By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

The Vandegrift PTA ladder hosted a Meet the Candidates forum last week to find out where candidates stand on issues as two incumbent Leander ISD Board of Trustee members are being challenged for their seats in the May 9 election.

Voters will decide on the Place 1 seat, currently held by Lisa Mallory and being challenged by Trish Bode, both who live in Four Points, and the Place 2 seat, held by Don Hisle and being challenged by Cobby Caputo, both of Cedar Park.

Questions covered a range of topics from district debt, to Common Core curriculum, to the use of portable classrooms, to sex education materials, to whether or not teachers and administrators should be allowed to carry guns on campus.

LISD Board of trustees candidates at the Vandegrift PTA Ladder Meet the Candidates forum at Grandview Hills Elementary on April 29. (L-R) Trish Bode, Lisa Mallory, Don Hisle and Cobby Caputo.

Continue reading →

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Place 6 City Council member Don Zimmerman says that while he opposes subsidized housing projects such as the proposed Cardinal Point apartment complex on Four Points Drive, the state’s current scoring system does not take his views into consideration. Zimmerman worked with State Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) to file legislation that would change that.

Don Zimmerman
Place 6 City Council member

“I investigated the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affair’s scoring process, I personally met with TDHCA staff, and arrived at the conclusion that the scoring process is rigged in favor of approving these tax credits” Zimmerman said.

Under current state law, only members of the Texas House of Representatives have the ability to impact—either positively or negatively—the scoring process for such projects.

Continue reading →

By KIM ESTES, Four Points News

Thirteen-year-old boys are busy, but one Steiner Ranch teen is especially occupied. He is a student, active in athletics, and – most recently – a social advocate.

Timothy Barney, an 8th grader at Canyon Ridge Middle School, assembles and delivers bags of toiletries and accessory items to homeless men and women. He calls his project, Swag A Bag, and he is requesting the community’s help.

Barney came up with Swag A Bag after helping his mother and her friends prepare and deliver

food once a month to the homeless. “I saw the need that these less fortunate people have for small items that we, especially kids, take for granted – items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes and shampoo as well as socks,” Barney said.

Timothy Barney, 13-year-old Steiner Ranch resident, at a delivery run in January handing out food and bags he fills with toiletries and accessories for those in need. He handed out 75 bags that trip. He helps prepare the sandwiches and loads the food truck as well.

Continue reading →