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76th Annual WCSP Rodeo: Wows Crowds in Jarrell Pg. 4 When you want the REAL story!

JULY 2019

Georgetown Utility Systems Diamond Rating

Photo courtesy City of Georgetown

Georgetown Utility

Systems (GUS) has been recognized nationally for reliability and safety. In April, GUS attained Diamond Level status under the American Public Power Association’s Reliable Public Power Provider program. This is the program’s highest level of recognition and is only awarded after a rigorous application process and outside review. The RP3 designation recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement. Criteria within each category are based on sound busi-

ness practices, and represent a utility’s commitment to safe and reliable delivery of electricity. Georgetown will keep the new RP3 designation for three years. Glenn Dishong, Georgetown Utility Systems utility director, presented the RP3 recognition at City Council (photo above). Georgetown is one of only six public power providers in Texas to receive the diamond designation. “Each of [the other diamond status utilities in Texas] are substantially larger than we are, and I think we should be proud that we were able to do that at our size,” Dishong said. “I want to congratulate all of the folks from the line-

men to the engineering staff to technical services. … It’s all the work that everyone does every day participating in those four key pillars of the program that makes us what we are.” Georgetown Utility Systems had been a platinum designee since 2016. During the council meeting, Mayor Dale Ross announced Lineman Appreciation Day in Georgetown in recognition of the work Georgetown Utility Systems lineman do 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to keep Georgetown’s electric system operating. GUS General Manager Jim Briggs explains, "We measure our performance for reliability against other

utilities nationally. What all of this that means for our citizens is that we are 'out of power' less often than other utilities, and if there is an outage, we are back up quickly; before most others." Briggs and Mayor Dale Ross agree most Georgetown residents can not remember the last time they lost power in their homes, and it is a good thing to recognize that we can take 'flipping a switch' for granted because our power is so reliable. "It means we are doing a good enough job that you don't worry whether your lights will come on when you get home." There is always a possibility that the Texas power

grid will require Georgetown to comply with rolling brown or blackouts due to overuse across the state— we would be required to reduce our load—but Briggs says the city has a partnership agreement to bring up distributed generation and avoid complete blackouts. Mayor Ross declared our utility workers the unsung heroes of city government. "I've lived here 17 years and I can't remember ever losing power due to any non-lightning circumstances. They are like referees or umpires. You don't think about them much until something doesn't go your way, but the city would come to a screeching halt if they didn't do their jobs

so well. Fortunately for Georgetown, our power is on virtually all the time. It would only be news if we lost it for any length of time." The Mayor went on to add that for a city Georgetown's size, this is just another in a growing list of national awards and levels of recognition for service and infrastructure. "Our city library received one of only five national gold medals for innovation and service last year; we recently also won a national planning award, and, as Mayor, I happen to know there are more in the pipeline that I will be eager to report as soon as they are announced."

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Summer Nature Hikes at Garey Park

year can be found on this page. It includes links for new enrollment, immunizations, calendars, school hours, and more. GISD asks parents to keep in mind some information, such as bus routes, is updated throughout the summer and may not be available until closer to the start of the school year. Contact your student/s campus/es if you have questions.

Join park staff for guided hikes on the following Tuesday evenings from 6-7pm during the summer: July 16, July 30, August 13 and August 27. Entry fees are required. Hikes are firstcome, first served and limited to 20 people. The meeting point will change each week. Please check in at the Gate House upon arrival and staff will direct you to the meeting point. The hikes will range from ½ mile-3 miles long. The trails are uneven, crushed limestone and crushed granite along the way. Bring water, a hat, and camera for pictures.

2019 Free Summer Meal Program

Free summer meals for children will be served June 3-August 9. The meals are for kids 18 and under and include breakfast and lunch. All kids are welcome. Meals will be provided at Tippit Middle School, Annie Purl Elementary and Cooper Elementary. Breakfast: 7:00 - 8:45 AM Lunch: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM To learn more visit summerfood.org

Sunset Movie Series

Enjoy a free screening of Incredibles 2. The movie will start at sunset but families are invited to come early for free popcorn and a special visit from A Safe Place! Friday, July 19 at the San Gabriel Park Soccer Fields.

