CASTLE HILLS • HILL COUNTRY VILLAGE • HOLLYWOOD PARK • SHAVANO PARK • NORTH SA
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS LOCA LCOMMU NI TYNE WS.CO M | VO L . 9, I SSUE 4 | O C T. 13 -N OV. 10, 2020
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FOR THE LATEST L ON LOCPAG. 10 RACES
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REPUBLICAN
CHIP ROY
DEMOCRAT
WENDY DAVIS PG. 05
COMPLETE CALENDAR LIST TO PLAN AHEAD
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LOCAL LOWDOWN
PG. 15
GOVERNMENT
HAPPENING LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS AND BUSINESS OPENINGS
CITIES PASS NEW BUDGETS
PG. 14 | CULTURE
SWEET MUSIC
Neighbors stage cul-de-sac concerts
2 STAFF OCT. OCT. 136--NOV. NOV.10, 3, 2020
PUBLISHER Jaselle Luna EDITORIAL Editor
Thomas Edwards News Staff
Edmond Ortiz Contributing Writers
Jose T. Garza III, Noi Mahoney, Arthur Schechter and Susan Yerkes ART Designer
E. Fisher Contributing Artist
Jeremiah Teutsch ADVERTISING Senior Media Representatives
Dawn Radick and Joanne Torres Multimedia Account Representative
Michael Valdelamar Controller
Gracie Cortinez READER SERVICE Mailing Address
4204 Gardendale St., Ste. 107, San Antonio, TX 78229 Phone: (210) 338-8842 Fax: (210) 465-9455 ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Advertising@localcommunitynews.com STORY IDEAS: tips@localcommunitynews.com OUR OTHER PUBLICATIONS North Central SA: 78204, 78205, 78209, 78210, 78212, 78215 Metrocom: 78109, 78148, 78233, 78239, 78108, 78132, 78154, 78266 South San Antonio: 78204, 78210, 78214, 78223, 78235 Reproduction in whole or in part without our permission is prohibited, 2020 Local Community News LLC, all rights reserved.
ON THE COVER – It’s been said the Nov. 3 general election, which includes a presidential contest, is one of the most important in decades. LOCAL Community News turns the spotlight on races affecting the North Side — congressional, state and county, and the city’s referendums to fund workforce development, VIA Metropolitan Transit and Pre-K 4 SA. Coverage begins on pg. 10. Illustration by E. Fisher The LOCAL Community News editorial board includes Jaselle Luna and Thomas Edwards.
TALK LOCAL
Law and order CALLS TO DEFUND POLICE DEPARTMENTS are not only misguided but radically dangerous. The men and women in blue are enforcers of the peace, with a job more rewarding and more difficult than most can imagine. Sure, there are some bad apples. However, taking livelihoods away from all peace officers for the actions of a few will not usher in a golden age, only undermine their effectiveness. The majority of officers joined to protect and serve. Training on de-escalation, cultural sensitivity and more community policing offer solutions. Meanwhile, the public could also show a little more civility to officers during an encounter, instead of adjudicating from the curb. While reformers with good intentions say defunding the police means shifting financial resources to social, education and anti-poverty programs, we know what the road to hell is paved with. The City Council this budget session wisely did not approve any cuts to the police force. “(Crooks) are going to speed up, they’re going to accelerate” if the police are defunded, warns Brandon Tatum, a Black retired police officer, on his YouTube channel. Taking resources away from departments will lead to layoffs, the hiring of inferior candidates, poor training, fewer patrols and inadequate equipment. The only winners will be the criminals. Send your thoughts on whether to defund police departments to tedwards@localcommunitynews.com.
Water
we doing to help? Suspending service cutoffs in this time of emergency.
Worrying about paying your water bill doesn’t need to be an added stressor during this time of uncertainty. Your neighbors at the San Antonio Water System want to make sure no family ever has to be disconnected because they can’t pay their bills. Our Uplift program eases the burden of paying your monthly water bill with 14 initiatives to assist customers who need a little help. Learn how SAWS helps ensure your water stays connected during times of emergencies and financial hardship by calling 210-233-CARE(2273) or visiting saws.org/uplift.
OPINION
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L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S OCT. 13 - NOV. 10, 2020
Silver linings by SUSAN YERKES
THIS FALL, “back to school” has been anything but back to normal.
From online instruction to masks and distanced classrooms, the pandemic is changing education. Most campuses have reopened to some extent, and progress is likely to continue. But, the going has been tough for parents, teachers, administrators and children. Long-term, several lessons emerged from the Herculean effort in March to keep kids connected to instruction when the novel coronavirus started spreading. Today, it seems the storm clouds of COVID-19 may even have some silver linings. The outbreak helped change minds about the importance of distance learning. “It has really forced our hand on
some things — for instance, getting public schools online in ways that were long overdue,” a veteran teacher told me. While the mad scramble to get educators and learners linked to digital devices last spring proved a nightmare for many, it brought communities
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together in ways only a crisis can. Technological advances, maybe delayed because of extra effort and expense, got fast-tracked. Indeed, virtual learning has some parents feeling more plugged into their children’s education, instructors and institutions. “I do think the digital needs did move education forward, and continue to do so in a short period of time,” said Principal Mary Jewell of Northside Independent School District’s Rudder Middle School. Parents and teachers continue to adapt, although it has been difficult for a few adults. Younger students adjusted the quickest, according to educators. Teachers have emerged as heroes, working overtime and reaching out to students with Zoom conferences and personal help. Most districts have set up resources to assist pupils and parents with digital issues. While there have been plenty of glitches and crashes, over time, connections will improve as technology is more smoothly integrated. Though online events and classes may lack the feel of being there in person, the experience reaches a far wider audience. Local arts institutions sprang into action to develop or refine learning modules, making virtual visits more fun and educational. However, San Antonio still faces a
drastic digital divide. Despite students receiving Chromebooks and other data devices in record time, maintaining connectivity became the elephant in the virtual classroom. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s “Worst Connected Cities 2018” found nearly 20% of San Antonio households lacked workable broadband connections. In some areas, up to 25% of learners didn’t reconnect with schools following Spring Break, plus numerous parents were hard to contact, educators said. Nimble solutions helped, such as the cooperation between NISD, the San Antonio Independent School District, the San Antonio Housing Authority and VIA Metropolitan Transit with the dispatch of VIAtrans vans around town providing Wi-Fi hot spots. In the future, a San Antonio Office of Innovation Smart City coordinator told me, special nodes attached to high-tech streetlights, or smart lights, could send wireless communications into underserved areas. Meanwhile, simple steps could make a big difference, such as getting Congress to extend the Federal Communications Commission’s E-rate program for affordable mobile hot spots to cover homes in some areas. For now, though, the best news for many is just getting kids back to school. syerkes@localcommunitynews.com
One of the most well-respected and award-winning journalists in South Texas, Susan Yerkes pens a column each month for LOCAL Community News. A veteran of newspapers, television, radio and online, she calls San Antonio home.
