In Tuesday’s meeting at the Brown County Water Improvement District, the Board of Directors voted to add Robert Porter to the Board.  Porter will take the seat vacated by Bert V. Massey II, who passed away recently.  Porter is a former owner of Porter Insurance, and is still an associate with the agency.

After the meeting Porter explained his interest in the Water District:  “As a part of economic development, water is an essential component.  If we don’t have water, reliable water, quality water, we have no business, no industry, no growth in our community.  So it’s an essential part.  I have always been interested in it because we had city leaders in 1919 that first thought about Lake Brownwood and got it built about 1930 or -31.  They were very foresighted.  I came back to Brownwood in 1975 and the mentors of mine were Groner Pitts, Stuart Coleman, Putter Jarvis, and many others.  Stuart Coleman was a long-time advocate.  He served on the State Water Board and on the Brown County Water Board.  I always admired and worked with Stuart Coleman along with Bert Massey as our Mayor for twenty-six years before he retired.  So I just understand the importance of water.  If you don’t have it, you don’t grow.”

Massey’s passing left vacant the office of President of the Board of Directors of the Water District.  Current Vice-President James McMillian was elected President.  Board Member Johnny Hays was then elected Vice-President of the Board.

District General Manager John Allen reported that Lake Brownwood is full at 1,425-feet.  One year ago the lake was at 60.8% of capacity.  The statewide average capacity of Texas lakes is currently 72.0%.