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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReporter October 2010© City of Georgetown, 2010 VOL. 8 • NO. 10 A Publication of the City of Georgetown October 2010 Georgetown’s community-owned utilities mark a significant anniver- sary this month. One hundred years ago, the citizens of Georgetown voted to take ownership of the municipal water and electric utilities. Historical records show that on October 17, 1910, the voters of Georgetown approved two bond issues. With a total of 241 voting in the election, there were 192 votes for the $32,000 Water Works Bonds item and 189 votes for the $13,000 Electric Light Bonds item. (Georgetown’s population in 1910 was 3,098 residents.) The City took over operations of the water and electric utilities on January 1, 1911. Georgetown Utilities: 100 Years On November 2, Georgetown resi- dents will go to the polls to vote on the City’s dedicated 0.25 percent sales tax for street maintenance. This 0.25-percent sales tax, also called the quarter-cent sales tax, was first approved by 57 percent of Georgetown voters in 2002. In 2006, the sales tax was reautho- rized by 72 percent of Georgetown vot- ers. The sales tax has a four-year sunset clause unless it is reau- thorized, according to state law. Revenue is collected from everyone who shops in Georgetown, unlike property taxes that are collected only from property owners in the City. A Green Greeting The illumination and landscape irrigation systems for this welcome sign on Interstate 35 at Westinghouse Road are completely solar-powered. Photovoltaic panels behind the sign charge a battery pack that stores enough energy to power the nighttime LED lights, as well as a drip irrigation system for landscaping around the sign. The mercury-free LED lights for the sign, as well as the solar panel and battery pack, were supplied by Ringdale, Inc., an LED lighting manufacturer in Georgetown. Funds have been used to improve and resurface streets in many neigh- borhoods, including Quail Valley, Pleasant Valley, Sun City, Lakeway Drive and Northwest Boulevard area, River Ridge, Sierra Vista, Old Town, University Park, Country Club, River Bend, and sections of Railroad Avenue and Scenic Drive. If approved in November, quarter- cent sales tax revenue for streets continues until March 2015. If the voters do not reauthorize it, then revenue from the quarter-cent sales tax stops in April 2011. For more information, go to www.georgetown.org. Sales T a x for Str eet Maintena n c e Nov. 2 election VOTE Light and Water Works building Starting in early 1911, the City used the bond proceeds to build a new water and electric generation facility three blocks west of the Square on Ninth Street. The Georgetown Light and Water Works plant began operations there in July 1911. That plant produced water and electricity for Georgetown until 1945 when the City began purchasing power from generating plants outside the city. In the 1980s, the Light and Water Works building was remod- eled to serve as offices for the Georgetown Police Department. Discover the latest news about the city at www.georgetown.org As part of a national tour with pink fire trucks and firefighters, the Pink Heals Tour comes to the Square on October 13. A parade on Main Street to the Courthouse starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by presenta- tions, music, and signing of pink fire trucks. The event, which aims to raise money and awareness for women affected by cancer, is spon- sored by the Georgetown Fire Department, the Georgetown Association of Professional Firefighters, and other local fire departments. T-shirts for the Georgetown Pink Heals Tour stop are on sale for $15 each at the Visitor Information Center, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, Fire Administration, and all City fire stations. Proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas, a local nonprofit that provides information and sup- port to women who are diagnosed with breast cancer. A Pink Heals 5K Run/Walk starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, October 9 at Ninth and Main streets. To register for the Pink Heals 5K Run/Walk or to purchase a Pink Hope Pennant that will be displayed on the Courthouse lawn, go to pink.georgetown.org. Pink Heals Tour and 5K Farmers Markets Sun City Market,Tuesdays 9 a.m. to Noon, 2 Texas Drive in Social Center parking lot. Georgetown Market,Thursdays 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. in San Gabriel Park, on E. Morrow Street (across from Bob’s Catfish). The Palace Theater Cinderella,Sept 24 - Oct 31 Details at GeorgetownPalace.com, or call (512) 869-7469. Georgetown Poetry Festival, October 1 – 3 Friday night: Open-mic poetry reading at Hill Country Book Store. Saturday and Sunday: Events at Georgetown Public Library including free poetry workshops and readings sponsored by state-wide poetry groups, a special Saturday evening concert featuring singer/poet Nathan Brown, and a Sunday morning Haiku hike. For details go to library.georgetown.org. Art Hop, October 1 – 31 Juried artwork displayed at Georgetown Public Library, Quenan’s Jewelers, Franklin & Company Fine Jewelers, and Cianfrani Coffee Company. For details, go to arthop.georgetownartworks.org. First Friday, October 1 Downtown live music and street dance, shops and restaurants are open late. See the Downtown Georgetown Association website at TheGeorgetownSquare.com. HarvestFest 5K Run, October 2 Walk/run in San Gabriel Park to benefit Williamson-Burnet County Opportunities, a local social service agency. Details and registration at www.harvestfest5Krun.org. October Events October Events The Georgetown City Reporteris a publication of the City of GeorgetownPublic Communications Department, P.O. Box 409, Georgetown, Texas, 78627. For questions or comments, contact KeithHutchinson, public communications director at (512) 930-3690, or by email at keith.hutchinson@georgetown.org. The ladies from the All State Insurance office on the Square. National Night Out, October 5 Sponsor an evening block party to show your support for com- munity crime prevention and the Georgetown Police Department. Register your block party—go to georgetown.org for an application or contact Sgt. Rodney Griswold at (512) 930-2592 or rodney.griswold@georgetown.org. Market Days, October 9 Theme: ‘In the Pink’ for the Pink Ribbon Tour event later this week. Handmade arts and crafts, food, and more on the Square from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details at TheGeorgetownSquare.com. Georgetown Art in the Square, October 16 – 17 Works from more than 175 fine artists in a wide range of media including clay, drawing, sculpture, painting, jewelry, fiber, and metal. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Details at artinsquare.com. Taste of Georgetown, October 23 Denim and Diamonds at the Courthouse. Tastes from several local restaurants and Texas winer- ies. Tasting times from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $30 and available online starting September 24 at TheGeorgetownSquare.com. Art for Animals, October 24 A Chocolate Affair. Silent and live auctions of artwork, hand- crafted items, and other special items to benefit the Georgetown Animal Shelter. Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Community Center in San Gabriel Park. Chocolate desserts and coffee served. For details or to donate auction items, contact Jackie Carey at (512) 930-3592 or jackie.carey@georgetown.org. Haunted Hayride and Carnival, October 28 Sponsored by the Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department, hayrides begin at the Community Center in San Gabriel Park at 6 p.m. Ticket sales end at 8 p.m. Tickets for children 5 or older and adults are $3. Children under 5 are free. The carnival is in the Community Center from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is free with a fee for each booth or activity. New this year is a costume contest for children 12 and under. Contact: Erin Ruyle, (512) 930-8459 or erin.ruyle@georgetown.org. City-Wide Garage & Sidewalk Sale, October 30 Reserve a space in one of two parking lots off the Square, set out your treasures and invite the public to come and shop. For an application, go to TheGeorgetownSquare.com.