Issuu

NewsNews News

News

News and Information News From the of Bulverde forthe ourCity Neighbors andCity Information From of Bulverde for our Neighbors Issue 6 September/October Issue 2014 6 September/October 2014

n From the City of Bulverde for our Neighbors October 2014

News and Information from the City of Bulverde and our Neighbors

News Information Issue 2and ď‚śFebruary 2015 From the City of Bulverde for our Neighbors Issue 6 September/October 2014 ÂŠ John Mohar

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE ~ OPENING DOORS FOR YOU

City of Bulverde

All Departments (Council, Administration, Public Works, Police, etc.) Main Number 830-438-3612 Metro Line 830-980-8832

KenCom Real Estate Services

Fax 830-438-4339 Bill Krawietz, Mayor

Kirk Harrison, Council

Rob Hurst, Mayor Pro Tem

Gene Hartman, Council

Yvonne Chapman, Council

Ray Jeffrey, Council

Comal County Main Number 877-724-9475

Animal Control 830-608-2016 Commissioner, PCT 2 830-221-1102 Commissioner, PCT 1 830-221-1101 Justice of the Peace, PCT 2 830-438-2266 Road & Bridge 830-608-2090

Real Estate Sales • Marketing • Property Management

Yvonne Chapman (210) 240-3148 At Your Service YvonneLChapman@yahoo.com

Sherriff’s Office 830-885-4883 Tax Office 830-438-6172

Emergency Services

(IN CASE OF EMERGENCY DIAL 911) Nonemergency line 830-620-3400 Bulverde Spring Branch Fire & EMS 830-228-4501 Centre for emergency health sciences 830-228-4504

BSB Chamber of Commerce 830-438-4285

BSB Library 830-438-4864

Front Porch News editor@ci.bulverde.tx.us

Some of the content herein may be the copyrighted property of the City of Bulverde, the contributing authors, or our publisher's licensors. No article from this publication may be used, reproduced, transmitted or distributed with the exception that you may photocopy one copy thereof for your personal, noncommercial, home use only. Articles that appear in The Front Porch News do not necessarily reflect the official position of the City of Bulverde, and their publication does not constitute an endorsement thereof. The appearance of any advertisement in The Front Porch News does not constitute an endorsement by the City of Bulverde. As a City publication, the Front Porch News strives to maintain objectivity and accuracy in all published content. The newsletter must remain neutral in the publication of content that may be considered controversial, biased, or inflammatory within the community (e.g., political content or opinions, religious material, etc.). The newsletter differs from a newspaper in that opinion pieces are typically not included. Publication of contributing partner content is subject to review for applicability and appropriateness of a publicly funded communication initiative. The newsletter is produced in part through public funding, and is accordingly governed by the regulations set forth in Texas State Law.

Page 2 February 2015

Deer Feed ~ Feeders Horse ~ Livestock Feed Quality Hay Pet Food

(830) 438-3252

www.BulverdeFeed.com

Hwy 281 Just south of FM 1863

Mayor’s Point Bill Krawietz

Mayor of Bulverde, TX

Recently, there was an article published in a local entertainment magazine entitled “The Death of Bulverde.” It talks of fond memories of the days when our community was a lot slower paced, had less traffic and fewer rooftops. With San Antonio’s near-term plans to annex all the way up to Bulverde’s southern border being recently announced, there is no doubt urban sprawl is knocking at our door. Just a few years ago, there was quite a bit of open land between Loop 1604 and FM 1863. Today that is not the case. One major reason why Bulverde incorporated back in 1997 was to have a local say in how our community develops. Just look at any of the City’s stringent development ordinances and the 2025 Sunrise Comprehensive Master Plan we have put in place, and the message is clear, “Our community doesn’t want to look or feel like our neighbor to the south.” That would truly be the “death of Bulverde.”

However, developers have strong lobbies in Austin. Texas is a strong property rights state. Cities are limited in many ways when it comes to managing growth, especially cities without Home Rule like Bulverde. It has been said many times before in this column that the new guys needs to pay their own way and not destroy or jeopardize the lifestyle and well-being of those who have come before them. However, it’s not easy to keep good on that promise when you’re up against such powerful forces. The City recently finalized a development agreement with 4S Ranch, which will be located off of Stahl Lane just north of Oak Village North and east of the new Johnson Ranch development. The property is about 1.6 square miles in size versus the City of Bulverde, which is 10 square miles in size. At full build out, the development will have about 5,000 residents, basically equal to the population currently within our City limits. The project is located entirely outside of the City limits, and the City will not receive any property taxes from the development. Prior to their approval, the City launched forward with an engineering study analyzing hydrology and hydraulics of the entire Lewis Creek Watershed, where the development is located, which drains directly thru Oak Village North. With (Continued on page 4)

TRAINING: Pet Galaxy has trained and treated hundreds of dogs from all over South Texas. We offer help with everything from simple basic obedience training to treating complex psychological issues. DAYCARE AND LODGING: Pet Galaxy offers dream vacations for your pets, because pets deserve vacations too! GROOMING AND STYLING: We offer a large grooming department with experienced pet stylists Mon—Fri. CALL US TODAY to customize your dog’s training, or your pet’s perfect vacation!

www.PetGalaxyUSA.com 13060 US Highway 281 N, Spring Branch TX 78070 830-885-5335

www.facebook.com/PetGalaxyUSA The Front Porch News

Page 3

(Mayor, continued from page 3)

this new best-available engineering data and the City’s recently adopted Storm Water and Drainage Manual, there will be an increased level of protection from flooding downstream. The developer will be required to use both of these enhanced regulations in designing their subdivision, rather than the less comprehensive County drainage standards. There are still many variables in storm water drainage that are difficult to account for or enforce. It seems like we have either a 100 or 500 year storm event in some part of our community every couple of years. While we can make developers design for 100 year storm events, doing so for 500 year events is usually considered arbitrary and capricious by the courts.

el v a r T Safe in E D R E V BUL

Full Service training program with individual goal setting for the show-oriented rider.

Winter in south Texas is usually not much to worry about, but occasionally old man winter unleashes his wrath. Travel can often be quite hazardous during winter storm conditions, especially when folks in the area are not used to traveling in wintery conditions. Freezing rain is the most common weather issue facing motorists in the Bulverde area, as temperatures are usually only at or below freezing closer to the surface. Cold air masses modify as they come from the north with usually only a shallow level of cold air remaining once it makes it to south Texas. Rain falls from above in liquid form and freezes on the roadways, with bridges and overpasses freezing first. With even a thin layer of ice on the road, travel becomes very difficult even for those experienced in driving in wintery conditions. Plan ahead. Avoid travel during bad conditions. If you must drive, slow down, stick to daylight hours when visibility is better and more resources are available in case you get stuck. Always check on weather and road conditions before you get on the road. Charge your cell phone in advance, in case you have to call for help. Be aware that overpasses and bridges freeze well before other road surfaces. Have an emergency winter kit in your vehicle which includes blankets, extra jackets, flashlight, nonperishable foods, water, and matches. Make sure you keep the fuel tank full in case you do become stranded. Stay in your car if possible, some shelter is better than none. If there’s ice on the roads, the best advice is simply not to travel if you can avoid it.

Email: jconn@gvtc.com Johnny & Claudia Conn Website: www.twistedoakfarm.com (830) 980-3055 cell (830) 660-5794 ENJOY 10% OFF 1ST MONTH BOARD

Coupled with the winter weather, Bulverde commuters are also faced with multiple road

This was a considerable sticking point in our negotiations. The health, safety, and welfare of our citizens are the City’s top priorities. We have been told by so many over the years that “this is how it’s done everywhere else.” Who cares, we are Bulverde and we do it differently here. We expect more than just the standard. Long story short, the developer has agreed to utilize the new best-available drainage engineering data, comply with the City’s enhanced Drainage Manual, ensure that post-development drainage flows match pre-development flows, and ensure that all levels of storm events up to the 100-year flood are accounted for. In addition, they were also willing to write the community a check for $500,000 to be used for storm water drainage improvements anywhere in the Lewis Creek Watershed. While this will not entirely fix our existing drainage and flooding issues by a long shot, it’s a nice start; and with the enhanced regulations put in place, we can be better assured they won’t be making the situation worse.

TWISTED OAK FARM 1500 Bulverde Road • Bulverde TX 78163

HUNTERS • JUMPERS Boarding . Training . Showing Sales . Instruction

Page 4 February 2015

construction projects currently happening in the Bulverde area. The largest project with the most traffic impact is a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) project occurring on Hwy 46 near the intersection of Hwy 281. The turnaround lanes for Hwy 281 at this intersection were originally scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2014, but were unfortunately delayed due to adverse soil conditions that required reengineering the construction plans. With the proper plans in place crews are now expected to complete the project by mid2015. Additionally, work has begun on Hwy 46 west of Hwy 281, where crews will begin Hwy 46 improvements tied to the Singing Hills project. City officials are working with Singing Hills and the Texas Department of Transportation to minimize travel inconveniences and maximize safety for motorists. Unfortunately, detours and lane changes can be expected for the next few months as the Hwy 46 project is expected to also be completed sometime in mid2015. On a positive note, the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has included Hwy 46 lane expansions and intersection improvements from Bulverde Road to FM 3159 in their recently adopted Mobility 2040 Plan. These improvements are scheduled for funding by the MPO and eventual construction in 2019. These improvements will help alleviate many of the traffic concerns on Hwy 46 in our area. TxDOT will begin doing preliminary engineering and environmental clearance work in the near future so construction can begin in January 2019 as indicated in the mobility plan.

Getting to

Know

Ginger Hofstetter In many ways, the City of Bulverde is a collection of enterprises responsible for the provision of various public services such as public safety, road maintenance, public planning, land use management, code enforcement, and parks and recreation. With this wide variety of functions, it is critical that the City maintains a strong financial position so that taxpayer resources can be utilized efficiently to provide these services. This month we highlight Ginger Hofstetter, Finance Director for the City of Bulverde, who is responsible for many of the internal administrative functions that keep the City running well. Ginger has worked in municipal government for more than 36 years, performing various functions including accounting, billing & receiving, accounts payable, payroll, purchasing, budgeting, investment management, human

Excellent

resources, and municipal court. Ginger was born and raised in San Antonio, and graduated from UTSA with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. She has worked for several San Antonio-area cities, including the City of Leon Valley, Town of Hollywood Park, and now the City of Bulverde. She has been with the City of Bulverde for 12 years—2 years part time and 10 years full time. One of the most critical functions that Ginger assists the City with is the annual audit. After each fiscal year, the City of Bulverde has an annual audit performed by an independent, outside auditing firm. The audit firm ensures that all applicable State Laws were followed with regards to the financial management of the City. They present their findings each year to the City Council; this year’s audit report will be presented at the February Council meeting. The State of Texas also regulates the type of investments the City can invest reserve funds in, such as bonds and certificates of deposit. Ginger is a Certified Government Finance Officer, and also serves as an Investment Officer for the City of Bulverde. Although Ginger’s role with the City of Bulverde is not as publicly visible as those who serve in our police department or public works area, she plays a critical role in ensuring that the City remains financially strong and the provision of our public services runs efficiently and under budget. Ginger is married to her husband, John, and enjoys spending time with her parents and family.

Your Local Mortgage Company

Senior Health Care in the Hill Country Come by and visit one of our 3 locations nearest you today! Live Oak Medical Center 618 Live Oak Street Blanco, TX 78606 830-833-4567

LBJ Medical Center

206 Haley Road Johnson City, TX 78636 830-868-4093

The Henry House, Assisted Living 515 Third Street Blanco, TX 78606 830-833-4674

HOME LOANS (830) 483-8119

APPLY ONLINE

alamoLENDING.com

29750 U.S. Highway 281 North Bulverde TX 78163

PURCHASE - REFINANCE - CONSTRUCTION The Front Porch News

Page 5

Home Rule Charter UPDATE In October 2014, a group of citizens was appointed by the Bulverde City Council to draft a Home Rule Charter that will be submitted to the citizens of Bulverde for future approval via ballot election. After several months of intense deliberation, the independent Home Rule Charter Commission submitted a draft Charter to the citizens of Bulverde for public review at a December 11th Community Forum and again at a January 7th Community Forum. On January 7th the Commission unanimously approved the proposed Charter language, and placed the item on the May 2015 General Election Ballot for the citizens of Bulverde to vote upon. To assist in explaining the key tenants of what has been drafted by the Commission, the following overview was produced. In addition, to better explain what a Home Rule Charter is, a list of frequently asked questions has also been included. To view the full Home Rule Charter as proposed, please visit the City of Bulverde home page: http://www.ci.bulverde.tx.us

What’s New? Changes to the Mayor and City Council • The Mayor’s position will become primarily policy oriented by giving it a full vote on the City Council and transferring the remaining administrative duties to the City Manager. • The number of elected Council Members will be increased from 5 to 6 in order to provide more representation. • The terms of office for the Mayor and City Council Member positions will be increased from 2 years to 3 years. This change will only take effect after the election of new members under the Charter, and no current incumbent’s term will be extended under this provision. Term limits will be implemented. • The Members of City Council will be elected by place, meaning that candidates will run for specific seats on the Council. However, Council Members will continue to be elected Citywide. • The Members of the City Council will be elected by majority vote, and any election in which no candidate receives a majority will be settled in a runoff election between the top two vote getters. Changes to Governmental Accountability and Direct Democracy • The Citizens will gain the right to remove any elected official from office by filing a recall petition. • The Citizens will gain the right to require Council-passed ordinances to be ratified by the voters by filing a referendum petition. • The Citizens will gain the right the right to enact ordinances directly by filing an initiative petition. • Vacancies in the office of Mayor or City Council member will generally be filled by special election instead of Council appointment. Changes to Municipal Boundaries & Regulation • The City will gain the ability to expand the City Limits up to 10% in any given year, subject to state law and procedures. • The City will gain the ability to prohibit certain nuisances, such as illegal dumping grounds or illicit junk yards, within certain portions of the ETJ. Page 6 February 2015

Changes to City Administration • The City Administrator’s position will be renamed “City Manager”, but will continue to serve as the City’s chief administrative official.

What’s Staying the Same? •

• • • • •

Members of the City Council will continue to be elected from the City at large and to represent the City at large. (The City of Bulverde has never elected Council Members from geographic districts) The City’s authority to tax, per the Texas Constitution, is based on population, not form of government. Therefore, the City’s taxing authority is the same under General Law or Home Rule. The City’s extra-territorial jurisdiction is also based on population, not form of government. The extent of the City’s ETJ will not be changed if a Home Rule Charter is adopted. The City’s power of eminent domain is granted and restricted by state law and the state Constitution, and is the same regardless of whether the City has a Home Rule Charter. The City’s options for the issuance of debt are the same under both Home Rule and General Law. The City’s zoning authority is derived from state law, not the Home Rule Charter. Therefore, the City will have the same zoning authority under Home Rule that it currently has under General Law.

