TO
YOU
BY
DECEMBER 2017
THE
CITY
OF
SCHERTZ,
TEXAS
magazine
BROUGHT
City Council Michael Carpenter Mayor Mark Davis Councilmember Ralph Gutierrez Councilmember Scott Larson Councilmember Cedric Edwards Councilmember David Scagliola 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 12 33 Years and counting...!
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY Public Affairs Department Linda Klepper Public Affairs Director Melissa Geedman Communications Manager Devan Flores Marketing & Communications Specialist _________ Contributing Staffers Erin Matlock Civic Center Manager Mary Spence Events Manager
Contributing Writers
Melissa Geedman, Devan Flores, Linda Klepper, Lauren Shrum, Elizabeth Bertoia, John Nowak, Kira Villarreal, Stacey Lovett, Bryce Cox, Ed Suarez, Jenna Carroll, Chuck McCollough, Corinne Mittelstadt, Mary Spence, Jennifer Kolbe
Contributing Photographers
Stacey Lovett, Joshua Nolden, Melissa Geedman, Devan Flores, John Nowak, Chuck McCollough
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 magazine@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 magazine@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.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
24 SCUCISD Preps Students for the Workforce
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inter holidays will forever be my favorite time of year as it invites extra opportunities for giving back, remembering others less fortunate than ourselves, and allows for enjoyable time with family and friends. The spirit of the holidays shares love, hope and happiness, much of which is reflected deep within each article of this issue. Every fall when Schertz Magazine staff starts planning the December issue– or holiday issue as I see it- it overwhelms us with joy to see the various things going on in the community, whether to give back or shine light on good doing. You’ll find tucked in this issue acts of kindness, a strong sense of community, yuletide cheer, and the movement of progress as we collectively celebrate the holidays and brace ourselves for the closure of yet another year. One particular heart-warming article you’ll discover is about local barber, Hans Bejarano, who has made it his mission to unify the
community and provide advice and encouragement to those around him. This article highlights the power of selflessness and is a nice reminder that the holiday season is a perfect time to reflect on our blessings and seek out ways to make life better for those around us. Yule (holiday pun intended) also read about some volunteer achievements from local citizens, community efforts to clean up a local neighborhood, holiday safety tips to ensure you and your loved ones have a happy holiday, and much more! Don’t forget to mark your calendars for all of the fun activates going on throughout the month of December. Wishing you peace and joy this holiday season and throughout the coming year,
Melissa Geedman Communications Manager
29 Community Barber Impacts Youth Lives
DEPARTMENTS TALK OF THE TOWN Update 6 Parks & Rec 10 Library 14 Visions / Chamber 18 CIVIC NEWS Updates
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CALENDAR
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COVER
Miss Schertz, Corinne Mittlestadt, sends warm holiday wishes to the community.
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y a d i l Ho H Dancing Into The Holidays Marketplace
Join Amy’s All Star Dance Studio for their 3rd annual Dancing Through The Holidays Marketplace on Saturday, December 2 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at Victory Assembly of God (1017 W Byrd Blvd, Universal City, Texas 78148). Small business vendors and homemade crafts will be offered for your shopping pleasure, with snacks, fun, and even a special appearance by Santa! Come enjoy this unique shopping opportunity to meet all of your Christmas needs in one place. For more information go to amysallstars.com or call (210) 566-4141.
Christmas Craft Fair at Armadillo Antiques
Come out and shop the Christmas Craft Fair at Armadillo Antiques, Vintage & Artisans (122 E Byrd Blvd Suite 100, Universal City, Texas 78148) on Saturday, December 2 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Enjoy spectacular handmade vendors with unique items made with love. You’ll find vintage Christmas items as well, items you may remember as a child. Something Old, Something New, Something for Everyone. For more information call Armadillo Antiques at (210) 332-7770 or (210) 885-3366.
Senior Citizens Christmas Bazaar
The Senior Citizens Christmas Bazaar will be held on Saturday, December 2 from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the Schertz Community Center (1400 Schertz Parkway Bldg. 3 Schertz, TX 78154). Enjoy lots of food and drinks, door prizes, and a quilt raffle by Good Samaritan Oncology. Admission is free! For more information contact Deby Warren at (830) 832-1364.
Yulefest Fine Arts & Crafts Show
Join the Seguin Art League at the Yulefest Fine Arts & Crafts Show. This holiday event will be held on Sunday, December 3 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the Seguin Coliseum (950 S. Austin St. Seguin, TX 78155). Admission is free to shoppers. For more information visit Seguinartleague.com or call (830) 491-9676.
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Jingle Jam
River City Community Church presents Jingle Jam: The BIG Give on Sunday, December 3. This is a Christmas party big enough for the whole family. The event is free to the public. Doors open at 5:00 PM for activities, a show at 6:00 PM and the Christmas tree lighting at 7:15 PM. For more information go to reallife.org/events.
The Big Red Barn - Country Christmas
Country Christmas is an enjoyable night out at The Big Red Barn! The Texas Agricultural Education and Heritage Center (390 Cordova Rd, Seguin, Texas 78155) will host its annual Country Christmas at The Big Red Barn on Friday, December 8 and Saturday, December 9 at 5:00 PM. Come see the barn decked out in lights, visit the country village, listen to the choirs, join in on the cookie decorating contest, submit your entry into a wassail contest, train rides for the little ones - and much more! Cost is $5 per person, $3 for children 4-12, children 3 and under are free. Participate in the Country Christmas Dash (5K) on Saturday morning and receive a ticket in to Country Christmas! For more information go to texagedu.org/education/country-christmas.
Winter Cibolo Main Street Market Day & Holiday Parade
Come out to the Cibolo Main Street Market Day on Saturday, December 9 from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The December market is the biggest market of the year and is held in conjunction with the Cibolo Holiday Parade. The parade starts at 10:00 AM at the corner of Borgfeld Road and Cibolo Valley. The route comes down Cibolo Valley right in front of the market and ends at City Hall. Twenty-five vendors will represent the local and area businesses with handmade crafts, food and more. The market will also feature several food trucks. It will be a great day to come out and enjoy the market and the downtown businesses. For more information go to cibolotx.gov.
s g n i n e p p a H Tales of Christmas Eve at Schertz United Methodist Church
‘Twas the Night before Christmas when all through Whoville, not a creature was stirring except for ... the Scrooge... Invoke the imagination this Holiday season with “The Tales of Christmas Eve” this merry old time of year, as the stories of Twas the Night before Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and A Christmas Carol come alive. Once again Santa is making a clatter, the Grinch is stealing Christmas and Ebenezer Scrooge is thinking only of himself with the classic stories of old. This heartwarming family entertainment is for all generations. Don’t miss out this Holiday Season. Join Schertz United Methodist Church (3460 Roy Richard Dr. Schertz, Texas 78154) for Tales of Christmas Eve on Saturday, December 16 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and on Sunday, December 17 at 2:00 PM. Admission is $7. For more information go to schertzumc. com or call (210) 658-3202.
Mele Kalikimaka Luau
Aloha! Join the Knights of Columbus at Mikulski Hall (509 Schertz Pkwy, Schertz, Texas 78154) on Sunday, December 17 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at their last luau of the year presented by Aloha Kitchen. The holiday themed luau is truly unique as the Hula Halau Ohana Elikapeka perform to some of your favorite Christmas songs. Entertainment will be provided by DJ Express, Jesse & Lisa’s Aloha with Love, and the Hula Halau Ohana Elikapeka. To purchase tickets please call (210) 822-9933; every seat requires a reservation.
