LOCAL: Bracken, Cibolo, Garden Ridge, Schertz, Selma, February 2014

www.salocallowdown.com

Comal ISD looking for missing bond money

pg. 07 Internal audit indicates unaccounted funds could total millions

COMMUNITY NEWS

bracken

Vol. 1, Issue 8

What's

INSIDE your community

local commentary pg. 03 SUSAN YERKES

cibolo

garden ridge

schertz

Selma

02/2014

Senate District 25 GOP race heating up

Plenty of contested races on tap in March primaries

pg. 05 Development is not for the birds Project scrapped near cherished sanctuary

BUY pg. 14 Pawderosa Ranch Kennel in Schertz puts man’s best friend first

by will wright

EAT pg. 15 Bracken Store Café

Old mixes with new at historic dining spot

fantastic deals

coupons INSIDE Discover the city through LOCAL deals from restaurants, retailers and services in your community, and save money while you do it! pg. 18

T

hree candidates vying for the state Senate District 25 Republican nomination took part in a two-hour debate Jan. 27 in hopes of showing voters which of them is the most conservative.

Incumbent Dr. Donna Campbell of New Braunfels and challengers Elisa Chan and Mike Novak, both of San Antonio, preached to a mostly tea-party choir, addressing topics including school education, toll roads, streetcars and Obamacare – all hot-button issues for the conservative faithful.

Chan is the San Antonio District

Primary continues on pg. 10

Lehnhoff Stadium to get facelift pg. 12 SCUCISD

to spend $2.5 million on press box, track

2

february 2014

From the editor wwright@salocallowdown.com

President Harold J. Lees Publisher Gregg Rosenfield

Assoc. Publisher Rick Upton

Editorial Executive Editor Thomas Edwards Managing Editor Will Wright News Staff Collette Orquiz Contributing Writers Eric Moreno, Travis E. Poling, Arthur Schechter, Eric J. Weilbacher and Susan Yerkes ART Creative Director Richard Fisher Jr. Contributing Photographers Joshua Michael Advertising Advertising Director Shelly Talamantez Account Manager Dawn Radick Controller Gerard "Jerry" Sulaica READER SERVICE Mailing Address 4204 Gardendale Ste. 201 SA, TX 78229 Fax Phone (210) 338.8842 (210) 616.9677 Advertising Inquiries rupton@salocallowdown.com Story Ideas tips@salocallowdown.com Website www.salocallowdown.com LOCAL Community News publications Zone 1: 78204, 78205, 78209, 78210, 78212, 78215 Zone 2: 78213, 78230, 78231, 78248, 78249 Zone 3: 78216, 78232, 78247 Zone 4: 78109, 78148, 78233, 78239 Reproduction in whole or in part without our permission is prohibited, 2014 Helen Publishing, LLC and Local Community News, LLC, all rights reserved.

For advertising, customer service or editorial, please call us at 210-338-8842 or write to us at: Local Community News 4204 Gardendale Ste. 201 San Antonio, TX 78229

School districts prep for new plan

A

fter four days of meetings in Austin, the State Board of Education on Jan. 31 approved the state’s new public high school graduation plan, designed to provide students with greater flexibility in academic planning.

The board considered dozens of amendments regarding the implementation of House Bill 5, which was signed into law in 2013. It creates a new graduation plan for all incoming high school freshmen, beginning with the 2014-15 school year.

School districts across the Metrocom are in the midst of determining exactly how they will carry out components of the detailed plan, which will also reduce the number of end-of-course assessments required for students to graduate.

The specifics of the plan are too numerous to list here, but it drastically changes how students will fashion their high school academic plans – not only to graduate, but to also gain acceptance into college.

All students will be expected to have their personal graduation plans signed by their parents by the end of their freshman year.

School districts around the state have been preparing in advance of the board’s decision on the new graduation requirements. One key component of HB 5 will go into effect later this spring, with the elimination of seven end-of-course tests.

Most school districts will hold informational meetings for parents of incoming high schoolers during February and March. Visit your district’s website for more information.

It’s vital that parents get details of the state plan and its possible effects on their children’s academics. Their futures – and ours – are riding on the outcome.

Will Wright Managing Editor facebook.com/salocalcommunitynews

3

salocallowdown.com

local commentary

Racism vs. rude: Red’s lesson by susan yerkes

S

an Antonio’s legendary businessman and powerbroker B. J. “Red” McCombs started the new year with a replay-worthy “open-mouth-insertfoot” moment during a radio interview about new University of Texas head football coach Charlie Strong.

In the live interview, McCombs, a multimillion-dollar donor to UT and one of the school’s most powerful boosters, made no secret he had favored former NFL coach Jon Gruden to lead the Longhorns coaching staff in the wake of Mack Brown’s year-end resignation.

But rather than leave it at that, McCombs ranted that Strong’s selection felt like “a kick in the face” to him, and belittled

Strong, the University of Louisville’s wellrespected head coach, as someone who would “probably make a fine position coach; maybe a coordinator…”

The comments were ill-considered, considering Strong’s fine record. But the fact that Strong is also the first black head football coach in UT’s history opened the door to a far more pernicious perception.

Almost as soon as the words were out of McCombs’ mouth, the Twitter-verse lit up like a Jumbotron with accusations of racism, and the flap escalated to headlines and national talk shows.

The “racist” accusations were just as absurd as McCombs’ dismissive remarks about Strong. Red’s no racist, as former Spurs’ coach John Lucas and former Vikings’ coach Denny Green, both black men picked by McCombs to lead his teams, were quick to point out. In fact, McCombs was the victim of the same kind of stereotyping he was being accused of.

The “racist” allegations faded as fast as they had risen.

Although McCombs’ remarks weren’t racist, they were petty and rude. He appeared angry he didn’t get his way.

To his credit, he was quick to apologize, and declared he intended to support

Strong. It was both the right thing to do, and the best way to save face.

