Letter to the Editor:

I oppose the $59.4 million bond package Rockwall voters will consider May 12.  While the propositions in the package vary in merit, asking Rockwall property owners to support additional debt under current economic conditions is undesirable if not irresponsible.

The people of Rockwall already pay very high property taxes.  In 2012, according to Tax-Rates.org, Rockwall taxpayers will pay 2.16% of their property’s value in taxes.  Of 3,145 counties in the U.S., only 56 have higher taxes.  That puts us in the top 1.8% in the country!  According to Forbes.com, only four Texas counties have higher property taxes, and only one is in North Texas (Collin County.)  As a percentage of income, however, Rockwall County has the highest property taxes in the state, at 4.58% of median annual income.

Proponents tell voters 65 and over that their property taxes won’t be affected.  True, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be affected.  As Rockwall grows, every dime we spend on unnecessary things will be unavailable for critical infrastructure, police and fire protection, roads, schools, utilities, and public transportation.

Proponents of the package mention its total cost, worst case, is only 15.6¢ per $100 property valuation (a 30% increase.)  But that’s an annual cost of $285.80 to the owner of a property at the median value of $183,200 (again according to Tax-Rates.org.)  The athletic complex alone would cost the same taxpayer $120.90.  To proponents that may not seem like much, but if one put that money in a 5-year CD at 1.8% instead, at the end of the 20-year bond term, they would have accumulated $27,447.  Alternatively, if the city took that money out of our pockets right now to pay the bonds, it would cost each taxpayer $14,400.

I don’t opposed nice sports facilities.  In fact, I don’t oppose any of the improvements these bonds would support.  I do oppose the unnecessary incurrence of additional debt when there is such uncertainty regarding international markets, federal debt and leadership, and the substantial economic adversity that average families in Rockwall currently face.  Rejecting these bonds now doesn’t mean we can’t re-visit the issue when things improve.

Please vote AGAINST the bond package, or at least consider each proposal on its necessity and vote AGAINST those that can wait.

Thom Loafman

Rockwall Resident

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Letter to the Editor:

There are five Bond Propositions that will be before the public for vote on May 12th. There are those in the community who do not favor the bonds for one reason or another. The picture that is being painted by some of those who oppose the bonds, unfortunately, isn’t totally accurate. I hope that this information clarifies the matter:

Most government entities have the wherewithal to fund various infrastructure programs (such as those proposed for the bond election) within their General Fund Budget. The Federal Government and State Government do this. Counties and cities do not have that ability. I won’t speak to the County because it isn’t involved in these projects but I will speak for the city side.

The City of Rockwall’s General Fund Budget is set aside to pay for those day-to-day operating expenses (police and fire protection, parks and recreation maintenance and upkeep, building maintenance and upkeep, minor street repairs, staff salaries for all departments, etc.). Other things such as building new parks, major road construction and repair, construction of new municipal facilities (fire houses, offices, etc.), and things considered to be ‘capital improvements’ require a different source of funding. In some cases there is the matter of “public necessity’ (these would include Fire Houses, Police Stations, Public Safety Facilitoes, etc.) for which citizen approval isn’t required. Other cases, such as the ones on the ballot for May 12th, do require the citizens approve the issuance of Municipal Bonds to pay for these improvements.

Now, how does the process work?

City Staff (and these are folks from all departments) identify their needs to the City Manager who puts together a listing of all the infrastructure improvements that can be foreseen over the next 3-5 years (sometimes longer). The City Manager then presents this information to the City Council who reviews, modifies where necessary, and agrees to put together a Citizens’ Committee charged with the responsibility of developing a Comprehensive Capital Improvements Program. The Council then appoints citizens from all walks of life in Rockwall (normally a committee of 15-20) to this committee.

The committee then begins a series of meetings (with Staff involvement) to review, refine, and set a recommended slate of Capital Improvements to be brought back before the Council for approval and scheduling of a Bond Election. During this time, costs are determined, schedules for work are prepared, and the impact on the Ad Valorem Tax (property taxes) is established and reported to the entire community in a worst case scenario.

