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TOWN & COUNTRY
Women of Williamson County • Page 9 MARCH 2019
Gonzalez Receives School Board Endorsements City Council member Tom-
my Gonzalez is ramping up his campaign for Georgetown City elections May 4. Having recently received the endorsement of the Georgetown Police Officers Association, he also announced similar support from GISD Trustees Marcos Gonzalez, Andy Webb, Scott Stribling and Ben Stewart. "While I am always a strong advocate for growth and amenities for the east side of the city, I have always
been a strong partner on the council for our school district. Over the past six years, I have consistently looked for ways to work with the ISD as a partner with and for our business community at large for the betterment of all of our citizens." Gonzalez is well-known for his efforts to work with the Trustees to ensure Georgetown students have the resources and buildings that create opportunities and quality education. "Facilita-
tion of those opportunities is my goal, and to do that, as a member of City Council, I draw upon my background in the banking industry to make sure we make conservative financial decisions. We are accountable to the taxpayers of this city and to be good stewards of the money entrusted to us. I look at it this way, every dollar we can save at the city level goes to the kids. We have so many great programs already, like Sea Perch and Rocket-
ry, and I want to ensure that our students are prepared for whatever future they see for themselves after graduation; vocational, college, STEM or military." Several school board members have announced their public endorsement for Gonzalez' campaign. More information is available on his website; VoteTommyGonzalez.com. Early voting is April 22-30; election day is May 4.
Why Georgetown is 100 Percent Renewable
Reports by a local newspaper and an an-
ti-renewable energy advocacy organization attempted to question Georgetown’s status as an electric utility using 100 percent renewable energy. Georgetown is credited with the energy it pays to put into the statewide electric grid. Since April 2017, the City has been credited with putting more renewable energy into the grid than customers consumed. According to the statewide renewable energy accounting system, overseen by the Public Utilities Commission, Georgetown’s customers have been using and paying for all-renewable energy since April 2017. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the statewide electric grid. ERCOT also tracks renewable energy production for the City. The City is able to determine its energy consumption based on data from customer meters. When determining what percent of an electric utility’s energy portfolio is renewable, the energy produced is compared to the energy consumed. For example, in 2018: • Georgetown contracted for 1,067 megawatt hours of energy. • Of that, 822 megawatt hours were from renewable sources. • Georgetown customers consumed 678 megawatt hours. In 2018, the total energy consumption by Georgetown customers was less than the total energy produced by renewable sources. That means Georgetown qualifies as being 100 percent renewable in Texas.
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goal is to have 30 percent of its energy from renewables by 2030.
Texas’ Energy Grid
The City does not physically use renewable energy every second of every day, but the City does produce more renewable energy than its customers consume. As long as this trend continues, Georgetown will be considered 100 percent renewable. All utilities in Texas base their renewable percentages using this method. The City never claimed that the electrons produced by its energy contracts are the same electrons consumed in Georgetown. In fact, a commentary published by the Austin American-Statesman Aug. 11 states, “[t]he city did not set out to influence other
energy providers or shakeup the state grid. We know that Texas is reliant on traditional sources of energy. We know it is impossible to track an electron produced in West Texas all the way to Georgetown. However, we also know that the state attributes all of wind farm and solar farm production with Georgetown.” Contrary to some reports, the City does not have a policy to be 100 percent renewable in its energy supply. In 2014 and 2015, the City selected wind and solar energy providers because of long-term cost stability and reduced regulatory risk. The City’s
ERCOT manages the flow of electric power for 90 percent of the state’s electric load. This interconnected system means all sources of energy enter into and are consumed off the statewide grid. Georgetown is reliant upon energy from the grid to ensure customers receive reliable energy. As a member of ERCOT, the City of Georgetown is obligated to purchase, place, and ultimately provide energy to customers using the ERCOT-managed grid. The City is under contract to purchase energy from four providers. The two largest are Spinning Spur 3, a wind farm near Amarillo, and Buckthorn, a solar farm near Fort Stockton. The third source of energy is a smaller wind farm operated by American Electric Power (AEP) which primarily covers Southwestern University’s energy needs. The final energy contract is with Mercuria for natural gas-based energy. This contract was initiated and is a short-term power supply, set to expire in 2022. The energy production for each of these contracts, as well as Georgetown’s electric consumption, is included in the graph. As the graphic illustrates, since 2017 Georgetown’s wholesale energy contracts produced more renewable energy than customers consumed.
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Hazardous Waste Options for Georgetown Residents
Georgetown is finalizing details for a new household hazardous waste program expected to be announced this summer. In the interim, residents have options for disposing of household hazardous waste. The City of Round Rock offers household hazardous waste collection on the first Wednesday of each month from 3-6pm at the recycling center, 310 Deepwood Drive—$40 per car (cash/check). Information about acceptable items can be found at RoundRockTexas.gov. Proof of Williamson County residency is required. Georgetown residents can also take household hazardous waste items to the Williamson County household hazardous waste collection event April 27 in Cedar Park. It is free for residents and proof of Williamson County residency is required. Visit WilliamsonCountyLandfill.wm.com Updates and details about the City’s new household hazardous
waste program will be posted to Recycle.Georgetown.org. Household hazardous waste products should never be poured on the ground, down the drain, or thrown out with regular household garbage. Improper disposal can contaminate groundwater and drinking water. It can also injure those who come into contact with the waste Many common home and garden are considered household hazardous waste. These items should not be placed in residential trash collection carts or placed at the curb for pickup. Household hazardous waste products are often labeled with words such as caution, toxic, poison, corrosive, or danger. Examples include: •Aerosol spray cans • Antifreeze • Art and hobby chemicals • Automotive products • Fluorescent lights (tubes or CFLs) • Household cleaners and disinfectants • Mercury (from thermometers, thermostats) • Motor oil or transmission fluid
Pat Green to Headline at Red Poppy Festival This year Georgetown celebrates the 20th anniversary of Red Poppy Festival with special Saturday night headliner Texas Country music singer-songwriter Pat Green. Green began his career at 18 at Texas Tech and went on to release seven studio albums. His biggest hit “Wave on Wave” reached #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. This signature festival runs April 26-28 with live music, entertainment, family fun, food, and more than 120 arts and craft vendors.
