BROUGHT
TO
YOU
BY
THE
CITY
OF
SCHERTZ,
TEXAS
SCHERTZ
DECEMBER 2020
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Proudly supplying aggregate in the Central Texas area since 1936
Proudly supplying aggregate in the Central Texas area since 1936
Together, Lehigh Hanson companies have more than 160 years of providing the United States and Canada with construction materials to erect the buildings, roads, homes and parks that surround us in our daily lives. As our company will continue to adhere to the world-class Together, Lehigh grows, Hansonwe companies have more than 160 years of providing
Proudly supplying aggregate inestablished the Central 1936 standards by Canada our Texas heritage. And assince we move forward, willthe the United States and with area construction materials to we erect continually strive to achieve anparks even that higher level ofus excellence. buildings, roads, homes and surround in our daily lives.
As our company grows, we will continue to adhere to the world-class standards established by our heritage. And as we move forward, we will continually strive to achieve an even higher level of excellence.
Together, Lehigh Hanson companies have more than 160 years of providing the United States and Canada with construction materials to erect the
TABLE OF CONTENTS
City Council Ralph Gutierrez Mayor
06 09 12 30
City Headlines Parks & Recreation Library Features
38 44 46 55
Around the Community The Squire The SC Correspondent Calendar
Mark Davis Councilmember Rosemary Scott Councilmember Jill Whittaker Councilmember
FEATURES
Michael Dahle Councilmember David Scagliola Councilmember Allison Heyward Councilmember Tim Brown Councilmember
Executive Team Dr. Mark Browne City Manager Brian James Assistant City Manager Charles Kelm Assistant City Manager Adrian Perez Executive Director Sarah Gonzalez Assistant to the City Manager
Mission Leading, improving, and serving a livable, sustainable, and financially sound community.
Vision Community. Service. Opportunity.
Core Values Treat others the way you would want to be treated. Do the right thing.
30
County Commissioner Says Farewell After 24 Years of Service
Be the best you can. Work cooperatively as a team.
About Our Magazine Schertz Magazine is a monthly popular lifestyle/entertainment/ community events publication wholly owned and operated by the City of Schertz and produced internally by the Schertz Public Affairs Department. It serves as the primary dissemination source for government information for a growing city of over 42,000 residents. Today, Schertz Magazine is the leading publication in the Tri-County area with a circulation of 16,000 copies; including 14,000+ direct mailed and 500+ subscriptions from Austin through San Antonio and around the country (including dozens of out-of-state readers). The magazine is mailed to 15,000+ local households and over 1,000 businesses with hundreds of copies made available at local and regional banks, hospitals and clinics, schools, pharmacies, and restaurants.
34
A Year of Resilience, Perseverance, and Triumph
DECEMBER 2020
FROM THE DESK OF THE
CITY MANAGER I would like to wish all residents of Schertz a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. All of us here at the City of Schertz hope you have a wonderful holiday season. I am so grateful to be a part of the Schertz community and hope that you are as well. We have a great magazine issue this month as we have our Year in Review feature story in which we take a look at 2020 through the perspective of local leaders and how this unique year has impacted the community and what we see moving forward. In this article we hear from myself, Mayor Ralph Gutierrez, Superintendent Dr. Clark Ealy, Chamber President Maggie Titterington, and Fire Chief Kade Long. I can tell you without the cooperation of each of these leaders, 2020 would have been much more difficult to navigate. I can also report the City of Schertz has come through the year in excellent condition given all the challenges. We remain strong in the areas of City finance, economic development, commercial and residential development, and staff performance. I am very proud of how our community has responded to our challenges.
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY Public Affairs Department Linda Klepper Public Affairs Director Devan Christensen Communications Manager Madison Porras Marketing & Communications Specialist _________ Contributing Writers
Linda Klepper, Devan Christensen, Madison Porras, Sarah Gonzalez, Kira Villarreal, Stan Leland, Stacey Lovett, Lizzi Bertoia, Mary Spence, Michelle Yang, Anna Kraft, Haley Welker, Kennedi Adams, Zoe Dean, Connie Wiggins, Anthony Rizzs, Madyson Isenberg, Kate Whyte, Augustine Perez, Anika Barajas, Lyndsey Villarreal, Eric Wilbur
Contributing Photographers
Devan Christensen, Madison Porras, Stacey Lovett, Anna Kraft, Maggie Titterington, Eric Wilbur, Haley Welker, Kennedi Adams, Zoe Dean, Connie Wiggins, Anthony Rizzs, Madyson Isenberg, Kate Whyte, Augustine Perez, Anika Barajas, Lyndsey Villarreal, Jessica Sullivan
_________ 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
_________
I would also like to recognize County Commissioner Jim Wolverton for his many years of service to our community and the great support he provided to the City of Schertz. He was a tremendous partner and his wisdom and expertise helped guide us through many projects. In this edition, we also have pages created and written by students at Clemens and Steele high schools. They have done a great job with their submissions.
Send queries about articles or photographs to Schertz Magazine at magazine@schertz.com. For advertising information call (210) 619-1633 or email magazine@schertz.com.
Finally, I would like to say at this time of year that I hope you are able to take some time to enjoy family, friends, and loved ones. Take some time off to recharge, eat some good food, and watch football or whatever you enjoy watching. Let’s show kindness to each other and come together as a community with blessings and grace for all. Our faith in God and each other will carry us through as we look forward to an even better 2021.
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.
Dr. Mark Browne City Manager mbrowne@schertz.com
OFFICIAL FINE PRINT NEWS POLICY Schertz Magazine encourages submission of news and event announcement items. News and event announcements must include contact name and contact phone number. 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) 619-1600.
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.
ON THE COVER
SCHERTZ.COM
Thank you to the strongminded community leaders who kept the city running smoothly and safely during one of the most unusual years that most of us have ever experienced.
Candy Cruisin’ Treat Trail This year’s Spooky Social (Distanced) event provided a safe alternative to our traditional Trunkor-Treat event. Throughout the month of October, Schertz Parks & Recreation made sure to bring Halloween fun to everyone with a series of virtual contests and events! This included the Jack-OLantern Jinx virtual pumpkin carving/decorating contest, the Art Chalk-ula driveway chalk art contest, the Fangs for the Memories pumpkin patch photo locations, and the Fa-Boo-Lous virtual costume contest. To wrap up a month of spooky events, The Candy Cruisin’ Treat Trail offered a safe option for trick-or-treaters on Halloween with multiple candy pick up locations across the city. All of these festivities were made possible by our sponsors H-E-B, EVO Entertainment, Abel’s Diner, and The Chamber. Thank you to everyone who participated for a ghostly good time!
6
Schertz Magazine
December 2020
Fa-Boo-Lous Constume Contest Winners
Rowan C.
Bentley S.
Reagan C.
Jordyn G.
Brentley M.
Abby Lee B.
Roman R.
Raelin C.
Roman A.
Aiden W.
Ryan M.
Leo M.
Tamara L
Witherspoon Family
Age 1
Age 5
Age 9
Adult (13+)
Willow
3rd Place - Pet
Age 2
Age 6
Age 10
Family
Age 3
Age 7
Age 11
Age 4
Age 8
Age 12
Daisy
1st Place - Pet
Schertz Magazine
Avoca-Dog
2nd Place - Pet
December 2020
7
Art Chalk-ula Driveway Chalk Art Contest Winners
Ashley G.
1st Place Family
Penelope K.
2nd Place Family
Mishael S.
3rd Place Family
Jack-o-Lantern Jinx Virtual Pumpkin Decorating/Carving Contest
Houston P.
Youth: Best Decorated Entry
Tamara L.
Adult: Best Decorated Entry
8
Schertz Magazine
December 2020
Reallin C.
Youth: Best Use of Materials
Mishael S.
Adult: Best Use of Materials
Ethan L.
Youth: Best Carved Entry
Trevor S.
Adult: Best Carved Entry
STAY INFORMED!
Follow us on Facebook at cityofschertz and cityofschertzparksandrecreation
WE WANT YOUR BEST SHOT!
Follow us on Instagram at @SchertzParksandRec and use #SchertzParksandRec when posting.
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Schertz Magazine
December 2020
9
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
NICHE ACADEMY
Find tutorials and step-by-step instructions for accessing a variety of online resources, including E-book services and databases available to you with your library card.
SCHERTZ PUBLIC LIBRARY RECEIVES FUNDING
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) recently awarded funding to the Schertz Public Library under the TSLAC CARES Grant program. TSLAC received funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to support libraries in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. With some of those funds, we have recently acquired two new electronic resources, AtoZdatabases and Niche Academy! You can find these resources at Schertz.com/674/Electronic-Resources.
ATOZDATABASES
AtoZdatabases is the premier Reference, Research, Marketing, Mailing Lists/Sales Leads, and Job-Search Database. The database includes 30 million business & executive profiles, over 240 million residents with interests, hobbies, and lifestyles information, over 7 million real-time job listings, 2 million new businesses, over 12 million healthcare professionals, over 12 million new movers, 2 million new homeowners, and much more. The databases are ideal for sales leads, mailing lists, market research, employment opportunities, background searches, finding friends, relatives, and a whole lot of other possibilities.
MONTHLY TAKE & MAKE
While supply lasts, we have ornament crafts that can be picked up curbside or inside the library. Crafts are appropriate for youth-adult.