Fill Your Holidays with the Joy of the Season During Christmas at the Caverns!
Every day in December the entire park will be filled with the joy of the season. Natural Bridge Caverns will celebrate the 2017 holiday season by combining the sights and sounds of the holidays with its underground world of natural beauty and amazement. Explore the largest cavern in Texas on the daily Discovery Tour and Hidden Passages Tour. Unique Christmas offerings during the month of December include Caroling in the Caverns, The AMAZEn’ Reindeer Roundup, Christmas Hayride, Canopy Challenge & Flying Elf Ziplines, and the Christmas Village. Treat yourself and your family to a Texas Hill Country Christmas and discover your new holiday tradition.
Schertz Area Senior Center Holiday Events
The Schertz Area Senior Center has a number of exciting events for the remainder of 2017. The Senior Center is located at 608 Schertz Parkway, adjacent to the Schertz Public Library & Aquatic Complex. Events taking place at the Senior Center are: Thursday, December 7 - Senior Holiday Road trip Friday, December 15 - Annual Senior Holiday Party For more information call the Senior Center at (210) 619-1970 or send an email to cathyf@ymcasatx.org.
Christmas Eve at River City Community Church
Christmas is a time when experiences turn into memories and memories turn into traditions. This holiday season join River City Community Church for a Christmas Eve experience that your family won’t soon forget! Come for carols & candlelight, fire pits & hay rides, hot cocoa and an interactive live nativity. Services will be help on Saturday, December 23 at 5:00 PM and Sunday, December 24 at 4:00 PM, 5:30 PM, and 7:00 PM. For more information go to reallife.org/ Christmas.
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Trunk or Treat Brings Halloween Fun to Schertz By: Stacey Lovett Schertz’ Trunk or Treat event proved to be another sweet success with an estimated 5,000+ trick or treaters and their family members in attendance at Pickrell Park. Schertz anticipated the growth in event attendance, doubling up this year on festival favorites like the games & hayrides and featuring 50 trunks from local businesses and city services on site to hand out candy and goodies to kids of all ages. Parks and Recreation Assistant Director, Lauren Shrum, attributed the increase to word of mouth as this is a unique, fun, and free event that unites the greater community. Schertz emergency services decked out their response vehicles to serve as the haunted houses which have been both a huge hit and a creative link introducing the city services directly to the community. The hay maze made an appearance again as well as more themed photo stops around the park for opportunities to break from the snaking line of candy acquisition to capture all of the creative disguises. The official costume contest spanned the evening featuring contestants from each age group as well as group themed costume entries at the very end. There was no shortage in creativity seen in the costumes this year proving Schertz-area residents weren’t in it solely for the candy. Designs ranged from marionettes to mac and cheese, but Trunk or Treat saw its fair share of the popular disguises of the year as well with no shortage of Trolls, Disney princesses, and superheroes bringing just as much cuteness. Spiderman (aka Joshua, age 5) stated, “The ‘bestest’ part is the candy and [pauses] – the candy,” and that sentiment was undoubtedly shared by hundreds of kids on a sugar high as being the other fun half of this holiday. An event of this size and quality doesn’t happen without the dedication of all of the sponsors involved. The YMCA staffed and ran the games, and The Crossvine sponsored the viewing of Hotel Transylvania 2 under the pavilion as the activities wound down after dark. Cibolo emergency clinic donated 2,400 bottles of water for attendees, and the Senior Center was on hand running their popcorn fundraiser. The addition of food trucks Cheesy Jane’s & Chango’s Gourmet Hot Dog Food Trucks provided tasty food choices on site along with local King’s Cross Coffee to help combat the cooler temps. A huge thank you goes out to all of the sponsors, volunteers, and vendors for the hard work and level of community involvement that took place to make this event such a treat for the kids! We hope to see you out at Trunk or Treat next year!
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TALK OF THE TOWN
STAY INFORMED!
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WE WANT YOUR BEST SHOT!
Use #SchertzParksandRec when posting to Instagram and share your Schertz Parks pictures with us.
SCHERTZ PARKS & RECREATION HOSTS T.R.A.P.S. CENTRAL REGION WORKSHOP & MAINTENANCE RODEO The Schertz Parks & Recreation Department hosted the Texas Recreation & Park Society (TRAPS) Central Region Workshop and Maintenance Rodeo on November 1 and 2 at the Schertz Civic Center. The Central Region encompasses 37 counties and the 450 attendees were from various municipalities including Austin, Round Rock, Temple, Waco, College Station, New Braunfels, Seguin, San Antonio, Kerrville, Marble Falls, and Georgetown. Park maintenance teams from all over the Central Region converged on the open field between the Schertz Skate Park and the Schertz Dog Park, where the 200 participants competed in a Zero Turn Mower Obstacle Course, a backhoe competition, irrigation assembly, nail driving, and other skilled events. The workshop hosted at the Civic Center the next day saw 250 more attendees and included educational sessions, professional networking opportunities, an awards program, and opportunities to visit with the 20 different park and playground vendors. Schertz Parks & Recreation was happy to host the event and show all of our peers in the industry the great employees and facilities we have in Schertz. Thank you to all of the sponsors of the event, city staff that supported the event, and to the regional planning committee for making this event a huge success.
GET INVOLVED!
The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meets on the fourth Monday of every month at 5:30 PM at City Hall in the Bob Andrews Conference Room. The meetings are open to the public and we welcome your participation. Call (210) 619-1850 for more information. The Friends of Crescent Bend Nature Park is an informal group of residents who are passionate about the nature park and supportive of the nature programs the city provides at the park. They meet the third Monday of every month at 9:00 AM at the Parks & Recreation Office. They are always looking for volunteers to assist in maintaining the bird blinds at the park. See their website for more information at www.friendscbnp.zenfolio.com.
Mu ic M vies In The Park and
MOVIE IN THE PARK
Join us for our last Movie in the Park for the calendar year on Saturday, December 9 from 5:00 – 10:00 PM at Pickrell Park. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000 version) will be the feature film and will begin at sundown. Expect a visit from the Grinch himself and come dressed in your best Cindi-Lou or Whoville hair-do! Grinch-themed arts and crafts activities will be included. Popcorn and drinks will be available for purchase.
CRESCENT BEND BIRDING WALK
Join us at Crescent Bend Nature Park for the next Birding Walk on Sunday, December 10 from 8:00 – 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 levels of birders are welcome – from beginners to experts.
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Read Before Book Store Holiday Finds Christmas books for adults and children, both hardback and paperback, are now available in the Read Before Book Store. An unusual Christmas gift idea is a pencil holder made from the siding scraps of the Schertz Public Library. Stop by the library and visit us!
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DECEMBER EVENTS DID YOU KNOW….WITH A SCHERTZ LIBRARY CARD YOU GET ACCESS TO A LEGAL FORMS DATABASE?
You have access to an abundance of electronic databases with your Schertz Public Library Card. Gale LegalForms is one of the valuable resources provided through the Texshare Databases. Gale states, “Gale LegalForms helps patrons understand common legal procedures and provides access to thousands of customizable legal documents. Using the templated forms, individuals can create accurate, reliable legal documents specific to their state without stress or uncertainty. Forms are accessible online, mobile responsive, and downloadable in Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, and other formats.” Patrons have access to forms on legal topics, such as bankruptcy, bill of sale, contracts, divorce, employment, landlord tenant, real estate, taxes, name change, power of attorney, last will and testament, and living wills. For more information about using this digital resource or any of the other online resources, please call the library at (210) 619-1700.
