Community Service • Weekly Division
“News is what someone wants suppressed. Everything else is advertising. The power is to set the agenda. What we print and what we don’t print matter a lot.”
– Katharine Graham
Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post PUBLISHED BY THE FREDERICKSBURG PUBLISHING CO., INC.
Re: Community Service Award entry
PUBLISHED BY THE FREDERICKSBURG PUBLISHING CO., 2014 INC. March 20,
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Shedding light on local drug use
February 13, 2014
February 13, 2014 Re: Entries for Community Award caused the death of one high school student and The news that Service a drug overdose landed hit ourService town hard inPUBLISHED early 2013. some adult overdose BY THEWhere FREDERICKSBURG PUBLISHING CO., INC. faRe: others Entriesinfortrouble Community Award talities go unnoticed, we at the newspaper believed that teen drug use is a problem about which many of our readers were unaware and one that needed light shed upon it. Shedding light use would reveal, the teen’s death was caused by a new type As on ourlocal earlydrug reporting February 13, 2014 of synthetic thatdrug was use chemically-altered to avoid prosecution. It was so new Sheddingdrug light—onone local The news that a drug overdose caused the death of one high school student and sent that establishing its lethal nature had not yet been put in place and the Department Re:laws Entries for Community Service Award two others to the hospital hit our town hard. Where some adult overdose deaths go and sent The news thatforensics a drug overdose the death high school student of Public Safety lab hadcaused to develop tests of to one identify and measure the substance unnoticed by the public, we at the newspaper believed that teen drug use was a others to thecases. hospital hit our town hard. Where some adult overdose deaths go for two this and future problemunnoticed about which many of our were unaware and one light by thewas public, wereaders at in thean newspaper believed thatthat teenneeded drug use was a about Our goal to report unbiased way information for our readers shed upon it. As about our reporting shows, this death was caused by a and newone typethat of drug, problem which many of our readers were unaware needed light Shedding light onoflocal use drugs and illegal narcotics being used in our city. serious nature newdrug synthetic one the thatshed was upon chemically altered to avoid prosecution. It was new by thata laws it. As our reporting shows, thisupdeath was so caused newontype of drug, After the initial story broke, we followed — week-after-week— progress establishing its lethal nature have not even been established. Our goal was to report insent in the The news that a drug overdose caused the death of one high school student and one that was chemically altered to avoid prosecution. It was so new that laws overdoseway case, oninformed other drug issues and, finally, on how a better-informed community an unbiased that our readers about the serious nature ofOur drug usewas in our two others to the hospital hit our town hard. Where some adult overdose deaths go in establishing its lethal nature have not even been established. goal to report rallied to fightthe back against drugs. We raised awareness by printing stories about big town. We reported initial story and followed up, plus, we editorialized for not only unnoticed by the public, we at the newspaper believed that teen drug use was a an unbiased way that informed our readers about the serious nature of drug use in our drugpenalties busts, as for well as weekly arrest reports ofparents drug users/dealers. We editorialized for not stronger drug use in schools, but for to openly communicate with problem about which many of our readers were unaware and one that needed light town. We reported the initial story and followed up, plus, we editorialized for not only stronger drug penalties in our schools, but also for parents to openly communicate theironly children about drugs. We interviewed one student who had “changed his ways,” shed upon it. As our for reporting shows, this death wasparents causedto byopenly a new communicate type of drug, with penalties drug in schools, but for withstronger theirhonest children. We let theuse public speak their mindsAsinour letters toisthe editor and even yet was very about how easily drugs can be acquired. town a laws tourist one that was chemically altered to avoid prosecution. It was so new that their children about drugs. We interviewed one student who had “changed his ways,” had onethe self-confessedhas drug abuser write a guest column fromupher prison cell. We also destination, been accused indrugs the past of bad establishing its honest lethal nature have not even been established. Our was in yet was newspaper very about how easily can be covering acquired. Asgoal ournews, towntoso isreport a tourist spotlighted atourism studenttrade. who had “changed his ways” because of his classmate’s death, but as not to hurt the Yet we wanted to begin a community conversation, andestination, unbiased way informed our readers about of up drug usenews, in our thethat newspaper has been accused in the the serious past of nature covering bad so was shockingly honest about howwe easily drugsthis cana be acquired and used at school. and who we believe we achieved that. However, consider work in progress, as we town. Wetoreported initialtrade. storyYet andwe followed plus, we editorialized for not only as not hurt the the tourism wantedup, to begin a community conversation, As Fredericksburg is a popular visitor destination, our newspaper has been knowstronger drugs are in every town – even “idyllic” ones. for achieved drug use that. in schools, but for openly communicate and wepenalties believe we However, we parents considertothis a work in progress,with as we accused of trying to protect the city’s reputation so as not to damage tourism. Critics their children one student know drugsabout are indrugs. every We towninterviewed – even “idyllic” ones. who had “changed his ways,” claimed it did that by either picturing events through “rose-colored sweeping yet was very honest about how easily drugs can be acquired. As our glasses” town is aor tourist itdestination, under the rug Ourhas hard look at theindrug all last year was undeniable. theentirely. newspaper been accused the problem past of covering up bad news, so We wanted to the begin a community wea community believe we conversation, achieved that. Not as not to hurt tourism trade. Yetconversation we wanted to and begin only people focus on the that. issue,However, but they we banded together battle problem. and did we believe we achieved consider this atowork in the progress, as we Still, we consider this a work in progress, as we know drugs are in every town — knowCooke drugs are in every town – even “idyllic” ones. Ken Esten even “idyllic” ones. Publisher Ken Esten Cooke Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post Publisher Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post Ken Esten Cooke Publisher Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post 712 WEST MAIN STREET • P.O. BOX 1639 • FREDERICKSBURG, TX 78624 • (830) 997-2155 • FAX (830) 990-0036 712 WEST MAIN STREET • P.O. BOX 1639 • FREDERICKSBURG, TX 78624 • (830) 997-2155 • FAX (830) 990-0036
SPORTS ROUNDUP
Igarta, Moellering advance to state tennis meet, page B1
Softball squad clinches playoff berth, page B1
BUILDING BLOCKS
Regional track meet this Friday, Saturday page B1
FHS student bulks up for competitive body building, page B1
Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post
No. 46 - USPS 209-080 • Periodical
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
Teen dies after taking new chemical drug Second teen ‘stable,’ third under investigation By Lisa Treiber-Walter Two Fredericksburg High School (FHS) teens overdosed on a synthetic drug Saturday, April 20, leaving one dead and a community in mourning. FHS sophomore Samuel (Sammy) Herrera, 16, died and James (Jamie) Jarreau,
17, remains hospitalized after both reportedly overdosed on a designer hallucinogenic chemical known as 25c-NBOMe. Funeral services for Herrera, son of David and Trish Herrera, are scheduled today, April 24, at 3 p.m. in Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, 109 East San Antonio Street, with interment in Greenwood Cemetery. Jarreau, son of Jim and Danita Jarreau, continues to receive treatment in University Hospital, where his condition was
upgraded from critical upon his arrival to stable as of yesterday afternoon, according to a hospital spokesman. Friends Jarreau and Herrera reportedly “snorted” the designer drug, according to Lt. Steve Wetz of the Fredericksburg Police Department. “We did ID the person who supplied the drugs. This is a new synthetic hallucinogenic — we’re not sure what the chemicals are in the drug. We’re Cont. on A11
WEEKEND
$1 Wednesday, April 24, 2013
‘DESIGNER DRUG’
What is 25c-NBOMe? Synthetic drug so new, it hasn’t yet been declared illegal By Lisa Treiber-Walter
Herrera Coaches, teachers remember teen, page 11
25c-NBOMe — A complicated name for a synthetic chemical that ended a local teenager’s life. Considered to be a recreational hallucinogenic, the new designer drug’s claim to fame is that it causes very intense experiences just shy of those brought on by “dropping acid” or LSD, another hallucinogenic drug which gained popularity in the 1960s.
Chemical makeup of 25c-NBOMe
The Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 outlaws nine synthetic psychedelic drugs in the “2C” family, of which 25C-NBOMe is derived, but the law does not yet apply to newer variations. Cont. on A11
FREDERICKSBURG VFD
Wildflower 5K, 10K will benefit academic boosters Fredericksburg residents and their year’s 20th annual event at the startguests are being invited to lace up ing line. Expected to join them are this Saturday, April 27, for hundreds of participants the Fredericksburg Wildwho are either here to dash flower 5K and 10K Run/ through the wildflowerWalk. laden local scenery in a blur The event, which annuof action or simply walk the ally benefits the Frederroutes while catching up icksburg Academic Boostwith old friends, according ers and its efforts to proto Dawn Bourgeois, direcmote success among local tor of the sponsoring Hill students, will pay tribute Country Memorial (HCM) this year to a busload of Wellness Center. Wounded Warriors and The race is known for attracting their families. The soldiers who are able are expected to lead off this Cont. on A4
Wine & Music Fest to feature 12 wineries, Wildseed Farms Proceeds to benefit Wine and Culinary Arts Center Featuring 12 area wineries, the fourth annual Hill Country Wine and Music Festival will return to Fredericksburg this Friday and Saturday, April 26-27. Proceeds from the two-day event benefit the planned Texas Center for Wine and Culinary Arts. In addition to a special wine tasting Friday, the festival will be held Sat-
urday at the Wildseed Farms from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Participating wineries include Chisholm Trail Winery, Grape Creek Vineyards, Texas Hills Vineyard, Duchman Winery, Hilmy Cellars, Torre di Pietra Vineyards, Fall Creek Vineyards, Messina Hof Winery, William Chris Winery, Fredericksburg Winery, Pedernales Cellars and Woodrose Winery. The admission price of $20 includes Cont. on A4
Organizers ‘wing it’ for third annual Wings Over the Hills The public will get the opportunity to enjoy the natural surroundings of this part of the Texas Hill Country while visiting with winged creatures during the third annual Wings Over The Hills nature festival to be held Friday through Sunday, April 26-28, at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park. The park is located just off State Highway 16 South, about three miles from Fredericksburg’s Main Street. Such flying attractions as birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and bats will be the center of attention. Cont. on A9
INSIDE • Becker Vineyards to host annual Lavender Fest — A3
See special ‘Wings Over the Hills’ section inside.
WATER POWER — Four-year-old Koen Koch got the chance to spray water from a real-life fire hose during Saturday’s annual benefit fish fry for the Fredericksburg Volunteer Fire Department. Helping
Koch out is firefighter Austin Dreyer of the nearby Willow City VFD. The fundraiser was held at Marktplatz. More photos can be found on page A13. — Standard-Radio Post photo/Danny Hirt
GILLESPIE COUNTY
Forest service wants to put central hub near airport County cites costs, state funding concerns, but likes benefit of location By Lisa Treiber-Walter Fredericksburg could become the next central hub of operations for the Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS) if plans to build a new regional facility here continue to take shape. TFS Chief of Fire Operations Paul Hannemann was on hand Monday at the Gillespie County Commissioners’ regular session to discus the possibility of the county constructing a new work center/ office building to lease on a long-
term basis to the forest service. “We would like to go ahead and increase our presence here,” Hannemann said, stating that he would like to add another three or four “boots-on-the-ground firefighters” as well as consolidate offices by pulling staffers out of nearby cities and stationing them in a central facility here. In order to do so, the TFS seeks a facility where it could store its equipment, as well as accommodate additional staff with office space. County and TFS leaders have
0.07 0.95 5.28 7.76 8.55 35 81
For real-time weather information, go to: www.fredericksburgstandard.com
• Volkswagen lovers gather to gawk at iconic car — C1 • Visitor profile gives picture of solid economy — D2 • Hye sprouts first-ever Farmers Market — D7
High Low Rain Wednesday 80 52 0.07 Thursday 64 42 Friday 66 35 Saturday 73 45 Sunday 78 54 Monday 81 60 Tuesday 72 42 Total Rain 0.07 Courtesy Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park
SECTIONS
Cont. on A7
Scholarship Fest set Saturday at Fair Grounds
WEATHER April 17-23, 2013 Rainfall this week Rainfall for April Rainfall for 2013 Normal for date Same date last year Low – April 19 High – April 22
been eyeing a plot of land near the Gillespie County Airport which they have deemed suitable. “This is solely conceptual right now,” said Commissioner Donnie Schuch. “What the Texas Forest Service needs is for its equipment to be stored. We were thinking about doing this in phases — taking care of that need first and then seeing where we could go from there.” Steve Thomas, with Stehling, Klein, Thomas Architects, showed commissioners a rough drawing of an open-air structure allowing for nine bays for storage and maintenance of the TFS equipment, plus a work center where maintenance
COUNCIL FORUM — These four city council hopefuls met Monday at the Hill Country University Center for a candidate forum, sponsored by the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce. From left, incumbents Graham Pearson and Scott Jones, joined by challengers James McAfee and
A - Front D - Community B - Sports E/F - Real Estate/Classifieds C - Lifestyles G - IT’S ON! Entertainment
TO SUBSCRIBE
former city manager Gary Neffendorf, fielded questions on topics ranging from water, to higher education, to zoning, to a potential bypass. See candidate statements on page D1, and a story on the election on A12. Early in-person voting begins April 29. — Standard-Radio Post/Ken Esten Cooke
Call 830-997-2155
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“Old Time Barbecue” is the theme for the 17th annual Scholarship Fest on Saturday, April 27, at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds. Sponsored by the Gillespie County Fair and Festivals Association, the annual event will include appetizers, a sit-down dinner, paddle wheel, silent and live auctions and a prize drawing for thousands of dollars worth of prizes donated by local and area businesses and individuals.
Cont. on A4
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
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April 24, 2013
| A11
Herrera to be remembered for his smile By Lisa Treiber-Walter Samuel (Sammy) Herrera was an always-smiling “gentle giant.” That’s how many have described his character in the wake of the 16-year-old Fredericksburg High School sophomore’s death from a synthetic chemical overdose on Saturday, April 20. “He was a great kid. He was always smiling — a happy kid. And, he was just a positive force to be around in terms of his teammates. All the kids loved him,” said FHS Athletic Director Lance Moffett, addin g that Herrera gave coaches something to be happy about. Playing football as defensive end and on the offensive line, Herrera started the season on junior varsity, but became one of nine sophomores to advance up to varsity and earn their letter jacket. “We were extremely excited about his future in football. He was 6’4” tall and weighed 215 pounds — those are all good things in football,” he said. In terms of basketball, Herrera’s size had him playing post on the junior varsity. “He was an outstanding athlete who really worked hard on his talents,” said FHS Coach Tim Kaman. “He was a monster on defense and on the boards. He was a great teammate, as well as a person. Everyone loved Sam. I don’t think I ever heard him say a negative word about anyone.” Herrera tore his ACL and did not get to finish out the season playing. He sat the bench, but supported his teammates any
way he could, Kaman said. man said. “He could have been sour Herrera’s gentle side had about his injury, but that was coaches concerned, Moffett not Sam. He took it in stride admitted. “We didn’t think he and he supported his friends. was going to be tough enough He was a real friend to all,” he or aggressive enough and, boy, said. The FHS sophomore was he proved us wrong,” he said. also in Kaman’s English class “We loved that kid,” Moffett and was a “model student” said. “We love Jamie Jarreau, making ‘A’s and being respon- as well. This is just a horrible, sible. horrible tragedy.” “I am really goJarreau, who ing to miss that also overdosed grin on his face. ‘We will all miss on the halSam was not lucinogenic, much of a talker, Sam. The world is was airlifted but every time I a little less special to University would say someHospital in San thing, whether it without him.’ Antonio where was on the court — FHS Coach his condition teaching or in was critical at Tim Kaman first, but has the classroom teaching, he been upgradwould just look ed to stable, a at me and give me a nod with spokesman said. that grin that meant, ‘I got it Jarreau, an FHS junior, also coach’,” Kaman said. played varsity football this past “I think the story that sums season as a starting offensive up Sam is when I heard of the tackle, earning his varsity letter tragedy. I was with my son, Ty- jacket for the first time. ler,” Kaman said, recalling how Once word got out about the Tyler said: “Hey, Big Sam was incident, it was a chaotic day, my roommate at TABC Basket- with misinformation flying ball Camp. He watched out for everywhere through social meme at camp. He was cool.” dia, Moffett said. After that, Kaman said he He went to the San Antonio and his son talked about the hospital Saturday to visit Jarsituation and were both “in reau and his parents, Jim and shock.” Danita Jarreau. “I am not even sure if Sam Upon his return, he opened even knew Tyler when they the field house for kids to come were tabbed to room together, be together face-to-face. but Sam welcomed him and “I felt the need to be with the made him feel at home. Sam kids because the kids were texalways had a soothing nature. ting me and calling me and tryBig Sam was a gentle giant, a ing to find out what was going fierce competitor and a won- on,” Moffett said. “My coaches derful young man. We all will jumped into action and they miss Sam. The world is a little knew what I wanted — I wantless special without him,” Ka- ed us to be with the kids, and
Teen death getting that tested now to see what chemicals are in there and whether or not they are illegal,” Wetz said. “(25cNBOMe) can be purchased over the Internet, but I don’t know if it is actually an illegal compound at this point.” Because of the ongoing investigation, police declined to release the name of the supplier, but they did indicate he was a fellow student at FHS. According to Wetz, the two FHS students purchased the synthetic drug from another local teenager who bought it online. That student is cooperating with police and could face criminal charges if toxicology tests being performed on the remnants of the drug find any illegal chemicals within its composition. This is the first time the Fredericksburg Police Department has recorded an incident related to this specific recreational drug, Wetz said.
Cont. from A1
According to the police report, Jarreau and Herrera showed up at a friend’s house in the 400 block of West Schubert Street around midnight on Friday. The friend said he saw the two ingesting an unknown substance through insuf-flation (nasal snorting) around 1:30 a.m. Saturday, April 20, police said. The friend did not indulge in consumption, it was reported. At 2:40 a.m., the owner of the residence and father of the friend woke up to the sounds of Herrera and Jarreau shouting at each other and being destructive. “He thought they were fighting at first, separated them and watched them for a little bit and noticed that something was wrong,” Wetz said. At 3:06 a.m. the homeowner called 9-1-1, but Herrera was pronounced dead upon arrival at Hill Country Memorial
Designer drug Law enforcement is playing a game of catch-up with the drug makers since every time a designer drug is identified and outlawed, the chemists change up their mixtures a little bit, according to Fredericksburg Police Department Lieutenant Steve Wetz. No human consumption of the “research chemical” 25cNBOMe is recorded prior to 2010. Being so new, the compound has yet to be declared an illegal substance and is classified as “uncontrolled” at both federal and state levels. It can be bought by anyone over the Internet, which it was by one local Fredericksburg High School student, who then reportedly sold it to two others. Those two then were witnessed snorting 25c-NBOMe Friday night and, by Saturday morning, Samuel (Sammy) Herrera, 16, was dead and James (Jamie) Jarreau, 17, was hospitalized in critical condition. (See separate stories.) While the drug is uncontrolled, police are having the remainder of the drugs involved in Saturday’s incident tested to see if they were “cut” with other banned substances that might lead to criminal charges being filed. “As far as I know, this is something that is kind of new — it is an offshoot of another type of similar drug,” Wetz said. “Apparently, the kids have known about it for some time, but it is new to us.”
make sure they were all right.” “It was really just a quiet room,” he said. “We told good stories about Sam and we talked about Jamie and prayed that he would be okay. We just needed to be together.” “Sammy was always polite and pleasant. He did not say much (seemed a bit shy) but always had a smile for you,” said Syble Blackwell, FHS athletic office secretary. “He was a great person.” The son of David and Trish Herrera was “not a troublemaker, was a great athlete and was from a church-going home,” stated Roxanne Frantzen in a notice inviting the community to a prayer vigil held last night from 9 p.m. through 7 a.m. this morning. “We are, of course, devastated for our dear friends,” Frantzen said. “Sammy made a poor choice and now won’t get another chance and it breaks our hearts.” “My number one goal in all this is that something positive is going to come out of this,” Moffett said. “I don’t know what it is yet. I hope it’s that kids make better choices. I hope we all realize that there are not bad kids and good kids, but that it’s just kids who make good and bad choices.” “We talked a lot yesterday that we’re a family here and we’re going to get through this together and we’re going to come through this positively on the backside even if that takes awhile,” Moffett said. “We’re all going to grow stronger because of this.”
Cont. from A1
Dangers listed on the Internet state 25c-NBOMe is “incredibly potent when taken intranasally or injected. The effects come on very fast and could easily overpower even well experienced users. The potency also makes it hard to dose correctly.” Unlike public misconception, 25c-NBOMe is not to be confused with a different family of designer drugs referred to as “bath salts.” Given the name because its texture resembles that of true bath salts used for soaking in a tub, the drug usually contains amphetamine-like chemicals and cause effects similar to amphetamine and cocaine. And, unlike 25c-NBOMe, bath salts are in no short supply for “street names,” among them: Ivory Wave, Purple Wave, Vanilla Sky and Bliss. Also unlike 25c-NBOMe, bath salts are now illegal in 41 states in the U.S., with pending legislation in the others. In light of this weekend’s events, Wetz reminded parents in the community to be more persistent about checking in on their children. Check their emails, their phones, their social media sites — find out what’s really going on in their lives. “Trust, but verify,” he said.
by Justice of the Peace Louis Rech. Jarreau was airlifted to University Hospital and was in critical condition upon arrival Saturday. He has since gained consciousness and is talking with family members, Wetz said. “He remembers some of what has happened, but not everything,” he said, adding that now that Jarreau’s condition has improved, officers intend to interview him soon. Vigil In the meantime, Fredericksburg-area citizens gathered for a vigil at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church last night from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m. this morning to offer their thoughts and prayers to the Herrera and Jarreau families, as well as all the community’s youths, churches, teachers/ administrators and leaders. Out of respect, FHS’ junior varsity baseball games were cancelled Saturday. FHS Athletic Director Lance Moffett opened up the field house Saturday night for youth who wanted to be together. “It was real important to me that they all had someone to interface with them about all this before they came back to school on Monday and sat in class without Sam there anymore,” Moffett said. “We are all grieving as an FISD family today,” Fredericksburg Independent School District Superintendent Marc
Williamson said on Monday. “We do have procedures, unfortunately, to deal with the death of a student that have been developed for us by our school psychologists,” Williamson said. “Several staff members met Sunday for planning purposes and we all met with the high school staff early this morning to go over the plan, including counseling opportunities for the students and the staff, as well as how to address issues in class.” High school students returning to campus Monday were counseled by their teachers, as well as offered opportunities to visit with any of the three school district psychologists, Hill Country Memorial Hospice counselors, and two local pastors who were on hand to help students cope with the events that unfolded. Williamson also urged parents to open a dialogue with their own children about drug use and what has happened. “Talking with your child about the issue is the number one recommendation we have for parents to help them through the grieving process,” Williamson said. “Our community is special and I want people to hear from the rooftops from me to say that this terrible, terrible thing that’s happened cannot be defining of our community,” Moffett said. “We take care of each other and we’ve seen nothing but that since this tragedy happened,” he said.
Response to Trauma and Loss Making Sense of the Senseless WHEN:
Saturday, May 11th 9am - 4pm W H E RE :
Community Auditorium at Fredericksburg High School
Brought to our community by Hill Country Memorial, Fredericksburg ISD and Harper ISD.
P RE S E N TE RS :
Dr. Rick McMinn Bereavement Coordinator for HCM Hospice
Trainer, Educator, Private Practice
Dr. Jerry Grace Clinical Supervisor for Psychology Residents and Social Work Interns San Antonio Military Medical Center
?
Advanced Training in treating PTSD and related disorders
We are all asking why. No one loss is greater than another. Mounting losses, both locally and globally, make the question why swirl and scream in our heads and hearts. As a community we will come together and tackle this relentless question. — Dr. Rick McMinn
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Historic Eagles recovered here to be dedicated Gillespie County recently played a part in returning a Case Eagle to Waring Volunteer Fire Department and it will rejoin its twin in a dedication ceremony set for 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 11. The Kendall County Sheriff ’s Office and local law enforcement officers who helped recover the eagle after it was stolen in May 2012 will be thanked publicly at the Waring VFD’s annual dinner dance at the Waring Hall in Waring. The eagles, bearing the logo of the Case Tractor Company, came to Waring between 1910
and 1920. They were first placed in front of a hardware store and Case dealership owned by Hermann Rust and remained there until the late 1950s when one was stolen. When the hardware store closed, the remaining eagle was moved across the street to where Roy Rust, son of Hermann Rust, had his Case dealership and Texaco gas station (in the current location of the Waring General Store.) Rust replaced the stolen eagle. In 1967, Richard Saur bought Rust’s business, along with one of the eagles. Rust
kept the other eagle. In 1978, the Waring Volunteer Fire Department was formed. Membership wanted a unique emblem so they adopted the Case Eagle because of its history in Waring. In 2001, the Rust and Saur families donated the eagles to the Waring VFD so the pair could again be displayed. They were set upon a large limestone display. On the night of May 26, 2012, thieves stole one of the eagles and attempted to steal the other. The Kendall County Sheriff ’s
Office reached out to neighboring counties and began a long search for the eagle and suspects. A thorough investigation led to the recovery of the eagle from a pasture in Gillespie County and it was returned to the Waring VFD in early August, 2012. Since then, Richard Saur completed an extensive renovation of the eagles and they are once again on display in front of the fire department. Prosecution of the violators is ongoing.
Fredericksburg Police Department report Fredericksburg Police Department (FPD) officers responded to 154 calls for service from April 15-21. Accidents, Assault Police responded to 11 automobile accidents, including one vehicle versus pedestrian accident in front of the Fredericksburg Primary School campus on South Adams Street on Thursday morning, April 18. Victor Lewis Nixon, 66, of Fredericksburg was driving a 2010 red Toyota Tundra pickup and attempted to exit the school’s driveway, according to the FPD report. Nixon reportedly looked both ways and did not see any pedestrians, but when he attempted his left turn onto South Adams Street, he struck Theresa Ann Coven, 60, of Fredericksburg, as she was in the middle of the road crossing it. Coven was transported by Fredericksburg EMS ambulance to Hill Country Memorial where she was treated and released the same day in good condition, according to a
spokesman with Hill Country Memorial Hospital. The other 10 accidents were all classified as “minor” without life-threatening injuries. There was one assault reported, but no names were released because the parties involved were underage. Thefts, Burglaries FPD officers investigated five thefts during the week, as well as two burglaries of vehicles. The first vehicle to be burglarized was reported on Saturday, April 20, at 1:02 p.m., when an officer was dispatched to the Gillespie County Fair Grounds. A woman reported that her purse, camera case, Dell laptop and other miscellaneous items were taken from her vehicle. An attempted vehicle burglary was reported at 5:58 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, at Walmart’s parking lot, 1435 East Main Street. Upon investigation, it was determined that the case was “unfounded.” Two thefts were reported on Monday, April 15. The first
was at 10:51 a.m. in the 300 block of East San Antonio Street, where it was reported that a vehicle had been struck by an unknown vehicle and a credit card from within the vehicle had been taken. The second call came in at 3:43 p.m. from the SPCA Thrift Store, 3025 State Highway 16 South, where it was reported that, sometime over the weekend, suspects stole a black mountain bicycle (valued at $100) from the porch area. On Wednesday, April 17, police were called at 7:09 p.m. to Walmart in reference to the theft of two laptop computers that occurred on March 30. The items taken were a Toshiba laptop (valued at $598) and an Asus laptop (valued at $748.) On Thursday, April 18, police were notified at 1:39 p.m. that a customer had filled gas at the 290 Gas Mart, but left without paying. And, on Friday, April 19, at 6:24 p.m. an officer was dispatched to the 900 block of
North Milam Street regarding the theft of money. Arrests FPD officers arrested five individuals over the week for the following offenses: •1 Driving While License Invalid/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. •3 Local Warrants. •1 No Driver’s License (When Unlicensed.) April 1-7 • 11 auto accidents. • 7 alarms. • 10 animal control calls. • 1 assault. • 2 burglaries of vehicles. • 8 civil disputes. • 2 cases of criminal mischief. • 2 cases of criminal trespass. • 13 disturbances. • 5 emergency assist calls. • 1 fraud. • 6 harassment. • 4 lost/stolen item reports. • 28 public relations. • 3 recoveries of property. • 13 reports of suspicious activity. • 5 thefts. • 12 traffic hazards. • 3 warrants serviced. • 12 welfare concern calls. • 7 other.
Gillespie fire, rescue calls
Gillespie sheriff’s report
Fredericksburg •Sunday, April 14 — 11:56 a.m., 389 West Oak Drive, grass fire. •Sunday, April 14 — 8:55 p.m., Highway Street at State Highway 16 South, motor vehicle accident. •Monday, April 15 — 6:45 a.m., 1704 U.S. Highway 290 West, vehicle fire. •Monday, April 15 — 9:22 p.m., 209 West Peach Street, public assist. •Thursday, April 18 — 7:57 a.m., 1110 South Adams Street (Fredericksburg Primary School), motor vehicle
The Gillespie County Sheriff ’s Office (GCSO) responded to 153 calls for service from April 16-21. County officers assisted Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers at the scene of one major accident. Deputies also investigated two cases of theft and two assaults over the past week. The first theft was reported at 1:58 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, in the 900 block of Hollmig Lane. Reportedly stolen were license plates (valued at $50.) The other theft reported was at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, at 38 Limestone Ridge. Taken were a trailer and tools (valued at $20,000.)
Benefit shoot slated Sunday at Grapetown
accident. •Thursday, April 18 — 4:13 p.m., 2243 Ranch Road 1888, vehicle fire. •Thursday, April 18 — 4:47 p.m., 103 East Trailmoor Street, motor vehicle accident. •Friday, April 19 — 12 midnight, 8000 block of U.S. Highway 87 South, motor vehicle accident. Stonewall •Thursday, April 18 — 4:13 p.m., 2243 Ranch Road 1888, vehicle fire. Willow City •Friday, April 19 — 11:29 a.m., 417 Schaefer Road, grass fire. •Saturday, April 20 — 2:40 p.m., 124 West Main Street (Fredericksburg Volunteer Fire Department), public assist.
April 15-21 • 4 9-1-1 hang up calls. • 6 alarms. • 19 calls related to animals.
• 15 arrests. • 2 assaults. • 31 citations and warnings. • 8 civil disturbances. • 7 disturbances. • 8 civil process cases. • 2 reports of criminal mischief. • 1 report of criminal trespass. • 1 report of debris on the roadway. • 2 cases of harassment. • 1 report of illegal dumping. • 1 major accident. • 3 minor accidents. • 7 prisoner transports. • 6 public assists. • 3 public intoxication. • 2 reports of reckless drivers. • 3 suspected DWIs. • 9 reports of suspicious activity. • 2 thefts. • 1 warrant served. • 9 welfare concern calls. There were 27 people booked into jail during the week and, as of Monday, April 22, there were 29 inmates in Gillespie County custody
The 2013 Annual Benefit Shoot will be held Sunday, April 28, at the Grapetown Shooting Range, beginning at 9 a.m. Food and refreshments will be available on the grounds. All interested shooters are reminded to pay in at Stroeher and Son before 5 p.m. today, Wednesday, April 24. More information is available by contacting Marianna Behrends at m_brown_4@ hotmail.com.
Petroleum Club to meet May 2 at Cranky Frank’s
2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Fredericksburg Petroleum Club will meet Thursday, May 2 at noon at Cranky Frank’s Barbecue. Anyone who has worked in the oil industry is invited to attend, buy their own lunch, and join the group to update each other on events in the industry. The group is informal and meets on the first Thursday of each month. Cranky Frank’s is located at 1679 U.S. Highway 87 South. Order reprints of these & others
http://www. fredericksburgstandard. smugmug.com
11568.44
11728.45
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
| A5
| April 24, 2013
Trinkle tribute rescue training set Saturday at Enchanted Rock Firefighters, first respond ers and other emergency personnel will be gathering for the Randy Trinkle Memorial Search and Rescue Training event this Saturday, April 27, at the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Trinkle, a 15-year paramedic and a captain with the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services, was a Fredericksbrug resident who died of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Saturday, Dec. 1. He began this search and rescue training session in January 2004 with the goal of challenging students and allowing multiple agencies to
join together in learning the importance of team work. To pay tribute to Trinkle’s dedication and honor of character, the event has been renamed to bear his name. Saturday’s session will feature a day filled with technical training, including an afternoon of real-life scenario exercises. Activities are scheduled to start at 9 a.m. and participant check-in will be just prior to that at the Enchanted Rock Pavilion. Signed liability waivers will be required. Safety will be first and foremost in the exercise. Organizers will have all the rigging checked and double-
checked by qualified rescue technicians. The scenario will finish by 7 p.m. A light lunch will be provided, as well as a fajita dinner. A $15 donation is asked of all participants to cover the cost of meals. More information about the event is available by contacting Catharine Kuhlmann at 830-992-9218. Last year, when Trinkle still headed the event, some 29 representatives participated from Willow City, Fredericksburg, Alamo Springs, Texas Parks and Wildlife and Ce-Bar (west Austin fire and rescue department.)
Hill Country Motorcycle Rally returns to Luckenbach May 3-5 Riders from across the state and beyond will be in the area for the 17 th annual Hill Country Run Motorcycle Rally at Luckenbach May 3-5. Sponsored by the Optimist Club of Fredericksburg, the event is billed as “more than just a plain old motorcycle rally.” The run is three days of food, music, friends and miles of riding through the towns and vistas of the Texas Hill Country. Activities begin on Thursday, May 2, with a social and welcome at Hondo’s, beginning at 6:30 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, May 3-4, check-in and registration begins at 9 a.m. in Luckenbach. Daniel Weeks, owner of PiNN-iT, will be offering a motorcycle stunt show twice on May 3 and three times on May 4. An exhibit of Evel Knievel memorabilia, including his leather suits worn during his
jumps, will be featured. The Brisket and Brew dinner is returning on Saturday evening, May 4. Tickets are being sold in advance for $12 per person, and are available by calling 9978515. A Hill Country Ride is planned on Friday, May 3, and the Hill Country Road Trip is May 4. The Optimist Club has planned the route for the road trip, with detailed directions. The distance is less than 100 miles, according to event organizers. Along the way, riders will pull into designated stops where they can drop tickets in a box. At the end of the event, tickets will be drawn from each stop, with the winners receiving prizes. Activities begin on Saturday and Sunday with a Cowboy Breakfast. Pulled pork sandwiches and cold drinks will be available
Celebrat
ersary Anniv
io n
e ST 1881 FREDERICKSBURG
TEXAS, 78624
August 22-25, 2013
17th Annual
By Brandon Vinyard The Admiral Nimitz Foundation held its first annual Distinguished Speaker Series Dinner April 16 at St. Mary’s Holy Family Center with Adm. Bill McRaven, Commander of U.S Special Operations Command. After dinner and words from Admiral Nimitz Foundation President and CEO, Gen. Michael Hagee (USMC, Ret.), McRaven delivered an emotional speech about Texas heroes and how Texas spirit is nationwide. “There is a little bit of Texan in all of us,” he said. “Every man or woman who challenges the bullies of the world,
they are Texans.” Fredericksburg is the birthplace of Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, who was the Commander in Chief in the Pacific during World War II. McRaven spoke of Texas heroes past, present and future. “Fredericksburg has a knack for producing great leaders,” McRaven said, as he mentioned Nimitz and other World War II heroes. He spoke of present day Special Operations members Chief Petty Officer Chris Kyle, who was killed earlier this year; Petty Officer 1st Class, Marcus Luttrell, a former Navy Seal who received the Navy Cross for his actions in June 2005; and Lt. Cmdr. Jo-
nas Kelsall, who was killed in action on Aug. 6, 2011. “I know Chester Nimitz would be proud of Jonas Kelsall,” McRaven said when speaking about the spirit that made Kelsall and men like him great. McRaven took time at the end of his address to answer questions from those attending and stayed to meet with many of those in attendance. Money raised from this event goes to support the National Museum of the Pacific War. Anyone interested in attending next year’s Distinguished Speaker Series Dinner, visit www.pacificwarmuseum.org for information as it is developed.
Drug Take Back program to be held Saturday Local law enforcement officials are inviting citizens to drop off old, expired prescription medications during an upcoming event instead of flushing them down the toilet, which can contaminate the water supply.
The Fredericksburg Police Department’s “Drug Take Back” event is set for this Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Gillespie County Law Enforcement Center, 1601 East Main Street. Officers will accept unused
or expired prescription medications, which they will then dispose of properly. (Medications should never be flushed.) In the fall, the FPD hosted a similar event and collected more than 45 pounds of prescription medications.
gILLESPIE cOUNTY fAIR AND fESTIVALS ASSOcIATION
Saturday, April 27, 2013
SK Roofing and Remodeling J.E. Cauthen and Sons, LTD. Champe Jennings Jeep Collins Gillespie Plumbing Dietzel Motel Darin Holmes, DDS L.T. Answering & Business Service Bierschwale-Rees Insurance Dierre Smith Edward Stroeher Gary & Cindy Kunz/Cen-Tex Heating & Air Conditioning Leon & Teresa Welgehausen/ Welgehausen Ranch Garrett Insurance Agency Inc. Cornehl Plumbing American Bank of Texas Yee Haw Ranch Outfitters
JEWELRY
•Lone Star Crystal-Studded Pink Pearl Fiesta Set — Texas Silver Rush •Blue Pearl Fiesta Set — Texas Silver Rush •James Avery Sterling Silver Twisted Wire Hook-On Bracelet — Friends of GCFFA •James Avery Sterling Silver Mark of Cross Earrings — Friends of GCFFA •James Avery Sterling Silver Botonnee Cross on Cable Chain — Friends of GCFFA •Champe Jennings 9-Strand Multi-Necklace — Friends of GCFFA •Champe Jennings Sterling Silver Cone Bangle Bracelet — Friends of GCFFA •Champe Jennings Copper Cuff Bracelet & Copper Earrings — Friends of GCFFA •Jeep Collins Sterling Silver Fiesta Earrings — Friends of GCFFA •Jeep Collins Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet with Turquoise — Friends of GCFFA •Jeep Collins Copper and Sterling Silver Cierra Earrings — Friends of GCFFA •Infinity Necklace & Ear Posts — James Avery Jewelry
FOR THE EVENT
•Cups, Onions, Pickles — Sonic •Bread — Clear River Pecan Company •Bread — Fredericksburg Bakery •Shrimp — Rabke’s Table Ready Meats/Stanley & Janet Rabke, Regan & Hillary Rabke, Erin & Brad Gilliam
LIVE AUCTION • Cakes baked and decorated by the Gillespie County Fair Queen and Duchesses
Two $1,500 Visa Gift Cards Tickets $5 each
(need not be present to win)
Tickets at: Arrowhead Bank Blanco National Bank Behrends Feed at Bode’s-Harper Lochte Feed & General Store
Admiral discusses Texas heroes, spirit at Nimitz Foundation series
SCHOLARSHIP fEST
FRIENDS OF GCFFA Virdell Drilling The Race Barn Security State Bank and Trust Happy Feller Schaetter Funeral Home Hill Country Propane Fredericksburg Eye Associates Allied Ag Services Joseph Financial Curtis Staudt Construction Fredericksburg StandardRadio Post Reeh Plumbing DR Welding and Construction, Inc. Centennial Bank Kendnel Kasper Construction, Inc. Hill Country Refrigeration/ Wilbert Ottmers Family Arrowhead Bank/Tony Klein
during the day. The weekend entertainment includes Spare Parts of Fredericksburg on May 3 from 6-9 p.m. and Ponty Bone and the Squeezetones on May 4 from 6-10 p.m. Booths offering motorcyclerelated items and souvenirs will be on hand throughout the event. The event closes on May 5 with a Cowboy Breakfast and Sunday morning worship service. Proceeds from the Hill Country Run go to fund Fredericksburg Optimist Club projects, including the T-Ball program, scholarship program, oratorical contest and essay contest. The focus of the Optimist Club is “Bringing Out the Best in Kids.” All of the net proceeds from the rally are returned to the youth in Fredericksburg. For more information, call 997-8515 or visit www.hillcountryrun.com. They are also on Facebook.
MUSEUM TOUR − Adm. Bill McRaven, left, with Gen. Michael Hagee, wife Georgeann tours the National Museum of the Pacific War McRaven, and Silke Hagee.
ProBuild Stroeher & Olfers Weinheimer & Son -Stonewall Fair Grounds Fair Directors
TICKETS
OLD TIME BARBECUE
$20 per person
Children under 12 Free Available at Fair Grounds, the Fair Directors Lochte Feed & General Store Stroeher & Olfers Blanco National Bank Arrowhead Bank ProBuild Weinheimer & Son in Stonewall Behrends Feed at Bode’s in Harper Behrends Feed at Luckenbach
Gillespie County Fair Grounds Gates Open 3 p.m. • Dinner 5:30 p.m. • Prize Drawing 7 p.m. • Silent Auction • Live Auction • Games • Music • Barbecue Cookoffs
• Shrimp • Stuffed Peppers • Dessert • Pork Barbecue Dinner by Head Country Barbecue with all the trimmings
PRIZES, AUCTION ITEMS, DOOR PRIZES •2- $45 Gift Certificates — Grape Creek Vineyards •$250 Gift Card — Segner’s Jewelers •1 large & 1 small Luckenbach Sign — Luckenbach, Texas •Commercial Heavy Duty Fish Fryer — ProBuild/ Seth Crain •1 Night Stay at Hotel — Fredericksburg Inn and Suites •2- 5X Favorites Gift Baskets — Fischer and Wieser Specialty Foods •Framed Ben Beckendorf Painting — Beckendorf Gallery •1 Gallon Interior Paint, 1 Purdy Brush, 1 $25 Gift Certificate — Decorator’s Unlimited •2 Seat Wooden Patio Rocker — Stroeher and Olfers, Inc. •Dinner for 10 at the White Oak Social Club — Brian Roeder, Brad & Tiffany Roeder, Billy & Betty Roeder, Gary & Cindy Kunz, Patrick & Cindy Kunz, David & Gloria Weinheimer •Bag Chair, Camo Hunting Belt, Collapsible Cooler, Sports Cooler — Creative Awards •Gift Certificate for Private Wine Tasting for up to 10 people — Messina Hof Winery •Gift Basket — Bariloche Farm •Gift Certificate for Wine Tasting for 10 people — Becker Vineyards •2- Gift Certificates for Private Tour & Tasting for 4 — Woodrose Winery •Gift Certificate — Panda Chinese Restaurant & Sushi Bar •$100 Gift Certificate towards lodging — Texas Wine Country/Jellystone Park •Original Hill Country Rock Painting — Monroe Behrends/Behrends Feed and Fertilizer •Original framed 14x11 Oil Painting, “First Peace Peppers” — Marion and Gordon Loucks •3- Creepers — Tractor Supply •Gift Basket — CTESC •Manicure — Angel Nails •Gift Card — Walgreen’s •2- Gift Cards for Beef Fajitas or one entrée of equal or lesser value — Mamacita’s •$25 Gift Card — Ausländer Restaurant •String Trimmer and Blower Combo Set — Ace Hardware
•$25 Gift Card — Catfish Haven •1 Ladies’ Gift Bag & 1 Men’s Gift Bag — Beall’s. •Shoulder Mount, Deer Size — Alamo Wildlife Taxidermy •Professional Bull Rider Hardcover Books — Texas Vineyards & Beyond/Chuck & Denise Pfeil •Meal for Two — Altdorf Restaurant & Biergarten •Gift cards — The Peach Tree •5- $20 Gift Certificates — Western Beverages •Barbecue Grill, Jack Daniels Charcoal — Friends of GCFFA •Tackle Box, Rod/Reel, Chair — Friends of GCFFA •Fish Fryer — Friends of GCFFA •Game Camera — Friends of GCFFA •Two-Way Radio — Friends of GCFFA •Soft Gun Case, Directors’ Chairs — Friends of GCFFA •3- Horseshoe Wine Racks — Mark Bell •Blade Folding Knife, Dove Bucket — Friends of GCFFA •Butcher Knife Set — Friends of GCFFA •Charles Beckendorf Turkey Print — Friends of GCFFA •Double Gun Case — Friends of GCFFA •Zebco 33 Rod/Reel Combo, Tackle Box, Chair — Friends of GCFFA •Heavy Duty Camp Grill, Bag Chair — Friends of GCFFA •Directors’ Chairs, 60-quart Igloo Cooler — Friends of GCFFA •Soft Gun Case, Multi-Tool, Spotlight — Friends of GCFFA •Charles Beckendorf Barn Print — Friends of GCFFA •Dove Bucket, Walkie Talkies — Friends of GCFFA •Outdoor Table, Chairs — Friends of GCFFA •4 Caps, 4 General Admission Tickets to PBR — Friends of GCFFA •Bench — FHS Welding Class •Aggie Wooden Sign — Lindsay Crenwelge •Framed Lee Ethel Print — Friends of GCFFA •Wine Gift Basket — Texas Vineyards & Beyond Chuck & Denise Pfeil •$100 Gift Card — HEB •Barbecue Pit — Harper High School
For more information: 830-997-2359
GUNS
•Winchester Featherweight 30.06 •Savage 11/111 Hunter XP .223 •Savage 1111 Hunter XP .270 •Howa Hogue .243 Green •Howa Hogue .270 Green •Howa Hogue Black 22.250 •Howa Hogue Black 22.250 •Howa Hogue Black 25.06 •Howa Hogue Black 25.06 •Remington 1187 12 gauge •Remington 1187 12 gauge •Remington CDL 700 7mm .08 •Ruger Hawkeye HM 77R .308 •Ruger Hawkeye HM 77R 30.06 •Ruger Hawkeye HM 77R 300 Win Mag •Thompson Venture Weathershield 22.250 •Thompson Venture Weathershield 7mm .08 •Thompson Venture Weathershield 308 •Remington 700 SPS Stainless 7mm .08 •Remington SPS Stainless 30.06
Thousands of Dollars in Prizes including: Hunting & Fishing Equipment Shopping Sprees Jewelry Gift Certificates & Much More
11959.46
LAVENDER FEST
STATE BOUND Two FHS, nine Harper tracksters advance to state,y page B1
SILVER MEDALISTS FHS’ Igarta, Moellering take second at state tennis meet, page B1
Sights, smells highlight annual event, page A18
Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post
No. 47 - USPS 209-080 • Periodical
$1 Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
Charges pending in overdose investigation Lawman aware of public frustration, but thorough probe necessary By Lisa Treiber-Walter As this community struggles to understand the “why” of losing a Fredericksburg High School (FHS) teenager to drugs last week, police here continue to work toward the “who” and “how” so they can charge those responsible. “There will be charges filed, but who we are going to charge and what charges will be filed are yet to be determined,” said Fredericksburg Police Department (FPD) Lieutenant Steve Wetz.
“
A crime has been committed but whether it is tried in state court or federal court has yet to be determined.” — FPD Lt. Steve Wetz Samuel (Sammy) Herrera, 16, son of David and Trish Herrera, was buried here last Wednesday afternoon, April 24, following a funeral ceremony that over-filled the capacity of Holy Ghost Lutheran Church. The tall FHS sophomore athlete died in the early morning hours
WEEKEND
Hill Country Film Festival begins Thursday night
of Saturday, April 20, shortly after he and fellow FHS student James (Jamie) Jarreau, 17, reportedly ingested “25c-NBOMe” — a designer hallucinogenic drug so new that it has yet to be outlawed. Jarreau, who had been airlifted to University Hospital in critical condition, has since recovered and returned to school. A sampling of the same drug taken by the two teenagers is undergoing testing in the Department of Public Safety (DPS) laboratory in Austin, Cont. on A9
PRIZES, PRIZES AND MORE PRIZES featuring a variety of items are awarded during the Scholarship Fest festivities Saturday night, April 27, by master of ceremonies Russell Immel, Gillespie County Fair Duchess Elle Fischer and Lindsay Crenwelge. More from the event at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds on C1.— Standard-Radio Post/Lisa Treiber-Walter
Rockets from 30 schools to launch here this week
WILDFLOWER RUN
More than 60 rockets will take flight over Gillespie County skies tomorrow through Sunday during the “Rockets 2013” hosted by SystemsGo and student teams from Fredericksburg High School’s Principles of Technology classes. Students from around 30 different Texas high schools are expected to visit to launch their project rockets. The rockets are not the small model type made by hobbyists, but rather originally-crafted eightfoot vehicles designed to achieve one of two established goals: to either
Fourth annual event to bring independent filmmakers to town By Ken Esten Cooke The fourth annual Hill Country Film Festival kicks off this week with 56 screenings throughout four days, and more than 30 filmmakers converging on Fredericksburg. HCFF Executive Director Chad Mathews said online pre-event ticket sales are up about 30 percent over last year, which bodes well for the festival’s growing attendance. “We usually get lots of walkup sales, so we’re expecting a good turnout there as well,” Mathews said. With the Stagecoach Movie Theater in ownership limbo — the facility closed last year
INSIDE
See eight-page special section inside this edition.
Cont. on A5
By Matt Ward Inspiration can come from anywhere and at any time. For Fredericksburg High School alum Matthew Albrecht and co-writer Tyler Glodt, the inspiration for what eventually became the feature film “Buck Wild” happened at an International House of Pancakes on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles.
Inside • Early voting tally for council race heavy in first two days — A15 • FISD teacher of the year nominee profiles — C4 • Honor the Treaty Powwow set at Granados Hall Saturday — A3 • Overdose could (and should) spark family dinner table honest talk — D2
“We were on this zombie kick — I guess from the start of ‘The Walking Dead’ and ‘Zombieland’ — so why don’t we do ‘Deer Hunter’ and zombies?” Albrecht said. “Right there on a napkin, we drafted up the story of four friends and very roughly outlined the story for the movie.” Three years after the film’s genesis on an IHOP napkin, “Buck Wild” — which stars the former FHS class president and credited actor in the Oscar-winning film “The ArtCont. on A5
MAKING A MAD DASH to the finish line, Nicholas Craig, 25, of Fredericksburg finishes strong in the Wildflower 5K Run, Walk held Saturday near Marktplatz. An estimated 930 participants took part in this year’s event which raises funds for Fredericksburg Academic Boosters. More on A17. — Standard-Radio Post/Lisa Treiber-Walter
Weather April 24-30, 2013 Rainfall this week Rainfall for April Rainfall for 2013 Normal for date Same date last year Low – April 24 High – April 28, 29
0.16 1.11 5.44 8.42 8.55 42 85
For real-time weather information, go to: www.fredericksburgstandard.com
High Low Rain Wednesday 60 42 Thursday 67 55 Friday 76 60 Saturday 84 59 0.03 Sunday 85 61 Monday 85 57 0.13 Tuesday 84 62 Total Rain 0.16 Courtesy Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park
Sections
reach a two-mile-high mark or to travel at the speed of sound. The public is invited to visit Mission Control and the launch site of SystemsGo to witness the launches, all over Camey Stewart’s Hillview Ranch, north of Fredericksburg off the Willow City Loop. Students will do their final prep on their rockCont. on A11
Locals will combat cancer in Friday ‘Relay For Life’
when its owner walked away from the property — this year’s event will be held at the
Actor to return home for screening of ‘Buck Wild’ Albrecht is co-creator of ‘buddy, zombie’ film
ROCKETS 2013 • 60 rockets • 30 high schools • Thursday-Sunday at Hillview Ranch
A - Front D - Community B - Sports E/F - Real Estate/Classifieds C - Lifestyles G - IT’S ON! Entertainment
Wine-filled, flower-filled weekend Admiring Becker Vineyards’ products made of lavender (at left) are Jeannie Robertson of Dripping Springs and JoAnn Taylor of Austin during Lavender Fest (A18) held last weekend. Nearby, at Wildseed Farms, Cord Switzer and Margaret Scharold (at right) pour tastes from Fredericksburg Winery for Hill Country Wine and Music Fest celebrants (D1). — Standard-Radio Post/ Lisa Treiber-Walter
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Call 830-997-2155
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Cancer patients and survivors will be joined by friends, family and supporters at the annual Relay For Life of Gillespie County beginning Friday, May 3, in the Fredericksburg High School Stadium. Activities for the event, which benefits the American Cancer Society, start at 5 p.m. and continue until 2 a.m. on Saturday, May 4. Registration for survivors and teams actually begins at 4 p.m. followed by a survivor reception from 5-6 p.m. Opening ceremonies will be held at 6 p.m. and will include the singing of the National Anthem
Cont. on A3
Hill Country Run motorcycle rally set at Luckenbach “More than just a plain old motorcycle rally,” the 17 th annual Hill Country Run Motorcycle Rally returns to Luckenbach Friday through Sunday, May 3-5. Sponsored by the Optimist Club of Fredericksburg, the event is billed as three days of food, music, friends and miles of riding through the towns and vistas of the Texas Hill
Cont. on A14
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Charges pending
and night,” Wetz said. Those pieces of evidence will give detectives a better picture of how and when the events unfolded, who exactly was involved and how they were involved, he said. “When we get finished with our investigation and the FDA gets finished with its investigation, we’re going to get together with our prosecuting attorneys and decide which charges should be filed,” Wetz said. But he cautioned that the process could take anywhere from six to eight weeks. “I want everybody to understand that this is not going to go away,” Wetz said. “It is a long investigation because of the seriousness of the matter that needs to be looked into, and we want to make sure this is conducted correctly.” “A crime has been committed, but whether it is tried out in state court or in federal court has yet to be determined,” Wetz said. When all is said and done, Wetz said he believes there will be more people involved in this overdose fatality incident than just the two teens who took the substance and a third who witnessed them, but who reportedly did not consume any drugs himself. “We’re not releasing information as fast as some people might like because we have an open investigation and we don’t want to do anything that’s going to compromise that or its outcome,” Wetz said.
School district aids with grieving process Fredericksburg Independent School District Superintendent Marc Williamson said the district is doing its best to help kids work through the grieving process, and will help the surviving youth get reoriented back into school upon the student’s return. “That’s our focus right now,” Williamson said. “We will continue to look at ways we can do additional work in that area, especially as the drugs evolve and change.” Williamson said state law does not allow the district to play enforcer with off-campus events. “The law is specific about what we can intervene with, and when we can not intervene,” he said. “There are only certain situations that would allow us to have any kind of say.” Williamson said while children who attend school were involved, it was not a school issue, though he and other FISD officials say they will share information with law enforcement officials in whatever way is needed. “We’re not involved or privy to the (Fredericksburg Police Department) investigation, but we would certainly cooperate in any way,” he said. When asked if the district has a drug problem, Williamson said FISD does more to combat drug use than most other districts. “I don’t know that anyone can quantify exactly how much goes on,” he said. “The district has always been proactive about trying to keep the drugs off campus. We have drug testing for extra curricular activities, which most districts do not; we have a drug
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dog, which most schools do not, and we also do drug education. But I don’t know that our general school population is any better or worse than any other place.” The superintendent said the district is unable to control what goes on after school bells ring. “We can do some things that help deter it in the school setting, but it’s hard for us to have control outside of school on Friday and Saturday nights,” he said.
May 1, 2013
| A9
Off-duty police officer killed in aftermath of auto accident A five-vehicle chain accident on the portion of Interstate 10 that traverses Gillespie County’s southwest corner resulted in the death of an off-duty police officer and injuries to six others Friday night, April 26. Larry Candelari, 49, of the Pasadena Police Department was pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace Louis Rech shortly after the 9:40 p.m. accident near mile marker 492 on I10. According to Department of Public Safety (DPS) reports, Candelari and fellow Pasadena peace officer, Michael Huffman, 49, were both returning to the Houston area after visiting their Hill Country hunting lease when they stopped to provide aid in the wake of an accident.
Reportedly, the incident started when a 2005 Chevrolet pickup driven by Jerrod Evert McDougal, 42, of Bandera was headed eastbound on I10 and ran into the back of a Uhaul being towed in the same direction by a 2008 Honda FIT by driver Pamela Laroza, 58, of Queen Creek, Ariz. DPS said the Uhaul became dislodged and ventured into the left-hand lane before coming to a stop, while both vehicles traveled off to the right side of the highway. Immediately pulling to the right-hand shoulder to render aid was a 2009 Chevrolet Impala, driven by Irene Rosales, 63, of San Antonio, as well as the 2010 Chevrolet 1500 pickup containing the peace officers.
Local man hurt in two-vehicle wreck in county
‘Police Volunteers’ to meet May 9 at Gillespie LEC
A Fredericksburg man was injured and taken to a San Antonio hospital for trauma care following a two-vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 87 north last Tuesday morning, April 23, around 7:53 a.m. According to a report by the Gillespie County Sheriff ’s Office, Ricardo Castillo, 53, of Fredericksburg, was driving a 1996 GMC pickup out of a private drive off Linda Drive. He attempted to turn left onto U.S. Highway 87 North to head toward Fredericksburg, but when he did he pulled into the roadway in front of a 1992 Ford Ranger, driven by Tobin Davis, 49, of Fredericksburg. Davis was unable to avoid colliding with Castillo, deputies said. While Castillo was reported to be uninjured, Davis was taken by Fredericksburg EMS ambulance to Hill Country Memorial’s emergency room and later transported to San Antonio Medical Center.
Fredericksburg Volunteers in Police Support, Inc. (FVPS) will meet Thursday, May 9, at the Gillespie County Law Enforcement Center. A board of directors meeting will be held at 6 p.m. followed by the general membership business meeting at 6:30 p.m. Alumni graduates from any of the 11 previously held local Citizen Police Academies are invited to attend. Volunteers will be needed for the upcoming emergency management exercise and one volunteer is needed to help with clerical work at the
Both off-duty policemen exited their pickup to attend to the drivers of the first cars, DPS reported. That’s when a 2005 Volvo truck tractor with a flatbed trailer attached struck both of the officers on foot, their truck and the car on the shoulder containing Rosales. Although Candelari was pronounced dead at the scene, a fleet of ambulances from Kerr and Gillespie counties responded to the scene to ferry injured to University Hospital in San Antonio and to Sid Peterson Memorial Hospital in Kerrville. Huffman, the second offduty policeman pedestrian to be struck was taken to University Hospital, where, at last report, he was in critical condition.
Law Enforcement Center. Members are encouraged to sign up to help with traffic control at the Crawfish Festival in May and at the July 4 Parade, and to register for the Texas Citizen Police Academy Alumni Convention in July in Arlington. The FVPS partners with and supports the local law enforcement agencies. Volunteers of the FVPS organization assist the police department in many functions, including: traffic control during parades and special events, vacation residence checks using the marked volunteer car,
Rosales and her passenger, Fernando Rosales, 64, also of San Antonio, were both seriously injured, DPS said. She was taken to San Antonio Military Medical Center, while he was taken to University Hospital. Also injured in the accident were: McDougal, who was, at last report, in stable condition at Sid Peterson Memorial Hospital; Laroza, who was treated at the scene and released, and her passenger, Richard Laroza, 59, of Queen Creek, Ariz., who was, at last report, in serious condition at University Hospital. Investigating the accident was DPS Trooper Allen Meyer of Boerne, who was assisted by rallying officers from San Antonio, Kerrville, Bandera and Fredericksburg.
downtown foot patrol to deter shoplifting, clerical assistance at the Law Enforcement Center and Substation, obtaining business identification details and emergency notification data program and pawn shop ticket database entry. For information about joining FVPS, contact the Law Enforcement Center Monday through Friday at 997-7585 or visit www.fbgtx.org, click on Departments and then on Police Department. The Gillespie County Law Enforcement Center is located at 1601 East Main Street.
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Wetz said. While results of that testing are not complete, local investigators have been told by lab officials that the substance the local boys took was not illegal. 25c-NBOMe has been deemed a synthetic research chemical that has most recently been taken as a designer recreational drug for its “intense” hallucinogenic effects just shy of those experienced by users of LSD. The DPS lab has not officially ruled on what the substance is, Wetz said, adding, “the reason they are having trouble is because of the newness of this substance.” No human consumption of 25c-NBOMe has been recorded prior to 2010. Still, just over a week ago, it found its way into the hands of local teenagers who bought it from another youth who purchased it through the Internet. While the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 outlaws nine synthetic psychedelic drugs in the “2C” family, of which this new drug is derived, no current law covers 25c-NBOMe or other similar new variations. While waiting on the lab’s final findings, both local police and officers with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are continuing to investigate. “We are currently in the process of putting together search warrants for the phones and computers that were used by all the different subjects involved in the incident that day
Cont. from A1
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| May 1, 2013
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
COMMENTARY Dinnertime talks Open, honest communication between parents, kids best thing to combat drug use
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he death of one student and hospitalization of another after a designer drug overdose is nothing but a tragedy for this town. A life cut short by youthful indiscretion is sad for everyone, whether we knew the victim or not. But with respect to the grieving parents, family and friends, we hope this event is a catalyst for many dinner table conversations with parents and children about the dangers of drugs. It’s particularly important since this local case involves a chemically manipulated drug, 25c-NBOMe, that has kept its producers one step ahead of law enforcement. As parents, we are the biggest influence in our children’s lives — bar none. These influences can be good, and others can be bad, and most of us possess a combination of good and bad traits and habits. But even if parents have personally fallen short of the unrealistic Ward and June Cleaver model of parenting, we should be honest and open with our children. Conversation about drugs, sex, or other supposedly taboo subjects, can take some of the mystique, particularly when couched in conversations such as the tragedy that took place here. Some may blame the school district, which they expect to keep an Orwellian eye on roughly 2,000 students. Some
may denounce local law enforcement, and still others may fault the media as people look to assign blame for this tragedy. But we should all think — as parents of students in both public and private schools — about how we communicate with our children about drugs. With Fredericksburg’s German roots, there is a cultural appreciation for beer, a legal drug. If we don’t communicate honestly about it, and how some develop a problem with this simple, fermented liquid, some teens may take that as permission to experiment with other illegal substances. This case is particularly confounding since the designer of the drug altered its chemistry to make it different from known illegal drugs. As of last week, the drug in question had been examined, yet it was found to be a toxic mix of all legal substances. This is confounding to law enforcement. All of these issues are fair game for dinner table conversations, and we would guess that many have taken place in homes around the community over the past two weeks. Yes, parents are distracted by TV, internet, cell phones, social media, and more, just as are children. And, yes, we all lead busy lives. But honest conversation about every day events and some unpleasant or uncomfortable topics can lead our youth to make better choices for themselves. As parents, we should all vow to make that effort.
Lights, camera, talent!
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redericksburg’s dance card is filled with festivals featuring everything from German tradition, to Texas wine, to crawfish. But this Thursday, the Hill Country Film Festival will kick off its fourth year in town, and we encourage locals to take part and take in a variety of entertainment. This year, the Standard-Radio Post is proud to partner with the Hill Country Film Festival, and readers will find a special section in this edition that features eight pages of highlights from this year’s event. We also are sponsoring the Thursday night screening at Marktplatz (100 W. Main St.), which will benefit the local Goodwill. Bring your lawn chair to view short films on an outdoor big screen (larger than last year). There are lots of local connections with this year’s slate of films. One Saturday evening film, “Buck Wild,” features home-grown talent Matthew Albrecht. (See related story.) Local chef Nicole Davenport will take in “The Kings of BBQ” and “Barbecue Kuwait” on Saturday afternoon. Another Saturday film that may draw lots of local interest is “Somm,” a documentary that follows the story of four wine lovers who struggle to pass the coveted Master Sommelier exam. This may
test all of our wine knowledge. Lastly, but certainly not least, the opening Thursday night screening will feature “Detention,” a short comedy made right here at St. Mary’s Catholic School by festival executive director Chad Mathews and featuring some local students. The “independent film” industry is full of creative talents who, like any good small business person, hustle to find investors for projects, using personal connections or crowd-funding for backing. Joel and Ethan Cohen began this same way with a film made in and around Hutto, Tex., called “Blood Simple” in the early 1980s. Today, their list of Academy Awards is long and their films include the remake of “True Grit,” cult favorites “The Big Lebowski” and “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” and the West Texas-based thriller “No Country for Old Men.” Our local festival brings visitors to town who eat in restaurants, stay in hotels and contribute to the local economy. And the more we support film in Fredericksburg, the more filmmakers return the favor by supporting our town. Thanks to the Steve W. Shepherd Theater for being the site host for the festival. Tickets are available at the theater. So start the reel. We thank everyone involved, and we look forward to seeing films and talents on display.
QUOTABLE
“Liberty is not the power of doing what we like, but the right to do what we ought.”— Lord Acton CHIME IN Send letters to the editor to P.O. Box 1639, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 or email to fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com. CONNECT Sign up for our Daily Update email newsletter by sending a request to fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com or connect via Facebook or Twitter
Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post
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Publisher/Editor — Ken Esten Cooke Reporters — Yvonne Hartmann, Lisa Walter, Danny Hirt and Matt Ward Circulation Manager — Sherrie Geistweidt Head Bookkeeper — Nathan Crenwelge Advertising Manager — Kimberly Jung Advertising Staff — Connie Klein, Carol Hartmann and Ann Duecker www.fredericksburgstandard.com
LETTERS POLICY Editor’s note: This newspaper welcomes responsible letters to the editor, provided they are of reasonable length, free of libelous content and written in good taste. All letters must be no longer than 300 words, and, in order to appear in the newspaper, each letter must have its writer’s name published. Letters submitted via email or fax must include the full name of the writer as well as his or her residential address and home telephone number. Also, only letters that are originally composed by readers of the Fredericksburg StandardRadio Post will be considered. No form or sample letters from lobby groups, political action committees (PACs) or similar organizations will be accepted. Persons wishing to make political endorsements are asked to contact our advertising department.
The Loving Cup battle What’s that up in the sky? It’s a bird … it’s a plane … yes, it’s Superman — and he’s 75 years old!
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ctually, the concept of this super-being who swept across the world was dreamed up in 1933 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, classmates at Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio. They eventually sold their creation to Detective Comics (later known as DC Comics), and the rest is history. Through the years, Superman has been portrayed in comic books, newspaper funny papers, radio and television shows, films, video games — almost anywhere you can stick the Superman “S” that’s framed inside a pentagonal frame. When you start talking about Superman — and the occasion of the Man of Steel’s 75th birthday is a good time — the same question usually pops up: “Who is your favorite Superman actor?” The answer, no doubt, will depend on your age. Some of the latter-day Superman fans will more than likely opt for either Christopher Reeve, Brandon Routh or even Ben Affleck (of Hollywoodland fame). This question, however, is reminiscent of yet another movie query: “Who is your favorite James Bond?” For me, there’s only one correct answer: Sean Connery. But there will be others, just a vehement in their justifications as I am, who will choose another 007 — Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan or Daniel Craig. However,
Thinking Out Loud By Danny Hirt
there won’t be too many folks who’ll put George Lazenby in the Number One spot. (But this is a discussion for another day.) Okay, back to the question at hand. Because I literally grew up with this man on the TV screen, my favorite actor to portray the Man of Steel has to be George Reeves. Even though his shows were in black-and-white (until later colorization technology came along), I’ve found Reeves to be the most colorful one of them all. A one-time amateur boxer who turned to acting, Reeves was perfect for the role of Superman. He possessed a great speaking voice — a low voice that resonated confidence with his mild-mannered Midwestern accent. Of course he looked goofy darting into a storage room in the Daily Planet building and quickly removing his hornedrimmed glasses every time Superman was needed. And of course it was impossible to believe that his fellow employees at the newspaper didn’t know he and Clark Kent were the same person. After all: same voice, same stature, same hair, same eyes, same nose … the list of similarities goes on. But as campy as the show was, it still had its appeal to
THE REAL DEAL — When you go talking Superman, as far as I’m concerned, you’re talking about George Reeves from the 1950s TV show, “Adventures of Superman.”
this little boy who used to wrap a towel around his neck and pretend to be the Man of Steel. Every time the fall-and-winter Sears catalog came out (the one with all of the Halloween costumes in it), I’d be right there, thumbing through the pages until I found what I figured was the greatest costume made: Superman. (Note: While I never really got the costume, I still dreamed about it annually.) But Superman, especially the TV show, rang out with worthwhile reminders of all that was decent and holy. After all, the Good Guys always won in the end. And don’t forget: “Truth, justice, and the American way.” danny@fredericksburgstandard.com
Staying with the whole family I recently visited my wife’s family in Mexico. “You’ll stay with us,” they said. “Which of you?” I asked. “All of us,” they said. At first, I thought this was a language barrier thing, the way these particular relatives say “I love you too much” (translation: “so much”) or the way they pronounce “Meetch.” They live in the middle of Mexico City in a family compound. I had never experienced this before. Four families. Four houses. Two attached on one side, two on the other, joined by walls and sharing a common inner courtyard with a lawn and tables and a swing set for the kids. Because you only can access this common area through the backs of the houses, there is no reason to lock the back doors. So they are always open. The result is amazing. Each family has its own unique living space, totally different décor, room sizes and layout, but you only have to walk 40 feet from the sister’s place to the mother’s place to the brother’s place, and so on. It’s an island of family. The movement between relatives is seamless. The aunt’s kids are in the uncle’s kitchen, the uncle’s kids in the grandmother’s living
By Mitch Albom THE DETROIT FREE PRESS
room, the grandmother is visiting her son-in-law, the sound of music and laughter mixing is in the middle. It’s such a loving, embracing environment, that inevitably, I wondered, “Why don’t we live this way in the States?” And then I remembered. We used to. My grandparents always spoke of sharing the same house with my aunts, uncles and cousins. Most immigrant families doubled and tripled up. When the 1930 census data became available several years ago, people were surprised to see how many of their older relatives actually were located at the same address. Of course, this was largely economics. Not too many people back then could afford their own place. It was smarter to pool resources. That was how things were done. And there is something to be said about multigenerational living. Maybe not when it comes to sharing a bathroom. But a lot of other ways. I watched my wife’s Mexican cousins walking arm-in-arm in the courtyard, the aunts and
uncles feeding the kids regardless of who belonged to whom. Someone always had a spread of food out. No one worried about making time for family — because there was always time. As I age, that sentence seems precious. To me, the Mexican model I witnessed was enviable. To never have to hear that sentence, “Gee, I wish we could be there, but airfare is so expensive” or “We hate to leave, but if we don’t go now, the traffic will be awful.” We’ve spent decades squeezing more and more in, while squeezing our family out. We want all our needs served in one hand — phone, read, watch TV, surf the Web — yet we settle for family being all over the globe. I remember my mother encouraging her children to travel, see the world, don’t stay in our little town. But once we were older, living half a world away, she lamented, “I wish I hadn’t been so smart. Then I would see you more often.” She would have loved the Mexican model. Keep your family close. Make an island out of them. “Stay with all of us.” What a concept, huh? © 2013 by the Detroit Free Press Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.
| May 1, 2013
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
OBITUARIES
Nielsen James Alvin Nielsen, 57, of Woodhill, Ill., died Sunday, March 3, 2013. Funeral services were held Saturday, March 9, at Osco Community Church in Osco, Ill, followed by interment at Andover Township Cemetery. Visitation was held Friday evening, March 8, at Vandemore Funeral Home in Geneseo, Ill. Nielsen was born Aug. 28, 1955, in San Juan, Texas, the son of the Rev. Holger Nielsen and Beulah Henriksen Nielsen. On May 20, 1978, he married Naomi Louise
Herrera Samuel Herrera, 16, of Fred ericksburg, died Saturday, April 20, 2013, at Hill Coun try Memorial Hospital. Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 24, at 3 p.m. at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, with interment fol lowing at Greenwood Cem
Spenrath Madeline Spenrath, 71, of Comfort, died Thursday, April 25, 2013. A memorial service was held Tuesday, April 30, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Schaetter Funer
Wendel and she survives. He worked as a design draftsman and then for 30 years as an elevator programmer. He also had his own farm vegetable and poultry business over the years, and since June 2011 had done that full time. In addition to his wife, Nielsen is survived by three daughters, including Clara Nielsen, Krista Johnson and her husband, Luke, and Katrina Nielsen, and one grandson. He is also survived by one brother, four sisters and their spouses, including Mark and Susan Nielsen, Pauline Johnson, Rachel and Ron Randall, Annie and Bob Crane, and Ruth and Bruce Kindred. Survivors also include his mother-in-law, Florine Wendel, of Fredericksburg; a brother-in-law, Mark Wendel, and a sister-in-law, Melissa Smith. Nielsen was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Sara Watrous, and his fatherin-law, the Rev. Rudy Wendel.