FAQs Question: What is a Home Rule Charter? Answer: The home rule charter is the “constitution” of Bulverde. The charter was drafted by an independent group of fifteen Bulverde residents who were appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The charter goes into effect only after a majority of Bulverde citizens have approved it in an election, scheduled for May 9th 2015. Texas cities become eligible to adopt home rule charters if they have a population of 5,000 or more. 93.6% of eligible cities in Texas have adopted home rule charters (as of 2010). Question: In a nutshell, what are the inherent powers of home rule cities? Answer: In a nutshell the powers are: Municipal Organization; Annexation; Initiative, Referendum, and Recall; Charter Amendments; Limitation on Home Rule Powers. Question: Who is behind the effort to get a Home Rule Charter approved? Answer: Bulverde citizens. Home Rule is the right of citizens at the grassroots level to manage their own affairs with minimum interference from the State. Home Rule assumes that community challenges should be solved at the lowest possible level, closest to the people.

Stephen Salyer

Question: Will my property taxes increase if a Home Rule Charter is approved?

Annual Maintenance Contract $240

Answer: No. Home Rule charters do not change the current laws

(830) 968-4202

(Continues)

Chlorine Tablets 10lb.- $50

such as waste management. Home rule cities typically have and requirements regarding the ability and authority of the City broader local control to protect the health, safety and welfare of regarding taxes. The city council currently has the authority and their citizens. responsibility to set the property tax rate each year in accordance Question: Who can vote on the proposed Home Rule with state law. Charter? (Cont’d from page 6)

The Comal County Appraisal District sets property values each year. The adoption of a Charter does not change the current Answer: Per State Law, only registered voters of the City of Bulverde may vote on the home rule charter. process for setting tax rates or appraising property. Question: How will approving a Home Rule Charter affect me?

Question: How do I find out if I am in the City or the ETJ?

Answer: If you have a question as to whether your property is Answer: Approving a Charter will allow the citizens to govern within the City or ETJ, you may visit the maps on the City’s web themselves by establishing rights, responsibilities, and privileges site or contact the City at 830-438-3612. You may also visit the for all Bulverde residents, so long as content in the Charter is not GIS page at: www.cceo.org superseded by State or Federal laws. Charters allow for citizens Question: I’ve heard that Home Rule will give the citizens of to: • Determine the number of council members to represent the Bulverde more authority. How is that? • • • • •

• •

citizens. Determine how long terms of office are for the Mayor and Council Members. Determine how the Mayor and Council Members are elected. Determine how long the Mayor and Council Members stay in office, and how many times the Mayor and Council Members can run for office. Determine which form of government will be utilized. It can only be changed by citizens voting to amend the charter. Determine if citizens should have the right to request a binding initiative on the ballot; an initiative allows the citizenry to propose new laws or change the charter through a general election ballot measure. Determine if citizens should have the right to recall the Mayor or Council Member. Determine if citizens should have the right to call for a referendum, which is the method by which a measure adopted by the City Council may be submitted to the electorate for a vote.

Answer: The Home Rule Charter as proposed will provide for Recall, Initiative, and Referendum rights for citizens. • Recall allows citizens to vote to remove a city council member (including the mayor) from elected office, if the member knowingly violates a provision of the charter, engages in official misconduct, or demonstrates incompetence. • Initiative is the process that allows citizens, through a petition, to initiate legislation (through ordinances). • Referendum is the process that allows citizens, through a petition and election, to overturn ordinances passed by the city council. • Recall, Initiative, and Referendum are not legally permitted in General Law cities. Question: How will a Charter affect the annexation authority of Bulverde?

Answer: Home Rule cities can extend city boundaries (annex) unilaterally while general law cities can generally annex only with permission of property owners or with approval of a majority Question: What will home rule chartering provide for residents of the residents of an annexed area. However, annexation by Texas home rule cities is limited in various ways, including the of Bulverde in terms of services? following: Answer: No matter whether Bulverde is a General Law city or • Cities can annex no more than ten percent (10%) of their area in any given year. Home Rule city, the City has wide authority to provide services directly to citizens. Cities provide police, public works, parks, • When annexing existing residential areas containing more than 100 housing units, cities must file an annexation plan; recreation, health, and other services. Some services are franchised to private companies to provide services in the city, (Continued on page 8)

WINTER CHECKLIST  Need oil change?  Wiper blades skipping?  Battery not working?

LUBE

24920 Blanco Rd • San Antonio, TX 78260 5 miles north of 1604

210.251.4838

www.twlube.com

Family owned & operated Timberwood Park Residents

Kathleen Banse State Farm Insurance 33200 Hwy 281 N. Bulverde TX 78163

830.438.7025 kathleen@kathleenbanse.com

PROPERTY DAMAGE? Don’t go uncompensated for damage to your home or property that may devalue your investment! Have you had any recent damage to your home or property? Has the insurance company failed to fairly compensate you for your loss, WE CAN HELP! In most cases, no legal fees or expenses unless we recover money for you! KNOWLEDGE INTEGRITY PROVEN SUCCESS

FREE CONSULTATION

210.320.9284 Se Habla Español

The Front Porch News

Page 7

(Cont’d from page 7)

•

annexation cannot occur until three years after the filing of the plan. The territory to be annexed must be adjacent to existing city limits. A service plan must be attached to all annexations, indicating what services will be provided to the annexed area and under what conditions the services will be provided. Under Texas law some services such as police protection must be provided immediately upon annexation.

Question: Isn’t annexation involuntary? Answer: There are more options for unilateral annexation of property for a Home Rule city under state law than the authority for a general law city. Creating annexation plans is a right and responsibility of a home rule charter city which wishes to annex. General Law cities may only take in land per requests of landowners, or under very limited circumstances. Question: I own property within the city limits of Bulverde, but live elsewhere. Can I vote on the Charter? Answer: No, per State Law, you must be a resident of the City and a registered voter in order to vote on the Charter. Question: Will the City Council determine the language included in the Bulverde Charter? Answer: No. The City Council’s only role has simply been to appoint the Charter Commission members, who have independently drafted the Charter, and have now submitted the proposed language to Bulverde citizens for approval in May 2015. The City Council cannot

edit the proposed charter or amend it in the future in any way. The Charter will be on the May election ballot as it has been currently written and approved by the Home Rule Charter Commission. Question: What is the ETJ and how does it affect me? Answer: The “ETJ” stands for Extraterritorial Jurisdiction, and is the area within one mile of the City Limits of Bulverde. The City enforces its Subdivision Ordinance and Sign Regulations within the ETJ. This is the same whether you are a home rule city or a general law city. Question: How will people living in the ETJ be affected if Home Rule is approved for the City of Bulverde? Answer: As areas are annexed, the City will have a greater ability to manage development intensity, quality building standards, dark sky ordinances, and other ordinances adopted by the City Council. The city may also be able to better protect residential and commercial properties and citizens that live adjacent to the unincorporated county area, through proper ordnances and zoning. Question: Will the status of my agriculture tax exemption change with the passage of the Home Rule Charter? Answer: No. Home Rule will not affect that status. Question: Is the City Council able to make changes to the Charter in the future? Answer: No, any changes to the Charter must be approved by an election of the voters.

SURGICAL | MEDICAL | COSMETIC Serving Bulverde, Spring Branch, Kerrville and the surrounding areas: Dr. Daniel Ladd, D.O., Mohs Surgeon and Board-Certified Dermatologist and Dr. Matthew Lambiase, D.O., Board-Certified Dermatologist.

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

CALL US TODAY 830.980.1838 TRU-SKIN.COM

Page 8 February 2015

AUSTIN BASTROP BULVERDE/SPRING BRANCH CEDAR PARK KERRVILLE LA GRANGE

SVHS Senior Receives Navy ROTC Scholarship ~article and photo courtesy of Comal ISD Smithson Valley High School senior Natasha Chick was formally awarded a Navy ROTC scholarship worth $180,000 recently in a presentation held in front of the SVHS campus. Flanked by her father Ken and grandmother Mila, Chick received the check from Commanding Officer Mike Briggs of the Navy Recruiting District San Antonio in front of faculty, friends, and the school’s Navy JROTC cadets. Chick plans to study bioengineering at the University of California at San Diego.

Pictured are (l-r) father Ken Chick, Natasha Chick, SVHS math teacher Richard Rathburn, SVHS principal Michael Wahl, SVHS math teacher Kathryn Rutledge, and grandmother Mila Chick.

Since early 2014, nine Smithson Valley High seniors have earned Navy ROTC scholarship worth $180,000 each. Since

January 2010, SVHS students have earned a total of 35 Navy and Army ROTC scholarships. Commander Retired Vince Quidachay is the head Navy JROTC Instructor at SVHS.

GUY PETERSON, DDS • Invisalign® Braces

• Sedation Dentistry • Dental Implants • Cosmetic Dentistry Caring, Gentle, Personalized, and Attentive Dental Care

• Superior Dentures and Partials • Latest Techniques and Technology

2395 Bulverde Rd. • Bulverde, TX 78163

www.bulverdedental.com

830.980.2869

$100.00 Off In Office Teeth Whitening or Free Take Home Teeth Whitening when you come in for a new patient exam and x-rays and mention this ad. The Front Porch News

Page 9

The Three Chiefs and Their Circle Bulverde Spring Branch Emergency Services has three Chiefs—Scotty Bolleter, Dustin Beaudoin, and Mark Southwell—who are responsible for the daily operations regarding 911 calls and education. Scotty Bolleter was born in Jourdanton, Texas but grew up overseas. His father was a geologist and his mother was a rancher. Scotty now spends a great deal of each year traveling the world to teach and lecture. Scotty is married to Sandy and they have four children. He enjoys boat ownership and to fish and dive in the Gulf of Mexico. Scotty said the best thing about working for Bulverde Spring Branch Emergency Services is the fact that it draws people from all over the world for education, training, and to do research. GRACED WITH ONE WISH: If given one wish, Scotty would ask for more space and more facilities.

Scotty Bolleter

Dustin Beaudoin was born in San Antonio and was raised in Houston, Denver, and Blanco. His father worked for Union Pacific in dispatch management, and his mother worked in investment firms. Dustin is married to Jenesee and they have two children younger than 5 years of age. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, and ranching. Dustin said the best thing about working for Bulverde Spring Branch Emergency Services is the family environment. GRACED WITH ONE WISH: If given one wish, Dustin would ask for more stations, personnel and equipment. Dustin Beaudoin

Mark Southwell was born and raised in San Antonio. His father was an operations manager for a pharmaceutical company, and his mother was a nurse. Mark is married to Jill and they have four children and five grandchildren. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and chasing after grandkids. Mark Southwell

Mark said the best thing about working for Bulverde Spring Branch Emergency Services is that the concerns of the people in the community are put before the dollar bill. GRACED WITH ONE WISH: If given one wish, Mark would ask for new stations and extra staff.

The Chief’s Circle Bulverde Spring Branch Fire & EMS recently introduced the Chief’s Circle as a way for a good-hearted woman or a good-timing man to make a measureable and positive difference in their community. There are nine ways to become a member of the Chief’s Circle, a bequest in a will giving a donation to Fire & EMS is just one way. Donations support medical research and advances, the medical clinic for the uninsured and the underinsured, career path internships for teens in Emergency Services, and a mobile clinic for the underserved, to name just a few programs. A gift of any size will positively impact Fire & EMS for years to come. We honestly hope that you have a grand life and live a lot. We also hope you’ll remember the medics and firefighters of Bulverde Spring Branch Fire & EMS, and leave a little or whatever best represents your heart. The Chief’s Circle is a lasting legacy of giving. If you would like more information on the nine ways to join the Chief’s Circle, contact Development Director Judy Millspaugh 830-2284206 Judy.Millspaugh@bsb911.com

Let your neighbors

mind your business Put your ad here. discounts · multiple ad sizes other neighborhoods in your area!