But the whole overblown episode contains interesting food for thought. On one hand, it should serve as a reminder that while they often go hand in hand, rudeness and racism are very different. It was also a good reminder to the rest of us that perceptions can pack a powerful punch.

Our nation has come a long way since the worst days of legislated segregation, lynching and wide acceptance of blatant hate or virulent prejudice. But memories of shameful discrimination and unequal treatment have long shelf lives, and can profoundly color perception.

That’s especially important to consider in a culture that thrives on the sensational.

In today’s wired world, when a celebrity, politician or any public figure talks trash, gossipmongers in the media can be counted on to flog the fight for all it’s worth. And accusations of prejudice, from racism to homophobia, make sensational headlines. Witness the national firestorm over racist Twitter posts about young Sebastien de la Cruz’s stellar national anthem performances for the Spurs at last year’s NBA finals. Or the headlines about homophobic remarks by former

District 9 City Councilwoman Elisa Chan or “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson.

Freedom of speech does not — and should not — depend on political correctness. But in the age of Facebook, YouTube and cellphone videos, it’s good for us all to remember that hasty words and harsh remarks can come back to bite you in unexpected, sometimes painful ways – as it did in McCombs’ case.

February is Black History Month, and this year’s national theme celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. There’s a huge difference between denying someone’s civil rights and acting uncivil to them. However, civility can go a long way towards promoting peaceful relations between folks, and rudeness can do just the opposite. Everyone has some personal biases, and most of us have some kind of prejudices – that’s an inescapable part of being human. But civilization depends on the ability to act civil – even towards those you may not agree with, or even like.

“We must learn to live together as brothers, or perish together as fools,” Martin Luther King Jr. wrote more than half a century ago.

In a culture where rudeness runs rampant, those words still ring true.

Email comments to syerkes@ salocallowdown.com

4

february 2014

LOCAL LOWDOWN Take a quick look at what’s new in the community from opening and closings to news tidbits.

Open and Opening Soon PAWDEROSA RANCH DOGGIE PLAY AND STAY, 7 Commercial Place in Schertz, offers

boarding, grooming and social training for dogs of all ages. Open 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

For more, call 566-4222 or visit www. pawderosaranch.com. (See story on page 14)

BRACKEN STORE CAFÉ, 18415 Bracken Drive in Bracken, has been serving juicy burgers and other country-fried items since the 1930s. Open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

No credit cards accepted. For more, call 651-6515 or visit www.brackenstore. com or go to BrackenStoreCafe/ Facebook. (See story on page 15) OAK VALLEY VINEYARDS RESTAURANT, 27351 S. FM 3009 in Garden Ridge, offers dining, a wedding venue, special event venues with indoor and outdoor seating, and a Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Mondays; open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For more, call 830-980-8033 or visit www.oakvalleyvineyardsrestaurant. com or OakValleyVineyards/Facebook.

LIBERTY TAX SERVICE, 6051 FM 3009,

Suite 245 in Schertz, offers income tax return preparations and other financial services. Open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Monday through Saturday. For more, call 657-5300 or visit www.libertytax.com.

IN OTHER NEWS UIL REALIGNS METROCOM SCHOOLS – Area coaches got pretty much what they

hoped for in the University Interscholastic League’s biennial district alignments for 2014-16, which were released on Feb. 3.

All Metrocom public high schools will be competing in local districts during the next two years. North East Independent School District’s seven high schools will vie in District 26-6A for football and basketball. Steele – which competed in a district with Corpus Christi-area schools the past two years – and Clemens (jumping from 4A into 6A) will join Judson, Wagner, Canyon, Smithson Valley and New Braunfels in 25-6A. Canyon Lake will compete in 14-4A football and 26-4 basketball. Randolph will compete in 13-3A football and 26-3A basketball.

TxDOT ANNOUNCES FUTURE PROJECTS – The Texas Department

of Transportation on Jan. 7 unveiled a plan to allocate more than $800 million to fund expansions of Interstate 10, U.S. 281 and Loop 1604. Included is the transformation of U.S. 281 into a fourlane tolled expressway from Stone Oak Boulevard to the Bexar-Comal county line, as well as tolled connector ramps at the I-10/1604 interchange. Construction is projected to start by early 2015.

HEALTH AND WHOLENESS FAIR SUCCESSFUL – The Schertz Chamber of

Commerce reports that its Jan. 25 Health and Wholeness Fair, co-sponsored by Baptist Emergency Hospital, attracted 519 residents who received materials, 66 free flu shots and 50 health screenings from the Baptist Community Bus.

Others enjoyed free massages, samples of food and information on getting healthier during 2014. Co-sponsors included Pawderosa Ranch Doggie Play and Stay and the city of Schertz.

CISD TRUSTEES ADOPT 2014-15 CALENDAR – Comal Independent School

District trustees on Jan. 23 adopted the district’s 2014-15 academic draft calendar, which went through months of reviews by parents, district staff and community members. CISD representatives said next year’s school calendar will resemble this year’s, but with two fewer Quality Instructional Learning Time days, which provide educators free time to formulate education plans. Students were released 90 minutes earlier during nine QILT days in 2013-14. Next year there will be seven QILT days, each providing teachers with two hours of planning.

The final calendar was produced by the district’s Calendar Advisory Team, which received input from the district’s Educational Improvement Committee, superintendent advisory committees, parents and campus administrators.

Notable dates on next year’s calendar are Aug. 26 as the first day of school; Thanksgiving break for Nov. 24-28 and Christmas break for Dec. 22-Jan. 2, 2015.

Spring Break will begin on March 16, 2015, and run concurrently with breaks scheduled for New Braunfels ISD, the University of Texas and Texas A&M University. The school year will end on June 3, 2015. The calendar is posted on the district’s website, www.comalisd.org.

