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  I am writing you to ask you to revise an outdated policy at the Rockwall County Library.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  While I could create a free, fake Google phone number to get around this policy, that does not update an outdated policy that needs to be reviewed for the current society.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

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

(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

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.