Agility contest is for the dogs
Making friends in Dripping Springs
Tigers host Tuck Tourney
page 5
page 4
page 8
News-Dispatch Volume XXXVI No. 21
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
75¢
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Two arrested in Bear Creek drug bust How should Dripping manage growth? BY SAMANTHA SMITH
News-Dispatch Reporter
Two Bear Creek residents were arrested at their home Thursday morning and charged with multiple counts of possession of a controlled substance and a charge of money laundering. The Hays County Narcotics Taskforce acted on probable cause and executed a court
ordered search and arrest warrant for Steve Wayne Lee, 50, and Tara Renee Hankey, 46, of Bear Creek in Hays County. Lee was booked into the Hays County Jail Thursday and was released Friday on $60,000. Hankey was booked into the Hays County Jail Thursday and released on Saturday on $97,000 bond. According to an arrest affidavit, Officer Lee Harris
LEE
HANKEY
with the Narcotics Taskforce found numerous illicit substances in the home
as well as an “elaborate marijuana grow” located on the premises. In a post-Miranda interview Hankey admitted to making a profit of $5,000 a month off of her marijuana grow, which the taskforce weighed at between 5 and 50 pounds. Harris also found currency valued between $2,500$30,000 during the search,
DRUG BUST, 7
BY PAIGE LAMBERT
LAGNIAPPE
News-Dispatch Reporter
Caregivers Support Group Meeting
The Alzheimer’s Caregiver’s Support Group will meet Thursday, March 3, at 1 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church Library located at 956 FM 2325, Wimberley. If you or someone you know is caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia, please join us. This is an excellent opportunity to discuss the latest information and to share with other caregivers who are traveling this same journey. For additional info, contact Linda Germain, volunteer for Alzheimer’s Texas, at 512 924-3661.
Wimberley Players groundbreaking
The Wimberley Players invite you to the groundbreaking for their new garden on Friday, March 4 at 4 p.m at 450 Old Kyle Rd. Enjoy refreshments and live music. RSVP will be appreciated: publicity@ wimberleyplayers.org
STEAM Fair
On Saturday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. join Wimberley ISD for a free community event at Wimberley High School. STEAM programs include science, technology, engineering, agriculture/arts, and mathematics/mechanics. Anyone interested in STEAM is invited to come out for a fun and educational time.
Texas Night Sky Festival
A star-studded celebration is on its way to Dripping
LAGNIAPPE, 7
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
With the frame of a wall put together, Wimberley resident Julia Smith (second from right) and several other residents raise it up as they work to piece together the skeleton of the home along Lomas Verde Circle in Woodcreek.
Big Builders lend a hand in Wimberley BY MOSES LEOS III
News-Dispatch Editor
A
mid the unmistakable sounds of construction Saturday, Wimberley resident Julia Smith took time to look away from the blueprints of a 1,200 square-foot home and take in exactly where she was. Smith watched as neighbors, friends and even strangers helped raise from the ground up a 3-bedroom, 2 bathroom residence that in roughly six months would be for her and her son. Helping Smith, who is a single mother going through a divorce, is what drove the Wimberley Valley Habitat for Humanity to start on its 18th Big Build event in Woodcreek. For Smith, it showed the generosity of the Wimberley community. “(The support) is priceless. It really is for all of the people that came out today,” Smith said. “It’s this community. Wimberley is a giving community.” Smith said the process of obtaining the home began with the application process. She said she first applied in 2012, and found the application was based on certain criteria, including her income and being a Wimberley resident. Misty Moore, who is part of the Wimberley Valley Habitat board, said they interviewed Smith as part of the application process. Smith also had to work 300 hours of community service to be eligible for the build, and had to be present during the day of the big build. Smith welcomed the support from Habitat. She lauded the support of other Wimberley residents who had been previous recipients of a Big Build house. It wasn’t until fall 2015 when Smith was given the notification that she would be the owner of a Big Build home in Woodcreek.
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Several residents peer through openings of what will become a wall as they attempt to align the piece with an existing slab during the Wimberley Valley’s Habitat for Humanity Big Build event in Woodcreek.
At the time, Smith said she was going through a bout with strep throat. “I was waiting to go to the doctors and I was tired,” Smith said. “It didn’t hit me then.” From there, the Wimberley Valley Habitat board and volunteers sprung into action to start the process of the Big Build. Rogers Holt, Wimberley Valley board president, said the work began when they received plans for the home from an architect. He said normally plans start three or four months in advance. Because of the Memorial Day flood and many others needing plans for rebuilding their homes, the process for the Big Build house was slightly delayed. He said it took two to three months to get the plans ready. Once they get the plans, the board then reaches out to suppliers for material. The board then compares the bids, awards them and starts to plan out the delivery
process, which is done in two phases. The first phase, which was completed Saturday, is the delivery of lumber, windows and doors to the build site to begin construction. The second phase is the delivery of the roof trusses to the home, Holt said. All told, the project to complete the home is roughly a sixmonth process, he said. Factors such as weather conditions play a role, as volunteers can only work on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Meanwhile, the board’s volunteer coordinator reaches out to prospective volunteers by notifying them of a potential Big Build. The coordinator provides volunteers with location of the build and any other logistics. For Holt, the ability to assist those who may not be able to
BIG BUILD, 6
