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Saturday, April 30, 2011

Woodcreek survey confirms attitudes about Aqua Texas: Not so good, to beyond the pale


". . . I hope Woodcreek will explore water catchment and other sewage options to become self sufficient & to heck with this water company! I want them gone!"

Note: We've reprinted the recently completed Woodcreek survey verbatim, with some deletions/editing for length and spelling. The residents’ perceptions survey report lacks any editorial comment, but the views of Woodcreek area residents are very clear, to say the least. Simply put, customers are not happy with the cost of service from the Aqua Texas utility. What’s more, it appears that the Aqua customers were eager to speak out (see written responses below) with more than 900 Woodcreek area residents taking the time to respond.

Send your comments and news tips to roundup.editor@gmail.com, to the City of Woodcreek at the website, http://www.cityofwoodcreek.com/, to AquaTexas (Austin)
512-990-4400, to an Aqua America customer service rep at custserv@aquaamerica.com, taken from Aqua America's website, or click on the "comments" at the bottom of the story

See the Better Business Bureau report on Aqua Texas Inc. here

The City of Woodcreek created a Water/Wastewater Taskforce (WWT) in the Fall of 2010. The purpose of the WWT was to explore options that the City of Woodcreek had in terms of water and wastewater services. Residents of the City of Woodcreek, and a defined unincorporated area including Woodcreek North, receive water and wastewater services from Aqua Texas, a private utility. The rate structure in effect at the time the WWT was formed had been established in 2005; the term of the rate structure is set to expire in July, 2011.

It would be an understatement to say that residents are concerned about what they perceived as extremely high rates. The local newspaper routinely carries articles and letters to the editor in which the high rates are mentioned. Stories circulate about retired couples having to move away from the community because of the high rates. The rate situation with Aqua Texas, at least as it applies to water/sewer service in the Woodcreek area, is perhaps best described as follows: The monthly cost of service is in excess of $125.00, and that is before a tap is turned on or a commode is flushed.

It was in that context of service rates that Aqua Texas, through its corporate offices, distributed a questionnaire to customers in the Woodcreek area at the beginning of 2011. Not knowing the extent to which the results of that survey would be made public, members of the WWT believed that it would be beneficial for the WWT to distribute a similar survey.

Toward that end, the Center for Social Inquiry of The Department of Sociology at Texas State University was asked to assist with the design and management of the survey on behalf of the City of Woodcreek and the Woodcreek Property Owners Association on a pro bono basis. For all practical purposes, the questions from the WWT survey mirrored many of the concerns covered in the Aqua Texas survey.

A total of 2150 surveys were mailed to registered voters in the City of Woodcreek and the surrounding area, including Woodcreek North, along with a postage paid, return envelope, and a request that the surveys be returned to the Center for Social Inquiry by March 21, 2011.

As of the deadline date of March 31, 2011, a total of 928 surveys had been received (a return rate in excess of 43% and a margin of error of less than 2.5% at a 95% level of confidence).

The third (and final) section of the report presents a random sample of 30 responses to the open-end additional comments. All of the additional comment responses are available on a CD at The City of Woodcreek City Hall, 41 Champions Circle, Woodcreek, Texas 78676.

Survey note: Just to avoid any confusion, please note that this survey about your water and sewer service is not being sent to you by Aqua Texas. The City of Woodcreek, under the auspices of its Water / Wastewater Taskforce, and The Woodcreek Property Owners Association are conducting this survey.

