The Bastrop Advertiser (Bastrop, Tex.), Vol. 160, No. 23, Ed. 1 Saturday, April 20, 2013 Page: 2 of 10
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Page A2 • Bastrop 3Ldocrtiscr
Saturday, April 20, 2013
ELECTION
Election Guide
Bastrop School District Board of 1 rustees
BY ERIN GREEN
egreeji@acjviewspapers.com
The 2013 munici-
pal and school board
elections are Satur-
day, May 11. First day
of early voting by per-
sonal appearance is
April 29.
Three spots are
up for election on the
Bastrop school dis-
trict’s board of trust-
ees: Place 5, Glenn
Peterson (incumbent,
uncontested); Place
6 (incumbent Linda
Apostalo did not file
for re-election): Mat-
thew Mix and Debra
Thorne-Francis; and
Place 7 (incumbent
Jim Mills did not file
for re-election): Steve
Miller and Ashley
Mutschink.
Two spots are open
on Bastrop City Coun-
cil: Place 1 (incum-
bent Dock Jackson,
uncontested); and
Place 5: Ken Kesse-
lus (incumbent) and
Vanessa Leigh Web-
ster. (Webster did not
return several phone
calls seeking com-
ment. She previously
petitioned the city to
withdraw her name
from the race, but was
past the deadline for
having her name re-
moved from the ballot,
according to the Texas
Secretary of State’s
Office.)
BASTROP
SCHOOL BOARD
Dr. Matthew Mix, Place 6
1. What are the
three most impor-
tant things you see
facing the district?
1. Student perfor-
mance
is of
most
impor-
t a n c e
in our
dis-
trict.
The scoring by state
requirements has
shown signs of positiv-
ity, however the need
to continue this trend
is paramount to our
district. As a board,
decisions should be
made with our stu-
dent’s achievement in
mind. This goes be-
yond the classroom,
including extra-cur-
ricular activities as
well, forming a well-
rounded individual.
2. Stability within
our school system for
our teachers and staff.
3. Proper funding
for our growing dis-
trict.
PEREZ-MCDONALD
ENGAGEMENT
The family of Kristina Perez
would like to announce
her engagement to
Rubbyant McDonald.
2. Why are you
qualified for this
position?
My past experi-
ence of working with
children, in multiple
capacities includ-
ing in my office, as
well as through vol-
unteer positions, has
led me to believe that
I have a perspective
for this position that
will help provide for
a well-rounded board.
We need independent
thinkers, people that
know how to look at
situations from a busi-
ness perspective on
our board. My past ex-
perience gives me this
unique perspective
that will be helpful to
our district.
3. Personal mes-
sage/information
In 2006, my wife
and I decided to make
Bastrop our home. We
were welcomed with
opened arms, after a
hurricane devastated
our business and our
home. Today, we raise
a 3-year-old, Bastrop-
born boy, and our
small family continues
to feel right at home.
Our highest family
values are caring for
others, responsibility,
honesty and making a
difference. With your
vote, I will keep these
values in mind with
every decision I make
for our children and
employees of BISD. I
appreciate your sup-
port.
Debra Thorne-Francis,
Mace 6
1. What are the
three most impor-
tant things you see
facing the district?
Growth. Testing.
The budget.
2. Why are you
qualified for this
position?
My qualification
comes as an educa-
tor for 15 years in the
Smithville, Manor,
Austin and Del Valle
school systems. I have
firsthand knowledge
of the pros and cons
that board members
have on a school dis-
trict. As a high school
counselor, I can see
the impact of the deci-
sion and the effect it
plays in the student
lives.
I know the every
board member is try-
ing to do what is best
for the district and the
students. I can bring
an insight into the
discussion that may
allow that next ques-
tion that may assist in
the final decisions.
As a taxpayer of
Bastrop, I want to en-
sure we are getting
the full bang for our
buck. Become a little
more pro-active with
the community in our
financial decisions.
I’m a product of
Bastrop ISD, as well
as my two daughters.