210 558 3160

sales@neighborhoodnews.com Page 10 February 2015

VE RI

320

321

RIVE

RLING P STA AS

MYS

CLOUD COUNTRY

WAY

C ATTAI L

CANY D TR L

C OV E

C AM P EST R E S

C YPR ESS

NN D BO RK R UE A PA BL CC BE

319

KIES D R

RONA

318

ES HO R E D R

RIO CENTRAL

L AK

A ST

R IDD L

PU ZZLE

A RTH U R CT

WA Y

INA

WAY

SI ON

MI L

E LOOP

HIGHLAN

GS D R

D BLVD

HILLSID

DUB O

ERA

DEV

SPANGENB ERG RD

BEEB ALM LN

SENNA LN

N C R AN ES M IL L R D

SPANGENB ERG RD MILFOIL LN

MYS TIC CANYON

LN TEA

N C R AN ES M IL L R D

CIR

S TA R

C ATTAI L

PELICAN CT

ES HO R E D R

L AK A ST

R IDD L

P PU ZZLE

A RTH U R CT

WA Y

INA

JOS SAN

WAY

SI ON

D LR MI L ES AN CR

D BLVD

GS D R

E LOOP

HIGHLAN

HILLSID

SLOCUM LAK DR E PETIT DR BUR CR R EE OA K K LN

R ID GE ROC

FAW

DEV

HID

ERA

D EER R

C AN YO N S P R IN

DR TA CRES LA

DR PEG

ST A

THOMA

JOY

FLAT CR K

ED RD R ANGER

RUSH C

U LO C ED R

CAN VI CTOR

COP PER RIM

386

SA N

A R

T H AV E N

S T ON E YC RE E

OFF LN

IMH HNE OA KS

DOE

I L L PA S S

H A R R IS O N R D

HOLW

SOU

FOR

RD Y SEA

A RDG

RETAM

WHITEWING DR

SEC

OND

FOR

420

KIR K L N

TON

CIR

A NN

TRAILS END AY D ER BY W

POLO

CIR

PFE IF FER R D

DAW N

JASO

ROA

CHE

KYLE

ASC

SI O

N RAY

RYL ANN

VI E

ER WAY

1863

D D

AN C

U D

RYAN RAY

PR AN CING DEER DR FM

SHARPSTONE

TING

LITTLE DEER DR

HUN

BRIDLE

DRUNN

I N R ID GE DR

E L I SE

GATE

N WAY

419

HONEYSUCKLE BRANCH

I GH

ST A RL

RAWHIDE TRL

EAGLE CLAW DR

W AY

TR E SL O

MEADOW LARK DR

PAS

RIGHT FORK

YEN

WESTER A

CIB O LO D R

IT ER M TE

FA LL EN O AK D R

LONGHORN TRL

HE R I TA G E

OA K S

LN EEK E CR

KUD

CLEAR LAKE DR

D R Y BEA R C R K

R I DG

TRL

HILL

IN D BE

G L T RL

RIT

BRAE

M U

RD G

LN MYNA HILL

VISION CT

WAY GA DWALL

NG L

L HIL FOX

KENILWORTH BLVD

CORNWALL DR

EST

BUR TER

NTAI N FOR MOU

AS COLIN

RN MO

RDG S A W GR A S S

PLAYER

GRE Y MIST

LOS

M AY ER R D

SO ME DO

WILEY RD

ESD 3

STAHL LN

TAN

CE SS AC 81 N Y2

GROV

LEY

LI N

CIRCLE OAK DR PAS

HAWK EYE DR

BLUE SKIES DR EVENING STAR DR

SHADY

VAL

TA M

MUS

J OH N SON WAY HOLSTEIN RD

EVENING SHADOWS DR

BULVERDE/SPRING BRANCH - STATION 3 - Future

EST R A

SPI

CE PLA CH FIN

PA L M

D TR L

C AM P EST R E S

DR D

BE N

NC RA

LB OW

I JO

B EI ER LE

RIV ER CROS SING B LVD

ING

LIG

LANGE CRE EK DR

281 HWY US VIEW RIDGE DR

RAINBOW DR

OA K S

I NG RD

SI N G

N ACCESS 281 US HWY N 281

ELM HOLLOW DR

US HWY MCINNIS CT

HILL SHORT

D D

IRIE

RIDGE P T

PRA

IT SPL

BEEB ALM LN

SENNA LN

J O N QU IL D R

MOCKINGBIRD

S COUT

HO R N S

INDIAN

TOUCAN DR

LILAC LN

E DD L

COY OTE

LE IN GA NIGHT

LN CUP

MIDWAY

WINE

R E BEC C A C R EE K RD

DE M

TRL E RIS SUN

FAWN LN

CRK LING ROL LAN TAN A C ANY ON

AHERN CREEK DR

BLF

CRK

GREY

L FAL CV RE CLAI

R ID VW

CEDAR

ROS

SIER R A

HAV

BULV ERDE

HI DD EN

V I STA VI EW PL AC E

DR GE

OA K HAVEN

RID

SW AY

ON RO C

PATT Y

CA NY

N MO U

MYS TIC BREE ZE

M U S TA N G L N

LIPIZZAN LN

THOROUGHB RED LN

LYNW OOD DR

JOLIE DR PARK HILL DR

C FAW N

DER RI

L OL KN ND MO DIA

IAN

MES A ROCK

ROCK Y LN

IND

ER BY

LAK EWAY

D TA IL C V

NG ERI ISP

C S L N

Y WAY

RY ENBER

AUBR

ILL H

ON RT

KOCH DR

SMOKE HOUS E

JAY BIRD

STALLION

DR WILDCAT

LD TE RRACE

PAN T HE R

RD DR LEOPA

BE ND

IME R

COUGAR

BUCK LN

C IA PA SS

A CA

DEERFIE

B U LV ER D E R D

V I S TA

H IG H R ID G E D R

H IL ON SI M M PER FELDSPA R CIR

K O P PL IN R D

BULV ERDE HILLS DR

BR AN D R D

FM 3009

LOC

LEROY SCHE EL RD

WINDMILL LN

LER

BENT BLF

LU D W I G TR L

CREMINI

ELM CIR

CIR OAK

LAS WELL LN

PT IS TRAV ARROW FLINT

OA KVIEW RD

SPG S

KRUEGER RD

RICE R D

BARTELS RD

W EATH

K C RO OK E D O A

US HWY 281 N

PHANTOM RIDE R TRL

MISTY LN

DEEP WATER DR

SPRING BRANCH RD

CYPRES S PASS RD

FALLING WATE R DR

E BREEZ OA K

VA L L E

L A N TA N A R D G

LA N T AN A

O A C ER R L A N TA N

OA K S

LIMESTONE LEDGE

D O U BL E D L N

DR K CLIFF OA

RIGHT FORK

LA UB AC H R U N BLA NCO RD

GRUS ENDORF RD KELLY CREE K RD

G O AKS

GE OR

S SPG

PT WIL

H ID D E N O AKS D R

UPLA

LAN

Y PT

COM

PANORAMA HIGH

PGS

THI

THS

CHE

ANT

SUNLIGHT DR

C R EE K

1863 3009

POS

T VW

SHEARER

281

P U TE R C R E E K R D

HOL W US HWY 281 N

LN CR A IG

BU C K M EAD O W T R L

D EA N R D

LONG RDG SPEC H T' S C R O SSI N G

R GA ED RD R ANGER

OFF LN

IMH HNE OA KS

DOE

HE R I TA G E

H A R R IS O N R D DOV ER LN

O CL

£ ¤

U DR

L AK

D LR MI L ES AN CR

HILLSID

E LOOP

HIGHLAN D BLVD C AN YO N S P R IN G S DR

SLOCUM LAK DR E PETIT DR BUR CR R EE OA K K LN

D K R ID GE ROC

ERA

FAW

DEV

HID

N JE

CE JOY

31 R D R K CIR

A NN

TON

E L I SE

TING HUN

U D

VI E

CONE STOGA

INA ND NA

DR TA CRES LA

DR G PEG D EER R

I HV G HI

THOMA RUSH C

T H AV E N

S T ON E YC RE E

LN EEK E CR R I DG

S TR L OA K S A GE

A RDG

RETAM

CIB O LO D R

TR E SL O

DR GATE BRIDLE

ER WAY DRUNN ROA

R IB O

RIT

C ATTAI L

ES HO R E D R

DR RIO CENTRAL

R IDD L

P PU ZZLE

A RTH U R CT

WA Y

WA Y E JOS SAN

WAY

SI ON

ST A FLAT CR K

D U LO C ED R

CAN

IA VI CTOR

CR M AY ER R D

IT ER M

TW IN C A N YO N D R

ELB E ST

LONGHORN TRL

SE R R D

I GH

ST A RL

I N R ID GE DR

S DR

E OAK

RIDG

1 335

CIR

VISION CT

SPI

P BRAE

M U

RD G

PELICAN CT

HILL

S TA R

MYNA

GA DWALL

DR D

BE N

NC RA

I JO

DE M FOX

KENILWORTH BLVD

CORNWALL DR

RD Y

EST

BUR TER

NTAI N FOR MOU

E GROV

L RD THA OEN

SCH

IN D BE

STAHL LN

TA M

CREMINI

J OH N SON WAY HOLSTEIN RD

TEA PRA

RIDGE P T

WAY

PA L M

D TR L

NG L

C AM P EST R E S

DD L

CUP

MIDWAY

WINE

R E BEC C A C R EE K RD

L HIL

RIV ER CROS SING B LVD

LIG

ING

RN MO

AS COLIN

FELDSPA R CIR

LOS

RDG PLAYER

S A W GR A S S

COP PER RIM

K O P PL IN R D

GRE Y MIST

TRL U KUD

SHADY

HWY US VIEW RIDGE DR

RAINBOW DR

G OA KS

G IN

SI N

N ACCESS N

CV Y

RD NC H

HILL SHORT

HILL G TAN MUS

CE SS

WILEY RD

K F IR ST F O R

RIDGE

N LI

ANTLER MEADOW

LONGS PEAK

RUN

A AT

RALP H FAIR RD

DUB O

HI DD EN

MILFOIL LN

MYS TIC CANYON

PLA CH FIN

J O N QU IL D R

MOCKINGBIRD

S COUT

HO R N S

INDIAN

TOUCAN DR

JOLIE DR PARK HILL DR

DIA COY OTE

IN GA

NIGHT

D TA IL C V

B EI ER LE

FAWN LN

N 281

FM 3009

US HWY 281

ELM HOLLOW DR

US HWY

BENT BLF

ST PO N

IS R A

MCINNIS CT

LE W

AHERN CREEK DR

281 V I S TA

81 N Y2 HW

VW TO

O W

EA D

L T RL

EST R A

YS O

AN C

I TA

3159

VENTU RER

BULVERDE/SPRING BRANCH - STATION 4 - Future

R EE N D

B ATTLE I N

MYS TIC BREE ZE

M U S TA N G L N

LIPIZZAN LN

THOROUGHB RED LN

LILAC LN

LYNW OOD DR

U DR

R IB O

DER RI

FAW N

CONE STOGA

ROCK Y LN

ER BY

LAK EWAY

MES A ROCK

W EATH

P U TE R C R E E K R D

CR A IG

DR K C RO OK E D O A

US HWY 281 N

KS OA NG ERI ISP

TRL

E RIS SUN

CRK LING ROL

LANGE CRE EK DR

LAN TAN A C ANY ON

VA L L E

L A N TA N A R D G

LA N T AN A

O A C ER R L A N TA N

C S L N

BLF

CRK

GREY

L FAL CV

Y WAY

CLAI

AUBR

H IG H R ID G E D R

SIER R A

DR PAN T HE R

WILDCAT

LD TE RRACE

BUCK LN

RD DR

DEERFIE

LEOPA

IME R

D D

RY ENBER

R ID VW

ILL

CEDAR

SMOKE HOUS E

STALLION

P O LO

KOCH DR

BULV ERDE

WA Y

COUGAR

CIR OAK

LN JAY BIRD

BE ND

BULV ERDE HILLS DR

BR AN D R D

KY S ROS

L H IL ON SI M M PER

AIN

MILL RD

B U LV ER D E R D

S CRANES

C IA PA SS

IRIE

MO U

E YC JO

R GA ED RD R ANGER

HOL W

IAN

IND

US HWY 281 N

V I STA VI EW PL AC E

DR GE

OA K HAVEN

DR K

RID

SW AY

ON RO C

PATT Y

T N

CA NY

SPL

HID

THOMA

N JE

OA K S

A ST

R ID GE ROC

C AN YO N S P R IN

SLOCU M DR LAK E PETIT DR BU CR RR EE OA K K LN

D EER R

LONG RDG

HE R I TA G E

DOE D EA N R D

H A R R IS O N R D SPEC H T' S C R O SSI N G

PHANTOM RIDE R TRL

CYPRES S PASS RD

FALLING WATE R DR

MISTY LN

SPRING BRANCH RD

E BREEZ OA K

Y PT

SU ELM CIR

K CLIFF

CV SKY

FM 3009

RD NC H

CRK

IS R A

LE W

P O LO

RIDG

ELINE

LN RD

RTH P OI N NO TD R OZA RK TE R RA C E

P K LO O

OEN

C R EE

Y WA

Y PT

STA

SCH

PLE

BUC

THAL

RIP

FM 1863

CIR

BLUF

F LINE

EASY

STORM SK Y

PONDEROSA WAY

453

CIR

PI E

ST A R

454

SI ED

LAZ Y

FO X

452

CYN THI

Fire Stations 10

A DR

451

§ ¦ ¨ § ¦ ¨

K O P PL IN R D

KLE SU

RA M

Emergency Services Districts 4 and 5

FELDSPA R CIR

KY S

RAN

SCO

BLUE

NC RA

S IE

KE IC

BLA

Existing Stations - 3 Mile

487 EH

ESD 6 BLUE

RAN

RIDG

RD THAL OEN SCH

486

If approved by our community, this will put us one step closer to improved emergency service coverage our 216 square mile More importantly, this incap increase willDistrict. help us address

the additional Fire and EMS personnel needed to cover this rapidly growing area. Over 70% of the annual FREE UP YOUR TIME, let budget covers the daily cost of personnel actively Mister Clean serving our community. do the clean up for you.

Put your ad here.

discounts · multiple ad sizes

Mention this ad for $10 oﬀ ﬁrst visit

485

By appointment only

P K LO O

CIR

BUC

C R EE

Y WA

ESD No. an 4 in line (identical 10-cent caps) with No. not expect immediate tax increase. This would be the first ESD property cap1 and ESD No. 5—all of which are in our 216 square mile increase for ESD #4 since the cap was established in 2004. Although there will be nooftaxBulverde increase inSpring 2015, a Branch future 1-cent translates an district Fireincrease & EMS. Each toESD additional $20 per year on a $200,000 property. that supports your Fire & EMS response needs this parity.

Audra Rech Owner/Operator

ELINE

PLE

BLA

STA

mind your business 832.381.6366

CRK

The use of this document indicates your unconditional acceptance of these Terms of Use and your unconditional acceptance of all risks associated.

Mobile Pet Grooming Providing Quality Grooming Right in your driveway Puppies, Seniors & Cats Welcome Serving North SA, Bulverde, Boerne, Spring Branch and surrounding areas

SKY

RD NC H

IS R A

NC RA

LE W

P O LO KY

KE IC

RIP

Feet

The County of Comal has only attempted to assure the accuracy of this information for its internal uses and for no other purposes. Consequently, The County of Comal makes no warranty, representation or guaranty as to the content, sequence, accuracy, timeliness or completeness of all or any part of this document. The user of this document should not rely on the data provided herein for any reason unless and until the user independently verifies the accuracy of any such data to the user's personal satisfaction. The County of Comal explicitly disclaims any representations and warranties, including, without limitation, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The County of Comal shall assume no liability for any errors, omissions, lack of timeliness or inaccuracies in the document provided regardless of how caused. The County of Comal shall assume no liability for any decisions made or actions taken or not taken by the user of this document in reliance upon any information or data furnished hereunder.

9,300

SCO

6,200

POS

The information here provides a visual display of data for your convenience and is subject to these Terms of Use.

