Hollywood Park deer control gets good grade PG.14 Animal advocates say tranquilizer darts
are best option, very humane
COMMUNITY NEWS HILL COUNTRY VILLAGE
VOL. 3, ISSUE 9
WHAT'S
INSIDE YOUR COMMUNITY
HOLLYWOOD PARK
NORTH CENTRAL
78216 78232 78247
500 MILLION
$
NEISD proposed bond issue PG.16 New funding could go to improve existing facilities
BUY LOCAL
POSTNET
SHIPPING & MARKETING PG.17
New store says it has solutions to help local businesses
EAT LOCAL
POLLO TROPICAL PG.18
Bringing the Caribbeaninspired taste of citrus-marinated chicken to San Antonio
PG.04 YERKES' COLUMN World Heritage destination for missions will boost Alamo City tourism
WWW.SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM
JULY 27 - AUGUST 24, 2015
‘JOE IN THE DISTRICT’ PG.12 From quarry blasting to neighborhood drainage woes, District 9 councilman makes personal visits to solve problems
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JULY 27 - AUGUST 24, 2015
FROM THE EDITOR
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President Harold J. Lees Publisher Gregg Rosenfield Assoc. Publisher Rick Upton EDITORIAL Executive Editor Thomas Edwards News Staff Collette Orquiz, Bain Serna and Will Wright Contributing Writers Olivier J. Bourgoin, Sana Harhara, Joyce Hotchkiss, Edmond Ortiz, Eileen Pace and Susan Yerkes
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A
s the dog days of August roll around and school gets ready to start, it’s time for parents and teachers to remind kids about staying safe. I bring this up because every year at this time, I can’t help but recall one of the most tragic stories I ever covered as a police reporter for the San Antonio ExpressNews. Twenty-five years ago I stood in the darkened living room of a Northeast Side home interviewing tearful family members about their missing 11-year-old daughter. The girl’s name was Heidi Seeman, and her family never saw her alive again. Though by now many have read and seen accounts of Heidi’s disappearance, the fact I am one of the first reporters to publicize the case also means I still have questions. It’s no wonder during these blistering summer days that I think back to Heidi, a sweet-faced youngster abducted while walking home from a friend’s residence. Her body was found 21 days later in a field in Hays County. The case has never been solved, although police have pursued hundreds of leads. What I remember most is that first meeting with the Seemans. I will never forget the tears brimming in the mother’s eyes, the father’s haunted look and the sister’s shocked silence while the air conditioner quietly purred in the background. Day after day, as the search mounted, detectives followed clues and volunteers combed far and wide, I wrote story after story. The questions kept piling up, but there were never any answers. I hope someday her relatives — and the community — find closure. If there is a lesson to be learned from such a horrific case, it’s this: Take the time to remind your children that the world can still be a dangerous place, and not every smiling face belongs to a friend.
ART Creative Director Florence D. Edwards Contributing Photographer Rudy B. Ornelas Contributing Illustrator Jeremiah Teutsch
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Heidi’s case is a reminder of danger
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JULY 27 - AUGUST 24, 2015
LOCAL COMMENTARY
Making World Heritage our mission by SUSAN YERKES
I
n 1892, the celebrated journalist Richard Harding Davis wrote: “San Antonio is the oldest of Texan cities, and possesses historical and picturesque showplaces which in any other country but our own would be visited by innumerable American tourists prepared to fall down and worship. “The citizens of San Antonio do not, as a rule, appreciate the historical values of their city; they are rather tired of them … But the missions which lie just outside of the city are what will bring the Eastern man or woman to San Antonio.” Davis was ahead of his time.
Finally, we’re catching up. The day after the United States celebrated the Fourth of July, San Antonio celebrated a landmark occasion when UNESCO named the Spanish missions — five including the Alamo — a World Heritage Site, putting us up there with the Statue of Liberty, Yellowstone National Park and only 20 more places in the country to earn such a designation. How are we affected? Well, like a Spurs championship, it won’t change gas-pump prices or the cost of fajitas at your local H-E-B, but the immensely attractive effect of World Heritage status is projected to add up to another $125 million or so per year to the Alamo City’s tourist economy by 2025. Moreover, for this All-American city, it’s a great point of pride. Winning World Heritage status took the same kind of dedication and teamwork that makes the Spurs such superstars, and it’s not difficult to suggest some analogies. The quest began back in 2006, with — no surprise — the San Antonio Conservation Society, the same group who championed River Walk visionary Robert Hugman’s dream of an “American Venice” downtown and kept the
waterway from being paved over. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio and its foundation to support the old missions, known as Las Misiones and led by the Rev. David Garcia, emerged as our team’s center. The nearly $17 million Las Misiones has raised and spent on preserving missions Concepcion, San José, San Juan and Espada in recent years proved a powerful plus for the World Heritage drive. Ditto for Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, a oneman power forward in his passionate pursuit of greatness for the onceneglected Mission Reach of the river. Stellar shooting guards include the San Antonio River Authority, the National Park Service, Los Compadres de San Antonio Missions, the Paseo del Rio Association and the city, plus so many others. In the last couple of years, the Texas General Land Office has stepped into the role of Alamo conservator, a position long held by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. The DRT also deserve some credit for saving the Alamo from being consigned to a gas station in the early 1900s and maintaining it as a national treasure for many years. However, with
D
bold new plans for remaking Alamo Plaza and conserving more of our great and diverse cultural history, the state’s deeper pockets and greater reach make it a strong point-guard assist man. Plus, while the planners are busy envisioning a super-duper renovated Alamo area, here’s hoping reorganizers of nearby HemisFair Park will make ample room to connect to the city’s historic confluence of cultures, including a colonial-era acequia recently unearthed in the park, along with the fun, modern attractions and accommodations they’re bringing. The victorious team that won us World Heritage status is planning a citywide celebration Oct. 16-18. That’s just before Founders Day, Oct. 24, an observance of this enchanting city’s remarkably diverse background begun 12 years ago by the late, fabulous Frank W. Jennings, a dedicated amateur historian and author of “San Antonio: Story of An Enchanted City.” Kudos to our World Heritage players! Let’s all get out there and explore San Antonio’s world-class roots, and what they mean to our part of Texas, and the whole world. Give a shout at syerkes@ salocallowdown.com.
