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Is it not time for SAWS Accountability and an audit of Vista Ridge?! In 2014, when the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) and the then City Council, put the bums rush (30 days) on the Vista Ridge water pipeline project, we united across the 142-mile pipeline to urge a careful look at consequences of the Vista Ridge water pipeline. The Council was warned that it could not only do harm to the infinitesimally slow recharging aquifers underlying Burleson County, but also the mighty Edwards Aquifer! Now here we are today, with SAWS ready to takeover the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program, threatening serious harm to the program and the Edwards . It is not time for SAWS Accountability and a full audit of Vista Ridge?! This coming Sunday a petition drive will kickoff in San Antonio for just that. This is a volunteer drive for which we need many hands and some of your hard-earned dollars. Live in San Antonio? Come on over to these events! ► TOMORROW, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 6:00 pm , Eco Center, 1802 N. Main. The Alamo Sierra Club hosts Dr. Meredith McGuire, who knows more about SAWS rates related to Vista Ridge than most anyone around. Visit this Event page for details here . ► THIS SUNDAY, February 23, from 2 to 4 pm , at Luby’s, 911 N. Main Ave., for the Kickoff of the Petition Drive for a public vote on the SAWS Accountability Act! Visit this Event page for more . The petition will be live on this page on Sunday, so keep it handy. Got questions? Reply to this message or give us a call at our San Antonio number: 210.807.7273. #EdwardsAquifer #petitiondrive #SAWS #VistaRidge

It’s now become clear that Vista Ridge is a serious danger to the Mighty Edwards! We warned you back in 2014 that Vista Ridge (the San Antone Hose) was a threat to TWO aquifers — the aquifers underlying counties east of Austin — the Carrizo-Wilcox (and its Simsboro formation) AND the mighty Edwards Aquifer. Remember, we told you about how Gov. Abbott used his veto pen to turn The Hose back on SAWS’ House Bill 1806 last May, protecting the Edwards. Now, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg wants to put the fox (San Antonio Water System — SAWS) in charge of  chicken-house: the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program (EAAPP).  Rep. Lyle Larson, chair of the Texas House Natural Resources Committee, was quoted in the independent Rivard Report on January 17, “We strongly disagree with redirecting funding away from securing land around San Antonio to protect our water supply in favor of funding mass transit” wrote Larson, a former city councilman and Bexar County commissioner who has become known for his work on water issues during his four terms as a legislator. This comes just as two Senate committees will hold this VERY important water hearing: Water Hearing, Wednesday, January 22, starting at 10 am in Austin. Details here . Watch the stream on this page . Hearings held between our biennial Texas legislative sessions are important. This one, being held jointly by two Senate Committees, is important especially in light of how unusual it is to hold interim hearings this early. The hearing is being held jointly by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development and the Senate Committee on Water and Rural Affairs. LET THIS MOTIVATE YOU : The expected mega-pumping for the Vista Ridge (San Antone Hose) water pipeline is in April with full bore pumping starting in July.  This, together with the efforts by Austin Mayor Steve Adler to thwart a continued citizen challenge to Austin’s land development policies and now a concerted move by San Antonio Mayor Nirenberg that could destabilize the Edwards Aquifer Protection Fund, makes this hearing all the more important. This is what the Californiafication of Texas water policy looks like – mass movement of precious groundwater for real estate development in areas without local supply. Who pays? Our aquifers, rural landowners who wish not to unnecessarily separate groundwater from their land, and ratepayers forced to subsidize in-migration population growth. This is part of the picture that drives affordability downward. It is a common ploy of big real estate and their minions in public office. ( Lots more here at our Costs of Growth section .) Climate Change Hopefully, you haven’t missed the irony as Austin Mayor Steve Adler, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and establishment Democrats talk about all the things they promise to do in light of climate change. How about starting with doing something about which the