Fair Oaks Ranch

Bulverde

3,100

BENT BLF

County Boundary City Boundaries

D HR NC

T VW

486

485

Mapsco Grid ESDs 4 and 5

Potential Stations - 3 Mile

LAS WELL LN

PT IS

A CA

HERRY

G S NA KE

IAN

SA RA H

TRAV

. .E

LEROY SCHE EL RD

LU D W I G TR L

INDI

R OB IN DA LE DR

LIMESTONE LEDGE

BU C K M EAD O W T R L

OFF LN

IMH HNE OA KS

LN EEK E CR CIB O LO D R

TR E SL O

CIR

A NN

E L I SE

VI E O CL

D O U BL E D L N

LA UB AC H R U N

S O

ARROW FLINT

RICE R D

E OL

CH RD

KEY

OA KVIEW RD

DE L R AN

LI T

WINDMILL LN

BEN

ASHFORD DR

EK D R

SMI

418

I ER

DEVONSHIRE DR

LIVINGSTON RD

CRESCENT LN

T RD

KRUEGER RD

ITE

BIG

CRE

DOV ER LN

FORK CRK

BLA NCO RD

SN IE

WINDS TAR LN

GRUS ENDORF RD

RIV

E OK

KELLY CREE K RD

PASS UN

H ID D E N O AKS D R

RE D ST OA OA K LN LA K WA NE LN TE DR R OA PEGG MO K RANC RR LN H IS GR LN EE NW VAL OO RI D OA OA LEY E ST D FM KR KLA G E ST FL IDG NE VIE VI 267 W W IN EW E 3 BU T E ST ST ST ST ST DE CK O ER HO NE QU RN D R AIL VAL DR RU LEY N ST ST SIR ART R ID VE SQ G EHA HUR UIR SC WAY OT ES T WA RO W Y

DEER

DE SI

TWIN

E G

LER

MOUNTRIDGE

BARTELS RD

W CLARK ST

BAMBI

AY W

O D PA S S KWO

G O AKS

WILD OAK DR DR

ANT

EE CR

GE OR

LOS

S TR L

OP AS S

ROCK PORT

OA K

S A GE

LAB DR CI

ECC

PATH

TW IN C A N YO N D R

R E W AY

PATRIOT

ELB E ST

STA

CRE

ST A

FLAT CR K

RUSH C

LO C ED R

S T ON E YC RE E

T H AV E N

CR RIGHT FORK

A RDG

RETAM

HUN

TIN

GTO

WAY

NER

ROA

R D

R K

U D

LONGHORN TRL

GATE

BRIDLE

DEEP WATER DR

M AY ER R D

DRUN

I N R ID GE DR

WILEY RD

BU ER NT CA

IA VI CTOR

Y GROV

SHAD

R I DG

TRL

KUD

ST A RL

I GH

J OH N SON WAY HOLSTEIN RD

CE SS

81 N

L T RL

EST R A

AN C

IET

ND BE

SE R R D

O VA

S AS

Y WA

E AV

BULV ERDE

S DR

WAY

MIN

IDIO

E OAK

RDG

RIVE

ELM

RIDG

PLAC

HIDDE N

PLACE

RAN

BOROUGH

335

354 A

GA INS

PORTSMOUTH

PELICAN CT

DR D

BE N

HIL

FOX

KENILWORTH BLVD

CORNWALL DR

EST

FOR

NTA

MOU

COLIN

LOS

RDG

S A W GR A S S

PLAYER

GRE Y MIST

RAINBOW DR

STAHL LN

H IG H R ID G E D R

D D

BULV ERDE HILLS DR

SIER R A

I JO

DE M

B EI ER LE

RIV ER CROS SING B LVD

281

ING

LIG

LANGE CRE EK DR

HWY

VIEW RIDGE DR

SI N G IN G OA KS S RD N ACCES

281

US HWY

281

ELM HOLLOW DR

US HWY

MCINNIS CT

HILL

SHORT

HIL

IN D BE

STA

STALLION

JAY BIRD

V I S TA

WILDCAT

LD TE RRACE

PAN T HE R

RD DR

LEOPA

IME R

R BE ND

BUCK LN

C IA PA SS

COUGA

DEERFIE

B U LV ER D E R D

NG L

US HWY 281 N

LAN TAN A C ANY ON

AHERN CREEK DR

Y BLF

GRE

FAL

CLA

R ID

CEDAR

ILL

SMOKE HOUS E

IRE

WAY

AUB

RRY

ENBE

ROS

KOCH DR

COP PER RIM

S L N

BR AN D R D

H IL

SI M M

TA M

CIR

OAK

TRA VIS

PER

CREMINI

ELM CIR

K CLIFF

LAS WELL LN

LA UB AC H R U N

DD L

R E BEC C A C R EE K RD

ING

ISP

ISE

CRK LING ROL

E BREEZ OA K

VA L L E

L A N TA N A R D G

LA N T AN A

A C ER R

L A N TA N

LIMESTONE LEDGE

D O U BL E D L N

ELB E ST

SE R R D

SPEC H T' S C R O SSI N G

PHANTOM RIDE R TRL

FAWN LN

MISTY LN

DEEP WATER DR

SPRING BRANCH RD

CYPRES S PASS RD

FALLING WATE R DR

R D

R K PA S TR L

TW IN C A N YO N D R

S A GE

OA K

A CA

RANCH DR

PKWY

C LI

STONEY

K IN

SEN

H C AN

C O MA L R

R HI NE ST ON E ON SH O

CA NY

RENE S SE

PACIFIC

SH A D OW R D G

COMAL PEAK COMAL CREST

GLE NEA EW GLE S WA S LN Y

B R E ME R

YM OL

STRU

CR ET

N PLAC PIGEO

AGUAYO

ICK

GE T ER R A C E

RLI

CANYON

MYST

S PA

SE R E N I TY

TURK RI D

TER

HAWK

RIVER

RLING P STA AS

PRES

385

WINDSTONE

ANTLER MEADOW

T AVE

MYS SE

320

SO N D R

E LL

PASS

IL D

AN D ER

M I TC H

RALP H FAIR RD

QUES

Y FOX

LEROY SCHE EL RD

R ON

EIDER

CLOUD COUNTRY

A WAY

HIDEAWAY

CR O SS BLF W

D OW S

BREEZ

ASCOT AVE

MEA

KESW

455

BULVERDE/SPRING BRANCH - STATION 3

ER MM

R OB IN DA LE DR

C HA

CIR

CORON

H LI C

ELK HOLW

VENTU RER

GRA

R OD D WO

B ATTLE I N

ST ANNE

CRA

VEIL

TRL TWIN LAKE

BRIDAL

ARROW FLINT

RA LN ND O

AGAVE

BRUSHY RD

RAYNER

LU D W I G TR L

H AVASU PT

CASH

R CI T IN D PO R LE W AR B

PAS

RICE R D

BARTELS RD

HER

I LN

OA KVIEW RD

AVE

ZINNIA

KIW

BL VD

WINDMILL LN

E LL A SA B

DR L HIL ET NN BO K RD E AR AP BLU CC BE

FOR

KRUEGER RD

DOV ER LN

BLA NCO RD

GRUS ENDORF RD

KELLY CREE K RD

G O AKS

SPRING ST

GE OR

DER

H ID D E N O AKS D R

DOD

VE UR

SW E ET C L O VE R

RDG

R GR ASS D R

QUE

AC E SU N R IS E P L

BOS

PE PE P

C CA S C A D

FOSSIL DR

T EN

O BST

ESD 6

BLACKBIRD DR

RI V

ND WU

C A M P FI R E

311

RDG

LAK

MOJADO

417

N CREST

ION

HIGHLA

Y SE

CANYO

TREE

CHA

SUGAR

FO X

THI

R CH

HAWTHORNE RD

EY VA LL SU N

LAZ Y

G RD

RIDGE TR L AGARITA

RICHMOND AVE

EAGLE

GREIG DR

FORTY SIX PKW Y

SI ED

S C H L AT HE R

A WAY PRET IS WAY OLA

EASY EM

S TILL R DG

BRITTAN

YORKSHIRE DR

CHAR

OSSING CR

MOORE DR

O LUIS

ARROY

454

PAS

VE RI

FOXCROSS DR

BRYKERWOOD

MA L RU N CO

PONDEROSA WAY

PI E

N VW

REB

SKY

W O RT H

AKS

W E NT

MOUNTJOY DR

STAT E H W Y 46 W RY O

CYN

KLE

A LL MV

384

R HILL

BER

CIR

CREST

STORM O LZ ST A

ROCK

SK Y

BAY HILL

FLAGGERT DR

EAGLE

A VW

BOBCAT

E AMMANN RD

E LB

ELINE

RAMROD

PER

CHARL

FLAT

FENC

HILINE DR

MONIC

ANT

V U

OLD BOERNE RD

416

CANYO

END

SADDLE RDG GREENFIELD

KEM

HR D

FRONTIER

COVEN

PAS

OK RLO

CIR

V U

JOHN

AK AS O

BULLS RUN

VW NG GI

STI

CIR

IN S

ONE

HIS WAY

INDIAN CREEK LN

RTH P OI N NO TD R OZA RK TE R RA C E

RAMJE T DR

CAST

D DR

VIEW

CEDA

281

NAVIGATOR

WINDMILL

TAIN

EST

TOWRY LN LN UFNAU

311

LON G

£ ¤

MOUN

ND WI

YORK

E CI T

RA M

F LINE

453

TE X

STEALTH D R FLI GH TLI NE ATO DR R PAS S

AVI

HI LL SI D

AUTUMN WOOD

R I VER WAY

§ D

IL L SH

ICH CAL

S IE

AD AMS R D

LAN

SAVANNA

FM 1863

SCHAEFER

O RG

Y O A K R ID G E PKW

415

OOK E P LEB R

OVE

ROGERS RD

S HE PH ER DS R A N CH

3009

LAR

DREAMLAND

CIR

E LN

MIRA MONTE

TA NI CI

MAC

MAL

BR O

NIG

KUNTZ

ADELIN

HA R

W HA

H EIME R -L AN G E R D

CENISO

ACRES

TAY LO R P T

1863

R GE D

HOUSE

EXETER AVE

TAN A

ERLE

NING

353

RED

LAN

LIM

PFE IF FER R D

N PT

ESD 5

BRO OM WE

CAVE DR

LAGUNA

CARRIAGE

NA VW

A K R

SHAD

INDIA

GLENWOOD LOOP

RI D

E L BE

S TE

N PATH

A D O BLE

TREE

ER D R

D D

TREE

C OV E

TWI

E DR

421

W AT

ESD 4 RIVE

NTA

LO M

CIRCLE

DOVE

SI O

BEE

AD OW L N ME

KIGH YUCCA CANY

LEDGE STONE TRL

HILL

E FR

ANN

P H A N TO M T R L

TL AT

KUNTZ RUN

ASC

N RAY

E DR

ESA

E LM R ID G E D R

CACT

SANDY

WILLOW SPGS

HAV

RYL

UEC

BULVERDE/SPRING BRANCH - STATION 1

R LT

BE RRY

JASO CHE

BLUF

Maintenance

M NA TA N

383

420

AGOLD DOWNHILL

LOC

DAW

KYLE

TE YO

E TRL

FIRETH OR

CIRCLE G RANCH

RYAN RAY

PR AN CING DEER DR

1863

REEK D R MC EL

hen Salyer

SILV

KIR K L N

Let your neighbors SO HOW CAN ALL THESE CRUCIAL STATIONS BE BUILT? The first thing that needs to happen is the removal of a ceiling of 6 cents per $100 of taxable value for residents living north of Hwy. 46. Comal County Emergency Services District #4 will be asking voters in May to approve a 4-cent property tax cap increase (up to the state cap of 10 cents). This will not mean a 4-cent increase on next year’s tax bill; it simply raises the cap to 10 cents which is the same level as folks living south of Hwy 46 in ESD #5. Community leaders of ESD #4 do

rine Tablets 0lb.- $50

OAK

years: 1) far west on Hwy 46; 2) far east on Hwy 46; 3) mid-District on FM 311; and 4) in the northern part of the District in Mystic Shores.

FOR

Y DR

352

L DEL

RED ROSE ST

GOL

EA D

OND

CIR

AY D ER BY W

POLO

SHARPSTONE

SEC

WHITEWING DR

487 DR

WAY

382

CARTA

C YPR ESS

GASS RANCH

OAK

BUCKEY

AG W

FOR

PAR

FAWN DR

LV D

GRA

MILL RD

The use of this document indicates your unconditional acceptance of these Terms of Use and your unconditional acceptance of all risks associated.

ned in previous issues of the Front Porch Right now weyou haveto three stations as shown the map will be asking vote in May of on 2015 to in green. We have just opened a fourth station at the corner ising the property tax capCreek for residents in ESD of FM 311 and Rebecca Road to provide faster trict from 6 cents per $100 of taxable value response times to the adjoining neighborhoods. to This station is shown blue because for the immediate future, m of 10 cents perin$100 of taxable value. For it will be manned only as a day-station. We have a need ers, a 1-cent increase translates to an additional for four more stations to provide all neighborhoods in our ar on a $200,000 property. This does District with appropriate response times.not Themean locations theraised stationsaccordingly, that are needed within next 1 to 3 xes willforbe but thisthe will bring

T PA

D LN

LN P O IN T DR OA K C V L IVE K RD OC R IM R TE NI RA G

ITE

TRE

WEIDNE

DRIFTWOOD RDG

S CRANES

SOU

Major US Cities in Square Miles

DR DRAGON FLY

TRAILS END

ER TT

9,300

E LN

MOSSY HOLW

Y SEA

The information here provides a visual display of data for your convenience and is subject to these Terms of Use.

6,200

Feet

Y COV

C S O

N WAY

H IG H

KER

PKW

SHAD

CIA

387

ACA

EAGLE CLAW DR LITTLE DEER DR

BUR

CALENDULA ST

A R

PAS

419

ESDs 4 and 5

3,100

KN IB B

F LY IN G R R A N C H RD

RAWHIDE TRL

County Boundary

HILDEBRAND

WATER

O R

C O YO TE T RL

P B RE NT S

Potential Stations - 3 Mile

anning has been a key/focus of your Emergency The best planning however, cannot replace a ismatch when populations, both residential ercial, are expanding faster than tax revenues. erative, given increasing 911 call volumes, nnel and resources be stationed as close to oods as possible.

DR SPANISH MOSS

EH W

SADDL

C ON TO UR

PKWY

RIVER

351

W NO

F R IT Z

O EVANS

PERING

SA N

WHIS

386

THI

W AY

YEN

WESTER A

SHEARER

381 CHE

LI N

JUMB

MEXICAN HAT DR

WAY

ESD 3

350

SPG S

KEY

GLE

LONG

K F IR ST F O R

NIN

ONS

D R Y BEA R C R K

HOLW

AY DR

319

SPRINGS

B LU FF V IE W

RIVER VIEW DR

CLEAR LAKE DR

FA LL EN O AK D R

MEADOW LARK DR

S FALL

MOR

LILY ST BIN D W E E

BOB

BUR

WINDW

CYPRESS

R AYN ER R A NC

PR IN G BRA DS N OL

N LI

PAS

UBE

A AT

TAL

POND VIEW CT

VISTA LAKE

CONEFLOWER DR

GLADIOLA ST

LAND

CRYS

IES D R

LEDGEBROOK

IN PAL AD TR L

IAN

SA RA H

HERRY

R EB EC C A S P R I N

Mapsco Grid

Fair Oaks Ranch

ETTO

SU S D R

City Boundaries Bulverde

UER

LARIAT PASS W EST ER N SK

EAG L E R O C K R D

W O PE SC H

LE S S W I ND

PT WIL

PALM

P EG A

GS SP

UR S

WA Y

VW TO

I ER

LAN

EISENHA R I

E SS

T TRL

O W

O LL KN

SAXE

HANGING OAK

K EY CA NY T UR ON NS BLVD D GA R D E

ST RE

HUR WAY

AIN

286

ABODAR TRL

ING

CA M LI N E

P T RL

N AN

ART

ES WA RO W Y

CREEK CT

E S T L AKE DR F OR

GATE POST

318

PASS

B E NT O A K

FM 306

306

SIR

UIR

D LI N G RI P P

LAND

LAK E P AR K D R BUCKSKIN

PASS N I NN EM

I FA PA R K ET NS SU GE NC Y RE

GERVIN

BLVD

355

RO C

TO M L E A D R

SPG

INGS

BR OO

RI M

OA K LN K NE LN DR

GIC

RKS

I L L PA S S

E ID

PANORAMA HIGH

D CK

E FM 267

DIE

K EE

CRE EK

LONGS PEAK SP

R EE N D

DEER

SO ME

EL K D R

LF DR KE

CHERRY

TWIN

S SPG

. .E

PHA

452

LEY

RIATA PASS

CIRCLE OAK DR PAS

HAWK EYE DR

BULVERDE/SPRING BRANCH - STATION 3 - Future

414

NIMO GERO

ESCADA

OO N HE M

ROCK PORT

D EERSL AY ER

COM

UPLA

BIG

VAL

A PA C

LI T

I TA UN

HIAWATH

E OL

CH RD

PGS

G EHA

3159

PA R K D R

R TR

BULVERDE/SPRING BRANCH - STATION 4 - Future

SPU

IET

FORK CRK

E LL

THS

HONEYSUCKLE BRANCH

S IN C R EE K

SAR ATO GA L N

Y WA

WINDS TAR LN

M I TC H

LER

BLUE SKIES DR

S I LV

KE EN EL AN D D R

MOUNTRIDGE

DAN

ANT

SUNLIGHT DR EVENING SHADOWS DR

EVENING STAR DR

DE L R AN

YS O

CIB OLO GAP

CIB OLO

CIB OLO TRACE

E NS TE

E TL

E OK

TRL

Fire Stations 10

Existing Stations - 3 Mile

MIN

ASHFORD DR

380

OAK

PATH

O D PA S S KWO

SMI

YM OL

R WC

INTREPID

451

§ ¦ ¨ § ¦ ¨

PATRIOT

EE CR

RIDGE

ICK

M EA D O

POS

Emergency Services Districts 4 and 5

RDG

D OW S

349

LIVINGSTON RD

W AMMANN RD

R ID

ITE

BEN

MEA

RUN

NIXON DR

NIE

SPRINGWOOD DR

STONEY

418

WA TE

BELL RANCH RD

SPARKMAN DR

LE R

RANC GR

T RD

ER MM

DESERT GO

STE

PEGG

EE NW VAL OO RI D OA OA LEY ST D KR KLA G E ST FL IDG NE VIE VI W W IN EW E BU T E ST ST ST ST ST DE CK O ER HO NE QU RN D R AIL VAL DR RU LEY N ST ST

