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BRACKEN CIBOLO CONVERSE GARDEN RIDGE LIVE OAKSCHERTZ SELMA UNIVERSAL CITY WINDCREST

JAN. 19 - FEB. 16, 2015VOL. 2, ISSUE 7

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LOCAL COMMENTARY SUSAN YERKESEven without an NFL team, San Antonio remains a world-class cityPG. 06

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Reproduction in whole or in part without our permission is prohibited, 2015 Helen Publishing, LLC and Local Community News, LLC, all rights reserved.

For advertising, customer service or editorial, please call us at 210-338-8842 or write to us at: Local Community News4204 Gardendale Ste. 201San Antonio, TX 78229

FROM THE EDITORwwright@salocallowdown.com

President Harold J. Lees

Assoc. PublisherRick UptonEDITORIALExecutive EditorThomas EdwardsManaging EditorWill WrightNews StaffCollette Orquiz and Bain SernaContributing WritersMiranda Koerner, Arthur Schechter and Susan Yerkes

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LOCAL Community News publicationsZone 1: 78204, 78205, 78209, 78210, 78212, 78215Zone 2: 78213, 78230, 78231, 78248, 78249Zone 3: 78216, 78232, 78247 Zone 6: 78258, 78259, 78260, 78261

PublisherGregg Rosenfield

WILL WRIGHTMANAGING EDITOR

Thorny issues await state legislators

Despite the new faces, don’t expect the conservative bent to change. Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are committed to pursuing a legislative agenda that has much to consider in the coming months.

As usual, one of the top items will be school-finance reform. Texas public school districts still haven’t recovered from the massive funding cuts made in 2011. More than 600 of them have sued the state, seeking a more equitable distribution of funds that won’t penalize richer districts to support poorer campuses.

Many observers believe legislators won’t take up that task until the Supreme Court issues a ruling, which might not come until the end of the regular session – leading Abbott to possibly call for a special session.

In the meantime, look for possible action on House Bill 5, which in 2013 changed public school curriculum, graduation requirements and assessments, as well as proposals to repeal Texas’ ban on same-sex marriage, a repeal of the Texas Dream Act, a law allowing Texans to openly carry hand-held weapons, bans on the sale and use of e-cigarettes by minors, and a statewide ban on texting while driving. Legislators will have to make other tough funding decisions regarding transportation, water rights, immigration, and the fate of the state’s franchise tax.

Rest assured the outcomes of all of the above issues will come with promises of no new taxes – something all Texas voters have heard before.

exas politics will have a new look

this month, with the installation of a new governor, lieutenant governor

and legislators in both houses.

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LOCAL COMMENTARY

San Antonio a world-class city without NFL by SUSAN YERKES

Christmas is over, and Santa

failed to deliver a major league football team to our collective stockings,

despite the recent ballyhoo about the Oakland Raiders possibly relocating here. But, a lot of folks still have visions of the NFL dancing in their heads.

So as the new year begins, I’d like to offer a reminder, and propose a toast.

First, the reminder. When it comes to courting major league teams, the Raiders are not our first rodeo.

The Alamodome was built after voters approved the $177 million project, thanks

in part to a powerful public-relations campaign headed by former Mayor Henry Cisneros and then-Spurs' owner Red McCombs. One of the major selling points was the idea that if we built a state-of-the-art football stadium, San Antonio stood a good chance of getting an NFL team to play there, despite widespread skepticism.

The skeptics proved right. Of course, the Alamodome was also sold as an expanded convention facility — fortunately, as it turned out — although it took awhile for the venue to hit its stride. The Alamodome opened in 1993, the same year Cisneros decamped to Washington, D.C. to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The dome was a “legacy” project for him. More than two decades later, Cisneros is still on the NFL bandwagon.

Things heated up last summer, when the Raiders, with their current lease on Alameda County’s aging O.co Coliseum about to expire, weren’t getting far in their push for a proposed $800 million new stadium. And presto! Suddenly, they were entertaining new suitors.

Some reasoned San Antonio’s a perfect fit for the Raiders. It’s hard to take the idea very seriously. Oakland is the nation’s fourth-largest media market. San Antonio is the

36th largest and no amount of annexation is going to change that anytime soon. The Bay Area boasts six times as many major corporate headquarters, and has a much larger pool of dollars for premium seating and sponsorship. If the Raiders do anything, they’re more likely to return to Los Angeles.

Even though it’s conceivable that an NFL team might play in the Alamodome for a time (the New Orleans Saints practiced and played three games here in 2005 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina), folks on the inside of the Raiders talks were pretty candid about the fact we’d eventually have to build a new stadium to keep the team here.

Why would our leaders even seriously contemplate doing that?

Back when the Alamodome was built, there was a lot of talk about how an NFL team would help sell San Antonio as a “world-class city.” The NFL didn’t come, but San Antonio is a world-class city anyway.