Each year, Dripping Springs experiences an influx of growth as highly priced homes and large subdivision developments come in. Residents and city officials are now working on how to understand and manage that influx of growth. The city of Dripping Springs’ unique growth began when it was incorporated in 1981, deputy city administrator Ginger Faught said. Area residents created a large extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) to prevent the city of Austin from annexing Dripping Springs into its own ETJ, she said. Dripping Springs’ ETJ is now larger than the city limits and is home to about 30,000 people, said Rick Coneway, director of public works and development. Around 2,000 people live in the city limits. The city is unable to regulate the growth because state law doesn’t give cities full control of their ETJs, Coneway said. Developments in the ETJ only have to meet the city’s site and water quality requirements. “There could a Trump Tower here or a pig farm here and we couldn’t do anything about it,” he said. City officials are trying to plan for unregulated growth by updating its comprehensive plan. The first plan was created in the 1990s and only updated in 2010, code enforcement manager Jon Thompson said. The city’s zoning codes were also created in 1995. The zoning was determined by what was already on an existing property. Undeveloped areas were considered agricultural, Coneway said. “We are updating that because conditions have changed, we are a little wiser and we have more development,” Coneway said. “We have more to look at because we have transportation, water and wastewater issues.” The only other option to regulate growth would be to annex neighborhoods and bring them under city code. Annexations, however, can only occur via petition because the city is a general law city. A city is considered general law when the population is under 5,000 and can only use local government codes established by the state. Thompson said he wouldn’t be surprised if Dripping Springs surpassed the population threshold in the near future. Harrison Hills, Counts Ranch, Founders Ridge and Legacy Trails are soon to be completed developments within the city limits, he said. A petition for annexation for the 189-acre Heritage Subdivision petition will be voted on in April. Once a city reaches 5,000 residents, it can become home rule, meaning it can unilaterally annex land, write its own charter and establish its own growth regulations, Thompson said. The city council could call a charter
POPULATION GROWTH, 5
Page 2
News-Dispatch
Opinion
NewsDispatch PHONE: (512)-268-7862 FAX: 512-268-0262 PUBLISHER Cyndy Slovak-Barton csb@haysfreepress.com EDITOR Moses Leos III moses@haysfreepress.com
Ten Commandments Letter to the Editor for Open Meetings THANKS, WIMBERLEY
PRODUCTION
BY BRIAN J. HUNHOFF
David White
Guest Columnist
Christine Thorpe ADVERTISING/ MARKETING DIRECTOR Tracy Mack tracy@haysfreepress.com Pam Patino ads@haysnewsdispatch.com Jim Darby ads@haysfreepress.com WIMBERLEY MARKETING/ REPORTER Paula Pulley dallaspaula@yahoo.com REPORTERS Paige Lambert paige@bartonpublicationsinc.com
PHOTOGRAPHERS Wayland Clark Paula Pulley PROOFREADERS Jane Kirkham Debbie Hall CIRCULATION MANAGER/ LEGAL NOTICES Suzanne Hallam paper@haysnewsdispatch. com News-Dispatch (USPS 011 - 401) is published weekly except for the weeks following July 4 and Christmas by Barton Publications, Inc., 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640. Subscription price: $32 local, $45 county, $56 out of state. Periodicals Postage paid at Driftwood, TX. Email paper@ haysnewsdispatch.com for subscriptions and address changes. POSTMASTER: send address changes to News-Dispatch, PO Box 339, Buda, TX 78610
LETTERS GUIDELINES We welcome locally written letters to the editor on timely topics of community interest. We ask that you keep them to about 350 words in length and that you not indulge in personal attacks on private individuals. Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity. All letters should be signed by the author and include a daytime phone number where the author can be contacted for verification. Letter writers are limited to one letter per month. Letters can be emailed to csb@ haysfreepress.com.
“I think heroic deeds were all conceived in the open air.”
T
he quote atop this editorial is from Walt Whitman’s Song of the Open Road – a cheerful 1856 tribute to freedom and the great outdoors. Hopefully, Mr. Whitman would have approved use of his prose to promote open, wellaired government. It’s unlikely the great poet favored government secrecy and closed-door meetings. He also wrote, “Out of the dark confinement, out from behind the screen!” For today’s purposes, Whitman’s “screen” represents the executive session – a self-important term for a classic
Y
ou know, it’s getting harder and harder these days to find a politician that you trust and respect. Watching the presidential candidates on TV is like viewing a bad sitcom on a cable channel. There’s Donald Trump doing stand-up comedy routines on Comedy Central, and you can change channels to watch “The Bernie Sanders Show”. Over on the Game Show Network, watch to see Hillary Clinton make an appearance on “To Tell the Truth”. I think I read Jeb Bush has signed up for the next season of “The Biggest Loser”. Just when I concluded that American politics has hit rock bottom, I came across a story out of the Bluegrass State. Kentucky legislator Mary Lou Marzian (D) has introduced House Bill 396 that could be the scariest thing to come along since Lorena Bobbitt. HB396 will require all male Kentuckians to have written permission from their wives to obtain a prescription for medication to treat erectile dysfunction. Oh, yes, you heard me right. Plus, Ms. Marzian wants the law to permit only married men to receive a prescription for Viagra, Cialis and other woodworking tools, and it also requires the
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legal
oxymoron: closed public meeting. Too many elected boards seek every opportunity to meet out of sight of the public they serve. Some schedule executive sessions as a regular agenda item. Some hold up to three executive sessions in a single meeting. Some have executive sessions that last longer than the open portion of their meeting. In most cases, executive sessions do not violate open meeting laws. The closed-door discussions are often suggested or encouraged by an elected board’s legal counsel. But legality and necessity are two different things. Consider the following list our Fourth Estate counsel to county commissions, city councils and school boards
everywhere on executive sessions and general government openness. Citizens should hold their elected officials to the standards below. These are Ten Commandments for Open Meetings: ONE: Do not gather as a quorum outside of regular meetings, and do not hold special meetings without giving at least 24 hours public notice. TWO: Do not habitually add last-minute items to the agenda, and do not act on anything not listed on the posted agenda. THREE: Do not abuse the litigation excuse for executive sessions to speculate about possible or imagined lawsuits. FOUR: Do not stretch the personnel excuse for executive sessions
OPEN MEETINGS, 8
They want their woodworking tools!
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man to swear on the Bible that the pills will only be used with his spouse. Well, if this isn’t a blatant case of age discrimination, I don’t know what is. All those poor old geezers up in Kentucky who might be a widower, divorcee or just plain ugly will be unable to acquire medical assistance for date night at the Senior Citizens Center. I worked at a feed store up in Kentucky for a year after college. I saw lots of older women come into the store for chicken feed and mashed corn. Believe you me, mature Kentucky men need good pharmaceuticals and a moonless night if they want romance. This Kentucky lawmaker claims this bill will promote fidelity, and I think she might have Hillary’s support in getting HB396 passed. I’m no Dr. Phil but I suspect Ms. Marzian has a little trust issue. I don’t know the marital status of this gal, but I suspect her man might’ve done a little two-steppin’. And now she wants to punish every man in the state by introducing this new leash law.
