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2020

Volume 33, Issue 33

www.LHIndependent.com

County, private practices offer more testing

By ANTHONY FLORES Staff Writer As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase throughout the state, testing sites are becoming more common. Williamson County is working on setting up several locations where citizens can access free testing.

Williamson County has gone over 2,000 active cases this week, with more than 100 hospitalized.

The Williamson County Office of Emergency Management, in partnership with the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the Texas Military Department, set up three free testing sites this past week in Hutto, Jarrell and Taylor.

Liberty Hill was initially one of the three cities planned to host a free testing site this week, but local testing was canceled late last week with no explanation provided by the City of Liberty Hill or Williamson County, until the Tuesday.

Liberty Hill Emergency Manager Casey Cobb said the

City of Liberty Hill and the Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) made a decision to reschedule the COVID-19 testing.

“Within a week of the scheduled testing, TDEM made a change to the type of testing that would be performed and limited the quantity of tests to 250,” he said. “The City and the WCCHD is working together to schedule a new date in the near future to allow the WCCHD to come to Liberty Hill and perform the more accurate Nasal Swab testing and not have a limited amount of test that are made available.”

In his press conference announcing the new testing locations, Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell extended thanks to the school districts working with the county.

“I’d like to say a special thank you to our area schools,” he said. “Williamson County, during this pandemic, has worked strongly and well with the area

See TESTING, Page 6

COVID-19 cases continue steep climb

Williamson County, which has a relatively low number of confirmed COVID-19 cases (3,318) among Texas’ most populated counties, saw more than 1,000 new cases in the last week.

It was the first time the weekly total eclipsed 1,000 cases in the County, and came on the back of two weeks of previous highs in 477 followed by 732 new cases. The number of active cases surpassed the number of recoveries on June 22 and that gap has continued to widen. But with Williamson County shifting its dashboard to the state’s contact tracing data system the numbers of recoveries and active cases will no longer be available statistics.

As of Tuesday, there were 112 hospitalized and 33 in intensive care in the County.

According to numbers in the Austin trauma area, which includes Williamson County, there a currently 550 lab-con-

firmed COVID-19 cases hospitalized.

Travis County currently ranks fifth among all counties in Texas with 11,926 confirmed cases, behind Harris, Dallas, Bexar and Tarrant counties. COVID cases have been confirmed in 246 of 254 counties.

Texas new case numbers have been among the highest in the country with more than 50,000 in the last week and 210, 585 total. More than half of all Texas cases have been confirmed in the last three weeks.

Texas has conducted nearly 2.5 million tests, which was predicted in early April to begin bringing the positive test rate down. While the positivity rate dropped steadily from mid-April to the end of May, it has gone up again since the beginning of June. On June 6, 6.1 percent of all tests were positive and as of July 6, 13.51 percent are positive.

News@LHIndependent.com

July 9, 2020 | 50 Cents

LHISD piecing together back-to-school map

By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor The summer is unfolding like a roadmap to how Texas students will get back to school next month, and there remains much to be discovered about the final destination as districts across the state handle the twists and turns of the unknown.

In Liberty Hill, administrators, teachers and staff are working on what Superintendent Steve Snell calls flexible plans in an effort to be ready for whatever comes in August.

“We’re going to take it as it goes and be flexible and prepared,” Snell said. “I think that’s the best call right now especially with all the unknowns and the time we have between now and Aug. 20.”

The unknowns center on not only what the COVID-19 virus does between now and then,

but what guidance school districts will get from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) through the summer. The state has announced many options and suggestions since May regarding the upcoming school year, and only this week published more specific guidelines moving forward.

“That guidance changes almost daily from TEA and the state,” Snell said in June amid the variety of options and suggestions being discussed statewide. “We’re going to wait as late as we can to get those final plans out so we’re not constantly changing our information.”

The one thing everyone agrees on is that school is coming in August, and talk around the state of new calendars is not something Liberty Hill ISD is considering.

“There is a lot more of what

we don’t know than what we do know,” Snell said. “But what we know is school will return in August in some capacity. You’ve heard a lot of rumors about various calendars coming down from the

state, with school starting early with large breaks built in at various times. What I can tell you is we have a calendar that has been approved by the

See LHISD, Page 9

City budget picture publicly unclear

By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor Only weeks away from presenting a draft budget for the upcoming 2020-2021 fiscal year, the current City of Liberty Hill budget status is a public mystery.

Based on a partial monthly revenue and expense report obtained by The Independent, and answers to questions submitted to the City to address certain items, Liberty Hill appears to have actual expenses and encumbered funds totaling $3.848 million in its General Fund through six months of the fiscal year, on an original budget of $4.237 million.

Requests for monthly financial reports have been submitted to the City and questions asked to help clarify and add context to the numbers, but so far, the City’s response has

been general in nature.

The City claimed in a preemptive Facebook post Tuesday directed at this story that “while some line items within certain categories are over the budgeted amount, the bottom line of the General Fund budget for the City of Liberty Hill has adequate funds for the remainder of the budget.”

As can be expected with any budget, many line items are above budgeted expenses and others are below. But with so many moving parts, there are many questions.

What about revenues?

While there is information on expenses in the March 31 Revenue and Expense Report the newspaper obtained, there is no revenue information.

The current budget passed in September 2019 projected tax revenues – primarily from

property and sales taxes – of $1.883 million. Franchise fees and permit revenues were projected at $1.65 million. With those and other miscellaneous revenues, the projected total revenue for the General Fund was $4.227 million.

According to the City response to the question on revenues, the General Fund has brought in $4.789 million this fiscal year. Total General Fund revenue for last fiscal year was somewhere over $4.5 million, but no final totals were made available. The Independent did ask if that number was actual revenues through six months or projected annual revenues, but did not receive a response by press time Wednesday.

The Independent asked for revenues by specific categories, which would outline specific numbers for fees, permits,

property taxes and others, but that information has not been provided.

It is also unclear if those revenue numbers include the $1.6 million the Council decided in the last budget to shift from reserves into the General Fund.

The City had $2.7 million in reserve prior to the current budget, but voted to only keep a four-month reserve in the fund, which was projected at about $1.06 million.

Chief Operating Officer Lacie Hale reported that the other funds – Streets, Wastewater, Sewer, and Water – had brought in $6.841 million in revenue to date.

Salaries and staffing?

Salary expenses are spread across a number of funds including the General Fund,

See BUDGET, Page 9

City releases requested pursuit video

By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor After multiple requests and a 127-day delay, the City of Liberty Hill released police body camera footage from Officer Jeff Farmer during a high-speed chase on Oct. 4, 2018, where Mayor Rick Hall was on a ride along.

The body camera footage, as well as released patrol vehicle dash camera video, confirms allegations that Hall accessed the in-vehicle computer system during the incident, but does not show any angry outbursts by Hall.

At the end of the body cam video, which is 4 minutes and 31 seconds long, Hall can be heard speaking for the first time once the chase was terminated by Farmer.

“Is there nobody else around?” Hall asked, before

Body camera image from a ride along Oct. 4, 2018, shows Mayor Rick

See VIDEO, Page 4 Hall’s hand (right) accessing the patrol-unit computer of Officer Jeff Farmer.

Mayor threatens legal action

By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor In a phone call to The Independent July 2, Liberty Hill Mayor Rick Hall repeated his aggressive denial of all allegations regarding his personal behavior, specifically regarding an incident where former Police Chief Maverick Campbell said Hall threatened his children.

The angry denial went as far as threatening legal action against the newspaper.

“I read the paper, and I’ve never said anything to y’all about ©2020 The Liberty Hill Independent

what you’re putting in there about me because of freedom of speech, y’all do what you want to,” Hall said. “But the part that Maverick (Campbell) said to you about me making racially derogatory comments about his kids and ‘I’m gonna hang them from the tree’, that is totally false. You guys don’t want to look into the issues, you want to just believe somebody. I will be getting a lawyer and suing the paper for slander.”

The incident was first detailed to The Independent in late February -- about one month after it allegedly occurred -- when one of the two boys shared his story directly in a recorded meeting with the family.

In early April, Campbell filed a report regarding the inci-

dent – which he said occurred during the City Council retreat in late January at Canyon of the Eagles – with the Burnet County Sheriff’s Department.

He also included the incident as part of his statement in his grievance filed with the City over his termination.

Questions have lingered over Hall’s conduct during the retreat, with at least four people – two of whom have chosen not to speak on the record – have told The Independent that Hall was vulgar, belligerent, intoxicated and carrying a firearm the night of the retreat.

In addition to Campbell’s account, former City Director of Planning Sally McFeron said she witnessed similar behavior during the retreat. She believes her termination last week was

due to being a whistle blower regarding the Mayor’s conduct.

“I was one of the anonymous contributors to The Liberty Hill Independent related to the article ‘Mayor’s Conduct Comes into Question‘ published on Feb. 28. Subsequently, senior level staff and City Council member Kathy Canady publicly supported the Mayor, defending his reported behavior,” McFeron wrote in a statement to the newspaper July 3. “By process of elimination of the small group of senior level staff that attended the retreat and the staff members that came out publicly in support of the Mayor, it is not

See THREAT, Page 6

ALEX RUBIO FILE PHOTO

Mayor Rick Hall disputes a claim made by former Police Chief Maverick Campbell that Hall made offensive remarks to Campbell’s children at a staff retreat in January.

Page 2

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Thursday, July 9, 2020

OBITUARIES Marianne Merritt

Marianne Merritt of Liberty Hill, Texas, passed away Saturday, July 4th, 2020 after a valiant fight against metaplastic breast cancer.

Marianne was born Dec 29, 1962, in Monahans, TX, to Robert Neely Merritt and Marjorie Nell Reed Merritt, both Jacksonville, TX natives.

Following a family move to Conroe, TX in 1971, Marianne formed lasting friendships and realized her talents in music, choir and theater arts. After high school graduation in 1981, Marianne was accepted into The University of Texas at Austin and in 1985 obtained a degree in English and secondary education. After a summer tour of Europe, she accepted her first job, teaching 7th grade English in Huntsville, TX. When asked about that job, she said teaching was a stage performance. To do her job well she had to give such an entertaining performance that her students had no choice but to listen and learn. In 1986, after some beers and bonding with her Dad, an agreement was made that if Marianne could pass the Law School Entry Exam, good old Dad would foot the bill. Four years later they both won the bet and

Marianne received her law degree from the University of Houston.

Marianne began her legal career working at a law firm in Houston and quickly realized that environment was not her cup of tea. She relocated to Austin and, following in her Dad’s footsteps, accepted a position as a title examiner for First Security Title, utilizing her knowledge in real estate law to become an invaluable asset to that company. In 1996, she accepted a position as Branch Manager for First American Title. It was there that she met the love of her life whom she would later marry, Bonnie Patton. In 1999, they welcomed two precious children to complete their family, Evan Reese and Savannah Rose.