We have the five-time NBA champion Spurs, one of the coolest collective class acts in sports, the WNBA San Antonio Stars and the AHL San Antonio Rampage, all playing in the AT&T Center. The Alamodome has hosted five Men's and/or Women's NCAA Final Four basketball tournaments and a U.S. Olympic Festival.

(We just snagged another Final Four for 2018, to which the city’s committing $44 million more in Alamodome upgrades.)

The dome has proved a fantastic home for our town’s only NCAA FBS team, the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Roadrunners, and high school playoff games. Not to mention hundreds of events from monster truck jams to rock concerts. And in December, Major League Soccer officials confirmed San Antonio is among four cities being considered for a new MLS team in the latest league expansion.

There’s much more than sports to being a world-class city. In a 2014 Forbes magazine report comparing the business climates of 200 major U.S. metro areas, San Antonio ranked sixth. Oakland came in 62nd. We’re on a roll here, and Mayor Ivy Taylor is correct to focus on education and economic development, rather than put too much effort into pie-in-the-sky NFL dealings.

And now for that New Year’s toast, in the form of a cheer: “Go Raiders! Just go someplace else!”

Email Yerkes at syerkes@salocallowdown.com.

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Northeast Methodist Hospital is your neighborhood hospital with an outstanding full-service ER that is equipped to assess your situation in minutes.

A campus of Methodist Hospital, Northeast Methodist Hospital is staffed with emergency care trained physicians that are there for you 24/7. This facility is not only close to you and your family, it is designated as an accredited Chest Pain Center as well as a Joint Commission Certified Stroke Center. The expanded cardiac cath lab allows us to deliver a high level of cardiac and intensive care to those in need.

You don’t know what type of treatment you may need during or after an emergency. You want to go where you’ll receive expert care from physicians, nurses and technicians, as well as having specialists and equipment such as MRI and surgical units just in case. Northeast Methodist Hospital Emergency Department offers full-service emergency care at one of the most comprehensive hospitals in the area, so you can be treated, not transported for care.

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Other specialties.Outstanding ER care isn’t the only thing Northeast Methodist Hospital is known for. The Joint Academy specializes in a complete rehabilitation program with a coordinated approach to hip and knee replacement surgery. In addition, our new da Vinci surgical system offers minimally invasive procedures — both dramatically reducing the size of an incision and recovery times.

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OUR TURNViews and opinions about your community

Before city leaders do such a thing, they must first make sure they can provide adequate police, fire and ambulance services; take care of infrastructure such as bridges, streets and drainage; and build or maintain parks and libraries.

If the city is incapable of handling such a load, then those areas — which would add about 200,000 people to San Antonio’s population — should stay outside the city limits.

It’s not worth straining the city’s resources just so San Antonio can be bigger than Phoenix and Philadelphia.

The city is looking at Interstate 10 West, U.S. 281 North to near the Comal County line,

Services must be there for annexation

I-10 East, Texas 151 and U.S. 90/Loop 1604. According to District 9 Councilman

Joe Krier, if the move goes through from 2015 to 2020, it would be a limited-purpose annexation. There will be no city services, no collection of property or sales taxes during the first three years. Although residents can vote in City Council and recall elections, they are not eligible to run for office during that time, nor can they cast ballots in a bond election.

However, the city can require permits and fees for commercial and residential buildings.

The areas in question are all rapid-growth sectors. No doubt politcos are rubbing hands at the thought of all the new taxes.

True, it can be argued that residents from the five areas driving on San Antonio streets and using San Antonio resources should pay their fair share, but there is little doubt some do not want to become part of the Alamo City.

For one thing, there are fewer regulations in unincorporated areas, compared to city ordinances that cover everything from historic preservation to code compliance.

Public hearings will be held in the fall. Residents should come armed with questions. If San Antonio is going to dip into their wallets, they need to be assured of adequate public services.

San Antonio is looking at its largest land grab in 20 years, a move that could annex five areas

equal to 66 square miles and make the city the fifth largest in the nation.

THE ALLERGY CORNEROh no - it’s Mountain Cedar Time!

Written by Priyanka Gupta, M.D.Board Certified Allergist

From December through February, many people experience a runny nose, sneezing, nasal blockage, excess tearing and itchy eyes. Others complain of itching of the throat and post-nasal drainage. Some develop asthma symptoms of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and coughing. If you experience the above symptoms every year during these months, the chance is great that you have a Mountain Cedar allergy, or “cedar fever” as it is sometimes known. In addition to making a person feel ill due to allergies, this condition can interfere in a variety

