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2020
Volume 33, Issue 47
City Council names Hale Administrator By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor As quickly and mysteriously as the issue of hiring a new city administrator disappeared in March, it materialized this week. And in only a few minutes of discussion, the long-standing question of whether Liberty Hill needed an administrator was answered with a unanimous yes. In a surprise move, Council members Kathy Canady and Liz Rundzieher added an item to the Oct. 13 City Council agenda to consider promoting Lacie Hale to the position. After only a few moments of discussion the motion passed by a 4-0 vote – with Council member Gram Lankford absent – and Hale was named the new administrator. Canady said she believed it was time that the position be filled and that Hale was the right candidate. “It is nothing about anything against Rick (Hall) or the job he has done,” she said. “I just think it has evolved and it is time to bring back (that position).” Rundzieher echoed Canady’s endorsement of Hale. “Lacie is very well qualified to be the City Administrator,” she said. “I stand behind her 100 percent.” Canady also pointed to Hale being from Liberty Hill as a plus. “I know you’re not supposed to say she’s home grown, but I think it does
See HALE, Page 3 ©2020 The Liberty Hill Independent
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October 15, 2020 | 50 Cents
Early voting begins in Liberty Hill
By ANTHONY FLORES Staff Writer With the beginning of early voting for the Nov. 3 General Election, many folks showed their eagerness to make their choices on the lengthy ballot. The Liberty Hill community started the first day of early voting at the Liberty Hill Municipal Court with a strong showing. By 12 Noon, a line formed with a relatively short wait time for early voters. “I wanted to make sure to beat the crowds, ensure the process was fair and get my vote in early,” said Liberty Hill resident Marisa Perez. “The line was pretty quick, maybe about 10 to 15 minutes.” The short wait time is a result of a quick, efficient, and streamlined process. “You just go in, it’s very organized, and you present
your identification or voter’s registration card,” said Perez. “They direct you to the voting machine, you cast the ballot according to the instructions, and then you submit your paper ballot.” Perez, a lifelong voter, believes the 2020 election is a pivotal one for the future of the country. “I’ve always voted, and I take that as a privilege as an American, and I would hope that other people do as well. I think this is an important election, probably one of the most important of our time. That was my reason for voting today,” she said. “I think there’s a lot at stake. There’s a pandemic going on. I believe it hasn’t been handled as well as it could have been. I want
Political expenses, contributions continue
By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor A number of signs have popped up around town, advocating for Proposition 1 on the Liberty Hill ballot. But initially when they appeared over the weekend there was a mystery about how those signs were funded. At the bottom of the large road signs the paid for disclaimer read “Liz Rundzieher PAC”. But after a search with the Texas Ethics Commission and inquiries with the City of Liberty Hill regarding filing for the PAC or the state-required campaign finance reports it was learned no such political action committee exists. According to Rundzieher, she originally planned to create a political committee with the intent of supporting the proposition – which is to extend Liberty Hill City Council terms from two years
ANTHONY FLORES PHOTO
According to Williamson County Elections Department, 1,316 ballots were cast at the Liberty Hill Municipal Court on the first day of early voting Tuesday. Voters may cast ballots early in person See VOTING, Page 4 through Oct. 30 at the court building, 2801 RM 1869.
