Peggy Jones

noreply@blogger.com (Peggy Jones) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 01:56:00 +0000

Verbal testimony given to the Natural Resources Committee at the Capitol:

My constituents are concerned about the loss of property rights, specifically a prohibition to drill for water in the southeastern section of Hays County where many residents are solely reliant on water from the Edwards Aquifer. I support SB 332 to protect the vested right to capture water. However, with the presumed passage of HB 1279 and the companion senate bill sponsored by Sen. Hegar, we are not assured of our right to access water since the EAA would have complete autonomy to make rules since they would not be considered a groundwater conservation district.

Perhaps if language is added to SB 332 or should SB 667 be passed instead, a protection for landowners overlying the Edwards is included in reference made to the district such as: "by a district or any regulatory authority included under Chapter 36, Texas Water Law, created in and for the State of Texas."

noreply@blogger.com (Peggy Jones) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 14:53:00 +0000

Texas Water Code Chapter 36 creates the authority of groundwater conservation districts in Texas giving districts explicit rights and duties. Sen. Fraser, Chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources has authored SB 332 to give property owners the "right of capture" or the right to drill a well into the aquifer underlying their property while complying with the rules and regulations of the respective groundwater conservation districts enacted under Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code. Meanwhile, the Edwards Aquifer Authority has posted a notice of intent to introduce new legislation asking to be removed from Chapter 36. The following is an excerpt from the Concept Memorandum explaining the need for change:

it creates more complications for the Authority than it resolves. Some parts are completely irrelevant to the Authority.[1] Other parts appear to be in conflict with the EAA Act.[2] In addition, to avoid creating confusion between the EAA Act and Chapter 36, the Authority is expressly exempted from certain portions of Chapter 36.[3] One final, significant difference between Chapter 36 and the EAA Act deals with the joint planning provision contained in the Texas Water Code.

The Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program is working steadily on ways to mitigate high drought demand on the aquifer. I have heard a plan will be complete by this summer. The Edwards Aquifer Authority is required to work with other agencies to maximize efforts to protect the federally endangered species. Zara Environmental conducted a study identifying numerous species living in the aquifer from microscopic shrimp to snails to catfish.

noreply@blogger.com (Peggy Jones) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 23:07:00 +0000

The sermon this morning by Pastor DeVries (http://www.mountcalvarysa.org/) could not have been more applicable to my mission. Basically, he reminded us to never give up, letting nothing distract us from the final goal. This is what I am doing. I have run for office to "fight the good fight." I will not step down, give up or simply walk away when it gets tough.

One of my missions is to protect our American rights and way of life. I may be defeated but will never be finished unless I quit - and I will NOT quit! In building my business, a consultant once told me, "you have more tenacity than anyone I've ever met." I take this as one of greatest compliments I've ever received. Even through a tough economy, I have struggled to hang on, but my parents raised me "to do it or die trying," failure is not an option.

Please keep me and my family in your prayers for all of my lifegoals and the persistance I need to accomplish all of them.

noreply@blogger.com (Peggy Jones) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:40:00 +0000

The grand opening of the Hays GOP offices was a smashing success! We have candidate signs and information available up until the November election. Please come by, I'll be working in the office off and on for the next few months. We WILL make some great changes in November!

noreply@blogger.com (Peggy Jones) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 23:27:00 +0000

Regretfully, I received notice the International Flash Flood Lab Texas State University will no longer be conducting research and archiving data on flooding. I participated in the First Flash Flood Lab with Dr. Pamela Showalter and was looking forward to more research.

I just finished the plans for the modifications and improvements to my campground. A mutual acquaintance referred someone to me for consulting and now I am working on a feasibility study for a campground in Oklahoma. The GIS data is a little more difficult to obtain than for central Texas.

noreply@blogger.com (Peggy Jones) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:24:00 +0000

I've begun renovation of the campground. The staff at the campground have worked with me relentlessly to manicure the grounds and we're refreshing the buildings, inside and out. I ordered new signs today and hope to have them up by next week. We will be upgrading about 20 sites to pull-throughs with 50 amp service. I love to work hard and get construction projects completed.

noreply@blogger.com (Peggy Jones) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:32:00 +0000

I filed for a place on the ballot yesterday with the Edwards Aquifer Authority, District 11 Board of Directors. I appreciate your vote on November 2 in the General Election. Tonight, the group known as ProtectOurWaterRights.com is hosting a Meet and Greet for Jason Isaac and me at the American Legion Hall in San Marcos from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Please come by and tell us your concerns about the water issues and your ideas for how we can protect the species, maintain the sustainability of the aquifer and protect private property rights.

Build Your Team :: Perry Home Headquarters

noreply@blogger.com (Peggy Jones) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:48:00 +0000

Build Your Team :: Perry Home Headquarters

noreply@blogger.com (Peggy Jones) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 01:52:00 +0000

What a day! My flight up to Dalhart was rather uneventful. We had to vector to the west of Abilene to miss the storms. The trip up took just over 3 hours. We took off from Dalhart intending to head south to Big Spring, turn east to San Marcos. At Lubbock, a commercial airliner had taken on some ice and had to descend to let the ice melt before landing in Lubbock. Storms continued building south of Big Spring down past San Angelo. I had a circuitous route on the east side of Big Spring, crossed over to the west and then turned south toward the west side of San Angelo. The cloud deck was dark and just above us at 8,000 feet. We hit severe turbulence from the building towering cumulus clouds. From Junction into San Marcos, we had fairly clear skies and light turbulence. I guess the storms were waiting to start until after we landed.

noreply@blogger.com (Peggy Jones) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:16:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Peggy Jones) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 22:14:00 +0000

Now that I've successfully added a blog to my website, I'll be updating everyone on water issues, some of my thoughts about local politics and things of personal interest. This weekend, I'd like to continue my instrument rating groundschool and get my flight plans completed for the trip to a remote airstrip in the Southern High Plains.

noreply@blogger.com (Peggy Jones) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 20:10:00 +0000

I have received strong encouragement to run for the position coming up with the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA). A Board of Directors controls the decisions made by the EAA, their Rules and Regulations, Fees and Staffing. The current Director recently stated he was unable to effect any decisions on the Board regarding actions on some fees and wells. I may not sway the other Directors into protecting OUR property rights, but I will not be out-voted without a fight!

noreply@blogger.com (Peggy Jones) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:45:00 +0000

Since the primary is over, many people have asked, "what's next?" Many are hoping I will run for office again and to them I say, "I positively have a desire to serve." This is not the end, its just the beginning.

noreply@blogger.com (Peggy Jones) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:31:00 +0000

My campaign for County Judge has been a fantastic experience. So much of what we do in life, we do without the least concern for details or how our very words affect people we care about. Campaigning illuminates both and makes them a priority at a new level of everyday life. Suddenly, every trivial detail has significance and every word may either become prose or blunder. Since I began this journey last July, friends and former strangers have encouraged me, supported me and have eagerly gone the "extra mile." For all of you, I offer my deepest gratitude. You have all become friends and there is no greater victory than the victory of your friendship. Very Sincerely, I Thank You.