Manager's Memo

By
Tony Martin
Sometimes, it is not easy to come up with things to write about each month
in this memo to you all. Sitting here on a Saturday in my study on a bright,
warm February morning, looking down the shimmering cove, you would think
inspiration would come easy. The eagle I have been watching while he watched
the same waters from high in Bill and Jean’s tree, just took wing, huge and
grand. I will never cease being amazed at the blessings of living in a place
like this. Earlier this morning the white pelicans and cormorants gathered
like a maneuvering armada in the cove. Even earlier, I stood on the deck in
the half light and softly said, “Good morning, lady,” to our resident fox
making her regular morning way across my yard back to her den somewhere in
the area. She looked up at me to acknowledge the greeting and kept her same
aloof trotting pace. It used to startle her when I spoke, but now she
basically ignores me.
It’s hard to believe that only one week ago I took pictures of the same
scene draped in heavy snow that looked just like those sent to me by my
friend in Colorado. I and everyone else I talked with all week wished for
the summertime to arrive, but I’ll bet none of us are thinking much about
that today, as the temperatures range in the 60’s. Amazing Texas weather.
Much of our work at the CWC this time of year consists of preparation and
planning for the summer season that will be here before we know it, and the
increased population and activity on the lake. Lots of things, big and
small. I have been talking to horticulture experts to try to develop a
roadside mowing schedule that will allow us to be presentable by Memorial
Day weekend, without cutting our beautiful wildflowers before they are
through with their bloom and dropping of seeds for next year. I completed
negotiations with our pyrotechnics company for the Independence Day
fireworks show on Saturday, July 3rd. The staff has already
developed schedules to provide increased land and water patrol during the
summertime holiday weekends. They have already scheduled two Boater Safety
Courses this year instead of one.
I am preparing a priority listing for road repair projects for the Board
that will not occur until the dry, hot days of late summer. We have
completed and are in the midst of several repair projects around the lake,
preparing for springtime and early summer rains. We are working to finish
installing the new pilings and reflectors to mark the boat roads before all
the boats hit the water this spring. We are installing solar powered
unobtrusive slow-flashing lights to mark the large high line power poles
that are in our lake. We are planning a car show this summer. We have sent
our crews to prepare the fish ponds for this year’s stocking to maintain and
improve our fishery. There is no end to the projects and activities
necessary or aimed at improving our community.