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BROUGHT
City Council Michael Carpenter Mayor Mark Davis Councilmember Ralph Gutierrez Councilmember Scott Larson Councilmember Cedric Edwards Councilmember Robin Thompson Councilmember Angelina Kiser Councilmember Bert Crawford Councilmember
Executive Team John Kessel City Manager Brian James Executive Director Dudley Wait Executive Director Kyle Kinateder Executive Director Sarah Gonzalez Assistant to the City Manager
VOLUME 33 ISSUE 4 33 Years and counting...!
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY Public Affairs Department Linda Klepper Public Affairs Director Melissa Geedman Communications Manager Devan Flores Marketing & Communications Specialist Alexis Souza Graphic Design Contributing Staffers Erin Matlock Office Manager Mary Spence Events Manager
Contributing Writers
Chuck McCollough, Lucille Sims Thomas, Richard Erickson, Allyson Ortegon, Claudia Pharr, Emily Wallen, Kari Bridges, Jim Webb, Stan Leland, Wendy Kinkade, Taryn McGillivray, Aubrey Parke, Kiko Martinez, Rudy Arispe, Mike Harris, Chris Meek, Tom Lovett, Shelby Adelsen
Contributing Photographers
Chuck McCollough, Mary Spence, Joshua Nolden, Mary Oakes, Diana Webb, Emily Wallen, Bella Cheney, Mike Harris, Beverly McCollough, Ross Dye, Michael Carpenter, Joe Herczeg, Kari Bridges, Catherine White, Elizabeth Leland, Rudy Ornelas, Samuel Rhodes, Linda Klepper, Amanda Mercer, Calvin True, Elysia Santoya, Alyson Garcia, Erin True, Lisa Green, Kaylie Kennedy, Mike Bowers, Fiona Scoggin, Ethan Bookout, Terrell Mitchell, Cindy Kelleher, Aaron Davis, Mac’y Patterson, Stacey Lovett, Greg Martin Schertz Magazine is published monthly by the Public Affairs Department of the City of Schertz promoting city, community, and business activities. Our mailing address is 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154. Š City of Schertz, Texas The editorial office of Schertz Magazine is at 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154. Call (210) 619-1630. Fax (210) 619-1619. Website is schertz.com and schertzmagazine.com
OFFICIAL FINE PRINT
Send queries about articles or photographs to Schertz Magazine at events@schertz.com. For advertising information call (210) 619-1630 or email sales@schertz.com. NEWS POLICY Schertz Magazine encourages submission of news and event announcement items. News and event announcements must include contact name and contact phone number. All news and event items must be for activities that occur inside the Schertz city limits. Publication cannot be guaranteed. If you would like to submit an item to Schertz Magazine, email us at events@schertz.com or call us at (210) 619-1630. The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the City of Schertz. All products and services advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, political affiliation or other non-merit factor of purchaser, user or patron. Articles that appear in Schertz Magazine do not necessarily reflect the official position of the City of Schertz and does not constitute an endorsement therein. The appearance of any advertisement in Schertz Magazine does not constitute an endorsement of the goods or services advertised. Any publication of Schertz Magazine, whether draft or final is sole property of the City of Schertz and cannot be reproduced or distributed in any way, whether in print or electronically, without the express permission and written consent of the City of Schertz.
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Melissa Geedman
artin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” This quote kind of struck me as I was reflecting on the various topics in the May issue of Schertz Magazine.
Even simple gestures like giving spare cans of food and other non-perishable food items can make a serious impact in someone’s life. Read about two food drive opportunities coming up in May in and around the community.
It’s often easy to oversee the large and small acts of kindness and dedication people give to one another. My hope is that we can connect as a community by coming together and providing service to each other. In this issue, you’ll learn about the many on-going and upcoming ways to get involved and provide service to your community. The Community Volunteer Fair just passed; however, you can still reach out to the various organizations who participated at the event to find a special way you can make a difference and share your service.
Not only does May reflect on volunteer opportunities, but it also values and raises awareness to the services provided from our City’s finest. May recognizes National Police Week, National EMS Week and National Public Works Week. Join myself and the City as we honor our brothers and sisters in blue, EMTs and paramedics who save lives daily, and the hard-working crews who diligently work to improve the streets and water systems in Schertz. These people sacrifice a lot for us and deserve some incredible recognition.
Another opportunity for you to get involved is at the Community Clean Up Day in an effort to Love Where You Live. This community service event enriches the lives of those who are unable to assist themselves. You’ll be helping with various home improvement and landscaping projects in the Heritage/ Historical neighborhood.
I’ll leave you with this quote to remember throughout the month of May. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Our community is surrounded by individuals who lose themselves in service to others every single day…that’s a pretty incredible thing!
Melissa Geedman Communications Manager
SCHERTZMAGAZINE.COM
Schertz' New K-9 Dog
26 A Day in the Life of a Schertz Paramedic
29 Thanking Those Who Serve Us Locally
DEPARTMENTS TALK OF THE TOWN Update 4 Parks & Rec 10 Library 16 Visions / Chamber 18 CIVIC NEWS Updates
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COVER
Medor and his handler, Officer Jason Hanley
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So Many Volunteers, So Many Opportunities The City of Schertz hosted a Community Volunteer Fair on Thursday, April 13 providing the community with an opportunity to meet with local non-profit agencies and seek volunteer opportunities. The fair was free and open to the public. Over thirty vendors came out to the Schertz Civic Center in hopes of attracting some new volunteers. Some of the vendors who participated included YMCA, Homes for Pets, Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program, Schertz Parks & Recreation, Guadalupe County Children’s Advocacy Center, RACAP and more! If you missed the Community Volunteer Fair but are interested in volunteering, contact us at (210) 619-1030.
TALK OF THE TOWN
Easter in the Park Egg-ceptional Fun By Chuck McCollough The Schertz-Cibolo Lions Club Easter in the Park provided a perfect opportunity for pint-size egg hunters on Saturday, April 15. The free event, held in Pickrell Park and sponsored by H-E-B, is in its eighth year and featured pictures with the Easter Bunny, 10,000 eggs, 250 prizes within those eggs and hundreds of laughing and excited children. The photo ops for cute pics were off the chart.
The egg hunts started with the smallest participants – crawlers – some of whom moved pretty fast to get the brightly colored eggs on a large brightly colored surface surrounded with parents. To the delight of spectators some of the crawlers seemed more interested in chasing someone their own size than the plastic eggs.
The perennial party is a community service that the club looks forward to putting on each year, said S-C Lions Club President Fredy Degollado.
The egg hunts were staggered by time and ages (1 to 10) and produced a laugh-filled hour of activity and hundreds of photos. Sometimes it was harder to tell who was more excited and having more fun – the children or their parents.
“This is a great family fun event that runs 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM the Saturday before Easter. We expect between 800 to 1,000 people here today and we have plenty of eggs so all the children get something. This event has grown each year and our Lions Club is thrilled to host it,” he said.