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I personally object to politicians sticking their noses in our personal affairs, especially down here in Dixie. The government has already removed historical monuments and banned beloved songs of the South. They pull down the Stars and Bars, and now, this Kentucky woman wants to chop down our flagpole. If this bill passes, what’s next? Will married men have a mandated curfew? Are we gonna have to show a permission slip from our wives to the bartender before he serves us a cold beer? If married men need their wives’ permission to buy Viagra, what about other items that romantic fools like myself wish to purchase for our sweethearts, like roses, a box of chocolate or a new dust
YOUNTS, 8
To the Editor: The Rotary Club of Wimberley would like to thank all the sponsors that made their annual fundraiser “Smooch” a huge success. Without these sponsors the event would not have been possible. Funds from this benefit will go toward the club’s “Rotary Loves Readers” literacy program. The event was held at
the beautiful home of Annette Harrington and Scott Brown in Saddleridge. The home has been featured on the Tour of Homes. Again, a warm thank you to all our sponsors. The Rotary Club of Wimberley meets at noon each Tuesday for lunch. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to join us. Sincerely, The Rotary Club of Wimberley
ELECTION 2016
Election results were unavailable at press time. See results for Tuesday’s primary election online at www.HaysNewsDispatch.com
Sheriff ’s Report
DRIFTWOOD
Fraud - 1:32 p.m. - 145XX Friendswood Ln - Feb. 23 Fraud - 9:56 a.m. - 7XX Elder Hill Rd - Feb. 24
Fraud - 12:47 p.m. - 1XX Running Water Way - Feb. 24 Fraud - 5:17 p.m. - 1XX Woodland Dr - Feb. 24
Burglary/Habitation - 6:51 p.m. - 8XX E Gatlin Creek Rd - Feb. 29
DRIPPING SPRINGS
Fraud - 9:49 a.m. - 7XX Old Fitzhugh Rd - Feb. 23 Theft - 9:21 a.m. - 318XX Rr 12 - Feb. 23
Forgery - 9:05 a.m. - H&H Tile And Plaster - Feb. 24 Fraud - 1:36 p.m. - XX Longwood Rd - Feb. 24
Deadly Conduct - 4:59 p.m. - 107XX Burnt Oak Dr - Feb. 27 Theft - 12:55 p.m. - 8XX Bell Springs Rd B - Feb. 27 Fraud - 6:16 p.m. - 2XX Truffles Trl - Feb. 26
Improper Photo/Visual Recording - 2:04 p.m. - Paradise Wellness And Med Spa - Feb. 26 Fraud - 5:36 p.m. - Dripping Springs Substation - Feb. 29 Improper Photo/Visual Recording - 11:23 a.m. Dripping Springs High School - Feb. 29
Theft - 8:07 a.m. - Dripping Springs Substation - Feb. 29
WIMBERLEY
Theft/Identity - 1:44 p.m. - 32XX Wayside Dr - Feb. 23
Assault - 10:57 a.m. - Pizza Hut Of Wimberley - Feb. 24 Fraud - 12:00 p.m. - 2XX Woodcreek Dr - Feb. 24 Fraud - 3:12 p.m. - X Cricket Hollow Ct - Feb. 24 Theft - 6:13 p.m. - 2XX Cedar Aholw - Feb. 24
Theft/Identity - 12:48 p.m. - 2XX Hidden Oaks - Feb. 24 Fraud - 8:15 a.m. - 4XX Blue Heron Run - Feb. 26
Theft - 11:38 p.m. - 10XX Lone Man Mountain Rd - Feb. 29 Theft/Identity - 4:35 p.m. - 8XX Mountain Crest Dr - Feb. 29 Theft/Identity - 6:46 p.m. - 34XX Fm 2325 - Feb. 29 Theft/Identity - 7:30 p.m. - 34XX Fm 2325 - Feb. 29
Thursday, March 3, 2016
www.HaysNewsDispatch.com
Page 3
Obituaries BROOKS Ralph Comer Brooks, Jr. died on February 25, 2016 at home in Dripping Springs, Texas, at age 96. He was born to Eunice Hall Brooks and Ralph Comer Brooks, Sr., on August 3, 1919 in Pine Mountain, Georgia. In 1924, Ralph and his older sister, Hazel, accompanied their parents to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas where they settled in Santa Rosa. The family grew to include his sister, Mildred, and his brother, Walter. Ralph was a country boy who loved to hunt with his dad in the wilds of South Texas. Finding time from nature, he attended school and graduated from Santa Rosa High School as Salutatorian of the 1937 class. He attended the University of Texas in Austin and graduated in 1941 with a B.A. in Physics. He married his college sweetheart, Maureen Barnes, and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in order to serve in World War II. Sadly, Maureen died in child birth. Continuing with life, Ralph received training in California and Florida and became a pilot. His life became much happier when he met and married Violet Gocal, an Army Air Corps nurse, in 1943. Ralph continued to serve his country by becoming Director of Flying and Training at a Florida air force base. He held this position until his discharge in 1945, having attained the rank of Captain. Ralph returned to the Valley with Violet and their first-born, Melody, and joined his father in farming. Over the years, Ralph and Violet added six more children to the family: Ralph III, Susan, Melissa, Forrest, Amanda and April. Active in civic affairs, Ralph served on the La Feria Co-op Gin Board and was a member of the La Feria ISD school board where he served as president. Ralph secured a teaching certificate and started his career in education. He taught science in Mercedes then science and math in La Feria. In 1964, Violet died an untimely death from cancer. Ralph soldiered on – parenting, farming and teaching. In 1967, Ralph married Janet Mungerson Smith. Janet and her daughters, Elise and Adrienne, settled into the family and life in La Feria. Jennifer was born in 1969, completing the family. Ralph is predeceased by his daughter, Elise Brooks, and his siblings, Hazel Marshall, Millie Hudson and Walter Brooks. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Janet, as well as his children Melody, Ralph III, Susan (Michael Christian), Melissa, Forrest, Amanda (Mark Borinstein), April, Adrienne and Jennifer
(Mathew Thomas), 12 grandchildren, 3 greatgrandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held in La Feria, Texas, at a future date. Our family requests that those who wish to honor Ralph donate to a charity of choice in his name. Happy Landings.