HOT SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR CIRCULATION
In partnership with Bexar County’s BiblioTech, the Schertz Public Library is now circulating hot spots! Anyone who finds themselves without access to the Internet can check out a hotspot to be used at home. Uses include, but aren’t limited to: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Conducting personal business Continuing with educational endeavors Participating in recreational opportunities Applying for jobs or benefits, Continue operating businesses
This program has been funded for a twelve-month period with the hope that the Digital Divide further expanded by this pandemic, can be bridged. Many thanks to Bexar County’s BiblioTech. For more information, visit Schertz. com/1971/Hotspot-Circulation-Policy.
12
Schertz Magazine
December 2020
THANK YOU TO 2020 VIRTUAL BOOKTOBER FEST PARTICIPANTS
This October, Schertz Public Library featured local authors on social media, as we could not hold our annual local author fair this year. Author videos can still be viewed on the library’s Facebook page. Thank you to the following authors for creating videos for us to share: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Amy Bearce Ashley Rogers Kelly Grettler Cynthia Freeman Gibbs Judy Womack Terry M. Beard Karen Howard Lee Max Booth III
City
Headlines
Ten Participants Graduate from Citizen’s Police Academy The Schertz Police Department offers the free Citizens Police Academy each year, and this year, the planned 8-week long course started on February 6 with 12 participants. In March, the class had only two sessions left when COVID-19 put it on pause. Yet, in September, the participants wished to complete their last two sessions. With one person to a table for the next two classes, ten participants finally were able to graduate on September 24.
Communications Division, and Animal Services. After the completion of the Citizens Police Academy, the graduates can become a member of the Schertz Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association and a volunteer for the Schertz Citizens Patrol. Congratulations to these graduates for their hard work and determination in completing the academy even in the face of a pandemic.
During the class, participants were able to learn about the department command structure, operations, use of force, laws and city ordinances, traffic stops, DWI, criminal investigations and procedures, SWAT, School Resource Officers,
If you are interested in being a part of the next class of the Citizens Police Academy, make sure to follow the Schertz Police Department on social media to be notified when the next class will begin.
The Blue Santa Tree The Blue Santa Program was created to help bring holiday happiness to Schertz families and children in need. This year the Schertz Police Department is introducing the Blue Santa Tree. Much like an Angel Tree, contributors can remove one or more tags from the Blue Santa Tree and purchase appropriate gifts for the child or children described on the tags. Those willing to donate can pick up a Blue Santa Tree gift tag in the Police Department Lobby (1400 Schertz Parkway Bldg. 6). When picking up a tag, please bring it to the lobby window so it can be logged. Monetary and gift card donations will also be accepted. Donations and unwrapped gifts must be received by Monday, December 14. Contact Melissa Fleck or Officer Kraft at (210) 619-1200 for more information.
14
Schertz Magazine
December 2020
ONE CALL TO
T H E M O S T I M P O R TA N T
CITY
NUMBERS A BANK
HALL
C A N T H R O W A T YO U
311
FOR CITY SERVICES
A R E 2 4 A N D 7.
You call and we answer around the clock, right here in Texas. Visit us at frostbank.com or call at (800) 51-FROST.
For All of Your Non-Emergency Questions About City Services
MEMBER FDIC
City
Headlines
Fire Prevention Week Poster Contest Winners Announced In observance of Fire Prevention Week (October 4-10), Schertz Fire Rescue presented their annual Fire Prevention Week Poster Contest open to all students in K-4 grade levels, for schools in Schertz and SCUCISD. 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, "Serve Up Fire Safety in
16
Schertz Magazine
December 2020
the Kitchen!" This program empowers kids to know what to do in case of a fire. So many wonderful posters were submitted from students of all ages. The winning posters and artists were presented before the Schertz City Council Meeting on October 27. Congratulations to all of the winners!
WINNERS OF THE FIRE PREVENTION WEEK POSTER CONTEST WINNERS FROM KINDERGARTEN - 2ND GRADE 1st Place
Audrey Deleon
1st
Sippel Elementary
2nd Place
Mia Seifert
1st
Watts Elementary
3rd place
Rachel Nedoroscik
1st
Rose Garden Elementary
WINNERS FROM 2ND & 3RD GRADE 1st place
Liam Boney
2nd
Rose Garden Elementary
2nd Place
Sophia Torres
3rd
Green Valley Elementary
3rd place
Jackson Boney
2nd
Rose Garden Elementary
WINNERS FROM 4TH GRADE 1st place
Samuel Duran
4th
Sippel Elementary
2nd Place
Alayna Campos
4th
Watts Elementary
3rd place
Penelope Knighten
4th
Sippel Elementary
2nd
Rose Garden Elementary
MAYOR'S CHOICE Liam Boney
Schertz Magazine
December 2020
17
Merry Christmas
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DIVORCE
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433 KITTY HAWK ROAD, SUITE 227, UNIVERSAL CITY, TEXAS 78148
210.200.8519 (Tel) / 210.468.1886 (Fax)
18
Schertz Magazine
December 2020
Northeast Lakeview College Offers core classes, Alamo.edu/nlc pre-majors, transfer 210-21ALAMO areas of study, associate degrees, programs, and certificates More than 40 to choose from Apply by January 4 for Spring 2021 Registration open now for all students The Alamo Colleges District is an EOE. For any special accommodations issues or an alternate format, contact the Title IX Coordinator, (210) 485-0200.
SCHERTZ 6051 FM 3009 Suite 260 78154
SAN ANTONIO 9150 Huebner Suite 200 78240
210-696-9000
TEAM PHYSICIAN
for Samuel Clemens and Byron P. Steele High Schools
Go to our website for information, hours and directions! SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1988
www.socksrocks.com
City
Headlines
Schertz Utility Billing Moves to Two Cycle Billing Since November, Schertz Utility Billing has reduced the current eight billing cycles to two residential water cycles and one commercial trash cycle. Based on recommendations from the 2019 staffing study, the City is consolidating the number of billing cycles to create efficiencies within the department. The study suggested that with fewer utility billing cycles, employees will be able to manage the billing process more effectively and use the rest of the month to focus on addressing customer inquiries, setting up new accounts, etc.
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COMAL COUN TY
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During this transition, residents will experience either a short or long billing cycle depending on their current bill and read dates for the month of November. These changes will be reflected on December bills. During this period of transition, the City will not penalize or disconnect any utility accounts until the end of December 2020. This will allow residents to adjust to their new billing cycle and make payment arrangements necessary to bring their account to a current balance.
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BILLING STATEME NT
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57 58
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0.25
0.5
1
1.5
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BILLING SUMM ARY
DATE
GL 1
10th
25th / 26th
County Bound aries
Boundary
2
08 10 11 12 13 HISTORICAL 20 22 26 USAG E 15 (consu 27
Miles
30,000
15th 30 31 37 38 mption 39 GL 15 42 43 44 49 56
x 100 gallon s) 25th
10th / 11th
24,000
Water Servic e
DESCRIPTION
20
5th
10th
13th
10th
Schertz Magazine
December 2020
Sewer
IMPORTANT MESS AGES
Total Wastewater Charg
BRE
CHARGE
$29.15
es
$29.15
Sanitation Service
DESCRIPTION
Garbage Sales Tax Recycle
CHARGE
Total Sanitation Charg
$12.41 $1.02 $2.05
es
DESCRIPTION
PLEASE BRING ENTIRE FORM WHEN PAYING When you provide a IN PERSON check as payment, you authorize check to make a one-time electronic funds transfer us either to use information from your payment as a check from your account or transaction. When we to process the use information from electronic funds transfer, your check to make an funds may be withdraw your payment is received n from your account as soon as the same and day Items returned for insufficie you will not receive your check back from your financial institutio nt or uncollected funds, n. electronically debited you expressly authorize or bank drafted for the your account to amount of the check allowed by state law. plus any applicable fees be The use as and its terms and condition of a check is your acknowledgement and acceptance of this policy s.
25th 25th
DESCRIPTION
Current Usage
CHARGE
$100.30
$100.30 e
Misce llaneous Servic
NEW BILLING DUE DATE
24th
USAGE
Wastewater Servic
Aug
PLEASE VISIT SCHER TZ.COM TO PAY YOUR BILL, VIEW CONSUMPTION, AND MANAGE ALERTS. FOR MORE INFORMATIO N, PLEASE CALL 210-619-1000
25th
18th
Previous Usage
Jul
$15.48
e
Drainage Fee
CHARGE
Total Miscellaneous
$5.20
Charges TOTAL CURRENT CHAR GES
$5.20 $150.13
SCAI122419RI86122
2nd
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
21,300
Total Water Charges
0
CURRENT BILLING DUE DATE
21st
Water
6,000
If your current billing due date is the 2nd, 18th, or 24th, your new billing due date will be the 25th. If your current billing due date is the 5th or the 13th, your new billing due date will be the 10th.
$150.13 $0.00 $150.13
SE DO NOT PAY
CURRENT CHARGES
18,000 12,000
0.00000 0 1794
4
DUE
6th AUTO PAY - PLEA
02 03 04 05 06 07
CYCLE 2 0
ES
DUE / PENA CurrenBILL t DATE LTY Previous Read 01 09 Dates TURN OFF 14 16 17 18 Days Curren t Charges Readin g 19 Reading Usage 07/17/221 25 28 29 32 02023 24 Balance Forward 08/17/2 020 33 34to35 2129 36 40 41 45 31 1st 1916 21,300 TOTAL AMOUNT 46 47 50
0.160000
Keep entire stateme nt for your records.