New Braunfels residents Martin Croughin, his wife and their son, 4, and daughter, 3, were enjoying their first Easter in the Park in Schertz. “We heard about it and everyone is excited especially the kids. We will definitely come again,” he said as the children laughed with delight.
Degollado said two special groups helped the Club with the event this year. “We had great help from the Leos – the Lions Club youth organization – and members of the Key Clubs at Clemens and Steele High School.”
Easter in the Park also included vision screening by the Lions Club and information stations by local health providers and service groups like the Boys Scouts and food vendors.
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TALK OF THE TOWN
Schertz Magazine All Over the Map
Ryan and Melanie Olson took their Schertz Magazine to Belize City.
The map above shows just some of the places Schertz Magazine has traveled! Take your copy of Schertz Magazine when you travel and take a highresolution photo of the magazine and you in front of a recognizable place and send to events@schertz.com. You might just make it into the magazine.
Verlin, Jodie, and Alexus Garrett went to Disney World with their Schertz Magazine.
Mary O'Sullivan took Schertz Magazine to Phebe, Liberia during a Peace Corps mission.
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Elizabeth Strong visited Montmorency Falls in QuĂŠbec City, Canada with her Schertz Magazine. (Right) Steve Bissell took his Schertz Magazine to New York City.
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TALK OF THE TOWN
Green Valley Elementary School Named Lighthouse School Green Valley Elementary School has become the first SCUC campus to earn designation as a FranklinCovey certified Lighthouse School. The campus was visited by two Franklin Covey reviewers as part of the bid on February 24, 2017. The Leader in Me Lighthouse School title is awarded by FranklinCovey to honor the attainment of a well-rounded leadership model. Lighthouse Schools in turn serve as models of leadership and mentors to other schools. Content from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a key component of the overall Leader in Me process, teaching principles such as responsibility, vision, integrity, teamwork, collaboration and renewal. Reviewers Janice McCartan and Sara Sutter spent the day meeting with the Green Valley student Lighthouse team as well as making random visits to classrooms to observe how leadership is integrated into the curriculum and instruction. Two students from each grade level also shared their respective leadership notebooks with the Lighthouse review team. Green Valley and Sippel Elementary School are the two SCUC campuses certified as Leader in Me campuses, which teaches 21st century leadership and life skills to students and creates a culture of student empowerment based on the idea that every child can be a leader.
RACAP's 4th Annual Food Drive Hanson Aggregates – Servtex Quarry is organizing its 4th annual food drive for the Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program (RACAP), a Schertz-based food pantry serving portions of Comal, Guadalupe and Bexar counties. The food drive helps stock the pantry for summer, which is the busiest season for RACAP, when children don’t have access to regular nutritious meals through school. Donations can be dropped off at Schertz City Hall, 1400 Schertz Parkway, from May 15 - 19 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Items in high demand canned meats, peanut butter and jelly, 1-2 lb. bags of rice and dried beans and other shelf-stable items. For more information, please contact Hanson Aggregates – Servtex Quarry at (210) 658-7461.
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CRESCENT BEND CORNER
Join us at Crescent Bend Nature Park for the next Birding Walk on May 23 from 8:00 to 11:00 AM. Meet in the first parking lot with leader Sandi Wheeler for a walk through the park to learn about the bird life. Bring your binoculars, cameras, water, and snacks. All ages and all levels are welcome to participate – from beginners to expert birders.
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Mu ic M vies In The Park and
MOVIES IN THE PARK
Saturday, May 6, 2017 • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Get your groove on with Soulful Flow Jazz Band in our next Music in the Park on Saturday, May 6 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM in Pickrell Park. Bring your blankets and chairs and stretch out under the shade of our beautiful oak trees to enjoy an afternoon of fun for the whole family. The kids can build their own trumpet at our Arts & Crafts station and have some fun with some musical instruments. An ice cream cart will be available.
Saturday, June 3, 2017 • 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Aargh Matey! Join us for a treasure trove of fun at Pickrell Park on Saturday, June 3 from 6:00 to 10:00 PM. We will have a Pirate Pool Party at Pickrell Pool with free admission (150 maximum) and will show Pirates! The Band of Misfits on the big screen in the park. Climb aboard the pirate ship hayride for an adventure on the high seas, enter our Best-Dressed Pirate Costume Contest and have your picture taken with the Pirate mascot from Park University. The free kids activities will be available throughout the evening and concessions will be available for purchase.
2017 CALENDAR May 6 – Music in the Park featuring Soulful Flow Jazz Band June 3 – The Pirates! Band of Misfits and Pirate Pool Party (Free pool admission to the first 150 guests) October 28 – Hotel Transylvania 2 and Trunk or Treat Photo courtesy of Park University
December 9 – Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000 version)
CALLING ALL SCOUTING GROUPS! Schertz Parks & Recreation has regular volunteer opportunities for you to gain service hours. From planting a tree - to helping with special events – there is something for all age levels. The department also has many Eagle Scout Project opportunities available. Contact the Parks & Recreation Office for more information at 210-619-1850, or email lshrum@schertz.com.
STAY INFORMED!
Follow us on Facebook at cityofschertz and cityofschertzparksandrecreation
WE WANT YOUR BEST SHOT!
Use #SchertzParksandRec when posting to Instagram and share your Schertz Parks pictures with us.
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TALK OF THE TOWN
Movie in the Park was a Homerun By Emily Wallen
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On Saturday, April 8, the Schertz Parks and Recreation department hosted an outdoor movie night for children and families of all ages. As an installment to the Music and Movies in the Park series, Field of Dreams was played on an inflatable screen at the Schertz Ballpark as moviegoers were able to take in the full atmosphere of the movie from the comfort of the infield. Local residents were invited to bring blankets, chairs, and
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picnics and join in on some family fun. Along with the movie, a hayride and baseball themed crafts and games were provided to make the night memorable. Many local children donned their BVYA baseball attire to spend the night in style and even played catch with plush baseballs provided by The Crossvine before the start of the movie. The event was a perfect way to celebrate the current
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baseball season and provide a night out of entertainment and fun for the community. This event was the second installment of the Music and Movies in the park series and the first of the movies category. The next music event will be the Soulful Flow Jazz Band on May 6 and next movie will be The Pirates! Band of Misfits on June 3.
