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Johnson City Record Courier

Johnson City Record Courier

Opinion

The current issue of Johnson City Record Courier is available to read with an online subscription. Keep up-to-date with news.
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor, Our only source of drinking water in Johnson City, and the primary source of water for northern Blanco County, is the Ellenburger Aquifer. I believe the future of this aquifer is incredibly important. Don’t you agree? Five years ago, the Blanco-Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District (BPGCD) deemed our aquifer “Non-Relevant for Planning Purposes.” The board is proposing to keep it that way.
To the Editor: I’ve got opinions about water supply, water demand, and conservation. My opinions might bore you especially if you don’t agree with them. Would you be more interested if we talked about the facts? If those facts came from a source you trust, would that help? In 2019, Republican State Comptroller Glen Hegar issued a report called Texas Water: Planning for More.
What makes America Great? For me first and foremost, is our Constitution. The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States protects freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the freedom to petition the government. The First Amendment was added to protect us from the tyranny of dictatorial governments, from being silenced or censored, from persecution for expressing ourselves and to protect our religious freedoms.
The recent elections of mayors, City Council, and Groundwater District directors was tainted when the Blanco Republican Party broke long and important tradition that regards local elections as non-partisan. Instead they endorsed selected candidates and changed the atmosphere of the election causing friends and neighbors to find themselves as adversaries on opposite sides of a political divide. Although it’s not illegal, it is inappropriate.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
During the March 9th Commissioners Court meeting, our Blanco Elections Officer delivered a power point presentation informing the Commissioners and the public of intent to apply for the Countywide Polling Place Program.  That presentation included this declaration:  “Under the Countywide Polling Place Program, counties can decrease the number of election day locations by 50% once they have been designated as successful.  More than likely, we will end up with three sites as time progresse ...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Last week at the county commissioners’ meeting, we voiced our concerns about the possibility of the county allowing the city to annex 25 acres at the end of Old River Crossing Road and the road itself. Our county commissioners were very kind and listened to the concerns of homeowners who will be affected by the decision.
The Blanco County Commissioners have voted to adopt Countywide Voting. It would allow Blanco County registered voters to use any polling location in the county. You would not be turned away for going to the “wrong” voting location because there would be no wrong location. It would eliminate some provisional ballots that previously could only be counted after verification that the voter’s precinct was correct.
The Texas legislature is moving ahead to restrict current voting practices. The Senate has passed SB 7 which will restrict vote by mail, eliminate drive through voting, and reduce early voting schedules. The Blanco County Commissioners Court has approved a Countywide Polling Place Program which will allow registered voters to vote at any polling place in Blanco County.
Dear Editor: On March 17, 2021, I read in your newspaper, “Mighty Oaks From Little Acorns Grow” by Jim Stanley as his topic of the “From A Master Naturalist” column. Stanley mentions the extreme cold weather in February 2021 measuring 5 degrees or 8 degrees, killed many oak trees. I agree with Stanley that the extreme cold is responsible for the death of our oak trees. Personally, my subdivision goes by the name, “The Oaks”, and I lived here over fifty years.
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor: All of us are so fortunate to have at least 12 years of free education, and many of us go on to earn many degrees. We count on those with additional education and decades of experience for everything from trips to the moon to life-saving medical knowledge. So for the life of me, literally, I cannot comprehend the JCISD School Board ignoring scientific advice and deleting the mask-wearing requirement in our schools.

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