The Friday night concert features Dysfunction Junction. Other festival highlights include the Red Poppy Parade on Saturday at 10am, and the Car Show at 11am. The official 2019 Red Poppy Festival poster is on sale for $5 starting at 6pm on April 5 at the Visitors Center at 103 W. Seventh St. The poster artist, Devon Clarkson, will be at the Visitors Center April 5 from 6-8 p.m. signing posters. The first 50 posters are free. For all the details, go to RedPoppyFestival.com.
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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
• Paints and stains, especially oil-based • Pesticides and poisons • Pool and spa chemicals • Thinners and solvents • Vehicle batteries (wet cell) Each year, the City of Georgetown collects about 75,000 pounds of household hazardous waste.
Utility Assistance
Opportunities for Williamson & Burnet Counties has money available for energy assistance. The agency received extra funds in January and is able provide assistance for up to eight months per year for qualified households. Applications are available for residents who need help paying energy bills. Forms and applications are available at www. OWBC-TX.org under "quick links" on the home page. Some documentation will be necessary to determine eligibility. Call 512-255-2202 for more information.
GOP Celebrates Ronald Reagan The Williamson County Republican party held its annual Ronald Reagan Gala on February 18 at the Marriott in Round Rock. The event is the largest fundraiser the party holds each year. This year was significant in that it was a farewell to retiring Party Chairman Bill Fairbrother, who announced he would be stepping down earlier in the month. Precinct Chair and long time volunteer and supporter Milton Rister received the John Carter Distinguished Service Award for his work on behalf of the county Republicans and State of Texas.
WCRAS Grand Opening New Adoption Center
The public is invited to the grand opening of the expansion of the Williamson County Regional Animal Center (WCRAS) March 14 at 11am. Attendees are invited to take part in a Kitten Shower by donating items for the shelter’s many cats and kittens. Two special shelter success stories will be attendance. K9 Harley from Round Rock PD and K9 Bolo with the Sheriff’s Office. Both were at WCRAS when their respective departments identified them as good candidates for K9 duty. Hutto Police K9s Raisin and Rik also will attend. Doors open for adoptions at noon. Also for the grand opening, WCRAS is offering a special with all adult dogs and cats available for a price you get to name.! Items suggested for donation to the kitten shower include: Royal Canin Mother and Babycat soft food and kibble, digital kitchen scales, flannel receiving blankets, kitten bottles, unflavored Pedialyte, top loading plastic carriers, free and clear baby wipes, and turkey or chicken Gerber baby food with no additional veggies or spices. To preview the adoptable dogs and cats at Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, visit wilcopets.org.
The keynote speaker was United Nations Ambassador Sichan Siv, who spoke eloquently, not just about the party, but about what it means to him to be an American. His story was as amazing as it was inspirational; from his humble beginnings as a refugee from the Killing Fields of Vietnam, to his appointment to George Bush, Sr.'s White House in just 13 years, prior to being named Ambassador. Former Texas party Chair Steve Munisteri honored President Reagan; "Now, more than ever, we owe a debt to the 'crazy warmonger' who put us back on the path of hope and prosperity and resulted in the fall of the USSR." Photos from top: Ambassador Sichan Siv • Congressman Carter Presents the Service award to Milton Rister, with wife Nancy beside him. • County Judge Bill Gravell, Jill Gravell and HNTB officers Christen Eschberger and Dayna Elliott • Round Rock Attorney Jeremiah Willams led a spirited live auction • A Georgetown contingent arriving at the gala; Attorney Josh Schoeder, Mayor Dale Ross, Trustee Scott Stribling, Trustee Andy Webb and Mrs. Mickie Ross.
