StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 1094
Loc: West Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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06-25-14 12:12 AM - Post#169340
In response to SB
I just don't understand how you think that a PITA process THAT NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT is a bigger deterrent than a much larger water bill? It really is that simple.
But wait, you work for the Government, and the Government is always right and can do no wrong.
Answered my own question there. 
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Cheatham Parent
enthusiast
Posts: 230
Reg: 01-23-11
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06-25-14 08:26 AM - Post#169342
In response to SB
In yesterday's City Council meeting, it was reported that Allen has achieved a 23.3% reduction since Oct 1st, which is among the top in the water district(10% was the target). They mentioned one city has achieved a slightly higher reduction. So apparently, in spite of the many many violations we see everyday, overall our city seems to be doing our part.
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Jeremy
enthusiast
Posts: 464
Loc: Allen, Tx
Reg: 06-20-11
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06-25-14 09:21 AM - Post#169344
In response to Cheatham Parent
I believe they are also considering allowing hand watering of lawns... as opposed to just trees, shrubs, and foundations. I can't find the article I read though.
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1880
Reg: 02-20-08
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06-25-14 09:22 AM - Post#169345
In response to Cheatham Parent
In yesterday's City Council meeting, it was reported that Allen has achieved a 23.3% reduction since Oct 1st, which is among the top in the water district(10% was the target). They mentioned one city has achieved a slightly higher reduction. So apparently, in spite of the many many violations we see everyday, overall our city seems to be doing our part.
Not questioning the impact of reduced watering on the load. This is a matter of EFFICIENCY and due process not effectiveness.
Do we need to spend over $1MM per year to patrol the watering rules?
Do we need to create a presumptive guilty people intensive enforcement process in order to make an example out of citizens who may or may not be guilty?
Is that really the job of government?
Keep in mind most people had their sprinklers set on the builders every other day 10 minutes per zone setting at the beginning of the water reduction process. Never touched them. Just about everyone has touched their sprinkler settings in the past 2 years of water restrictions. That action alone has had the greatest impact.
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jogo
enthusiast
Posts: 1475
Reg: 08-31-05
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06-25-14 09:22 AM - Post#169346
In response to StacyLynn624
exactly StacyLynn 
In yesterday's City Council meeting, it was reported that Allen has achieved a 23.3% reduction since Oct 1st, which is among the top in the water district(10% was the target). They mentioned one city has achieved a slightly higher reduction. So apparently, in spite of the many many violations we see everyday, overall our city seems to be doing our part.
Our city seems to be doing more than our part. Do we get some prize for using the least water or making our citizens jump through more hoops for breaking the ordinance? Other cities have just gone to Stage 3 while Allen has been under it for so long that I can't even remember Stage 2. That is what doesn't make any sense to me. (This is more just a general comment, not a direct question to you Cheatham).
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1880
Reg: 02-20-08
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06-26-14 04:16 PM - Post#169401
In response to jogo
Actually, if we do our part or more than our part our water rates go UP. Allen has already paid for the water allocation. If we exceed targets then our water rates go up to cover the nut already spent on water. I know it's crazy but it's true.
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1880
Reg: 02-20-08
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06-26-14 04:17 PM - Post#169402
In response to Jeremy
I believe they are also considering allowing hand watering of lawns... as opposed to just trees, shrubs, and foundations. I can't find the article I read though.
If I pass out on my lawn and my hand is on the sprinkler system - Am I had watering??
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SB
enthusiast
Posts: 1554
Reg: 09-07-03
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06-26-14 05:17 PM - Post#169404
In response to DrivinTooFast
Be sure to tie that hose to your hand so that it won't slip away if you fall asleep.
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1880
Reg: 02-20-08
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07-15-14 05:27 PM - Post#169767
In response to SB
Pre-trial Court tomorrow. Wish me luck.
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SB
enthusiast
Posts: 1554
Reg: 09-07-03
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07-15-14 05:46 PM - Post#169768
In response to DrivinTooFast
Good luck. Truly.
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jogo
enthusiast
Posts: 1475
Reg: 08-31-05
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07-15-14 06:24 PM - Post#169769
In response to DrivinTooFast
Good luck - if someone else (StacyLynn's post) got off with a warning, you should have gotten the same!
