Noi Mahoney

VIEWPOINT: ‘Neglected’ East Side

Char Miller wrote a guest commentary that appeared in Sept. 18 Southside Reporter. It discusses the city's failed efforts to revitalize the East Side. The commentary centers on the expansion of Fort Sam Houston and how its growth could affect the East Side. I have reprinted some of it here:

"Something called the Fort Sam Houston Growth and Mission Expansion project (recently )cropped up; former San Antonio Mayor Howard Peak called it a “bold concept,” a beguiling mix of improvements in transportation, housing, and commerce.

But (East Side) residents have heard such promises before; they’ve watched as one loudly touted project after another has failed to deliver on its potential. They have good reason to feel like a forgotten people inhabiting a neglected landscape.

When mayors and on occasion county judges have needed space to construct a monument to their civic ambitions, suddenly the East Side is the perfect locale.

Former Mayor Henry Cisneros decided to build the Alamodome on a large tract just east of Interstate 37.

To secure much-needed votes for project funding, Cisneros championed the stadium as panacea for the east-side ailments. He said it would generate lots of jobs in service-related developments that would boost the area’s economy.

It did no such thing; the surrounding streetscape was flattened for parking lots but little else came of the venture.

That failure did not stop Bexar County from making the same claims when it launched a bond election to pay for the East Side AT&T Center.

Its commissioners trumpeted how this facility would generate new work, better housing, and stronger schools. Wrong again: Once more a stand-alone structure with massive parking lots produced no real growth, no enduring change."

Miller teaches at Trinity University, and is a visiting professor of environmental analysis and history at Pomona College in California. He is also the author of "Deep in the Heart of San Antonio: Land and Life in South Texas."

 

22-year-old runs for school board

Michael Sanchez, a 22-year-old student at Northwest Vista College, recently announced he would campaign to become a South San Antonio Independent School District trustee.

"I can bring fresh ideas to the South San ISD school board," Sanchez said. "When I saw the decisions made, I wondered who was speaking for the kids. It was something that I felt I wanted to do for a long time."

Sanchez is running for the District 2 trustee position, which puts him against Trinidad T. Mata, the South San board of trustee’s vice-president.

Gervin helps East Side inner city kids

Freelance writer Denise McVea wrote a good story on the Gervin Academy on the East Side. Here is an excerpt:

When people think about a youth center, they often see a small gym with a basketball court or a place for youth to hang out after school so that they stay out of trouble.

The George Gervin Youth Center at 6944 Sunbelt Drive has created a whole new standard. Incorporated in 1991 by basketball great George Gervin and his visionary sister Barbara Hawkins, the nonprofit organization was built without a basketball court.

Instead, they conceived the center as an innovative alternative to traditional education for disadvantaged and at-risk youth. The two founders have been masterful in securing private, local, state and federal funds, and in marshalling highly educated and skilled professionals to manage, teach at, and grow the center.

"We are fortunate to have found some people who believe in what we are doing," said Gervin Center Superintendent Barbara Hawkins.

Gutierrez sworn in as State Representative

Roland Gutierrez, who was sworn in May 13 as the new Texas House District 119 state representative, talked about role models that have helped pave the way for him to the Texas Legislature.

"My parents (Fidencio and Bertha Gutierrez) came here to San Antonio because they loved this city," Gutierrez said last Wednesday during a packed ceremony at The Republic Golf Club on the South Side. "They raised six kids, put them through high school, college, they helped me through law school. Because of their hard work, they showed what’s possible."

Gutierrez, former City Councilman for the Southeast side, ran unopposed in his bid to succeed Robert Puente in the Legislature. Puente, who was dean of the Bexar County legislative delegation, resigned in October.

(U.S. District Court Judge Orlando Garcia swears in Roland Gutierrez as the new Texas House District 119 state representative. Courtesy photo)

SA helps blind Weston

The San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind recently donated about $5,800 to Weston Wright and his family. The three-year-old has been blind since birth and suffers from a condition called Septo Optic Dysplasia.

The money will help Wright and his family travel to China for a miracle operation that may help restore his vision. Story

(Photo of Weston and his mom Christina by Steve Valdez)

Chico runs for second term

Sergio "Chico Rodriguez," county commissioner for Precinct 1, recently announced he would seek re-election next year. Rodriguez made his announcement at the Bexar County Courthouse on Nov. 7. He was surrounded by supporters and family. In a recent Express-News article by Greg Jefferson, longtime Southside politician Robert Tejeda said he would run against Rodriguez for the commissioner's seat. Tejeda was the incumbent Precinct 1 commissioner Rodriguez beat two years ago to win the seat.

West Campus football lives!

The West Campus High School Cougars beat the Marion Bulldogs 45-35 on Friday night. The win propels the Cougars into the Class 3A playoffs. West Campus High School is slated to close at the end of the year, going out of existence forever if the South San School district has its way. The district voted to close West Campus Hig School in October, citing poor attendence and lack of resources. The 600 or so West Campus students could be forced to attend South San High School next year if the closure goes through. But a group of West Campus parents have sued the district. Their case goes to court again Nov. 14.

Happy Halloween!

Actually, Steve and the rest of the Prime Time gang decided to celebrate Halloween with a little costume party and lots of booze! Just kidding. We actually had soda and lots of sugary treats. (I'm the handsome guy in the orange jumpsuit.)

New company uniforms!

Steve, one of our editors, models the new company employee uniforms. Just kidding!

Southside's spirit of Halloween

Tim Schaumloffel has gone all out on decorations of his South Side home every Halloween year since 1990. But back ailments, have forced him to layoff this year. Still, Schaumloffel said it won't keep him down:

“Every year I decorate, I go all out,” Schaumloffel said. “I do it for the kids.” Schaumloffel creates many of the decorations himself, using paint, plastic, tape and ingenuity. “I don’t have a blue-print, I go by what it is in my head."