to three years – but found out through a discussion with City Attorney Tad Cleaves that she could do the signs as a private citizen. “I paid for them myself,” she told The Independent. “It was strictly forgetful after seven months that it was on there.” But she ordered the signs seven months ago, when the election was set for May, and had Liz Rundzieher PAC printed on them because at that time forming the PAC was her intent. “I had already ordered the signs with the word PAC on them,” Rundzieher said. “When we went and got them the other day down at Digitex I forgot the word PAC was on there and (Wednesday) morning it will be off.” Rundzieher was one of the council members who voted in favor of placing the issue
See REPORTS, Page 4
Community prepares for safe Halloween festivities
By ANTHONY FLORES Staff Writer As Halloween season kicks into overdrive, the Liberty Hill community is preparing to celebrate the ghoulish holiday with tricks and treats of all kinds, from the traditional to the unique. Many are still trick or treating, but with safety precautions and social distancing in mind, others are doing hayrides, and some are even camping. Two events in the area that people are taking part in are the Grace Alive Harvest Festival and the Cross Tracks Church Trunk or Treat. Liberty Hill resident Nancy Richard-Wilk and fellow members of her neighborhood are planning a golf cart gathering and chili cook-off with trunk or treat. “The adults got together and discussed it. We decided what would be best for all ages in-
volved. Especially since Halloween is on a Saturday this year and everyone seems to be very interested in celebrating,” said Wilk. “Clearly, we all need something to celebrate. We think just doing something normal is going to be the best part of the afternoon, dressing up and running around. Plus, the adults will also be participating, and it will be more of a celebration and party atmosphere.” Others are adjusting their traditional plans in ways they never expected to and finding creative new methods of celebrating. Amanda Crossland of the Liberty Parke neighborhood is organizing a neighborhood decoration contest with various prizes. “I asked the Liberty Parke community on our Facebook group if they would like to do a contest. There were a lot of yes responses. Some people
are decorating but not trick or treating. I also mentioned prizes, and that got the buzz going,” said Crossland. “There are numerous small business owners in Liberty Parke, so I have asked them to donate something for our prizes. First place will have a basket valued at $50, second-place will have $25, and third is $10. It could go up depending on the feedback.” Many in Liberty Parke’s community will also do the traditional trick or treating but with different methods to reduce COVID risks. “I am going to be setting up a spooky table with wipes and sanitizer,” said Crossland. “Other families are doing things like putting candy on sticks, like taped to them and putting them in their yards.” Evin Law is finding a middle
See HALLOWEEN, Page 4
LIBERTY HILL VOTES 2020
Branigan makes pitch for Mayor’s seat
ALEX RUBIO PHOTO
LHHS Homecoming Queen and King
Liberty Hill High School celebrated Homecoming 2020 last Friday and crowned senior Chloe Foster as Homecoming Queen and senior Trey Seward as Homecoming King. The Panthers defeated Crockett High School 76-0. See more in Sports, Page 6.
By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor Liz Branigan says she chose to challenge Rick Hall for the mayor’s seat because she is passionate about Liberty Hill. A 40-year resident of the community, she has many memories of how it once was and believes she knows how it needs to be. “My late husband and I moved here, we raised our children here,” she said. “We played in community leagues. My daughter and I played for the Liberty Hill Angels at one time. That was in the 80s.” That experience led her to join the Liberty Hill Parks Board, which she serves on today, and also led to three terms on the Liberty Hill City Council. She lost to current Council member Gram Lankford in the May 2019 election.
But it has all been experience that has led her to this place. “This has taught me a lot about the workings of government,” she said. “I know how to run a city. I hope you understand when I tell you my heart is here.” She is quick to draw a stark contrast to Hall on two issues that loom large in the Nov. 3 election – council member terms and salaries. The next mayor, according to the budget passed by the Council in September, will receive a $40,000 salary. She opposes having a paid mayor in Liberty Hill and said she would decline the salary. “When I was on the Council I didn’t take anything,” Branigan said. “Forty thousand dollars for a city of 2,433 people? Round Rock’s mayor makes $12,000 a year. Cedar Park
and Leander’s mayors don’t make anything. Georgetown’s mayor makes $20,000. These cities that are several times larger than us have mayors that either volunteer or have a much less salary. “I didn’t go into city politics to make a profit, and I will not accept the $40,000,” she added. She does support the idea of a small stipend for the council members, but with a caveat as she is not convinced the work is always put in to justify it. “In return for the stipend I’m going to expect them to do their homework and to know what they’re talking about,” she said. On the ballot proposition to extend council member term limits from the current two years to three, Branigan doesn’t see a need for the
ELIZABETH BRANIGAN Candidate for Mayor change. “This is not a burning issue, but I don’t think we need to do it at this time,” she said. “It’s possibly more efficient but I can’t see any reason to make this change. If somebody doesn’t work out we can get rid
See BRANIGAN, Page 3