A Message from Executive Director, Susan J. Kibbe

Dear Members,

Hurricane Hannah turned out to be a bit of a zinger for many landowners in deep South Texas. The Rio Grande Valley was taken by surprise as the hurricane ended up taking a more southerly track, hitting an area that is battling heavily with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some got good rains out of it and we in South Texas know that we have to take it as it comes!

Last month, I reported on the pipeline case, Hlavinka v. HSC Pipeline and the First District Court of Appeals ruling, but I wanted to emphasize the part that STPRA’s legal team honed in on that was not being addressed in the other amicus briefs in support of the landowners. The trial court’s verdict was overridden partly based of our team’s contention that landowners should be allowed to enter comparable negotiated settlements into evidence. STPRA Director Eric Opiela drafted a summary of the case and the part STPRA played in the ruling of the case. Click here to read it.

As we draw nearer to our October 15th sixteenth annual meeting and fundraiser, and as the COVID-19 pandemic has expanded to the lower South Texas region, we’ve had to continue to make changes to our annual event planning. We are in the process of making the final decision and will let all of you know very soon if the board decides whether to continue with the hybrid meeting plan (some members choosing to attend in person, while others choose to attend via computer, tablet or cell phone) or go entirely virtual. If we do go virtual, you will get to experience the event in a whole new way. With the amazing technology and knowledgeable people who know how to run it, we are confident that we can make it an experience that you will enjoy, even if it is in the comfort of your own home!

I’d like to showcase one of our live auction donations. This little guy  was born July 30 and comes from Deryl McKinnerney’s kennel at 4R Ranch. This adorable puppy is from some of the best working English Cocker stock in the nation. Those interested in this fellow will have to know and appreciate the breed and what they have to offer. He will not go to anyone that plans to put him in a kennel. He will be a family dog and a hunting companion to the right someone.

Know that we are here for you and are working to continue to make a difference in the lives of South Texas landowners.

Stay safe and the best to all!

Until next month,

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Susan J. Kibbe
Office (361) 348-3020
Susan@STPRA.org

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