Tarrant Regional Water District management practices under scrutiny




Tarrant Regional Water District's money management is being investigated, according to State Rep. Lance Gooden, whose district includes Cedar Creek Lake.

Gooden told the Cedar Creek Area Chamber of Commerce during a Nov. 13 speech he testified before a Henderson County grand jury in September about his concerns that TRWD has "mismanaged funds for many years."

Gooden said he filed multiple open records requests for information, but TRWD's attorneys "stonewalled" him. "It really leads me to believe they are trying to hide something," he said. "We can't seem to get any answers."

Gooden said he took his concerns to Henderson County District Attorney R. Scott McKee. "It is my belief if he looks hard enough he will find some pretty interesting things."

Gooden said his concerns include allegations that TRWD provides massage therapists for all employees, owns a lake house on Cedar Creek Lake for the use of top managers and members of the board of directors, maintains deer leases for managment's use and gives water to fracking operations.

McKee said in a telephone interview that "ethical and legal obligations" prevent him from commenting on Gooden's remarks, but he provided a written statement.

"Any citizen has a statutory right in Texas to appear before a grand jury," McKee said in the statement.  "Furthermore, grand juries have broad power to subpoena witnesses and documents and to conduct investigations. Secrecy is a hallmark of the grand jury and its proceedings for a number of reasons.  One of those reasons is to protect the integrity of an investigation.  Another is to protect the reputation of an individual who might ultimately be cleared by a grand jury investigation.

"I along with any witness that testifies before a grand jury is under a legal obligation to not divulge any testimony, questions or things that they have observed before a grand jury.  I take this obligation seriously and therefore can never divulge things that occur before them without a court order.  Based on this legal and ethical obligation, I simply cannot comment on any matter or subject regarding the grand jury."

TRWD's media spokesman Chad Lorance requested that an email be sent to him outlining Gooden's allegations before he issues a statement. TRWD owns Cedar Creek Lake, and it was built as a water reservoir for Tarrant County in the mid-1960s.

Lorance's response is still pending.

Gooden said he is concerned that TRWD is pumping water out of Cedar Creek Lake to sell in order to divert money to a "slush fund."

"The ultimate goal is to have honest people running the organization," Gooden said. "Perhaps, they don't really need all the water they are taking out."

Gooden said it also concerns him that there are no local people on the TRWD board of directors.




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Cedar Creek Lake

Fishing Report from TPWD (Mar. 26)

FAIR. stained; 61 degrees; 0.16 feet below pool. Hybrid and white bass are returning to the main lake after their annual spawning run into the creeks. These fish are now congregating on wind-blown points throughout the lake and on shallower flats near drop-offs and ledges. The shad spawn will begin in the coming weeks, which will trigger early morning schooling action along shallow points and seawalls, attracting birds to the area. To target these fish, use 1/2 ounce to 1-1/2 ounce slabs and spinnerbaits. Work the baits close to the bottom, as this will entice strikes. Thumping the bottom of the boat will also help group fish underneath as you fish these spots. The crappie bite is strong around docks, bridges, and in creeks, with minnows or jigs proving to be effective. Catfish are biting well in shallow flats at the mouths of major creeks and along adjacent points and shorelines in 2-6 feet of water. For deeper water, try anchoring or drifting with fresh shad on main lake flats in 12-24 feet. This catfish bite should remain productive for another month. Report by Brent Herbeck, Herbeck’s Lonestar Fishing Guide Service. Catfish are shallow around creek mouths drifting in 12-24 feet of water with cut shad or rough fish. Report by Jason Barber, Kings Creek Adventures.

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