Chet Edwards For Congress - Improving Communities

Work on flood-ravaged parks moving toward completion

econnor — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:11:31 -0700

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Waco Trib: Work on flood-ravaged parks moving toward completion

Waco Tribune
By David Doerr

One Lake Waco park has opened but another will soon close for renovations after last year’s floods wreaked havoc on picnic shelters, restrooms and roads.

Starting Monday, the boat ramp and small beach area at Twin Bridges Park, also known as Speegleville III, will be closed. The entire park will close for renovations May 15 and reopen June 15.

The group shelter, both beaches, boat ramp and other day-use facilities at Twin Bridges are all in need of repair.

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, secured $1.4 million last year for repairs at the parks so they would be usable this year.

While repairs are needed at Airport Park’s campground area, Smith said the Corps is putting priority on the day-use areas because overnight use is already available at the lake. Most other areas at the park, including the Airport Park campground, are expected to be fully functional by late summer, Smith said.

“We’re working (as) feverishly towards this goal as possible,” Smith said.

Other boat ramps are located at Speegleville, Lacy Point and Reynolds Creek parks. There are also day-use areas available at Koehne and Bosque parks.

Police receive $376,000 communications upgrade

econnor — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:11:31 -0700

March 26, 2008
Police receive $376,000 communications upgrade, thanks to Chet Edwards

By DAVE KUCIFER | Navasota Examiner

U.S. Congressman Chet Edwards met with Navasota city officials on Monday afternoon to announce a $367,000 award to the Navasota Police Department for the upgrade of the department's communication equipment.

Congressman Edwards, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee said the funds would be used for 15 mobile radios to be installed in police vehicles as well as funding other communications technology for the police department.

In making the announcement the congressman said, "I believe we have a deep obligation to protect our families from criminals and support our law enforcement officers who put themselves at risk to protect our communities. This new equipment will help keep officers safe as they work to protect our families."

In thanking the congressman for his work on getting the requested funds, Navasota Police Chief Shawn Myatt said the new equipment will be a big help as the department moves from an analog system to a digital system. This will open up new avenues of communications and will facilitate improved communications between the police department and other public service departments in the city.

Myatt said the new communications software would help update the 911 system as well as other communications need.

According to Congressman Edwards, the funds are from the final 2008 appropriations bill that was signed into law late last year.

Central Texas Dam Getting Multi-Million Dollar Face Lift

econnor — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:11:31 -0700

KXXV TV: Central Texas Dam Getting Multi-Million Dollar Face Lift

March 8, 2008

"Clean energy is part of America's future," said Congressman Chet Edwards in the Whitney Dam Saturday afternoon.

In an effort to continue with his push for clean and sustainable energy sources, Edwards secured roughly 4.5 million dollars in funding to revamp the aging structure.

Built in 1949, Whitney Dam has generated thousands of homes in Central Texas with hydroelectric energy.

But after being online for more than half a century, the structure is showing its age.

Turbines and the two generators which convert water power to electricity are wearing out.

"As the plant gets older, we're going to start losing our reliability," said Army Corps of Engineer Tom McGrath.

Edwards said not only does the plant provide electricity for Central Texas but it is an example right here in our backyard of how to curb the nation's dependency on foreign fuel.

"The more we can do of this the more we find other energy sources and develop those the less the chance we have people spending over three dollars for gas," said Edwards.

Edwards added the modernization of the Whitney Dam is a win-win solution.

"This is truly part of our national effort to find renewable and clean energy," added Edwards.

The Army Corps of Engineers was able to sell roughly two million dollars worth of power last year alone.

All that money went right back into the hands of the U.S. Government.

The first stage of the renovation will start at the plant later this year.

Edwards secures $392,000 for road in Grimes County

econnor — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:11:31 -0700

February 27, 2008
Edwards secures $392,000 for road in Grimes County

Keith News

About 60 residents of Keith, county officials and others from around Grimes County were on hand at the Keith Community Center on Thursday morning, Feb. 21 to hear our representative Chet Edwards officially announce that CR 172 will receive $392,000 to help move fencelines and pave this dirt road. We, the people who have endured the dust and mud of this road, certainly have reason to rejoice. As the saying goes, we can now see light at the end of the tunnel. Praise the Lord!

