BREAST CANCER AWARENESS Local doctor, survivor encourage screenings, healthy habits, page A3
SPIKER POST-SEASON
‘GAME CHANGE’
FHS volleyball will face Pleasanton in playoff opener, page B1
Lodging expert brings message local to B&B owners, page A9
Fredericksburg Standard No. 20 - USPS 209-080 • Periodical
Radio Post
75¢ Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
ELECTION 2012
Early voting starts with heavy turnout Over 1,000 mail-in ballots received; in-person turnout heaviest in recent memory With lines stretching out of the county courtroom, across the foyer, out the door and down the courthouse stairs, early voting can be said to have been “heavy” in the first two days preceding the Nov. 6 general election. Gillespie County Clerk Mary Lynn Rusche said early voting, which began Monday and extends until Nov. 2, brought out a heavy turnout this presidential election year. Rusche said 2,497 persons cast votes either by mail-in ballot or in the first two days of early voting. That includes 1,096 mail-in ballots SAMPLE BALLOT, page A10
received by last Friday. On Monday, Rusche said 671 cast votes in-person and another 16 mail-in ballots were received, for a total of 687. On Tuesday, another 694 cast votes in-person, 18 more mail-in ballots were received, and there were 2 “limited” ballots cast, for a total of 714. As of Tuesday night, 1,130 mail-in ballots had been received, and 1,365 persons had cast early votes. County workers said the turnout at the polls was the heaviest in recent memory. Early voting takes place in the county commissioners’ courtroom from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Early voting will continue through Friday, Nov. 2, and will take place in the county commissioners courtroom from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. A non-partisan League of Women Cont. on A10
Seguin woman dies of injuries from motorcycle accident Gillespie County posted its sixth roadwayrelated fatality of 2012 over the weekend, when a two-vehicle accident Saturday, Oct. 20, resulted in the death of a 59-year-old woman from Seguin. Pronounced dead at the scene of the accident east of Fredericksburg
on U.S. Highway 290 at Sunday Farms (in front of Fredericksburg Trade Days) was Isle Frost Garrett, who was riding as a passenger on a motorcycle involved in the crash. According to a Department of Public Safety report, Garrett was pronounced dead at 1:55 p.m. (about an hour and
a half after the accident) by Dr. Mark Black at San Antonio Military Medical Center, where she was airlifted. She had been riding as a passenger on a 2008 Harley-Davidson FL Soft Tail Heritage Classic, driven by Larry Wayne Paul, 67, also of Seguin. Cont. on A5
Second open house for jail set Tuesday A second opportunity in as many weeks is being offered to citizens to visit and tour the Gillespie County Jail before they vote on a bond issue for the construction of a new jail and justice facility. Sheriff Buddy Mills and his staff will open the current facility for visitors from 2-8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 100 S. Nimitz Parkway (immediately behind the Gillespie County Courthouse.) Residents who missed the first opportunity to see the facility are invited by Mills to stop by, meet the jail staff and walk through the existing jail. “See exactly what Gillespie County currently provides for law enforcement, the housing of arrested individuals and why the proposed jail project is being brought forth for conCont. on A2 Letters to the editor for and against jail proposition, pages D3
Inside
IT’S SHOW TIME! Fredericksburg High School Band member Arabella Garcia stands like a statue waiting for her group of woodwinds to break standing at attention and, instead, taking the field with the brass, percussion and color guard at the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Region XI Marching Contest held Saturday in Hondo. Collectively, the Billies earned
