Panther Nation, show your support by donating fans for the Family Eldercare Summer Fan Drive!
All fans go to Family Eldercare, who helps over 10,000 central Texas families each year! We are accepting fans Friday, July 16 at 14775 W. State Hwy 29, Liberty Hill from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
2021
Volume 34, Issue 34
www.LHIndependent.com
News@LHIndependent.com
July 15, 2021 | 50 Cents
Helping students gear up for school
Local organization to distribute shoes, school supplies
By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Lining the walls of a room in the building that houses the gym in what was once Liberty Hill High School are boxes and boxes of school supplies filled with anything and everything a student could ever need on the road to education. From pens, pencils and markers to notebooks, folders, binders, glue, scissors and the like – it’s all there as a result of a joint venture between Operation Liberty Hill, Community Pathways Organization and L4 Cares called “Operation Back to School.” The supplies will be distributed to needy families at an
event scheduled for July 31 at Grace Alive Church. According to Susan Baker, Operation Liberty Hill executive director, there is a definite need for services such as this, only most Liberty Hill residents are simply not aware. “Unlike in Austin, you don’t see the homeless population here,” said Baker. “People don’t realize they exist.” With the population and economic growth of the area in recent years, the haves and havenots are now further apart than ever before, she said. “Due to all the affluence which has moved into the area, the
See HELP, Page 3
SCOTT AKANEWICH PHOTO
Vicky McCown and Susan Baker of Operation Back to School have collected school supplies and athletic shoes to be distributed to local needy students.
Pounding down the dogs Rookie eater triumphs in contest
By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor When Alex Chapman sat down at the table to engage in his first-ever eating contest at the Liberty Hill Independence Day Spectacular, he figured he would give it a pretty good go. But, he didn’t expect to win. “I thought I would have two or three, be full, stop and just enjoy the free meal,” said Chapman, a Cedar Park resident of 11 years who is planning a move to Liberty Hill with his family in the near future. “But, I had people cheering me on, so I kept going.” When the clock had elapsed on the five minutes of culinary consumption, Chapman had successfully downed nine hot dogs – with the buns – to claim
victory. In fact, not only had Chapman prevailed, but in doing so, defeated defending champion 13-year-old Kolton New, who finished second with eight dogs devoured after having won the title the last time the contest was held in 2019 with a total of eight-and-a-half to his name. The field of 12 competitors ranged in age from 10 to 65 years old, which provided Chapman, a 43-year-old father of two – with plenty of rivals. But when it was all said and done and the crumbs had settled, he had reigned supreme. One might wonder what prompts someone to choose to undertake such an uncomfortable venture, but for Chapman,
Council considers hiring contracted financial manager
By RACHEL MADISON Staff Writer The City Council held a lengthy discussion during their meeting July 7 about the need for hiring a financial management consultant to assist the City in a variety of financial matters, like completing last fiscal year’s audit. Council member Crystal Mancilla asked Wayne McKethan, president of The Financial City Manager, to present to the council on services he could provide to the city regarding financial management. “I thought there was a need for a couple of different reasons,” Mancilla said. “We are growing so fast right now, and when I vote for something, I want to do it with clear conscious. Also, with [Wayne] being educated, he can educate a new council. Three of us are new to city government, politics and how money is used in the budget. Also, what is concerning me is the 2019-20 audit isn’t done. He can come in and help with that.” Chief Financial Officer Becky Wilkins said the 2019-20 au©2021 The Liberty Hill Independent
dit isn’t completed due to the pandemic and the fact that she was working shorthanded for 14 months due to an employee being out on FMLA. She also added that she just found out the head auditor over the city’s audit lost her husband recently, so a new assignment will likely have to be made. She estimated the audit will be completed in two to three weeks. McKethon said most audits should be done in February. “I am interested in helping you if we can determine what you need,” he added. “This would be a contracted position. I would provide expertise and independence and will look at everything [financially] to get to the truth and see how efficient we can be. Then I’ll make recommendations based on what I see.” McKethan said his methodology is to first interview City staff, council members, the Mayor, approved media and other outside participants to determine trouble spots. Then, he will analyze all City financials and research and determine potential areas of concern, like the current uncompleted audit. Next, he will document his
See COUNCIL, Page 4
it simply seemed like a good idea, he said. “We were looking at the event’s website to see what was going on at the celebration,” said Chapman. “The hot dog contest seemed like fun.” Ironically enough, the featured fare isn’t even usually on his dietary menu of choice, he said. “No, I’m not a huge hot dog fan,” said Chapman. “I much rather prefer Texas barbecue.” Chapman said once he reached eight hot dogs, he thought he was just about done, but a surprising source of inspiration struck in the form of support from the crowd who had gathered around to witness the
Alex Chapman won the annual hot-dog eating contest at the Liberty Hill Independence Day
See CONTEST, Page 3 Spectacular by consuming nine hot dogs. (Courtesy Photo)
BUSINESS
Chamber celebrates anniversary of Texas Honey Hole
COURTESY PHOTO
Members of the Liberty Hill Chamber of Commerce celebrated the first anniversary of Texas Honey Hole on July 1 with a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the candy shop’s new location at 1201 Loop 332. The ribbon was cut by owner Jodi McCumber and her family.