HAWKINS Inge Frieda Mezger Hawkins was born on June 12, 1930 in Stuttgart, Germany. She died February 25, 2016 at home in Wimberley, Texas. Her parents were Rudolf F. Mezger and Aususte (Uhrig) Mezger. On August 6, 1976, Inge married George J. Hawkins, “the love of my life”. Inge retired in 1990 from Sun Harvest Grocery’s bakery department and moved to Wimberley in 1991 which reminded her so much of Germany. After moving to Wimberley, Inge and George became very involved members of VFW Post 6441 where she received Special Recognition for Exceptional Service. She and George developed many good friendships with the members of VFW 6441. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, George. She is survived by her daughter Carmen (William) Sowersby of Wimberley, TX; son, Grady L. Anderson, Jr. of Chula Vista, CA; two grandsons, Drew (Tiffany) Sowersby of Austin, TX; Kris D. Sowersby of New Braunfels, TX; greatgrandson, Ian P. Sowersby of Austin, TX; two step-daughters, Peggy J. (Mike) Zamora of Corpus Christi, TX; Sharon L. (Steve) Goad of Ridgecrest, CA; two step-grandsons, Michael Zamora of Corpus Christi, TX and David Zamora of Corpus Christi, TX. The family received friends Sunday, February 28. Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 1 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with interment following at Wimberley Cemetery.
NULL David Dalton Null, 54, of Dripping Springs was reunited with his Lord and Savior on February 28, 2016. David died suddenly, but peacefully, in his sleep of a heart attack early Sunday morning. David was born May 23, 1961, in Houston, Texas. David is preceded in death by loving parents Dalton and Nadine Null. He is survived by his wife Loretta Charlton, sons Christopher Null, Luke Null, and Alex Charlton. Survivors also include sisters, Nancy
Worship in a church of your choice Call 512-268-7862 to join the church directory today.
and husband, Curtis Funderburk of Spring Branch, Lynn Null of Austin, Jennifer and husband Greg Gilbert of Austin and nieces and nephews Patrick, Matt, Halie, Abby, Carson and Kennedy. David was raised in Houston and graduated from Westbury Sr. High School in 1979. He later earned a Petroleum Engineering Degree from Texas A&M University in 1983. Instead of entering the business world, he followed his lifelong passion of baseball and wanting to make a difference in kids’ lives and began teaching and coaching. He taught and coached for over 30 years. He was a much beloved teacher and coach at Jack C. Hays High School in Kyle, Texas, where he is currently serving as head baseball coach and assistant football coach. In November 2015, Dave was honored by his community as American Graduate Champion through KLRU-TV, Austin PBS. He was awarded Central Texas Coach of the Year 2013. Dave always wanted to be a positive influence in a kid’s life or at least help a student have a positive affirmation about themselves. Dave will be greatly missed, but always fondly remembered and loved by family, friends and students. Celebration of David’s life will be held at Sunset Canyon Baptist Church in Dripping Springs at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 4. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to American Heart Association.
ROBINSON Jean Bode Robinson, 68, of Wimberley, TX passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 25, 2016 in Austin, TX. She is survived by her husband Bill Robinson; daughter & son-in-law Pamela & Joel Brush of Ontario, Canada; son Robert Inks of Junction, TX; and daughter & son-inlaw Robyn & Andrew Sheehan of Osan, South Korea; grandchildren Madelyn & Gregory Brush, Dalton Inks, & Genevieve, Elsie and Reid Sheehan. A memorial celebration will be held at her home in Wimberley on Saturday, March 5, 2016. For more information, please contact her family at jeanrobinsonmemorial@ yahoo.com
September 18, 1926 in St. Cloud Minnesota to Peter and Frances Kmitch Trebtoske. He attended St. John Cantius Church and School and St. Cloud Tech High School. After moving to New Hampshire, he graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1944. After serving in the U. S. Navy Air Corp during WWII, he attended and graduated from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. He worked at the Catholic Worker in New York City with Dorothy Day and, later, at Boys Town in Nebraska. He attended St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, Texas, was ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1959 by the Most Reverend Louis J. Reicher, Bishop of Austin, and celebrated his first mass at St. John Cantius in St. Cloud, Minnesota. After his ordination, he first served as parochial vicar at St. Joseph Parish in Bryan and then at Cristo Rey Parish in Austin. In 1967, he was appointed pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Elgin. In 1976 he received permission to serve in Alaska, were he served as parochial vicar at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Juneau and as administrator at St. Peter Parish in Douglas. He returned to Texas in 1982 and served as parochial vicar at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Houston. Returning to Austin in 1988, he served as administrator at Santa Teresa Parish in Bryan and later that year as parochial vicar at St. Joseph Parish in Killeen and in 1996 as pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Elgin. Beginning in 1996, Reverend Trebtoske served as pastor at St. Mary Parish in Wimberley. He retired in March 2004 and moved to Brooklyn Park, Minnesota in 2012. Reverend Trebtoske is preceded in death
by parents, Peter and Frances (Kmitch) Trebtoske, his brother, Eugene, and his sisters, Joan Trebtoske Jenks and Mary Ann Trebtoske Harrison. He is survived by his brother, Peter Trebtoske, his sister, Bernadette O’Connor, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral services were held at St. Mary Catholic
Church, Wimberley, Texas. The Mass of Christian Burial was on Friday, February 26. Burial followed immediately after Mass at St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Reverend Trebtoske requested his friends to make a memorial donation to: Fisher House Foundation (for families of wounded soldiers).
NOTICE TO KYLE, BUDA, DRIPPING SPRINGS, DRIFTWOOD AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES Jerry Harrell has resigned from Harrell Funeral Home. The owners of Harrell Funeral Home, Patsy Harrell and Jason Harrell, will continue to operate the business. Jerry Harrell will stay in the funeral industry and continue to serve Hays and Travis counties.
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TREBTOSKE Reverend Everett John Trebtoske, at the age of 89 and a Catholic priest for nearly 57 years, died on February 14, 2016 in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. He was born on
St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church Mass Schedule Saturday: 5 p.m. Sunday: 8:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m. Spanish Mass Sunday: 1:30 p.m.
512-858-5667
Rev. Charlie Garza, pastor Located at the corner of RR 12 & Post Oak in Dripping Springs
www.stmartindp.org
Sunset Canyon Baptist Church 8:45 AM
Sunday Morning
11:00 AM
Sunday Worship
5:45 PM
Wednesday Meal
6:30 PM
Wed TouchPoint
A Family of Faith...
