Cedar Park & Leander - Community Impact Newspaper

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38 | May 2010 Community Impact Newspaper • Cedar Park/Leander Edition Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of candidate interviews that will appear until the November general election, as part of Community Impact Newspaper’s mission to promote civic involvement. For complete transcripts, interviews with candidates for other positions on the ballot and more information about the election, visit www.impactnews.com/vote10. Cynthia Long Republican (incumbent) Lived in county: 22 years Education: Bachelor’s of business administration, Texas A&M University Community involvement: Cedar Park Planning and Zoning Commission; Cedar Park City Council; founding board chair of Twin Lakes YMCA 260-4280 www.cynthialong.com What are the three most important issues to your constituents? Roads. I have a real concern living off of 1869. Cynthia Long loves to brag about how she’s got Williams Drive expanded, and it’s not even in her precinct. A lot of our ranch roads and county roads are in bad shape. The back roads are in desperate need of upgrading and repair. These roads are twolane, no-shoulder roads, and they have thousands of vehicles a day. Environment. The EPA wants the standards for air pollution lowered about 5 to 10 percent. Several months ago they passed a no idling law (for trucks along the road). They’ve got this law that they’re not supposed to idle more than five minutes. Nobody’s enforcing this standard. Hutto landfill. It’s a county concern. CEDAR PARK W OMEN’S CENTER Bringing Women’s Healthcare Home Now in our new location Williamson County precinct 2 commissioners What are the three most important issues to your constituents? Transportation is one of the first and foremost—making sure that we stay ahead of the problem and don’t allow congestion to get worse and plan for the future. We need to plan for the infrastructure we need for the growth. Another issue is economic development and trying to recruit businesses to Williamson County so that our citizens don’t have to commute to Austin and Travis County every day to go to work. This also helps on the transportation side. Maintaining a low tax rate and providing services we are mandated to provide, but not expanding government. I believe maintaining a limited government is important. They want to fund a full-time inspector to come in, but instead of hiring someone really expert in that field, they want to give workers four to five hours of training to inspect this fill. They also said they wanted to put landscaping in, but have nothing in writing and it’s just been talk. How do you plan to address these issues if elected? Especially on the roads, I want to talk with the right people and get the state moving on this. Also, 40 percent of the county budget is set aside for [SH] 29 corridor. We don’t need this. We need infrastructure fixed up so people can drive around their local area safely. They’ve [commissioners] got to represent the people. The people in my area want the roads fixed. This part of the county is not being treated as fairly as the Mikaela Rush, M.D. Obstetrics and Gynecology Accepting new patients How do you plan to address these issues if re-elected? I’m very involved in our transportation planning for the county. I also sit on a regional committee for transportation planning. We need to utilize county dollars, but also utilize our state and federal dollars in regards to roads. As for economic development, by eliminating the freeport tax we eliminated an unfair business tax. We also need to cut taxes to businesses and partner with cities around the county to work with them toward economic development to attract new businesses to the area. What are the biggest challenges for Williamson County? Health care. The county is required to spend up to 8 percent of its budget southern part of the county like Cedar Park and Anderson Mill. For the environment, if you’ve got the laws, enforce them. Don’t beat around the bush or lie about them. You need to do it and fix it. With the landfill I would go talk to the City Council in Hutto and see what they want done. Address the issue and don’t try to get around it. What are the biggest challenges for Williamson County? Growth and water. You can’t have one without the other. Water is a big issue in Texas and a big issue in Williamson County. You’ve got to be careful with your water and conserve it. You can’t do anything without water. We’ve got a lot of land out here, but you’ve got to have planned growth. Election dates Election date: Nov. 2 Last day to register to vote: Oct. 4 Early voting: Oct. 18–Oct. 29 Last day to