This Just In!

Granite Shoals finally came out of the "Executive Session" closet by letting taxpayers know what their possible plans are for a Municipal Utility District (MUD or DUM (not sure), reducing the land amount to 36 acres on their Eminent Domain lawsuit against Todd Fox and the infamous retaining wall on Lake LBJ in Park 13. Why all the many month of secrecy? I guess the rule of it is none of our business maybe changing. Who knows, maybe the lawyers will give Granite Shoals taxpayers a cheaper deal since the City is now only concerned about 36 acres in the acquisition of taking Mr. Fox's mineral rights instead of the original 131 acres? Oh yeah - looks like they want to discharge sewage treatment effluent into the lake - why not on the remaining 95 acres
on the land they purchased for all of our benefit. Seems like an "unhealthy" decision to dump in the lake. Maybe the Mayor who sits on the TCEQ Board in Austin can convince us to truck the effluent and dump in Lake Travis or Ladybird Lake! If this doesn't work bessie and peggy - we don't need to buy land for disposal of the treated water -we already have it.

Beaver Island Responds with The Truth!

Responding to the May 3rd Sunday Tribune from Sandy Collins - yes that Ms. Collins, six salient facts clearly showed how uninformed Ms. Collins is on Beaver Island/Granite Shoals tax use, water/sewe system, relations, volunteers, differences in property values and people. The truth is Ms. Collins doesn't know what she is talking about. In the words of my mother, "if you don't know what you are talking about, you need to keep quiet". Good advice Ms. Collins - perhaps you will take it. If not, we will see you at the 33rd District Court trial and The Truth about Granite Shoals and its leaders will come out. Maybe we can all learn from this bad example!

Granite Shoals Citizens Have The Right To Know!

Citizens of Granite Shoals want to know how much taxpayer money has been used thusfar by the Mayor and the City Council to defend their questionable actions regarding all the legal proceedings listed in the Executive Session portion of each council meeting agenda! Since this information is suppose to be Public Record, why hasn't the Mayor or City Council or City Manager told us? Citizens have the right to know!

We are still waiting for him to tell us what action they would take on the lawsuit after being told by the 3rd Court of Appeals they failed to negate the claims of fraud in the City versus Winder et all case. Remember The Highlander Article in which the Mayor states, "Any action will be conducted in open meeting". Mr. Mayor we are still waiting for your words - in or out of the Council Executive Sessions!

Maybe the new councilman will be a friend to the citizens - after all - citizens have the right to know how their money is being spent!!!!!!!!!

Incumbent Unseated! Edwards Out - Chamness In!

Peggy Edwards, Councilwomen, who was appointed by the Granite Shoals City Council after they installed Home Rule government, was unseated in what only could be described as voter backlash against the current regime. Perhaps her campaign signs should not have said, "Re-elect Edwards". The facts are:

Clavin Chamness defeated the incumbent Peggy Edwards. Voting was 124 votes for Calvin - 105 votes for Peggy Edwards. Mayor Frank Reily received 164 votes in his uncontested race. Place 1 - Shirley King received 135 uncontested votes. Place 3 - Dennis Maier received 144 uncontested votes.

The Highlander Newspaper says, Granite Shoals has about 1670 registered voters. Go-figure in a city with over 5,025 residents!

What is the percentage who voted in this rather uninteresting election - out of 5,025 residents? Can anyone help with this difficult math question? Perhaps, a volunteer - Ms. Collins?

Granite Shoals Petition for review doesn't raise any new issues

After a review of the Granite Shoals Petition of Review to the Texas Supreme Court, it appears the City has offered no new issues in the haphazard defense of their highly questionable actions regarding annexations and the forming of their home rule government.

Of course, the Texas Supreme Court has already disagreed with their opinion on other cases but since they are spending taxpayer money not their own - what have they got to lose? Good question!

What do honest, tax paying citizens think? The papers won't tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth - local radio stations won't talk about it - the City uses the rule of "Executive Session" from preventing the residents from finding out. Perhaps the Town Crier is their only hope but then again we have Ms. Collins who knows - don't we?

Last Ditch Effort by Granite Shoals!

In what can only be seen as a last ditch effort to avoid the simple truth - the City of Granite Shoals filed a Petition for Review with the Texas Supreme Court on May 4th, 2009, in attempt to overule the 33rd District Court and the 3rd Court of Appeals rulings against Granite Shoals.

In fact, 3rd Court of Appeals Chief Justice Woodie Jones states in the March 2009 court ruling, "there is more than a scintilla of evidence that the City failed to make a good-faith effort to comply with the inhabitancy requirement imposed by the constitution, and in fact sought to contravene that requirement".

