Photos by Devin Monk

Bee Cave Bob elicits surprise and awe from the younger crowd members at Armadillo Day on Feb. 2 at The West Pole in Bee Cave, where he forecast an early spring and left-leaning political climate. Country music singer-songwriter BELOW: Gary P. Nunn belts out a fitting ditty for Armadillo Day of London Homesick Blues with the chorus of “I wanna go home with the Armadillo” on Feb. 2 at the West Pole in Bee Cave.

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Photo by Ed Allen

2011 Citizen of the Year Steve Zbranek of Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes, center, is joined by 2010 winner Jaime Bush of  Point of Origin owner and 2009 winner Chief Todd Radford of the Lakeway Police Department at the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce Community Awards Gala Saturday at the Lakeway Resort and Spa.

Lake Travis’ enduring spirit shined as bright as a diamond at Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce’s 20th annual Community Awards Gala Saturday at Lakeway Resort and Spa.
Steve Zbranek, no stranger to the podium at chamber events, earned the 2011 Citizen of the Year award as the chamber’s outgoing chairman who led its economic forecast luncheons, Lunch and Learn series and Chairman’s Message.
The Leadership Lake Travis creator advocated for the Lake Travis school district’s $158.45 million bond package that passed in November and served on the district’s citizens review search committee to provide input on superintendent candidates.
His support of the community extended to serving as a founding board member of the Lakeway Police Memorial and Benevolent Foundation.
The Lake Travis Community Library Dancing with the Stars fox-trotter didn’t step on any toes in his acceptance speech.
“Thank you so much, Lake Travis,” Zbranek said. “I love being here. To be recognized tonight as Citizen of the Year for the community is probably one of the top highlights of my career. It’s very humbling.”
Taking on new projects energizes the Lakeway resident who always seems to be looking for the next one to take on or support with no ulterior motive for recognition.
“When I was working last year, I would go from one project to the next, and it just felt good doing each of them,” he said. “It would seem like we would finish one and start another one. I got really reinvigorated in this late year in my career. It was fun to feel that and to see the response that people give you. It was fun to organize more volunteers to do great things. I’m not done yet.”
His company, Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes, which won the chamber’s 2010 Business of the Year Award has begun the ground work for its next philanthropic program, in which it plans to build a home for a veteran and give it to him or her mortgage free. Zbranek also has committed to returning to his role as the chamber’s chairman in 2013.
Gala host Lakeway Resort and Spa didn’t have to travel very far to pick up its 2011 Business of the Year award.
The resort’s donations of services, event sponsorships and employee participation in community organizations such as Leadership Lake Travis and the Lakeway Police Memorial and Benevolent Foundation garnered the award.
A surprised general manager Troy Mathews shared that when the resort’s new management company, Redstone Companies Hospitality, wrote its first mission and vision statement years ago, it based it on engagement with the communities it serves.
“We view the community as a shareholder,” Mathews said.”This [award] tonight is really an affirmation to the fact that we probably did what we set out to do.”
In just two years on the Lake Travis scene, Community Impact secured the 2011 Young Business of the Year award by sponsoring chamber luncheons, reserving space in the publication for annual chamber events, participating and volunteering time with Leadership Lake Travis for the program’s continued success Last year, the company lent a helping hand to those affected by the wildfires.
General manager Phyllis Campos said she had a dream job that allowed her to interact with business owners, city council members, county commissioners and other leaders and recognized her staff.
“It’s just a fantastic team,” Campos said.
The squad of dedicated individuals at Lake Travis Fire Rescue who pulled together for days and nights to put out numerous wildfires last year earned a standing ovation at the Community Awards Gala as they received an award from the chamber for service and bravery.
“We are just glad we could serve you guys last summer the best we could,” LTFR Fire Chief Jim Linardos said. “We just hope that next year we are not in the headlines as much.”
Lakeway Elementary School has plenty of shining stars in its system, but one constellation in particular stood out at the gala.
The school’s EarlyAct Club members encouraged students in 2011 to give up their Halloween candy to donate to soldiers, do chores to raise money for Shelter Box, collect used sports equipment for disadvantaged youth, visit retirement communities on Easter to sing and provide homemade decorations, and write words of encouragement for other students who were affected by the Bastrop fires.
The club, which Lakeway/Lake Travis Rotary Club sponsors, has grown every year from its inception in 2009 to 60 members in 2011-12.
“On behalf of the heart of Lakeway Elementary – our children – I thank you,” teacher and sponsor Cathy Pankonien said.
Austin Families for Families, a nonprofit organization of Lake Travis High School students that withstood the loss of co-founder Trevor Searle last March, still serves the community by channeling donations to families in need during the holiday season.
Their persistence won the admiration of the chamber and earned the organization the 2011 Shining Star award.
Her involvement in programs such as Family Link Foster Care, Kardivas, Mobile Loaves & Fishes and the Lakeway Police Memorial and Benevolent Foundation earned Mallory Voorheis the 2011 Unsung Hero award.
The chamber’s event and membership director established a donation location at its office for wildfire victims last fall and worked with members to donate food for rescue relief for both firefighters and fire victims.
“She has a huge heart for her community and cares deeply about how it operates now and how she can help make it better for the future,” said award presenter Barker Keith II.
Will Mitchell took home the Chairman’s Award from Zbranek for his dedication to SpringFest, the chamber’s annual spring festival.
Paul Quinn, who aided Lake Travis Coalition’s efforts to produce the first Lake Travis Economic Study, earned the 2011 Volunteer of the Year, and Vlado Ruzicka was named 2011 Ambassador of the Year.

