May/June Issue 1998

President's Corner

Alan J. Bojorquez

I will soon have the pleasure of representing CenTex at the ASPA National Conference in Seattle. In addition to attending sessions and performing such ceremonial functions as accepting the Best Chapter Newsletter Award on behalf of our editor, Bobby Seiferman, I will also be presenting a paper. At its core, the paper is about innovative and dedicated public servants and the type of professionalism that ASPA promotes.

The paper tells of the government's response to a disaster that occurred on the coast during the winter of 1996-1997. While coastal erosion is common in Texas, the damage caused by Tropical Storm Josephine forced state and local governments to come together and perform uncommon tasks. Prior to this event, the state had never undertaken an emergency response to coastal erosion. Nonetheless, eight state agencies and one county quickly joined forces. With no predetermined operational plan, and no specifically appropriated funds, these agencies went about the tasks of clearing thousands of tons of debris from the beach and constructing two miles of artificial dunes.

Looking back, I regret the fact that at the time of my involvement in the project, I had not yet become active in the CenTex chapter. Almost every agency that I worked with on this project is represented among our chapter's membership. How helpful it would have been to call upon a fellow ASPA member for assistance during the crisis.

The day-to-day value of our incredible CenTex network should continually motivate each of us to stay involved in chapter activities. Regardless of whether they stem from attending our luncheons or rolling up your sleeves for our Adopt-A-Highway program, the contacts you make while interacting with professionals from other agencies are certain to come in handy someday. I keep my CenTex membership list in my top desk drawer.