The Hills of Park North Neighborhood Association is hosting a Cellular On Patrol class and would like to invite any interested resident to join them for the training.

Saturday, July 19^th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

North East Service Center, 10303 Tool Yard.

If you are interested in attending this class, please contact Bud Little, President of the Hills of Park North Neighborhood Association at 653-5602.

Feel free to bring snacks to enjoy during the class!

Contact Us

City Hall Office:
Councilman John G. Clamp District 10
207.7276- Phone

207.8777- Fax

john.clamp@sanantonio.gov

Patti Puente, Senior Executive Secretary
207.7276 - Phone
207.8777 - Fax
patti.puente@sanantonio.gov

Mario Hune, Chief Advisor Policy & Zoning
207.7063 - Phone
207.8777- Fax
mario.hune@sanantonio.gov

Amanda Padilla, Chief Advisor of Communications
207.7063 - Phone
207.8777 - Fax
amanda.padilla@sanantonio.gov

District Office:
Amy Putney, Chief Advisor Constituent & Community Services
824.7355 - Phone
824-7506 - Fax
amy.putney@sanantonio.gov

District 10 eNewsletter Comments

As always, we love hearing any comments or suggestions that you may have regarding the eNewsletter. To submit a comment or suggestion, please email amanda.padilla@sanantonio.gov or amy.putney@sanantonio.gov

Dear District 10 Residents & Friends,

A few weeks ago, city council voted unanimously for a 3.5% base rate increase to become effective on September 1st. The vote came after a 6 to 5 vote against a 5% rate increase.

I voted against the 5% increase for three important reasons.

1.  I believe CPS can move forward with our city's long-term energy plan with the 3.5% increase; and, over the next year city council and CPS can further discuss the long-term direction, cost (rate increases), and financial impact to our citizens.

2. There was considerable disagreement on the exact use of the rate increase in terms of current, future, and past capital and operational projects. The disagreement alone indicated a strong "mis-message" to our community.

3.  The bottom line on this rate increase: This is the first of many rate increase requests by CPS.

We as a community must understand CPS's entire strategic energy plan and its effect on our community and our citizens. These discussions have and will continue to demand an extraordinary amount of communication, diligence and patience.

Further down the newsletter is a copy of my editorial on the CPS Energy Rate Increase printed in the Express News.

I would like to take a moment to congratulate all of the new graduates on their accomplishments. Great Job on reaching a milestone and I wish you the best in the next step of your life's journey.

Grab a cup of coffee...this newsletter is loaded with information.

The City of San Antonio 2008 Our Part of Town Talent Competition

American Flag
Our Part of Town (OPOT) Talent Show is celebrating its 27th year showcasing local San Antonio talent. Acts range from country western vocalists, hip-hop dance groups, bands, comedians to poetry recitations. Contestants are placed in three age categories: 12 and under, 13-19, and 20 and over. Additionally, this year a military category will be included.

Time Warner Cable Company has partnered with the City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department for over 20 years in promoting this pre-professional talent competition. The show will air on Ch. 21 and will also be available via San Antonio on Demand. Last year, OPOT received over 100,000 hits through San Antonio on Demand.

OPOT talent competition is an opportunity for promising individuals, whom might not otherwise have the opportunity, to display their talent publicly.

District 10- OPOT Talent Competition Wednesday, August 27, 2008 7:00p.m.

The Carver Community Cultural Center

226 N. Hackberry, 78202.

Phone: 207-3133
For more information click here.

Audition Dates

Saturday, June 14, 2008 10am-Noon @ Bertha Almaguer 138 S. Josephine Tobin Dr.

Saturday, June 24, 2008 10am-Noon @ Lion's Field 2809 Broadway

Saturday, June 28, 2008 10am-Noon @ Bertha Almaguer 138 S. Josephine Tobin Dr.

Saturday, August 9, 2008 2pm-4pm @ Lou Hamilton 10700 Nacogdoches

District 10 Zoning Update

Update Regarding Post Oak Development Proposal

Zoning Case Z2008155, Councilman John Clamp and a majority of the neighborhood do not support the passage of this zoning case.

This zoning case has been postponed, as has the request to move forward with a proposal to build a multi-family project on Post Oak Lane.

The developer has been informed of the response from the community that opposed this case. Our office was told that the developers were reevaluating their plans and would contact the community and our office if they had other possible alternative projects for this site. Our response was that it is vital to gain the communities support for any change in zoning. The positive occurrence that came out of this issue is the beginning of a new organized neighborhood association.

We have also received a request to remove the zoning signs from the property. Until the developer actually pulls the request for a zoning change the yellow signs need to remain on the property to serve as a public notice to the community.

Upcoming Cellular on Patrol Class

The C.O.P. training class requires a 4 hour one time session with an optional police ride along. Unless otherwise noted, all weekday classes will start at 6:00 p.m. and all Saturday classes will start at 9:00 a.m. Classes are held at the North Police Substation, 13030 Jones Maltsberger. For questions or for more information contact Officer J. Dave McDonald at 207-8350 or email james.mcdonald@sanantonio.gov.

