From Our Mayor
Jay F. Feibelman
Occasionally the question arises regarding compensation for the Mayor and Council Members. These elected positions are not compensated in any way and I consider them rightfully as elected community service volunteers.
In that regard there were no filings this year against the incumbents. I assume this is an indication that your elected officials are serving you well. We have a good team on board, will continue to move forward and appreciate the trust given to us.
Our new water well is still in the process of drilling as I compose this report. Additionally, work has started on our new 1,000,000 gallon water tower. Success of both of these projects should ensure ample water supply for the city in years to come and through build-out!
Thanks again for your continued support!
Photo by Carl Mixon
Welcome to Garden Ridge
New Residents:
Those listed and families:
Marie Doyle
Kelli Finney
Gary Fullenwider
Sam Robles
Note: Newcomers are identified by water service records. Consequently, not all names in the household will appear. Those not appearing are also welcomed! The City of Garden Ridge requires that all dogs and cats be registered. Call 651-6831 for information.
QUICK NOTES
Thank you for Prom Dresses
Thank you to the ladies of Garden Ridge who donated prom dresses and accessories for the high school girls at Roy Maas Youth Alternatives. The dresses, 28 in all, were beautiful, and will surely brighten the lives of these young women who have had such difficult lives.
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Pam Camosy
Bonzo Crunch at Library
April 13th 4pm
Come to the Garden Ridge Library April 13 at 4 PM for a fun-filled hour with Bonzo Crunch. His visit will serve as a kick-off for the “Reading with Ringling Brothers” summer program. Your child can earn a free circus ticket by simply reading 10 “E” books or 5 “J” books (or having you read). He’s earlier than last year. Come by the library for your Reward Club Card. Call 651-6570 for information.
Dogs Barking
Is a Big Problem
Right now dogs are barking all over Garden Ridge. On the street where I live, dogs on either side of me bark for an hour or so at a time, from early morning until bedtime.
We can no longer sit on our patio for a quiet evening because dogs will start barking. They won’t stop until we go inside. Our grandchildren cannot play outside without dogs barking constantly. When we go for our daily walk, we set off dog barking throughout the neighborhood, as do the dozens of walkers who walk and jog throughout the day. There is no place to go in our town that is quiet.
We’ve called the police dozens of times, but there is very little they can do. If a dog barks 24 hours straight, it might be a nuisance, but a dog that only barks for an hour or so a dozen times a day is not deemed a problem.
Barking dog experts say that there is little hope. They have research that shows that few barking dog owners care that they are constantly disturbing their neighbors and disrupting the quiet of the neighborhood. They report that asking neighbors to control or train their dogs not to bark does not work and long and expensive lawsuits get mixed results. They do not recommend talking to the neighbors because it rarely helps and comes with the risk of reprisal.
Comal County Commissioners Court has asked the State Legislature for the right to strengthen dog barking regulations and CSHB 2732 was introduced last year for that reason, but it did not pass. I am watching this legislation and would be happy to provide updates from next year’s legislative session if you would like to send me an email at sylvester1630@gmail.com. I believe the people of Garden Ridge are better than the national average. Surely barking dog owners who live here will understand, if we remind them, that any dog that is barking for more than 5 minutes should be taken inside or stopped. Dog owners should also be aware that dogs can be trained not to bark and electronic dog collars are a painless way to assist in that process. Barkingdogs.net has the information.
If you are a dog owner,and your dog is barking, make it stop. All of us in Garden Ridge need some peace and quiet.
by
Sherry Sylvester Ramsey
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Photo by Carl Mixon
Change in Meeting Time
for City Council
For years the City Council has met on the first Wednesday of each month at 7pm. This past January, the meeting was scheduled for 6pm and the citizen turnout was larger than usual. A 6pm time is also more convenient for city staff and incurs less overtime. Please give us your opinion concerning the time preference by email or by calling 651-6632 and giving us your verbal preference?
Which Time is Best?
City Council Meeting is the 1st Wednesday each month. Please tell us which time is best no later than May 1, 2010.
My preference is:
6:00 pm ___ or 7:00 pm ___
Northeast Bible Church
Celebrate Easter Sunday Service with Northeast Bible Church, Sunday, April 4th. Worship Services are 9am and 10:45am. Nursery is provided for both services.
There will be an Easter Egg Hunt for children ages
2-10 during the 9am children’s Sunday School time.
Sock Hop in April
Garden Ridge Women’s Club
Saturday April 10th at 7pm
Re-live the Fabulous 50's as we 'Rock Around The Clock' at the Garden Ridge Community Center, on Saturday, April 10th, 2010. The festivities will begin at 7:00 p.m. Daddios, come dressed in your rolled-up t-shirts and make sure your steady gal comes in her poodle skirt and saddle shoes for the Best Costume Contest. Music will be provided by Rob Carter and Elvis is sure to make an appearance. Complimentary snacks and soda pop will be served retro-style. Beer and wine will be available for a donation. Tickets are $20 per GRWC member and $25 for non-members. For information call Gloria Porter 651-3842 or Sharon Duemler 651-0654. To purchase tickets, make checks out to GRWC and send to Gloria Porter, 7810 Star Circle, San Antonio, TX 78266.
Library Footnotes
by Suzanne McCandless
The Garden Ridge Library volunteers send a big thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Marty Rios for the donation of a dorm size refrigerator and a subscription to the magazine, Women ’s Day. This brings the number of library subscriptions to four, with the other magazines being Parents, Forbes, and Consumer Reports.
The library is now open on Thursdays until 8 pm. We are giving away one (1) VHS tape with every purchase made from the Sale Room.
A number of non-fiction books are ready for checkout. The Geography of Bliss makes you laugh and ponder the meaning of happiness as author Eric Weiner travels the world looking for the most contented people on earth.