OCT. 13 - NOV. 10, 2020
OCTOBER
PLAN YOUR MONTH WITH OUR CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY.
HAPPENING
L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S
City Council/ School District Hollywood Park: 6 p.m. Oct. 20; 2 Mecca Drive
Hill Country Village: 5 p.m. Nov. 19; 116 Aspen Lane
Shavano Park: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 26; 900 Saddletree Court Castle Hills: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13 & Nov. 10; 209 Lemonwood Drive Northside ISD: 5 p.m. Oct. 27; 7001 Culebra Road North East ISD: 5:30 p.m. Nov. 9; 8961 Tesoro Drive
OCT. 13 & NOV. 10 SEWING CREW
A sewing club club meets from 9:30 a.m. to
2:30 p.m. at Encino Park Community Center, 1923 Encino Rio St. For updates or cancellations, contact Sylvia Jolet at sjolet@earthlink.net or call 210-497-3383.
OCT. 14
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Antonio Jewish Community, 12500 N.W. Military Highway. For updates or cancellations, call 210-302-6860.
OCT. 15-17
REAGAN THEATER PROGRAM
Neighborhood representatives meet at 7 p.m. at The Club at Sonterra, 901 E. Sonterra Blvd. For updates or cancellations, visit http://www. stoneoakpoa.com.
The Reagan High School Theatre Department presents virtual performances of “A Midsummer’s Night Dream.” Times are 7 p.m. each night, with a 2 p.m. matinee the last day. For a link to the production, visit https://www.booktix.com/.
OCT. 15 & NOV. 5
OCT. 17
Enjoy a free, 1 p.m. movie for seniors at the Barshop Jewish Community Center’s Holzman Auditorium. The JCC is on the Campus of the San
If you’re single, divorced, widowed and 50 or older, fellowship, games,
STONE OAK GATHERING
SILVER CINEMA
SUPER SINGLES
HAPPENING continues on pg. 06 07
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Director of Admissions Lisa Rosenfeld lrosenfeld@antonian.org
Visit With Us To Learn More About Antonian
Antonian will be hosting two Class of 2025 Parent/ Student Information Forums for prospective families this year. Each event will include a student life club and athletic program fair followed by an informational presentation by administration.
Due to COVID-19 social distancing recommendations, Antonian is able to accommodate 200 guests (one parent and one student per family) at each event.
WE ARE ANTONIAN Quick Facts About Antonian
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L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S OCT. 13 - NOV. 10, 2020
HAPPENING continues from pg. 05
fun and lunch await noon to 4 p.m. at Cornerstone Church’s Bythel Hagee Life Center, 18755 Stone Oak Parkway. For registration costs, updates or cancellations, visit https://www. sacornerstone.org/Ministries/singles/ super-senior-singles.
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The Barshop Jewish Community Center’s “Fore! the Kids Golf Classic” benefits youth and infusion programs at the JCC. Play begins at 1 p.m. at Canyon Springs Golf Club, 24405 Wilderness Oak Road. For registration costs, updates or cancellations, visit https://www.jccsanantonio.org/index. php?src=events&srctype=detail&category=Adults&refno=5189.
OCT. 21
STONE OAK POA The Stone Oak Property Owners Association meets at 3:30 p.m. in the POA offices, 19210 Huebner Road, Suite 100. For updates or cancellations, visit http://www.stoneoakpoa.com.
OCT. 21
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The North San Antonio Retired Teachers Association conducts a 10 a.m. to noon gathering at San Pedro Presbyterian Church, 14900 San Pedro Ave. For updates or cancellations, visit https://localunits.org/NSARTA/.
OCT. 22
IT’S A ‘C’ THING This cancer support group for survivors ages 20-40 and their loved ones meets from 6:30-8 p.m. at La Madeleine, 722 N.W. Loop 410, Suite 201. For updates or cancellations, contact Chelsea Hart at Chelsea.hart@lls.org or call 210-9985127.
OCT. 23-25
COMMUNITY CELEBRATION Cornerstone Church, 18755 Stone Oak Parkway, hosts “FEAST 2020,” a three-day festival highlighted by “A Night to Honor Israel” on the last night. Expect music, food, fireworks and speeches. Free admission. For a schedule, updates or cancellations, visit https:// www.sacornerstone.org/Events/ EventDescription/42212.
