Good morning, Kerr County!
It's election day! We expect a hot one day, and the National Weather Service says to be careful out there due to the high heat today. "When combined with the humidity, heat index values will be from 95 to 100 in the Hill Country and Edwards Plateau, 100 to 108 on the Rio Grande plains, I-35 corridor, and coastal plains, including the Austin and San Antonio metro areas," the National Weather Service said. To top it all off, the Weather Service added this caveat — "hot and muggy conditions this weekend. The mugginess will be worst from late evening through mid-morning before daytime heating mixes down hotter, but drier, air."
Today's events
Events
- Mother's Day Tea — Dietert Center, 2-4 p.m. Information: https://www.dietertcenter.org The details: Come celebrate our mothers with a delightful afternoon tea with light refreshments.
Live music
- First Saturday Dance — Trailhead Beer Garden at Schreiner University, 5:30 p.m. Information: The details: Pastel Panties is a six-piece Americana band led by longtime friends and musical partners Emily Foley and Sarah Ristaino. North Carolina bred, New Orleans based, their sound features bluegrass harmonies and is inspired by whiskey, broken hearts, mountains and Louisiana swamps. Their debut album with the full band, My Mississippi Heart, is now available on Bandcamp and major streaming platforms. Dance Lessons by Clifton Fifer at 5:30, for anyone wanting an introduction or a brush-up on their two-steppin' skills.
- Reuben Darnell — Cafe at the Ridge, 6 p.m. Information: 830-896-0420
- No Other Band — The Hunt Store, 6 p.m. Information: 830-238-4410
- Matthew James Butler — Pint and Plow Brewing Co., 6 p.m. Information: https://www.pintandplow.com The details: As a one-man-band, Matthew James Butler uses looping techniques to blend his Mandolin, Guitar, Piano playing and voice into various groovy ways. His style runs from Blues and Country to Alternative Rock and Indie-Folk.
- Tejano Image — La Escondida 1962, 5:30 p.m., Information: La Escondida 1962 The details: Another night filled with music and the St. Edward's University Alumni Folklorico Dancers will perform at 6 p.m.
Comedy
- Kerrville Comedy 2Nite — Babez Seafood Bucket, 8 p.m., Information: 830-895-0592The details: Paul Varghese's act includes several observations about being Indian, providing outsider-looking-in and insider-looking-out commentary while also exploring an array of topics and issues outside that realm.
Theater
- Live comedy theater "Drinking Habits" — The Point Theater, Ingram, TBD, through May 15. Information: https://www.hcaf.com/2022-theatre-season/ The details: Accusations, mistaken identities, and romances run wild in this traditional, laugh-out-loud farce. Two nuns at the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing have been secretly making wine to keep the convent's doors open, but Paul and Sally, reporters and former fiancees, are hot on their trail. They go undercover as a nun and priest, but their presence, combined with the addition of a new nun, spurs paranoia throughout the convent that spies have been sent from Rome to shut them down. There's the spilling of wine and secrets as everyone tries to preserve the convent and reconnect with lost loves.
Car Shows
- Cars and Coffee — Billy Gene's Restaurant, 8 a.m. Information: https://www.billygenes.com The details: Billy Gene's Restaurant hosts its first Saturday car show with antiques, sports cars, lifted trucks, slammed trucks, Jeeps and project cars.
Markets and Swap Meets
- Hill Country Swap Meet and Market Days — Hill Country Youth Event Center, 8 a.m. Information: https://www.kerrmarketdays.org The details: A community garage sale and flea market with all types of merchandise. Buy, sell and trade. Antiques, collectibles, new, used books, tools, furniture, household items, sporting goods, etc. Concessions available, indoor, free parking and pet friendly.
- Heart of the Hills Farmers Market — River Hills Mall parking lot, 8 a.m. Information: https://www.heartofthehillsfarmersmarket.com
Fundraisers
- Boy Scout Troop 111 Car Wash — Notre Dame Catholic Church, 10 a.m.
The election is here
Election day is finally here, and while every vote has consequences, this election could play a significant role in the finances of Kerr County for years to come.
