Northcliffe

Articles from the March newslettter

Apr 01, 2007

City of Schertz elections are being held in May, and it is time for our community to come together again and show that we can make a difference. We had a tremendous impact on last year?’s elections by turning out in remarkable numbers. Historically only 10% of Schertz residents bother to cast ballots in a city election. Last year 20% of Northcliffe and Scenic Hills voted?—and our participation was definitely noticed.

This Spring?’s election is important because we will vote to fill 3 out of 5 City Council positions and elect 2 new School Board members. Our newsletter cannot support one candidate over another, but we can and will publish the platforms that they are running on so you can be informed and choose the candidates who you think will best meet the needs or our city and our neighborhood. Last year members of our community went to every household several times to ensure that residents knew how and where to vote. The results were remarkable for a community that had only 77 residents vote in the 2005 election. We had 452 residents vote in last year?’s election. That got a little attention from our City. If we want to continue be heard, we have to show that we have a voice!

Election Day is May 12th. You must be registered to vote at your current address by April 12, 2007. You can pick-up a new registration card at the library, City Hall or at the Convenience Store on Country Club Blvd. in our community. You can also download a registration form at www.votexas.org.

The article on the next page was published in the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung on September 22, 2006, and has been reproduced in part: with the permission the Editor. Many of our residents live in Comal County, but the message is appropriate for all of us.
Our Opinion

Make your voice heard in elections:
Less than 17 percent of Comal County?’s registered voters bothered to cast ballots during the March primaries earlier this year.
Today is not our day to mince words: Such low participation in our democratic process is pathetic.
People give all kinds of excuses for not voting, but few of them are valid. Here are some of the things you typically hear as Election Day rolls around:
I don?’t have time to get to a polling place. This year, Comal County has added Sunday to its two week-long early voting schedule. With 10 week-days, one Saturday and one Sunday, and one full day at several satellite locations across the country, not including Election Day itself, every voter can find 10 minutes to spare to cast a ballot.
I couldn?’t be bothered to participate because my vote doesn?’t matter. During The March primaries, the District 73 Texas Representative seat was decided by a 53-vote margin. Most races are not this close, but this is a good example of how a small number of voters really can make a difference in the political process.
I can?’t vote because I?’m not registered. Like voting itself, registering to vote is easy. Most people register to vote when they renew their driver?’s license, but if you have moved since then or can-not find your registration card, you can pick up a new registration for at the Tax Assessor Collector?’s office at 205 N. Seguin Ave., New Braunfels. The Country also has satellite offices at 160 Oak Drive, in Sattler, and 30450 Cougar Bend, in Bulverde. You can also download a registration form at www.votexas.org.
Between now and Election Day you will have plenty of opportunities to get to know the candidates and their positions on issues. Take 30 minutes to educate yourself and cast a ballot when you get the opportunity. During the last 230 years too many people have died to protect our right to vote for us to take it for granted.




WHAT?’S UP AROUND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

FREE LINE DANCE CLASSES

Classes at the Old Northcliffe Fire Station on Thursday mornings from 9-11a.m. beginning Jan 25 through 2007. Basic beginners?’ classes are held on Tuesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in Schertz at the Community Center on Schertz Pkwy. What better way to exercise than to dance and socialize. These classes are sponsored by the Methodist Health Care System and for 55 plus seniors. Please call Dorothy at (830) 606-0501 for further information.

Traffic and Safety Committee Looking Into Some Community Sidewalk Needs

Mr. David Bish, a member of our community who serves on the Schertz Traffic and Safety Commission (TSAC), has asked that the lack of sidewalks along FM 1103 and Chelsea be addressed by the Commission. This issue has become more important because of the new elementary school that is being built on Old Wiederstein Road. The new Riata Elementary School will open in 2008.

Northcliffe Pet Wellness Clinic

For the last 10 years, Dr. Harborth has been providing low cost dog and cat vaccinations for animals in our community. He will once again provide this service to our community. Additional information can be found at the back of this Newsletter.

SCHERTZ SPRING CLEAN-UP!
March 17-April 1, 2007

This is your semi-annual opportunity to get rid of those large appliances, furniture, hazardous waste and many other items that you would normally have to pay big bucks to dispose of. Collection of items is scheduled for 8 a.m. ?– 5 p.m. Monday through Fridays. Drop-offs may be made at the Bexar Waste?’s temporary collection point (2221 F.M. 3009 near Live Oak Road) between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. Public Works will also conduct curbside brush and tree trimming chipping Monday ?– Friday FREE OF CHARGE (during Spring Clean-Up only).

Spring Clean-Up is restricted to Schertz residents only. A current water bill or tax statement and proper identification are required when making a drop-off. Northcliffe residents should bring a water bill or tax statement as our address identification reflects that we live in Cibolo.

To make an appointment for any of the services, call Public Works (210) 658-7065 at least 24 hours in advance.

Hazardous waste will be accepted ONLY the weekends of March 24th and 25th and March 31st and April 1st. Hazardous waste must be dropped off at the Bexar Waste Collection point.

For more information about the Spring Clean Up and what will and will not be accepted, Call Schertz Public Works at (210) 658-7065. You will also find it in the February ?“Schertz Tales?”.

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 course for drivers age 50 and over will be held on Thursday and Friday, April 12 & 13 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM 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.

Monthly Police Calls!

We will need to delay reporting police calls until the City appoints someone new to compile and send them to us. Officer Kreutzer, our source for statistics, retired at the end of January. We appreciate his longtime support and concern for this community.


ADVERTISING RATES The newsletter advertising rates are:
One liner- $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 mail your check and a copy of your Ad to the HOA before the 10th of each month. You may also just mail in your check but email your ad to puttslow@aol.com. All ads must be print ready in exact size. Deadline is March 10th for the April newsletter. For questions call Debbie at:
(830) 609-1008.

NORTHCLIFFE PET WELNESS CLINIC
And Low Cost Caccinations

AT OLD NORTHCLIFFE FIRE STATION
1:30 TO 3:30
SATURDAY, March 31, 2007

ALL VACCINATIONS
AVAILABLE AT
REDUCED PRICES!!!


Rabies is primarily a disease of animals, but is fatal to animals as well as humans. Rabies is caused by a virus and transmitted through a bite or with saliva in an open wound. Virus-infected saliva in contact with broken skin or a wound over 24 hours old, usually will require anti-rabies treatment. A scratch from a claw of an infected animal will require treatment.

All mammals, including humans, are susceptible to rabies. Texas lists five species of wild animals as high risk for rabies transmission: foxes, coyotes, skunks, bats and raccoons. Rabies in domestic animals usually comes from exposure to a rabid wild animal. When a domestic animal is infected with rabies they can transmit rabies to other animals or to you. All dogs and cats, according to city and state laws in Texas, must have current Rabies Vaccinations by three (3) months of age, and yearly thereafter. Regardless of the vaccination status, if a healthy dog or cat bites a human, the animal must be quarantined for a 10 day observation period or humanely destroyed and submitted for rabies testing.

VACCINE ADMINISTERED BY:
Dr. Kermit Harborth
(210) 240-9814