April 2024 News
from the
Grogan's Mill Village Association
Scholarship Winners Announced
The Grogan’s Mill Village Association awarded a total of $25,000 in scholarships to the following Grogan’s Mill residents.
Julianna Griffith, College Park High School
Claire Jones, College Park High School
Ana Berlioz Moreno, Univ. of Texas - Masters Program
Ashton Wendell, College Park High School
Sara Jane Rothe, Southwestern University
Carter Best, College Park High School
Cabelo Camiro, Texas A&M University
Sofia Valdes-Villarreal Banales, College Park High School
Bianca Pethe, College Park High School
Cole Funston, Houston Christian University
Catherine Cassidy, College Park High School
Charles Ross, College Park High School
Attessa Cohen, College Park High School
Tiffany Enriquez, WGU - Masters Program
Megan Wilkins, College Park High School
Karys Bryant, College Park High School
Edmund Bayot, Lone Star College
James Dickerson III, College Park High School
Ameera Khichi, College Park High School
Scholarships are awarded based on the criteria of financial need, academic excellence, community service and recommendations from counselors, teachers or employers. Congratulations to all of them for the outstanding performance. The Grogan’s Mill Village Association awards scholarships annually, funded by the profits from The Woodlands Farmers Market. The Woodlands Farmers Market is open every Saturday at the Grogan’s Mill Village Center.
MUD Elections
MUD elections are being held May 4 (early voting April 22 - April 30).
We encourage all Grogan's Mill Village residents to vote. Residents can use this interactive map to confirm their MUD: MUD Map - Woodlands Water
Election Day voting for Grogan's Mill residents will take place at Lamar Elementary. Early voting locations can be viewed at Montgomery County, Texas - Elections (mctx.org).
Several past and present GMVA Directors are running for MUD in the upcoming election:
Patricia Goodpastor (MUD 6) is the former President of the GMVA and has served on the GMVA for 27 years and co-founded The Woodlands Farmers Market.Deborah Sergeant (MUD 6) is the former President of the GMVA and served on the GMVA for 5 years. Deborah is currently the President of MUD 6.Vince Fredrick (MUD 36) is currently Vice President of the GMVA and President of the Grogan's Mill RDRC. Vince has served on the GMVA since 2021.Pamela Fontenot (MUD 36) previously served as a Director on the GMVA for four years.
2024 Sample Ballot (MUD 01).pdf - Google Drive
2024 Sample Ballot (MUD 6).pdf - Google Drive
2024 Sample Ballot (MUD 36).pdf - Google Drive
2024 Sample Ballot (MUD 60).pdf - Google Drive
MUD Updates
Ahead of the upcoming MUD elections, the GMVA's April meeting included special presentations from MUD 36 Director Peter Perez and MUD 6 Director and Woodlands Water Trustee Dr. Neil Gaynor. GMVA Directors and residents were provided with information on the upcoming election and encouraged to vote in what should be a pivotal MUD election for The Woodlands residents. Dr. Gaynor provided additional information on comparisons of monthly water bills and property tax rates, the tax rate history of MUD 6 and a summary of the engineering assessment of the present condition of Wastewater Treatment Facility No.1, which services Grogan's Mill and much of the eastern area of The Woodlands. Dr. Gaynor's presentation can be viewed here.
We followed up with Dr. Gaynor for a Q&A following the meeting:
Q: It sounds like this is a pretty important MUD election - why do you think voters should be paying attention?
This is a critical election that has the ability to impact the future of water and sewer service in The Woodlands. With so many complex decisions to be made in the near future, it is important for residents to familiarize themselves with the candidates' positions and their understanding of the current issues before casting a vote. Particularly in an off-cycle election, every vote will matter.
Q: The cost of the infrastructure renewal is pretty significant - did we know this was coming?
Yes. With The Woodlands having its 50th anniversary, much of the original infrastructure is also 50 years old and nearing the end of its expected service life. There has been extensive discussion and planning for years to evaluate the best possible approach to the infrastructure renewal.
Q: There have been some discussions that this infrastructure renewal may be avoided or delayed - is that possible?
Discussions about the best approach and timing for infrastructure renewal are ongoing, but there are many aspects that need to be considered. We face the risk of service disruption if we delay these projects until key parts of our water and wastewater systems fail. Additionally, delays or some of the alternative solutions may actually lead to greater long-term cost. We also have some components in our system that are not fully compliant with TCEQ regulations and which need to be addressed now.