TALK OF THE TOWN
Rose Garden Elementary School Breaks Ground A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site of the new Rose Garden Elementary School replacement campus on March 21, 2017. The campus, under construction off Schaefer Road and less than half a mile from Corbett Junior High School, is part of the 2016 Bond, passed overwhelmingly by voters in November. It is projected to open in August of 2018. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Greg Gibson was joined by six SCUC Board Trustees in the first turning of the sod. Rose Garden faculty, staff and current students had an opportunity to turn over dirt, as did Chamber President Maggie Titterington
and employees of Joeris, general contractor for the project. “We look forward to Rose Garden Elementary School being here,” said Dr. Gibson told the dignitaries in attendance, including numerous members of Team One on hand to lend their support. “When it’s complete, it will have 155,000 square feet under one roof.” The current Rose Garden campus, located in Universal City, was built in 1961. SCUC Board President Gary Inmon thanked voters for their support on the $137 million referendum, which will also allow the school district to
renovate Samuel Clemens High School. “That’s a testament to the public and our citizens who vote for our bonds and help support this community and our schools,” Inmon said. The replacement of aging HVAC units at three campuses, new school buses and increased technology infrastructure are other components of the bond. “It means so much to our staff and our students,” said Sherri Schlather, Rose Garden Elementary School principal. “We’re so looking forward to this new building, new facilities and new amenities. We’re so excited for August 18 (2018) to get here. We can almost skip a
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year and it would be all right with us.” Other dignitaries in attendance included: John Kessel, Schertz City Manager; Lisa Wood, City of Schertz Director of Planning; Mark Sunderman, President, Schertz Bank & Trust; Gary Joeris, CEO of Joeris General Contractors; John Castevens, President, Joeris General Contractors; Gault Robinson, Project Executive; Michael Capizzi, Project Superintendent; Janet Dusek, Project Manager; Allen Linskog, CEC Engineers; Mari Zapata, SCUCISD Construction Manager.
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MAY EVENTS Did you know…the library has digital magazines available for download? Zinio, the world’s largest newsstand, offers full color, interactive digital magazines for your enjoyment. Through our website, patrons have access to our library’s collection of popular titles with no holds, no checkout periods, and no limit to the number of magazines you can download and view on most Internet-enabled devices inside or outside of the library. New issues are released simultaneously with the print edition and are ready for immediate download. Previous issues of a publication are available for check- out, too, and go back as far as the library subscribed to the publication. If a publication no longer has new issues (no longer publishing or no longer subscribed by the library – the back issues of the publication will still be available for check out.) The library currently has a collection of 22 titles. Better Homes and Gardens, ESPN, Newsweek, Cosmopolitan, Mental Floss, and Food Network Magazine are just a few of the popular titles available. Apps are now available for iPad, iPhone, Android, and Kindle Fire/HD/ HDX. Click on the logo to get started! If you have any questions, contact the library (210) 619-1700.
The Big Give... Help us make history. We need your help! We need you to tell your friends and family members about the important work we do and ask them to join us in helping to make a difference. Get ready to give! On May 4, starting at 12:00 AM midnight, visit www.givegab.com and make a donation to us (Schertz Library Foundation) and/or to any of the great participating nonprofit organizations in our state. You will have 24 hours to make your donation, and all giving will end at 11:59 PM on May 4.
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Homeschool Companion The Homeschool Companion is a new monthly program at the library that will meet on the first Wednesday of the month. Our gathering is Wednesday, May 10 from 2:00 to 3:30 PM. If you are interested in learning more about home schooling, would like to find out what the library has to offer your home schooling family, have mentoring skills to offer, or just want to find some new home schooling families to join up with... come to the Homeschool Companion gathering! We will meet in the Children's Program Room.
Summer Reading Club Coming Soon “Build a Better World” is the theme of Schertz Public Library’s annual summer reading program set to begin with our Open House Registration Day on Friday, June 2nd from 12:00 to 3:00 PM. The library summer reading club is for all ages and will run from June 2 - July 28. Patrons are invited to read a new book, try a new craft, meet new people, and learn about new places. All programs are free of charge. For more information call the library at (210) 619-1700 or visit our website at schertzlibrary.org
Coming Soon! A Mini Golf Course inside the library! During our annual Summer Reading Program at the Schertz Public Library, the Schertz Library Foundation is sponsoring Tee Off for the Library, a mini golf fundraiser event inside the library. The mini course will be open on Saturday, June 24 at 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and will give residents of the community an opportunity to experience the library in a new exciting way together. This will be a family-fun event for all ages! All proceeds from this event will help the library complete an innovative technology upgrade to the Online Public Access Catalog! The Foundation is also looking for golf hole sponsors and silent auction donations for this event. If you or your organization can assist, please contact the library (210) 619-1700 or email librarian@schertz.com.
The Chamber Calendar May 16
Chamber Luncheon Join us for our Chamber's monthly luncheon when our guest speaker, Facebook Ad Expert Nexo Revolution will speak about how in the last four years, they have managed over $1 .3 million dollars in Facebook Adspend and how to take your business sales goals to the next level. The luncheon is from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, at the Schertz Civic Center (1400 Schertz Parkway). General Admission is $28 and $18 for our Members that pre-pay or $20 at the door. RSVP deadline is May 9th. Please call 210.619.1950 to RSVP and pre-pay.
May 18
Chamber Mixer Hosted by Houlihan’s in Live Oak Join us from 5:30 – 7:00 PM for our Monthly Chamber Mixer hosted by Houlihan’s! Food, beverages and a chance for Members to win Chamber Cash! General Admission is $10 and free to Members of The Chamber.
No Coffee at The Chamber in May Due to Memorial Day on Monday May 29th, there will be no Coffee with The Chamber on Friday May 26. See you next month on June 30!
SAVE THE DATE: Home Living Showcase Mark your calendars for the 3rd annual Home Living Showcase on June 24th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Schertz Civic Center. Naming Sponsor GVEChome, Presenting Sponsors CertaPro Painters and Lowe’s Home Improvement and Bag Sponsor RE/MAX Corridor invite you to experience over 50 of our area’s best home and lawn professionals. FREE admission and FREE parking!
Our Mission is to Serve, Promote and Enhance Economic Success! 1730 Schertz Parkway Schertz Texas 78154 210-619-1950
membership@thechamber.info www.thechamber.info
TALK OF THE TOWN
PIE Food Drive
Positively Influencing Communities This summer, the Positively Influencing Everyone (PIE) Club from Clemens High School and Universal City UMC will be helping financially challenged families with children attending Rose Garden Elementary School. To kick-off the program, the families will be invited to an event where they’ll receive a food pack of fresh produce and nutritional non-perishable items.
that over 4,000 students in the SCUCISD receive free or reduced-fee meals during the school year, but can often lack resources for adequate food during the breaks, the Clemens PIE students decided to do something to help. They received a grant from Team Up Challenge and in December invited 385 families from Wilder Intermediate School to receive a food pack when the Christmas break began.
After seeing the difference they made and how much they were able to help others, the members of the Clemens PIE Club decided to continue their efforts and planned the summer program with Rose Garden. The program is asking for nutritional non-perishable items including oatmeal, quinoa, rice, peanut butter, almond milk, soup, canned vegetables, canned tuna,
spaghetti sauce, pasta, beans, canned salmon, apple sauce, etc. If you’d like to contribute with a monetary or non-perishable donation please visit www.tinyurl.com/ MayFoodDrive for a list of collection sites or contact Dee Dee Said at dsaid712@gmail.com.