electorate — of all persuasions — agree? We call it — do not harm! Regardless of your ability to attend, please contact the committee members listed below before or after the hearing. You can also contact your own State Representative and State Senator. Urge their help to protect our land, our water and small “d” democracy – the right to have any say on these big ticket matters that affect us all regardless of any divisions among us. Senate Water and Rural Affairs Committee members here Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development members here The non-partisan, non-profit League of Independent Voters will be presenting comments on Wednesday based on this 11-page document released last August. In these times, there is no room for debate about risking aquifers upon which millions of people and all of life depend. Join us on Wednesday or get on the phone. Find your legislators here or just call the Capital Switchboard at 512.463.4630. If you need help with details about speaking, parking or anything else, please call our main office line at 512.213.4511 or send an email to info@independentleaguetx.org. DON’T MOURN YOU’ ALL. ORGANIZE! #SAWS #SteveAdler #VistaRidge #EdwardsAquifer #RonNirenberg

These surprise eight gifts from the independent movement are listed in random order. Y’all enjoy! GIFT #1: Toy Giveaway and the new game — the Vista Ridge Spin – coming soon to you too! LIV volunteers had a blast at the Toy Giveaway put on by Sharrell and Rufus Kemp on Saturday, December 14 in San Antonio’s District 2. Adults played the new “The Vista Ridge Spin Game” winning a stuffed animal for the kiddos to choose. The main response we received was, “Why haven’t heard anything about this?” That’s what we’d like to know. GIFT #2:  Big Reform for Open Government, HB 2840 South Texas State Rep. Terry Canales, led a bi-partisan coalition for passage HB 2840. According this Dallas Morning News article , “Under the new law, a person can speak to a government body at the start of the meeting, at the end, and most important, before a vote on every listed agenda item.”  Read about it here too at the Texas Monitor . In 2020, LIV will give you more tools on how to use this reform to forge transparency in local government. GIFT #3 — Get It Right Address on Land Development Code Austin resident and nationally recognized community planner, Jim Duncan, offers you this gift, his “Get-It-Right Address” about Austin Mayor Steve Adler and his allies mishandling of the land development code, leading to a legal challenge involving 8,000 Austin residents who don’t care to be being “upzoned.” More here at Community Not Commodity . GIFT #4: Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape’s appointment Judge Pape gave all citizens concerned about protection of groundwater resources, a lovely gift by appointing Phil Cook (in the photo), a longtime friend of our central Texas aquifers and the Colorado River, to the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District Board LPGCD –Bastrop and Lee counties’ district, effective January 1. Phil is a scholar, a genuine “water wonk”, who even joined the group of 100-plus landowners who challenged the LCRA “water grab” — currently pending. Gift #5: Unlikely Santa, Dennis Bonnen’s Gift through Appointment The self-discredited Texas House Speaker, Dennis Bonnen, nevertheless made some excellent appointments to the Sunset Advisory Commission. Rep. John Cyrier (R-Lockhart) is now the chair of the powerful Commission. Rep. Canales (D-Edinburg) replaces also self-discredited, Rep. Nevarez. These are the agencies under review through the 2021 legislative session. Cyrier will serve through 2023! Congratulations, y’all! (This update from Quorum Report adds more intrigue to the Cyrier appointment .) GIFT #6 — to the Hill Country A gift to the Hill Country came from the private interest involved in the potential harm to Honey Creek. Our only question is when will state agencies step up for Texans? Thanks to environmental writer, Brendan Gibbons of the Rivard Report for the story ! Hill Country’s Honey Creek No Longer Set to Receive Treated Sewage GIFT #7: to food consumers and small farmers! Thanks for the monumental gift to Texas’ small farmers by the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance for filing suit on Wednesday . After many and repeated efforts to be heard by the overly-friendly to Big Ag, Texas Department of Agriculture, FARFA filed suit to protect the interests of small farmers and consumers. GIFT #8 — On Impeachment (and, for that matter, recalls) LIV, a 501c4 non-profit, takes no position on the impeachment or on electing or recalling officials. But, we