T he first breath of Autumn brought change and remembrance to neighbors who gathered for the September meeting of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association. These fun and informative meetings take place the first Monday of each month at the Hyde Park Methodist Church on Speedway. Co-Presidents Gary Penn and Bruce Nadig officiated over an interesting, emotional and curiously interwoven agenda.

The Association rose with a resounding cheer for the firemen of Fire Station #9. As the whole city knows, the members of the firefighters' association voted to forgo their own pay raise city-wide rather than see layoffs and service cuts, including cuts at our totemic little Fire Station #9. Our guests were thanked again for their sacrifice. They gave up some much-needed compensation and we get to keep them, our local heroes, nearby. We know they will still be there when we need them.     Not all of our heroes will remain. One has moved on, and will linger here only in memory or in the many permanent legacies of life and hope that he left to his neighbors and his family. Walter Richter has passed, closing behind him a career in journalism and public service stretching back almost to the Great Depression. In fact it was not long after the Depression, in 1938, that he met Dorothy Sample, known now six decades later as Hyde Park's very own, the indomitable Dorothy Richter. In Walter, Texas Senators met an unstoppable force on the side of compassion for the people of this State. In Dorothy, this city met an immovable object in the preservation of Barton Springs, Hyde Park and her beloved Fire Station. Alan Marburger and Grant Thomas rose to give tribute to Walter, remembering him for many contributions to the City and to the State. He was a man who touched lives of many and garnered a profound respect from those who knew him. Anyone with ideas on how the Association might best honor Walter is asked to contact Grant Thomas at hgthomas@peerassistance.org.     Central city residents with concerns about the quality of water in Waller Creek received good news. Gopal Guthinkanda from the City of Austin's Water & Wastewater Utility and Karen Poff from the Austin Clean Water Program briefed neighbors on the replacement of the antiquated sewage mains now rusting along the creek bed. The 700 million dollar program is slightly ahead of schedule in its rush to meet an EPA mandate. Residents of northern Hyde Park can expect construction to begin by this time next year. Anyone with questions about how specific streets will be affected may contact Karen at Karen.poff@earthtech.com.     A similar presentation, even larger in scope, was given to neighbors by Dennis Crabill of the City of Austin's Public Works Department. Along with the upgrade and replacement of the aged sewage pipes, extensive road repair and sidewalk relief, primarily along 45th street from Lamar to Airport Blvd., are scheduled to begin within the next six months. Anyone with questions about specific projects is invited to contact Dennis at dennis.crabill@ci.austin.tx.us .     HPNA will elect its new officers in October. Alan Marburger moved approval of the nominating committee's slate of offices. The motion passed unanimously. The lucky individuals are: Co Presidents:   Glen Coleman &   Pam Whittington Secretary:   Marrilee Ratcliff   Treasurer:   Mike Capochiano

Edward Farias, Mary Ann Hubbard, Wes Weise, Buck Johnson     Alan went on to brief neighbors on the progress of the Code Enforcement Committee. The committee was formed to be a resource for neighbors and developers on the best building practices in Hyde Park, and to seek relief in the event of flagrant violations. People with internet access can use the HPNA website to anonymously report suspected violations. See suspicion.html.     Yours truly introduced new neighbors John & Lisa. Welcome to Ave. G! Further north on G, all us will miss Pete & Lara Whitfill. We wish them well in their new house near Lake Austin.     Gary Penn gave a somewhat grim update on the lawsuit between the city and the Hyde Park Baptist Church. The shadow cast by the churchÕs plans to build a five-story parking garage on Speedway has grown longer. The courts ruled in favor of the church, finding that the city erred when the city council reversed the action of the city permitting staff when the staff issued the church a building permit for the proposed garage. Go on, read it again. The city has not yet decided whether it will appeal the court's ruling. Continued on page 17 Time to get your soup on! Hyde Park Delivery