News Dispatch 080918

Buda family continues ICE fight

DS native eyes return to pro rodeo ranks

page 2

Clubs for local birders

page 3

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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVIII No. 43

Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982

75¢ Thursday, August 9, 2018

Local districts want to change ‘Robin Hood’ plan

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

funds and creating problems.

Hays County school Those reasons are districts, like many across leading several Hays the state, are struggling County school officials to to provide improvements join a growing movement and services without the advocating for changes in sale of bonds.

Texas’ education finance However, a lack of state system. funding, along with a Chapter 41 of the Texas heavy reliance on property Education Code (TEC) tax revenue, is limiting makes provisions for

According to an April 2018 report by the National Education Association, in 2017, Texas spent $10,952 per student enrolled in public schools, $2000 less than the national average.

school districts in property wealthy areas to share part of its tax revenue with other school districts with

lower appraised property values. The system, known as recapture, or the “Robin Hood” plan, is

calculated by taking the appraised value of a home in a school district and dividing that by the number

of students in weighted average daily attendance.

Currently, Dripping Springs ISD is the only district in Hays County paying into the recapture system.

According to the DSISD budget, Dripping Springs will pay $8.9 million to

EDUCATION FINANCE, 2

Texas minimum pay puts strain on workers

Officials straddle life in politics and parenting

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

It’s often said one of the more fulfilling aspects of life is parenthood. Being a parent can be compared to having a full-time job on top other career obligations.

As a politician, the role of a parent is still largely the same as any other working class citizen, but challenges stem from being in the public’s eye while managing a private life at home.

For parents who also take the role of an elected official, it’s a sacrifice that involves the cooperation and support from family.

Will Conley, Republican Candidate for County Judge, is no stranger to the life of an elected official; his family has been involved in politics for nearly two decades.

Conley’s three children range from four to 14 years and have only known their father as Will Conley the businessman, father and politician.

“It’s a family affair and you can’t really separate the two,” Conley said. “I work very long and unpredictable hours which sometimes keeps me away from my home and children.

It takes a big sacrifice for all of our family, but the older the kids get, the better they understand.”

Whisenant said at the meeting. Plans to align FM 150 were first brought up before he took over the office in 2011. Even then, county officials knew the congestion in Kyle needed a solution as the area grew, he said. In 2013, the Hays County Transportation Plan identified the need for RM 150 to be expanded to a four-lane road with dividers. The following year, an official study was done to identify a location for the aligned road.

“With the rapid growth

The federal minimum wage hasn’t changed in nearly a decade and Texas has equally followed suit.

Texas is one of the 14 remaining states that pays its workforce, at a minimum, $7.25 an hour.

The cost of living throughout the state is increasing, especially in areas located in and around metropolitan cities. With the expansive growth that the city of Austin has endured in the past decade, the rising cost of living is beginning to seep into parts of Hays County.

Kyle and Buda have experienced a three to five percent increase in the average home rental amount in just the past year.

But simply raising the minimum wage could cause economic headaches for business owners. Raising wages would likely cause business owners to increase the price of their service to compensate for lost revenues, which could, in turn, prove to be counterproductive.

Julie Snyder, CEO for the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce, said keeping the minimum wage steady would keep a level playing field for business owners as the government would not be mandating an increase in a business’ product.

“It’s hard to be com-

RM 150 OPEN HOUSE, 4

TEXAS WAGES, 4

POLITICS & PARENTING, 4

PHOTO BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD

Visitors were invited by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to write comments and concerns on sticky notes and put them on maps of the proposed alignment during an Aug. 2 open house on the RM 150 realignment.

Residents share input at TxDot RM 150 open house

BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD

A proposed Ranch-toMarket 150 alignment has driven neighbors apart over the best way to handle growth and development from Kyle to Dripping Springs.

On Thursday evening at Wallace Middle school, the cafeteria was full of residents poring over maps of a potential revised RM 150, which currently exists as a two-lane roadway that stretches from Kyle to Dripping Springs, serving much of the cross-county traffic by connecting RM

RM 150 was never intended to serve the population it is now, according to TxDOT. It has not been expanded since it was changed in 1956. Since then, the growth in Hays County has exploded, and outpaces most of the state.

12 to I-35. The event, hosted by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), drew more than 200 people.

RM 150 was never intended to serve the population as it is now, according to TxDOT. It has not been expanded since

it was changed in 1956 from a smaller FM to an RM road. Since then, the growth in Hays County has exploded, and outpaces most of the state.