Service Address Account Numb er
1400 SCHERTZ PARKW AY SCHERTZ, TX 781541634
TOTAL AMOUNT DUE
Due Date for Curre
$150.13
nt Charges
Services will be discon
Find new due date here
nected if not paid by
AUTO PAY - PLEASE
09/13/2020
noon on 09/13/2020
DO NOT PAY
TTATFDFFFATFATTDDTDDTTDTTAFDFTFFFDDATAFATDDTATDTATAAFF TDFTFFFTAFD
CITY OF SCHERTZ 1400 SCHERTZ PARKW AY SCHERTZ TX 781541634
DPSY S_NEW PA GE
56-3660-01
08/28/2020
rose.com
Service
Water CYCL E1
(consumption READ x 100 gallon BILLINs) G ROUT
1.1.0.386 - www.datap
City of Schertz, GIS Specialist:
“The City of Schertz Bill Gardner, provides this gis@schertz warranty of any Geographic Information kind including .com (210) 619-1185 System product In no event shall but not limited to "as is" without with the use of The City of Schertz be liable the implied warranties of any express or merchantability or performance for implied of these materials.any special, indirect or consequential and fitness for changes may be Information published damages or any a particular purpose. described herein made and information may in this product damages whatsoever be added to the at any time.” could include information herein. arising out of or in connection The City of Schertz technical inaccuracies or typographical may make improvements errors. Periodical and/or changes in the product(s)
Schertz Munici
Pay and View Your Bill Online at: www.schertz.com
MONT HLY USAGECYCLE
August 20, 2020
Schertz ETJ
ACCOUNT INFORMATI ON
Accou nt Name Service Address Accou nt Number Bill Date Due Date for Curren t Charges
- 120618AA20.A.1.1681.
Last Update:
1518
OFFICE HOURS 8 AM to 5 PM MON FRI W ater Department (210) 619-1100
1400 SCHERTZ PARKW AY SCHERTZ, TX 781541634 9010
More information can be found on Schertz.com. If you have any questions about the new billing cycles, contact Utility Billing (210) 619-1100 or email businessoffice@schertz.com.
ÿ Æ
1604
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LINDA KLEPPER LINDA KLEPPER 1029 WATER OAK 1029 WATER OAK 11501141
Ê56366001OŠ
Utility Billing Drive-Up Kiosk Now Open City utility bills can now be paid on the new drive-up kiosk at City Hall. This new kiosk is located near the old drive-up window, which is now closed. When using the new kiosk, customers will have to scan their bill to bring up their account. Partial or full payments can be made using cash (will round to the nearest dollar), check, or debit/credit card. The kiosk will provide a print or email receipt for proof of payment. Customers will also have the ability to look up account information and obtain a current balance. Outdoor Payment Kiosk Utility bills can be paid using any of the following methods: ■ ■
■
■ ■
■ ■
At the new drive-up kiosk By using the 24-hour drop box located near the kiosk In person at the Utility Billing window inside City Hall Online at Schertz.com/onlinepayments By bank draft by filling out an Automatic Bill Payment Form By mail By phone by calling (210) 619-1100
19” Touch Screen Computer
Security Camera
Check Scanner
Receipt Printer
Credit Card Reader Coin Dispenser Bill Acceptor Bill Dispenser
If you need assistance using the kiosk or if you have any questions, please contact Utility Billing at (210) 619-1100.
Powder coated metal cabinet with lock
Multi-lingual
User friendly
Voice prompted
Windows 10 operating system
2020-2021
Sewer Averaging
Sewer averaging for the winter months began on October 24, 2020, and will continue through March 6, 2021, for cycle billing. Water usage over this period determines your sewer charge for the next billing year, which begins April 1. The water usage readings will be averaged and the average per thousand-gallon usage per month will be multiplied by $4.46. The final calculation result will be your sewer charge for the next 12 months.
RESIDENTS WITH AN AVERAGE BELOW 12,000 GALLONS
For more information, go to Schertz.com or call (210) 619-1100.
That total will be added to the base rate of $13.54 for residents with an average below 12,000 gallons.
RESIDENTS WITH AN AVERAGE GREATER THAN 12,001 GALLONS
The first 12,000 gallons will be multiplied by $4.46 and the portion of the average above 12,000 gallons will be multiplied by $10.12 and that total will be added to the base rate of $13.54 for residential use.
City
Headlines
Hal Baldwin Golf Tournament Raises Funds for Public Service Students A beautiful Friday welcomed more than 150 golfers to the 10th Annual Hal Baldwin Scholarship Golf Tournament. In keeping with social distancing measures recommended, golfers, staff and volunteers wore protective face coverings inside and around the clubhouse before, during, and after the awards presentation. Funds raised benefit the annual award encouraging Schertz residents who are high school seniors to consider a career in Public Service.
THANK YOU TO TOURNAMENT SPONSORS EAGLE SPONSORS B-Comm Constructors
Beck Family
BIRDIE SPONSORS SAMCO Capital Markets
Frost Bank
The Barger Law Firm
PAR SPONSORS State Representative John Kuempel
TexStar National Bank
BOGEY SPONSORS ALAMO1
Abel’s Diner
Nadeau Painting
C-WUH, LLC Schertz Funeral Home
DOUBLE BOGEY SPONSORS Ford Engineering Several raffle items were open to golfers, including a trip for two to Las Vegas with airfare and hotel; a round of golf for four at TPC; a Hole-in-One chance to win a new truck, courtesy of GUNN Chevrolet, and many other prizes.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TOURNAMENT WINNERS LIST OF WINNERS 1st Place
Alamo1-Team Robles
2nd Place
SAMCO Capital Markets
3rd Place
GUNN Chevrolet
Working to Improve
Cibolo Creek Municipal Authority
22
Schertz Magazine
December 2020
New Councilmembers Sworn into Office At the November 16 Special City Council meeting, the City of Schertz swore into office three Councilmembers after the November 3, 2020 General Election. Councilmember Jill Whittaker was sworn into a threeyear term in Place 3, Councilmember Michael Dahle was re-elected into a three-year term in Place 4, and Councilmember David L. Scagliola was re-elected into a three-year term in Place 5. During the special meeting, the City also recognized our Councilmember Scott Larson. We would like to thank him for his outstanding service to the City of Schertz!
Schertz Magazine
December 2020
23
SCHERTZ EMS
PASSPORT
TO CARE
JOIN SCHERTZ EMS PASSPORT TO CARE PLAN
Go online to Schertz.com/Passporttocare to view details and disclosures or call (210) 619-1450
BECOME A SCHERTZ EMS PASSPORT TO CARE MEMBER AND GET THE CARE YOU DESERVE Schertz EMS brings you the latest in Pre-Hospital Emergency Care each and every time you call 911. Serving a multitude of Metrocom cities including Live Oak, Universal City, Selma, Schertz, Cibolo, Garden Ridge, Marion, and Santa Clara as well as Guadalupe County, and Comal County Emergency Services District #6. We have worked since 1974 to bring you the highest levels of compassionate care while remaining connected to each and every community we serve.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Is this Insurance? This is not insurance however, it works much like insurance. This plan allows you to know if you ever need EMS services, the outof-pocket costs for that service will be greatly reduced. Do I receive a membership card? A membership card will be provided as soon as your membership is processed. This card is for your records and will not be needed to take advantage of the benefits of this plan. All of your membership information will be entered in our billing software, so if you are transported, we will know immediately that you are a member and your benefits will be credited to your account. If I move, can I get a refund? The membership fee is for one year and is non-refundable after January 1 of the plan year. What if I am transported on January 15th, can I send in my payment on the 16th and receive the discount? No, the membership plan does not cover you until one minute past midnight the day after your payment is received (or January 1 whichever is latest).
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December 2020
I have Medicaid, can I join? No, by Texas law, Medicaid recipients are not eligible to join an ambulance membership plan or receive the benefits of an ambulance plan.** What if I am transported non-emergency by Schertz EMS? This plan ONLY covers Schertz EMS services for 911 Emergency responses. What if Schertz EMS is busy and another EMS agency responds? Our plan is to reimburse the mutual aid agency for the copay or 50% reduction so you, our member, will still enjoy the benefits of this plan. What if I am transported by a helicopter called by Schertz EMS? Our plan does not cover helicopter transport, however, Schertz EMS works diligently to ensure that we only use these resources as an absolute necessity. What is the definition of a dependent? Any member of your family living in your house that you claim as a dependent on your IRS taxes.
Join ay Tod
OUR SCHERTZ EMS PASSPORT TO CARE MEMBERSHIP PLAN IS EXCEPTIONAL For a very low annual cost, you and your family can now have peace of mind knowing if you ever have to call 911 for a medical emergency, there could be absolutely no out-ofpocket costs for the care and transportation that would be provided by Schertz EMS.
MEMBERSHIP RATES INSURED
NOT INSURED
Single
$50
$65
Family*
$60
$75
Membership fees will be prorated after March 1. As a member with health insurance, any payment received from insurance will be considered as payment in full. This benefit means no out-of-pocket costs for ambulance transportation provided by Schertz EMS. If you do not have insurance OR your insurance deems the transport as “Not Medically Necessary”, then your ambulance bill will be decreased by 50%. This plan will apply to you and any family members* that live in your residence. Enrollment is open year-round. Coverage begins January 1 and ends December 31st of the plan year. *
”Family” includes the member, their spouse, and any other dependents living at the residence. ** Medicaid Recipients ARE NOT eligible for this plan.
Schertz Magazine
December 2020
25
DID YOU
KNOW?
