The Boerne Star (Boerne, Tex.), Vol. 104, No. 34, Ed. 1 Tuesday, April 27, 2010 Page: 4 of 16
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PAGE 4A
THE BOERNE Star
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Star Editorial
Current elections
are far-reaching
Early voting opens this week for the May 8 city, school and
groundwater district elections.
As the county and city recovers from serious economic and
drought conditions, these local races are more important than
ever.
The men and women who take on these non-paid elected posi-
tions make critical decisions affecting the community and their
neighbors. They deserve serious consideration and support.
This is the first election since the Boerne City Council adopted
single-member districts. Up for election this year are Districts 1,
3 and 5. There are contested races in District 3 and 5. Districts 2
and 4 are not up for election this year, so not everyone who resides
in the city will have a city race on their ballot. A link on the city’s
Web site, www.ci.boerne.tx.us, shows voters how to look up their
addresses and learn in which district they reside.
In the Boerne Independent School District, Places 2 and 4 on
the board of trustees are open for election this year. There is one
contested race in Place 4.
In the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, the seats
representing Districts 1 and 4 and the at-large director position are
up for election this year, along with an election to fill an unexpired
term in District 3. Three of the races are contested with seven
candidates in the running. More information about the elections is
available on the CCGCD Web site, www.ccgcd.org.
While the races for city council in Fair Oaks Ranch are unop-
posed, there is a contested race for mayor.
There are many opportunities to learn the issues involved in all
these elections. Many organizations have sponsored candidate
forums and last week The Star published a forum for all the races
with candidates invited to answer questions of community inter-
est. Take advantage of these opportunities and be an informed
voter - then, most importantly, go vote.
Early voting hours at the Kendall County Courthouse are 8
a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, through May 4. Extended
voting hours are offered on April 28 and May 4, when the early
voting poll at the courthouse will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30
p.m. On election day May 8, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7
p.m.
Worth Quoting ...
"Books are the quietest and most
constant of friends; they are the most
accessible and wisest of counsellors,
and the most patient of teachers."
- Charles W. Eliot
"Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life.
He who comes to me will never go
hungry, and he who believes in me
will never be thirsty.'"
- John 6:35 (NIV)
WRITE
one
KENDALL COUNTY
JUDGE GAYLAN SCHROEDER
201 E. San Antonio
Boerne. Texas 78006
830-249-9343
Commissioners
ANN REISSIG
GENE MIERTSCHIN
DARRELL LUX
KENNETH RUSCH
201 E. San Antonio 830-249-
9343
STATE BOARD
OF EDUCATION
District 5 - 205 W. Travis
Fredericksburg, TX, 78624 830-
997-9759
STATE SENATOR, DIST 25
JEFF WENTWORTH
1250 NE Loop 410 St. 925
San Antonio, Tx 78209
210-826-7800
REP. LAMAR SMITH
Congressman Lamar Smith
2409 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
202-225-4236
San Antonio Office
Guaranty Bank Building
1100 NE Loop 410, Ste. 640
San Antonio, TX 78209
210-821-5024
lamarsmith.house.gov
VIEWPOINTS
Sunset report suggests PUC needs more oversight authority
AUSTIN - An April 23 Sun-
set Advisory Commission report
recommends increasing the Public
Utility Commission’s authority to
oversee the electric industry in
Texas.
The report says ERCOT, the pow-
erful Electric Reliability Council
of Texas, needs a board of direc-
tors with fewer members tied to
the electric industry.
“Clearly there are a number of
issues that ERCOT must address,”
said PUC Commissioner Donna
Nelson. “I believe the Sunset rec-
ommendations draw attention to
many of those issues and I encour-
age the ERCOT board to make the
necessary changes to increase the
level of confidence Texans have in
their electric grid operator.”
ERCOT, founded in 1970, man-
ages the flow of electric power to
22 million Texas customers, rep-
resenting 85 percent of the state’s
electric load and 75 percent of the
Texas land area.
ERCOT manages financial settle-
ment for the competitive wholesale
bulk-power market and adminis-
ters customer switching for 6.5
million Texans in competitive
choice areas.
