Community sends out big ‘get well soon’ to Marble Falls city manager

DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

MARBLE FALLS — Sometimes, it takes a village to give a city manager a boost. On March 8, that happened when more than 50 people gathered in Johnson Park in front of a Marble Falls fire truck and wished Marble Falls City Manager Ralph Hendricks a big “get well soon.”The crowd posed for a photo that friends of Hendricks will frame and send off to him and his family. Hendricks is undergoing rehabilitation after he struck his head during a bicycle crash Oct. 13, 2013.

“When you consider it was cold, wet and rainy, it was a great turnout,” said Keith Conrad, a friend of Hendricks who helped organize the event. “The people who came out had Ralph’s best interests at heart.”

Last October, Hendricks was cycling with a group of friends when his bike struck something in the road, sending him over the handlebars.

At some point, Hendricks’ helmet came off, and his head struck the ground.

He was transported to Seton Medical Center Williamson in Round Rock with a fractured skull and clavicle along with broken ribs from the fall, officials said in October.  He was later transferred to an Austin-area rehabilitation center, where he is still undergoing treatment.

During the “Ride and Run for Ralph,” officials said Hendricks was improving and had been walking, eating and talking.

Mayor George Russell has previously said Hendricks’ recovery likely would be a long road.

Conrad, a cyclist himself, said looking around the group March 8 he noted many people, including former Marble Falls City Manager Judy Miller, Burnet County Judge Donna Klaeger, Russell, Marble Falls Fire Rescue Chief Johnny Caraway and a host of friends, colleagues and community members.

“It speaks volumes about those people to come out on such a day and show their support for Ralph,” Conrad said.

Along with the photo, people donated to the Hendricks’ family to help with medical expenses.

daniel@thepicayune.com