LH Independent 12-3-20

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2020

Volume 34, Issue 2

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December 3, 2020 | 50 Cents

Council reverses course on Mayor’s role

By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor As easily as the Liberty Hill City Council adopted the approach that the Mayor should take on a direct role in the day-to-day operations of the City and management of its staff, it has reversed course with new Mayor Liz Branigan at the helm.

Council members Kathy Canady and Liz Rundzieher placed an item on the Nov. 23 Council agenda to consider repealing a pair of ordinances – 19-0-36 and 190-37 – passed in June 2019 that addressed the issue of the Mayor’s authority of direct supervision of municipal officers.

“I wanted this to be a part of housekeeping because it went along with the changing of the Mayor’s duties,” said Council member Kathy Canady during the meeting.

“And it doesn’t matter if it is Mayor (Rick) Hall or now Mayor (Liz) Branigan, for me it was just cleaning up going back to the city administrator-type role. These were two ordinances specifically done that dealt with the change in power of who reported to who.”

While nothing changed following the initial discussions at the meeting due to

See MAYOR, Page A5

ALEX RUBIO FILE PHOTO

Liberty Hill head football coach and athletic director Jeff Walker – who died of cancer Tuesday at the age of 52 – was known for demanding much of his players, but also showing a great deal of compassion.

Walker passes away at 52

Panthers’ head football coach leaves lasting legacy

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor When Jerry Vance decided to retire from his position as Liberty Hill’s athletic director and head football coach four years ago, then Liberty Hill ISD Superintendent Dr. Rob Hart knew precisely the man he wanted as Vance’s successor.

“Coach Walker was teaching at our junior high at the time, so I jumped at the chance and went right down there,” said Hart. “He was so well-respected and exactly what I wanted – a no-brainer.”

Walker, 52, died on Tuesday morning after an eight-year battle with cancer.

Council wades into wastewater assessment

By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor The Liberty Hill City Council decided Nov. 23 to take steps on its own to get a deeper evaluation of operations at the wastewater treatment plant.

The highly-scrutinized plant, and the City’s operation of it, have been the center of contention in recent years with downstream residents claiming the plant’s effluent is damaging the South San Gabriel River, suggesting it is the cause of heavy algae blooms congesting the low-flow river.

The decision last week was to hire consultant A. J. Olson to conduct an operational assessment of the plant.

“Council was wanting to get a fresh set of eyes on the operations side of the treatment plant, so that was the motion that came out of executive session to get an assessment done ©2020 The Liberty Hill Independent

MIKE EDDLEMAN FILE PHOTO

The first expansion of the Liberty Hill wastewater treatment plant came online in spring 2018. The second expansion is expected to come online next spring. by this professional to engage dents. If filed, the suit would with our operators to get an be brought in federal court idea what the challenges are, by Texas RioGrande Legal evaluate the performance of Aid (TRLA), representing the hardware at the wastewa- resident Stephanie Morris ter treatment plant and also who owns property along the get recommendations from South San Gabriel River. him on adjustments that need The City Council first disto be made,” said City Ad- cussed the issue at its Sept. ministrator Lacie Hale.

14 meeting during closed The plant is also the subject session. The 60-day notice is of a threatened lawsuit repSee WASTEWATER, Page A6 resenting downstream resi-

According to Hart, he knew Walker was the man for the job – despite 110 applicants for the position – after watching him coach his twin daughters, Madison and Regan, in junior high basketball.

“He was just such an extremely competitive person,” said Hart. “He always had

such an intense drive and a desire for perfection.”

After having served as Panthers offensive coordinator under Vance during back-to-back Class 4A state championships in 2006 and 2007, Walker left for the athletic director-head football coach job at Rogers where he remained until re-

turning to Liberty Hill and taking on the dual role for the Purple-and-Gold in 2017.

In just his second season as Liberty Hill’s head coach, Walker led the Panthers to the Class 4A state championship game and compiled a 38-11

See WALKER, Page A5

COVID numbers continue to rise, City adjusts holiday plan

By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor COVID-19 SNAPSHOT The month of November saw the highest number of COVID-19 cases in Texas and MAY WC Cases WCDeaths Williamson County since the TX cases TX Deaths 890 320 15 pandemic reached the area in 95,666 early March.

The County recorded 3,927 JUNE WC Cases WC Deaths new confirmed cases last TX cases TX Deaths 1672 1718 5 month, nearly 500 more than 103,775 the second highest monthly total which was 3,493 in July. JULY WC Cases WC Deaths That number followed the TX cases TX Deaths 4,356 3,493 51 spike in cases after Gov. Greg 262,423 Abbott reopened most businesses in May. The November AUGUST WC Cases WC Deaths new case total represents 29 TX cases TX Deaths 5,844 1,864 43 percent of all cases in the coun- 186,848 ty since March.

The City of Liberty Hill cur- SEPTEMBER WC Cases WC Deaths rently has 20 active cases, and TX cases TX Deaths 3,142 703 20 Liberty Hill ISD is reporting 14 135,168 active cases across the district, down from the pre-Thanksgiv- OCTOBER WC Cases WC Deaths ing spike that forced the tem- TX cases TX Deaths 2,254 916 11 porary closure of the Junior 152,354 High. This week, the Junior High is down from the 13 cases NOVEMBER – and 10 probable – that forced TX cases TX Deaths WC Cases WC Deaths the closure, to no active cases.

283,654 3,525 3,927 10 Of the 14 active cases in the district, four are at Rancho Sienna Elementary, three each at at Santa Rita and the Interme- ber did prompt the Liberty Hill Liberty Hill Elementary and diate School.

See COVID, Page A6 the high School, and two each The increase through Novem-

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Page A2

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Thursday, December 3, 2020

Shin Oak Ridge Bulletin Board Send news to: News@LHIndependent.com

Fisk Chapter of DRT to meet Dec. 5

Holiday Market Saturday, Dec 19th 8AM-4PM (Weather Permitting) Now Accepting Vendors for

Holiday Gifts • Vintage/Boutique Items Baked Goods • Direct Sales Hand Crafts and Art • Booth Space $30

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The Judge Greenleaf Fisk Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas will meet Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. at the Cross Tracks Methodist Church, 101 Church Street in Liberty Hill for its annual Christmas party.

The church will be sanitized, and the group will be wearing masks. Social distancing will be observed.

Membership in the Daughters of the Republic of Texas is open to any woman of lineal

descent from an ancestor who lived during the period of the Republic (1836-1846). Associate memberships are also available to women who are interested in Texas history of this period. Associate dues are $25 per year.

For more information, please contact Chapter Registrar, Joyce Parsons at jnparsons1112@gmail.com, or president, Mariann Laughlin at truetexaswomen@gmail.com.

LH Cemetery Association’s annual meeting postponed

The Liberty Hill Cemetery Association’s Annual Meeting scheduled for Dec. 12 has been postponed.

Due to the change in Williamson County’s COVID-19 status to Red it is not considered safe to hold this meeting at this time. Once the status goes back to a safer level the annual meeting notice will be given and the meeting will be rescheduled.

Liberty Hill Police Blotter Prepared by Liberty Hill Police Department

Week of Nov. 23-29, 2020 The Liberty Hill Police Department responded to or self-initiated a total of 451 incidents resulting in 10 cases, 22 citations, 42 warnings and one arrest.

Weekly Highlights: - On Nov. 23 at approximately 8:36 AM, officers responded to the intersection of US 183 and W. SH 29 for an accident.

- On Nov. 23 at approximately 9:58 AM, officers responded to the 1400 block of Loop 332 for a suspicious incident.

- On Nov. 23 at approximately 10:20 PM, officers responded to the 2000 block of US 183 to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

- On Nov. 24 at approximately 3:28 AM, officers responded to Liberty Meadows Drive for a suspicious incident.

- On Nov. 24 at approximately 10:37 AM, officers responded to the 14000 block of W. SH 29 for an accident.

- On Nov. 24 at approximately 5:32 PM, officers responded to Agave Azul Way for an animal bite complaint.

- On Nov. 24 at approximately 11:03 PM, officers responded

to Carl Shipp Drive for a burglary and assault complaint resulting in the arrest of a male adult.

- On Nov. 25 at approximately 4:53 PM, officers responded to the 12000 block of W. SH 29 for an accident.

- On Nov. 25 at approximately 11:50 PM, officers responded to Rio Gabriel Drive to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

- On Nov. 26 at approximately 3:34 PM, officers responded to Munro Street to assist the Liberty Hill Fire/EMS. - On Nov. 26 at approximately 6:49 PM, officers responded to Loop 332 and RM 1869 for a traffic hazard.

- On Nov. 26 at approximately 9:29 PM, officers responded to Brady Creek Way for a suspicious incident.

- On Nov. 27 at approximately 1:35 AM, officers responded to the 13000 block of W. SH 29 for a suspicious incident.

- On Nov. 27 at approximately 7:02 PM, officers responded to the Agave Azul Way for a follow up.

- On Nov. 27 at approximately 10:35 PM, officers responded

to Freedom Park Ave for suspicious activity.

- On Nov. 28 at approximately 12:48AM, officers responded to Royal Palm Way to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

- On Nov. 28 at approximately 1:14 AM, officers responded to the 1000 block of RM 1869 to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

- On Nov. 28, at approximately 3:22 AM, officers responded to Liberty Meadows for a stray animal complaint.

- On Nov. 28 at approximately 9:15PM, officers responded to Falon Lane to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

- On Nov. 29 at approximately 7:19 AM, officers responded to the 12000 block of W. SH 29 for a mental health issue.

- On Nov. 29 at approximately 10:17 AM, officers responded to the 15000 block of W. SH 29 for a traffic hazard,.

- On Nov. 29 at approximately 7:13 PM, officers responded to the 300 block of US 183 to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

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OPINION

VIEWPOINT:

The solution to the leftover blues

By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor It’s called “the sandwich�.

It’s not the most original m o n i ker, but this time of year – among family and friends – there is no question which meal tucked between two pieces of bread I’m talking about.

People around me have to start hearing about my vision for the latest model in the series of monuments to leftovers about the same time the menu for Thanksgiving becomes a topic of conversation.

They want to discuss what new sides to try or how we might tweak the turkey, but all I want to know is how might a change enhance my leftover experience? My pre-holiday vote actually counts much less because I am so much more focused on the aftermath than the presentation and plating of a colorful, delicious traditional meal.

Essentially, if it’s not starchy, sticky, saucy or intensely avorful, I have no use for it.

Don’t give me things that don’t stack and smash well.

The sandwich was born four or ďŹ ve years ago now, when I had an oven light moment over a plate of leftovers. Sure, piles of stufďŹ ng, macaroni and cheese, turkey and green bean casserole on a paper plate sound good. But didn’t we just have that the day before on a fancier plate?

If these leftovers are so much better than typical leftovers they should transcend how we approach leftovers in the ďŹ rst place. Cooking show contestants are always being asked how they elevated an ingredient, well, here it is, presented

on the bread elevator to culinary heaven.

