2 | NEWS | <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>Newspaper</strong> • Round Rock/Pflugerville/Hut<strong>to</strong> Edition Dive in. Your life after brain tumor or spine surgery? It can be life, resumed. With activities enjoyed. Time with family cherished as always. The things you care about — yours, once again. At NeuroTexas Institute, we’re committed <strong>to</strong> delivering compassionate, individualized neurosurgical care and positive health outcomes. It begins with the experience and expertise of <strong>to</strong>p doc<strong>to</strong>rs that have put us in the <strong>to</strong>p 5% of hospitals in the nation. It ends with getting you back <strong>to</strong> the things and the people you love. neurotexasinstitute.com ©2012 St. David’s HealthCare. All rights reserved.
821 Grand Avenue Parkway, Ste. 411 Pflugerville, TX 78660 • 512-989-6808 www.impactnews.com Publisher & Chief Executive Officer John P. Garrett, jgarrett@impactnews.com Publisher - Austin Metro Claire Love, clove@impactnews.com Round Rock / Pflugerville / Hut<strong>to</strong> Edi<strong>to</strong>r | JP Eichmiller Reporter | Rebecca Rose Account Executives | Tyana Abee, Kimberly Beers Senior Account Coordina<strong>to</strong>r | Alyssa Elwood Senior Designer | Jenny Tenbush Staff Writers | Emilie Boenig, Amy Denney, Korri Kezar, Joe Lanane, Beth Wade Contributing Writer | Susan VanDeWater Edi<strong>to</strong>rial management Executive Edi<strong>to</strong>r | Cathy Kincaid Managing Edi<strong>to</strong>r | Shannon Colletti Copy Edi<strong>to</strong>r | Andy Comer Creative Direc<strong>to</strong>r | Derek Sullivan Ad Production Manager | Tiffany Knudtson Administrative management Chief Operating Officer | Jennifer Garrett Chief Financial Officer | Darren Lesmeister Business Direc<strong>to</strong>r | Misty Pratt Circulation & Operations Manager | David Ludwick About us John and Jennifer Garrett began <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>Newspaper</strong> in 2005 in Pflugerville, Texas. The company’s mission is <strong>to</strong> build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Now, with 13 markets in the Austin, Hous<strong>to</strong>n and Dallas/ Fort Worth metro areas, the paper is distributed <strong>to</strong> more than 850,000 homes and businesses. Subscriptions Subscriptions <strong>to</strong> our other editions are available for $3 per issue. Visit impactnews.com/subscription. Contact us Press releases | rphnews@impactnews.com Advertising | rphads@impactnews.com Comments | rphfeedback@impactnews.com M•E•D•I•A I N C O R P O R A T E D ©2012 JGMedia, Inc., All Rights Reserved. No reproduction of any portion of this issue is allowed without written permission from the publisher. Last week I attended the Round Rock ISD school board candidate forum hosted by the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce. I glanced over the audience and noticed City Council members, the county commissioner, local business owners and parents among those in attendance. They say it takes a village <strong>to</strong> raise a child, and this group was almost a complete cross-section of Round Rock. I’ve sat in these meetings for the past six-plus years that I’ve worked for <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>Newspaper</strong> as the “ears” for the average Joe. This particular meeting was a little different. While I was still tasked with the same journalistic responsibility, for the first time I was also listening as a parent. My son started kindergarten in RRISD this year, and suddenly the discussion of fiscal responsibility and student accountability <strong>to</strong>ok on a whole new meaning. 2012 NNA Awards <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>Newspaper</strong> earned 12 awards at the National <strong>Newspaper</strong> Association’s Annual Convention Oct. 5. The NNA is made up of more than 2,400 community newspapers. The Better <strong>Newspaper</strong> Contest and The Better <strong>Newspaper</strong> Advertising Contest recognize achievement in writing, advertising and design. This year <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>Newspaper</strong> was awarded: Best Agricultural S<strong>to</strong>ry, first place, George<strong>to</strong>wn/Hut<strong>to</strong>/Taylor edition Best Business S<strong>to</strong>ry, first place, Northwest Hous<strong>to</strong>n edition Best Business S<strong>to</strong>ry, honorable mention, The Woodlands edition Best Environmental S<strong>to</strong>ry, honorable mention, Grapevine/Colleyville/Southlake edition Best Feature Pho<strong>to</strong>, second place, Grapevine/Colleyville/Southlake edition Best Use of Color, first place, Northwest Hous<strong>to</strong>n edition Excellence in Typography, third place, Cedar Park/Leander edition Best Small-Page Ad, first place, Northwest Hous<strong>to</strong>n edition Best Single Ad Idea Color, first place, Round Rock/Pflugerville edition Best Use of Ad Color, honorable mention, Northwest Hous<strong>to</strong>n edition Best Small-Page Ad, honorable mention, Cedar Park/Leander Park edition Best Single Ad Idea Color, honorable mention, George<strong>to</strong>wn/Hut<strong>to</strong>/Taylor edition 2013 Legacy 2.5i CVT Premium Sedan Absolutely Zero Down $219mo 1 There is a lot of attention on the upcoming presidential election right now—some calling it one of the biggest races in the nation’s