PASS UN

EK D R

SILVER HILLS DR

AN T

LER

B R E ME R

INDI

G S NA KE

HI GH

ANT

AY W

DEVONSHIRE DR

385

455

KESW

BAMBI

317

WINDI

SO N D R

WINDSTONE

§ K IN

SILVERW

DE SI

RIV

BOROUGH

AN D ER

486

GA INS

PORTSMOUTH

W CLARK ST

E RD

ELIN

281

413

R Z AN E G

SEN

H C AN

C O MA L R

RIDG

O BST

CRE

COMAL CREST

GLE NEACR K EW S CH GLE WA S LN RAN Y

S C H L AT HE R

CIB OLO GAP

CIB OLO

CIB OLO TRACE

£ ¤

STRU

GE T ER R A C E

SN IE

CRESCENT LN

O LUIS SC ARROY KE

COMAL PEAK

A WAY PRET IS WAY OLA

TURK RI D

E G

ELM

PASS

IL D

311

ELK HOLW

RO N CREST

V U

CR O SS BLF W

LOS

RAN

CHISOLM TRL

INDIAN HILLS DR

OP AS S

SH A D OW R D G

MA L RU N CO

ASCOT AVE

3351

CHAR

TREE

HIDDE N

S TILL R DG

CANYO

BAY HILL

MOJADO

PR ON

E CT BLAZ GAR Y CT

R E M I N G TO N R D H IG H D R RD RIP FORD

R OD D WO

ECC

CREST

P K LO O

RIVE

T EN

C R EE

Y WA

Y SE

BLUE

FORTY SIX PKW Y

BRITTAN

YORKSHIRE DR

EAGLE

A LL MV

OSSING CR

R N RD RD G

MOUNTJOY DR

STAT E H W Y 46 W

EAGLE

BREEZ

BULVERDE/SPRING BRANCH - STATION 2

LAB DR CI

HAWTHORNE RD

GREIG DR

PER

W O RT H

KEM

ROCK

A VW

RIP

FLAT

MONIC

SCO

HIGHLA

W E NT

RICHMOND AVE

BRYKERWOOD

SKY

LON G

384

R HILL

ANT

V U

RDG

N PT

LAK

417

BULVERDE/SPRING BRANCH - STATION 3

INDIA

BOBCAT

INDIAN CREEK LN

E AMMANN RD

HILINE DR

CHARL

RAMROD

ION

ER D R

W AT

NC RA

JOHN

CIR

HR D

BUC

NAVIGATOR

SI ED

COVEN

MOORE DR

FLAGGERT DR

AKS

BLA

AR ST

RY O

E FR

EN D

354

FOXCROSS DR

SADDLE RDG GREENFIELD

BER

TOWRY LN LN UFNAU

CAST

V U

REB

CEDA

281

BULLS RUN

£ ¤

FO X

VW NG GI

HIA

STI

CIR

OLD BOERNE RD

ONE

HIS WAY

ESD 6

YORK

LAZ Y

IN S

TLI ST NE ATO DR R PAS S

CIR

WINDMILL

TAIN

EST

454

MOUN

CIR

ND WI

FLI

AVI EASY

CENISO

HI LL SI D

TER

WATSON WAY

B O VA

A SP VIST

SO U T H L IN E D R

311

VIEW

KLE

ALTH D R STEWAY PONDEROSA

PI E

R H RD IL L SH

IM R K OW

SHAD Y

ICH CAL

CHA

ST A R

R CH

LONG

RAMJE T DR

CIR

END

EY VA LL SU N

STORM

E LB

ELINE

FRONTIER

IDIO

EAS

D RD

N TRL DI A IN H I L LS ID E D R R E W AY

EXETER AVE PAS

OK RLO GR

FENC

AUTUMN WOOD

OVE

AK AS O

WEIDNE

TE X

PRES

NIG

LIM

SUGAR

ERLE

ROGERS RD

E DR

TREE

N PATH

3009

H EIME R -L AN G E R D

ACRES

S HE PH ER DS R A N CH

FIRETH OR

R I VER WAY

D DR

TWI

W HA

383

RIVE

TL AT

LAN

CIR

HEA

R CRK MON T TEE

MOOSE

HILL

S AS

PLACE

PACIFIC

FOSSIL DR

BR O

OOK E P LEB R

SCOUT LN

FA W

DEE

FREE

COL T

S PA

LE S S W I ND

SE R E N I TY

ST RE

C A M P FI R E

WAY

E AV

A R R ON

IA H

PLAC

C IM

RENE S SE

A WAY

OR M

SENIS

285

321

R E

AGUAYO

RIDGE TR L AGARITA

353

S IE

WILD OAK DR DR DREAMLAND

E L BE

F LY IN G R R A N C H RD

SK Y

DOVE

HA R

HOUSE

TAN

C LI

HIDEAWAY

UEC

BULVERDE/SPRING BRANCH - STATION 1

E LM R ID G E D R

CACT

R GE D

421

F LINE

RED

RTH P OI N NO TD R OZA RK TE R RA C E

RA M

CIRCLE

RI D

CARRIAGE

YUCCA CANY

NA VW

R HI NE ST ON E ON SH O

CA NY

RANCH DR

PKWY

H LI C

KIGH

LAN

284

ESD 4

S TE

A D O BLE

BLUF

HILL

TE YO

NTA

CR ET

ND WU

ESA

RLI

CANYON

MYST

CLOUD COUNTRY

A WAY

AGAVE

BRUSHY RD

RI V

CAVE DR

LAGUNA

352

EH W

E TRL

SILV

M NA TA N

TER

N PLAC PIGEO

P H A N TO M TR L

RAYNER

S DR

T AVE

MYS SE

HAWK

RIVER

RLING P STA AS

QUES

Y FOX

320

GRA

G RD

R ON

C HA

VE RI

N VW

CK LP

AI TR

CORON

CANYO

EIDER

E OAK

ST ANNE

RIDG

281

AVE

I LN

CIR

VEIL

TREE

£ ¤ KIW

BL VD

LAR

TRL TWIN LAKE

BEE

FOR

BLVD

I FA PA R K ET NS SU GE NC Y RE

Y DR

O RD

CRA

MAC

MAL

PAS

TRE

C OV E

KER

OAK

HO RTON PR EISS RD

C O YO TE T RL

A LF

NING

BRIDAL

E DR

PAR

FAWN DR

LV D

PKWY

R SE

473

ZINNIA

RA LN ND O

SADDL

GASS RANCH

L DEL

BLACKBIRD DR

HER

AD OW L N ME

H AVASU PT

BUR

CARTA

C YPR ESS

DR L HIL ET NN BO K RD E AR AP BLU CC BE

T PA

RED ROSE ST

CASH

319

SPRINGS

C ON TO UR

R AYN ER R A NC

O EVANS

O R

D LN

LN P O IN T DR OA K C V L IVE K RD OC R IM R TE NI RA G

ITE

R CI T IN D PO R LE W AR B

O PE R D

C HW

B LU FF V IE W

JUMB

H IG H

LL S

CYPRESS

CRE EK

BRO OM WE

CALENDULA ST

IES D R

CHERRY

E LL A SA B

O KN

RIATA PASS

LARIAT PASS W EST ER N SK

B E NT O A K

DER

K EY CA NY T UR ON NS BLVD D

GA R D E

E SS

BIN D W E E

BOB

473

SPRING ST

OO N HE M

MEXICAN HAT DR

GLADIOLA ST

EAG L E R O C K R D

CREEK CT

E S T L AKE DR F OR

GATE POST

LILY ST

PASS

SW E ET C L O VE R

DOD

D LI N G RI P P

CA S C A D

E ID

RO C

TO M L E A D R

T CA MP LI N E

FM 306

306

R EB EC C A S P R I N

BR OO

387

RI M

A PA C

335

RDG

BUR

CONEFLOWER DR

D RD

QUE

DR HEA

R KD EE R DR CK

LAK E P AR K D R BUCKSKIN

EL K D R MOOSE

D E ERSL AY ER

INGS

AC E SU N R IS E P L

VISTA LAKE

ABODAR TRL

R GR ASS D R

VE UR

ESCADA

318

287

POND VIEW CT

BOS

PE PE P

CHISOLM TRL

HIAWATH

S O

PR ON

E CT BLAZ GAR Y CT

R E M I N G TO N R D H IG H D R

NIMO GERO

R Z AN E G

286

IA H

R E

GLE

GOL

W NO

• Almost the size of New York City (3/4 of it) • Over half the size of Dallas, TX (Dallas = 385 sq mi) ely address equipment, and staffing • Largerstation, than Ft. Worth, TX • Two times larger than Las Vegas, over the last 10 years, decisiveNVlong-range • Larger than New Orleans, LA §

TER

OAK

BUCKEY

AG W

SPRINGWOOD DR

E LN

485

NIN

PKW

EAS

GRA

N I NN EM

CIA

E LN

A K R

S FALL

MOR

ACA

Y COV

DRIFTWOOD RDG

MOSSY HOLW

FM 1863

PAS

GO L LA F D R KE

RD RIP FORD

INDIAN HILLS DR

420

LO M

KN IB B

LEDGE STONE TRL

RL AN T

ID E D R

HILDEBRAND

DR DRAGON FLY

CIR

P B RE NT S

PFE IF FER R D

R LT

ER TT

O LZ

R CRK MON T TEE

A R R ON

TAL

DR SPANISH MOSS

416

HILL

PASS

WATER

C IM

RIVER

OR M

WAY

WINDI

CRYS

474

E CI T

TRL

R TR

ONS

D D

SAVANNA

AD AMS R D

SILVERW

PERING

OAK

SAR ATO GA L N

415

KE EN EL AN D D R

O RG

414

A SP VIST

LAND

FOR

MIRA MONTE

WAY

SCHAEFER

NIE

WHIS

SI O

REEK D R MC EL

PHA

LE R

POS

R WC

E TL

Y O A K R ID G E PKW

STE

AN T

AI TR

IN PAL AD TR L

T TRL

TAY LO R P T

KUNTZ

PA R K D R

M EA D O

INTREPID

E NS TE

HI GH

FREE

COL T

351

ESD 5

ITA IN NC

LEDGEBROOK

SAXE

OND

SHAD

WILLOW SPGS

ADELIN

I ER

KIR K L N

453 SANDY

A WAY

UTH

SEC

ASC

BE RRY

SCOUT LN

EA D

452

SENIS

ETTO

SU S D R

382

W AMMANN RD

FOR

RIVER VIEW DR

N RAY

PR IN G BRA DS N OL

285

419

JASO

254

284

HAV

DA WN

KYLE

PALM

P EG A

GS SP

SHEARER

RN WAY

RYAN RAY

LOC

186

Day station opening in December 2014

CIR

PR AN CING DEER DR

UER

POLO

SHARPSTONE

WHITEWING DR

WA Y

O W

MILL RD

EISENHA R I

UR S

LITTLE DEER DR

AIN

S CRANES

I L L PA S S

TRAILS END

AY D ER BY W

HOLW

r uncondi tional acceptance of these Terms of Use ll risks associated.

SPU

GERVIN

IRD

381

GLENWOOD LOOP

281 UR

BULVERDE/SPRING TU SA N BRANCH - STATION M 2 A

350

£ ¤

AR TH

ES WA RO W Y

AY DR

BULVERDE/SPRING BRANCH - STATION 3 - Future

W AY

KUNTZ RUN

RAWHIDE TRL

EAGLE CLAW DR

SIR

UIR

KEY

HERRY

NIXON DR

S I LV

WA Y

MEADOW LARK DR

HONEYSUCKLE BRANCH

EVENING STAR DR

display of data for your convenience and is subject to

413

WATSON WAY

CIRCLE G RANCH

Existing stations

386

O RD

473

ESD 3

WESTE

LI N

FA LL EN O AK D R

A LF

H I L LS

WINDW

355

DEE

SPG S

RKS

UBE

E FM 26

R SE

HO RTON PR EISS RD

OA K LN K NE LN DR

SO U T H L IN E D R

EYE

AGOLD DOWNHILL

SPARKMAN DR

IET

SO ME

PAS

CLEAR LAKE DR INDI

DIE

PAS

DAN

F R IT Z

DESERT GO

1863

451

SILVER HILLS DR

LD WI

N AN

HAWK EYE DR

BLUE SKIES DR

G S NA KE

380

ed to assure the accuracy of this information for its . Consequently, The County of Comal makes no to the content, sequence, accuracy, timeliness or ocument. The user of this document should not rely son unless and until the user independently verifies er's personal satisfaction. The County of Comal and warranties, including, without limitation, the nd fitness for a particular purpose. The County of errors, omissions, lack of timeliness or inaccuracies how caused. The County of Comal shall assume no ns taken or not taken by the user of this document in urnished hereunder.