5
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OUR TURN Views and opinions about your community
City-county combo deserves a look
T
he time has come for San Antonio and Bexar County to unite as a metropolitan government, thereby eliminating duplicate services and creating more efficiency. San Antonio already is the second largest city in Texas, and with plans on the books to annex new territory, more and more of the county is disappearing. Wouldn’t it be sensible to finally combine governments, law enforcement, fire departments, public works, libraries, trash collection and other municipal amenities to provide greater uniformity and productivity? During the last legislative session, state Rep. Lyle Larson tried again to introduce a measure paving the way for a consolidation of city and county services. It seems wasteful to have the city and
the county fund so many parallel jobs and functions, especially at taxpayers’ expense. Larson, a Republican representing state House District 122, says taxpayers could save millions. Though the measure was dropped from the Legislature’s agenda, it would have called for a constitutional amendment that could lead to city-county consolidation. Local leaders, sadly, did not rush to Larson’s banner. As in years past, it seems some public servants worried more about keeping their turf than saving residents money and improving functions. Indeed, city and county workers also have expressed fears about losing their government jobs. However, the measure included a provision to protect the employees of political subdivisions integrated into any new city-county government. Though a lot would still have to be worked out, including elections and representation, the time has come for San Antonio and Bexar County to embrace their destiny and create a single — and better — government for the people.
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HOLY SPIRIT ANNIVERSARY Holy Spirit Catholic School is marking its 50th anniversary by inviting all alumni, former teachers and staff members to a reception and an open house at the school, 770 W. Ramsey Road. A reception from 7 to 11 p.m. Aug. 8, which is for ages 21 and up, will feature hors d’oeuvres and music by Brian Scott, plus a cash bar. The 11:30 a.m. Mass on Aug. 9 will be followed by a tour and open house. A donation of $10 per guest is requested, to help cover expenses, but is not required. For more, or to RSVP, email Ardie Herring at ardie.herring@hscssa.org.
FIT PASS PROGRAM The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department’s Fit Pass provides a summerlong series of activities and challenges earning points for participants. Those with the most points win nice prizes – in 2014, they included Trek mountain bikes and Xbox systems. A Fit Pass activity passport can be obtained online, at a Fit Pass event and at pools, senior centers, community centers and other sites. This year, there’s also a mobile app for tracking points. For all the details, go to www.sanantonio. gov/parksandrec/ and click on Fit Pass.
NEISD TRUSTEES North East Independent School District trustees are scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. in the NEISD board room, 8961 Tesoro Drive.
THROUGH SEPT. 12
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EXTENDED POOL HOURS All San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department outdoor pools will be open an extra hour on weekends this summer – from 1 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. That includes the pool at Lady Bird Johnson Park, 10700 Nacogdoches Road, which is also open Tuesday through Thursday from 1 to 7 p.m. Weekday hours of other pools vary from site to site; for more information on city pools, go to www.sanantonio.gov/ parksandrec/swimming_outdoor.aspx.
THROUGH AUG. 16
Specializing in:
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DIABETES WORKSHOP This free program in the meeting room of the Brook Hollow Branch Library offers information on managing daily symptoms of diabetes and preventing complications. Topics include healthy eating, relaxation techniques, exercising and dealing with negative emotions. The session runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m.; to sign up, call 207-8802. The library is at 530 Heimer Road.
AUG. 3
NATURE’S GARDEN SUMMER CAMP From 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. each day, kids 7 to 10 years old can learn about life in the garden – the plants, bugs, birds and mammals, as well as the geology and water cycle. The cost is $60 per child. Phil Hardberger Park is presenting the camp in conjunction with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and the sessions are in the park’s Salado Creek Outdoor Classroom, 13203 Blanco Road. To register, go to www.philhardbergerpark.org. The camp will also be held Aug. 10-13.
AUG. 3-6
AUG. 8, 9
AUG. 10
CULINARIA RESTAURANT WEEK This segment of the Culinaria celebration of local food is two weeks long this year. Participating restaurants will offer three-course fixed-price menus that feature skillful food/wine pairings in two price ranges — $10 lunch/$25 dinner or $15 lunch/$35 dinner. They include Bavarian Brauhaus, 300 W. Bitters Road; Kirby’s Prime Steakhouse, 123 N. Loop 1604 East; and Tre Enoteca, 555 W. Bitters Road. Reservations are recommended, and should be made with the individual restaurants.
AUG. 15-29
BIKE RODEO The Hollywood Park Fire Department s hosting a bike rodeo 7-10 a.m. at the Texas Roadhouse parking lot, 16915 U.S. 281 North, to emphasize safety and fun.
