Hfp 051618

MAY 16, 2018 BRONZED

TEACHER PAY

Rebel jumper leaps to podium at state meet.

Hays CISD considers three percen raise for educators.

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Hays Free Press © Barton Publications, Inc.

75¢

Vol. 123 • No. 7

HaysFreePress.com

Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX

Alliance Water eyes $227M wastewater facility

BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD Improving infrastructure for a rapidly growing area is a primary factor in the Alliance Regional Water Authority’s (ARWA) plan to construct a $227.75 million-plus wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) facility.

While the price tag is high, Kyle city leaders are supporting the premise of a cross-city partnership that could help to finance the facility, which could have a final build-out capacity of 13 million gallons/day.

Graham Moore, Alliance Regional Water

Authority general manager, said May 1 the entire project is estimated to cost about $227.75 million in 2017 dollars, a price he said is more cost-efficient than renovating two existing plants. Of that total price, Kyle would tentatively be responsible for paying around $60

FM 150 circle gets funding

million.

“I think our council is concerned with prudent, long-term planning and budgeting wisely,” Kyle Mayor Travis Mitchell said. “It’s not fun to think about spending money, but we have to have wastewater.”

It is almost always

cheaper to tackle largescale infrastructure projects with a regional mindset, Mitchell said. A previous study done supports the notion that going in on the wastewater treatment plant together will be cheaper for Kyle, San Marcos and the other partners.

CAUTION WHEN CROSSING

BY KATERINA BARTON

FM 150 ROUNDABOUT, 4A

PHOTO BY XXXXX

Cutline goes here cutline goes here Cutline goes here cutline goes here Cutline goes here cutline goes here Cutline goes here cutline goes here

Pedestrian safety a growing concern for downtown Buda

BY KATERINA BARTON

Concerns about pedestrian safety in downtown Buda is growing among residents and business owners following reports of a teen who was struck by a vehicle last year.

During the May 1 Buda City Council meeting, Buda business owner Jeremy De Alcala voiced worries about pedestrian safety after one of his employees was struck while crossing Main Street in 2017.

De Alcala said a car struck one of his employees, who is

“I’ve never seen anyone get hit, but I’ve had customers who’ve seen people get hit. But it is really a hard crossing. Sometimes, I also see customers just wait and wait there.”

–Margaret Goebler, owner of The Little Bluebird

currently a student at Hays High.

“As a resident, I had long felt that the pedestrian crossings on Main Street were an issue. The drivers do not seem to pay attention. I just felt like improvements need to be made,” De Alcala said.

Other business owners on Main Street

are also concerned about the issue.

Margaret Goebler, owner of The Little Bluebird, a boutique located on the corner of Main Street and FM 967, also said that pedestrian crossing is “a major problem”.

“I’ve never seen anyone get hit, but I’ve had customers who’ve seen people get hit.

But it is really a hard crossing,” Goebler said. “Sometimes, I also see customers just wait and wait there.”

When the signal allows them to cross, Goebler said there is not enough time for them to navigate the crossing. De Alcala

COMING UP Hunger STRIKE Bowling Fundraiser

The Hays County Food Bank is hosting a bowling fundraiser May 18, 1:30-4 p.m. at the food bank on 220 Herndon Street in San Marcos. There will be food, beverages, jackpot bowling, a silent auction, and plenty of opportunities to give back.

Movie on Lake Kyle

Dirt Dauber Festival

Located at the Eye of the Dog Art Center in San Marcos, the 8th annual festival features Texas clay artists and their work May 19-20. Live music, refreshments, kid’s clay area, contests and demonstrations will be hosted throughout the weekend.

HOTEL NO

Buda denies controversial downtown hotel permit.

– Page 1D

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, 2A

Buda Farmers Market

Bring your blankets, snacks and the family to watch Coco on the banks of Lake Kyle May 18.

Movie begins after sunset.

INDEX

Construction of a proposed roundabout at the FM 3237 and FM 150 split near Driftwood could soon become a reality.

The project, which is part of the county’s FM 150 Character Plan, was included on a list of projects approved for federal and state funding through the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO).

On May 5, CAMPO allocated $70 million toward several transportation projects, including the roundabout. The county requested $6.63 million for its $9.47 million roundabout.

The project will also include the construction of turn lanes at the intersection. While engineering and design work for the project is underway, funding from CAMPO will not be available until Fiscal Year (FY) 2020.

The roundabout, which was also approved in Hays County’s 2016 Bond Election, has been discussed as a traffic solution for the intersection for several years. Due to growth in Hays County and increased traffic in the area, the roundabout is seen as a safety feature to control traffic better than a standard intersection.

News……………… 1-4A Opinion……………… 3A Sports……………… 1-2B Education………… 3-4B Community……… 1-4C

Buda’s farmers market is hosted year round, but they now have a new time and location.

Find your favorite local vendors now at 308 S. Main Street, aka the Buda Mill and Grain Co., every Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Next Farmers Market is May 20.

Best Bets…………… 4C Business………… 1-4D Classifieds ………... 2D Service Directory…..... 3D Public Notices…… 2-4D

“I firmly believe a regional plant is the right decision. It will just take time to flesh out the details, and it will take a lot of planning and strategy to come together,” Mitchell said.

The wastewater treat-

WASTEWATER FACILITY, 2A

Candidate Becerra settles lease dispute

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO Roughly $13,000 owed in a leasing dispute by the Democratic candidate for Hays County Judge was partially waived by San Marcos city leaders May 1, but not without controversy.

The issue centered on a dispute between Ruben Becerra and the city of San Marcos over his acquisition of the Dixie Cream Donuts shop in San Marcos. The San Marcos City Council approved waiving a part of what was owed in

BECERRA LEASE DISPUTE, 4A

Woman in critical condition after wreck near Buda

BY MOSES LEOS III An area woman suffered critical injuries Saturday after she lost control of her motorcycle and crashed near the FM 967 and FM 1626 intersection near Buda.

Kimberley Bennett, of Kyle, was listed as the casualtyin the incident, according to a Buda Police Department accident report.

Authorities were dispatched to the intersection around 7:11 p.m. Saturday for a single-vehicle wreck. According to the report, a motorcyclist, later identified as Bennett, was traveling south on FM 1626 when, for unknown reasons, she lost control of the vehicle. Bennett crashed and was ejected into a ditch on the west side of FM 967.

Bennett was wearing a helmet, according to a report.

Bennett was unresponsive, but breathing at the scene and was quickly transported to an Austin area hospital. An update listed Bennett in critical condition after she went through emergency surgery to relieve swelling in her brain.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

Buda Police are continuing to investigate.

NEWS

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Hays Free Press The Hays Free Press (USPS 361-430) published weekly by Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. Periodicals postage paid at Buda, TX 78610 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610.

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We welcome locally written letters to the editor on timely topics of community interest. We ask that you keep them to about 350 words in length and that you not indulge in personal attacks on private individuals. Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity. All letters should be signed by the author and include a daytime phone number where the author can be contacted for verification.

Letter writers are limited to one letter per month.

Letters can be emailed to csb@haysfreepress. com.

HISTORY

Founded April 10, 1903,

by Thomas Fletcher Harwell as The Kyle News, with offices on the corner of Burleson and Miller streets in the town’s oldest remaining building. It merged into The Hays County Citizen in 1956. The paper consolidated with The Free Press in October, 1978.

During its more than 100-year history the newspaper has maintained offices at more than a dozen locations in Kyle and Buda.

Hays Free Press • May 16, 2018

Low turnout in May elections highlights 2018 voter apathy

BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD

Despite the area’s rampant growth, officials believe voter turnout in local Hays County elections are at a standstill.

With less than 10 percent of registered voters casting a ballot at the polls in May, the number of ballots cast in spring elections has failed to grow in recent years, despite efforts to register more voters.

Hays County Elections Administrator Jennifer Anderson says voters tend to be more involved in November elections, and that participation wains in May, the month many jurisdictions hold city and school elections, she said.

“I think people are busy and don’t keep up with issues. People get tired of politics. At this point, I think there’s a lot of voter apathy, so that’s why we’re seeing a drop in voting,” Anderson said. “I hope people realize voting is important. I’d like to see 100 percent voter turn-

“Politics are real polarizing, and people don’t talk about it. Some choose to ignore it all completely because there’s so much emotion wrapped around it.”

–Ida Miller, the outgoing president and soon-to-be voter registration chair for the League of Women Voters of Hays County

out.”

Voter registration in Hays County has increased overall, but the actual number of people turning up to cast a ballot has not experienced similar growth. Four years ago, about 100,000 Hays County residents were registered to vote; that number has grown to 120,000.

The 2016 presidential election was a factor in the jump, but the number of ballots cast did not deviate from the usual turnout during a presidential election year, Anderson said.

Unfamiliarity with state laws pertaining to voting, inexperience in election participation and the stigma surrounding discussing politics can all contribute to a jurisdiction’s

low voter turnout, said Ida Miller, the outgoing president and soon-to-be voter registration chair for the League of Women Voters of Hays County.

The League of Women Voters is a group dedicated to empowering women and men to educate themselves on issues and accessing the right to vote.

The Hays County chapter has existed in one form or another for about 60 years, Miller said. The group does everything they can to get residents to the polls and prepared to vote. However, not everyone feels comfortable participating in politics, especially if they aren’t familiar with elections, she said.

“Politics are real polar-

izing, and people don’t talk about it,” Miller said.

“Some choose to ignore it all completely because there’s so much emotion wrapped around it.”

In many Texas suburbs, children grow up in families with a tradition of voting and watch their parents take part in elections. Kids who grew up in cities, especially those who belong to a racial minority, may be from families who were systematically disenfranchised and did not grow up watching their parents cast ballots, Miller said.

Miller and Anderson agree that it is up to local candidates to rally residents into voting.

Carrie Kroll was re-elected to the Dripping

Springs ISD school board in May and received more votes than any other candidate in the race.

She said the number of elections held in any given year can be overwhelming for residents who are not informed. They may mistakenly believe their vote will not make a difference, she said.

“I think it’s important to remember some of these are really closely called.

School board trustees have lost by as little as two votes before,” she said. “It’s imperative that everybody get out and get active in the process, because your vote can make the difference and determine the outcome in these these smaller races.”

Candidates can engage with voters and encourage participation by focusing on local issues in the dayto-day life of residents.

“It’s important to localize the issues down to the lowest levels, so people understand how those issues impact them,” Kroll said.

Pedestrian Safety: Concerns grow along with traffic Continued from pg. 1A

said the issue has to do with people either not knowing or not caring about the crossings.

De Alcala said a solution could be to install permanent flashing pedestrian signals to catch people’s attention, as well as a public education campaign to educate drivers. De Alcala believed new residents to Buda might not be used to driving in a smaller downtown area.

The city has been aware of these issues and, although no changes have been made at this time, there are several projects in the works to address pedestrian safety.

A flashing pedestrian

crossing and signal at Main Street and Ash Street is planned as part of the city’s five year Capital Improvements Plan. The $115,000 project is currently planned for Fiscal Year 2021, but Buda Public Information Officer David Marino said the city is vying to move the project up.

Another signal has been discussed near Buda Mill and Grain in the future, although it is not planned or funded yet.

De Alcala said May 1 that he championed pedestrian signage that was put up during the weekend of the Weiner Dog Races in Buda. Marino said the

Wastewater Facility Continued from pg. 1A

ment will need to be at a location with a few specific features, Moore said.

The land where the facility is to be located should be at least 20 acres in size and out of the flood plain. A likely area is west of Hemphill Creek and Morrison Creek toward Martindale, but nothing is set in stone yet, Moore said.

However, planning for the facility is still years away. Mitchell said there has been talk of tenta-

Willie is a 1-year-old, male Catahoula mix. He is the most faithful friend you’ll ever have! Although Willie does get a little excited, he just hopes that people understand that his excitement just shows how happy he is to see everyone.

city would continue to deploy additional signage during city events.

“The city has been very responsive at addressing my concerns; they are open to any suggestions. I’m glad they’re working with us and business owners,” De Alcala said.

PAWS Shelter and Humane Society

is a non-profit, no-kill shelter operated primarily on donations and adoptions.

500 FM 150 E, Kyle, TX • 512 268-1611 • pawsshelter.org

All animals are fully vaccinated, spay/neutered, microchipped and dewormed.

sponsored by

Town & CounTry VeTerinary HospiTal Committed to your pet’s health since 1978

Bill Selman, DVM • Kayley Goldsmith, DVM • Erin Jobman, DVM 6300 FM 1327 (East of I35 and Creedmoor) Austin, TX 78747 Give us a call at 512-385-0486

–Jeremy De Alcala, Buda business owner

512-302-5555 www.atfcu.org

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Home Equity Loans as low as

tively rolling out the first phase in 2028.

