DOCSLIB.ORG

CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY San Antonio's Struggle Over

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY San Antonio's Struggle Over CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY San Antonio’s Struggle Over Construction of the PGA Golf and Hotel Resort Over Sensitive Recharge Zone of the Edwards Aquifer May 2009 CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY San Antonio’s Struggle Over Construction of the PGA Golf and Hotel Resort Over Sensitive Recharge Zone of the Edwards Aquifer This chronological summary is drawn from contemporaneous1 articles that appeared in the San Antonio Express-News on the dates cited to the left of the chronicle. The page number and section of the paper in which the article appeared is noted in parenthesis. All quotations are drawn from the cited pieces, written by Express-News staff writers or, when noted, by Express-News columnists or the paper’s editorial board. PRE-PGA 1984 Oct. 17, 2001 (1H) Lumbermen’s invests $6.8 million in water for development put on indefinite hold after market collapse “In 1984, Lumbermen's paid $6.8 million in general benefit fees to the San Antonio Water System for pumping costs, storage capacity, main water lines and an extension of the sewer main. Shortly thereafter, the real estate market collapsed and the plan was put on hold. Nothing new had been proposed for the site until this year, when developers secured legislation allowing for a special taxing district to support infrastructure costs. The district is contingent on a development agreement with the city of San Antonio.” 1994 Jan. 26, 2002 (1B) Lumbermen’s and 26 other developments exploit loophole in water quality ordinance, “grandfathering” rights that exempt them from new restrictions on development over the aquifer. In 1994 City Council engaged in a “rancorous battle” over a proposal to safeguard San Antonio’s drinking water by establishing limits on development over the Edwards Aquifer. To prevent a rush of filings that would exempt developers from the proposed new rules (granting them “grandfathered” or “vested” rights), the council on Sept. 8 enacted a four-month moratorium on “zoning and platting applications for recharge zone projects.” However, the moratorium did not explicitly refer to “preliminary” plans “which were required only of developers of large, multi-phase projects and included more general information than a platting document.” During the moratorium, 27 “preliminary” plans were submitted, claiming 1 The exceptions are 1984, 1994, and 2000, which draw from retrospective articles appearing in 2001 or 2002. 2 grandfathered rights. The city’s legal office “determined those claims were right,” and on Dec. 22, the council closed the loophole. According to a city report, “more than 8,000 acres became eligible for grandfathered rights” between Sept. 8 and Dec. 22 and more than 70 percent of the filings exploiting the loophole were made by Pape-Dawson Engineering. The firm’s president, Gene Dawson, Jr., “was co-chairman of a task force with environmentalist Danielle Milam that helped design the water-quality ordinance.” “Milam blames the city’s planning, public works and legal officers for not doing their jobs. ‘They’re basically just doing whatever the developer wants,’ she said. ‘The public loses because we don’t have lawyers, guns and money on our side.’” Lumbermen’s lobbyist Bill Kaufman said granting the vested rights “was both the legal and correct decision for Lumbermen’s.” The company “was part of a group of investors that spent millions of dollars getting water lines and water service into the area where PGA Village would be located and the plan was filed to protect that investment, Kaufman said.” 2000 Nov. 4, 2001 (1B) S.A. passes Proposition to purchase land to safeguard water “[In May 2000], 56 percent of voters approved a plan known as Proposition 3, which raised the sales tax rate by one-eighth cent. The resulting $40 million pot is earmarked to purchase and preserve land to help safeguard San Antonio's water supply.” “To determine which aquifer lands to preserve under the voter-approved program, the city relied on a volunteer team of scientists and aquifer experts to create a modified version of the U.S. Geological Survey map. Lands were ranked into eight tiers based on their geological, watershed and biological value. The top three tiers total 84,000 acres and are all considered environmentally valuable. Three nonprofit land conservation groups, which are negotiating purchases on the city's behalf, have focused their efforts on the top two tiers. This map has never been shown publicly because officials do not want landowners to know how much it values their property.” 