apply for ballot by mail: Oct. 26 Interviews by Jenn Rains The Commissioners Court is made up of four commissioners and the county judge and is the governing body for Williamson County. The county judge presides as the chairman and is elected in a county-wide election every four years. The commissioners are elected every four years by the voters of their respective precinct. Commissioners Court meets every Tuesday morning at Commissioners Courtroom, 710 Main Street, Georgetown and is in charge of adopting the county budget each year and setting the county’s tax rate. Other responsibilities of the court include operating county parks, issuing bonds and building roads and bridges. CEDAR PARK W OMEN’S CENTER Bringing Women’s Healthcare Home Now in our new location 1401 Medical Parkway B Ste. 410 Cedar Park, Texas 78613 www.cedarparkwomenscenter.com on indigent health care. Because of the economic conditions, the county has seen more people apply. The county has spent 3, 4 or 5 percent in previous years, but this year it will hit 8 percent. That’s going to continue to be an issue for us. My hope is what happened at the national level will be repealed or drastically cut down. If not, we have to seriously look at the effects at the county level. What’s the most unique aspect of Williamson County? It’s an urban and a rural county. Williamson County is attractive to people who want either lifestyle. Because it’s a very conservative county and we have run government in a very conservative way, it’s attractive to both families and businesses. Jim Stauber Democrat Lived in county: 13 years Education: Spring Lake Park High School in Minnesota; on-the-job training Community involvement: Board of directors for Hope Alliance of Williamson County; St. Vincent De Paul Society, North District Council; Williamson County Democratic Party 698-9240 www.jstauber.com Jennifer L. Meadows, M.D. Obstetrics and Gynecology Accepting new patients (512) 260-3636
Joseph M. de Leon Environmental Report | Water conservation Water recedes from a strip of land normally submerged when Lake Travis was full in this August 2009 photo. The lake level was about 632 feet. The lake measured nearly 50 feet deeper in early May 2010 after a series of wetter than normal months. By Joseph M. de Leon Officials in the region hope the year’s wet start has caused residents to water outdoors less often; however, leaders will continue to encourage water conservation. Weather patterns are difficult to predict and a drought can happen anytime. Lower Colorado River Authority On April 30, Lower Colorado River Authority officials launched its “Don’t be fooled by a full Lake Travis” campaign and announced a streamlined watering schedule for its users in Austin and Cedar Park. Water schedule Effective immediately, residential water customers will follow a twice-a-week watering schedule. Customers can water as needed only before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Odd-numbered addresses water on Wednesdays and Saturdays; even-numbered UNRESOLVED THYROID? addresses water on Thursdays and Sundays The watering schedule is mandatory in Austin and voluntary in Cedar Park. Lake level campaign The effort lists and addresses top ways customers waste water as a way to teach people how much water and money they can save by fixing leaky fixtures, following the watering schedule and repairing broken sprinkler heads. • Fixing a leaky faucet can save 3,000 gallons a year • Repairing a broken sprinkler head can save hundreds of gallons per watering • A leaky toilet can waste up to 200 gallons a day, and is the top water waster inside the home • Following the water schedule can reduce water use by about 25 percent • Call 3-1-1 to report water schedule violations Cedar Park The city is in its third year of participating in Water IQ, the • Fatigue/Low Energy • Unexplained weight gain • Diffi culty losing weight • Morning headaches • Depression state’s water conservation campaign. The effort aims to reduce water consumption, promote the watering schedule, educate consumers about the natural water source and help residents understand water planning in Cedar Park. Toilet replacement In April, city officials launched a toilet replacement program in partnership with the Lower Colorado River Authority that expires May 30. Visit www.cedarparktx.us to apply. • Water accounts must be in good standing and houses built before 1992 • Qualifying households will be eligible for two low-flow toilets that can save up to 5,000 gallons per year per toilet compared to traditional toilets • Residents are responsible for pickup and installation of toilets Media campaign In addition to print, online and movie theater