2016 Winter Remembrances Newsletter 1
Remembrances
Newsletter of the Schertz
Historical Preservation
Committee
Winter Edition
2016
During 2015, the City of Schertz lost two extremely dedicated volunteer citizens whose presence will be sorely missed. First to pass was Charles “Chuck” Sharp. Chuck was a leading member of the Schertz City Council during the city’s growth years of the 1980s. He also served on several citizen volunteer committees during his lifetime. Next to pass was Lula Mae Schertz, wife of Walter A. Schertz. Lula Mae was the city’s unofficial
historian throughout the years and also served as a leader and/or member of several volunteer organizations. Lula Mae was also a member emeritus of the Historical Preservation Committee. Congratulations to the reelected members of City Council (Cedric Edwards Sr., Daryl
John and Robin Thompson) This quarter’s Committee Remembrances Special Edition Article 2016-1 titled: Schertz in the 1980s – Expanding Boarders and Governance, is the third in a series of articles designed to record the most significant events, decade by decade that produced
today’s modern city we know as Schertz, Texas. Each series documents a decade of activities undertaken by our city leaders (Mayors and City Councilmen) leading to the growth and prosperity of Schertz. The first two editions in the series were published in January of 2014 and 2015 and documented our city’s history during the decades of the 1960s and 1970s, respectively.
The Committee’s nomination of three Schertz Main Street residences (539 Main Street, 711 Main Street, and 707 Main Street) as “Landmark Properties” won City Council approval at the November 10, 2015 council session. Plaques and City proclamations were presented to home owners by Mayor Michael Carpenter at the Council’s December
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Remembrances Newsletter Winter 2016 cont.
and January City Council meetings (see December issue of Schertz Magazine for photos of the homes). The subcommittee assigned the task of evaluating the possibility of naming Schertz’s
Aviation Heights Subdivision as the City’s second “Heritage Neighborhood”
presented its recommendations to City Council on December 8, 2015 and the Council approved the designation on December 15, 2015. The Committee is working to procure banners for placement along the perimeter of the neighborhood in recognition of the honor. The story of the neighborhoods history was presented in Remembrances
Special Edition Article 2014-7 (Aviation Heights – Slow to Develop but a Lasting
Impact). The second Committee/School District Student Historic Art and Essay Contest was held and judging took place in November. Students were required to submit an original
art work, depicting a Texas symbol or landmark. The accompanying essay was to
explain the significance of the depicted symbol or landmark. There were 129 entries from students representing K thru 8th grades. Winners (1st, 2nd &3rd) were recognized at the December 8, 2015 City Council meeting. Planning is now underway for the next contest session.
The Schertz photo history book (Schertz Texas – A Photo History) has been published. The book is 136 pages of Schertz photo history. It is a very attractive and high quality book and is being sold to the public at the Committee’s cost of producing it ($25.00). The book makes a perfect gift for a friend or family member living in Schertz or who
once lived in our town. It will be available for purchase at the Schertz Library, Schertz
Visitor’s Center, at City Hall (Water Dept. window) or from any Committee member (Tel. 651-0394). The book surveys (through photos and sketches) Schertz history from 1850 through 2015. It’s a great coffee table addition.
The Outreach Subcommittee is in the planning stages for its second student historic Schertz field trip. The event will involve students from Corbett Junior High School, school staff members and a staff member of the Schertz, Cibolo, Universal City Independent School District (SCUCISD).
The Committee’s Annual Report has been prepared and will be delivered to City Council
in early February. The report documents a very successful year for the Committee in terms of achieving its targeted goals for 2015. New goals have been set forth for 2016 which the Committee is anxious to begin work on.
A slate of candidates for officer posts within the Committee was put forth at the January
meeting and the newly elected officers include: Chairman – Dean Weirtz; Vice Chairman – Debbie Krause; Secretary – Judith (Lynn) Foehrkolb; Treasure – Jim Webb.