I have not written a column in the past few weeks since I was out of town for a couple of weeks, and also there have been few problems or issues to talk about.  Some people are wary when I comment that things are always going good in the city, but the fact is that everything seems to be very good around Mason lately.  The new water tower is up and has made its mark on the horizon to the west of town, and now it is being painted and readied for inclusion in the water system.  The workers are using a "roller" type of paint application so there is no problem with unintended paint overspray, and the final details are being worked out to provide for added safety for our water system workers.  Also, the first portion of the water loop system that will provide a 10" water main around the entire town when it is complete is now out for bid and should be underway during the early part of next year.  

     Another added benefit to the citizens of Mason is the new Richard P Eckert Civic Center which was dedicated at our Commission meeting last week.  It provides a substantial meeting room that should accommodate 150 to 200 people for meetings or dinners, as well as two smaller rooms for committee meetings or smaller groups.  Already there have been conflicts with booking it for various events this holiday season, so if you have a group that needs a meeting place, and the other facilities around town do not meet your needs, you might want to call the city office and check out its availability.  The City Commission will be meeting there regularly in the future, and if you get a chance to visit, I think you will be impressed with what this Civic Center will add to our community.  In addition, there is over six acres of park land available that will be planned out and available in the near future for games and outside activities.  I am very excited about the addition of this facility to the Mason community and look forward to the many ways it will be used in the future to enhance our hometown.

     One other issue that has raised a few questions; the City Commission at its regular meeting last week passed an updated ordinance setting out rules and procedures for our garbage pickup.  This had not been addressed since 1978, and I would expect that 98% of the citizens will not be effected in any way; but, the ordinance clarifies what is expected in garbage pickup, such as setting your garbage by the curb (if you are unable to, let the city office know and arrangements can be made), we can not accept brush, limbs, leaves, hazardous materials or any construction debris for pickup by the garbage truck, and we are requesting you limit the quantity of  trash to eight 35 gallon trash bags per scheduled pickup.  We are also requiring our customers to put their garbage in a bag (plastic, feed sack, or some other bag) to ease the collection and reduce wind-blown trash; however you can still put your trash bags in cans or enclosures so that animals can not get into them and make a mess.  If you have any questions about garbage collection or about this ordinance in particular, please call the city office at 347-6449 and let us help you understand, so that we can continue to keep Mason clean and beautiful. 

     And finally let me wish each of you a very special Thanksgiving and a joyful holiday season.  At this time of year we all appreciate the opportunity to take a few extra minutes to count our many blessings, and I must say that living and working in this wonderful community is one of my greatest blessings.  I thank you for working with me to make Mason the best hometown in Texas, and I look forward to the ways we will continue to build and improve our community for the benefit of everyone.  Have a very blessed Thanksgiving.