For the five items that have been identified and placed on the ballot for May 12, all of the above was accomplished. The Committee (made up of citizens and not government employees) agreed that these five items are needed and recommended that they be placed before the citizens for approval. Those five items are:

1) Athletic Complex (approximately $25 Million). The last time the City of Rockwall did anything to increase the number of outdoor athletic venues or improve what we had was in the early 1990s. At that time the population of Rockwall was 12,000 and the average age was 47+. Today our population approaches 40,000 and our average age has dropped to 36. We have far more folks interested in outdoor sports than ever … and they are having to go to Rowlett, Plano, Mansfield, etc. (and pay fees) to play ball. It’s time for Rockwall to do something, not just to satisfy the needs for today but the needs of future generations.

2) Downtown Upgrades (approximately $10 Million). In 2009 the City of Rockwall was recognized as a Main Street City in Texas. We have new businesses, new restaurants, new opportunities in the Downtown area. What we are lacking is 1) adequate parking, 2) improved sidewalks, 3) improved roads, and 4) a safe area for pedestrian traffic. These are important to the merchants downtown and to the city to retain its Main Street City identification and to provide a better venue for our citizens to enjoy the rich history of Rockwall’s downtown area.

3) Fire Protection for Downtown (approximately $1.8 Million). Currently all of the structures in the downtown area of the old design. Water pressure in the area is relatively low and cannot deliver the levels necessary should a fire disaster occur. This bond proposition upgrades all of the water delivery infrastructure in the downtown area and also installs sprinkler systems in every building. These are both essential to ensure maximum protection during a fire.

4) Heritage Park (approximately $5 Million). As you know, Rockwall turned 158 years old this month. And, as you know about our history, we were named Rockwall by three well diggers who uncovered a massive rock wall underneath the soil they were digging. There are very few locations where this rock wall can be seen. The city has identified, and the property owners are agreeable to sell, a piece of land that has good exposure to the rock wall. This bond proposition will purchase the land and build an infrastructure to expose and protect the wall and will provide outstanding public access to view the rock wall, to be entertained by local artists, and to be treated to some exceptional community opportunities.

5) Road Construction (approximately $20 Million). There are a number of major thoroughfares in Rockwall that have deteriorated due to weather and other conditions that need major repairs. Additionally, there is great need to improve the on-ramp/off-ramp opportunities in the vicinity of I-30 and Ridge Rd./SH-205.

Now, to the matter of the $0.36 tax increase that has been discussed. As I mentioned earlier, if all of the bonds were to be issued in their full amount at the same time the city would have to increase the “bond reduction” side of the taxes by $0.36. You know, I know, and anyone with common sense will know that this scenario simply CANNOT and WILL NOT happen. Each of these five propositions is phased in the manner in which work will be accomplished and, as such, the bonds will be issued only when necessary to pay for the work to be done. This will be spread over an extended period of time that will run between 5 and 10 years. Also, during this same time frame bonds that have been previously issued will be paid off resulting in a tax rate offset.

For example, I have to issue bonds in 2014 that will raise taxes by $0.03. But in 2014, I will retire bonds that I have been paying for that will reduce taxes by $0.015. So … the real increase in taxes is only $0.015. All of these rates are, of course, based on $100 of property valuation as assessed by the Rockwall Central Appraisal District.

So, at the bottom line, the City of Rockwall is placed in a bit of a predicament. First, it has responsibility to all of its citizens to ensure that they have the best possible infrastructure to meet their every day needs. Although not everyone will take advantage of all of the infrastructure, our friends and family will. The other side of the coin on that is that the city has ONLY one means of acquiring the funds necessary to provide this infrastructure and that is from the citizens it serves in the form of a Bond Election. There are no other sources of funding for these improvements. There is no entry in the City Budget that reflects income from the Federal Government. Nor are there entries reflecting income from the State or County. We must rely 100% on ourselves to meet our needs.

A couple of additional points also need clarification. First … these Bond Propositions are solely for the City of Rockwall. They are in no way tied or related to any of the County’s Bond Propositions past or future. Secondly, there have been a couple of suggestions that the City spend its funds to expedite completion of the road work on FM740 to the South of Interstate 30. That project is the responsibility of TxDOT. The only responsibilities that Rockwall ever had in this effort was: 1) Right of Way acquisition, and 2) Landscaping upon completion (and this only goes as far south as Chandlers’ Landing).