ads included in past campaigns, the Water IQ promotion for 2010 includes new features. Visit • Constipation • Thinning or brittle hair • Always feelings cold • Poor circulation in hands and feet • Anxiety • Night sweats • Insomnia When lab tests are normal and symptoms persist, further investigation is warranted. Dr. Thomas Culleton, DC, DACNB has released a DVD explaining his comprehensive approach to supporting and managing patients with hypothyroid symptoms. To receive your FREE DVD, contact: www.UnresolvedThyroid.com • 1-888-5THYROID • UnresolvedThyroid@gmail.com www.wateriqknowyourwater. org/cedarpark. The Water IQ website includes details about water, such as information on the region’s water source, how the Highland Lakes work and why lake levels matter. Updated questions are online so website visitors can take a quiz to find out their Water IQ. Water customers will continue to receive water conservation tips in utility bills. Children’s promotion In an effort to reach every member of the family and encourage conservation for future water customers, city officials will target elementary students. Water conservation will be featured in the Cedar Park Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. Cedar Park’s Camp Timberwolf will educate elementaryage children throughout Leander Independent School District during Water Week, in late May. For details, call 401-5000 or visit www.cedarparktx.us. Leander City Engineer Wayne Watts said a water shortage in 2009 contributed to about a 25 percent reduction in overall water use. During about a 70-day stretch in the summer, daily temperatures stayed above 100 degrees, which killed most lawns causing residents to reduce outdoor watering. Other water conserving factors include: Water usage in Leander is relatively low compared to neighboring cities because about 76 percent of Leander’s estimated 31,000 residences have been Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com May 2010 | 39 built since 2000, allowing most to have modern, water-efficient fixtures and toilets, In 2007, Leander council mandated all new construction must use 1.3-gallon flush toilets, cannot plant Saint Augustine grass and must have at least 6 inches of top soil, which helps reduce water loss. Water bills inform customers of water restrictions and encourage users to follow voluntary water restrictions, which are in effect April through September; customers should water on a five-day cycle before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. For details, call 528-2700 or visit www.leandertx.org. Williamson County Extension The Texas A&M University System affiliate encourages the Earth-Kind Environmental Stewardship Program, which uses techniques developed at the university to design gardens and landscapes that preserve and protect the environment. Techniques recommended for designing a garden include: • Start with a plan: sketch out areas for different types of landscaping, set a budget and consider maintenance. • Use native or adapted plants that require less water, need fewer changes in soil condition, need little or no fertilizer and are more tolerant of the extreme Texas environment. • Consider Zoysia grass, buffalo grass or Centipede grass for its low water requirements. • Use a compost and expanded shale mixture covered with mulch to reduce water use. Call 943-3300 or visit http://williamson-tx.tamu.edu. Hill Country Water Gardens, 1407 N. Bell Blvd., Cedar Park, offers expanded shale. Call 260-5050 or visit www.hillcountrywatergardens.com.
Page 1 and 2: Largest distribution in Central Tex
Page 3 and 4: 821 Grand Avenue Parkway, Ste. 411
Page 5 and 6: Mike Hall, owner of 360 Digital Sys
Page 7 and 8: K. Jenney Business Profile | Mr. Ta
Page 9 and 10: Community Events Sponsored by May 2
Page 11 and 12: Courtesy Mark Röethke Neighborhood
Page 13 and 14: City and County Notes | Recent news
Page 15 and 16: Joseph M. deLeon Local History | Le
Page 17 and 18: facility on property south of Herna
Page 19 and 20: home of Bill and Katherine Carssow
Page 21 and 22: From the Web | Online news from our
Page 23 and 24: Photos by Jenn Rains Community Clos
Page 25 and 26: ike trails. Sand volleyball courts,
Page 27 and 28: Entrepreneurs CONTINUED FROM | 1 ca
Page 29 and 30: Courtesy The Autism Project Nonprof
Page 31 and 32: Business Profile Coyote Moon Coffee
Page 33 and 34: News Report | Austin Regional Intel
Page 35 and 36: Laura Wickett Past developments Com
Page 37: Inside Information | Local men’s
Page 41 and 42: Inside Information | Community Supp
Page 43 and 44: K. Jenney Arts and Entertainment Pr
Page 45 and 46: Residential Real Estate | Property

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