AUG. 15
AUG. 18
HOLLYWOOD PARK The City Council meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 2 Mecca Drive.
EVENING AGLOW MEETING San Antonio Evening Aglow International, a Christian “transformational kingdom” group, meets the third Tuesday of each month for fellowship, song and an inspirational message. The gathering starts at 7 p.m. at Anne Marie’s Catering, 12475 Starcrest Drive (at Bitters Road). Everyone is welcome. For more, visit www.aglow.com.
AUG. 18
HAPPENING continues on pg. 07
7
SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM at Morgan’s Wonderland, 5223 David Edwards Drive. For $8, there are senior activities 11 a.m. to noon every second and fourth Friday. For more, call 495-5888 or visit www.morganswonderland.com.
HAPPENING continues from pg. 06 CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT GROUP Meetings are from 4 to 6 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month at Baptist HealthLink, 288 W. Bitters Road. One main topic per hour is covered in group discussions, which may be large or small. A syllabus and more information are available at http:// chronicpainsupportsa.wix.com/cpsgsa.
AUG. 19
HISPANIC HERITAGE HALL OF HONOR The Hispanic Sports Foundation for Education will induct San Antonians into the National Hispanic Heritage Hall of Honor at Our Lady of the Lake University’s Wellness Activity Center at 6 p.m.; individual tickets are $75 and tables start at $1,000. For more, or to purchase tickets, go to www.hsffe.com. Our Lady of the Lake is at 411 S.W. 24th St.
AUG. 1
FELINE FRIDAYS The Animal Defense League will focus on reducing overpopulation by spaying or neutering 30 owned cats and 30 feral cats every Friday. Animals can be brought in between 7 and 9 a.m., and it’s first come, first served until the 60 slots are filled. Fees range from $35 to $70, and owned cats must have proof of rabies vaccination. The cats will be ready for pickup 4-5 p.m. the same day. The surgeries are performed at ADL’s hospital, 11215 Iota Drive, just off Nacogdoches Road. For more, go to adltexas.org and click on Spay/ Neuter Services under Programs & Services. MORGAN’S WONDERLAND HOSTS SENIORS Let age work in your favor during Senior Fridays
GED REGISTRATION North East Adult Education services of the North East Independent School District is offering registration for General Educational Development tests from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 107 W. Rampart Drive. For more, call 356-7550.
AUG. 17-18
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JULY 27 - AUGUST 24, 2015
LOCAL LOWDOWN Take a quick look at what’s new in the community from opening and closings to news tidbits.
Open and Opening Soon 1. POSTNET, 300 W. Bitters Road, Suite
110, located near the intersection with West Avenue, is billed as a marketing and shipping resource for businesses. According to owner Stephen Brown, it’s also a one-stop shop for small or large printing jobs, designing, packing and online marketing. There are 700 PostNet franchises worldwide, and two in San Antonio, the company says. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday. For more, call 404-9878 or visit www.postnet.com/ san-antonio-tx227. (See story on page 17)
2. POLLO TROPICAL, 838 E. Bitters Road, opened nine months ago and offers fast food with a Caribbean and Latin American flair. Managers say the restaurant is famous for its signature citrus-marinated, flamegrilled chicken “that is always fresh, never frozen.” There are more 100 locations in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas, and 30 across the Caribbean, Central
Address of local business Name of local business
America, South America and Puerto Rico. There are three other locations in San Antonio. Pollo Tropical is the sister company to Taco Cabana under the Addison-based Fiesta Restaurant Group Inc. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to midnight daily. For more, call 403-2026 or visit pollotropical.com. (See story on page 18)
3. CANDLEWOOD MASSAGE HEALTH AND WELLNESS, 15679 U.S. 281
North, is a family-owned business that provides an array of therapeutic massage services. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. For more, call 446-5775 or visit www.candlewoodmassage.com or facebook.com/CandlewoodSA.
4. CANDLEWOOD CHIROPRACTIC, 15679 U.S. 281 North, offers chiropractic care and relief services under the guidance of Rojelio Solano. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. Saturday. For more, call 4465115 or visit www.candlewoodmassage. com or facebook.com/CandlewoodSA.
IN OTHER NEWS
A DEVELOPMENT BREAKFAST FOR OWNERS AND MANAGERS of businesses and commercial properties in the Northeast Corridor was hosted by District 10 Councilman Mike Gallagher July 10 at the ITT Technical Institute, 2895 N.E. Loop 410. The quarterly breakfasts keep businesses and commercial property owners up-todate on new developments on the initiative to revitalize the commercial corridor along Perrin Beitel and Nacogdoches roads. The latest meeting featured a presentation titled “Growth, Development and New Opportunities for the NEC: An Update on the SA Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan.” Gallagher in a newsletter said, “The revitalization of the NEC is one of my top priorities, and I look forward to seeing the continued improvements along the corridor.” A formal revitalization plan for the NEC was approved by City Council to encourage reinvestment in the area and is now being implemented. Revitalization efforts target two key commercial corridors: Perrin Beitel, from 410 to Thousand Oaks Drive; and Nacogdoches, from Thousand Oaks to O’Connor Road.
