The Chamber serves an advocate for business as outlined in the Chamber’s Mission Statement.
The Government Affairs Council was established in 2005 and is charged with three primary tasks:
1. Identify areas where more involvement in state and federal government could have a positive impact on Boerne.
2. Disseminate information on local, state, and federal government initiatives, legislation, and programs to the local business community.
3. Make the voice of local business heard, particularly by local City and County government leaders.
Chair: Mike Schultz of The Trust Company; Scheduled Meetings: 11:45 a.m. on the 1st Thursday of every month.
Additional Members: David Brown, Glen Boehm - Keller Williams Realty, The Boehm Team; Shawn Bonner - Hungry Horse Restaurant; Steve Bonner - SONRI, Inc., Adalberto Camarillo - Poznecki-Camarillo, Inc.; Beth Coyle - Coyle Engineering; Bob Davis - Sage Capitol Mortgage; Mike De Leeuw - Mike De Leeuw Architect; John Gonzalez - JDG Associates, Inc.; Charles Hepler - Texas Thunder, LLC; ; Grady Jolley - Nunley Jolley Cluck & Aelvoet, LLC; Linda Kohler - Frost Bank; Mike Luckey; Dan Rogers - Kendall County EDC, Mike Schultz of The Trust Company, Dub Smothers; Paula White & Lynn Richter - Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce.
Questions? Suggestions? Contact the Government Affairs Council by clicking here.
To help keep you better informed, we are providing you with local, state and federal website links for you to visit and review. Just click on the website link you wish to visit.
Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) website link,
City of Boerne Council Meetings and Agendas website link,
City of Boerne Planning and Community Development website link,
Kendall County Commissioners Court website link,
Boerne Independent School District website link,
Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District link,
State of Texas Government website link,
Texas Chamber of Commerce Executive's website link,
Texas Association of Business website link,
VoteForBusiness website link, the Votexas.org website link,
US Chamber of Commerce website link and
Friends of the US Chamber website link.
Texas Voter Registration Applications (online or downloaded).
Kendall County Precinct map.
Issues that could influence Boerne businesses
Boerne business owners must learn all they can about factors that affect and shape the landscape in which we operate our businesses. Here are some issues currently under consideration in our area that you need to know more about.
Boerne business owners must learn all they can about factors that affect and shape the landscape in which we operate our businesses. Here are some issues currently under consideration in our area that you need to know more about.
GET OUT THE VOTE!
Kendall County Spring, 2010 Election Information
March 2 Primary Election Results (per the Boerne Star):
While still unofficial until canvassed, final results in the Kendall County Republican Primary show Sheryl D’Spain won nomination for county treasurer, outpolling incumbent treasurer Medana Crow. With no Democratic opposition in November, D’Spain is set to take office in January 2011.
All other incumbents were re-nominated, based on the final results posted by Elections Administrator Rosie Reyes at about 10:40 p.m. at the courthouse.
Final totals posted at 10:40 p.m. were:
County Court at Law Judge:
Bill Palmer: 3,518
Brent Hardy: 1,883
County Judge:
Dan Banks: 1,705
Gaylan Schroeder: 3,965
District Clerk:
Angie San Miguel: 1,543
Kay R. Pugh: 3,723
County Treasurer:
Medana Crow: 2,502
Sheryl D’Spain: 2,866
Pct. 2 County Commissioner:
Charles Hepler: 710
Gene Miertschin: 1,180
Pct. 4 County Commissioner:
Nick Watson: 565
Kenneth Rusch: 571
Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace:
Alvin Schacht: 494
Leon Brimhall: 625
Jonathan Cluck: 510
Because no one had more than 50 percent of the vote, a run-off will be held in April between Leon Brimhall and Jonathan Cluck. The winner will face Democratic nominee Josue Martinez in the November general election.
Texas Secretary of State Candidate's website.
April Primary Runoff Election: Tuesday, April 13 (read more)
May Uniform Election: Saturday, May 8 (read more)
Voter Registration applications: Online or Printable.
League of Women Voters' website.
Candidates who filed for the March primary election.
Kendall County Precinct Map.
