Can You Spare a Square?

by Pamela Capps
(Blanco, Texas U.S.A.)

When volunteer gardeners from the Keep Blanco Beautiful organization were working in the areas around Blanco Town Square more than two years ago, they discovered a sick oak tree. Since the tree was in Bindseil Park (a city-owned park), they told city administrators about it.

According to the gardeners, and a professional arborist who assessed the condition of the tree, there was still hope for the old oak. Estimated work would be around one thousand dollars, but with care and attention, the tree could be saved.

Not only was this advice ignored by elected officials in charge of protecting Blanco from arbitrary destruction and development, but two weeks ago, the now very sick 200 year old mighty oak was cut down. Half of it still may have survived, but the city admin ordered it destroyed completely.

Then, there is the small matter of historical property being paved with a concrete sidewalk.

Once again, city officials made a big decision without the participation of its constituents and laid a concrete sidewalk in front of the Byar's building. The historical commission was not even consulted (The paving of this property ignores local Historical Commission guidelines as well as Federal ADA regulations).

Now, as we enter Blanco from south 281, we have a lovely purple laundrymat to gaze upon as we near town square (Thank goodness they got rid of that terrible green pecan grove), then we turn right to view Bindseil Park which once had a lovely mighty Oak as a sentry. And lastly, turn left at Pecan, and feast your eyes upon an historic building with a brand new non historic entry way.

I would like to see a city administration with vision and courage run Blanco, that will be my hope for 2008. I also think that it's time for a City Manager.

Pamela Capps-Whitworth