Republican candidates for local, state, and federal races pitched their platforms to Burnet County residents during a forum on Feb. 8. While state and federal hopefuls only gave brief introductions, candidates in local races participated in a structured question-and-answer session that showcased their positions on key issues and comprehension of the responsibilities of their desired office.
Five candidates for Precinct 3 county commissioner, two for 33rd & 424th district attorney, three for county tax-assessor collector, and two for Precinct 2 county constable participated in the forum portion of the event hosted by the Burnet County Republican Party and sponsored by the Burnet and Bertram chambers of commerce.
The March 5 GOP primary will decide who takes office in January 2025 in the local races due to a lack of Democratic challengers for the general election in November. Early voting runs Feb. 20-March 1.
DailyTrib.com will be splitting coverage of the forum into a series of stories based on each race. This one covers the Precinct 3 commissioner race.
The five candidates seeking the seat of outgoing Commissioner Billy Wall all shared their extensive backgrounds in service, business, and administration. Each was asked the same five questions and given one minute to respond.
The common thread of the commissioner forum was the inevitable growth coming to Burnet County and how it should be handled.
The candidates introduced themselves and answered questions in the order of how their names will appear on the March 5 ballot.
Commissioners are responsible for maintaining the infrastructure within their given precinct, approving the county budget, voting on county policy changes, setting the county tax rate, and conducting the general business of county government.
Collier has lived in Burnet County for over 30 years. He attended Bertram Elementary School, graduated from Burnet High School, and grew up doing ranch work for his rural neighbors. He has owned and operated a telecommunications construction business, Collier Services, in Bertram for the past 24 years.
He defined himself as a businessman and cited his experience in managing people and projects and setting long-term plans for the future.
Rosser cited 30 years of working in government on the state, county, and municipal levels in various positions. He noted experience in drafting policy, setting budgets, and hiring personnel. He moved to Burnet County in 2017.
He said this was the only promise he would make as an elected official: “I will represent you on the Commissioners Court with open, honest, and ethical behavior.”
Will has worked with Burnet County for the past 14 years as the foreman for Precinct 4. He cited his 30 years of experience in operations management and road and bridge development as well as his service as a Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District director as assets to the Precinct 3 commissioner position. He also noted that he was not much of a public speaker.
“I would like the opportunity to bring my skill and knowledge as Precinct 3 commissioner,” he said.
Woerner was born and raised in Burnet County and touts 33 years in education, 27 of which were spent in administration. He noted much of his experience was with the Marble Falls Independent School District as athletic director. He cited growth in the county as the greatest opportunity and challenge facing the Commissioners Court.
“The growth is not gonna stop, so we’ve got to find a way to blend that with the history we’ve got here in Burnet County and keep that small-town atmosphere,” he said.
Carrasco moved his successful barbershop and apparel business, Mad Hatters Provisions, to Burnet from Georgetown in 2021. He has 23 years of experience in the hospitality industry and told the audience he wanted to extend his service to the Commissioners Court.
“What I want to do here is continue to serve,” he said. “It’s in my heart.”
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
QUESTION 1: How will you work with county government and industry to ensure that industrial growth does not impact our natural resources or the quality of life for our citizens?
Collier: “We’re gonna have to work with those developers and the people that want to come here. The growth is inevitable, it’s coming.
“Now for resources, water is going to be that issue. It’s basically going to be working with the landowners and the land developers and making sure that we’re all on the same page. And that’s something I’ve done before.”
Rosser: “I think the first and foremost thing that we need to do is that any developer that wishes to come to Burnet County should have a comprehensive plan. That plan should include water.”
Rosser implied that inviting technology companies that have less of an immediate environmental impact could be an alternative to more impactful industries.
“Growth is inevitable, but we can keep a cap on who we invite here as far as business and development goes.”
Will: “Definitely growth is the major problem we’ve got in Burnet right now. We have to come up with a game plan to try to organize better roads to get people in and out in a safe manner.”
Will also noted his service on the Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors and that the district could be the strongest tool for regulating development based on water restrictions.
Woerner: “Realistically, what I foresee is visiting with folks.”
