THREE INCUMBENTS WIN MAY ELECTION
The San Antonio-area general elections May 9 did not have many surprises. Alamo Heights voters elected Louis Cooper to his sixth consecutive term as mayor with 59.5 percent of the vote. In San Antonio, Air Force retiree Mike Gallagher received 81 percent in clinching a full two-year term as the San Antonio District 10 City Council member. He was previously appointed to the council on an interim basis after Carlton Soules stepped down to run for Bexar County judge last year. But there was one shakeup in Alamo Heights. Political newcomer Lawson Jessee collected nine more votes than two-term incumbent Bobby Hasslocher and won the Alamo Heights Place 1 council post.
In his contest, Cooper bested Sarah Reveley, who ran for mayor four years ago. Cooper owns and runs Calling Solutions Inc., a teleservices company. Reveley made a career in interior planning and design. “I wish to thank the voters of Alamo Heights for their continued confidence in my leadership,” Cooper said, adding he’s happy he and Reveley focused on issues rather than personal attacks. Cooper said he hopes the city can move on from controversies such as the apartment midrise planned for Broadway and Austin Highway and CPS Energy’s plan to install digital smart meters, which some people see as unsafe. “This has already been a controversial year for our community, and we will undoubtedly continue to be faced with challenges over the next two years, but I believe we now have the team in place to meet them and achieve the common good,” he added. Reveley said the controversy surrounding the apartment complex has raised awareness among residents about a greater need to be involved with local government affairs and to follow through with the city’s comprehensive plan.
For Alamo Heights City Council, Place 2 Lawton Jessee prevailed over incumbent Bobby Hasslocher. Jessee is a general contractor whose family has lived in Alamo Heights for generations. “I am honored that the voters of Alamo Heights have given me the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the future of our neighborhood. I will work hard for our citizens, and I hope that they can count on me to address the issues that our community faces,” Jessee said. “I would like to thank my wife, my family and so many others for putting their faith in me and helping with this campaign.”
Bobby Rosenthall ran unopposed for the Place 2 council seat.
A former Northeast Neighborhood Alliance NNA president and former chairperson of the city’s board of adjustment, Gallagher topped Celeste Montez-Tidwell, who has worked in customer service and public relations for years. “I was very pleased with the outstanding support we received from our District 10 voters. My big win is clearly due to the involvement of the active leaders in our neighborhoods within the district,” Gallagher said. “This victory began more than a decade ago with the establishment of the (NNA). The 85 neighborhoods of this organization have been deeply involved in city issues and have carefully watched the actions of our city’s leadership.”
Gallagher said he would spend the next two years on the council focusing on enhancing district infrastructure, improving security of area homes and businesses and seeking economic development opportunities. Montez-Tidwell said she will remain active with district issues, adding that at the least the mayor and council should rein in what she sees as a city manager overstepping her bounds. “We do not need one more Wal-Mart or retail store like Ross; our district deserves better than that. As a mother of four children, I want more for them, and so do the residents of District 10,” she added.
HOMEOWNERS PROTEST HIGHER APPRAISALS
The Bexar County Appraisal District sent out property appraisals to property owners around early May, and many homeowners are expressing a form of sticker shock as they see their home’s value and taxes going up. Ricardo Flores told Texas Public Radio that he personally went down to the Bexar County Appraisal District office to protest a one-year $21,000 rise in value on a local lot he owns. Flores told TPR that the lot is empty, and he was unsure why the value jumped up. He also voiced concern that property taxes on the lot will rise accordingly. Marissa DeLeon Ruiz told the San Antonio Express-News the assessed value on her home increased 52 percent.
Other homeowners took to social media to express frustration with their property assessment. “We live near all the development in the Pearl Brewery area. Our valuation went up by 50 percent for a grand total of $95,000 rise in value in one year,” Loyd Hawkins said on TPR’s Facebook page. “My goodness. Just opened the appraisal from Bexar County, and my home value has increased by $38,000 in one year,” said Freida Graham Wright on Facebook. Residential real estate values in Bexar County are up an average of 11 percent this year, the result of a hot housing market in the area, BCAD officials said. San Antonio officials said they would consider some form of property tax relief while developing the fiscal year 2016 budget. Homeowners with a homestead exemption are subject to a 10 percent cap on annual appraisal increases. June 1 was the deadline for filing a protest against a value appraisal. Regardless, property owners may talk with the appraisal district to see how they could appeal an appraisal or for other concerns.
For more information, visit the website at www.bcad.org, or call 210-224-2432 or visit the office at 411 N. Frio St. between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.
ALAMO HEIGHTS WATER SYSTEM INVESTIGATING BACTERIA FOUND IN WELL SAMPLE
The City of Alamo Heights Water System was notified on May 27 that a raw ground water source sample tested positive for E. coli from Well A at City Facilities. Alamo Heights Water System immediately removed the well from service. These bacteria can make you sick, and are a particular concern for infants, young children and people with weakened immune systems. For more details go to www.alamoheightstx.gov/news.