REMINDING RESIDENTS OF CITY PROVIDED SERVICES AND RESOURCES
LOOKING FOR TALENTED INDIVIDUALS Did you know the City of Schertz is hiring? You can find a wide variety of job opportunities with the City of Schertz by going to Schertz.com/Jobs. Questions? Please call (210) 619-1150 or email HR@schertz.com. Apply today and join our team! November 2 turned out to be perfect weather for a golf tournament. The Hal Baldwin Scholarship was established in 2008 to encourage high school seniors who are residents of Schertz to consider public service as a career path. It honors Hal Baldwin servedyou thecan citypurchase for more City of Schertz merchandise? Show your love and Did who you know than 30 years as a civic volunteer, employee, support and for our City and stop by the Schertz Civic Center (1400 Schertz Parkway Bldg. Council member then Mayor. To date, the Hal Baldwin proudlytee, tank top, or hat. Office hours are Monday through 5) todayScholarship to purchasehas a Schertz awarded $30,500.00 in scholarships. Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Cash, check, and credit card are accepted. Also, Tournament day began with coffee, breakfast surewelcome to stop by CityMrs. HallSusan to pick up your FREE Schertz bumper sticker! tacos, andmake a warm from Beck, daughter of Mr. Hal Baldwin. Over 100 players and 20 sponsors participated in this year’s event. Players and attendees had the opportunity to win big prizes, including a trip to Vegas for two, Spurs court-side tickets, and even a 2019 Chevy 1500 Silverado courtesy of Gunn Fleet & Commercial for anyone lucky enough to hit a hole-in-one. Previous scholarship recipient, Grace Did you know the City of Schertz offers several contactless payment Harper, wrote, "this scholarship is allowing options? Municipal Court, Utility, Building Permit & Inspection, Planning & me to pursue my dreams and my higher education goals." Overall, it was a great day, Development, and Ambulance Bill Payments can all be paid online by going and everyone was so pleased to see such a to Schertz.com/onlinepayments. Utility payments can also now be paid at great turn out to keep the legacy alive.
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the new drive-up kiosk located on the side of City Hall.
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Schertz Magazine
December 2020
Chelsea Garcia Named Property Technician of the Year On October 23, the Texas Association of Property and Evidence Inventory Technicians (TAPEIT) recognized Schertz PD’s Chelsea Garcia at their annual conference as the Property Technician of the Year for 2020. This award focuses on identifying a property and evidence technician that has demonstrated extraordinary talents, selfless service, dedication, and integrity. Chelsea has exhibited this by her commitment, actions, and teamwork for the past two years, which are attributes the Schertz Police Department and TAPEIT much appreciate. She is an instrumental part of the police department, and we are so proud she is a part of our team. Congratulations Chelsea on this great accomplishment!
Holiday Safety The holiday season is an opportune time for potential criminal activity such as theft and robberies. Schertz Police Department would like to remind everyone of some holiday safety tips you can take to protect yourself, your family and your property.
While Shopping
S tay alert to your surroundings and the people around you Try to avoid shopping alone; there is safety in numbers A void carrying large amounts of cash B e alert, criminals look for "high-dollar store" shopping bags with your purchases Watch your belongings if eating in mall food courts H ave your car keys ready in hand before leaving stores Keep your purchases out of sight and stored in the trunk Park in high visibility areas Shop early and leave early to avoid evening darkness
At Home
K eep your home well-lit with doors locked and curtains closed Don't display gifts beneath the Christmas tree that can be seen from windows or doors A fter the holidays, don't advertise the gifts you've received by posting on social media or placing boxes out for trash collection L eave a radio or television on so the house seems occupied
If Traveling
Get an automatic timer for your lights Ask a neighbor to watch your home, collect mail, and park in the driveway A sk to have your newspaper delivery stopped
Contact the Schertz Police Department if you have any questions at (210) 619-1200.
City
Headlines
Fireworks Prohibited in Schertz As we approach New Year’s Eve, the Schertz Fire Department would like to remind 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, go to the Interactive Map on Schertz.com and type in your address. For more information, call the Fire Department at (210) 619-1300.
Holiday Trash & Recycling
Pickup Schedule
With the holidays fast approaching, we would like to remind you of this year’s holiday trash and recycling pickup schedule.
Trash and recycling collection by Republic Services will not occur on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Day. If your regularly scheduled pickup falls on one of these holidays, the collection will run one day behind. CHRISTMAS: Normal FRIDAY pick-up moves to SATURDAY
NEW YEAR’S: Normal FRIDAY pick-up moves to SATURDAY
If you have any questions or if your trash and recycling have still not been picked up, please contact the Utility Billing office on the next business day at (210) 619-1100.
County Commissioner Says Farewell After 24 Years of Service By: Stan Leland
G
uadalupe County Commissioner for Precinct 3, Jim Wolverton describes his 24 years on the Court as a “fun job”. Ironically, political office was never in his original life plan. After graduating from Clemens High School in 1969, he attended San Antonio Junior College for 2 ½ years. He decided that instead of accumulating a large college debt, he’d rather learn a trade and be paid for it. Jim worked ten years for Hallmark Electrical contractors. He learned not only the skills of the electrical trade but how to run a successful business. In 1984, Jim decided to take the entrepreneurial leap and start his own electrical contracting company. Because of his dedication to serving his clients and his hard work, the business flourished, and in 1996 Jim sold the company. The sale would give him and his wife the opportunity to achieve their goal of traveling and seeing the world. However, like George Bailey in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”, just as George was about to get on the train to travel the world, a request was made for him to help the community. A similar situation confronted Jim. Two friends, Larry Jones and JR Perez, whom Jim had known since elementary school days talked with him at a social function. They suggested he consider running for County Commissioner. They said his construction knowledge, his management skills, and his lifelong residency in the Schertz area made him a great fit for the job. Besides, they said he’d only have to be in the office “one day a week” to attend the Commissioner’s Court meetings. The job sounded interesting and he decided to run for the position. On Jan 1, 1997, he began his new career as County Commissioner for Precinct 3 and the long-awaited travel plans were put on hold. Precinct 3 is the western portion of Guadalupe county that contains, Schertz, Cibolo, parts of Selma, and Santa Clara. The Commissioners govern the unincorporated portions of the county. Although they are not in authority over the cities, they work with them to coordinate the development, construction, and commerce. “A Commissioner has to be invited by the city officials,” said Jim, “The men and women I have worked with have all been knowledgeable and dedicated which makes my job easier and just plain fun.” In 1997, Schertz was half the size it is today, and FM 78 was a twolane farm road. Jim found that other than attending the weekly
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The men and women I have worked with have all been knowledgeable and dedicated which makes my job easier and just plain fun.” meetings, he was free to determine his own schedule. Instead of leisurely working one day a week, he began working full time to meet with the different mayors and city managers in the precinct. “I have had the pleasure to work with fantastic Mayors and managers in all four cities during my 24-year career,” remarked Jim, “Each of them brought something valuable to the table to help move the area into the future. One of the first projects Jim worked on was the creation of The Schertz Seguin Local Government Corporation (SSLGC). Schertz Mayor, Hal Baldwin, and City Manager, Terry Sweat, among others, saw the need to secure a source of drought-resistant water for the county. In 1998, the SSLGC was formed and shortly thereafter secured a bond issue for $50 million to tap into the Carrizo Aquifer. By 2002, the SSLGC was providing water for Schertz, Seguin, and other municipalities in the area. “The SSLGC and the $50 million bond were incredibly bold moves for a couple of small rural communities,” said Jim, “A bond that size today is a significant amount but 20 years ago it was a staggering debt.” Jim worked with both cities to help the project succeed and consequently served on the SSLGC board for several years. “Having a dependable source of water has allowed the area to attract major businesses like Caterpillar in Seguin and Amazon in Schertz”, said Jim. During Jim’s time as Commissioner, he has acted as project manager for six different projects in the county. “I enjoy the process of bringing a project from blueprints to reality,” said Jim. Because of his experience as an electrical contractor, he volunteered to manage the projects himself rather than have the county hire a manager. “The Riedel's department store conversion into the county annex building and the county courthouse renovation are two special projects for me,” said Jim. The story of the county annex renovation can be found in the June 2020 Issue of Schertz Magazine. Its completion in 2020 will enhance county services in the area for decades to come. continued on page 32
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31
County Commissioner Says Farewell After 24 Years of Service continued from page 31
Besides the county annex renovation, the county courthouse renovation was another project Wolverton was excited to be a part of. The courthouse was an aging 1935 building that needed to be brought into the 21st century. “There were wires dangling from the ceiling, moldy areas, plaster falling off, and exposed ductwork”, said Jim, “Everything needed updating.” The $5 million project was completed in 2016. “The only interesting surprise we had was discovering two old empty whiskey bottles under the judge’s dais in one of the courtrooms,” smiled Jim. As with the county annex, the courthouse showcases the local history in the hallways with photos from the past. Other projects through the years have included working with other county and city officials to bring a new gas-fired power plant to the county as well as a Japanese automobile transmission manufacturer located in Cibolo. As Jim approaches December 31, 2020, his final day as commissioner, he isn’t slowing down with his schedule. “I love this job,” says Jim, “I plan to be in the office all day on my last day.” He credits much of his passion for the job to the people he has worked with across the precinct.
Having turned 70 this year, Jim is finally looking forward to traveling with his wife. “My wife said, January 1 you will not set the alarm to wake up and you will turn your phone off at night,” smiled Jim. After 24 years as Commissioner, Jim can’t claim like the movie character, George Bailey, to be the richest man in Bedford Falls, but he can say with sincerity, “It’s been a wonderful career!”