Woerner cited the recently passed Texas House Bill 3697, which limits a county’s ability to put restrictions on the development of subdivisions beyond what the state allows. He said that the county might have to work with state officials to ensure that state policy does not “hamstring” local regulations.
Carrasco: “We’re the first people that constituents should be able to go to for the improvement of their quality of life.
“What I would do myself is learn, get at the table, and learn from the people that are dealing with these issues already.”
QUESTION 2: How will you work with the county government and law enforcement to ensure that our citizens are protected from crime and overreach from the federal government?
Rosser: “I think our job would be to give (the sheriff) the resources he needs, the equipment he needs to keep Burnet (County) a safe place to live and raise a family.”
Rosser also said he did not see a strong necessity to guard against federal government overreach, as that is not a large issue in Burnet County. He did acknowledge that federal overreach is a problem for counties along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas.
Will kept his response short and noted that he regularly works with the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office as the Precinct 4 foreman.
“I do believe in the sheriff’s department, and we need to keep (Burnet County) safe.”
Woerner: “The support of the Sheriff’s Office is primary to (protecting Burnet County residents from crime).”
Woerner also said he’d like to build relationships and support networks between other law enforcement agencies and schools within the county to get everyone on the same page.
“People start understanding what other ones do (when they communicate), and that’s when things start working a lot better together with law enforcement, in my experience.”
Carrasco: “Safety is the biggest thing on (the Commissioners Court’s) agenda. I feel very comfortable with those two (Sheriff Calvin Boyd and Chief Deputy Alan Trevino) leading the way and safety in their hands. Our job is to give them the tools they need to continue that.”
Collier: “This is probably one of the safest counties that we have (in Texas).”
“Let (the Sheriff’s Office) tell us (what it needs). We’ll try and get the resources for them so they can do a better job and keep Burnet County in general, all of us, safe.”
QUESTION 3: What will you do to ensure that citizens residing in your area have adequate emergency services, including fire and medical?
Will: “As a first responder, I do believe we need our fire department and our medical deal. I’ve been out on scenes where 10 to 15 minutes is a long time to get EMS out there. I would definitely work toward helping EMS, to do whatever it takes to get the proper facilities set up in our rural areas.”
Woerner: “I know and I’m sure that there are probably some areas that may not be covered as well as they need to be. I really think the citizens of those areas probably know that better than we do.
“Basically, (the residents) would be the ones who would be bringing (the formation of an Emergency Services District) to an election to be voted on so that we would know what they needed.”
Woerner was referring to the process of how an emergency services district is formed. Residents within a given geographic area in the county can call for a vote to form an ESD, which then collects taxes to provide emergency services to the residents within the district.
“When they raise that concern, we would research that and help them bring that election on and guide them in the process.”
Carrasco: “This is something that we’d have to look at and look at the future growth of development and see what areas in particular are going to need another fire or EMS (service).”
“If the citizens want something closer to them, it needs to come from them and they can vote on that.”
Collier said he spoke with local fire chiefs and came to the conclusion that safer roads and access to water to fight fires would be major factors in providing better emergency services to residents in rural areas.
“We’ve gotta have safer roads. With these developments coming in, we need to make sure that they have water available to some of the (more remote locations).”
Rosser said he’d be willing to hear out residents who want better access to emergency services, but he also said he and other rural residents make certain sacrifices by living outside of cities.
“I can’t get pizza delivered out where I am, and sometimes I have to wait for an ambulance.”
QUESTION 4: What will you do to reduce the amount of current debt of the Burnet County government and bring fiscal responsibility to the county?
Woerner: “I can’t tell you what specific things that need to be cut or shouldn’t be cut.
“You still have to look at a way to cut out the fat, but there are certain things like law enforcement and so forth that we have to have. I would have to look at that line by line to be able to tell you what we need to do.”
Carrasco: “There is always frivolous spending. This is the taxpayers’ money. They should have the right to be able to sit and say what they want to spend it on. I would just be the conduit through which they speak.”
Collier: “We’ll look at the budget, see what’s in there. I don’t have any plans to cut anything. Let’s go, let’s look, let’s try to find the money.
