2009-11-19

A train wreck by any other name ...

For all those who missed the occasion, a railroad came to – and through – Bandera on Friday, Nov. 13, at approximately 9:10 am.
On that morning, with Jim Chastain at the throttle and Jerry Sides stoking the engine, the train ran right over – and through – Lee Kneupper and a room filled with stunned and dismayed citizens. Once the meeting was called to order, Mr. Sides stated that he was – and I paraphrase – sick and tired of being held hostage by one single member of the board and was not going to stand for it. He then gave Kneupper a stare of absolute fury, as if trying to intimidate him.

To his credit, Kneupper did not lower himself to respond. It was then moved that all items on the agenda be stricken. The motion passed and was followed by another motion to adjourn. It too, passed, and in just those few minutes, an act of the most blatant arrogance was a fact.

The whole charade was so obviously orchestrated, one almost expected to hear “cut” from the director. Once again, the waterboard bullies shoved aside questions and concerns of the county to show just who really ran things and had the power. Their disdain, their imperious and highhanded manner of treating those questioning their actions – and non-actions – is despicable.

The truth is, Mr. Sides, you and your bully boys are holding the people of this county hostage. You refuse the most basic research on just how much water we have, and how it must be properly apportioned for our future. However, you did not intimidate Mr. Kneupper and you do not intimidate us.
We ain’t going nowhere. Get used to it!

Jaye Rath
Bandera