The project will also evolve through the years, and sponsors and estimated costs will probably change.

“What matters is we work on it now, so when the time comes, we can roll out the most efficient project possible,” Mitchell said. “The main takeaway is that we’re planning ahead, way ahead. And that’s the responsible thing to do.”

Destani is a 1.5 year-old, female shorthair Dilute Calico. She is a total cuddle bug! As soon as you come into the room she’ll run up to you and beg for pets. She loves to play with any kid of toy and loves to be brushed and pampered.

“The city has been very responsive at addressing my concerns; they are open to any suggestions.

I’m glad they’re working with us and business owners.”

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Annual Percentage Rate. Actual rate may vary depending on credit qualifications. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. 2Austin Telco pays all standard closing costs for new Home Equity/HELOC loans below $100,000. These costs include: title search, flood determination, credit report, and county filing fees. Refinances of existing Austin Telco Home Equity/HELCO loans are subject to a $300 refinance fee. If necessary, additional fees for member requested appraisal, survey, and/or title company closing costs will be the responsibility of the borrower. Estimated costs will be disclosed upon receipt of application. Loans of $100,000 and above may require an appraisal, title policy, and title company closing costs at the member’s expense. Hazard insurance is required. Rates and terms on loans above $200,000 may vary. All loans are subject to standard credit approval. 3A minimum deposit of $95,000 is required. Dividends are compounded and paid quarterly. Funds must remain on deposit for the term of the certificate or penalties will apply as follows: terms of 12 months or less - 90 days dividends; terms over 12 months 180 days dividends. Rates subject to change without notice. Federally insured by NCUA Austin Telco NMLS #422857 1

Opinion

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I think people are busy and don’t keep up with issues. People get tired of politics. At this point, I think there’s a lot of voter apathy, so that’s why we’re seeing a drop in voting.”

–Jennifer Anderson, Hays County Elections Administrator, pg. 2A

Hays Free Press • May 16, 2018

Page 3A

Many more questions for Trump Raging Moderate

by Will Durst

R

obert Mueller has many questions for the president. The New York Times released a list of 49 for which Donald Trump hopefully has answers that can assist the special counsel’s investigation into Russian interference during the 2016 election. Although the New York City real estate developer may know nothing at all. A situation many folks say... chances are high.

The president has announced various positions on the potential interview.

One: he looks forward to testifying under oath. Two: he will refuse to answer and plead the 5th Amendment to protect against self- incrimination. Three: something in between which could include ignoring a subpoena and/or refusing to admit the existence of anybody who may or may not be named Mueller.

Trump’s lawyers have voiced similar diverse opinions. Some maintain he should testify and get it over with, while others warn he’s walking into a perjury trap. Which, experience tells us, to the 45th POTUS, is any question asked, especially under oath.

It may very well turn out that the only time Trump told the truth in public was when he said if we voted for Hillary, we’d end up with a president under criminal investigation. Sure enough, a plurality of the country voted for Hillary and now the president is under criminal investigation. “Lock him up.”

Nobody’s sure who leaked the list to the press. At this point, it’s all guesswork.

Perhaps Mister Special Counsel himself, or someone in or near the White House?

The assignment editor at MSNBC? A disgruntled craft services worker from the National Review? Melania? Unnamed sources are blaming well-placed insiders.

And why was the list leaked? To lower expectations, raise them, lull participants to sleep? Is this a double blind or major feint or are they letting the Commander-in-Chief know the nature of the questions to give him time to construct alibis and motivations other than furthering his own future and fortune?

Mostly, the questions sound like typical prosecutorial gobbledy-gook.

“Who? What? Where? Why? When?

Hunh?” “What were you thinking when whatisname did the thing with the guy at the place?”

None of the preview inquiries mention Russian hookers, so, obviously it’s not a complete list. And in the spirit of helping, we here at Durstco have come up with a few more questions that should be asked because inquiring minds want to know.

• Is Stephen Miller the result of an Army-science breeding program that mated rabid wolverines with poisonous fungus?

• What’s the deal with your hair?

• In your estimation, who has the more annoying mustache: Ty Cobb or John Bolton?

• What are the chances Dennis Rodman will be appointed ambassador to North Korea?

• What was Stormy Daniels like in bed?

• Was Rudy Giuliani trying to help?

Isn’t adding him to your legal team like throwing a hippopotamus onto a trapeze team?

• How are things with Melania? Any truth to the rumor that all the knives have been removed from the East Wing?

• How come your ties hang down to your knees? Is it a peripheral vision thing?

• Is Corey Lewandowski your love child?

• Have you ever seen Mike Pence exhibit an actual pulse or is he the product of reverse taxidermy?

• Was James Comey’s freakishly large hands one of the reasons you fired him?

Police dogs and ‘Reefer Madness’ Y ears ago, a propaganda film entitled “Reefer Madness” depicted firsttime cannabis smokers turning into instant maniacs, hallucinating, killing and raping after just a couple of puffs.

It has become known as a grand parody, though that was not the intent.

Please welcome to the same stage “The Illinois Histrionics Players,” starring Macon County Sheriff Howard Buffett and his amiable sidekick, Chad Larner, training director of the K-9 Training Academy in Decatur, Ill. When asked about possible effects of legalizing marijuana in Illinois, the players went into full “Reefer Madness” mode, saying it would make the dogs useless and a threat to society, requiring them to give their dogs the “Old Yeller” treatment.

While Larner did not specifically say how he would kill “a number” of his 275 narcotics-sniffing dogs, he made it clear he is prepared to sacrifice their lives on the altar of marijuana phobia.

He told Pantagraph reporter Ryan Voyles, “Because many K-9s are trained not to be social so their work won’t be affected, a number of dogs would likely have to be euthanized.”

Voyles then talked with po-

Guest Column

by Rick Jensen

lice in two other Illinois towns who told him what many of you already know, which is that retired K-9 dogs typically live with their handlers. They don’t slaughter the dogs.

Do you think for a minute that if any Macon County dogs are butchered, it’s not because Larner just plain wants to do it?

Another less brutal, “Reefer Madness” moment is when Macon County Sheriff Howard Buffett tells Voyles, “The biggest thing for law enforcement is, you’re going to have to replace all of your dogs. So to me, it’s a giant step forward for drug dealers, and it’s a giant step backwards for law enforcement and the residents of the community.”

I made a call to the police department in Seattle, Washington, where their K-9 units have somehow continued to live and do their jobs protecting law-abiding citizens, including those who legally use cannabis.

The official with whom I spoke asked not to be identified. The K-9 unit apparently

doesn’t want to be dragged into this nonsense.

When I mentioned the Illinois officer who said that dogs would have to be euthanized upon the passage of legalizing marijuana, he laughed and then sighed.

He also confirmed no dogs in his jurisdiction had been euthanized due to the legalization. These canine professionals are trained to detect multiple drugs and many have additional talents.

He laughed again and reiterated that he was not going to go on the record.

On the record, Jay Casillas of the Denver Police Department told me, “Since marijuana was legalized, we have not been forced to retire or euthanize our K-9s.”

“We do not euthanize our K-9s... Our K-9s are still working, and they continue to be trained on four odors [MJ, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin],” Casillas said.

“Since the legalization of marijuana, we have slightly changed the training with regard to sniffing marijuana. We now train our dogs to detect larger amounts (10 pounds or more) of marijuana because we still have to address the black market for MJ. “We retire the dogs when it is necessary and they usually stay with their police handler

as their family pet,” Casillas added. “When a K9 is retired, we purchase a new one to take their spot.”

What about that less dramatic and equally ignorant statement in which Macon County Sheriff Buffett said all the dogs would have to be replaced?

Why?Because they could no longer detect cocaine, heroin and other drugs now that marijuana is legal?

Don’t the Illinois trainers know how to train their dogs to detect the large amounts of marijuana still deemed illegal?

Maybe it’s the Illinois officials that need to be replaced or trained by the Seattle and Denver K-9 officers.

Meanwhile, the Illinois dogs would serve the Prairie State well by adding another aroma to their repertoire.

They could add any amount of Buffett’s and Larner’s “B.S.” The problem with that is the canines within earshot of those two would be too preoccupied to get any real drug sniffing work done.

Rick Jensen is an annoying, award-winning Delaware talk show host and equally annoying national columnist. rick@DBCMedia.com

Will Durst is an award-winning, nationally acclaimed columnist, comic and former sod farmer in New Berlin, Wisconsin.

Hays Free Press Publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton News and Sports Editor Moses Leos III

Barton Publications, Inc. News tips: news@haysfreepress.com Opinions: csb@haysfreepress.com

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113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640 www.haysfreepress.com 512-268-7862

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NEWS

Page 4A

Hays Free Press • May 16, 2018

Hays CISD considers three percent pay raise

BY KATERINA BARTON

–Tim Savoy, Hays CISD public information officer

FM 150 Roundabout

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– Hays CISD – has been known “for a long time” as a stepping stone for teachers who train for a few years, then move on to other districts.

“So, by focusing the compensation scale based on five years, the effort would be to lure the ones that already have the experience and keep them in our district with a lot of support and compensation,” Folmar said.

Several different compensation scales for teachers were presented and trustees are still in the early stages of drafting the final budget.

“There’s a lot of flexibility depending on how you want to reward experienced teachers,” Wright said.

967

171

Kohlers Crossing

Wiley Way

increases would call for just over $5.1 million to be added to the budget. Eightyfive percent of the district’s budget is for personnel and increasing wages, according to district officials.

Annette Folmar, Hays CISD chief financial officer, said for teacher compensation, Superintendent Eric Wright’s goal is to “be at the top of the market for attracting experienced teachers and getting experienced teachers into the classroom.”

As part of the district’s proposal, there is also the possibility of creating a differentiated scale that would increase teacher compensation after 5 years.

Folmar said the district also wants to raise starting pay. She said the district

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Recruitment and retention are factors in Hays CISD’s desire to raise employee salaries by three percent in the upcoming year.

The move is part of the district’s proposed Fiscal Year 2019 budget, which was first discussed April 26.

The proposed increases are being proposed to make the Hays CISD more competitive when compared to other nearby districts. Hays CISD has discussed the possibility of raising employee salaries for the last several years, said Tim Savoy, Hays CISD public information officer.

Five years ago, however, the district was near the bottom when it came to the competitiveness of teacher salaries in the Austin area.

“Within the Austin area there are at least a dozen school districts in easy driving distance, so if you’re a teacher you’re going to look at the best compensation package,” Savoy said. “So every year, we look at compensation, not just to cover the cost of living, but to keep our salaries competitive.”

The employee wage

“Within the Austin area there are at least a dozen school districts in easy driving distance, so if you’re a teacher you’re going to look at the best compensation package. So every year, we look at compensation, not just to cover the cost of living, but to keep our salaries competitive.”

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Continued from pg. 1A

Ray Whisenant, Hays County Pct. 4 Commissioner, said the county has worked with engineers and property owners in the area to look at different options. Officials eventually decided that the roundabout will “provide better traffic combining capabilities.”

“It was mainly a safety concern. It was a pretty dangerous intersection with the volume of vehicles coming through,” said Hays County Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones, who is also on the Transportation Policy Board of CAMPO. “We had it in our bond package already, but now the

CAMPO funding will help us not to use all of our capacity on those bond projects.”

Although some people in the area have shown opposition to the roundabout in the past, Casey Cutler, who is the director of public outreach with the Driftwood Historical Conservation Society (DHCS), said once people understand the project, they are more comfortable with it.

While not everyone liked the idea, Cutler said there was no “significant opposition” to the project.

“Many people said, ‘Well I can live with this,’,” Cutler said. “No one

wanted to turn that area into a stoplight intersection. It wouldn’t maintain the softness we’re trying to maintain in the rural area and keep the feel of Driftwood.”

Cutler said the roundabout will cut back on air pollution in the area from idling cars. If a standard stoplight were put in, cars would be idling while waiting in traffic to get through the intersection.

Cutler also praised the county for its work with the public to make the smooth transition for traffic solutions.

“This was well coordinated publicly,” Cutler said.

For all the latest news in Buda, Kyle and surrounding communities...

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Becerra Lease Dispute Continued from pg. 1A

a 5-2 vote.

The city of San Marcos claimed Becerra had failed to pay the city the $13,117.99 that he owed for lease on Dixie Cream Donuts from 2015 to 2017.

San Marcos city leaders approved waiving roughly $11,000.

Becerra bought the business in 2015 from Daniel Anderson, the original owner of Dixie Cream who passed away later that year.

The property is on an approximately 1,400 square foot plot of land which is owned by the city of San Marcos and Union Pacific Railroad Company.

