Lee Kneupper

Lee Kneupper said he is running for Precinct 4 Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District director because he feels the water district has fallen short of managing future water supply.

The board has, he said, written rules that address well construction, but that ignore the water itself. He believes that more should be done to preserve water for future availability.

His ideas include rewriting the groundwater management plan; adopting a drought management plan; and updating district rules.

“It is time for action,” Kneupper said, “not resistance and procrastination. I would like to usher in much-needed renewal and balance and call to action current board members.”

He believes his goals are imperative because Bandera County has a semi-arid climate. “We live on the edge of a dessert,” he explained, “and need to manage our water supply so it will be available in the future.”

Kneupper was born in San Antonio and grew up in Helotes. He has a master of mechanical engineering degree from Rice University and spent his career as a project engineer and manager in the petrochemical industry.

He and wife Becky retired to Bandera in 1999 and live on the old Ben Pyka place. They have two grown daughters, Courtney and Katherine.

Kneupper is a director of the Bandera Electric Coop and president of Bandera Library and Bandera County Federated Library Board.

Don Kruckemeyer

Don Kruckemeyer, candidate for Precinct 1 on the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District, said he has both time and energy to devote to the water board. “I feel as if my qualifications would be of value on the BCRAGD board.”

Kruckemeyer attended elementary school at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church but his career as an electronics engineering consultant took him to Austin and Florida. After returning “home” to Bandera County, Kruckemeyer joined the Pipe Creek Volunteer Fire Department and the Bandera Library Board.

He is concerned about water availability issues and the current water shortages that are now facing Bandera River Ranch, Flying L and the Castle Lake Volunteer Fire Department and believes that he has the expertise to help.

“I am not a politician and do not aspire to being one,” he said. “I just have time and energy to serve the community.”

Randy Roberts

Randy Roberts and his wife of 38 years, Claire, have lived in Bandera County since 1983.

A graduate of Texas State University, he has continued his education by attending classes and seminars since his graduation.
Roberts has 25 years of experience in the groundwater industry and has served two terms as the vice president of the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District.

He is the past president of the Texas Groundwater Association, has a master license in water well drilling and pump systems and possesses an extensive working knowledge of geology in the Texas Hill Country.

His accomplishments include helping establish Bandera water district’s well construction standards; assisting in updating state and local rules and construction standards; and offering hands-on assistance with well monitoring and well plugging programs.

He also helped to defeat legislation that would have limited local control of Bandera’s water district.

Roberts recently received this year’s “Contractor of the Year” award for his outstanding service and contributions to the Texas Ground Water Association and the Texas Well Industry.

George Sistrunk

George Sistrunk is vying for Precinct 1 director of the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District.

“I have no agenda,” he said. “I’m just civic minded and want to serve and water is a vital issue both now and for the future.”

“I’m also a hard worker,” he added, which he traced back to his childhood on a 40-acre Louisiana farm. He helped his parents raise a large family with their self-supporting lifestyle.

Sistrunk is retired from Alamo Cycle Plex in San Antonio and has lived in Pipe Creek for 20 years. Like his parents, he and wife Laura raised a large family – six children. He breeds and sells exotic animal at his Dos Pesos Ranch and is a founder and board member of the Pipe Creek Christian School.

“I’m very proud of Pipe Creek Christian School,” Sistrunk said. “And very proud to continue serving on the board.”

He is also on the board for the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic, the board of deacons of the Pipe Creek Community Church and the board of directors of the Exotic Wildlife Association.

As for his newest quest – candidate for the water board – Sistrunk explained, “Adequate water resources for the future of our community has become a critical issue. How we conduct ourselves on this will impact families now and in the future. If the citizens elect me as their representative on this board, I will serve the community to the best of my ability with only the interests of the county as my guide.”

Virginia Stoops

Pipe Creek resident Virginia Stoops, who has lived in the area for more than 25 years, is running for Precinct 1 on the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District board.

Stoops owns a local tax CPA business, is a director of the Lakehills-Pipe Creek Library and a member of the United Methodist Church.

She explained, “I am running because we need a strong director on our groundwater district – a director who is proactive, not reactive. We need to protect our water supply ourselves and not let outsiders do it for us.”

She said a strong drought management plan should be top priority and added, “I’ve been reading Kerr and Kendall counties’ drought management plans to see if we can make ours stronger. We need to do everything we can to protect our water while we can do it. Protect and preserve. We need to keep water paramount in our thoughts and make sure everyone on the board is concerned about future supply.”

Stoops said world wide demand for water has tripled over the last few years as world population has doubled. “The drilling of millions of wells, installing powerful diesel pumps and diverting of many streams and rivers draw the water table down below the natural recharge levels.”

She added, “Humans need less that two gallons of water per day for drinking and cooking. Yet we must have 1,000 gallons or more to grow our food.

We sit on a rich aquifer that has nourished us for centuries and is slowing being depleted. Each new home represents a 100-year commitment to provide water, energy, schools, and infrastructures. The USDA has reported that in parts of Oklahoma and Texas some aquifers have already dropped more than 100 feet.”

Stoops concluded, “We must get serious about safe guarding our water for ourselves and our children. We are in a drought. We must make absolutely sure we are doing everything necessary to prevent water waste and to protect and conserve our aquifers. It is a terrible shock when we turn on a faucet and no water runs. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen in Bandera County because we were not proactive in this major commitment of our time and efforts.”