BELL RANCH RD

R LN

HLA

lly build a permanent station near the corner best tool Creek. Bulverde Spring Fire funds & EMS has and The Rebecca ThereBranch are no in in the fight against time is station placement. To understand t for our thechallenges, bricks understand and mortar to build a fully the District we serve which is 216 square miles. 24-hour station at this time, so a temporary lding will be moved onto that site. This critical 216 square mile area is: erves • the1/4 increasing callsIsland for help by citizens the size of Rhode he Rebecca Creek, Whispering • 9.5 times larger than Manhattan, NYHills, and (22.7 square miles) Springs neighborhoods. V U

DEE

PANORAMA HIG

EVENING SHADOWS DR

PAS

C R EE K

K IN

HANGING OAK

LEY

D R Y BEA R C R K

K F IR ST F O R

CIRCLE OAK DR

TLE

O BST

LONGS PEAK

N LI

BULVERDE/SPRING BRANCH - STATION 3

VAL

A AT

TREE

418

349

3351

I TA

FA W

SPG

IAN

SA RA H

GIC

ITH

SUNLIGHT DR

STRU

YM OL

GE T ER R A C E

ICK

SUGAR

RI D

RIDGE

281

KESW

417

IL D

WA TE

S SPG

AND UPL

ING

RUN

£ ¤

TURK

G EHA

3159

IGO

S C H L AT HE R

O LZ

416

E AMMANN RD

LAND

IND

STONEY

WAY TA PRE IS WAY OLA

AD AMS R D

CR O SS BLF

COM

B R E ME R

R EE N D

MOJADO

CH RD

PGS

317

EK D R

CHAR

E CI T

415

414

WA Y

SCHAEFER

O RG

E TL

LE R

BULVERDE/SPRING BRANCH - STATION 4 - Future

CRESCENT LN

REEK D R MC EL

Y O A K R ID G E PKW

STE

AN T

PASS

CRE

BAY HILL

IT PL

damage. Likewise, in the Hill Country, if brush fires are not contained immediately, the fuel from underbrush 4, which represents residents §in consume the§ northern and the fast igniting Cedar trees can acres and 216 square mile district, just purchased land threaten structures. HI GH

E OL

DE L R AN

YS O

. .E

R ID

BEN

BIG

C O MA L R

RAN

CH GR

CRES

E LL

CANY

M I TC H

PEGG

EE NW VA OO RI D OA OA LLEY ST D KR KL G E ST FL IDG AN VIE VI E W W IN EW E BU T E ST ST ST ST ST DE CK O ER HO NE QU RN D R AIL VA LL DR RU EY N ST ST

ITE

MOUNTRIDGE

OSSING CR

SH A D OW R D G

COMAL PEAK

COMAL CREST

ELK HOLW

BREE

AND

EY VA LL SU N

STAT E H W Y 46 W

GLE NEA EW GLE S WA S LN Y

MA L RU N CO

HIGHL

Y SE

R OD D WO

WINDSTONE

CREST

PASS UN

O LUIS

ROCK

BOBCAT

INDIAN CREEK LN

FORTY SIX PKW Y

ARROY

SAVANNA

LES

CHAR

FLAT

JOHN

MONI

ITA IN NC

MOUNTJOY DR

HILINE DR

MIRA MONTE

RIV

T EN

W AMMANN RD

E LN

ESD 5

S TILL R DG

LE VA L LM

EAGLE

TLE

T RD

ASHFORD DR

385

SO N D R

CAST

W O RT H

AN D ER

INDI

W E NT

OLD BOERNE RD

HI LL SI D

NIXON DR

YORK

ER D R

ADELIN

KUNTZ

PA R K D R

SPARKMAN DR

NANT

V U

AKS

LIC

HR D

RY O

W AT

S HE PH ER DS R A N CH

DE SI

DEVONSHIRE DR

LIVINGSTON RD

COVE

CIR

GREIG DR

SKY

PIO

EAGLE

BRYKERWOOD

384

HILL

BER

TOWRY LN U LN UFNA

TAY LO R P T

SILVER HILLS DR

GLENWOOD LOOP

E FR

KUNTZ RUN

BAMBI

AY W

HAWTHORNE RD

CIR

CIRCLE G RANCH

DESERT GO

RICHMOND AVE

O D PA S S KWO

FRONTIER

STI

CIR

BULLS RUN

HIS WAY

ASCOT AVE

EE CR

N DR

E ACRE

WINDMILL

NTAI

EST

CIRCL

NAVIGATOR

MOU

CENISO

TREE

CED

281

VW NG GI

DOVE

W CLARK ST

TWIN

LON G

£ ¤

ND WI

SHAD

WILLOW SPGS

TUS

SN IE

FORK CRK

AK AS O

IN S

IL L SH

HILL

STEALTH D R FLI GH TL INE IAT OR DR PA SS

E LM R ID G E D R

CAC

SANDY

WILD OAK DR DR

BRITTA

YORKSHIRE DR

D OW S

FLAGGERT DR

RAMROD

GVIE

RAMJE T DR

474

E G

H DR BOROUG

ELINE

SADDLE RDG GREENFIELD

NIG

F R IT Z

BE RRY

GA INS

MOORE DR

MEA

TE X

FENC

R I VER WAY

E DR

LIM

AGOLD DOWNHILL

ROCK PORT

311

ER MM

H EIME R -L AN G E R D

A K R

381

EXETER AVE PAS

OK RLO

A D O BLE

R LT

PAS

RAN

FOXCROSS DR

AUTUMN WOOD

OVE

ROGERS RD

LO M

TL AT

EAF

OP AS S

ERL

PATH

N PATH

F LY IN G R R A N C H RD

383

WINDS TAR LN

FIRETH OR

255

LAB DR

KIGH

W HA

PATRIOT

BULVERDE/SPRING BRANCH - STATION 1

ECC

E OK

D DR

PORTSMOUTH

RKS

ELM

LAN

HOUSE

NA VW

ESA

254

R E W AY

CARRIAGE

RIV

473

NTA

E LB

HIDDE N

RED

EH W

382

ND BE

O VA

BR O

OOK E P LEB R

YE TRL

YUCCA CANY

LEDGE STONE TRL

M NA TA N

DIE

380

O CT

354

E L BE

LON

W NO

SIDI

SPRINGWOOD DR

Y WA

an area as largethat as ourtime rural District, station but placement mmonInexpression is money, in § is a critical part of our Strategic Planning. Emergency y Services, time is lives saved. Emergency (911) calls for medical help are often life-threatening an only drive so toofbe fortocrews andThe incidents, and fast time is the safe essence save a life. fartherso the station medical personnel are stationed from the the road, placement is crucial. We911 caller, the greater the challenge for a successful outcome ave three stations located up and down US once the patient is reached. Structure fires also require 81. fast action to save occupants and their pets, and limit BELL RANCH RD

S AS

S TE

SILV

REB

TWI

353

E AV

MIN

H C AN

END

BUCKE

AG W

ERS

WEIDN

PKW

DREAMLAND

RIV

CIA

WAY

PLAC

PRE

P B RE NT S

ACA

PLACE

PACIFIC

GASS RANCH

G WATER

PERIN

DRIFTWOOD RDG

HA R

352

WHIS

WAY

R GE D

AY DR

E LN

MOSSY HOLW

MIDWAY

COY OTE

TIN

NIGH

D TA IL C V

CUP

WINE

CR A IG

BU C K M EAD O W T R L

D EA N R D

C RO OK E D O A

ONS

RI D

KN IB B

DR SPANISH MOSS

COV

AGUAYO

FOSSIL DR

ESD 4

HILDEBRAND

DR DRAGON FLY

C LI

Y DR HIDEAWA

C A M P FI R E

LAND

TE YO

WINDW

H LI C

RIDGE TR L

AGARITA

C O YO TE T RL

351

SHA

LONG RDG

S PKW

O EVAN

JUMB

PLAC

RENE S SE

GS SP

350

ND WU

349

3351

RIVER

PIGE

RIVER VIEW DR

ING

PKW

GLE

HANGING OAK

RNI

S PA

S FALL

LE S S W I ND

T TRL

STAL

SE R E N I TY

ST RE

SAXE

ING

CRY

PR IN G BRA DS N OL

WIND

RI V

LAND

LEDGEBROOK

O PT

IN PAL AD TR L

N AN

TREE

CAVE DR

LAGUNA

AGAVE

BRUSHY RD

UR S

BEE

LV D

ETT

SU S D R H

LE DR

P H A N TO M TR L

RAYNER

FAWN DR

Y DR

PALM

P EG A

PAR

FOR

BLVD

R AYN ER R A NC

HIL

SADD

C ON TO UR

I FA PA R K ET NS SU GE NC Y RE

CRE EK

B LU FF V IE W

CHERRY

GIC

AUER

N I NN EM

EISENH R I

B E NT O A K

PASS

TIC

SavingWhy Lives through Fire & EMS Station Key Placement ofCrucial Stations Locations are GERVIN

RIO CENTRAL

317

14 years of experience We Offer: • Residential Cleaning • Weekly, bi-weekly, or just one-time cleaning • Move-ins, Move-outs & Make readys • Get $10 oﬀ your ﬁrst cleaning!

210-216-4464

Free Estimates Licensed, Insured and Bonded

for calling advertisers in your The Front neighborhood Porch News Page 11 newsletter FIRST!

Got Time?

By Pam Parmer, Animal Rescue Connections Are you looking for ways to help in the community? Do you or your high-school children need volunteer hours? YOUR efforts can make a huge impact in the community, and satisfaction in a job well-done is the best reward. You can make a difference in your local community by volunteering with Animal Rescue Connections. You don’t have to make a big commitment of time or energy—even a little bit goes a long way. Animal Rescue Connections serves the Bulverde/Spring Branch area by helping rescue cats and dogs, finding them loving homes; conducting Trap-Neuter-Return projects to help reduce the number of outside cats being born; and providing education on animal welfare issues. We need volunteers to help with: • adoption efforts by fostering animals, helping out at the PetSmart adoption center, and entering information in online databases and sites such as Petfinder, • taking pictures and videos of adoptable animals in foster care, • creating courtesy posts for lost/found animals, • fundraising events such as Bulverde Market Days, Garden Ridge rummage sale, and Goodwill collection, • loading new bags of pine pellets we use for litter every 1–2 months and taking them to our storage unit, • feeding feral/community cat colonies in the area, • helping at our monthly TNR class in Spring Branch, • distributing flyers, • transporting cats in traps to the low-cost clinic (Boerne) for spay/ neuter surgeries, and/or • creating marketing materials to help others learn about Animal Rescue Connections and the animals we support. These are just a few of the ways in which YOU can make a BIG DIFFERENCE in the community and in the lives of animals. If you are interested in volunteering, please email info@animalrescueconnections. vpweb.com Lic # B5767

FREE ESTIMATES

Insured Bonded EASY TO U AFFORDABSE LE SYSTEMS

federalsecuritysystems@gvtc.com • www.federalsecuritysystemstexas.com

Specializing in Installing, Monitoring and Maintaining Residential and Commercial Security Systems Family Owned and Operated Serving the Greater San Antonio and Hill Country area for 33 years (Bulverde Resident)

Page 12 February 2015

New Playground Equipment at the Bulverde Community Park The Bulverde City Council and the Friends of the Park recognized late last year that the new Bulverde Community Park provides tremendous park and recreation assets to the citizens of the greater Bulverde area, but also identified a gap in age appropriate playground equipment to accommodate the 5–12 year old age group. Fortunately, this issue was resolved with a generous donation of $30,000 from an anonymous donor in our community for the purchase of a new playground structure that is well suited to 5–12 year olds. The City matched the donated funds to cover the cost of the equipment installation and also the installation of a long-lasting rubber playground safety surface. At the time of this newsletter’s publishing, the equipment installation was well underway and was anticipated to be complete by the end of January. The Bulverde City Council and the Friends of the Park invite you to come out to the Bulverde Community Park to enjoy the new playground equipment and the other many wonderful assets the Park has to offer. If you are interested in making a donation to the Friends of the Park towards the purchase of future equipment, contact Merri Harrison at 210-387-9332. The Friends of the Park, through the Bulverde Community Parks Association, is a 501 c (3) corporation; your donations are fully tax deductible as allowed by law. Consult your tax advisor for more information.

by Tom Blacklock This holiday season was an emotional roller coaster ride for the volunteers and staff of the Bulverde Area Humane Society (BAHS) with the adoption of two of its furry residents that were considered…uh, let’s just say that these two dogs were proving to be difficult to adopt…and then their subsequent return. Adopted by well-intentioned and petexperienced families who were warned that these two dogs each had a challenging history, they both proved to be more than the adopters could accept. The mood at the shelter went from happy to sad when both were returned within days of one another. Added to this up and down ride was the proposed adoption of Lucas, a brown Shepherd mix with the dubious distinction of having been a resident at the shelter longer than any other dog—over 4 years. It wasn’t that Lucas was a mean or aggressive dog, but instead, because of apparent abuse (possibly by a male), it took him a long while to become friendly with staff, volunteers, and visitors. Spirits once again rose when a prospective adopter was willing to take Lucas into her home and work with him to make him part of her family. However, Lucas had other ideas and refused to warm up to the adopter at the shelter. Sadly, the prospective adopter decided Lucas was too frightened to leave a place he was accustomed to, and departed without him.

These two recent successful adoptions continued a trend that started earlier this year when Cara, a lab mix who had never met a fence that could prevent her from exploring the other side, and Peate, a short-legged, barrel-chested pug, who had the attitude of a Rottweiler, both found forever homes after extended stays at the BAHS shelter. The finding of forever homes has not been limited to our doggie residents. May, an older cat who had a litter of kittens at the shelter, is now sunning herself in a window of her new forever home. While the return of some of our former occupants have dampened our spirits, we are encouraged by the successful adoption of several hard-to-adopt furry residents that have found forever homes, and it verifies the prevailing attitude of the BAHS staff and volunteers that there is a perfect home for every one of our charges. It also gives us hope that some of the dogs and cats who have been with us for an extended time will ultimately find the perfect forever home. Because of this belief, the BAHS staff and volunteers are committed to caring for a dog or cat for as long as it takes to find them the right home.

