4 * www.DibollFreePress.com
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Prop 6 important for Texas residents
With early voting beginning October 21, our office has been getting a lot of questions about the proposed constitutional amendments, especially Proposition 6. For those who are not familiar, Proposition 6 is the proposal that will be on the November 5th ballot that creates a constitutionally dedicated account to fund the State Water Plan. Before voters head to the polls, I’d like to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this proposal. What will this program do for Texas? The funds made available through Proposition 6 would help communities develop and optimize water supplies at cost-effective interest rates. The upfront costs on water infrastructure can often make it difficult for communities to build what they need. Proposition 6 provides an opportunity for communities to overcome this hurdle by allowing access to low-cost, flexible financing options for water projects. This financial assistance will enable local communities to begin needed water projects. How would the program ensure adequate water supplies? The funds would be used to provide low-cost financing for projects in the state water plan - a plan created by local and regional entities, with the assistance of the state, to meet future water demands in Texas. Every five years, 16 regional water planning groups assess the projected population and water demands and supplies in their areas over the next 50 years. Each region then compiles a regional water plan, and those plans are rolled up into the state water plan. The state water plan also includes important information on statewide trends and policy issues, and it lists the water supply strategies identified to meet the regional water shortages over the next 50 years. How does Proposition 6 help rural Texas? Rural and agricultural stakeholders serve as integral part of the water planning process. This process identifies water supply projects in rural areas that go into the state water plan. Additionally, Propo-
60. *Kind of Halloween house 64. *Specter 65. Tarzan’s parental role model 67. Out of the way 68. Figure out 69. ___ Appia 70. Fencing move 71. At the top 72. Moray, e.g. 73. Artiset Fernand or designer Herve
TRENT ASHBY
State Representative
sition 6 states that at least 20 percent of the funds are to be used for conservation purposes and 10 percent must go directly to rural communities.
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Where will the money come from? If voters approve Proposition 6, the Legislature has authorized a one-time, $2 billion investment from the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF) to implement this revolving loan fund. This seed capital plus interest will be paid back to the ESF at the end of the 50-year period. Will this program affect groundwater or surface water rights? No. Proposition 6 will not affect groundwater rights or other private property rights in any way. There are no provisions within Proposition 6 that would require landowners to meter their wells. Surface water (water from lakes, rivers and streams) is governed by an entirely separate set of statutes that will not be affected by this program. What will happen if Proposition 6 does not pass? Many communities may not be able to get adequate financing for water infrastructure projects, and our state could face critical water shortages. As the ongoing, severe drought demonstrates, some Texas communities currently do not have enough water to meet demands during times of drought. By 2060, the Texas population is expected to nearly double and existing water supplies are projected to decrease by 10 percent, creating a need for an additional 8.3 million acrefeet per year—or about 2.7 trillion gallons. If the state fails to help communities develop enough water supplies to protect against future drought conditions, Texas will undoubtedly suffer significant economic losses. Estimated economic losses in the year 2060 could exceed $116 billion, including over 1.1 million lost jobs. As always, my staff and I are available during the week at 936-634-2762 or 512-463-0508.
Who to Call
Theme: HALLOWEEN ACROSS
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21. Two dots above a letter 23. Last word of “America the Beautiful” 24. Speed unit 25. Highest card in “War” 28. Calf-length skirt 30. Relating to living organisms 35. Legal prefix 37. Hyperbolic tangent 39. Around or approximately
Letters
Now is the when our players need support
On Sunday a young man got injured in a football game and a bunch of jerks cheered. This just sucks. Our Houston Texans are having a tough year. Our Diboll Lumberjacks are having a tough year, also. We are young, very young, and these kids and their coaches need our support instead of crap. Our coaches and our kids go out every week and try their best. No one likes losing and our coaches are not teaching these young men to lose. Right now is when our kids and our coaches need our support. If you are going to cheer them when they are winning then you need to come out and support them while they are having a tough time.
