Nd 051718

Voters OK ESD1 tax increase

Wimberley ISD voters OK $45.5M bond

Early voting and voting day locations

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page 4

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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVIII No. 32

Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982

Impact downstream

Blanco permit change concerns Hays residents

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

An influx of people is leading the city of Blanco to seek a permit to allow expansion of its wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).

But the permit is concerning Hays County officials who fear the discharge of up to 1.6 million gallons per day of treated effluent into a point along the Blanco River could

The permit submitted to the TCEQ would allow for the discharge of up to 1.6 million gallons per day of treated wastewater into a point along the Blanco River.

have a negative impact downstream.

The permit, submitted on Nov. 10, 2016 by Blanco to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), would allow the

discharge of up to 1.6 million gallons per day of treated wastewater.

It’s an amendment to the city’s current permit, which allows Blanco to discharge up to 225,000

gallons per day toward irrigation of 68 acres of non-public land, or to an unnamed ditch located on the upper Blanco River.

BLANCO DISCHARGE, 2

Close, but no cigar

Thursday, May 17, 2018

DSISD bond recount approved

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO The fight over Dripping Springs $132 million bond package may not be over just yet.

On May 14, the Citizens for Excellent Education in Dripping Springs (CEEDS) successfully fundraised roughly $1,500 to conduct a recount through Hays County and DSISD. The move, which was officially organized May 10, came as a result of the bond passing by a slim 31 vote margin May 5.

Dripping Springs ISD $132 million bond package is aimed at infrastructure improvements to accommodate the growing population.

The recount petition was filed and approved May 12 and the results of the recount were scheduled to be released May 16.

According to the Texas Secretary of State’s Office, the school district and CEEDS can have two representatives present for the recount, or they can have a recount supervisor.

Carrie Kroll, DSISD Board of Trustees president, will be one of those supervisors.

There will be two teams of three people present for the recount that will be selected by the school district, said Jennifer Anderson, elections administrator for Hays County; those teams are chosen by the school board.

“Results on election day affirmed that the community was evenly divided on the bond, despite the district and the pro-bond PAC spending thousands of dollars in advertising and promoting the bond. One thing is for certain: our community is ready for change.”

–Valerie McConahay, assistant treasurer for the CEEDS

DSISD is in charge of the recount and the petition was made to the district.

“Results on election day affirmed that the community was evenly divided on the bond,

BOND RECOUNT, 4

Bird ruffles feathers at wedding venue

In the bottom of the fifth inning, a perfect throw from Dripping Springs’ Brit Howeth from left field enabled catcher Justin Taylor to tag Foster’s Noah Conde in mid-air while leaping over the catcher and trying to reach home plate.

The Tigers took a 2-0 lead but the Falcons had a 4 run rally in the fourth inning to win 4-3 during the second game of a best of three series at Weimer last Friday night.

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO PHOTO BY WAYLAND CLARK, WFOTOS.COM

Low election turnout highlights voter apathy

BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD

75¢

“I think people are busy and don’t keep up with Despite the area’s ram- issues. People get tired pant growth, officials beof politics. At this point, I lieve voter turnout in local think there’s a lot of voter Hays County elections are apathy, so that’s why we’re at a standstill. seeing a drop in voting,” With less than 10 perAnderson said. “I hope cent of registered voters people realize voting is casting a ballot at the polls important. I’d like to see in May, the number of 100 percent voter turnballots cast in spring elec- out.” tions has failed to grow Voter registration in in recent years, despite Hays County has inefforts to register more creased overall, but the voters. actual number of people Hays County Elections turning up to cast a ballot Administrator Jennifer has not experienced simiAnderson says voters tend lar growth. Four years ago, to be more involved in about 100,000 Hays CounNovember elections, and ty residents were registhat participation wains tered to vote; that number in May, the month many has grown to 120,000. jurisdictions hold city and The 2016 presidential school elections, she said. 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

LOW ELECTION TURNOUT, 2

The discovery of an endangered bird on the site of a proposed Driftwood-area wedding venue could lead to a several-month postponement of the project.

