The Ridge Runner

Called Directors Meeting

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 08:45:29 -0400

NOTICE OF SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE WOODCREEK PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION

Date: June 4, 2012

Time: 9:30a.m.

Place: 109 Woodacre Drive

Wimberley TX 78676

AGENDA

Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America

Executive Session

The Board of Directors will hold a closed executive meeting or session pursuant to Section 209.0051 of the Texas Property Code to receive advice from Legal Counsel to discuss matters of land acquisition, litigation, and personnel matters as specifically listed on this agenda. The Board of Directors may also announce it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, to receive advice from Legal Counsel regarding any other item on this agenda.

1. Discussion regarding future site of the WPOA office.

2. Consultation and deliberation with counsel regarding pending and contemplated litigation.

Possible action may follow in open session.

Reconvene open Session:

1. Summary of action or decisions, if any, taken by the Board in executive session.

Adjournment

Called by:

Merry Merian, President

Sue Csejka, Director

Glynn Schanen, Directoro

Great Entertainment

Thu, 31 May 2012 10:40:26 -0400

Great Entertainment

Anita Fournier's Foodinis

Wed, 30 May 2012 14:18:35 -0400

Before we begin, I want to share with you just what a dinner menu in Italy consists of:

Dinner Menu
The dinner menu consists of four courses. First the Antipasti, next a pasta dish in a small bowl or plate. Then a course consisting of poultry, meat, or fish and finally the salad perhaps followed by dessert. Please do not botch up an Italian meal by serving salad at the beginning of the meal. It belongs just where I told you. The purpose of salad (Insalata) at the end is that it cleans the pallet after the meal. When I dine out at an Italian Restaurant I am always appalled when the salad comes first. THAT is American, not Italian. So, my friends, let’s do it right!

Regional Cooking from Piedmont

The Piedmont region of Italy, is famous for its marvelous, earthy truffles. From generation to generation, the art of finding truffles
is passed to the next truffle hunter in the family. It is my understanding that in Piedmont they use mongrel dogs only, as pedigreed dogs do not have the same skills. The truffle is hidden beneath the ground, several inches deep. The famous truffle has a penetrating aroma, and is widely used in Rissoto and wild game dishes.

The capital of Piedmont is Turin, a fascinating city. There is nothing quite like it anywhere else in Italy as it is laid out in a grid from the city center.

They boast in this region to have a hot dip dish that dates back to the 18th century. It is a delicious sauce that is dipped with raw vegetables such as cardoons which are grown in the region of Chieri. They have the biggest and the best. I have purchased cardoons at Whole Foods and Central Market.

This dip, called BAGNA CAUDA, is a garlic and anchovy sauce. This is a specialty dish of the Piedmontese. The name Bagna Cauda literally means “hot bath”.

BAGNA CAUDA

1 cup of butter
4 tablespoons olive oil (I use Pompeian, extra virgin)
6 anchovy fillets, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 small truffle, thinly sliced. This is optional

Heat the butter and oil together in a shallow pan, and sauté the garlic but be careful not to brown it. Take the pan off the heat, and add the anchovies, and stir this with a wooden spoon. Turn the heat on low and cook it gently until the anchovies dissolve into a paste. Add a pinch of salt. Add the truffle last. Serve this dish hot, along with raw vegetables: cardoons, celery, peppers, artichokes, green onions, cauliflower, broccoli and boiled potatoes.What makes the above recipe so nice as it gives us an alternative to the plain, very ordinary, raw vegetables, served with processed prepared dips we find in our local grocery stores. Goes well during cocktail hour along with canapés.

Although Turin is an industrial city, the residents somehow still find the time to sit in the cafes in the afternoon enjoying tea, and pastries from those old world elegant pastry shops. This is a longstanding tradition. Believe it — they still exist today. Such ambiance!

Piedmontese have a fondness for and produce many wonderful cheeses such as fontina. They use fontina in their fondue dishes. Butter is also widely used in this region. Rich broths are held in high esteem, which is why they prefer broth or soup to rand pasta.

Keep in mind that Turin is surrounded by Alpine slopes. The Po and Tanaro rivers provide magnificent trout and the fertile plains provide meat and game.

The wines produced here are Barolo and Barbera. Powerful and strong, they go well with roasts and red meats. Other wines are Gattinara, Lessona Mottalciata, Langhe, Cortese, and Asti. Cortese goes especially well with fish.

