I do not enjoy watching myself on camera, but I can only hope that you will, or at least consider what I have to say. Thank you either way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r18oVIkurQc
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Google+ Data Security Breach
Sorry to those of you who were following me on Google+. They had a serious data security breach and will be shutting down in 2019. I went ahead and removed my data and deleted my account to keep my private information safe.
Saturday, October 6, 2018
Bond or No Bond for Water District Improvements
The current Directors of the Water District are considering a $7 million 25 year bond to begin addressing the need to replace the oldest water lines in Windcrest. Whether or not the bond will be voted on by the current Directors is unknown. It probably will not be ready until after the election, so your opinion on whether or not to do the bond can be influenced by who you elect to be on the Board of Directors on November 6th.
To get the most out of our money, it would be advisable to do at least a $1 million project to start with. This allows the Water District to get the best price on materials and have several contractors bid on the project. I have listed below the revenue available for projects over the next 5 years as the water rate will be increasing yearly until 2023.
2018: $389,443
2019: $461,701
2020: $546,063
2021: $634,991
2022: $727,970
5 Year Total: $2,760,168
My understanding would be that we could begin a project sometime next year without a bond. If a bond was issued by the Board of Directors, we could start sooner. Over the 25 year life of the $7 million bond, the interest will total $4.92 million. Interest rates are currently low, so if we were going to do a bond, this would be the time. Unless we plan to do almost $7 million worth of infrastructure rebuilding projects fairly soon, I do not understand the need for the bond.
Based on the Projected Cash-Flow Analysis, we will have $18.82 million of revenue to spend on projects over the next 25 years, until 2043. That doesn't include any future water rate increases from 2023-2043. All the financial information above was obtained from David Wallace, the General Manager of the Water District, and is freely available to any citizen or customer. I hope this information will be helpful to you in deciding who to elect to the Water District Board of Directors.
If anyone has any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you, even if you have differing opinions. I believe we make the best decisions when we are fully informed and willing to listen to new information.
To get the most out of our money, it would be advisable to do at least a $1 million project to start with. This allows the Water District to get the best price on materials and have several contractors bid on the project. I have listed below the revenue available for projects over the next 5 years as the water rate will be increasing yearly until 2023.
2018: $389,443
2019: $461,701
2020: $546,063
2021: $634,991
2022: $727,970
5 Year Total: $2,760,168
My understanding would be that we could begin a project sometime next year without a bond. If a bond was issued by the Board of Directors, we could start sooner. Over the 25 year life of the $7 million bond, the interest will total $4.92 million. Interest rates are currently low, so if we were going to do a bond, this would be the time. Unless we plan to do almost $7 million worth of infrastructure rebuilding projects fairly soon, I do not understand the need for the bond.
Based on the Projected Cash-Flow Analysis, we will have $18.82 million of revenue to spend on projects over the next 25 years, until 2043. That doesn't include any future water rate increases from 2023-2043. All the financial information above was obtained from David Wallace, the General Manager of the Water District, and is freely available to any citizen or customer. I hope this information will be helpful to you in deciding who to elect to the Water District Board of Directors.
If anyone has any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you, even if you have differing opinions. I believe we make the best decisions when we are fully informed and willing to listen to new information.
Friday, September 21, 2018
Another Interesting Presentation on the Water District
** (click on the link below to view presentation)
Welcome Bexar County WCID #10 Informational Meeting. - ppt download: Bexar County WCID #10 -- A Water Control & Improvement District Created By The State Board of Engineers on November 28, Not Part of Bexar County, City of Windcrest or SAWS -- Provide Water/Wastewater Service to Residents of Windcrest -- Offices Located in City Hall -- Governed by Elected Board of Directors --- Serve Staggered Terms --- Election Every Two Years -- Seven Full Time Employees - One Part Time - Who is Bexar County WCID Responsible for Day-to-Day Operations
Welcome Bexar County WCID #10 Informational Meeting. - ppt download: Bexar County WCID #10 -- A Water Control & Improvement District Created By The State Board of Engineers on November 28, Not Part of Bexar County, City of Windcrest or SAWS -- Provide Water/Wastewater Service to Residents of Windcrest -- Offices Located in City Hall -- Governed by Elected Board of Directors --- Serve Staggered Terms --- Election Every Two Years -- Seven Full Time Employees - One Part Time - Who is Bexar County WCID Responsible for Day-to-Day Operations
Interesting Presentation on the Water District
** (click on the link below to view presentation)
1 Bexar County Water Control and Improvement District # 10 Richard Frenzel General Manager. - ppt download: 2 Bexar County WCID #10 -- Provide Water/Wastewater Service to Residents of Windcrest -- Created by State in Not Part of County, City, SAWS, or BexarMet - You Own It -- Relationship similar to SA/SAWS -- Offices Located in City Hall -- Governed by Elected Board of Directors --- Serve Staggered Terms --- Election Every Two Years -- Six Full Time Employees - One Part Time - Who is Bexar County WCID Responsible for Day-to-Day Operations
1 Bexar County Water Control and Improvement District # 10 Richard Frenzel General Manager. - ppt download: 2 Bexar County WCID #10 -- Provide Water/Wastewater Service to Residents of Windcrest -- Created by State in Not Part of County, City, SAWS, or BexarMet - You Own It -- Relationship similar to SA/SAWS -- Offices Located in City Hall -- Governed by Elected Board of Directors --- Serve Staggered Terms --- Election Every Two Years -- Six Full Time Employees - One Part Time - Who is Bexar County WCID Responsible for Day-to-Day Operations
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Candidate Meet and Greet 2
You are welcome to come meet your candidates for the Water Board and City Council Places 1, 2 and 3 at Thai Chalurn Restaurant at 4941 Walzem Rd. between 7 and 9 pm on Thursday, September 13th. You can come early if you want to eat before the campaigning starts, but you can order at any time. The restaurant is too close to Roosevelt H.S. for a liquor license, but you can BYOB or wine to enjoy with some fantastic Thai food.

