Port Aransas South Jetty (Port Aransas, Tex.), Vol. 39, No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 5, 2009 Page: 3 of 16
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Murray and Mary Judson
Co-Publishers
Mary Judson
Editor
Phone (361) 749-5131 E-mail: south jetty @centurytel.net
Port Aransas South Jetty
Copyright ©2009 Port Aransas South Jetty • All Rights Reserved
Opinion
Member:
South Texas Press Association
Texas Gulf Coast Press Association
Texas Press Association
National Newspaper Association
Thursday, November 5, 2009 3A
Dave McNeely
Armstrong, Sansom
are due credit for
acquisition of ranch
The Texas Parks and Wild-
life Department is honoring
Bob Armstrong and Andrew
Sansom for their critical roles
in Texas acquiring what is now
the Big Bend Ranch State Park
near Lajitas.
The celebration - including
a dinner in Lajitas on Friday,
Nov. 13, a free barbecue at
the ranch at noon Saturday,
Nov. 14 - is finally being held,
after being postponed almost as many times as the
ranch’s purchase.
The first two tries were postponed -the Rio
Grande was flooding, and then there was the swine
flu emergency.
But barring some unforeseen calamity, now
Armstrong and Sansom will be honored for turning
a 1970 gleam in Armstrong’s eye into more that dou-
bling Texas’ parkland in 1988. It is a story of political
intrigue, changing times and changing moods, and
people who repeatedly refused to give up.
Armstrong, in 1970, after election that year as
Texas Land Commissioner, went deer hunting with
labor leader Harry Hubbard on the Anderson Ranch,
owned by Atlantic Richfield Co. board chair Robert
Anderson.
Armstrong was taken with the rugged beauty,
including a large volcanic crater, two of the state’s
three highest waterfalls, dozens of rare species of
plants and animals, and hundreds of undisturbed
Indian sites. He asked Anderson to let the state have
first crack at purchasing the ranch if he ever decided
to part with it.
Armstrong first met Sansom while Sansom
was working at the U.S. Department of Interior in
Washington, D. C., in the early 1970s. Both were
huge fans of the outdoors - hunting, fishing, bird-
watching, hiking, canoeing.
Anderson had let Armstrong know he was ready
to part with the ranch.
“When Bob walked in my office, he started talking
about the stars,” Sansom recalled, “and how clearly
you could see them from that ranch.”
Armstrong pushed legislative proposals to buy
the ranch - to no avail.
“We ain’t buyin’ no ranch,” Senate Finance
Committee Chairman A.M. Aikin flatly told Arm-
strong.
Dolph Briscoe, the Democratic governor and a
ranch owner, also frowned on the idea. An effort to
put up half the money from the state, with the rest
to come from private donors, was turned down in
the Texas House.
But Republican Bill Clements became governor
in 1979. He took an interest in the ranch, and sug-
gested his oilman buddy Anderson swap it for some
University of Texas land.
That brought questioning of Anderson’s motives.
Miffed, he pulled down his offer.
Clements lost in 1982 to Democrat Mark White.
In 1985, White named Armstrong to the Texas Parks
and Wildlife Commission. That was the first of the
stars that finally lined up.
Oil prices hit the skids, and the ranch’s price
dropped.
In 1986, Clements won back the governor’s of-
fice from White. Meanwhile Sansom, a veteran of
five years’ heading the Texas Nature Conservancy,
was hired by Parks and Wildlife to oversee buying
land for parks.
He quietly flew to New Mexico, where Anderson
had another ranch, and personally negotiated the
deal.
In 1988, Armstrong made a motion to buy the
212,000-acre ranch for $8.8 million. The commis-
sion agreed unanimously, As the ranch purchase
was being settled, the late columnist Molly Ivins,
wrote in the Dallas Times-Herald:
“God bless your heart, Bob Armstrong— “(T)he
Big Bend Ranch was a once-in-a-lifetime deal, a
chance to grab and keep a chunk of wilderness that
we’ll never get again. It would have been criminal
stupidity to let this one slip away.”
Sansom, who in 1989 became executive director
of Parks and Wildlife, hired away Big Bend National
Park Director Jim Carrico to bring the Big Bend
Ranch on line. It was opened to the public in 1991,
and with additional purchases, has now grown to
more than 300,000 acres.
A 2005 Parks and Wildlife staff proposal to sell
45,000 acres of the ranch to a rich neighbor, who ran
a high-end retreat, raised such a ruckus that it was
quickly beaten back and unanimously turned down
by the commission.
Sansom said back when he was working on the
acquisition, “somebody told me that the problem and
the benefit of it was that the people that are going to
benefit from it are not bom yet.”
Sansom’s five-year-old grandson Alex, who
wasn’t even a gleam in his grandpa’s eye when the
Ranch was opened, will be down from New York
for the celebration.
