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Bunch's 'Guest' Editorial
RECEIVED Wed., May 3, 2006
Dear Editor,
Proposition 2 gives Austin voters the opportunity to ask city and corporate officials to take action now to save Barton Springs. At the moment, the whole future of Barton Springs and 30 years of city planning to protect Texas' most vulnerable major aquifer are being thrown out the window by Jim Bob Moffett's former right-hand man, Beau Armstrong, and Armstrong's new business partners at AMD and City Hall. This is the first major component of the scheme that the Chronicle exposed and help defeat in years past. We knew then, and we know now, what it means for Barton Springs.
What has changed? Water quality at Barton Springs has deteriorated as "grandfathered" development has continued. The worst algae bloom in memory persists today. The science is even more compelling that we will lose Barton Springs if we do not direct development into our Desired Development Zone.
And Moffett's original plans for a satellite downtown on Southwest Parkway expanded, adding the "Lantana" tract where AMD is now slated to build offices for 3,000 employees. The role of one of the world's worst corporate offenders of human rights and the environment is obscured, leaving us with the wispy-white Stratus Properties and AMD's greenwashing.
Austin voters have a say in the future of the soul of Austin. A vote for Proposition 2 is a vote for securing our future and protecting our heritage.
Proposition 2 gives Austin voters the opportunity to ask city and corporate officials to take action now to save Barton Springs. At the moment, the whole future of Barton Springs and 30 years of city planning to protect Texas' most vulnerable major aquifer are being thrown out the window by Jim Bob Moffett's former right-hand man, Beau Armstrong, and Armstrong's new business partners at AMD and City Hall. This is the first major component of the scheme that the Chronicle exposed and help defeat in years past. We knew then, and we know now, what it means for Barton Springs.
What has changed? Water quality at Barton Springs has deteriorated as "grandfathered" development has continued. The worst algae bloom in memory persists today. The science is even more compelling that we will lose Barton Springs if we do not direct development into our Desired Development Zone.
And Moffett's original plans for a satellite downtown on Southwest Parkway expanded, adding the "Lantana" tract where AMD is now slated to build offices for 3,000 employees. The role of one of the world's worst corporate offenders of human rights and the environment is obscured, leaving us with the wispy-white Stratus Properties and AMD's greenwashing.
Austin voters have a say in the future of the soul of Austin. A vote for Proposition 2 is a vote for securing our future and protecting our heritage.
Sincerely,
Bill Bunch
Save Our Springs Alliance
Bill Bunch
Save Our Springs Alliance
[Editor's note: Bill Bunch of Save Our Springs Alliance played a prominent role in shaping the language of Proposition 2.]