Risks: Swimming in Rivers and Lakes

While places along the San Gabriel River like Blue Hole as well as Lake Georgetown are popular summertime destinations, those using these natural water bodies should be aware of potential risks. Stormwater runoff flowing into our rivers and lakes often contains bacteria and other organisms, especially after rainfall. During the summer months, warmer temperatures can lead to higher levels of bacteria in our rivers, streams, and in Lake Georgetown. Some of the highest levels of bacteria and other organisms can be found in areas where the river current slows or pools due to natural barriers or dams. Slow-moving water combined with higher temperatures can allow organisms to multiply in the water. Swallowing natural water while swimming or diving or exposing cuts or open eyes to natural water can lead to a variety of illnesses or skin conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information about how to avoid recreational water illnesses: cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/rwi.html. If you have questions about health-related problems which you suspect may be the result of recreation in natural waters, or you would like more information, contact

JULY 2019

3rd Annual K-9 Kerplunk

Georgetown Parks and Recreation are having the 3rd annual happiest day of the year... also known as the K-9 Kerplunk. All dogs and their owners are invited to the Community Center for an end-of-year pool paw-ty. This annual event is just for pups and the fee is $5 per dog. Humans will be admitted free but are asked, for safety's sake, that dogs do the swimming only. More in the August Advocate. the Williamson County and Cities Health District at www.wcchd.org or call 512-9433660.

HOAs Asked to Register

As of July 1, the City of Georgetown will notify registered neighborhood, homeowner, and property owner associations of proposed land use changes for properties in areas governed by an association or within 300 feet of the association’s boundary. Association managers or representatives can go to planning.georgetown.org and click the “Neighborhood Association Notification Registration” button to begin the registration process. Changes in land use include rezoning and special use permits, as well as other changes. At their June 11 meeting, City Council adopted new notification standards to increase public review and provide additional opportunities for adjacent residents to learn about, discuss, and provide feedback on proposed requests in advance of the public hearing process. In addition, the changes increase the notification radius from 200 feet to 300 feet and require the City to notify property owners in the City’s extraterritorial juris-

diction of requested changes. “These changes go a long way to increase our outreach when it comes to changes in land use,” Mayor Dale Ross said. “Notifying property owners within 300 feet, homeowner associations, and people in the ETJ goes well beyond state law and is a model for transparency in governance.” Registered associations will receive a notification for any land use changes requested for properties within their boundaries or within 300 feet of their boundaries. Registrations will be processed within five business days.

GISD School Supply Lists Are Ready!

It's early July, and although your students may not want to think about school, but for parents who want to get a jump on shopping before the shelves are picked over, the supplies lists have been posted at

Summer Opportunities for Student Volunteers

Senior Access connects volunteer drivers with senior citizens who need a way to get around. The agency was founded on the premise that the elderly lead happier, healthier lives when they “age in place”. Senior Access helps seniors continue to live at home by providing viable transportation, basic chores around the home, and access to essential services. The agency hopes to find high school students interested in volunteering during summer break. They are looking for high school age volunteers in the following three areas: • Riding the Van with the Seniors - Volunteers would: assist the seniors in and out of the van, help carrying items such as groceries, and interacting with the seniors. • Office Work: Help answer phones and assist with light office tasks. • Drive Seniors: Drive seniors to and from appointments. Drivers must be 18 years old and have graduated from high school. • Yard Work: L ight yard work is a big deal to Clients. Chores such as raking leaves, mulching flower beds, seasonal trimming, and mowing and edging. Contact Sherrie Rose at 512-310-1060 or visit SeniorAccessTX.org.

WWW.GEORGETOWNISD.ORG/ PAGE/20660 All of the information families need to successfully start the 2018-2019 school

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The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of The Advocate, administration, staff or contributing writers. The views expressed in all letters to the editor and signed opinion articles are those of their authors. All letters to the editor must include a name, address and phone number for verification. Anonymous and unverified letters to the editor will not be printed. The Advocate reserves the right to edit letters for length and journalistic style, and has a recommended length of 300 words. "To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge, to find the will of God is the greatest discovery, and to do the will of God is the greatest achievement." ~Author Unknown

JULY 2019  AdvocateNewsTX.com

Georgetown

INDEPENDENCE DAY IN GEORGETOWN

▲▲▲Top: Georgetown PD Officers Jordan Granberry,

Pablo Felix and Lt. Aaron White surveying the park for safety • Chad and Anne Holloway escort Keira (2) in the Hometown parade • Councilmember Valerie Nicholson and son with Mayor Dale Ross and wife Mickie riding in style in the parade. • Emrys (4) ready to spin on the cups • Bruce and Missy Patterson enjoying the music before fireworks begin. • Crazy Train in the park

▲Luna (2) with Fry's Fun Farm pony ►Civil Air Patrol cadets Makaela Elliott, Ryan Hubbs, Elliot Johnson headed up the Hometown Parade

◄Judge Donna King early on the campaign trail with one of her besties • ▼Skylar (4) found a bestie at Fry's Fun Farm in San Gabriel Park

