Pastor Richard Boyd shares his weekly video mini-sermon

This week’s video email from Pastor Richard Boyd!

rnboyd@minister.com
Please click on link below to view

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=c6216859c8fce3540434

Transportation Task force appointed by Mayor & Judge

Laura Jesse (photo)

Commissioner's Court

Public Affairs Officer

County, City form group to look at transportation issues

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff and Mayor Phil Hardberger have appointed an 11-member Transportation Task Force that will assess existing transportation plans and priorities in order to make local policy as well as state and federal legislative recommendations. The task force will begin its work in July and make a state legislative recommendation in November, with final proposals delivered by the end of the year.

As San Antonio and Bexar County continue to grow at a healthy pace, it is imperative to ensure the transportation systems are viable, efficient and integrated to support the growing population and lessen the environmental impacts. Rising fuel prices, the overall economic downturn throughout the country and stricter federal pollution standards make the work of the task force even more critical and timely.

"We've learned that when this community works together on something, we can really get a lot accomplished," Judge Wolff said. “We look forward to creating a model for successful transportation planning that can take us well into the future.”

The task force’s scope of work will specifically cover existing transportation plans and priorities, modes of travel, financing options, and regulatory and legislative contexts. The group also will compare this community’s transportation system to comparable regions in the state and country, critically review existing plans and investment priorities and provide a set of “next steps” for local transportation agencies.

The task force will work with support from the staffs of the County, City, San Antonio Mobility Coalition, Alamo Area Council of Governments, Texas Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Regional Mobility Authority and VIA Metropolitan Transit.

The members of the task force are:
● Hope Andrade, former chairwoman of the Texas Transportation Commission
● Bill Barker, Sierra Club and Green Space Alliance member
● Mary Briseno, VIA board member
● Jack Leonhardt, AACOG board I and mayor of City of Windcrest
● James Lifshutz, VIA board member
● Terrell McCombs, San Antonio Mobility Coalition chairman
● Richard Perez, Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce president/CEO and former city councilman
● Rick Pych, VIA board member
● Jim Reed, Regional Mobility Authority board member
● Linda Chavez-Thompson, VIA board member
● Derrick Howard, CPS Energy board member

“I’m very pleased with the lineup of individuals we’ll have on this task force,” said Mayor Hardberger, who will chair the group with Judge Wolff.

“Developing a comprehensive transportation plan for our area is critical as we continue to grow, and we must do it together,” he added.

The task force’s meetings will be open to the public and resources and reports will be posted to a Web site hosted on the County’s site at www.bexar.org.

Play Golf @ Briggs Ranch during the 4th of July celebrations

The Golf Club of Texas @ Briggs Ranch
Come celebrate our nation's Birthday at the Golf club of Texas with a special 4th of July offer!!

Green Fee, Cart and UpLink GPS for only
$49 Friday - Sunday before 1 p.m.
$39 Friday -Sunday after 1 p.m.

This offer is valid July 4th-6th, from 6:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. and can not be used with any other offers or promotions. Gift certificates, bounce back coupons and special offers will not be accepted.

For tee time reservations please call 210-677-0027
www.golfcluboftexas.com

Sen. Hutchison weighs in on Courts 2nd Amendment verdict

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (photo)

Led Amicus Brief Effort of Bipartisan Congressional Majority

Washington –U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Texas’ senior Senator, applauded a Supreme Court ruling in the case of DC v. Heller, affirming the intent of the Founders that the right to bear arms is an individual right protected by the Constitution. The decision is the first major Supreme Court ruling on a Second Amendment challenge to a firearm law since 1939.

“This ruling is a major victory for the rights of all Americans to protect themselves and their families,” said Sen. Hutchison. “The Supreme Court sent a clear message to local, state, and federal governments that this individual right cannot be unreasonably infringed.”

On February 8, Sen. Hutchison filed an amicus brief in the case of D.C. v. Heller in favor of the respondent who simply wished to exercise his Constitutional right to protect himself in his home. The brief affirmed that the legislative branch believes that the Second Amendment is an individual right. The brief was signed by a bipartisan majority of Congress, including 55 Senators, the Vice President as President of the Senate, and 250 Members of the House of Representatives.

Sen. Hutchison and Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) gathered the greatest number of signers on a brief to the Supreme Court in history. Sen. Hutchison believed it was important for members of the legislative branch to give its opinion on the legislative history and its relevance.

“This was the perfect vehicle for the Supreme Court to affirm that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to self-defense,” said Sen. Hutchison. “The Congressional brief documented legislative history that proved Congress has consistently treated the Second Amendment as a protected individual right.”

March 27, 2007, Sen. Hutchison introduced the District of Columbia Personal Protection Act of 2007, S.1001, a bill to restore Second Amendment Rights to the residents of Washington, DC. The bill has 45 Senate cosponsors. Its House companion legislation, H.R. 1399, has 245 cosponsors.

Reprinted in part from Texas Insider.org.

Perry comments on Court ruling upholding 2nd Amendment

Statement by Gov. Rick Perry (photo) regarding the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Upholding 2nd Amendment:

Austin – Gov. Rick Perry issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding Americans' 2nd Amendment right to bear arms:

"Texans have long held that it is a fundamental right of every law-abiding citizen to keep and bear arms. Affirmation from our country’s highest court should unquestionably cement this right for future generations of Texans and Americans."