COMAL ISD 5K BENEFITS ST. JUDE’S RANCH – Students from the Comal

Independent School District on Dec. 14 participated in the St. Jude’s Ranch Jingle Bell 5K Run, raising almost $40,000 for St. Jude’s Ranch for Children locations in New Braunfels and Bulverde. A record

number of participants – nearly 2,000 walkers and runners – turned out for the event, which launched from Gruene Hall and included a 5K for adults and older students, and a 1K for youngsters.

St. Jude’s Ranch has provided homes and therapeutic treatment for at-risk children in Nevada and Texas for 45 years.

SVHS NAVY JROTC MEMBERS GARNER SCHOLARSHIPS – Smithson Valley High

School seniors Zach Hutchins, Johnny Potts, Walker Hobson, Sawyer Marshall, Molly Beaufait and Spencer Miller received Navy Junior ROTC scholarships, each worth $180,000, during a presentation on Jan. 14. Navy Scholarship Coordinator Gina Valdez presented the checks before JROTC members, parents and faculty.

CISD PICKS STANFORD FOR COMMUNICATIONS ROLE – Steve

Stanford is Comal Independent School District’s new executive director for communications and governmental relations. Stanford, Katy Independent School District’s director of media and community relations since 2009, began his new role Jan. 23.

ALAMO COLLEGES AWARDED $1.5M GRANT – The National Science

Foundation recently awarded a $1.5 million science grant towards Alamo Colleges’ effort to increase minority students’ success in science, technology, engineering and math during the next three years. The grant, known as the CIMA Alliance, is the first of only two funded nationwide through NSF’s Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation Bridge to the Baccalaureate Alliances program. CIMA will provide financial support for efforts to increase success rates of minority STEM majors at each of the five Alamo Colleges, with St. Philip’s College acting as the lead college.

5

salocallowdown.com

Birds continues from pg. 01

Latest skirmish between developers, environmentalists by eric j. weilbacher

C

IBOLO –– Residents who came to a recent City Council meeting to speak out against a development planned near a private bird sanctuary got a surprise when they learned the developer has suspended those plans for now.

The Warbler Woods Bird Sanctuary, a 124-acre ranch on Old Wiederstein Road, is known by ornithologists and bird lovers around the state and nation as a unique spot to observe more than 280 species of birds, including 40 specific types of warblers.

It sits at the confluence of several significant ecological regions – the South Texas Plains, the Blackland Prairie and Edwards Aquifer Plateau. In addition to birds, hundreds of native plant species and regional small mammals – ranging

from bobcats to gray foxes ­– also live there. Although it’s private property, Warbler Woods welcomes more than 2,500 visitors a year yearning for interaction with nature.

The potential developer of the land adjacent to the sanctuary, Investment Realty Co. of San Antonio, had asked Cibolo officials to rezone the 140 acres from agricultural to residential – to the densest zoning allowed for single-family residential units in Cibolo, three houses per acre.

Warbler Woods’ owners, Susan and Don Schaezler, became concerned the development’s close proximity to the sanctuary might create issues for migratory birds, which could fail to find their seasonal roost and then alter their migratory path.

“From the environmental standpoint, they get disoriented by all the lights.

We are a major stopping point in their migration,” Susan Schaezler said.

Schaezler said the city wanted to be helpful, suggesting it could implement rules such as downward-pointing streetlights minimizing the effects on the birds and other measures. But it was not enough to assuage them.

The Planning and Zoning

Birds continues on pg. 06

A sign greets visitors to the 124-acre Warbler Woods Bird Sanctuary, located on Old Wiederstein Road in Cibolo. Photo by Josh Michael

6

february 2014

Birds continues from pg. 05

Happening LOCAL

Plan your month with our calendar of upcoming events in the community.

OUR GUIDE TO YOUR MONTH h a pp e n i n g k e y

open to the public. For more, call 5669000 or visit www.schertzchamber.org.

feb

fitness

february/ march

TALK

outdoor

SCHERTZ CHAMBER EVENTS

The Schertz Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Feb 18 at the Schertz Civic Center, 1400 Schertz Parkway. City managers from Schertz, Selma and Cibolo will be featured in a “State of the Cities” presentation. Only RSVPs by Feb. 11 will be admitted. The Chamber’s Feb. 26 Biz Ed Class, “Hands on Workshop for Social Media 101,” will be presented from 7:30-9 a.m. at the Schertz Chamber offices, 1730 Schertz Parkway. Admission is free for members; $10 for non-members. Breakfast will be provided by RBFCU; participants should bring their tablets, laptops or iPads.

The Chamber’s March mixer will be held at 5:30 p.m. March 13 at Doss Audiology and Hearing Center, 5000 Schertz Parkway, Suite 300. Admission is free for members; $10 for non-members. The March 18 monthly luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Schertz Civic Center and feature a construction update by Texas Department of Transportation officials. Member admission is $18; non-member admission is $28. RSVP

by March 11.“The Taste: Down Home,” featuring fare from local restaurants, caterers and beverage providers, is 5-8 p.m. March 20 at the Schertz Civic Center. Tickets are available at the Chamber offices.

The Schertz Chamber Toastmasters meet at the Comfort Inn & Suites meeting room, 5571 Interstate 35 North in Selma, each Monday at 6:45 p.m. All meetings are

UC SNOWFEST AND CARNIVAL

Universal City will celebrate 15 winter’s chill when the Parks and Recreation Commission and Parks Partners sponsor the fifth annual Snowfest and Carnival from 3-9 p.m. at ball field No. 1 in Universal City Park, 305 North Blvd.

