Bertram waives fees for benefit barbecue at pavilion
BERTRAM — All fees are being waived for a barbecue on municipal property that benefits research into a crippling disease, the City Council decided Tuesday.
During their regular meeting, the council also announced support for several social events.
By unanimous consent, the council decided to waive all fees for the second Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Benefit Barbecue 5 p.m. May 1 at the Bertram City Pavilion, 649 FM 243 East.
Cystic fibrosis is a progressive genetic disease that affects the entire body, causing disability and even death. There is no cure, only treatments, medical officials say.
The Busby, Glimp and Saylor families will sponsor the event, according to Hudson Glimp of Marble Falls.
“This is our mission in life,” Glimp told the council. “We appreciate your help.”
The benefit provided meals for more than 160 people and raised $7,000 for the foundation last year, Glimp recalled.
All donations and sales from the event will go to the foundation, Glimp said.
Also during the meeting, the council approved the “Crop Walk” on April 25.
The walk will benefit local food banks, according to Chamber of Commerce President Marcie Masterson. The event will begin at the Bertram Cumberland Presbyterian Church at 430 Texas 29 and extend three miles to the First Christian Church at 410 N. West St., Masterson said.
Police will be on duty to ensure the safety of participants in the walk, Chief David Caudle said.
“It is not a problem,” Caudle added. “The walk benefits the community.”
Before the meeting ended, the council approved using the city tennis court for the “Bar-B-Que Cook-Off” dance scheduled April 16-17 near the American Legion Hall at 160 Legion Place.
Also, Mayor JoAnn Stephens declared April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.
More than 68,000 children were confirmed abuse victims last year in Texas, according to the Texas Department of Family Protective Services.
Burnet County has “an extraordinary number” of children who suffer some form of abuse or neglect each year, officials said.
Family Protective Services, the Burnet County Child Welfare Board, Court Appointed Special Advocates of the Highland Lakes Area and the Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center provide assistance and services for abused and neglected children in the county, according to the proclamation signed by Stephens.
In addition, Stephens proclaimed April as Donate Life Texas Month and urged Bertram residents to register as organ donors when they they renew their driver’s license at the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
Also, Utilities Superintendent Charles Shell announced the Utilities Department has recently installed four new base radios and six portable radios for communication with the fire and police departments, as well as the Sheriff’s Office.