I Love My Corpus Christi

Who are the superdelegates? "Watchers" of the gate?

2008-03-05T05:18:00.000-08:00

Superdelegate
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"Superdelegate" is an informal term for some of the delegates to the Democratic National Convention, the quadrennial convention of the United States Democratic Party.

Unlike most convention delegates, the superdelegates are not selected based on the party primaries and caucuses in each U.S. state. Instead, the superdelegates are seated automatically, based solely on their status as current or former elected officeholders and party officials. They are free to support any candidate for the nomination.

The Democratic Party rules do not use the term "superdelegate". The formal designation (in Rule 9.A) is "unpledged party leader and elected official delegates".[1] In addition to these unpledged "PLEO" delegates, the state parties choose other unpledged delegates (Rule 9.B) and pledged PLEO delegates (Rule 9.C).[1] This article discusses only the unpledged PLEO delegates.

The Republican Party also seats some party officials as delegates without regard to primary or caucus results, but the term "superdelegate" is most commonly applied only in the Democratic Party.

At the 2008 Democratic National Convention the superdelegates will make up approximately one-fifth of the total number of delegates. The unforeseen and unprecedented closeness of the race between the leading contenders Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama following Super Tuesday has focused attention on the potential role of the superdelegates in selecting the Democratic nominee, inasmuch as in the aggregate they could come to be kingmakers to a degree not seen in previous election cycles.[2] Such an outcome would result in the first brokered convention since 1952.
Contents
[hide]

* 1 History
* 2 Superdelegates in 2008
o 2.1 Pledged and unpledged delegates
* 3 Criticism
* 4 See also
* 5 References
* 6 External links

[edit] History

After the 1968 Democratic National Convention, the Democratic Party implemented changes in its delegate selection process, based on the work of the McGovern-Fraser Commission. The purpose of the changes was to make the composition of the convention less subject to control by party leaders and more responsive to the votes cast during the campaign for the nomination.

These comprehensive changes left some Democrats believing that the role of party leaders and elected officials had been unduly diminished, weakening the Democratic tickets of George McGovern and Jimmy Carter. In 1982, a commission chaired by former North Carolina Governor James Hunt created superdelegates. Under the original Hunt plan, superdelegates consisted of 30% of the total delegate count, but when it was finally implemented in 1984, superdelegates consisted of 14% of the total count. The number has steadily increased until today, where superdelegates are approximately 20% of the total delegate count. [3]

In the 1984 election, the major contenders for the Presidential nomination were Gary Hart and Walter Mondale. Each of them won some primaries and caucuses. Hart was only slightly behind Mondale in the total number of votes cast, but Mondale won the support of almost all the superdelegates and became the nominee.[4]

In 1988, a study found that superdelegates and delegates selected through the primary and caucus process are not substantively different in terms of viewpoints on issues from each other. However, it also found that superdelegates are more likely to prefer candidates with Washington experience than outsider candidates.[5]

The superdelegates have not always prevailed, however. In the Democratic primary phase of the 2004 election, Howard Dean acquired an early lead in delegate counts by obtaining the support of a number of superdelegates before even the first primaries were held. Nevertheless, John Kerry defeated Dean in a succession of primaries and caucuses and won the nomination.

[edit] Superdelegates in 2008

Main article: Democratic Party (United States) Superdelegates, 2008

Superdelegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention include all Democratic members of the United States Congress, Democratic governors, various additional elected officials, members of the Democratic National Committee, as well as "all former Democratic Presidents, all former Democratic Vice Presidents, all former Democratic Leaders of the U.S. Senate, all former Democratic Speakers of the U.S. House of Representatives and Democratic Minority Leaders, as applicable, and all former Chairs of the Democratic National Committee."[1] There is an exception, however, for otherwise qualified individuals who endorse another party’s candidate for President; they lose their superdelegate status. In 2008, Senator Joe Lieberman was disqualified as a superdelegate because he endorsed Republican John McCain.[6], although Lieberman's status was questioned because of his status as being elected in the Connecticut for Lieberman party.[7] However, Lieberman was not listed as a superdelegate one month prior to the official disqualification. [8], and the count for Connecticut's delegates has always excluded Lieberman's spot[9][10].

The 2008 Democratic National Convention will have approximately 794 superdelegates,[11][12] although the number can change up to the beginning of the convention (Call to the Convention Section IV(C)(2)). Delegates from state caucuses and primaries will number 3,253, resulting in a total number of delegate votes of 4,047. A candidate needs a majority of that total, or 2,024, to win the nomination.[11] Superdelegates account for approximately one fifth (19.6%) of all votes at the convention. Delegates chosen in the Democratic caucuses and primaries account for approximately four-fifths (80.4%) of the Democratic convention delegates.[11][13] Note: All numbers in this section assume that Michigan and Florida delegates are not counted per current Democratic National Committee rules. If those rules are changed before or during the convention, the numbers above will change as appropriate.

The media commonly cites 796 superdelegates[14] [15] but due to the death of Representative Tom Lantos and the move from Maine to Florida of former Maine Governor (and Distinguished Party Leader) Kenneth Curtis, the total is now approximately 794.[16]

The Politico found that about half of the superdelegates are white men, compared to 28% of the Democratic primary electorate.[17]

In the Republican Party, as in the Democratic Party, members of the party’s national committee automatically become delegates without being pledged to any candidate. In 2008, there are 123 members of the Republican National Committee among the total of 2,380 delegates to the 2008 Republican National Convention.[13] There are three RNC delegates (the national committeeman, national committeewoman, and state party chair) for each state, except for the ones who had primary contests before Super Tuesday. [18] Despite this similarity in procedure, the term "superdelegate" is generally used only about Democratic delegates, although there are exceptions.[19]

[edit] Pledged and unpledged delegates

The Democratic Party rules distinguish between pledged and unpledged delegates, with the selection of the former being based on their announced preferences in the contest for the presidential nomination.[1] In the party primaries and caucuses in each U.S. state, voters express their preference among the contenders for the party’s nomination for President of the United States. Pledged delegates supporting each candidate are chosen in approximate ratio to their candidate’s share of the vote. In some states, the delegates so chosen are legally required to vote for the candidate to whom they are pledged, at least on the first ballot at the convention. By contrast, the superdelegates, selected by virtue of their status as current or former elected officeholders and party officials, without regard to their presidential preferences, are all unpledged delegates. Many of them have chosen to announce endorsements, but they are not bound in any way. They may support any candidate they wish, including one who has dropped out of the presidential race.[20] There are also "unpledged add-on delegates" selected under Rule 9.B and "pledged party leader and elected official delegates" selected under rule 9.C.[1]

The process of selecting delegates is described here and here. To sum up, the Democratic Party's delegates fall into seven categories:

* District-level delegates
* At-large delegates
* Unpledged party-leader delegates
* Unpledged elected-official delegates
* Pledged party-leader delegates
* Pledged elected-official delegates
* Unpledged add-on delegates

Both the Democratic and Republican party have a number of state level unpledged delegates that are chosen by each state's party through convention, caucus, or state party leader vote (depending on how that particular state-party body has decided to choose them).[21] The state level unpledged delegates tend to vote for the candidate who received the most votes from their state (although they are not required to and some state parties give them more leeway than others). Many state Republican party delegations are made up entirely of unpledged delegates which gives them the distinction "winner take all". Even with these traditions, unpledged delegates are allowed to change their vote at any time before the national convention. This is why both the Republican and Democratic parties have the potential for a brokered convention. This is far less likely for the Republican party where the traditions are more strict and there are far fewer unpledged delegates who are given a free hand.

[edit] Criticism

The Democratic Party has been criticized for conducting its nominating process in an undemocratic way,[4][22][23] because superdelegates are generally chosen without regard to their preferences in the presidential race and are not obligated to support the candidate chosen by the voters. Television commentator Dan Abrams has called it "troubling" that the superdelegates might decide the race, arguing, "Each of the superdelegates' votes is now equivalent to about 10,000 Democratic voters."[24]

There have been repeated calls to eliminate the superdelegates from the nomination process to more accurately reflect the popular vote, including an online petition.[25]

Delegates chosen in primaries and caucuses may not exactly reflect the votes cast, although party rules require proportional allocation rather than winner-take-all.[26]

[edit] See also

* Democratic Party (United States) Superdelegates, 2008

[edit] References

1. ^ a b c d e Democratic National Committee (August 19, 2006). "Delegate Selection Rules for the 2008 Democratic National Convention". Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
2. ^ Nagourney, Adam; Hulse, Carl. "Neck and Neck, Democrats Woo Superdelegates", The New York Times, 2008-02-10.
3. ^ Nather, David (February 25, 2008), "Leaping Voters In a Single Bound", CQ Weekly: 482,
4. ^ a b Berman, Ari. "Not So Superdelegates", The Nation, 2008-02-18.
5. ^ Are "Superdelegates" Super? Herrerra, Richard, Political Behavior, Vol. 16, No. 1. (Mar., 1994), pp. 79-92.
6. ^ Pazniokas, Mark (February 6, 2008). Lieberman No Longer a Super Delegate. courant.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-07.
7. ^ http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2008/02/obama-leads-cli.html
8. ^ http://graphics.boston.com/multimedia/politics/2008/superdelegate_list/superdeleg.pdf
9. ^ http://www.ctdems.org/documents/2008planv4FINAL.pdf
10. ^ http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/02/everybody-wrong-on-lieberman.html
11. ^ a b c "The Primary Season: 2008 Democratic Calendar", The New York Times, 2007-01-07,
12. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/13/everything-youve-ever-wa_n_86335.html
13. ^ a b Election Center 2008: Delegate Scorecard. CNN.
14. ^ http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct=us/13-0&fp=47c86d832767ae19&ei=FezIR6raCo7eqgO9ivDPCQ&url=http%3A//www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/02/25/superdelegates/&cid=0
15. ^ http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct=us/10-0&fp=47c89ea33f9bd60c&ei=LuzIR7OyEZ6arAPppczgCQ&url=http%3A//www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/now/stories/2008/02/27/1_OHIO_PRIME_ART_02-27-08_D1_869EDH0.html%3Fsid%3D101&cid=1137561861
16. ^ http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/02/superdelegate-from-maine-moves-to-fl.html
17. ^ http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8535.html
18. ^ http://www.gop.com/images/2008_Call_FINAL.pdf
19. ^ Marcus, Ruth. "Looking Beyond Tsunami Tuesday", The Sacramento Bee, 2008-01-17.
20. ^ "Romney suspends presidential campaign", CNN.com, February 7, 2008,
21. ^ "Maine Caucus Results", The New York Times.
22. ^ Snell, Teddye. "A Presidential Primer", Tahlequah Daily Press, 2008-01-09.
23. ^ Chaddock, Gail Russell. "If Superdelegates Pick Nominee, Democrats Face Backlash", Christian Science Monitor, 2008-02-20.
24. ^ Abrams, Dan (February 8, 2008). "Voters Not Superdelegates". The Huffington Post. Retrieved on 2008-03-01.
25. ^ "Democrats for Democracy Superdelegate Petition"
26. ^ Cook, Rhodes, The Presidential Nominating Process: A Place for Us?, Rowman & Littlefield,

[edit] External links

* Democratic Convention Watch - lists which superdelegates have and have not endorsed a candidate
* List of Democratic superdelegates
* "Delegate Selection Rules for the 2008 Democratic National Convention" - official Democratic Party rules (note: this is a redirect from the link www.democrats.org/page/-/dem_convention/rules.pdf, on http://www.demconvention.com/how-to-become-a-delegate/)

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superdelegate"
Categories: United States presidential nominating conventions
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ilovemycc.blogspot.com/ - A stronger Web presence? We Love Our Corpus Christi

2007-10-07T23:12:00.000-07:00

Local

Has NY no love for CC?