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JULY 2019

Williamson County Sheriff's Posse Rodeo Comes to Town

Thanks to a generous donation of 20 acres

by the Micheaux "Solana Ranch" family, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse will have a new site on which they can build a rodeo arena and move all their operations. The first of many future rodeos was held in a temporary arena June 28-29, and delighted a sell-out crowd with dozens of cowboy events and entertainers. Until 2018, they held the rodeo at the San Gabriel arena in Georgetown. Although the decision to close the arena there was unpopular with some, WCSP received a resounding "Welcome to Jarrell!" at this year's event. Regardless of location, there is great history in the WCSP. The Posse was formed in 1943, and during WWII, the WCSP members helped out the Williamson County Sheriff’s office as many of the men were off at war. As the years moved on and the WCSP was not needed as much to support the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department, the direction of the Posse changed and they now facilitate community events year-

round. The rodeo includes open riding events, including mutton busting events for youngsters who want to get a taste of the arena. Sean Kampmeier is a former rodeo rider and provided judging for the Jarrell event. He explained a bit about the lifestyle and some of its key players. "Bulls are your typical athletes," Kampmeier says. "When you get them in their environment it is all about business; they don't want to be bothered so they can do their thing. When you get them home and they are in their own environment, you can walk up and pet them. Like a K-9 dog, he's a pet at home, but when the officer puts on the uniform, it's game time." Kampmeier is considering coming back into the arena as a competitor. At 39, he is nearly ready for the 'senior' tour (over 40) despite many broken bones and being temporarily paralyzed. "On both sides of the fence, this is a family. Maybe I'm just a

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little nuttier than most, but the rodeo is different from every other sport. When I finish a ride, thrown or not, I get back on that gate or in the chute and help my buddies out. The camaraderie is unique. You want to win, but we're all here pulling each others' ropes and telling each other 'You better win this one!' Basically, it beats a day job and I'm good at it." The Sheriff's Posse Rodeo will be back again next year in the fourth week of June. TOP: One of the unnamed "athletes" gets into

his mental state • Khiya (8) conquered the mechanical bull • Veteran clown Leon Coffee • Sweetheart Briana Lane • Drill team Captain Jason Woods

Education JULY 2019  AdvocateNewsTX.com

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Georgetown ISD Welcomes Five New Principals

The Georgetown Independent School

District named the following principals of Pickett Elementary School/Wolf Ranch Elementary School, Cooper Elementary School, Wagner Middle School, and Georgetown High School during a special board meeting on Wednesday, June 5: • Jacob Donnell • Tish Ptomey • Danielle Holloway • Brian Johnson Jacob Donnell will lead Pickett Elementary School as the new principal. He will be responsible for the transition to the new Wolf Ranch Elementary in 2020-2021. As principal, Donnell will facilitate the transition, hire staff, and develop new processes and procedures to open Wolf Ranch Elementary. Previously, Donnell served as an elementary principal in Waco ISD where he increased parent involvement, established a positive culture, and improved academic performance. With more than 13 years of experience, he has served as a math teacher, assistant/associate principal, and principal. He has a Master of Science from Baylor University and a Bachelor of Science

in mathematics from the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor. Tish Ptomey, the current assistant principal at Forbes Middle School, will transition as the new principal at Cooper Elementary. As principal, she will be responsible for facilitating and supporting campus staff to design engaging work for students and establish and model a culture aligned to the GISD Strategic Framework among other duties. Previously, Ptomey played an integral part with the opening of Wagner Middle School, where she helped hire staff, as well as design and develop processes and procedures to open Wagner Middle School. She received her Masters of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Tarleton State University. Danielle Holloway will collaboratively manage all aspects of Wagner Middle School. She will lead, facilitate, and support the design of engaging work for students and ensure actions and behaviors support and model a culture aligned to GISD’s Strategic Framework, among other duties.

Previously, Holloway was an important partner in the team that hired staff and designed the opening of Wagner Middle School. She was instrumental in aligning instruction at Wagner with GISD’s Learner Profile and chairs the Capstone Committee. Holloway developed the master schedule that provides opportunities for collaboration/flexibility in how teachers view time/ space/resources. She has her Master’s of Education and Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University. Brian Johnson will lead and manage all aspects of Georgetown High School. He will support and ensure actions and behaviors support the mission of GISD and advance the campus toward the GISD vision.

There’s a better way to stay cool!