So, at the bottom line I would request that the Citizens of Rockwall research and understand what the City is trying to do, then determine whether or not they wish to support these Bonds. It has been said that, “Now is not the time.” In response I would say, “There will never be a better time than today.”

Bob Cotti

Former Rockwall City Council Member

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Letter To The Editor:

As an ordinary citizen, when I look at a list of bond issues submitted for my consideration, I assume they are on the ballot because my duly-elected city council members have vetted these proposals and are recommending them to me as a good idea. This tacit endorsement is what concerns me.

We, the city of Rockwall, are currently carrying a heavy debt–over $222,000,000 as of 8/11 (http://www.brb.state.tx.us/lgs_search.aspx?action=city) which comes to $5,922 for every man, woman, and child.*. So if you are a family of four, that totals $23,686.

But wait! There’s more! Our county debt is now $102,400,000 ($86,000,000 plus recently added $16.4 million issued in January) (http://www.brb.state.tx.us/lgs_search.aspx?action=county) which comes to $1,345 per person**.

And finally, our school district carries a debt of $707,729,600 (http://www.brb.state.tx.us/lgs_search.aspx?action=isd) which breaks down to $9,034 per person.

And that does not even include the nearly $16,000,000,000,000 (trillion) and climbing debt we carry on the national level which is currently at $50,000 per person.

To summarize our current debt:

• City debt $5,922 per person
• County debt $1,345 per person
• School debt $9,034 per person
• TOTAL $16,301 per person in debt in Rockwall
• Plus a national debt of $50,000 per person

We will also see a personal massive tax hike come 1/1/13 when the Bush tax cuts end. That is going to send a lot of our ever-shrinking disposable income to Washington for the (mis)use of the federal government.

As a parent, if your family were personally in a boatload of debt, would you give your children a list of high ticket items to choose from to buy for them?

Not at our house and likely not at yours.

Now is not the time to increase our city debt load in Rockwall by 25%. Instead we should be getting our financial house in order by cutting spending and paying down our current debt.

“NO” to the bond proposals.

*Based on the 2010 census date 37,490 people in the city
**Based on 2010 census data of 78,337 people in the county

Johanna Runnels

Rockwall TX

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ROCKWALL – Letter To The Editor (a copy of the letter sent today by a Rockwall parent to Rockwall ISD Superintendent Jeff Bailey):

Dear Mr. Bailey:

I have nothing but praise for the Rockwall Independent School District and their actions during the severe storm on April 3rd, 2012.

Two of my grandchildren are students at Ouida Springer Elementary School and several events that took place were witnessed by my daughter first hand. Parents who came to the school to check on their kids were told that students would not be released, but parents were welcome to come in and wait out the storm. I received a text at 2:49 p.m. from the Rockwall County Sheriff’s Department and The National Weather Bureau indicating that the tornado warning had been discontinued.

At 3:17 p.m. that warning was reissued. I am guessing that during that 27 minutes some students were put on buses throughout the district with the assurance that all was ok. As some of those buses were already in neighborhoods, bus drivers probably determined that students would be safer in their homes than on buses returning the distance to school. I do know that a few buses left Springer a few minutes before the reissued warning and reached John King Blvd., a block away. Upon hearing the reissued warning they immediately turned around and returned to the school. Some of the students and teachers remained in the school past 6 p.m. until they could be safely released to their parents.

As a former educator I know that in every crisis situation there will be a few disgruntled parents who either do not have all the facts or have never had to take responsibility for a classroom, school, or district, during a crisis situation. There will always be a few mistakes made and lessons learned. In this instance, I think RISD did a superior job of keeping parents informed by email messages and the news media, and by personally insuring the safety and welfare of the students.

Sincerely,

Kay McKown

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ROCKWALL – Letter To The Editor (a copy of the letter sent yesterday by a Rockwall parent to Rockwall ISD Superintendent Jeff Bailey):

Dear Mr. Bailey,

I am appalled that RISD sent elementary-aged children home on school buses during yesterday’s severe weather outbreak. My ten-year-old twins were placed on a school bus shortly before a tornado touched down in Forney that was headed toward Rockwall. According to my daughters, the tornado sirens began sounding while they were on the bus.  The school bus driver dropped them off at their bus stop and said, “run as fast as you can to your house.”