I currently have a
granddaughter that
is attending school at
Mina Elementary. I
am very committed to
the children receiv-
ing the education they
deserve. In addition,
I have also taught at
Austin Community
College and Virginia
College. I believe we
should provide our
children with career
opportunities and not
jobs.
Lastly, I have
been a board member
for Bastrop ISD dur-
ing 1997-2003 school
years. I am very famil-
iar and qualified with
the duties and respon-
sibilities of a board
member.
3. Personal mes-
sage/information
I am very commit-
ted in what I do and
would like for all stu-
dents to be represent-
ed. I know that as a
board member I may
not always agreed
with the final deci-
sions made but I will
work hard as part of
the team to strive for
excellence in those de-
cisions. I will listen
to all viewpoints and
citizens.
I hope something
I said will help you
in making your deci-
sion. If you choose to
vote for me or my op-
ponent I thank you for
taking the time to get
involved and vote.
(Thorne-Francis
did not provide a pho-
to to the Advertiser).
Steve Miller, Place 7
1. What are the
three most impor-
tant things you see
facing the district?
Education is a
function of income —
meaning those fami-
lies having higher
earnings will also
have better education-
al outcomes, and since
many of our children
come from economical-
ly disadvantaged en-
vironments, it follows
that BISD students
will also be education-
ally disadvantaged. In
order for our students
to do better, overall
family incomes will
have to rise, and for
69 percent of children
to be economically
poor points to a sys-
temic failure in lead-
ership. We have to
recruit manufacturing
concerns that match
our population demo-
graphics. BISD can no
longer be an employer
in itself; that inher-
ently promotes a type
of economic cannibal-
ism. We have to move
beyond the thinking
that netted 69 percent
of our students and
families in economic
trouble and we need
new leadership that
caters to long-term vi-
sion. At-large voting
districts is an exam-
ple of that old way of
thinking; it’s not rep-
resentative and large-
ly benefits one class of
people.
2. Why are you
qualified for this
position?
I am a graduate of
Texas A&M Univer-
sity and I hold a B.S.
degree in political sci-
ence and a master’s
degree in finance with
a concentration in real
estate development.
I spent many years
as a corporate finan-
cial analyst and have
analyzed deals that
approached $300 mil-
lion dollars. I taught
history at the high
school level, serving
a disadvantaged stu-
dent population, and
also taught corporate
finance at Huston-Til-
lotson University be-
fore leaving to pursue
my call to the ministry
at Austin Presbyte-
rian Theological Semi-
nary. I am an expert
at two of the things
that people love most,
their children and
their money. I served
my country well, hav-
ing spent eight years
in the U.S. Army Re-
serve and I am a grad-
uate of Army Primary
Leadership Develop-
ment School. I have
been married for 14
years and have two
children.
3. Personal mes-
sage/information
Counting the su-
perintendent, BISD
has eight school board
members. Of those,
four live in the exact
same neighborhood
with an additional
member living with-
in two miles. Thus,
BISD is controlled
by a single neighbor-
hood. BISD covers 433
square miles and po-
litical control is wield-
ed by a .46 percent
square mile govern-
ing area. Folks, that’s
less than one-half of
one percent. If one is
not elite, there is no
political representa-
tion. Is that what we
want? Look at what
we’ve been getting:
political control by the
wealthy, academically
marginal schools, 69
percent of children
are economically dis-
advantaged, virtu-
ally no industry and
a fixation with ACC.
Community colleges
don’t drive econom-
ic engines, industry
does. Bastrop has a
higher per capita in-
come than all of these
towns that have ju-
nior colleges: Athens,
MATTHEW MIX
Baytown, Brenham,
Corsicana, Kilgore
and Lufkin. We need
representative lead-
ership that does not
correspond to the “ole”
way of doing things.
Higher incomes, bet-
ter outcomes!
(Miller did not pro-
vide a photo to the Ad-
vertiser).
Ashley Mutschink,
Place 7
1. What are the
three most impor-
tant things you see
facing the district?