“It’s so fortunate,” Sansom said, “that every so
often, you get to spend some time on a project that
will outlive you.”
*******
For more information about the ranch weekend,
see http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/
parks/big_bend_ranch/
Contact McNeely at davemcneelv 111 @ pmail.
amor (512) 458-2963.
South Jetty (946-020)
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Port Aransas, Texas
POSTMASTER:
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Join the fun honoring Citizen of Year
Thanks to a push by Lisa Shelton, we have
been compiling a list of nonprofit organizations
in Port Ara*sas.
We started the list last year, and published
it to offer people the opportunity to donate to
these organizations during the Christmas season.
Shelton then approached us about putting out
the information to connect the various volunteer
groups and keeping that information in front of
the public through the Internet.
Once we’re satisfied the list is complete, we
will add a “bar” under our News menu on our
Web site (www.portasouthjetty.comJ called
Volunteer Opportunities (we’ve just about got
it finished).
The idea is to acquaint folks, especially those
new to or outside of the community, with the
various volunteer organizations and opportunities
available in this little island community.
What is astounding is that the list is closing in
on 30, and that doesn’t include churches.
That’s Port Aransas for you. Some have called
us the Volunteer Capital of the World.
We are rich in people with generous spirits,
willing to share their time, their talents and their
bank accounts to make Port Aransas a better place
to live and visit.
The people who work toward that end do not
'» •
do it for any reward, other
than the satisfaction of hav-
ing helped make their home
a better place and/or to make
others’ lives more comfort-
able or enjoyable.
It is because of those peo-
ple that the Citizen of the
Year Award was established.
Not that they need or want the
recognition, but that we who
benefit from their efforts have a desire to express-
our appreciation to them.
The criteria for Citizen of the Year include ser-
vice to the community over a long period of time
that impacts a broad spectrum of the community
(i.e., not a single endeavor or focus of activity)
without regard to personal gain.
Proof that the award has honored citizens who
meet the criteria is that every recipient who is
able, continues to do that which brought them
the recognition.
Selection of Citizen of the Year is not voted
upon, and is not based on the number of nomina-
tions an individual receives. Instead, it is based
on the criteria and who best meets them.
In fact, a screening committee reviews the
nominations to make sure nominees meet those
Affordable housing
Continued from Page 1A-
Getting the freedom to build an ADU could pro-
vide rental income to homeowners who struggle to
make mortgage and property tax payments, Parsons
said. It also could help renters.
“A big concern of council is affordable housing,
workforce housing, making Port Aransas more af-
fordable,” Parsons said. “This could help people
meet expenses and provide workforce housing.”
Charlie Preston of Port Aransas said he is hoping
the proposal passes. He said he might want to build
some ADUs on some of his property.
“I just think it’s a natural progression the city
should go into, because we don’t have any land at
all in town, to speak of, and the land we do have
is extremely expensive,” Preston said.
ADUs could make it more likely that summer
workers could live in Port Aransas rather than
having to commute, Preston said.
People who want to build ADUs would have
to meet criteria for existing set-back and building
height restrictions, Parsons said. An ADU would
have to be 300 to 600 square feet in size, he said.
The property upon which the ADU rests also
would have to have at least one parking space per
ADU bedroom, Parsons said.
RVs, trailers and similar living quarters don’t
count as ADUs, Parsons said.
If the ADU proposal is approved, people living
in certain larger houses could begin renting out
criteria. Nominees who do are sent on to the
selection committee that has the unenviable job
of selecting the recipient.
Rest assured, it is a difficult job because, with-
out exception, many people meet that criteria.
That is why it is important to continue to nomi-
nate a person even if he or she is not selected in
any given year. If they meet the criteria, their
time will come.
It also is important for us to be at the chamber
banquet where the Citizen of the Year is honored
to show our support for, and appreciation of, the
individuals who are our Citizens of the Year.
It is only fitting that we honor a person who
gives hundreds, maybe even thousands, of hours
to our community.
So, if you haven’t gotten your tickets for this
year’s banquet - on Thursday, Nov. 12 - get them
today. You’ll be glad you did.
Besides, it’s going be a good time. The Almost
Patsy Cline Band is playing, so get your dancin’
boots on! I’ve seen them, I’ve got two of their
CDs and can’t wait to get the third.
See ya there!
Mary Henkel Judson is editor and co-
publisher of the South Jetty. Contact her at
southjetty@centurytel.net. (361) 749-5131 or
P.O. Box 1117, Port Aransas. TX 78373.
Fall for the ARK
space within those houses to boarders, Parsons
said.
Parsons said he doesn’t believe ADUs will make
Port Aransas too densely populated.
The ADU issue is among a number of changes
under consideration right now as city staff and
the Planning and Zoning Commission work on a
general rewrite of city codes and a redrawing of
the town’s zoning map. The process has been going
on since spring.
