The Deciders

Voters make their voices heard Tuesday

From staff reports

San Marcos and Hays County voters who haven’t yet stepped into the polling booth will have a number of issues, and candidates, to select on Tuesday.

Beyond the top-of-ticket presidential race between Republican John McCain, Democrat Barack Obama and Libertarian Bob Barr; there’s the senate race between Republican John Cornyn and Democrat Rick Noriega; that for U.S. Rep. between Republican George Morovich, Democrat Lloyd Doggett and Libertarian Jim Stutsman; and the State Rep. race between Republican Matt Young, Democrat Patrick Rose and Libertarian Tom Gleinser.

At the county level, voters will choose between Republican Allen Bridges and Democrat Bill Huddleston for sheriff; Republican Luanne Caraway, Democrat Robert Avera and Libertarian Steve Ravet for county tax assessor-collector; Republican Nick Ramos and Democrat Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe and write-in Bill Wyatt for county commissioner, Pct. 1; and Republican Will Conley, Democrat Steve Kelpfer and Libertarian Deborah R. Wood for county commissioner Pct. 3.

Hays voters will also choose between Republican Rodney Van Oudekerke and Democrat Jo Anne Prado for Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1; Republican Guy Irwin and Democrat James H. Kohler for Constable, Pct. 2 and Republican Ron E. Hood and Democrat Debbie Brown for Constable, Pct. 4.

Unopposed are Democrat David Peterson for Constable, Pct. 1; Republican Darrell W. Ayres for Constable, Pct. 3; and Republican Matt Mancillas III for Constable, Pct. 5.

There are also two countywide propositions.

The Road Bond Proposal reads: “The issuance of $207,110,000 of Hays County Road Bonds for county road and/or state highway construction and improvement, and for constructing and improving those roads that are the subject of an existing partnership agreement between the county and the Texas Department of Transportation (including sections of IH-35, FM 1626, FM 110, and US Hwy. 290) pursuant to which the county expects to be reimbursed for a maximum amount of $133,170,000 over time; and sections of Old Bastrop Highway, SH 21, Dacy Lane, Post Road, FM 967, Lakewood Drive, FM 150, RR 12, FM 2325, US Hwy. 290, Lime Kiln Road, and RM/FM 1826; and the levying of a tax in payment thereof.”

Proposition 1 reads : "Adoption of the state law applicable to fire fighters and police officers that establishes collective bargaining if a majority of the affected employees favor representation by an employees association, preserves the prohibition against strikes and lockouts, and provides penalties for strikes and lockouts."

San Marcos voters will choose between Susan Clifford Narvaiz, Daniel McCarthy and Dave Newman for mayor and Lisa Marie Coppoletta and Christopher Jones for Council Member Place 4. Fred A. Terry is unopposed in his bid for Council Member Place 3.

City voters will also decide the following propositions:

• Proposition 1: The amendment of Section 12.12 of the City Charter to require the city council to appoint a charter review commission in January 2013 and at least every four years thereafter.

• Proposition 2: The amendment of Section 1.03 of the City Charter to revise the statement of goals of city government.

• Proposition 3: The amendment of Section 2.02 of the City Charter to delete language regarding the eminent domain process that is duplicative of state law.

• Proposition 4: The amendment of Section 3.02(a)(2) of the City Charter to provide that residency in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction prior to annexation shall no longer qualify an individual to serve on the city council.

• Proposition 5: The amendment of Section 3.04 of the City Charter to provide that city council compensation shall be set in a public forum by ordinance of the city council.

• Proposition 6: The amendment of Section 3.11 of the City Charter to provide that ordinances shall be approved on two separate days, shall become effective upon final reading or publication, and permit notices of public hearings on proposed ordinances to be published on the city’s Web site or local media outlets unless newspaper publication is otherwise required.

• Proposition 7: The amendment of Section 3.12 of the City Charter to direct the city clerk to publish adopted ordinances in the newspaper only when required by state law, charter or ordinance.

• Proposition 8: The amendment of Section 3.15 of the City Charter to affirm the legal rights of persons participating in investigations conducted by the city council.

• Proposition 9: The amendment of Section 4.01(a) of the City Charter to include education as a basis for appointment of the city manager.

• Proposition 10: The amendment of Section 4.02 of the City Charter to provide that the city clerk shall perform the duties assigned by the city council and require the city clerk to establish and maintain a principal physical residence in the city within 90 days after appointment.

• Proposition 11: The amendment of Section 4.03(c) of the City Charter to provide for the appointment of the municipal court clerk and any assistants by the presiding judge with the approval of the city council.

• Proposition 12: The amendment rewording Section 5.01 of the City Charter to state that the regular city election will be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

• Proposition 13: The amendment of Section 5.03 of the City Charter to follow the 70 day candidate filing deadline set by state law for elections held on the same date as a general election for state and county offices.

• Proposition 14: The amendment of Sections 8.09, 8.10, and 8.13 to clarify the procedures for adoption of the budget and tax rate; require the approval of the budget and tax rate prior to the end of the current fiscal year following public hearings required by state law; and require the budget to set forth the tax levy for the corresponding tax year.

• Proposition 15: The amendment of Section 8.17 of the City Charter to provide that notices of the competitive purchases of goods and services, when required by law, shall be given on the city’s Web site and on an Internet site for governmental purchases and may also be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the city.

• Proposition 16: The amendment of Section 9.02 of the City Charter to require the city manager or the manager’s designee to maintain a bond record instead of a bond register.

• Proposition 17: The amendment of Sections 10.02 and 12.10 of the City Charter to correct typographical errors and provide correct punctuation without changing the substance of those sections.

• Proposition 18: The amendment of Section 10.05 of the City Charter to provide that taxes for a particular tax year shall be paid by Feb. 1 of the following year unless a later payment date is allowed by state law.

• Proposition 19: The amendment deleting Section 11.03 of the City Charter that currently prohibits the city council from granting, renewing, or extending an exclusive franchise, permit, or other authorization to construct, maintain, or operate a public service company.

• Proposition 20: The amendment of Section 12.02(c) of the City Charter to provide that the ethics review commission shall conduct hearings and investigations according to procedures set forth in the city’s ethics ordinance.

• Proposition 21: The amendment deleting Section 12.13 of the City Charter which states that the city council has the power to make non charter by adoption of an ordinance.

• Proposition 22: The amendment to Section 7.01(b) of the City Charter to state that members of the Planning and Zoning Commission must own property throughout their terms of office.

San Marcos voters will also sound off on the following non-binding referendum: “Shall the San Marcos City Council be authorized to adopt an ordinance extending the hours for the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption to 2 a.m.

Polls will be open on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For polling places and additional information, visit sanmarcosrecord.com and scroll down to Election 2008.