Toledo Bend Citizens' Advisory Committee

  
COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2008-2009

Jim Simon, Chairman - George Commons, Vice Chairman - John Toliver, Treasurer - Mary Jo Gates, Secretary - Board Members: Warren Bourgeois - Ned Goodeaux - Donald Little - Harry Stafford - Ken Freeman - Don Battarbee - Ted Dove - Dinah Medine - Frances Walker - Faye Boswell - Bo Dowden

TBCAC was formed in June 2001 to protest the SRA's decision to seek legislation imposing an expensive sewer system on lake residents without first documenting an existing problem. The SRA requested legislation, which ultimately became House Bill 1994 of the 2001 session, without any public input and without documentation that Toledo Bend lake was polluted. In fact, the SRA presented false data to the House of Representatives. Subsequent tests by the Department of Environmental Quality have shown the lake water to be of good quality.

During the early summer of 2001, TBCAC worked hard to present accurate information about the sewage issue and to kill the SRA's attempt to dip into your pocketbook to fund this sewer system. TBCAC presented extensive information at the September 4, 2001 Senate and House Environmental Committee Meeting at Cypress Bend. This meeting was attended by some 900 of your friends and neighbors who gave the Senators and Legislature the message that they did not want the unnecessary sewer system which some within the SRA wanted to build.

TBCAC exists to represent the best interests of the residents of Sabine Parish on issues such as the lake level, roads, economic development and the day-to-day operation of the SRA. During the Special Session of 2002, we opposed House Bill 151, which would have given authority on economic and industrial development and tourism issues to a privately-held corporation. The effect of this Bill, which the TBCAC was able to stop, would have taken away all authority on these important issues from elected officials such as mayors, police juries, etc. This Bill would have created another expensive and unnecessary level of government and made a lot of people very wealthy had it passed. It could have created another sewer district, funded from your pocket and without your knowledge.

TBCAC, which was officially charted in January 2002, pledges to keep you informed and to always represent your best interests. The fifteen people who compose the Board of Directors are your friends and neighbors... many of us are young-at-heart retirees and some are still employed. We are former teachers, corporate executives, farmers, welders and secretaries. We're just like you in that we believe that public agencies, such as the SRA, require oversight. We will support these public agencies when they act in the best interests of our community and oppose them vigorously when they do not.

Together we can make a difference in the area around us for the betterment of Toledo Bend. We are here to "Educate and Activate" actions for or against what the majority of residents of Toledo Bend Lake desire. We are "FRIENDS OF TOLEDO BEND" and we need your support. We can only control our destiny and the interest of the lake by staying informed and on top of events as they occur. Become a supporter by printing and filling out the Membership Application today. Together we can change things for the future and do what is best for the lake.