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Developer meeting stirs traffic concerns, school overcrowding By LYNETTE HAALAND Expect hundreds more apartment and condo units to be built in Steiner Ranch, in addition to the near 300 already planned to start construction as early as January. These plans, which are not new, were laid out at the Nov. 9 Community Meeting on Steiner Ranch Commercial Development. Some 60 Steiner residents attended the meeting at St. Luke’s on the Lake Episcopal Church. Taylor Woodrow Communities/Steiner Ranch Ltd., Steiner’s developer, presented current plans and conceptual plans. One of the conceptual plans includes a hotel across from Quinlan Crossing, another includes a restaurant at the Steiner Ranch Boulevard and RR 620. The conceptual plans that got the most attention at Wednesday’s meeting were those adding hundreds more apartment units in Steiner. Taylor Woodrow Communities has approved development agreements involving density with the City of Austin allowing up to 1,395 total multi-family units, in addition to the existing Monterone Steiner Ranch apartments. This total includes apartments, condos, duplexes and ca-
sitas, said Tim Towell, Division President of Taylor Woodrow Communities. At this time Taylor Woodrow Communities has allocations for 541 units including the 298 apartments at 4800 Steiner Ranch Blvd., 88 detached condos being built at the Fairways on the University of Texas Golf Club course, 20 detached condos called the Views to be built across from Monterone, 20 casitas to be built at the UT Golf Club, and 29 multi family allocations to the Longhorn Canyon duplex project. Already built are the 62 Longhorn Village detached condos. Residents at Wednesday’s meeting brought up concerns with all of this new housing including increased traffic, overcrowding in Steiner schools, having only two exits out of Steiner, fire evacuation, the impact on the trail system and the safety in the community. “If it helps to know, financing makes it hard to do these types of (projects) these days,” said Walter Eeds, CEO with Greystone Development. He gave an overview of their Steiner Ranch apartment project at the meeting. Greystone plans to close in December on 52 acres at 4800 Steiner Ranch Blvd. Pending approvals, they plan to DEVELOPMENT, 7
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Local housing to be affected by Lakeway Medical Center By RICH KEITH
Top: Walter Eeds, CEO of Greystone Development, gave a presentation about their upcoming project to build 298 apartments in Steiner Ranch. They expect to close next month. Bottom: Tim Towell, Division President of Taylor Woodrow Communities Steiner Ranch Ltd., addressed questions at the Nov. 9 Community Meeting with some 60 residents in attendance.
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Lakeway Regional Medical Center - the $200 million hospital under construction at the southern edge of Lakeway - is expected to increase demand for residential real estate in Four Points. The Lakeway Regional Medical Center is scheduled to open in April 2012, on-time and onbudget, said CEO David Kreye on Nov. 9 at the Lake Travis Commercial Association of Dealmakers meeting in Lakeway. The 270,000-square-foot, seven-story hospital will employ 350 to 400 people when it opens and ultimately over 1,000. Ken Renner of Ken Renner Realty and Ross Frie of Keller Williams Commercial led a discussion at last week’s meeting on how Four Points will be affected. First they talked about how the Lakeway housing market will struggle to accommodate the influx of new Lakeway Re-
gional employees. Lakeway’s demographics show the city to have one of the highest average annual household incomes in the Austin area at $120,000. Most who live in Lakeway are homeowners and there is a limited supply of lease properties. Residential rental occupancy rates have risen sharply to 97 percent and multi-family housing is expected to be in great demand, the sources told the group. The forecast is for 1,000 new apartments to be required per year for several years into the future. The Lakeway/Bee Cave area has not built 1,000 new apartments during the last ten years, so the Four Points area may absorb some of this demand, according to the real estate professionals. Two projects planned to be built include 300 apartments in Rough Hollow, and 300 apartments across from Falconhead. A Holiday Inn Express is being built now next to Lake Travis United Methodist Church, and MEDICAL, 7
River Place votes to include homesites into HOA rules Community steps up fire prevention campaign LESLEE BASSMAN LBassman@austin.rr.com Local residents packed the River Place Country Club to approve significant changes during the River Place Homeowners’ Annual Meeting on Nov. 2. In addition to the election of new board members, the HOA is showing stronger support for its wildfire prevention campaign. It also amended HOA documents to include a controversial property owned by the River Place Golf Group which was recently rezoned SF-5. Homeowners vote to apply HOA provisions to 4207 River Place Blvd. homesites: River Place residents agreed to amend HOA documents to include any and all homes to be constructed at 4207 River Place Blvd. Originally, investors intended to construct ten high-end townhomes on the site but, according to River Place HOA Board Member Randy Lawson, the owners are revising their plan due to an increase in the original cost of the project. Lawson stated that the group is considering building four high-end single family homes on the 1.8 acre tract. With the Nov. 2 vote, any future homes on the property will have to comply with HOA regulations. Community steps up local wildfire prevention efforts: Lake Travis Fire and Rescue Chief Jim Linardos spoke to the quorum about this year’s efforts to combat the raging wildfires which have plagued the area. According to Linardos, whereas his district firefighters usually enHOA, 2
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Lake Travis Fire and Rescue Chief Jim Linardos addresses River Place residents about Ready, Set, Go!, a new program developed by the International Fire Chiefs Association to assist homeowners in creating a personal wildfire action plan.
Steiner Ranch swimmer Rebekah Harvey celebrates her formal commitment to join the Razorbacks’ swim program at the University of Arkansas next fall. Harvey, who is home-schooled, was a member of Steiner Stars’ first program in 2001. “The school [Arkansas] is incredible, the academics are amazing and the campus is beautiful,” said Harvey. “My heart just screamed, ‘Arkansas’”. Harvey currently swims with Nitro Swimming. Photo contributed by Rebekah Harvey. See more Letters of Intent on Page 2.