Hays County officials saw trouble brewing on the road nearly a decade ago, Commissioner Ray

Hays County constables request $93K salary

BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD

Meeting the price point of neighboring entities is leading Hays County constables to request a roughly $26,000 pay raise.

John Ellen, Hays County Pct. 5 Constable, said all constables in Hays County currently earn $67,762 a year. Under their proposed increase, each of the five Hays County constables would get a raise of $26,062, bringing each person’s salary to $93,824.

For all five constables to receive the raise, Hays County would expend an additional $100,310 annually, starting in the fiscal year 2019 budget, which the county is in the process of balancing.

Under the current proposal, constables currently earning $67,762 could get a raise brining each constable’s salary to $93,824.

tions, the county looks at “It’s a sizeable jump,” eight specific Texas counEllen said. “But it’s really ties to compare salaries playing catch up, is what to and aim to be in the it is.” middle in terms of wages, Constables in Hays Ellen said.

County earn signifiBut when it comes to cantly less than those in what constables make, neighboring counties. In Hays County ranks second FY 2018, Travis County constables made $103,447, to last, just above Comal County, where constables while Bexar County constables made $93,767. Wil- make $54,817 a year. Ellen said the increase would liamson County constahelp level out the pay that bles had a $80,772 salary. constables in comparable This year, all five constables agreed to get together counties receive. and ask for a raise.

During salary negotiaCONSTABLES’ SALARIES, 6

LAGNIAPPE

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Shakespeare in the park in Wimberley

Brush up on your iambic pentameter as the EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens hosts a 20th anniversary performance of Romeo and Juliet, which runs until Saturday, Aug. 11.

Shows start at 8 p.m.

Ticket information can be found online at EmilyAnn.org.

LAGNIAPPE, 5

Page 2

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News-Dispatch

Buda family continues their fight to get undocumented relative out of ICE custody

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

A Buda family’s fight to get an undocumented relative out of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody continues, even as they believe her mental health is quickly deteriorating.

Janelie Rodriguez, 25, is currently being held at the South Texas Detention Complex in Pearsall. According to family members, Rodriguez suffers from a severe mental disorder in which thought and emotions are impaired and she loses contact with reality.

According to Rodriguez’s family, she is not receiving the medical attention and medication she needs, based on her condition during visitation.

“I asked to be put in my own area away from other people because of my psychosis,” Rodriguez told her family when they visited her in Pearsall. “Right now they have me in a holding area with 16 other people.”

The lack of medical treatment at the facility is starting to take a toll on Rodriguez’s body and she is often toying with the thought if the fight is worth the trouble. Without her medication, she suffers from frequent hallucinations, which was evident during her family’s visitation.

Mano Amiga, an immigration activist group in San Marcos, is working with an immigration attorney and Rodriguez’s family to get her the help she needs.

Everyone detained by

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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.

21, now faces a felony charge and possible deportation.

“We are seeing a multitude of issues throughout the state that goes beyond the scope of just a broken immigration system,” Munoz said. “People are being denied medical treatment for their mental illnesses.

Things are getting worse every single day.”

If Rodriguez loses her immigration hearing, she could potentially be deported to Mexico; Rodriguez emigrated to the United States when she was only three years old.

Enrique Rodriguez, Janelie’s stepbrother, said his sister looked pale during their visit to Pearsall and was having trouble articulating speech to her family.

It was evident that her

hallucinations are being exacerbated without her medication, Enrique said.

“She looked very cold and anxious,” Enrique said. “It’s clear that she isn’t well.”

Munoz said instead of having her detained with the general population in Pearsall, Rodriguez should have the opportunity to stay at home and await her hearing where she can have access to her medical needs.

“It’s overwhelming when you step back and realize that this is happening to people in our community,” Munoz said.

“The fight will continue and what I’ve learned is that we need to step back from individual cases and push towards a change in policy. Our work needs to shift.”

Continued from pg. 1

the state for the 2018-19 school year as part of recapture.

However, according to an April 2018 report by the National Education Association, Texas spent $10,952 per student enrolled in public schools in 2017, which was $2,000 less than the national average.

“It’s no secret that funding for public education in the state of Texas is fundamentally broken,” said Bruce Gearing, DSISD superintendent. “One of the biggest issues is recapture. That doesn’t mean we don’t believe in equity of funding, it just means that it hurts us. We will be advocating for those changes

during the next legislative session.”