OCT. 24
VIRTUAL WILDLIFE In the age of COVID-19, “Nature Talk: The Wildlife of Phil Hardberger Park” goes virtual from 9-10 a.m. Christine Westerman will lecture via Zoom. For free registration, updates or cancellations, visit https://www. philhardbergerpark.org/calendarevents/virtual-nature-talk-thewildlife-of-phil-hardberger-park.
OCT. 28
DISTRICT 9 NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE The alliance meets at 7 p.m. in Stone Oak Methodist Hospital, 1139 E. Sonterra Blvd., classrooms No. 1 and No. 2. For updates, call President Art Downey at 210-4978873.
NOV. 3
SCHOOL’S OUT Students in Northside and North East independent school districts get a day off from classes while campuses are used as polling sites for the general election.
NOV. 7
CHRISTMAS IS COMING Castle Hills Woman’s Club members will collect toys for Elf Louise from
OCT. 13 - NOV. 10, 2020
L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Commons of Castle Hills, 209 Lemonwood Drive. For updates or cancellations, contact castlehillswomansclub@gmail.com.
NOV. 7
AMERICAN LEGION BREAKFAST All military members and guests are invited to an 8-10 a.m. meal at Lupe Tortilla, 21103 U.S. 281 North. For more, contact www.post10.weebly. com.
NOV. 7
LEARN DANCE AT REAGAN “Reagan Dace 2020 Clinic” will take place in-person from 8-10:30 a.m. at Reagan High School, 19000 Ronald Reagan Drive, or virtually (depending on COVID-19). Attendees at the LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM
luau-themed clinic will practice dance skills and learn an original routine. It’s open to students in kindergarten through ninth grade. For registration costs, updates or cancellations, visit https://Reagan.formstack.com/forms/ dance_clinic_2020.
NOV. 12
BEXAR COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge Drive, Suite 208, normally is the site of monthly board meetings from 3-5 p.m. for members. Contact Lynn Cox one day in advance to attend, possibly via videoconferencing, due to COVID-19 conditions. For updates or cancellations, contact president@ bexarmg.org.
HAPPENING
DEC. 3
AUTHOR, AUTHOR The San Anonio Chapter of Hadassah, in partnership with the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio, presents writer Rhonda Fink-Whitman discussing her Holocaust-themed novel, “94 Maidens,” at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom conferencing. Register for the virtual session by Nov. 23. To make a reservation, contact hlb@texas.net. For updates or cancellations, contact Debbie Linck at marketinglinck@ yahoo.com.
MONDAYS
SO, YOU THINK YOU CAN SING San Antonio Chordsmen, a barbershop chorus, rehearses at 7 p.m. in The Backdoor youth center behind
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Colonial Hills United Methodist Church, 5247 Vance Jackson Road. Auditions open to newcomers. For updates or cancellations, visit sachordsmen.org. Meantime, The Friends in Harmony Chorus also exercise vocal cords at 6:45 p.m. in University United Methodist Church, 5084 De Zavala Road. For updates or cancellations, contact Wendell Peters at wendellpeters@ sbcglobal.net.
TUESDAYS
WEIGHT-LOSS SUPPORT GROUP T.O.P.S., or Take Off Pounds Sensibly, meets at 10 a.m. (weigh-in 9-9:45 a.m.) inside House of Prayer Lutheran Church, 10226 Ironside Drive. For HAPPENING continues on pg. 19
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LOWDOWN OCT. 13 - NOV. 10, 2020
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TAKE A QUICK LOOK AT WHAT’S NEW IN THE COMMUNITY FROM OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS TO NEWS TIDBITS.
PENFED CREDIT UNION, 22151 Bulverde Road, Suite 103, recently opened this new financial center in Encino Park. Established in 1935, the Pentagon Federal Credit Union is the nation’s second largest, officials said. Services include certificates; checking; credit cards; personal, auto and student loans; mortgages; and more. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. For more, visit penfed.org.
IN OTHER NEWS:
FORMER HOLLYWOOD PARK MAYOR CHRIS FAILS FILED A LAWSUIT alleging city government isn’t complying with
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Open and Opening Soon
the Texas Open Meetings Act. At deadline, the town hadn’t issued a formal response other than retaining an outside law firm. According to Fails, recent City Council agendas have been vague and leave residents underinformed. “It’s not exactly worded clearly, the action to be taken, until you get to the actual meeting,” he said. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, residents cannot attend in person and must submit questions and comments on agenda items before the session. According to Fails, this further hampers the city’s publicengagement efforts. “It’s all about good government and transparency,” he added.
IN SEPTEMBER, CASTLE HILLS OFFICIALS SAID THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION officially pulled its proposal to close the Loop 410/Honeysuckle Lane underpass. The proposed action was part of TxDOT’s plans to improve 410 from West Avenue to Broadway. However, local leaders and residents argued the move would’ve cut off direct access between the north and south sides of Castle Hills. City officials suggested TxDOT could still temporarily close the underpass whenever work happens nearby.
WURZBACH PARKWAY IS EXPANDING AT NORTHWEST MILITARY HIGHWAY, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. The highway agency recently announced it awarded a contract to create improvements at the intersection, including a second dedicated left-turn lane and converting the existing optional left/through lane to a through lane on all approaches. The project, which is already underway, is scheduled to take 18 months.
OCT. 13 - NOV. 10, 2020
L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S
CASTLE HILLS CITY COUNCIL RECENTLY established the Castle Hills Small Business Reinvestment Program. It allocates a portion of the funding received by the city from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to bolster undersized companies significantly impacted by the pandemic. Grants ranging from $2,500 to $15,000 are being awarded to independently owned and operated enterprises including retail, food and beverage, personal care, health and wellness, plus nonprofits with one to 10 full-time employees and less than $1 million in annual sales. During the crisis, the establishment must have experienced at least a 15% loss in revenue or employment. For more, call 210-3422341.