Residents of the Goldenwood, Radiance and Goldenwood West neighborhoods, which surround the site of the Mark Black Wedding Venue, submitted a formal complaint to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), claiming the project could impact the endangered goldencheeked warbler. One of the warbler’s nesting sites sits on the 64-acre plot of land where the wedding venue will be located.

According to a USFWS law enforcement officer, the review was approved and certified by the federal agency; Mark Black, owner of the venue, has been contacted about the issue.

The USFWS’ move could mean a postponement of the project until fall 2018.

However, with only 200 field agents across the

Residents of the Goldenwood, Radiance and Goldenwood West neighborhoods submitted a formal complaint, claiming the venue could impact the endangered Golden-Cheeked Warbler. country, the USFWS is unable to adequately enforce all complaints, the official said. It is ultimately up to a property owner to ensure a project does not impact an endangered species.

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s mission is working with others, to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people,” a USFWS official said in an email.

ENDANGERED BIRD, 2

Page 2

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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.

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Low Election Turnout: Citizen apathy

LAGNIAPPE

Continued from pg. 1

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 polarizing, 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 resi-

dents 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.

Blanco Discharge: Permit request concerns Hays County Continued from pg. 1

TCEQ executive director Richard Hyde, who retired at the end of April, completed a technical review of the application and prepared a draft permit.

If approved, the draft permit will outline new procedures for the city of Blanco for the discharge of effluent.

“The Blanco River is important to Hays County and is embedded in the culture of Wimberley and the city’s economy,” said Hays County Commissioner for Precinct 3 Lon Shell.

“That’s our main concern with discharge into the Blanco River.”

Shell said he realized the need for Blanco to grow, but also felt Wimberley and many areas of Hays County have grown to have more respect for the Blanco River. That mindset came after the devastating 2015 Memorial Day flood, which killed 12 people and caused millions of dollars of damage.

As a result, many Hays County residents are still recovering, as is Wimberley, which utilizes the river as a draw for tourism.

“Growth in Central Texas has reached their doorstep and now the city (Blanco) is facing these

challenges as best as they can,” Shell said. “It’s not an adversarial relationship.

I understand they need to meet the demands for growth. Our concern is that we need to have a say in how this affects our river and aquifer.”

TCEQ is currently seeking public comments and requesting a public hearing as the next step in the permit application process.

A public hearing will be held by TCEQ if the executive director deems there is enough public interest in the application. If granted, there will be an opportu-

nity for a contested case hearing between affected parties and the city of Blanco.

However, the process is still preliminary and no public meeting has been called.

Shawn Cox, city administrator for the city of Wimberley, said the city will not comment about the permit’s proposed change to the rate of discharge to the Blanco River.

The News-Dispatch reached out to the city of Blanco for comment on its WWTP expansion permit, but city officials did not respond prior to press time.

Wimberley Birding Society meeting

Steven Fulton, manager of the Bamberger Ranch near Blanco, will be guest speaker at Wimberley Birding Society’s quarterly meeting, set for 10 a.m., Monday, May 21, in the Wimberley community center.

Fulton has a biology degree and has work experience with Nature Conservancy of Texas’ endangered species and oak wilt programs. At the ranch, he is responsible for all game management and predator control.

He will discuss how man can live in harmony with the land and tell how his ranch recovered from years of mistreatment to become a showpiece of responsible land stewardship. The 5,500-acre ranch today offers tours and informational programs on habitat restoration.

Endangered Bird: Bird ruffles feathers at wedding venue Continued from pg. 1

The golden-cheeked warbler is a protected species under the 1973 U.S. Endangered Species Act. Those regulations make it unlawful to import, export, take, transport, sell, purchase, or receive in interstate or foreign commerce any species listed as endangered or threatened.

The bird made its way on the list in 1990 after juniper trees were being cut down for urban development, especially in areas between San Antonio and Austin along the Interstate 35 corridor.