Lakeway Resort. Spa general manager Troy Matthews accepts the 2011 Business of the Year Award.

Photo by Michelle Stecker

Taking part in the recent enjoy the check presentation are, from left, Lake Travis Community Library board president Carol Black, Lakeway/Lake Travis Rotary Club member Doug Lindgren, library board secretary Nancy Pencsak, library board treasurer P.K. Chatterjee, library board Morgan McMillian and Rotary Club president Wally El-Hitamy .

By Michelle Stecker

Contributing reporter

The vision of a new stand-alone library location for the Lake Travis Community Library recently came one step closer to realization when the Lakeway/Lake Travis Rotary Club presented a check for $16,667 to the representatives of the library’s board of trustees.
In fall 2010, the club committed to raise $50,000 from its members and the check presentation represented the second installment in the fulfillment of that promise
“The Rotary’s contribution and commitment to the realization of the new library enhances our [capital] campaign, and we hope it encourages other people to act,” said Morgan McMillian, library director.
Capital campaign
The library’s capital campaign, “Invest in Lifelong Learning,” raised almost $700,000 as of the first of the year toward a goal of $1 million. Library officials say there are many opportunities for individuals and businesses to contribute, including $150,000 to name the amphitheater area, $50,000 for a meeting room, $2,000-$35,000 for several specialized spaces and various $500-$750 needs for book stacks, study spaces, tables and chairs.
Several sized bricks for two walking paths may be purchased and inscribed for $125 to $500.
The Rotary donation will fund a community room, which will have the Rotary seal etched in glass on the entry to the area.
“Two of Rotary International’s commitments are supporting the community and encouraging education. [Construction of the new library is a step toward] those goals,” said Wally El- Hitamy, president Lakeway/Lake Travis Rotary Club. “It’s amazing how fast the area has grown, and with it, the need for more great community services like the library.”
The first $16,667 payment was presented in January 2011, and the third and final payment of $16,666 will be made in July of this year, said McMillian.
The Rotary’s contribution keeps the fund raising momentum strong, she added.
History of the LTCL
Since 1985, the LTCL has been providing the Lakeway and Lake Travis neighborhoods with educational resources provided by volunteers and donations of books, time and other materials. The library first shared space with Lake Travis High School until 2006 when it relocated to its current location in the Lohman’s Crossing Shopping Center.
The Lake Travis Community Library District was formed with voter approval in 2004 when it began receiving a quarter cent sales tax collected from the communities it serves, which include Lakeway, Lake Travis, The Village of the Hills, Briarwood and adjacent unincorporated areas of Travis County.
When the library relocated to the Lohman’s Crossing space, the board and friends of the library were already looking for a place to build a permanent, stand-alone structure. In the spring of 2010, Haythem Dawlett, founder and principal of Legend Communities, donated a nearby site for the construction of a permanent home for the LTCL.
“No matter what level of success we reach in our development efforts, there will never be a more important responsibility than giving back to those in need and supporting the many worthy causes that exist at the local level,” Dawlett said on the firm’s website.
Construction funding
There are three primary funding sources for the construction and ongoing operations of the new library. The library district revenue since 2004 from its share of sales tax will make up about a third of the money required.
“We have been very thrifty over the years,” LTCL treasurer P.K. Chatterjee  said, referring to the savings accumulated since 2004.
A second source will be public bonds that will be placed with local banks, said Chatterjee.
The third source is the “Invest in Lifelong Learning” capital campaign.
Programs offered
The library offers many programs for children, adults, teens and students of all ages throughout the year. Book readings and writing workshops are offered by local authors including Keija Parssinen who had her debut novel, “The Ruins of Us,” published this month.
Book clubs, writing groups, college planning workshops and genealogy tracing are among the events happening within the next three weeks for adults and teens. Children’s’ activities include cooking classes, pajama story time and yoga for 3- to 6-year-olds. Story times for children are regularly held three times a week.
The new library will have more than triple the current space and the capacity to grow with the expanding population and needs of the community.
Ground breaking news
Earlier this week, the LTCL board met and announced that the expected groundbreaking for the library is the first week in March 2012. It should open eight months later, said McMillian.
The LTCL is located at 2300 Lohman’s Spur, Suite 100, in Lakeway. Visit www.laketravislibrary.org for more information about programs and donation opportunities.

