Bertram City Council

By Nathan Hendrix

Staff Writer

The Bertram city council approved granting local businesses a total of $5,700 of Economic Development Funds at the monthly council meeting on Tuesday, May 14.

The Economic Development Corporation requested expending a portion of sales on tax to local businesses The Texas Pecan Cake Shop and Burlap n Lace Salon n Boutique. The funds can be issued to acquire land, purchase equipment, pay construction costs or fund planning and professional services, according to local government codes.

The Bertram EDC makes their decisions with the understanding the the goal of the corporation is “to promote business and tourism in the city of Bertram through taxes,” according to an EDC representative.

The council approved giving $2,700 to The Texas Pecan Cake Shop for the purchase of new baking pans.

By Richard Zowie

Staff Writer

Burnet Bulletin

JJ Wilson's days as a police chief at the Bertram Police Department are over, and while he and the city negotiate an agreement ending his contract, the Bertram City Council at its Nov. 13 meeting extended his unpaid suspension.

Both the police and utility departments also submitted “wish lists” of items they'd like to acquire, should the city be able to secure a $300,000 loan.

Chief's suspension continued

Bertram City Council members at their meeting authorized the beginning of the process to hire a new police chief.

City Secretary Georgina Hernandez said she did not know how long it would take to hire a new chief, as it requires background checks and interviews.

The new chief will replace James Jay (“JJ”) Wilson. The council also authorized to extend Wilson's suspension without pay up through Dec. 27.

Savanna Gregg

Staff Writer

Burnet Bulletin

At an emergency City Council meeting called Thursday, Oct. 25, Bertram City Council members unanimously voted to place embattled Police Chief James Jay (“JJ”) Wilson on unpaid administrative suspension following his arrest for suspected driving while intoxicated after crashing and leaving his patrol unit along the 5000 Block of Ranch-to-Market 1431 outside Marble Falls on Wednesday, Oct. 24.

The Texas Department of Public Safety responded to the scene of the crash 8:30 p.m., and eventually arrested Wilson at Scott and White Hospital in Marble Falls, to which he had gotten a ride.

This incident occurred not a month after a 424^th Judicial District Grand Jury indicted Wilson on charges of felony aggravated perjury, felony misuse of official information, and misdemeanor official oppression, according to court documents.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

Burnet Bulletin

City Councilman Adam Warden will become the next mayor of Bertram, while Jane Scheidler joins Kim Klose on the City Council in final but unofficial election results from Saturday's municipal election.

Meanwhile, in Burnet, voters approved 16 of 17 proposed City Charter amendments on the ballot.

Newcomers will take all three spots on the Granite Shoals City Council.

Bertram

 On the same day as the famed Kentucky Derby, Warden, who did not seek re-election to his City Council seat, took a 19-10 lead in absentee and early voting and then coasted to victory on Election Day, winning by a 92-30 margin over Danielle Armknecht.

Incumbent mayor Cynthia Shell Anderson did not seek re-election, but instead ran for Warden’s City Council seat against Scheidler. With Klose seeking re-election, voters had to select two of the three council candidates.

Kim Klose

Kim Klose declined the opportunity to answer the Burnet Bulletin Q&A

Adam Warden

Q: What is the next step Bertram needs to continue to properly manage growth and development within city limits?

A: I believe we need to take a more in depth look at our zoning practices to insure Bertram remains presentable to road and train traffic.

Q: Do you think the city is doing a good job walking the line between accountability to neighbors and individual rights?

A: Bertram has done a good job walking that line, I believe it could be polished and shined but overall a good job.

Q:  What, if any, programs or facilities would you like to see the city implement in the next five years?