She used to say she was never a ‘real lawyer’, and once said that she would never be a great lawyer because she didn’t like to argue. Truth be told, no one stood a chance against her arguments. Her quick wit and unique perspective educated, enlightened, and inspired all who knew her. If she was passionate about something, your only option was to sit and listen because you were about to

be ‘taken to school’.

When Marianne was diagnosed with breast cancer on May 17, 2019, she faced it with bravery and her typical humor, referring to the cancer as “no more than a blip on my radar”, while going through chemo, surgery and radiation to become cancer free. When asked by friends how she was doing, she would respond with “Well, I’m above the dirt and that’s the best way to spend your day!” A year later, on May 27, 2020 when the cancer resurfaced in both lungs, she forged ahead with chemo and immunotherapy infusions, while displaying that ‘Bring It On’ optimism and determination to slay the dragon, just as she had done before. As it became clear that this mountain was just too steep to climb, she continued to fight for and cherish every moment with her family until the very end.

Marianne leaves behind, but will continue to walk beside, her spouse of 24 years, Bonnie Patton, their twins, Reese and Savannah Merritt of Liberty Hill, her sister, Glynna Merritt White and brother-in-law Bob White, of Jacksonville, TX, nephews Bryan Merritt White and Garrett Reed White, of

Houston, and her beloved dogs, IzzyKy and Cesar.

Our daily message to Marianne: “We are stronger and we are better because of you.

More!” Bon, Savannah & Reese Due to COVID 19 pandemic, a gathering of friends and family is not possible, but a celebration of Marianne’s life will be held at an appropriate time.

A special thank you to the staff at Texas Oncology, Cedar Park; your caring and kindness were truly appreciated. A very special thank you to Lisa from Kindred Hospice for your guidance and assistance through those final hours.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Cancer Society in Marianne’s memory.

Evelyn J. Starks

Our caring, professional staff is focused on keeping your family healthy. And like you, we live in Liberty Hill and are working to make a difference in our hometown. From coaching youth sports teams, sponsoring community events and contributing to local causes, your hometown pediatric clinic is investing in Liberty Hill.

Evelyn J. Starks, age 86, of Liberty Hill, passed away on July 5, 2020. She was born on November 28, 1933 in Liberty Hill to Alvin E. “Crow” Conway and Ethel (Mears) Conway. She married Harry Starks Jr. in New Braunfels, Texas.

She attended technical college and worked for Starks Welding and Manufacturing.

Those left behind to cherish her memory include her sons, Donnie Starks and his wife

Kathy and Curtis Anderson, Jr.; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister, Mable Morris; brother, Darrell Conway; and her companion, Kenneth Gholson.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Harry, and her daughter, Belinda Braddock.

A funeral service celebrating Evelyn’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 10, 2020 at the Williamson Coun-

ty Cowboy Church, 8355 RM1869 in Liberty Hill. The visitation will be one hour prior to the service. She will be laid to rest at Hopewell Cemetery in Liberty Hill.

To share words of comfort and memories of Evelyn with her family, please visit www. cookwaldendavisfuneralhome. com.

Arrangements by CookWalden Davis Funeral Home, town, Texas 78628 (512) 8632900 Williams Drive, George- 2564.

WilCo Technology Services earns award

GEORGETOWN – Williamson County announced this week that the Technology

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Services Department received a 2020 Best of Texas Award and is being recognized as an innovator in the Texas Public-Sector for its Cyber Security Awareness Program.

The Best of Texas Awards program recognizes public-sector professionals and local government organizations across the state for their dedication and contributions to advancing information technology. The award recipients are selected based on several criteria including collaboration among agencies, innovative use of technology, economic benefits, and improving public services and business processes.

Williamson County Technology Services received the recognition for its ability to create a Cyber Security Awareness Program (SAP) by utilizing technology that the County had in-house. The SAP is a system that is required by the state to comply with Texas House Bill 3834. The law requires that certain state and local gov-

ernment entities complete a cybersecurity training program certified by the Department of Information Resources (DIR).

After the passing of the bill, many entities sought out DIR approved vendors to help them meet the new requirements. Instead of purchasing third-party software, Williamson County’s Technology Services Security Team found innovative ways to use technology they already had, such as various components of Microsoft 365.

In doing so, the team not only met and exceeded the expectation but also saved the County money.

“I am so proud of our staff.

They consistently provide high quality, creative and innovative solutions to the citizens and staff of Williamson County. Even when H.B. 3834 was passed last year with a very short timeline to execute, they challenged themselves to offer meaningful and effective cyber security training to every employee of the County in order

to protect them, as well as all of the County’s cyber resources,” said Williamson County Technology Services Senior Director Jay Schade.

This project was conceptualized, developed, and implemented by the great work of Security Engineer Paul Hulse, System Admin Chris Slaughter, System Admin Bert Araiza, and IT Architect Jim Daniels, which resulted in Williamson County being able to communicate and reach employees with relevant training that is customized to their organization.

In addition to short term goals, the SAP is designed in a way to meet the long-term goals of the organization as it relates to cyber security resources and awareness training.

The 2020 Best of Texas Award was presented by Government Technology magazine as part of the annual Texas Digital Government Summit, which will be held virtually Sept. 23 and 24.

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Thursday, July 9, 2020

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

EDITORIAL:

Throwback Thursday

2 more guests from Willie’s picnic have passed

By JAMES WEAR Columnist Well, it has been 45 years I told myself since learning over the weekend that another featured performer from Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July picnic in Liberty Hill has passed on.

Charlie Daniels, one of southern rock’s leaders back in the day when the progressive country music movement was establishing itself not only in Austin but Nashville as well, died Sunday at the age of 83.

His death comes less than a month after Bonnie Pointer, a founding member of the Pointer Sisters, passed on at 69. Earlier this year, Paul English, Willie’s longtime drummer, died at 87; and noted singer/songwriter Alex Harvey, best known perhaps for writing “Delta Dawn” died at 79. Doug Sahm, another of Willie’s guests that day, died in 1999 while Donnie Fritts passed away in 2019.

The Pointer Sisters, of course, broke a few musical barriers back in 1975 when they released “Fairy Tale,” a country song that would not only reach the top of the charts but earn them a Grammy award as well.

They fit in well with Nelson,

who broke a few rules himself as he went from country songwriter to international superstar.

At Liberty Hill, however, the Pointer Sisters learned that star status didn’t always mean a smooth ride to the stage.

The limousine they arrived in couldn’t make it through the muddy pasture that led to the backstage area, and it fell to local contractor Gary Spivey to hook his backhoe to the limo and pull them through the mire.

English, of course, had already earned a reputation as a bit of a free spirit over the years, and at Liberty Hill he firmly established his place among the “crazies” when he pulled out his pistol and blew holes through the tarp covering the stage when the tarp appeared to be on the verge of collapse following a heavy rain that passed through the area.

Daniels and his band were already receiving plenty of air play by the time the 1975 picnic came about, but would reach greater fame a few years later after recording “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” as well as appearing in the 1980 hit movie “Urban Cowboy.”

Of course, Nelson, despite a few battles with health over the past couple of years, continues to plug on and once again hosted the picnic, although it streamed over the internet from “Nowhere, Texas” this

year with no one in attendance.

Among his guests were Johnny Bush, who continues to play dance halls. Bush, of course, has appeared in Liberty Hill twice, first at Willie’s picnic

and then again 15 years later during a community festival.

Perhaps the best known entertainer to appear at Willie’s Liberty Hill picnic, Kris Kristofferson, turned 84 last month.

VIEWPOINT:

What makes a journalist risk a reputation?

By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor Each time a journalist places their name at the top of a story, they are taking ownership of the content in that story. A byline serves as the signature line on a contract between writer and reader certifying that the content to follow has been researched, evaluated and presented in a truthful, fair manner.

I’ve placed my name at the top of dozens and dozens of stories about the City of Liberty Hill, its Mayor and City Council in recent months, fully aware that my integrity is at risk if these stories are inaccurate.

There’s much more to being a journalist than writing and meeting deadlines. Sure, I can write sentences, ask questions and sit through meetings, but those are prerequisites to this job, not qualities and practices that will keep someone in it as a profession.

What a journalist has that allows him or her to remain and thrive in the profession is credibility and integrity.

My name is attached to every word I write. I have long-term accountability for my words.

When my credibility has been eroded and my integrity is easily questioned, my role as a professional journalist is questioned.

So why would a journalist risk his or her integrity to report repeatedly on a story that was false or could not be corroborated?

In two and a half years reporting for The Independent, I have written just shy of 700 articles and that integrity has not once been called into question.

No one has asked for a correction or claimed they were misquoted. No one came to the paper saying a road bond package, water plant issue or new ordinance was not explained properly.

The Independent has heard calls to be more “balanced” in these issues. But what is balance? Balance, by definition, is: “a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions.”

It is not the obligation to make all things equal and represent everyone the same. The goal is to represent everyone equally. It is to offer opportunities for those being questioned by others to address those claims.

To be balanced in reporting is to give everyone the opportunity to speak, respond and make their case. This balance has been in every piece written on the City of Liberty Hill.

Whether all parties chose to respond to the degree it takes to provide real balance is another subject.

A common tactic used against reporters is to not share information and not offer explanations, in hopes it will never show up in print. If a journalist goes ahead with the story, that silence allows those who choose to avoid the issue the opportunity later to point to how unbalanced a story is.

In the case of Maverick Campbell’s grievance, both Mayor Rick Hall and members of the City Council chose not speaking about it publicly as their defense against the accusations. Does that mean those accusations should never be considered by the public?

Page 3

In the case of requested police body camera footage, not sharing it appears to be a tactic to just make the issue go away.

But a denial without proving the alleged evidence doesn’t exist is rather empty.

In Hall’s minimal response to the growing list of complaints about him, he leans heavily on the notion that it can be summed up by calling them disgruntled former employees.

But these complaints were for the most part shared off the record before anyone was terminated. They were shared off the record because these individuals feared for and needed their jobs and hoped things might change.

How quickly would you publicly call out your supervisor or employer for doing something questionable when you need that income from your job to take care of your family?

There are supporters on both sides of this issue, and that is always to be expected.

But it should be noted that before The Independent was accused of writing personal

It’s your money, your right to know

The Independent asked a simple question of the City of Liberty Hill: tell us what the revenues and expenses are for the City.

Do you think as a taxpayer, business owner or developer that you are entitled to that information?

We do.

That information was once easy to obtain. It was once provided monthly as part of a City Council agenda. But we asked, because those numbers have not been shared publicly since late 2018.

Last summer, a budget was passed but not explained, and since that time there’s been no sharing of how well the city revenue sources are doing or exactly how much money is being spent.