of ways with carrying out day to day responsibilities. Loss of sleep, limita-tion of activities, diminished productivity, poor concentration, fatigue, and practical problems such as repeated nose blowing and nose rubbing, all impact negatively on your ability to carry out physical, social and work/school activities. San Antonio and its surrounding cities has a high density of naturally growing Mountain Cedar trees (Juniperus ashei) and along with consistent breezy conditions common to the winter months, this climate helps distrib-ute the pollen into the air. The cedar pollen counts can get extremely high and remain so for many days at a time. The pollen concentrations some-times go so high that they can reach the status of an air pollutant, produc-ing a slightly hazy look to the air. Many treatments are available to try to reduce the allergic reaction - some are over the counter and others are prescription medications. If medications are impractical and ineffective, then you might be a good candidate for allergy shots, which have been shown to be a very effective treatment for Mountain Cedar allergy. If you have questions about Mountain Cedar allergy or other related topics, feel free to contact our office, Central Texas Allergy and Asthma, at (210) 654-0944 or (830) 609-0998. Our providers are well educated on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with seasonal and year round aller-gies. Our physician, Priyanka Gupta, M.D., is Board Certified in Allergy and Immunology.

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OUR GUIDE

TO YOUR MONTH

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

HAPPENING LOCAL

H A P P E N I N G K E Y

ART TALKFITNESS OUTDOOR MUSIC FOOD

RANDOLPH METROCOM ROTARY The club meets Mondays

at noon at the Olympia Hills Golf & Conference Center, 12900 Mount Olympus St. in Universal City. For more, visit www.randolphmetrocomrotary.org.

NORTHEAST ROTARY MEETINGSThe San Antonio Northeast Rotary Club meets 6:30

p.m. every Tuesday at The Lion & Rose Pub in The Forum at Olympia Parkway shopping center, 8211 Agora Parkway, Suite 112 in Live Oak. For more, visit www.sanortheastrotary.com.

CHILDREN’S STORY TIMESConverse Public Library, 601 S. Seguin St., holds free story

times 10:30-11:30 a.m. each Wednesday, where toddlers can get an early start to literacy through book readings, music, and arts and crafts. Parents are urged to arrive on time; children must be supervised. For more, call 659-4160.

CIBOLO GRANGE MARKETPLACEThe nonprofit agricultural and civic organization hosts

a Farmers and Artisans Market each Thursday from 2-6 p.m. at Grange Hall, 413 N. Main St. in Cibolo. Homegrown produce and handcrafted items will be available from local vendors. For more, visit CiboloGrangeFarmersMarket/Facebook or email to hunnisnax@gmail.com or cibolo1541@grange.org.

WEEKLY

WEEKLY

WEEKLYHAPPENING continues on pg. 11

JANFEB

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FUNDANCERS’ CALLER SCHEDULEThe FunDancers’ Square and

Line Dance Club meets each Sunday at Community Center North, 4923 Morning Drive in Schertz. Lessons start at 5 p.m., with dances 7-9 p.m. For more, visit the club’s information link at the Austin Square and Round Dance Association website, www.asrda.org.

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH FREE SUPPER During the first Wednesday

of each month, St. Paul Evangelical Church, 108 S. Main St. in Cibolo, serves a free dinner 6-7:30 p.m. For more, call the church at 658-5874.

MORGAN’S WONDERLAND HOSTS SENIORS Let age work in your favor

during “Senior Fridays” at Morgan’s Wonderland, 5223 David Edwards Drive. For $8, every second and fourth Friday, there are senior activities 11 a.m. to noon. For more, call 495-5888 or visit www.morganswonderland.com.

COFFEE WITH COPSThe Live Oak Police Department offers an

opportunity for citizens to meet neighborhood patrolmen from 8:30-10 a.m. at Panera Bread, 8235 Agora Parkway, Suite 115 in The Forum at Olympia Parkway shopping center in Live Oak. There will be no agendas or guest speakers, just a chance to sit and talk with the officers. Menu prices apply. For more, call Live Oak police at 945-1700.

SCOC HEALTH AND WHOLENESS FAIRHosted by the Schertz Chamber

of Commerce and Baptist Emergency Hospital, the third annual free event presented by the city of Schertz, Pawderosa Ranch Doggie Play and Stay, and MedFirst Primary Care is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Schertz Civic Center, 1400 Schertz Parkway. More than 70 vendors will be featured in a showcase focusing on the four aspects of health wholeness: mental, spiritual, physical and nutritional. For more, call the Chamber offices at 566-9000.

ONGOING

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JAN24

WEEKLY

HAPPENING continues on pg. 12

HAPPENING continues from pg. 10

JAN31

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GARDEN RIDGE WILD GAME DINNER The eighth annual event will

be 5-8 p.m. at Garden Ridge Community Center, 9400 Municipal Parkway. Entertainment, prizes, events, a raffle and a dinner of wild game will be featured. Cost is $20, with tickets available online at www.gardenridgewildgame.com.

