If you can donate to help Ukrainians, here are 2 options to consider.
—World Central Kitchen Is feeding people in Ukraine and surrounding countries where refugees have fled. https://donate.wck.org/give/393234/?fbclid=IwAR1i9G-mOHXyjc1iFozb6PB3BhoUCvcxHQTKgqIeZ0QWmwHw_GV03eY8PEE#!/donation/checkout?c_src=ads_fb_ga_it_ad1
Greater Good Charities funds food, shelter, rescue and re-homing of pets in Ukraine. https://store.greatergood.com/products/96527-ukraine-crisis-feed-pets-in-need?gg_medium=content&gg_source=ars&gg_term=2563680&gg_campaign=40-ukrainian-cats-find-homes-in-berlin&gg_content=gtgm-link
Council Campaign Updates
Nina KNOWS Lakeway
1, 2 or 3???
Lakeway residents are asking an important question: Is it best to vote for ONE Council candidate, or for 3 of them? Well, you can vote for up to 3 people in the Council race, but it is not required.
Someone who understands election theory better than I do explained it this way. If there is one candidate you feel MUST win (for instance, if she doesn’t get on Lakeway Council, you’ll be moving), then ONLY vote for that candidate. (That way, you don’t risk helping someone beat your must-win candidate.) But, if there are 2 or 3 candidates that you hope will win, then vote for them all.
People frequently ask me how they should vote. Well, it is time for some hard truths.
First, VOTE FOR ME, of course! I never claimed to be great at campaigning, but I am confident I will be an effective Councilmember and deserve your vote. For years now, I’ve attended Council and ZAPCO meetings. I regularly post on Next Door and Facebook, letting people know what is happening in city government. I publish a blog, covering all things Lakeway. I serve on the new Wildlife Advisory Committee. I know how the city works. I know the issues and the players. I KNOW LAKEWAY.
Beyond that, I suggest researching ALL the candidates. There are forums and voters guides that will help. (See below for links.)
If you REALLY want to dig into the candidates, FOLLOW THE MONEY. Go here, scroll down a bit, and click on the Campaign Finance Report each candidate filed as of April 7: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/427/Election-Information
Otherwise, the 3 other women running are NEW to city government and would have a steep learning curve if elected. A couple of them never volunteered for anything and only started showing up at Council meetings AFTER they filed to run for office this January; the third displayed that pattern last year when she ran and failed to get elected. Having been actively involved here in Lakeway for many years now, I have seen what happens when someone runs for Council without bothering to serve on committees, volunteer for the city in any way beforehand, or even attend meetings; that never ends well. And, they are SINGLE-ISSUE candidates (actually one seems to be a NO ISSUE candidate); I worry they don’t have the interest or desire to handle ALL the important city issues. Those are the ones I’ve seen crash and burn during budget season; hammering out the budget is vitally important, with a challenging meeting schedule all summer long and zero opportunity to give pretty speeches. Plus, Lakeway politics must stay LOCAL and not be diverted to some extreme and divisive national agenda, so please keep that in mind as you evaluate these candidates, what they support, and who supports them.
Finally, the 2 men on the ballot have been on Council the last 4 years, so my advice is to consider what they have done in that time to take care of Lakeway and improve your quality of life. If nothing much comes to mind, maybe it is time for a change.
2 CANDIDATE FORUMS to view
April 14 in person Candidate Forum held in Rough Hollow. All 6 Council candidates were there, and we addressed questions on issues currently facing Lakeway. https://youtu.be/-1agU3WKi5o
April 19 online forum presented by Lake Travis Progressives, Lake Travis Democrats, and Tuscan Village Voters. Again, all 6 Council candidates were there, followed by the 3 challengers for LTISD seats. www.facebook.com/LakeTravisProgressives/
Voters Guides
The Austin American-Statesman’s profile is here: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/lake-travis-view/2022/04/21/meet-candidates-running-spots-lakeway-city-council/7333870001/?fbclid=IwAR3c-LODHgMAWZ01Baf-68ft-B6oms6Xwy_PMg3AI58zaRIQgV2Z4wSL_AM
Community Impact’s coverage of the Council race is here: https://communityimpact.com/austin/lake-travis-westlake/city-county/2022/04/21/qa-meet-the-candidates-for-lakeway-city-council/?fbclid=IwAR2C2J0nCNPGRf2hC2IMpKMmv5BHhVd1Z5xflgVNlrSWUS1KpSmPhd3J4aY
The League of Women Voters Austin Area created a May 2022 Local Election Voters Guide. It has Council candidate responses to several questions. The school board candidates are covered, as well. There is also good info on the 2 state-wide propositions to reduce property taxes. Go here and put in your mailing address to get voter info for your ballot: https://www.vote411.org/
Hops and Thyme Meet and Greet
What a fun event! Kudos to the amazing Georgia Migliuri, who organized the whole thing, from reserving the patio months ago to inviting everyone, to booking the perfect singing duo, to remembering to take photos! This was the perfect boost to get us over the finish line in this LONG campaign. Photos are here: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10228430062604760&set=pcb.10228430067324878
Here is a real way to save on property taxes. VOTE YES on 2 propositions on the May 7 ballot.