Results

ITEM (%) – Strongly Agree / Agree / Neutral / Disagree Strongly / Disagree / No Response

Aqua Texas’ services are a good value:
Strongly Agree - 1.0%
Agree - 2.0%
Neutral - 6.0%
Disagree Strongly - 21.6%
Disagree - 68.6%
No Response - 0.8%

Aqua Texas’ rates are affordable:

SA - 0.9% / A - 1.6% / N - 3.3% / DS - 15.8% / D - 77.8% / N - 0.5%

Aqua Texas’ water rates are comparable to nearby communities:

0.4% / 0.9% / 8.3% / 18.5% / 69.3% / 2.6%

Aqua Texas’ services are reliable:
1.9% / 20.4% / 30.0% / 20.2% / 26.8% / 0.8%

Aqua Texas repairs water or sewer problems quickly and effectively:

2.3% / 10.1% / 32.2% / 19.9% / 33.3% / 2.2%

Please write down one word that best describes your view or your opinion of Aqua Texas as a water / sewer service provider. 97% Responded 3.0% No Response.

The top 22 words used:

Words / Frequency / Percent

expensive

175

18.9


overpriced

48

5.2


thieves

30

3.2


greedy

29

3.1


No Response

28

3.0


poor

23

2.5


terrible

22

2.4


crooks

20

2.2


horrible

18

1.9


bad

17

1.8


rip-off

15

1.6


monopoly

14

1.5


sucks

14

1.5


unaffordable

14

1.5


outrageous

13

1.4


criminal

11

1.2


wasteful

10

1.1


awful

9

1.0


costly

9

1.0


exorbitant

8

.9


extortion

8

.9


high

8

.9



Other words used, from the survey chart: "lousy, robbery, adequate, unfair, corrupt, robbers, thief, average, fair, good, greed, irresponsible, ok, pitiful, ridiculous, rip-off, unacceptable, bandits, evil, negative, rapacious, rape, sorry, unethical, crap, disappointed, disgusted, disgusting, extortionist, gouger, opportunistic, pirates, questionable, reliable, thiefs, unsatisfactory, avaricious, criminals, deplorable, despicable, disgraceful, dishonest, exploitation, improvement, inadequate, incompetent, inefficient, mediocre, nasty, outrage, predatory, profit, profitable, reprehensible, satisfactory, satisfied, scam, selfserving, stinks, suck, sufficient, theft, too expensive, unconcerned, unreliable, very expensive, $$$$, abhorrent, absurd, alienating, arrogant, at best average, awesome, bandit, baron, bitter, bloodsuckers, callous, carpetbagger, censored, cheaters, Communisticdictatorshipcorporatethugs, competent . . ." (The list goes on.)

A sampling of respondents written comments, some shortened for length:
Aqua Tx is cold and indifferent to the monetary plight of retired fixed-income families . . .

Rates are high and we see leaks all the time they do not fix them very quick which wastes water

Our water has ruined every appliance we have. It tastes like chlorine water. If we had comparable rates it would be one thing but we're paying nearly $100 a month for this awful water, and this is with try(ing) to con(s)erve as much as possible . . .

Sewer smells continually come thru our toilet.

Aqua Texas has done everything they can to resolve every problem I've had. Their employees are respectful and courteous. I have no complaints.

The deeds say Aqua Texas is responsible for the sewer service yet the owners have to pay electric for the grinder pumps, and pay for repairs needed for them. For the price we pay for water and sewer services Aqua Texas should be able to fix them and pay for the power to run them. Perhaps they should be investigated as was PEC.

The service does not provide what I would call "drinkable" water and do not trust it to drink nor cook with. It is also very hard water causing discoloration (bleach) to plants and hard water deposits in commodes, sinks and clogs up dishwashers. It smells like chlorine. To top it off, the price, when combined with water & sewer & fees, is the equivalent of a used car payment! Even if you conserve water, the bill does not drop significantly.

If the water loss information is correct then why do we put up with such poor service.

They are devoid of local representation. We talk to people in Penn. when we have issues. They now have us all over the barrel and we are helpless to do anything about it. Woodcreek sold her soul when they sold the water utility to Aqua Tex. They want us to pay for repair for aging, leaky water lines after gouging us for years. If there was a choice, 90% of us would quit Aqua service.

My San Marcos Water Bill was $30 a month. Not $169.00.

They replaced my meter and charged me over $900 in water I never used. I'm sorry we don't have other source for our water.

