District 8 Neighborhood Alliance

Councilman A Hall "E-Blast" Update 050407

Bob Ross Senior Resource Center is Open

Friends and Neighbors,



The Bob Ross Senior Resource Center is now open!
After a long anticipated wait and a few set backs, the Department of Community Initiatives was able to open the center for business and hosted its grand opening last Tuesday, April 24.




A photo of the late Bob Ross hangs in the main lobby of the center

Local and federal leaders joined seniors who shuttled in, braving the rain, to celebrate the grand opening of a new center designed specifically for the needs and desires of seniors. Hanna Ross, with the help of dignitaries, cut the ribbon to officially open the Bob Ross Senior Multi-Service Health and Resource Center. The 24,000-square foot facility, located in the Medical Center at 2219 Babcock Rd., is named in honor of her late husband, former City Councilman and senior citizen advocate Bob Ross.

District 8 Councilman Art Hall, City Manager Sheryl Sculley and Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo joined Ross and U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina Carbonell for a center tour following a keynote speech by Carbonell and ribbon cutting ceremony. The ADA accessible facility is a Wi-Fi hotspot and includes a computer lab, exercise pool, workout room, medical screening area and reading and dining rooms. There is also an arts and crafts room complete
with a demonstration kitchen.


Local leaders gathered with the Ross family to celebrate the opening of the new center

“These grounds, which once housed the Children’s Shelter, have transitioned from caring for our youngest citizens now to our oldest. I have been privileged to play a role in its rebirth,” said Councilman Hall. “I want to thank the voters who approved the City and County bonds during my first months in office in 2003. I also applaud everyone
who helped bring to fruition a vision that was championed by a dedicated servant.”


City Councilman Art Hall spoke of the project which began under his term

Councilman Hall successfully proposed the naming of the center for Bob Ross. Ross served as the first chair of the City/County Joint Commission on Elderly Affairs, City Councilman, and was a longtime senior advocate. It was the commission, led by Ross, which voiced the need for the facility. City Council and Bexar County Commissioners supported the recommendation, funding construction with voter-approved bonds and assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“With an estimated 75 percent growth of our senior population in this region by 2020, it’s vital that our community provide avenues for seniors to stay healthy and active,” said Sculley. “Services offered at this facility are designed for life-enrichment and to help prevent or better manage chronic health conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease.”


U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina Carbonell

The center will offer direct and convenient access to services for seniors age 60 and older from the City’s Department of Community Initiatives (DCI), San Antonio Metropolitan Health District and 3-1-1 Customer Service. Bexar County and several local agencies are also partnering with the City to provide assistance. Seniors will be offered services that touch their everyday life such as health screenings, wellness programs, nutritious meals, product demonstrations, education, social and cultural activities, volunteer opportunities, and eventually, gardening.

“Our hope is that seniors will take full advantage of the comprehensive services offered here,” said Commissioner Elizondo, Precinct 2. “We believe that it is a timely addition with the first members of the Baby Boom generation turning 65 in 2011.”

Area seniors provided input in the design of the Bob Ross Center. The venue will allow them to enjoy the companionship of peers, recreational activities, and exercise. It will be managed by DCI’s Senior Services Division.


RMG Health Centers donated $1,569.90 to the Senior Resource Center

For more information, visit www.sanantonio.gov/comminit/eds/bobrosscenter.asp or call the center at 207-5300.

If I can be of any additional assistance to you on this or any other issue, please contact the District 8 Field Office at 692.0463 or the City Hall office at 207.2888.



Thank you for letting me be of service to you and our great district.






ART A. HALL

City Councilman, District 8

District 9 Announcements

District 8 Announcements:



Give us your input!

Councilman Art A. Hall and the Parks and Recreation Department are proud to have in development two park projects that will both enhance the district landscape and honor two District 8 residents who proudly served the citizens of the City of San Antonio.