“As far as the debt, that’s part of running a business. You get so much money coming in, you get so much going out. Let’s make it even out without cutting any of the programs and look for other avenues to get money so that we don’t have to cut anything.”
Rosser: “I guarantee you I can look at the budget, look at these departments, and conduct audits on county divisions, and we would find extra money somewhere.”
“When you talk about you can’t cut things, yeah, there are things. The first and foremost thing you do is stick to your budget. The second issue you look at is fraud, waste, and abuse.”
Will: “In my past background as an operating manager, I definitely know how to work a budget. I think all of the county departments I work with have done a very good job of managing their budgets.”
QUESTION 5: What is your opinion of the current state of Burnet County government?
Carrasco: “There are some great people in this room. What I want to do is learn from these people.
“These people were elected for a reason. I’m up here because I’m excited. I believe Burnet (County) has a great opportunity. I have five kids, my business is here, I’m putting everything in here, I’m going all in. I feel very confident in the future of Burnet (County).”
Collier: “(The state of county government) is good. There are definitely some changes that we can make. There’s great people working here. That’s the reason everybody wants to come here.
“Having said that, we’re going to have to, as a Commissioners Court, go in and fight for those changes and fight for what’s best. For me, personally, it’s Precinct 3. That’s what I’m fighting for. But in another way, I’m going to look out for the whole county as well.”
Rosser: “Well, I’m not here to butter anybody’s biscuit, so here is what I’m going to say: There’s no secret that, the last few years, Burnet County has had some legal and ethical issues going on.
“I promise you guys that I will serve ethically, openly, and honestly, and I’ll always have fair dealings. I think that is what we need on the Commissioners Court at this time.”
Will: “I think the county is moving forward and has done an excellent job with different areas to keep it going forward.”
Woerner: “Yeah, there’s been some bumps in the road. There’s a lot of things that get thrown out there; there’s a lot of things that get thrown at (the commissioners); there’s a lot of things that need to be evaluated; there’s a lot of things that they are locked into that a lot of people maybe don’t know they are locked into; and there are some things that could be done different.
“I’ve got no issues with the way the (county) government is going right now, but there’s always things you can look at and improve.”
CONCLUSIONS
Collier: “I would like for you to take a second and think about who you’d want to be your next commissioner for Precinct 3. With that, I’d like to reiterate, I’m a business owner — still am — for 24 years. I’ve run men in multiple capacities.
“I’m constantly having to look forward into the future with planning multiple years down the road. We’ve all seen the growth over the last several years. It’s only going to get worse or better depending on how you look at it. People are moving in. We can’t stop that.
“There’s going to be businesses coming in; we’re going to need them. The tax revenues are going to go up, which is going to help us all.”
Rosser: “I’ve drafted budgets, I’ve drafted policies and procedures, I’ve hired people. I’m running to better roads, protect our water systems, protect our way of life. All of the gentlemen up here agree that this is a great place to live. I agree it’s a great place to live. I’m running to preserve that way of life.
“The only promise I make to you is that I will do that with openness, honesty, and integrity.”
Will: “If I have the opportunity to be your commissioner, I will do the best that I possibly can. I do know road work, I do know about safety, about roads, and I’m asking for the opportunity to have a chance to be your commissioner.”
Woerner: “The reality is, the more and more I’m seeing over the last several months, we’re getting more community input, we’re getting more people input. Basically, we’re here for you guys and we want to listen to you, and I think that’s growing.
“I’m as qualified as anybody is. I feel like it’s time to use some of the skills I’ve learned over the last 30 years, and I think it fits this role just right, actually.”
Carrasco: “I’m somebody that is always going to ask questions.
“I’ll leave you with this: If we ever get into a situation with the county that we don’t know what to do, let’s look at what scripture says, and I almost guarantee that the problem is already solved for us if we go with that mindset.
“I’m always going to use that as my guiding way to direct this county.”
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The total solar eclipse drew its first crowds to Marble Falls more than two months before the April 8 event. Lakeside Pavilion filled up with residents and business owners on Feb. 8 for three presentations by city officials about plans for handling the expected large influx of tourists and the issues that could cause.
