August 17, 2017 News-Dispatch by Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch

Student fuels book drive

Tigers break in new stadium

Expanded center helps at-risk boys

page 3

News-Dispatch Volume XXXVII No. 45 • Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982

Changes in how the city of Dripping Springs handles cash transactions were made after city officials discovered close to $3,000 was missing earlier this year. However, an outside investigation conducted into the matter didn’t result in identification of a suspect, said Bonnie

Gonzalez, Dripping Springs communications coordinator in a statement. Gonzalez said the city discovered the missing cash at city hall in April 2017. After discovering the case, Dripping Springs city officials conducted an internal investigation, as well as a follow up investigation that

was done by an outside investigator. All accounting documentation was audited, according to the statement. It was determined less than $3,000 was missing from city coffers. However, the investigations “did not yield evidence identifying a likely suspect.” It’s unknown from where the missing

money is missing, or if the city has turned the investigation over to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office. As a result of the investigation, Dripping Springs’ administration approved new cash handling procedures and new security measures. Those procedures have been implemente. However, the city did not

75¢

Thursday, August 17, 2017

$3,000 in missing funds forces city to change cash procedures BY MOSES LEOS III

page 5

specify what those new procedures and security measures are. “The city is confident that the new procedures will prevent future misappropriation of funds,” Gonzalez said. “The city will continue to review its cash handling and security procedures to ensure they remain up to date.”

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

A special guest performs during Wimberley resident Sarah Jarosz’s set at the 2017 Old Settler’s Music Festival in Driftwood.

Old Settler’s Festival moves to Caldwell BY MOSES LEOS III

The new YMCA pool, which will include an eight-lane competition pool, was made possible by ﬁnancial contributions from the Dripping Springs ISD and the district will be able to use the pool for its swim team, meets and other aquatic programs.

YMCA renovations near completion BY MOSES LEOS III

Walking around a small table, Jason Daniel, executive director of the Springs Family Branch YMCA in Dripping Springs, consulted with a colleague on the look and placement of the furnishing. Daniel, along with Heather Marchant, membership and sports director at the Springs YMCA, discussed if the table was a good look at its current location. Such talks are the norm for the Springs Family Branch as they ready the finishing touches prior to the facility’s unveiling of its

New elements to the facility will include a new heated pool, a renovated weight room and group exercise studio, as well as a second story yoga and Pilates room.

$5.5 million remodel Aug. 26. And while the project is about five months overdue, Daniel said members are starting to experience the upgrades to the facility. “We’re doing our best to get this up and going and our members have been patient with the process,” Daniel said. “They are waiting for a new Springs Family

YMCA and we’re hoping to deliver as fast as we can.” Those improvements to the Springs Family YMCA include roughly 10,000 additional square feet for the facility; Daniel said approximately 7,000 square feet will be functional space. New elements to the facility will include a renovated weight room

and group exercise studio, as well as a second story yoga and Pilates room. A new heated pool, which will have an eightlane competition pool as well as a family pool with splash pad, is the primary upgrade. Pools play a large part of what the YMCA does, Daniel said. The YMCA uses the pool to teach children

and the community how to swim, and to be safe around the water. The pool became a reality after the YMCA partnered with Dripping Springs ISD for its construction. In addition, DSISD will be able to use the pool for its high school swim team, swim meets and other aquatic programs. “This is a great opportunity to build something that families can take advantage of, seniors could take advantage of, and members and athletes could take advantage of,” Daniel said.

YMCA RENOVATIONS, 5

Wastewater plant project tops Wimberley residents concerns BY TIMOTHEY STUCKEY

Sewer woes were the main concern of a town hall meeting in Wimberely that was lead by Mayor Mac McCullough. The meeting, held at the Wimberely Community Center, was meant for residents to voice their concerns regarding various issues in the city. Many voiced their disapproval at the current state of the city’s wastewater plant project. The project’s development first began ten years ago and has remained a troublesome project for the city and

Many citizens spoke in opposition of the city’s plan, raising issues of transparency, loan repayment, discharge and the legality of some votes.

a tiresome concern for residents. Many citizens spoke in opposition of the city’s plan, raising issues of transparency, loan repayment, discharge and the legality of some votes. “There’s hiccups in every project.” said McCullough as he addresses the audience’s concerns.