62% of the unit processes at Wastewater Treatment Facility No. 1 are either: already off-line, are nearing the end of their estimated remaining useful life, do not meet permitted capacity, have performance limitations, or are non-compliant with current code. Asbestos cement water mains that are in the older areas of The Woodlands are scheduled for condition assessment and prioritized for replacement where indicated by engineering analysis.
Q: What should residents know about how this cost could impact them?
Current construction costs remain estimates only, and there is ongoing discussion regarding the funding options for the proposed projects. MUD Directors need to consider those options carefully, while being mindful of the best interests of residents and businesses. While infrastructure renewal does come with a cost, most funding options on the table would still leave The Woodlands MUDs in a favorable position compared to other MUDs in Montgomery County.
Q: Anything else that you feel residents should know about our water system?
There are 10 MUDs in The Woodlands. Each of them works very closely with our central management agency, Woodlands Water, as well as the San Jacinto River Authority to ensure the excellent level of service to which our residents have become accustomed. Maintaining that level of service moving forward is something that all residents should consider when casting their vote.
Earth Day Greenup
On Saturday, March 23, 2024, about 20 people from Grogan's Mill participated in the Earth Day Greenup. We met at Sawmill Park and then fanned out across Grogan's Mill Village to clean up trash.
April Yard of the Month Winner
Meet Mr. and Mrs. Haynes they are the April winners for Grogan's Mill Village Association Yard of the Month.
Scott and Gail Haynes have lived in the Woodlands in three different houses for 36 years and all have been in Grogans Mill! Scott worked in Grogans Mill for 27 years and Gail worked for CISD for 9 years.
"We would not have wanted to live anywhere else but Grogans Mill. The location of the Village cannot be beat and the Grogans Mill Farmer’s Market is icing on the cake!!! It’s hard to believe we have been honored as Yard of the Month!!"
Guidelines for GMVA Yard of the Month
1.) Preference: owner does some of the yard work him or herself (exceptions made).
2.) Property should be well kept (the area visible from the street).
3.) Obtain homeowners name, phone number and email address.
4.) Email your nomination to bellacruzsoldit@gmail.com by the 26th of the previous month. For example, for May nominations submit by April 25th.
5.) Winner will be awarded a $50.00 gift certificate to The Woodlands Farmers Market at Grogan's Mill. Winner will provide a brief bio and picture for the monthly newsletter.
6.) YOTM will run April - Oct
Proclamation for Bruce Cunningham
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors posthumously recognized Bruce E. Cunningham with a proclamation in recognition of his many contributions to the community. Mr. Cunningham resided in The Woodlands for more than 35 years where he served in numerous volunteer roles including as President of Grogan’s Mill Village Association for eight years and as a Representative of Grogan’s Mill for 24 years. He also volunteered with the Township’s Parks and Recreation Council, Woodlands Watch, Bike The Woodlands and more. Most notably, Mr. Cunningham co-founded both The Grogan’s Mill Farmers’ Market and Aging in Place – The Woodlands.
“I had the privilege of working with Mr. Cunningham for many years,” said Chairman Dr. Ann K. Snyder. “He was one of the most giving and honorable men that I have ever had the opportunity to work alongside.”
Director Brad Bailey echoed Dr. Snyder’s praise. “Bruce taught us so much about the Township; he educated us daily,” he said. “The Farmer’s Market lives in his legacy because he was such a staunch advocate for it, and we cherish it to this day.”
READ THE PROCLAMATION
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors is pictured with Bruce Cunningham’s family and members of the Grogan’s Mill Village Association. The Board recognized Mr. Cunningham’s many contributions to The Woodlands with a proclamation in his memory.
The Woodlands Farmers Market
Shopping at The Woodlands Farmer's Market is a great way to support local businesses and your community. Proceeds from the market fund scholarships for local students, support local schools and support the local food bank.
The market is open every Saturday from 9am to 1pm. Come on out and join your neighbors at the market! It is a great place to sample local products and find unique gifts for the special people in your life.
The market will be open on April 27, despite the Ironman Race happening the same day.
The market will be closed on May 4, due to the Insperity Golf Tournament.
The market will be open again on May 13 for regular hours.
And check out the businesses in the Grogan's Mill Shopping Center. The UPS Store can help you with all your shipping needs without standing in a long line.
Vendors are listed every Friday in the weekly TWFM newsletter so you can plan your Saturday shopping. If you are not a subscriber, you can sign up here.