“The eclipse is on a Monday, so people will have a few days to make it here,” said Assistant City Manager Russell Sander. “It will be like Memorial Day, except on steroids.”
The city plans to launch a direct mail campaign with important information that residents will need to stay safe and handle any emergencies. A website has already been set up for businesses to promote their events. Lodgers are asked to keep the city informed on whether or not they have vacancies, which also will be available on the website.
To get that information to the city, businesses can use a QR code that was on display at the Feb. 8 meetings. A second QR code is for those who want emailed updates on eclipse-related news. That can be obtained by texting “eclipse2024” to 855-892-9902.
Sander offered some tips at the meeting for dealing with the expected crowds. Locals were warned to have their pantries stocked before the weekend leading up to April 8 because area grocers would most likely be packed with shoppers.
“A lot of these people will be camping, so they are going to be buying supplies,” he continued. “We have been in touch with H-E-B and Walmart, and they are activating their disaster relief teams. H-E-B is like a well-oiled machine when it comes to something like this. They are prepared.”
Local business owners need to decide if they will be open that day — schools will be closed — and make arrangements with employees for how to get to work and home.
Changes to street closures caused some consternation among Main Street businesses.
Cheryl Westerman, owner of Ms Lollipop Parties, Fun & Gifts, expressed concern that the city had not communicated with her or other downtown businesses that they were going to leave Main Street open to traffic on the day of the eclipse.
She reminded the panel members on stage that, at a meeting in July 2023, the city encouraged downtown businesses to get together and scheduled events. At the time, the city said Main Street would be closed to traffic. She met with about a dozen businesses that plan to be open, including those normally closed on Mondays. Several, such as Ms Lollipop’s, have hired entertainment for the day.
At the Feb. 8 meeting, officials said Main Street would remain open to traffic.
“You encouraged us, and now you have decided not to have a street closure on Main,” Westerman said. “We’re not sure how to proceed on that because no one has communicated with me about any changes, and we have moved forward with deposits and arranged memorable entertainment. We want to promote downtown Marble Falls.”
Sander commended her on the planned activities and said the city has not made a final decision yet on which streets will be closed. Earlier remarks during the presentation implied Main would be open to traffic.
“We have to make sure residents have the ability to transverse around U.S. 281,” he said. “All that is still in discussion. I totally understand that you need to know soon, so you know how to proceed.”
Another question came from a resident concerned that Waste Management announced plans to pick up trash as usual on that Monday.
“How are they going to do that?” he asked.
A representative from Waste Management, who was not on the stage with city officials, said if the trucks were not able to get to the trash on Monday, they would be back the next day.
Possible lane closures on the U.S. 281 bridge were another concern. Sander assured the audience that all lanes would be open and that the ample shoulders on both the northbound and southbound spans would be for emergency traffic. Officers will be stationed on the bridge to keep traffic moving and the shoulders clear.
Portable toilets will be set up along major roadways for people stuck in traffic. Also, Baylor Scott & White will not be scheduling elective surgeries during that time.
Marble Falls Police Chief Glenn Hansen said officers will respond to calls about trespassers “as long as we can.”
“Trespassing may be an issue with people throwing up tents wherever they see a space,” he continued. “People will also be pulling over to the side to get out and view the eclipse.”
MFPD will be operating with maximum staff Monday-Wednesday, April 8-10.
“We expect traffic to be cleared out by the end of the day Tuesday,” he said.
Mobile phone service was another addressed concern. Hanson said texting might be available when calling is not. Temporary cell towers are being set up to provide more capacity.
“Hopefully, it won’t turn out to be as bad as we are planning for,” he said.
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The first thing some people learned at the Burnet County Republican Women’s candidates forum on Thursday, Feb. 8, was that the county tax assessor-collector does not assess or collect property taxes.
“That’s been done by the (Burnet) Central Appraisal District since 1980,” said Susan Allen, one of three women seeking the open position. “Our biggest responsibility is in vehicle titles and handicapped parking. We are strictly (Texas Department of Motor Vehicles oriented).”
Also vying to replace current Tax Assessor-Collector Sheri Frazier, who is retiring from the position after 32 years, are Adrienne Field and DeAnne Fisher.