Kendall County Election Information.
Model Housing for our Community Workshop
The Government Affairs Council of the Boerne Chamber of Commerce hosted a workshop covering "Model Housing for our Community" on Tuesday, October 20 at the Boerne Convention & Community Center. The workshop was free to the public. View agenda. There will be more imformation posted on the results of this event shortly
2009 LEGISLATIVE PLAN
After months of work on behalf of our Government Affairs Council, Board of Directors and staff members, hosted a Legislative Kickoff Reception on December 16 to introduce our Legislative Pan for 2009.
The Legislative Kickoff Reception was an excellent opportunity to meet and network with not only government officials, but business owners and executives from some of the largest employers in our region. View the Boerne Today video of the Plan's introduction at the reception by the Boerne Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Council Chairman Matt Diana.
The reception and 2009 Legislative Plan was Sponsored by Ye Kendall Inn, Limestone Grille, Marlin Atlantis & Texas Heritage Bank.
“LET'S CLEAR THE AIR (QUALITY)” SEMINAR
The Government Affairs Council hosted a free & open seminar on Air Quality. The seminar was held on Thursday, November 13 at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Boerne, 34935 IH-10 West, Boerne (map).
AACOG's Natural Resources Director Peter Bella and Clean Cities Coordinator Andrew Hudgins were the featured speakers and presenters along with City of Boerne Purchase Director Oliver Mueller & Paul Barwick (RUDAT).
AACOG furnished us with a copy of the slide presentation for Let's Clear the Air (Quality) for your review.
Another good AACOG resource to view is The Air Out There is the Air we Breathe. You may also read the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) news release on the Blue Skyways Collaborative.
SECOND WATER FORUM “Water You Looking At'' Relationships & Regionalization in Kendall County
The Government Affairs Council invited all Chamber members and the public to attend their second Water Forum held on Wednesday, August 1st at the Boerne Convention & Community Center. The Water Forum was attended by an audience of 120 Kendall & Bexar County business men, women, City of Boerne and Kendall County residents.
A survey was given to everyone in attendance to complete and turn in at the end of the forum. The Government Affairs Council has compiled the results of the surveys and out of the 45 surveys turned in, 41 responded they would like to see a Hill Country Regional Planning effort. Click on this link to review the survey results.
The Government Affairs Council has compiled it's first two lists of panelist answers to the audience questions submitted at the Forum. Please click here to review these answers. We hope to have the remaining answers listed in the near future to help provide everyone will a better understanding of the issues surrounding water availability and regionalization plans for the future for our area.
more on water....
WATERSHED ENHANCEMENT PROJECT...
The Government Affairs Council has continued to do the research and meet with authorities in regards to brush management and it's effects on water conservation. Please feel free to view the “Kendall Rainfall Partitioning Within Juniper (Cedar) Canopies“ presentation by M. Keith Owens, Robert K. Lyons, Chris Alejandro and Rose Cooper of Agrilife Research at Texas A&M System.
WHY KENDALL COUNTY NEEDS A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE PLAN (MTP)
It’s all about the infrastructure
Transportation and mobility is one of the greatest challenges facing our community. It is a complex issue because it encompasses emergency preparedness, economy, environment, sustainable housing, local control, tax burdens, and convenience. Each of these issues is complex on its own merit, but when put together it may seem insurmountable. The fact is that solutions are on the horizon. In November of 2005 Kendall County Commissioners created a “Thoroughfare Planning Citizens Committee” (TPCC).
The committee has completed their report and information can be found on this county website link. The GAC encourages the business community to educate itself about the issues associated with transportation and mobility, but even more important we encourage participation in the upcoming meetings so that we can move toward consensus and resolution of a thoroughfare plan that will allow the Master Plan to be realized.
With transportation mind, the Boerne Chamber of Commerce's Government Affairs Council hosted a Transportation Luncheon, Stuck in Traffic, on October 4th at the Boerne Convention and Community Center. Jeremy Martin, Vice President of Government Relations of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, and Michael Meeks, President and CEO of the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, were the featured speakers on Transportation and it's impact in their communities.