When trying to construct a plate full of Thanksgiving leftovers you’re still consumed by what touches what and how to heat everything just the right amount. Corn When building the perfect Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich, key factors include can’t be heat- choice of bread, choice of items for the sandwich, order of construction and the ed as long as right condiments. (Mike Eddleman Photo) stufďŹ ng, and the turkey is dried out by the er this legend of the leftovers to make, but ignoring the order time the stufďŹ ng is hot. What if is not to get wrapped up in of things can create logistiI told you that you could con- what goes together, and focus cal issues that might sabotage veniently forget any vegetable instead on what you like and the whole thing. They key is not smothered in something, what sounds good to eat at the sticky layers between not-sosticky ones. No one needs to heat it all on one plate togeth- moment.

Does shrimp macaroni and spend the time they should be er for half a minute (the way I do laundry) and let the artis- cheese belong in the same dish enjoying their monstrous cretic construction of the stacked as green bean casserole? They ation stufďŹ ng ingredients back don’t. Do they work well as in with their ďŹ nger like they’re feast take care of the rest?

Having a kitchen counter complimentary layers on the struggling to plug a leak. I covered in a variety of plastic sandwich? They do. Don’t promise, if it leaks on one side, container treasure chests is question the science. It’s too it will leak on others. By using key. Empty the fridge the day much for you or me to under- your creamy mac and cheese and your cranberry sauce as after Thanksgiving and survey stand. Just trust the outcome.

The bread is key. Sure, you a type of edible mortar you the calorie count that puts any military Meal Ready to Eat can cram it all between two are creating a structure that to shame. It’s too much. And slices of sandwich bread and doesn’t compromise taste or that’s exactly where you want ďŹ ght your way through the your ability to eat it and enjoy to ďŹ nd yourself standing with gooey, tasteless result that every element as one bite.

And that’s the key – one cohea large spoon and the imagina- takes away from the whole purpose of this meal. Or, you sive bite. If any part is missing tion to put it to work.

To be honest, if you feel the can stash away a couple of then you are wasting the fruits need to use it all, that means slices of something really a- of your labor. The sandwich the leftover stash is a little vorful, a bread with the will- only reveals its magic when skimpy for achieving real power to not surrender to the you can taste the eight or more success. You have to be able weight and moisture of this avors at once.

So how many ingredients is to comfortably make the call beast that eclipses the bounds right? That’s a tough call. Your to leave an item out here and of lunch meat and cheese.

The answers have varied for construction skills will play a there without feeling like your annual stacked homage to Tur- me, but this year was a rose- part in that answer. As I said key Day appears sad and de- mary sourdough. A little butter before, your wealth of options and a light toast – you have to will also make a difference. All ated.

I once viewed the sandwich give it every chance to succeed I can say is if your sandwich as a kitchen sink endeavor, and in holding up – and it was time tastes boring you showed no imagination and wasted some the taller the sandwich got, the to layer.

The bread and the choice of really good leftovers. better it would be, but that can be a fatal error. The most criti- what goes on the sandwich are See VIEWPOINT, Page A6 cal question in piecing togeth- the most important decisions

The Independent is once again sending its two most-spirited elves to ďŹ nd the best-dressed holiday home in Liberty Hill, eager to share the magic of the Christmas season with everyone in the community.

The judges, well, they know more about what they don’t like, but they do know they want to be buried in your holiday cheer and want that magical explosion of Christmas cheer dropped on their head.

That’s how they will know you won.

Sports Editor Scott Akanewich and Staff Writer Anthony Flores, both longtime fans of holiday decorations, have

promised to ďŹ nd a way to work together in the harmony of the holiday to give each display a fair shake. A referee may be necessary, but on Dec. 1213 the team will hit the road to visit the nominees around town using a yet-to-be-determined scoring system to name the champion holiday decorator in Liberty Hill.

Now is the time to nominate a neighbor or friend, or even yourself, to be considered for this honor. Call The Independent ofďŹ ce at (512) 778-5577 or e-mail mike@lhindependent.com to toss your name into the Santa hat for consideration.

Time for Tinsel Town Madness

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT Thursday, December 3, 2020 Page 3

EDITORIAL:

Some traditions are made to be broken

Some traditions are worth preserving, others just need to go.

The Liberty Hill City Council has a ridiculous tradition, which has been weaponized following the last two elections, that has contributed to a big mess for city employees and the City at large.

The Council has a habit of addressing the duties of the incoming Mayor each time someone new steps into that role. The tradition seems to date back to the beginning 20 years ago, and it is alive and well and more harmful than ever today.

In 2018, the Council and then-new Mayor Rick Hall went round and round about his role.

Hall resisted efforts to limit his authority early in his administration and fought aggressively behind closed doors to gain more control of city operations, while publicly saying nothing was changing.

But everything changed.

Despite a general list of duties outlined in City Ordinance, new ordinances sprung up, staff was eliminated and the City Council handed Hall the keys to the City, allowing him to essentially run everything.

Council members claim they were ďŹ ve independent actors throughout Hall’s tenure, but it was a time where Hall appeared to get his way at every turn. He wanted to supervise the city staff and he got it. He wanted a salary, he almost got it. He found staff members he didn’t approve of and terminations were made. He managed to temporarily eliminate the City Administrator position and the Council supported it. He wanted to spend reserve funds and dramatically increase the budget and the Council gave its stamp of approval.

So much for curtailing the powers of the Mayor – until Nov. 23.

Fast forward to the aftermath of a losing effort by Hall in his bid for reelection on Nov. 3 and the Council is suddenly keenly aware that the Mayor’s position in Liberty Hill has too much power.

It makes you scratch your head wondering where this concern was when ďŹ ve staff members were ďŹ red and the wastewater plant expansion reversed course and added nearly a third to its budget.

While the Council enabled Hall, it seems determined to react in fear of what new Mayor Liz Branigan might do if they let her have the same amount of authority.

Council member Kathy Canady, who spent her ďŹ rst 18 months in ofďŹ ce defending Hall’s leadership, said this change is important immediately to “get this mess cleaned up.â€?

What exactly is the mess?

Council member Liz Rundzieher called this change today “housekeeping� and nothing more. Is this housekeeping to go back to what was once in place?

Council member Steve McIntosh didn’t see the need to put off an immediate decision on the Mayor’s powers because “I think we’ve been hearing about those two ordinances since they were enacted, so this isn’t a new subject for us.�

But why is it new that it’s suddenly so important to act now?

He said this change “allows them to start from scratch�, but it certainly appears starting from scratch really means undoing what has been done the last two years regarding how the City is managed.

Many have argued since May 2018 that having a City led at the management level by a City Administrator rather than a Mayor who may not have any of the background, experience or skills needed for such a task, is important.

It’s ironic that the emergency action the Council feels is so necessary today is exactly what Branigan campaigned on putting back in place. But even if it achieves the commonly-sought outcome, the Council should explain to the voters in Liberty Hill why what was so acceptable from the Mayor only weeks ago is so dangerous today.

It’s time the Council recognize the best way to create stability and good management in our growing city and settle on that once and for all, without the small-town power struggle that comes with conicting personalities and new faces on the dais every couple of years.

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THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Gravell pleads guilty to violating order

By ANTHONY FLORES Staff Writer Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell pleaded guilty on Tuesday to the violation of a stay-at-home order he enacted on March 24 related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a plea agreement, Gravell and his attorney William Hines agreed to pay a fine of $1,000.

In exchange, the State will decline any further prosecution

for Abuse of Official Capacity or Official Oppression.

“He’s paying the maximum fine, and that’s even though nobody else has ever been prosecuted under that statute,” said Hines. “He said, ‘You know what, I am the leader of this community, and I violated my order. As a grandfather, I went to see my grandson, and I’m going to pay a $1,000 fine for that speeding ticket level

WEAR Your Christmas Spirit!

offense.’ The Rangers exonerated and cleared him of any other wrongdoing.”

The complaint, filed by Robert McCabe, accused Judge Gravell of having a Williamson County Sheriff’s deputy drive him and his wife to the Jarrell Fire Department. The complaint says that Gravell then dressed in firefighter gear and a respirator he obtained in Jarrell before being driven to his grandson’s birthday party.

For his part, Gravell called his actions an “error in judgment.”

“While I carry the heavy public burden of guiding the policies that best protect our citizens, I am also a husband, father and grandfather,” Gravell said. “It was in this role that I visited my 5-year-old grandson on his birthday. Pawpaw Bill made an error in judgement that County Judge Gravell deeply regrets.”

The incident was captured on video by a neighbor and shared on a Twitter account called “Buddy Falcon” which McCabe commented on, saying it was an abuse of official capacity.

Shortly after, Gravell reached

out to McCabe through Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick. In a threeway call, with Dick on the line listening, McCabe says that Gravell asked for the removal of the photos shared on the “Buddy Falcon” Twitter page.

McCabe informed him he did not have any involvement or control of the account and its postings.

The complaint states that Gravell admitted that he was aware he could face prosecution for his actions. Then asked if McCabe could take action against the site for the removal of the photos. After a heated back and forth between McCabe and Gravell, where McCabe admonished Gravell for his actions, Gravell disconnected the call, and McCabe and Dick discussed further action.

District Attorney Dick forwarded the complaint as a criminal referral to County Attorney Dee Hobbs. Hobbs passed it on, believing it to be a conflict of interest as his job includes acting as legal counsel for the commissioners court.

Thursday, December 3, 2020

WILCO FORWARD UPDATE

By ANTHONY FLORES Staff Writer For the latest step in the Wilco Forward grant program, a federal funding plan for the distribution of Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds, the Williamson County Commissioners Court unanimously decided to allocate $500,000 to support local food banks.

“My proposal is that we allocate $500,000 with a maximum of $50,000 per applicant,” said County Treasurer Scott Heselmeyer during Commissioners court Nov. 24. “That will take care of almost everything that’s been requested from the ones I have talked to, and I know there are more.”

The court also approved an

additional $406,000 for the YMCA to help the organization in the final weeks of 2020. The funds are to aid its financial assistance for families, a virtual learning program, and staffing for childcare. Earlier in the year, the court allocated $750,000 to the organization.

“There’s still a lot of virtual learning going on in various places. Some kids do not have a parent that can stay home, so the YMCA is stepping into that gap,” said Heselmeyer.

“My proposal is we allocate $406,000 to the YMCA on a reimbursement basis.”

Phase one of the WilCo Forward program focused on helping small businesses at the beginning of the

See WILCO, Page A6

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Thursday, December 3, 2020

WALKER Continued from Page A1 record in his four seasons as sideline boss.

But, perhaps what Walker will be more remembered for than his enormous success on the ďŹ eld was the compassionate side he showed to his players – but, more importantly to his family, said Vance. “He had so much pride in his girls and being married,â€? he said. “Back in those days, we had a little ofďŹ ce and we were all close. I remember when he came in one day and told me he was going to be a father – that was his driving force – his family.â€?