What this means is more taxpayer money being wasted by the City to defend their past and highly questionable actions on annexations and how they formed their home rule government.

Perhaps Ms. Collins, who knows a lot on how city tax money is being spent, can find a way for the City to face the truth and spend less tax money on legal issues facing the City - too many of to speak of here. Honestly, woudn't that be fair to all of us? Ms. Collins we need your help!

Beaver Island residents pay more than fair share of Granite Shoals taxes

In a recent editorial in the RiverCities Tribune, Granite Shoals resident, Sandy Collins, says, "they have all the services and yet pay nothing". Perhaps Ms. Collins should contact the Burnet County Tax Appraiser to find out how much Beaver Island residents pay before she inserts "foot in mouth". Look at the Tax roles in the city and county! However she is right when she states, "Right now there is a lawsuit in the courts and there it will be decided" if Granite Shoals has an open, honest government or if they committed constructed fraud not only against Beaver Island residents but the entire population of Granite Shoals. Wake up Ms. Collins - Beaver Island residents pay more than their fair share of taxes - the numbers do not lie! Join us? Well the City made Beaver Island a part of City back in 2006 with their hostile annexation despite the pleas from the residents to be left alone - all in the name of a money tax grab!

Land Swap on Hold - For Now!

A potential "Land Swap" between Granite Shoals and Horseshoe Bay that has riled Wilderness Cove residents and taxpayers is on hold - for now! Meanwhile The RiverCities Tribune reports residents say, "We felt that they (Granite Shoals) were trying to make a land grab" and We don't think we should be a big piggy bank for Granite Shoals." The ETJ's for Granite Shoals and Horseshoe Bay are 1-mile radius around each city's limits. However, a longstanding lawsuit by two neighborhoods that questions the City of Granite Shoals open, honest government on annexations and home rule may impact Granite Shoals ETJ from 1-mile to a half mile thereby releasing Wildness Cove from any hostile annexation by Granite Shoals.

Statesman says "Islanders can have day in court!"

April 2, 2009 Page B2, Austin American Statesman, announces, the 3rd Court of Appeals upheald the decision of a state district judge in Burnet County who said the district court does have jurisdiction to hear a lawsuit Beaver Island residents filed against the City of Granite Shoals. "It's a setback, no getting around that, but it's an intermediate step," said Conny Caputo. a high dollar attorney representing the City. After 3 attempts to mediate with the City only to be thwarted each time, The residents of Beaver Island and Web Isle anxiously await their day in Court! The City has 45 days to appeal to the Texas Supreme Court from the date of the ddecision which was March 19, 2009. The decision of the 3rd Court of Appeals was written by Chief Justice Woodie Jones who is considered a jurisdictional expert.

Mark Your April Calendar!

April 4th, 2009 at 12:00pm (lunchtime), the City will hold a luncheon for Volunteers as part of the Volunteer Appreciation Day - contact Rhonda at 830-598-2424 if you want to attend; The Police Department will once again sponsor the Easter Bunny's Visit to Granite Shoals. The visit will be on Easter Sunday, April 12th, starting at 1:00pm at Bluebriar Park! Last but not least - City Wide Clean-up is scheduled for April 25th from 7:00am to 2:00pm -want more info call Rhonda or Merilyn Nations.

Wilderness Cove POA finds out about Granite Shoals

Wilderness Cove POA finds out about Granite Shoals history on annexations and the legal issues facing the Council as a result of the Texas Third Court of Appeals Decision - March 19, 2009. Horseshoe Bay needs to keep their ETJ intact and not allow Granite Shoals to swap ETJ's so they can annex Wildnerness Cove. Given Granite Shoals and it's history, Wilderness Cove does not want to be swallowed up nor do they deserve their type of government.

Debunking The River Cities Sunday Tribune March 22, 2009 Opinion Piece with FACTS!

Dear Dan Alvey, Amber Weems, Thomas Edwards, Chris Porter and Daniel Clifton, the Editorial Board

Everyone, I just wanted to say thank you for providing me my Sunday Humor after reading your "Our Turn" Editorial regarding the pleas of the residents of Wilderness Cove from protection from the City of Granite Shoals and its government officials.

The idea of Granite Shoals having 19 parks and a new municipal complex with a great view (at a cost of over 1.5 million dollars plus without all the necessary repairs that are required, doesn't sound like a good deal for the citizens of Granite Shoals - just ask the taxpayers - not the politicians. Oh, for the record, you might spend a little less time in writing opinion and a lot more time in investigative reporting. Perhaps the you will give us "Our Turn".

Click on the following web site and download the story - http://www.3rdcoa.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/HTMLOpinion.asp?OpinionID=17957. "Your Turn" to decide for yourself if Granite Shoals is working hard for its citizens or for their personal agenda.