News

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Two positions on the March 6 Burnet County Republican Primary ballot will be contested, county chairwoman Donna Holland Wilcox announced Monday after the candidate filing period ended.

There was no word yet Tuesday morning on whether any Democratic candidates had filed for Burnet County office, but prior to the weekend, there had been no such filings. If that remains the case, the March 6 primary will become a de facto election for county offices.

Three candidates filed for the Precinct 2 Commissioner position currently held by Russell Graeter, who announced he would not seek re-election. Filing to run as Republicans are, in alphabetical order, Damon Beierle, Ryan Rowney and Tom Stephens.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

On the Republican side of the March 6 primary ballot, some of Texas' most powerful officeholders will find themselves with an opponent — and in some cases, several opponents.

Incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Houston is seeking re-election to his position, which he first was elected to in 2012. Cruz has two GOP challengers who have filed to run against him: Geraldine Sam of LaMarque and Mary Miller of Austin.

In statewide races, Gov. Greg Abbott of Austin will seek a second term as the state's top executive and has a challenger in Larry Scott “Secede” Kilgore of Irving.

Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick of Houston is likewise seeking re-election, but has drawn a primary opponent in Rockwall businessman and civic leader Scott Milder, who officially filed Thursday.

LPD officer indicted

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Llano Police Department (LPD) Ofcr. Grant Harden has been indicted by a Llano County Grand Jury on six various counts related to video evidence of a June traffic stop.

Harden had been banned from the dispatch and administrative areas of the Llano County Law Enforcement Center since around that time and was further blocked from entering the jail recently. Sheriff Bill Blackburn said that was because of “not being professional while in the jail area.”

The indictments, recorded Tuesday, Dec. 5 include two third-degree felony charges of tampering or fabricating physical evidence; one count of a state jail felony of tampering with a governmental record and three counts of a Class A felony, official oppression.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Provided no one else has filed to run for the position, the next Llano County judge is guaranteed to be someone with the last name Cunningham.

Incumbent Llano County Judge Mary Cunningham has filed for re-election and faces a March 6 Republican primary challenge from former DPS trooper and government contractor Ronald “Ron” Cunningham of Llano.

The deadline to file for a place on the March 6 GOP or Democratic primary ballot was 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11. No Democratic candidates had announced for the position as of the Highlander's deadline, so it appears the winner of the March 6 primary will run unopposed in November for the county's top executive position.

There are five other contested races on the March 6 Republican primary ballot. Incumbent County Clerk Marci Hadeler of Castell has drawn a re-election opponent in Clay Etter of Llano.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Horseshoe Bay Resort is in the midst of a gigantic economic undertaking — a $60 million, multi-year capital improvements plan expected to solidify the legendary resort's reputation as the destination of choice for visitors to the Texas Hill Country.

Resort vice chairman, president and chief executive officer Ron Lynn Mitchell recently presented an update on the capital improvements plan to members of the Horseshoe Bay City Council.

“The capital program is guided by a set of ownership goals, that being the refinement of existing amenities and construction of compelling new amenities reflecting current lifestyle patterns of the club membership and destination guests, while respectful of the legendary heritage of the resort’s development,” Mitchell said.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

A brief Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD) ceremony at city hall Tuesday, Dec. 5, began with solemnity.

Chief Mark Whitacre asked for a moment of silence for San Marcos Police Department Officer Kenneth Copeland. The 19-year veteran was shot Monday while serving an arrest warrant. He was 58 years old.

“The event reminds us of the dangers officers face every day...but we are here to serve as the 'Blue Line,'” said Whitacre, referring to the role of law enforcement to stand between the public and those dangers.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Marble Falls City Council has authorized city staff to file appeals and motions against the issuance of a standard air quality permit to Asphalt Inc. by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TECQ).

Glynis Crawford Smith/The Highlander

The larger portion of the open session of the Marble Falls City Council on Tuesday, Dec. 5, was devoted to reports and recognitions.

Perhaps the most significant council action followed the closed executive session with City Attorney Patty Akers. It resulted in a formal letter, responding to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) approval of a permit for the Asphalt, Inc. rock crushing facility in south Burnet County. (See related story in The Highlander.)

The reports were important as well, however.

“You have good news in your Fourth Quarter Revenue and Expense Report,” said Finance Director Margie Cardenas of year-to-date figures from the first week of November.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center and Specialty Clinic in Marble Falls may still have that brand-spanking-new feel when you walk in the door, but BS&W has been open for business at its US 281 location for five years and has a story to tell.

“When the clinic opened, it was the Scott & White Specialty Clinic; Scott & White Healthcare had not joined with the Baylor Health Care System yet,” said Bramer Owens at a BS&W Media Day Wednesday, Nov. 15.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Roger Scarborough, long-time Granite Shoals resident, was honored with the Granite Shoals Mayor's Award at the city council meeting held Thursday, Dec. 1.

Mayor Carl Brugger called his work on the Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustments, the Comprehensive Plan Committee and the Airport Advisory Committee significant.

“The Charter Committee that drafted the city's charter is foundational to the city laws and ordinances we have today,” said Brugger. “His work with these groups and the expertise he provided (and still provides) cannot be overstated.