Wednesday, October 11, 2006 11:40 AM CDT

This week I had the opportunity to attend the City Council meeting. I came at the request of my friends and neighbors to discus our concerns with the detention pond located in the Palomino Ridge subdivision. The concerns we presented to the City Council laid in our opinion that the pond, which has been in place for nearly two years, has not been properly maintained, and it presents a potential risk to our homes and property due to eroding banks and a silted-in bottom. We asked the council for their time to address our concerns, and to bring forth our thoughts on who is responsible for the pond's maintenance. In addition, we expressed our thoughts on what measures we felt could be, or should be taken to bring the pond back to its original design and function.

Much to my satisfaction, the Mayor and the City Council listened to our point of view. They clarified a shared responsibility of ownership, and even more so, they set a reasonable timeline in which the issue would be addressed. It was also good to learn that Mr. John Fraga, and Mr. Bill Martin, the subdivision's developer, had been working together on this issue prior to the City Council meeting. Something I was unaware of at the time of the meeting, and am appreciative of them both.

That said, while attending this meeting I was reminded that the Mayor and the members of the City Council are volunteers, who willingly set aside their personal time to serve our community. I was also reminded that there are issues before them, separate from mine, which are equally important. Facts, which at times, are easy to forget especially when one has an emotional attachment to their own particular issue or concern.

Therefore, I would like to publicly thank each member of the City Council, the Mayor, and those members of the various commissions that serve our community, such as Barbara Bishop, for their time and for their service. Without their willingness to serve on the Council and on the Commissions, the Democratic process would be void, as would our ability to publicly express our concerns, and to have them addressed in an open forum.

Though they are not volunteers, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Ken Eftink and Mr. John Fraga for their continued work and efforts in serving our community.

Sincerely,

Charles Crandall

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