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Island Moon The Island Newspaper Island Area News ● Events ● Entertainment
October 7, 2011 Facebook: TheIslandMoonNewspaper
Explanatory Statements for the November 8, 2011 Texas Constitutional Amendment Election
Proposition Number 1 (SJR 14) SJR 14 would amend the constitution to authorize the legislature to provide the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran with an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the surviving spouse’s residence homestead as long as the surviving spouse has not remarried, the property was the residence homestead of the surviving spouse when the qualifying veteran died, and the property remains the residence homestead of the surviving spouse. The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran.” Proposition Number 2 (SJR 4) SJR 4 would amend the constitution to authorize the Texas Water Development Board to issue additional general obligation bonds on a continuing basis for one or more accounts of the Texas Water Development Fund II, with the restriction that the total amount of bonds outstanding at any time does not exceed $6 billion. The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board in an amount not to exceed $6 billion at any time outstanding.” Proposition Number 3 (SJR 50) SJR 50 would amend the constitution to authorize the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or its successors to issue and sell general obligation bonds on a continuing basis for the purpose of financing educational loans for students, subject to certain constitutional restrictions, including a restric-
tion as to the maximum principal amount of bonds outstanding at any one time. The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Texas to finance educational loans to students.” Proposition Number 4 (HJR 63) HJR 63 would amend the constitution to authorize the legislature to permit a county to issue bonds or notes to finance the development or redevelopment of an unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted area within the county, and to pledge increases in ad valorem tax revenues imposed on property in the area by the county for repayment of such bonds or notes. The amendment does not provide independent authority for increasing ad valorem tax rates. The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit a county to issue bonds or notes to finance the development or redevelopment of an unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted area and to pledge for repayment of the bonds or notes increases in ad valorem taxes imposed by the county on property in the area. The amendment does not provide authority for increasing ad valorem tax rates.” Proposition Number 5 (SJR 26) SJR 26 would amend the constitution to authorize the legislature to allow cities and counties to enter into interlocal contracts with other cities and counties without having to assess an ad valorem tax and set aside a specified amount of funds for the payment of costs under the interlocal contract. The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legAmendments Cont. on B 4
Port A Happenings... Free Concert Come on over for the last Sunset Sounds concert of the season. Friday, Oct. 14, will feature Shirley Fischer and Russell Edge playing a variety of music. Bring a chair or blanket, friends
and family, food and drink and enjoy music from 7-9pm, at the Patsy Jones Amphitheater in Roberts Point Park in Port Aransas. The concert, courtesy of Port Aransas Parks and Recreation, is held April through October each year for the enjoyment of locals and visitors to Port A. Family and pet friendly, attendees will also be treated to views of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel, dolphins and pelicans, ferries crossing and a beautiful sunset. Everyone is invited to refresh your soul in this beautiful natural setting. Yoga on the Beach Join others for the free monthly yoga lesson at 8 am, Saturday, Oct. 15.
Next Publication Date: 10/21/2011
State approves funding for the Mustang Beach Airport
Year 15, Issue 398
Harvest Moon Regatta
Mustang Beach Airport in Port Aransas will get approximately $690,000 in funding after approval of the funds by the Texas Transportation Commission at its September meeting. The funds will be used for planned airport improvements including replacing., automated Weather Observing System and engineering/design for pavement and lighting improvements. Consultants for the work will be selected by the end of 2011.
Project costs will be funded through TxDOT’s Aviation Facilities Grant Program, which preserves and improves the state’s general aviation system and the City of Port Aransas. This year, TxDOT expects to provide approximately $60 million in funding for planning, constructing and maintaining community airports around the state. Approximately 275 community airports in Texas are eligible for funding. Arrivals and departures from community airports account for more than three million flight hours per year and provide aircraft facilities for agricultural, medical, business and commuter use.
The 25th annual Harvest Moon Regatta is set to sail into Port Aransas during none other than the “harvest moon!” The regatta sets sails from Galveston on Thursday, October 13 with more than 200 boats expected to arrive in Port Aransas beginning in the early dawn hours on Friday, October 14. This year marks a special anniversary for the regatta – with several racers making the trek each of the 25 years in the history of the race. The regatta, which is the largest port to port race in North America, will sail offshore in the Gulf of Mexico 150 nautical miles from Galveston to Port Aransas. For live tracking of the sailboats, go to http://www.harvestmoonregatta.com.
On the Rocks Dove Season
Instructor Nancy Myers will teach basic yoga techniques, courtesy of Port Aransas Parks and Recreation. Meet at the Horace Caldwell Pier, at the end of Beach Street.Bring an old towel or mat suitable for use on the beach. This class is held the second Saturday of each month.