Every spring, around 27,000 golden-cheeked warblers make their way to the Hill Country from Mexico and parts of Central America. After migrating to the area, the birds pull the bark from juniper trees to nest.

The residents who submitted the report to the USFWS requested to stay anonymous.

Possible postponement of the wedding venue extends an ongoing saga surrounding the controversial project, which was approved by the Dripping Springs City Council in March.

WE BUY

“Our research and scientific analysis by professionals in the field found deficiencies in the application’s site development plans that violate the City of Dripping Springs’ ordinances.”

– Carlos Torres-Verdin, president of Friendship Alliance

Members of the Friendship Alliance (FA), an organization representing neighborhoods near the proposed venue site, continue to battle against its construction.

“We are open to the idea of a potential lawsuit,” said Carlos

Torres-Verdin, president of FA. “Our research and scientific analysis by professionals in the field found deficiencies in the application’s site development plans that violate the city of Dripping Springs’ ordinances.”

On March 20, Ray

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Whisenant, Hays County Pct. 4 commissioner, said he had discussions with Mark Black about potentially improving Crystal Hills Drive, the county road leading up to the wedding venue.

Council acknowledged the road’s inability to accommodate the needs of both residents and wedding guests. However, since the road falls under the purview of Hays County, the city could not mandate improvements.

Dripping Springs Mayor Todd Purcell, who offered open discussion to FA March 20, has not had communication with the group since the permit was approved, TorresVerdin said.

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“Nothing was in writing and Mark Black was not willing to put any of our concessions down on paper,” Torres-Verdin said. “What we concluded is that the city council was more afraid of being sued by Mark Black than following their own ordinances.”

Despite FA findings, Dripping Springs city staff reported that the venue’s site development plans were in line with ordinances and guidelines from the city and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

Whisenant, Purcell and Black did not respond to requests for comments on the story.

See solution, page 4

Thursday, May 17, 2018

www.HaysNewsDispatch.com

Page 3

Sports

Tiger runners take 4th at state meet

BY SHANE SCHOLWINSKI

position. I had a really good kick at regionals to Not even the heat could win it, but I didn’t have keep Dripping Springs se- that same kick today. It’s nior distance runner Bryce alright though, fourth is Kalsu and junior Bobby never bad.”

Holt from nearly reaching Four years of basketball the podium Friday at the and two years training UIL state track and field with the cross country meet. team is what Kalsu’s Kalsu credits 1:54.7 run in to getting “I am very the 5A boys him to the blessed. It 800-meter state meet. run secured That type of just feels a fourth preparation place finish and constant good to in what was competition his final race compete with helped Kalsu as a Tiger. push himself Holt also champions.” to compete took fourth against the place in the top runners –Bobby Holt, 1600-meter in the state.

1600-meter runner run.

MeanThe while, Holt athletes were two of four earned fourth place in Tigers who hit the track at the 1600 meters with an the state meet to close the official time of 4:21.74.

2018 season.

Holt mentioned his work“I knew it was going to out regimen of running, be a hot day out here, so I lifting weights and eating knew maybe not my best healthy as the key factors time was going to come to getting him to the state out,” Kalsu said. “I tried finals. to push that first lap, and thought I was in good TIGER TRACK, 5

PHOTOS BY CALEB RUCKEL

Keeping pace with the lead pack is Dripping Springs Tiger runner Bryce Kalsu (2533) during a lap in the 5A boys 800-meter run at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin May 11. Right, Dripping Springs Tiger junior Bobby Holt speeds down the track during the 5A boys 1600-meter run.

Tiger football to spring into consistency

BY MOSES LEOS III

as a backup or filling in for injured starters, but are Fostering consistency now gaining an opporwithin Tiger football is a tunity to compete for a focus for Dripping Springs starting role. head coach Galen ZimThe “maturing promerman, who oversaw cess” also continues for the program complete its younger players, who are third week of starting to spring pracunderstand tices Friday.

