Fair Oaks Ranch City Council candidates debated on April 24. Pictured are, from left, Dan Kasprowicz; George Abuzeid; FORHOA board member Greg Bushman, debate moderator; Jeff Cook and Ray Balcer. Photo by Joni Simon

By Joni Simon
Contributing Writer

A city sales tax, signs, graffiti, communication and yes, the deer population were among the issues on the minds of the Fair Oaks Ranch residents, who packed City Hall on April 24 for a homeowner’s association sponsored forum to meet the candidates. Longtime council members Dan Kasprowicz, a mayoral candidate, and Ray Balcer, running again for Place 1, say they support the sales tax. “Water and sewer lines and roads are getting older. The day is coming when we are going to need major renovations,” Balcer said.

“The sales tax would also reduce property tax. Anything we can do to reduce taxes is helpful.” Kasprowicz and his opponent, George Abuzeid said the money from the sales tax would come in part from non-residents, who frequent Fair Oaks Ranch businesses.

“I support the sales tax,” Abuzeid said. “The money would stay in Fair Oaks Ranch and we could do things with it. I’d like to look into the possibility of developing a Fair Oaks Ranch Fire Department, for one.” Residents wanted to know why the candidates’ political signs were allowable on the Ranch when their garage sale signs were not.

“Political signs are exempt federal law. We can’t restrict political signs,” Balcer said, adding, “I worked on the sign ordinance. It did a great deal to beautify the city.” Kasprowicz and Abuzeid both said they’d be willing to take another look at the sign ordinance.

“My neighbors want to put up garage sale signs. Maybe we can do something about that,” Abuzeid said. “Maybe we can amend the sign ordinance. The citizens pay taxes. Why not let them put up signs?”

Graffiti that remains for weeks and even months is even more gratifying to vandals, said resident John Black, who asked the candidates why it has been allowed to remain on the Cibolo Trails wall so long.

“I was stunned when I passed it the first time. It’s the kind of thing that grinds at the foundation of a community,” said Jeff Cook, a candidate for Place 1. “It needs to be removed immediately.”

That’s sometimes easier said then done, according to Kasprowicz, who explained that oil-based paint was used in this instance, thus it’s taken longer in getting it off. The battle between those who love the deer and those who don’t continued like a tug o’ war. A one-time deal a few years back, when a Mexican company paid to have 100 deer shipped south of the border, was brought up.

“We haven’t found anymore takers,” Kasprowicz said. “This is a very divisive issue and it’s a long process. This time, we’d have to pay for it.”’

“The deer were here first. We got here second,” Cook said. “But, if that’s the will of the community, it they want something done, we’re bound to do it.”

Residents also wanted to know whether all four had time for the city council. Abuzeid, a pilot, told them he makes his own hours and has his evenings free. Opponent Kasprowicz merely invited everyone to look into all the hours he’s spent on the council through the years.

“I’ve been doing it for 12 years day and night and I’m strong enough and eager enough to do it another two,” Balcer said. Balcer and his opponent are both retired. “I plan to stay in Fair Oaks Ranch,” said Cook.

“I hope to bring a fresh new view. My time is your time.” Cook said his “broken record” is communication and how it can be better on the Ranch. Another candidate said one way to do that is to have meetings at times when residents can attend.

“There was a meeting at 2 p.m. recently,” Abuzeid said. “Most of us are working or we’re busy doing other things or we’re golfing that time of the day.”

Cheryl Landman, who is running unopposed for Place 2, did not take part in the forum, but she was available to lend her expertise on issues she’s been working on, including a post office for Fair Oaks Ranch. Landman said that postal officials have not deemed one necessary for the area, meaning the city would have to construct the building and pay for the personnel with its own taxes.

“Where will it go? You’ll have trucks coming and going, thus losing some of that Hill Country ambiance,” Landman said. One resident requested that, at the very least, the zip code signify the area as Fair Oaks Ranch and not Boerne, as it does now.

“I’m tired of having to tell people how to pronounce it. That it’s ‘burn-ee’ and not ‘burn,’” he grumbled.