Vance said Walker used that drive to accomplish whatever mission he was assigned. “Whenever I gave him something to do, he did it to the best of his ability,� he said. “Coach Walker was a great man and super guy.�

Hart said the affection Walker had for his family carried over to the players on his roster. “Coach Walker always had such unconditional love for his players,� he said. “His biggest fear was he was going to let them down.�

MAYOR

In fact, Hart said during postgame on-ďŹ eld visits when things didn’t go so well on the gridiron, Walker was always stand-up in taking responsibility. “After every game, I would go down to the ďŹ eld to visit with Jeff,â€? he said. “If they had a bad game, he would always take the blame and promise me he would do better.â€?

Hart added the enthusiasm, passion and dedication Walker passed on to his players wasn’t limited to only the ďŹ eld. “I’ll always remember the intensity he brought to the weight room,â€? he said. “He was always a big believer in strength and conditioning, which was why when the fourth quarter would roll around, the fundamentals he believed in would show up in the form of success.â€?

Superintendent Steve Snell said the loss of LHHS’ beloved coach is being felt throughout the district. “The loss of Coach Walker has left a huge hole in the hearts of our Liberty Hill community. His leadership impact-

Continued from Page A1

confusion over how to alter the current situation regarding the Mayor’s powers, a number of Council members were adamant that change needed to come quickly. “This is something that needs to be rectiďŹ ed sooner rather than later because to me it is one of the most important things,â€? Canady said. “Our employees count on us to know.â€?

That sentiment was echoed by Council member Steve McIntosh. “I think the staff has been confused about where to go and who to go to,â€? McIntosh said. “If we’re going to keep running in that manner it is best to get it cleaned up. There doesn’t need to be any uncertainty, there doesn’t need to be a long protracted discussion. I think the way to ďŹ x it is to start at the beginning with these two ordinances and then we can make our changes later. What it does is it allows us to start from scratch and it allows the people who are working under City Hall to know who they’re reporting to so that we don’t go six months without this conict being resolved.â€?

The problem, explained to the Council by City Attorney Tad Cleaves, is that an ordinance can’t simply be repealed without a new ordinance. “I don’t think it has the affect of clearing this up,â€? said Cleaves. “What these ordinances did was they modiďŹ ed

the Code of Ordinances and made amendments adding some language. To rescind them I guess we have to actually adopt new language, which requires another ordinance.�

He also went on to explain that there were a number of places such as the employee handbook and other ordinances where conicts could be found that must also be addressed. “In removing these two ordinances there’s still confusion,â€?

Cleaves said. “To me, what would be helpful is knowing actually what the Council wants it to be.�

The aim for Canady in placing the item on the agenda was to clear up confusion on who staff reported to and return to the City Administrator-led situation that was in place previously. “This is just about going back to clearing up our mess and moving forward,� Canady said.

Conict?

Branigan campaigned on the idea that a City Administrator was needed to supervise staff and run the day-to-day operations of the City. “I want to move away from the situation where the Mayor micromanages the staff,�

Branigan said. “I think that’s been done in the recent past and it was unproductive. In many ways, all of them are answerable to me.�

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

ed so many, and his legacy on the importance of family and community, building kids, and that Walker toughness will forever be remembered in Panther Nation.�

Local youth football coach Shawn Lapuszynski had two sons – Jed, who is currently a senior and Josh, who graduated in 2019 – that played under Walker’s tutelage and said he leaves a void that simply can’t be ďŹ lled. “He is irreplaceable as a person, friend and coach,â€? he said. “Guys like Jeff Walker don’t grow on trees – a rare soul. We already miss him terribly – this has been heartbreaking for all of us. We all love and admire Jeff as a coach and person.â€?

Lapuszynski regretted he didn’t get to spend more time with Walker during the twilight of his life, but is grateful to have made the acquaintance of the man, he said. “Personally, it was a blessing to get to know Jeff over the years,� said Lapuszynski. “I’ve missed being able to talk with him in person much since COVID and I’m very sad

I didn’t get one more Monday morning conversation with him.�

Liberty Hill head boys’ basketball coach Barry Boren told of a time when he and his hoops squad were getting ready to hit the road for regionals during the Panthers’ run all the way to the Class 4A state championship game in 2019. “We wanted to practice in our own gym before we left,� said Boren. “When we were getting ready to leave, Jeff got on the bus as we were boarding and said, “Well, I’m not going with you to Kingsville, but I already have hotel reservations in San Antonio.’ He would always go to great lengths to be present at all the different sports, which I think says something about a person.�

Boren said his longtime working relationship with Walker was transcended by friendship. “In Jeff, I lost more than a boss,� he said. “I lost a friend.�

By press time Wednesday, no ALEX RUBIO FILE PHOTO information was available re- Former Superintendent Dr. Rob Hart (right) congratulates garding a memorial service or Coach Jeff Walker following the Panthers’ trip to the State footfuneral arrangements. ball playoff in December 2018. Hart hired Walker in 2017 to replace then-retiring head coach Jerry Vance.

While she sees the end result of the push the Council is now making as something similar to what she envisions, Branigan ďŹ nds it odd that this is suddenly an emergency issue. “This is the same Council that put these ordinances into place,â€? she said. “Now they want to take them back.â€?

instead to hire a Chief Operating OfďŹ cer, which left Hall in his supervisory capacity over the city staff.

The Council as a whole stood behind Hall in decisions that led to the termination of four staff members and the non-renewal of the contract for another, never once indicating that a return to having a City Administrator was needed or planned.

How did it get this way?

The two ordinances in question were passed in June 2019 -- a month after Council members McIntosh and Gram Lankford were ďŹ rst elected and Rundzieher was reelected. It was about six weeks after Tony DeYoung had been appointed. Both ordinances passed 4-1 with then-Council member Ron Rhea voting against.

McIntosh and Rundzieher – both supportive of the effort to repeal the ordinances Nov. 23 – had fully supported the initial passage of the ordinances 17 months prior. The pair, along with Canady, also supported an October 2019 measure giving Hall temporary City Administrator duties during the search for a new administrator. But by February, the position still had not been ďŹ lled and the Council chose

Where’s the ďŹ re?

At the Nov. 23 meeting, Canady and McIntosh in particular remained adamant that changes needed to be made, but the Council voted to hold a workshop on the issue at its Dec. 14 Council meeting to further discuss the necessary changes and future of leadership in the City.

But Tuesday – despite the plan in place for a workshop on the issue – Canady and Rundzieher called a special meeting for 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, with the only agenda item being the powers of the Mayor.

The agenda packet includes a newly-drafted ordinance meant to replace the two in question. The draft ordinance focuses on the powers enu-

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Status quo, until now At no time since June 2019 when the two ordinances were passed did any member of the current Council question the authority of Hall in his expanded role from the Mayor’s seat.

Hall continuously argued that the Mayor’s powers given to him through the new ordinances were what state law had always intended. However, the new ordinance on the agenda for consideration seeks to curtail that role today based on the powers outlined prior to Hall’s term.

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Surprise addition?

Not only was Branigan unaware the Friday special meeting was called, she said the initial effort to address the issue Nov. 23 was a surprise addition to that agenda.

When Branigan saw the initial copy of the Nov. 23 agenda she says the discussion of these two ordinances was not on it. “The copy of the agenda sent to me for approval did not have that on it,â€? she said. “This was my ďŹ rst agenda to approve so maybe I didn’t do everything right, but no, I was not aware of that being placed on the agenda.â€?

She understood the issue might come up as it has with all previous mayors, but she did not get the opportunity to address it that evening.

“I had already prepared my speech because I was thinking they’d want to express my powers as has been done with every mayor,� Branigan said. “What I wanted to tell them was I won by a landslide because the citizens wanted a change to a better, more transparent city government and an effort to curtail my powers was an effort to curtail the voice of the citizens. I didn’t get to say that because it played out differently.�

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merated in Section 1.03.002 of the Liberty Hill Code of Ordinances. These are the same powers of the Mayor in place when Hall was elected in May 2018.

Branigan said she was unaware the meeting had been called prior to the notice being sent out. A special meeting can be called by the Mayor or by any two Council members.

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THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor Less than a week after the Liberty Hill Economic Development Corporation unanimously selected Matt Powell as its new Executive Director, the City Council gave its approval making the hire official.

But the decision did not come without questions as the Council voted 3-1 to approve Powell, with Council member Kathy Canady voting no.

Council member Gram Lankford was not present.

Canady’s lack of support was not based on concerns about Powell’s suitability to serve in the role, but her resistance to having City employees on contracts.

“I think we generally need to stay away from contracts, whether you call it an agreement or a contract,” Canady said. “We don’t have an agreement or contract for our chief of police, we don’t have an agreement or contract for our city administrator. I don’t know that we need one for EDC.”

Council approves Powell contract

When asked his thoughts on accepting the position as Executive Director without a contract, Powell was hesitant.

“This has been a long process of (the EDC) conducting interviews and negotiating. It’s been a long process,” Powell said. “I love working with them and want to continue working with you and them, but in surveying other economic development departments generally the ED director is an employee of the corporation and in every circumstance there was a contract. This seems to be the standard around the state. I don’t think I’d assume the position without the protections of an employment agreement.”

The salary is $124,800 annually. The final salary for former EDC Director Lance Dean was $100,180.

Powell has been serving as interim director since May, two months after the Board chose not to renew Dean’s contract without explanation.

Board President Johnny Johnston said Powell was chosen among 17 total candidates and

WASTEWATER

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a requirement when filing a Clean Water Act lawsuit.

The 60 days have passed, and Attorney Amy Johnson said recently that discussions are ongoing with the City, though neither side could elaborate at this time.

Hale said she preferred not to get into the details of the possible lawsuit because it is a pending matter, but said the decision to hire the consultant was not a direct result of the potential lawsuit.

“Either way, if it’s for the lawsuit or if it’s for the City it’s a benefit,” she said. “It wasn’t a direct request, but again, because of the information we can get out of this assessment – as far as identifying our challenges and making sure our performance is peak for our wastewater plant – is a benefit as well.”

Liberty Hill is nearing the end of the second expansion at the plant since 2018. The original plant is a sequential batch reactor (SBR), which is much older wastewater technology. The expansion that was brought online in early 2018 is Microdyn technology, which uses a biological treatment process, using the same bacteria found in the human digestive system.

The Microdyn plant can process 800,000 gallons per day, compared to the SBR plant’s 400,000-gallon capacity.

Once the Microdyn plant was brought online the City had hoped to shudder the SBR plant, but wastewater demands forced the City to bring it back online. The newest expansion,

HOLIDAY PUBLICATION SCHEDULE The deadline for the Dec. 24 edition of The Liberty Hill Independent is 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, as our print schedule is adjusted for the Christmas holidays. The office will be closed Dec. 22-25, and will open again Dec. 28.

a short list of five interviewed.

