The Ridgerunner

Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX
Hays County is gearing up for the 2010 U.S. Census – a critical undertaking that will help determine its share of some $400 billion per year in federal funding for education, hospitals and social programs, as well as the number of seats Texas will have in the U.S. House of Representatives and how redistricting lines will be redrawn.

The census, required by the U.S. Constitution, counts every person in every household every 10 years to reach a population figure that will be used officially for the next 10 years. Census questionnaires will be delivered in mid March, and should be returned by April 1. Failure to do so will cause an added government expense and inconvenience by requiring a Census worker to call and/or visit to ensure the household is properly counted.

This year’s census form has only 10 questions. To take a look at the form in advance, go to http://2010.census.gov/2010census/how/interactive-form.php and choose English or Spanish.

“The information that the census collects is not shared with any other government agency or private business,” said Sophia Azoubel, one of the Census Bureau’s representatives for Hays County. “Population Information is needed for programs that ultimately benefit the people of Hays County. An accurate count would help ensure that federal funds are allocated equitably to Hays County.”

The Census Bureau is currently hiring temporary part-time and full-time workers to assist with the Census. Hays County residents can call 1-866-861-2010 for information about available jobs, qualifications and how to apply.

Legislators set goal of finding “consensus” for an area groundwater policy. “As legislators representing Western Hays County, we have witnessed stark divisions within the District’s constituency about what amount of regulation is needed to protect our quality of life in the Hill Country. But we believe that these divisions are surmountable, and are committed to working with the District and the stakeholder group to build consensus.” Our legislative representatives met with the District’s leadership during the summer and those meetings resulted in two initiatives. The District’s leadership will meet with Chambers of Commerce, Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs and other civic and business groups. Andrew Sansom, Executive Director of the River Systems Institute at TSU will be the guide for discussions among identified community stakeholders with a view to establishing a consensus position on legislation that will support the District’s and the community’s long-term groundwater needs before the legislature meets in 2011.

“We are pleased with the commitment from our State Legislators to invest their time and leadership to help guide the District to a policy that is supported by a cross section of our constituency,” said Doug Wierman, President of the Hays Trinity Groundwater District’s board. “Coupled with the District’s community outreach, we have a clear path toward putting policies in place that support our long-term plans.

“Few issues are as personal as water. The stakes for our area are high and I am excited to have the opportunity to work on how to build consensus on how best to support the District’s mission and shape legislative proposals,” added Andrew Sansom.

The stakeholder group is said to include local mayors, Chambers of Commerce, conservation groups, Real Estate organizations, water companies, property owners associations, and elected Hays County officials. When contacted, some listed as part of the stakeholder group indicated that they had not been consulted about participation.

The process that Rose and sidekick Andrew Sansom have launched at the eleventh hour remains sketchy at best, but the list of special interests is clear. Here, for example, are some of the players who showed up on their list:

San Marcos and Austin Boards of Realtors,
Wimberley and Dripping Springs Chambers of Commerce,
Hays County Builders Association,
Texas Farm Bureau
Real Estate Council of Austin

The “stakeholder driven process,” might give Rose something to talk about when he comes under attack from critics, but he may find that his eleventh hour solution is perceived as just another effort to fool voters. For years, Rose would tell people that there are some “players he still had to bring to the table.” It was his standard response when constituents asked why he wouldn’t help the groundwater district. When pressed to identify who the “players” were, Rose would simply say that he couldn’t reveal the names. Now the list is out.

Stayed tuned. Rose’s eleventh hour launch of the Stakeholder Driven Process for Legislative Change may turn out to be the story of the year. At a minimum it’s the story of a man desperate to be re-elected.
-Charles O’Dell

WPOA Roads Manager Jim Westbrook reported to attendees at the November 21st general meeting that new stop signs have gone up in several locations in a continued effort to address the speeding problem on many of our Woodcreek North streets. A recent letter from a local resident with a small child reinforced the importance of this effort to control speeding. “We have a baby and she turns one year-old this month. She’ll be walking soon, and we are very concerned about speeders.”

Westbrook also noted that violators could receive two tickets if caught speeding and running stop sign. Our streets have been greatly improved over the last several years. Now it’s time for all of us to improve our driving habits and to take into consideration the safety of not only our children, but of all of us.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Conley presented information concerning Hays County’s possibly taking over the maintenance of roads within Woodcreek North. All roads within our area are now privately maintained with proceeds from the annual maintenance fees paid by all property owners. A map accompanying the Commissioner’s presentation showed the roads that are currently at the standards required for such an assuming of maintenance. These include major arteries such as Valley Spring, Pleasant Valley, Crazy Cross, Woodacre, Creekside and Saddle Rock Ridge.