Free activities include a snow slope, snow play, hayrides, moon bounces, and more; all-you-can-ride carnival tickets are $7 per person. Several vendors will sell refreshments and other items. Limited parking is available; shuttle buses will run from Randolph Plaza Shopping Center. Call 659-5364 for vendor and volunteering information.

feb

17

SCHOOL DISTRICTS SET WEATHER MAKEUP DAYS

As a result of the winter weather that closed area schools on Jan. 24, students in the Schertz-CiboloUniversal City and North East independent school districts will attend school on Feb. 17, the Presidents Day holiday.

feb 28/ mar 1

KID’S CLOSET CONNECTION SALE The local semiannual

sale connecting people who want to recycle gently used children’s items with those wishing to purchase quality kids’ stuff at a fraction of retail prices is 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 28 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 1 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 509 Schertz Parkway in Schertz. For more, visit KCCSanAntonio/Facebook.

mar

1

WILENCHIK WALK FOR LIFE The annual event is

held by the city of Schertz in

2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i

Commission in November recommended not approving most of the plans. Schaezler said more than 100 emails that did not support the development were sent to the board.

“Everyone around here doesn’t want to see wall-to-wall rooftops,” Schaezler said.

Mayor Lisa Jackson said the city had not taken a particular stand on the issue, because it was a simple case of a developer pulling out of a project. The residents who wanted to speak against the project

Everyone around here doesn’t want to see wall-towall rooftops

A developer recently scrapped plans to build near the Warbler Woods Bird Sanctuary, a stopover for more than 280 species of birds in Cibolo. Photo by Josh Michael

Susan schaezler

gathered at the Dec. 10 council meeting.

“It is not something the city is looking into. I think we are at a standstill,” Jackson recently said.

Robert Stricker, the city’s former director of community development services, said the developer had followed local government code up until the decision to suspend the project. Stricker was unsure if the developer will continue to pursue plans near the sanctuary.

Representatives of Investment Realty Co. were not available for comment.

“As to whether or not they intend to develop it, we haven’t heard one way or another,” Stricker said in December.

He left his position in February.

City Manager Bob Herrera also said he is unaware whether the developer will attempt again to build at that location.

1.9% for 48 months ON SELECT MODELS

Sale Price

21,680

$ Or

Lease for only

249

$

PER

MO

$1,249 TOTAL DUE FOR 36 MONTHS Model EFA. OPT 01

Up to 32 MPG HWY

“It is very difficult for cities to work outside of their zoning restrictions,” Herrera said.

Although Schaezler said her victory was somewhat circumstantial, she would like Cibolo to pursue a longrange plan for development.

“My hope for Cibolo is they start thinking about what the city looks like,” she said. “It’s sad that children grow up not seeing nature anymore.”

Herrera said the city does have a long-range master plan, and will update it later this year.

“We’ll be looking at updating it during the next budget cycle, for 2014-15,” he said. “It should be updated on a yearly basis; it’s probably been 10 years since our master plan was updated.”

MSRP $23,461, NP DISCOUNT $1,780. $249/MO 36 MOS. $1,000 + FIRST PYMT DUE AT SIGNING. 10K MILES/YR, $0 SECURITY DEPOSIT. / MODEL EFA. OPT 01 /STK#JG442745

*This Claim Is Supported By Subaru Of America 2012 Year End Sales Recap.

www.NPSUBARU.com 800.280.5780 Subaru is the ONLY 2013 FULL LINE

5 Star Top IIHS Safety Pick.

Purchase or lease any new (previously untitled) Subaru and receive a complimentary factory scheduled maintenance plan for 2 years or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first.) See Subaru Added Security Maintenance Plan for intervals, coverages and limitations. Customer must take delivery before 3/31/14 and reside within the promotional area. At participating dealers only. See dealer for program details and eligibility.

7

memory of former City Councilman Tony Wilenchik and features a 5K competitive fun run and a noncompetitive 5K walk along Schertz Parkway. All proceeds are donated to the University of Texas Health Science at San Antonio Cancer Therapy and Research Center. Registration information is available at www.visitschertz.com.

mar

15

GARDEN RIDGE WOMEN’S CLUB GARAGE SALE The

Garden Ridge Women’s Club will host its annual Garage Sale from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Garden Ridge Community Center in the Municipal Complex, 9500 Municipal Parkway, three miles west off Interstate 35 off FM 3009. The event will feature more than 60 tables inside and outside the facility.

Admission is free. For more, call event coordinator Dave Frazier at 710-6398 or email dave@geosolutionsinc.com.

15

WINDCREST FIREMAN’S GALA The third annual

through mar

DIABETES CLASSES TO BE HELD Texas A&M

mar

Windcrest Fireman’s Gala is 6-11 p.m. at the Takas Park Civic Center, 9310 Jim Seal Drive. For more, call 599-6007.

AgriLife Extension Service in Guadalupe County, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas and Institute for Public Health and Education Research are offering a series of free classes on Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes. Volunteers and other health professionals will provide the latest information on management of Type 2 diabetes. Beginning March 3, classes will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. each Monday through March at Schertz United Methodist Church, 3460 Roy Richard Drive in Schertz. Participants are expected to attend all five classes. For more, call Charla Bading at 830-379-2153.

ELSEWHERE The 16th annual Low mar Vision EXPO is 9 a.m. to

1

1 p.m. at Colonial Hills United Methodist Church, 5247 Vance Jackson Road in San Antonio.

The free event will feature more than 40 agencies and vendors providing services and devices for people with vision loss. For more, call the Low Vision Resource Center at 829-4223.

Submitting events: Email all

the details along with your contact information two months in advance to tips@salocallowdown.com.

Audit continues from pg. 01

External CISD audit expected by will wright

N

EW BRAUNFELS – A far-reaching audit by the Comal Independent School District is looking into possible discrepancies and cost duplications for architectural and construction services on projects from the district’s 2008 bond, officials said.

The results of the audit, which involves millions of dollars, may not be available until sometime in February, officials said. District officials recently said new practices are now in place that promote better efficiency.

Trustees authorized the audit two weeks after voters rejected a $451 million bond election in November.

