Helotes politics a bad dream

Editor:

The other night I had a dream about where Helotes would be today without Mayor Tom Schoolcraft and his sidekicks Jeff Ellis and Rich Whitehead.

I dreamed that Helotes was developing a wonderful municipal park on a gorgeous tract with meadows, a creek, and hills. We had bought it with donations and money from the Texas Legislature!

Then I woke up, and I remembered the Mayor and his sidekicks prefer a rocky, trash-filled ravine behind some people’s houses. I lay awake thinking about how the Mayor illegally killed that fabulous park and had to promise a judge he won’t do it again.

When I fell back asleep, I dreamed that Helotes had hired a professional, unbiased City Administrator. He was busy taking care of lots of things at City Hall.

Then I woke up, and I remembered the Mayor and his sidekicks prefer a bitter partisan applicant who wasn’t up to the job the first time she had it. I lay awake wondering why the Mayor is happy to let Helotes struggle along without adequate staff.

When I fell back asleep, I dreamed that Helotes was breaking ground on a new fire and police station. We were finally going to get our first responders the facilities they deserve!

Then I woke up, and I remembered the Mayor and his sidekicks have delayed the project for six months. I lay awake wondering why they never bothered to provide any input during the planning process but suddenly wanted a lot of changes.

By this time, I was sort of afraid to go back to sleep.

I lay awake thinking about all the times I’ve been in Council meetings and listened to Schoolcraft and his sidekicks speak up in support of big money developers who want to profit from Helotes and run.

I thought about the time I had to play the videotape over and over again to make sure I heard correctly when Rich Whitehead brushed aside the opinions of famous Edwards Aquifer scientists and said “increasing impervious cover would be more beneficial.”

But then I remembered that Helotes still has three Council members who stand up for local citizens and thoughtful growth that preserves the things we all value about Helotes.

I remembered how Guillerma Contreras constantly speaks up in support of residents and young families who want to live here for the next 40 years.

I remembered how JB Richeson stood up for all of us against the Mayor’s tax increase.

I remembered how Alina Matutes-Eckhardt has transformed her life’s work of caring for patients into caring for Helotes citizens.

I remembered how all of them campaigned last year with truth, honesty, and integrity, and didn’t make stuff up like 24 percent tax increases.

I realized that Guillerma, Alina, and JB have proven themselves to be true advocates for Helotes citizens. I realized that as long as we have them on Council, the dim developer-driven vision of Schoolcraft, Ellis, and Whitehead can never come to pass.

And then I (whew) slept like a baby!

Gregg Eckhardt
Helotes