thought what longtime and reliably independent, Ralph Nader, had to say about the impeachment is so very enlightening, we’re linking to it here, as we let Mr. Nader, as always, speak for himself . BIG THANKS TO THESE LIV VOLUNTEERS (we all are) in 2019! LIV Interim Board Members – Ellen Berky, Jeff Harper, David Jones and Arlan Foster LIV Advisors: Michele Gangnes, Mark Miller, James Murphy, Calvin Tillman Volunteers: Bastrop volunteer, Charlotte Gilman, super-geek, Chris Hauboldt, San Antonio’s District 10 activist, Reinette King, SA’s District 9 activist, 88-year old, Stan Mitchell, SA conservative activist, Joe Caddell and Colleen Waring (Milam County) and others who probably wish to remain anonymous – we still thank you! Donors: Thank you to all, and especially those who do them more than once per year or give us free lunches, housing and sage advice. Thank you so much! Our biggest well wishes go out to Board Member, Arlan Foster, who lost his home and belongings as his house burned to the ground. We love you! Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Chanukuh, Happy Kwanza and anything else you may celebrate this time of year. We’ll see you next year, independent pals! #DennisBonnen #PaulPape #HoneyCreek #HillCounty #TerryCanales #JohnCyrier #PhilCook #SunsetAdvisoryCommission

Many thanks to you early givers this morning for giving to these 2 ALL-volunteer outfits! Watch and share this and join LIV’s month-long giving campaign! To clarify, we at LIV are suggesting that for #GivingTuesday today and throughout the month, you give to two ALL VOLUNTEER entities and ask your friends to do the same. ► Simsboro Aquifer Water Defense Fund . The water defense fund is a 501c3 non-profit. Their donations are matched and provide a tax-deducation for givers. You can give to the water defense fund on their Facebook here or go to their donation page here and give online or send a check. ►League of Independent Voters of Texas . LIV is a 501c4 non-profit membership association for independent, non-aligned voters. And though we cannot offer you a match or a tax-deduction, we offer you our hard work for independent action. Currently, LIV   is raising funds for an independent managerial, financial and legal audit of the Vista Ridge water pipeline — the San Antone Hose turkey! Help LIV Topple the Turkey by giving here .Help us reach lots more people by sharing the video from our Facebook page here . Join us in San Antonio this coming Saturday, Dec. 7, 3 to 5 pm. Details here . Want to volunteer or have questions about it? Give us a good old fashioned phone call, won’t you? Revolutionaries are not paid. Our pay comes in doing things no one else will do. Join us! #independentaudit #SanAntoneHose #VistaRidge #volunteerism

Topple the Turkey Giving Tuesday, December 3rd. Giving Tuesday is a worldwide GIVING day.  But don’t worry if you miss this deadline. We’ll be at it all month. Click on this 1 minute video, watch the turkey topple and do share! Our world is capable of incredible giving and incredible taking. Which side we are all on is a daily choice. Tomorrow and all month, join LIV’s efforts to give to our incoming generations. Here’s how — don’t forget number 3: 1.  Give a tax-deductible contribution to the water defense fund — Simsboro Aquifer Water Defense Fund . If you are able to give on Facebook, your deductible donation is also eligible for a match — but do tomorrow (Tuesday) right at 7 am for the match! Go here to SAWDF’s Facebook page – look for the donation button on recent posts. Or, to send a check or to give online anytime this month. Visit the SAWDF website here , and 2. Give to LIV to help us Topple the Turkey — Vista Ridge. Seriously, your donation to the non-profit LIV, though not deductible or matched, will fuel the fight for an independent managerial, legal and financial audit of the Vista Ridge — San Antone Hose. To give online or to send a check to the non-profit LIV, go here , and 3. Give your volunteerism — it is of equal importance to us here at LIV. Get involved anywhere in the great state of Texas! Remember, our issues (LIV calls them “ Beefs “) are the sweet spot where Texans are already working across the partisan divide. We think that unity is required for positive change in America. After you Topple the Turkey Tomorrow, Giving Tuesday: Please note our next and most important meeting yet in San Antonio, is this coming Saturday, December 7, details here . Our last post was all about Giving Tuesday. Visit our Giving Tuesday landing page for more . We are delighted to share this must-read article, “ High Plains Race to Save Ogallala “ . #SanAntoneHose #VistaRidge