No more public comments on De La Torre investigation By LYNETTE HAALAND The Travis County Sheriff ’s Office will continue to investigate the death of Vandegrift freshman Amanda De La Torre but they will not make any more public statements about it. “This remains an open investigation and because all parties involved in this case are juveniles we are not going to be able to release anything else concerning this case per state law,” said Roger Wade, Public Information
Officer Travis County Sheriff ’s Office. The district attorney’s office agrees and there will be no further public statements from the Travis County office concerning this case, Wade said. No one has been charged criminally in Amanda’s death. The recently released autopsy from the Travis County Medical Examiner’s office concludes that the 15-year-old died as a result of blunt force head injury. The autopsy revealed traces of cannabinoids in Amanda’s blood, including small quantities of two substances
tested to detect marijuana usage. In June, 17-year-old Joe Richards was charged furnishing alcohol to Amanda and others during a party at his home in Steiner Ranch. Amanda was fatally injured on April 30 during the unsupervised party and she died 10 days later. The Medical Examiner officially ruled the manner of her death as “undetermined” on Oct. 24.
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CMYK Page 2 • Four Points News, Thursday, November 17, 2011
Four Points Community sows seeds of River Place Elementary School’s “Titans Garden” By LESLEE BASSMAN LBassman@austin.rr.com
Madison Tierney signed the first Letter of Intent by a Vandegrift High School student on Nov. 9 at VHS. Tierney will play softball as an outfielder for the University of North Texas in Denton next year. She is joined at the signing by mom Cynthia and sister Sarah
With a $10,000 corporate donation towards the construction of River Place Elementary’s Titans Garden and outdoor classroom, Four Points Home Depot Manager Mike Reichert could have stopped there and would have still been considered a “hero” in the community. However, Reichert recently picked up a wheelbarrow to join so many other members of the Four Points community to finish the job by hand,
including the school’s staff, students, Girl Scout troops, Boy Scout packs, Vandegrift High School’s National Honor Society, Four Points Middle School families and members of the River Place Garden Club. The two-year-old project, with its native garden, herb wheel, and “T” shaped vegetable beds, is the brainchild of River Place Elementary School parent and Certified Master Gardener Bonnie Martin who sought to use the space to teach students how food is grown and showcase culinary herbs and native plants. GARDEN, 7 Right: River Place Elementary fifthgrader Coleman Gamble is “excited about seeing seeds become herbs” as he develops the school’s garden during a recent community workday.
Leslee Bassman
Addie Oun signed a Letter of Intent to play softball at Abilene Christian University next year. She is joined by parents Leakhena Oun and John Gageby, brother Derick and grandma Sandra at the Nov. 9 signing at Vandegrift High School.
Left: Sisters Hope Gibbs (front) and Faith Durbin (back) share ground prep work at a recent Titan Gardens workday. Gibbs attends kindergarten at River Place Elementary School and Durbin is in the sixth grade at Four Points Middle School. Leslee Bassman
HOA, FROM 1 counter five to ten acres of wildfires annually, this year’s challenge has been to combat over 1,000 affected acres. “So, it’s been a real struggle for us,” said Linardos. “Steiner Ranch has been our biggest challenge for obvious reasons”. Linardos stated that the recent wildfires accounted for a loss of $10 million in property. However, according to Linardos, 300 houses were saved by firefighting actions and the fire expert advocated that each homeowner implement the International Fire Chiefs Associations’ “Ready, Set, Go!” personal wildfire action plan. The program provides a checklist approach to safeguard a home against the potential for wildfire damage as well as guidance to create a family emergency evacuation strategy. Linardos reminded residents to register their cellular telephones with Capital Area of Governments (CAPCOG) to receive reverse 9-1-1 calls warning them of danger in the case of an area emergency. Additional lifesaving information contained on fire safety websites point to specific changes homeowners can make to ensure the perimeter of their
home is the safest it can be when it comes to wildfires. See www.firewise.org and www. readysetgo.org. River Place Firewise Committee chairmen, Millard “MAC” McBurney and Gary Chapel, urged residents to undergo a Firewise inspection of their home which would provide concrete steps an owner can take to reduce the risk of wildfire damage to their home and neighborhood. McBurney instructed listeners on the definition of a Home Ignition Zone and the remedy available to River Place owners to be able to “go into 15 feet of HOA land to clear” and reduce the wildfire risk once an assessment has occurred. The Firewise Committee conducted 14 assessments between the beginning of the year and September 5, 2011. However, eight additional assessments were scheduled since the Steiner Ranch wildfires broke out. With its growing need and reputation, Chapel and McBurney have put out a call requesting up to ten additional volunteers willing to receive training in Firewise assessment. Currently, River Place’s Firewise Com-
mittee members are exploring options with city officials to provide aid for clearing land or constructing shaded fuel breaks to areas of the community which are most prone to wildfires. River Place’s Overlook section of 16 homes created its own Firewise Committee and has been pursuing activities to safeguard their area. The River Place Garden Club is working with the HOA to select drought tolerant and fire retardant plants for neighborhood landscaping plans. Smoking on the River Place Country Club golf course has been recently banned although meeting attendees questioned the measure’s enforcemen. “The beauty of River Place is that you have a less dense population and there are other ways out of here,” Linardos said. “The bottom line is ‘when it’s time to go, it’s time to go’.” River Place HOA adds three new board members: River Place residents voted to add Randy Lawson, Ivar Rachkind and Bruce Stuckman to their Homeowners Association Board of Directors.
