Dec. 6, 2020 At home celebrating Thanksgiving AND kitty birthdays, as America burns with Covid, Lakeway Council considers wasting $125K on an old cabin, our deer herd’s beautiful bucks pose for photos all over town, and more.

Recent articles I recommend….

—A Day In The Life Of Dr. Anthony Fauci 12/3/20 https://www.huffpost.com/entry/anthony-fauci-fighting-covid-19_n_5fc7fed7c5b61bea2b14e3ee

–‘It’s a good idea’: Fauci praises Biden’s 100-day mask plan. Fauci also confirmed that he accepted Biden’s offer to become the president-elect’s chief medical adviser 12/4/20 https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/04/fauci-praises-biden-mask-plan-442799

—Are Your Choices Making the Pandemic Worse? 11/25/20 https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/11/25/coronavirus-covid-increase-risky-decisions-pandemic-440522

—Pandemic-Proof Your Habits 11/28/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/28/sunday-review/pandemic-habits-routine-brain.html

—The Long Darkness Before Dawn 11/30/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/30/health/coronavirus-vaccines-treatments.html

—How 700 Epidemiologists Are Living Now, and What They Think Is Next 12/4/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/04/upshot/epidemiologists-virus-survey-.html

—The vaccine miracle: how scientists waged the battle against Covid-19 12/6/20 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/06/the-vaccine-miracle-how-scientists-waged-the-battle-against-covid-19

The Election

As was inevitable, the victory of Biden-Harris has verified by recounts, certified by officials, and acknowledged by all but Trump and his most desperate lackeys. Official transition of administrations is progressing, and most prominent appointments for the incoming group were announced. Despite an inauguration downplayed due to the pandemic, January 20 will be a stellar day marking a second chance for America to defeat Covid, recover international standing, and return to normalcy.

The Coronavirus

Last spring, April was the big bad month, when America had the most Covid cases. Then, October came along, with even more cases—1.9 million. And then, we more than doubled that in November, with over 4 million cases. Now, over 200,000 new cases PER DAY has become the norm. December is, tragically, on pace to blow November out of the water….

The best advice I have heard is this: Assume everyone you meet has Covid, so always wear a mask and social distance. And, if you traveled or gathered recently, assume YOU have Covid, so get tested and isolate.

With more cases, hospitalizations in America from the virus topped 100,000 last week, more than double the number at the beginning of November. After many months of dealing with COVID-19, medical personnel are decimated. Many died, and more are sick; the rest are exhausted, discouraged and overwhelmed. And, with the entire country surging now, there is no place to call for help. The result is that, in more and more hospitals all over the country, there are not enough doctors, nurses, and respiratory specialists to keep patients alive.

Last week, the US on Dec. 2 recorded its highest daily death toll–2,760–since the pandemic began. There are 1,440 minutes in the day. So, in recent days, 1 person–and usually 2 people–died of Covid EVERY SINGLE MINUTE.

As terrible as the recent numbers are, experts say things will only get worse, as the delayed effects of Thanksgiving travel are felt, compounded by cold weather pushing people indoors, Christmas shopping/travel/gatherings, and continued politicization of masks. Vaccines are coming, but their benefit won’t be felt for several months. The Biden administration cannot start to turn around America’s pathetic pandemic response until Jan. 20.

Unlike last spring, when we had summer weather coming to open up safer outdoor activities, plus state and local authorities wising up to enact restrictions, there is nothing on the horizon to save us from a nightmare winter. If all goes well with the new administration rolling out vaccines over the next several months, things should improve by next summer, but only for those left alive and well.

In Lakeway

Council has an online meeting on Monday, Dec. 7, at 6:30pm. Agenda items include Liebelt Cabin’s $125,000 renovation project, updates on Wildfire Mitigation Plan/Hamilton Greenbelt Wildfire Fuels Reduction Project (plans and costs for 2021), a request for a new pool at World of Tennis, appointment of Laurie Higginbotham, Steve Smith and Louis Mastrangelo to the new Police Policies and Procedures Review Committee, creating the new Legislative Committee and appointing Laurie Higginbotham and Sandy Cox to it, and setting the 2021 Council meeting dates. Then, there are 4 closed door executive sessions on legal issues re: Project Granite, The Oaks PUD/Stratus/Main Street extension, Cherry Knoll litigation/development, and storm water drainage at 601 Dragon. In this largely administration session, one of these items sticks out like a ramshackle sore thumb….

Should City of Lakeway spend $125,000 to restore Liebelt Cabin? This Civil War-era structure was moved to City Hall grounds from its original site in 2011, when The Oaks was developed. Now, Phase 1 work is estimated at $60K, and Phase 2 work is estimated at $65K, all to be completed by spring/summer of 2021. Details are in the Meeting Packet, which can be viewed here (scroll down to City Council Meeting Packets and click on Dec. 7 for the PDF). https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

I am shocked that this kind of expense is even being considered now. Just recently, officials were threatening us with a property tax increase to pay for supposed necessities. Renovation of this structure is definitely NOT a necessity. People and businesses in Lakeway are hurting, and while we hope things will improve soon, this is NOT to time to spend $125K of public funds on the cabin. (I’m not sure there is EVER a time for that kind of expenditure.) If this structure is an historic gem, then my suggestion is donating it to The Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. They likely have the funds needed to restore and preserve it. In addition, it could be viewed by everyone visiting the museum, as opposed to the few people stumbling on it here in Lakeway. If the cabin cannot be given away, then all costs associated with it should be paid for with donations and NOT with taxpayer funds.

Anyone with strong views on this issue should contact Council and the mayor BEFORE the Monday meeting, since it looks like a vote to approve the expenditure will be taken then. Email them from this page– https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/100/Mayor-City-Council or submit a public comment request (see below) to phone in and speak during the meeting.

By the way, what is NOT being handled at this meeting includes:

–Disclosure of the results of the 2020 deer count, performed in late October.

–Terms of the proposed new agreement governing Legends in Rough Hollow, as that development winds down the build begun in 1997.

Maybe next time….

The Dec. 7 meeting will be held online, starting at 6:30pm. If you wish to speak on any item, submit a public comment form on the city website before 3:00 pm Monday, December 7, 2020. Complete the form here– https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx

As always, you can view the meeting live or after the fact here—https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Meeting-Videos—Council-ZAPCO

Back to me….

My Thanksgiving was lovely. I did exactly what I wanted to do—took a long hike and then nested happily at home with cuddly cats, my favorite cinnamon roll and a pot of coffee, and an excellent figure skating competition to watch on TV.

I finally got all the fall household cleaning done! With cold weather finally here, I also winterized the exterior and shut down the sprinklers. More rain, please.

December is birthday palooza at my house, with all 3 cats having milestone events this month. Peanut turned 8 last week, while Tulip hits 10 next week, and Maxie marks 14 shortly before Christmas. The house will be awash in catnip all month….