FHS band wins at region contest Band’s show features good versus evil theme, ‘angelic’ singing With what University Interscholastic League (UIL) Region XI Marching Contest judges deemed a “great show” worthy of a first division perfect score, the Fredericksburg High School Band will step up to the area level on Saturday, Oct. 27. UIL Class 3A - Area E Marching Contest The “Pride of the Texas Hill Country” will take the Wildcat Stadium field at Corpus Christi’s Calallen High School at 11 a.m. in the UIL Class 3A-Area E Marching Contest. The Billies will perform as seventh in the day’s lineup of 27
Area contest schedule of bands, judges comments — page A4
bands, among them seven others from Fredericksburg’s own Region 11. Also earning a perfect rating of “1” at this past Saturday’s UIL Region XI Marching Contest held at Barry Field in Hondo, and the right to extend their marching contest season in this, a UIL biennial state competition year for 3A and 5A bands, were: Hondo, Boerne, Pleasanton, Somerset, Crystal City, Carrizo Springs and Pearsall High Schools. Other Class 3A bands to compete this week include two from Region 12, five from Region 13, seven from Region 14, two from Region 15 and three from Region 28. Cont. on A4
• New feature to spotlight local small business — A9 • FTC’s “Wait Until Dark” enters final weekend — A15 • Collectors flock to Indian Artifacts Show — A17 • School districts’ suit against state seeks changes — D2 • Young composer to debut new piece here Saturday — G2
The Harper High School Longhorn Marching Band earned the highest honor possible — a first division superior rating — at Saturday’s UIL Region 11 contest held at Hondo High School. Because this is not a state competition year for 1-A schools, Harper’s marching season ended with this event. Under the on-field direction of drum major Dennis Land and assistant drum major Amber Rauhut, the 39-member band performed its “Exploration, Discovery and Conquest” program that featured “Zarathustra Fanfare” (from 2001: A Space Odyssey) by Richard Strauss; Cont. on A5
Food & Wine Fest will tout Texas’ best tastes BESTFEST ART CUTIE — Madeleine Scheele of Dripping Springs, age 6, shows off her collection of painted pumpkins at the children’s activity area at Saturday’s BestFest event held at Marktplatz. Committee chairman Matt Seidenberger said the festival has grown in attendance each of its three years. See more photos on page A14. − Standard-Radio Post photo by Ken Esten Cooke
A “one-stop” tasting experience with the best Texas has to offer is coming up Saturday, Oct. 27, during the Fredericksburg Food and Wine Fest on Marktplatz. “Foodies” and experts alike are expected to flock by the thousands to the downtown square again this year to partake of the culinary tourism festivities, which will feature 29 Texas wineries pouring samples of 115 different wines, as well as Lone Star gourmet food vendors offering a wide variety of their products for sampling. In addition, there will be “how-
to” cooking sessions, games, live music and more. The festival starts at noon Saturday and closes at 7 p.m. General admission will be $20 per adult and includes a souvenir wine glass, six sampling tickets, access to Texas specialty booths, Texas wineries, an auction, entertainment, food court and the Gargantuan Great Grape Toss and Great Grape Fun. Additional sampling tickets will be for sale. (Those under 21 years of age will be admitted at a cost of $5 each, while those under the age of 12 will be
For real-time weather information, go to: www.fredericksburgstandard.com
High Low Rain Wednesday 90 58 Thursday 76 41 Friday 80 41 Saturday 83 69 Sunday 87 68 Monday 87 69 Tuesday 78 68 Total Rain 0.00
Courtesy Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park
Sections D - Community E/F - Real Estate/Classifieds G - Entertainment
Cont. on A5
STRETCH, VOLLEY, WINNER — Carroll Bryla, local attorney and tennis enthusiast, stretches for a volley in the consolation finals of the mixed doubles in the Dr Pepper Open, held last weekend at the courts at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park. Bryla teamed with Kathie Meyering to compete in the tournament. See results in Sports. – StandardRadio Post photo by Ken Esten Cooke
Oct. 17-23, 2012 Rainfall this week 0.00 Rainfall for October 0.74 Rainfall for 2012 28.46 Normal for date 24.24 Same date last year 7.35 Low – Oct. 18, 19 41 High – Oct. 17 90