SCBC Preschool Children Ministries Youth Ministries Family Ministries
www.sunsetcanyonchurch.org
(512) 894-0480
4000 E. HWY 290
Page 4
News-Dispatch
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Sports Texans win district, fall in area thriller PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK WWW.WFOTOS.COM
Wimberley senior Conor Stratton screams in celebration as he hugs teammate Joe Bishop (22) after the Texans’ 55-52 bi-district playoff win in overtime against Lampasas on Feb. 27 at Marble Falls. Will Simpson (32), who led with 27 points, runs in to join the fun. Stratton, who scored the go-ahead field goal in the OT, said it was a rough game for him. “I felt like I let my teammates down in regulation, so I had to make up for it in overtime.” It was the second back-to-back overtime win for the Texans, who finished the regular season with a 90-88 win in OT over Navarro. “It makes my whiskers get a lot whiter,” head coach Jeff McDorman said after the OT win. The victory celebration was short-lived as Wimberley lost 49-47 to West Columbia last Friday in the area round of playoffs at Columbus.
Tuck tourney takes game of softball to a new level BY PAIGE LAMBERT
News-Dispatch Reporter
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Tiger athletes show their stripes at relays
A Dripping Springs track and field athlete sprints down his respective lane during the 100-meter dash event at the Tiger Relays at Dripping Springs High School. Nine schools, ranging from as close as Fischer Canyon Lake to as far as San Angelo, descended upon Dripping Springs for the 21st annual Tiger Relays. Be sure to check the News-Dispatch website for results. See photos online at www.HaysNewsDispatch.com.
Dripping Springs Lady Tiger softball player stepped up to the plate Feb. 25 ready to win the game her team was playing in. It was all part of the 10th annual Brittany Tuck Memorial Softball Tournament, which hosted 12 teams in Dripping Springs Feb. 25-27. The tournament raised $2,000 for the Tuck Memorial Scholarship Benefit, benefit coordinator Sandra Tuck said. The benefit was created when Brittany Tuck passed away after a car accident in 2003. The donations fund scholarships for high school athletes in Dripping Springs, Lake Travis and Dayton, where she played softball. Sandra said she and her husband, Keith, created the tournament to honor Brittany. Five teams played in the first tournament, which was held in 2006. “A lot of coaches that came played against Brittany and helped keep her dreams alive,” Sandra said. “It was definitely an emotional time.” She said Brittany was a great athlete and many players looked up to her. More teams began attending the tournament because of the prominence of Keith, who was a legendary softball coach, head coach Wade Womack said.
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
With a cloud of dust surrounding them, a Dripping Springs Tiger catcher and a Lubbock Wolfforth Frenship baserunner collide at home plate during a play made in the Brittany Tuck Memorial Softball tournament Friday in Dripping Springs. Twelve teams participated in the 10th annual Brittany Tuck Memorial Tournament.
Keith, who ran the tournament, had 482 wins during his career and is placed as one of the top ten softball coaches in the state, Womack said. Keith coached at Dripping Springs from 2005 to 2013. “He helped establish softball as a very solid UIL sport,” Womack said. “People may not have known him, but they know of him.” Keith invested his time in the game and to his team, assistant coach Paige Sandahl said. She
said he would always give advice and was the biggest impact while she played at Dripping Springs. “He had a lot of passion which made us have a lot of passion,” Sandahl said. “He loved us like his own daughters, so we loved playing for him.” Sandahl said Keith helped revive Dripping Spring’s softball program and made it be as strong as it is today. As head softball coach, Keith took the lady Tigers to state twice,
she said. By the fifth anniversary of the tournament, more teams were calling for a spot in the field. Tournament organizers added another location at Lake Travis High School, Sandra said. When Keith passed away from a blood clot in 2013, Womack took over the tournament and changed the format to a round robin in 2014, she said.
SOFTBALL, 6
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Community
Friendship Cl b
Building friendships on common ground in Dripping Springs BY PAIGE LAMBERT
News-Dispatch Reporter
I
t is easy for those with disabilities or special needs to drift into the shadows after high school graduation, especially in rural America. One Dripping Springs mom is changing that trend with the Dripping Springs Friendship Club. The club meets on Fridays and serves as an outlet for adults with disabilities. The club will paint, go bowling or attend yoga classes in town and Austin. Leah Rummel, of Dripping Springs, wanted to find a local social outlet for her 23-year-old son Brandon. Brandon, who has cerebral palsy, works at the University Of Texas at Austin delivering mail but mainly interacted with those at work and home. “I thought if we are going to do fun things on Friday we might as well invite other people,” Rummel said. “Because there are other people out here, but they don’t do anything.” Rummel and Mary Buchannan, a retired Dripping Springs special education teacher, got involved in November. Now as many as eight people, along with their parents or volunteers, attend the events. Lindsey Granger heard about the club and immediately wanted to help since she majored in special education. “That’s my passion,” Granger said. “I have not really been in the scene of what I was drawn to do, so for me it brings me a lot of
COURTESY PHOTO
Five members of the Dripping Springs Friendship Club wait for the next bowling game to begin. Leah Rummel created the group so her son, second from right, and other adults with special needs could have a local social outlet.
joy to be a part of this.” Becky Hausler said the club has given her adult son Roger a chance to be in public where it might not be socially acceptable for him to go on his own. She said people would comment that he made kids feel uncomfortable when he read in the children’s section of a library. Because he is autistic he reads at that level and enjoys children’s books. “He’s so happy when they pick him up because going somewhere new can
Population Growth Continued from pg. 1
election for residents to vote on. “The populace could still vote it down and say, ‘we don’t want to be a home rule city,’” he said. If Dripping Springs becomes a home rule city, the majority of the city council’s responsibilities would transition to a city manager and serve similar to a board of directors, Coneway said. Before a city becomes home rule it has to consider infrastructure and utilities, he said. Currently the city doesn’t control water or road improvements outside its 3.3 square miles. “We will need to combine the water supply corporation and our wastewater utility into one,” Coneway said. “So that we can manage the growth better when we have the water, not them.” Just as Dripping Springs changed from 2010 to 2016, it will continue to morph and grow, unregulated or not. The city plans to tackle the growth and what Dripping Springs will look like with its comprehensive plan, Coneway said.
be scary for him, “Hausler said. “It’s amazing that they are so giving and gives people a comfort zone.” The club will also go to restaurants and movie theaters. Roger has opened up during the meetings and discovered exceptional bowling skills, Granger said. “A couple of us were watching him and we said that was really awesome, you’re awesome,” Granger said. “He turned around and said I’m awesome and
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The first comprehensive plan open meeting is scheduled for March 10 at the Dripping Springs Ranch Park, he said. “Nobody wants a bunch of glass and concrete, that’s really hard to balance the growth,” Coneway said “We have a lot of people not from around here, and they want to do it the way you do in Austin.”
