That tremendous LION"S CLUB

Friends,

     They are every where.  One weekend, they are serving pancakes!

     The next weekend they are up to their necks in Garage Sale Stuff.  All money made going for scholarships.

     The next weekend they are giving out food and drink to Bike Riders.  All money going to the Volunteer Fire Department.

This SATURDAY, 2 APRIL, 10 TO 2 P.M.

Raising money for removing the gravel around

the Low Water Crossing.

Here is their note:

SALADO LIONS CLUB

The Salado Lions Club will be at various locations throughout the village on April 2, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM  to accept donations for the low water crossing  Salado Creek cleanup effort.

Look for the Lions Club Members in their yellow vest around the village collecting donations for this effort. The Lions motto is “WE SERVE”. 

They will  accept any donation amount no matter how small, even the coins in the console of your vehicle.  Please help in this effort, the creek belongs to all of us in Salado.

An anonymous donor has pledged $10,000.00 in matching funds. Through other private donations, we are well on our way to match that generous donation.

Help us reach that goal on Saturday April 2 – 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. 

We are $3500 short of our goal.  With the matching funds, we will have the $18,000 to have it clean!

$1 = $2

$10 = $20

$50 = $100

$100 = $200

THANK YOU,  LION'S CLUB

Your Village in 3 Minutes

Friends,

1.  Easter in Salado.

I got mine.

I think that dog up there got mine.

What an egg!  It is going to pull me down!

2.  Going to the Governor's Office.

       A second trip to the Governor's Office is being planned.  It may be as early as Tuesday, 5 April.

There are also plans to appear before the TxDoT's Commissioners later on in the month.  Subjects to be discussed are the number of accidents, the construction of I-35, and the request for 3 million in damages.

3.  The Low Water Crossing

      Thank you for the very generous contributions to cleaning the gravel out of the creek.  We are getting closer daily to the goal of $18,000.  Please send your check to the Salado Community Foundation, %Keep Salado Beautiful, P.O. Box 895, Salado, Texas 76571.

4.  Saturday morning with the Mayor

      What better way to discuss, exchange ideas, and get-up-to-the-minute information that meeting for an hour with the Mayor.  If you would like to meet please call 947-5060 and make an appointment.  They are usually an hour beginning at 8 A.M.

                                                           VR/Skip

Read more:  re-electskip.blogspot.com and Facebook

      

Becoming a serious Problem

Friends,

The low water crossing is now very shallow.  The gravel on the west side has made the water about a foot deep.  One can just about wade across the creek.  See the picture below.

As the weather warms, more and more families will wade in the creek.  The low water crossing may be dangerous for small children.  As you can see, the water goes through three openings like the one below.  Notice how swiftly the water travels through the opening.  A small child playing in the water near one of the three openings could be swept under the bridge. 

Also notice had dense the weeds are becoming.  Dead animals floating down the creek can be caught in the weeds causing a health problem.

 Trash, caught by the weeds, is already accumulating, again.  

Additionally, see the last picture and the brush at the west opening and the gravel close to the middle opening. 

 Summer is nearly here.  We need to get the gravel  and weeds out of the creek

So far, $11,000 has been raised.  Another $3,500 will bring us to the $18, 000 needed.

Remember for every $1, it will be matched by another $1.00.  In other words:

$1 = $2;  $20 = $40; $100 = $200; etc.

We have the permit and we need just a little financial help to get the job done.

Please make your tax deductible check payable to the Salado Community Foundation, P.O. box 895, Keep Salado Beautiful, Salado, Texas 76571.

Every penny will be used for cleaning creek.

Whatever you can do will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.  VR/Skip

Those spokes were smokin'

Friends,

The Salado Volunteer Fire Department did it, again!  Those spokes were smokin!  Over 500 bike riders -- each doing 70 to 100 miles today!  And the Lion's Club made sure they had water, fruit, and sandwiches!  Here is some of the action:

"A great day for a bike ride!"

"Watch this.  Do you want to see me do a trick?

"Is that another hill in front of me?"

"Yes, I am 59 years old and I can do it!  Can you?"

Tom looking and thinking, "Is there a motor on this machine?"

The Answer:  "Yes, there is but it is only used when there is nothing else left."

Re-living the ride with great friends.

"This is a great town.  We love it!  Thank you for having it!"

Oh, yes there was food -- delicious food furnished by the Fire Department.

"I made it . . . . I made it . . . . I made it!

Tired but proud!

A little water, a little rest, and I am ready for the next big ride.

A great day in Salado!

VR/Skip

Read:  Re-electSkip.blogspot.com

The flooding issues and solutions

Friends,

    The flooding issues, especially those in 1500-1900 blocks of Chisholm Trail, Stage Coach, and Old Mill Creek Drive are not taken lightly.  The pictures below will show you four causes, the potential solutions and the unintended consequences of the solutions.