Gearing said the DSISD Board of Trustees will adopt a legislative advocacy agenda, though the official positions of the board have not yet been drafted.

In 2017, Gearing, along with the Dripping Springs ISD board of trustees, wrote a letter during the 85th Texas Legislature in support of House Bill 21.

That proposed bill called for $1.8 billion in new funding for public schools and featured reforms to the state’s education finance system.

According to a 2017 Texas Tribune report, lawmakers cut $1.5 billion

TX. Email paper@

and address changes.

ICE will eventually receive a court date after at least a month’s time, said Karen Munoz, co-founder of Mano Amiga. But Rodriguez needs help now and the organization is looking to see if her lack of medical treatment is legal, she said.

Rodriguez was placed into custody in January on a felony warrant stemming from an October 2017 incident where she bit a law enforcement officer. However, the felony charges were dropped in early July by District Judge Bill Henry.

Rodriguez’s case is similar to a recent incident in Austin where an undocumented resident was arrested after a mental episode led to aggression towards law enforcement.

Austin resident Tania Silva,

Educational Finance: Push to change Robin Hood plan from HB21 and expunged many of the reforms within the original bill; the pared down version of HB21 was signed into law

by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in June 2017.

“Dripping Springs is considered property wealthy, but it is still difficult to explain to our taxpayers that we are sending money to the state every year that will be utilized elsewhere,” Gearing said.

“I believe strongly in local control and we have to have the authority to make sure we are doing everything we can for our students.”

In contrast, Hays CISD is considered a property-poor district under the

state’s recapture plan and receives money from other districts as part of the equity system.

However, HCISD officials will be advocating for less reliance on property taxes to drive school funding.

“Right now, the formula does not have a mechanism to account for changes in the cost of living and inflation,” said Annette Folmar, chief financial officer at HCISD. “It’s a seesaw effect. As property taxes go up, state funding goes down. It’s not a sustainable system.”

Folmar said HCISD will also advocate for fewer restrictions on earmarked funds distributed from the

state, which she said can limit a district on where and how to spend those dollars.

Every district’s needs are different and the state should allow each district to spend the money where they see fit, Folmar said.

“We take our job very seriously and work hard to develop lifelong learners and students who will contribute to our communities and society past their time in public education,” Gearing said.

“We will accomplish that no matter what the funding looks like and we will continue to hire the best people we can to provide the best education we can.”

cated, I understand the term “cause and effect” where if something new is added to an environment, it will have an effect on the current status. Here are some examples: If you add ghost peppers to your pot of chili, there will be an immediate ingestion of cold beverages. If you add a few shots of tequila to a presently filled belly of beer, you might wake up the next morning on the bathroom floor.

So, as hordes of people move to some rural area of Texas every year, thousands of acres of grassland and trees are replaced with concrete and asphalt.

If y’all don’t think paved streets give off a lot of heat, try walking barefoot down your sidewalk instead of the lawn. Add heat-emitting asphalt and concrete to the ground and watch the mercury rise. Cause and effect.

As scientists and environmental groups search for ways to help our planet, I have a few suggestions to cool off Texas. As we reach into our ice chests or the outdoor beer fridge for a cold brew, keep it open a little longer than usual and let some of that cold air escape into the atmosphere. And on the 4th of July, only flag-waving, anthem-standing patriotic Americans should be allowed to grill outdoors. All ingrates can celebrate Independence Day on some day in January or February when we wouldn’t mind a little global warming from barbecue grills.

OPINION

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Thursday, August 9, 2018

Let’s keep our cool

D

ang, it’s hot! It’s so hot, I have to put my beer in two koozies just to keep it from boiling. It’s so hot here, I flip off the breaker to my water heater and can still have a hot shower every night. It’s hot enough to make ice coffee sound inviting. Oh, not to drink but to pour over my head.

Yeah, it’s hot, but is it hotter than normal?

There’s been a lot of chatter about global warming and climate change.

Some folks think it’s a pile of smoldering cow manure while scientists and ex-vice presidents insist it’s for real.

While most of the civilized world are doing things to turn down the heat, others deny there is a problem and add fuel to the fire.

I admit I was slow to accept the theory of global warming. I recall standing in six inches of snow last winter, wondering what

From the Crow’s Nest

by Clint Younts

happened to global warming as I was breaking the ice in the water trough. But as winter transitioned into spring-like weather two days later, I began to ponder over this controversy.