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for him to feel that confidence and joy is amazing.” The club also serves as a resource for parents who may not know how to get aid or support for their child. Rummel recently began holding parents night, an open event where parents can talk about anything from networking to social security. “People out here have not had the resources for those kinds of questions,” Rummel said. “There’s not a lot out here and this is a way to have a sense of
34 35 36 37 38 39 41
community.” The club goes into popular spots in the community in hope that citizens will welcome the group, Rummel said. The Austin Zoo and Hudson’s on Mercer have already invited the club to special events just for them. “We hope this community embraces these young adults and that when they see them they talk with them and find out what their interests are,” Rummel said. “But also maybe consider
them for a job.” In only a few short months Rummel saw a need and filled it with the open invitation club. She said the club will continue to grow as needed and welcomes anyone from Dripping Springs or Austin. “I hate seeing these young adults sitting at home and not doing anything,” Rummel said. “I hope it leads to more opportunities for these young adults to be successful with their lives.”
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See Solution, pg. 5
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Page 6 Garage Sale
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Softball
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Saturday, March 5, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. 400 Crossroads Drive in Dripping Springs. Kids & adult clothing, desk, breakfast table & chairs, couch, coffee table, lamps, knickknacks, decorations, dishes and various other furniture items.
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“Coach Womack has done way more than the average coach and there was never a hint he wanted to stop the tournament,” Sandra said. “I think Keith’s passing made him want to do it more.” Since Keith’s passing, more coaches have honored him by attending the tournament, Womack said. Coaches from Fort Worth Boswell, New Braunfels and Lake Travis coached against Keith during his tenure. A team from Lubbock Wolfforth Frienship participated in the tournament to honor the Tucks, Womack said. “Like the Elgin coach, she pitched against Brittany and she’s known the Tuck family for years and we got her back in this year,” Womack said. “So this has been very emotional for her to see Sandra and bring back memories.”
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Apply online at www.cabelas.jobs and view Job #26637. Cabela’s is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks to create an inclusive workplace that embraces diverse backgrounds, life experience, and perspectives.
The City of Dripping Springs is accepting applications for a Part-Time Market Manager for the Dripping Springs Farmers Market. Primary responsibilities include recruiting vendors, marketing, promotion, and organizing and scheduling educational events for the market. The position requires approximately 15 to 20 hours per week. For a complete job description and application visit www. cityofdrippingsprings.com or City Hall at 511 Mercer Street. To submit a resume and application, please email dlee@cityofdrippingsprings. com, mail to PO Box 384, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 or deliver to City Hall. For more information call 512858-4725.
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The tournament could grow even more with the completion of Dripping Springs’ new baseball and softball complex. Once the softball field is completed at the high school, the tournament could include more games and teams, Sandra said. She said many teams that call to participate wait for a team to drop out so they can get in. Whether the person played with Brittany or knew of Keith’s legendary impact on the game, everyone attends to honor the softball-loving duo, Sandahl said. “I love how the Tuck tradition and family is still being honored even though it’s been a couple years since he passed,” Sandahl said. “A lot of these girls have never played for him or might not have known him well but they still play for him.”
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Page 7
Get your market analysis before you sell
D
ear Terese, What is a CMA? Aaron
Dear Aaron, A current market analysis, or CMA, is an estimate of the probable selling price of a property, typically expressed as a price range. When a CMA is prepared, I will consider several variables. What condition is the property? This is why a visit to the property is very important – has it been maintained? Updated? Remodeled? Or does it need major repairs – roof, electric, plumbing, etc. What type of neighborhood is it – upscale, gated, older or new homes? What have similar homes sold for in the past 6 months? If possible, I would try to locate similar homes nearby. However, if the home is not in a typical subdivision, such as
Dear Terese by Terese Perabody
many hill country homes, I’d need to look in several local areas. What is the market trend? Is there a large supply of homes available to buyers to choose from? Or, is inventory low? When preparing the CMA, comparable properties that are similar as possible, the date of the sale, location, size of home and lot are all important consideration. Some adjustments may be made for smaller or larger lots, home sizes, improvements, age, garage size, potential negative factors (such as proximity to busy roads or other undesirable features) or other factors.
Although tax valuation is taken into consideration also, it may not always be indicative of the current market value. Real estate markets can change quickly, it is essential to recognize that a CMA only provides a “snapshot” for a particular point in time. Dear Terese, What is the absorption rate? Andrew Dear Andrew, The absorption rate is the number of competing properties currently on the market divided by the number of properties selling each month. A seller’s market is 1-4 months. A normal market is 3-6 months. A buyer’s market is 7+ months. A low absorption rate indicates that sellers are in a stronger position
whereas a high absorption rate is favorable for buyers. In January, 2016 in Hays County, there were 167 sales, the dollar volume was $52,366,193, the average price was $313,570, and there were 2.6 months of inventory. The average days on the market for the Dripping Springs area, HD (DSISD) was 84 days in December, 2015 and 65 days in January, 2016. The average sales price in Dripping Springs for January 2016 was $416,000. Typically, the winter and fall inventory and sales are lower. The number of listings and sales in the spring and summer months tends to pick up. As many new subdivisions and newly built homes are added to the inventory of the resale of existing homes, the absorption rate tends to go up. The absorption rate varies
Lagniappe
Holder Lane public forum
Are you concerned about the number of traf-
Dear Terese, I am currently under contract to purchase a home, and my agent said the title commitment listed several easements. What is an easement? Jeannie Dear Jeannie, An easement is the right to use real estate owned by someone else. Most often, a buyer or seller will see utility easements for electrical lines, water lines, pipelines, and telephone or fiber-optic lines. These are public easements. Other common easements are access easements or a shared driveway. A court ordered easement is known as an easement by
necessity, such as access to a land locked piece of property. There are many legal terms associated with easements, so if the title company is unable to assist you to clarify the type of easements described in the title commitment, you may want to consider visiting with a real estate attorney. Tip of the day: If music be the food of love, play on. – William Shakespeare Terese Peabody, Broker Associate, Stanberry & Associates GRI, CRS, ABR, SRES, CNE, GREEN, CLHMS 400 Hwy 290 W, B-101, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 terese@stanberry.com, www.tpeabody.com 512894-3488 office, 512-6997711 cell
Drug Bust
Continued from pg. 1 Springs. The Texas Night Sky Festival will be held Saturday, March 5 from 3-10 p.m. at Dripping Springs Ranch Park and Event Center. Activities are planned for all ages, including live presentations, solar observations, a mobile planetarium, tasty food, and a good, old-fashioned Star Party. See more at www.texasnightskyfestival.org.
month to month, so be sure and check with a local agent for the most current data & information for the local market.
