April 21, 2016

Page 1

THURSDAY APRIL 21, 2016

VOLUME 105 ISSUE 58 www.UniversityStar.com

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CITY

Debated Lindsey Hill development awaits decision from city By Brigeda Hernandez Senior News Reporter @brigeda_h

"Be smart,” Ramshaw said of journalists’ actions on social media. “Be thoughtful, don't be snarky.” Michael Royal, electronic media sophomore, said he heard of the event from a Mass Communication professor. “I really wanted to know how to hone my skills as a blogger and what can I do to really gain an audience,” Royal said. “I thought she was really awesome. I really love the speaker series.” Royal said Ramshaw’s speech was informative and he received good pointers, especially on how to use social media. “I’m going to reflect on my social media and make sure I’m not partisan,” Royal said. “Make sure I stick to the story and not necessarily my opinion.” Ramshaw said Texas Tribune staff produce investigative journalism which holds government officials accountable and partner

The San Marcos City Council will make a final decision May 3 on a controversial potential development at Lindsey Hill, located at the corner of W. Hutchison Street and Moore Street. The Planning and Zoning Commission denied the developer’s request to change the land’s use from Public District to Planned Development District on April 12. When the issue comes before City Council, the members will have an opportunity to overturn the commission’s decision, but only with a supermajority. The project would include a 120-room hotel, up to 17,000 feet of retail space and 164 multi-family housing units. “Our goal at this particular location is to help San Marcos complete the experience of showcasing its most precious and distinctive assets,” said David Lerman, developer of the proposed project. Lerman said San Marcos is an especially unique location along the IH-35 corridor because communities along the highway contain a lot of necessities, but there is not much variety from one town to the next. He said creating the concept for Lindsey Hill was an organic process, and inspiration came from the site itself. “The challenge to anybody who’s considering acquiring this site is to figure out how you create the proper transition and linking experience between downtown and the historic neighborhoods,” Lerman said. The Lindsey Hill property lies adjacent to the historic district, and many residents have expressed concern as to whether or not the location is suitable for a larger development such as this one. At Planning and Zoning’s public hearing, concerns over approval of the project were

See TRIBUNE, Page 2

See DEVELOPMENT, Page 2

PABLO MEJIA STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

A student studies with a latte at Mochas and Javas on April 20.

DOES DRINKING COFFEE MAKE YOU A DRUG ADDICT? See COFFEE on Page 3

UNIVERSITY

Editor-in-Chief of Texas Tribune shares advice with students to create a story package. Stories don’t have to be told in multiple formats, such as story package including a video, a podcast and an interactive graphic. It’s better to tell the story in the best-fitting format, she said. "Tell me the story in one way, in the best possible format for that story, and I'll be happy," Ramshaw said. Reporters must consider which format would communicate the story they’re ANTONIO REYES STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER working on in the best way Becky Larson interviews Editor-in-chief of The Texas Tribune, Emily Rampossible, she said. shaw, on April 20 at Old Main. Social media is a news tool useful to gather and By Lesly De Leon tal media graduate student ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR and teaching assistant, and share news, Ramshaw said. Twitter is where journalists @LeslyD28 audience members. Journalists should be pro- and policymakers comThe Editor-in-Chief of the fessional, dedicated and will- municate with each other, Texas Tribune, Emily Ram- ing to work hard at any task but Facebook is where the general population commushaw, answered questions editors assign them. and shared advice with mass “No job should be too big nicates. "We have the responsibilcommunication students. or too small,” Ramshaw said. Ramshaw visited as part Reporters in the digital ity to make sure our stories of the SJMC Digital Entre- age must be able to collabo- are where the people are," preneurship Speaker Series rate with coders, graphic de- Ramshaw said. Ramshaw shared her and answered questions signers, multimedia producfrom Rebecca Larson, digi- ers and all people on staff opinion on how journalists

can use social media as a tool and the balance between sharing and oversharing. Journalists have to be smart with their social media personality, she said. She thinks how much of their personal lives or political opinions they share depends on their comfort level. People active on social media want to relate to the journalists they follow as someone human, not just a news provider or an expert on policies. Displaying personality on social media is good, Ramshaw said. As an example, Ramshaw said she shared her experience as a new mother on social media and received positive responses. However, Ramshaw said journalists should not be partisan on social media. Sharing political affiliations via social media can limit job opportunities. Texas Tribune editors have turned down reporter fellowship candidates because of the partisanship shown in their social media.

CITY

BR3T addresses unmet flood recovery needs By Bri Watkins NEWS REPORTER @briwatkins17

San Marcos residents who fell victim to major flooding last year had the chance to speak with the Blanco River Regional Recovery Team, otherwise known as BR3T, about any unmet needs in the middle of their recovery. BR3T is a designated longterm recovery nonprofit organization that reaches out to meet the needs of flood survivors in Hays, Blanco, Caldwell and Guadalupe counties. Miguel Cardiel has been a Hays County resident for 30 years. He said his roof was destroyed by the winds during the Memorial Day weekend flood and came to the meeting to get more information. “Every time it rains now, it comes into my home and everything is wet,” Cardiel

said. Although there is still much work needed to be done, the counties are on a road to recovery, he said. BR3T board member Ruben Garza said frustration can be common because of the slow process to rebuild. He used an analogy to compare patience with the restoration and building a car. “We’re having to add all the systems to it,” Garza said. “It takes a little bit to build a car, to get it up and running, so for those of you that have been frustrated, its going to take patience and a little bit of more patience, but we are making progress and we are moving forward, and with God’s love in action, we’re going to fix a lot of houses in this community and others across the counties.” Rich Hildreth, BR3T volunteer, said he is thankful for each member in the organization as well as the community

in general. “Disaster brings out the best in the community,” Hildreth said. “If you look at what has been accomplished over this last year, we have brought out the best. I’m not saying ‘we’ as in BR3T, it’s the people of San Marcos, Wimberly, Martindale and all other counties that we have covered.” Vickie McCuistion, Treasurer of the Board for BR3T, was part of the transition team appointed to help develop the organization following the floods. Their mission is to extend their help to families and individuals to aid recovery from the 2015 Memorial Day weekend and Halloween weekend floods. “It was the Memorial Day flood that spurred the organization of this committee, but the idea is that it will be in place for any future disaster,” McCuistion said. “So that when something like

that happens, we already got sary resources to help clients. after the Memorial Day weekthe infrastructure in place to St. Bernard Project is one end flood, said Construction manage it.” of the partners that partici- Coordinator Chris Laugelli. At the public meeting, Hil- pates with BR3T to help re“So far we have built 13 dreth spoke upon what needs construct the damage within homes, and we’re always are still to be met. the community’s infrastruc- looking for clients,” LaugelTo restore affected areas ture. The organization is a li said. “Anyone who needs of the county, Hildreth said part of the Construction and help or wants to volunteer money, materials and man- Unmet Needs Committee, or donate, we definitely urge power is needed. BR3T is which was started four days them to reach out to us.” looking for organized groups to volunteer their help to achieve these goals. “The most important group that we need to work with is general community,” Hildreth said. “It’s the networking and partnership that is going to get things done.” He said the secret to BR3T’s success is its partnerships. The group’s structure is made up of committees working together through the rebuilding process. Committees include case management, construction, DARYL ONTIVEROS MULTIMEDIA EDITOR emotional support and an Communications and Outreach VISTA Rich Hildreth spoke at the Blanco unmet needs table to help River Regional Recovery Team's monthly public meeting Wednesday, April fund the process to get neces- 20 at the Dunbar Recreation Center.


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