NATIONAL POLICE WEEK 2012 IN MEMORY OF MANY, IN HONOR

Published monthly by Neighborhood News Inc.
June 2012
NATIONAL POLICE WEEK 2012
IN MEMORY OF MANY, IN HONOR OF ALL
National Police Week is an annual observant when we remember, Honor and recognize those in Law Enforcement
who have made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives in the line of duty. Although these heroes never entered
the job with this intention, they willingly dedicated their lives for the sake of protecting us all.
May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial day back in 1962 by President John f. Kennedy. Since then, each
year during the week in which May 15 falls, many communities across the United States hold memorial services
in remembrance of police officers who have made this sacrifice for the sake of those whom they protect.
Here in Balcones Heights, May 13 through the 19th in observance of National Police Week the Balcones Heights
Police Department hung its flags at half staff. We also paid special tribute to one of our own Heroes. Balcones
Heights officer Scott Rogiers #540, who was killed in the line of duty on March 12, 1989 during a traffic stop.
Officer Rogiers was survived by his wife and at the time 10 month old child.
Last year in the United States approximately 163 officers lost their lives in the line of duty, 16 of which in Texas
alone (AMERICAN POLICE BEAT, May 2012 vol. XIX #5). We ask that you remember them and continue to
support current officers who protect and serve and are working to help make communities safer. It takes a
Brave person to run towards danger when everyone else is running away.
AMERICAN POLICE BEAT, May 2012 vol. XIX #5
Reception: Balcones Heights Justice Center, 3300 Hillcrest Drive,
Balcones Heights, Texas 78201, June 11, 2012, 2nd Floor @ 5:00 p.m.
Mayor Suzanne de Leon
Councilman Miguel Valverde
Councilwoman Linda Pohl
Councilwoman Madeline Slay
2008-2012
Assistant Chief of Police
Bobby de la Garza
1986-2012
Page 2
June 2012
Media Report - Balcones Heights
Bexar County, Texas
Unofficial Results
Joint General, Special & Bond
May 12, 2012
Run Date: 05/14/12 11:53 AM
Report EL45A
TOTAL VOTES
%
Early Vote
Page 001
Election Day
City of Balcones Heights Mayor
Vote for 1
(WITH 2 OF 2 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
Suzanne de Leon
127
100.00
62
65
Over Votes
0
0
0
Under Votes
22
11
11
59
57
City of Balcones Heights Council, Place No.1
Vote for 1
(WITH 2 OF 2 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
Miguel C. Valverde
116
100.00
Over Votes
0
0
0
Under Votes
33
14
19
City of Balcones Heights Council, Place No.2
Vote for 1
(WITH 2 OF 2 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
Madeline Slay
76
52.05
34
42
Linda Pohl
70
47.95
38
32
Over Votes
0
0
0
Under Votes
3
1
2
David M. Bissland
REALTOR®
Do you want your home
SOLD?
210-365-0410
If you’re ready
for the best, then
you’re ready for
David Bissland!
Wondering how to promote your business?
Advertise Here!
[email protected]
210.558.3160
Ask about
discounts, ad sizes, &
other neighborhoods
in your area
City of Balcones Heights
Keep Cool with Regular AC
Maintenance
By Lora Reynolds
Special to Neighborhood News
The temperature outside is in the mid 90s as I write
this, and the temperature inside is in the low 80s,
thanks to a non-functioning central air conditioning
unit. The repairman is outside replacing the old unit,
though, so by the end of the day, it should be much
more comfortable in the house.
This happened in spite of my husband’s good habits of
cleaning the reusable AC filters every month and pouring
a cup of bleach into some AC drainpipe in the attic to
clean out blockages on a regular basis. He even had the
AC unit inspected a few weeks ago and everything was
working fine.
Maybe our unit, which is probably at least two decades
old, would have broken down sooner had he not
practiced preventive maintenance.
Page 3
Here are tips from the experts on how to keep your AC
happy and healthy.
