Lake Conroe Water
June 14, 2014

 Lake Conroe was at full pool elevation by the middle of May and obviously that 201 above mean sea level number is rising,  as of May 28, 2014. There is 22,000 water acres for boats and fishermen to play on, as well as, monitor the vast bird species, picnic, and camp. Lake Conroe is now an integral part for Montgomery County residents. The county will continue to bring in businesses and new residents for some years to come, which is a blessing and a water concern for the county. Those living in and around the lake area are addressing future issues of the lake due to drought spells, Houston's ability to take water from the lake, and even annexation.

The above factors play heavily in recent agendas of civic organizations and committees. Funding projects that will either bring water to the lake (Trinity River being one source), desalinizing available water, the building of surface water facilities (already under way), and ground storage tanks are all viable means to ensure water stays plentiful in and around the Lake Conroe.

The expense to complete any one of the proposed projects is higher than anyone wants and the plans to acquire the funds is being discussed by water authorities, local leaders, and potential contractors. Propositions will be submitted for passing, such as the newly passed Proposition 6. It will put $2 billion in loan funds into an already established water pot. the Prop 6 looks something like this:

• A revolving loan program with low interest rates will be available to local governmental entities – such as municipalities – that are sponsoring local water projects.
• Provide Texas voters the opportunity to approve a fiscally disciplined investment in our water future.
• A one-time investment of $2 billion to finance the loan program.

The three person Texas Water Development Board, appointed by the governor, will oversee and divvy out the loan monies requested by local communities for their water projects. Members of the board are paid $150,000 a year. Farmers, who have been particularly hurt by the droughts across Texas, worry that no one on the board has farming experience, which may leave the farmers water interests unattended. Concerns range from the fact that such power is appointed not elected to potential behind the scenes contracts being written to line local officials' wallets. And finally, when governmental bodies use the words "one-time investment", that usually means "more times" eventually.

Concerned citizen networks throughout Montgomery County can prove to be very beneficial if they carefully monitor the wording and contractor selections by municipalities and officials, as well as, the validity of compiled water research. Local citizens can request certain transparencies be put in all contracts and proposals be discussed in at least six local forums before going before the Texas Water Development Board for approval.

Fear seems to also be a factor in dealing with the dwindling Texas water. Fear of running out of water may heighten the risk of accepting pie in the sky answers with little regard if the proposal is feasible and cost effective. Citizens would do well to understand the technical verbiage put forth in studies and proposals, which will only aid in making an informed decision.

Conservation is going to be pushed on the residents. By 2016, penalties will be in place for those violating water restrictions. Whether you are a fan of big brother or not, it looks like it will become a reality. Ideally, conservation should be a desired personal goal, not a state mandated law.

Where can Montgomery County acquire funds other than through governmental loans to solve the water issue? This is a big question starting to be discussed by volunteers and businesses around the area. It requires entrepreneurial imagination and knowledge. No doubt, our area has such thinkers and one hopes that such talent will rise up in service to their county.

 http://www.twdb.texas.gov/financial/interest.asp
 http://www.lakeconroe.com/interest-grows-brackish-water-source-deep-underground/
 http://conroecvb.net/index.cfm
 http://txagtalks.texasfarmbureau.org/water-for-texas-vote-yes-on-proposition-6/
 http://www.lakeconroe.com/
 http://www.texastribune.org/2013/08/16/perry-appoints-new-water-development-board/
 http://lakeconroecn.com/html/water-resource-management.asp

Montgomery County scored a few strong rinos in the May 27th run off election. The county may want to congratulate themselves, but, their actual knowledge of what they elected is probably little to nil. The information of each candidate was assessable but most county voters do not research what candidates stand for or what endorsements the candidates accepted. Many voters look to friends, family, or the biased media to tell them where to cast their vote.

Establishment rinos rule Montgomery County and have for a very long time. In an attempt to break the rino bond and move Montgomery forward with true conservative zest and truthfulness, several conservatives decided to run against this good old boy mafia but were run over by rino consultants and Democrat endorsements. Politics can be brutal and these men were fully aware of the harsh realities of such a decision. However, no one dreamed crooked fat cat Democrats would back the moderate Republicans so fiercely.

Why did Democrats, such as Steve Mostyn support particular Republican candidates in Montgomery County?

There are two answers to that question.
1. Battleground Texas. This is a liberal "movement" to turn Texas blue (Democrat). It is driving Democrats from all over the country to take notice of Texas.  Liberal money is pouring in from wealthy lobbyists, politicians, and individuals to attack the Republican platform and weaken the conservative vote in Austin, which brings us to the second part of question one.
2. Moderate Republicans will vote more liberal on proposed bills. This helps men like Strauss stay in power and increases Democrat leverage in future elections.

The 2012 Republican platform should be mandatory reading for all Republicans. It reaffirms strong conservative principles for all Texans and brings specific moral codes to the forefront. Obvious ethical standards, which Americans embraced and lived moment to moment in the not so long ago past, is plummeting in America; and, yes, Texas, too. Unfortunately, the obvious is not so obvious to us when we start compromising little business deals here and personal integrity there. Once half measures are taken, the ability to complete an examination of conscious at the end of the day wanes because a certain level of denial is implanted in us, which helps to wash away the actions of the day.

Where does this leave us as human beings living with the human condition? If we are not able to stand for principles and our ability to draw a line in the sand with our own behavior becomes non-existent, then who are we as a people? I know these philosophical questions are considered passe but if we do not start questioning ourselves and our cultural attachments, then we will have to live with the environment we help create. I do know that some of the endorsements and contributions various Montgomery County candidates accepted helped to further the cause of Battleground Texas.  And their desire to win, no matter what the means, was stronger than their desire to run an ethical moral campaign.