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 1094
Loc: West Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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07-15-14 10:04 PM - Post#169772
In response to jogo
Good Luck! Come back and tell us how it goes!
My neighbor that got the warning is a civil attorney. I told her if she had gotten the real fine and gotten off, I could probably find her some billable hours...
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1880
Reg: 02-20-08
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07-16-14 08:54 PM - Post#169788
In response to StacyLynn624
11:00
Well I went to court, signed in, metal detector, sat down.
11:15am Waited... Waited... Nothing.
Judge leaves,
11:30am -
I went to baliff. "am I on the docket??"
"I thought you left so your name was crossed off" "Judge and City Attorney left for lunch."
They call the city attorney - two options
1. No Contest - $255
2. Go to trial
"Uhm, I am hear for pre-trial to avoid a trial that will make the officers show up and all the other expenses"
"We can reschedule you for 1pm"
...
Return at 1pm.
They moved me to the top of the docket which was nice. I brought in my pictures of the system and water test samples and test results that show the water coming out of the irrigation system is not municipal water.
Attorney says, " I need to review the ordinance to determine if there is an exception. I am remanding the case."
I go to see the clerk - "our earliest date is September 10th".
Great, so I am right back to square one and I have to show up in court AGAIN!!!
This is truly ridiculous to DETERMINE if I am innocent or guilty.
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SB
enthusiast
Posts: 1554
Reg: 09-07-03
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07-16-14 10:16 PM - Post#169789
In response to DrivinTooFast
Isn't a defined process that includes study of the exceptional circumstances of the case, even if slow, better than a quick but arbitrary process? I would itch for a quick determination too but a reality is that nothing negative happens as a result of a lengthy, delayed determination, right?
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 1094
Loc: West Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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07-17-14 12:15 AM - Post#169790
In response to SB
No. The whole situation could have been avoided if they'd just raise the rates on the 3rd tier for everyone. Fines are scary, but higher rates are more scary.
DTF, make sure you keep a tally of exactly how many hours you spend dealing with everything: all of the trips to the Stacy Rd station, the time spent there, the time spent at court, etc.
All of this is an enormous waste of taxpayer dollars. They could be collecting more money and conserving more water with the expense incurred for this one ticket.
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SB
enthusiast
Posts: 1554
Reg: 09-07-03
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07-17-14 07:33 AM - Post#169794
In response to StacyLynn624
The conservation regulations imposed by Allen and other NTMWD cities have motivated area residents to significant water use reductions. Without these reductions we would most likely be in stage 4 now. I consider this a success. Also, recent changes to restrictions in several cities show that there is a willingness to be flexible and to listen to residents while still keeping an eye on conservation goals. Another success.
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pup
enthusiast
Posts: 3941
Reg: 03-29-06
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07-17-14 08:17 AM - Post#169795
In response to DrivinTooFast
Call Steve Stoler...if he can get off cougar and coyote hunts long enough. Let him shine a little light on the idiocy of being fined for using your own water.
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richardb
enthusiast
Posts: 614
Loc: Allen
Reg: 04-17-00
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07-17-14 08:30 AM - Post#169796
In response to pup
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&am; p;q=&am...;
Steve has a new gig for the city of Plano. Can't blame him one bit.
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mgrayar
enthusiast
Posts: 3861
Reg: 09-25-09
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07-17-14 08:54 AM - Post#169797
In response to richardb
Plano is now asking residents to pay to water their lawn today and tomorrow regardless of rain. They have too much water and it's going bad. Over-conservation.
Learn more about Cystic Fibrosis and how you can help at:
http://www.cff.org
Everyone can make a difference! |
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1880
Reg: 02-20-08
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07-17-14 09:07 AM - Post#169798
In response to SB
Isn't a defined process that includes study of the exceptional circumstances of the case, even if slow, better than a quick but arbitrary process? I would itch for a quick determination too but a reality is that nothing negative happens as a result of a lengthy, delayed determination, right?
Clearly, you do not value your time, time off work or general aggravation.
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