Proposition A With Proposition A passing in the November election, new Council terms beginning with the May 2021 election will be three years in length rather than two.

The filing period for the three positions on the May 2021 ballot – Place 1 Steve McIntosh, Place 3 Gram Lankford, and Place 5 Liz Rundzieher – opens Jan. 13, 2021, and the last day to order the election is Feb. 12.

The winner of those three places in May of next year will be the first to serve three-year terms. In May 2022, the other three positions will be on the ballot. Going forward, every third year the City will not have an election.

Salary study The Council unanimously approved a new compensation study to be conducted by The Austin Alliance Group at a cost of $24,500. The funds will come from the City’s consulting budget.

“There was great discussion

COVID

from Suez, a company using similar technology to Microdyn, is expected to come online later next spring, and is expected to once again allow the City to close down the SBR plant.

“Everything is on pace,” she said. “We should be receiving our first Suez equipment in December, so to my knowledge and the information I’ve received from our engineers, we are on track for this spring.”

Once the two newer plants are online the hope is the newer technology will further improve the effluent.

“As far as the Suez and the Microdyn, we have faith that they are able to obtain our numbers based on our TCEQ permit,” Hale said. “The concern I have is about the SBR, which is the oldest piece of wastewater treatment equipment out there, which was originally purchased.

“When Suez comes on line the SBR is being shut down, so we will no longer be using the SBR, so right now we still have faith that Suez is going to be able to get those numbers. In the meantime, we just want to be able to set that path and that foundation with the new plant, with our operations, with out equipment. With the consultant it adds an additional layer of in setting the foundation for operations going forward,” she said.

Hale said the City anticipates a four to six-week process to get data and the assessment from Olson, at a cost not to exceed $5,000. The work will be funded through the City’s Wastewater Fund.

“We just want to make sure our operations are at peak performance,” Hale said. “There’s no harm, no foul in bringing in an additional resource to make sure we are making the adjustments and everything we need to moving forward in hitting our permit levels.”

in the budget workshop this summer about getting a new salary study,” said City Treasurer Becky Wilkins. “The last one was done in 2016-2017 and presented for the 2017-18 budget.”

The fact that The Austin Alliance Group is local proved to be a key factor.

“I looked at several different companies that were out there, national companies, local companies, and with COVID it is going to be a little bit difficult to work with a national company because they aren’t going to be able to come on site,” Wilkins said.

The study will look at many issues related to compensation and competitiveness for the City.

“When you’re looking at cities our size for competitive salaries, it’s not the same as when you’re looking at the geographical area that surrounds us,” Wilkins said.

“Like police and other positions we’re very competitive, so we have to look geographical, at other cities around us

some and present other activities in a safer way to promote social distancing and limit the number of people gathering in one place. The Council voted unanimously to go with a scaled down, altered plan.

“Kids love this stuff, and it’s hard because people really need this, but they really also need to not get sick,” said Council member Kathy Canady. “We have hard things to think about. Maybe not popular either, but they’re important and that we make the right decision on this.”

The decision means rather than the traditional Christmas parade, the City will hold a reverse parade.

“Right now we have included a reverse parade, which is going to line Loop 332 from Liberty Hill Elementary School to the Intermediate School,” said City Adminis-

Mainstays are stuffing, turkey, cranberries, macaroni and cheese – regardless of what kind – green bean casserole and gravy. But really anything that’s not a basic vegetable in a bowl – I’m talking to you, corn – is a solid candidate.

And don’t be limited by the actual dinner menus. I know everyone has deviled eggs, cheese trays, olives, pickles, dips and other snacks around for the holiday. Because it’s the holidays, these aren’t simply green olives, but jalapeno stuffed olives. They’re not your run of the mill dill spears, but the fancy pickles.

Don’t waste that opportunity to splurge. If you have canned cranberries, homemade cranberry sauce and a spicy Cumberland sauce at your disposal, don’t pick and

trator Lacie Hale. “We’re still working on placement for our floats, but the plan is for it to continue to be downtown. We will have a DJ that will play Christmas tunes.”

Other activities that had been planned for the festival may be put on between Dec. 18-23 individually as pop-up events, but the specific list or plans have not been settled completely.

“We’re going to host a series of pop-up events which can be a combination of photos with Santa, an ornament event where we hand out individually packaged ornaments that can be picked up to decorate at their leisure and then put it on the Christmas tree,” Hale said. “We’ll probably do two or three pop-up events and one of those will be the movie in the park on Dec. 20. ‘Elf’ is what the community decided

on in the poll and we’ll still do that, we will just have a social distancing protocol so we can still spread out in the park.”

The City of Liberty Hill has also made adjustments to the daily operations of City facilities due to the increase in COVID cases.

“What the City has done is we have pushed it out on social media and put it on our website as well that the City facilities are closed to the public,” Hale said. “We did this last spring just to keep our employees safe and also to try and mitigate against the spread of COVID. Serving the public has remained consistent. We are staffed at City Hall and while we’re closed to the public we’re answering phones, payments can be made online and business is continuing.”

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choose. The sweet and savory balance you seek will not be met with one meager spoonful of something sugary.

You have to find a cheese, but don’t think it needs a lot.

You don’t need your Swiss from your daily ham and cheese trying to take over the show. Mayo, mustard and horseradish are also your friends, and with a few slices of onions you likely can’t miss.

When you think your creation is complete, dig around for one more addition. You’ll thank me later. Then place the ceremonial top piece of bread, push down with a slow, steady hand and slice it in half to admire the artistry inside. Lastly, eat that monument to the fleeting holiday and make a few mental notes to build on next year.

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Cleaves said. “I don’t know exactly what Council’s pleasure is with regard to the direction to take with the ethics ordinance.”

The current ordinance was passed by the Council in October 2018 and was drafted by then City Attorney Dottie Palumbo with the Bojorquez Law Firm.

WILCO

VIEWPOINT

ASIAN CUISINE

MATT POWELL EDC Executive Director

Continued from Page A1

City Council to pull back on its Christmas Festival planned for Dec. 12 due to concerns over continued spread of the virus.

“We made a decision about keeping businesses open, but this is a whole different thing,” said Council member Steve McIntosh. “This is a voluntary attendance thing and I think if we contribute to some sort of outbreak we’re all going to be answering for that later. I think we should keep that in mind. I think we all want to be optimistic about what we do here, and do what we hope that everyone wants, but we have some responsibility to do the right thing.”

The Council heard three options on how to handle the festivities, one being to go forward as originally planned, the second to cancel all events, and the third to cancel

AN THINH

that maybe are getting those employees we’re missing out on. But we also have to look at the cities of our size to see if we’re competitive in that salary market also.”

The study is expected to take about 90 days to complete. It will also include job analysis, job description and review and industry benchmarking.

Ethics ordinance The effort to revamp the City’s ethic ordinance took another step forward with a plan to host a workshop at the Dec. 14 Council meeting.

“We really need to have a workshop,” Canady said.

“There’s a lot of stuff to go through.”

The Council first heard a presentation from City Attorney Tad Cleaves on what might be considered in efforts to change or update the ordinance in October. At the last meeting, Cleaves readdressed the issue for clarification on direction from the Council.

“At this point all I’ve done is point out potential areas you all might want to think about,”

Thursday, December 3, 2020

COVID-19 pandemic. Phase two saw the distribution of $1.1 million to city governments and over $85,000 to Emergency Services Districts. Phase three of the program centered around the release of $1.6 million in funds The Caring Place, the Round Rock Area Serving Center, and the Salvation Army. The program has helped 1,624 families.

Phase four of the program focused on the reimbursement of funds to the school districts in Williamson County to offset any spending the school had for COVID-19 preparation. Phase IV saw a little more than $9 million allocated to the independent school districts, charter, and private schools.

“We’ve done a reimbursement of just over $3 million to Round Rock ISD, $842,000 to Hutto, $45,000 to Bartlett, a little over $300,000 to Taylor, $2.3 million to Leander, $540,000 to Liberty Hill, and $65,700 to Pflugerville,”

Thursday 12/3

said Heselmeyer. “Our total school district funding is about $8.6 million about on par with what we expected it to be.”

To date, the County has released about $55 million of the original $93 million in CARES Act funds, leaving a sizable amount left available.

The deadline to use all remaining funds in the CARES Act is Dec. 31. The Commissioners Court believes an extension on time past the deadline is necessary moving forward, especially with the distribution of a potential COVID-19 vaccine on the horizon.

“I’ve corresponded with Senator Cruz’s office to let him know that I’m not sure that we need more money.

We need more time,” said Pct. 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey. “That was my message. We’ve communicated to Congressman Carter and Senator Cornyn’s office also.”

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THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT Thursday, December 3, 2020 Section B Page 1

Like the football coach I never had

ALEX RUBIO FILE PHOTOS

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor The last time I saw Coach Jeff Wa l k e r was in his office in the field house after his Liberty Hill football team had defeated Navarro by a score of 84-0 at Panther Stadium a week ago last Friday.

I had no idea it would be the last time.

Coach Walker passed away on Tuesday morning after a long battle with cancer finally claimed the life of a man I didn’t know for very long, but who certainly made a big impression on me.

I’ll be honest.

When I arrived in Liberty Hill a year ago this past August, I didn’t know what to expect from the man who was the head coach of the football team I covered.

But, I did have the stereotypical preconceived notions of what a Texas high school football coach should be like.

You know.

No-nonsense. Intense. Competitive.

Coach Walker was definitely all of those things.

But, something else – which I didn’t expect, but was a very pleasant surprise – was a soft side he had, especially for his players.

Coach Jeff Walker was always seen donning a pencil in his cap as seen here on the sidelines of the Liberty Hill vs. Pflugerville Connally game in September 2019.

Even recently he said to me, “You know, I’m really a daddy to 160 players.”

Long before a pesky pandemic forbid such things, he instituted things like “Hug Day” and insisted each and every one of his players would line up and shake a coach’s hand after practice before leaving the locker room just to end the day on a positive note, even if there had been some yelling or chastising out on the field that day.

After I completed my first season of covering his team, I was in his office interviewing him for a season review story and when we were done, I thanked him for all his cooperation over the course of the entire campaign.

He then proceeded to compliment me on my work.

“You done good,” he said.

I’ll tell you what, it was like I had just won approval like one of his players would after a good game and something I’ll always remember.

In fact, the only other time I ever felt that kind of gratification was when I was shipping out after graduating from Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and my senior drill sergeant said to me, “You drive on, Akanewich.”

He was the kind of man you would gladly follow onto a battlefield with the level of respect I had for him and I feel the same about Coach Walker.

The reason for this was simple.

He cared – genuinely cared about the Soldiers he was training – just like Coach Walker truly cared about the players he put through the paces and led out onto the field.

I never wanted to let that drill sergeant down in anything I did and I always remembered him throughout my entire career in the U.S. Army.

I’m sure Coach Walker’s players – past and present – will feel the same about him as they move forward with their lives.

