Mike Hughes: Pool Protector

Raymond's legacy continues thanks to son Harrison.

Click the picture for full view.

Lucas Council Race

So what is happening with the Lucas Council race? Will there be a last-minute flood of applicants? Without places, we can load the Council by simply diluting your vote to the point that it doesn't mean anything. Thanks again for defeating the first Home Rule Charter, forward-thinking citizens of Lucas! This is an interesting concept. All it takes is 3 on the Council to vote the right way and gone is the current Development Plan, in with Home Rule and no sewer protection--High-density development and give away the farm. Given the recent actions of citizens at the Council Meeting, it really doesn't matter. The citizens of Lucas are going to get exactly what they deserve. So just hang on, folks and enjoy the ride. These tract homes will be built, the dust devils will die down and we will have a bunch of new "Not in My BackYard" folks to contend with. Only this time the houses will be 8 to the acre rather than 1. Ha! In Swiss Chalet style maybe with a giant fake snow fiberglass water/ski slope. And don't forget the Equestrian Center. Geez!

Pain and burning in the foot?

Ever wonder what that painful, burning situation is in your foot? It's because you shot yerfelf there, good buddy! By calling for the complete elimination of restrictions on accessory bldgs, etc. in Lucas, we have really turned back the clock.

I guess no one grasps the real implications of a pure libertarian viewpoint on issues like these. That huge shadow that falls over your house about 2:00PM every afternoon from your neighbor's workshop won't bother you? That pole barn built 20 feet in front of your neighbor's front door won't give anyone second guesses when they are buying your house.

I have to say thanks! because you have completely absolved me from any responsibility of keeping up with what is happening at city hall. When the outcome is so horrible from your input we can't possibly have any impact in more subtle areas. There is no shame, the actions were boorish at the least, and there is no excuse for comments about "hangin' the black hats" when one council member occasionally wears a black hat. The discussion was not a discussion--it was the pitchfork scene from the movie "Frankenstein".

I thought there was willfull ignorance in the first Home Rule Charter election. We are plumbing the depths now for sure!!!

lucastxonline.com still not working

How long? How long? We are still hoping for later tomorrow. It will depend on how fast our old provider can update the database. I will then wait a week or so and see if I can transfer our name to our new host where we wanted it in the first place.

SNAFU at www.lucastxonline.com

My other site, www.lucastxonline.com ,.is not working right now due to a hangover problem from our transfer to a new hosting provider. The best case scenario has us up and running again in 2 days. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Now where to?

Now that the meter is not running, everyone take a deep breath and...watch out...Now is the time for vigilance. Legitimate candidates will file reasonably early. Why hold off unless you have a real struggle at home to contend with; and if that is the case, should you really be on the Council?

My current picks are for the incumbents. I might be persuaded to back a better candidate for one of the seats, but I want the most active member to remain in place.

Ok, about the Charter...I still like my suggestions:

Keep the work from both prior Commissions and begin an education process which will culminate in a new Commission approximately one year from now. The education process should be in the form of seminars or Town Hall meetings which will cover different decisions required during the process...form of government, issues such as Recall and Referendum, compare and contrast sample charters from other Towns, etc. Citizens should be required to sign up for these sessions as a whole in order to insure participation. I don't anticipate that the education process would require so much time committment as to exclude the average working citizen.

Or, we could do these in neighborhood meetings. If they are done correctly, they can be held at the Annex or some other neutral location and comply with the notice requirements of the open meetings laws.

Following the citizen education process, the Council should interview and appoint the Commission like it does other City Boards or Commissions. At that point, the general will of the citizens should prevail in the makeup of the Charter Commission.

The key to all this is that we will need citizens to continue to participate and volunteer. The time committment is not that bad. Some basic requirements are an ability to communicate via email in order to receive draft updates for study prior to the meeting and a low story-telling factor. If you can't stop yourself from telling what you and old Billy Bob did on the Council 20 years ago, then please stay home and don't waste everyone's time. The Council needs to be a mix of old and new--LIKE THE FIRST CHARTER COMMISSION.

More later...

We really DO like horses!

Hey, you kids! Stop that! Right now!

Ok, time to cut or run, shake and bake, whack the mole, puff the magic dragon...

Just say no!...to the current Home Rule Commission.

Some of us predicted bad news. Some of us certainly didn't want that bunch of * lying criminals that put out that card and killed the last charter. But, we weren't given a choice...so this is where we are...we must stop this madness. The great tally board is running well against the City of Lucas recently. We can't seem to do much right when trying new things. So, time to regroup and enlist some new help. Surely there are some interested and intelligent citizens who are willing to take up the sword and fix this. It will take some time committment, but the reward is great and you can set a prime example for your kids. Public service is a good thing. Let's roll up our proverbial sleeves and get to it. Fight the good fight. Win one for the gipper...