SAWS Approves $1.4 Million!

December 17, 2002 - Anne Parrish

The SAWS Board today approved the $1.4 million expenditure at Mitchell Lake! This includes the moving and reconstruction of the Leeper House. It was a remarkable session that included much good cheer (and even the SAWS jazz choir with a RAP rendition of Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer!).

Bob Reeves, VP of Treatment for SAWS, presented the information in a clear presentation. The motion to pass the resolution came from long-time southside supporter and board member J.J. Amaro. It was seconded by none other than the Mayor himself. In addition, Mayor Garza gave a hearty endorsement of this resolution. This support will help open up San Antonio's "Best Kept Secret" for recreational use by its citizens, which goes along so well with his Southside Initiative. He would like to consider funding the project's Phase II next year with a new bond issue!

Citizens heard before these proceedings included: Ruth Lofgren, Ernie Roney, Anne Parrish and Georgina Schwartz. All spoke in support of the project. Georgina's short speech was probably the best. See below for the text of her speech.

Congratulations to the MLWS team on work well done!

Georgina Schwartz's Speach to the SAWS Board

December 17, 2002 - Georgina Schwartz

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

I am Georgina Schwartz. I am the coordinator of volunteer trip leaders for the Mitchell Lake Refuge.

I came to speak in favor of the amenities and repair work to be done at the Mitchell Lake Refuge. A unique combination of forces has come together to make this start on the Mitchell Lake Implementation Plan possible.

The migrating and nesting birds have probably used the Mitchell Lake area for centuries. Birders have been going there since the 1950's when the San Antonio Audubon Society was formed.

The City of San Antonio made this property a waterfowl sanctuary by city ordinance in 1973 at the request of the San Antonio Audubon Society.

Visitors have come to this Refuge from all over the world when we didn't even have a porta potty.

Volunteers from Mitchell Lake Wetlands Society, San Antonio Audubon Society, Bexar Audubon Society, and just plain people have worked together to make scheduled access available in order to experience this great educational resource.

Many San Antonio student groups of varying levels have been to the Refuge with the volunteers.

We look forward to having real restrooms and easier access for students and their families and more safe conditions that will come with the repair of the dike.

The birds will come to Mitchell Lake Wetlands whether we are there or not, but approval of this project will put San Antonio up there with the other communities that have made an old sewer treatment facility into an environmental asset and an educational treasure.

Today you have a great opportunity to make that come to pass.