Local effort to stir city pride overcame protest from home state of the famed heart logo

By Denise Malan (Contact)
Originally published 02:54 a.m., October 7, 2007
Updated 02:54 a.m., October 7, 2007

Not even mighty New York could keep Corpus Christi from loving itself.

That state holds the trademark for the instantly recognizable "I NY" logo and picked a brief copyright fight with an "

I Love My Corpus Christi

" campaign.

The local version was the brainchild of Leadership Corpus Christi Class XXXIV sponsored by the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce. The campaign lost some steam after several months, partly because the leadership class was concluded and partly because of the legal discussion with Empire State Development, the state of New York's economic development arm that oversees the "I NY" trademark.

http://ilovemycc.blogspot.com/

Now, the legality of "I My CC" no longer is in question and a company has bought licensing rights from the Chamber of Commerce Foundation to bring the logo back.

The leadership class, which met in 2005-06, wanted to foster a sense of pride in a community that tends to suffer low self-esteem. Mayor Henry Garrett declared Valentine's Day 2006 (and all subsequent Valentine's Days) I Love My Corpus Christi Day.

Among other aims, the campaign "seeks to encourage all the citizens of Corpus Christi to act as ambassadors for the city, sharing positive information with potential visitors, family and friends," the proclamation states.

Soon after, the now-familiar "I My CC" logo began popping up all around Corpus Christi -- bumper stickers, billboards, banners on light posts and television commercials. Full-page ads ran in April, May and June 2006 in the Caller-Times, sponsored by the newspaper's marketing department. Some carried testimonials from prominent residents touting the area's health care, career opportunities and recreation.

One example is this endorsement from Realtor Kim Erwin: "I love MY Corpus Christi because there's no better place in the world to relax and enjoy laid-back island living in such a pristine setting."

But in May 2006, the Chamber of Commerce Foundation received a letter from CMG Worldwide, a trademark protection firm, on behalf of Empire State Development. The letter demanded the chamber cease and desist from using the logo.

http://ilovemycc.blogspot.com/

Local attorney John Bell responded for the chamber, and the two firms traded several letters, which the Caller-Times obtained under the New York Freedom of Information Law.

"There is no reasonable debate but that the (chamber) built its campaign around the 'I NY' mark," the firm wrote.

Bell responded that many cities use the heart. "If the design trademark originally obtained ever had such distinctiveness, it obviously has been lost," he wrote.

After several months, New York decided to drop its claim, which never progressed as far as a lawsuit. The Corpus Christi logo's font (it's more script than New York's block letters) and the word "my" apparently made all the difference.

"The decision eventually was that it was different enough not to pursue our trademark claim," said A.J. Carter, senior vice president of communications for Empire State Development.

Ken Treviño, chamber executive vice president, said the chamber wanted to carry on the campaign but needed an outside company. It would be difficult for the chamber staff to take on the project, plus a business with experience could build a stronger Web presence.

"We were looking for a company that had the same vision," Treviño said.

Chad Magill, who owns a local identity theft protection business, was in the leadership class that started the campaign. He and his business partner, Cecil Johnson, decided to take it on, hoping to build on the community pride fostered in the first campaign.

"It seems like everybody outside Corpus Christi knows how great it is," Johnson said.

They formed a company, CCLS Marketing LLC, and bought the licensing rights from the chamber foundation for an undisclosed amount. The chamber still owns the trademark and receives a cut of profits to benefit future Leadership Corpus Christi classes, Treviño said.

To regain some of the momentum lost during the lull, CCLS hosted a "kickoff" party at House of Rock downtown. The party was Sept. 20, more than a year and a half after the original "I My CC" kickoff Feb. 13, 2006.

The company sells T-shirts, mugs, Koozies and bumper stickers on its Web site, ilovemycc.com, at the Omni hotels and Corpus Christi Visitor's Center on Chaparral Street. Johnson and Magill said sales have been steady on the Web site.

That's not the case at the Omni Bayfront, which has a table full of "I My CC" merchandise on sale.

"They're not selling," said Sylvia Silva, a gift shop sales clerk at the hotel. "That's why they're 30 percent off."

Contact Denise Malan at 886-4334 or at maland@caller.com

CCISD: Freedom of Information Request: The process the CCISD Board used is unethical and unfair.

2007-05-20T04:43:00.000-07:00

CCISD: Freedom of Information Request: The process the CCISD Board used is unethical and unfair.

CCISD: Freedom of Information Request: The process the CCISD Board used is unethical and unfair.

Freedom of Information Request

This Publication request any and all communications including email and written correspondence from one week before Trustee Harry Williams resigned.

Must I formalize it on Monday?

Think I am bluffing?

You gotta ask yourself

Do you feel lucky?

Well Do ya?

Go ahead.........

You guys get the idea?

Now, don't go and seek the OAG's opinion as it will delay our children.

Just fess up and conduct business with honor and integrity and at least give us an appearance of due process. Not one black appointment. You guys are definitely walking on thin ice or maybe already fallen through but just don't know it. Such inadequacy is unacceptable.

CORPUS CHRISTI - CCISD school board members interviewed five candidates Friday to fill the board position vacated by Reverend Harry Williams.

The school board said it will set another meeting to discuss the finalists, and will possibly make a decision then, but still no word on when that would be.

Williams served the school board for more than seven years before resigning last month.

Nick Adame

"Do not be a disservice to our community and choose because this guy is my friend or this guy is my business associate," Dr. Nick Adame said. "I don't want to hear that. I want to hear that we're going to choose somebody because they're going to do right for the community."

Last week, the board narrowed the list of 20 candidates to five

Kenedeno:

Where is the criteria the process for "narrowing the list"?

The process the CCISD Board used is unethical and unfair. Every single applicant took the time to fill out an application, and the thought process for the letter of interest and update of their resume and references. For all intensive purposes this CCISD Board just threw that work product into the trash can while opting for business partners, friends cronies and industry allies.

It is not about the 5 selected it is about how the 5 were selected. It is not about Barrera or Prezas or Bill Clark or Lucy Rubio.

It is about a change of policy where policy is defined by processes of the past. Lucy is the only one with the guts to make the motion, "for the board to scrap the current process and start over. There was no second to the motion." Are there others in that room who agree with her, but politically, they are bound & gagged. The current process is in conflict with current policy. The current process is now a civil rights issue. Is that what CCISD wanted, another Cisneros v CCISD?

We have 19 Candidates who deserve Equal Opportunity and fair consideration. It is called due process.

1. Herbert Cromwell Arbuckle, III Retired Teacher
2. Rolando G. Barrera Insurance Agent
3. Tony C. Diaz, Ed.D. Retired CCISD Administrator
4. Victor Frazier, Ed.D. Minister and University Instructor
5. Cezar Galindo Business Owner and College Instructor
6. Marsha Lynn Grace Professor of Education
7. Coretta Graham Lawyer
8. Helen Gurley, Ph.D. Educator, Director of Academics
9. Patricia Harris Educator
10. Robert Elliott Jones Pastor and Business Manager
11. Deborah W. Johnson Retired Firefighter
12. Bradford Lee Kisner Director of Music and Fine Arts
13. Verna Faye Portis Retired CCISD Administrator
14. Raul R. Prezas, Ed.D. College Professor
15. Norman Haden Ransleben Certified Public Accountant
16. Woodrow Mac Sanders Medical Social Worker
17. Ronald G. Sepulveda Athletic Aquatic Superintendent
18. George Wetzel Retired Public School Administrator/Consultant
19. Goldie Lamarr Wooten Retired Educator

Rubio has said she disagrees with the selection process and would have preferred to use a scoring system instead.

Trustees selected the five candidates to be interviewed by each nominating one from a pool of 20 applicants.

We elect you guys to represent the district with honor & integrity

But before trustees interviewed the first candidate, trustee Lucy Rubio motioned for the board to scrap the current process and start over. There was no second to the motion.

Rubio has said she disagrees with the selection process and would have preferred to use a scoring system instead.

CCCT Editorial

The trustees' refusal to lay out the cards is beyond irritating; it borders on the outrageous.

Particularly disturbing is the fact that three new trustees elected last year - Carol Scott, John Longoria and Dwayne Hargis, all of whom emphasized their intent to bring new openness to the board - appear to have bought into the mum's-the-word ethos that has dominated this exercise.

To be sure, they (and their colleagues) could, and should, reverse their field.

CCISD Trustees: Pick and choose Policy Making with malice. Shame on YOU.

CORPUS CHRISTI - CCISD school board members have decided not to change their policy which forbids seniors who fail the TAKS from graduating.

One parent we spoke with Thursday said the policy didn't make sense, because while students who fail the TAKS test during the school year aren't allowed to take part in graduation ceremonies. The same doesn't hold true for summer school grads. They're allowed to participate in summer graduation ceremonies without knowing whether they passed the test.

The decision didn't sit well with some parents and students.

