July 2023

SCHERTZ SCHERTZ

CITY COUNCIL

Ralph Gutierrez Mayor

Mark Davis Councilmember

Michelle Watson Councilmember

Jill Whittaker Councilmember

Michael Dahle Councilmember

David Scagliola Councilmember

Allison Heyward Councilmember

Tim Brown Councilmember

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Steve Williams City Manager

Brian James Deputy City Manager

Sarah Gonzalez Assistant City Manager

Greg Rodgers Fire Chief

James Lowery Police Chief

Jason Mabbitt EMS Chief

EDITORIAL TEAM

Linda Klepper Public Affairs Director

Devan Christensen Communications Manager

Caanon Gibbons Marketing & Communications Specialist

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Linda Klepper, Devan Christensen, Sarah Gonzalez, Caanon Gibbons, Cassie Paddock, Lizzi Bertoia, Ashley Ritchey, Roz Wise, U.S. Coast Guard/ MyCG

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Caanon Gibbons, Devan Christensen, Stacey Lovett, Felicia Canales, Melissa Rodriguez, Denise Leverich, Tracy King

NEWS POLICY

Schertz Magazine encourages submission of news and event announcement items.

Publication is not guaranteed. If you would like to submit an item to Schertz Magazine, email magazine@schertz.com or call (210) 619-1600.

The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the City of Schertz. 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. Any publication of Schertz Magazine is sole property of the City of Schertz and cannot be reproduced or distributed in any way without the permission and written consent of the City of Schertz.

Election Filing

Filing for Schertz City Council in the November 7, 2023, General Election begins July 22, 2023.

The City of Schertz will be holding its General Election on November 7, 2023, for the purpose of electing Council Members in Place 3, Place 4, and Place 5 for a three-year term, November 2023 to November 2026.

Any City of Schertz resident desiring to have his or her name on the Official Ballot shall file with the City Secretary an application in writing in the form prescribed by the Texas Election Code declaring themselves a candidate. The filing date is no sooner than Saturday, July 22, 2023, and no later than 5 p.m. Monday, August 21, 2023. Completed applications with filing fee will be accepted by the City Secretary’s Office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, July 24, 2023 – August 21, 2023.

Qualifications for candidacy include the following: must have attained the age of eighteen or older on the first day of the term of office for which elected, be a registered voter of the City of Schertz, and have been a resident of the City of Schertz for at least twelve consecutive months immediately preceding the deadline for filing for an application for a place on the ballot.

The Candidate packet is available in the City Secretary’s Office at the Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Building 2, or online at Schertz.com. Should you have any questions, please contact the City Secretary’s Office at (210) 619-1030.

Local Students Receive Hal Baldwin Scholarship Award

On May 23, 2023, City Council approved Resolution 23-R-42 awarding the 2023 Hal Baldwin Scholarship to Corey Hunter, Camry Klinge, and Evan McWhirt. The Hal Baldwin Scholarship Committee, a committee that assists the City Council with the scholarship process, reviewed the applications and recommended the three students receive a scholarship.

The Committee selected Mr. Hunter to receive the top scholarship at $5,000. Corey is a graduate of Steele High School and will attend Northeast Lakeview College in the fall. Ms. Klinge received the secondplace scholarship at $2,500. Camry is

a graduate of Samuel Clemens High School and will attend Texas A&M University in the fall. Evan McWhirt received a $1,000 scholarship. Evan is a graduate of Samuel Clemens High School and will attend Iowa State University in the fall.

The Hal Baldwin Scholarship was established in 2009 to encourage high school seniors who are residents of Schertz to consider public service as a career path in education, local, state and/or federal government. The scholarship honors Hal Baldwin, who served the City for more than 30 years as a civic volunteer, an employee, a Councilmember, and Mayor.

Funds for the Hal Baldwin Scholarship come from donations and profits from the Hal Baldwin Golf Tournament which is held annually in the fall. To date, over $60,000 has been awarded in scholarship money.

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This program has prepared me for my future in a myriad of ways. The communication and organizational skills I have absorbed from this program will be greatly beneficial as I navigate my future education, jobs, and personal and workplace relationships. The skills I'm learning today with the Schertz Young Leaders will be a guide used through the rest of my life.

Schertz Youth Fire Academies Get Heated!