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Photo by Devin Monk
Chessie Blanchard-Zimmerman, Lakeway deputy city manager, discusses potential projects for the city’s Capital Improvement Plan with residents at a public meeting Jan. 24 at Lakeway City Hall.

Lakeway’s first public meeting Jan. 24 as it shapes its Capital Improvement Plan caused quite a racket among the city’s tennis community.

The Tennis Tigers roared their disapproval over the informal recreational group’s perception that the city no longer planned to acquire Live Oak Tennis Courts, a ClubCorp property it has under lease until 2014.

Fred Newton, a Lakeway resident who has served on various city committees, led the volley of protest by submitting a petition of 111 signatures in support of the city pursuing a permanent city tennis facility at Live Oak or elsewhere.

Newton said that players range from toddlers to seniors, and Live Oak court users do not have the time or the interest in spending money on a country club membership.

“They just want to play tennis with friends and visitors,” he wrote in the petition.

Newton questioned why the item did not appear on the city’s list of potential capital improvements.

“They were removed from the plan, so is something going on behind the scenes on the evaluation process? How could you not start with the No. 1 project that your responses are indicating you need?” Newton asked.

Chessie Blanchard-Zimmerman, Lakeway deputy city manager, said the city began a needs assessment in 2010 and hired a consulting firm to weigh its population growth, services and other factors.

The firm returned its recommended capital improvements list to Lakeway in April 2011, and the city conducted a public survey in late summer or early fall that garnered 132 responses.

“We have not gone back and made any changes to that plan. It was just as it was the day the consultant delivered it. There’s no reason for that. That’s just how we’ve chosen to do the process,” Blanchard-Zimmerman explained. “Changes will be made. Of the 132 responses, [the tennis courts were] the most popular. It’s definitely on the list.”

Andra Dearing, Lakeway parks and recreation director, said the city has always had city-owned public tennis courts on its radar.

Blanchard-Zimmerman said the city began a needs assessment in 2010 replied that they would like public tennis courts, park amenities and trails and road improvements among other projects.

Many of the survey respondents asked the city not to spend money while the economy is struggling.

“We understand that. It’s not our goal to increase taxes unnecessarily,” Blanchard-Zimmerman said.

Other residents expressed their hope that the city would address deteriorating road conditions and traffic flow issues.

Lakeway resident Eric Winter said Cedar Glen Cove and nearby streets, such as Explorer, look ragged and show signs of tire ruts.

“It makes it look like a ghetto area,” Winter said.

Lakeway resident Ed Maeder said he wanted the city to add left-hand turn lanes at the intersections where Zephyr and Dragon meet Lakeway Drive.

“What I’m looking for is improved traffic flow and safety. They both serve very large residential areas that have limited access,” Maeder said.

Blanchard-Zimmerman said the city’s five-year road maintenance plan covers repaving, striping and other repairs but larger-scale work may be added to its capital improvements plan.

The plan is designed to incorporate infrastructure additions and improvements in five to 20 years.

“The most important goal for this evening and for the next meeting is for you to help us identify what is missing from our list,” Blanchard-Zimmerman told the audience. “As you can see, we are nowhere near the end of this process; the public input has only just begun.”

Lakeway will host its second public meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 7 at Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek.