School board member Lucy Rubio had hoped to amend the policy, and allow seniors who failed the TAKS to at least walk in with their class during may commencement. But other school board members didn't agree.

Nueces De La Parra: Nobody kicked Joe Elizondo off of the CCREDC Board. He was inebriated and "with" females not his wife. Ask Denise about the "Bache

2007-05-03T04:28:00.000-07:00

Nueces De La Parra: Nobody kicked Joe Elizondo off of the CCREDC Board. He was inebriated and "with" females not his wife. Ask Denise about the "Bachelorettes' dancing w/ her hubby?

If the situation was reversed I would definitely be the bad guy. Maybe I should go yell at Juan's next event "WHO GIVES A F//K" and chant the CCREDC mantra Chorus. "JUAN MORE" "JUAN MORE" and ask him if he remembers? Juan must be held to a higher standard. Keep the reigns tight on him and everytime he starts to veer byte his a$$.

LOL

Joe Elizondo, surely he is a gentle man and a member of our leadership INFRASTRUCTURE? However, there must be HOUSECLEANING and the "Pulling of Weeds" that poisons us from the Top Down.

Elizondo began chanting JUAN MORE, JUAN MORE over and over (increasing in menacing heckle tone). Everyone ignored him so he continued with the JUAN MORE, JUAN MORE escalation. Then the Guitar Guy with the HAt "straight off of the sunset strip" was suggesting songs (lead ins). Elizondo yelled, "WHO GIVES A FUCK" and some other MINUTIA (uncalled for). He was directing his disrespect at the stage. My wife & I at the same time said, "HEY" and we turned to him with a meeting of the eyes. His group separated and Elizondo departed in a new truck. The others with him were friendly & charming before and after.

South Texas Anti Incumbent Candidates: And you can take that to the bank!

2007-02-16T04:55:00.000-08:00

South Texas Anti Incumbent Candidates: And you can take that to the bank!

Romans 8:31 - What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

2007-02-01T04:22:00.000-08:00

Gladiators - Not In My Life Before

Song Lyrics	Biblical Reference
Do you, do you I never, never ever felt this way Not in my life before Visions through the power of the Most High
Thy rod and thy staff protect me	Psalm 23:4 - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Through the night I go to sleep And wake me up safe and sound	Psalm 4:8 - I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
With Jah before us, who can be against us?	Romans 8:31 - What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Oh no, oh, oh no, not one
I will forever sing praises	Psalm 45:17 - I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever. Psalm 61:8 - So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.
I will forever be content I know my troubles are over All my joys coming over I never, never ever felt this way Not in my life before Visions through the power of the Most High Thy rod and thy staff protect me Through the night I go to sleep And wake me up safe and sound With Jah before us, who can be against us? Oh no, oh, oh no, not one Do you feel what I feel? Do you know, do you know what I know? Do you feel what I feel? Do you know, do you know, do you know what I know? I will forever sing praises I will forever be content I know my troubles are over All my joys coming over Never, never ever felt this way Not in my life before Visions through the power of the Most High Thy rod and thy staff protect me Through the night I go to sleep And wake me up safe and sound With Jah before us, who can be against us? Oh no, oh, oh no, not one I will forever sing praises I will forever be content I know my troubles are over All my joys coming over Never, never ever felt this way Not in my life before Visions through the power of the Most High Hey, do you know what I know? Do you feel, do you feel, do you feel what I feel? Do you know what I know? Do you feel, do you feel, do you feel...

underground utility includes replacing, upgrading and relocating water, waste water and storm water lines.....this area is not the colonias is it?

2006-12-27T23:21:00.000-08:00

City approves $95 million in bonds for underground utility work

Sep 26, 2006 07:23 PM CDT

Local News more>>

Tractor-trailer accident kills one, injures two

Former pastor takes religious freedom case to Texas Supreme Court

Flour Bluff graduate killed serving in Iraq

Shoppers flood stores once more for sales and returns

Local ambulance service offers free rides on New Year's Eve

Fireworks crackdown off to good start

Man rescued after being trapped in elevator

Driscoll patients spend Christmas Eve with special visitor

Feast of Sharing draws record crowd

Weather causes power outages across city

CORPUS CHRISTI - The city council approved bonds to be used toward costs for underground utility work around the city at its Tuesday meeting. They approved a total of $95 million, which includes $10 million for refinancing some bonds that were previously issued, at a new, lower interest rate.

The underground utility projects are scheduled to coincide with street projects, such as one currently in progress on Cimarron and Yorktown, near Mireles Elementary, where the city's looking to make some storm water drainage improvements.

The bonds will be used on current projects as well as some that will be started in the next few months. City officials said they're saving money by working on the underground utilities while the construction on the streets are in progress.

"Once the street is paved, we don't have to be digging up an old water line that broke. We would have already replaced that and be good to go for another twenty years, and we won't have to be digging up streets," City Engineer Angel Escobar said.

The underground utility includes replacing, upgrading and relocating water, waste water and storm water lines. At Cimarron and Yorktown, they're laying down new water pipes - just one the 14 underground utilities projects the $95 million will cover.

Another drainage improvements project is in progress is at Kinney and Water Street, and another big project that will begin shortly consists of drainage improvements on the westside in the Mansheim area near Sunnybrook.

Most of the projects were scheduled to be completed within the year and the next fiscal year, which is about 12 months.

Online Reporter: Jenny Suniga

Can you believe the City of Corpus Christi?

2006-12-22T23:55:00.000-08:00

HardcoreHarry
Posts: 2328

HardcoreHarry

Can you believe the City of Corpus Christi...
12/22/2006 5:32:30 PM
is making me go to court for ...get this: PARKING IN A HANDICAPPED SPOT!

I took the ticket downtown early this month and pointed out the OBVIOUS to them. I figured they would do the math and figure it out for themselves.

=sigh=

So I hit my head on the mirror getting out of my wife’s new car while parked at Barnes and Noble and did not notice the handicapped placard had fallen down. (The Suzuki SL7 isn’t as easy to get in and out of as my pickup). Um...the car is even outfitted with hand controls for goodness sake!

Doesn't the city have anything better to do than pursue me on this? I consider this a flagrant waste of my taxpayer dollars.

This is just plain stupid.

Hardcore Harry

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Click here to email curmudgeon

This sounds like a story . . .
12/22/2006 6:14:28 PM
. . . for Channel 10 News. I would give all three local newsrooms a call a see which one showed up first. After it hits the airwaves they will handle your citation like a warm turd.

If this doesn''t work just plead not guilty and ask for a jury trial. I will involve you goin'' to court but the outcome will be in your favor.
HardcoreHarry
Posts: 2328

Click here to email HardcoreHarry

Re: This sounds like a story . . .
12/22/2006 6:26:42 PM
Yeah it is a matter of principle for me. If they want to cite me for failure to display because the placard fell down that is one thing. But, pursuing this even after I showed up in person is plain stupid.

I can''t tell you how many times I have been in that very Barnes and Noble parking lot wishing they would issue citations for customers abusing these very spaces.

=chuckle=

That they issued one to me just plain sucks donkey balls.

Hardcore Harry
Wild Ape
Posts: 3978

Click here to email Wild Ape

Re: Re: This sounds like a story . . .
12/22/2006 6:37:50 PM
I never understood why they don''t have a sticker instead of a placard.
HardcoreHarry
Posts: 2328

Click here to email HardcoreHarry

Re: Re: Re: This sounds like a story . . .
12/22/2006 6:53:21 PM
They used to have one ya put on your plates but retard thieves were always cutting them off and ""extended"" family members were using spaces when no one disabled was in the vehicle.

I used to get both updated at the same time when I got my Purple Heart plates renewed. It was really streamlined and simple then.

NOW, you have to go to any city municipality who issues them and get a doctor to sign off that yes indeed you don’t have any legs sir and no the prospects of them growing back are grim.

The local doc in Port A wanted to charge me 25 dollars to sign this piece of paper. I told him he had a lot of cheek charging me for his signature for a disabled placard and left. I went to the naval hospital in Corpus and corralled the first Chief Petty Officer I could find and he got-er-done. Thus proving the following maxim: If you want a job done in the military ask an NCO. God bless each and every one of them sonsabitches cause they are the heart and soul of this country''s defense!

My placard is due to expire in April. Guess I will have to find me another CPO to work his/her magic.

LOL

Hardcore Harry

curmudgeon
Posts: 3780

Click here to email curmudgeon

Can''t say . . .
12/22/2006 7:09:17 PM
. . . that I disagree with them issuing a citation to your car. It really pisses me off when folks who are obviously not handicapped park in handicaped parkin'' spaces even if they have a sticker. The stupid part is not immediately dismissing the ticket when you appeared in person. Just goes to show that you can be a bureaucrat with a two digit I.Q.

In Texas parking violation are criminal offenses, Class C misdemeanors. You have the same rights as if you had been charged with murder, i.e, the right to a trial by jury if you request. I would love to see that trial. You do need to know how the system works. While I ain''t a lawyer, I did play one on T.V., well not really but I was a bail bondsman and sat through many courtroom dramas.

I would start by calling the city court administrator and explaining the circumstances. If that didn''t work I would call the mayor. Politics works in strange ways. If that fails, you have a court date. At that appearance they will ask you to plead to the charge. Normally everyone just pleads guilty and pays up. If you plead not guilty, they will set a court date. At that time you can request a jury trial. If you request a jury trial they will give you a funny look, go back and find one of the city attournies and try to ""work somethin'' out"", in other words, dismiss the ticket. No city procesutor with an I.Q. above room temperature will go before a jury against a veteran with a Purple Heart and a wheel chair.
bigo
Posts: 691

Re: Can you believe the City of Corpus Christi...
12/22/2006 7:18:58 PM
I can''t believe that dick-head doctor in Port A.

Corpus Christi Aquifer Storage and Recovery Conservation District.