“Our goal from this audit is twofold. First, we want to ensure that we do a proper job of thoroughly reviewing the 2008 bond projects and take care of any issues that come to light as a result,” Superintendent Andrew Kim said in a written statement.

“Second, we want to put into place the necessary procedures and safeguards to ensure that future construction projects have the proper oversight so that we do not face this same issue in the future.

“Comal ISD taxpayers and community deserve nothing less than a proper examination of this issue,” he added.

The push for the audit actually began almost a year ago in March 2013 when Helen Keaton, hired as Comal ISD’s executive director of construction and facilities, launched an internal review of documents pertaining to construction outlined in the 2008 bond.

Though the review continues, Keaton’s initial findings led her to ask board members for an outside audit.

On Nov. 21, Keaton reported discovering duplication of job costs and fees, estimated from $5 million to $7 million in the 2008 bond; the referendum itself totaled $205.5 million. She noted similar discrepancies might also have occurred in projects contained in the district’s $189.2 million 2005 bond program.

“The audit that is currently being performed is for projects in the 2008 bond,” district officials said in a prepared statement.

“At this time, an internal audit has not

Audit continues on pg. 08

8

Audit continues from pg. 07 been performed for 2005 bond projects…

(The 2008 audit) will address discrepancies which involve labor, material purchases, subcontracts and general-contractor fees.”

According to records, SHW Group, a national firm with offices in San Antonio and Austin, and Temple-based Baird Williams Construction, were awarded the lion’s share of the contracts connected with the 2008 bond. SHW designed 12 projects.

Baird Williams was chief contractor on 10 projects, including a new elementary school.

Questions associated with the school, which is being constructed on FM 306 outside of New Braunfels, led to the initial audit, Keaton said. CISD records indicate SHW received $13,316,603 of the 2008 bond money and Baird Williams about $130 million. Over the past seven years, Baird Williams, which also was the primary contractor for projects in the 2005 bond, has received $188,972,551 from the district.

After notification about Keaton’s initial findings, Kim asked district staffers to conduct “a thorough internal review, and audit of contracts and payments for the 2008 bond,

february 2014

for both Baird Williams Construction and SHW Architects,” a CISD statement said in response to a written information request by LOCAL Community News.

“The initial internal review/audit has confirmed discrepancies and weaknesses in the procurement and management of previous construction projects,” the statement said. “Processes and procedures have been modified to address those weaknesses going forward.”

During their Nov. 21 meeting, trustees hired San Antonio-based ACC Consulting Inc. to conduct the certified audit at a cost of $200,000. The district projected completing the report by Jan. 31, but that date was pushed back because more information is needed.

The audit will also review services performed by SHW and Baird Williams, CISD’s primary architect and contractor,

respectively, for seven years. CISD officials said both firms are cooperating.

The audit “at this time” won’t focus on subcontractors, officials said.

CISD officials said they began realigning the district’s overall approach to construction last summer. During its August meeting, the school board approved modifications to its constructionmanagement procedures, as well as contract procurement and bid processes.

Then in October, the board adopted “best practices” for the procurement of professional architectural, engineering and construction services – now calling for requests of qualifications and interviews with principal members of the selected firms.

Further actions will be taken following the audit, officials said.

The internal scrutiny, however, played out while district officials lobbied for community

I am extremely concerned... we have a serious problem here. david drastata, cisd board president

backing for the failed 2013 bond. A CISD statement addressed muting the review of construction projects until after elections when it said, “The internal review is a very lengthy process which has occurred over several months. This process is still ongoing...”

CISD board members haven’t commented since their Nov. 21 meeting.

“I am extremely concerned,” board President David Drastata said at the time.

“We have an obligation to understand fully what those breakdowns were, who the responsible parties were, and who wasn’t doing their job willfully or out of ignorance. We have a serious problem here.”

Trustee Jason York noted the proper audit procedures have been put into place.

“I want to make this crystal clear,” he said. “This is a problem of the past. It has taken place. It is not taking place.”

If the audit indicates the district has been slighted, Keaton said there are several options to recoup losses, including arbitration and mediation.

“We want to have the auditing functions in place so these things don’t happen,” she said. “It is highly unlikely we’ll get 100 percent of it back, but there are some stipulations in the contracts.”

THURSDAY MARCH 20, 2014 THE AMMO GROUP PRESENTS AN EVENING WITH THE

LIVE AT THE BRAUNTEX

7:30 P.M.

PURCHASE TICKETS AT

BRAUNTEX.ORG

10

Primary continues from pg. 01

Wide-open race for Bexar County commissioner 9 councilwoman who stepped down this fall to run; Novak is a former Bexar County commissioner.

The fiercely contested race for District 25 is among several voters will consider when casting primary ballots on March 4.

“That’s probably one of the more interesting races we’ve got in the city and county and region,” said Henry Flores, who holds a distinguished professor’s seat in political science at St. Mary’s University. “All three (candidates) are politically astute.”

Flores said each GOP candidate is well funded, making the outcome hinge on who comes across as the most conservative.

Other noteworthy runs include nine hopefuls from both parties in a crowded field to succeed Bexar County Precinct 4 Commissioner Tommy Adkisson, a Democrat who is trying to unseat longtime

february 2014

County Judge Nelson Wolff, a fellow Dem. District 25 cuts a large swath through six counties – parts of Bexar, Guadalupe, Travis and Hays counties and all of Comal and Kendall. In 2012, Campbell upset longtime incumbent Jeff Wentworth of San Antonio in the GOP primary before swamping Democrat Daniel Boone in the general election.

Because of redistricting, Campbell seeks re-election two years early for the usual four-year term. If she wins the primary, she’ll again face Boone, the lone Democratic candidate. Most expect the GOP winner to retain the District 25 seat, when the Legislature convenes in January 2015.

