FORE - It's coming!

Ok, it's not that we've finished any of the other issues, but let me point out one more.  It's about our golf course.  Now admittedly I no longer play golf. But for almost 20 years I did.

When my eldest son joined the Golf team in high school I ventured out to our cute little 9 hole course.  I can tell you we'll never get a PGA tournament here, but for a 9 hole course it's pretty nice.  I've even taken to walking around it during the coolness of the day.

But after looking I noticed the prices that are being paid by our members I almost choked.  I'm posting our golf course compared to Luling: 

		Gonzales	Luling
Green Fees:	Weekdays	$10	$10
	Weekends	$12 per day	$14
Cart Rental Fees:	9 holes	$8	$6 for 1 person/$12 for 2 people
	18 holes	$15	$9 for 1 person/$18 for 2 people
	Trail Fee	None	$5
Annual Membership:	Individual	$215	$300
	Family	$275	No such thing
	Husband and Wife	$275	$450
	Each Additional Child	$Free	$66
	Individual Child (18)	$Not Posted  I think $50	$92
	Annual Trail Fee	$None	$76

So just the basics, a husband and wife pay $175 less at the Gonzales course, not counting any trail fees.  That doesn't count if you had 2 kids another $132 (now we're over $300 difference, doubling what we charge).  Even as an individual you're looking at almost double the cost by the time you add the trail fees.

Now go way back, and I told you there are some things that the city does for the good of the people.  We need a golf course if you want anyone to come visit.  It's a simple business fact of life.  But there is a reasonable consideration that should be made.

Now let's look at some simple numbers.

$275 for a family of 4 to play unlimited golf
$68.75 each person in the family for a year of golf
$5.73 per person per month for golf
$1.43 per round if the person plays only once per week.

Even if it's just a husband and wife (not a family of 4) that's only $2.86 a round weekly.

Now what other activity can you do for $1.43 every week of the year?  And that's not counting if you want to play extra it just drops that price even more.

In 1985 I had a club membership as an E4 in the army.  During that time our fees were based partially on the rank, and I was at the bottom.  Even then I paid $200 a year.

I'm afraid that this is another example of the city not watching what is going on around them.  I'm not going to mention the numbers I've heard that the course is running in deficit because I haven't seen them personally, but I know it's substantial.  We need to be more aware of what others are doing.  If the average cost is $500 for a family, guess what, we should be too.

I know this is a sore subject for many, because it's a particular group that plays most of the golf down there, but facts are facts, and the fact is there is NO better deal in Gonzales than the one we've allowed to happen at the golf course. Let's manage our city facilities the way they should be.  Raise the annual fees, throw in a trail fee, and get in line with those around us.

God Bless,
Dennis Nesser

More on Liquor by the drink

Ok, so I've gone by and found out more about the Liquor by the Drink initiative. 

First of all we have until July 23rd to have the petitions turned in for verification prior to the August vote.  Do NOT be thinking August, think today!

Second here are a couple of locations to sign the petition that I'm aware of. The Chamber of Commerce (Open 8 - 5 M-F, 9 - 5 Sat, 1 - 4 Sunday), Shear Design, and Breitschopf Reality all have petitions to sign.  For the time being Hector Porres and I have petitions to sign too, so if you see us ask.

You MUST be a registered voter in Gonzales County to sign the petition.  This is NOT just for the city of Gonzales, but the ENTIRE county.  So if you live in Waelder, Nixon or Smiley you also have a dog in this fight. People are needed in these other areas to push the initiative there too.  If you're interested contact one of the above locations.

You do not have to have your voter registration number, but if you do it will make verification easier.  If you sign the petition, please make sure you print your name next to if if you don't have your ID # so that verification will be easier for the County Clerks office.

If we ever want to fill up downtown Gonzales we've got to have a place for the people to go.  This is a good start to revitializing our downtown once again.

God Bless
Dennis Nesser

One for the Road?

Not sure how many people know this in Gonzales County yet, but there is an initiative by some people to bring liquor by the drink to Gonzales County.  In order for them to put it on the ballot it will take 2200 signatures.  This number is based on the last governors election.  They will have a set amount of days to get the 2200 signatures and have them turned in for inspection. So several thoughts come to mind.

One bravo for someone not waiting for out local government to make any change.  They are taking it straight to the people of Gonzales to decide.  Win, lose or draw they will know what the people of Gonzales have to say.

Second, if Gonzales county ever wants a nice restaurant in this county, it is going to have to have liquor by the drink. I can tell you, as someone who has managed a restaurant, that the profit margins in food industries is pretty slim. The profits are in the drinks.  And when you get into nicer places it's the drinks that make a difference.