The cost of water and sewer services are ridiculously high! Our water bill exceeds our electricity bill most months! And our home is all electric! The total cost should be reduced by at least 50%.

Aqua Texas does have the monopoly over Woodcreek North as being our only option for water/sewer services $ they can charge whatever rate they choose. I use at least $47.00 in water/month and before I even turn on the spigot I pay $125 or more just to have service to my house – very unnerving.

Dirt in the water – see it in the toilet tank
Pressure varies
Too expensive to water lawn

The only word I have about service is the outrageous price. Habitat for Humanity doesn't build in Woodcreek because the homeowners would not be able to afford the water – what a commentary to make in America . . .

The minimum water & sewer prices are the absolute highest I have ever paid in my life. The high cost of living in Aqua area affects the selling of real estate. No one wants to live where the minimum water/sewer cost is $150/month! Outrageous!!!

Sadly our Texas departments in charge of rules - standards and regulations for water-sewer companies simply turn a blind eye to the practices of Aqua Tex. - aka - Aqua America . . .

. . . I hope Woodcreek will explore water catchment and other sewage options to become self sufficient & to heck with this water company! I want them gone!

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

yeah, let's let them buy the LCRA pipeline!

now that is a great idea!

Rocky Boschert said...

For additional information about ATI, see Richard Sullivan's funny and informative blog about his experience with ATI at:

http://atiexpose.blogspot.com/

Richard actually lives in Woodcreek North and is a joyous customer of ATI.

Also, after attending a WPOA Board meeting a couple of weeks ago, one board member told me the real ATI cost "ripoff" was the wastewater service, not so much the water itself.

Is that true? I would like to hear from some other WPOA Board members about what they know or have been told.

Also, if you are interested in better understanding the generic contrast between a publicly-traded Wall Street water company and a public non-profit water utility, see an article I wrote for the Roundup on May 26,2009:

"Six reasons why community water should not be for-profit."

That piece essentially outlines the objectives of a Wall Street water company and how those objectives often conflict with the more cost-effective non-profit water company. I compare how financing, operations, and customer service is different due to its chartered shareholder objectives.

The reality is that ATI will most likely be around for awhile. What we homeowners in their service areas need to work towards is how to collectively force ATI to endorse an affordable customer friendly business model that allows them to achieve most of their profit objectives - without compromising homeowner water quality or odor and leak control.

In the new era of corporate downsizing/deregulation - and profits over personhood, this will be the challenge all consumers and citizens face in all sectors of the US economy. Fortunately, or unfortunately, water is the only product that we cannot do without.

Richard Sullivan said...

Rocky Boschert said... “Also, after attending a WPOA Board meeting a couple of weeks ago, one board member told me the real ATI cost "ripoff" was the wastewater service, not so much the water itself. Is that true?”

Yes, It is very true. The "Sewer Base Facility Charge" on our Aqua Texas Bill is a whopping $87.97, more than half of the monthly total. That charge is constant every month regardless of our water usage. The total bill for that month was $162.91 with the charge for the actual water we used, coming in at a paltry $9.75.

When I began my Blog on the subject back in August of last year, I posted a copy of Our Aqua Texas Bill for all to see.

I am told that Aqua Texas is quickly running out of capacity at their waste water treatment plant on 2325 and will have to expand it or build an additional one. If things run true to form, they will be allowed by the TCEQ to bill us, their customers, for that work which will add to the $87.97. If that were not bad enough, as ATI begins their $5 million plus repair/rebuild of their delivery systems in Woodcreek phase I and II. That cost will also be passed on to us and become part of our Bill.

I am not sure that a not-for-profit private company or municipally run system would be a whole lot cheaper due to the condition of the system and the sins of the past. When the system was built in the 70s, the unscrupulous (dare I say, criminal) companies that did the work used shoddy materials (including electrical conduit for pipes) and methods. That resulted in a fragile and near impossible system to operate and maintain. Several companies have tried and failed; ATI is only the latest. Where were the Government regulatory commissions at that time? I place most of the blame squarely on them for either not having standards or enforcing them. This whole cluster is now regulated by the TCEQ, which is run by a board of (Perry) political appointees, which have a less than stellar record of oversight of ATI. Some call them a “rubber stamp”.