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Firewise Committee member Gary Chapel set out maps detailing the numerous owners of the Balcones Canyonland Preserve which accounts for the complicated nature of working with numerous government and private agencies. Chapel keyed the map areas with the following representations for ownership: Green-BCP, Red-MUD, Blue-HOA, Blue-green-Country Club, Purple-Private. Photo contributed by Chapel
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FOUR POINTS NEWS www.FourPointsNews.com
HURSDAY FOUR PTOINTS NEWS
November 17, 2011 • Page 3 www.FourPointsNews.com
LISD celebrates student achievements It’s been a good week to be a member of the Leander ISD family. We’ve had a lot to celebrate recently. The last few days we have seen LISD students enhance the reputation of both the district and our schools by excelling in extracurricular activities. Most notably, last Tuesday, the Cedar Park High School Band proved itself to be the best division 4A band in Texas when it was crowned State Champion at the UIL marching competition. The Vandegrift High School band advanced to the state competition and took ninth place, as well. Our athletic programs have also fared well this season. The girls and boys cross country teams from CPHS won first place at the regional level, while the VHS girls team took second place. These
teams and several individual runners from LISD then went on to compete with other elite runners at the state cross country meet last Saturday. We congratulate the CPHS boys cross country team for finishing in second, the girls team for bringing home third and Vista Ridge High School’s Adam Waldum, running as an individual, for taking fourth place at the state meet. In other sports news, the volleyball team from CPHS advanced to the regional semifinals. Meanwhile, the Leander High School football team earned the district title and joined the football teams from CPHS and VHS in the championship playoffs. With all of these well-earned achievements in mind, you can imagine that our entire community is extremely proud of our students.
Extracurricular activities are given the opportunity to join an integral part of the total school the ranks of college and univerexperience. They require students sity programs and occasionally to maintain have a portion high academic of their tuition standards while fees waived. In teaching stufact, just last dents to comweek several of pete with class our high school and how to be athletes signed good winners letters of intent and losers. Exto play a sport BRET CHAMPION at the collegiate tracurricular activities also level. We are exhelp students develop self-con- tremely proud of these students fidence and discipline, impor- and wish them well. tant skills that benefit students In other college-readiness throughout their lifetimes. But, news, VRHS, CPHS and LHS we must also remember that ex- were recently notified that they tracurricular programs can be a received the 2011 College Readistudent’s ticket to a bright future ness Award from the Texas ACT through a full or partial college Council for increasing the numscholarship. Every year, talented ber of students taking the ACT LISD athletes and musicians are Assessment over the past five
LISD 1st - 9 weeks honor roll additions Additional names on the LISD All “A� Elementary Honor Roll for the 1st 9 weeks. This school year LISD changed its systems to compile these lists as well as the media release forms. Here are students who were not included in the Nov. 10 “A� Honor Roll
Laura Welch Bush Elementary Second Grade: Austin Bush, Eric Chan, Sarah Conner, Britney Dang, Akash Dhruva, Athena Galatis,Luke Gutierrez, Colin Guzenda, Nicholas Kort, Lara Labardini, Tiffany Lor, Caden Postiglione, Callye Self Third Grade: Ryan Anderson, Madison Barnes, Ethan Fiske, Sydney Grossfeld, Isabella James, Joshua Maysonave, Zoe Odulinski, Addison Orris, Sophie Polidoro, Shreya Ramanathan, Abigail Sanders, Tatum Sommer
Fourth Grade: Carson Beck, Brooke Conner, Summer Ely, Beza Galatis, Hannah Jackson, Sofia Kaso, Skyler Kawalek, Luca Labardini, Ashley Levy, Priscilla Li, Jonathan Lor, Anthony Monte, Ishan Neidig, Beckett Postiglione, Ishika Puri, Nithyasree Senthil, Amanda Stahl, Nolan Stahl, Sherry Wang Fifth Grade: Madeline Beck, Ezana Belete, Nicholas Chan, Casey Charland, Ella Drablos, Sarah Farrell, Camille Gutierrez, , Amanda Hartman
Grandview Hills Elementary Third Grade: Robert Clukey, Tessa Collinson, Evan Deeny, Roarke Estrin, Brianna Fleurimond, Emily Frost, Spencer Haug, Madison Horne, Dani Kennedy Fourth Grade: Duncan Alvarez,
Declan Duggan, Connor Hathaway, Matthew Kind, Sophie McMahon, Madison O’Neil, Nina Porter, Caleb Powell, Ayden Rails, Ruess Rolloff, Jorja Smitherman Fifth Grade: Brandon Becker, Paul Clukey, Zoe Evans, Reese Wilhite
River Place Elementary Third Grade: Christian Cole, Abigail Hendrie, Maya Lain, Bowen Lewis, Kaleb Lewis, Jack McCall, Samuel Tian, Sarah Tung, Mukta Valluru, Jaden Villanueva, Sophie Wills Fourth Grade: Riley Francis, Arianna Grandi, Hailey Hoffman, Isabel Mendoza, Reagan Scott Fifth Grade: Robert Almand, Cameron Brighton, Jackson Hendrie, Estelle Ho-
ang, Areeba Huda, Caitlin McCann, Megan Messer, Joshua Nelson, Kathryn Stephens, Megan Tung, Madison Williams
Steiner Ranch Elementary Third Grade: Victoria Guerrero, Maya Kothari, Kaelan Lucas-Marinelli, Simran Randhawa, Ellie Seitzler, Mary Wein Fourth Grade: Amanda Cook, Lauren Cook, Raquel Guerrero, Cooper Harris, Isabelle King, Chandraditya Kodra, Jeremy Li, Jordan Mathis, Hailee Maxfield, Matthew Mills, Matthew Rider, Gatienne Rodriguez, Hannah Schinzing, Jocelyn Schneider, Lillian Thompson Fifth Grade: Brittney Nava, Orianna Santucci, Robert Wein
years and significantly increasing their level of achievement and college readiness. We are proud of this recognition and the strides it represents in the district’s collegepreparation efforts. And speaking of college-readiness, before I close this week, I want to highlight a new webbased service we are launching that is designed especially for students and parents called Naviance Family Connection. Family Connection is a comprehensive website parents and students can use to make informed decisions about colleges and careers. Family Connection will allow students to build rÊsumÊs, manage timelines and application deadlines, research colleges and sign up for college visits. Parents will be receiving login information in the coming days, and each
high school has scheduled training days to help parents familiarize themselves with this new program. Speaking from a parent’s perspective, Family Connection is very user-friendly and will be a useful tool parents can use to help our students prepare for college. We thank the Hill Country Education Foundation for generously contributing to the procurement of the Naviance system and providing this service to all students in LISD. I invite you to check out more information about Naviance Family Connection on our district website www.leanderisd. org. Again, we congratulate our students for their recent achievements! Have a great day!
