Celebrating Holidays and Life in New Braunfels: Community, Safety, and Giving Thanks — and Remember, Don’t Waste Your Fuel!
Hello, New Braunfels friends and neighbors!
As fall rolls in, we get to enjoy the cooler weather, colorful leaves, and all the excitement that November brings. It’s a wonderful time to come together with family, friends, and our community. For me, this season is extra special. I’m a 13-year breast cancer survivor, and every October I feel grateful for another year to enjoy life here in our beautiful city. November reminds me to appreciate our Veterans, celebrate personal victories, and prepare for the holidays that bring us all closer together. This month, I want to talk about three important things:
- How our public safety teams help keep us safe
- How we can grow responsibly and peacefully as a city
- Why we should look for the good and stay thankful
Public Safety: Our Everyday Heroes
Not everyone likes seeing police lights in their rearview mirror, but we all respect what our Police Officers and Firefighters do for us every day. They work hard—often putting others before themselves—to keep our neighborhoods safe, respond to emergencies, and protect our homes. When you see a Police Officer, Firefighter, or EMT, take a second to say thank you. They deserve it!
Growing Responsibly and Living in Peace
New Braunfels sits right between two huge cities—San Antonio and Austin—so it’s no surprise that our area is growing fast! It’s important to remember that people have the right to sell their land, and the City can’t stop them from doing so. When big pieces of land are sold to developers, city staff works hard to solve the challenges that come with that growth—like traffic, drainage, and community planning. As your Councilmember, I do my best to find fair, realistic solutions that help everyone. Growth can be tough, but it’s part of living in a thriving city. Let’s treat each other with kindness and patience as we work through these changes together. Let’s not waste our “fuel” arguing or spreading negativity. Use your energy for things that matter—helping others, volunteering, or making your neighborhood a better place!
Good Things Are Happening!
There’s a lot to be thankful for in New Braunfels! Our Fire Department was recently recognized for maintaining the highest possible ISO safety rating, which helps keep insurance rates lower citywide. They also received an award for their Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program, which helps people get the care they need while keeping emergency teams ready for true emergencies. New businesses are opening soon—like Top Golf, Sprouts, Academy, and Texas Roadhouse—creating more jobs and fun for our residents. Zipp Family Sports Park is coming along on schedule, Alligator Creek Trail opened recently, and roads are being paved and striped across town. There’s a lot to be proud of, and it’s all thanks to our amazing city workers, leaders, and community members—like you!
Fall Fun in New Braunfels
November is full of exciting events:
- Veterans Day Parade – Saturday, November 8
- Wurstfest – The famous celebration is back!
- Downtown Lighting – Kick off the holiday season Friday, November 21
Let’s celebrate together and show how strong our community really is.
City Projects on the Move
Here’s a quick look at some big projects happening around town:
- Goodwin & Conrads Lane Bridge – $24.5 million project; the bridge opened on Oct 20, with full completion scheduled for early 2027
- Alligator Creek Trail West – $1.6 million project; open and ready for walking!
- New Northwest Park – Take the survey at newbraunfels.gov/northwestpark to share your vision for the park
- Ride the Rio – Coming soon! A new on-demand ride service like Uber or Lyft, run by our city to help you get around easily
These projects help make New Braunfels safer, easier to get around, and even more enjoyable.
How You Can Get Involved
Want to make a difference? Here are a few ideas:
- Volunteer at a river or park cleanup
- Attend the Veterans Day Parade
- Report local issues at https://www.newbraunfels.gov/request
- Invite me to your HOA meeting or neighborhood event — I’d love to hear from you!
- Follow me on Facebook: Council Member Toni L. Carter
Thank You, New Braunfels
It’s an honor to represent District 1 — and really, all of New Braunfels. I love our city and want to see us stay united, respectful, and proud of what we’ve built together.
We are Texans. We are New Braunfels. And we’re stronger when we work together.
Remember — save your fuel for what truly matters: your family, your community, and your dreams.
Toni L. Carter
District 1 Representative
City of New Braunfels