The program, which will take place weekly throughout the summer, will pair high school students from the community with Rose Garden Elementary students to read, play games, mentor and lead Bible studies. The children will also receive lunch and a backpack with healthy snacks to take home. This program is a result of an earlier effort by the Clemens PIE Club to help families in their community. After learning
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FEATURE
Schertz' New K9 Dog By Stan Leland
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here’s a new crimefighting duo in Schertz; one member is Minnesota transplant, Jason Hanley, and the other is a four-legged Polish immigrant named Medor. A male German Shepherd, Medor replaces the recently retired Rambo, Schertz Police Department’s former K-9. Medor is not only trained to detect drugs and other substances but also has the capability to track. “Tracking allows us to search for lost or runaway children and crime suspects.” says Jason Hanley, Medor’s handler and partner. Medor’s tracking skills were instrumental in a recent incident involving a burglary; After a suspect was lost by the responding officer, Jason and Medor were called to search the area. As a result of Medor’s impressive abilities, he assisted the investigation greatly by leading police to persons of interest. Jason was a police reserve in Minnesota when he first saw a canine police dog in action. He was drawn to the interaction between handler and dog and the significance of their work together. The handler was generous with his time and the more Jason talked with him the more Jason wanted to become a handler. “I determined to do
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I get paid to play fetch with my partner."
FEATURE Schertz' New Canine Dog
Jason Handley, Schertz Police Officer
cont’d from page 23
hunting instinct of dogs. Once potential dogs are located, then an intense vetting process begins which includes veterinary exams and pedigree checks. After Medor was selected, he was imported to Liberty Hill in October 2016 where his training began. After a month of training, Jason was brought to Liberty Hill to learn how to work with Medor. Much like military dogs, drug dogs respond to only one owner; the bond between dog and handler is indissoluble. “If someone besides me tried to work with Medor he would just give them a blank look, which in dog language means ‘Who are you?’” remarked Jason. In December 2016, Jason and Medor graduated from the training program.
whatever it took to be a dog handler,” said Jason. After moving to Schertz, Jason started as a patrolman on the night shift working 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. When the current police dog Rambo retired, it opened the door for a new team and Jason jumped at the chance. After selection to be the new canine handler, Jason assisted the department in locating a new dog. He wanted a male German Shepherd and with that, the search began. After looking at several facilities that specialize in training top quality K-9’s for law enforcement, Jason chose Pacesetter
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K-9 located in Liberty Hill, just northwest of Austin. Veteran owned and operated, Pacesetter K-9 provided a turnkey option for Schertz. The manager, Brad Langham, would not only train the dog but would find the right German Shepherd for Jason. Brad began his search by traveling to Poland. American German Shepherds pose the issue of hip dysplasia, a potentially debilitating type of hip arthritis. Several dysplasia-free generations are needed for a dog to be selected. European dogs are preferred for drug detection and tracking because they still retain the primal urge to hunt more so than American dogs. Drug sniffing and tracking draw heavily on the
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Medor is certified by Pacesetter and The National Narcotics Detection Dog Association (NNDDA) to detect the 5 main narcotic drugs: marijuana, heroin, cocaine, meth and ecstasy. Each year Medor has to recertify with both organizations. Having the current certifications gives credibility to Medor’s performance on the job. Medor can detect a drug user’s hand print on furniture or a wall after it has been touched. “We don’t always find the actual drugs”, remarked Jason, “sometimes our evidence is the unseen residue located by Medor.” Jason still works the graveyard shift, from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, with Medor, and they are one of the few drug detecting teams available at night. Schertz Police
Department makes Jason and Medor available to Cibolo, Universal City, Live Oak, Selma, and Converse. They have also formed a relationship with Comal County Constable Precinct 3 and their K-9 unit. The narcotics dogs and their handlers work together and support each other. Consequently, Jason and Medor are called upon and average of 4-5 times a week. Although the work day is 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Jason would never turn away a request for help. “If a child was lost during the day, I would never refuse to go on a call,” stated Jason. Between cases, Jason and Medor train a minimum of four hours a week keeping Medor’s detecting skills in top condition. The average service life of a drug dog is about 8 years. Jason hopes that with good care and his very supportive team at the Schertz Police Department, Medor might last 9 or 10 years before being retired. Medor and Jason are together 24/7. Medor is not only his colleague at work but he is his constant companion at home. “I get paid to play fetch with my partner. How great is that,” smiled Jason. “Medor” in Polish means gentle giant which is an apt description of his personality. Almost two years old, in many ways Medor is just a goofy teenager who never tires of playing and rough housing; however, when the call comes to take on a case, Medor’s excitement is laserfocused because, in the words of another famous detective, the “game’s afoot!”
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FEATURE
A Day in the Life of a Schertz Paramedic By Melissa Geedman Editor’s Note: In honor of National EMS week being May 21-27, 2017, this editorial piece is to gain insight of Schertz EMS and understand what it takes to work a day in the life of a paramedic. I spent eight hours with Schertz EMS in the first portion of medic one’s shift. Arriving at the beginning of the shift (7:00 AM), and over the eight hours, I was able to observe and gain a glimpse of what the day ins and outs of a typical day of a paramedic was like.
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career in emergency medical services can accurately be described as unpredictable, stressful, at times messy, and adrenalinecharged. For those in the industry, they wouldn’t trade their career for any other in the world. The crew began their shift taking inventory of the vehicle, checking for sufficient quantities of medical supplies to get them through their shift while replenishing materials used from prior shifts. Then the crew did a thorough scrub down of the ambulance, checked all sirens and lights, and sanitized the inside. At this point the crew was ready and waited for their first response. Going into the shift with little understanding of the job, I was anxious to know what the first call would be like, knowing we could potentially be saving the life of someone’s dear family member, friend or co-worker. Around 9:00 AM, dispatch alarmed medic one of a neck injury reported on a construction site. Field Training Officer and Licensed Paramedic, Brandon Hill drove and was assisted by Certified Flight Paramedic, Bryan
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Salge. I accompanied them on the ride in the back of the ambulance. The ambulance blasted its sirens while blowing the horn occasionally urging surrounding vehicles to pull off to the side.
job, I was intrigued to know more about response analyses, the various call response zones based off of jurisdiction, education, and the diverse medical situations they have encountered.
Cibolo Fire Department had arrived to the scene aiding in first response. Once Schertz EMS arrived, the crew secured the scene, and loaded the injured patient into the ambulance for medical evaluation. They checked vitals, provided pertinent doses of medication to suffice for the drive to the hospital and collected a few signatures. Brandon and Bryan got the patient inside the hospital successfully and completed the standard procedures. Bryan provided patient information to the hospital staff, while Brandon prepared the ambulance for their next call. The scene was cleared, and we headed back to the station.
When asked if it ever gets easier dealing with difficult situations, Brandon commented, “you have to emotionally detach yourself in a sense. If you become too connected with every single patient you encounter it will burn you out. I’m not saying we aren’t attached to our patients, because we do this job for them, but sometimes you have to leave your emotions out of it”.