Gov. Rick Perry speaks out on Jessica's Law ruling by Court

Statement by Gov. Rick Perry (photo) regarding the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Jessica’s Law:

Austin – Gov. Rick Perry issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Jessica's Law:

"I believe the vast majority of Texans agree that the death sentence is the appropriate punishment for someone convicted of raping a child. While today's opinion does not directly address Texas law, we recognize that our state is guided by the decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. That said, Texas will continue to seek the toughest punishment allowable for the predators who commit crimes of this nature, including the sentence of life without parole that is also permitted under our state’s version of Jessica’s Law.

"In my opinion, laws should be strong enough to deter these unspeakable offenses or, in the least, prevent these lowest of criminals from harming any child again.

"As Justice Alito’s dissenting opinion says: ‘no matter how young the child, no matter how many times the child is raped, no matter how many children the perpetrator rapes, no matter how sadistic the crime, no matter how much physical or psychological trauma is inflicted, and no matter how heinous the perpetrator's prior criminal record may be,’ justice should be served."

Northeast Democrats Headquarters to open July 5th

John Courage (photo)
NE Democrats Chairman

NEBCD Headquarters Grand Opening
Saturday July 5th from 4 p.m. till 8:30 p.m.

Were having an "old fashion Ice Cream Social" with Hot Dogs, Chips and Soft drinks too! ( for a $5 donation) @ our new office location 7122 San Pedro, Ste. 114

In the San Pedro Town Center shopping center
(in front of the Dollar Tree store)
Obama Gear available T-shirts, buttons, bumper stickers, Yard Signs!

Open to all Bexar County Democrats and their families and to the general public

Free Landfill Disposal Day @ 5 designated drop off sites

Philip Cortez (photo)
District 4 Councilman

Free Landfill Disposal Day

It’s that time of the year again, time to clean out all of those unwanted items piling up in your closet and garage and take them to the City’s free landfill disposal day. Residents looking to get rid of brush, old sofas, mattresses, household appliances or even car tires (six tires per household) are encouraged to load up their items and leave them at one of the five designated drop-off locations from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 12th.

No hazardous waste will be accepted.To take advantage of this day, you must be a City of San Antonio residential solid waste rate payer. Individuals must bring a copy of their most recent CPS Energy bill along with a picture ID to the following locations:

• BFI-Tessman Road Landfill, 7000 IH-10 East
• WM-Covel Gardens Landfill, 8611 Covel Road
• TDS Starcrest Transfer Station, 11601 Starcrest Road
• Southside Drop-off Center (near Camargo Park), 5450 Castroville Road

For brush material only, visit the following location:
Bitters Brush Recycling Center, 1800 Bitters Road

Residents are asked to cover loads with a tarp to avoid being charged a penalty under the City Ordinance #72272 Tarp-Law.

Tim Salas
Chief of Staff
Councilman Philip A. Cortez
207-5785 office / fax 207-7027
tim.salas@sanantonio.gov

Wurzbach Group to host breakfast, Wednesday, July 2nd

You are invited to our July breakfast:

Speaker: Justin Budd, CEO, Founder, JG Youth Sports NFL Flag football in San Antonio

Official Web Site
Date: July 2nd (Wednesday)

Location: Orderup, The Colonnade, 9873 IH- 10 W, San Antonio, TX 78230, (210) 877-0007 (Behind the Texas MedClinic)

7:30 a.m. - 8 a.m.-

Reception 8 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.

Program 8:45 a.m. Media Opportunities
Cost: FREE

On your own: "For breakfast we have locally roasted, Mexican Altura coffee, made from scratch sweet rolls, made to order breakfast tacos, breakfast pizza, and breakfast burgers, and fruit cups with fresh strawberries and blueberries."- Orderup

Event Sponsors: Orderup, J's Party Rentals & Supplies, The Walker Report and Luxor Insurance Services.

Creationism foes on alert after passage of Louisiana law

Bobby Jindal (photo)

Louisiana Governor

Critics expect similar measures to be introduced in Texas next Spring.

Evolution backers are bird-dogging a bill signed by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal this week that some say will open up classroom science to increased academic debate and others say is just a back-door attempt to introduce creationism into the curriculum in Louisiana schools.

The “Academic Freedom” bill will allow teachers to introduce state-approved supplemental material into science classrooms. Louisiana lawmakers clearly were split over whether this was a Trojan horse for the inclusion of creationism or an attempt to create robust debate on contemporary science issues such as global warming, human cloning and evolution.

Steven Schafersman, president of Texas Citizens for Science and the leading foe of creationism or intelligent design being injected into Texas curriculum, sent out an e-mail alert Friday afternoon on the Louisiana bill, saying it was only a matter of time before a similar effort would be introduced in Texas.

“It looks like the Discovery Institute finally found a formula that works for them in its continuing opposition to accurate and reliable science education in the U.S.,” Schafersman said. “I strongly believe that (Reps.) Charlie Howard and Warren Chisum will be introducing the same bill in Texas in January. In fact, I’m positive of it.”

Reprinted from Harvey Kronberg's Quorum Report.