Port Aransas South Jetty (Port Aransas, Tex.), Vol. 15, No. 29, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 18, 1985 Page: 2 of 18
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PAGE 2A
THURSDAY. JULY 18,1985
8(SSRSP*
Editorial
PORT ARANSAS SOUTH JETTY
Scattershooting--
Running a river the wrong way
-By Jack L. Moore
Spinoff-
Good goals
--By Mary Henkel Judson
BOUQUETS AND HATS OFF TO
the City Council for a goals state-
ment well done.
Mayor Dale Bietendorf read the
statement at the opening of a
Council meeting last Thursday. The
statement was the result of a day-
long workshop the previous Mon-
day. It is published in its entirety in
this issue of the South Jetty. I
intend to keep the list handy and
check each item off as progress is
made.
The presentation of a goals state-
ment is in itself commitment by the
City Council to fulfill certain needs.
I am pleased with the areas the
Council has targeted and urge com-
munity support of these goals.
Now that these goals have been
committed to print I think we
should, as voters, residents and
taxpayers, see that the Council
reaches its goals. 1 would assume
that an unwritten goal is to make
considerable headway on the list
before the April election when a
change in the make up of the Coun-
cil could occur as a result of elec-
tions.
However, I would also hope that
another Council would not seek
goals that are contrary to those set
forth by our present City fathers.
To repeat some of what I said in
this space last week, I would like
our city government to act in antic-
ipation of inevitable growth of our
community and area, not react
after the fact. It is encouraging to
see some foresight demonstrated at
City Hall. I hope it isn’t an exercise
in blowing hot air.
There is one point I must make,
however. Councilman Pat McNam-
ara apparently “has a problem"
with the city building a swimming
pool when the kids “have the whole
Gulf of Mexico to swim in.” Pat, I beg
to differ. You’d better know hoW to
swim when you get into the Gulf of
Mexico -- cause it’s not gonna let
you learn! Of all places in the world,
a resort community on the water
should place the highest priority on
teaching its children -- and its
adults -how to swim. And that
should be done in a swimming pool
or at the very least a calm body of
water. I feel very strongly that our
City and our school system are re-
miss in not already having a swim-
ming pool, together or separately,
where the youth of the community
can be taught swimming lessons by
a Red Cross certified Water Safety
Instructor. In the meantime, thank
goodness for the Port Aransas
Youth Council, without which many
of our children would never have
benefit of any water safety training.
In 1837 Capt. Benjamin L. E.
Bonneville, having ventured into
the Hells Canyon area, wrote: “The
grandeur and originality of the
views, presented on every side, beg-
gar both the pencil and the pen.
Nothing we had ever gazed upon in
any other region could for a
moment compare in wild majesty
and impressive sternness, with the
series of scenes which here at every
turn astonished our senses, and
filled us with awe and delight.”
Not only is Hells Canyon, which
straddles the Idaho-Oregon border,
the deepest/gorge in all of North
America—the deepest point is
7,900 feet, eclipsing the Grand
Canyon by 2,000 geet, it also pro-
vides a fantastic setting for the
Snake River and my upcoming
whitewater rafting expedition.
By this time next week, I’ll be
imbibing the breathtaking beauty
of Hells Canyon and wallowing in
the joys of river running. Marveling
at the alpine atmosphere of the
craggy heights of the Seven Devils
Mountains while hiking in side
canyons past stands of virgin pon-
derosa pine. Challenging the 10 foot
waves and churning rapids that
seem to resent intrusions from the
outside world. And so would I!
And 111 be remembering the old
Indian legend explaining the for-
mation of Hells Canyon and the
Seven Devils Mountains. Long ago,
the story goes, seven powerful
giants stalked the land, marauding
villages and devouring children. To
defend themselves, the people
sought the help of Coyote, an
animal-person with mystical powers.
With the assistance of Fox,
Coyote had seven deep pits dug and
filled with a boiling reddish-yellow
liquid. Soon the giants marched
near, their heads held haughtily in
Tidemarks-
the air, certain that nothing could
hurt them. Suddenly, they slipped
into the pits and sank deep into the
hot liquid. They struggled, succeed-
ing only in spilling the liquid over
the land for many miles. Finally,
Coyote came out of hiding and
changed the giants into mountains.
To keep any more enemies from
crossing into the land, he created a
ceep trench in front of the
mountains—Hells Canyon.
Like many legends, this one has a
kernel or so of truth. Geologists
point out there were indeed volca-
noes in the Seven Devils area, and
the liquid in the legend could have
been lava!