First, don’t be fooled by candidates shouting about sales tax vs. property tax in Lakeway. With HEB and other strategic businesses, Lakeway currently does very well on sales tax. Also—Lakeway gets a nice chunk of tax revenue from alcohol sales all over town. (Cheers!)
Unlike Bee Cave, Lakeway has never wanted to be a shopping destination. And, we aren’t built to handle the traffic that comes with throngs of shoppers. Fact is, we have significant commercial space—raw land as well as vacant stores and restaurants–currently unused. And, the city has a hard-working committee devoted to expanding our economy sensibly, including generating more sales tax revenue.
Property taxes are a harsh reality in Texas. But, don’t let candidate rhetoric scare you. Lakeway is financially sound, and I know that from attending Council’s budget meetings the last several years and reviewing current financial info supplied for tonight’s Council meeting.
Remember–the portion of your property tax bill that goes to City of Lakeway is TINY—around 7% for most homeowners, maybe 10% for others (depending on exemptions). The VAST MAJORITY of your property tax payment goes to LTISD. Travis County also gets a BIG CHUNK. Your MUD, emergency/health services, and a few others get the rest. (All this is conveniently detailed on your tax assessments and bills.) And, Travis County assesses home values; the current booming housing market means another increase there. THAT is why property tax bills rise, and City of Lakeway has nothing to do with it.
Now, back to how to LOWER YOUR PROPERTY TAX BILL. The upcoming election has 2 state-wide propositions on the ballot that, if passed, will LOWER property taxes. One reduces taxes residents age 65+ or disabled pay to public schools; the state would then cover the reduced revenue. The other raises the state homestead exemption from $25,000 to $40,000 for school district property taxes–saving the average homeowner about $176.
So, on May 7 (or during Early Voting or via vote by mail), vote YES on these 2 propositions, to lower your property tax bill.
Bits and pieces….
–Last call for YARD SIGNS! If you want a free yard sign delivered, let me know. nina4lakeway@gmail.com
–My Policies page has detailed info on my position on TEN ISSUES now facing Lakeway. https://www.nina4lakeway.com/policies
–Stay updated via my Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Nina4Lakeway
–How to contribute:
*Venmo: @Nina4Lakeway
*PayPal: There is a PayPal button on the campaign website. https://www.nina4lakeway.com/
*Check: Make it out to Nina Davis Campaign Fund and contact me for the mailing address OR to have it picked up.
Let’s Make Lakeway Even Better!
What is going on in Lakeway ….
Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
On Saturday, April 30, from 10AM-2PM, you can drive through the Police Station parking lot (1941 Lohmans Crossing) and drop off unwanted prescription drugs for secure disposal. Go here for details, including what will be accepted: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1583
Spring Shred Day at Emmaus Catholic Church
Bring confidential papers to the church parking lot on Saturday April 30, 8AM-noon. Trucks will be shredding on-site to protect your privacy. Boy Scout Troop 52 will unload and practice social distancing for contactless drop-off. Event is FREE (but donations to BSA are appreciated).
Lakeway Sing Along
On April 29 and April 30, Lakeway Sing Along returns to the Activity Center in “All You Need Is Love,” celebrating the glories and heartbreaks of love with dinner and music. Dinner is at 6:30PM, with the performance at 7:30PM. Tickets are $38, available now for Activity Center members, with general sales starting March 28. Call the LAC (512) 261-1010 for info.