The wastewater plant, as currently proposed, has a $681,000 option to connect all properties to the system completely, while also decommissioning the current septic tanks. The project has changed many hands since it’s inception, however McCullough guaranteed that the city has never deviated from

the original plan. “I’m completely comfortable with the numbers we’ve given,” said Mayor McCollough, “ I believe it’s the right thing to do.” In a series of recent votes, the Wimberley City Council moved forward with the city’s proposed wastewater treatment plant. The plants latest terms of the loan will now have to be approved by the Office of the Texas Attorney General. The council would then have the city engineer condition the bids before potentially accepting a bid and starting the project.

There was something special about Camp Ben McCulloch during the Old Settler’s Music Festival (OSMF) that Dripping Springs resident Jim Hudson will forever remember. Many people know OSMF’s tenure in Driftwood for the throngs of fans and the multiple stages that populated the Salt Lick Pavilion since 2002. Across FM 1826, those who chose to rough it out at Camp Ben during the four-day festival are treated to “good music and a fun exchange of people,” Hudson said. All of that will be gone, however, as OSMF organizers announced they no longer have a place in Hays County to call home.

MUSIC FEST MOVES, 6

LAGNIAPPE Sun gets mooned on Monday

Make sure to have your special sunglasses ready as the Great American solar eclipse occurs Monday. The last total eclipse viewed from the contiguous U.S. was Feb. 26, 1979, according to NASA. While Dripping Springs (and Texas) isn’t in the “path of totality,” where the moon will completely block the sun, residents can still view the eclipse, which is slated to peak around 1 p.m. The Wimberley Village Library will host a Solar Eclipse party starting at 11 a.m. Missing out on this year’s eclipse? The next great eclipse will hit the U.S. in 2024, so no rush.

Sippin’ at Dripping with Taste

Numerous Texas area wine companies, and even a few from Dripping Springs, will gather at Dripping Springs Ranch Park Sept. 9 for the 10th annual Dripping with Taste event. Roughly 75 vendors will be on hand to help out about 2,500 festival goers have a “taste” of what’s happening in Texas. The event runs from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 9. Ticket information can be found online at drippingwithtaste.com.

MUSIC FEST MOVES, 6

Page 2

News-Dispatch

Long lines at Potty Checkpoint

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reckon it’s about time I pitch in my two cents in the pot where Senate Bill 6, aka the Bathroom Bill, continues to swirl around and emit a scent foul enough to run off hungry buzzards. It’s a sad day in Texas when we have to have legislation on the use of a crapper, although it’s not the first law passed on using a toilet. About 37 years ago, a bill went into effect down in Beeville, Texas. I don’t recollect the exact verbiage of this law, but it was something like “Put the darn toilet seat down, dang it!” I’ll tell you what, if you left the toilet seat up in my household, and there was a splashdown in the middle of the night, violating that Bathroom Bill was a capital offense. As for this new bill on who can and cannot use specific public toilets is raising a bigger stink than an overturned outhouse. Personally, I don’t give a poot on which bathroom a person uses. At my age, I don’t care who is standing at the next urinal as long as

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.

SB 4 GOES TOO FAR

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“Show me your papers.” That demand by police and immigration officials may become more frequent in the future because of Texas Senate Bill4. But just what constitutes “papers”? Years ago I went with friends to a restaurant in Villa Acuña. I was dressed in levis and boots and had just acquired a new Stetson hat. When we arrived at the restaurant I turned my car over to the watchman in the parking lot, knowing that he would expect a tip when I retrieved it. I said

