Snyder Praises Mayor's Leadership

By Sonya Campbell, Managing Editor
The Cameron Herald

[The City Council] heard from Ralph Snyder of the Eastern Central Texas Sub-Regional Planning Commission, who commented on the demise of the planned Trans-Texas Corridor.

Saying he wanted to dispel myths, Snyder noted the Texas Department of Transportation killed the project, not due to the public’s concerns but because the proposed route traveled through Blackland prairie — federally protected farmland.

“This black gumbo we live in saved us,” Snyder said.

He cautioned, however, that the project could be resurrected in another form.

Before concluding his comments, Snyder praised the efforts of the planning commission and its members.

He presented the mayor with a “Spirit of Liberty Award” from the American Stewards of Liberty, a national group founded in the early 1990s that has about 6,000 members.

The award is presented to someone in the U.S. once a year, Snyder said.

This year, plaques were given to all of the sub-regional planning commission members for their efforts to halt the corridor project.

“Thank you for joining and supporting the planning commission,” Snyder said.

He also commended the mayor on his leadership abilities, saying, “He deserves a lot of credit.”

© 2009 The Cameron Herald: www.cameronherald.com

LCRA to Upgrade and Expand Electric Line through Mason

Texas Hill Country Heritage Association
Mason County News

LCRA has notified landowners along the Mason to Pittsburg electric transmission line, a 69 kv line generally paralleling Highway 29 E towards Llano, of their intent to expand and upgrade the existing line.

Construction is to begin in the fall of 2010, but LCRA TSC crews are already surveying the right-of-way, originally built by West Texas Utilities and now operated by American Electric Power Texas North Company (AEP TNC).

The Texas Hill County Heritage Association strongly recommends any landowner affected by this line to seek immediate legal advice concerning these old right-of-way documents. LCRA TSC is going to upgrade the existing line by replacing all deteriorating poles, cross arms and x-braces, and upgrade the transmission line to 138 kilovolts.

LCRA is already driving their equipment over this easement and are having a difficult time staying on the existing right-of-way. Many landowners have reported to the THCHA of crews and equipment trespassing on their private property causing damage.

THCHA will be requesting the directors of the newly formed Mason Sub-Regional Planning Commission (MSRPC) to begin coordination meetings with the LCRA TSC regarding this project. Landowners in Mason County have concerns that must be addressed and LCRA TSC is required by law to coordinate any and all plans within the county with the planning commission.

If you have any questions or comments, please send them to our attention and we will make sure the MSRPC addresses your concerns.

© 2009 Mason County News: www.masoncountynews.com