Re: SRBA Report

Dear Sir:

There are several points that need to be addressed in your Friday, March 14, 2003, article on the Sulphur River Basin Authority.

First: I have attended many of their meetings, and missed very few in the last three years. I have never heard a shouting match, which Mr. Huddleston referred to. He also said there were constant outbursts and disruptions. As a member of the "opposition" I have always been very proud of our group and their presentations. As a rule, they always start out thanking the board for their work and considerations of our points of view.

Second: The so-called study of the engineering and economic team only addressed those points that the board wanted to hear about helping the area. They did not address the points that would hurt many who stand to lose in this endeavor.

Third: Local Taxing -- They seem to think property values would go up enough to replace all of the local taxes now received. They say property values and new housing taxation would generate helpful taxes. It is strange that they do not feel the property is not worth much now and do not want to consider improvements to property when taking it. The property taken for the lake would not generate any taxes.

Fourth: With three lakes in the Mount Pleasant area they should already have the increased economy, they would hope to generate with another lake.

Fifth: Look at other reports to find the true waste of water in the Dallas area. The statement about the use of water in North Central Texas being low is not the way the Dallas Morning News has represented it in the last two years.