Every day I put my faith in RISD that the safety of my children is its top priority. Yesterday, as I watched the weather events unfold from my office in Dallas, every maternal instinct told me to go home and protect my children. But there was a line of tornadic storms blocking my route.  And so I took solace in knowing that my daughters’ schools were among the safest buildings during a severe storm, and that the leadership and staff at RISD had the training and competence to keep my children safe.

Apparently my trust was misplaced.  RISD made a gross misstep by putting children on school busses during yesterday’s extreme weather. We were fortunate not to be more seriously affected by the storms.  My family was fortunate to have a trusted nanny at home who knew to keep an eye on the weather and the safest place in my home to survive a tornado.  But how many children did you send home to empty houses?  How many elementary-aged children would know to come home and turn on the news and where to hide in their houses?

The “what-ifs” are unbearable to contemplate.  While I watched news footage of tractor-trailors being hurled through the air, my children were placed on a school bus. While I watched in horror as tornados moved toward Rockwall, my children were loaded on a bus, dropped off, and essentially told to “run for it.”

RISD created a possibly deadly scenario yesterday when it released children while there were still severe storms in the area that were tracking toward Rockwall.  This cannot happen again. Immediate measures must be taken to ensure that it does not happen again.

I request that you forward me RISD’s policies regarding student safety and dismissal during severe weather. If appropriate policies are not already in place, new policies must be created immediately. If appropriate policies were already in place, then steps must be taken to ensure that they are followed and that all leadership and staff  is appropriately trained to implement those policies.

My understanding is that DISD did not send any children home on school buses yesterday.  This was certainly the most prudent action to ensure that the children were safe and no children were home alone during severe weather. I cannot understand why RISD did not exhibit the same good sense.

I look forward to hearing from you soon regarding RISD’s severe weather policies and the steps that RISD is taking to ensure  that this does not happen again.

Best regards

Misty Hubbard Gutierrez
Attorney at Law
Thomas, Feldman & Wilshusen L.L.P.

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ROCKWALL (Editorial)- Another family violence tragedy has rocked the Rockwall County community. This time it was a married Heath doctor who, last week, committed the horrific murder-suicide of his young girlfriend in Iowa and himself, leaving behind his shocked wife, four children, family and many friends.

Last time, in June, 2010, it was the husband of highly-respected Rowlett juvenile judge Belinda Loveland who took her life and his own, two months after a Fate father killed his wife and himself in their bedroom while their two children were watching TV in another room.

A month before, another murder-suicide occurred in Rowlett. Then within a week, another man killed himself and burned down the house of his ex-wife after he attempted to kill her in Rowlett. At least one of her family pets perished in the fire.

News stories about senseless tragedies like these are not published by TheRockwallNews.com to sensationalize the news or try to take advantage of the circumstances to obtain more readers. Because news is defined as whatever is unusual and, since, murders and attempted killings are still highly unusual in Rockwall and surrounding areas, we print stories like these to inform members of the community who know the victims and survivors, plus alert the community to the dangers around us. We also desire to use events like these to proactively educate adults, teens and children about how to prevent, reduce and deal with such tragedies.

More stories will soon appear about domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assaults and other crimes which are taking place locally, quoting survivors and experts from law enforcement, women’s shelters, healthcare, schools, non-profits and more, whose advise can hopefully help us all to find ways to prevent and reduce the violence and abuse around us.

Family violence is the leading cause of injury to women and children in America, according to the National Center for Injury Prevention of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. One in four women experience family violence in their lifetimes. One in 12 children suffer abuse, generally at the hands of their parents, step-parents or parents’ boyfriends or girlfriends. Shocking is the statistic that 1 in 4 girls and 6 boys will suffer sexual abuse before they reach 18 – 90% committed by family members or close friends of the family.

The publisher of TheRockwallNews.com, J.J. Smith (pictured above left) is particularly sensitive to the subject of family violence, because when I was just 10 years old, I witnessed the horrific murder-suicide of my mother by my father. For years our family had suffered from his abusive behavior and constant threats.