LOWDOWN
MELISSA SPIEKERMAN, FORMER VICE PRINCIPAL at Boldt Elementary School, has taken the same role at Blattman Elementary School.
BANDS FROM ‘TEX’ HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL and Churchill High School are national winners of the 2020 Mark of Excellence award by the Foundation for Music Education. The former received distinction for its wind band, and the latter for its percussion ensemble.
NORTH EAST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT IS LAUNCHING a cybersecurity magnet program in the 2021-2022 school year. The hands-on, interactive academy will accept up to 150 students each year from every NEISD campus
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for two periods a day. It will be housed in the former Walmart Neighborhood Market building on Nacogdoches Road near MacArthur High School.
a northbound U.S. 281 North entrance ramp.
UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM RECENTLY ANNOUNCED PLANS TO ADD three
to a partnership involving District 9 Councilman John Courage, the San Antonio Parks Foundation, and H-E-B. Courage reallocated summer-movie funding to provide $5,000 worth of goods to NEISD students. H-E-B also donated another $10,000 in items for Harmony Hills and Larkspur elementary schools and Eisenhower Middle School.
ambulatory primary care centers on the North Side. Locations will be: Huebner and Vance Jackson roads; North Blanco Family Physicians complex in the Shavano Park area; and Medical Drive, replacing UHS’ existing facility on Louis Pasteur Drive.
THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION recently opened the Redland Road bypass ramp for through traffic looking to cross over the Redland intersection below, and as
NORTH EAST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT received school supplies thanks
NIKISHA BAKER WAS PROMOTED from chief operating officer to president and CEO of Castle Hills-based SAMMinistries. Find LOCAL Lowdown at www. localcommunitynews.com.
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L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S OCT. 13 - NOV. 10, 2020
Election showdown by EDMOND ORTIZ
JOHN CORNYN
MJ HEGAR
LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM
NORTH SAN ANTONIO voters in the Nov. 3 elections will decide a U.S. Senate and three U.S. House races, plus three legislative contests. Area constituents also determine a new commissioner in Bexar County Precinct 3.
U.S. SENATE Air Force veteran MJ Hegar, D-Round Rock, opposes a bid for a fourth term by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-San Antonio. Cornyn, a former Texas Supreme Court justice and state attorney general, has built a conservative track record on issues such as immigration, taxes, spending, abortion, gun control, health care and public education. Hegar supports expanding affordable health care access, lower prescription-drug prices, protecting reproductive rights, immigration reform, investing in clean, renewable energy to create jobs, strengthening ties with U.S. allies abroad, and commonsense gun laws. Also running are Libertarian Kerry McKennon and Green Party member David Collins.
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 20 facebook.com/OmarLeos4NEISD POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID FOR BY THE OMAR LEOS FOR NEISD CAMPAIGN.
Republican Mauro Garza, a business owner, challenges Democratic U.S. Rep. Joaquin
MAURO GARZA
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JOAQUIN CASTRO
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 20 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 21
CHIP ROY
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WENDY DAVIS
OCT. 13 - NOV. 10, 2020
L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S
Castro’s run for a fifth term. Castro, a former state legislator and Stanford University graduate, has worked in public education, health care and the juvenilejustice system. Recently, he was vocal about changes in U.S. Postal Service operations and how they affect mail delivery. Garza worked at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, taught in the Alamo Colleges District, and founded two companies. He advocates continuing many policies supported or implemented by President Donald Trump, including stronger border protection. Libertarian Jeffrey Blunt is also on the ballot.
and taxes, abortion and building a border wall. He’s a strong supporter of President Trump. A former state senator, Davis backs a stronger coronavirusoutbreak response; expanding access to affordable health care; immigration reform; sensible gun-safety laws; plus increased public school funding, paid leave and minimum wage. Libertarian Arthur DiBianca and Green Party member Tommy Wakely are candidates, too.
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 23 Two San Antonians, Republican Tony Gonzales and Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones, are vying to succeed outgoing Republican U.S. Rep. Will Hurd. Jones narrowly lost to Hurd in the 2018 general election. Gonzales, a Navy veteran and ex-adviser to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, founded a local nonprofit fostering growth and development in San Antonio’s impoverished areas. He’s pro-life, favors school choice, strong defense and border security, free enterprise, plus
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 21 Former gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis, D-Austin, opposes first-term U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Dripping Springs. Having served under U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and former Gov. Rick Perry, Roy has promoted solidly conservative policies on gun owners’ rights, limited government
DECISION 2020
Second Amendment protection. Jones, an Air Force veteran, served as an intelligence officer in Iraq, and at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. She advocates responsible immigration reform, universal health care, improving services and programs for older adults and veterans, more public school funding, plus equal rights for all. The Libertarian Party’s Beto Villela is also running.
TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 116 Seeking a second term representing the district, Democratic attorney Trey Martinez Fischer faces Republican Robert Litoff. Martinez Fischer promotes raising the minimum wage, boosting public school funding, commonsense gun laws, expanding access to affordable health care, plus improving quality of life for veterans and disabled children. Focused on tort reform, Litoff’s campaign is driven by negative experiences he encountered from lawyers and judges following a 2010 injury.
TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 121 State Rep. Steve Allison, a
Republican who succeeded former Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, seeks a second term. He’s in a rematch with Democrat Celina Montoya, whom he bested in 2018. Allison previously served on the Alamo Heights Independent School District and VIA Metropolitan Transit boards. He advocates free-market principles, protecting constitutional liberties and reducing burdensome government regulations. Serving with several local youth and literacy-related nonprofits, Montoya is campaigning for expanding Medicaid, supporting small businesses and affordable health care, plus investing more in public schools. Libertarian Shawn Huckabay is also on the ballot.
TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 122 Both San Antonians, five-term GOP state Rep. Lyle Larson faces Claire Barnett, the Democrat he topped in 2018’s general election. A business owner and onetime San Antonio councilman and Bexar County commissioner, Larson favors BALLOT continues on pg. 12
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 23
TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 116
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TONY GONZALES
LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM
GINA ORTIZ JONES
ROBERT LITOFF
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TREY MARTINEZ FISCHER
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DECISION 2020
OCT. 13 - NOV. 10, 2020
VOTERS MULL EDUCATION BOARD ELECTIONS NOV. 3 by EDMOND ORTIZ
NORTH EAST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT and Alamo Colleges District will hold Nov. 3 contested board elections delayed from May because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Retired electrical engineer Michael Osborn opposes NEISD District 1 trustee Sandy Hughey, a retired banker. Osborn wants NEISD to help students excel and improve their mental welfare. He also wants to explore district finances and see what attracts and retains top educators. “I’m running on a platform of accountability, responsibility and transparency. Politics is anathema to my nature,” he said. Hughey said her NEISD trustee experience should help foster continuity with a relatively new superintendent, Sean Maika, and a board that seated four new members over the last two years. She also supports caring for educators financially and mentally, and ensuring pupils, too, are heard. “I’m always amazed and impressed by students. Their voice integrated in our decision-making process is a powerful thing,” she added. Teacher Ione McGinty opposes District 3 trustee Omar Leos to fill an unexpired term ending in May 2022. A 45-year NEISD resident and Lee High School alumna, McGinty’s priorities are fiscal responsibility and student well-being. “As a lifelong educator, I know that I have commonsense ideas to improve the school district and the connection to the community,” she added. Having spent more than 20 years as a high school theater-arts educator, Leos is a fine-arts coordinator for the Harlandale Independent School District. He advocates teacher retention, hiring qualified candidates, and
addressing the mental needs of pupils, employees and families. “My perspective is from an educator’s eye, and I always try to view and analyze things (regarding) what is best for our students,” he added. Joseph Hoelscher, a child-welfare attorney and former educator, opposes District 4 trustee David Beyer’s bid for a full term. Beyer is a landscape architect and his wife is a district alum; they currently send their children to NEISD schools. Classroom innovation, hiring and retaining more quality teachers, plus improved mental health and socialemotional learning methods are key issues for Beyer. “I have the temperament to work closely with six other individuals to make decisions for all 65,000 students,” he said. Hoelscher’s campaign priorities include bolstering special education and gifted/talented programs, particularly for younger kids. He said the current school board needs an experienced educator and someone with business-management know-how. “I look forward to working with the BOARD continues on pg. 18
BALLOT continues on pg. 11
a conservative approach to taxes, spending, business regulations, gun owners’ rights, immigration, school choice and abortion. Barnett, a consultant for adult-education programs, campaigns on environmental protection, making Texas a leader in renewable energies, improving public health, expanding Medicaid and access to affordable health care, strengthening public schools, ending gerrymandering and voter suppression, plus advancing public safety and civil liberties.
TRISH DEBERRY
VS
BEXAR COUNTY PRECINCT 3 COMMISSIONER Communications-firm owner Trish DeBerry, a Republican, is vying with attorney Christine Hortick, a Democrat, to succeed the outgoing Kevin Wolff. DeBerry, a television-news veteran, supports lower taxes, property-appraisal reform, job creation, preventing fraud and abuse targeting senior citizens, plus improving infrastructure. Hortick, a San Antonio native and former aide to the late U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, is promoting expanding access to women’s and mental health care, protecting abused and neglected children, economic development and smart transportation.
BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF Republican Gerald “Gerry” Rickhoff, a former Bexar County clerk, opposes Democrat Javier Salazar’s bid for a second term. An ex-San Antonio police officer, Salazar has introduced ways the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office seeks to partner with culturally diverse communities. Under his tenure, BCSO outfitted deputies with body cameras, and launched a pilot program to better address mental health-related calls. Rickhoff believes his administrative experience can benefit county jail operations, which came under scrutiny after a series of escapes, plus legal troubles for some guards. He hails from a politically active family, which includes a judge and peace officer. Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.
CHRISTINE HORTICK
BEXAR COUNTY PRECINCT 3 COMMISSIONER SHERIFF
GERALD “GERRY” RICKHOFF
VS
JAVIER SALAZAR
OCT. 13 - NOV. 10, 2020
TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 121
L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S
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HORMONE IMBALANCE ISSUES FOR WOMEN OPTIONS FOR DEALING WITH YOUR EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER
CELINA MONTOYA
TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 122
VS
VS LYLE LARSON
CLAIRE BARNETT
ELECTION BASICS by EDMOND ORTIZ
VOTERS DURING THE NOV. 3 general election likely will see a lengthy ballot.
Besides the presidential battle, there’s a range of congressional, county and state legislative races. Also to be determined are contests and special initiatives delayed from local May elections because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, San Antonio voters are asked to redirect a 1/8-cent sales tax, which currently funds linear creekway development and Edwards Aquifer protections, to four years of workforce training in the wake of COVID-19 job displacements. After the city takes its one-time share of revenue, VIA Metropolitan Transit would then inherit a portion of the new revenue stream to help support a long-range plan to enhance public-transit improvements. San Antonio plans to use a mix of revenues to extend the aquifer-protection program. As of press time, the city had not yet identified a replacement revenue stream for trailways. San Antonio voters are also asked to reauthorize part of the local sales tax to fund the Pre-K 4 SA program another eight years.
HERE ARE A FEW KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER: EARLY-VOTING HOURS: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 13-17; noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 18 and 25; 8 LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM
STEVE ALLISON
a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 19-24; and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 26-30.