“It doesn’t just the speed of For Zimthe varsity happen. It’s merman, game. stability times understanding we“At is imperlook ative for a good, but how you team that at times we expects to look discomprepare in mix inexpebobulated,” rience with the offseason Zimmerseasoned man said. and in spring “We have to veterans in 2018. a ball, because become But it’s consistent vitally All it’s a different program. important good profor a Tiger grams have level.” program that that characaims to take teristic.”

–Galen Zimmerman, another step MaturaDripping Springs head in its quest tion will be football coach to become a primary a regional attribute in football power. Three deciding who will fill the straight trips to the playshoes of soon-to-be gradoffs and back-to-back uate Trevor Greenman at district titles often raise quarterback next season. the level of expectations.

Four athletes, Tanner Getting a young group Prewit, Zach Tjelmeland, of Tigers to equally raise Cameron O’Banan and PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III their expectations, both Julian Wright, are battling A trio of Dripping Springs Tiger quarterbacks go through a passing drill during practice held at Tiger Stadium May 11. on and off the field, is for the right to become what Zimmerman hopes Dripping Springs’ next can guide his program to quarterback. It will mark play December football. the third straight season “It’s about understand- Dripping Springs will have Meet District 7 candidates ing the level of work and a new quarterback in as the level of film study that many years.

Travis Cox and you have to do to beZimmerman said the come one of those teams. process of finding its next Because it’s a different quarterback won’t differ Amy Lea SJ Akers level,” Zimmerman said. from the previous sea“It doesn’t just happen. It’s sons. Once they discover for the 2018 board election. understanding how you the starter, the remaining prepare in the offseason three athletes could find and in spring ball, bea different role elsewhere cause it’s a different level.” on the field.

Join us at A handful of new faces It’s a process the Tigers will populate the Tiger have followed with their 5:30 p.m. on May 31 varsity program, which two previous signal will return xxx total startcallers. Greenman, who Travis Cox Amy Lea SJ Akers in our Kyle office ers from the 2017 camearned all district honors, paign. played on the defensive at 1810 FM 150 West Many returning players side of the ball before Watch for your ballot near the end of May, players gained varsity and learn more at pec.coop/election. experience while playing TIGER FOOTBALL, 5

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News-Dispatch

Education

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Wimberley ISD voters OK $45.5M bond STAFF REPORT

of our school district. This bond package provides More than 60 percent of the foundation for imWimberley ISD voters May proving both the learning 5 gave the green light to a environment and tools for $45.5 million bond packour students and teachage that includes coners,” said Dwain York, struction of a new primary WISD superintendent, school campus. in a statement. “We are The referendum, which especially thankful for was approved with 67 the parent and commupercent of the 2,520 votnity groups who rallied to ers who took part in the make sure these projects election, also includes a were approved for our $.065 ad valorem tax inpresent and future stucrease for those under the dents.” age of 65. With the bond’s Wimberley’s new 85,000 approval, Wimberley square foot primary ISD’s tax rate will go from school, which will be lo$1.297 per $100 valuation cated at Ranch Road 12 to $1.362. and Winters Mill Parkway, “We are very grateful will have 36 classrooms, a to our local residents for gym, library and cafeteria their enthusiastic support and will have a capacity

The referendum, which was approved with 67 percent of the 2,520 voters who took part in the election, also includes a $.065 ad valorem tax increase for those under the age of 65.

for 675 students.

York said the new school, which has a price tag of $31.3 million, would serve students in Pre-K to 2nd grade. The campus would alleviate overcrowding issues at both Scudder Primary and Jacobs Well Elementary schools.

The bond also included

Dripping Springs seniors win statewide speech contest SUBMITTED REPORT

Dripping Springs High senior Seeley Haas (left) and sophomore Riley Wheaton won first place statewide for their grade division in the Texas Association for Pupil Transportation (TAPT) School Bus Safety Speech Contest.

Haas also took the overall first-place award, recording the highest score of the contest. As the overall winner, she will be presenting her

School Bus, the Safest Form of Transportation.”

