Tigers move on to regional semifinal
First state singles title for Tiger Tennis
page 5
Wimberley High School to graduate 150
page 5
News-Dispatch Volume XXXVII No. 33 • Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
page 8
75¢
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Intimidation allegations fly at PEC board BY MOSES LEOS III
HEWA
OAKLEY
executive officer, said during a May 15 PEC board meeting he has “witnessed and personally been subject” to retaliation, which he claimed has also happened to employees and executives who spoke out against 2016 comments made by board director James Oakley. Hewa added that his service
Allegations of intimidation of Pedernales Electric Cooperative employees who spoke against racially insensitive comments made by a board director last year are being made by the company’s top leader. John Hewa, PEC chief
as CEO has “become almost impossible because of this situation” and he planned to provide the board with more detail. Alyssa Clemsen-Roberts, vice president of communications and business services at PEC, said Hewa has not resigned and remains as CEO of the company. However,
290
Food truckin’ in Dripping Springs
Last week, Dripping Springs City Council approved Conditional Use Permits for three food trucks. The following businesses have had permits approved to operate a food truck:
12
Pig Pen BBQ Food Court – Three food trucks at 1005 W Highway 290 Le Muse – One food truck at 1007 W Highway 290 Hudson’s on Mercer – One food truck at 381 W Mercer St. Red’s Porch – Deep Eddy Vodka – One food truck at 2250 E Highway 290 Twisted X – Three food trucks at 23455 W RR 150 Curbside Appetite – One food truck at 310 Old Fitzhugh Road Mercer Street Dance Hall – One food truck at 332 Mercer St.
12
150
SEE THE STORY ON PAGE 2
RED Arena Round Up
LAGNIAPPE, 6
PEC, 6
Austin man killed on U.S. 290 in Henly BY MOSES LEOS III An Austin man was killed May 14 after he attempted to prevent his motorcycle from striking a sedan that was turning onto Hwy 290 near Henly. Ryan Schaner, 48, of Austin, has been identified as the victim in the accident, according to a Department of Public Safety spokesperson. The collision took place around 12:08 a.m. May 14 along U.S. 290 at mile post 548 at Henly Loop.
FATALITY, 2
LAGNIAPPE Dripping Springs’ RED Arena will host its 7th annual inclusive rodeo playday and free family fun day on June 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dripping Springs Ranch Park Event Center. Come cheer on local riders and enjoy BBQ, raffles, a huge silent auction, games, bounce houses, petting zoo and mini horse obstacle course. This annual event benefs the scholarships and programs at RED Arena. No charge to park or enter. See www.redarena. org/2017-round-up.html for more.
Clemsen-Roberts said PEC does not comment on personnel issues. In November 2016, Oakley, who is a Burnet County Judge and a PEC board director, posted on Facebook “Time for a tree and a rope,” following the arrest of a black man who
Questions arise on possible conflict of interest BY LESLY DE LEON
vision on Ranch Road 12. Martin said HDR started out with five recommendations and whittled it down to two. Option 1, which was the option that was approved, “showed connectivity,” and has
Despite concerns of a potential conflict of interest, a current Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD) board member will be allowed to also serve on a local water supply board at the same time. Jimmy Skipton, whose term on the HTGCD board expires November 2018, was recently elected to serve on the board of the Dripping Springs Water Supply Corporation (DSWSC). Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA) representatives wrote a letter to Skipton, requesting he step down from the HTGCD. “While we understand [Skipton’s] desire to serve the public, we believe that serving on both boards gives rise to an appearance of a conflict of interest,” TESPA’s letter states. Linda Kaye Rogers, HTGCD board president, said the district’s attorney recommended the board take no action. “I consulted our attorney,” Rogers said.
CRASH GATE COMPROMISE, 2
WATER BOARD, 6
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Residents who lived in Hidden Springs Ranch, a subdivision near the extension, attended a public hearing in Dripping Springs May 16 to address concerns over the possible influx of traffic that could result from the new roadway.
Crash gate hoped to help safety concerns near Roger Hanks extension BY MOSES LEOS III Installation of a crash gate where two roads are to connect with the proposed Roger Hanks Extension was the compromise between Dripping Springs city leaders and concerned residents May 16. The Dripping Springs City Council approved, by a 4-0 vote, Phase 1 of the project, which would eventually create a loop connecting U.S. 290 to Ranch Road 12. “It was a win-win-win for everybody and it gives us the greatest flexibility,” James Rienstra, Hidden Springs Ranch resident, said. “It maintains the integrity of our neighborhood and it doesn’t impede the loop.” Jim Martin, a consultant working with the city of Dripping Springs, said engineering firm HDR in February began
Option 1, which was the option that was approved, “showed connectivity,” and has a 25 mile-per-hour speed limit around a curve near the football stadium. While the option would require acquisition of additional right-of-way (ROW) for the project, it could allow for two crash gates for emergency vehicles to have ingress and egress. exploring options for the city’s part of the RHP Extension. Dripping Springs ISD would construct the parkway from U.S. 290 to the Dripping Springs High football stadium. The city’s part involves construction from the football stadium to the Heritage subdi-