A Fiesta message from Councilman Dist. 7 Justin Rodriguez

Dear Friends, It's hard to believe that Fiesta kicks off this coming weekend with a full slate of activities, including the St. Mary's University Oyster Bake and Earth Day at Woodlawn Lake Park. I'm proud to say both of these great events call D7 their home. Before we get there, however, we have a busy week in the District. First, on Wednesday, we break ground on the skatepark at Nani Falcone Park, a project approved by voters in 2007.

This project has generated a lot of excitement in the northern part of D7 and particularly among the skating community. Second, this coming Friday, we will celebrate the groundbreaking of the construction of the new Fire Station #27. Located on Hillcrest Drive near Bandera Road, this new facility will be replacing the existing, outdated station.

I am particularly proud of this project because it is one that I advocated for and subsequently helped secure the necessary funding. Fire Station #27 serves a large portion of D7 and will be a welcome addition to the neighborhood. I invite you to join us this Friday at 10 a.m.

I look forward to seeing you in the District!

Warmest regards, Justin

P.S. Just a reminder to be safe during all your Fiesta activities. Have fun but please don't drink and drive!

Save Our State Rally Bus Tour sponsored by Rep. Castro, 4-6

Texas State Rep. Joaquin Castro will be sponsoring a Save Our State Bus Tour on Wednesday, April 6th. There are still seats available for those interested in attending. The tour will include a march at Waterloo Park and a rally.

If you would like to attend, please contact Cynthia Chapa, District Director of the office of State Representative Castro, at (210) 684-6896.

"Ask the Judge" Column today (Sunday) in La Prensa on Jargon

Ask the Judge: In the Justice of the Peace Court attorneys and judges use various legal terms in relation to cases heard in the court.

Definition of the term Docket:
1. Caseload of a Judge or Court
2. List of legal cases to be heard by a Judge

In Justice of the Peace Court, we have six separate dockets in our courtroom that reference numerous legal terms.
1. Truancy
2. Disorderly Students (ex: disruption of class, assault by contact, minors in possession of alcohol, drugs, cigarettes)
3. Evictions
4. Misdemeanor/Traffic Tickets
5. Civil Claims
6. Small Claims

Over the past five weeks we have addressed the dockets in some detail for those who may find themselves in the courtroom as a plaintiff or defendant. While we didn’t address Civil Claims in particular, it should be noted that the Small Claims docket and the Civil Claims docket are very similar.

The difference is the Civil Claims, adheres to slightly different guidelines and tends to be more formal in the presentation. Normally the Civil Claims docket usually involves both sides represented by attorneys rather than themselves, although you are allowed to represent yourself. (Representing yourself “without an attorney” is called Pro Se)

Many of the terms used in a courtroom are familiar to most citizens. Watching reruns of NBC’s variations of Law & Order & Harry’s Law, CBS’s The Defenders, and even Judge Judy and Judge Mathis can be helpful.

A Default Judgment means the defendant did not show up for court and automatically loses in the Small & Civil Claims docket.

A Complaint details a grievance against a defendant with specifics of the alleged offense.

Burden of Proof requires plaintiff to present facts to prove their case. The defendant does not have to verbally respond in court if they choose not to speak.

A Bench Warrant is issued by a Judge for a defendant to appear before that Judge that may also include bail.

Nolo Contendre means defendant neither admits nor denies guilt but accepts Judges ruling.

Non-suit references a plaintiff suing the wrong person for an alleged grievance. And finally Ex-Parte conversation with the Judge is prohibited unless the other party in the law suit is present.

Lastly as always, if you are due in court, be sure to show up to court on time. It is in everyone’s best interest.

Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2 Steve Walker is a Vietnam Veteran and a former Journalist.

La Prensa Foundation hosts 15th Anniversary Quinceanera, 5-26

L-R: Honoree April Ancira

La Prensa Foundation presents the honorees for the 15th Anniversary Quinceanera celebrating Outstanding Women Awards Gala, May 26th @ 6 p.m. @ the Omni Hotel @ the Colonnade, 9821 Colonnade.

NE Dems host Council Candidate Forum @ Gervin Academy

L-R: Council District 10 Candidates Bud Little, Isy Perez, Laura Thompson & Carlton Soules, District 9 Councilwoman Elisha Chan, District 1 Council Candidate Diego Bernal, Mayoral Candidate Rhett Smith, Quote, NEBCD President John Courage, David Rodriguez, Madeleine Dewar, Bob Miller, Gene Marck, Betty Vance & husband, Louise Cooper, Ed Coleman, Tim Ybarra, Connie DeLuna, William B. Johnson, Julie "Mama Bexar" Oldham, Joel Meyer, David Plylar, Dee Villarubia, Sarah Aranda & dad, Rocky, Elisha Chan sign, tee-shirt, NEBC Democrats, George Gervin Academy

Northeast Bexar County Democrats hosted a Council Candidate Forum for Districts 1, 8, 9, & 10 plus Mayoral @ the George Gervin Academy, April 2nd.

San Antonio Youth Summit, featuring Sonny Melendrez, 4-4

Join Master of Ceremonies Sonny Melendrez @ our VIP Reception presented by Youth Engaging in Leadership & Learning (Y.E.L.L) in honor of the 3rd Annual San Antonio Youth Summit, April 4th @ 5:30 p.m. 420 S. Atlamo Sreet. RSVP: 227-2751.

Reception for the Republican Party of Texas, April 8th

Special Guest: Senator John Cornyn, Friday, April 8th

Sponsor Reception ~ 5:30 p.m., General Reception ~ 6 p.m. @ the home of Mr. & Mrs. Leroy G. Denman, Jr. 503 Terrell Road 78209, Tickets: Lone Stars - $5,000 Silver Spurs - $2,500 Capitol Club - $1,000

NO April Fooling-Walker Report hits 900-thousand hits!!!!

Despite it being April Fool's Day, we are not monkeying around when we say the Walker Report passed another milestone as it recorded its 900-thousandth hit early today. We are on our way to one million hits! Help us get there in record time. With all the City Council races in full swing, we will be posting upcoming events and covering as many as we can.

Walker Report Publisher/Editor & Judge Steve Walker

Trinity Univ. Maverick Lecture featuring Jorge Castaneda, 4-19

L-R: Jorge Castenada, Former Foregin Minsister of Mexico

Trinity’s upcoming Maverick lecture, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Apr. 19th at Laurie Auditorium. The featured speaker is Jorge Castañeda, who was the Foreign Minister of Mexico under President Vicente Fox. His subject is “The Defense of Human Rights in Latin America and the Third World.”