Chet Edwards For Congress

March 24, 2006
Local company opens water-testing lab

Waco Tribune Herald
By Mike Copeland | Tribune-Herald business editor

People wearing white laboratory coats were all over 316 Kelly Drive on Thursday morning. So many that one might have thought a Frankenstein movie was being shot.

July 13, 2005
Editorial: Whitney Victory

Waco Tribune Herald
By Editorial Staff |Tribune-Herald

Energized citizens, responsive officials, satisfactory result

It appears that the problem with Walling Bend Park is that it is too popular.

Too beautiful, with great access to Lake Whitney for picnicking and swimming.

So popular it is, believe it or not, that the Army Corps of Engineers proposed shutting it down. That would mean less hassle, lower maintenance costs, and particularly less need for law enforcement in dealing with parties that sometimes get out of control.

To deal with a projected budget shortfall and hefty proposed budget cuts, the Corps proposed closing the park.

What a hideous idea. Not only would it hurt the people who use it, but closure would hurt the businesses that rely on those visitors.

And the notion of having something so special – built with public funds – shut off from the public should offend all senses.

Fortunately, alarmed citizens stepped forward to press the case to keep Walling Bend Park open. They collected 1,200 signatures.

But they did more than get angry. They got engaged. In particular, they got Congressman Chet Edwards involved in the matter. Last week after meetings with Edwards, Corps officials announced that funding would be available to keep the park open.

June 25, 2005
Edwards Announced $5 Million For Bosque Clean-up

Waco Tribune Herald
By MATT JOYCE |Tribune-Herald staff writer

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards on Friday announced his goal for a Bosque River watershed clean-up effort fueled by federal funding, which until now has been directed at studying the issue.