The Piemontese boast that they invented vermouth which is enjoyed all over the world.

Here is a Sauce that is served with boiled meats, OR fish. It is called Salsa Verde.

SALSA VERDE alla PIEMONTESE
Piedmontese Green Sauce

2 salted anchovies
1 hard boiled egg yolk
5 tablespoons of finely chopped parsley
1 clove garlic,
1 tablespoon capers
4 teaspoons of bread crumbs
Milk, olive oil, salt and pepper

Wash the anchovies and chop them together with the egg yolk. Add the garlic, parsley, bread (soaked in milk and squeezed dry) and capers . Pound this mixture to a paste.Gradually add enough olive oil to make a fairly liquid sauce. Each time you add an ingredient, beat it. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If you chose, you may omit the capers.

As time goes on I will continue to give you recipes that are fairly easy to prepare. In the 21st century both parents or single parents within a household are out working daily. This leaves little time for food preparation. Keeping this in mind, I will do my best to accommodate.

We will move through Italy from North to South, and cover a lot of territory. So, sit back and relax, and enjoy traveling with me.

Ciao !
Anita Savino Fournier
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Dispute Resolution Center Offers 40-hour Mediation Course

Wed, 30 May 2012 10:33:47 -0400

The Hays County Dispute Resolution Center (HCDRC) is offering a 40-Hour Basic Mediation Skills Course for persons interested in becoming a credentialed, neutral, third-party mediator.
Deadline to register for the course is June 5. The class will be taught over eight days June 12-23 at the DRC, 829 N. LBJ #108 in San Marcos.
HCDRC is a non-profit organization that facilitates problem solving for individuals and organizations by providing, promoting and teaching effective methods of conflict resolution, specifically mediation which is informal, cost-effective, confidential and time-efficient. The mediator is essential to the process and facilitates the discussion by listening to the parties, encouraging communication, identifying interests and advancing negotiation and development of effective solutions.
“Our focus is on persons who could not otherwise afford the services of private mediators,” DRC Director Tera Cleland said. “We serve individuals seeking to resolve their issues outside of the courtroom as well as those directed to us by the courts.”
The $800.00 mediation course is accredited by several professional organizations and certificates will be issued on the last day of class for those successfully completing the training. Continuing education credits may also be available for professionals in the field. For more information, visit www.hcdrc.org or call 512.878.0382.
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County Government Month Results in Bonus for Food Bank

Wed, 30 May 2012 10:28:53 -0400

Hays County employees in April celebrated County Government Month by holding a food drive to benefit area food banks.
The results: nearly 300 pounds of food and more than $160 were delivered recently to the Hays Food Bank to help feed the hungry. The Food Bank, located in San Marcos, provides food to distribution points throughout the county.
A recent U.S. Department of Agriculture survey indicated that Texas ranks second in the nation in the percentage of people struggling with “food insecurity,” a term that refers to households where members have difficulty meeting their food needs. The Texas House Human Services and Public Health committees are currently investigating why those nearly 4 million Texans are having difficulty getting enough food.
It is estimated that 1 in 4 children and 1 in 5 adults in Central Texas suffers from food insecurity. In the San Marcos and Hays consolidated school districts, between 52 and 71 percent of children qualify for reduced or free lunches.
The Hays County Food Bank provided food to more than 14,000 people throughout Hays County in 2011.
To donate food or money, or to volunteer at the Hays Food Bank, visit www.haysfoodbank.org or call 512.392.8300.

