Elections in odd-numbered years rarely see high turnout, and this November’s election was no exception.  Whether because of a lack of education on the issues facing them, or disinterest in the election itself, voters largely chose to stay home.  In fact, statewide, over 91% of registered voters did not cast a ballot for the November 5 election.

Here in Wells Branch, our turnout percentage was slightly better than it was statewide.  Information was only available for the four Travis County precincts included in Wells Branch.  Because only a portion of Williamson County precinct 138 is in Wells Branch, specific turnout data was unavailable at press time.

The Travis County portion of Wells Branch consists of precincts 215, 216, 225, and 229.  The total number of registered voters in those precincts is 10,199 (lower than what it was last year).  The total number of ballots cast was 1159.  This means approximately 11.4% of registered voters in Wells Branch turned out to vote, either during early voting or on election day. 

This is significantly lower than our turnout for the general election last November, and it is easy to understand why – the 2012 general election included the presidential election, and so voters are more likely to show up at the polls.  What should bother all of us, however, is that the November 5, 2013 election was about issues and a race for state representative that affect us all much more immediately than a national race.

Most importantly, votes cast in the race for House District 50 differed from the votes cast in each of the amendment proposition choices, and they varied for each amendment as well.  The total number of voters who showed up to vote in each precinct does not tell the entire story, but it is a start.

Turnout and percentages per Travis County precinct in Wells Branch were as follows:

Pct 215 – 312 voters – 14.99% turnout

Pct 216 – 110 voters – 4.55% turnout

Pct 225 – 372 voters – 10.05% turnout

Pct 229 – 365 voters – 18.26% turnout

Increasing voter turnout is a crucial civic duty for our neighborhood.  We have learned that one way to have our needs addressed by our local elected officials is to show them that we are engaged, and the easiest way is by voting.  The WBNA works to inform voters of their choices in a non-partisan manner, and we encourage new ideas and your participation informing our neighbors, registering voters, and reminding each other to vote. 

Run-Off Date Set for District 50

Gov. Rick Perry set Jan. 28, 2014, as the special election date to fill the Texas House District 50 seat vacated by Rep. Mark Strama of Austin.  Celia Israel (D) and Mike VanDeWalle (R) will face each other in the run-off.

Early voting for this election will be held from January 20 to January 24.

The winner will serve the remainder of Rep. Strama’s unexpired term.

By Betsey Harper

I started off this year with 80+ chickens, 16 turkeys, 9 geese, 12 ducks, 27 guinea hens, and a pair of wild pheasants, before acquiring the Mills Pond fowl.   Every bird is unique, named by my kids, and banded with birth year for record keeping purposes.  They have grown up together as one flock.

Then I acquired the Mills Pond fowl and pecking order was disturbed.  Here’s what I learned in the past months.

·         The turkeys act like they are in charge; but the geese rule and when they don’t get their way, they are very, very loud complainers!

·         Healthy Muscovy ducks lay eggs everywhere, protect like geese, and roost like Grackles in trees at night.  If they didn’t scare me at least once a week, something is out of place.

·         The Rouen and Runner ducks don’t really fly; love to eat snails, slugs, and the neighbors cow corn crop; are very messy; and, like to be muddy or dirty.

·         The Mallards are not as domesticated as the others, and spend the day in the neighbor’s pond, but fly back every night before dusk.

·         The chickens have become faster on their feet, good at dodging other fowl especially when running with a special treat.

·         The geese don’t like any intruders; the ducks and guineas like to attack and play games with snake trespassers until they are dead; the same can be said for a turtle, several gophers and mice, and an unfortunate baby skunk.

·         The geese and ducks love to listen to music and like to sing (squeak happily) when my son belts out a song.  Some do a warble-thing which we suppose is dancing!

In all, the fowl have adjusted well and are happy and healthy.  They no longer fight me on wing or toenail trimming days and I’ve assumed the role of their leader.  We even have several communal nests that are shared.  The sun was shining on the eggs when I took this picture, which helps keep them warm so the birds can leave for a short time.  The very large white eggs are goose eggs; the more hidden egg is a duck egg; and the darker ones are chicken eggs. I’m sure there are more nests we can’t find, especially ducks nests; I’ve learned they like to hide their eggs and babies too.

What do I like best? There is nothing better than after a long hard day at work, having 200+ cheerful and excited little feathered friends rushing to see me.  They really do have individual personalities and I treasure them all.

Wells Branch residents can save money year-round by conserving water during the winter wastewater averaging period beginning November 13, 2013 and ending February 13, 2014.

There are no meters on customers’ wastewater lines.  To determine wastewater usage, a customer’s water usage is reviewed over three consecutive, low demand winter months when lawn watering and irrigation are less frequent. The customer’s wastewater charge for future billings will be based on the new wastewater average or actual monthly water usage, whichever is lowest.  The usage during this time frame determines the wastewater charge each month from April 2014 to March of 2015.  Now is the time to make sure that there are no leaking faucets or running toilets!!!

Customers who pay their water bill to Wells Branch Municipal Utility District (MUD) may contact Margret Wingrove of Crossroads Utilities at 512-246-5908 or mwingrove@crossroadsus.com with any questions.  Out of District customers who buy their water directly from the City of Austin, should call 512-494-9400 or check http://austintexas.gov/department/wastewater-averaging for more information.

Visit the following site for more tips on water conservation: http://www.wateriq.org/water-saving/