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Two New Fire Stations Break Ground
The City of Georgetown broke ground on
two Fire Stations, March 1st and 5th. Fire Station 7, on Highway 29 at Inner Loop, will serve areas on the city's east side as well as areas in Emergency Services District 8. Total construction cost for the 13,000 square foot station is $6.3 million. The building will have three truck bays and living quarters for 13 firefighters or medics. The 2019 City budget includes 11 new firefighter/medic positions to staff the station. A SAFER grant from the Federal Emergency Management Association will also provide $1.7 million in federal funding with a $1 million City match to fund 75 percent of the new positions for the next two years and 35 percent of the cost in the third year. As well, a new cost-sharing agreement between the City and ESD 8 helps cover the costs of providing fire service. Fire Station 6 is on Williams Drive and FM 3405. It will serve the west side of Georgetown and areas in Emergency Services District 8. The total construction cost for the 12,000-square-foot station is $5.5 million. The building will have three truck bays and living quarters for 6 firefighters or medics. A cost-sharing agreement between
the City and ESD 8 also will provide funding for the new station. Mayor Dale Ross highlighted the need for the new stations with data on Georgetown growth and the need for new services. "We already have world-class police, fire and EMS services. We are predicting our city's growth will continue and want to keep ahead of the curve, especially in emergency services. Since 2017, medical and fire calls have increased 56 percent and we have been very proactive getting the infrastructure in place so we can continue to protect our citizens. The data tell us we have more medical than fire calls and, as always, we are committed to partnerships that will help provide these services." District 7 Councilman Tommy Gonzalez is pleased to have a new station in his district; "This is a great new model; we were looking for easy access to roads to get in and out and this station is centrally located for the heavy growth we are experiencing in this District. Our model was to have all homes within a six minute response time. That was a challenge for FS1 in the past and I am pleased this new station will help us meet that goal." Construction is expected to be completed on both stations in March 2020.
Left: Rendering of Fire Station 7, at the intersection of Rt 29 and Inner Loop • Right: Engineers from O'Haver join Assistant Fire Chief Clay Shell, Mayor Dale Ross, Councilmen Tommy Gonzalez and Kevin Pitts, and City Manager David Morgan for the turning of the dirt
Arts are Alive at TX Bach Festival The Texas Bach Festival is already preparing for its summer series. Founder Barry Williamson (pictured) is eager to enrich Georgetown; "We are going to provide free concerts and show the community that we mean what we say. We are family-oriented and want people to feel welcomed into something they can relate to and get excited about." The Festival is in its third year and has grown its pro-
gram and donors year over year. This July there will be five concerts and a CD from the 2018 festival available for sale. Williamson says, "The arts in Georgetown are very healthy. I'm very proud that, in just two years, we have taken a leading role. This is an international event and we are proud to have the best professional musicians and singers from California to Florida. Some have even lowered their fee
to participate with us. We are here for the enrichment, which is what Bach did; he raised interest in everything he did." This year's festival will mark the 300th anniversary of Bach's St. John's Passion, a requiem based on the Gospel of St. John. There will be three free concerts in Georgetown, one ticketed performance at St. Helen's Church and one in Austin. Visit TexasBachFestival.org for updates and schedules.
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Schools & Community MARCH 2019 AdvocateNewsTX.com
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A Chilly Chase the Chief 5K and Hammerlun Family Fun Run
Jarrell ISD Board Names New Elementary for Family Lost to '97 Tornado
At a special meeting Wednesday, Feb. 20, Left: 3rd Grader Hayden on the final stretch in the Fun Run • Above: Officer Delta Jolly, Assistant Chief Cory Tchida, Superintendent Dr. Fred Brent and Chief Wayne Nero prepare to be "chased" in the Fun Run • Right: Kindergärtner Scarlet enjoys a visit with Chief Nero, whom she says is "Her Chief!"
While some at home may
have been shaking their fists at Canada for sending their weather down here, about 300 health-minded students and family members withstood the 40-degree day to participate in the 7th Annual Chase the Chief Challenge at East View High School March 3. Participants had their choice of a 1K Fun Run, a 5K run, a rock wall and several local vendors with fitness options to-go. The goal of Chase the Chief is to encourage students and their families to lead active, healthy lives. This event is a joint fitness initiative by the Georgetown Police Department, Georgetown ISD, and the Georgetown Health Foun-
dation. The Chief’s Challenge, Fun Run and 5K are designed to get kids and families off the couch and focused on fitness. Georgetown Police Chief Wayne Nero said, “This kind of weather is where we find out who is really motivated. It’s not really about chasing me, although that does motivate some. It’s about chasing your best time and highest level of fitness. We want people to look at what they did last year at this time and try to do even better.” This year, the event was re-named for the late Jerry Hammerlun, of whom son Greg said, "Our father loved this community and this school district. [Our family] wanted to do something to honor that and give back. This is for the students for the community. Those two things go hand in hand and he was very
passionate about both." Proceeds from this event will help fund grants for GISD physical education programs. Last year, $9,000 was awarded to GISD physical education departments and was used to purchase additional gym equipment. Nero spoke to the crowd before warm-ups by Camp Gladiator trainers; "We are glad to have this first named Hammerlun Fun Run. He was a great man and a great friend and we are dedicating this run to him. This is what community is all about. The first year we did this we had 350 people sign up. This year... over 2000! It is great to see how this community bonds over our shared misery of the cold!" Proceeds will be delivered to schools by Police Department representatives before the end of the school year.
Jason Dean Named New GISD Athletic Director The Georgetown ISD announced Jason Dean is the new athletic director for the district at a special board meeting March 5. Dean has served as a coach and campus coordinator at Georgetown High School since 2005, and as head football coach there since 2009. During his tenure, the football team has entered into post-season competition in years 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2015 through 2018, tallying 11 play-off wins. Prior to coming to Georgetown, Dean served as a coach in Abilene for seven years, where he led teams to play-off competition during six seasons. “Coach Dean has built an incredible program at Georgetown High School,” said Superintendent Fred Brent. “He has a vision for all students and all athletes in Georgetown ISD, and we are excited
for him to bring that vision and leadership into this role as athletic director.” Dean will assume his new role in mid-March. A search for a new head coach will begin immediately.