It’s a simple request, that was met with silence until the City was forced to respond, and at that time the answer was to tell The Independent that the documents requested didn’t exist.

But a report doesn’t cease to exist simply because someone chooses not to hit print anymore. In fact, The Independent obtained a copy of the exact report it requested for the month of March 2020. That acquired copy did not have the revenue pages included, but did show expenses as they have been kept by the City.

So the report does exist.

Even if the report didn’t exist, the information would. That is unless we are to believe that strict accounting of government funds is no longer important. We know it is.

So why not just share the information? Why not be willing to sit down and talk through that budget and discuss the revenues and expenses, why some numbers are larger than expected and others lower?

Budgets aren’t perfect, and are always amended, but as with many things under the current City administration, the resistance to share data and evasive reaction to questions makes us wonder.

Taxpayers are entitled to an explanation of how every penny is collected and spent. There is no scenario where local government accounting is a secret.

As expected, after reviewing the March 2020 report, The Independent has more questions than answers regarding the current budget. These questions themselves are not an indictment of a failed budget or money management process. They are just questions. Questions are only bad if there’s not a good answer.

The preemptive attempt by the City to explain on Facebook July 7 that what The Independent might write about the budget might be misleading is a new approach to be sure. Since no one from the City was willing to discuss those questions they could hardly know why we were asking, much less correct the newspaper before a story was published.

So the story in today’s paper (See Page 1) about the current budget is one primarily of data and questions about that data.

The Independent can only report numbers it is provided, and hopefully get some context and explanation to accompany them. It is the first of hopefully many stories about our local government budget. And that’s important.

Unless, of course, a general assurance on the City’s Facebook page that all is well with the budget is all we should expect from our government anymore.

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Page 4

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

By ANTHONY FLORES Staff Writer Despite the uncertainty about how the 2020 school year will turn out because of COVID-19, the Liberty Hill High School Band is moving forward with plans for the new year.

A crucial step forward in preparations for the band is the selection of student leadership.

The process of choosing new leaders starts with face-to-face interviews between instructors and students. The goal of the interviews is to determine a student’s motivation to work in the role as a leader.

“We ask them just some basic interview questions to find out where their hearts are,” said Band Director John Perrin. “We want to see if it was in a service place or if they’re looking to tell kids what to do.

It worked out pretty well. I also sent out a survey to their teachers and even one to the rest of the band.”

As a part of the requirements for students in contention for leadership roles, they must show that they can teach. To do that they have to show someone who isn’t a member of the band how to march.

“What you have to do is work

LHHS Band chooses new leaders from prior knowledge into the information that they don’t know,” said Perrin. “Have them walk and then start by working on the five points of alignment -- the feet, their knees, the hips, their shoulders, and their heads. You redefine what they’re supposed to do with all of those pieces compared to normal walking.”

The tricky part of teaching is determining the difference between criticism and actual constructive feedback.

“Giving feedback concisely can be tricky sometimes,” said Perrin. “Some people want to rationalize things for them and explain why things are happening when they should just be giving them information. We’re looking to see if this person understands what they’re doing.”

Knowing how to approach individuals and figuring out what works with specific people is an added wrinkle that can prove challenging.

“The most difficult part is knowing where you need to be a bit sterner or needing to be more lenient because it’s a case by case basis,” said Drum Major Breeley Bodine. “I plan to get better at knowing what

to do in these situations so that the environment is the best it can be for everybody.”

The task of leading their peers can be intimidating. Still, for Clarinet Section Leader Samantha Flores, it’s also an opportunity to build her confidence.

“It feels like a lot of pressure because you know that all of your peers are going to be looking up to you on what decisions you are going to make for the band,” said Flores. “But it also gives you confidence in yourself knowing you’re setting an excellent example for your peers.”

Adjusting to their new roles means making changes to how they prepare for the season.

“This new role affects how I normally would approach some things because not only am I making decisions for myself but for the entire band and what is best for all of us,” said Flores.

Adjustments aside, Bodine sees this as a chance to help guide and help improve her peers.

“The role has changed how I approach things,” said Bodine.

“Because now, I try to find the safest and most efficient way to get things done. Getting to

leadership team can keep the positivity up.”

The new band leaders include the following: President Caitlynn O’Dell; Historian Taylor Terrebonne; Librarian Peyton Spinner; Drum Majors Breely Bodine, Colton Harbour, Veronika Hyska; Section Leaders: Gabby Blackmon – Flute, Samantha Flores – Clarinet, Greyson Rayburn – Saxophone, Taylor Clarkson – Trumpet, Landon Sharp – French Horn, Kaitlin Homan – Trombone, Colby Kuhn – Euphonium, and Michael Dodson – Percussion.

Liberty Hill Police Blotter Prepared by Liberty Hill Police Department

Week of June 29-July 5, to the 14000 block of W. SH 2020 29 for a traffic hazard.

The Liberty Hill Police De- - On June 30 at approximately partment responded to or 7:39 PM, officers responded to self-initiated a total of 432 in- Independence Ave for an anicidents resulting in eight cases, mal call.

25 citations, 76 warnings and - On June 30 at approximately four arrests.

8:27 PM, officers responded to Stubblefield Lane for a disturWeekly Highlights: - On June 29 at approximately bance.

2:57 PM, officers responded to - On June 30 at approximately Purser Street to arrest a male 8:55 PM, officers responded to adult for aggravated robbery Stubblefield Lane for a disturthat took place on June 12 in bance.

- On July 1 at approximately Liberty Hill.

- On June 29 at approximately 7:10AM, officers responded 6:33 PM, officers responded to to the 700 block of US 183 for the 14000 block of W. SH 29 loose livestock. $10/week for Minimum 30 Words - On July 1 at approximately for a disturbance.

Additional Words $0.20 - On June 29 at approximately 10:27 AM, officers responded 10:07 PM, officers responded to the 700 Block of CR 259 for Deadline Tuesday At Noon (512) 778-5577 or NEWS@LHINDEPENDENT.COM to the 15000 block of W. SH 29 loose livestock. for a suspicious incident.

- On July 1 at approximately - On June 30 at approximately 11:32 AM, officers responded SERVICES PUBLIC 2:29 AM, officers responded to Hillcrest Lane for a harassNOTICES to Freeman Ranch Street for a ment complaint.

SELL YOUR UNIQUE home - On July 2 at approximately suspicious incident. made or grown items locally!

MISSING PROPERTY On June 30 at approximately 3:45 AM, officers arrested a The Market At Indian Mound If you believe the police de- 12:03 PM, officers responded male adult with an outstanding Ranch is currently accepting partment may have a found Vendors for the 2020 Season. item that belongs to you, you Continued from Page 1 Saturday’s 9-3 weather permitcan call the Property Division saying, “Not anybody from ing that abruptly, in the middle ting. $20 space fee. 12805 SH directly at 512-548-5530 or Travis County? It’s crazy. I of the Mayor’s conversation 29 W. Send email to imr1873@ email at ekrause@libertyhill- can’t believe there was nobody and Officer Farmer talking gmail.com for details. tx.gov. When contacting the else out.” on the radio,” Campbell said.

Property Division, describe But the video cuts off when “There was more conversathe item(s) you are looking for, Farmer is in mid-sentence, tion from the Mayor to Officer in detail, and we will let you ending abruptly before the Farmer. Something doesn’t know if we have it. If we do, time Campbell believes Hall seem like it is the full video to we will make arrangements to “made inappropriate com- me.” get it back to you. ments.”

The newspaper, through its le(7/30) “I don’t recall the video end- gal counsel, told City Attorney

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warrant, as the result of a traffic stop on the 14000 block of W. SH 29.

- On July 2 at approximately 9:46 PM, officers responded to the 13000 block of W. SH 29 for suspicious activity.

- On July 2 at approximately 11:32AM, officers responded to Freedom Park Ave for a suspicious activity complaint.

- On July 2 at approximately 3:49 PM, officers responded to the 14000 block of W. SH 29 for a property dispute.

- On July 3 at approximately 4:18 AM, officers arrested a male adult with an outstanding warrant, as the result of a traffic stop at the 13000 block of W. SH 29.

- On July 3 at approximately 8:48 AM, officers responded to the 14000 block of W. SH 29 for suspicious activity.

- On July 3 at approximately 9:56 PM, officers responded to Continental Ave for fireworks complaint.

- On July 4 at approximately 9:33 AM, officers responded to 15000 block of W. SH 29 for a traffic hazard.

- On July 4 at approximately 10:03 PM, officers responded to Independence Lane for a fireworks complaint.

- On July 4 at approximately 11:27 PM, officers responded to the 13000 block of W. SH 29 for a disturbance.

- On July 5 at approximately 11:18 AM, officers responded to Stubblefield Lane for a prior assault complaint.

- On July 5 at approximately 7:14 PM, officers responded to the 2000 block of RM 1869 for a fireworks complaint.

- On July 6 at approximately 3:34 AM officers responded to US 183 for suspicious activity, resulting in the arrest of an adult male for unauthorized use of a vehicle and resisting arrest.

Tad Cleaves Wednesday about Campbell’s claim that the video provided was cut short.

Cleaves responded that he would inquire again of Lt. Jeff Ringstaff to confirm whether all of the body camera footage of the incident was provided to the newspaper. Cleaves had not responded by press time Wednesday evening.

When asked about specifics of what Campbell believed had been cut off at the end of the video, he chose not to respond on the advice of his attorney due to pending legal action.

“My attorney advised me to any specific language or details to defer you guys to the

See FOOTAGE, Page 9

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“I think the most difficult part of this role I have been given is keeping everyone positive so we can have a good performance or win a competition,” said Flores. “We have to keep trying to push ourselves to excellence, and I believe this

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THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Page 5

BUSINESS

New pastime coming for Liberty Hill

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Throwing axes was first developed in the Middle Ages – the 3rd Century, to be precise – so seeing one hurling through the air, tumbling end over end is certainly nothing new.

However, these days, the bladed weapon’s target is no longer an invader from a foreign land bent on death and destruction, but a bulls-eye.

Once only a hobby of lumberjacks, axe-throwing is growing into a popular activity for the average person and thanks to local businessman Garrett Simmons, it will soon be a recreational option for the residents of Liberty Hill.

No overgrown beard or plaid, flannel shirt required.

Simmons is starting up the Rowdy Axe Company, a mobile operation that will be available for hire at events and will have the capability of setting up just about anyplace.

Have axe, will travel.

According to Simmons, little or even no experience wielding an axe is necessary in order to take up the sport – and

VIEWPOINT

attack stories and being negative about the City, many of the same people questioning The Independent today were calling the paper encouraging us to publish “the truth” about the former administration’s alleged illegal and unethical dealings.

The difference in then and now is as simple as names and documentation. Those sources prior to the last two elections were never once willing to attach their names to allegations, and when asked for documentation gave the standard response that “it’s the paper’s job to find that.”

