Stovy Bowlin has resigned from his general manager’s post at the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, leaving behind a nearly three-year contentious relationship with the district board’s majority. Sources familiar with both sides say Bowlin was forced to resign because three out of five board members — President Craig Smith, Jim Camp, and Jack Goodman — believed he was more interested in meeting developers. Smith said the board members “felt that [Bowlin’s interests] were not in the best interest of the district.” Two other board members, Bill Welch and Don Turner, generally described as pro-development, were said to be satisfied with Bowlin’s job performance, but the board voted unanimously to accept the GM’s resignation. Bowlin could not be reached for comment.
Smith declined to list specific disagreements the board had with Bowlin, calling them a personnel matter. Smith, Camp, and Goodman have on various occasions expressed concern about development over the Edwards Aquifer, particularly as it relates to the threat of water-quality degradation and the aquifer’s shrinking supply of water.
While Bowlin’s resignation was effective immediately (he submitted his letter the evening of Nov. 20), the board agreed to hire him as a consultant to aid in the transition. Meanwhile, Gail McGlamery, the district’s community services program manager, will serve as interim GM until a replacement is hired. According to Smith, McGlamery has indicated she is not interested in the position on a permanent basis.
This article appears in November 30 • 2001.