Community Honors Fallen Heroes at Memorial Day Ceremony

The Cities of Schertz, Cibolo, and Selma along with the Department of Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars Cibolo Valley Post 8315 and its auxiliary sponsored the 2023 Memorial Day Ceremony and Remembrance at the Veterans Memorial Plaza in Schertz.

Post Commander and US Army

Sergeant Major (Retired) Henry R. Conway opened the ceremony and led the event as officials and community members paid tribute and honored those who served our country.

Special guests included Schertz

Summer is in full swing and Schertz Fire Rescue brought the heat with the 7th Annual Jr. Fire Academy and the 4th Annual High School Fire Academy. This camp (June 5 – 9) offered kids a chance to learn about some of the daily operations of the Schertz Fire Department while getting hands-on with some fun activities.

The program is open to youth in the Schertz community and instills camaraderie, teamwork, leadership, and self-confidence. Our firefighters thoroughly enjoy showing the kids of our community some of the activities and equipment they use on a daily basis. It is the fire department's hope to spark an interest in these kids that might develop into career aspirations later on. Lieutenant Carl Schultze organized the academy, and firefighters from each shift assisted with the daily activities.

The academy kicked off with a special breakfast cooked and served by Schertz firefighters. Throughout the week, junior and high school firefighters went through interactive

training with several Schertz fire staff to experience what a firefighter does daily. Students were introduced to a variety of firefighting skills including fire streams, vehicle extrication, thermal imagery, pumping operations, fire extinguisher training, fire chemistry, and fire prevention. Students were also able to participate in a number of fire-related activities including a visit to the fire safety house, getting hands-on by putting on hazmat suits and learning about specialized hazmat skills, and participating in search and rescue exercises. Other academy activities included a lesson on fire service history, a physical agility test, ladder exercises and ropes, confined space, repelling, and rope rescue training led by our firefighters.

Officials from city council and city management greeted students throughout the week as they progressed through the academies. A graduation pizza party was held on Friday, June 9 to congratulate the Jr. and HS firefighters on a job well done.

Mayor Ralph Gutierrez, Cibolo Mayor Mark Allen, and Selma Mayor Tom Daly as well as councilmembers and city officials from each city. The group continues to join in continued support with the community to dedicate their time and honor to those who have served and their families. Thank you to Owner of H.P. Printing, Dick Terra, for creating and donating the ceremony programs.

Schertz Public Affairs Takes Home TAMIO Awards

The TAMI Awards, founded in 2001, distinguish the efforts of municipal communications and marketing professionals around the state. In 2023 there were over 500 submissions for the TAMI Awards. The winners were announced at a special TAMI Awards Dinner at the conference on Thursday, June 8.

The City of Schertz Public Affairs team recently attended the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO) conference in Arlington, Tx. Each year, Public Affairs submits entries for several communication categories of work completed and executed over the past

year. This year the team was proud to be finalists in the Print Flyer & Posters category for a Firefighter recruitment flyer and in the Printed Newsletter category for the Schertz Magazine. The team received the Award of Honor for Schertz Magazine and the TAMI Award for the fire recruitment flyer.

Shelter Pet Wants To Meet You

TAMIO is an active network of communications professionals dedicated to informing Texas residents of important issues in municipal government. TAMIO was developed as a result of the increasingly complex role of public information in municipal government. When organized in 1974, only a few Texas cities employed professional communications staffs. Today, TAMIO has an increasing number of public information professionals serving small communities as well as urban centers throughout the state.

Dawniecia Hardin Trussell Promoted to Internal Services Director

Trussell was promoted from her position as the Utility Billing Manager and Interim Internal Services Director.

"Dawniecia's passion for teamwork, combined with her management experience, will undoubtedly prove invaluable in helping us achieve our goals with this new department. I am looking forward to working with her to establish a thriving Internal Services team," commented Deputy City Manager, Brian James.

Since November 2017, Hardin Trussell has been an integral

part of the City of Schertz team. Her prior experience includes working as an Assistant Supervisor to a Case Management Team in the Health and Human Services Department for the state of Texas. With her background in management and leadership, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her current role. Hardin Trussell holds a Bachelor of Science in Management as well as a Masters in Management.