Campbell, an emergency-room doctor with strong tea-party ties, was a political newcomer before toppling Wentworth.

Novak touts his credentials as a solid business and community leader. Chan, co-owner of Unintech on San Antonio’s North Side, was a three-term councilwoman but also ran into some trouble last summer when a secret recording revealed her making unfavorable comments about gays.

“Campbell has the power of being the incumbent and she’s very well organized,” Flores said. “Novak has a lot of roots in

Enthusiastic GOP supporters attended a Jan. 27 debate featuring Texas Senate candidates Dr. Donna Campbell, Elisa Chan and Mike Novak. Photos by Josh Michael

11

salocallowdown.com

Members of the audience attending the Jan. 27 Texas Senate GOP candidate forum ask questions about the upcoming March 4 primary. Photo by Josh Michael

that (area), and a very good fundraiser, so he’s going to be very competitive, and I think Chan is also very well organized and has good money behind her.”

The Jan. 27 debate, held at the San Antonio Firefighters Banquet Hall and streamed live on the Internet, contained popular conservative talking points, though the candidates’ approaches differed.

Each said parents should have more say where their children attended schools.

Each railed against light rail and streetcars in downtown San Antonio and tolling existing roadways. All agreed government

I would give campbell the advantage - only because she’s the incumbent henry flores, st. mary’s university

should not obstruct business expansion, and businesses should partner in aiding community programs, but remain free from restrictions inhibiting economic growth.

Each came out in favor of Texas’ Voter ID law and united in their distaste of Obamacare.

Campbell cited and defended her record, Chan attacked Campbell’s record, and Novak took the middle road. Flores said they would likely take the same approach in debates and forums leading up to the primary.

“I think (Novak) is the more mainstream

conservative of the three,” he said. “Chan’s attacks are typical of an underdog – and I think that’s the way she sees herself in this election. Somehow she’s got to find a hole in (Campbell’s) armor and go for it, and she has to pursue that tactic.”

Flores said Chan’s comments against homosexuality – which created a national stir – might be her Achilles heel.

“Her only weakness is all those circumstances she left City Council with – the question is whether or not the opposition will pick up on it and use it against her in the campaign,” he said.

Both Novak and Chan face uphill battles, Flores said, but either could win if the race goes to a runoff.

“I would give Campbell the advantage – only because she’s the incumbent,” Flores said. “She has good name recognition in the district, and has already had one term to get to know her constituency a lot more than the other two, who are having to meet new groups of people.”

Meanwhile, several candidates from both parties are seeking to succeed Adkisson, who served 15 years as a county commissioner. Tommy Calvert Jr., Nicole Elizalde, Joaquin Gonzales, Debra Guerrero, Richard Moore and Sheila McNeil are the Democrats; the Republicans are Reinette King Alecozay, Alan Baxter and Tim Wilson.

Guerrero is a San Antonio Independent School District board member and former San Antonio councilwoman. Gonzalez, a great-nephew of late U.S. Rep. Henry B. Gonzalez, is a legislative director for state Rep. Philip Cortez, while McNeil

Primary continues on pg. 13

Now HiriNg ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

• benefits • commissions • salary

mANAgEmENT OppOrTUNITIEs

(210) 338-8842

or email rupton@salocallowdown.com

www.salocallowdown.com

12

Stadium continues from pg. 01

Construction at facility to begin next fall by eric j. weilbacher

S

CHERTZ – In the 2015-16 school year, Clemens and Steele high school athletes in football, track and field will get to compete in a rejuvenated Lehnhoff Stadium, as opposed to its current antiquated state.

During its monthly meeting in December, the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District board approved almost $2.5 million for improvements at the venue, which will sport a new track surface, press-box upgrades and perhaps other items.

The district will use money from its fund balance to pay for the improvements.

The stadium, located on the Clemens High School campus, is named for longtime Clemens coach and former athletic director Robert Lehnhoff, and

february 2014

his wife Glenda, who dedicated most of their careers to SCUCISD athletics.

Wayne Pruski, SCUCISD’s executive director of operations, said construction won’t begin until after both high schools complete regular-season football games this fall.

The decision to revitalize has been years in the making. The board considered enhancements as far back as 2008, only to abandon the idea. At that time, school officials were considering spending the same amount to modernize the press box at the venue, now 48 years old.

“The track itself is part of routine maintenance,” said Superintendent Greg Gibson. “Every five to 10 years the entire track needs to be replaced.”

Fran Badrak, the district’s director

Our Athletes, band and community will benefit Fran Badrak, scucisd

Upgrades to the track and press box at Lehnhoff Stadium, home to Clemens and Steele high school athletic teams, are scheduled as part of a $2.5 million makeover. Photo by Josh Michael

of extracurricular activities, said due to the condition of the track at the stadium, meets usually held at Clemens will be hosted at Steele this year.

“The impact on our athletes, band and community that use the track, as well as our cheerleaders, will benefit from

a good, safe environment,” he said.

Badrak said the current seating capacity is 6,200, but when temporary bleachers are added, the stadium can hold as many as 7,000 fans. Gibson said permanent seating will not be increased – despite the additional traffic generated by two Class 6A high schools.

13

salocallowdown.com

“We decided against the seating at this time,” Gibson said, noting only two or three football games each year lead to the kind of turnouts that demand additional seats for elbow-rubbing fans at the stadium.

Pruski said expanding the press box will absorb most of the project’s costs. An elevator will be installed – in part to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act – and its overall area will increase from 900 to 1,900 square feet. Under the 2008 proposal, the press-box dimensions would have expanded to more than 4,000 square feet.

“It will reflect the values of the district,” Pruski said of the current plan, noting that it will add space and allow for future needs without the frills associated with a grandiose press box.

The new, larger press box will have air conditioning, something the current structure has lacked.

“That’s been a long time coming,” Badrak said.