Anonymous said...

The "Survey" accomplished nothing! It told us what we already knew and just stirred the pot of frustration within the two Woodcreeks. What the Task Force didn’t tell you was that the real purpose of the Survey was to gather evidence of discontent for a hearing in July before the TCEQ when the City of Woodcreek’s present rate agreement will expire. They will be seeking a new rate structure or attempting to buy the system. It will have nothing at all to do with Woodcreek North.

Sam Brannon said...

Interesting article. I've heard some of these stories, too. That's a very hefty monthly charge for access to clean drinking water. If you consider access to clean drinking water a basic human right, yes, this is very troubling.

As it relates to the LCRA asset divestiture...

ATI's rate and service issues - while very real - have been a part of the fear-mongering taking place by our commissioners as part of the justification for the county to move forward in pursuing the purchase.

They plant it as if its "ATI/Chinese/California firm, or Hays County" as the only options, as if there is no option in between. Similar to the argument for the government center. "The old HEB is falling down, therefore we need a $67.5 million government center."

I suspect there are many options available to North Hays LCRA customers, and perhaps even to the Woodcreeks. Users could co-op, or let the local municipalities get involved, maybe even create a MUD to buy the assets.

Ray Whisenant has stated that the county has not considered any option but Hays County's involvement for the West Travis region assets. That's a shame.

While nobody want to be subject to a uncompassionate corporate monopoly, we have to remember that governments are not compassionate either, they are expedient at best.

If I lived in North Hays, I'd try to keep the ownership of the assets as close to home as possible, and the County would be too far away. Our commissioners have successfully evaded most of the questions posed about the purchase so far. We should be just as suspicious of them as we would be any Chinese or California firm.

The further control gets away from individuals, the more special interests have their way.

Anonymous said...

The only people that could do a worse job than Aqua Texas would be our County heroes. If Hays County is the only other choice, we are in deep do do. The County needs to stay with simple things like roads. Remember it was the State and the County that let this condition develop in the Woodcreeks. Aqua Texas has done a better job than anyone else before; it’s just that they charge way too much. As a business they will charge as much as they can get by with, and it is important to realize that their rates are approved by the State of Texas, namely the TCEQ. That gives them cover and the TCEQ doesn’t give a fat damn. Companies like Aqua know this weakness exists in Texas and more will flock here to feed at the trough. Maybe the word got out to China. Blaming Corporate America seems a bit shortsighted to me.

Whose best interests? said...

Dissatisfied customers are no stranger to Aqua America, ATI's parent company.

Take a gander at the following website for a glance into how Aqua treats its customers nationwide.

This is how they do business, no matter where they operate. It has little or nothing to do with the particulars of Woodcreek...or Texas.

http://hayscountyscoop.blogspot.com/

Whose best interests? said...

....and here is the Aqua America playbook:

http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/reports/aqua-america/

Anonymous said...

An attack ad put out by the Pope people says his opponent is in the pocket of ATI and the developers.

It that true? And if so, how?

I would like to hear from both sides, and specifically from Pope himself and his opponent Erin ???? directly.

Anonymous said...

Just because you put your signs on the developers land does not mean you are in bed with them. Also just because your well went dry does not mean that you know how to conserve water.
Let's hear just what Ed and Erin can do for us. Erin has stated her qualifications. What are Ed's?

Anonymous said...

An attack ad put out by Erin Banks is laughable in that her signs say "Protecting our water by facts, not fear." And yet the glossy flyer I got from her in the mail on Saturday uses these two fear phrases no fewer than SIX times on just one side of her flyer: protecting "our private property rights" and "not imposing a new water tax."

