SPECIAL NOTICE: Next Saturday, April 29, I will post an ELECTION EDITION BLOG. It will have NEW CONTENT not previously published. So, while there is considerable Lakeway Election coverage here, just below the current events listings, look for more/updated coverage on April 29—well into Early Voting and exactly 1 week before our May 6 Election Day.
May Ukraine Have Peaceful Skies Again.
Here is what is happening in Lakeway….
Mayor Kilgore’s Facebook Update
The mayor gave a live update on April 13. Go here to watch: https://www.facebook.com/cityoflakeway/videos/1017235522573872
Lakeway Photo Festival
In its 21st year, the Lakeway Photo Festival encourages amateur and professional photographers to participate. Categories include Artistic, Community, Nature, Pets and Wildlife, and Heritage (a new category celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Lakeway). Photos must be taken in the City of Lakeway and by residents of Lake Travis ISD. Entry deadline is May 20. For more information and to enter: https://lakewayartsdistrict.com/2023-lakeway-photo-festival/
Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Day
Lakeway Public Works will offer free mulching material from the recent ice storm debris on Thursday, April 27 and Friday, April 28, 8AM-3PM, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY at 3303 Serene Hills Drive. The material is larger chunks about the size of a pen—see the above photo to be sure this suits your needs. To participate, select a 30-minute slot as your reservation; if all slots are filled, email info@lakeway-tx.gov in case more times become available. BRING YOUR OWN SHOVELS/COLLECTION TOOLS and be ready to transport the mulching material. Go here to make your reservation: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0945a4a82baafbc25-mulch#/
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Lakeway residents, are invited to participate in the planning process to update the Travis County Hazard Mitigation Plan, Thursday, April 27 at 5:30PM. Location is the Lakeway Police Station (1941 Lohmans Crossing Rd). The meeting’s goal is to create a project overview and solicit information from citizens. (Residents of neighboring cities are doing the same.)
Spring Sing Along
Come On, Get Happy! Choose from 2 performances: Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29, starting at 6PM both nights, at Lakeway Activity Center. More info and tickets are here: https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog/index?filter=c2VhcmNoPWdldCUyMGhhcHB5JnJlbnRhbCU1QmZyb20lNUQ9JnJlbnRhbCU1QnRvJTVEPSZiMWFjOWQ4NzQzMzNiOTZkZGU3ZmUzODI0ZTFjODBlOD02NDE1N2Q5YTBmY2VhYjg1ZGFhMjNkYjhlZTBjOTQ1NQ==
Star Wars Movie–May the Fourth Be With You
On Thursday, May 4, Lakeway Parks and Rec presents STAR WARS: The Rise of Skywalker, at City Park (Lower Level, 502 Hurst Creek Road). Opens at 5:30PM, with the movie starting at 6:30PM. FREE event, with popcorn provided. Bring chairs and blankets to spread out on the grass.
Steel Magnolias
On May 4-6 (Thursday, Friday and Saturday), The Lakeway Players will present Steel Magnolias. Doors open 6:30PM; curtain rises 7:30PM. Table seating (set-ups provided) with individual $25 tickets available online. Call 512-261-1010 to charge tickets, or go here and choose Events & Performances: https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog
Heritage Bus Tours in May
Register now for this popular and FREE event! 2023 is the 60th anniversary of Lakeway’s founding, so explore our history on one of three available bus tours taking place on Friday, May 5. Times are 9:15AM, 11:15AM, and 1:15PM. Depart from Lakeway City Hall (1102 Lohmans Crossing Rd.). Go here for more info and to register: https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog/index?filter=c2VhcmNoPWhlcml0YWdlK2J1cyZyZW50YWwlNUJmcm9tJTVEPSZyZW50YWwlNUJ0byU1RD0
Council Met on April 17.
Six members attended the meeting, all in person. Council Member Trecker was absent. RESULTS:
ITEM 15: Financial Report. REVENUE is $908K over budget (mostly due to permit fees on the Jovi project). Expenditures are $385K over budget (mostly due to storm clean-up expenses). Projected total for the storm clean-up is $1.3MIL, some of which will be covered by FEMA and grant money.
