Executive Director’s Message By Ches Blevins: Be Proud and Speak Out

Be Proud and Speak Out

Far too long have our Members, our Industries, sat back and “assumed” all would work out. We were busy and profitable. We were responsible and provided necessary goods and services. We were great employers and well respected in our communities. So, what happened?

As some decided they were “Green” and, by their definition, WE were not, we let it ride as we were confident that those that knew us, those that regulated us, saw us as an asset, responsible, and would not be conned. Slowly, over time, our support lessened. Our industries, Owner/Operators and Support Members, were slow to respond and educate as we should have. Our TMRA Education/Teacher Workshops is one area where we have done it right and didn’t wait too long but that, sadly, has not been enough. Our more recent Social Media campaign is outstanding and can be a tool to educate and persuade, but we have been slow to fully embrace. Both of these efforts are a great help, for sure, but we should have also been more proactive, earlier, with the State and Federal agencies overseeing and regulating our activities and legislatively, both State and Federal. Our “investment” in those efforts, time, commitment and resources, lagged behind the commitment by those not understanding, or refusing to understand, our positive value and natural resource stewardship.

While late, it is not too late to be engaged. Look at our TMRA website, our videos and other information. Absolutely check out and Like/Follow TMRA on Social Media. To assist our industries, our TMRA message on social media and in our eNewsletter, provide us real world stories on your companies and the value you bring to Texas, to your communities, your families. We should be yelling, WITH FACTS, so that all can hear and at least begin to understand that we are responsible, caring AND important to jobs, tax base, schools, hospitals and protection/enhancement of the environment.

Sponsor and be a part of our TMRA Sine Die Event on May 27th at The Long Center, Austin, TX. Participate in our Quarterly Meetings, the next Env/Safety/Lignite Committee Meetings being on June 5th at the Hilton Garden Inn in Round Rock, Tx. Finally, don’t miss our TMRA Annual Meeting this October 20th-22nd at the Historic(and Haunted) Hotel Galvez in Galveston, TX.

BE PROUD and SPEAK OUT!

Ches Blevins
TMRA Executive Director