50
Current Weekly News for Leakey, Camp Wood, Sabinal, Utopia and Surrounding Areas Vol. 6 No. 44
INSIDE
............................ Page 3
www.hillcountryherald.net
REAL COUNTY 2025 TOWN HALL MEETINGS ON WATER, WASTEWATER, SEPTIC TANKS, STORM WATER, STREETS AND ROADS
November 9
5:30 pm
November 16 5:30 pm
............................ Page 8
November 2, 2016
editor@hillcountryherald.net
Real County 2025 will host Town Hall Meetings on water, wastewater, septic tanks, storm water, streets and roads on the following dates: ............................ Page 3
Tri-Canyon’s Only Weekly Newspaper!
Leakey Senior Citizens’ Center RR 337 1⁄2 mile west of US Camp Wood Senior Citizens’ Center at 201 W. Fourth Street
You are encouraged to attend one or both of these meetings. Your input into these issues is important as we work together to develop a comprehensive plan to assist the county and our communities in decision making. Please contact Real County Judge Garry Merritt at (830) 232-5304 if you need more information.
��������������� ���������� ���������������������� ������������������ ���������������������������
���������������������� ��������������� ��������������������� ����������������� ����������������� ��������������
SABINAL HEALTH CLINIC ������������
�������������� Uvalde Memorial Hospital
Texas Game Warden Field Notes ............................. Page 11
We l c o m e to Diabetes Aw a r e n e s s Month!
............................ Page 9
Huajilla Retired Teachers Attend District Conference Eleven members of the Huajilla Unit of Retired Teachers attended the District 20 Fall Conference in Boerne on October 27. Members were able to get information related to several issues of concern to retirees under TRS. President Barbara Soto introduced the District 20 officers and committee chairs along with the 14 unit presidents. She thanked Kendall County members who served as greeters and Huajilla members who assisted with registration. Leroy Dehaven, State TRTA 2nd Vice President indicated the importance of renewing members into TRTA; 30,000 members from last year have not rejoined TRTA for 2016-2017, and, because “there is power in numbers,” TRTA’s voice needs to remain strong, especially when speaking of legislative issues. Current educators and retirees must work together to address current education concerns as well as retiree needs, and use these points when communicating with elected legislators. Dehaven outlined the three critical issues for the upcoming legislative session: school funding, the STARR test, and another run at the voucher system. With this in mind, our elected officials must become our “best buddies.” Ray Spivey, TRS Director of Government Relations followed up with the serious issue of keeping the Teacher Retirement System actuarially sound.
by Irene Dubberly
For several sessions, the Legislature has provided a “band-aid” to help meet the shortfall rather than address the solution for the long term. The defined contribution/ defined benefits issue for future retirees will also come up during the session, while TRS health care changes under Humana will be another major concern for retirees. Active and retired educators must keep informed of these issues once the legislature goes into session. John Bishop, District Manager for AMBA took time to briefly review member benefits such as long term care, dental and vision coverage, whole life and fixed annuities and ground/air ambulance service. During the business session, Ken Hanson, District 20 Legislative Chair, reiterated the importance of member communication with the elected officials and pointed Front row: Linda Perkins, Irene Dubberly, Kathy Carlson, Diana Bush. Back row: Ken Hanson, Sam Dubberly, Lola Hill, Walter Huegele, Charles Carlson and Verlie Nietenhoeffer. Charles out that members need to keep Carlson holds the pumpkin won by Verlie Niethehoeffer. informed of the committee appointments in order to better Foundation plan for scholarships for Huajilla members who attended were address them with retiree issues. Irene and Sam Dubberly, Charles and Ken and Nola Hanson will be visiting beginning teachers in 2017-2018. elected state representatives and senators After a solemn memorial service for Kathy Carlson, Ken and Nola Hanson, in January and February and will provide those TRTA members who are no Linda Perkins, Diana Bush, Verlie them with a fact sheet that will highlight longer with us, President Barbara Soto Nietenhoeffer, Lola Hill and Walter announced the state convention to be Huegele. current and future retiree concerns. Other assigned committee reports were held in Austin on March 27-28, and presented, including the new TRTA Rally Day at the Capitol on March 29.
............................ Page 13
INDEX Legals/Jail Register ... . Page 3Community News ......... Page 4-7 Feature Story ............... Page 8-9 Obituaries ...................... Page 10 Classifieds ..................... Page 14
Today’s Weather
High: 81° Low: 67°
Bandera Electric Cooperative Announces New Software System And Member App Mobile app, new bill among enhanced services for members Bandera Electric’s new software system launched Oct. 31, bringing members new services and options to manage their BEC accounts more effectively. BEC is excited to provide members features such as: · SmartHub web portal that gives members more control over their accounts. · A SmartHub mobile app that lets BEC members manage accounts from mobile devices such as tablets or smartphones in either Apple or Android
platforms. · My Usage, which lets members review and analyze their electric use either online or via mobile device. · A new bill that allows members to compare their energy usage with the correlating month of the previous year. “The transition to the new system and SmartHub app gives our members the power to manage their BEC accounts better than ever before; from near or far,” said BEC Chief Financial Officer Lynn Midgette. “They can easily view and manage energy use, pay bills and interact with BEC social media and
member services with the power of technology at their fingertips.” Members who currently utilize automatic credit card and auto draft payments will not have to contact the cooperative when the changeover happens, and they can expect their payments will be drafted on the due date. “BEC staff has worked diligently to ensure that the changeover is seamless and secure,” said Midgette. To log in to SmartHub for the first time, members should use their email address on-file with BEC and their previous Ebiz password. The Co-op is using
multiple communication avenues, from email messages to personal correspondence to print advertising, to keep members informed of changes as the software system goes live. Many behind-the-scenes processes have begun as the transition to the new system unfolds. Members can get more information about the new system implementation and how to use SmartHub at BanderaElectric.com and on the cooperative’s Facebook page.