Area voting sites include: San Antonio Shrine Auditorium, 901 N. Loop 1604 West; Brook Hollow Branch Library, 530 Heimer Road; Castle Hills City Hall Community Room, 209 Lemonwood Drive; Cody Branch Library, 11441 Vance Jackson Road; Encino Branch Library, 2515 E. Evans Road; Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak Road; and Shavano Park City Hall, 900 Saddletree Court. Voters on Election Day may cast a ballot at any open Bexar County polling site (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Oct. 23 is the final day to apply for a mail-in ballot. Any county-registered voter may apply for one if: 65 years of age or older prior to Nov. 3; sick or disabled; out of the county on Election Day and during the period of early voting by personal appearance; or confined in jail, but eligible to vote. Mail-in ballot applications are available through the Bexar County Elections Department.
Call 210-335-8683 or visit https://www.bexar.org/1568/ Elections-Department for details on other voter information, including Election Day polling sites.
AT THE POLLS VOTERS MUST PRESENT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING: a Texas
driver’s license; Texas Election Identification Certificate; Texas ID card; Texas concealed handgun license (issued by Texas Department of Public Safety); U.S. military ID card containing the person’s photo; U.S. citizenship certificate or naturalization certificate containing the person’s picture; or a U.S. passport. The electorate must practice social distancing and wear a mask when casting an inperson ballot. Hand sanitizer is available. The new electronic voting machines use ExpressVote, which enables a voter to print a ballot card and verify choices. Find this story and more at www.localcommunitynews. com.
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L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S
CULTURE
OCT. 13 - NOV. 10, 2020
(Castle) Hills alive with the sound of music by JOSE T. GARZA III
CASTLE HILLS — A musician whose live gigs dried up after COVID-19 struck is finding a new audience with nightly outdoor concerts for the neighbors on his cul-de-sac.
“Peace, Love and Understanding” by Elvis Costello & The Impostors is one of the cover songs performer David Rodriguez and his wife, Mellissa Marlowe, sang on a recent Saturday in front of their home in the 100 block of Iron Gate Road. bars almost every weekend. Marlowe, meanwhile, wrote and acted in plays. The temporary shutdown of entertainment venues forced the 27-year married couple to create their own
“In this time of social distancing, we have made more connections than ever with our neighbors,” Marlowe said. Before the pandemic, Rodriguez played in front of live throngs at local
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live concert series as front-porch seeing your friends on a regular troubadours in May. basis, and not just the musicians, Marlowe said they got the idea but the people that come out after watching a video of late-night to see the bands play and the talk-show host James Corden’s bartenders that work at the clubs father playing the saxophone on you play. After doing it for so long, neighbors’ doorsteps earlier this there’s a family that forms around year. that community, and all that was “I realized that David needed an unexpectedly taken away.” outlet, and I needed the outlet, too, He added, “It took a pretty good because I’m used to performing toll on us.” on stage and going from one show The neighborly serenades to the next,” said Marlowe, who have invigorated both Marlowe teaches drama at Northwest Vista and Rodriguez. Supported by College. “I just thought it would her partner, singing to a crowd be fun for him, so I told him, ‘If allowed the veteran actress and you don’t want to do it alone, I writer to go outside her comfort will sing with you because I don’t zone. want to play an instrument really.’ The neighborhood concerts I just thought it would seem like built up her confidence, Marlowe something we try and see how it said. goes and do it as often as we felt like “I am always afraid that I am it.” going to screw up … by singing Gary and Cathy Woitena, NORTH CENTRAL:12222 Huebner Rd. 78230 I STONE OAK: 20615 Huebner Rd. 78258 the wrong words or forgetting longtime friends of the duo and the words altogether,” she said. fellow Castle Hills residents, said “It’s getting easier, but like I tell they enjoy the performances. my students, ‘Everyone has stage “Seeing the neighbors get fright, and it never goes away.’ You together is cool,” said Cathy just get more comfortable with it.” Woitena. Overall, the feedback on the On the night the pair played the local concerts has been positive, Costello hit, the crowd remained the pair said. Neighbors have even physically distanced with snacks and requested performances in their drinks; four-legged friends sat by own backyards. The proposition is one couple. being taken under consideration, Rodriguez, a full-time counselor CHILDREN WEEKS 5 YEARS AGE. Marlowe6 said, as- she has OF a 90-yearat San Antonio College, said NOW the ENROLLING Located in North Central San Antonio. old mother she visits weekly. shutdown of entertainment venues The music artists entertain at snatched away the joy of performing 9 PRO T OCOL 1 for an audience. I D 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays. C OV Y IS this story and more at “It was like, ‘What do I replace it SA FETFind FIRST www.localcommunitynews.com. with?’” he asked himself. “You stop
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OCT. 13 - NOV. 10, 2020
L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S
City budgets OK'd by EDMOND ORTIZ
THOUGH THE PANDEMIC forced cuts to San Antonio’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget, the city managed to reinstate money for roads and community services while increasing police funding.
The latter drew fire from law-enforcement reform advocates. Meanwhile, smaller area towns are also balancing their expenditures and revenues. shortfalls in tourist- and convention-related revenue streams decimated by the crisis. The budget has three components — the general-operating fund, restricted funds and the capital budget. The overall financial plan is $4.4 million less than FY 2020, with the municipality facing a $127 million revenue shortfall primarily due to the virus. Community services including libraries,
San Antonio’s total $2.9 billion budget contains neither pay hikes nor layoffs, though a hiring freeze is in place. But, police received a 5% raise mandated by the city’s collective bargaining agreement with the police union. Reductions were made in various departments to accommodate COVID-19 response and recovery initiatives, and
GOVERNMENT
youth programs, and senior services won’t see any significant alterations. The city is returning more than $40 million in street maintenance deferred in the 2020 budget when it addressed COVID-19 related shrinking revenues. Altogether, San Antonio’s allocating $102 million for road repairs, and $18 million on sidewalk upgrades, across the city.