2006-09-25T23:30:00.000-07:00

PECIAL DISTRICT LOCAL LAWS CODE
CHAPTER 8811. CORPUS CHRISTI AQUIFER STORAGE AND RECOVERY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 8811.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Board" means the board of directors of the district.
(2) "Director" means a member of the board.
(3) "District" means the Corpus Christi Aquifer Storage and Recovery Conservation District.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.002. NATURE OF DISTRICT. The district is a conservation and reclamation district in Kleberg, Nueces, and San Patricio Counties created under and essential to accomplish the purposes of Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution. The district is created to develop and protect municipal aquifer storage areas created by the City of Corpus Christi.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.003. CONFIRMATION ELECTION NOT REQUIRED. An election to confirm the creation of the district is not required.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.004. INITIAL DISTRICT TERRITORY. The initial boundaries of the district are coextensive with the city limits of the City of Corpus Christi and include:
(1) property owned by or under contract to the City of Corpus Christi in Nueces and Kleberg Counties; and
(2) in San Patricio County, property owned by or under contract to the City of Corpus Christi and bounded on the west by Interstate Highway 37 and U.S. Highway 77, on the north by the metropolitan planning organization boundary, on the east by County Road 2849, and on the south by the city limits of the City of Corpus Christi.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.005. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, Chapter 36, Water Code, applies to the district.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.006. CREATION OF GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS IN SAN PATRICIO COUNTY. (a) This chapter does not preclude the creation of a groundwater conservation district in San Patricio County.
(b) A groundwater conservation district created in San Patricio County may not limit or restrict the district from recovering water stored by the district in a municipal aquifer storage area in the district, even if the municipal aquifer storage area is also located in the groundwater conservation district.
(c) To the extent that the boundaries of the district and a groundwater conservation district in San Patricio County overlap, the power and authority of the two districts are joint and coextensive.
(d) The district and land in the district are exempt from taxes and fees imposed by a groundwater conservation district created in San Patricio County.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
SUBCHAPTER B. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sec. 8811.021. DIRECTORS; TERMS. (a) The district is governed by a board of five directors.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), directors serve staggered four-year terms.
(c) The initial directors shall draw lots to determine which three directors shall serve four-year terms that expire at the end of the calendar year four years after the effective date of the Act creating this chapter, and which two directors shall serve two-year terms that expire at the end of the calendar year two years after the effective date of the Act creating this chapter.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.022. APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS. The Corpus Christi City Council shall appoint the directors.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.023. VACANCY. If a vacancy occurs on the board, the board may appoint a director to serve the remainder of the term.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.024. OFFICERS. The board shall annually elect officers. The officers must be confirmed by the Corpus Christi City Council.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
SUBCHAPTER C. POWERS AND DUTIES
Sec. 8811.051. AQUIFER STORAGE AND RECOVERY PROJECTS. The district may implement and develop aquifer storage and recovery projects.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.052. MUNICIPAL AQUIFER STORAGE AREAS IN SAN PATRICIO COUNTY. The district may not allow more water to be recovered from a municipal aquifer storage area in San Patricio County than the amount of water stored by the district at the municipal aquifer storage area.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.053. TAXES AND BONDS PROHIBITED. The district may not impose a tax or issue bonds.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.054. EMINENT DOMAIN. The district may not exercise the power of eminent domain.Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.

City's to-do list: WATT about the Leaky Roof at City Hall?

2006-08-13T02:45:00.000-07:00

City's to-do list

August 13, 2006

Asian Cultures Museum and Educational Center

1800 N. Mesquite St.

One of five Asian museums

in the country, the Asian museum provides classes, Asian arts and crafts and traveling exhibits.

Year built: 1945

Bought by the city in 1999 and renovated in 2001

Square footage: 8,366

Estimated maintenance costs through 2015: $149,438

Major costs:

$53,250 for a new roof

$28,200 for new air handler units

$12,672 to sand and paint concrete floors

Heritage Park

(excluding the Asian Museum)

1581 N. Chaparral St.

Park includes the Corpus Christi Visitors Center, Gugenheim House and Seaman's Center, among other buildings.

Years built: 1851-1987

Estimated maintenance costs through 2015: $1,387,046 Major costs:

$230,222 for the Buddy Lawrence House

$115,635 for the Sid Richardson Building

$95,935 for the Sidbury

House

Oso Wastewater Plant

501 Nile Drive

Plant includes 32 buildings, including lift stations, pump houses, storage tanks and screening buildings.

Years built: 1950-1992

Estimated maintenance costs through 2015: $1,506,648 Major costs:

$233,981 for the plant

$133,658 for offices/labs

Corpus Christi Police Department Headquarters

321 John Sartain St.

Former Central Power and Light Co. building

Acquired by the city in 1988 for $1.4 million; occupied by the police department since 1991.

Estimated major costs:

$500,000 for a new air conditioning system

$500,000 for elevator replacements

City Vehicle Fleet

Includes all vehicles, from pickup trucks to tractors, beach cleaners and street equipment.

Number of vehicles: 2,000

Average life: 93 months

Expected life: 86 months

Percent past useful life: 46

Cost to replace all vehicles past their useful life: $27 million

Source: City of Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi Police Department

Spin that wheel in a target PR Campaign for Mr Neal

2006-08-13T02:40:00.000-07:00

Preventing breakdowns cheaper than fixing them

City undertakes inventory to organize its efforts better

By Denise Malan and David Kassabian Caller-Times
August 13, 2006

When the police department's 7-year-old air conditioning unit broke again in early May, maintenance officials gave up hope that constant leaks in the system could be fixed permanently. They rented a portable unit that still hums in the officers' parking lot next to rows of squad cars to keep the building operating in the summer heat.

The rental is costing the department $8,700 a month, adding roughly 30 percent to its total monthly utility bill, city officials said. The permanent unit had been expected to last 10 years but has been plagued with problems for years. A new, permanent air conditioner could cost $500,000, and the bidding process could push installation off until January.

"Whenever you get a cost of this nature, it does put you through a tizzy," said Assistant City Manager Oscar Martinez. "We want to be able to plan and anticipate better than we have been, because our facilities are getting older. They haven't been maintained on a strategic basis, and we're trying to get better at that."

It's fairly common every year for one or two of the city's approximately 400 municipal buildings to need an air conditioning overhaul, one of thousands of annual maintenance needs the city faces each year.

Until recently, the city generally dealt with maintenance issues - for buildings and for city vehicles - as problems arose. They let some vehicles drive beyond their life expectancy without replacing them and didn't do some nonessential building upkeep. The result - almost half of the city's fleet is beyond its useful life and some buildings are in need of big-ticket repairs, Martinez said.

The city has ended up paying more in the long term when regular maintenance could have reduced those costs, Martinez said.

To save money and plan for future repairs, the city is undergoing an inventory and long-range planning survey of almost all the city buildings. The survey includes needs for painting, site work, parking lots, floors, ceilings, plumbing, electrical systems, asbestos removal and heating and air conditioning systems.

The goal is to prioritize needs and save money for new roofs, air conditioners and other major work before things break. The survey has been under way for two years and will continue on a rolling basis in the future. It is about 75 percent complete.

The city budgeted $18.5 million for maintenance this year, including security, vehicle parts, equipment purchases, fuel and building maintenance, and other expenses. That number is up from $16.1 million three years ago, but still not enough to meet all maintenance needs immediately.

Under the new system, the city sets aside the same amount in maintenance funds but has started putting away money to go toward anticipated maintenance. It is a more complex version of a savings account for home repairs, Martinez said.

Martinez, who oversees budget preparations, put $100,000 each into two new funds as seed money for future maintenance needs. One fund is for buildings and the other for equipment, such as trucks, tractors and beach cleaners.

The money came from the maintenance budget, a fund to which all city departments contribute for upkeep, and the plan is to set aside money each year.

"It really won't be accessible in the short term," he said. "We have to build up the fund to capacity so it's able to meet the demand as well as have some mechanism so it's constantly replenished."

Michael Neuman, associate professor of urban planning for Texas A&M University, College Station, said the city's approach, known as lifecycle planning, is a relatively new way to manage government infrastructure.

"It's typical that a municipality or county hasn't taken a holistic view of infrastructure and maintenance over the long term," Neuman said. "It seems like it's so common sense. It sounds obvious, but it's not that common, surprisingly."

City staff is creating a database that shows each building's expected needs until 2015 and estimated maintenance costs based on life-cycle projections. City architect Jim Boggs is heading the project with help from someone in each department who is familiar with the buildings. The study is being done internally and doesn't cost the city other than staff time, Martinez said.

"While it's critical to find out what might be hitting us in the near future, it's just as important to know what will be coming in three to four years so we're not surprised," Martinez said.

Most city buildings - including warehouses, park buildings and various departments - are included in the study. However, City Hall has not been included yet because it recently was renovated. The Police Department also was left out because it has a dedicated maintenance supervisor. Those buildings will be included later as the survey continues. Buildings will be surveyed on a rotating basis, so projections will go beyond 2015.

"We can be more aggressive with our preventative maintenance program," Martinez said. "We need to take every step necessary for preventative maintenance so these larger problems don't come along."

Maintenance hasn't been a major budget priority, Martinez said. When it comes time to haggle over the budget, a maintenance issue usually would lose funding to a service, he said.

For instance, the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Health District building is in need of parking lot repairs and some plumbing maintenance, Martinez said. However, city officials put money into health services such as clinics and vaccinations because of their importance, he said.

"Typically, because of competing priorities, a parking lot might not be the first thing you think of," Martinez said.

Neuman said putting off maintenance is not unusual for governments.

"In the city budget, the first thing to go is maintenance," he said. "They say, 'Oh we'll do it next year,' and next year becomes next year, becomes next year and so on."

Parts and labor prices, as well as more sophisticated equipment, have pushed maintenance costs up in recent years, Martinez said. But the study and renewed focus on maintenance should save the city money on repairs and replacements, he said.

"It's on a schedule rather than, 'Can we squeeze it in this year?' or 'We have no choice because it broke down,' " he said.

Neuman, who studied lifecycle planning for the states of California and New Jersey, said few studies have been done, but the results are promising.

"There's no disputing the few studies that have been done that show if you take a life-cycle approach, you'll have significant cost savings," Neuman said.

Contact Denise Malan at 886-4334 or at maland@ caller.com. Contact David Kassabian at 886-3778 or at kassabiand@ caller.com

OMNI: DECEMBER 2001- PORT ROYAL CONDOMINIUMS ~A PRIVATE MEETING WAS HELD BY THE CITY COUNCIL WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE VOTERS

2006-08-05T22:55:00.000-07:00

OMNI: DECEMBER 2001- PORT ROYAL CONDOMINIUMS ~A PRIVATE MEETING WAS HELD BY THE CITY COUNCIL WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE VOTERS

A good article by Abel Cavada

Skip Noe and City Secretary Armando Chapa are leading the city staff and duping the City Council into a number of projects that are in direct contravention to the wishes of the citizens. The various projects that are imposed on the people include the TRT theft of our bay front, the theft of our open beaches, and the theft of democracy in general.