I get to empty my bladder before my urinary sphincter takes early retirement. I do have a few questions concerning this bathroom bill if it does get passed and becomes a law. First of all, who will be enforcing the law? Homeland Security maybe, or perhaps the Department of Waste Management? Perhaps some agency like the TSA will be created to screen all potty-goers in public buildings? They could name it the PSA for Potty Selection Administration. Someone must be outside every stinkin’ bathroom to make sure the right gender enters his/her designated restroom. I doubt any politician has thought about high cost of bathroom screening if this bill passes. So, if there’s gonna be a checkpoint in public

buildings to screen all toilet travelers, what kind of monitoring will they use? Lower body scans or manual pat-downs? Will we have to remove our shoes as we approach the security gate? If these lines are anything like the ones at airports, I’d like to keep my shoes on. There’s no telling what we’ll find on the floor. Maybe we’ll have to drop trou as we step up to the agent? I hope it’s not real cold in these buildings, if you know what I mean. If someone with a weak bladder gets antsy standing in line, sweating and squirming as he waits, he might be suspected as being a toilet terrorist and led away for a strip search. This may be considered profiling, but for the safety of folks who want to pee among their own sex, it’s better to be safe than sorry. I’m hoping for little kids, pregnant women and old fogies like me, there will be an express line. How about being pre-approved like TSA does? Or perhaps showing an X-ray of your

enlarged prostate to get you through security faster? Has our governor even thought about all the senior citizens who helped get him elected? I guarantee he won’t get re-elected if a lot of voters mess in their drawers waiting in line to use the john. And what happens when some transgender potty-goer gets caught entering the wrong bathroom? Are we talking a citation or jail time? Maybe repeat violators will be banned from all public restrooms and placed on the No Pee List. I don’t know if this Bathroom Bill will end up getting passed, but like most legislation, it will move as slow as a chunk of cheese in a constipated mouse. But if it does become a law and all public potty patrons must be screened, I think I will invest in adult diapers.

very little to him but that little bit was in Spanish. He was a garrulous sort and, when we returned to pick up the car, he addressed me in Spanish. My mind was on other things so I did not understand what he had said and, unthinking, I responded in English with “Sorry. What did you say?” “Oh. I thought you were Mexican. You look like a Mexican.” He meant that as a compliment. He was very proud of his own Mexican heritage. Because I was dressed as I was, had a dark mustache, and a big hat, he had assumed

that I was native. And his was not an illogical conclusion. I was with others who were obviously American military men in uniform. I looked very much like a Mexican guide for a party of Yankees. But I am a citizen of the United States, with ancestry dating back to colonial Virginia. I am a retired military officer. The only identification I ever carry is my driver’s license and my military identification card. Neither of these guarantees that I am a citizen. So now my question is: How does a law enforcement officer determine

that someone might be here illegally? If I should be stopped and questioned, what kind of proof of identity would the officer demand? What about those brown-skinned Americans whose ancestors were here before mine even arrived? What proof would be demanded of them? And what happened to the idea of presumed innocence? Our legislature and our governor should be ashamed of themselves. Sterling Rogers San Marcos

From the Crow’s Nest by Clint Younts

Clint Younts. We’ll all just let him stand in line ... and wait ... and wait ... and then watch him run for the door. crowsnest78610@gmail. com

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Page 3

Sports

Rebel rally stuns Tigers in 5 BY MOSES LEOS III

PHOTOS BY WAYLAND CLARK

Breaking in the new Tiger Stadium Dripping Springs’ Head Football Coach Galen Zimmerman describes his instructions in more detail to a player during the ﬁrst day of practice for the Tigers’ football team early Monday morning. The Tigers will host New Braunfels in a scrimmage game on Friday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. at the new Tiger Stadium. On Friday, Sept. 1, the Tigers will play Bastrop at 7:30 p.m. for their season opener.

