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February 15, 2023
Bandera RiverFest proposed for April; City Council members consider former and future city marshal
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
Plans are proposed to hold the Bandera RiverFest earlier this year, moving it from June to April.
“I think April 29 will be an excellent time,” Bandera Business Association President Cindy Beckham told Bandera City Council members last week.
The annual event is typically held after summer break has begun, however sparse rainfall has hampered the river’s health and water festivities, such as the regatta and swimming when bacteria levels are high. Beckham said the temperatures would be more comfortable in April versus June or July, and the county would still be covered in wildflowers.
This year will be the RiverFest’s 25th anniversary.
“It’s a very good event. It has died a little bit over the years because we haven’t had a river,” Council Member Lynn Palmer said.
Beckham said the primary focus for funds raised will go toward various BBA activities, including Cowboys on Main, National Day of the American Cowboy, Cowboy Christmas and the Bandera Cattle Company Gunfighters.
Addressing rumors that the BBA was merging with the Bandera County Chamber of Commerce, Beckham said the two entities entered discussions last fall, however negotiations failed. Beckham said the BBA, a non-profit established in March 2000, has a board of 11 directors who declined the parameters of the Chamber’s offer.
“The BBA now has new business owners… dedicated to promoting business in Bandera and Bandera County,” Beckham said.
Council members authorized City Administrator William Cox to execute a facility use agreement with the BBA for RiverFest, and bring the proposal to council for discussion.
~ In other business, council members voted four to one to appoint Andrea Jankoski as a member on the EDC (Economic Development Corporation). Council Member Christine Morse was the lone nay.
The appointment contradicts EDC’s Jan. 23 nomination to appoint Doc Williams for the vacant seat. Jankoski previously served on the EDC board for two years.
~ Council authorized DNRB&Z (Denton Navarro Rocha Bernal & Zech, P.C.) to represent the city in possible litigation related to the Separation of Licensee (F-5) petition filed by former City Marshal Randolph (William) Dietrich. Dietrich filed an appeal on his separation from the city with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE).
~ Interim Marshal Rusty Pancoast submitted his annual Racial Profiling report. Stating the majority of the traffic stops within the city were caucasion drivers, Pancoast said the city mirrors the demographics of the county, with caucasion comprising 74 percent of the overall population.
“This doesn’t seem to raise any red flags that I’ve noticed,” Pancoast said.
The document is mandatory, and Pancoast said it must be sent to TCOLE by March 1.
~ After a two-hour closed session, council members directed city staff to schedule an interview with a City Marshal applicant finalist. Council will meet this Thursday, Feb. 16, at 5 p.m., to discussion and take possible action appointing an interim city marshal. Also on the agenda is an executive session to discuss the city marshal position and search process.
“I think April 29 will be an excellent time,” Bandera Business Association President Cindy Beckham told Bandera City Council members last week.
The annual event is typically held after summer break has begun, however sparse rainfall has hampered the river’s health and water festivities, such as the regatta and swimming when bacteria levels are high. Beckham said the temperatures would be more comfortable in April versus June or July, and the county would still be covered in wildflowers.
This year will be the RiverFest’s 25th anniversary.
“It’s a very good event. It has died a little bit over the years because we haven’t had a river,” Council Member Lynn Palmer said.
Beckham said the primary focus for funds raised will go toward various BBA activities, including Cowboys on Main, National Day of the American Cowboy, Cowboy Christmas and the Bandera Cattle Company Gunfighters.
Addressing rumors that the BBA was merging with the Bandera County Chamber of Commerce, Beckham said the two entities entered discussions last fall, however negotiations failed. Beckham said the BBA, a non-profit established in March 2000, has a board of 11 directors who declined the parameters of the Chamber’s offer.
“The BBA now has new business owners… dedicated to promoting business in Bandera and Bandera County,” Beckham said.
Council members authorized City Administrator William Cox to execute a facility use agreement with the BBA for RiverFest, and bring the proposal to council for discussion.
~ In other business, council members voted four to one to appoint Andrea Jankoski as a member on the EDC (Economic Development Corporation). Council Member Christine Morse was the lone nay.
The appointment contradicts EDC’s Jan. 23 nomination to appoint Doc Williams for the vacant seat. Jankoski previously served on the EDC board for two years.
~ Council authorized DNRB&Z (Denton Navarro Rocha Bernal & Zech, P.C.) to represent the city in possible litigation related to the Separation of Licensee (F-5) petition filed by former City Marshal Randolph (William) Dietrich. Dietrich filed an appeal on his separation from the city with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE).
~ Interim Marshal Rusty Pancoast submitted his annual Racial Profiling report. Stating the majority of the traffic stops within the city were caucasion drivers, Pancoast said the city mirrors the demographics of the county, with caucasion comprising 74 percent of the overall population.
“This doesn’t seem to raise any red flags that I’ve noticed,” Pancoast said.
The document is mandatory, and Pancoast said it must be sent to TCOLE by March 1.
~ After a two-hour closed session, council members directed city staff to schedule an interview with a City Marshal applicant finalist. Council will meet this Thursday, Feb. 16, at 5 p.m., to discussion and take possible action appointing an interim city marshal. Also on the agenda is an executive session to discuss the city marshal position and search process.