June, 2003

 

Hello Members and Friends,

Below is a brief update of what’s happening along our area of the 1488 corridor.

 FM 1488

As many of you may remember, the widening of FM 1488 was first brought to the attention of  Karen Baker at the E. 1488CA meeting of November 13, 2000.  Karen Baker is the Montgomery County Area Engineer for TxDOT. At that time, funding had not been allocated, nor had a date been set for the widening, which Ms. Baker said was at least 10 years off.

Area residents weren’t pleased.  So, with the help of the E. 1488CA, residents began contacting local, county and state representatives.  Fortunately, those representatives were listening! According to Precinct 2 County Commissioner Craig Doyal and Assistant County Engineer Mike Beitler, the widening of FM 1488 (at least from I-45 to FM2978) is nearly a “done deal.”

 Federal funding has been secured and the Houston-Galveston Area Council is expected to give their okay by the end of the month to add FM1488 to the Statewide Improvement Plan, thereby insuring its passage in September.  (The FM2978 to Waller County line section is expected to follow rapidly.)  According to Mr. Beitler, construction  probably won’t begin for another eighteen to twenty-four months.  Still, this is much better than the original start plan of 2010.

Give yourselves a pat on the back. You deserve it as do the County, State and Federal officials who listened!

QUADVEST WATER RATE INCREASES

Several subdivisions are facing large water rate increases. Lake Windcrest and Sendera Ranch are taking the lead in tackling the problem. They’re hiring an attorney to present their case at the upcoming TCEQ preliminary meeting and could use some monetary help from other affected subdivisions. They also need to hear from affected subdivisions with comments about Quadvest service and need people to attend the rate hearing set for 10 a.m. July 1 at the State Office of Administrative Hearings, 2020 North Loop West, Suite 111, Houston, TX. 77018.

At a recent meeting with Lake Windcrest, Sendera Ranch and Indigo Lake representatives, Quadvest spokesmen indicated their willingness to negotiate rate increases at this hearing but a later attorney’s letter seems to show reluctance to agree with that assessment.  However, residents should understand the importance of this opportunity to voice their concerns to Quadvest and the TCEQ.

To offer your help, contact Larry Aimes, Tel: 281-252-4565, Cell; 713-859-0315 or by e-mail at laimes@houston.rr.com.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE-BAD NEWS/GOOD NEWS

The bad news concerns HB678 authored by Representative Rob Eissler, which promised to eliminate billboards along FM 1488 and several other County roads. With your help, it passed the House but got stalled in the Senate, where died in committee.  Never fear, Rob intends to introduce it again.

The good news is that HB 3562, presented by Rep. Rob Eissler and creating the Southwest Improvement District, passed the House May 10th and made it through the Senate on May 28^th. The Governor signed it June 19^th. The District still must be voted on by the public but since it will keep sales tax dollars (that would otherwise go to the State) here in the District to be used for the communities’ good, it seems a shoe-in to win. Be sure to come out and vote when this issue comes up. We’re the only area of Montgomery County without an Improvement District. Just ask Representative Reuben Hope about all the good work the East County District has done in its few short years of existence.

NEW JOB BLUES

A new startup business has taken away newly-elected Executive Board member Cherie Broadrick’s time and forced her to resign after only a few months on the Board. Cherie applied for the position and brought with her great experience and knowledge of how things work in Austin, among many other talents. Unfortunately, earning a living has to take precedence over volunteer work.  We look forward to her return when her job hours lighten up a little. The search is on for a computer literate, community-minded person who has some extra time they’d like to contribute to helping the FM 1488 community.

SIGN COMMITTEE

You may have noticed a drop in the number of “bandit” signs along FM 1488. These illegal signs placed along the County right-of-way mostly on weekends, are being collected by the Association’s Sign Committee, chaired by Cheryl Meyer. They are always looking for willing helpers, so please contact the Association at e1488communityassoc@charter.net if you’d like to lend a hand.

WEB SITE

Check out the Association’s web site : http://groups.msn.com/east1488 for new messages, past newsletters and other documents, and links to other area websites. Add us to your favorites list for easy access.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the E. 1488CA will be August 28.  Speakers will be Representative Rob Eissler and County Commissioner Craig Doyal. The meeting, which is open the general public, will begin at 7 p.m. at Bear Branch Junior High School. Please mark your calendar, bring your friends and find out what’s happening in your community.

Regards.

Ann K Anderson,  President