FBSP was very open and out spoken about their desire to used Funding for a South Bath House. FBSP has always supported unnecessary and often destructive construction ideas concerning the Pool. It has become clear that this is their idea of “Restoring the pool to its rightful Glory”… Which is there supposed mission. I sure any half awake human can recognize that nature her self, is the ultimate `Glory’. And it is this natural state that the majority of stakeholders or constantly fighting to protect… Often directly against the voices, agenda and private meetings of FBSP.

This was most blatantly obvious during the fight to save the trees in 2009. (Yes I have said this before but it is worth mentioning here) I went to all the Parks meetings during that time. FBSP did not once speak against Tree removal. Instead their once leader, Robin Cravey expressed his willingness to run around with a shovel to plant new trees. They DID NOT

Stand for the Trees… at a very critical moment in the Life of this World Class Park we all know as Barton Springs. They supported what would have been a removal of almost 80% of the tree cover in and around the springs.

Then when the parks department came to their senses and decided to spared the trees. The FBSP quickly took credit claiming themselves the new “Tree Stewards”. When the community was outraged and more fully mobilized than I’d ever seen, and the children were drawing images to save the Trees… The FBSP were siding with the city for Tree Removal! That is a simple fact that the recordings of the meetings from that time could easily prove out.

Recently Barnick, in his list of all the `great’ (?) things FBSP has done. Once again claimed and self named the FBSP as the Stewards of the pool.

Really? Stewards?

As defined by Wikipedia > Stewardship is an ethic that embodies responsible planning and management of resources. The concept of stewardship has been applied in diverse realms, including with respect to environment, economics, health, property, information, and religion, and is linked to the concept of sustainability.

The FBSP have never conducted themselves in this way regarding this Jewel of Austin, Barton Springs. They have instead supported projects that would destroy the natural environment. and others that indeed were a huge waste of money. In addition they have always been very secretive about their real agendas. They proudly display a picture of their one time leader holding a grant ck(Im guessing) for $300,000. Wow… 300K is enough money to actually do a project or two around the pool for the benefit of the immediate environment… like maybe by a few shovels and tress and fulfill their original, and seemingly false promise of planting trees. But, apparently the so-called “Friends” have done nothing… except continue to push their own agenda; acting as if they, and they alone represent the true voice of the public. Time and time again FBSP have shown themselves to be in favor of construction at the Springs… They pretend to be friends but they are not. They act secretive, arrogant, unfriendly, and uncooperative. And they are part of the problem of mis-management of the pool and it resources that others have spoken of. FBSP cannot offer any real sound solutions for one simple reason; they are a Main part of the Problem with regard to proper thinking, action and responsibility of Pool projects and resources.

I stand firmly against the type of mind game manipulations FBSP seem to engage in as a matter of course. Having said that, and all else. I do think they have some decent ideas in the mix, and would really prefer for ALL of us to work together. But FBSP does not trust the public… SO they want to act as the voice of the public. They want what they want often in blatant disregard for the majority voice of the public. Perhaps if the Leadership of FBSP ever matures we could all engage in a real dialogue about what it really means to Steward the Springs and return her to her “Rightful Glory”

As a voice in favor of the Natural environment…

Peace,

Brian

__._,_.___

While sitting and pondering the situation, it occurs to me:

Many of the environmental folks are cynical of the staffs’ ability to be complete with information.

The many “slush funds” available to PARD are not addressed.

No one has stepped forward to take responsibility for this “rumor”.

The posted info is not an amateur presentation and was newly created.

Who drafted the image?

Why are there new drawings posted from Gary G. different from just a few days ago?

Who made the changes and why?

Hawkeye is planning to do the engineering and construction himself as per his drawings.

Hawkeye has a compromised record from his previous installations in Austin.

Must I go on?

The point is that this behavior by staff is not new, and has already compromised trust, wasted time and constitutes mismanagement of public monies. If there is a better way to make some changes it is time for it to show itself. I am attaching a copy of a presentation I made last year with hopes all of this might avert the impending explosion and assist in developing the criteria we should be using to move forward with.

Also, a presentation of the posted info on the public bulletin board at the pool.

Don’t miss the meeting tonight, it will expose even more information that staff has available now but wants to hold until later.

Karen if you are listening please post this to http://BartonspringsPublicProcess.com

Thanks for listening

p

Peter Steinhardt

peter@steinhardt.us

Unfortunately, the info shown from the FBSP pool bulletin board is not correct, and will be fixed as soon as possible. To my knowledge, FBSP has NOT advocated to the Bond citizens task force to add the south bathhouse, so please don’t let false rumors about a new southside bathhouse derail this opportunity to obtain funding to renovate the existing historic bathhouse. To dismiss the opportunity to support the pool as mere “fluff” seems to do more harm than good for the pool, so please support the renovation of the existing bathhouse.