WINTER READING CLUB
From January 1 to January 31, the Schertz Public Library will participate in the inaugural nationwide Winter Reading Challenge. Patrons are challenged to read at least 1,000 books during the month and keep track of their reading on the Beanstack site at https://schertzlibrary.beanstack.org/reader365. Over 100 libraries and schools across the nation will encourage their communities to read a target number of minutes and books. If the nationwide goal is met, Shark Tank investor Mark Cuban will donate $25,000 to the organization First Book, which provides new books, learning materials, and other essentials to children in need.
YEAR LONG BOOK NERD CHALLENGE
The library is starting a year-long book nerd reading challenge for ages 5 and up. The goal is to complete a book from the categories on the list for your age group throughout the year. Those who complete the challenge will be awarded an awesome prize in January of 2019! More information on this program is coming soon.
COCOA & CAROLS
Join the Schertz Public Library for an evening of merry caroling, scrumptious cocoa and delicious treats. Join us in the Children’s Program Room on Tuesday, December 12 from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM. All ages are welcome.
PAWS TO READ
Read to a dog at the library! Cheyenne and her handler, Rose, visit the library on the second Saturday of the month to listen to children read stories. Come for a one-on-one session with Cheyenne herself. This program builds confidence, reading fluency, and is fun for beginning readers, ages 4 to 8. Registration is required. Visit the Children’s Information Desk at the Schertz Public Library to reserve your spot today. The next visit from Cheyenne is Saturday, December 9.
ADULT OPEN LAB COMPUTER CLASSES
The Schertz Public Library offer computer classes for adults (18+) every Wednesday and Thursday from 12:00 – 1:00 PM; however, this month, classes will not be held on December 27 or December 28. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Students are encouraged to bring their laptop, tablet, smartphone, or e-reader to class for one-on-one assistance. Computers are available for students who do not have their own device.
MAKE-IT-TAKE-IT HOLIDAY CRAFT PROGRAM
Join us Thursday, December 7 at 6:00 PM in Library Meeting Room 1 for an exciting evening of making a few simple crafts. Please register for this event online, by phone, or in person at the information desk. Children are more than welcome to accompany adults to the program, but the crafts are intended for adults ages 18+. Preregistration is required for this program as spaces are limited.
CUPCAKE WARS-HOLIDAY EDITION
This will be an epic showdown of holiday cupcake decoration from 12:30 – 2:30 PM on Saturday, December 16. Cupcakes will be provided and will be judged solely on design, not taste. Basic frosting and sprinkles will be available, but feel free to make or bring any extra decorations you may want to use in your design. Decorators will be given 3 cupcakes and will have 1 hour to put their designs together at the library, prior to judging. Contact the library with any additional questions. A prize will be awarded to the design that gets the most votes. Decorators are you ready?! Pre-registration is required.
OPEN MIC POETRY
Everyone is invited to join us for an evening of original poetry by local poets on Thursday, December 14 from 6:30 – 8:00 PM. All area talent is welcome to perform. This is a lively group that guarantees an evening of laughter and entertainment.
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Honoring All Who Served By: Chuck McCollough The Schertz community showed its appreciation and affection for veterans and their families during a patriotic ceremony on Friday, November 10, at the Veterans Memorial Plaza, 512 Schertz Parkway. Scores of people from a two-star general, to AFROTC cadets, to a 90-year-old veteran gathered together as our community payed homage to the men and women who wore the uniform of service in the U.S. Military. The Veterans Day event reflected the community’s military heritage, especially in Schertz, which includes thousands of veteran family members as well as active duty military and their dependents. Mayor Michael Carpenter said the ceremony is a classic example of this community’s support and ties to the military. “Our Veterans Day ceremony gets stronger each year, especially since it moved to Veterans Memorial Plaza several years ago. The ceremony is a reaffirmation of our reverence for veterans. The plaza was envisioned by the community and the community members, especially veterans, made it happen,” Mayor Carpenter said. “The Veterans Memorial honors veterans every day, not just November 11,” the Mayor added. Keynote Speaker, United States Air Force Major General Mark A. Brown was impressed by the Memorial Plaza. “I told my wife earlier that the fact that each military branch had its own corner and the personalization, like in the case of the Air Force showing the Airman’s Creed, means a lot to us in the military,” said General Brown. He had several other events during the Veterans Day weekend, but he said he especially looked forward to coming to Schertz. Also in attendance were four City Councilmembers who are veterans including Mark Davis, Cedric Edwards, Bert Crawford and Ralph Gutierrez. Former City Councilmember, David Scagliola, who was elected in the November 7 election, is also a veteran. Crawford was in the Navy and the rest in the Air Force. Each of them said the area’s military heritage is an important strength and asset to the community. The Veterans Day ceremony included visits by State Senator, Donna Campbell and State Representative, John Kuempel, and was supported by community partners including VFW Post 8315, the Knights of Columbus, the Clemens High School Band, AFROTC and OLPH’s Military Ministry.
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Miss Schertz Hello, my name is Corinne Mittelstadt. I am honored to have been selected to represent our wonderful community as Miss Schertz. As a second year ambassador, I have felt so privileged to meet and interact with our local representatives and leaders and have learned so much about our great city and how it is run. As a senior at Samuel Clemens High School I am involved as an athletic trainer for many sports which keeps me very busy all year round. I am also taking dual credit classes and plan to continue studying to be a trainer at UTSA next fall. In addition to sports medicine, I’ve also had a great love for music my entire life. Since I was young, I sang and played piano. It’s an indescribable passion in my life. My greatest passion as Miss Schertz is being a role model to young girls. I have been blessed with the opportunity to lead and carry on the legacy of “Open Hearts,” our bi-weekly middle school program offered at Dobie and Corbett Junior High. This program was designed to give junior high girls a forum to ask questions and discover more about themselves and their passions. My role as Miss Schertz has helped me step outside myself and develop my own confidence. Being the youngest of six kids, I always felt like I was in the background looking out. I was homeschooled the second half of my freshmen year due to eye surgery, and when I stepped back into school the first day of my sophomore year I was scared to death. I knew I had two choices: stay on the sidelines or step out and make a difference. That is why I ran for our Schertz ambassador program. I am here to help give a voice to those that feel they don’t have one.
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The Chamber Calendar Chamber/Visitors Center Office Holiday Schedule
The Chamber/Visitors Center will be closed December 25 and January 1 in observance of Christmas and New Year’s Day. The Chamber/Visitor Center staff sends best wishes to you and your family for a very happy holiday and great new year!
SAVE THE DATE!
6th Annual Health and Wholeness Fair will be January 27, 2018 at the Schertz Civic Center. Naming Sponsor Baptist Emergency Hospital, Partner Sponsor City of Schertz and Presenting Sponsors Schertz Cibolo Emergency Clinic, Northeast Methodist Hospital, and Legacy at Forest Ridge invite you out to meet our area’s best in medical, nutritional, fitness and general wellness providers. Free admission and free parking. Doors are open from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Want to get a great deal on a meal, service, or class? To find up-to-date specials, information and events of our area businesses, go to www.thechamber.info/events/calendar
Want to join our Chamber? Give us a call or e-mail us today! Our Mission: To Serve, Promote and Enhance Economic Success! Our Vision: Continuing to Empower the Business Community One Relationship at a time Our Values: Integrity, Excellence,Advocacy, and Stewardship 1730 Schertz Parkway Schertz Texas 78154 210-619-1950 admincor@thechamber.info www.thechamber.info
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Golf Tournament Raises Money for Students in Public Service Cloudy skies gave way to a warm November afternoon for more than 60 golfers who turned out for the 7th Annual Hal Baldwin Scholarship Golf Tournament at Olympia Hills Golf & Event Center on Friday, November 3. The tournament raises funds for the Hal Baldwin Scholarship Program. The City of Schertz established the Hal Baldwin Scholarship Program in 2008 in recognition of former Mayor Hal Baldwin’s service to the community as well as his work in both city and school government. The scholarship was established as an annual essay and interview competition with the expressed purpose of motivating students to pursue leadership roles in civic government. Congratulations to teams Beck Family, 1st Place; City of Selma, 2nd Place; and McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen, P.C, 3rd Place.