SCHERTZ CHAMBER EVENTS The Schertz Chamber of Commerce has the following

activities in January and February. For more, call 566-9000 or visit www.schertzchamber.org. The Chamber’s January luncheon, featuring the annual State of the Chamber update, is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Schertz Civic Center, 1400 Schertz Parkway. Admission is $28, $18 for members who RSVP by Jan. 13. The Jan. 28 Biz Ed breakfast will feature Brian James, Schertz’s executive director of development, who will lead a round-table discussion with small companies titled, “Doing Business in Schertz: Permits, Ordinances and Updates.” The event is 7:30-9 a.m. at the Chamber/Visitor Center offices at 1730 Schertz Parkway. Admission

is $10; free for Chamber members. The Feb. 17 monthly Chamber luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Schertz Civic Center, 1400 Schertz Parkway, will feature presentations on upcoming developments by the city managers in Schertz, Cibolo and Selma. Admission is $28, $18 for Chamber members. Please RSVP by 5 p.m. Feb. 10. The Chamber’s monthly mixer begins at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Cibolo Coffee Haus, 3893 Cibolo Valley Drive, Suite 107 in Cibolo. Event admission, which includes networking, refreshments and Chamber Cash Drawing, is $10; free for Chamber members. The sixth annual The Taste: All American, featuring wares from restaurants and food providers, is 5-8 p.m. March 19 at the Schertz Civic Center. Contact the Chamber for more information. The Schertz Chamber Toastmasters convene each Monday at 6:45 p.m. at the Comfort Inn & Suites meeting room, 5571 Interstate 35 North in Selma.

TRI-COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The Chamber’s B2B Breakfasts

take place the first Friday of each month, with luncheons held the second Tuesday of each month at Blue Bonnet Palace, 17630 Lookout Road in Selma. Monthly Lunch & Learn events are held the third Thursday,

with mixers the fourth Thursday. For more, including sites and times, call 658-8322 or visit www.txtricountychamber.org.

WESTERN WEEKEND AND COWBOY BREAKFASTTriumphant Lutheran Church,

21315 Bat Cave Road in Garden Ridge will have worship services to a Western beat at 5 p.m. Feb. 14 and 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Feb. 15. A free cowboy breakfast, with biscuits and gravy, will be served between Sunday services. For more, call 651-9090 or visit www.triumphantlutheran.org.

SCHERTZ LIBRARY WINTER BOOK SALEThe two-day event, 10 a.m.

to 5 p.m. Feb. 20 and noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 21 at the library, 798 Schertz Parkway, will feature a variety of books for all ages, including children’s selections, cookbooks and specially priced vintage books. Purchase a bag for $3 and stuff it with hours of reading pleasure. For more, call 566-0415.

SUBMITTING EVENTS: Email all the details along with your contact information two months in advance to tips@salocallowdown.com.

HAPPENING continues from pg. 11

JAN31

JANFEB

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FEB14-15

FEB20-21

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WE CARE MOBILE HEALTH SERVICES, in Schertz, is a mobile health care clinic offering in-home treatments for patients with acute and chronic medical conditions in east San Antonio, Selma, Converse, Kirby, Universal City, Schertz, Cibolo and Garden Ridge. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more, call 910-4186 or visit www.wecaremhs.com. (See story on page 28)

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IN OTHER NEWSA RUNOFF ELECTION FOR THE TEXAS DISTRICT 26 SENATE SEAT will be held after the top two vote-getters failed to secure a majority in the Jan. 6 special election to fill the seat of Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, who is planning to resign to run for mayor of San Antonio. State representatives Trey Martinez Fischer and José Meñendez (both D-San Antonio) garnered the most votes, with Fischer tallying 43.2 percent of the vote and Menendez finishing with 25.4 percent. Republicans Alma Perez Jackson (20.5 percent) and Joan Pedrotti (7.5 percent) placed third and fourth, respectively, followed by Democrat and Converse Mayor Al Suarez, who was fifth with 3.4 percent. Van de Putte plans to remain in her seat until her successor is chosen. In House District 123, there will also be

LOWDOWN continues on pg. 14

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a runoff between Democrat Diego Bernal and Republican Nunzio Previtera, who led a field of six candidates seeking to succeed Rep. Mike Villarreal, who is also planning to run for San Antonio mayor. Runoffs for both seats are expected to be held sometime in February.

CONTROVERSY CONTINUES IN CIBOLO, which now has almost a new City Council nearly two years following a dispute over locating a new Walmart in the area. However, a new brouhaha – this one between Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Gabe Castro and Mayor Lisa Jackson – arose following the November elections. During the council’s Dec. 15 assembly, Castro and Jackson apologized for recently exchanged emails, some containing colorful language and commentary. Castro, the lone council survivor of voter backlash in 2013 and 2014, resigned as mayor pro tem during the same meeting, when council members retreated into closed-door sessions to discuss an ethics complaint against Jackson and other issues – including delaying a vote on a new mayor pro tem until sometime in January.