3 PGA I: “Taxing District Agreement” 2001 Feb. 2, 2001 (1A) “PGA to build in S.A.” The plan for “PGA Village San Antonio” is to build “a 36-hole upscale golf resort that would include a 500-room hotel by the Marriott Corp.” It would be built “at U.S. 281 and Evans Road north of Loop 1604 and would feature courses designed by Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus plus a learning center.” “The resort would be the second facility of its kind built by the Professional Golfers Association of America, which has 26,000 members and is the world’s largest working sports organization. “San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau executive director Steve Moore said such a facility would help the city substantially. ‘It would have a positive impact to position San Antonio as a golf destination,’ Moore said. ‘The economic benefits are multifold. There would be the (public relations) and articles written about it and also an increased interest by leisure visitors and corporate and convention visitors.’ “A start date for construction of the PGA Village was not available because plans are incomplete. The budget for the facility was not announced, but similar projects have cost more than $150 million. “PGA executive director Jim Autrey would not comment on specifics of the project but did confirm it is in ‘due diligence.’ “‘We’ve been working on this for about a year,’ Autry said. ‘We’ve had discussions with Lumbermen’s (Investment Corp., of Austin), and we are in the final stages of due diligence to see if we can move forward. We’re bullish on coming to San Antonio. We sincerely hope it’s going to happen.’ “Lumbermen’s owns 2,000 acres where PGA Village San Antonio, the Marriott hotel and possible residential communities and shops would be built. ‘We’re working with the PGA, and we’re excited about them coming into our project,’ said John Pierret, Lumbermen’s executive vice president. ‘We’ll have further things to announce in the future.’” “The PGA of America’s interest in San Antonio as the site of its second golf facility is a boon to the city’ continued growth as an international golf destination.” Feb. 11, 2001 (4G) Letter to the Editor: 36-hole guzzler Re: the Feb. 2 Page One article “PGA to build in S.A.” “How wonderful! A 36-hole golf course! A 500-room hotel full of guests, all taking 30-minute showers. Fairway homes with lawns and gardens well above the price that the average citizen can afford, each with a minimum of 21/2 baths, no doubt, and all over the Edwards Aquifer. 4 Great for the tax base, right? What about the water? A PGA golf village is not the sort of project that will bring joy to the people who rely on the aquifer as their only source of water. The article never referred to the perennial water shortage in this area of Texas. Surely clearer heads will prevail when permits are sought for this ill-conceived pipe dream. We do not have the water to support this monstrosity. Sounds like an ‘if we build it, they will come’ plan. Unfortunately, the water won't.” ~Patricia Coleman, New Braunfels March 9, 2001 (1B) “City Council endorses bill to set up a resort tax district. The measure is aimed at the proposed PGA center in north Bexar.” Proposed by Rep. John Shields, R-San Antonio, the bill was added to the “packet of legislation” the city’s lobbyists will work for this session. It would create a taxing district, called the Cibolo Canyon Conservation Improvement District No. 1, which would allow the developers to collect taxes “to finance water and sewer improvements, roads, trail improvements and open space purchases within the boundaries of the proposed 2,800-acre resort.” “While the council’s decision ran counter to its policy to oppose the creation of special-purpose districts because of the debt problems those districts can create for the city when annexation is considered, this district is different, council members were told. The proposed taxing district … cannot be established until its sponsors agree with the city on its building plans, the environmental controls and aquifer protection provisions included in the development and other construction details, Assistant City Manager Chris Brady said.” “But more important to the council, the developers have agreed to donate some of their property—up to 1,200 acres by one estimate—to the Edwards Aquifer protection program the city initiated through a $45 million sales tax proposition. The value of that donation, which developers would recoup through special district taxes, could reach $12 million, the city forecast.” Mayor Howard Peak “said golf courses and low-density development on the aquifer’s recharge zone are probably preferable to more traditional development featuring concrete and other impervious materials. ‘It won’t waste water resources,’ Peak said. ‘In fact, it will save resources.’ “Developers are exploring the use of a water recycling plant to reduce the amount of pumping at the resort and to implement other environmentally friendly programs, Brady said.” Lumbermen’s executive vice president John Pierret said the project “has been expanded to include up to four PGA of America golf courses—twice the number originally planned—and a 35-acre teaching center to promote golf”—the total value of which could eventually reach $1 billion.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Environmental Sustainability: Real World Strategies for Success
    Environmental Sustainability: Real World Strategies for Success Tuesday, February 24th from 10:30AM - 12:00PM Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center - Room 217C Environmental Sustainability: Real World Strategies for Success What’s on golf’s environmental agenda? Nature: Conserving and enriching biodiversity as well as contributing to the functioning of ecosystems as healthy semi-natural landscapes for people and wildlife. Water: Acting as protected green space within watersheds, innovating highly efficient irrigation technology and practices, investing in infrastructure to reuse and recycle low-quality water, developing and renovating courses to require less irrigation. Energy: Minimizing energy consumption and harnessing renewable resources. Pollution control: Enhancing air, water and soil quality through responsible professional land and resource management. Supply Chain: Driving a greener economy through sustainable purchasing and moving toward zero- waste businesses. Community: Providing healthy recreation for all ages; youth programs; jobs and training; meeting place for families and businesses; and an event platform for charitable fundraising. Environmental Sustainability: Real World Strategies for Success Prepare golf for the future The golf industry is dedicated to continually improving the construction and management of environmentally- responsible and economically-viable golf courses. Golf provides significant value to the environment and is the only sport in the world with an eco-label from the Rain Forest Alliance and Forest Stewardship Council. Value The game’s leading organizations endorse the International Golf Federation’s “Statement on Sustainability” to employ environmental best practices. The goal is for course managers and developers to continuously improve water conservation, water quality protection, energy savings and pollution reduction. Highlights: •Provide ecological and economic benefits to local communities.
    [Show full text]
  • Agenda 02.19.13
    AGENDA PUBLIC HEARING February 19, 2013 Capitol Extension, E2.010 7:30 a.m. I. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL II. HB 4 Ritter Relating to the creation and funding of the state water implementation fund for Texas to assist the Texas Water Development Board in the funding of certain water- related projects. III. INVITED TESTIMONY ON HB 4 A. Panel One: Mayors (To Be Called As Available) Annise Parker, Mayor of Houston Mike Rawlings, Mayor of Dallas John Monaco, Mayor of Mesquite, President of TML Lee Leffingwell, Mayor of Austin John Cook, Mayor of El Paso Julian Castro, Mayor of San Antonio B. Panel Two: Legislative Budget Board Patrick Moore, Analyst C. Panel Three: Averitt & Associates Kip Averitt, Principal D. Panel Four: Texas Water Development Board Melanie Callahan, Executive Administrator Piper Montemayor, Director in Finance for Debt & Portfolio Management Carolyn Brittin, Deputy Executive Administrator, Water Resources Planning and Information E. Panel Five: Estrada Hinojosa & Company, Inc. Jorge A. Garza, Senior Managing Director F. Panel Six: West Texas Mayors Norm Archibald, Mayor of Abilene Wes Perry, Mayor of Midland Alvin New, Mayor of San Angelo G. Panel Seven: H2O 4 Texas Coalition Heather Harward, Executive Director H. Panel Eight: Water Associations Dean Robbins, General Manager Texas Water Conservation Association Carol Batterton, Executive Director Water Environment Association of Texas Fred Aus, Executive Director Texas Rural Water Association Page 1 of 2 I. Panel Nine: River Authorities Becky Motal, General Manager Lower Colorado River Authority Kevin Ward, General Manager Trinity River Authority Bill West, General Manager Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority J. Panel Ten: Water Utilities and Water Districts Robert Puente, CEO San Antonio Water Systems Jim Parks, General Manager North Texas Municipal Water District K.
