By Judy Sheridan
An open house for city residents is in the planning stages, city officials say, but for March 11, 2013, the actual date that Fort Worth surface water began coursing through the City of Aledo’s water system, officials staged a low-key celebratory photo shoot inside the new water tower.
Water actually began flowing earlier in the morning, officials said, but Mayor Kit Marshall and Mayor Pro Tem Bill McLeRoy “turned the wheel” at the tower’s base around 11 a.m., officially marking a new era with enough water power to sustain future growth.
Marshall, McLeRoy, City Administrator Ken Pfeifer, Public Works Director Gordon Smith and even Marshall’s grandson, 9-month-old Ian, were all smiles.
Aside from a main that broke in front of Aledo Middle School, shut down for spring break, the changeover appears to have gone smoothly.
“I had to monitor the old system as the pressure increased,” Smith said, explaining why visitors were not invited to watch the actual event. “I had to isolate part of the system, because I had a main line break. One break is very positive for this type transition.”
Until this point, city water customers have depended on city wells, which will still supply about 20 percent of the volume, Pfiefer said,
“Our goal is 100 percent surface water with the wells as a backup, but we’re not there yet,” he said. “The city now has two water sources.”
Council member Jean Bailey, who lives on Aledo’s south side, joked about not noticing any difference in the water’s taste when she was contacted a day later.
“It’s kind of disappointing,” she said with a laugh. “It should taste like champagne with all we’re paying for it. I’m looking forward to having more houses to pay for it.”
Bailey, who was a member of the planning and zoning board when the city council voted to contract with Fort Worth in 2006, credits Marshall with the vision to anticipate future problems.
“An earlier administration turned a blind eye,” she said.
Mayor Pro Tem Bill McLeRoy agreed that the transition seemed to be going well.
“I haven’t heard any comments on it so far from anyone,” he said.
Aledo ExtrA
Contact Judy
Contact staff writer Judy Sheridan at
jsheridan@weatherforddemocrat.com.
Related Photos
-
Aledo Mayor Kit Marshall and Mayor Pro Tem Bill McLeRoy take a moment to mark the beginning of Fort Worth surface water for Aledo residents. JUDY SHERIDAN/ALEDO EXTRA
The Democrat welcomes comments. Inappropriate language or comments outside our standards will be removed. No guest or anonymous comments allowed.
Aledo waterworks working well
- Aledo ExtrA
-
-
ESD No. 3 accepts petition from residents in Annettas, ETJs.
Three days after voters approved the annexation of Aledo’s fire district by Emergency Services District No. 1 on May 11, the board of ESD No. 3 voted to give some residents of Aledo’s fire district a different choice: coverage by ESD No. 3 instead.
-
Aledo VFD annexation proposal passes
Despite stiff opposition from most East Parker County mayors, Parker County voters decided May 11 that the Aledo Volunteer Fire Department district will join Emergency Services District No. 1.
-
Aledo teen needs heart transplant
Aledo Middle School student Dylan Hancock needs a heart transplant, and volunteers from the Aledo community — some 20 strong — are working hard to make sure he will be able to afford the many related expenses.
-
Ceremony kicks off construction of RWMH's connection to Interstate 20
The barricades stop southbound traffic on the Ric Williamson Memorial Highway at Ranger Highway. But the pavement continues, stopping just short of Interstate 20.
-
Fire from storm displaces family
Three family members were displaced due to a house fire in the 100 block of Portales Drive, near Thunder Head Lane, Wednesday night after lightning reportedly struck the roof of the home’s garage, igniting the attic.
-
Aledo ISD police officer honored
The Weatherford Optimist Club has presented the Law Enforcement Award to Aledo ISD Police Corporal Stephanie Alvarez.
-
Watkins resigns from Place 4; Hiebert appointed
Aledo City Councilman Randy Watkins has resigned after moving out of the city limits.
-
City to celebrate 50th anniversary Saturday
Martha Daugherty Beckman, daughter of the City of Aledo’s first mayor, will be on hand to help the city celebrate 50 years of incorporation this Saturday, May 18, during a program beginning at 10 a.m. at the Aledo Community Center, 104 Robinson Court.
-
Back then: Aledo long-timer Freddy Detherage
Freddy Detherage has spent a lifetime in the Aledo area.
-
Back then: Aledo long-timer W. H. "Dub" Bearden
W. H. “Dub” Bearden, 83, knows a thing or two about Aledo.
- More Aledo ExtrA Headlines
-
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