This coming Tuesday evening, November 19 at 7 pm, an important meeting will take place to discuss where we’re going with the Vista Ridge Audit in San Antonio. Our guest speaker is Colleen Waring, an affected landowner from Milam County and a longtime auditor . Colleen will talk about why the Audit of Vista Ridge is so important and how it should be conducted after speaking to the City Council’s Audit and Accountability Committee on Tuesday morning. James Murphy, Esq. longtime water lawyer who lives in Bexar County, will also talk about why the audit should also address the legal and managerial problems with this project. Here’s our event page for this meeting . Please use the share buttons to invite others. Got questions or a SAWS ratepayer problem? Call our San Antonio hotline at 210.807.7273. Hoping to see you Tuesday! #Audit #SAWS #VistaRidge

In this LIV Newsletter November 5 issue: ►Manny’s Problem Pregnancy…Vista Ridge. ►Austin’s Local Election — Adler Attacks on Petition Rights. ►So, this IS news! Voting Today, Tuesday, November 5th! Council Member, Manny Palaez, has a problem pregnancy. ►King Lobby, Oil and Gas, rein in attempts by guess who. ►Manny’s Problem Pregnancy.   Perhaps no San Antonio City Council Member is more deserving of his phone ringing off the hook with SAWS rateapayer complaints than District 8 Manny Palaez. San Antonio Water System’s phone is, apparently, also ringing off the hook and hanging up on people. (If you have a complaint, please try calling SAWS at 210-704-7297 .) This is why LIV-San Antonio has launched our own hotline to document complaints AFTER you have tried to reach SAWS. It’s all in the 1-minute video. Please watch and share . Note: SAWS covers far more than San Antonio — see their water service area map here . ►Austin’s Local Election as Adler Attacks Petition Rights. “ Visit our New Petition Rights Page ” Austin’s Mayor Steve Adler ain’t shy about going after the right to petition at the very same time the new CodeNEXT (the overhaul of the city’s land development code, more here ) is getting a big push by and for the big real estate machine — with plenty of help from most of the Austin City Council. Let us not forget the scurrilous attacks on the citizens’ petitioned Prop J in the last election by the Mayor’s allies. This week’s Report by the City Auditor implying Austin petition rules are too lenient is rife with error by ommission. They neglected to tell you that Austin denies citizens the right to petition to vote on reversing a Council decision (known as the referendum), a right offered by most all Texas municipalities. See the short slide show on our new Petition Rights page . More soon! Looking for reliable information on Austin’s Prop B? The facts laid out at Unconventional Austin are compelling. The Austin Chronicle’s, is wholly unclear and…well, you decide . We know the writer is fullly capable of wisdom and clarity. ►So, this IS news! Today, Tuesday, November 5th, IS Election Day! Your ballot will have 10 statewide constitutional amendments to vote on.Your ballot may also have local measures, including bonds and candidates in some local elections. Visit this page by the League of Women Voters of Texas for info on 10 Statewide Constitional Amendments. Visit this page for central Texas propositions and local elections in the Austin area. The Houston League of Women Voters ’ voter guide is here , Note the VERY hot contest for Houston Mayor. Do an internet search for more in your community. ►Best news all week: King Lobby, Oil and Gas, reined in attempts by…Oil & Gas Big Boy… – “Fracking Pioneer’s Charity Challenges Industry Dogma — Houston Chronicle, 11:3:2019 Ready to live a little and join or donate to LIV ? Please do. If you’re ready to build a chapter, please give us a call. Follow us on Twitter @LIVofTX and/or like us on Facebook . #petitionrights #SAWS #MannyPalaez #OilandGasLobby #MayorSteveAdler #HoustonMayor

LIV Newsletter: Oct. 21, 2019 ►Does LCRA need Bastrop’s groundwater?  Does LCRA “Need” Bastrop’s groundwater? No, they don’t. No, they don’t. In three days of hearings last week (and still underway today and tomorrow, Oct. 21-22), LCRA has brought it on their naked selves. By refusing to answer the question of why they need a mega-permit for 25,000 acre-feet of groundwater every year from Bastrop, they have opened themselves up to the accusation they too have bought in to making central Texas one big rotting real estate play. How is that?  