County officials perpetuate hazard by failing to repair Creekwalk banks

Editor:

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I agree wholeheartedly with the The News-Times editorial on April 16, and the letter to the editor April 20 by P. Hill about the lack of action by local lawmakers on property tax relief.

I have talked to commissioners and the Department of Roads and Bridges for years about the state of the creek behind Creekwalk subdivision. Several years ago, they allowed construction of homes on the hill at Chaparral, thereby restricting entrance to the creek to make any necessary repairs. When this neighborhood was built, we were all told that houses would never be built on that hill because of the risk of flooding.

In March of 2007, we had a heavy rain that washed away the creek bank and left a large amount of debris in residents' yards. At that time, they found a way to get to the creek in an attempt to clean up the mess.

Once again, they promised to repair the culverts and the levee. It has been more than a year, and the culverts are still uncovered and the land has washed away from homeowners' yards. It is a disaster waiting to happen. There are sewer drains along the levee behind Creekwalk, the Boulders, and Chaparral, and no one checks to ensure that they are draining properly. Sometimes the stench is so bad I cannot stay outside. Also, mosquitoes behind my house are a health hazard made possible by standing water on county property.

I do agree with The News-Times that our money could be better spent on projects other than a Christmas tree and $8 million for Evans Town Center Park, especially since my property tax went up 37 percent in 2007.

We should get rid of the lawmakers who do not support the voters and instead spend our taxes on their personal projects.

We in Creekwalk pay to repair our own roads and pay for our own street lights. The least the county could do is maintain the appearance of the creek and ensure the health and safety of the residents who live in the adjoining neighborhoods.

M. Corley

Martinez