Hardin Trussell commented, "I am a firm believer in the mantra 'where there's a will, there's a way.' I instill this same belief in my team, encouraging them to sell their ideas to me and make them work. I am always open to new suggestions, no matter how unconventional they may seem, and I look forward to working with this great group of individuals to help the organization reach success.”

Schertz City Manager, Steve Williams, carried out a city-wide reorganization in early 2023 to streamline related functions and align similar areas of leadership. As a result, the Information Technology, Fleet, and Facility Services departments were consolidated into a single entity the Internal Services Department. The new department's primary objective is to maintain city facilities and vehicles and ensure they have the necessary technology to serve the city's staff and the general public. To lead the new department, Dawniecia Hardin

Dawniecia's passion for teamwork, combined with her management experience, will undoubtedly prove invaluable in helping us achieve our goals with this new department.

– BRIAN JAMES, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER

Parks Crew Maintains FUN Spaces for Schertz Residents

By CAANON GIBBONS

YOU MIGHT KNOW SCHERTZ PARKS & RECREATION FOR THEIR JUBILEE EVENT, PICKRELL PARK, OR MAYBE EVEN THEIR SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAMS. BUT HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHO IS BEHIND THE BEAUTIFICATION EFFORTS AND BEHINDTHE-SCENES WORK THAT MAKES ALL OF THE PARKS & REC FUN POSSIBLE?

Allow us to introduce you to our esteemed Schertz Parks & Recreation Maintenance Crew. Their presence is easily recognized by the distinctive forest green shirts, a familiar sight throughout the entire city. Depending on the day, you could see them cleaning out trash bins, painting pavilions, repairing park/playground equipment, or even laying down plants in flower beds around the city. Parks Maintenance Crew Supervisor, Robert Dobratz, simplified it by saying, "Every day is different in the Parks department."

Park maintenance workers play a crucial role in ensuring the upkeep and beauty of our city parks on a daily basis. Their responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks aimed at preserving the park's aesthetic appeal and functionality. With over 30 parks, athletic fields, and recreation

facilities in the City of Schertz, the crew remains busy all year round. Some of the amenities they maintain include swimming pools, ball fields, fitness facilities, over 25 miles of hike & bike trails, 8 pavilions, 438 acres of parkland, safe pedestrian routes and parking lots, playground equipment, and much more.

Each year, our city proudly hosts numerous events alongside a diverse range of smaller yet educational programs. The parks maintenance crew assumes a vital role in guaranteeing that the designated areas for these citywide events and programs remain well-kept and safe for all residents. Moreover, they actively participate in the setup and take down of these events, demonstrating their handson approach, and provide valuable assistance in coordinating the logistics on the day of the events.

But wait, there’s more! Our crew has three important certifications they can obtain to help keep our parks safe and beautiful. First, the Certified Pool Operator (CPO) ensures chemicals in our city pools remain at safe levels throughout the summer season. Second, the Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) certifies that all city playgrounds are compliant and

safe for children. Third, a pesticide applicator license allows crew members to spray weeds in certain parks and on trails as needed to ensure Schertz stays beautiful.

Parks & Recreation Director

Lauren Shrum says, “Our parks maintenance crew is the backbone of our operations, working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that our community's green spaces are not only well-maintained but also safe, clean, and inviting for all visitors. Their work often goes unnoticed, but it is their commitment and passion that keep our parks thriving year after year.”

The entire Parks maintenance crew consists of only nine employees. Dobratz shared, "We are a small but mighty crew that works well together with the same goals in mind — to maintain and keep the City of Schertz a beautiful place the residents can be proud of." They are normally seen working in pairs during their days out in the field, but on occasion, the whole crew will come together to accomplish a large-scale project.

Being a small crew doesn’t hold them back, in fact, our dedicated Parks crews undertakes significant projects throughout the year that enhance our community spaces. For example, last year they completed a renovation of the Veterans Memorial Plaza on Schertz Parkway, ensuring its beauty and significance continued to shine in our community. Recently, their efforts have extended to Wendy Swan Memorial Park, where they are currently overseeing the installation of a brand-new splash pad and undertaking a complete restroom renovation. To add to the excitement

at Wendy Swan, the crew has also added a replacement 4-bay swing with integrated shade, resurfaced the basketball court, put in new basketball hoops and will add 33 new trees to the area with an irrigation system.