The expected price tag of nearly $2.5 million was derived from a feasibility study performed by Austin-based O’Connell Robertson Architects. The firm projected the cost to strip and replace the 9-year-old track surface at $675,000 and upgrades to the press box, which would also feature separate rooms for coaches, announcers, scouts and others, are slated to cost $1.3 million. The press-box refurbishment is roughly half the cost of the 2008 proposal.

If money permits, the stadium’s 13-year-old scoreboard and sound system will also be replaced, though the cost of those renovations – projected at an additional $180,000 – would also come from the district’s fund balance.

“Buildings serve the scope of their life, and this one definitely has,” Pruski said.

Primary continues from pg. 11 is a former San Antonio councilwoman.

Wilson is the mayor of Kirby and Baxter recently won his second term as mayor of Windcrest. Both say their leadership experience in those municipalities would best serve Precinct 4.

“Each one of these candidates has a particular base (within) Precinct 4,” Flores observed of both races, which he predicts will see runoffs. “It’s going to be up to whoever gets their base out (to vote). It might be that the organizational (campaign) structures and skill of the candidates that make the difference in this one.”

Then there’s Adkisson, who has a formidable challenge in supplanting Wolff, the longstanding county judge and former San Antonio mayor regarded as a community institution. It’ll be Adkisson’s second attempt to become county judge. He won the Democratic nomination in 1992, only to lose

the general election to Cyndi Taylor Krier.

“I think Tommy (is running) because he thought it might be his only opportunity for a shot at county judge,” Flores said. “The next time around (in 2018), there will be some younger candidates who’ll want to take a shot at it.

“But I don’t think he will be successful.

Nelson Wolff is an icon in this area.

He’s always had integrity and appeals to voters in both parties. He hasn’t let being a Democrat get in his way. He’s been on the Commissioners Court, and before that (San Antonio) mayor, on the City Council and the state House and Senate – he’s been around for a long time.”

The primary winner will face either GOP nominee Carlton Soules, who stepped down Jan. 30 as the San Antonio District 10 council representative, or Gerald Ponce in November’s general election.

Deck & Patio Care

by Barry Hagendorf

Restore Your Wood & Flagstone to Its Natural Beauty Barry Hangendorf, the leading authority on deck and patio care in South Texas, has been cleaning and sealing decks for more than 20 years.

Q: Why does my wooden deck looks so bad?

A: According to Architectural Digest, unprotected wood only last for 9-14 years.

I recommend that you clean the wood on your deck and seal it with an oil-based penetrating sealer.

Q. What Sealer do you recommend?

A: My preference, after many years of trial

and error research, is Barry’s Own Premium Blend. It is an oil- based penetrating sealer that is designed to look for dry cell structure in the wood. It will penetrate first to the bottom of the cracks, nail holes and knots.

Barry’s Premium Blend will protect from the surface down, stabilizing the cell structure of the wood. Decks Properly cared for can last 30- 50 years.

As a LOCAL Community News reader, you are entitled to a $60 discount on any scheduled deck or patio service offered by Barry Hagendorf’s Deck & Patio Care. Call 210.822.9147 for a free estimate

14

february 2014

BUY LOCAL

Learn more about newest purveyors of goods and services in your area.

Pawderosa Ranch caters to man’s best friends by eric moreno

S

CHERTZ – Roughly half of the estimated 160 million pet owners in America have a dog, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

A growing number of dog owners, and love for man’s best friend, motivate the entrepreneurs behind Pawderosa Ranch Doggie Play and Stay at 7 Commercial Place.

Co-owners Kim Smith and Mike Mitchell founded the original Pawderosa Ranch near San Antonio International Airport in 2006, and opened the Schertz location two years later. Both said they wanted to do something different at their second spot.

“We created an awesome lofty,

rustic feel,” Smith said. “We think it talks Texan and is a cut above the rest. We also think Schertz is a pretty rad city, and has a great dogfriendly, family culture about it.”

While boarding and kenneling isn’t a new business strategy, Pawderosa adds a social dimension for its guests.

“Our goal is to make sure that dogs have a fun and safe place to stay when their parents have to work long hours or travel out of town,” Mitchell said.

Also available at Pawderosa are bathing and grooming (Pawdicures), pickup and delivery services (Waggin’ Wheels), and convenient airportshuttle assistance (Wag N Fly).

“Our staff is what has made us

successful, They truly love each and every dog that comes in the door, and treat them as if they were their own.”

Smith offered this anecdote to illustrate Pawderosa’s approach to creating a pooch paradise: “A couple of years ago we had a client who was being deployed to Afghanistan and she needed to board her two dogs for four months.

When she came back to pick them up after 120 days of boarding, she said: ‘Hey girls, you’re exactly the same as when I dropped you off.’”

Pawderosa Ranch is open 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

A canine receives a scrub down during his stay at Pawderosa Ranch Doggie Play and Stay in Schertz. Photo by Josh Michael

Pawderosa Ranch Doggie Play and Stay 7 Commercial Place, Schertz For more, call 566-4222 or visit www. pawderosaranch.com.

15

salocallowdown.com

EAT LOCAL

Learn about the newest neighborhood places for breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks.

Bracken Store Café: Big burgers in a small town by will wright

B

RACKEN – Nestled in the middle of town, there’s an eatery very few outsiders have noticed – one where good food mixes with good memories.

Bracken Store Café, 18415 Bracken Drive, has been around since the 1930s.

Originating as Roland Heitkamp’s general store, present owner Linda Waggoner couldn’t be prouder of her operation.

“I’ve been here 26 years and have owned (the café) for 14 years – so this is nothing new to me,” Waggoner said of her time-capsule diner, which on the outside still resembles the rustic corner store.

Inside, photos of Bracken’s past line a wall, vintage license plates hang from the rafters, antique signs

are common and there’s even the old-time Wurlitzer jukebox.

