July 2008 AACOG Region Newsletter

On Wednesday, June 11, 2008, AACOG presented the 2008 Regional Awards during the semiannual meeting of the Area Council and Board of Directors. AACOG has been presenting these awards since 1974.

Ms. LaJuana Newnam-Leus received AACOG’s Regional Citizen of the Year Award for her 18 years of service to the Wilson County Historical Society, assisting in the establishment of the Jail House Museum and the DeWees Remschel House. As a Director of the Floresville Chamber of Commerce, she worked for economic development through tourism in our area. She was also County Liaison with the National Park Service. She also played a major role in gathering resolutions for El Camino Real de Los Tejas Project, and has served on the Alamo-La Bahia Corridor Committee as Vice Chair and Current Chair of that committee.

Corona Visions, Inc. received AACOG’s Corporate Citizen of the Year award for their work as an electronic recycler in San Antonio certified as a responsible E-Steward by the Basel Action Network, the world’s only organization focused on confronting the global environmental injustice and economic inefficiency of toxic trade. CVI supports the San Antonio Community by sponsoring free electronic collections at community fairs such as Earthwise Living, Basura Bash, and Earth Day. CVI also partnered with CPS Energy to recycle lawnmowers collected at LiveGreen Fest.

The Karnes City Park Project was selected to receive AACOG’s Community Project of the Year Award; for the work of local organizations, city leaders, and citizens, who came together to embrace the park project and complete the park in 18 months time. The park is now being used by citizens of neighboring cities and allows intercommunity relationships, and has instilled a sense of community pride and a local area for community fellowship. The park provides a splash pad, basketball, volleyball, picnic and play areas, and a walking trail, which were not previously accessible to this area.

The Cibolo Nature Center also received AACOG’s Community Project of the Year Award. The center was selected for being a regional leader in conservation education and nature center development. The center has consulted in regional projects such as Mitchell Lake, San Antonio Botanical Center, Texas Nature Conservancy, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and more; and has also assisted in the creation of the Kendall County Partnership for Parks, The Cibolo Conservation Corridor, Boerne Hike and Bike Trails, The Cibolo Conservancy Land Trust and the Non-profit Network for Kendall County. CNC has partnered with regional agencies to create opportunities for citizens to find community and meaningful education, and serves as a wonderful example of how to engage a community in preserving our natural resources.

New Braunfels Utilities SAFEhaven Employee Volunteer Program received AACOG’s Governmental Regional Project of the Year for their projects designed to promote the health and vitality of the community and the safety and comfort of its residents. Projects include: A school program designed to teach children that NBU employees can assist in emergencies, a weatherization project for low-income homeowners, reforestation of city parks, a 5K Run/Walk to raise funds to buy shoes for low-income school children, and a bike rodeo to provide children with a safe environment to practice the skills needed to ride safely. NBU employees have contributed more than 4,000 hours to the New Braunfels Community.

Outgoing Regional Emergency Preparedness Advisory Chairman and Wilson County Judge Marvin Quinney and outgoing AACOG Board member Former Olmos Park Mayor Gerald Dubinski, were also recognized for their years of service at the meeting.

This new monthly feature in the AACOG Region Newsletter spotlights our AACOG Board members. This month we introduce the newest member to the AACOG Board, Boerne Mayor Dan Heckler.

Career Highlights and Education: While working at the Texas Department of Health in Austin in 1991, I helped establish and set up the Texas Trauma System throughout the state and authored the "Texas Trauma Manual". I traveled throughout Texas assisting counties that wanted to form their own Regional Advisory Councils. At that time, Texas became only the third state in the country to have a state-wide trauma system.

What I like best about my job as the Mayor of Boerne is: Meeting and working with remarkable people throughout our community. Our city is special, and I want to keep it special. We want to maintain our small town atmosphere and friendliness, while maintaining a high quality of life.

The best advice I've received for my current job is: To listen more and speak less. Everybody has something important to say and if you listen close enough, you are sure to learn something new.

Advice I would give a new hire in my office: My advice to a new hire would be to treat everyone as you would want them to treat you. Respect and courtesy is never out of style.

If not at work I'd probably be found: On the racquetball court or working in my yard at home.

People would be surprised to know that: In 1996 I had dinner with the cheerleaders of the San Francisco 49er's football team.

Book, magazine or newspaper article I've read recently that really influenced my thinking: The Bible is my favorite book and I always learn something new every time I read it.

AACOG, the Bexar County Small Minority Women Business Enterprise (SMWBE), and the Department of Information Resources (DIR) are presenting a Technology Educational Workshop on August 8, 2008 from 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.

This event will provide an opportunity to educate Purchasers/ Buyers on the benefit of using DIR Cooperative Contracts and provide "hands on training" for navigating through DIR's website. Using DIR Cooperative Contracts to acquire your IT products will save you time and money. If you use a DIR Cooperative Contract, you do not have to go through the competitive bidding process. Also provided will be an opportunity to network with local DIR contracted vendors that are in the San Antonio and surrounding area. Click here for more information about this workshop.

AACOG is hosting a Foreclosure Workshop for homeowners, social service agents, and interested parties here in the Al J. Notzon III Board Room, 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 700, San Antonio, TX 78217 on Saturday, July 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Representatives from the U.S. Dept. of HUD, the City of San Antonio, Consumer Credit Counseling Services of San Antonio, numerous financial and banking institutions will be available with information on how to avoid foreclosure, how to settle foreclosure problems or negotiate with financial institutions, and how to apply for free mortgage assistance funds. For more information, please contact the AACOG Housing & Weatherization Department at 210-362-5245 or e-mail Chris Villa.

AACOG will sponsor a one-day newly elected officials workshop on Thursday, July 24, 2008, from 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Registration from 8-8:30 a.m.) in AACOG’s Al J. Notzon III Board Room, 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 100, San Antonio. The workshop will cover such topics as the duties and responsibilities of elected officials; introduction to city government; roles of the mayor and council; budgeting and financial management; and legal issues such as open meetings; open records, purchasing and conflict of interest. Contact Joe Ramos at (210) 362-5212 or click here for more information.

AACOG offers a workshop for planning and zoning commissioners, elected officials, and staff. This workshop is sponsored by the Texas Chapter American Planning Association in cooperation with the City Planners Association of Texas, the Texas Association of Regional Councils, and AACOG. The next workshop is scheduled for Friday, July 18, 2008, from 9 to 4 p.m., in the AACOG Board Room, 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 100, San Antonio. Click here for more information about the upcoming workshop.

Hill Country and South Texas Water Flows Declining

Hot, dry conditions combined with lower than average rainfall have reduced flows in many of Texas major rivers. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality reports these conditions are starting to have a significant impact on the Hill Country and South Texas areas. All temporary-use water rights to state surface water in the Hill Country have been suspended until further notice. Read this entire article.

Please note: AACOG's Main Office will be closed on Friday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. We will reopen on Monday, July 7.

AACOG's Mission:
To enhance the lives of all residents of the Alamo Region by working in mutual respect and partnership with all levels of government, the business sector, and the community at large to meet regional challenges and to create regional strengths.