Editorial: Vote for legislators and local officials who are not influenced by special interests.
Take back local control
September 6, 2005
Editor, the Advocate: Re: Advocate story on the telecommunications bill:
It is encouraging to see our city attorney complain about the loss of local control over telecom services. I agree with him. It should not be under state control, which seems to no longer represent the people but only special interest groups.
I saw this firsthand in Austin in my encounter with these folks during my opposition to Senate Bill 3, the water bill. And now the Trans-Texas Corridor is heading in the same direction, with loss of control to special interest groups that control our legislators and indirectly our state.
On cable: I agree, Cox Cable needs some competition, yet I applaud them for their enormous investment in "fibering" our city a few years ago, making possible what I consider the fastest and most reliable Internet service in the country. However, I welcome lower prices the competition may bring, but let SBC enter on the same level playing field and keep state hands off our local control.
On water: In November, voters will have the opportunity to approve a groundwater conservation district to protect us from water export projects like GBRA's pipeline to San Antonio. The degree of local control will greatly depend on the temporary directors appointed by Commissioners Court. Special interest groups may infiltrate our district through uninformed temporary directors.
When you decide whether or not to vote for a local district, get to know the temporary directors and ask them hard questions. Temporary directors are most important as they will form district rules before permanent directors are elected in subsequent years.
On our local legislators: How did they vote on telecommunications, Trans-Texas Corridor and water? Were they influenced more by their local constituents or by special interests?
So, how do we take back local control? At the ballot box. Vote for legislators and local officials who are not influenced by special interests. Vote for a groundwater conservation district if you think the temporary directors are capable of maintaining local control.
BILL RICHTER
Victoria
The Victoria Advocate: www.thevictoriaadvocate.com
September 6, 2005
Editor, the Advocate: Re: Advocate story on the telecommunications bill:
It is encouraging to see our city attorney complain about the loss of local control over telecom services. I agree with him. It should not be under state control, which seems to no longer represent the people but only special interest groups.
I saw this firsthand in Austin in my encounter with these folks during my opposition to Senate Bill 3, the water bill. And now the Trans-Texas Corridor is heading in the same direction, with loss of control to special interest groups that control our legislators and indirectly our state.
On cable: I agree, Cox Cable needs some competition, yet I applaud them for their enormous investment in "fibering" our city a few years ago, making possible what I consider the fastest and most reliable Internet service in the country. However, I welcome lower prices the competition may bring, but let SBC enter on the same level playing field and keep state hands off our local control.
On water: In November, voters will have the opportunity to approve a groundwater conservation district to protect us from water export projects like GBRA's pipeline to San Antonio. The degree of local control will greatly depend on the temporary directors appointed by Commissioners Court. Special interest groups may infiltrate our district through uninformed temporary directors.
When you decide whether or not to vote for a local district, get to know the temporary directors and ask them hard questions. Temporary directors are most important as they will form district rules before permanent directors are elected in subsequent years.
On our local legislators: How did they vote on telecommunications, Trans-Texas Corridor and water? Were they influenced more by their local constituents or by special interests?
So, how do we take back local control? At the ballot box. Vote for legislators and local officials who are not influenced by special interests. Vote for a groundwater conservation district if you think the temporary directors are capable of maintaining local control.
BILL RICHTER
Victoria
The Victoria Advocate:
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Tuesday, September 06, 2005
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