Never in our wildest dreams did we think we'd be recognizing an environmental activist and a business booster in the same breath. In this rare instance, Save Our Springs Alliance prez Rather and former Greater Austin Chamber chair Gary Valdez deserve credit for staving off bloodshed during several weeks of excruciating (and at times virulent) mediation sessions between key players in the environmental and development communities. In the end, a truce of historic proportions was reached between three longtime warring factions: SOS, the chamber, and the Real Estate Council of Austin. The trio has vowed (and signed on the dotted line) to work toward land acquisition and conservation over the precious Edwards Aquifer.