In all sincerity, my condolences, prayers and heart go out to all of the family violence victims, survivors, their families and friends. Believe me when I say, I’ve been there. I was the little boy who, with my older sisters, was pictured on the front page of both newspapers the day my parents died, plus was the lead story on all the TV & radio stations. I also became the adult constantly plagued with fear – although I never understood why – until I finally found the answer through professional counseling when I was over 50. My memories of watching my father beat and threaten my mother until she courageously left him, and then seeing him shoot and kill her and himself did not go away easily.

In order to help others suffering from the same fears, I founded the non-profit Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation 12 years ago – in memory of my mother, Lillian Smith (pictured above) – to increase awareness of the problem and encourage finding solutions. We’ve arranged and published literally thousands of news stories nationwide, plus helped a number of abuse victims to tell their stories when the legal system failed them. We also held two “Race To End Abuse” events in Rockwall and one in Frisco, which attracted hundreds of runners and raised thousands of dollars for family violence awareness.

Last year we expanded our efforts and established Americans Ending Abuse and Americans Ending Abuse PAC – the first Political Action Committee for this cause – to bolster our efforts across Texas and the entire nation. Our objective this time is to educate and empower citizens nationwide to find ways to prevent and reduce the tens of thousands of injuries and thousands of deaths needlessly caused by family violence. Board members and supporters include State Senator Bob Deuell, Texas “Superlawyer” John Browning, former Rowlett Mayor John & Debra Harper, Congressman Ralph Hall, Rowlett Mayor Todd Gottel, Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper and attorney Jim Pruitt, who is now a candidate for State Representative.

Last year, thanks to the highly-commendable efforts of Sen. Deuell and State Rep. Cindy Burkett, we even passed our first state law. It is now illegal in Texas for parents and guardians to show porn to their children. Our bill was passed unanimously by both houses of the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Perry last June. It became effective Sept. 1, 2011.

Rockwall County is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. I hope and pray that we can protect our women and children here far better than they are being protected elsewhere across the nation. They are the victims 85 percent of the time, according to law enforcement. We also need to support the survivors. I’m committed to helping. So is TheRockwallNews.com. How about you?

Will you join or support Americans Ending Abuse today and help bring an end to the national family violence epidemic? Contact me here or call 214-317-1718.

J.J. Smith, Publisher

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ROCKWALL – LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear County Commissioners:

Good afternoon.  I am writing you to ask you to revise an outdated policy at the Rockwall County Library.  My husband has had a library card for years, but I did not request one until a month ago.  When I went in, I was told I could not obtain a card without 2 phone numbers.  Like most households in 2011, we no longer have a home phone.  I do not work, so I only have a cell phone and thus, one number.  The checkout desk told me it was the rule, and that she couldn’t change it.  I told her she could have my old home number but it was invalid, she took that and gave me a card.  When I asked to talk to someone about having the policy revised, I was told I had to email the Director, that she was not available for me to talk to her.  I came home and sent an email to the director explaining the situation and that I believe the policy needs to be revised.  I have not heard any response in the three weeks since I sent the letter.

I returned my children’s books today and went to check out new books.  My account has now been blocked by the Library Director without any notice or response to my email.  Again, the Director was not available for me to talk to directly today.  While I could create a free, fake Google phone number to get around this policy, that does not update an outdated policy that needs to be reviewed for the current society.  I could provide my children’s cell phone number, but legally, that would not be a number the library could use to collect since they are under 18.  I provided my driver’s license with my current address and another ID showing I am truly a Rockwall resident.  Since the state of Texas does not need my phone number to find me, the library certain should not need two.  I asked the librarian today what single mother families are suppose to do, if they are able to rent library books when they are on a tight budget?  She just said it is the policy.  While I can afford to frequent Roma’s and Half Price Books, we do have citizens in this county that would benefit from this policy being changed to only requiring one phone number.

I have paid County taxes for almost five years but cannot check out books because I questioned a policy that needs to be updated.  I would like to request that you please review this matter as well as review the process that staff uses to retailate against Rockwall County citizens for asking a question.  To date, I have not received any reply by email or phone from Mrs. McCulley.  I understand the Council has been reviewing outsourcing the library, however, a change in management that will listen and respond to the county residents may bring the results of more patrons to this public service.

Thank you for your consideration and time.