Back in July, Austin broke some record for the number of consecutive days its temperature was in triple digits. A few days got up to 110 or higher, and I suspect they’ll get back to those numbers in August.

We were a little cooler down here south of Austin, probably due to less asphalt and fewer politicians, but it was hotter than most summers.

Now, before someone says, “You don’t know what

you’re talkin’ about”, allow me to give y’all a little history lesson. Back in the summer of 1978, when I was 40 years younger and 30 years dumber, I worked as a roofer here in central Texas. Austin was having a record heat wave that July with temperatures reaching 105 for several days.

Hot enough to keep the roofing tar nice and soft, but cooler than this past month.

So now, 40 years later and smart enough to know to stay off rooftops in July, I see evidence of climate change here and elsewhere. Numerous droughts and horrific wildfires are scattered all over the western states. Coastal flooding seems more prevalent these past few years. And closer to home, consumption of cold beer is on the rise. I don’t know about other homes, just mine.

Being somewhat edu-

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Page 3

Sports

Cowgirl up!

Dripping Springs native eyes return to pro rodeo ranks

BY SHANE SCHOLWINSKI

and her horse, “Boyfriend,” finished just outside of the From an early age, Drip- top six with a time of 17.9 ping Springs native Krystal seconds.

Kotzur always knew she’d While disappointed in fall into the rodeo lifestyle. their time, Kotzur believes Born into a rodeo fami- the experience is one ly, Kotzur’s life in the arena of the initial steps she’s began at the taking to tender age get back “I kind of fell into into the of three.

“I kind it. My grandfather professional of fell into scene. rodeo’d and it,” Kotzur

said. “My BREAKING competed and grandfather INTO THE trained horses. rodeo’d and RODEO competed My dad was a SCENE and trained Kotzur competitor. My horses. My followed dad was a mom ran barrels. her passion competitor. of barrel So I’ve been on My mom racing and ran barrels. a horse since pursued a So I’ve been professional before I could sit on a horse career with since before up.” her horse I could sit “Jonetta up.”

Fane” in –Krystal Kotzer, Ever rodeo contender 2007. They since then, traveled Kotzur has around the United States followed in her family’s footsteps, making her way for competitions for most of that year before breakthrough the rodeo circuit and competing as much as ing through professionally in 2008. she can.

“It kind of gets into During last weekend’s Dripping Springs Fair and your blood and you get addicted to it,” Kotzur said Rodeo, Kotzur, a former about barrel racing. “It’s an professional barrel racer, adrenaline rush.”

They reached their peak in December 2008 when they won a race in Las Vegas and became the number three ranked barrel racer in the world.

Unfortunately, Fane suffered an injury in that same race, which ended the animal’s career as she had to be retired from the sport in March 2009.

Kotzur quit professionally riding in 2009 after Fane’s injury, but she kept her focus on the future as she bred two of her trained Meyer horses. One of their babies, Boyfriend, is now being trained by Kotzur to compete in barrel racing events.

“For me it’s to finally riding the babies I have bred from my horses that I had trained and was competing at a professional level,” Kotzur said about her motivation to ride again. “To have those horses start out as babies, and I train them up to being a competitor, and watching them at each stage in their training and lifestyle.”

EYEING A RETURN TO THE RING Kotzur plans to rise again to the professional

PHOTO BY KIECE PHOTOGRAPHY

Barrel rider Krystal Kotzur maneuvers her horse around an obstacle during an event.

ranks, but this time with Boyfriend weaving in between and around the barrels. A hurdle in the way of reaching that goal is to get Boyfriend comfortable competing in front of rodeo crowds.

During the Dripping Springs Rodeo, Kotzur said Boyfriend was still getting his feet wet in front of crowds as it was only his third event. While he went and did his job, Boyfriend “just didn’t have

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fire and have the drive” he normally does “They really have to build their confidence which is what I’m doing with this particular horse now,” said Kotzur. “And they’ve got to go and they’ve got to see it and get over their stage fright, basically.”

Kotzur has her eyes set on the upcoming Cedar Park and La Grange rodeos this fall to give Boyfriend more experience in the

pen. Kotzur likes the tough competition that the Texas rodeos bring, as she believes it will only make her and Boyfriend stronger in the long run.

“I like the competitive edge,” Kotzur said. “I like going up against the best of the best because if I can compete with them, then I am right there with them.

