Raves, Rants & Roses

RANT: I was saddened to read in the Sunday’s Tyler Paper nearly $150,000 was spent to purchase 2.1 acres that were worth perhaps $5,500 as part of the ongoing water fiasco in Whitehouse. More discouraging was the fact our civil servants excused this mistake by saying the project came in under budget. It appears as if they were able to approve a budget that no matter how badly they managed the project they could come in under the cap.

Whitehouse city leaders have been so focused on achieving “water independence” that they have ignored the collateral damages and the citizens of Whitehouse are paying an enormous price for their lack of foresight. The $146,000 wasted dollars, because of a lack of diligence, could have helped replace many lawns that have been lost.

When we have our own water supply, will we experience the same problems as White Oak? They have had many “boil water” notices lately. Will this be another expensive mistake for which the planners have not planned and the good folks of Whitehouse will have to pay?

One well is not on line and has already failed the state-mandated testing. We did not have these problems with Tyler water.

John and Linda Arnett
Whitehouse