Brush Recycling Offered 1st Thursday of Every Month
City of Lakeway offers free yard waste drop off for Lakeway residents the first Thursday of every month, at the Public Works Department (3303 Serene Hills Drive) 7AM-3:30PM. Limit is one pickup truck load of yard waste or up to one 8’X5′ pile. Go here for details, including what is accepted: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1584
May the 4th be with you
Star Wars: The Last Jedi will be screened at City Park on—of course—May 4, at 6:30PM.
Lakeway Players presents Rough Crossing
This Tom Stoppard comedy runs May 5, 6 and 7. Members can buy tickets starting March 28. Non-member purchases start April 4. https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog/index?filter=dGFiJTVCNzI4MiU1RD0xJnNlYXJjaD0mcmVudGFsJTVCZnJvbSU1RD0mcmVudGFsJTVCdG8lNUQ9
Heritage Trail Bus Tours
This fun annual event returns Friday, May 6, with a choice of 3 free bus tours. Hosted by Lakeway Heritage Committee members, the tours explore Lakeway by visiting around 20 historical locations. Times are 9:15AM, 11:15AM or 1:15PM. Meet at Lakeway City Hall, to see the updated Liebelt Cabin before climbing aboard. Go here for details and to register: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1171/Heritage-Trail
20th Annual Lakeway Photo Festival
This fun event celebrates the unique beauty of our area and the amazing talents of our local photographers. Categories include Nature, Wildlife, Community, Artistic and Student plus two brand new categories: Pets and Foodie. Amateur or professional photographers as well as LTISD photography students can enter. All photos must be taken in the City of Lakeway. Submissions accepted through May 10. Awards reception will be held May 22nd at 4pm at the Lakeway Activity Center. Sponsored by the City of Lakeway Arts Committee. Go here for more info: https://lakewayartsdistrict.com/2022-photo-festival/
Lakeway is HIRING
–Police Officer
–911 Dispatcher
–Environmental Coordinator
–Finance Director
–Senior Accountant
–Deputy Court Clerk
–Park Maintenance Worker
–Lifeguard
–Swim Instructor
Go here for details and to apply: https://tx-lakeway.civicplushrms.com/CareerPortal/Jobs.aspx
Lake Travis Community Library taking applications for TEEN VOLUNTEERS
Teens interested in volunteering this summer need to commit to a weekly shift (2 or 3 hours) and be mature and dependable. Applications due by Saturday, April 30th. Apply here: https://www.volgistics.com/appform/790742382
COUNCIL Meeting Results
Council met on Monday, April 18. RESULTS:
ITEM 3: MOMENT OF SILENCE for 3 Lakeway residents who recently passed away: Dr. Lewis Carlson, Robert Neighbors, and David Benson.
ITEM 10: Introduction of NEW POLICE OFFICER Leyna Saucedo.
ITEM 10A: Introduction of NEW FORESTER Richard Leon.
ITEM 12: Citizens Participation. TWO people spoke.
ITEM 16: Approval of preliminary plan for Phase 1/The Enclave, being 35 acres of the larger 59 acre The Square at Lohmans Crossing PUD. Phase I includes Main Street, Lohmans Spur, the Roundabout, and the residential component consisting of single-family and townhome lots. [Approved by ZAPCO, with emergency/fire access via a locked gate across Guyan.] UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, with the caveat the security-style gate for emergency access be located inside the property line and connected to the planned wall.
ITEM 17: Amending the sign ordinance to allow political signs lawfully posted at the Activity Center during Early Voting to remain in place until the day after Election Day. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
ITEM 18: Amending ordinances to prohibit outdoor storage of items and to limit temporary storage or moving units on property to 14 days. TABLED, for staff to refine language.
ITEM 19: Presentation on potential projects to be funded from nearly $4MIL that Lakeway will receive from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED for payment of $124K (for 6 covered items) from this fund (the balance to be handled during budget sessions later this year).
ITEM 21: Executive Session on an economic development prospect. NO ACTION taken.
ADJOURNED: 9:27PM.
The Meeting Packet is here– https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
Go here to watch the Council meeting online— https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/167586
Council next meets on May 2
Agenda will be published on the city site next week.
Back to me….
Here are a couple good books I recently finished (available at Lake Travis Community Library):
You Can Run (2021) by Karen Cleveland—Fast moving and convincing, this thriller is hard to put down and an entertaining read.
Lies, (2017), by T. M. Logan—This riveting thriller, the author’s first novel, kept me engaged and guessing right to the end.