First of all, no one -- not Ed Pope, not Erin Banks, not HTGCD -- can or will take away any property rights from anyone. Ms. Banks throws out that ominous phrase, but never specifies what it is that the bogeyman is going to grab from you.

Secondly, neither Ed Pope nor Erin Banks can impose a property tax to be used for HTGCD. Only the voters themselves can vote to tax themselves to benefit HTCGD, and our state rep has seen to it that citizens won't get the chance to vote on such a tax any time soon.

Ms. Banks, given the magic scare words by her developer handlers, is using those two non-issues to scare voters into voting for her. She doesn't give us much credit for understanding the facts she is
trying so desperately to obscure.

Pie in the Sky said...

Erin Banks proudly states every chance she gets that she has designed the only subdivision in Hays County that can rely primarily on rainwater collection. What she doesn't tell you is that NO ONE HAS USED HER PLAN. Ask her next time you hear her speak just where this wondrous subdivision is.

She also designed a small project for The Natural Gardener, but they haven't used it.

I can design something, too, but finding someone who will put up the money to implement it is an altogether different thing.

Anonymous said...

One can only guess about the topics of conversation between Jimmy Skipton, Winton Porterfield, Erin Banks, Richard Sullivan and his wife and Rocky Boschert this past Saturday after WPOA meeting. Just saying.

Rocky Boschert said...

Wow, I cannot believe Anonymous of May 3 5:13 AM is trying to connect me politically with the named folks I was talking to following the WPOA annual meeting Saturday.

Is that what Wimberley has come to? We have a conversation with people in the community and all of a sudden others become all paranoid and fascist - or try to insinuate guilt by association.

This reminds me of the Soviet Union or East Germany - where citizens are spies and report anonymously on the normal yet conspiratorial activities of others.

Or, it is possible I guess that this Anonymous is really someone I am named with in the comment above - who is trying to sabotage my so-called liberal ideological reputation? I tend to not believe this angle, but you never know.

But you know what? It doesn't matter - because this comment is petty ignorant nonsense either way.

And you, crazy Anomymous of May 3, May 3, 5:13 AM, should seek therapy as soon as possible.

Anonymous said...

Hey Pie in the Sky,

The subdivision is called Constellation and is North of the intersection of 150 and 3237. Just like Ed Pope you speak and have no idea what you are talking about.

BTW, why is no one calling Pope on developing his property into such small lots. Pope's claim of requiring rain water collection is not reflected in the deed restrictions he filed with the County

Anonymous said...

Someone out there wants to know more about Ed Pope: Check the new issue of The Ridgerunner being delivered as this is posted to neighbors in Woodcreek North. An independent candidate not beholden to WSP and/or other business "moguls".

Richard Sullivan said...

Rocky, I share your opinion of the cowardly anonymous nut case that must have been peeping out the windows of the WPOA building when we were all talking and plotting against the working class. Well, there goes the revolution!

I wouldn't have thought that we would become such a threat to be watched by the SS for having a conversation that was and is none of their damn business. I think I know the gossip monger that sent that comment and she has done this kind of thing before when she accused me of going over to the dark side, among other things, during the WSP permit hearing. There are couple of them around area that need medical treatment.

Anonymous said...

I don't know who that anonymous is you are talking about but you two gentlemen need to remember that this is a free country and everyone is entitled to their belief without being called crazy.
Has our community gotten so paranoid that a simple comment drives nice normal people to turn into raving insulting paranoids?
I think you 2 were out of line with your comments. (no I am not the poster @ 5:13am)

Anonymous said...

Thanks anonymous 10:59 I will check it out as soon as I can.

Anonymous said...

@Anonymous of May 3, 2011 10:49 AM

You've got to be kidding when you say, Ed Pope is "An independent candidate not beholden to WSP and/or other business "moguls""

Ed Pope is in no way independent but is very beholden to Jim McMeans' C.A.R.D. and David Baker and Jack Hollon's WVWA. If you don't know that you are ignorant; if you do know that you are being dishonest.

