10/10/2026
WHY I CHOSE TO SERVE BUFFALO SPRINGS LAKE ❤️
Twenty-two years ago, Shelby and I bought a home at Buffalo Springs Lake. It was a very old, two-bedroom home, and financially, it was a struggle. But we were so thankful to have a place to raise our boys. What we may not have had in money, we made up for in memories, love, and gratitude.
Buffalo Springs Lake has always been my happy place. It is more than a lake to me. It is home. It is where families gather, children grow up, friendships are made, and memories last a lifetime.
A few years ago, I began to see Buffalo Springs Lake shifting in a direction that concerned me. Maintenance was being neglected, the property was rundown, and residents and guests were not always being treated the way they deserved, whether at the gate or down in the canyon.
I felt a burden on my heart to do something.
In 2024, I believed the Lord was calling me to run for a position on the board. I missed the deadline to turn in my application packet and honestly thought, “Oh well, Lord, I tried.”
But God wasn’t finished.
Three months later, a director resigned, and I could not shake the feeling that I needed to submit my resume. I had no idea what was ahead of me. After being sworn in, I hit the ground running, determined to learn everything I could about LCWCID #1.
Looking back, I know this opportunity was never something I could have planned. I believe I was placed here for a reason, and I take that responsibility seriously.
I am proud of the work we have accomplished, and I know there is still work to do.
Our campgrounds have been a major focus. We have worked on new electrical infrastructure, campground pads that are still a work in progress, tree trimming, shoreline improvements, and removing cattails that had kept guests from enjoying access to the water.
We have paved roads that were in terrible condition. I have advocated for residents when their private gate access was removed, and when resident passes were in danger of being eliminated, I worked to find a solution.
I also placed an ordinance on the agenda that I believed needed to be reconsidered: the restriction against being on the beaches after sunset.
Some of the most beautiful memories are made after the sun goes down. Imagine lying on the beach, listening to music, hearing the laughter of family and friends, and looking up at a sky full of stars. Those are the moments people remember for a lifetime. I believe we should look for reasonable, responsible ways to preserve those experiences while protecting the lake and the people who enjoy it.
I have listened to complaints, asked questions, and worked toward solutions that are fair and make sense for this district. I will never claim that every decision is easy or that everyone will agree with me. But I believe every concern deserves to be heard, and every decision deserves thoughtful consideration.
Because I serve this district. Not myself. Not a select few. This district.
One issue that weighs heavily on my heart is the gate fee.
I understand what it costs to operate Buffalo Springs Lake. Maintaining the grounds, campgrounds, roads, facilities, and infrastructure is expensive. I see those numbers, and I understand the financial responsibility that comes with running this district.
But I also know families are struggling.
As a board, when we discussed the gate fee, we wanted families to continue coming here and enjoying the lake. When we landed on $20 for an adult, with two children admitted free, affordability was part of that conversation.
We are not a state park. We are a special place that belongs to the memories of so many families in Lubbock County.
Some of my greatest joy comes from seeing families camping, boating, fishing, tossing a baseball, or gathering around at “dinner time” after a long, beautiful day in the sun.
That is what Buffalo Springs Lake means to me. I want families to be able to experience it, create memories here, and pass that love of the lake down to their children and grandchildren.
I am also blessed to own Cast Iron Grill in Lubbock, a business I have been part of for 19 years. Through all the changes in my business, two principles have never changed: absolutely no mediocrity and absolute accountability.
Those same principles guide me in serving LCWCID #1.
I have made decisions that were unpopular, but necessary. I have faced difficult conversations and decisions that were not easy. But leadership is not about making everyone happy. It is about doing the work, accepting responsibility, and making decisions you believe are right for the Water District.
Yesterday, I had coffee with an old friend. His daughter was my best friend, and we lost her when we were teenagers. He has a beautiful South African accent, and in his kind voice, he looked straight into my eyes and said:
“Teresa, always do the right thing, NO MATTER HOW HARD IT IS.”
Those words stayed with me.
I cannot promise you what a board of five directors will decide. No one person controls every outcome. But I can promise you this: I will always strive to do the right thing for LCWCID #1, even when it is difficult, even when it is unpopular, and even when it comes at a personal cost.
I believe Buffalo Springs Lake is a beautiful gift to Lubbock County. I believe it is worth protecting, improving, and investing in. I believe residents deserve to be heard, families deserve a place to make memories, and every dollar entrusted to this district deserves accountability.
There is still unfinished work. There are improvements yet to be made, challenges to face, and opportunities ahead.
I would be honored to earn your vote so I can continue the work I started.
Thank you for allowing me to serve a place that has meant so much to my family and me for the past 22 years.
With faith, a heart for service, and a commitment to doing what is right, I ask for your vote for LCWCID #1, Precinct 4.
❤️ Buffalo Springs Lake is home. And home is worth fighting for.
~Teresa
Pol.Adv. Paid for by Teresa Stephens