Bob Rowling: “PRIVATE PLEASURE VENTURE TO STEAL OUR TEXAS TREASURE”

2006-08-05T20:13:00.000-07:00

Bob Rowling: “PRIVATE PLEASURE VENTURE TO STEAL OUR TEXAS TREASURE”

WHY ARE WE THE “PEOPLE ASKED TO PAY THE TAB” WHY THE CARE ABOUT THE DEVELOPER AND HIS NEEDS BUT NOT THE PEOPLE WHO PAY THEIR PAYCHECKS AND CAR ALLOWANCE??

Ø WATT IS THIS PIPELINE THAT BRINGS H2O FROM LAKE TEXANNA TO WHERE?

WATT Revenue is Derived From These City Employees?

2006-08-04T23:25:00.000-07:00

Organization/Firm: City of Corpus Christi


Last Name		First Name
Aguilar		Yvette
Ainsworth		William Reagan
Backens		Charmaine Kay
Bray		Carol Estes
Curtis		Doyle Darce
Harney		Joseph F.
Hundley		Elizabeth Rose Watso
Knox		Jennifer Ann
Madrigal		Melissa K.
Merkl		Peter Gerard
Ocanas		Veronica
Ogden		Wendy Elizabeth
Reining		Robert Jay
Smith		Gary W.

Island Surf & Wear: Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson:“It is my duty to enforce the Texas Open Beaches Act

2006-08-02T02:43:00.000-07:00

Island Surf & Wear: Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson:“It is my duty to enforce the Texas Open Beaches Act

Tuesday Morning El Defenzor Live: Loyd Neal (Politician for Profit)

2006-08-01T21:21:00.000-07:00

When the Callers do the work for US; It is a Great Compliment to El Defenzor Live.

Hypocrisy and contradictions coming from our All American City Council

2006-08-01T02:11:00.000-07:00

Council hypocrisy

Elected city officials have decided to play politics against city residents. Their attempt to rescind an existing city ordinance for a second time, after petitioners twice received an ample supply of signatures, is politics at its worst.

The original intent of the petitioners was to hold an election in April. However, powerful political forces from outside our community continue to pull the strings of a majority of our elected politicians forcing them to choose November.

Councilman Mark Scott states, "I am an elected official who wishes we could resolve an issue like this sooner rather than later." I guess this should be at the expense of the taxpayers, considering that the city secretary has stated that an election in November is more expensive than April. What a waste of taxpayer money.

Councilman Brent Chesney is disguising his argument in favor of November by saying there would be greater voter participation. This argument did not prevail with him when voters wanted to vote on a city charter revision commission recommendation to place Chesney's city election in November.

With this type of hypocrisy and contradictions coming from our elected officials, no wonder Corpus Christi for a third year has earned the spot as being one of America's most illiterate cities.

Rene Saenz

Press Release

2006-08-01T00:35:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
to all media entities and politicos

CONTACT: Jaime@Kenedeno.com

DATE: Monday, July 31, 2006

Expose’ on Loyd Neal (Politician for Profit) tomorrow morning on El Defenzor Live 1440 AM KEYS Radio From 7-9 AM

As I understand from Courthouse conversations today with a certain Democratic Faction; Loyd Neal is a for profit politician. The documentation / public information release will begin tomorrow morning Tuesday. Tune in for what is supposed to be the best of the best show of the year and the Neal for profit politician will be revealed with the documentation to back up the revelations All media entities and politicos are urged to tune in. This is sure to effect the November elections. The Expose’ is based on an extensive investigation into and underneath the thousands of pages where it was buried. This will open the flood gates of controversy with a profound effect on the November election and the finale will culminate in the upcoming shows and Newspaper publications.

Press Release Courtesy of Kenedeno & Associates

Nueces De La Parra: G I Forum Solution Suggestion

2006-07-25T05:27:00.000-07:00

Nueces De La Parra: G I Forum Solution Suggestion

Project name: G I Forum Solution Suggestion

List the objectives for the piece: Re instate Founding Chapter, force them to unify, put the money out in front of the membership for all to control (not just a few people), return National Administration to Corpus Christi (perfect example of Brain Drain)

Who will receive or see the piece?

South Texas, South Texas Politicos, GI Forum Founder Hector P Garcia Familia, Ram Chavez (Founding Chapter GI Forum ex Commander / re-elected Commander), Joe Ortiz (National GI Forum Civil Rights Director), Agnes Horne (title) , Tony Morales (National GI Forum Commander)

Explain the concept in one or two sentences:

Two Options; either the Founding Chapter will be erased or it will be reinstated.

Defiance will destroy, disband and certainly bring forth litigation on both civil and criminal fronts.

The path towards reinstatement begins with a very proud man swallowing a little pride and taking one for the team.

What themes or images come to mind?

A productive modernized Hector P Garcia building / program in Unity with Al Gonzalez Center a skatepark at the Memorial Coliseum and a boardwalk from Oso Pier to Cole Park

What are the main messages for the copy?

Supporting Ram Chavez is noble but will not produce positively for the Founding Chapter of the National GI Forum.

What kinds of illustrations will be used?

Hector P Garcia building with high grass

Timeline selected & created from Caller Times Articles

this community's resilience and ability to unite when the chips were down.

2006-07-11T02:36:00.001-07:00

Homeport was a big coup at a critical time
May 15, 2005

Not many days in Corpus Christi's history could have rivaled the significance of July 2, 1985.

For sure, the day that the Port of Corpus Christi was opened in 1926 had historical signficance; it established this area's economic security.

And the day when the gates of Naval Air Station-Corpus Christi were first opened in 1940 began the modern era of military presence in Corpus Christi.

But July 2, 1985, was the day that it was announced that Homeport would come to Corpus Christi.

That meant, at the time, that a naval surface fleet would be based at a new base, yet to be built, on the north shore of Corpus Christi Bay.

It was a great day for Corpus Christi and the area at a time when this city badly needed a boost.

But the announcement was also a reward for this community's resilience and ability to unite when the chips were down.

A memorable photo

In a memorable photo taken that day, copies of the Corpus Christi Times, the now-defunct afternoon newspaper, carrying the headline "City gets Homeport" were held up by a beaming County Judge Robert N. Barnes, Mayor Luther Jones, state Sen. Carlos Truan and state Rep. Hugo Berlanga.

That photo was a personal coup for me.

As city editor for an afternoon newspaper whose deadlines closed around noon, I didn't have much chances for breaking news. But we did that day.

The Times staff had been preparing for days ahead of the announcement, writing background material that would be ready for the final touches if it turned out that the announcement, long awaited, would come in our news cycle. Otherwise, the baton would be handed off to the morning Caller.

Sure enough, the morning of July 2, as civic leaders gathered, the word came from Washington: Corpus Christi had beat out five other cities for the Homeport designation.

The idea then was that the battleship Wisconsin, revived out of the mothball fleet, would be based at the future Ingleside base.

The Times staff turned out a first edition with the news and headline, the first copies going to the Chamber of Commerce building where dignitaries were still celebrating and Caller-Times photographer George Gongora took the photo that ran in the final edition.

Those who were part of that day can't fail to remember the euphoria.

Homeport was the payoff for an enormous gamble.

Just months before, on April 6, Nueces County voters went to polls to approve, by a margin of 3 to 1, $25 million in bonds to buy land for the yet-undesignated Navy base.

That's right: $25 million in voter money for a federal base that didn't exist, that we had no guarantee we'd get, on land in another county, for another group of taxpayers.

But it was a time for desperate measures.

The oil bust of the 1980s was still reverberating throughout the area. Scores of offices related to the oil industry had closed. The area was in the grip of a stagnating economy.

There was no Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi back then was not yet the home of a regional health-care and hospital complex.

It's amazing how priorities get straight when a crisis looms, or opportunity beckons.

In a space of three days, the Nueces County Commissioners Court, the Corpus Christi City Council and the Port of Corpus Christi all held meetings to approve the Homeport bond election.

The late Hayden Head Sr. organized the fund-raising for the campaign to pass the bonds.

Congressman Solomon Ortiz and Sen. Truan employed their formidable political forces to get out the vote.

All the friction, all the posturing, all the personal agendas seemed to melt away for a community effort.

Those moments of unity have been few and far between since then. We seem to find much more interest in pursuing personal agendas and nursing old wounds than in thinking outside of ourselves to the future.

But Friday's announcement has, I hope, clarified matters.

The loss of Naval Station Ingleside would be a terrific blow to the local economy.

The good thing is that we know we have the capability to mount a unified effort get the prize. Now it's just a matter of keeping it.

Nick Jimenez is editorial page editor of the Caller-Times. Phone: 886-3787; e-mail: jimenezn@caller.com.

MORE JIMENEZ COLUMNS »

this community's resilience and ability to unite when the chips were down.

2006-07-11T02:36:00.000-07:00

Texas State Representative House District 33: El Sol y La Luna

2006-07-10T05:03:00.000-07:00

Texas State Representative House District 33: El Sol y La Luna

Political Pulse: Vilma Luna's Resignation Letter

2006-07-10T04:37:00.000-07:00

Political Pulse: Vilma Luna's Resignation Letter

House District 33 Democratic Precinct Chairs. Who will vote which way?

2006-07-06T22:46:00.000-07:00

JohnM

You guys got it all wrong...

7/6/2006 4:14:36 PM

Noyola will get the Democratic nomination, and you heard it from me first. Countywide Solly would easily take the nomination from Noyola. However, it is only the precinct chairs from Dist. 33 that get a vote. He only needs 23 out of 44 precinct chairs to vote for him to get the nod. Solly''s strengths are in the outlying areas of Nueces County like Robstown. The problem is that district 33 ends in Molina (Noyola''s home turf). Included in these districts is Moody, Sunnybrook, Molina, etc., where Noyola has strong support. I think both of these guys carry some baggage and are not the greatest candidates to get the conservative democrat vote (yes they exist). So I think either candidate opens the door for a moderate Republican (not McComb - too conservative) to step in. When it is all said and done, Noyola will narrowly defeat McComb in November. WRAP IT!

curtis rock

Re: You guys got it all wrong...
7/6/2006 5:06:08 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, sounds like you have a better grasp on local Democratic politics than probably most of us do.