Even prior to and just after the May 2019 election, candidates, as well as Hall, campaigned on the issues of promoting ethics and rooting out shady deals, promising to clean that up. When the election was over, Liz Rundzieher and Gram Lankford immedi-

even excel at it.

“Axe throwing is an amazing sport,” said Simmons. “I’ve watched people go from coming in with a group of friends for the first time barely sticking the axe to actually being competitive in tournaments.”

As far as any safety concerns potential throwers may have, no worries, he said.

“Every time someone steps onto the trailer, they’ll be trained on how to throw the axe safely,” said Simmons.

“As for what is included with a rental, I’ll bring the trailer out to just about anywhere I can fit an 18-foot trailer. Groups from five to 30 are ideal. I also want to be able to bring the trailer out to bars, breweries and farmers markets.”

So, for now, Simmons and his trailer are coming soon to a gathering spot near you, but with the hope of having a physical location to call home in the near future.

“Having a mobile business is just the first step,” said Simmons, who recently relocated to Liberty Hill from Belton with wife Brittany, who al-

ready had family locally. “This is my way of boot-strapping my own axe throwing business. Fingers crossed I’ll be able to open a location within the next two years.”

Simmons’ business will provide locals the chance to not only congregate and enjoy one another’s company, but the opportunity to try out something completely different, he said.

“I love axe throwing,” said Simmons. “It’s a great way to bring people together, have a drink and try something a lot of people haven’t had a chance to try yet.”

Showing an upward trend in popularity, the sport has migrated south in recent years from Canada and the World Axe Throwing League has already been featured on ESPN. Simmons has grand plans for not only the growth of his business, but also for sowing the seeds of the sport he loves in the hopes it will bloom into a fruitful future in his brandnew neighborhood.

“In the short term, I want people to fall in love with the sport of axe throwing,” he said.

Continued from Page 3 ately stopped talking about it.

Steven McIntosh engaged in a spirited argument about it and then promised to never speak to the paper again. Why? Because the paper asked to see the proof of shady deals and poor ethics. Because evidence matters. We’re still waiting.

That raised suspicions.

Is The Independent sharing allegations made against Hall?

Absolutely. The difference is that the paper plans to follow these allegations through to a verifiable conclusion, and publish that reality whether it proves or disproves the allegations. Reporters don’t have the luxury of later moving on and forgetting about the accusations printed.

Are these allegations being casually tossed out for public consumption? That’s where the issue of a reporter’s integrity comes into play.

What does a reporter have

to gain by sharing completely unsubstantiated claims and rumors? Nothing. In fact, a reporter has everything to lose in that scenario.

So where is that elusive proof?

The Independent has heard two accusations it has chosen not to report on for every one it has reported. This is not some frivolous approach to reporting, where we type every word someone whispers in our ear and print it. These allegations come from multiple sources saying the same things. They are supported by text messages, e-mails and documents.

As The Independent has endeavored to dig out information and submitted requests for documentation that would verify the claims or show them false, the City has worked equally as hard to avoid sharing the information.

Again, that raises suspicions.

Rowdy Axe Company owner Garrett Simmons puts the finishing touches on the trailer that will house his mobile business. (Courtesy Photo)

“Long term, I want to grow a community of people that love

this sport, which has my heart, and for it to become ingrained

in this community of Liberty Hill we just became a part of.”

The Independent has attended every City meeting for 30 months, a handful virtually in recent months, and has watched closely how the City Council has operated.

What has happened in the meantime – since all those unsavory claims against those involved before were such a hot topic in April 2019 – is the City has changed dramatically, and all the while these allegations about how Hall does business have gained momentum. The Mayor has gained essentially complete control of city government. There are no public discussions of policy when making decisions at Council meetings. Information The Independent was once handed with a smile when researching a story now takes interference from the Texas Attorney General to obtain.

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TESTING

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Continued from Page 1

schools to provide the best needs for adults and children in the community. This partnership is another example of a school district stepping up to partner with Williamson County to care for residents.”

Judge Gravell encouraged community members heading out to free testing sites throughout the county to come prepared for a potential wait.

“There could be some waits at the locations because it is walk-up testing,” he said.

“You might be out in the sun, so I would encourage you to bring an umbrella to block the sun out and some sunscreen lotion if there are long lines.”

The TDEM, the National Guard, and the State of Texas are working together to cover the costs for testing.

“It’s a combined effort, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Texas National Guard, and the State of Texas is taking care of the testing parts,” said Gravell. “The school districts are being kind and allowing us to use their properties, so that’s a significant contribution. The County, as well, on a much smaller level, is providing about $5,000 for meals, snacks, portable bathroom facilities, and hand washing stations at these locations.”

There are no requirements or restrictions at this time regarding who can be tested at popup sites around the county.

“The free testing is for symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals. There will be no appointments necessary,” said Gravell. “They will be walkup site locations. This is testing provided for residents and those outside the county who choose walk-up testing.”

Williamson County is also working with the Family Emergency Room to provide additional testing opportunities. The county and Family Emergency Room announced

THREAT

a new contract to make testing more available to community members. Most insurance companies cover costs for COVID-19 testing, and anyone without insurance will have their tests covered by Williamson County.

“Williamson County is grateful to the team at Family Emergency Room for continuing to partner with the County to provide COVID testing to our community. Dr. Henry Higgins and his colleagues have stepped up and met a huge need in the community for COVID testing,” said Williamson County Pct. 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long.

The agreement between the county and Family Emergency Room will make scheduling for tests a more streamlined process. Two sites located in Cedar Park and one in Round Rock will all be utilized for testing.

“Family Emergency Room is pleased to partner with Williamson County to continue to provide COVID testing for our community,” said CEO of Family Emergency Room Dr. Henry Higgins. “With expanded testing locations at Whitestone, Lakeline, and Round Rock, and a more streamlined registration system, we hope to provide efficient, person-centered care to the residents of Williamson County.”

In Liberty Hill, Care First Clinic and Liberty Hill Physician Associates are also offering testing, but these tests are not necessarily free of charge.

Care First offers two different kinds of tests for active infections, a molecular test – the most commonly used test – and an antibody test.

“The molecular test we’re currently using is done through a saliva test,” said Care First Nurse Practitioner Kaela Thurman. “Patients will provide a saliva specimen. They’ll do that here at Care First.”

Continued from Page 1

rocket science to figure out who are the possible anonymous individuals that reported to The Independent.”

McFeron said she was present at the observatory that evening

as well as at the fire pit where City staff and elected officials were gathered.

“I was present when he was asked to leave the Observatory

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The saliva test is as accurate as the nasal swab test, and due to a lack of swabs available at the moment, Care First uses the saliva method. Once swabs become available, they plan to move back to that method. The turnaround for the saliva test results is four to five days after it’s received by the lab.

The antibody test people are most commonly aware of is mostly used to detect past infection. The one implemented

by Care First tests for both current and past disease. The results of the antibody test take two to three days.

“The one that we have is a finger stick, so it’s a blood test,” said Thurman. “It tests for current and past infection.

The nice thing about that test is that it’s done completely by the patient. You just come and pick the test up, so it’s a no-contact method. Then they mail it to the lab.”

Because the tests used at Care First are not the nationally used free tests, there is a cost to patients.

“For the spit test, it’s $89 in addition to the visit cost, regardless of whether you’re using cash pay or insured. You still also have to pay the lab, and that can be billed to insurance, or it’s an additional $100,” said Thurman. “For the finger stick test, it’s the cost of the visit plus $150, and that’s all-inclusive with no additional fees.”

Liberty Hill Physician Associates use the nasal swab test.

Still, like Care First, it also comes with a price tag, but the group accepts insurance to pay for testing. Once a proof is completed and sent to the lab, results can take between three and seven days.

“We’re billing insurance because they see the doctor and the nurse practitioner,” said Liberty Hill Physician Associates office manager Shannon Smith. “They can get recom-

because he was being loud and using vulgar language in front of other adult guests and children,” she said. “The Mayor and other senior level staff members left the observatory with the Mayor complaining loudly all the way to his car.

“I was so embarrassed for the City of Liberty Hill,” McFeron said. “It was painful. I stayed behind with another staff member and his wife to hear the rest of the presentation by Canyon of the Eagles Staff. Upon returning to the resort, I joined the other staff, staff spouses and children, consultants, the Mayor, the Mayor Pro Tem, Liz Rundzieher, Councilwoman Kathy Canady at the fire pit. We were playing the game ‘heads up’ and generally having a good time. The Mayor was heavily intoxicated and was extremely loud and cursing loudly. Even his wife kept telling him to take it down a notch.

“I felt very uncomfortable with the Mayor’s behavior, not only was he drunk, loud and cursing, and spouting vulgar responses to the game, he would use every opportunity to let everyone know he was ‘the Mayor’ and ‘he was in charge’ through various comments. For example, when a staff member would say something that the

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Thursday, July 9, 2020

mendations if they’re having symptoms. They can get prescriptions that can help with their symptoms versus the drive-thru places that are just swabbing and sending them on their way.”

Physician Associates hopes to have rapid results testing available in the next two weeks.

Testing is not recommended immediately for someone who has had contact with an infected individual. It’s rec-

ommended for those showing symptoms.

“If they have symptoms, then we can test them,” said Smith.

“If they’ve just been exposed to somebody who tested positive, then it’s not recommended to test immediately.

The CDC does recommend a 14-day quarantine, and if they do develop symptoms in that period, then we can test them.

If we test too soon, it can be a false negative.”

Someone can get COVID-19 after being tested as a situation can change quickly in some cases.

“It can change overnight.

We’ve done testing for employers that require it, and people will come out negative, and then the next week they develop symptoms and are positive,” said Smith. “The danger is they can spread the disease even before they have symptoms.”

Mayor didn’t like, he would tell Becky Wilkins to ‘hold their check’ or ‘don’t pay them.’ Of course, this could be construed as joking and having fun, but his reputation of intimidation, carrying a gun, and consistently using his power as Mayor to control staff does not make it feel like a joke,” McFeron wrote.

McFeron also confirmed that Canyon of the Eagles staff got involved over the noise.

“At one point, a Canyon of the Eagles staff member came out and specifically addressed the Mayor telling him that she had received complaints from other guests regarding his loud behavior and the language he was using. She politely told the Mayor and the group to behave or she would have to ask him to leave the fire pit. I left the fire pit shortly thereafter,” she said.

In a phone call from The Independent in February, Canyon of the Eagles staff admitted they knew what the paper was calling about after the incident, but would not comment.

McFeron did not attend the City staff Christmas party where similar allegations were also made about Hall’s behavior.

Hall said July 2 that he was told by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Department that the complaint filed by Campbell about the treatment of his children would not be further investigated.

