Abilene Councilmembers React: Mayor's Opposition
By: Brittany Pelletz
Updated: June 29, 2010
Mayor Norm Archibald says despite the fact that the City does have enough water to supply, he is most concerned about the uncertainty about the future. Archibald wants to secure the water supply for Abilene residents as well as future effluent water customers.
Archibald says he has been flooded with emails and calls of citizens in opposition to the water deal, "Listening the people and listening to their wishes and understanding the importance for us in Abilene and where we live...I have concluded that this is the right decision to make."
While Abilene City Council have not yet made a decision, most members can agree with the difficulty of the water sale debate,"It's been one of the toughest decisions...I think we as a Council have had to come up with," says Councilman Joe Spano.
Mayor Archibald is seeking the councils support in opposing the sale of water and says, if there is a general consensus, he doesn't feel the need to hold the scheduled public hearing for July 29th. At least one Council member is backing the Mayor's stance.
Councilman, Joe Spano adds, "Based on the response that I've been getting over the last several months, I guess they're satisfied with it...If not they should've spoke up sooner."
Councilman, Stormy Higgins says he is undecided at this point in time, "There are many good points for selling water, and there are many good points against selling the water...At this point, I'll continue to keep my mind open until after the public hearing and until after I've had an appropriate time to make up my mind."
The Public Hearing on the Tenaska debate is still scheduled for July 29th.