ITEM 16: Citizens Participation for items NOT on the agenda. THREE PEOPLE SPOKE.
ITEM 18 and 19: Preliminary Plan revision and Final Plat for 8.525 acres at 2111 Lohmans Crossing, Lakeway Towne Center. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
ITEM 20: Special Use Permit for a short-term rental at 302 Timpanagoes. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
ITEM 21: Special Use Permit for Gungho Golf to operate an indoor golf entertainment business for 99 years in the Lohmans Spur Shopping Center. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
ITEM 22: Resolution setting the city’s agenda as to the 88th Texas Legislature. NOTE: Issues with proposed legislation include land use, property tax relief, sales tax calculation, Hotel Occupancy Use tax, elections, and transportation. Specific issues and bill numbers the city will support/oppose are detailed in the Meeting Packet. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
ITEM 23: Discussion and update of parking enforcement at the pickleball courts on Sailmaster. CONSENSUS was for staff to post signs on Sailmaster that pickleball players need to park at City Hall instead, to keep the Sailmaster courts from being closed before the new courts at City Park are ready for use. (This discussion caused Council to return to ITEM 8–on the Consent Agenda–and specify design changes on the pickleball courts being created from the City Park basketball court.)
ITEM 24: Review request from Bianca King to operate a home occupation/DAYCARE at 702 Vanguard. Note: Applicant has revised her business plan and is asking permission to go through the approval process for a third time. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
ITEM 25: Sale of 2.92 acres of land along Highlands and Trophy to Lakeway MUD for $350, 400. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
ITEM 27: FIRST READING of a new ordinance allowing Garage Sales, with certain restrictions. The DRAFT ordinance specifies the hours as 7AM-6PM, allows goods to be displayed in the driveway, with no signs off the property and sales limited to 2 weekends per calendar year. To be voted on at next meeting.
ITEM 28: Continuing the Declaration of Emergency as to Winter Storm Mara until Dec. 31, 2023. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED with the clarification that TRIMMING OF OAKS IS NO LONGER ALLOWED, due to danger of oak wilt this time of year.
ITEM 29: Discuss city participation in a traffic light at 620 and Palazza Alto. WITHDRAWN
ITEMS 31 and 32: Executive sessions on litigation (over the real estate sign ordinance) and employment duties (Chief of Police). NO ACTION as to the litigation. As to employment, Council UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED the City Manager to entertain an employee agreement for the Chief of Police.
ADJOURNED at 10:26PM
View the Agenda, Meeting Packet, and/or Presentation (scrolling down to City Council documents) here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
Go here to watch the Council meeting online: https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/224122
Lakeway ELECTIONS
This is ALL important for voters. But, there is some crucial/NEW info, so watch for this:
ATTENTION VOTERS!
Local elections will be on May 6, with Early Voting starting April 24.
Polling Places
For EARLY VOTING, residents can vote at any polling place in Travis County, but the only local polling place is the Lakeway Activity Center. HOURS: Monday-Saturday 7AM-7PM, Sunday noon-6PM.
On ELECTION DAY, Lakeway Activity Center is our main polling place, but Lake Travis ISD Educational Development Center will also be open at 607 Ranch Road 620 North, Lakeway, TX 78734 (off 620 to the right just before Kollmeyer). This location is NEVER crowded.
Note that Bee Cave had no contested races, so City Hall in The Galleria is NOT a polling place.
Meet the Candidates
ATTENTION VOTERS!
–There is only ONE public forum left—the Rough Hollow Candidate Forum on Tuesday, April 25, 7PM, at Rough Hollow Welcome Center Pavilion. It is open to all.
–See below for links to watch videos from past forums.
Candidate Forum Videos
If you missed the events, here are links to watch the videos.
