Refugio pool closed for good
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The Refugio City Council officially shut down the city pool for good Tuesday night.
Looking at a $40,000 repair bill which didn’t address all the problems at the aged facility, all five alderman voted to close call it quits.
“I think we’ve exhausted all our options,” said Karen Watts who met with grant writer Karen Kibbe three weeks ago to review the town’s options for obtaining a new one.
At the last meeting Watts said prospects for obtaining grants are bleak.
Alderman Wanda Dukes said the pool is being closed “with regret.”
The council also voted to spend $5,875 for advertising in Business Images of the Coastal Bend Magazine.
Lenny Anzaldua brought the matter before the council last year but deadlines were not feasible.
“The Coastal Bend Regional Economic Development Group is only going to advertise in this magazine,” Anzaldua said. “Kingsville, Beeville, Sinton, Aransas Pass and Refugio, of course, will all be in the magazine.”
Although the magazine is only published once a year, it is widely distributed, according to Anzaldua.
In personnel matters, the council voted to advertise for a job that is open in the administrative office and approved the selection of Arturo Trevino and Ismael Delgado as employees in the sewer and water department. Supervisor Cliff Lynn said he now has a full slate of employees.
Councilman Ruben Garcia bid farewell to the council, vowing to be back on the ballot on the next election.
“I’ll be back,” he said.
His parting words were not happy ones.
“What we spoke about in executive session last Thursday was leaked,” he said. “Someone went to the police chief and told him what we talked about. I only ask you, in the future, what is said in executive session, keep it there.”
Garcia said he went to each council member who was present at the special called meeting and asked if they had talked to Chief Chris Brock.
“All of them said no,” Garcia said.
Councilman Ron Nelson was the only member absent during the executive session.
“It’s sad to say that somebody that is going to be appointed by the mayor is out to hurt someone,” Garcia said in parting the meeting.
Looking at a $40,000 repair bill which didn’t address all the problems at the aged facility, all five alderman voted to close call it quits.
“I think we’ve exhausted all our options,” said Karen Watts who met with grant writer Karen Kibbe three weeks ago to review the town’s options for obtaining a new one.
At the last meeting Watts said prospects for obtaining grants are bleak.
Alderman Wanda Dukes said the pool is being closed “with regret.”
The council also voted to spend $5,875 for advertising in Business Images of the Coastal Bend Magazine.
Lenny Anzaldua brought the matter before the council last year but deadlines were not feasible.
“The Coastal Bend Regional Economic Development Group is only going to advertise in this magazine,” Anzaldua said. “Kingsville, Beeville, Sinton, Aransas Pass and Refugio, of course, will all be in the magazine.”
Although the magazine is only published once a year, it is widely distributed, according to Anzaldua.
In personnel matters, the council voted to advertise for a job that is open in the administrative office and approved the selection of Arturo Trevino and Ismael Delgado as employees in the sewer and water department. Supervisor Cliff Lynn said he now has a full slate of employees.
Councilman Ruben Garcia bid farewell to the council, vowing to be back on the ballot on the next election.
“I’ll be back,” he said.
His parting words were not happy ones.
“What we spoke about in executive session last Thursday was leaked,” he said. “Someone went to the police chief and told him what we talked about. I only ask you, in the future, what is said in executive session, keep it there.”
Garcia said he went to each council member who was present at the special called meeting and asked if they had talked to Chief Chris Brock.
“All of them said no,” Garcia said.
Councilman Ron Nelson was the only member absent during the executive session.
“It’s sad to say that somebody that is going to be appointed by the mayor is out to hurt someone,” Garcia said in parting the meeting.
OK --First drain the pool and let the bottom dry out real good. Then paint a picture of the Refugio High School mascot on the bottom---the Bobcat of course! Then change the sign out in front to say "Bobcat's Football Team Summer Camp". This will be an unofficial (UIL rules)place for the cats to roam and stay in shape over the summer
This without a doubt would bring in more donations than you could sack up and take to the bank each day. I mean, anything for the Football team, right? In return Refugio gets it's pool problems fixed as no member of the Refugio Bobcat Football community is going to let their cats swim in a rat hole that ole swimming pool has become.
But let's see---with the drop of a hat -- " The council also voted to spend $5,875 for advertising in Business Images of the Coastal Bend Magazine". Wow!
Someone or some council let the ball drop on this pool business. No excuse can be given for the lack of planning. Or was the council waiting for a bailout from our new president. How about looking for a bailout from some of the local citizens? Last time I looked there are some real-real deep pockets in the area. Maybe they would like to help?
I worry the juvenile crime rate will rise in Refugio County over the Summer.