the Jarrell ISD Board of Trustees made history and voted to name the district’s second elementary school after the Igo family. All five immediate members of the Igo family, father Larry (age 45), mother Joan (age 46), daughter Audrey (age 17) and twin sons John and Paul (age 15) were among the 27 people killed May 27, 1997, when a devastating F5 tornado struck the community. Thirteen tornado victims were children. “The city of Jarrell still feels the absence of all the lives lost that sad day,” said Superintendent Dr. William Chapman. “Naming this beautiful new school after the dearly-loved Igo family honors a very tragic part of our community’s history. And it demonstrates how we are embracing our future by remembering our past.” The Igo family was active in the Jarrell community. Joan Igo was a teacher and Audrey, John and Paul were students in JISD. Larry ran an auto parts store in town,
and the family was part of the Jarrell Baptist Church. John and Paul played on local sports teams and Audrey was a member of the JHS band and choir. “We are turning a page in our district’s history by adding a second elementary campus,” said Chapman. “It is fitting that the new campus be named Igo Elementary because they were a joyous family. This campus that will be a happy place of learning for generations of young learners.” In the more than 20 years since the tornado struck, student enrollment for Jarrell ISD has skyrocketed. In 1997, all K-12 grades were housed in a single building. Now, with more than 1,930 students, the district is home to four campuses: Jarrell High School, Jarrell Middle School, Jarrell Intermediate (third through fifth grades) and Jarrell Elementary (Pre-K through second grades). When Igo Elementary opens in the summer of 2019, Jarrell Intermediate and Jarrell Elementary will merge to form two Pre-K through fifth-grade campuses. The district is expected to grow by about 200 new students every year for the foreseeable future. “As new residents come and send their children to this new school, they will learn about the Igo family and what this community has been through,” said Chapman. “They will learn how we rallied together to heal. They will learn that ultimately, Jarrell is a strong community built on hope.”
Jarrell ISD's Team of Eight: Trustees Bruce Epstein, Marvin Musil, Sue Lofland, Michael Cosimeno, Superintendent Bill Chapman, Tookie Mullen, Crystal Phalen, Jenny Arnold, and at the January Board meeting.
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MARCH 2019 AdvocateNewsTX.com
"On Broadway" Bringing National Talent to GISD
The Angel Fountain Educational
Endowment is preparing now for the 2019 "On Broadway" series at the East View High School Theater April 10-12. This year's cast includes the return of the voices and charms—straight from the stage—of Broadway superstars Raymond McLeod (above, right) and Carter Calvert, but also, special guests are American Idol finalists-superstars Diana DeGarmo and Grammy-nomiated Ace Young. Founder Beth Baker (above, left) says she is thrilled to have her good friends joined on stage with these fresh faces and talent. The show is the finale and a major
piece of the annual master class series provided by Angel Fountain to bring Broadway and international stars to Georgetown for the benefit of students in our fine arts programs. The master class is taught by McLeod and others—at no charge— to the students who wish to learn everything from audition prep to voice projection. This year the program has been expanded to include dance, musical theater and voice, musical theater comedy and improv, and stage combat. Last year, Angel Fountain was able to provide scholarships for fine arts students in GISD and they are on track to repeat that this year as well. Baker also extends congratulations to the winners of the district-wide student auditions. Pictured below with McLeod (center): Chelsea Brandenberger, Daniel Gonzalez, Savannah Gonzalez, and Avery Vickers. On Broadway program is now in its fourth year and has continued to evolve as it learns where it can best benefit the Georgetown community and students at all grade levels. See AngelFountain.org for more on these amazing talents and to purchase tickets.
LOOK WHO'S RUNNING elected, intends to exercise caution with reCity Council gard to the city's growth rate to ensure that we John Hesser, District 3 (I)
John Hesser has lived in Sun City for 15 years and was elected to Council in 2013. He chose to run for a third term because he believes he and fellow council members have learned a great deal about governance, with regard to Georgetown's energy debate, and he is eager to ensure continuity in leadership. He believes the gravity of the situation and addressing residents' concerns is not a rookie endeavor and wants to guide this issue to the end. He also continues to be a strong advocate for the city's financial health; managing growth without raising tax rates, and encouraging commercial development to reduce the tax burden on residents. Mr. Hesser listens more than he talks, and serves all of Sun City specifically and Georgetown in general. He is open about energy concerns, and eager to educate constituents about the limitations on what Council can do to make corrections; they can recommend and suggest to Utility Systems and city staff, who are then accountable to take action. He also wants to ensure residents are aware of the role of City Council; it is not able to stop or start some projects with a phone call. However, as an experienced leader, remaining on the Council will allow Mr. Hesser to have the greatest impact. He says experience is key to ensuring that, in future, there will be controls in place and City Staff will be trained to identify and analyze contract requirements prior to agreement.
Steve Fought, District 4 (I)
Dr. Fought was elected in 2013. He is a Veteran and a community leader who understands and protects Sun City interests—lower speed limits, removing chip seal—while looking out for what's best for Georgetown; led the effort to bring emergency services under the city's control and created a Strategic Partnership Committee to allocate city resources to non-profits and eliminate duplication. His tenure and his campaign focus on maintaining public safety, structuring growth policies with impact fees and financial policy that does not place the burden on residents, and keeping our city property tax low. He advocates staying ahead of growth but measuring that vision to avoid incurring a tax burden that may deter the growth we seek. He is a skilled arbitrator with expertise in financial mechanisms to support economic development in Georgetown. His constituents appreciate that he is always available, answers e-mails and stops to talk whenever the opportunity arises. More at SteveFought.com.
