Approve Proposition 2

Long before the Internet, the Boerne Public Library provided a network of information and community exchange. Today, the library brings the information-rich world to us through public access computers and computer training – provided we’re lucky enough to spend time on one of the only 17 Internet-accessible computers available.

Seventeen computers for a town of our size? I know Kendall County is considered affluent, but that doesn’t mean that we all have computers at home. Last year, the library recorded more than 22,000 sessions on its computers. It is the number one point of online access for people without Internet connections at home, school or work.

Today, the library works to ensure that everyone is literate, as well as information-literate. But they need more technology resources to accomplish this. Let’s build a library that is technology-appropriate. We owe it to our children to equip them for the classroom and the workplace. Please vote to approve Proposition 2 in the upcoming election.

Roberta Belanger
Boerne, Texas

‘Big-city’ politics unwelcome

Wow! Nasty politics right here in Boerne, Texas.  So much for moving away from the big city to escape the unethical backhanded maneuvers of big-time politics.

I find the recent effort to make a campaign issue out of a meeting that took place with State Rep. Macias nothing more than a desperate attempt to make our mayoral election an exercise in trivial pursuit.  Mr. (Jim) McCormick, author of a recently reported letter about this meeting, was even out in front of Thursday night’s candidate forum passing out copies of his infamous “letter.” Talk about poor taste! 

Is Mr. Helmke’s campaign really that desperate?  I guess it must be, based on the reported tactics he used to introduce this issue.  If the Macias meeting was such a critical point of injustice, why did Mr. Helmke use such a manipulative tactic of raising the issue at the Chamber of Commerce’s candidate forum after, according to the rules of the meeting, his opponent was not allowed to respond? Obviously, this was nothing more than a dirty political ploy, just as Mr. McCormick’s attempt to propagandize last night’s forum that was sponsored by the League of Women Voters and Boerne Together.  My guess is that neither one of these organizations endorsed Mr. McCormick’s actions and should support my recommendation that he and whomever he supports should go to a big city where such antics are expected and tolerated. I don’t think the citizens of Boerne are ready to tolerate or accept these kinds of tactics from our candidates or their supporters.

Mike Hagan
Boerne, Texas

In support of Prop. 1

I am writing in support of the public safety improvements portion of the bond package. The growth of the Boerne area has resulted in a significant increase in calls for emergency services. The Boerne Police Department became responsible for dispatch operations for law enforcement, fire, and EMS services in Kendall County, and the Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department in 1999. Since that time, calls for service have increased from 11,500 to 22,500 (95 percent). The dispatch center is still working in the same very cramped room, with no satisfactory way to expand operations. The new public safety building will provide secure, sufficient space for the 911 dispatch center, emergency operations center, police headquarters, and municipal courts.

Fire calls have increased 86 percent during the last five years and facilities are needed to handle the additional firefighters and equipment necessary to provide protection to our increasing population.

A vote for this proposal will provide resources needed for continued good emergency response times and keep Boerne recognized as a progressive community responding to the present and future needs of its citizens.

Roger Hall
Boerne, Texas

Vote: Just do it

This letter is a request that every registered voter in Kendall County please get out and vote May 12 on the state of Texas proposed constitutional amendment that would give the same school property tax relief to senior citizens and the disabled that all other property tax payers received during the last legislative session.

Early voting for this proposed amendment starts Monday and runs through May 8 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Kendall County Courthouse.

Let’s all get out and support this proposed amendment and put our senior citizens and disabled on equal footing with all other school property tax payers.

The state of Texas will fund this reduction in taxes.

John Collins
Boerne, Texas

Myth of no growth

FACT: 2,446 lots/houses are developable in the city of Boerne if no further annexations or other agreements occur.  Using the 2.7 person per home multiplier used by the Boerne Independent School District, this equates to 6,604 people; 73 percent Growth; (over 5 percent compounded each year for the next 10 years).

FACT: The trend is clear, there is significant growth stress both inside the city of Boerne and elsewhere in the county.

FACT: The notion of “no growth” is impossible in the City of Boerne and Kendall county.  Our growth rate is healthy.

OPINION:  “No Growthers” is a pejorative descriptor used by some influential people in Boerne’s community to describe others of different opinion.  It introduces divisiveness where there should be good honest public debate in Boerne’s politic. Isn’t this label just a way to demean citizens who are trying to hold on to their quality of life?

Let’s consider how many new residences could be built if all properties currently annexed and residentially zoned in COB were built out. 

According to a map provided by city staff to city councilpersons on April 10 titled: “Developments Approved 2005-2007,” and clarification conversation with Chris Turk, city planner, the number of currently annexed, developable properties is:

English Oaks 50
Village at Stone Creek 128
Cibolo Terraces 150
Woodland Apts 125
Woods at Frederick Creek 234
Menger Springs 171
Christianson 37
Miller Tract 954
Trails of Herff Falls 572
Village Park Townhouses 25
TOTAL 2446

Some 2446 lots or houses are developable in the city of Boerne if no further annexations or other agreements occur.  Using the 2.7 person/home multiplier used by the Boerne Independent School District, this equates to 6,604 people; 73 percent growth (over 5 percent compounded each year for the next 10 years).  Since Kendall Creek Estates’ build-out/occupancy status is not clearly known, I did not include them.

Growth policies and supporting ordinances should originate from citizen desires for growth, not private financial interests of developers and others. 

Think about this when you vote.  Let your elected officials hear from you. Those who are in such a hurry to develop this area will certainly be at the table. 

Mark Mason
Spokesperson, Boerne Together
Boerne, Texas