Dr. George Williams, University of
Idaho geologist, writes: “Volcanism
has marked the Hells Canyon
region for hundreds of millions of
years. Eruptions blanketed the
area with thick flows of lava. After a
long, complex period of erosion,
uplifting, deposition of more rock,
and more erosion, huge floods of
lava from the west poured across
the land. Layer upon layer, basalt
was piled miles thick.
“In fairly recent times, geologi-
cally speaking," he concludes, “the
Snake River began cutting into the
rock; at the same time, the land was
being uplifted. The result is the vast
erosional canyon (Hells Canyon)
that we see today."
I think I liked it better with the
Coyote in charge.
We’ll put in the Snake—I would
tell you the legend of that nama^
except I don’t like to think abou^f
it—downstream of Hells Canyon
Dam. Then we’ll float and paddle
north with the current, up the
Idaho-Oregon border to the mouth
of the Grande Ronde River in
Washington. That Snake wriggles in
some funny ways!
Much of the lure of river running
for me is the camaraderie around
the campfire and the teamwork
required in working a 16 foot
rubber raft through mountainous
waves and around treacherous
boulders. Along with the fun of
exploring. In Hells Canyon, for
instance, I’m excited about check-
ing out the Barton Cabin near Bat-
tle Creek, left behind when homes-
teaders abandoned it more than 50
years ago.
I’m looking forward to getting
away—not so much from an island
and a community that is so very
important to me, but to a different
view. I think that is one reason I’ve
become so addicted to running riv-
ers in mountainous country since
moving here.
Ever so often, we need to see
things differently. Or to see differ-
ent things.
I guess we even need to run a
river that is flowing the wrong way!
Life after 50
-By C. M. Henkel Jr.
WASHINGTON WHIZ KID DAVID
Stockman will in a few weeks
depart the Foggy Bottom scene, no
doubt for a more lucrative, a cer-
tainly more relaxingjob. At 38, hav-
Goals ■ " ■-....... .
continued from page one
ing potholes. After the completion
of these major thoroughfares, we
will revert to our system of repair-
ing one street in each of the four
quadrants.
Harbor Expansion
It is our desire to expand the
City’s municipal harbor. This ex-
pansion will continue to be along
the lines of the master plan for
expansion adopted several years
ago. We will adopt the policy of
accounting for the harbor as a
separate fund account. All monies
generated from slip rentals and
other activities in the harbor area
will remain in this account. A pro-
gram will be established to build
additional slips as money becomes
available through this fund.
Clean and Orderly Beaches
Much progress has been made in
maintaining safe, clean and sani-
tary conditions on our beaches. We
are committed to this goal. We will
continue to make amenities availa-
ble on the beach as money becomes
available through the Hotel-Motel
tax, beach sticker fees and state
funds. This asset is too important
not to protect.
Annexation Offshore
This Council will continue to
make a concerted effort for annex-
ation of additional area.
Beautification
We feel that the beauty of Port
Aransas is a vital issue. We feel that
it is our duty to help improve the
appearance of the town, especially
around municipal buildings and
the cemetery. We will work for
advancement of parks. We will
make a concerted effort through
the building/code enforcement
department to see that all City
codes are enforced and develop
whatever ordinances are necessary
for the elimination of dilapidated
houses, junk yards, junk cars and
unsightly or unhealthy conditions.
Encourage Positive Business Atti-
tude; Attract Private Capital
It is the desire of this Council to
create and encourage a positive
business attitude and to attract
private capital for the development
of business and tourism in the City.
We will continue our promotion,
both as a City and through the
Chamber of Commerce, for the best
results. Council will accept Indus-
trial Revenue Bonds and tax in-
crement financing for business
development and expansion.
Water District Plans
With the creation of two pieces of
legislation this year, one relating to
tourist-industrial districts and the
other relating to partial assump-
tion of water districts by cities, we
feel there is a good possibility that
in the very near future Corpus
Christi will be making overtures for
part of the Nueces County Water
Control and Improvement District
No. 4. We as a Council would like to
pursue with the Water District the
possible assumption of the District
within the City limits of Port Aran-
sas. In any case we would ask to be
fully informed as to what decisions
the Water District would make
concerning this possibility.
Public Buildings Plan
The Council will ocntinue to ana-
lyze and appraise itself of the feasi-
bility and expense of operating the
Community Center and Civic Cen-
ter and will continue to market
these facilities for the benefit of the
City.
Human Resource Division
The Council supports expanding
services to handicapped and senior
citizens to the fullest ability of the
City. Furthermore, the Council will
look into establishing a human
resource division to make sure the
City is providing the fullest services
through the Coastal Bend Council
of Governments and available
grants.