Jack Hollon has been prepping Ed Pope for all of the debates, the last of which is tonight in Dripping Springs.

By the way the Ridgerunner is anything but independent, it's just a little rag that represents the wishes and desires of some of the WPOA board and employees, although they will deny it.

Pie in the Sky said...

To Anon May 3, 10:32 AM:

You should practice what you speak. You are the one speaking without knowing what you're talking about. I DID go see Erin Banks' "subdivision"; you obviously did not.

There's nothing there. The "subdivision," called Constellation on paper, was to have
been a mere 12 lots for people with horses. There is one non-paved road in place, but no houses, no mailboxes, no "Lots for Sale" sign -- not even "Constellation" on the unfinished entry.

Maybe Ms. Banks' plan wasn't feasible for the real world. Maybe the developer went broke and told her to forget making a plan. But it looks as if the project (platted and approved in Oct. 2008) has been abandoned. Who knows? But I hardly think Ms. Banks should be touting herself as having designed the first rainwater collection subdivision in Hays County. Maybe "the first rainwater collection subdivision in Hays County that didn't work out?"

Anonymous said...

Erin Banks is starting to remind me of Jeff Batron --- someone who just opens her mouth and lets it rip. If what she says has just a grain of truth in it, that appears to be good enough for her to embellish it to the hilt. People like that make me tired.

Rocky B. said...

To Anonymous of May 3, 2:04 PM:

The clear insinuation of political nonsense was there for all to see.

"Just saying" was meant to be flippantly mean-spirited from the nosy one. Mentally healthy people know secrecy and commenting with silly insinuation while hiding in the shadows creates hostility and dysfunction.

Why to you justify such comments? It is not honest dialogue. You cater to such dishonesty by chastising the messenger.

And if you are not the same Anonymous of "just saying", your defense of such foolishness is also foolish - or simply bad karma.

There is simply too much petty political narrow-mindedness in this town for its own good.

And I do not speak for Mr. Sullivan - nor do I converse with him about such matters. I speak only for myself - with my name in plain view.

Anonymous said...

@Anonymous 11:50 PM May 2, 2011 said:

An attack ad put out by Erin Banks is laughable in that her signs say "Protecting our water by facts, not fear." And yet the glossy flyer I got from her in the mail on Saturday uses these two fear phrases no fewer than SIX times on just one side of her flyer: protecting "our private property rights" and "not imposing a new water tax."

Apparently you are unaware of the agenda of the Ford & WVWA "stakeholder group" which actively sought to eliminate exempt wells (i.e., eviscerate a property right). If the well is allowed at all, there would be an operating permit and with operating permits come production fees. Production fees are TAXES.

The culmination of the efforts of Ford, et al. is reflected in SB 1901, filed by Wentworth. This despicable piece of trash authorizes the HTGCD to eliminate exempt wells and to only allow wells with operating permits. Permits = production fees, meters (to determine how much production fees to charge), and unwarranted inspections onto your property.

At the Wimberley LOWV candidate forum, Erin Banks (#4) was the ONLY candidate to speak out against SB 1901. Pope (#4) was noncommittal at best and Janda (#2) claimed he supported it.


First of all, no one -- not Ed Pope, not Erin Banks, not HTGCD -- can or will take away any property rights from anyone. Ms. Banks throws out that ominous phrase, but never specifies what it is that the bogeyman is going to grab from you.

The taking occurs by re-defining the right as only a statutory right instead of a vested ownership interest. The statute is then amended to eliminate what used to be a "right". Because of the re-definition, the despots then claim there has been no taking. Read SB 1901 for yourself. SB 1901 is not the only bill that has attempted this. The self-proclaimed environmentalists have been very aggressively seeking to take away fundamental property rights (such as right to access groundwater beneath your property) for several years. Your statements illustrate a lack of knowledge of the numerous attempts to deny exempt wells, charge production fees for any that are allowed, meter, and unwarranted intrusion into your private property.