Burn Ban Off in Hays County – For Now

Wed, 23 May 2012 19:40:57 -0400

The Hays County Commissioners Court Tuesday reaffirmed that a ban against burning in Hays County remains lifted – for the time being. County Judge Bert Cobb, M.D., noted that while the outdoor burning of brush and debris is still legal citizens needing to do so should plan to burn soon and with care.
“With highs in the 90s and fewer chances of rain as we approach summer, we expect we’ll have to reinstate the burn ban soon,” Cobb said. “If you have burning that you need to do, do it soon and be extremely careful. If you are burning a large amount of brush, advise your local fire department (not the Sheriff’s Office) as a precaution and as a courtesy, tell your neighbors.”
Fire Marshal Mark Chambers echoed the judge’s concern. “In addition to the drought index, fire safety officials look at wind conditions and number of responses to out-of-control burns to determine when a ban should be in place,” he said. “While the drought index is currently low – in the low 100s – as the dryness continues it can rise rapidly to the danger zone of 500. Fire officials in the county look daily at whether a burn ban should be in place and the County Judge has the authority to reinstate the ban on their advice.”
Chambers noted that when in force a burn ban typically exempts charcoal and gas grills in approved, lidded containers, but burning in “burn barrels” (even ones with screens on the top) is not allowed.
Information about outdoor burning, the drought index and fire safety is available by visiting the County website at www.co.hays.tx.us and choosing Fire Marshal from the Law Enforcement drop-down.
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Anita Fournier's Foodinis

Wed, 23 May 2012 19:33:13 -0400

Travel, travel, travel; we just stay on the road, don’t we. I love it! Nothing makes me happier than to travel. I look for traditional specialties wherever I go, try them, and if delicious, pass them on to you.

We now are in a region that borders Portugal on the west and is the land of the Conquistadores, the explorers who began searching for the New World. This was in the 16th Century and these brave, courageous men were attempting to seek their fortunes. The main Villages now have turned into cities, and they are Trujillo, Merida, and Caceres.

Exteremadura boasts the marvelous lush valley of La Vera. It is also home to the sheep herders who have worked for wealthy families who own fincas in this territory. A finca is what we Americans refer to as large farms or ranches. To be termed “”finca” you must have hundreds of acres of land. I have a friend whose family has owned some of these properties for hundreds of years. Each year this family invites close friends from all over Europe to hunt pheasant, boars, partridge, and other game. Likewise, they are then invited to other hunts all over Europe each year during the hunting season. Heavy entertaining and parties abound during this period.

The cuisine is what is called “peasant food”. Usually meals of pork, lamb, ham and game are served. The famous “smoked paprika”, and goat cheeses are the regional products that the natives are known for, and believe me they are superb. I am told that this region is also a region to watch when it comes to wines. Not popular as yet, but guaranteed to be eventually some of Spain’s finest.

Let me now give you a little taste of Extremadura. First, let me please explain that in Spain the potato that is widely used, is the Yukon Gold. The Spaniards can boast that they have introduced these potatoes to us. That is “my take on the story” that floats around. All recipes from Spain lately have these gold potatoes. I too, have found that they are the newest and the best for recipes. If they are available to you, then I recommend using them. Otherwise, russets will do. The following is a simple dish that my relatives brought to Beaumont, Texas in the 1800’s, from Sicily, and lo and behold, I found the same recipe in Spain. I can guess that this is due to the Moorish and Arabic influence in both countries.

BOILED POTATOES AND GREEN BEANS WITH GARLIC
Patatas con judias verdes

½ cup of fragrant olive oil (I usePompeian)
2 cloves of garlic crushed with a garlic press
3 large Yukon Gold Potatoes (1 ½ lbs. Peeled)
Kosher or Sea Salt and black pepper to taste
8 ounces green beans, trimmed and cut into 1 ½ inch lengths
Place the potatoes in cold water in a large pot, and let the water cover the potatoes about 2 inches and boil them over medium heat.
Put the garlic and the olive oil in a small bowl, and stir to mix and let stand. Cut the potatoes into chunks. Simmer potatoes on low flame. When almost tender but still a little al dente, about 20 minutes, add the green beans and increase the heat and bring the water once again to a boil until the beans are tender. Drain the vegetables, and then transfer them to a shallow serving dish. Sprinkle with the salt & black pepper and drizzle the garlic olive oil over the top. I usually lightly toss mine. This recipe serves 4.

I promise that you will not be disappointed with the dish. I do it quite often, and it can also be served cold as a great salad for summertime.

We will remain in Extremadura in Spain for now. There is more to see and more to learn.

In this province we still have the smoky paprika, as the cooking in Castille and LaMancha. The word is “extremeno” which means peasant cuisine. Pork, lamb, and game dishes. The smoked paprika is outstanding, which is “pimenton de la Vera”. You can purchased the imported paprika at Whole Foods and Central Market. Call them before making the trip to Austin. The fusion of garlic, paprika and saffron is famous in this region.