“They said they’re not going to investigate it because it’s not accurate,” Hall said, saying he was told that three weeks ago when he spoke to them, though he referenced the Burnet Police Department. “I was called and told there was a police investigation about this and because it was at Canyon of the Eagles it was turned over to the LCRA. LCRA said ‘I’m not doing nothing about this. There’s no proof this happened. Burnet County police department said they’re not going to investigate it because there’s no proof that it happened.”

Campbell disagreed, telling The Independent that the investigator put it on hold pending the completion of the Child

Advocacy Forensic Interviews of the two boys, which Campbell said have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hall has attributed all of the allegations to “disgruntled employees” from the beginning, denying them all.

“This was after Maverick was terminated and it’s just disgruntled employees,” he said.

“Y’all need to start checking your facts and I am very disappointed, because I’ve tried to explain to you guys multiple times that he is making up all these lies and y’all just keep printing them and that’s fine. Now when you make a comment that I’m making racially derogatory comments to people in the current state this country is in right now, that is slander and you will be hearing from my lawyer.”

Campbell said he hesitated to file the report when the incident occurred in January due to concerns over his job.

“He threatened me every time I have challenged him or ever disagreed or didn’t do what he wanted,” Campbell said.

But Campbell, McFeron and former City Secretary Barbara Zwernemann have all shared separate, similar incidents they called intimidating. But with no City Administrator in place, they each held concerns fearful of losing their jobs if they made formal complaints through the City or went public with those concerns.

“I always felt intimidated by his carrying of a weapon and his style of management,” McFeron said. “He has a history of angry outbursts, public intoxication at events representing the City of Liberty Hill as Mayor, and basically total control over staff and city operations. Makes it hard to not be intimidated by him.”

In a statement following her termination in May, Zwernemann confirmed the letter previously reported on by The Independent where she raised concerns about Hall’s angry behavior toward her.

“Yes, it is true I had a violent encounter against me on Thursday, Sept 13, 2018,” Zwernemann wrote in a statement to The Independent. “Because

I had no intent to destroy people I worked through it but it was a serious mistake because as I was told then by a wise council member ‘he won’t stop this behavior if you don’t stop him.’”

The City Council last considered Campbell’s grievance on May 26, when it decided to take no action. That meant the string of allegations against Hall would not be considered or discussed publicly, choosing again – as the Council had in early March – to not respond to complaints about Hall’s behavior.

None of the Council members were willing to discuss the allegations against Hall, with only Canady acknowledging she had seen the statement.

She told the newspaper that she didn’t believe Campbell was a truthful person and that she didn’t know what might or might not happen in the future regarding the allegations against Hall.

“I’m not going to discuss what we talked about in executive session,” Canady said following the May 26 meeting.

“We agreed with the investigator on what our grievance was and that’s all we have to worry about. I have no faith in anything Maverick has to say.

I focused on the investigation that we did and I focused on things I have seen Maverick do that negates anything he could probably tell me.”

Canady went on to say she didn’t need to look into the allegations about Hall in Campbell’s statement as the discussion was about Campbell, not the Mayor.

“I really haven’t had a chance to go look at every last word,” she said. “I went off the investigator’s report and that’s what interests me. The issue at that meeting was Maverick Campbell, not the Mayor.”

Canady would not say whether she would at any point in the future want to look into the allegations against Hall.

There has been no attempt by a Council member to publicly consider or question any of the allegations about Hall’s behavior.

BREAKING NEWS LHINDEPENDENT.COM

SPORTS

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT Thursday, July 9, 2020 Page 7

Mastering the art of misdirection

Liberty Hill has elevated the Slot-T to a new level

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor The Panthers of Liberty Hill break the huddle with 10 players sprinting to the line of scrimmage, where the center already waits in the ready position with hand firmly upon ball.

The quarterback barks out signals while behind him, a pair of running backs are lined up like bulls waiting to be released from the chute at a rodeo.

Suddenly, the ball is snapped and the signal-caller spins this way and that, faking a handoff to the first back bursting through the line, only to tuck the ball trickily under his arm as he sprints toward the near sideline, looking to turn it upfield for a big gain with the defense in hot pursuit.

But, wait just a minute.

A defender closes in on the quarterback only to realize he hasn’t got the ball after all despite a 15-yard jaunt up the sideline.

No, the second running back through the hole had it all along and is now on his way to the end zone, leaving behind a wake of confused defenders.

Six points for the Panthers and the Slot-T offense has claimed yet another in a long line of victims.

According to former Liberty Hill head coach Jerry Vance, the Slot-T isn’t necessarily all that out of the ordinary – it’s simply something which caus-

es a cacophony of confusion due to the fact it’s so rarely seen.

“I don’t think the offense is really that unorthodox,” said Vance, who won back-to-back state championships in 2006 and 2007 as part of a 17-year stint as Panthers head coach.

“But, it is an offense the majority of coaches don’t see and don’t know how to defend.

I have to admit it’s great fun watching the opposing players and fans look for the ball and not find it until it’s in the end zone.”

Brent Bode was a running back on the title-winning teams in 2006-07 and is convinced the offense is a ground-gainer’s paradise.

“Hands down, the Slot-T is the best offense to play in if you’re a running back,” said Bode, who rushed for a squadbest 1,490 yards to go with 17 touchdowns during his senior season. “Being a part of the four-headed monster was awesome – it was like another brotherhood within the team.”

However, Bode was quick to attribute the success the quartet had in piling up yards to the men up front in the trenches – along with an undying synergy resulting from a relentless work ethic and burning desire to win on the part of all 11 players on the field.

“Our offensive line was the reason we were able to accomplish what we did,” he said.

“Being a running back in the

ALEX RUBIO FILE PHOTO

Trey Seward (#20) used the Panthers’ Slot-T offense to his advantage, leading Liberty Hill in rushing in 2019 with 2,046 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Slot-T is different. You have to do your part even when you don’t have the ball. You had to be able block well and carry out good fakes and you had to trust the other backs would do the same for you. The offense is a true team offense – every single player has a responsibility on every single play.

Not all offenses are built like that, which is what makes the Slot-T so special.”

But, after a broken leg in the second scrimmage sidelined starting quarterback Thomas Perrin leading up to the 2005

Gabe Diaz competed in cross country and track and was an outfielder on the Panthers’ baseball team. (Photo Courtesy of Luedecke Photography)

campaign, Bode was called upon to be under center for his entire junior season – not an easy task, but one made easier by the presence of his backfield mates, he said.

“Coming in and trying to learn the offense as a quarterback my junior year was extremely tough. I used to just watch Thomas in the first huddle and copy him – that worked for about three weeks until he went down with the injury – then I really had to step it up,” said Bode. “But, it was nice having Matt Es-

camilla and Casey Kociuba, who were three-year starters at tailback and halfback there to help me out. Those two guys kind of paved the way for the running-back positions.”

Upon reaching his senior year, Bode once again found himself back in his more familiar role.

“After the 2005 season, I was given the opportunity to move to the tailback position,” he said. “It was the best season of football in my life.”

Of course, the Panthers went on to win state titles that sea-

son and the next, but Bode said the foundation for that success had been laid far before he and his teammates reaped the benefits of the seeds which had been sown years earlier, when Liberty Hill’s use of the Slot-T was in its infancy.

“The hard work and tradition of excellence started well before us,” said Bode. “All those teams that came before us had a hand in winning those state championships.”

Vance said the origins of the

See FOOTBALL, Page 8

LH INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO

Lauren Hagermann continued to improve in the high jump all four years of her high-school career.

Track seniors go out in style in shortened season

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Liberty Hill’s track squad was one of the teams deprived of completing its season in the spring after the COVID-19 virus caused all activities to be suspended in mid-March.

Head coaches Gretchen Peterson and Kent Walker featured a total of 17 seniors – a uniquely talented group of individuals in different events who collectively benefit the team.

Girls Dejahnae Thompson, who will compete at Southwestern

University in Georgetown, heads the list of accomplished seniors.

“Dejahnae is amazing – never one to put herself in front of others, but always held herself to the highest of expectations,” said Peterson, of Thompson who competed in the sprints.

“In doing so, she pushes those around her, sets big goals for herself and works to go after them. She puts in the work – I love that about her.”

Peterson lauded high jumper Lauren Hagermann for having the resolve to undertake the challenge of a new event.

“Lauren is amazingly kind, humble and I’m so proud of her sticking with it,” said Peterson. “The high jump was new to her and she saw it through and got better each year.”

Molly Reinhart, who also competed in the high jump, brought a certain presence to the squad, said Peterson.

“Molly is a hard-working, smart, mature and wonderful young woman,” she said. “She commits to seeing through what she starts and has strong beliefs in others and herself.”

Brooke Wright stepped off

the basketball court after the Lady Panthers hoops team finished its playoff run and headed directly to the pole vault pit with the goal of qualifying for the state championships.

“Brooke is driven, strongwilled, committed and has a willingness to do the extra work,” said Peterson. “She really held herself with grace and composure during what was to be her season back to state and I was impressed by that – how much of a competitor and how focused she was.”

Perla Hernandez competed in the throwing events and was

also a member of the Panthers’ powerlifting team.

“Pearla is a wonderful leader and example for everyone,” said Peterson. “She’s always positive and willing to work and help others out. Very coachable and a wonderful presence on our track team -kind, sweet soul.”

Mikayla Shaw was unable to finish her hurdles career due to injury, but found another way to be there for her teammates.

“Mikayla never once let that slow her down,” said Peterson.

“She has been another assistant coach for us and has led

in such an impactful way – we couldn’t do what we do without her – she’s hard-working, smart and mature and would make an awesome coach/ teacher.”

Nikki Threet was a sprinter who always gave her all regardless of conditions.

“Nikki’s a perfect example of working while you wait and never giving up,” said Peterson. “She was a staple on our relay teams last season and this season again – a great attitude, great leader and teacher

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Recently, we applauded the UIL for announ c ing highschool football season was going to be in full bloom come the fall, complete with the usual packed grandstands full of gridiron-hungry fans.

However, while that declaration a few weeks ago provided some much-needed hope of a return to normalcy in the midst of this global pandemic, we now see the practicality of it actually happening – and it’s not very promising.

With the start of the new school year less than two months away – and the beginning of practice for fall sports in about three weeks – we simply can’t see how this prediction can actually come true.

With professional sports leagues around the world slowly getting back to business – albeit under surreal conditions – and colleges likely to follow suit, the best we can hope for at this point in time is for high-school sports to indeed take place, but with the empty stands we’ve seen at pro venues around the globe.

How can we possibly expect full stands at football games when classrooms probably won’t be full when school returns in whatever way, shape

or form the powers-that-be deem is appropriate?

Bravado is great, but there’s certainly a time and a place.

At Liberty Hill High School, the Panthers’ athletes in various sports have been undergoing the usual summer strength and conditioning drills under the new-normal guidelines since June 1, which was definitely a step in the right direction.