Friday, September 7, 2018
Candidate Meet & Greet
To all of you who came to the candidate meet and greet tonight, I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to listen to us, so that we can listen to you. We need more of that honest dialog in our politics. I was so inspired listening to other candidates' background and ideas. I have always known that Windcrest was a special place, but I have been worried in the past few years about the direction toward the politics of division and whisper campaigns. That is not the Windcrest I grew up in.
I also want to thank all of the citizens who spoke up about their ideas and concerns. Almost everything I heard strengthened my belief that despite whatever differences we have, there is a lot more we agree on and a true spirit to work together for the betterment of Windcrest and the Water District. I really felt that all the candidates were people I could work and compromise with, and enjoy doing so. I am looking forward to the next candidate meet and greet and I hope to meet more of my fellow citizens.
I have submitted my campaign sign design and should receive them soon. I will have a sign in list at the next meet and greet for anyone who wants one. You can also e-mail me at mchalbert12@gmail.com
Thank you and take care,
Matthew C. Halbert
I also want to thank all of the citizens who spoke up about their ideas and concerns. Almost everything I heard strengthened my belief that despite whatever differences we have, there is a lot more we agree on and a true spirit to work together for the betterment of Windcrest and the Water District. I really felt that all the candidates were people I could work and compromise with, and enjoy doing so. I am looking forward to the next candidate meet and greet and I hope to meet more of my fellow citizens.
I have submitted my campaign sign design and should receive them soon. I will have a sign in list at the next meet and greet for anyone who wants one. You can also e-mail me at mchalbert12@gmail.com
Thank you and take care,
Matthew C. Halbert
Thursday, August 30, 2018
My Biography
I grew up in Windcrest, attending Windcrest Elementary School, Ed White Middle School and graduating with Honors from Theodore Roosevelt High School. I then attended the University of Texas at San Antonio where I received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture.
My career started at Beaty Saunders Architects where I worked as an architect intern. I helped to complete construction documents on several large projects including the San Antonio Streetcar Station and the San Pedro Springs Park Rehabilitation. The experience I gained working at a medium sized commercial architecture firm led me to Braswell Architecture where our focus was on large scale residential projects for some well known San Antonio clients. Our average home size was over 5,000 square feet and required extensive coordination with landscape architects and structural engineers to create drawing sets. On some projects with strict timeliness, I wrote comprehensive weekly construction progress reports.
In 2005, I moved back into my parent's old home in Windcrest and began an extensive remodel for one of the first seven houses built in Windcrest. During that time, I gained a lot of hands on experience by performing the work myself from drawings that I created.
I returned to work soon after at a large hobby store where I worked as a sales technician and later an assistant store manager. My responsibilities included maintaining a "novice friendly" atmosphere while still providing advanced services and advice to serious hobbyists. Currently I assist my girlfriend in running and maintaining a family owned restaurant in Windcrest. I have come full circle as I waited tables while attending college. I also engage in numerous remodeling projects for friends and family.
My volunteer experience includes teaching a 2-week class to 2nd and 3rd graders where we explored the importance of architecture in creating communities. I have also participated in career day presentations on architecture at multiple schools and for different ages. In 2007, I sponsored a Belarusian orphan for a cultural exchange and education initiative as part of a church youth group project. My mother, brother and many other families sponsored children along with 2 interpreters.
That is probably enough about me for now. In future posts, I will address how I can represent you on the Water Board and upcoming issues.
Take care for now,
Matthew C. Halbert
My volunteer experience includes teaching a 2-week class to 2nd and 3rd graders where we explored the importance of architecture in creating communities. I have also participated in career day presentations on architecture at multiple schools and for different ages. In 2007, I sponsored a Belarusian orphan for a cultural exchange and education initiative as part of a church youth group project. My mother, brother and many other families sponsored children along with 2 interpreters.
That is probably enough about me for now. In future posts, I will address how I can represent you on the Water Board and upcoming issues.
Take care for now,
Matthew C. Halbert
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Hello Neighbors,
My name is Matthew Halbert and I am running for 1 of the 3 opening positions on the Bexar County W.C.I.D. #10 Board of Directors. I will be posting more information soon, but for now I have included some important dates and websites to visit.
Last Day to Register to Vote: Tuesday, October 9th, 2018
Early Voting: Monday, October 22nd - Friday, November 2nd, 2018
Election Day: Tuesday, November 6th
Vote Texas (Secretary of State):
https://www.votetexas.gov/
Bexar County W.C.I.D. #10:
https://bexarcountywcid10.com/
Bexar County Election Results:
https://www.bexar.org/2186/Election-Results
Last Day to Register to Vote: Tuesday, October 9th, 2018
Early Voting: Monday, October 22nd - Friday, November 2nd, 2018
Election Day: Tuesday, November 6th
Vote Texas (Secretary of State):
https://www.votetexas.gov/
Bexar County W.C.I.D. #10:
https://bexarcountywcid10.com/
Bexar County Election Results:
https://www.bexar.org/2186/Election-Results
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