Tenants of the property have one lease and two landlords – the city of San Marcos and Union Pacific.

Becerra, who was making payments to Union Pacific, said in an interview with KXAN that in a handshake deal with Anderson he would keep the property clean in lieu of paying rent.

However, according to a Texas state law known as the statute of frauds, a real estate deal generally has to be written to be enforceable.

“It’s unethical that some city officials created this fiasco for the sake of political motives, falsely accusing me of delinquent payments when, in fact, the city was delinquent on setting up a lease or billing us for use of the land,” Becerra said. “The city first approached me about this at the end of 2016 and the amount sought for 2017 has been paid.”

Becerra said he has since paid the approxi-

mately $2,000 which was the final payment council required after the $11,000 was waived on May 1.

However, according to a May 1, 2015 Bill of Sale, signed by Anderson and Becerra, the assignee (Becerra) accepts and agrees to be bound by and to perform and observe fully and faithfully all of the covenants, including liabilities and obligates mentioned in the Lease Agreement with the Union Pacific Railroad Company.

“The city’s legal team and staff have held the position that there is a lease,” San Marcos Mayor John Thomaides said. “We have notified Becerra since 2016 about the payments.

The lease is legitimate and legal. This is all outlined in the Bill of Sale Becerra signed.”

Thomaides said claims that there was no lease is incorrect. Three city managers have contacted Becerra in writing about the money owed.

According to an email from City Manager Bert Lumbreras, which was obtained through public information act request by the Hays Free Press, Becerra was made aware on Sept. 29, 2017 – nine months before council waived his debt – that he was not making payments on the property.

In the same email, Lumbreras said that the letter served as notice of unpaid rent to the Dixie Cream Donut lease entered into between Union Pacific and the City of San Marcos.

However, Becerra said in a reply the handshake

agreement was in effect for many years and Dixie Cream never received any type of communication related to alleged monies for the parcel of land.

Lumberas later said that in 2017 Anderson “should have disclosed” information regarding the agreement when Becerra purchased the donut shop. Even if Anderson didn’t make known the details, Lumbreras said Becerra “would still be responsible to honor the terms of the lease.”

However, in an April 28, 2018 email, Lumbreras said the city did not properly bill Becerra for the previous three years.

Lumbreras had offered Becerra a one-time payment of roughly $4,500, which was nullified by the city council’s waiver.

“As a result, it is our responsibility to ensure we are properly billing and I can assure you we will do that from now on,” Lumbreras said in the April 28 email.

Thomaides said the decision by council to waive the debt will haunt the city in the future when other leasing disputes arise.

“If you lease property from the City of San Marcos, you are not going to get free rent,” Thomaides said. “The taxpayers paid around $400,000 for that property. It doesn’t matter who is in the lease agreement. If you sign a lease with the city, you are obligated to pay it and that’s what this issue really comes down to.”

Lumbreras declined to comment on this story.

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Sports HaysFreePress.com

Section B $1.1M OVERRUN

District looks for ways to bridge gap in bond project.

– Page 4B

Hays Free Press

May 16, 2018 • Page 1B

PHOTOS BY CALEB RUCKEL

Above, Lehman Lobo junior sprinter Bria Arrant speeds down the lane in the 6A girls 100-meter dash Saturday. Inset, Lehman High senior CeCe Watson takes a look at her handiwork after putting the shot. Watson, Arrant and freshman Nikayla Fitzgerald all competed against the state’s best at the UIL track and field championships in Austin.

Lobos set mark at state Leaping to the podium track meet Rebel jumper earns bronze at state PHOTOS BY CALEB RUCKEL

Hays Rebel senior Dillon Baker slams into the dirt as he completes an attempt in the 6A boys long jump competition May 12 at the UIL state track and field meet held at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.

BY SHANE SCHOLWINSKI

BY SHANE SCHOLWINSKI

In his one and only opportunity to go up against the best in Texas, Hays High senior long jumper Dillon Baker made sure to make the most of it.

With a personal best 23-feet, 6-inch jump, Baker secured the bronze medal at Saturday’s UIL 6A boys long jump competition held at Mike A. Myers Stadium.

“I was really fortunate to even have gotten here,” Baker said. “I wanted to come in and get a personal best and so that was my goal coming in here.”

Baker achieved his goal on his final jump as he set his personal record, which beat his previous record of 23 feet. Baker’s personal best was good enough to earn him a trip to the medal stand with the bronze medal.

“It was just a huge blessing,” Baker said.

“I saw it pop up on the screen as 23 feet 6 inches.

PHOTOS BY CALEB RUCKEL

Hays High senior Gabby Bosquez (left) focuses while cruising in the 6A girls 800-meter run.

Both Dillon Baker and Bosquez, along with Hays sophomore Reagan Casey (right) competed at the UIL state track and field meet.

I knew that it felt good as a jump. I didn’t know what it was going to be, but I knew that it was a pretty good jump. So it was really exciting. My whole family was here and all my friends. So to have that support, it

Lobos use offseason to prepare for summer camp

BY SHANE SCHOLWINSKI First year Lehman Lobos athletic director and head football coach Bruce Salmon looks to get his program moving in the right direction this offseason in a pivotal transition year.

Since taking the job in February, Salmon described the transition as a smooth one for him and his players.

“Coming in the first two to three weeks I spent a lot of time kind of evaluating what we are doing and asking why we are doing each thing,” said Salmon. “After that you have a plan based on the feedback I got back from our coaches, our administration and our community. Then we developed a plan on what we needed to stop doing, what we needed to start doing and things we need to continue to do.”

Salmon is making the transition from Marion High School, a small 3A high school outside of New Braunfels where he took the Bulldogs to the playoffs with an 8-3

record in 2017, to a 6A program that went 1-9 last season.

Salmon brings more than 23 years of coaching experience to Lehman, with credentials of coaching on both sides of the ball. Salmon will coach the quarterbacks on offense and the linebackers on the defense.

“We’ve taught about 80 percent of our offense right now,” Salmon said.

“We are teaching a lot of fundamentals and knowledge of assignment. So a lot of stuff is in place.”

Salmon’s offense will be a balanced attack of the run and pass game.

He said the offense has already installed three out of four run schemes and four out of the six pass schemes in their playbook. On defense a 4-2-5 look will be used as the base package with the main focus on stopping the opponents rushing attack.

Salmon said the Lobos aim to occupy and stop the run, while pushing

LOBO FOOTBALL, 2B

was a really big blessing.”

After making regionals his junior year, Baker dedicated himself to an offseason of training hard in order to make it to the state finals to compete with the best high school athletes. Baker

enjoyed competing with the like-minded long jumpers from around the state.

“It’s awesome to be surrounded by these guys because everybody is so

REBEL TRACK, 2B

Rebels eye progress for summer football

BY MOSES LEOS III Over the course of his 30-plus year career, Hays High athletic coordinator Les Goad grasps the all-encompassing nature of a coaching transition.

Changes on the field, as well as off, can be overwhelming for the uninitiated and unprepared.

That’s why Goad and his staff continue to foster learning, whether it’s through new schemes or getting players to better know one another.

And while the Rebels chose to forgo spring football in 2018, Goad said his program continues to show growth and progress as they ready for August workouts.

“We feel like we never have enough time we want to, but we’re making the progress we need to make and we realize it takes time for those changes to occur,” Goad said.

One of the primary learning curves is get-

ting players to adhere to Goad’s run-oriented offense, which helped him garner success at Geronimo Navarro.

Teaching a new defense, which is based on the 3-3-5 stack, is also a point of order for Goad and his staff.

Goad said his defensive scheme is aggressive and tries to get “as much speed on the field as you can,” as well as the ability to create pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Implementation of the 3-3-5 stack began roughly six years ago at Navarro and was done as a response to the growing popularity of spread offenses, Goad said.

“The 3-3-5 stack gives us versatility,” Goad said.

Player evaluation will be the next step in the process this spring for Goad. The process includes working out on the field during the school day and teaching schemes and funda-

REBEL FOOTBALL, 2B

A trio of Lehman track and field athletes made sure to set the bar high for future athletes Saturday.

By competing at the UIL state track and field meet in Austin, Lehman junior Bria Arrant, senior CeCe Watson and freshman Nikayla Fitzgerald became the largest contingent the Lobo track program has sent to state in its history.

Leading the way was Arrant, who finished as the ninth fastest sprinter in Texas. Arrant, who competed in the 6A girls 100-meter dash, competed the run in 12.85 seconds.

“I could’ve been better,” said Arrant. “I guess I just didn’t feel it today.

I let the nervousness get to me.”

Although Arrant was disappointed in her finish, she was proud to reach the state, especially after claiming the title of the fastest woman in Region IV, 6A. “It makes me feel really great and proud,” Arrant said about competing with the state’s best athletes. “I’ve been wanting to get to this point for so long. And I finally made it here.”

Arrant said she is looking forward to competing next season to make it back to the state finals and compete for a medal.

“I’m definitely still going to work on my form,” Arrant said about her offseason plans. “And try and gain more muscle mass. Trying to get a better sprinter’s body.”

Arrant also explained that she will work on keeping her legs up when sprinting and focusing on getting out of the blocks, two keys in what got her to this year’s state meet.

Watson, who competed in the 6A girls shotput, finished with a throw of 38 feet 10 inches, which gave her eighth place in the competition. Her participation marked the second time Watson has reached the state level.

Watson competed in the 2017 UIL state track and field meet. Watson also has put the shot at the 2017 and 2018 Texas Relays.

Lehman Freshman Nikayla Fitzgerald made her inaugural appearance at the state meet by competing in the long jump. Fitzgerald leaped 18 feet and 1 inch, which

CeCe Watson

Nikayla Fitzgerald

“It makes me feel really great and proud. I’ve been wanting to get to this point for so long. And I finally made it here.”

–Brianna Arrant, Lehman sprinter

was good for 9th place in the competition.

The gold medal in long jump went to Claire Bryant from Houston Memorial with a jump of 20 feet 4.75 inches, barely beating Midland’s Sametria Smith who placed silver with an official score of 20 feet 4.25 inches.

SPORTS

Page 2B

Hays Free Press • May 16, 2018

Want to bet on local games? Not likely anytime soon

BY MOSES LEOS III

Looks like many a Las Vegas bookie could soon find themselves out of work in the near future.

The U.S. Supreme Court early Monday ruled an existing federal law preventing states from participating in sports betting was unconstitutional.

The ruling, which was handed down after New Jersey filed suit against the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), gives all states the ability to craft legislation to allow sports betting.

Beforehand, if you wanted to bet on games, individuals would have had to call up a bookie in Las Vegas to place a wager. Las Vegas was the only legal place people could bet on sports.

According to an ESPN report, the NBA and MLB are leading the charge in favor of opening up the sports betting game,

From the Sidelines

by Moses Leos III

which they claim could give many leagues a healthy slice in the lucrative pie.

But is that really a good thing for sports? It can be, if it’s done right.

For the average Joe who likes to parlay a bet here and there, opening up the market would add an extra level of convenience.

But sports leagues could stand to benefit from the influx of cash that rolls in as a result of sports betting. That could inevitably trickle down to the fans in the form of improved amenities, more money for top players and so on.

The impact could be felt on a local level, too.

States could stand to profit off the betting empire,

According to an ESPN report, the NBA and MLB are leading the charge in favor of opening up the sports betting game, which they claim could give many leagues a healthy slice in the lucrative pie.

not only in what’s coming in from the wagering, but also in tourism monies.

In my opinion, if something like this were to be implemented in Texas, any possible revenue could (and should) go toward education funding, which is direly needed.

However, there are several deep pitfalls that could come as a result of this new measure. The infamous Pete Rose seems to be at top of my mind of what can go wrong with sports betting.

Rose, who arguably should be in Cooperstown for his on-the-field success, is well known for his betting against his

would be immune to such problems? I wouldn’t bet on that.

Perhaps the largest issue in America circles around the NCAA and how it plans to deal with this news.

That’s not to say people don’t already bet on college sports. Vegas and overseas markets have Cincinnati Reds while seen fit to do that. managing them in the But the court’s decision mid-1980s. That act led places college athletics, to Rose earning a lifetime which has historically takban from the game, which en an anti-betting stance hasn’t been lifted. over the years, in a real No matter how much bind. regulation is in place, it In statement, Donal won’t stop people from Remy, NCAA chief legal trying to game the sysofficer, said while the tem. Point shaving will NCAA is reviewing the imcontinue to be a problem. pact of reversing PAPSA, Or worse, fixing the it will “adjust sports wagames themselves. Nugering and championship merous stories over the policies to align with the years have shed light on direction from the court.” intricate soccer match Reports have also surfixing schemes in Europe, faced that Marshall and Asia and South America.