    [Show full text]
  • The Edwards Aquifer (Part A)
    E-PARCC COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE INITIATIVE Program for the Advancement of SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY Maxwell School Research on Conflict and Collaboration THE EDWARDS AQUIFER (PART A) Amidst of one of the worst Texas droughts in recent memory, attorney Robert Gulley wondered why he had left his position at an established law practice to take on the position of program director for the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program (EARIP). As the program director, Robert now worked for 26 different organizations and his job was to assist them, using a consensus-based stakeholder process, through one of the most contentious and intractable national disputes involving scarce groundwater resources at the Edwards Aquifer, one of the most valuable water resources in the Central Texas area. This dispute had already spanned decades and, to make this task even more daunting, the competing interests on both sides had made numerous unsuccessful attempts over the years to resolve this conflict. Hot weather, droughts, and the resulting conflicts between stakeholders are frequent occurrences in Texas. Robert, who had returned to his home state specifically for this position, knew that this drought would only intensify the tensions amongst the stakeholders involved. The Edwards Aquifer (“Aquifer”) provides approximately 90 percent of the water for over two million people living and working in the South-Central Texas area. The Aquifer supplies the water that services the city of San Antonio and other municipalities; a multi-million agricultural and ranching industry in the western part of the region that views water as a coveted property right; as well as the recreational activities that provide the backbone of the economies of rapidly-growing, nearby cities of San Marcos and New Braunfels (Figure 1).
    [Show full text]
  • Than 40 Will Be Represented at Texas Folklife Festival - San Antonio Express-News
    6/20/2014 Celebrating cultures: More than 40 will be represented at Texas Folklife Festival - San Antonio Express-News Arts & Entertainment Celebrating cultures: More than 40 will be represented at Texas Folklife Festival Express-News File Photo Isaac Cardenas, of American Indians in Texas holds forth at the 2013 Texas Folklife Festival. The group again will showcase American Indian food and dance at the festival. This year, the group will offer an ear of corn and a pure buffalo burger. SAN ANTONIO — A few years ago at the Texas Folklife Festival, a little girl asked American Indian Isaac Cardenas, “How do you live so long?” http://www.expressnews.com/entertainment/article/Celebrating-cultures-More-than-40-will-be-5529189.php 1/5 6/20/2014 Celebrating cultures: More than 40 will be represented at Texas Folklife Festival - San Antonio Express-News Cardenas wasn't fazed. Instead of taking offense, the member of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation explained how the American Indian culture continues to exist outside history books. Cardenas, the director of programs for American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions, or AIT-SCM, said questions like these are more common than one would think. “A lot of people don't know about our contributions,” he said of the 20-year-old group that seeks to preserve and strengthen the American Indian community in South Texas. “People aren't aware there's a large urban Indian population here.” The desire to spread knowledge and culture is what has brought groups such as AIT-SCM to the Texas Folklife Festival at the Institute of Texan Cultures since the celebration's start in 1972.
    [Show full text]
  • October 1994
    See Page -8 for ME UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION via the Susiness CMELLm'S WET NO. 78 Affairs and Audit Committee. September 1, 1994 TO MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND AUDIT COMMITTEE: Tom Loeffler. Chairman Robert J. Crui kshank Hartha E. Smiley The Docket for The University of Texas System Administration and the Dockets recommended by the Chi ef Admi nistrati ve Offi cers concerned and prepared by the component institutions listed be1 ow are herewith submitted for ratification or approval, as appropriate. at the meeting of the U. T. System Hoard af Regents on October 7, 1994. The appropriate Executive Vice Chancellors and I concur in these recamendat ions. lnsti utions - Pases The University of Tex-n C-1 through C-17 The University of Texas at Arl ington AR-1 through AR-62 The University of Texas at Austin A- 1 through A-33 The University of Texas at Brownsvi 1 1e 0-1 through 8-7 The University of Texas at Dallas 0-1 through 0-9 The University of Texas at El Paso EP-1 through EP-11 The University of Texas - Pan American PA-1 through PA-8 The University of Texas of the Permian Basin PB-1 through PB -4 The University of Texas at San Antonio SA-1 through SA-12 The University of Texas at Tyler TA-1 through TA-5 The University of Texas Southwestern Med~cal Center at Dallas HD-1 through HD-14 The ~niversityof Texas Medical Branch at Galveston G-1 through G-15 The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston HH-1 through HH-8 The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio HS - 1 through HS - 13 The University of Texas M.