Once I really got to know him, I always looked forward to our weekly Monday afternoon meetings when we would talk about the previous Friday night’s game and the next one on the schedule.

The thing I liked best about Coach Walker was the fact he was so old-school – just like me.

He wasn’t of the opinion that “We’re all winners” and didn’t believe in giving out certificates of participation.

No, sir, you earned your stripes under this man, but once you did, he had your back.

After having my fair share of good leaders and bad over the course of both my military and civilian careers, I definitely believe good ones are not made

See COACH, Page B4

REMEMBERING COACH WALKER

A sampling of the dozens and dozens of the condolences and words of appreciation shared by a grieving community over the loss of Coach Jeff Walker.

“A true legend on and off the field.” ~ Zach Underwood “A good man. He will be deeply missed.” ~ James Billingsley “RIP Coach. You have left a legacy and you will be missed. Prayers for his family and everyone he touched.” ~ Laurie Dickerson “Sending our condolences to both the family and to the school. We loved Coach Walker.” ~ Erica Mendoza “I played for Coach Walker and he is one of my all time favorite coaches. ROP coach and prayers for his family.” ~ Jake Williams “Our deepest condolences to Coach Walker’s family.

He has left a lasting impact on our community and the entire Panther family.” ~ Sharla Durham Barefield “Coach Walker was such an inspiration to the boys. He will be missed by everyone

See CONDOLENCES, Page B2

Coach Jeff Walker celebrates with the Panthers following the team’s Regional Championship win in 2017.

Rebounding from quarantine Lady Panthers once again at full strength

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor When the Liberty Hill girls’ basketball team opened its season at home against Killeen on Nov. 7, Lady Panthers head coach Chris Lange had his entire roster at his disposal, resulting in a relatively easy 79-45 victory to kick-start the campaign.

Senior guard Jessica Holliday scored a game-high 20 points in the contest, while a plethora of other Panthers poured in points in contributing to the cause.

However, the next time Lange’s squad stepped on the court at home against Copperas Cove seven days later, many of the players who had performed so admirably in the opener were missing and replaced on the bench by those wearing unfamiliar numbers to the Purple-and-Gold faithful.

Nine Lady Panthers had been subsequently quarantined during the week in between games, leaving Lange with only six varsity regulars backed up by junior varsity call-ups.

Liberty Hill managed to edge the visitors, 45-43, as Madison Walker – one of the few holdovers left – led the Lady Panthers with 15 points, while Holliday added 13 and Olivia Shelton seven on the game.

But, after that, things went south with back-to-back losses before the cavalry finally returned for a home game against

Fredericksburg on Nov. 23 – a contest Liberty Hill would ultimately lose, 53-45.

According to Lange, simply having his entire roster back after an extended break for the players involved wasn’t enough.

“You can’t make up for lost time,” said Lange. “Many of these girls probably didn’t even pick up a basketball for 14 days – they missed days of practice and a game.”

As a result, Lange’s master plan for the entire season to this point has been sabotaged by a monkey wrench, he said.

“Two weeks ago, I wanted to be where we are now,” said Lange, of the purgatory his program was in while waiting for the players to return. “All we can do now is go back to work.”

Lange credited his players with a valiant effort against the Billies – who had knocked the Lady Panthers out of last season’s Class 4A state playoffs with a 67-58 victory – but added it would take them some time to get back up to game speed and rediscover the chemistry and cohesion which can only come from actually going out and performing as one.

“They’ve played one game together,” said Lange. “You can’t grow like that.”

With the district schedule looming only a few weeks away, he’s justifiably worried about the state of his team as

they approach the games that matter most.

“It’s always concerning,” he said. “But, what can you do?”

Lange said scoreboard aside, he’ll know when his players have once again achieved the level of familiarity with each other he seeks.

“I’ll kind of know something when we get there – I’ll know when we’re clicking again,” he said. “We missed them all – we weren’t getting better in practice – you can tell them a play or put them into a defense, but there’s a lot more to it.”

Against the Billies, Lange said the layoff was most evident in the subtle aspects of the game.

“We were taking some bad shots early, which I think was due to rust,” he said. “ Junior center Emma Hubbard was getting good looks down low early, but the Lady Panthers failed time and again to deliver to the powerful pivot, said Lange.

“Emma was wide-open,” he said. “We just couldn’t get her the ball.”

Moving forward with only three games remaining before the district opener at East View on Dec. 8, Lange is hopeful his players will properly persevere in preparing for league play.

“Our girls have a lot of mental toughness – they’re very competitive,” he said. “But, COVID doesn’t discriminate – we have to grow from this.”

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO

Emma Hubbard (#25) goes up for opening tip during the Lady Panthers’ 53-45 home loss to Fredericksburg on Nov. 23.

Page B2

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Thursday, December 3, 2020

Signs pointing to success

Visual aids send powerful messages to hoops squad

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor The last thing Liberty Hill basketball players see before they emerge from the locker room for practices and games is a sign on the wall right next to the door that leads out to the Panthers’ home court.

Emblazoned on it in black letters on a gold background are simple, but sage words of advice accompanied by a pair of Panther paw prints – a motto that is broken down into five separate tenets.

No. 1 – “Play Hard!” No. 2 – “Play Smart!” No. 3 – “Play Together!” No. 4 – “Be Positive!” No. 5 – “Never Quit!”

The fact each phrase is finished off with an exclamation point only drives home the passion behind the prose and gives players a little something extra to think about whenever they take the court, said head coach Barry Boren.

“I like to always give them mind candy,” said Boren, who employs a number of various visual cues in the locker room designed to provide additional motivation to his troops before going to battle on the hardwood. “I want our guys to have an idea of what they need to do whether they’re already in the game or fixing to go in.”

On this night, Johnson was the opponent – one that Boren’s club dispatched by a score of 59-40 – and on the white-erase board in the dressing room was another set of inspirational ideas the Panthers were able to successfully digest before

feasting on the Jaguars that evening.

Johnson is coached by Ben Kinnison, who attended Boren’s basketball camps as a youngster and later worked at after becoming a coach, which provided an opportunity to deliver a cautionary tale to his charges, which was placed at the top of the list.

“Johnson is a new 5A program, destined to be in 6A,” it read. “Their coach went to my camps when he was a boy.

They know how we play! We must be ready!”

As far as the reference to Kinnison, Boren wanted to use it as a point of emphasis for his players, he said.

“I made a point to mention the Johnson coach because I wanted our kids to get a better sense of the game we would be entering. Johnson is a new school. They have no tradition. Many times, players and teams underestimate their opponent. I didn’t want that to happen,” said Boren. “So, I told them their coach would have a good understanding of how we play. He played in a similar system. I knew he would also have them play us tough – especially because of his regard for me. Imagine how it would feel for one of our players to come back some day and coach against me. It would mean something, right?”

In the grand scheme of things, the messages on the board serve to provide a visual reminder of what must be

focused on for that particular game – aspects about the opposition which aren’t necessarily preached in practice.

“When I write notes on the board before the game, I do so to put something in the minds of our players,” he said. “I normally don’t spend our practices talking a great deal about our opponents. We try to work on ‘us’ and what we need to do to ‘them’. But, on those game notes, I just try to give them some short, quick pieces of information. I do so not to cloud their thinking, but to serve as a reference point. Then, in the games, I can come back to those things we were supposed to be doing.”

Boren’s background in the classroom is certainly a catalyst for his obsession with the written word as a means of communication.

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO “I’m a former English teacher, Liberty Hill head coach Barry Boren is a former English teacher who likes to use the written so I’m a ‘man of words,’” he word to provide proper insight for his players. said. “I constantly take notes and write down the events that season, providing a detailed my basketball practices, class- plays in case there’s a need. I are to come and the outcome of outline of the expectations of es and lessons. In other words, learned the hard way that it’s better to be ‘over’ rather than those events. In other words, I the program for their sons, I don’t say the words, I do it.”

Once the ball goes up during ‘under’ prepared.” keep a daily log. For me, the including schedules, routines All in all, Boren will be the words written down serve as a and most importantly of all, a game, Boren will clutch a document that might be small first to tell you he demands a reminder of what there is to do his coaching ideology.

“There’s a section dedicated in size, but large in stature – a great deal from his players. and then the validation of what However, he only demands of is done. I have said this many specifically to ‘coaching phi- helpful assistant, if you will, times that in ‘goal setting’, one losophy,’” said Boren. “In it for what may happen over the them what he does from himself – which can be summed needs to write it down. Then, you will find those five tenets course of the contest.

“The play card I hold in my up in a single word, he said. it becomes more concrete. It – play hard, play smart, play “Passion,” said Boren. “To makes sense – there’s more together, be positive, nev- hand is a reminder to me of investment when you write it er quit. Those aren’t mine. I what we have at our disposal,” play with passion could mean picked them up from others he said. “It’s there in case I for- many things. For me it means down rather than just say it.”

Taking that approach to the a long time ago. I generally get what we have to use in the to ‘play hard,’ ‘play smart,’ next level, Boren provides don’t read the philosophy or whole, or parts, of the game. I ‘play together,’ ‘be positive’ players’ parents with a hand- comment about the sign – rath- don’t want to be unprepared. I and finally – maybe most imbook at the outset of each er, that’s how I try to conduct also keep a stack of situational portantly – ‘never quit.’”

Lady Panthers prove their mettle in Class 5A

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Nobody knew exactly how the Lady Panthers of Liberty Hill would react on their maiden voyage across Class 5A volleyball waters after moving up in class for the first time in school history.

No one but head coach Gretchen Peterson, that is.

“I think the things we already knew about our players were just exemplified this year,” said Peterson. “They shined through more, they stood out more, they were challenged in every match, physically and mentally, there was a lot of learning that took place, a ton of opportunities to get better as a team and as individual players when you’re playing teams that match up with you or are better than you – when you fail, you can gain so much from that.”

The Lady Panthers did fail on occasion over the course of the campaign, but succeeded far more often than not and even when they did manage a misstep, they quickly learned from their mistake and corrected it.

Case in point was the district opener on the road against eventual champions Rouse, when they dropped the first two sets of the match before fighting back in winning the next two before ultimately falling to the Lady Raiders in five sets.

Add to that the fact Liberty Hill had failed to lose even a single set in district play all last season – its final in Class 4A – and it was a potential pitfall for Peterson’s team that could have derailed the new season before it really began.

But, no worries.

The Lady Panthers bounced right back in their next match

ALEX RUBIO FILE PHOTO

Emma Becker (#5) led Liberty Hill with 193 kills, while Haley Kuhlmann (#21) had a squad-high 239 digs for the Lady Panthers on the season. with a five-set home victory Peterson. with a team-high 45 aces. easy matches and needed to be over Leander, in which they “That was a fun experience Emma Becker led Liberty on top of their game to win. were up 2-1 before losing the and it really showed what this Hill with 193 kills and was According to Peterson, the fourth set, 25-23, then prevail- group was capable of,” she second with 306 assists, third season presented myriad chaling in the fifth-set tiebreaker, said. “But, it was also what in aces (28), tied for first in lenges – not only for her team, 15-13, but that wasn’t all. they believed they could do all blocks (46) and third in digs but the competition, as well.

