Travis County ESD 17, Prop A
WBNA Zoom Meeting
Thursday, April 22 • 7:00pm

*LINK TO RECORDED SESSION*

***If you were unable to attend the WBNA Town Hall Meeting: Travis County Prop A: ESD 17 Presentation, we are providing a link to the recording of the zoom meeting.***

The WBNA hosted this Town Hall session to help increase community awareness of this topic. We offer no political statements. We simply encourage community members to seek out information and VOTE.

Earlier Article:  In order to provide the community with some background information on an important topic, the WBNA will be hosting a Zoom meeting regarding the creation of Travis County ESD 17, Prop A.  As always, our goal is to provide an unbiased overview of the information available, along with voting dates.  Remember, every vote counts.

EARLY VOTING: April 19-27  |  ELECTION DAY: May 1

Regardless of whether you choose to be FOR/AGAINST Travis County EDS 17, Prop A, we are simply encouraging you to vote. It is worth noting that the City of Pflugerville chose not to place this proposition on the upcoming ballot and will defer further budget discussions. By voting, the voice of the Wells Branch community will be heard.

Normally, the WBNA would plan an evening meeting at the Wells Branch Community Center, host a guest speaker, provide refreshments and encourage friends and neighbors to gather, exchange ideas and ask questions. The on-going COVID restrictions limit a face-to-face session, so we are going to “ZOOM” past that restriction.

Join the WBNA Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID:  870 6866 0446
Passcode:  298067
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87068660446?pwd=dnNnZXpNdlFYRHFBVTR5NThBQWFtdz09

In addition, we are going to provide several links, documents and a short presentation from a variety of sources. The goal is put information into the hands of community members so you can make an informed choice. Please review all the information prior to heading to the polls.

VIEW:  WBNA ESD 17 Overlay Talking Points

READ:  Vote to Keep your Ambulances and Advanced EMS Services May 1, WBNA Newsletter article from Josh Stubblefield, President, IAFF Local #4137

VISIT:   voteforesd17.com – noteworthy link from that site:
voteforesd17.com/frequently-asked-questions/

There’s also excellent public information on ESD 2/Pflugerville Fire Dept including operations, financials, etc: https://pflugervillefire.org

Report from The Perryman Group:  https://www.fox7austin.com/news/pflugerville-looking-at-discontinuing-citys-ambulance-service?fbclid=IwAR0orkSbKkI6LamAgDH1cCIAlJvrSUZMX3eUNZR9s7Pd6lELfsoTND-N8GU

REVIEW:  Reprint of a WB Google Group post from WB Neighbor, Ben Williams Continue reading Travis County: EDS #17 Prop A: WBNA Zoom Meeting →

Welcome Spring 2021
at the WBNA Bunny Hop-Along

Saturday, April 3 • 10am-1pm
WB Community Garden Parking Lot • Corner of Single Trace & Town Hill Drive

The WBNA team would like to help the community celebrate a fresh start to the year with the WBNA Bunny “Hop-Along”. Family groups will “hop along the bunny trail” (a drive-by route), stopping to view the Easter Bunny on his decorated spring-time “float”. Each child will receive a bag of wrapped treats and a surprise egg. (There will be some reserved treats for smaller children or food allergies.)

Online registration is required. Each family may reserve ONE 15 minute time slot for each vehicle. Be sure to include the number and age of children when registering. Plan to arrive no more than 15 minutes before your reserved time. Smaller groups are encouraged to carpool. Please print and bring your reservation form for entry into the event.

This is a FREE Event, but there are limited spaces available!  Please CLICK HERE to REGISTER on Eventbrite and secure your spot along the Bunny Trail!

Food Pantry Donations:  To further help the community, there will be a food bank donation point along the bunny trail. Please plan to bring a canned good or boxed food donation to benefit the St. Andrew’s Food Pantry.

WBNA General Meeting:
2021 Annual Board Elections TONIGHT!

 2021 WBNA Program Update and Board Elections
Thursday, March 4, 2021 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Virtual “zoom” session: please join us (scroll down for additional details) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89944216206?pwd=SytlaDgxR09GbXM1VHN5WUVBOVZpZz09

• • • • • Meeting ID: 899 4421 6206
        • Passcode: 149009

Agenda:

• General welcome and opening remarks
• A short WBNA presentation: Building Community Together
• Introduction of current members running for election, short statements
• Ratification of new Board members, Election, following a call for any other nominations
• Short Q&A session (questions will be taken via phone, chat or email)
• Closing remarks

The WBNA is inviting you to attend a scheduled zoom meeting. Please review the attendance guidelines:

• Please remain on mute, unless you are speaking this limits background noise
• You may simply listen via a phone line (call in numbers listed below)
• If using the web link, you may type questions into the “chat” window
• You may submit questions prior to the session via email: info@wbna.us
• There will be an open Q & A session prior to the closing remarks

Overview:

There are seven board member positions, each serving a two year term. Even numbered positions (2, 4 and 6) run on even numbered years and odd numbers (1, 3, 5 and 7) on odd years. There are four positions due for election this year.

In order to cast a vote, you must be a paid WBNA member in good standing. If you haven’t already joined for 2021, please do so via the WBNA square link: https://squareup.com/store/wbna-inc/ (Please be sure and enter a valid email address.)

2020 was a very rough year for everyone and the recent winter storm really pushed all resources to the breaking point. Throughout the past year one aspect remained constant, a true spirit of community and fellowship unique to Wells Branch which served to support the community. At every turn, friends, neighbors and local business small owners reached out to help one another.

Please join the WBNA and help keep Wells Branch strong.

The WBNA Board

Grand Avenue/Bratton Lane Update

by David Greear, TNR

I am happy to inform everyone that the Grand Avenue Parkway (GAP) is completed and ready to be opened up to traffic!  We are scheduled to remove the barricades this Wednesday (3/3) and open the road.  There will be a 4-way stop control (blinking red light) for the intersection of Grand Avenue/Bratton Lane until the traffic engineering department can conduct a study to see if the intersection meets warrants for a traffic signal.   When the intersection meets the criteria for a traffic signal, the County will proceed with turning on the traffic signal already in place, but until then the 4-way stop controls will be in place.

A lot of people have been integral in getting this project to this point and we appreciate everyone’s support and patience!  Commissioner Brigid Shea wants to thank the residents who were so helpful in moving this project forward.

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! →