Sincerely,

Kaydee Short

Rockwall, TX 75032

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ROCKWALL – Outgoing Rockwall Mayor Bill Cecil (above and left) and Council members Glen Farris (center) and Matt Scott were rightly honored at last week’s City Council meeting when each was presented with a proclamation by the City stating that May 16, 2011 was Mayor William R. Cecil Day, Glen Farris Day and Matthew R. Scott Day, respectively.

Much has transpired in Rockwall during their tenures worth noting and remembering. Much credit should be given to each of these public servants for all the time they and their families have sacrificed. Sincere thanks should be expressed to each of them for all they have accomplished.

Since Mayor Cecil began serving on the Rockwall City Council from 1999-2004, before serving three consecutive terms as Rockwall Mayor, from 2005-2011, the city’s population has grown from approximately 18,200 in the 2000 Census to presently over 38,000 – over 100 percent!

Numerous projects were brought to fruition while he was in office, including:

• Construction of a new city hall
• Construction of a new police/courts building
• Construction of The Center at City Place building
• Reconstruction of numerous roads including SH-205, FM-740 and SH-66
• Construction of John King Blvd. and its I-30 overpass
• Opening of several new neighborhood parks & expansion of Myers Park
• Construction of three new fire stations
• Implementation of a new public safety radio system
• Construction of The Harbor District
• Construction of a new animal adoption center

He was also a founding member and has served eight years on the Rockwall County Emergency Services Corporation board, helping to procure ambulance service, provide emergency management services, and fund the construction of a firearms training center for local law enforcement officers.

Council member Farris served on the Rockwall Parks & Recreation Board from 2003 to 2006, the Planning & Zoning Commission from 2006-2007 and was first elected to the Rockwall City Council in 2007.

Since he’s been on Council, the city’s population grew from an estimated 22,850 in 2003 to 38,000.

According to the proclamation, while serving on the Parks Board, Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council, he was instrumental in helping to accomplish:

• Construction of four new neighborhood parks and new trails
• A sesquicentennial celebration for Rockwall’s 150^th birthday
• Acquisition of land for the north community park site
• Reconstruction of SH-205 and a portion of FM-740
• Construction of John King Boulevard and its I-30 overpass
• Construction of two new fire stations
• Construction of a new animal adoption center

Farris has been particularly supportive of the city’s “Green” efforts through his work on the council’s Environmental subcommittee.

Council member Scott was first elected to the Rockwall City Council in 2005 and has served three consecutive terms in office.

During his time on Council, the city’s population grew from an estimated 27,800 in 2005 to 38,000.

The proclamation read while serving on Council, he played a pivotal role in bringing many projects to fruition, including:

• Implementation of a new public safety radio system
• Reconstruction of SH-205, and a portion of  FM-740
• Construction of John King Boulevard and its I-30 overpass
• Construction of four new neighborhood parks and acquisition of land for the north community park site
• Construction of two new fire stations
• Construction of a new animal adoption center
• Construction of The Harbor District

No doubt many more projects will be completed, thanks to these Council members, which they should certainly still receive credit for when they come to pass.

Thank you, sincerely, Mayor Cecil, Council Member Glen Farris and Council Member Matt Scott!

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

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(Letter to the Editor) ROCKWALL – I would like to give high marks to the Rockwall Mayor and City Council for their efforts to provide municipal services to the recently annexed Lake Rockwall Estates (LRE). They have demonstrated true commitment and compassion for the residents of LRE, particularly in the fight to provide affordable utilities.

Currently, water and sewer service, where available within LRE, is provided by a private utility, Aqua Texas. This company owns the utility service by virtue of a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) granted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The CCN for Lake Rockwall Estates was granted years ago when there was no municipal utility service available to the residents there. The CCN was granted to a prior owner who built the utility services in the LRE community.

Now, Aqua Texas, having acquired the utility monopoly by purchase a few years ago, enjoys income of around $70,000.00 per month. It charges LRE residents about $170.00 each per month for water and sewer, which is about five times what other city residents pay to the City of Rockwall for superior service, which also includes trash pickup. Aqua Texas has made little or no repairs or improvements to the system since the purchase.

