The Boerne Star (Boerne, Tex.), Vol. 98, No. 11, Ed. 1 Friday, February 6, 2004 Page: 4 of 28
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PAGE 4A
The Boerne STAR
Friday, February 6, 2004
Boerne Star Editorials
Time to buckle down
on management plan
The person in the audience was right.
What are the goals of the Cow Creek Groundwater Conser-
vation District and how will the district meet these goals?
They state at every meeting that the purpose is to preserve
Kendall County’s groundwater for years to come.
That is why it is crucial that the organization buckle down
and get its management plan taken care of.
That and the November deadline.
The board has been busy. They’ve dealt with, and or accom-
plished, several goals:
o Held elections for board members, and are currently plan-
ning another.
o Through county staff, begun to gather historical data on
water levels in the county.
o Held an election to determine if funding for the board
would be fee-based or tax-based.
o Developed a permit and fee process, mailed bills and have
begun to collect fees.
Indeed, they’ve done many things since their formation, and
as board President Tommy Mathews said, many of these
things are part of the process of getting ready to develop a
management plan.
Of concern is that items often do get tabled. Most notable is
Exhibit A, a joint agreement between the board and the Com-
missioner’s Court which would limit the density of subdivi-
sions — a true piece of conservation legislation.
The audience member declared, rightly, that the public does
not know the goals and objectives of the group. Perhaps this
is a failing of the organization, or perhaps the local media, or
some combination thereof.
It is becoming increasingly imperative that the Cow Creek
Groundwater Conservation District inform the public of con-
crete means by which it will preserve groundwater. To do this,
it must have its management plan in place and to paraphrase
board member Bill Haas, it is time to buckle down and get it
done.
Vote on Saturday
This Saturday voters in the Comfort ISD will go to the polls
to determine whether or not to lift the district’s existing prop-
erty tax cap, thereby adopting the state’s cap of $1.50 for
maintenance and operation and 50 cents for debt.
This is not a vote on a tax rate.
A few weeks ago, The Boerne Star encouraged voters to go
forth and support the measure, citing reasons as the need for
the district to have more wiggle room in its budgeting process.
Regardless of your position, we hope you will go out and
vote if you are in the Comfort ISD.
The results of this vote can have an impact on several levels.
It is possible that eventually, it could lead to tax changes that
would impact the pocketbook. Of course, it is unclear howthe
upcoming Texas Legislature special session on school finance
reform will impact school funding.
But more importantly, this vote will have a direct impact on
how the district can come up with funds, which will impact
growth and how students are taught.
In votes such as this, there are historically precious few bal-
lots cast.
Make yours count this weekend by voting.
Worth Quoting
"If you're never scared or em-
barrassed or hurt, it means
you never take any chances."
Julia Sorel
Bible Verse ...
(It is) God that girdeth me
with strength, and maketh my
way perfect.
Psalms 18:32
The Boerne Star
WWW.boernestar.com
EDITOR & PUBLISHER
Brian Cartwright
EDITORIAL
Managing Editor Clay Morgan
Editor’s Assistant Krysta McDaniel
Staff Writer Christianne Young
Staff Writer Theresa Lucio
Director
Sales
Sales
Sports Editor
Editorial Intern
Typesetter
Kerry Barboza
Bethany Schulze
Subscriptions
ADVERTISING
Frank Shubert
Anita Anderson
Winston Harwood
CIRCULATION
Dana Smith
Molly Meckel
PRODUCTION
Graphic Design Rachel Wiseman
BOOKKEEPING
Office Manager Sandra Pfeiffer
DISTRIBUTION
Circulation Manager Stephen Bartell
MEMBER OF Texas Press Association, National Newspaper Association, South Texas Press
Association, Texas Gulf Coast Press Association
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P.O. Box 820 • 830-249-2441 FAX 830-249-4607
THE BOERNE STAR is published twice weekly for $35 per year in Kendall
County, $42 elsewhere in Texas and $50 per year outside of Texas by The Boerne Star, 282 N. Main,
Boerne, Kendall County, TX. 78006. Periodical postage paid at Boerne, TX. POSTMASTER: Send
changes of address to THE BOERNE STAR, P.O. Box 820. Boerne, Texas 78006-0820.
The Boerne Star welcomes letters on any public issue. Letters may be mailed, faxed, e-
mailed or hand-delivered but must contain the writer's name, address and phone number. Let-
ters should not exceed 300 words. Addresses and telephone numbers are for verification pur-
poses only and will not be published. Names and city of residence will be published. We reserve
the right to edit all letters for style and content.
•I
inlt
ay per view wealth for us all
I’ve got an idea that would
make us a bundle.
I’m going to get with the
cable companies, rent out a
venue and offer a pay per view
extravaganza that would rival
anything the World Wrestling
Federation can muster.
"In this corner, he pays too
much for pens, blames others
for jails and wants to hire a
bunch of deputies. Sher-
rrrrrrriffff Henry Hodge."
"And in the other corner,
they hate his spending habits
and don’t like his campaign
web site; it’s the Commmmm-
mmisssssioner’s Court!"