The four causes are in no particular order.  They are each a major cause.


Cause #1

Taken with telephoto lens.  There are large field on the west and east side of high school which slope toward Salado.  Large amounts of rain run from these fields. 

The water off these fields run to this short road that connects 2484 with the frontage road.  It is runs behind Kindell's Vet business.  There are ditches on either side that carries water.  The one on the left where the marker is placed is a culvert that carries the water under the road.  The ditch on the right also carries water and joins the water coming under the road.

This is the east side of the culvert that carries the water from the west side.  The road is the same road as the above picture.

This culvert receives the water and  channels it under the frontage road. 

Water from under the frontage road is channeled to this culvert under I-35.

Coming out of the culvert underneath the I-35, the water enters this creek.  There is a blue building business to the right and a large lot and a white house to the left.  This creek empties into Stagecoach circle.  Notice the color of the water.  Also, the brush is terrible but without it, flooding would be worst down stream. This creek is not in the Village city limits.  As you will see, to fix one cause of flooding will cause more problems for residents down stream.  And much of the development that receives the water was built in the hundred year flood plain.

The same creek on its way to Stagecoach circle.  See the color of the water.  

This water is next to the house on the right.  Notice the color of the water.  Same color as the above pictures.  To clean the creek which flows through county land, will cause a greater problem as more water reaches this point.

Same creek  in the pictures above joining the large ditch filling. The larger ditch carries access water from the detention pond on Hidden Glenn property.  Together, they flow into the one outlet of water.  See the picture below.

The culvert at the top of the picture carries the water under the road side of Stage coach road. When the culvert cannot carry the water it overflows across the road.   

The water travels through channels and culverts.  When the ditches are cleaned, the water travels at a faster rate down stream cause flooding in those areas.  To fix one problem creates another problem.  

Soccer Field behind Chisholm residents.  There is a small channel that fills with water.  It is also partially filled with dirt.  Water, taking the path of least resistance, will run out the channel and through the back and front yards of residents.  There are two problems (1) the people who own the land will not allow the channel to be cleaned which requires the removal of about 4 inches of dirt in the channel.  This removal of dirt will be required at least once a year.  (2)  When the dirt is removed, the flooding will shift to another area down stream causing problems.

Cause Two 

The detention pond on Hidden Glenn property.  When the rain filled the pond it raised the black pipes or culverts to the point that it broke the connecting joint at the far end of the black pipes.  That is why the water is still running out of the pipes when the pipes are way above the water level.  Hidden Glenn is aware of this problem and has agreed to fix it.  They are also working on land escaping required to control the run-off into the detention/retention pond.

Cause three

A drive way to one of the houses on Mill Creek Drive along with a resident. There is no culvert or ditch to carry the carry water.  See the picture below.

The developer did not put culverts on the east end of Mill Creek Drive.

No culvert to the east  (right) of the driveway, ditches with filled with dirt, and culverts not kept clean.

One other problem -- different sizes of culverts.  The smaller the culvert, the easier it is to become blocked stopping the flow of water.  

Cause Four

Water comes from other I-35 near the library and enters into the channel below.  

The row of rocks is a  silt catcher which is too small to catch much silt in a large rain.

The channel in the above pictures flows under Mill Creek Drive and and Salado Creek Drive and joins a creek that runs through the Van Bibber neighborhood.  It crosses over the new development and continues across to a Mill Creek that runs through Mill Creek.

Possible Solutions

Without making excuses, the solutions are difficult because (1) much of this area is in a flood plain.  (2) cleaning ditches requires special equipment which the Village does not own nor have the personnel and expertise to use the equipment.  (3)  Right aways and permission from home owners must be acquired.  A few have already said, "No." (4)  Helping eliminate one problem creates more problems down stream.  (5)  Any solution will require constant maintenance, more people, and money.

1.  Our Village Maintenance Person (the only one we have) and Shane, our Fire Chief have examined the ditches can clean some with the tractor the Village owns.  They are working out a schedule.   

New News:  Shane and Dwain will begin cleaning ditches soon.  

2.  We will ask the county for assistance with cleaning and equipment.

3.  The Village Street Committee under Alderman Mike McDougal has started working on solutions. There has been a sub committee formed by Paul McWilliams and street residents that will work with the Village Street Committee in solving their problems.

4.  Hidden Glenn is working to solve their detention/retention pond and landscape problems.  The Village Administrator and the Street Committee will be working with their engineers.

5.  These problems did not just happen this year.  They have been here for years and ignored.  They cannot be ignored any longer.  It is going to take time and money.  It will require patience, help from those living in the areas, and help from the county.  We are committed to trying to find a solution to the problems.  As we do this, the City Administrator is being asked to research grants -- free money to be used in this area.