SEVERAL RESIDENTS AND GUESTS TURNED OUT JUNE 27 FOR THE FIRST District 10 community walk in Comanche Lookout Park. “We were pleased to have such great attendance and support from our community members,” District 10 Councilman Mike Gallagher said in an online newsletter. “The San Antonio Parks Foundation, Parks and Recreation Department, Mayor’s Fitness Council and SA2020 helped make the event a success. This walk helped encourage a healthier and more active future for our great city.” Gallagher challenged attendees to complete a 2-mile walk at the park, 15551 Nacogdoches Road. DISTRICT 9 RESIDENTS JOINED COUNCILMAN JOE KRIER and then-city Budget Director Maria Villagomez in a June 23 discussion of the city’s upcoming budget process for the 2016 fiscal year during a session at Coker United Methodist Church, 231 E. North Loop Road. “(It was) well-attended,” Krier said. “Those present provided me with both thoughtful discussion and a number of good suggestions. What I heard was that the city needs to prioritize streets and drainage projects. Many of our residents who spoke
LOWDOWN continues on pg. 09
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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM LOWDOWN continues from pg. 08 up had issues with infrastructure needs being delayed or ignored. I also heard a number of comments stating that we need more parks spread across our district. Support for our libraries was also urged.” Krier promised to pursue fulfilling the needs of residents and local businesses. “Armed with your comments and suggestions, I will work hard this budget season to make sure District 9’s voice is heard as we work to achieve a back-to-basics city budget and improve essential city services for everyone,” he said. CHURCHILL HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH COACH BRIAN EANES and senior Montana Rowton were honored at the National Speech and Debate Association’s national tournament in Dallas June 18. Eanes, the oral interpretation coach, has been coaching the competitive speech team for 15 years and was awarded his third coaching diamond by the NSDA. Rowton, who graduated in May, was honored for qualifying for the national tournament each year during high school. THE NORTH EAST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT GRADUATED 4,500 seniors in eight days, June 4-11. Most of these students will continue their education in college or technical schools, join the workforce or enter the military, according to officials. ADM. WILLIAM H. MCRAVEN, A ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL alumnus, is the first inductee to be enshrined with a plaque on the Wall of Heroes at Heroes Stadium, 4799 Thousand Oaks Drive. Sponsored by the North East Independent School District, the Wall of Heroes recognizes the achievements of a person who embodies heroic values. McRaven is credited with planning and leading the raid that led to the death of terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden. He retired from the Navy as a four-star admiral after serving 37 years, and has commanded every level within the special-operations community. Officials said McRaven also is regarded as a top policy expert. TWELVE STUDENTS WERE RECOGNIZED FOR PARTICIPATING in the new Certified Nursing Aide program at the Academy of Creative Education. The North East Independent School District program started in the spring through a partnership with Goodwill Industries. Two students were selected to give the invocation and pledge at the NEISD board meeting June 15. Grant Morgan and Daniel Ramos were picked based on their character, academic accomplishments and completing the requirements for the CNA program. MADISON HIGH SCHOOL TWINS CHRISTOPHER AND CHRISTIAN PEREZ will be featured in an upcoming video produced by the College Board for its 2016 “All In”
9 campaign. The multifaceted program is a coordinated effort to ensure that 100 percent of Latino, African American and Native American students with Advanced Placement potential enroll in at least one AP class, officials said. The twins were selected because they enrolled in AP courses starting their sophomore year at Madison.
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THE BRADLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND recently received a third-place win in a Texas Music Educators Association contest. IN A 5-4 DECISION JUNE 18, THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULED TEXAS doesn’t have to include the battle flag of the Confederacy on state-sponsored vanity plates, determining the case involved government speech and not free speech. The Texas Sons of Confederate Veterans, which has chapters on the North Side, had asked the court to overturn a decision by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to deny authorizing a specialty license plate featuring the flag to commemorate their heritage and Southern ancestors who fought 150 years ago. The state, meanwhile, cited concerns of African-Americans and others who believe the insignia is offensive, glorifying the South’s practice of enslavement leading up tp the Civil War, and a painful reminder of white supremacy. It also contended state instruments, such as license plates, shouldn’t carry such representation. In the case, styled as Walker v. Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans Inc., the justices’ majority opinion said Texas acted as a public entity in disallowing the plates and not as an individual entitled to free-speech protections outlined in the Constitution. MORGAN’S WONDERLAND HOSTED THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS UNIFIED RELAY ACROSS AMERICA’S visit to San Antonio on June 21, as the Special Olympics Flame of Hope continued its journey across America en route to the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. Local Special Olympics athletes Scott Mena and Kristen Medley joined Toyota officials and park namesake Morgan Hartman in carrying the torch in a half-mile route around a lake at the park. The ceremony was one of several held across the country in anticipation of the World Games, with more than 7,000 athletes from 177 countries attending the 2015 World Games July 25-Aug. 2 in Los Angeles. “Being a part of the Unified Relay Across America is a truly gratifying and humbling experience,” said Gordon Hartman, Morgan’s Wonderland founder. “It is because of our team members’ commitment to inclusion, and partners like Toyota that have strong communitybased partnerships, that we can participate in meaningful events such as this. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of the Special Olympics athletes from Texas.”
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JULY 27 - AUGUST 24, 2015
Suburbs, county eye purchasing power alliance by EDMOND ORTIZ
H
ollywood Park’s mayor is encouraging all Bexar County suburbs to collaborate and to work through the county’s Purchasing Department in order to get more bang for their government bucks.