West Virginia University It’s even gone as far as could strike a deal to capsoccer’s World Cup and ture revenue from sports the Olympics. betting, should that state’s Think this country legislature give the green

light to betting in its casinos.

Which gives new weight to the age old argument of whether it’s time to start paying college athletes.

If colleges and universities were making money off people betting on their athletes, I’d hate to believe we’d still consider them “amateurs.”

We in Texas, however, might be waiting a little while before we start placing our bets on Dallas Cowboy games.

While legislation can be crafted now, it would take a statewide vote to change the constitution because Texas laws only permit the lottery and parimutuel betting on horse and dog races and on bingo. And, in all likelihood, betting won’t formally be heard until the Texas Legislature reconvenes in 2019.

Until then, Texans might just have to make that phone call to an outof-state bookie after all.

Lobo Football: Use offseason to prepare for summer camp Continued from pg. 1B

opponents to down and distance situations.

“We try and put our best athletes in the best position, and try and use numbers to out number them, and then play with great leverage,” Salmon said. “We spent a lot of time teaching that. Really learning pursuit of the ball together and filling the correct lanes.”

Salmon and his staff opted to not do spring ball this semester in order to get an extra week of practice in the fall in return.

Without being able to see the players in pads, Salm-

LEHMAN FOOTBALL’S SUMMER SCHEDULE

stepped up and been consistent with it.”

• Hardin Simmons Lineman Challenge – Saturday June 9 Heading into the sumat 1:00pm in San Marcos. mer, the Lehman players • Rouse 7-on-7 Tournament – June 2 will have a quick break before they hop back on • Shootout Tournament – June 8 and 9 the grind for summer on has had to evaluate the Salmon said C.J. Scott conditioning workouts, team in other ways. and Christian Ramirez which will start the week “Football is probably are two players who have after school ends. about 15 percent of evalu- stood out to him based For Salmon, the biggest ating talent,” Salmon said. on their consistency and key heading into fall camp “Habit, effort, consisteneffort. is getting the new staff cy and accountability is “I think C.J. Scott has and players on the same about 85 percent of it. We really jumped up and page. are looking for guys who taken on a role both of“The biggest thing for give extra, who have good fensively and defensively,” me is to have everything leadership qualities. We said Salmon. “Christian in place,” Salmon said. are looking for accountRamirez has also been “The hardest thing about ability.” a guy who has really transitions is the transi-

tion part of it. I think our kids have done a great job of trying to figure out where everything is at.

They are really hungry and

want to do well. We are getting better everyday.”

The Lobos will take the field and begin fall camp on Monday August 6.

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Rebel Football: Eyes progress for summer football Continued from pg. 1B

mentals.

Goad said the staff has “a lot of time allotted to us” during the class period to work on the transition. It’s something Goad has done during his time at Navarro, which, as a 4A school, did not have spring practices.

Helping the cause are upperclassmen that include returning quarterback Xavier Martinez, as well as linebacker Mark Mireles, tight end Bayler Jordan and defensive lineman Andrew Eddleman.

Goad said returning upperclassmen are stepping up and working hard to make the transition as smooth as possible.

“They are all guys who established themselves before I got here and they are doing everything they can during the transition to bring a positive attitude and reach the potential this team has,” Goad said.

Welcoming in a handful of new coaches to the fold, as well as filling in for

Leaving the program will be longtime assistants Gary Gaddy and Mitch Phillps, who plan to retire from coaching. Joining the ranks will be Aaron Foster, who served as Goad’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Navarro for the past eight years. Other coaches from Navarro who plan to join the Rebel staff are defensive coordinator Chema Chavez, as well as assistants Nick Lopez and Robert Jones.

“The kids are responding well and working hard,” Goad said. “We’ve had a few personnel changes because of people moving, but it’s pretty PHOTO BY TRACY STIRMAN good.”

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Hays Rebel junior tight end Bayler Jordan (85) showed off his hurdling skills by avoiding a Westlake Chaparral during a district game played at Shelton Stadium in 2017. Jordan is one of several returning upperclassmen who will lead the Rebel program next season.

coaches who are retiring or departing, is equally vital for Goad. It’s also the reason why the Rebel

staff chose to not conduct spring practices, and instead have an extra week of practice in August.

Continued from pg. 1B

Bosquez. “Knowing that today was an opportunity to compete against the top, the best in the state, I’m happy I got the opportunity and I’m happy with my results. I’m proud.”

Bosquez credits her offseason training with endurance and different positional situations as the keys to her success and making it to the state finals this year. Reaching state track marked the third appearance at a UIL state competition for Bosquez in her career.

Bosquez, who is a multisport athlete, competed in the 2016 and 2017 cross country state meet in Round Rock.

Hays sophomore high jumper Reagan Casey also took the field at the state meet, going up against the top 6A high jumpers in the state, including defending state champion

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Rebel Track: Leaping to the Podium talented,” Baker said. “Everybody puts in so much hard work. You can’t get this far without putting in hard work and that’s kind of what I admire about these guys. So it’s really fun to compete along side them and make friends.”

The gold medal in the long jump went to Matthew Boling from Houston Strake Jesuit with a 24-foot jump. Silver was awarded to D.J. Henderson of DeSoto with an official jump of 23 feet 8.5 inches.

Meanwhile, Hays High senior runner Gabby Bosquez, who competed in her final high school event, ran the 6A girls 800-meters in 2 minutes and 18.88 seconds, giving her eighth place in the competition.

“I’ll be honest it wasn’t my best, but I’m definitely proud of myself,” said

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Casey finished in 7th place with a high jump of 5 feet 4 inches.

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Meet your candidates

Meet District 7 candidates Travis Cox and Amy Lea SJ Akers

for the 2018 board election.

Join us at 5:30 p.m. on May 31 in our Kyle office at 1810 FM 150 West

Travis Cox

Amy Lea SJ Akers

Watch for your ballot near the end of May, and learn more at pec.coop/election.

Education

$1.1M OVERRUN

District looks for ways to bridge gap in bond project.

– Page 4B

Hays Free Press • May 16, 2018

Page 3B

Hays CISD eyes possible tax rate increase

BY KATERINA BARTON

A proposal to improve safety at Hays CISD elementary schools could force the district to increase its ad valorem rate to generate enough revenue.

The item was part of a presentation on the district’s Fiscal Year (FY) 201819 budget, which could have a $6 million deficit, if approved by the board of trustees. Officials said increasing the tax rate has not yet been included in the preliminary budget and is only a point of discussion at this time.

The safety proposal, presented to the board during a budget workshop April 27, would require a tax ratification election to move the maintenance and operations (M&O) rate from $1.04 to $1.06. An election would be necessary, as Hays CISD has reached an M&O rate of $1.04 per $100 valuation, which is the maximum amount districts can tax per state law. If approved, the district’s overall ad valorem rate would increase to $1.56 per $100 valuation.

A school district’s tax rate is comprised of the M&O, which funds maintenance

and district operations, and As a result of the deficit, the Interest and Sinking Hays CISD is eyeing the (I&S) rate, possibility of which pays drawing from down debt.

By increasing its reserve According to account, the M&O rate, which is used Hays CISD officials, the for one-time the district is expenses, district’s I&S rate of $.50 to cover the expected to will remain overage. unchanged.

While generate an By inthe district creasing the additional $2.5 has adopted M&O rate, budget defimillion per year cits for the the district is expected to last decade, for the hiring the roughly generate an additional million of new school $7 $2.5 million overage per year for would be its resource the hiring of largest. new school District officers resource ofrevenue (SRO), ficers (SRO), projections behavioral show an inbehavioral specialists crease from and aides at FY 2017-18 specialists elementary due to a rise campuses. in taxable and aides at At this appraised time, howevproperty elementary er, improving values, but campuses. services at state allocatelementary ed funding schools is not was reduced part of the district’s project- by roughly $2.4 million. ed $168 million in expen “We strive for a balanced ditures for FY 2019. Hays budget, but when property CISD is expecting roughly values go up, then the state $161 million in revenue. funding goes down so it

HCISD budget by the numbers • $168,014,882 – Proposed FY 2019 expenses • $161,228,795 – Proposed FY 2019 revenue • $6

million – Proposed deficit for FY 2019 • $3.4 million – Current deficit adopted in FY 2018 budget • $7,116,762 – Projected increase in taxable appraised property in HCISD in FY 2019 • $2,438,124 – Amount of state allocated funding reduced for HCISD in FY 2019 • 430 – Projected number of additional students to enroll in HCISD in FY 2019 • $5.1 million – Proposed expense to pay for increasing HCISD teacher salaries in FY 2019 makes it virtually impossible,” Hays CISD Chief Financial Officer Annette Folmar said. “Even though we’re getting more kids, the state funding is going down by more than two million (dollars), and so our local taxpayers are going to be paying more of this burden.”

The district is expected to have 264 more students in 2018 and is projected to receive another 430 students in 2019.

District officials used a new zero-based budgeting method to review expenditures, which gave the board a better under-

standing of the district’s operating costs across 53 departments.

By looking at necessary expenditures and reallocating resources, the district was able to propose a $2.7 million cut in expenses.

The cuts included consolidation of duties, redesigning leadership organization and cutting central administration services.

Hays CISD is also looking at several key expenses for FY 2018-19, including a proposed three percent pay increase for all district employees, which would amount to $5.1 million.

According to the district,

Mustang band locks up trophies in Lockhart

recruitment and retention of high-quality employees is a priority.

Other additions to the budget include budget allocations for the opening of Uhland Elementary and Johnson High, additional resources for the special education department, funding for the Fuentes Elementary fine arts academy initiative, and adding additional full-time employees.

This framework of the budget will be discussed at future school board meetings and a final annual budget will be adopted in August.

PHOTO BY LEROY GERDES

The Dahlstrom Middle School beginner band made a trip to Lockhart to compete at the Texas Music Festival on May 11. While there, they racked up a First Division Rating Trophy and the first place trophy in their division.

PHOTO BY JIM CULLEN

Bobcats honor former band director with memorial score PHOTOS BY JIM CULLEN

Panthers host Patriotic Program

Kyle Elementary School 2nd graders staged a “Patriotic Program” earlier this week. From Ben Franklin to Sojourner Truth, George Washington to Martin Luther King, a host of the nation’s most important historic figures were represented through dance, song, and waving of the American flag.

Barton Middle School’s Wind Ensemble enjoyed a consulting visit from Texas State University professor and composer Richard Hall in final preparations for its season-ending concert May 14. The band performed Hall’s “Honored Guest, Going to the Sun,” a score locally commissioned in memoriam for former HCISD Assistant Band Director Dr. Dulane Aaberg.

The Barton Wind Ensemble’s performance, also featuring Dulane Aaberg a commissioned piece by Amarillo area composer Eric Rath, will be part of an evening concert that includes the McCormick and Dahlstrom middle school wind ensembles.

EDUCATION

Page 4B

HCISD shuffles funds to cover $1.1M overrun

BY MOSES LEOS III

To cover a $1.1 million overrun on several of its May 2017 bond projects, Hays CISD is hoping to utilize possible cost savings from roofing repairs.

While Hays CISD’s board of trustees approved Hot Rod Mechanical to start the project, several board members were concerned about how the district has generated cost estimates for projects in this bond.

The bond package had $593,000 budgeted for upgrades, including improving HVAC systems at Barton Middle and Hemphill Elementary, as well as roof repairs at Lehman High and Kyle Elementary. Upgrades at the four campuses are expected to begin this summer.

Max Cleaver, Hays CISD chief operation officer, said the district discovered the cost overrun after receiving three proposals in mid-March. Those proposals were part of a 2015 cost estimate study contracted by Hays CISD, which involved as many as four entities.

According to district documents, all but one of the four HVAC and roofing projects were more than $200,000 over budget, with the total amount coming out to roughly $1.7 million.

Cleaver said the cost overruns seemed to come from “inaccurate cost estimates” that lacked soft costs, such as architect and engineering fees, contingencies and unit count discrepancies.

Cleaver was unsure if miscommunication led to the cost discrepancies.

“With that many entities, that’s why I don’t want to be throwing stones at someone. I don’t

Max Cleaver, Hays CISD chief operation officer, said the cost overruns seemed to come from “inaccurate cost estimates” that lacked soft costs, such as architect and engineering fees, contingencies and unit count discrepancies.