To date, $20,500 has been awarded to Schertz seniors for their higher education needs. Thank you to our sponsors:
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Beck Family
Abel’s Diner
B-COMM
Grumpy’s
Constructors
Providence Title
Ford Engineering
RBFCU
SAMCO Inc.
Upstream Benefits
Frost Bank
Weisinger Law
Tex-Star National
Barnard-Donegan
Bank
Bert Crawford
C&W Properties
Client Centric
ReMax Access
First United
TALK OF THE TOWN
Schertz Magazine All Over the Map Bring your Schertz Magazine along during your travels and send us a high resolution photo of you and your magazine to magazine@schertz.com. You may see your photo in an upcoming issue of Schertz Magazine!
(Above) Pam Sinclair, Sharon Matherne Conklin, Maryann Johansen and Mike Meeks took Schertz Magazine to Juneau, Alaska while whale watching.
(Above) Mary Yguado and her granddaughter, Francheska Cavazos went to Nassau, Bahamas with their Schertz Magazine.
(Above) Janet and Sharon Young went to Noah’s Ark in Williamstown, Kentucky with their Schertz Magazine.
(Right) Greg Saunders went to Elizabeth Stanton’s house in Seneca Falls, NY with Schertz Magazine.
(Above) Laura Shumaker took her Schertz Magazine to Athassel Abbey, County Tipperary, Ireland.
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Buffalos Have a Fighting Leader By: Ed Suarez Reid Smith, a fifth-grade student at Wilder Intermediate School, wasn’t supposed to make it past childbirth. In fact, Reid didn’t know that the cancer found in his kidneys once he was born meant he might not live a long and fruitful life. Yet, every Friday evening, Reid defies cancer and leads the Clemens Buffaloes’ football team out of the big inflatable helmet to take the field. The players and coaches have adopted Reid as their inspiration in what has been a wildly successful season so far. “They love him to death,” said Clemens High School head football coach, Jared Johnston. “They are inspired by him. Our running back, Marshawn Brown, always tells me, ‘He gives me the drive to fight for him.’” “Being invited to join the Clemens Buffaloes football team has been therapeutic for him, and us,” said Tina Smith, Reid’s mother. “He still has his hard days, but now he has something to look forward to.” Tina and her husband had their world turned upside down when they received the diagnosis that their unborn child had been diagnosed with hydronephrosis (a swelling of a kidney due to a buildup of urine) in utero and fluid around his organs. Upon Reid’s birth, a routine scan found an inoperable tumor, as Tina Smith described, “the size of a grapefruit,” in the middle of his right kidney. Undaunted, Reid’s parents received a second opinion, and a new team of doctors removed the tumor, beginning the legend of the fighter in the young boy with a mop of blonde hair. Chemotherapy and radiation have caused residual effects on his health. His kidney function is minimal and his growth has been uneven. Spondylolisthesis (a spinal disorder in which a vertebra slips forward onto the bone below it) has taken its toll. Emotionally, the toll of approximately ten surgeries and numerous hospital stays only exacerbated his anxiety about going to a new campus. His disposition changed dramatically, though, when the opportunity arose to lead the Buffaloes out on the gridiron. Now his Fridays consist of walking around Wilder Intermediate with his Buffs jersey during the day and taking the field with the football team in the evenings. “I tell my kids that we’re blessed to fight through stuff,” said Johnston. “There are times when the players are tired, or not happy that they’re not playing enough, and we tell them, ‘Reid’s fighting a battle every day. Don’t give up.’” Reid’s fight continues, and it promises to be a lifelong struggle. Doctor appointments, physical therapy and twice-yearly scans remind him of the enemy. Friday nights are his refuge. His buddies on the Buffs’ football team is the best medicine. “It makes me feel amazing because I know they are all there for me and the stuff I have to go through,” he said. “It has put a sparkle back in him we haven’t seen in a while,” Tina Smith said. “So it means more to his father and I than I can put into words. They (Clemens football team) don’t know the impact they’ve made on my sweet boy that can’t play sports.” Addendum: For updates on Reid Smith’s journey, log on to his Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/329902955664/
TALK OF THE TOWN
Keeping Schertz Beautiful By: Chuck McCollough The Love Where You Live Community Clean Up Day in the Pecan Grove neighborhood Saturday, October 21, was well timed. “With wet winter weather on the way, some of the repairs we made were crucial for residents in Pecan Grove,” said Jim Fowler, President of the nonprofit group that has now done four community cleanup/repair projects in Schertz. The much needed repairs at Pecan Grove included roof repairs, siding repair and interior floor repairs. Jim Fowler, a former City Councilmember and one of the founders of Love Where You Live, said the estimated 100 volunteers at the “help thy neighbor” undertaking made improvements to 31 properties and completed 26. Work will continue for the remaining few during the spring clean up. Vickie Bedner, five-year Pecan Grove resident, said the project was a godsend. “The volunteers fixed shingles on my roof where it has been leaking every time it rains. They did some interior ceiling, fixing three holes. I very much appreciate the help,” she said. Maria Figueroa has lived at Pecan Grove for seven years and said it needed a number of repairs her family could not afford. “Volunteers from a local church fixed a leak on the back side of my house and some places on my roof to avoid leaks. This is awesome, and I really thank the community for its efforts. I look forward to volunteering for the next time there is a project like this,” she said. Vince Herrera is a 20-year Pecan Grove resident and has multiple family members in his home. The skirting around his home was almost gone, but volunteers put new skirting on the home and a smile on Vince’s face. “We got an estimate of $1,800 to fix the skirting, but we don’t have the money. The new skirting will keep out varmints, cold and rainy weather, and ultimately make us safer. We are so grateful to the City of Schertz and the community,” he said. City Environmental Health Manger, Jesse Hamilton said Schertz provided about eight employees and various pieces of equipment to the project. “It is always great to see community members come together for a common goal which is to provide a better place to call home. We are passionate about providing value to our community and these neighborhood community clean up events are a great vehicle for providing that value,” Hamilton said. Officials said the next Community Clean Up Day will likely be in spring at a time and place to be decided. Project officials like Fowler and Hamilton said it would not be possible without support from community partners like businesses, churches, civic organizations and individual volunteers. Thank you to the sponsors of the event including Lowe’s, Republic Services, Sely’s Mexican Restaurant, Chick-fil-A, Charro Mexican Restaurant, and Kowloon’s Chinese Restaurant.