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celebrated another successful year during its annual Gatsby Gala, the Chamber’s business appreciation and awards banquet held Nov. 14 at the Schertz Civic Center. The event, presented by Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative and sponsored by Gunn Automotive Group-Selma, honored the following Chamber businesses and members in 2014: Mr. Congeniality — Ivory Freeman, New York Life; Ms. Congeniality — Jan Haynie, Schertz Bank and Trust; Mixer of the Year — RE/MAX Corridor; Ambassador of the Year — Dawn Southwell, GVEC; Ambassador’s Choice — Farelle Woodard, Doss Audiology; Young Professional of the Year — Kelly Smith, LeapFrog Promotions; Small Businesses of the Year — tie between RE/MAX Corridor and Pawderosa Ranch Doggie Play and Stay; Corporate Business of the Year — GVEC; and Member’s Choice Business — RE/MAX Corridor.

NORTHAMPTON PARK CLOSED FOR IMPROVEMENTS Jan. 1. San Antonio is installing safety upgrades to the venue located at 8989 FM 78, with construction anticipated to take four months. The $400,000 project, led by the city’s Transportation & Capital Improvements, will expand the parking lot, add 400 linear

feet of concrete sidewalk along the park’s entrance, install a concrete walking trail, solar lights and a solar-powered entry gate.

CANYON HIGH SCHOOL’S FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA SENIOR QUIZ team recently finished ninth at the FFA’s State Leadership Development Event held at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. Team members began their quest for state at the start of the school year. The team, comprised of Ethan Cox, Courtney Martin, Kali Wortham and Clayton Carnes and coached by Lea Luensmann, won the district competition at Marion High School and finished second in the area competition at Blanco High School to qualify for state.

COMAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEES continued their discussions on growth and planning with a review of middle school construction expenses and five-year financial projections during the board’s Dec. 18 meeting. CISD is projecting a cost of $44 million for a 1,050-student middle school in Garden Ridge, and $50 million for a 1,150-student middle school in Kinder Ranch. The estimates also include costs

LOWDOWN continues from pg. 13

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ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL’S ROUGH RIDER JROTC Precision Air Rifle Team recently qualified for the 2015 Army JROTC Air Rifle National Championships, Feb. 13-15

in Anniston, Alabama. The squad advanced by placing third among Texas schools and seventh in the 10-state regional area. Team members include cadet captains Samantha Bakaysa, Evelyn Nieto and Thomas Bakaysa, and Cadet Private Ta-Un Windle. It is the second consecutive year the school’s Precision Air Rifle Team qualified for the national competition.

THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN COMAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ST. JUDE’S RANCH continued Dec. 13 with the St. Jude’s Ranch Jingle Bell 5K Run. The race, which began and ended at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, featured more than 1,200 registered runners and walkers. “Our early estimates are that we raised almost $40,000 for the St. Jude’s Ranch,” said Erika Boyd, St. Jude’s community relations manager. “Because of Comal ISD, we’ll be able to make sure all of the local St. Jude’s Ranch foster kids have everything they need to have a successful school year and a Merry Christmas. These are things some of them have never had before.” Choirs and bands from Canyon Lake, Canyon and Smithson Valley high

LOWDOWN continues from pg. 14

LOWDOWN continues on pg. 18

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COMAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEES approved hiring Terry Morawski as the CISD’s new deputy superintendent, during its regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 18. Morawski, currently Mansfield ISD’s assistant superintendent of strategic initiatives, succeeds Kari Hutchison, who retired in December after 16 years. Morawski possesses 16 years of school district administrative experience. Among other duties, he has overseen Mansfield ISD’s bond election communications, strategic planning, performing arts and professional development center operations, health services and communications/marketing.

SEVERAL NORTH EAST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS will benefit from a grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture updating cafeteria serving-line equipment

LOWDOWN continues from pg. 17 at their facilities. Camelot, Clear Spring, Dellview, East Terrell Hills, Jackson-Keller, Montgomery, Olmos, Ridgeview, Walzem and West Avenue elementary schools will all receive cold plates designed to preserve servings of fruits and vegetables. “Several NEISD schools already have cold plates, and this grant will help expand this initiative,” said Sharon Glosson, the district’s executive director of school nutrition services. The National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants are designed to help schools create healthy campus environments.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION presented seven schools in the North East Independent School District with 2014 Asthma-Friendly Schools Initiative Champion Awards’ gold designations on Oct. 16 at the Omni Colonnade Hotel. Officials from Castle Hills, Colonial Hills, Olmos and Thousand Oaks elementary schools, Garner and Wood middle schools, and Lee High School received plaques recognizing their efforts to create healthy school environments and meeting ALA standards. Several students spoke about experiences with asthma and how their school nurses helped them live healthier lives.

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FUNDING continues from pg. 01

The MPO’s funding predications are unreliable, and that goes for another approved project in Selma – the $22.6 million upgrade of FM 2252 (Nacogdoches Road) from Evans Road north to FM 3009, Daly added.

The Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization on Dec. 8 finalized its 25-year list of transportation projects slated for Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe and Kendall counties.