Moisan Barbara Anne Moisan, 88, of Fredericksburg, died Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at Windcrest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Arrangements and crema tion were under the direction of Schaetter Funeral Home. Private disposition of the cremains is planned at a later date. Ms. Moisan was born April 25, 1924, in Weymouth, Mass., the daughter of Eugene Leo Moisan and Mary Mac Ennis
Jung Shirley Kuhlmann Jung, 68, of Fredericksburg, died Thurs day, April 25, 2013. A funeral mass was cel ebrated Monday, April 29, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with interment fol lowing in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
Brandenburg
Catholic Daughters to meet Monday at parish center Moisan. She entered the U.S. Army on April 25, 1944, and was discharged Dec. 10, 1945. She reentered the service into the U.S. Air Force on Oct. 11, 1948, and retired from the Air Force on March 31, 1967, with the rank of MSgt. (E7). Over the years, she received numerous awards and cita tions for her service to her country. Ms. Moisan was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Ray Moisan, and a sister Claire Moisan. Memorials may be made to Hill Country Memorial Hospice, St. Mary’s Catholic School, M.D. Anderson Hos pital or to the charity of choice. Arrangements were under the direction of Schaetter Funeral Home. A complete obituary will be published next week. First United Methodist Church, 572 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels, followed by interment at Schumans ville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of New Braunfels or the charity of choice. A complete obituary will be published next week.
Howard Carl Brandenburg, 81, of New Braunfels, died Monday, April 29, 2013. Visitation will be held today, Wednesday, May 1, from 6-8 etery. p.m. at Zoeller Funeral Home, Memorials may be made 615 Landa, New Braunfels. to the Fredericksburg Billie Services will be held Thurs Boosters, Holy Ghost Luther day, May 2, at 1 p.m. at the an Church or to the charity of choice. Comfort Cemetery. Biermann Arrangements were under Memorials may be made to the direction of Schaetter Mrs. Gustave Biermann, the Comfort Cemetery Associ Funeral Home. 102, nee Estelle Flach of ation, Comfort Volunteer Fire A complete obituary will be Comfort, died Sunday, April Department or to the charity published next week. 28, 2013, at Trinity Mission of choice. Healthcare and Rehab Center Arrangements are under the al Home in Comfort. in Comfort. direction of Schaetter Funeral Memorials may be made Graveside services and inter Home. to the Freeman-Fritts Ani ment will be held Saturday, A complete obituary will be mal Clinic or to the charity of May 4, at 10:30 a.m. in the published next week. choice. For E-Delivery of Funeral Notices, A complete obituary will be sign up today at www.fredericksburgstandard.com published next week.
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October 21, 1922 ~ April 24, 2013 Mary Jane Holsey passed away very peacefully Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at Knopp Healthcare and Rehab in Fredericksburg, Texas. Mary Jane was born Oct. 21, 1922 in Stockton, California to Fritz Muller and Clara Ruff Muller. She married Raymond Earl Holsey Dec. 16, 1941 on Hickham Field just days after the bombing at Pearl Harbor which they witnessed. They were married 45 years before his death in 1986. Mary Jane is survived by one brother, Peter Muller of Las Vegas, Nevada; three children and their spouses, Mike and Marti Holsey of Houston, Dave and Lynette Holsey of The Woodlands, and Pat and Rick Hoerster of Fredericksburg. She has four grandchildren, Beth Holsey Clarke, Clay Holsey, Rachel Hoerster Calhoun, and Zac Hoerster. She also has five great-grandchildren, Rebecca Clarke, Cooper Clarke, Harrison Clarke, Elaina Clarke and Haden Holsey. Mary Jane was an active volunteer in the American Red Cross and owned and operated a ladies dress store with her husband in Altus, Oklahoma. She loved to play and teach the game of bridge. Mary Jane traveled extensively and enjoyed traveling with her friends, children and grandchildren. At her request, she has been cremated and will be buried next to her husband in Altus, Ok at a later date. Memorials made be made to the Admiral Nimitz Foundation, Fredericksburg, Texas or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by the Schaetter Funeral Home of Fredericksburg. Expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.schaetter.com. 12103.47pd
Charlotte Elizabeth Kaderli died on April 20, 2013, at the age of 94. She was born on July 14, 1918 and was a lifelong resident of San Antonio until she married Roland Kaderli in 1997, at which time she moved to Fredericksburg, Texas. She was an Elder at Beacon Hill Presbyterian Church where she had been a member since 1931. When she moved to Fredericksburg, she became a member of Memorial Presbyterian Church and became an active member on the Session there. She was an active volunteer with the HCMH Auxiliary, for Hospice of Fredericksburg, and a reader for the Elementary School at the Learning Center. Her latest passion was her ‘job’ coloring pictures for a second-grade class. Her attention to detail and insistence that the butterflies and flowers be realistically represented made simple pictures into works of art. Charlotte was preceded in death by four husbands: Grant Moore, Theodore McGregor, Eugene Cuenod, Roland Kaderli; and grandson, W. R. (Ricky) Dean. She is survived by daughters, Marilyn Moore Dean (Alice Walters, life partner), Kathleen Moore (Steven Homer, husband), Judith McGregor Geldard, Suzanne Cuenod Moses (John Hall, husband), and Kay Kaderli Hood (Joe Hood, husband); grandchildren Scott Dean (Paula Dean, wife), Tara Geldard Barton (Josh Barton, husband), Jessica Geldard, Ashley Geldard Torrez (Chris Torrez, husband), Tom Hood, David Hood (Teresa Hood, wife), and Bobby Hood; and great-grandchildren, Coltyn & Bryson Dean, Cole & Taylor & Kaylee Barton, Joe Tom & Rachel & Steven & Margaret Hood; and numerous Kaderli nieces and nephews in the Fredericksburg area. Charlotte’s family is grateful to Beverly Speer, Connie Eckhardt, and the staff at Heritage Place for their unfailing care of Mom over the last several years and to the 2 North staff of Hill Country Memorial Hospital for their tender attendance to Mom in her final days. Charlotte’s life touched many people and we are all better for the experience. Visitation and funeral services were held at Memorial Presbyterian Church, 601 N. Milam St., Fredericksburg, Texas, on Monday, April 29, 2013, followed by a Graveside Service on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at Sunset Memorial Park, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas. Please visit www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com for online tributes. Memorial gifts may be made to Memorial Presbyterian Church or the charity of your choice. 12080.47pd
Catholic Daughters will dis cuss plans for future events and hear the announcement of scholarships winners when they meet Monday, May 6, in the St. Mary’s Holy Family Center, 306 West San Antonio Street. The social will begin at 6 p.m. with a meal, followed by the monthly meeting. To be discussed are plans for the Ladies’ Night Out on Monday, June 3. There are two choices of entrees to choose from at a cost of $12 per plate. A newsletter will be sent to members asking them to sign up for their choice of entrée. Members will be able to pay in advance during the meet ing. Also planned Monday will be the announcement of the Catholic Daughters’ scholar ship winners. There will be four scholarships awarded to local students graduating this spring. The annual Catholic Daugh
ters Garage Sale is coming up in July and volunteers are being sought to help with vari ous duties related to the event. Plans are also underway for the kick-off picnic in August. Name badges have arrived for members who ordered one. Pickup and payment may be conducted with Ann Duecker. Members are also reminded that their annual dues should be paid. The new membership fee is $25. Those who cannot afford the dues are asked to contact Beverly Pesek. Everyone is invited to a rosa ry by the Catholic Daughters held every Wednesday in the Old St. Mary’s Church at 6 p.m. All members are also encour aged to bring food items for the Fredericksburg Food Pan try. Any questions concerning the upcoming meeting or who want to be on the agenda are asked to contact Pesek or one of the officers.
May 19 program in Mason focusing on Comanches Mason County Historical Commission will host a sym posium, “Comanches of the Texas Hill Country,” on Sun day, May 19, at 2 p.m. at the Odeon Theater. The program includes Glenn Frankel, Daniel J. Gelo, Esther Lehmann and Donaly E.
Brice. Commission member Scott Zesch will be the moderator. The program is open to the public free of charge. The audience will have a chance to ask questions at the end of the program. A book signing will follow.
Karolyn Harding Kelso Andrews November 7, 1920 – April 19, 2013 Karolyn Harding Kelso Andrews was born Nov. 7, 1920 in Houston, Texas to Howard and Ruby Harding Kelso, the third child of four. She graduated from San Jacinto High School, finished a business school, and attended the University of Houston. Her first job was with the census bureau in 1940. She developed a love for the Texas Hill Country during her childhood when the Kelso family spent their summers in Kerrville to relieve Karolyn’s asthmatic symptoms. After Pearl Harbor, she was employed at Camp Wallace, located between Houston and Galveston, where she met her future husband, Andrew Jackson Andrews from Galveston. Andrew joined the Navy during World War II. While he was stationed in Kansas City, Missouri, they were married Dec. 18, 1943. Shortly afterwards when Andrew was assigned to sea duty, she returned to Houston to reside with her family for the duration of the war. Their first child, Barbara, was born when she returned to Houston. After the war, she and Barbara joined Andrew in Hawaii where their first son, Jack, was born. Returning to the states, Karolyn traveled with their children to Andrew’s home port. From California where daughter Susan was born, to Corpus Christi where son Rex was born, back to California, from California to New York, to Florida. She and the children always had a home awaiting Andrew when his ship returned to port. During the summers when Andrew was at sea, she and the children would drive from wherever they were living to Houston to spend the summer with her family. After his retirement from the Navy in 1960, they returned to Houston where Paul was born. During the 1970s, Karolyn was employed by Dresser Industries. While in Houston, she was able to pursue her interest in genealogy. She was successful in tracing her lineage to several colonial patriots and the Magna Charta Barons in England. She was a lifetime member of the National Society of Magna Charta Dames and the National Society of Colonial Dames of America. She was a former member of the Ephraim Andrew Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the United Daughters of the Confederacy. She compiled a family history for her family so they could gain an appreciation for their heritage. A highlight of her life was a “gift trip” to England, the land of her forefathers. In 1980, Karolyn and Andrew moved to Fredericksburg and purchased an apple orchard which they worked until Andrew’s death in 1996. They were members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. In 2005, for health reasons, she moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to be near her son, Paul, and his wife, where she resided in a retirement home until her death, April 19, 2013. She is survived by two daughters, three sons and spouses, including Barbara and Ralph Fisher of Fairdealing, Missouri; Jack and Susan L. Andrews of Houston, Susan A. Andrews of Houston, Rex Andrews of Houston, and H. Paul and Ewina Andrews of Albuquerque, N.M. Survivors also include four grandchildren, two greatgrandchildren and one sister, Jane Wolcott of Houston. Karolyn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Andrew, who died in July 1996, and by two brothers, Howard Kelso and Robert Kelso. The family received friends Tuesday, April 23, from 1-2:30 p.m., in the chapel at Schaetter Funeral Home in Fredericksburg. Graveside services and interment were held Tuesday, April 23, at 3 p.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, with Deacon Patrick Klein officiating. Those who so desire may make memorial contributions in her memory to the charity of their choice. Expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.schaetter.com. Arrangements were under the direction of Schaetter Funeral Home of Fredericksburg.
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Gun laws are not useless
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hose who want no restrictions on gun ownership are right, of course. L e g islation will not completely curtail gun violence in this country. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. The second amendment to the Constitution of the United States certainly gives our citizens the right to bear arms, stating that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” The first amendment protects freedom of speech, press, religion, with the Bill of Rights stating that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” But public opinion and the courts, throughout the last two and a half centuries, have not found those rights to be absolute. Yes, the right to publish is protected, but we in the media don’t have the right to print lies about individuals — even inadvertently. That’s why journalists don’t just run with the first rumor that hits their ears. It’s called libel and, if a court finds for the wronged individual, the monetary reward can be ruinous for a newspaper, magazine or media outlet. The right to publish is protected, but there are consequences when that right is not exercised properly. Yet, can a case really be made that current laws governing press freedom have seriously injured the spread of information in our country? It is true that the right of free speech is protected but, in clichéd terms, no one has the right to yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater. We, as citizens, also don’t have the right to go around spreading falsehoods about someone. It’s called slander and you can be prosecuted. Same as above — we can say what we like, but there are consequences and it is apparent that no one’s opinions seem to be muzzled. Of course people are going to continue to print, air and speak
By Cathy Collier GUEST COLUMN
hurtful falsehoods. Does that mean there should be no legislation on the subject because people are going to do it anyway? When cars were first invented, there were few — if any — laws governing their use. Speed limits weren’t needed — vehicles couldn’t move that quickly. Yet, over the years, as cars became more powerful and more numerous, we, as a people, have chosen to mandate driver’s licenses, speed limits, the conditions under which a person may and may not drive, and safety features, like the wearing of seat belts. It is perfectly valid to say that some people still speed, they still operate without a proper license, they still drive drunk and they don’t wear their seat belts. Does that mean those laws are useless and shouldn’t exist? Americans have pretty much agreed that, even if those laws save one life (and we know they save many more), they are valid and useful. Soon, many hope, that principle will soon apply to texting and driving. Under that same constitution that includes the Second Amendment, the courts find the latitude to put controls on the pharmaceuticals that can be made available, the additives that are allowed in our food and conditions under which that food is prepared. But people continue to take illegal drugs, eat unwisely and some companies abuse their privileges and put unsafe items on the market. Does that mean that laws and regulations of this sort are useless? Even in the area of security we have decided, as a collective society, to allow some regulation. We have no problem wanting to see terrorism controlled even when the perpetrators of unspeakable acts against our country are American citizens. A few people — our own citizens, in some cases — will decide to accumulate weapons, make bombs and use them to hurt innocent people but that does not (and should
not) stop us from attempting to curtail their access to those materials. Yet, the number of people killed or injured by terrorism in our country pales in comparison to the number who are the victims of gun violence every day. Those who believe that they need massive numbers of weapons to defend themselves against their own government or some other invading country are undoubtedly sincere in their concerns. But the possibility of such things ever happening must be weighted below the imminent need for us to protect ourselves from the violent actions of others. Arming every school teacher (I speak as someone who spent 15 years as a school teacher) is not the answer. Sending college students off to campus with a gun in every backpack is not the answer. Tucking a gun into every grandmother’s purse or putting one under every father’s pillow is not the answer. A large majority of those who do own guns and believe in their importance have said, in numerous polls, that they also think some types of legislation controlling firearms would be appropriate. Are these people deluded just because we know that, no matter what laws are enacted, guns will still be used to commit violent acts? Yes, better mental health diagnoses and care are needed. But it’s not clear whether those who want no regulation of guns really want to spend the money and pass the legislation necessary to put such sentiments into law. Placing some controls on gun ownership and addressing mental health issues are certainly in order. We know that legislation — even the mildest of proposals — will save lives. It is time to take a deep breath and realize that the constitution is a living, breathing document designed to promote the common good. Some boundaries on those rights does not take them away; they just help all of us to use them more responsibly. Collier is the former editor of the Standard-Radio Post.
Amendment comparisons
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applaud Alan Middleton’s effort to discern the original intent of the Constitution, but his conclusion “thus, no other militias are now recognized or … protected by the 2nd Amendment to arm themselves in the United States” is contradicted by his own research and incomplete reasoning. He cites the Militia Acts and includes the following quote, “Men owning (emphasis added) rifles were required to provide a powder horn …” Note the statute itself recognizes men supply their own arms. It did not grant that power. The right already existed. Therefore, when those acts ceased to exist, they had no effect on the original right to keep and bear arms which predated those statutes. Individual citizens owning their own weapons were subject to being called up in the event of foreign invasion or imminent danger, since the new United States did not have a standing army at the time and was uncertain about creating one after the fight for independence. Not only does one have a right to self-defense under natural law, but one also has a duty to assist in the common defense of their community and country against foreign invasion or domestic tyranny. Look carefully at the language used: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.” The right attaches to the people, both in sentence structure and concept. The term “militia” is contained in the dependant clause as a condition precedent and necessity to the preservation of freedom. Individuals supplied with their own Arms are the militia discussed and debated in the 2nd Amendment. Further evidence exists in the historical record of the debate during the ratification pro-
By Jerry Fischer GUEST COLUMN
cess. Weight and credibility of the intent of legislation always increases in direct proportion to its proximity to adoption of the specific language. The author of the 2nd Amendment, James Madison, stated, “Americans have the right and advantage of being armed—unlike citizens of other countries …”. Samuel Adams put it more bluntly, “The Constitution shall never be construed … to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms”. Further, any act of Congress which contradicts or conflicts with the 2nd Amendment or any part of the Constitution, is invalid, if challenged. Therefore, even if the Militia Acts cited by Alan Middleton supported his conclusion, which they do not, they would be trumped by article 2 of the Bill of Rights (a.k.a. the 2nd Amendment). The creation of the modern standing army makes the use of individuals to protect the homeland less likely, but it does not diminish the scope or breadth of the right. It exists as a deterrent to despots and tyrants be they domestic or foreign. The price of subjugation would be too high and too bloody to contemplate such a course of action for most aspiring tyrants who would need to garner support from others to achieve their ambitions. It is correct that no right is absolute. Often the case for permissible restrictions on the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms is inaccurately compared to the restrictions on the 1st Amendment freedom of speech. It is inarguable one can’t yell “fire” in a crowded theater. However, gags are not applied to every person who enters the theater in
order to prevent someone from yelling “fire” in violation of the law. All theater-goers are not imposed upon in preemption of a possible violation. Only the violator is punished. Not so with the proposed restrictions on the 2nd Amendment. Not only are the proposals ineffective for the stated purpose of decreasing violence, they are targeted at the people who already obey the law. By definition, mass murderers do not obey laws. This is the accurate compar ison of equal restrictions on the 1st and 2nd Amendments. Finally, if people who share the beliefs of Messrs. Middleton, Brown and Schmidt about gun control, the right of selfdefense and the duty to assist in the common defense against foreign invasion or domestic tyranny truly believe they are correct, then they can seek to amend the Constitution. If they persuade three-fourths of the states to ratify those changes, then law-abiding citizens like me who disagree will be morally and legally bound to comply. That is what fidelity to the Constitution means. Until then, we will not quietly accept deception, distortion or distraction when our valued ideals are attacked or we are disparaged. We hear a great deal about tolerance and diversity. Where is the tolerance for diversity of thought for those who disagree or who are members of the NRA? We are not “weary of the debate.” The men at Valley Forge were weary. The men at Gettysburg, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Khe Sahn and Fallujah were weary. We supporters of the Constitution are not weary — we’re just getting warmed up. Fischer is a resident of Gillespie County between Doss and Harper.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Include your kids
I congratulate all young mothers struggling to raise children in a world fraught with hatred and war. Many of these mothers work outside the home, but try to meet the standards of “MOM 101.” Last week I saw a mother in the grocery store struggling with her small son who was bent on throwing a tantrum. Most children’s tantrums are results of frustration. He shouted “I want this.” Mom struggled to wrest a box of cereal from him. The other children in her care started crying. Mommy slapped all three, abandoned her basket and pulled them from the store. Two weeks later, same store. I saw a small child, cereal box in hand, ask his mother, “Is this in our budget?” I waited for the tantrum. However, the young mother merely pulled out a notebook, flipped a few pages and sadly replied, “Not this week.” The little one was thoughtful for a moment. “Well, how about next week?” Mum again thumbed the notebook. “Yes, I think we can discuss it.” No tantrum. Boy satisfied. Why? Mum had included him in the family purchases. He obviously felt he was a member of the family. It was all a matter of inclusion versus exclusion. Young mothers, I salute you. Happy Mother’s Day (no matter how you spell it) from a grandmother. Josephine Reifert Fredericksburg
A ‘no’ for ACC proposal
Having Austin Community College at Hill Country University Center is a good opportunity for some students. Dual-credit courses and the ability to live at home while avoiding college boarding costs are frugal choices for the collegebound. Technical courses help prepare others for trades and technical employment. But should ACC be given the authority to tax our property to subsidize its expanding business operations? I think not. I think that a “college bubble” has built up over recent decades. The signs that a “college bubble” is about to burst are ominous. In 2012, only 25 percent of ACT-tested high school graduates met all four ACT college readiness benchmarks in English, reading, mathematics and science. The result at college is predictable. At
many Texas colleges and universities, fewer than 50 percent of students ever graduate. At one regional university popular with FHS graduates, only 16 percent of students finish in four years, and only 30 percent graduate, even after six years! Too many of those who do earn a four-year bachelor’s degree find that it does not confer better employment opportunities. Two-year community colleges like Austin Community College grant associate degrees with even less academic prestige or marketable value. With outstanding school debt now totaling $1.1 trillion, the hard facts may finally be resonating with struggling students and their families, as both four-year and community college admissions have recently started to deflate nationwide after decades of expansion. From 2010 to 2012, ACC enrollment at HCUC declined over 26 percent. A “college bubble” has apparently started to burst. Is ACC now scrambling to offset anticipated future revenue losses with our local property tax dollars? Will Gillespie County taxpayers be left holding the bag? John Detmar Fredericksburg
Proposals for youth
Ladies at Oak Hills Church have been praying about how we can help the youth of our community. We need to deal with the teen pregnancies and drug use. Here is our proposal (there are surely others). Help our youth resist peer pressure, harness hormones and make good decisions by: 1. Respecting oneself and others. 2. Planning life goals. 3. Ignoring known users (the kids know who uses). 4. Police become even more tough on drug offenders and especially on sellers. 5. Businesses conduct random drug testing even after drug testing for employment screening. 6. Utilizing doctors, counselors, and all members of the medical field. They can meet and brainstorm as to an active role they may have. 7. Bringing in guest speakers for school assemblies who are young, admired and will be listened to, such as the young gold medal winner in gymnastics at the last Olympics (she has written two books, travels, speaks and has been on televi-
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sion. She is very level-headed); Tim Tebow, Dr. Ben Carson, or anyone who can have a positive influence. 8. Encourage parents in parenting skills. 9. Letting the public support the costs of ideas mentioned above. 10. Letting it be well known that Fredericksburg will not tolerate anything that harms our youth! Connie Miller Fredericksburg
Bill of Rights
Two weeks ago, a man, obviously misinformed, wrote in on why the Second Amendment was added to the Bill of Rights. He added a statement referring to “Constitution Scholars” and how they determined that the amendment had nothing to do with the rights of the people. All I can say is people like this are the very reason we have a Bill of Rights. I have to ask, fella, where did you come from? You boast about reading history and how you have guns. What scholars have you been reading that has you convinced the Bill of Rights wasn’t for the people? My ancestors came here to Texas and after deciding they wanted to live here were attacked and murdered in 1836 by a murderer from the south, Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. This “Texas Villain” was from a government called Mexico and led an army of thousands to kill us Texans. I’m glad my predecessors had firearms; I wish they had more and better ones, and maybe more of them would have survived. If you think that the Bill of Rights was written for a select group of Americans, you are mistaken. How about I keep all of my guns and you throw away your freedom of speech? “... That when ever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it.” − Thomas Jefferson, July 2, 1776 in The Declaration of Independence. By the way, I resent Mr. Brown’s comment insulting NRA members. I am a member and have never been involved with any gun manufacturer. I call and send letters to my U.S. Senators begging them to maintain the Constitution as it was written, “... by the people and for the people.” Tim Brownlee Willow City
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50 YEARS AGO In The Standard MAY 8, 1963 The Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter from Fredericksburg High School won state championship honors in both meat and poultry judging at the state judging contest held Saturday at Texas A&M University in College Station. Members of the winning meat judging team included Kenneth Lindig, Clayton Crenwelge, Albert Usener, and alternate Douglas Zenner, while poultry team members included David Ketron, Phillip Pressler, James Weinheimer, and alternate Wayne Mohr. Dr. V.B. Spiva has been named president of the Fredericksburg Independent School Board. W.E. Luckenbach was named vice president and Bruce Scully, secretary. Lone Star Gas Company has named Delton G. French, manager of its Fredericksburg office, to replace C.M. (Spec) George who has been promoted to plant superintendent in
Abilene. The annual band concert for the Fredericksburg Public School bands will be presented Friday evening in the high school gym. The Marychorale of St. Mary’s High School will present its final concert of the school year Sunday evening at St. Joseph’s Hall. Marjorie Eckert and Kenneth C. Otte were united in marriage Saturday, May 4, at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church. Carol Ann Jung and James H. Scheele were united in marriage Sunday morning, May 5, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Piano students of Miss Frances Ernst will be presented in two recitals to be held at Community Hall this coming week. Mr. and Mrs. Morris Meurer announce that they are now operating Jim’s Ice House on West Main Street. Three girls and two boys were born in local hospitals during the past week. Girls were born to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur A.
Talbert Jr., San Antonio, May 1; Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Priess, May 1, and Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Mirelez, May 7. Boys were born to Mr. and Mrs. Santiago Castillo, May 5, and Mr. and Mrs. Albert Cortez, May 6. The Stonewall School Closing will be held Sunday, May 12. Barbecue will be sold for dinner and supper. The program starts at 2 p.m. A dance will be held that night. The Fredericksburg Giants used clutch hitting and two home runs to hand Pat’s Cubs their first defeat of the season, 4-1, Sunday afternoon. The FHS Hillbillies baseball team won both of their games during the past week, including the first game of a best two-out-of-three series with San Saba, for the District 18AA championship Tuesday afternoon in San Saba. The two clubs will meet again Friday afternoon at Pat’s Park for the second game, and if needed, the following Tuesday for the third game.
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
OBITUARIES
Jung Shirley Ann Kuhlmann Jung, 68, of Fredericksburg, died Thursday, April 25, 2013. A funeral mass was celebrated Monday, April 29, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Msgr. Enda McKenna officiating. Mary Ann Murchison was the pianist, and Annette Whittington, the vocalist. Interment followed at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Ms. Kuhlmann was born Nov. 5, 1944, in Fredericksburg, the daughter of Ray-
Wendel Martin Conrad Wendel, 71, of Fredericksburg, died Tuesday, April 30, 2013. Funeral services were held Saturday, May 4, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Fredericksburg Funeral Home with the Rev. Edwina Baethge officiating. Interment followed in the Christ Lutheran Church Cem-
Schmidt Harold B. Schmidt, 82, of Fredericksburg, died Monday, May 6, 2013. A memorial service was held today, Wednesday, May 8, at 10 a.m. at Memorial Presbyterian Church. Memorials may be made to the LCpl. Benjamin W.
Schwarz Jack Schwarz, 87, of Fredericksburg, died Monday, May 6, 2013. A memorial service is being held today, Wednesday, May 8, at 4 p.m. at Schaetter Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation is being held from 3-4 p.m.
mond Kuhlmann and Louise Strackbein Kuhlmann. She is survived by a son, Michael A. Jung of Austin; a daughter and son-in-law, Nicole and Tyrone Pruitt of Sisterdale, and three grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters and three brothers and spouses, including Jean and Norman Merz of Willow City; Elaine Weed and Gary and Michelle Kuhlmann, all of Fredericksburg; Karl Kuhlmann of Mason, and Charles Kuhlmann of Harper. In addition to her parents, Ms. Jung was preceded in death by a sister, Helen Fairholm. Memorials may be made to Hill Country Memorial Hospice, St. Mary’s Catholic School, M.D. Anderson Hospital or to the charity of choice. Pallbearers included Terry Weed, Noel Fairholm, Steven Moehle, J.C. Birck, Greg Schneider, Russell Immel and Roy Sedwick. etery at Cherry Spring. Visitation was held Friday evening at the funeral home. Wendel was born April 12, 1942, in Fredericksburg, the son of Herbort Wendel and Beulah Pearl Schuessler Wendel. He was a graduate of Fredericksburg High School and the University of Texas. After his retirement from the aerospace industry, he returned to ranching. Wendel is survived by three daughters, including Chris (Maggi) Wendel and Gina Wendel Lockhart, both of Fredericksburg; Cathy Harvey and her husband, Matthew of Cibolo; four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Hill Country Memorial Hospice, NRA or to the charity of choice. Schmidt Professorship in History Scholarship at Texas Christian University, Hill Country Memorial Hospice or to the charity of choice. Arrangements were under the direction of Fredericksburg Funeral Home. A complete obituary will be published next week.
1941, in Lubbock, the daughter of Clarence H. Loving and Mildred Auline Shattuck Loving. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas Tech University, and taught school in Goliad, Boerne, San Angelo, Victoria and Fredericksburg High School where she finished her teaching career. She also worked for the American Red Cross in El Paso. She was an active member at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church. Survivors include a brother and sister-in-law, Malcolm and Frances Loving of Tuscola. In addition to her parents, Ms. Loving was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Jo Loving Maples. Memorials may be made to Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society or to the charity of choice.
Loving Mildred Lavern Loving, 71, of Fredericksburg, died Monday, April 29, 2013, at Hill Country Memorial Hospital. A memorial service was held Thursday, May 2, at 10 a.m. at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church with the Reverends Danielle Knapp and Pam Travers officiating. Judy Hickerson was the organist. Arrangements and cremation were under the direction of Beckmann Funeral Home. Ms. Loving was born Aug. 8,
Spenrath
Antonio and Phillip and Chandra Spenrath of El Campo, and seven grandchildren. Other survivors include two sisters, three brothers and spouses: Bud and Paula Neubauer, JoLynn and Eckhard Puehse, Jack and Rhonda Hall and Bob and Margie Hall, all of Comfort, and Lolly and John Mican of Sweet Home. She was preceded in death by her parents. Memorials may be made to the Freeman-Fritts Animal Clinic or to the charity of choice.
Madeline Spenrath, 71, nee Neubauer, of Comfort, died Thursday, April 25, 2013. A memorial service was held Tuesday, April 30, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Schaetter Funeral Home in Comfort with the Rev. Frankie Enloe officiating. Ms. Spenrath was born Oct. 13, 1942, in Lakehurst, N.J., the daughter of Bernard Frank Neubauer and Nora H. Gammel Neubauer. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Kent and Barbara Spenrath of San
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Howard C. Brandenburg December 19, 1931 ~ April 29, 2013
Howard Carl Brandenburg, age 81, passed away on Monday, April 29, 2013, at his home. He was born to Paul and Milda (nee Wissemann) Brandenburg on Dec. 19, 1931 in Mason County, TX. On Feb. 10, 1952, he married Irene Fischer at the Edison Street Methodist Church in Fredericksburg, TX. Howard joined the Texas National Guard in 1950, where he worked as a mechanic for 38 years. After retirement, he and Irene worked on their ranch with their cattle, hunted at their property in Junction, TX, and enjoyed spending time with their family and friends. Howard is survived by his wife, Irene; son, Barry Brandenburg and wife, Bobbie, of New Braunfels; son, Gordon Brandenburg of Gonzales, TX; daughter, Sheila Schuetz and husband, Cliff, of New Braunfels; sister, Irene Kornegay of Seguin, TX; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Alice Turner, and brother, William Brandenburg. The family received visitors on Wednesday, May 1, from 6-8 p.m. at Zoeller Funeral Home in New Braunfels. Services were held Thursday, May 2, at 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 572 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels, TX, followed by interment at Schumansville Cemetery. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the First United Methodist Church of New Braunfels or the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Zoeller Funeral Home, 615 Landa, New Braunfels, Texas 78130; 830-625-2349. 12361.48pd
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September 22, 1996 ~ April 20, 2013
Jed Seale Carter Thornton
October 19, 1926 – April 28, 2013
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Mrs. Gustave Biermann, 102, nee Estelle Flach, of Comfort, died Sunday, April 28, 2013, at Trinity Mission Healthcare and Rehab Center in Comfort. Graveside services and interment were held Saturday, May 4, at 10:30 a.m. in the Comfort Cemetery with the Rev. Carolyn McGuire officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Schaetter Funeral Home of Comfort. Mrs. Flach was born Feb. 26, 1911, in Comfort, the daughter of Alfred E. Flach Sr. and Daisy Carrie Simpson Flach. She married Gustave Biermann on Aug. 31, 1930, in Comfort. He preceded her in death. Mrs. Flach attended San Antonio Business College and will be remembered as one of the phone operators for the Comfort Telephone Company. She was also active in the
Sewing Club as well as the Comfort PTA. Survivors include one daughter, one son and spouses, Carrie and Milton Ersch and Bobbie and Jeanne Biermann, all of Comfort. Survivors also include four grandchildren, seven greatgrandchildren, nine greatgreat-grandchildren, and a sister-in-law, Ida, Mrs. Alfred Flach Jr. of Seguin. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Flach was preceded in death by a grandson, Jerry Lee Ersch; four brothers, including Christoph Flach, Elmer (Pancho) Flach, Tommy Flach and Alfred Flach Jr.; one sister, Alvina (Puppe) Haufler, and another sister who died in infancy. Memorials may be made to the Comfort Cemetery Assn., the Comfort VFD or to the charity of choice.
Samuel David Herrera
Interment of the cremains at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in San Antonio is planned at a later date. Memorials may be made to The Good Samaritan Center, Hill Country Memorial Hospice or to the charity of choice. A complete obituary will be published next week.
Mrs. Jed Seale Carter Thornton passed away Sunday, April 28, 2013, at the age of 86. She was born on Oct. 19, 1926 to Jed Carter and Grace Seale Carter in Kaufman, TX. She married William Manning “Bill” Thornton in Dallas, Texas, on Oct. 18, 1952. Jed and Bill raised their family in Dallas and Houston, and moved to Fredericksburg following retirement. They were embraced by a welcoming community and enjoyed many aspects of the Texas Hill Country life. Jed loved her friends “up on the hill,” and delighted in watching the wildlife outside her home. Favorite special times included lively family gatherings on the front porch, with grandsons and a variety of dogs and cats at her side. She was a volunteer/member of the Hill Country Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and an active member of Memorial Presbyterian Church. Jed is survived by her husband, Bill Thornton; daughter, Lisa Thornton Roy and husband, Dana L. Roy of Houston; daughter, Tracy T. McAdoo of Houston; twin sister, Jean T. McKnight and long-time friend Ed Murphy of Fredericksburg; and grandsons, Kevin William Roy and J. Carter McAdoo. Funeral services were held Friday, May 3, at 10:30 a.m., at Memorial Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Ann Hoch officiating. Interment followed at Greenwood Cemetery. Jed’s family extends heartfelt thanks to Cindy Stewart and the staff and residents of The Paige House, the members of the HCMH Auxiliary, and the congregation of the Memorial Presbyterian Church for their love, kindness and support. Memorial donations may be directed to The Golden Hub Community Center, Hill Country SPCA, Memorial Presbyterian Church, or the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements were under the direction of Fredericksburg Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.fredericksburg-funerals.com.
Biermann
There was no brighter day than when Samuel David Herrera was born Sept. 22, 1996 at Cypress Fairbanks hospital in Houston, Texas. He was welcomed, all 9 lbs. 3 oz. of him, by his mother, Tricia Herrera; father, David Herrera, and two sisters, Jessica and Jennifer Herrera. Nor was there a darker day for his family and friends when God called him home on April 20, 2013. We are comforted in the knowledge that evil no longer surrounds him. My girlfriend wrote, “breathe - knowing Sam is an angel in Heaven. You can’t miss him – he’s the one with the biggest wings.” Sam was baptized Sept. 14, 1997 in St John’s Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas and confirmed May 15, 2011 at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, TX. There wasn’t a sport Sam didn’t want to try. He played five years of soccer with PYSA, five years of baseball with FYBA, and basketball with Upward Bound. But, he discovered his greatest love — football — when he played with the local Rams Football team. In 2008, they went to the State Finals in the Alamodome. In high school, Sam did shot put his freshman year.
He played basketball his freshman year and was a starter on JV basketball his sophomore year. He was a starter for football his freshman year and JV football his sophomore year. Sam was moved up to Varsity his sophomore year where he was named a starter and lettered that year as well. Throughout his years in school, he was regularly named to the honor roll. For one of his final gifts, Sam was an eye and tissue donor. “I will go before you, and make the crooked places straight.” - Isaiah 45:2 and we will be together again. Sam is survived by his loving father and mother, David and Tricia Herrera, of Fredericksburg; sisters, Jessica Herrera and Jennifer Herrera, both of Fredericksburg; grandparents, Erlene Wunderlich Kaderli and Ramon and Irene Herrera. He is also survived by aunts and uncles: Jackie and James Jordan, of Athens; Steven and Sheila Kaderli, Fredericksburg; Don and Sandy Herrera, Snyder; Joe and Juanita Herrera, Harper; Raymond and Josefina Herrera, San Antonio; Martha and Alvino Rivera, Fredericksburg, and Louisa Herrera, Fredericksburg. Also surviving are his first cousins: Matt Jordan and Scott Jordan of Athens; Sarah Junell and her husband, Colin, San Antonio; Jonathan Hood and his wife, Katie, Arlington, TN; Don Herrera, Jr., Rose Ann Davison and her husband, Horace, Colorado City, TX; Diana Herrera and her husband, Lynn Applewhite, Dallas; John Herrera and
his wife, Julie, Willow City; Anissa Herrera and Annora Herrera, Harper; Robert Herrera, San Antonio; Daniel Rivera, Fredericksburg, and Urvano Herrera Jr., San Antonio. Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 24, at 3 p.m., at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church with the Reverends Bobby Vitek, David Priem and Clint Pluenneke officiating. Worship music was provided by the Holy Ghost Praise Group, with special music provided by Jessica Garcia. Graveside services and interment followed at Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers were Mason Maxcey, Mason Clark, Evan Bell, Mac Jeffers, Scott Jordan, Matt Jordan, Jerold Gaitan and Daniel Rivera. Honorary pallbearers were Aaron Usener, Sergio Cisneros, the FHS varsity and junior varsity football teams, and the Class of 2015. Our sincere thank you to: Fredericksburg EMS; Hill Country Memorial Hospital ER Staff; Chaplain Waylon Cowan; Holy Ghost Lutheran Church Family; Pastor David Priem; Pastor Bobby Vitek; Pastor Clint Pluenneke; Deanne Moellering; Joyce Priem; and Tammy Vitek; Also, Father Enda; Schaetter Funeral Home; Coach Moffett and all the high school and middle school coaching staff; FISD Faculty and Staff; Mark Ball; Bob Walch and Craig Enderlin; And, Sarah Junell; Sheila Kaderli; Julie Herrera; Matt Jordan; Scott Jordan; Sandy, Dave and Aaron Usener; Jaime and Jennifer Ortega; Also, Rathskeller Restau-
rant; David’s Pit BBQ Family; Frantzen Kaderli & Klier Family; Rhonda Wheeler Photography; Fredericksburg Police Department; Billie Boosters; Class of 2015; And, Sammy’s True Friends. He loved each and every one of you. And, especially to the Fredericksburg Community that held us up in prayer. “If ever there is a tomorrow when we’re not together … there is something you must always remember. “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. “But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart … I’ll always be with you.” Winnie the Pooh Our world is a little less bright by the loss of our son but we know he was lifted to heaven by God’s Grace on April 20, 2013. Good night my baby boy. Mommy loves you, Daddy loves you, Jess and Jenn love you, Omie loves you, Wella and Wello love you. I will always love you more! Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Schaetter Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.schaetter.com.
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Radio Post
No. 49 - USPS 209-080 • Periodical
ON TRACK Harper’s Guerrero takes bronze medal at state, page B1
$1 Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
FREDERICKSBURG ISD
Parents want tougher stance on drug use By Ken Esten Cooke About 20 parents attended Monday night’s Fredericksburg Independent School District board of trustees meeting to demand the district take a stronger stance against student drug use both on and off campus. In the wake of the overdose death of Samuel Herrera, three of the parents spoke and one said the FISD “has turned a blind eye” toward drug use. “We need a no-tolerance attitude toward drugs for all students,” said Marguerite Westfall. She also cautioned trustees to pay attention to synthetic drugs, which are believed to have been the cause of death for Herrera, and another young adult from the Harper area in an unrelated incident. “Synthetic drugs are a different animal than marijuana — they are 100 times more potent than normal drugs and cause violent reactions,” Westfall said. “Students caught using them should be asked to leave school.” While the board did not address the statements at Monday’s meeting, Superintendent Marc Williamson said Tuesday that the district to date has been “proactive” with its drug prevention program, but is always looking for ways it can be more effective. “We have our policies online, but we do
CRUMPLED DEBRIS continues to smoke on this small Cessna airplane following a fiery crash that claimed the lives of a husband and wife from Manfield, last Thursday, May 9. The cause of the accident will be the focus of what is expected to be a lengthy study by investigators from the Federal
Mansfield couple dies in plane crash The two had reportedly filed a flight plan and were traveling from Fort Worth Spinks Airport The cause of a fiery crash of a small airplane to the Gillespie County Airport for a Mother’s in which two people died here last Thursday, Day weekend getaway in Fredericksburg, HanMay 9, is under investigation and probably will sen said. be for several months, according to Gillespie At about 1:25 p.m., in overcast and light preCounty Airport Manager Roger Hansen. cipitation, the Cessna 182 Skylane crashed in a Pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of field near a line of trees close to the 1200 block the Peace Louis Rech were Donald Frosch, 43, of Hollmig Lane (off Friendship Lane) and just and his wife, Jeanne Frosch, 41, of Mansfield (a over a mile short of Gillespie’s landing runway small town southeast of Fort Worth.) 3-2, Hansen said. By Lisa Treiber-Walter
Friedrich, Lively win hotly contested Doss CCSD race
Huge hail storm damages cars, homes, wallets
By Matt Ward Former Fredericksburg city manager Gary Neffendorf will return to work at City Hall in a new capacity after he and incumbent Graham Pearson were elected to two-year terms on the Fredericksburg City Council in Saturday’s election. Also on Saturday, voters in Doss chose David Lively and Kenneth Friedrich to serve on the Doss Common Consolidated School District board of trustees. Just over 350 voters turned out on election day, Saturday, to cast their ballots in a
By Danny Hirt
Inside • Pedernales, Becker take top awards in prestigious Lyon, France contest — A2 • Town Pool grand opening set June 6 — A16 • Marshall Ford Band to headline May 19 PCAA concert — A10 • Sherrie Geistweidt looks back at hail storm of record from 1946 — D2
Cont. on A11
Neffendorf, Pearson outpace field in city council race
• Trustees vote to extend FISD superintendent contract, page A10.
Cont. on A17
First responders to the scene reported the single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft was “fully engulfed in flames,” although it has not been determined yet if the fire started before the crash or after impact. Fredericksburg Volunteer Fire Department members extinguished the flames within minutes, leaving the smoking debris mostly distinguishable as an airplane because of the intact tail section.
ELECTION
Cont. on A10
The storm that struck Gillespie County last Thursday night, May 9, produced a wide range of damage due to the heavy rains, powerful winds and the destructive force of hail stones. Local insurance agencies reported a great number of calls since Friday morning that were directly related to storm damage. Greg Kaderli, manager of the property and liability department at Frantzen, Kaderli and Klier Insurance said his company fielded more than 180 just on Friday, with an additional 72 or so coming in on Monday. In all, his company has received more than 400 inquiries and reports regarding damage to home, auto and commercial properties since the hail storm finished its local destruction. With 35 years of experience in the insurance business, Kaderli said he knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep until he’d surveyed the damage, which he did Thursday night after the storm had cleared out. Thursday’s weather event was the second worst he’s seen in the Fredericksburg area since he first entered the insurance
Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, who arrived on scene shortly after local law enforcement officers and emergency personnel (above) took control of the scene. — Standard-Radio Post/Lisa Treiber-Walter
Neffendorf
Pearson
four-way race for two open seats on the Fredericksburg City Council. In all, 808 residents voted in the election, which saw Neffendorf receive 480 votes, Pearson pick up 393 votes, James (Mac) McAfee receive 322 votes and incumbent Scott Jones pick up 274 votes. Cont. on A10
GILLESPIE COUNTY
County unsure on future of alternate truck route By Matt Ward
WELCOME – A soldier from the country of Georgia, Alika Gitolendia, was welcomed by World War II veteran Jim Glazener of Fredericksburg and a crowd of more than 100 on Saturday at Marktplatz when the group “Fredericksburg Supports Our Wounded Warriors” hosted fighting men and women and their families for a weekend of local activities. Gitolendia lost his legs when fighting alongside allied forces in Afghanistan. He and others came from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. – Standard-Radio Post/Ken Esten Cooke
One week after presenting his recommendations for pursuing an alternate truck route around Fredericksburg to the Fredericksburg City Council, outgoing city acting public works director Walter Ragsdale told Gillespie County commissioners top priority should be given to protecting the right of way for a potential route. “What you don’t want to do is allow a building in that ultimate right of way,” Ragsdale said during the court’s regu-
For real-time weather information, go to: www.fredericksburgstandard.com
High Low Rain Wednesday 84 62 Thursday 72 59 0.64 Friday 83 58 Saturday 79 52 Sunday 78 46 Monday 84 50 Tuesday 86 62 0.31 Total Rain 0.95 Courtesy Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park
Sections
Cont. on A8
• Commissioners okay issuance of jail bonds, page A8.
Police chief remembered by fellow lawmen, staff
Weather May 8-14, 2013 Rainfall this week 0.95 Rainfall for May 1.35 Rainfall for 2013 6.79 Normal for date 9.74 Same date last year 11.44 Low – May 12 46 High – May 14 95
lar meeting Monday. “It might be that through a planning process, you could reserve that right of way for future purchase. You’ve got to get out there and look at it parcel by parcel as it comes in and preserve and protect (the right of way).” County officials, having dealt with Texas Department of Transportation staff on the possibility of an alternate truck route several years ago, expressed concern that the project would never come to fruition. “I don’t know exactly how we go from
By Ken Esten Cooke Fredericksburg laid to rest its police chief of the past 14 years on Monday with a packed house sendoff for the lawman at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church. Chief Paul Oestreich died Tuesday, May 7 after battling a blood disease — Myelodysplastic Syndrome, formerly known as “pre-leukemia” — for a year and taking chemotherapy treatments since October. Oestreich was unique among law officers in that he was born and raised in Fredericksburg, having Police, sheriff’s deputies, Texas Rangers, DPS officers and hundreds of graduated high school here in 1971, and went on to family and friends give a final salute to Fredericksburg Police Chief Paul Oestreich. — Standard-Radio Post/Ken Esten Cooke
A - Front D - Community B - Sports E/F - Real Estate/Classifieds C - Lifestyles G - IT’S ON! Entertainment
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Cont. on A11
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A10
| May 15, 2013
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
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‘Swinging on the square’ Marshall Ford band next PCAA entertainer Texas Western swing will rule the airways in and around Marktplatz this Sunday evening, May 19, during the next Pedernales Creative Arts Alliance (PCAA) free, open-air concert. Performing the second in PCAA’s “Concert in the Park” summer series will be The Marshall Ford Swing Band of Austin. They will play from 6:30-8 p.m. under the Adelsverein Halle, the largest pavilion on the downtown square. Listeners are invited to arrive early to claim some of the limited picnic table seating in the pavilion or to bring their own chairs or blankets and find a spot on the grassy area nearby. Music lovers planning to attend are also urged to not only pack picnic-type refreshments and make an evening excursion out of the event,
but to also take their dancing shoes since many couples enjoy twirling around the dance floor as the sun sets. The Marshall Ford Swing Band was founded by songwriter/guitarist Greg Harkins and the balance of the quartet is comprised of keyboardist/ vocalist (and granddaugther of legendary fiddler Johnny Gimble), Emily Gimble, bassist Kristopher Wade and drummer James Gwyn. The group’s first full-length studio album, “It’s About Dam Time,” was recorded at Austin’s Tequila Mockingbird Studios and was produced by Danny Levin. It sports the group’s original tracks, with each member having contributed at least one song to join in with some of Western swing’s most wellliked standards. Listeners to the group of 20-something-year-old mu-
sicians will get exposed to a variety of music styles, from swing to bebop jazz. But it is their ability to channel early Western swing sounds such as those played by Bob Wills and Hank Thompson that helped build their following. This month’s PCAA offering will be chased by four more concert dates on Sunday evenings throughout the summer, including the A-T Boyz on June 23; Redd Volkaert Band on July 28 and the Almost Patsy Cline Band on Aug. 25. PCAA is a non-profit organization which promotes fine arts in the local community. It hosts the free-admission public concerts in the park as its way of saying “thank you” to the community for its continued support responsible for the success of PCAA’s biggest annual fundraiser, Oktoberfest.
Parents Cont. from A1
need to do a better job of getting that information out to the people,” he said. Jeff and Barbara Williams also addressed the board. Barbara Williams mentioned an anonymously written 2012 letter that was sent to the families of students the author believed was using drugs. The letter included a list of illegal substances that the author wrote were being used by students. “I’m holding myself accountable, and I’d like to think that kids would come forward,” said Barbara Williams, adding that some parents believed she was the author and threatened her with a lawsuit. “This has been a horrible experience, but we have to take this and turn it into something good.” Williams said she believed the district had a drug problem because it does not exercise a zero-tolerance policy. Her husband, Jeff Williams, also addressed the board, mostly about vagaries of its student code of conduct. He said behaviors that cause “a substantial disruption of the educational environment” were listed in the FISD Code of Conduct. “That is a hole big enough to drive a truck through,” he said. “We would like to see administrators use leeway and enforce the rules in place.” Williams also told the board that the district’s “three strikes” policy is limited because the probability of students being chosen three separate times for random drug tests throughout the year is infinitesimal. “I don’t know how an athlete could be dismissed,” he said. “I know (athletic director) Coach Moffett is very proactive and sensitive to drug use, but the policy limits him as to what he can do.” Williams said the district should deal with problems from drug use to phone “sexting,” which has also cropped up, “harshly and consistently.” Williamson also said on Tuesday there is some erroneous information about exactly what jurisdiction the district has and what actions it can take. “An example of that is that we should test every student (and not just those in extracurricular activities), but we can’t legally do that,” he said. Williamson said he was glad the parents attended. “The board is always interested in community input. They truly are,” Williamson said. Williamson said the district’s drug policies will be one item of discussion in the upcoming spring school board retreat, in
Amazing
which it will tackle a variety of issues. “We will try to see how we can expand and improve our drug prevention education programs,” he said. “We have to see what appropriate action we can and can’t take,” Williamson said. “A lot of people project on us that we can intervene in off-campus incidents, but we have limited ability. We are governed pretty specifically by the law on where we can and cannot intervene.” Some of the parents directed their ire at Fredericksburg Police Officer Chris Ayala, who directs some of the drug prevention programs and leads the drug dog intervention program on FISD campuses. Williamson said the district would look at what Ayala is doing in concert with the Fredericksburg Police Department, and doing in education areas and prevention areas, and look for ways to improve at all levels. Contract renewed After exiting executive session, trustees extended the contract of Supt. Marc Williamson for another one-year extension. Williamson has served as FISD’s leader since January 1998. He said he looked forward to continuing to lead the district in a challenging environment. “We’re always looking financially down the road, and want to make sure we’re doing everything we need to do and wisely use the resources we have,” he said. “Academically we’re doing well, but the standards are always changing.” Williamson said watching over the community’s finances
and “producing a good quality product” in well-educated students is a never-ending battle. Hires The board also made nine hires, all of which received a one-year probationary term. All are expected to begin duties in August. They are: • John Patrick Donley, Fredericksburg Middle School (FMS) science teacher. • William (Mac) Freeborn, FMS science instructor. • Melissa Metzger, Fredericksburg Elementary School (FES) first grade teacher. • Sean Murray, FMS math instructor. • Brooke Orr, FHS English Language Arts and English as a Second Language instructor. • Kayla Schmidt, FES first grade teacher. • Denise Spinelli, FMS English instructor. • Mica Tucker, FMS Spanish and Life Skills instructor. • Vanessa Vazquez, FES second grade teacher. Grant The board also accepted a grant from the Texas Association of School Boards’ (TASB) risk management division, which it will use to improve traffic flow at the middle school campus. Over the past nine years, the district has received about $28,000 in TASB grants to reduce hazardous situations and use for staff training.
pendent School District, no challengers filed to oppose incumbents Mark Cornett and Jerry Durst, who both filed for re-election. As a result, no election took place in the FISD this spring.
Harper ISD Harper Independent School District, which elected three last November, will not hold elections until November Fredericksburg ISD 2014, when there will be four In the Fredericksburg Inde- positions available.
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Doss CCSD Lively and Friedrich each received 75 votes to lead all candidates in the Doss Common Consolidated School District board of trustees election Saturday. Adam Geistweidt received 64 votes, Peggy Reeh picked up 53 votes, Michael Baethge received seven votes, and Benjamin Arhelger picked up two votes. Early voting totals in the race saw 44 voters cast their ballots April 29-May 3, with 21 residents early voting on May 6 and May 7 for 65 total. Canvassing of the results will take place Friday at 9 a.m. Three of the nine original
entrants in the race — Bradley Baethge, Michael Porter and Kenneth Boyce — withdrew earlier. Current Doss CCSD board of trustee members include president Steve Olfers, vice president Kenneth Friedrich, treasurer Gary Brodbeck, secretary Leon Spaeth and members Linda Kesler, Cecil Crenwelge and Denver Mixon.
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Exactly 250 residents cast their ballots in the first week of early voting April 29-May 3, while 87 voted May 6 and 119 cast their ballot on the final day of early voting May 7 for a total of 456 early voters, according to city communications manager Juli Bahlinger. Election day voting at Fredericksburg Middle School saw 352 residents head to the polls. Mayor Jeryl Hoover and council members Tim Dooley and Kathy Sanford were elected last May and will not be up for re-election until 2014. Canvassing the results is slated for May 14-24.
Cont. from A1
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Neffendorf, Pearson
Awards The board also recognized and gave certificates to the finalists for the district’s teacher of the year — Connie Weirich, Nanette Tisdale and Brenda Virdell, as well as the district’s top teacher as voted by her peers, Kelly Ray.
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LINING UP to cast ballots during Saturday’s Bill Pace and Julia Weed assisted voters at the Fredericksburg City Council election were Jer- Fredericksburg Middle School location. – Stanry Hominick, left, and wife Dorothy, with Matt dard-Radio Post/Ken Esten Cooke Long waiting in the background. Voting clerks
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| May 15, 2013
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Harper News Congratulations to the Harper High School athletes who competed at the State Track Meet in Austin on Friday and Saturday. Alexa Guerrero was third in the long jump with a leap of 17’4.5”. Logan White set a school record when she finished the 100 meter hurdles in a time of 15.96 and finished fourth. Taylor Reid was sixth in the 300 meter hurdles with a time of 48.06. The 1600 meter relay team of Sydney Collins, Payton Reid, Megan Myers and Taylor Reid set a school record and finished sixth with a time of 4:06.56. Crystal Schlueter finished seventh in the 3200 meter run with a time of 12:37. Kayla Inmon was eighth in the 1600 meter run with a time of 5:40. Dalton Sembritzky was sixth in the discus with a throw of 154’ 2”. We have a couple of great teams in softball and baseball, also. Both have won their district and bi-district, and the softball team was eliminated at the area round. The baseball team will be playing Center Point in the regional quarterfinals in a best of three series starting Thursday at 7 p.m. in Fredericksburg. Game two is at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday followed by game three, if needed. More information is available by calling the school. We also should mention that the golf teams qualified for regional also. Baccalaureate services will be held this coming Sunday
evening at St. James Lutheran Church at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served following. Our sincere condolences to the family of Harold Boyd Schmidt, 82, who passed away this past week. He taught school at Harper for quite a few years, was a rancher and a leader and pioneer in conservationism and range management, receiving many awards. His survivors include his wife, Joe; a son, Dr. David Schmidt; three daughters, Marilyn Wilson, Carolyn Esposito and Chrissy Heimann; a brother, Charles Schmidt, and sister, Davene Jonas. We also send our most heartfelt sympathies to the family of Josh Harper, who died last week at the age of 20. He is survived by his parents, Jay and Robin Harper, and his siblings, Chris, Jayci, Ricky, Annie and Alex, and grandparents, Bobby and Sharon Wienecke and Cecil and Elicia Harper. Josh was a graduate of Harper High School and his mother is a teacher and his father is the elementary school principal. He was active in a number of things while in school, and a well-liked student. He was working and living in Kerrville at the time of his death. On our sick list this week is Marvin Honig and Peggy Whitworth. Graduation is coming up quickly. The eighth grade promotional exercises are set for Thursday, May 30, at 6:30 p.m. and high school graduation will be Friday, May 31, at
By Peggy Ernst 7 p.m. The public is invited to honor and support these students as they start new lives, whether it be into high school or into the world of everyday living and working or college. The Harper Library has set its fund raiser for July 6 in the Community Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lots of things will be going on and we will certainly alert you as it gets closer. In the meantime, prize drawing tickets will go on sale, but you can still donate to the drawing or silent auction if you wish. Janet and Al Weinzierl just returned from a trip for the Gillespie County Farm Bureau to Washington, D.C., to meet with other state and county Farm Bureau members and their elected officials on matters of continuing importance and gravity for farmers and ranchers of Texas. Discussions centered around the not-yet-passed farm bill and immigration concerns. A new group is being organized in Harper called HADIT, which stands for Harper Area Drug Intervention Team, and the public is invited to attend, to support, to learn more about the use and abuse of addictive drugs in the community. A meeting will be set very soon and the support of parents, friends and relatives of young people is critical to the success of this venture. Lend yours if you can. To find out more about this group, contact Wild Ride Ministries, or see their page on Facebook.
American Legion, Auxiliary to meet Monday American Legion and Auxiliary, Louis Jordan Post 244, will meet Monday, May 20, at the post home. A joint potluck supper will be served at 6:15 p.m. followed by separate meetings at
7 p.m. The post is located at 726 South Washington Street. All active duty military personnel, veterans, prospective new members, transferring members and guests are wel-
come to attend. For more information about the American Legion and Auxiliary, contact Kirk S. Kinley, post adjutant, at 9929844 or Del Irons, commander, at 997-2029.
NEW SLATE OF OFFICERS — On hand for the recent installation of new officers for the Daughters of the Republic of Texas’ local Dr. Wilhelm Keidel chapter were, left to right — outgoing president Barbara Heinen handing the gavel to new president Barb Rathke, along
with Dorothy Koepke, first vice president; Zala Koym, second vice president; Ann Shafer, secretary; Patricia McConnell, historian; Phyllis Malinak, registrar; Marjorie Cardwell, chaplain; Paula Swenson, treasurer, and Mable Wilke, outgoing treasurer.
Local DRT chapter installs officers The Daughters of the Republic of Texas’ local Dr. Wilhelm Keidel chapter met Monday, May 13, to approve new bylaws and install chapter officers to serve June 2013 through May 2015. The new president is Barb Rathke, who replaced Barbara Heinen as the organization’s chief executive. Other officers include Dorothy Koepke, first vice president; Zala Koym, second vice president; Ann
Shafer, secretary; Patricia McConnell, historian; Phyllis Malinak, registrar; Marjorie Cardwell, chaplain, and Paula Swenson, treasurer. The DRT is a lineage nonprofit organization where membership honors and preserves the legacy of one’s Republic of Texas ancestor. The organization encourages historical research into the earliest records of Texas and inspires members to foster
the preservation of documents and relics. Any woman is eligible for membership provided she is a lineal descendant of a man or woman who rendered loyal service for Texas prior to the consummation of the Annexation Agreement of the Republic of Texas with the United States of America on Feb. 19, 1846. For more information, visit www.drtinfo.org.
Harris participates in Cotton Palace event On April 26, 2013, Robert Cameron Harris participated in the 43rd annual production of the Waco Cotton Palace as a Royal Escort. Harris is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Link Harris and the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Heinen of Fredericksburg and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Robinson of Waco. He attends Midway High School where he is a member of the National Honor Society, a Spirit of Midway Award recipient, and an All-Academic Letterman. Harris competes on the Golf Team and participates in the Art Club, Spanish Club, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, a graduate of Teen
Leadership Waco, and was a Waco Symphony Brass. Harris is a member of the First Baptist Church of Woodway where he is active in the youth group. In the fall, he plans to attend Texas A&M University. The Texas Harris Cotton Palace originally began in the 1890’s when Waco, became known as an inland cotton center. The first exhibition was a considered a success — bringing visitors from all over the state — but six weeks later the building burned.
In 1910, the Texas Cotton Palace was re-established and the building re-built. It became more elaborate each year, until 1930, when the “rain came,” the crowd was small and the Depression was telling on the exhibition. In 1971, the Texas Cotton Palace was revived by residents of Waco. Today, in its 43rd year, the Waco Cotton Palace is a stage production that recounts the history of Waco. The 2013 updated stage show features local residents who use drama, song and dance to chronicle the history of the Waco community. Waco Cotton Palace gives back to the community by awarding scholarships to fine arts students.
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COMMUNITY Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Section
D
May 15, 2013
LARGE print books a hit for seniors Pioneer Library offers options for those with struggling eyesight
being available via the Internet much more quickly than a few years ago. hen we are young and first learnRecently, prices for eBooks have dropped ing to recognize letters and read dramatically, reflecting the savings that pubwords, parents, friends and teach- lishers receive from reduced production and ers encourage us by giving us books with big distribution costs and consumer resistance to letters and small words. It’s the old “See Spot near full-price eBooks. Run!” rule. EBooks allow busy travelers to avoid the One of life’s unfair happenings is that, later, strain of carrying a book along with their other when we are older and have the time to choose paraphernalia. The convenience and flexibility the things we really want to read, our vision of the reader’s control of the image size and the can decline and reading becomes a real chal- ability to have thousands of books on a single lenge. tablet computer are major pluses for tablet and Thankfully, the days of magnifying glasses laptop readers. and ear-horns are gone. New technologies On your next flight, chances are good that have emerged to keep us connected with the several passengers seated near you will have written word, but the their noses in an eBook. growing use of eBooks Many tablets also offer and on-line applications audible output, although have not yet replaced tranot everyone appreciditional ink and paper ates the slightly robotic formats. sound. Fredericksburg’s Pio“We are finding that neer Memorial Library people still like the tac(PML) hosts more than tile feeling of sitting and 600 volumes of large holding a book in their print books along with lap,” said Mary Smith, books on tape, comchief editor of Thorndike pact disks, digital video Press, the nation’s bigrecordings and on-line gest large print publishaccess to digital audio er. “Our typical reader recordings. At this time, EBOOK READERS are available from isn’t just a senior. People PML does not offer a variety of manufacturers and range who work at computeBooks to Gillespie from palm-size smart phones to tablets ers all day are finding with display pages comparable to an County’s 24,000 resi- “ink and paper” book. Not all readers it’s relaxing to go home dents. will work with all formats; however, and read a book that has “Large print westerns and the publishing industry continues large print. Others use and mysteries are very to have competing eBook formats. large print books when popular,” said Pioneer they are working out, Memorial’s librarian like on a treadmill, which Brian MacWithey. MacWithey said librar- makes it easier for them to read.” ies frequently have to wait for publishers Fans of Tom Clancy, James Michener and to offer libraries the latest books by best- Ken Follett, authors noted for their expansive known authors. PML has a budget of less than novels, face special large print issues. When $20,000 each year for all acquisitions. a book’s font is expanded from normal size A wide variety of factors are considered in to large print, the number of pages can jump making the decisions of what to buy and how more than 50 percent, which presents some to provide it to the community, including real issues for publishers and libraries. popularity of individual authors and titles and The biggest large print book in Thorndike’s recommendations from the more than 7,000 inventory is a Steven King novel that weighs-in registered users in PML’s system. at more than 1,500 pages. Just binding a book Some library activities are supplemented by of that size becomes a challenge and it can be the Friends of the Pioneer Memorial Library more “tactile” than most readers want. Smith fund, which accepts private donations and says librarians are resistant to multi-volume sponsors an annual book sale each spring books. “If you loose one book, the set is lost,” (recently held on May 4). they say. The spread of tablet computers and eReadAbout 70 percent of the nation’s libraries now ers has opened the door to a rapidly expanding offer eBooks according to Carrie Russell of market for more books and magazine titles the American Library Association. Publishers By Walt Biddle
W
LARGE PRINT books at Pioneer Memorial Library are identified with a distinctive red and white “LP” on the spine. Westerns and mysteries are particularly popular among the library’s patrons. — Photos by Walt Biddle AUDIO — PML’s librarian, Brian McWithey, left, reviews the library’s digital audio recording section. An individual ID and password are required to access the recorded books and are available through the library.
continue to refine the best way to provide electronic books through libraries without undercutting traditional book and on-line sales. The current model roughly parallels that of a physical book — a library acquires the rights to one or more “copies” of a title. In turn, the library loans the title to an equal number of people in its service area for a period of two weeks. At least one publisher limits the number of “loans” per license to 26, which is approximately the same number of patrons that can
handle a physical book before it wears out. After that, an additional license fee is required. Regardless of the form —ink and paper or electrons and pixels — the written word is far from gone. Books continue to provide a bridge between generations. The essence of multi-generational communication continues to take place each time a child says, “Read me a story,” and sits with an obliging grandparent and a large print book.
ROCK&Vine WineWine and lifestyle magazine of the Texas Hill Texas Country The and Lifestyle Magazine of the Hill Country
Eating meals together benefits families Sitting down together as a family to eat is an important factor in making healthy food choices, and one that is confirmed by research studies, said a nutrition expert at Baylor College of Medicine. “Having a family meal can be good for the body and the soul,” said Kristi King, registered dietitian at BCM and Texas Children’s Hospital. She said, “Research has shown several benefits to family meals, including consuming healthier meals and children being less likely to become obese.” King says that research has
shown other benefits including: •Children being less likely to consume alcohol, smoke cigarettes and try illegal or prescription drugs. •Children having better grades in school. •Parents being more likely to hear about any serious problems that might be occurring in a child’s life. King recommends several steps to starting family meals: •Set a goal. Start with twicea-week family meals. •Have everyone help out. Children can set the table, help plan the meal and help
cook the meal. •Make the meal conversation enjoyable and ask questions. •Make a rule that no phones are allowed at the table. She also recommends that if children have too many afterschool activities to make the family meal happen at dinnertime, consider turning breakfast into family meal time.
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“Rock” reflects the Hill Country geography and landscape of limestone and granite. “Vine” symbolizes the growth and potential of the Hill Country wine industry, already called “Mini Napa” by some. Our aim is to capture the dynamic growth, quality and flavors of this industry, and augment it with plenty of content about the beauty of the Hill Country and its many treasures.
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
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May 15, 2013
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Tanner receives grant to pursue master’s degree in England Katherine Tanner of Fredericksburg has received a Global Grant from The Rotary Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Rotary International. The Global Grant program, formerly known as the Ambassadorial Scholarship program, provides academic year scholarships for undergraduate, graduate and professional members to study abroad and support their commitment to “service above self ” through sustainable international activities. Tanner is a senior political science and international studies major at Southwestern University in Georgetown. She also is minoring in German. Tanner will use the grant to spend a year in London, England where she plans to earn a master’s degree in geopolitics and security at Royal Holloway, which is part of the University of London. Tanner was sponsored for the award by the Fredericksburg Noon Rotary Club, and was chosen from among applicants in a Rotary Club district
that includes 44 counties in Central and South Texas. “I also hope to visit clubs throughout England, but I especially want to speak at schools to inspire younger minds to seek the world out and learn beyond their comfort zone,” she said. Tanner’s international experience already includes a semester interning with the European Union in Germany, a semester studying at Kadir Has University in Turkey, and a yearlong exchange program in Austria. “I was inspired to live and study abroad at a very early age by my mother, who was both a Rotary Exchange student and a Fulbright Scholar to Germany,” she said. “She taught me to appreciate other cultures, seek understanding, ask questions and try new things. I am who I am today because of her.” A 2008 graduate of Fredericksburg High School, she is the daughter of Karen Tanner and Steve Hardison of Fredericksburg and Louis Tanner of San Antonio.
OBITUARY Glasgow Mable (Dixie) Glasgow, 84, of Fredericksburg, died Sunday, May 12, 2013, at Fredericksburg Nursing and Rehab. Visitation will be held Friday, May 17, from 4-6 p.m., and Saturday, May 18, from 7-10 a.m. in the chapel at Schaetter Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 18, at 10 a.m. in the chapel at Schaetter Funeral Home with interment following at Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Victory Fellowship Church or to the charity of choice. A complete obituary will be published next week.