• Keep the area within two feet of your outdoor unit free
from dirt, debris, and overgrown vegetation.
• If your outdoor unit is in direct sun, figure out how to
shade it, either by planting a tree or installing awnings.
• Clean or replace filters monthly.
• Clear out condensation lines every month with a small
amount of bleach.
• Have your ductwork checked for leaks and your
thermostat checked for accuracy.
• Replace your thermostat with a programmable one.
• Make sure the thermostat is not near heat sources
such as lamps, appliances, or sunny windows.
• Take some of the pressure off your AC unit by using
floor fans and ceiling fans. In summer, the ceiling fan
blades should be running in the direction that forces air
down.
• Keep shades drawn in the house in the summer. Buy
sun-blocking shades.
Be A Good Neighbor!
“It may not look like much, but this Ad is
worth $20 any day, and $270 on ‘the’ day.”
You’re holding at least $20 off any air conditioning or heating repair, any time, for any amount.
So keep this ad…on the ‘fridge, in your coupon box, tape it to your dog… or just call today!
Just look at all you can get in one quick call to Pilot Heating & Cooling…
■
Same day service. Why wait around? Your cooling
problem won’t improve with age! We can often get
you service the very same day.
■
1-hour appointment window so you won’t be
hanging around half the day for “somebody” to
show up at “some time”, if at all. Pilot Heating &
Cooling treats you like you matter, because you do!
■
Up front pricing. You get the price before we start.
No surprises; just fairness in serving you.
■
Fully stocked trucks get your job done fast. Unlike
others who charge you to “go fetch parts”, we
arrive ready to solve your problem in one trip.
■
We never close. 24 hours, 7 days a week. We can
come fix your problem at your convenience!
■
$20 off your 1ST repair with this Ad. So don’t toss it!
This is like real money!
830-980-2479
TACLA#018776E
Oh, and what is the day? If your old system should need replacing, this ad gives you $270 right off the top! Call us
for a free, no-obligation System Analysis. Let us help you or your friends today! We’re waiting to serve you now.
(1 discount or coupon per customer.)
©2004HI
Page 4
June 2012
BALCONES HEIGHTS CITY DIRECTORY
3300 Hillcrest, Balcones Heights, Texas 78201
www.balconesheights.org
CITY COUNCIL:
Suzanne de Leon, Mayor
[email protected]
Miguel C. Valverde, Councilman, Place 1
[email protected]
Linda Pohl, Councilwoman, Place 2
[email protected]
Charles W. Matthies, Mayor Pro Tem/Place 3
[email protected]
Lamar Gillian, Councilman, Place 4
[email protected]
Charles White, Councilman, Place 5
[email protected]
Save Water, Save Money
By Lora Reynolds,
Special to Neighborhood News
When rainfall is as sporadic in our region as it has been
the past two years, we all need to take responsibility
for using water wisely in and around our homes. “San
Antonio currently is the only major city in the U.S. that
obtains its entire water supply from a single aquifer,”
according to the publication “San Antonio Water and
You,” distributed by the San Antonio Water System
(SAWS). Of course that is the Edwards Aquifer, and
there are limits on how much water can be pumped
from it, making water conservation all that much
more important.
It may be hard to believe that the average American
uses 100 gallons of water a day for domestic purposes,
but that includes water for drinking, washing clothes
and dishes, bathing, toilet flushing, and landscape
irrigation.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR:
Amy Buckert
[email protected]
PHONE NUMBERS:
EMERGENCY: 911
Balcones Heights Police Department Dispatch:
210-735-9212
Balcones Heights Fire Department:
210-735-9206
Balcones Heights Visitor Center:
210-732-0055
Balcones Heights Justice Center:
210-735-9148
Mayor
City Admin.
City Secretary
Fin. Director
Deputy Court Clerk
Deputy Court Clerk
Deputy Court Clerk
Suzanne de Leon
Amy Buckert
Delia Flores
Yvonne Smith-Griffin
Yvonne Baez
Maria Hernandez
Lisa Merlo
235
227
236
244
223
221
224
Development Svcs.