Continued from pg. 1 fic accidents in Dripping Springs? County officials, State Representative Jason Isaac, TxDOT officials and the City of Dripping Springs are holding a public forum regarding Holder Lane on March 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Dripping Springs City Hall.
Fancy Feathers Poultry Show
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Wimberley Garden Club
The Wimberley Garden Club will meet on Wednesday, March 9 at the Lutheran Church, 101 Spoke Hill Drive. Refreshments and socialization start at 9:30 a.m., meeting starts at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome.
Wimberley flood book release
The Wimbeley Village Library invites you to join a celebration Sunday, March 6 from 3 - 5 p.m. at the Wimberley Community Center as the community gathers together for the release of the first copies of the book, Wimberley: Epic Flood Tests a Small Town’s Strength. The book contains stories told by those who were affected by and survived the 2015 Memorial Day Weekend flood.
which earned the couple a money laundering charge since they were “knowingly in the possession of the proceeds of criminal activity.” Both Lee and Hankey were charged with possession of marijuana and possession of controlled substances in addition to the money laundering charge. Hankey was also charged with several more counts of possession of a
Local housing demands keep growing
I
’m Barbara Gremillion with Coldwell Banker United Realtors. I’ve lived in Driftwood since 1981 and feel extremely blessed to have lived and raised my family in this area. With the real estate market heating up for the spring and summer seasons, I thought you may find the information in my latest newsletter helpful. The growth towards Dripping Springs and Driftwood has created a demand for housing. We have many new subdivisions going in which makes for some tough competition if the home you’re selling isn’t in new condition. It’s important to understand the ROI (return on investment) when tackling remodeling and updating projects. I regularly post helpful real estate information on my Facebook business page at Facebook.com/
ImYourRealtor. If you “like” my page, the information will go to your newsfeed as information is posted. If you would like more information about how to prepare your home for the market, feel free to contact me at 512-7752904 or barbara@barbaragremillion.com. Here are a few key considerations to keep in mind when you’re deciding on a renovation project.
VALUE ADD (OR SUBTRACT) FOR FUTURE BUYERS Think of your renovation project in terms of what will appeal the most to potential buyers, even if you’re not considering selling anytime soon. Converting a garage into a living space or eliminating a bedroom or a closet may cause future buyers to
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Be cautious when undertaking large-scale renovation projects. While smaller, DIY touch-ups and proper home staging can yield big dividends for sellers, large projects may not pay off. Remodeling’s 2016 Cost vs. Value report (http://www. remodeling.hw.net/costvs-value/2016/) showed replacement type projects offer serious gains. What large
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Consider the resale market in your neighborhood before deciding on a renovation project. This is particularly important if you’re considering large-scale projects, like a full kitchen renovation or converting an attic space into an extra bedroom. Every neighborhood has a price threshold of what buyers are willing to pay, so a $75,000 kitchen remodel may not be worth it in a neighborhood where home values top out at $250,000.
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projects pack the most punch when it comes to adding value? Two-story additions, upgrading a master suite and tackling a major kitchen remodel top the list.
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controlled substance, due to Harris and the taskforce finding a plethora of narcotics such as MDMA, Xanex, Diazepam, Adderall, Oxycodone and morphine. She faces 12 total charges, seven of them felony offenses, while Lee faces four total charges. Hankey claimed ownership of the drugs during a postMiranda interview with authorities. At this time, officials have not released any further details about the case.
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Page 8
News-Dispatch
Big Build
Canines show their agility
Continued from pg. 1 find affordable housing in the area is important. “There are a lot of people that have low income that are living in either sub-standard (housing) or paying too much for rent,” Holt said. “We’re trying to get the low income people some housing. That’s what it’s all about.” Smith said receiving help from friends and strangers alike was beneficial. “It’s a good feeling to know that you’ve got some friends you don’t know that will come out and help,” she said.
Younts
Continued from pg. 2 mop? Southern men are known to be charming and quite passionate, but if female lawmakers fit us with a curb chain and keep us on a tight rein, romance will go down the drain like Jeb Bush’s campaign funds. I don’t believe HB396 will pass up in Lexington, but I hope those Kentuckians will fight it. Up in Kentucky, they apparently have a case of Electile Dysfunction, but I don’t think we will have such an issue here in Texas. Texans wouldn’t take this absurd legislation lying down. No, sir! We would stand tall, taking a firm position against such tyranny. If they try to pass this up in Austin, prepare for an army of gray-haired men marching to the Capitol, fists raised high and shouting, “Give me Levitra or give me death!”
PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III
Dripping Springs Ranch Park went to the dogs Saturday as the Austin K9 Xpress Agility Training Club held the 2016 NADAC Agility Trials Feb. 26-28. The trials allowed owners from across the area to compete as they had their dogs go through various obstacle courses of differing varieties. Courses ranged from the novice to the advanced level. The four legged participants competed for awards and ribbons for their owners, and perhaps a few post-race dog treats for themselves. See more photos of furry frolickers online at www. HaysNewsDispatch.com Above: A participant in the 2016 North American Dog Agility Council agility trials event speeds through a tunnel during a trial run held at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. A tright: Size mattered not for a small hound that took a giant leap over an obstacle during a trial run in the advanced course at the North American Dog Agility Council agility trials event held in Dripping Springs.