Equitable Ordinance Enforcement
The Council desires and insists
that ordinances be codified in the
next year and ordinances be
equally enforced. After codification,
the Council wants to examine ordi-
nances for present-day feasibility.
Conservation of Resources
It is understood that conserva-
tion of natural resources, including
fish, is critical to the overall proper.
development of the community.
The Council wholeheartedly en-
dorses stringent fines and enforce-
ment of existing ordinances.
Off-Beach Parking
This Council recognizes that, as
the beaches become more and
more congested, one of the alterna-
tives for beach management will be
in the area of off-beach parking. We
will make an effort to evaluate this
need and determine if land can be
made available for this purpose.
Park and Museum Development
City Council recognizes that the
beach area is certainly the primary
park in Port Aransas. However, we
do feel there is a need for small
pocket parks with green areas
located inside the City. We will
actively entertain suggestions for
other municipal operations to in-
clude, but not be limited to, muse-
ums, municipal golf courses,
swimming pools, ball fields and
aquaria.
Low-Cost Housing
Low-cost housing is determined
to be a necessity if we are going to
provide proper living facilities for
the stable work force. The City will
investigate and entertain any ideas
from private sources for develop-
ment of low-cost housing and will
apply for any grant that makes
money available for this purpose.
The City Council supports prefer-
ential tax treatment and Industrial
Revenue Bonds for such purpose.
Preserve Family Orientation
City Council feels that for the
most orderly and desired growth of
Port Aransas, it must protect the
family-oriented community. The
Council will continue, through
ordinances and other legal means
available, to protect this quality of
life and very desirable asset.
Transportation
We recognize that one of the
areas that must be served is better
transportation facilities both inside
the City and to other areas in the
Coastal Bend. We will investigate
any and all possibilities to provide
this service.
Public/Private Joint Venture
We are going to look into the feas-
ibility of public/private ventures
for low-cost housing, harbor, jails,
transportation and parks and
other needs of the community.
ing served four years as the director
of the Office of Management and
Budget, he is the youngest man to
have held Cabinet rank in 150
years. At one time or another dur-
ing his White House tenure Stock-
man has angered or stirred the
animosity of just about anyone and
everyone with his forthright blunt-
ness. Overall.
Reflecting upon his years of ser-
vice to the government my mind
turns to a slogan used now these
many years ago by Barry Goldwater
in his unsuccessful campaign for
the presidency: “In your heart you
know he’s right.” The slogan is even
more applicable to Stockman. Time
will tell. How much, how much if
anything did Stockman accomplish
during his four years? Except to say
that had he been more successful in
accomplishing the things he advo-
cated the country in the future
might be better off, I leave the
answers to those more knowledga-
ble of economics. Yet say this for
him; he scared the pants off liberals
who believe in the vagueries of
supply side economics.
Council-
continued from page one
"consider Board of Adjustment
recommendations on: 1) Mendoza
driveway construciton variance; 2)
Henley handrail height variance; 3)
Recommendation to amend hand-
rail requirement
"Public Safety Board recom-
mendation of four-way stop at
Avenue G and Station
"Beach Committee recommend-
ation of four-way stop at Avenue G
and Station
"street improvements specifica-
tions for Brumley and Laurel; Cot-
ter; Eleventh St.
"need for caretaker for munici-
pal grounds
"third reading of an ordinance
vacating a portion of 7th street
between Avenue H and north of
Avenue A
"second readings of ordinances
(1) prohibiting accumulation of
filth, weeds and rubbish; and (2) an
ordinance adopting 1985 Person-
nel Policy
"first reading of ordinances (1)
amending regulations for letters of
credit in lieu of improvements for
subdivisions
(2) amending Ordinance 85-20
on driveway approach specifica-
tions
(3) annexing a 67.5 acre tract of
land in an area known as Charlie’s
Pasture
(4) authorizing City’s participa-
tion in cooperative effort with
other cities relating to CPL’s re-
quest for rate increase
(5) suspending proposed effec-
tive date of CPL’s statement of
intent to increase rates
(6) making it unlawful to dis-
charge firearms, air rifles, etc. in
certain areas of the City (Williams)
(7) establishing speed zones
(8) regulating location of sex-
ually-oriented commercial activi-
ties
The Council will also consider:
"May and third quarter financial
statements
" alternate dock financing for the
harbor
" authorizing staff to advertise for
bids for fuel for 1985-86 fiscal year;
contract cleaning for the Civic Cen-
ter; one small and one large pickup
truck for Public Works
"donating $500 for Sesquicen-
tennial statue
"City Engineer contract
"voting machines for City elec-
tions
"street name changes in Mustang
Beach Unit II
"lack of cable T.V. service to
Channel Vista
"action on dilapidated house
"appointment of representative
local fire pension board of trustees
THE FIELD OF ECONOMICS HAS
never been my forte. When I
approach the subject, as I seldom
do, it is through the theoretical and
historic door. Presently it appears
that there is a growing national
trend, especially amongst many
large industries to encourage early
retirement. As to why I can only
speculate. Is there afoot in industry
intent to "pull in its horns," to move
away from diversification, is it
increasingly fearful of competition
from abroad, is it chary of the
future stability of the national
economy? Or again, has it become
convinced that younger men and
women in top echelons have fresh-
er, sharper minds, are more aggres-
sive, more imaginative?