“Our team comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds, each bringing their unique skills, perspectives, and experiences to the table. It is through their collective dedication and hard work that we are able to accomplish truly amazing things within our parks,” shared Parks Manager Jared Montney.

By diligently caring for the park's needs, this team of employees create an inviting environment that offers recreation opportunities, promotes healthy living, and cultivates community spirit. Their commitment to preserving the park's beauty and providing a welcoming space enhances the quality of life for individuals and families in Schertz.

To recognize the hard work and dedication of our Parks department for always keeping our City fun and beautiful, July is nationally known as Park and Recreation Month. This year's theme — “Where Community Grows” — celebrates the vital role park and recreation professionals play in bringing people together, providing essential services, and fostering the growth of our communities.

Join us in celebrating all Schertz Parks & Recreation employees throughout the month of July! Check out all upcoming events and programs for Schertz Parks & Recreation at Schertz.com/ Parksandrec.

Our team comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds, each bringing their unique skills, perspectives, and experiences to the table.

HAPPENING THIS MONTH in Schertz

LIBRARY

Lego Lab (5+)

Sunday Afternoon Meditation (Adults 18+)

Open Mic Poetry (Adults 18+)

Game On!

Human Library (Ages 13+)

Paper Crafting Crop

Medicare 101 Presentation

July 1 @ 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. / LPR

July 9 @ 1 p.m. / LPR

July 13 @ 6:30 p.m. / LMR 1

July 15 @ 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. / LPR

July 16 @ 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. / LPR

July 23 @ 12 – 5 p.m. / LPR

July 27 @ 6 p.m. / LMR 1

Mini Golf (all ages) July 29 @ 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Schertz Public Library

Last Day to Submit Summer Reading Logs***

Toddler Storytime (Ages 20 months – 3 yrs.)

Preschool Storytime (Ages 3 – 6 yrs.)

PARKS

4th of July Jubilee

Nature Discovery Series

Pickleball Open Play

Twilight Yoga

Crafty Tweens

Glow Party

Music & Movies in the Park: Jungle Cruise

Roblox Editor: Create & Code Your World (iCode)

STEM & Play Multisports (Skyhawks)

Pupsicles in the Park

Pickleball Play

Owl Prowl Night Hike

Field Day

Foam Party

Music & Movies in the Park: Lightyear

July 4 @ 9:15 a.m. – 10 p.m. / Pickrell Park

July 8 @ 9:30 a.m. /

Crescent Bend Nature Park

Tues @ 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. / Pickrell Park

Large Pavilion

July 11 @ 7:30 p.m. /

Heritage Oaks Park

Thurs, July 13 – 27 @ 1 – 3 p.m. / North Center

July 13 @ 8 p.m. / Rhine Valley Park

July 15 @ 7 p.m. / Pickrell Park Pool

July 17 – 21 @ 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. / Schertz Community Center

July 17 – 21 @ 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. / North Center

July 18 @ 6 p.m. / Schertz Dog Park

July 20 @ 7 p.m. / Pickrell Park

Large Pavilion

July 23 @ 8:30 p.m. / Crescent Bend

Nature Park

July 25 @ 6:30 p.m. / Ashley Park

July 27 @ 6:30 p.m. / Cypress

Point Park

July 28 @ 7 p.m. / Wendy Swan Memorial Park

July 29 @ 4 p.m.

Tues & Wed @ 10:15 – 10:45 a.m.; Thurs @ 11 – 11:30 a.m. / LPR

Tues & Wed, 11 – 11:45 a.m. / LPR

Teen Tuesdays (Ages 13 –18 yrs.) Tues @ 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. / LPR

Crafternoon (Families) Wed @ 2 – 3 p.m. / LPR

Walk-in Wednesday Tech Help Wed @ 6:30 p.m. / LMR 1

Baby & Me Storytime (Ages Birth – 24 months) Thurs @ 10:15 – 10:45 a.m. / LPR

Power Hour with Geared Fitness for Adults Thurs @ 1 p.m. / LPR

Senior Center Tech Help** Second Mon @ 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. / Schertz Senior Center

Library Quilt Bee

Second & Fourth Tues and Third Sat / LMR 1 (Time varies check online)

* Library spice kits for adults will be available the first week of July featuring Dill Weed