Mark Boyd
246
Fire Chief
Philip C. Prince 210-735-9206
Police Chief
Henry Dominguez
242
Asst. Police Chief
Robert de la Garza
238
ATS Clerk
Gloria Puente
222
Dispatcher (Non-Emergency)
210-735-9212
Investigator/Lieutenant Joyce Pena
239
Photo Enforcement Hearing
& Review Officer
Reine Scheer
245
Visitor Initiatives (Visitor Center, CVB)
Director
Lorenzo Nastasi 210-7320055
Assistant to Director Jennifer Porter 210-732-0055
SAWS reports that about one-quarter of household
water use is attributed to flushing the toilet. New,
low-flow toilets use 1.6 gallons per flush, while older
toilets use 3.5 to 7 gallons. Which uses less water,
a shower or a bath? According to SAWS, a bath can
take 50 gallons of water while a five-minute shower
with a low-flow shower head may take just 10 gallons.
Other SAWS tips include using cold water as much as
possible, turning off the faucet while brushing your
teeth, and installing aerators on faucets to reduce
water flow.
For almost any chore you do around the house, it’s
easy to think of ways to accomplish a task without
letting the faucet run continuously. Use a spray nozzle
(Continued on page 5)
TAKE A HIKE
Start Planning for your
Summer Vacation
NOW!
A TRAVEL AGENCY
SINCE 1995
STACY RUEDEBUSCH
210-366-3332 • 888-366-HIKE
[email protected]
1919 NW Loop 410 Ste. 125
Affiliated with Corporate Travel Planners/Rennert Travel
City of Balcones Heights
Page 5
(Continued from page 4)
on your hose when washing your car or watering your
flower bed. Fill a bowl with cold water in the kitchen
and use that for cleaning vegetables instead of holding
them under the faucet with the water running. Wash
clothes and dishes only when you have a full load. Places
dishes in the dishwasher without first scraping them
clean under running water.
Outdoors, install drip irrigation or use soaker hoses.
Remember that SAWS has year-round outdoor watering
restrictions, allowing us to water landscapes with an
irrigation system or sprinkler between the hours of 8
PM and 10 AM only, unless tighter restrictions are in
place. Water less frequently but more thoroughly to
conserve water and grow a healthier lawn. Consider
using xeriscaping in your yard instead of having an
all-grass lawn. Drought-tolerant plants surrounded
by mulch do better in the long, hot, dry summers and
require less water and maintenance. Visit this website
for information about xeriscaping in Texas, including a
selection of recommended landscaping plants: http://
aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/xeriscape/
xeriscape.html. For more water-saving tips, visit www.
saws.org.
Neighborhood Resource Center
23rd Annual Neighborhood Conference
Saturday, June 9, 2012 * 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Laurel Heights Unite d Methodist Church
227 W. Woodlawn
Enjoy taking Pics?
PickMyPic
If so, be sure to compete
in the Neighborhood News
PickMyPic contest for great giveaways!
The Community Photo Contest
" A c ti ve & He al t h y Nei g h bo r h o o ds "
Winning Practices Panel: Hear f rom Neighborhood Award Winners
Mayors Fitness Council - Active & Health y Neighborhoods
RSVP NOW for the NRC Luncheon
(Lunch provided FREE with yo ur RSVP, $10.00 suggested donation)
FREE Shredding service – Parking Lot - 7:30am – 11:00am
So go out and do what you do best!
RSVP: (210) 735-0586 or email: [email protected]
Here are just a few of the workshops planned for this years conference:
Neighborhood Issues Legal Workshop – Vincent P. Vasquez
This presenter will provide common scenarios that NA’s may face and o ffer general
information on possible solutions to Legal issues. Offered at 9:15 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.
Leade rship De velopment – Irma DeLeon with Los Jardines Neighborhood
our Facebook page!
1 Like
at www.NeighborhoodNews.com
your photo on our site!
