One reason people such as Layla Caraway get so agitated about the Trinity River Vision project is because of its use of flood control money for what amounts to a private development plan with seemingly little focus on flood control.
Most of Caraway’s backyard at her former house in Haltom City has crumbled away and floated down Big Fossil Creek because of floodwaters, and her house was in danger of going with it until a retaining wall was built. Big Fossil Creek is a Trinity River tributary.
Caraway knows a washed-away backyard is small potatoes when compared to the death of Ally Collins, who drowned on June 18, 2007 during a flood that took out a trailer park (“Deep Waters,” Aug. 22, 2007). Caraway was the driving force behind Haltom City’s decision to install a plaque yesterday that memorializes Collins at Whites Branch Park, not far from where she drowned.
Caraway thanked city officials for installing the plaque. Meanwhile, she and other activists will continue to call for more flood control efforts.
“While the plaque won’t bring her back, it’s a reminder of why I continue to do this,” Caraway said.