** A membership to the Schertz Senior Center is required to attend tech help at the Senior Center

*** Logs can be taken to at the Schertz Public Library or sent by email to librarian@schertz.com

LPR: Library Program Room LMR: Library Meeting Room

Roblox Editor: Create & Code

Your World (iCode)

Ages: 10 – 13 | July 17 – 21 | 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.|

$200 | Schertz Community Center

Get your imagination flowing with Roblox Studio, an immersive game engine that can be played on the web, mobile, or even in virtual reality! You'll learn the fundamentals of game design and build your very own obstacle course, complete with fire-spawning platforms and speed boosts that’ll put your name on the top of the leaderboard. And with Roblox’s toolbox and a dash of creativity, you’ll sculpt mountains and design custom art for your avatar to wear in-game.

Stem & Play Multisport (Skyhawks)

Age: 8 – 12 | Jul 17 – 21 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. |

$185 per child | North Center

This program combines strategic STEM-based activities with traditional Skyhawks sports instruction and a focus on life skills such as teamwork and sportsmanship. The STEM Sports® curriculum gives students the opportunity to get behind the sports they love with modules centered around technology, science, and innovation. Subjects vary by sport, but include ball design, calculating distances and angles, velocity, acceleration and much more! Participants will also learn the fundamentals of each sport through skill-based drills and scrimmages. Skyhawks puts the Sports in STEM. Every participant receives a free Skyhawks shirt & ball.

Social Leagues

Congratulations to our Spring 2023 Kickball Champions, Sons of Pitches, and Cornhole Champions, Matt, Jeff, and Cody on taking home the gold. Registration for Fall 2023 Kickball and Cornhole leagues open on July 17. Kickball games will be played on Sunday nights from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.; September 10 – October 15. Cornhole games will be played on Tuesday nights from 6 p.m. –9 p.m.; September 5 – October 10.

Schertz Young Leaders

Schertz Parks and Recreation is excited to announce the second year of the Schertz Young Leaders program. High School students that live in Schertz or attend SCUCISD are invited to apply to learn about their community and develop key leadership skills in this eight-month program. Students will hear from area leaders, tour facilities such as the Randolph Air Force Base, and get a closer look behind the scenes of how a city operates. Applications open August 1 and close on September 15. Learn more or apply online at Schertz.com/ youngleaders.

Connect with us on social media

CityofSchertz or cityofschertzparksandrecreation

Post a pic @SchertzParksandRec

Use #SchertzParksandRec

Memorial Park

JULY Jungle Cruise Pickrell Park Pool

Summer Reading Experience

We invite everyone to participate in the Summer Reading Experience at the Schertz Public Library. Registration is open. This summer you can read, make, and explore to earn prizes. Read anything you want, from books to magazines to audiobooks. You can read library books, your own personal books, or any combination. Once you have completed the reading experience log, bring it to the library and pick up your summer reading experience t-shirt (while supplies last). We are planning a calendar full of programs, events, and activities that are enjoyable for all ages. Check out our online calendar to see what we have going on. All reading logs are due back to the library either in-person or by scanning a completed reading log to librarian@schertz.com by 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 29.

Human Library

You can borrow all sorts of things from the library—how about borrowing a fresh perspective? In a Human Library, people are books, and reading is a conversation! Each human book is unique and has something to share regarding his or her experiences, perspectives, values, or beliefs. Readers are invited to select

books that offer new experiences and viewpoints so that both the book and the reader can learn something new and foster understanding through a shared conversation. The Schertz Public Library will be hosting their first Human Library event on Sunday, July 16, from 1 – 5 p.m. For more information about the event, please visit Schertz.com/adultcalendar.

to see the library in a new way as they play the course and help us celebrate a successful Summer Reading Experience. This fun, free event is open to the public. The library will be closed for business all day.

Parenting Workshop

S.P.A.R.K. (Supporting Parents and Reaching Kids) will host an eightweek family workshop to build better lives through knowledge, support, and enrichment at the Schertz Public Library. Parents, grandparents, extended family, and providers of children (prenatal through 17 years) are invited to join us as we look at research-based information. Discover answers to the age-old question; why do they do that? Topics include understanding their behavior, your child’s growing mind, becoming the parent you want to be, is my child’s behavior normal?, raising emotionally healthy children, strategies and skills for positive behavior, stress, and more. Contact Sonya Mollicone via email to register at smollicone@boysvilletexas. org. Free dinner is provided. This eightweek workshop begins Tuesday, August 22, and continues Tuesday evenings from 6 – 8 p.m. through October 10 in Library Meeting Room 2.

