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TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS
www.UniversityStar.com
APRIL 5, 2006
LANDSCAPE
OF A
WEDNESDAY
VOLUME 95, ISSUE 70
County passes road resolution despite strife in the courtroom
LEGEND
By Kathy Martinez The University Star
Photos courtesy of Tom Nolan
Research teams uses modern technology to uncover WWI artifacts By David Rauf The University Star
A
research team led by Texas State doctoral candidate Thomas Nolan said they have unearthed the mystery of a heralded World War I battle site in a French village near Châtel-Chéhéry. By applying geographic information systems and global positioning satellite technology to
MAPPING HISTORY: Thomas Nolan (left) and Châtel Chêhêry Mayor Roland Destaney (center) listen as Damien Georges, a regional forester with France’s forest service, describes cultural features of the WWI battlefield area where Nolan and his team were preparing to map artifacts.
historic maps and primary documents, Nolan believes to have pinpointed the actual site of Sgt. Alvin York’s World War I heroics. As the sharpshooter of Company G, York’s marksmanship was responsible for killing 25 enemy troops and silencing a German machine gun, which culminated in the surrender of the entire German company. The site has been disputed since
Although accusations and refutations of unethical dealings between commissioners dominated much of the court discussion on Tuesday, a resolution to keep Brodie Lane open to thru-traffic eventually passed. The resolution, written by Commissioner Susie Carter, 3rd Precinct, was discussed by public residents in attendance to gain support from the commissioners. Kevin Cooper, Travis County resident, supported the resolution, saying that Brodie Lane is a road used by Travis and Hays county residents on a daily basis. Other supporters were concerned with the consequences of putting extra miles on their cars and higher gas charges they may incur because of the road closure, since the road is a direct travel route for Austin commuters. “I definitely support this resolution because it is a road that children use to get to school, and most importantly, a more efficient route for EMS services for residents in Hays County,” said Commissioner Russ Molenaar, 4th Precinct. Support to close the road was initially presented by Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty, 3rd precinct. Constituents who are in favor of closing the road cited traffic congestion problems in the residential areas surrounding Brodie Lane. “While this may help some citizens, it is going to hurt more citizens in Travis and Hays County, and that would be the greater loss,” Carter said. In an e-mail sent out to various county residents in the courtroom, Carter accused Commissioner Will Conley, 4th precinct, and Hays County Judge Jim Powers of not supporting the resolution and accepting $375 toward Powers’ campaign from Daugherty to support his proposal. Both Powers and Conley denied Carter’s allegations. Conley said that he came to Carter after he found out about the resolution and was in complete support of it, and even met with Daugherty
See LEGEND, page 5
See ROAD, page 4
San Marcos electricity rates to drop as temperatures rise By Robert Best The University Star The Lower Colorado River Authority voted to cut electricity rates in Central and South Texas. The plan went into effect March 25 and includes 34 cities, eight electric cooperatives and one private utility. Thanks to the decline of natural gas prices, the wholesale rate will drop by 9 percent, according the LCRA Web site. LCRA
estimates that its customers will save a combined amount of about $60 million by the end of the year. The last time LCRA reduced its rates was January and June 2005. When natural gas prices rose in October, electricity rates increased as well. “After Hurricane Katrina, LCRA estimated that gas rates would increase by 35 percent,” said Kyle Dicke, customer relations manager for San Marcos
Electric Utility. “That didn’t happen, and LCRA was able to cut down its rates.” According to a press release, the price of natural gas has decreased by 30 percent since last year’s record highs. Residents who currently pay a monthly bill of $110.63 will pay $104.29 with the new plan. Beginning on May 1, the savings will be reflected in utility bills. “It won’t seem like a big dif-
ference after the first bill,” said Matt Hoffman, management junior. “Still, by the end of the year, I will save a significant amount of money.” LCRA ranks as the nation’s 11th largest public power producer, according to an American Public Power Association survey. LCRA says power from coal, hydroelectric, wind and natural gas sources has helped it keep its costs lower than most utilities across the state.
College Forward helps under-privileged high school students continue education By Nick Georgiou Special to the Star An Austin-based nonprofit educational organization recently announced partnership with Central Texas universities for a new program intended to help low-income high school students go to college. Texas State, along with the University of Texas and Huston-Tillotson University, are potential partners in the College Forward program. St. Edward’s University and Southwestern University have already joined. Admission Control, the educational organization that created College Forward, will be the lead agency in the partnership. “We’re looking at it very closely, and I feel we will become an official partner,” said
Michael Heintze, associate vice president for enrollment management. “Admission Control has a strong business model, and they have shown that they can make a difference for students.” The program will offer free college counseling to economically disadvantaged students at several high schools in the area. The participants will be able to receive more than 400 hours of tutoring during their last two years of high school. Heintze said College Forward complements similar programs like Upward Bound, a program providing support for participants in their preparation for college entrance. College Forward distinguishes itself, Heintze said, because it provides specific information and training.
Today’s Weather
Partly Cloudy 79˚/51˚
Precipitation: 0% Humidity: 59% UV: 9 Very High Wind: S 21 mph
“LCRA will continue to be vigilant and manage our fuel price risk,” Joe Beal, LCRA general manager, said on the company’s Web site. “We are further encouraged by the possibility of gas prices falling even further later this year, given that the supply of natural gas is increasing, and there is less demand for it.” According to its Web site, LCRA generates electricity and sells it wholesale to city-owned
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD Exercise and sports science senior Adam Cervantez votes for ASG representatives and on the Shuttle Bus Referendum and Intercollegiate Athletic Service Fee on Tuesday afternoon in The Quad with the help of College of Liberal Arts Sen. Carla Podgurecki. Today is the last day to cast your vote in the elections.
“I think the program is unique in our state because it offers a broad range of services,” he said. Important features of the program include preparation for standardized tests, assistance with college and financial aid applications and overnight college visits. The after-school counseling sessions will be taught by students from participating universities, who, in exchange for their services, will earn AmeriCorps or work-study credit. With 74 percent of Admission Control students being Hispanic, College Forward will also help benefit the Texas State Diversity Plan. “Part of our strategic plan is to diversify the student body,”
A.D. Brown/Star photo
See COLLEGE, page 4
Two-day Forecast Thursday Mostly Cloudy Temp: 88°/ 60° Precipitation: 20%
Friday Sunny Temp: 91°/ 55° Precipitation: 20%
utilities and cooperatives that serve more than 1.1 million people. The company also builds and operates transmission projects while managing and protecting the waters of the lower Colorado River. “It’s hard enough working two jobs to pay the bills,” said Kelly Hedge, fashion merchandising senior. “It’s good to know that I can have some extra money for food and the weekend.”
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