INTRO: When the "Save the Paluxy" project reached it's conclusion, I took a job with a start-up monthly farm and ranch related publication called THE CORNER POST. It was mostly for the journalism and also sold advertising meeting some very interesting people whose connections to farming and ranching were unmistakable. The publication came to an abrupt end four issues deep after publishing the following story....: Choose well, my friends.
THE CORNER POST Volume 1, Number 2 October 1, 1991. by J. Timothy Foster III
What would you do if for some reason someone decided there should be a lake built on top of your homestead? Do you start thinking of ways for your family to benefit from it by trading in your livestock for ski boats and fishing tackle? Or do you stand your ground, literally, and fight for the continued survival of the family farm and ranch.
The damming of a river affects a great number of people in various ways. Can those affected most stand a chance over big city politics and power?
The debate is still ongoing in the battle over the Paluxy River in Somervell and southern Hood Counties. But the issue over political wrongdoing by the pro-reservoir faction was recently decided in state district court in favor of the pro-river group consisting of local farmers and ranchers and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The ruling handed down by District Judge Paul David on April 2, 1991 held that former Texas Water Commissioner Ralph Roming changed his vote in favor of the lake construction permit issued in 1987 after securing from former Somervell County Judge George Crump a favorable recommendation for his political reappointment.
Mr. Crump was quoted by Steven Harrigan in the May 1986 issue of Texas Monthly magazine. "Those poor people. I feel sorry for them. They're paying out their money to an attorney for an ongoing fight they can't win." Was it this type of arrogance that caused the grassroots river movement to begin?
It has otherwise been reported that the dinosaur tracks preserved in the limestone river bed by the present flow of water are best left alone and the ecology of the area above as well as below the proposed dam site would be substantially disturbed all the way to the Brazos River. There have also been visions of turning Glen Rose and even the township of Paluxy into resort communities supported by ample surface water supplies and an aggressive growth-oriented commissioners court which is overly funded by the nearby nuclear power generating plant.
There had been many who privately expressed their concern for preserving the last free flowing river in Texas but were afraid of losing their job due to adverse political ramifications. So what was it that changed so many peoples' minds that they could attain the courage to speak their hearts and minds? For this writer and for many others who shared the common bond of the river itself, it became a test of courage to help raise the awareness of others of the great consequence of being uninformed.
On April 1, 1990, with the court case set for the following Monday and the county elections less than two weeks away, the grassroots showed themselves with a great river concert held at Lanham Mill Crossing on the Paluxy River. Staged on flatbed trailers and remote power provided by the Edwards family, local bands:including , Texas Ways, Jackie Moore and The Roadrunners, and musicians John Guthrie, Chris Wilson and many others contributed their musical talent and welcomed a special performance by Austin singer/songwriter Rusty Wier. Terry McIntire of the Save the Paluxy Dinosaur Valley Association provided information about the lawsuit which had been postponed. Twice before, on the eve of the trial date, a river concert was presented by Jackie Moore and The Roadrunners. Each time, the attendance grew and the utmost in river appreciation was expressed. (continued)
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jackson john / Blog
"The Battle of Paluxy Waters" part 2
INTERMISSION: Welcome back from the kitchen. As I was saying...
When the "Pampers River Concert" concluded, the five hundred or so people, cowboys and bikers, the Edwards and McIntire families, county employees and law enforcement officials, and friends of the river alike, including John Graves, all knew they had witnessed something very special. With the slogan, "Admission is Free as Rivers Should Be," the river concerts had been the focal point of grassroots awareness.
But it as in the privacy of a voting booth that saved the Paluxy River. The grassroots had done their part as the election which followed found George Crump ousted by Dale McPherson as county judge.
Certainly, the fight has been expensive. Those who contributed to the cause, either through musical talent or funds generated at the monthly SP/DVA fish fry events, have felt the richness of being "poor".
But is the fight so save the river really over? Only time will tell as the ruling handed down last spring is subject to appeal and the process could begin once more. The reservoir itself determined by engineering studies not to be a feasible source of water grows more unfeasible each year.
Across America the ability of the farming and ranching community to fight for the lands they cherish is measured by their strength of character even more than their dollar and political strength.