A - Front B - Sports C - Lifestyles
Harper band earns top rating at UIL
‘START YOUR APPETITES’
Weather
• Staats fundraiser set Saturday at Turner Hall — A2
a perfect “1” rating, extending their competition season to include the UIL Area E Marching Contest this Saturday, Oct. 27, at Corpus Christi’s Calallen High School Wildcat Stadium. They’ll perform in a field of 27 Class 3A schools in hopes of earning a bid to the state round. More photos on C1. — Standard-Radio Post photo by Lisa Treiber-Walter
To subscribe Call 830-997-2155 Get daily update email newsletter by sending request to: fbgnews@fredericksburgstandard.com
wineries 29 Texas participating varieties 115 wine offered classes 2 cooking led by chefs the wine 1 ‘Meet maker’ event
PLUS: • Related events: ‘Locavore’, ‘Celebration’ and Patron Party (see jump for schedule) • Music, games, silent auction and more
SPCA to host ‘Dogtoberfest’ this Saturday The Hill Country SPCA will host its inaugural Dogtoberfest Saturday, Oct. 27 at pavilions 1 and 5 in Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park, running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Planned events for the day include a dog costume con-test at 11 a.m., offering first, second and third Cont. on A2
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HARPER TRACK
Sports
Josh Day, Alexa Guerrero competing at state Friday. Page B5
HERITAGE TRACK
Kami Jones leads Eagles to TAPPS 1A state titles Page B4
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
May 9, 2012 - SECTION B
CELEBRATING the first state golf championship in school history are Fredericksburg High School varsity golfers head coach Janie Schneider Guynes. Fredericksburg rallied from an eight-stroke deficit after one day of competition (from left) assistant coach Tim Kaman, Cole Grona, Sam Rogers, Dalton Conn, Harry McMurrey, Tate Powell, and to win by one stroke over second place Andrews. — Photo courtesy Paige Conn
Fredericksburg boys capture 3A state golf title By Matt Ward
Two years ago, the Fredericksburg High School varsity boys’ golf team finished sixth at the 3A State Golf Tournament and their goal for the following year was simple: Do better. Last season, the FHS boys finished third at state and the goal for the next year was the same: Do better. In 2012, the Billie varsity golf team of seniors Dalton Conn and Tate Powell, juniors Harry McMurrey and Sam Rogers, and freshman Cole Grona couldn’t do any better. They won it all. Rallying from an eight-stroke deficit after the first day of play Thursday, FHS won the 2012 3A State Golf Tournament at Jimmy Clay Golf Course in Austin by one stroke over second place Andrews. “It’s a dream come true,” McMurrey said Tuesday. “None of us expected or imagined the way that was going to end. Especially with winning by one shot, every shot all day counted.” Sitting in third place with a combined score of 311 after the first day of play Thursday,
Fredericksburg trimmed their team total by seven strokes on Friday (304) for a two-day score of 615. “Golf is a sport where everything in your life has to revolve around it,” Rogers said. “To win (state), it’s pretty amazing. That’s what every day of practice is for.” Taking shots back When the tournament ended
for Fredericksburg after Conn finished up on the 18th hole Friday, the Billie five immediately began reflecting on their rounds and looking for ways to improve — not on where they might finish. “I never even thought about what place we might get,” Conn said. “We were all talking about shots we wanted to take back. We played alright, but we want-
Payne finishes seventh at state Returning to state competition for the second consecutive year, Fredericksburg High School sophomore Kristen Payne finished seventh as an individual at the 3A State Golf Tournament, held at Jimmy Clay Golf Course in Austin. Payne shot a 160 (81/79) for the two-day event Thursday and Friday, putting her seven strokes back from tournament champion Sarah Moore of Burkburnett High School. Last year, Payne qualified for state as a freshman and shot a 188.
