Muddying the waters
Mayor says end of cloudy water could come by springtime
By Lori Mellinger editor@bullardnews.com

Mayor A.W. Hines is looking forward to spring.

"This will be the first time in the history of Bullard the water will run clear," he said at last week's council meeting.

Hines said it's been a struggle, but getting an able crew, funding and cooperation has helped the city reach this goal.

The city hopes to retire its notorious Well 5 once its newest well - already proving a success - is operable.

"We plan to bid the water lines for both the well and elevated storage tower at the same time," city engineer Brian Capps told the council. "It should all be done by spring."

Capps said the water tower pedestal is under construction and almost finished, and he believes it will be completely up and in place by November.

Well 5, Hines said, is a prime example of the problem Bullard has had with previous wells.

"Most of the old wells are too shallow," Hines said. "They're only about 300 feet deep."

This results in cloudier water. The deeper you drill, the clearer the water is.

"Wells need to go about 1,000 feet down," he said, citing the latest one built at Peachtree Golf Course, with the cooperation of landowner Dan Hurst.

"We're proud to be able to provide - finally - good, clear, quality water," Hines said.

The council also - for the first time since 1959 - updated an ordinance on solicitation in the city.

The old ordinance, written almost 50 years ago, is a "peddler" ordinance calling for the mayor to - in his best judgment decide when a permit be issued to peddlers. Anyone who violated that ordinance was subject to a fine between $1-$10.

The new one is a bit more sophisticated.

"This ordinance was put into effect for the protection of the citizens of Bullard," said Bullard City Manager Larry Morgan. "City hall and the police department has a need to know who is knocking on doors in our city."

"This ordinance should address those needs well."

And now whether a peddler or a solicitor, a city permit is required.

The ordinance defines the difference between a peddler and solicitor, saying a peddler is someone who "engages in commercial activities within the city limits by carrying goods or merchandise from house-to-house, business-tobusiness or upon public property."

A solicitor differs because the products being sold may not be with the person - but rather delivered a future date.

There are, however, exemptions, including: newspaper carriers, farmers who sell agricultural products that were raised or grown by them; locally based non-profit organizations, religious proselytizing or distribution of religious literature, political speech or canvassers who attempt only to distribute handbills or to solicit political support or to determine opinions or statements.

But even those who fall under those exemptions are encouraged to contact city hall and let someone know it's being done.

Permit fees are $15 for an individual; $25 for two or more.

It restricts hours to between 8 a.m. and sunset and puts a penalty on those who don't abide the ordinance.

Violators can be charged with a class C misdemeanor and a fine up to $500.

In other business, the council:

! appointed five of the seven needed to begin its economic development committee. They include: Clay Thompson, Franklin Bank; Steve Shaddux, CPA; the Rev. Donnie Barron, Bullard Southern Baptist Church; Sam Vercher, builder; and Eileen Gottschalk; Clear Channel Radio;

! agreed to enter into an inter-local agreement with Smith County for police computer services;

! agreed to put the money raised from a recent online auction into an interestbearing account.

! accepted David Huffman, president of Tylerbased Celebrity Inc., as a new planning and zoning commissioner; and

! authorized Morgan to purchase a 2008 Ford F250 truck from low bidder Bill McRae Ford for $19,700.

The Bullard City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month. Meetings are open, and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

For more information, call city hall at 903-894-7223.