Chet Edwards For Congress

Working Hard for Hill County

Chet Edwards has worked hard for the people of Hill County since he was first elected to the Texas Senate in 1982. As the Congressman for the 17th District of Texas, Chet has used his seniority and seat on the House Appropriations Committee to bring some of Hill County residents' tax dollars back home.

In fact, since the beginning of 2005, Chet has secured a total of $3 million for vital road, water and airport improvements projects in Hill County, funds that were not in the Administration's budget requests.

Economic Development through Better and Safer Roads

Chet secured $800,000 for to expand Loop 180 in Whitney from FM 933/ FM 1713 to FM 933 South. This project will improve traffic flow through rapidly-growing Whitney and the surrounding areas.

Protecting the Quality of Water for Hill County Families

Chet has secured a total of $1.2 million for Baylor University to study Lake Whitney salinity levels, the first step in considering Lake Whitney as an alternative source of drinking water for Central Texas.

Chet secured $500,000 for the City of Hillsboro for wastewater and sewer infrastructure improvements.

Promoting Economic Development in Hill County

Chet secured $300,000 to upgrade Kimball Bend Park at Whitney Lake to a Class A campground. Kimball Bend Park includes existing ruins of the old town of Kimball, and an original Chisholm Trail crossing of the Brazos River. The park will provide visitors with a multitude of recreational and cultural opportunities and provide positive economic benefits for the entire Bosque, Hill, and Johnson County area.

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.