After being swept at home along – it wasn’t a surprise to (184), showing her all-around “To some degree it was what

by Cedar Park on Oct. 16, them – they understood what versatility. we expected because we knew the Lady Panthers were a dif- they could accomplish when Senior Lilli Wilkins tied our kids would step up and ferent, more determined side they played focused, intent Becker with 46 blocks, while thrive under the changes – upon paying the Lady Tim- and as a team. I think that’s Emma Parsons led with 449 that’s what they have always berwolves a visit three weeks what they took away from that assists and Haley Kuhlmann done,” said Peterson. “In a later on Nov. 4. match.” was first with 239 digs on the way, every school, new or old In a role reversal from the Sophomore sensation Kaile- season. to 5A was on a similar playing district-opening Rouse match, igh Truslow had 14 kills in the But, the season was much field with the year of COVID. Liberty Hill won the opening victory, highlighting the out- more than statistics can possi- I was constantly impressed two sets, then lost the next two side hitter’s influence on her bly bear out. by our girls, handling the set before winning in dramatic new teammates after spending The Lady Panthers encoun- backs, challenges and changes fashion in the fifth, dealing Ce- her freshman season on the ju- tered much growth over the with grace and strength.” dar Park its first district defeat nior varsity squad. course of what was a rugged Despite a disappointing openof the season.

Truslow was second on the test as they negotiated a sched- ing-round exit from the Class Another lesson learned, said squad with 174 kills, along ule where there were very few 5A state playoffs against a

Condolences Continued from Page B1 in this community. Prayers to his family and loved ones.” ~ Jeanette Solis Sunday

~ Keith Sparks Former Sports Editor, The Liberty Hill Independent

“Wow. Sending out prayers into the universe to his family and friends. Losing someone a part of the Panther community and the coaching community is impactful to everyone – panther strong.” ~ Anavellen Rasbury-Burlison

“I am so deeply saddened to read this. Loved watching his fire and excitement on the sidelines. Praying for his immediate family and all at Panther Nation.” ~ Kristen Andrews Pearson

“Truly one of my favorite men on the planet. I’m sure having to deal with sports writers can be annoying for coaches, but he never made it seem that way. Will always remember my time with him. He made sure in every interview to tell me how much he loved “his young men”. RIP Coach.”

“Coach Walker was great Teacher and a great Coach. He always brought the best out of everyone if it was in the classroom, football field or in the weight room. Prayers for his family.” ~ Jehovah Cruz “May he rest in heavenly peace. Condolences n prayers

for his family and friends.....

AND especially the football team.” ~ Judy Giles

“Praying for his family and his students. May God grant His Peace that passes all understanding!” ~ Kim Preece Butler “For the little time I was at liberty hill he has been my all time favorite coach.. RIP Coach Walker! He always knew how to get the best out of you.” ~ Rowdy Brown “Prayers to his family. Such a sweet man and amazing to all the kids.” ~ Nicole Rook Danner

“It’s so unfair that his time was cut short, cancer is such a horrible disease. I know he was a great guy and I was fortunate to teach his sweet daughters. I wish them peace as they move forward without their wonderful father.” ~ Lori Stewart “Live over in Dripping Springs but a big fan of Coach Walker and your program. This is really shocking, never heard a word of this and the way they were playing, you would have never expected this. He really walked the walk when it comes to no excuses, wow.” ~ Corey Tournet “Upset so much I can’t find the letters or words. He will be

greatly missed by all of Panther nation.” ~ Sandy Fox “So sad. Sending prayers for his family and friends. May he Rest In Peace.” ~ Terri Walston Crow “Huge loss for our community!” ~ Kristie Hall Leary “That’s so incredibly sad.

God bless his family as they grieve.” ~ Pamela Koss “Heartbreaking news... prayers for family, friends and the Panther community.” ~ Laura Coleman

highly-rated Alamo Heights team, the Lady Panthers had much to be proud of – from seniors Kindsee Escamilla, Ashleigh Dubbs. Wilkins and Gaby Guerra to those who will get the chance to return next season and build on the solid foundation that was put in place this year.

Peterson pointed out how fast time goes by and the importance of seizing the day by making it better for oneself and others.

“Take every moment and cherish it – there are no guarantees, so don’t wait to see if it’ll work out, but instead, make it happen,” she said. “For so many of this team, it seems like yesterday they were freshmen and now it’s the end of the road – these experiences from this season will make them better, will show them what needs to be built on and what needs to be improved on, but it’s also about being a team and being a good teammate and how can they take what they’ve learned and use it to make others around them better.”

Liberty Hill finished the season with an overall record of 16-6 to go with a 10-4 district mark, which was good for a third-place showing in a difficult District 25.

However, in order to progress and build on the momentum gained, Peterson knows there can be no let-up in how she and her team go about their business as they move forward.

“Mental toughness and focus – not necessarily on a state title, but on being a program that will compete every single day, every single practice,” she said.

“The work that goes in will be directly proportionate to the success that comes out.”

“Wow very shocking. So sad.

Prayers to his family, his students and co workers and the community. So young.” ~ Amber Spinner “Didn’t know him but my heart goes out to his family & all the staff and students at the HS. So sad.” ~ Kelli Smith “Sad day for our community. Praying for his family, his team, and our community who was touched by him.” ~ Simply Home Decor & More These condolences first appeared on The Independent’s Facebook page. To share your memories or condolences visit www.Facebook.com/libertyhillindependent

Thursday, December 3, 2020

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Page B3

Physical side of football doesn’t bother Panthers’ safety

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO

Bryce Rampy (#34) still runs back kickoffs, but would much rather do the hitting from his safety position on defense.

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Bryce Rampy felt his right knee move in a way it’s not supposed to in a junior varsity football game against Manor during his sophomore season two years ago.

“I felt my knee tear,” said Rampy, now a senior on this year’s Liberty Hill varsity squad. “I tore my ACL and was out for a year.”

At the time, Rampy was chasing down a ballcarrier as a safety, but in the days of his football youth, he was always the one being chased, he said.

“I always played running back when I was young,” said Rampy. “I was small, but I was fast.”

Rampy said his lack of size back then caused his parents some consternation when he

wanted to first hit the gridiron.

“My mom and dad didn’t want me to play football,” he said. “I was always so much more little than everyone else.”

These days, Rampy stands 6-feet and weighs in at 180 pounds – not gargantuan by football standards, but certainly big enough to hold his own – although he said he much more enjoys delivering the punishment instead of being on the receiving end.

“I like defense a lot more,” he said. “It’s better to hit than to get hit.”

Rampy remained at running back through his eighth grade season, but was switched over to the defensive side of the ball when he reached high school.

Currently, Rampy ranks seventh on the Panthers with 31 tackles on the season to go

with four passes defended, which is tied for second on the team and is averaging 20.8 yards on four kickoff returns.

Usually, he can be found throwing himself around with reckless abandon during games while seeking to make a play to help his team – which is what it’s really all about, said Rampy.

“I always have to work hard for my brothers,” he said, of his Liberty Hill teammates.

“This team is my second family.”

So, when he got injured, his greatest fear – not being there for them – was realized and wasn’t something to be taken lightly.

“It was horrible to be out,” said Rampy. “But, I knew our

See RAMPY, Page B5

Panthers pound Cougars into submission, 76-39

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Panthers met Cougars on the evening of Dec. 1 and it was the former who proved to have the most teeth in a commanding 76-39 Liberty Hill victory.

Sophomore sharpshooter Cayden Branch led the Panthers with 19 points on a night when he was allowed time to heat up from the field, said Liberty Hill head coach Barry Boren.

“Cayden is very capable of what he did tonight,” he said.

“He’s our knockout punch.”

Indeed, the visitors never knew what him them from the outset of the contest, as the home side scored the first five points of the game, including a free throw and bucket from senior guard Bobby Mundy sandwiched around a steal and layup by Hunter Clayton.

However, China Spring answered as Eli Stephens hit a three, followed by a two and the score was tied, 5-5.

But, that would be the last time the contest was level for the duration.

Gunter Daniels scored off a steal, followed by a Kadin Knight basket and a Walker Weems score on another steal, along with a foul on his way to the hoop, resulting in a 3-point play.

A 6-0 Panthers run followed that sequence, after which Branch hit his first bucket of the night and was fouled for another 3-point play on a steal and assist from Anthony Sierras for a 21-7 advantage.

But, the Panthers were only getting started.

After leading, 23-12 following the first quarter, Liberty Hill opened the second period with a 10-0 run, including a pretty, spin move by Daniels and a pair of buckets by Sierras, which were coincidentally, the junior forward and leading scorer’s first scores of the con-

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO

Cayden Branch (#4) led Liberty Hill with 19 points in the Panthers’ 76-39 home win over China Spring on Dec. 1. test.

Branch then hit the first of his four threes on the game before Weems attacked the rim with an up-and-under reverse layin and a foul for yet another Panthers 3-point play and the home side led at the break by a score of 48-18.

China Spring’s Stephens scored all but two of the Cougars’ first-half points on the way to a game-high 22, but this was Liberty Hill’s game by a wide margin, leading 6724 after three before ultimately cruising to a 37-point victory.

Boren said he doesn’t like blowout games such as this one, but there’s one good aspect of winning comfortably.

“In games like these, you can get all your guys in there,” he said.

Branch was a perfect example, as he was averaging only

3.2 points per game entering the contest.

Sierras was pouring in 24.7 points per game, but had to settle for 14 on the night following a slow start out of the gate and only two points in the opening quarter.

But, not to worry, said Boren.

“I told Anthony, ‘You can’t be awesome every night,’” he said. “We have other guys who can score.”

Weems added 12 points – 10 in the first half – to boost his scoring average of 4.7, as every player on the Liberty Bench scored but one.

Liberty Hill (7-0) will next host Northeast Early College on Dec. 4, then hit the road for a Dec. 5 game at Wimberley, before returning home to host Hutto on Dec. 8.

With the beginning of the district season looming only two

weeks away, Boren said he’s happy with his team although he believes opponents have been underestimating his club so far this season.

“I think it’s because we’re just moving up from Class 4A,” he said. “But, I really like our chemistry we’re building as a team.”

Liberty Hill 59, Johnson 40 On Nov. 23, Liberty Hill hosted Johnson and emerged with a 59-40 victory, largely due to the play of junior forward Anthony Sierras, poured in a game-high 30 points in the victory – a season high for the California transfer, but simply the latest in a succession of big games, as he had posted efforts of 10, 23, 27 and 29 points in a quartet of Liberty Hill wins to begin the new season.

According to head coach Bar-

ry Boren, Sierras has the green light to improvise as the play unfolds.

“I’ve never told him not to do something,” said Boren.