The three most im-
portant things I see
facing
BISD
ASHLEY
one,
a d -
equate
fund MUTSCHINK
ing from the state and
our local use of the
limited resources avail-
able to us, secondly, the
need for continuous ac-
ademic achievement for
all students and lastly,
ensuring post-second-
ary (workforce, college,
military, etc.) readiness
for all students.
2. Why are you
qualified for this po-
sition?
Understanding the
current needs of the
district coupled with
leadership experience,
volunteerism, fiscal re-
sponsibility, student-
centered high expecta-
tions and a passion for
bringing the best edu-
cation to the students
of BISD are among my
qualifications for this
position.
3. Personal mes-
sage/information
As an established
member of the Bastrop
community and having
two children receiv-
ing education in area
schools, I believe that
it is our duty to provide
the best education for
our children. I believe
members of a school
board serve as an im-
portant link between
parents and school.
Members are elected by
the community with the
trust that their voice
will be heard and con-
sidered. I am prepared
to serve as part of a
school board team uni-
fied by the shared pas-
sion of bringing BISD
to the forefront of public
education through indi-
vidual student success
and preparedness for
an ever changing world.
BASTROP
CITY COUNCIL
Ken Kesselus
1. What are the
three most impor-
tant things you see
facing the city?
Securing a long-
term water supply, the
city’s transition from a
“small-town culture to
a larg-
e r
one,”
and
city
bud-
gets
versus
their impacts on the
taxpayer.
Securing a long-
term water supply is
important because
if there’s no water,
there’s no city. We had
a bad year in 2011 be-
cause of the drought,
and a bad year in 2012
with three (water)
wells going down. The
long-term supply is
important because we
have a growing city
and old alluvial water
fields that we’ve been
relying on for these
decades, which are not
sufficient.
The city’s growth
has pretty much
moved it past the
“small-town” flavor it
used to have - at least
as regards interac-
tions between city of-
ficials, including the
council, and the gen-
eral public.
People used to
come to the city man-
ager’s office and ex-
pect to see him and
talk about anything.
But Mike (Talbot) is
really too busy now to
do that; he just can’t
stop for anyone walk-
ing in.
That can still hap-
pen, but the public
comment portion of
council meetings is
the more prudent
arena now for citizens
wanting to give input.
The city council
also has to deal with
more policy (issues)
now and less with rou-
tine matters which
can be handled by city
staff.
A key third issue is
working hard to have
a budget that retains
a good staff, and what
the city needs overall,
within a reasonable
burden to taxpayers.
2. Why are you
qualified for this po-
sition?
I have been on the
council for four years
and am Bastrop born
and raised. I have a
great interest in how
this city moves into the
future, and I just want
to be of service to the
community.
3. Personal mes-
sage/information
I am employed as
an ombudsman for
Bluebonnet Electric.
I was born and raised
in Bastrop and have
been married to my
wife, Toni, for 44 years.
I have two grown chil-
dren.
Hit JSastrop Gducrtiscr
Texas’ Oldest Weekly Newspaper
Since March 1, 1853
Semi-Weekly Since Sept. 5, 1977
For missed papers call (800) 445-9898
Devoted to the welfare of the people of Bastrop
County. Published 104 times a year on Thursdays
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The Bastrop Advertiser (USPS045-020), I
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Bastrop, TX 78602
Phone:321-2557, Fax: 321-1680
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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:
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Bastrop, Texas 78602-0459
STAFF
Editor: Cyndi Wright, ext. 12
(cwright@bastropadvertiser.com)
Assistant Editor: Terry Plagerty, ext. 22
(thagerty@bastropadvertiser.com)
Staff Writer: Erin Green, ext 21
(egreen@bastropadvertiser.com)
Sports Editor: Chris Dukes, ext. 17
(cdukes@bastropadvertiser.com)
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Advertising Deadlines for Thursday:
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following Thursday
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Deadlines subject to change for designated holidays
The entire content of The Bastrop Advertiser is pro-
tected under Federal Copyright Act. Reproduction
of any portion of any issue will not be permitted
without express permission of The Bastrop Adver-
tiser.