New Principal at East View High School LaToya Easter has been selected to lead East View High School as their new principal and took up the helm July 1. Easter has served as Principal at Four Points Middle School in Leander for the past year, where she was responsible for managing all aspects of the campus including creating a positive learning environment for staff and students and monitoring and evaluating the advancement of student achievement. Prior to that, she served as an associate principal in Round Rock, an assistant principal at Rouse High School in Leander and as an English teacher, head basketball coach and administrator in Alvin ISD. As principal, Easter will collaboratively manage all campus operations and lead campus instructional programs to ensure high standards of instruction and student achievement while leading students in the growth of the Learner Profile. Easter holds a masters degree in administration and leadership from Grand Canyon

Johnson will align systems and processes to support the implementation. Previously, he managed all aspects of a high school campus with 1,800 students, including establishing vision and budgeting, and creating a ‘day of service’ for all incoming freshmen. Johnson grew advanced academics & AP test preparation by 300% and implemented fundraising efforts that raised more than $50,000 annually for technology, service learning, and professional development. He received his Master of Education from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University. All four principals assumed their new roles this month.

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JULY 2019

Georgetown Resident Receives Gold Medal Award Congressman John Carter (TX-31) awarded the Congressional Award Gold Medal to Georgetown's Connor Crowe in Washington, D.C. Connor joined 538 winners from across the U.S. to receive the highest honor Congress bestows to America’s youth. “Winning the Congressional Award requires an unparalleled work ethic and devotion to the local community, and Connor certainly represents those qualities,” said Rep. John Carter. “Our community is very proud of Connor’s remarkable

achievement, and we can’t wait to see what he accomplishes in the future.” Connor is currently studying environmental health science at Baylor University. As an Eagle Scout, he dedicated countless hours maintaining and constructing improvements for local parks and recreational areas to be utilized by the community for years to come. In addition to his community service, Connor is only the second Boy Scout from Central Texas in more than 100 years to earn all his merit badges, 142 badges to

be exact. The Congressional Award Foundation is a public-private partnership created by Congress to promote and recognize service, initiative and achievement in America’s youth. Eligible individuals, ages 14 to 23, earn may earn a Congressional Award by setting and achieving challenging goals in the four program areas: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness and Expedition/Exploration.

Rep. Carter and Connor Crowe pose for a picture after the Congressional Gold Medal Award Ceremony in Washington, DC.

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The Last Word

ADVO-CATIE What if Benjamin Franklin had also invented social media?

PUBLISHER'S CORNER 10 Things Every New Texan Needs To Know by Mike Payne

"Juneteenth is a Republican Celebration" ~ Karen Watson

them work for us. Having that ability and opportunity is not common in the world. My mission is to share my frustration over the misinformation that Karen Watson and GARW persists in popular culture. President Lesli Fitzpatrick at For instance, Abraham BB's Home Cooking June 19. Lincoln was our first Republican President. Dallas Co GOP Vice Chair KarThe Republican Party in en Watson is an author, speaker and advocate for not just the Texas was founded by values of the party but the history freed black slaves. The she believes is too often not part KKK was founded to be of the GOP message. the paramilitary arm of e are blessed to be in the Democratic Party. a country where we can These are the things that get our hands in it, choose Democrats have forgotten over time and I've been our own leaders and have

talking about since 2008 when people kept asking me if I was excited about that year’s election ... I was excited because I wanted John McCain to be President. Juneteenth is a Republican celebration. Imagine what it felt like to finally be told that you were free thanks to the blood, sweat, toil and the cost paid by the amazing men and women who fought in that war. More people died in that war than in all the other wars combined until [our current war on terror.] People don’t know the

connections between this date and the Republicans. The party of Lincoln was started to abolish slavery. Lincoln was first Republican president. Martin Luther King Day was signed by Ronald Reagan. Unemployment in the black community is the lowest under Trump than in the previous 50 years. I just want people to connect these things to the party. For more about Karen and local Republican events, visit GARW.org.