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SCUCISD Preps Students for the Workforce
FEATURE
By: Melissa Geedman, Contributing Writer: Jenna Carroll
W
ith hundreds of career options available in the world, it can be difficult for someone to determine which profession would be the best fit to pursue. SchertzCibolo-Universal City Independent School District (SCUCISD) offers various career-focused curriculums as part of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program to make the decision less daunting for students. The program is designed to train students for the highly technological and competitive workplace while preparing them for life-long success in high-wage, high-skill, and high-demand occupations and career fields. SCUCISD offers five endorsement studies to include STEM, Business and Industry, Public Services, Arts and Humanities, and Multidisciplinary. The CTE Program encompasses three endorsement areas to include, STEM, Business and Industry and Public Services. The classes within each CTE endorsement are designed to provide students with instruction and training in career areas, offer career development activities, offer opportunities to earn certifications and college credits, and administer hands-on problem solving projects. “All of our programs are so important because not every kid is going to go to college, and so we want to be able to give them opportunities and options as there are so many trade jobs available,” Agriculture Teacher, Raven Crawford said. The Business and Industry endorsement in particular offers diverse career clusters: Business Management & Administration; Finance; Marketing; Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources; Architecture & Construction; Arts, Audio/Video Technology, & Communication; I.T.; and Hospitality & Tourism. A wide-range of courses are provided to include Accounting, Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Advertising, Entrepreneurship, Money Matters, Business Management, Business Information Management, and many more. “Students learn the skills to keep the books for a business, open their own business, or even write a promotional plan, among so much more, commented Laura Lauinger, the Business, Marketing, and Finance teacher at Samuel Clemens. “Right now in our classes our students are writing business plans, promotional plans, and starting to look at different investment vehicles that they may use to begin saving for retirement.” Students have the opportunity to learn how a real business works
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through the school store, The Buffalo Trading Company, which offers school-spirit wear, along with custom embroidery services. The students make buying decisions, develop a store manual with store procedures, and account sales and spending. Not only are they receiving reputable information, but they’re gaining real-world work experience. The Buffalo Trading Company isn’t the only career-oriented project available on campus, however. The Clemens Broadcasting Network (CBN), is a student-led STEM program which helps prepare its members to continue their education in hopes of pursuing careers in Mass Communications & Media. Many CBN students want to become sports and news broadcasters, producers or directors, or any of the many other career choices available to them. Under the direction of Carol Elliott, CBN produces highquality, weekly broadcasts comprised of a sports edition and a news edition utilizing industry-standard editing software. The student crew collaborates to plan, film, edit and produce both episodes every week. The students are currently busy working with a San Antonio vehicle dealership on a commercial, a documentary about the old and new Rose Garden Elementary campuses, an inhouse celebration of Clemens High School's 50th birthday, and a production for the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee. Clemens culinary students can often be seen throughout the city catering school board meetings, city events such as the Taste of Schertz, and district events such as banquets as well as school events. The Culinary Arts program teaches students classic cooking techniques, customer service skills, culinary math, food science and life skills to prepare them, not only for culinary school, but for life after high school. Service projects to help end childhood hunger are a large part of the program, which recently received a grant to purchase a food trailer, which is used part time as a school based food pantry for food- insecure students. Competitions allow the students to earn scholarships for college and internships help students explore different careers in the industry.
business and industry professions by giving them the certification to do so; at the same time, it benefits students who are unsure of what they want to do after high school by introducing them to a topic that interests them. When asked what she likes best about the offered CTE courses, junior, Summer Morgenroth mentioned, “It gives them a foundation to find what they love, and when they find what they love, there are classes and teams you can join to further your passion". Joining the program can also help students even if they do not want to pursue a career in the field. Students are encouraged to explore various topics to find what interests them most. “They need to join it and give it a shot while they’re young,” Agriculture Teacher, Kori Heath said. “If it ends up being something they find out they don’t want to do, then at least they have time to change it. Even if they come in to our class and decide this isn’t what I want to do, we are still able to instill real world knowledge and skills through our curriculum.” The CTE program is available at both Samuel Clemens and Byron P. Steele High Schools. The classes follow TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) standards, which means the curriculum and standards are the same at both schools. “We align our instruction, so if a student were to leave Clemens and go to Steele and take the same course, they should be at the same level of progress,” College and Career Readiness Adviser, Melissa Gossett said. “I think they will be surprised by the facts they learn, and it really does open your eyes and mind to the endless possibilities out there,” senior, Johnny Hazel said. SCUCISD offers several programs to enhance the lives of students and prepare them for their future. If students wish to pursue a CTE cluster course, visit with your campus’ College and Career Advisor to discuss your options for CTE courses, then schedule an appointment with your campus counselor to review those CTE course options available for students.
This program benefits students who wish to pursue a job in various
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FEATURE
A Day in the Life of Schertz Investigations By: Melissa Geedman
Editor’s Note: This editorial piece is to gain insight of Schertz Police Department Investigations and understand what it takes to work a day in the life of a detective. I spent a day with the Schertz Investigations unit with a few of our talented investigators. While it is difficult to truly understand what it takes to be in the field after one short day, I was able to observe and gain a glimpse of what a typical day of an investigator was like.
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T
he day often begins bright and early- investigators have the tendency to be called out of bed in the middle of the night to attend to a scene. To say a typical day for a detective exists would be fallacious as things are constantly changing. Arriving to the office entails a stack of new reports and a dozen voicemails from several people awaiting answers or ready to provide leads to a case. Reports from the previous days are reviewed, including written reports, information reports, arrest reports, and supplements. All details are put into spreadsheets and sent to department heads and staff for review. The report filing doesn’t end there. Daily reports that come through Investigations still need review and assignment. The division averages forty reports a week, but there are continuous cases from weeks, months and years prior that still need answers and justice. I spent my better half of the morning shadowing Sergeant Jones who provided me insight on the process cases go through, how they’re prioritized, and the distribution to each detective. I observed as he filed through the reports previously worked on by fellow investigators after leads have been exhausted or are filed forward to prosecutors. Sergeant Jones at this point hasn’t even began his daily work on his own cases, tracking down suspects and leads, or working on background packets, a major priority. Detective Flowers walked through the door with a lead on his current case; he was headed to the Guadalupe County Justice-Peace to attain a Warrant for Arrest for his suspect. I was able to join in on the ride. Mid-morning Detective Flowers and I arrived
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FEATURE A Day in the Life of Schertz Investigations cont’d from page 27
to visit with the judge. Warrants were collected and we proceeded to the Bexar County Jail to deliver the warrants. Prior to my day in the life of an investigator, I had little knowledge of the day-to-day tasks they do. The critical role they play in the PD is significant to the unravelling to a case. Typical tasks include obtaining and verifying evidence by identifying and observing suspects and witnesses; identifying case issues and evidence needed; determining scope, timing and direction of cases; obtaining search and arrest warrants; and aspects he loves most. “There are several for me. Helping the victims and citizens of our collecting information about arrested suspects city is amazing. I get to work with a cohesive (i.e. fingerprints, height, and weight). group in Investigations; everyone brings “Different from being on Patrol, Investigations is different views and strengths to our division, involved in a case from beginning to end. “It has and it’s great to see it all come together.” certainly been a learning experience because we get to be involved in the whole process of a case. Corporal Kellie Kallies has been with Schertz PD for ten years, nine of which has After being on Patrol for eleven years, I felt CID been with Investigations. Kellie takes the lead was the next logical step in the progression of role of polygraph testing in the unit. While my career,” mentioned Corporal Roman. interviewing Kellie, she stated, “The most rewarding aspect within Investigations is Criminal Investigation, often portrayed as a the ability to help people. We are given the glamorous profession on TV, in reality involves opportunity to be the voice to those who don’t high-stress days and tedious attention. have a voice and help those voices be heard.” Meet your Schertz Investigations team: Sergeant She went on to mention how she enjoys the investigative role of finding out the who, what, Virgil Jones, Corporal Kellie Kallies, Corporal when, why, and how of a case. Ernest Spradling, Corporal Daniel Roman, and Detective, Gregg Flowers. Corporal Ernest Spradling has been with Schertz PD for twelve years, eleven years Sergeant Virgil Jones has been with have been spent with Investigations. “When Investigations since 2011, but has been I began in Law Enforcement, my goal was employed with the Schertz Police Department instantly to become an investigator. I enjoy since 2002. When asked what the most difficult the different cases and people and being able aspect of his job was, Jones mentioned, “it is to piece together the puzzle and solve the challenging managing several cases at once crimes. As an investigator, we get to work while still fulfilling supervisory tasks. Time hand-in-hand with our victims, witnesses management is a key factor to being a good and the Attorney’s Offices. For me, I feel that detective.” I make a bigger difference as an investigator than I did as a patrolman.” However, Jones was not shy to mention the
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Corporal Daniel Roman has been with the Police Department going on eleven years, but has been in Investigations for almost a year now. He mentioned the satisfying part is working with the investigators themselves. "Each one of them are good officers, and we make the best of our situation and have fun." Detective Gregg Flowers began his career with Schertz PD in 2008, and within this last year began working with Investigations. Flowers commented, “Being able to see a different side of law enforcement and gain the experience has been so rewarding. The best feeling is seeing everything come together and the case is filed on the victim’s behalf." Do you have what it takes to become an investigator? If you are incredibly attentive to detail, can concentrate under tight circumstances, and possess the ability to stay calm and collected under pressure, then you may have what it takes. For me, I’ll leave it to the professionals, but it was a wonderful insight to see a day in the life of Schertz Investigations.