–LT Democrat’s April 18 Candidate Forum. Video is 90 minutes total–be SURE to watch the LAST 20 minutes or so…. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=145289588313574&ref=sharing
–We the People’s April 10 Candidate Forum
Watch 4 of the 5 candidates running for 3 Lakeway Council seats (Gretchen Vance was out of town) in this 1-hour video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9pDstuSqXA
Watch Mayor Kilgore and Ron Cooper in this 50-minute video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MaUH_EwCNU
–Tuscan Village Voters had a candidate forum on March 30. Here are 3 quick videos featuring Mayor Kilgore and Ron Cooper. (Many thanks to a Lakeway Angel for these….)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yYYD1oN5e6-MtUTtozwVH6tFApg_-nq8/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ga9MfJCxsogoASC9T_1GNTsnHx2MpNWs/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13YzslTghLyDs1gefYJjlT7C_IBo3O9qN/view
SCROLL DOWN to see how the candidates answered the TWO NEW questions I sent them.
How do you like your candidates? Independent? Or PAC?
The candidates are in 2 groups—running on their own or PAC-backed. Three of the 7 candidates are endorsed and funded by a specific Political Action Committee. The BAD thing about PACs is they hide the identity of those contributing to political campaigns. Lakeway residents deserve to know exactly who is funding these campaigns, and to what extent. $50 is no big deal, but $500 may well come with strings. This PAC gave $20,000 to ONE candidate for Council last year. Wonder what they got for their money? And who exactly is trying to BUY THE CURRENT ELECTION? The PAC in question is The Committee to Protect Lakeway (CtPL), also known as the Lakeway Renewal Project, and it is funded by people in several groups, including those in power during past administrations (often stained with scandal), those orchestrating recent ugly episodes involving our wonderful police force and our airpark, and developer-types intent on making even more money on Lakeway deals.
Follow the Money
ATTENTION VOTERS!
As for campaign finances, the first report required by law was due April 6. That covers contributions and payments from the start of the campaign through March 27. Here are some things I found to be noteworthy:
–Kevin Bernzott loaned his campaign $30,000 and spent nearly all of it on polling, consultants and staff.
–Kent O’Brien and Chris Forton each received $5,000 in campaign services from The Committee to Protect Lakeway PAC.
–Ron Cooper failed to meet the filing deadline but eventually got his report submitted to the city 4 days late, with an unsworn affidavit and a signature that is NOTHING like the one on his filing application. He reported $3,700 in campaign services (logo shirts and ads) from The Committee to Protect Lakeway PAC. However, the PAC’s own report seems to indicate it gave Cooper $7,000; see below. Cooper also loaned himself $21,000 and spent nearly all of it on campaign consultants.
You, too, can play detective! To see the first set of campaign finance reports that ALL CANDIDATES filed with City of Lakeway, go here and scroll down to CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT, APRIL 6: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/427/Election-Information
The CtPL PAC filed its mandated report as of April 6 with the State of Texas. In round numbers, as of March 27, it collected $45,000, paying $17,000 to 3 candidates. Cooper appears to have gotten $7,000—well over the $3,700 he reported–with $5,000 each going to O’Brien and Forton just as they reported. After expenses, the PAC held $25,000 in cash that can still be given to its 3 candidates. Just some of the 2023 donors to the PAC are:
–Erik Mulloy $12,000; PAC founder, pilot with airpark, Lakeway Police Foundation
–Dianne Brown $5,000; she doesn’t even live in Lakeway
–Gretchen Nearburg $5,000
–Tom McKnight $2,500
–Babin family $2,000; Lakeway Police Foundation
–Alan Fudge $2,000
–Mike Blahowski $1,000; another pilot
–Torrey Eltiste $1,000
–Sharon Gilmore $1,000
–Justin Hobson $1,000; airpark
–Jean Thompson $1,000; airpark
–Gates Walcott $1,000; he is a developer and a pilot
–David Deome $500; former mayor
–Logan Brown $500
–Barbara Beebe $500
–Joyce Christian $500
–Keith Trecker $500
–Keith Durio $500; airpark
–Scott Epley $500; airpark
–Daniel Foreman $500; airpark
–Terry Priestap $500; airpark
–Danny Diebel $500
–Mark Nearburg $500
–Gerry Ward $400; airpark
–Ken Treaccar $300
–Jason Buddin $250
–Jenna Burns $250
–Richard Morgan $250
–Tim Tolar $250
–Jim Powell $250
–Dennis Brown $250
–Michael Larocca $250
–Joe Bain $100; disgraced former mayor
To see ALL the PAC’s donors, amounts, payments and more (ONLY through March 27) go here: http://204.65.203.5/public/100899496.pdf
ATTENTION VOTERS!