“He’s doing a lot of things I’m not necessarily coaching him to do, but when you play with such high energy, it’s infectious and affects everyone.”

The Panthers stormed out to an early lead, due in large part to a pair of Sierras buckets to begin the home team’s night on the score sheet, on his way to 10 first-quarter points in helping Liberty Hill get out to a 16-13 lead after one, with Hunter Clayton hitting a three.

Bobby Mundy found the bottom of the net to begin the second quarter, followed by a Zane Lauper basket before Sierras and Kadin Knight began switching off in scoring for the hosts, including a steal and

score to go with a pair of threes from Knight, which provided the Panthers with a 39-26 halftime advantage.

The contest slowed down a bit as the second half got underway, but Sierras continued his scoring spree, with two baskets sandwiched around one from Gunter Daniels and Liberty Hill led, 50-35, after three.

Both sides combined for only 14 points in the fourth period, as Sierras finished off his season-high performance with his final points of the night.

Boren pointed to a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Cayden Branch in the third quarter, as well as the play of fellow sophomore Camden Justice, which helped put the game out of reach.

“They had just cut the deficit to 10 at that point,” he said.

“So, the game swung back our way – that’s what Cayden is supposed to do. Both he and Camden played well off the bench for us.”

Knight added 10 points, but the evening belonged to Sierras as both his and the Panthers’ streaks stayed alive.

Liberty Hill 68, Connally 52 Liberty Hill made the trip to Pflugerville on Nov. 24 and returned home with a 68-52 win.

Sierras scored 29 points, while Daniels and Walker Weems each added 11.

The Panthers led 16-10 after one period and 32-18 at the half, as Sierras scored 13 in the opening two quarters.

In the third, Sierras continued to light up the Cougars’ defense, hitting five shots from the floor, along with a pair of free throws and the visitors led after three, 52-34.

Daniels hit three buckets in the fourth to help seal the victory.

LHHS falls to Fredericksburg, 53-45

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Last season, it was Fredericksburg who knocked Liberty Hill out in the second round of the Class 4A girls’ state basketball playoffs after the Lady Panthers had defeated the Billies earlier in the season.

On Nov. 23, it was Fredericksburg who once again had the upper hand and prevailed by a score of 53-45.

On this occasion, it was a deadly combination of the outside shooting of Billies sophomore point guard Ella Hartmann and the bruising inside play of 6-foot-1 center Audrey Spurgin who were the undoing of the home side.

In fact, it was Spurgin who got the ball rolling for the Billies with a 3-point play after Kenzy Wise hit a free throw to open the scoring.

After another bucket to make the score 5-1, Liberty Hill head coach Chris Lange called back-to-back timeouts to try to calm his team down after being flustered early on by Fredericksburg’s pressure defense.

“It was good pressure, but not

great,” said Lange. “They were hitting their rotations.”

Nine varsity players returned to the Liberty Hill lineup after 14 days of quarantine, but despite the fact his roster was restocked, Lange said the troops were a bit rusty from the layoff.

“We struggled some after they were off for 14 days,” he said. “Most of them probably didn’t pick up a ball, so they were out of sync. Early on, we played a lot of bad basketball.”

Some of that poor play included several missed layup opportunities, bad passes and being a step slow on defense, which resulted in the Lady Panthers trailing, 17-6, after the first quarter.

At the outset of the second period, Regan Walker hit a pair of free throws, which was followed by a three from Jessica Holliday moments later, but despite the fact the Lady Panthers closed the deficit, they still trailed at halftime, 31-18.

Emma Hubbard began to dominate the boards in the third quarter, pulling down three rebounds and also picked

up an assist by providing a nice pass to Taylor Swieczkowski for a basket to cut into the Billies’ lead and after Baylee Laird drained a 3-pointer late in the quarter, the senior guard hit the final bucket of the stanza to close the gap to 40-30 entering the final eight minutes.

Walker hit a three to start the fourth, then Morgan Jackson heated up, with eight points – including a pair of 3-pointers – but it wasn’t enough as the visitors were able to hold on for the victory.

Walker led Liberty Hill with 11 points, while Laird added 10, Jackson eight and Hubbard six.

Hartmann scored a gamehigh 19 points for Fredericksburg, while Spurgin added 15.

Lange praised his players for not giving up despite being down by as many as 15 points midway through the third quarter.

“Our girls didn’t roll over, they were resilient,” he said.

“When your team gives you everything they have, you can’t complain.”

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO

Emma Hubbard (#25) scored six points in the Lady Panthers’ 53-45 home defeat against Fredericksburg on Nov. 23.

Page B4

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

PANTHER OF THE WEEK

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO

Bobby Mundy (#11) is on track to be class valedictorian and plans to pursue a law degree after graduation.

Senior hoopster enjoys casting lines

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Bobby Mundy found himself standing on the deck of a fishing boat off the coast of Port Arthur with a rod and reel in his hands battling to bring aboard the sea creature he had hooked.

After quite some time of wrestling with the oceanic beast, he was shocked by what was on the end of his line once he had finally reeled it in successfully.

“I caught a shark,” said Mundy. “It was about four feet long.”

Mundy and his father had set sail in search of redfish and speckled trout, but instead had happened upon a hungry predator who was probably doing the same – only from beneath the surface of the Gulf Coast waters.

Over the course of the day, Mundy’s party landed approximately 60 fish before heading back to shore.

“Fishing takes a lot of patience,” he said. “You have to do your best to find the right spot.”

On land, Mundy is a senior guard on Liberty Hill’s basketball squad and shows the same tenaciousness required to haul in a big fish in being a critical component in Panthers head coach Barry Boren’s system.

“Bobby’s definitely our glue guy,” said Boren. “He’s the one who holds everything together.”

Last season as a junior, Mundy was a backup, but this year, he’s assumed the role of a

COACH

starter – an endeavor he takes very seriously, on and off the court, he said.

“I think it’s my responsibility to help the younger guys,” said Mundy. “I love to see them look up to me, as far as helping to build and maintain the culture we have on our team. I just need to be there for anyone who needs help and do as much as I can for them in games, yelling out from the bench, or in practice.”

According to Mundy, he’s a lot more comfortable in his current role due to the increased experience level he now has after ascending through the Purple-and-Gold hoops hierarchy.

“I’m just a lot more confident now,” said Mundy. “A lot of it has to do with the trust the coaches have put in me.”

Boren said it’s certainly a trust which has been wellearned and deserved.

“There’s nobody who’s more organized or has more integrity than Bobby,” he said.

However, Mundy’s prowess doesn’t end when he steps off the court.

In fact, when he steps into a classroom is when he’s perhaps at the peak of his powers.

Mundy is currently on track to be class valedictorian and plans to pursue a law degree once he graduates. He said math is his favorite subject and he underwent an academic trial by fire that has included entire slates of AP and honors classes to ready him for what lies ahead.

But, he attributes much of his

Continued from Page B1

– they’re born.

Coach Walker was one of them.

When something so tragic as this happens, it’s always natural to question why.

But, I know for a fact Coach Walker was a man of God and even as he was suffering on the inside, he never let it show outwardly and even told me one day out on the practice field how there were so many people who were worse off than him.

So, for those of us who have

faith, we must believe the good Lord has a plan of which we are all just pieces in the puzzle that makes up humanity.

Sometimes that plan doesn’t seem right or fair, but we believe it’s all for a reason.

I think what grieves me most is when I think of his twin daughters – Madison and Regan – who are juniors on the Lady Panthers’ basketball team and will now be deprived of a loving father for the rest of their lives, as well as his wife, Miranda, who I had the

success to tangible skills he has developed over time, he said.

“As the years have gone on, I’ve just learned really good study habits,” said Mundy.

“I’m able to grasp concepts well and take very good notes in class.”

Mundy’s goal is to attend Rice University, which allows him the ability to enjoy the best of both worlds from a geographic standpoint, he said.

“I want to go away from home, but not too far,” said Mundy, of the Houston school.

“I want to be able to be there for my family.”

Despite his serious hoops demeanor, Mundy said people are sometimes surprised by the fact he possesses a sharp wit and wry sense of humor.

But, not his teammates – who know all too well of his comedic abilities – although some more than others, he said.

“Of all the guys on our team, Zane Lauper is the one who I like to joke with the most,” said Mundy, of the junior guard. “Like in practice when he gets hit in the face with the ball.”

All kidding aside, though, Mundy is one focused young man who has his sights set on future challenges – even if the big one he actually did catch got away, after all.

“I had to throw the shark back,” he said, of his prized catch. “But, it was a challenge to pull it in and it was pretty cool.”

pleasure of meeting in the press box at a home game on a Friday night this season.

Before I had even met the twins when I started covering hoops last season, I would always see a photo of them prominently displayed on Coach Walker’s desk when I would sit in his office during our meetings.

It was a fairly recent shot, but there were several other photos around his workspace of them during various points of their lives.

Thursday, December 3, 2020

LHHS senior shortstop will be a Bobcat next season

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Ryan Leary can relax.

On the morning of Nov. 11 in the gym at Liberty Hill High School, the Panthers’ senior put pen to paper on a national letter of intent to play baseball at Texas State University.

Which means now that his college commitment is signed, sealed and delivered, he can get on with the business of his final season as Liberty Hill’s shortstop and it’s certainly a relief, he said.

“Now that I’ve signed and completed my application it’s definitely a weight off my shoulders, but my focus for this year’s season has been my main priority since school started back up,” said Leary. “My decision-making process was actually really easy and there wasn’t much stress involved in it at all. I knew Texas State was a place I would want to play at and when they offered me, it was almost a done deal on the spot.”

Leary hit .325 with one home run and 14 runs batted in, along with 19 runs scored in 15 games during the Panthers’ shortened season last year as the No. 3 hitter in the Purple-and-Gold lineup and said he selected San Marcos as his destination due to a positive experience on a campus visit.

“I chose Texas State because as soon as I got on the campus I knew it would be a place I wanted to be around every day,” he said. “Also, the coaches have been nothing but supportive through this whole process, which also played a huge role in my commitment.”

Liberty Hill head coach Steve Hutcherson said Leary has undergone a progression of improvement, which will serve him well in the college game.

“Ryan is a supreme athlete and as he has grown physically, all of his tools have continued to progress,” he said. “I think that is an absolute must when playing at the Division I level.”

Hutcherson added he believes the Bobcats are a club that can be very competitive and a program in which Leary can make a seamless transition from high school baseball, as there was much mutual interest on the part of both parties.

“I think Texas State is the next Non-Power 5 school to be able to go toe to toe with any program and not be overmatched,” he

Anyone who watches Liberty Hill basketball knows the two of them play the game with the same level of intensity and ferocity their father showed while patrolling the sidelines.

One day after I told him I had finally met his wife, we began to talk about how difficult it can be to be a football coach’s wife with all the countless hours spent on the profession and away from family.