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“The more we work together, the more efficient we can be,” Mayor Chris Fails said about the initiative to unite the county’s more than 30 smaller cities into a purchasing force. Despite their size relative to San Antonio, suburbs working together could push Bexar County toward a pricing bracket that, ultimately, benefits taxpayers of the cities and the county, Fails and others said. Currently, San Antonio’s suburban governments may individually work with vendors for services and equipment they buy on a regular basis. Municipalities,
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counties and states often use the HGACBuy website to make various purchases, from infrastructure services to emergency equipment. HGACBuy stands for Helping Governments Across the Country Buy. Fails, who is helping spearhead the effort, said he felt there must be a better, local way for small cities such as his to get prices from vendors that benefit local taxpayers. Periodically procuring even the simplest of items, such as tires for city vehicles, can get expensive over time, he added. “Just because we’re a small city doesn’t mean we get a discount,” Fails said. Fails began discussions with county employee Daniel Garza and Dwayne Robinson, constituent services director for County Judge Nelson Wolff, to find a possible solution. Garza was a purchasing agent with Bexar County until July 1, when he was to become Dallas County’s purchasing director. The solution is presently in the form of a proposed memorandum of understanding — or MOU — between the county and participating cities, which could take advantage of a centralized procurement process. The county’s Purchasing Department
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Browne said he could see the value of going through the county program if it means saving money on certain things and services his city often buys. “This could possibly lead to bids lower than those from HGAC,” Fails said. “This won’t be the solution for everything we purchase, but we hope this saves us money on a lot of things.” Helotes Mayor Tom Schoolcraft suggested the term of any agreement between a participating suburb and the county follow a fiscal year, which typically starts Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30. Robinson said Wolff backs the attempt at creating a purchasing consortium as a way for the suburbs and the county to work more closely together on issues of mutual interest. “We’ve got to create more communication among the suburbs,” Robinson said. “Judge Wolff does need to advocate more for the suburban cities in the way only he can.” The District Attorney’s Office has been reviewing the language in the draft MOU. Robinson said he did not yet know when Commissioners Court might consider the MOU for action. If it is approved, individual city councils could consider a resolution to have their respective city enter into the agreement.
SUBURBS continues from pg. 10
Dwayne Robinson (center), constituent services director for Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, addresses representatives of more than 20 county suburbs June 25 at Hollywood Park City Hall. He’s flanked by county purchasing agent Daniel Garza (left) and Hollywood Park Mayor Chris Fails. Photo by Edmond Ortiz
experienced in regularly talking with vendors, comparing prices and products. “They’re going to make sure you get the best price,” Fails said. He added it would behoove most if not all Bexar County suburbs to act together as a consortium in working with the county program. Other officials attending the June 25 gathering chimed in. Alamo Heights City Manager Mark
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DISTRICT 9 continues from pg. 01
Mining operations are resuming at Beckmann Quarry west of Northwest Military Highway. Far North Side residents have expressed concerns to District 9 Councilman Joe Krier, but representatives of Martin Marietta — the owner of the quarry — have pledged to decrease blasting and volume levels that could affect nearby homes and apartments such as these. Photo by Rudy B. Ornelas
Walks and talks will resume in August by EILEEN PACE
A
new program by District 9 Councilman Joe Krier — “Joe in the District” — is an offshoot of his blockwalking campaign days aimed at experiencing constituents’ problems firsthand and solving them. “I decided to take two weeks a month and find somewhere or some neighborhood that has a problem and just go out there and walk through and see it,” Krier said. “Joe in the District” is a spin-off of “Java with Joe,” where residents visit his office at U.S. 281 North and Thousand Oaks Drive for Wednesday conversations. Now, Krier also goes to them. “When I got into this job, I decided to offer ‘Java with Joe,’” Krier said. “After the (May 9) election, I found out I could learn a lot more by going to see neighborhood problems.”
A recent face-to-face episode involves a far North Side quarry. This summer, worried residents from the Presidio subdivision called Krier about the resumption of blasting on the west side of the 80-year-old Beckmann Quarry off Northwest Military Highway and north of Loop 1604. “The issues are: When do you blast; how often do you blast; and how much longer is it going to last?” Krier said. The nascent neighborhood is across from the quarry, where the Martin Marietta company mines for rock transformed into concrete products, mostly for local construction projects. Krier contacted Martin Marietta and asked to see the operations. “We spent an hour driving through this giant quarry – it’s a stunning operation –
and they did a blast for us,” Krier said. Chance Allen, regional vice president of Martin Marietta – Central Texas Aggregates, said the company hears complaints whenever residents move into a new subdivision. “This quarry operation was started in the 1930s when this was in the middle of nowhere. We find ourselves in some of the hottest real estate markets in San Antonio, and when these neighborhoods such as Presidio grow around us, sometimes people move in and request that we change what we’re doing,” he said. Allen said the company has developed a program to coexist with neighborhoods. Teams of employees have been talking with homeowners in Presidio, Shavano Park, Rogers Ranch and other areas to
provide education about the business and its blasting procedures. Krier was appreciative of the goodneighbor efforts, Allen said, adding, “He got his arms wrapped around how much we put into the process and I think he was encouraged.” “There’s a difference between feeling the blast and damage to structures,” Allen noted. “Martin Marietta will always blast in a manner that is safe and will not cause damage to a home. We can say that because we use monitors that register the seismic activity to make sure we are under the limits that can create damage.” The councilman said his outing satisfied him the homes were safe. Krier was appointed in November 2013 to the district seat when Elisa Chan, campaigning for state office, resigned. The “Joe in the District” idea arose from the following months’ election campaigning and walking through neighborhoods including Blossom Park south of McAllister Park, where he saw items that needed addressing. “It has a huge drainage channel through the middle of it. The (homeowners association) asked us to get it cleared out and we did,” he said. His first errand after starting “Joe in
DISTRICT 9 continues on pg. 13
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association is happy, I’m happy,” he said, “and I never would have really understood it if I hadn’t clambered down into that creek and walked up it to see the damage.” Later, Krier personally helped another Greater Harmony Hills resident whose rear alley had been clogged with construction fragments from a city street project. When the materials deteriorated, the area was impassable. Krier’s staff got busy, the mess got cleaned, and the councilman dropped by to eyeball the results. “You just have to see stuff to understand it,” he said. Elsewhere, Krier is working with constituents to reopen Lorence Creek Park, situated in a busy, upscale neighborhood with an entrance on Henderson Pass. “Evidently, it’s closed because it has no amenities or open areas for recreation,” he said. “So, we’re going to get with the city’s parks department … and walk it. I think it has potential.” Lorence Creek Park might serve as another area dog park, Krier added. Meanwhile, he took a break from visits during the July 4 holiday, but now is getting back to them. “I can’t come out to walk everybody’s problem, so we have staff to help me,” Krier said, “but I can walk two a month, and over a year, that’s 24 or so that otherwise I would not have gotten to see personally.”