ed like 20 shots back.” During the 15-minute wait between the end of the round and the final scores to be revealed, only head coach Janie Schneider Guynes and assistant coach Tim Kaman went to the scorer’s table to represent Fredericksburg. “It didn’t feel like we had won or lost. It was kind of like limbo,” McMurrey said. “Cole and I were sitting there talking to some random coach and then both coaches come down the fairway screaming. That was a pretty cool visual.” Winning state A four-time individual district champion, Conn led the way for Fredericksburg, shooting a 149 (73/76) for the tournament to finish as sixth medalist. “When we got to the state tournament, I wanted all my teammates to beat me, because if I shot what I’m supposed to shoot, then we were going to win state,” Conn said. McMurrey also finished in the top 10, turning in a two-day score of 152 (77/75) for 10th place. “The first day I felt really comfortable and then on the second Cont. on page B2
Flores shuts out Burnet as baseball advances
Senior starting pitcher Ryan Flores threw a three-hit shutout as the Fredericksburg High School varsity baseball team blanked Burnet 3-0 Friday night in a bi-district round playoff victory in Dripping Springs. The Billies will now travel to Canyon High School in New Braunfels this Friday at 7:30 p.m., for a one-game area round matchup against District 27-3A champion Somerset, who eliminated Fredericksburg from the playoffs in a three-game series in 2011.
FHS defeated Somerset 7-3 in the first game of last year’s series, but dropped two straight to the Bulldogs 9-6 and 8-5 to close the season. “We are excited to get a chance to play Somerset again,” Fredericksburg head coach Todd Doucet said. “They knocked us out of the playoffs last year and ended up going to the semifinals.” The Billies pounded out 11 hits against Burnet Bulldog starting pitcher Nick Melvin, led by a 3-4 performance at Cont. on page B3
LOFTING a shot through the air Friday during the 3A State Golf Tournament at Jimmy Clay Golf Course in Austin was Fredericksburg High School senior Dalton Conn. — Photo courtesy Lance Moffett
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READY TO FIRE, Ali Laratta prepares to throw out a runner Saturday during the Billies’ 10-2 win over Devine. — Standard-Radio Post Photo by Matt Ward
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Softball piles on runs, rallies to area round win Rallying back from a 4-3 game one loss, the Fredericksburg High School varsity softball team scored 22 runs in two victories Saturday afternoon as FHS defeated Devine in a bestof-three area round series at Schreiner University in Kerrville. The Billies will face District 25-3A champion Liberty Hill
Friday night at 7 p.m. at Marble Falls High School in a onegame Region IV-3A quarterfinals matchup. After dropping a 4-3 decision to the Arabians Friday night, the Billies picked up back-to-back wins (12-1 and 10-2) over Devine on Saturday. Cont. on page B8
SATURDAY
APPLYING the tag to a Bulldog runner, Fredericksburg shortstop Caden Eckert thwarts the Burnet attempt to steal second base Friday night during the Billies’ 5-0 bi-district victory. — Standard-Radio Post Photo by Danny Hirt
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GILLESPIE LIFE Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Section
C
August 15, 2012
Next military blood drive set Aug. 28-29 at local armory The staff of the Akeroyd Blood Donor Center, Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio invites the public to donate blood during the Aug. 28-29 military blood drive slated for the Texas National Guard Armory, 598 Armory Road. The drive will be open from 1-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 28, and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 29. The Fredericksburg Knights of Columbus Council 9765, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, is sponsoring the drive. Started six years ago in Fredericksburg, the “Ultimate Care Package” Armed Services blood drive focuses on providing blood to combat casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since the first drive, the Fredericksburg community has donated almost 2,700 units of blood for soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen injured in combat. With the drawdown of combat troops overseas, the Ultimate Care Package blood drive will take on a new direction, according Mark Salcedo, blood donor recruiter for the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) at Fort Sam Houston. He added that all the blood donated during the two-day drive will go directly to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, providing critical blood and blood products to wounded warfighters, trauma patients and military beneficiaries. “By continuing to donate blood to the Armed Services Blood Program, Fredericksburg’s blood donors help to ensure that blood is available to our service members, their families, and our military retirees whenever — wherever it is needed,” Salcedo said. Simultaneous to the blood drive, Molly Sagebiel and the Catholic Daughters will continue to collect items and monetary support for care packages to be sent to troops in Afghanistan. Donations can be dropped off at the armory during the blood drive hours or by contacting Sagebiel to make other arrangements. To schedule an appointment online, visit http://www.militarydonor.com and search by zip code 78624. More information is available by contacting Bob or Molly Sagebiel at 990-6986.
