OCTOBER 13, 2021 CANDIDATE Q&A
PUMPKIN FACTS
Kyle and Buda city council candidates give answers to pertinent questions.
A few things you didn’t know you wanted to know about pumpkins.
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75¢
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Hays Free Press HaysFreePress.com
Nonprofit group offers training for growing trade skills demand BY SAHAR CHMAIS As the need for skilled production technicians grows, a nonprofit group is trying to fill the void. Predictions estimate 15,000 skilled production employees will be needed over the next two years, according to Texas Workforce Solutions. Free Certified Production Technician (CPT) training is available in Central Texas to those who want to learn the trade through Skillpoint Alliance, a nonprofit organization. Classes last for six weeks, with an 82% employment rate, according to Skillpoint Alliance Executive Director Kevin Brackmeyer. Central Texas has been a growing hub for manufacturing companies, such as Tesla, Samsung Austin Semiconductor, Applied Materials and Athena Manufacturing. These companies are creating a growing need for skilled employees, Brackmeyer said. Tesla has posted about 315 job openings, which include positions for CPT employees. But these are not the only businesses a CPT can go into after graduation; this training teaches a variety of skills that can be used across different types of manufacturing companies, Brackmeyer said. Students can learn how to use a 3D printer to create tools. They also work with CNC milling machines, work on soldering and use Virtual Reality for trial and error in a company. CPTs can expect a pay range of about $20 an hour at an entry level job, but many companies offer over time and opportunities for advancement, Brackmeyer told the Hays Free Press/ News-Dispatch.
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Vol. 127 • No. 29
Serving Hays County, TX
Three women vie for same Buda seat BY SAHAR CHMAIS
Three women are in the race to win the AtLarge Position 3 in Buda, and while they come from different backgrounds, they agreed on many points during a recent forum. Buda’s candidate forum, presented by the Buda Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC), made way for residents to get to know their candidates and their goals for the city. They were asked about businesses,
Emily Jones
Virginia Jurika
growth and thoughts on the upcoming Buda bond. “The Buda Area Cham-
LaVonia Horne-Williams
ber of Commerce takes our role in providing this forum as a public service helping citizens to be
informed of their future city leaders,” said John Hatch, BACC chair. “After listening to these candidates, it is unfortunate only one can be elected. The city of Buda will be in good hands regardless of who wins the race. As all three candidates are women, we are guaranteed to have more diversity on the council.” Although the candidates gave some unique answers while also supporting each other’s perspectives, the Hays Free Press chose two
questions to highlight the contenders.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO RUN FOR AN AT-LARGE POSITION, AND WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS TO BRING ALL PARTS OF BUDA TOGETHER? LaVonia Horne-Williams: The biggest part about this position is understanding that it will represent the city of Buda as a whole.
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Rampant card skimmer theft in Hays County BY SAHAR CHMAIS
Happy Birthday, Kyle!
PHOTO BY SAHAR CHMAIS
Hundreds of Kyle residents turned out for the city’s birthday parade Saturday. City officials, local school and community athletic teams, musical groups and others participated in the downtown event.
Empty Bowls annual fundraiser turns Grab & Go this year Helping Hands, located in Dripping Springs, provided more than 230,000 pounds of food for families in 2020.
BY MEGAN WEHRING DRIPPING SPRINGS — For more than 20 years, the city of Dripping Springs and Helping Hands have partnered to feed hundreds through the Empty Bowls Project Fundraiser. “We are very proud of the work we do,” said Lindy Orr, president of the Helping Hands volunteer board. “Our event brings our community together for fun and fellowship, but ultimately, to help our neighbors.” This year’s event will look different. Participants will still select a handcrafted bowl with a $25 donation but due to the pandemic, they will be given pre-packaged
soup in a to-go container. Helping Hands, located in Dripping Springs, provided more than 230,000 pounds of food for families in 2020. With about $60,000 in annual donations, the Empty Bowls event provides more than half of the annual operating budget for Helping Hands, which is approximately $120,000. “We also provided $70,000 in financial aid [last year],” said June Baumoel, co-chair of the Dripping Springs Empty Bowls Project. “The
TEXAS HISTORY
Texans wouldn’t listen to ‘Old Roman’.
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financial aid is intended to help people get back on their feet. You can imagine during COVID, we have had a lot of people who lost their homes, need money for rent and utilities. That number has risen greatly in the last 18 months.” As a volunteer for the last five years, Orr has witnessed how Helping Hands has served as a lifeline for many in the Dripping Springs community. “I have seen the expression of relief and happiness when families receive school sup-
plies at the beginning of a school year,” Orr said. “The contentment each week of receiving groceries that will help tide their families needs for the days to come. … The list goes on. All of these are made possible by our incredibly giving community throughout the year and our main fundraiser, Empty Bowls Project.” From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, locals are invited to the Dripping Springs Ranch Park and Event Center to enjoy their meal in an open-air room and listen to live music. For more information about the Empty Bowls event, please visit https://www.drippingspringsemptybowls. org/.
The Hays Free Press Barton Publications, Inc. The Hays Free Press (USPS 361-430) published weekly by Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. Periodicals postage paid at Buda, TX 78610 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. ISSN#1087-9323
Many Hays County residents have reported credit card information theft in gas stations across the county to the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch. Some residents even reported having their information stolen on multiple occasions. As it has become a common issue for residents, what can be done to fix it? Many of the incidents were recent, according to the reports, with thefts at Poco Loco, Shell, Q-Way, Stripes, 7-11, Texaco and more. But much of the action falls into the hands of the consumer to fix or avoid the issue. The Hays Free Press/ News-Dispatch reached out to several gas stations across the county for input about the situation. Q-Way said they have a new pump, which was installed about one year ago after hearing complaints from customers during that time frame. They have not heard new complaints since, said Mike Momin, manager. Customers may not be complaining to the gas station, but there was one resident who said her information was recently stolen after going to Q-Way. Another resident said the only place she used her credit card a few weeks ago was at Texaco on Windy Hill in Kyle, and she also fell victim to skimmer theft. At that same gas station, one customer said the owner is well aware of the issue, but “if you bring it up to him, he gets mad and argues with you.” The Texaco gas station owner has not responded to calls. A cashier at the Texaco gas station said after updating their machines approximately five months ago, she has not
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