Several quiet hours followed after the first call. Between answering calls, crews tidy up the station and write detailed reports for each call to which they respond. Aside from the medical skills involved to complete the
Later in the shift, dispatch sounded the alarm again; an elderly woman was unconscious in her home. The trip to assist this individual was the same, but the scene was different. Hill and Salge unloaded the stretcher and made their way into the woman’s home, knowing this woman would be heading to the hospital immediately. Again, the Cibolo Fire Department had first responded to the call and had begun
assessing the unconscious woman. When EMS entered the individual’s home, the two responders were calm yet alert. There was a lot of multitasking involved as they attentively worked with the patient while asking questions of loved ones at the home. They handled the patient gently and with grace, safely transporting her to the hospital - Salge driving and Hill in the back doing what he could to make sure the trip was as comfortable as possible for her. The same routine occurred at the hospital for the second patient. In between calls I was able to ask both Brandon and Bryan a little about their backgrounds, better understanding why they chose to be paramedics. “When I was in college my roommate worked as a paramedic. While in School my roommate convinced me to come do some observer ride outs on the ambulance with him. After my first ride out I was hooked. I ended up going in to the army
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FEATURE A Day in the Life of a Schertz Paramedic cont’d from page 27
as a Combat Medic and later transitioned over as a Critical Care Flight Paramedic,” Salge explained. Bryan medically retired from the military several years later; he reevaluated his career and decided to pursue a new career as a Schertz paramedic. He has been here ever since.
done differently. Eventually, you have to accept that you did everything you could and the reason that they passed was beyond anything else you could've done,” said Hill. Being able to observe a day in the life of a paramedic was truly eye-opening, leaving me with an experience I’ll never forget. It could be described as stressful, hectic and ultimately rewarding. I will say when I hear sirens alarm and see an ambulance take off I know what is involved for that crew; I know they could be minutes away from saving someone’s life. It takes a special person to be an EMT or paramedic; Bryan and Brandon are excellent examples of that.
“I grew up in a family of emergency services. I was a third generation firefighter, but grew fond of medicine as my career progressed. I found a passion in medicine and wanted to further my education. I continued through paramedic school and have been here ever since,” said Hill, explaining his history in becoming a paramedic. Both Bryan and Brandon agreed that the most rewarding aspect of the job is being able to help people in need and being able to make a small difference in someone’s life. When asked what the greater challenges of the job entailed, Brandon had little hesitation before responding. “The hardest
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part of the job is trying to do everything you can for someone and finding out later that they have passed away. We treat patients of all ages, and kids are always the hardest. You put forth all of your training, knowledge, and skills to save someone’s life, and sometimes no matter what
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“To me, this is the best job in the world. It is dynamic, everchanging, and no two days are ever the same. My office is on wheels, and people are generally glad to see you,” you do for them, it just wasn’t said Hill. Salge went on to enough. Situations like this are add, “Overall this profession what we train for, it is what we do is more than a job- it’s a life this job for, and when you cannot style. The countless nights help the person in need, it is away from your own family completely heart wrenching. We in order to serve others is a run those calls through our calling. I’m honored to be a heads hundreds of times asking paramedic and answer that ourselves what we could have call.”
FEATURE
Thanking Those Who Serve Us Locally By Christine L. Henderson
M
ilitary families and individual service members often transition from one base to another. The resources on the base connect them to the services available within that military community. However, as military funding changes and base facilities readjust, service members will need and want to look beyond the base military gates. In the summer of 2014, Ivory Freeman, Veteran and Chamber member, approached the Chamber President Maggie Titterington with the concept of establishing a Military Affairs Committee (MAC) as part of the Chamber’s core mission. A planning team of other Chamber members comprised of Kevin Gillin, Brian Posten, and Chuck Bunch helped to determine the core mission for the MAC. According to Kathleen Shortland, the current committee chair, the initial mission of the committee was “to advance the pro-business climate in the area through military affairs initiatives, and to maintain and enhance the business community's relationship with joint base San Antonio-Randolph Air force base.”
The MAC functions as a liaison between the local military and business communities, implementing programs that provide greater interaction between Chamber members and DOD/ military personnel. The MAC hosts various events throughout the year that help to further our community relationships and honor military service such as job fairs and workshops as well as the Memorial Day ceremony and Wreath laying; however, they wanted to do more.
continued on page 31
All Photos by Chamber/R. Eads Photography Left to right: Kathleen Shortland (MAC Chairman), Judy Goldick – (Regal Realty – Hidden Hero Sponsor), Ivory Freeman – New York Life (Past Chair), Kelly Follis – District Manager – Senator Donna Campbell, SrA Cody Duvall, firefighter with JBSA-Randolph Fire Department, Maggie Titterington – President (The Chamber Schertz-Cibolo-Selma Area), Tim Brown – RE/MAX Corridor (Chair Elect), Laura Nelson – MAC Committee Member
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the local community. I learned about places to take my family and locations to volunteer.” The program also gave him more insight into his new hometown. Duvall said, “I learned that the local communities are very supportive of the military population, and offer many things for military members and their families, as well as how JBSARandolph offers many opportunities to the local towns.”
Thanking Those Who Serve Us Locally cont’d from page 29
April Cook, who began as active duty personnel but is now a civil service contractor at the base, was another recipient of the award. She said that she thought the whole experience was “positively fantastic.” When asked what stood out most to her about the event, Cook said, “A lot of the business owners introduced themselves and congratulated me. I enjoyed meeting so many people from the community. Being able to put names and faces behind so many community leaders and businesses and learning more about them, I couldn’t help but be proud to be a part of it all.”
Left to Right: Kelly Follis – District Manager (Senator Donna Campbell), Ivory Freeman (MAC Past Chair)- New York Life, Kathleen Shortland (MAC Chairman) – Wayland Baptist University, Tim Brown (MAC Chair Elect) – RE/MAX Corridor, SSgt Tiffany Barrios – Hidden Hero, Gerri Lawling – GVEC Hidden Hero Sponsor, Jill Carpenter – MAC Committee Member, Russell Hunter (Chamber Liaison)– Caterpillar Inc, Maggie Titterington – President -The Chamber (Schertz-Cibolo-Selma Area)
As a result, they created the Hidden Heroes program. This program was designed to build better relations with the JBSA-Randolph community, build liaison with separate units on the base and to give community business more exposure. JBSA-Randolph chooses an individual each month from all the groups at the base including civilian, enlisted, junior, and senior officers.