Reynolds Creek Park reopens for day fishing

econnor — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 12:11:31 -0700

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Waco Trib: Reynolds Creek Park reopens for day fishing

Waco Tribune
By Van Darden

With bait and tackle in hand, area fishing enthusiasts gathered Saturday afternoon to celebrate the grand reopening of Reynolds Creek Park.

The park has been closed since 2003, when the Army Corps of Engineers raised the water level of Lake Waco.

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards was on hand to participate in the reopening and congratulate the individuals who worked to get the park open.

“This is an example of true democracy working for the people,” said Edwards, D-Waco. “Local fishermen wanted more fishing areas open, and they deserve the credit for getting it done.”

Elton Welch, a longtime Lake Waco fisherman, was one of the main proponents of reopening the Lake Waco parks that had been closed.

“We got a petition going and contacted Mr. Edwards’ office, and I think (the Corps) will see that this was for the better,” Welch said, surveying the crowd.

Welch said he also credits new Army Corps management in helping to get the park reopened.

“It helps having people that will listen to you and have an interest,” he said.

Eric Haskell, a natural resource specialist with the Army Corps of Engineers, said more than 40 campsites around Lake Waco were closed in 2003 due to a series of problems, ending with the raising of the water level.

Future reopenings

Haskell said at that point, many parks, including Reynolds Creek Park (formerly Speegleville Park I), terminated access to lakeside day fishing, leaving the parks’ upper levels open only for campers.

Haskell said he hopes Reynolds Creek Park will be a model for other park reopenings.

“We’ve separated the camping from day use to limit any contact and conflicts between the two groups,” Haskell said.

Edwards, a senior member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, said his office will continue to make Lake Waco a family destination.

“For many working families who can’t afford pricey destination vacations, a fishing trip to Lake Waco is their vacation,” Edwards said. “And that’s really why I’m here.”

Edwards said his office’s next project will be getting Airport Park reopened.

“This is a continuing effort,” Edwards said. “We need more access for bank fishermen. We need to make (Lake Waco) handicap-accessible.”

Edwards Secures $250,000 for Camp Hearne Makeover

econnor — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:11:31 -0700

Jan 8, 2008

Camp Hearne to Get Makeover Courtesy of DC Funds

Camp Hearne will look quite different in the coming months, and in some ways, a lot similar to prior decades.

Nearly a quarter of a million dollars was earmarked in the recent appropriations bill for the former German POW camp, and will go towards the creation of a visitor center, paths for walking and biking, replica buildings and a veterans memorial.

Congressman Chet Edwards got a firsthand look at Camp Hearne and heard from local leaders on the vision for the future.

"I think it's going to be awfully important for Robertson County. It'll help to attract tourists here, and at the same time, preserve an important part of Robertson County's role in World War II."

Some preliminary work on the site will get underway soon, and once the money from Washington arrives, officials say it'll take about a year to make all the improvements.

"We're trying to put all these pieces together so that we can come up with a true, interpretive plan that will give insight and educate people as to what actually rural America did during the war," said Cathy Lazarus with Roll Call: Friends of Camp Hearne, a non-profit group that has been working to turn the old camp into a tourist attraction.

Items in the visitors center will include educational glimpses into life at the camp and its social and economic impact, as students will be encouraged to come visit.

Hands on activities being discussed include a German card game regularly played, short wave radio guides and an archaeological treasure hunt.

More than 5,000 prisoners of war were held at Camp Hearne from 1942 until 1946, mostly Germans.

Funds approved for county road improvements

econnor — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:11:31 -0700

January 3, 2008
Funds approved for county road improvements

Navasota Examiner:

Grimes County Commissioner, Pct. 4, Pam Finke relayed that the county would be receiving $392,000 for ongoing CR 172 projects during a regularly scheduled Commissioners Court meeting on Monday.