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A Year of Resilience, Perseverance, and Triumph By: Kira Villarreal
I
f there is one thing that we can all agree on regarding 2020, it’s that this year was far from ordinary. As the COVID-19 pandemic brought health and safety to the forefront of our awareness early in the year, we adjusted to a changed world in March and April. But the effects of the pandemic reached far beyond health in ways that most of us could never have imagined at the beginning of the year. From economic worries and grocery shortages to virtual work and school, 2020 has demanded patience, creativity, and more than a little support from our community. We spoke to some Schertz leaders about the challenges of keeping the city running smoothly and safely during one of the most unusual years that most of us have ever experienced. When newly elected Mayor Ralph Gutierrez took office in November 2019, the city – and the world – looked quite a bit different than they do now. Things had been relatively quiet during the holidays and the city was gearing up for the many community events set to take place in 2020. Early in the year, Gutierrez had been following news of the pandemic in Europe, and by late February he knew that it was time to start preparing for the local effects of the virus and the coming impact on the Schertz community. Gutierrez gathered his emergency operations team, consisting of the city manager and leaders of the major city departments. The team met regularly throughout the spring and made some difficult decisions about how to
keep residents safe. They closed the senior center first, with libraries and parks soon following. Before long, other businesses were also temporarily shuttered following state-wide shutdown orders. As the health crisis progressed, all regularly scheduled community events were canceled in Schertz, as they were in San Antonio and cities all over the country. Gutierrez notes that these decisions were particularly difficult because he knew that people would be negatively impacted no matter what decisions he made. “It was difficult to know what to close and what not to close, especially knowing that there would be negative consequences for someone either way,” he said. “But ultimately, I had to make the decisions that I believed were best for public health and safety.” For City Manager Dr. Mark Browne, the early days of the pandemic necessitated a quick transition not only with regards to the way his team worked, but in the way that they offered public services, communicated, and received feedback from the Schertz community. All city employees not deemed essential workers quickly began working from home, but he notes that no employees lost their jobs due to the pandemic. In addition to increased remote work, services like permitting and bill payment were restricted to online delivery. City Council continued to meet in person, but new social distancing rules were put in place, and citizens could view the proceedings via live stream. Browne says he is proud of how the city employees worked together to continue operations throughout the crisis and says that one of the key lessons of 2020 for him was the importance of good leadership and teamwork. “It was important for leadership to set the tone of optimism while also being realistic about the situation and keeping the community informed,” he said. “We also learned that leadership is a team effort. Nobody was in this alone and we had to get as many perspectives as possible before making important decisions.” At Schertz-Cibolo Universal City ISD School District, Superintendent Dr. Clark Ealy faced a situation unlike any he had seen in his nearly thirty years in education. Ealy and his leadership team had begun preparing in late February at a special meeting in which they worked through various scenarios and challenges of working remotely. They had to consider their technological resources, curriculum, and even ways to provide meals to students who relied on the school lunch program. At that time, they didn’t truly expect that they would need to use these emergency plans but wanted to be prepared just in case. continued on page 36
It was important for leadership to set the tone of optimism while also being realistic about the situation and keeping the community informed.
A Year of Resilience, Perseverance, and Triumph continued from page 35
That early preparation turned out to be one of the keys to the district’s ability to adapt successfully to the difficult and rapidly changing circumstances. They transitioned over Spring Break to remote learning support, which allowed students to continue to engage with teachers and complete assignments from home. The 2020 graduation ceremony was held in-person as planned, as Ealy was committed to giving graduating seniors as normal a graduation experience as possible. Although the ceremony was moved to an outdoor location and capacity was limited, students were able to walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. As the 2020-2021 school year began, the district faced an even bigger challenge, as they were required by the Texas Education Association to offer both in-person and remote learning tracks that met all the state requirements. The logistics and planning involved in this effort were incredibly challenging for all involved. “Hospitals and first responders train for these kinds of things, but we had to ask teachers to educate in a manner that they were never trained for,” said Dr. Ealy. “Despite the challenges, we have seen everyone working together in a way that not only meets our needs but helps our kids thrive and be successful.” For the Schertz Fire Department, concerns about personal protective equipment took center stage early in the pandemic, as most employees were essential first responders and the department needed to quickly ensure that they were protected in their day-to-day activities. Finding PPE became the number one priority for the department, as the Emergency Management Team regularly began checking multiple sources and sometimes placed multiple orders per day for masks and cleaning supplies to ensure that first responders and medical personnel were protected. Taking extra precautions to clean and sanitize at each station was also critical, and with the necessary equipment in short supply, Schertz firefighters got creative to keep their stations safe. According to Schertz Fire Chief Kade long, when disinfecting sprayers were back-ordered, they came up with the idea to create their own using existing SCBA air packs. “Our firefighters' creativity and ingenuity were able to really shine through,” said Long. “They did a great job of protecting one another and keeping everyone safe and I am extremely proud of how they responded during this pandemic.”
The pandemic has also presented some major obstacles for the Chamber of Commerce. With all in-person events canceled, The Chamber began to rely heavily on video meetings and webinars to reach businesses. They were also intentional in "reach outs" that included bi-weekly advocacy updates, personal wellness calls and the creation of a community page that allowed all businesses - members or not - to post if they were open, what their hours were and limitations. Chamber President Maggie Titterington says “the challenge was connection because we realized how important human to human, in-person interaction actually is, in the order of business and building relationships. Businesses felt alone. We wanted them to know that we were still here and looking out for them. Legislation, executive orders, and general information seemed to change hourly. Businesses would reach out confused about the loans, emergency sick leave, or what the current orders were that were in place. The Chamber would sift through all the information and within those bi-weekly missives as well as social media postings, relay the meat of the message, as many businesses did not have the time to comb through these masses of information because they were simply trying to bring income in to survive." Titterington knows that as they proceed into the next few months and into 2021, challenges are still ahead but they are ready to face them with their Members and continue to be their voice and advocate for their business needs. The Chamber is resuming all plans for next year's events, as well as beginning to meet in person for their regularly scheduled monthly events – all while exercising the use of facemasks, social distancing, sanitation stations and temperature monitors. Titterington feels that through their own practice, procedures, enforcement and example – they can lead their business members back into a safer business as usual environment. As we look ahead to 2021, all the leaders we spoke to were cautiously optimistic that more community events and activities may be able to resume, but they don’t expect that life and work will return to normal anytime soon. All agree that there will likely be more challenging times ahead, but they are confident that the Schertz community will work together and rise to the occasion.
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Love Where You Live – Making Schertz a Better Place to Live There are also some newcomers to the LWYL list of sponsors. Patriot Plant & Trees recently achieved the “Silver” Sponsorship Level donating over $1,000 in tree trimming services over the last couple of events. Tuttle Plumbing supported LWYL in helping an elderly resident recently with a challenging plumbing issue, and Tomlin Roofing repaired a roof for another LWYLsupported homeowner. Past LWYL sponsors include Chik-fil-A, H-E-B, Kowloon’s Chinese Restaurant, Mattenga’s Pizza, and Mad Women Marketing. If you own a business and would like to become a LWYL sponsor, please contact LWYL at (210) 651-5462 or email lwylschertz@gmail.com.
It was an incredible sight as 154 volunteers from churches, community groups, businesses, and our neighborhoods descended on Aviation Heights, the second oldest neighborhood in Schertz and a designated Schertz Heritage Neighborhood, to serve our neighbors selflessly. Love Where You LiveSchertz (LWYL), a local non-profit, planned and organized this neighborhood clean-up event with the simple motto of “loving our neighbors as ourselves.” These 154 volunteers were able to serve 39 homeowners throughout the Aviation Heights neighborhood with projects as simple as mowing lawns to more complex projects like fixing a roof. This was LWYL’s 10th event since 2016, and they broke a record with the 39 homeowners served; the previous record was 37 homeowners served in the Pecan Grove Mobile Home Park cleanup event in the Fall of 2017. Congratulations to LWYL for caring for your neighbors so well! Volunteers for this event came from Cibolo Valley Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Schertz, Journey Fellowship, Northeast Bible Church, Schertz Historical Preservation Committee, The Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints, and individual neighbors from throughout the local community. The City of Schertz, specifically Code Enforcement, Public Works, and Public Affairs were also engaged in supporting this event. There are also some incredibly generous businesses supporting LWYL events, including Republic Services and Lowe's. Republic Services and Lowe's have supported every LWYL event since 2016, and both recently achieved the “Gold” Sponsorship level for LWYL donating over $2,000 of services and materials, respectively over the last two years. Congratulations Republic and Lowe's for your sponsorship achievement and thank you for your dedication to our community!
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LWYL is dedicated to helping our neighbors who may not be able to help themselves either physically or financially. All the work they do is done at no cost to the homeowner. Through their efforts, they are inspiring collaboration between cities, churches, businesses, and other non-profits to make and keep our neighborhoods beautiful and safe. As one neighbor put it, “You (LWYL) are so kind to me, thank you for taking care of me so well.” If you are interested in learning more about LWYL, please contact them at (210) 651-5462 or email lwylschertz@ gmail.com. Their next big event will be in the Spring of 2021 so if you and/or your family, church, business, school, civic organization, etc. are interested in volunteering or donating to LWYL, please contact them.
