Advisory/Release Media Event on Zoom, June 23, 6:30 pm SAWS No Press, Press Conference San Antonio, TX: SAWS accountability activists couldn’t figure out why San Antonio’s public water utility, San Antonio Water System (SAWS), held a press event without press present when their touted “game changing” water project — Vista Ridge — started pumping on April 15. They just found out. The independent San Antonio online news publication, The Rivard Report, reported SAWS Flushing Half of Vista Ridge Water as[…]
Read moreTag: Ron Nirenberg
Have SAWS and Vista Ridge Fallen Victim to COVID-19?
Have SAWS and Vista Ridge Fallen Victim to COVID-19? What Happens When a City Refuses to Manage Its Own Public Utility? Or: “Never let a crisis go to waste.” — Rahm Emanuel At their April 7 meeting, the San Antonio Water System Board of Trustees gave General Manager Robert Puente unilateral power (through Resolution 33 — see below) to negotiate and execute contracts without approval by, or even advance notice to the Board. The excuse? In the midst of the[…]
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Vista Ridge is a serious danger to the Mighty Edwards!
It’s now become clear that Vista Ridge is a serious danger to the Mighty Edwards! We warned you back in 2014 that Vista Ridge (the San Antone Hose) was a threat to TWO aquifers — the aquifers underlying counties east of Austin — the Carrizo-Wilcox (and its Simsboro formation) AND the mighty Edwards Aquifer. Remember, we told you about how Gov. Abbott used his veto pen to turn The Hose back on SAWS’ House Bill 1806 last May, protecting the[…]
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West San Antonio Chamber Responsible Growth Forum
It was a treat to be at the West San Antonio Chamber Responsible Growth Forum to hear four San Antonio City Council members, two of them brand new, speak to an important segment of the business community – the West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce — on Wednesday, July 17. Ellen Berky, LIV’s San Antonio Board Member, and Linda Curtis who serves as LIV’s state coordinator (a Bastrop resident) attended together. (Note: LIV is an all-volunteer non-profit, 501c4 organization.) This[…]
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The Nirenberg One Finger Salute
The Nirenberg One Finger Salute is to the Governor of Texas and to San Antonio voters of all persuasions who voted overwhelmingly (over 217,000 voters at nearly 57%) last November for Prop B — to limit city manager pay and terms. This is true, despite how you feel about the Mayor (an independent, mind you), Republican Governor Abbott, or any party. LIV On the heels of the Governor’s veto of SAWS legislation House Bill 1806 (a SAWS water-grab switcheroo of SA’s[…]
Read moreRon Nirenberg and Steve Adler have joined forces. Watch your water and wallet.
Before we tell you the story of why we think San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Austin Mayor Steve Adler have joined forces, we have some urgently important business to attend to. That would be convincing the Governor to VETO HB 1806 to put a public water utility on notice that he will not tolerate reckless water policy involving billions in public dollars and our most precious resource…groundwater. Call Governor Abbott’s hotline NOW, during business hours — 512-463-2000. Urge him[…]
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“Private Letter” from Austin Mayor Steve Adler
Did you get the “Private Letter” from Austin Mayor Steve Adler urging you to contribute to another public official — San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg? Nirenberg is facing a tough reelection and what Adler simply calls a “special interest” group with no identification. LIV does not endorse candidates. But, we do support real and full disclosure in elections. So, we’d like you to know the identity of the “special interest” Adler fails to identify. The San Antonio Firefighters Association! They[…]
Read moreNEW Veto HB 1806! Call the Governor now!
New Veto HB 1806! Call Gov. to Veto HB 1806 – save the aquifers, rural Texas and all ratepayers! We just sent this letter urging Governor Abbott veto HB 1806 passed at the 11th hour by the Senate on Wednesday night. This egregious “water” legislation aggressively drummed up by San Antonio Water System (SAWS – a public water utility) adversely affects millions of Texans, our aquifers and our wallets. Of equal concern is that SAWS, without San Antonio City Council[…]
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