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Owner Michael Porter, left, has seen his rural store become a “must do” spot with the help of manager Susan Porter (center), and kitchen maestros (from left) Melissa Stewart, sous chef Arturo Hernandez and chef Matt Cavin. — Photo by Ken Esten Cooke
On a road less traveled,
A dining destination exceeded our expectations.” “The rest” deals largely t’s not just a BLT with chef Matthew Cavin on the menu but a and his talented crew. A San “BBLT” with braised Antonio native who spent bacon. There is a five years cooking in the U.S. salad with mixed Navy, Cavin then entered the greens, homemade croutons New York Culinary Instiand roasted tomatoes, the tute. After graduating from hamburger with all-natu- the institute, he worked in ral beef, and for breakfast, Manhattan at Per Se and homemade biscuits and Bouchon under Thomas gravy or a frittata of the day. Keller, a heavy hitter in the These are just some of the culinary scene. menu choices at Doss CounThe chef also worked at try Store, once just a stop La Rev in San Antonio and in the road in a one stop- Citranel in Washington, D.C. sign town. After remodeling Like any restaurant busiearlier this year ness, they and bringing in expected to a high-quality have to build kitchen crew, it up for three the place is years or more quickly becomwhile getting ing a dining established. destination. But the kitch O w n e r en creativity Michael Porter The braised BLT on home- and profeshas spent 10 made bread with onion sionalism years in Doss, rings and fries. has brought and thought he in local resiwas purchasdents, Fredering the Doss Country Store icksburgers seeking a nearby for the real estate. After destination, and state travelpurchasing the property ers who have heard about it. last September, Porter has In spite of his high-brow expanded the kitchen, dining experience, Cavin said he is room, retail store and hard- happy to be in Doss, where ware and feed store. he now resides. Sue Porter, who runs the “I love it out here,” he said. retail store Rawhide — a for- “It’s really dark at night, and mer Main Street fixture in you can see the stars well. Fredericksburg — suggested The people have also been a top-notch chef to make so nice.” the rural, road-side stop an The store got a listing in out-of-the-ordinary expe- Texas Monthly’s “New and rience. (Sue now manages Noteworthy” dining guide, her western wear and jew- saying the dinners left them elry outlet inside the store.) speechless, citing the “risotto That included a professional with crab and asparagus” staff and a chef with culinary and “a buttery beef tendertraining. loin sans any extraneous The reaction from the Doss rubs or tricks.” community was rewarding, Press like that circulates Porter said. among foodies and is quickly “It was not a difficult deci- turning the spot into a dession to invest in this tiny tination. Already, weekend community,” he said. “Our reservations are suggested. primary goal is to support Since the place re-opened Doss. The rest has just in early March, it began by
Doss Country Store being embraced by state’s foodies, locals
By Ken Esten Cooke
I
At left, Porter talks with bookkeeper and hardware/feed store overseer Kevin Whitworth. At right, manager Sue Porter (right) and Jill Berry show off a case of jewelry goods at Rawhide, located in the store.
DOSS COUNTRY STORE The kitchen is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and it extends dinner hours to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (get there before the after-church crowd). Closed Mondays.
Expanded hardware and feed store run has farm and ranch supplies.