Scenic Hills Residents Donate to Animal Services and First Responders In order to show their support and give back to the community, residents of the Scenic Hills neighborhood recently held two golf cart parades where they were able to generate generous donations for the City. With their community gatherings being canceled because of COVID-19, these parades provided some fun and excitement for the over 55 residents as they got to get dressed up, decorate their golf carts, and drive the streets of the neighborhood collecting envelopes filled with donations. On Saturday, August 15, the Scenic Hills Community Association held the Dog Days of Summer parade in support of Schertz Animal Services where they were able to raise $600 to donate to the Schertz Animal Adoption Center. On Saturday, October 31, they held the Halloween Spirits of Scenic Hills parade where they raised $1,400 to support the first responders of Schertz EMS, Schertz Fire, and Schertz Police. The Parade Marshal for the Halloween parade was retiring EMS paramedic Jose Hernandez. The Community Association will make a presentation at the Schertz City Council Meeting on Tuesday, December 1. The City is very thankful for these generous residents and their support for our animal shelter and first responders.
RACAP Holiday Donations Employees of Hanson Aggregates – Servtex Quarry in Garden Ridge recently presented a check and H-E-B gift cards worth approximately $1,500 to the Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program (RACAP) to help the food pantry provide groceries and other household items to families in need. If you are interested in giving back this holiday season, RACAP is still seeking financial donations to assist with providing Christmas meals and gifts for children. Donations from churches, businesses, groups or individuals are greatly appreciated. Please make all donations payable to RACAP and designate on the check that the donation is specifically for the “Holiday Program”. Churches, businesses, groups or individuals who would like to sponsor a family/families should contact RACAP or visit racap.org to obtain the Sponsor Application. For information on how to apply or how to help, call RACAP at (210) 658-1613 or visit racap.org.
Schertz Magazine
December 2020
39
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Holiday Happenings Gruene Market Days Join Gruene Market Days on Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6 for an artisan show boasting 100% handmade craftsmanship. Find unique gift items for everyone on your list! The market will be open at 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 1720 Hunter Rd in New Braunfels. We Open rain or shine and admission and parking are always free. For more information visit gruenemarketdays.com.
Christmas at the Caverns Christmas at the Caverns returns for the 2020 Holiday season combining the sights and sounds of the holidays with its underground world of natural beauty and amazement. Join Natural Bridge Caverns on December 5-6, 12-13, and 18-23 for unique holiday offerings including the Trail of Lights and Christmas Campfire. During this season of giving, “Christmas at the Caverns” continues its support of the San Antonio Food Bank with a portion of ticket sales. For more information visit naturalridgecaverns.com.
hot chocolate. Other activities downtown will include live entertainment from the Seguin High School Star Steppers, horse-drawn wagon rides, photos with Santa, a wiggle waggle train ride, and a variety of food vendors. The festivities will wrap up with the North Pole Stroll on Saturday, December 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and promises to be a family-friendly affair in downtown Seguin. A variety of nonprofit organizations will be hosting activities for children in Central Park including pictures with Santa, cookie decorating, letters to Santa, and much more. For more information visit seguintexas.gov.
The Nutcracker Join American Dance Co. On December 18,19, and 20 for a nightly performance of their production of The Nutcracker. The show begins at 7:00 p.m. Each night and will take place at the New Braunfels Convention Center at 375 S Castell Ave. Tickets range from $15-$40. Visit buy.tututix.com/americandanceco to purchase tickets.
Seguin Holiday Stroll
Campfire Christmas Eve Service
Seguin’s Annual Holiday Stroll begins at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 3 with the Holiday Stroll Parade. The parade begins at the intersection of College and Austin Streets. On Friday, December 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Seguin's downtown businesses will keep their doors open late for some shopping and sipping on
Join Discovery Church for a Campfire Service on Thursday, December 24. Service will take place by the fire pit at 242 Country Lane in Cibolo from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. This will be a candlelight service with hot chocolate and holiday photo opportunities. Visit discoverylife.org for more information.
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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! t their e brough Ozarks v o L y d n Sa the Paul and e Lake of zine to th issouri. a g a M z in M Schert State Park
Jan Jenkins, Curtis Jenkin s, Cindy Fossum, Ken Jenkins, Sandy Farrow and Mike (Taco) Ontko enjoying Aru ba with their Schertz Magazine.
The Gar-Nix-U lar family visi ted Texas Tech U niversity in Lu bbock, Texas with th eir Schertz M agazine.
Council m at the G ember Jill W hittake uadalu r p Buildin g durin e County Offi ce g Early V her Sch ertz Ma oting with gazine. t down a uched o t t r y o il p ja Fam h Dakota air The Yu t e. go, Nor agazin a the F r eir Schertz M with th
AROUND THE
COMMUNITY
Honoring our Community Veterans Members of the Military Affairs Committee of The Chamber for Schertz, Cibolo, and Selma welcomed veterans and visitors on Wednesday, November 11 for a special ceremony honoring all who have served in the Armed Forces. Held at the Veterans Memorial Plaza, 512 Schertz Parkway, the ceremony was livestreamed via Facebook for those who could not attend in person. Special guests included Mayor Ralph Gutierrez of Schertz, Mayor Stosh J. Boyle of Cibolo, and Mayor Tom Daly of Selma alongside JBSA Commander Brig Gen Caroline Miller, 502 ABW & JBSA/CC who delivered the keynote address, and guest speaker Senator Donna Campbell. A Veteran testimonial was given by Tio Sam Villela, and the benediction was provided by Mr. Bill Havlic. The CESO Pipes and drum corps along with the Clemens High School AFJROTC ushered in and posted the colors for the ceremony with Maj (Ret) Carmal Terrell delivering the pledge of allegiance and Morgan Ahrens of the Clemens HS Choir singing our National Anthem. A special thanks go out to H-E-B and OLPH Ministry for their sponsorship and volunteer services to honor our community veterans.
Clemens and Steele Students Collaborate with Schertz Magazine
In this issue of Schertz Magazine, the staff was excited to collaborate with students from both Clemens and Steele High School’s Journalism programs. Due to COVID-19 safe practices, students have had to find creative ways to share their message with the student body, and they had the clever idea of partnering with Schertz Magazine. Students from each school drafted, edited, and designed their own content and layouts which are included in this special section of the magazine. We hope you enjoy hearing from our local student journalists and seeing a bit of the world from their perspectives in the next few pages. We are certainly proud of all the work they did and look forward to seeing them do great things in the future!
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December 2020
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SCHERTZ MAGAZINE SPECIAL SECTION
Ordinary citizens display heroic courage A couple of months ago, the world went into lockdown. The clock simply stopped. Streets were empty, grocery stores were filled with people bulk buying, and homes were flooded with worry for their families. Throughout the pandemic, there has only been one thing keeping the country afloat and that is the essential workers. Though keeping the city safe comes with risks such as difficulties with breathing
The Mill Manager Angel Blanco
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December 2020
in masks, concerns about their personal lives and keeping their businesses alive. From stocking shelves to brewing coffee, these employees have done it all in order to protect their communities. In order to maintain their employees’ and customer’s safety, local businesses have taken precautionary measures. “We wear masks at all times, even when the windows are closed. We wash our
Story and Design by Anika Barajas & Lindsey Villarreal
hands after everything we do, and we constantly have hand sanitizer on us,” On the Grind
“Just keep moving. Do something nice for people; do something random that’s kind." -Harmon’s Barbeque Manager Kira Andrade
Harmon's Barbeque Manager Kira Andrade, Employees Sarah Elizondo and Alex Gibson
coffee shop employee Madison Johnson said. The staff looks very closely at the details to make sure that their place is safe for customers and that they are following CDC guidelines. “Everybody wears masks and sanitizes at all times. They (employees) make sure that everything is clean and that tables are clean and make sure that everybody brings their masks,” RD’s Burgers Manager Rosie Garcia said. While these essential workers have been helping our community function as close to normal as possible, they face dangers to both
themselves and their loved ones by doing their jobs.
“We’re here to help the customers and help people in our community." -RD's Burgers Manager Rosie Garcia
“Sometimes we’ll try to step outside and just get a little bit (of air), and I have allergies on top of that so I feel like I can’t breathe, you know, but I’d rather (wear the mask) because I don’t wanna infect other
people,” Harmon’s Barbeque manager Kira Andrade said. The community has helped alleviate local business owners’ fears of lost business. “The good thing about this community is that they kind of cradled us, you know what I mean? They understood; it was very supportive,” Andrade said. As the public supports businesses in the area, there are things that can be done to help. “Continue needing us; that’s what we’re there for. This is what we do; we serve our community, and we love what we do,” Andrade said.
Arlan's Market Manager Gary Johnson
On The Grind Manager Madison Johnson
RD'S Burger Manager Rosie Garcia
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December 2020
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The
CORRESPONDENT
om Fr
Stude nt
December 2020 Vol.42 Issue 1
1001 Elbel Road Schertz, TX 78154
News
Samuel Clemens High School
Al
s e l Ang
Letter From The Editor
Meet the
Staff
I
I think we can all agree, 2020 has not been the year we needed to start the new decade. I’m pretty sure we all forget that World War III almost broke out, Kobe and Gianna Bryant died, and the Australian wildfires all happened in January. One thing me along with the whole staff can agree that 2020 has been a difficult year for the newspaper. On top of the COVID-19 disasters, the staff went from printing seven issues of the Clemens Correspondent accompanied by a magazine, to not even finishing the March issue within weeks. We never were able to say goodbye to our seniors, have an in-person banquet, or publish our senior magazine. As the summer came to an end, we kept facing obstacle after obstacle. We were small; in August there were only six of us, and two were staying with remote learning. On top of that, we were not able to distribute a newspaper until at least December. Our online paper wasn’t getting as much attention anymore because it was not touched in months, and we weren’t able to sell advertisements. Needless to say, I was scared to lead this staff. I did not feel prepared whatsoever. Before Coronavirus came around, the Clemens Correspondent was thriving. We were a tight group of nerds, winning sweepstakes in every UIL academic writing competition we went to, and our online views were through the roof. Now, six short months later, absolutely nothing was going our way. How was I supposed to lead this staff with everything going on? But something just happened to us. We started growing in staff members, and eventually, the whole staff came back to in-person learning, and we kept updating our paper weekly; as we grew, our chances grew. Then, our brilliant advisor, Ms. Hernandez-Crowe, coordinated a Zoom meeting with the Schertz Magazine to talk about partnering! I’m going to save you the boring details and just let you all know that the Clemens Correspondent is partnering with the Schertz Magazine (in case you didn’t know yet). We went from publishing 500 copies of our newspaper to 16,000 copies. I’m so incredibly proud of every single person on staff this year for sticking through this Coronavirus nightmare. I would not want to go through this with any other group of nerds. Thank you Ms. Hernandez-Crowe for keeping my head straight, because Lord knows I’ve needed it this year. Lastly, on behalf of the staff, thank you Schertz Magazine for giving us this opportunity to do what we love again, and allowing this little staff to have our voices heard. When the school year started, we thought our readership would go down, but now we are able to share with all of Schertz the blood, sweat, and tears of the Samuel Clemens Correspondent.