Secondly, neither Ed Pope nor Erin Banks can impose a property tax to be used for HTGCD. Only the voters themselves can vote to tax themselves to benefit HTCGD, and our state rep has seen to it that citizens won't get the chance to vote on such a tax any time soon.

This is the same claim used by the creeps that refuse to take "No" for an answer. The citizens already have voted "no" on taxes. In addition, ad valorem taxes are not the only method of taxes. The current taxation scheme is to empower the HTGCD with the ability to require that all domestic wells have to have an operating permit. With an operating permit comes the ability to deny such a permit. If such a permit is allowed, the well is subject to PRODUCTION FEES which are nothing less than a tax. Those supporting this scheme are of course hoping to get candidates in office who will exercise these new found powers. You might want to be wary of any candidate associated with CARD (i.e., Pope) or former Commissioner Karen Ford (i.e., Janda)

Ms. Banks, given the magic scare words by her developer handlers, is using those two non-issues to scare voters into voting for her. She doesn't give us much credit for understanding the facts she is
trying so desperately to obscure.


Not sure what "facts" you claim are being obscured, but you might want to get educated yourself. Check out SB 1901. Note what it repeals. Note the exemptions that it makes no longer applicable. Nesbitt and Banks have come out strongly against SB 1901. Can't say the same about Pope or Janda. You should be wary of any candidate associated with CARD (i.e., Pope) or former Commissioner Karen Ford (i.e., Janda) because you already know what the agenda is.

MIckey Trent said...

By the way the Ridgerunner is anything but independent, it's just a little rag that represents the wishes and desires of some of the WPOA board and employees, although they will deny it.

I am not a craven anonymous. My name is Mickey Trent and for 11 years have been the editor, publisher and sole financial backer of the Ridgerunner. Those who have been around long enough know that The Ridgerunner has fought a number of battles with the WPOA in the past, and would do so again when it is in the wrong.

I love to have my "little rag" attacked. That means I am doing my job....so keep it up, Mr. Anon. My pen is always poised to poke a polecat.

Anon May 2, 11:50 PM said...

to Anon, May 4, 8:02 AM:

Your entire diatribe is paranoid blather against things you have nothing to fear. No one's going to "take" anything from you, bud! Think how long you've been having this anxiety that "someone" is not going to let you suck up all the water beneath your land. Hasn't happened, has it? WON'T happen, either; the Lege is made up mostly of would-be-macho men who are imbued with the "ain't a-gonna let nobody take nothin' from me"
philosophy. Only rational folk have anything to fear from the Lege. That lets you out.

Anonymous said...

To Anon on May 3,10:49am
Ed Pope is in no way independent but is very beholden to Jim McMeans' C.A.R.D. and David Baker and Jack Hollon's WVWA.

Ed Pope and Steve Janda are volunteering for this board as honorable citizens! Bless their hearts for being willing to jump into the mess that is currently there!

Erin Bank's income depends upon development! She makes money from developers!

Greg Nesbitt's income depends upon development! He makes his money from development!

Talk about beholden!

So when you make comments about Ed and Steve being in someone's pockets what the hell are you talking about? Are you stupid or what? Do you think we are?

And by the way.... I was proud of Erin last night! Really! I don't think I heard her say the word "fear" once! It made her seem less afraid. I was happy for her!

Inquiring minds... said...

Richard why are you worried about being watched by the SS? Every meeting I have ever seen you and your wife at one of you is recording everything that is said. Why?

Trance104 said...

Best of luck to all of you on getting rid of them.


-From Houston.

Nerissa Oden said...

I own a fully occupied fourplex building (four apts) in South Austin. My monthly water bill averages $120/month.

Anonymous said...

The problem is more than just high cost. I don't consider the water safe to drink, because they routinely report deer feces in the water. AND perhaps more costly is that the water pressure in my house was too high and led to needed repairs. If Aqua Texas had warned us that the water pressure was going up, we might have been able to add a pressure adapter and avoid costly repairs.