Opinion

I would like to personally share some information and opinion. For the past two years I have had the pleasure of working with Commissioner Lon Shell on several projects that concern groundwater in one way or another. His vision and goals for the future of the Wimberley Valley include preserving our natural resources. He understands the importance of this as well as the challenges of growth and the pressure this puts on our groundwater resources. Working in a collaborative manner with the Groundwater Conservation Districts in Hays County, and other pertinent agencies, he has turned his vision into a plan that can happen. Proposition A, creating open and green spaces throughout Hays county, without tax based funding, is a prime example. Western Hays County especially benefits from the purchase of acreage, El Rancho Cima, and forty-three acres adjacent to Jacob’s Well as part of the nature preserve Both projects help protect the aquifer and guarantee preservation of recharge to the aquifer. I would be remiss to fail to mention his time and effort in support of the strengthening of the HT- GCD enabling legislation, which works in tandem with conservation projects within the County.

Why I’m voting for Lisa Prewitt for Commissioner Precinct 3

For many reasons, the upcoming election will be one of the most important of this new century. On Tuesday November 3 residents of Hays County will be presented with the chance to provide permanent protection for a large chunk of some of the most beautiful and beloved landscape in the Hill Country.

I am writing this letter in support of Jeff Rasco for Woodcreek City Council. Jeff and his wife, Monica, are long-time residents of Woodcreek (1997). Their children and grandchildren also live in Woodcreek. That alone says a lot about the commitment that Jeff has to our community.

I have known Gretchen since 2009 when we became neighbors and, since then, close friends. Not only is she passionate about education, but she also is a person of integrity and empathy. She is a woman of strong faith who doesn’t impose her religious beliefs on others. A permanent resident of Wimberley, she’s both a mom of adult children and a grandmother.

Like many, I find the divisiveness, the rancor, and even boorishness that seems to increasingly permeate society both locally and beyond to be most unsettling. I am especially disturbed by a tendency in me to want to retaliate, to fight fire with fire. Then I remember these wise words (attributed to many). “Choose your enemies carefully because you will become like them.” So I am looking for positive ways to respond when I see/hear ugliness.

The Woodcreek City Council just voted 4 -1 to RAISE your taxes. In fact, the City’s’ Agenda packet specifically referred to a “Public Hearing on TAX INCREASE.” I advocated for a LOWER tax rate that would have been revenue neutral – which would NOT take anymore money out of your pocket. I was out-voted and the City was successful in raising your taxes as stated in the agenda.

Just like the signs you see on every street corner, the billboard on the outskirts of town and what seems like every other front yard in Woodcreek, it is a political ad.

I like Julie Oliver’s message to the people of TX25: “Get big money out of Congress.” Her campaign is supported by 1000’s of small donors: In August there were over 4000 contributions averaging $29. Her goal is simple: To be responsible to the voters of this district, not the big corporations and PAC’s.

Are you may be aware on September 16, 2020 the City is considering a budget proposal from the road committee to close the front entrance to Cypress Point and open the rear gate for entrance of traffic onto Doolittle Drive thus creating a new road.

Gretchen has been my colleague and friend for nearly 30 years, and I can tell you that she is a fine person, a concerned educator, and a dedicated advocate for students and parents.

In July 2019 I wrote an opinion published by the View about the work of the Roads Advisory Work Group which, at the time, involved assessing the condition of all streets within our City. We were about 75% done with the on-site inspection and our next step was to consolidate the data and come up with recommendations on which streets to repair or replace first. The findings of the work group, which were supported by a professional engineer, were reviewed as part of the budget development process. It was clear that funds were not available to proceed with the repairing Augusta Drive, which was the street given highest priority for repairs. The work group looked at options available within our budget, and these were presented to Council at the December 11, 2019 meeting. This meeting also included an agenda item to purchase two trailer-mounted speed radar signs to collect detailed data on traffic volume and speed. This was necessary to have actual data, rather than perception, on speed and traffic patterns. The first sign was installed for testing on January 19, 2020, and rotation of the signs throughout the City began on January 31, 2020. Signs were located on collector streets and focused on areas identified by citizens and staff as potential for speeding.

I have read a copy of the lawsuit filed against our Mayor and the City of Woodcreek. In the suit, Brent Pulley asks for $100,000 or less, his expenses, and his attorney fees....money which this taxpayer believes could go a long way toward improvements to our aging infrastructure.