I just know that if Soli gets the nod in this traditionally Democratic district, then Republicans shouldn''t even try.

4
Alex Nieto, 876-7981
HD 33
6
Vic Menard, 937-1142
HD 33
8
Mary Rivera, 334-3261
HD 33
17
Maria M. Gonzalez, 334-1456
HD 33
20
Sylvia Lerma, 855-8058
HD 33
32
Sheri Phillabaum, 992-8048
HD 33
43
Melissa Madrigal, 883-0449
HD 33
48
Rosie Garcia, 855-9066
HD 33
53
Blanche M. DeLos Santos
HD 33
56
Ken Gandy, 888-8205
HD 33
57
Vacant
HD 33
67
Christopher B. Semtner, 994-9266
HD 33
68
Martha Gutierrez, 851-9520
HD 33
69
Pablo Garza, 852-8012
HD 33
70
Joan Veith, 991-0656
HD 33
71
Viola Van Houten, 852-4284
HD 33
72
Susie Luna-Saldana, 851-8137
HD 33
73
Lisa Ann Torres, 853-1517
HD 33
74
Margaret Palacios, 225-0540
HD 33
75
Rose Mary Martinez, 883-9517
HD 33
80
Jose Antonio Lopez, 739-2910
HD 33
83
Gus Munoz, 888-6798
HD 33
84
Jerry Alvarez, 992-9394
HD 33
87
Sylvia Samaniego, 854-4272
HD 33
88
Omar Ozuna, 992-0564
HD 33
89
Barbara Cline, 992-1634
HD 33
90
Coretta Graham, 334-5929
HD 33
93
Connie Gutierrez, 334-3668
HD 33
94
Susan Pizana, 443-5984
HD 33
95
Belinda Pompa, 851-0156
HD 33
96
Crystal S. Hernandez, 549-3170
HD 33
97
Carlos Homero Valdez Sr., 854-1772
HD 33
98
Gloria Lozano, 852-2936
HD 33
106
Flo Martinez, 855-5078
HD 33
112
Olga Bell
HD 33
113
Rowland M. Andrade, 726-6532
HD 33
115
Mike Rendon, 991-4263
HD 33
116
Alma Noyola, 855-0339
HD 33
117
Glenda G. Turner, 937-1790
HD 33
118
Buck Sosa, 852-3710
HD 33
119
Mary J. Saenz, 985-8380
HD 33
121
Katharine Guerra
HD 33
122
Jerrold Towle, 939-8233
HD 33
124
Kenneth Hawkins, 334-1655
HD 33
125
Yvette Ortiz-Sanchez, 991-9947
HD 33

Was there a National search for this position?

2006-07-06T21:42:00.000-07:00

Good Afternoon Jaime,

Breaking News City names new police chief

CORPUS CHRISTI - The City of Corpus Christi has announced that Commander Bryan Smith of the Corpus Christi Police Department as the new Police Chief.

CORPUS CHRISTI - City Manager Skip Noe announced Thursday that he has chosen to recommend Commander Bryan Smith for the position of police chief. 6 News' spoke with him about his plans for the department. "I assure you and everyone else that I'll strive everyday to uphold the honor and integrity of the corpus christi police dept. And the offfice of chief of police," said Smith.Commander Smith said that even though he's been working towards this position, he was still caught off guard by the announcement. "It was shocking, it's a life changing experience," he said. "I've waited for this opportunity for a longtime." Smith might've been shocked, but he already has plans for the department. "The first thing I want to do is to reach out to the officers and let them know they have a police chief who believes in them." Next on his agenda is adressing problems like keeping up with the city's rapid growth, gang problems, and traffic issues. That's a full plate, but it's something Smith said he's used too. "Being a police manager is a 24 hour day job, it's probably going to be a 36 hour day job now."
Commander Smith's appoinmtment will be finalized once the city council approves it next week.Online Reporter: Jenny Suniga
Posted from IAH

I seen a cool picture yesterday, I wonder if I could get an electronic image of thuse longboarders ?

2006-07-02T06:47:00.000-07:00

Political Pulse: Subject: Press Release : City Council Elections

2006-06-23T21:40:00.000-07:00

Political Pulse: Subject: Press Release : City Council Elections

Jerry Patterson said Thursday in a Coastal Coordination Council Meeting that the General Land Office has requested additional information

2006-06-10T03:21:00.000-07:00

ccdem "Why doesn't the Caller-Times expose this sort of corruption?"

couldbetrue "Jerry Patterson said Thursday in a Coastal Coordination Council Meeting that the General Land Office has requested additional information on how the city planned to provide access to disabled people and how the public in general would access the south jetty of Packery Channel."

That is something for us to work with.

Now, right now we (each of us) must get ten people to call Jerry Patterson (and the candidates who will be affected by our ENGAGEMENT). If he is a smart man he will quash our ALL AMERICAN CITY COUNSELLED OUT SELF DEALERS. Send your land commisioner an email followed by a letter.

There is an Open Beaches Act we have to work with as well.

We also have the case law precedent that will incrementally allow the other condos to close more of our open beach over time.

Lonestar The GLO has received overwelming public response opposing this closure because the majority does not want it. The law is on the side of the opposition.

Secondvet Check out what the Cameron County Commissioner''s Court has done! Leased Isla Blanca Park to a Federally convicted kidnapping felon to develop a hotel/casino complex where the public now has a parking lot.
Your City Commissioners are no different. The have lost all sense of propriety and history of our area and are selling it away bit by bit.

John Trice Mr Island Surf & Wear now VP of Frost Bank on the Island
1/7/2006 1:03 AM
It was the early 80's. Historically the Surfers hung out by Bob Hall Pier. The Fishermen and the Surfers were at odds. The waves created in proximity to the pier were cleaner thus better for surfing. The Surfers would routinely "shoot the pier" and take their boards and jump off of the end instead of the long paddle out. Hence the JP Luby Surf Park & Pier was created.

To hang out at the Condos was discouraged by the condo elite. Well on the Sea Wall we could skateboard as the steel wheels became replaced with urethane wheels like Kryptonic, Bones, Gyros and the boards and truck technology as well.

We started to hang out on the Seawall. We were not llowed to park in the parking lots so we had to park in the street and lug our ice chests, boards, towels and stuff around the Holiday Inn cuz they would not let us through to the seawall. The visitors and tourists began to interact with us and we made many friends. Still we had to walk around.

Some of us took our dogs. My dog would pull me on my skateboard up and down the wall. He pulled many others as well. He loved it. The Condos would not even allow me to get water for my dog one day when I ran out.

This became the place for all as Spring Break '84 and John Trice should remember. Do you remember the Skateboard Ramp and Contest. The Bikini Contest and all the hoopla?

Island Surf & Wear: Just because it''s Von Wade''s show doesn''t mean a sole agenda is being pushed. He may push a viewpoint, but he''s not the only o

2006-06-08T22:45:00.000-07:00

Island Surf & Wear: Just because it''s Von Wade''s show doesn''t mean a sole agenda is being pushed. He may push a viewpoint, but he''s not the only one.

Island Surf & Wear

This became the place for all as Spring Break '84 and John Trice should remember. Do you remember the Skateboard Ramp and Contest. The Bikini Contest and all the hoopla? How about it Rick Trevino, Steve Cooke, Duane Hansen, Matthew Hearndon and all you other forgetful "big timers". John Trice is now the president of Frost Bank on the Island. Waz up Johnny? Speak up "Mr make all that money off of an open access beach" ?

Political Pulse: CORPUS CHRISTI REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD MEMBER Joe Elizondo shows up 4 hours tardy to Birthday Party for Juan

2006-06-06T02:21:00.000-07:00

Political Pulse: CORPUS CHRISTI REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD MEMBER Joe Elizondo shows up 4 hours tardy to Birthday Party for Juan Garcia

South Texas Chisme: Corpus Christi Barrios Association Friction?

2006-06-04T05:20:00.000-07:00

South Texas Chisme: Corpus Christi Barrios Association Friction?

Dear Air America & John Kelley,

2006-06-03T02:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Air America & John Kelley,

Team Kenedeno & Associates
(E Advocacy Architecture) Specializing in South Texas Social Structure.

"Engaging the average citizen in the formulation of Public Policy" is our mission @ Team Kenedeno. The Net is a powerful force for change -- and a dynamic tool for citizen education and action. Read the latest research on citizen participation online, the stories and experiences of coalitions, corporate clients, and others working in the cyber trenches, and discover the potential to become an active participant in online democracy.

Hear @ TEAM KENEDENO we are building the VOTE “back together again”. We have earned our place. If you insist, we will earn it again. It is representative of how every South Texan should speak up. You might call it anger I call it passion. Passion is WATT you felt on TALK RADIO this Friday Morning. If you weren’t there YOU should have been. I am sure a transcript will be readily provided upon request.

FYI: Judge JAG was TARDY. Callers could have called in when the BELL RANG. But then again Maybe JAG had a legitimate reason for his unexplained TARDY. Remember the Sandra WATTS Jury “message sending” fiasco. Did this guy end up in JAGS court and allowed “push and pull” alliances to unite and rendezvous at the RADIO Station,…… TARDY?

Where is Ganschow when he is needed?

CCISD’s finest in Security / Attendance in the Broomfield Style.

The caller was attempting to ENGAGE the AVERAGE CITIZEN by making a simple statement addressing the acknowledgment that the JUDGE of the Truancy Court was Tardy. WHY did the host not address the impromptness and allow JAG to respond?

You know WATT Mr Kelly,

ü homework - a must study of Mike Wallace.

Shouldn’t he JAG a fine for the dead airtime?

This message is slated and designed…….

It is perfectly natural for Nueces County Judge to show up tardy.

Mr. Kelly states, “He didn’t have time to take any calls”.

This subtle tactic sent a one sided message and a severe blow to public defeatist sentiment. Whether he realized it or not, that was a WATTS element mouthpiece.

It is a fatalistic attitude that TEAM KENEDENO will eradicate! Quality Control begins with accountability and consequences not only rewards and power.

Then all of the TAX Write Offs JOE try to sell us as charity.

There are a “few good men” in the bunch.

My regards Judge Greenwell, Randy Maldonado, Robert Zamora, Joe Flores, Juan Garcia and John La Rue.