Mike Triggs, District 3
Mr. Triggs is the challenger for City Council District 3. He has been a resident of Sun City since 2014 and has chosen to serve the community because he has expertise and a professional background in the finance industry; particularly solving problems in the energy sector. He has worked on issues related to oil and gas, lumber, coal, wind farms and solar plants; managing their credits and contracts. He was instrumental in managing the process to rehabilitate or sell companies in trouble. He is also pro-development, having worked with developers throughout his career and, if
address traffic and infrastructure proactively. Triggs believes the city took an amateur approach to engaging in our current long-term energy contracts. He does not accept that population growth will create a balance in the burn rate of our energy resources by 2022. On Council, he will have access to relevant information and will be able to "do his old job" to understand, examine and identify what can be changed and how soon. He is confident that he can not just improve things, but solve the problem.
School Board Andy Webb (I)
Andy Webb was elected Trustee in 2013. He holds a B.S. in Leadership Development from Texas A&M University and is a shareholder of Watkins Insurance Group. He is an award-winning member of the Round Rock and Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and was a member of the Georgetown Planning & Zoning Committee. Webb serves on the GISD Education Foundation Board, and holds myriad community board and chair positions. He is a father of two GISD students and is committed to the District's long-term strategic plan and learner profiles. His focus is on building programs and infrastructure that will take Georgetown to a next-level ISD. During his tenure as Trustee, the Board, through prudent fiscal management—selling bonds at the best times, re-financing bond debt and pre-paying principal—has saved the District over $30 million. Webb's goal is to help the District and the city manage growth, facilitate programs that prepare students' success in their chosen paths; college, career, or military, and engage and encourage the public to get involved and have a voice in what the ISD will look like tomorrow and well into the future.
Elizabeth McFarland, Place 2
Elizabeth has lived in Georgetown for 15 years and is proud not only to be a mother of four GISD students, but also to be a product of the public school system herself; Kindergarten through a rather prestigious public military academy located at West Point, New York. She brings many years of leadership and readiness to the job and to that end, has already worked three years on the Boards of the GISD Education Foundation and Chase the Chief, and participated in the previous two GISD Citizens Advisory Committees. She has also provided personal support and service to Georgetown at large as a member of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, Samaritan Center, Seeds of Strength, A Gift of Time, and Team Red, White and Blue. Her vision is strengthening STEM curriculum in schools, finding new ways of measuring student and educator achievement, and supporting UIL and extracurricular activities. She also wants to look at expanding programs for innovative learning and incorporating more adult mentoring in the classroom to provide every child with a strong support system at school. For more, visit Facebook.com/McFarlandForSchoolBoard
The Last Word MARCH 2019 AdvocateNewsTX.com
Advo-Civics: Your Vote Counts More Here Some facts... in this country, every two
years, there are approximately 500,000 public offices up for grabs. All of-age citizens have had the freedom to vote for a full 100 years. According to the 2016 Census Bureau statistics, there were 224,059,000 people eligible to vote that year. Of that group, only 157,596,000 were registered and only 56 percent of those voted in the 2016 Presidential election. Just over 60 percent of the people who did not vote in that Presidential election reported they were “too busy” or just not interested in voting. My first question, then, is If you aren’t interested who is running things, someone else is. THAT person is probably in line at the polls and are you sure you want their opinion to count more than yours? In just a few months, Georgetown has an opportunity to go to the polls again. Not surprisingly, when there are no Presidential candidates in the news 24 hours a day, voter turnout is even lower. Last year, in our city elections, there were 65,773 registered voters in Georgetown. Total ballots cast was just over 3200. By percentage, you have a lot better chance of making a difference on the City Council dais than you ever will over the White House. My second question, then, is How does the President of the United States affect your life each day? The Governor? Senators and Representatives? The answer, and the point, is that (other than our lousy healthcare system) they really don’t. But hey, the people who pave your streets, build your stores, determine what your kids will learn, and decide how your taxes are going to be spent, are the candidates who win and lose local elections, in off-cycle years, most often by less than 100 votes. What I'm trying to say is that we need to be aware, or remember, that it is the off-cycle, small elections that most directly and frequently affect your family and your pocketbook. City Councils, School Boards and Commissioners Courts determine the tax rates we pay every year, but an impromptu survey demonstrated that 2 out of 3 residents cannot name more than one or two council members or commissioners. And if you wait until you see a name or a project you don’t like in the newspaper, it’s probably already too late to change the course of action. Ponder this... do you prefer our Town Square to have more shops than bars and restaurants, or the other way around? That's a Council thing that may actually change when or how often you go downtown.