In the children’s section, the new Caldecott and Newbury winners are now on the shelf. The wonderful wordless book, The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney has won the Caldecott and the Newbury was awarded to When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead.
A new fiction book, Victoria Vanishes, a Peculiar Crimes Unit Mystery by Christopher Fowler is the winner of Crimefest’s Last Laugh award for the funniest mystery novel of the year.
More serious is Bound by Sally Gunning, a novel about an indentured servant. Little Boy Lost, by Marghanita Laski, tells of a father searching for his lost son in post World War II France. Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg, is a story of grief and healing, marriage and motherhood.
One library patron asked this month for more books by Joyce Carol Oates. So we have added her newest, Fair Maiden and Little Bird of Heaven. What do you want to read? Ask and we will do our best!
Library’s Daylight Saving Hours
Starting November 2:
Monday - Wednesday 10 am - 6 pm
Thursday 10 am to 8 pm
Friday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm
Firemen's Festival May 1st
sponsored by the Bracken VFD
The Bracken Volunteer Fire Department is hosting their annual fundraiser Saturday, May 1st, at the Central Station on FM 3009. A fajita dinner will be served from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with To-Go orders available also. This year’s festival will feature a live auction, a silent auction, a raffle of great items donated by area businesses and individuals, a bake sale, and entertainment for the kids. You do not need to be present to win the raffle items. As usual, friends of BVFD are asked to bring a favorite dessert to help with the bake sale. Although BVFD is partially supported by tax revenue, fund raising is still critical to provide the best fire rescue and medical first response service possible. Mark your calendar to come enjoy great food and company while supporting your local fire department!
P. S. Visit www.brackenvfd.org website and check out the new pictures. You just might see one of yourself!
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Important Numbers
City Hall 210-651-6632
Lost Pet 210-651-6831
Police Department 210-651-6441
Comal Elementary
Farewell Celebration April 10th
Comal Elementary is closing its doors at the end of the school year, and the staff and students are moving to the new Garden Ridge Elementary School. To say farewell to Comal Elementary and its "Legacy of Learning", we are hosting a celebration!
When: Saturday, April 10, 2010
Where: Comal Elementary School
Private gathering for former staff members
1:00 - 3:00 pm
Comal Elementary Library
Open to the public
3:00 - 5:00 pm
Comal Elementary Cafeteria & Gym
Staff members have compiled a cookbook of favorite recipes and Comal memories that will be available for purchase at the event.
Come join us and reminisce with your Comal Family!
Triumphant Lutheran Church
Holy Week &Easter Worship
The Community is invited to attend Holy Week and Easter Worship services at Triumphant Lutheran Church, 21315 Bat Cave Road.
April 1 Living Last Supper Performance: 7pm
April 2 Good Friday Worship: 7pm
April 3 Easter Vigil Service: 5pm
April 4 Easter Sunday.
Sunrise Worship Service: 7am
Pancake Breakfast: 7:45 – 10:45am
Traditional Worship Service: 8:30am
Children’s Easter Egg Hunt: 9:45am
Contemporary Worship Service: 11:00am
www.triumphantlutheran.org
Two Elections Coming Up
There are two elections coming up in April and May. They are:
Republican Primary Runoff Election
There will be a runoff in the Republican Party for a place on the Texas Supreme Court. Early Voting will be April 5 and 9, only at the Courthouse in New Braunfels. Election Day Voting is Tuesday, April 13 from 7AM to 7PM at the Garden Ridge Community Center.
County and School Board Elections
On Saturday, May 8, there will be two local elections. One election is for Place 7 of the CISD School Board. Incumbent Bill Swint is running against Jeffery M. Victor. The second election is a Comal County Bond Election to build a new Justice Center in New Braunfels. Early Voting for both elections will take place at the Garden Ridge City Hall.
Voting Dates and Times
The dates and times are: Monday and Tuesday, April 26 & 27 -
8am to
4:30pm
Wednesday, April 28 - 7am to 7pm. Thursday and Friday, April 29 & 30 from 8am to 4:30pm;
Monday, May 3 - 7am to 7pm;
Tuesday, May 4 - 8am to 4:30pm
Election Day Voting on Saturday, May 8 will be from 7am to 7pm, also at City Hall.
March 2 Election Recap
Below is a recap of voting in Precinct 205 for the March 2 Primary. Overall, 29.3% of our registered voters voted, compared to 23% county-wide and 17% state-wide. Thanks!
Total votes cast = 1381; 691 election day, 51 by mail and 639 voted early
Republican votes = 1262, 91.4% of the total, 621 election day, 51 by mail and 590 voted early
Democratic votes= 119 8.6% of the total, 70 on election day, none by mail and 49 early.
Voter Information Forum
April 20 at 7pm
The City of Garden Ridge and the Garden Ridge Area Republican Club will co-sponsor a Voter Information Forum for the upcoming County Bond Election and School Board Election on Tuesday, April 20, at 7pm, at the Garden Ridge City Hall. There will be an information session on the bond election and a debate among the school board candidates. Voters may ask questions during the forum..
Quarry Happenings
Quarry Tour was March 17th
A tour of the quarry was held on March 17. If you did not get to attend, please let City Hall know as we will plan another visit later in the year. We would like your feedback on any impacts you feel from the blasts. Please use the Citizen’s Blast Report  if you feel a blast that was notable. All blasts this past month seemed to be within normal ranges. Our next commission meeting will be held on April 12 at 7 pm.
Coming Events
Go to the Calendar.
Significant City Council
Go to Council Actions.
Grapevine Deadline
Grapevine Deadline. Submissions for the May 2010 GRAPEVINE need to be turned in no later than April 15th.
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