at the M and M Ranch. They intend to discharge the resulting treated waste water into Rucker Creek. A preliminary hearing by Judge Sara Ramos was attended by 50 or so folks from Mallard Pointe, Commissioner Steve Berry and a few BRCC members. The purpose of the hearing was to determine the standing of those who may speak at the official hearing which is to be conducted in late fall.
There appear to be three viable options.
Several BRCC members have offered private opinions on the matter. The general thinking so far is that in the long term a treatment plant is preferable to private septic systems but the ecological integrity of the watershed must be protected. The major concerns are a treatment plant malfunction that dumps raw sewage into the river and the introduction into the river of nutrients that pass through the treatment process contributing to algae blooms and fish kills. The BRCC will closely monitor the issue and establish a public position.
The Mallard Pointe POA opposition to the discharge of the waste water into Rucker Creek is spearheaded by area resident and pro bass fisherman Don Loomis. He has indicated that the MPPOA may engage legal representation to press their case.
Speaking of Development
BRCC Director, Josh Rosenfeld, found a list of forty three development projects that are in progress, recently completed or scheduled for construction in the Granbury area. General development isn’t an issue central to the mission of the BRCC, however, in some way every new construction, new family, additional vehicle and other affects of development impact the Brazos and Lake Granbury. Visit the BRCC website ( www.brcchood.org ) to see the complete list.
Important Websites and E-mail Addresses
Brazos River Conservation Coalition ( www.brcchood.org )
| U. S. CONGRESSSenator Kay Bailey-Hutchinson: http//hutchison.senate.gov (e-mail via website) | TEXAS LEGISLATURE State Senator Kip Averitt: becky.dixon@senate.state.tx.us |
| Senator John Cornyn: http//cornyn.senate.gov (e-mail via website) | State Representative Jim Keffer trent.thomas@house.state.tx.us |
| Representative Chet Edwards: Chris.kelly@mail.house.gov | |
| STATE ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES BRA-Tiffany Morgan: www.brazos.orgtiffanym@brazos.org HOOD COUNTY Judge Rash: knace@co.hood.tx.us | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) www.state.tx.us fespino@tceq.syate.tx.us Commissioner Dick Roan: joviex@charter.net |
| County Environmental Health Office: James McAusland, Director jmcausland@co.hood.tx.us | County Extension Agent: Marty Vahlenkamp hood-tx@tamu.edu |
| Published by: Jack D’Amario, Chairman Programs and Publicity Committee |
jndamario@alltel.net
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