Let’s talk about “MIGAS”….NO, my friends, this is not Migas as from Mexico or Tex-Mex breakfast migas. The Castillians did bring migas to Mexico where it was, through the decades, altered and changed. The word migas, in Castillian Spanish means crumbs. This dish we will prepare is sort of a fried bread hash.

MIGAS
SMOKY BREAD HASH

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 med. size garlic cloves (slice them thickly).
1 piece (2 ounces pancetta or smoky bacon, diced
4 ounces chorizo, diced
4 cups of day old dense country bread, torn in small pieces
1 ½ teasp Smoked sweet Spanish paprika
¼ cup seedless grapes, cut in half.
Sea salt to taste
4 fried or poached eggs.

Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium to low heat. Then add the garlic and cook until it is lightly golden. Transfer the garlic in a slotted spoon to a bowl. Add the pancetta, or bacon and cook until lightly browned. This may take about four minutes. Transfer the meat with your slotted spoon to the bowl that contains the garlic.

Add the bread to the skillet and stir so that it gets coated with oil. At this point you may want to add a little more oil, keeping it moist. When the bread gets crisp/golden add the paprika and stir for a few minutes. If too dry, add a bit more oil. Now return the garlic and meat to the skillet adding the grapes to the skillet and keep it warm until ready to serve it. Top it with the eggs and serve immediately. Serves four. At brunch, I recommend a fruity Spanish red wine or a fruity white wine.

Ah, Exremadura! The Merino sheep grazing over the rich land of the Fincas, provide wonderful cheeses. When eating the cheese from this area, and particularly those from Finca Pascualete, which is owned by the Countess of Romanones, and her family. As one eats the cheese, one can taste the faint grassy hazelnut flavor on the palate. Fresca!

The La Vera Valley is one of the prettiest areas in all of Spain. Lush and green, and the where Iberico pigs feed on acorns in the forests. The ham is delicious. There is a broad area of Extremadura that is harsh and this is the Western part of the country near the border of Portugal. Then there is just the opposite when you reach La Vera. The La Vera is considered a comarca - a county. Here the backdrop is mountains and a green, lush, and beautiful valley. This is western Spain as well. There are towns of Trujillo, and Caceres, and Merida. The latter town is really most notable for its ancient Roman ruins.

Frankly speaking, Spain is a beautiful country rich in heritage, cultures, scenery and proud people. I am reminded of the Spanish Civil War, and of my cousin, Prof. Luigi Savino from Sicily, (medical physician & professor at the Palermo University.) This cousin, whom I had the pleasure of knowing, told me stories from the time he fought in the Spanish Civil War when I visited him in Palermo. The first time I was in Spain it was during the reign of Franco. Even then you could see the remnants of war. When traveling through Spain, it is hard not to see the impact of that Civil War.

Hasta la vista!
Anita Savino Fournier

Vietnam War Memorial on Display

Wed, 23 May 2012 09:09:22 -0400

The Hays County Courthouse at 111 E. San Antonio Street, San Marcos, will be home to a replica of the proposed Texas Vietnam War Memorial through the end of May. The replica, located in the rotunda of the historic courthouse, is on tour to encourage donations that will allow it to be built on the grounds of the State Capitol. The Hays County Courthouse is its first stop on the tour.
“I had the pleasure of helping two Central Texas Vietnam War veterans, Patrick Reilly and Fred Hudgeons from the Military Order of the Purple Heart, assemble the traveling memorial that honors the half million Texans who served in that war,” said Jude Prather, Veteran Services Officer for Hays County. “The monument reflects the racial and ethnic diversity of those who served, those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those still missing today.”
A concurrent resolution approved by the 79th Legislature in May 2005 authorized the building of a monument at the Capitol to be paid for by private donations. The State Historical Commission will match donations up to a total of $500,000.
“I hope our residents will take the time to visit this beautiful tribute to our nation’s heroes as well as support the construction of the actual monument,” Prather said. More information about the monument and how to donate is available at www.buildthemonument.org. For more information about services provided to veterans by the Hays County Veteran Services Office, call 512.392.8387 or visit www.co.hays.tx.us and visit Veteran Services under the Health & Community dropdown.

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How to protest an appraisal

Sat, 12 May 2012 18:46:12 -0400

Protesting the Hays Central Appraisal District’s appraisal on your property is not difficult nor intimidating. You can print out the very short form for protesting at: www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/50-132.pdf.
You can fill out the form online, then print out two copies - one for you to keep and one to mail to HaysCAD. HaysCAD will notify you what to do next.