In Bosque County near Iredell, a very similar set of realities face the farming and ranching community along the Bosque River, The "Lake Bosque" construction permit has been issued. The current allegations of political misconduct stand a very good chance at being upheld in the judicial system. For the Midnite Ranch and many others, it is a fight for the survival of a way of life. For others it is a gamble on an improvement that may not exist. For those who appreciate the Bosque as it is and recall the days when the pollution was at a much lower level, a song of "Goodbye to a River" draws even greater sentiment.
In the Paluxy Valley and indeed in Bosque County, that strength of character has always been aided by the strength of the river itself and what it represents to the people who wish to see it remain "free as rivers should be."
APOLOGY: Sorry it has taken over twenty years to get this story out of a cardboard box. The other two stories were about cowboy artists/poets. Other stories might also see the light of day. This one was inspired to reprint by Terry McIntire who I personally admire for his unwillingness to "let it go". Here is a recent interview: http://glifos.cah.utexas.edu/index.php/TexLegacyProj:McIntire_terry_2108_320 See ya'll while ago, J. Tim Foster III writer
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"The Battle of Paluxy Waters" part 1
INTRO: When the "Save the Paluxy" project reached it's conclusion, I took a job with a start-up monthly farm and ranch related publication called THE CORNER POST. It was mostly for the journalism and also sold advertising meeting some very interesting people whose connections to farming and ranching were unmistakable. The publication came to an abrupt end four issues deep after publishing the following story....: Choose well, my friends.
THE CORNER POST Volume 1, Number 2 October 1, 1991. by J. Timothy Foster III
What would you do if for some reason someone decided there should be a lake built on top of your homestead? Do you start thinking of ways for your family to benefit from it by trading in your livestock for ski boats and fishing tackle? Or do you stand your ground, literally, and fight for the continued survival of the family farm and ranch.
The damming of a river affects a great number of people in various ways. Can those affected most stand a chance over big city politics and power?
The debate is still ongoing in the battle over the Paluxy River in Somervell and southern Hood Counties. But the issue over political wrongdoing by the pro-reservoir faction was recently decided in state district court in favor of the pro-river group consisting of local farmers and ranchers and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The ruling handed down by District Judge Paul David on April 2, 1991 held that former Texas Water Commissioner Ralph Roming changed his vote in favor of the lake construction permit issued in 1987 after securing from former Somervell County Judge George Crump a favorable recommendation for his political reappointment.
Mr. Crump was quoted by Steven Harrigan in the May 1986 issue of Texas Monthly magazine. "Those poor people. I feel sorry for them. They're paying out their money to an attorney for an ongoing fight they can't win." Was it this type of arrogance that caused the grassroots river movement to begin?
It has otherwise been reported that the dinosaur tracks preserved in the limestone river bed by the present flow of water are best left alone and the ecology of the area above as well as below the proposed dam site would be substantially disturbed all the way to the Brazos River. There have also been visions of turning Glen Rose and even the township of Paluxy into resort communities supported by ample surface water supplies and an aggressive growth-oriented commissioners court which is overly funded by the nearby nuclear power generating plant.
There had been many who privately expressed their concern for preserving the last free flowing river in Texas but were afraid of losing their job due to adverse political ramifications. So what was it that changed so many peoples' minds that they could attain the courage to speak their hearts and minds? For this writer and for many others who shared the common bond of the river itself, it became a test of courage to help raise the awareness of others of the great consequence of being uninformed.
On April 1, 1990, with the court case set for the following Monday and the county elections less than two weeks away, the grassroots showed themselves with a great river concert held at Lanham Mill Crossing on the Paluxy River. Staged on flatbed trailers and remote power provided by the Edwards family, local bands:including , Texas Ways, Jackie Moore and The Roadrunners, and musicians John Guthrie, Chris Wilson and many others contributed their musical talent and welcomed a special performance by Austin singer/songwriter Rusty Wier. Terry McIntire of the Save the Paluxy Dinosaur Valley Association provided information about the lawsuit which had been postponed. Twice before, on the eve of the trial date, a river concert was presented by Jackie Moore and The Roadrunners. Each time, the attendance grew and the utmost in river appreciation was expressed. (continued)
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General Granbury Birthday Party
It felt great to be back on a big stage again. Thanks to the mayor of Granbury, Ricky Pratt, who sponsored the stage and pa system, the event went off without a hitch. The remote speakers all around allowed the music and special events on stage to be heard all around the square. We look forward to another fun filled show coming soon to a venue near you.
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