So, look through that list of contributor names above. Do you know those people? Trust them? Do they even live in Lakeway? Are you comfortable with them using their money to buy City Hall? Many of those people are connected to the airpark, a very intense special interest group where the Mulloys have deep ties. Others are affiliated with the Mulloys’ other pet special interest group–the police fanatics cult. In my opinion, together they represent the most divisive interests and the very worst of Lakeway.
Most campaign money flows in and out during the last month of a campaign. The NEXT campaign finance report is due on April 28. Check the 2 links just above to see the candidates’ new reports and the PAC’s new report then.
Mayor’s Race
The *2 candidates remaining in the race for Mayor are:
–Incumbent Tom Kilgore was elected Mayor in 2021. In a very busy 2 years, he helped the city recover from the pandemic’s economic effects, guided us through extensive and much-needed city ordinance updates, made possible the completion of Main Street, oversaw practical assistance to residents during the recent ice storm as well as collection of debris afterward, and much more. Mayor Tom managed all this while keeping Lakeway’s share of our property tax bills low. https://kilgoreforlakeway.com/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064819487089
–Ron Cooper is a Rough Hollow resident and associate/business partner of Legend Communities CEO Haythem Dawlett. Declared as an insurance adjuster, Cooper has lived in Texas and in Lakeway for just 3 years; his only city service to date is a brief stint on the Ethics Committee. He is endorsed and supported by the CTPL PAC (see above). https://www.roncooperformayor.com/ https://www.facebook.com/RonCooperForLakewayMayor
ATTENTION VOTERS!
On April 18, Travis County Republican Party considered whether to endorse Ron Cooper in this race; party hierarchy voted AGAINST endorsing him.
Then, there is the pesky question of: Is Ron Cooper a developer? Let’s settle that. This 2020 article states Ron Cooper partnered with the notorious Haythem Dawlett of Legend Communities on a Galveston resort. https://moneyforlunch.com/legend-communities-and-tiki-time-llc-plan-upscale-waterfront-residential-community-on-tiki-island-near-galveston/
Plus, in 2022, Ron Cooper was TELLING people he is a developer. This is a Facebook Live insurance talk that Ron Cooper gave in 2022. Near the start, he was shooting the breeze about being a DEVELOPER and how he managed his DEVELOPMENT-related travel during Covid. Ron Cooper in 2022: “As a DEVELOPER, I drive and travel all over to buy communities and develop communities…. During Covid, I had to pivot a little bit to figure out how I could travel most easily. So, we picked up a King Air C90, a Cessna 340 and a Prevost.” To see and hear it, just click the link below and advance to the 3 minute mark; Ron Cooper will talk about being a DEVELOPER and be done by the 4 minute mark. (It does not come up again in the rest of the video.) https://m.facebook.com/PendariesNM/videos/pendaries-fire-relief-qa-1-how-to-navigate-the-insurance-claim-process/474923377721305/
An alternate link to the same video is here. https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=474923377721305
That is very clear—Cooper is a developer. He says so.
I DO wonder who the “we” is that he mentioned in the clip–who REALLY bought the 2 planes and the Prevost (luxury motorcoach). Because, as of now, 2 other Lakeway developers own planes matching Cooper’s description in the 2022 video.
All this flatly contradicts what Committee to Protect Lakeway PAC founders say about Ron Cooper, as their PAC’s endorsed and funded candidate for Mayor. On Next Door, for instance, Kim Mulloy states over and over that Cooper doesn’t have any business or personal relationship with developers and that Cooper is definitely NOT a developer himself.
Why does it matter that Ron Cooper is a developer? First, he has hidden that fact, calling himself an insurance adjuster on the candidate application and elsewhere; his people flatly deny his being a developer. Second, if Lakeway’s mayor is a developer, then no other developer would feel fairly treated here. They would go elsewhere, assuming the Developer/Mayor has an unfair advantage. And, he would—a very lucrative one.
* Roy Paar withdrew from the race AFTER the county’s deadline to take his name off the ballot. Please don’t waste your vote there.