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L Thursday, November 17, 2011 @ 11:00 am River Place Country Club 4207 River Place Blvd. • Aus n, Texas Four Points Chamber of Commerce hosts Liz Elam, Founder and Curator of Link Coworking, which opened in September of 2010. Liz has quickly become a recognized leader in the national coworking scene, having been featured in the New York Times, Investors, Information Week, Austin Business Journal, Community Impact and the Austin American Statesman. Coworking is an emerging trend where members pay a membership fee like they would to a gym but instead of a treadmill, they get an open desk. Having been one of Dell’s award-winning salespeople for 15 years prior to her entrepreneurial ventures, Liz is excited to talk with us about “Why She Buys.â€?
2ND ANNUAL FOUR POINTS CHAMBER HOLIDAY PARTY Thurs. Dec. 1, 5:30 - 8pm Steiner Ranch Steakhouse $25 for Chamber Members $30 for Future Chamber Members Come CELEBRATE with your Four Points friends and neighbors at the 2nd Annual Four Points Chamber HOLIDAY PARTY. We are proud to have Steiner Ranch Steak House host the 2011 Four Points Chamber Holiday Party this year on the 2nd floor in the Angus Brangus Room. Come out and network with your friends, neighbors, business associates and/ or spouse and enjoy an evening of relaxation and fun at Steiner Ranch Steak House. Besides an incredible menu, including appetizers and one drink ticket per person included in your admission, we'll be entertaining you with games, smiles and good cheer! Join us by registering now as we do have limited space.
Visit Chamber website for details! www.FourPointsChamber.com
Luncheon Contact Information: Four Points Chamber of Commerce 512-551-0391 Fees/Admission: Member Registration : $25 Future Member Registration : $30 Early Bird Registration Discount by Monday before the luncheon of $5 Register early to take advantage of the savings.
OPINION
THURSDAY Page 4 • November 17, 2011
Publisher’s Point of View
Traffic issues on the rise in Four Points Four Points traffic is becoming a bigger and bigger topic of discussion these days. Not only do we have our traditional commuters but Vandegrift High School student drivers and construction traffic from the five different local projects have been added to the mix. More than the usual number of backups have occurred over the past several weeks as roadwork is in its final stages at the Steiner Ranch entrance near Quinlan Crossing. There Texas Department of Transportation is installing a dual left turn from westbound RR 620 to southbound Quinlan Park Road. Northbound Quinlan Park will be re-configured to have two right turn lanes and one left turn lane. Additionally at Marshal Ford Road, TxDOT will construct a new signalized 4-way intersection. Traffic was a top concern at the Steiner Ranch Developer’s Community Meeting last Wednesday. Last month it was a big part of the discussion at the Coffee Jolt community meeting put on by Sarah Eckhardt, Precinct 2 Travis County Commissioner. For months now Pam Waggoner, a Four Points community member and Leander ISD Board of Trustees Vice-President, has been hitting the traffic issues hard. She has been involved in several traffic meetings with TxDOT, community members and officials.
By VHS at RM 2222, Waggoner states it plainly: We need more roads to get out if an emergency happens. McNeil Drive is the only way in and out of the VHS and Four Points Middle School campuses. A road cannot be cut through the nature preserve surrounding the schools. The City of Austin controls the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan land which is protected by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Possibilities to overcoming the traffic hurdle may include lobbying the USFW for access, using utility land for a roadway, and trading acreage for a route of egress, Waggoner said. Neighboring 3M Corporation has denied LISD access through its campus. It sounds practically impossible to find a simple solution to lessen the traffic burdens. But Tuesday morning my walking group came up with a good idea for at least the VHS issues. VHS students and/or parents can apply for a pass to go through the 3M campus during the two peak times of day. 3M can do background checks and any other security measures they would need to let these approved drivers through their campus on Scotch Trail to get to River Place Boulevard. It certainly would be an easier solution than trading land and building new roads.
LYNETTE HAALAND
Thank you very much for taking the time to cover our community meeting on October 25 in Steiner Ranch to discuss looming massive increases in electricity rates for Four Points residents, and what can be done. I wanted to take a moment to respond to some of the statements made by Austin Energy’s spokesman, Ed Clark, in your article. I would like to point out that Austin Energy’s public statements about the proposed rate structures have been mostly confusing and often misleading. When I first started looking at this issue, Austin Energy (AE) was touting it as “only” a 12% increase for the average residential customer. I am happy that now they are acknowledging, as they did in your article, that the average customer’s rates will increase 22% or more. However, they have replaced the 12% slogan with one that says the “average residential customer will only pay $10 to $20 more per month.” I dare say that the average Four Points customer is looking at a lot more than a $20/month increase. On our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/aerateprotest, we have posted the tables that show what happens to annual electric bills for customers at various usage levels. We have also posted the links to where we got these documents on AE’s site. My estimate based on these tables is that for a 3000 sq foot house, the increase would
around $400 a year or more. And that would be subject to a promised 2% additional rate hike every year after that, for years to come. In the meantime, most of our fellow Texans in deregulated markets are seeing their rates go down, as abundant sources of new domestic natural gas come online. AE also states in the article that they do not have sufficient revenue to support their day to day operations. However, despite the claim that AE is losing money, the Austin City Council dips into AE’s revenues to the tune of $150M per year to finance the city’s service (this money is not reinvested in AE, nor is it spent in suburban communities like Four Points). To make matters worse, AE’s estimates of what revenues are required are highly suspect. During the public comment process, and the review of the proposed rates by the city Electric Utility Commission (EUC), it has been pointed out that AE’s budget has some glaring issues, e.g.: 1) AE included the costs of generating electricity, but included no revenue for the power they sell to the Texas electric grid (in 2009, such revenues were $35M), 2) They consistently overestimate the financial reserves needed, effectively overcharging today’s customers for expenses that will be incurred in later years, and, 3) AE proposes to under-utilize debt financing (relative to industry norms). Analysis by EUC Commissioner Barbara Day
www.FourPointsNews.com
FOUR POINTS OF VIEW What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
Keith Waggoner Steiner Ranch
James Gonzales II Steiner Ranch
Trevor Aldridge Four Points
Peyton Perret Westminster Glen
My favorite tradition is having Thanksgiving dinner in Houston every year.
