District 8 Neighborhood Alliance

Update to Councilman A Hall "E-Blast" Update 051107

Two Parks New Names

Friends and Neighbors,



Councilman Art Hall is proud to announce the passage of two ordinances officially renaming Hausman Road Park to Bonnie Conner Park and Ridge Chase Park to Officer Edwin J. Gorrell Memorial Park.


Councilwoman Bonnie Conner was active in several community service capacities for many years prior to her City Council service. In 1996, she co-authored the City’s Tree Preservation Ordinance and formed Friends of Medina River, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving a river corridor in south San Antonio. From 1997 to 1998 she served on the City Parks and Recreation Board and Open Space Advisory Board. She also successfully developed the Proposition 1 and Proposition 3 initiatives which used sales tax revenues to purchase sensitive land over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. Most recently, she chaired the Citizens Bond Parks Committee and was active in the bonds passage and the Voelcker Park acquisition.

“I see Bonnie Conner Park as the perfect place to show the City’s appreciation of Mrs. Conner’s dedication to education, preservation of our parks and natural areas, and the protection of the Edwards Aquifer,” said Councilman Hall.



Shot and killed by a suspect he was attempting to arrest in the early morning hours of February 22, 1988, Officer Edwin J. Gorrell fought bravely for his life while in a coma until his death in July 1988, at the young age of 34. At the time of his death, Officer Gorrell was married with two young children.

To honor of the service of Officer Gorrell to San Antonio and to commemorate Fallen Officer Week, Councilman Art Hall is proud to announce the passage of an ordinance officially renaming Ridge Chase Park to Officer Edwin J. Gorrell Memorial Park. Officers from the Class 85-D, who graduated from the Police Academy with Officer Gorrell, Chief McManus, Teddy Stewart, President of the San Antonio Police Officers Association and other San Antonio Police Department officers joined Officer Gorrell’s widow and grandchildren in speaking at the City Council meeting of Officer Gorrell’s dedication to the youth of San Antonio and his sacrifice in the line of duty.

“It gives me great pride to have participated in the passage of this ordinance honoring Officer Gorrell and all public safety officers who put their lives on the line for the citizens of San Antonio.” noted Councilman Art Hall.



If I can be of any additional assistance to you on this or any other issue, please contact the District 8 Field Office at 692.0463 or the City Hall office at 207.2888.



Thank you for letting me be of service to you and our great district.






ART A. HALL

City Councilman, District 8

District 8 Announcements

District 8 Announcements:



Cellular on Patrol Classes!
Cellular on Patrol classes are now being offered at the Prue Road Police Substation! Any citizen throughout the city can attend these classes. Affiliation wih a neighborhood association is not a requirement. Upon completion of the Cellular on Patrol course, graduates are given the opportunity to ride along with a San Antonio Police Department Officer for up to 8 hours.
The next classes will be offered on the following dates:
Thursday, July 12 (1st half) and 19 (2nd half)
Saturday, September 15 (1st half) and 22 (2nd half)
Saturday, October 6 (refresher class)
Thursday, November 8 (1st half) and 15 (2nd half)
Weekday classes are held from 6pm to 10pm
Saturday classes are held from 8am to noon
Pre-registration and special classes for groups of 20 or more can be arranged by contacting Officer Ron Atkinson at 207.6087.



Extreme Neighborhood Target Sweep Program applications being accepted!!

Housing & Neighborhood Services is accepting applications for participation in the Extreme Neighborhood Target Sweep Program. Attached is the FY07-08 application. Deadline for submission is June 29, 2007. Please distribute this information to neighborhood/community leaders, groups and organizations that might be interested in applying. The application may be downloaded from the City’s website at www.sanantonio.gov/nad. Joe Frank Picazo, Special Projects Coordinator, may be contacted for technical assistance at 207-2820 or by cell phone at 219-5933.

City News Releases

City News Releases:
Full story available by clicking hyperlink

5/10: City Extends Free Street Meter Parking Program for Hybrids
The City of San Antonio is continuing a program that will provide free street meter parking to owners of hybrid vehicles and help the City further its environment-friendly initiatives. City Council voted today to indefinitely extend the Hybrid Vehicle Pilot Program initiated last May by District 3 Councilman Roland Gutierrez to promote environmental awareness and provide incentives for citizens to purchase hybrids. The extension applies to 170 vehicles currently registered with the City.



4/24: Process begins for crafting City’s 2008 Budget
The City’s annual budget process is already underway. Again this year, City budget planners are soliciting input from residents and employees to help formulate a proposed balanced budget for the City’s 2008 Fiscal Year (FY) that will be presented to City Council and to the community on August 16.