As a Texas transplant of nearly 11 years, and among those who “got here as fast as I could,” I’ve been compiling a list of important things new Texans probably ought to know. I have run this before, but I do update my list regularly, and with 350 new people moving to Texas every day, I feel it’s my duty to help them assimilate. Of course, those who were born here are dismissed from the mandatory completion of this reading since you grew up knowing, in your bones, what we far’ners had to learn through experience. 1. Never tell a Texan how to make a hamburger. A $2.50 hamburger from a hole-in-thewall a hundred miles from the middle of nowhere is better than any hamburger that has ever been cooked east of the Mississippi. There must be an extra hamburger cookin’ gene that is only found in Texas DNA. 2. Blue Bell Ice Cream comes in pints for a reason. Back East we found pints to be very inconvenient; too much ice cream for one sitting and not enough for two. In Texas, while a pint (yes, it must be Blue Bell, no substitutions) is just perfect any time throughout the year, it an absolute necessity for survival from April to November when we’re having a li’l hot spell. 3. “In Texas, we don’t cut down Pecan trees.” First, (and for the love of God) here it's pronounced pi-KAHN... a PEE-can is a toilet. I personally believe that to survive the heat, everyone in Texas needs a pool; and in order to place ours in the most auspicious sun-to-shade spot, there was one tree that had to go. My wife’s grandma (our next-door neighbor and a native Texan) watched from the window as the pool guys bulldozed this tiny, scraggly little tree. The next time we visited, she politely (yet sternly) informed me of this unwritten Texas law with which I was obviously unfamiliar. Where we came from they were pretty and plentiful, but not very useful. In Texas, though fewer and far between, they are the difference between life and death in the summer heat. Our house is in the country and it does not have a garage; it only took a few summers of blistering car seats and steering wheels before we began parking in the yard under the big ol’ Pecan tree from May to October.

4. a) If it bites, stings, crawls, slithers, or can make you itch, it lives in your yard; b) There is no such thing as a “little” rattlesnake – remember, every little snake has a Mommy and Daddy. 5. There are way too many stars in the sky. Look at the night sky in Texas and then look at the night sky in a Planetarium (that’s the only way you can see stars most places back East). I’m almost positive there were about a million fewer on the ceiling of the planetarium. (Note to self: Tell son that if he decides to study Astronomy, do it east of the Mississippi – there won’t be nearly as much to remember.) 6. If a Texan tells you it’s just down the road “a piece” you better get your oil changed, your tires rotated and pack a lunch. As near as I can tell, “a piece” here seems to be somewhere between 86-191 miles; just a hop, skip and a jump down the road for good BBQ, the coldest beer or the best breakfast taco. 7. No matter how hot it gets, it can get hotter. I used to laugh when my wife’s Texas family would call and say the temperature had dropped from 104 “all way down” to 98. I have finally realized that Texas heat is a scientific measurement, like the Richter Scale, and that each degree is ten times hotter than the one before it. 8. Boots are a necessity, not just a fashion statement. See #4. Enough said. 9. Jeans are acceptable wedding attire—just make sure you iron them. 10. Texans are proud of being Texans for a reason. This is my favorite. I used to shake my head at all the Texas pride; shirts, hats and belt buckles with the word ‘Texas’ emblazoned on them. “Really?” I would ask. “Can’t these people remember where they live?” Now, I get it. My first visit to the Alamo cemented what being a Texan means— being strong, fair, honorable, and courageous, even unto death, and that’s something to be proud of. One more thing—people really mean it when they say, “Welcome to Texas.” Just remember…you’re not in [insert your home state here] anymore. I assume you came to Texas for a reason, so remember these 10 simple rules and you’ll be just fine here. Welcome to Texas!

TOWN & COUNTRY

OPIFEX GLOBAL: Astronaut Training in Georgetown Barton Bollfrass, like many

of us, grew up on the thrills of space travel, moon landings, and shuttle landings. More recently, he has enjoyed the successes of SpaceX, including the Tesla convertible now orbiting the sun at 7 miles per second with a Starman mannequin at the wheel. Bollfrass, who just may be Texas' answer to Elon Musk, is as much a philosopher about space flight as he is a business man. Thanks to Bollfrass' common sense approach— and some important folks in Washington DC—what has previously been the purview of billion-dollar government contractors may be within reach for his Opifex Global astronaut training program here in little ol' Georgetown. At a recent meeting, Opifex demonstrated to the National Space Council and the White House, that training one astronaut does not have to cost taxpayers $50 million. The impact of that number becomes even greater when you realize not every person who goes through that training— with that price tag—even makes it to space. Having proven his model, and partnered with the appropriate EVA suit manufacturer, Bollfrass got the 'GO' decision from the NSC allowing him to respond to an RFP that will provide labor (astronauts) to future spaceflights.

But outerspace is expensive, isn't it?