By Jay Gardener year the back 40 starts to look like the Planet of the Lost and the dishes tend to pile up in the sink. My favorite time of the year though! Fishing is awesome, there’s no one on the LaCurtis and I rounded the corner guna, and its gun season for in the plowed field. It was open- many species. I LOVE SOUTH ing morning of dove season, and TEXAS! we were as giddy as a teenager Bizzy had been watching a before a Justin Bieber concert. weather window all week for Well, maybe not THAT excitoffshore, and we headed out aled, but we were pumped. We most first thing the next morning were the first ones to the dove after the dove extravaganza feslease, and had the pick of the tivities. The seas were thankfullitter for locations. We headed
We had mystery hits on various baits that just couldn’t seem to find the hook! We trolled over to the Baker rig from the rocks, and on the way, I’m standing on the gunnels looking back at the spread, just daydreaming. Out of nowhere, I see maybe a dozen small mahi greyhound into the spread, and we have two knockdowns. The boat easily pulled the two chicken-dolphins to the top of the water so we could see them. The one on the starboard rigger pulls out, but the one on the bird stays and Jamie gets
Rockport Seafair, October 7-9
Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis headline the musical line-up on Friday, October 7, with Their Great Country Sound Rockport Seafair runs Friday through Sunday, October 7-9. Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis headline the weekend’s music line-up and boot-up the energy and fun with great Country Western sound, 9 to 11 p.m., Friday, October 7. Rockport Seafair tickets are $5 for adults Friday and Sunday; $7 for adults Saturday; $10 for pre-sale wristband, good for all three days, available for advance purchase only; limited supply; and $2 for children 6-to-12. Children under 6 get in free. Festival hours are 5 to 11 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 pm. Sunday. Contact the Chamber at (361) 729.6445 or (800) 242.0071, or visit rockportseafair.com; for information on the area visit rockport-fulton. org. Entertainment Like No Other The Rockport Seafair Festival Grounds, located at 100 Seabreeze, Rockport Harbor, will be rocking and rolling for three days with musical highlights that include Battle of the Bands contest winner and live performances by Country artists Samantha Aiken and Rodeo Drive,
6 Market Blvd, and Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis on Friday, October 7. On Saturday, artists Scott Taylor, Jerrod Medulia, The Texas Toast, and the Derailers perform country, blues and rock. Rhythm and Blues, and soul music take center stage Sunday with Hilda Lamas, along with the country sounds
of the Clint Martin Band. The Saturday morning Rockport Seafair Parade through downtown launches the weekend fun. Thousands of spectators line the streets to see floats, bands, clowns, dancers, acrobatics, jugglers and local celebrities. Then it’s off to the festival grounds for more fun, which includes the following: Gumbo Cook-off
Approximately 14 teams will compete for the title of championship seafood gumbo king or queen on Saturday. On Sunday, experience a cup of “No Rules” gumbo – anything and everything from chicken to alligator. The gumbo is available for $2 per cup both days. Cardboard Boat Races This race challenges amateur boat builders to design, build and navigate boats made entirely of corrugated cardboard. A popular demolition derby follows the race. Standup Paddle Boat Races New this year, the standup paddle boat races, which should make a splash? Join the fun as you race around Key Allegro! All levels of Stand Up Paddle board enthusiasts will enjoy this unique challenge. SUP racers will have an opportunity to paddle under the Key Allegro bridge, into Aransas Bay, and finish at Blue Water Beach! Don’t miss your chance to join this elite group of SUP racers. Hilarious Crab Races World’s only known crab races Seafair Continued on B 4
towards the back corner at the Mathis lease; my favorite spot. The birds appeared to be flying, and we got out of the truck and set up. Well, actually, Curtis got out and had two birds in the bag before I could get my shotgun out. In any event, dove season started off with a Bang, and we had a good time, with limits to boot. It’s that time of year when many folks turn their attention from the rods and reels to the guns. I like to do all of the above; blast and cast so to speak. During this time of the
ly flat, and we made good time the reel. About halfway in, the heading up north to check on mahi goes crazy ballistic and an area of cooler water hanging runs straight at the boat towing around the Baker area. Despite the bird on plane, not afraid of seeing bait being blown up by the boat it would seem. Sudmackerel and various floating denly, a five-foot Wahoo blows logs, we were steadfast in mak- out of the water right next to the ing our way out to the fishing mahi. Jamie asks, “What do I grounds. We arrived in a short do?” Scott and I simultanehour and put out the spread. Not ously yell back “Let him have five minutes later the port rig- it!” We were hoping the Wager gets hit and pops. Fish on! hoo would find the hook and we The large fish peels drag for a could Whata-size our “grocergood 20 seconds and then spits ies” from a small chicken dolthe hook. Dangit! This would phin to a nice Wahoo. The next repeat itself throughout the day. On the Rocks Continued on B2