Mrs. Leroy Kneupper nee Ruby Bausch
October 3, 1920 ~ May 5, 2013 Mrs. Leroy Kneupper, nee Ruby Bausch of Sisterdale, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2013, at her home, at the age of 92 years. Ruby was born Oct. 3, 1920 in Sisterdale, Texas, to Adolph and Adela Langbein Bausch. She married Leroy Kneupper on Oct. 2, 1943 in Boerne. Ruby is survived by her husband, Leroy; one son and spouse, Roy and Charlotte Kneupper of Sisterdale; two grandchildren, Cody Kneupper and his wife, Melody, of Kendalia, and Brandi Kneupper of Sisterdale, and great-grandchildren, Madison Lorah and Rosalinn Kneupper. Ruby was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 8, at 2 p.m., in the chapel at Schaetter Funeral Home of Comfort. Graveside services and interment followed in the Sisterdale Cemetery. Visitation was held Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning at Schaetter Funeral Home of Comfort. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Sisterdale Volunteer Fire Department, Sisterdale Chamber of Commerce, or to the charity of one’s choice. Pallbearers included Joe Jewell, Robert Haile, Leslie Pressler, Cody Kneupper, Rodrigo Ramos, Terry Stehling, Daryl Rechenthin and Jimmy Scheele. Expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.schaetter.com. Arrangements were under the direction of the Schaetter Funeral Home of Comfort. 12507.49pd
Esperanza M. Holford January 28, 1935 ~ May 6, 2013 Born Jan. 28, 1935, Esperanza M. Holford, nee Lopez, passed away on May 6, 2013. She was predeceased by her husband William L. Holford. Her legacy was great, she has two children survived by her: William L. Holford Jr., from Spokane, Washington and Dionne E. HolfordPray from Dallas, Texas. She is also survived by her sister, Vilma Johnson, nee Lopez, from Houston, Texas and her brother, Robert Lopez from Laredo, Texas as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. No matter where she went, Esperanza left her mark. This past year, she was responsible for renovating the historical Post Oak School House as a community center. Her last position during her career was as Case Manager for the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation for the State of Texas. She made great strides to help her patients become independent. She established Habitat for Humanity in Johnson City. Over the years Esperanza established the Symphony and Opera Guild in Olympia, Washington and the “Music in the Park” program in the late 1970’s that is still operating today. Fortunately, she lived life to the fullest up until the day she died. She taught line dancing, choreographed and brought many new dances to her classes in Fredericksburg, Kerrville, and Marble Falls over the last several years. Esperanza was greatly loved and appreciated by all who knew her. In July 2013, there will be a celebration of her life to be announced soon. Arrangements are under the direction of Crofts-Crow Funeral Home, Blanco and Johnson City. 12510.49pd
CONFIRMATION — On May 5, the Rev. Rick Hartmann of Zion Lutheran Church, left, confirmed Eric Koennecke, middle, and Kaston Hawkins. Koennecke is the son of Glenn and Gina Koennecke, while Hawkins is the son of Grover and Denise Hawkins.
RECEIVING the Rite of Affirmation of Baptism on May 5 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Cave Creek were Maggie Mohr, left, and Tiffany Ahrens. Also pictured is the church’s pastor, the Rev. Harold Vanicek. Mohr is the daughter of Steven and Kristi Mohr and Ahrens is the daughter of Douglas and Sandra Ahrens.
Texas Tech University honors 48 graduates A reception was held Saturday, May 4, to honor 2012 fall, and upcoming 2013 spring and summer Texas Tech University graduates. Honorees took the speaker’s podium to share their personal stories of accomplishment, challenge and expressions of gratitude for being able to pursue a degree at Texas Tech University locally. The Hill Country University Center drew more than 220 family members and friends that came to support the graduates. Awarded degrees included: bachelor of science in education, bachelor in general studies, bachelor of arts or
science in university studies, master of education, doctorate in education, and superintendent certifications. Kyle Clark, Texas Tech University’s chief financial officer and vice president for administration and finance, spoke about growth at Texas Tech as a national research university. Kyle elaborated that university leadership has a “demonstrated and ongoing commitment to the Hill Country and looks forward to the advancement of productive partnerships and programs that benefit both students and the communities served.” “These honorees are from good stock, and that the same
enduring and hardworking spirit that brought their forefathers and mothers to settle in and around the Hill Country, was still evident in each of them,” said Peggy Miller, Texas Tech University vice provost. “That is exhibited in the dedication and diligence required to obtain the notable accomplishment of a higher education degree.” Julie Martenson, Texas Tech University senior director at Fredericksburg and Highland Lakes, spoke about being “grateful for a country and community that made education a possibility for everyone that is willing to work.”
She shared a quote by Amelia Earhart: “Some of us have great runways already built for us. If you have one, take off. But if you don’t have one, realize it’s your responsibility to grab a shovel and build one for yourself and for those who will follow you.” Drs. Joe Claudet, Kelly Fox and Ricardo Molina represented the College of Education. Following the program, students with their friends and family joined faculty, staff and distinguished guests in the courtyard to enjoy cupcakes, specialty chocolates, fresh fruit, coffee and punch.
Joshua Wade Harper July 17, 1992 - May 8, 2013
Joshua Wade Harper was born on July 17, 1992 in Hillsborough County, Florida to Ivan and Diana Morales. They loved their son so much but due to unfortunate circumstances, they had to give him up for adoption. God had chosen a very special couple, Jay and Robin Harper, to adopt Joshua. God knew that Jay and Robin both so desperately longed for a child of their own because they could not conceive a child. God knew that Joshua would be the perfect son for them and he even added in a bonus. He also gave them his brother, Christopher Jay Harper. God introduced the boys to their new family at Harper ISD where Jay worked as an Assistant Principal at the time and Robin worked as a First Grade Teacher. Jay and Robin fell madly in love with the boys who were placed with them in March of 2000 and were adopted on Nov. 17, 2000. A beautiful family had just begun. Josh had written in his Fourth Grade Journal that the best day of his life was when he got adopted. Joshua attended school at Harper ISD and was so proud of his school and community. He was involved in various activities throughout his childhood and school years. Josh was involved in Little League Baseball, Flag Football, Little Dribblers, and 4-H. As he got older he was a member of Harper FFA, a Harper Fighting Longhorn on the Longhorn Football Team, Basketball Team, Track Team, and was on the first ever Harper Longhorn Baseball Team. He was also a member of the “Best Little Band in Texas”, The Mighty Harper Longhorn Band. He loved being a part of the Longhorn Family at Harper ISD. He was also in National Junior Honor Society and was so proud of that honor. He graduated from Harper High School in 2010. He attended some ACC courses while in high school and then went on briefly to Angelo State University. He was recently employed by Perkins Electric, and adored the owners Troy and Juanita Perkins. He grew to love their entire family with all of his heart. He dreamed of one day owning his own Electric Company and loved his job with Troy. He looked up to and admired Troy very much. He said that was the best job he had ever had in his entire life. Joshua had a huge heart. He loved his biological family as well as his adoptive family with all of his heart. I will miss hearing him tell us he loves us because Josh told us every night no matter what. When it was time for bed, it was time for our family to know that we love each other as we slumbered in the night. Joshua not only loved his family and extended family, he loved his friends and neighbors, too. There is nothing that Josh wasn’t willing to help out with. In fact, he loved others so much that he had once shared that he did not want others to have to experience some of the challenges that he had faced. He said, in fact, that he wanted to help them overcome their own struggles and addictions. Josh was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church; however, he also considered St. Anthony’s Catholic Church as home as well. He said it was very important for him to go to church to help keep him strong. He loved the Lord our God and Jesus Christ with all of his heart and soul. One of the happiest times of his life was when he became a member of the St. Mary’s ACTS Community. He was so excited when he was asked to be on the upcoming Men’s team. He loved his ACTS brothers with all of his heart. Jesus decided that on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, that Josh
was needed more in Heaven than on Earth with Him. He knew that Josh was weary from the battle he had been fighting here on this Earth. He lovingly took Josh and held him in the Palm of His hand and led him home. He did not want our precious boy to hurt anymore. Josh recently shared a very special verse with his Aunt Sheley and she passed it on to me. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.” 2 Corinthians 4:18-20. Little did he know, that our Jesus was going to let him sacrifice his life, in order to help save others. We know that Josh wants everyone out there to stand strong against all evil out there in our world. He wants those of us that are strong enough to overcome evil to help those that are not as strong. Baby Boy we are going to continue your fight against evil here on Earth. Please help us from heaven and thank you for your sacrifice for others. You have most definitely gotten your point across and know your hand will be helping us from Heaven. Josh is survived by his biological father, Ivan Morales of Florida; adoptive parents, Jay and Robin Harper of Harper; seven brothers and sisters, Felicia Allen of San Antonio, Amanda Rodriguez of Puerto Rico, Chris Harper, Jayci Harper, Ricky Harper, Annie Harper and Alex Harper of Harper. He is also survived by his grandparents, Mel and Sandy Allen of Georgia, Bobby and Sharon Wienecke of Harper, Cecil and Elicia Harper of San Angelo; great-grandparents, Joe and Vivian Hughes of New Mexico, as well as one niece, Estrella Allen of San Antonio. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins and friends who loved him very much and will all miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his biological mother, Diana Morales. A Memorial Mass was held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Msgr. Enda McKenna officiating, on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 with a reception for family and friends immediately following. The family requested a private burial. Honorary pallbearers were Cecil Harper, Bobby Wienecke, Ronnie Doggett, Bruce Myrick, Colton Doggett, Chad Smith, Layne Smith, Chris Harper, Ricky Harper, Alex Harper, Jimmy Harper and Wade Boone. We would like to thank Schaetter Funeral Home, Father Enda McKenna, Deacon Pat Klein, Wade Boone, Susan Boone, Richard Rangel, Joann Rangel, Chris Stevenson, Tricia Eilers, St. Mary’s ACTS Choir and Mary Ann Murchison for helping us with the memorial arrangements, visitation, memorial service and for being there with us 24/7 through this tragedy. We would also like to thank Pastor Will Biggott, Peterson Regional Hospital ER staff, Rick and Sandra Brodbeck, our community, our family, and our friends who we consider our family for all of your support during this tragic time. Sweet Jesus take good care of Joshua. We know you will, you loaned him to us for such a short while and we are grateful for all of the joy that you have brought to our lives. Those of us left behind will fight the evils in this world and reach out to others because “… I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 Memorial contributions may be made to Harper ISD Library, St. Mary’s Parish Capital Campaign, or a charity of your choice. Expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.schaetter.com. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Schaetter Funeral Home. 1258649pd
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Fredericksburg High School, Middle School host academic awards banquet, pages C6-C7
PASS THE NAPKINS
Local barbecue joint named to vaunted Texas Monthly Top 50, page A6
Fredericksburg Standard No. 50 - USPS 209-080 • Periodical
Radio Post
$1 Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG
Wetz named new police chief Communication between Law veteran named to fill spot of late police chief By Lisa Treiber-Walter Trusting in one of its own, the City of Fredericksburg has tabbed Steve Wetz as its new chief of police. Wetz, who has been with the Fredericksburg Police Department for 29 years, fills the vacancy left by Paul A. Oestreich, who died May 7. Oestreich succumbed to a blood disease, leaving behind a 40-year legacy on the local force. “I’m proud I got the opportunity and the chance to do this, but it still hurts how I got it,” said Wetz, who had worked alongside Oestreich for his entire career and consid-
students, police improves
ered him a close friend. “Paul had always talked with me these last few years about the direction I wanted to go and he always told me that he would do everything possible to make sure I was his successor,” Wetz said. “But I guess you never know until it happens.” “Steve is well respected in the department and in the community. He has served very capably as acting chief of police for the past seven months,” said City of Fredericksburg Manager Kent Myers in announcing Wetz’s promotion on Friday. Originally from New Braunfels and a 1981 graduate of New Braunfels High School, Wetz holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Southwest Texas Junior
By Lisa Treiber-Walter
Steve Wetz has served with the Fredericksburg P.D. for 29 years, and 7 months as acting police chief. Cont. on A5
Memorial Day program slated Monday morning
Questions remain in fatal plane crash An early report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has shed some light on the small airplane crash that claimed two lives near Fredericksburg on Thursday, May 9. The pilot had been concerned about bad weather going into the flight and the single-engine Cessna Skylane had plenty of fuel on board when it crashed, leading to a post-impact fire in a field near Hollmig Lane about one mile east/southeast of the Gillespie County Airport, according to the NTSB study. Pilot Donald Frosch, 43,
Inside • Elementary school Field Day draws more than 1,000 to FHS Stadium — C1 • St. Rose Society honors three of its own — C5 • Street Rods of all kinds roll into town for 39th annual state run — D1 • Ahead of Memorial Day, columnist asks, ‘Have you earned your life?’ — D2
of Mansfield, had called air traffic controllers before the flight seeking weather updates and had told a Fort Worth Spinks Airport employee he was concerned about “beating the (bad) weather” to Fredericksburg after he and wife, Jeanne Frosch, 41, got a late start on their weekend trip here to celebrate their wedding anniversary. In light of weather forecasts, Frosch filed an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. “What that means is that Cont. on A10
Cont. on A11
ELECTION
TRYING TO REGAIN Helen’s (foreground left, played by Chandler Runnels) trust, Annie (center, played by Olivia McGowen) uses Percy (played by Michaela Engel), while the Haunts (from left, Laurel Woodman, Tristen Geren, Hannah Reninger and Ian Houston) look on during a rehearsal of Fredericksburg High
By Matt Ward Former Fredericksburg city manager Gary Neffendorf and incumbent councilman Graham Pearson took the oath of office to begin their twoyear terms on the Fredericksburg City Council prior to the city’s regular meeting Monday, which saw the council approve plans for an off-leash dog park at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park. Jody Donovan, representing the Fredericksburg Dog Park Association (FDPA), presented the proposal, which passed
by a 4-1 vote with Neffendorf opposed. Donovan said the non-profit group would raise 100 percent of the construction and development costs. FDPA will work in conjunction with city parks and recreation director Jimmy Alexander on the design and construction of the project. The city’s agreement, which will be drafted by City Attorney Pat McGowan, is expected to be similar to the agreement reached between the city and the Fredericksburg Morning Cont. on A13
Crazy about Cajun as annual Crawfish Festival approaches
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FORMER CITY MANAGER Gary Neffendorf and incumbent councilman Graham Pearson were sworn into office Monday evening by city secretary Shelley Britton as they begin twoyear terms on the Fredericksburg City Council following their election on May 11. — Standard-Radio Post/Matt Ward
WEEKEND
May 15-21, 2013 Rainfall this week 0.00 Rainfall for May 1.35 Rainfall for 2013 6.79 Normal for date 10.40 Same date last year 13.94 Low – May 15 66 High – May 17 97
Courtesy Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park
School’s state champion one-act play production, “The Miracle Worker” by William Gibson. McGowen won Best Actress and the Samuel French award at the state competition, held Monday at the Bass Concert Hall in Austin. More coverage can be found on page A3. — Standard-Radio Post/Matt Ward
Off-leash dog park approved at city park
Weather
High Low Rain Wednesday 88 66 Thursday 92 71 Friday 97 69 Saturday 93 69 Sunday 91 70 Monday 92 70 Tuesday 85 68 Total Rain 0.00
Cont. on A2
ONE-ACT PLAY STATE CHAMPS
Honoring all those who unteers will re-enact scenes died while in service to the of combat from World War II United States military will be in three programs each day. a Memorial Day observance (See related story elsewhere at 10 a.m. Monin today’s edition.) day, May 27, at the Featured as part National Museum of the service will of the Pacific War. be the placement of The public is a wreath by “Gold invited to gather for Star Mothers” — the free program those who have lost in the “Memorial a son or daughter in Courtyard,” locatservice to this couned just inside the try. museum’s front The wreath, being entry at 340 East Capt. Curtin, USN donated by Dodds Main Street. Family Tree NursIn addition to the program, ery of Fredericksburg, will be the museum has planned a presented by several mem“Pacific Combat Zone Living bers of the Gold Star Mothers History Weekend” on Satur- organization, a nationwide day and Sunday, May 25-26, group of women who have when authentically-clad volCont. on A4 • Memorial Day holiday closings listed, page A2.
“Kids: Please share information that could possibly save the lives of your classmates.” That’s the message being issued this week by investigators with the Fredericksburg Police Department, who continue to work drug situations emerging in local schools. Adding pressure to the ongoing scenario is the recent deaths of two Gillespie County youths, who died in separate drug overdose incidents. Fredericksburg High School student Sammy Herrera, 16, died of a drug
overdose of 25c-NBOMe on April 20. A second youth overdosed in that same incident, but has since recovered after a stay in the hospital. A little over two weeks later after Herrera’s death, a 2010 Harper High School graduate, Joshua Harper, 20, of Kerrville, died May 8, of an overdose from a drug that was being determined through toxicology reports, according to Kerrville Police Department Chief John M. Young Jr. The investigation into Herrera’s death is ongoing here since it happened within the jurisdiction of the
PERFORMING “Concerto No. 9 in A Minor,” by DeBeriot with the Fredericksburg Community Orchestra on Saturday at Hill Country Evangelical Free Church was violinist Mary Beth McQueen. See more on page A12 — Standard-Radio Post/Matt Ward
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The good times will roll in the city this weekend when Cajun cooking becomes the featured taste, thanks to the return of the annual Fredericksburg Crawfish Festival Friday through Sunday. This year’s musical entertainment will feature the Bart Crow Band, Jake Hooker and The Outsiders, Bayou Roux, The Walburg Boys, Cher-LA-Bas, Gumbo Ce Soir, and Kevin Anthony and
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G-Town. Hours for the festival will be 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Special guests this year will be the cast from CMT’s hit television show Gator 911. Gary Saurage will team up with his Gator Country crew to provide an educational and interactive show with some of Cont. on A5
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| May 22, 2013
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Communication
TOP ARTISTS from across the country were honored Saturday during the Oil Painters of America (OPA) 22nd Annual National Juried Show held at InSight Gallery. At the event, Juan Morella of San Antonio took a closer look
at “Violinist” by Stephen Bateman. Over 4,000 artists submitted work to the OPA and only 200 were selected to participate in the show. — Standard-Radio Post/Matt Ward
Some closing doors Monday to observe Memorial Day As a tribute to those who lost their lives for this country, a number of offices and businesses will be closing their doors on Monday, May 27. In observance of Memorial Day, city, county, state and federal offices will be closed. For specific information on holiday closings, refer to the advertisements found elsewhere in this issue of the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post. Government •Federal offices: Closed. •State offices: Closed. •County offices: Closed. •City offices: Closed. Postal Service •Closed. There will be no delivery on city, rural or highway contract routes on Monday. The post office windows will be closed and no lockbox service will be provided. Garbage, Recycling •Trash collection: Regular trash collection schedules will be observed on Monday. •Recycling Center and
Landfill: The Recycling Center and Solid Waste Facility will be closed Monday. Before Monday’s holiday, both facilities will be open for business as usual on Saturday.
vertising deadlines have been moved to Friday at 4 p.m. while the deadline for submitting a classified ad is 9 a.m. on Tuesday. Persons with news items for next week’s paper are asked to Financial Institutions submit them by Friday, if pos•Financial institutions will sible, to insure publication. also be closing their doors and/or observing special Schools hours during the Memorial •The Fredericksburg IndeDay weekend. pendent School District will have a holiday on Monday. Newspaper •Students in the Doss Com•The Fredericksburg Stan- mon Consolidated School Disdard-Radio Post will be closed trict, Ambleside School, St. on Monday. Mary’s School and Heritage The newspaper will be pub- School will also have a holiday lished as usual on Wednesday, on Monday. May 29. •The Harper Independent However, because of the School District will have class holiday, a change has been on Monday. announced in the advertising •Classes end this week for deadlines for the newspaper. students at the Fredericksburg Real estate and display ad- Christian School.
Fredericksburg Police Department. While progress may seem slow to members of the public, newly-named FPD Chief Steve Wetz said work is progressing in the case. Detectives have been executing warrants for telephones and computers so that information from text messages and emails can help determine a timeline for the events leading up to Herrera’s death, as well as the scope of all those who were involved. “We are still very much focusing on this investigation,” Wetz said. In the meantime, Lt. Linda Lively who oversees investigations involving juveniles, said police continue to bust youths on a weekly basis for incidents involving drugs. “Just this past week, we got a tip that there were kids on campus selling and giving away Hydrocodone, a nar-
Cont. from A1
cotic pain medication,” Lively said. “Sure enough, we were able to suspend nine kids but, because it was ‘after-the-fact,’ we have no criminal charges to pursue because we have no evidence.” The youths involved admitted what they were doing, but because there were no pills as evidence, they could only be suspended, Lively explained. What would help, she said, is having young informants who can tell officers when something is happening or when someone is “holding.” “No doubt, Sammy Herrera’s death made an impact on a number of kids and, hopefully, opened some eyes,” she said. “In the future, I would love to be swamped with tips and information from students so that we can ‘stop this madness’.” “We love these kids and know we must stay on top of the problem,” she said.
Divorces granted Silvia Navejas and Juan Navejas, granted May 3, 2013, by Judge N. Keith Williams. Rosalinda Perez and Jose Santos Aleman, granted May 13, 2013, by Judge N. Keith Williams. Jerry Blane Edmonds and Sharon Ann Edmonds, granted May 17, 2013, by Judge N. Keith Williams. Jacqueline Kay Mills and Scott Alan Mills, granted May
17, 2013, by Judge N. Keith Williams. Joey Christopher Arnold and LaDonna Faith Denson, granted May 17, 2013, by Judge N. Keith Williams. Vanessa Marie Diaz and Carlos Arturo Neri, granted May 17, 2013, by Judge N. Keith Williams. Hydubina Benitez Arias and Teobaldo Arias Arellano, granted May 17, 2013, by Judge N. Keith Williams.
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(USPS 209-080) (ISSN 87559331) Published Weekly by the Fredericksburg Publishing Co, Inc. 712 W. Main St. P.O. Box 1639 Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 830-997-2155 • Fax 830-990-0036
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A AAA House Leveling.............A8 Amish Market.................. TV11 Auctions............................. F7 B Billies Spirit Page............. B4 Boot Ranch.....................A14 Brent’s Custom Odd Jobs....... ........................... E4, F5 Brentwood Oaks................E5 Bridal Registry................. C3 C Capital Farm Credit............E2 Catholic Life Insurance...... A6 Cecil Atkission........ A17, A18 Century 21 Sunset Realtors... ........................... B5, E4 Chassis by Zach............... A2 Church Directory.............. D6 City of Fbg/Co. of Gillespie.A7 Classified Business Directory.. Classifed Bus. Direct.. F12-15 Coldwell Banker-Heart of Hills............................E2 Cornerstone Properties......E4 Creek St. Dentist ............ D7 Cross Fit 830................... B5 Crossroads Saloon.......B6, D7 Culligan.......................... C4 D Darlene’s Digs..................E4 Davis Bonding............ D5, F7 Der Küchen Laden............ D8 Diamond K Construction.... C8 Doss Country Store.........TV1 Doss School Picnic............ B5 DR Welding......................F6 Dunn’s Fish Farm............. D7 Durham Land Co......... E2, E4 E Eagle Apartments..............E5 Edward Jones.................. A7 Elite Roofing.................... A5 Exit Realty.......................E4 Eye Country.................... C8 F Farm & Ranch Construction.D7 Featured Homes & Prop.....F1 First Baptist Church.......... D4 Five K Storage..................E5 Five Star Rentals.............. D7 Fonder Chiropractic.......... C5 Frantzen, Kaderli & Klier Insurance................... A6 Fredericksburg Art Guild.... A2 Fredericksburg Crawfish Festival ................................ A5 Fredericksburg Flooring Cntr.D8 Fredericksburg Metal Roof..F6 Fredericksburg Realty........... B6, D3, E2.......................... G Graham Pearson.............. D1 Grape Creek Construction...F6 Grobe Construction...........F6 Guerrero Roofing.............. A7 H Hangar Hotel................... A8 Hartco Roofing................A10 Hartcraft Dirt....................F6 Heart of TX Events Cntr.... B3 Henfeathers...................A10 Herber Real Estate............E3 Heritage Realty.................E4 Herman Son’s.................. C8 Hester Window Coverings.. C5 Highland Oaks..................E5 Hill Country Buzz............. A4 Hill Country Memorial Hospital ............... A7, A9, B5, C5 Hill Country Refrigeration.. D5 Hill Country SPCA............. B2 Hill Co. Under. Water Con.. D5 Holland Real Estate...........E4 Holloway Plumbing........... C5 Hometown Crafts............A11 Hondo’s.......................... B3 I Immel Motors........TV1, TV12 Inside Story............. A12, D1 J Jeep Collins....................A10 Jones Ranch Realty............E3 K Keller Williams Realty........E4 Kevin Kramer Construction.F6 King’s Hypnosis................ D5 KNAF-KFAN Radio............. D7 Kneese Companies............F6 Knopp Retirement Center.A11 Kovar, Lance, DDS............ C8 Kowert Real Estate............E3 L LandTx............................E3 Legal Notices.................. F11 Linen & Lace.....................F6 Lone Star Dents..............A12 Lone Star Pump Svc..........F6 LPL Financial................... A6 Luckenbach, TX............... B2 M Main Streets of Texas Mortgage................... A6 Mid-Texas Health Care.....A14 Moore’s Home Furnishings.A13 Mr. Gatti’s....................... C3 Mueller Inc...................... B1 Multiple Layer Chip........... B3 N New Horizons Chicken Dinn.A10 New Sound...................... D5 Nixon Real Estate..............E3 O Obituaries....................... D4 One Mane Place............... A2 On The House Contracting.A13 P Pasta Bella...................... C1 Pat Novian Integra........... A8 Pat’s Dent Repair............. B3 Pat’s Hall......................... B2 Paul’s Auto Body & Paint... A6 Peach Basket..................TV3 Pedernales Animal Welfare Society.....................A13 Pedernales Brewing Co...... A8 Pedernales Youth Soccer... B1 Plexus Slim....................A14 Porky’s..........................TV4 Pro-Max.........................TV2 Property Management Svcs.E5 R Real Estate Advisory Team..E4 Real Living.......................E4 Reata Ranch Realty......... E23 Red................................ A3 Reliable Exteriors..............F6 Remember Me................. A8 ReMax Town & Country......E1 Resurrection Lutheran .......E3 Rick’s Furniture................ A9 Rockbox.......................... A4 Roots Music..................... C4 S Scentsy.......................... A4 Sears............................. C7 Secret Garden................A10 Segner’s Jewelers.......... TV11 Sharity Production............ B6 Standard Health............... D3 Stehling, Will, D.D.S......... D5 T Tate Property....................E3 Tatsch Well Service........ TV11 Terrace Grill..................... C4 Texas Land Man................E2 TexScan...........................E5 Tivydale Business Park...... A2 Too Late To Classify.......... B4 Troy Faust Motors............. A5 U Urban Herbal................... A9 V Valeska’s......................... B2 Valeska’s........................A14 Vapo Propane...................F6 W Weather.......................... C8 Weinheimer & Son............ A8 West Central Wireless....... C2 West End Pizza................ B2 Western Beverages........... A4 Willow City VFD............... C6 Wilson Clements Antiques. A9 Worfe Automotive............ B6 Wounded Warriors............ C3 Y Yard Mowing.................... C8
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
| May 22, 2013
| D3
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Parents’ stance on drugs
With respect to Dr. Williamson’s comment on the jurisdiction FISD is granted, page 2 of the Student Code of Conduct states: “School rules and authority of the district to administer discipline apply whenever the interests of the district are involved, on or off school grounds, in conjunction with or independent of classes and school-sponsored events.” I encourage you to search for and read these on the Internet: FISD Student Code of Conduct; FHS Athletic Code of Conduct; FISD Substance Abuse Guidelines and FHS Student Handbook. These documents create the blueprint by which our public schools operate. My goal, one shared by the other parents at the May 13 FISD Board of Trustees meeting, is to foster a public understanding of the boundaries within which our schools operate. I am willing to wager that if you read these documents and contrast their wording with actions you (and your children) know to be occurring, you too may become the agent of change that you will see is needed. The administration needs our support! The above policies conform to the Texas Education Code but there is also latitude granted therein to local boards and administration(s). A strict and consistent adherence to policy, combined with opportunities to act with common-sense discretion, provide the best opportunity for our leaders to create positive changes. They cannot and should not, however, be expected to do it alone. Our community attitude toward academic dishonesty, “sexting” and the illegal drug use should be reflected in a zero tolerance policy implemented on every campus of FISD. Please, let’s support “the system” where appropriate, change it where necessary and strive to honor the ideals and values that make this community special. Jeff Williams Fredericksburg
Misplaced anger
I, too, am saddened by the recent tragic loss of our young people due to drugs, and I understand the frustration and sense of powerlessness being experienced by those left behind. The ire which has been directed toward the school district, and Dr. Williamson and Officer Ayala in particular, is misplaced. I know both of these gentlemen personally, and I know they both are doing everything possible to keep drugs out of our schools. The recent incidents did not occur on a school campus or at a school-sponsored event. From what I understand, the losses occurred in the wee hours on a weekend, completely off-campus. Dr. Williamson can no more control what young people do on their “off time” any more than my boss can tell me not to shop at Walmart or H-E-B. Not only is that impossible, it is illegal. As Dr. Williamson pointed out, the state is pretty specific about what a school district can or cannot do. This is a community problem, one I do not see changing until we stop burying our heads in the sand and pretending “we do not have a drug problem in Fredericksburg.” We all need to take the first step in acknowledging we have a problem before we can even begin to deal with it, and we all need to be vigilant about educating our young people and standing firmly united against the profiteers who benefit from this scourge. Gena Carter Fredericksburg
Warning siren still needed
Why don’t the citizens of Fredericksburg
have an emergency warning such as the siren we used to have? It went out of commission and according to a city official, it would cost too much to replace. But what price is a human life? We do have an emergency warning system that would notify us by phone, but it is no good when the electricity is out or you’re not at home, or you do not have a cell phone. When a tornado approaches, what do we as citizens need to do together to have the siren replaced with a more efficient and updated system with sirens at strategic places around the city? Please let me know what your thoughts are. H. Patrick O. Schaub Fredericksburg
Story shines light on scams
I want to thank Gladys and John Edwards for sharing their story about being scammed in the May 8 newspaper, and thanks to the Fredericksburg StandardRadio Post for printing the article. Last Friday morning I received “the phone call”: “Oma, it’s_______ (grandson). What are you doing?” “Paying bills. Where are you?” “Virginia, I’m here for a wedding.” “Why are you calling?” “Well, I’m in jail, I got a DWI and I need money for bail.” “Sorry, but you will have to call your dad.” Click. I will say that after reading the news article about the Edwardses, I was a little suspicious, as this grandson was supposed to be in school or at work and having seen him a few days earlier, no mention had been made about a trip or wedding. I called my son right away, he checked and my grandson was at work in Texas. Calling me “Oma” did throw me a bit as that is what he calls me and he used my grandson’s name. When reporting to Lt. Bob Bertelson of the Fredericksburg Police Department, he assured me that scammers have ways of knowing a lot of information about people. So if you should receive that “phone call” take Lt. Bertelson’s advice if the phone call continues, ask personal questions. Thanks to the Edwardses and my suspicions, I was saved from being scammed. Barb Scherer Fredericksburg
Taking care of elderly
I would like to take this public opportunity to thank our medical community — the hospital, emergency room, all physicians, nurses, and business office personnel. I give special thanks to the case managers and hospice care workers I have worked with. After 10 years working at Fredericksburg Nursing and Rehab, I resigned. My thanks and deepest appreciation to all my residents, families, volunteers and staff I was blessed to work with. Our EMS folks are awesome. Fredericksburg Nursing and Rehab continues under great leadership. Gillespie County has a lot to be thankful for, and all of us need to continue what is important — taking care of our elderly and setting good examples for our youth. Cindy Wilson Fredericksburg
Receptionist will miss patients
My name is Paige Walker and I have been the receptionist for Dr. Oosterbaan at Eye Country for the past four years. I wanted to be able to tell all the patients that I have come to know and love goodbye in person but that is impossible. I am no longer going to be working at Eye
Country and have taken another position in Llano working at a hospice facility. Although I am very excited about the new opportunity, I am also sad to be leaving so many wonderful friends. Thank you so much for all the fun and laughs we shared during your wait time in the reception area. I won’t ever forget ya’ll. Love, Paige Walker Llano
Thanks from library friends
The Friends of Pioneer Memorial Library would like to thank our community for once again making our annual book sale a success. We reached our goal for the year to help support the many activities and services the library provides. Thanks also to the many volunteers and community workers who helped organize and run the sale. The funds provide six weeks of summer reading programs for all children, as well as weekly story hours for preschool children. In addition, the library, in conjunction with the Rotary Club, provides free books to each newborn baby at our hospital. The Library Book Sale is an annual event and books are already being collected at the library for next year’s sale. Please bring any donations or used books to the library at any time throughout the year so that we can have a successful sale again next May. Bobbie Schonaerts Friends of the Library board secretary Fredericksburg
50 YEARS AGO In The Standard MAY 22, 1963
Graduation exercises are being held across the county in the coming week for 136 seniors completing their high school educations. St. Mary’s High School will graduate 36 seniors Sunday evening at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Paulette Walch is this year’s valedictorian, and Virginia Stehling, salutatorian. Then, on Monday evening, 84 seniors at Fredericksburg High School will receive their diplomas in exercises on the FHS lighted field. Nancy KowAnother great concert The performance by pianist Emile Pan- ert is leading her class as valedolfi in the Fredericksburg Music Club dictorian, while Clinton Hartseason-finale was everything that we had mann is the salutatorian. Harper High School will anticipated and more. As he showed in his encore, he plays the piano better with one graduate 16 seniors on Wedneshand than most musicians manage with day evening at the school cafetorium. Jeanette Rogers is this two. Now, we await the 2013-14 season. In the meantime, I hope that your readers year’s valedictorian, and Lloyd will attend a May 26 Memorial Memories Wendel is salutatorian. Awards were presented to concert by the Sentimental Journey Orthe top FFA members at their chestra at the Cailloux Theater in Kerrville. The SJO is a familiar sight on July 4 in annual awards banquet Friday Fredericksburg, wearing uniforms like evening at Community Savings those of the famous Army Air Force Band Center Hall. Albert Usener, president of led by Major Glenn Miller in World War II the local FFA chapter, was preand playing music of that era. The SJO will be joined by baritone Jer- sented with the Star Chapter yl Hoover, your mayor and founder of Farmer plaque. David Ketron the Fredericksburg Theater Co., and by was chosen as the Star GreenBruce Hoff, a longtime re-enactor of Gen. hand and James Wahrmund was presented with the the Dwight Eisenhower. Tickets are available from the Cailloux DeKalb award. During Saturday balloting, Theater Box Office at 830-896-9393, and from the Kerrville Visitors Center on High- voters of the Pilot Knob and Fredericksburg Independent way 16 near Interstate 10. School Districts voted that the Joseph Benham Kerrville
two districts should consolidate and the Pilot Knob students attend school in Fredericksburg. Deceased veterans of all wars will be remembered during a memorial program Sunday afternoon at the American Legion Hall. “Camp Friendship,” the annual Girl Scout day camp, will begin Monday at Oakcrest Park. Three girls and six boys were born in local hospitals during the past week. Girls were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kermit Sultemeier, May 15; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Kirchner, May 17, and Mr. and Mrs. Luis Sanchez, May 11. Boys were born to Mr. and Mrs. Homer Klaerner, May 17; Mr. and Mrs. Juan Zavala, May 18; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Esensee Jr., May 19; Mr. and Mrs. Dayton Itz, May 20; Mr. and Mrs. Reinhard Reeh, May 21, and Mr. and Mrs. Elroy Davis, Junction, May 21. The FHS Hillbillies captured the bi-district baseball championship Wednesday, downing West High School, 5-0. The Billies will play either Pine Tree or New Boston in the next level of play. The Fredericksburg Giants unleashed a 10-1 attack on the Kerrville Kats Sunday, bringing home an 11-0 shutout. Helotes handed the Pat’s Cubs their third defeat of the season, 5-1, Sunday afternoon.
Keep Main Street friendly
As a retail merchant that has the privilege of managing a store front on Main Street, I would like to express my dismay of the discourteousness of the drivers on Main. I drive and also run errands via Main and 30 miles per hour is too fast. I have watched older people try to run and then get honked at. Sure, some of the tourists are rude and act like they can do what they want, but mostly not. People come to visit and they don’t want to be honked at or scared by the aggressive drivers. If as a local you don’t like the car traffic or the walking traffic, stay off Main Street during peak tourist times. Feeding my family and paying my bills are dependent on the tourists that come to enjoy our little town, so please don’t make it unfriendly. Slow down and see what our wonderful town has to offer. Thank you. Deborah Schumann Albert
Eric Zey 830-992-0014
11340.43tf
WE WANT YOUR LETTERS We want your letters because we value your opinion on issues in Fredericksburg and Gillespie County. Letter writers are asked to submit their name, home address and daytime telephone or cell phone number so we can contact you to verify you want your opinion published. Anonymous letters will not be run.
Letters must not exceed 300 words and may be edited for clarity, grammar and/or length. We ask that letter writers submit one letter per 30-day period. Letters may be delivered at the Standard-Radio Post at 712 W. Main St., mailed to P.O. Box 1639, Fredericksburg, TX 78624, or emailed to fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com.
Lawmakers face final budget hurdles AUSTIN — With days to go until the end of the 140-day 83rd regular session of the Texas Legislature, a committee of House and Senate negotiators on May 17 agreed on a proposed state budget for fiscal years 2014 and 2015. Next step is for the 150-member House and the 31-member Senate to accept or reject the work of the negotiators in votes expected to take place May 20 or 21. Pressure is on to get the budget bill to Gov. Rick Perry as soon as possible, while lawmakers carrying hundreds of other bills hope to squeeze as many as possible through the process in the last few days of the session. Members of both parties in both houses worked furiously to replace as much as possible of the $5.4 billion cut from public education in the 2011 legislative session as part of an across-the-
State Capitol Highlights By Ed Sterling TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
board budget-reducing plan. The comprise before the Legislature now would increase education funding by about $4 billion and take $2 billion out of the state’s Rainy Day Fund for water infrastructure improvements. Another $400 million from the Rainy Day Fund would be added to transportation funding already in the base budget bill. Complicating the picture is that a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers is required to spend Rainy Day Funds.
the Legislature passed SB 346, legislation that would require politically active non-profit organizations to disclose their donors to the public. Under the bill authored by Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, and sponsored in the House by Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, groups that spend more than $25,000 a year on political activities would have to report contributions of more than $1,000. In passing the bill, Geren said donors have every right to give to political groups, but they should be willing to do so in the light of day, just like those who give directly to candidates. HB 346 was forwarded to Gov. Perry’s desk on May 14.
Disclosure bill is passed Employment rate improves On votes of 23-6 in the SenTexas Workforce Commission ate and 95-52 in the House, on May 17 reported the Lone
Star State’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment expanded by 33,100 jobs in April and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.4 percent for the month. TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar said all major industries in the state added jobs over the last 12 months and the civilian labor force is at an all-time high with more than 12.7 million workers.
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FHS Fredericksburg Standard UIL HONORS FHS seniors take medals at UIL academic competitions, page A/B18
High school recognizes top athletes in 2012-2013 campaign, pages A/B14
Radio Post
No. 51 - USPS 209-080 • Periodical
One dead, one hospitalized in domestic crime
$1 Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
WE REMEMBER
Man dies of probable gunshot, woman suffers stab wounds
By Lisa Treiber-Walter A 45-year-old Harper man died from a shooting incident and his wife is recovering in a San Antonio trauma center after being stabbed during the same family violence disturbance on Sunday, May 26. Michael G. Bowlin, 45, was pronounced dead at the scene at 460 Kristen Lane near Harper by Justice of the Peace (Precinct 2) Carl Schoessow, after authorities discovered Bowlin lying on his back with probable gunshot wounds to the chest, according to Gillespie County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) Chief Deputy Lt. Jim Judd. Aimee Bowlin, 42, called 911 and reported the shooting/stabbing incident with her husband to authorities around 4:20 p.m. on Sunday, Judd said. In addition to finding Bowlin’s body, his wife was discovered with a stab wound to her leg by GCSO deputies and first responders from the Harper
Volunteer Fire Department, as well as Fredericksburg EMS paramedics. She was airlifted to San Antonio’s University Hospital for trasuma care, where a hospital spokesman reported this morning, May 29, that she is in “stable condition.” Further details are being withheld due to the open investigation being conducted by Gillespie County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators. The last time Gillespie County had a shooting death was July 12, 2010, when Fermin (Juan) Gallegos, 62, fatally shot his wife, Becky Jill Gallegos, 55, before killing the family pet, calling 911 to report what he had done, and then turning the gun on himself at the couple’s residence west of Fredericksburg at 1844 Reeh Road. Prior to that, other shooting deaths in Gillespie County included a 2006 incident in which a resident on West Live Oak Street killed an intruder in his garage.
REMEMBERING LOVED ONES — A wreath was presented during Memorial Day services that honor the lives of two fallen military people from Gillespie County — at left is James Breuel in honor of his brother, Pvt. Benjamin Chisholm, USA, while Lorna Eckhardt stands at right to honor her late son, Sgt. Chris Staats, who served in the Texas National Guard. Both soldiers died in Afghanistan.
ON CAMPUS
POSTING OF THE COLORS — Military personnel from the National Security Agency/Central Security System at Lackland Air Force Base marched in the U.S. flag and flags of the various service branches at Monday’s Memorial Day tribute held on the grounds of the National Museum of the Pacific War. — Standard-Radio Post/Danny Hirt
CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG
Police work to guide students Council studies away from drugs, to right path water rate hike Editor’s note: The recent overdose deaths of two Gillespie County males has added fire to the topic of how to fight drugs in school. The following is an interview with Lt. Linda Lively, the Fredericksburg Police Department (FPD) officer who oversees cases with juveniles, and Patrolman Chris Ayala, the officer assigned to the Fredericksburg High School (FHS) campus.
By Lisa Treiber-Walter
J
ust a few weeks ago in his criminal justice classroom, Fredericksburg Police Department Patrolman Chris Ayala taught his students using examples from years spent enforcing the law in South Texas “where hell was just rampant,” he said. “Unfortunately, now, I don’t have to revert back to my home areas. Now, I can say ‘It has happened here,’” he said. Since the unrelated, accidental overdose
Roots concert series returns with doo-wop Pioneer Museum will kick off its 12th year of the Roots Music Series in the Texas Hill Country Saturday, June 1, with a “Doo-Wop Sock-Hop Night” lineup of music, food and family fun. The concert will feature The Moonlights at 6:30 p.m., Men in Black at 7:45 p.m., and the New Buddy Holly Band at 9:10 p.m. All concerts take place on
Inside LEGISLATIVE WRAP-UP • Fraser, Miller tout session accomplishments — A/B5 • A win for water, but Lege punts on roads — D2 • Good Samaritan Center gives update on 2012 activity — A/B12 • FHS Who’s Who, Excellence awards go to top students — A/B3
Saturdays from 6:30-10:30 p.m. with gates opening at 5 p.m. Guests can purchase a meal and refreshments of wine, beer, sodas and water. Parking is free. Pioneer Museum is located at 325 West Main Street with event entrance on South Milam Street. Admission is $12. Children under 18 are free. Net proCont. on A/B3
deaths on April 20 by FHS student Sammy Herrera, 16, and on May 8 by 2010 Harper High School graduate Josh Harper, 20, Ayala’s frame of reference has gone local. “These deaths were hard to grasp,” whereas previous losses of youths from driving while texting or reckless driving were hard to accept, but at least were more fathomable, Ayala said. As a result, a grieving community is noticeably on edge and many of those shocked by recent events have spoken out, Cont. on A/B5
On Tuesday, council members Difference would cover some costs for expected wastewater received an update on the progof the study — currently at treatment plant replacement ress 80 percent completion — from By Matt Ward
Despite increased rates on all utilities within the past 16 months, City of Fredericksburg water and sewer customers could see rates hiked again as soon as this summer as the city council continues to review fees in an ongoing utility rate study.
County hears update on Ranger Heritage Center Ground-breaking for two-phase Officials met Friday, May 24, to project slated for September accommodate the county holiday By Lisa Treiber-Walter A progress report on the planned Former Texas Rangers Foundation Heritage Center and an annual summary of The Good Samaritan Center were highlights on the most recent Gillespie County Commissioners’ Court docket.
for Memorial Day, which fell on their regular meeting day, Monday, May 27. “We’re moving along at a fast pace,” said Joe B. Davis, retired Texas Ranger and president of the Former Texas Rangers Foundation (FTRF.) “We are working with a good team locally and we plan to break ground in Septem- AN ARCHITECTURAL drawing of the proposed Former Cont. on A/B12
Texas Rangers Foundation Heritage Center show the large project, planned for the town’s east side.
GRADUATION
May 22-28, 2013 Rainfall this week 0.77 Rainfall for May 2.12 Rainfall for 2013 7.56 Normal for date 11.06 Same date last year 13.94 Low – May 22 58 High – May 22 92
Harper High plans May 31 ceremony
For real-time weather information, go to: www.fredericksburgstandard.com
Courtesy Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park
STAREDOWN — Gary Saurage of Gator Country near Beaumont displays the powerful jaws of a large alligator as part of his rescue organization’s demonstrations at this year’s Fredericksburg Crawfish Festival. — Standard-Radio Post/Danny Hirt
Sections A - Front B - Sports C - Lifestyles
Cont. on A/B17
GILLESPIE COUNTY
Weather
High Low Rain Wednesday 92 58 Thursday 89 66 Friday 71 66 0.60 Saturday 79 67 0.17 Sunday 83 67 Monday 87 69 Tuesday 87 69 Total Rain 0.77
Tony Bagwell of HDR Engineering, the first of three visits from the city’s utility rate consultant. The next council briefing is expected in early July, where the consultant’s rate model will be completed. This will allow the council to discuss potential rates and project expected revenue
D - Community E/F - Real Estate/Classifieds G - IT’S ON! Entertainment
Getting an early start on the graduation season, Harper High School will hold its commencement exercises on Friday, May 31, in the HHS gymnasium. The event comes two weeks after the school celebrated its baccalaureate service on May 19 at St. James Lutheran Church.
To subscribe Call 830-997-2155 Get daily update email newsletter by sending request to: fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com
Cont. on A/B2
Baccalaureate services for FHS set Sunday night A baccalaureate worship service to honor members of the Fredericksburg High School Class of 2013 will be held Sunday at 6:30 p.m. This year’s service will be at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, located at 109 East San Antonio Street. Delivering the message will be the Rev. Rick
Cont. on A/B4
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
| May 29, 2013
Local girls chosen to attend Bluebonnet Girls State in June Four Fredericksburg High School coeds were selected to attend the American Legion Auxiliary Bluebonnet Girls State June 16-22 at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin. Chosen to represent American Legion Auxiliary Unit 244 are Victoria Henke and Kaytlen James, while representing Gillespie County Republican Women will be Mattie Lastovica and Jorden Moretti. Hailey Eckert was named alternate. The American Legion Auxiliary founded Girls State in 1937. Participants learn city, county and state government functins by being in mock political parties and legislative sessions.
BLUEBONNET GIRLS STATE attendees chosen to represent Gillespie County and their sponsors are (front row from left) Kaytlen James, Victoria Henke, Mattie Lastovica and Jorden Moretti, (back row from left) Carolyn Lesley, FHS counselor; Hailey Eckert, alternate; Joy Fromme, Gillespie County Republican Women representative and Irene Pullen, president, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 244.
Citizens of Texas Girls State have opportunities to run for office, author legislation and vote. A visit to the Texas State Capitol is included. The program’s goal is to educate members in the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of citizenship. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 244 is headed by Irene Pullen. The Gillespie County Republican Women Girls State Project Chairman is Joy Fromme, while Carolyn Lesley, counselor at Fredericksburg High School, helped coordinate Girls State enrollment this year. For more information about Bluebonnet Girls State, visit www.girls-state.org.
Police work to guide looking to find fault. “There’s no one person to blame here. You can’t blame the police. You can’t blame the school. You can’t blame the parents,” Ayala said, adding he takes exception to those who knock the work he and the school administrators have done the past 10 years to combat teen drug usage. “There are a lot of schools who have resource officers. But, our guys are not resource officers. We have actual police officers assigned to the schools,” Lively explained, saying that Ayala covers high school, while a second patrolman is stationed at Fredericksburg Middle School. “What you will see is an undivision between the schools and police here,” Ayala said, adding that it takes both working in tandem to make any headway in the fight against drugs. “On a weekly basis, we have kids walking in and telling me about everything from cigarettes to ‘Hey, they’re doing something else,’” Ayala said. He protects his informants’ identities because, if they fear retaliation, he won’t have their assistance in the future, he said. If the tips he receives are sincere, he takes that information to the appropriate school ad-
| A/B5
Cont. from A/B1
ministrator, who then directs him on how to proceed. “I have to work on probable cause. School staff get to work on suspicion,” he said, explaining that administrators have much more flexibility in their approach. If administrators direct Ayala to search a student, then he will have that person discreetly removed from class and searched or questioned. Ayala doesn’t search female students, but follows procedures to tell if they are “holding” illegal substances. “On any given day, we may have several kids who are ‘busted’ like this, but we don’t have a criminal charge,” Lively said. She said in the past two weeks, nine high school students were found to be involved in the same drug incident on campus in which one, who had a prescription for a narcotic pain reliever (hydrocodone) was sharing the drug with others. “The school was able to suspend them for 30-45 days. But, because we didn’t have any of the pills and they didn’t have any of the pills on them … there is no criminal charge,” Lively said. “They don’t leave (the drugs) in their cars. They don’t leave them in their lockers. They
Ayala
Lively
don’t leave them in their bags. Because they know that’s where we can search,” Ayala said. “What they do is put them in their pockets, where we can’t just walk up and search them ... they figure out the tricks of the trade.” “In other words, a student can have 20 pills on her and walk by me every day, but until someone gives me information or until I see something that gives me an indication that something is not right, then I can’t search her,” he said. “I think there is a misconception that we just do whatever we want on that campus to search kids and we can’t,” Ayala said. The Fredericksburg Independent School District does contract with a private company for random drug dog searches sporadically throughout the year. Random urine testing for drugs is conducted among athletes and extracurricular participants.
“The second you say, ‘I’m going to be in athletics’ you sign on the dotted line” and submit to being tested, Ayala said. “What you will see is phenomenal athletes from middle school and high school who get to sophomore year and all of a sudden say, ‘I’m not going to play anymore,’” he said. They do that because they have started taking drugs and they know they’re going to get “nailed for it.” “What people have to realize is that ‘random’ means you have to put your name in the hat to be on the random list,” he said. If a student ends up being tested twice, it is because his/her odds of being pulled for random testing is two out of 300, not two out of 1,000. “When people say we’re not doing enough, you have to figure that with the random drug testing, that’s a very big thing for athletes. So, really, what we’re targeting with that is extra-curricular kids. Now, add to that the drug dog searches. With that, we’re also targeting those who aren’t on that list for random testing. What you can’t get with one you get with the other,” he said. “Most schools don’t have either/or (the random testing or the drug dog searches.) We’re two steps ahead of the game.
We are above the bar,” he said. With both methods, plus an officer assigned to campus, he added, “We have set the standard.” For critics of the current system who say that all students need to be randomly tested, “Then, Mom and Dad — drug test your child,” Lively said, adding that home tests are available for purchase from Walmart, H-E-B, Walgreens and similar stores. “The parents are going to have to help us here,” she added. “Parents are going to have to know their child. They’re going to have to stay in touch with their child and know any changes.” Ayala added, “My mom put me on the spot. She grabbed me. It wasn’t just a passing in the night.’” “My children aren’t immune. They could grow up and be drug addicts just like anyone else,” he said. “But, I will know that I made every effort in the process.” “Some people told me I policed my son too much,” Lively said. “But, I knew my child — he made mistakes. But, I knew when something was wrong. And he turned out to be awesome.” If children are going out with friends, know the first and last names of who they will be with
and where they will be. “That is not over-policing,” Lively said. “Our jobs are to make them healthy, wholesome, productive, good, safe, upstanding citizens. Hate me in the meantime, you’ll get over it, but right now, that’s my job.” “The best parents in the world may lose a child to something stupid, but you are cutting the odds by trillions of percentage points by knowing your child,” she said. “Search his room. Check under his bed. Check everything he owns. Check his computer. You have to. Check the pockets of his clothes. Know him inside out. That is not interfering with his growth process at all or his privacy,” she said. To avoid rebellions in the teen years, parents should establish expectations when their children are young. “All these boundaries, and ethics and morals have to be laid in place at an early age,” she said. The chores of parenting never end and “You’re never home free,” Ayala and Lively said in unison. “Teenagers are an everyday worry — an everyday event,” Ayala said. “But, it’s worth the fight.”
BEWARE THE STORM CHASER !!!!!!!!!!! With Storms sweeping our state from the Panhandle to Houston it should make a person wonder why so many companies from all over the state and even out of state have descended upon Fredericksburg. Could it be to make a quick buck and never be heard from or seen again????? The majority of the time, this is the case. Don’t be fooled into thinking you need to hurry. Hail does not generally cause leaks any time soon unless it’s through a broken skylight or window. You have plenty of time. Don’t get in a hurry. Material is not going to suddenly be unavailable and prices are not going to suddenly skyrocket. Insurance companies are not going to leave you holding the bag if prices should drastically change. These are common fear tactics used to get someone to sign a contract.
Things to remember:
• • • •
Labor warranties are only good if you can get someone to actually come back and fix the problem. Manufacture warranties are only good if you know what problems to look for. Workmanship quality can only be controlled if there is actually someone who cares supervising the installation. Liability insurance will only protect you if it is actually in force. Don’t simply look at the document. Call the company to make sure the policy is in force. Documents can easily be manipulated. • When companies pay your deductible it is felony insurance fraud. Please check with your insurance company or agent to verify this information. • In 2010 there were companies in town that are now back. Several complaints were filed with the city only to find that there was no bonding in place. The homeowner was left holding the bag.
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post LAW ENFORCEMENT NEWS
Fredericksburg Police Department report With the Memorial Day Weekend rolled into it, this past week, May 20-26, kept Fredericksburg Police Department officers busy answering 155 calls. Policemen were dispatched to 13 minor accidents, as well as to investigate four cases of theft and one gas drive-off. Thefts On Saturday, May 25, at 5:45 p.m., an officer was called out to Jek’s Pit Stop, 528 West Main Street, in reference to a gas drive-off. Reportedly, a customer filled gas and then drove off without paying. The suspect said he/she forgot to pay, but later returned to
make good on the purchase (unknown amount.) On Monday, May 20, at 9:47 a.m., police were sent to the Gillespie County Law Enforcement Center, 1601 East Main Street, to meet with a person reporting a laptop valued at $1,500 had been stolen. Later that same day, May 20, at 6:02 p.m., an officer was sent to the Gillespie County Law Enforcement Building (behind the courthouse) to take a report of theft, which was later classified as a civil matter. On Wednesday, May 22, at 9:10 a.m., police were sent to the 1200 block of North U.S.
Highway 87, where someone Possession of Drug Parapherreported that an iPad (valued nalia, and, at $400) had been taken. • 2 Public Intoxication. May 20-26 And, on Friday, May 24, at • 13 minor auto accidents. 12:51 p.m., an officer was sent • 12 alarms. to the 300 block of Rose Street • 23 animal control calls. in reference to thieves stealing • 4 civil disputes. a decorative miniature chim• 2 criminal mischief cases. • 1 criminal trespass report. ney (valued at $20.) • 11 disturbances. Arrests • 3 emergency assist calls. FPD officers arrested eight • 1 report of fraud. individuals over the week for: • 6 reports of harassment. • 1 Driving While License • 26 public relations cases. • 4 reports of the recovery of Invalid with Previous Convicproperty. tion; • 16 reports of suspicious ac• 2 Local Warrants; tivity. • 1 No Driver’s License When • 5 thefts. Unlicensed; • 14 traffic hazards. • 5 welfare concern calls. • 1 Possession of Marijuana; • 9 other. • 1 Possession of Marijuana/
Gillespie Sheriff’s Office report Although their number of calls was down on the average this past week, May 20-26, officers with the Gillespie County Sheriff ’s Office (GCSO) dealt with some severe issues, according to Chief Deputy Lt. Jim Judd. Responding to a 911 call around 4:20 p.m. on Sunday, May 26, officers arriving at a residence in Harper discovered that one man was dead from a gunshot wound and his wife was suffering from stab wounds following a reported domestic disturbance. She was airlifted to University Hospital in San Antonio for treatment and
the investigation continues, Judd said. (See separate story elsewhere in today’s issue.) In other business, deputy investigators are looking into the theft of personal items from a garage at a residence in the 700 block of West Live Oak Street in Fredericksburg, reported at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22. • • • • • • • • • •
May 20-26 4 9-1-1 hang up calls. 6 alarms. 11 animal calls. 11 arrests. 1 assault case. 1 citation/warning. 4 civil disturbances. 7 disturbances. 6 civil process cases. 3 reports of criminal mis-
chief. • 1 DOA. • 2 reports of debris on the roadway. • 3 minor accidents. • 8 prisoner transports. • 1 public assist. • 1 report of public intoxication. • 9 reports of reckless drivers. • 1 stolen vehicle. • 1 suspected DWI. • 11 reports of suspicious activity. • 1 theft case. • 1 warrant served. • 9 welfare concern calls. There were 23 people booked into jail during the week and, as of Monday, May 27, there were 30 inmates in Gillespie County custody.
TxDOT says ‘Click It or Ticket’ Texans wear belt buckles with Lone Star pride, but it’s the buckles in their vehicles that could save their lives. More functional than fashionable, life-saving seat belts first debuted 45 years ago when Lyndon B. Johnson’s National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act and The Highway Safety Act went into effect, mandating that all automobiles have seat belts as a standard feature. To honor President Johnson’s dedication to safety, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recently launched its 12th annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign at the LBJ Library in Austin. “The cost of not wearing seat belts is far greater than a ticket or fine,” said Phil Wilson, TxDOT executive director. “Simply put, a seat belt could save your life. Public awareness is working, but we still see some teenagers, pickup truck passengers and rural Texans who aren’t buckling up.” Taking a cue from LBJ’s leadership, Texas has made seat belt safety a major priority and is proud to be one of the most buckled up states in the union, said a spokesman for TxDOT. When the “Click It or Ticket” campaign began in 2002, only 76 percent of Texans buckled up. Today, 94 percent are wearing seat belts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates the “Click It or Ticket” campaign has saved nearly 3,700 lives and prevented more than 50,000 serious in-
juries since its launch. The increase in seat belt usage also has saved an estimated $10 billion in wages and productivity losses, medical expenses, insurance premiums, taxes and other costs. Despite an increase in seat belt compliance, there is more work to be done with the lives of Texans at stake. Initial TxDOT data from 2012 indicates traffic-related fatalities in Texas are up by 11 percent. In 2012, there were 3,400 fatalities due to traffic crashes across the state. Data also shows that only 82 percent of pickup passengers are buckled when riding compared to more than 91 percent of passengers riding in cars. Pickups also are more likely than passenger cars to roll over or eject unrestrained occupants in a crash. Law officers across the state will loo for and ticket unbuckled drivers and passengers to raise awareness and prevent
fatalities especially through the “Click It or Ticket” initiative through June 2. By law, all occupants must wear a seat belt. Each unbuckled occupant faces a ticket and fines up to $200, plus court costs. This year’s “Click It or Ticket” enforcement period runs through June 2. Learn more about “Click It or Ticket” by liking the TxDOT Facebook page at www. facebook.com/txdot or visiting www.texasclickitorticket. com.
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Gillespie County fire, rescue calls Doss •Sunday, May 19 — 2:57 p.m., U.S. Highway 87 North at Threadgill Creek Road, EMS assist. •Sunday, May 19 — 7 p.m., Cherry Spring Road, EMS assist. •Tuesday, May 21 — 12:42 p.m., U.S. Highway 87 North at Hilltop, EMS assist. •Tuesday, May 21 — 1:17 p.m., Ranch Road 648, EMS assist. Fredericksburg •Sunday, May 19 — 7:11 p.m., 120 Deer Road, structure fire. •Tuesday, May 21 — 12:35 a.m., U.S. Highway 87 South (about eight miles out from Fredericksburg), motor vehicle accident. •Tuesday, May 21 — 12:40 p.m., U.S. Highway 87 North at Hilltop, set up landing zone for medical helicopter. •Tuesday, May 21 — 10:58 p.m., 4000 block of Tivydale Road, EMS assist. •Wednesday, May 22 — 5:06 p.m., 1100 block of State Highway 16 South, motor vehicle accident. •Saturday, May 25 — 4:30 p.m., 2204 State Highway 16 South, car fire. •Saturday, May 25 — 10:34 p.m., Windcrest and South Adams streets, motor vehicle accident. Stonewall •Sunday, May 19 — 1:30 p.m., Ranch Road 1888, motorcycle accident. •Monday, May 20 — 4:50 a.m., Falcon Lane, EMS assist.
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SPECIAL SECTION Fredericksburg, Harper, Heritage graduate photos and well wishes, INSIDE
ARTISTIC TOUCH Eleven galleries to take part in Friday Art Walk, page A/B10
Fredericksburg Standard No. 52 - USPS 209-080 • Periodical
Radio Post
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
MARKING MILESTONES
CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG
City challenges county to join bypass effort
READY TO LEAD the 227 members of the Fredericksburg High School Class of 2013 through commencement exercises on Friday are Salutatorian Matthew Myers, left, and Valedictorian Seth Studebaker. After graduation, the top two students will both study mechanical engineering — Myers at Texas A&M University and Studebaker at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). — Standard-Radio Post/Yvonne Hartmann
Proposed committee also includes Chamber, CVB, EDC, TxDOT reps By Matt Ward Fredericksburg City Council members put the alternate truck route issue squarely in the Gillespie County Commissioners’ court as the city approved the formation of a task force to keep plans for a downtown bypass on track during their regular meeting Monday. The composition of the task force is still to be determined as the county has yet to approve the task force. The initial proposal suggested two city council members, two county commissioners, two citizen representatives, a Chamber of Commerce representative, Economic Development Commission representative and TxDOT representative. Resolution of support Additionally, the city okayed
a resolution of support for the bypass, with the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce and Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau currently considering similar resolutions. The Gillespie County Economic Development Commission has already passed a resolution in support of the alternate truck route. City Manager Kent Myers said that, with the passage of the resolution, a copy will be sent to the county with a request to pass a similar resolution. Once resolutions of support have been received from the county, Chamber and CVB, the city will send the resolutions to the Texas Department of Transportation, he said. “This will send a clear message that this is an important project for our community,” Cont. on A/B9
Irregularities delay petition; organizers pledge to continue 109 signatures ruled invalid by secretary By Matt Ward A citizen petition limiting the City of Fredericksburg’s ability to utilize enterprise funds for use in other departments has been delayed after City Secretary Shelley Britton reported finding irregularities that disqualify nearly onequarter of the 440 signatures on the petition. The Fredericksburg City Council unanimously accepted Britton’s two-page report during their regular meeting after holding a lengthy executive session prior to Monday’s open session.
“We will continue to try and put the amendment on the ballot and wait to see what the next step is from the council,” Isabel Wertz, one of the coordinators for the petition, said Tuesday. In response to an information request from City Hall about whether or not the full petition must be re-filed, City Communications Manager Juli Bahlinger said, “At this point, the city is not able to answer questions on the petition pending legal guidance.” The petition reads: “The City of Fredericksburg shall not use proceeds or reserves from an Enterprise Fund (including but not limited to the Electric, Water and Sewer, Solid Waste, Cont. on A/B9
Town Pool to reopen Saturday A ceremonial ribbon cutting and tour for the new Town Pool will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 6. Day passes, good at either Town Pool or Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park Pool, will be given out at the event. Both city pools will open to the public Saturday, June 8.
The pools will be open daily from 1:30-7 p.m. Admission is $2 per swimmer for all age levels. (It was noted that swim diapers are required for non-potty trained swimmers.) For more information, call the City Parks and Recreation Dept. at 990-2018.
FHS graduates number 227 Commencement scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday at stadium It will be the end of one era and the beginning of another for the 227 members of the Fredericksburg High School Class of 2013 when commencement ceremonies are held on Friday night, June 7. Set for the Fredericksburg High School Stadium, graduation ceremonies begin at 8 p.m. Leading the candidates through graduation exercises will be Valedictorian Seth
Studebaker and Salutatorian Matthew Myers. Studebaker, the son of Russell and Lori Studebaker, will attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and study mechanical engineering. Myers, the son of Michael and LeAnn Myers, will attend Texas A&M University and study mechanical engineering. Friday night’s ceremony will open with
Cont. on A/B8
Harper graduates urged to never settle, use talents By Lisa Treiber-Walter Reassuring her fellow classmates that all will be okay in a seemingly overwhelming future if they just rely on their natural talents, Harper High School Valedictorian Alexa Guerrero led the 48-member Class of 2013 in its commencement Friday night, May 31. “No matter where tomorrow finds us, I encourage all of us to never settle. Use your talents to do what you love. Then, the rest will take care of itself,” Guerrero told a packed Harper Gym. “We all need to strive to do great things in the world. We all need to figure out what we are called to do. And, we all need to use the God-given talents that we’ve been blessed with. To do anything less would be a waste,” she said. Preceding Guerrero was the HHS Salutatorian Hector Jacobo’s address in which he said, “High school is an enjoyable time, but it is not the highlight of our lives. Instead, it is simply the end Cont. on A/B11
CONGRATS! Harper High School Valedictorian Alexa Guerrero gets a hug from her mother, Sherry, after the ceremony Friday, May 31. More photos on D1. — Standard-Radio Post/Lisa Treiber-Walter
Inside
Teen confesses past, ends drug use after recent death of fellow student Fredericksburg High School (FHS) students who use drugs do it for different reasons — they’re bored, they have a hard life or they think it makes them cool. That’s according to one of them: John, an upper-classman who, up until just recently, was right there in the ranks of the regular users (although from the looks of his t-shirt, STUDENTS can hide small amounts of khaki shorts and sneakers, he seems more drugs in their wallets, such as this plasticCont. on A/B4 wrapped dose of methamphetamine.
Sections D - Community E/F - Real Estate/Classifieds G - IT’S ON! Entertainment
FEATURE • Groups promote literacy with ‘Books for Babies’ initiative — A/B15 COMMENTARY • Trustees should explore tougher student drug use penalties — D2
To subscribe Call 830-997-2155 Get daily update email newsletter by sending request to: fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com
Antique tractors to chug along to June 7-8 show The Gillespie County Fair Grounds will come alive with the sights and sounds of old farm machinery when the 29th annual Hill Country Antique Tractor and Engine Show returns Friday and Saturday, June 7-8. The show will be held at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds, just off State Highway 16 South and about two miles south of Fredericksburg’s Main Street. Sponsoring the event will be the Hill Country Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Club. Featured at this year’s show will be displays of antique machinery (some fully restored and fully operational) as well as exhibits of antique tractors and antique engines, a tractor pull competition, an antique tractor parade, farm machinery demonstrations, a blacksmith shop, vendors selling agriculture-related items, as well as food and drink concessions. Also featured will be a kiddy Cont. on A/B15
Weather
SPORTS • FHS grad fights off injuries to pursue dream of playing college football — A/B16
By Lisa Treiber-Walter
A - Front B - Sports C - Lifestyles
the class song followed by the class processional. The National Anthem will be sung by senior members of the FHS Choir. The Pledge of Allegiance, Texas Pledge, invocation, welcome and introduction of guests will follow before the valedictory and salutatory addresses. The Principal’s Challenge will be deliv-
‘NO MATTER WHERE TOMORROW FINDS US...’
OVERDOSE COVERAGE
Editor’s note: In the wake of two recent unrelated drug overdose deaths of Gillespie County males, the community continues to grasp for ways to handle drug use among its teenage population. One local student has made a change and decided to share insights. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, his name has been changed to “John” to protect his identity.
$1
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
May 29-June 4, 2013 Rainfall this week 0.16 Rainfall for May 2.12 Rainfall for June 0.16 Rainfall for 2013 7.72 Normal for date 11.76 Same date last year 13.94 Low – June 2 59 High – June 1, 4 94 For real-time weather information, go to: www.fredericksburgstandard.com
High Low Rain Wednesday 84 72 Thursday 86 71 Friday 91 73 Saturday 94 69 0.16 Sunday 87 59 Monday 93 64 Tuesday 94 68 Total Rain 0.77 Courtesy Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park
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A/B4
| June 5, 2013
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Teen confesses past like a clean-cut kid and less like the stereotypical red-eyed, slow-talking “pot-head” depicted on television). “The deal with kids and drugs is — they feel like life is boring, life isn’t fun. They also think that (using) is the cool thing to do. They think it’s going to make them popular — only, usually people don’t want other people knowing about them using,” which makes gaining popularity from it a bit tricky, he said. Drug users can also be in a rebellious stage against their parents or just using to escape life for awhile. “You know, your mom might yell at you or you get a bad grade and you have things to deal with,” he said. “People say, ‘Oh, this is badbad’ but you say, ‘I know, I know it’s good, it’s good … it’s not going to hurt me,” John said. “They think they’re invincible, but it’s not like that.” Still, the search for a high is all-too-common and all-tootemporary on and off the local high school campus, he said. “What for? For a 45-minute high? For something that destroys your lungs and your brains? It’s not worth it,” he said. “It’s not going to go nowhere. I want to do something with my life. I want to help people, but drugs is not the path you want to go down,” John said. “Drugs can take lives … it can maim you, it can make you mentally retarded, you know?” A zero-tolerance zone The FHS campus is a zerotolerance zone. To John, that means most users “do drugs like right before school, at lunch and then right after school,” he said. “Most of the (students) that are older here, they don’t bring their drugs to school. Those are the people who do their drugs at home and then come to school high. Or, they just don’t come to school high, but they just wait until school is out and then they do their drugs,” John said. “Some people, though — like the ‘cocaine heads’ — they do it at school because they can,” he explained. Cocaine snorting is fast and odorless. It’s not like smoking marijuana, where a distinctive odor lingers on clothing and it takes time to ingest. “Sometimes, you’ll walk into the bathroom and you’ll see somebody standing in the stall … I guess they’re doing their drugs on the toilet paper dispenser,” he said, adding it’s easy to tell because their feet
Cont. from A/B1
DRUGS ON CAMPUS — Just this past week on Thursday, May 30, a 17-year-old Fredericksburg High School student, was arrested and booked into Gillespie County Jail after being caught carrying “Ice,” a type of methamphetamine. Bewill be pointed in an atypical direction. “All the people that I know personally that do drugs that I just know as friends on a regular daily basis that I talk to are older or as old as me and they don’t bring drugs to school,” he said. “We know better. Because the drug dogs — they will find anything you have and then they’ll search your car and they’ll find it there, too,” he said. “Here (at FHS,) they do all they can to stop you. They work 24/7 on it, basically,” he said, noting that even before sophomore Sammy Herrera’s accidental fatal overdose “they’ve been working hard at it.” Being a ‘user’ It was Herrera’s death back on April 20 that forced John to look at his own drug use. “I’m pretty sure God wanted this to be a sign to tell kids to quit. You need to quit. Everyone needs to quit. If you’re going to play with fire, then you’re going to get burned,” he said. John said he previously smoked marijuana. He said he’s quit it, but still questions whether marijuana should be labeled a drug. After all, it has been legalized in some states, he argued. As for cocaine, “I was too scared to do that, actually. I’ve been around people that have done cocaine ... I’ve seen them do it. It’s been offered to me, but I was just too scared to do it. I didn’t want to,” he said, explaining that his father pays close attention to him and would notice if something was
amiss. “I would never really get like super-duper stoned and then go home, because my dad would be like, ‘What’s wrong with you,’” he said. “The only time I would smoke would be when I was staying somewhere like at a party or something,” he said. “Even looking at that now, I realize that was dumb of me.” “I’m not a stranger to drugs — any kind of drugs, actually,” he said. “It’s not because I’ve been doing them, it’s just because I’ve been around it.” The worst drug experience he’s had was puffing the illegal substance street-named as Spice. “I smoked some and I thought I was going to swallow my tongue … it was horrible. I couldn’t even talk,” he said. Access is ‘easy’; Half estimated as users Getting a hold of drugs is relatively simple, John said, adding that he has seen people sell drugs on the FHS campus. To take possession, you just ask around until you find someone with the answers you want. “You definitely just ask one of your good friends” and they’ll ask their friends and so on until someone locates a seller of the desired substance, he said. Sometimes, though, locating the seller is the easy part. Instead of peer pressure to try drugs, usually the opposite is true. Questions of “Hey man, could you hook it up?” are met with answers of, “Nah, I probably shouldn’t let you do this,” John said. But, on the third of fourth time they’re
cause the possession happened in a zero-tolerance zone, the offender now faces a second degree felony charge, rather than a third degree felony, for this first offense. — StandardRadio Post/Lisa Treiber-Walter approached, dealers usually relent. Although John guesses that half the student body is using drugs (strictly recreationally,) FHS Patrolman Chris Ayala estimates 20 percent use and 10 percent of which are habitual. “They’re not addicts,” he clarified. “To be an addict, you have to have money. Either you have to have money or you have to be growing something or doing something.” Drugs let him down Regular use of marijuana was causing problems in his life, John said. “It almost ruined my life pretty much as it was,” he said. “This whole thing (with Herrera’s overdose death) has made me realize just how much of a stupid thing drugs are to be doing,” he said. “I can’t explain to you how dumb it is to be wasting your money, to be wasting your time — because drugs don’t just cause brain cells to die. They cause you to be distant from your family — the ones who love you. You don’t want to be around them because
they’re not doing drugs with you,” he said. “It causes you to be distant from the friends you should have — the people who care and the ones who would take care of you if something was to happen. They would be there for you. It causes you to slack off, to not want to go to work, to not want to go to school. All these things lead to bad stuff,” John said. “I think, you can really get down on yourself sometimes,” he said, admitting, “I even thought about killing myself because I felt like no one cared. I couldn’t do it. I’m too scared to do it, anyway.” “I felt like the only thing that was making me feel better — the only thing that was making me happier — was to smoke weed. And that was it,” he said. Until it wasn’t enough. Refinding faith, sharing his truth “I’ve been working real hard to get close to God again,” John said. “I put it up to God. I leave it in His hands. But, not everybody knows that. Not everybody gets that.”