There are some that need to be removed from status and position.

Mr. Hector Canales of the “TWO FER” clan

Barbie Girl’s partner

Mr. “Best Little Door House”, Cocoy sends his regards

And I thought I had seen a blue ghost?

That behavior is an embarrassment to the two boards; where do you “think” you sit so high?

And I know that is not why you “think” you sit so high.

Resign step down and go back to your “HOMETOWN”

This is MY Town.

How bout JUAN MORE!?!

EL Defenzor.net: Why are the lights of the harbor bridge turned of as texwrite wrote does this make common sense?

2006-06-01T03:21:00.000-07:00

EL Defenzor.net: Why are the lights of the harbor bridge turned of as texwrite wrote does this make common sense?

does this make common sense?
Posted on June 1, 2006 at 00:15:31 AM by dannoynted1

Take a deep breath Cato...
5/31/2006 10:38 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Certainly things can get done the way they are now. I heard that the port could operate more efficiently if they had a way to accomodate larger ships. Supertankers wouldn't have to offload in the gulf onto other ships and have them deliver it. It would be faster if they brought it in themselves. This is only one issue for the bridge.

Realistically, we won't have a say in the construction of the new bridge. Bigger people than us will make the decision regardless. In other words, I'm sure someone's pockets are going to benefit from it. I hate to say it Cato, I don't think Rock drilling will be the one.

----------------------------------------and just how could you possibly know who will benefit?

is your pocket being lined?

i am sure you have no "common sense" much less know anything about it

when you get some then maybe you can get a "piece of the rock"

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Two reasons cited for tearing down a historical landmark....
Posted on June 1, 2006 at 00:56:42 AM by Jaime Kenedeno

and notice neither of them deal with who will be making bucoooos of dinero.

Corrosion?

Not a factor for at leat another 50 years or so and that is if we stopped all maintainence. Think it will still be standing after a major hurricane?

I say yes.

Height??

Why height?

How is it better to bring the ship all the way in than to offload away from the public. Public Safety must be a primary factor. These ships are clumsy at best. Let us not forget the Super Tanker Exxon Valdez.

Bottom line is Social Status & Economic status of a select few at the expense of taxpayer money and our safety.

Oh yeah, when we built cargo dock 1 it was designed for industry not parties and board rooms.

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CENSORSHIP: Good grief, did we hit a nerve?
Posted on June 1, 2006 at 00:43:40 AM by Jaime 4 TEXWRITES

texwrites
Posts: 321

Censorship Here
6/1/2006 12:31 AM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wowee My post about getting the bridge declared an historical landmark has been purged. This topic shows 16 posts and now only 9 remain. Good grief, did we hit a nerve? I was trying humor and someone thought it had possibilities I guess. How troubling that something like that would get the ax.

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Re(1): CENSORSHIP: Good grief, did we hit a nerve?
Posted on June 1, 2006 at 00:44:46 AM by Jaime 4 CATO

Cato
Posts: 135
Some support the harbor bridge to get rich, not for community
6/1/2006 12:46 AM

Why are the lights of the harbor bridge turned of as textwrite wrote, to make it less attractive?

The guy (engineer) that built the harbor bridge led the project to built mount Rushmore. The bridge like the courthouse is a historical site.

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censor capitan? does this make common sense?
Posted on June 1, 2006 at 00:26:30 AM by dannoynted1

what say you capitan?

all jaimes posts were once again deleted by that hater talk radio wannabe american

guess he cant stand those ice cold showers

he even deleted johnseys posts!
why?
he has no common sense!

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Two things that threaten the Corporate Welfare beneficiaries.....
Posted on June 1, 2006 at 00:38:53 AM by Jaime Kenedeno

1) A movement against building a new bridge and tearing down a historical landmark residing in a historical designated area. Public Opinion can over rule imminent domain.

2)A challenge to the incumbent Gene Seaman to debate his well respected opponent Desert Storm Aviator Juan Garcia.

The Agenda is clear.

Where do you stand El Capitan?

It just goes to demonstrate the cowardice of some and the selective nature of others when it comes to our constitution.

A Sea Man or a Desert Storm Aviator

We dont need your message board or KEYS Radio.

WATT happened to the Skatepark????

======================================================================

Home > Community > General
Up to topic list | Search Author Original Message Cato
Posts: 158 Why did Homer bring up the new Harbor Bridge proposal?
5/30/2006 9:22:54 PM Is it symbolic of something I missed? Is he starting an expose on city and the Dept of Transportation and the Metroplitican Planning Organization?

I was listening closely this morning. Homer seemed tired and frustrated, he talked about "ethics" and "critical" reporting. He was not really asking the question, "Do we need a Harbor Bridge?"; it was Molly Cox. Homer seemed to be aiming at something deeper. I know that Curmudeon did get the gist of the talk; Why was Bob Jones interrupting him from the very beginning?

Homer did mention that Mayor Loyd Neal had appointed/or help appt persons to the port that are in a joint venture with him. Homer cited that Neal had a 9 percent interest in such companies.

Why have we not been told this? Who can explore this allegations further? Homer seemed to be saying, at least in my analysis, "I'm an outsider, why do I have to do it." Did any of you get that feeling?

Bob Jones said, "No one cares Homer. No on out there." Homer of course was referring to some unwritten agenda. Collapse all posts in this thread Author Replys Cato
Posts: 158 Does anyone know Homer''s email address?
5/30/2006 9:24:56 PM Like to inquire about a few things. Has anyone here communicated with him by way of email?

Does he respond back? I don''t want to waste his or my time??? curtis rock
Posts: 751 Re: Why did Homer bring up the new Harbor Bridge proposal?
5/30/2006 9:30:39 PM From what I''ve heard from TxDOT meetings is that the bridge has already expired its expected use, or is nearing this expiration. Upon completion of the new bridge, the current bridge will be overdue on replacement.

I really don''t think the City will have much to do with the bridge aside from right-of-way issues. All funding, bidding, masterplanning, etc. is at the discretion of the State of Texas (TxDOT). The Port of Corpus Christi doesn''t even get much say from what I understand.

I think the new bridge is necessary because the current bridge requires more maintenance than a wife. Cato
Posts: 158 Chris Rock be careful with your words
5/31/2006 8:32:12 PM So you claim we are ""against progress and economic growth of the community"" because we don''t support unjustified project contracts being given to the Chris Rocks of this world?

You are part of the problem, not the solution. I have consulted with a few experts in the area and most ships that will pass through the harbor don''t require more than 100 feet, the harbor bridge has 150 feet. The 200 feet figure why?

To justify the $$$$$, our money. Community growth does not equal contracts for the Chris Rocks of this world..... It equals what we say it is. CommonSense
Posts: 561 Take a deep breath Cato...
5/31/2006 10:38:20 PM Certainly things can get done the way they are now. I heard that the port could operate more efficiently if they had a way to accomodate larger ships. Supertankers wouldn''t have to offload in the gulf onto other ships and have them deliver it. It would be faster if they brought it in themselves. This is only one issue for the bridge.

Realistically, we won''t have a say in the construction of the new bridge. Bigger people than us will make the decision regardless. In other words, I''m sure someone''s pockets are going to benefit from it. I hate to say it Cato, I don''t think Rock drilling will be the one. curtis rock
Posts: 751 Just to Clarify a few things for Cato...
5/31/2006 10:47:41 PM Cato...My name is Curtis, plainly spelled as my username on this website - not Chris.

Many large cargo ships of today cannot clear the Harbor Bridge, so you can quit making up lies. Secondly, TxDOT is the governing entity responsible for this project so the local business people will be in competition with the entire State. The possibility of Rock Engineering doing any geotechnical investigation exists, but it will be an uphill battle. Thankfully we''re the only local company here with a HUB certification, so it makes our firm attractive to any prime consultant - but that doesn''t mean they''ll use us.

Also, CommonSense, the company I work for is not a drilling company. We don''t even have a drilling rig. We hire drillers to extract our soil samples. Cato
Posts: 158 Curtis, don''t mean to be disrespectful, you admit you have a bias
5/31/2006 10:59:10 PM The bias is that you are hoping to get a bite of the plate, so to speak. Such a prospective role does dull one''s critical thinking skills in reference to the new bridge project materizing itself or not.

I understand that you will also might benefit from other projects as well as you have admitted such as the Beach progects Cato
Posts: 158 Some support the harbor bridge to get rich, not for community
6/1/2006 12:46:52 AM Why are the lights of the harbor bridge turned of as textwrite wrote, to make it less attractive?

The guy (engineer) that built the harbor bridge led the project to built mount Rushmore. The bridge like the courthouse is a historical site.

texwrites
Posts: 323 Censorship Here
6/1/2006 12:31:19 AM Wowee My post about getting the bridge declared an historical landmark has been purged. This topic shows 16 posts and now only 9 remain. Good greif, did we hit a nerve? I was trying humor and someone thought it had possibilities I guess. How troubling that something like that would get the ax. curtis rock
Posts: 751 Re: Some support the harbor bridge to get rich, not for community
6/1/2006 7:21:32 AM Rock Engineering wouldn''t be the only beneficiary, it would be a stimulus for the entire community. Perhaps you don''t have that forward-thinking ability. Even if Rock Engineering doesn''t benefit from the actual design or construction, it would still benefit our firm in the long run. Even I can see that. curmudgeon
Posts: 2912 Yeah, we need to . . .
6/1/2006 8:26:52 AM . . . make work for local companies. Sounds kinda like corporate welfare to me. curtis rock
Posts: 751 infrastructure
6/1/2006 8:57:27 AM If you consider infrastructure to be corporate welfare, then yes.

However, everyone from business to labor will benefit from increased goods coming and going from our Port.

It''s international commerce that this infrastructure benefits, which helps everyone. curmudgeon
Posts: 2912 The existing bridge is . . .
6/1/2006 9:36:31 AM . . . adequate. If you think that bringing bigger ships into the port will enhance the lives of the average resident I have a bridge to sell you. curtis rock
Posts: 751 Wrong again
6/1/2006 11:21:08 AM If the existing bridge is big enough, then why do we continue to widen and deepen the ship channel. Clearly, ships are getting bigger and bigger so we need bigger infrastructure to support it.