I like to eat pumpkin pie, hang out with family and friends and have fun. I like to eat a lot of food and still be in the playoffs.
We always go to my grandma’s house in Velma, OK.
Camping with friends. We pick a different place every year.
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Editor & Publisher..........................................................................LYNETTE HAALAND Advertising Sales Representative...................................................HOLLIE KENNEY Advertising Sales Representative - Sports................................... JOHN DOPSON Circulation ...................................................................................................FRED FRANCO Reporter.................................................................................................LESLEE BASSMAN Creative Services.............................................................................JENNIFER ROBERTS
Published weekly in Four Points, Texas by Four Points News LLC. For subscription information, email inquiries to fourpointsnews.bookkeeping@gmail.com
Austin Energy rate hikes unfair for Four Points Dear Editor,
FOUR POINTS NEWS
concluded that AE’s revenue requirements were overstated by a total of approximately $100M! Elsewhere in the article, Mr. Clark claims that AE rates are among the lowest in the state. I would like to understand the basis of this claim - the only competitive analysis I have seen put forward by AE is based on 2009 rates. Since then, many Texas utilities have seen their rates go down as fuels costs have declined. And of course, a 22% rate increase all at once is certainly going to make such a claim even more unrealistic. AE’s own residential rate consultant stated in his report that under the proposed rate structure that AE would “be challenged” to remain in the 50% most competitive utilities in Texas. Mr. Clark also indicated that communities outside of Austin would receive 3% of AE revenues [collected from those areas by AE?]. Perhaps he is not aware that Four Points is not an incorporated city, and therefore the 3% doesn’t apply to us. In fact it applies to only about 15% of the 50,000 “taxed but not represented” customers, who live outside Austin and therefore do not vote for the Austin city council. The proposed rate structure raises AE residential electricity rates based on a number of dubious rationalizations, and does so in a way that disproportionately impacts customers in suburban areas like Four Points. A cynic would conclude that that has something to do with the
Letters to the Editor: Four Points News welcomes all Letters to the Editor. All letters must be signed and include phone number for verification. Deadline is Friday before publication. Four Points News reserves the right to edit letters for clarity, length and for libelous or objectionable statements. Letters containing more than 400 words will be edited for length. Four Points News • 3129 Rippling Creek Ct. Austin, Texas 78732 Email: lynette.fourpoints@gmail.com
fact that we can’t vote against the city council members who vote to adopt this plan. AE’s residential rate advisor (RRA) and EUC Commissioner Day both point out that the proposed rates overcharge all residential customers, as a group, by 20% relative to other classes of customers. Furthermore, AE has proposed a graduated rate structure which charges customers a higher rate the higher their monthly consumption. The RRA has pointed out that the proposed rate structure would likely be the most complex in the nation! This rate structure has nothing to do with what it costs AE to generate or buy the energy, it is apparently meant to punish suburbanites for living in larger homes than city dwellers. They call it “sending pricing signals.” What are owners of properly built, properly insulated suburban homes with modern efficient air conditioning units supposed to do with these “pricing signals,” bulldoze our houses and move into underground berms? AE needs to stick to providing electricity. If Austinites want to subject themselves to an explicit carbon tax or other environmental levy, that is their right, but they cannot impose it upon suburbanites who have no say in the matter. Austin Energy needs to go back to the drawing board and produce a straightforward rate proposal that is predicated on a realistic budget, treats residential customers fairly, and doesn’t impose the cost of city political
initiatives onto non-voting suburban AE customers. Perhaps as Mr. Clark suggests, there is some sort of dividend owed to the city by AE, but it should be determined by some formula consistent with industry practices, not arbitrarily by the city council. If AE does not rethink its approach, then the “taxed but not represented” will force a review of this rate proposal by the
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Texas Public Utility Commission, and let TPUC decide what is fair. Meanwhile, Four Points residents can get up to speed on these issues through our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ aerateprotest), and through our website, www.aerateprotest.com. Sincerely, Mark L. Farrar
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FOUR POINTS NEWS www.FourPointsNews.com
Community Events
Four Points Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon w/ Liz Elam of Link Coworking River Place Country Club @ 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Nov. 18 4th Annual Mobile Loaves & Fishes Fun Run start time is 3:15pm at Austin Christian Fellowship all proceeds go to Mobile Loaves & Fishes
Nov. 28-30
www.FourPointsNews.com November 17, 2011 • Page 5
Viper Band wins 9th in State in 4A By RICH KEITH
Nov. 17
FOUR PTOINTS NEWS HURSDAY
The Vandegrift HS Marching Band and Vision Dance Company finished 9th overall out of over 250 4A band programs in Texas at the UIL State Finals on Nov. 12. Their achievement puts the Viper band in the top 2 percent of all Texas 4A schools. Cedar Park HS took first place in the contest, followed by Dripping Springs HS and Centennial HS (Frisco) took third. Dripping Springs HS was the reigning State champion going into the finals. The Viper band qualified for UIL State Finals as one of only 24 bands selected statewide. The Vipers are part of the highly competitive UIL Region D. Not only are the top two bands in the State in Region D, it
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also includes Lake Travis HS which ultimately took fifth place. The Viper band has existed for three years. It has just 16 seniors and is made up of more than half freshmen. This is its first year to have all four grades represented. "Very few high school students ever get to experience what ours did (Nov. 12). I am extremely proud of what we have been able to do in a very short amount of time,” said Jeremy Spicer, Director of Bands for VHS. Their program, "Visionary" features the music of Dmitri Shostakovich and was created by Spicer and Holly Lyons, Director of the VHS Dance Department. Now marching season is over and the students will move into concert season. For more information visit www.vhsband.com .
