Salado Village Voice newspaper is Salado, Texas' newspaper for 30 years and counting

Each week, Salado Village Voice will post a new question and answer about Salado. Read all the questions and send the answers to Tim Fleischer at news@saladovillagevoice.com by July 27 to be registered to win a Dinner for Two at Inn on the Creek (alcoholic drinks and gratuity not included).

Question 1: What does “Salado: Learn it, Love it, Lead it” refers to?

This slogan refers to Leadership Salado, a program sponsored by the Board of Aldermen to help citizens to become effective leaders through networking, education and inspiration. Focus will include local, county and state government, school district, cultural activities, public safety, economic development, social services, current events and issues, finances, plans and goals. Would you like more information on schedule, topics, speakers, how to apply, cost, sponsorship, etc.? Please click http://www.saladotx.gov/leadership.htm or call Carol Walls (947-8070) / Jim Bienski (947-8647).

Question 2: What percentage of Salado's population is over 65 years of age?

According to a Central Texas Council of Governments demographic survey of Salado dated 01/24/08, the population of Salado 65 and over is less than 19% of the population! Bet that surprised a number of you!!! For more on Salado's population and other village information , please consider enrolling in Leadership Salado.

Click http://www.saladotx.gov/leadership.htm for more details on this program, or call Carol Walls (947-8070) / Jim Bienski (947-8647).

Question 3:

Do you know how many B&Bs are in Salado?

Seventeen! And one has an old school house that was built in 1907 for the children of Mill Valley Ranch. For more on Salado's B&Bs and other village information, please consider enrolling in Leadership Salado.

Click http://www.saladotx.gov/leadership.htm for more details on this program, or call Carol Walls (947-8070) / Jim Bienski (947-8647).

Question 4:

Do you know what the Village 2008-09 budget is and what percent is from franchise fees, sales tax, and ad valorem tax?

The budget is $671,250. Franchise fees are 27%, sales tax is 49%, and ad valorem taxes make up 14%. We are very dependent on economic factors for more than 76% of our budget! For more on Salado's budget and other village information, please consider enrolling in Leadership Salado. Click http://www.saladotx.gov/leadership.htm for more details on this program, or call Carol Walls (947-8070) / Jim Bienski (947-8647).

Question 5: Do you know what an ETJ is and how Salado's affects our area?

Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) is a buffer zone around every municipality by Texas law. Each city starts with an area dictated by its size and population. Under the state laws pertaining to Salado, our ETJ has grown quite large via numerous voluntary petition annexations. Properties in our ETJ are safe from annexation by another city but must abide by current Salado sub-division and signage laws. Even hearing and acting on ETJ annexations, sub-division, and signage requests carry monetary/legal costs to our Village, but Salado seeks as much unity as possible.

At any time, a property owner within the ETJ whose property touches our current Village limits may petition for annexation into the Village itself and then enjoy full citizenship privileges. For more on Salado's ETJ and other village information, please consider enrolling in Leadership Salado. Click http://www.saladotx.gov/leadership.htm for more details on this program, or call Carol Walls (947-8070) / Jim Bienski (947-8647).

Question 6: Do you know what CERT stands for?

Answer: CERT stands for Certified Emergency Response Team. They are all trained, meet monthly, and are called upon during natural disasters or at the request of the police, fire department, or Mayor. Funding is through grants, and the team has a trailer equipped with generators and other emergency equipment.

For more on the Salado's emergency services and other village information, please consider enrolling in Leadership Salado. Click http://www.saladotx.gov/leadership.htm for more details on this program, or call Carol Walls (947-8070) / Jim Bienski (947-8647).

Question 7: Do you know that Salado High School won the Lone Star Cup last year? Do you know what it is?

Answer: The Lone Star Cup, along with a $1,000 scholarship, is presented by the Texas Dodge Dealers to one high school in each of the 5 UIL classifications for their overall team achievement in UIL Athletic/Academic championships. The categories included are: team sports, individual sports, marching band, one-act play, and state academic meet. Salado was selected as the Class 2A winner for outstanding athletic/academic performance. Congratulations!!

For more on Salado's schools and other village information, please consider enrolling in Leadership Salado. Click http://www.saladotx.gov/leadership.htm for more details on this program, or call Carol Walls (947-8070) / Jim Bienski (947-8647).

Question 8: That the Public Arts League of Salado (PALS) has designated 8 sculptures as "public art"? How many of them can you name?

"Billy Goat Gruff and Troll", "Sirena", "The Good Shepherd", "Late Again", "Butterfly Baby", "Lovers", "Once Upon A Time", and "The Tricycle." Our other public art includes the metal angels and 5 stone carvings.

For more on public art in Salado and other village information, please consider enrolling in Leadership Salado. Click http://www.saladotx.gov/leadership.htm for more details on this program, or call Carol Walls (947-8070) / Jim Bienski (947-8647).

Question 9:Do you know who brought Arabian horses to Texas? (Hint: he's from Salado)

Sterling C. Robertson of the Robertson Plantation. His stallion, Black Douglas, was sired by Leviathan from the Royal Stables of England, a direct descendant of Godolphin Arabian (one of the 3 founding stallions of modern thoroughbred racing bloodstock). Robertson, the first person in Texas to keep horse breeding records, named all of his horses after characters in Sir Walter Scott's novels. Tours of the historic Robertson Plantation will be offered to the public during Founders Day Weekend, October 24-25.

For more on the the Robertson Plantation and other village information, please consider enrolling in Leadership Salado. Click http://www.saladotx.gov/leadership.htm for more details on this program, or call Carol Walls (947-8070) / Jim Bienski (947-8647).

Question 10: Do you know how the Salado Fire Department is funded? What is its annual budget?

Our Volunteer Fire Department is funded by citizen donations, Bell County Commissioners, Village of Salado, and fund raisers. The annual budget varies from $100,000 to $125,000 depending on the number of times they are called out. The Village gives $25,000 yearly and has not increased that amount since incorporation. According to the Chief, it costs $300-$325 per day to operate.

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