Remember to go to www.hayscad.com and check the appraisal of homes or lots near you to see that they are valued the same for the same properties. In Woodcreek North and Wimberley Springs, for example, the nearby (even next door!) lots owned by the developer (WSP) will be appraised lower than yours.

On the online form there are several reasons you can check for making the protest. I’m checking both 1) value on mine is too high and 2) valued unequally. Check as many boxes as apply.

The tax appraisal received in the mail probably was mailed on May 1. May 31st is the deadline for protests.

The “R” number on your appraisal sheet is the “Account Number.” Use your “R” number to find what neighbor properties are appraised at. For example, if your Protesting the Hays Central Appraisal District’s appraisal on your property is not difficult nor intimidating. You can print out the very short form for protesting at www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/50-132.pdf.
You can fill out the form online, then print out 2 copies - 1 for you to keep and one to mail to HaysCAD. HaysCAD will notify you what to do next.

Remember to go to www.hayscad.com and check the appraisal of homes or lots near you to see that they
are valued the same for the same properties. In Woodcreek North and Wimberley Springs, for example, the nearby (even next door!) lots owned by the developer (WSP) will be appraised lower than yours.

On the online form there are several reasons you can check for making the protest. I’m checking both 1)value on mine is too high and 2)valued unequally. You can check as many boxes as apply.

The tax appraisal you received in the mail probably was mailed on May 1, and so you have until May 31 to get your protest in.

The “R” number on your appraisal sheet is the “Account Number.” You can use your “R” number to find what neighbor properties are appraised at. For example, if your house or lot has R51234 as its account number, look at R51233 and R51235 to see how they are valued. And look at other R numbers near you.

Good luck!

Missed the “super moon” but got the...

Sun, 06 May 2012 17:10:48 -0400

Missed the “super moon” but got the rain….can’t complain!

Residency Requirement for Non-commercial Texas Driver Licenses and IDs

Sun, 06 May 2012 17:07:13 -0400

Beginning May 7, 2012, you must prove that either your residence or your domicile is in Texas and that you have lived here for at least 30 days in order to apply for an original Texas non-commercial driver license or ID card.

A “residence” is the place where you normally live, live most of the time, or return to after temporary absences. A “domicile” is your true, fixed, and permanent home. If either your residence or domicile is in Texas, you meet this requirement for a driver license or ID. (For example, college students may reside in another state while at school, but still have a Texas domicile if their parents live here.)

Proving Residency

You must prove your Texas residency by showing two acceptable documents that contain your name and residential address. One of the documents must prove that you have lived in Texas for at least 30 days, unless you are surrendering a valid, unexpired driver license from another state; then the 30 day requirement is waived.

If you are unable to provide two acceptable documents (for example, if you live with someone but are not listed on the lease), you may be eligible to complete a Texas Residency Affidavit.

Documents That Prove Residency

These documents prove residency for a non-commercial driver license or ID card:

Current deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet, or a residential rental/lease agreement
Valid, unexpired Texas voter registration card
Texas motor vehicle registration or title
Texas boat registration or title
Texas concealed handgun license
Utility statement (including electric, water, natural gas, satellite TV, cable TV, or non-cellular phone bill) dated within 90 days of the date of application
Selective Service card
Medical or health card
Current homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy or homeowner’s or renter’s insurance statement
Current automobile insurance policy or an automobile insurance statement
Texas high school, college, or university report card or transcript for the current school year
W-2 or 1099 tax form from the current tax year
Mail from financial institutions; including checking, savings, investment account, and credit card statements dated within 90 days of the date of application
Mail from a federal, state, county, or city government agency dated within 90 days of the date of application
Current automobile payment booklet
Pre-printed paycheck or payment stub dated within 90 days of the date of application
Current documents issued by the US military indicating residence address
Document from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice indicating the applicant’s recent release or parole
Current Form DS2019, I-20, or a document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
NOTE: The two documents must be issued by different companies or agencies. For example, you cannot use both a water bill and electricity bill from the same company.

