COTTONWOOD SHORES — Which is more frightening: The evil you can see coming, or the one you can’t?

The cast of "Wait Until Dark," Hill Country Community Theatre’s first production of the 2011-2012 season, is working to bring that question to life as they rehearse for the play’s opening in September.

The cast for the dramatic thriller, which was a smash hit both on Broadway and as a movie, includes Steve Reily as Mick Talman, Preston Kirk as Sgt. Carlino, Mark Fernandes as Harry Roat, Priscilla Castaneda as Susy Hendrix and Ocean Fillingim as Gloria.

IN PHOTO: Priscilla Castaneda as Susy Hendrix and Steve Reily as Mick Talman rehearse a scene for the Hill Country Community Theatre’s upcoming thriller ‘Wait Until Dark,’ set to open Sept. 22. Courtesy photo

Teresa Bishop is serving as stage manager and veteran actor/director Darrell W. Spencer, who recently moved to the Austin area from Nevada, is the show’s director.

A thriller in the style of Sir Alfred Hitchcock, the play was written by Frederick Knott and opened on Broadway in 1966. In 1967, it was produced as a movie starring Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin and Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Spencer, who has an extensive background in both acting and directing as well as teaching dramatic arts in several liberal arts colleges, says he was attracted to directing "Wait Until Dark" partly because of the unique challenges presented by the dramatic-thriller genre.

“Unlike most drama, where developing the characters is of key importance, in a thriller the situation has to be foregrounded,” he said. “You have to keep people on the edge of their seats by developing the situation and leading the audience to relate to that situation through the characters.”

"Wait Until Dark" will open at the theater, 4003 FM 2147 West, Sept. 22 and runs through Oct. 2 with 7:30 p.m. performances Thursday through Saturday and 2:15 p.m. matinees on Sunday.

Currently operating on an all-volunteer basis, HCCT is one of the oldest continuously operating community theaters in Texas. During its 25-year history, its productions have drawn audiences totaling more than 100,000.

Some 5,000 volunteers from surrounding communities have given their time and support to the theater’s operations, from management to acting to all aspects of backstage and onstage production, officials said.

GRANITE SHOALS — The City Council has voted to charge for fire protection outside the city limits after Oct. 1.

The council adopted an ordinance Aug. 23 requiring homeowners’ groups and other agencies outside the city to contract with Granite Shoals for fire, first-responder and rescue services or pay on a per-call basis.

Individual homeowners are not covered, but they can form partnerships with other non-residents and sign a contract. Or they can be billed.

However, officials said they won’t prohibit the Fire Department from responding to calls outside the city limits even if there is no contract.

"There would be nothing to make me as a person or mayor to ask a fireman to sit on his hands," Mayor Dennis Maier said. "We will respond as we can."

Fairness to taxpayers drove the ordinance, officials indicated.

City leaders said residents have been funding calls both inside and outside Granite Shoals because non-residents don’t pay property taxes that support the Fire Department.

"We’re basically subsidizing the (non-residents’) fire protection," Councilwoman Shirley King said. "This is a date when that ends."

Under the ordinance, which takes effect Oct. 1, property owners’ associations and other municipalities or entities can contract with Granite Shoals for fire and associated services.

For those who don’t contract with the city for fire protection, the department could still respond in an emergency if the resources are available, said Chief Austin Stanphill.

The resident, however, would get a bill from the city. Stanphill said the fees would be based on the equipment sent and used.

The resident’s insurance company may cover those charges.

While Burnet County provides $22,000-$24,0000 annually to local fire departments for mutual-aid assistance, city officials said that’s not enough to cover fire protection outside Granite Shoals.

"That’s definitely a mutual-aid contract," Stanphill said. "We’ll provide resources if available, but not at the detriment of city protection."

The matter could be moot by next year.

The Burnet County commissioners have placed a proposal for the creation of Emergency Services District No. 3 on the Nov. 8 ballot.

If it passes, a new ESD board could levy a property tax of up to 10 cents per $100 valuation to help fund the fire department. The ESD would serve the Granite Shoals area.

The district could also create its own department as well.

But even if the ESD passes, it will take several months to organize.

Maier said the ESD issue has no bearing on the city’s decision to charge for fire services— it was strictly a budgetary matter.

The contract fee charged to property owner associations or other entities would be based on property values, officials said.

The city is not soliciting for contracts. Maier said the agencies will have to contact the city.

MARBLE FALLS — As the Marble Falls LakeFest drag-boat races get ready for the 20th year Aug. 12-14, businesses along Lake Marble Falls anticipate a significant turnout.

The Hampton Inn has only a few reservations open for this year’s races.

“We are booking up much more quickly than we have during the last several years,” said Paul Thomas, vice president of Live Oak Lodging, the Hampton operator. “We have a good mix of returning boat-race guests, as well as new guests who have stayed with us at our other locations.”

The lodging facility is located at 704 First St., close to where the action takes place.

Next to the Hampton, Chili’s Grill & Bar also is preparing for the LakeFest crowd.

MEADOWLAKES — Deputies are investigating a vandalism incident in which an incendiary device broke a window and caused minor damage to the squad car driven by Granite Shoals Police Chief J.P. Wilson.

No injuries occurred during the episode, which took place from 2:30-3 a.m. Aug. 10 in the gated subdivision. Also, no arrests have been reported.

Somebody threw an object containing an accelerant at the police vehicle, officials said.

MARBLE FALLS — During a dedication ceremony Aug. 10 in honor of longtime Marble Falls Independent School District staffer Brenda Ratliff, her son Ronnie Ratliff praised the support his late mom received from co-workers as she fought cancer.