    [Show full text]
  • Texas Folklife Festival
    ". TEXAS FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL Below is a list of individuals, groups, and other festivals that will come together August 5, 6, 7 and 8 on the Grounds of the Institute of Texan Cultures, San Antonio, to put on the Texas Folklife Festival. This list was current as of June 1,1976, and is subject to a few changes. MEXICAN MARKET (MERCADO) PAPIER-MACHE Lee Ann Stubbins Julian Rodriguez P.O. Box 146 Coordinator Beeville, Texas 78102 6819 S. Zarzamora San Antonio, Texas 78228 BREAD CRUMB SCULPTURE Betty Smith IMAGE P.O. Box 403 Alex Alcocer Lancaster, Texas 75146 902 W. Martin San Antonio, Texas 78207 MUZZLE LOADING Cletus Kleen SODAS San Antonio Muzzle Loading Association Mike Castro and Mary Alice Garza 4102 Springview 6819 S. Zarzamora San Antonio, Texas 78222 San Antonio, Texas 78224 STAINED GLASS CRAFTING CANTINA Bob Magers, Bob and Dinah Crowley, Vernon Black Alfred Rodriguez and Maury Pena 522 N. School St. 6819 S. Zarzamora Boerne, Texas 78006 San Antonio, Texas 78224 BATIK CHALUPAS Winnip. M. Lay Elia G. Hernandez and Yoland C. Martinez 210 Adelphia 6819 S. Zarzamora San Antonio, Texas 78214 San Antonio, Texas 78224 WEA VING AND SPINNING MANUEL CALDERON BOYS CLUB Ruffin Hill Antonio Ramirez 333 Castle Ridge Rd. 600 S. W. 19th St. Austin, Texas 78746 San Antonio, Texas 78207 SINGING SCHOOL LULAC Opal Harris Lupe Torres 303 House St. 1121 W. Mistletoe Lufkin, Texas 75901 San Antonio, Texas 78201 SAUERKRAUT G. I. FORUM Alvin Sueltenfuss George Rivas Kendall County Community 250 Tesla Rt. 2, Box 144G San Antonio, Texas 78228 Boerne, Texas 78006 MEXICAN AMERICAN BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL FILIPINO TINIKLING DANCING WOMEN'S CLUB OF SAN ANTONIO Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • HRC's Gay Rights Ad During
    APril 1[1[17 The Mar-qui§e P.O. Box 701204 WtiAT~§ 1~§1[)~ San Antonio, Texas 78232 ElESJAJ (210) 545-3511 Voice & Fax Quote-Unquote 4 E-mail: [email protected] The Marquise staff's favorite quotes for April. r:>ubllshe.- Bill Thornton for Mayor 5 & Manaulnlt l:dltf)l" The San Antonio Equal Rights Political Caucus endorses Bill Ted Switzer Thornton for re-election as mayor. J>I"C)duc:tlf)n l:dltf)l" AIDS in Bexar County 5 Heather Chandler The External Review Committee of the AIDS Consortium hands out over $1 million to local AIDS Agencies and a quick 4ssf)date l:dltf)I"S ............. c-.....,. review of some interesting statistics. Cllarcla oiS.. AatOIIIo Tere Frederickson Glenn Stehle The Cover: Page 6 , 4sslstant l:dltf)l" Human Rights Campaign ;·.,_ Our largest and most effective national ........ _ Wai7:00JB Michael Leal ~ ....,... organization started with a disconnected ...... CC)P'Y 4sslstant"S phone and $9 in the bank . ....... ...... Cheryl Fox -- Pictured on the cover are (clockwise from David Walsh CtllllllliDa17,_. ••a... Ctlfth af.. tln£C. bottom left) HRC Executive Director ~ \ ,.. ......lnetjce .... eccepta aD ...... J>hC)tf)ltl"aPhe.-s Elizabeth Birch, National Field Director " Donna Red Wing, National Governors 611 E. Myrtle (210) 472-3597 "' Linda Alvarado It's more than a party. Jo~ Salazar, Stephen Strausser Mark Phariss and Priscilla Magouirk. It's an experience. SALGA Update 6 You'll have something CC)nt.-lbutf)I"S A new name, a new meeting time,·but the same old disregard Rob Blanchard, David Bianco for the democratic process.