FEATURE
Community Barber Impacts Youth Lives By: Kira Villarreal
H
ans Bejarano’s story is about how a community became a family. It’s a story of overcoming loss and a story of one man inspiring a city, one haircut at a time. Just five years ago, Bejarano was cutting his sons’ hair in his garage, and today he is a successful business owner and philanthropist, beloved by the Schertz community and the many individuals that have benefited from his generosity. His barbershop, Elite Styles, is hugely popular, and his two annual supply drives bring school supplies, clothes, and toys to families in need. To say that Bejarano is something of a local celebrity wouldn’t be much of an exaggeration, and it all started with a pair of noisy hair clippers.
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FEATURE Community Barber Impacts Youth Lives cont’d from page 29 In 2010, while working as an annuities underwriter for a financial services company, Bejarano would often cut his sons’ hair in his garage. One day, his neighbor heard the clippers and came over to find out where the noise was coming from. When he saw what was going on he asked if Bejarano would cut his son’s hair as well. Always one to help out a neighbor, Bejarano agreed. The neighbor’s son, Tommy Armstrong, became one of his very first clients, and the seed for a new career was planted. As it happened, Armstrong was the quarterback for the Steel High School football team, and he told a few of his teammates about the great haircut he received. Before long, Bejarano had a small but very loyal following of friends and neighbors who came to him for haircuts on a regular basis.
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In those early days, Bejarano didn’t consider his work as anything more than a hobby and didn’t charge for his services. He simply enjoyed helping others, and valued the opportunity to spend time getting to know his neighbors, particularly the youth in the community. He always wanted to know what was going on in the students’ lives and would talk about everything from school to sports to politics. If they needed advice or encouragement, Bejarano would provide that as well. “The early choices you make can have a major impact on the rest of your life,” he said. “Seeing kids make smart decisions and helping to guide them is one of the most rewarding things for me.” One of those first clients, Matthew Mayle, recalls how much he enjoyed getting to know Bejarano. Mayle was also a Steel High School student and football player. From the beginning, he says that the atmosphere at Bejarano’s house was special. “He’s the best barber I’ve ever been to, but he became much more than that,” says Mayle. “He became a friend, mentor and role-model.”
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It quickly became clear that Bejarano had quite a talent for cutting hair, and his list of clients grew. He still wasn’t charging for his services, but allowed people to pay whatever they could afford, if they chose to do so. In 2013, he had been working out of his garage for more than three years when he was laid off from his job. At first, he looked for other opportunities in finance, but he wasn’t having much luck, and for the first time, he considered the possibility of opening his own barber shop and making a living doing what he loved. Bejarano spent most of the next year making the necessary preparations and looking for a space, and in January 2015, he opened Elite Styles barbershop at 414 Schertz Parkway. Just as he was preparing to realize his dream, tragedy struck when his 17-year-old son, Jay, was killed in an automobile accident. Jay was well known in Schertz. He had been a student at Steele High School, where he played basketball and football, and his death hit the community especially hard. Although it would have been understandable had
Bejarano chosen to put his dream on hold while coping with his grief, he chose instead to use it as a vehicle for creating positive change. Those who knew him best expected nothing less. “Hans was always willing to help anyone, and the tragedy inspired him to make things better for others,” said Mayle. The grand opening of Elite Styles Barbershop was held in January 2015 in memory of Jay Hill. The community came together to show support, and more than 200 people were in attendance as Bejarano provided food and gave free haircuts all day. Almost immediately, the business was a success. The years of working for free and establishing so many close relationships in the community had paid off, and Bejarano had a loyal following of customers from the start. The business continued to grow, primarily through word of mouth, and today he has more than 400 regular visitors to his shop as well as two employees who help meet the high demand for his services. Following the success of the grand opening, Bejarano wanted to find a way to continue to honor Jay’s memory and give back to the community. In the fall of 2015, he decided to host a school supply drive in honor of Jay that would provide free backpacks and supplies to students who could not afford to buy them. As the father of three school age children, he knew how costly it could be to provide necessary school items and wanted
to help families who weren’t able to do so. Bejarano used his own money to purchase backpacks, shoes, food, gift cards and a variety of other supplies. He advertised the event on social media and allowed attendees to come in and take whatever they needed. The first event was a success, with 160 backpacks and other supplies distributed, and Bejarano has continued the tradition every year since. In December 2016, he added a second charity event to his schedule - a Christmas toy and gift drive. As with the school supply drive, Bejarano purchased the gifts himself. He distributed more than 150 toys and 50 gift cards during the first event, and the second annual drive will be held in December 2017. Bejarano says that he will continue to hold both events every year, as long as he is in business.
new projects and is thinking about someday opening an after-school center or an athletic facility. But for now, he is proud to have built a place where everyone who walks in feels welcome and gets a whole lot more than just a great haircut. Elite Styles is clearly not your average barbershop, but Bejarano wouldn’t have it any other way. “When you come to see us, you aren’t looked at as a customer or a source of revenue,” he said. "You are treated as family.” For more information about Elite Styles Barbershop or the school supply and toy drives, please call (210) 758-5005.
