Talks Move Forward in My Mountain Deal

Talks are moving forward in the My Mountain Phase II water situation, Fannin County Attorney Lynn Doss told FYN today. At a fiery water authority meeting last week, Attorney Doss and Gary Schraut’s attorney, Herman Clark agreed to meet with the Phase II Home Owners Association (HOA) to resolve their differences and to try to find a way to bring county water to the My Mountain Phase II Community. Phase II residents feel that Schraut’s lawsuit against the Quintrells, the My Mountain developer, is holding up the county bringing water to their community. Schraut, though, has said he is willing to work with the county.

On March 29th, Attorneys Doss, Clark, Mary Beth Priest, and Mr. Schraut met with representatives of the My Mountain Phase II HOA to try to resolve their respective differences. Michelle Vaughn, attorney for the HOA, was not present, but was aware her clients were there and consented to the meeting, Doss noted in an email this week. In a conversation with FYN today, Doss said the meeting was positive and that negotiations were making great progress. She emphasized much was accomplished and a plan to resolve the pending issue is in the works. Doss said she is in the process of drafting the appropriate document. After the document is drafted, it will be reviewed by all parties and potentially agreed upon and signed.

For his part, Mr. Schraut also seemed optimistic about the meeting.

“(They) made extraordinary progress with very open and honest discussions,”

he wrote in an email to FYN today, adding, though, that these were advancements that should have been made seven months ago. Schraut also wrote in his email that Water Authority Chairman Mike Queen was invited to the 29th meeting, but did not show up.

“Progress has been made but I think we still have some discussion and work to do by the attorneys,”

he wrote.

In her email, Doss confirmed the water authority’s commitment in finding a way to bring water to My Mountain Phase II remains strong, while

“the concerns of Mr. Schraut and the officers of the HOA appear to be addressable.”

At this point, she said she is not able to give details of the plan, but feels confident the outcome will be positive.

“Nothing will happen (good or bad) without the same being made totally public via the Authority,”

she concluded.

FYN will report on the new arrangement as details become available.