Voter Guide Highlights Environmental Issues

Environmental activist groups want voters to know where state and local candidates stand on  issues affecting Comal County, and last week published a voter guide and candidate responses on stop3009vulcanquarry.com, a website opposing Vulcan Materials’ proposed 1,500-acre open-pit limestone quarry at FM 3009 and SH-46.

The guide focuses on the race  for

· State Senator, District 25 (Donna Campbell vs. Steven Kling)
· State Representative, District 73 (Kyle Biedermann vs. Stephanie Phillips)
· Comal County Commissioner, Precinct 2 (Scott Haag vs. Michael Zimmerman)
· Comal County Commissioner, Precinct 4 (Jen Crownover vs. Dorothy Carroll)

and highlights issues related to open-pit mining, quarries, and other aggregate plants.

It was published by Preserve Our Hill Country Environment, Stop 3009 Vulcan Quarry, and Friends of Dry Comal Creek.

Candidates were asked to answer four questions and state their positions on issues related to the protection of residents and natural resources from the hazards of aggressive expansion and insufficient permitting, monitoring, and supervision of the aggregate industry.

The environmental groups weighed these answers and posted their own endorsements for each position.

Comal County Commissioner, Pct. 4

“In March, Precinct 4 Commissioner Jen Crownover stated that the county commissioners “don’t have any tools in the toolbox” to help citizens opposing the Vulcan quarry, and she promised support should they find the tools. However, when presented with tools like the contested case hearing request and numerous examples of other counties that have successfully utilized hearing requests and moratoriums, Ms. Crownover and the other Comal County commissioners still failed to take any meaningful action to support their constituents.

“Ms. Crownover seems to agree with some of our positions when it comes to local control and county-funded preservation of creeks and watersheds, but to our knowledge has initiated no formal action during her tenure as commissioner toward either of these efforts. In response to a proposed concrete plant in Spring Branch, she submitted a well-written public comment citing many of the problems with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). But following this meeting, pleas to her office asking for support were met with silence.

“Dorothy Carroll supports local authority to place limitations on quarries and aggregate plants and is focused on increasing government transparency at the county level.

“We have no recommendation in this race.” Read more.

State Senator, District 25

“In the upcoming legislative session, we look forward to working with whomever represents District 25 on the aggregate-related issues that are critically important to Comal County and Hill Country citizens. But elections require us to make choices. And when it comes to protecting District 25 citizens against corporate polluters and defending the natural resources of Texas, Steven Kling is the better choice.” Read more.

State Representative, District 73

“Representative Biedermann’s position on the County Affairs committee and seat on the Governor’s water policy group are notable—and his influence as a member of the likely majority party would be greater. The attention and diligence Kyle Biedermann has given to our efforts merit another two years in the Texas State House.” Read more.

Comal County Commissioner, Pct. 2

“The differences between these two candidates are significant. Incumbent Scott Haag should be replaced by someone who is solution-driven, willing to think outside the box, and responsive to the citizens of Precinct 2. Michael Zimmerman would bring a much-needed breath of fresh air to Commissioners Court and has our full support.” Read more.