But, as the curve of coronavirus cases in Texas continues on an upward trend, it’s difficult to see the new school year beginning any differently than the old one ended.

So, instead of forcing the issue in the quest for normal – which clearly doesn’t work very well – we need to find

ways to re-establish at least some semblance of it.

The games must start up again.

As a community in a small town, we need them.

If we can’t carry on as normal, as everyone thought we could by fall a few months ago, we need to simply get on with it somehow.

COVID-19 isn’t going away anytime soon and a vaccine certainly isn’t yet waiting in the wings to deliver us from contamination, so what are we going to do about it?

We’re torn about the issue.

On one hand, we think, “Okay, so this is something which has killed one fraction of one percent of Earth’s population – do we really need

to be so draconian in our approach while living our lives in fear of what might, but probably won’t happen?”

However, on the other hand we say to ourselves, “We need to be smart about it and proceed carefully, so we can get back to normal sooner rather than later.”

Of course, the best solution lies somewhere in between, which is the tricky part.

If we can’t all go to a game at Panther Stadium in a few months time, we certainly want the opportunity to watch online or on television or listen on the radio.

Because something is better than nothing in this case.

So, getting back to the point at hand, which was the UIL’s

boldness in announcing football season would go forward as normal this fall, we’re still hopeful it can happen.

But, as the days, weeks and months pass without any real progress in the war on coronavirus, one can only speculate what will happen when the Friday N ight Lights go on and who and how many will be illuminated by them.

If they go on at all, that is.

Which is something that definitely needs to happen.

So, UIL, don’t worry so much about getting back to “normal” for the upcoming season.

Let’s just concern ourselves with making sure the games can be played – period.

See TRACK, Page 8

Still hopeful for local sports to return in fall

Page 8

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Commissioners call for Sheriff Chody’s resignation

By ANTHONY FLORES Staff Writer GEORGETOWN -- After the release of body camera footage showing the death of Javier Ambler II over a year ago while in the custody of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department, County Commissioners are calling for the resignation of Sheriff Robert Chody.

During the June 9 session of Commissioners Court, Pct. 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long addressed the recent civil unrest around the country and the use of force by law enforcement before calling for Chody’s resignation.

Long placed the blame for Ambler’s death on Chody’s lack of leadership and called for the termination of the deputies involved in the incident.

“These actions and results of other actions that have come to light show a callous disregard for the laws Robert Chody swore to uphold,” she said.

“Today I say enough. Sheriff

Chody must resign immediately. His actions and failure of leadership demonstrate that he lacks the moral authority to be a cop and much less Williamson County’s top cop.

This tragedy occurred on Robert Chody’s watch. The deputies involved should be fired immediately, and all involved must cooperate fully with the investigation.”

Long ended her statement with an emphasis that she isn’t calling for the defunding of the sheriff’s office.

“I am not saying defund or disband the police,” she said.

“I am saying get rid of the ones that discredit and disgrace the badge and let the good cops do their job.”

Chody has made no indication he plans on resigning and responded to some of his criticism from the commissioners by stating the facts haven’t been wholly examined yet.

“In her eagerness to ‘get ahead of this issue,’ Commissioner Long has requested that

I resign before hearing the full set of facts,” said Chody in a statement on social media.

“We participated in the APD investigation.”

Precinct 1 Commissioner Terry Cook opened her statement by addressing the issue of police violence toward Black Americans.

“The continued killing of Black citizens in our country at the hands of law enforcement has reached epidemic proportions. It is horrific,” she said.

Cook used her statements to highlight some of the issues Chody and his department have faced over the last three years, including not disciplining a deputy who posted violently sexual and racist posts online, and investigations by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement into the Sheriff Training Office.

Cook made it a point to discuss the issues with the now-canceled television show “Live PD”, and how Chody

invited the controversial show back into the county despite the court voting unanimously to withdraw from their contract with producers Big Fish Entertainment.

“More importantly, he invited them back after the assault on Mr. Ambler in March of 2019, which ‘Live PD’ did film,” she said. “Now we have revealing evidence in the tragic death of Mr. Javier Ambler II. In my strongest voice possible, I call on Robert Chody to resign as Williamson County Sheriff. I have no confidence that he has the temperament, operational intelligence, administrative ability, or people skills to handle the job.”

In response to comments from Commissioner Cook, Chody said her motives are politically motivated and part of a movement to demonize law enforcement.

“In terms of Commissioner Cook, it is not surprising to see a left-leaning member of the Court call for my resigna-

Holt Avery and Michael Evans finished ninth in the Texas High School Bass Association Angler of the Year competition at Lake Sam Rayburn on June 14 and will compete at the state tournament in Belton on July 25. (Courtesy Photo)

Panthers pair wins annual award

The Liberty Hill fishing team competed at the Texas High School Bass Association regional competition at Lake Sam Rayburn near Beaumont on June 14 and came home with some stellar results.

Holt Avery and Michael Evans finished ninth in the An-

Track

gler of the Year event in a field of 64 teams, with 1,938 points across the competition.

The Panthers finished fourth in the team standings out of 18, with 388 points.

Christian Hunter and Hayden Griffin were the top team for Liberty Hill, with a haul of

Continued from Page 7

to our younger athletes.”

Madison Sears rebounded from an injury during cross country season to once again be an anchor of the track squad with her undying desire to fuel the Panthers’ competitive fires, whether it be competing in the distance events or simply being there for others with her passion and desire for the team.

“Madison came back ready to go and focused for track,” said Peterson. “She loves her teammates, loves to run and has a special and unique energy and passion that attracts others – I really admire her ability to overcome adversity this season and still keep a positive outlook.”

Sprinter Bri Alba was a quiet leader with an outstanding work ethic.

“Bri has a wonderful attitude – she’s always working to better herself and measures

Football

herself by what is her best,” said Peterson. “She has her priorities in line. We’ll miss her smile and positive attitude – never a complaint from her – she always worked hard and did what was expected.”

Lindsee Miller ran sprints and the 400 and also ran cross country in the fall.

“She’s goal-oriented, wants to be the best and is willing to be coached,” said Peterson.

“Lindsee wants to be pushed and doesn’t back away from hard work. She pushes herself and along the way pushes others, is mature, responsible and accountable and a great example for her team.”

Boys Walker Baty competed in the shot put and was also a force on the basketball court and football field during his Panthers career, securing a gridiron scholarship to the Uni-

losophy to Artesia, New Mexico, where he established a program that was a perennial state champion. I coached for him in Artesia and Alice, Texas,” he said. “Doug Ethridge, the Slot-T coach, won a state championship at Port Neches-Grove in 1975 with the Slot-T. His secondary coach on that championship team, Bruce Bush, went to Dimmitt High School and hired me as his offensive line coach and defensive coordinator in 1976, where we won the first district championship since Junior Coffee played there in the 1960s. I honed my knowledge of the Slot-T and my organizational skills while coaching for Coach Bush at Dimmitt, then later at Gregory-Portland

Valerie Covey focused her statement on the issue of transparency. According to Covey, one of Chody’s arguments for bringing in “Live PD” was the transparency it would bring with it.

“That was one of the Sheriff’s selling points for participating on ‘Live PD’, that it would provide transparency,” she said. “Why is it that we’re just now talking about this issue 15 months after its occurrence? The main thing is that we probably wouldn’t have known about it today if a reporter hadn’t done an investigative piece on death in custody cases. What kind of transparency is that?”

In her comments, Covey emphasized her support of law enforcement but stressed that there needs to be a removal of those who abuse their power or don’t follow a code of ethics.

“I will continue to support law enforcement; I don’t support defunding our police or sheriff’s department,” she said.

“That’s the wrong direction for our nation. However, the actions of a few in law enforcement can and have tarnished the badge. At a minimum, they need to go and find something else to do. I don’t mean resigning with the ability to go and spread their inappropriate behavior elsewhere.”

In her criticism of the lack of transparency provided by Chody and his office, Covey questioned what may have been the motive for Ambler’s decision to flee from deputies and admits that now the public may never know.

“You know, transparency is just a word if you don’t make sure it happens,” she said.

“Why didn’t Ambler stop?

We’ll probably never know.

Why didn’t our deputies stop at the county line, especially for not dimming headlights?

Who gave the order to continue the chase? It made for good TV until it didn’t.”

THE INDEPENDENT IS THE TRUSTED NEWS SOURCE! Support Local Journalism.

9.38 pounds and a big bass of 4.89, which was good for a 10th-place finish out of 97 teams competing in the event.

Albert Konovalski and Ryder Martin placed 23rd (8.40, 4.83), followed by Evans and Avery (6.37), Bo Stubblefield and Gavin Salinas (4.25), Ma-

son Tvinnereim and Kristopher Kelley (2.70) and David Wilson and Ty Hunter (no fish).

The teams of Hunter-Griffin, Konovalski-Martin and Evans-Avery qualified for the state championships at Lake Belton on July 25.

versity of Texas-San Antonio, said Liberty Hill head coach Kent Walker.

“Walker excelled in three sports,” said Walker. “He had a very legitimate shot at making it to state this year in shot put. Walker’s a great young man who is going to play college football and has an extremely bright future ahead of him.”

Distance runner Kevin Berber followed up an excellent cross country season in which he finished ninth at the Class 4A state championships in a school-record time with a track season in which he scored multiple victories in both the 1600 and 3200 meters.

“Kevin would’ve broken school records this year had the season not been cut short,” said Walker. “He was less than a second away from getting his name on the school record board. Kevin is an awesome

young man – he was not only an outstanding distance runner, he also ran on the mile relay.”

Ryan Davis, who ran middle distances, was praised for his work ethic and relentless pursuit of excellence.

“Ryan is a quiet, hard-working and selfless young man,” said Walker. “He was on pace to have a great senior year in track. Ryan isn’t afraid of hard work and will be a successful young man due to his ‘whatever it takes’ attitude.”

Gabe Diaz was a mainstay on both the cross country and track squads, as well as being a starting outfielder on the Panthers’ baseball team, participating in both spring sports simultaneously and will continue his academic and running career at Texas Christian University in the fall.

“Gabe excelled in three sports at LHHS,” said Walk-

er. “He would run 10x400s and then go to baseball practice. Gabe would also go compete in a baseball tournament in the morning and then turn around and run in a track meet that same evening -- he’s a competitor in every sense of the word.”

Pole vaulter James Mixson took on the challenge of a unique event and never grew tired of trying to improve at his craft.

“James always came to practice with a great attitude and worked his way into becoming a really good pole vaulter,” said Walker. “Pole vaulting isn’t an easy event and James’ effort to continue to excel in this event says a lot about him.”

Relays specialist Chris Palomo only arrived at Liberty Hill before his senior year, but was as committed to the cause as teammates who had spent all

four years in the Purple-andGold.