Conley explained that a petition from area residents would be necessary to begin the takeover process and that it would in turn be presented to the entire Commissioners Court for study and possible action. He also noted that certain signage requirements would have to be met and that the homeowners association would bear the cost of bringing signs up to the proper standards. He noted that the county has already accepted Vallley Spring from 2325 to just past Peace Pipe.

There are five nominees for three places on the WPOA board of directors and ballots have gone out to all owners, both resident and non-resident. Those nominated by the nominations committee are Bill Bradfield, Joseph Jamieson and Keith Haney. At the WPOA’s general meeting on November 21st, Donna Hathway and Lynn Scudder were nominated from the floor. Ballots contain personal information about and the qualifications of each of the nominees.

It is requested that ballots be returned as quickly as possible. Tabulation and verification will take place during the WPOA annual meeting to be held at 10 a.m. on January 16th, and the board members will be announced. The meeting will be held at the WPOA office located at 109 Woodacre Drive.

Kyle Clinic
150 Lockhart
Phone: 512-268-1270

Onion Creek Senior Citizens Center Buda Senior Center
401 Barton’s Crossing
Buda
Phone: 512-468-4451

Hays CISD Performance Arts Center
979 Kohler’s Krossing
Phone: 512-268-2141

San Marcos Clinic Flu Shot Clinics
401-A Broadway
Phone: 512-393-5520

More information at 211 Texas website: https//www.211texas.org

Although it was reported in the October issue that flu shots would be available in Wimberley, we have been informed that the information is incorrect. The information we have been able to locate regarding the nearest available source for shots is below:
FLU SHOTS
Site: DRIPPING SPRINGS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT DSISD

Operating Agency: HAYS COUNTY PERSONAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT

510 W. Mercer St.
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
512-858-3000 Main ISD Switchboard
512-858-3004 Additional Number Transportation
512-465-6100 Additional Number
Website: www.dsisd.txed.net

Days/Hours: See Sites Hours, please note some clinics require pre registration

Description: Provides flu shots for adults and children ages 3 and up. Pneumonia shots are offered for adults as long as their supply lasts. Offers flu mist for adults and children ages 2-49.
As of 9/15/2009 they are waiting for their Mercury free attenuated vaccine shots have been ordered but not received. Children ages 6 months to 3 years will be eligible for this inactivated vaccine when it is available.

Eligibility: Flu shots for all ages over 6 months, pneumonia shots for anyone over 65 or if are high risk,for more information see Description

Fees: Flu Shots:
Adults: $20, Pneumonia shots: $40, free with Medicare Part B and Medicaid, families will not be turned away because of inability to pay

Area Served: Hays

Intake Procedure: Walk-ins only

Documents Required: Immunization records for children if available, Medicaid and Medicare Part B recipients need to bring their cards, if attending one of the Outreach Clinics one time only you need to bring your original Medicare card AND a photocopy of it with you as there are no copiers at these temporary facilites

Disability Access: Designated Parking

Services Offered: Flu Shots – Pneumococcal Pneumonia Immunizations –

Now that we’ve had some rain and meteorologists are predicting more to come throughout the fall and winter months, here are some ideas for catching and using rainwater.

Residential irrigation can account for 40 percent of domestic water consumption in a given municipality. Rain barrels not only store water, they help decrease demand during the sweltering summer months. Only 1/4 inch of rainfall runoff from the average roof will completely fill the typical barrel. Collection of water from rooftop runoff can provide an ample supply of this free ’soft water’ containing no chlorine, lime or calcium. Because it tends to have fewer sediments and dissolved salts than municipal water, rain water is ideal for a multitude of applications, including biodynamic and organic vegetable gardens, raised planter beds for botanicals, indoor tropicals like ferns and orchids, automobile washing, and cleaning household windows. Saving water in this manner will reduce the demand for treated tap water.

Rainwater diversion will also help decrease the burden on water treatment facilities. The storage of rainwater is also recommended for general emergency preparedness, or for areas prone to disasters or drought. A good formula to remember: one inch of rain on a 1000 sq ft roof yields 623 gallons of water. Calculate the yield of your roof by multiplying the square footage of your roof by 623 and divide by 1000.