In celebration of Veterans Day
Dec. 1 Four Points Chamber of Commerce 2nd Annual Holiday Party Steiner Ranch Steakhouse 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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Canyon Ridge Middle School honored Veterans at their assembly on Friday November 11. Students invited family and friends that were Veterans to attend the ceremony. Jacob Chase played Taps for the Veterans on his trumpet. Leander High School’s ROTC posted the colors and performed the amazing POW/MIA Table Ceremony. Many of the Veterans joined in by singing to the Armed Forces Medley during the ceremony.
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COMMUNITY
THURSDAY Page 6 • November 10, 2011
FOUR POINTS NEWS www.FourPointsNews.com
Lake Travis Toastmasters celebrates 10 years
Four Troop 201 scouts earn Eagle By KAREN PEARCE Troop 201 Committee Chair Boy Scout Troop 201 is proud to announce the troop’s latest recipients of the Boy Scouts of America Rank of Eagle. Each of these scouts completed the fulfillment of the many requirements of the BSA’s highest rank in the last few months. This feat was culminated by their planning and implementing of a project of their choice. They have each demonstrated that they indeed live Boy Scout Law and Oath. Nate Mullen (Vandegrift HS) planned and led volunteers in improvements to the Austin Christian Fellowship Walking Trail. Jordan Ng (Vandegrift HS) designed and guided volunteers in completing a storage area for Troop 201’s Charter Organization, St. Luke’s on the Lake Episcopal Church. Dexter Shaw (Vandegrift HS) coordinated volunteer efforts in rebuilding and refurbishing the Butterfly Gardens at Steiner Ranch Elementary School. John Stenson (Lake Travis HS) designed, fabricated and led volunteers in the construction of a reading loft/classroom library at St. Paul Lutheran School in Austin.
By CATHLEEN McGRATH Lake Travis Toastmasters President
Four Troop 201 scouts recently shown at the Court of Honor earned the rank of Eagle Scout: Nate Mullen, Jordan Ng, Dexter Shaw and John Stenson.
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The Lake Travis Toastmasters celebrated its 10th year on Nov. 1 when it held an open house with Dripping Springs Toastmasters. There was a large turnout with 31 people and the Dripping Springs club came in full force to participate and support all the evening’s presenters. The theme was "Dare to Communicate, Dare to Lead." Our Toastmaster for the evening invited our guests to join Toastmasters using the three date test -- come to three meetings so you can see why LTTM is the club for you. One speaker shared challenges he faced in his life, and the other his passion for sailing. Table Topics is always an entertaining quick round of opinions to enhance our theme for the evening with challenging thoughts on communication and leadership. No Toastmasters meeting is complete without the evaluators which gave an insightful feedback on the speakers’ speeches. A special gratitude is extended to all the other participants who counted the votes, counted the "Ahs," the word of the day and timed the speeches - we could not do it without you. Visit the Lake Travis: http://laketravis. freetoasthost.org/index.html for more info.
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FOUR POINTS NEWS www.FourPointsNews.com
MEDICAL, FROM 1 a condominium project has started at Vistas of Lakeway. The commercial growth corridor is becoming Hwy 71 West, rather than RR 620. As an example, HEB has purchased a large tract at Serene Hills Drive but is expected to delay building for up to 5 years. The Lakeway bond's recent passage will improve the access in this area, the sources say. Some may consider 71 West a remote area and find Four Points desirable for the access and services it provides. With the influx of future Lakeway Regional employees and their demand for housing and services may accelerate development of housing and services in the Four Points area, they say.
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DEVELOPMENT, FROM 1 break ground as early as January for 26 apartment buildings with 298 units on a portion of the tract. “We are betting a lot of money and a lot of risk on this (in Steiner). We are not in the game to lose money,” said Eeds, whose company has developed over 75 apartment communities across the country in Houston, California, Colorado and Florida. Greystone plans to relocate one of the Steiner trails that goes through their land. The commercial conceptual plans for the rest of Steiner and when they might be built depends on market demand. Out of the 19 commercial parcels in the master plan, 13 have been developed. Conceptual plans have been in the works for more than a decade on these pieces of land, Towell said. Taylor Woodrow Communities is seeking to subdivide the 81 acre tract at 4807 N. Quinlan
Park Rd. into four lots to make it more marketable, he said. There is a contract pending for a 100,000 square foot storage facility on one of those lots. There are conceptual plans for that land that include 220 apartments and a hotel. On the hilltop behind the Welcome Center, conceptual plans include apartments and/ or a church. Directly behind Steiner Ranch Elementary school there is are conceptual plans for 54 condos. On one corner of Steiner Ranch Boulevard and RR 620 there are conceptual plans for a sit down restaurant with a large patio, a bank and retail. On the other corner, a 13,000 square foot office building. “I can’t stress enough these are conceptual plans. This is our best guess today,” Towell said. “We do want to sell the land at the highest price we can.” One resident at last week’s
FOUR PTOINTS NEWS HURSDAY
www.FourPointsNews.com November 17, 2011 • Page 7
Thousands of kicks raised money at Black Belts for Bastrop Kick-A-Thon
meeting stated adding all of these proposed apartments would “ruin the schools, ruin the property values and ruin the commercial.” Another community member wants to see safer roadways including the intersections of RR620 and Quinlan Park Road and Steiner Ranch Boulevard where there have been hundreds of accidents and injuries. Other members of the community want more access into and out of Steiner. The preserve land prevents that, developers say. Residents also stated they want improved HOA communications and more resident input. A working group is forming including a handful of residents and the developers who will meet and discuss concerns and future planning. “We want residents to be involved as we move forward,” Towell said.
