A homeowner's perspective of Cherokee's challenges

Ultimately it is the property owners in communities like Cimarron Hills, Claremont Ranch, the Ranch at Whispering Springs, Pronghorn Meadows and others who will decide the Cherokee Metropolitan District's future.

Mary Hernandez, a resident of Cimarron Hills since 1977, like many of her neighbors, was upset during July 2006 when a week-long watering ban was announced by CMD officials.

As a result, she attended regular meetings of the CMD ground water committee to complain. But Hernandez found General Manager Kip Petersen to be "hard working and dedicated to finding more water." And she also liked what she was learning about the value of deep watering twice a week, rather than frequent shallow, evaporating lawn watering.

"My lawn was green all summer watering just twice a week," Hernandez said. "It's gotten stronger, more drought resistant. What happened to us could happen anywhere. Look at Atlanta and the drought they're having. It's all a matter of education."

She also thinks that Cherokee and Petersen have "gotten a bum rap" from local media.

"I love living in this community, and my property values aren't going down," Hernandez said. "Sure, the real estate market is off right now, but we're doing all the right things. The rest of the city should follow our example -- you never know when we'll have another dry year."

Copyright 2007 Dolan Media Newswires
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