    [Show full text]
  • Completed Golf Course Projects
    COMPLETED GOLF COURSE PROJECTS SINCE 1958 FACILITY LOCATIONS Midwest Southwest 13941 S. Van Dyke Road 600 North 195th Avenue Plainfield, Illinois 60544 Buckeye, Arizona 85326 815/436-8400 623/853-9100 FAX 815/436-8404 FAX 623/853-0217 Name and Location Golf Course No. of Year of Golf Course Name of Owner Type Architect Holes Completed ALABAMA: Capstone Club Capstone Club LLCPublic Hanse Golf Course Design, Inc. 18 2000 Brookwood, Alabama Huntsville Municipal Golf Course City of HuntsvilleMunicipal Denis Griffiths & Associates, Inc. 18 1986 Huntsville, Alabama Lagoon Park Golf Course City of MontgomeryPublic Charles M. Graves/Goodwyn & Mills 18 1977 Montgomery, Alabama Musgrove Country Club Musgrove Country ClubPrivate Jerry Pate Golf Design 18 * 1992 Jasper, Alabama University of Alabama Crimson Tide FoundationPublic Jerry Pate Golf Design PF+ 2009 Tuscaloosa, Alabama ALASKA: Moose Run Golf Club U.S. ArmyDaily Fee Nelson & Haworth, G.C.A. 18 1998 Anchorage, Alaska ARIZONA: Alta Mesa Country Club Estes Homes Joint Venture PartnersPrivate Richard M. Phelps, Ltd. 18 1984 Mesa, Arizona Arizona National Golf Club The Raven Golf GroupDaily Fee Robert Trent Jones II 18 1995 Tucson, Arizona Arizona Traditions Golf Club Carefree Partners, LLCDaily Fee Dick Bailey Design, Inc. 18 1996 Surprise, Arizona Boulders Resort, The Carefree, Arizona South Course Boulders Joint VenturesResort Jay Morrish & Associates, Ltd. 9 1991 North Course Boulders Joint VenturesResort Jay Morrish & Associates, Ltd. 18 1983 South Course Boulders Joint VenturesResort Jay
    [Show full text]
  • FY2021 Annual Business Plan
    FY 2021 Annual Business Plan October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021 San Antonio, Texas VIAINFO.NET (This page intentionally left blank) FY21 ANNUAL BUSINESS PLAN OCTOBER 1, 2020 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 Annual Budget and Five-Year Financial and Capital Plan VIA METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (This page intentionally left blank) Our Mission Statement VIA provides regional multimodal transportation options that connect our community to opportunity, support economic vitality, and enhance quality of life throughout the region. i Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) presented a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to VIA Metropolitan Transit, Texas, for its Annual Budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2019 (fiscal year 2020). In order to receive this award, a governmental unit must publish a budget document that meets program criteria as a policy document, as a financial plan, as an operations guide, and as a communications device. This award is valid for a period of one year only. We believe our current budget continues to conform to program requirements, and we are submitting it to GFOA to determine its eligibility for another award. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction Transmittal Letter ............................................................................................................. 1 FY20: A Year in Review .................................................................................................. 5 FY21: Retaining and Returning Ridership and Delivering “Keep
    [Show full text]
  • LIFE from the MET Gift from Tobin Foundation for Theatre Arts Dresses up the Lyric Theatre
    Spring 2005 The University of Texas at San Antonio MAGAZINE Vol. 21, No. 2 LIFE FROM THE MET Gift from Tobin Foundation for Theatre Arts dresses up the Lyric Theatre Also in this issue: State demographer Steve Murdock talks numbers UTSA alumni and life in the Middle East SPRING 2005 SPRING 2005 T A B L E O F C ONTEN T S FEATURES 18 DRESSING THE PART A gift of hundreds of costumes is breathing new life into the Lyric Theatre. 22 BY THE NUMBERS State demographer Steve Murdock talks about the future of Texas … and what exactly a state demographer does. 26 CALL OF DUTY Meet just a few of the UTSA alumni who have served their country in Operation Enduring Freedom. DEPARTMENTS 5 In the Loop Rec Center opens tallest climbing wall at a Texas university; Great Conversation! raises money for Honors College scholarships; Ricardo Romo receives two key appointments; faculty publications; and more campus news. 11 Q&A Ellen Riojas Clark, associate professor of bicultural-bilingual studies, talks about her work with the new bilingual children’s show Maya & Miguel. 12 Investigations The university establishes the Institute for the Protection of American Communities to counter terrorism; plus more research activity at UTSA. 14 Roadrunner Sports UTSA’s Super Fans make raising school spirit their mission. 16 Syllabus Mechanical engineering students devote their senior year to designing one major project. 30 Class Notes Profiles of principal Diana Barrera Montemayor ’88, ’00, Hispanic Chamber president A.J. Rodriguez ’98, ’00 and IBM manager Mary Anne Morgan ’77. 36 Looking Back Off to the (tricycle) races! On the cover The Tobin Foundation for Theatre Arts donated hundreds of costumes to UTSA.