For the most up-to-date scoop on Rockbox visit:
www.RockBoxTheater.com
Thank You ~
Brush pile burn program slated June 13 Gillespie County Prescribe Burn Association will host a brush pile burning program on Thursday, June 13, at 6:30 p.m. The presentation will be conducted by Bill Armstrong at 95 Frederick Road. A fee of $10 is required. For more information, call 830-456-1052.
Summer Thursdays
We would like to say “Thank You” to the Fredericksburg and Doss Fire Departments, Fredericksburg EMS, Air EVAC (Kerrville), John, our Loyal Valley Fire Chief; Family, Friends and Neighbors for their concern and help; and to anyone that I may have missed that came out to Hilltop the day I got bit by the rattlesnake. I am doing good, but the fast response played a big role in my recovery. The doctors and staff at BAMC were really great. It is wonderful how everyone works together to get things done. It is wonderful to live in the Hill Country. Agnes and Billy Henke
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“You really have to just take it upon yourself to say, ‘This is here, but I’m going to live above that and I don’t need it.’ You don’t need it to have a good time,” he said. “The same thing with alcohol, too. You don’t need alcohol to have a good time.” And that’s what he would tell and has told other students. “I have some people who do drugs that will always be my friends,” he said, adding that he has talked a few into quitting. He’s even talked some into going to church with him, he said. “That’s what really makes me happy.” Urging others to stop He hopes other drug users at FHS find the strength in God or whatever they place their faith in to stop. “It’s got to be in the students to have the pride to say ‘No’ and to say that ‘I enjoy living. I enjoy how I am right now, how my brain works right now, how smart I am right now and to say ‘No.’,” John said. “The more these parents force this on the kids — the more they crack down on them — the more it’s going to make the kids want to do it. That’s all it’s going to do,” he said. Instead, he said he’s hoping more students will “look inside themselves and find their respect for themselves and find their dignity that they lost and say, ‘I’m going to break these chains.’ I’m not going to let anything run my life except God or except me (if you don’t believe in God). I’m not going to let booze run my life. I’m not going to let cigarettes run my life. If I don’t have it, it is not going to bother me.” And, “sometimes it feels like no one loves you and no one cares, but God always cares. And, sometimes, you know, that’s the only thing that gets me through the day,” he said. “I don’t plan to go back— ever. I don’t plan to do another drug in my life,” he said.
Starting June 13th, you can celebrate “Summertime” with Rockbox. Weeknight fun IS allowed. Ends July 25th
Rod & Whitney
Rob Caudill and Jazmine Katrina bring back some of the classics. Fri & Sat June 14th, 8pm June 15th, 4:30pm & 8pm
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
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June 5, 2013
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‘Doo-Wop’ Sock Hop draws Roots listeners
Petition Cont. from A/B1
and Drainage funds) except for expenditures within the purpose of the fund unless approved by the voters in elections that specify the amount and the fund from which the money will be withdrawn.” 109 signatures affected In the report filed by Britton to the council May 28, the city secretary said that 369 valid signatures were required in order to certify the petition. According to the report, 440 signatures were presented to City Hall April 12. Of those signatures, 22 were disqualified as not city registered voters. Another 109 signatures were called into question as a result of eight irregularities cited by Britton, including 41 signatures taken by an affiant who did not sign the petition and 19 signatures that were not sworn by a notary. The other 49 signatures were affected by a number of irregularities relating to incomplete or incorrectly completed forms. Disqualifying the additional 109 signatures would leave the petition 60 signatures short of the 369 needed to validate the petition. Notarizing the petition During public comment Monday evening, Werts disputed the report, citing Texas Election Code that allows for petitions to be submitted without a notary. “As to all the pages that were not notarized correctly or not notarized, the fact that the state does not require this makes those objections moot,” she said. “It doesn’t matter that we included the affidavit. The state does not require it.” However, according to Section 8.02 of the city’s charter, the petition must be conducted in the same manner as a recall petition, which requires a notary signature as per Section 7.03 of the city charter.
‘It Takes Just One’ benefit launched by Boys, Girls Club The Boys and Girls Club (BGC) of Fredericksburg has begun a fundraising drive. The “It Just Takes One” campaign aspires to raise $190,000 between now and the end of July. The money raised will go to help the BGC to help lower their rates. Donations will be collected through a combination of mailings, phone calls and personal visits. “Offering club membership at a rate that’s affordable for any family is a big reason why we go about raising these funds,” said Karl Ransleben, the volunteer Board President and Campaign Chairman. To help the BGC reach their goal a group of individuals, businesses and foundations have provided $75,000 in matching funds. Members of the group who provided this money are: American Bank of Texas, Arrowhead Bank, Broadway Bank, Dartez Bros. Construction, Security State Bank and Trust, Turning Basin, Karl and Mary Ransleben, Will Stehling and the Dian Graves Owen foundation. To learn about more BGC of Fredericksburg or make a contribution, visit their website at www.bgcatxhc.org, call the club at 830-997-9833 or call Steve Neale at 830-997-8241.
TWISTING the night away, Nancy and David Hardison (at left) of Fredericksburg have some fun while drummer/vocalist Bryan Foster and his band “Men In Black” perform on the Roots Music Series stage before an audience of lawnchair listeners Saturday evening, June 1, at the Pioneer Museum grounds. Billed as a “Doo-Wop Sock Hop,” the event featured three bands who performed hits from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. — Standard-Radio Post/Lisa Treiber-Walter
Bypass effort
Cont. from A/B1
Myers said. “Hopefully, we will remain united with their power from the Lower Colorado River Authorthe city, the county and the Texas Department of ity, with the remaining 15 percent purchased on the Transportation.” open market. The council will vote on whether or not to increase Other city business their open market purchase percentage at their June In other city business, the council received a pre- 17 meeting. sentation from Schneider Engineering on possibly Council members also approved a request from adding five percent to the amount of power the city the Fredericksburg Fourth of July Parade committee purchases on the open market. for city sponsorship of the event, which will allow Currently, Fredericksburg purchases 85 percent of the parade to be covered under the city’s liability
NOW OPEN SATURDAY!
WHO:
NO After Hours Fee 8am - 4pm
Residential • Commercial
A group of parents who believe drug use among the teenagers in our community has reached an intolerable level.
DRUGS
WHAT:
DRUGS
A meeting to petition the FISD Board of Trustees to strengthen policies critical to fighting the illegal use of drugs among student.
24 Hour Emergency Service
WHEN:
Monday, June 10, 2013 at 7:00 (arrive early to sign-in if you’d like to speak out).
Holloway Plumbing
WHERE:
Toll Free (866) 990-2224 Fredericksburg (830) 990-2224 WHY:
insurance at no additional cost to the city. The city also approved the addition of Barry Wagner to the Fort Martin Scott Advisory Committee, received a presentation on the 2013 Street Paving Project and amended the sign ordinance to modify frontage definitions on “through lots.” (A separate story in this section details the council accepting City Secretary Shelley Britton’s report not validating a citizen petition to amend the Home Rule Charter.)
WHO:
234 Friendship inwho thebelieve Boarddrug auditorium. A group of Lane parents use among the teenagers in our community has reached an intolerable level.
The dangers of drug use have been made painfully clear. Our goal is to support FISD WHAT: A meeting to petition the FISD Board of Trustees to strengthen policies critical to www.hollowayplumbing.net administrators in their on-going efforts to fight this “cancer” by lobbying the FISD Board of Trustees to fighting the illegal use of drugs among student. For Plumbing the right way, call Holloway! 11773.45tf strengthen existing policies as both a deterrent to students and to assure them that the consequences o Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (512) 936-5200 WHEN: will be Monday, June 10, 2013 at 7:00 (arrive early toand sign-in if you’d like to speak out). their bad choices immediate, unambiguous, meaningful uniform. Joe Mosty, Master Plumber M-40241
WHERE:
234 Friendship Lane in the Board auditorium.
WHY:
The dangers of drug use have been made painfully clear. Our goal is to support FISD
Did you know: •
•
•
• •
administrators in their effortsmarijuana” to fight this “cancer” lobbying FISD Board of Trustees to Anabolic steroids andon-going “synthetic appearbynot to bethecovered under our current drug strengthen existing policies as both a deterrent to students and to assure them that the consequences of testing policy. their bad choices will be immediate, unambiguous, meaningful and uniform.
Many surrounding districts apply their policies to participants of extracurricular activitie Did you know: “regardless of whether school is in session”, “regardless of whether the offense occurs on or of Anabolic steroids and “synthetic marijuana” appear not to be covered under our current drug school• property or at a school related event’, “regardless of whether the activity is in season” and testing policy. go so far as to cover every student who parks a car on campus. •
Many surrounding districts apply their policies to participants of extracurricular activities
“regardless of whether school is in session”, of whether the offense occurs activities on or off FISD imposes random drug testing on all “regardless participants in extracurricular yet the school property or at a school related event’, “regardless of whether the activity is in season” and cumulatively random nature of the policy assures a statistical improbability that any studen go so far as to cover every student who parks a car on campus. would ever be tested/caught and subject to full range of our “three strikes”. Strikes, which • FISD only imposes drug testing on all participants in extracurricular activities yet the importantly, banrandom students from extracurricular activities. cumulatively random nature of the policy assures a statistical improbability that any student would ever districts be tested/caught subject to full range of our “threeyou’re strikes”.out” Strikes, which Many surrounding employand a comprehensive “two strikes, policy. importantly, only ban students from extracurricular activities.
No clear connection is districts evidentemploy between the behavior of and consequences to extracurricula • Many surrounding a comprehensive “two strikes, you’re out” policy. participants and how they may also be disciplined as students (in-school suspension, alternative • No clear connection is evident between the behavior of and consequences to extracurricular education programs, suspension, etc.). participants and how they may also be disciplined as students (in-school suspension, alternative education programs, suspension, etc.).
Join us at the meeting to begin the movement that will change the drug culture that is gaining begin thethe movement change are the drug culture at the Nothing meeting to ground in Join our us schools. less than lives ofthat ourwill children on the line.that is gaining ground in our schools. Nothing less than the lives of our children are on the line.
Arrive early sign up to tell simply to express your support. Arrive to early to sign up to tellyour your story story ororsimply to express your support. If you can’t make we’d be happy totoshare yourstory story (with permission, of course). If you can’t it, make it, we’d be happy share your (with youryour permission, of course).
Flag Day program slated June 14
Further, consider calling the Fredericksburg Police Police Department (997-7585) and the and Gillespie Further, consider calling the Fredericksburg Department (997-7585) the Gillespie County Sheriff’s Department (997-7585) to thank them for their efforts against drugs and to County Sheriff’s Department (997-7585) to thank them for their efforts against drugs and to state your support for zero tolerance. state your support for zero tolerance.
The Fredericksburg VFW Post 7105 will hold a Flag Day ceremony Friday, June 14, at 3 p.m. Open to the public, the event will be held at the VFW Post, located at 710 South Washington Street.
DRUGS
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June 5, 2013
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
COMMENTARY COMMENTARY A tougher stance FISD trustees will mull drug policies; strong measures needed to combat student use
M
arble Falls Independent School District students who are caught with drugs are banned from extra-curricular activities for one year on the first offense, and banned for life for a second offense. In Burnet ISD, a community-wide program has begun to combat use, especially by the student population, after a 2011 tragedy all too similar to the recent one here. These are just two examples of area districts that have adopted strong stances in hopes of never losing a student to drug use. When trustees for the Fredericksburg Independent School District hold their annual summer retreat to go over various issues, we hope that some of the district’s vague policies, or ones considered unenforceable when dealing with off-campus use, are revisited and the consequences given more teeth. We don’t think that school officials have been slacking in this area — indeed, drug dog searches and random testing are in place at FHS, which is more than many districts do to combat student drug use. We also know they must balance what they can do against state mandates and individual civil liberties. But after the overdose death of an FHS student and hospitalization of another, we hope the district will explore tough consequences for drug use, whether on campus or off, and pursue a less lenient policy for first- and second-time offenders. Looking the other way, no matter who the student in question is — or rather, who his or her parents are — should not be an option. Yes, it is important that students with
substance abuse problems get treatment and do not feel ostracized to the point of retreating further into drug use. But it also is important that other students realize the severe consequences for these illegal actions. The issue seems to have sunk in with many students, as some are choosing to tell school officials of suspected drug use and ignore the potential reputation as a “narc.” We admire this and hope this attitude doesn’t diminish as time passes from the death of a fellow student. But we also note that a bust occurred on campus last Thursday, so it has not resonated with all students. We trust the FISD board of directors is well-aware of the shortcomings of its current policy. Like everyone in the community, the overdose death came as a shock to most in the community and we have all had an unwanted education about student drug use in recent weeks. We also trust that everyone reading this realizes that combating drug use can’t and shouldn’t be the sole responsibility of the school district. There is no way to realistically police nearly 2,000 youths whether school is in session or not. Let’s also not pretend that these problems are solely concerning public school children. Fredericksburg is a great small town, but it has problems just like any other place. Let’s not get hung up acting like FISD is the only district in the state with drugs on campus, but let’s deal with the problems realistically and strongly, and teach our youths early that consequences for illegal activities are a part of life. We’d like to know what you think about this issue. We had umpteen letters on gun rights, but only two on this issue that closely affects our children. Send your letters to the editor (300 words or less) to fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com.
‘Summer reads make me feel fine’
T
he most critical time of year for students is not the period for six weeks tests or the stress-inducing, end-ofyear STAAR test. Rather it is summertime, when the living is easy, the iPod and video games are limitless, and the books are shelved. As our students mark either graduation, or promotion to the next grade level, we as parents should mark pride in their accomplishments, but encourage continued reading of subjects that draw their interest over the summer. These are the first steps to a lifelong learning pattern that will help their quality of life as they age. Fredericksburg Elementary School will open its library on some Tuesdays until noon for students to check out books. Pioneer Memorial Library has its summer reading program. Books are easy to find, affordable and cover virtually any topic one
can think up. Making sure children have strong reading skills helps ensure their success as adults. There are few illiterate success stories, yet there are untold millions of stories of successful people who have made education a lifelong goal. Stressing the importance of reading can begin at infancy. See our feature on locals trying to help literacy efforts with the “Books for Babies” program in this week’s edition. There are several things parents can do to encourage reading throughout the summer: • Find books that correspond to your child’s interests. • Incorporate reading into your child’s summer routine. • Find new ways to make reading fun — use e-readers, tablets or smart phones to explore a new platform for books and reading.
QUOTABLE ““The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” — Dr. Seuss, “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!” CHIME IN Send letters to the editor to P.O. Box 1639, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 or email to fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com. CONNECT Sign up for our Daily Update email newsletter by sending a request to fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com or connect via Facebook or Twitter
Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post
Published every Wednesday by the
Fredericksburg Publishing Co., Inc.
712 West Main Street - P.O. Box 1639 Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Telephone 830-997-2155 - FAX 830-990-0036 All advertising, news and business matters, including subscriptions, renewals and change of addresses should be addressed to:
FREDERICKSBURG STANDARD-RADIO POST P.O. Box 1639 - Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
Publisher/Editor — Ken Esten Cooke Reporters — Yvonne Hartmann, Lisa Walter, Danny Hirt and Matt Ward Circulation Manager — Sherrie Geistweidt Head Bookkeeper — Nathan Crenwelge Advertising Manager — Kimberly Jung Advertising Staff — Connie Klein, Carol Hartmann and Ann Duecker www.fredericksburgstandard.com
LETTERS POLICY Editor’s note: This newspaper welcomes responsible letters to the editor, provided they are of reasonable length, free of libelous content and written in good taste. All letters must be no longer than 300 words, and, in order to appear in the newspaper, each letter must have its writer’s name published. Letters submitted via email or fax must include the full name of the writer as well as his or her residential address and home telephone number. Also, only letters that are originally composed by readers of the Fredericksburg StandardRadio Post will be considered. No form or sample letters from lobby groups, political action committees (PACs) or similar organizations will be accepted. Persons wishing to make political endorsements are asked to contact our advertising department.
A 1,644-acre vespers
L
ocals here are wellfamiliar with Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, but we new to the area are still discovering new parts of the 1,644 acres with each visit. Instead of the usual race to the top of the granite dome, last Saturday we took the road less traveled and hiked around the park’s western loop, climbing on previously unseen rock formations, ogling the beautiful coreopsis and Mexican Hat that is in full bloom in the fields, and enjoying PB & Js while looking at the northwest side of “Little Rock” and the main dome. Hit this place when it is not too hot, and it is like a vespers of sorts. Visitors come here to reconnect with nature and get away from our fast-paced and impossibly over-digitized lives — out from behind our computer and television screens and back into reality. I lived in Austin in the early 1990s and heard friends talk about a day trip to Enchanted Rock. The park long ago lost its status as a “secret treasure.” If you go on a weekend, you should leave early. If you go on a holiday weekend or on spring break, be prepared to wait in the car before even getting into the entrance. But for locals, some trips during the week can seem as if you have the park to yourself. The lesser-used western side of the park can seem that way, also.
Texas Type
By Ken Esten Cooke
PARK FRIENDS If you want to give a hand at “The Rock,” look up Friends of Enchanted Rock at www.friendsofenchantedrock.com. There, you will find volunteer opportunities, and a list of projects the group has assisted with in recent years, including trail repair and funding toward various park projects.
Local writer Robert Deming has penned two books set at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, “Enchanted Rock Red,” and “Enchanted Rock Blue(s).” They are both fictional murder mysteries, but the setting in the park is real. Deming also serves on the Friends of Enchanted Rock board, and he makes social media posts on behalf of the park with photos and descriptions of what’s in bloom and just the sheer scenic aesthetic of the place. Another author, Ira Kennedy, had a book, “The Enchanted Rock,” published in 1999. This nonfiction book about the park tells of arrowhead points from 11,000 to 12,000 years ago found at the site.
Enchanted Rock, of course, is a large granite batholith, or an underground rock exposed over eons by erosion. It is one of the largest such formations in the country. And there seems to be something special about large rock formations that are almost large enough to have a gravitational pull. My wife hails from El Paso, and she always feels secure there because she will never get lost. One look up to the base of the Franklin Mountains and she knows just where she is in that city. The hills of this part of Texas provide a similar comfort, as do the flora and fauna. Early German settlers supposedly chose this place because it looked like parts of Germany. Those who have come since feel the Hill Country is the defining part of Texas — rugged, still full of native plants and still a bit wild on the edge of the desert. There are plenty of attractive parks in this part of the state. The ones with running water even give another form of soul renewal. But Enchanted Rock has become such a draw for its hiking, camping, rock climbing, star gazing, bird watching or just plain ol’ picnicking. Once a month or so, we are glad to turn off the boob tube and go there to explore the great outdoors. ken@fredericksburgstandard.com
Grads, you can go home again
E
ach year as the members of the senior class of “Whatever Year” eagerly walk across a stage and accept their high school diplomas, I cannot help but wonder if these, our current brightest and most talented, fully understand what awaits them in the real world. This is a world from which they are no longer sheltered by parents, teachers or a close group of friends and classmates. They enter a world so different from the world entered by the graduates of the previous years that a bit of sage or valid advice could be of much assistance. Many will be heading to the colleges or universities of their choosing to pursue a course of study that will enable them to accomplish their dreams. Others will enter some part of our armed services and help defend this great nation that has provided us many unlimited opportunities. Some will be going into a crowded job market with the intent of earning an honest wage for an honest day’s work. I wish all much success at whatever they choose to do. Congratulations as they leave their high schools well prepared to face the many challenges that lay ahead. Here are some thoughts to ponder, some my own, some from other sources, as you recover from the rush and excitement of your recent graduation:
Thoughts to Ponder By Eugene Bonds
• Follow your dreams, but know that dreams can change. “Hitch your wagon to a star, but keep your bags packed and ready to switch stars at a moment’s notice.” A friend once had a dream to become a published author. Now, that dream is to have a job with a steady paycheck and benefits. Others things that could and will prove useful along the way in the life ahead of you include: • Read all you can. • Try not to promise more than you can deliver. • Don’t lie. • Travel as often as the opportunity may arise. • Laugh often, weep, too. Remember that there is a time for both. Don’t be embarrassed by either. • Pray and read the Bible throughout the day. • Spend some time with people over 50 and under five. You might find that they are cooler than you think. • Remember to say thank-you and send written thank-you notes, like for all those recent graduation gifts. • Never be afraid to take risks, but remember that you are not immortal. • Rest. Spend some occasional
down time without technology. No cell phone, laptop, iPod, or television. Recharge your “natural batteries.” • Live one day at a time. Truthfully, that’s all you can live. Living in the past or the future is a waste of the present. • Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Take your time and don’t rush. • Always make your bed and fold your clothes. • Savor the taste of chocolate, but remember to floss. • Keep your hands clean. No one wants to shake a dirty hand, especially as you enter their office for a job interview. • Foremost, remember where you came from. The place you called home and those that helped you in some way as you moved forward in life. • Always, always call your mother. • The world awaits you, embrace it. • Play the cards you are dealt while being cautiously optimistic, and as they say, if the world gives you lemons, make lemonade. Don’t you just love Fredericksburg? I sure do! Remember, you will always be a Battlin’ Billie, so go achieve your dreams but return HOME as often as you can. Eugene Bonds is a retired writer and Fredericksburg resident.
CHIP OFF THE OLD ROCK Artist uses canvas of slate, found stones for unique take on western art, page A15
LEADERSHIP Marine Commander stresses servant attitude when leading others, page A6
Fredericksburg Standard No. 1 - USPS 209-080 • Periodical
SESQUICENTENNIAL
Harper to mark 150 years with birthday bash Tour, contests, food and history on tap for big event A unique event in the history of Harper will be held on Saturday, June 15, when the people there celebrate the town’s 150th birthday with activities for the entire family. A Cowboy Breakfast in the Harper Community Park gets things going at 8 a.m. The cost of the meal is by donation. Next up will be a parade at 10 a.m. led by members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Chapter of Fredericksburg Lone Star Rifles Color Guard, in remembrance of Harper having been founded as a Confederate town in 1863. The group will also perform a Civil War cannon salute in the park at 2 p.m. Events planned throughout
Radio Post
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
FREDERICKSBURG ISD
See a ‘Salute to Harper’ section on pages B3-B6. the day will include: •9 a.m. — Meeting of Dutch Oven cooking contest cooks. •9 a.m.-3 p.m. — Tour of Harper School, featuring the PowerPoint presentation, “A Year in the Life of a Harper Student,” produced by members of the school’s Student Council. •11 a.m. — Music at the pavilion by Scott Hofmann’s Classic Country Connection. Also featured will be Frank Taylor and Clay Barton. •11:30 a.m. — Beard contest registration: full, partial, mustache (judging will be done at 12:30 p.m.). •12:30 p.m. — Registration for 42 dominos tournament. •1-3 p.m. — 42 dominoes tournament. •3 p.m. — Washer pitching.
THUMBS UP for graduates Kim Ross Baethge and Eric Balero as they lead the processional line during Friday night
RETIRING FHS Principal Lynn Blackwell, right, challenged students to avoid “easy escape routes.”
Cont. on A15
Needed repairs coming for wastewater treatment plant By Matt Ward Since 1997, an average of one million gallons of sewage per day has flowed through the City of Fredericksburg’s wastewater treatment plant, located at 1460 East Main Street. With that amount of waste processed at the plant, the life expectancy of major portions of the plant — usually around 15 years — have come and gone, prompting city staff to take a
more proactive approach to keeping things flowing. “It appears to me that we have been fixing one small issue at a time and more or less putting a band aid on things to where it helps us get through, but we want to take more of an overall systems approach to the problem now,” City Public Works Director Clinton Bailey said. “What happens is if the plant’s not working efficiently, we spend more money trying to help it along,” he said. “Instead of spending that money every month just to help us along, Cont. on A7
GILLESPIE COUNTY
Commissioners deny developer project over residents’ concerns By Lisa Treiber-Walter Neighbors rising up against their developer to protect the “integrity” of the Live Springs Ranch subdivision won the support of the Gillespie County Commissioners’ Court on Monday, June 9. Officials unanimously denied an application from Texas Diamond Properties, Ltd. (a business reportedly owned by billionaire Red McCombs) to cancel a por-
tion of the Live Springs Ranch subdivision and to vacate the plat as it relates to 11 different lots and portions of two interior roads. The subdivision spans both Gillespie and Kerr counties on Gillespie’s southwestern side and a half dozen people spoke in a 9 a.m. public hearing on the application. Protesters said the plan would create “islands” out of certain lots, isolating and Cont. on A11
graduation ceremonies at FHS Stadium. — Standard-Radio Post/Ken Esten Cooke
HONOR GRADUATE Josh Sanchez, at left, clowns around with family and friends, from left, Jacquelynn Kraus, Myra Prado and Tiffany Sanchez.
CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG
Parts of facility are past life expectancy
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See more photos on page D1, or browse at http://smugmug. fredericksburgstandard.com.
Grads urged to go ‘all in’ Largest FHS class ever leaves legacy of academic achievement By Ken Esten Cooke With “a new chapter, yet an uncertain future,” Fredericksburg High School Class of 2013 Valedictorian Seth Studebaker urged classmates to not be afraid to fail, but be defined by their resiliency. Studebaker led the 227-member class of graduates through commencement at FHS Stadium on Friday evening, a day after school officially dismissed for the summer.
Full text of Valedictorian, Salutatorian speeches, page A5. “Years from now, we’ll be disappointed more by the things we didn’t do,” he said, challenging classmates to experience life, yet make good choices and set the best priorities. Retiring FHS Principal Lynn Blackwell said the number represented the largest-ever class, and an exceptional
Cont. on A10
OVERDOSE COVERAGE
Superintendent answers critics over drug policies ‘Misinformation’ frustrates address drug use by students. curve with anti-drug efforts. After the recent overdose “I am amazed that people effort to find solution death of a Fredericksburg think the board is just now By Ken Esten Cooke Asked to speak on behalf of the board of trustees, Fredericksburg Independent School District Superintendent Marc Williamson left no doubt he believes the district is being proactive with efforts to
THIS TRACTOR DRIVER puts his all into the pedals at Saturday’s Hill Country Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Show, held at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds. Kwinn Burrow, age 6, tries his hardest in a children’s contest, which has a weight that simulates what the larger tractors pull in the competition. The event, sponsored by the Hill Country Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Club, brought in hundreds from around the state. Burrow is the son of Kyle and Sheree Burrow of Fredericksburg. – StandardRadio Post/Ken Esten Cooke
High School sophomore, some have questioned if the district’s drug testing and punishment policies were strong enough to deter use. But Williamson maintained that while the board will discuss the issue at its June 18 board retreat, the district has been ahead of the
discovering this issue,” he said. “Right now we test approximately 250 kids a year, and there are a little more than 600 kids in (extra-curricular) programs. With random testing, we will have some that are FISD SUPT. Marc Williamson not tested, and some that are said decisions will not be led by Cont. on A6 personal agendas.
Cars pull into Luckenbach for annual show
Inside
Small cars, big cars, yellow cars, black cars, new cars, old cars, motorcycles, trucks and many other automobiles will flock to Luckenbach for the Luckenbach Rod and Custom Car Show scheduled for Saturday, June 15, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m at the Luckenbach Hill Side. The event, in its 10th year, benefits the Boys and Girls Cont. on A4
Sections A - Front B - Sports C - Lifestyles
one where grades were concerned. “Of the 227, we had 30 with a 100 grade-point average or higher,” he said. “Also, 55 percent finished some type of higher education courses while in high school. Forty-seven percent were in advanced placement courses, and 52 percent were NHS members.” Blackwell said the class also won more than $900,000 in scholarships. Salutatorian Matthew Myers said it
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BUSINESS • Amish Market stresses quality during decade on Main Street — A8 FEATURE • Pet therapy program works wonders at Hill Country Memorial — C4 COMMENTARY • Letter writer wants more to do for young people to avoid temptation — D3
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June 5-11, 2013 Rainfall this week 0.66 Rainfall for June 0.82 Rainfall for 2013 8.38 Normal for date 12.44 Same date last year 13.94 Low – June 7 56 High – June 6 95 For real-time weather information, go to: www.fredericksburgstandard.com
High Low Rain Wednesday 84 67 Thursday 95 66 Friday 79 56 Saturday 87 62 Sunday 91 65 0.66 Monday 94 70 Tuesday 91 71 Total Rain 0.66 Courtesy Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park
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| June 12, 2013
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Marine Commander talks servant leadership By Ken Esten Cooke
COMMANDER Donovan Campbell, who has degrees from Princeton University and Harvard Business School, addressed leaders young and old at the Nimitz Ballroom.
Donovan Campbell said what moves him to get out and serve others each day is the fact that so many of his friends and fellow Marines no longer have that choice. Campbell, a Commander who served three combat deployments in the Middle East, spoke to a crowd of about 120 on Thursday in the Nimitz Museum Ballroom as part of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation Leadership Series. Campbell was promoting his new book “The Leader’s Code.” Gen. Mike Hagee, Fredericksburg native and 33rd Commandant of the Marine Corps, called Campbell’s earlier book, “Joker One,” the “best book about being
an infantry platoon commander ever written.” Hagee is now the president and CEO of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation. Campbell said the nation is in a leadership crisis, from the halls of government to the boardrooms of corporate businesses. Choices that led to the recent financial crisis, he said, have had a detrimental effect on the rest of the country. “Our CEOs have abdicated all responsibility in the recent financial crisis, and it’s a failure of leadership that caused economic damage around the globe,” he said. The Marine Commander contrasted that boardroom attitude with a 19-year-old Marine who always volunteered to be first out on bomb sweeps. When
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Campbell told him he didn’t have to volunteer to be first each time, the Marine responded, “I want to lead my men and keep them out of harm’s way.” Campbell said that is an example of servant leadership, which puts character before competency. Campbell said the Marine model and virtues could be used
to guide future leaders throughout the country. The model, he said, is putting the mission or cause first, putting one’s team second, and putting one’s own welfare third. Virtues, he said, include humility, discipline, excellence, knowing one’s mission and courage. On the last point, Campbell pointed out Marine Corporal Jason Dunham, who extended his own tour so his men would not have to return to Afghanistan without him. Dunham got in a fight with a Taliban member, who dropped a grenade. Dunham shielded the rest of his troops by covering the grenade with his helmet and his body. He later died from his injuries. Hagee, who was comman-
dant while Campbell served as commander, awarded Dunham a Purple Heart medal before he was taken off life support. Hagee frequently uses Dunham’s example in his own talks. Campbell said he learned a lot about how to lead during his combat time. “One thing I should have done more of is write up my troops for award,” he said. “It’s just simple recognition, but it means a lot. I couldn’t give them days off and I couldn’t give them a raise. But I wish I had done more with just simple recognition.” But Campbell believes the country’s best days are ahead. “”Take heart, because it’s a great time to be an American and a great time to be a leader,” he said.
Superintendent addresses drug policies
Cherry Spring Club to meet Friday evening Guests and potential members are welcome to join the meeting of the Cherry Spring Community Club this Friday, June 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Cherry Spring Schoolhouse/ Community Center, located at 5973 RM 2323. A potluck meal will be followed by fellowship, “42” dominoes and other games. More information about the club or rental of the center is available by calling 830-6692243.
he said. One issue the board may address at its upcoming retreat is that of a closed campus, where students are not allowed to leave for lunch. Williams said this has proven controversial, yet successful in other districts. “We’ve got a lot of work to do, but suggestions will not be based on misinformation or personal agendas,” Williamson said. “Several districts use us as a model because they feel like we’ve had a successful program.” Parents’ role The superintendent said that Gillespie County CrimeStoppers plans a renewed focus on its campus efforts. But more importantly, there are things that parents can do to help youth stay away from drugs: • Check cell phones. “After all, I own it, don’t I?” Williamson said one parent told him. • Monitor Internet use and use browser filters if needed. • Identify and monitor friends. “Ask yourself, ‘who is my child going around with?’,” Williamson said. “The parents need to be the bad guy,” he said, as opposed to their child’s friend. “When there are consequences at school,
there should be consequences at home.” He said parents also should lead by example, and start drugresistance education early. “We want to help educate parents on some of the newer drugs,” he said, such as the synthetic marijuana and chemical compound drugs that have proven harmful or fatal. “We invite parents to cooperate rather than criticize, and make positive suggestions.” Public comments Four persons addressed the board. Jeff and Barbra Williams gave a list of suggestions to the board that included ideas for changes to the student conduct code handbook, from cell phone confiscation to an additional parking fee to offset the cost of drug testing. “My reaction is typical bull in a China shop, and I am a big believer in consequences,” Jeff Williams said. “I think there is a culture in our high school where the students don’t think there are consequences until their behavior escalates to something like we experienced recently.” Williams’ wife also suggested tougher consequences, though not to the point it would affect a student’s chances to get into
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college. “I am not naive enough to think we can get rid of drugs, but I am naive enough to think we can make a difference,” Barbra Williams said. “We’re not attacking the school board. We are just trying to figure out what we can do. This can’t be easy for you all.” Tom Musselman, a high school economics and history teacher, said this is a supportive community, as witnessed by the passage of bond issues to help the school. “I thank the parents of the community for raising this issue,” he said. “Drug use in American cities if a fact of life. We’ve been ‘just saying no’ since Nancy Reagan in 1982. Maybe it’s time to think about if there’s another way we can reach them.” Musselman added the district should not be thought of strictly in terms of drug use by some of its students. “Good things are happening at FHS,” he said, referencing high assessment test scores. “We’re doing something right. No public high school is successful 100 percent of the time with all students, but that is the goal. Teachers are a critical component in the education
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tested more than once. That’s the way it happens, and that’s the power of random testing. “Eleven years ago, the board talked about this district not being immune to this issue,” Williamson said. “We spent a year researching back then when most people weren’t even thinking about it, and made the decision to begin drug testing. That was a bold step and we’ve been doing that for the last 10 years. Twenty-two miles south of here, and 22 miles west of here, they have not been doing testing because in some districts it’s a divisive issue.” Williamson said the district began the use of drug dogs and a drug-education program because board members wanted to do as much as possible to address the issues. “Slings and arrows come with my position, but I take exception with the implication that our policies are not applied with integrity or honesty,” he said. “Shame on a person that would just arbitrarily make that up.” Williamson said he was encouraged to speak out on the issue because of “misconceptions and miscommunication out there.” Board member Dave Campbell added that a lack of comment by board members does not signify a lack of concern. Williamson was asked to address the public by the board,
Cont. from A1
system, which begins with parents and a great community.” Ken Weatherford, FISD technology staffer, said he was addressing the board as a parent. “No policy will get rid of drugs,” he said. “It will take every single person to get rid of drugs in this community. I let my child know when entering high school that there are some things that will be different from middle school. But I trust this staff to make the best decisions.” District limits Williamson said the district can’t send a kid to alternative education for an off-campus infraction that was not schoolrelated.
Only certain felonies, or action by a district attorney can allow that. He also said that extra-curricular activities are not a guaranteed right. Williamson added that each extra-curricular club has its own code of conduct, and punishment by those groups do extend to behavior outside the school setting. But he said for the district, even a positive drug test can lead to only certain actions. “A positive test absolutely cannot be used as disciplinary means for a child to go to AEP (alternative education program),” he said. “The only thing that can be used for is extra-curricular participation.”
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
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June 12, 2013
Commissioners deny
FVFD PRESENTS AWARD
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Cont. from A1
be “the best neighbor that devaluing them by surroundI think this is taking it way out of the concept of what I think anybody could ever ing them with a larger parcel of land belonging to one owna subdivision ought to be. To me, this is not right.” have.” “Absent established rights, er. — Billy Roeder, Gillespie County Commissioner we believe the court has no Additional opposition said it discretion” to deny the appliwould unfairly increase existing property owners’ finan- ing into a fairly secure subdi- sion, said the development cation, Mosty said. County attorney Chris Nevcial burden for the upkeep of vision — one road in and one started years ago during the ins advised the court, however, the front gate and subdivision road out,” added resident Jim economic crash. “If it weren’t for the sub- that the number of landownroads, as well as lessen securi- Warnix. He said traffic has alty in the gated housing area — ready increased considerably stance of the developer, which ers who submitted written opall of which, they claim, affect because of the combined large is Red McCombs’ business, position meets the 10 percent property located deep within this would have been under required by law, giving the their established rights. foreclosure years ago,” he said. commissioners’ court the right “I bought out there six years the subdivision. “Now, it’s just a drive “I think what we’ve got to get to approve or deny the appliago under the assumption that through. Ranch hands, field away from is speculation. cation. THE FIRST-EVER Fredericksburg Volunteer Fire Department my neighbors would have the workers, day workers — all What the law is, is that estab“I don’t think any of us can same restrictions I would,” (FVFD) award for outstanding and unselfish dedication is their friends and relatives. Ev- lished rights must be present say definitively, if we grant said Ronnie Burrier, owner of presented to Frank Stead (right), by FVFD President Brian erybody’s got gate codes. We’re before the court has any dis- this, that Lots 47, 56 and 59 Lochte, who said Stead “has gone above and beyond his of- Lot 59, which would become just totally unsecure now and cretion to consider interfer- are going to have less value, an “island.” fice position of secretary. When he is asked to do something, we don’t appreciate that,” ence.” but I think all of us know “They are kind of cherryhe does it without question — even if the task goes late into Perceived losses in property Warnix said. enough about real estate to be picking lots and just (putting the evening.” The newly-created FVFD award will be given “I’m very disappointed with values or forecast increases about 95 percent certain that once or twice a year to recognize individuals who take that up) an eight-foot fence around them, which I don’t like at all,” the developer for not exhibit- in financial burden for road that’s going to happen,” said “extra step” to help the department, Lochte said. Burrier said. “So, I’m asking ing proper, professional fudi- maintenance are not estab- County Judge Mark Stroeher. you to deny the application in ciary responsibility toward us, lished rights, he said. “My own opinion is that it “While it’s natural to feel looks like a squeeze play and hopes that the developer will the landowners. Rather than sit down with the landown- protect us from this kind of empathy for the individual I don’t much appreciate that.” ers out there and see if we can thing that’s happening, they’re landowners and not for the Commissioner Billy Roeder come up with some kind of a our worst enemy. They’re developer, in fact in this case, ultimately made the motion to compromise that will allow perpetrating on us what they the developer stuck with it deny the application, stating him to sell some of the lots and should be protecting us from,” throughout all that,” he said, the plan “is taking it way out adding that the large part of of the concept of what a subdiallow us to keep the integrity Warnix said. The Fredericksburg Police Dangers listed on the Inter- of the subdivision.” Richard Mosty, counsel for the property is sold to a bil- vision ought to be. To me, this Department is in a “holding net state that 25c-NBOMe is “We thought we were buy- Live Spring Ranch subdivi- lionaire from Dallas who will is not right.” pattern” on its investigation “incredibly potent when taken into the April 20 drug over- intranasally or injected. The Gillespie County fire, rescue calls dose death of a local teen. effects come on very fast and Sammy Herrera, 16, died could easily overpower even Doss p.m., 900 West Main Street, mo- East, medical assist. Willow City after he and a fellow student well experienced users. The •Wednesday, June 5 — 6:12 tor vehicle accident. •Friday, June 7 — 11:17 a.m., •Friday, June 7 — 3:26 p.m., reportedly ingested and over- potency also makes it hard to p.m., Ranch Road 783 (north of •Friday, June 7 — 11:17 a.m., 6747 Ranch Road 2721, grass fire. 309 Bruns Ranch Road, grass fire. dosed on a designer synthetic dose correctly.” Doss), motor vehicle accident. 6747 Ranch Road 2721, grass fire. hallucinogenic drug named While waiting on lab results, Fredericksburg •Friday, June 7 — 7:30 p.m., 25c-NBOMe. The surviving police have been busy gather•Sunday, June 2 — 4:07 p.m., 309 Bruns Ranch Road, grass fire. student was airlifted to Uni- ing other forensic evidence South Milam Street at State HighHarper versity Hospital in San An- such as cell phones and com- way 16 South, motor vehicle ac•Saturday, June 8 — 6:43 a.m., tonio where he was treated, puters in order to gain knowl- cident. 3800 Ranch Road 783 North, molater released and returned to edge about just who was in•Sunday, June 2 — 11:19 p.m., torcycle accident. Fredericksburg High School volved and to use emails, calls 1107 State Highway 16 South, fire Stonewall classes to finish the term. •Tuesday, June 4 — 3:36 p.m., and texts to build a timeline of alarm. •Tuesday, June 4 — 3:36 p.m., 124 Draper Smith, grass fire. As weeks pass since the ini- the events leading up to Her124 Draper Smith, grass fire. •Wednesday, June 5 — 10:56 tial incident, FPD Chief Steve rera’s death. •Wednesday, June 5 — 10:41 a.m., 14780 U.S. Highway 290 Wetz attributes the delay in When the investigation first the investigation to the new- began, Wetz reminded citiness of the drug compound. zens that the process can be a A sample of the same drug lengthy one. “I want everybody taken by the local teenagers to understand that this is not was sent to the Department going to go away. It is a long of Public Safety (DPS) labora- investigation because of the • Family Dentistry • Oral Surgery tory in Austin for analysis. seriousness of the matter that “We must wait on the chem- needs to be looked into, and Including Wisdom Teeth • Children’s Dentistry The Board of Directors of the HCMH ist before we determine which we want to make sure this is • Invisalign • Dentures Foundation invites the public to a reception to charges are to be filed and on conducted correctly,” he said. • Implants • Root Canals whom,” Wetz said. “A crime has been commitformally welcome Jayne E. Pope as new CEO • Cosmetic Dentistry • Crowns/Bridges Local detectives have also ted, but whether it is tried in Gentle and Comprehensive Dentistry been working with investiga- state court or in federal court of Hill Country Memorial. in a Modern Facility! tors from the Food and Drug has yet to be determined,” he Administration. Accepting New Patients • Emergencies Welcome! had said. The overdose death was In the meantime, Wetz said Check out our website: the first time the local police he has not issued details of the www.fredericksburgsmiles.com department had recorded an investigation so as not to comOPEN MON - FRI incident related to this specific promise it. 510 S. ADAMS 830-997-9825 drug, Wetz stated early in the 374.47tf investigation. Thursday The new designer drug 25cto NBOMe is classified as “unJUNE 13 controlled” at both federal and state levels. Producing effects that have been likened to LSD, it is readily available for purAt the Ruff Haus / 502 East Austin St chase on the Internet, which in Fredericksburg is reportedly how one student obtained it and then sold it to the two who overdosed. Unlike public misconception, 25c-NBOMe is not to be confused with a different fam812 N. 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D2
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June 12, 2013
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
COMMENTARY COMMENTARY A vital story to tell We make no apologies for drug issue coverage. Indeed, it may be the most important thing we publish all year.
W
e looked back at a year’s worth of coverage in the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post at all the stories and publicity run about the Fredericksburg Independent School District.
‘Billies go for fourth straight win’ ‘Honor roll students listed’ ‘One-Act Play wins state’ ‘FHS grads number 227’
And the list goes on and on. Did one story ruin all that other coverage? For a few, it may have. Some connected with the school thought our interview with an anonymous student who confessed his drug use thought it reflected poorly on the entire district. They were upset that the youth had carte blanche to say what he wanted, such as his guess that 50 percent of students used drugs. (We balanced that with an estimate from Officer Chris Ayala, who stated that 20 percent had tried drugs and 10 percent were regular users. Perhaps 50 percent of the anonymous youth’s friends use drugs.) But we heard from plenty of others who thanked us for the story. Readers, and even we jaded journalists, were shocked to learn from this young man how easy it is to get “hooked up” with drugs. The information was what was important in this story, not the identity of the student. We felt relief that this student felt the need to change his ways, though it took a tragedy to shake him out of it. We also were mad and frustrated by the fact that drug busts continue — both on campus and off — and that some were not affected by the death of a fellow student. We feel this is information the public should have, especially as the FISD board
of trustees heads into its annual retreat to consider its drug policy, among other things. This was just one angle of the tragic story of a drug overdose by a popular young man, and the continuing police investigation. Everyone in this town has a vested interest in how this plays out. The story was not run as an indictment of the district, the trustees, the staff or students. We have children in the district, too. Rather it was run to shed light on one of the troubling issues faced by our town. Drug use is something that happens in every town in America and it sometimes has tragic consequences. Neither small towns nor private schools are immune from what can be considered big-city problems. Still, we want our town, our parents and, yes, our school district to have all the information necessary to make better decisions where the well-being of our students is concerned. As we have stated many times, we feel this district is exceptional in many ways. Trustees run it with an eye to the future, and a concern for the pocket books of taxpayers. Our teachers do an excellent job as evidenced by better-than-average test scores. The superintendent stated in Monday’s board meeting that “slings and arrows” come with the job. We know exactly what he means. Yet, we don’t feel our duty is to act as a public relations firm for any of our governmental entities. That we support salaries and these institutions with our tax dollars, not to mention our First Amendment freedoms, gives us the right to speak our mind. It also is unrealistic to think that stories should reflect only that which is “sugar, spice and everything nice.” (No pun intended, as “spice” is now a name for synthetic marijuana.) Where we can improve policies, let’s do so. Where we parents can improve student oversight, let’s do so. In the mean time, we plan to keep shedding light on this story.
Donor disclosure needed
T
here’s a saying that “sunlight is the best disinfectant,” whether dealing with hygiene or politics. The recent scandal involving the Internal Revenue Service and its alleged targeting of one type of political group is getting plenty of deserved attention. No group, no matter its bent, should be targeted for scrutiny. But the underlying driver of that scandal is that overtly political groups are now allowed to hide their activities by claiming they are “social welfare organizations,” filing under a tax-exempt status of the 501(c)(4). All they have to do is claim that 51 percent of their work involves the nebulous “social welfare,” and they avoid scrutiny. More than 3,000 of groups filed for status in 2012, leaving the IRS overwhelmed and left to judge which organizations qualified, and which ones needed scrutiny. This, of course, was made possible by the 2010 Citizens United decision, which
removed caps on spending by businesses and unions, and opened the floodgates for more money to pour into politics. A Republican-led group in Montana recently launched a campaign for a ballot measure that would require disclosure of dark money. The Billings Gazette reported that the state measure would require any entities that spent money to influence political campaigns in Montana report that spending and the group’s financial supporters. With gridlock and vested interests so entrenched in Washington, will donor disclosure have to become an issue at the state level? It could be, although in Texas we doubt if our legislature would be near the front of the line on this issue. There is only one solution to dealing with this problem: Remove the incentive that created it and require these organizations to disclose donors of $5,000 or more.
QUOTABLE “Controversy is only dreaded by the advocates of error.” — Benjamin Rush CHIME IN Send letters to the editor to P.O. Box 1639, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 or email to fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com. CONNECT Sign up for our Daily Update email newsletter by sending a request to fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com or connect via Facebook or Twitter
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FREDERICKSBURG STANDARD-RADIO POST P.O. Box 1639 - Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
Publisher/Editor — Ken Esten Cooke Reporters — Yvonne Hartmann, Lisa Walter, Danny Hirt and Matt Ward Circulation Manager — Sherrie Geistweidt Head Bookkeeper — Nathan Crenwelge Advertising Manager — Kimberly Jung Advertising Staff — Connie Klein, Carol Hartmann and Ann Duecker www.fredericksburgstandard.com
Letters Policy Editor’s note: This newspaper welcomes responsible letters to the editor, provided they are of reasonable length, free of libelous content and written in good taste. All letters must be no longer than 300 words, and, in order to appear in the newspaper, each letter must have its writer’s name published. Letters submitted via email or fax must include the full name of the writer as well as his or her residential address and home telephone number. Also, only letters that are originally composed by readers of the Fredericksburg StandardRadio Post will be considered. No form or sample letters from lobby groups, political action committees (PACs) or similar organizations will be accepted. Persons wishing to make political endorsements are asked to contact our advertising department.
Ups, downs of the 1990s
I
t’s hard to believe that school is already out and graduation has come and gone. It seems like just last week when everyone was buying school supplies, shopping for new fashions and resolving conflicts in school schedules. It’s also hard to believe that it’s already been 18 years ago that this year’s seniors were born and began exploring the big wide world. If my math is correct, the graduates in the Class of 2013 were born in 1995 and 1996. One night last week while surfing the internet, I clicked on www.inthe90s.com and was surprised at the many interesting tidbits that popped up. What follows are just a few things that made the news, some good and some not so good, that occurred during the two years that the Class of 2013 was born. 1995 March 31: Tex-Mex singer Selena Quintanilla Perez was murdered in Corpus Christi. April 4: Internet browser Netscape made its debut. April 19: That day 168 people, including eight federal marshals, were killed, and 680 injured in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Okla. Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols were charged and convicted in this case. Nichols eventually received a life sentence while McVey was executed by lethal injection in
Time Pieces By Sherrie Geistweidt
2001. June 2: Capt. Scott O’Grady, USAF, was shot down while flying a routine sortie over wartorn Bosnia. He was rescued five and one-half days later on June 8. Aug. 24: Microsoft released its much anticipated Windows 95. Millions of dollars were spent on ad campaigns by Microsoft and retail stores. Oct. 3: OJ Simpson was found innocent for the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. The Goldman and Brown families filed a civil court case against Simpson and in 1997 were awarded over $30 amillion in damages. The civil jury took six days to reach a verdict and declare Simpson responsible. Nov. 4: Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated at a peace rally in Tel-Aviv. 1996 January: In early January, a record blizzard shut down the Northeast. Up to two feet fell in Washington and New York, while downtown Philadelphia saw almost three feet. Up to 40 inches of snow fell in the mountains of West Virginia. The Northeast was shut down
for several days as two more storms hit the area. Jan. 28: The Dallas Cowboys became the first team to win three Superbowls in four years when they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-17. June 16: The Chicago Bulls defeated the Seattle Supersonics four games to two to win the NBA Championship. June 23: Nintendo 64 is released. July 5: “Dolly, the sheep” was born after being created by cloning adult sheep cells. July 27: One person was killed and 11 were injured during the Centennial Park bombing which occurred in Atlanta, Ga., during the 1996 Olympics. July: Women’s softball made its debut in the 1996 Olympics. The United States team would go on to win gold by defeating China. Aug. 28: The divorce of Princess Diana and Prince Charles was announced. Oct. 2: Athlete Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer that had metastasized, spreading to his lungs and brain. Dec. 5: Political figure Madeline Albright was chosen by President Bill Clinton to be the first female Secretary of State. Dec. 25: Beauty pageant contestant JonBenét Ramsey, 6, was found murdered in the basement of her family’s home in Boulder, Colo., eight hours after being reported missing. sherrie@fredericksburgstandard.com
Bug hunting in the great outdoors
T
he breeze has turned brisk, the weather u n c h a ra c t e r i s t i c a l l y balmy for this time of year. So on a bright morning when I’ve been rewarded with two of my granddaughters, I order them out of pajamas and into sneakers and T-shirts. “Put on your good eyes,” I tell them. A ’hunting we are going. For bugs. For creepy crawlies. For creatures that slither and slide under logs and over halfopened windows. They’re reluctant at first. What if a beetle flies into their cupped hands? What if a worm settles inside a shoe? What if the toad that pooped on the pool patio the other night chases them into a corner? Eeew! The possibilities for adventure are endless and wonderful. The challenge, however, is for them to recognize this. We begin at what I call the cricket bush, a transplanted poinsettia that hosted a swarm of the jumpers weeks earlier. But that Saturday the leaves, scalloped and deep green, remain empty of pests no matter how we turn them. We trudge to the bromeliads. There among the folds of prickly cardboard leaves, I’ve spotted snails burrowing in for a day of R&R. At dusk, they like to glide out, a slow-moving parade of slime and shells. But that day I can’t find a one
By Ana Veciana-Suarez THE MIAMI HERALD
and the girls whine in two-part harmony. My granddaughters, after all, are products of the electronic age. The two-yearold swipes at my smart phone as if she learned to do so in the womb and the five-yearold convinces me to download, against my better judgment, a princess app that opens up to very loud, very tinkly music. They are at home in a world of instant amusement. I, on the other hand, think entertainment should involve a little thought, a bit of toil. “Help me, why don’t you?” I ask them. They make a face but try. Then just as we’re about to give up, I spy a teeny snail in its damp hideaway. With practiced expertise, I pluck it into our Uncle Milton Bug Jug. From there we conquer the yard. I catch a big lizard and a little one. I dig up a couple of worms. I scoop up a line of ants. I corner a grasshopper. And when we’re done, they stare into the plastic container in absolute awe. I love it. One of my pet peeves is that kids don’t spend enough time outdoors, preferring to sit in front of the TV or video game instead. When they do step outside, their time is so regu-
lated by organized activities that they hardly notice the natural world around them. This is not a new issue. When my own children were young, I interviewed a man who wrote a fascinating book (“Last Child in the Woods”) about what he labeled as nature-deficit disorder. Richard Louv linked the lack of outdoor exposure to disturbing childhood trends, things like obesity and attention deficit disorder. He pointed out that, in two decades, the radius around the home where children were allowed to roam on their own had shrunk to a fraction of what it once was. Crime, fear of strangers, lack of time, the proliferation of computers, you-name-it, have surely contributed to shrink it even further. Yet the virtual is a poor imitation of the real. To satisfy a child’s curiosity, we need authentic “eew” and “yuck,” bug hunting and worm digging, the scent of damp earth and the feel of grass underfoot. The reverence and wonder I saw in those girls’ eyes for a few precious minutes. Ana Veciana-Suarez is a family columnist for The Miami Herald. Write to her at One Herald Plaza, Miami, FL 33132, or aveciana@herald.com. © 2013, The Miami Herald Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
| June 12, 2013
| D3
Time for the ‘love bugs’ again By Willis Webb Ha! First of all, there’s no official evidence anywhere that these creatures were “engineered” to do anything. There has been considerable research about them but thus far they don’t seem to be much of a threat to anything except to your car’s paint job and glassed areas, especially the windshield and headlights. They don’t do your front bumper, headlights and grill any good either. And, if you don’t pay close enough attention, they’ll prevent the air from helping cool your radiator and coolant system. Their “love time” is reportedly short and focused on producing enough eggs to be laid on vegetation to hatch out at the proper time and recreate the black clouds that send shudders of disgust down one’s spine and, if they hit enough auto body paint, into one’s wallet. Apparently, moisture or hu-
Georgia and South Carolina and to Central America. Parasitic fungi offer some threat to love bugs, thus some control. Dry weather, the bane of anyone trying to raise something, is also contributes to eliminating any mass hordes of love bugs. Scientists say the bugs are not the favored food of most insectivores. It is said they have an acidic taste. Their natural enemies, other than us, are quail and robins. Spiders, earwigs, a couple of species of beetle larvae and centipedes are predators that are enemies of the love bugs. So, at least during the socalled love bug season, resist the temptation to stomp on any other bug. They just might eat the love bugs out of your house and home. And, the airline says: Please don’t hold those interlocked bugs against United. Describe them in some other way, but “when YOU fly, Fly United.” Willis Webb is a retired community newspaper editor-publisher and former editor of the Fredericksburg Radio Post. Email him at wwebb1937@att. net.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Never give in
I am grateful for the coverage of the baccalaureate service in the June 5 edition. However, since I was actually quoting someone else in my remarks to the graduates, I thought it proper to point out the full quote I was using. The paper reported that I said “Never give up.” The quote was actually “Never give in” and I related it this way: Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain, was asked to return to his school, Harrow, in 1941 to address the students. Part of his speech was, “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never — in nothing, great or small, large or petty — never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” Nearly 30 years later, the Rev. Dr. Billy Graham gave a brief speech from the steps of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., where he quoted Churchill and added his own comments: “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never ... I say to you today: pursue the vision, reach toward the goal, fulfill the dream, and as you move to do it ... never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never!” Thank you again for sharing the event with the community. Pastor Rick Hartmann Zion Lutheran Church
Firm stand needed against drugs
I want to tell you that your commentary about consequences for drug use at schools on June 5 (“A tougher stance”) was well written and “spot on.” I just hope it helps this community wake up and demand that folks in authority, such as the school and law enforcement, start enforcing the law and a take firm stand against the selling, buying and using drugs. Thanks again for your editorial. Waylon Cowan Fredericksburg
Boredom can lead to drug use
I have been so happy with the published articles in the past two weeks’ newspapers referencing the drug concerns among our youth. The local police department and school administrations are currently involved in the battle against drugs. I am also sure that due to the two recent deaths in and around Fredericksburg, parents are starting to realize a more intuitive and educated approach to drug use
amongst their children is of utmost importance. I, being a single mother of two boys, am trying everything under the sun to battle this terrifying reality. With all of the above in mind, I would like to humbly ask the city council of Fredericksburg to consider joining in this encompassing battle by forming a specific fund to be used for our youth in a teen program of sorts and for a new location just for them. Boredom, abusive backgrounds, ignorance and divorce can contribute to some of the reasons youth use drugs. Why not give our teen citizens somewhere to go with supervised activities and programs suited for their needs? There is nothing for them here that is dedicated to their age group. Please consider investing in and protecting our teen youth. Thank you, Sheri Sagebiel Gray Fredericksburg
A ‘PG-13’ success
The following is an email received from Time Warner Sports Park, where the Fredericksburg High School Class of 2013 attended its Project Graduation party the night of June 7: Just a short note to let you know that all of us at Time Warner Park thoroughly enjoyed having the FHS Class of 2013 at the Park last Friday night. What an ‘awesome’ class! It’s such a pleasure to see the ‘bonding’ with these seniors every year Fredericksburg comes to us. It’s far and above what I see with the large schools here in San Antonio. You are truly blessed. Keep doing what you’re doing in Fredericksburg. It’s working well. Be safe, Ken Klein Director of Special Events Time Warner Park The Class of 2013 and their parents would like to thank the Gillespie County community for supporting Project Graduation 2013. Because of the support and generosity from our community, PG-13 was a great success! Thank you, Kim Baethge and Dana Sultemeier Class of 2013 parents Fredericksburg
FCA thanks for luncheon
First Baptist Church of Fredericksburg recently hosted the Hill Country Fellow-
ship of Christian Athletes inaugural Power Luncheon. The event brought out 55 individuals to have a meal together and hear from David McWilliams, longtime athletic department staff member at the University of Texas. Coach McWilliams was introduced by Reagan Lambert, Austin FCA area director. McWilliams shared stories from his 50plus years of involvement in athletics at UT. The purpose of the Power Luncheon, according to Barney Sarver, Hill Country FCA area representative, is to inform the public of the vision and ministry of the FCA. Since its charter year in 1956, FCA has grown to be the largest Christian sports ministry in the U.S., impacting thousands each year. This ministry is on our junior and senior high and collegiate campuses sharing the values and morals of the Christian faith. FCA would like to express their gratitude to Pastor Don Higginbotham and the staff and volunteers of FBC for their great service, support and attitude. FCA would also like to thank the following individuals for their support as sponsors: American Bank of Texas, Arrowhead Bank, Happy Feller, Carroll Bryla, the Larry Berkman family, Paul G. Vick, the Don Brookshire family, GMAC Real Estate, Chassis by Zach, Bruce Williams, Sandy Gilliland and Austin P. Sendlein. FCA has working huddles on the campuses of Fredericksburg Middle School and High School, and the Heritage School. Bill Burns, spokesman Fredericksburg
Fort Hood frustrations
We don’t understand why the man who shot and wounded and killed so many people at Fort Hood is getting so many reprieves in his murder trial. He did not give the people he injured and/or killed a reprieve. Yet he is being shown, in our opinion, a lot of favoritism. Not only is he getting court delay after delay, he is receiving free medical treatment and his monthly pay, which will soon total around $300,000. There is something wrong with this picture. The American people need to stand up for our military just as they stand up for us. He is laughing at the United States and being paid for it. God bless our military and the United States of America. Peggy Hoegemeyer and Cecil Hoegemeyer, USAF (Ret.) Fredericksburg
Citizen input precedes redistricting debate AUSTIN —An issue of a supremely contentious nature, redistricting, is the reason lawmakers are still at work in a 30-day special session, and a great deal of citizen input is being gathered before the coming House and Senate floor debates. When Gov. Rick Perry called the special session on May 27, it was his intention that the Legislature would move quickly to make “permanent” the redistricting maps drawn by a federal court last year and used in the November 2012 election. With that task behind them, the Legislature then might take up other matters of the governor’s choice. But Perry has added nothing to the call, perhaps seeing that redistricting is sufficiently demanding on its own. Meanwhile, the Texas House of Representatives on June 3 met briefly and recessed until June 17 to give its Select Com-
State Capitol Highlights By Ed Sterling TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
mittee on Redistricting time to conduct public hearings in Austin and other cities (Dallas on June 6 and San Antonio on June 7). The Texas Senate adjourned until June 12 and its Select Committee on Redistricting met at the Capitol, received citizen input and scheduled more hearings to receive additional input from citizens in Corpus Christi on June 7 and in Houston on June 8. June 17, when the full House next meets, will be 21 days into the special session, leaving only nine days for legislation to pass. If the Legislature had succeeded in drawing legally viable redistricting maps in 2011 — the year after the decennial U.S. census was taken — lawmakers would
not be spending this month in Austin. But the current maps are interim maps: They were not meant to have a long shelf life or furthermore last until the 2020 census. Lawmakers and citizens have already noted that the population clusters in urban areas have grown mightily since the 2010 census, suggesting that today the court-drawn maps would not survive the scrutiny Texas must undergo by the U.S. Department of Justice or the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, because of Section 5 of the U.S. Voting Rights Act. Section 5 subjects Texas and certain other states and jurisdictions to enhanced scrutiny in voting-related matters because of a history of racial discrimination. A potentially dynamic aspect to Texas redistricting is the pending outcome of a U.S. Supreme Court case in which Shel-
by County, Alabama, is seeking to have Section 5 declared unconstitutional, asserting that racism in voting practices is no longer an issue. The high court, after months of processing and deliberation, should render its ruling any day now. Service animal bill signed Gov. Perry on June 7 ceremonially signed HB 489, legislation passed in May that enables citizens with disabilities to be accompanied by their service animals in all public places without having to show the animal’s qualifications or certificates. “For veterans suffering from (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), a service animal can be a strong part of their recovery and a comforting presence in the midst of what can feel like chaotic and stressful situations,” Perry said. HB 489 takes effect Sept. 1.
50 YEARS AGO In The Standard JUNE 12, 1963 Record-breaking crowds attended the two-day Harper Centennial celebration Saturday and Sunday. An estimated 18,000 people, possibly the largest crowd ever to see a parade in Gillespie County, jammed every vantage point along the route. Parking spaces were so rare that many walked a mile or more to get a glimpse of the parade. A pageant telling the story of Harper’s founding from the days of the Indians, to the arrival of the settlers, the hardships of their early days and the founding of the post office, school and various churches in the community along with humorous events in the community’s history was presented Saturday evening in the community park. Sunday’s events included memorial services in the churches, a style and fashion show, beard contest, fiddler’s contest, barbecue and historical exhibits. The board of trustees of the Fredericksburg Independent School District has called for bids for the construction of a new athletic stadium at the new high school campus. Bids are to be opened June 26. Plans call for a permanent stadium seating about 2,800 people and a field house. Also during their Thursday night meeting, the board hired Carlin Dale Wicker as assistant high school coach to replace Milton Denham who resigned to accept a position in Georgetown. Wicker will also teach history.
Tony Knopp, pool manager at the municipal swimming pool reported this week that 433 youths, a record number, has registered for the summer swim program at the pool where classes got underway on Tuesday. Saengers Mens Store has announced a close-out sale at their establishment at 110 E. Main St. The firm’s lease at their current location has expired and the building has been sold to Fredericksburg Publishing Co. for the expansion of their newspaper plant and office supply store. Marjorie Ann Alberthal and Keith Allen Keller were united in marriage Saturday afternoon, June 8, at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church with the Rev. L.J. Durkop officiating. Deanne Heinen celebrated her first birthday at a party hosted by her mother, Mrs. Robert Heinen, at their home Thursday afternoon. Eight little friends and their mothers attended. A circus theme was carried out in the décor. Favors were miniature red accordions. Two babies, a boy and a girl were born in local hospitals during the past week. A boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. William Hodges, June 10, while a girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. Jackie Schandua of Austin, June 7. In an effort to keep the city a healthy, clean community, the City of Fredericksburg Sanitation and Street Department has announced the purchase of a “Litter Getter”. The vacuumcleaner-type machine will be used in the fall to pick up leaves that have been raked to the curb by citizens.
MEETINGS - JUNE 2013 FREDERICKSBURG ISD The following are remaining Board of Trustees — Annual June meeting dates, times and locations for governing entities Retreat at 8 a.m. Tuesday, June 18 in the FISD Administration located in Fredericksburg. Building, 234 Friendship Lane. CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG COUNTY OF GILLESPIE City Council — Regular meetCommissioners Court — Reguing at 7 p.m. Monday, June 17 in the Gillespie County Law En- lar meet ing at 9 a.m. Monday, forcement Center Community June 24, in the county commisMeeting Room, 1601 E. Main St. sioners’ courtroom at the Gillespie County Courthouse.
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Writer’s Roost
midity are necessary to their environment, thus, West Texas, you’ve lucked out. They play havoc with someone mowing an East Texas lawn. Just ask our son, Weston. When a young high-schooler in Jasper, he had to perform that task most of the time. One day, Julie related to me, Weston came dashing into the house hacking, coughing, sputtering and spitting. “One of those ding-nab, dadgum L-O-O-O-V-E bugs flew into my mouth! Please don’t make me go back out there and face those nasty bugs!” Julie assured him that while he was mowing he was killing thousands with every turn of the mower blades, gave him a mask to cover his nose and mouth and he went defiantly cha-a-aa-r-ging out onto the lawn and mowed with a vengeance. I was told once, and believed it until I did some research, that the vile airborne bugs were brought to America by equipment and troops returning from Vietnam. Not so. They are common to the U.S. Gulf Coast as well as to
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y the time you read this, it is likely that the brief, biannual “love bug season” will have come and gone. Love bug season (one of two) is generally in the Gulf Coast area although these nasty critters seem to like the Pineywoods most of all. Late spring — April and May — are the first and heaviest season. That’s when they come out of decayed vegetation and fill the air. It’s a mating season and the bugs connect and fly around that way. Or, as the now-very old joke goes: How does a love bug travel? Why, they Fly United, just as the old United Airline commercials stated. It isn’t uncommon, at the height of that initial mating season, to see large black clouds of them over a roadway. They are drawn to heat and to bright, shiny surfaces — glass, car bodies – and engine heat. There are other names for them, of course, but this is a family newspaper. Someone once commented that the love bugs were “engineered to eliminate mosquitoes.”