Power Hour with Geared Fitness

Mini Golf @ the Library

The Schertz Public Library will be transformed into an 18-hole mini golf course on Saturday, July 29. The public is invited to drop by to play a round of golf anytime between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The course, which will be set up by a professional mini golf company and library volunteers, will wind through the stacks of the library. We hope everyone will take advantage of this opportunity

Adult fitness classes are back at the library! Join us every Thursday from 1 –2 p.m. in the Library Program Room for Power Hour with Geared Fitness. Each class will consist of a full body workout with a specific focal point for the week. Please bring a set of dumbbells, a yoga mat, and water.

Twitter.com/SchertzLibrary

WHAT'S DEVELOPING IN SCHERTZ

Curious about what new businesses are now open or coming soon to our area? See the list below. For more up-to-date information on What’s Developing in Schertz go to Schertz.com/whatsdeveloping.

NOW OPEN

1 / MSI San Antonio

17670 Four Oaks Lane

A 65,157 square foot office/showroom, specifically for MSI San Antonio which states is a well-lit climate-controlled state of the art flooring and wall tile showroom, distribution center, slab selection showroom, and hardscaping showroom.

COMING SOON

2 / Retail Building

21430 Old Wiederstein Road

A 5,923 square foot retail building

3 / Murdoch's Ranch and Home Supply

17975 IH 35, Building B

A 69,325 square foot retail building. Murdoch’s is a ranch supply store for animal feed & tack, tools, clothing & shoes, hardware, fencing & garden gear

4 / Good Shepherd Catholic ChurchFood Pantry Expansion

1065 E Live Oak Road

A 1,580 square foot food pantry as part of the Good Shepherd Catholic Church

5 / Kellum Medical Offices Phase II

3795 FM 3009

A 9,000 square foot medical office

6 / Health Texas Schertz

650 FM 3009

A 6,943 square foot medical office

7 / Brown Retina Institute

17017 IH 35

A 10,520 square foot medical office

8 / Schertz Medical Office

17766 Verde Parkway

A 53,200 square foot medical office building

9 / Comal ISD Elementary School

233 Hubertus Road

A 96,115 square foot elementary school for the Comal ISD School District

10 / Starbucks

21550 IH 35

A 2,153 square foot Starbucks Coffee

11 / The Learning ExperiencePre-School

4629 FM 3009

A 10,000 square foot day care facility. Since 1980, TLE® has positively impacted the lives of children by developing and implementing ground-breaking care and early childhood education programs throughout the country.

12 / School of Science and Technology- Schertz Phase II

20845 Technology Ave.

A 71,000 square foot charter school. The School of Science and Technology drives academic and socio-emotional development through a college preparatory, STEM-based learning model.

Information in this section is finalized around the 15th of the month prior to publication. Some businesses listed in the Coming Soon section may be open upon publication of this magazine.

Schertz EDC Connects Businesses & Job Seekers

There is never a dull moment at the Schertz Economic Development Corporation (SEDC). In May, the Schertz EDC participated in a Regional Job Fair and a Business Lunch and Learn. The Job Fair was hosted by the Schertz EDC, Cibolo EDC, Seguin EDC and the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce. It provided 65 businesses from the region with exposure to 170 potential job candidates from

across all professional fields. Some of the businesses demonstrating vacancies were maintenance technicians, warehouse workers and sales representatives, just to name a few. The fair took place at the Cibolo YMCA and served as a great location for job seekers to look at the different businesses and speak to them about their company. Participating with our economic development partners

in a coordinated job fair not only underscores the impressive mixture of employers that contribute to the economic health and opportunities of our cities, but also highlights the talent pool of individuals with diverse experiences and skills that set up our region for long term success. The next job fair that is planned will be hosted by Seguin and will be held in August of this year.

In addition to the job fair, the City of Schertz EDC hosted a Business Lunch and Learn, open to all local primary businesses. This event featured Christopher Mammen from GreaterSATX, the economic development marketing arm for the City of San Antonio and its surrounding region. The topics focused on job creation, talent recruitment and featured programs (name a specific program or two) that job seekers can take advantage of if they would like to hone their professional skills or investigate other career paths. There were representatives in attendance from career services at Steele High School, Samuel Clemmens High School, as well as Alamo Colleges. The next Lunch and Learn will be in late summer and you can look forward to seeing more about it in the upcoming magazines, and the City of Schertz or Schertz EDC’s Facebook page.