Address Confidentiality

The residency requirement is waived for people who are authorized to use alternative addresses under the following circumstances:

Those who are subject to the address confidentiality program administered by the Office of the Attorney General.
Those who are currently incarcerated in a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility.
Those who are judges or spouses of judges.
Peace officers using alternative addresses must still prove Texas residency, even though their driver licenses may show alternative addresses. They must show that their mailing addresses meet Texas residency requirements.

Statutory Authority

The following Administrative Code and Transportation Code provide DPS the statutory authority to require proof of residence in order to apply for a driver license or ID card:

37 Texas Administrative Code §15.49
Texas Transportation Code, Section 521.1426

Pumping restrictions imposed

Fri, 04 May 2012 17:54:49 -0400

The Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) today declared Stage II mandatory pumping reductions for Edwards Aquifer users within its San Antonio Pool, which means more significant limits on how much water can be pumped from the aquifer. Stage II of the EAA critical period management plan requires Edwards groundwater permit holders in the San Antonio Pool – including all of Bexar and Medina, and parts of Atascosa, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays counties – to reduce their pumping from the aquifer by 30 percent of their annual authorized amount. San Marcos and Kyle rely on groundwater from the Edwards for a portion of their local water supply and are subject to the mandatory reduction.

Many thanks to our alert neighbors for reporting dump sites!

Fri, 04 May 2012 14:24:02 -0400

Many thanks to our alert neighbors for reporting dump sites!

Which is which? The snake on the LEFT is a CORAL SNAKE....

Wed, 02 May 2012 09:53:23 -0400

Which is which?
The snake on the LEFT is a CORAL SNAKE. Venomous.
The snake on the RIGHT is a MILKSNAKE. Not venomous.
Look at their stripes — remember this rhyme: Red and yellow, kill a fellow. The coral snake has red next to yellow stripes.
Red and black, friend of Jack. The milksnake has red next to black stripes.

Guidelines for posting comments to The Ridgerunner

Tue, 01 May 2012 18:42:07 -0400

While The Ridgerunner encourages reader comments, we must ask that commenters refrain from personal attacks and from anonymous posts. It is regrettable, but please be advised that such posts will be removed.

WPOA chooses new Board members

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 17:13:04 -0400

The dust created by the just concluded election for three members of the WPOA Board of Directors is settling a bit as the results are announced. Sally Caldwell, Mike Regan, and Liz Sumter were elected to serve the community by property owners who participated in the election either by mailing in, by electronically returning their ballots or by voting in person on January 21.

It would be nice to believe that now that the votes have been counted and certified, the communities of Eagle Rock and Woodcreek North could get on with business without the constant buzz of complaint, accusation and personal attack that characterized the run up to this election. Sadly, it will not be so. For whatever reason and to whatever end, those intent on attacks and specious complaint will not let up merely because this election has been decided.

There is much at stake for Wimberley area people during coming years. We will have to grapple with difficult questions about how much development can a water deficient area such as this sustain. It will be necessary to work together to find solutions that will promote the preservation of our beautiful valley while being fair to all. It is the Ridgerunner’s belief that this will not be accomplished should the future fall into the combative and unreasonable hands of those unwilling to compromise. We therefore applaud the decision of the property owners who chose to vote with the future in mind rather than to ratify the petty grievances of a few.

Members reject proposal to drop foreclosure action

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:59:34 -0400

Every year individual property owners in Woodcreek North pay a $120.00 maintenance fee to our property owners’ association (WPOA). Over all these years the largest part of this income has been spent on the building and maintenance of our roads. This income paid for the improvements to major thoroughfares so that Hays County would accept them for maintenance.

At the association’s recent general membership meeting a member in attendance submitted a proposal that was brought to a vote requiring the WPOA drop the pending foreclosure action against Wimberley Springs Partners (WSP). Members voted down the proposal and the foreclosure action is ongoing. This has been a chronic problem with WSP.

WSP uses Woodcreek North roads and refuses to chip in for their maintenance.
The partnership is engaged in trying to mitigate the losses it has suffered from their bad investment by convincing just enough owners to vote their sections out of the WPOA and thus becoming recipients of our contributions to road, park, mowing and other forms of maintenance our association does on a regular basis.

Where WSP owns at or near the majority of lots and by making promises that may or may not ever happen, it isn’t difficult for WSP to convince a few property owners to vote their sections out of the WPOA. When a section is taken over, the deed restrictions for WSP go into effect. A careful reading of the 140+ pages of restrictions reveals that WSP’s restrictions can be changed at any time by the WSCA Board of Directors or by Wimberley Springs Partners.