2 orUpload
email to [email protected]
Association
Description: During this workshop, the presenters will offer infor mation on the
necessity of developing strong, successful leaders in order to e ffect positive change
within our neighborhoods. Offered at 9:15 a.m.
Code Enforcement/Ranger Program -Albert Mora, Code Enforcement Officer
Learn about the City of San Antonio Code Enforce ment and Ranger P rogram. What
are the responsibilities and is this program suitable for you or someone in your
neighborhood? Offered at 10:45 a.m.
National Night Out – Patricia Galvan
Description: Learn more about this annual event where neighborhoods build community spirit while taking "a bite of cri me ". Those
neighborhoods who have completed the NNO registration will be
eligible to participate in a drawing for NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
banners! Offered at 9:15 a.m.
This Month’s theme is
SUMMERTIME
Be sure to submit your photo by
JUNE 30, 2012!
The Winner will be announced
JULY 2, 2012!
Page 6
13 Things Your Burglar Won't
Tell You
1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress
like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never,
ever look like a crook.
2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy
neighbors.
3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little
noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll
stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again.. If he
doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was
doing. It's human nature.
4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that
money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house
without setting it?
5. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for
signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or
gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your
neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds,
just to pick my targets.
6. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when
I was working in your yard last week. While I was in
there, I unlatched the back window to make my return
a little easier.
7. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the
driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front
door to see how long it takes you to remove it..
8. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance,
don't let your alarm company install the control pad
where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.
June 2012
drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside
table, and the medicine cabinet.
12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into
that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not
bolted down, I'll take it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the
best alarm system . If you're reluctant to leave your TV
on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device
that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow
of a real television.
Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page.
It's easier than you think to look up your address.
Safe Summer Reminders
• Keep your possessions, bikes and garden tools, locked
up and garage door closed if not in immediate area
• Keep valuables in trunk and out of sight, keep car
locked, do not leave garage door opener in car
• Please observe all stop signs. As the weather warms up,
more folks are out walking, especially in the evenings.
Some streets are dimly lit. Please drive safely.
• When walking dogs, all dogs must be on a leash per
City Code, please take a bag and scoop up any poop your
dog leaves behind anywhere. It is just the right thing to
do.
• At no time are dogs allowed to run free in the
neighborhood.
TRASH CONTAINERS
9. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella,
and you forget to lock your door - understandable.
But understand this: I don't take a day off because of
bad weather.
The curb appeal of the community is very
important. No one wants to come home to a
street littered with trash containers and debris
scattered around.
11. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for
directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters.
(Don't take me up on it.)
One way to keep the community looking beautiful
is to put away your trash and recycle containers
promptly after pick up and store out of view from
the front of your home.
10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock
Jason Speights ■ Laura Speights ■ Joan Marron ■ Shelly Enyart ■ Todd Worrich ■ Nicole Littles ■ Brennan Kucera ■ Clare Pace
A severe HAIL STORM hit this area
February 3, 2012.
Your home probably has serious
HAIL DAMAGE .
Have you made an INSURANCE CLAIM?
We are SPECIALIZED ATTORNEYS who represent
property owners and get you PAID when your claim is denied
or underpaid.
Call today for FREE CONSULTATION.
NO FEES UNLESS WE GET YOU MORE MONEY!
Central Texas Office
14235 Blanco Road
San Antonio, Texas 78216
(210) 495-6789 | (210) 495-6790 (fax)
1-888-SW-LAW-TX | www.speightsfirm.com
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BOERNE, TX
PERMIT NO. 204
City of Balcones Heights
3300 Hillcrest Drive
Balcones Heights, TX 78201
Time Dated
June 2012
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
5
6
7
8
9
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
3
10
4
Reception, 5:00 pm
Crime Control 5:45 pm
City Council Meeting
6:00 pm, Justice
Center
3300 Hillcrest Dr,
2nd Floor
Planning &
Zoning, 6:00 pm,
Justice Center
Articles that appear in the Balcones Heights 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 Balcones Heights 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.