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Senior Reid Elliott (top) and junior Kyle Lucas (bottom) finished first and second, respectively, in the 100 backstroke

By Habeab Kurdi
Sports Editor

Awaiting the announcement of the final results at the District 25-4A Swimming and Diving Championships Saturday afternoon in Burnet, the Lake Travis swim team lined up side-by-side on the edge of the pool.
As the words spilled into the air proclaiming Lake Travis the district champ on both the boys and girls side, Coach Darcy Smith and her squad immediately plunged into the pool below, shouting and cheering all the while.
Reid Elliot was named the District 25-4A swimmer of the year following the meet, and Smith took home boy’s coach of the year honors.
“I told the kids on Friday if we win the meet on Saturday, they could throw me in the pool,” Smith said. “We all lined up waiting, then we all jumped in the pool together, and all popped up high-fiving each other. That bus ride home was full of a lot of energy and excitement and so much fun. I’ll certainly never forget it.”
In all, 18 Cavalier swimmers are moving on to the Region 7-4A meet, which will be held Feb. 10-11 at the Josh Davis Natatorium/Blossom Athletic Center in San Antonio.
Kristina Hoffman placed second in the 1-meter dive, and the diving finals are Feb. 9 in San Antonio.
The boys team topped the standings with 146 compared to 110 for runner-up Vandegrift. On the girls side, Lake Travis just edged Cedar Park, 111-103, giving the team a total of 257 points to best second-place Vandegrift with 209 points.
“It was a nice to see people getting on the podium for the first time at district,” Smith said. “And everyone had a great meet with common goal of taking away the team title.”
Along with Elliot and Hoffman, a few other Lake Travis swimmers have a shot to make it to the state finals, including Jason Easter and Kyle Lucas.
Katie Grose should be a near lock to head to her fourth state championships after making it the past three years.
Grose took first place in the 50-yard freestyle, second in the 100 butterfly, second in the 100 freestyle, and she was part of the relay team that took second in the 200 freestyle relay.
Elliot captured first place in the 100 butterfly, first in the 100 backstroke, and he was part of the first-place 200-yard medley relay team and the 400 freestyle relay team that placed first.
Easter was first in the 200 IM and second in the 100 butterfly.
Lucas wound up taking third in the 100 freestyle, and he finished runner-up to Elliot in the 100 backstroke.
“After seeing Kyle’s performance at district, to see him and the time he was able to post at, it’s certainly promising to have a fair shot at qualifying for state,” Smith said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing his performance at regionals, fully rested, fully tapered and ready to go for it.”
Adrian Krach took third in the 50 freestyle just ahead of teammate Travis White. White also placed third in the 100 breaststroke.
“Travis had a breakthrough performance, and it’s so nice to see in that senior year, to get on that podium,” Smith said.
Reese Bishop was third in the 500 free, Ben Rodgers placed first in the 100 breaststroke, while Steven Austrian and Austin Schlageter also had solid performances at the meet.
The boys team of Krach, Stephen Wilkes, Bishop and Rodgers nabbed third in the boys 200 free relay.
“All the boys relays are strong, as long as we have safe starts we should have a clear shot to state,” Smith said.
On the girls side, Sedera Zbranak and Hannah Evans finished two-three in the 200-yard freestyle, and Zbranak was third in the 100 freestyle. Libby Linton placed third in the 50 freestyle, Megan Grose wound up second in the 100 butterfly.
The girls relay team of Evans, Linton, Zbranak and Grose was second in the 200 free relay among the top finishes for Lake Travis.
For now, the team has a little time to actually soak in the wins and recover a bit before regionals. Some swimmers rested at different times and some are still looking for a little break to get their best performances at their peak.
“We certainly put a lot of thought and effort into who should rest at different times,” Smith said.

Graphic illustration courtesy of Phin-Ker Ventures

Phin-Ker Ventures partners made a presentation Jan. 17 to the Lakeway City Council that depicted their vision for a 93-acre mixed-use development that will surround Lakeway Regional Medical Center.

Phin-Ker Ventures partners made a presentation Jan. 17 to the Lakeway City Council that depicted their vision for a 93-acre mixed-use development that will surround Lakeway Regional Medical Center.

Lakeway City Council members and planning commissioners are taking a close look at a 93-acre mixed-use medical campus proposed to encircle Lakeway Regional Medical Center.

Although it is not affiliated with the 8.5-acre hospital on Ranch Road 620, the yet-unnamed Phin-Ker Ventures development is lining up a hotel, multifamily housing, more than 78,000 square feet of retail space, two restaurants, assisted living center, senior housing and more ancillary services to the hospital.