Using the photos at right, Bollfrass explains the physical and physiological similarities between working on the moon and working underwater. As a former Navy diver, he began applying the same training principles and equipment to both. "The astronaut helmet was literally designed as a bubble to copy Flash Gordon. The diver has a small faceplate so he can focus on the work in front of him. Both suits are pressurized to keep the occupant alive. Oh, and the spacesuit costs $13M for a few extra layers of fabric." So, Opifex can prepare an astronaut for flight for $50,000. That's 1/10th of one percent of what the government spends. "There is no reason for space flight to be so expensive. Opifex is changing the paradigm on astronaut training and we're enjoying being disruptive in what has traditionally been a 'spend more for better' program," he says. "If you think about it, space travel is the only technology that has not gotten any smaller or cheaper. Sadly, there are many individuals and vendors who have made a lot of money for decades on space equipment and machinery. Taxpayers deserve better." With Opifex’s more-reasonable plans and programs, money could be spent elsewhere in the space program; building a station on the moon that can be a starting point for Mars and beyond. "It takes 17,000 miles worth of fuel just to get off the Earth," Bollfrass adds. "Imagine how far

we could go if we had a gas station on the moon to start from. Too often we hear about a company that invents a 'spaceflight rotary boring auger'... it's a drill! They just charge a million dollars and call it a spaaaace drill." Bollfrass uses his own pool design to train astronauts for zero gravity work and insists space travel is not just for pilots. "We only need two pilots. We need many more specialists who can focus on the work to be done on the moon. We built a neutral buoyancy tank and filled it with water. It's not special space water and we put on the same harness and suit the government does. We found a company to make the suits and, like diving, it's just a personal life support system with a coverall made of heavy fabric that is airtight. We pressurize it so you can just get to work. Then we train specialists to 1. not take off the helmet, 2. don't touch the dials, and 3. just get to work. "There's nothing else you need to know. When you ride

a roller coaster, you don't need to understand engineering. Just don't let go. Ironically, it's not rocket science at all." Bollfrass hopes his and other companies that are helping privatize space exploration will allow NASA, and mankind, to arrive at the moon to collaborate as benign entities and eventually share in the benefits to be had from reaching other planets, rather than just building space stations merely to give the rockets a place to go. Visit OpifexGlobal.com for more on these and other future endeavors.

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MAYOR'S UPDATE • BY DALE ROSS

Recovering Recyclable and Green Materials

There was a time a few decades ago when everything we “threw away” went into a trashcan that was emptied into a truck and dumped into a landfill. Now with technology for sorting and processing materials, most of our “trash” is actually a variety of recoverable materials that can be sorted, processed, and made into new products. Georgetown is part of this shift. We are now diverting much of our solid waste stream out of the landfill with programs for recycling, yard trimmings, household hazardous waste, and unwanted medications. Sorting and reusing more materials, combined with our growing population, have led to plans for a new transfer station.

New transfer station

After a collection truck leaves your house, the first stop for solid waste, recyclables, and yard trimmings is the City’s transfer and collection station on W.L. Walden Drive. There the materials are transferred from collection trucks to larger semi-trucks for the trip to the Texas Disposal Systems landfill, recycling, and composting facility south of Austin. The current

transfer and collection station in Georgetown opened in 1984 when the city’s population was about 12,000. Thirty-five years later, with a population of more than 70,000, the transfer station demand is exceeding its capacity. As part of an overall Solid Waste Master Plan, the City is now designing a new transfer station. The facility will increase capacity and efficiency with drive-through truck bays for three material streams: recyclables, compost/green material, and landfill material. Construction on the new $9.5 million transfer station is set to begin next summer with completion in the spring of 2021. While the new transfer station will help to more efficiently process the solid waste steam, we still need help from every resident to put items in the right cart.

What can I recycle?

Knowing what is and is not recyclable and putting items in the right cart will ensure that we reduce problems with contamination for recyclables or yard trimmings. That will help us to divert more material from the landfill. Recyclable items are

sorted and baled at the TDS materials recovery facility. These materials like mixed paper, cardboard, metal cans, and plastic containers are sold to buyers who use these materials to make new products. Items that are recyclable include aluminum and steel cans, glass bottles, corrugated cardboard, paperboard boxes, newspapers, magazines, telephone books, office paper, plastics #1 - #7, and plastic bags that have been put into a yellow Bag-the-Bag stuffer bag (available at Georgetown Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave. or Sun City Social Center, 2 Texas Drive). Items that are not recyclable include aerosol cans, used paper towels or tissues, loose plastic bags,

Styrofoam, snack bags (like chip bags), and paper coffee cups (paper sleeves and plastic lids are OK). Quick tips: Leave recyclable items loose in the cart and do not place in a bag. And be sure to separate boxes from plastic wrapping as these cannot be readily separated during sorting and processing. For a complete list of recyclables, go to recycle.georgetown.org/ single-stream-recycling.

Yard trimmings

Monthly collection of “green waste” or yard trimmings for City of Georgetown residents is on your first recycle pickup of the month. Leaves, branches, weeds, and other yard trimmings can be put in paper kraft bags, in a container marked “yard trimmings,” or in bundles (35 pounds, fourfoot max.). The organic material collected is turned into mulch available at the Collection Station or turned into a variety of compost products at the TDS facility.

