We have a leash law in Leon Valley; all pets must be secured on a leash on their owner’s property. If you encounter a loose or aggressive dog, call Kendall Webster, animal control officer at 684-1391, ext. 225, during regular business hours or the police dispatcher at 684-3215 after hours or on weekends. This also includes barking dogs disturbing your peace. We have a noise ordinance that covers this problem. As part of our stormwater pollution control program, we also encourage all pet owners to pick up their pets’ droppings. Thanks for your help in making Leon Valley a better place to live!

As you may know, I am a big believer in a world-class mass transit system for San Antonio. My husband and I vacationed in Oregon and enjoyed the beautiful hiking and scenery: mountains meet the ocean at rocky shorelines, gray, cool weather, waterfalls, wineries, forests and … world class-mass transit.

We visited Eugene, which has a bus rapid transit (BRT) called EMX. The first line opened in January and is very successful and popular. Ridership went up dramatically the first nine months, much higher than projected! Some keys to their success: Buses every 10 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and dedicated lanes and traffic-light technology to give buses preferences in traffic. Eugene’s BRT is not light rail, but “like” rail. Bus stops are replaced by stations that are smart and functional (stainless steel that is polished by patrons sitting on the seats and rubbing against the railing) as well as beautiful. Each station has a native flower artistically depicted; a citywide contest was held for artists.

The new bus line is already an economic generator. The city of Eugene built its $10 million library next to the Eugene transfer station. The second EMX line, which has been planned and funded but not constructed, will have a $1 billion regional hospital built along the route. A third line is in the planning stages. The enhanced bus service will eventually replace all Eugene’s bus lines.

The cost of BRT is much less than light rail –— $6 million per mile vs. $80 million to 300 million for each mile of light rail. Funding for the EMX in Eugene is 80 percent federal and 20 percent local funding. Oregon, with no sales tax, has a dedicated transit fund paid from a payroll tax of .065 percent.

With the toll road originally proposed for Bandera Road tied up in environmental studies and money problems for the foreseeable future, now is the time to look at other long-term solutions like enhanced mass transit, especially if the federal government will pay 80 percent of the bill! I have met with VIA and they have heard my enthusiastic pleas for consideration of Bandera Road for a BRT line. One thing I learned is that if planning begins now it will still take eight to 10 years for this to become a reality.

Upcoming events:

Saturday – Leon Valley Trade & Market Days 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Leon Valley Community Center. Start your Christmas shopping early.

Nov. 22-23 – City Hall closed for Thanksgiving holidays.

Dec. 1 – Breakfast with Santa 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Leon Valley Community Center. This is an annual event sponsored by the Leon Valley Library and Friends of the Library.

Dec. 3 – Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 6:30 p.m. at Leon Valley Community Center. Come hear the students from Pat Neff Middle School perform and don’t forget Santa will also be there!