Grade level winners received a $600 scholarship check and the overall winner received $1,000.

The girls qualified for the state competition after winning their grade level at the Region 13 competition in February.

For Seeley, this marks the third consecutive year she has won her age division at the state contest, after placing third as a freshman.

speech at TAPT Conference Scholarship Breakfast this June in Corpus Christi. Students wrote and delivered a four- to six-minute memorized speech on the topic “My

$984,000 for repurposing Scudder Primary into a WISD technology department, as well as classrooms for students in the alternative education program.

Scudder Primary, which was built in 1988, holds 406 students and is currently 133 percent over capacity, according to

district officials. Students currently at Scudder would be moved to the new primary school campus upon its completion.

In addition, Wimberley ISD will partner with Austin Community College to provide continuing education courses that will be offered at the current Scudder Primary campus.

Other items in the bond include adding a 6,000 square foot building on the Danforth Junior High campus, along with a renovated kitchen with new cooking equipment.

Renovations at Danforth Junior High include upgrades to the band hall and purchasing new equipment, including sci-

ence instruction and lab tools, as well as teacher desks and chairs.

The bond monies will also pay for various equipment purchases and upgrades at Wimberley High, a 6,000 square foot barn for the agriculture department, as well as construction of sidewalks that are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant.

“Our teachers are excited and look forward to the improvements to their campuses. When we get this kind of support from our community, it means the students reap the rewards of both the tools and teachers, whose expertise and creativity are limitless,” York said.

Bruce Gearing. “There is a process in place for this to be done, as outlined by the Secretary of State’s office.”

Gearing said the district was scheduled to canvass election results on May 14, which was two days before the deadline for a recount request.

The results from the recount were not available as of press time, but an update will be published as the information is provided by the Secretary of State’s office.

Part of DSISD’s bond package includes additions to Dripping Spring High that would allow for an

increase to 2,500 students, as the campus has reached capacity.

The bond came to fruition after the district’s projections showed the population of the campuses to double within the next decade.

However, based on these projections, another bond would need to be issued by 2021 to accommodate new students in the district.

“The purpose of the recount is to ensure that the initial unofficial reports of the result are in fact accurate and that every eligible vote is counted,” McConahay said.

Bond Recount Continued from pg. 1

despite the district and the pro-bond PAC [Political Action Committee] spending thousands of dollars in advertising and promoting the bond,” said Valerie McConahay, assistant treasurer for the CEEDS. “One thing is for certain: our community is ready for change.”

McConahay said if the election results of the election are reversed, the organization would be happy with the result.

“This was a very close election and we are aware that a request can be made for a recount,” said DSISD Superintendent

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Public Notices REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

RFP 18-003 Dripping Springs ISD Facilities Maintenance Contracted Services Dripping Springs ISD is requesting proposals for RFP 18-003 Facilities Maintenance Contracted Services.

Proposals will be received in the Business Office of the Dripping Springs Independent School District, 510 West Mercer Street P.O. 479, Dripping Springs, Texas 78620.

Proposals shall be addressed to Michelle Lyons, Purchasing Specialist CTSBO, Dripping Springs Independent School District, 510 W. Mercer Street, P.O. Box 479, Dripping Springs, Texas 78620, and must be received by 2:00 P.M. (CST) on June 5, 2018.

The CSP package may be obtained at the at the District’s website at www. dsisdtx.us.

Dripping Springs Independent School District reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals, to waive any formalities and irregularities in the proposals received, and will accept the response(s) determined to be in the best interests of the District.

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

CBD No. 4640 Sealed proposals for the construction of Highpointe Phase 1, Section 3A, Street Excavation, Drainage, Water, Wastewater, Erosion Control and Grading Improvements should be addressed to HM HIGHPOINTE DEVELOMENT, INC., care of Hanna/Magee LP #1, Project Manager, on behalf of the Hays County M.U.D. No. 5. Proposals will be received at the office of Carlson, Brigance & Doering, Inc. (CBD, Inc.), 5501 West William Drive, Austin, Texas 78749 until 2:00 P.M., Thursday, June 7, 2018 at which time the proposals will be publicly opened. Any proposal received after the closing will be returned unopened.