See, there's this great new thing called the Internet and you can read about your candidates, literally, 24 hours a day. Even see a photo of them so you know what they look like. If you are a parent, and your kids go to school here, these "little" elections have a lot to do with the kinds of courses your kids can take, or the type of preparation and opportunities they will have for their future beyond the 12th grade. That doesn't just hit close to home, that IS your home. Just for a moment, let's bring national craziness into our own driveway. In California, primary grade students are being taught the definitions of 15 kinds of gender identity. Are you entirely certain that no one on the Georgetown ballot thinks that's a good idea? Calm down... this is still Texas—no one here thinks that. But perhaps you could find out what our candidates actually do think about and what they plan for our students. That's a School Board thing. Another observation about local voting reflects our tendency to vote for whom we know. If, for example, voters ignore or are too busy to vote for the latest open school board seat, that familiar name may get a higher tally in the next City Council election on name recognition alone. When he or she slides into a higher office simply because the name has been around a while, now you’re trying to unseat a big-time incumbent with a different point of view, which becomes more difficult. I'm going to go off-topic a bit because this brings me to the most frightening of name recognition issues in my lifetime... AOC, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She is a name we know because she won't stop talking. My third question, naturally, is Can't we just take a page out of the bully book and ignore her until she goes away? This is a perfect example of the damage a low voter turnout can cause. She was elected by a 15 percent voter turnout in her district and now everyone in America knows her name; even suggesting that she may run for President. She is in the news every day because she said something inflammatory or stupid and we all want to make fun of her. But the sad fact is, we are all still talking about her every day. She is never going away. Keep her in mind when you don't read up on the people running for School Board or City Council or Judge or JP or anything. Not only does not voting help people you don't agree with gain leadership positions, you also hand them a legitimate platform to spread their message and people have no choice but to listen. Okay, off my soapbox. This commentary is not at all an agenda or judgment on any particular idea or person in Georgetown. It’s an article about The Vote and how important it is that we are all interested at every level. You can’t determine the path of the entire country alone, but where do YOU want Georgetown to go May 4? It matters that you show up—some of our best elected officials earned their job with a margin of fewer than 20 votes. With no electoral college at this level, Every. Single. Vote. Counts.
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PUBLISHER'S CORNER
Well, [Gus]... We're Waiting by Mike Payne
Something smells in
Georgetown—and it doesn’t involve even a hint of city government. It is the smell of leaking gas on Williams Drive. This situation has now been going on for so long that I don’t recall when it started. Leaks happen. It’s what happens after they happen that matters. And in this case, it seems like it’s taking far too long to assess, diagnose, and correct this situation. With Atmos at the center of this debacle, it certainly makes
one wonder. It’s hard to say exactly what Atmos is doing, but whatever it is, it isn’t enough or fast enough. A company with assets that shows zeros off the chart on their balance sheet should clearly be able to descend on Georgetown with enough physical assets to fix this mess. And in the process, the citizens are due an honest, comprehensible, explanation of what happened. Was this due to unforeseen circumstances, or did lack of maintenance contribute to this problem? It’s funny that Atmos chose a gopher as their public representative. They are, by definition,
“rodent pests”; seems an odd choice to assist customers in how to avoid gas leaks. At any rate, I hope that Gus the Gopher is out here 24/7 until this mess is fixed. Thank goodness that this problem didn’t occur on Carl Spackler’s watch in Caddyshack. If so, the little guy would be zig-zagging all over the place instead of concentrating on the problem at hand. I certainly hope this isn’t what’s happening in Georgetown. Residents deserve better.
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TOWN & COUNTRY
Museum Reveals "Women of Williamson County" Exhibit
The Williamson Museum
unveiled its latest new exhibit March 1—a photo array of some of the most influential and groundbreaking ladies who helped build our County into the productive and prosperous place we know it to be today. Museum Executive Director Mickie Ross says, "The saying goes 'Behind every great man there is a great woman. In Williamson County the women stand in front.'" The photography exhibit features 16 women who have made a difference in Williamson County, past and present. These women taught our children, shared the history of the county, sang and danced and were public servants in the political arena and the non-profit world. From the first white woman up the Chisholm Trail to the founding of Wag-A-Bag, visitors will be greeted by images and stories about the women who have positively impacted our area. One such lady is Jessie Daniel Ames (1883-1972). Ms. Ames graduated Southwestern University in 1902, when few women were
even allowed to attend universities. When her husband passed away in 1916, she returned to Georgetown, and in 1919 organized the Georgetown Equal Suffrage League and the Texas League of Women Voters. She later became the Director of the Commission on Interracial Cooperation's Women's Committee and founded the Association of Southern Women for the Prevention of Lynching. She continued to work on racial equality issues until her death in Georgetown in 1972. The museum will continue its efforts during 2019 and programming will be announced to highlight the accomplishments of these and other women of Williamson County. The Museum is free and open to the public Wednesday to Friday: 12pm5pm and Saturday, 10am-5pm.
From top, L-R: Museum Director Mickie Ross at the opening reception • Jennifer Harris, Julia Cooper and Diane Thomas frame Jennifer's exhibit • Paulette Taylor and her exhibit from the Shotgun House • Books and collateral collected by museum staff highlight the struggles and successes of Williamson Women • Yolanda Sanchez, founder of the Round Rock Ballet Folklorico, poses near the exhibit entrance.