DISTRICT 9 continues from pg. 12 the District” this spring involved helping a Greater Harmony Hills homeowner whose land backs up to a creek greenway. Krier said the area is beautiful — so long as it didn’t rain. “As the rains started getting heavy, these gigantic pieces of concrete from the culvert up the street began washing down behind her house, and they would stop there and erode the walls of the creek, and it was slowly eating away this lady’s backyard,” he said. The resident made several requests to the city seeking assistance. “They’d come out and tell her she needed to put in a new retaining wall on her property, and this woman is retired and on a fixed income,” Krier said. The councilman walked the creek with the neighborhood association president and city staffers. “Sure enough, there are things they (city workers) can do,” he said, “like getting down into that creek and removing all that concrete, and then stabilizing the bank so the water flows down the middle of the creek like it’s supposed to.” The work done by the city has since ensured the woman’s property is protected, he added. “She’s happy, the neighborhood
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DEER continues from pg. 01
Official: Goal is to control herd, not rid city of animals by COLLETTE ORQUIZ
H
OLLYWOOD PARK — Over time the city has used a variety of approaches to control its deer population, but a fledgling program that involves tranquilizer darts to remove the animals is getting rave reviews.
“We’ve struggled with trapping for the past five years, and really not had very consistent results out of it,” said Jeff Doss, chairman of the Hollywood Park Deer Committee. “You can’t control what you catch in a trap.” Since the 1990s, residents have debated — sometimes acrimoniously — the pros and cons of keeping deer in the city. Over time, different trap, transport and transplant programs, some involving nets, have been tried under the auspices of the Texas
For years different programs to control the herds of deer in Hollywood Park have met with mixed reviews, but a new approach using tranquilizer darts is gaining wide acceptance, officials said. Photo by Collette Orquiz
Parks and Wildlife Department, but it was rare everyone agreed with the process. The residents’ deer committee was formed in 2010, but the city has been surveying the deer population since 2004. The committee’s main goals are keeping a count of the deer in the area, making sure they are healthy, monitoring the ratio of bucks to does to fawns, and the impact on their habitats.
The use of tranquilizer darts started in December 2014, and since its inception, trappers have captured 55 deer during three outings. According to Doss, the darting process is simple. “It’s very fast, very humane and the deer don’t startle at all,” Doss said. With the help of the Police Department, city deer manager Mike
Mayfield, game warden and at least one member of the committee as a witness, the group rides in a police vehicle at night looking for the animals. “Mainly our concern is not having (a) deer that’s stressed, and controlling our herd so it’s manageable,” said Tonya Cummings, president of the city’s Humane Society and a member of the deer committee. “The deer have grazing room and the residents don’t feel encroached by too many of them.” Using food to lure the deer, mostly does, Mayfield quietly shoots them with a dart. The committee has invested in brightly colored darts so they can find them easily in both the daylight hours and at night. The darts are also easy to retrieve from the animal hide, officials said. Once the animal is asleep, its legs are bound so it doesn’t hurt itself or anybody else if the deer wakes up early. While still unconscious, it is blindfolded and lifted on a stretcher. From there, it is carefully loaded into a stock trailer and administered an antidote that revives it. The deer are released on one of two ranches, in either Ozona or Saginaw. They are only held for a few hours before being transferred to their new home. “We’re just really in awe of the process;
DEER continues on pg. 15
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there’s no stress on the deer,” Doss said. At least 10 percent of the deer are sent to Texas A&M University to test for chronic wasting disease, a syndrome that causes muscle and fat tissue to “waste” away, debilitating the animal. Mayfield is in charge reporting to TPWD, and acquiring permits in order to be able to dart and haul the deer off to a ranch. Mayfield was interviewed and hired by the committee. He is a licensed trapper with a degree from Texas A&M. “It’s a combination of the (committee members) working diligently together to find the best way to do it, and a trapper that is our deer manager, who is very astute and knowledgeable,” Cummings said. Before switching over to using tranquilizer darts to contain the deer, the city utilized traps and transported the animals to ranches. In the last few years, because of the drought that reduced vegetation and water sources for the deer, many of them were killed and processed and the meat was donated to feed the hungry. Cummings said the majority of residents live in Hollywood Park because they enjoy the deer, and that processing was not an ideal solution. “Our goal is never to rid our neighborhood of all wildlife. That’s not what we’re about,” Cummings said. “We’re an urban community that loves the wildlife; we just feel for their sake and ours, there needs to be control.” She added that she is very “pro deer” and considers all the ones that wander into her backyard her pets. Residents are also allowed to feed the deer, within reason, and a list of approved food ranging from fruits and vegetables to seeds is available on the city website, hollywoodpark-tx.gov. Twice a year, in the spring and in the fall, the committee rounds up volunteers to do a survey. Residents are given a specific area, and leave at the same time to get a proper count. “It’s not accurate, but it’s the best way we know to just kind of keep track, because the deer are constantly moving between us, Hill Country Village and Sonterra,” Cummings said. Decades ago, when Hollywood Park was first built, there weren’t so many deer because the multiple lanes of U.S. 281 and Loop 1604 hadn’t cut off their migration routes. But with the rapid urbanization of the area, the deer have become somewhat landlocked. “There’s some predators here, but there’s generally no pressure on them, so the number just keeps rising unless (we) take control,” Doss said. City Council appointed the six atlarge members of the deer committee. The meetings at City Hall, 2 Mecca Drive, are open to the public, but call 494-2023 or visit http://hollywoodpark-tx.gov/ boards-commissions/ for availability.