Phin-Ker partner James Kerby presented the conceptual plan to the Lakeway City Council at its regular meeting Jan. 17. He estimated that it would take seven to 10 years to complete the development, with some components still in negotiations.

The campus split by Wild Cherry Drive and Flintrock Road features up to 160,000 square feet of medical office space in three buildings, the first of which is anticipated to open in the spring, about the same time as the hospital.

“We feel like the hospital is our partner in these other ventures and parcels, but we are independent of the hospital, and the hospital is independent of us,” Kerby said.

David Kreye, Lakeway Regional Medical Center chief executive officer, spoke in support of the project.

“We are, as a hospital, in support of exactly what they propose,” Kreye said. “It’s really advantageous for the hospital to have these kind of things very, very close.”

The developers are negotiating with NRP Group to build a 250-unit apartment complex designed as medical housing but not limited to hospital or medical employees.

NRP is an Ohio-based construction firm that specializes in multifamily, senior housing, single-family and commercial and retail sites.

Phin-Ker’s concept plan also proposes a senior housing facility that features age-limited apartments.

Shannon Burke, Lakeway director of building and development services, said the city had approved site plans for the hospital building, a parking garage that is complete, the first medical office building, grading, roads and other infrastructure.

The city’s Major Medical Center zoning ordinance allows all commercial-1, office and retail uses as well as all uses permitted in hotel-motel zoning, but it does not allow multifamily development.

“These would be Class-A apartments. We understand the concern about apartments – that’s been historic, so we are trying to address that,” Kerby said.

Lakeway Councilman Joe Bain pressed the developers on the apartment issue.

“The Comprehensive Plan for Lakeway – and I know I’m going to take a little flak on this – really discourages any apartments,” Bain said. “A lot of this is really disguised in other ways, but it’s really apartment buildings – you said something like that.”

Kerby responded that the company wasn’t trying to hide anything.

“I call them apartments because that’s what they are. … There’s no smoke and mirrors; I know they’re apartments,” he said.

Bain also questioned the impact the development would have on vehicle traffic.

“How do you expect to address the already onerous traffic issues we already have when you increase this density?” Bain asked.

According to a of a traffic impact analysis draft by HDR Engineering, the proposed project would generate about 28,622 daily trips on RR 620.

According to Texas Department of Transportation counts, the traffic volume for year on Ranch Road 620, north of Lohman’s Spur, was 33,000 vehicles per day in 2009.

Kerby told the council that they are sensitive to the traffic concerns.

“We know how bad the traffic is,” Kerby said. “Those are some things that I think that in later discussions we are going to be able to help address as well.”

Kerby also told council members that Phin-Ker’s negotiations were progressing well with La Quinta to secure 120-room hotel with extended-stay options.

“We are very far down the line with La Quinta as being our flag,” Kerby said. “That would be a proposal that we would be bringing in, in short order for your consideration.”

The Covenant Group of Fort Worth has signed on to build an 80-bed assisted living, 40-bed memory care facility in addition to an independent living site.

A fire station, rehabilitation hospital, recovery center, day care and skilled nursing facilities are in the planning stages for the campus, and Phin-Ker’s proposal also calls for 3.5 to 4 miles of trails to link the buildings throughout the campus.

The project suffered delays as ownership that began in 2008 was split off from the hospital plan and changed hands from Aqualand to KGP to Phin-Ker, but Kerby said the developer would bring more proposals for the council’s consideration in the coming months.

“I really believe this has the opportunity to be a flagship – one of the best campuses in the state,” he said.

Photo by Devin Monk

At a Jan. 17 ceremony, from left, Bee Cave Mayor Caroline Murphy, West Travis County Municipal Utility District No. 3 president Robert Salgo, attorney Randy Wilburn, Lower Colorado River Authority general manager Becky Motal and West Travis County MUD No. 5 president Larry Fox sign the purchase agreement that transfers West Travis County Regional Water and Wastewater systems to the West Travis County Public Utility Agency. Free at last: Public utilities acquire LCRA systems

Larry Fox

Special to the View

What is the feeling of restoring ownership of a water and wastewater system after 12 years of Lower Colorado River Authority ownership? Great.

In a letter to customers under a monopolistic LCRA water and, in some cases, a wastewater utility, dated June 11, 2007, customers were informed of a proposed two years of 25 percent annual rate increases in water and wastewater services.

Despite customer objections, the first increase was implemented Sept. 11, 2007.

