PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID EDDM RETAIL
*****************ECRWSS****
Local Postal Customer GeorgetownAdvocate @Advocate_TX @SportsTXDotCom
SP RTS TX .COM
MAY 5, 2016
Central Texas’ Award-Winning Local News Source
Garey’s Generous Gift Gets Park Underway HIGH SCHOOL THESIS PRESENTATIONS p. A3
Chief Nero Shares State of the PD with District 5 District 5 City Councilmember Ty Gipson held his quarterly citizen forum April 30 at the Berry Creek Country Club. His keynote guest, Police Chief Wayne Nero was invited to share the latest growth and successes of the Georgetown Police Department. When the Chief is not fighting crime, he is in and around Georgetown promoting community engagement and positive public relations via Citizens Police Academy, Coffee with Cops, and a dozen other programs to promote unity among neighborhoods, churches, youth and business partners. Just in the past week he was running in the rain at San Gabriel park to promote child wellness at Chase the Chief races, and he drew the winning numbers at the Red Poppy/Kiwanis hole-in-one drawing. He reported his recruitment and training efforts include wellness, character, 175 hours of annual training per officer, and a force that has grown to 22 percent female. On the crime fighting side, Georgetown has the second fewest part 1 (violent) and property crimes among the 30 similarly populated cities in the state. Said Nero, “We are using every innovation available to us; social media, software, body cameras as well as programs like Citizens on Patrol, to create a culture of problem solving and engagement between the department and our citizens.”
Balancing Outside Perspectives Nero reflected on the national perspectives and media coverage on law enforcement and the challenge of walking the line between the positivity of Blue Lives Matter and the negative press associated with apple-picked incidents. To illustrate his point, the Chief recapped the latest coverage from regional media regarding the death of University of Texas student Haruka Weiser. The Georgetown Department received some attention (and a lot of mail) regarding the suspect having been “hanging around” in Berry Creek in the weeks before the murder. According to See Nero, page A7
Jack Garey (second from right) with his son Glen, his wife Doris, and Georgetown Parks & Rec Director Kimberly Garrett. Garey’s endowment will be home of one of the largest public parks in Central Texas.
Philanthropist Jack Garey presented a $5
home at Escalera, and will be able to see million check to the City of Georgetown at the construction and finished park from his new backyard. The ranch on RM the April 26 council meeting; the second part of Garey’s bequest to create one of the 2243, west of the City, features scenic hill country terrain and borders the San Gabriel largest public parks in Central Texas. Mr. Garey’s oversized check represented River. Construction is scheduled to begin September 1. the second of two $5 million donations Features of the park will include an to create a new city park. Garey recalled event center—converted from the Garey’s that he and his late wife did not want their home—an equestrian center with an arena property to be sold and cut up into housing honoring Heritage of Gold, a champion tracts, and preferred that it become a park race horse owned by the Gareys that won for the city or Williamson County. They 16 races. There will be several hiking and set up a contest between the two to design equestrian trails that will connect with the a master plan and determine which would County regionbe the benefial park and ciary. Georgethe City’s trail town’s plan was system. the winner. The event Mr. Garey area will center spoke to the around a 3,000assembly and seat outdoor amsaid he originalphitheater built ly planned for into the slope of the land to be a hillside. The converted after amphitheater his death (he is will be available 87 years old). for concerts, Future Playscape rendering.—Courtesy Georgetown.org With the plays, or other Master Plan performances. created in 2006 and a $10 million bond An eight-acre lawn area adjacent to the vote in 2008, plans moved forward to amphitheater can be used for festivals and donate the land after his death. As the other events. construction date has moved closer and There will also be an active recreation Mr. Garey still runs 2-3 miles per day, he area with a playscape, play fields, and says, “It seemed that I was getting in the dog park. With plans for a 2017 opening, way of planning and budgeting, so rather admission is tentatively set to $2 a person, than waiting, I decided to move out of my which will be used for upkeep. estate so construction can begin, and I’ll “I just love this land, and in 100 years, be able to see people enjoying the park in it’ll still be here as a park. I only wish I person. It will be the finest park in the state could peek that far ahead and see it.” and with the work and engineering we Contact the Parks and Recreation have planned, everyone will be proud of Department at (512) 930-3595 for more it.” Garey said. info. The Garey’s purchased a lot for a new
RED POPPY FEST p. A6
MEET JOHNNY “JOEY” JONES p. A8
SOFTBALL PLAYOFF BOUND p. B1
SPACES LIMITED! ENROLL TODAY! Family-owned childcare centers Serving ages 0 to 12 years
RESIDENTIAL PLUMBING SPECIALISTS!
Repairs • Replacements New Construction • Water Softeners
(512) 746-2415
www.kendixonplumbing.com
M-5647
CONSTRUCTIVE LEARNING AHEAD
Children are a gift from God.
Psalm 127:3
KIDS’ ZONE Learning Center
FINALLY PAIN FREE LIVING
Sports Injuries • Back Pain Headaches/Migraines Remember Arthritis/Joint Pain how good it feels Fibromyalgia Cancer Pain to feel good!
FREE Consult & 1 Hour Treatment
104 Copper Lane · Jarrell 512-746-2333
Dr. Cindy Steward,ND • 512-626-2332
4802 Moreland Dr. ∙ Georgetown 512-868-8300
3000 JOE DIMAGGIO #95 • ROUND ROCK
FinallyPainFreeLiving.com
DALE’S
Home of the original “Walburger”
3900 FM 972 Walburg 512.819.9175 Dales-Essenhaus.com