Recent articles I recommend….
Need to know the difference between Covid-19, cold and flu symptoms? Here’s a handy chart. (Convert the temperature reading to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.) Coronavirus symptoms: how to tell if you have a common cold, flu or Covid 10/5/20 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/05/coronavirus-symptoms-how-to-tell-if-you-have-a-common-cold-flu-or-covid
Good info on masks: What We Know So Far About Masks and Coronavirus 10/6/20 https://blogs.webmd.com/webmd-doctors/20201006/mask-coronavirus-what-we-know?fbclid=IwAR2_m88y-aRGnMuNGnvGD6v6SfFVBrfwn-oZZ5Wasdz-Hg_NnkvASTStyRI
Dr. Fauci has an update: Fauci: ‘We had a superspreader event in the White House’ 10/9/20 https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/520409-fauci-we-had-a-superspreader-event-in-the-white-house
In the US
Crazy times as the election looms….
First, we suffered through a presidential debate with one participant acting like a cross between a spoiled toddler and a rabid hyena. Debate procedure rules, agreed to by both sides, were ignored by Trump. Later, it was disclosed that the entire White House contingent arrived at the debate location too late to be tested on-site for COVID-19—as both sides had agreed—yet, the debate proceeded. And, it surprised no one that the Trump staff and family attending the debate did so WITHOUT MASKS—even though both sides agreed masks would be worn by the audience.
Then, the First Couple and what seems like most of the government contingent in Washington, DC, contracted COVID-19. White House staff, Trump campaign staff, even Pentagon officials tested positive and/or had to isolate due to exposure. Guess America hasn’t turned the corner after all…. And, there is a very obvious reason for that.
If, as many have said, refusing to wear a mask now is like driving while drunk, then the Trump administration amounts to an inbred clan of unapologetic substance abusers who very predictably caused a multi-vehicle pile-up of epic proportions. Not only were many reckless “drivers” injured, but so were countless others who just happened to be in the vicinity. But, here is where the drink driving metaphor fails: each of THOSE infected people exposed THEIR contacts to the infection, and on and on. (This is especially true, since little contact tracing has been attempted; with the White House refusing to release vital info like Trump’s last negative test date, it is impossible to know who is at risk.) Plus, countless medical personnel attending the ill were put at risk. All this happened due to the Trump administration’s long-running, blatant, and reckless refusal to follow the simple advice of medical experts—wear masks, social distance, and avoid mass gatherings.
America has a super-spreader president. He puts us all – and himself – at risk https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/05/trump-republicans-coronavirus-super-spreader-risk?utm_term=e626a9dc20bb4d7b2337f442a9ffa980&utm_campaign=GuardianTodayUS&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=GTUS_email
From the pathological to the sublime…. Also in Washington DC , this tribute on The Elipse features 20,000 empty chairs. As overwhelming as this image is, remember—each chair represents TEN dead Americans. And counting….
America now has over 219,000 dead. The pandemic is raging out of control in many states including Wisconsin (where hospitals are overwhelmed), Utah, Montana, Wyoming and other western states.
I am proud to support Joe Biden and look forward to his capable guidance in defeating COVID-19 and in healing our divided nation.
In Texas
Ballots are now in the process of being mailed to Texans who requested to vote by mail. Here is how to check on your ballot. Go here—https://votetravis.com/vexpress/submit.do Scroll down to Voter LookUp near the bottom. Add name and birth date (you can skip the unique identifier). Select BBM Status (Ballot By Mail). It will tell you the status of your ballot. For info or help–Travis County Tax Office Voter Registration Division 512-854-9473 tax_voters@traviscountytx.gov www.traviscountytax.org
Ballots can be mailed in (with voters urged to do so as early as possible) or dropped off at approved sites. (Voters must drop off completed ballots IN PERSON and SHOW ID. Voters in Texas CANNOT drop off mail-in ballots at polling places.)