Council Race
–Incumbent Gretchen Vance was originally elected to Council in 2019 and currently serves as Mayor Pro Tem. She is an entrepreneur who has lived in Lakeway for 13 years.https://www.vote-vance.com/ https://www.facebook.com/gretchenvancelakewaycitycouncilmember/
–Dan Vardell is a multi-disciplinary technology manager who has lived in Lakeway for 8 years. He served on the Parks and Recreation Committee, was a member of the Comprehensive Plan Committee during recent updates, and now serves on the city’s Zoning and Planning Commission. https://www.vote-vardell.com/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090762070845
–Kevin Bernzott is a financial CEO and has lived in Lakeway for only 3 years. He is a member of the City Building Commission.
ATTENTION VOTERS!
The campaign ad imaged above has offended and alienated a large segment of Lakeway residents. The nastiness of the ad aside, running it displays shockingly poor judgment. It also reminds residents that Kevin is a recent transplant from California—because that ALWAYS goes over well with Texans….
In addition, there are persistent rumors that Kevin supports TEXIT (the movement for Texas to secede from the US); when I asked him directly, he refused to deny or confirm. https://www.kevinbernzott.com/ https://www.facebook.com/kevinbernzott
–Chris Forton works in life insurance and has lived in Lakeway for 8 years. He serves on the city’s Zoning and Planning Commission. He is endorsed and supported by the CTPL PAC (see above). https://www.chrisforton4lakeway.com/ https://www.facebook.com/ChrisForton4Lakeway
–Kent O’Brien is an engineer who has lived in Lakeway for 14 years. He served on the Parks and Recreation Committee from 2010-12. He is endorsed and supported by the CTPL PAC (see above). https://www.kentforlakeway.com/ https://www.facebook.com/kentforlakeway
CANDIDATE Q&A
I emailed 2 final questions to ALL the candidates back on April 14 (with a reminder on April 20). Candidates Ron Cooper and Kent O’Brien did not respond.
–Lakeway takes in considerable Hotel Occupancy Tax funds annually. By state law, these funds can only be used for specific purposes that boil down to getting more people to book hotel rooms in town. With around $9 million in HOT funds currently on deposit and minimal annual expenditures, what should Lakeway do with these funds?
–You are running for office. Every campaign cycle gets more expensive and more divisive. What changes do you suggest to improve our election process? Examples are eliminating or limiting campaign signs and restricting contributions (such as a maximum of $100 per contributor, no PAC money, contributions ONLY from Lakeway residents, etc.).
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
Tom Kilgore
HOT Funds: The legislature is working on bills that would expand the uses of this tax. However, if there are no changes we should still consider a City Civic Center to be built.
Campaign Finance: I am open to campaign finance reform. The problem isn’t the money in our elections, it’s the breakdown of civil norms and injecting partisanship into our elections.
Ron Cooper–NO RESPONSE
COUNCIL CANDIDATES
Dan Vardell
HOT Funds: Hotel occupancy tax revenues can be used for facilities or events that promote tourism. In the past Lakeway has approved money for art, music and theater events and advertising to support them. This is a good use of the money and should continue. Larger expenditures, including convention and/or performing arts facilities and large events, have been considered many times over the years. But they have been repeatedly rejected due to concerns over the burdens they place on the city such as high traffic on neighborhood streets and long-term facility maintenance. This ‘hotel tax’ question has lingered for years. I do not support collecting taxes without a clear purpose. If we cannot put a long term plan in place for this money, the taxes should be reduced to a level sufficient to support existing programs for the arts. That said, today there is a large, and growing, pot of money. So if anyone reading this was not aware of the hotel tax fund and has ideas for a good use, please let us know!
Campaign Finance: Politics divide. There is no place for political machinery in local politics. Large sums of money push elections, and candidates, to places they would not normally go. I support limits on campaign finance in Lakeway.
Kevin Bernzott
HOT Funds: Every expenditure must “directly enhance and promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry.” There are nine statutory categories on which HOT revenue can be expended, many of which are impractical for Lakeway. Of the nine, I think Lakeway should focus primarily on creative “advertising, solicitations, and promotions that attract tourists and convention delegates” to our environs.