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HONORING OLD GLORY Local VFW Post maintains tradition during Flag Day ceremony Friday page A/B13
STILL HAPPY Fredericksburg native reflects on college, pro football career page A/B14
Fredericksburg Standard No. 2 - USPS 209-080 • Periodical
Radio Post
$1
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
WEEKEND
CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG
Peach JAMboree kicks off Friday Council to debate
zoning in former condo project area
Stonewall to celebrate county’s famous crop By Yvonne Hartmann For over 50 years, the Stonewall Peach JAMboree and Rodeo has paid tribute to Gillespie County’s most famous crop — the peach. And this year’s celebration on Friday and Saturday, June 21-22, is no different. While the main Seven vie for ingredient is limited Peach Queen this year due to a late crown, C1 frost and then hail, a full schedule of events Nusbaum to for the entire famlead annual ily is planned by the parade, C6 sponsoring Stonewall Chamber of Commerce Tasty treat for the two-day celebrarecipes to be tion. featured, C7 Highlights of the 52nd Annual Stonewall Full schedule Peach JAMboree and of weekend Rodeo include rodeo events, C6 performances, nightly dancing, baking contests, queen’s contest, games, auction, entertainment and more. The gates open Friday at 6 p.m. Also at that time, registration for the mutton busting begins. There is a $20 entry fee for the
Commission’s approval of a site plan for the Cottages at Months after neighbor- Baron’s Creek. ing residents prevented construction of an 11-unit conResidents speak out dominium project on South South Lee Street resident Lee Street, the Fredericksburg Russell Reese said when he City Council is considering purchased property in that zoning to preclude similar neighborhood, he understood projects in that area. the single family residential Monday’s public hearing on nature of the area despite the the issue will continue July 1, zoning code stating otherwise. after which councilmen will “We acknowledge that the consider changing the land property we own was R-2 at use plan from medium- to the time of our purchase,” low-density residential and Reese said. “We recognized, the zoning from R-2 Mixed however, that the surroundResidential to R-1 Single Fam- ing land use in the neighborily Residential. hood is overwhelmingly single Several citizens spoke on the family residential. Hence, we matter, but in light of Mayor acquired the property for that Jeryl Hoover’s absence, the purpose alone.” council chose to continue the Bill Vernon, who lives on hearing at its next regular East Ufer Street, said resimeeting before calling a vote. dents would like to maintain That meeting will be at 7 the neighborhood’s integrity p.m. in the Gillespie Coun- as it has progressed over the ty Law Enforcement Center past 20 years. Community Meeting Room, “Over the years, we have 1601 East Main Street. developed it into a very nice In January, the council voted neighborhood and a nice little 3-2 (Hoover and Council- community of people,” Verman Tim Dooley, opposed) non said. “We’d like to proto grant an appeal overturn- tect that against some housing ing the Planning and Zoning Cont. on A/B3 By Matt Ward
Cont. on A/B5
PEACHY TREATS — Stonewall Peach Queen Brianna Harvey surrounds herself with homemade goodies from Gold Orchards and peaches from Burg’s Corner and she prepares to reign over the 52nd Annual Stonewall Peach JAMboree and Rodeo on Friday and Saturday in Stonewall. — Standard-Radio Post/Yvonne Hartmann
JOIN THE CRIME STOPPERS FIGHT
Texting offers teens, adults tip option - anonymity guaranteed Editor’s note: In the wake of two recent, but unrelated drug overdose deaths of young Gillespie County males, a more aware community here is left searching for ways to fight back against illegal drugs. One organization has been working on that very cause locally for nearly a quarter of a century and, in light of recent events, has amped up its efforts to reach out to teenagers in the hopes of preventing future tragedies. By Lisa Treiber-Walter Students are taught from an early age: “Don’t be a tattletale.” Unless, of course, what they know can prevent the harm of another. Gillespie County pre-teens and teenagers are now being urged to “tell all” to the confidential ear of Crime Stoppers — by phone, by Internet or now by text. “They need to look at it like
this: ‘If I do this, then I may save a life’,” said Troy Ottmers, chairman of Gillespie County Crime Stoppers. Students and adults alike are being urged to use whatever method they prefer to share what they know so they can curb crime — crime that can sometimes end in death. “Unfortunately, sometimes, you have to have a tragedy to bring things about,” said
Crime Stoppers vice chairman Tony Klein, referring to the April 20 overdose death of 16-year-old Fredericksburg High School sophomore Samuel (Sammy) Herrera after he and a fellow student nasally ingested a designer hallucinogenic drug named 25c-NBOMe purchased by another student over the Internet. “We’re trying hard to get in touch with the kids at school,” Klein said. “It’s not like what we’re doing now is coming out of the blue …. That’s not the case. What we’re trying to do is refocus, maybe, on schools and on the drugs in light of what’s happened,” Ottmers added. Klein and Ottmers joined in a meeting last week with Pari Whitten and Marc Williamson, superintendents of Harper and Fredericksburg Independent School Districts, respectively, as well as Fred-
Cont. on A/B12
HARPER SESQUICENTENNIAL
ALL DRESSED UP to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Harper during a parade saturday were (from left) Gatlin Wren, Angelena Del Toro and Hadley Inmon. More coverage of the Harper sesquicentennial can be found on page D1. — Standard-Radio Post/Matt Ward
Free document shredding slated for Saturday
SHINY enough to see his own reflection, Mike Walker of Seguin peers inside a custom-designed Ford truck Saturday during the annual Luckenbach Classic Car and Rod Show. More coverage can be found on page A/B11 — Standard-Radio Post/Matt Ward
There will be an opportunity on Saturday, June 22 for individuals to have unwanted paper documents securely shredded. Condor Document Services with partners Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce and Fredericksburg Printing and Office Supply will host a free community shred day, said Cont. on A/B6
SECTIONS A - Front B - Sports C - Lifestyles
D - Community E/F - Real Estate/Classifieds G - IT’S ON! Entertainment
Los A-T Boyz to perform at free PCAA concert
INSIDE
Bringing a variety of rancheras, ballads, country, hip-hop and a range of Tejano/Norteno music to Marktplatz this Sunday, June 23, will be the Los A-T Boyz. The Austin-based band is the next performer in the “Concert in the Park” summer series, hosted by PCAA — the Pedernales Creative Arts Alliance PCAA. The open-air performance is free and is scheduled to last from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Adelsverein Halle, the largest pavilion on the downtown square. Those planning to attend Sunday evening’s event are invited to arrive early to claim some of the limited picnic table seating on site or to bring their own chairs and blankets for spectating on the grassy area around the pavilion. Attendees are also encouraged to pack picnic suppers or snacks, plus their dancing shoes as twirling at sunset to the musical performance Cont. on A/B2
WEATHER
BUSINESS • New businesses Cruz Cafe, Gatti’s Pizza open to the public — A/B8, 9 SPORTS •FYBA All-Stars announced, tournaments to begin this weekend — A/B16 COMMENTARY • Jailed guest columnist saddened by news of drug overdose death — D3
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June 12-18, 2013 Rainfall this week 0.64 Rainfall for June 1.46 Rainfall for 2013 9.02 Normal for date 13.12 Same date last year 14.97 Low – June 17 68 High – June 17 94 For real-time weather information, go to: www.fredericksburgstandard.com
High Low Wednesday 92 72 Thursday 92 71 Friday 81 73 Saturday 88 73 Sunday 92 72 Monday 94 68 Tuesday 93 70 Total Rain
0.16 0.05 0.05 0.38 0.64
Courtesy Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park
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| June 19, 2013
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Texting offers teens, adults tip ericksburg Independent School Districts, respectively, as well as Fredericksburg Police Chief Steve Wetz, Gillespie County Sheriff Buddy Mills and Crime Stoppers police liaison Joe Folse to discuss fighting drugs amid the local teenage population. “The people who are in charge and who know things know that we’ve had problems for years,” Ottmers said, adding he doesn’t feel that the situation is any worse today than it was five years ago, except that, perhaps the public’s perception is more heightened due to the recent deaths of Herrera and Harper High School graduate Joshua Wade Harper, 20, on May 8. Crime Stoppers had already refocused its efforts among students a year and a half ago, Folse said, adding that last year a flyer about the program went out to every kid in the Harper and Fredericksburg districts. In addition, students were given reminders of the three different ways to submit anonymous tips on a business card format with the hopes that they would be more apt to hang onto the wallet-sized documents. “We finally realized that texting is the big thing,” Klein said. “So, what we did was, we got a text package added” to the Crime Stoppers’ software, Folse said. Late Fredericksburg Police Department Chief Paul Oestreich was the person who championed that move. “Cost was an issue and Paul,
Three earn ASU degrees Shae Durst, Daniel Koennecke and Kalley Parker, all from Fredericksburg, graduated May 11 from Angelo State University in San Angelo. Durst graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree; Koennecke, bachelor of science, and Parker, master of education.
Two graduate from Oklahoma Two Fredericksburg students were among those graduating from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., on Friday, May 10. Scott Elliott received a bachelor of business administration degree, while Aaron Hardin received a bachelor of science degree in meteorology.
Cont. from A/B1
A plea to parents: ‘Step up.’ “Crime Stoppers can do all it wants. Law enforcement can do all it wants. The schools’ hands are tied and they can do as much as they can by the letter of the law. Parents need to step up and get involved,” said Gillespie County Crime Stoppers Chairman Troy Ottmers in response to the community’s battle against drug usage among its youth population. “Parents need to know what their kids are doing and they need to be aware of what’s happening, because our school system and our police department are not parents. They cannot hold these kids’ hands 24/7,” he said. “We’re making a plea to the parents — they need to step up.” at that time, took out of his department’s budget the cost to add the texting option to the software. He got it initiated and put in place last fall,” Ottmers said. All someone has to do now is text to number “274637” a message that reads “TIP 830” and their information. After that, the text is received by TipSoft’s server in Canada. “It immediately goes to a cloaking server that receives that tip, it encrypts that number and it wipes off either the telephone number and/or the email address,” Folse said. “It actually deletes it and it assigns its own number to it. Then, it goes from that server (the special cloaking server) to the standard server at the Anderson Software TipSoft Secure Data Center,” Folse said. At that point, the tip is assigned a unique code number, that goes back through the system to either the telephone or the computer. The person submitting the tip is given a unique code, with which they can later collect a cash reward by reporting their assigned number
and receiving a corresponding envelope of cash at a local motor bank should the tip lead to the arrest and/or charges filed against a person committing the reported offense. “It’s a fool-proof system and it is absolutely anonymous. Nobody can get that information. The FBI can’t get it,” Folse stressed. “The biggest problem we face … it’s just as simple as one thing: the anonymity issue,” Folse said. “We’ve got to convince these kids that this is truly an anonymous system.” To help students understand that their tips absolutely cannot be traced back to them, more materials and messages will be presented to them during the coming school year. This summer, work will be done to produce one- to two-minute video messages explaining how the system guarantees anonymity. Those videos will then air on Fredericksburg High School’s “Channel 1” broadcast, while they will also be made avail-
able on DVDs and as a YouTube link to Harper, St. Mary’s and other campuses. The program also hopes to spread the word and get the information into more hands through criminal justice classes at both high schools. “I appreciate this group taking up the challenge and raising the program to a new level,” Williamson said. “Crime Stoppers has some great ideas for getting the message to the students through several formats. As a district, we need to support those efforts and make sure we get that message out very frequently.” “Crime Stoppers is a great program to support because it enables our students to feel empowered to do something positive without having to put themselves at risk personally,” Williamson said. “In times like this, this is when people need to turn to Crime Stoppers,” Folse said. “This is when they need to start feeding information into law enforcement and this is absolutely the best method. It is safe for them. It gets us the information. And there’s no issue they can have with being exposed. Anonymity is what it’s all about.” “I have spoken with Crime Stoppers and know that we are already having some success at the high school as well as the middle school. We just need to get all of our students in the mindset that reporting information is not only OK, but it is actually a responsibility of all of us,” Williamson said.
HONORING Bill Slivka (center) for 20 years of volunteerism were Henri Eaton, left, Alamo Aging staff ombudsman, and Connie Eckhardt-McCracken, executive director of Heritage Place in Fredericksburg.
AACOG honors Slivka Bill Slivka of Fredericksburg was presented a certificate of appreciation for 20 years of service as a certified volunteer ombudsman at a recent recognition event hosted by Windcrest Nursing Home and Rehab. Slivka has been volunteering as an advocate for nursing home and assisted living residents in Gillespie and Kerr counties since 1993. He received AACOG’s Regional Citizen of the Year Award in 2002. Joining in the celebration were Jeanette Blankenship and Henri Eaton, AACOG staff ombudsmen; Linnie Martin, AACOG rural managing ombudsman; Elizabeth Bispo, certified volunteer ombudsman for Gillespie County; Lisa Brantley, Windcrest Nursing Home and Rehab admission
development; Dale Michalek, Slivka family friend; Connie Eckhardt-McCracken, executive administrator at Heritage Place Assisted Living; Patrice Doerries, Alamo Senior Advisory Committee president; Tracie Armke, Windcrest Nursing Home and Rehab activity director; and Ben Doerries, a Kerrville resident. “It has been an honor to have served the Alamo Area seniors,” Slivka said. “I will miss the visits, stories and experiences this volunteer service has offered me.” He hopes that others will learn about the ombudsman program and join the team to help others. For more information on how to become a volunteer ombudsman, contact the AACOG Alamo Area Agency on Aging at 1-866-231-4922 or alamo.aging@aacog.com.
HCM surgical teams join nation on ‘Time Out Day’ June 12 Hill Country Memorial commemorated National Time Out Day June 12 to highlight the “time out” process used in operating rooms to ensure safer outcomes for every surgical procedure. According to Gina Enderlin, RN, Nurse Educator, National Time Out Day is practiced in hospitals and ambu-
latory surgery centers across the country. “This is a safety standard we follow every day,” Enderlin said. “We are committed to the safety of our patients and increasing the optimal outcomes of all procedures.” “Time out” is a requirement of The Joint Commission Universal Protocol. Following
this protocol, every member of the surgical team pauses before all operative and invasive procedures to communicate as a group. They confirm they are treating the correct patient, performing the correct procedure, and identifying the correct surgical site. This helps
prevent errors and increase positive outcomes. As a token of recognition for committing to this patient safety initiative, all HCM staff, anesthesia providers, and physicians received “Time Out Taco” coupons to be redeemed in the HCM Cafeteria.
Time Out Day was created by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) in 2004 as a way to raise awareness about the importance of considering key information. “It’s about doing the right thing for patients,” Enderlin said.
Cruz Gallery & Shrimply the Best Cafe is Opening on Wednesday, June 26th 10am–4pm 222 W. Main St. 830-997-2140
13721.02
FISD COMMUNITY ED SUMMER CAMPS Register by calling Carol at 830-997-7182 and use MC/VISA or go by the Fredericksburg ISD Community Ed Office @ 234 Friendship Lane, Fredericksburg, TX LADY BILLIES SOFTBALL CAMP (Grades 4-9) June 25-27 (Tues-Thurs), 8:00am-11:00am Fee: $40 (includes t-shirt)
BEADS, BAUBLES & MORE CAMP (Grades 1-8) July 15-18 (Mon-Thurs), 1:00pm-3:00pm Fee: $35 (includes supplies & snack)
HELLO CUPCAKE! (Grades 3-7) June 26-28 (Tues-Thurs), 1:00pm-3:00pm Fee: $65
LITTLE BILLIES VOLLEYBALL CAMP (Grades 3-6) July 22-25 (Mon-Thurs), 8:00am-10:00am Fee: $35 (includes t-shirt)
IF TREES COULD TALK ART CAMP (Grades 3-7) July 3-5 (Wed-Fri), 1:00pm-3:00pm Fee: $65
LADY BILLIES BASKETBALL CAMP (Grades 3-9) July 22-25 (Mon-Thurs) Session I: 10:00am-12noon, grades 3-6 Session II: 1:00-4:00pm, grades 7-9 Fee: $35 (includes t-shirt)
THEATRE ARTS CAMP (Grades 3-12) July 8-Aug 8 (Mon-Thurs) Session I: 1:00pm-3:00pm, grades 3-6 Session II: 3:00pm-5:00pm, grades 7-12 Fee: $99 (includes t-shirt, costume and 2 admission tickets to this years musical production, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr.) OCEANS OF FUN CRAFT CAMP (Grades 1-6) July 8-11 (Mon-Thurs), 9:00am-11:00am Fee: $39 (includes supplies & snack) I’M THE COOK CAMP (Grades 2-8) July 8-11 (Mon-Thurs), Session I: 12:00noon-2:00pm, grades 2-3 Session II: 2:30pm-5:00pm, grades 4-8 Fee: $45 (includes all supplies with edible lessons!)
YO-HO! PIRATE CAMP (Grades 1-4) July 29-Aug 1 (Mon-Thurs) 9:00am-11:30am Fee: $49 (includes supplies, snack and t-shirt) BILLIES VOLLEBALL CAMP (Grades 7-9) July 29-Aug 1 (Mon-Thurs) 8:30am-11:30am Fee: $49 (includes t-shirt) SIMPLE SEWING AND CRAFT CAMP (Grades 3-8) July 29-Aug 1 (Mon-Thurs) 1:00-pm-3:00pm Fee: $35 (includes all supplies) 13630.02
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
A prisoner’s perspective
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hen I received the paper and read about the overdose and death, I was deeply saddened. I am currently in prison, and have been for nearly four years, this being my third time here. I went to Comfort High and was voted class favorite. My boyfriend went to Fredericksburg High and played basketball. He later did 15 years in prison. All we wanted was to have “fun.” To be educated on the facts and consequences is a true need. If I had known that I was consuming acetone, I would have never started using meth/ice. Once I started, I couldn’t seem to stop. I have experienced three overdoses and seven mental hospitals. On Father’s Day 2001, I had an accident (that was printed in the paper) on High-
By Kelly Schorr Williams GUEST COLUMN
way 290, that left me in a wheelchair for over a year. I have serious health problems and lost myself for 25 years. I have done a total of 10 years in prison. My relationships with my family members are broken. I pray God helps me get all of that back, and that they can truly forgive me and give me one last chance. Now, I have completed every course the state has to offer. Plus, done a course via mail and did graduate with honors as a Drug & Alcohol Treatment Specialist. Windham School District here has a class called Cognitive Intervention Pro-
gram (it’s a 180-hour course.) It teaches life skills, coping skills and facts on consequences of illegal actions. It taught me how to make better choices, by deciding if my actions “meet my needs over time.” It also taught me about criminal addictive patterns (cycle,) and videos of prisoners and their families. It affects more than just the person who makes the bad choice. Maybe this class or one similar could save wasted lives, by giving knowledge and facts. Our government spends tons of money training and educating soldiers before going into (combat) war. Our children deserve the same before facing the daily war on drugs that we all face. I pray that we can save more of our children and our future society.
F
Writer’s Roost By Willis Webb ally, he was pretty selfless and that was underscored in the efforts he made to provide for his family. Growing up, maturity and having to face the multitude of challenges that come with providing for a family certainly clears one’s thinking. That clarity provides the 20-20 vision that also comes equipped with hindsight. I’ve written about his difficult times as a youngster but they’re worth repeating and underscoring as we near another Father’s Day. He essentially went through much of his childhood with the weighty albatross of being an orphan. Lawrence Ray (known always as L. Ray) Webb was born July 20, 1916, the second child to Claude Webb and Maud Smith Webb. His father died in 1919, when Dad turned three. His mother died in 1927 when Dad was 11. His older sister, Marie, and his step-father, J.L.
Willis, tried to raise the antsy youngster, but corralling him was more difficult than grasping a greased pig. Dad rode a donkey everywhere he went and that led to the event that made him a “hoss trader” forevermore. The brief version of that signal event, of which I’ve written before, is that he sold his pet donkey and means of transportation along with 99 other donkeys to a “Connecticut Yankee” to use in a resort in the buyer’s home state. Actually, raising cattle was Dad’s forte. He was very good at it. At the outset of World War II, he and Mother had two sons, me being the oldest. He was deferred from military service more for what he did for a living than having three dependents. Dad sold beef to the Army to feed troops. He committed almost every head of cattle he raised to the military, save the few he held on to in order to feed his family. In addition to raising cattle, Dad also took a job in Dallas in a “meat packing” plant (now known as “meat processing”) to supplement his income. As I learned over the years, “providing for his family” al-
ways came first for L. Ray Webb. To him, that was what fathers existed for. God put them on this earth to feed their families, clothe them, put a roof over their head and educate them. He was essentially a quiet, almost shy to a fault man who never tooted his own horn. Dad did business on a handshake. His handshake on a deal meant he gave his word and his word was his bond. He never reneged on a deal that I knew of, but certainly had the tables turned on him a number of times, usually to his and his family’s detriment. “He’s too trusting,” my mom would say with the precise vocal emphasis illustrated here. This man with an eighthgrade education raised four sons who attained college degrees, at his and our mother’s insistence. As Dad’s sister said at his funeral: “Four sons with a college degree. What a great legacy.” Willis Webb is a retired community newspaper editor-publisher and former editor of the Fredericksburg Radio Post. Email him at wwebb1937@ att.net.
Perry releases final decisions on bills AUSTIN — June 16 was the deadline for the governor to veto or approve legislation passed in the regular session of the 83rd Texas Legislature. Gov. Rick Perry beat the deadline by two days, releasing a list of vetoed and approved bills on June 14. Just a few among the 24 bills Perry prevented from becoming laws by strokes of his pen were: HB 217 — prohibiting school districts from selling beverages with added sweeteners, milk with more than one percent fat or juices less than 100 percent juice. HB 950 — providing uniformity between state and federal anti-discrimination laws so that employees and employers have consistent laws governing employment relations. HB 2836 — requiring all statewide standardized tests to be determined valid by an entity independent of the Texas Education Agency or the State Board of Education. HB 3063 — giving statesponsored competitive advantage to some Texas communities over others in attracting aerospace industry businesses. SB 15 — adding to the management responsibilities of boards of regents of institutions of higher education and would expand the training requirements of individual regents. SB 17 — providing for a
State Capitol Highlights By Ed Sterling TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
free-of-charge, state-provided school safety-training program for certain employees of a school district or charter school that does not have a peace officer or security personnel assigned full-time to the campus. A few from the list of bills Perry put his signature of approval on include: HB 8 — revising statutes relating to protective orders issued for victims of human trafficking and the offense of human trafficking; SB 21 — requiring mandatory drug screening as a condition for the receipt of unemployment benefits; HB 308 — allowing public school students and staff to use traditional holiday greetings and display religious scenes and symbols on school property. However, SB 1, the state’s general appropriations bill for fiscal years 2014-2015, suffered a number of line-item vetoes by the governor. One of those vetoes was of the budget for the state’s Austinbased Public Integrity Unit, a state agency tasked with investigating ethics complaints lodged against public officials. In explaining his veto, Perry wrote, “Despite the otherwise good work the Public Integrity Unit’s employees, I cannot in
LBJ made safety click As part of a nationwide mobilization, Texas law enforcement officers will be out in force between May 20 and June 2 — including Memorial Day weekend — ticketing drivers and passengers who are not wearing seat belts. While the Click It or Ticket campaign uses the threat of a citation to get motorists to buckle up, at its core, it is a safety campaign designed to get drivers and passengers to take a simple step to protect
themselves in the event of a crash. What my grandfather said decades ago about highway safety remains true to this day. At the signing of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act and companion legislation 45 years ago, he said: “We are going to cut down this senseless loss of lives. We are going to cut down the pointless injury. We are going to cut down the heartbreak.”
good conscience support continued state funding for an office with statewide jurisdiction at a time when the person charged with ultimate responsibility of that unit has lost the public’s confidence. This unit is in no other way held accountable to state taxpayers, except through the state budgetary process. I therefore object to and disapprove of this appropriation.” In April, Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg, chief of the Public Integrity Unit, was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated. After serving a short jail sentence, she was released. Some lawmakers pressured Lehmberg to resign, but she chose to remain in office.
That legislation mandating seat belts in all vehicles — part of my grandfather’s legacy — will continue to save thousands of lives each year, but only if drivers and passengers regularly use them. Seat belts provide life-saving protection in the event of a crash, and they’re also the only defense against a seat belt citation. So remember to Click it or Ticket.
JUNE 19, 1963 The Second Annual Peach JAMboree to pay homage and draw attention to Gillespie County’s premier fruit crop will be staged Saturday in Stonewall. A big parade at 10 a.m. will open a full day of festivities. The parade route will be from the Tip Top Café to the Wayside Grocery and back. At 1:30 p.m., a rodeo begins in the new arena. Calf and goat roping events, barrel races and other exhibiting contests will be presented. Other activities include a sock hop in the school gym, a peach eating contest and a parachute jumping exhibition. The highlight of the Jamboree will be the peach queen pageant Saturday evening during which 19 candidates from Medina, Harper, Blanco, Burnet, Comfort, Fredericksburg, Johnson City and Stonewall will compete for the coveted title of Peach Queen, now held by Kathy Wahl. A revolutionary change in the addressing of mail — known as the “ZIP” Code — has been adopted and is being announced by the U.S. Post Office Department today. Postmaster William Petmecky announced today that Fredericksburg’s five-digit ZIP Code is 78624. He added that “with ZIP Code, a clerk needs only to glance at the code to know
immediately to what national area, state and post office the letter is destined and to speed it on its way, cutting up to 24 hours off the time between deposit and delivery. The Fredericksburg Lodge No. 794, AF and AM, will dedicate their new Masonic Hall on the Kerrville highway, in an open house event and dedication ceremonies to be held Friday afternoon and evening. The new brick structure is completely air conditioned for year-round comfort. The local lodge was organized in 1896 and since that time has three different locations for its meeting. Jeanette Grobe, bride-elect of Daniel Schneider, was surprised with a miscellaneous bridal shower Tuesday evening. Shirley Ellebracht became the bride of Stephen Harvey on Saturday, June 15, at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church with the Rev. L.J. Durkop officiating. The Fredericksburg Giants defeated the Kerrville All-Stars, 9-4, Sunday afternoon, while Pat’s Cubs defeated the Kerrville Kats, 13-5. Two boys and two girls were born in local hospitals during the past week. Boys were born to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Schlueter and Mr. and Mrs. Felipe Sanchez, both on June 17. Girls were born to Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Ahrens, June 12, and Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Cottle, Harper, June 17.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Marc Williamson Marc Williamson is an impressive guy, and we appreciate his public response about the school system’s role in the battle against drug use. He and the school board — past and present — have taken courageous steps in the years past which have made Fredericksburg Independent School District a role model for other communities engaged in similar battles. We would encourage a show of support for this man who obviously daily faces the ongo-
ing tragedies left in the wake of drug use. All of us share responsibility in meeting this threat headon, and Dr. Williamson’s efforts to get everyone working together, his frank responses, his well-reasoned, courteous and professional approach to solutions bode well for our community. Thank God for his presence, his dedication to education and his overriding love and concern for those in his charge. Barry Cheshier Fredericksburg
vote. All four bills move to the House, where that body’s select committee on redistricting will take up and consider its own set of bills relating to the districts as redrawn in 2012 by a San Antonio federal court. Differences in the House and Senate versions of the bills would have to be worked out in a conference committee.
Perry adds to session call On June 10, Gov. Perry added items relating to the funding of transportation infrastructure projects to the special session call and June 11 he expanded the call to include two more items: legislation relating to the regulation of abortion procedures, providers and facilities; and legislation relating to establishing Redistricting bills move a mandatory sentence of life The Texas Senate, in special with parole for a capital felony session on June 13, approved committed by a 17-year-old ofthe four major redistrict- fender. ing bills Gov. Perry originally called state lawmakers to pass Revenue goes up again in the current special session Texas Comptroller Susan of the Legislature. Combs on June 12 reported Senate bills 1, 3 and 4, as that state sales tax revenue tentatively approved by the in May was $2.26 billion, up Senate, would preserve the 7.9 percent compared to May federal court-drawn maps of 2012. the state’s U.S. Congressional She attributed the increase districts and Texas House dis- to collections from the intricts. Those three bills were formation services and conpassed on split votes with 16 struction sectors, and said, Republicans voting aye and “restaurants also showed no11 Democrats voting nay. SB table growth” and “oil and 2, relating to the redistricting natural gas-related activmaps of state Senate districts, ity remains a major source was approved on a unanimous of strength.”
Cont. from D2
| D3
50 YEARS AGO In The Standard
Father’s Day bears unfortunate and sad gaps
ather’s Day sadly but understandably doesn’t carry as much sentimental weight for many people, particularly for earlier generations, as Mother’s Day. For those in my time, born anywhere from the mid 1930s to the mid 1940s, there were historic occurrences that precluded many fathers from exercising as much influence on child rearing as they most assuredly have the opportunity to do today. The Great Depression was one of those occurrences, World War II the other. War’s interruption is easier for today’s generations to grasp than the Great Depression, further removed and more difficult to explain. While I was born near the end of the Depression, watching my father’s struggles made it easier for me to understand that era which had more impact on my parents’ philosophies and beliefs than did either of the world wars. Learning of his struggles as a basically parentless orphan at 11, ultimately gave me insight to the complexities of a man I thought for so long to be single-mindedly selfish. Actu-
| June 19, 2013
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
| June 26, 2013
| D3
Uncle-in-law was an absolute joy
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he last of the “Bollinger Boys” was buried May 23 in Dallas. C.T. (Corpal True) “Red” Bollinger, 97, was the next oldest of the five boys and the middle child of seven. He was a delight and brought joy to even the darkest day with his eternal optimism and happy-go-lucky approach to life. Telephone visits with Red were a talk-a-thon and he was the host from his quarters in the Temecula, Calif. home of his daughter, Lanelle. His non-stop stories were peppered with his hardy, infectious laugh. Red could tell one story after another, laughing every phrase of the way. Many of his tales were of his siblings, among them my late father-in-law, Joel Clifford (Jay) Bollinger, and his identical twin, Horace Paschal (H), along with the other sons Charles Lavern (Cotton) and Conal Monroe, the oldest. There were two sisters, Kimmie, who held the title of oldest child and Ola Mae. All of these siblings grew up in the northeast Texas, Red River town of Powderly in Lamar County, where that area’s version of a Lone Star State
Writer’s Roost By Willis Webb accent was machine-gun-rapid. Their speech was so fast that for years when Jay would talk about his sister, Ola Mae, I thought he was saying “Old Maid” as in the old-fashioned term for unmarried woman. All of the Bollinger boys were athletes, mostly baseball, although Jay was also a basketball player and made his mark in life as a coach in that sport at Baytown Lee High School. Red was a hard-throwing southpaw (lefthander to the uninitiated) pitcher and played amateur, semi-pro and professional minor league baseball well into the 1930s when, as he put it, “I finally ‘threw my arm away.’” He also served in the Army Air Corps in World War II. After that mighty conflict, Red settled into family life and work at what became the Chance Vought Corporation, an airplane manufacturer in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex area.
After Red lost his wife, Jackie, Lanelle moved him to Temecula in Southern California and set him up in self-sustaining quarters in her family home. Red maintained some independence until he lost much of his eyesight just a few years ago. That didn’t deter Red’s optimism, however. When you were talking (listening) to Red, his infectious good humor kept things light and funny through what could lead to a phone-receiver-dulled ear in his normal two-hour visit with someone willing to spend the time. I did so delightfully many times. His stories almost always involved sports, particularly baseball. Red was not a football fan and he followed basketball up to a point, but baseball was his true sports passion. He could tell some baseball tales and wasn’t bashful in talking about the supposedlyoutlawed spitball, which Red said was the “go-to” pitch for most pitchers. “I can show you a bunch of ways to throw the spitter,” Red would say proudly (that meant how to hide the illegal “doctoring” of the baseball). For non-fans,
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Suggestions for drug policies
I believe everyone would agree that nothing can replace “good parenting,” with natural consequences. But not every child has the benefit of being raised by awesome and involved parents. And it’s also important to note that even kids from “good” homes are being affected. No one is immune to the dangers of drugs. Concerned parents are not asking for teachers or trustees to “parent” students. We are asking the school board to strengthen and make changes to current policies, in hopes of saving even one life. The newer synthetic drugs are exceedingly dangerous. The new “pot” (K-2, Spice) is 100 times more potent than its predecessor and highly addictive. Synthetic pot and LSD can produce hallucinations, violent outbursts, aggressive behavior, feelings of invincibility, paranoia, suicide, flashbacks, arrhythmias, kidney failure and death. Currently, Fredericksburg ISD does not test for synthetic marijuana, and I believe it should be added to the school drug screen. Marble Falls ISD tests 2,000 students compared to FISD randomly testing 250 students. Marble Falls’ jurisdiction is both on and off school property, regardless of whether school is in session or the extracurricular activity is in season. They also test students who drive to school. Therefore, I hope that the school board considers testing all 600 students (extracurricular) twice a year.
San Marcos ISD is rolling out tougher consequences. The first time a student tests positive, they must sit out of all competitions for an entire year, go to counseling and be tested more. If a student tests positive twice, they will be banned from extracurricular activities for the rest of high school. The school board asked for “positive suggestions.” These types of changes would help deter students from engaging, experimenting and encouraging others to use drugs. I ask the school board to test all extra-curricular students and adopt a no tolerance set of consequences. Marguerite Westfall Fredericksburg
Petition met all requirements
On April 12, the Committee for Fiscal Responsibility submitted a petition to the Fredericksburg City Secretary asking for an election to add an amendment to the city charter requiring voter approval on each occasion the city council removes surplus revenues from city enterprise funds. As we read the law, it now requires the Fredericksburg City Council to place the proposed charter amendment on the Nov. 5 ballot. Section 12.13 of our Home Rule Charter states: “Amendments to this charter may be framed and submitted to the voters of the city in the manner provided in Sec-
that doesn’t mean Red was an “outlaw” pitcher. It means that pitchers have always (and still do) found ways to throw the spitball. It will make a baseball do crazy things and is next to impossible to hit. Red also loved football, especially the Dallas Cowboys. He would spend an entire day watching old games on the NFL Network. Although he played basketball as a youngster, he did not watch that sport, instead opting for his favorites baseball and football. For the last few months, Red was in an assisted living facility and didn’t have unlimited access to a phone as he did The following are remaining June meeting dates, times and locations while living with his under- for governing entities located in Fredericksburg. standing daughter, Lanelle. CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG So, I didn’t get to have his City Council — Regular meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, July 1 and two-hour sports and life talk 7 p.m. Monday, July 15 in the Gillespie County Law Enforcement “show” visit every week before Center Community Meeting Room, 1601 E. Main St. he went to that big ballpark Planning and Zoning Commission — Regular meeting at 5:30 in the sky where, I’m sure, his p.m. Wednesday, July 3 in the Gillespie County Law Enforcement first start as a pitcher there Center Community Meeting Room, 1601 E. Main St. was a perfect game. No hits, COUNTY OF GILLESPIE no runs, no errors — just a Commissioners Court — Regular meeting at 9 a.m. Monday, funny, laughing, staccato deJuly 8 and 9 a.m. Monday, July 22 in the county commissioners’ scription of every pitch.
MEETINGS - JULY 2013
courtroom at the Gillespie County Courthouse.
Willis Webb is a retired community newspaper editor-publisher and former editor of the Fredericksburg Radio Post. Email him at wwebb1937@ att.net.
tion 9.004 of the Texas Local Government Code.” Section 9.004 states: “The governing body shall submit a proposed charter amendment to the voters … if the submission is supported by a petition signed by a number … equal to at least five percent of the number of qualified voters.” Because council does not recognize that we are in compliance with the charter and state law, we found it necessary to engage an attorney, Jose Garza, former special assistant to the Texas Attorney General. On June 11, we submitted to the council a four-page letter from Garza in which he makes clear that our petition is complete and lawful. (Garza has argued successfully before the U.S. Supreme Court.) We believe that council should order an election. The city is in error when it claims that petitions for amendments are covered in Section 8.02 of our city charter which requires each petition sheet to be notarized. That applies only to petitions for voter-initiated legislation, not amendments. Once council passes an ordinance putting the amendment on the November ballot, a meaningful debate on the pros and cons of the amendment can ensue and an informed electorate will have the opportunity to decide the issue. Respectfully, Isabel Werts Spokesperson/Committee for Fiscal Responsibility Fredericksburg
Vote clears way for new abortion rules AUSTIN - Legislation to revise redistricting maps, regulate abortion and change punishment guidelines regarding youths convicted of a capital felony occupied state lawmakers in special session last week. Called by Gov. Rick Perry on May 27, the 30-day session ended on June 25. Drawing the House floor spotlight through Sunday night and early Monday morning was Senate Bill 5, relating to the regulation of abortion procedures and providers. Citizens for and against crowded Capitol corridors and the House gallery. SB 5, tentatively approved on a 9733 vote at 3:24 a.m., faces a final vote before moving back to the Senate. The legislation proposes to amend the Health and Safety Code and the Occupations Code regarding regulation of abortion procedures, providers and facilities, prohibiting abortions at or after 20 weeks post-fertilization and adding a violation related to abortions performed after the same time window to the list of prohibited practices by physicians or license applicants. Included is an exception that allows an abortion in the physician’s reasonable medical judgment that so complicates the medical condition of the woman, to avert the woman’s death or substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function, other than a psychological condition. The legislation also directs the Texas Medical Board to assess penalties on physicians for improperly distributing or prescribing abortion-inducing
State Capitol Highlights By Ed Sterling TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
drugs. And, the legislation would create a new minimum standard for abortion facilities licensed by the Department of State Health Services. Such a facility would be required to meet the new standards by Sept. 1, 2014. Republican members, leveraging a 40-seat majority of over Democrats, moved bills forward to comply with the wishes of Gov. Perry, but Democrats brought their arguments to the fore through proposed amendments, although all failed on votes to table them. Two among many arguments were the adverse and disproportionate effects of the great distances women from rural and remote areas would have to travel to get to one of five facilities that currently could be qualified to perform abortions under the bill and that 26 percent of Texas women do not have health insurance. The House on June 24 preliminarily passed SB 23, relating to the punishment for a capital felony committed by an individual younger than 18 years of age. The bill proposes to allow a 17-year-old offender serving a life sentence the eligibility to apply for parole after serving 40 years. The House also tentatively approved SJR 2, a proposed constitutional amendment to change how dollars are moved from the state’s general rev-
enue fund to the so-called rainy day fund on transfers based on oil and natural gas production taxes. Votes on the preponderance of special session legislation have been along party lines, with Democrats voting in opposition. Some lawmakers who challenged bills said that ultimately the abortion-regulating legislation would not stand up to scrutiny by the courts, nor would bills revising certain redistricting maps and limiting a
jury’s ability to mitigate parole in capital murder convictions of certain juveniles. One bill already on its way to the governor’s desk is SB 3, relating to the composition of Texas House districts. Tentatively approved by the Senate earlier in the week, the bill came back to the Senate with several amendments passed to allow certain Democratic members in abutting House districts to tweak boundary lines in small and mutually beneficial ways.
FREDERICKSBURG ISD Board of Trustees — Regular meeting Monday, July 8 in the FISD Administration Building, 234 Friendship Lane. HILL COUNTRY UNDERGROUND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT Board of Directors — Regular meeting at 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, in the district office, 508 South Washington.
50 YEARS AGO In The Standard JUNE 26, 1963 A historical clinic to acquaint newcomers and veteran residents of the city with the historical heritage of Fredericksburg and Gillespie County will be held tomorrow evening at the Fair Park grandstand. Two authorities on the value of historical assets and tourism to a community will be speaking at the clinic. Dr. Hugo Leipsiger-Pierce and Bill Stinson will discuss the tourist industry and historical heritage of Fredericksburg and how it can be developed to make Fredericksburg a tourist and convention center. Gillespie County peaches lived up to their reputation as being “golden” fruit in more than color at the auction sale during the second annual Peach Jamboree in Stonewall on Saturday. The fruit sold for record prices of $50 to $120 for a single peach and $400 for a half bushel of the fruit, in the auction sale. As another highlight, Mary Ann Neasham of Medina was crowned Peach Queen, along with duchesses Rita Neidigh and Sandra Crofts. Lin Marie Staudt and Robert Straube were united in marriage Saturday, June 22, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with the Rev. R.J. Gronle officiating. Over 400 people attended the dedication of the new lodge home of the Fredericksburg Masonic Lodge No. 794 A.F and A.M., Friday evening. The Fredericksburg National Guard unit will leave for North Fort Hood and two weeks of field training Sunday morning
and will join over 8,000 other guardsmen of the 36th Texas Infantry Division from 98 different Texas towns. Trudy Beth Ottmers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Ottmers, was baptized Sunday morning at Bethany Lutheran Church with the Rev. Henry F. Treptow officiating. All of Gillespie County’s post offices have been assigned fivedigit ZIP Code numbers which must be used on correspondence to speed up delivery. The ZIP codes for the county’s seven post offices includes: Fredericksburg, 78624; Willow City, 78675; Doss, 78618; Harper, 78631; Stonewall, 78671; Albert, 78601, and Luckenbach, 78647. A two-way radio system, designed to give almost instant communication with construction crews within a wide radius, has been installed by the Allen Keller Company. Two new Eagle Scouts, Luther Rode and Mark Reeh, were awarded their badges during a court of honor of Doss Troop 132, Boy Scouts of America, Saturday evening. Two boys and two girls were born in local hospitals during the past week. Boys were born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ham, June 24, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bierschwale, Harper, (no date given). Girls were born to Mr. and Mrs. Allen Rode, June 23, and Mr. and Mrs. Newton Kozielski, June 25. The Fredericksburg Giants blasted the Boerne White Sox, 11-5, Sunday afternoon, while Camp Stanley scored a 6-2 victory over Pat’s Cubs.
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Shrader elected president of Texas Press Association Former Kerrville publisher, Nimitz Foundation board member to take helm Veteran Texas newspaperman Greg Shrader, editor and publisher of the Lufkin Daily News, is the new president of Texas Press Association. Shrader, 60, assumed the post at TPA’s summer meeting in Houston. “It is a privilege to continue to serve the newspaper industry in Texas. I think it’s a viable industry and I want to make sure I do everything I can to continue that,” Shrader said. Shrader began his 39-year journalism career at the Houston Chronicle. Since then he has worked at the Bryan-College Station Eagle, the Abilene Reporter-News, the Galveston County Daily News, the Kerrville
Skills important amazing corporate culture that is hugely employee-centric. She is known to say that Southwest hires for attitude and trains for skills. I have been known to say that I can teach you most anything you need to know, but I can’t teach you to care. I would never try to compare myself to Colleen Barrett (a woman I greatly admire), but the fact remains that skills needed to perform the vast majority of jobs can be learned on the job. It is certainly ideal for a job candidate to already know them, but give me a go-getter any day of the week over a skilled worker that is merely there for the paycheck. So how do we go about finding quality team members in whom a passion for our company can be cultivated? First, I think we must clearly articulate who we are and what we value. It’s easy to advertise skills. We need a person who can type 60 words per minute. We need someone with a commercial driver’s license. Or we prefer an associate’s degree or higher. But the truth of the matter is that we really need someone who is honest, or a great critical thinker or who can deliver insanely good customer service. When defining what really matters to one’s company, focus on the things that are consistent with values, not things that could be learned later by the right person.
If we value the premise of hiring people that understand and fit within our company, then we must learn to ask questions that speak to values and not skills. And we must also learn to listen. Really listen. In the interview, it is easy once again for desperation to raise its ugly head, to hear what we want to hear instead of what is actually said. The same person who told me the dictionary story shared a couple of interviewing tips with me. One, always conduct an express version of the interview on the phone prior to the sit down interview. The questions will be ones that are asked again during the personal interview, but the purpose of the quickie phone interview is to get a pulse on the person and to spend time reflecting on their answers. This reflection may lead to follow-up questions one would not think to ask otherwise. The second tip is to tell the applicant that during the interview they will be expected to ask three questions of you. The brilliance of this strategy is that the questions the applicant asks will very likely help you identify their values, or what is most important at the time from their perspective. Maybe your company only needs someone that can follow simple instructions. But I bet we would all like to have people who can really blend into our company’s culture and benefit mutually from a shared vision.
July 3, 2013
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City to begin annual budget process By Kent Myers
Daily Times and the Lufkin Daily School, he received a bachelor of News. In addition to his duties in science degree in advertising from Lufkin, he serves as vice president the University of Texas at Austin of Southern Newspapers, Inc. and in 1974 and followed with a masassists in management of the Nater of arts degree in journalism in cogdoches Daily Sentinel. 1982. A priority for Shrader is mainShrader is a past president of taining the identity of TPA, the the Texas Daily Newspaper Assomajority of whose members are ciation and Texas Newspaper AdShrader weekly newspapers, while encourvertising Managers Association. aging expanded involvement by He is a past recipient of the Frank the state’s daily papers after the Texas Daily Mayborn Award for Community Service. Newspaper Association ceased operations Shrader is also a board member of The last winter. Shrader noted that Texas’ daily Admiral Nimitz Foundation. and weekly newspapers shared governShrader has been married to his wife, mental affairs initiatives for years, and the Laura, for 39 years. They have two chiltransition to one unified press association dren, Travis, a graduate of the University has been extremely smooth. of Texas at Austin, and Virginia Tamplen, Shrader was born Oct. 5, 1952, at Fort a graduate of Texas Tech University at LubHood. A graduate of Pasadena High bock.
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Steve Rawls to join Keller Williams Realty Steve Rawls, a real Rawls is a long estate sales profestime resident of sional in FredericksFr e d e r i c k s b u r g burg, has joined the and the Texas Hill Keller Williams ReCountry and is acalty Fredericksburg tive in his church office. community. He and Rawls has an exhis wife, Trish, have tensive background two boys ages 10 Rawls in commercial adand 11, who attend vertising and travel St. Mary’s Catholic photography, is a U.S. mili- School. tary veteran and has experi“I chose Keller Williams ence in ranch wildlife man- Realty because of its repuagement and predator con- tation for integrity and trol. its agent-centric business He has been in the real model,” Rawls said. “I want estate industry for 11 to continue to grow my real years, marketing both estate business, and Keller ranch and residential real Williams Realty provides the estate. training and technology that “We are truly lucky to have will help me reach my goals.” Steve join us here at Keller The Keller Williams FredWilliams,” realtor and of- ericksburg office is located at fice manager Krista Duder- 1303 E. Main Street, Suite A, stadt said. “Keller Williams was established in 2001 and Realty offers its associates has 12 associates. unparalleled career growth More information on Keller and lifelong learning op- Williams Realty is available portunities in the real es- from Bill Taylor at (830) 285tate industry. We know that 5310 or at www.kw.com. Steve will be a great fit and that it is our customers who will truly benefit from Steve joining us.”
The City of Fredericksburg has recently started working on our annual budget covering the period from Oct. 1, 2013 to Sept. 30, 2014. The budget process will continue until September when the budget is scheduled for adoption by the city council. Our budget is a very important policy tool since it establishes the level of programs and services that the city will provide during the next 12 months. It also provides funding for any capital improvements that the city is planning for the coming year. Due to the importance of this document, we would like local citizens to have a better understanding of our budget. We also encourage you to be involved in the budget process, including offering input at upcoming budget meetings. The budget process actually started on June 7 when the city council held a retreat at the Hill Country University Center to discuss their major budget priorities for the coming year. Some of the priorities identified by city council members included increased drug enforcement, expansion of our recycling program and update of our comprehensive plan. These priorities are now being used by city staff to prepare a proposed budget that will be completed and distributed to the city council by mid-July. This budget will also include the proposed property tax rate for the coming year. This proposed budget will also be available on the city’s website (www.fbgtx.org) and will include a budget summary covering the highlights
of the budget. Once the council has an opportunity to review this proposed budget, then there will be a series of city council workshops later in July when the budget for each city fund is discussed in detail. The city also shares funding for a number of programs and services with the county. A separate budget workshop will be held between the city council and county commissioners to discuss these shared services. The dates and time for all of these workshops will be announced in the next two to three weeks and these meetings will be open to the public. Normally, these workshops result in a number of revisions to the proposed city budget. These revisions are then added to the budget for presentation and discussion at a public hearing. This hearing is scheduled for the city council meeting on Aug. 19, at 7 p.m., at the Law Enforcement Center and we hope that local citizens will attend this meeting to offer input. Following this public hearing, final changes are made to the budget. The budget and final property tax rate is then scheduled for adoption at the Sept. 18 council meeting. Additional information on the city budget will be available as we proceed with the budget process over the next several months. We welcome your comments on how we can improve the budget process and we welcome your input on any changes to the budget that you want to suggest to better address the needs of local citizens.
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GRIDIRON PREDICTIONS Football publication sees Billies reaching playoffs in 2013 campaign page A/B12
LAW PROMOTION Haley named new Fredericksburg police lieutenant page A/B6
Fredericksburg Standard No. 5 - USPS 209-080 • Periodical
Radio Post
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
FREDERICKSBURG CELEBRATES
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This explosion was one of hundreds set off Thursday night at Lady Bird Municipal Park. Organizers ended a day of two parades and a patriotic program with a fireworks display that drew thousands to the park, while hundreds more watched from around the city. — Standard-Radio Post/Matt Ward
PATRIOTS YOUNG AND OLD — August Janc and his great grandpa, Boyd Moore, of Fredericksburg, celebrate July Fourth in style. — Standard-Radio Post/Lisa Treiber-Walter
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Wednesday, July 10, 2013
SEATS OF HONOR — Among the 51 women veterans who served as grand marshals for the Fourth of July Parade on Thursday were, from left, Barbara Long, United States Air Force, Vietnam and Gulf eras; Marilyn Tatsch, U.S. Army, Vietnam era, and Angela Varga, U.S. Navy, peace time. More photos from the parade on C/D8. — StandardRadio Post/Yvonne Hartmann
DROWNING in “sax appeal,” the Sentimental Journey Orchestra led listeners down memory lane at Thursday’s patriotic program at Marktplatz. From left are saxophonists Ken Drefke, Bill King, Alex Ybarra and George Briscoe, all of San Antonio. Band leader Ted Conerly is visible in back. — Standard-Radio Post/Ken Esten Cooke
FREDERICKSBURG ISD
MILITARY
Trustees study tougher penalties for drug use
FISD okays Program set for Wounded purchase of Warriors, therapy dogs 275 tablets
Supt. recommends more consequences, education, as well as study on closed-campus
Fredericksburg Independent School District trustees on Monday agreed to enter the tablet era of computing in hopes of eventually leveling the playing field between haves and have nots. Trustees okayed the purchase of 275 tablet computers to begin teacher training, and for use with some staff members, Supt. Marc Williamson said. Cost for the initial purchase was $161,000. “The infrastructure needs to be in place before we offer this to students and every staff member,” Williamson said. “We are negotiating with Time Warner for additional bandwidth (to accommodate increased needs).” Williamson said iPads or Dell tablets would be given
By Ken Esten Cooke In light of the spring overdose tragedy of a Fredericksburg High School student, school trustees are mulling changes to the student code of conduct. On Monday, Fredericksburg Independent School District Supt. Marc Williamson made suggestions to the board of trustees to strengthen what he said is a proactive policy. Trustees will study the suggestions and potentially offer others to
would let students offer anonyadopt at their next meeting. Continuing and expanding mous tips to increase policing the district’s use of drug dogs of drug use. The district also plans to proand drug testing of students is an option. New tests could be vide additional information to parents of expanded to include We have a large cadre of good Fredericksburg High m o r e kids, and they’re going to be d r u g s , upset because they will be affected by School stuWilliam- consequences of kids who are using.” dents about son said, — Supt. Marc Williamson, about s t u d e n t though drug use at possibility of a closed FHS campus c o s t s its studentmust be parent orientation and informational weighed against the benefits. The district also will consider meeting. This meeting will upgrading its Crime Stoppers be held at 6 p.m., Aug. 19, in program, a partnership with the FHS Auditorium, and will the local community crime include information from local Cont. on A/B3 prevention organization. That
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FHS ORIENTATION, PARENT INFO SESSION This year’s fall orientation and informational session for parents and students of Fredericksburg High School on Monday, Aug. 19, at 6 p.m., in the FHS Auditorium, will include more information on drug prevention programs. Topics include discus-
Inside NEWS • Motorcycle rally benefit set for Chief Deputy injured in wreck — A/B2 SPORTS • FYBA all-stars intermediate team falls at state tourney — A/B14 COMMENTARY • Remember homemade ice cream from a hand-cranked machine? — C/D2
sions from the Fredericksburg Police Department Chief of Police, a Crime Stoppers representative, and an official from the Texas Attorney General’s office. FHS Principal Ralf Halderman said he hoped more parents would attend.
Cont. on A/B3
The healing bond between Wounded Warriors and therapy dogs will be on display free for visitors to see this Saturday, July 13, starting at 10 a.m. in the Admiral Nimitz Ballroom of the National Museum of the Pacific War. On hand will be representatives from Train A Dog Save A Warrior (TADSAW), along
Libation makers liberated New laws remove restrictions on breweries, brewpubs By Austin Eck The Texas Legislature passed a series of beer-related bills into law during their latest session. Both bills expanded how breweries and brewpubs could sell their products. Senate Bill 515 allows Brew-
Cont. on A/B8
EXPLODING out of the gate, quarter horses surge ahead in the sixth race — a 110-yard dash — during Saturday’s July Fourth Weekend Race Meet at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds. Winning the jaunt was the Number 5 horse “Jeez,” while taking second and third were horses Number 8 “Ottyes Shiney Cuervo” and Number 10 “KoKo Cartel.” Over two days of racing, nearly 4,400 fans wagered $307,474 at the local track. The five-eighths mile oval will gear up for pari-mutuel action again on July 20-21 for the Fredericksburg Texas Fest Race Meet. Other summer race dates are Aug. 10-11 and Aug. 24-25. See complete results and a follow-up report in today’s edition, pages A/B1213. — Standard-Radio Post/Lisa Treiber-Walter
For real-time weather information, go to: www.fredericksburgstandard.com
High Low Rain Wednesday 92 60 Thursday na* na* Friday na* na* Saturday 94 72 Sunday 95 72 Monday 87 72 Tuesday 93 71 Total Rain 0.00 Courtesy Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park * Recording equipment inoperable
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pubs, like the Fredericksburg Brewing Company (FBC), to sell their beers to retailers and distributors. Before the law was passed, brewpubs could only sell their beers onsite in glasses, to-go cups or 64 ounce growlers. FBC will continue to sell their beer in the traditional ways while they consider future expansion. The FBC makes about 1,000
AND THEY’RE OFF!
July 3-9, 2013 Rainfall this week 0.00 Rainfall for July 0.00 Rainfall for 2013 9.58 Normal for date 14.76 Same date last year 18.27 Low – July 13 60 High – July 7 95
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with their four-legged friends and the military members they assist. The TADSAW program unites wounded servicemen, suffering with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,) with homeless, rescue shelter dogs, who are evaluated and deemed viable, to nurture a healing and reju-
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FISD studies tougher policies law enforcement officials and high school counselors. “We’re hoping to get more parents there than normal to talk about things that are relevant at this time,” said FHS Principal Ralf Halderman. Consequences also may be strengthened, and Williamson suggested positive tests lead to an entire season of missed extra-curricular activities, including if a student tests positive in his activity’s “offseason.” An athlete who plays football only, but tests positive in April, would not be allowed to play the following year. Lastly, trustees may commission a study of how a closed high school campus — forbidding students to leave for lunch — might have an effect on drug use. “A closed campus would mean having to consider scheduling in the cafeteria and possibly adding to the current facilities,” Williamson said. That is an option also frowned upon by restaurant owners as students dining at lunchtime provide a portion of their revenues. “We have a large cadre of really good kids, and they’re going to be upset because of the consequences of kids who are using,” Williamson said. “We need to let them know if they don’t want this to happen, help us to solve this part. They can anonymously help us.”
of the meeting, so the special meeting was called to cover the drug prevention update.) The superintendent said there are four layers to the district’s drug efforts: Education, aimed at different levels with character issues starting at early grade levels; state law, as to what can legally be done by districts; drug testing, which allows the district to put everyone involved in extra-curricular activities to be tested; and the district’s code of conduct, which varies depending on which student activity. “Coach (Lance) Moffett’s code of conduct is a little more strenuous and it is in effect 24-7,” Williamson said. “Other districts I have visited with are different. Marble Falls ISD turns theirs off during the summer, while Coach Moffett does not.” With testing, Williamson said he did not normally release information about numbers of students tested to the public, but did in this case. Of 223 athletes tested last year, six were on prescription medication that showed up as an amphetamine, and six more were positive for illegal drugs, all marijuana. He said since FISD has been testing, only one student had tested positive for cocaine. Another option for the board to consider is to increase the frequency of testing, and expanding the testing panel to Options include “exotics” that are presWilliamson spent much of ent now. the special meeting Monday explaining areas of focus and Intent possible options for change. Williamson said one thing (This topic was to be cov- that has gotten lost was the ered at the recent FISD board prevention program’s intent. retreat, but Williamson was “It was not intended to be a unable to make that portion vehicle for criminal persecu-
tion,” he said. “The board’s intent (when it began drug testing a decade ago) was to make it a preventative measure that helped eliminate the social aspect of it — the idea that if a student is at a party Saturday night where drugs are present, our testing is a reason to say no.” Williamson said the district automatically administers a second test for any positive result. Also, he said, parents are notified if urine tests or drug dog searches reveal the presence of drugs. Problem In spite of the death, the superintendent and trustees agreed that drug use is not a problem that has “sprung up overnight.” Trustee Dave Campbell said some parents have the perception that suddenly drugs are rampant. Williamson said the board was told 10 years ago that FISD had a growing drug problem. “It was with us before,” he said. Trustee Kay Stech said electronic communication devices make it easier for dealers and customers to communicate through texting. While drug testing doesn’t include alcohol because it leaves the body more rapidly, Williamson said that is just as bad a problem as illegal drugs. “I don’t want anybody to dilute themselves that alcohol’s ok, while illegal drugs are not,” he said. “I’ve been here 22 years, and there is a doubledigit number of students lost to alcohol-related deaths. It shouldn’t be left out of the discussion.”
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als, while other studies can be enriched and the kids can take more responsibility for their learning.” Williamson said it is better for both low-performing and high-achieving students. “If they are ahead of the curve, they can do self-study they enjoy rather than being handed a coloring sheet to wait for the other students,” he said. “Can you imagine the possibilities of enrichment with hand-held devices compared to textbooks?” The board also was informed that the summer bilingual and English as a Second Language courses were complete for the summer.
July 10, 2013
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Cont. from A/B1
FISD okays purchase to 242 teachers and the rest would be to administrative support services and a few non-contractual positions. “I don’t see a radical change in teaching methods, because we’re already set up where we do many things electronically,” Williamson said. “But there will be a big difference in what can be done with the students out of the classroom — from assignments to easier teacher feedback.” But the district’s vision is to eventually equip each student with tablet devices. Districts around the state are beginning to include tablets in student instruction as updates to electronic textbooks are easy to manage, costs are comparable to real textbooks, and the proliferation of education-related applications, or “apps,” has provided new tools for learning. The superintendent said it also would help close the technology gap between the district’s sub-populations. “They will not all have the same downloads, the same graphing calculator available. Some can take home tutori-
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This year, the district had 48 participants. A new teacher in-service day was set for Monday, Aug. 5 with more than 30 instructors expected. In executive session, the board also approved four hires: • Piper Perlichek, Hill Country Special Education Co-op psychologist. • Jennifer Romo, third grade bilingual teacher at Fredericksburg Elementary School. • Karen Watson, Fredericksburg High School history and special education instructor. • Randall Watson, FHS math teacher and coach.
SERVING as grand marshals for the annual Fourth of July parade were 51 women veterans from across the Hill Country, including (front row, from left) Pauline Walch, U.S. Army nurse, WWII European Theater; Bernice Shafer, U.S. Army nurse, WWII Pacific Theater, Philippines; Doris Pinner, U.S. Navy
nurse, WWII, stateside; Lindy Kernan, U.S. Navy nurse, WWII Pacific Theater; Adela Frantzen, U.S. Army nurse, WWII European Theater; Betty Blalock, U.S. Navy pharmacist mate, WWII, stateside, and Ruth Sarnecki, U.S. Army nurse, Korean Conflict, stateside. — Photo courtesy Tami King
Community Ed classes on schedule Fredericksburg Independent School District’s Community Education has announced the following classes that will be offered in the coming weeks. For more information on these courses and how to sign up for them, contact Carol Reeh, Community Ed director, at 234 Friendship Lane, or call 997-7182. Billies Volleyball Camps (Grades 7-9) Open to all girls interested in learning how to play volleyball or improving their current volleyball skills. Emphasis is placed on individual skills as well as team concepts for maximum proficiency. Coach Jason Roemer will lead the camp with the help of assistants. The class is offered Monday through Thursday, July 29-Aug. 1, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the FHS Gym. The fee is $45, which includes a T-shirt. Simple Sewing & Craft Camp for Girls (Grades 3-8) Campers will create fun projects using fabric, felt, ribbon and more, and for the finishing touch can add rhinestones and
decorative buttons, ribbon and thread. The class is open to all students of all abilities. Diane Brandenberger will be leading the camp, which is scheduled Monday through Thursday, July 29-Aug. 1, in Room 236 at Fredericksburg Middle School. The camp takes place from 1-3 p.m., and the cost is $35, which includes all supplies. No Shortcuts Volleyball Camp (Grades 10-12) “Bump, set and spike” through the camp which covers skills, techniques, strategy and teamwork through exercises, drills and games. Jesi Grisham is the instructor for the camp, which takes place in the FHS Gym on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 2-3, from 9-4 p.m. (Participants are on their own for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.) The $89 fee includes a T-shirt. Mommy & Me Art (Ages 2-6 yrs) Participants will use paint, oil pastels, watercolors, various types of paper, glue and scissors to create art and memories. The workshop will be held Monday through Thursday, Aug. 5-8, in Room C42 at Fredericksburg Elementary School.
Session one is from 9-10 a.m. for ages two to three years and session two is from 10:30 a.m. to noon for ages four to six years. Diane Brandenberger is the instructor. It was noted that this is a 1:1 class. Each child must be accompanied by an adult, and no guests/siblings are allowed to sit in during class. The fee is $29, which includes all supplies and snack. Registration is limited to 10 per session. Parenting With Love & Logic “Love and Logic” is a proven program that offers techniques that can be used by parents of children of all ages. Parents can get the answers they are looking for to help deal with those day-to-day frustrations. The course fee of $60 includes a workbook. Note: The Hill Country Community Needs Council offers a monetary incentive for day care upon completion of this program. The session will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. on July 23, July 25, July 30, Aug. 1, Aug. 6 and Aug. 8. The class will be led by Carolyn Lester and will meet in Room 401 at Fredericksburg High School.
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
| July 10, 2013
| C/D3
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We The People! – just words?
Last Monday, I was privileged to witness what happens when the will of the people is ignored. The residents of the area bordered by East Creek Street, South Lee Street, East Ufer Street, and South Elk Street had requested a zone change from R-2 to R-1 with 100 percent of the residents within the area in favor of the change and one non-resident property owner opposed. The non-resident was opposed because he wanted to develop three B&Bs, allowable under R-2 instead of one allowable under R-1. Also, all residents within 200 feet of the properties requesting zoning change were in favor the change. Our mayor, council member Tim Dooley, and newly elected council member Gary Neffendorf decided to ignore all residents’ requests for R-1 in favor of the Planning and Zoning recommendation of retaining R-2 “because it has always been R-2.” Gentlemen, time does change things. Developments in our neighborhoods taking place that we never dreamed of in 1988 are now a threat to what have always been family communities (neighborhoods). Council members Graham Pearson and Kathy Sanford voted in favor of the People, and we thank you. Maybe it’s time to pay more attention to our elections and appointments. Perhaps head of the all powerful Planning and Zoning board should also be an elected position. Mark Langerhans Fredericksburg
Mayor disappoints
Naturally I was disappointed in the outcome of the council’s decision on July 1, but I wasn’t surprised. However, I thought the mayor’s diatribe was shameful. Rather than bring the community together, he has torn apart a beautiful neighborhood. Rather than being sensitive to critical neighborhood planning, traffic patterns and accommodations, he alienated many citizens. He was correct to remind everyone that we all bought into our properties knowing or should have known the implications of R2 zoning. However, the neighborhood has changed and what seemed like a good fit in 1988, when the zoning was set into place, is not a fit now. The mayor gave no credence to changes in the neighborhood, but he had to remind us over and over again that we are getting what “we deserve.” This from our community’s leader? Unfortunately for our neighborhood, the council seemed more concerned about one property owner’s development investment rather than the rest of the neighbors’ investment. For those of us who have substantial investments in our homes, the build out of R2 properties will diminish our property values and thus your tax revenues. However, he didn’t address this issue and you favored new development for development’s sake over
your citizens’ property rights. His thoughts on “low-cost housing” and the need for it within the city is certainly understandable, but there’s a proper place for this, and our tiny little neighborhood is not the place. Maybe it might be appropriate where he lives ... Mitch Leland Fredericksburg
‘Citizens, wake up!’
Those of you who agree with the concept “Government of the people, by the people, for the people” are in for a surprise if you follow the recent actions of Fredericksburg’s city government. The July 1 city council meeting was the last of several hearings before the Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission, where virtually all of the residents of the Lee Street neighborhood pleaded with the city for help in preserving their neighborhood by changing the zoning from R2 to R1 (single family residential). The citizens were denied on a 3-2 vote with council members Pearson and Sanford supporting the residents. Mayor Jeryl Hoover lectured the neighborhood residents, arguing that just because the vast majority of affected citizens want something doesn’t make it “incumbent” upon the council to act accordingly. As he explained it, the council has the power to act for what it considers “the greater good” of the city. In other words, the government knows what’s best for us. I suppose the golf course is a good example. Councilman Graham Pearson, at several meetings, has expressed his belief that the council should represent the will of the citizens. Councilman Tim Dooley has countered that the council is elected to make decisions for us, not to implement our requests. In effect, once in office, council members have full liberty to vote as they please — in spite of us. Sadly, one could close one’s eyes and think he or she is in Washington, D.C. Fellow citizens, elections are important and electing individuals responsive to the citizens is vital. We currently take the back seat to tourism and the interests of developers and merchants. Let’s pay attention and put people in office that will listen to the people. We have work to do. Russell Reese Fredericksburg
No voice in zoning
In response to the lead article “Council reverses rezoning request…” of July 3: The mayor said, “The fact that you have developed it more in the flavor of an R-1 is an after-the-fact nice thing, but it does not impose upon us to make changes to reflect what you have done when you knew it (was zoned R-2) when you bought it.” Regarding zoning and re-zoning changes, city council is mandated to respond to re-
A threat to safety, serenity
My husband and I have lived in Fredericksburg for 10 years and love our home. It’s been a blessing to share this beautiful, peaceful place with our family, friends and residents who are trying to make this community a better place to live. I am seriously concerned with Doug Guller’s opening of Bikinis “Breastaurant” for several reasons. First of all, it poses a serious threat to the safety of our family and friends driving on Old San Antonio Road. The road has no center line, twists and turns, is very narrow in several places and has a dangerous one-lane bridge to cross. Guller’s clients will likely have trouble driving on our road at night, especially after a 12-hour open bar party. Parking along Old San Antonio Road will also be cause for alarm, possibly obstructing the roadway for emergency vehicles, as well as having the potential for hazardous grass fires. Secondly, with Bikinis being on a piece of property that is less than two acres and has no running water or septic system, there is a strong potential for the estimated 500-plus people to suffer serious health problems on July 13 and there afterwards. Thirdly, I am opposed to the idea of Carmen Electra coming to imprint her breasts into the “Hall of Fame” wall. This type of establishment is not in line with our conservative Fredericksburg lifestyle, and I don’t believe it belongs here! Lastly, we are concerned that our property values will diminish because of Bikinis “Breastaurant” so close to our homes. My family wants to be surrounded by people who will build up our community in a positive and respectful way. I do not feel this business is in keeping with our goal. Sandee Gasmire Fredericksburg
quests from the citizenry. And as elected officials one expects that they represent the wishes of the majority. Ours has been a neighborhood’s grassroots endeavor. We’ve gone through the long, drawn-out process of multiple requests and petitions to the Planning and Zoning Commission and city council. We have done it respectfully and within our legal rights. In doing so, we’ve exemplified democracy at its most fundamental level — a group of citizens coming together for common cause and petitioning its government. With the exception of council members Sanford and Pearson, who from the beginning, understood and championed our petitions, we’ve been dismissed as a majority for the sake of a lone dissenter. We now have no voice in how our neighborhood and individual property should be developed and zoned. That our voices were nearly unanimous and then voted down, would seem to defy what constitutes good governance. Lynn Watt Fredericksburg
Balance is best
Regarding the recent City Council decision to deny the request of a majority of residents to rezone their neighborhoods in favor of investors and developers, in the future I hope the council will consider a better balance between commercial interests and residents who live permanently in historic and unique neighborhoods. Don’t kill the goose that laid the golden egg. Forrest and Carmen Armstrong Fredericksburg
Let the people speak
What is all this fuss about? Do the people have a right to speak or don’t they? In a democracy, as we should be, it is one of the rights of citizens to explain what they want and the council to explain their actions and the populace to choose. I spent a few years in Gladstone, Mo. In my elected position (first woman to sit on the council) along with others, I helped place a city manager type of government, supplementing the old mayor and council. We were so successful that years later that city rose from a suburb of bedrooms to an established and flourishing city. There is no use in attending council meetings when the decisions seem always to stay untouched. I hope every registered voter comes forth and packs the city council meetings. I want every chair in the audience filled with the intelligent folks, every time. It is better to argue with words instead of filling the downtown with clubs. Democracy dies when we do not listen to the people. No, Mr. Jones, we are not misguided. All we want is an opened window. Josephine M. Reifert Fredericksburg
Promoter will leave mess for locals
Why do we live in Gillespie County? Is it safe, quiet, and a clean environment to raise a family? I believe the answer is yes! Unfortunately, for the people living on and near Old San Antonio Road (OSA Rd.), our environment is prepping for an occurrence. Doug Guller, a businessman from Austin, bought the Bankersmith general store, renamed his 1.56 acres after himself, and is building an adult-style dance hall, bar and eatery. Come midJuly, there will be a “grand opening.” (As of the middle of June, there were no county permits granted for this event. I checked.) People living on and near OSA Rd. understand safety factors for country roads: blind spots, sharp curves, 45 miles-per-hour, one-lane bridges and private road entrances. What is going to happen on that day in July to our quiet 20 to 30 foot wide country road? Mr. Guller told county officials he expected 500 attendees for this day-night event. That is interesting because a person living on OSA Rd. was asked if they could park up to 1,000 vehicles on his place because Guller was having an event that day! What about seating, water to drink, and a place to go to the bathroom? When people need to go, they don’t wait for a port-apotty, they go! And the smell, well you get the idea. What about all the noise that will be coming from the event? Who will clean up the trash on OSA Rd. after the event? Yep, it will be our Grapetown community, because Guller does not live here. He will go home to his quiet, clean, safe home. People who live in the country like it safe, quiet, clean and healthy. Just my two cents worth. Karen Robertson Fredericksburg
Experience with drug users My experience with drug users and past drug users is enough to make me wonder why there is any question to use or not. I have a ranch and employ people to help with the labor. This job is low on the scale of income for employees. It is work just about anybody can do, except people who have done drugs. I’ve unknowingly hired drug users until I was able to recognize the signs, which happens fast. I’ve hired past drug users and this takes a bit longer to detect, but after much experience, I’m able to detect past drug users as well. They are unable to
do the simplest jobs and are unwilling to stay with the work. My experience tells me the brain cells destroyed by drugs are never restored. So I wonder why anybody can even think about a short-term high when their future or even their life will be destroyed. I’ve heard the excuse that being a teen is tough and they do drugs to escape. But this is an escape from reality forever. The real world can be very rewarding at any age but we need to give ourselves every chance to succeed and not do drugs to diminish those chances. It looks like parents, teachers and lawmakers are doing everything possible to stop drug abuse. Maybe it is time the kids listened to their elders so they will have a chance at a happy, healthy future. Judy Siracusa Fredericksburg Thief ruins birthday card I would like to thank whoever returned my birthday card to me on June 25, but really, I would have preferred to have opened it myself. The card was extra special this year, not only because it was for my 60th birthday, but because it had some special, sweet messages only a loving brother could say to his younger sister via mail — not to mention the $60 gift card that was missing when the “opened” card was returned to our mailbox after the gift card was used in San Antonio. I say “returned” because it obviously was taken out of the mailbox, then put back days later. I only hope the $60 shopping spree brought someone pleasure, or it was taken out of necessity. If it bought food for a child, then I am glad that we could help and wish you health and happiness in the future. As for the mailbox holders on Jenschke Lane, I suggest that you check your mail as soon as you think the mail lady has come by. I can tell you that we will be there every day as soon as the mail is delivered. As for people mailing gift cards in the mail, I would suggest that you cushion the envelope, use a padded one or use the delivery options that the U.S. Postal Service offers — anything to disguise the feeling of such a tiny, extra bulkiness in a card. Oh, and I will probably still mail out a card now and then and include a gift card or check. To the thief, I always mail my valuable mail and cards at the Post Office — I don’t leave them for the mail person to pick up. Sorry! Judy Petsch Fredericksburg
50 YEARS AGO In The Standard
See this week’s installment on page C/D5.
