(Disclaimer: This Montage is biased, unabashed personal opinion.)

Heavy hearts fill our city as those so near to us have lost homes and possessions and pets – even human life – in the catastrophic flooding of Memorial Day 2015. By the time this column prints, we will hear of opportunities to help.

Pumping emotions flooded the room at the public hearing last Wednesday regarding the municipal proposal that includes the release of another huge portion of our ETJ to the city of Kyle. I hear, “We do not want to be smothered. Our ETJ offers a buffer that cannot be accessed by another city. This is why our city (which goes back to 1850, before Kyle and Buda existed) incorporated. It is why we are here. It is who we are.”

It is where we are. Yes. “A Little Slice of Paradise.”

Last week, it inadvertently became public that (apparently) a portion of the 2002 land swap with Kyle and/or development agreement with Benchmark (Plum Creek) was a gentleman’s agreement. 

What?!

I recall a dog and pony show for our Council that sang, “immense future sales tax income possible” with a narrow strip immediately across the highway transformed into “city limits.”

Of course, water and wastewater connections came with the deal. Without such, the annexed acres cannot be developed commercially. It would be worthless commercially. (Duh.)

Clark Wilson /Anthem (unknowingly) sang the same song, “immense future sales tax income possible.” What?! I laughed, for I attended many of those 2000 – 2002 council meetings. (Admittedly, not a council member, I cannot speak of the signed contracts.)

For a little bitty narrow strip across the highway, Mountain City sacrificed most of her 2,200 acres ETJ eastward that extended one-half mile north and south. Our ETJ went down to Kohler’s Crossing, out close to Kyle’s water well near the PAC; and, from there the eastward connection came back across about to the radio tower. (I’m using landmarks). With the land swap, Benchmark /Plum Creek would work with only one municipal entity, Kyle; and, Kyle could and would supply the needed utilities. 

Councilperson Rosemary Glaze vehemently objected back then. She knew Mountain Cityians hold near and dear our space. And, she had calculated the probable minimum future tax revenue for Kyle and real estate income for Benchmark /Plum Creek.

At Wednesday’s hearing, where council members got full ears, a lone MC couple expressed support for the current proposed municipal agreement.

From the quick-turnaround survey, emailed to most households, we just screamed out “We value our rural feel, our Little Slice of Paradise.” We. 80 percent, “great importance” 10 percent, “important.” 90 percent!!! Wow. It is, indeed, why we are here. It is who we are. Little Slice of Paradise.

•••

Part of living here is co-existing with some venomous snakes. (For eons, a massive quantity of venomous snakes have co-staked claim on the currently undeveloped ranchland west of MC.)

Next week, hear of how KissMe, our Great White Hunter with Red Spots, narrowly escaped with his life over the holiday weekend.

Be careful. 

Send tidbits, please. Email ptom5678@gmail.com (Subject: tidbit) or leave a message at 512-268-5678. Thanks! Love, Pauline