his<strong>to</strong>ry—but it’s important not <strong>to</strong> lose focus on what’s happening locally. I recently met with the chairpersons of the Williamson County Republican and Democratic parties <strong>to</strong> talk about the local elections. They both agreed that the district at<strong>to</strong>rney and the newly created state House of Representatives District 136 seat are among the most important races <strong>to</strong> watch. In our election preview, we’ve provided Q&As with the candidates for both of these races, along with the candidates for the local school board elections. You’ll also find information on how <strong>to</strong> register <strong>to</strong> vote, when and where <strong>to</strong> go and what <strong>to</strong> take with you. It’s not <strong>to</strong>o late <strong>to</strong> register, and early voting starts in a few weeks. Get informed and get <strong>to</strong> the polls. <strong>Community</strong> Feedback impactnews.com • Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 2012 | NEWS | 3 Cer tifiedPreowned.com (512) 706-7065 2013 VOLVO S60 T5 FWD $299mo 2 Safe + Secure Included Claire Love Publisher - Austin Metro How much of an effect do property taxes have on your home budget? They are a major burden on my personal finances. 49.52% They cost more than I would like, but I can afford it. 37.14% I don’t even notice them. 7.62% No effect, I rent. 4.76% Other 0.95% Results from an unscientific Web survey, collected 9/6/12–9/26/12 Connect Online Stay informed with online-exclusive news and more at impactnews.com Subscribe <strong>to</strong> our e-newsletter at impactnews.com Follow us on Twitter @impactnews_rph Find us on Facebook at impactnews.com/rph-facebook 2013 Audi A4 2.0T Premium FWD Multitronic Luxury has Progressed. $399mo3 Contents 4 <strong>Impact</strong>s 8 Calendar 11 Recent Highlights 13 Transportation Proposed I-35 ramp project 14 City and County 23 News Update Williamson County officials oppose salamander endangered species listing 25 News Report Rock ‘N Lights holiday celebration 27 Education Texas A&M Health and Science Center in Round Rock may join Aggie system 28 Election Guide Comprehensive listing of candidates, registration information and voting locations for 2012 elections 32 Business A<strong>to</strong>mic Garage 33 Dining Pita Fusion 35 Coffee With <strong>Impact</strong> Gary Hoover, founder of Books<strong>to</strong>p and Hoovers 36 Regional 39 Real Estate 2012 Porsche Panamera $1,179mo4 1-Subaru - Model DAD. With approved credit. Dealer contribution may a ect nal negotiated price. 42 mo lease, $0 <strong>to</strong>tal due at inception, no sec. dep. required, 42 monthly payments of $219, nal pymt / residual = $13,755.28. Based on 10k mi. / yr with $.15 per mi. excess charge. MSRP $23,716. Stk# Z7482. 2-Volvo - 36 mo. lease, $3,693 <strong>to</strong>tal due at inception (no sec. dep. required). 36 monthly payments of $299. Final payment / residual = $19,588.05. MSRP $32,645. S<strong>to</strong>ck# V6000. O ers with approved credit through US Bank until Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 1, 2012. Leases based on 10,000 mi./yr with $.25/mi excess charge. †With approved credit through US Bank in lieu of other o ers, $15.15 per $1,000 borrowed. *Please visit www.volvocars.com/us/safeandsecure or your local Volvo retailer for details on the Volvo Safe + Secure Coverage Plan and for further details. Plan excludes tires. ©2012 Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. The Iron Mark is a registered trademark of Volvo. Pictures for illustration only. volvocars.us. O ers may include Volvo Allowance. Advertised nancing may vary, excludes fees and is available <strong>to</strong> quali ed cus<strong>to</strong>mers. 3-Audi - 42 mo. closed-end leases o ered <strong>to</strong> quali ed cus<strong>to</strong>mers by Audi Financial Services. A4 Stk# A6763 based on MSRP $38,210 with Ice silver metallic paint, 4ET, Exhaust tips, WPS and Premium Plus Pkg. 2,499 down + $695 acquisition fee + $399 rst mo. payment + $0 security deposit = $3,593 due at inception + TT&L. Purchase option at lease end for $19,869. 42 monthly payments of $399. Advertised o ers require dealer contribution; nal negotiated price may vary by dealer. Lessee responsible for insurance, maintenance and repairs and may have some nancial liability at lease end. Lessee responsible for $0.25/mile over 10,000 miles per year and a disposition fee of $375 due at lease end. See dealer for details. Higher MSRP will a ect lease price. Pictures shown with optional equipment for illustration only. O ers expire 10-1-12. 4-Porsche - 36-month closed-end leases o ered <strong>to</strong> quali ed cus<strong>to</strong>mers from Porsche Financial Services with approved credit, no security deposit required. Advertised o ers require dealer contribution; nal negotiated price may vary. Lessee responsible for insurance, maintenance and repairs and may have some nancial liability at lease end. Lessee responsible for $0.30/mile over 10,000 miles per year. Higher MSRP will a ect lease price. Panamera - S<strong>to</strong>ck# W8165 based on lease sale price $79,586. $6,000 <strong>to</strong>tal due at lease inception, 36 monthly payments of $1,179, purchase option/residual at lease end $49,427.25. $350 disposition fee. See dealer for details. O er expires 9-30-12. News Features
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