The Sunset process will continue
this year with a public hearing and
Legislative review in preparation
for the 82nd regular session of the
Texas Legislature, which begins in
January 2011.
o JOHN
OFF AT 1
2Se
CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS
; Ed Sterling
TEXAS PRESS
ASSOCIATION
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MANSION ADDITION
PLANS APPROVED
The State Preservation Board
announced plans for an addition
to be built on the west side of the
Governor’s Mansion.
The 1,000 square foot addition
would include a stairway, more
space in the first-floor kitchen and
a new second-floor bedroom.
The 153-year-old building has
been undergoing restoration since
June 2008, when an arson fire
destroyed much of it.
The bill for the restoration will
be paid with millions in federal
American Recovery and Reinvest-
ment Act of 2009 funds in addition
to funds raised privately.
UT TO RESTRUCTURE
TELECAMPUS
UT System Chancellor Francisco
Cigarroa announced changes in the
operation of the system’s online
and distance learning functions.
UT TeleCampus will move into
a new System Administration
office, allowing broader access
to online courses, which Cigar-
roa said should bolster graduation
ee:Kt.en
Letters to the Editor
CITY OF BOERNE
MAYOR DAN HECKLER
402 E. Blanco
830-249-9511
STATE REP., DIST 73
DOUG MILLER
Room E1.216, Capitol Ext.
Austin, TX 78701
512-463-0325
MEETING TIMES
BOERNE CITY COUNCIL
7:30 p.m. second and fourth
Tuesdays, City Hall, 402 E.
Blanco, Boerne.
BOERNE ISD
Superintendent
JOHN KELLY
123 W. Johns Rd.
Boerne, Texas 78006
830-357-2000
COMFORT ISD
Superintendent
JOHN CHAPMAN
232 High St., Comfort 830-995-
3664
STATE LEVEL
GOVERNOR RICK PERRY
State Capital, Room 200
Austin, Texas 78701
512-463-2000
FEDERAL LEVEL
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, DC 20000
KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON
703 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-5922
145 Duncan Dr., ,Suite 120
San Antonio, TX 78226
210-340-2885
KENDALL COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
9 a.m. second and fourth
Monday, Kendall County
Courthouse, 201 E. San Antonio,
Boerne
BOERNE ISD TRUSTEES
6:30 p.m. third Monday, BISD
boardroom
U.S. SENATOR
JOHN CORNYN
Russell Bldg. Rm. 179
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-2934
COMFORT ISD TRUSTEES
7 p.m. second Monday in the
board offices
COW CREEK GROUNDWATER
CONSERVATION DISTRICT
second Monday at the District
Office. 216 Market Ave., Ste. 105
Boerne
The BOERNE Star
www.boernestar.com
PUBLISHER & EDITOR
Brian Cartwright
Managing Editor
Sports Editor
Copy Editor
Staff Writers
EDITORIAL
BOOKKEEPING
Candace E. Velvin
Kerry Barboza
Kit Brenner
Dave Pasley
Elena Tucker
Office Manager
Sandra Pfeiffer
CIRCULATION
Subscriptions Dana Smith
ADVERTISING
PRODUCTION
Graphic Design
Kristyn Bergman
Marketing Director
Sales
Sales
Frank Shubert
Kolleen Roe
IT Maroney
DISTRIBUTION
Circulation Manager Stephen Bartell
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Chris Woerner, Chris Tilton, Anya Maltsberger
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS
Mary Alice Yelverton, Dr. John Kelly, Natalie Morgan, Jan Wrede, Ed Davis, Anita
Porterfield. Sharon Benedict, Paula White, Mary Alice Dell
Ken Nietenhoefer, Dr. James Dobson, Ellen Damstra,
Tom Harris. Tom Lanier, Kathy Senkbeil. Ron Warden, Krysta McDaniel,
Paul Barwick, Paula Horner, Bill Ward and Oscar Garcia.
MEMBER OF Texas Press Association, National Newspaper Association,
South Texas Press Association, Texas Gulf Coast Press Association
941 N. School Street • Boerne, TX (UPS 059-740)
830-249-2441 FAX 830-249-4607
THE BOERNE STAR is published twice weekly for $49 per year in Kendall County, $57
elsewhere in Texas and $65 per year outside of Texas by The Boerne Star, 941 N. School St.,
Boerne, Kendall County, TX. 78006. Periodical postage paid at Boerne, TX. POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to THE BOERNE STAR. 941 N. School St., Boerne, TX 78006-0820.