Campaign Finance: Civility is a tenet of my campaign – no more of this “we can’t be friends” nonsense. We’re a small city, some 13 square miles with a little more than 20,000 folks, so we’re all neighbors. We can disagree with one another without being disagreeable about it. Campaign signs are problematic every election. The large ones are arguably an eyesore. Every candidate must display them to remain competitive, but signs don’t vote. I’d be fine with no signs, or at least no signs larger than yard signs. “Money is the mother’s milk of politics,” quipped politician Jesse Unruh nearly six decades ago. There are a litany of Supreme Court cases ruling campaign contributions are “freedom of speech” protected to some extent by the First Amendment. I haven’t taken PAC money, but I don’t think prohibiting PAC contributions or prohibiting contributions from non-Lakeway residents would pass constitutional muster. I would support carefully crafted local campaign finance reform capping the amount per contributor and / or imposing spending limits.
Chris Forton
HOT Funds: Fortunately there are several potential uses on the horizon. With the new county ball fields off Bee Creek Rd they can be used to support youth sports tournaments. The square at Lohmans will give a central meeting place and allow for small festivals and art fairs which can utilize those funds. The World of Tennis has started having a Pickle Ball championship that brings out thousands of people from across the state and country. TexArts has been able to utilize those funds in recent past and I’m sure will continue to into the future.
Campaign Finance: It has gotten out of hand. When I ran back in 2018 I spent $500 of my own money. Now the mayors spend about $50k and tens of thousands for council. Unfortunately most of what you suggested is against state law. However, one thing I would like to do and I’ve talked with another council member about is having a voluntary cap. An agreement from the candidates to not spend over $X amount. Or voluntary limits on the number of signs. The pool of candidates shouldn’t be limited to those that are independent wealthy or moderate a social media platform. The rest of us that are normal hardworking citizens that don’t have an extra $25k in the bank need the support of our friends and neighbors. The idea of having an agreement in place would open the pool of potential candidates and that I could support.
Gretchen Vance
HOT Funds: The HOT funds are a hot topic. I have been discussing with the Director of parks and recreation about possible ideas that would qualify for funding for possible new facilities in our parks department. These would include small meeting spaces or convention areas that could be used for small company events, family reunions, and weddings. If I am reelected, we will explore these options and hope we can find a multi use facility that meets the needs of Lakeway taxpayers and visitors.
Campaign Finance: Even prior to this election cycle, I have discussed with city staff and other elected officials about exploring campaign finance reform. Although we are at the early stages of exploring these options, they could include but not be limited to: only allowing contributions by people who are registered to vote in the Lakeway precincts, limiting contributions, capping money raised, and money spent. Many municipalities throughout Texas apply these limits to their elections. This allows people who wish to volunteer for their community to be able to do so in a financially affordable way.
Kent O’Brien–NO RESPONSE
MORE comments from the candidates.
—JUST RELEASED! The League of Women Voters Guide for the May 6 election is available online. Go here and click on the Voters Guide at the far left, then scroll down to page 8 for profiles and comments from all the Lakeway candidates: https://lwvaustin.org/Voter-Guide#gsc.tab=0 If you want a print version, the library usually has them at the coffee kiosk.
—Community Impact’s FULL Q&A with the 5 Council candidates is here in the digital version: See how the five candidates for Lakeway City Council answer four questions ahead of the May 6 election. https://communityimpact.com/austin/lake-travis-westlake/election/2023/03/29/4-questions-with-lakeway-city-council-candidates/
—Community Impact’s Mayoral Q&A is here: 4 questions with the candidates for Lakeway mayor https://communityimpact.com/austin/lake-travis-westlake/election/2023/03/29/4-questions-with-the-candidates-for-lakeway-mayor/
Check back NEXT SATURDAY, April 29, for a new blog—SPECIAL ELECTION EDITION, featuring NEW info and some conclusions reached by connecting the dots.