At stake today are two bond measures in the latest attempt to keep up with the pace of Texas' super-heated economic growth. The first is a $45 million bond measure that would fund the construction of a combined Kerrville police station, fire administration, municipal court, emergency operations center and a new home for the information technology department.
The second is for Ingram Independent School District voters to decide — a $25 million to fund school upgrades. The school district wants to make significant additions to its three campuses, including expanding technical education opportunities at the high school.
If the voters pass these two measures — $70 million indebtedness — it won't be the first bond measures Kerr County voters will decide in 2022. Looming in November is an expected $30 million worth of bonds on the ballot from the Kerr County Commissioners Court.
The most politically volatile proposition is over Kerrville's public safety building. The construction of the building is a volatile issue, with opponents saying it's "grandiose," while supporters argue putting the building off will make it even more expensive.
All of the back and forth finishes today when voters go to the polls — starting at 7 a.m., with the polls closing at 7 p.m. Voters will cast ballots at:
- River Hills Mall — For Precincts 101, 107, 109, 113, 118, 119.
- Union Church — For Precincts 202, 211, 215, 220
- Cailloux Theater — For Precincts 303, 308, 312, 314
- City West Church — For Precincts 404, 405, 406, 410, 417
On the ballot
Ingram Independent School District
(Vote for two)
- Joy M. Molina
- Adam Nichols (Incumbent)
- Wayne McClintock (Incumbent)
City of Ingram
Alderman
(Vote for two)
- John Cantwell
- Rocky Hawkins (Incumbent)
- Tommy Eure
- David Britton (Incumbent)
City of Ingram
Mayor
- Bill Warren
- Kathy Rider (Incumbent)
- Claud Jordan Jr.
City of Kerrville
Kerrville Mayor
- Judy Eychner
- L. Brent Bates
City Council Place 3
- Katy Chapman Hanna
- Joe Herring Jr.
City Council Place 4
- Brenda Hughes (Incumbent)
- Robin Monroe
Kerrville Independent School District
District Six
- Zach Sumrall
- David Sprouse (Incumbent)
District Seven
- Samantha Munoz
- Michael Tackett (Incumbent)
More on Brent Bates's business dealings
With the publication of our story on Thursday about Kerrville Mayoral candidate Brent Bates's history of not paying people back, we were alerted to another significant instance where he failed to pay.
The River Guide Village Property Owner's Association filed a lien against Bates's Post Hole Ventures, LLC for unpaid dues and utilities, according to documents filed in Kerr County on Aug. 13, 2020. Bates is building a 21,000-square foot, three-story office building overlooking the Guadalupe River — it's also known as building G.
The lien against Post Hole Ventures is for Building G. The property owners have attempted to collect from Bates since 2019, according to documents obtained by The Lead.
Even with the lien filed against him, Bates didn't pay, and as of April 5, Post Hole Ventures owed more than $17,000.
Those fees included more than $1,000 allocated to Kerrville Public Utilities Board — but that was in 2020. The company owed more than $500 in unpaid water usage.
Bates is the original developer of the Water Street office complex, but it was a condominium regime with businesses buying their suites — or buildings.
The unfinished building is at the center of a legal battle between the city of Kerrville and Bates, headed to federal court trial next year. Bates and the city had one tussle over the building in Municipal Court, where a six-person jury found Bates guilty of violating city codes. Bates said he's appealing the decision and the $1,500 fine.
However, these aren't the only liens; the property owners are well behind the biggest lienholder — Bierschwale Credit & Lending of Fredericksburg. Court documents say the private lender loaned Post Hole Ventures, LLC. $1.6 million in 2018. A year later, the two sides modified the loan to $1.1 million at 8% interest, with the final payment due on June 6, 2022.
Schreiner University graduation sparkles
Despite the high heat of the afternoon, some cool breezes made for a gorgeous evening as Schreiner University celebrated its 99th commencement ceremony on Friday night. Here are a few photos: https://thekerrcountyleadphotography.zenfoliosite.com/zg/2022-schreiner-university-graduation
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