U.S.P.S.059-740
rates. donations to candidates.
And, the office will serve as Extending the disclosure
a clearinghouse for innovations requirement “would favor the
where start-up programs will be public interest by providing
implemented and employees will information to the public regard-
assist with distance education mar- ing efforts to influence elections
keting and recruitment efforts.
PROGRAM TO HELP
WITH ADMISSIONS
A free Online College Prepa-
ration Assistance Pilot Program
soon will help high school students
tackle the college selection and
application process.
The Texas Education Agency
and the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board are launching
the $1.5 million pilot program
and expect 20,000 to 30,000 high
school students from across Texas
to participate.
School districts and their selected
high schools will be notified as to
when they may participate. The
program tailors each student’s
information to help them stay
on track to graduate and proceed
toward career goals.
AGENCY ACTS TO ENSURE
DISCLOSURE
The Texas Ethics Commis-
sion recently approved new rules
requiring public disclosure of
direct campaign expenditures by
corporations and unions to candi-
dates for public office.
The rule comes in the wake of
the Citizens United U.S. Supreme
Court case, which took the lid off
through spending,” according to
the draft language adopted by the
Commission.
EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY
AT TXDOT
On April 20, two days in advance
of Earth Day, a Texas Department
of Transportation news release said
every day is Earth Day for the
agency.
The main reason is that TxDOT is
one of the state’s leading consumers
of recycled goods, such as roofing
scraps, old tires, worn asphalt and
other materials that Texans nor-
mally pitch into landfills.
For example, in 2009, TxDOT
used for than 2.8 million tons
of reclaimed asphalt .and about
780,000 tires worth of scrap
rubber.
The agency pointed to its fleet
of more than 3,300 alternative fuel
and hybrid vehicles as an example
of its efforts to improve air quality
and the fact that it offers an annual
clean air incentive program for
department staff.
The program encourages the use
of public transit, carpooling and
brown-bagging a lunch to further
reduce emissions.
Sandy’s misplaced concern
WL Sandy Watts asked, Are we becoming ‘The Ugly Right?,’ in his
April 23, 2010 letter to the editor, as he cited the many conservative
special interests seeking his attention and contributions. He also voiced
concern over the rhetoric from the right.
While I wouldn’t put it past a liberal from the Alinsky school to write
such a letter, I am taking Sandy at his word that he is in fact a conservative
and offer him some calming advice.
You’re correct, Sandy, there is definitely an energized conservative
movement that has gained momentum since the Obama administration
has taken us radically to the left. Today conservatives outnumber liberals
43.5 per cent to 16.7 per cent in Texas, according to Gallop.
Don’t be concerned with the plethora of special interests vying for your
attention and contributions. They have become necessary to counter the
long list of socialist/ progressive plans of the Obama administration. I
receive a number of such requests too, but have been quite selective of
what I choose to support financially. For example, I no longer support the
Republican National Committee, choosing to donate directly to conserva-
tive candidates I admire. And when I make a contribution, I never give my
credit card number. If someone tells you a contribution is “mandatory,”
hang up. If it came in the mail, tear it up.
Regarding the rhetoric by conservatives, I would remind you that while
you don’t personally like the folksy comments of Sarah Palin, that is
precisely what most people like about her. And while she certainly has
some Christian ideals (pro life), I don’t believe she is considered to be
the Christian conservative poster child. At least you wouldn’t hear her
tell the president “this is a big f***ing deal” as Vice President Biden did
on network television recently. An off color remark that was approvingly
received by the president, I might add.
I credit Sandy for trying to change what has long been said to be “just
politics,” but it simply goes with our system of government. Negative
comments were even directed toward George Washington and continue
today since we have freedom of speech. You can register your dislike for
someone’s rhetoric at the ballot box. Partisanship, as in the case of zero
Republican votes for ObamaCare, should not be seen as bad behavior.