Early retirement is nothing new
under the sun. It has been extant in
the military for years. Admiral Ern-
est King during WWII was consi-
dered remarkable in that he served
well past 65. Others have hung in,
Admiral Rickover for another.
However, in general few officers or
men serve past 45. Many of those,
rather than actually retire, begin
new and often very lucrative careers.
Needless to say as well that some of
the greatest accomplishments in
history, in any field one cares to
think of, have been the work of
people long past 65. Say they are a
minority, but let us not argue,
instead think of how much poorer
the world might be without their
late in life accomplishments.
ALLOW ME TO INDULGE IN A
bit of theorizing. Suppose that in a
not too distant future retirement at
50 becomes mandatory. Then the
numbers of retirees will nearly
match those of the working force,
meaning increased industrial and
government benefits—pensions of
one sort or another. More, it is
rather logical to suppose that those
over 50 will first be discouraged
and then prohibited from pursuing
second careers, at least careers
which might be financially benefi-
cial. In other words, stick to your
bird watching and tennis, old boy!
Well, if as I suspect, the handwrit-
ing is on the wall, it’s going to be
velly, velly interesting, and who
knows; it might not be too bad.
EVEN THOUGH I HAVE LIVED IN
this American border region for 30
years I have never been especially
_ intrigued by our neighbors to the
south. But let me qualify that. I was
,j intrigued, immensely, early on. The
fascination quickly died, at least
I until some half dozen years ago. Or
rather interest and concern have
replaced intrigue. As a consequence,
albeit in a desultory rather than a
studious manner, my interest has
been revived, at least to the point of
seeking out those who are know-
ledgable and reading such books as
T. R. Fehrenbach’s “Fire and Blood."
A bit of heavy going. Presently I am
fairly well into Allan Riding's “Dis-
tant Neighbors,” published only last
year. Loaned by a friend who does
know Mexico and its people, I have
the book at hand at an especially
appropriate time, while elections
are or just have been held in Mex-
ico. Riding has enabled me to
understand and often read be-
tween the lines of newspaper
accounts as never before. In fact to
be truthful, until very recent years I
have barely read more than the
headlines about Mexico.
Riding has been a correspondent
in Latin America since 1971 and
recently completed six years as
Mexico bureau chief for the New
York Times. Presently he holds the
same post in Brazil where he was
born. In due course I may offer
observations on the book, not that 1
am not already full of them, but fo^*
the nonce let it suffice that the titl^R
“Distant Neighbors," tells a story in
itself. We in the United States are so
“distant" in social and political cus-
toms, mores in general that I must
doubt that ever “the twain shall
meet," except in the improbable
circumstance that every living one
of us on either side of the border is
to become some sort of intellectual
giant. So, perish the thought!
Southern Publishing, Inc.
749-5131
P.O. Box 1116 Port Aransas, TX 78373
141 W. Cotter
Second Class Postage is paid at Port Aransas, Texas 78373
Publication Number: 946-020
Advertising Manager
Murray Judson
Co-publishers
Murray and Mary Judson
Managing Editor
Mary Judson
Reporter
Penny Ullrich
Composing
Karen Thompson
Proofreading Office Supplies/Classified
Joe Bicknell Brenda Anderson
The South Jetty is published every Thursday by Southern Publish-
ing, Inc. at 141 W. Cotter Avenue in Port Aransas. Any erroneous
statement regarding corporations, firms or individuals will be
gladly corrected when called to the attention of the editors.
TEXAS PRESS
^ ASSOCIATION ■
1984 ■
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Judson, Mary. Port Aransas South Jetty (Port Aransas, Tex.), Vol. 15, No. 29, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 18, 1985, newspaper, July 18, 1985; Port Aransas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth662789/m1/2/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Ellis Memorial Library.