It would be a great event. We
could charge like $59.95 to
rent it and make a fortune.
What could we call it?
Chaos in the court. Rumble
on E. San Antonio. Judge-
ment Day in Kendall.
I don’t know. I think we’d all
make a fortune. Ooooh, and
think about the VHS/DVD
rental opportunities.
You call Don King, I’ll book
the venue.
Seriously, the court and the
sheriff need to figure out a
way to get past their impasse.
Problem is, both feel they are
in the right. That makes it aw-
fully difficult to get past any
logger jams that may exist.
Yes, there is an election
coming up and yes Hodge
Letters to the Editor
Kangaroo
Court
Dear Editor:
The special Commissioners
Court meeting called for Feb.
2, 2004, in my opinion, did
not have any emergency items
on the agenda.
The fact that it was hurriedly
called prompts the question
whether proper noticed was
given to the public.
The last item on the agenda,
1:50 p.m., “Response of Com-
missioners Court to charges
made by Sheriff Henry B.
Hodge: Eddie J. Vogt,” was
carefully choreographed. Each
commissioner made a presen-
tation on his favorite subject:
• Judge Eddie J. Vogt: Gener-
al criticism of Sheriff Hodge
• Commissioner Busby:
Pens, pencils and number of
deputies
• Commissioner Lux: Disap-
pointed with Hodge campaign
web site
• Commissioner Kight: Jail
expansion
may lose.
But he may
win, too. You
never know.
Flinging
accusations
and a general
air of dis-
trust does
YOU DIDN’T ASK BUT...
absolutely ---------—
nothing to improve the level
of safety in Kendall County.
Both the commissioners and
the sheriff are elected by, and
are supposed to represent the
people, and on some level that
means both parties making
concerted efforts to push pass
the current disagreements and
start working together. Yes,
there will be, and probably
should be, some areas of con-
tention. However, the latest
spats are getting ridiculous.
Our commissioners court is
comprised of good people.
Hodge is a man who wants a
good sheriff’s department ca-
pable of protecting and serv-
ing the people. Both have
goals that are far more com-
mon than they might think.
I hope both parties step back,
take a deep breath, look close-
ly at their own arguments and
those of the other party, and
start finding some grounds for
give and take.
It is all for the betterment of
our community.
all tSSoBue
• Commissioner Miertschin: ...
Cell phones, complete with court, the individual comrnis-
detailed slide presentation. sioners, into a local political
More time was spent on this election campaign.
agenda item than any other Sheriff Hodge now has seven
items opponents, five of whom are
As soon as the last word was not even on the ballot.
spoken, the judge gaveled the Frank Wetzel
meeting adjourned. When I ,Boerne
originally found out about the Editoi s Note. Frank Wetzel
meeting, I e-mailed the Coun- is the campaign treasurer for
ty Clerk requesting that I Sheriff Henry Hodge s carn-
would like to speak at the Paien.
meeting. When I arrived early mom ,
at the courthouse, prior to the TO dog
meeting, I signed the visitor’s _
list indicating that I would like owners of
to speak.
Because the judge adjourned Boerne
the meeting so abruptly I did Dear Editor:
not have the chance to speak, If you own more than four
nor did the sheriff and two dogs just because you enjoy
deputies who were present, or them, i.e. “not for resale or
anyone else in the audience, generating income,” maybe
This was an “open meeting!” you should start to pick out
To use the taxpayer’s money which ones you like the best.
(are you listening Commis- Did you see the article this
sioner Miertschin) to convene past week, “Here kitty, kitty,
a special meeting to respond try your new collar?” Among
to paid political advertise- other casual statements about
ments (Frequently Asked changes to the animal laws
Questions, www.2004hodge- within the city of Boerne — if
campaign.org) is irresponsi- a resident wants more than
ble, suspect, unethical and four dogs, you will need to get
perhaps illegal. a kennel license, but then it
It injects the commissioners goes on to say, “we think we
WRITE ’EM!
KENDALL COUNTY
JUDGE EDDIE VOGT
204 E. San Antonio
Boerne, Texas 78006
249-9343
Commissioners
JOHN KIGHT
GENE MIERTSCHIN
DARRELL LUX
RUSSELL BUSBY
204 E. San Antonio
Boerne, Texas 78006
249-9343
BOERNE ISD
School
Superintendent
JOHN KELLY
123 W. Johns Rd.
Boerne, Texas 78006
249-5000
COMFORT ISD
School
Superintendent
MARLIN MARCUM
232 High
Comfort, Texas 78013
995-3664
CITY OF BOERNE
MAYOR PATRICK
HEATH
402 E. Blanco
Boerne, Texas 78006
249-9511
STATE LEVEL
STATE REP.
CARTER CASTEEL
District 53
P.O. Box 312404
New Braunfels, TX
78131
(830)627-8820
fax. (830)627-8895
STATE SENATOR
JEFF WENTWORTH
District 25
1250 N.E. Loop 410 St.
720
San Antonio, Tx
78209
(210) 826-7800
U.S. REP.
LAMAR SMITH
District 21
2231 Sam Rayburn
Bldg.
Washington, D.C.