The weekend dinner menu, each unique, can be downloaded from the store’s website at www.dosscountrystore.com. Kitchen staff: Chef Matt Cavin, sous chef Arturo Hernandez, Melissa Stewart.
seating 8, 10 or 12 people for dinner. Now its dining room that holds 60 regularly turns tables two or three times each night. “We cook pretty much everything,” Cavin said. “They gave me free reign, so we buy hormone-free meat that is truly grass-fed, and we’re regulars at the local farmers market.” Prices remain reasonable, which Cavin said is obtainable by any kitchen that commits to fresh ingredients instead of settling for packaged foods. Even breads and biscuits are all made fresh daily. “We embrace the farm-totable movement,” said Mary Porter. “People can really tell the difference, too.” Word is getting out. Porter said a big law firm in Louisiana was flying in just to dine there.
Rawhide retail shop features western wear — from boots to buckles to T-shirts — and fine jewelry, as well as scented candles and more. Artist Christian Blackfoot’s murals provide a scenic flair for the interior, including the restrooms that resemble walking into a giant gun safe.
Still, for Porter and com- food, whether for locals from pany, it’s about supplying good Doss or foodies on road trips.
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
COMMENTARY Jail not glamorous, but it is needed
T
he Nov. 6 vote for jail bonds totaling $15 million has brought out a lot of feelings on both sides. Detractors say it is too expensive, while supporters say it is beyond time for upgrades. No, a jail is not a glamorous or sexy project to push before voters. A prison doesn’t have the “wow” factor that will bring more visitors, or make the community more attractive to potential businesses. It also is expensive. Many people believe that jail inmates deserve no more than the “three hots and a cot” that many of our military members must deal with on a daily basis in the combat theater. Still others feel the entire project is being dictated by the Texas Jail Standards Board, which — it could be argued — has pushed prison construction around the state to the point of being over supplied. But Gillespie County is in need of an upgrade, and this is the most well-thoughtout option. Its current 16-bed facility is inadequate, and the constant transportation of inmates to and from area prisons is costly and could potentially open up the county to a lawsuit (if there happened to be an accident). More importantly, constant transport takes deputies away from duties here in the county. Sheriff Buddy Mills wants the public to see our current facilities this Friday (see related story in this edition). The county has been getting hammered for 20 years for inadequate facilities. Gillespie County also risks being stripped of being able to house prisoners at all, as it operates under multiple “grandfather” clauses, which could be revoked at any time. That would leave us with shipping out any and all prisoners, and the expense of transport and housing would only grow. A facilities committee took the time to assess needs, tour other facilities, and recommend a 96-bed jail that includes a “flex” courtroom, dispatch area, adult probation offices and more. One argument we have heard at the public hearing last week is that “we’re spending $45 to house prisoners out of county, but we want to build a new prison and pay $89 to house them here.” Sounds simple enough, but that outsourcing cost does not include transportation or manpower hours required for transportation and oversight. As fuel prices
continue to stay above the $3 per gallon mark, a decrease in those costs in the near future is neither expected nor realistic (no matter who is elected president). There also is an economic development aspect to this project. While voters will foot this bill, money will stay in this community and be turned over multiple times, unlike payments to other counties for housing prisoners, which is gone and turns over in those communities. The Gillespie County Economic Development Commission, assisted by the Lower Colorado River Authority’s community development wing, put together a study that states the total economic impact through the year 2020 from this project will be more than $35 million for the county economy. That includes the $14.9-million construction price tag, more than $5 million in wages during construction for an estimated 18 workers, and the “multiplier effect” of $21 million from additional transactions, including those workers eating and shopping in Gillespie County. Operational impacts through the first six years of the jail’s existence are estimated to generate a total of more than $14 million, including 25 direct employees, and more than seven indirectly employed. Through 2020, over $8 million in wages will be paid. Lastly, Texas’ population will continue to grow and so, in theory, will the number of those who seek gain through criminal activity. It stands to reason that this facility will easily meet our inmate housing needs. County officials, by law, cannot advocate for or against this project, so commissioners and the county judge have been mostly silent. As conservative as our current slate of commissioners is, there is no doubt this price tag brings concern (and maybe a little heartburn). But the court already has invested a substantial amount into the planning process. Beyond that, interest rates and construction costs are advantageous, and this project will only cost more if bid in future years. Again, a new jail is an expensive proposition. But the cost includes everything from furniture to operations. It also won’t affect some of our most vulnerable residents, those over age 65 on fixed incomes. For these reasons, we advocate a “yes” vote on Nov. 6 for the Gillespie County Jail.