Hays Free Press • May 16, 2018

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know what communicacost savings to help cover tions that did or didn’t oc- the overage. cur, but that seemed like Will McManus, Hays it was a lot of cooks in the CISD trustee at-large elect kitchen,” Cleaver said. and current FBOC chairA solution, however, man, said projects that was to utilize projected are part of Proposition 2 cost savings from roofing are “fair game” as far as repairs at Lehman High possibly moving funds and Kyle Elementary, around. which partially helped to However, McManus cover the overrun. Cleaver said the FBOC was conalso reduced the scope of cerned about the inaccuupgrades to the four cam- racies of current cost estipuses. mates for bond projects.

However, board trustee While McManus said Willie Tenorio said April there’s not a crisis, the 16 he wasn’t in favor of discovery of more cost the district’s 2015 study, overruns could be a realas he believed similar isity, as the district doesn’t • FREE Group Exercise Programs sues could surface. have all the numbers for • FREE Youth Classes Tenorio said he preall Proposition 2 projects. ferred contracting a third “Some of the numbers • FREE Child Watch for Y Members party that had no ties to and dollar amounts in • FREE Y Active Sessions with a the district, or an entity Proposition 2 were not that had not done any as put together as they Personal Fitness Coach prior work on the same should have been,” Mc• Swim Lessons, Pools & Water Slides project.

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We love you so much! Good luck at the University Congratulations! ty,” Tenorio said.

FBOC is also planning of Texas. Remember that ohana means family.

You worked hard to Trustee Esperanza look at its charter to Family means nobody gets left behind. Orto forgotten. finish this chapter of Always let your Reach Orosco said April 16conscience shebe your guide.assess how it could better your life and we could for the sky. Hakuna Matata" means no worries. The was concerned about the help the administration past can hurt but the way I see it, you can either run not be more proud of all transparencyfromofit orshifting and learn from it. Just keep swimming.

All it define what those your accomplishments. takes is faith and trust.

Now go – Live your dreams. money from one project things are moving forNow #45 Hays Rebel You're off to great places, today is your day. to another. Orosco advoward. moves on to his next Your mountain is waiting so get on your way. cated for district “The committee has chapter at Texas Tech –Dr. Seussofficials are always going to be your #1 fans.

University. to consult the WeFacilities a new relationship with Love, Mom, Dad, Mia, Dominic, Brookelyn, Love you, and Bond Oversight Com- administration that I’m Elijah, Benjamin, Sophie and Faith Mom, Dad and Aaron mittee (FBOC), which not sure was there preholds an advisory role. viously,” McManus said.

The FBOC May 3 recom“There’s a high degree of CONGRATULATIONS mended utilizing some trust moving forward.”

10 AMILIO!

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JOEL

You will do great things in life and the world will surely benefit from your future successes.

Your entire family loves you so very much.

XOXO Love Dad, Mom, Antonio, Carlo and Shadow

You did it!! We are all so proud of you and can’t wait to see you walk that stage. We will be there loud and proud, son.

It’sVal, time to congratulate your senior!

Keyana

We are so proud of you and we love you so much.

Love, Mom, Dad, Jess & Jr.

GRADUATION 2017

Burkley

You have become a wonderful young man with a bright future ahead of you so keep moving forward. We will be by your side every step of the way!

Go Lobos!! We love you, Mom & Dad, Julian, Jaysen, Melissa, Mason

CLASS OF 2017

I can't believe we are at this day,

Our little baby is about to go away.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

You need to know we love you so very much.

Love Mom, Dad, and Kevin

Jeremiah 29:11

“The f belongs who be the be their dr

About VASE

Dahlstrom Middle School students Julia Hall, Cadance Maas, Roxy McKinney, Audrey Balsdon, Reagan Hord and Anna Ziegler (not pictured) competed in the Jr. VASE recently in Austin and came away with four gold medals at the event.

What’s going on?

Find out what’s going on in Buda, Kyle and surrounding communities by reading the Hays Free Press or visiting us online at

HaysFreePress.com

- Eleanor

Tracy Mal

Ken zie Thomas Congratulations Brandon Mendieta!

W

Always remember...

e are so very proud of the wonderfully made person braver than you believe, you are. You are You loyal,are faithful, stronger thana you seem, strong, determined, and have such thanblessed you think & compassionate heart.smarter We are truly loved more thananyou know. to have watched you grow into such amazing young man.Congratulations We are excited to on your see what you achieve next atfrom TexasHays Tech High School. graduation and beyond. AlwaysWe follow loveyour youdreams Minnie Mouse! and don’t ever allow yourself to just be Love Always, content. Keep believing in yourself, and live life to the fullest.Mom, WreckDad ‘Em!and your Sisters We love you to the moon and back!

And know that we are always proud of and we will always be your biggest Hip Hip Hoorayyou, to cousins Karson and Ben Osgood! fans!! Stay humble and kind.

Love, your FAMILY

AD E L SAMP

This special edition will include class favorites, baby photos, and much more.

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Congratulations to You and the Class of 2017!

We are so proud of you, Love, Papa, your aunts Sonya, DISTRIBUTED JUNE 7 IN THE HAYS FREE PRESS FORand our little powder puff.

Yolanda & LaShonda your uncles Marvin, Mike, & Ted HAYS, LEHMAN & LIVE OAK ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOLS

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We are so proud of the young man that you have become and we anticipate what’s in store for your future!

2018 Graduation Edition Allison Drew Stewart

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Congratulations on your graduation and your trip to the regional golf tournament.

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Double Size (top right) $110 black/white • $125 in color

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e love you so m You have mad proud of the young have become. As yo a new chapter in you remember to follow Dreams, Have Fun, Hard and enjoy ever day! May God conti bless you and direct path. Congratulatio We Love You De Mom & Dad

Section C

Community

HOTEL NO

Buda says no to hotel downtown.

– Page 1D

Hays Free Press

HaysFreePress.com

May 16, 2018 • Page 1C

Avocado notes from the Guacamole Kid Ask Amanda

by Amanda Moon

G PHOTO BY DAVID WHITE

SY OF PHOTO COURTE

DIANE WINSLOW

It’s About Thyme nursery, co-owned by Chris and Diane Winslow, began as a business in 1979, and grew from a small vendor of specialty herbs into a fully-stocked garden center. The couple will close their business this summer.

It’s About Thyme to close SUBMITTED REPORT

Struggles to find an affordable place to relocate is leading a longtime Manchaca-area nursery to close its doors for good.

It’s About Thyme, located off of Manchaca Road near the Hays County and Travis County lines, announced plans to close the nursery this summer, ending nearly 39 years of service to the area.

The nursery, coowned by Chris and Diane Winslow, began as a business in 1979, and grew from a small vendor of specialty herbs into a fully-stocked garden center.

After losing the business’ lease two years ago,

“Our goal has always been to help gardeners create the vegetable patch or backyard landscape of their dreams.”

–Chris Winslow, co-owner of It’s About Thyme

the Winslows explored relocation to the nearby Marbridge Foundation in Hays County. Marbridge is a place where Chris Winslow began his career in horticulture.

But plans fell apart and with nowhere viable to move to, Diane and Chris Winslow have decided to close down their family business in the middle of this summer.

The nursery, which has seen a steady rise in profits in the past five

years, has 4 full-time employees, 3 seasonal workers, and a weekly gardening newsletter that reaches 3,200 readers.

“Another iconic Austin business bites the dust because of the Austin condo craze,’ said Chris Winslow in a statement.

Diane Winslow started the nursery in 1979 from a tiny greenhouse attached to her house on Alpine Street by St. Edward’s University.

demolished for new development.

“Everywhere I’ve gone, they tear it down,” she said.

For the past two years the business has been in limbo, as different options presented themselves.

In 1985 she moved “It has evolved into acher small business to ceptance, but I struggled FM 1626 behind the with the separation anxiRailroad Barbeque in ety for the last two years, Manchaca and built two and I have to accept it,” greenhouses. Again she Diane Winslow said. outgrew the property, A highlight for Diane and in 1993 moved to has been watching the the nursery’s current nursery grow “from location. something small into a But Diane Winslow is fairly big deal.” concerned about the lev“Our goal has always el of development in the been to help gardeners Austin area. She cites the create the vegetable two previous lcoations patch or backyard landfor It’s About Thyme, scape of their dreams,” which have since been said Chris Winslow.

STAR: Seniors Taking A Ride

PHOTOS BY KATERINA BARTON

Buda unveiled its new ADA accessible STAR (Seniors Taking a Ride) Bus on May 3 at the Onion Creek Senior Center. The bus provides free transportation for seniors in the Buda area. Riders can use the bus to run various errands including going to medical appointments or to the grocery store. The bus will even take riders as far as Kyle and San Marcos. Rides will be available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon and a minimum of a two-day notice is required to request a ride.

rowing an avocado tree from a seed has always been a favorite project for elementary age kids. I remember planting one when I was young and watching it in wonder as it sprouted roots and tops out of its toothpick-stabilized seed.

Although this is a great way to teach kids about how a seed becomes a tree, sadly the actual avocado tree created this way will not usually be strong enough to last through a winter, and will rarely produce any fruit.

Like citrus, avocados that produce at a young age are grafted, not seed grown. There are also specific varieties better suited to our climate than the Haas and other grocery store fruits used in the elementary school experiments.

Avocados are a staple in many Texans’ diets – certainly in mine – and with just a little TLC, growing your own fruit is definitely an option here.

The avocado tree (Persea americana) is native to Mexico and Central America, and is grown commercially on a limited basis in the Rio Grande Valley.

The best types of avocado to experiment with here in central Texas are the Mexican varieties. They have thinner skinned fruit, but a greater tolerance to frost than the others (including the Guatemalan Haas). An established, older Mexican avocado has a frost tolerance to 15 degrees when planted in a protected location.

The best Mexican varieties to grow in the Austin area are Lila, Joey, Poncho, Fantastic, Opal, Wilma and Pryor.

For strong fruit production it is best to have two different varieties, although here in Texas the Mexican varieties appear to be somewhat self-fertile as well. My Lila has fruit on it without a pollinator friend; hopefully I will actually get a small crop of avocados this year.

Cold is definitely our limiting factor for growing avocados commercially in the central part of the state, but just like citrus a backyard gardener can have success with the trees if they are well protected from extreme cold and even better protected when they are still young.

I have kept my Lila in a pot so that while still young I can bring the tree in and out of the garage on the coldest nights. Of course my soil isn’t very deep either, so she may be in a container as long as I live in this house.

Avocados will reach heights of 50’ plus if given the opportunity, so topping the tree (cutting out the center growth leader) may be necessary to keep the tree at manageable levels for winter protection. I don’t know about you, but I am not interested in climbing an extension ladder in below freezing wind chill to protect a tree!

ASK AMANDA, 4C

COMMUNITY

Page 2C

OBITUARIES KATZER

into my life with great love and joy. We were Connie Bales Katzer married with rings of was born November an endless love, even 17, 1943. though we bought our She left set at the Five & Dime us on store. I remembered May 10, your smile with great 2018 to joy! We wore them with join our love for one another Daddy in until we could afford heaven. new ones.

She was I have sorrow in my 75 years heart now that you are old. gone. Jesus came and Connie passed away carried you away to peacefully in her sleep heaven. And now, like after many years of always, he is carrying health issues. She was me and wiping my tears a loving and caring away since you are gone. daughter, sister, wife, You never said you Nanny to her grandkids were leaving. You never and Great Nanny to her said goodbye. great grandkids. She You were gone before was a homemaker and I knew it and only God long time seamstress. knows why.

Connie was preceded I love you dearly and in death by her husmy heart weeps with band of 54 years Robert tears, but you are still in H. Katzer (2015), her my heart and I hold that parents Oran and Julia place there that only Bales, and her sister you can fill.

Charlotte Bales Gurley.

When you left, you Connie is survived by didn’t go alone; a big her daughter Debbra part of me went with Schubert and husband you on that morning Monte, sons Todd Jesus came to take you!

(Lynn), Preston (Jenn), But knowing what I and Scott Katzer; grand- knew about Heaven (no children Justin (Beth) more pain or suffering, Trapp, Wesley (Haley) just love and happiness Trapp, Dusty (Michelle) with endless sunshine), Schubert, Bobbi Kyndel I’m glad you are there Schubert, Aaron (Beth- and not here! any) Katzer, Brandon, You will always mean Riley, Avery and Cooper more to me than just Katzer. Ten great grand- being my wife. You were children, with three and always will be my more on the way, along best friend, too. with many extended I love you, my love family members.

– yesterday, today and Services were held tomorrow.

Wednesday, May 16, Thank you, my love 2018 at the Kyle Cemfor the kids you shared etery. with me. For their joy will always remind me SPILLAR of the love and joy we To my beautiful wife had together. When I Nancy Jewel Spillar look at them, I see a big (Sept. 7, 1943 – April 12, part of you!

2018), Thank you, Father in I asked God for an Heaven, for giving me angel and he sent me my loving Nancy. you!

