Finally, we had some good weather this week to do some road repairs. Monday, while we were waiting for material to be delivered, we mowed and cleaned up the barn and yard. On Tuesday, CR1670 was our starting spot with 125 tons of cold mix to resurface down to the Piney Church turn off. We had to put in a culvert extension for Mrs. Duncan on CR 1468 on Wednesday and did somemore ditch cleaning. Thursday, instead of cold mix, I had 125 tons of oil sand delivered to finish topping CR1670. All the other commissioners use cold mix for this purpose but my foreman says that oil sand is better a better product and cheaper. So-o-o-o we're going to give it side-by-side comparison. Place your bets now! Today we finished CR1670, only to find the pipeline dumps were sneaking around to CR1670 for a short cut. What we didn't catch and make turn around, we'll just add another $10,000.00 to the pipeline bill. If you dance, you've got to pay the fiddler.

Our focus here at Precinct 1 has been restoring our roads to pre-storms status. We cleared some culverts and ditches on CR1680 on Friday. Monday, while it was raining, we greased all our equipment and checked our fluid levels, we burned all the trees and limbs we have cut off the roads, and we did some patching on CR1317. Tuesday, we cut some intersection corners so drivers can see oncoming traffic in Bridges Chapel, handled a drainage problem for Mr. Cannon in the Hayes Addition, and cleaned somemore culverts and ditches. Commissioners Court on Monday was significant for a couple of reasons. Not only did we reject Pilgrim's Prides request for penalty and interest abatement by not taking action on the issue, we tightened up on a much needed policy concerning travel expenses. The loop project is progressing but the court is getting very impatient with the firm handling the administation of the project.

This has been the rainiest spring since 2000. We have been struggling with all the wind and rain damage incurred during the last 6 days. Sunday morning, on CR 1042, the crew had to cut up a HUGE oak tree so residents could get to church. The roads for the most part have held up well. We have some large pot holes on CR1200 that will be repaired on Friday and most roads need their ditches cleaned of leaves and limbs. Hopefully we can get things back to normal by the time our materials dry out so we can get back to the roads. By the way, I've billed the pipeline company for damages and restoration $253,962.21. Precinct 1 does not plan to be out any money to accommodate the extensive damages done to our roads by the pipeline company.

The rains are guaranteeing a good growing season for all our farm and ranch operators this year. The roads are holding up pretty well, however we have alot of ditch clean-outs in front of us. We are taking this down time to paint some of our equipment and service our machinery. Wednesday, we had some trees down in the precinct. One on CR1342 required me to call two of the crew back at 6PM to cut it off the roadway, one I pulled off the road by hand, and one I had to call the other two of the crew out at 3:30 in the morning to meet me on CR1455 to get it off the road. Today, we picked up the logs and trash, hauled it off and road the roads for more limbs and branches. We did repair some driveway aprons on the west side of Lake Tankersley and we finally repaired some guard rail on CR1200 that had been damaged years ago.

Well, the precinct meeting was poorly attended. I ran notices in the paper for three days leading up to the event, had hot dogs for 200 people and homemade chili by my friend Chuck Denman. With competition from two area revivals, youth baseball and softball, and a tool /computer show at the civic center, I discovered the level of interest from the precinct when things are going pretty well. I wanted to thank Bob Fitch for leaving the precinct in such good condition, both physically and financially, inform residents about the technology options I am offering to keep everyone informed( E-mail and this blog, and to hear any concerns people had. It may be the first and only event of its kind!
Last week we cleaned more ditches on CR1697 and CR1695, we cut the GRASS, yes grass, from one of the worst roads in the precinct CR1749. We spent a couple of days patching holes. On Thursday, we went back to CR1749 and laid the prettiest pavement for those poor souls and thrilled them no end.
The court is considering abating interest for Pilgrim's as they go through bankruptcy. I think Pilgrim's is a vital industry for the community and overall a good corporate entity. My thinking right now is to reject their proposal for abatement due to our inability as a taxing district to legally do so. Also there are many other businesses that are having trouble or are out of business that expect the same rules and accommodations for everyone.

We have been busy lately with the clean-up from the storms Friday and Saturday. Friday night was spent on CR1435 and CR150 with downed trees. CR 1350 and CR1680 also had some big trees across the road, but we didn't find them until Saturday morning. During the week however we installed two culverts at the 6T Ranch for Mr. Parrish and we prepared CR 1749 for scabbing. We also used the down time from the rains to patch some roads. CR1130 was patched at several axcesses to driveways and the shoulders needed some repair. Mr. Roy had asked for a "No Outlet" sign to be installed going into the neighborhood. We also patched some places on CR1200. We are making preparations for the precinct meeting this evening at 6 o'clock at the Maintenance Barn.

The work continues on the two roads that have gotten more attention than they probably deserve, CR1550 and CR1670. The combination of wet weather and heavy loads have damaged the repairs already done. However we must keep up with the repairs so that the normal users won't break an axle! Also, once the pipeliners leave, we can start resufacing as soon as possible. We were able to help Mr. Bassinger on CR1332 with his culvert and respond to a request from the Presbyterian Church to put out some ground cover by their foundation church on CR1660. Rain was forcasted for Easter Sunday and they hold a Sunrise Service on that day. Today, we put up a "No Outlet" sign on CR1130, cleaned out a clogged ditch on CR 1030, and surveyed the precinct after the storms this weekend.