Ernie Reyes World Martial Arts held a Kick-A-Thon fundraiser on Nov. 11 to benefit the Bastrop Fire Department whose resources have been tapped from fighting fires. Bags were lined up along Quinlan Park Road at Towne Square in Steiner Ranch. Students from age 5 to 50 kicked through the night. “The students kicked until dark, with several of them passing the 3,000 kick mark. We’re so proud of the entire school,” said Bu Kwan Jang Nim Cindy Villanueva-Allen, who runs to Steiner Ranch martial arts studio. On Dec. 3rd not only will Ernie Reyes World Martial Arts graduate four new black belts, it will also give its Kick-A-Thon donations to the Bastrop volunteer firefighters.
GARDEN 1 plants. The outdoor classroom, complete with solar hookup and tree stumps serving as seating, was constructed in July of this year. A recent October workday was devoted to completing the remainder of the garden space. According to Martin, the new outdoor area fits into LISD’s elementary school curriculum in a variety of ways, ranging from science experiments to math lessons, as well as future plans for landscape art instruction. “We find key points [in the lesson] and match them with activities suited to the outside,” Martin said. “We’re finding a lot of ways to have these teaching moments.” Every Friday, Titan first graders spend a 45 minute session in the outdoor classroom, with Martin leading the lesson plans assisted by volunteers. Besides Reichert, Martin enlisted the aid of the River Place Garden Club for financial and
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Brandon Maas, a member of Vandegrift’s National Honor Society, puts in a tough Saturday morning finishing out River Place Elementary School’s new garden site.
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planning support. “Our goal is to be involved in the community in some way,” said Becky Wolf, President of the River Place Garden Club. “When you talk to kids and they don’t know where cabbage comes from, well, here, they can actually see it grow”. Other sponsors came from both inside and outside the Four Points area, with Malt O’Meal awarding the program $2500 for its “Greenest Classroom” contest win as well as a $500 grant from IBM. Roofing materials and labor were donated by Wilson Roofing and Straight and Level contractors added their expertise and additional supplies. The community aspect of the recent workday surprised everyone, including River Place Elementary School PTA President Jennifer Wilby. “It really goes to show what you can achieve when everyone pulls together”, said Wilby.
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Let me Help! The Four Points News reaches nearly every single family home in Steiner Ranch, River Place, and Grandview Hills. Austinʼs most affluent neighborhoods! I can show you how to reach these potential customers.
Call Hollie Kenney 410.258.1412 fourpointsnews@austin.rr.com
FOUR POINTS NEWS
STARS OF THE WEEK
THURSDAY Page 8 • November 17, 2011
B A S K E T B A L L
S O C C E R
S W I M M I N G
Nick Florence -
Taylor Allen -
Senior
Sophomore
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Swimming: My favorite part about being involved in swimming is making friends and getting faster. It is just a lot of fun!
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Junior
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Soccer: My favorite part of Viper Soccer is the pre-season tournaments because the entire team gets to spend more time together and get to know each other better. It’s just fun over all.
W R E S T L I N G
Keegan Pitts -
Junior
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Wrestling: I’m looking forward to building a strong team and being a regional qualifier this season.
DEVELOPING CHRISTIAN LEADERS
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Senior
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Basketball: My favorite part is putting in hard work and effort and seeing it pay of in games when we win.
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Soccer: For all the great people involved and the chances we have to go far this year.
Marina Bendele -
www.FourPointsNews.com
Andi Martinez -
Senior
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Basketball: The part I love about basketball is the time I get to spend with my teammates. It is a special feeling to be a part of something bigger than myself, especially when we work as hard as we can, every day, for each other.
Collin Stobart -
FOUR POINTS NEWS
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Viper Football Head Coach Drew Sanders weekly comments Vs. Travis (Bi-District Championship) on Nov. 10
Vs. Tivy (Area Championship) on Nov. 18
It was a great game and perhaps one of our finest moments in our short history. To see our kids taking pictures with the trophy after the game was a moment I’ll never forget. To start with a JV schedule in 2009 and to build to a playoff win in two years is nothing short of remarkable. It’s a credit to the parents in the community and the kids. I’m honored to be their coach and can’t wait to see what else these kids will accomplish.
Kerrville Tivy comes into San Antonio on Friday night as one of the winningest programs in the San Antonio area. They are extremely explosive on offense and run around like a bunch of crazed dogs on defense. They will be a formidable opponent, but we will be ready.
Dylan Hosek #6, Viper Wide Receiver, was featured recently with this move on KVUE News as their High School Varsity Football "highlight of the game". This shot was captured during the Vandegrift vs. Rouse game on Oct. 28.
Vandegrift Football wins district headed to play-offs By TAYLOR WATSON Vandegrift Voice Editor-In-Chief With a 44-13 win over the Austin Travis Rebels in the bidistrict match on Thursday night, the Vipers advance to the Area Round and take on the Kerrville Tivy Antlers. The playoff game is Fri., Nov. 18 at Rutledge Stadium in Converse, Texas at 7:30 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are on sale this week for $7 for adult and $3 for students. All tickets are $8 at gate. For more Viper coverage go to VandegriftVoice.com.
Tyler Handrick, Vandegrift Voice
Danielle Docherty, Vandegrift Voice
Bi-district champs: Taylor Watson, Vandegrift Voice
CMYK FOUR POINTS NEWS www.FourPointsNews.com
VIPER SWIMMING SPOTLIGHT
THURSDAY November 17, 2011 • Page 9
Q& A with Viper Swim Coach Holly Raffaeli 1. What has to happen for the Viper Swim Team to be successful this season? Our team this year is extremely motivated and focused. We are fortunate, because we have a lot of strong returning upperclassman, and also a very strong freshman class. Everyone is working together very well with clear goals in mind only adding to our team morale and spirit which ultimately is helping us succeed at meets. 2. What is your biggest concern heading so far this season? My biggest concern is injuries. We have a couple of strong swimmers who are facing shoulder problems, and my goal is to get them as healthy as possible before district. 3. Who is Vandegrift's biggest Swim rival? Top left: Hanna Brown, Freshman Top right: Viper Swim girls Bottom Left: Connor Cox, Junior Bottom right: Kayleigh Rago, Sophomore
Lake Travis is our biggest rival especially at District. Our goal is to go in fighting and swim our best to try to beat them for district champs, but no matter the outcome I will be proud of them, because they are working so hard.