VR/Skip

Read:  Re-electskip.blogspot.com

Latest on I-35 Construction

Friends,

     Wednesday evening, 24 March, Rick Lewis, Regional Engineer, James Construction, and I toured the current construction area.  We usually tour at least twice a month.  I take the pictures.  The following are pictures and explanation:

Looking south (toward Austin).  This is the  north side of 2484 Bridge.  Left is the concrete I-35 going south.  The black road to the right is the Salado Plaza exit road.  The black is iron awaiting the concrete.

On the South side of 2484, is Salado Plaza Bridge.  Beginning with the concrete barrier to the far left, the wide dirt road leading to the crane is north and south I-35.  It is ready for asphalt, black iron, and cement.  The tall tour to the right of the crane will hold the large green highway signs. The road to the right of the truck with lights is the new west side frontage road awaiting asphalt, iron and cement. At the bottom of the picture where notice the iron and wood.  It will be soon connected with the frontage road.   The concrete road to the right of it is the Salado Plaza exit that you saw in picture above.  

Underneath the Salado Plaza Bridge.  The Salado Plaza road has asphalt and is awaiting iron and concrete.  Looking straight ahead is the Salado Plaza road that will connect with this section of the Salado Plaza Road. 

Salado Plaza bridge, west side.  Notice the work on top of the bridge.  This is the wall and railing.  It is scheduled to be completed the next two weeks.

Going to the top of Salado Plaza Bridge that will soon carry north and south traffic.  The road is ready for asphalt, iron, and concrete.

Half way up Salado Plaza bridge and looking north toward 2484.  The concrete in front of you is I-35 south awaiting to be connected to Salado Plaza Bridge.  The black iron to the right is the final section awaiting concrete.  The red pick-up to the left is parked next to the the east (right) side of the Salado Plaza exit.  The road to the right of the barrier is the current north and south I-35 Highway.  

On top of the Salado Plaza Bridge.  See the final stages of construction.  Notice the height of the bridge -- the roof tops, the signs, the flag.

In the middle of Salado Plaza Bridge.

Looking north toward the 2484 bridge.  It will not be long before the bridge and the new I-35 are connected.  The narrow concrete road to the left of the equipment is the new west side frontage road. The Salado Plaza exit will connect with this frontage road.  

An interesting picture.  This is the Thomas Arnold exit ramp.  To the right is CEFCO.  Underneath it are two large concrete columns.  Vehicles will travel between the two columns to enter I-35 going south.  Notice the connecting road on the other side of the deck planks which will go on top of the beams.

On the south side and on top of the Salado Plaza Bridge looking at the Thomas Arnold exit on the distant right awaiting asphalt, iron, and concrete.

Do you recognize this road where the black pick-up is traveling?

In front of you is Salado Plaza Road awaiting to be connected to the beige road, awaiting asphalt, iron, and concrete.  This road goes under Salado Plaza Bridge.  The green grass is Compass Bank.  It looks close but a telephoto lens is being used.

Another interesting picture.  This is the east wall of the Salado Plaza bridge and the current I-35 north and south traffic.  On the ground looking west toward the bridge is the huge amount of black plastic.  Notice the white line on the south bound I-35 traffic separating the lanes.  The wall of this bridge will be extended to that white line.  This wall will have another stage coach like the one on the West side. Looks difficult?  It will take about 3 weeks to finish it.

Looking south toward Austin from the Salado Plaza Bridge.  See the equipment at the far end.  They are sitting on the completed section of I-35 going south.  This bridge road will soon be connected to the road.

The Thomas Arnold exit awaiting the deck plates on the dirt.

This is where most of the wrecks are occurring.  This is I-35 going north; on the right is the Fire Department and the Church of Christ.   Notice the white car and the left barrier curve in the road.  See how close the white car is to the barrier.  That curve comes quick and if one is half asleep or not paying attention, they will hit the barrier.  Once hit, there is no where else to go -- the car will cross the lane and hit the red car with luggage on the roof.  The black SUV in front of the red and white cars, almost hit it.  Notice the tail lights.  Monday night, the barriers will be moved to the left and the road will become straight.

Who discovered this?  Who works the most wrecks?  Our Fire Department Chief, Shane Barrier. He told James Construction and TxDoT and the correction is being made.

Another picture of the curve.  See the black car on the left.  If the driver fails to stay in the lane, the wall will be hit.  One again, notice the tail lights.  The driver recognizes the curve and begins slowing down.  However, if the driver was not paying attention, a wreck will occur.

This is real time photography.  I am standing on top of Thomas Arnold Bridge taking the pictures.

The tour ended.  Crews will be working through Good Friday and Saturday.  Some will work on Easter.  According to Rick Lewis, "We have no other choice.  The rains caused a delay and we have to get back on schedule." 

VR/Skip

Read: Re-electskip.blogspot.com