A press release received by Commissioner Finke states U.S. Representative Chet Edwards announced that he has secured $392,000 to repave CR 172 in northern Grimes County under the final 2008 Appropriations bill, which passed the House late Monday, the Senate Tuesday, and is expected to be signed into law by the President. “Improving CR 172 is a safety and economic development issue for Grimes County, and I am thrilled that my request for this important transportation investment was granted,” said Edwards, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.

“I want to commend the Grimes County Commissioners Court for bringing this project to my attention. It is clear to me that improving transportation infrastructure is a top local priority that will create new jobs, encourage economic growth and improve quality of life for area residents,” he added.

Specifically, this project would repave the travel surface on CR 172 for a distance of 2 miles and expand the surface to 20 feet. The surface will be repaved with an Asphalt overlay. This project would also straighten a sharp curve on the roadway, which primarily serves the citizens of Keith and Anderson in Grimes County.

In 2005, Edwards secured $400,000 for bridge construction in Grimes County under the annual transportation bill.

City, hospital receive federal funds for repairs

econnor — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:11:31 -0700

Wednesday, January 02, 2008
City, hospital receive federal funds for repairs

Madisonville Meteor
By Dave Lewis | Meteor staff writer

Madison County residents will be seeing visible proof of their tax dollars at work this coming year with federal funds coming here to help repair the roof at Madison St. Joseph Health Center and to resurface Collard Street.

According to an announcement Thursday, Dec. 27, from the office of U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, $117,000 has been earmarked to renovate the roof and emergency room at Madison St. Joseph, a 57-year-old non-profit facility.

The hospital here has seen the number of emergency room visits increase by nearly 40 percent in recent years in what has been designated a Health Professional Shortage Area and a Medically Underserved Area by the federal government.

Funding for both the hospital and Collard Street comes from the final 2008 appropriations bill, which passed both the U.S. House and Senate earlier in December and was signed by President George W. Bush on Dec. 26.

“I am pleased that my colleagues in the Congress approved my request to help relocate the emergency room for the St. Joseph's Hospital in Madisonville, and I especially want to commend Madisonville community leaders for stressing the importance of this priority project to me,” said Edwards, who is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.

The Collard Street project was earmarked for $169,000, which will help repair potholes and broken curbs on one of the town's major east-west feeder streets.

“Improving roads,” said Edwards, “is important for future economic growth and the quality of life in Madisonville. I want to thank Madisonville city leaders for recommending this important project to me.”

Madisonville Mayor Sonny Dean said receipt of the news was “fantastic.”

Interim city manager Dave Ward said, “We're going to rebuild Collard street, not just fix potholes. I'm not 100 percent sure how much of Collard Street we can repair. We'll probably have enough to go from S.H. 75 to S.H. 21 and widen it a bit to make it more conducive to two-way traffic and put a good surface on it rather than seal coat.

“I'm going to get bids to hot mix (asphalt). That is what I hope we'd be able to do to it. It's a very busy street and needs to be widened a good 18-24 inches. I wish we would have enough to go the full length, but I just don't think $196,000 will go all the way.

“I will assure you the west side of Collard to North Madison that has been a problem area will be fixed. That's one of the busiest intersections in town.”

Spending Bill Provides For Projects In Hill County

econnor — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:11:31 -0700

Hillsboro Reporter: Spending Bill Provides For Projects In Hill County

Dec. 30, 2007

An omnibus spending bill was signed by President George W. Bush Wednesday, December 26, aboard Air Force One on his way to Texas.

The $515 billion bill included 8,993 earmarks costing nearly $10 billion, according to the White House.

Included in the earmarks that President Bush chastised congress for are some that will benefit projects in Hill County.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison secured $140,000 for improvements to the City of Hillsboro’s downtown streetscape.

“This funding will help revitalize Hillsboro’s downtown while attracting new businesses and more jobs for Hillsboro’s families,” Sen. Hutchison said.