And I know where I’m at and where I need to train and be to get there too.

That’s the fun part.”

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A Dripping Springs volleyball player passes the ball toward a fellow athlete during practice at Tiger Gym.

Tiger volleyball eyes deep run in 2018

BY MOSES LEOS III

Heading into his ninth season at the helm of the Dripping Springs Tigers, head volleyball coach Michael Kane realizes the increasing level of expectations success can bring.

Fielding a team dripping with talent, Dripping Springs is not only expected to be a frontrunner in the newly crafted District 25-5A this season, but also a possible contender in the vastly competitive Region IV, 5A. For Kane, taking things one match at a time is the mantra for a Tiger team aiming at a handful of

goals in 2018. Kane said they hope to start with a possible seventh straight district title and perhaps culminating in a return trip to Garland and the state tournament.

Leading that effort will be a “core” group of returning athletes from a 2017 squad that finished the season in the Region IV semifinals.

Up front, Dripping Springs will have seniors Madison Certain and Alexis Haydt, who will bring their size and skill to the outside hitting positions. In the back, Tiger libero Maddie

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News-Dispatch

Thursday, August 9, 2018

RM 150 Open House Continued from pg. 1

in Kyle, if we don’t find some method of moving traffic better in this area, there won’t be an ability that will exist very soon.

The development in this area, it’s almost crazy,” he said.

But today, TxDOT just hopes to receive community feedback. As her neighbors made notes on maps of potential roadways, one woman declined the offer of a marker and resigned herself to the will of the state.

“It doesn’t matter – they’ll do what they wanna do,” she sighed.

TxDOT spokesperson Brad Wheelis said that idea is widely shared, but inaccurate.

“A lot of people don’t know they can really affect a project with TxDOT,” he said. “Part of our mission is to build roads that not only get people from point A to point B faster and safer, but roadways that are going to be most accepted by the community.”

The proposed corridor for the road alignment was even developed with the help of residents back in 2015, Wheelis said. Of four potential corridors, Corridor C, as it is called, was determined to be the one that would affect the

fewest number of people.

The next step after collecting this latest round of community feedback is to compile it into a report and to evaluate alternatives, Wheelis said.

Then, the department will prepare a technical analysis and a report, an environmental impact study, on how the project would affect the area around it. TxDOT aims to have the environmental decision complete by summer 2020.

There are still a lot of details up in the air, Wheelis said. It is too early to determine what the project would cost, and a source of funding has not been identified. Those decisions will come later, he said.

During the Thursday meeting, Wheelis said TxDOT received feedback that some residents fear developments will follow road improvements. But more think Kyle needs the congestion relief the road would bring, especially downtown.

“We could walk away from it all. That’s an option on the table. If we hear from the community that they want nothing done, we will do that. The fact of the matter is, traffic is going to get worse,” he said.

Texas Wages

Continued from pg. 1 petitive with a smaller budget, but if companies continue to pay above the minimum wage even if it stays at $7.25, it will keep a higher standard throughout the business community,” Snyder said. “I can be competitive by paying my workers $12 an hour, urging surrounding businesses to do the same.”

With cities like San Francisco fighting for $15 an hour minimum wage, small business owners coming from that environment can come to Texas and still pay well above the minimum wage of $7.25 and make a profit, Snyder said.

“As a Chamber and business representative, if the state looked to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour, I would anticipate pushback from the business community,” Snyder said. “And with big companies moving to the Central Texas area with good wages and benefit packages, it keeps the environment here competitive.”

Despite the interest of the business community in mind, Snyder said the minimum wage should be a guideline for people to be able to live in their community. Snyder said the current minimum wage of $7.25 is, admittedly, low.

At $7.25 an hour for 40 hours a week, an individual would make around $2,320 before taxes. Financial experts recommend spending no more than 30 percent of one’s monthly income on rent.

According to the 30 percent rule, at $7.25 an hour, an individual in Texas should not pay more than $696 a month on housing which is about half of the average rent in Kyle and Buda.

For Rigo Garza, an engineering student at Texas State, working at H.E.B has provided financial stability through school which has enabled him to support himself while being a full-time student.

Garza has worked at the company for four years and currently receives $13 an hour. Like many other students, Garza is supporting himself completely, paying for his monthly living and school expenses without aid from his parents.