The primary election is March 5 with early voting from Feb. 20-March 1. The winner will most likely become Burnet County’s new tax assessor-collector in January 2025 as no Democrat has filed to run for the office.
All three Republican candidates have extensive experience in city and county government.
Allen is Burnet County’s chief deputy tax assessor-collector and runs the office in the South Annex in Marble Falls. She has been with the office for 19 years. She and her husband have lived in Horseshoe Bay for 30 years. They have three grown children.
Field is the current airport manager for the city of Burnet, for which she was also a senior accountant. Before that, she worked in the county clerk’s office as assistant chief deputy auditor. She and her husband moved to Lake Victor in 2011. They have two sons, ages 8 and 3.
Fisher currently serves as the chief deputy treasurer for Burnet County. She grew up in the county and has been married for 37 years. She and her husband have three grown sons.
Burnet County Court at Law Judge Cody Henson served as moderator for the Feb. 8 forum, which filled the Reed Building in Burnet with spectators, elected officials, and candidates for other offices. Questions included addressing the biggest challenges of the tax assessor-collector in a growing county, how the candidates would handle those issues, and how they would improve the office if elected.
“I would take down the plexiglass walls between the employees and the people,” said Fisher, referring to barriers erected during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It doesn’t aid human interaction. People are hungry for good customer service. I want people to leave that office and say, ‘Now, that was easy.’”
Field responded that it would be irresponsible to say how she would improve the office since she has not worked there.
“It’s a well-run office already,” she continued. “I would get in there and learn it as fast as I can and build a good relationship with the employees.”
Allen thanked Field for the compliment, noting that training in the next few years would be key because at least half of the current staff has only been in the office for about a year.
“We have a young staff,” she said. “My goals would be to work in both offices (Burnet and Marble Falls) and work with them one on one. I also teach people, showing people how to transfer titles properly and in a way that saves them money.”
As for how population growth will affect Burnet County, Allen noted that the Texas Department of Public Safety wants to combine its driver’s license duties with the tax assessor-collector. She also pointed to a rise in car thefts related to growth.
“In the last two years, we’ve had increased stolen vehicles and title problems,” she said. “We work closely with the Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force. On a plus side, though, a lot of people are coming in who are super nice and love this community.”
Fisher suggested leaving the office open until 6 p.m., a one-hour extension, at least one day a week for residents who do not get off of work until 5 p.m.
“It’s important to home in on what services are needed,” she said. “We may need to look at the budget for more staff.”
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A Llano County town hall on the impact of the upcoming total solar eclipse is 5:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at the LanTex Theater, 113 W. Main St. in Llano.
The county’s population is expected to increase by at least 50 percent in the days surrounding the April 8 eclipse, and emergency management officials want residents and businesses to be prepared for any problems that arise from the massive influx of visitors.
“The eclipse represents both increased opportunity and challenges,” reads an excerpt from Llano County’s Eclipse Information Guide. “As thousands of additional individuals and families arrive for a once-in-a-lifetime celestial event, we encourage residents and visitors alike to be ready, patient, safe, and, most of all, to enjoy this unique experience here in Llano County.”
The total eclipse will pass directly over the Highland Lakes, and local governments, agencies, and businesses have been preparing for months with the expectation that thousands of people will come to the region to watch.
The Feb. 20 town hall is an informational seminar on the “opportunities and challenges” mentioned in the county’s information guide. Llano County Emergency Management Coordinator Gilbert Bennett, Hill Country Alliance Night Sky Director Dawn Davies, and Llano Police Department representatives will attend and offer critical input on how to prepare.
“We’re starting with the individual,” Bennett told DailyTrib.com. “This (town hall) is so that you can be an informed citizen. All we can do is provide the information.”
Llano Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center representative Kim Webb told DailyTrib.com that many Llano County residents still aren’t aware the eclipse is coming.
“We still have people that don’t know about it,” she said. “Especially people in our older community that don’t have computers.”
Llano County’s population is roughly 22,000 people, which could swell beyond 35,000 during the eclipse, according to the information guide. This is a conservative estimate based on eclipse tourism in other rural areas, such as Madras, Oregon. That town’s population of roughly 7,500 rose to over 100,000 during the 2017 total solar eclipse.