20510
(202) 225-4236
Smith - Locally
1006 Junction Hwy.
Kerrville, Texas 78028
(830) 895-1414
1100 N.E. Loop 410,
Clay Morgan
MANAGING
EDITOR
A special
thank you
From time
to time, you
need to say
thanks, but
often, those
who deserve
the thank
Boerne.
you the most don’t get it.
Coming to a new newsroom
is scary. You have no clue
what you are walking into.
The staff here at The Boerne
Star made my arrival last Au-
gust very pleasant.
What’s more, the news staff
have embraced the changes
I’ve suggested and have readi-
ly come along as we turn this
paper in a direction and start
moving forward.
Sometimes things are rock-
ing along nicely, and some-
times we are struggling with
every sentence we write, but
the staff is there.
Heck, they’ve even endured
a few of my curse-laden, door-
slamming responses to,
ummm, internal situations.
To the staff, news, compos-
ing, business, administrative,
advertising, circulation, and
anyone I might be leaving out,
including the printing plant, I
offer my thanks.
To me, it is a team that will
lead to great success here in
M PARENTS
RENT TO MARS
AN ALL I GOT
NAS THIS LOUSY
BLACK HOLE)
National thought No. 1
First, I was shocked at the
half-time show of the Super
Bowl. Shocked at what Janet
Jackson and Justin Timberlake
did.
It was reprehensible.
But what is worse is the
NFL’s shock over it. I mean,
this is the league that created
cheerleading groups that give
new meaning to the phrase
“shake your booty.”
Sex sells, though, and I
guess the two performers
sophomoric stunt will boost
their careers.
I just wonder, why couldn’t
they blow us away with their
talents, instead?
National thought No. 2
I’m still enjoying the Demo-
cratic Primary. I guess Ijust
like a good race.
While Sen. John Kerry
seems to be securing things, at
least Sen. John Edwards and
Wesly Clark have kept things
close with a couple wins.
I guess I’m just a political
junky.
You may contact Clay Morgan
by calling 249-2441 (office), 249-
3110 (home) or via e-mail at
news@boernestar.com.
should add a statement that a prised to see these comments
‘kennel is for the purpose of buried in an article about cats
resale or generating income.’” being required to wear a col-
Several months ago while vis- lar.
iting the Boerne Animal Shel- Later in the article there is a
ter the folks there mentioned comment about one horse per
this potential change and I acre excluding land per build-
asked what if someone has ings. Luckily I made it past
more than four and were not this one because I have more
expecting to sell or generate than an acre — and one minia-
income. They stated the resi- ture horse.
dent would have to get rid of Although I own land in
them. They also said if you Boerne — my house is under
have a kennel license there construction — I asked all
would be annual inspections. these types of questions before
Since I have more than four building and now the rules are
and am in the process of build- changing. I have no intention
ing on my lot in the city, I am of allowing my animals to be a
very upset about this. I have nuisance to anyone. I take
no problem with getting a ken- shelter animals and give them
nel license, or even, the even- very good care. If rules are
tual idea of getting back down going to change, Boerne
to four dogs. I do not want to should grandfather the people
“get rid of them.” If there is who already own property
going to be inspections any- (even if it has no house on it),
way, why can’t they grandfa- Several folks mentioned this
ther those who have more than whole thing about four dogs
four and are willing to pay the was the result of trouble with
kennel license? As the animals one owner.
pass away, people will get I would like to know what
down to four. I took my con- can be done to modify the
cerns to Gary Miller — who wording of the changes, which
led me to believe that this are apparently being made
change would take a good year final on Feb. 10.
and he could see my point. He Catherine Oaster
took my name so I was sur- Kendall County
Suite 640
San Antonio, Texas
78209
(210) 821-5024
U.S. SENATOR
JOHN CORNYN
Russell Bldg. Rm. 179
Washington, D.C.
20510
(202) 224-2934
KAY BAILEY
HUTCHISON
703 Hart Senate
Office Building
Washington, D.C.
20510
(202) 224-5922
GOVERNOR
RICK PERRY
State Capital
Room 200
Austin, Texas 78701
(512) 463-2000
STATE BOARD
OF EDUCATION
District 5
205 W. Travis
Fredericksburg, Tx,
78624
(830) 997-9759
PRESIDENT
GEORGE W. BUSH
White House
1600 Pennsylvania
Ave.
Washington, D.C.
20000
BOERNE
CITY COUNCIL
7:30 p.m.
second and fourth Tuesday
of the month, City Hall
402 E. Blanco
KENDALL
COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
9 a.m. second and fourth
Monday of the month,
Kendall County
Courthouse,
204 E. San Antonio
BISD
Board Meeting, 7 p.m.
second and fourth Monday
of the month
BISD boardroom
COMFORT ISD
7 p.m. second and fourth
Wednesday of the month
at the board offices
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Cartwright, Brian & Morgan, Clay. The Boerne Star (Boerne, Tex.), Vol. 98, No. 11, Ed. 1 Friday, February 6, 2004, newspaper, February 6, 2004; Boerne, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1632966/m1/4/?q=%22~1~1%22~1: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Patrick Heath Public Library.