Household hazardous waste vouchers The City is initiating a new program this month

for collection of household hazardous wastes such as antifreeze, fertilizer, motor oil, paint, pesticides, pool chemicals, or solvents. Georgetown city residents will be able to receive a voucher from the City of Georgetown to take household hazardous waste items to a facility in Round Rock. Find out more about the new household hazardous waste vouchers at recycle. georgtown.org. Email Georgetown Customer Care at customercare@georgetown.

org to request information or a voucher. Visit Round Rock’s household hazardous waste site to learn about collection events and acceptable materials: roundrocktexas.gov/departments/utilities-and-environmental-services/ solid-waste-recycling/ household-hazardous-waste-disposal. To learn more about recycling, yard trimmings, or other solid waste programs, or to look up your pickup schedule, go to recycle. georgetown.org.

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CITY INSIDER

REMEMBERING JOHN GLOVER WARDEN 1955-2014 pastor of Grace for 14 years In Honor and in Memory of where he saw Pastor John G. Warden God’s tremendous work in selected as the 2014 Jarrell Citizen of the Year growing the by Fidelis Publishing Group, LLC church. This was a special time in his life, and he loved his congregation deeply. Feeling the call to plant a church in his and spiritual needs of others. hometown of Jarrell, John started New Hope Baptist Church (lovingly known in the community as “The Barn Church”) where he served for six years. by Mike Payne John touched many lives throughout Williamson and Bell Counties with his minisHow many times have you heard someone try, which included volunteer chaplaincy say, “He (or she) was a rock?” Did the at St. David’s Georgetown Hospital. John comment make you wonder exactly what enjoyed working with his hands, which was they meant? To me, ‘a rock’ is someone evident in his participation in the building who is immovable, steadfast and resolute; of two churches and maintaining the church and I don’t think we run into too many of property. Most of all, he had a passion to them in life. share his love for his Lord and Savior to The rock I had the privilege of knowing anyone who would listen (and lovingly went home to be with the Lord five years prayed for those who wouldn’t). ago after a tragic accident at the Cedar Park John led our Tuesday morning Bible Gun Show. His name was John Warden and study. I came to rely on the simple text he everyone who knew him would concur that faithfully sent every Monday night remindhe was, indeed, a rock in his faith. He is ing us what passage we would be studying. missed by thousands who called him friend. On Tuesday mornings, he came into the John Glover Warden, 59, went to be office at 6:30 am, ready to share what God with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, June had placed on his heart for our group. At 28, 2014. He was born May 14, 1955 in the end of our time together each week, his Burnet. In 1994 John was called into the teaching always left us a little better than ministry and started Grace Baptist Church it found us! Some in the group had known of Salado with 18 members. He served as John for years; some for months; some for

Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant

Pastor John Warden was recognized as Jarrell Citizen of the Year for 2014. The Warden family accepts the Citizen of the Year plaque in his honor on behalf of New Hope Baptist Church. just a few weeks; yet everyone said that he death, Jesus paid the price on the cross for made a profound impact on their lives. us, dying for all our sins; and that through John, whom I was blessed to call teacher, his death and resurrection, when we call mentor and friend, would surely admonish on his name, in belief, he responds with the me for honoring him on this difficult anpromise of eternal life! niversary. He was not interested in talking To the Warden family: My family conabout himself unless it was to share with tinues to pray for you in the power of the us that he thought he needed to be more Holy Spirit. We are asking that God will faithful, or that he needed to do more to act wrap his arms around you and comfort upon the tenets of the his faith. John had you with His presence. To John’s friends: a clear calling. It was to share the love of I challenge you - be more like John. Love Christ. If John was standing over my shoul- more; do more for others; engage those in der as I write this, he would most certainly need. Most of all, though, John would say say, Tell them about Jesus! Tell them that to everyone, Seek Jesus; accept him; love God loves them! Tell them that while we him; be obedient to him. Your life and the were yet sinners, Christ Jesus died for us! lives of those you love will never be the Tell them that even though we all deserve same, here on earth, and eternally!

The Rev. Dr. Bill Pederson, Pastor

Members of the New Hope congregation and Jarrell community members constructed a prayer garden outside the church in memory of their pastor, mentor and friend.