“As a football coach, you either have a good wife or an exwife,” he said. “I have a good

20

ALEX RUBIO FILE PHOTO

Ryan Leary (#12) has signed a national letter of intent to play baseball at Texas State University. said. “Ryan is a part of a very good recruiting class and it was truly a match of a place he wanted to go and a place that wanted him there just as bad.”

Although Leary has cemented his status as the Panthers’ shortstop, Hutcherson said his well-rounded skills will allow him to be more valuable to his college coaches.

“With his versatility, I could see him moving around over the course of his time at Texas State,” he said. “He can play anywhere, so it’s hard to say he would just play shortstop at the next level.”

Leary knows he’s in for a challenge once he arrives on the college scene – both on and off he field, he said.

“The biggest challenges I see on the field will most likely be competing with guys much older than me,” said Leary.

“I’ll have just turned 18 going into my freshman year, so fighting for a spot with guys three to four years older than me will be tough, but I know I can get it done. Off the field, I think just being able to keep up with all of my schoolwork on top of the workouts and practices will be the biggest challenge.”

Hutcherson echoed similar

sentiments.

“On the field, it’s how to manage their time and still maintain their work ethic when nobody is constantly standing over them making them do it right,” he said. “Off the field, a similar answer, but now it applies to their school work and personal life, maintaining a balance with the amount of time that must be put into the athletic side of things.”

Hutcherson recalled an example of the kind of player and person Leary is in a nutshell.

“When we were playing a scrimmage in August after we were able to return, I looked out and as Ryan was on defense, he was showing one of our young guys how we take a lead off second base,” he said. “Which is when I knew what a mature leader he had become for our program.”

Leary said his fierce competitiveness will work wonders for him as he attempts to replicate the success he’s had at the high school level.

“A few things about myself I see that will help me succeed at the collegiate level is my drive to win and pure want to succeed. I’ll compete against

one.”

I confess.

To this day, I’ve never seen “Friday Night Lights.”

Guess subconsciously, I was waiting to experience it firsthand all those years.

Well, I can honestly say after having the privilege of getting to know him, Coach Walker was not only the kind of coach – but the kind of man – who makes football in this great state of Texas what it is in its highest form.

All class, dignity, respect,

hard work, grit, determination and an unrelenting pursuit of perfection.

I never played high school football.

But, if I had, this man was exactly the kind of coach I would’ve wanted.

Coach Walker, you’re the football coach I never had.

Rest in peace.

See LEARY, Page B5

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LEARY

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Continued from Page B4

anyone regardless of age and I think that won’t go unnoticed,” he said. “Along with that, my defense has been really strong recently and this summer I played well offensively and defensively. Something I think myself and all other incoming freshman to a college program need to do better is hit. It’s the name of the game and if you can’t produce at the plate, you can’t get into the lineup.”

Finally, Leary – who will study business – said despite having secured his immediate athletic and academic future, he’s keeping a level head and maintaining the kind of focus

and work ethic which got him to this point in the first place.

“Honestly, the feeling and work hasn’t changed since I signed my letter – it was a big deal and a super- exciting day, but there’s a lot more work and improvement to take place,” he said. “In my mind, this was only getting me a step closer to where I want to be, but I’m still far away from that end goal. I think now is the time I need to work the hardest and signing was something that fueled that and I couldn’t be more excited to get educated while also playing baseball at the same time.”

RAMPY

Page B5

Continued from Page B3

guys would be able to take care of business.”

Indeed, a year later, he was back and ready to contribute to the cause once again for his junior season, when he was moved up to varsity.

Rampy said the entire ordeal taught him a few valuable lessons.

“You can never give up no matter what,” he said. “Also, now I appreciate football way more than before.”

Upon his return, it took some time to re-acclimate to his physical surroundings in the secondary, but not too long.

“At first, after my injury, it was always in the back of my

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mind I could get hurt again,” said Rampy. “But, I really just needed to hit a couple people to know I was completely better.”

Speaking of dishing out and absorbing hits, Rampy said Saturday mornings after Friday night games can be challenging.

“I feel really beat up,” he said. “But, we all come in to watch film, then go to the weight room – it really helps to get all the soreness out, but I really don’t feel completely recovered for two or three days after a game.”

Just in time to get after it all over again.

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Page B6

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Thursday, December 3, 2020

Get into the holiday spirit by enjoying some favorite Christmas flicks

By ANTHONY FLORES Staff Writer Christmas movies are an essential part of the holiday season. Every family has their own favorites, and here are some of mine -- enjoyable for all ages.

ARTHUR CHRISTMAS (2011) When Santa Claus does the unthinkable and forgets to deliver a gift to one child on his annual route, it’s up to Santa’s youngest son Arthur to deliver that gift before that magical night is over. Anchored

by an excellent voice cast led

by James McAvoy, “Arthur Christmas” is a refreshing take on the traditional Santa story that the entire family can enjoy.

THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993) The tale follows Halloweentown’s pumpkin king Jack Skellington, who has become bored with the town’s annual Halloween celebration. Jack, looking for something more, stumbles upon the entrance to

Christmastown. Enchanted by its wonder, Jack plots to create his version of Christmas by kidnapping Santa Claus and adopting the role for himself.

With its stunning stop motion visuals and songs that everyone can sing along to together, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a perfectly twisted Christmas.

sic Christmas tale of Ebenezer Scrooge – played by Michael Caine – as he is visited by the spirits of Christmas past, present, and future.

The Muppets have been everywhere from Hollywood to space. They’ve taken Manhattan and sailed on the seven seas. In this turn, they embrace the Christmas spirit and create a film that all families can enjoy.

THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (1992) THE GRINCH (2000) The beloved Muppets take Powered by the manic energy on the Charles Dickens clas- of Jim Carey as the infamous green, furry holiday curmudgeon, “The Grinch” brings the Dr. Seuss classic off the pages and onto the big screen.

After an encounter with $10/week for Minimum 30 Words young Cindy Lou Who and Additional Words $0.20 Deadline Noon Tuesdays fed up with the holiday cheer, NEWS@LHINDEPENDENT.COM (512) 778-5577 the Grinch makes it his misNOTICE OF PUBLIC scription of contents: Personal sion to steal Christmas from EMPLOYMENT SALE Belongings, furniture. Ten- the Christmas-loving Whos of In accordance with the Texants may redeem their goods Whoville, alongside his loyal HIRING DIRECT CARE dog Max. for special needs population as Property Code Chapter 59, for payment in full in cash or in Liberty Hill. 12-8pm and Panther Storage and Parking money order only up to the ELF (2003) weekend FT spots. Starts $13- located at 15725 West High- time of auction. Call Panther “Elf” is the story of Buddy 15/hr. with benefits. Training way 29 Liberty Hill, Texas, Storage and Parking at 512- the Elf, a human raised among provided. Call Cho (512) 963- 78642 will conduct a public 515-5430. elves after accidentally being auction to satisfy a Landlord’s (12/10p) 0773. HopeHouseAustin.org. taken to the North Pole. Feellien. Units will be sold to the (12/10) ing out of place amongst his highest bidder online at StorMISSING PROPERTY ageauctions.com A $100 cash If you believe the police de- elven brethren, Buddy learns SERVICES clean up deposit is required. partment may have a found of his human origins and sets Seller reserves the right to item that belongs to you, you out on a quest to find his huSELL YOUR UNIQUE home withdraw any unit or not ac- can call the Property Division man father (James Cann).

Helmed by Will Ferrell as made or grown items locally! cept any bid at the time of directly at 512-548-5530 or The Market At Indian Mound sale. Sale will be held online email at ekrause@libertyhill- Buddy the Elf, “Elf” is a modRanch is currently accepting at www.storageauctions.com tx.gov. When contacting the ern classic Christmas movie.

Vendors for the 2020 Season. starting on or after December Property Division, describe It’s impossible not to love the Saturday’s 9-1 weather permit- 3, 2020 and bidding will close the item(s) you are looking for, sheer joy Buddy emanates and ting. $20 space fee. 12805 SH on or after December 17, 2020 in detail, and we will let you not to laugh out loud at the 29 W. Send email to imr1873@ at 12:00pm. Names of Tenant know if we have it. If we do, awkward antics the oddball elf gmail.com for details. and unit number(s) as they ap- we will make arrangements to continually finds himself in. pear on Lease: Unit #405: Ana get it back to you.

HOME ALONE (1990) Guana, General description of (12/31) When Kevin McCallister is PUBLIC contents: Personal belongings, left behind while his family furniture, tools. Unit 737: NOTICES vacations on Christmas, it’s a Shannon Gehrke, General De24-hour child’s fantasy, filled

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with no rules and all the junk food he can eat. After two bumbling thieves make their presence known, it’s up to the resourceful 8-year old to fend off the would-be robbers.

“Home Alone” is a classic among Christmas movies and a delight to watch. Macaulay Culkin is joined by all-time greats, Catherine O’Hara and Joe Pesci to bring about the laughs and the tender joys of the Christmas spirit.

A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983) “A Christmas Story” follows the misadventures of the Parker family as they try to make the best of the Christmas holidays.

One of the essential holiday family flicks, the charm of “A Christmas Story” is in its cast.

Peter Billingsley plays the adorable and hapless Ralphie Parker. Darren McGavin’s works as young Ralphie’s dad is an exercise in comedy. The film is held together by doting mother, Melinda Dillon.

“A Christmas Story” is a great movie to enjoy as the holidays near.

JINGLE ALL THE WAY (1996) When workaholic father Howard Langston decides to make things up to his family after missing yet another family event, a quest full of mishaps ensues as he tries to track down a Turbo Man action figure for his son.

With leading man Arnold Schwarzenegger in the role of Howard and supporting roles from funny men Sinbad and the late Phil Hartman, “Jingle All the Way” is a laugh riot that the kids and their parents can enjoy.

CHRISTMAS VACATION (1989) They’ve been across the country to Wally World and they’ve traveled around Europe. This time the Griswold’s are celebrating Christmas as only the Griswold’s can. When patriarch Clark Griswold decided he won’t settle for anything less than the perfect Christmas for his family, disaster is inevitable. “Christmas Vacation” is a hilarious look at what happens to a family when anything and everything that can go wrong for a family during the holidays does. Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, and Randy Quaid bring the funny in this perfect Christmas flick.

SCROOGED (1988) Frank Cross is a ruthless and cold television executive who only cares about the success of his ratings and corporate success. When he’s visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve, it’s up to Frank to decide if he’s going to continue down his current path or become a better man.

The second adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens tale on this list, “Scrooged” is this writer’s favorite holiday flick.

With an all-star cast led by Bill Murray and a plethora of guest appearances, “Scrooged” is an excellent modern take on A Christmas Carol.

GREMLINS (1984) A traveling gadget salesman is searching for a unique gift to bring home to his son. After visiting a shop in Chinatown, he finds his special gift in the form of a small furry creature known as a Mogwai. The odd combination of comedy, horror, and Christmas movie, “Gremlins” is a raucous time.

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