Bejarano isn’t sure what the future holds for him, but he’s always thinking about new ways that he can contribute to his community and especially, to make life better for children and youth. He has a few ideas for some
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CIVIC NEWZ
Your Exclusive Source for News from the City of Schertz
Steve Simonson Award Honors Outstanding Community Service Two pillars of the community and City Board/Commission volunteers were honored for their many years of service during the 2017 Steve Simonson Volunteer of the Year & Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on October 26. Sue Boissonneault and Paul Macaluso were nominated by their peers for recognition of their selfless dedication to improving the quality of our City. Sue is a member of the Cibolo-Schertz Lions Club, Guadalupe County Crime Stoppers, the Schertz Cibolo Police Alumni, and the Transportation Safety Advisory Commission. Through her volunteer efforts, Sue has become a great fundraiser. She has assisted in obtaining sponsors for the Senior Center Casino Night, the Pancreatic Cancer Program, and the recent Crime Stoppers Convention. Paul has been a member of the Schertz Economic Development Corporation since 2015 and currently serves as Treasurer and Secretary. He believes community service is a way to help others and to improve the community. He says, “volunteering should feel like a fun and rewarding hobby.� He is all about teamwork, communication, problem-solving, planning and organization. Macaluso was named the 2017 Steve Simonson Community Service Volunteer of the Year and Boissonneault was named the Distinguished Volunteer. Also recognized were the many residents who serve on City boards and commissions who give of their time to make our City better as we continue to grow.
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CIVIC NEWZ
Your Exclusive Source for News from the City of Schertz
Schertz Parkway Reconstruction Updates The City is moving forward with Capital Improvement Projects beginning with the reconstruction of Schertz Parkway from Maske Road to East Live Oak Road. Capital Improvement Projects are designed to improve the City’s infrastructure. Other Capital Improvement Projects, such as the replacement of old water lines in the Northcliffe subdivision, the proposed Corbett Elevated Water Tank, and the new Fire Station in Southern Schertz are underway throughout the City, but the Schertz Parkway reconstruction is especially important because of the Parkway’s role as Schertz’s premier Principal Arterial (Master Thoroughfare Plan 2017). Unlike FM 3009 or FM 482, Schertz Parkway is owned by the City and maintained by various City departments. This project is being led by the Engineering Department with support from the Public Works Department. The identification of this particular section of Schertz Parkway for reconstruction was based on several factors: traffic volumes, maintenance and repair costs, pavement condition, and quality of life. Engineering and Public Works staff explored different repair options. One option was to simply repair the existing asphalt and another was to reconstruct the roadway. These options were presented to City Council who determined it would be more desirable to fully reconstruct Schertz Parkway instead of doing just an asphalt repair. In order to investigate the factors that could be causing the pavement failures of this section of Schertz Parkway, the City engaged Fugro Consultants, a geotechnical engineering firm. Fugro performed an investigation and evaluation of the existing materials under the pavement. They provided a geotechnical report identifying the current ground conditions under Schertz Parkway and provided asphalt and concrete pavement design recommendations. This geotechnical analysis provided valuable information for the proper design and reconstruction of Schertz Parkway. This geotechnical report allowed the City to move forward with the creation of design plans utilizing on-call engineering firm, Ford Engineering, Inc. In addition to the reconstruction of Schertz Parkway, City staff recommended that the deteriorating asphalt hike and bike trail along this stretch of road be reconstructed and a turning lane on East Live Oak be incorporated. The turning lane will widen East Live Oak Road from a two-lane intersection to a three-lane intersection at Schertz Parkway and will allow for better traffic flow. The hike and bike trail is part of a 3.2 mile long trail parallel to Schertz Parkway and is a positive influence on the quality of life for individuals and families alike as well as the larger community. Enlisted and retired military, families, students, runners and walkers alike utilize the trail at all hours of the day. Because of its heavy use and positive impact to the community, City Council decided to upgrade the trail along with Schertz Parkway. Once the construction plans for this project were complete, the City issued a Request for Proposals seeking bids to complete the project in Asphalt or Concrete, including reconstructing the asphalt hike and bike trail. Of the proposals received, concrete was determined to be the best value option of the two alternatives. Therefore, City Council authorized a contract with Capital Excavation Company to reconstruct Schertz Parkway in concrete. Construction began in early October 2017, and the project is expected to be complete by April 2018. The funds to reconstruct Schertz Parkway include bond proceeds from 2016 that were supplemented with some remaining funds from the voter-approved 2009 street improvement bonds. The base contract value for the reconstruction of Schertz Parkway is $934,258.85. Construction updates can be found on Schertz.com. When complete, this section of road will be an addition to the City’s quality of life and provide momentum forward for future City roadway projects.
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CIVIC NEWZ
Your Exclusive Source for News from the City of Schertz
SCUCISD College and Career Fair Schertz Cibolo Universal City ISD (SCUCISD) College and Career Night was held Monday, October 30 at Byron P. Steele II High School. The event was for SCUCISD and Marion ISD students and parents, to explore the vast array of programs offered at various colleges and universities, trade schools, local businesses and military branches, which is part of a district wide initiative to prepare students for college, a career, or military readiness.
To better prepare students for the future, SCUCISD added a College and Career Readiness Advisor at Samuel Clemens and Byron P. Steele II High School campuses. Each campus also opened a College and Career Center for students and parents to get assistance with post-secondary planning such as, college applications, FAFSA, mock interviews, fine tuning soft skills, resume building and scholarship opportunities.
College and Career Night allowed students and parents the opportunity to meet face-to-face with college recruiters and local business representatives. More than 78 higher education institutions such as the University of Texas at San Antonio, Hallmark College and businesses such as Caterpillar, Maverick Door and Millwork and H-E-B were on hand to assist families in planning for their students’ future.
Economic Development Corporations from the City of Schertz and Cibolo helped the school district identify and recruit businesses to participate. A strong partnership between the City, school district, and employers is extremely important. Connecting students and employers ensures that employers have a qualified workforce pipeline for today’s and tomorrow’s jobs.
Students gained information from colleges and universities regarding admission requirements, financial aid opportunities, course and major offerings, and college life. Additionally, business representatives were able to speak one-on-one with parents and students about employment opportunities, full and part-time jobs, summer internships and degrees one must obtain to be hired in the future.
For more information on the College and Career Readiness Centers please contact Melissa Gossett from Samuel Clemens High School at (210) 945-6598 or mgossett@scuc.txed.net or contact Amy Massey from Byron P. Steele II High School at (210) 619-4065 or amassey@ scuc.txed.net.
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CIVIC NEWZ
Your Exclusive Source for News from the City of Schertz
Vehicle pictured is similar to the truck Schertz Fire Department will received.
Type III Engine Granted to Schertz Fire Department The hard work and dedication of the Schertz Fire Rescue Team has truly paid off as they have been granted a Type III Fire Engine by the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) which is maintained by the Texas A&M Forest Service. A Type III fire engine is specifically designed to assist in fighting wildfires by transporting firefighters to the scene and providing them with the necessary equipment for wildland fires. It is also used in all-hazards responses as needed. This could include sawing damaged trees or even backfilling a station to run routine calls in an area that sustained damage from a natural disaster. Schertz Fire Rescue has a strong history of responding and providing aid, both locally and across the state, which has shown their competency for the grant. TIFMAS recognizes the support and actions of departments who often assist in need,
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thus the grant for Schertz Fire Rescue was awarded. During local events, it is not mandatory to send personnel out of the area. The state is often fair about avoiding requests for equipment or personnel when threats of weather events in the local area occur. As a result, equipment is dispersed around the state of Texas to ensure areal regions not affected by disasters are able to aid in assistance by sending necessary equipment and often personnel. There is the option to deploy the apparatus to the event with other regional firefighters from the area if we are unable to send personnel. The TIFMAS grant is awarded on a points system which encompasses various ways to earn points. Some of the most common ways to receive points includes deployments, number of certified Wildland
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personnel, number of All-Hazards certified personnel and data entry into the Texas A&M Forest Service Wildland fire database each year. The Texas A&M Forest Service also looks at the map and attempts to balance the state as much as possible with Type III and VI engines. While Schertz has been continuously tracking points over the years, the recent deployments aiding in hurricane relief has certainly helped the department earn the Type III apparatus, an estimated cost of $285,000. The Schertz Fire Rescue team is very grateful to be awarded this resource to be able to better serve and protect our community and stand ready to respond anywhere in the state and surrounding areas.