“This was Chris’ first year at Liberty Hill, but he didn’t let only being here for one year stop him from running on all three relays,” said Walker. “Chris is an easygoing young man who is willing to do whatever was needed to be done for the team. He was extremely selfless and wanted to see the team have success as much as he wanted to see success for himself.”

Distance runner Jordan Rocha rounded out the senior contingent with a joyful, yet unrelenting approach.

“Jordan always came to practice with a smile on his face,” said Walker. “He was self-driven and had a refuseto-quit mentality that will drive him to future successes in life.”

‘There are people here that don’t think you can do this job -- that you aren’t the right person for this. But I believe in you, Gray -- this offense won’t work unless you make that block -- every time. I know you can do it.’ I never missed that block again. Every person needs someone to believe in them. When someone makes a mistake, you pick them up, dust them off and motivate them. I wasn’t special -- I just needed the confidence to get the job done. If you can motivate and believe in the people around you, special things can happen.”

Special things like when the Panthers set an all-time Texas state record for most rushing yards by a team in a season

with an incredible 7,417 – averaging 494.5 yards on the ground per contest, as senior Kyle Harrison led the charge, with 2,872 yards and 40 touchdowns in 2018.

The 2019 season saw the Liberty Hill offense employ the Slot-T with its usual precision, as the Panthers averaged 366.8 yards rushing per game with a pair of juniors leading the way in running backs Trey Seward (2,046 yards, 22 touchdowns) and Blake Simpson (1,702, 18).

Current Liberty Hill head coach Jeff Walker now carries on the tradition of the Slot-T – one which he helped establish during his first go-round as the Panthers’ offensive coordinator before leaving in 2008,

then returning as head coach in 2017 and said although the offense is what the program’s success in recent seasons is owed largely to, beneath the surface lie other factors.

“There’s a lot more to our team than our offense, but it does help because most people don’t know how to stop it,” said Walker. “We have a 365-day plan – if we can get our kids to buy into it, we’ll always be in the hunt. We’ve worked extremely hard on getting Liberty Hill football to the top and I wanted to continue the tradition we started in the early 2000s.”

Continued from Page 7

Slot-T go all the way back to the first half of the 20th century in the Lone Star State and has been carefully and dutifully passed down from one generation of coaches to the next.

“Our offense and coaching philosophy goes back to the legendary program led

by Coach Chesty Walker in the 1940s and early 1950s in Phillips, Texas,” he said. “The offense was an offshoot of the ‘Dead T.’” Vance credited a pair of coaches from Walker’s staff in having a big influence when it came time to develop his own coaching philosophy.

“Coach L.G. ‘Burr’ Henderson took the Wing-T, which is similar to the Slot-T and Coach Walker’s football phi-

tion,” said Chody. “Across the country, Democrats are turning against law enforcement and attempting to remove its funding and leadership. Their agenda recognizes no distinctions between incidents and presumes guilt before due process. I will not back down in the face of such a partisan and cynical move.”

Pivoting to another controversial figure in the county, Pct. 4 Commissioner Russ Boles placed the spotlight on attorney Jason Nassour.

“It has become clear that Sheriff Chody cannot run the Sheriff’s office,” said Boles.

“But I have other questions.

Why was Williamson County attorney Jason Nassour there that night on the scene at Mr. Ambler’s homicide, miles outside of his jurisdiction as Williamson County attorney.”

Boles discussed the rocky relationship developed between Nassour and the Commissioners on the topic of “Live PD”.

“Jason Nassour, who, after the commissioners court canceled ‘Live PD’, changed his legal position and told Sheriff Chody that he didn’t need the court’s approval,” Boles said.

“The same Jason Nassour, who one month ago on behalf of Sheriff Chody, issued a letter demanding that the court stop interfering with ‘Live PD’.”

Boles questioned who called Nassour and his motives for being at the scene of Ambler’s death, implying that it was to protect Chody.

“Who called Jason Nassour to the scene and why was he there?” he asked. “Was he there to protect the sheriff’s deputies? Was he there to protect the Sheriff? Was he there to protect ‘Live PD’? Or was he there to protect all of them?

Did Nassour advise them to not cooperate with the investigation, because I’ve seen Sheriff Chody do very little without direct consultation of Nassour.”

Precinct 3 Commissioner

High School – where we had two state semifinal appearances -- and finally at San Marcos High School, where Coach Bush’s teams turned a losing program into champions. So, you can see I’ve had a long history with the Slot-T.” But, none of it could happen if not for the offensive line, something Gray Lankford – a senior on the 2006 squad, learned a hard lesson about early on that season, he said.

“I remember my first play in the first scrimmage starting at quick guard. My job was to block down on the inside shade defensive tackle. I hesitated and he blew me up, along with the play,” said Lankford. “(Head) Coach (Jeff) Walker pulled me aside and told me,

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Thursday, July 9, 2020

Footage

Continued from Page 4

criminal complaint filed with the District Attorney’s office back in March, which includes that incident and others,” Campbell said, adding that he has not heard a status on that complaint.

The police unit dash cam video is 10 minutes and 39 seconds in length but has no sound. This video begins when the chase started following an attempted traffic stop and runs until the chase is terminated by Farmer.

In 2018, officer body cameras had to be turned on by the officer, and Campbell said Farmer’s should have been turned on as soon as the traffic stop was initiated, but it is not activated until a few minutes later.

Today, the Liberty Hill Police Department’s body cameras are set to activate when the police unit lights are turned on.

Computer access In addition to the allegations of an outburst by Hall, Campbell raised concern that Hall was accessing the in-unit computer system during the ride along, which Campbell said is not only against department policy, but against the law.

Hall can be seen accessing the computer 18 seconds into the body camera video footage.

“That’s a huge issue,” Campbell said. “There are policies in place for ride alongs, what they (passengers) can and can’t do. A ride along is strictly an observer. There is training for people who can see certain things. There are strict guidelines from DPS (Texas Department of Public Safety) and state law that cover that. The only person who is supposed to have access to any type of law enforcement computer in-

formation system would have to be the police officer.”

According to Texas Penal Code, Title 7, Chapter 33 (Computer Crimes), “A person commits an offense if the person knowingly accesses a computer, computer network, or computer system without the effective consent of the owner. An offense under Subsection (a) is a Class B misdemeanor, except that the offense is a state jail felony if: (2) the computer, computer network, or computer system is owned by the government or a critical infrastructure facility.”

Raising the question In an interview with The Independent, Campbell brought the alleged incident forward, and also referenced it in the grievance he filed with the City in April. The original discussion led to the newspaper’s request for the video back in March.

The alleged incident was detailed in the grievance.

“Another incident involved a motorcycle pursuit where Lt. Ringstaff was reviewing body and car camera video to make copies at the request of the FBI for their follow up investigation in a separate case. Lt. Ringstaff brought a concern to me about the Mayor’s behavior as the rider with officer Farmer. I had serious concerns too. The Mayor was seen and heard in the body cam footage using profanity toward other agencies as to why they weren’t there to help, made some very inappropriate comments and is seen accessing the computer terminal as an unauthorized user.”

Internal matters Connected to this issue is the allegation by Campbell, which

Budget

Continued from Page 1

LHISD

Continued from Page 1

Wastewater, Sewer and Water.

The budget total for salaries was $3.189 million for all positions in the City, which also included the police department and all public works employees. The approved budget was to add 18 new positions to last year’s staff of 37.

Based on a recent employee list, there are 48 employees for a total salary expense of $2.884 million. The list did include senior planner Sally McFeron and building inspector Jonny Ubelhor – both of whom were terminated last week – but those two positions are likely to be filled with new hires.

Since the budget was approved, the Council has added an IT Director position in December ($114,400), a City Attorney ($160,000) in April to replace the contracted services of the Bojorquez Law Firm, and a Chief Operating Officer in March ($91,000) in place of hiring a new City Administrator.

Through six months of the fiscal year, the current amount spent on salaries is $1.12 million. The savings to date comes from not having a City Administrator, the Project Manager position not being filled, and currently no pay increase in place for the Mayor and salaries for the City Council, according to Hale.

Attention-grabbing line items One area where certain budget line items appear to be over budget through six months are

board and that is still our calendar. We will not start early.

If anything, based on the numbers, school starting might be delayed. But we have a lot of time between now and August 20 to decide that.”

While Liberty Hill announced the plan in late June, TEA – in its recent guidelines – said parents will have the option to send their children to school or keep them home for an athome learning program.

“Liberty Hill will have options, both for families who feel it is safe to send their student back to school and for families who aren’t ready who want a totally online option,” Snell said.

The district is also working to make sure that at-home option goes well beyond the at-home program schools across the state rushed to implement last spring.

“We know that the online option will have to be ramped up,” Snell said. “We are very

in contractual services.

The City has spent $79,110 in consulting fees to date on an annual budgeted amount of $70,000. According to Hale, those fees have been for services provided by Buie & Associates, Langford & Associates, eight months of IT Consulting, Powell Strategic, Bond Arbitrage, Jim Franklin, and Andy Barrett & Associates.

The Council voted early to end a contract that expired in September 2019 with Diversified Planning, in what was suggested as a way to bring more things in-house for the City. But both Buie & Associates as well as Powell Strategic were later contracted to provide services for the City.

Under both the “engineering” and “other” line items, the City has spent just over $52,000 on a combined budget of $20,000 for the fiscal year. Hale said those expenses were for “Invoices from Steger & Bizzell for subdivision reviews, map updates, and engineering realignment of Liberty Parke entry road.”

Under attorney and legal fees, Liberty Hill has spent only $5,866 of a $100,000 budget, and has seen below-budget spending in a number of other areas. It is unclear if these are areas that will show eventual savings or are expenses that may come later in the fiscal year.

Overall, with all line items combined, contractual services is at 53 percent of its

appreciative of the work our staff did in an emergency situation to get everyone a computer and engaged at home, but we realize with the extended time off from school that student learning has suffered, so our curriculum department, our teachers, our principals worked very hard to create plans to have robust and rigorous learning for those who choose the at-home option.”

One way the district will be asking parents to help in planning is to make a decision late this summer on whether to send their children to school or keep them home.

“At some point in July we are going to ask you as families to officially register your child and make a commitment to in-school learning or at-home learning, and we are going to ask you to keep that commitment for approximately six weeks so we can plan logistically the lessons, the social distancing and the safety pro-

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Page 9

appears to be corroborated by text messages from both newly-appointed Police Chief Royce Graeter and Ringstaff, that Hall interfered with department management and discipline.

When the department moved to take disciplinary action against Officer Farmer, who Hall had been in a patrol vehicle with on a ride along during the pursuit in question, Campbell said Hall tried to intervene.

“Hall egregiously interfered with a department internal affairs investigation of Officer Farmer who violated chain of command in addition to what he was being investigated for.