Watch the KXAN report and read our full report here . ►Speaking of ratepayer abuse, did you see this article today? “ Town Relying on SAWS Stunned by Rate Increase ” Elmendorf’s Mayor Michael Gonzales is quoted in the San Antonio Express News stating, “We feel your pain and frustration,” adding his own water bill last month amounted to $305. Bottom line is SAWS is a PUBLIC utility but under increased scrutiny for appearing to act in full concert with private interests by raiding ratepayers and a critically important central Texas aquifer. Isn’t it high time for YOUR action? After all, the buck stops in your pocket, unless you do nothing. Go to LIV’s Vista Ridge Page and start calling your officials all the way to the Governor’s office. It’s a simple ask — audit, oversight, step up and do the right thing because the buck and vote stops with YOU. ►So, this is news?! Early voting started today, Monday, October 21 through Friday, November 1st. Election Day is Nov. 5th. Your ballot will have 10 statewide constitutional amendments to vote on. Your ballot may also have local measures, including bonds and candidates in some local elections. Visit this page by the League of Women Voters of Austin for info on Statewide Amendments and central Texas propositions and local elections. The Houston League of Women Voters ’ voter guide should be online tomorrow , October 22, with lots more on local elections, including a VERY hot contest for Mayor. Do an internet search for more in your community. ►VERY IMPORTANT EVENTS! click here to view details of events listed below • Redistricting Hearings, Houston (Oct. 22 & 23) • • Independent/Third Party Lawsuit Hearing, Austin (October 31) • • Corpus Christi Redistricting (Nov. 4) • Saving and sharing this Mark Cuban Tweet for Prosperity, Posterity and Rodney Reed. The Governor of Texas holds the power to stay this execution. We agree, Mark.  He needs to get it right. ► Want to talk with other independents about any of the above? Feel free to post a comment below . It’s open, but be nice. We do moderate for political trolls who need not apply. ► On that note, you opinionated non-trolls are cordially invited to LIV a little by becoming a dues paying member . Or to simply donate , including becoming a monthly sustainer. Thank y’all! #RodneyReed #MarkCuban #GovernorofTexas #ThirdPartylawsuit #RedistrictingHearings

Does LCRA Need” Bastrop’s groundwater? No, they don’t. “Does LCRA need Bastrop groundwater? They already have all that water in the Highland Lakes.” That was my Llano friend’s response when she saw this news on KXAN-TV that LCRA was in a legal proceeding pressing their demand on Bastrop landowners for a 25,000 acre-feet of groundwater (a “mega-permit”) from the aquifer underlying the Boy Scout Property – the Griffith League Ranch at FM 1441 and Highway 21. I sat through hours of testimony on Thursday and Friday. The testimony by Andy Wier , Board Member of the Simsboro Aquifer Water Defense Fund (SAWDF) was riveting.   Wier’s testimony was remarkable, even to seasoned attorneys representing private marketers with whom landowners are fighting in other forums involving other mega-permit disputes, including Vista Ridge (‘the San Antone Hose’). One of them, Paul Terrill, who represents the “dark side” of Vista Ridge said of Wier’s testimony: “It was the most informed citizen testimony I have ever heard.” The hearing will continue on Monday and Tuesday (October 21 – 22) in Austin, from 8:30 am and even through a portion of the evening at 300 W. 15th Street at the State Office of Administrative hearings. Many of our readers have been following the “water wars” east of Austin for years. LCRA has joined a chorus of public and private interests who, in our opinion, have fully heeled to the Big Real Estate Lobby’s obsession for building out a metroplex in central Texas. Therefore, it’s a good bet that those pushing for mega-permits are HOPING TO CREATE a need in a highly speculative game that is putting a sustainable water future at stake. Watch the KXAN report, come to the hearing if you can. But, here’s your real charge. Call your state legislators (House and Senate) and ask them to get involved in ending these unnecessary and potentially destructive water wars. They can tell LCRA, a public agency and river authority, to back off on joining the chorus with privateering groundwater marketers looking to make a quick big buck off our most precious resource. Find your legislators here . Call us or send us their responses or give them our number 512.213.4511. We’re happy to follow up or answer any questions you have before or after you make those calls. For you deep water policy divers, please visit these posts by the dynamic duo non-profits, Simsboro Aquier Water Defense Fund “ The Emperor Has No Clothes ” and Environmental Stewardship in depth update here . They form the core of the landowner/scientific team that has taken a piece of LCRA’s hide in these proceedings. Fun to watch! The most imminent water war threat in Texas is Vista Ridge, aka the San Antone Hose, slated to start pumping from a barely recharging aquifer (largely the Simsboro formation of the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer underlying Burleson, Milam, Lee and Bastrop counties) in April 2020. Visit our Vista Ridge page here . Posted by Linda Curtis. #Bastropgroundwater #KXANReport #LCRA #waterwars