The next C.O.P. class is Saturday, June 14, 2008.

For more information click here.

District 10 Road Construction News

Weather permitting, from June 7-9 the following roads will be closed:

IH 410 Eastbound from McCullough through Nacogdoches will be closed, motorists will exit San Pedro/McCullough, and will re-enter the main lanes at Nacogdoches.

All conditions permitting; TxDot should have motorists on the new IH 410 Eastbound main lanes by 6:00 am Monday June 9, 2008.

For more information call (210) 615-5836.

Councilman John Clamp Editorial - CPS Energy Rate Increase

CPS Energy rate request sparks questions
By John Clamp

Our city is facing a monumental decision regarding energy supply. In particular, what energy sources will we utilize; how will we pay for them; and, most importantly, how will they impact your household budget?

The City of San Antonio is the owner of CPS Energy. All rate increases and bond issuances must be approved by City Council. As a member of City Council, I have a responsibility to ensure our energy company is moving in the right direction.

CPS is proposing a 5 percent base rate increase for electric and gas customers. City Council has discussed this issue over the last seven months. This discussion has produced more questions than answers for me. As more community discussion occurs, I encourage you to communicate your thoughts and questions to your council representative.

CPS and city staff have analyzed the economics of the proposed rate increase. Both have recommended passage by City Council. I have strong confidence in CPS management and city staff. So, why am I perplexed by this seemingly nominal 5 percent increase? Should I support the rate increase even though I have questions about its long-term effect? Is an average increase of $7 a month worth my time and effort?

These questions, and others, need our time and effort.

The decision your City Council will make on this rate increase will have a lasting financial impact on each ratepayer for, well, forever. The excellent rates we pay today are projected to increase 5 percent in this year and another 5 percent every two years until 2016. I predict there will be more rate increase requests after that as well. Also, concurrent with potential rate increases, you will automatically pay for any fuel cost adjustments. I do not have those particular increases yet, but I intend to ask for them before City Council votes on the proposed rate increase in May.

In addition, the total long-term debt for CPS Energy will increase from approximately $3.7 billion to $8.3 billion. Yes, that is billion. We are talking real money here. We will all pay the interest cost on those billions. According to CPS Energy's strategic plan, the long-term debt increases and rate increases will pay for two more nuclear reactors near Bay City, Texas. I predict that the $4.5 billion increase in debt is a bit conservative because the total cost for the two new reactors has not yet been finalized. Which leads me to my next question. If we do not know the true cost of the nuclear reactors, how can we project the financial impact accurately?

The "big picture" for energy is very complex. The greater need for conservation and more environmentally friendly sources of energy is also very complex. CPS utilizes energy conservation and diversified energy sources to include wind and solar. As a community, we must balance the cost of energy and its environmental impact.

There is so much information to assimilate and comprehend with this issue; for that reason, I will continue to sift through it. As a CPA and a "numbers" guy, I have fought off my desire to impart financial and economic data into this editorial. I hope there will be time in the future for that type of information.

Here is the bottom line: Our city needs to continue providing energy to our citizens, the business community, and our future residents. My questions revolve around how we are going to pay for it. I cannot control the increases for gasoline, milk, bread, or property tax appraisals. What I can control is the thoroughness of my homework. Let us work together for an A+ on this assignment even though it may take more time.

Payton Campsey Blood Drive, a Success!

Top Right: Councilman Clamp donating blood.

Bottom Center: Amanda Padilla, Payton Campsey, Councilman Clamp, Kelly Campsey.

On May 24th the Payton family, long-time residents of District 10, held a blood drive for their daughter Payton recently diagnosed with Acute Leukemia. The Campsey family raised $4,000 and 50 pints of blood for Payton. Councilman Clamp was honored to be able to contribute to the blood drive.

Update on Chronic Code Compliance Violators

The City is taking a proactive approach to serious code compliance violators. In February of this year, the City established the Rapid Response Team that was designed to fast track priority cases which warrant immediate corrective action due to the substantial harmful conditions impacting the health, safety and welfare of surrounding residents.

Staff has worked diligently over the past few months to bring the top ten code violation locations into compliance. In April, two locations were brought into compliance by the property owners. In May, three additional locations will be abated by a contractor hired by the Housing and Neighborhood Services Department (HNSD) due to the failure of the owners to adhere to violation notifications. Two other locations are anticipated to reach voluntary compliance. The seventh location is clearing the outside storage and vehicles and in the process of repairing the structure. Code violation citations are pending in court for this property. The two remaining properties are under pending litigation.

As these locations are cleared, the Rapid Response Team continues to meet and discuss other chronic code violation locations that will receive the same type of focused attention.

Library's 2008 Summer Reading Program- Read Across Texas

This summer children of San Antonio are encouraged to join Mayor Phil Hardberger and the San Antonio Public Library as they spend the summer escaping the heat by spending the day reading.