At the next meeting of the West Travis County Municipal Utility District No. 5 in Lake Pointe subdivision, it was decided to launch a petition drive for a rate case suit to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

It was implemented Oct. 3, 2007, under the logo, “We’re Getting Soaked.” TCEQ has oversight for water and wastewater utility rates and operations in Texas. MUD No. 5 was soon joined by Lake Pointe MUD No. 3 and through the adjacent Uplands subdivision, by its municipality, the city of Bee Cave.

A suit was soon filed. Partially in response, LCRA proposed spreading the two-year rate increases over three years.

It was two years until a Texas Administrative Law Judge was appointed to hear testimony for the rate case suit. An early decision of the judge froze the rates at the 2008-09 rate increase known as the Phase 2 rate.

Testimony and filings were conducted during the next two years with the plaintiffs usually winning their points.

The LCRA board soon tired of the ongoing legal proceedings and expenses. In November 2010, LCRA officials decided to put the authority’s water and wastewater retail businesses up for sale.

In January 2011 communities up and down the lower Colorado River began to organize. An LCRA coalition was created. To provide liability protection, the Coalition of Central Texas Utilities Development Corp. was formed, and Pix Howell emerged as the president.

Pix was a former LCRA board member who advocated getting into the retail business in the mid-1990s but was disturbed by what had evolved and was working for the city of Leander to purchase their system from LCRA.

During the 82nd Legislature, WTC MUD No. 5 received authorities to own and operate the WTC Regional Water and Wastewater System in western Travis County and northern Hays counties, a system that was largely stand alone.

In May 2011, with the Bank of Montreal, LCRA conducted a bidder qualification round. It took the UDC some advanced dialog to get on the accepted list. Then in August 2011, bids were due. Initially, the UDC bid was felt to be too low.

State Sen. Kirk Watson and his office manager and attorney, Susan Nold, arranged a meeting between LCRA board chairman Tim Timmerman and General Manager Becky Motal and UDC founders Pix Howell, Commissioner Ray Whisenant, Bee Cave City Administrator Frank Salvato and UDC lawyer Lauren Kalisek. The purpose was to explain how and why the UDC bid would make LCRA whole. These meetings took place during October and November 2011.

At the Nov. 21, 2011 LCRA board of directors meeting, a resolution was passed by the LCRA board authorizing the general manager and staff to negotiate a sale document for signature by Dec. 15, 2011. Negotiations continued into early 2012.

LCRA insisted on the termination of the rate case as a condition of sale. Both sides were left to absorb their own costs. The freezing of the rates at Phase 2 during the case saved customers approximately $5 million, compared to the legal fees of $1.3 million.

In the meantime, the West Travis County Public Utility Agency was duly constituted and accepted by the secretary of state.

While negotiations continued until the last day, a purchase agreement was executed by the chair of the WTCPUA, WTC MUDs Nos. 3 and 5, the cty of Bee Cave, District 4 of Hays County and LCRA board chairman and general manager.

On Jan. 20, 2012, the MUD’s lawyer, Randall Wilburn, and the City of Bee Cave lawyer, James Mathews, signed the request to the TCEQ to terminate the rate case.

Negotiations are nearing a contract for a private company operator to handle all day-to-day operations, billing and more. LCRA bonds will be paid off in 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2019 by the issuance of bonds for the WTCPUA. Operating expenses and bond payments will be offset substantially by savings so that rates are expected to rise by no more than 3 percent per year, instead of the 50 percent – 75 percent increases that alternatives would have created.

Are we happy? Oh, yes.

Larry Fox is chairman of the board of directors of West Travis County Public Utility Agency and president of West Travis County Municipal Utility District No. 5.

From left, Kevin Quinn, Griffin Gilbert, Varshaun Nixon, Coach Jonathan Coats, Colin Lagasse and Cameron Wrinkle take part in the recent Lake Travis football banquet.

