M.A.D.D. meeting will not be held at Bee Cave City Hall

Lake Travis High School Principal Kim Brents approached the City of Bee Cave asking for use of the space above Bee Cave council chambers or the use of council chambers for a M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) “town hall” forum where parents from Lake Travis, Dripping Springs and Westlake could participate in an educational session.  Principal Brents was turned down for the use of council chambers entirely and could not reserve the rooms upstairs without paying a hefty deposit and use fee.     Although I asked this matter to be placed on the Council’s agenda for discussion, it was not.   For future reference, it is my opinion that the City’s facilities should be made available for this type of event.  This availability is not for anyone who asks, rather it should be limited to those matters that effect the “health, safety and welfare” of our citizens as determined by the Council.

Backyard- First Concert Huge Success

The new Backyard at Bee Cave held its first concert last night, ZZ Top.  First of all, the band was fantastic.  Very good music to kick the Backyard’s new location off.  There were probably 4500 people there and although parking was initially a little slow, once inside it had strong resemblance to the old Backyard, but bigger.  There were vendors set up along the perimeter wall selling pizza, brats, Italian food (Mandola’s) and drinks (including mixed drinks and beer).  From the top of the hill looking down on the stage, you can see perfectly.  There are several oak trees, but they are trimmed and the stage is perfectly visible.   I made may way about 10 feet from the stage and looked back up the hill and it looks very similar to the old backyard.   There are oak trees surrounding the area and the “feel” was cozy.   I think Tim O’Connor and the gang at the Backyard hit a home run!

LTISD School Board Elections – From Mike Murphy

Friends & Neighbors

This is a short reminder that early voting for the Lake Travis Independent School District (LTISD) Board of Directors begins tomorrow (Monday, April 26) and continues through Tuesday, May 4.  Election Day is Saturday, May 8.  You may early vote at the Lakeway or Westlake Randalls (7 – 7 except Sunday 12 – 6), and I understand the mobile voting van will be at the Bee Cave City Hall Friday, April 30, through Tuesday , May 4,  8 a.m. –  6 p.m. except Sunday 12-6.

There are two contested seats at stake, and I am supporting Jason Buddin and Alex Alexander.  For information on their background, motivation, and goals for LTISD, please check their web sites at www.buddinforltisd.com and www.AlexForLTISD.com. There is no city election this year, but please make the effort to support the school board candidates of your choice.

Mike Murphy

Dorsett Swift Springfest Cook-off Awards

In support of the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce, Dorsett Swift, LLP firm members participated in the Springfest Chili, Rib, Chicken and Bloody Mary contest.   The event started at 9 a.m. and lasted until 6:30 p.m.   The firm walked away with the 3rd Place Chili award (thanks to Lori Dorsett), the second place “Kid’s Chicken” award (thanks to Trey and Hannah Dorsett) and made the final table in the rib contest (thanks to Trent Lewis).

It appeared that Springfest was an overwhelming success simply based on the number of vendors and participants throughout the day.  It seemed much more crowded than last year.  The musicians were great:  Loose Wheels, Dale Watson and the Derailers.

In the middle of the day, I scooted over to the Backyard at Bee Cave for the ribbon cutting event.  It was short and sweet.  The place is beautiful if you haven’t seen it yet.   Tonight’s first event, ZZ Top, should be a great show.

Lake Travis Indian Princess- Spring Campout 2010

Despite the weather threats on Friday night, the local Indian Princess tribe manged to tough out the annual spring campout.   In addition to hiking the Pedernales Falls and the scavenger hunt, the tribe conducted its election for the 2010-2011 season.  The race was very close between two very qualified fathers and leaders, Eric Pelczar and Lance Hoke, with Lance winning the election by a vote.   Others receiving votes were Steve Dedear and Jim Ballard.   Overall 13 dads and 16 daughters attended this Spring’s campout.

Bee Cave Police Report – Burglary Report and Capture

Police Department

Bee Cave Police Department: April 23, 2010; 12:00 hours.

Sometime between the hours of 5:00 PM on March 23, 2010 and 7:30 AM on March 24, 2010, a metal building in the 14600 block of Highway 71 West in Bee Cave was burglarized.  Taken in the burglary was a 1967 Mustang and numerous tools.  The total value of the loss was set at over $64,000.00.

On April 4, 2010, the vehicle was recovered on Paleface Ranch Road in Travis County, but neither the neither the missing tools nor a suspect were located at that time.  However; through subsequent investigation a suspect was developed, and  on April 6, 2010 an arrest and search warrant was obtained ordering the arrest of William Buse, white male, 1/16/1968, and the search of his residence in Spicewood, Texas.

On April 6, 2010, Bee Cave Police Officers along with officers from the Burnet County Sheriff’s Department served the warrant, and arrested Mr. Buse and located several items taken during the burglary.  Mr. Buse was booked into  the Travis County Jail.

Total value of the items recovered in this case is over $61,000.00.

Bee Cave Police Press Release – Donut Man

Police Department

Bee Cave Police Department: April 23, 2010; 12:00 hours.

On Thursday, March 25, 2010, the Bee Cave Police Department Email Box received an email which had been forwarded throughout the community before someone finally sent it to the Police Department.  The email stated that the sender’s nanny and children had been approached in the Bee Cave Central Park by a strange older man who was offering the children donuts.  Upon receipt of that email, Bee Cave Police initiated an investigation and began trying to find the original nanny so that she could give a statement.

On Friday, April 9, 2010, the Police Department received a second report of an older man approaching a nanny with children at the Bee Cave Central Park asking numerous questions of the nanny sometime in March.  Further, the parents of the children had their nanny look at the registered sex offender web site where she identified the individual as the one that approached her.  We included this second event as part of the original investigation.

This week, both nannies were able to give statements and look at a photo lineup which included the photo of the individual from the registered sex offender web site.  The original nanny approached by the “Donut Man” indicated that none of the individuals in the photo lineup was the man that approached her.  The second nanny, who had already seen a photo of the registered sex offender, picked him out of the lineup.

After reviewing both statements, the Bee Cave Police Department contacted the District Attorney’s Office which confirmed that no offense had occurred, and no case could be prosecuted.

Finally, the Bee Cave Police Department interviewed the individual identified in the photo lineup, and closed the incident.

The Bee Cave Police Department remains committed ensuring the public safety and well being, and is dedicated to protecting our most precious resource, our children.  If any suspicious activity is observed, it should immediately be reported by calling 911.

The Backyard at Bee Cave Ribbon Cutting

As many are aware, The Backyard at Bee Cave will host its first show(ZZ Top)  this Sunday, April 25th.   The location will host its official ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, April 24th at 1:00 p.m.  Although not quite complete, this Sunday’s show is highly anticipated by many in the community.  It is  hoped that facilities will be fully functional for Willy Nelson’s Fourth of July picnic later this summer.  Good luck with the first show.