MID-TEXAS HEALTH CARE FAMILY MEDICINE
More Time Pieces more or borrow a few from my grandmother so that we’d have enough to fill the proper amount of pages. One summer, we reached our goal to save enough stamps for the Alaska Hostess ice cream freezer. Back then, my grandparents had a milk cow. And when you had a cow, that meant you had cream. And, as everyone knows, there’s nothing tastier than homemade ice cream made with fresh cream. The ice cream custard would be prepared with whole milk that had been milked the evening before. By the next morning, the cream had risen to the top and Granny would carefully spoon it into a pitcher to be saved for the ice cream. The
Whistle blowers I have lived in this town all of my life, and enjoyed swimming at both public pools. I have seen many lifeguards come and go, but the three young adults we encountered on July 1 were some of the rudest. It seemed their main concern was to see how often they could blow their whistles. On this day, the number of people in the pool at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park was eight, including my husband and two grandchildren. Obviously, rules must be in place, and we tried very hard to adhere. It started with the three-year-old having the whistle blown at her because she was walking on her tiptoes, and not just walking. This was followed by both the three- and five-year old having the whistle blown at them because they were taking too long to enter the pool, via the ramp. Next in line, was the five-year-old being “tweeted” at because she had her goggles on when she wanted to jump off of the diving board, followed by yet another whistle, because she didn’t jump straight off of the board. It seemed like every move we made, the whistle was blown. The young female life guard was wearing pajama pants, with her lifeguard attire over them (very professional!), and one of the young men kept his whistle clenched in his lips the entire time we were there, just waiting for his chance to blow it. After speaking with others, I discovered that mine was not an isolated incident. Perhaps the adult supervising them should actually supervise, and teach them how to interact with children. Children are, after all, not adults. For a town that prides itself on its friendly people, I shudder to think what the visitors feel when they swim at this pool. Rocki Hartmann Fredericksburg
Cont. from D2
custard was then poured into the ice cream freezer’s metal canister, topped off with fresh cream, covered and placed into the fiberglass bucket. Once we started adding ice and rock salt to the fiberglass bucket, it was very important to keep the dasher turning while adding the ice and salt to prevent the dasher from jamming and freezing to the side of the bucket. The directions said not to turn it too quickly or the ice cream would not have a chance to freeze, but also not to turn too slowly so that the dasher would freeze to the side and jam. But then, part of the jamming problem could be attributed to the ice. Since there was no conve-
nience store down the street at which to purchase “fun-sized” ice, we froze our own ice in cardboard milk cartons saved from the milk we had to buy when the cow had no calf. And, since it was chipped apart with an ice pick, no two pieces were ever the same size. It was important to set the freezer in a galvanized wash bucket so that the salty water that escaped through the drain hole on the side would not run down the sidewalk and into the flower beds and kill the flowers and shrubs. An old bath mat would be placed on top of the freezer to keep the cold in and to cush-
ion our behinds since we’d take turns sitting on it to prevent it from jumping around on the sidewalk while the “cranker” was taking his turn turning the handle on the dasher. Once it was so stiff that it could hardly be turned, we’d pour off the salt water and add more ice and salt and let it sit several hours so that it could “cure” and turn nice and firm. But, nine times out of 10, we were so exhausted and hungry after turning the freezer that we couldn’t wait that long and we would eat the ice cream before it could cure! sherrie@fredericksburgstandard.com
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
A/B10
| July 17, 2013
|
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
LAW ENFORCEMENT NEWS
Local law officers join in task force for city drug bust Drugs seized, dealer in custody Several thousands of dollars’ worth in illegal drugs and a dealer are off the streets following a multi-agency task force arrest in Fredericksburg Friday night, July 12. Seized was enough cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamines to cover a table top, along with several weapons, according to Gillespie County Sheriff Buddy Mills. Taken into custody around 7 p.m. without incident and currently in the Gillespie County Jail on a no bond hold by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) division is Juergen Langer, 50, of 305 Shaw Avenue. He faces eight narcotics charges, including “manufacture/possess with intent to deliver.” The arrest was the result of a multi-agency task force comprised of officers from
the Gillespie County Sheriff ’s Office, the Fredericksburg Police Department, the United States Marshalls Service, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, ICE and the Kerrville Police Special Crimes Unit (which includes members from the Kerrville Police Department and the Kerr County Sheriff ’s Office.) “Since most agencies are small and have limited resources, it makes good sense to combine our forces to help each other,” the sheriff said. “With the support and assistance of multiple agencies, we don’t just chase the bad out of a given area, we actively pursue them wherever they may be. This would not be possible unless all agencies work together as a team and had the support of the leaders of each department or office,” Mills added. “We all equally share in the pride that the bad guy was caught. We did it together,” Mills said.
Sheriff’s report The Gillespie County Sheriff ’s Office (GCSO) responded to 93 calls from July 8-14. Deputies investigated four thefts. The first was Wednesday, July 10, when a jewelry box and cash (valued approximately $1,000,) were reported missing from a residence. On Friday, July 12, deputies took a report that a credit card was used to make unauthorized online purchases. Later that same day, unauthorized phone calls were reportedly charged to a residential phone. And, on Saturday, July 13, a theft of plywood was reported. July 8-15 • 3 accidents (1 major - see left.) • 8 alarms. • 12 animal calls. • 1 assault. • 5 civil disputes. • 2 reports of criminal mischief. • 8 disturbances. • 1 reported DWI. • 2 emergency assist. • 1 mental commitment. • 1 reported fraud. • 9 prisoner transports. • 11 reports of suspicious activity. • 4 thefts. • 18 traffic hazards. • 4 warrants served. • 3 welfare concern calls. There were 23 people booked into jail during the week and as of Monday, July 15, there were 30 inmates in Gillespie County custody.
A ROLLOVER accident Friday, July 12, (sur- barbed wire fence and its driver, Kenneth veyed here by DPS Trooper Coy Morales) Wilkinson, injured and in need of an airlift. resulted in this pickup landing trough a — Standard-Radio Post/Matt Ward
Local man ‘stable’ after RM648 rollover A rollover accident Friday, July 12, resulted in one man being airlifted to University Hospital in San Antonio. According to a hospital spokesman, Kenneth Wilkinson, 64, of Fredericksburg, was listed in “stable condition” as of yesterday morning, July 16, some five days
after the accident that injured him on Ranch to Market 648 about .2 miles west of U.S. Highway 87. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper J.C. Spillman stated that Wilkinson was driving a 2003 Ford pickup eastbound on RM 648 at around 2:30 p.m. when the
accident happened. Wilkinson reportedly overcorrected his steering after he failed to drive in a single lane, causing the pickup to sideskid across the eastbound lane of RM 648. The pickup eventually rolled onto its left side and top, coming to rest in a field, DPS stated.
Fredericksburg police report Fredericksburg Police Department officers responded to 133 calls for service from July 8-14, including six thefts and two burglaries. Thefts On Monday, July 8, at 8:40 a.m., police took a report of stolen cash, but the case was later classified as “unfounded.” At 2:09 p.m., the FPD was called to the 2000 block of Texas Highway 16 for a report of stolen cash, but the issue was resolved before police arrived. At 6:01 p.m., an officer was called to Walmart, 1435 East Main Street, because a person was attempting to return nonpurchased merchandise. The suspect was issued a citation for theft less than $50. On Tuesday, July 9, at 12:50 p.m., an officer was called back to Walmart regarding a possible shoplifting incident. A suspect was issued a citation for criminal mischief and a criminal trespass notice.
Gillespie fire, rescue calls Doss •Wednesday, July 10 — 4:27 p.m., U.S. Highway 87 North at Hilltop, EMS assist. •Friday, July 12 — 9 a.m., 577 Cherry Spring Road, EMS assist. •Friday, July 12 — 2:34 p.m. 1395 Ranch Road 648, motor vehicle accident. •Saturday, July 13 — 2:51 p.m., Ranch Road 648, EMS assist. Fredericksburg •Monday, July 8 — 12:50 p.m., 606 Prickly Pear Court, fire alarm activation. •Tuesday, July 9 — 9:42 a.m., 312 East Morse Street, structure fire. •Wednesday, July 10 — 12:56 p.m., McCullough Burrer Road, grass fire. •Wednesday, July 10 — 3:03 p.m., Enchanted Rock, EMS assist and rescue. •Thursday, July 11 — 8:13 a.m., 357 Oakhaven Road, structure fire. •Friday, July 12 — 10:48 a.m., Main Street at Crockett Street, general investigation. •Friday, July 12 — 2:34 p.m., 1395 Ranch Road 648, motor vehicle accident. •Saturday, July 13 — 12:19 p.m., Enchanted Rock, EMS assist and rescue. •Saturday, July 13 — 1:36 p.m., 203 Rheingold School Road, mutual aid. •Saturday, July 13 — 4:19 p.m., 338 Smith Road, grass fire. Stonewall •Monday, July 8 — 5:54 p.m., 4412 Hahn Road, fire alarm activation. •Monday, July 8 — 9:07 p.m., 694 Bruce Road, EMS assist. •Thursday, July 11 — 11:23 p.m., 496 Spring Valley Trail, general investigation. •Saturday, July 13 — 1:40 p.m., 203 Rheingold School Road, mutual aid. Willow City •Wednesday, July 10 — 3:03 p.m., Enchanted Rock, EMS assist and rescue. •Thursday, July 11 — 8:16 a.m., 347 Oakhaven Road, mutual aid. •Friday, July 12 — 7:47 p.m. 64 Issacs Mountain Road, fire alarm activation. •Saturday, July 13 — 12:19 p.m., Enchanted Rock, EMS assist and rescue. •Saturday, July 13 — 1:32 p.m., 203 Rheingold School Road, grass fire.
On Thursday, July 11, at 11:32 a.m., an officer was sent to the 500 block of Fulton Street in reference to a theft of documents. And, on Friday, July 12, at 8:18 p.m., an officer took a report of a theft of an Apple iPad, which was later located. Burglaries On Monday, July 8, at 7:13 a.m., an officer was called
to Braunbach Granite, 520 South Adams Street, in reference to a burglary of a commercial building. And, on Wednesday, July 10, at 8:29 a.m., a burglary of a building was also reported at Subway, 401 East Main Street. Special Services FPD’s Special Services reported it located one 16-year-old male runaway.
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id with Previous Conviction; Arrests • 1 Fail to Control Speed/Duty Policemen arrested 10 people during the past week for Upon Striking Unattended Vehicle; the following charges:
• 1 No Driver’s License when • 2 Public Intoxication; • 1 Aggravated Assault with Unlicensed; • 1 Possession of Controlled Deadly Weapon/Fraud – Use or Possess of Identifying Info and Substance, and, • 1 Possession of Marijuana. Items/Resist Arrest, Search or July 8-14 Transport; • 12 auto accidents (all minor.) • 1 Driving While Intoxicated; • 6 alarms. • 1 Driving While Intoxicated • 16 animal control calls. with Child under 15 years of age; • 2 burglaries of businesses. • 1 Driving While License Inval-
• 2 civil disputes. • 14 disturbances. • 2 criminal mischief. • 2 emergency assist. • 1 report of fraud. • 2 reports of harassment. • 3 reports of lost/stolen property. • 19 public relations calls. • 2 recoveries of property. • 12 reports of suspicious activities. • 6 thefts. • 17 traffic hazards. • 12 welfare concern calls. • 3 other.
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AROUND THE GLOBE Aussie teen pilot makes stop here on record-setting flight attempt page A/B15
NEW MAGAZINE Restaurant guide features area’s top eateries INSIDE
SOLDIER’S HOMECOMING Family, friends welcome veteran from Afghanistan deployments page A/B2
Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post
No. 7 - USPS 209-080 • Periodical
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
NIGHT IN OLD FREDERICKSBURG
GILLESPIE COUNTY
Law agencies make largest meth bust ever Four arrested at local apartment; drugs had nearly $30,000 value
CROONING for his fans, singer Thomas Michael Riley headlined the entertainment at the 50th anniversary of Night In Old Fredericksburg Saturday evening at Marktplatz. The
two-day event was sponsored by the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce. More coverage on page C1. — StandardRadio Post/Matt Ward
Motorcycle ride will benefit Judds with medical recovery Friends to help after lawman’s head-on collision on June 25 Community members are being asked to show their support during a motorcycle charity ride Saturday morning, July 27, to benefit severely injured Gillespie County Sheriff ’s Office Chief Deputy Jim Judd and his wife, Sheri. The Judds were injured June 25 in a head-on, two-vehicle collision that also claimed the life of local resident David Charles Meurer on Ranch to Market Road 1631.
While Sheri has reportedly improved enough to be discharged from physical rehabilitation, the county’s chief deputy remains in a quadriplegic state and on a ventilator in the intensive care unit of San Antonio Medical Center (SAMC.) “Jim needs lots of prayers,” said his son-in-law, Mike Goy on Monday. “He’s fighting and so we’re going to keep fighting with him,” Goy said, adding that Jim’s spirits are good, that he’s holding his own and breathing more on his own. “As you could imagine, the Cont. on A/B4
Auto Swap meet to host car lovers this weekend The Fredericksburg Vintage Car Club will host car lovers during the 2013 Hill Country Auto Swap Meet with Car Corral, Friday through Sunday, July 26-28 at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park. When the event opens on Friday morning, attendees looking for a car, an obscure part or just an interesting item will flood into the park. The park will buzz throughout the weekend
until the meet ends at noon on Sunday. The event, now in its 36th year, will feature the Car Corral. The corral situated in the center of the meet, features automobiles that are being sold. Admission and parking is free for the event, and on Saturday a complimentary shuttle will carry attendees from the parking area to the vendors.
INSIDE
WEATHER
NEWS • Zonta Club honors Oestreich as ‘Woman of Achievement’ — C3 SPORTS • FHS varsity football season tickets go on sale Monday — A/B13 COMMENTARY • Let’s pitch in to help Judd, who has helped county immeasurably — D2
Cont. on A/B4
Local law enforcement officers seized the largest cache of methamphetamine drugs in Fredericksburg’s history on Thursday, July 18, and arrested two men and two women in connection. The bust means illegal narcotics with a street value of close to $30,000 will never make it into users’ hands. Fredericksburg Police Department (FPD) Chief Steve Wetz confirmed the arrest came in the evening hours Thursday when a narcotics search warrant was executed on a unit in the Highland Oak Apartments, 1019 Friendship Lane.
Each of the adults now faces a first-degree felony charge of “Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver in a Drug-Free Zone,” according to FPD Detective Terry Weed. The charges carry a “drugfree zone” weight because the apartment complex has a playground frequented by children, while the Head Start school and First Baptist Church are also both located nearby, Weed said. Taken into custody were: • The apartment’s tenant, 43-year-old Laurie King (who was currently on probation for a previous controlled substance conviction); • Rebecca Martinez, 44, of Kerrville; • Gaines Andrews, 23, of Cont. on A/B9
TEXAS FEST
Cont. on A/B4
GILLESPIE COUNTY
COMING DOWN the stretch, the Number 8 horse “Derf,” ridden by Damian Martinez, prepares to pass the Number 2 horse, “Tinys Corona Jet,” ridden by Ignacio Bustamante in the fourth race Sunday, during the two-day Texas
Fest Race Meet at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds. “Derf” finished first in the race, while “Tinys Corona Jet” finished third. See results on page A/B12 and more photos on page D1. — Standard-Radio Post/Matt Ward
Blues icons take stage for Roots Concert Austin’s W.C. Clark, Omar and the Howlers Bobby Mack to play Turning its spotlight on “the blues” will be the next multiperformer Roots Music Series concert this Saturday night, July 27, at Pioneer Museum. Bobby Mack will kick off the outdoor concert’s evening
July 17-23, 2013 Rainfall this week 0.71 Rainfall for July 2.15 Rainfall for 2013 11.73 Normal for date 15.72 Same date last year 19.48 Low – July 17, 18 69 High – July 23 96 For real-time weather information, go to: www.fredericksburgstandard.com
High Low Rain Wednesday 85 69 0.71 Thursday 89 69 Friday 93 70 Saturday 93 71 Sunday 94 74 Monday 94 76 Tuesday 96 73 Total Rain 0.71 Courtesy Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park * Recording equipment inoperable
SECTIONS A - Front B - Sports C - Lifestyles
$1
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
D - Community E/F - Real Estate/Classifieds G - IT’S ON! Entertainment
lineup at 6:30 p.m. and will ROOTS ADMISSION be followed at 7:30 p.m. by Gates (accessed through a Omar and the Howlers. “The side entrance off South Milam Godfather of Austin Blues” — Street) open at 5 p.m. and W.C. Clark — will headline at admission costs $12 per adult. Children 18 years of age and 9:10 p.m. Blues night is the third younger are admitted free. installment of the Roots series and, like previous Main Street. Proceeds raised from the performances, will be held under shade on the museum’s concert support the mission grounds, located at 325 West of the sponsoring Gillespie
HOLD TIGHT — Minot Frantzen works on improving her ball-handling skills by moving the ball around her legs. Frantzen participated in the Lady Billies Basketball camp that began on Monday, July 22, and will end on Thursday, July 25. — Standard-Radio Post/ Austin Eck
County Historical Society. Drinks and food are sold on the grounds. No outside coolers, beverages or bottles are allowed. The evening’s opening act will be guitarist Bobby Mack, who started his career in legendary Austin music venues, including the Armadillo World Headquarters, Soap Cont. on A/B3
Volkaert tunes up for PCAA Fredericksburg’s downtown square will play host to Grammy Awardwinning guitarist Redd Volkaert this Sunday, July 28. The free, open-air performance by the renowned Austin-based musician will be the second-to-last “Concert In The Park” in the Pedernales Creative Arts Alliance (PCAA) summer series. Music fans are invited
TO SUBSCRIBE Call 830-997-2155 Get daily update email newsletter by sending request to: fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com
to bring their lawn chairs and blankets or arrive early to claim some of the limited picnic table seating at the Adelsverein Halle, the largest pavilion on Marktplatz. The free admission concert will start at 6:30 p.m. and last until around 8 p.m. Dancing is encouraged,
PICKER Red Volkaert has performed with top country acts for years.
Cont. on A/B3
fredericksburgstandard.com facebook.com/fredericksburgstandard @fbgstandard
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
|
July 24, 2013
| A/B7
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Fredericksburg Police Department report In addition to making a large drug bust, investigating five cases of theft and two incidents of burglary, the Fredericksburg Police Department’s officers also responded to numerous calls of various other origins. In all, from July 15-21, the FPD responded to 145 calls. Arrests Several arrests were made in connection to a large narcotics seizure on Thursday, July 18, at the Highland Oak Apartments at 1019 Friendship Lane. (See separate story elsewhere in today’s issue of the Fredericksburg StandardRadio Post.) Those arrests, combined with others for separate infractions made the FPD’s total number of arrests for the week at 11 individuals. Those taken into custody were charged with the following offenses: • 1 Delivery of Controlled Substance/Drug Free Zone; • 1 Driving While License Invalid with Previous Conviction; • 4 Local Warrants; • 1 Out of County Warrant; • 1 Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver/Drug Free Zone and Out of County Warrant; • 1 Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver/Drug Free Zone; • 1 Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver/ Drug-Free Zone, Failure to
Maintain Financial Responsibility, Expired or No License Plate and No Valid Inspection Certificate, and, • 1 Public Intoxication. Thefts FPD investigators received five reports of theft over the week. On Monday, July 15, at 1:55 p.m., stolen furniture was reported in the 200 block of South Washington Street. On Thursday, July 18, at 10:40 a.m., an officer was called out to Home At Last, 206 South Adams Street, in reference to a theft. Taken from the store sometime the previous night were: a granite turtle approximately seven inches tall (valued at $120) and a granite rabbit standing nine inches tall (valued at $95.) Later that same day, July 18, at 11:14 p.m. police were called to the 500 block of East Highway Street in reference to a person who left without paying a tab, but the person later returned to pay. On Friday, July 19, at 2:36 p.m., the Budget Host Deluxe Inn, 901 East Main Street, reported to police that a guest was refusing to pay for a late check-out. After the officers investigated, the call was classified as a civil matter. On Sunday, July 21, at 5:27 p.m., an officer was dispatched to Marktplatz, 100 West Main Street, in reference to the theft of a portable power panel. The ensuing investigation revealed that the power panel had been moved and that it had not
been stolen. Burglaries A burglary of a residence was reported in the 300 block of West Walch Street at 9:54 a.m. on Friday, July 19. Police officers investigating at the scene classified the case as criminal mischief to the residence. And, a burglary of a vehicle was reported at 3:07 p.m. on Monday, July 15, when police were told by phone that a cell phone had been taken from an unlocked vehicle parked in the Hilda’s Tortilla’s parking lot, 149 Farm to Market 2093 (Tivydale Road.) Special Services FPD’s Special Services division investigated two reports of welfare concern involving a six-year-old male and a 15-year-old female. Two reports of physical abuse were also investigated, one involving a nine-year-old male and the other a five-year-old male. July 15-21 • 6 auto accidents (all minor.) • 9 alarms. • 18 animal control calls. • 1 burglary of a residence. • 1 burglary of a vehicle. • 8 civil disputes. • 2 criminal mischief cases. • 10 disturbances. • 1 emergency assist. • 2 reports of fraud. • 2 reports of harassment. • 1 report of lost/stolen property. • 24 public relations calls. • 2 recoveries of property. • 17 reports of suspicious activities. • 5 thefts. • 9 traffic hazards. • 4 warrants served. • 9 welfare concern calls. • 14 other.
Gillespie County Sheriff’s Office report The Gillespie County Sheriff ’s Office (GCSO) responded to 79 calls from July 15-22. Deputies investigated one reported theft by check case over the week and assisted the Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers on the scenes of three major accidents. July 15-22
• 5 accidents (3 major.) • 7 alarms. • 1 animal call. • 5 civil disputes. • 1 report of criminal mischief. • 10 disturbances. • 2 reported DWIs. • 2 emergency assist. • 1 mental commitment. • 12 prisoner transports.
• 9 reports of suspicious activity. • 1 theft. • 14 traffic hazards. • 3 warrants served. • 6 welfare concern calls. There were 24 people booked into jail during the week and as of Monday, July 22, there were 35 inmates in Gillespie County custody.
www.RockBoxTheater.com
GARTH TRIBUTE SHOW Garth Brooks Alan Jackson Brooks & Dunn George Strait
Fri-Sun, July 26th-28th
Tribute Show
They were known for their smooth sounds and slick moves, and have been been compared to Beatles in terms of sheer impact on popular music. Motown to Funk, it’s gonna be jivin’. Wed-Thurs, August 7th-8th
Friends of the hospital
The Image of Success PROJECT BENEFIT:
CT Scanner
SAVE the DATE
GALA XV GOAL:
$550,000 GALA XV:
The Image of Success
GALA LUNCH
October 19, 2013
Date: Site:
Saturday, October 19, 7pm to 1am The Lodge Event Center at Country Inn & Cottages, owned by Jeff & Amy Mazurek Tickets: $150 per person Date: Friday, October 11, 11:30am Site: Hoffman Haus, owned by Hugh & Leslie Washburne Tickets: $75, includes lunch and tours of several bed & breakfasts
Thank You Underwriters (as of July 22, 2013) DIAMOND Hollin-Avery Heritage Trust The Maund Companies PLATINUM Dian and Harlan Stai GOLD Cindy and Bruce Busby HCM Executive Team Hill Country Imaging Associates, PA Bobby and PJ Hillin Karl and Judy Koch Mike and Mary Porter Gordon E. and Maggie Sauer Jane and Ray Tolson SILVER Dr. Gene Bishop and Dr. R. Gayle Williams The Blanco National Bank The Brandt Companies Laura and Dale Cook Cornerstone Clinic Fredericksburg Clinic, PA Danny and Karen Gotcher HCM Executive Team Barbara and Royce Hunter Joseph Financial Partners Richard Laughlin / Laughlin Homes & Restoration, Inc. Ernie and Karen Loeffler Dr. Robert and Kathy Murray Pathology Reference Laboratory / Shari Addington, MD Mary and Karl Ransleben Danny and Peggy Reeh Neal and Penny Reeh Rogers-O’Brien Construction Jim and Constance Schultz William A. Scripps Danny and Reneé Sechrist Security State Bank & Trust Mike and Nancy Shaw Carol Ann Shepherd St. David’s HealthCare Michael and Amanda Stevens Dr. Michael and Ann Williams BRONZE Burleigh and Sue Arnecke Arrowhead Bank Carol and John Batterton Robin Boone, CRPC / Ameriprise Financial Richard and Jane Bowersox Margaret Dooley-Collignon Jakob and Amy Crenwelge Debbye and Edward Dooley The Drug Shop Mark and Katie Eckhardt Myron and Monica Fiedler Tom Gromus Dr. James and Carole Harrington Hill Country Counseling / Chris Stewart, MS, LPC David and Beth Hughes Mark and Lisa Jones Dr. and Mrs. James Lindley Phil and Pat McConnell Robert and Suzanne Morhart Katie Murphy Al and Liz Napier
BRONZE (continued) Benjamin and Emily Padula Dr. Jim and Pat Partin Mark D. Peterson Bill and Faye Petmecky Tom and Maureen Polivka Stephen and Jayne Pope Wayne and Sherry Rode Frosty and Susan Rees Victoria Rust Gregory and Holly Schmidt Steve and Kelly Sosland Steve and Helen Stringer Tigertail Events Annette and Bill Tilley Paul D. Urban Todd and Karen Willingham Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Woellhof ADDITIONAL UNDERWRITERS Drs. Stephen and Cynthia Clegg Bruce and Rebecca Daley Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post Danny and Karen Gotcher H-E-B Peter G. Leede Bill and Cheri Rothermel The Sherrill Family Foundation / Debbie Sherrill Courtney Carol Ann Shepherd Camey Stewart Dr. Tom and Kay Telle OUR PHYSICIAN & PROVIDER SUPPORTERS Shari Addington, MD Erika Benfield, RN, MSN, FNP Charles E. Burg, MD Gene Bishop, MD Simone Bridges-Roschmann, MD Drs. Stephen and Cynthia Clegg Karen G. Cornett, MD Rebecca Daley, DO Kathy Fryburger, PA-C William Gordon, MD Tyson D. Hale, MD Matthew J. Hoermann, MD Jeff Holt, MD Michael M. Johnson, MD Loretta Keese, MPAS, PA-C Rad Kothmann, MD Jennifer K. Mayben, MD, MPH Philip J. Maple, MD Robert R. Murray, MD Jim Partin, MD Joe M. Pruneda, III, MD John Ramsay, MD Suzanne Ellison Ramsay, MD Alfred M. Roschmann, MD Nancy M. Rickerhauser, MD Kristi A. Stafford, MD Ronald A. Stotz, MD Leo C. Tynan, MD R. Gayle Williams, MD IN-KIND Another Closest Self Storage August E’s Marc and Cindy Bennett Don Strange of Texas Fredericksburg Printing and Office Supply Full House PR / Phil Houseal Sisters Vintage Party
To purchase tickets or to become an underwriter, contact the HCMH Foundation.
Buy tickets online or call:
GO ONLINE:
(830) 997-7625 Located 99 Steps off Main Street 109 North Llano, Fredericksburg, Texas
GALA XV
14664.07
giving.hillcountrymemorial.org / CALL: (830) 997-1297 / EMAIL:
foundation@hillcountrymemorial.org
14612.07
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Reeh
Cont. from A/B8 learned that nearly a quarter of the attendees indicated that they had learned about the event online. This was surprising in that our online efforts were a fairly minor part of our total advertising budget for the festival. Armed with this information, the festival committee decided to allocate a larger amount of the promotional budget for the creation of a digital campaign. When I sat down with the owner of the company hired to perform this work, I was incredibly impressed. I expected her to throw a bunch of technical language at me, but instead she asked, “Exactly what do you wish to achieve by advertising the festival online?” So simple. So brilliant. For a moment, I struggled to answer her question. Perhaps because the answer was far too easy. I want to sell tickets! I want people to come to Night In Old Fredericksburg. Better yet, I want them to come to Night In Old Fredericksburg and bring all their friends with them. Sure, creating brand awareness and soliciting new followers to the Chamber’s Facebook page would be viewed as positive, but putting bodies through our front gates was the primary goal. We tend to think that the information age should come with its own set of rules, but in actuality, it is just another tool in the toolbox. At the end of the day, the purpose of using Internet ads, social media pages, mobile applications, location-based networks or any other gee-wiz technology is to achieve defined and measurable business performance goals. There is no doubt in my mind that businesses need to continuously embrace and adopt new technology to remain competitive. I just don’t think urgency should supersede concrete goals, well-designed implementation strategy and insistence on measuring performance. It’s okay to take the time to get it right.
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July 24, 2013
| A/B9
WORK UNDERWAY Centered around a windmill and the historic Loeffler-Weber Cabin, Wine Country Cottages is now under construction by owner/contractor John Corcorran of Lubbock, at 510 West Main Street. The luxury bed and breakfast will ultimately feature 12 units, all of which will have their own hot tub and fireplace. The grounds will have a waterfall feature and arbors covered in grapevines. Opening is set in October 2013. —StandardRadio Post/Lisa TreiberWalter
Meth bust
Cont. from A/B1
Pearland; and, • Victor Prado, 28, of Fredericksburg. Coordinating efforts on the case were officers from the Fredericksburg Police Department, the Gillespie County Sheriff ’s Office (GCSO) and the 216th Judicial District Adult Probation Office. FPD Patrolman Tim Bobo was the arresting officer of all four detainees. Prado was the first to be arrested during a traffic stop made by Bobo on Texas Highway 16 South earlier that day around 4:50 p.m. He also faces charges of “Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility,” “Expired or No License Plate” and “No Valid Inspection Certificate.” Based on evidence gathered in that traffic stop and other information officers had learned, they were led to the location of the apartment, where they not only seized the 16 ounces of methamphetamine, but also firearms, ammunition and an undisclosed amount of United States currency, Wetz said.
Evidence at the scene indicated that the drugs had not been “cooked” on site at the apartment complex, but were being separated, weighed and bagged for potential delivery, Weed said. As of late afternoon yesterday, July 23, King, Martinez, Andrews and Prado were still being held in the Gillespie County Jail, each under a $100,000 bond. Designer drugs Also seized at the scene were other narcotics believed to be “designer drugs,” although the identities of those narcotics cannot be confirmed until laboratory tests are finalized, Wetz said. Designer drugs are thought to have been the culprit in the unrelated overdose deaths of two Gillespie County males earlier this spring. Local investigators in one of those cases (the other occurred in Kerr County) are still awaiting results from the forensics laboratory to define the chemical makeup of the substances ingested, so officials can make a determina-
tion on how to move forward. Wetz said the chemists have not been able as of yet to determine the drugs’ exact components. “When they said it was a new chemical, they meant it,” he said. Separate arrest Thursday’s narcotics seizure and arrests comprised the second large collar in as many weeks in Gillespie County. On Friday, July 12, several thousands of dollars’ worth in cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamines, along with some weapons, were seized at 305 Shaw Avenue and resident Juergen Langer, 50, was arrested on eight narcotics charges following a coordinated effort by officers with the Gillespie County Sheriff ’s Office, the Fredericksburg Police Department, the United States Marshalls Service, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) division and the Kerr County Sheriff ’s Office.
Pet of the Week
Editor’s Note: The “Pet of the Week” listing is a service of the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post to those interested in acquiring pets through the Hill Country SPCA. Adoption fees are nominal to help defray the expenses of spaying/neutering. Interested pet owners may telephone 990-9085.
Kilo
Breed: Pomeranian Age: 2 years • Sex: Female Color: Black
Background: I’m a typical Pomeranian — cute, feisty and full of personality. Bouncy, bold, and busy also describes me. I get along with all the dogs here at the SPCA. I like being the center of attention, but do not like being picked up. A home with all adults would be best. Do you have time to work with me and provide a loving home? Anyone interested in Kilo and/or her friends can stop by the SPCA at 2981 State Highway 16 South. Adoption hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Closed Sundays. The phone number is 990-9085 and its website:
www.hillcountryspca.com
News Updates at the Touch of a Button
Standard DAILY UPDATE Subscribe – fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com
Sears City receives Cont. from A/B8 scratch card for an additional “mystery discount” of up to an grant to track additional 20 percent off the shopper’s entire purchase. hazardous loads Since starting the dealer store model, Sears Hometown The City of Fredericksburg Local Emergency Planning Committee has been awarded a grant from the Texas Division of Emergency Management in the amount of $26,875 to study the movement of hazardous materials in trucks, commercial vehicles, and pipelines through the City of Fredericksburg and Gillespie County. The grant will study the kinds and quantities of hazardous materials that are moving into and through the city and county.
Stores have since grown into a network of more than 900 locations, and are now part of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHOS), a publicly traded company that is separate from Sears Holdings Corporation. These stores primarily sell appliances, tools, lawn and garden equipment and seasonal outdoor products. For more information about Sears Hometown & Outlet Stores, Inc., visit www.shos.com.
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Gillespie County Historical Society Gillespie County Historical Society
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Financial Advisor .
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A/B6
| July 31, 2013
|
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Student registration slated at high school Aug. 7-8 Fredericksburg High School student registration will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 7, for seniors and juniors and on Thursday, Aug. 8, for sophomores and freshmen. Hours are set for 8:3011:30 a.m. or 1-4 p.m. both days. Students will be able to purchase a parking permit, make pre-payment to their cafeteria account, request a locker, pay any outstanding fines from previous school years and receive their class schedule. Fish Camp will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. Freshmen will have a chance to meet their teachers, see classmates and get familiar with their new school. Lunch will be provided and all participants will receive a t-shirt. All returning or new
students who will be freshmen this fall are encouraged to attend. New student registration will be held Aug. 12-16. Appointments must be made through Roxan Mohr in the registrar’s office at 997-7551. The annual FHS Parent Information Session will be held on Monday, Aug. 19, at 6 p.m. in the FHS Auditorium. Speakers at the meeting will include Fredericksburg Police Chief Steve Wetz, School Resource Officer Chris Ayala, Crime Stoppers, a drug awareness guest speaker, FHS Counselors and a discussion on the exemption policy. Parents are asked to keep in mind the FHS dress code while back-to-school shopping. Dress code information can be picked up in the FHS office. Classes will begin at 8:20 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 26.
Needs Council to host two school supply drives The Hill Country Community Needs Council will be hosting a pair of school supply drives from 4-7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 2, at H-E-B and again from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at Wal-Mart. Last year, the Needs Council helped 420 Gillespie County students with school supplies. Each drive will be staffed with volunteers handing out lists of needed supplies and they will be ready to receive the supplies donated. Woodforest National Bank inside Wal-Mart will have a donation box for school supplies through Friday, Aug. 9. Donations can also be dropped off at the Needs Council office, located at 209 South Acorn. Families needing assistance with school supplies can come by the office and sign up through noon on Friday,
NEEDED SUPPLIES Backpack (no wheels) Pencils, #2 Mechanical pencils Pen black, blue or red Eraser, large pink Pencil sharpener with shaving collector Glue stick Crayola crayons Crayola colored pencils Elmer’s Glue, 4 oz. Large pencil bag, 3-ring with zipper Highlighter — any color Spiral sketch book Crayola watercolors Construction paper, 9x12 assorted colors
Aug. 2. The Needs Council is also seeking volunteers to help during the week of Aug. 1217 in preparation for supply distribution from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 17.
Digitization
Spiral notebook, wide rule 70 page 3-subject spiral notebook 5-subject spiral notebook Composition notebook Notebook paper, wide rule 200 page Binders, 3-ring — various sizes: ½”, 1½”, 2” Subject dividers, 6-pack plastic w/pocket Pocket folders with brads, all colors Crayola Washable Markers, classic broad line Package of 4 dry erase markers Flash Cards — addition or multiplication
Hair stylists and barbers are needed to volunteer for one hour on Saturday, Aug. 17 to give haircuts to school children. More information is available at 997-9756.
Cont. from A/B1
can play up to 16 cassettes at once. While the tape deck is playing, the cassettes’ analog signals are changed to a digital signal through a mixing board. Then, the new digital signal is sent to a computer where it is recorded. Grau also is digitizing the transcripts of the interviews. To do this he has to scan each transcript where it saved to a flash drive in a PDF format. Then, Grau reads through the transcripts and notes topics of the discussion. “Part of what I am doing is getting the metadata from those oral histories, and the metadata will be what is used to describe the contents of each interview,” he said. This will make it possible to search the collection for a certain topic. “What if you’ve got 2,000 of these things, and you’re looking for something specific?” he asked. “You’re not interested in anything but Iwo Jima. If you’ve got 2,000 interviews and 2,000 transcripts,
Guevara finishes Navy boot camp Navy Seaman Recruit Cynthia Guevara, a 2013 Fredericksburg High School graduate, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Guevara, the daughter of Marilyn Scharnhorst, completed the eight-week program that included training in naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety, survival and shipboard and aircraft safety. The capstone of boot camp is “Battle Stations.” The exercise is designed to strengthen ideas of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance by applying basic Navy skills.
REAGAN GRAU, archivist for the National Museum of the Pacific War, can convert up to 16 tapes to digital format at once. But volunteers are sought to help convert the more than 4,000 interviews. — Standard-Radio Post/Austin Eck you don’t want to have to go through all that to figure out what you want.” After Grau finishes converting all of the cassette tapes, some of the tapes will be sent away for re-mastering to help improve the audio quality and remove large gaps of silence from the interviews. The goal of this project is to provide more people with the
firsthand accounts. While some researchers and writers do make the trip to Fredericksburg to visit the oral histories, putting the contents of the collection online will make it easier for people from around the country to use its contents, Grau said. Volunteers still conduct interviews, and tapes are still ar-
riving at the museum. “Nobody on staff has done an interview; nobody on staff has done a transcript,” Grau said. Volunteers and transcript writers are not limited to Texas. “We have got people all over the country doing that from North Carolina to California,” he said. There is no official launch date for the collection to go online, but as soon as it’s ready, it will go live, said Grau. The NERC goal is to have as many interviews as possible online within 36 months. “Through a combination of state and private funding, the museum has invested over $1 million to develop the NERC since 2010, and the Admiral Nimitz Foundation has added a second staff member to help make the archives and library
accessible to researchers,” said Joe Cavanaugh, museum director. “Everything is on schedule for our process to begin making these historical resources accessible to researchers online.” Cavanaugh said the process will be accelerated if volunteers can be found to assist with transcribing the oral histories. “Anyone with basic computer skills will soon be able to transcribe in their home from the digital audio files Reagan is developing,” Cavanaugh said. “The more people we have transcribing, the faster we can make the text of the interviews accessible online.” Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Stefanie Manee, coordinator of volunteers, at Manee@ NimitzFoundation.org.
Fish Camp for freshmen at FHS Aug. 6 Fish Camp for all incoming freshmen at Fredericksburg High School will be held Tuesday, Aug. 6. Registration will be held from 9:30-10 a.m. in the FHS Auditorium before camp begins at 10 a.m. and concludes at 2 p.m. Fish Camp is sponsored by the Fredericksburg High School Student Council. “This is a great chance for freshmen to see their classmates, meet their teachers and get familiar with the high school,” said Natalie Smith, FHS Student Council advisor. Lunch will be provided. All participants will receive a T-shirt and other prizes at the end of the day.
Messina Hof to host harvest festival Aug. 10 Messina Hof Hill Country Winery will host a Harvest and Music Festival Saturday, Aug. 10 at the winery, located at 9996 U.S. Highway 290 East. Activities include grape picking and stomping, wine tastings, as well as an afternoon of live entertainment. For this celebration, company founders and co-owners Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo plan a $10,000 check presentation for the Texas Center for Wine and Culinary Arts. A portion of the day’s ticket proceeds will also be donated to the TCWCA. Messina Hof, which also operates a second winery in Bryan, has held the harvest festival at that location for 36 years with the Fredericksburg winery celebrating the harvest festival for the first time in 2013. More information is available at 990-4653.
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DAY AT THE RACES Thrills, and a few spills take place at Fair Grounds racing event page A/B11, A/B16
EDUCATION MATTERS New series explores roots of higher ed in Gillespie County page A/B8
‘LEAD GIFT’ H-E-B to award $200,000 for wine, culinary arts center page A/B7
Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post
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YOUTH THEATER
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
GILLESPIE COUNTY
Wreck victim pleas to commissioners for truck route As committee begins study on bypass, story told of Main Street wreck By Lisa Treiber-Walter
SHARING her love of books, Belle (JJ Willome) reads to the Beast (Travis Gaudin) during the Fredericksburg Independent School District Community Education Summer Theatre Camp’s production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast Jr.”
More photos from the performance, held in the FHS Auditorium Friday through Sunday and featuring elaborate costumes, can be found on page C1. — Standard-Radio Post/ Yvonne Hartmann
A tearful plea to “get these trucks off Main Street!” was given to Gillespie County Commissioners meeting in regular session Monday. Urging the court to move forward on an alternate truck route, local podiatrist and wound care specialist Angela Schladoer succeeded in putting a face on what some claim are the dangers of having heavy traffic traverse the downtown area. “A lot of talk has focused on what would happen if a (big truck) accident were to occur
on Main Street,” Schladoer said, before relating how such an incident has already happened, and recently. On July 28, the vehicle she and her two children were traveling in was struck from behind by an 18-wheeled truck in the 200 block of East Main Street and then they were dragged by that same truck through an entire intersection while the truck driver remained clueless that an impact had occurred. “We were hit by an 18-wheeler who was changing lanes. He clipped my back fender on the driver’s side. It made my car spin around so that the entire driver’s side of my car was flush up against the grill of his truck and then he Cont. on A/B5
FREDERICKSBURG ISD
More testing, tougher penalties ahead in drug prevention plan Feasibility of closed FHS campus will be studied this year By Ken Esten Cooke Students in the Fredericksburg Independent School District will face tougher scrutiny as trustees voted Monday to do all it can to reduce the chances of another overdose tragedy. FISD trustees approved adjustments to the district’s Student Drug Prevention Program at their Monday meeting that will include more frequent drug dog visits, screening for more drugs and a more unified code of conduct for all extra-curricular organizations. The action took place in the shadow of the death of Sammy Herrera, an FHS
junior who died in April after an overdose in an off-campus incident. After his death, some parents asked trustees to review the district’s policies and penalties. Superintendent Marc Williamson said the adjustments were made in four areas: education, what the school can legally do about on-campus incidents, the student code of conduct and drug testing. Drug testing will include more frequent visits from a drug dog, which is taken through hallways and around the parking lots to try and sniff out narcotics. Williamson also said the district will increase the panel of drugs it currently tests for. “We’ll have the highest of the ‘normal’ patterns, which is a step up,” he said. The district also will increase the
INSIDE • New FHS Principal hopes for large turnout at Monday night parent meeting, A/B4. • District well above average in state assessment scores, A/B4. number of testing days, increasing follow-up tests if a student tests positive. Stricter punishments also are in store for students who use drugs, including addition of an “end-of-season” stipulation that will mean 45 days out of any extra-curricular activity, and at least 25 percent of which will be for “in season” activities. “This will give it a little more ‘oomph,’” Williamson said. Lastly, the district will enforce any Cont. on A/B4
STATE PARKS
‘Old Tunnel’ to mark 100 years since first train trip Long-defunct rail line is one of area’s top bat-watching spots Old Tunnel State Park will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first train steaming through the only tunnel on the San Antonio Fredericksburg & Northern Railroad’s 24-mile rail line on Saturday, Aug. 17. An afternoon of activities, many geared toward youngsters, begins at 1 p.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m. with a talk on the history of the railroad and tunnel by a member of the Kendall County Historical Society. After the event, visitors are invited to stay for the nightly bat emergence from the tunnel.
The first 70 visitors can pay $5 to walk the half-mile nature trail down to the lower viewing area to see the bat emergence up close. Tickets will go on sale about 6 p.m. Seating for the lower viewing area is limited to 70 visitors. Any remaining visitors can watch from the upper viewing area for free. Approximately 20,000 people visit the state park each year, primarily to view the bats emerging from the abandoned rail tunnel in their nightly search for insects. The tunnel is home to approximately 3,000 cave myotis bats and up to three million MexiCont. on A/B7
Blue-collar jobs deficit Skills training seeks new image after decades of stressing four-year degrees By Ken Esten Cooke
D
ave Campbell of Heartland Enterprises can’t just consider potential sales when he competes for additional for work. The leader at the precision machining shop in Fredericksburg must also consider if he will have enough people to fill the additional jobs necessitated by taking on additional work. With American schools stressing college-track study for most every
INSIDE NEWS • Tentative settlement reached in FISD case from former student — A/B4 SPORTS • FHS outlasts Harper in epic 5-set, cross-county volleyball battle — A/B11 COMMENTARY • Columnist returns to area natural spring to find ‘undevelopment’ — D2
student, the unintended consequence is that programs and tracks for skilled trades have been “de-emphasized,” and there are fewer machinists, welders, carpenters and overall blue collar workers in the market. “These are not ‘low-level jobs,’” Campbell said. “In our plant, our average yearly compensation exceeds $60,000 a year — a good middleclass income.” Heartland makes custom machined parts for the oil, gas and
WEATHER Aug. 7-13, 2013 Rainfall this week 0.00 Rainfall for August 0.00 Rainfall for 2013 11.73 Normal for date 17.48 Same date last year 19.48 Low – Aug. 9 69 High – Aug. 7 103 For real-time weather information, go to: www.fredericksburgstandard.com
High Low Rain Wednesday 103 72 Thursday 102 72 Friday 101 69 Saturday 100 70 Sunday 97 71 Monday 95 73 Tuesday 99 74 Total Rain 0.00
aerospace industries, among others. Their customers are demanding, Campbell said. Parts that have tolerances down to two 10,000ths of an inch are scrapped if they miss measurements. His company has invested millions in the machinery needed to produce the parts, and he needs skilled people to run them. “Right now, we have sufficient personnel to handle our workload,” he said. “But periodically, we have the Cont. on A/B6
BEGINNING machinist Tyler Beckmann, on the job for two months, moves a piston rod that is ready for finishing. – Standard-Radio Post/Ken Esten Cooke
Roots series to end with ‘Bourbon Street Night’
HARVEST TIME Kellie Hogan of Austin poses for a photo taken by Mandy Medaris of Dallas on Saturday morning while picking grapes. The activity was part of the first Grape Harvest and Music Festival at Messina Hof Winery. More photos on A/B15. — StandardRadio Post/Yvonne Hartmann
Pioneer Museum will resemble the French Quarter for one night as the Roots Concert Series ends with Bourbon Street Night on Saturday, Aug. 17. Tickets are available online or at the gate for the blues, Cajun and Zydeco music concert. An adult ticket costs $12, while children under 18 years old do not have to pay admission. There is no charge for
Courtesy Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park
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parking. The entrance for the event will be off of South Milam Street, and the gates will open at 5 p.m. Zydeco Blanco will kick the night off as they take the stage at 6:30 p.m. The following act, Charles Thibodeaux and the Austin Cajun Aces, will take the stage at 7:45 p.m. To conclude the evening of music, Cont. on A/B2
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
FISD board votes to leave 2013-2014 tax rate unchanged For those who were hoping for no increase in Fredericksburg school taxes, there is good news. At its August 12 regular meeting, the Fredericksburg school board voted unanimously to keep the school tax rates at what they have been for the past seven years. The approved rates for 20132014 will be 1.0400 maintenance and operations and .1062 interest and sinking for a total tax rate of 1.1462. Superintendent Marc Williamson said another public hearing would be required and
that, regarding taxes and its budget, the school district was well within accepted margins. Deborah Ottmers, assistant superintendent for business and finance, added, “All the numbers check out.” At the end of July, the school board had a hearing on the budget along with the proposed tax rate. With the change in its budget year time table, district officials had to wait for property values to be before being allowed to set the rate for the year. In other business, trustees recognized Board President Lorrie Hess for completing training with the Texas Association of School Boards to earn “mas-
ter trustee” certification. FISD board member Dave Campbell, another master trustee, commended Hess, saying only one in four applicants are selected to participate, and that Texas has around 700 master trustees in the entire state. The board also amended its “flex day” calendar so that only the high school will continue to use the flex day incentive program for students. Williamson said most instructors believed that the additional four days of instruction was more beneficial than the flex-day incentive, and that it had proven an administrative challenge for all campuses.
District exceeds TEA standards By Richard Zowie The 2013 Texas Education Agency Accountability Score results are in, and Fredericksburg Independent School District not only met state standards on all campuses, but it exceeded them. Details of the results were studied at the Fredericksburg ISD’s Monday board meeting. Students’ progress was measured in subjects such as math, reading, writing, science and social studies. In Student Achievement, FISD’s overall score of 82 exceeded the required level of 50. In Student Progress, the required score was 21; FISD
scored a 34. In Closing Performance Gaps, the required score was 55, and FISD scored 79. Then, in Postsecondary Readiness, FISD scored an 89 while the target score was 75. According to the agency, Fredericksburg’s four-year graduation rate was 96.9 percent. This also includes 98.7 percent for Hispanics, 95.7 percent for whites and 92 percent for special education students. Fredericksburg Elementary scored an 83 in Student Achievement, while Stonewall Elementary scored an 86. Stonewall also scored an 85 in closing performance gaps. The district plans to send
home, with every student, a one-page summary of the results. School officials said the reports allowed them to look closely at every subpopulation group, and that they need to continue to close the gap that is still there. Linda Hicks, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, said these results give a better picture of what the district looks like. “With previous tests, we were only as good as the lowest group,” she said. “I didn’t think that was as fair as this is.” School board trustee Kay Stech added that, for the first year, these are good numbers.
FISD prevention counseling requirements, making sure a certified counselor is leading group or one-on-one sessions. In the student code of conduct, administrators will seek to have a more unified code of conduct, instead of each extra-curricular activity keeping track of its own. Williamson said the district is limited legally as to what it can do to pursue off-campus incidents. “We have to ask, did it happen on school grounds, was it a school-related activity or in one of our vehicles?” he said. “If not, were the students representing themselves as a member of a school group, like, were they wearing a team jersey? If not, we can’t police off-campus incidents. Lastly, we will see if a ticket or citation was issued.” The district’s own educational efforts about drug prevention will stay in the forefront, Williamson said, not with just a one-time event but with events and/or messages throughout the year. These efforts begin
Cont. from A/B1
early, with Fredericksburg Elementary School including a character-building education program as part of its studies. The district also will work closely with Gillespie County Crime Stoppers. The district has offered in-kind contributions as far as copying literature to send home with students. Lastly, a feasibility study will begin to look at the steps necessary to close the high school campus. The district will have to look at adding a third lunch period, staffing and inventory needs and other variables. Williamson said that may not prove popular with students who do not use drugs, as they are being punished for the misdeeds of those who do. “Several have asked me what they can do to prevent closing the campus, and I told them they know better than we do whether somebody’s doing something at lunch,” he said. “They can let us know. It’s in
their best interest. If someone walked onto campus with a weapon, we would know about it ‘lickity split.’ Drugs can be considered the same thing.” Williamson said student participation in turning in students who use drugs would be considered in the decision whether or not to close the campus. Trustees viewed the changes positively. “I think this is great,” said Dave Campbell. “We’ll send a message that we’re going to do everything we can.” Mark Cornett thanked Williamson for the time spent on the issue. “I think you’ll find most of the students will be completely supportive,” Cornett said. Williamson concurred. “Most of the kids have a good attitude about it,” he said. “I think they will take care of business. It’s like in pro sports: the athletes who don’t cheat don’t want anybody else to cheat either.”
Texas Tech to unveil new criminal justice course Texas Tech will offer a new “Policy Issues in Criminal Justice” course this fall at the Hill Country University Center, officials announced. The course will be taught
by a former police chief and offer real-world applications from the veteran policeman. The class will be offered face to face and via the internet on the university’s “Lync” pro-
FHS PRINCIPAL Ralf Halderman served as the Parent Information Session scheduled assistant principal for seven years before for 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19 at the FHS Autaking the top campus position. He will lead ditorium.
New FHS principal to lead parent information session By Ken Esten Cooke New Fredericksburg High School Principal Ralf Halderman is stoked about the new school year. He has gotten to know the staff in his seven years as assistant principal at FHS, and he is encouraged by the quality of instructors and staff. But Halderman wants parents to know the school is serious about consequences for student drug use. That will be one of the topics at the annual Parent Informational Session, set for 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19 at the FHS auditorium. “I hope we get a huge turnout,” he said. “In the past, the information session has been about the dress code, tardy policies or cell-phone
policies, but we want to offer things that parents will use — not just to meet each other.” Halderman has a son who will be a junior at FHS (and a daughter who graduated from FHS in 2008). This year, students will be asked to help shoulder the burden of making the campus drug free by helping inform a campus officer about drug use. “Our goal is for students to feel like they will be in a safe environment,” he said. “I want the kids to come to me or a staff member if they know about drug use. I don’t ever want to see another tragedy like we had last year.” The meeting will include an introduction from Halderman, with information from
Police Chief Steve Wetz, Police Officer Chris Ayala and Joe Folse of Gillespie County Crime Stoppers. Parents also will hear from Kristy Dickerson, who will give an update about new types of drugs that have surfaced in recent years, as well as what parents can look for as signs of drug use. Mostly Halderman wants parents to know the school will do everything it can to prevent drug use by students. “We’re going to work closely with the police department. I want to show a united front,” Halderman said. He added, “We want parents to know that we do not condone any of the drugrelated things that have happened.”
Tentative settlement OK’d in case The Fredericksburg Independent School District board of directors approved tentative settlement agreement with plaintiff Stefanie Crounse on Monday night. “Until the settlement is finalized, our lawyer has advised us not to comment,” said Supt. Marc Williamson. “But we will have a statement once the settlement is finalized, and that should be within a week.” Crounse filed her suit in State 216th District Court (later moved to the U.S. District Court of Western District of Texas-Austin Division) after
it was disclosed she had a sexual relationship with former high school instructor Michael G. Stevens. Initially, Crounse’s suit began in May 2012 when she sued Stevens. But she added FISD, the school superintendent, high school principal Lynn Blackwell and Officer Chris Ayala, claiming they violated the student’s civil rights by failing to prevent the sexual abuse before or during the seven months the relationship went on. Williamson, Blackwell and Ayala all denied charges through their attorneys in of-
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ficial responses to the court. The court document noting the settlement negotiations stated that the plaintiff “intends to file a stipulation of dismissal” as to Ayala. There was no mention of the ongoing suit against Stevens.
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August 14, 2013
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
COMMENTARY COMMENTARY More teeth for FISD drug enforcement Drug policy recommendations will help avert another tragedy
P
arents spoke, and trustees listened. The Fredericksburg Independent School District’s Board of Trustees adjusted the Student Drug Prevention Program on Monday night, and it will do most everything possible to deter the further use of drugs by students, institute more searches and testing, and have stronger consequences for positive tests. Supt. Marc Williamson outlined the changes, which were recommended by trustees. It will take a while to institute these tougher measures into the district, but parents with children will realize the district has done what it legally can to lessen drug use and avert another tragedy. The district will: • Institute more drug-resistance messages through events at each campus. (Education already begins at the elementary level with “character education” initiatives.) • Increase support from the Gillespie County Crime Stoppers, giving all students a safe outlet to report drug use by fellow students. • Increase visits by drug dogs. • Begin a feasibility study to close the high school campus, taking away an opportunity to do drugs by students who leave during the lunch hour. • Bring more unity to the Code of Conduct from the many extra-curricular organizations that each have their own at present. • Increase the panel of drugs for which students are tested, and increase the number of testing dates. • Actively enforce its counseling requirement for students who test positive.
Students have perhaps the most important part in all of this. They must learn to “self police” or they risk letting classmates harm themselves. As Supt. Williamson said, if someone walked onto campus with a weapon, students would let the staff know immediately. There is no reason to look the other way when students bring a substance that is just as potentially lethal onto campus, even if they think they are harming no one but his- or herself. It’s also important to remember that school officials can be no more omniscient about what goes on 24/7 with students any more than parents can. To monitor Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and the myriad other social media outlets would take a fulltime employee at each campus, Williamson said. At some point, birds learn to fly by themselves, and we can only hope they make the right decisions. FISD, like every other district, is hamstrung by what it legally can and cannot do. Let’s remember also that drugs are a problem that affects schools all around the state and nation. While FISD suffered a tragedy with the loss of a student, we shouldn’t look past the district’s solid academic record while they address this problem. We commend the trustees and Supt. Williamson for their work on this issue. And we hope for a drug-free campus where students only high comes from learning new things. CALENDAR FHS parent information session with Principal Ralf Halderman, where new policies will be discussed, 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19 at FHS Auditorium.
One potential water answer Underground storage could mitigate evaporation, land battles
T
he State of Texas is slowly addressing a host of issues related to water supplies, transport and storage. As the drought continues, voters will have the chance in November to correct years of neglect in the face of drought, a growing population and increased demands on fresh water supplies. The State Water Plan includes 26 new reservoirs — each land-grabbing and controversial — at a cost of $13.2 billion. State Rep. Lyle Larson, a San Antonio Republican, is floating what may be a much better idea. Larson shares a seat on the House Natural Resources Committee with our own state Rep. Doug Miller. He is proposing that 1950s reservoir technology is outdated and that aquifer storage and recovery will help Texas create a “strategic water reserve.” Reservoirs, along with lakes and stock tanks, have lost half of their water to simple
evaporation. Aquifer storage, Larson wrote in a recent column in the Austin AmericanStatesman, provides for the underground storage and retrieval of water without losing any to evaporation. Florida currently has 15 “Aquifer Storage and Recovery projects,” or ASRs, and Las Vegas keeps 320,000 acrefeet of water underneath its city streets. Reservoirs require vast amounts of land, which must be purchased or bought from landowners, then flooded. ASRs would help parched areas store water without intruding on landowner rights. (Imagine if the state wanted to confiscate your land to build a reservoir.) Texas would do well to work ASRs into its water strategy. Western and southern states already are using them to protect themselves against drought. As if that weren’t enough, ASRs can be developed five times faster at much less expense. As our state leaders constantly demand the most for their dollar, we think the ASR is an idea whose time has come.
QUOTABLE “My books are like water; those of the great geniuses are wine. Fortunately, everybody drinks water.” — Mark Twain CHIME IN Send letters to the editor to P.O. Box 1639, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 or email to fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com. CONNECT Sign up for our Daily Update email newsletter by sending a request to fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com or connect via Facebook or Twitter
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SWIMMERS take in a Central Texas natural treasure at Jacob’s Well near Wimberley. — Standard-Radio Post/Ken Esten Cooke
‘Undevelopment’ near a true Texas treasure W
e managed to find a parking space in the shade, which was a good thing, seeing as how the afternoon temperatures surpassed the century mark. Soon, however, cool waters would greet us. From our car, we walked across a field, dotted with cement landings, the remnants of a former RV park. I looked around as things were not as I remembered, but didn’t yet have my bearings. I had spent a week here during two consecutive summers as a child. Something was missing. But the object of our search still was there, though, and surprisingly, was open for swimming. Jacob’s Well is a springfed system of connecting caves, up to 200 feet deep, that feeds Cypress Creek. It has drawn people seeking fresh water and swimmers during hot summers for more than 100 years. I wanted to take my wife and sons there so they could enjoy a nice spot as I had as an 11-yearold. The spring for Jacob’s Well has actually stopped flowing briefly within the past decade. Andy Sansom, former executive director of Texas Parks & Wildlife, and current director of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, said the halting of the spring flow was “a canary in a coal mine” for water in light of the drought and the over-development of parts of
Texas Type
By Ken Esten Cooke
the Hill Country. (Sansom also is a sometimes Stonewall resident.) As development battles go on, and as we all start to make water conservation a part of daily life, Hays County is helping preserve the open areas around Jacob’s Well so future generations can enjoy this wonderful site. A master plan around the site shows a return to native habitat, so that runoff will affect the precious waters less and aquifer rejuvenation will be aided. That helps explain what I was missing when we arrived. I had been to tennis camp in Wimberley as a middle school student back in the 1970s. But the Woodcreek Tennis Resort has vanished. A park steward said the courts had fallen into disrepair and, while they tried to save its clubhouse to convert to a welcome center, mold and asbestos issues made them beyond saving. All were demolished and only recently was the asphalt and cement from the tennis courts carted away. A favorite part of our tennis camp experience after a hot day on the courts was going down a short path to Jacob’s Well and
COOL SPOTS What’s your favorite swimming hole in Texas? Comment on the Fredericksburg Standard’s Facebook page.
diving in. There aren’t many cool springs east of I-35 where I grew up, so fresh-water swimming was, and still is, a real treat. Even the condominiums where we stayed overnight were gone. Those, the steward told me, were built in the flood plain anyway, and that’s why mold was a constant concern. This is “undevelopment” around the site, and it’s good to see. The master plan keeps everything out of the floodplain, keeps development away from the river, and stresses keeping out invasive, non-native species while encouraging native grasses and plant growth. I was glad my sons got to experience this place. We routinely take in state parks, and the ones near running water always are our favorites. There is something spiritually refreshing about swimming in natural waters. They “restoreth my soul,” as the Good Book says. They say not to jump off the rocks, but those rules are summarily ignored if no county employees are around, especially when the college-aged kids are trying to one-up each other. Cont. on D3
Swimsuit shopping: ‘Ugh’ T
hough the weather is stuck on scorch, end-of-summer sales are already sprouting in earnest. In search of a bathing suit, I’m game. When you live in Miami and spend time in chlorine-saturated pools, you’re always looking for a suit to replace your faded, nubby, pilly old one. Unfortunately, few other events – excepting a root canal, maybe – match the angst involved in purchasing swimwear. It’s torture, plain and simple. Humbling. Humiliating. Depressing. I dream of the day when, standing in front of a dressing room’s full length mirror, I’ll shrug off the half-naked, spandex-sheathed reflection staring back at me. Because I won’t care, not a whit. For now, though, I do. I care enough to want to look good. I don’t expect stares, I don’t expect wolf-whistles, but I would like to...well, I’d like not to be embarrassed by some skimpy, stretchy fabric. When you’re in your late 50s, this can be a difficult trick to pull off. And it doesn’t matter that I weigh not an ounce more than I did in high school or that I work out daily in the gym, or that I’m a tidy size 6. My body, bless it, bears the telltale marks of the calendar, of a life well lived. A bump here, a glob there. Cellulite as
By Ana Veciana-Suarez THE MIAMI HERALD
enduring as a best friend. So a suit that is fashionable – in other words, not my grandmother’s – but one that also provides coverage from the merciless sun and from my increasingly droopy self is the kind of garment I have in mind. Though I don’t favor the flamboyance of some designers, I am nonetheless open to bright colors and funky patterns. The price must be reasonable, too. A yard of fabric should’t exceed my co-pay for a specialist’s visit. Apparently I’m hunting for a miracle, the Holy Grail of swimwear. At my favorite discount fashion stores, the ones that award you 10 percent off on certain weekdays simply because you’re wrinkling, the suits are either matronly or astonishingly scanty. Everything seems to be manufactured for women with no hips, flat stomachs, slight thighs and perky breasts. In other words, 15-year-old girls. The department stores offerings are only slightly more appealing, but when I try on half a dozen, not one claims me, not one speaks to me. Feeling a bit worn around the
edges, I return home with my 20 percent off coupon still in my wallet. What a mission! At home I browse through catalogs and hop from website to website. The prices astound me. I consider a part-time job to buy a cute little black number with a tankini top and a flouncy skirt. The Hubby thinks I’m ridiculous. He’s owned the same blue-striped swim shorts since Clinton was in the White House. When I complain to a friend, she expresses no pity. She’s long renounced trips to the beach or lounging by the pool. “Look at my neck,” she says, and jerks her head up. “I need to cover it up as much as I can.” I tell her to read Nora Ephron’s essay book, “I Feel Bad About My Neck,” then rush home to examine my own in the mirror. Yikes! Add a high neckline to my growing list of swimsuit requirements. I’m not willing to renounce pool or beach just yet. Ana Veciana-Suarez is a family columnist for The Miami Herald. Write to her at One Herald Plaza, Miami, FL 33132, or e-mail her at aveciana@ herald.com. © 2013, The Miami Herald Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
| August 14, 2013
| D3
Jones’ cousin, Casey, a barbecue man C
asey Jones was a barbecue man. Ran his business in a travel trailer stand. Yeah, I know that’s a poor attempt at poetry, but it’s the best way I know to get into a story about a relative of the late country singing legend George Jones. And, since I never knew Jones and can’t lend anything to his biography, this story will have to do. Besides, it’s a better story. Always on a Texan’s hunt for “ideal barbecue,” I’ll try almost any place. Casey’s “joint” looked like just about anything but a barbecue restaurant. Casey Jones’ Bar-B-Q was, lo those many years ago, in a little remodeled silver travel trailer on the roadside of SH 321 between Conroe and Cleveland. Casey’s place was near Fostoria, site of the old Foster Lumber Co. camp and mill. It had one door for both entrance and exit, convenient for someone running a one-man barbecue operation of chief cook-bottle washer-waitercountry style bon vivant. Right by the door, behind an L-shaped counter, was the barbecue man himself, Casey
Writer’s Roost By Willis Webb Jones, and he greeted each customer, even strangers, with a sincere-sounding, “Hi, Sis, Hey, Bud,” took their money, served them and steered them to the old chair-arm-school desk dining stations in his little establishment. A constant banter ensued between Casey and any customer who could manage a word between chews and Casey’s one-liner entertainment and floorshow unique to country eating establishments. On my visit there, one customer, apparently a regular, played straight man for Casey’s vaudevillian commentary. “Doctor, Doctor. I got my arm broken in three places.” “Well, don’t go in those kind of places.” Somehow, the subject of George Jones came up and Casey began talking about “Cousin George” and their rough-and-tumble upbring-
ing in the Big Thicket town of Saratoga. Casey could, and would at the drop of a biscuit into gravy, launch into any number of stories about his legendary cousin. He said George began playing and singing with country bands as a young teen of 13 or 14. While, Casey had absolutely nothing derogatory to say about Cousin George, it was apparent he knew of the lures to which George succumbed in those impressionable young teen years, probably a very early flirtation with alcohol that led to a long-term “union.” There were other temptations of country honky-tonks as well and if local legend can be honored, Jones jumped into most of them with both feet. Actually, the severe limitations of Big Thicket nightlife and entertainment allowed youngsters to ease into the near-outlawry of such establishments with a “wink-wink, they didn’t look like no kid” from a doorman or manager. These clubs were habitats of the timber cutters, mule skinners and saw mill operators that fought and scratched to
make a living in the toughest atmosphere. Besides, no self-respecting liquor board agent or self-protecting lawman would darken the door of these establishments. Obviously, Jones fell into the woeful sounds and messages of an area’s music that reflected the desperate attempts to make a living and hold a family together. It is of such scrambling and rambling from which most of country music’s songs emerge, sung with the desperate nasally moans so chained to that genre. Since Casey was no spring chicken 40 or so years ago when I was in his barbecue joint, I doubt he’s still around. Pity. It’s actually guys like him about whom a lot of country music is written and who, somehow on their own, are great promoters of that entertainment branch. And, his barbecue was pretty good, too. Willis Webb is a retired community newspaper editor-publisher and former editor of the Fredericksburg Radio Post. Email him at wwebb1937@ att.net.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Avoiding downtown tragedy I am a podiatrist in Fredericksburg, having moved here with my family a year ago to build my practice. I recently found myself in a position I never thought I would be in. Literally face to face with the grill of an 18-wheeler on Main Street on a Sunday morning in Fredericksburg. On July 28, while driving with my daughters on Main Street, between Llano and Lincoln, I was struck by an 18-wheeler tanker truck, as its driver changed lanes. My car was caught in the grill of the truck, unbeknownst to the driver, and we were pushed along Main Street through an intersection before my car broke free. The police reported that my car had three points of impact from the 18 wheeler. We are fortunate to be alive.
After the accident, the truck driver offered no apologies and was reluctant to accept any responsibility. The police determined that he was at fault. To make matters worse, the insurance information he provided was erroneous and it took almost two weeks for the trucking company to return our calls. I sustained a concussion and other injuries. The emotional trauma has been stressful for all of us, and my absence from work has been difficult for me and for my patients. But I realize how lucky we are and what could have been. Can you imagine if there had been an explosion of hazardous materials in the heart of downtown? My family will recover from this trauma but the next victims might not be so lucky! We ask the people of this commu-
nity to become involved in the effort to create a truck bypass route. It’s been debated for decades, but the size and contents of our truck cargo has changed in recent years and is not compatible with our downtown. Please, help us avoid another tragedy! Angela Schladoer Fredericksburg
Drug arrests
I appreciate the articles about the drug arrests in our town. For too many years I have heard second-hand reports of drug problems and the paper never mentioned them. Thank you for keeping us informed. Harold Coates Fredericksburg
WE WANT YOUR LETTERS We want your letters because we value your opinion on issues in Fredericksburg and Gillespie County. Letter writers are asked to submit their name, home address and daytime telephone or cell phone number so we can contact you to verify you want your opinion published. Anonymous letters will not be run.
