Dress for Summer Success page 2
U.T. Baseball Rolls to Super Regional Round
DSISD Board Member Steps Down
page 3
News-Dispatch Volume XXXVIII No. 35
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
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75¢ Thursday, June 7, 2018
WATER WARS
Aquifer districts join Dripping Springs permit fight
Dripping Springs readies for Old Fitzhugh project
BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
A pair of water conservation districts have now joined the fray surrounding Dripping Springs’ permit request to expand its wastewater treatment system. Administrative Law Judges for the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) Bill Newchurch and Laura Valdez granted the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) and the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD) affected party status at a May 21 hearing in downtown Austin. The decision by the judges marked a victory for the districts which were not initially selected as an affected party by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. On May 21, the city of Dripping Springs’ legal team contested the status of the districts, but ultimately did not convince the judges. The two districts will join Save Barton Creek Association, Save Our Springs (SOS) Alliance, Protect Our Water (POW) and other property owners in the affected discharge area near Onion Creek. “BSEACD getting standing is very important. They have wells that will most probably be affected. The aquifer does not recognize any boundaries and its water does indeed cross from our district to theirs,” said Linda Kaye-Rodgers, president of the HTGCD. “In addition, we will be able to work with BSEACD to streamline the case and save time and money if this goes to a full contested case.” Ginger Faught, Dripping Springs deputy city administrator, said that although the contested case process is by its nature an adver-
Bringing walkability, as well as connecting mixed-use development to Mercer Street is something Dripping Springs city leaders are envisioning for its planned improvements to Old Fitzhugh Road. The project, an initiative spurred by the city and Hays County, will continue the downtown aesthetic the city is looking for. Mercer Street, which is a hub for local mom and pop shops, breweries, city hall and other businesses, will blend itself to Old Fitzhugh, connecting the two historic areas into one central shared use path. Dripping Springs showcased its vision during an open house on the improvements May 23. With the workshop,
WATER WARS, 6
RED ARENA
PHOTOS BY ALBERT SANCHEZ
Hundreds took to Dripping Springs Ranch Park June 2 for the 2018 RED Arena Round-Up, an annual horse show that provides opportunity for riders of all ability levels. The event was hosted by RED Arena, a Dripping Springs-area nonprofit, that empowers individuals with disabilitesi through horses. During the Round-Up, participants took park in a horse show, an equine trail course challenge, as well as games and a petting zoo. Above, Olivia D. takes a ride on Tiny T, named the 2018 Horse of the Year, with assistance from handler Mary Grace Horn, PATH Instructor Becki Kosub, and volunteer Tony Gray. Left, a youngster enjoys her new furry friends in the pet bin.
Hays County seniors citizens experience voting issue BY MOSES LEOS III
For the better part of two hours May 22, Buda resident Betty Conley and her husband tried desperately to find a place to cast a ballot in that day’s primary runoff election. The duo was part of a group of ten residents at the Huntington Estates senior living community that were ultimately unsuccessful in finding where to vote. While the event didn’t alter Conley’s desire to be part of the democratic process, she believes more could be done to assist seniors who might have been in their situation. “Just because we’re older, doesn’t mean we have to succumb to having to do it (vote) by mail,” Conley said. “We’re proud people and we’re still alive.” Conley said the trouble began when her neighbors were turned away from Buda City Hall, which is where they had thought they needed to go vote. Conley and her husband went to give it a try and were turned away. They were then informed they had to go to Tom Green Elementary, which also didn’t allow them to participate. The group then tried calling the county’s election office, which they said did not respond to them.
“I was quite upset that we didn’t get to vote. We were disgusted because we couldn’t get an answer anywhere.” –Betty Conley, Buda resident
Conley and her husband went to McCormick Middle School, then returned to Buda City Hall before they eventually gave up. They did not discover until afterward that their polling place was at the Goforth Water Supply company in Niederwald. Conley said all members who had trouble voting were registered and in the same precinct. Conley’s husband was “very upset,” as he felt they had been denied their “due process.” “I was quite upset that we didn’t get to vote,” Conley said. “We were disgusted because we couldn’t get an answer anywhere.” The day’s events left some members of the senior living facility discouraged about the process. Some people said “to heck with it,” Conley said. Conley believes solutions could include moving polling places to senior living facilities, to improve accessibility. “They might not even vote now because they are so discouraged,” Conley said. “It’s hard on seniors. For
most of them, the drive is hard anyway.” Jennifer Anderson, Hays County elections administrator, said she is exploring the possibility of senior living facilities as voting sites, while also reducing the number of school campus polling locations in the future. Anderson said the move would help address rising school safety concerns. However, Anderson said one problem is that moving a polling site could impact many others who have grown used to a certain location. Some of the positives of moving voting sites to senior living facilities is good parking and accessibility to senior residents. “But it’s not easy to pick up and move a polling place,” Anderson said. “For every two people who may appreciate the move, it could impact others.” Anderson said the county posts election notices in area newspapers, which list polling places, and the locations are listed on the county’s website. Anderson said because there are “a lot” of senior living communities in the county,
she said it would be difficult to reach out to them indiivudally. Instead, Anderson believes moving toward dedicated voting centers, which are used in Travis and Williamson counties, could cut down on voting site confusion. Voting centers are locations where all residents, no matter their precinct, can cast a ballot. However, Anderson said the county would have to apply with the state for a voting center, which can take up to six months. The earliest Anderson envisions applying would be in January or July 2019. Anderson also eyes overhauling the county’s entire election equipment this fiscal year, prior to opening voting centers. The county’s current equipment is “obsolete” and is not sold on the market anymore. What kind of equipment could be purchased, however, would be determined at a later date. “Soon, we intend to have talks regarding voting centers,” Anderson said.
FITZHUGH PROJECT, 2
Rising gas prices not expected to affect tourism BY KATERINA BARTON The temperature is on the rise and gas prices are too. According to AAA Texas, the national average of gas prices are currently 20 cents more expensive than the previous month. Current national average gas prices are at $2.95 and the Texas average is at $2.78. A month ago Texas prices were at $2.59; a year ago prices were at $2.20. Although not a drastic change in prices, drivers can still expect to pay more for gas this year than
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LAGNIAPPE Burn ban reinstated
A rising drought index and a lack of rainfall led Hays County Commissioners to reinstate an immediate burn ban June 5 in unincorporated areas, including the extra territorial jurisdiction (ETJ). Charcoal, wood and gas grills with lids are exempt from the ban. However, burning in “burn barrels” or fire pits is not allowed. Grilling of any kind is prohibited in Hays County parks under a burn ban. Residents living within city limits should check their municipalities’ city ordinances for burn restrictions. See upcoming events, page 6