Daring Mighty Things
Elon Musk’s Super Heavy Starship exploded just 4 minutes into its unmanned test flight out of Boca Chica Beach, Texas, early on April 20. The SpaceX team cheered the launch and short flight time as a success, as the mission was an initial development test designed to gather information and improve both the Starship and its Raptor engines. (Image credit—SpaceX) SpaceX’s 1st Starship launches on epic test flight, explodes in ‘rapid unscheduled disassembly’ 4/20/23 https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-first-space-launch
The FAA was not amused, however, and immediately grounded all Starship rockets, pending investigation for public safety. Concern seems to stem from SpaceX’s plans to send the giant stainless steel rocket on an attempted flight from Texas to Hawaii. FAA grounds SpaceX’s Starship rockets after explosion minutes into launch 4/20/23 https://www.politico.com/news/2023/04/20/spacex-starship-explode-elon-musk-00093042
Thanks to the overwhelming success of mini-copter Ingenuity on the current Mars mission, NASA is designing its successor. The new helicopter not only needs to fly in a thin atmosphere, it will be doing heavy lifting—retrieving all the soil sample cannisters being filled by the Perseverance rover now traversing the Red Planet, then flying them back to a rocket that will bring them to Earth for analysis. The above images are the new helicopter as envisioned and dusty Ingenuity on Mars as of April 16, 2023. (Image credits—NASA) NASA sets sights on a next-generation Mars helicopter to return Red Planet samples 4/13/23 https://www.space.com/mars-sample-return-next-generation-helicopter
With liberty and justice for all … except women.
In Florida, the governor signed a bill into law last week, prohibiting abortions after just 6 weeks of pregnancy, when most women are not even aware of the condition. Physicians and anyone participating in a prohibited abortion is guilty of a felony. There are exceptions when the mother’s life is at risk, plus abortions are allowed up to fifteen weeks for pregnancies caused by rape, incest or human trafficking. However, the law goes on to prohibit getting abortion pills via the mail or telehealth referrals, as well as state funds being used in any way to help a woman get an abortion from another state. DeSantis signs Florida’s six-week abortion ban into law 4/13/23 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-six-week-abortion-ban-signed-into-law-ron-desantis/
Abortion pill availability continues to remain at risk, due to far-right courts. April has been busy….
On April 7, an Amarillo federal court judge revoked the FDA’s 2000 approval of mifepristone, in an attempt to stop use of the drug nationwide. The same day, a federal judge in Washington state issued the OPPOSITE ruling (forbidding the FDA from limiting availability of the drug), which teed up the case for appeal. Federal judge in Texas suspends FDA approval of abortion pill 4/7/23 https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/07/texas-abortion-drugs-fda-ruling/
A 3-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on April 13 reversed the Amarillo court’s decision, but only in part. It held that too much time had passed since the FDA’s 2000 approval to ban mifepristone, BUT the 2016 relaxation of rules could be rescinded. It put those restrictions back in place, stopping mail distribution, limiting use to 7 weeks (instead of 10 weeks), and otherwise making medication abortion more difficult to obtain. Court Says Abortion Pill Can Remain Available but Imposes Temporary Restrictions 4/13/23 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/13/health/abortion-pill-ruling-appeal.html#:~:text=A%20federal%20appeals%20court%20ruled,ease%20access%20in%20recent%20years
DOJ then appealed to the US Supreme Court. On April 14, Justice Samuel Alito issued a temporary stay keeping the abortion pill mifepristone fully available while the Supreme Court mulled taking formal action. Supreme Court Briefly Preserves Broad Availability of Abortion Pill 4/14/23 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/14/us/politics/supreme-court-abortion-pill.html
The stay was set to expire at midnight on April 18, but it was continued until midnight on Friday. Supreme Court Delays Decision on Abortion Pill, Preserving Access for Now 4/18/23 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/19/us/politics/abortion-pill-supreme-court.html
Wrapping up this drama late on Friday evening, April 21, SCOTUS issued a single paragraph, decreeing that mifepristone, the common abortion-inducing drug, will remain on the market without additional restrictions while the legal challenge proceeds. The ruling was unsigned, but far-right Justices Thomas and Alito dissented. This is only a temporary reprieve; the case now returns to the 5th Circuit Appeals Court, which will hear arguments in mid-May. In the meantime, nothing changes as to mifepristone availability or the legality of abortion in the various states. Supreme Court leaves abortion drug on the market, for now 4/21/23 https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/19/supreme-court-abortion-drug-fda/
With the surging popularity of medication abortions, many insurers are now covering telehealth abortion care. (Of course, this could well be short-lived progress, depending on the mifepristone case result). Insurers Are Starting to Cover Telehealth Abortion 4/18/23 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/18/upshot/abortion-pills-telehealth-insurance.html
And, while everything is in flux: doctors, clinics, hospitals and state agencies are buying as much of the drug as possible, so that medical abortions can continue where the law allows, despite this far-right created crisis. Liberal states stockpile abortion pills after Texas court ruling 4/10/23 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65233537
Back to me….