While finding forever homes for these three dogs has not yet met with success, not all the adoptions of dogs who were “adoption challenged” were unsuccessful. One success was Buster, a white bull dog mix who gave the appearance when you approached his pen that he would rather chew on you than on his rawhide bone. However, Buster had one weakness and that was chasing and retrieving a tennis ball. He would chase the ball for hours on end both on level ground and into a large water tank that was in a play field area. And he did not seem to care who was willing to throw the ball. Buster was adopted by a gentleman who was looking to replace a constant companion that had recently crossed the rainbow bridge. This gentleman determined that Buster would be the one and worked with him at the shelter for several weeks before taking him home. Continual reports about Buster (now Bronson) are heart-warming, and he has found the perfect forever home. Another success was the adoption of Wendell, a deaf dog who allegedly had little tolerance for cats. A people-friendly white and brown boxer mix, Wendell played with other dogs and generally enjoyed life even though in a world without sound. Adopted by a family who was aware of his disability, he is doing fine in his new forever home. The Front Porch News

Page 13

Welcomes Recent New and Renewing Members

New Members: AirMedCare Network Campestres Living Homes/Campestres Resorts Goldmasters / Texas Diamond and Jewelry

Renewing Members:

Alamo Title Company Allstate - Barry Savage Agency Bookkeeping by Val Broadway National Bank Bulverde Animal Hospital Bulverde Baptist Church Bulverde Dental Bulverde Hills Dental Bulverde Lions Club Bulverde North Family Dentistry Bulverde Senior Center DBA- Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center Bulverde Thrift Store Buzz Heye - Artist China King Choices & More... Christus Family Medicine Bulverde Courtyard by Marriott North Stone Oak at Crownover, Jen D & G Trucking-Materials Denise DeNicolo LPC Deviney CPA, P.C. DLW Software LLC Edward Jones/Robert Zito Federal Security Systems - Doug Dudycha, FredericRemingtonArt.com, A Prime Equine Geosource, Inc. Gristmill Restaurant Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority

Michael Horner / Gold Financial Services Popcorn Friday, LLC Stoddard Construction Management, Inc.

Highland Homes Hitman Pest Control Hope Hospice K9 Country Club Kelly Erwin - Keller Williams Hill Countr KenCom Real Estate Services LLC Kim Compton with Reliance Residential Rea Lone Star Reprographics, Inc. Morningstar Mini Storage Mr. Electric Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc. Parrish & Company, Inc. Provisions- A 25-35 Outreach River Crossing Club Roadhouse Arts, Inc. Robert Evans at Reliance Residential Real Singing Hills - DJL Development LLC Smithson Valley Family Medicine Associati Sonya D. Wolda, CPA P.C. South Texas Growers, Inc. Spring Branch Tennis Association St. Joseph Church - Honey Creek Summer Hill Dental Texas Landmark Surveying Third Generation Survey and Court House D Thomas Stone and Materials Urgent Care & Occupational Health Centers WellMed @ Bulverde/ Robert Noland M.D. Wendy's of San Antonio #43

Comal Critters Pet Sitting

Insured & Bonded

No creature is too big or small! Available 7 days a week!

Please call for your Free in-home consultation

210.722.8521

www.comalcritters.com Page 14 February 2015

for calling advertisers in your neighborhood newsletter FIRST! They appreciate your business. Neighborhood News, Inc. 210-558-3160

Annual Chamber Award Winners are Honored The Bulverde Spring Branch Chamber honored the recipients of the 2014 Annual Chamber Awards on January 15, 2015 at The Lodge at Bridal Veil Falls. Congratulations to Robert Evans – Community Volunteer of the Year, Mike Johnson – Chamber Volunteer of the Year and Singing Hills/DJL Ventures the 2014 Chamber Business of the Year. The attendees enjoyed a delicious meal by The Reel Seafood House, listened to the Smithson Valley High School Jazz Band and were served by the Canyon Lake High School Jr ROTC and Smithson Valley High School Culinary Arts Students.

Dot’s Burgerz N Brewz

FREE

EVALUATION

For Braces, Dentures, Wisdom Teeth Removal or Second Opinion ~ Up to $75 Value ~

John C. Sykes, D.D.S., P.A. Alyssa R. Cobb, D.D.S. General Dentistry

New Patients Only. With this coupon. Cannot combine with other offers. Expires 2/28/15.

www.bulverdehillsdental.com

WHITENING

Drs. Sykes & Cobb are your personal dentists for:

With Comprehensive Exam, Full Set X-Rays, Routine Cleaning, & Fluoride

Visit our website for specials!

830.980.9004

~ $500 Value ~ With this coupon. Cannot combine with other offers. Expires 2/28/15.

Hwy. 46

City Hall Fire Dept. Post Office

Hwy. 281 N.

Family Dentistry Cosmetic Dentistry Wisdom Teeth Removal Oral & IV Sedation Crowns & Bridges Dentures & Partials Braces & Invisalign

Bulverde Lane

2647 Bulverde Road Bulverde, TX 78163

FREE

FM 1863

Bulverde Road

 N

2647 Bulverde Road 1/2 mile from US HWY 281

Customer service is our first priority!

150 OFF

With Comprehensive Exam, Full Set X-Rays, Routine Cleaning, & Fluoride ~ Regularly $300 ~ New Patients Only. Offer good only for patients without insurance. With this coupon. Cannot combine with other offers. Expires 2/28/15.

The Front Porch News

Page 15

Local Nonprofit News St. Jude’s Ranch for Children has a couple of exciting events to report!

 First, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children is proud to announce

their new Director of Development, Michael Newhouse. Michael has over 10 years of experience in helping nonprofit organizations grow their missions, and he is excited to be joining the St. Jude’s Ranch team. St. Jude’s Ranch serves over 100 abused, abandoned and neglected children each year in Bulverde and New Braunfels as well as foster and adopt placements throughout the area.



The 22nd annual Jingle Bell 5k Run at Gruene Hall in December was a huge success! Almost 2,000 people braved the foggy morning to show their Christmas spirit and support St. Jude’s Ranch for Children. Thank you for helping our kids! St. Jude’s offers a BIG thank you to the presenting sponsor, Comal ISD Community Education, for their generous and enthusiastic support and partnership to make the Jingle Bell Run such a success. Thank you to these sponsors as well: the GVTC Foundation, The Burton family, Frost Bank, HEB, U-Run, Athlete Guild and Airrosti Rehab Centers. Thank you also to Starbucks for the coffee, Rudy’s BBQ for the sausage wraps, New Braunfels Brewing Company for the post-race beer for the runners, Revolucion Coffee and Juice for providing juice, KIND Bars for their delicious snack bars, Camp Gladiator for their boot camp classes and providing the pre-race warm-up, Yoga on Bulverde for providing post-race stretching for everyone, and Comal FIT for organizing the Health Fair.

r Painting

Thank you to our Race Director, Scott Wood with Athlete Guild, for his expert service and thank you to Santa and Mrs. Claus for bringing Christmas Cheer! Also, a big thank you to New Braunfels Police Chief Tom Wibert for coming out bright and early start the race, and to the Comal County Sheriff’s Department for providing security along the course to keep everyone safe! Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers who helped to make the race happen!

First Chance Foundation Honored as 2014 Top-Rated Nonprofit Bulverde-based nonprofit First Chance Foundation was honored with a prestigious 2014 Top-Rated Award by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews about nonprofit organizations. The new GreatNonprofits.org Award is based on positive online reviews. “We are excited to be named a Top-Rated 2014 Nonprofit,” says Heather Swindall, Executive Director, First Chance Foundation. “We are proud of our 2014 accomplishments, including directly providing 90 brand new coats to children in the foster care system, 100 new sets of hats, scarves, and gloves to homeless children and children in local shelters, prepared 500 comfort packages for children removed from their homes, provided 250 meal bags to homeless teens, as well as giving financial and in-kind donations to multiple children’s organizations.” The Top-Rated Nonprofit award was based on the large number of positive reviews that First Chance Foundation received—reviews written by volunteers, donors, and clients. People posted their personal experience with the nonprofit. For example, one person wrote, “What a wonderful and meaningful organization of caring people who are making a difference to the littlest of souls whose depth of struggles we may never fully know.” About First Chance Foundation The First Chance Foundation’s mission is to financially and physically assist other nonprofit organizations with the nurturing and development of disadvantaged children. www.firstchancefoundation.org

Interior & Exterior Painting by WMG Services Inc.

0) 845-8757

Kevin & Kathy Kelly VACATION SPECIALISTS

Timberwood Park Residents 1110 Slumber Pass San Antonio, TX 78260-5369 kkelly@cruiseone.com

(830) 714-4420 (Business) (844) 223-5574 (Toll Free) www.cruiseone.com/kkelly

INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

Page 16 February 2015

• • • • • •

Affordable and Professional Remodeling Sheetrock - Texturing Replace Rotted Wood References provided Pressure Washing Bonded and Insured

Call for Free Estimates

(210) 845-8757

When preparing for the February edition, we sent out a request to readers and local photographers for their best rodeo-themed photos. Talk about an overwhelming response! We received photos of such varied composition and genre, but still, all were rodeo- or western-themed. It was so hard to choose for a cover, so we’re including some of the other fabulous photos for your viewing pleasure. Included here are photos by Jennifer HamlettWilkerson (Hamlett Photography), John Mohar (JMohar on SmugMug), Richard Clark (CatchIt Photos), and Michelle Grizzell (Seize the Light Photography). Many thanks to everyone who submitted their art.

BEFORE

Special Offer! Use our Design Your Bath tool today by visiting

www.geniebathsystems.com and start making your bathroom wishes come true!

A Complete 500 Off! Bath Remodel

INSTALLED IN AS LITTLE AS ONE DAY! AFTER

• Bath & Shower Liners • Complete Bathroom Remodels • Tub-to-Shower Conversions • Walk-in Tubs • Accessories & Fixtures • Over 100 Design Choices • Factory Trained Installers • Military Discounts Available

210.739.1420 The Front Porch News

Page 17

Customer Service and Work Ethic…Where Did They Go? Sherry Mosier, President A frequent comment I hear from the general public is frustration with lack of good customer service. More often than not, employees do not have positive attitudes, are not cordial to the customer, and are not willing to go above and beyond to answer questions, take care of customer concerns, or make the customer feel special. This attitude can put any business “out of business,” and it often does. In fact, when I was the Director for the City of Windcrest Economic Development Corporation, the employees at Rackspace stated that if they don’t receive good customer service the first time they visited a new restaurant or business there were no second chances. Ouch! Customer service is the foundation of a successful business, and it is all tied to work ethic and pride in one’s performance. Along that same concept, a comment most often heard by economic developers from businesses is their challenges in finding quality employees with good work ethic and customer service skills. It seems that everyone wants that paycheck, but more often than not they are not really willing to work for it. These days there appears to be this unjustified sense of entitlement amongst many in our workforce…I put in my hours, but only do the minimum, and because I put in my time “they owe me.” I must be old fashioned, but I was raised with the value that if you want something, you have to work hard for it because nothing in life is accomplished without hard work. A wise person once told me that you have to kiss a lot of frogs to advance in your career, and even if you are only a ditch digger, you need to be the best ditch digger to stand out from the rest. Just because you graduated from high school or may have earned a college degree doesn’t mean that you will automatically step into a high paying job right out of school. Especially, if you have no real skills or work experience to hang your hat on or, as in a lot of cases, are lacking in your work ethic. I’ve approached a few very unique businesses about opening up another location in our area, but I am often told they can’t even consider opening another location because they just can’t find good employees anymore, and are working many long hours themselves just to keep the business going. In fact, several have indicated they can’t even take a vacation because they can’t trust anyone to take care of things while they’re gone. Now that’s a problem! This is real issue and appears to be a national epidemic. I’m not saying all employees have this lack of work ethic and customer service skills, but a fair amount do, and it’s really hitting our small businesses hard. You’ve heard me say it before—small businesses are the backbone of Page 18 February 2015

our economy—about 75% to 80% worth; and if these businesses can’t find good employees, what does that do to our economy? Hmm… I remember years ago when I was in my early 20s, I worked as a server at Tom’s Ribs in San Antonio. Tom was a great boss in many respects, but was hardnosed in his expectations for performance, and if you wanted to keep your job, you had to perform. If you didn’t show up for work on time…you were sent home, if you didn’t do your side work and clean your section at the end of your shift to his standards…you were taken off the schedule for a few days. If you didn’t provide excellent customer service…you were taken off the schedule permanently. Tom’s attitude was ‘if you weren’t willing to do those necessary things that kept his restaurant clean and made it run effectively to satisfy his customers, that in turn yielded decent profits to provide you a paycheck, then you must not really want the job too bad.’ I challenge employers to mimic Tom’s attitude, but I also challenge more employees to improve their work ethic and aspire to provide good customer service. Imagine what this could do for our local economy. Please help Bulverde/ Spring Branch earn the reputation as the place to find good employees and a place known for its incredible customer service. The BSBEDF is committed to assisting our community in its efforts to manage growth while maintaining our rural character and quality of life. For more information about who we are and what we do, please visit our website at www.bsbedf.com or call us at 830.885.4331.

Prominent Properties BUYING

SELLING

FRIENDLY ADVICE

JoDee Gilmore Realtor® Direct

210.887.5885 •

Fax

210.957.7171

JoDeeGilmore@gmail.com • www.JoDeeGilmore.com SAN ANTONIO MARKETS DEFY SEASONAL TRENDS This is a GREAT Time to Buy OR Sell. CALL ME TODAY! I CAN HELP. Specializing in - Residential Home & Land Sales, Owner Finance Properties, Luxury Home Marketing & Sales, VA & Tx Vet Programs VISIT www.JoDeeGilmore.com FOR A FULL LIST of HOMES FOR SALE in YOUR AREA

Meet

Laurie Wilson

Executive Director of the Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center high school students, and soon a new color of paint was put on the inside walls. With that one change, rentals began to pick up and more activity started happening. Laurie made it her goal to make at least one change every year to keep the Activity Center fresh and modern. Laurie Wilson is the executive director at the Bulverde Spring Under Laurie Wilson’s direction, community involvement Branch Activity Center. She has been at the center for the past and services offered have increased. The Meals on Wheels 5 years. Laurie is a wife, mom, and savvy businesswoman. program has grown from 5 to 50+ households. Her biggest accomplishment to date was raising the money to add on Laurie has been in Bulverde area since her elementary school the new addition in 2013 that doubled the square footage days. She is a proud graduate of SVHS. She attended college of the building. in Houston, married her high school sweetheart, and moved back to the area. Claudia Selko, one of the members, described Laurie as having “a brain that has a million rooms in it and an In 2009, Laurie was running a very successful business. She unbelievable capacity. She never forgets anything and has decided it was taking too much time away from her family unlimited ideas.” When asked “what keeps you coming and closed that business. She still needed something to do back?” Laurie very quickly responds, “My seniors and my while her children were in school and took a part-time job at staff. They are so very special to me.” And there is no doubt the Activity Center. A short time later the director position that the feeling is mutual. became open and Laurie was asked to become the director. If you have not visited the Bulverde Spring Branch Activity One of the first things on her to-do-list was to freshen up the Center lately stop by, take a tour and meet Laurie Wilson. appearance of the center. Laurie contacted some middle and We are located at 30280 Cougar Bend.

Hassle Free Printing We Take Printing Seriously…Not Ourselves.

On the Cover February is synonymous with rodeo if you live in or near San Antonio, but Bulverde boasts a rodeo almost all year around! And, it ain’t a rodeo unless there is Mutton Bustin’! This cutie looks like she’s had some experience in the arena and can hang on to that sheep no problem! This fun photo was taken by John Mohar, a regular photographer on the rodeo circuit at Tejas Rodeo. John has a robust portfolio of rodeo photos, as well several other subjects in his SmugMug gallery (search “JMohar”). We appreciate John’s submission to the Front Porch News! Now, let’s rodeo, everyone!