Congressman Chet Edwards secured funding for improvements to Hillsboro’s water and wastewater systems, the Lake Whitney Dam powerhouse and Farm Road 933 near White Bluff, along with funds for the GEAR UP Program in Hill and Bosque counties.

An earmark of $492,200 will add to the City of Hillsboro’s efforts to upgrade its aging water-delivery and wastewater-collection systems.

Hillsboro City Manager Jack Harper said that the funding will primarily be used to replace parts of the system that are in desperate need of repair.

The city has made significant improvements to its wastewater-treatment plant with an expansion that nearly doubled the capacity.

It has used funds left over from that project to address inflow and infiltration problems in the wastewater-collection system, but still has a long way to go in replacing some of the old, clay sewer lines in the city.

“Improving water pipelines and infrastructure are important for Hillsboro’s families and businesses and for the community’s future growth,” said Edwards. “I want to salute Mayor John Erwin, former Mayor Will Lowrance, City Manager Jack Harper and community leaders for their vision and hard work on this project. It was a privilege to work with them.”

Edwards earmarked $4.42 million to replace two turbines and upgrade generators at Lake Whitney Dam.

“By replacing turbines and upgrading hydropower capacity at the Lake Whitney Powerhouse, we will be able to provide electricity to 1,500 more area homes on average each year,” the congressman said. “It will also help lower the cost of electricity for cities and families throughout Central Texas by lowering the purchase price of energy during the high demand periods.”

The planned improvements will increase the powerhouse’s generating capacity to 42-megawatts.

Farm Road 933 at the entrance to White Bluff will benefit from $196,000 that will pay to add a left-turn lane.

Edwards said that the federal funding will jumpstart the project with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), which will fund the project on the state level.

He said that improving the roadway will ease traffic congestion, reduce the risk of serious auto accidents and help encourage economic development.

Edwards also secured $97,000 for the GEAR UP Program.

Administered through the Region 12 Education Service Center, the program prepares at-risk junior high and high school students academically and socially for college.

School districts in Hill and Bosque counties, along with Hill College, McLennan Community College and Texas State Technical College, provide programs that are designed to increase the number of students who will continue their education beyond high school.

The President included a signing statement criticizing congress for failing to cut back on earmarks. He wrote that “these projects are not funded through a merit-based process and provide a vehicle for wasteful government spending.”

He said that the funding passed for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan included in the bill were good down payments and called for congress to take action quickly in 2008 to provide the remainder of the needed funding.

Chet Edwards secures $376,000 for local police

econnor — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:11:31 -0700

December 28, 2007
Chet Edwards secures $376,000 for local police

Navasota Examiner

Congressman Chet Edwards announced that he secured $376,000 to help the Navasota Police Department upgrade their communications and computer systems under the final 2008 Appropriations Bill, which passed the House late Monday, the Senate Tuesday, and is expected to be signed into law by the President.

"I believe we have a deep obligation to protect our families from criminals and to support our law enforcement officers who put themselves at risk to protect our communities. This new equipment will help keep our officers safe while they work to protect our families, and I want to congratulate Mayor Bert Miller, Police Chief Shawn Myatt, and local law enforcement for their strong leadership in this effort," said Edwards, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.

Specifically, the $376,000 secured by Edwards will fund a communications technology and enhancement project. This project will include the addition of 15 mobile radios to be installed in police patrol vehicles to upgrade the departments' communications system. The funding secured by Edwards will replace the existing Navasota Police Department repeater system, which is a vital part of the day-to-day communications between officers, other agencies, and dispatchers. It will provide replacement software for dispatch and report writing that is outdated. The new software will enhance the operations of the Department by providing technology that is more user-friendly with added security.

“The bottom line is that law enforcement officers will be able to respond more quickly to emergency calls with the information they need to protect local citizens. In the case of potentially dangerous suspects, this could mean the difference between life and death for officers and the law-abiding citizens they are protecting," said Edwards.

In 2005, Edwards secured $400,000 for the Grimes County Sheriff's Department to update technology in their patrol cars.