Commentary

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen on April 10 released a joint statement promoting a twofold method for the 86th Texas Legislature to curb property tax increases across the state.

“Texans are fed up with skyrocketing property taxes. At the beginning of the legislative session, the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker laid out an agenda for property tax relief through the passage of Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 2 to limit property tax growth,” the state's top officeholders said.

SB 2 and HB 2, the not-yet-approved property tax reform bills, would reduce the revenue growth increment used for determination of the rollback tax rate from 8.0 percent to 2.5 percent for taxing units other than small taxing units unless the voters in a small taxing unit election decide to opt-in to the proposed new voter-approved tax rate procedure.

Burnet is booming in a lot of ways but especially economically.   The Burnet Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) along with the City of Burnet and sometimes other partners can be very proud of their accomplishments as well as their plans for additional development.   

Oftentimes citizens see the results of this type of work but may not be aware of the many months, even years, that are invested in making these things happen, not to mention the dollars that it takes to do so.  

An example is the ribbon cutting ceremony that was just held for the improvements to John W. Hoover Parkway which was a partnership between the BEDC, the City of Burnet, the Burnet Industrial Foundation and Burnet County.  

Two weeks ago the Rotary Club of Burnet gave away $21,000 in community grants to local non-profit organizations and service organizations. As a member of Rotary, I am very proud of its community grants, and it is another reason that you can add to my list of why I love living and working in Burnet.  

This community gives back to its citizens and there are hundreds of volunteers across the community working to serve people in need. I see examples every day in which these nonprofits are supporting the students and families of Burnet CISD. Kudos to Rotary for helping out these organizations and a big thank you to the local non-profits and service organizations that exemplify the Rotary motto of, “Service Above Self.”

For red spider mites and white-flies use 1-2 ounces of liquid seaweed per gallon of water. Apply around dusk and saturate the foliage thoroughly.

Four (4) ounces of Potassium Bicarbonate plus 1 teaspoon of liquid soap to a gallon of water is excellent fungicide for black spot, powdery mildew, brown patch, and other fungal problems.

For killing those weeds in the driveways and sidewalks, etc. use full strength white vinegar (20% food grade concentration). For additional strength, add 1-2 cups of citrus oil and 1-2 cups of molasses per gallon of vinegar. Hope this helps you keep the harmful chemicals out of your gardens.

By Savanna Gregg

Staff Writer

Burnet Bulletin

There is no denying the sense of community one feels when part of a group that shares the same interests. Each year I have the opportunity to gather with fellow NASCAR fans and take part in an entire weekend of camp food, racing, and sunburns at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, and each year I am reminded of the affect the race weekend has on me and everyone else present.

My husband, Adam, has been going to the NASCAR races since he was a young boy, but I just started going about four years ago, but I grew up as the daughter of a NASCAR fan, and remember watching the drivers fly around various tracks on TV, back in the days of Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

By Caroline Ragsdill

President

Burnet County Child Welfare Board

Members of the Burnet County Child Welfare Board, Hill Country Children's Advocacy Center, and CASA of the Highland Lakes will join together in kicking off Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month this week.

The BCWB, HCCAC, and CASA invite the community to witness a reading of a Proclamation declaring April Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month at Commissioners court Tuesday, April 9 at 9 a.m. at the Burnet County Courthouse, 220 South Pierce Street, Burnet, followed by a balloon release on the courthouse lawn to honor child abuse victims.

While it is good to bring awareness during April, child abuse is with us every day of every year, and we as a community need to be aware of the problem and take action when needed. We probably all have childhood memories of holding a pinwheel out the car window to let it spin in the wind.

By Savanna Gregg

Burnet Bulletin

Fields of green wave at us as we drive down the highway, toward a goal we've worked so hard to achieve. The day is finally here, and we are on our way. The fields of green aren't pastures and farmland, though there is plenty of that to behold in the area.

No, we haven't even left town yet. The kelly green images through the windows of our bus are the residents of Burnet: our family, friends, and neighbors dressed in Bulldog attire, waving flags and banners, releasing balloons and cheering in celebration of our accomplishments.

Two of my most vivid memories of high school are the Esprit De Corps' trips to the UIL State Marching Contest, my sophomore and senior years. Both trips were so special, but our second go-round was one for the books.

By Robert and Sheryl Yantis

Special to the Burnet Bulletin

Every spring the Texas Hill Country becomes awash with color from the most beautiful wildflowers seen anywhere in Texas.  

Learn how to plant and how to increase the number of wildflowers on your property. You can also learn how to identify wildflowers that you will see in the Highland Lakes.  

In Central Texas every spring, a changing variety of colors signal the beginning of a spectacular wildflower show that lasts until the first frost in the fall.

Although the majority of wildflowers bloom in spring, if you look closely you will find colorful flowers throughout the growing season.

Master Gardener Sheryl Yantis will present a beautiful and informative free program “Hill Country Wildflowers and More” at the Hill Country Lawn and Garden Show at the Burnet Community Center on Saturday March 30th at 11 AM.  

The annual Hill Country Lawn and Garden Show will be held Saturday, March 30th at the Burnet Community Center 9-3. There will be demonstrations, many vendors, kids’ corner, many plants, and native and garden supplies.

Let’s Build Raised Beds

Why raised beds you might ask? Here in the Hill country our soils are primarily very alkaline: 8+ on the scale. Raised bed gardening allows us to grow those plants that prefer an acidic pH by creating a proper environment. Raised beds also allow us to garden just about anywhere. They also permit us to keep our garden and flower beds closer to home or in a convenient location for us. And yes, painting the outside for a color theme is fun and vibrant.

It is remarkable how the passing of a celebrity, a person you knew only through the television screen, can profoundly affect you. I was shocked Monday, March 5, as I learned of the passing of actor Luke Perry at the young age of 52, near the age of my parents. I opened my phone, saw the Facebook post – an old photo from back in the day, with the years “1966-2019” printed underneath – and my stomach dropped to the floor.

It might be silly to mourn someone I would have never met in the real world, but I sat there remembering all the times I swooned seeing him on screen watching my recorded episodes of “Beverly Hills 90210,” and how I cried when he perfectly portrayed the life and legacy of the late Lane Frost in the movie “8 Seconds,” and thought how precious and fleeting time is. A large part of my childhood consisted of old shows from the 80's and 90's, so it is certainly unnerving when those I watched on television for years are no longer on this earth.