Northcliffe

Articles from the September newsletter

Sep 02, 2006

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT:

Tuesday evening, August 15th, The City of Schertz City Council conducted a public hearing for the purpose of amending the City?’s official Zoning Map. The Public was heard from in epic proportion! People?’s concerns and objections were heard until after 10 p.m., and most speakers were VERY unhappy with the proposed changed to the map and the Unified Development Code, (UDC). Most of the concerns dealt with the changes in the southern part of the city that would change the zoning of private farms/ranches to General Business. Residents feared that the new changes would deprive them of their right to utilize their land as they wanted to, and would prohibit them from passing the land onto future generations to continue farming. Not only were they heard, but they produced almost 400 signatures on a petition recommending that the proposed changes NOT be accepted. Many of the signatures came from residents of Scenic hills, Northcliffe, Fairhaven and The Fairways. While the public received many assurances that their fears were unfounded, the City Council agreed that there were several corrections that needed to be made to the revised map, and that clauses that would protect the land needed to be added to the UDC. The Council, therefore, voted 3 to 1 to disapprove the proposed changes and send everything back to Planning and Zoning to begin the process all over again. The people spoke and their concerns were validated. It was great to see that the democratic process worked!

?“Tis?’ the Season?” ?– For Snakes!!

When I first moved to Northcliffe I was told that there were no poisonous snakes here. Maybe that was true at one time, but no longer. Three years ago my dog was bitten by a rattlesnake, and within a week I discovered two more in my back yard. Last year, while cleaning leaves from under a shrub, I found another rattler. This year two dogs in Scenic Hills were bitten, and a homeowner in Northcliffe found one while weeding under a shrub. Cottonmouths (water moccasins) have also been spotted near ponds on the golf course. I haven?’t heard of anyone seeing a Coral snake yet, but if you see a snake with a red stripe right beside a yellow stripe, beware, that may be a Coral snake, and they are more venomous than rattlers. The hot, dry weather has them looking for shade and water, and all of the building going on around us is disturbing their habitat. They are looking for relief and new homes, so please be very careful when walking in deep grass, around ponds or working in your yards. The following was recently published in the San Antonio Express News:

?“There are four venomous snakes in Texas, and South Texas is home to all of them. They are the rattler, copperhead, cotton mouth and coral snake, and they are especially active in warm weather.

What to do if you are bitten:
?• Remain calm and call the South Texas Poison Center at (800) 764-7661.
?• Go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
?• Remove jewelry from bitten hand, arm or foot.
?• Immobilize the bitten limb; treat it as if it were broken.
?• Wash the bite with soap and water if readily available.

What not to do:
?• Do NOT try to cut the wound
?• Do NOT try to suck out the venom.
?• Do NOT apply a tourniquet.
?• Do NOT apply an electrical shock.
?• Do NOT put ice on the wound.
?• These methods are not effective treatment for venomous snake bites and often cause more damage than the snake bite itself.?”

Debbie Bell


WHAT?’S UP AROUND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD?


FREE LINE DANCE CLASSES:

One of our homeowners has been conducting line dance classes that are sponsored by the Methodist Health Care System. Everyone is welcome to come to the old Northcliffe Fire Hall on Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Please call Dorothy at (830) 606-0501 for more information.

AARP DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM

Do you want to update your driving skills and knowledge and get an insurance discount at the same time? If the answer is ?“yes?”, here?’s your opportunity. A Driver Safety Program class will be held on Thursday and Friday, October 5 & 6 from 1:00 to 5:00 at the Scenic Hills Lodge.

Attendance at both sessions is required to obtain a certificate. You do not have to be an AARP member to participate. Class materials are supplied by AARP

Developed by AARP for the 50 and over age group, the course is designed to sharpen our driving skills, prevent accidents and keep older drivers on the road longer and more safely. Since Texas law requires all auto insurance carriers to offer a discount on premiums to qualified graduates of this and similar courses, most people are able to save on their insurance premiums.

Attendance at this course will not remove a traffic citation from a driver?’s record.

Cost for the course is $10 per person. If you are interested, call John Connolly at
(830) 620-5065 and reserve a place.

SCHERTZ SEPTEMBERCOMMUNITY CALLENDAR

4: Labor Day Holiday ?– City Offices Closed
5: City Council Meeting, Council Chambers, 7
p.m.
7: TSAC Meeting, Council Chambers Conf Rm.,
6:30 p.m.
11: Schertz Youth Commission Meeting, Bob
Andrews Conf Rm., Steve Simonson Bldg, 5
p.m.
Library Advisory Board Meeting, Andrews
Conf Rm., Simonson Bldg, 7 p.m.
BVYA Meeting, 401 Oak Street, 7 p.m.