The AAMPO, responsible for selecting and prioritizing this region’s picks, approved

34 projects for long-term funding under its Mobility 2040 program. The organization’s final authorization came a month after Texas voters approved Proposition 1, a funding mechanism expected to provide an additional $650 million for regional transportation projects over the next decade.

Leroy Alloway, AAMPO’s planning and public involvement program manager, said the MPO allotted $993 million for subsidization – via Proposition 1 and another possible $343 million in discretionary MPO funds.

“They’re saying (2252) will get funding in 2023,” Daly said, “but anything can change eight years from now. No one knows how much to expect in Prop 1 money, and no one knows what will happen in gas-tax revenues, which are going down right now.”

City Administrator Ken Roberts is also skeptical about specifics in the MPO’s long-range allocations of nearly $1 billion.

“Those totals imply recommended projects only, and all of those projects must

Selma seeking to self-fund Lookout expansionby WILL WRIGHT

SELMA – Although a planned $9 million expansion of Lookout Road made a 25-

year list of projects by the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Mayor Tom Daly said it’s a long shot his city could see subsidies anytime soon.

FUNDING continues on pg. 20

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Mobility 2040’s final list came after months of public forums, hearings and meetings staged by the MPO’s Transportation Policy Board. Included were 19 projects slated to receive $110 million in short-term funding through the MPO’s 2015-19 Transportation Improvement Program.

Finalists were culled from 100 initial proposals, whittled to 50, and then 34 by October. Selected projects are designated without any definitiveness – meaning some could be amended or eliminated, and others added, during the next quarter-century.

“Just because a project is included in the 25-year plan doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to go to construction,” Alloway said. “It means that sponsoring agencies can start developing the project. They can get the environmental clearances and begin right-of-way land purchases and acquisition.”

FUNDING continues from pg. 19

FUNDING continues on pg. 21

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KEN ROBERTS, SELMA CITY ADMINISTRATOR

Alloway said unapproved projects in the current TIP could be included in the next cycle – for 2016-2020 – which begins planning during the first quarter of 2015. While Alloway admitted the long-term funding process has yet to be ironed out,

Selma officials say an announcement will be coming soon regarding a buyer for land adjacent to Lookout Road in the city. Photo by Rudy Ornelas

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he insists the MPO’s projections are solid.“We’re expecting about $65 million

a year in Proposition 1 funding for the long-range plan, which still needs to be worked out by Texas Department of Transportation and the Legislature,” he said, “but we know that we will be receiving that amount for the foreseeable future.”

However, Roberts said the MPO’s forecast doesn’t reflect the estimated $605 million needed for managed-lanes projects. During the Dec. 8 meeting, several residents voiced concerns with recommended expansions on parts of Interstate 10, Interstate 37, U.S. 281 and Loop 1604, which could lead to some or all designated for tolls.

“A whole bunch of people came out against it because it had toll roads in it,” Daly said. “We had to adopt the (overall) plan because there’s a need for roads, not only now, but in the future.”

He added, “If we didn’t adopt the plan now, then we’re hurting ourselves. People don’t understand that Proposition 1 money can’t be used for toll roads, but even if it did, we wouldn’t have any money to use for any other roads in Bexar County, Comal County or Guadalupe County.

FUNDING continues from pg. 20 That would put a hold on the roads everywhere else for the next 10 years.”

These purse-strings uncertainties mean Lookout Road and other area projects might not receive funding soon. Already, Selma officials are planning other ways to subsidize the 2-mile-plus expansion of Lookout from northeast of Retama Parkway to the Selma city limit.

Roberts said expanding the venue is critical, as it serves a bypass for commuters seeking quicker access to businesses, which include Amazon.com Fulfillment Center and future area economic development.

Selma has $4 million committed, Roberts said, but needs another $5 million to widen Lookout from two to five lanes, with a center turn lane and a bridge over what’s now a low-water crossing on Cibolo Creek.

Roberts said the city’s financial adviser, Southwest Securities, will present alternative funding options – reflecting the impact of sales taxes, and issuing bonds – during a City Council meeting in late January or early February. Southwest officials made a similar presentation last summer, though costs are rising.

“What would have been $9 million this year might be $9.45 million next year,” he said.

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H-E-B continues from pg. 01 Officials say the company is expanding and improving. One of H-E-B’s recent projects is a major face-lift for the store at 17460 Interstate 35 North, at the intersection with FM 3009.

The 60,000-square-foot addition will feature a restaurant and bar, specialty shops and extra features inside the structure, similar to the supermarket’s recent expansions of other high-traffic stores in the San Antonio area. When completed in late March or early April, the new H-E-B Plus will hire dozens of additional workers.

Wider aisles, deeper shelves for more productsby WILL WRIGHT

SCHERTZ – Across the nation, grocery chains search for new ways to attract and

please customers, with San Antonio-based H-E-B no exception. H-E-B continues on pg. 23

An expanded selection of vitamins, cereals, nuts and other items are now available in the Healthy Living section at the H-E-B Plus location in Schertz. Photo by Rudy Ornelas

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“It’s all because of growth,” said Connie Barrera, the store’s general manager. “We were busting at the seams at our location and we really needed more square footage to serve our customers.