Nearly flawless volleyball during the first two sets guided the Dripping Springs Tigers to a healthy 2-0 match lead over the Hays Rebels Monday at Bales Gym. But a torrid Rebel comeback, spurred by a 14-kill effort from Hays junior Catherine Croft and senior Kaitlyn Krafka, turned the tide en route to an upset of Dripping Springs, which fell in a 25-19, 25-19, 19-25, 20-25, 9-15 thriller. Michael Kane, Dripping Springs head volleyball coach, said complacency and a talented Rebel lineup were factors in the loss. “I feel like we got complacent. We let a team that had a lot of talent start believing in themselves,” Kane said. Dripping Springs shot out of the gate early on and took control of momentum in the first two sets. Kane said Monday’s start was reminiscent of the way Dripping Springs handled Hays on the final day of the John Turner Classic in Pearland. Dripping Springs swept Hays 2-0 in both teams’ final game of the tournament. Consistency in attack-

ing the middle of the court paid dividends for the Tigers Monday. Dripping Springs was led by senior Graceyn Tippens, who finished with 13 kills, along with junior Alexis Haydt, who finished with five kills. “I expected this to be a war. On Saturday, we played them to perfection and took them out of the their game,” Kane said. “We did the same philosophy in this match. The same intensity, the same thing, the same result.” But Dripping Springs suddenly lifted its collective foot off the gas pedal. Hays quickly took advantage. The Rebels’ comeback bid began with a hardfought 25-19 set victory. The Rebels then hung on late to tie the match 2-2 and force a fifth and decisive set. Hays kept working and found its bearings to win in set five. Stephanie Coates, Hays Rebel head coach, lauded her team’s ability to rally from a two-set deficit. “Volleyball is a funny sport. The tides seem to change when you just don’t give up,” Coates said. Kane said Dripping Springs’ woes stemmed from leaning too much

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Hays Rebel Kaitlyn Krafka (left, 9) attempts to hit the ball past the reach of Alexis Haydt (6) and Ava Pritchard (20) on Monday.

on Tippens, who was one of the lone threats on offense in the latter three sets. He believed Tippens’ talent often leads to her drawing a double block 85 percent of the time. Inexperience in some positions was also a factor in the match. Kane said the mix of inexperience and athletes with varsity-level ability can lead to a “roller coaster of emotions.” “We have to understand we can’t rely on (Graceyn) as much as we could in the middle,” Kane said. “We have to learn we have to score to relieve pressure from the

outside.” Dripping Springs now readies to continue marching through its challenging schedule, which includes traveling to the Fraulein Touranemtn in New Braunfels. Kane said the team’s practices are their matches as they’re “playing in the fire against all playoff contenders. “That’s a lot to ask of our kids, but that’s what we ask at Dripping Springs,” Kane said. “We’re going to load up our preseason and see where we are. When tournament season is over, we can make adjustments.”

Education Local student turns the page on book drive BY MOSES LEOS III Video games, fidget spinners and even hoverboards are items today’s youth covet when it comes to birthday or holiday gifts. For 13-year-old Dripping Springs resident Ramsey Hutton, a gift card to Barnes and Noble or Half-Price Books will suffice, thank you very much. Ever since she was a toddler, Hutton has pursued life through the pages of a book. Now Hutton aims to share her love of reading with children who may not have the chance to purchase books of their own. Working with Dripping Springs ISD and the Dripping Springs Presbyterian Church, Hutton hopes to raise enough books to give to children in the Dripping Springs area. “It makes me so happy to donate books, because I can share that same joy that I have for reading. Some of these kids may not have owned a book before,” Hutton said. “It makes me happy because I’ve always taken advantage of books, and these kids treasure them.” Hutton’s love for reading began with her parents and grandparents, who all stressed the need and importance of reading.

Hutton said she remembers being read to at night by her parents or grandparents. When she got older, Hutton’s parents started to read chapter books to her each night. “When I started reading on my own, I would read through books super fast,” Hutton said. Once she was older, Hutton sought to encourage and expand her love of reading. Driven by her mother’s encouragement to give back to the community, Hutton helped the Austin-based Manos de Christo organization during a school supplies drive. The event provided children with backpacks and school supplies needed for the upcoming school year. It also provided students with books to read as well. While Hutton enjoyed helping out MDC, she was disheartened to realize each child could receive just one book. “That made me upset because I have piles of books in my room and I read them once and get rid of it,” Hutton said. “These kids read them over and over again because that’s all they have.” Hutton decided she needed to do something to mitigate the problem. The solution was creating a book donation drive in 2016.

