Author Archives: Lynette

Annexation-vote bill dies in filibuster, RP leaders reach out to governor

A special session is the last hope for supporters of the anti-annexation bill, Senate Bill 715, which was filibustered as the 85th Texas Legislative Session ended at midnight on Sunday.


By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News

The final version of Senate Bill 715, the anti-annexation bill, passed the House on Sunday, but was filibustered by Senate Democrats. As a result, the Senate never got to vote on the bill as the 85th Texas Legislative Session came to a close at midnight on Sunday. A special session is the last hope for bill supporters.

“SB 715 was filibustered to death Sunday night by Senators who favor a big government and big-city, municipal-lobby agenda over a community’s right to choose its own destiny,” said Tim Mattox, an 18-year resident of River Place and a member of the homeowners association board.

Leading up to the filibuster, the House passed an amended version of Texas Senate Bill 715, which would give property owners the right to vote for or against municipal annexation. The bill passed by the House included, among other things, language that positively impacted River Place. Because the versions of the bill were different, it went to a conference committee made up of five senators and five representatives. They agreed on the final version of SB 715, which also included language favorable to River Place, Mattox said.

River Place is scheduled to be fully annexed by Austin on Dec. 15 and leaders believe annexation will bring higher taxes and fewer services to their community. They also want to draw attention to the fact that other local communities may be next on Austin’s annexation list.

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Community will play crucial role in Road to Vandegrift effort

This photo shows the road Four Points Traffic Committee wants to improve and open to Leander ISD staff and students. This road is off of River Place Boulevard and runs along the edge of the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan and a housing development.

LISD hosts public forum regarding second access road

By CASSIE MCKEE
Four Points News

After two years of waiting on a response from the federal government, members of the Four Points Traffic Committee have initiated a new strategy in the effort to build a secondary access road to Vandegrift High School and Four Points Middle School, according to Pam Waggoner, vice president of Leander ISD Board of Trustees and founder of the FPTC. She said the community will play a crucial role in the effort.

“The next and most important piece of this is the community,” Waggoner said.

LISD hosted a public forum for the community regarding the construction of a second access road on May 30 at 6:30 p.m. at VHS. At the meeting, district officials were scheduled to share the history of construction of the two campuses, safety concerns and traffic congestion in the area, along with next steps for obtaining federal approval for the project.

“There’s a lot of new residents in this area,” Waggoner said. “They don’t know the history of the Four Points area. It’s a way to bring new residents up to speed.”

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VHS golfer goes to 4th state tourney

Vandegrift’s Sophia DiGesualdo finished her high school golfing career at the state tournament for the fourth straight season.

By ZACH SMITH
Four Points News

 

Vandegrift’s Sophia DiGesualdo finished her high school golfing career at the state tournament for the fourth straight season.

The lone Viper golfer to make the state tournament this season, she fired rounds of 9-over 81 on Monday, May 15 and 6-over 78 on Tuesday, May 16 to finish tied for 39th place at 15-over 159 at Legacy Hills Golf Club in Georgetown.

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