Read Across Texas is the library's 2008 summer reading campaign. This activity is great for children of all ages; even those who are not able to read are encouraged to sit down with a parent or older sibling to have their imagination run wild. To be a part of the program follow these easy steps:

1. Sign up online at www.sanantonio.gov/library or at your neighborhood library.

2. Pick up a reading log.

3. For each book you read (or listen to), write the title on your Reading Log.

4. When you've read 15 books, bring your reading log back to the library and you will be allowed choose a book to keep, and you'll receive a special certificate signed by Mayor Hardberger.

5. You're welcome to complete as many Reading Logs as you want - but only one book-to-keep and one certificate per reader, please!

For more information about the San Antonio Public Library Summer Reading Club or for more information about summer reading click here.

Source: San Antonio Public Library

Project Cool Seeks Fan Donations to Help the Elderly Through a Hot Summer

The City of San Antonio has once again joined forces with residents and several local corporate and human service organizations to collect and distribute electric box fans to help elderly citizens who may suffer most from high temperatures this summer.

Through the program, citizens are asked to donate new box fans by dropping them off at any one of 49 local fire stations (excluding the Airport Station) between June 2 and August 29. Fans will be distributed to eligible clients in San Antonio and Bexar County. Eligible clients must be least 60 years old and be in need of a fan. Fans provided through the program are 18" electric box fans.

Donation checks will also be accepted and can be made payable to "Project Cool c/o Catholic Charities" and should be mailed or delivered to: 202 West French Place, San Antonio, Texas 78212-5818. Catholic Charities' phone number is 222-1294. Donors and participants may access information on drop-off locations and more on the web.

United Way of San Antonio will provide telephone referral assistance for the program. Citizens should call 2-1-1 or 227-4357 if they would like to request a fan.

25th Anniversary of National Night Out

National Night Out, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, is a neighborhood crime and drug prevention event that occurs annually on the first Tuesday in August (IN TEXAS NNO 2008 WILL BE ON OCTOBER 7th) and is celebrated in every city, town and village in the US. In addition to increasing awareness of crime and drug prevention programs, NNO also strengthens neighborhood spirit and community-police partnerships, while sending a message to criminals that "neighborhoods are organized and fighting back against crime!"

San Antonio has always had strong and enthusiastic support for and participation in NNO, and won national NNO Awards in 1998, 2003 and in 2006. During NNO 2007, more than 450 San Antonio communities and approximately 130,000 residents registered to participate. We anticipate that NNO 2008 will be even larger!

For more information click here.

Source: SAPD

Municipal Court Begins Extended Night Court Service

Starting June 1, Municipal Court will extend its service to the community through new convenient night court hours. The court will hear hourly non-jury trials Monday through Thursday in accordance with the following schedule: Monday and Thursday non-jury trials will be heard at 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday non-jury trials will be heard at 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

This change will allow citizens who want to contest a case before a judge the opportunity to do so after normal business hours. In addition to these new extended hours, arraignments can be heard until 8:00 p.m. on Fridays. This evening service will benefit people who need to make arrangements to pay tickets or fines.

Municipal Court judges and staff handle offenses that violate city ordinances or state statutes and are punishable by fine only. Some of the most common cases involve traffic and parking violations, code violations as well as family violence offenses.

The Frank D. Wing Municipal Court building is located at 401 S. Frio St., at the corner of Frio and Durango, just west of I.H. 35 South. It is open for business Monday through Friday, except on City of San Antonio holidays.

For more information click here.

Board and Commission Vacancies Seeking District 10 Applicants

San Antonio Local Development Company, Inc.

The San Antonio Local Development, Inc. is a corporation comprised of twenty-two members called "Trustees", who are appointed by the City Council for staggered terms of three years. Eleven (11) Directors are selected from among the Trustees by the City Council to serve for two-year terms. The Corporation is a self-sustaining financial resource of the City of San Antonio by serving as an administrator of key loan products of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Its goal is to combat community deterioration in San Antonio by assisting in the growth and development of small businesses. Directors may hold monthly meetings usually on the third Tuesday of each month at 12:00 noon at the Development and Business Service Center, 1901 S. Alamo, Room 249A. (Liaison: Economic Development Department, 207-3932).

San Antonio Youth Commission - vacancy beginning June 2008.

The Commission shall be comprised of twenty-two student members, all of which shall be voting members. Two members are to be chosen from each Council district. The Mayor will choose two at-large student members. The goals and objectives of the Commission will be to respond to current situations affecting young persons and to develop solutions for problems to be presented by the Mayor and City Council members. The Youth Commission will further work toward unifying the youth of San Antonio into a positive force for the good of the community. The operational year for the Youth Commission is from August to May, and no meetings are held in June and July. Meetings are held once a month on Sundays from 2 - 3:30 PM in the City Hall Media Briefing Room. Special meetings are called as needed.

If you are interested in applying for either board and commission vacancy please complete an online application at http://www.sanantonio.gov/clerk/boards/. If you have any questions please contact Lisa Lopez, Boards and Commissions Coordinator, at 207-7257.

SAWS Update