Don't think so? Where do you go for a nice steak? Hmmm...seems like Roberts is the big talk.  They have liquor by the drink.  Kessels? Wait, they have liquor by the drink. And yet since I moved here over 15 years ago that's where we went for a steak.   Any Outback, Chilis, Applebees, etc etc etc are always going to have liquor by the drink. Why? Because that's how they make the money to survive.

Over the years I've seen a dozen restaurants move into Gonzales and fail. Just in the corner of the square I think I've seen a half dozen places come and go.  Some of those places were pretty good places to eat. Some were ok.  But none of them could survive.  I honestly think if they had put liquor by the drink in some of those places they'd still be around.

How many of you are a member of the BPO Elks in Gonzales just for the drinks with your meals?  It's probably one of the top 3 reasons to join the lodge.

You want to learn how to bring business downtown? You want people to walk through the downtown area after a meal? Well guess what, this will be one of those ways to do it.
 
So over the next several weeks you'll be seeing someone with a clip board asking you to sign.  I am going to ask you to seriously consider it.  Consider that at NO additional cost to taxpayers we have a way to bring people to our town to go eat, walk around and purchase goods.  Now that's the kind of thinking that will allow Gonzales to survive!

God Bless,
Dennis Nesser

Happy Fathers Day

Over the last 3 - 4 years I've been working with men groups that have shown me just how important fathers really are to our society.  I always thought that using the 80/20 rule, that 80% of the men grew up in good homes where the father was there, and the children got the approval that was needed for a health relationship later in life.  I've learned it's just not so.

Our fathers are so important to us.  They not only are the bread winners in most households, though in todays society a 2 income family is more common than not, they are the ultimate in approval.

Mothers hug us, love us, fight for us when we've done wrong, but ultimately the kids look to dad for approval in what we do in our every day life.  Be it that baseball game we played at 10 years old, our school work, the job were working in, our choice of a spouse, how we raise our kids, we want to know that our dads our proud of us.  That we are beloved.

So today I have 2 messages.

The first, to the dads, if you haven't put your kids way up on your ladder of things to take care of spiritually and emotionally, then start today. This Fathers day make it your promise to spend the time so that down the road your children will never doubt that you were proud of them and loved them. Make sure our words as fathers are encouraging, not discouraging. Loving not harsh. That they have the spiritual guidance that only a father can give to get them not only through this world but the next.

To the children, make sure your dad knows how much you love him and want him in your life.  How you appreciate him for all he's done.  For taking you out to throw that ball.  For taking you to the movies, camping, fishing, or what ever it was that he could of done by himself, but chose to take you with him. For being there when it really counted. 

As a father we make many many mistakes, and often times we wish we could take back those moments but we can't.  But today is a day to put on the rose colored glasses, to forget and forgive, and to let dad know that he really is special to us, and that today we set aside for him.

If you don't have anything for dad today, go over and spend the day with him.  Sit on the back porch, have him over for BBQ, just make a phone call and let him know you care.

God Bless
Dennis Nesser

Scouting / Venturing

I want to talk about our youth in Gonzales, and a part of it I'm involved in.  I'm scoutmaster for Troop 262 here in Gonzales. I've been involved in scouting now for about 7 years, starting out in Cub Scouts and took over Troop 262 about 3 years ago when the previous scoutmaster stepped down. 

About 8 months ago a group of boys came to me and asked what it would take to get a Venturing unit started here in Gonzales.  To the best of my knowledge, the only other Crew (Scouters have Troops, Venturing have Crews) in this area is in Lockhart.  We set out to find a sponsoring organization, and after a bit of a search the BPO Elks stepped up to become the units sponsors. 

Saturday, after the Elks put on a dedication to the US Flag, they will be signing the paperwork to start the unit officially.  John DuBose Jr will be signing the agreement between Capitol Area Council and the Elks for the Venturing Crew 264. 

Venturing is a bit unique in Boy Scouts in that it is open to all boys and girls age 14 - 21.  Unlike Boy Scouts, it's not so much about rank and badges, as the leadership and planning for activities that the participants decide they want to do.  If they want to go camping, then they figure out how, how much, and make it happen.  The adult leadership is more to keep them in bounds and make sure that they have all the training and equipment they might need to for safe activities. 

So Gonzales is pretty blessed with an outstanding Scouting environment.  For the boys we have Cub Scouts Pack 261, starting at 1st grade and going till 5th grade, Boy Scouts Troops 262 and Troop 263, going from 6th grade - 18 y/o, and now Venturing Crew 264 from 14 y/o - 21 y/o. 