“If I was being paid $7.25 an hour I would have to work at least full-time and even then, I would probably just scrape by,” Garza said. “I

At $7.25 an hour for 40 hours a week, an individual would make around $2,320 before taxes.

Financial experts recommend spending no more than 30 percent of one’s monthly income on rent.

So someone earning minimum wage would have about $696 for living accommodations. wouldn’t have any extra spending money for going out with my friends or to buy new things.”

Living with roommates has also proved to be a great way for Garza to save money by splitting rent and utility costs, a common practice among college students.

When budgeting for the month, Garza said he likes to have at least a month’s rent in his checkings and savings account at any given time, which guarantees he’ll never be behind on monthly living expenses.

“I am very fortunate to work for a company that pays me this well,” Garza said. “That being said, I don’t know if raising the minimum wage would have positive or negative effects on the economy and businesses. I just couldn’t say for sure.”

The Central Texas area has seen a migration of residents from California, including new business owners looking to open their doors in the Lone Star State. According to a recent study

by Wallethub, Texas is increasingly becoming a great place for young entrepreneurs, credited to Texas’ low wage costs.

“If I’m a retail business and need to hire a few part-time employees, for the same business in California, I would only afford to hire half the staff I could in Texas, or be forced to raise the price of my product,” Snyder said. “In states with higher minimum wage, the cost of gas, groceries and other everyday needs are more expensive.”

“It’s a family affair and you can’t really separate the two,” Conley said. “I work very long and unpredictable hours which sometimes keeps me away from my home and children. It takes a big sacrifice for all of our family, but the older the kids get, the better they understand.”

–Will Conley, former Pct. 3 Commissioner and candidate for County Judge

HAYS FREE PRESS FILE PHOTO

Politics & Parenting: Straddling life in home & politics Continued from pg. 1

During the 2015 Memorial Day flood, which took the lives of several Hays County residents and devastated the Wimberley and San Marcos community, Conley spent virtually three months away from his family, spending his days with flood relief efforts and sleeping late at night before repeating the same process early the next morning.

“That was a point in my career where I know they made a huge sacrifice because I was so busy with everything going on with the flood,” Conley said. “I’d like to think I’m a lot of better at it now than I was 10 years ago, but I’m constantly learning how to balance being a father and in the eye of the public.”

On the opposite side of life is Julie Oliver, who is seeking the candida-

cy for the United States House of Representatives for District 25. If elected, this would be Oliver’s first major task in the public’s eye, a challenge she and her family is ready to embrace.

Two of Oliver’s children are in their 20s, one is 19 and the youngest is nine years old. Before deciding to run for Congress, Oliver wanted to be certain she had the support from her family during the long journey ahead.

“My older kids obviously understand a lot more than my nine-year-old, and there are times where she gets a little flustered with all the campaigning,” Oliver said. “But it’s all a process. I’m proud to say I am part of a working-class family and we aren’t afraid to ask our friends and family for help while I’m away from home when we need it.”

It’s no secret that the life of a politician is susceptible to scrutiny. The voting community always has eyes on its elected officials, formulating opinions on whether to keep them in office as an election cycle is always approaching in the distance.

Every decision made on the dias and every word said at a public function can be the center of controversy for elected officials.

Conley said the thought of his children being criticized for the decisions he’s made does cross his mind, but he worries more about speculative rumors about himself or his family.

“Unfortunately, It’s part of the job description and it’s what we signed up for,” Conley said. “You think about all the bologna people

say about you and your family just purely to push their political agenda.

It’s something you have to accept, but you still worry about it.”

Oliver said her campaign has received comments on social media that she would classify as hate speech. But despite the adversity, she continues to run her campaign in hopes of reaching her goal.

“Too often society paints women for having particular roles and expectations but there is such an important aspect of being a mom and campaign that I feel gives me the ability to focus on many things at once,” Oliver said. “Campaigning is tough and tiring work.

But we push through because, at the end of the day, we want to let people understand that we represent them.”

Tiger Volleyball: Eyeing a deep run in 2018 Continued from pg. 3

Burkholtz, an Arizona State University pledge, returns to lead the Tigers on the defensive side.

Bridging it all will be a one-two setting combination of Avery Kalsu, who’s committed to Tulsa University, and Sarah Nadine, an Abilene Christian University commitment.

Kane said having Kalsu and Nadine return is “invaluable” as they both have been able to run the Tiger program for the past two seasons.

However, Kane said Dripping Springs’ talent goes beyond their starting six. The Tigers have “depth in every position” and there isn’t a significant drop-off among athletes, Kane said.