Sergeant Barios, a native Texan from Fort Stockton was another recipient who appreciated the warm welcome he received at the luncheon. Barios said, “Everyone made me feel like I belonged there. I was a part of the community.” To him, the event had special meaning. “Growing up, my family was the most important thing. Whether you were near or far, family would always be there for you. I had the basic understanding that the Chamber of Commerce existed but I did not know how or what they did to contribute to the community. After attending the luncheon, I felt like the Chamber of Commerce was like a family in a way. They take care of the local businesses much like how families take care of their own. “ The next Chamber luncheon that will honor a Hidden Hero is on May 16. If you would like to learn more about the Military Affairs Committee and maybe becoming involved in it, they meet the first Wednesday of each month. For more details, you can contact The Chamber at (210) 619-1950.
A chamber member sponsors the honored individual at their monthly luncheon. At the event, the recipient receives a state flag, which has flown over the capital in Austin, from Senator Donna Campbell’s office. They also have the opportunity to meet and get to know the business members of the chamber on a one-to-one basis for a greater sense of becoming a member of the community at large. Senior Airman Cody Duvall, a recent hidden hero, has been in the military for five years. Originally from Perryville, Missouri, his third base assignment brought him to JBSARandolph where his family had to adjust. When asked what he liked about the program, he said, “My sponsor was very informative about
Left to Right: Natasha Hogan, Ray Cook, Maggie Titterington – President -The Chamber (Schertz-Cibolo-Selma Area), Hidden Hero April Cook, Kelly Follis – District Manager (Senator Donna Campbell), , Tim Brown (MAC Chair Elect) – RE/MAX Corridor, Kathleen Shortland (MAC Chairman) – Wayland Baptist University, Ivory Freeman (MAC Past Chair)- New York Life, Ashley Scott – LeapFrog Promotions (Hidden Hero Sponsor), Bob West
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CIVIC NEWZ
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Rotarians Honor Weirtz For Service Dean Weirtz was named the Randolph Metrocom Rotary Club Volunteer of the Quarter during a meeting on April 5 at the Bluebonnet Palace. “Our goal for this event is to honor those in our community that give their time by volunteering,” said Rotary Club President Jeff Fletcher. Weirtz is a long time City resident and chairman of the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee (SHPC). Dean was nominated for the Volunteer of the Quarter award by Schertz Rotarian, Jim Webb. Mayor Michael Carpenter read a letter congratulating Weirtz. “From the time we met and you
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graciously offered to help and then served on the Schertz 50th anniversary committee to today, as you continue to lead our multi-faceted efforts at preserving the history of Schertz, you have been one a few people in the history of the City that has given far more hours than the typical volunteer.” Those multi-faceted efforts include the SHPC publishing newsletters and photo history books, working with the City and SCUCISD to give younger students a greater appreciation for local history and the Looking Back history blurb in the back pages of Schertz Magazine. Weirtz thanked the Rotary Club for the honor and the Mayor for his words and then explained how he became part of local history preservation effort.
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“I learned as boy the importance of serving others and that has been the case wherever we lived. When we moved here I found I had a very interesting connection to Schertz. My family heritage goes back to Riedisheim, France and that is where the Schertz family ( for which the City is named after) came from.” Weirtz said he travelled to Riedisheim and made contact with that city’s historical group and that struck up a good friendship between the two cities. “When I came back from the first trip to Riedisheim Mayor (Hal) Baldwin found out and asked me to join the new historical preservation group in 2007. We are still working on it,” he smiled.
National EMS Week National EMS week will be held the week of May 21-27, 2017. Schertz EMS will be holding their annual Golf Tournament on Sunday, May 21 to kick off the week followed by some community engagement activities. EMS will be visiting local Schertz Elementary and Intermediate schools throughout the week. K-1st graders will get a presentation on when to call 911 and 2nd-6th graders will be trained on CPR. On May 23, EMS will be giving a Cardiac Arrest Saves Lives presentation at City Council.
National Public Works Week National Public Works Week is recognized May 21 – 27, 2017. As the number of participating municipalities continues to grow the number of citizens who are exposed to the value of public works grows. In honor of our Schertz Public Works department, we want to educate the community about the value and necessities of public works projects, responsibilities and daily tasks. Public Works is divided into various divisions: Water/Wastewater, Streets, and Drainage. The Water/Wastewater division is responsible for providing safe drinking water, safely transporting wastewater from homes & businesses to wastewater treatment facilities, and conducting specific and random water samples. Streets & Drainage operates traffic lights, manages street repairs and traffic signage, is responsible for street sweeping, and mows & maintains the drainage ditches & right-of-ways. Over the last year Schertz Public Works was able to complete several projects greatly impacting the community. Some of the projects include: • Laura Heights drainage channel • 2nd crosswalk on Elbel Rd • Flashing yellow lights on Schertz Parkway • PCI crack sealing and potholes • Continuous maintenance on streets, drainage, and signage • Rebuilding of clay valves • Adding additional pumps to the East Live Oak station Join the City of Schertz May 21 – 27 as we honor all of the hard work of our Public Works department.
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National Police Week National Police Week will be held the week of May 14 – 20, 2017. This nationally recognized week pays special gratitude to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others, while honoring America's law enforcement community still serving today. Schertz Police Department will be hosting a Police Memorial on
Wednesday, May 17 at 10:00 AM. The ceremony will be held in front of the Schertz Municipal Court parking lot. Texas led the nation last year in officer casualties in the line of duty, totaling nineteen. The community is welcome to attend the ceremony as we honor the lives of fallen brothers and sisters.
Vehicles Get New Look Schertz Police Department is excited to unveil seven Police vehicles with state of the art equipment and newly designed exterior graphics. Public safety is a top priority for Schertz and the new Ford Explorers are another way we are improving safety in and around the community, while equipping our police officers with the latest equipment and technology needed to perform. Be on the lookout for the new vehicles within the next few weeks.
Help Out the Schertz Police Department The Schertz Police Department is seeking individuals within the community who are willing to volunteer for specific tasks and duties within the department. The duties assigned can create efficiencies for the department and improve services to the community. In addition, volunteers can bring new skills and expertise to the job and prompt new enthusiasm. Volunteers are intended to supplement and support,
rather than supersede, sworn officers and civilian personnel. Some of the various volunteer opportunities include: station assistance reception, including typing/ filing; various clerical duties; Junior Academy summer camp, crime victim Liaison, applicant processing, detective assistance, community outreach, various planning committees, City
sponsored events assistance and more. You must be at least 18 years of age to volunteer. You must complete an application. No drug convictions. No felony convictions. For more information, contact Officer Helen Lafitte at (210) 619-1264 or by email at hlafitte@schertz.com
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Protecting Our Children At the April 4 City Council Meeting, Council Member Robin Thompson presented Crime Victim Liaison N. Douglass with a proclamation declaring April as Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention month. In its honor, Cardboard Kids, a child abuse prevention campaign presented by ChildSafe was held in and around San Antonio to bring awareness to this incredibly urgent issue. Cardboard Kids are 2-foot tall cardboard figures shaped like children that represent one of the thousands of children that are
abused and neglected at the hands of adults in our community each year. You can find cardboard kids at the Schertz Police Department. Additionally, pinwheel displays are a campaign done by the Guadalupe County Children’s Advocacy Center to represent the amount of child victims interviewed at their center in 2015 as possible victims of abuse/neglect. Both ChildSafe and GCCAC collaborate with law enforcement and CPS to ensure the safety of children during their joint investigations.
