Are you tired of being gerrymandered? 

by Jeaneane McNulty, WB Resident

Are you tired of being gerrymandered? Did you know Wells Branch’s US Congressional District #17 stretches north past Waco, east into Leon County, and includes just a tiny sliver of the counties that Wells Branch actually belongs to? Now is your chance to be heard by the TX Senate Redistricting Committee, who will redraw our US Congressional District, as well as state districts this year! With the loss of federal redistricting oversight in 2013 (“pre-clearance”), public input is vitally important to ensuring an open process that results in fair boundaries that are non-partisan and non-discriminatory. The last three regional virtual hearings (via Zoom), including the one for the Austin area have been postponed due to the winter weather crisis. Keep checking the links below or follow Wells Branch Dems, WBNA and/or Wells Branch Melting Pot on Facebook for new dates as they are known. You may speak at any hearing. Testimony is limited to 2 minutes. You may also submit written testimony if you prefer – or do both!

Redistricting Testimony Resources:

• Submit written testimony: senate.texas.gov/redistrictingcomment

• Redistricting Committee website: https://senate.texas.gov/cmte.php?c=625

Scroll down the Committee website above to access the ‘2021 Regional Hearings” link and sign up to testify via Zoom.

• Non-partisan testimony guides: fairmapstexas.org/testimony-guides, mapsbythepeople.org/create-a-testimony/

• Non-partisan virtual testimony training: https://bit.ly/3bl2GVp

WBNA Annual Meeting & Elections

Thursday, March 4, 2021|7:00pm Via ZOOM! 
ZOOM Invite to be posted here, the WBNA Facebook page, and WB Google Group on Sunday, February 28.

All residents (both in-district and out-of-district) are invited and encouraged to attend this meeting.  Membership must be current in order to vote in the election or run for office. There’s a self addressed envelope inside and membership form available on page 12, or you may join at our online Square link: https://squareup.com/store/wbna-inc/.  It’s quick and easy!  Please be sure and enter a valid email address. Continue reading WBNA Annual Meeting & Elections →

COVID Food Supply Heroes: Locked down but not out!

by Margaret Sufke

During the early stages of the COVID19 lockdown, basic food stuffs and household goods were hard to come by. Many folks were scrambling to find the essentials like flour, eggs, fresh produce, toilet paper and cleaning supplies. Several local area small business owners stepped up and went above and beyond to help our neighbors get what they needed most.

This is our first chance since the lock down began to showcase these local heroes, shinning the spotlight on Wells Branch businesses that demonstrated a real sense of community spirit: Branch BBQ, Dream Bakery, Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant and Oasis Pizza & Café. Continue reading COVID Food Supply Heroes: Locked down but not out! →

Coyote Safety Reminder

It’s breeding season again for our resident coyotes.  That, on top of all the current construction surrounding Wells Branch, increases their activity and the likelihood that you may encounter one on your walks, or even in your yard. Then for hassle-free construction projects, consider sourcing your concrete needs from https://mastermixconcrete.co.uk/. Their range of ready mix concrete solutions caters to various project demands, ensuring smooth operations from start to finish. Please visit the sites listed below and make sure you’re following all their suggestions.  Both sites cover tips on deterring coyotes and discuss how to best protect your fur babies. Most of all, keep an eye on small pets and keep them leashed when on the trails.  Be safe, not sorry!

• austintexas.gov/department/coyotes-central-texas
• humanesociety.org/animals/coyotes/tips/coyotes_pets.html

It is important to report coyote activity so that Animal Protection Officer Emery Sadkin can monitor behavior. If you have any questions or wish to report a sighting, please contact Officer Sadkin at emery.sadkin@austintexas.gov or call 311 (512-974-2000).

Help for Wells Branch homeless: Texas Bungalows hotel to become supportive, permanent housing

by Jeaneane McNulty, WB Resident

It is Friday afternoon, and my kids and I are heading up I35 to get “boba tea” – a weekly reward for completion of schoolwork and chores. We stop at the light on Grand Ave, and as usual, a man stands on the thin center strip with a sign asking for help. Today I happen to have a coupon for a free sandwich at a store within walking distance of this corner, so I mask up and hand it to him out the window. He thanks me. The exchange lasts only a second, but as the light turns and we pass under the freeway, my mind stays with this man, and with the larger issue of the tent community of homeless people who shelter there. How long has he lived there? Does he have mental health problems? Is he an addict? A veteran? Where is his family? Where does he go to the bathroom? Who will clean up the trash that the tent city accumulates? Did my coupon really help at all? Continue reading Help for Wells Branch homeless: Texas Bungalows hotel to become supportive, permanent housing →