Gov. Abbott did his best to limit voting in Texas during a pandemic by reducing ballot drop off locations to 1 per county, with an October 1 order. While arguably workable for rural counties with small populations, a single drop-off location is ludicrous in urban areas, including Houston’s Harris County which has nearly 5 million people spread across 2000 square miles. Gov. Greg Abbott limits counties to one absentee ballot drop-off location, bolstering GOP efforts to restrict voting https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/01/greg-abbott-texas-vote-mail/
Last week, a federal district court struck down this order, as violating the voting rights of elderly and disabled Texans likely wanting to vote by mail and hand-deliver ballots to be sure they are counted. Of course, Gov. Abbott and his felonious AG Ken Paxton have appealed. As of now, an appeals court has placed a hold on multiple ballot drop-offs, pending review. This will likely go at least to the Texas Supreme Court. Abbott’s limit on drop-off locations stands, for now https://www.statesman.com/news/20201009/abbottrsquos-order-limiting-ballot-drop-off-sites-stands-for-now
In a VERY related matter, the Trump campaign is suing to limit ball drop off options nationwide, with some successes and some failures. Judge throws out Trump campaign’s Pennsylvania lawsuit https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-pennsylvania-lawsuits-15e9dfeede4ddee5086611f0dd7b63a0
Finally, be careful at the polls. Gov. Abbott’s mask order specifies that voters, poll workers and poll watchers are NOT required to wear masks.
In Lakeway
Council, at its Sept. 28 meeting, FINALLY adopted the 2021 budget and set the property tax rate. After months of threatening a significant tax hike, the final vote was 7-0 for keeping the 2019 and 2020 rate of 16.45 cents per $100 valuation. That means that, if your home is valued the same as last year, then the Lakeway share of your property tax bill will be the same as it was last year. (Sorry—your tax bill as a WHOLE will go up, because the other taxing entities—Travis County, LTISD, your MUD, etc.—are increasing their tax rates. Lakeway gets less than 10% of what we pay in property taxes.)
Sure, they got to the right result, but why did it take them so long? Since June, everyone except Smith was totally dismissive about the Lakeway portion of our property tax bills “only” going up $50-$100 bucks to pay for all the shiny things they wanted. Suddenly, those SAME people found it against their principles for homeowners to pay $1 or EVEN 1 CENT extra in taxes to Lakeway next year. The epiphanies just kept rolling in, from one council member to the next, until every last one of them had a Come to Jesus moment right there on camera. Again—correct result, but one heck of a weird process.
Council also presented a report on the Planned Unit Development (PUD) for The Oakes (HEB and all the rest) with Stratus Properties. Several discrepancies were disclosed, but the major one relates to the still-missing road connecting Main Street to Lohmans. Absent that critical artery, in the FIVE years now gone by since the stores opened, we have gotten used to short-cutting through parking lots to avoid 620, but that isn’t optimal or safe. Turns out, Stratus NEVER SIGNED THE AGREEMENT requiring them to build that road for the city; Stratus also NEVER POSTED A BOND guaranteeing they do this. Interestingly, Lakeway Deputy City Manager Chessie Zimmerman was in charge of managing this PUD; she left the city’s employ in 2017, going to work for Stratus. Conflict of interest, perhaps? Also, Dave DeOme was Mayor of Lakeway 2009-2015, while the PUD was negotiated and HEB and the other stores were allowed to open without the road being built or the paperwork even being signed; residents unhappy about this may want to complain to him. And—surprise!—Stratus has not responded to recent requests to remedy these issues. Council voted Sept. 28 to press Stratus to move forward with the road. This will end up in court. Go here to watch this Council meeting online—https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events
Early voting for the November 3 election starts Oct. 13 and ends Oct. 30. Our location is Lakeway Activity Center, next to City Hall on Cross Creek. (You CANNOT early vote at Randalls as in past elections).
This site shows you the current wait time for any Travis County polling place. https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/elections/wait-time-map.html
The election includes SEVEN propositions for Lakeway voters. While no local officials are up for election, these are proposed changes to the City Charter, which is basically Lakeway’s Constitution. Aside from the two items relating to the terms of our elected officials (Prop B and C), these are basically housekeeping measures.
