Publisher's Note - July, 2006

Publisher's Note - July, 2006

Written by John Garrett Friday, 07 July 2006

Success of communities includes strong schools

Few will argue that our schools are the foundation of a strong community. Just as our leaders focus on job creation, sales tax revenue and infrastructure, they must also concentrate on a strong educational system.

I have heard more than once that our area’s forefathers dreamed that their children would have a job to come home to after higher education. That is a reality now. Our children can go to school here, go to college, and come back home to a good job and raise their families. The question is, will our children’s local schools continue to be as strong as they are now?

My wife and I welcomed our second daughter into the world this past month. I remember my father telling me that the desire of a parent is that their children will have it better than the parent had it.

Having children of my own, that truth means more now than it did then. I had a great public school education in Pflugerville ISD. Most of my friends were either in PISD with me or in a Round Rock school. The schools have always been the pride of our community, and it is more important than ever to keep them that way.

Our first education focus is on the Round Rock schools in our distribution area. The school bond issue is one that every voter should examine. Look at the bond proposals closely and determine for yourself if the investment will have a payoff for the community.

In August, we will focus on Pflugerville ISD and in September on higher education in the area.

This issue continues our mission of providing useful information. Zoning codes and districts in both Round Rock and Pflugerville are rapidly changing. Understanding how zoning works will help us appreciate our home investment, plan for future real estate purchases and help local business owners investigate expansion.

We have had several business owners tell us they have used information obtained from Community Impact to plan their future locations. Our zoning story explains the balance cities create with business and residents. You simply will not find a more comprehensive feature on zoning than the one our staff put together this month.

As usual, comments or suggestions are always welcome. Please email me at jgarrett@impactnewspaper.com or call our office at 989-6808.

John Garrett, Publisher