Remember Xiao (AKA Biscuit), Washington Zoo’s panda born in 2020? He and his mom celebrated 50 years of pandas at the zoo, on loan from China, with a special cake (frozen fruit juice, carrots, sweet potatoes and sugar cane).
Drive carefully! Dozens of fawns are hit by cars in Lakeway every spring. If you see a doe, assume there is a fawn with her; if you see one fawn, watch for another.
Here are some recent photos of our deer herd. I still haven’t seen any new fawns….
The Coronavirus
Worldwide, the World Health Organization announced that over 15 million people died due to Covid-19, as of the end of 2021. This is far more than the 6 million figure derived from official totals released by countries, many of which minimize deaths for political purposes. India, Egypt and Indonesia are notorious for avoiding the appearance of government failure; in most of Africa, there is simply no mechanism for tabulating deaths at all.
Two new variants, BA.4 and BA.5, are being examined in South Africa. There are indications that mutations may make them more resistant to existing vaccines than the other recent variants. The new strains have been found in Denmark, Botswana, Scotland and England.
The US evacuated consular personnel from Shanghai, in response to the continued Covid surge there. Throughout Shanghai, housing complexes have been converted into quarantine centers.
In Canada, Ontario is facing a 6th wave of Covid infections, this time caused by the BA.2 variant.
As for vaccinations, 11.5 billion shots have been given, with 59% of the planet’s population fully vaccinated.
In the US, in the last 2 weeks, cases have increased 52%, hospitalizations are up 2%, and deaths decreased 34%. We are averaging 46,000 new cases per day. 15,000 Americans are currently hospitalized with Covid, and the death rate averages 366 people per day.
As of mid-April, the BA.2 variant was responsible for 85% of new Covid infections. BA.2 is about 80% more contagious than Omicron.
Case numbers are up all over the northeast and midwest. New Hampshire and Michigan are both seeing twice the number of new cases, compared to early April.
Two new variants of BA.2, called BA.2.12 and BA.2.12.1, have been found in New York state, possibly accounting for the surge there. Experts say the newest variants are 25% more contagious than BA.2, which continues the trend in Covid-19 variants.
Philadelphia reacted to rising new case stats by announcing an indoor mask rule to be reinstituted as of April 18. Then, on April 21, the city’s Board of Health voted to rescind the mandate.
High profile people all over the country are testing positive, including NYC Mayor Eric Adams, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and many members of Congress, AG Merrick Garland, and several Broadway stars. But, all are fully vaxed and boosted, so their cases have been mild.
The FDA gave emergency use authorization to a Covid-19 Breathalyzer, a device that accurately and quickly detects infection via a breath sample. The suitcase-sized system can be used by trained operators in doctor’s offices and hospitals and at mobile testing sites.
An estimated 200,000 American children have had a parent die from Covid.
On April 18, a federal judge in Florida invalidated the CDC’s mask mandate for planes and public transit. Within hours, major airlines made masks optional.
As for vaccination, in the US, 66% of the entire population is fully vaccinated (no change from 2 weeks ago). Average shots administered per day decreased slightly to 475,000. Nearly 100 million booster shots have been given.
While the FDA approved a second booster for all Americans age 50+ back in March, the new White House Covid-19 response coordinator has strengthened this. On April 17, Dr. Ashish Jha recommended that everyone age 60+ get a second booster now, in light of compelling data from Israel indicating that a fourth shot significantly reduced infections and deaths among older people.
In Texas, the positivity test rate is on the rise, currently 5%. In the last 2 weeks, new cases increased 2%, hospitalizations dropped 11%, and deaths fell 11%. We are averaging 2,600 new cases and 28 deaths daily. As of now, there are 1,100 Texans hospitalized for Covid-19.
In Texas, only 61% of all residents are fully vaccinated (no change in the last month).
Recent Covid articles I recommend….
Americans Over 60 Should Get Second Booster, Official Says 4/17/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/17/us/second-covid-booster-60.html
White House on the lookout for BA.4 and BA.5 4/14/22 https://www.politico.com/newsletters/global-pulse/2022/04/14/biden-admin-watching-ba-4-and-ba-5-00025175
Herd immunity now seems impossible. Welcome to the age of Covid reinfection 4/12/22 https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/12/herd-immunity-covid-reinfection-virus-world
How Long Do Symptoms Last? When Should You Test? A Covid Timeline. 4-5-22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/09/well/how-long-does-it-take-to-recover-from-ba2.html