Chet Edwards For Congress

December 21, 2007
Bill would bring $3.2 million home

Cleburne Times Review
By Matt Smith|Staff Writer

The final 2008 federal appropriations bill includes funding for four Johnson County projects: $1.9 million for the next phase of improvements at Ham Creek Park, $492,200 for a new water tower in Grandview, $188,000 for the county's drug task force and $588,000 to widen Alsbury Boulevard in Burleson. President Bush is expected to sign the bill, which the House passed Monday and the Senate passed Tuesday, soon, said Josh Taylor, communications director for U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco.

"I'm grateful that Congress has approved my request for additional funding to continue the important work of reopening Ham Creek Park to the public for the first time in 23 years," Edwards said.

Congress appropriated $900,000 toward the park's renovation in 2006 and $1.2 million in 2007. The Johnson County Commissioners Court agreed to fund park maintenance and operation costs once U.S. Army Corps of Engineers workers complete renovations. The $1.9 million will fund the project's final phase, which includes building campsites, roads and parking areas.

"I'm just tickled to death Edwards worked to secure the funding, and Congress passed it," said R.C. McFall, Johnson County Precinct 1 commissioner. "This is going to be a real good thing for everybody and a great place for parents to take their kids. I've never worked on any project this positive where all the city councils and chambers of commerce signed on and supported it so strongly."

McFall said he expects final renovations to take about 18 months to complete.

Growing Grandview

A water tower is needed to spur Grandview's development east of Interstate 35, Grandview Mayor Jack Orr said.

"Absolutely, this is wonderful news," Orr said. "We need to get facilities on the other side of the interstate so we can get development going over there and, hopefully, increase our tax base."

The water tower and a newly constructed sewer plant and planned sewer outfall line should help encourage residential and business development, Orr said.

"I want to salute Mayor Jack Orr and former Mayor Brandon Wright, who emphasized the importance of this project to me," Edwards said. "I was pleased that we were successful in securing the funding because an adequate water supply is essential to the quality of life of Grandview."

Continued fight against drugs

Stop the Offender Program Special Crimes Unit Cmdr. Adam King thanked Edwards, McFall, District Attorney Dale Hanna and other officials for securing funding for the task force.

"I'm just very excited," King said. "They saw a need and worked diligently to secure the funding. And that money is going to go a long way toward protecting and serving the citizens of Johnson County."

McFall agreed. "We'd just be in a terrible mess if we didn't have that program and funding for it," McFall said.

County officials created STOP SCU in 2005 after similar state-wide programs were disbanded due to lack of funding. The undercover joint law enforcement agency battles illegal drugs and other crimes throughout Johnson County.

"These funds will help our law enforcement officers curb the spread of illegal drugs in Johnson county and help keep our children safe," Edwards said.

Better driving in Burleson

The bill also includes $588,000 to widen Burleson's Alsbury Boulevard. The project also includes installation of underground drainage and sidewalks from Cathy Drive to 1,700 feet south of Shaftstall Road.

"Improving roads for Burleson citizens is important for continued economic growth and easing congestion," Edwards said.

The money will partially fund the projects, Burleson Mayor Ken Shetter said.

"We're really excited about the funding," Shetter said. "It's a key to our development. The big thing for us is that this helps move our transit-oriented-development district along, which is the area around our future commuter rail site. It's all about sustainable development. People think you run the trains and development occurs, but it's better to have development and people already in place."

Funds allocated through the appropriations bill might make more money available for the project, Shetter said.