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JULY 27 - AUGUST 24, 2015
NEISD continues from pg. 01
Officials say no immediate tax hike needed by WILL WRIGHT
S
everal North East Independent School District campuses could benefit from improvements if voters in November approve a near-$500 million bond that does not call for an immediate tax hike, officials said. What makes this request distinctive is residents will only be asked to fund present academic institutions, said Aubrey Chancellor, an NEISD spokeswoman. “This is the first time NEISD has proposed a bond without a new school,” she said. “The focus of this bond is about equity – renovating and upgrading outof-date facilities at some of the older campuses and focusing on enhancements and renovations at other schools.” Those areas include Churchill High
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FACILITIES $225.8M UPGRADES EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS $89.8M TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES $72.4M School and Eisenhower Middle School. Adjusted for growth and inflation, the 2015 bond’s actual total – $499,950,000 – is in line with amounts contained in NEISD’s recent bond requests occurring in four-year increments. Voters approved bonds of $449 million, $498 million and $399 million in 2003, 2007 and 2011, respectively. Unlike the previous three, present tax rates would remain unchanged if voters approve a bond referendum Nov. 3. “There will be no new tax rate for
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at least five years,” Chancellor said. A 36-member Facilities Steering Committee met for months and considered public input in rating a list of districtwide projects. If voters approve, facilities improvements will receive $225.8 million; extracurricular programs $89.8 million; and technology upgrades $72.4 million. “The committee met five times and did a lot of homework outside of those meetings,” Chancellor said. “They really did a great job of coming up with the final
draft, which considered and prioritized the needs of all students throughout the district. It’s really far-reaching.” Other categories slated for 2015 bond money include: district operations, $60 million; safety and security, $20 million; bond-program management, $17 million; and a $15 million bond-contingency program. If endorsed by the electorate, it will be the second bond election for Superintendent Brian Gottardy, whose first was in 2011. “I am so proud of the process the district has taken over the past six months,” he said. “Our community has given great feedback and the Facilities Steering Committee has been dedicated to gathering all the information and putting together a great plan.” The committee held meetings at Madison and Churchill high schools on March 30, April 28-29 and May 19-20 before its final meeting June 15 at the district’s Education Service Center, which culminated in a presentation to the school board. “It’s about taking care of all of our schools – not just the newest schools,” committee member Ricki Ford said. “This bond will address the older schools and bring them up to the current
NEISD continues on pg. 19
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North East Independent School District Apply at www.NEISD.net or Call 210-356-9229 for more information
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BUY LOCAL Learn more about newest purveyors of goods and services in your area
PostNet looks to help with shipping, marketing needs by SANA HARHARA
P
ostNet — billed as a full-service marketing and shipping facility — has a new store at 300 W. Bitters Road, Suite 110.
There are 700 franchises worldwide and two in San Antonio. It’s a one-stop shop for small or large printing jobs, designing, packing and online marketing and shipping needs, said Stephen Brown, the owner and operator of the Bitters Road store, which opened its doors May 7. Brown, a 32-year employee of AT&T, has been joined by daughter Bree Brown in the new venture. “My father had always wanted to open
his own business,” Bree Brown said. “He had looked at a couple of restaurants, but after meeting with PostNet decided this is where he wanted to be.” Bree is an accounting major at St. Mary’s University. “I know accounting is kind of out there and different from this business, but I do have experience in this field,” she said. Before she started helping her father, she worked for UPS Inc. At PostNet, the younger Brown answers phone calls and has a hand in designing, packaging and shipping. Her father is in charge of marketing, which includes “going door-to-door and really getting the word out.” More hires are planned at the store. Brown said she and her father respect and support other family-
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owned businesses, and want to help. “We are a family-owned business ourselves, so we are here for our fellow business owners and welcome anyone to come and do business with us,” she said, adding that PostNet can be the “back office for your business.” Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday.