Bid documents for this project will be available for purchase from the office of the Project Engineer-CBD, Inc. A non-refundable purchase fee of $125.00 will be charged per CD. The CD will contain CAD files, pdf set of plans and bid documents. Make checks payable to Carlson, Brigance and Doering, Inc. Bid documents may be viewed at the office of CBD by scheduling a time with Cynthia Litton cynthia@cbdeng.com.

A Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at CBD, Inc. located at 5501 West William Drive, Austin, Texas 78749. Bidders shall be required to complete and submit the Qualification Statement with Bid. All questions, clarifications and requests regarding the project must be received

Employment

in writing via email to Rob Hesley at rob@cbdeng.com and received no later than 12:00 p.m., June 4, 2018.

Any requests received after said time and date will not be addressed.

A cashier’s check, certified check, or bid bond, payable to HM HIGHPOINTE DEVELOMENT, INC., care of Hanna/ Magee LP #1, Project Manager, in an amount not less than 5% of the bid must accompany each bid proposal as a guarantee that, if awarded the contract, the bidder will, within 10 days of the award of the contract, enter into a contract and furnish an acceptable Performance and Payment Bond. The cashier’s check, certified check, or bid bond will be returned to unsuccessful bidders no later than 90 days after received. The bidder’s check will be forfeited to and become the property of BHM HIGHPOINTE, LTD, care of Hanna/Magee LP #1, Project Manager, should the bidder fail to enter into a contract.

Performance and Payment Bond in the amount of 100% of the contract price. The

contractor shall furnish bonds acceptable to HM HIGHPOINTE DEVELOMENT, INC., care of Hanna/Magee LP #1, Project Manager, within 10 days after being awarded the contract.

A Maintenance Bond will be required in the amount of 10% of the contract and is to remain in force for a period of one year from the date of the letter of final acceptance from the Hays County M.U.D. No. 5, City of Dripping Springs, Hays County, and West Travis County Public Utilities.

HM HIGHPOINTE DEVELOMENT, INC., care of Hanna/

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Magee LP #1, Project Manager, reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any and all technicalities or formalities in the bidding process, to determine which bid is lowest and the best, and to award the contract on this basis. It should be noted that time is of the essence in fulfilling this contract with agreed-upon Completion Schedule. No proposal shall be withdrawn for a period of 90 days after the opening of the bids.

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Tiger Track

Continued from pg. 3 “I knew going into it that it was a lineup of a lot of fast guys with relatively close times,” said Holt.

“Regardless, it was going to be a fast race. I just tried to run smart and not take it out too fast. I just knew there was a core I wanted to stick with and try and capitalize at the end.”

Holt emphasized that it was an honor to run in the event and to be able to go up against the best in the state.

“I am very blessed.”

Holt said. “It just feels good to compete with champions.”

Dripping Springs also had senior hurdlers Justin Wright and Hannah Biggs compete against the state’s best. Wright ran the 5A boys 110-meter hurdles and finished in eighth place with a time of 14.75 seconds. Biggs finished in 8th place in the 5A girls 100-meter hurdles in 15.23 seconds.

“They both went really close to their P.R. mark,” Dripping Springs hurdlers coach Ashley Laughlin

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Dripping Springs Tiger running back Pierce Walker (left) receives the handoff from a quarterback during a drill in Friday’s practice.

Tiger Football Continued from pg. 3

PHOTO BY CALEB RUCKEL

Dripping Springs senior Hannah Biggs leaps over the final hurdle and eyes the homestretch in the 5A girls 100-meter hurdles event at the UIL state championships in Austin.

said. “They ran clean races, and you know, with hurdles, that’s like the most important thing. I couldn’t be more proud of how they ran.