For the Girls Scouts I believe they go from Kindergarten - 18 y/o. I was recently at their banquet and can tell you that they too have a thriving organization here in Gonzales.

Scouting teaches these kids leadership skills and exposes them a wide variety of activities that they might not otherwise be exposed to.  Right now Troop 262 has 2 boys at National Youth Leadership Training, learning CEO type training so they will be able to come back and run the troop. 

Next week we'll be on our annual summer camp.  20 boys with a dozen adults will be camping.  The boys will be learning about Environmental Science, First Aid, Cooking, Leatherworks, Rowing, Space Exploration, Knots, Tracking, Indian Folklore, and several other topics.

If you're interested in getting involved in Scouting, either as a Boy Scout or Venturer email info@trp262.com and we will get you in touch with someone. Let us know which (or both) group you're interested in. 

God Bless
Dennis

Truth, Justice and the American Way

It's been said that truth will ultimately prevail.  For the last 4 months I've pounded on the Gonzales Inquirer for their lack of reporting of news, their misleading articles, and their  half truths.  I've complained that they are making more news than they are reporting on by doing such a thing.  I've argued that their childish antics on Facebook and in the paper are incredibly unprofessional as a mainstream paper in our community.

It got so bad I wrote the President and Chairman of Granite Publications and told them I was reporting more news than the Inquirer.  I pointed them to specific articles that were absent in the Inquirer.  I pointed them to specific bias columns (not editorials) that showed that they had become nothing short of henchmen for the mayor and city manager.

Look, I believe that every paper has a right to an editorial.  I appreciate it even more when they are willing (or better yet, their staff) post 2 opposing views.  It's keeps us sharp in our thinking if we have to support what we are saying.  Doesn't mean we have to agree, just appreciate that there is another side to the story.  The Inquirer had, over the last 12 -18 months drifted so far down the party line they couldn't see what was happening right in front of their shop. They only wanted to hear one side to every story, and that was the city managers side.  No one else had the truth in their books.

Well today it's being reported that Greg and Nichole Little were met by Mr. Chionsini, Chairman for Granite Publications, and were told to leave. These 2 are directly responsible for the direction that the paper has taken since Mr. Cunningham left the paper.

I personally think it's a good day for Gonzales.  I am praying that Mr. Chionsini and his staff have replace the Littles with someone who will bring the Inquirer back to it's standard of reporting that this town deserves and expects from a 100 year old paper. I hope the editorial page will once again be a place for discussion of our issues that we need to be discussing in our town, but that opinions stay in the editorials and not the news sections.

Good Luck Gonzales Inquirer, and Gonzales, it's a great day for Truth, Justice and the American Way!

God Bless,
Dennis Nesser

Just a thought on JB Wells

So I've really been thinking about this whole JB Wells thing.  As a business owner I have a hard time understanding why JB Wells isn't making money.  We have a wonderful arena that other cities come to, looking at what we have. 

I have friends in Llano that tell me that Gonzales is 'it' right now and that's why they are looking to us to see how they can do something similar. That kind of attention doesn't come because your facility sucks.

I also believe, that even though these visitors are not your 'convention crowd' they are still good for Gonzales. Any time someone wants to spend time in our town it's a good thing.  When we treat them hospitable and they want to come back, that's even a better thing.

The problem, and it's very root of everything lies in the management of our facilities.  Now please hear me out on this one.

It's not often that our government, at any level, works so well in private sectors.  After discussing this with many people around town, and looking back on my days working at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, I may have an idea.  Not saying it's perfect, not saying it would fly, but saying it's something we should discuss and consider.

Did you know that the Freeman Coliseum is not run by the city of San Antonio?  It's concessions are not run by the city of San Antonio?  Nope, not done that way. 

Both are run by management groups that specialize in their industry.  Let me start with the food, because that's what I was involved in.

Now admittedly there are more food booths and food to be sold at an event at Freeman than JB Wells, but what they use to do is hire a group to manage out there.  I personally went through 2 groups in the time I worked out there.  They in turn would hire non-profits to come out and work the food booths.  Before we would start a session we would be inventoried.  At the end of the night we would again be inventoried.  How many cups had we sold, how many hot dogs and buns were missing.  We threw nothing away, as it all had to be counted. 

They would tally up the money, subtract for any shortages, and then pay us 10% of the gross for our charity.  There were dozens of charities that made good money for events like the SA Rodeo. 

But bottom line is the city of San Antonio was making money on the gross sales.  It didn't matter to them if the company involved made money or not, the city walked away a winner. 