I thank you, my I love you as much loving wife, for sharing as life itself. You were your life with me! the greatest wife I could I love you and I don’t have asked for. I am want to say goodbye, for missing you greatly, someday I will see you especially when you again standing next to smiled when I would Jesus with our son Joe say, “I love you!” standing next to you.

I’m thankful to God I love you always! in Heaven for bringing Your loving husband, us together. You came Tom

Hays Free Press • May 16, 2018

‘Get flood insurance’ they say T he Hays CISD Softball and Baseball Complex site preparation’s invasion into the peace and tranquility of Mountain City will continue for 3 to 5 weeks.

On Monday, a great gasp went out from residents crowded into city hall to hear what’s happening in the city’s backyard neighbor’s property when they heard this timeframe.

For those living along the HSICD property line, the complex is as close as 150 feet. The greatest concern, beyond noise and lights and loss of wildlife activity and loss of beloved trees and loss of life-as-residents now-know-it, is flooding.

Citizens hope the school district will make changes in the plans.

More than once we heard during the council meeting, “Get flood insur-

Mt. City Montage

by Pauline Tom

ance.” For us (RonTom and myself), flood insurance started with a reasonable premium and became expensive. After a single claim, our premium skyrocketed to over $2,000/ year.

Appraised Value Notices arrived recently from the appraisal district. For us, with an over-65 year old school tax exemption, about 60 percent of the proposed tax goes to Hays CISD. We can see our Hays County Emergency Services District #5 tax dollars at work as construction of a massive garage

changes the “house with stone fence” near the city’s entrance into a fire substation.

Mayor Phillip Taylor mentioned on Monday night that homeowners’

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insurance for us (Mountain Cityians) should go down in price with the substation within the City The vehicles in the driveway say “Kyle Fire Department”. They’re HCESD#5 vehicles associated with the fire department based in Kyle.

Fire Chief Kyle Taylor explained “We have a DBA under the name Kyle Fire Department. We are not associated at all with the city of Kyle, we just serve the citizens there just like in Mountain City. We didn’t put Kyle Fire Department on the Station in Mountain City, just Hays County ESD #5. We are still trying to determine the best way to label the new truck coming.”

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Hays Free Press • May 16, 2018

COMMUNITY

Page 3C

Connally began his climb on the bottom rung A

Debbie Thames, Agent 251 N. FM 1626, Bldg. 2, Ste. C, Buda, Texas 78610 312-1917

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“the market crashed” and they defaulted on a $5,000 bank loan.

Nevertheless, the elder Connally refused to quit.

He scraped together enough cash in 1926 to buy a second-hand Buick and started hauling paying passengers seven at a time between San Antonio and Corpus Christi. A year later, he moved the family to the Alamo City to be at one end of the “bus” line.

All the kids did their part. John crawled out of bed at three o’clock in the morning to milk cows and make deliveries for a local dairy. “My pay was all the milk, butter and cream that the Connally family needed.”

John, Sr. sold his bus business to Greyhound in 1932, paid off his creditors and bought a 1,200-acre ranch in Wilson County.

His namesake graduated from Floresville High the next year and enrolled that fall in the University of Texas at the tender age of 16.

The long list of John Connally’s classmates and friends reads like a

Your Hometown McDonald’s

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

EPISCOPAL

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Faith Assembly of God 1030 Main St., Buda

St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church 725 RR 967, Buda

Monte del Olivar Christian Center 2400 FM 150 E., Kyle

BAPTIST First Baptist Church-Buda 104 San Marcos St., Buda

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 11819 IH-35 South

Hays Hills Baptist Church 1401 FM 1626, Buda

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

2325 FM 967 • 312-0701

NEWS • LETTERS • OBITS CALENDAR • PHOTO GALLERY CLASSIFIEDS • SUBSCRIBE

Primera Mision Bautista Mexicana Kyle

A Fountain of Life Church 302 Millenium Dr. Kyle

Redeeming Grace Lutheran LCMS FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca

Fellowship Church at Plum Creek 160 Grace Street at 2770, Kyle

The Well Buda

Word of Life Christian Faith Center 118 Trademark Drive, Buda

METHODIST

Por Tu Gracia Fellowship 701 Roland Lane, Kyle

Buda United Methodist Church San Marcos & Elm St., Buda

Trinity United Chuch of Niederwald 13700 Camino Real, Hwy. 21, Niederwald

CATHOLIC Santa Cruz Catholic Church 1100 Main Street, Buda St. Anthony Marie Claret Church 801 N. Burleson, Kyle St. Michael’s Catholic Church S. Old Spanish Trail, Uhland

Kyle United Methodist Church Sledge & Lockhart St., Kyle

CHRISTIAN

Journey United Methodist 310 San Antonio Dr., Buda

Buda-Kyle Church of Christ 3.5 miles south of Buda on FM 2770 Southern Hills Church of Christ 3740 FM 967, Buda

(Millennium Drive is an entrance road) Pastor Rusty Fletcher and family

Services Sun. 11:00 a.m.

Wed. 7:30 p.m.

Call or Text 512.393.4460

Visit

afountain.org for more info.

nuel Baptist Church a m Im FIRST SUNDAYS: Contemporary Worship at 9:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: Bible Study for all ages, 9:45 a.m. Worship Service, 10:55 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: Bible Study, 7 p.m.

Pastor Rodney Coleman 4000 East FM 150 (4 miles east of Kyle) (512) 268-5471

God with us

Mission Fellowship Church 200 San Marcos Street, Buda

Good Shepherd Ministries FM 967, Buda

CHURCH OF CHRIST

Located 1 block off FM 2001 at 302 Millennium Dr., Kyle, Texas

Jehovah’s Witnesses South 10802 Manchaca Rd., Manchaca

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 7206 Creedmoor Rd., Creedmoor Manchaca United Methodist Church FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca Driftwood United Methodist Church RR 150 at County Road 170

Buda United Methodist Church Elm Street & San Marcos

*Traditional Worship (Worship Center)-9 a.m.

Sunday School (all ages)-10:00 a.m. *Informal Worship (Chapel)-11 a.m.

Wednesday Evening (Chapel)-6:30 p.m. *On 5th Sundays we conduct one service at 10 a.m. with special music.

Rev. Nancy Day Office 295-6981, Parsonage 512-393-9772 www.BudaUMC.org

Santa Cruz Catholic Church

1100 Main Street • Buda, Texas 78610 Office: 512-312-2520 • Fax: 512-295-2034 • santacruzcc.org Rev. David Leibham, Pastor • Rev. Amado Ramos, Assoc. Pastor CONFESSION Saturdays: 4 p.m.-5 p.m.

MASS SCHEDULE: Saturday evening: 5:30 p.m.

Sunday 8:30 a.m. (Spanish), 11 a.m. (English) 5 p.m. (English)

OFFICE HOURS Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

FM 2770, Buda, Texas 295-4801

Kingdom United Christian Church 100 Madison Way, Buda

Center Union Baptist Church Goforth Rd., Buda

Iglesia Israelita Casa de Dios 816 Green Pastures Dr., Kyle

A non-denominational church with live contemporary Christian music and life giving teaching!

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Antioch Community Church Old Black Colony Rd., Buda

Living Word Lutheran ELCA 2315 FM 967, Buda

Baptist Church of Driftwood 13540 FM 150 W.

Log onto www.HaysFreePress.com

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The Connection Church 1235 S. Loop 4, Buda

LUTHERAN

Immanuel Baptist Church 4000 E. FM 150, 4 miles east of Kyle

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New Covenant Community Church 1019 Main Street, Buda (in Dance Unlimited)

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15359 IH-35, Ste. B P.O. Box 1364, Buda, TX 78610 512-312-2383 Locally owned and operated

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Come worship with us

Sledge Chapel Missionary Baptist Church 709 Sewell, Kyle

McDonald’s of Buda

“Who’s Who” of mid-20th century Texas politics: Congressmen Jake Pickle, Homer Thornberry and Joe Kilgore; Dallas district attorney Henry Wade; judges John Singleton and Perry Pickett; diplomat and Democratic Party bigwig Robert Strauss; and legal eagles Sherman Birdwell, Scott Daly, Mack DeGuerin, Speck Logan, Jimmy Nesbitt and Nelson Rodgers.

The Curtain Club, one of the restless undergrad’s many extracurricular activities, included actorsto-be Eli Wallach and Zachary Scott, television star Betty White and news anchor Walter Cronkite.

It was also through the drama group that he met the love of his life, Idanell “Nellie” Brill.

In 1936 Connally participated in his first political campaign, his father’s successful bid for county clerk. Two years later, the son won his first election succeeding pal Pickle as president of the UT student assembly.

In between – 1937, to be exact – Connally re-

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PENTECOSTAL Mision de Casa de Oracion S. Hwy. 81, Kyle New Life Sanctuary Kyle Science Hall Elementary 1510 Bebee Rd. PRESBYTERIAN St. John’s Presbyterian Church 12420 Hewitt Ln., Manchaca First Presbyterian Church 410 W. Hutchison, San Marcos, TX 78666

Hays Hills

 

 

Baptist Church

Sunday

9:30 a.m. Classic Service 10:45 a.m. Contemporary service

9:00am 10:00am 6:00pm 7:00pm

Wednesday 

Adult (including an 8:30 a.m. early bird class), teen, children’s classes * Children’s worship Professionally-staffed nursery & pre-school

COME WORSHIP WITH US!

www.hayshills.org 1401 N. FM 1626

First Baptist Church

A loving & caring Southern Baptist Church 104 S. San Marcos Street, Buda Buddy Johnson, Pastor • 295-2161 Sunday School...........................................9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship....................................10:45 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study/Youth Activities...6:00 p.m.

AWANA’s (Wednesday)..........................6:00 p.m.

Nursery Provided www.firstbaptistbuda.com • fbcbuda@austin.rr.com



Bible Class Worship Worship Bible Class

  

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Southeast Baptist Church 5020 Turnersville Rd • Creedmoor, TX 512-243-2837

Sunday Bible Study: 9:45 a.m.

Worship: 11:00 a.m.

WEdnESday Pray & Devotion: 6:30 p.m.

FM

N

13

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5

able with up-from-poor talk. I did not try to conceal my roots, I simply chose not to exploit them.”

Judging from his childhood, he certainly was entitled. The Connally clan eked out a living on a small piece of land three miles outside Floresville.

“The Depression never touched us. We were so far down on the economic ladder, we hardly knew it happened.”

The Connallys lived without electricity until 1940. His mother cooked three meals a day on a wood-burning stove and washed clothes in a kettle of water heated over a fire in the yard. The children wore nothing but overalls, went barefoot practically year-round and studied by the dim light of kerosene lamps.

“My father, who had never gone beyond the eighth grade, always wanted to be more than a tenant farmer.” John, Sr. tried cutting hair for a living but at six-foot-five was too tall for the barbering trade. He opened a feed lot with a partner, but

in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, a cabinet seat at the Nixon table and his controversial change of party allegiance that may have cost him the presidency.

162

by Bartee Haile

turned the favor of a New Deal functionary who arranged his part-time job at the state supreme court library. Twenty-nine year old Lyndon Baines Johnson finished first in the special election to fill a vacancy in the Texas congressional delegation and never forgot the bright ball-of-fire from Floresville.

When Connally completed his college education in 1939, the U.S. Representative had a place for him on his staff.

For the next two years, he worked night and day as LBJ’s secretary while learning his way around Washington.

With influential friends in high places, Connally could have spent World War II behind a desk. Instead, he pulled strings in order to be shipped overseas and into combat.

The flight control officer survived nine major battles in the Pacific.

In April 1945, he earned a Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit by staying at his hazardous post for 52 straight hours during the peak of a Japanese kamikaze attack.

Lieutenant Commander John Connally came home in late 1945. Ahead lay the “landslide” that carried Lyndon into the Senate, three terms as governor, his near-death experience

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Texas History

Buda, Texas • 15300 S. IH-35 • 312-1615

BUDA

“The Depression never touched us. We were so far down on the economic ladder, we hardly knew it happened.”

IH-35

young naval officer from South Texas destined for his own brand of greatness was just another face in the crowd, as Gen. Charles de Gaulle rode triumphantly through the streets of Algiers on May 22, 1944.

John Connally told the story of his remarkable life in In History’s Shadow shortly before his death in 1993. This book, the source of most quotations in this column, may be the most readable and candid autobiography of any Texas politician.

The family tree was planted in the Lone Star State by Connally’s great-grandfather. The Alabama emigrant and a neighbor both named their sons after the founder of the Methodist denomination. John Wesley Hardin grew up to be the deadliest gunfighter in Reconstruction Texas, and John Wesley Connally became a farmer in Wilson County.

