QualTech Automotive owner Billy Leavings (right) in a photos with Derek Castillo of Castleview Productions at the 2016 Fastest-Growing Companies in Central Texas awards ceremony.

By KIM ESTES
Four Points News

Steiner Ranch resident, Billy Leavings, has earned recognition from the Austin Business Journal and the University of Houston, respectively, for owning QualTech Automotive — one of the fastest growing companies in Austin and one of the fastest growing businesses owned or led statewide by a Cougar alumni.

“Even with the growth we have had, I feel like we have many opportunities to improve. I don’t feel successful; I feel blessed to have the opportunity to create this company with such a great team of employees,” said Leavings, who opened QualTech in 2010 with his wife Cindy at 10815 RM 620 N. In 2014, they opened their second shop in Bee Cave at 13925 W Hwy 71.

Leavings knew when they opened their first shop that it would be profitable. “You have to believe that to take the risk and go out on your own and take on the bigger companies,” he said.

In August, ABJ reported that QualTech ranked 24th among 25 fast growing Austin businesses in the small company category. Another Four Points business, Square Cow, also captured 25th place among small companies (Look for coverage of that in next week’s edition.)

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The Austin City Council approved a controversial zoning change earlier this month to the Champions tract at the corner of RM 2222 and City Park Road. Plans for the site include a 325-unit apartment complex.

By CASSIE MCKEE
Four Points News

In a vote of 7-4, the Austin City Council approved a controversial zoning change to the Champions tract at the corner of RM 2222 and City Park Road that will allow for the construction of a 325-unit apartment complex.

Concerned residents living in or nearby City Park Road neighborhoods say they object to the zoning change because the added traffic from the apartments will make an already dangerous road worse. They say they also oppose the many variations granted to ordinances such as the Hill Country Roadway Ordinance and the Lake Austin Watershed Ordinance.

Linda Solomon, who serves on the board of directors for the Westminster Glen HOA, has lived off City Park Road for the past 16 years. She said there have been six accidents, including one fatal accident, on City Park Road in the last 21 days.

“Please do not shoehorn in something that is going to make an already known unsafe intersection and road infinitely worse,” Solomon told the city council prior to their Nov. 10 vote.

Neighbors who own nearly 37 percent of property square footage within 200 feet of the tract submitted a petition against the rezoning to city staff; however, a last minute change by the developer to change the zoning boundaries by 200 feet invalidated their petition, further frustrating neighbors.

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The Brown family — Steve and children Riley, Mary Cate, Eleanor and Sam — photoed last Christmas at Bull Creek several months after losing wife and mother, Mara, Aug. 13, 2015.

Reflect on the past year without wife, mother

By SARAH DOOLITTLE
Four Points News

Meals, laundry, house cleaning, yard care, carpooling and comforting are some of the many ways neighbors, family and friends helped and continue to help the Brown family while they learn to live without Mara, a devoted wife and mother who died unexpectedly in 2015.

“The first day after (Mara died), people were lining up to do stuff, and I was like, I can handle this. I can suck it up,” explained Steve Brown, a former Army man. “And after about 30 seconds I said, I can’t handle this. I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t even know what help I need.”

Steve and their four children, Riley, 15, Mary Cate,13, Eleanor, 11 and Sam, 9, marked the one year anniversary of the death Mara a couple of months ago.

To thank their community for the outpouring of support received in the wake of Mara’s death at age 47, the family hosted an open house barbecue on the Aug. 13 anniversary that was attended by over 150 people.

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“Thanksgiving Lunch” was a big hit at local schools over the past few weeks when schools invited parents, grandparents and families in to celebrate with the traditional meal of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberries and pumpkin dessert.

Schools also had many pilgrim and Native American learning opportunities too.

River Place Elementary kindergarteners give a Thanksgiving presentation.

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