Small Town News

Of roads and rants

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OF CABBAGES AND KINGS

I have fond memories of Hays County back when there were fewer people living within our 680 square miles than now dwell within the city limits of Kyle.

But crowded into those pleasant recollections are sobering flashes of reality, like the horrible crop years in 1927-1928 that resulted in Hays County farms being taken over when residents couldn't pay their loans.

Before there was a recovery, 1929 rolled around and the Great Depression plowed under more Hays Countians, along with many middle-sized merchants and money-lenders. Happy Days were not here for years to come.

Roosevelt's New Deal brought us hope and some economic security, particulary for elderly citizens who qualified for Social Security. Later Eisenhower's national highway system made it feasible for folks to live here and commute to Austin for their jobs. By the end ofWorldWarTwo the number of folks living in Hays County had grown to 17,840 (a 3,500 person increase from 1900).

We rocked along on a slightly higher growth scale for 20 years, and tipped 40,000 in the 1980 census. The ensuing roller coaster ride since then brought us to 157,107 Hays Countians, according to the final 2010 census figures.

Hays County is now in 24th place in population among 254 Texas counties. Anyone who doesn't believe we need more and bigger roads, particularly in the Interstate 35 corridor and along the northern Hays boundary between Dripping Springs and Austin, need to have their head examined.

It's a no brainer.

Our county commissioners are level-headed folk and most have deep Hays roots. I don't think they'll go against the will of people who spoke clearly during the 2008 road and parks bond election.

For those who feel they just can't stand the growth, I can supply them with the names of the 67 Texas counties going downhill - population wise. There are good bargain homes and farms in those locales, and might prove to be paradise for folks who don't like what is happening here.

On a slightly different matter, I am deeply disappointed to read that, effective immediately, the long-standing tradition of the Sheriff's Office providing complimentary funeral escorts has been cancelled.

According to local reliable sources the new fee is $ 100 bucks an hour. Wow!

I recollect a few years back when the county bought fancy motorcycles, with the selling point being the big dollar "hogs" would be ideal for funeral escorts.

I don't expect funeral homes to absorb the cost, but I do question our Sheriff's Office for not doing so. It's a custom that complements an agency that could use some good PR.

Those of us living in the three largest cities have city-funded police departments, so we are already paying a sizable stipend for public safety that low tax smaller city and rural residents don't fund.

The new decree won't drastically affect those living in the Buda-Kyle area. That's because constables James Kohler of Kyle and Matt Mantillas of Buda will keep providing escort services without charge.

Public servants providing aid to folks at a difficult time in their life. Hooray for them!

The Sheriff's Office isn't the only offender when death occurs. Some newspapers began charging for obituaries a while ago; the Hays Free Press does not.

I believed 58 years ago when I first became a publisher that such a policy was cold hearted. I still do! I can understand word limits if obituaries are long and we insist on ultimate control in case some family feud causes problems. We don't charge for obituaries and we lose several thousand dollars a year because of our rule. It is a commitment we are sticking with!

Effective law enforcement is enhanced by public good will. Killing a helpful tradition in time of hardship is a "wrong direction" move. It's not too late to put this policy into reverse.

Consider it Sheriff!



Copyright 2011 The Free Press, Buda, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 The Free Press Buda, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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