The café serves as a reminder of what used to be – though little has really changed.

“I’ve seen everyone grow up here,” Waggoner said. “Back then, it was just all the locals (as customers). Now, they come from all the subdivisions – and this used to be the boonies.”

The menu doesn’t get fancy, offering half-pound hamburgers, a variety of sandwiches, hot dogs, salads, fish and shrimp entrees, french fries and onion rings. Most cost under $7.

There’s also fried, hand-breaded catfish every Friday evening.

Waggoner said the half-pound Bracken Cheese Burger is her top seller, with her

Bean and Frito Burger a close second.

Waggoner said her place is proof there’s still the love for an old-fashioned eatery, as more newcomers are sampling the fare while enjoying the small-town atmosphere.

“Somehow they find us,” she said of her customers, including one diner from across the pond. “A guy always comes in from England, and every time he visits he signs the guest book.”

“Our motto is ‘Big Burgers in a Small Town,’ and that’s what we’ve always done,” she added.

Bracken Store Café is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. No credit cards accepted.

A half-pound Bracken Cheese Burger (top) is the hottest seller at the Bracken Store Café, where antique clocks, thermometers (below) and old license plates adorn the walls.

Photos by Josh Michael

Bracken Store Cafe 18415 Bracken Drive, Bracken For more, call 651-6515 or visit www.brackenstore.com or go to BrackenStoreCafe/Facebook.

16

february 2014

Live LOCAL From real estate trends and neighborhood listings to home improvement, we’ve got you covered.

SA housing has best sales year since 2006 Median sales prices mostly up in north I-35 corridor cities

by Travis e. poling

W

ith 23,390 homes sold in 2013, San Antonio recorded its best year for home sales since 2006, thanks to economic growth in the region and the state, according to statistics from the San Antonio Board of Realtors.

In 2006, more than 25,000 houses were sold in the city. By 2010, due to the mortgage crisis, economic downturn, low consumer confidence, layoffs and an unwillingness of financial institutions to lend money, fewer than 18,000 sales were recorded.

San Antonio’s 2013 sales total was up 17 percent from 2012.

Median sales inventory in San Antonio and the surrounding area also continued to recover, as the supply of houses for sale dipped to 4.2 months in December, also the area’s lowest since 2006. missy stagers “Anytime 2014 SABOR Chairwoman the inventory

Anytime the inventory is less than about six months, we consider it a seller’s market

is less than about six months, we consider it a seller’s market,” said Missy Stagers, 2014 SABOR chairwoman.

Median sales prices for homes sold in 2013 hit $170,200, compared to $140,000 in 2006. It has risen each year since 2009.

During SABOR’s Housing Forecast symposium in January, Mark Dotzour, chief economist for the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, said job growth, wage increases and affordable mortgage rates were the keys to rising home sales in the region.

The number of closed sales in the 78108 ZIP code in December rose to 41, up by 11 compared to the same month in the previous year, according to data from the Texas Market Trends Report. Median sales price rose by 18.1 percent to $197,000.

In 78132, the median price climbed 13 percent to $360,000, and closed sales dropped by eight, to 21 for the month.

There was increased inventory in that area, too, with 9.6 months of inventory supply compared to 5.4 months a year earlier.

Houses sold in the 78154 area experienced a 12.8 percent rise in the median price to $175,000. Closed sales were up by two, to 38 for the month.

Closed sales rose by one to 13 in the 78266 area, where the median sales price took a dive in December to $225,000, almost half the median price in December 2012.

Recent

PROPERTY LISTINGS

zip codes: 78109, 78148, 78233, 78239

Street Address

List Price

SQ. FT.

Built

BR

FB

Zip

7252 River Rd

$259,000

896

2002

2

2

78132

306 Mitchell Ave

$84,900

864

1953

2

1

78154

334 Sorenstam Way

$256,000

2,998

2008

5

3

78108

308 Fritz Way

$255,000

2,600

2010

5

3

78108

3620 Sumter Glade

$202,758

2,820

1999

4

2

78154

2718 Cedar Rdg

$254,000

2,197

2013

4

2

78132

2701 Cedar Rdg

$259,000

2,584

2013

4

2

78132

2714 Cedar Rdg

$274,000

2,584

2013

4

2

78132

133 Brook Shire

$239,900

2,760

2007

4

3

78108

524 Brook Shadow

$259,900

3,134

2010

5

3

78108

Real Estate LOCAL Trends ZIP Code Median sold price New listings Average days on market Closed sales Under contract Months supply of inventory

78109

78148

78233

78239

Dec-12

$166,800

$319,000

$155,200

$402,500

DEC-13

$197,000

$360,000

$175,000

$225,000

Dec-12

33

32

24

5

DEC-13

54

26

37

7

Dec-12

134

94

104

112

DEC-13

76

112

70

102

Dec-12

30

29

36

12

DEC-13

41

21

38

13

Dec-12

35

20

27

7

DEC-13

40

14

21

4

Dec-12

5.4

5.4

4

3.9

DEC-13

4.3

9.6

3.5

2.2

Source: San Antonio Board of Realtors: Texas Market Trends report The properties are new listings put on the market from Jan. 16-Feb. 1 2014. The properties may no longer be on the market by publication date or prices may have changed. Local Community News assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.

Find more LOCAL deals online at salocallowdown.com

LOCAL DEALS 18

february 2014

LOCAL DEALS

Discover the city through LOCAL deals from restaurants, retailers and services in your community, and save money while you do it!

210.338.8842

www.salocallowdown.com

LOCAL DEALS

{f eat ured picks}

Find more LOCAL deals online at salocallowdown.com

19

salocallowdown.com

*****ECR WSS Postal Customer

Prsrt Std US Postage Paid Permit 6450 San Antonio TX

COMMUNITY NEWS

4204 gardendale Ste. 201 SAN ANTONIO, TX 78229