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Hensarling speaks on
border security
By Pearl Cantrell
Monitor Staff Writer
MABANK–U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling visited with folks in Mabank and Seven
Points to discuss two plans being offered by the U.S. House and Senate.
“The war on terrorism also has to be fought on our northern and southern
borders. We ignore this potential threat at our own peril,” Hensarling
told citizens gathered at Mabank City Hall Thursday.
In his opinion there are only two debates: whether America has the will
to control its borders and is there a right or wrong way to secure the
borders.
“This is not a human rights issue,” he adamantly said. “We shouldn’t be
sidetracked into discussions on human rights when talking about border
security.”
Hensarling feels the Kennedy-Reed Senate bill is “wrong-headed” for
granting amnesty to lawbreakers, essentially attracting more illegal
immigrants, and for sweetening the pot by providing social security and
educational benefits.
“It sets a terrible precedent,” he said.
Lastly, the bill disallows local law enforcement officers to pick up
illegal immigrants for deportation, solely because they are here
illegally.
“I like legal immigration,” he said. “I want to find room for those who
love freedom and will work hard to gain its benefits, but we can’t take
them all.”
Hensarling listed features of the House bill’s security proposals:
• provides for real fencing and walls as well as virtual fences in areas
where human smugglers stage their activities.
• eliminates the ineffective “catch-and-release” process now in
operation.
• increases border patrol strength by 1,500, though it’s not nearly
enough, he added.
• increases the penalties for knowingly hiring an illegal immigrant, and
• develops an easy on-line service so small business owners can enter a
social security number and immediately get confirmation of citizenship.
Illegal immigrants costs American taxpayers billions of dollars and
strains the financial resources of social services and law enforcement
agencies, he stressed. Log Cabin
packages funding
Moves forward on sewer, water tower, park upgrades
By Pearl Cantrell
Monitor Staff Writer
LOG CABIN–Work has begun on a sewer service for about 400 Log Cabin
residents. In the works for the past 10 years, a gravity sewer is a
red-letter event for the city.
“I’m very excited about it. It’s been on my plate for the last three
years, and I’m glad to get it off,” Mayor Gene Bearden told The Monitor.
“I feel it’s going to help the growth of Log Cabin,” he said.
The sewer system is going to cost $3.8 million and initially accommodate
up to 600 households, Bearden reported.
Trench work is underway, as is the initial dirtwork for the waste water
treatment plant on County Road 1411.
The project is being funded by a grant-loan program with the United
States Department of Agriculture. It is providing a $2.1 million grant
and the city is borrowing $1.764 million at 4.375 percent.
With the help of engineering services from Velvin and Weeks, the city
has approved a flat monthly sewer fee of $43.23 to users to both operate
and pay back the debt.
“We feel pretty confident this ($43.23/month) will cover it,” Bearden
said. The figure is based on 385 hookups, he said, and there’s a little
room for growth on the system.
Bearden estimated there are about 2,000 lots that are too small for
septic systems under today’s standards. Many of them were bought in the
‘60s and ‘70s as weekend lots.
“Those lots will be able to take advantage of the new sewer system going
in, of course, not all at the same time,” he added.
Another grant from the Texas Community Development Program (TCDP) for
$250,000 will be funding the hookup of the residences with grinder pumps
and lines to the sewer mains.
Two different building contractors are doing the work on the plant and
pipe laying.
Four road bores are planned for the piping: two under Farm-to-Market
3054, one under State Highway 198 and County Road 1411, Bearden
reported.
The city is also upgrading its water services with the installation of a
125,000 gallon elevated tower just outside city hall.
That work is due to begin by Oct. 1, and expected to be completed in six
weeks, if all goes well, Bearden said.
A second matching grant-loan program from TCDP is backing the
improvement.
The city is financing $217,000 and the TCDP grant comes to $250,000.
The city currently has two water storage tanks. The 85,000-gallon tank
will continue in operations along with the new water tower, he added.
Some small improvements are also planned to accompany the water tower to
improve the road and part of city hall.
A funding packing of $275,000 has been put together with First Southwest
Company to accommodate the water tower and other improvements at about 4
percent, he reported.
GrantWorks is administering the water tower grant and a third grant from
the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for $125,000 to repair and
rebuild the semi-circular pier and two boat ramps at the city park.
“We’re also hoping – that with volunteer labor – we can put in a bath
house, too,” Bearden said.
“We have our fair share of grants and loans, but we sure needed them to
make vast improvements to the city,” Bearden observed.
The city is also using First Southwest to refinance its outstanding debt
from 2004 of $255,000 in general obligation refunding bonds.
The refinancing should save the city $22,852, council members heard July
31.
Long-term debt for the city totals $2.048 million.
Bearden expressed discomfort with the amount of the debt, but was
counseled: “a city is always going to have debt.”
“You got to spend a little money to make money,” he said.
“I think Log Cabin is the great sleeping giant at the lake. In the next
20 years, it will be a booming town,” Bearden predicted.
“The town has really improved in the last three years. It has changed
dramatically,” he added. Lake
area fire departments to be honored at dinner
Special to The Monitor
EUSTACE–Members of the Greater Cedar Creek Lake Area “Pacesetters” Club
met at Slab Happy BBQ in Eustace to discuss the upcoming Greater Cedar
Creek Lake Area Volunteer Department Appreciation Dinner and Dance to be
hosted at Mabank Pavilion in early October.
All volunteer firemen and their spouses from the lake area fire
departments will be honored guests at the appreciation dinner.
“We are designing this event so that the firemen don’t have to lift a
finger before, during or after. It’s their night to come relax and enjoy
the thanks of community leaders who are organizing the event,” owner of
Capt’n B Florist and president of the Pacesetters Club Bruce Easley
said.
There will be live music for dancing, catered barbecue and presentations
by elected officials.
State Representative Betty Brown, U.S. Representative Jeb Hensarling,
State Senator Todd Staples and State Senator Bob Deuell have all been
invited and will participate as their schedules permit.
Please let Bruce know if you can recommend someone to donate their
musical talents or if you want to make a donation to help support the
event. Call (903) 887-0179
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