“And, things change – we’re a very innovative company and we pride ourselves on that. We always call ourselves as being relentlessly dissatisfied, which means we continually want to improve.”

Barrera said the store is projecting a nearly 12 percent increase in volume, while adding up to 120 employees. Upon completion, the Schertz H-E-B Plus will offer a variety of shopping options within a 140,000-square-foot location.

The restaurant – tentatively titled 3009 Crossing and slated to mirror Oaks Crossing inside H-E-B’s new Stone Oak branch – marks the most notable improvement.

“For the restaurant and bar alone, we’re looking at picking up an additional 70 people,” Barrera said. “I think (the restaurant/bar) will blow people away. This is a new venture for us and it will be the second one of its kind in the San Antonio area.”

Several department enhancements are already finished. Blooms flower shop offers in-house displays, and caters to weddings and other events. Bigger presentations with more selections are available in the seafood and meat departments, as well as the produce, bakery, deli, and beer and wine areas.

New options include Healthy Living, a large bulk-foods section with an expanded vitamins and fitness-supplements menu; and Cooking Connection, where customers get up-close tips and recipes from on-site chefs.

Another addition is Mia’s Mirror, offering women’s apparel, jewelry and accessories. There also will be larger areas providing kitchen, dining and grilling wares; entertainment items such as televisions, mobile phones, computers and tablets, gaming devices and DVDs, and expanded displays of toys, school and office supplies, greeting cards and party items, and seasonal offerings.

“We didn’t have many of these features at our store, and we (realized) that because the Schertz community had supported our store so well, they deserved the same (upgrades) offered at other H-E-B locations,” she said. “We had to add the space to add those things, and in addition provide more space for groceries on the shelves.”

To present more products, aisles will be slightly wider and shelves deeper. Those in a hurry need not worry. The number of checkout registers will

H-E-B continues on pg. 24

24 JAN. 19 - FEB. 16, 2015

eventually increase from 17 to 26.Barrera said the entire project was

delayed because of the restaurant and other construction issues, but she expects most add-ons in place by the end of February or early March. A grand debut of the expansion is scheduled for March 27.

“The community has been fabulous during our construction and extremely patient,” she said. “The biggest frustration with our customers, and for us, has

been our parking lot, which was limited because of the construction going on.”

Parking will be plentiful once the pharmacy, now located in a temporary adjacent building, is moved back inside the main store. Meantime, Barrera asks customers hold out a little longer.

“I want to impress upon them our thanks for their support,” she said. “H-E-B offers opportunities and jobs to people here in the area, and our goal is being part of the community as well as giving back to the community.”

H-E-B continues from pg. 23

Arrays of fresh-squeezed juices and other Healthy Living items are available at the expanded H-E-B Plus location in Schertz. Photo by Rudy Ornelas

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The  Clinic  Comes  to  You  The Chamber recently established a Military Affairs Committee in hopes of bolstering relationships between businesses and the armed forces across the JBSA-Randolph area.

The idea came from Ivory Freeman, a financial services professional with New York Life. Freeman, who is a Chamber member, said when he retired after 24 years with the Army and entered the business world, he saw the necessity in 2013 for the commerce group to establish a MAC.

“Through my research, I saw that the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce had a Military Affairs Committee, so I started thinking about the Schertz Chamber doing the same here,” he said.

Freeman took his idea to Chamber President Maggie Titterington, who previously was looking for additional ways her organization could aid the military community.

“We had already been reaching out to JBSA, and during our discussions we were informed of things that are going on,” she said. Both agreed to further improve the relationship connecting JBSA with the community, Titterington said.

“It was about opening up the lines of communication between the cities, municipalities and the military,” she said. “It’s about ways we can help get the message of their needs out to our businesses, and how they can help on things.”

Freeman said the Chamber’s MAC plan began formulating in early October with input from several Chamber businesses, community members and the city.

“We drafted a concept of the plan and took it to the Chamber’s board of directors,” he said. “We included the Chamber’s mission statement, which specifies a goal of engaging in projects that will create a positive economic impact for the citizens of Schertz and the area.”

Goal is to improve link between area businesses and military

MAC continues from pg. 01

by WILL WRIGHT

SCHERTZ – The Schertz Chamber of Commerce is strengthening its bonds not

only with Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, but with others connected to local military both past and present.

MAC continues on pg. 26

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MAC’s credo is to advance a pro-business climate through its military-affairs initiatives and services designed to enhance the business community’s relationship with JBSA-Randolph.

“That became our core mission,” Freeman said. “In simple terms, it’s educating the people behind the fence on what’s outside the fence – and those outside of the fence on what’s inside the fence. Having recently come from that world, I have a great understanding on how diverse the two worlds are.”