We are always interested in programs that are geared towards helping primary businesses. If you have any questions or would like to talk about business opportunities within the City of Schertz, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Business Engagement Manager, Ashley Ritchey, at aritchey@ schertz.com or (210) 619-1073.

FIREWORKS

The Schertz Fire Department reminds residents that fireworks are prohibited inside the city limits of Schertz. City Code of Ordinances 30.64 prohibits the sale, use, or possession of fireworks in the City. If you are unsure whether you reside within the city limits of Schertz you can go to the Interactive Map on Schertz.com and type in your address.

For more information, call the Fire Department at (210) 619-1300.

Around the Community

RACAP Taking Applications for Back-ToSchool Program

The Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program (RACAP) will begin accepting applications for the Back-To-School Program on July 10, 2023. Applications will be accepted from families in need of help with school supplies because of limited or no income, who are at or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The deadline to apply for the Back-ToSchool Program is August 11, 2023.

RACAP welcomes organizations, businesses, groups, or individuals who

would like to participate by donating school supplies or money. If you would like to donate school supplies, contact RACAP at racap@att.net to receive a list of the supplies needed. This help is greatly needed and much appreciated. Donations may be dropped by the RACAP office or mailed to 307 Pfeil St, Schertz TX 78154.

Applicants for assistance must live in the following zip codes: 78108, 78109, 78132, 78148, 78154, 78247, Live Oak 78233, or 78266.

Those interested in helping or are in need of help may contact RACAP at 307 Pfeil, Schertz, Monday thru Friday, 1 – 3 p.m. or call (210) 6581613 between those times. Please call if you have any questions.

Schertz Local, Petty Officer 2nd Class James King, Receives 2022 Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year Award

Petty Officer 2nd Class James King, a maritime enforcement specialist at Maritime Security Response Team West, was recently announced as the Coast Guard’s 2022 Enlisted Person of the Year. King was selected because of both his professional and personal accomplishments.

King is a 2010 Steele High School Graduate. After graduation he was a walk-on basketball player at A&M Corpus Christi, eventually becoming captain of the team. After college, he chose to enlist in the Coast Guard; he wanted to experience the Coast Guard at all levels before choosing a commissioning program.

As a third-class petty officer in his first rated tour, King earned the role of squad leader on the Direct Action Section 7 team, a position normally assigned to first-class petty officers. A testament to his skill, King was handselected to support the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Marshals Service in coordinating a high-profile federal seizure of a motor vessel. He somehow still found time to complete his master’s degree in Kinesiology and

was then accepted into an Exercise Science Doctoral program. He applied his professional education towards bettering the crew's health and wellness by developing and monitoring physical fitness programs for over 100 members of MSRT-W's crew. A true steward in his community, King routinely assisted multiple charitable

organizations by distributing food and clothing to local families in need during his off hours.

Congratulations to Petty Officer King on this incredible accomplishment! Thank you for your service and for representing our community well!

Around the Community

Samuel Clemens Junior Receives Gold Medal Seal at Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) Contest

Wilcox may have received the highest attainable award, but all six of her fellow contestants from Clemens HS also received medals: Allayah Gibson, Amelia Warner, Lyla Mechler, Jasmine Clark, Giselle Sutton and Marshall Buchanan.

Now, Wilcox finds herself in a unique position. With the accomplishment of scaling the mountaintop under her belt, she faces the challenge of repeating it. The summit produced euphoria but is bringing about a selfinduced pressure to create a piece that will ask her to draw upon the free-flowing spirit that guided her through this winning campaign.

Alyssa Wilcox’s journey to depict the ties between women, femininity and the natural world in ceramic was a labor-intensive adventure, spanning two months, combining three unique figures, in intricate detail, into an awe-inspiring and thought-provoking piece, titled Nature’s Grace. This beautiful piece earned the junior at Samuel Clemens a Gold Seal

Medal, the equivalent to a state championship, at the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) contest held in San Marcos on April 29, 2023. Wilcox was one of only 151 entries out of over 30,000 submissions to win the prestigious accolade. Wilcox’s accomplishment was recognized by SCUC school board Trustees at the May 16, 2023 meeting.