Letters must not exceed 300 words and may be edited for clarity, grammar and/or length. We ask that letter writers submit one letter per 30-day period. Letters may be delivered at the Standard-Radio Post at 712 W. Main St., mailed to P.O. Box 1639, Fredericksburg, TX 78624, or emailed to fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com.
Road-funding legislation finally passes
AUSTIN — A third called session of the Texas Legislature began July 30 and ended Aug. 5 with the task completed: passage of legislation to create a new funding path for transportation projects. Given the contentiousness of the two previous called sessions that each lasted a full 30 days, lawmakers plowed their way to comparatively quick votes to give Gov. Rick Perry what he wanted. It’s a two-part solution. First, Senate Joint Resolution 1 by Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, is a proposed constitutional amendment that voters will see on the Nov. 2014 ballot. SJR 1, should voters approve it, would take 50 percent of the state’s oil and gas severance taxes that normally are deposited in the state Economic Stabilization (“Rainy Day”) Fund and instead put that revenue into the state highway fund. Second, House Bill 1 by Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, establishes a select committee on transportation funding, expenditures and finance. Committee membership would be made up of five House members and five Senate members to be appointed by the presiding officers of their respective chambers. The select committee will set a minimum balance each fiscal biennium for the Rainy Day Fund. Whatever the panel suggests as an amount then would need final approval by majority vote of both House and Senate.
State Capitol Highlights By Ed Sterling TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
HB 1 also requires the Texas Department of Transportation to find a way to save at least $100 million in funds appropriated to the agency for 2014-15 and that money would be used to pay down the agency’s debt. Gov. Perry on Aug. 5 said the Legislature’s action “moves our state closer to securing a strong economy well into the future by providing more resources for building and maintaining a transportation system that will keep our economy growing and our population moving.” Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said, “This plan enables us to relieve congestion on Texas roadways while protecting our state’s ‘AAA’ bond rating with a healthy balance in the Rainy Day Fund. To protect our Rainy Day fund, I am recommending a floor of $6 to $7 billion for the next two years.” During debate action on Aug. 5, lawmakers in both chambers expressed concern over the condition of rural roads in their districts that are heavily traversed by oil and gas industry vehicles. They said the repair and restoration of those roads should be high priority. Tax revenue increases Texas Comptroller Susan Combs on Aug. 7 announced
that state sales tax revenue in July was $2.2 billion, up 7.3 percent compared to July 2012. “Texas sales tax revenue has increased for 40 consecutive months,” Combs said. “The retail trade sector bolstered the latest growth in monthly revenue, and collections from the construction and the oil and natural gas sectors continued to show strength.” Combs said her agency would send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts their August local sales tax allocations totaling $671 million, up 6.2 percent compared to Aug. 2012. ‘Fracking’ is credited Texas Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick last week told the American Legislative Exchange Council about the importance of hydraulic fracturing technology during the lobbying group’s annual meeting in Chicago. Among her comments, Craddick said “fracking” is estimated to be used in about 80 percent of new wells completed in Texas today, and, “For almost 50 years, OPEC has manipulated oil markets, holding the Unit-
ed States captive to their supply-and price-setting whims. Thanks to fracking technology, America is moving closer to fulfilling its energy needs domestically.” Driver law toughens up Current law requires drivers to move over and slow down for law enforcement, fire and emergency vehicles, but effective Sept. 1, drivers also must move over or slow down to 20 miles an hour below the posted limit when approaching Texas Department of Transportation workers and vehicles that are stopped with overhead flashing blue or amber lights, the agency announced last week. TxDOT Executive Director Phil Wilson lauded the Legislature for passing a law that recognizes the dangers agency employees face each day. “We are hopeful that this new protection for our crews will lead to fewer preventable deaths and injuries,” Wilson said. On roadways with posted speed limits of 25 miles per hour or less, drivers must reduce their speed to five miles per hour and violators can be fined up to $2,000.
50 YEARS AGO In The Standard AUGUST 14, 1963 Construction of the new Bier Garten at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds is nearing completion this week, just in time for the “Diamond Jubilee Fair,” the 75th Gillespie County Fair to be held Aug. 23-25. A new 1,200-seat grandstand has been constructed east of the old grandstand at Fair Park to accommodate more spectators for the horse races and evening entertainment programs. The annual membership meeting of Central Texas Electric Cooperative will be held Tuesday evening at the Mason County Fair Grounds. The Doss Community Fair will be held Saturday at the Doss School while Stonewall will stage its annual fair Sunday at the school gymnasium. Construction began this week on the expansion of Fredericksburg Publishing Co., home of the Standard. The project includes renovation of the current building, and the Saenger and Ochs Men’s Store, which Fredericksburg Publishing Co. purchased and which will be incorporated into one building. Alton Ernst was elected president of the Fredericksburg Young Farmers organization at their annual family barbecue Sunday evening at the Luckenbach Hall. Daniel Wayne Kneese celebrated his eighth birthday Aug.
6 at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alton Kneese. His birthday cake was a round confection topped with a cowboy, eight candles and the inscription, “Happy Birthday, Cowboy.” Season football tickets for Fredericksburg High School home games go on sale Friday at the superintendent’s office. This year’s first home is on Sept. 6 against Divine. Kegel Lanes captured the championship of Pee Wee League baseball, while the Pony League champions are the team sponsored by the National Guard. Zonta Club won the Little League trophy. One boy and three girls were born in local hospitals during the past week. A boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Mueller, San Antonio, Aug. 7, while girls were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Eckhardt, Aug. 9; Mr. and Mrs. Clinton O. Schlueter, Aug. 12, and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Klinksiek, Aug. 13. Girl Scout Splash Day drew one of the largest crowds in history to the Municipal Swimming Pool Monday afternoon when a total of 113 girls registered for the coming year’s scouting program. A total of 65 athletes are expected to report for the start of FHS Hillbilly gridiron practice Monday morning. St. Mary’s will begin workouts Tuesday morning.
More Texas Type At least they looked out for the small children before they jumped or dove into the chilly waters. I still have to say Balmorhea State Park, near Toyahvale in West Texas, is still my favorite swimming hole in Texas. We stop there regularly on our trips to see my in-laws in El Paso. But Jacob’s Well is such a treasure. I hope these conservation measures work and that my sons’
Cont. from D2
children get to enjoy this spot. You all who grew up here in this beautiful Hill Country are fortunate to have had access to many rivers, creeks and springfed swimming holes throughout your lives. Here’s hoping that this drought ends, we learn to be wise with water, and that everyone gets to enjoy the wet treasures of Texas like I did as a kid. ken@fredericksburgstandard.com
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PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The City of Fredericksburg will conduct a public hearing on the 2013 - 2014 proposed budget on August 19, 2013, 7 p.m. at the Law Enforcement Building 1601 E. Main St. 15019.09
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
|
August 21, 2013
| A/B11
LAW ENFORCEMENT NEWS
Fredericksburg Police Department report Fredericksburg Police Department officers responded to 142 calls for service from Aug. 12-18. Thefts FPD officers investigated two thefts. On Thursday, Aug. 13, at 10:52 a.m., an officer was called to a residence in the 700 block of West Creek Street, where a piece of furniture and as-yet-undetermined number of other items were reported taken. Lt. Bob Bertelson reported
that a physical description of the suspect and the vehicle involved were given to police and a subsequent arrest was made, with the investigation remaining open since more suspects may be connected to the case. On Sunday, Aug. 18, at 3:40 p.m., police were summoned to the 200 block of Pyka Lane for the report of items stolen from a front yard. Taken were a Steele gas weed trimmer (valued at $50), a gas can, a cooking pot (valued at $45,)
neglectful supervision involving a two-year-old male. Investigators are also looking into one sexual assault, involving an adult male. Plus, two 16-year-old males and one 16-year-old female were cited for Burglary of a Habitation and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. Arrests FPD officers arrested 10 people during the past week for the following charges: • 2 Possession of Marijuana; • 2 Public Intoxication;
• 1 Driving While Intoxicated; • 1 Driving While License Invalid with Previous Conviction; • 1 Driving While License Invalid with Previous Conviction/Possession of Controlled Substance; • 1 Failure to Appear; • 1 Possession of Marijuana/Possession of Dangerous Drug/Unlawful Carrying of Weapon; • 1 Silent Abuse Calls to 911 Service.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Aug. 12-18 14 minor auto accidents. 9 alarms. 14 animal control calls. 1 assault. 7 civil disputes. 13 disturbances; 3 criminal trespass cases. 4 reports of fraud. 2 reports of harassment. 1 report of lost/stolen property. 20 public relations calls. 1 recovery of property. 1 sexual assault. 16 reports of suspicious activity. 2 thefts. 20 traffic hazards. 3 welfare concern calls. 11 other.
Gillespie County Sheriff’s report
Divorces Maricela Martinez and Edwardo Martinez, granted Aug. 12, 2013, by Judge Stephen B. Ables. Susie McLaughlin and Timothy Kevin McLaughlin, granted Aug. 12, 2013, by Judge Stephen B. Ables. Angelita Hernandez Romero and Jose Andres Romero, granted Aug. 12, 2013, by Judge Stephen B. Ables. Maricela Gurrola and J. Guadalupe Mendoza Mares,
tools (including sockets and wrenches, valued at $20) and four tie-down straps. Accidents/Special Services Police worked the scenes of 14 automobile accidents over the week, all of which were classified as minor with nonlife-threatening injuries. Special Services reported five cases for the week. Neglectful supervision involving a 15-year-old female, a 13-yearold male and a 10-year-old male was reported. Also reported was a case of
granted Aug. 12, 2013, by Judge Stephen B. Ables. Jennifer Lynn Peters and James Daniel Peters, granted Aug. 12, 2013, by Judge Stephen B. Ables. Ricardo Munoz Perez and Janette Cortez Munoz, granted Aug. 12, 2013, by Judge Stephen B. Ables. Daysi Aguilar and Mario Aguilar, granted Aug. 12, 2013, by Judge Stephen B. Ables.
Death
The Gillespie County Sher- erty off the Willow City Loop iff ’s Office (GCSO) responded (value unknown.) Aug. 12-18 to 82 calls from Aug. 12-18. • 3 accidents. One theft was reported on • 8 alarms. Aug. 15. A deer stand and lad• 5 animal calls. • 6 civil disputes. der were taken from a prop-
• 2 reports of criminal mischief. • 4 disturbances. • 3 other agency assist. • 15 prisoner transports. • 11 reports of suspicious activity. • 1 theft. • 12 traffic hazards.
• 5 warrant service calls. • 7 welfare concern calls. There were 30 people booked into jail during the week and as of Monday, Aug. 19, there were 35 inmates in Gillespie County custody.
Gillespie County fire, rescue calls Doss •Saturday, Aug. 17 — 5:33 a.m., U.S. Highway 87 North, EMS assist. •Saturday, Aug. 17 — 6:01 p.m., Doss VFD, set up landing zone for medical helicopter.
Harper •Monday, Aug. 12 — 7:20 a.m., 6000 block of RR 783 South, motor vehicle accident. •Monday, Aug. 12 — 3:14 p.m., 15000 block of U.S. Highway 290 West, motor vehicle accident.
•Monday, Aug. 12 — 4:02 p.m., 15000 block of U.S. Highway 290 West, hazmat spill. •Tuesday, Aug. 13 — 2:43 p.m., Brooke Hollow at Klein Branch, grass fire. •Tuesday, Aug. 13 — 7:15
p.m., Brooke Hollow at Klein Branch, grass fire. Tierra Linda •Monday, Aug. 12 — 2:27 p.m., Live Oak Street, EMS assist.
Wiederhold
Friday, August 23, at 10 a.m., at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks William Gus (Bill) Wieder- Funeral Home in Austin, with hold, 77, of San Marcos, died interment following at CookSunday, Aug. 18, 2013. Walden/Forest Oaks MemoVisitation will be held rial Park. Thursday, Aug. 22, from 6-8 Memorials may be made to p.m., at Cook Walden/Forest the Department of Veteran Oaks Funeral Home, 6300 Affairs, http://www.volunW. William Cannon Drive, teer.va.gov. Austin. A complete obituary will be Funeral services will be held published next week.
Fountain dedication scheduled Saturday to honor McLerran
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A/B12
| August 21, 2013
|
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
A chance to be a ‘Hero’ New mentors needed to help local students through Academic Boosters program
PACKING SUPPLIES – Parker Geistweidt and Kasie Vestal, both juniors in the Fredericksburg High School FFA program, help sort school supplies during the Hill Country Community Needs Council’s annual school supply drive, held last week at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. The students were among al-
most 100 community volunteers who helped count, sort and shop for school supplies that will serve 450 youth from the Fredericksburg and Harper Independent School Districts, said Cindy Heifner, HCCNC director. – Standard-Radio Post/Ken Esten Cooke
Fraser to meet with local leaders ing fast and that growth is dependent on a steady supply of water. I didn’t want the state’s population centers in Dallas and Houston to control the funding.” The seasonal Drought Outlook from the National Weather Service predicts persistent drought throughout most of the state through the end of October. The Texas Water Development Board reports that statewide reservoir storage continues its downward slide and total conservation storage remains at the lowest recorded level for this time of the year since 1990. “This ongoing drought costs Texans billions of dollars in lost income annually,” Fraser said. “The discussion with Gillespie County leaders keeps the dialogue open so that I know how state policies are working in the local areas.” Fraser also planned to discuss the budget, tax cuts and
lunch time once a week. The goal of the local program is to provide students a relationship with a caring adult, who helps them to improve their self-esteem, selfmotivation and academic achievement. Studies have shown that a student who is involved in a mentoring relationship is significantly less likely to engage in problematic behaviors such as truancy, poor scholastic achievement, criminal activity or drug use. Mentoring coordinators are stationed at each FISD campus. In addition to providing adequate space for mentorstudent interactions, they also guide volunteers in developing relationships with their students and planning appropriate activities. Current mentors and anyone interested in volunteering as a mentor are asked to make a reservation for the lunch and orientation session by Friday, Sept. 6, by calling the FAB office at 990-8967 and leaving a message with name and phone number. The mentoring program is a partnership between the Fredericksburg Academic Boosters, the FISD and the community.
Writers group to meet Sunday evening The Fredericksburg Writers Conference will have a ‘breakout session’ at the Lincoln Street Wine and Cigar Bar on Sunday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for area writers to read and have a critique from the group. Writers are encouraged to bring 500-1,000 words of their writing to share with the group. “People ask me about how they can get started writing. My advice is always to form
a writing critique group,” said founding member Mara Moretti, who has three romance novels published by Harlequin to her credit. The conference also wants to create an opportunity for area writers to get to know each other for friendship, mutual support and encouragement. The next full meeting of the conference will be Sept. 26, from 6-8 p.m, at the Hill Country University Center. The guest speaker at that meeting will be area resident
Donley Watt, who has published novels and short stories and has also edited, taught and lectured. The Southwestern Writers Collection, the Witliff Collections at Texas State University-San Marcos maintains Watt’s correspondence, drafts and research. There is no charge to participate in either program. For more information, contact Robert Deming at 830992-5676 or rcdeming@ gmail.com. Visit his blog at www.robertcdeming.me.
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transportation funding during the meeting. “After three special sessions, we were finally able to provide additional support for our state’s transportation infrastructure,” Fraser said. “Next to a long-term water supply, keeping our roads open is one of the most important roles our state government can take.” Fraser said he would encourage local leaders to support Proposition 6 in the November 2013 Constitutional Amendment election. “This one-time investment is designed to address our water needs today and 50 years into the future,” Fraser said. “But even with this potential influx of seed money, we must keep thinking outside the box. Mother Nature is keeping our state hot and dry. We have to keep coming up with innovative ideas for water use, reuse and conservation.”
in Fredericksburg, and Stonewall Elementary. They may sign up to mentor at the campus of their choice, Hominick said. Current mentors will share their experiences and a brief question and answer session will follow. “The mentoring program has helped countless young people in our community for the past 18 years,” said Jerrie Dooley, former FAB board mentoring liaison. “We are only limited by the number of mentors we can recruit each year. We are asking just 30-45 minutes a week of your time to make a huge difference in a child’s life.” Last school year, the number of mentors meeting with students weekly grew and the organization hopes for continued growth this year, she added. Actual mentoring with students will begin the week of Sept. 23. Each mentor will be paired with a student who has been recommended by a teacher or counselor and will have the opportunity to develop a lasting friendship through a combination of reading, educational games and conversation during their
15336.11-12
State Senator Troy Fraser was to have met with Fredericksburg and Gillespie County leaders at noon Wednesday, Aug. 21 to discuss the recently concluded 83rd Legislative Session. The meeting was intended to keep a dialogue open between local officials and the state. “Overall, I was pleased with what we accomplished during the 83rd Legislative Session,” Fraser said. “My main priority for the session was ensuring that the state had an abundant supply of water for the next 50 years by passing legislation to finally fund the State Water Plan.” As chairman of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, Fraser authored and passed HB 4 to set up the structure to provide meaningful financing for water providers. HB 4 would set up a revolving loan program available to local governmental entities that are sponsoring local water projects and SJR 1 would dedicate a one-time investment of $2 billion to help capitalize the loan program, if Proposition 6 is approved by the voters in November. “As part of the legislation, I wanted to make sure that areas like Gillespie County were protected and could receive a percentage of the seed money,” Fraser said. “This area is grow-
Calling all “trusted friends” and “role models.” New mentors are needed to help local students through the Fredericksburg Academic Boosters’ (FAB) Mentoring Program. All current and prospective mentors are invited to attend the general meeting and lunch at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the Hill Country University Center, 2818 East U.S. Highway 290. Orientation for new mentors will follow at 12:15 p.m. “To be a mentor, an adult must simply dedicate 30-45 minutes one lunch time per week to be a dependable role model for a local student in need of positive influence,” said Afton Hominick, program spokesperson. “Both men and women are needed to serve local students, but more men are particularly needed to guide the male youth of our schools.” The gathering will provide a brief overview of the boosters’ mentoring program as well as other programs supported by the organization. Attendees will learn how the program operates at each of four campuses: the elementary, middle and high schools
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830-997-1630
1329.11
NOTICE In accordance with the provisions of Section 152.013 of the Texas Local Government Code, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Commissioners Court of Gillespie County, Texas, in the Gillespie County Courthouse in Fredericksburg, Texas at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 for the purpose of considering and acting upon the salaries of elected county officials for fiscal year 20132014 as set out in the following schedule:
PUBLIC OFFICIAL
PROPOSED SALARY
INCREASE
County Judge Commissioner, Precinct 1 Commissioner, Precinct 2 Commissioner, Precinct 3 Commissioner, Precinct 4 Sheriff County Attorney District Clerk County Clerk County Treasurer Tax Assessor-Collector Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 Constable, Precinct 1 Constable, Precinct 2
$65,797.00 $43,105.00 $43,105.00 $43,105.00 $43,105.00 $63,810.00 $61,770.00 $56,872.00 $56,872.00 $56,872.00 $56,872.00 $45,534.00 $45,534.00 $42,748.00 $42,748.00
$1,604.00 $1,051.00 $1,051.00 $1,051.00 $1,051.00 $1,556.00 $1,506.00 $1,387.00 $1,387.00 $1,387.00 $1,387.00 $1,110.00 $1,110.00 $1,042.00 $1,042.00
Please notify the County Judge if assistance can be furnished to any disabled person that wishes to attend this public hearing. For further information, contact County Judge Mark Stroeher, at 830-997-7502.
Publish 1 time August 21, 2013
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
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August 21, 2013
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‘Bat Tunnel’ fans mark rail’s 100th Harper planning Frontier Day events For the 49th year, the Frontier Day celebration comes to the Harper community located in the western part of Gillespie County. This year’s event is slated over the Labor Day weekend, on Saturday, Aug. 31. The culmination to a full day of activities will take place when the Lester Meier Open Rodeo starts at 8 p.m., followed by a dance at 9 p.m., featuring Texas Thunder. Admission to the rodeo is $10 for adults and $5 children ages six to 12. Kids five and under get in for free. The calf scramble and mutton busting costs $10 per entrant, while the three-man wild steer saddling event is $30 per team. Tickets to the dance are $10 for ages 12 and up. During the day, various vendors will have a variety of items for sale. Other events will include a Domino “42” tournament, washer pitching tournament, a “Little Mr.” and “Little Miss” contest, and the traditional parade down Main Street. In addition, a kids’ fishing
event will be conducted. Proceeds from Frontier Day benefit the Harper Community Park, located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 290 West and Ranch Road 783 South. More information about Harper Frontier Day can be found at www.harpercommunitypark.com. Harper Frontier Day Schedule of events (Saturday, Aug. 31) • 9 a.m. — Rodeo slack. • 9 a.m. — Concession stands open. • 10 a.m. — Kids Fishing • 10 a.m. — Pioneer Museum opens.
• 11 a.m. — Domino “42” tournament ($20 per team). • Noon — “Little Mr./Miss” contest. • 1 p.m. — Washer pitching ($40 per team). • 2 p.m. — Cowboy Arena Golf ($10 per entry). • 5 p.m. — Main Street Parade. • 6 p.m. — Fish fry (by donation). • 6 p.m. — Cake auction. • 8 p.m. — Lester Meier Open Rodeo. • 9 p.m. — Dance (Texas Thunder).
FRIEND OF OLD NO. 9’ train afficionado Paul Barwick presents a 100th anniversary of the first train on the San Antonio Fredericksburg program Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Old Tunnel State Park marking the & Northern Railroad line. — Standard-Radio Post/Lisa Treiber-Walter
Wildlife census set on Harper roadways Harper Wildlife Management Area (HWMA) members will be conducting spotlight deer census surveys on several public roads in western Gillespie County and eastern Kimble County over the next several weeks. The first survey period will be Friday through Monday, Aug. 23-26. Surveys are intended to determine general population estimates of the free-ranging white-tail deer herd for the purpose of sound wildlife management, explained Gary Guenthner, president of the HWMA. A series of eight census routes have been established within the boundaries of the Harper WMA. Each survey will begin shortly after sundown on these dates, and will be conducted simultaneously along the following roads: •FM 783-Jung Road-Old Harper Road-Cornehl Road ending at U.S. Highway 290. •Wendel Loop from U.S.
Highway 290 and along Kramer Road to FM 783. •Tivydale Road, Fiedler Road and Friedrich Road, ending again at Tivydale. •Duderstadt Road-Klein Branch Road-Lange Road, Upper and Lower Reservation Roads and Weatherby Road ending at U.S. Highway 290. •Old Willie Collins Road, FM 479 to U.S. Highway 290. •FM 479 from Tatsch Road and up KC 472. •KC 442 from FM 479 to U.S. Highway 290. •Gypsum Mine Road. These are the same routes that were conducted last year. Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens in both Gillespie and Kimble counties have been notified that surveys will be conducted on these dates, Guenthner said. Survey vehicles will be driving slowly and will display reflective signs reading “Deer Census In Progress” on both the front and rear of the vehicle.
VOLUNTEER Diane McMahon (otherwise known as Madame Butterfly) of Kerrville, offers information about 100th anniversary events to visitor June Turner, of Boerne. Included were children’s booths and model train displays (at left) including this one from Pioneer Museum.
‘TAKE A LOOK’ — A closer look at a dragon
fly’s eye is given to Katie Rivera of San Antonio by “Insectomania” educator Craig Hensley, of a volunteer from the Guadalupe River State Park.
Zion Music Fest Sept. 8 bringing family-friendly concert to square Know Peace Ministries will present the Zion Music Festival 1-6 p.m., this Sept. 8, at the Marktplatz. The family-friendly concert will feature artists Abandon, 7eventh Time Down, Ryan Stevenson, guest speakers and more. “Zion Music Festival is an event meant to connect with families and friends, worship God and see our hearts changed,” said Paul Larson of Know Peace Ministries. The event is free to the public and there will be food vendors onsite to serve concert goers. The mission of the concert is to fight against drug and alcohol abuse amongst youth, said Larson.
www.fredericksburgstandard.smugmug.com
4-Hers to serve pork barbecue lunch Friday A pork barbecue lunch will be served by the Gillespie County 4-H Adult Leaders Association on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Serving follows the 125th Gillespie County Fair Parade. The 4-H adult leaders along with youth from 11 Gillespie County clubs will serve a sitdown or take home meal at Marktplatz as well as a drivethrough take home meal at Turner Hall. Money raised from the event will go toward scholarships and to the 11 clubs to help pay for camps, community service projects and other club activities. Meal tickets are $10. A prize drawing will also be held, and tickets are $5 each. Prizes include a Legacy Sports 22-250, $400 Segner’s Jewelry gift card and Savage Arms 22-250. In advance, prize drawing tickets are available at Itz Electric, Fredericksburg Veterinary Hospital and the Gillespie County Extension Office.
The Pink Pig would like to thank our customers, both near and far, for their wonderful patronage over the past ten months. We opened for business November 7, 2012 and within a few weeks were operating at capacity. The restaurant has been a resounding success thanks to our talented staff and loyal customers. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach an agreement to maintain operations at the Rocky Hill location beyond Sunday, August 18, 2013. We plan to secure a new location and re-open The Pink Pig. 15374.11 15359.11
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR How refreshing to read the articles on changes to the drug policy of Fredericksburg ISD and the need for vocational/technical education in the Aug. 14 edition of the paper. Each piece called attention to serious problems that need to be addressed and solved by all of our residents, not just the concerned parties. Regarding the FISD drug policy, I would not vote to eliminate the privilege of leaving campus at noon that students enjoy. We teach responsibility by giving our young people certain freedoms and trust, not by punishing them for the deeds of a few. I am always happy to see FISD students at Charlie’s or Cranky Frank’s enjoying a break with their friends from the rigors of school. I recall the same freedoms I had as a high school student in New Orleans and how much it meant to me to be able to leave school to eat lunch with my friends. Those who abuse the privilege should lose it, but responsible students should be able to demonstrate their trustworthiness to the school, their parents and to the community at-large. We are all watching. Concerning the need for skilled workers in manufacturing, if we informed junior highage students about the ample salaries and benefits paid for these available jobs, young people might be more inclined to choose courses of study that prepare them for success. Sadly, in my lifetime a college education has lost its luster, because as Dave Campbell pointed out, there is a disconnect between specializations and actual jobs. In both school and industry, what we need are young people who can take responsibility and contribute to the prosperity of our towns, cities and ultimately our nation as a whole. What happened to distributive education? Sherryl Brown Fredericksburg
leak or turn over. Unbelievable! That no one is killed or maimed, including our friend’s two daughters who were in the back seat of the car. Unbelievable! Our community leaders have been discussing alternate routes for large trucks and those carrying hazardous materials for decades and yet have made no decision nor taken actions to prevent these exact catastrophes. Believable! We will not be as “lucky” in the future. We ask: Can we at least all agree and decide that hazardous materials do not belong on Main Street? The hope that nothing goes wrong is tantamount to magical thinking, and is not a sufficient plan for our community and our families. Robert R. Murray, MD Steve Sosland, Chief Operating Officer, Hill Country Memorial Hospital
talk to your child. Oh, they’ll lie, say it was their first time or blame someone else. Just keep in mind that kids do drugs for a reason. The lines of communication you establish will be priceless. Lastly, to the person who cared enough to warn some of what would come, don’t let the fallout from your effort dissuade you from continuing to do the right thing. The reactions were neither reasoned nor rational. Hold your head up and know you did more than most have. Jeff and Barbra Williams Fredericksburg
Caution on county roads
I frequently walk or jog down county roads with my dog on a long leash. We travel on the left side so I can see oncoming traffic and get out of the way. However, I do not see traffic coming from behind on my right. I hear the gasoline and diesel vehicles, but not bicycles or sometimes electric cars until they are right beside us. Positive steps This is a problem as my dog is curious and “Thank you” to the FISD Board of Trust- cuts in front of me to investigate the bicyees and FISD administration for their ef- cles. This has the potential to trip me with forts to stem drug use amongst the student his leash. I would greatly appreciate a warnpopulation. You recognized a problem, lis- ing so I can be aware, shorten his leash and tened to concerns and took action. This is decrease the possibility of being tripped. how things begin to change. Please be courteous. If you are passing a Change continues when our police and walker or jogger from behind, give them sheriff’s departments aggressively attack warning as you approach. If the lead cyclist the source of the drugs, the sellers and the would call, “Four cyclists on right!” or someusers in our community and their success thing similar and electric cars would give a is acknowledged in our revitalized weekly light honk of the horn, it would be greatly news outlet. Your hard work and dedication appreciated. is truly appreciated! We all share the roads around the county. Note that those mentioned above make Help make it a pleasant and safe experience up a very small percentage of our popula- for everyone. AUGUST 14, 1963 tion and they are making a huge difference. Thank you, They are proactive and they care but they Virginia Sawin Construction of the new Bier can’t do it alone. Don’t believe for a minute Fredericksburg Garten at the Gillespie County that “the drug problem” doesn’t affect you, Fair Grounds is nearing comyour family, your business or your commupletion this week, just in time nity. None of we as parents are immune to Restrictive diets for the “Diamond Jubilee Fair,” the possibility of our child trying or using Fredericksburg is lacking an upscale gro- the 75th Gillespie County Fair to Unbelievable and believable Unbelievable! Learning of our friend and drugs. Ignoring this growing problem is not cery store. I believe we deserve an H-E-B be held Aug. 23-25. Central Market, an extraordinary place A new 1,200-seat grandstand colleague’s wreck on Main Street where she an option. Sadly, the impending changes within the to buy groceries which would serve people has been constructed east of is hit by an 18-wheeler and dragged for a half block, through an intersection before FISD will come to naught unless parents with restrictive diets and also those into or- the old grandstand at Fair Park to accommodate more spectathe driver realized he had her four-door step up and do the hard, thankless and ex- ganic products. What would it take us to achieve that? hausting work of parenting. If someone tells tors for the horse races and eveLexus attached to his grill. Thanks, ning entertainment programs. Unbelievable! Learning the truck appears you that your child is using, or has tried Allen Rodriguez The annual membership to be carrying fuel or possibly some other drugs, don’t shoot the messenger, don’t orFredericksburg meeting of Central Texas Elechazardous liquid, and thankfully does not ganize a witch-hunt, don’t call 911, but “do” tric Cooperative will be held Tuesday evening at the Mason County Fair Grounds. WE WANT YOUR LETTERS The Doss Community Fair We want your letters because we value your opinion on issues in Letters must not exceed 300 words and may be edited for clarwill be held Saturday at the ity, grammar and/or length. We ask that letter writers submit one Fredericksburg and Gillespie County. Letter writers are asked to submit their name, home address and letter per 30-day period. Doss School while Stonewall daytime telephone or cell phone number so we can contact you Letters may be delivered at the Standard-Radio Post at 712 W. will stage its annual fair Sunto verify you want your opinion published. Anonymous letters will Main St., mailed to P.O. Box 1639, Fredericksburg, TX 78624, or day at the school gymnasium. not be run. emailed to fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com. Construction began this week on the expansion of Fredericksburg Publishing Co., home of the Standard. The project includes renovation of the current building, and the Saenger and Ochs Men’s Store, which Fredericksburg Publishing Co. hen Life Mate and I reer allows.” (Hmmm, I thought, purchased and which will be Perfect Precious Puppy.” tired, we opted for a counWhile I’ve always loved unfortunately that’s at least five incorporated into one building. try house on a Central Texas dogs, and have had a number days a week.) Alton Ernst was elected presriverbank with 2.5 acres of yard What began as moderate ident of the Fredericksburg throughout my life, I’ve never and 735 feet of river frontage ascribed to the notion dogs dread has turned into a routine Young Farmers organization at By Willis Webb and within weeks became first could get on furniture and cer- of amusement, watching this their annual family barbecue owner and master, then devotee tainly could not sleep in the smart (sometimes too much for Sunday evening at the Luckenand follower to The Puppy. of mischief led to other nick- same bed as their masters. We his own good) little animal as he bach Hall. Soon after we moved, in late names. knew he had hair rather than trots, walks, creeps and lunges Daniel Wayne Kneese celeMay 2007, this little ragamufHis first new title came about fur and didn’t shed. That be- in whatever way the moment brated his eighth birthday Aug. fin, three-month-old puppy ap- because of his tendency to wild- came rationalization for: “well, calls for in the completion our peared at our gate while I was ly gallop through the house at he can get on the furniture.” appointed rounds. working in the yard. Someone breakneck speed for a shortThen, when it was proven he Sawyer is drawn, in no pardumped the little black and legged dog, who we determined had no odor, we determined ticular order, by clover clumps, white dog on our country lane. finally, with the help of a couple he could get on our bed once pecans, small twigs, trash piles, He approached our gate, pink of breeder-dog experts and the in a while, especially since he’d garbage cans, ant beds, cut tongue sticking out and tail go- Internet, is a Tibetan Terrier. proven to be so snuggly. That tree limbs for haul off, other ing “to beat 60.” We began to call him “The Little and our growing affection led to dogs and cats, the smells-trailI figured Life Mate wanted Wild Dog (TLWD).” Once we more freedom. Okay, we bought leavings of other animals, mail another dog, since a few years jumped the river into Louisi- a king size bed so there’s room boxes posts, trees and so on, ad earlier her beloved Little Dolly ana that translated into “Le Pup for him. infinitum. had, at age 14, wandered off and Savage.” Sawyer manages to choke And so it goes, after 50 plus never came back. When we began to try to teach down dog food, the good stuff years of hard work, I am learnSo, in came The Puppy, who him to play “fetch,” he refused to (expensive), but he prefers ing from Sawyer to eat the good was dubbed Sawyer because we give up the ball and he turned what we eat. So, he gets slivers stuff, play with abandon, and to lived on a riverbank and what the game into “Keep Away.” of roast beef, turkey, chicken stop and smell the trash piles, er else would you name a river That’s when other names began or hamburger meat crumbled uh, flowers. vagabond except after a famous to come into use. over the Science Diet. And, the Such is life. river vagabond — Tom Sawyer. Some mischievous moves little black and white bundle Willis Webb is a retired community Of course, he quickly wormed brought on the label “Little has gained some weight. So The newspaper publisher and former edihis way into our hearts. His high Pooty Dog,” and our spoiling at- Mom declared, “Y’all need to tor of the Fredericksburg Radio Post. level of intelligence and a touch titude earned him the title, “The take a walk every day the weath- Email him at wwebb1937@att.net.
50 YEARS AGO In The Standard
Just who is walking whom here?
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Writer’s Roost
Abbott explains opposition to merger AUSTIN — Attorneys general of Texas, Arizona, Tennessee, Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia joined in the U.S. Justice Department’s Aug. 13 anti-trust lawsuit intended to block the merger American Airlines and US Airways. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, in an Aug. 16 opinion piece first published by the Dallas Morning News, explained why he opposes the merger of the two carriers. Here’s an excerpt: “Why in the world would Texas file a legal action challenging the merger of American Airlines with US Airways?” Abbott asked in his opinion piece. He answered his own question this way: “We believe that actions by the airlines and their officials violate antitrust laws. In fact, the
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State Capitol Highlights By Ed Sterling TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
legal violations appear so overt that it would offend my oath of office not to take action. “The legal action is based on evidence such as internal emails, investor presentations and other comments by top executives of the airlines. Those documents reveal their thinking about how shrinking competition in the airline industry — and, hence the merger — will allow the airlines to pile even more bag fees, ticket change fees and increased fares on customers. American and US Airways compete directly on thousands of heavily traveled routes. The merger would allow the new
company to shed that competition and distort the marketplace — while harming competition for nearly 200 Texas routes.” American Airlines, in an Aug. 13 statement, announced plans “to mount a vigorous and strong defense to the U.S. Department of Justice’s effort to block their proposed merger.” Feral hog grants awarded Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples on Aug. 15 announced the award of two feral hog abatement grants totaling $55,000 to certain Texas counties in an effort to enhance statewide feral hog abatement. Bell County, in partnership with Coryell, Falls, Hamilton and Milam counties, was awarded $25,000 to support abatement efforts and $30,000 was awarded to a partnership
between Caldwell and Hays counties, the agriculture department reported. “The feral hog population has exploded in the last 20 years, costing Texans untold millions of dollars,” Staples said. According to the agency, Texas is home to the largest feral hog population in the United States with nearly 2.6 million of the wild pigs. These voracious, intelligent, wide-ranging mammals cause about $500 million in damage in rural and urban Texas each year, the agency estimated. New laws to take effect Some 659 pieces of legislation passed in the 140-day regular session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, Jan. 8 through May 27, 2013, will take effect as new laws in a few days, on Sept. 1.
6 at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alton Kneese. His birthday cake was a round confection topped with a cowboy, eight candles and the inscription, “Happy Birthday, Cowboy.” Season football tickets for Fredericksburg High School home games go on sale Friday at the superintendent’s office. This year’s first home is on Sept. 6 against Divine. Kegel Lanes captured the championship of Pee Wee League baseball, while the Pony League champions are the team sponsored by the National Guard. Zonta Club won the Little League trophy. One boy and three girls were born in local hospitals during the past week. A boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Mueller, San Antonio, Aug. 7, while girls were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Eckhardt, Aug. 9; Mr. and Mrs. Clinton O. Schlueter, Aug. 12, and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Klinksiek, Aug. 13. Girl Scout Splash Day drew one of the largest crowds in history to the Municipal Swimming Pool Monday afternoon when a total of 113 girls registered for the coming year’s scouting program. A total of 65 athletes are expected to report for the start of FHS Hillbilly gridiron practice Monday morning. St. Mary’s will begin workouts Tuesday morning.
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| August 21, 2013
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August 28, 2013
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
COMMENTARY COMMENTARY Students can embrace fresh start of new year Opportunities, but also responsibilities, abound for school students
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e joke about students having to change their summer routines, wake up earlier, put the electronics down and focus on homework. Also about Mom dancing as she sends the kids off to school (see editorial cartoon). But we hope students are pumped up about the new year and all the opportunity this fresh start brings. Our schools, both private and public, have brought in new teachers, shifted some administrative positions and worked over the summer to create curriculums that are illuminating and challenging. We extoll students to embrace the start of another new year. In Fredericksburg, Harper, Doss and at private schools, children should be reminded that education is not a given in every society. We remind each child, whether rich or poor, black, white or brown, that a strong educational foundation is the key to learning and reaching their true potential in life. We also hope students at our schools will help their administrators get serious about combatting drug use. After a tragedy last year, it became clear that local schools are not immune to problems with narcotics. Fredericksburg Independent School District’s board of trustees mulled changes to its student policies and recently put more teeth into the punitive side of drug use. Yet students must also take part in the preventive side, which will include letting administrators know when someone is
bringing dangerous substances onto campus. Chemical drugs, sometimes fatal, can be packaged to look like candy, even using iconic children’s images like Scooby Doo, or My Little Pony, or even smelling like the Pop Rocks candy. We urge students to never take any unknown substance, and report potentially harmful substances immediately. Such responsibilities lie with students, as they are more knowledgeable about what classmates are doing than teachers and administrators could ever be. It is also important if students want to retain an open campus. A study will be conducted this year on the feasibility of closing the Fredericksburg High School campus at lunchtime. As Supt. Marc Williamson points out, this is a student responsibility, too. If students don’t want to be punished for the illegal activities of a few, make sure those activities are reported. Mostly, we hope students won’t let drugs drag down your educational experience. Many adults will tell you that high school (and college) are the best, most carefree times of your life. So enjoy them, not with a wreckless type of mentality, but with an attitude of opening your mind and soaking in all the learning you can. There are incredible opportunities available in school districts, from clubs and sports teams, to a renowned rocket science program. This is the time in a student’s life when they have the freedom to explore their interests and determine who they want to be. Welcome back to school. We hope you embrace it, do your best and enjoy the quest for knowledge.
HCM’s surgical precision Consumer Reports finds that local facility ranks among top surgery centers
Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. “Obamacare,” will bring to hospitals, but most are anticipating challenges and increased costs. That makes it all the more important that transparent and unbiased rankings, such udos go out to Hill Country Memorial as those supplied by Consumer Reports, Hospital and its surgical team for are easily available to patients. HCM was also the only rural facility ranking high on yet another national list, that ranked among the top facilities in the this time for its surgery. state. That’s a testament to the recruiting Consumer Reports magazine ranked and leadership at the hospital. Hill Country Memorial Hospital among Of course no hospital and no surgeon only 18 in Texas to receive the “better” is completely without error. There are ranking (top score) in its first-ever surno magic wands that can be waved to gery rankings. The magazine is branching address every potential problem or variout into healthcare rankings for the same able with individual patients. reason it ranks consumer products — so But we do admire the dedication to buyers can make more informed deciquality and patient care, and we laud sions with unbiased studies. HCM’s commitment to addressing probThe magazine judged knee replacelems when they arise, and to processes ments, hip replacements, back surgeries, when they can be improved. coronary angioplasties and carotid artery Those are the signs of a top organization surgeries. in any field. No one knows for sure what changes the
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QUOTABLE “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” — Aristotle CHIME IN Send letters to the editor to P.O. Box 1639, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 or email to fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com. CONNECT Sign up for our Daily Update email newsletter by sending a request to fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com or connect via Facebook or Twitter
Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post
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Fredericksburg Publishing Co., Inc. 712 West Main Street - P.O. Box 1639 Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Telephone 830-997-2155 - FAX 830-990-0036 All advertising, news and business matters, including subscriptions, renewals and change of addresses should be sent to the above address.
Publisher/Editor — Ken Esten Cooke Reporters — Yvonne Hartmann, Lisa Walter, Matt Ward, Richard Zowie Circulation — Sherrie Geistweidt, Alicia Trinkle Head Bookkeeper — Nathan Crenwelge Advertising Manager — Kimberly Jung Advertising Staff — Connie Klein, Ann Duecker, Beth Tucker, Lorrie Hess
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LETTERS POLICY Editor’s note: This newspaper welcomes responsible letters to the editor, provided they are of reasonable length, free of libelous content and written in good taste. All letters must be no longer than 300 words, and, in order to appear in the newspaper, each letter must have its writer’s name published. Letters submitted via email or fax must include the full name of the writer as well as his or her residential address and home telephone number. Also, only letters that are originally composed by readers of the Fredericksburg StandardRadio Post will be considered. No form or sample letters from lobby groups, political action committees (PACs) or similar organizations will be accepted. Persons wishing to make political endorsements are asked to contact our advertising department.
New reporter says hello I
n 1983, when I was 10, on our way home to Beeville, my father and I traveled through Fredericksburg. I remember a tall building — it may have been a church — and thinking the city looked very historical. Little did I know that, 30 years later, I would return to Fredericksburg to work at the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post. Goodbye, South Texas Coastal Bend; hello, Texas Hill Country. Following almost nine years living in Michigan and working in radio, news and retail, I am now back in Texas, for good. Michigan’s cool summers and falls were great, and the winters didn’t bother me —except when it was time to drive. I doubt I’ll ever miss those miserable Maalox moments driving on icy roads or during windy, heavy snow storms — especially at night or in the early morning. Several times I slid on those roads, sometimes off into ditches. It’s wonderful to return home to the Lone Star State, where the roads are bone-dry far more often, where people don’t look at me strange for saying “y’all” and where people know Waco is pronounced “Way-co” and NOT “Whack-o”. I’m also very thankful to live only about three hours from my parents and older sisters, and within reasonable distances from many of my closest friends. And as I write this column, I know four questions readers
From
A to Zowie By Richard Zowie
will have. Is Zowie your real last name? Yes. While I was in Army basic training in 1996, I remember a 6’4” drill sergeant looking at my nametag in disbelief. “Is that REALLY your last name?” he growled. Yes, drill sergeant. It’s on my license, birth certificate and Social Security card. What kind of name is it? German? Polish? British? Actually, it is an Americanization of my grandfather’s birth surname. Grandpa, whose father was a German immigrant from Mötzing (about 20 miles outside of Regensburg in northeastern Bavaria), was born Sylvester Sebastian Zahnweh in 1907. Around 1912, while at Denver’s Mount St. Vincent orphanage, his name was changed to Sebastian Paul Zowie. (I’m told that in Catholic circles, Paul is a commonly-given name to orphan boys). Are you aware that sometimes on Batman, the screen would read “ZOWIE!” when Batman would punch somebody? Yes. Ironically, though, I’ve never been to Gotham City. How do you pronounce ‘Zowie’? Remember that popular NBC
game show Deal or No Deal? The host was Howie Mandel. Zowie rhymes with Howie. As for my exciting career as a journalist, I’ve worked at a few papers in Texas and in Michigan and have also done a lot of freelancing. You name it, and chances are, I’ve done it: news, features, sports, columns, copy writing, copy editing, proofreading, obituaries, photography, sports stats gathering (always fun when dealing with Polish towns and surnames like Wojciechowski and Dworaczyk). Once, at a military newspaper, I ghost wrote a column for a brigadier general. (Shhh! Don’t tell anybody!) Along the way, I’ve covered city council meetings that seemed right out of The Jerry Springer Show. Then there was the lady who asked me not to identify her in a picture because she had outstanding arrest warrants. Others have refused to have their pictures taken, either because of vanity or perhaps because they’re in the Witness Protection Program. And, along the way, I’ve received my share of hate mail. You can’t please everybody. One man didn’t like my political views, and I politely told him he could use my column to housebreak his dog. With that, it’s great to return to Texas to work at a newspaper and tell stories. As my greatgrandfather would’ve said, Sehr angenehm! richard@fredericksburgstandard.com
A talk with God while in line I
was standing in line with God, buying tickets to see “Monsters University.” He’s a big Billy Crystal fan. “So,” I said, “have you heard about these religious atheists?” God gave me a look. “Is this a joke?” He asked. “No,” I said. “It’s a story that ran in the Washington Post recently about religion in America. It was fascinating. Turns out 12 percent of those who say they don’t believe in you nevertheless pray. Some of them pray to something they call a ‘universal spirit.’ It also said 18 percent of atheists say religion has some importance in their lives.” “Really?” said God as the line edged forward. “So where’s this coming from?” “It was from a Pew study that came out in October. People are blogging about it, tweeting about it.” “I hadn’t heard,” said God. “My Internet’s been down.” “So anyway,” I said, “about these religious atheists, You don’t think it’s weird? They don’t believe in you, but they pray?” “To this ‘universal spirit’?” said God. “Yeah.” We edged forward again. “Why should that bother me?” asked God. “I am a universal spirit.” “But it’s hypocritical,” I insisted. “The story even talks about atheists who mimic religious practices, who gather in socalled ‘godless congregations’ on Sundays to, I don’t know,
By Mitch Albom THE DETROIT FREE PRESS
meditate and reflect.” “This annoys you?” God waggled His fingers at a toddler who was staring at Him. “A little,” I conceded. “Just seems like they’re trying to have it both ways. Heck, some of them throw hissy fits at any passing mention of you. If I write some innocuous line Ω ‘Lord, have mercy,’ let’s say Ω suddenly, I’ve got atheists out the wazoo.” “Sounds painful,” He said. “I’m just saying: If you believe, believe. If you don’t, don’t. Make up your mind.” “You think it’s that simple? It’s not. Faith and doubt do not oppose each other. They define each other, like light and shadow.” “Wow,” I said, “that’s deep.” “I have my moments,” said God. We got to the window. “Two for Monsters,” I said. God showed his AARP card and got the senior discount. “Here’s the thing,” said God as we lined up at the snack counter. “I designed you to seek me, to feel a need for me. Some people Ω that 12 percent you’re so fired up about Ω maybe they don’t find me in what you call ‘religion.’ Maybe that means they’re missing something. Or maybe religion is.” “What if they don’t find you at all?” “Finding is important,” said
God. “But seeking is important, too. Seeking teaches patience, opens your mind, shows you your own limitations. That’s where wisdom begins.” “But come on,” I said, “’universal spirit?’ Doesn’t that sound cheesy?” God shrugged. “I’ve been called worse. Besides, have you seen the things some religious people do, supposedly in my name? They blow things up in the name of God. They stone women in the name of God. They fight in the name of God. They hate in the name of God.” He looked sad. “I wish, more often, they would hug in the name of God. Serve in the name of God. Heal in the name of God. Make peace in the name of God. I would like that very much.” We got to the snack counter. I ordered popcorn and a cherry Icee. “He’ll have water,” said God and when I looked at him, He said, “I gave you good, strong teeth. Why do you want to rot them?” The kid behind the counter handed the water bottle to God, who handed it to me. “Don’t forget to recycle,” He said. “My oceans are not garbage dumps.” I sighed. “Yes, universal spirit,” I said. Leonard Pitts is a columnist for The Miami Herald, 1 Herald Plaza, Miami, Fla., 33132. E-mail at lpitts@miamiherald.com. © 2013 The Miami Herald Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
| September 4, 2013
| C/D3
‘Marketplace Fairness Act’ unfair to all
I
n last week’s guest column, Jerry McCall tried to convince readers that buying across state lines to avoid paying local sales taxes is unfair to business. Additionally, he wants you to believe that Congress should step in and level the playing field. Nothing is that simple. He also complains that he is up against a multi-billion dollar online giant like eBay. EBay might be owned by a multi-billionaire, but those using its service are people like you and me, and who are still free to sell and buy as we please without having to pay or collect another state’s taxes. The bad news is that people like McCall are gaining an advantage in convincing members of Congress to make every business in every state collect taxes on every resident of every other state who dares to buy something on-line in another state. The really bad news is that he wants our congressman, Lamar Smith, to go along with the insane measure, and I guess his message was to encourage readers to contact Smith with support for the Marketplace Fairness Act. McCall would have you believe that advancements in software make it easy for your local Dairy Queen clerk to collect the sales taxes from a visiting tourist from Newton County, Ark., at a minimal additional cost. I know that this example is not an on-line transaction, but the requirements are the same. Because I am engaged in selling on-line I know what I am writing about. Knowing the exact residence of every buyer of our products would be required under the law that McCall wants Congress to pass. We would have to know whether our buyer lived in a city or in the county. We would have to know if they lived in a water district or other dis-
By Mark B. Wieser GUEST COLUMN
trict of some sort authorized by a state to collect a sales tax. I am sure that readers know that residents of Gillespie County, for example, do not pay City of Fredericksburg sales taxes if they buy something outside the city limits of the city. Shopping at Dittmar Lumber Company, for examples, saves a city resident one-half percent in taxes over buying the same thing at Sutherland’s. The problem in collecting sales taxes for every taxing authority to which the resident is subject to could be even worse. What if there was a water district or a fire district or some other taxing district in which the on-line buyer lived? A seller under the proposed law might also have to collect those taxes. Just imagine, all businesses would have to know the tax rates in effect of every city, county, state, and territory in the United States including every utility or other service taxes imposed on that buyer. I think at the last count there were over 6,000 such taxing districts in the United States. McCall would be responsible for mailing all of those taxes in to each and every one of those taxing authorities either every month or at a minimum of once a year. Cities, such as San Antonio, which collect taxes on every visitor to the city for its sports arena would also be included if a buyer lived in such a city in another state doing this same thing. Just imagine the cost of the software that McCall thinks would solve this huge problem at a minimal expense. It would be one that required constant updating each time a city, county, or taxing district changed their tax rates. Additionally, McCall thinks it
is conservative to perpetuate this tax inequity. Has he not learned that the less governmental regulation liberates him to become more competitive? Has he never heard of aggressive sales techniques that invite shoppers to his store? Government hinders all business and drive up the costs of everything. We would all be better off without government involvement in business. I don’t want Congress regulating my business any more than it already does. We have enough problems in trying to figure out how we remain competitive under a staggering amount of legislation being generated by Washington each year and Rep. Smith does not need any more encouragement. Last, but not least, McCall fails to understand that if Texas forces him to collect a sales tax that it is his and our problem. We tax ourselves through our representatives. (At the last count, I think that two states still have no sales tax and I remember when Texas had none.) We imposed a sales tax on ourselves. We could do away with it. (Where is our local state representative on this matter, by the way?) Then McCall would be free to compete with the on-line sellers on a level playing field. We have a sales tax because we imposed it on ourselves. That is called taxation with representation. Having Congress force use to collect taxes on out of state customers is taxation without representation, and no matter what you believe that is one of our most cherished privileges we still enjoy as Americans. I hope and pray that we never lose it. It was bad enough when a so-called conservative Chief Justice ruled that Obamacare was a tax. Or was it a fine? Additionally, Mr. McCall should be careful. If he were to
sell one of his guns to a resident from the state of Washington, for example, he might just find himself having to also file a state business tax there, like we were being forced to do a few years ago. That state is one of the most aggressive states in the union seeking revenues from outside its state lines. (California, New Jersey, and Texas are the next most notorious.) Washington state tax collectors are so bold as to believe that they have the right to come to Texas to inspect any company’s accounting books and demand that they produce such records annually. Imagine the costs involved in complying with revenue codes of 49 other states and territories. Asking Congress to fix a problem to level the playing field is not the answer. Has Congress ever really fixed anything? Even worse, there are those toying with adding a Value Added Tax (VAT) like those being collected in every country in Europe. Some of them collect up to 22 percent or more on every sale, not only from manufacturing to wholesale, but from wholesale to retail, and again at retail to the buyer. It is bad enough that Americans already pay nearly 50 percent taxes on their earnings. It makes the additional 9 percent or so we pay for our right to spend our hard-earned money seem cheap. Please, let’s stop this socalled move to level the playing field. We will all lose if this passes. Write to Congressman Smith today and in no uncertain terms tell him to vote decisively “NO” to stop the Marketplace Fairness Act. There is nothing fair about this act! Wieser is chairman of the board of Fischer & Wieser, a local and on-line specialty foods retailer.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR A cure worse than the disease
Jerry McCall’s letter, “Congress, stop picking marketplace winners” (Aug. 28 edition) described a real problem — local retail businesses have a hard time competing with out-of-state businesses that don’t charge Texans sales tax. However, forcing businesses to collect and send sales tax to out-of-state jurisdictions creates far worse problems for the many Texas businesses that ship out of state. Consider the compliance costs. Each of the more than 40 states with a sales tax
Closed campus would punish wrong people
Making Fredericksburg High School a “closed” campus would only serve to punish local businesses and good students alike. One local eatery is open four days during the school week. If you multiply 30 kids at $6 per meal, that’s $720 per week, and at 36 school weeks that totals $25,920 per year. Multiply eight popular lunch spots in town, and that equates punishing local businesses to the tune of $207,360 per year. A drug problem is much like a smoking problem: if you’re addicted to cigarettes, you don’t just smoke at home. If for some reason you couldn’t smoke at lunch, that wouldn’t stop you. The drug-users aren’t going to stop doing drugs just because they can’t go off campus. In fact, closing campus might encourage students to come to school high because, hello, they are by definition rule-breakers. Why punish the good kids along with the bad? The lack of healthy, fun alternative outlets for kids’ energy, such as a skate park or a movie theater, leads kids to seek out alternative forms of entertainment which may be harmful. This drug problem is not new,
requires a monthly tax return, each with a different form and a different way to submit it. Different states have different taxes on different items, and each has different tax holidays. Each state would have to provide software to help track all this, but the software doesn’t have to be compatible, so that’s dozens of different tax programs to learn. Even worse, now every state in the Union will have the right to audit our Texas businesses — including fiscally-irresponsible states desperate for revenue. We could now face dozens of time-consuming, expensive
and it’s been worse. But the solution to the problem isn’t closing campus and interrogating everyone who has ibuprofen in their cars. That’s only going to lead to resentment and rebellion. What would help is trusting students who follow the rules, while investigating and punishing those who blatantly disobey them. Don’t punish the girl who keeps Midol in her purse, punish the guy who sits in his truck in the school parking lot smoking marijuana with the windows open. Lastly, the enforcement of stricter rules shouldn’t all be Officer (Chris) Ayala’s duty. He works hard to do his job and shouldn’t be thrown under the bus because he can’t do the work of four officers all on his own. Will Harris FHS senior Fredericksburg
Praise for a great fair
My name is Samantha Leifeste of Cameron, Texas. My family shows livestock and we just got back home from the 125th Gillespie County Fair where we exhibited cattle. My husband grew up in Kerrville and it’s always fun to get back
audits each year, coming from governments we can’t even vote for. Can we really trust these states not to abuse their power? Shouldn’t Texas be the government that deals with Texas businesses? I empathize with Jerry, but the “Marketplace Fairness Act” is a cure that’s worse than the disease, a solution that helps a few at the expense of many others. We need better solutions from our government, with less bureaucracy and administrative overhead. Greg Yardley Fredericksburg
to the Hill Country whenever we can. I wanted to let you know how much we look forward to showing at the fair each year. We appreciate the hard work and dedication that the fair board association, the directors and its members put forth to making this a great event! We haul and show cattle all over the United States, but can honestly say, the Gillespie County Fair is one of our favorites! It’s an event that we look forward to attending as a family each summer. The agriculture industry is always changing but it’s refreshing to attend an event where the basics are brought back for all to enjoy. Whether it’s the wonderful exhibition hall full of quilts and vegetables, the corn shelling, the horse races or the livestock shows, there’s so much for everyone to enjoy no matter your age or background. We are proud to be part of the livestock industry and appreciate the great event that the Fredericksburg community and Gillespie County offers. Hats off to all involved and congratulations on a first class event! We’re looking forward to next year. Sincerely, Samantha Leifeste Cameron
TxDOT to get road repair input AUSTIN — Concerns over the state’s upkeep of paved roads in oil and gas production and exploration zones in South Texas and West Texas emerged and have continued since July, during the second special session of the 83rd Texas Legislature. Legislators from affected districts expressed alarm over a Texas Department of Transportation plan to patch crumpling pavement with gravel instead of ordering higher quality road maintenance and repair. On Aug. 28, TxDOT an-
State Capitol Highlights By Ed Sterling TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
nounced a 60-day period for counties “to review plans to convert damaged roads to highend unpaved roads in the state’s energy-producing areas before proceeding with the work” and during that evaluation, the agency would “not move forward on converting other damaged roads unless there is an immediate safety concern.”
“We believe our plan to potentially convert 83 miles of significantly damaged roads in the energy sector is the safe and sensible solution with TxDOT’s available funding,” TxDOT Executive Director Phil Wilson said. “At some point, when drilling activity has subsided and more funding is available, we plan to rebuild these roads to paved farm-to-market levels.” TxDOT is planning town hall meetings on the topic with legislators, local officials, property owners and communities.
Writer on the mark
I thought Mrs. Harris wrote a very articulate letter in last week’s paper. I couldn’t agree with her more. Is anything really gained by all of us lambasting each other with our diverse religious and political beliefs? I can’t even imagine my beloved community if that direction is taken. I wonder if those in the group sponsoring the float are among those who wanted to turn some children away from scouting. I find that sad. To exploit children in controversial issues is even more sad. Glen Treibs Fredericksburg
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50 YEARS AGO In The Standard SEPTEMBER 4, 1963 Gillespie County schools opened Tuesday with a new high in enrollment as a total of 2,259 students are attending the county’s seven schools this year. St. Peter Lutheran Church at Doss will mark the 50th anniversary of the construction of their present church edifice in day-long services on Sunday. The Fredericksburg High School Hillbillies will clash with the Devine Warhorses Friday evening at Hillbilly Field to open the 1963 gridiron season. St. Mary’s Indians travel to Bandera Friday evening to open their 1963 gridiron season. An estimated 1,200 people stopped by the Labor Day Rest Stop sponsored by the Fredericksburg Jaycees last weekend. A record crowd attended the Gillespie County Old Teamsters Reunion at Spring Creek on Monday. Oldest teamster present was Louis Lehne, 93.
One girl and five boys were born in local hospitals during the past week. A girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. Vicente Lozano, Stonewall. Boys were born to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Tatsch and Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Sultemeier, both on Aug. 28; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Castro, Comfort, Aug. 29; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Tatsch, Albert, Aug. 30, and Mr. and Mrs. James Hensell, Sept. 3. Registration for the local Hermann Sons dancing classes will be held Saturday at the hall. Classes begin on Tuesday. The annual Hermann Sons turkey dinner will be held next Sunday at the Hermann Sons Hall. Upon graduation from pilot training at Laredo Air Force Base, 2LT Clifford F. Ernst has been awarded his silver pilot’s wings. He is being reassigned to Kincheloe AFB, Mich. The Camp Stanley Defenders defeated Helotes Sunday afternoon to take the 1963 Hill Country Baseball League crown.
More Texas Type of the living they made, and they knew their work made the town stronger. The company’s writing on the wall began to show when the top managers at our local plant began to buy homes in neighboring towns, such as Georgetown or Round Rock. Their investment advisors told them it was a safer and those homes could be sold more easily should the bosses decide to close the plant. When the plant did close in 2008, we saw men who had been defined by their jobs, for multi-generations in some cases, suddenly having an identity crisis. Their mortgages and car payments did not stop, though their middleclass wages and benefits did. Teddy Roosevelt said la-
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bor should have a seat at the decision-making table. “It is essential that there should be organization of labor. Capital organizes and therefore labor must organize.” But early in his political career, Roosevelt sided with those who claimed classes did not exist and that monopolies did not hurt wage earners. Let’s hope over the next few years that our leaders become similarly enlightened and the working man can better his lot and help build up the middle class in this country. My hometown friends don’t expect a castle. They just want an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s labor. ken@fredericksburgstandard.com
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
FISD board discusses changes to proposed student drug policy By Richard Zowie The Fredericksburg Independent School District board of trustees met on Monday, Sept. 9 to discuss new activities at the primary school, a few changes to the proposed drug policy, a technological idea that would earn the district almost $1,500 extra per year and the need to discuss possible future capital projects. Primary campus Fredericksburg Primary School Principal Delesa Styles talked to the board about things were going this new year at the school, such as how, in kindergarten, they now have two groups of teachers. Teacher A teaches languages arts and social studies while Teacher B teaches math and science. They also are focusing on students’ different learning styles. Styles said they are striving for small group instruction. Currently, the kindergarten is on a half-day schedule as they are trying to determine if that will work or if they will need to return to full days. FISD superintendent Marc Williamson added, “I think most parents favor a full day, but we could survey them to find out.” The superintendent added that a decision whether to re-
included: •Taking care of a potential problem with the football practice field. In the future, continued droughts might cause problems with that field and force the coaching staff to switch practices to the football stadium; •Converting a concrete slab at the high school into a firing range for the Navy JROTC. Drug policy Williamson added that at The board voted to institute this stage, the board is simply changes to the school’s pro- fact gathering. posed drug policy, summa“I want to do this in a posirized in a 15-page policy. tive, transparent way,” he said. Now, for the first offense, while a student must serve 45 Ethernet extender days ineligibility for all schoolThe board voted 6-1 on KCsponsored extracurricular WX-TV’s request for a wireprograms, “… At least 10 of the less Ethernet extender at the days must be served during Stonewall Elementary School what would be considered ‘in campus. season’ for the extracurricular Corridor Television, which activity.” licenses KCWX, in return The student would now be would agree to pay FISD $120 subject to at least two manda- per month, paid in advance tory drug tests (instead of one) annually ($1,440) for the serduring the period of one year vice. The extender is a small following the positive test re- radio repeater that weighs less than 10 pounds and is mountsult. On the second offense, a stu- ed on a two-inch aluminum dent would now be subject to pipe. Williamson supported the two mandatory tests (instead of one) following the suspen- measure, given there is a contract and a 30-day opt-out pesion. riod. Dale Geistweidt opposed the Drought, firing range Williamson said he would measure, expressing a concern like to set a date for a public about private companies putforum on some upcoming pos- ting devices on school propsible capital projects. Those erty and wondering if it would open for possible discussion turn into a trend.
Cont. from A1
on additional fundraisers applied to the total cost). It also includes a shore excursion while in Cozumel, along with snorkeling. The FHS band members also will perform a concert aboard the Carnival Triumph. Kay Stech cast the sole “No” vote out of a concern about high school students traveling outside the country. She said after the meeting she felt there was a difference between
college-aged kids traveling outside America and teenagers doing so. Rauschuber described Cozumel as a “touristy area” and added, “I’ve always felt very safe there.” Currently, the trip has about 14 chaperones. The band director said about 100 students would be an ideal ratio for that many chaperones. Cost for the trip would be due in six total installments.
Nimitz Museum to host symposium Sept. 21-22 with focus on media, war The 2013 Annual Admiral Nimitz Foundation Symposium will take place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21-22 at the Fredericksburg Theater Company’s Steve W. Shepherd Theater, located at 1668 U.S. Highway 87 South. The day-and-a-half event’s theme this year is “The Military and the Media Witnesses to War”. It is being sponsored by The Sons and Daughters of
Robert P. (Bob) Scripps. The symposium will examine, through presentations and open discussions with attendees, how the media has impacted the public’s opinion and attitude toward the military and war, from World War II to the present. Among the Sept. 21 issues to be discussed will be journalists on the front line from World War II to today; photos
and their effect on the public view of war, films, radio and television and their impact on war. On Sept. 22, among the presentations will be a serviceman’s view of the media and then a presentation by Maj. Gen. Anthony Cucolo. For more information or to register, visit the museum’s website at www.pacificwarmuseum.org.
Democratic Club to meet Sept. 18 at EMS Building Gillespie County Democratic Association will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the EMS Building, beginning at 6:30 p.m. A social hour follows the meeting. Attendees may bring dona-
September 11, 2013
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TAKE US ALONG
turn to full days or remain at half days for the 2014-2015 school year will need to be made by January. Styles also reported they are using new chair cubes for the three-year-old students, which helps to secure the students better and makes them safer — especially if they have a disability.
FHS band trip the band restricted its trips (taken once every four years) to inside the U.S. The band’s most recent trip was to Disney World. Every four years, the Band Boosters sponsor a trip. If ultimately approved, the trip would consist of a cruise aboard the Carnival Triumph and would last from March 13-17, 2014. Cost for the trip is $680 (which may be reduced, based
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tions for the Fredericksburg Food Pantry. The focus for September’s gathering will be an open forum for discussion of current issues including events in Syria, the next implementation phase of the Affordable Care Act, the budget and the debt
ceiling, impending changes for voting in the upcoming Texas Constitution Amendments election in November, as well as possible candidates for various statewide offices in the 2014 election. The EMS Building is located at 221 Friendship Lane.
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Wed. & Thurs. 11am-2pm FRIDAY 8am-2pm Sat. 8am-4pm • Sun. 8am-2pm Closed Mondays & Tuesdays
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TRAVEL CLUB members from American Bank of Texas vacationed in Canada, July 27Aug. 3. While visiting the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park, the group stopped a few minutes to catch up on the news back home in their Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post. Club members making the trip included, first row, from left, Connie Crenwelge, Bernice Weinheimer, Jana Sultemeier,
Grace McLeod, Karen Davies, Myrtle Klein, Kathy Krall and Shirley Mangum; second row, Ruben Crenwelge, Alvin Weinheimer, Kenneth Sultemeier, Kay Durst, Mark Durst, Irene Pyka, Janie Duderstadt, Betty Crenwelge and Clayton Crenwelge; third row, Martha Durst, James Curtice, Darlene Curtice, Guenther Ottmers, Geana Pfeiffer, Peggy Floyd and Nell Tucker.
Ready, set, shop... Annual FUNdraiser to benefit Boys, Girls Club The 10th Annual Shopping for a Cause FUNdraiser will visit Fredericksburg Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13-14. Friday will be the preview parties at participating stores with the stores open until about 7-8 p.m. Saturday will be the tournament day with an 8:30 a.m. Tee Time Breakfast at the Nimitz Ballroom, located on Main Street. Then, at 10 a.m. Saturday, the shopping begins with a shotgun start at participating stores. There will be three drop-off stations downtown. The event supports the Boys & Girls Club of Fredericksburg, whereby teams of up to four shoppers shop at participating stores on Main Street and receive prizes based on the amount of money spent, team spirit/costumes (costumes are encouraged) and the amount directly donated to the Boys & Girls Club. The club provides a safe environment for kids and teens of both genders to learn and
grow while having fun. “Those in the club are instilled with a sense of belonging, a sense of usefulness, a sense of influence and a sense of competence,” according to a spokesman for the club. In order to reach out to all members of the community, the Boys & Girls Club of Fredericksburg charges an annual fee of $10 per child, a $25 supply for after-school programs, and $25 per week for summer programs running five days a week. They expect to serve 320 children in 2013 at an annual cost of $1,305 per child. “Community support is vital to the success of the club,” the spokesman continued. Last year, the Shopping for a Cause FUNdraiser raised $25,000 that went directly to the Boys & Girls Club of Fredericksburg. For more information about the event, visit www.shoppingtournament.org. The local affiliate’s website is at www.bgcatxhc.org.
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| September 11, 2013
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Good Samaritan Center leaders prepare for changes due to new health care act of poverty,” he said. “There will be government subsidies available to purchase insurance through a federal exchange, but we are working on the assumption that they will not be able to afford the insurance, even with government subsidies, and will still need our help. We won’t know what the exchange premiums for their coverage will be until after Oct. 1.” The Good Samaritan Center is a privately funded charitable medical, dental and mental health counseling clinic. Patient co-pays account for 20 percent of the center’s income, with another five percent coming from space it leases within its building, 10 percent coming from private foundations and the other 65 percent coming from general public donations. “It is also important for our donors and volunteers to
know that we will continue to need their support because we don’t anticipate any decline in our patient load,” Willome said. Willome pointed out that in addition to not expecting a change in the demand for medical services, the dental program will see no impact. “At this point, the law only addresses the medical side of things. There is no provision for dental, so that part of our program will certainly not experience any changes,” he said. Another area of concern is to help patients make the right decisions for themselves and their families. Willome said that the center’s leadership intends to open a dialogue with other agencies in town to coordinate efforts to guide patients through their options. “One thing we learned about in the webinar is the opportu-
nity to become a certified application counselor, or CAC,” he explained. “Our next step will be to see if there are other organizations in the community who will have a CAC, or if that is a gap we need to fill.” The webinar made clear that while there are some of the Affordable Care Act’s details are known, many still need to be determined. “The biggest wildcard right now is the cost of the premiums through the exchanges, and what kind of insurance that will be,” Willome said. “With so much information floating around, some of it wrong, I encourage people to go to www.healthcare.gov to get answers to specific questions they might have.” For more information about The Good Samaritan Center, visit their website at www. goodsamfbg.org or call 9908651.