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CITY INSIDER

Big Mouth

JULY 2019

NEWS FOR PAWS & CLAWS AND HOOVES & SNOUTS

by Dr. Nathan Carlton

A couple months ago I was called out to a ranch to help figure out why the cattle owner had lost several calves this year. The rancher had exceptional records; every calf was accounted for on an excel spreadsheet, along with its mother, vaccination dates, the antibiotics and de-wormer used. Very impressive! After some discussion, I decided our best bet was to test for leptospirosis. If you’ve been following these articles, you know all about lepto. For those who haven’t, leptospirosis is a bacterial disease passed in the urine of wild animals to other animals. It is pretty common in central Texas; cows, pigs, dogs, and people can get this bacterial disease. Signs of infection are non-specific and include fever, headache, belly pain, and jaundice. The infection can cause abortions in cows, and liver failure in several species. There are vaccines against lepto licensed for dogs, cows and pigs, and

I highly encourage everyone to get pets or livestock vaccinated. I went to my pickup and collected a few syringes and serum separator tubes, put on my muck boots, and headed out to start collecting blood. Like most of us who own cows, my client had a fulltime job and had not yet had time to sort the cows. He had them penned them up in the working facility he built. He beamed with pride as he told me about how he and his daddy had built their pens out of salvaged material from an auction barn’s old working pens. Clad in overalls and well over six feet tall, my client is an imposing figure who obviously relished his cattle handling experience. He set to work with a sorting stick, tapping cattle on the rump, gesturing and talking to the cows and bulls he had penned up. The whole time he told me stories about his life growing up alongside his father raising cattle and working the land. In no time he had the cows sorted out. Like every rancher I’ve ever met, this man was

a master at ingenuity. To keep costs down, he had created a gate system he used with a rachet strap to trap each cow we needed to work in an impromptu squeeze. The easiest way to draw blood from a cow is to lift the tail and stick the tail vein. I collected blood from a couple cows, and was in the process of explaining something to my client when the cow I was working on, whose tail was well coated in urine and stool, decided to flick said tail right into my gaping mouth. I gagged and spat, trying to get rid of the foul material while my client snorted and chuckled. Feeling sheepish I returned to my clinic and filled out the paperwork to send the samples in for testing. I found out a few days later the cows were positive for lepto and was able to help him treat the cattle so he didn’t suffer further loses. I’ve just finished my last round of antibiotics to try and prevent myself from getting leptospirosis, and so-far, so-good. My client is in his 50s, and his love for

the farming and ranching lifestyle started with the experiences he had with his father raising livestock. I hope I can be as inspirational to my son as his father was to him; I hope more fathers share their passion for agriculture with their children; and I hope that I learn to keep my mouth shut once in a while. After graduating from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Carlton served four years in the United States Army as a Veterinary Corps Officer. He honed his clinical skill set working on these unique animal populations, and now brings that special knowledge to the community at Jarrell Animal Hospital. Dr. Carlton is a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Association of Equine Practitioners, Texas Veterinary Medical Association, and he continues to serve in the United States Army Reserve. Jarrell Animal Hospital 191 Town Center Blvd. JarrellAnimalHospital.com and Facebook

CITY INSIDER

JULY 2019

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CITY INSIDER

JULY 2019

The Georgetown Fire Department and The Caring Place are teaming up with Family Eldercare for the Summer Fan Drive. The goal of this event is to collect new fans for low-income residents including seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children. The fan drive continues through Aug 31. The goal is to deliver more than 6,000 fans to households in 11 counties in Central Texas.

Donations

New fans can be donated at all five Georgetown fire stations: • Fire Station 1, 301 Industrial Avenue • Fire Station 2, 1603 Williams Drive • Fire Station 3, 5 Texas Drive • Fire Station 4, 4200 Airport Road • Fire Station 5, 3600 DB Wood Road Other fan donation locations can be found and

monetary donations are accepted on the Family Eldercare Summer Fan Drive website at www.SummerFanDrive.org.

Eligibility

Those eligible to receive a fan are low-income residents. In addition, they must be seniors who are over age 55, or persons who are disabled, or families with children under 18. To apply to receive a fan at a location other than The

Caring Place, go to the Family Eldercare Summer Fan Drive website at www. SummerFanDrive.org. For more locations to apply, go to www.SummerFanDrive. org. To request a fan or get more information, you may call the Fan Drive phone number at (512) 459-4326.

Georgetown Pickup

In Georgetown, people who are eligible may apply at The Caring Place Annex and pick up a fan at the

same time. Bring documentation of low-income status to The Caring Place Annex, 2001 Railroad Avenue, Georgetown, TX, 78626. At The Caring Place, Fan Drive distribution continues every Wednesday and Thursday from 10am-2pm. In addition, this location will be open from 4:30-6pm on July 28. Distribution at The Caring Place ends on July 28. For details, or to donate to the Summer Fan Drive online, go to www.SummerFanDrive.org.