Hall threatened me if I got rid of Officer Farmer, I would not have a job. His words were, ‘Be careful, remember who you work for and your policies don’t overrule city policy.’

Hall was way too involved in the investigation and after repeatedly being asked to stay out of it he still involved himself. Officer Farmer was about to be terminated but later resigned.”

In a text message, Graeter confirms what was then frustration within the department over the level of the Mayor’s involvement.

“We normally we{sic} don’t have to write anybody up.

Farmer has just been a problem child and doesn’t respond to necessary changes. Mayor should understand that everyone sees his behavior at work, not just me. I can’t believe he’s doing all of this stuff. It’s ridiculous...”

In another text related to the personnel situation with Farmer, Graeter wrote, “Mayor can’t make an educated deci-

sion about anything, not knowing the real person or quality of work. If Farmer worked for him over at City Hall he would have already been let go. And he’s over here with the possibility each day of needing to make very critical decisions including areas of high liability, deadly force decisions, citizen safety, rights, etc.”

Ringstaff also commented on one text thread, “I wish the mayor had told him he was staying out of it,” in a discussion of the disciplinary issues with Farmer.

According to Campbell, Hall and newly-elected Council member Steve McIntosh became more involved in police department business in the summer of 2019.

“He and McIntosh began telling me how to operate my department and the Mayor kept reminding me he was my boss and he could fire me anytime. He began telling me what equipment to order, how to run my shifts, how to deploy my staff at events. Mayor Hall would try and tell my staff including Lt. Ringstaff what equipment to order.”

Campbell claimed that the two spent more and more time at the department, and tried to get involved in department personnel and disciplinary action. “(Hall) would tell me numerous times to get rid of Lt. Ringstaff, David Ahr and had issues with them. He and Becky Wilkins tried to interfere with the lieutenant promotion process and said I should not promote Lt. Graeter.”

Campbell said Hall “bullied” him and instructed him not to release any video with him using profanity, claiming that Lt.

Ringstaff was digging things up to stop Hall’s ride along privileges.

Seeking confirmation Because Campbell alleged in his grievance that the video was first brought to his attention by Lt. Ringstaff, he should be able to confirm or refute the validity of the allegations.

“He (Ringstaff) called me into his office after a request was made by an outside agency, whom he informed me was the Federal Bureau of Investigations, that they were looking into the suspect in this video,” Campbell said. “He (Ringstaff) said he had concerns about the video because they wanted it and there was (Hall’s) behavior in the car.

I informed Lt. Ringstaff at the time to inform the proper channels, do what he would normally do and go ahead and release whatever the FBI had requested.”

Campbell added that the departmental management of the computer and video systems was one of Ringstaff’s responsibilities.

“Lieutenant Ringstaff, it is important to note, has full control of the support services side. He had full charge of the computer systems, the body cameras and he was in charge of that,” Campbell said.

Ringstaff can also verify whether the complete video was sent to The Independent or if it was cut off at the end.

budget through six months.

Under maintenance, something Mayor Rick Hall fought to bring in-house that had been previously contracted, has already spent $15,742 on a budget of $13,000. The savings is not what was anticipated when it was budgeted, and there were no maintenance expenses associated with the Independence Day Spectacular due to its cancellation, but maintenance could still see a savings by year-end against the $45,000 spent in 2018-2019.

Police Department increases The Council budgeted a sizable increase in the police department budget, raising the spending plan from $1.2 million to $1.7 million. Through six months, between actual expenses, and encumbered funds, the department has just over $1 million of that total, even with personnel expenses being below budget due to a lag in filling all new positions.

Four new full-time positions and one part-time were added when the budget was approved.

Salary expenses through six months sit at $512,761, compared to $785,000 last fiscal year.

Uniform expenses have been $17,000 on a $30,000 budget, compared to $5,000 spent the previous year. So far in total, contractual expenses in the department through six months have matched the previous-year amount of $97,000, while materials and supplies, and maintenance have also al-

ready nearly equaled the previous year’s expenditures.

New expenses?

It is unclear at this time where a number of new expenses during this fiscal year fit into the current budget.

Through a request for information, The Independent has learned that the City has spent $12,400 on logo items – including hats, shirts, jackets, mugs, totes and other items – since September 2019.

A new lighted sign was purchased for the wall behind the dais in the Municipal Court building for $2,825.

The City also spent funds on security devices and equipment for City Hall and the municipal court building, including a key card entry system, a number of cameras and other items. But to date, the City has not responded to the newspaper’s request for the information, or a subsequent letter from the Texas Attorney General (AG) compelling the City to provide the information.

The City had sought to withhold the information under an exception to the Open Records Act, but according to the AG did not provide justification needed for a ruling to withhold in a timely manner.

Capital projects?

The City has been working on a number of downtown capital projects including some street rehabilitation, new parking and Wetzel Park.

The downtown parking lot had an estimated price tag last October of about $600,000,

the new turn lanes at SH 29 and RM 1869 had a commitment of $300,000 from the City, and contributions will be needed on some local county road bond projects when they begin.

The purchase and installation of two new gateway signs has been approved at $76,000 – half of which is being funded by the Economic Development Corporation – and plans are in the works for improvements to the Loop 332, CR 279 intersection downtown with an estimated price tag of $858,081.

The City has also purchased the county barn near the intersection of Loop 332 and RM 1869 with the intent of converting the existing building into a community center at an estimated cost of $600,000.

The Council recently authorized Hall to negotiate with the Liberty Hill Development Foundation in an attempt to purchase Lions Foundation Park on Loop 332.

Money was earmarked last year for the City Park Swim Center that has yet to be bid out, and funds were available for other projects after the roundabout was scrapped last May. There was a transfer this fiscal year of $1.69 million to capital projects, but it is unclear where those funds were spent specifically.

Hale’s response to the question of where the funds on the line item came from and what they were spent on was that

the “General Fund paid for the Bond project before we got the bond. It is a journal entry to take the money and pay it back. Resolution for reimbursement, June/July 2019. It is due from Wastewater Bond to General Fund.”

It is unknown which of these projects will go forward this year and what remains to be paid in terms of capital projects as Hale said it is “unknown until more projects are awarded from now until end of fiscal year.”

Why no reports?

The City and The Independent remain at an impasse over detailed monthly reports to clarify revenue and expenses, with the City contending the report does not exist.

“There were no records responsive to the actual request made by The Independent.

Your request was very specific,” Hale wrote in her response. “It was for the, ‘City of Liberty Hill Monthly Revenue and Expense Reports (audited or unaudited) from January 2019 to April 2020.

These are the reports previously presented to Council as recently as 2018.’ This report does not exist, and the City has not been creating this report since the current Finance Director started with the City.

Currently the City Council receives a monthly financial form and not the revenue and expense report that was previously presented by the former Finance Director.”

cedures,” Snell said.

Even with that commitment, the district knows some combination of the two will be important in case needing to keep students out of school – individually or as a group – becomes necessary.

“There might be days where you feel fine sending your student to school and there might be days where you need to keep them home and we understand that,” he said. “We also understand that some students and staff might have to stay home for an extended period of time and we have to provide those lessons for them so they can have those lessons at home in self-quarantine.”

The possibility exists of a closure like the one last spring, which would mean at-home learning for a much larger group of students or the entire district.

“We also don’t know what the virus will do,” Snell said.

“We have to plan for what hap-

pens if we have to shut down.

It might be a student or staff member that has to go home for two weeks and self-quarantine. It might be a classroom that has to go home, an entire school or even an entire district. That’s definitely one of the uncertain things, so being flexible and being prepared are going to be very important as we move forward.”

At present, TEA has announced that as long as Gov. Greg Abbott’s mask requirement is in place, teachers, staff and students will be required to wear masks in school buildings. It was also announced that anyone coming to a campus – students, staff, teachers and visitors – must be screened before being allowed on campus, but the TEA letter did not specify what the screening would be or how it had to be conducted.

“The state is providing some personal protective equipment and some other things so we

will have safety measures in place from the time your student leaves home – whether they get on the bus, are dropped off by car or walk – until the time they leave to get home,” Snell said.

Some information has begun to filter down about funding, but districts are still waiting for specifics.

“Funding drives a lot of our decisions, we have to be able to afford what we’re doing, but that can’t be the only driver,” Snell said. “We have to keep our kids and our staff safe.

Those funding formulas are being worked out, but TEA has not given us that yet to see how online will be funded, or maybe even a hybrid model, how that would be funded.”

This week, TEA pledged there would be reimbursement for COVID-19-related expenses to districts from last year, as well as free online tools for delivering remote instruction, and statewide efforts to help

bridge digital gaps where needed.

Gov. Abbott and the UIL signaled that sports and other activities would also begin with school this fall.

“Our coaches and the UIL have taken great measures to plan and provide ways to keep students safe and mitigate the spread of the virus,” Snell said. “What we don’t know is in what capacity or for how long, and as the cases keep increasing that might change as well. But for right now we’re planning to open up school in the fall and that means we’re opening up activities for kids – band, sports and other things.

But we are going to do everything we can to keep them safe.”

He added that a second survey would be sent out this month, and more detailed plans for the upcoming school year would be announced by August 1.

On Tuesday, The Independent – through Cleaves – requested an interview with Ringstaff to gather more information on these questions. The City had not responded to the request as of the Wednesday deadline.

Resistance to release The long delay in releasing the video included a City request for exception to the release of the video, which was later rescinded by the City when on May 21 Liberty Hill Chief Operating Officer Lacie Hale said, “The City has no responsive documents to your request. The request for an Attorney General’s opinion was submitted in error.”

But Hall has acknowledged the existence of the video in question discussing it on numerous occasions and explaining why he would not release it.

The newspaper’s effort to obtain the video was to either prove or refute the claims made against Hall, and the lengthy efforts to avoid turning over the footage did not match Hall’s insistence that none of Campbell’s allegations – particularly in the case of the video claims – were true.

Editor’s Note: Patrol unit video and body camera video provide by the City of Liberty Hill may be viewed at www.

LHIndependent.com

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Page 10

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Garden Club supports Public Library on Day of Giving

The Liberty Hill Garden Club participated in the Liberty Hill Day of Giving by presenting a $500 donation to the Liberty Hill Public Library. The Library plans to use funds raised June 26 to improve its technology offerings. Pictured from left, in front, are 1st VP Joyce Hoffman, Librarian Angela Palmer, President Jeanette Roache, and Secretary Michele Stanfield. In back, are Francoise Pointeau, Parliamentarian Vicci Conway, and Treasurer Lynn Waller.

(Courtesy Photo)

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All donations (supplies or monetary) are appreciated and may be dropped at our office.

Did you know teachers spend an average of $500 dollars (often more) out of their own pockets to purchase school supplies for their classrooms?

Join us in supporting our local teachers through our Supplies for Teachers program.

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