Commentary

Editor's Note: The following letter addressed to the MFISD board and administration was shared with The Highlander by the parents of a student.

By Karen Litterer
Hospital Administrator and Chief Nursing Officer
Ascension Seton Highland Lakes

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact individuals in our local communities and across the globe, our healthcare systems are working collaboratively each day with local public health authorities and community leaders to prepare for the future. The situation continues to evolve daily, and our plans and preparations are also evolving to meet community needs. …

By Jeff Shabram
Publisher

As we all continue to deal with the fallout and effects of the threat of coronavirus, we realize that our readers need accurate information.

In light of the announcement of the Burnet County "Stay in Place and Stay Safe" emergency order on March 25, 2020, we will continue our operations as an essential service in the provision of news coverage for the community.

From staff reports

The Texas Press Association recognized The Highlander for outstanding achievement in several areas during its annual trade show and convention Jan. 16-18 at the 140th TPA Convention & Trade Show held at Moody Gardens Hotel, Convention Center & Spa in Galveston.

The Highlander won four awards in the 2018-19 TPA Better Newspaper Contest, finishing fifth overall in its circulation classification.

Special to the Highlander

Highland Lakes Publishing welcomed Jeff Shabram to their family of media publications in November as the new publisher and editor of The Highlander and Burnet Bulletin as well as a growing number of print publications and digital platforms.

Prior to settling in the Highland Lakes, Shabram was the publisher of the Hearst-owned Midland Reporter-Telegram and oversaw Hearst's west Texas media publications as president and group publisher from 2015 to present. Shabram took over the reins for the Highlander and Bulletin staff on Nov. 4.

By State Rep. Terry Wilson (District 20)

In the light of the upcoming constitutional amendments election, our office has received a few questions from people wanting to understand more about Proposition 4. There has been a lot of information, misinformation and questions floating around about what Prop 4 accomplishes and how it would be implemented. I’d like to share our answers with you to help give a clearer picture of the reasoning behind the amendment, and help you to make a more informed decision at the ballot box

Q: Does this actually ban a State Income Tax? Isn’t it already banned?

By William D. (Dee) Haddock
Marble Falls City Council Member

As I begin this letter, I want to make clear that I am writing this as an individual member of the Marble Falls City Council, and I am not speaking for the Council as a whole.

By Jo Karr Tedder
Contributing Writer
Central Texas Water Coalition

Even though we’ve had soup weather, there will be no water alphabet soup column until next month due to questions about the proposed Water Management Plan (WMP). Texas Commission for Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has scheduled a Hearing on the proposed WMP for October 24, 2019 at 7:00pm at TCEQ Headquarters, 12100 Park 35 Circle Building E, Room 201S, Austin, Texas 78753. Comments can be sent to the clerk at this address. In the first informal part of the hearing, you may ask questions, but if you want your questions to be part of the official record, you may submit oral or written questions and/or concerns in the second part of the hearing.

By Kevin Naumann
HLCN Executive Director

October 16^th marked one year since the Highland Lakes Floods of 2018.

We celebrated ‘House Blessings’ this week with two individuals as they were officially welcomed back home after completion of repairs from flood damage.

This makes five Home Blessings and one Vehicle Blessing we have completed in the last couple of months.

Special to The Highlander

Horseshoe City Council candidates will get a chance to connect with potential voters during a candidate forum on Thursday, Oct. 3.

The event will be held at the Horseshoe Bay Resort Yacht Club Ballroom from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The resort will provide round-trip shuttle service between the hotel to the Yacht Club, beginning at 4:30 p.m.