Budgeted North Side and far North Side road projects include: • Big Meadows Street from Vance Jackson Road to Stockbridge Lane • Park Ranch Street from Encino Rio Street to the cul-de-sac • Lima Drive from Silver Oaks Drive to the dead end • Bluff Knolls Street from Walker Ranch Road to the cul-de-sac
• Woodway Forest Street from Bluff Lane to Wood Valley Drive • Sidewalks along Stockbridge Lane; West Avenue from Silver Oaks to Anchor Drive; and Hardy Oak Boulevard from Sonterra Boulevard to Proton Road San Antonio’s 2021 balance sheet also has more than $61 million combined for affordable housing, mental health and drug treatment, and homelessness initiatives, including 11 new outreach teams — one for each council district and downtown. But, the new budget disappointed those who sought decreased police funding following protests against social injustice and unnecessary force. Instead, the department’s allocation grows by 1.7%. Regarding cries to defund the San BUDGETS continues on pg. 17
LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM
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L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S
EDUCATION
OCT. 13 - NOV. 10, 2020
Pandemic hits school budgets CHALLENGES FROM COVID-19 AFFECT EDUCATORS' OUTLOOK FOR 2020-2021 by EDMOND ORTIZ
New academic-year budgets passed by North Side school districts weigh how the COVID-19 pandemic affects ongoing student enrollment, staffing and tax revenues.
Many school systems are confronting challenges in providing remote instruction or a mix of on-campus classes and virtual lessons, with some teachers and parents concerned about returning to places of learning amid efforts to contain the novel coronavirus.
Districts also worry about local and state tax income because of emergency measures taken to address the outbreak,
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and job losses, which might impair people’s ability to pay mortgages or property taxes.
NEISD The North East Independent School District adopted a $564.2 million general-fund budget, which contains a $6.74 million increase in instruction-related expenses. This year’s allocation is $4.6 million lower than last year’s. NEISD is delaying raises until officials get answers concerning enrollment and state school finance. Yet, the school board authorized Superintendent Sean Maika to decide whether to give employees retention bonuses. District 6 Trustee Tony Jaso praised district staff for formulating a budget while unknowns created by the coronavirus outbreak remain. “You guys do a great job given the variables you don’t have. You’ve positioned us the best way you can,” he said. NEISD projects $553.5 million in general-fund revenue this year. The district dipped into its fund balance to equalize the new financial plan. It also set the property-tax rate at $1.27 per $100 valuation — almost 2 cents lower than 2019-2020. The owner of an average-valued
home in NEISD should expect to pay $117 more in taxes this school year. Enrollment, which has seen a slow decline the last few years, is about 64,000 students, according to officials.
NISD The Northside Independent School District approved a $963.6 million general-fund budget for the 2020-2021 academic year, with $936.9 million in projected revenues. Even after using transfers and the district fund balance, Northside ISD’s latest ledger includes an $11.5 million deficit. “With the uncertainly related to COVID-19 and possible unanticipated expenditures to deal with delivering instruction in alternative methods, $8 million has been budgeted to assist with these expenditures,” the NISD budget executive summary states. The district is levying a total tax rate of $1.28 per $100 valuation, a slight decrease from $1.30 last year. NISD is the fourth largest district in Texas, with more than 100,000 students, officials said. Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.
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L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S
GOVERNMENT
BUDGET continues from pg. 15
CASTLE HILLS
Antonio Police Department, City Manager Erik Walsh asked the council, staff, police chief and community “to define what we want the police to engage in the future.” He said many police calls, such as mental health care checks, require more nuance. District 8 Councilman Manny Peláez said while policing dominated headlines this summer, city leaders must consider a larger perspective and maintain numerous services for a growing city of more than 1 million people. “This is a complex thing,” he noted of the budget. District 9 Councilman John Courage said city staff produced “one of the best budgets that we could manage under the circumstances.”
The city approved a balanced budget of $6.94 million, slightly down from the $7.06 million adopted last year. The Streets Department allotment contains $75,000 for road maintenance and infrastructure projects, and to help fill sidewalk gaps around Castle Hills Elementary School. City Manager Ryan Rapelye said COVID-19’s impact on Castle Hills “has been manageable thus far and current sales tax seems to be at or slightly below our targeted projections for FY 2020.” The borough is raising its propertytax rate from 48 cents per $100 valuation to 51.6 cents. The owner of
an average-valued home can expect to pay $214 more in taxes this year.
HILL COUNTRY VILLAGE The North Side suburb projects $1.72 million in general-fund revenues and $1.71 million in expenses, with more money for police and public works. Local leaders will soon review the city engineer’s proposed priority streets for an $8.5 million program of road and drainage improvements citywide. A 2.2-cent property-tax rate hike is planned to support the voter-approved bond program.
HOLLYWOOD PARK Its balanced $4.29 million generalfund budget includes slight decreases in sales-tax revenue and spending across
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most of the town’s departments. The tax rate lowers from 49.9 cents to 48 cents, but because new properties are on the rolls, the annual average homestead tax increases $39.
SHAVANO PARK A balanced $5.98 million operational budget is up from the 2020 edition, and includes a 2.5% raise for all employees. The city will buy or replace equipment and vehicles for the Police, Fire and Public Works departments. The tax rate stays at 28.7 cents per $100 valuation, but with higher appraisals, the average taxable homestead value rises $96. Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.