America's Polo Match Coming to Georgetown
On March 22-
23, the Victory Cup—known as “America’s Polo Match” is coming to Garey Park in Georgetown for a day of green grass, majestic horses, heart pounding polo, food partners, and— weather permitting—hot air balloons. Founder and owner Greg Ball (above) played polo when he was an Air Force officer and has kept the sport in his life ever since. He began scheduling matches in the Washington DC area, and is now working out of Fredericksburg, Texas. He and his partner Joe Bachmeier have worked seven days a week to take the event to a national level, and today, they are proud to sponsor more than 30 annual events. "It is a very intense sport played in a beautiful environment," he says. "I created the Victory Cup as a business, and although we are a 9
for-profit organization, we give back to Purple Heart Homes on an annual basis. We hope to raise $100,000 this year to rehab a home in Texas for a wounded veteran." From their start in 2016, the Victory Cup has grown to be one of the largest equestrian events in the United States. Ball says polo is not at all the exclusive kind of event people see in movies; "I am so excited to create these great outings for a national audience because these are really great athletes—humans and horses alike—it's an impressive thing to see. Although we do have the ceremonial stomping of the divets people remember from the movie 'Pretty Woman,' it is definitely fun for everyone; we are kid- and pet-friendly so we hope people will bring the entire family." The Georgetown event begins Friday
with a Hot Air Balloon Glow and Tethered Rides 4pm-9pm (weather permitting). Saturday balloons start at day break. Polo will begin at 11am and continue until about 4pm. Ball and Bachmeier are working hard to build awareness. "We chose Georgetown because Garey Park is perfect for this event; it has a flexible space that is horse-friendly, flat and safe for the athletes. We are looking forward to establishing a
long-term relationship to build a following and make this a signature event in Texas." Ball says guests will feel right at home whether they are come-as-you-are or decide to dress up and have a fun time. Just don't forget your stomping shoes. In any case, tickets are going fast and are available now at www.VictoryCup/BestOfTexas. There are weekend passes, VIP Golden Mallet packages and sponsorships, as well as balloon and kids passes. CityInsiderTX.com9
CITY INSIDER
MARCH 2019
MAYOR'S UPDATE
Wolf Crossing and Wolf Lakes: Retail & Corporate Offices
by Dale Ross
Two major development
projects announced last year will bring big changes to two corners of the Interstate 35 and Highway 29 intersection—the Wolf crossing retail center on the southeast corner and Wolf Lakes Village on the northwest corner. Both projects will be built on land acquired by Jay Wolf and developed by his children. David Wolf is the developer and land owner for Wolf Crossing and Iva Wolf McLachlan with her husband, Donald McLachlan, are the land owners and lead developers for Wolf Lakes Village.
Wolf Crossing
The Wolf Crossing retail center started construction in October last year. You can see site work happening along I-35 and on University Avenue to prepare for the 250,000-square-foot retail center. The project is being developed by CSW
10
Development with leasing by JLL, and is expected to open later this year. Wolf Crossing will include new restaurants such as Olive Garden, Jersey Mike’s, Jason's Deli, First Watch Café, and Austin’s Pizza, as well as Tiff's Treats and Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt. The center also will be home to the first P. Terry’s Burger Stand outside the city of Austin. Additional key Wolf Crossing tenants include an Aldi grocery store and a Marriott Fairfield Inn and Suites with a scenic site along the South San Gabriel River. Other tenants include Verizon, Salons by JC, Austin Regional Clinic, Firestone, and CareNow Urgent Care. As you can see from the businesses that will be located at Wolf Crossing, the center will provide needed services and amenities for our residents and workforce. The project is an indication of our strong
local economy and the response from local retailers and services who want to be in our city. Wolf Crossing supports the 2016 Georgetown
Merchandising Strategy that was developed by our economic development team by providing space for retailers that fill the identified gaps, predominately
across multiple restaurant categories. Wolf Crossing will serve not only the residents of Georgetown, but our primary trade area of more than 130,000 people. That will bring customers from outside of Georgetown and help to strengthen our economic vitality.
Wolf Lakes Village
Diagonally on the corner opposite Wolf Crossing will be Wolf Lakes Village, a mixed-use, master-planned 164-acre development. Initial plans for the project, which were approved the City Council last year, include office, retail,
entertainment, hotels, and 2,400 housing units totaling 5.3 million square feet of development phased over several years. The town center concept for Wolf Lakes Village features a walkable neighborhood with an amphitheater, open-air pavilion, plaza square, pocket parks, playgrounds, trails, and lakes. The project is projected to begin construction later this year. Wolf Lakes Village is designed to include a regional employment center with more than 725,000 square feet of corporate office space that would be home to 4,500 employees. The developer estimates the complete development to be valued at $1.7 billion by 2050, versus $460 million if developed as a traditional shopping center. The amount of corporate office space and public areas that will be part of Wolf Lakes Village will make it a unique development in Georgetown. The City of Georgetown is working with developers, Williamson County, and Texas Department of Transportation to proactively plan capital improvements to improve traffic flow in conjunction with development in the area. The Wolf Lakes Village and Wolf Crossing developments represent significant milestones for Georgetown. We can thank the Wolf family for their foresight in bringing these quality projects to our city.
CityInsiderTX.com
MARCH 2019
CITY INSIDER
CITY INSIDER
MARCH 2019
NEWS FOR PAWS & CLAWS Preventive Care for Dogs and Cats
By Dr. Nathan Carlton
Most pet owners know
that dogs and cats get shots, but many people are not familiar with which shots are necessary and which are not; how often vaccines need to be given; and if there are other preventive measures that should be done for their pet. I want to help local pet owners understand the health threats that are endemic to this area and how to avoid them. Heartworm disease is what it sounds like—a worm makes its home in your pets’ heart. While I practiced at Fort Hood we encountered at least one dog a week with heartworm disease. Heartworms are primarily a disease for dogs, although recent research suggests that heartworms may be just as common in cats. Dogs should be tested every year and receive heartworm prevention monthly. There is a shot that lasts six months that protects your dog from heartworm disease as well. Cats should be protected from heartworm infection, but testing for infection is not as easy as it is for dogs. There is a topical product that prevents heartworm disease. It is applied to the skin and lasts one month.