“It makes me so happy to donate books, because I can share that same joy that I have for reading. Some of these kids may not have owned a book before. It makes me happy because I’ve always taken advantage of books, and these kids treasure them.” –Ramsey Hutton, book drive volunteer

Helping Hutton were her parents, who each did their part to spread the word. Andy Hutton, Ramsey’s father, took to social media to alert the area of the book drive. Her mother, Alissa, a DSISD

elementary educator, sent emails regarding the drive. Ramsey talked with and received assistance from the DSPC as well. Over the course of a few weeks, Ramsey collected

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3,917 books for MDC, which equated to four books per child. Armed with the success of the MDC drive, Ramsey now plans to focus a 2017 book donation drive to help the Dripping Springs

area. One of the primary inspirations for Hutton was Grace Baxter, a 2016 Dripping Springs High graduate, who helped found the non-profit Center of the Plate. Baxter’s non-profit collected meat and donated it to needy families in the Dripping Springs area. Her ability to help the Dripping Springs community spurred Hutton to create the drive. “If she can do this and collect meat and donate it to families in need, I can start a mission where I can help families as well,” Hutton said. “Even though I’m younger than most people expect.” A wide range of books is what Hutton plans to collect in her drive. She hopes to collect more books in Spanish, as well as bilingual and English language books. With help from the school district, Hutton also hopes to donate books to children who may not be confident in asking for them at food and supply donation evnets. It also encourages a skill that not only helps people escape the stresses of the real world, but also empower their minds. “We have so much, but some have so little,” Hutton said. “It makes me happy to be able to help out.”

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See puzzle, page 5

Music Fest Moves Continued from pg. 1

In a press release, OSMF organizers Friday said they are being forced to move after Scott Roberts, owner of the Salt Lick Pavilion in Driftwood, opted to not host the festival in 2018. As a result, organizers will instead hold the 2018 festival on a recently purchased 145-acre property in Dale, a small community just outside of Lockhart. According to the release, organizers for the 30-year-old festival were “surprised and disappointed” to receive a letter from Roberts on Aug. 8 regarding the cancellation at the Salt Lick. Organizers had planned for one final celebratory festival at the Salt Lick Pavilion site in 2018. In June, organizers

for OSMF purchased 145-acres near Dale as the future site of the festival, which was to be unveiled at a later date. The final festival in Driftwood would have honored Roberts, the Salt Lick and “everyone involved.” However, Roberts said in his letter that his decision was “based on changing use of the surrounding property and concern about alienating his new neighbors.” Roberts is planning to develop a 560acre, mixed-use luxury development called Driftwood. The development is expected to house as many as 8,000 residential units that have a price tag of $1 million or more. “We have enjoyed our

“We have enjoyed our 15-year association with the Salt Lick, throughout the years introducing over 220,000 people throughout Texas and the world to the Salt Lick’s delicious barbecue. They have been very generous over the years, as have the oﬃcials and people of Hays county.” – Jean Spivey, festival executive director.

15-year association with the Salt Lick, throughout the years introducing over 220,000 people throughout Texas and the world to the Salt Lick’s delicious barbecue. They have been very generous over the years, as have

the officials and people of Hays County,” said festival executive director Jean Spivey. The new location in Dale is the third site for OSMF, which began at Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock in 1987.

The new site doubles the festival’s space “and allows for numerous improvements, according to the release. Johnny Harvey, board president for OSMF, said board members concluded the festival had outgrown the space available at the Salt Lick Pavilion. That decision was made based on feedback over the last two years. “Given the Salt Lick’s decision, we’re really glad we purchased this property when we did,” Harvey said. “The purchase will allow Old Settler’s to design and develop a festival site and camping-oriented facility that will soon be known as one of the premier event locations in Texas.” The departure of the

festival brings mixed emotions for Hudson, who has attended the OSMF for the past 29 years. He feels the move could be a good thing “in the long run” if necessary infrastructure is put in place to accommodate RVs and campers. He hopes the new location in Dale could replicate a similar feel of isolation as at Camp Ben. Hudson said he’s “staying tuned” on whether to attend next year’s festival or not. But the days of putting folding chairs in Onion Creek and playing guitars and mandolins is something Hudson will continue to remember. “This move could be a good thing. But I’ll be surprised if it turns out to be,” Hudson said.

