Two vie for City Council position
By DAVID LOWE Staff Writer

Wanda Bierschwale

Early voting begins Monday for Lampasas City Council, Place 4, a race pitting incumbent Wanda Bierschwale against Dayton Carpenter.

Mrs. Bierschwale, owner of The Southside Lady antique and gift store, has served on the City Council for seven years. That experience has prepared her well for another term, she said.

Mrs. Bierschwale's priorities for the City Council include supporting the construction of a civic center, securing Texas Department of Transportation funds for Key Avenue and Fourth Street improvements, and providing infrastructure for the new Lampasas High School.

The council already has approved easements for city utility extensions, and Mrs. Bierschwale plans to support completion of the work well before the school's anticipated August 2009 opening.

"I'd like to see all the utilities out there before they are needed," the council member said.

Improving the city's aesthetic quality also ranks high on Mrs. Bierschwale's agenda. She and her husband have fixed up the top story of their property on Fourth Street and live above the antique shop. Mrs. Bierschwale also worked with Preservation Lampasas Inc. to plant trees and rose bushes in Hancock Park.

Dayton Carpenter

In addition, the councilwoman hopes to extend the city's walking trails from Hancock Springs to Hanna Springs in Campbell Park.

"That's what I delight in -- to make the city more beautiful," Mrs. Bierschwale said.

The incumbent also plans to focus on downtown revitalization and to support existing small businesses.

"I would like to see our town grow," she said. "I like to be progressive, but not at the expense of the people who are already here."

A desire to spur economic growth also has motivated Carpenter to contend for the Place 4 seat.

A Lampasas resident for more than 50 years, Carpenter has worked as a home builder, lumber yard owner and grocery store operator. In addition, he and his wife, Glynda, own the Holiday House.

Carpenter said City Council members should look for ways to reduce taxes, and make building and commercial regulations less strict.

"Right now, I think they ought to ease off because I'm not sure we can afford it," he said. "I hear people all over town saying, 'I can't pay off my house, and I can't pay off my car because of taxes.'"

Home building has become more expensive, Carpenter said, and he believes building regulations may bear some of the blame.

"I know you can build houses for cheaper than they're building them," he said.

Along with affordable housing, the challenger also emphasized the importance of promoting small businesses in the city, particularly on vacant commercial lots.

"I've seen a time when this entire square was filled with small businessmen," Carpenter said. "I'd like to see some of them come back."

The City Council could encourage businesses to locate to the Santa Fe Square as well, the longtime resident said.

Neighboring cities have no trouble attracting retailers to shopping areas, Carpenter said, and he believes Lampasas City Council actions might have discouraged investment.

"We should fill up the Santa Fe Square," the challenger said. "There must be something wrong with Lampasas if we can't fill it up like [retail areas in] Copperas Cove, Killeen and Burnet."

Carpenter added he would like to increase city reserve funds, although he said the city has maintained a balanced budget.

The candidate said he hopes to give back to the town where he has made his living for decades.

"I feel like Lampasas gave me a big portion of what I have," he said.