Plant tours available!

Visit us at www.shweiki.com Email samplEs@shwEiki for a frEE quotE or call 512-480-0860

The Front Porch News

Page 19

The Buzz From the Garden by Joanne Hall, Chair, Bulverde Community Garden

February is a slower time in the garden, but peas are a big hit this month. Nathan Summar has planted open pollinated Oregon Sugar Pod 2 seeds along the fence line. David Eastman has also planted this variety of peas, as well as Broccoli Raab, in the Bulverde Activity Center’s plot. After working compost into the soil in his trellis plot, David has planted Wando shelling peas on one side of the trellis and Cascadia snap peas on the other side. We are expecting a bumper crop of peas in the Garden later in the season. He has also planted a full row of Danvers 126 carrots. The Bulverde Community Garden Committee wants to thank David Eastman for his presentation, “Planning Your Spring Vegetable Garden” which took place on Saturday, January 24 at the Bulverde Activity Center. David is a member of the Gardening Volunteers of South Texas, a life-long gardener and tomato aficionado. He has been gardening since he was a young boy helping his grandparents on the family farm. He has grown multiple “Top Tomato” contest winners (pictured). The presentation was well attended by garden plot holders and the general public. The Bulverde Community Garden Committee holds quarterly workshops on various gardening topics; the next one will be held in April. There is no cost, and the workshops are open to the public. Broccoli has flourished this season and continues to be harvested in the Garden. Broccoli Bread has been selected for this month’s featured recipe.

DOUBLE PANE WINDOWS • MIRRORED WALLS REPLACEMENT GLASS • SHOWER ENCLOSURES GLASS TABLE TOPS Free Estimates

B&T Glass & Mirror TOMMY MOON BRIAN MOON Page20 20 November February 2015 Page 2014

656-8507

“WHAT’S IN THE GARDENER’S KITCHEN?”

BROCCOLI BREAD

From the kitchen of Jan Coleman, Memphis, TN 1 tsp salt 1 box Jiffy cornbread mix 1 stick margarine, melted 4 eggs 2 cups grated cheddar cheese 1 large onion, chopped 1 can Mexican-style corn, drained well 2 to 3 cups chopped broccoli florets Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. In a bowl mix together all ingredients until just blended. Pour into prepared baking dish. Bake for 45 minutes or until set and lightly browned. Serves 12 If you or your business would like to secure a plot (at no cost) or make a donation, please visit the garden website at www.bulverdecommunitygarden.com or contact Joanne Hall at jothall@gvtc.com. The Bulverde Community Garden Committee meets the third Monday of the month at the Bulverde Activity Center at 5:15pm. The meeting is open to the public.

BSB Library Challenges You to the

2015 Read Harder Challenge

by Susan Herr, BSB Library Director Our favorite Youth Services Librarian, Elizabeth Hoff, posted the Book Riot 2015 Read Harder Challenge link (http://bookriot.com/2014/12/15/book-riot-2015-readharder-challenge) on our BSB Library’s Facebook page just as I was debating what my New Year’s resolutions should be, besides the usual ones that I rarely complete (lose weight, etc.). As I haven’t done anything like this before, I decided to take up the challenge! I would like to challenge you to Read Harder with me this year!

Americans younger than the age of 30 were significantly more likely than older adults to read a book in print in the last year. This year I want to test that statistic by taking a count of readers using our library to find out what age group they are in. We will post a box in the library and put a survey on our website where you can be counted when you read a book and be categorized into your age. Then we’ll see who read more print books in our community!

Some of the categories listed for the challenge include “A book written by someone when he or she was over the age of 65 or under the age of 25,” “a book published by an indie press,” and “a book that takes place in Asia,” just to name a few. The library staff will be adding some of our own categories as well on our website challenge page. Book Riot very nicely links to ideas for the categories on their website. To help you with this challenge, our website will link to those books we have access to in our library— either book, audiobook, or ebook. You decide how many books you will read (I chose 24).

SEPTIC

I also recently read a statistic from the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project that stated that

Residential & Commercial Proudly Serving South Texas for over 10 Years!

• Conventional Septic & Aerobic Installations • Aerobic Maintenance Contracts • Septic Tank Cleaning

METRO PAINTING & HOME IMPROVEMENTS Carpentry • Tile • Dry Wall • Pressure Washing Painting • Interior • Exterior Call for Free Estimates David Espinoza, Owner

210-749-9434

• Drain Field Repairs • Real Estate Inspections

25 OFF Any Service

Licensed & Insured #0S0028816 #0S0023596 #MP0001294

(210)

889-4606

mjseptic@satx.rr.com Hablamos Español

Senior Citizen & Military Discounts The Front Porch News

Page 21

Native Plant Society of Texas

Lindheimer Chapter Plant of the Month

Anacacho Orchid Tree, Bauhinia lunarioides Text by John Siemssen. Photos by Sally & Andy Wasowski, Annie Paulson Gillespie and Bruce Leander, Wildflower Center

The Anacacho Orchid Tree is a small tree or multi-trunked shrub, 6' to 12' tall. Although uncommon in the wild, it can generally be found at nurseries that carry native plants. Its common name stems from the area where it is found growing naturally: the Anacacho Mountains of the western Edwards Plateau, where it is found growing in canyons and arroyos, primarily in Kinney County and a few other spots in Texas and northeast Mexico.

cold damage in severe winters. Although it is considered deer resistant, any new plant should be given protection. Small trees may need additional protection during the fall rutting season. Note. Anacacho Orchid Tree is a NPSOT NICE!TM selection for Spring 2015. Previous Plants of the Month can be found on the NPSOT Lindheimer Chapter Website: http:// npsot.org/wp/lindheimer/plant-ofthe-month/

Flower and Leaf Detail

The other part of its name, Orchid Tree, refers to the attractive, fragrant white or pink orchid-like flowers, which appear in the spring, from March to May, and sometimes in the fall after heavy rains. The nectar in the flowers attracts butterflies and bees. Seeds occur in flattened pods, indicative of the fact that this plant is in the Pea Family (Fabaceae). When not in bloom, its unique leaves, resembling a cloven hoof, provide interest. As would be expected from its native locations, Anacacho Orchid Tree does best in rocky, limestone soils. Good drainage is essential. Give it full sun to part shade. Locations on the south side of a building will offer protection from

Need a place to stay in San Antonio? Donâ€™t stay in a hotel! Enjoy all the comforts of home in a furnished 4 bedroom 2.5 bath home near the Quarry, downtown and Fort Sam Houston! -4 bed * 2.5 bath * 2 living areas * large backyard -Fully furnished home, washer & dryer. -Restaurants, groceries, museums & art galleries nearby. -Can arrange for meals, meetings, transportation. Near N New Braunfels & Nacogdoches; 78209 zip

Call (210) 710-5319 or visit

vrbo.com/615673

USDA Range Map â€“ Texas

Anacacho Orchid Tree

Page 22 February 2015

Protecting Your Home and Property from Spend Valentine’s Evening at Mimi Goodtime’s Speakeasy! The BSB Activity Center invites everyone to attend their Valentine’s dance on Saturday, February 14th. The doors open at 5:30 for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and dancing! Mimi’s Speakeasy will offer a roaring good time! Call the Activity Center for more details: 830.438.3111

Enjoy Another Great Performance at S.T.A.G.E. S.T.A.G.E., Inc. is honored to present Second Samuel, a comedy/drama by Pamela Parker, on February 19 through March 8. “It was a simple time in the late 1940’s when Miss Gertrude passed away, and deep dark secrets were about to be revealed.” Contact S.T.A.G.E. for complete ticket and showtime information at (830) 438-2339.

WE INSTALL Flat Screen TVs

Audio Equipment Surround Sound Whole House Audio Family Owned and Operated FREE ESTIMATES

Services Provided:

• Mount TVs in a clean and stylish look. • Install surround sound systems or speakers throughout the whole house (regardless if wired or not wired). • Provide equipment such as receivers that are programmed to work with your home’s wireless network as well as your smart phones, ceiling speakers, wall speakers, tower speakers and TV brackets, HDMI cables and more. • Find solutions for your home entertainment, relocate and add a TV, internet or phone line to a better location. Over 10 years of experience. Roland Rodriguez

210-542-5305

Roger Rodriguez

210-882-8351

RnR@TVnSound.com

By Larry Sunn Given the winds, tall dead grass, and dry winter days, wildfires in our area are always a threat. However, a wildfire doesn’t have to burn everything in its path. In fact, cleaning your property of debris and maintaining your landscaping are important first steps to helping minimize damage and loss. The work you do today can make an important difference. Follow these simple action steps now and throughout the year to prepare and help reduce the risk of your home and property becoming fuel for a wildfire: • Clear leaves and other debris from gutters, eaves, porches and decks. This prevents embers from igniting your home. • Remove dead vegetation from under your deck and within 10 feet of the house. • Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches. • Screen or box in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating. • Remove flammable materials (firewood stacks, propane tanks, dry vegetation) within 30 feet of your home’s foundation and outbuildings, including garages and sheds. If it can catch on fire, don’t let it touch your house, deck, or porch. • Wildfire can spread to tree tops. If you have trees on your property, prune so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet from the ground. • Keep your lawn hydrated and maintained. If it is brown, cut it down to reduce fire intensity. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire. • Don’t let debris and lawn cuttings linger. Dispose of these items quickly to reduce fuel for fire. • Inspect shingles or roof tiles. Replace or repair those that are loose or missing to prevent ember penetration. • Cover exterior attic vents with metal wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch to prevent sparks from entering the home. • Enclose under-eave and soffit vents or screen with metal mesh to prevent ember entry. Jodie Petry

Community Liaison 3740 Colonyand Drive, Suite 120 by: Published distributed

We’ll get the word out.

Neighborhood News, Inc. San Antonio, Texas 78230 3740 Drive Suite 120 Phone:Colony 210-558-3160 San Antonio, TX 78230 Toll Free: 866-558-3160 (210) 558-3160 * (210) 558-3163 fax Fax: 210-558-3163 Jodie@NeighborhoodNews.com

Info@NeighborhoodNews.com

www.NeighborhoodNews.com www.NeighborhoodNews.com For advertising sales and information please call or send an email to Sales@NeighborhoodNews.com Articles that appear in the City of Bulverde newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official position of Neighborhood News, Inc. and their publication does not constitute an endorsement therein. The appearance of any advertisement in the City of Bulverde newsletter does not constitute an endorsement by Neighborhood News, Inc. of the goods or services advertised. Neighborhood News, Inc. is not responsible for errors beyond the cost of the actual ad space. Any publication of Neighborhood News, Inc., whether draft or final is the sole property of Neighborhood News, Inc. and cannot be reproduced or distributed in any way, whether in print or electronically, without the express written consent of Neighborhood News, Inc. ©Neighborhood News, Inc.

The Front Porch News

Page 23

PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID SAN ANTONIO, TX PERMIT NO. 1568

Bulverde City Hall 30360 Cougar Bend Bulverde, Texas 78163

Time Dated

*********ECRWSSEDDM**** Local Postal Customer

Sunday

FEBRUARY 2015

Monday

Groundhog Day

Tuesday

Wellness on Wheels 9:00a (Provisions)

Wednesday Thursday

SBB Family Lions 7:30p (Activity Center)

City Council/P&Z joint meeting (Transportation plan)

BAAC Mtg.

Bulverde

and other local events Friday

Saturday

FREE CPR/ Chamber Rodeo Chamber Rodeo 7:30p 7:30p First Aid Class 6:00p

(Tejas Rodeo)

Sunday

Second Samuel (S.T.A.G.E.)

Monday

MARCH 2015 Tuesday

Wellness on Wheels 9:00a (Provisions)

(353 Rodeo Dr.)

Planning & Zoning

6:30p

(Art Ctr.)

Wednesday Thursday

SBB Family Lions 7:30p

Saturday

FREE CPR/ Second Samuel Second Samuel (S.T.A.G.E.) (S.T.A.G.E.) First Aid Class 6:00p

(Activity Center)

(353 Rodeo Dr.)

BAAC Mtg.

Second Samuel (S.T.A.G.E.)

6:30p

Friday

(Art Ctr.)

5:30p

Friends of the Library Board 1:30p (Library)

City Council 6:30p

Wine & Art 6:00p

President’s Day Community Garden Mtg. 5:15p

Native Plant Soc. 7:00p

(GVTC)

2:00p

(353 Rodeo Dr.)

Bulverde Lions (Bulv. Comm. Ctr.)

(Activity Center)

7:30p (Activity Center)

Second Samuel (S.T.A.G.E.)

Friends of the Library Board 1:30p (Library)

Community Garden Mtg. 5:15p

(Activity Center)

(353 Rodeo Dr.)

ESD #1, 4, & 5

CISD Spring Break

7:00p

(353 Rodeo Dr.)

Second Samuel (S.T.A.G.E.)

Friends of the Park 6:00p Bracken Christian School Preview 6:00p

Bulverde Lions 7:00p

(Bulv. Comm. Ctr.)

P.O.E.T. Program

6:00p (City Hall)

Second Samuel Second Samuel Second Samuel (S.T.A.G.E.) (S.T.A.G.E.) (S.T.A.G.E.)

NOTES: Bulverde City Council, Bulverde Planning and

Zoning Commission, and Friends of the Park meetings are held at Bulverde City Hall (30360 Cougar Bend)

City Council

Free Outdoor Cat Control Class

6:30p

Bulverde Lions 7:00p

(Bulv. Comm. Ctr.)

St. Partrick’s Day Native Plant Soc.

First Day of Spring

7:30p

ESD #1, 4, & 5

CISD Spring Break

(Activity Center)

CISD Spring Break

Friends of the Park

BSBES 6:00p

7:00p

(353 Rodeo Dr.)

SBB Family Lions

(GVTC)

6:00p

2:00p

Wine & Art 6:00p (Art Center)

Library District Board 4:00p (Library)

5:30p

Ash Wednesday Chinese New Second Samuel Second Samuel (S.T.A.G.E.) (S.T.A.G.E.) Year SBB Family BSBES 6:00p Lions

CISD Holiday

St. Valentine’s Day Mimi Goodtime’s Speakeasy Dance

7:00p

(Activity Center)

Free Outdoor Cat Control Class

CISD Holiday

(Art Center)

Library District Board 4:00p (Library)

Lincoln’s Birthday

(353 Rodeo Dr.)

7:00p

(353 Rodeo Dr.)

CISD Spring Break

Bulverde Lions 7:00p

(Bulv. Comm. Ctr.)

P.O.E.T. Program

6:00p (City Hall)

NOTES: Bulverde City Council, Bulverde Planning and

Zoning Commission, and Friends of the Park meetings are held at Bulverde City Hall (30360 Cougar Bend)