Letters to the Editor
Why would city want to go with Aqua Texas?
On or around June 1st, a 30 day hold was placed on the contract with Black Castle to build a city-owned sewer plant while the mayor and city council considered other alternatives. The alternative set forth by the Mayor at her June 7th Town Hall was wholesale contract with Aqua Texas. Soon, perhaps as early as the next City Council meeting this Thursday, the council will face what to do next in terms of the Black Castle contract. Cancelling the contract is tantamount to making a decision to go with Aqua Texas. When Aqua Texas was on the table two years ago, I spent considerable time researching the history of Aqua Texas in the Wimberley Valley and around the state of Texas. The picture I came away with is not pretty. During the public comment portion of Town Hall, I asked “Why would a mayor, particularly one so concerned about discharge and development, EVER entertain the notion that we are better off dealing with a company that does not have a stake in the future of our city and our valley and has proven itself willing to use its deep pockets to pursue profit over the welfare of our local community and its natural resources?” I would still like an answer.
Christine Middleton
HOT Committee should have At Large lodging reps
It would appear the Lodging representatives for the new HOT Committee are all coming from the Wimberley Valley Tourism & Lodging Association, and I’m wondering if that’s truly representing the industry here as a whole?
This tiny association—I cannot come up with more than 5-6 individual members—by its very nature does not represent the lodging community as a whole in Wimberley. Indeed, they appear to represent a total of 11 entities on their official website, and of those 11 four are reservation companies. By contrast, the Wimberley Chamber counts 50 distinct lodging entities and 4 RV parks; as far as lodging goes, then, perhaps HOTC lodging reps should come from the Chamber rather than WVTLA?
WVTLA, though, does have some representative bona fides, to be sure, but I would also point out that none of the reservation/ management companies that are members of WVTLA are charged with representing the political or even business interests beyond individual reservations, thus negating some of the WVTLA’s claim of power to represent.
Thus, to assign four people from an organization that does not actually represent the lodging community as a whole, would seem to be misguided.
I would, for some indication of proof of what I’m saying, guide you to WVTLA’s unfinished site: it’s not only incomplete and has been for about two years, but it only shows the photos from one owner’s properties (who I presume is the site’s originator, Albert Valera). This site, then, would appear to represent the only entities shown in the photos, and not even the other companies that may or may not actually belong. (click and see what I mean at: www.WVTLA.com )
To that end, the only way to properly represent the lodging community as a whole is to appoint at least two At Large HOTC members. You already have that in Chris Oddo and Jennifer Ober, both of whom have re-applied, both own lodging in Wimberley, and both are willing to continue to represent their section of the industry on the HOTC.
But, if not Chris and Jennifer, no doubt there are individual lodging owners out there who would see a value in serving on this committee, and I urge you to consider putting the call out to find at least two At Large HOTC members to round out this group.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Clay E. Ewing
Asking Congressman Williams for town hall
Recently we received an email from Congressman Roger Williams, stating “TX-25: I want to hear from you.” I searched my emails going back two years and this is the first time that I’ve received an email from Mr. Williams that was not in reply to a letter sent to him.
The email asks us to check “yes / no / unsure” boxes asking questions like, “Do you support securing the Southern Border by building a wall?” Or, here’s a loaded question (no pun intended), “Do you support restricting access to guns for law abiding citizens?”
Instead of replying to his email, I sent Mr. Williams a letter asking for him to hold an open town hall. To my knowledge, this is something he has never done. I believe he is really afraid to hear, or is unconcerned, what his constituents actually think. I know some Texas Congressmen regularly hold town halls and listen to what the people have to say. Everyone is welcome.
I request all who read this, take a moment and request that Congressman Williams come to Wimberley and really “hear from us.” Will he do it? He is up for re-election and there are a lot of us who would like to see a Congressman in TX-25 who will listen and learn.
Guy Rollins