Just a reminder
Posted on March 14th, 2013
At a Glance
by Johnny Griffin, Editor
I want to give everyone a subtle reminder that it is your right and responsibility to stay engaged with the laws, rules and regulations of our land. We elect representatives at the local, state and federal levels to (just as the names implies) represent us. Not all government is bad, but the people have to stay active.
Several years ago, a few far-sighted individuals, including our elected officials saw fit to create the Bluebonnet Groundwater Conservation District. They have a big decision to make right now concerning the groundwater rights in Austin and Waller County. If it wasn’t for the BGCD being established as a permitting entity for our groundwater, the first time we would have heard about our water leaving would have been the economic development press conference opening the spigot in a neighboring county.
Austin County commissioners went on record this week opposing the approval of permits for wells in Austin and Waller County to produce 20 million gallons of water a day for another county.
Local organizations are gathering legislative assistance to battle permanent irrigation restrictions in the Lower Colorado River Authority instigated by representatives of more populated areas.
I read a report today predicting cities and irrigation interests in the Valley of southern Texas were very likely going to run out of water this year. That battle even includes receiving water owed under treaty with Mexico.
The Brazos River irrigation entities are also faced with severe restrictions.
Water is a very real issue in Texas. It has become even more of an issue during the current drought conditions.
There are a lot of people moving to Texas and they require water for living purposes which include recreation.
Rural Texas also requires water to grow crops, grass, livestock and a quality of life we all enjoy.
Stay informed and keep your representatives informed of your desires. All of the newcomers who use an app on their electronic device to find a lake to enjoy for the weekend or a quiet country river for a kayak trip don’t have an app that creates more water. They do have a vote.
Use your vote and your influence with your representatives. Stay informed.
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Brazos athletes in March 14 issue of Wallis News-Review
Posted on March 14th, 2013
Check out these featured athletes in the March 14 issue of The Wallis News-Review. Photos can be purchased by calling Johnny Griffin at 979-398-0708.
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Waller County residents weigh in on water well project
Posted on March 7th, 2013
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WNR photo by Johnny Griffin
A large crowd turned out at Royal High School on Tuesday night for a presentation concerning applications for 10 water wells located in Waller and Austin County to supply water for Rosenberg and Richmond.
By Johnny Griffin, Editor
Waller County Judge Glen Beckendorff convened a Commissioners Court Workshop at Royal High School near Brookshire on Tuesday night. The stated agenda of the workshop was to provide information about applications by Electro Purification LLC for authorization to drill, operate and aggregate 10 new wells for production of groundwater within the district, including out-of-district transport of groundwater for the beneficial use of Fort Bend County. The wells could produce an aggregate amount of 20 million gallons of water per day.
Three Waller County Commissioners were present; John Amsler, Pct. 1, Jeron Barnett, Pct. 3 and Stan Kitzman, Pct. 4.
Judge Beckendorff opened the meeting with the introduction of Zach Holland, General Manager of the Bluebonnet Groundwater Conservation District (BGCD). Holland explained the purpose of a groundwater district is to preserve, conserve and protect the resources of the district. He went on to explain the application process with particular reference to the 10 new wells planned for the district by Electro Purification LLC.
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Numbers, numbers, numbers
Posted on March 7th, 2013
By Johnny Griffin, Editor
Another large group of concerned area residents met at Royal High School near Brookshire for an informational meeting concerning the permitting of 10 new water wells in southern Austin and Waller Counties on Tuesday night.
Numbers were a large part of the topics discussed at the meeting. Most of the questions from the crowd concerned whose numbers should be considered during the approval or disapproval process now facing the Bluebonnet Groundwater Conservation District.
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Featured Brazos Athletes
Posted on March 7th, 2013
Brazos Athletes Perry Phillips, Alan Zapalac, Devin Anderson, Jordan Minter and Kyle Kolafa are featured in the Wallis News-Review March 7 publication. Pick one up at D&M One Stop, Wallis Quick Stop, City Meat Market in Wallis.
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Long term goals
Posted on March 2nd, 2013
By Johnny Griffin, Editor
At the informational (or one-sided theory presentation) groundwater meeting on Monday night in Bellville, local residents were asked to look at the long term benefits for the area concerning our mutual water needs. The meeting allowed end users and project developers the opportunity to explain their justification for removing, transporting and selling for profit approximately 20 million gallons of water a day.
We heard a strong argument that the Gulf Coast Aquifer has so much water in it and is so unaffected by drought that pumping 20 million gallons a day from it for the next 50 years would have negligible affects on subsidence of surface land and water levels in the aquifer.
