Benefits: greater productivity, work/life balance

By CASSIE MCKEE
Four Points News

A growing number of professionals are choosing to work from home, especially in the Four Points area.

An analysis of House District 47, which stretches across western Travis County and includes Four Points and the communities of Lakeway, Lago Vista, Jonestown and Bee Cave, revealed that 12.7 percent of its residents work from home, a significantly higher number compared to the state average of 4 percent.

While many are self-employed, a growing number of companies are allowing their employees to telecommute, or work remotely from a home-based office.

Steiner Ranch resident Kristina Ritchie has telecommuted for her company Mintel International, LTD, a global market intelligence agency, since 2007.

“I am specifically responsible for a division within Mintel that monitors marketing efforts in the U.S. and Canada, and I oversee a team that establishes new partnerships for us in the U.S. and Canada,” Ritchie said.

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William “Biff” Farrell

Paul Workman

Legislation could give residents a vote in the process

By CASSIE MCKEE
Four Points News

Though it would likely be several years away, Steiner Ranch community leaders are starting to look into options to avoid being annexed by the city of Austin.

While Steiner Ranch is not currently on the proposed annexation list of the City of Austin, Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association board members believe that is only because the community still has too much debt.

“Once the debt is low enough, which I think will be early 2020, I think they are going to start taking a hard look at us,” said William Farrell, SRNA board member. “(We have) too much tax base to ignore.”

Farrell said they have seen the struggle in River Place, which is currently in the process of being annexed. Residents say annexation will lead to higher taxes with no additional services provided.

“We saw what was going on with River Place, so we decided that it might be a good idea to start getting our ducks in a row,” Farrell said.

Board members had an initial meeting with legal counsel about how to fight annexation if it gets that far; however, Farrell said he is hoping there might be a legislative solution.

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By SCOTT W. COLEMAN, Four Points News

Vandegrift will look move past any lingering effects of a close loss to Cedar Park on Friday as it hosts Killeen (1-1) at Monroe Stadium.

The Kangaroos are a familiar opponent for Vandegrift. The two teams have met four previous times in the regular season, and the Vipers have won the last three contests. Continue reading →

Courtney Johnson

The Viper Nation Education Foundation, formerly Hill Country Education Foundation, has a new executive director, Courtney Johnson.

“We are excited to have someone of Courtney’s experience leading Viper Nation Education Foundation into the next level of growth,” said Kai Lamb, VNEF chairman. “She comes to us with deep knowledge of nonprofit management and has worked both as a classroom teacher and volunteer. I believe she has the skill set to make a positive impact on the foundation’s mission for academic excellence in our schools.”

Local resident Johnson served as director of community and public relations for the Long Center for the Performing Arts and later served as a trustee. She also served as the consumer advocate for Audiotoniq,Inc., and is a published author, having given speeches to school children around Central Texas. Last spring, she conducted her student teaching in 8th grade English Literature at Four Points Middle School.

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