    [Show full text]
  • Diabetes Screening and Literacy Promotion at the 2013 Texas Folklife Festival ® Allison Hollek, Glenise Perez, RN, International Nursing Students Association, and M
    Diabetes Screening and Literacy Promotion at the 2013 Texas Folklife Festival ® Allison Hollek, Glenise Perez, RN, International Nursing Students Association, and M. Danet Lapiz Bluhm, PhD, RN School of Nursing, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Introduction Results • Diabetes is highly prevalent in minority • Participants (N=150) were from diverse ethnic populations.1,2 groups: African (7%), Asian (9%), Caucasian • The rate of diabetes in the predominantly minority- (33%), and Hispanic (41%); 16% of which had no populated City of San Antonio is 14%, which is insurance while 31% had no primary care double the national average.2 provider. • Health literacy issues associated with minority • Their mean health screening scores were: BMI = populations may contribute to this problem. 27.6 (range:19-53), blood glucose level = 94.7 • This CSL project aimed to identify diabetes risk (range: 31-201) mg/dl, and cholesterol levels and increase public awareness to promote =165.9 (range: 79-294 ) mg/dl., and blood diabetes prevention and/or management as well as pressure = 124.4/75 mmHg (range: health literacy promotion. 95-164/54-100 mmHg). • 96% of the attendees did not know about the “Ask Me 3 campaign” and the three questions. However, following education, they expressed Table 1 confidence and willingness to use the three questions at their next healthcare provider visit. Participants’ Demographics • On average, the participants rated the service 4.8 out of 5, and that they learned how to keep Race/Ethnicity % themselves healthy (4.7/5). • At the follow-up phone interviews, 88% reported African-American 7 to have made improvements towards a healthier lifestyle since the screening.
    [Show full text]
  • Water-Policy Study Represented in This Paper Is Jointly Sponsored by the Two Cities and Is Linked to Cooperation Concerning an ETJ Issue
    CITY OF SAN ANTONIO OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST 20 14 FEB 10 AH 8: i 6 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Councilman Ron Nirenberg, District 8 Sheryl Sculley, City Manager; Leticia Vacek, City Clerk; Edward Benavides, Chief COPIES TO: of Staff; Chris Callanen, Assistant to the City Council; Robbie Greenblum, City Attorney; John Peterek, Senior Management Analyst SUBJECT: Edwards Aquifer and Water Supply Planning DATE: February 6, 2014 Issue Proposed for Consideration I ask for your support for inclusion of the following item on the earliest available meeting of the Governance Committee: Directing staff to research and publish a comprehensive report on all City policies, procedures, standards, regulations, and initiatives involving the cost, quantity and quality of the water drawn from the Edwards Aquifer. Water security - ensuring affordable, abundant, and clean sources of water for future generations of San Antonians - is the most basic and important element of economic quality and vitality of life for our citizens. Therefore, the goal of this study and report is a long tenn planning initiative to provide for affordable and adequate supplies of water to support the needs of San Antonians and the economic development of the San Antonio region through the year 2050. This report should include as a minimum, a plan to provide affordable rates and abundant clean water to San Antonians; to detennine how the City protects the Edwards Aquifer as its main source of drinking water; and how City growth policies impact the management and operation of the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) and vice versa; and any recommendations for changes or improvements.
    [Show full text]