“Many people assigned to JBSA never leave the base because there, they have most everything they need, but they miss out on the wonderful businesses in the community, which also need to get a better understanding of their needs,” he added. “We believe the MAC will create that handshake between military, civilians and the community.”

Additional discussions during the past two months further developed short- and long-term goals. The MAC will be formally introduced during the Chamber’s Jan. 20 monthly luncheon, when further support will be solicited from members and businesses. The committee will include 12 to 15 members – with Freeman as chairman.

Eventually, the MAC will schedule workshops and other community-based programs designed to pair current and retired military members and their families with available resources in the greater JBSA-Randolph area.

“Ultimately, we’d like to integrate the community into events that help celebrate America’s military,” said Freeman, adding, the MAC could also help publicize and aid in events sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars and other organizations.

Lt. Col. Robin Baldwin, director of community initiatives for the 12th Flying Training Wing at JBSA-Randolph, complimented the SCOC’s efforts.

“We are very happy that the Schertz Chamber of Commerce established this committee. It demonstrates once again the Chamber’s commitment to supporting the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and government civilians who live and work in ‘Military City,’” he said. “We look forward to working with the MAC and strengthening our already special ties with our neighbors in Schertz and surrounding areas.”

MAC will meet the first Wednesday of the month. A link to committee updates will soon be available at the Chamber website, www.schertzchamber.org.

MAC continues from pg. 25

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SPELLER continues from pg. 01

Not one to be stumped by brainteasers such as “mapamundi” or “largometraje,” Jbyr (pronounced “ha-bear”) won the Spanish spellers’ contest at Coker before capturing the North East Independent School District’s inaugural competition in October. Then, on Nov. 8, the pupil finished first in the Region 20 Spanish Spelling Bee to qualify for the national meet destined for Albuquerque, New Mexico in May.

“I was really excited when everyone

Multiculturalism important in student’s familyby MIRANDA KOERNER

SAN ANTONIO – Coker Elementary School fifth-grader Jbyr Reynoso

Hidrogo isn’t only a whiz at spelling tricky English words; his proficiency in another language landed him a spot in this year’s National Spanish Spelling Bee.

screamed for me,” Jbyr said. “I appreciate it because I feel like God helped me win. I was thanking him for helping me.”

Coker teacher Virginia Alvarez said she believes Jbyr’s bilingual abilities played a big role in his preparation for the competitions, as his parents hail from Mexico and Spanish was his first tongue.

“He was thrilled – you could see a sense of satisfaction in his face,” said Alvarez, who was quick to point out her student spent countless hours boning up for the events.

The 20-round regional spelling bee

SPELLER continues on pg. 30

Spelling champion Jbyr Reynoso Hidrogo (front left) is surrounded by members of his family, which includes his mom Rocio, father Liborio, and little sister Keytt. Photo by Rudy Ornelas

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General Manager Tiarra Davis (left) brags about the culinary offerings at Mary Ellen’s Southern Bistro, which includes dishes such as oxtail on a bed of rice, side items and a banana pudding dessert (top). Photos by Rudy Ornelas

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required Jbyr to become familiar with and memorize several pages of vocabulary representing various stages of difficulty.

“The credit is Jbyr’s,” Alvarez said. “He had the intrinsic motivation to practice at home. I gave him key points and reviewed spelling patterns that would help him with harder words and words with written accents.

“He had worked very hard studying at home and at school. I am very proud of him. I was glad that other students could see that hard work does pay off.”

Jbyr’s parents, father Liborio R. Rodriguez and mother Rocio Hidrogo Chavez, are prideful their son is honoring his heritage.

“My wife and I are from Mexico, and we want Jbyr to be able to speak the right Spanish when he goes over to visit (our) family,” Rodriguez said. “It’s very important for my wife and I that our kids speak Spanish correctly for all their lives – proper Spanish, not ‘Spanglish,’ like we call it. We don’t want them to forget about their culture. Being multicultural is very important nowadays.”

The father said the aid and instruction

from Alvarez and the other Coker teachers helped build his son’s confidence.

“One of the biggest things (for us) was that when he won, was all the schoolteachers were all excited and that makes me feel so happy,” Rodriguez said. “That was nice to see.”

Studying is a family affair, Jbyr’s dad added. His son pores over the lists, getting help from his mother and teachers on the finer points of grammatical issues, such as capital letters and accents.

“One of the words he wasn’t sure about, but because his mom had explained every situation, he could get the hard words,” Rodriguez said, adding his son will be just as ready in time for nationals later this spring.

“We’re prepared. We’re ready,” he said. “Jbyr knows (the national spelling bee) is going to be hard, but he’s confident. He feels ready for it. We’re going to see if we can (win) it again.”

In the meantime, the young lover of words will continue to spell and practice leading up to the big competition.

What is Jbyr’s favorite word in English and Spanish?

“Pterodactyl,” he said, adding, “I like dinosaurs.”

SPELLER continues from pg. 27

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