By Habeab Kurdi
Sports Editor

As speculation runs rampant and ramps up in intensity leading up to UIL’s biennial realignment Feb. 2, most projections have Lake Travis moving up a classification.
It would be somewhat of a letdown at this point if the high school winds up staying in 4A as it seems every team and program has started somewhat preparing for the move up.
With that move, Lake Travis could be thrust into a district with other Austin schools, particularly those in the Class 15-5A district now with well-known rival Westlake.
“It really is the best kept secret. Everybody out there thinks they know, but they don’t know any more than any guy on the street,” Lake Travis athletic coordinator and football coach Hank Carter said. “One thing that would make sense, and that rarely happens, would be for us to move to the Austin district.”
If the UIL figures hold close to where they are now, Lake Travis would indeed move up a classification, but figuring out exactly how the realignment and redistricting is a fool’s errand.
For years, onlookers have speculated how the Lake Travis program would fare if it was in 5A, and it’s a move up that Carter said he would relish.
“Whatever happens to us we’re going to be fired up about whoever we’re playing.
I would imagine we move up to 5A,” Carter said. “With us growing I’m sure we’ll be 5A, and I think we’ll do well in all sports. There may be a little growing pains in some sports. It’s tougher because of the competition level moving up, but we do pretty well at everything.”
As the realignment plans unfold Carter and several other area coaches will converge on The Palace on Parmer to hear the announcements and partake in the ensuing scramble.
“When you find your district, if everyone is close by, you have a district meeting and line up schedules for football and all the other sports that day. Then it’s a scramble to find games if you lost someone or a nondistrict opponent is in your district now,” Carter said.
The Cavaliers sentiments on realignment don’t necessarily stretch out to others in the area, as Carter witnessed first-hand two years ago just as he was taking over the reins of the football team and athletic programs.
“It’s very similar to what Wall Street would look like, as soon as they open trading going crazy. You see coaches running across, hear someone over there cussing because they’re stuck in district they didn’t want or move up to 5A. And you see guys celebrating because they got out of a district they were in.”
Gauging the movement of others that have either gone up to Class 5A or come down from 5A to 4A, from Cedar Park to Cibolo Steele to Denton Ryan to Longview, Carter says sustaining success can be a matter of mindset.
“It sounds like a company line, but that’s our attitude on that as we’ve watched it unfold,” he said. “What that all says is once you get to a certain number of kids, about 1,800 or more, a good football team is a good football team. I don’t know that there’s a lot of difference between a really good 4A and 5A team. Recent history says if you are good you’ll be able to compete.”
With the chaos of scheduling and finding new opponents a likely scenario, Carter and the football team is just now getting fully accustomed to hearing they are in Texas lore after winning a fifth-straight state title last month.
“I think it’s just now starting to set in. This is time of year, we go spend time with clinics and colleges meeting with other coaches, and obviously they’re very complimentative. Hopefully, it doesn’t wear off for a while.”
If the move up happens, Carter and his crew are hoping they can put another peg into their historical run.
“It all has to do with who you matchup with in the playoffs,” he said.

The Lake Travis boys golf team after winning the Tiger Classic. (L-R) Klein Klotz, Joey Hearn, Thomas Holtzman, Dillon Van Essen, Andrew Liu and coach Erik Henson.

By Habeab Kurdi
Sports Editor

After losing four members of the state champion boys golf team, Lake Travis wasn’t sure exactly how it would reload for this season.
Based on results and the commentary of other coaches, the Cavs are going to need somewhere to store all their ammo as they are sporting perhaps their best squad in more than a decade.
That could be an outlandish claim considering the success of the program, but Coach Randy Morris agreed that it’s no stretch to call this collection more than strong contenders.
“It’s been very impressive, a little surprising. We knew the kids were good but having lost four from the state team last year, we weren’t sure where we’d be,” Morris said. “We thought it might take us a year to get there with our new group.
“Not to demean any of the other groups, but yeah, this group has worked a lot harder than any other group in the past.”
Part of that rationale is that in years’ past, the Cavs might already be subconsciously conceding that the powerhouse team of Highland Park was a shoe-in to win.
“Even after our win last year they know it’s possible. Teams I had in the past, we kind of already giving the title to Highland Park and seemed to be playing for second,” Morris said. “After last year we kind of believe that now. We can compete with them, and we’re just as good as they are.”
The boys team is coming off of a strong win at the 2012 Aggie Cup Invitational in which the Cavs held off a hard-charging Westlake squad for a narrow two-stroke overall win, 601 to 603 with coach Erik Henson guiding the team.
Klein Klotz, the lone returning member of last year’s title team, led the way by shooting a tournament-low two-day total of 145. Teammate Joey Hearn came in second with a combined 147.
Rounding out the Cavs’ top five, Thomas Holtzman shot a 155 to take 17th place, , Dilllon VanEssen shot a 156 for 21st place, and Andrew Liu tied for 40th with a 163.
Having talent throughout the roster is a chance from a year ago as well, as though the team boasted plenty of talent the team was top-heavy with Tayler Termeer and Joe Beck at the top.
“If they shot well we did well as a team, but if one of them struggled we struggled as a team,” Morris said. “Now we’ve got five equally good, all the way down. We’re a lot better on the lower end, it seems so much easier and now we don’t have to just count on this one or that one for a good score. It’s been a real pleasure this year.”
Now the boys will cohost the Battle at the Lake varsity tournament with Westlake Friday and Saturday. Eighteen teams will flock to the tournament, including Mansfield, SA Churchill, Vandegrift and Cedar Park. The tournament will feature a different wrinkle than most tourneys as teams will play six golfers with the best five scores counting toward the team total (usually, it’s five golfers and the four best scores).
The format will allow the Cavs, and other teams, to push their first team members while strengthening the entire roster, with the internal competition that always exists spilling out into the tourney.
“It’s kind of hard to tell them that but it gives us a nice opportunity to see how they compare to each other on the same course, same day, same conditions,” Morris said. “We beat Westlake the last two times. They’re not our immediate competition, but they’re always competition for Lake Travis, still our concern is the other 4A schools and where we stand going to state.”