Jury duty. Again. REALLY??? As an reformed lawyer, I never get selected, but the process wastes tons of my time.
Fawn season is imminent! It used to happen in May, but in recent years, Lakeway residents posted photos of new fawns parked in their yards as early as the first week of April. Don’t assume the wee fawns you spot on a walk or in your shrubbery are abandoned; Mama Does leave newborn fawns to rest, while they graze in the vicinity, before collecting the babies and moving on. Check here for info on how to identify the RARE case of a fawn needing help (plus lots of adorable fawn photos from past seasons): https://ninawriteorwronginlakeway.com/parked-fawns-injured-deer/
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 taken, all of does anticipating arrival of their fawns.
The Coronavirus
In the US, in the last 2 weeks, the official stats show new cases fell 26% and hospitalizations dropped 13%. Also, deaths decreased 13% to an average of 190 Americans per day. See the chart below for current stats. The national testing positivity rate was 7%. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/us/covid-cases.html
A new Omicron variant, officially XBB.1.16 but called Arcturus, is being watched by experts. It looks to be more contagious than other variants but so far does not seem to cause more serious illness. However, it does cause some new symptoms, including conjunctivitis (red and itchy eyes) especially in young patients.
Even with COVID-19 rates in the U.S. relatively low now, health experts recommend preventive measures, including frequent hand washing, avoiding close contact with sick people, and staying home when you have any Covid-19 symptoms.
The Biden administration announced a $5 billion program to accelerate the development of next-generation COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. The plan has 3 primary goals—a nasal spray vaccine preventing infection as well as severe disease, longer-lasting vaccines, and broader vaccines that protect against all variants and several coronaviruses. Also included is funding to develop more durable monoclonal antibodies resistant to new variants.
On April 18, the FDA authorized a second round of bivalent booster shots for people over 65 and for anyone who is immune-compromised. The second booster is available to those over 65 at 4 months after getting the first booster, while immune-compromised people can get another booster after just 2 months.
The Biden administrated announced on April 18 that coronavirus shots will remain free for uninsured Americans, even after the vaccines move to the commercial market later this year. The new $1 billion program will cover roughly 30 million people, modeled on existing childhood vaccination programs so the government partners with pharmacy chains to pay the administrative costs of giving the doses to patients.
A Canadian study found that people infected with the coronavirus were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes within a year of their infection, compared with those not exposed to the virus. Severity of Covid disease mattered; being hospitalized doubled the likelihood of getting diabetes, while being in ICU tripled the likelihood of getting diabetes. Men were more vulnerable than women.In Texas, in the last 2 weeks, infections decreased 14%, and hospitalizations dropped 8%. Deaths fell 13%, with an average of 9 Texans dying each day. See the chart below for current stats. The positivity test rate rose to 8.7%. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/us/texas-covid-cases.html
Recent Covid Articles I Recommend
F.D.A. Authorizes Another Covid Booster Shot for People Over 65 4/18/23 https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-changes-simplify-use-bivalent-mrna-covid-19-vaccines
Covid May Increase the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Researchers Find 4/18/23 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/18/health/covid-diabetes.html
Biden Administration Will Fund Program to Keep Covid Vaccines Free for the Uninsured 4/18/23 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/18/us/politics/covid-vaccines-uninsured.html
Mayo Clinic expert talks about the new omicron variant 4/13/23 https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-expert-talks-about-the-new-omicron-variant/
White House to invest $5 billion in next-generation COVID vaccines. Here’s why we need new ones. 4/10/23 https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2023/04/10/project-next-generation-coronavirus-vaccines-biden-administration/11636925002/