That extends to a talented class of junior varsity and freshman players, which Kane said has led to one of the highest level of skill he’s managed in a gym in the past nine seasons.

“We did lose some strong players, but we feel with the kids that are coming back and the depth we have, we’re going to be a contender in the region,” Kane said.

Dripping Springs will test its talent early on during the course of its rigorous predistrict schedule. The Tigers will have individual matches against New Braunfels Canyon, Rouse,

Georgetown and Hays, all of whom reached the postseason last year, and are expected to contend in 2018.

The Tigers will also take on a trio of grueling tournaments, including a return trip to the Texas Volleyball Invitational in Pearland.

While winning is the ultimate goal, Kane said improvement, primarily during the team’s challenging predistrict run, is equally important.

“We’re concerned about improving, challenging ourselves and finding where the holes are in that process,” Kane said. “In that process of playing a tough schedule, if it makes

us have a couple of losses, it doesn’t bother me. We want to win every game, but we’re more about challenging ourselves to prepare for the next phase.”

Keeping the ball rolling will be key as the Tigers enter their new district, which features several Austin ISD squads, as well as Lockhart.

Of the eight teams in the current district, only Dripping Springs, McCallum and LBJ reached the postseason in 2017. Crockett, Travis, Lanier, Reagan and Lockhart had a combined overall record of 41-99 last season, according to MaxPreps.

However, Kane said operating as a frontrunner

also means having to work with a large target on a team’s back as well.

“People are going to show up every game to play you,” Kane said. “Because we’ve been successful in the last few years, we’re getting everyone’s best game and that’s what we want.”

But Kane plans to avoid looking ahead to the postseason. Instead, focusing on what’s happening in front of his program is paramount.

“We’re going to take each team in our district and give them the respect they’re due by showing up and giving them our best effort,” Kane said.

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Worship in a church of your choice Call 512-268-7862 to join the church directory today.

Sunset Canyon Baptist Church 8:45 AM

Sunday Morning

11:00 AM

Sunday Worship

5:45 PM

Wednesday Meal

6:30 PM

Wed TouchPoint

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(512) 894-0480

4000 E. HWY 290

St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church Mass Schedule

Rev. Charlie

Spanish Mass Sunday: 1:30 p.m.

corner of RR 12 & Post Oak in Dripping Springs

Garza, pastor Saturday: 5 p.m.

Located at the Sunday: 8:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m.

512-858-5667

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Classifieds Thursday, August 2, 2018

20 words for $8!

Place your classified ad by calling 512-268-7862 or send an email to paper@haysnewsdispatch.com.

We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover

DEADLINE: NOON MONDAY FOR THURSDAY’S PAPER

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Page 5

Public Notices NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SUBDIVIDE

WE BUY

An application has been filed with HAYS COUNTY to subdivide 6.923 acres of property located along North Elder Hill Road, Driftwood, TX 78620. Information regarding the application may be obtained from Hays County Development Services (512) 393-2150. Tracking Number: SUB-1107.

Both non-producing and producing

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Apply Online at www.qualitydriveaway.com or call 574-642-2023 Like us on Facebook

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COUNTRY MUSIC Outlaws and Armadillos – Country’s Roaring ‘70s.

Experience the exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Nashville, TN. Album and book also available. The exhibit explores the Outlaw phenomenon that produced powerful music and everlasting bonds between Nashville and Texas. 615-416-2001, countrymusichalloffame.org.

OIL AND GAS RIGHTS We buy oil, gas & mineral rights. Both non- producing and producing including non-Participating Royalty Interest (NPRI). Provide us your desired price for an offer evaluation. 806-620-1422, LoboMineralsLLC@ gmail.com. Lobo Minerals, LLC, PO Box 1800, Lubbock, TX 79408-1800.

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See puzzle, page 3

Lagniappe

Continued from pg. 1

Get your creative on at Wimberley Art Expo

On October 9, the Wimberley Valley Arts and Cultural Alliance will host its 2018 Art Expo, to be held at the Wimberley Village Library. The event will go from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

More information can be found online at wimberleyarts.org.

Cowboy up to the San Marcos arts Gunner Thames commission Rodeo accepting grant Cowboys and cowgirls applications from across the area take to the Chester Franklin Arena at Veterans Park in Wimberley for the 7th annual Gunner Thames Memorial Rodeo, which will be held Sept. 1-2. More information can be found online at gunnerthames.com.