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Area residents hear pitch for area water
Posted on March 2nd, 2013
By Johnny Griffin, Editor
Around 250 interested Austin and Waller County residents showed up at the Austin County Fairgrounds in Bellville for an information only meeting concerning the planned drilling of three wells in Austin County and seven wells in Waller County. Applications have been filed with Bluebonnet Groundwater Conservation District (BGCD) for these wells to produce an aggregate twenty million gallons of water per day. It is intended to sell $10 million gallons per day to the cities of Rosenberg and Richmond with the remaining $10 million going to unspecified, non-wasteful municipal and industrial uses.
The water wells are to be located in the Brazos River bottom on private property that is within a mile or so of the Fort Bend County Line.
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Dorothy Kristine Drymala
Posted on February 26th, 2013
A Funeral Mass for Dorothy Kristine Drymala, 95, will be celebrated at the Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Wallis with Rev. Thuy Quang Nguyen, celebrant, on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in the Guardian Angel Cemetery in Wallis. Pallbearers will be Joe Spillars III, John Spillars, Michael Skinner, Jeff Bankson, Slade and Chase Skinner, and Natalie and John Spillars Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Kendyl and Luke Bankson, Jacob and Jason Spillars, and Jody, Jessica, and Julie Ann Spillars. Visitation was held Wednesday, Feb. 27 with a Rosary at Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Wallis.
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Shirley Mae (Jaco) Jalufka
Posted on February 26th, 2013
Funeral Services for Shirley Mae (Jaco) Jalufka, 67, of Sealy, were conducted on Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Knesek Bros Hwy 36 Chapel, with Deacon Jerome Losak, officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be David Beyer, Daniel Beyer, Brian Richter, Michael Miqura, Kevin Landry, Tim Landry, Shane Tobola and Michael Tobola.
Shirley was born Aug. 25, 1945, in San Antonio to Hubert and Lillie Mae (Prasek) Jaco. She grew up and attended school in Hallettsville. On July 29, 1961, she married the love of her life, Joseph A. (Papa Joe) Jalufka at Sacred Heart Church in Hallettsville.
For many years she worked in the dry cleaner industry before opening the Blossom Cottage in Sealy. She loved flowers and loved seeing a smile on someone’s face when they received one of her beautiful arrangements. But most of all she loved cooking, dancing and spending time with family and friends. Shirley Mae (Jaco) Jalufka, 67, of Sealy, passed away Jan. 28, 2013 in Flatonia.
She is survived by daughters, Candy Frady and husband Norman of Cuero, Kimberly McGinley of Brenham, Krisha Langton and husband Cliff of Sealy; sons Terry Jalufka and wife Marie of Sealy, Rodney Jalufka of Wallis; sister Catherine Landry and husband Tim of Friendswood; brother Lawrence (Sonny) Tobola and wife Natalie of Sealy; sisters-in-laws Lillie Beyer and Kenneth Kaiser of Moulton, Angie Richter and husband Roy of Flatonia; grandchildren Blayne Babik, Blyss McGinley, Lauren Jalufka, Reed Langton, Cade Langton, Sarah Jalufka, Blake Jalufka; step grandchildren, Kurt Hawes, Collin Hawes, Tyler Byrd and Caylee Geller; great-aunt Gladys Wishert of Cuero; numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Joe Jalufka; mother Lillie Mae Pekar and step-father Leon Pekar; aunts Adell Migura and Leona Wishert; and step-grandchildren Jake Frady and Mandy Frady.
Memorial donations can be made to: Asera Care Hospice, 14205 Burnet Road, Suite 470, Austin TX 78728 or Oak Manor Nursing Center, 624 N. Converse, Flatonia, TX 78941
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Knesek Funeral Home in Sealy, www.knesekfuneralhome.com and www.facebook.com/knesekfuneralhome.
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Robert Bell
Posted on February 26th, 2013
A Funeral Mass for Robert Bell, 52, of Wallis was celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 25, 2013 at the Guardian Angel Catholic Church with Rev. Thuy Nguyen, celebrant. Burial was in the Fulshear City Cemetery in Fulshear. Pallbearers were Haydon Pustka, Ian Garner, Thomas Minks, Stephen Warr, Klay Marik, Keith Marik, Jacob Cavness, Matthew Wood and Dub Sabrusula. Honorary pallbearers were Robert’s fellow truckers. Visitation was held on Sunday, Feb. 24 with a Rosary being recited at the Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Wallis.
Robert was born in Corpus Christi on Sept. 13, 1960 to Robert Bell and Carol (Benderman) Bell. He was a truck driver, a member of Guardian Angel Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus, Wallis Council. Robert Bell passed away Thursday, Feb. 21 in Houston.
He is survived by his daughters Cassey Bell, and Caty Bell, a son Jonathan Bell all of Wallis; sister Charissa Warr and husband Ray of Simonton; and a step-brother Randy Bell.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jeannette, and a brother Richy Bell.
Knesek Funeral Home in Wallis was in charge of the arrangements: www.facebook.com/knesekfuneralhome and www.knesekfuneralhome.com.
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