If the commission approves the changes at its
Nov. 30 meeting, the council could follow up with
its own approval at its Dec. 17 meeting.
Foyer
Continued from Page 1A-
tive to the eye,” Garrett said. “My idea is to use a
water theme in the design by incorporating ... a
rendering of the sea and the sky, so that will be a
consistent theme throughout the panels, to tie it all
together.”
The exhibit that currently contains fishing tourna-
ment trophies would be removed, Garrett said. A bird
diorama currently on display will remain but might
receive a new exterior finish.
All of the window boxes on the walls will be
removed, Garrett said.
Continued from Page 1A-
preferred sponsor during the event, listing in Amos’
PowerPoint presentation and photos of the group
with Amos.
Donated auction items still are being accepted. To
donate, call Vi Dalton at (361) 537-9701.
Veterans’ Day
Continued from Page 1A-
a rendition of “Taps.”
A request has been made for a U.S. Navy jets’
fly-over after the program. An announcement
will be made during the program if the fly-over is
confirmed.
Deadline for
Letters to the Editor
10 a.m. Monday
Signature, phone number, maiung address
required. (Only signature is published.)
Limit 300 words.
Send to
SOUTHJETTY@CENTURYTEL.NET
OR
P.O. Box 1117
Port Aransas, TX 78373
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Todd Hunter
Selecting judges
is under review
It is the regular practice of
the Texas House of Represen-
tatives for its standing com-
mittees to review and consider
issues that could eventually
become legislation. The 82nd
Legislature will convene in
January, 2011. As chairman
of the House Committee on
Judiciary and Civil Jurispru-
dence, I have fielded several
requests to take a look at issues that fall under the
jurisdiction of my committee. One particular issue
that continually comes up is “judicial selection” or
the election of judges by way of a merit selection
system as opposed to the current system of electing
judges through partisan elections.
Judicial selection was one of the themes men-
tioned in the “State of the Judiciary in Texas” speech
given to the 81 st Texas Legislature this past February
by the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court,
Wallace Jefferson. Currently in Texas, judges are
elected in partisan elections where judges must run
with a party affiliation and raise money to fund their
campaigns. Those that wish to reform the current
system point to the perception that money raised to
fund judicial races might influence a judge’s deci-
sion in the courtroom. Texas is one of only seven
states that elect its judges in partisan elections.
Some states have an election process forjudges that
has both partisan and non-partisan elements. For
example, a judicial candidate might be chosen in a
partisan primary, but then no party affiliation will
be listed by that candidate’s name on the ballot in
the general election.
During the 81 st Legislative session, several differ-
ent proposals relating to the operation of our Texas
courts were filed and heard before different commit-
tees. Judicial selection was a focal point of some of
this legislation. Some of these bills received a public
hearing before the House Committee on Judiciary
and Civil Jurisprudence. One such proposal would
have moved the state’s top judges from a partisan
election to an appointment and retention election
system. The bill applied to the election of the 18
judges on the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas
Court of Criminal Appeals, as well as the 80 justices
on courts of appeals. It would not have affected
the current partisan election of district, county or
criminal district judges.
The merit selection concept included in this pro-
posal would have allowed appointed judges to run
for re-election without opposition and without party
identification. These “retention elections” let voters
choose between keeping the judge in office or not.
After serving a term, the judges would have to run
in a retention election where voters could potentially
remove them from office. If removed, a new judge
would be appointed to fill the vacancy. The argu-
ment for this system is that it would allow a judge
to run on his/her record, not a political affiliation,
thus providing for a more independent judiciary.
Even though the bill received a public hearing in
committee, it never received full consideration by
Texas House.
Along with the merit selection concept came the
question of how a vacancy would be filled by ap-
pointment should a judge not be elected in a retention
election. Currently, the Texas Constitution gives
the governor the power to make appointments to
fill judicial vacancies. Any change in the appoint-
ment process would require amending the Texas
Constitution. One scenario that was mentioned
during the committee hearings was to move towards
what is known as the “Missouri Plan” where judicial
candidates for vacancies are selected first by an
established commission that then makes recom-
mendations to the governor.
I will continue to keep you informed on any ef-
forts by the legislature to revisit the issue of judicial
selection. If you would like more information on this
or any other legislative issue, please don’t hesitate
to contact my capitol or the district office.
Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, is the District
32 State Representative. Contact him at E2-808,
P.O. Box 2910, Austin TX 78768; (512) 463-0672
or todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us.
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Judson, Mary Henkel. Port Aransas South Jetty (Port Aransas, Tex.), Vol. 39, No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 5, 2009, newspaper, November 5, 2009; Port Aransas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth506024/m1/3/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Ellis Memorial Library.