LIV Newsletter, October 8, 2019 A new LIV member recently asked us this very important question. Why are we so focused on water? We’re not. We’re much more focused on gold. The gold rush is on in Texas for our most valuable resource — groundwater — as big real estate has turned central Texas into one big real estate play. So on that cheerful note, here’s the good news. San Antonio Water System’s Vista Ridge behemoth got a little comeuppance on KSAT-TV , thanks to our growing cross-partisan team in the Alamo City. We might be cross, but we’re not partisan. Enjoy the KSAT report! (Note: the 52% rate hikes are already in place…anything goes after 2020.) The Vista Ridge privateering water marketers, who seem to think they own the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District in Burleson and Milam counties , might be wrong about that. Read our report and help us get ready for the next round. Date not set yet. The wonderful water watchdogs; scientists, attorneys, residents and landowners at Simsboro Aquifer Water Defense and Environmental Stewardship , have an urgently important hearing on ANOTHER mega-permit demand — this one, by the LCRA — for 25,000 acre-feet of groundwater in the Lost Pines District — Bastrop and Lee counties. It’s at the Bastrop Convention Center starting on Oct. 15 and lasting up to 6 days. If you can get there, do it please. Read this SAWDF release and this ES post . Though LIV does not endorse candidates, it’s important for you to know there is someone running for Houston Mayor who actually is talking about the real deal for Houston — flood control and political reform. Read Bill King’s blog here . Did any of y’all see Austin Mayor Steve Adler in the news recently talking about how those pesky petitioners need stiffer petition rules? What has the Mayor been smoking these days, other than his competition? Y’all Austinites better get your LIV game on. We’re waiting for you. Redistricting hearings are on this week in Worth and Dallas . Look for LIV’s own Jeff Harper or call him at 512.999.2701. Details here . We hope to see you in San Antonio at the next SAWS Rate Advisory Committee meeting on October 16, 6 pm at SAWS. Reply for more information or call us. Did you see this crude oil pipeliner decided not to traverse the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone? Good deal! We just got word about this EPA hearing on changing some methane emission standards to be held in Dallas on October 17th . It’s the only one in the USA! If you can be there, we have some comments from LIV we’d like to share. Donate or just pay some membership dues , if ya haven’t already, will ya? #KSATTV #LIV

It’s time to pay the Pied Piper at SAWS who brought you 52% rate hikes (and anything goes after 2020) via Vista Ridge, an unnecessarily massive groundwater transfer that threatens more than just rates. Before you do, watch this KSAT-TV report on October 1. Enjoy! According to legend, the Pied Piper, lured rats away. But when it came time to pay him, citizens refused to pay. The Piper then used his instrument to lure the children away. The similarities of Vista Ridge to the legend stops there because as far as we know, the Pied Piper never lied to his customers. It’s now time for SAWS ratepayers to pay for the project heavily promoted by the SAWS Pied Pipers – a legion of attorneys, public relations people and lobbyists. Starting in April 2020, landowners will pay with a massive transfer of water out from underneath them into the Vista Ridge pipeline. Regardless, SAWS can no longer hide that Vista Ridge is most expensive water in Texas. They also can’t hide that they cannot use nearly one-third of the water (15K acre-feet/year) for the life of the contract – 30 years. In February, 2018, in fact, SAWS told the San Antonio City Council they were trying to sell off those 15K acre feet, to no avail. Why in the Heck does Vista Ridge Want More Water? James Murphy, Esq., attorney for landowner, Sidney Zgabay, surrounded by Vista Ridge’s CEO Ross Cummings (L), attorney Paul Terrill (R), and Vista Ridge hydrologist James Bene of R. W. Harden & Associates on far right. Last July, the private partners for