FIGHTING GIANTS: Locals try to protect way of life

For life to survive, water is needed. It is a fact that can’t be debated. Water in the Hill Country is precious, especially during times of drought. In the past people have died defending it and taking control of it. But it is also a known commodity, valuable, something that can bought or sold to the highest bidder.

This fact is something that Rolling Oaks and the neighboring ranches that surround the area are very concerned about. Fighting both corporations and the state for control of their own land and the aquifer beneath it.

Stephen Cabler, a local filmmaker and journalist, wanted to cover the concerns, and really all the facts about the situation, for a project in obtaining his Master’s degree. In his words, “a cool thing to try and tell the story about what is going on.”

But in reality, it is just one side of the story, though not through the efforts of Cabler.

“Originally it (the story) was to be about the environment, wildlife, conservation. I wanted to talk to the sources and the people out there… what they’re doing to fight EP, the water grab…not to make it a political side issue. I wanted both sides, KM (Kinder Morgan) too. They said, “we don’t have time to talk to you,” Stephen Cabler said. “I was trying to get both sides, but the big corporations didn’t want to take time… the project was timely and newsworthy. It felt like it would be a fun project, he said. The name of the video is “Rolling with the Punches” on YouTube.

“So I went to the Rolling Oaks Music Fest to get B-Roll (background footage for the video) and met people there… I got Purley Gates and the Clean Energy Chorale and had the cameras rolling.” The music was the background music for the finished video.

He also was able to obtain comments from the locals on eminent domain, and the water in the their own wells. He didn’t want to get involved in the politics, but he did learn the “long bureaucratic process.”

At first, his professors thought the video was far too long at 15 minutes, but with the edits suggested, it was tightened up and the six minutes tells the story of the residents, their worries and their efforts to keep up the fight. Cabler shows how they continue to fight and “get this thing done and in your favor.”

The video is available on YouTube at:

youtu.be/M0IxO7Nbs-8