Page 2, The Gladewater Mirror, Wednesday, March 25, 2015
THE ECONOMIST
Time for change and healing...
By Dr. M. Ray Perryman
Water Worries Update Post-2011 Drought
Since the epic drought of 2011, Texas’ water supply has improved overall, but some areas remain in critical condition. When a drought begins, the drop in soil moisture and the associated losses in crops, yards, and greenery are the first impacts that can be readily seen. As overly dry conditions continue, other longer-term effects begin to take place which worsen as the drought persists. Stream flows and lake levels dwindle and wells begin to struggle. While precipitation can work wonders to green things up and improve short-term effects, the negative longer-term problems from an extended drought can be much harder to remediate. In particular, it can take a while for low reservoir and groundwater levels to resolve. It takes higher-than-normal precipitation levels to restore reservoir, ground, drinking, and recreation water levels to their pre-drought levels. And the worse the drought has been, the longer it takes to recover. So while recent rainfall has caused some improvement, there is still a long way to go. According to the National Drought Mitigation Center, Texas has seen rains of up to 6.51 inches in east Texas, which has improved conditions throughout this region. Additionally, recent rains in southeast Texas have brought this area out of severe drought into abnormal dryness and moderate drought. As of March 10, 2015, however, 41.62% of Texas (by area) is categorized as under severe drought conditions or worse. About 21% of the total population of Texas reside in these parched places. The situation has improved markedly since 2011, when virtually all of the land area of the state was suffering from one of the driest periods in history. Even so, many people are still affected by drought conditions, and this situation remains one of Texas’ biggest challenges. Last July, I reported that state reservoirs were alarmingly empty, with the High Plains region below 2%, the South Central region at 48%, and the Southern region at 36% capacity. Unfortunately, the situation has only marginally improved and even worsened by some measures. According to the latest data from the Texas Water Development Board, the High Plains are now sitting at 5% storage on average, whereas the Low Rolling Plains, the Edwards Plateau, and the Southern regions are all below 40% capacity. Even the South Central region, which is home to Lake Travis, is currently only 44% full on average. Statewide, conservation volume is approximately 65%, down from 68% in June. Groundwater levels are not much improved either. In December, monitor wells in San Antonio recorded a water level lower than the Stage III critical management level, and restrictions were declared by the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA). Fortunately, as of January, the aquifer level stands at 85.11 feet, which is 5.89 feet above the Stage III critical level, but it remains too close for comfort. However, the news is not all bad. Despite the fact that January is typically the driest month of the year, Texas received more rain than average, and conservation storage rose over 695,000 acre-feet compared to December levels. Additionally, storage remains over 257,000 acre-feet higher than in January 2014. If we can keep moving in this direction, the problems will slowly resolve. On November 5, 2013, the Texas Legislature and Texas voters passed Proposition 6, authorizing a $2 billion transfer from the Rainy Day Fund for the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) and the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas (SWIRFT). SWIFT funds provide financial assistance for projects that help develop drought-proof water supplies for Texas cities, including conservation, desalting seawater, and the development of pipelines and reservoirs. Similarly, SWIRFT provides the state the authority to issue revenue bonds to finance Texas’ water plan. The goal of the funds is to ensure that Texans have adequate water supply during droughts. Applications for loans began in November of 2014 and the board expects to have the approval of applications by the summer of 2015. Thus, Texans should see projects and programs regarding water supply going into effect by this fall, albeit not at a pace to solve the problem on a permanent basis. As we look around and see a little more green this spring than in the worst years of the drought, it is tempting to think that Texas is “out of the woods” as far as the water supply. Unfortunately, that is far from true. It may take years of good rains to fully recover, and it is crucial that we keep looking for ways to increase supplies and conserve what we have. It is equally critical that we continue to work toward being prepared for the inevitable future droughts. Demand for water will only increase in the future, as we continue to expand our production and hundreds of additional thirsty new Texans appear every day. ______________________________________ Dr. M. Ray Perryman is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group (www. perrymangroup.com). He also serves as Institute Distinguished Professor of Economic Theory and Method at the International Institute for Advanced Studies.