I’m not going to waste time discussing the bizarrely named Save Lakeway campaign, except to say that I won’t be following the advice of five fuddy-duddies, who are backed by the felonious developer they sold Lakeway to decades ago. I am voting YES for all EXCEPT Prop C, which gets a big NO.
Specifically:
Proposition A—This matches Lakeway’s annexation process to state law. I’m voting YES.
Proposition B–This brings the Charter into compliance with the state Constitution as far as our officials being elected for 2 year terms (as they always have been). I’m voting YES.
Proposition C—This extends successive terms of service from the current 2 terms to 3 terms (from 4 years to 6 years straight, and up to 7 years if someone served a partial term). That seems excessive. I’m voting NO.
Proposition D—This would change things, so that our City Manager no longer has to live within the Lakeway city limits. That requirement limits the candidate pool and means we have to pay more in salary to offset Lakeway’s high home costs. I’m voting YES.
Proposition E—This deletes the volunteer Treasurer, moving those duties to Finance Department staff (as currently exists). I’m voting YES.
Proposition F—This defers to state law on how to handle ballots when a candidate dies or withdraws before the election. I’m voting YES.
Proposition G—This defers to state law on issuing bonds. Council (by super-majority of 5 out of seven votes) would be able to approve issuance of bonds. I’m voting YES.
For more info, download a PDF from the City’s site, here– https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/427/Election-Information
Or, check out this recent Statesman article Lakeway looks to polls to resolve its city charter issues https://www.statesman.com/news/20201005/lakeway-looks-to-polls-to-resolve-its-city-charter-issues?fbclid=IwAR1RF1AMy5ejKokpCEqIZWxexvagbB27umfcS0HfUF_ifv6gmmnSjE8FezI
But, do you REALLY want to get the skinny on Charter changes and understand how Council rashly appointed former mayors and ex-council members (plus a couple good guys) to the Review Committee and then failed to rubber-stamp the majority’s self-serving recommendations, resulting in mayhem and all those ugly signs studding certain yards in Old Lakeway? Then you need to watch the Charter Reviews items in Council meetings held on May 4, June 1, and July 6 Enjoy! https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events
Back to me….
My mail-in ballot arrived last week. I will try voting in person at the Activity Center next week. If it is crowded or doesn’t feel safe, I will mail my ballot from Westlake. (Lakeway’s post office is a black hole in the best of times.)
I got my last overdue medical matter tended to AND picked up my new glasses. (My eyes felt better immediately!) Maxie had her annual exam. In addition to her vaccination, she got poked for a geriatric blood panel. “Geriatric”–talk about adding insult to injury! We refer “Senior,” thank you very much.
Lovely weather we had there for a bit, then summer closed back in on us. Still, our deer are already working on their winter coats. Here are some of my favorite recent photos.
Here is a fun panda cub update from The National Zoo. It’s a boy! Smithsonian National Zoo says giant panda cub is a male https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/dc/smithsonian-national-zoo-panda-cub-is-a-boy/65-30e941d8-299b-42e6-b86c-b26697c8d73a?fbclid=IwAR3jK0kZB-Gs_DGKdtPJkS7awlE1ualbrlBfQ5hOVAY8M_SKTg3GYcpdXuA
Perspective is key…..
Worldwide, new cases soared. Last week, there were over a million new cases in a 3 day period, the sharpest increase ever, due to surges in Europe and the United States and continued outbreaks in India, Brazil and other countries.
In the US, daily new case totals tend to be 50,000 or higher now. On Oct. 9, we had over 61,000 new cases; only the worst days of the summer surge had higher numbers. Experts say we need to reduce that to less than 20,000 new daily cases. Things are going in the wrong direction, as we face election gatherings, cold weather and major holidays.
In Texas, hospitalizations are rising. Two weeks ago, on Sept. 27, 3217 Texans were hospitalized with COVID. As of today (Oct. 11), that number is 3622. Also, the testing positivity rate fluctuates from 6% to 9%, but it never drops close to the safe range of 2%.