That was where the father of the future governor was born in 1889.

Twenty-eight years later, he named the fourth of his eight offspring John Bowden Connally, Jr. Years later the politician refused to play the poverty card despite advisors’ pleas to “talk more openly about knowing humble times. I wasn’t comfort-

Toll

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.

C o m e wo r s h i p w i t h u s Join our church directory by emailing paper@haysfreepress.com.

COMMUNITY

Page 4C

Hays Free Press • May 16, 2018

Montage From pg. 2C

year male Summer Tanagers in Mountain City. The blotches of red and greenish coloration of two that visit my big boulders bird bath differ from the blotches see has seen. Mountain City has at least three first year males. They’re sexually mature even though they do not have red plumage.

A bright red male Summer Tanager, whose plumage may have taken two full years, started singing on Monday morning at our kitchen window. On Tuesday at noon, he’s still singing.

We’ve seen him, a male Painted Bunting, and a Northern Cardinal at the same time.

Jeff Williams, on Maple, posted a photo of a roadrunner in the street on the Facebook page of Loving MountainCity. Vicki Senefeld posted the photo of “her” roadrunner on Live Oak. They think it’s the same one.

The Senefelds’ house backs up to the baseball and softball complex. Vicki has cringed watching the destruction of huge oak trees.

Whether delightful or cringeful, Montage needs tidbits. Please email ptom5678@ gmail.com (subject: tidbit) or phone 512268-5678. Thanks!

Love to you, Pauline

ENTERTAINMENT

3200 Kyle Crossing (512) 523 9012

PHOTOS BY KATERINA BARTON

Czech Melody Makers band members Dennis Svatek on trumpet, Dave Bedrich also on trumpet, Thomas Durnin on bass, Frances Barton on accordion, Rob Schmidt on drums and Stephen Svatek on guitar performed for Kyle’s Market Days at the “Squeeze me on the Square” Squeeze-box Music Fest. Event goers watched the Czech polka band from the comfort of the shade on the hot day, while some brave Kyle-ites ventured out into the square and did some polkaing of their own. Other artists who played included Conjunto Los Pinkys, Grupo Massa, The Walburg Boys and the Conjunto Cats.

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$5 Tuesday Frenzy

Ask Amanda: Avocado notes from the Avocado Kid Continued from pg. 1C

Trees planted in a protected area of your backyard, or facing south-southeast in the front will have the best chance of surviving winter. Make sure the soil is well-drained, but otherwise the avocado is not particular about acidity/ alkalinity.

The tree fruits best in full sun, but young trees may burn in the summer during the first few years if not shaded in the afternoon. This is another

1250 WONDER WORLD DR.

(512) 805 8005 reason for keeping mine in a pot for a while -- so I have more control over the conditions until it is bigger and stronger.

Fertilize regularly with an organic fertilizer throughout the growing season and water regularly, but don’t let the tree sit in water. Drainage is essential.

Avocados typically flower in the late winter to early spring and fruit will develop roughly 6 months later on the Mexican types.

Determining when to pick the fruit is a little bit of a guessing game as the fruit will not ripen on the tree. The best way to tell is to pick one or two of the largest fruits and let them sit on the counter for a week or two. If they ripen, then the rest of the larger ones should be ready too.

When I was a kid the servers at a Mexican restaurant my parents would frequent referred to me as ‘the Guacamole Kid’ because that was all

I was interested in eating.

Although my taste is more varied now, if I was given a choice of one food to live off for the rest of my life . . . it would probably still be the avocado. Happy gardening everyone!

11726 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748.

If you have a gardening question, send it to me via email: iathyme@yahoo. com. (Please put ‘Ask Chris Winslow’ in the subject line.) Or mail your letter or postcard to: Ask Chris Winslow. It’s About Thyme:

EVO-ENTERTAINMENT.COM Films. Lanes. Games.

Thank you Reliable Automotive To the owner and all the staff at Reliable Automotive in Buda. Thank you for all the years of excellent service and for taking such good care of this Buda senior’s car.

–Yvonne Greenbauer

www.AustinENT.com Comprehensive ENT Care for All Ages

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LOCKHART

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Section D

Business

HaysFreePress.com

Hays Free Press

May 16, 2018 • Page 1D

Buda nixes controversial hotel permit

BY KATERINA BARTON A proposed hotel in Buda was unanimously struck down by city leaders at Tuesday’s city council meeting.

The proposed hotel, Sleep Inn & Suites, would have been located on Main Street along the east side of the Interstate 35 overlay and would have been built in place of a Castrol Premium Lube Express already on the property.

The owners of the property requested a specific use permit (SUP 18-02) for a limited service hotel. The city’s definition of limited service hotel includes examples such as Candlewood Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Motel 6 and Super 8, according to the Buda Unified Development

Code.

The 84-room hotel would have been the 10th hotel in Buda and would have pushed hotel rooms available in the city to more than 700, resulting in people referring to the city’s hotel market as oversaturated.

Council’s vote came after a public hearing in which several members of the community spoke in opposition to the hotel, and after Buda’s Planning and Zoning Commission showed mixed approval of the hotel in a 4-2 vote to recommend approval of the permit in an April 10 meeting.

Executive Director J.R. Gonzalez of the Buda Area Chamber of Commerce spoke during the public hearing on behalf of the chamber’s Board of Directors. Many of Buda’s

J.R. Gonzalez, Executive Director of the Buda Chamber of Commerce, mentioned that the low-budget hotel could lower Buda’s quality of life by bringing theft, violence, vandalism, prostitution, etc. to the area. current hotels are chamber members and owners were worried that a new hotel would negatively affect their businesses.

“We saw a concern of an over-saturation of hotels,” Gonzalez said. “I’m the last one to stand in the way of free enterprise. However, when that free enterprise means additional type of buildings or businesses that

ing partner of one of the oldest hotels in Buda, said his hotel has seen an eightyear-low in revenue. Patel would rather see “a nice sit-down restaurant” on the property than another hotel.

Additionally, Ann Miller of the Buda Economic Development Corporation presented on the economic impact of the hotel in which she found that the are going to be detrimental addition of the business to our businesses or comcould decrease the average munity, and not sustain it daily room rates across all and actually deteriorate it, hotels in Buda resulting in a that’s when the chamber lower Hotel Occupancy Tax wanted to step in.”

(HOT) that the city would Gonzalez also mentioned collect. Miller also recomthat the low-budget hotel mended a restaurant as an could lower Buda’s quality alternative. of life by bringing theft, Similarly to the EDC, city violence, vandalism and officials found that the HOT prostitution to the area. is not increasing at rates Harry Patel, the managseen in previous years and

that average daily room rates in the city’s hotels are down 13.3 percent since last year.

In the application to the city, property owners wrote that they expected the hotel to add to the city’s room and sales taxes.

Although city leaders nixed the Sleep Inn & Suites Hotel permit, city officials emphasized that in reality a hotel could be built in the ETJ or in Austin or Kyle, and may still create a similar effect on Buda’s hotel market and create negative impacts.

It is typically uncommon for city leaders to be able to vote to control such a measure, however, council wrote this land use regulation into its code to protect the city’s idea for the overlay district.

County turns to drones for home appraisals

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

PHOTOS BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD

Senior Arriana Gamez (right) checks the heartbeat of a ‘patient’ during class at Hays High School. About 100 students at Lehman and Hays high schools were enrolled in a medical-related course this school year.

Texas ranks as top state for the field of nursing

BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD

High starting salaries, combined with the growing need for nurses in Texas, has pushed local entities to provide training so more of the workforce can enter the medical field.

With National Nurses Week lasting from May 6 through May 12, the personal-finance website WalletHub released a report on which states are best for working nurses.

According to WalletHub’s study, Texas ranks first in the best monthly average starting salary for nurses, when adjusted for cost of living. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the average Texas nurse earning $72,070 a year. In May 2017, the median annual wage for registered nurses nationally was $70,000.

From 2016 to 2026, the number of nursing jobs are expected to grow by 15 percent nationwide, much faster than the national average of all occupations, according to BLS data.

Seton Medical Center

NURSING IN TEXAS, 4D

“These jobs are in demand and these students can go to work right away. In the old days, I was going out looking for businesses to hire students. Now, every day, a business is contacting me because they can’t get enough workers.”

–Suzi Mitchell, Hays CISD Career and Technical Education Director

Recent advances in technology is helping Hays County officials to better accommodate the process of appraising properties.

Every three years, every parcel of property in Hays County is reviewed by the Hays County Appraisal District (CAD) to assess the value of a property.

With around 95,000 properties in Hays County, the appraisal district has turned to drone technology to assess properties.

The service is provided by Eagle View, a company that specializes in property measurements using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, which allows appraisers to view a property from the sky with precise information.

“The software allows us to properly measure the perimeter of a property, see what additions have been made to a property that could change the value, all from a computer,” said David Valle, chief appraiser for the Hays County Appraisal District. “The software does not reveal any private information and is strictly used to help appraise a property.”

Appraising a home, in particular, is a process that involves different components to properly assess the value. Additions such as pools and outdoor decks, as well as the neighborhood, location, expansion projects and interior improvements are all components in assessing the value of a home.

Appraisals are completed around mid-April and citizens have 30 days to appeal or protest the value the district deemed appropriate.

For Kyle resident Michael McLaurin, understanding the value of his home gave him the platform to dispute the appraisal.

“One of my neighbors lives in a home identical to mine, but with additional square feet, but my home was appraised thousands of dollars higher than hers,” McLaurin said. “The system isn’t perfect and I always

“The software allows us to properly measure the perimeter of a property, see what additions have been made to a property that could change the value, all from a computer.

The software does not reveal any private information and is strictly used to help appraise a property.”

David Valle, chief appraiser for the Hays County Appraisal District

urge my neighbors to really study the value of your home.”

McLaurin said his home was previously appraised with a fireplace, which was never an interior addition to the home when he purchased it. If ignored, the fireplace could have potentially affected his home insurance rate.

McLaurin said use of the drone technology was not beneficial to the assessment of his home, but he understands the district’s need to assess property with such a large area to cover.

“I just want to see more consistency with the system,” McLaurin said. “People really need to do their research to make sure the appraisal is accurate.”

Before the taxing entities of the county can reevaluate the tax rates, the appraisals must be submitted and on file, Valle said. It is the first step in determining tax rates.

“The job is very important for the county,” Valle said. “It’s a responsibility like no other.

This county has grown exponentially and new technology helps make the process more smooth for us.”

Classifieds

20 words for $8!

• Place your classified ad by calling 512-268-7862 • Email paper@haysfreepress.com We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover DEADLINE: NOON MONDAY FOR WEDNESDAY’S PAPER

Hays Free Press

Page 2D

Employment DRIVERS CDL-A:

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DRIVERS-COMPANY & OWNER OPS!

*Local Work~ Home Daily* Benefits! Minimum 1yr CDL-A exp. Pneumatic Tankers.

Sabra: 844-648-1860

For Lease

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Guest cottage on 17 acres $650,000 San Marcos/Kyle 512-787-0033

Home For Sale

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HOME FOR SALE IN BUDA

3BR/2BA Courtyard home Stonewood Commons off of FM 967 392 Tilly Lane Lots of EXTRAS • Move-in Ready Prequalify $284,900.

Call 512-751-1754 or 751-5526

FIREWORKS STAND MANAGER NEEDED

Make up to $3,000 in ONLY 11 days managing a firework stand. NO INVESTMENT REQUIRED! June 24 - July 4, mrwfireworks.com to submit app or 210.622.3788 m-f

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Need a fresh start? Better pay, better benefits - TURN HERE! M-F, Home Daily Call 877-713-0093. AverittDrivers.com. EOE/AA including Veterans and Disabled

Office For Lease in Downtown Kyle

MECHANICS-NEW BRAUNFELS

Heavy Truck & Trailer Mechanic. Excellent Pay, Full Benefits! Good MVR, Own tools req. Experience a plus!

Dry bulk, end / belly dump trailers, Class 8 trucks. Pablo: 844-647-8881

DIRECT CARE COUNSELORS Provide positive role modeling, structure, and supervision to adolescent boys. No exp. required, We train comprehensively. Pay starting at $10 per hour for flexible 8 & 16 hr shift schedules.

Health/life/dental insurance after 60 days. Min. requirements: Must be 21 yrs old, HS/GED, clean TDL, clean criminal history, pre-employment TB skin test, and drug screen. Growing (20+ year old) non-profit organization. www.pegasusschool.net.

Call (512)432-1678 for further information.

Private office, reception area, kitchen. All utilities paid. $675. Call Cyndy at 512-753-2700.

JOB FAIR

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Visit our website for other open positions.