“I understand these numbers are a bit shocking, but this is the reality of it,” said Davies during a similar town hall meeting held in Burnet in February.
This massive, temporary population boost is expected to drastically impact local traffic conditions, food and fuel supplies, medical and emergency services, and even cellphone and internet connections.
“We need to assume a level of preparedness,” Bennett said.
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Check agendas to see if the following government meetings are in person, virtual, or both. Agendas are posted 72 hours before a meeting so are not always ready by the time this list is published. Check links for more information.
News stories, staff photos, and other online content are copyrighted property of Victory Media. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.
Lake and river adventurers have a new spot for equipment, apparel, and rentals. Opening in March, WaterTied at 706 Second St. in Marble Falls is geared toward paddling, fishing, sailing, and other aquatic pursuits.
The family-run operation promotes the “power of water.”
“Life is so connected to technology and comes with its own complications and stressors,” shop owner Ali Bosch told DailyTrib.com. “This is just a way for people to disconnect from that, connect with (water), and benefit from those powers.”
One side of the store will be dedicated to merchandise (starting in March), the other to kayak and paddleboard rentals (starting in April).
“We’ll be carrying gear and accessories that are really functional, fun, and fashion-forward and all water-related,” Bosch said. “We’ll have something for everyone in the family: kids, adults, even the dogs.”
The store’s name describes its mission.
“The idea … is we’re tied to the water in the activities we choose, which also ties us to each other,” said Bosch, who runs WaterTied with her children.
She hopes her new business makes a positive impact on the Highland Lakes community.
“The intention isn’t just about doing activities by the water, but also connecting with the community to give back to society by taking those activities and providing service to those around us that could benefit from it,” Bosch said.
She plans to reach out to local nonprofits to facilitate those partnerships.
“We want to get involved with organizations whose values align with ours so we can also provide (activities) to people that might not necessarily have that ability,” Bosch said. “People going through crisis can really benefit from having that type of experience.”
WaterTied-hosted programs are also in the works.
“We’re going to provide programs like guided paddles, lessons on how to properly kayak and paddleboard, fishing lessons, and a boating safety course,” Bosch said.
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Two Republican candidates for the Texas House District 53 seat introduced themselves to Llano County voters on Thursday, Feb. 8, during an informal meet-and-greet at the Kingsland Branch Library. Hatch Smith and Wes Virdell gave brief introductions, shared their concerns for the district, and talked about their positions on key issues, such as the region’s water supply and proper representation at the state level.
The event was hosted by the Kingsland Chamber of Commerce.
“The Kingsland Chamber feels that it is important to offer our residents a forum in which both sides have a chance to speak and represent and let us know about the issues they care about,” Chamber Marketing Director Terri Schexnayder told DailyTrib.com before the event.
Smith and Virdell were together at the same political event in Llano County for the first time since campaigning began in January.
They’re vying for their party’s nomination in the March 5 primary to run in the November general election. District 53 includes 16 counties and around 200,000 residents. Of those, 22,000 live in Llano County.
Virdell spoke first after winning a coin flip.
Wes Virdell, a Republican candidate for the Texas House District 53 seat, chats with a Llano County resident at a candidate meet-and-greet held at the Kingsland Branch Library on Feb. 8. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
The Brady native talked about his idyllic upbringing in McCulloch County, his service in the U.S. Air Force as an intercontinental ballistic missile technician, and his time training fellow airmen.
“I got to interact with thousands of troops for a 3½-year period,” Virdell said. “I learned a lot from it. I learned what bad leadership looks like. I learned what good leadership looks like.”
He enlisted shortly after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and served until 2008. After leaving the Air Force, he worked alongside his family in a diesel repair business in Brady. By 2011, he began participating in state politics, attending meetings concerning gun rights at the Capitol.
Virdell served as a volunteer Hill Country coordinator for the Gun Owners of America in 2021 and was hired as the Texas state director for the organization in 2022 following the Uvalde school shooting.
He said he’s concerned with a lack of honest representation by the state’s Republican legislators.