12: Metrocom Chamber of Commerce Luncheon,
LOCATION? 11:30 a.m.
City Council Workshop, Council Chambers
Conf Rm., 7 p.m.
13: Planning and Zoning Meeting, Council
Chambers, 6:30 p.m.
14: Economic Development Commission Meeting,
Council Chambers Conf. Rm., 6 p.m.
18: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting,
Schertz Civic Center, 7 p.m.
19: Congressman Cuellar Staff Representative
Open Forum, Andrews Conf Rm, 1 p.m.
City Council Meeting, Council Chambers, 7
p.m.
21: Schertz-Seguin Local Government Corp.
Meeting, Contact City Hall for Location, 1:30
p.m.
23: Steve Simonson Foundation Party in the Park,
Schertz Pickrell Park, 3 p.m.-midnight
25: Board of Adjustment Meeting, Council
Chambers Conf Rm., 6 p.m.
26: City Council Workshop, Council Chambers
Conf Rm., 7 p.m.
27: Planning and Zoning Meeting, Council
Chambers, 6:30 p.m.
28: Economic Development Corporation, Council
Chambers Conf Rm., 11:30 p.m.
29: Schertz Chamber of Commerce Lunch
Meeting, Community Center, noon
30: Schertz Chamber of Commerce September
Showcase, Civic Center, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.


Local Farmers Markets

Schertz: Pickrell Park on FM 1518, Tuesdays from 2-6 pm.

New Braunfels: 205 S. Castell Ave., Fridays from 3-6 p.m. Information: (830) 935-3159

ADOPT A STREET!

We?’re looking for a few good people to help pick-up litter along Chelsea. This is the primary entrance for many of us, and has now become a major exit for most of our residents and their visitors. It has become difficult for our one volunteer to keep up with the volume of litter on a weekly basis. This is an excellent project for some children and would instill community service values. We would ask that any parents interested in encouraging these values in their children form weekly neighborhood clean-up groups. Several families may want to go together and clean-up on alternate weeks. Any assistance you can give to improve the appearance of our community is appreciated by all.

*******************************************
City of Schertz
☺Website - http://www.schertz.com/

City Council Meetings
City Council agenda and minutes are also available on the Schertz website. See what your Councilmen and women are doing for you!

HELPFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

EMERGENCIES 911
Non-Emergency-Police Dept. (210) 658-5321
Non-Emergency-Fire Dept. (210) 659-9062
Non-Emergency-EMS (210) 658-6678
G.V.E.C. (M-F 7:30-6:00) (210) 658-7033
New Braunfels Utilities(NBU) (M-F 8-5) (830) 629-8400
Animal Control (M-F 9-5, S&S 10-3) (210) 658-6607
Comal Co. Animal Control (M-F 8-5) (830) 608-2016
Cibolo Post Office (M-F 8-4, Sat. 8-11) (210) 658-2631
Schertz Post Office (210) 658-3072
Library (M-Th 10-8, F 10-6, S&S 12-6) (210) 658-6011
Dept of Public Safety Office (M-F 8-5) (830) 620-3439
Public Works (Shelly Krause) (210) 658-7065
Schertz Municipal Offices (Hrs. M-F 8-5) (210) 658-7477
Toll Free: (800) 307-4178
Schertz City Manager (Don E. Taylor) ext. 1112
Assistant City Manager (John Bierschwale) ext. 1120
City Secretary (Judy Tokar) ext. 1131
Police Chief (Steve Starr) ext. 1213
Fire Chief (Elroy Friesenhahn) ext. 1311
Utility Billing Supervisor (Carol Spence) ext. 1178
Inspection & Code Enforcement (Tom Eaton) ext. 1166
Planning & Zoning Dept. ext. 1125
Municipal Court (Court Clerk) ext. 1182
Public Information Officer (Debbie Gildea) ext. 1115
Community Services (Gail Douglas) ext. 1601
Customer Service (Evelyn Boggess) ext. 1171

STREET SWEEPERS

The City street sweepers come through Northcliffe on the LAST Friday of each month. If there are too many cars on a particular street the City says they will NOT clean your street.


HOA BOARD ELECTIONS

A Reminder that elections for HOA Board of Directors positions will be held during the October 10th Community Meeting at the Firehouse.

ADVERTISING RATES- the newsletter advertising rates are:
One liners- $3.00 per line
Business card size $15.00
Quarter page (3?½?” X 4?½?” ) $20.00
Half page (7?” X 4?½?” or 3?½ ?“X 9?”) $35.00
Full page (7?” X 9?”) $65.00; Flyer insert $30.00
All prices are for each newsletter published every month. If you would like to advertise in our next newsletter please call Maria 830-606-1130 weeknights before 9 pm. We reach 675+ households located throughout Northcliffe. All ads must be print ready in exact size.
Deadline is September 10th for October?’s newsletter.

Did you know everyone is a member of the Homeowner?’s Association? It?’s true. By paying the annual (Jan-Dec) $25.00 dues, you have a counted vote at community meetings; help to maintain the landmark American flag that so proudly flies in our neighborhood and support services like this newsletter. Thank you for your support.