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Leander salutes the newest doctor in town

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The Leander City Council recognized the newest doctor in town at Thursday's meeting and didn't have to look far to do it.

Vic Villarreal, who sits at Place 1 on the council, recently received his Ph.D. from Capella University - a Minnesota school with a reputable online program.

“The personal accomplishments council members and city staff garner further accentuates the level of professionalism at city hall,” Villarreal said. “Residents can rest assured that the city is under sound guidance and professional management; that's the way I believe we do things in Leander, with careful thought, concern and professionalism. And, that's why we keep progressing, we all care about this city, in our own way, very much.” 

Villarreal's dissertation was on the potential effects the forthcoming ISO 26000 (global guidelines on social responsibility) may have on current NAFTA labor practices. 

He overlaid ISO 26000 as it is today on current NAALC provisions and practices (NAALC is the labor portion of the NAFTA agreements), and did so by surveying NAFTA and ISO experts from all over the world with a specific concentration on North American experts. He believes he's the only person in the world to have gauged potential impacts of ISO 26000 on any current labor practice.

After Mayor John Cowman officially recognized Villarreal, the council had a recess to let those in the audience congratulate the new doc.

Leander could annex close to 1,000 acres

The council listened to three public hearings on Thursday regarding the annexation of land. One of the tracts is 920 acres located south of State Highway 29 and mostly west of Ronald Reagan Boulevard. Part of the land overlaps the major road, with small acreage to the east of the road.

John Carlton spoke on behalf of the residents saying they weren't ready at this time for the involuntary annexation. He said issues like utilities and waste water still had to be worked out.

The other annexations that got first public readings are tracts of 26 acres (along 183A south of Crystal Falls Parkway) and 12 acres (along 183A between Crystal Falls Parkway and FM 2243).

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