How is this fair?

Private-sale Vehicle Buyers Face Financial Penalties for Failure to Transfer Car Title within 30 Days

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 21:26:54 -0400

Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX – Not transferring a vehicle in 30 days can cost Hays County residents big money.
A new state law requires those who purchase vehicles in a private sale, whether it’s in or out of state, to obtain a new title within 30 calendar days or face financial penalties.
“In some counties people are finding they owe hundreds of dollars in title penalties for failing to transfer the title within a month of purchasing their new car or truck,” said Luanne Caraway, Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector. “Please don’t let this happen to you.”
Failure to transfer the title within the 30 days results in an automatic $25 penalty, plus another $25 for each month the title is late. There are no waivers for these penalties, which means the Hays County tax office and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles cannot reduce or forgive what you may owe.
The law does grant an additional 30 days to active-duty military personnel, which gives them 60 days to transfer the title before facing late title penalties.
While the penalties may seem harsh, it’s important to remember this helps to protect you when you go to sell a vehicle.
“When vehicle buyers don’t put the title in their name when you sell them a car or truck, anything they may do with that vehicle is going to trace to your name,” Caraway said.
However, sellers don’t have to rely solely on the buyer to do the right thing.
Whenever you sell a vehicle yourself or even trade one in to a dealer, it is important to file the free Vehicle Transfer Notification on the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles website, www.TxDMV.gov. “Sellers must file the Vehicle Transfer Notification within 30 days to receive the state-guaranteed protection from liability,” Caraway said. “This way you cannot be held responsible for anything the buyer does with your old vehicle.”
Buyers need to realize that titling the vehicle in their name also offers protection. “When a vehicle is titled in your name it gives you proof of ownership,” Caraway said.
Caraway offers these tips for people planning to buy or sell a vehicle.

Texas Buyers
· For your protection, never buy a vehicle in a private sale without receiving the title.
· Be sure the seller gives you the title. If the title is from Texas, you can go to Title Check at www.TxDMV.gov to see if it’s a clean title.
· The seller must sign, date and enter the odometer reading on the title back.
· Be sure the seller signs, dates and enters the sales price on Form 130-U. If you are purchasing the vehicle out of state, have the seller download the form from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles website, www.TxDMV.gov.
· Go to your local county tax office within 30 days to title the vehicle in your name.

Texas Sellers
· Sign, date and enter the odometer reading on the back of the title.
· Fill out your section of the mandatory Form 130-U. The buyer needs this to title the vehicle out of your name.
· Take off the license plates and transfer them for free to the new vehicle you buy. (That plate number ties directly to your name.)
· File the Vehicle Transfer Notification online at www.TxDMV.gov to remove your liability for the vehicle in the event the buyer does not transfer the title. You only have 30 days to file the Vehicle Transfer Notification to receive this state-guaranteed removal of liability.

For more information about title transfers in Hays County and office hours for the tax offices in Buda, Dripping Springs, Kyle and San Marcos, visit www.hayscountytax.com or call 512.393.5545.

THE MYTH OF PASS-THROUGH FINANCING

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:55:55 -0400

Pass-through financing is a misleading phrase, I think. It sounds as if taxpayers get something for free; as if
Hays County will simply pass on the cost of certain roads to the State or to the Feds — at any rate to someone
other than to us the taxpayers.

Not so. The highways are still funded by bond issues that we the taxpayers must pay off. The State may reimburse
the County for SOME of the costs, but those reimbursements are made over many years’ time. It’s not as if the
State immediately sends the County a check for the total cost of the project.

And the State doesn’t reimburse us for the total cost of the project EVER. Many costs are paid entirely by taxpayers
of the County. The State pays only for actual construction costs, and not even for all of that if users of the highway do
not come up to numbers predicted by the County. Hays County is not reimbursed for the cost of land for the right-of-
way. Also, many “soft” (non-construction costs) are not paid by the State — environmental impact and other studies;
highway design; bond investment banker fees; interest on the bond issue principal amount.

Even so called pass-through financing is still a DEBT of the county — only some of which the State eventually repays
to us.

-Barbara Hopson

Painted bunting!

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:22:10 -0400

Painted bunting!