MARCH 28, 2018 SHUT OUT
LIFE LESSONS
Rebel’s Valdez pitches shoutout game in 10-0 win over Vipers.
Lehman coach opens up about his past to help students’ futures.
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Vol. 122 • No. 53
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Wimberley students walk out, protest gun violence BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
PHOTO BY EXSAR ARGUELLO Law enforcement and school district officials surround a group of Wimberley High students who participated in a march against gun violence March 23.
“This was not a politically motivated event. It was to mourn and start a conversation to find answers.”
Kick starting a conversation on gun violence, as opposed to gun control, was the message from Wimberley High students who walked out of campus for a short period Friday. Their goal was to create communication that goes beyond party lines to bring some kind of closure for students and teachers killed in the Parkland, Florida school shooting on Feb. 14. The event was held
–Ben Thomas, Wimberley freshman who wrote a speech for the walkout
a day before millions marched in Austin, Washington D.C. and other major cities across the country advocating for gun violence awareness. A moment of silence was held and balloons
Mixed reviews on passage of Buda City Hall budget
BY KATERINA BARTON PHOTO BY EXSAR ARGUELLO Above, Congressional District 25 candidates Chris Perri (left) and Julie Oliver sit in a preparation area prior to their debate at the Hays County Tejano Democrats candidate debate at Kyle City Hall. Left, Congressional District 21 candidate Joseph Kopser addresses the forum.
Democratic run-off candidates debate before full crowd BY EXSAR ARGUELLO Texans looking to change the tide of a historically red state and county held high hopes as they listed to Democratic Primary candidates talk the issues in a debate prior to a key May 22 runoff. The standing-room only event, hosted by the Hays County Tejano Democrats and
the Kyle/Buda-Area Democrats at Kyle City Hall, featured Erin Zwiener and Rebecca Bell-Metereau, who are in a runoff for the Democratic nomination for State Representative, District 45. Also taking part in the debate was Chris Perry and Julie Oliver, who are running for U.S. House District 25. A debate was to occur
between Joseph Kopser and Mary Street Wilson, who are running for U.S. House, District 21. However, Wilson was involved in a car accident en route to the event and could not attend. Zwiener and Bell-Metereau often agreed with the Democratic platform, but differed on how to bring that change.
Both candidates, if elected to the seat, will be freshman lawmakers, a key component of the debate’s focus. Bell-Metereau said her approach to policy would be to have patience and persistence, seeking out experts to help educate and learn about the issues.
CANDIDATES FORUM, 6A
COMING UP Buda Easter Egg Hunt
Memorial Breakfast
It’s that time of year again! The City of Buda’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt is Saturday, March 31, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Buda Sportsplex. The actual Easter Egg Hunt begins at 9:30 a.m. This is a fun and free family event with candy and games for the kids. See you there!
To honor and recognize all Viet Nam Veterans, VFW Post 12161 will be serving free coffee and doughnuts at Buda Fire Dept. 8-10 AM on Saturday morning March 31, at 219 Jack Hays Trail at fire dept. Viet Nam vets and other veterans welcome.
Check out local Easter Services on page 4C
Market in the Park
Market in the Park is the first Saturday of each month from April through September, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Buda’s historical downtown Greenbelt. This is a free event.
GOING GREEN Hays CISD goes with grass at ball fields. – Page 1C
INDEX
BUDA CITY HALL BUDGET, 2A
WIMBERLEY PROTEST, 4A
FIRST DRAFT Single member districts for Buda
BY KATERINA BARTON A $922,943.78 bid for furnishings at Buda’s new city hall and library was approved March 20, but not without some reluctance from city leaders. Originally, the Buda City Council March 7 approved a contract with Workplace Solutions, Inc. for roughly $1.036 million, with the stipulation city staff cut the bid by 10 to 20 percent. Revisions were approved 5-1 with an amendment to add previously eliminated items, resulting in a final amount that marked roughly 10.8 percent in cuts. Council member Lee Urbanovsky cast the dissenting vote, while Mayor George Haehn was absent. During the meeting, staff presented revisions to the original bid, which came in at $921,273.38. Mayor Pro Tem Wiley Hopkins motioned to approve that amount, but it died on the dais because
were released into the gloomy sky for those who lost their lives in a school shooting nearly five weeks ago. Regardless of the time, students across the nation are
News …………… 1-4A Opinion …………… 3A Sports …………… 1-2B Education ……… 3-4B Community …… 1-4C
An illustrative plan showing what three single-member districts could look like in Buda was given unanimous approval from city leaders March 20. The move kicks off a series of public input meetings that will lead up to the first election of single-member districts in November. The outline for the single-member districts is based on 2010 census blocks and uses an estimated population for 2018. Some council members were concerned with using the older census numbers. However, city staff assured council that this is the most reliable data that could be used for this process. The next census will be conducted in 2020 and Buda can redistrict then, if necessary. The 2018 population estimate was calculated by locating houses by utility accounts and then multiplying households by 2.92, which is the average single-family household size, according to illustrative plan documents. Each district holds around 5,000 persons with District 1 representing the highest minority populations – 48.78 percent of the Hispanic population and 4.19 percent of the Black population. Robert Heath, a consulting lawyer for the city with Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta LLC, presented the plan and said District 1 contained a majority of the minority populations in order to maintain areas of common community interest and avoid discrimination
BUDA SMDs APPROVED, 4A
Best Bets ………… 4C Business ……… 1-4D Classifieds ………... 2D Service Directory ..... 3D Public Notices … 2-4D