Yes, Clint Younts is married, so the women at the feedstores around town need to give him respect. Right .... crowsnest78610@gmail.com
Open Meetings
Docket No. 45536
Notice for Publication
Continued from pg. 2
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sensus at the meeting. EIGHT: Do not make a habit of whispering or passing notes at meetings. You were elected to speak for us. Tell what you have to say out loud and proud! NINE: Allow public input at every meeting. Include it on every agenda. TEN: Be as transparent as possible. Do not hold executive sessions simply because counsel advised it is “legal” to do so. Ask yourself: “Is it absolutely critical we discuss this privately?” That should be the test because legality and necessity are two different things. We appreciate our local commissioners and
board members. They serve for minimal compensation. They make tough decisions. They sometimes lose friends and make enemies. Their dedication to community is admirable. We simply ask elected officials to think twice before kicking the public out of public meetings. Strive for fewer. Less is more. A closed meeting should be a rare occasion, not a habit. Brian Hunhoff writes for the Yankton County Observer in Yankton, South Dakota. His editorials about open government won the 2015 Freedom of Information award from the National Newspaper Association.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO AMEND A CERTIFICATE OF CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY (CCN) IN HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS Dripping Springs Water Supply Corporation has filed an application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas to amend their water CCN No. 10315 in Hays County. The proposed utility service area is at two locations. Property Area A’s location is approximately 2.5 miles northwest of downtown Dripping Springs, Texas, and is generally bounded on the north by Settlers Trl.; on the east by Bell Springs Rd.; on the south by HWY 290; and on the west by Farrell Road. Property Area B’s location is approximately 1.5 miles southwest of downtown Dripping Springs, Texas, and is generally bounded on the north by CR 190; on the south by .7 miles south of CR 190; and on the west by CR 190.
The proposed water service area being amended includes approximately 315 total acres which includes 0 current customers. The proposed amendment affects customers and/or areas located in zip code 78620. A copy of the proposed service area map is available at: Dripping Springs Water Supply Corporation, 101 Hays Street, Suite 406, Dripping Springs, Texas 78620 Telephone (512)858-7897.
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to discuss policy issues. Example: Creating a new position or changing a department’s job descriptions are policy decisions and not appropriate topics for a closed meeting. FIVE: Do not dial up the “negotiations” excuse to suddenly exclude the public from discussion of controversial issues that were previously aired thoroughly in open session. SIX: Do not allow executive session conversations to stray to other topics. SEVEN: Do not violate the spirit of the open meeting law with frequent phone, email or text dialogues with other members. Reach con-
Thursday, March 3, 2016
R A L T O
www.stanberry.com 512.894.3488 400 HWY 290 W • BLDG B • SUITE 101 • DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX 78620
AUSTIN RESIDENTIAL FOR SALE 32 Laurel Hill, 2.448± acres Heritage Oaks, custom stone 1 story, 3/2/2, great for outdoor entertaining
SOLD
48 Laurel Hill, Heritage Oaks, custom stone 1 story, owner-builder, 4/3/3
SOLD
14301 FM 1826, Creek front! 25± acres, 2 homes, pool, studio, workshop
SOLD
DRIPPING SPRINGS RESIDENTIAL/FARM & RANCH FOR SALE 301 Retha Drive, 2± acres, 3/2/2, lovely hill country home on 2 lots, 4 sides stone
SOLD
430 Hays Country Acres, 3/3/2, ±17 acres, custom home, 1200 SF guest home
SOLD
4006 Spanish Oak Lane, 3/2/2, ±2.11 acres in Sunset Canyon, private, hill country wildlife
SOLD
311 Goodnight Trail, 4/2/1 custom one story, $60,000± in upgrades
SOLD
720 East Creek Dr, 5± acres private, quiet 4/2/3 horse property in Kirby Springs Ranch!
SOLD
26050 RR12, 10.54± acres, magnificent Hill Country estate, private setting, bring your horses!
$619,900
215 Barton Creek Ranch Circle: 5.25± acres, 3/2.5, 2633 SF, Classic Texas stone, horse ready!
SOLD
BLANCO COUNTY RESIDENTIAL/FARM & RANCH FOR SALE 719 Ranchview Drive, 3/2/1, 1± acres, log home in Johnson City city limits, shop, PENDING
$271,900
AUSTIN RESIDENTIAL FOR LEASE 11207 Sage Hollow Dr, 3/2/1, wheel chair accessible, recently remodeled, near bus lines
LEASED
7411 Sunset Heights Circle Unit F-9, Aviara condo, #2 story stone/stucco, gently lived in
LEASED
DRIPPING SPRINGS LOTS FOR SALE 540 Goodnight Trail, 1 acre, city water tap paid, cleared, underground utilities
SOLD
1013 Windmill Rd, 2.53± acres in Sunset Canyon, recently cleared, lightly restricted, numerous oaks
SOLD
AUSTIN COMMERCIAL FOR LEASE 12620 Pauls Valley: 2000 SF Warehouse w/office, Bldg #3, available Feb 2016, Unit A with dock
$2250/mo
HAYS COUNTY COMMERCIAL FOR LEASE 10107 Signal Hill Road Unit B: light commercial only, warehouse space/shop for small operation
$500/mo
A request for a public hearing must be in writing. You must state (1) your name, mailing address, and daytime telephone number; (2) the applicant’s name, application number or another recognizable reference to this application; (3) the statement, “I/we request a public hearing”; (4) a brief description of how you or the persons you represent would be adversely affected by the granting of the application for a CCN; and (5) your proposed adjustment to the application or CCN which would satisfy your concerns and cause you to withdraw your request for a hearing. Persons who wish to intervene or comment should write the: Public Utility Commission of Texas Central Records 1701 N. Congress, P.O. Box 13326 Austin, TX 78711-3326 within thirty (30) days from the date of this publication or notice. A public hearing will be held only if a legally sufficient hearing request is received or if the Commission on its own motion requests a hearing. Only those individuals who submit a written hearing request or a written request to be notified if a hearing is set will receive notice if a hearing is scheduled. If a public hearing is requested, the Commission will not issue the CCN and will forward the application to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) for a hearing. If no settlement is reached and an evidentiary hearing is held, SOAH will submit a recommendation to the Commission for final decision. If an evidentiary hearing is held, it will be a legal proceeding similar to a civil trial in state district court. If you are a landowner with a tract of land at least 25 acres or more, that is partially or wholly located within the proposed area, you may request to be excluded from the proposed area (or “opt out”) by providing written notice to the Commission within (30) days from the date that notice was provided by the applicant. All requests to opt out of the requested service area must include a scaled, general location map and a metes and bounds description of the tract of land. Persons who meet the requirements to opt out, and wish to request this option should file the required documents with the: Public Utility Commission of Texas Central Records 1701 N. Congress, P.O. Box 13326 Austin, TX 78711-3326 A copy of the request to opt out of the proposed area must also be sent to the applicant. Staff may request additional information regarding your request. Si desea informacion en Español, puede llamar al 1-512-936-7221