Caldwell County should have kept Happy Valley aquifer

August 9, 2011

I have publicly supported the fiscal policies of the current Caldwell County Board of Commissioners, compared to those of the previous board (prior to 2009). But Monday, August 1, was a dark day for Caldwell County as current commissioners voted to sell—or practically give away—396 acres in Happy Valley sitting atop a 1.2-million-gallons-per-day proven aquifer of pristine drinking water.

Thanks to these commissioners, not only will the county not have use of the aquifer, if it’s ever needed, but over $1 million in taxpayers’ money previously spent on the Happy Valley site is now, officially, wasted.