Kennedi Adams Print Assistant E. I. C
Connie Wiggins Editor-In-Chief
Zoe Dean Online Assistant E. I. C
Kate Whyte Copy Editor
Madyson Isenberg Staff Writer
Haley Welker Photo Editor
Anthony Rizzs Staff Writer
Augie Perez Staff Writer
Connie Wiggins Editor-In-Chief
Schertz Magazine
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SCHERTZ MAGAZINE SPECIAL SECTION
Is This a Good Idea?
W
Weighing The Pros and Cons of Remote Learning
When schools across the country made the executive decision to close down campuses, teachers were given little time to understand the aspects of remote learning and essentially had to “wing it”. They were expected to run unfamiliar platforms nearly all by themselves. Students were also expected to switch from engaging in person and obtaining information visually or audibly, to having assignment after assignment on a computer, as if they can truly obtain everything that’s given to them. Students aren’t learning remotely, they’re just submitting their work by 11:59 p.m. every night. Distance learning has a long list of pros and cons for both students and teachers. Educators and learners are separated in ways they aren’t used to, because they have never had to experience something like this before, and school districts have never had to become accustomed to a situation like this in such little time. The flexibility of online
learning allows students to decide what they want to do, when they want to do it, and at what pace they want to do it. While in-person students have everything crammed into an eight hour school day, remote learners can take all day to do their assignments, now that assignments revolve around their own schedules. “The district did a great job in getting an online learning plan out to us when it was something that we have not had to consider before. I believe that they learned a lot from our online learning last spring and revised it the best way they could,” Cecily Schneider, 5th grade Wilder Intermediate English and Language Arts teacher, said. Along with the few good aspects of remote learning, there are obvious cons for those affected. For teachers running remote learning, they’ve noticed a huge decline in student motivation and involvement. For online students, if it’s not
required to join Zooms, they likely won’t feel the need to join and be involved with the inperson learners, causing them to miss out on any discussion topics they could have questions on later while doing the assignment. Not understanding what needs to be done could cause remote learners to not reach out to their instructors or attempt to do the work, but rather cheat, just to get a passing grade and to turn it in on time. “My biggest struggle with online learning is the lack of student engagement. Make no mistake this is a flaw in the larger education system, not necessarily with the students per se, as they are products of their environment,” Micheal Mary, Clemens Physics teacher, said. “The system unfortunately reinforces passive learning, which does not help students understand what they know and how they know it.” Although there are positives and negatives to remote learning,
the schools and communities are doing what they can to make things run as smoothly as possible, regardless if there are a few bumps along the way. Not only is this difficult for high school students, but especially for those in elementary school and middle school. It’s difficult for a child within the ages of 6-12 to be able to schedule their learning at home, especially if they aren’t used to the platforms they are using, or the technology in general. “My biggest struggle with online learning is technology! Sometimes, things don’t want to turn in, but having to rely so much on it is stressful,” junior Madison Mullins said. “Teachers take forever to respond to my emails and Remind messages. It gets annoying after awhile.” Kennedi Adams Assistant Editor-in-chief
Freshmen VS Seniors
What Was Your Favorite & Least Favorite Aspect Of Remote Learning?
Senior
Freshmen
“Probably taking myself to the next level with harder challenges.” -Elijah Banks
“We all found a way to get through these tough times. My least favorite thing is the masks because I already have enough trouble breathing on my own so that just adds on.”
-Christina Sanchez
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Madyson Isenberg Staff writer
Have You Heard? O
Students Pioneer The Pivot Point Podcast
Kate Whyte Copy Editor
“When you’re being recorded, you have to think a lot more about what you say, because you want to sound eloquent, which on the spot is a lot harder to do,” Figueras said. “I do a lot of research in making sure the sources I’m using are actually good sources.” Reichner manages their social media presence on Instagram (@the.pivot.point), Twitter (@ ThePivotPoint1) and Facebook (@ThePivotPoint) to announce new episodes and encourage audience feedback. “You have to generate hype and awareness for it. You have to get on social media, announce it, tell people about it, ask them to tell other people about it,” Reichner said. “Overall I’d say the response has been really positive, we’ve gotten a lot of support from people who have listened.” Although their current audience consists mostly of people they know, they hope to increase their weekly listeners while continuing to have fun in the process. “What truly makes it stand out is knowing that these are honest opinions that have been made through research about the topic,” senior and listener Katelynn Parker said. “It throws out the idea that teenagers ‘don’t know what they’re talking about’ or ‘teenagers should keep out of politics.’”
Kee ping
Over the summer, seniors Shai Charles, Tristan Figueras, Donavon Clay, and William Reichner spent hours debating a wide variety of topics while playing video games. During one of these discussions, Charles suggested that these thoughts were worth sharing with an audience. The idea became reality with the creation of their podcast, The Pivot Point. The first steps of creating a podcast included establishing a name, concept, and logo. They then ordered microphones and decided to operate with the media host Buzzsprout, allowing them to upload to multiple listening platforms. The first three episodes were launched on August 27. “It was a bit of a mess to be honest. We were behind on our upload day, just a lot of trial and error,” Charles said. A few weeks after the podcast’s launch, Clay decided to leave the show, but will appear as a guest host in future episodes, the hosts said. Weekly episodes, uploaded on Thursdays, consist of the hosts discussing a new social, political or cultural topic that typically lasts over an hour. They aim to present a youthful perspective and reach an audience of all ages and viewpoints. “It sometimes seems that civil discussion can be fleeting in our society today, and people can be a little reluctant to discuss things that are controversial,” Reichner said. “We want people to strive to build connections between different viewpoints.” Following some research and outlining, the moderator of that week’s episode poses the questions and regulates the discussion. After recording and editing the audio, the episode is ready for upload.
l a s r e iv n It U
“The inspiration behind the whole idea of having the globe is just basically to be universal, because our topic doesn’t necessarily have one main theme behind it. It’s more about discussing things from all walks of the world,” Reichner said. “We, metaphorically, are the Pivot Point between different people, people of different ages, people of different perspectives, people of different cultures, or at least we aim to be.”
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Can’t Stop The Stage A 1940’s Radio Mystery
T
The faint sound of the radio show Mrs. Buttercup’s Kitchen can be heard echoing over the speakers as actors take their places on stage to perform the play 1940’s Radio Mystery. The play mixes aspects of comedy and drama with a bit of murder mystery to create a show filled with suspense that asks the question, ‘who really did it?’. Getting ready for the show was a challenge on its own with the effects of COVID-19. For this performance, the entire production class had to take a part that included both being a part of the crew and cast. Students began working on the play prior to in-person school starting, and while some learners were at home, the class had to work around people only being able to make rehearsals some of the time. “Because of COVID we weren't allowed to bring people in from outside of the Production class, so everybody in the class had to take care of everything that was going on in the show and everybody doubled up on a crew role and a character role,” junior Samantha Watkinson said. While rehearsing, students in theatre often came across complications with COVID guidelines. When it came to blocking and projecting, it was found that when wearing a mask on stage it was harder for students to project their voices. While having to stay six feet apart on stage, the students struggled to find a way to make movement look more natural. The work put into lighting and set design also proved to be time-consuming, as they had to portray three different locations throughout the play all on one stage. “When it comes to who directed, it started off as a student-directed show,” senior Wyatt Nimietz, the Photo by: Anthony Rizzs
president of Thespian Society, said. “I was the one directing. I did all the research and had everything planned out, but then I had to head up to the booth to start working on lights so at that point I became the tech director, and once everything was ready to go Ms. A stepped in to finish the polishing.” Keeping social distancing and sanitation guidelines upheld is of utmost importance to everyone. Although these guidelines do result in some sacrifice, theatre has managed to persist past the mandates and guidelines to give it their all on stage. In the audience, spectators of the play were required to social distance along with wearing a face mask. Seats were marked off in the seating area to make sure people did not sit too close to one another, but to accommodate for the lack of space in the auditorium, more seats were made accessible for the event that are usually not open. The accommodations made because of COVID changed the atmosphere of the show, but still gave the students the opportunity to perform. Photo by: Anthony Rizzs
Photo by: Anthony Rizzs
Actors took their places on stage to perform 1940’s Radio Mystery, a play that mixed both comedy and suspense to move along a murder mystery plot line all while keeping at least six feet away from each other. During rehearsals students were able to work out blocking, and managed to portray three locations on one stage all while keeping a minimum of six feet apart and having little to zero physical contact.
