City Charter

Twice in recent months I've heard that our city attorney has made the comment (and I paraphrase here), "that is no longer state law, but it's still the way our city charter reads." 

I'm not sure how many of you have ever read the city charter.  It's the rules and laws under which our city operates.  It covers everything from elections, procedures, and how to's for our city government.  It's how we operate. 

Some of the rules are set to be in compliance with State statutes.  Others are just because those who went before us decided that's the way it should be.  And as always, our rules can be tougher than state rules. 

Recently I withdrew a partition to get term limits put in our charter.  But it's a rule I believe belongs there.

Ok, down to my point.  Every set of rules we have periodically need to be reviewed and made sure they are keeping up with the times.  Some rules might not ever change.  Some might not apply in our current world circumstances.  So I believe it's time for our council to put together a review of our charter.  It could be through a workshop they host, run, and work through or it could be through the appointment of a committee to review the charter and come back with recommendations. But it's obvious to me that when our city lawyers response is the same several times lately about our charter that we need to step back for 60 seconds and make sure our charter is doing what it's suppose to be doing. 

Just my 2 cents on this glorious Sunday morning.

God Bless
Dennis Nesser

Friday Nights

If you want to see some of the potential in Gonzales, then you need to attend at least one of the Gonzales Main Street Friday Concert series.  We went last night to the June 3rd concert.  They've moved it this year to Confederate Square, and it was a hit. 

I saw the heart and soul of Gonzales out.there.  As my wife and I walked around celebrating our 5th anniversary we saw friends every where we look.  The kids were running around in the grass behind the adults, and there were even some games for the kids between one of the sets. 

There were 30 vendors with food and crafts.  Good music.  And once the sun went down it was Chamber of Commerce weather. 

Where else can you spend a night that cost you nothing if you'd like and have the joys of friends and family and good entertainment? Where else will you see our town come together regardless of politics, regardless of race, regardless of social scale, regardless, everyone was invited and there?  Where else will you see the best of Gonzales all in one place?

When you see the Gonzales Main Street committee, or see them online let them know how how much you like seeing what they've done.

In past years my wife and I have attended one to 2 of these events a year.  We are working a booth with the boy scouts this year, and will be there every Friday. and the July 4th event.  We hope to see you there!

For The Birds

Thank You Gonzales, You FLOCK!!!

I've often been told my board and website is for the birds, and now I know it is. 90a Sign is surrounded by 39 pink flamingos. Seriously, for the last month Troop 262 has been having a fund raiser with 3 flocks of plastic pink flamingos.  They've made their way around Gonzales, yard to yard, and even visited several businesses throughout town.  They have been accepted with open arms through out town. In their farewell night in Gonzales, they are perched at 'the chalkboard' to say Thank You Gonzales!

We wanted to share what these funds will be going towards.  We have 41 scouts in Troop 262.  Of those we have 17 boys (age 14 and above) and adults going to S. Padre Island for a week of high adventure sailing.  We'll be sailing out of Laguna Station.  Everyone will learn knots, tacking, and terminology.  Then we'll start out with smaller sailboats and at the end of the week we'll be on a 40'+ yacht.  This camp is $650+ per person. 

A second group of boys who either chose not to go to Seabase or are under 14 years old will also be going to S. Padre Island to enjoy a week on the beach and fun activities at the state park down there.  We expect this will cost about $300 - $350 per person for this camp. 

These are 2 huge undertakings, and we'll be doing them simultaneously!  Approximately 50 individuals will be spending the week of June 24 - 30, 2012 down in S. Padre.

Our troop is active and always on the go.  In 2 weeks we'll go to Summer Camp 2011 at El Rancho Cima over by Wimberely.

We've spent a night on the USS Lexington, shot riffles, shotguns, muzzle loaders, had "minute to win it" competitions, learned about money management, and so much more, and that's just 2011, and we're only 1/2 way done.

If you have a boy age 11 - 18, and are interested in finding out more about our troop, please contact us at info@trp262.com or visit our website at www.trp262.com

If you are a boy or girl age 14 - 21 and would like to find out about Boy Scouts Venturing (it's co-ed) in Gonzales and all their activities, including surfing, climbing, canoeing and much more contact Allison Poteet at cubmaster_fun_261@yahoo.com.

Or if you have a younger boy, 1st through 5th grade find out about Cub Scouts at www.pack261.com or you can also email Allison Poteet at cubmaster_fun_261@yahoo.com.

Scouting has been a big part of American culture since 1911 (that's right 100 years), and is a great program for any boy (and now girls age 14+ too).

God Bless,
Dennis Nesser

If you would like to donate to Troop 262 camping fund, please mail a check made out to BSA Troop 262 to 712 Ridgemont Lane, Gonales, TX 78629