Opinion

The City of Alpine has implemented some significant changes in the past few months. First, the city has decided to produce a monthly column in the Alpine Avalanche to keep citizens informed and up to date with the city government. The column is aimed at answering frequently asked questions, covering current events, and advising citizens of important issues in the city. We hope to improve communication, enhance transparency, and provide a resource that will allow the public to continue to engage in city business.

They say that nothing is certain in life except death and taxes. While those two certainties are undeniable, we need to make sure that family-owned businesses, including farms and ranches, aren’t taxed to death.

If you are reading this piece, be advised that a meeting between the City of Alpine council members and Brewster County Commissioner’s Court did not take place July 21. What did occur was a social function, specifically the breaking of bread among friends.

Protecting our herds from pests and disease is a constant chore. Cattle producers are on the front lines, working with researchers and animal health officials to identify new threats and mitigate risks to the cattle industry.

A few weeks ago I was slightly overcharged for a few items purchased at the Porter’s Fifth Street Alpine store due to a misleading disconnect between the flyer ad and the shelf sale signs. The amount was insignificant but I pursued it, in the best spirit of Lovie Whitaker, with the store personnel and Porter’s headquarters office in Andrews, providing detail - the ad, receipt, etc.

The island Krakatoa split apart and nearly disappeared in 1883 when the volcano Krakatoa spewed 20 million tons of sulfur into the atmosphere. The pressure wave from the explosion that broke eardrums reached 310 decibels, was heard 2,000 miles away, and traveled around the world more than three times. Ash was propelled to a height of 50 miles. The Northern hemisphere’s summer temperatures the following year were down 0.4 degrees centigrade, and Los Angeles received 38 inches of rainfall. The effects on world climate lasted several years.

I will soon be away from Alpine for a bit to help my dad celebrate his 100th birthday. Yes, 100 years.

We would like to thank the community and visitors from all over the country for joining us for the 50th Fourth of July Celebration hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Alpine. We had a perfect evening after the rain.

Thank you for the chance to recognize the achievement of the City of Alpine and clarify the public narrative regarding its updated outdoor lighting ordinance. The previous 20-year-old ordinance was outdated because lighting technology changed dramatically, and we know that LEDs and blue light can cause serious problems if used improperly.

There are times and circumstances that warrant the firing of public officials, elected or appointed. The terminations of city managers Chuy Garcia, Bill Lewis, Karen Phillipi, and Jessica Garza were, in my opinion, appropriate exercises of council authority, and were executed with very extensive public discussion of the reasons for the action. In some instances public opinion was divided, and views were aired in large public meetings.