Exercise your right
W
hether or not you agree with the need for the jail bond vote, your duty on Nov. 6 is to exercise your right to vote. In addition to the jail bond vote, there are federal and statewide races that will determine our next U.S. President, a Texan voice in Washington, D.C. as a U.S. Senator, a representative on the State Board of Education, and many more down-ballot races such as the those for the Texas
State Supreme Court. This week’s paper contains a 24-page Voter’s Guide, published in cooperation with the non-partisan League of Women Voters. In it, you will find background information and stances on important issues from the candidates who responded to the LWV questionnaire. Read up on the races and get to the polls. Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 22, and continues through Nov. 2. The general election is Nov. 6.
QUOTE
“I don’t like jail. They got the wrong kind of bars in there.” — Charles Bukowski 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, Ann Duecker and Beth Tucker www.fredericksburgstandard.com
Letters Policy Editor’s note: This newspaper welcomes responsible letters to the editor to be run on these pages, 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 Standard-Radio Post will be considered for publication. No form or sample letters that are rewritten or passed along by our readers from lobby groups, political action committees (PACs) or similar organizations will be accepted.
A road hog’s travel trials
W
hen you’re on the road for an extended period of time — let’s say, two weeks — you learn a few things. That’s the conclusion I’ve come to following a recent trip “back home” to North Carolina. It’s possible — even in these high-tech days — to have cell phone service but still not be able to get on the internet. Aren’t those two scientific breakthroughs basically the same things? There ought to be a law that somehow makes the two inseparable. What a wonderful world this would be. Some lessons learned on the open road are pretty easy; they’re easy to understand and have actually been a part of the universe for many decades. For example, gasoline prices are always high; there’s no such thing as “cheap gas” anymore. Those days are long gone. Back in the day, we could rely on the states of Georgia and South Carolina to have “cheap gas,” primarily because their gasoline tax rates weren’t very high (compared to what the geniuses in Raleigh had enacted years ago — high gas tax rates designed to fill up the state coffers with money). But, in time, that dirty little secret about raising gas taxes reached into the Peach and Palmetto states. Nowadays, wherever you buy gasoline, it’s still highway robbery! Food at most fast-food chains (I’m not sure the word, “restaurant” is appropriate in this category) does not always
Thinking Out Loud By Danny Hirt
taste the same within the same brand. In other words, don’t be surprised if Brand X hamburgers have a different flavor whether you’re in Shreveport, La., or Tuscaloosa, Ala. Time takes on a different meaning when you’re on vacation. While 7 o’clock in the morning might be “late” on a regular work day, it’s dog-gone early when you’re away from home and on vacation. However, to be fair about it, 10:30 p.m. (which is close to my normal bedtime here in Fredericksburg) has to be tempered by the fact that we were visiting a place in the Eastern time zone. When you’re away from home, it’s just seems appropriate to stay up later. (Side bar: Since I’ve moved to Texas more than 13 years ago, I’ve seen how this time shift thing can affect people. For example, in North Carolina, or anywhere else in the “east,” the late night local news comes on TV at 11 p.m. This brought about the public service announcement prior to each news broadcast, “It’s 11 o’clock; do you know where your children are?” That admonition seems a little bit weaker when you’re talking about 10 p.m. In addition, in the “east” we