Now last year we purchased over $80,000 worth of goods for the commissary.  We sold (or what was turned in) was just over $65,000.  I can tell you from food management, that $65,000 worth of goods should of brought in over $195,000.  So where did the other $130,000 go? 

I can also tell you that there was (if there was any) only one official inventory done last year at the commissary.  Highly unprofessional of any business.  Especially a cash business like that. 

So let's look at the booking of the facilities themselves.  What incentive does the city have to make any money on the arena?  None! There is no accountability for anyone to run it like you would any other business.  There is no incentive to run it profitably. 

If there was, we wouldn't have pools being filled up on a $20 hook-up.  We wouldn't have someone discounting 10 day stays down to $125 instead of the posted $200 rate. We wouldn't be running the place at a $230,000 loss last year. 

A management company that had to pay the city based on gross receipts would have incentive to make a profit. They would be careful not to allow the pennies add up to dimes up to dollars up to tens of thousands of dollars in loss, as it would be their bottom line effected, and in private sector a loss would not be tolerated.

So here's what I'm asking you as those affected by all this in tax dollars, what is the plan that will work?  I can think of probably 2 or 3 different business men here in town that could manage the concessions.  I can not think of anyone off the top of my head that would necessarily be able to handle the management of the arena itself, but I know there are companies that do just that.

What is the down side to leasing these 2 functions out?  Year 1 the city would be making a profit on the arena.  Let's see, your and my taxes would not increase to cover the $200,000 loss. 

And as long as I am going on about the similarities on us and San Antonio, I want to put out that while the city of San Antonio built the original coliseum, Peter Holt and businessmen of San Antonio built the expansion that stands there today.  We've built the arena, why isn't the private businesses that will be effected by the proposed expansion not coming up with dollars to back up what is so good in Gonzales? I'm all for expanding the JB Wells park, but first we have to make money on what we have before we should even consider it, and second, I'm not for taxpayers putting up $5,000,000 for something they are not going to recoup. It's time private sector comes to the table reasonably with their checkbooks in hand to make this kind of expansion happen.

Let's hear from you Gonzales, tell us what you think!

God Bless
Dennis Nesser

Bobby L. Just say "NO"

I went to the city council meeting Tuesday night.  It was a packed house, and I'm assuming that for the most part people were interested in what the city was going to do about the horses in our city limits.  It was nice to see our citizens in action, and that they are so passionate about an issue.

But the thing that made me laugh more than anything was Bobby Logans performance on 3 different votes.  During the discussion he'd made it clear he was against these issues, and that's fine.  Your city council person should not always be in line with the rest.  There isn't a person up there I agree with 100% of the time.

But what was funny to me was when the mayor call for the vote it went like this, "Mr. Schroeder?" "Aye", "Mr. Schurig" "Aye" "Mr. Hernandez" "Aye" "Mr. Logan" ".....(tapping pencil on the desk)...(squirming to his right)...(tapping some more).......(deep breath)....(more tapping of the pencil)...."aye", "and I too will vote Aye".

These performances by councilman Logan were nothing shy of Oscar performances.  His district should be proud.

GIVE ME A BREAK!  Just say "NO"  If you don't agree with paying the alley, the GEDC appointments, or anything else that has been discussed, just say so! I would have more respect for Mr. Logan if he did.

I give the mayor credit for not making to much of a big deal about it.  2 times he made snide comments about the issue at hand that could of been left off the records, but when it came time to vote he just did it.  No scene from Gone With the Wind to go along with it. So while he too could of said "Nay" (the vote issues were already passed by the time they got to Mr. Logan anyway, so his No wouldn't of effected a thing), at least he showed a bit of class.

You know our city council shouldn't be voting 100% one way or another.  It makes me worry there is to many behind closed door deals when it happens.  So my message to Mr. Logan, grow up and just say "NO" next time!

Kudos to both Tommy and Gary for stepping up this week!! Both of them came prepared for bear, and had to put their foot down to get their points across.  I love to see our city councilmen actually prepared to talk about issues, and know the right questions to ask when the city manager tries to squirm out of it. Both need to be called and told what a great job they've done!

Lorenzo should be complimented on not dragging out this GEDC board any longer.  If left up to Mr. Logan it would of taken another 2 months to get people appointed. I think Councilman Hernandez had done his job to seek out good candidates that will help Gonzales grow through GEDC.  After all they've been vacant since April, how much longer should we expect to wait for these positions to be filled? Keep up the great work Mr. Hernandez!


God Bless,
Dennis Nesser