The City of San Marcos arts commission is now accepting funding applications for projects that promote arts, tourism and cultural diversity in the community. A free grant

writing workshop will be held Monday, Aug. 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the San Marcos Activity Center. Full details and guidelines can be found online at sanmarcostx.gov/arts.

Expand your literary horizon in San Marcos Going on now through Dec. 14, the Witliff Collections in

San Marcos places the spotlight on authors who have brought Texas history to life.

More information on the exhibition, entitled “Literary Frontiers: Historical Fiction & the Creative Imagination,” can be found online at thewittliffcollections.txstate.edu/collections.html

Page 6

News-Dispatch

Wimberley Birding Society is the best bargain in birding

BY JERRY HALL

Aside from watching “Downton Abbey” on PBS, one of my favorite diversions these days is observing the goings-on at my backyard birdbath.

I have enjoyed seeing a big black vulture splashing and bathing and a small gray fox hopping up and lapping a drink.

Every now and then, regular birds perch on the birdbath and take delicate little sips. All in all, it is a fine magnet for wildlife.

I recommend all my birding friends set up

some similar water feature, be it a simple dish of water or a fancy pond with a waterfall.

And while I am recommending things, I also urge you to join a birding organization, perhaps a national group such as the Audubon Society or a local outfit such as the Wimberley Birding Society. Preferably both. You can check out both online.

Be advised that annual dues for the Wimberley Birding Society are five bucks a year, probably the best bargain in birding.

You not only get invited to

quarterly meetings with great speakers, but you are informed of birding trips both local and around the world, and your dues help support upkeep of a nifty bird blind and two-acre wildlife refuge in Wimberley.

If you want to join, just send a check for five dollars, made out to WBS, to Wimberley Birding Society, P.O. Box 1526, Wimberley, TX 78676.

Be sure to include your contact information, including e-address if you have one.

Tell them Jerry sent you.

Long time Hays County employee leaves for Bee Cave

BY MOSES LEOS III A longtime Hays County employee is moving on to the municipal sector.

Clint Garza, who has served in various positions within the county since 2007, accepted the City Manager position with the city of Bee Cave, located west of Austin, according to a press release.

Garza most recently served in a double role as the Hays County Chief of Staff and Executive Director of Countywide Operations, where he oversaw numerous departments and projects.

Hays County Judge Bert Cobb said Bee Cave’s good fortune “is Hays County’s loss.”

“Clint has done an outstanding job for Hays County in all the positions he’s had here,” Cobb said.

“His experience and en-

ergy came at a time of massive growth in the county, and Clint was always on top of multiple projects GARZA and challenges.”

Garza began his career in Hays County as an Environmental Health Specialist; he also served as Program Manager and Community Services Di-

rector.

Hays County Pct. 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant said Garza’s integrity and “can-do attitude” has served the county well.

“I appreciate the opportunities I’ve had at Hays County, working with dedicated public servants to manage the needs of a county that is growing at an almost unbelievable pace,” Garza said. “I’ll miss Hays County, but am looking forward to new opportunities with the city of Bee Cave.”

Keep up with all the latest news coverage in Hays County by visiting www.HaysNewsDispatch.com

Get Dell Children’s Care close to home Now open at Seton Southwest Hospital Online scheduling is now available for your child’s ER visit at all Dell Children’s Emergency Care locations. Remember, online ER scheduling is for mini-emergencies only. If your child is experiencing a major emergency, get to the ER ASAP or dial 911. Schedule now at GetDellChildrensCare.com

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Constables’ Salaries Continued from pg. 1

“It’s something that hopefully we would have been on top as the market changed,” he said.

As Hays County’s population has increased, so have constables’ duties.

Their roles and duties vary across the state, but in Hays County, the constables’ offices work civil and court security, as well as monitor traffic, work accidents and conduct patrol work.

“We do everything the police department and sheriff’s office does, just on a smaller scale,” Ellen said.

The constables’ budget request did not make it into the first draft of the new county budget, Ellen said, but they will try again. If it is not accepted a second time, the constables plan to follow a grievance process.

“It has nothing to

do with increase we’re asking for, but all five of your constables are very, very committed to the community and what they do,” Ellen said.

“They are hardworking and dedicated, as are their deputies, and serve the community best they can.”

The second draft of the budget is expected to be presented at commissioners court this month.

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