“There’s lots of people that tell you that they are conservative and all that, but they have no history of being Republican,” he said. “We have to quit sending cowards. We have to quit sending spineless people who back down and won’t stand up for your liberties.”
Smith took the stage after Virdell and gave a brief breakdown of his extensive history in Llano County.
Republican candidate for Texas House District 53 representative Hatch Smith (right) with Save Lake LBJ advocate Fermin Ortiz at a Kingsland Chamber of Commerce-sponsored political event at the Kingsland Branch Library on Feb. 8. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
“I grew up just down the road in Llano,” he said. “I employ a lot of people here, I have clinics here, a hospital here, I’ve ranched here all my life. I have generational friends here. I’m acutely aware of what is going on in Llano County.”
Smith spoke about his family’s deep ranching roots in the area, which reach back to the 1850s. He also shared his background in finance and investment banking during which he worked with small banks across the country after attending Cornell University and Southern Methodist University.
He returned to Llano to get into the family business of ranching. In 2019, he helped keep the Llano Hospital from being closed and negotiated a partnership with MidCoast Central Medical. He is now the CEO of the hospital and has opened additional clinics in Llano County.
Smith said he was galvanized to run for office after seeing a lack of dedication to rural infrastructure while serving on the Lower Colorado River Authority Board of Directors and the Governor’s Broadband Development Council.
“Six months ago, I had no idea I’d be running for political office. I’ve never had huge ambitions to do that. But having been on the governor’s broadband council, the LCRA, and now working in the healthcare industry, I saw that there is not enough attention and there aren’t enough people fighting for some of those things in rural Texas,” he said.
His main concern for Llano County and the rest of the district is water. He believes that changes have to be made at a state level to ensure water stability for District 53.
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Demolition will begin by the end of February on three buildings at the northeast corner of U.S. 281 and RR 1431 in Marble Falls following a unanimous vote by the Marble Falls Economic Development Corp. Board of Directors on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
The three structures at 1001, 1003, and 1009 Main St. were purchased for $2 million in an EDC partnership with the city of Marble Falls in November 2023 following an online backlash to a proposed car wash at the site. The buildings at 1001 and 1003 were a bait shop, while Art of the Meal most recently held the 1009 address.
San Antonio-based Flash Demolition will tear down the buildings.
“Several of the structures are non-conforming and/or dilapidated,” EDC Executive Director Christian Fletcher told DailyTrib.com. “We can’t really envision the future of that site with the structures there.”
The city and the EDC do not yet have any plans for the property.
“We would like to help the property achieve its highest and best use through proper activation,” Fletcher said. “We are confident that we’ll find some partners to help us develop a really cool project in that area.”
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The Highland Haven Board of Alderman unanimously selected Andy Adams as the Burnet County municipality’s first-ever city administrator during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 6.
Adams previously served as Recreation Division manager for Little Elm, a city of roughly 51,000 people in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
“We think he’s going to be a good fit for our community,” Mayor Olan Kelley told DailyTrib.com.
Kelley is currently working on a contract to bring Adams to Highland Haven.
“The board gave me permission to start working on it (Feb. 6),” he said. “I’ll be getting in touch with Andy soon in order to move forward with the negotiation.”
Adams was one of many candidates to apply for the new position.
“I couldn’t even tell you how many (applicants),” Kelley said. “There were quite a few.”
Highland Haven aldermen and city officials have considered adding a city administrator to the staff for about five years.
“It’s not something we’ve taken lightly,” Kelley said. “We’ve been slowly looking for a good point to bring somebody on board.”
Duties in the newly created role include overseeing the daily operation of city services, acting as the city’s public information officer, promoting the economic well-being of the city, and carrying out directives approved by the mayor and Board of Alderman.
“We wanted someone with some institutional knowledge that can stay with our community for a long period of time and move our programs forward,” Kelley said.
The bulk of those responsibilities were previously handled by the mayor’s office.
“Frankly, the mayor has been running everything,” Kelley said. “Our community has gotten to a point where they need someone other than just a mayor to manage the day-to-day operations.”
No timeline exists for when Adams will transition into the role.
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