Thursday, August 17, 2017

www.HaysNewsDispatch.com

Page 5

Burke Center expands to help at-risk boys BY SAMANTHA SMITH

Expanding to 31 acres was all that was needed for the Burke Center for Youth in Driftwood to continue helping at-risk boys prepare for adult life. With the addition of two transitional homes, the Burke Center hopes to help boys aged 18 to 22 learn the skills needed to succeed beyond the foster system. Steve Fournier, executive director at the Burke Center, said the expansion continues the mission of the treatment center, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit that opened in 1975, which helps boys cope with past trauma. “It’s the adage that you can’t save all the starfish beached on the seashore, but if you try throwing them back one at a time, you can make a dent in the system,” Fournier said. Fournier said Rosemary Burke and Charlie Campise created the center “to help the most lost child in society. It was deemed that adolescent boys from the ages of 11 to 17 would be the focus of the center. “These are boys from the foster system that have been neglected, abused and have had some major traumas in their past and they’re struggling to make it work in a foster home or an adopted situation,” Fournier said. Fournier said the Burke Center helps boys from all over the state. Those living in Driftwood at the 24hour residential treatment center receive therapy and treatment necessary to develop coping skills that help them adapt to less restrictive environments. “We have 24-hour care for the boys,” Fournier said. “We have five therapists in areas like mindfulness, drug addiction, sexual issues, anger management, an equine therapist and a pediatric psychiatrist.” Fournier said boys at the center can stay for any length of time and said some boys are at the center for nine months to a year and a half. Boys at the Burke Center attend school on-site with the University of Texas Charter School. “UT has done a really good job and helps them (students at Burke Center) catch up and sometimes surpass other kids their age when they are getting help here,” Fournier said. Fournier said the center

“What we saw was a disconnect when the kids turn 18 and they are put out on the street and don’t have a whole lot of help. I heard someone quote that there’s a 30 percent success rate if they don’t have a social structure to help them.” –Steve Fournier, executive director at the Burke Center

saw a great need for boys who turned 18 and were pushed out of the state foster system to live on their own. Most of them lacked the skills needed to thrive and prosper in society. “What we saw was a disconnect when the kids turn 18 and they are put out on the street and don’t have a whole lot of help,” Fournier said, “I heard someone quote that there’s a 30 percent success rate if they don’t have a social structure to help them.” The Burke Center is hoping to meet those needs by building two transitional living homes, or supervised independent living homes. The residences house four boys each and allow the occupants to learn important life skills, such as getting and keeping a job, managing bills and housework and buying food. Fournier said the new transitional homes are intended for boys aged 18 to 22. Each boy will be given assistance to find a job in the local community and is given a donated car. The boys will also be required to either attend a college or trade school to qualify to live in the house. Fournier said a member of the Care Counselors staff would check on the boys at the transition house daily. They will also serve as a resource if they have questions about work, school or other issues. Fournier said the center will cover the costs of property taxes on the two transition homes, but the boys will be responsible for paying the electricity bill as well as rent of $100 a month. The cost of rent will go into a savings fund for them once they transition out and into an apartment. Fournier said one transition house is already built with the help of the local community and

houses one boy. The house itself cost around $200,000 to build. Thanks to donated services and materials from within the community, the Burke Center spent

approximately $90,000 out of pocket. “Everybody needs somebody as a social background or structure to help them get through these times, and these boys are lucky to have one of our staff to be able to do that for them,” Fournier said. Fournier said the construction of the second transition house on the newly purchased property has not yet begun. He said the center is waiting on a rural development loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for funding. Once funding is established, Fournier said the second transition house should be completed within a year.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BURKE CENTER

With the addition of two transitional homes, the Burke Center hopes to help boys aged 18 to 22 learn the skills needed to succeed beyond the foster system.

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