ADVERTISING ACCEPTABILITY: The Bastrop Ad-
vertiser reserves the right to reject or edit any
advertisement submitted for publication, in its
sole discretion. We will not knowingly accept
any advertisement that we consider potentially
misleading, deceptive, offensive, discriminatory,
that may infringe the rights (including trademark
and copyright) of any person or entity, or that
otherwise may be inappropriate for general
circulation publication. We will not knowingly
accept, regardless of ad content, any advertis-
ing for any product or service that itself may be
unlawful, harmful, or inappropriate for inclusion
in a general circulation publication. We do not
warrant the accuracy or completeness of any
published advertisement, and urge readers to
contact the advertiser directly if they have any
issue with either the content of the advertising or
the product or service advertised. The Bastrop
Advertiser is not responsible for errors or omis-
sions in advertisements, for failure to publish in
a timely manner, or for any damages caused
thereby. The sole remedy for failure to publish in
a timely manner shall be refund of any monies
actually paid by the advertiser for the desired
publication. The sole remedy for errors or omis-
sions shall be refund of monies actually paid by
the advertiser for the space in which the error or
omission occurred, which may be less than the
cost of the entire advertisement. We reserve the
right to correct or republish an advertisement in
lieu of any refund.
RECYCLING: The Bastrop Advertiser is recyclable,
and we encourage you to recycle your newspaper
when you are finished with it. The city of Bastrop has
curbside recycling (321-3941), and Recycling Op-
tions is located at 217 Pershing Blvd., around the
corner from the formerCounty Recycling Station. For
information, call 303-6665.
SUBMITTING A NEWS OR SPORTS STORY: Submit information by email or in
writing and delivered in person or sent by mail. Be as concise as possible.
Please include a contact name and telephone number. Photos may be
submitted by email or in person. If you have any questions, call editor Cyndi
Wright or assistant editor Terry Plagerty for news items or sports editor Chris
Dukes for sports items.
CORRECTIONS: The Bastrop Advertiser makes every effort to provide fair
and accurate information. Should we make an error, please contact the
news department. It is our policy to correct significant errors of fact.
OBITUARIES: Obituary announcements are published free of charge but
are subject to editing (for “as is" obituary announcements, contact the ads
department). Photos may also be submitted. Obituary announcements are
usually provided by the funeral home or family. For questions, call editor
Cyndi Wright or assistant editor Terry Plagerty.
WEDDINGS, ENGAGEMENTS, ANNIVERSARIES, AND BIRTHS: Wedding, an-
niversary, engagement and birth announcements are paid and have a
set format. Contact Ginny Pickering in the classifieds department for rates.
HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED OR DISPLAY AD: The best way to place a
classified or display ad is in person during regular business hours or by tele-
phone. You may also use the classified ad form in the classified section,
and you may also send ad copy by fax. Rates and special offers for classi-
fied ads are listed in the classified ads section of each issue. Media kits are
available for advertisers, which also include information about our other
Austin-area newspapers. If you have any questions, call Ginny Pickering for
classified ads or Debbie Denny for retail ads.
BACK ISSUES: Back issues of The Bastrop Advertiser are kept for about a
year and are available at our office while supplies last. There are also
bound copies of certain years at our office and copies available on
microfilm at the Bastrop Public Library. If you are looking for a specific
article or advertisement, you are welcome to browse through our back
issues during regular business hours.
Member: Bastrop Chamber of Commerce, National
Newspaper Association, South Texas Press Associa-
tion, Texas Press Association
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Wright, Cyndi. The Bastrop Advertiser (Bastrop, Tex.), Vol. 160, No. 23, Ed. 1 Saturday, April 20, 2013, newspaper, April 20, 2013; Bastrop, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth649297/m1/2/: accessed July 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Bastrop Public Library.