Save Jones State Forest
  • Home
  • About
  • Legislation
    • 86th Legislature >
      • H.B. 792 & S.B. 345
    • 85th Legislature >
      • S.B. 1964 >
        • SJSF Response >
          • Community Meeting
          • SJSF Proposed Amendment
          • SJSF Updates
  • Jones State Forest
    • Red-Cockaded Woodpecker
  • News Stories
  • Contact Us

3/29/2017

Texas A&M Provides More Details... They Do not Have Any.

31 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture
Today the Texas A&M University System provided further details behind their request for Senator Creighton to file Senate Bill 1964. Looking to the future, the system envisions an opportunity to develop up to "only 178 acres" of the state forest for the purpose of establishing what amounts to a campus in the region.

Texas A&M believes that the best route to begin the discussion around this concept is to seek legislative authority to move forward with the project... Before a project is even planned, budgeted for, or presented to the community it will purportedly serve. It's almost like asking us to go steady before we have a first date.

We think this may be putting the cart before the horse, but would appreciate hearing from our neighbors. Share your thoughts below and on our Facebook page. And stay tuned as we plan for more opportunities to have your voice heard by Texas A&M and Senator Creighton.

Share

31 Comments

3/28/2017

The Senator is Listening; Thank him, but stay vigilent

0 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture
Senator Creighton took to his Facebook page today to let us all know he is amending Senate bill 1964. We thank him for listening to the people of his district.

This however does not mean the fight is over. Please contact Senator Creighton and thank him for this decision. And let's make sure not only that changes are made, but that no future amendments during the legislative processes reverse these decisions.

And keep the pressure up on Texas A&M. As a good neighbor they should involve us in what they plan on doing with Jones Forest State Park.

Share

0 Comments

3/28/2017

Senator Creighton Says Contact Texas A&M, Let's Do it

0 Comments

Read Now
 
Senator Creighton has encouraged us to contact Texas A&M. Let's do it and make sure they explain their intentions for Jones Forest State Park.

​Tommy Williams
Vice Chancellor
The Texas A&M University System
(979) 458-6016 | twilliams@tamus.edu

Share

0 Comments

3/27/2017

So What Should I Be Doing Now?

2 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture

So you are convinced... You want to get involved. But what do you do now? Here are a few things you can do today to have your voice heard!

1.) Contact Senator Creighton

Send a letter, type out an e-mail, pick up the phone and call, engage on Social Media-- there are lots of ways to contact the Senator. Start with his official State Senate Page, which has lots of contact information.

Don't know what to say? Here is a quick template for you.
​The Honorable Brandon Creighton
Member, Texas State Senate
P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
 
 
Dear Senator Creighton,
 
I am a resident of State Senate District 4 currently residing in (Town Name). I am writing you today with my personal concerns regarding Senate Bill 1964—a bill relating to the use of land in Jones State Forest for academic and economic purposes.
 
W.G. Jones State Forest Park is an important part of the Montgomery County community. This park has been a treasure of our local area that has allowed our citizens, many school aged children, to see first-hand the beauty and wonder of nature in our own community. As new commercial and residential development has sprung up in the area, Jones State Forest has served as a constant reminder of our connection to the environment and the importance of protecting natural habitat for species such as the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.
 
As it is currently written Senate Bill 1964 puts this precious resource in danger. The allowing of any private commercial development within the grounds of the Jones State Forest Park will put at risk the very intent of this park to aide in research of forestry and educate future generations on the importance of our natural resources.
 
I request that you halt all further action on Senate Bill 1964 until both Texas A&M, the requestors of this legislation, and yourself as the sponsor have held public meetings with impacted residents. This would give Texas A&M an opportunity to explain why they are seeking this change to state law and for you to hear directly from your constituents. Only through a dialogue within our community, and not just in the halls of the state capitol in Austin, can an honest and fair discussion take place on this matter.
 