A clean cut, handsome young firefighter held the lanky, limp body of his almost 6-year old child who could not walk or talk. He and his very pretty wife waited patiently for Saturday’s Town Hall Meeting with state representative David Simpson to begin. Their son, Lleyton, who is the much loved grandson of city councilwoman Lana Niemann, has an undiagnosed disorder that manifested itself with seizures beginning when he was nine months old. The couple was blessed with an apparently healthy son, and then their world flew apart before their baby celebrated his first places like Colorado. But one thing that struck me at Saturday’s birthday. They learned to put the pieces back together with grace meeting is that multiple times Rep. Simpson said that citizens’ and strength. And now they are looking for medical treatment for individual rights end when we harm someone else. It appears to their precious son who suffers over 30 seizures a day. Treatment me that by denying the use of medical marijuana treatment to that is denied in the state of Texas that has resulted in relief and Lleyton and those who would benefit from it is indeed a great healing for patients in other states. That opportunity for healing harm, an inexcusable one. is what they are seeking for their son. As Representative Simpson said, “We need to love our Representative Simpson says that it was Lleyton’s situation, neighbors’ liberty as much as our own.” I like the sound of that. and those like him, who inspired his proposed House Bill What I would really like the sound of is Lleyton talking, 2165 which would repeal marijuana prohibition from all Texas playing and learning what it means to be a rambunctious little statutes. The bill has been referred to the Criminal Jurisprudence boy. Committee. According to Rep. Simpson there are at least two Wouldn’t you? other bills proposed including one by Senator Kevin Eltife of Tyler that primarily address the use of marijuana derivatives for medical treatment. The list of illnesses that have possible treatment applications is long and includes Parkinson’s disease, ALS, cancer treatment symptoms, seizures and more. Representative Simpson’s bill has caught the attention of the New York Times, Washington Post and other national news outlets, primarily because they can not fathom a conservative Christian Republican supporting such a measure. But this bill was not inspired to draw attention. It was inspired by the circumstances of a little boy whose parents desperately hope to secure treatment that will give him a chance to live a seizure free life. Yes, the bill would decriminalize marijuana. And indeed, many of its issues need to be carefully examined. And, Texas Lleyton Johnson is comforted by his grandmother certainly needs to closely examine the pitfalls that emerged in Lana Niemann during Saturday’s Town Hall meeting.
Suzanne Bardwell
Mayor Harold Wells assists regular Meals on Wheels volunteers Legend Oaks Activity Directory Pat Johnson and Medical Records Supervisor Gloria Hunter to deliver a meal last Thursday. Former Mayor Walter Derrick instituted the Mayoral Day deliveries when he was on the Meals on Wheels Board of Directors.There are five routes for the program with three in Gladewater serving 56 clients, one in Union Grove serving six people and one in White Oak serving 16 individuals. For information or to volunteer please call Peggy Stevenson at 903-845-5131 or 903-845-6023. Photo by Suzanne Bardwell
Obituaries Roland Steven Bedair
Roland Steven Bedair, 53, was born May 12, 1961 in Overton to Roland Hudson and Barbara Bedair and passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2015. Steve was preceded in death by his father. He is survived by his wife, Cathy Lee Bedair and their two beautiful daughters, Alisyn Lee Bedair and Madisyn May Bedair of Gladewater. He is also survived by his daughter, Melanie McKale of Henderson, his son, David Roland Bedair of Kilgore, his mother, Barbara Lee Bedair of Overton, his sisters Revel Sue Fleming of Freer, Mary Elizabeth Bergeron of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Rhonda Staci Bedair of Overton. Steve grew up in Overton. He worked for Atmos Energy in Longview as a Corrosion Specialist. He owned Bedair Machine Works where he manufactured Guide Rods for handguns. Steve loved to create things with his hands. He could fix or make anything.
The Gladewater Mirror Periodicals Postage Paid Gladewater, TX USPS 575-140 ISSN Number 1045-5671 The Gladewater Mirror is published weekly by Bardwell Ink, LLC 211 N. Main Street Gladewater, TX POSTMASTER: Send PS3579 to The Gladewater Mirror P.O. Box 1549 Gladewater, TX 75647
News & Advertising Deadlines: Noon Monday
Office Hours 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Telephone: 903-845-2235 Fax: 903-845-2237
Email: gladewatermirror@aol.com
Owners:
Jim & Suzanne Bardwell Publisher/Editor: Jim Bardwell Advertising: Darla Ferguson Office Manager: Tiffany Hobbs
Subscriptions are $29/year in Gregg, Smith & Upshur counties and payable in advance.
He was at his happiest when he was out in his shop working. He also loved to play golf. Steve is the best example of a husband, father, b r o t h e r, a n d uncle, and his quiet strength, strong will, intelligence, integrity, class, and dignity will be missed by many. Steve’s family would like to sincerely thank all of the staff of Hospice of East Texas and Texas Oncology who were so loving and caring and helped so much during this very difficult time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Hospice of East Texas in Tyler, TX. A Memorial Service to celebrate Steve’s life was held Sunday, March 22 at the First Methodist Church of Gladewater.
Letter to the Editor Reader invites you to take a drive
I would like to invite everyone who reads this letter to drive to Old Highway 135 from Country Club Road drive 1/2 mile south. Look toward Gladewater (east). It is a beautiful sight that everyone needs to enjoy. You need to do this before the trees come back. John Kyles Send your letter to the editor to: 211 N. Main St., Gladewater, TX 75647 or email them to: gladewatermirror@aol.com. All letters must be signed and have a contact number for verification