Competitive benefits and pay. Paid leave and holidays.

TexasDisposal.com/careers For inquiries, please call 512-329-1778

Cemetery Lots

CEMETERY LOTS

Lot 391, Spaces 1 & 2 in Garden of Peace at Onion Creek Memorial Park in Manchaca, Texas. $3500.00 for both spaces. For interment purposes only. 432-438-5030

TEXAS DISPOSAL SYSTEMS

Federal Housing Law

We do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law. It is illegal to discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin: in the sale or rental of housing or residential lots; in advertising the sale or rental of housing; in the financing of housing; in the provision of real estate brokerage services; in the appraisal of housing; Blockbusting is also illegal. Anyone who feels he or she has been discriminated against, may file a complant of housing discrimination: 1-800-669-9777 (toll free) or 1-800-927-9275 (TDD).

Public Input Workshop Tuesday, May 29, 2018 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Buda City Hall Council Chamber 121 S. Main St., Buda, Texas The City of Buda will conduct a Public Input Workshop to give the City Council and the general public an opportunity to participate in an interactive exercise by which the attendees can offer suggested adjustments to the boundary lines for the proposed Illustrative Plan before final consideration of the Plan by the City Council for the creation of three (3) single-member districts which will be used as boundaries for electing City Councilmembers beginning with the 2018 November Election. This workshop is open to the public with a come-and-go format. Attendees who wish to direct suggested boundary line adjustments will be provided an opportunity to sign in to do so.

And, a brief presentation will be provided two times throughout the evening regarding the parameters to be considered in the process to create the boundaries.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby Given to all interested persons, that: The City of Kyle shall hold Public Hearings in conjunction with discussion and possible action related to potential amendments to Chapter 53 Article I, Section 53-5, Definitions; and the addition of Article IV, Division 1, Section 53-940, Accessory structures, of the City of Kyle, Code of Ordinances.

A Public Hearing will be held by the Kyle, City Council on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. Kyle City Hall, Council Chambers 100 W. Center St., Kyle, Texas

PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF BUDA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON LAND USE ASSUMPTIONS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN RELATING TO POSSIBLE ADOPTION IMPACT FEES Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code §395.049(b), as amended, the Buda City Council will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, occurring no earlier than 6:00 p.m., during its City Council Meeting to be held in the

TexSCAN Week of May 13, 2018 ACREAGE 43.40 acres, Edwards County. Valley between two ridges w/beautiful views. End of road. Whitetail, free range exotics, hogs, turkey. $2,700/ac. 30 year owner financing, 5% down. 800-876-9720. www.ranchenterprisesltd.com.

ADOPTION

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Public Notices

Estate For Sale

PUBLIC NOTICE

OPERATORS NEEDED FOR FIREWORKS STAND

Operate a Fireworks Stand in your area. June 24 - July 4. Must be at least 21 yrs old and have travel trailer or camper available. Great for Teachers, Bus Drivers, College Students, Seasonal Workers or Fund Raising for Youth & Religious groups.

For more information call 512-303-4438 or email: info@ buyamericanfireworks.com

Hays Free Press • May 16, 2018

Council Chambers, City Hall, 121 Main Street, Buda, Texas, for the purpose of considering adoption of land use assumptions and capital improvement plan under which an impact fee may be imposed for roadway facilities. Anyone wishing to appear and present evidence FOR or AGAINST this agenda item is invited to attend the public hearing and voice his or her opinion.

For further information, contact the City of Buda Planning Department, 100 Houston Street, Suite A, Buda, Texas 78610; 512-312-0084.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Bartlett Cocke General contractors, Construction Manager-at-Risk, for: Carpenter Hill-Pfluger Sidewalk Revisions, is requesting competitive proposals from subcontractors and suppliers.

Subcontractor and supplier proposals will be received via Fax to (512) 326-4339 or (512) 326-3990 Fax or via email to bidaus@bartlettcocke.com no later than 2:00:00 PM on 5/31/2018.

Any proposals received after this time will not be accepted.

Electronic copies of the proposal documents may be obtained from Bartlett Cocke or viewed at local and online planrooms. Contact Stefan Doerr via email Sdoerr@bartlettcocke. com or phone (512) 326-4223 Phone to make arrangements.

Small, Woman Owned, Disadvantaged, HUB, HUBZone, 8(a), Minority, and all similar firms are encouraged to submit proposals on this project. Bartlett Cocke General Contractors is an equal opportunity (EEO) employer.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Hays CISD is Requesting Proposals for CQR #06051801VL Outdoor Wireless Installation at HHS & LHS. Bids will be accepted until 05-2518 at 2:00 p.m. local time.

Specifications are available in the HCISD Purchasing Office (512-268-2141 ext. 45092) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Bid responses must be returned to the HCISD Purchasing Office, Valerie Littrell, 21003 IH 35, Kyle, TX 78640, by the date and time indicated above. Late Bids will be returned unopened. The HCISD Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids and waive all formalities in the bid process.

EVENTS Seguin Softball Nationals June 27-July 1. Sign up at Seguinsoftballnationals.com. 830-379-6382 Partial funding for this event is being provided by the City of Seguin, Texas.

Columbus, TX – Magnolia Days Festival, May 18-19, 5-11 p.m. Fri. and 12 p.m.-12 a.m. Sat., Courthouse Square. Live music, historic homes tours, carriage rides, vendors, family fun zone and more. www.

MagnoliaDays.org.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Happy couple wish to adopt – endless love, laughter Many industrial and constructions workers exposed to and opportunity. Call or text anytime. Expenses Paid. asbestos from the 1940s through the 1970s, along with their families, are among those at risk for mesothelioma, Heather and Matt, 732-397-3117. lung cancer or gastro cancer. Even if you have settled an AUCTIONS asbestosis case in the past, a new claim may be possible, 800-460-0606, www.AsbestosLaw.com.

TX and OK Investment Homes. Bid online at SAWMILLS auctionnetwork.com June 3-7. Texas – 8 Homes in: Paris & Wichita Falls. Oklahoma – 25 Homes in: Sawmills from only $4,397.00 – Make & Save Bartlesville, Henryetta, Muskogee & Tahlequah. Money with your own bandmill – Cut lumber any Nominal Opening Bids: $10,000/each. 800-801-8003, dimension. In stock ready to ship! Free info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com. 800-567-0404, williamsauction.com/Portfolio.

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Texas Press Statewide Classified Network 283 Participating Texas Newspapers • Regional Ads Start At $250 • Email ads@texaspress.com NOTICE: While most advertisers are reputable, we cannot guarantee products or services advertised. We urge readers to use caution and when in doubt, contact the Texas Attorney General at 800-621-0508 or the Federal Trade Commission at 877-FTC-HELP. The FTC web site is www.ftc.gov/bizop.

Service Directory Hays Free Press • May 16, 2018

Good service begins here

*

Air Conditioning

Air Conditioning

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off any repair

Free furnace special Call for details

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Office systems not maintained?

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Pool Service

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Fences & More

Glass Service

HTC Fence & More

Berry Glass Company Commercial & Residential

WOOD FENCES BUILT RIGHT

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Repairs, Gates, Post Replacement, Fully Insured.

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Lawn Care

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Hays Free Press • May 16, 2018

Page 4D

STATE NEWS

Courthouse Square

Capital Highlights

May 18-19 2018

by Ed Sterling

Paxton requests federal funding for women’s health program T exas Attorney General Ken Paxton last week asked two federal agencies to move quickly to fund the state’s Healthy Texas Women program.

The program was cut off from Medicaid funding by the Obama administration in 2012 after the Texas Legislature enacted a law preventing taxpayer money from going to abortion providers.

In a May 7 letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Paxton said the addition of some $30 million a year in federal dollars would increase access to family planning and preventative health services for low-income women across the state who are not covered by traditional Medicaid in Texas.

Paxton sent the letter at the request of Gov. Greg Abbott and on behalf of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. He wrote that allowing states to exclude providers who perform or promote abortion is consistent with federal policy.

Texas spends $29 billion a year on Medicaid — more than one-fourth of the state’s annual budget — to serve some 4.3 million people. The state allocates another $95 million annually to fund the Healthy Texas Women program, which has a current enrollment of 240,798 women, Paxton noted.

“States have discretion in implementing the Medicaid Act, including in setting qualifications for providers,” Paxton wrote.

“Texas and the Healthy

Texas Women program should not be penalized through the continued withholding of federal funds merely because Texas has exercised the authority that federal law has granted to it — namely, the authority to refuse to be a conduit for channeling taxpayer funds to abortion providers pursuant to state law.”

Forum honors women

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on May 7 highlighted Texas women in the workforce by hosting a roundtable discussion with a dozen women leaders who comprise the Texas Governor’s Commission for Women.

The panel was part of a briefing with the Governor’s Commission for Women to review Gov. Abbott’s priorities for the commission and to develop strategies to make Texas “the best state for women-owned businesses.”

The discussion addressed topics such as hardships women face in the workplace, women with families who pursue careers, ways to move more women into higher-paying jobs and women as entrepreneurs.

The discussion is part of Hegar’s multi-stop “Good for Texas Tour: Women in the Workforce.”

More than 6 million women held jobs in Texas in 2017 and 938,000 women-owned businesses generated about $134.2 million in sales, but further efforts are needed to eliminate barriers to

women’s entrepreneurship and improve access to top-level positions, Hegar said.

May allocations are sent Comptroller Hegar on May 9 announced his office would send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $861.8 million in local sales tax allocations for the month of May. The amount is 9.4 percent more than was distributed for the month of May 2017. Allocations are based on sales made in March by businesses that report tax monthly and sales made in January, February and March by quarterly filers.

Hurricane season coming

Continued from pg. 1D

and the University of Texas. Those nurses come to Hays to do some of their rotations. It’s very beneficial for us, as far as a recruitment opportunity.”

Hays CISD has a curriculum that trains students to meet the rising demands for nurses and related jobs, said Career and Technical Education Director Suzi Mitchell.

Last week, eight students at Hays High received their medical assistant certification, which, she said, they can use as a stepping stone to becoming a registered nurse.

The district also has programs that enable students to get their EMT certification and take medical billing and coding courses. The jobs that require those skills are in demand and pay well, Mitchell said.

With these certificates, students can work straight out of school to get their foot in the door and take more classes to become a registered

nurse later.

Combined, there are about 100 students enrolled in biomedical, EMT and medical billing and coding courses at Lehman and Hays high schools this school year, Mitchell said.

“These jobs are in demand and these students can go to work right away,” Mitchell said.

“In the old days, I was going out looking for businesses to hire students. Now, every day, a business is contacting me because they can’t get enough workers.”

With new service lines coming and expansions of beds for hospital patients and the motherbaby unit, Rivers said Seton Hays will need to “heavily recruit” new staff in the next sixth months to a year.

“With the continued growth in Hays County, whether it’s the new addition of clinics or expansion of our hospital, no doubt the need for nursing will continue to increase,” Rivers said.

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Abbott honors the fallen

Gov. Greg Abbott on May 7 joined law enforcement officers from across the state for the 2018 Texas Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony to honor fallen Texas peace officers and their families.

During the ceremony, Abbott met with and presented medals to the families of officers who died in the line of duty.

The ceremony included the laying of a memorial wreath and a 21-gun salute.

Last year, during the 85th session of the Texas Legislature, Abbott signed House Bill 3647, legislation that established the Texas Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony as an annual event. This year’s ceremony was the first to be conducted since the law was passed.

With the hurricane season less than one month away, Gov. Abbott and the Texas Department of Public Safety on May 7 urged Texans to use Hurricane Preparedness Week to learn how to protect themselves and their edsterling@texaspress.com families from hurricanes and tropical storms. Hurricane season starts June Ed Sterling is Director 1 and continues through of Member Services for the Nov. 30.

Texas Press Association.

The DPS posted of list of actions to take, such as: • Assemble an emergency kit that includes essential documents, supplies and provisions; • Review hurricane evacuation maps and select a route; • Plan how family members and pets will

Nursing in Texas Hays Chief Nursing Officer Nikki Rivers said demand for nurses in Kyle and Buda has increased and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future.

The demand, as well as Hays County’s quality of life, has led to new nurses coming to the area, Rivers said. Seton Hays, paired with the relative affordability of the area and schools within Hays CISD, have more and more nurses looking south of Austin for work.

“I think (Kyle and Buda) are becoming more appealing, especially to younger nurses looking to raise a family,” she said.

The hospital’s relationship with educational institutions helps keep Seton Hays on the mind of recent graduates looking for work in a hospital.

“We are a stepping stone and help support education across the county,” she said.

“We support clinical rotations through many of the formal nursing programs, through community colleges

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