This product also protects your cat from fleas, and will de-worm your cat from two intestinal parasites. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is endemic in this area. It is transmitted when wild animals like skunks and raccoons urinate in your yard. Dogs and cats consume the bacteria where it replicates within your pet, and then is spread in their urine. Leptospirosis is a disease people can get as well. Some animals with leptospirosis will suffer kidney and/or liver failure. There is a vaccine against leptospirosis for dogs and they should receive this vaccine every year; there is no vaccine available for cats. Every dog, cat, and horse should receive rabies vaccinations every one to three years. Rabies is a viral disease that is not treatable and causes death in people and pets. This is the only vaccine required by law. There are many different manufacturers of rabies vaccines and some are good for up to three years. Dogs should also be vaccinated against distemper and parvovirus every one to three years, depending on the vaccine. Cats should be vaccinated regularly to protect against rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia. There are vaccines labeled to protect against these three diseases, and they can last one to three years depending on the manufacturer. There are now many vaccinations available that protect against rattlesnake envenomation, influenza, Bordetella and Lyme disease, but not every dog
truly needs these in their lifetime. The most important component in keeping your pet healthy and free from preventable diseases is your veterinarian. He or she can help make sure your pet gets the right vaccines, deworming, flea, tick and heartworm preventives at the right time, and make sure this plan fits your lifestyle. 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. Stationed at Fort Hood, his patients included the Military Working Dogs of Air Force Security Forces, Army Military Police, Army Rangers, Special Forces, and the Marines. While serving as an Army veterinarian, he also was the vet for the horses of 1st Cavalry Division. 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. Jarrell JarrellAnimalHospital.com and Facebook Dr. Carlton will share news and views for your pets and animal friends as a regular writer for City Insider. Send your questions to info@fpgtx. com
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CITY INSIDER
MARCH 2019
WHAT JARRELL'S GOT • CALUMET Jarrell is growing again
and by end of June, the Calumet development will have its first ten new homes ready for a walk-through. Blue Rock Construction and Carothers Homes are building Calumet on 220 lots in Jarrell, which will include duplexes and single family homes. Blue Rock's Mark Allen is very excited to have the opportunity to expand in Jarrell, "I've been in this area for 25 years and Jarrell's growth is as outstanding as it is obvious. Our homes are less than a minute from I-35, we have amazing access to Austin, Killeen and Temple, plus we are proud to introduce fiber optic Internet to the area. These are perfect starter homes for young families or for anyone looking to downsize but still enjoy upgrades." Allen says although unusually rainy weather held them up last Fall, he credits Adam's Excavation
and Lone Star Paving for keeping things on track and on schedule. He also was glad to be working with Steve Wadsworth, who provided base material for roads in the development. "All of these companies are fantastic to work with," Allen says, "and we can't thank them enough." Jason Carothers Builders have purchased more than 50 percent of the lots on the property. Jason is a fourth generation builder and has homes from Troy to Leander. They feature several different series of homes in the spec sector and have been successful in the $200,000 to $1M price range. Jared Bryan at Carothers says the homes' prices will be much like the Sonterra area but they are located in Jarrell, rather than a MUD, so the city will benefit. "Our homes have a lot of custom features and we have an in-house interior designer to bring clients
something more than what they are used to. We believe that what others consider an upgrade, we call standard. These are nice options for folks who are looking to move to Jarrell or move to a new home here." Right now, there are duplexes for sale on the outer area of the property and as the City signs off on the permits, there will ten single family homes on the interior ready for a look. Some are available for rent but Bryan says they are designed for homeownership to ensure continuity and pride in ownership.
Living in Calumet
Residents will notice right away that the development has a decidedly equine theme. The name Calumet is from a 762-acre thoroughbred breeding and training farm established in 1924 in Lexington, Kentucky. Allen is quite proud of his own family's history and reputation in the horse racing world. "My family owned the winner of the first Breeders' Cup held in Lexington, in 1984. It was the greatest field of horses ever assembled; there were champion 2, 3, and 4 year
olds and our horse, 'Wild Again' wasn't nominated to the race. The family had to pay a lot of money to enter and he was the winner at 31:1 odds. Our horse took the whole field and went on to be one of the most successful stallions in the world." Allen is still taking risks and achieving great success. To honor that racing history, the entrance sign is adorned with Secretariat, at full gallop, and all of the streets in Calumet are named for Triple Crown winners.
Allen says he loves Jarrell because of the location. "We are smack dab in the middle of where we build in Central Texas. We send people by this area every day and when the opportunity presented itself—to be a part of what is going on here—we jumped on it. We know a lot of people are moving north from Austin and many are wanting to move South from the growth in Temple and Belton and this is a good fit for that as well." Bryan says he expects the first homes to be move-in ready by the end of June or mid-July. He says it is a great place to live and also welcomes inquires and feedback on the project at www.Carrotherstx.com.
JARRELL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Monthly Networking Luncheon
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2019 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Sonterra Pool Clubhouse | 510 Sonterra Blvd. | Jarrell, TX Guest Speaker: Williamson County JP #3, Evelyn McLean Luncheon Sponsor: R Bank
www.JarrellCOC.com • info@JarrellCOC.com • 512-677-5501 www.JarrellCOC.com
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CITY INSIDER
MARCH 2019