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L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S
LEGAL
OCT. 13 - NOV. 10, 2020
Former Castle Hills alderwoman sues city by EDMOND ORTIZ
CASTLE HILLS — A former alderwoman has filed a lawsuit against city officials, claiming political retaliation prompted her arrest and removal from the dais in 2019.
Sylvia Gonzalez partnered with the Virginia-based Institute for Justice to lodge the civil action Sept. 29. The lawsuit alleges Mayor JR Treviño, Police Chief John Siemens and police Detective Alex Wright deprived Gonzalez of “her rights under the First and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.” Citing a need to first review the case, Treviño declined to comment. Gonzalez’s grievance dates to the summer of 2019 when some residents circulated a
petition seeking City Manager Ryan Rapelye’s ouster. The then-alderwoman, who had just won her first election for public office, helped to organize
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the drive. According to her complaint, fellow city officials “adopted a plan to retaliate against (Gonzalez) for her protected speech, resulting in (Gonzalez’s) arrest on manufactured misdemeanor charges of tampering with a government record.” Officers detained both Gonzalez and thenAlderwoman Lesley Wenger, accusing them of unlawful activity related to the effort to get rid of Rapelye. The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office dismissed the charges against both women. But, Gonzalez’s troubles continued. Her council seat was vacated after the city attorney said a technicality during her swearing-in ceremony made her ineligible to remain in office. In the suit, Gonzalez said the experience left her demoralized. The legal action defends her right to political speech and seeks “to ensure the constitutional accountability of all government officials.” Besides an affirmative finding from the court, she’s also seeking unspecified damages to cover legal fees.
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other members so we can learn from each other,” he added. Attorney Cimarron Gilson challenges District 5 trustee and board President Shannon Grona. Gilson said Grona is out of touch with residents. Lamenting a self-described lack of conservative voices on the board, Gilson claimed trustees rubber-stamp administrators’ actions. He also wants more resources to help improve learners’ mental health and those with special needs. “In the end, this race is about who has the right judgment and the right value system to represent our community,” Gilson added. With much experience as a district volunteer, Grona seeks to maintain board continuity, focus on the mental health of students and employees, and ensure pupils’ voices are heard on NEISD matters. “My eight years on the board helps to
provide that stability and historical perspective,” Grona added. District 6 trustee and board Vice President Tony Jaso faces attorney Dylan Pearcy and Robert Hilliard, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel. An investment banker and district volunteer, Jaso’s key issues are fiscal responsibility and battling bullying. “I know what is required for being a contributing member of a high-functioning board and that is something I bring from my professional experience, not just my time in office,” Jaso said. Hilliard seeks more effective learning environments, fostering parent-teacher collaboration, and fiscal responsibility. “I am willing to ask challenging questions so that the best decisions can be made,” he added. A former NEISD teacher, Pearcy backs higher transparency from district leaders, more benefits for educators and better use of technology. “I know what I bring to the table is a perspective and connection to education (the other candidates) cannot match,” he added. Nov. 3 will be a district holiday, permitting more safety and security on campuses serving as polling sites. Meanwhile, the District 9 seat in ACD has three candidates: incumbent Joe Jesse Sanchez, attorney Leslie Sachanowicz, and Michael John Good. A former teacher and school administrator, Sanchez has in recent years been administrator of the Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department’s Juvenile Justice Academy. Sachanowicz, a onetime Bexar County assistant district attorney, now teaches government at San Antonio College. Good recently graduated from St. Philip’s College, having studied construction technology there. He has social-work experience. Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.
OCT. 13 - NOV. 10, 2020
L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S
HAPPENING continues from pg. 07
updates or cancellations, call Carolyn at 210-415-0937.
TUESDAYS AND SATURDAYS OLMOS BASIN FARMERS MARKET
San Antonio Farmer’s Market Association offers area growers’ farm-fresh produce from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 100 Jackson Keller Road. For updates or cancellations, visit sanantoniofarmersmarket.org.
THURSDAYS
STONE OAK ROTARY CLUB The club hosts guest speakers from noon to 1 p.m. at The Club at Sonterra, 901 E. Sonterra Blvd. For a schedule, list of lecturers
HAPPENING
or cancellations, visit www. stoneoaksarotary.org.
updates or cancellations, visit sanantoniofarmersmarket.org.
THURSDAYS
SATURDAYS
Northwest Rotary Club Community Service and Business Networking members gather at noon at Outback Steakhouse, 12511 Interstate 10 West. For updates or cancellations, call 210576-5475.
Come to 16607 Huebner Road from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for local and organic produce, plus baked goods and handcrafted products. For updates or cancellations, visit hillcountryfarmersmarket.org. Also, Four Seasons Market, 11745 Interstate 10 West in Huebner Oaks shopping center, sells wares from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For updates or cancellations, call 972884-0680.
ROTARY CLUB MEETING
North, is the home to farm-fresh produce and more from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For a list of participating vendors each week, plus updates or cancellations, visit fourseasonsmarkets.com.
FARMERS’ MARKETS
FRIDAYS
LOCAL PRODUCE Drop by St. Matthew Sports Complex & Recreational Area, 11121 Wurzbach Road, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and support local growers as San Antonio Farmer’s Market Association presents farm-fresh products. For
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SUNDAYS
ENCINO FARMERS MARKET Village at Stone Oak, 22610 U.S. 281
ONGOING
COMBATTING STUDENT HUNGER Forty-nine Northside Independent School District campuses serve a free breakfast and lunch during the 2020-2021 academic year. For more including a complete list of program participants, visit https://www.nisd.net/news/thousandsnorthside-students-eat-free-school-year.
SUBMITTING EVENTS: Email all the details along with your contact information two months in advance to tips@localcommunitynews.com.
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