had to stay up an hour later at night to watch the end of Monday Night Football and the Johnny Carson Tonight Show.) All motels offer you the moon, but very few have a bathroom door that closes all the way. While you’re trying to navigate between two-star and three-sunset ratings, any motel/hotel starts to look good as the evening rolls on. But what might seem appealing on the billboard against the everdarkening sky, many times comes out not all that great in the end. Depending on which state you’re in, a well-groomed and well-maintained four-lane divided highway can still have a 55 miles-per-hour speed limit. I’m not talking about the Interstate highway system; but, rather, the somewhat lesser-traveled roads. I don’t know if the states with slower speed limits are really safety conscious or just want me to spend more time inside their respective borders in hopes that I’ll buy more of their “not-so-cheap” gas and stay in their “hoping-fordecent” motels. But the latest trip is now history. The souvenirs have been given to the grandchildren and family hugs and kisses have been distributed all around. Now it’s time to sit back, relax, head back to work…and plan the next vacation. danny@fredericksburgstandard.com
A safe, humane environment
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redericksburg and Gillespie County have much to be proud of, as evidenced by some of our public facilities: Hill Country Memorial Hospital, the Convention and Visitors Bureau/ Chamber of Commerce, Hill Country University Center, City Hall/Fire Station, Marktplatz, baseball fields and the County Library. We are proud of these facilities, because they only came to be with a lot of effort and participation by the community. Where we are poorly represented is in the jail. The County Commissioners have put forward a project to build a new jail because they are obligated to see that we hold prisoners in a safe and humane facility and the Texas Jail Standards Commission says we do not; we get a failing grade. I believe opposition to a new jail comes out of ignorance of the reality of incarceration. I have a lot of experience with incarceration as a longtime member of Kairos Prison Ministry International. Many others in this community participate in this or the ACTS Prison Ministry. We know first-hand the reality of incarceration. A year ago an inmate who was at my table at the Connally Unit in Kenedy during the previous Kairos program, came up to me on a follow-up visit. He said these exact words
By Robert Deming GUEST COLUMN
to me, with a grin on his face, and great enthusiasm: “My life has completely changed since Kairos.” Another inmate, a tall, strong man from Houston, addressed our Kairos closing program four days later to tell the assembly of his transition from gang leader to leadership in the Christian community. He was speaking because we knew he was real. You can’t pretend to be a Christian in prison; you are or you aren’t, and everyone knows the truth about you. Yes, people change for the better. Prisoners are not condemned to a lifetime of criminal activity. If you would like to hear more stories, ask me, I’ve seen many miracles inside the walls. If you haven’t been inside a jail or prison, most of what you think you know about incarceration is wrong. If what you know about jail comes from movies or television, you have been misinformed. I believe opposition to the new jail comes from thinking the jail is for them — bad people who cause problems and deserve punishment. I have news for you; the jail is for us. The adage “there but for the grace of God go I” is nowhere more true. How many of you reading
this newspaper could have easily found yourself in our jail because of a traffic stop or accident when you were driving with a little too much alcohol in your blood? Just one time? How many of our kids and grandkids may end up in the jail for the same reason? Texas prisons are bleak and dangerous places with marginal food and medical care. If you haven’t been in our jail, perhaps it is time you paid a visit; it is substandard compared even to a Texas prison. We live in a community with a history of good government, but in this area we consistently have a failing grade. I believe that when a free country incarcerates its citizens, it is obligated to provide a safe and humane environment. Many people being held in our jail have not yet been convicted of a crime, and may be found innocent. The longer we operate a substandard jail, the more exposure we have to a wrongful death lawsuit, and the more harm we risk to those we lock up. We build lots of nice buildings for tourists; I applaud the commissioners for taking up this issue, and their commitment to building a jail we don’t have to be ashamed of. Robert C. Deming is a Fredericksburg resident, a former U.S. Air Force pilot, a financial adviser and author of three books of fiction.