 
Thank You,
2.) Contact the Senate Committee on Higher Education

We've probably all seen School House Rock tell us how a bill becomes a law-- well pretty much the same process in Texas. So if our good Senator does not take action we just go the committee where the bill has been referred. Here is the contact information for Committee members. Start with the Chairman and work your way down!
​
Committee Page: http://www.senate.texas.gov/cmte.php?c=560
Committee Hearing Date: TBD
​

Kel Seliger, Chair
P.O. Box 12068 
Capitol Station 
Austin, Texas 78711
(512) 463-0131
(512) 475-3733
http://www.senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=31&lang=en

​Royce West, Vice Chair
P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711 
(512) 463-0123
(512) 463-0299
http://www.senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=23&lang=en

Paul Bettencourt
P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711 
(512) 463-0107
http://www.senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=7&lang=en

Dawn Buckingham
P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711 
(512) 463-0124
http://www.senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=24&lang=en
José Menéndez
P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711 
(512) 463-0126
http://www.senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=26&lang=en


Larry Taylor 
P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711 
(512) 463-0111
http://www.senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=11&lang=en


Kirk Watson 
P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711 
(512) 463-0114 
(512) 463-5949
http://www.senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=14&lang=en
3.) Stay Engaged

Follow our movement on Facebook and be sure to sign up for our updates on the homepage! We'll let you know as more opportunities to become involved happen and keep you updated on the latest bill developments.

Share

2 Comments

3/27/2017

Senator Creighton Responds; Go Contact Texas A&M

1 Comment

Read Now
 
Picture
This evening Senator Creighton responded to concerns raised by his constituents by posting a letter to his Facebook page. Below is his letter:
Dear Senate District 4,

On March 10th, I filed Senate Bill 1964 relating to the Jones State Forest at the request of the Texas A&M University System. Since that time, I have heard from many constituents and stakeholders and I would like to clarify the intent of the bill.

Texas A&M has owned this treasured asset since the 1920’s for the purpose of education. Tommy Williams, Former Senate District 4 Senator and current Vice Chancellor of Texas A&M, requested on behalf of the University that I file a bill to allow a public conversation to be held in the State Legislature. I am asking for a hearing to discuss the merits of the University’s request to use between 5-10% of the Jones State Forest (southern end near State Highway 242) for educational purposes.

During the five months of a Legislative Session, my office listens, discusses, and studies suggested state policy. We work hard to advance good policy and many times table policy suggestions that require more consideration.

This is a Texas A&M request for Texas A&M use within a Texas A&M asset. Whether or not the University uses a portion of the forest should be a public discussion. My intent with Senate Bill 1964 was to honor the request to begin this conversation.

As an 8th generation Montgomery County resident, I cherish the big thicket, natural timberland and foliage, including the wildlife that occupies the forest. I am not interested in clearing the forest or destroying any wildlife.

As for the conversation, please provide me with your viewpoints. When I became a Legislator, I took an oath to represent all of my constituents and put their needs above my own. I take this oath very seriously. My job as a Legislator is to balance many requests and to help decide what is best for Senate District 4.

I’m listening,

Brandon Creighton
While this letter is appreciated it does raise several questions for the Senator:
  1. Does the Senator make it a habit of filing and sponsoring bills on behalf of organizations without fully understanding and agreeing with the language?
  2. Is the filing of a bill required for a public hearing to take place?
  3. What are the plans for the property that led to Texas A&M requesting the bill and Senator Creighton sponsoring the legislation?
  4. If the intent of the bill is to allow for further academic/research use (as the Senators staff has indicated by phone), why does the bill ever mention commercial use?
  5. Under the Texas Constitution Texas A&M does not have the ability to sponsor legislation. This is the Senator's bill, not the schools. Why are his constituents being directed to ask the questions he should have asked before filing the bill?
These are just a few of the many questions that should be addressed publicly. We look forward to the Senator finding the time to do that with his constituents.

Share

1 Comment

3/27/2017

KHOU Covers Our Fight; No Response from Creighton

0 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture
KHOU came to W.G. Jones State Forest Park to cover this important community issue. Residents from the area explained how important this first is to our area. Senator Creighton was too busy to provide comment for the story. See below for a link to the story.

Read More

Share

0 Comments

3/26/2017

Sign the Petition; Protect Jones State Forest

1 Comment

Read Now
 
Picture
Let your voice be heard!

Sign the petition to let Senator Creighton know that Senate Bill 1964 is unacceptable!
Sign the Petition

Share

1 Comment
Forward>>
Details
Save Jones State Forest, Copyright © 2019
Photo used under Creative Commons from Au Kirk
  • Home
  • About
  • Legislation
    • 86th Legislature >
      • H.B. 792 & S.B. 345
    • 85th Legislature >
      • S.B. 1964 >
        • SJSF Response >
          • Community Meeting
          • SJSF Proposed Amendment
          • SJSF Updates
  • Jones State Forest
    • Red-Cockaded Woodpecker
  • News Stories
  • Contact Us