The district — particularly special-education staff members — dedicated a granite bench to Brenda Ratliff outside the central office’s main doors, 1800 Colt Circle.

The inscription reads, “Always in our hearts.”

“This means everything,” Ronnie Ratliff said. “She dedicated her life to the school and to the people here and in the community. This is incredible.”

Brenda Ratliff, 52, died Feb. 21 after her long illness. She worked for the school district more than 25 years, including her last post with the special services department that serves special-needs students.

“Brenda was often the first person to greet people when they came in,” said Special Services Executive Director Susan Maughan. “She was usually the first person to meet with our parents and guide them through the school district.”

Ratliff also reached out to district staff members and educators, her friends said.

Edith Boyd, a special education aide at Marble Falls High School, told Ratliff’s family that when she first came to the district after leaving the New Orleans area because of Hurricane Katrina, it was Brenda Ratliff who welcomed her and helped her make Marble Falls her new home.

But the biggest lessons she learned came when Ratliff  fought cancer, Boyd said.

“Watching her go through her battle with cancer with such strength and grace was inspiring,” she said. “I will always remember your mother as a beautiful lady in spirit and courage.”

Ronnie Ratliff Jr. said the bench outside the main doors of the building engraved with his mother’s name is a fitting tribute.

“She was always kind of the face of the school — so she’ll love this,” he said.

daniel@thepicayune.com

KINGSLAND — Another move is under way to have Kingsland — one of the largest settlements in the Highland Lakes — incorporate as a city.

Before that happens, residents will have to go the polls to vote.

Llano County commissioners earlier this week received a petition with 109 signatures collected by Say Yes! to Kingsland. The group wants to get the issue placed on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Because a portion of Kingsland is also in Burnet County, any incorporation vote also would have to be included on that ballot, too, officials said.

"We have collected 109 signatures," said Steve Fraser, chairman of Say Yes! to Kingsland.

The group believes that if Kingsland becomes a city, it will improve the quality of life in the community. Past initiatives to officially make Kingsland a city have failed.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Kingsland has more than 6,000 residents. The postal service delivers to more than 3,500 mailboxes.

At the moment, the township is maintained by Burnet and Llano counties. It has no city government, no police force, no public works department, no planning/zoning commission or other municipal services.

If Kingsland becomes incorporated, most of what the counties provide will be consolidated into services administered by city officials.

"The primary goal is to make Kingsland clean, safe and prosperous for all who live, work and play here," Fraser said.

Llano County Elections Office rules say there must be at least 50 valid signatures from registered voters in the proposed boundaries for the city before an election is held.

Four years ago, the Kingsland/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce sponsored several casual "incorporation education" discussions at the Kingsland Community Park.

The meetings ended in May 2008.

"I was not involved with that effort, so I can’t speak to what was done or why (incorporation) was not carried forward," Fraser said earlier this week. "But concerning our effort, I do believe the climate has changed, and it appears a large number of people want incorporation for Kingsland."

The chamber has no position on the current incorporation effort, according to Chamber Manager Letha Causey.

"We are neutral," Causey said.

Other efforts to incorporate Kingsland have fizzled.

Kingsland voters went thumbs down during a referendum on incorporation in 1974. An attempt by several residents to establish incorporation also sputtered eight years ago.

Arguments in the past against incorporation included complaints that taxes would rise to pay for additional services.

The last day to order a fall election is Sept. 7, officials said.

If Llano County officials order an incorporation election this fall, Burnet County residents in voting precincts 8 and 9 could participate in the election, according to Barbara Agnew, the county elections administrator.

Both precincts are along the western edge of the county, south of Texas 29 near Inks Lake and Lake LBJ.

"My office will not verify (petition) signatures — that is Llano County’s responsibility," Agnew said. "If everything is in order with the petition, and Llano County orders the incorporation election, Burnet County election officials will be provided with the ballot language and a map of the territory for the election."

raymond@thepicayune.com

MARBLE FALLS — Property owners in the Marble Falls Independent School District could actually pay less in school taxes this coming year if the current budget picture holds together.

While the budget will go up slightly, the district is looking at keeping the tax rate the same — $1.29 per $100 valuation of property.

Meanwhile, careful cost-saving measures have helped the district keep from laying off teachers and other staff, as well anticipate giving raises, trustees said.

MFISD officials rolled out the 2011-2012 proposed budget and tax rate during a workshop Aug. 9.

HORSESHOE BAY — Authorities are warning residents to remain wary of a mountain lion after state officials confirmed one of the big cats likely brought down a deer.

But there is no reason to panic, say police and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

“In all likelihood, if this was a mountain lion it has moved on through the area as they are known to range 20 to 200 square miles and our efforts to prove it is still around have been without confirmation,” state Wildlife Technician Dale Schmidt said. “There is no need for panic or to be overly concerned as there is a considerable food source with the over-abundant deer population in (Horseshoe Bay) which, along with the drought, is another reason the animal may be visiting the area.”

MARBLE FALLS — Someday a person will be able to walk or bike on a trail from Johnson Park west to Westside Park before embarking on a journey through town all the way up to Marble Falls High School.

Planners say such a trail will enhance the quality of life, improve health, add to Marble Falls’ image as a progressive community and can even attract new residents and businesses.

“That’s definitely something that we’re looking at in the long term,” said Robert Moss, Marble Falls parks and recreation director.

But residents don’t have to wait until the day the full trail is built, whenever that may be. The Parks and Recreation Department has already completed a 2,000-foot granite gravel pathway from Johnson Park connecting avenues J and N.