Over the summer I had the pleasure to work for two local newspapers. Here are a few of my favorite articles:
Officials lobby for water desalination at hearing
A series of three hearings are being held around the state to address water concerns and the possibility of a water desalination project. On Monday, current and former representatives of Texas and Texas Senators gathered in Corpus Christi to discuss a future water desalination plant with the local government and the residents of the Coastal Bend.
Dr. Steve Lyons, meteorologist-in-charge for the National Weather Service, began the hearings with his testimony and said he hopes to unify the public’s effort for desalination. He highlighted multiple reasons why he believes desalination is the only solution, mostly focusing on the “problematic” climate of Texas.
“We’ve got this huge gradient of rainfall on average, (and) the areas that get the least amount of rain get the most amount of evaporation…A huge amount of water is lost to evaporation,” Lyons said.
Lyons called for Texas to separate weather from water supply. Data presented showed that Texas has more droughts and heat waves than any other state. As of now, the state relies on reservoirs and other collections of natural rain water or runoff. Lyons said it would be key to remove the weather as a contributor to water planning. A desalination plant would create a reliable source of water, which Texas’ weather does not provide.
The biggest concern voiced about desalination was the cost for the purified sea water. The Texas Water Development Board said current costs for water at the meter was $6.28. They projected rough estimates for the price of water run through a desalination plant, which could vary from $3.50 to $5, most likely falling on the higher end of the projection.
San Patricio County Judge Terry Simpson said these issues have been around for the past 30 years. He added that there are technologies in place today that were not there in the past that make it more feasible for desalination at this time.
“Public industries have come together and began to talk about what it’s going to cost to do it, and we’re willing to share that cost. We need to quit talking and take action,” Simpson said.
Ingleside Mayor Pete Perkins said the region has almost everything a person needs except for drought-proof water. He pushed desalination as a way to have a constant reliable and dependable water source for the growing gas and power industries, which need high amounts of water and for residents of the area.
“Drought proof water is what they’re asking for. They can’t run their industry or develop their industry on the talk that there might not be water...And they’re asking for pretty high amounts, some of these are very water intensive processes,” he said. “We need (desalination) in our area. Understandably, it’s going to be more expensive than the water we sell now. (We need to clarify) the costs at the meter for the user.”
Perkins stressed the need for desalination as an alternative to limiting the amount of water that can be used, or simply running out of usable water. He understands the cost might be off-putting to some consumers, but said desalination is the only way to have a reliable amount of water.
“If (users) understand the bottom line cost and understand what the cost for them will be if we don’t have (desalination), I think they’ll be much more ready to accept those costs,” Perkins said.
Andre Meyer, America’s Supply Chain Manager for M&G Polymer, said the company has plans to build a small desalination plant specifically for their facility to use. It is scheduled to be completed in early 2016 and will provide hard data and facts for the state to use for further actions taken on desalination.
"Tinkerer" Mann Enjoys Classic Car
A self-proclaimed “tinkerer,” Hank Mann creates and invents one-of-a-kind projects – usually with a motor – that can frequently be seen rolling along the streets of Ingleside on the Bay or being worked on in his garage.
Mann, 61, has been working as a crane operator for the past 31 years.
“I’ve been working on cranes since I was 20. Of course, I’ve made mistakes and I’ve learned from them. I was fortunate enough to see how the good Lord has got it laid it out for me. I didn’t see it at the time, but I recognize it now,” Mann said. “I was 18 and lookin’ for work and got onto a crew and the first day on the job they said crane time was seven o’clock. We got to the job site after breakfast, and I saw that crane sitting there and I knew right then, I wanted one of them.”
His thirst for knowledge has guided him with his career, Mann said. The excitement of learning something new was alluring to him from the very beginning.
“There was mistakes on the way, and I just wanted to stay at it. I liked it, and it came natural to me. I learned from the mistakes and (I got) bigger equipment. The bigger the equipment was the easier it was to run. The responsibilities are the same, but once the crane leaves the ground, it all 100 percent belongs to the operator.”
Mann said the long, tiring days at the job sites create stress on the workers, but said the people who he works with make it easier to handle.
Mann takes his excitement to learn outside of his work with cranes to his garage, where he builds custom vehicles and invents contraptions to suit him. Hanging on the walls of his garage are various “Hot Rod” signs and beer memorabilia that set the tone for his workshop and showcases his passions. Sitting near the corner is a mini refrigerator stocked with Lone Star beers, and next to that is a stainless steel toolbox that can play the Beach Boys. His pride and joy, however, is what sits in his driveway – a 1977 Chevrolet Corvette.
Mann said he participates in Vettes and Jets on the Lex, which is held every two years on the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi in support of wounded veterans. The next event will be held in September 2015, and Mann plans to be there along with his car.
“They put 300 corvettes up on the Lexington. You’ll see people you haven’t seen since the last time. It’s great! The first time I did it, I was the first one there, but then the next time I did it, I pulled up and there was corvettes lined all the way up,” Mann said. “You can only put 14 at a time on the elevator and you drive up to the hanger deck and there is no fence around the elevator platform and all you can see his brake lights. I love it.”
*A little background to this one + a fun anecdote: If you read my bio page, you probably saw that one of my obsessions is vintage cars... so it seems appropriate to say that is how I met Hank! I was driving to another interview and passed by this house with this old Corvette sitting in the driveway. It immediately caught my attention, because it was beautiful. During my interview with another man, I mentioned seeing the Corvette driving to his house -- Well it turns out he was good friends with the owner, Hank! He gave me his contact info and BAM! I had another story. Pretty cool how that works right?
ANYWAY... those are just a few of my stories, you can always click here if you want to read more.
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