Jr. Police Academy Summer Camp Schertz Police Department will be hosting their Jr. Police Academy this summer! The Alpha class will be the week of June 19-23 and is for ages 8 & 9. The Bravo class will be held July 10-14 and is for ages 10 & 11. The camp is held daily from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. For more information, call (210) 619-1264.
2017 Zumba Class
Every Monday 7pm-8:30pm Community North Center 3501 Morning Drive
Senior Line Dancers
Every Tuesday at 9:30am Community Center Central Building 3
Clogging Class
Every Tuesday at 11:45pm Community Center Central Building 3
Sports Cards and Collectibles Show Saturday, May 6 Community Center Central Building 3
Gateway Coin Club Show
Saturday, May 27 Schertz Civic Center
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REAN Notifications
Raise the Woof Animal Adoption Check Emily Worley has taken to the lesson she was taught at an early age to help the less fortunate. She is emotionally invested in helping animals, having two dogs and a cat herself. The 5th grader at Wilder Intermediate School has been helping four-legged friends the past three years, raising almost $900 for Schertz Animal Services through her personal fundraiser titled Raise the Woof. Emily raised $450 this past year, donating the funds to the Schertz Animal Shelter at the April 3 Schertz City Council meeting. All funds have gone towards the adoption of four dogs and the skin for a new trailer.Â
In an effort to improve communication during emergency situations, the City of Schertz encourages residents to register for the Regional Emergency Alert Network (REAN) system. Use of this system allows local public safety officials the ability to send mass notifications to registered users through both land-lines and a variety of electronic devices during a natural or manmade emergency in the area. Traditional systems similar to this were previously limited strictly to land-line phones. Guadalupe, Comal, and Bexar Counties have improved the system and now register multiple means of communication so that mobile contact information is included in the 911 database. It is important to note that citizens must be registered in REAN to receive notifications. During the registration process users are able to opt-in to receive emergency notifications via phone call, text messaging, and/or email based on addresses that they
specify (home, work, school, parent's house, etc.). Alerts will be disseminated during the duration of an emergency and will cease to broadcast when public safety officials deem the imminent threat has passed or activation settings expire. The REAN system also allows public safety officials to send mass notifications to users during large events or other occasions when roads may be closed and detours should be noted in case of emergency. Registration is available at schertz.com. The information provided during registration is for emergency notification purposes only and will not be shared with any other entity. Once registered, a conformation email will be sent to registrants and they must respond using the link in the email to activate the service.
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CIVIC NEWZ
Your Exclusive Source for News from the City of Schertz
April Council on the Go Recap A Council on the Go meeting was held on April 18 at Cibolo Valley Elementary School. The meeting began with a staff meet and greet and was followed by presentations, a “question & answer” session and a public hearing.
During the meeting, Council approved Resolution No. 17-R-27 with a 7-0 vote opposing any modification by the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) of its current Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and/or its current Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for FM 1103 within the City of Schertz other than the already proposed TXDOT expansion; opposing any agreement or MOU between the City of Cibolo and TXDOT for FM 1103 within the City of Schertz; supporting the already proposed TXDOT expansion, ownership, operation, and maintenance of FM 1103 within the City of Schertz; supporting the rights of all Texas cities to exercise local control without undue interference or unnecessary involvement from outside or foreign entities or agencies; and other matters in connection therewith.
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Residents were also informed on updates regarding projects and issues in the city. Agenda topics included: •
Infrastructure (Streets & Waterlines), PCI, Roadway Stewardship Philosophy
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Updates regarding FM 1103 road improvements
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Updates regarding development in the area, including the Homestead project at Schwab Road and IH 35, and The Parklands at Eckhardt Road and Comal ISD Middle School #6
Residents were encouraged to visit with City Council members and staff after the meeting to discuss neighborhood concerns and needs. The next Council on the Go meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 16th at
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Paschal Elementary School. Topics to be discussed include updates on central Schertz development, parks, public safety facility (Fire Station #3), Schertz Parkway repairs, and FM Roads. The Council on the Go meeting initiative started February 16, 2016 at the City’s North Center in the Northcliffe area. The concept of the meetings was to enhance City Council’s community outreach by hosting town hall-style meetings in nearby neighborhoods that address areaspecific subjects. The goal is to offer residents a closer, more accessible and convenient venue to interact with City Council and City Staff. For more information go to schertz.com
Community Budget Meetings The City of Schertz is developing the proposed FY 2017-2018 Budget. In an effort to engage with the community and get public feedback, three Community Pre-Budget meetings will be held in June. The first meeting will be held on June 7th at the North Community Center from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. The second meeting will be held on June 8th at Corbett Middle
School from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. The third meeting will be held on June 15th at the Schertz United Methodist Church from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. The meeting format will include City staff presentations on the City budget process and FY 20172018 timetable. A Q&A session will immediately follow the presentations.
Schertz City Council Videos Now Online Are you unable to attend Council Meetings on Tuesday nights but would still like to stay alert on recent updates and happenings in and around Schertz? You can now view Schertz City Council meetings online on our Youtube channel or Schertz.com. Subscribe today.
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CIVIC NEWZ
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Code Officials
Partners in Community Safety and Economic Growth Week 1
Mentoring the Next Generation of Building Professionals
Week 2
Building Design Solutions for All Ages
Week 3
Manage the Damage Preparing for Natural Disasters
Week 4
Investing in Technology for Safety, Energy & Water Efficiency
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Building Safety Month is a public awareness campaign to help individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create safe and sustainable structures. In recognition of Building Safety Month, the City of Schertz Building Inspections Department will be promoting awareness through the following programs: Ask an Inspector City Inspector will be available to answer building code and safety questions. Where: Lowe’s 17280 Interstate 35 N, Schertz, TX 78154 Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM every Friday in May Outreach to Local Elementary Schools Schertz Building Inspections Department will be educating local elementary schools on building safety throughout the month of May. Contractors Meeting - May 16, 2017 Where: City of Schertz – Building #1 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, TX 78154 Time: 2:30 PM
Crack Seal Program The City of Schertz is continuing to make improvements to city streets through the Crack Seal program. Crack sealing is used as the first preventive measure and important component of pavement maintenance activities. Crack sealing is the placement of a hot-applied asphalt composition material into the asphalt cracks of pavements. The City uses sealant that contains in excess of 10% recycled tire rubber. Joint and crack sealing programs help to reduce pavement deterioration and prolong pavement life. One objective of crack sealing is to reduce the amount of moisture that can infiltrate the street or pavement which reduces moisture related distresses. Water infiltration in the pavement base and subgrade tends to reduce the structural integrity of the road. Maintaining the pavement's structural integrity is crucial as it supports the weight of the vehicles driving over the top and avoids creating potholes and the like. The Crack Seal program really took off after the City hired Infrastructure Design Solutions (IDS), a design firm specializing in Pavement Management Systems, to rank the City’s pavement road network by providing a pavement rating system. The City’s Engineering and Public Works departments worked together to utilize the program, PAVER, to track and update the City's road conditions. This program enabled IDS and City staff to rank the City’s roadway network and has allowed the Public Works Street
Department to identify City roads needing to be crack sealed.