Vista Ridge filed for additional water, approximately 5,000 acre-feet of water per year for 30 years. The permit just came before the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District Board in Milam County on October 3. Board Members of Post Oak and local landowners in attendance wanted to kno w why Vista Ridge is asking for more water when San Antonio cannot use it. Lee County Judge Paul Fischer was particularly insistent on this point. Thank you, Judge! Vista Ridge attorney, Paul Terrill, danced about and around answering this question. Michele Gangnes, attorney and landowner from the Simsboro Aquifer Water Defense Fund, pointed out that Post Oak’s own rules require an answer to this question and others. Read her testimony here . Though Judith McGeary of Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance and Milam County farmer, was unable to attend the hearing, she, as usual, did her homework. McGeary, an attorney with substantial knowledge on water issues, covered some of important concerns about the water leases that underlie Vista Ridge, suggesting a thorough review by the District. Read it here . The good news is the hearing was “continued” for another date, which gives landowner, Sidney Zgabay (R), and his attorney time to prepare a contest to this permit. The Zgabay family has owned their property for over 100 years and feels it will be harmed by Vista Ridge pumping. Sidney plans to pass that land on to his heirs, unspoiled. On the left with Sidney, is Walter Hurd, a neighbor who celebrated his 77th birthday attending the hearing. “What We Do Making…San Antonio Waterful” …the Rate Advisory Committee That phrase in quotes is prominently displayed on the SAWS website homepage. Perhaps this is the simple answer the question. SAWS wants to claim San Antonio is “waterful” (a made up word) in order to keep wooing people to the area. But, just how this benefits ratepayers now is something we hope the SAWS Rate Advisory Committee members will be asking. At the first meeting of the RAC, held on September 24, there were a number of questions about Vista Ridge. The RAC’s next meeting is on Wednesday, October 16 at 6 pm at the SAWS. We hope to see some of your smiling…or not…faces there. Here’s the RAC’s webpage at SAWS. Ratepayers and Landowners Unite! Call your officials. The Vista Ridge Resolution calls for a thorough review and audit of Vista Ridge and ordinance for proper oversight at SAWS. Now, all you reading this have to do is make the calls to your officials. What you need is here on the Vista Ridge page. As Ben Franklin once said, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.” Let’s Hang Together! Again, all you need is right here on our Vista Ridge page . And, never hesitate to call us at 512.213.4511 or send us a note at info@independentleaguetx.org . Thanks to Andy Wier for the great photos. #BillKing #Redistricting #PostOakSavannahGroundwaterConservationDistrict #SteveAdler #VistaRidge #LCRA #piedpiper

To us at LIV, Whining IS Allowed for PARTICIPANTS! Is the obsession to build massive unaffordable and unlivable metroplexes in Texas becoming intolerable to you? This is uniting rural and urban Texans who are catching the drift: ever rising taxes and fees, homelessness, concentrated poverty, increased public safety risks, and harm to critically important land and water resources. Fact:   San Antonio just won another dubious award — the highest poverty rate of the nation’s top 25 cities, surpassing Detroit! Fact: The only thing transparent about the Vista Ridge (San Antone Hose) obsessed SAWS is what’s driving this destructive project — big real estate’s new developments between Austin and San Antonio. We pay, they make hay. Fact:   Austin continues in its quest to densify so quickly, even more displacement of current residents is on the way. Here’s what you can actually DO about this, other than whine! Austinites, sign the Community Not Commodity Petition here . * San Antonians , call the Mayor and City Council at 210-207-7040 to urge they pass the Vista Ridge Resolution.  We have also have thousands of fliers you can distribute. Details here , reply or call us. “Simsboro counties” — Burleson, Milam, Lee and Bastrop come to this critically important hearing on Thursday, October 3,  5:30 pm, 310 East Avenue C, Milano, TX 76556! Tell your friends, democracy is not a spectator sport. In our book, whining IS allowed for all PARTICIPANTS . PS If you get this in time, some of us will be at tomorrow’s SAWS Board Meeting, 9 am. Join us or watch it on the stream at: https://apps.saws.org/video/live.cfm #waterhearing #IndependentVoters #SAWS #VistaRidge #transparency #displacement