“I can’t just make art because it looks good,” Wilcox said. “There has to be a reason to make art. The whole reason art is important in society is that it has meaning. And if it doesn’t have meaning, then what’s the point of making it?”

Congratulations to Alyssa and her fellow art students! We can’t wait to see more of your amazing work!

Help Grow the Guadalupe Demonstration Garden

Want to grow your own vegetables?

Want to spend time outdoors? Want to do something with your kids now that they’re out of school? You can learn more about gardening while helping your community at the Guadalupe Demonstration Garden in Schertz!

This one-acre garden is managed by the Guadalupe County Master Gardeners, who are all volunteers and depend on volunteers like you to help harvest food for local food banks in the Schertz, Cibolo, UC, and Selma areas. You can work alongside master gardeners to learn more about gardening and get their

experienced advice. The mission of the demonstration garden is to teach others the art and science behind growing a greener world. But we can’t do it without volunteers like you! All you need is a willingness to work and a desire to learn - no equipment, gloves, or tools needed! Join us on Tuesdays and Fridays any time between 8 – 11 a.m. Families are welcome - this is a great opportunity to work side by side with your children and get them started on a fruitful hobby!

The garden is located behind the Elections Office on Elbel in Schertz. Hope to see you there!

Raymond Castro & Damaris Lopez took their Schertz Magazine all the way to “Cueva del Indio”, an Indian cave in Arecibo, Puerto Rico!

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!

The Phipps family travelled to Ruidoso, New Mexico and made sure their Schertz Magazine also made the trip!

Jasmine Carbon took her Schertz Magazine along for the trip as she travelled around Israel for a study abroad program!

Jim Baker

travelled to Krabi, Thailand and packed their Schertz Magazine for the trip!

& Denny Martens

LOOKING BACK Schertz Texas

Something To Think About . . .

“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.”

Babe Ruth

Schertz History

The Schertz-Cibolo Cemetery (SCC) is located near the corner of River Road and Bubbling Springs Rd. The City of Schertz came into existence in 1899 (previously named Cut-Off) soon after the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio RR depot was established here. The first burial in the SCC also occurred during this time-period when a female child of a farmworker family passed away. Ferdinand Dietz, who was one of the founding families of our community, marked off an area of his farmland where the farmworkers could bury members of their families. The cemetery has been maintained through the decades by loving descendants and has now been designated by the state of Texas as a Texas historical cemetery. It is said that every cemetery has a story, and indeed, SCC is no exception. The early farmworkers were successful in bringing the corn and cotton crops to harvest thereby contributing to the early growth

of our local farming communities. This ancestral resting place has also been approved to receive a Texas Historical Marker which will be a significant milestone for the city. This “unveiling” should take place in 2023. Improvements are continuing with the goal of creating an educational venue and for the preservation of local history.

Texas History

In 1859, William Menger opened his hotel, now a landmark, on Alamo Plaza in San Antonio. In partnership with Charles Philip Degen, he also operated a brewery on the site. The hotel is one of the well-known lodging houses in Texas. Guests have included O. Henry, Ulysses S. Grant, and Theodore Roosevelt. The building has been remodeled many times and is on the National Register of Historic Places to visit. The Menger continues to serve as a center for meetings and other social affairs.

If you would like to share your memories living in Schertz before 1970, please submit to Rozwise@aol.com, Schertz Historical Preservation Committee.

Information presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee (SHPC) in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.

Official City Meetings and Office Closures

CITY COUNCIL

Ralph Gutierrez Mayor (210) 619-1040 ralphgutierrez@schertz.com

Mark Davis Councilmember (210) 376-9141 markdavis@schertz.com

Michelle Watson Councilmember 210-419-8472 mwatson @schertz.com

Jill Whittaker Councilmember (210) 846-8768 jwhittaker@schertz.com

Michael Dahle Councilmember (210) 419-9337 mdahle@schertz.com

David Scagliola Councilmember (830) 606-1130 davidscagliola@schertz.com

Allison Heyward Councilmember (210) 608-9543 allisonheyward@schertz.com

Tim Brown Councilmember (210) 608-2381 timbrown@schertz.com