The Lead Live Podcast: Monday, Oct. 13, 2025

The Oct. 13, 2025, episode of The Lead Live, hosted by Louis Amestoy and Leslie Jones from the Peterson Health Digital Studio at Pine Plow Brewing Company, covered a range of local issues and community events.

The hosts highlighted a busy week in Kerr County, including events like Bubbles and Beads, a protest, a bike festival, and the Field of Honor. Jones noted her experience riding river trails, describing them as “beautiful and heartbreaking” due to flood-related changes.

A significant portion of the program focused on municipal frustrations, particularly concerning Louise Hayes Park. Amestoy discussed plans to move new amenities out of the flood plain, with the dog park at Lemann-Monroe Park becoming the new splash pad and the dog park relocating further east. The project is estimated to cost $10 million, with funding sources including insurance, FEMA, and philanthropic organizations. Amestoy proposed creating a conservancy, similar to New York City’s Central Park, to guide the park system’s development.

Amestoy also criticized Precinct 2 Commissioner Rich Paces for an op-ed in the Kerrville Daily Times, disputing Paces’ claim that 3 billion gallons of flood water were diverted into aggregate mines. Amestoy argued the figure was an exaggeration that damaged the county’s flood response credibility.

Bridget Symm and La’Cee Paxton of the West Kerr Public Schools Foundation discussed the organization’s mission and recent “inspire grants” to Ingram, Hunt, and Divide schools. Symm also praised Hunt School’s response during the July 4th flood, when it served as a facility for first responders, animal kennels, and a medical clinic.

Financial commentators Andrew Gay and Gilbert Paiz provided an overview, noting the bond market and banks were closed for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, while the stock market attempted to recover from a Friday drop linked to trade issues with China. They advised long-term investors to remain invested, cautioning against short-term trading. Paiz also observed a lower number of shipping containers outside Walmart stores, suggesting expectations of a less successful holiday season.