CITY CORNER by Mayor Brent Hinckley

      With the past few days of sunshine and dry weather there are some issues that are beginning to get back to some semblance of normal.  Of course there are fences and water gaps that need attention and many miles of County roads that will be under construction for the coming months.  Here in town we are trying to deal with the few problems we have found and get back to our regular chores.  The Street crew is working hard to keep up with repairs to the street shoulders and fill in the many extra potholes, and that will also require several weeks to begin to catch up.   The Water and Waste Water crew is working to keep the systems running right and keeping up with the few leaks that have shown up in the past few weeks.  Right now the Electric crew is working on the Christmas lights around the Square and at Heritage Park to be ready for the Light Up Our Town, which will be here in just a few weeks.  The biggest issue is that as we are working hard to keep up with this fall’s challenges we sometimes can not get to every problem that our residents bring to our attention, so please be patient as we work to keep up and meet everyone’s expectations.

      The other big issue on everyone’s mind this week is the mid-term elections that will be over in less than a week.  I voted early and encourage everyone to consider that option.  Although there might be a short line, it is always easier and you have until Friday, November 2 at 4:00 pm to get to the Courthouse and cast your votes.  I have not been concerned with sharing my opinions and thoughts on this election with anyone (just take a look at my property on the northwest corner of the square and the complete variety of political signs!!) but I do strongly recommended that everyone make up your own mind and cast your vote as you see best.  However, the one thing that I would like to share and point out is that on November 7 we need to take down the political signs and make an effort to work together to make our community, our state, and our nation a better place to live and work.  Whether your neighbor had a political sign that you agreed with or not, by the end of next week we need to set aside our differences and remember that we are truly neighbors and friends, and together we are a community that works together for the benefit of all.  I have no real reason to worry about our town of Mason, but I just hope that the many Americans of every region and belief will also set aside their differences and embrace the Golden Rule and remember the blessings and joys we share together.

     One other note, Monica and I will be leaving this week for a much needed quiet retreat away from Mason.  We always enjoy and benefit from a couple of weeks of walks in the woods, reading, napping and generally not worrying about the variety of issues here at home.  I will not be sending in a column for the next couple of weeks, but I do want to mention that the City Commission will be meeting for our regular monthly meeting as soon as I return on Monday, November 19.  That will probably be a relatively short meeting, but if you want to keep up with the issues and decisions your local government deals with, put it on your calendar and be there.   Working together we are progressing towards making this the best hometown in Texas, and your involvement and suggestions are always appreciated.   One of the greatest benefit of being away from Mason for a couple of weeks is that every time when I return I am strongly reminded of why I choose to make this my hometown and how very blessed we are all here in the heart of rural Texas.