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Autumn Athletics Clemens Sports Kick Off
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Clemens sports has returned, but this year started off with a surprising welcome with the coronavirus messing all the schedules up for fall sports. The abrupt roar of the crowd shaking the arena as two seconds are left on the clock and senior quarterback Max Didomineco has the ball at the seven yard line, sweat dripping and all the pressure on his side. He snaps the ball, the entire defensive line charging at him with all their life, and the wide receivers ready for their time to shine as they wait for Didomineco to make a decision. He rolls out to the right, then comes back left and throws a bullet through the middle of the Steele players in coverage. The crowd awaits the ball to reach a player, but the ball is dropped. Game over. The Clemens football team has been struggling this year as their varsity team has started off with a 2-4 record thus far, but will come back in their next game. Preparing for each game which is crucial for the season can be challenging and the stress and anxiety can be at an all-time high. The drills that the players do to prepare and the crowd cheering as they walk on the field, knowing they have to put on a show for their fans. “7 has affected the season by having us play the best teams in the state multiple times this year and making our record look bad,” freshman Freddy Dubose said. “The practices have been shorter and we haven’t had enough time to fix what we need to fix.” The cross country season has finally been excluded and this year has been difficult for the coaches and especially with the runners worried about COVID and social distancing. The team was last in districts but will have a new freshman group of kids next year. The team ended the season strong and will now move on to track season. “COVID-19 hasn’t really affected us in really any particular way. We just wear masks to and from practice on the bus, we take them off when we run, but overall, there's not really a big impact on us,” senior Isaiah Dixon said.
Tennis has also ended their season off, but were knocked out in the first round by the Clark Cougars. They had a great season going 8-1 for the season and will bounce back next year and drive for district champs. “We weren’t able to play as many matches as we usually do because we were only allowed to play district matches,” junior Dylan Kirchhof said. “We got second in district and lost in the first round of the playoffs, but we will bounce back next year.” The sports for this year have been rough, but every athlete has tried to do their best with what they were given. Even with the virus going around, every coach and player will try their best to give everything they got this season. Photo by: Augie Perez
Seniors Max Didomineco and Wyatt Begeal wishing each other good luck for the signature Clemens vs. Steele “Battle of 3009”. Clemens and Steele have been rivaling for years, but the surrounding cities know the schools are a part of one community. Every game brings a lot of tension to both sides, but bragging rights don’t interfere with brotherhood.
Anthony Rizzs Staff Writer
Augie Perez Staff Writer
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Generation Z
G
Influences on the Last Generation
Generation Z encapsulates the year 2020 by introducing new apps, or rejuvenating apps to make them popular again. These apps influence the way we think, act, and look. Apps and social media outlets have increased the amount of phone usage by 20% since May of 2020. These apps mainly used include TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, the game Among Us, and many music streaming sites such as Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, and YouTube Music. “My favorite app at the moment would have to be TikTok, because it is an entertaining and easy way to pass the time; there’s always something new to watch,” senior Hayden Sharp said.
Some apps which are frequently used influence the way we live our lives, lowering our communication skills, making this generation more antisocial in group settings. “It’s kind of sad because most people talk on Snapchat and tend to not have good conversations in person even if they’re right next to them. We as a generation are super addicted to Snapchat and it is creating social dilemmas,” senior Zoey Zeeff said. “I think it has portrayed us as uneducated but behind closed doors and the mask we put up so people think we are cool, we really are educated and smart and I wish more people would see it.”
Behind the Apps
A
Among Us
Snapchat Haley Welker Photo Editor
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TikTok
Among Us is an online multiplayer social deduction game developed and published by American game studio InnerSloth and released on June 15, 2018. Snapchat is all about taking pictures and sending messages which are usually only available for a short time before they become inaccessible to their recipients. TikTok is a Chinese videosharing social networking service. It is used to create short music, lip-sync, dance, comedy, and talent videos of 3 to 15 seconds, and short looping videos of 3 to 60 seconds.
Something New, Something Old, Something Blue & Gold Clemens Traditions Then Vs. Now
S
Samuel Clemens High School has maintained many traditions, starting off with how the students use gold and blue to express their school colors at all sporting events. They sometimes put body paint on their faces and bodies, and other times they go all out and dress in only the colors blue and gold. Another tradition they had starting in 2012 was called “HOT Hangouts”, places where students could go to relax and have some fun with other students free from the stresses of school. Some places were Whataburger after the football games, or Walmart to play a fun game of hide and seek. The “Buffbook” was also a fun tradition in 2012. Essentially, it was a copy of Facebook, but for the Buffaloes. The Clemens Buffbook consisted of insights on Clemens happenings, what the students were up to, and how some sports were doing throughout the season. Now, in the year 2020, these traditions have changed drastically because of the new world-wide pandemic: COVID-19. At football games, students must wear masks and stay six feet apart from each other at all times. They still express school pride, but the spirit of the student section can get lost with limited seating and social distancing. Another roadblock in the way of tradition in 2020 is online schoolwork. Instead of doing work at desks, students are assigned work to go home and complete on a computer or phone every day. Therefore, students no longer experience a traditional classroom setting and must adjust to a new academic normal.
Did You Know?
M
Many high schools have developed the unique Texas tradition of wearing big, beautiful floral pins called mums to their Homecoming dances. These can be covered in artificial flowers, ribbons, and even stuffed animals. The word mum comes from a gardening plant called the chrysanthemum and became a symbol of affection for homecoming dates. Students often make events of decorating mums through mum-making parties, and wearing their creations to school the next day.
Zoe Dean Assistant Online Editor-in-Chief
Senior Zoey Zeeff wearing a mum decorated with bells, ribbon, feathers, glitter, etc. She is wearing it to celebrate homecoming with her peers. Other students frequently participate in this tradition to show their spirit just like her.
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LOOKING BACK
December QUOTE OF NOTE
“Pay no attention to what the critics say, remember a statue has never been erected in honor of a critic.” – Jean Sibelius
LOCAL HISTORY
In December, 1910, a group of 16 farmers, including Adolph Schertz, created the Farmers Rural Telephone Company as a means of communicating with one another as well as long distance business centers. It became one of the largest privately owned companies in the country until it was sold to Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1958.
TEXAS HISTORY
On December 7, 1941, during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Texas native Doris Miller, a mess steward on the USS West Virginia, went on deck and manned an unattended deck gun. It was Miller's first experience firing such a weapon because black sailors serving in the segregated steward's branch of the navy were not given gunnery training. The navy awarded him the Navy Cross for bravery in battle. He died on November 24, 1943, when his ship, the aircraft carrier Liscome Bay, was torpedoed and sunk.
Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.
IMPORTANT SCHERTZ
CONTACT INFO
Schertz City Council Mayor:
Ralph Gutierrez (210) 619-1040 ralphgutierrez@schertz.com
Council Members:
Mark Davis (210) 376-9141 markdavis@schertz.com Rosemary Scott (210) 419-8472 rscott@schertz.com Jill Whittaker (210) 846-8768 jwhittaker@schertz.com Michael Dahle (210) 419-9337 mdahle@schertz.com David Scagliola (830) 606-1130 davidscagliola@schertz.com
Allison Heyward (210) 608-9543 allisonheyward@schertz.com Tim Brown (210) 608-2381 timbrown@schertz.com
City Departments:
City of Schertz/311 Animal Services City Manager City Secretary Civic Center Economic Development EMS (non-emergency) Fire (non-emergency) Inspections Municipal Court Parks & Recreation Planning & Zoning Police (non-emergency) Police Records Public Affairs Public Library Public Works Records Trash & Recycling Utility Billing
(210) 619-1000 (210) 619-1550 (210) 619-1000 (210) 619-1030 (210) 619-1600 (210) 619-1070 (210) 619-1400 (210) 619-1300 (210) 619-1750 (210) 619-1500 (210) 619-1850 (210) 619-1780 (210) 619-1274 (210) 619-1200 (210) 619-1600 (210) 619-1700 (210) 619-1800 (210) 619-1030 (210) 619-1100 (210) 619-1100
SCHERTZ.COM
DECEMBER SUN
MON
TUE
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CITY CALENDAR
WED
2
City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers
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2020
THR
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FRI
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Deck the City Hall 6:00 p.m. Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex
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Library Adv Board Meeting 6:30 p.m. Schertz Public Library
City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers
Planning and Zoning Comm Meeting 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers
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SAT
5 Holidazzle 8:00 a.m. Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex
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12 CPR & First Aid Training EMS Training Room See Schertz.com for more information
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Christmas Eve
Christmas Day (Offices Closed)
SSLGC Meeting 1:30 p.m. SSLGC Admin Building Economic Dev Corp Board Meeting 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers
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31 New Year’s Eve Maskuerade 8:00 p.m. Pickrell Park
Due to the current situation surrounding COVID-19, these events may be subject to cancellation. Please check Schertz.com for the most recent updates.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT 1400 SCHERTZ PARKWAY SCHERTZ, TEXAS 78154
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ACT NOW AND COMMAND $20,000 OR MORE IN SAVINGS, TOO! Celebrating over 33 years of service, the ARC enjoys a solid financial foundation to assure ongoing operation. Add the benefits of a maintenance-free residence, social life with like-minded neighbors, and a location in one of the most fun and affordable areas in the U.S. Now roll in the advantage of discounts of $20,000 or more on select units – but only for a limited time. And it all adds up to a retirement you can enjoy to the fullest.
Go to armyresidence.com or call 1-800-871-3749 for more information.