Shot and killed by a suspect he was attempting to arrest in the early morning hours of February 22, 1988, Officer Edwin J. Gorrell fought bravely for his life while in a coma until his death in July 1988, at the young age of 34. At the time of his death, Officer Gorrell was married with two young children. Each year, Officer Gorrell’s wife and children visit Police Memorial ceremonies to remember their fallen hero. The City’s Parks Department is proposing renaming the current Ridge Chase Park to Officer Edwin J. Gorrell Memorial Park. It is the family’s hope that the renaming of the park in his honor will give the surviving members of his family, including his parents, children, and young grandchildren, a place they can visit often to reflect on the life of service and sacrifice of Officer Gorrell.

Councilwoman Bonnie Conner was elected to the San Antonio City Council in 1999 and re-elected in 2001, serving two, accomplishment filled, terms. During her terms on City Council, Councilwoman Conner remained particularly proud of the reputation she gained of having open communication between City Hall and District 8 neighborhoods and constituents. Councilwoman Conner was active in several community service capacities for many years prior to her City Council service. In 1996, she co-authored the City’s Tree Preservation Ordinance and formed Friends of Medina River; a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving a river corridor in south San Antonio. From 1997 to 1998 she served on the City Parks and Recreation Board and Open Space Advisory Board. Councilwoman Conner has, to this day, remained passionate about Parks and Recreation and environmental issues. Prior to her career in public service, Councilwoman Conner taught public school for 21 years in the Edgewood, San Antonio and Northside Independent Schools Districts, showing her dedication to the personal advancement of individuals citywide. The City’s Parks Department, partnered with Councilman Art Hall’s office, would like to rename Hausman Park, adjacent to the new John Igo Library, to Bonnie Conner Park.

We would like to gather citizen input into the renaming of the parks! You can email Janice Pokrant at Janice.pokrant@sanantonio.gov and let us know what you think!



Extreme Neighborhood Target Sweep Program applications being accepted!!

Housing & Neighborhood Services is accepting applications for participation in the Extreme Neighborhood Target Sweep Program. Attached is the FY07-08 application. Deadline for submission is June 29, 2007. Please distribute this information to neighborhood/community leaders, groups and organizations that might be interested in applying. The application may be downloaded from the City’s website at www.sanantonio.gov/nad. Joe Frank Picazo, Special Projects Coordinator, may be contacted for technical assistance at 207-2820 or by cell phone at 219-5933.

If you would like to subscribe to the E-Pulse, please contact Felicia Esparza at Felicia.Esparza@SanAntonio.gov.

City News Releases

City News Releases:
Full story available by clicking hyperlink

5/2: Main Plaza Redevelopment Project Update
One lane in the block of West Commerce Street adjacent to Main Plaza is temporarily closed for approximately two weeks as construction crews install a storm drain as part of the Main Plaza Redevelopment Project. The closure, which went into effect today, only impacts the south lane of Commerce Street closest to the plaza from Soledad to S. Main Street. All other lanes of Commerce are open.

5/1: San Antonio to Celebrate Older Americans Month
Seniors and their contributions to our community will be celebrated as the City of San Antonio recognizes Older Americans Month in May. The Department of Community Initiatives’ Senior Services Division is spearheading two separate events to honor seniors.



4/25: Early voting for May 12th City Election begins April 30th
Early voting for the May 12th City of San Antonio General and Special Election begins Monday, April 30, 2007. Early voting sites are located at the Bexar County Courthouse and 42 other locations. Voting hours vary depending on date and location.



4/24: Process begins for crafting City’s 2008 Budget
The City’s annual budget process is already underway. Again this year, City budget planners are soliciting input from residents and employees to help formulate a proposed balanced budget for the City’s 2008 Fiscal Year (FY) that will be presented to City Council and to the community on August 16.



4/21: City to utilize solar technology to collect wastes in the downtown area
The City of San Antonio, as part of an international recognition of Earth Day on April 22, is joining a list of municipal governments across the country that are establishing policies and programs encouraging the use of solar energy. In an effort to take advantage of the benefits of solar technology, the City soon will embark on a pilot program that will utilize solar-powered trash compactors to reduce the cost of collecting wastes in the downtown area.













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