Girls golf
The Lake Travis girls golf team has been on a run of success this season as well.
Coming off a win at the Lakeway Lollapalooza tournament at Live Oak golf course, the Lady Cavs have gotten strong play out of the entire team, led by Emily Gillman, Kristen Miller, Courtney Ford and Ann Parmerter.
Ellie Aiello and Stella Kang have battled back and forth for the fifth slot this season, but the team is on track to make the state tournament again.
“The girls are always solid, there’s just not a lot of programs, high school programs, that have consistency with girls and the area we’re in we’ve been one,” Morris said. “We’re still solid with the girls but they’ve got a pretty steep road ahead of them. We’ll be at state again. I just need them to be ready when the time comes.”
The Lady Cavs are off of tournament action for a little longer before taking part in the NEISD Invitational Feb. 17-18.

Photo by GAMENIGHTPHOTOS.com
Sean Steffen (20) battles for a loose ball against Vista Ridge.

By Habeab Kurdi

sports@ltview.com

Lake Travis traveled to Dripping Springs Jan. 13 and came away with another hard-fought district win.

The Cavs topped the Tigers 66-56 to remain unbeaten in district at 4-0 with a balanced attack across the board.

Drew Nikolovski scored 13 to lead Lake Travis, with Jordan Manse adding 10 points and Stefan Vidovic pitching in with 10 in the victory.

“It was a very close game, but anytime you can go on the road in district and win a game, it’s big,” coach Clint Baty said. “They’re a good team. They’ve got three or four shooters and a couple of big guys — they could make a run in the payoffs just like anybody else, they’ve got the tools.”

With a vocal and emotional Dripping Springs crowd greeting them, the Cavaliers started out a little slow and held a slim 18-15 after on. In the second quarter Lake Travis started to heat up. Capped by a Shaun Nixon basket to close the first half, Lake Travis outscored the Tigers 15-8 in the second quarter for a 33-23 halftime edge.

Coming out of the break, though, the Cavs fell back to the first-quarter level and let the Tigers right back in the game. Dripping Springs outscored Lake Travis 18-11 in the quarter to pull within 44-41.

“We went into halftime with all the emotion after we hit a basket before the end of the half,” Baty said. “But I guess we lost our emotion in the lull at halftime, because we let them cut it down real quickly in the third.”

Dripping Springs had chances to make it very interesting in the fourth quarter, but Lake Travis was able to fend off the Tigers down the stretch thanks to increased defensive pressure and an added emphasis on the glass.

Sean Steffen, Henry Castner and Garon Watters all led the team with five rebounds each, with Steffen adding seven points, two steals and two assists. Luke Hutton had four boards and two assists, Nikolovski tallied four rebounds and four steals, while Nixon had eight points and three steals.

Matt Tyson led the team with three assists.

“Early on in the game, we were rebounding very poorly,” Baty said. “In the end we started to rebound that first miss and weren’t giving them those extra chances.”

The Cavaliers are getting used to increased intensity from their opponents as they maintain their place on top of District 25-4A. Lake Travis will have another test with Cedar Park coming to town for a 7:45 p.m. Friday.

“I think we’re going to get everybody’s best efforts, as would anybody who is leading district, you are going to get their best efforts,” Baty said. “The more you stay up there, the bigger the target gets on you. They came out with a lot of intensity and a lot of emotion, our kids just stayed the course.”

Lake Travis played at Marble Falls Jan. 17 and hosts Cedar Park Jan. 20..