Photos by Jody Maas
4. Is there a hidden treasure on your team who might be unknown right now, but could have a major impact on your season?
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2011-2012 Vandegrift Swimming and Diving Team Roster
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Redwine, Kelse (D) Reyes, Jordan Ribeiro, Julia Sanders, Sydney Sarmen, Patrick Schaal, Katie Thompson, Lindsey Velasco, Eduardo Voelkl Isabella Volk, AJ
2011-2012 Vandegrift Swimming and Diving Team Meet Line-Up September 17 September 24 October 1 October 13 October 28 November 12 December 2-3 December 10 January 6 January 27-28 February 10 -11 February 24-25
Black vs. Silver Leander High School Lake Travis Round Rock Invitational AISD Invitational* Aggieland Invitational* TISCA 4A Invitational* Killeen Invitational Tex Robertson Districts 25 4A* Region 7 4A* State 4A*
Bella Mar Apache Blockhouse Lakeway Round Rock UT-Austin Texas A&M-College Station San Antonio Killeen Burnet (Burnet) Josh Davis - San Antonio, TX UT-Austin
All dates are tentative and are subject to change. *Represents diving included in meet
Head Coach: Holly Raffaeli • Assistant Coach: Eric Cunningham
We’re teeing up something new at
The UT Golf Club.
As an exclusive private club, The University of Texas Golf Club has elevated the standards of exemplary golf, premier junior golf programs, memorable dining experiences and quality family entertainment. Soon there will be another unique dimension to the club with the addition of The Edgar O. and Melanie A Weller Tennis Center featuring the Whaling/Snyder Courts - the first of its kind in Central Texas. Opening summer 2012, The UT Tennis Center will continue the tradition of offering pure Texas luxury that members have come to expect. The center will include six indoor and four outdoor courts, well-appointed locker rooms and tennis shop. The center will be for the year-round enjoyment of club members and also become an additional home for UT men’s and women’s tennis programs, one that will help with their pursuit of a national championship. A limited number of both Local and Regional memberships are available. For information on how you can join The UT Golf Club, contact either Dana or Lisa at membership@utgolfclub.com or call 512266-6464. With a championship golf course, an elegant clubhouse, and now a world class tennis center, The University of Texas Golf Club continues to define the Texas Hill Country private club experience.
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Connor Cox in is 100 breast has become our hidden treasure. He has be trying for years now to improve his time, and this year it has all come together with great results. I definitely think that he can go far this season and help his team. Also, Kelse Redwine our new diver. This is huge as a team to have a diver, because they help the team work together to win meets and get us those extra points. He is working very hard with UT aquatics to support our team and everyone is excited to have her. 5. Do you have an interesting story to share about the team? Every year we swim what is called the VIPER 10,000 as a fundraiser and tradition. This is when each swimmer swims a total of 10,000 yards in one morning practice by swimming 100 x 100 yards. It is very difficult and challenging. It is a huge accomplishment for each person to be able to do this and the team comes together to support one another. 6. What motivates you as a coach and why did you choose the sport you did? The team motivates me as a coach. Watching these young adults work so hard to accomplish their goals and succeeding brings me joy. I am so proud of how far our little swim team has come from 3 years ago into a team of 37 swimmers and one diver. We aren’t just a swim team anymore, but a swimming and diving team! I started swimming, because my dad inspired me and now the kids inspire me to be the best coach I can be for them. Returning Leaders: Chris Flynn, Brandon Maas, Isabella Voelkl, Kayleigh Rago Top Newcomers: Hanna Brown, Lindsey Thompson, Jonathon Broughton
What’s happening in your community?
Submit it! LYNETTE.FOURPOINTS@GMAIL.COM
The University of Texas Golf Club | 2200 University Club Drive Austin, Texas 78732 | www.utgolfclub.com
512-483-1708
CMYK Page 10 • Four Points News, Thursday, November 17, 2011
Viper Cross Country ends season with a step up from last year The Vandegrift Varsity Girl's Cross Country Team competed in the UIL Texas State Cross Country Championship on Sat. at Old Settler's Park. “This was the teams first trip to the state meet. This team went from 5th in the District last year to 5th in the State in the 4A Division,” said Jennifer Gegogeine, Viper Cross Country Head Coach. The team consisted of Leah Butterfield, Isabella Chestney, Cody Cox, Haley Conroy, Courtney Davis, Zhanya Griffin, Nikki Keys, Alejandra Poulis, Sydney Sabel and Gretta Smith. This was J.R. Hardy 's second trip to the State Meet. He finished 11th overall and earned the honors of All-State.
Vandegrift's J.R. Hardy finished 11th overall among 4A boys, with a time of 16:20.18. He was the only boys runner from Vandegrift.
The Hill Country Education Foundation enhances the educational experience of students living in the Four Points community of Austin, Texas.
The Foundation annual membership drive runs through December!
In the past year more than $14,000 went to robotics programs, garden clubs, a college scholarship endowment fund and the college readiness tool, Naviance Succeed for LISD students. The Foundation has earmarked $25,000 for education grants to be distributed this fall.
100 for families 50 for individuals $ 15 for students $ 1 for faculty $ $
March 3, 2012
www.hillcountryedfoundation.org
is the next HCEF Gala.
This ad made possible by Rubbish Works.
Surprise… A vacuum cleaner under the tree!
In-laws in town for the holidays? Why not thank him with a very clean garage? Garage too crowded for their cots? Rubbish Works can help remove your mess for the party season!
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WE RECYCLE