I feel Sandy’s concern for the right is misplaced. It is incumbent on
conservatives that we take on the forces of the left who are taking us down
the path of financial and cultural ruin. Waving a “Don’t Tread On Me”
flag or a hand-painted sign at a Tea Party gathering, signing a petition,
or contributing to a cause or candidate are ways we can effectively make
meaningful change at the ballot box in November.
Hang in there, Sandy.
term future of this area should be.
As a fifth generation (Fabra and Dietert families) Kendall County resi-
dent, thank you for your consideration!
- Art Wilson,
Boerne
Boerne needs to change water fees
Boerne City Council:
I am very alarmed at the direction of you are taking with this council.
I wish I had the time and had the energy to get involved in issues that I
care about in the last ten years and especially in the last few years. Most,
if not all of you, are not long-term residents of Boerne. It was said when
we moved here almost 36 years ago that you had to live here 15 years
before you could not be considered a “newcomer.” I wish that was still
the fact and perhaps we would have people that “really care” about our
not-so-small-anymore town.
One thing that has really gotten my dander up is this “meter fee” for
water, especially since just last summer we were limited to when and how
we could use water. If this was to conserve water for the better of all, I am
in agreement, but charging an outrageous fee for a meter is unacceptable
and then a small amount for water is ridiculous.
I was told by my councilperson that it was because some “expert” came
and told you that the city had not gone up on water fees in years. Well,
why not go up on the fee for water and charge more, especially those
that are abusing the privilege of using city water. This fee hurts, not helps
conserve water, and really hurts those people that may have to cut out
things such as food in order to pay for water and other utilities. I know
our utility bill is about $70 before we use anything. If we leave town we
still have to pay for garbage pickup, even though we don’t have any. The
same is true of the water meter fee even though we are not there to bathe,
wash clothes, etc.
This is all I have to say at this time except for the arrogance of some that
want to punish Rob Ziegler for trying to protect Boerne and its citizens
from abuse of our land and trees, then set the hearing time Wednesday,
April 14, at 9 a.m. when few can be there. My husband’s art studio is in
Rob’s district so he does also represent us.
- Elaine Zaner,
Boerne
- Eldon Kramer,
Boerne
Take a short drive before you vote
After witnessing recent events in the public arena through the news-
papers and attendance at a couple of the public meetings recently, and
thinking about the potential long term impact of upcoming elections, I
decided to take a drive (about 65 miles) around the Hill Country - Hwy 46
to Bulverde south on 281 to 1604; west to Hwy 16 (Bandera Road); north
through Helotes to 46; and then back home - before I voted.
On the drive, I noticed that most of the (changes to the) Hill Country
landscape happened in the last 10 to 20 years of development.
If you don’t have two hours for this drive then just drive on School
Street to Hwy 46, then imagine the real possibility of that land (and the
unknown development to come) in Kendall County over the next 10 to
20 years.
Although not perfect by any means, Kendall County has relatively good
stewardship by most of our local government leadership of the City,
County, and Cow Creek. The acceptance of hard facts by our government
leaders concerning our significant short and long term water availability
problem has kept most of the character of this Hill Country that the
majority of our residents and visitors cherish.
Please take the drive (at least in your mind), imagine the results that are
in our hands as voting citizens, and vote for what you believe the long
Letters to the Editor Policy
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.
Addresses and telephone numbers are for verification purposes
only and will not be published. Names and city of residence will
be published. Letters should be short and concise, long enough
only to make your point. We reserve the right to edit all letters for
style and content and refuse letters that would be objectionable to
readers. We also will not publish anonymous letters. Priority will
be given to letters 300 words or less that concern local topics and
written by people who’ve not published a letter in the last 30
days.
The Boerne Star does not accept letters to the editor urging
voters to vote for or against candidates in local elections.
Endorsements should be displayed in political advertising. In
light of this policy, we reserve the right to reject or edit letters
for references to candidates and whether or not they should be
elected.
Call 249-2441 with questions regarding the submission of letters
to the editor for publication.
Letter to the Editor
PO Box 820 Boerne, TX 78006
news @boernestar. com
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Cartwright, Brian & Velvin, Candace E. The Boerne Star (Boerne, Tex.), Vol. 104, No. 34, Ed. 1 Tuesday, April 27, 2010, newspaper, April 27, 2010; Boerne, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1667501/m1/4/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Patrick Heath Public Library.