The recently opened PostNet at 300 W. Bitters Road, Suite 110, wants to be the 'back office' for other area businesses by offering shipping and marketing services. Photo by Collette Orquiz
POSTNET 300 W. Bitters Road, Suite 110 For more, call 404-9878 or visit www.postnet.com/san-antonio-tx227
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JULY 27 - AUGUST 24, 2015
EAT LOCAL Learn about the newest neighborhood places for breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks
Caribbean flavors inspire menu at Pollo Tropical then debuted the 3,400-square-foot Bitters Road spot two months later. “This second location (brings) our uniquely tropical twist on fresh, healthy, handmade food to even more people in the area,” Chief Operating Officer Danny Meisenheimer said in a prepared release. “Our guests can visit every day to explore new items on the menu, and families can enjoy the convenience and variety of meal choices they feel better about eating.” The Caribbean-driven theme for Pollo Tropical is summed up by its logo showing a stylized palm tree with the words “Life’s Better Under the Palm.” The main attraction on the menu is that flame-grilled chicken. Mojo Roast Pork, Calypso Beef and Grilled Tropical Wing round out the meat choices, while a dozen side dishes are available, including the Caribbean Corn Soufflé, sweet
by OLIVIER J. BOURGOIN
N
ot even a year old yet, Pollo Tropical at 838 E. Bitters Road is making a splash with its chicken dishes and Caribbean flavors.
The restaurant, founded in Miami in 1988, opened its doors on Bitters Road near U.S. 281 North in November. The chain, owned by Addisonbased Fiesta Restaurant Group Inc. (which also operates Taco Cabana) now has four Alamo City locations. Company officials said the menu started with a simple recipe for citrusmarinated chicken grilled on an open flame and has grown to “offer a variety that is unsurpassed.” In September, the company opened its first San Antonio Pollo Tropical,
In addition to its signature grilled chicken, Pollo Tropical offers 10 sauces, Mojo Roast Pork, Calypso Beef and even Caribbean beer. Photo by Collette Orquiz
plantain and yuca with garlic sauce. A house specialty is the Tropichop. It includes a generous serving of chopped meat topped with rice and/ or veggies, peppers and onions, red or black beans, whole-kernel corn, tomatoes and a choice of sauces. The signature sauces — there are 10 — include curry mustard, guava BBQ, pineapple rum, cilantro garlic and spicy poyo-poyo. The restaurant also has “a
variety of island-inspired beverages,” ranging from Caribbean beers to coconut water and Refrescas, or punch. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to midnight daily.
POLLO TROPICAL 838 E. Bitters Road For more, call 403-2026 or visit www.pollotropical.com
New Back To School Bling for Everyone in the Family! A Better Italian Beef or Cheesesteak than WiseGuys?
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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM NEISD continues from pg. 16 standards at the newest schools.” Ford, whose children attend Churchill, said she has frequented school board meetings and served on NEISD committees during the past 26 years. She noted that all principals were asked to assess their campuses’ requirements and seek community comments. Those wants amounted to nearly $2 billion, so paring it to $500 million would ensure residents wouldn’t see a tax increase for the rest of the decade, Ford said. “We had a lot of information to consider,” she added. “We ranked it according to needs, and tried to address as many things as we could to help all areas throughout the district.” Several proposed projects didn’t make the final cut. Among them, a new elementary school in Johnson High’s feeder pattern — $42.8 million; replacing portables at Madison High — $25 million; a districtwide consolidated activity and logistics center for JROTC programs — $18.8 million; and adding a baseball facility in the Heroes Stadium Complex — $11.7 million. Several projects comprise the total earmarked to expand or enhance extracurricular programs – including $17 million to upgrade the district’s natatoriums; $10 million to add a new pool; and $12.5
million for work on Comalander Stadium. Asked if those and other aspects might pose problems with voters, Chancellor said they’re all part of the district’s overall educational goals. “NEISD ... always believes in providing a 360-degree education, which means classroom academics and also extracurricular activities,” she said. “We believe it makes for more well-rounded students, as studies have proven those who are more involved in extracurricular activities do better in the classroom. We have many parents who have come to expect (this) and they fully support it.” Ford would like to see another aquatic facility. “I think we do need another pool,” she said. “I don’t have a swimmer, but (adding a pool) has come up year after year. We have a lot of community classes and think it’s important to everybody in the community.” Chancellor said NEISD retired $747 million in bond debt over the past three years, which amounted to $137 million in savings (on payments and interest). The school board will meet on or before Aug. 24 to place the bond on the November ballot. Chancellor said it could amend the recommended plan before then. “At the time, this is the proposal that’s being considered,” she said.
The 1st Greater North Business Alliance (GNBA) meeting will be held August 11, 2015 at Hollywood Park City Hall. 11:30 - 11:50 Networking • 11:50 - 12:20 Lunch • 12:20 - 12:55 Presentation August 11th Speakers to include: Mayor Fails of Hollywood Park, Hollywood Park EDC and Shad Prichard Chief of Police. This will be the first opportunity to be a part of the new Greater North Business Alliance in the Hollywood Park, Hill Country Village and North San Antonio areas. Membership dues will be $120.00 per year, which includes a variety of benefits. The GNBA will meet the second Tuesday of every month. There will be networking opportunities each month, great lunches each month, and quality speakers that will spark your interest each month. Speakers will discuss relevant issues, both business and personal, that affect our everyday lives. The GNBA is not a chamber, nor a profit making organization. The GNBA is here to promote business and share ideas that will help foster business growth. If you have any questions, please call Marc Olson at 210-669-3973 Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you on August 11th!
www.GreaterNorthBA.com
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