oakhillgazette.com
November 14, 2013 Volume 18, No. 22 Southwest Austin’s Community Newspaper Since 1995
Diamonds are a kid’s best friend...
OHAN works to keep Oak Hill District intact by Bobbie Jean Sawyer OAK HILL - The daunting task of drawing single-member city council districts is winding down and the Oak Hill Association of Neighborhoods (OHAN) is taking steps to ensure the Oak Hill community remains intact. The Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission (ICRC), which is charged with drawing ten city council districts in an effort to ensure more accurate and fair representation throughout the city, will hold its final meeting on Nov. 14 at 6:30 at the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex at 1156 Hargrave St. On Nov. 6, the ICRC voted unanimously to adopt the Proposed Final Plan. The commission is set to take final action the week of Nov. 18, just
a couple of weeks before its Dec. 1 deadline. The most recent ICRC map keeps all of Oak Hill together in District 8, which also encompasses Zilker Park and a neighborhood off of Stratford Drive. At its November monthly meeting, OHAN developed a proposal in support of District 8’s current boundaries in the ICRC’s final draft, requesting that OHAN neighborhoods remain together in the final version. OHAN has developed its preferred District 8 map, which includes all OHAN member association neighborhoods and leaves room for the Lost Creek neighborhood when it’s annexed into the city next year. OHAN secretary Rick Perkins said See OHAN on page 26
Rally planned to save the ‘Taco Bell’ oak tree by Bobbie Jean Sawyer
Darius Williams hands over his hard saved cash and piggybank to Oak Hill Baseball Commissioner Jeff Hodges to help rebuild the baseball diamonds where he plays ball with his teammates.
The Horn is a big hit: $35k raised story and photos by Travis Atkins
OAK HILL - He may not have been the biggest donor—standing less than five feet tall—but Darius Williams definitely stood out at ESPN Austin’s all day live fundraising broadcast from the Oak Hill Youth Sports Association (OHYSA) baseball fields on
Friday, November 1st. Williams, who’s in the Coach Pitch division (seven and eight year-olds) and wants to be a Major League Baseball player when he grows up, handed over a plastic bag filled with cash and his Crayola Crayon piggy bank to Oak Hill Baseball Commissioner Jeff Hodges. His money was part of an estimated $35,000
raised on the day, according to the station. From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the station—known as 104.9 The Horn—featured their normal lineup of shows as people came by to donate cash and old metals, electronics and batteries for the cause. Rudy’s Barbeque, Golden See THE HORN on page 27
OAK HILL - Supporters of the historic “Taco Bell” oak tree at the intersection of Hwy. 290 and William Cannon will hold a rally from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17, to help save the landmark heritage oak. The tree, which stands in the way of TxDOT’s street renovations at William Cannon, was temporarily saved by an outpouring of public support. The community was given until Dec. 31 to relocate the tree, if possible. Andrea Street, an Oak Hill resident who’s been a champion for the tree ever since learning of its shaky fate, is an organizer for the event. Street said volunteers would be handing out flyers, carrying signs and collect-
A rally is planned for Sunday, noon to 3pm. at the ‘Taco Bell’ tree at William Cannon and Hwy. 290. ing donations for a $3,000 feasibility study to determine whether the tree is able to be transplanted. Street said the goal of the event is to inform Oak Hill residents that the tree is in danger. See RALLY on page 26