Water and sewer services within the city limits are best provided by municipal governments. The private utilities, known as Investor Owned Utilities (IOU’s) have their place in areas where utility services are not otherwise available. In the case of LRE, however, the need for an IOU has passed. The government sanctioned monopoly is no longer needed and competitive services need to be available to those in our community who are least able to afford the high cost of the private service.

The Mayor and Council of Rockwall cannot proceed with providing services unless the monopoly stranglehold of Aqua Texas is defeated. Currently, State law does not allow for the City to acquire the service or to compete with Aqua Texas. This is one area where the government grant of monopoly needs to be relinquished and the city allowed to take over the service.

Currently, there are bills pending before the Texas House and Senate that will allow the City to acquire the service through a process akin to condemnation and the exercise of imminent domain powers. Our State Representative, Jodi Laubenburg, is not supporting the City’s effort to get this legislation passed. She says she supports “big business” and opposes the effort to take away Aqua Texas’ exclusive franchise to continue to fleece the residents of LRE for no other reason than profits.

Her arguments do not even make sense. This is a governmental function that needs to be provided by government. The current scheme allows the citizens of her district to be charged exorbitant rates when they could get better service for five times less than they pay now. There is no reason for the support of Aqua Texas other than its influence in the legislature. Unfortunately, we know how that works and how hard it is to defeat the influence of corporate political money.

I ask all citizens to unite behind our City of Rockwall government and call for support of the pending legislation. Let’s end the licensed profiteering at the expense of our fellow citizens.

It is past time for Rep. Laudenberg to go back to Collin County and stay. She is not a good representative of Rockwall and all of its residents. I am glad she is being redistricted out of our county. Let her know your displeasure with her lack of service when you voice your support of this legislation.

By G. David Smith

Rockwall

Board Certified P.I. Trial Law

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Editorial Opinion by J.J. Smith. I’ve heard a lot of talk around town between people questioning the Rockwall City Council’s 6-0 decision Oct. 19 to invest nearly $1 million dollars into increasing the number of boat docks at The Harbor from the current nine to 35-40.

Construction is expected to be completed during the summer of 2010.

While I’ll admit that I haven’t taken the time to closely review the budget – which I’m about to do – I have to add my voice to those who think a million dollars for more boat docks is a bad idea right now, particularly during this time of economic hardship for so many families and organizations.

I’m personally disappointed with the Rockwall City Council for approving such a measure.

For example, the Rockwall Boys & Girls Club desperately needs $50,000 immediately to just keep its doors open. If the City Council really wants to invest where it’s needed, how about paying that amount and more to put the non-profit organization on better economic footing? Since opening here a couple of years ago, nearly 200 children daily now attend the Club after school. If the Club closes, where will these children go?

National crime statistics show the majority of juvenile crime is committed after school, when many parents are working. The Boys & Girls Club helps prevent crime by offering children a safe place after school to hang out with friends, do their homework, learn about a variety of things, plus develop their talents and interests – with the help of volunteer mentors.

The Club even holds pizza parties and stays open late Fridays until 10 pm, so parents can go out on a date once in a while. That’s good for marriages and might just help prevent some divorces.

Another organization which needs funding is the Women In Need women’s shelter office in Rockwall. An average of five women a day – local domestic violence victims – seek counseling and assistance from WIN’s office in the Helping Hands medical facility. But WIN, based in Greenville, is paying about $50,000 per year to staff and operate it – including paying $500 per month for rent there.

No Rockwall funds are currently used to operate the office, from what I understand from WIN’s Executive Director Roger Robertson. And WIN generates most of its income by operating three resale shops in Greenville.

So Rockwall only has an office for domestic violence victims, thanks to the people who purchase items from Hunt Co. resale shops. That’s crazy! Rockwall can definitely afford to pay for an office to help abuse victims.

And then there’s always Helping Hands, the city’s and county’s designated agency for helping those in need. The food pantry is bare right now. How about taking at least a few thousand dollars to pay for some more food for city residents who are out of work or ill?

Yes, The Harbor probably does need more boat docks, so more boaters can party there during Summer concerts, and so more boaters can eat at restaurants there.

And I probably need to better understand what the City can and can’t do with tax dollars.

But I just think there are many better places to invest Rockwall’s tax dollars right now.

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