Memorial Day Ceremony
The Study was completed in early November of 2016 and the Streets department began the Crack Seal program in late November.
Monday, May 29 9:00 AM Veterans Memorial
Many local agencies including municipalities do not have a formal pavement management system, but use an informal method for determining which pavements receive specific maintenance treatment at any time.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) will honor the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces for their selfless service by hosting its 3rd Annual Memorial Day Ceremony with collaborative efforts from the City of Schertz. This event is free and open to the public.
Schertz’ Crack Seal program is performed every third week of the month and will continue, indefinitely. This new Pavement Maintenance/ Preservation Program will help preserve and extend a pavement’s life, but the true benefits of pavement maintenance are realized when there is a consistent schedule for performing the preventative maintenance. Benefits of pavement preservation include improved customer service and life cycle cost savings. Preventative maintenance allows the City to even out its maintenance budget from year to year, which otherwise can vary greatly. The use of PAVER enables the City to best optimize the budget needed to keep our roads safe and operational. The pavement analysis performed by IDS, along with the PAVER software is also helping the City’s engineering department prioritize roads needing more remediation than simple crack sealing. Look for more road updates in the next issue of Schertz Magazine.
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CIVIC NEWZ Schertz Citizens Survey Results Published In 2016 the City of Schertz conducted its first Citizen Satisfaction Survey to measure how well the City is meeting the needs of the residents and to gain valuable feedback regarding City programs and services. ETC Institute was contracted by the City to conduct the survey in late 2016 and the results were presented at a council meeting on February 7, 2017. The survey was mailed out to 3,000 randomly selected households and was completed by 601 households with a margin of error of 4%. The results of the survey indicate that most residents were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the overall quality of services provided by the City. To see the full report go to Schertz.com Additional survey highlights include: Residents have a Very Positive perception of the City •
84% are satisfied with the overall quality of services provided by the City; only 2% are dissatisfied
•
82% are satisfied with the overall quality of life in Schertz; only 4% are dissatisfied
Overall Satisfaction with city services is higher in Schertz than other communities •
Overall satisfaction with City services rated 28% above the U.S. Average, and 27% above the Southwest Regional Average
•
City rated above the Southwest Average in 31 of 46 areas
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City rated above the U.S. Average in 26 of 46 areas
Top Community Priorities • Traffic • Road Repair/Maintenance/Expansion • Planning for Rapid Growth • Parks and Recreation Programs Going Forward Over the next couple of issues, Schertz Magazine readers will learn more about how the City is responding to our community’s priorities, as laid out in the survey.
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LOOKING BACK May QUOTE OF NOTE “History is the sum total of all that could have been avoided” Konrad Adenauer
LOCAL HISTORY
In May 1969, Schertz City Council passed Ordinance #187 that by today’s standards would seem silly. The ordinance prohibited personal dispensing of garage or service station gasoline except by the garage or service station owner or his employee under penalty of a fine between $1 to $100. By May 1965, tax assessment values had increase from 1.2 million dollars in the early 1960 to 2.2 million dollars and to 4.9 million by May 1969.
TEXAS HISTORY
May 14, 1854 - On this day, Texas Germans gathered to discuss the national crisis over slavery. The discussions were held in conjunction with the annual StaatsSaengerfest (State Singers Festival). Delegates from various local political clubs of German citizens in western Texas met in San Antonio and adopted a mildly worded plank declaring that slavery was an evil and that abolition was the business of the states. This declaration, along with several German newspaper articles on the issue, caused the Anglo-Texans to question the loyalty of their German neighbors.
Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.
City CALENDARS Annual Events: May
Sweetheart Coronation May 4
Music in the Park May 6
June
Movie in the Park June 3
July
Jubilee July 4
September SchertzQue
September 16
October
Trunk-or-Treat Movie in the Park
Official City Meetings Monday, May 1
Library Advisory Board, 6:30 PM Library Board Room
Tuesday, May 2Â
City Council Meeting, 6:00 PM Council Chambers
Thursday, May 4
IMPORTANT SCHERTZ
PHONE NUMBERS Schertz City Council Mayor:
TSAC, 5:30 PM Council Chambers
Michael Carpenter
Tuesday, May 9
Mark Davis Ralph Gutierrez Scott Larson Cedric Edwards, Sr. Robin Thompson Angelina Kiser Bert Crawford
City Council Meeting, 6:00 PM Council Chambers
Wednesday, May 10
Planning and Zoning, 6:00 PM Council Chambers
Tuesday, May 16
Council on the Go, 6:30 PM Paschal Elementary School
Monday, May 22
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, 5:30 PM Bob Andrews Conference Room Board of Adjustments, 6:00PM Council Chambers
October 28
Tuesday, May 23
Be sure to check out visitschertz.com for more event info!
#INFO
City Council Meeting, 6:00PM Council Chambers
Wednesday, May 24
Planning and Zoning, 6:00 PM Council Chambers
Thursday, May 25
Schertz Economic Development Corporation, 6:30 PM Council Chambers Historical Preservation Committee, 6:30 PM Bob Andrews Conference Room ___________________________________ Meeting locations may change, please visit the calendar at www.schertz.com for more information.
Council Members:
(210) 619-1045
(210) 376-9141 (210) 376-9231 (210) 376-9835 (210) 566-4540 (210) 204-8649 (210) 376-9579 (210) 376-9780
City Departments:
City of Schertz (210) 619-1000 Animal Control (210) 619-1550 Business/Utilities (210) 619-1100 City Manager (210) 619-1000 City Secretary (210) 619-1030 Civic Center (210) 619-1600 Customer Care/311 (210) 619-1000 Economic Development (210) 619-1070 EMS (non-emergency) (210) 619-1400 Fire (non-emergency) (210) 619-1300 Human Resources (210) 619-1150 Information Technology (210) 619-1180 Inspections (210) 619-1750 Marshal Services (210) 619-1650 Municipal Court (210) 619-1500 Parks & Recreation (210) 619-1850 Planning & Zoning (210) 619-1780 Police (non-emergency) (210) 619-1200 Public Affairs (210) 619-1630 Public Library (210) 619-1700 Public Works (210) 619-1800 Records (210) 619-1030 Website schertz.com
IMPORTANT SCHERTZ WEBSITES
schertz.com visitschertz.com schertzmagazine.com Like us on Facebook
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT 1400 SCHERTZ PARKWAY SCHERTZ, TEXAS 78154