Opinion

The letter to the editor from last week, April 14th, really spoke to many resident’s hearts. We are all very concerned about the projected growth in our beautiful, peaceful neighborhood. And the fire really put the fear of God in all of us. There are many more clear cut acres in Woodcreek North with atleast 8-10 inches of cedar mulch as far as the eye can see. It is another fire waiting to happen especially being in a severe drought and the burn ban which will go on for months. I have spoken to the local fire department and have been told there is really nothing they can do about forcing the developers to atleast remove the acres and acres of clear cut cedar. They own the land and we have no say in how they treat it. I must say, all the fire departments involved did an amazing job getting the fire out and monitoring it for days afterwards. Kudos to all of those brave men and women!

I own 3 vacation rental homes in Wimberley. I just looked online at the Hays County Appraisal Districts website showing that one home is going up 20% while the 2nd is going up 50% and the third 63%. I understand that values are going up. 20% is bad enough but 50% and 63% is theft. Is there no rhyme or reason nor a formula to figure out a common and consistent percentage in value ?

Existentialism is a bad neighbor.

I am adamantly opposed to the approval of the application by Far South Mining LLC for a rock crushing quarry permit at the Needmore Ranch in the Wimberley valley.

Eligible Texas voters who have not done so already have until April 7 to register to vote in the May 7 statewide constitutional amendment election, as well as any local elections for city, school districts and other local entities.

An Eastland County sheriff’s deputy died Thursday as wildfires swept through several small Texas communities west of Dallas, destroying at least 50 homes and charring more than 54,000 acres as of Sunday.

Last week, the Wimberley Valley, Hays County, and the Texas Hill Country lost their passionate protector of the natural environment and champion for groundwater conservation: Joe Day. I was honored that Joe considered me a brother, and for me personally his passing cuts that deeply. We may have sensed for months that this time would come, but even he would not let us speak in the past tense. Until now.

It is with a sad heart that I first learned of the terrible accident that befell my friend Marilee Wood and then went on to take her life. You have no further to look than to the late 90’s in local history to the year 2000 when Wimberley became Incorporated, Marilee was a leader in Wimberley becoming an organized community in more ways than I can or could ever list here. She earned her place in our history and then continued to solidify it in every way possible.

As Professional Educators, we have learned there are two sides to every story, and it’s important to listen to both sides. Both sides, generally, think they are correct in their thinking.

The board of trustees for Katherine Anne Porter School seems prepared to turn the KAP School into Premier Wimberley. This is a tragedy and a gift of a very valuable piece of real estate to a charter management company with no history of supporting the cultural arts curriculum. They have no plan to provide anything that Katherine Anne Porter stood for. It would be spitting in her face after de cades of sacrifice and commitment.