WHO to the rescue?

A letter to the editor in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tells you how things are run in Tarrant County.  Don't be mistaken, it ain't just Richland Hills.

If a Texes hero shows up, they are going to be busy. 

Rescue Richland Hills

Richland Hills has ceased to function as a city, and there's no Superman to rescue us. We have a city charter that is old and outdated but is the current, legal policy voted in by our citizens. It is the law.

Or is it? Various members of the City Council are routinely violating the city charter but there's no way to hold them accountable since they abolished the city's Ethics Review Board. The city manager, who has won numerous awards for management of the city, is under siege by the council. Each week more City Council actions are being hidden in "executive session." Residents loyal to certain councilmen are allowed to misbehave during council and board meetings and are creating a hostile workplace for volunteers and city employees. Councilmen are ordering the replacement of opposing board members without following due process.

Richland Hills has become a Wild West town run by thugs and bullies. We need an intervention! I have contacted various elected officials within Tarrant County and my state representative but so far no one seems able or willing to step in, call this obviously unethical behavior into question and save Richland Hills.

-- Ralph Smith, Richland Hills

Small Town politics continued

This time in Richland Hills.  Read the letter in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

THE PEOPLE are listening.  Wonder what they'll say in May?

City Hall silence

The Richland Hills City Council decided Tuesday that it has the right to remove any speaker if council members feel insulted by what is said.

The council should be commended; this shows members are standing up for what they see is right. Think about it. I could say something like, "This decision could ruin this city." But that might hurt their feelings. I might be asked to leave.

So, no audience member should speak at all. In fact, I am not sure why an audience is even there. Let council members do whatever they want behind closed doors. Residents don't need to exercise their right to participate in government.

I just hope we don't elect three new council members who respect citizen input.

The preceding letter is sarcasm. Vote those guys out while you still have a voice.

-- Travis Malone, Richland Hills

Where does YOUR water come from?

And what's in it?

Read about the Tarrant Regional Water District and their maintenance work that will be changing the taste of your water is you live in parts of Fort Worth or Burleson, Crowley, Kennedale, Haltom City, Hurst, North Richland Hills, Richland Hills, Dalworthington Gardens, Edgecliff Village, Forest Hill and Grand Prairie, as well as Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram).

The difference in taste is caused by higher algae blooms in Benbrook Lake compared with those found in East Texas lakes. The water will be fully treated but if the algae count is at an extremely high level, there may be a noticeable difference in taste.

What does infrastructure cost?

Richland Hills is having problems with rainwater leaking into the 50-60 year old sewer system.  How old is YOUR system?  Read about it in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Storm-water infiltration into the city's sewer system generated extra charges from Fort Worth's water treatment plant, which caused Richland Hills to withdraw $500,000 from its oil and gas fund to pay the bill, officials said.

Speaking of gas funds, read about Tarrant County leading the way in gas production, while our infrastructure crumbles around us.

But Quin said it's obvious that runoff water is infiltrating the sewers.

"The wastewater charges [from Fort Worth] fluctuate annually with dry and wet periods. Some years it's near $500,000, some $600,000. One year, in 2007, the charges spiked at over $800,000."

The Spirit of the Season

This is why we love our contributors. Each in their own way, are trying to make a difference in the world we live in.

If you are able, please support this great cause out in the Midcities.

I know there's a lot of media hype these days concerning the financial struggles in America but a dedicated group of volunteers in Richland Hills are working overtime to help area children overcome at least one of these struggles.

In keeping with the "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Respect" mission of the Keep Richland Hills Beautiful Committee a Prom Dress Giveaway was developed in 2009 for girls with the Birdville School District who wanted to attend their prom but were struggling to afford that perfect dress. For the 2009-2010 school year this team of dedicated volunteers will again offer the young women whom attend one of the Birdville ISD high schools the opportunity to attend a "FREE" shopping day on Saturday, April 24, 2010. Students will be given the opportunity to choose from hundreds of appropriate dresses at absolutely no cost to them or their families.

This program is still accepting donations of gently used formal dresses and accessories suitable for teenage girls until April 17, 2010. All sizes, especially plus sizes, are needed.

If you have any questions, have donations or want to volunteer or simply want to thank these dedicated citizens for their hard work please contact Janie Wood at 817-284-7811 or 817-412-0727, Judy Allen at 817-299-1830 or by e-mail at jallen@richlandhills.com, Cherry Farrar by e-mail at clfarrar@att.net.