Willow City to celebrate National Night Out An annual “block party” social is planned Tuesday, Oct. 1, for “National Night Out — America’s Night Out Against Crime” by the Willow City Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. The gathering will start at 6 p.m. at the Willow City Fire Station, 2553 Ranch Road 1323. The purpose of National Night Out is to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local an-
ticrime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and to send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. This year, the Willow City VFD will be offering numerous safety tips in keeping with “National Fire Prevention Week” and this year’s theme of “Prevent Kitchen Fires.” Among those tips, firefighters recommend: • Stay in the kitchen at all times when frying, grilling,
broiling or boiling food; • Turn off the stove if leaving the room (even if for a short period of time;) • Use the stove’s back burners whenever possible, especially when there are young children in the home and keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove; •Wear clothing with tightfitting sleeves while cooking; •Keep potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper and plastic bags, towels and anything else that can burn,
away from the stovetop, and, • Clean up food and grease from burners and stovetops before and after use. Hotdogs and non-alcoholic beverages will be furnished for the National Night Out festivities. Those attending are asked to bring a side dish, salad and/or dessert, as well as their dominoes and playing cards. More information is available by calling WCVFD Chief Stanley Rabke or President Janet Rabke at 830-685-3266.
PBR the long round. After that, the top 10 will come back for the short round to decide the champion. Texas riders scheduled so far include Juan Alonzo of Weslaco; Jonathon Barrera, San Antonio; Bryce Barrios, Bluff Dale; Ralph Benson Jr., Atkins; Cody Brown, Godley; Nick Cocuzza, San Antonio; Sterling Furr, Boerne; Troy Garcia, Alice; Richard George, Amarillo; Neil Holmes, Houston; Miles Zachary, Gonzales; Lane Nobles, Mount Calm; J.T. Petitt, Odessa; Derek Powell, Kerrville, and D.D. Spratt, Austin. Also scheduled to appear are Luis Blanco of Iacanga, SP Brazil; Brenton Chaffin, Riner, Va.; Claudio Crisostomo,
Cont. from A1
Barro Alto, GO, BZ; Clay Cudmore, Cherokee, Okla.; Paula Cesar Ferreira Lima, Bezerros, PE; Gage Gay, Staley, NC; Carrson Hiatt, Rosalia, Kan.; Skeeter Kingsolver, McLouth, Kan.; Dee Lewis, Haines City, Fla; Markus Mariluch, Elko, Nev.; Joseph McConnel, Bloomfield, N.M.; Ryan McConnel, Bloomfield, N.M.; Nick McCormack, Ellensburg, Wash.; Francisco Morales, Irapuato, Gua., Mexico; Gustavo Pedrero, Jalisco, Mexico; Pedro Reynaga, Estipac, Jal., Mexico; Lachlan Richardson, Gresford, NSW, and Brady Sims, Holton, Mo. (The list of riders is subject to change.) Mutton Busting
Youngsters will get the opportunity to compete in mutton busting on Saturday night. Mutton busting is limited to the first 25 riders who sign up. Participants must weigh 65 pounds or less. There is a $10 entry fee, and sign-up begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Sponsors While the Gillespie County Fair and Festivals Association is sponsoring the Fredericksburg PBR, local businesses and organizations have signed on as event sponsors. Sponsors to date include Agritech Research, LLC; Allied Ag Services, Inc.; Arrowhead Bank; Blanco National Bank; Burrow Custom Builders;
Class A Rentals; CMC Truck & RV, Inc.; Cowboy Cleaners; Jaycees Crawfish Festival; Crenwelge Motors; Edward Jones Investments; Edward Stroeher; Fredericksburg Inn & Suites, and Gatti’s Pizza. Also, Global Cooling; Highland Machine Tool Repair; Hill Country Refrigeration; Jack Ledford Ranch Sales; Keg 1 O’Neal; L & L Drilling; Laughlin Homes; PMI – Hye Pipe & Feed; ProBuild; Security State Bank; Sonic Drive In; Stroeher and Olfers; Stroeher and Son; Sunbelt Rentals; Tech Con Trenching, Inc.; Tres Rios Silver, and West Central Wireless. San Antonio Magazine is the official publication for the Fredericksburg PBR.
Hilda United Methodist Church to host German Hymnfest The 63rd annual Llano River Valley German Hymnfest, featuring songs of faith and inspiration used by immigrant families, will be held Sunday, Sept. 22, at 3 p.m. at the Hilda United Methodist Church. The annual German Hymnfest is sponsored by four Methodist churches: Art United Methodist, Trinity United
Wrede Bear Creek Club to meet Sept. 20 Pizza and bingo night will be the theme of the next Wrede Bear Creek Community Club meeting, scheduled for Friday, Sept. 20 at the school house at 3828 South State Highway 16. Pizza will be served at 6:30 p.m. with bingo after the meal. Hosts for the evening are Linda McCann, Jim Green and Ken and Marjorie Otte. They will provide the pizza, iced tea and water. Guests may bring the drink of their choice. Others attending are asked to bring a salad or dessert to share. Guests and visitors are welcome. Those that plan to play bingo are asked to bring a prize valued at approximately $5 or a handmade item. The club is still selling cookbooks. A new shipment of A Step Back In Time has just arrived. These books are available from any member or by contacting Marjorie Otte at 644-2655 for $12 a copy.
Methodist in Castell, Hilda United Methodist and First United Methodist, Mason. These churches were part of the original circuit that brought Methodism to the Llano River Valley. The event’s purpose is to promote and preserve the
German hymns that helped the early settlers sustain their Christian faith, even though none of the participating churches presently conduct services in the German language. Songbooks of the hymns in German and English will be
distributed. The Mason Community Men’s Choir will also lend its voice to this event. The Rev. Wade Powell and the Hilda congregation invite residents to come join in the singing and entertainment, staying afterwards to enjoy refreshments and fellowship.
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HONOR FLIGHT — Jerry Vaclav, president of the Gillespie County Democratic Association, presents a check for $500 to Tami King, Honor Flight Committee member, to help sponsor 34 Gillespie County World War II veterans on the Sept. 27-28 Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. King said community rallied behind local veterans and the organization has met its goal of $42,000. The funds cover all expenses for veterans, and any amounts collected above the Gillespie County goal will be used to help other Hill Country veterans go on a flight.
St. Peter Lutheran to celebrate 100th anniversary Sunday The congregation of St. Peter Lutheran Church at Doss will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the construction of its native stone sanctuary this Sunday, Sept. 15. A new illuminated sign on the church lawn, made possible through memorial donations and other contributions, will be dedicated immediately following morning worship services. Leading the anniversary worship service at 10 a.m. will be the Rev. Mark A. Ward, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran, as well as Christ Lutheran Church at Cherry Spring. Delivering the sermon will be the Rev. Dr. Ray Tiemann, bishop of the Southwestern Texas (SWT) Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Also participating in the service will be the Rev. Richard Bremer, dean of the Hill Country Conference of the SWT Synod. A by-donation barbecue lunch will be served in the Doss Community Center. During a program shortly after lunch, former pastors, their families and descendants of the church’s founders will be recognized. Founders of the church included William Geistweidt Jr., Charles Geistweidt, Friedrich Hahn, Louis Hahn, Christian Strackbein, Lorenz Wendel, Heinrich Eckert and Christoph Feuge. The program will also include a photo presentation of the church’s history and a historical exhibit will also be on display throughout the afternoon. St. Peter Lutheran Church was organized Sept. 13, 1896, under the guidance of the Rev. H. Krienke, a Lutheran pastor from Mason, who, along with layman Diedrich Rode of Cherry Spring, would conduct worship services in German once a month at Doss. A frame church, built and dedicated in October 1898, served the congregation’s spiritual needs for 15 years until the new stone church was dedicated on Sept. 14, 1913. It took fewer than two years to build the new church which was constructed of native limestone quarried from the hills around Doss. In the early years of the congregation, weekly worship services were conducted in German. Eventually, German services were dropped to just once a month, and discontinued altogether in the early 1960s. A Texas Historical Commission marker was dedicated on April 30, 1989, and the congregation reached a milestone on Sept. 15, 1996, when the centennial of St. Peter Lutheran’s organization was celebrated. Since 1905, when Christ Lutheran Church at Cherry Spring was organized, the two congregations have called one pastor to serve both rural churches. The Rev. Mark A. Ward has been serving Doss and Cherry Spring since Nov. 1, 2004.
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The Affordable Care Act will have little impact on most of the Good Samaritan Center’s low-income, uninsured clients and they will still be able to come to the clinic for care. Executive Director John Willome and three of the center’s board members took part in an hour-and-a-half webinar on Aug. 28 hosted by the Lone Star Association of Charitable Clinics designed to help Texas charitable clinics better prepare for coming changes under the new act. “Texas residents who live below 133 percent of the federal poverty level, which would be a household of four making less than $31,321 per year, and do not currently qualify for Medicaid, will remain uninsured — and we’ll be here for them,” Willome said. “The big question is for our patients who are between 133 percent and 200 percent
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September 18, 2013
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
COMMENTARY COMMENTARY Thanks, ‘Dr. Marc’ Williamson will leave district in solid position academically, financially
and serve our children well. Taxpayers have had the same rate for the past seven years. He was careful not to jump out early on expensive technology issues, preferring to learn from other school districts about both o say that stability and tenure in leader- their successes and challenges. ship positions benefits an organization Most importantly, Williamson led the is a huge understatement. district in its pursuit of academic excelIn light of his announced retirement, we lence. Today, FISD is recognized as a top thank Dr. Marc Williamson — or performer and an innovator, simply, “Dr. Marc” to his staff — such as for its rocket program for 16 years of guidance and experand accompanying curriculum. tise in leading the Fredericksburg Just as impressively, he steered Independent School District. the district to close the gap in Williamson will leave after the its academic scores between fall semester, another decision white and Hispanic students. It that will benefit the district as is admirable that the FISD staff his successor can get to know the has chosen to put in the addistaff and have input on the next tional work for students who year’s budget. may not be English proficient Long-time tenure among school and get them caught up with superintendents is rare these their peers. That all stems from days, especially at smaller dissolid leadership. Williamson tricts which can be considered a Superintendents become a stepping stone for advantageous lightning rod for public proband talented individuals. We are that much lems, such as the recent exposure of an offmore fortunate that Williamson chose to campus overdose. While everyone wants to stay, raise his family here and continue his stop drug use, Williamson took his share service to FISD to the end of his career. of public shots, even from parents who The superintendent had a command of may not have understood what the district requirements and expectations from the is allowed and not allowed to do, and his state and federal level, and a knack for board crafted stronger penalties for stuexplaining them to the public and the board dents who are caught using drugs. of trustees in plain English. Where discusEarly in his career, Williamson served sions involving the Texas Education Agency as assistant principal, and then principal, or its federal counterpart can become a at Fredericksburg Middle School, before mind-numbing alphabet soup of acronyms pursuing administrative positions in other about testing — TEKS, TAKS, STARR, districts. He returned as superintendent AEIS and more — a good superintendent for the FISD in 1998. Since that time, can explain these to parents and staff. That Williamson also has served on the board wasn’t always easy, given the TEA’s moving of many community organizations, among academic targets. other things, doing his part to help steer Leading a school district also is to be higher education initiatives to town. the comptroller of more tax dollars than We are grateful for his service, and glad any other governmental entity. Where the he will be here to help ease his replacement FISD has benefitted from rising property into the position. values, Williamson also steered the district Thanks, Dr. Marc, for taking seriously through bond issues that addressed needs your charge to lead the educational efforts but were conservative in nature. Today, of our children. We will continue to benefit FISD has nice campuses that are functional from your tenure well into the future.
T
‘It’s not easy being green’ T
wo events in September can help raise our awareness of the environmental challenges that everyone in the nation faces. Saturday’s Sustainable Homes Tour, sponsored by Fredericksburg SHINES, saw nine homeowners open their doors for people to look at a variety of green building initiatives, from simple recycling bins and rainwater catchment systems, to solar panel and advanced green building techniques. While only in its first year, the event showcased what locals are doing to use less energy and save water — laudable goals in most any corner. The 13th Annual Renewable Energy Roundup and Green Living Fair will be held Sept. 27-29 at Marktplatz and will showcase the latest in green initiatives. It’s
a great place to learn more, if you’re already up on the subject, or start your education, if you are not. Sadly, some efforts like this draw criticism from ultra-conservative corners. Yet the very root of conservatism is “conserve,” and history has had great examples in Theodore Roosevelt, who spearheaded creation of our national parks, Barry Goldwater, whose love of the American Southwest drove some of his decisions, and even Newt Gingrich, who coined the term “green conservatism” during an environmental debate. In short, we are glad to see events like these in Fredericksburg. Things like wellinsulated walls and rainwater collection are a part of our Hill Country pioneer heritage. Let’s support these efforts.
QUOTABLE “Work and live to serve others, to leave the world a little better than you found it and garner for yourself as much peace of mind as you can. This is happiness.” — David Sarnoff CHIME IN Send letters to the editor to P.O. Box 1639, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 or email to fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com. CONNECT Sign up for our Daily Update email newsletter by sending a request to fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com or connect via Facebook or Twitter
Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post
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Publisher/Editor — Ken Esten Cooke Reporters — Yvonne Hartmann, Lisa Walter, Matt Ward, Richard Zowie Circulation — Sherrie Geistweidt, Alicia Trinkle Head Bookkeeper — Nathan Crenwelge Advertising Manager — Kimberly Jung Advertising Staff — Connie Klein, Ann Duecker, Beth Tucker, Lorrie Hess
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LETTERS POLICY Editor’s note: This newspaper welcomes responsible letters to the editor, provided they are of reasonable length, free of libelous content and written in good taste. All letters must be no longer than 300 words, and, in order to appear in the newspaper, each letter must have its writer’s name published. Letters submitted via email or fax must include the full name of the writer as well as his or her residential address and home telephone number. Also, only letters that are originally composed by readers of the Fredericksburg StandardRadio Post will be considered. No form or sample letters from lobby groups, political action committees (PACs) or similar organizations will be accepted. Persons wishing to make political endorsements are asked to contact our advertising department.
Would it be better if we could control the weather? “Everyone talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” — Mark Twain, American humorist
I
f we could heed Mr. Twain’s complaint, would we be any better off? If we could control the weather, would this be a better world? Current technology and our understanding of meteorology haven’t let us control this phase of our lives with any meaningful certainty. We’re no better off today in trying to tinker with the weather than we were back in Ben Franklin’s day. But, in a way, maybe that’s a good thing. Our meteorologists might have a better handle on when storms are coming or when the temperatures might dip below freezing. But as far as actually controlling the atmospheric conditions, we pretty much still are back to Square One. For example, I might want it to rain here in Gillespie County, but what about my neighbors? Maybe they’ve planned an outdoor gathering — such as a wedding and reception, cookout, birthday party — on the very day I’ve decided to call in the rainmaker. Or, vice versa. Maybe I’m the one with the big outdoor party plans for next Saturday after-
Thinking
Out Loud By Danny Hirt
noon and I don’t want it to rain on my parade … er, party. In the wintertime, should I impose my desire for warmer temperatures at the risk of endangering the livelihoods of our local peach growers? Whose desires take precedent? Is it my way, your way, or the “best” way? “Don’t knock the weather. If it didn’t change once in a while, nine out of ten people couldn’t start a conversation.” — Kin Hubbard, another American humorist If we accept Hubbard’s contention (and I think it’s a fair assessment of human communications), then we know that the weather is an important factor in our daily lives. It’s so ingrained in our thought processes that, as the writer indicates, there wouldn’t be much conversing going on. And we love to complain about the weather, too. Not just make comments about it, but to assign some kind of negative
connotation to it. As we perspire in the sweltering heat of a late summer day, we can’t wait for the moderation of autumnal temperatures to take over. But as much as we complain about the heat, it won’t be too long (I hope) when a cold air blast will hit us and we’ll all be complaining about that, too. As our teeth chatter in those winter months, we will look nostalgically back to the good old days of summer when the mercury never dipped below 90 degrees. We’ll remember when the seatbelt buckle is capable of branding your arm better than any cowpoke could. It seems that we humans are never satisfied with the weather. We could have two solid weeks of nothing but rain (if only) and some fool would ask, “Do you think it’ll ever stop raining?” Then, some other fool will chime in with, “It always has before!” I remember one time, shortly after I’d moved to Texas, I was bragging to a friend back home in the mountains of Western North Carolina that I’d worn a short-sleeve shirt to the last Fredericksburg High School football game of the season. Cont. on D3
Hauling papers in a Morris Minor A
mazingly, some of us manage to live into at least “early old age” despite some risky (add “dumb”) shenanigans in which we involved ourselves. Being an inveterate storyteller, some “set-up” is involved before getting to the point of the story of the pointless race between the Morris Minor (driven by me while “hauling papers”) and the Volvo. Let’s say the race is reminiscent of an old Laurel and Hardy movie. If you don’t know whom Laurel and Hardy are, ask your kids. They’ve probably seen the old black and white comedy one-reelers of the slender Englishmen Stan Laurel and the pudgy, mustachioed American Oliver Hardy on Saturday mornings. If that doesn’t do it, think one word: slapstick. Naturally, we need appropriate music for this old-fashioned, short flick. So, maestro, tune up the orchestra and be sure your pianist is the best rinky-tink ivory tickler available. Start off slowly, with a soft high-note boogie woogie sound and we’ll build from there. As a University of Houston college senior in the summer of 1959, I shifted to a night class schedule so I could take a full time job as general manager of The Galena Park Reporter, circulated in that suburb along the Houston Ship Channel. The Reporter was owned by Rigby Owen Sr., publisher of The Conroe Courier, and Billy I. Ross, a professor in the UH journalism department. Since my old rusted-out 1952 Chevy two-door was on its last
Writer’s Roost By Willis Webb leg, I went to a Galena Park dealership and bought a brand new skipper blue 1960 Morris Minor 2-door sedan, a British Motor Corporation (pip-pip, cheerio, etc.) product. The little four-cylinder Morris Minor was, I believe, meant to compete with the German Volkswagen “beetle,” which began taking America by storm about that time. It carried with it a note with 36 “easy” installments. My Morris was equipped with a pair of bucket seats in front, a bench seat in the back and, considering it was a small car, a sizable trunk. I figured I could fill the entire car except the driver’s seat and the motor with the tabloid Reporter and easily make the haul back to Galena Park. I’d made several of those round trip hauls and had the car broken in pretty well when one Wednesday I was driving the printed product back to Galena Park along IH-45. I’m in the right lane and, honestly, going a bit above the posted speed limit. Okay, maestro, now’s the time for some ominous music (a blustery deep bass note combination) instead of that soft rinky-tink piano in the background. A furrin-looking car (I forgot I was driving a British import) zipped by me on the left. The driver stuck one hand up and signaled to me he thought I was one year old. Well, that did
it. I took off after him, floorboarding the little Morris, not realizing I was chasing a durn Swedish Volvo. But, I caught up with him. He’s in the right lane now and I move up even with him on his left. And grin. He gains about a quarter car (Volvo size) lead and I push harder on my gas pedal, pulling even again We zoom along, front wheel to front wheel, for a minute, then my almost-new Morris Minor begins missing and the Volvo pulls away with the driver again signaling me that he thinks I’m a baby. By now, my car’s sputtering so that I think, “Omigawd, I’ve got 32 payments left. I can’t afford to blow the engine.” With that, I pulled onto the shoulder, cautiously left the engine running. I got out, went to the front of the car and raised the hood. The oil cap, which has a wire welded to the top and is then attached to the engine block, had popped off. However, the wire kept the cap from falling off the block and under the vehicle. So, the cap was bouncing back and forth, alternately hitting the tops of two spark plugs, which created a miss in the engine. I thanked my lucky stars, replaced the cap and continued my appointed rounds, glad that it had not been a costly incident. From that point on, I resisted all challenges, even from VWs. Willis Webb is a retired community newspaper publisher and former editor of the Fredericksburg Radio Post. Email him at wwebb1937@att.net.
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October 2, 2013
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
FISD holds public forum for superintendent search By Richard Zowie
FORMER PRISONER OF WAR Jack Ledford spoke about the harsh conditions he and many others faced during the Korean War. Ledford, who spent 555 days as a POW, was
the guest speaker at the Fredericksburg VFW Post 7105’s POW/MIA ceremony on Sept. 27. — Standard-Radio Post/Richard Zowie
Fredericksburg VFW 7105 remembers POWs, MIAs By Richard Zowie It was a solemn ceremony to remember two types of members of the United States’ armed forces: those who have been prisoners of war and those who are missing in action. Fredericksburg VFW Post 7105 served as host on Friday, Sept. 27 for this year’s POW/ MIA Ceremony. Serving as guest speaker was Jack Ledford, a U.S. Army veteran who spent a year and a half in the Korean War as a prisoner of war. Ledford spoke of his experiences and hardships in the Korean War, which included subzero temperatures and scarce food. The ceremony also featured a table set for one to memorialize those still missing in action. Among the many symbolisms at the table was a slice of lemon to remind of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in foreign lands, and
TEXAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS (from left) Specialists Patrick Ibbotson and Jesse Emmanuel Garza of the 36th Infantry Division, set the table to commemorate those still missing in action. an inverted glass to symbolize their inability to share with stateside Americans in today’s activities. The table was set by two
members of the Texas Army National Guard’s 36th Infantry Division: Specialists Patrick Ibbotson and Jesse Emmanuel Garza.
The latest step in the Fredericksburg Independent School District’s search for a new superintendent was a Tuesday, Oct. 1 public forum. The forum consisted of Texas Association of School Boards executive search services director Butch Felkner meeting with three groups: staff, then the public, then the school board. He stipulated that those speaking or sending in comments did not need to give their names, so as to not influence trustees. The new hire will replace Dr. Marc Williamson, who is retiring after this semester. Felkner asked the public three questions. He explained to the small gathering that these questions were for information purposes and that there were no right or wrong answers. First question: What do you consider to be the top one or two strengths of this district? Among the answers: Unity, support, volunteerism, fiscal responsibility, many teachers going above and beyond, German principles that established this community and carry it on, strong compassion, values, parental and community involvement, administrators and teachers who are very approachable and accessible, a good variety of both curriculum and extracurricular activities, many staff members (administrators, counselors, janitors) who also go beyond the call of duty, finding a way to do something when there are no resources. Second question: What would you say are the top one or two issues or concerns that you see facing this district? There were many responses to this one. Among them: Money, keeping up with technology (which was seconded), dealing with obsolete or aging buildings, addressing problems that need to be taken care of, overall health of kids (some expressed con-
cerns about teen pregnancies, drug overdoses and alcohol use), dealing with the changes in demographics, giving teachers a voice at the central office, giving teachers what they need to have their desire to teach reignited. One person told Felkner that Fredericksburg High School needs a new building. “You can put Band-Aids on it all you want,” they said. “By the time young kids are ready for high school, I’ll be surprised if [the FHS building] can still stand. It’s getting bad.” One person said FISD needs formal sex education and stated that Gillespie County has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the state. Another person expressed concerns about teachers’ salaries, saying that Fredericksburg teachers make much less than big-city teachers but have a higher cost of living. One other person said FISD needs to maintain academic rigor, especially for collegebound students. But, it also needs to have programs for students who wish to enter the labor force rather than attend college. Finally, the third question Felkner asked: What personal and/or professional characteristics do you think the new superintendent should possess? Among the answers: Integrity, accountability, proven track record, action oriented, innovative approach to problem solving, effectiveness and compassion, crisis management, stewardship, a strategic and strong leader who gets respect, someone with management experience, multi-level experience, a balance between being frugal and getting things done, and a willingness to spend money if money needs to be spent. One person suggested that the new superintendent should be from outside Fredericksburg, explained that, “we need new blood, someone with experience outside this district.”
Another person wondered what a potential superintendent’s education was like, how they educate their own children while another person said they would like a superintendent with a “good Christian background” who will “stand up for Christian values.” Another person said that, instead of having a leader use the agrarian calendar, they would like to see someone who’s willing to try something different. Another person asked Felkner whether the new superintendent would be required to have a Ph.D. “That’s up to the school board,” Felkner said. “We try to cast the net as wide as we can to see what’s out there.” Felkner added that in his experience in education, sometimes having a doctoral degree does not always guarantee that an administrator will be ideal for a job. One expressed a strong desire about a superintendent who is committed to the district longterm. Felkner said that while there is no guaranteed way to determine that, having social media available and looking at a person’s job history helps to get a better idea. The deadline for superintendent candidates to apply is Oct. 29, although Felkner pointed out that dates can change. The school board expects to interview about six candidates in the first round in November. They will then narrow the list to three and have those three return in December for a second round. On Dec. 11, a finalist would be named and presented to the public. The board would then vote on Jan. 6 whether or not to hire the candidate. Felkner said the public can still respond to the online survey until Thursday, Oct. 3 at 5 p.m., to do so. The survey can be found on the left side of the page on www.fisd.org. It is also available in Spanish.
Bethany to host annual picnic, worship Oct. 13 Bethany Lutheran Church dominoes, a photo booth, slide kid games will round out the will hold its annual picnic and for kids, ice cream treats, and afternoon. worship on Sunday, Oct. 13, with activities beginning at 9 a.m. at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park. Morning activities include a breakfast bar at 9 a.m., followed by Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. The worship service with Pottery Demonstrations “Dutch Treat” providing speIn the Courtyard! cial music begins at 10:45 a.m. During First Friday Art Walk A pork barbecue meal, with October 4th, 12:00pm – 8:00pm side dishes and desserts proSaturday, October 5th, 10:00am – 5:00pm vided by attendees, will follow Hill Country artists Al Hoeksema, Jeni Hoeksema, at 11:45 a.m. Eric Jackson, Stacia Miller, Susan Ehlers, and J’Nil Jackson Immediately after lunch, a will show their beautiful works of art. The peaceful courtyard at Artisans springs to life this live auction will begin the affall with our annual pottery demonstrations. ternoon activities. 234 W. Main St. • Fredericksburg, Texas Then, additional music by 830-990-8160 • artisansatrockyhill.com16704.17 “Dutch Treat” as well as cards,
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The English Brothers Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute The fellas in “Blue Moon Swamp” have a knack for bringing the best CCR songs back to life. Visit our website for video. October 16th-17th
Buy tickets online or call:
(830) 997-7625 Located 99 Steps off Main Street 109 North Llano, Fredericksburg, Texas
16417.17
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
LAW ENFORCEMENT NEWS
Fredericksburg Police Department report Fredericksburg Police Department officers responded to 176 calls for service from Sept. 30-Oct. 6, including seven thefts, one burglary of a residence, one burglary of a business and a stolen auto. Thefts FPD investigators had seven reports of theft over the week. On Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 3:06 p.m., an officer was advised about a stolen bicycle (unknown make/model.) On Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 10:13 a.m., police were sent to H-E-B, 407 South Adams Street, in reference to a shoplifter, who allegedly took $186.74 in merchandise without paying. Charges are pending, the FPD said. That same day, at 12:19 p.m., police were called to the 500 block of East Highway Street in regard to thieves taking a television and personal items, including important documents, from a residence. Later that same evening, Oct. 2, at 7:46 p.m., an officer was advised by phone about a lost/stolen firearm that had
been left in the bathroom of two possible local businesses. On Saturday, Oct. 5, at 6:35 p.m., an officer was sent to HE-B, where two suspects were reportedly shoplifting bottles of juice drinks (valued at $4 each.) Also on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 10:01 p.m., an officer was called to the H-E-B gas pumps on the side of the 407 South Adams Street store in reference to a customer who had filled $29.02 in gas and drove away without paying. The next day, Oct. 6, at 1:25 p.m., an officer took a report from Eve Couture, 248 East Main Street, about to a suspect shoplifting an ear ring. Stolen Auto A 2013 brown Dodge pickup was reported stolen on Friday, Oct. 4, at 8 a.m. from a residence in the 200 block of East Schubert Street. The pickup was equipped with GPS and was later located and returned to the owner. Burglaries On Tuesday, Oct. 1, a burglary of a residence was re-
ported to the FPD. Taken from a local apartment unit were approximately 12 cases of wine and a DVD player (no value listed.) Then, on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 9:48 a.m., a burglary of a business was reported at Buffalo Nickel, 105 South Llano Street. Thieves made away with an undisclosed amount of money and the investigating is ongoing. Special Services FPD’s special services division was busy over the week responding to six welfare concern cases, one case of lost/ stolen property, one case of medical neglect and providing an officer assist. Two runaways were reported and all subjects were later located. Arrests FPD officers arrested 14 people during the past week for the following charges: • 7 Public Intoxication; • 1 Arson Intend to Damage Habitat; • 1 Driving While Intoxicated; • 1 Driving While License
Invalid with Previous Conviction; • 1 Driving While License Invalid with Previous Conviction/Possession of Controlled Substance; • 1 No Driver’s License when Unlicensed; • 1 Possession of Controlled Substance/Possession of Marijuana, and, • 1 Public Intoxication/Resist Arrest Search or Transport. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6 10 minor auto accidents. 9 alarms. 15 animal control calls. 1 assault. 1 burglary of a business. 1 burglary of a residence. 3 civil disputes. 9 disturbances. 5 criminal mischief cases. 6 emergency assists. 4 reports of fraud. 3 reports of harassment. 3 reports of lost/stolen property. 19 public relations calls. 2 reports of recovered property. 1 stolen automobile. 19 reports of suspicious activity. 7 thefts. 28 traffic hazards. 1 warrant service. 21 welfare concern calls. 8 other.
Fire, Rescue Calls Gillespie Sheriff’s Office report Fredericksburg •Monday, Sept. 30 — 4:12 p.m., 917 East Highway Street, general investigation. •Monday, Sept. 30 — 5:21 p.m., Highway and Eagle Streets, vehicle fire. •Tuesday, Oct. 1 — 5:55 p.m., Hill Country University Center, fire alarm activation. •Wednesday, Oct. 2 — 5:08 p.m., 108 North Milam Street, gas leak. •Saturday, Oct. 5 — 6:04 p.m., Milam and Austin Streets, motor vehicle accident. Tierra Linda •Tuesday, Oct. 1 — 1:43 a.m., 1791 Lake Ridge Road, assist EMS. Willow City •Tuesday, Oct. 1 — 8:37 a.m., 2300 Ranch Road 1323, assist EMS.
Gillespie County Sheriff ’s Office deputies responded to 80 calls between Sept. 30-Oct. 6. Reported were one assault, one burglary and two thefts. The assault was reported on Sunday, Oct. 6, when deputies were called out to a disturbance in progress in the 800 block of Baethge Boulevard. A male subject was subsequently arrested and charged with “Interference with Emergency Call.” On Thursday, Oct. 3, deputies took a report of a burglary of a building within the 200 block of Smith Road. The incident is thought to have happened between Sept. 29-30 and reported stolen were two chainsaws, a large Craftsman air compressor, a Craftsman
socket set (¼ , ½, ¾,) a heavy duty ¾ socket set and three differently-sized Rigid pipe wrenches — all estimated to be valued at $1,200. Patrol Lieutenant Brian Pehl said that one of the thefts was discovered and reported on Friday, Oct. 4, in the 6000 block of Ranch Road 1376. Taken in the crime was a rustic cooler (valued at $100) which was removed from a porch. Sept. 30-Oct. 6 • 3 accidents. • 7 alarms. • 11 animal calls. • 1 assault. • 1 burglary. • 3 civil disputes. • 1 report of criminal mischief. • 2 disturbances. • 12 other agency assists. • 1 mental commitment. • 1 report of fraud. • 1 report of harassment.
The 4th Annual Chris Staats Memorial Scholarship would like to thank YOU for making this year’s BBQ a success!
There were 16 people booked into jail during the week and as of Monday, Oct. 7, there were 33 inmates in Gillespie County custody.
The Fredericksburg Volunteers in Police Support, Inc. (FVPS) will meet Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Gillespie County Law Enforcement Center, located at 1601 East Main Street. A board of directors meeting will be at 6 p.m., followed by the general membership business meeting at 6:30 p.m. Alumni graduates from any of the 11 previously held Fredericksburg Citizen Police Academies are invited. Nominations for two directors to serve on the 2014 board of directors will be accepted at this meeting and voted upon at the November meeting. Current officers are Daniel Thompson, president; Kay Doehling, vice president; Graham Kneale, secretary; Rosie Treibs, treasurer, and Madeline Clanton, Jane Hinterlach and Charles Feller, directors. The FVPS organization
at 10:30am
Sunday, Oct. 13th 10:30am-1pm
ANDREW SIDNEY COX PETER JOSEPH WEBER MARY ELIZABETH (WAGNER) COX ELIZABETH (PEHL) WEBER Who: Descendants and relatives of the above What: Family Reunion/Gathering Where: Twin Sisters Dance Hall - 7.5 miles south of Blanco on 281 When: Saturday, October 26, 2013 from 10am to dark 30 Bring a covered dish and/or desserts to share. Noon meal at 12:30
Meat, tea & water and utensils will be provided for meals.
Sit Down or Drive Thru. All proceeds go toward Scholarship Fund. 23932 W. Hwy. 290 Harper 830-864-4193 16854.18
partners with and supports the local law enforcement agencies to provide opportunities for civic-minded citizens to give back to the community as volunteers. FVPS volunteers assist the police department in many functions, such as traffic control during parades and special events, vacation residence checks using the marked volunteer car, downtown foot patrol to deter shoplifting, clerical assistance at the law enforcement center and substation, warrant service follow up contact, new officer training assistance for exercise scenarios and meals, the business identification and emergency notification data program, and pawn shop ticket database entry. More information is available from the Gillespie County Law Enforcement Center, Monday through Friday, at 997-7585 or online at www. fbgtx.org.
The City of Fredericksburg Police Department will be hosting their drug take-back program again this fall for prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Gillespie County Law Enforcement Center, located at 1601 East Main Street. There will be a drive through drop-off at this location. More information is available from the Fredericksburg Police Department at 997- 7585.
Annual Sausage Lunch
Polka Service
| A11
Drug ‘take-back’ event set Oct. 26
Invites you to join us for our Celebrating our Heritage
October 9, 2013
FVPS slates meeting tomorrow at LEC
St. James Lutheran Church
St. James Lutheran Church
With Special Thanks to: ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS, HELPERS AND PATRONS. You are a huge part of this event’s four years of success. This fundraiser would not exist without you!! We thank you so much! Business Prize Donors: Angel’s On The Creek Lodge Artisans at Rocky Hill Becker Vineyard Ben E. Keith Buc O’ Brien’s Capital Farm Credit Chem Tac, Inc. Chocolat Circle E Candles Clear River Pecan Co. Cranky Frank’s BBQ Company Der Kleider Schrank Fredericksburg Equipment Fredericksburg Farms Fredericksburg Inn & Suites Grape Creek Vineyards Gypsy Dolls Boutique Haberdashery Hill Country Propane Hill Country Refrigeration Hot Spot Tanning Jabberwocky Jeep Collins Jewelry JP Liquor Katie’s Keg 1, LLC Lochte Feed Madlyn’s MotoTexas Powersports NAPA Auto Parts Opa’s Smoked Meats Pedernales Brewing Co.
• 8 prisoner transports. • 7 reports of suspicious activity. • 2 thefts. • 8 traffic hazards. • 4 warrant service calls. • 7 welfare concern calls.
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* Bring old pictures and documents to be shared and copied at the genealogy table.
16962.18
Please RSVP by contacting Jim Weber at 830-606-1627 home, 830-237-6326 cell or email jimpaulweber@yahoo.com or contact Lydia Cox Bledsoe at 830-833-9967 or email cox_bledsoe@yahoo.com
Prescription Laboratory ProBuild Rockbox Theater Segner’s Jewelers Sophie’s Choice Bakery Stroeher and Olfers, Inc. The Hangar Hotel The Inside Story The Mane Attraction The Salt Branch Outpost Triple 8 Management West End Pizza Woody’s Deer Processing Individual Prize Donors: Tickets Now John Gold On Sale Gary & Lorna Eckhardt Garrett Staats, Kim Dismukes New Logo: grayscale & Garret Bowers Lori, Beth & Lindsey Luckenbach Stuart McMullen Dayton & Mary Kuhlmann THIS PRDUCTION HAS BEEN UNDERWRITTEN BY DIAN & HARLAN STAI The Shelton & Barnett Families Scott & Emily Striegler Tickets Matthew and Katy Petri Advance: Adults $20 • 18 & Under $5.50 Betty Hahn Tara Eckert Gallaspy At The Door: Adults $25 • 18 & Under $7.50 Brent & Brandi Seegers Ticket Office Jim & Charlene Korman Fredericksburg Theater Company 306 E. Austin St. (Next to the Visitor’s Center) Julia Weed — Fresh. Unexpected. Outstanding. — Open Monday-Friday 9 am - 1 pm Troy & Trisha Greenfield FTC Tim Weinheimer Performances: Fridays &
October 11-27, 2013
The Steve W. Shepherd Theater, 1668 Hwy 87 S., Fredericksburg
Please join us next year for our 5th Annual BBQ - Details to come!
1.5 miles south of Main Street 16971.18 16677.17
Saturdays 7:30PM • Sundays 2:00PM
Buy tickets online
www.FredericksburgTheater.org or
call 888-669-7114 or 830-997-3588
or purchase tickets (if available) at the theater one hour before show time.
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
| A11
| October 23, 2013
Crime Stoppers to join local schools for Red Ribbon Week When it comes to helping local kids steer clear of the dangers of drugs, Gillespie County Crime Stoppers is working hard to come up with solutions that appeal to the younger set, according to Joe Folse, coordinator. The crime-fighting organization is joining Fredericksburg and Harper schools in observing the Oct. 21-29 “Red Ribbon Week” — a nationally observed time when youths speak out against drugs, create awareness about the dangers of illegal substances and offer their personal commitments to living drug-free lives. “Crime Stoppers is working with the Fredericksburg Independent School District and the Harper Independent School District to encourage kids to use ‘text-a-tip’ to report any unlawful activity on their school campus or in the community,” Folse said. During Red Ribbon Week, Crime Stoppers will be distributing a flyer to each student on how to text an anonymous tip into the authorities in a timely manner. “The biggest obstacle to the success of the text-a-tip initia-
Each high school and middle school student in Harper and Fredericksburg’s schools will also be distributed a Crime Stoppers card the size of a business card, which keeps information at-theready on the three different ways to submit tips. “Gillespie County Crime Stoppers is encouraging the kids to read the flyer they are given and put the card in their wallets or purses for later use,” Folse said. tive is trying to convince kids that texting a tip is completely anonymous,” Folse said. “The flyer explains in more detail how the process works.” All Crime Stoppers tips are made anonymously. The identity of the person submitting the tip is a huge part of what makes the system work, Folse said. Once a student texts a tip to “274637 (CRIMES”,) it is routed through a specialized software that removes the identity of the submitter and, instead, assigns a code number for future communications.
Report information about a crime • CALL the hotline, 9978477 (TIPS); • TEXT “TIP 830” and the info to 274637 (CRIMES) or, • SUBMIT a tip online. Google search “Gillespie County Crime Stoppers,” then click on the Crime Stoppers webpage and follow the prompts. Using their unique code number, tipsters providing information that leads to the arrest and charges filed on the person or persons responsible for crimes could receive a cash reward of up to $2,500.
Food and Wine Fest Cont. from A1
the Fest include the City of Fredericksburg, Security State Bank and Trust, Opa’s Smoked Meats, Fischer and Wieser, Atmos and HEB. The annual poster series features artwork by local artist Shelley Britton, who will be on hand for poster signings. Original work, as well as a signed and framed poster, will be featured in the silent auction. More information on the event as well as advance ticket purchase is available by calling 997-8515 or by visiting www.fbgfoodandwinefest. com. Proceeds from the Food and Wine Fest go toward the continued beautification and upkeep on Marktplatz. Wine Twenty-nine Texas wineries will pour over 100 types of wine, and guests will have an opportunity to visit with some of the wine makers. Participating wineries include Becker Vineyards, Bell Mountain Vineyards, Bending Branch Winery, Bernhardt Winery, Chisholm Trail Winery, Crump Valley Vineyards, Dionisio Winery, Fawncrest Vineyard, Fall Creek Vineyards, Fiesta Winery, Fredericksburg Winery, Georgetown Winery, Grape Creek Vineyard, Haak Vineyards, Hilmy Cellars and Homestead Winery. Also, Inwood Estates Vineyards, Llano Estacado, Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards, McPherson Cellars, Messina Hof Winery, Piney Woods Country Wines, Pleasant Hill Winery, Rohan Meadery, Salado Creek Winery and Vineyard, Singing Water Vineyard, Sister Creek Vineyards, Texas Hills Vineyards and Val Verde Winery. Food A variety of Texas-made products will be available for sampling and purchase, including lavender products, salsas, jams and jellies, honey,
pasta, candies, seasonings and spices, nuts, olive oils, beef, items made from used wine barrels, hand-painted glasses, and more. Entertainment Texas artists will be providing musical entertainment throughout the day on Saturday. Along with the musical entertainment will be the Gargantuan Great Grape Toss and live and silent auctions. Following is the entertainment schedule:
Noon to 2 p.m. — Spare Parts. 2-2:30 p.m. — Gargantuan Great Grape Toss. 2:30-4:30 p.m. — El Tule. 3 p.m. — Live auction. 4 p.m. — Silent auction closes. 4:30-5 p.m. — Gargantuan Great Grape Toss. 5-7 p.m. Frank Gomez Band.
Cooking School The Grape Expectations Cooking School starts at noon and will once again showcase Texas chefs. There will be two sessions featuring three chefs each. Seating is limited to the first 150 persons and is $10 per session or both sessions for $20.
Session I 12:15 p.m. — Angela Mancino, chef/owner of Sunset Grill and Woerner Warehouse Bakery and Café, will prepare Roman Meat Balls with Gnocchi and Basil Marinara. The featured winery will be Fawncrest Vineyard. 1:15 p.m. — Lois Rodriguez of Texas Highways in Austin will feature Chocolate-Slated Caramel Mousse. Fall Creek Vineyards is the winery. 2:15 p.m. — Ross Burtwell, chef/owner of Cabernet Grill, will prepare Five Times in the Fire Baby Back Ribs with Bayou Barbecue Sauce and Citrus Pickled Spanish Onions. The featured winery is Grape Creek Vineyard. Session II 3:30 p.m. — Jeffrey Rhodes, executive chef, Parkside, Austin. He will prepare Fall Braised Rabbit Legs with Pumpkin and Lemon Cream, and the winery is Sister Creek Vineyards.
Whitetail and Axis hunts available at the C-4 Ranch
Special events Organizers are also planning three special events to coincide with the Food and Wine Fest. These events have limited seating with tickets being sold in advance only. Tomorrow, Thursday, will be Locavore at Messina Hof Hill Country. Tickets are $60 per person. Friday’s Celebration of Texas Wine & Food at the Red Bird Grille at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park and Golf Course is $75 per person and includes admission to the fest, catered by Sterling Affairs out of Austin. Saturday is the Patron Party on Marktplatz, catered by Delicious Details. Patron Party tickets are $100 per person, which also includes admission to the fest. Volunteers needed Volunteers are needed for ticket booths, information, wine pouring and beer serving on Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. Individuals who volunteer receive an official wine glass, two tasting tickets, a name badge and a T-shirt at a discounted price. Persons interested in volunteering to work at the event on Saturday are asked to call 997-8515.
Landolt wins at barbecue fundraiser Harper Community Park Association hosted a Barbecue Cookoff fundraiser to benefit the park on Saturday. Grand champions were Keith Landolt and the All Night Cookers, while reserve champ honors went to Robert Schubert with Double R Barbecue. Categories included chili, beans, chicken, pork spare ribs and beef brisket. The event was sanctioned by the Central Texas Barbecue Association. Event sponsors were Ken Stoepel Ford, the Bratcher family, the Ragel family, Marschall Fencing, T-n-J Engraving, Vic’s Exotics, Head-
Golden Hub seeks drivers for meal delivery Volunteer drivers for the Meals on Wheels program at the Golden Hub are being sought. “If you have a couple of hours one day a week to spare to make a senior smile, then give Stephanie a call at 9977131,” said Denise Usener, Golden Hub director. The Golden Hub delivers a hot, nutritious meal to home bound seniors and disabled folks in Fredericksburg and surrounding areas five days per week. She said, “We depend on volunteers who give their time and compassion to deliver these meals.” Usener added that each volunteer also serves as a life line of sorts to these seniors. In some cases, the Meals on Wheels volunteer is the only person that they see each day. “Our drivers are so important to the Meals on Wheels program that many of them have saved lives,” Usener said. “They are dedicated and caring, becoming friends with many of the meal recipients.” She added, “Our drivers feel that it is a very rewarding experience and would not give up their route for any other job.” “Please consider joining our team of volunteers and find out for yourself how you can make a difference in someone’s life,” Usener said. The Golden Hub is located at 1009 North Lincoln.
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4:30 p.m. — Bryce Baker, executive chef, Navajo Grill, will prepare Slow-braised Twin Country Lamb Shoulder and Meatballs, Orzo and Spinach with Piquillo Pepper Vinaigrette and Romesco. Chisholm Trail is the winery. 5:30 p.m. — Josh Raymer of 87 Bake Shop will prepare Roman style thin crust Pizza al Taglio using local seasonal vegetables and Homemade Charcuterie. Homestead Winery is the featured winery.
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water’s Saloon, Buzzie’s Barbecue and Dauna’s. Established in 1946, the Harper Community Park’s mission is to encourage, promote, support and conduct the physical, moral and general education and recreational needs of the people of Harper by providing recreational facilities and a community hall that may be leased by clubs,
individuals or corporations. The park is currently trying to change its nonprofit status to a 501(c)(3), said Diane Earhart, secretary. To learn more or inquire about a HCPA membership or booking the park, visit www. harpercommunitypark.org online, or find the organization’s Facebook page and click “like.”
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www.fredericksburgstandard.smugmug.com
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
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| C5
October 30, 2013
EDUCATION FES implements program to help prevent bullying By Richard Zowie Fredericksburg Elementary School principal Monica Ward says bullying has never been a problem at the school. And they want to keep it that way. FES has implemented the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, which the principal describes as a “well-known research-based bully prevention program.” According to its website, Olweus (pronounced “ol-vayus”) is designed for students ages five to 15 and is designed “to improve peer relations and make schools safer, more positive places for students to learn and develop.” Goals of the program include:
•Reducing existing bullying problems among students; •Preventing the development of new bullying problems; •Achieving better peer relations at school. “FES was looking for a program that was proactive rather than reactive and one of the components of Olweus focuses on empowering the bystanders,” Ward explained. The program also provides time every week for teachers to allow students to openly discuss any concerns they may have. Each Friday, teachers have a 30-minute block of time in their schedule for these meetings. “Class meetings offer teachers and students an opportu-
nity to openly discuss issues that are current and relevant to their own class community,” Ward added. “These class meetings provide a safe and welcoming setting for students to work together to come up with solutions.” The principal added that they have received positive feedback from their staff on the Olweus program. “Our goal is to continue meeting the ever-changing needs of our students, and we believe that encouraging open communication will keep us informed as to concerns from the view point of our youth,” Ward said. The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program website is at www.violencepreventionworks.org.
Ambleside School to host annual Veterans Chapel service on Nov. 6 Students and faculty of Ambleside School will pay tribute to local area war veterans on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 8:30 a.m. at the Greater Life Christian Center, adjacent to the school at 106 South Edison. This is Ambleside’s 14th annual Veterans Chapel service. “The program allows the school to voice its appreciation to all veterans who have served their country,” said Russ York, Ambleside principal. “It is also an opportunity for the students to broaden their connections to history, better understand the meaning of service to one’s country, and to be inspired by persons and experiences beyond their own lives.” York will introduce the program. The presentation of the Flag will be by the Fredericksburg High School Junior Naval ROTC Color Guard. The program will include an address by guest speaker Col. Ward Miller (U.S. Army, ret.), a resident of Fredericksburg, a veteran of two combat tours in Vietnam and 30 years in the U.S. Army. There will also be singing of patriotic songs by the students; and the recitation of poems and prayers dedicated to living, deceased and active
military service members and their families. Refreshments will be served afterwards in the school Assembly Hall for all attendees. Veteran’s military memorabilia will be on display inside the hall. The National Museum of the Pacific War will provide an assortment of World War II equipment artifacts for the students and attendees to examine, including a WWII vintage vehicle. Later in the morning, a panel of veterans from the different wars will convene to answer questions from the older students. Ambleside Choir will be under the direction of Tricia
Eilers. Musical selections will include, “Let There Be Peace On Earth” and “Thank You Soldiers.” Taps will be rendered by student Neil Sutton and his father, Troy Sutton. Miller will serve as master of ceremonies. All veterans are invited to attend. For additional information call Ambleside School at (830) 990-9059. Ambleside School of Fredericksburg is a nondenominational Christian school, pre-kindergarten through grade eight, and is based on the educational philosophy of the noted British children’s educator, Charlotte Mason (1842-1923).
Former Angelo band members to gather Nov. 9 All former San Angelo College, Angelo State College and Angelo State University band members, twirlers and flag team members are invited to a gathering on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 4 p.m. For the first time in the history of the university, a gathering of band alumni from throughout the years will be held at the football game. For more information, visit the Facebook page, Angelo State University Golden Ram Band.
Tim Kaman, FHS basketball coach; Dusty Gibbs, FHS football and basketball coach; Sheryl Wallace, FHS assistant principal; Jerold Gaitan, FHS football and weightlifting coach; Lance Moffett, FHS athletic director; Grochett; David Herrera; Ralf Halderman, FHS principal; Trish Herrera; and Chris Weirich, FHS assistant principal. — StandardRadio Post/Richard Zowie
FMS to host Veterans Day program on Nov. 11 Fredericksburg Middle post the colors. with the FHS NJROTC will School will be hosting a VetCaptain George Fadock be the guest speaker. erans Day ceremony on Monday, Nov. 11, from 8:15-9:30 a.m. in the FMS Gym. The public is invited to MID-TEXAS HEALTH CARE attend the program, sponFAMILY MEDICINE sored by the FMS Student Council. Yvonne Haug, M.D. Representatives from the David Cantu, M.D. American Legion will inform visitors on the history of Vet- erans Day and the signifi cance of the poppy. The poem, “In Flanders Fields,” will be recited, and the National Anthem will be sung by the Fredericksburg Middle School Choir. In addition, the FMS Band will play “God Bless America” and the NJROTC from Fred1305 N. Milam St ericksburg High School will
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Skinner named to Samford’s Dean’s List Matthew C. Skinner of Fredericksburg has been named to the Dean’s List for the spring semester at Samford University, in Birmingham, Ala. Skinner was a junior sports medicine major. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must have earned a minimum 3.5 grade point average out of a possible 4.0 while attempting at least 12 credit hours of coursework. The Dean’s List is the highest academic recognition given by the school at the end of each semester.
HERRERA’S JACKET — In memory of their son, Sammy Herrera, a Fredericksburg High School student who died last April, Matt Grochett of Herff Jones in New Braunfels presented David and Trish Herrera with an encased FHS letterman’s jacket with the name “Herrera”, on Thursday, Oct. 24 at David’s Old Fashioned Pit BBQ. Those on hand for the presentation were (from left):
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Chock full of ideas for Christmas gifts! Fredericksburg and the Hill Country have some of the best shopping in the area -- so let’s shop local! To be published Tuesday, November 26 Deadline Wednesday, November 6 To reserve your advertising space, call (830) 997-2155 or email Ann Duecker (ann@fredericksburgstandard.com), Lorrie Hess (lorrie@fredericksburgstandard.com), or Kim Jung (kim@fredericksburgstandard.com)
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Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post
fbgads@fredericksburgstandard.com • fax: 830.990.0036 17215.20-28
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
| D3
| November 13, 2013
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Keep our guard up
I want to express a big thank you to Herff Jones representative Matt Grochett, and all of the FISD staff that presented our family with the encased letterman jacket in honor of our son, Sam Herrera. There was not a dry eye when Ralf Haldermann “attempted” to present us with the jacket. He told us how much he loved Sam, and I told him through tears that “we really knew that was true.” Please, no one misunderstand. This was not a celebration of how Sam died. It was a celebration of how he lived. Everyone one in that picture (Oct. 30 paper) knew
Keep hunting pictures
I enjoyed last week’s editorial on hunting. Hunting is a part of the Fredericksburg culture, just like farming and ranching, family, religion and schools. I grew up in San Antonio and some of my best childhood memories are from hunting with my family in the Hill Country. Keep the hunting pictures, as they bring back some good memories and create some new ones. Change is not a bad thing, but I am tired of people that move to an area and then try to change it to be just like the area they were trying to get away from. Regards, Ken Sands Houston
Election Day assist
Kudos to the staff at the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post for their courtesy and good cheer to a newcomer on Election Day. I’d received my brand spanking new voter registration card by mail, had my photo ID all ready (scary pic that it is) but no idea where Precinct 10 would be found! I walked into the StandardRadio Post offices and the kind folks there had posted the locations for all voting precincts on the front counter. They matched me up with Pat’s Hall, quipping that I might just be able to enjoy a cold longneck and a spin around the dance floor as a reward for having done my civic duty! Off I trundled, down Bowie Street and around the bend to Post Oak. Parking was readily available and the election judges most accommodating. Unlike former Congressman Jim Wright, who was turned away for his expired driver’s license, mine was current but had the old address. We all got a big chuckle as I filled out yet another form, swearing residence in my new precinct ... answering questions like “have you ever ‘finally’ been convicted of a felony?” Not at all sure what that one was about ... and fortunately was able to leave blank. Anyway, my thanks to all along the trail to a very pleasant voting experience in my new hometown. Lindy Segall Fredericksburg
Parking ordinance
The City Council is planning to adopt an ordinance restricting parking on streets in residential areas and on private residential property. The ordinance would cover work trailers, trucks, utility trailers, boats, travel trailers, motorhomes, farm trailers and tractors. To some people, viewing of any of these vehicles in residential areas is unsightly. Others know that unsightly is defined differently by each of us, or those who hold dear their property rights. Is there room in Fredericksburg to accommodate our various needs as long as they do not infringe on the safe use of
my son on a one-on-one basis. Sam was a good kid with good friends. He stayed out of trouble. He participated in sports. He wanted to do well in school. He had just asked me to find him a math tutor. Sam did all the right things that are supposed to keep kids safe, including practicing his faith in God. This should be a warning to parents and kids that you can never let your guard down. As Sam’s parents, Dave and I have questioned every moment in Sam’s life, and every decision that we made, including moving back to Fredericksburg so our children could grow up where we grew up.
streets and residences? One proposal the Council looked at on Oct. 7 would disallow, other than temporarily, street parking of these vehicles and disallow parking of any of these vehicles on residential property, be it driveways, side, or back yards, if the vehicle could be seen from streets or alleys. If you are concerned about your rights relating to any of the types of vehicles or if you are concerned about how your property can be safely used, it is imperative that you contact the council. At the very least, the council should not act on a parking ordinance of this magnitude without first hearing from those impacted and attempting to develop a compromise that addresses safety and other concerns without causing a major hardship on current residents. If you have construction or work trailers, panel vans or the truck you operate at work, or a utility trailer, boat or any kind of RV or a farm trailer or other vehicle that you need to park at home, act now. This issue is expected to be taken up for vote at the Nov. 18 council meeting. Call the council members or email them at council@fbgtx. org. Sonia Rivero Fredericksburg
Praise for NJROTC
I just returned from a Veterans Day Parade in Kerrville, in which the Naval ROTC unit from Fredericksburg High School marched and was applauded enthusiastically by many along the route through downtown. Your school and the entire community can be extremely proud of these sharp young men and women in their Navy and Marine Corps uniforms. This old infantryman and father of a career Navy officer, stationed in a NATO command in Europe, hopes that they come back every year. Sincerely, Sgt. Joseph Benham, (U.S. Army, ret.) Kerrville
Inserting religion
Do you value your freedom of religion? Do you think it is OK for the Texas State Board of Education, which is a politically elected state board, to require specified religious views related to creation, evolution and the age of earth to be included in the science books that are adopted to be used in Texas public schools? I am a lifelong Methodist and retired public school principal. It is my belief that the science textbooks used in the public schools of Texas should include the best scientific information available and that religious views and beliefs should not be included. Instruction in religion is the providence of the church and the family, and an act of government to prescribe
But he wasn’t safe. As parents and a community we need to take back what we have lost. We cannot accept drugs in our community, in our homes or anywhere else. I pray to God to give our community the strength to make a difference in our children’s lives and of those struggling with addiction. We love this community. It has been our strength when we were weak. Let us stand together to end what is not OK. David and Tricia Herrera, a.k.a. Sam’s parents Fredericksburg
religious views in a textbook or anywhere should be viewed as a threat to our religious freedom. Many of our Christian churches and members have strong negative opinions when our government acts to intrude into our lives or limit personal freedom, but do not understand that this action of the State Board of Education is an intrusion. This may be due to the fact that some of the religious ideas to be inserted are consistent with their own beliefs. Separating science and religion is both necessary and good. They do not need to be in conflict unless we make it so. We have the value of lessons from history to see that religion has often tried to restrict or limit science with bad results. On Nov. 22, our State Board of Education will make the adoption decisions. What we need is some thinking pastors and concerned public to contact the Board of Education and let them know that insertion of religion into state-adopted science books is potentially damaging to both religion and science and, possibly, is illegal as well. Jack Arnold Fredericksburg
Cruz stood up to D.C.
In regards to Mr. Arnold’s letter dated Oct. 30, I respectfully disagree with his assertion that Sen. Ted Cruz is the engineer of a locomotive headed for disaster. Mr. Cruz was sent to Washington by Tea Party conservatives to stop the collision course by President Obama and the liberal Democrats that are stealing our liberties both financially and legislatively. As far as defunding the government, Congress controls the purse strings with the ability to fund or defund programs they feel are necessary. I consider the thousands of IRS, ACLU, ACORN, PETA and other agents as non-essential mobs that Obama hired to enforce his liberal agenda. The House Republicans voted to fund all bills with the exception of Obamacare that Harry Reid refused to bring up for a vote. He wanted to blame the GOP for defunding the government. When Mr. Arnold votes to increase the national debt, he is voting for bills loaded with pork that this country can ill afford. We need more legislators like Sen. Cruz to stand up for us and not throw in the towel and say “we lose,” as did John Boehner and some RINO Republicans. Wilbert Huebner Irving, Texas
No ‘redirection’ needed
Two weeks ago, you published a letter from a person who said several things that I found very disturbing. The subject of this letter was Senator Ted Cruz, and I applaud the person for standing up and voicing his opinion on this open forum in the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post. The person said that he was a “conservative,” but then complained
about Cruz shutting down the government. What a shock, a freshman senator that wielded his mighty power to shut down the government ... appalling. However, Cruz did only what his constituents had asked him to do, defend the Constitution using what tools he had. And in my view, he was asked to stop or slow down this thing called the Affordable Care Act. He started a filibuster over several hours which, while it admittedly didn’t do much, he did what he told his constituents he would do, and he was constitutionally correct. As to shutting down the government, Cruz offered a possible change on his stance, to which the President responded “I will not negotiate!” Cruz offered two more substantial changes to his stance and the response was the same. There could have been an amicable settlement, but from my point of view, it was the President’s refusal to negotiate, that shut down the government. The letter stated that Cruz must be “educated and redirected.” But when a person is elected, by the people, the education of that person shouldn’t be in question. The author of those words, in effect, said, “Cruz doesn’t think like I do, so it must be wrong.” This seems to be the beliefs of today, on both sides of the aisle, and this is wrong. Elias Rodriquez Fredericksburg
Study candidates
Local government can be as corrupt as Washington, but we remain apathetic feeling we have no control. No one disagrees we have very little control, but we are giving what little we have away. Is it not time to start the process of making our country, cities and towns the best they can be for the people? Elections come up next year. Now is the time to start learning about your leaders and their records. Dig in a bit so you can make decisions with facts. The days of choosing candidates because they are incumbents or by name and appearance are outdated. The people crave strong government. Take the time to influence others. It’s not just your right, it’s your job. You can never expect a functioning federal government when cities and counties are allowed to operate for the good of a few. How this changes is with you. You are the catalyst. You are the change. Do one thing to change the course of this country. Make it your job. I just tried to do what I’ve described and failed enormously. To help turn the course of my failure, I’m volunteering for respectful candidates next year and watching their records to see what will make for a solid base. These people, the people you elect and train, will be the help we need to make America great again. Susan Graef Kerrville
WE WANT YOUR LETTERS We want your letters because we value your opinion on issues in Fredericksburg and Gillespie County. Letter writers are asked to submit their name, home address and daytime telephone or cell phone number so we can contact you to verify you want your opinion published. Anonymous letters will not be run.
Letters must not exceed 300 words and may be edited for clarity, grammar and/or length. We ask that letter writers submit one letter per 30-day period. Letters may be delivered at the Standard-Radio Post at 712 W. Main St., mailed to P.O. Box 1639, Fredericksburg, TX 78624, or emailed to fbgnews@ fredericksburgstandard.com.
Attorney General sues over EEOC hiring rules Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Nov. 4 announced he had filed a lawsuit challenging guidelines issued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that “limit the ability of employers — including the State of Texas and its agencies — from categorically excluding convicted felons from employment,” he said. Abbott said the hiring guide-
State Capitol Highlights By Ed Sterling TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
lines the EEOC adopted in 2012 “prohibit Texas and its agencies from excluding convicted felons for certain jobs.” In the lawsuit, Abbott alleges the guidelines are unlawful because they overstep the fed-
eral agency’s statutory authority “and improperly bully the State and its agencies into jeopardizing the safety of Texans.” Abbott seeks a declaratory judgment that the state and its agencies “are entitled to maintain and enforce state laws and policies that absolutely bar convicted felons — or a certain category of convicted felons — from government employment;
a declaration that the EEOC cannot enforce its guidelines against the State — and an injunction that bars the EEOC from issuing right-to-sue letters to persons seeking to pursue this type of discrimination charge against the State or any of its agencies; and a judgment holding unlawful and setting aside the EEOC’s hiring guidelines.”
50 YEARS AGO In The Standard NOVEMBER 13, 1963 The 1963 big game hunting season opens Saturday, Nov. 16, in Gillespie County. Game biologists who took census counts of the deer population several weeks ago, report that the 1963 deer crop across Gillespie as well as virtually every area across the state is at the highest it has ever been. Game Warden Ad. Heep reported the issuance of 15,673 doe tags, and also reminded landowners that anyone who plans to lease their lands for hunting must have a shooting preserve license before the season opens. The licenses can be picked up at either the County Clerk’s office or Probst Hardware. Veterans of all wars were paid tribute Monday morning during a Veterans Day program at the Courthouse Park. Representatives from all three veterans’ organizations participated. Approximately two-thirds of all state, county and school taxes were paid during October, the first collection month for taxes, according to Gillespie County Tax Assessor-Collector Milton Durst. A thunderstorm that produced an inch of rainfall in 15 minutes Friday morning, sent creeks and the Pedernales River on their highest rises of the year.
Wanda Lois Crenwelge, bride-elect of Alton Reeh, was feted with a bridal shower Sunday at the Country Diner. The couple will be married Nov. 30 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Harper. Three babies, all boys, were born in local hospitals during the past week to Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Lee Holmes, Harper, Nov. 9; and Mr. and Mrs. Albert Kast and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Weiershausen, both on Nov. 11. The Fredericksburg High School Hillbillies and the Coleman Bluecats sloshed to a 6-6 tie in ankle-deep mud in Coleman Friday night with both scores coming in the final two minutes of play. The Billies close out their season Friday night against Brady in the last game on the Fredericksburg High School football field. Next year’s games will be played on the new football field nearing completion at the FHS campus. The St. Mary’s Indians were victorious Saturday night when they defeated the St. Anthony Yellowjackets from San Antonio, 14-8, during the Homecoming game for the Indians. During St. Mary’s Homecoming dance at the Turner Hall, Annabel Scott and Edward Weber were crowned queen and king, respectively, of this year’s celebration.
You Can Make a DifferenCe! The CitY of freDeriCksburg is taking applications for an opening on the Planning & Zoning CoMMission. Applications are avilable at city hall, 126 W. Main Street, and on the city’s website, www.fbgtx.org (Go to the section titles “Government” and click on the “Boards/Committees” tab, where you will find the “Application for Consideration of Appointment.”) For more information, call 830-997-7521 and ask for Shelly Britton. The deadline for application is noon, November 15, 2013. 17752.23
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CHARITABLE GIVING
GRANT AWARDED — Hill Country Mini Mart owner Ann Fritz, left, presents a check to Natasha Grau, school administrator at Ambleside School of Fredericksburg. Ambleside School of Fredericksburg was awarded an ExxonMobil 2013 Educational Alliance Math and Science Grant of $500.
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‘Gobble on!’ Runners from all over the country and as far away as Alaska and New York are expected to return to Fredericksburg for the Thanksgiving holidays next week when they can again take part in the Third Annual Hill Country Turkey Trot on Saturday, Nov. 30. Online registration ends today, Nov. 20, at www.FbgTurkeyTrot.com for the event sponsored by the Fredericksburg Primary School (FPS,) Fredericksburg Elementary School (FES,) and Fredericksburg Middle School (FMS) Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO.) Cost to participate will be $20 for either the 5K or 10K races, $10 for the Fun Run in advance. Race day registration will cost $25. Signup fees include a Turkey Trot t-shirt. Proceeds earned by this year’s event will be used in support of the FHS 2014 Project Graduation. Project Graduation is an all-night, drug-free, alcoholfree event in which local high school graduates are taken to Time Warner Cable Park in
ture 5K and 10K distanced routes, plus a one-mile “Fun Run” for participants of all ages. Complimented in the past for its organization and wellmarked routes responsible for bringing in more runners each year, Herbig said this year’s FHS criminal justice students will be volunteering to man intersections for added traffic control. They will also staff water stations and provide assistance with other aspects of the race. Hill Country Memorial Hospital will provide warm gingerbread cookies and hot cider for participants. Herbig said the participation of “many generous sponsors” offset the costs of hosting the race so that registration fees go directly toward helping the students and the Project Graduation effort. This race is “family-oriented” and suitable for those aged six to 87 years, Herbig said. The 5K/10K race will begin at 8:30 a.m., while the OneMile Fun Run will start at 10 a.m.
2013 TURKEY TROT • Featuring 5k, 10k routes, plus 1-mile ‘Fun Run’ • Benefits FHS Project Graduation San Antonio and treated to a post-graduation night celebration of food and games. “We are hoping that, with the proceeds from this year’s Turkey Trot, that all graduating seniors from Fredericksburg High School (FHS) will be able to attend at minimal or no cost,” said Carla Herbig, volunteer. Previous races have helped the FES/FPS/FMS PTO earn proceeds for field trips and enrichment programs, playground equipment, new perimeter fences and more. The Turkey Trot, headquartered at the FES campus, 1608 North Adams Street, will fea-
Children have chance to join mayor for ‘flip switch’ honors
LBJ State Park to host holiday cookie event Lyndon Baines Johnson State Park and Historic Site in Stonewall will host a holiday cookie decorating event 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. The event is designed to get participants and their family and friends into “holiday spirit” as they decorate cookies as it was done for a German Christmas tree in the 1900’s. The event also includes participating in the German holiday traditions of wreath making, candle making and awaiting the arrival of St. Nicholas. Visitors should stop at the Visitor Center first to obtain a park permit, park map and all the event information. It is also recommended to come dressed to have fun outside and bring a camera. The state park is located about two miles east of Stonewall on U.S. Highway 290, and is located on the south side of the Pedernales River.
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Online signup deadline set today for Nov. 30 Turkey Trot participants
City tree lighting set Nov. 29
DONATION FOR KIDS — Steve Neale, left, resource development coordinator with the Boys & Girls Club of the Texas Hill Country, receives a $1,000 check from Brad Hardin, market manager with the American Bank of Texas. The funds will be used for the club’s “It Just Takes One” campaign, which states that it just takes one caring adult, one Boys & Girls Club and one gift to forever impact a child’s life. — Standard-Radio Post
November 20, 2013
Preparations are underway for the City of Fredericksburg’s annual tree lighting ceremony at Marktplatz on Friday, Nov. 29, at 7 p.m., featuring the 30-foot community Christmas tree and 26-foot German Christmas Pyramid. The festivities are sponsored by the 2013 Mayor’s Christmas Committee. Featured items on Marktplatz include a privately donated nativity, 50-foot ‘Merry Christmas’ skylines and a ‘Gingerbread Village’ designed by local artist Margaret Hannum. The tree will be decorated with ornaments
designed by Hill Country artisans. Free hot chocolate and cookies will be served. One child will have a chance to “Flip the Switch” with Fredericksburg Mayor Jeryl Hoover during the ceremony. Children 12 and under can purchase a prize drawing ticket for $1 for a chance to help Hoover turn on the city’s Christmas lights. Tickets for the “Flip the Switch” drawing can be purchased starting at 5 p.m. on the evening of the event.
The first- through thirdplace finishers in each age division will receive medals. Age divisions are as follows: 10 years and younger, 11-15 years, 16-19 years, 20-29 years, 3039 years, 40-49 years, 50-59 years, 60-69 years and 70 years and older. Overall awards will be given to the fastest male and female in both the 5K and 10K and participation ribbons will be awarded for all those completing the Fun Run. Chip timing will be used from Cadence Sports. Packet pickups will be from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, and 1-5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29, at the Hill Country Memorial Wellness Center, 1006 South State Highway 16, and, on race day, Saturday, Nov. 30, from 7-8:30 a.m. at the FES campus. More information is available by calling 830-992-0672 or 830-992-1865. Registration questions may be directed to kottmers@signaleventgroup.com.
Balloon Release
www.fredericksburgstandard.com
Living with loss
A Christmas preview
Join us for our open house on Wednesday, november 27th from 4-8pm. have your picture taken with santa and receive a gift! Door prizes will be given away! Refreshments will be served.
The loss of a child is devastating, no matter the age or the cause. Come share a time of comfort and healing with others who have walked this path.
Sunday / Dec. 8 2pm Marktplatz Fredericksburg For more information, call Dr. Rick McMinn, HCM Hospice Bereavement Coordinator at (830) 997-1335 or toll-free (800) 859-3169.
Remarkable Health Care
HOSPICE
The Hill Country’s Hospice
Couple to start new tradition With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Fredericksburg resident Janie Bowthrope and her husband, Monte, are starting a new tradition. They are putting together a “ready-made family” of likeminded people who are unable to be with their own families due to distance or conflicts in activities. Residents who have no family to share Thanksgiving with are invited to gather at Andy’s Steak and Seafood Grille on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28. Bowthrope said that reservations are needed by Monday, Nov. 25. Those who would like to attend are asked to email Bowthorpe at doodlebug1@gmail. com or call 830-998-5435 and leave name, how many in the party, phone number and email.
hillcountrymemorial.org
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