Holiday Tree Disposal Republic Services will begin picking up Christmas trees on January 10, 11, and 12. Trees will be picked up only on the second service day for customers with twice per week service. Customers with service on Mondays and Thursdays will have their trees picked up on Thursday. Customers with service on Tuesdays and Fridays will have their trees picked up on Friday. Customers with once per week service will have their trees picked up on their regular service days. Wednesday customers will have their trees picked up on Wednesday. Friday customers will have the trees picked up on Fridays. Trees that are over 5 ft. tall must be cut in half. Any tree or section of tree exceeding 5 ft. will not be picked up. For more information contact (210) 619-1800.
Fireworks Prohibited As we approach the holidays, the Schertz Fire Department reminds residents that fireworks are prohibited in the city limits of Schertz. City Code of Ordinances 30.64 prohibits the sale, use, or possession of fireworks in the City. If you are unsure whether you reside within the city limits of Schertz you can go to the interactive map on the City’s website and type in your address. For more information, call the Fire Department at (210) 619-1300.
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Planning & Community Development
From the Development Whiteboard Subdivision of Land and Platting By: Bryce Cox, Senior Planner
In the Planning Division a common question we are asked is what is a plat and why is it needed? A plat is the map, drawing or chart on which a plan of a subdivision is presented and submitted for approval. Property is platted for a number of reasons however there are three main functions that are accomplished through platting which include 1) creation of legal lots; 2) dedication of rightsof-way, open space and public easements; and 3) the installation of public infrastructure. The first function of platting to create legal lots can be for a single lot or for the subdivision of land into multiple lots. While people generally hear the term subdivision and think of large residential neighborhoods, a subdivision can be large or small and encompasses the division of any lot, tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, tracts or parcels for the purpose of sale or development, whether immediate or in the future. Within the City and its Extra Territorial Jurisdiction
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(ETJ), the subdivision of land is generally performed through the platting process. Single lots or parcels that are not part of a subdivision of land may also be platted to create a legal lot for development. Both residential and commercial developments are required to plat land in order to build on the land. Platting land is one of the first steps in developing property. The second main function of platting property is identifying and dedicating right-of-way and easements for utility services. Right-of-way is the right of passage acquired to provide pedestrian and vehicular access to abutting lots or tracts, which can also be used for utilities and to provide for drainage ways. Through the platting process the applicant will identify and dedicate right-of-way for new roadways and possible
expansion of existing roadways. Additionally with the platting of land, various utility, access and storm water drainage easements are dedicated. City staff uses the City’s Master Throughfare Plan to assist in the review of plats to ensure critical roadways are accounted for and in the correct locations. The third main function of platting is the construction and extension of public infrastructure. Along with the dedication of right-of-way, the subdivider is responsible for the construction and extension of public infrastructure to serve the area being platted. This typically includes the construction of roads, sidewalks, and water and sewer lines. Infrastructure is also stubbed out to allow for future extension with subsequent subdivision and platting of adjacent property.
Bryce Cox, Senior Planner The Senior Planner is responsible for overseeing long and short range planning projects and supervising the day to day operations within the Planning and Zoning Division including comprehensive planning, zoning, subdivision platting, annexation and commercial site development.
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Plats are reviewed by City staff and then are approved by the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission. During the review of plats staff looks at a number of items including: • points of access and roadway widths, to ensure that emergency services is able to respond in the event of an emergency • storm water management areas, so there is not flooding or adverse impacts to adjacent properties. • lot size, to ensure that parcels are appropriately sized for safe and orderly development. • utility easements and right-of-way, so all lots can receive road and utility services (such as water, sewer, electric, cable tv, telephone and natural gas) If you are interested in subdividing or developing your land please give the Planning Division a call at (210) 619-1780 or send us an email at planning@schertz. com. We are happy to answer any questions that you may have or discuss the City’s development requirements with you.
City Council Members Sworn Into Office Council members Scott Larson, Cedric Edwards and David Scagliola were sworn into three year terms in places 3, 4, and 5 at the Special November 20 City Council Meeting.
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Fire Prevention Week Poster Contest Winners In observance of Fire Prevention week in October, Schertz Fire Rescue presented their annual Fire Prevention Week Poster Contest open to all SCUCISD Students. This poster contest is one of many ways Schertz Fire Rescue helps raise awareness about fire prevention among young audiences. Students were asked to create a poster around the Fire Prevention Week theme, “Every second counts, plan two ways out.” This program empowers kids to know what to do in case of a fire. The winning posters and artists were presented to City Council on October 24. The winners are as follows: KINDERGARTEN – 2ND GRADE CATEGORY 1st Place Coralie Davis, Kindergarten, Paschal Elementary 2nd Place Charlotte Allshouse-Goll, 1st Grade, Schertz Elementary
Julian Trettel
Sabrina Deleon
3rd Place Philip Lee, 2nd Grade, Sippel Elementary 3RD AND 4TH GRADE CATEGORY 1st Place Joshua Chavez, 4th Grade, Weiderstein Elementary 2nd Place Deyton Boney, 3rd Grade, Rose Garden Elementary 3rd Place Sabrina Deleon, 4th Grade, Schertz Elementary 5TH AND 6TH GRADE CATEGORY 1st Place Julian Trettel, 5th Grade, Schlather Elementary 2nd Place Christopher Gonzales Alapag, 5th Grade, Wilder Elementary 3rd Place Laura Hunter, 5th Grade, Schlather Elementary MAYOR’S CHOICE Coralie Davis, Kindergarten, Paschal Elementary
Charlotte Allshouse-Goll
Philip Lee
Coralie Davis Deyton Boney
Joshua Chavez
Christopher Gonzales Alapag, Laura Hunter
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CIVIC NEWZ LOOKING BACK December QUOTE OF NOTE “History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon” Napoleon Bonaparte
#INFO IMPORTANT SCHERTZ
PHONE NUMBERS Schertz City Council Mayor: Michael Carpenter
Council Members:
LOCAL HISTORY
In December 1933, Randolph Mason’s Lodge #1268 was formed at Schertz, Texas. The lodge was named after Captain William Randol[ph, an aviator and master mason who was killed in an airplane crash while on a return flight to Randolph Field. In December 1958, the first city elections produced results that allowed for a mayor and five altermen. On December 16, 1961, Schertz voters approved a $315,000.00 bond package that provided for bond sales to pay for the cost of a city-wide sanitary sewer system. On December 15, 1980, City Council endorsed the idea of pursuing annexation along IH 35, thereby setting the stage of a decade of city boundary expansion.
TEXAS HISTORY
On December 29, 1845, the US Congress approved, and President James K. Polk signed, the “Joint Resolution of te Admission of the State of Texas into the Union”. Texas thus became the 28th state. Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.
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Mark Davis Ralph Gutierrez Scott Larson Cedric Edwards, Sr. David Scagliola Angelina Kiser Bert Crawford
(210) 619-1045
(210) 376-9141 (210) 376-9231 (210) 376-9835 (210) 566-4540 (210) 612-4297 (210) 376-9579 (210) 376-9780
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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
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PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT 1400 SCHERTZ PARKWAY SCHERTZ, TEXAS 78154