Laughlin lauded Biggs, who completed her third straight trip to the state meet in as many years.

“And Justin, this was his first time ever, so it was nice to see that he was able to hold in the nerves and have a good race,” Laughlin said.

From the three years of competing at the state track meet, Biggs said competing against the

best athletes in the state was one of her favorite parts of the event.

“It’s crazy, it’s basically like the Olympics, but for high school,” said Biggs.

“It’s really cool just to see who makes it, and this experience is just phenomenal.”

moving under center in his senior year. Former Tiger quarterback Reese Johnson, who earned all-state honors, also was a defensive back before moving over to offense.

“These guys are too good to stand on the sidelines. We don’t want to do that, but what’s best for the program year-to-year supersedes what goes on three years down the road,” Zimmerman said. “Our kids are smart enough, so they can make that change.”

Helping the Tigers will be a collection of veterans, including seniors Jake Cox, Kevin Perridore and Manny Ansumada, whose leadership capabilities will be utilized.

Joining them will be Lane Dominey, Nico Ramirez, Enzo Arnold and Parker Alford, who are playing baseball this spring and will be ready for the summer.

“It gives us an opportunity to see some new kids, with some of those guys we know,” Zimmerman said.

Page 6

News-Dispatch

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Courthouse Square

Voters OK sales tax increase in ESD 1

BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD More than 60 percent of voters gave the green light May 5 to a sales tax increase that could help a Dripping Springs-area emergency service district (ESD) keep pace with growth.

Of the 3,220 ballots cast, 1,987 voted in favor of raising ESD No. 1’s sales tax by .5 percent, with 1,233 voting against. Results remain unofficial until canvassed.

Proposal 1, brought forward by ESD 1, will put into action a .5 percent increase on each purchase made within district boundaries.

“We’re obviously very appreciative of the voters for placing their trust in us. I’m also really excited, happy and relieved to have the funds necessary to continue to maintain the level of service we provide.”

–Geoffrey Tahuahua, ESD 1 Commissioner

The proposal will help ESD 1 keep up with increasing calls by purchasing an additional ambulance and adding a team to help with calls during peak times, officials said.

From 2013-2017, the

number of calls to the district increased by roughly eight percent each year, according to ESD 1 Commissioner Geoffrey Tahuahua.

“We’re obviously very appreciative of the voters for placing their trust in

us,” Tahuahua said. “I’m also really excited, happy and relieved to have the funds necessary to continue to maintain the level of service we provide.”

The next step, he said, will be for ESD 1 officials to begin discussions to allow for the changes to be implemented next year.

“This is going to definitely help us, but the growth and increase in calls going out is going to continue to be a struggle we’ll have to play catch up to,” Tahuahua said. “I hope voters stay interested and continue to support their emergency services.”

May 18-19 2018

Big time fun in small town Texas!

Voters still have time to cast a ballot before early voting in the May 22 primary runoff officially comes to a close Friday.

In the Dripping Springs area, voters will decide who will take the Justice of the Peace, Pct. 4 Republican Primary.

Robert Avera, a former firefighter, will go up against military veteran John Burns in the runoff for the seat held by Terry Kyle, who chose to retire.

Across Hays County, voters on the Democratic ticket will choose who will be their candidate in the U.S. Representative 21 race this November.

Joseph Kopser will go up against Mary Wilson in the runoff, with the winner taking on the victor of the U.S. 21 Republican Primary runoff between Chip Roy and Matt McCall.

All are looking to fill the space left by Lamar

Smith, who in 2017 chose not to run for reelection to congress.

Voters on the Democratic ticket will also chose between Andrew White or Lupe Valdez in the gubernatorial race, as well as the State Representative 45 runoff between Erin Zweiner and Rebecca Bell-Metereau.

Hays County Democratic voters will also choose either Chris Perri or Julie Oliver in the U.S. Representative 21 race.

MAY 22 RUNOFF IN HAYS COUNTY EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS Hays County Government Center (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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Hays County Pct. 2 Office (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

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