If you have to get down on our coaches then at least wait until next year. Next year if they don’t do good then you might want to get down on them. Just don’t do it around me – you might get a cussing! My name is Tom Farley and I have seen this crap too many times. You football experts might want to walk a little in real coaches’ shoes. Our kids are a low point at this time, but they keep going out and giving their all. Now is when these young men and their coaches need our help. Come out and cheer them on through this tough time and maybe we will have more to cheer about next year. I love all these kids and respect all of our coaches – even you Joe-Joe. Tom Farley Diboll
40. Socket insert 41. Cruising 43. Bank claim 44. Chinese fruit 46. Shells, e.g. 47. “____ be surprised” 48. Unlike a mammoth, e.g. 50. Insubstantial 52. Bond, e.g. 53. *Avoided by Dracula 55. Corn site 57. *Fairy
EDUCATION Cont’d
which offers almost any subject needed and which allows students to work at their own pace. Tutors are also available when necessary. “We have them for various lengths of time according to their individual needs,” Charlotte Morris said. “If they can’t participate in regular classes for any reason such as pregnancy, a felony conviction, or behavior problems, and if they don’t qualify to enroll at Stubblefield Learning Center, they can still earn their diploma here.” Community services is the final division of the Education Center. Under this banner they have a summer enrichment program and community service classes. “Boredom Busters,” fun and educational activities for kids, were offered in June. Last year the Center teamed up with the high
1. To finish with a ceiling 2. Vega’s constellation 3. Chipping choice 4. Breath refreshers 5. Befit 6. Distinctive flair 7. *Body marker 8. Old episode 9. Acreage 10. Leader or expert 11. Prep for publication 12. Get the picture 15. Boston pro 20. Indian restaurant condiment 22. Capone’s family 24. Flesh and blood 25. *In season, sing. 26. Flower part 27. Spew 29. Computer entry 31. Greasy 32. Threesomes 33. Freeze 34. *Halloween swag 36. Muslim honorific 38. Part of hemoglobin 42. Blood carrier 45. Compose 49. Sylvester, to Tweety 51. Everyone else 54. Boxer’s move 56. Arise 57. 3-pointer, e.g. 58. a.k.a. the sport of kings 59. Please get back to me 60. Cure 61. Sound of a small bell 62. U2 guitarist 63. Doe in “Do-Re-Mi” song 64. Fed. property manager 66. *Around now pumpkin ones become popular
school culinary arts department to provide cooking lessons. And in January, School Police Officer Jason Burrous will teach a self-defense class. “All of our services are available to everyone, and we can always use volunteers,” concluded Morris. The Center is located on the old Temple Elementary campus at 299 South Neil Pickett Drive. Their phone number is 829-3744. The annual Literacy Luncheon will be held at noon on Nov. 20. This fundraiser usually costs about $25 per person, and this year’s event will include a silent auction featuring desserts. The site will be the cafeteria facility on the campus. Anyone interested in attending or sponsoring a table can contact the Family Education Center.
State Rep. Trent Ashby Austin Office
936 634-2762 512 463-0508
State Sen. Robert Nichols
936 699-4988
Constable Ray Anthony
936 829-2547
Mayor John McClain City Manager Dennis McDuffie City Hall (water, garbage, sewer) Diboll Police Department Diboll Fire Department
936 829-2779 936 829-4757 936 829-4857 936 829-5586 936 829-5555
Diboll ISD Super’s office High School Grades 9-12 Junior High Grades 7-8 Intermediate Grades 4-6 Elementary Grades K-3 Primary Grades pk-3/4 Family Education Center
936 829-4718 936 829-5626 936 829-5225 936 829-6900 936 829-6950 936 829-4671 936 829-3744
Phone 936-829-3313. Fax: 936-829-3321.
Civic Center
936 829-4888
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Diboll Free Press
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Richard Nelson, Editor and Publisher editor@dibollfreepress.com