It''s like fat people trying to suck it in so they fit in their same pair of trousers. curmudgeon
Posts: 2912 That is a problem . . .
6/1/2006 12:00:39 PM . . . for the people who are profitting from the port to address. The existing bridge is adequate to handle the vehicle traffic that is traveling along US 35. curtis rock
Posts: 751 Re: That is a problem . . .
6/1/2006 1:40:32 PM So what about the new Joe Fulton Corridor? Major Carrales
Posts: 412 I can''t say I have an opinion on a new bridge...
6/1/2006 12:31:29 PM ...clearly having oil tankers pulling into the port itself could prove to be a Homeland Security danger.

Imagine if a terrorist group secured a tanker and mixed it with fuel and some nitrate based mixture. Detonating that in the port proper would create kilotons worth of damage.

Still, there is a senario in HLS circles that deals with any bridge over the harbour being demolished and causing disruption to port operations for months including its military significance.

Why not engineer a tunnel? Or simply bipass the bridge''s current locality and build a bridge furher on down the channel where its collapse and the height of the bridge will be less of an issue.

Sure, that is the only way to get to the Lexington and State Aquarium, but few real attempts to develop the LEOPARD STRIP and DOWNTOWN have gained traction. Instead the development is to be on the Island...miles away.

May I propose a ferry service between the Island and North Beach?

Now that is thinking outside the box!!! CommonSense
Posts: 561 Re: Just to Clarify a few things for Cato...
6/1/2006 8:03:27 AM My bad. I could have sworn that you referred to the company you work for in an earlier post as ""Rock Drilling"".

Having my memory slip at 43 isn''t a good thing.

=ha= Uriel
Posts: 475 Re: Why did Homer bring up the new Harbor Bridge proposal?
6/1/2006 8:05:18 AM As much as I love the Harbor Bridge, it is rather old.
I do however, hope the one they replace it with will be equally or more beautiful than the existing bridge.

I learned how to drive on that bridge.
:bugeyes:
My mother was teaching me to drive on the highway from Portland to CC.
I was suppose to get off the highway at the exit BEFORE the Harbor Bridge.
OUPPS!!!
Missed it!!!
As I drove up the Harbor Bridge, I turned to look at my Mom''s face. OH she was really worried. Clenching the door. Face turned pale.

Well, I made it to the other side...then turned and went over the bridge again.
Was fun and scary at the same time.

Great way to get over your fear of driving a car.
:P
Uriel :D Cato
Posts: 158 ""infrastructure"" for who? CITGO, Valero refineries
6/1/2006 11:20:46 AM Curmudgeon is right. Why don''t they pay for their own infrastructure. I know CITGO. The rich are getting richer, you get a bite to justify their ruse.

They want us to pay for it. curtis rock
Posts: 751 Re: ""infrastructure"" for who? CITGO, Valero refineries
6/1/2006 2:40:48 PM It''s a benefit for everyone. With your logic, how about you pay the exact amount for the roadway directly in front of your house. I highly doubt you could afford it. curmudgeon
Posts: 2912 I think I can . . .
6/1/2006 5:44:26 PM . . . afford it. I already have a private road of my own. curtis rock
Posts: 751 Re: I think I can . . .
6/1/2006 8:31:52 PM Some people can do that.

Most cannot afford the things that you can Curm.

I definitely couldn''t afford my own private road. Cato
Posts: 158 Let''s protest! A Car Caravan to get the lights back on
6/1/2006 10:07:13 PM Let''s enjoy the Harbor Bridge while we have it. We need to email the state transporation officials.

CommonSense
Posts: 561 Re: Let''s protest! A Car Caravan to get the lights back on
6/1/2006 10:38:57 PM With gas prices the way they are.. no thanks. Cato
Posts: 158 This Infrastructure should go to areas Mayor Neal has neglected
6/2/2006 1:40:25 AM flagrant neglect, glaring overlooking many sectors of Corpus Christi; a gross record in working for the whole community. He has not reached fairly.

Now he sits on the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and him the exe dir want to sell us a bridge. It will soon come out what he has done to our community, according to one of my professor here at Texas A M - CC.

We need to stop jumping everytime someone like Curtis Rock yells ""Economic Development"" or ""new infrstructure"" or ""commerce"" , these codes words have been used as code words as framing manipulation to manage our impressions of the future.

I smell a cold dead fish and it is not progress. As Curmudeon put it so succintly, ""Someone needs to sound the alarm"" incessantly.

1 billion dollars can make you think. The possibilities, the impact that it can have if used effectively. The beach has been taken away from the public and given to the private recreations of the rich and the comfortable; the new harbor bridge sales pitch is conflated and related.

It would be okay to make the rich richer, but they do not give back. CITGO I understand belongs to Hugo Chavez'' Venezuela. Soon we will be nurturing the business success of foreign and international corporations instead of our own community needs. China for instance has a planned/socialist economy and we reinforce it via Walmart and other operational agreements.

Is it commonsense? Is it to our benefit? Politicians have sold out; they have observed many in the process. The greedy Curtis Rocks of this world who are so desperate to climb the ladder will ruin our form of government. The Good ole US of A will be given to the Chavezes of this world.

Let us fight. Let''s take a stand. Why not a tunnel instead of a historical bridge? The corporations have hired many in business and media to sell us this private channelling of dollars. They want to impose a toll, and the toll is just an imposing start, others things will follow.

Don''t Corpus Christians have any pride. Any cajones? Gumption? Internal worth?

Will we all become Curtus Rocks of these world who bow down to the Brent Chesneys and Mark Scotts and the pitches of I LOVE CC.

wake up. lET''S CONNECT. let''s aim, let mutually plan, let''s execute a plan of resistance. hOW CAN WE GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT. CommonSense
Posts: 561 I think you need to seperate a couple of things...
6/2/2006 7:48:11 AM Curtis can defend himself, but you need to understand that his family owes a business. What does that mean? It means that they must be able to contract work to be able to pay the people they employ. Just because he likes the idea of new projects doesn''t make him greedy. I guess you are forgetting that those who own businesses must take advantage of opportunities or they will no longer have a business. This doesn''t make someone greedy. It may skew their view on some things, but it doesn''t make them greedy.

I hate to tell you this, but if the project goes through, which I think it will, it would be beneficial for any business owner to see what they can secure for their business. That is just good business planning. Rock Engineering isn''t leading the charge here. More than likely, as you pointed out, it is the politicians who are pushing this. Why, because it will bring added revenue into the area.

Frankly, I could care less what they do there. They could leave the bridge as it is now, or they can build a new one. It doesn''t affect me. Cato
Posts: 158 We don''t need new bridge, but sincere leadership
6/2/2006 11:27:56 AM and cajones.

Why should I buy in to the idea of a new bridge to put food of Curtis Rock''s table; while the cost depletes mine of needed resources?

Your logic COMMONSENSE does not make fit in to the logic. If you do not care if a new bridge or not is built then why are you the main mouthpiece, the marketeer. curtis rock
Posts: 751 Re: We don''t need new bridge, but sincere leadership
6/2/2006 1:06:49 PM Would you rather provide my fellow employees and myself with food on my table instead of earning it through our occupation? The truth is, plain and simple, if there is less work then we''re going to lay people off or close our doors. If there is more work, then we can continue hiring and providing jobs.

You can call me ""greedy"" if you''d like, but you have no idea how much Rock Engineering gives back to the community, aside from employing 30 people here and giving them ""the works"" in terms of benefits. I suppose greedy means contributing several thousand dollars to various organizations like Relay For Life for the American Cancer Society, FFA participants, Incarnate Word Academy, KEDT''s annual fundraiser ""Wine & Food Classic,"" donating our services to the Junior League for the Skate Park, donating our services to St. Andrew''s Church on Padre Island, donating our Five Corpus Christi Hooks Season tickets to charitable causes throughout the season, and these are just some of the things we''ve done that I can name off the top of my head.

I suppose we could be extra-greedy and keep everything we earn for ourselves, but that would be unethical in my eyes. So long as I work here, we will continue giving back to the community because it''s the right thing to do.

But if you want to continue calling me ""greedy,"" then go right ahead. CommonSense
Posts: 561 Re: We don''t need new bridge, but sincere leadership
6/2/2006 1:23:17 PM As usual you missed the point of my post. What will it take to get you to see beyond what you want? If you are for the bridge fine. Let me make it simple. I could care less! They could tear it down and build another ferry for all I care. If a new bridge is needed, then build it. If a new one isn''t needed then don''t build it. How hard of a concept is that for you?

You call me the main mouthpiece? Dude, get real. You came up with this idiotic idea of protesting by putting cars on the bridge. My response is I''ll pass due to the price of gas. That is called being nice. Do you want the real version? Your idea is childish and unrealistic.

Understand this about the real world. If politics are involved, then 98% of the time they will do what they want regardless of what is best.

Get a grip and go do something worthwhile with your weekend. Cato
Posts: 158 Infrastructure is needed somewhere else, my point
6/2/2006 9:21:14 PM The politicians, COMMONSENSE, argues will win 98 percent of the time. This is what is wrong with this community. It is a fatalistic attitude.

COMMONSENSE has not faith and hope and love in his own people and residents. The power is with us. We control the votes, we decide where our taxdollars go because, we are the RATEPAYERS. We have the democractic right to scrutinize every dollar and cent.

Infrastructure (the transportational one) is needed thoughout town, there are obvious neglected areas that we do no talk about. We need to reach out fairly to all the community. Personal Fiefdoms? The avarice of the Curtis Rocks who justify their kow tow to the Nealgolian and the Department of Transporation system and the MPO by pointing out that they gave a few beans they give away as token lipservice to community causes, need a reality check.

The power is with the people. The lights of the Harbor Bridge have been off and should be turned on. The same with the masses they should not loose hope. We have something they do not - Numbers. We can flaunt the numbers and parade them around the bridge or at both corners of it. A message needs to be sent.

98 percent? Heha. What a defeatist attitude. You must be a latent boy who likes to get wiped at an S&M ritual. IT''s your thing and do what you want to do; but let get one thing straight: we all don''t like to be on the receiving end. curtis rock
Posts: 751 Re: Infrastructure is needed somewhere else, my point
6/3/2006 1:36:46 AM The State of Texas has deemed it necessary to replace the existing Harbor Bridge. The State has very little to do with the rest of our city''s infrastructure. Are you also going to complain when the State decides to initiate the South Loop which will alleviate congestion on North-to-South roads like Airline, Everhart, and Weber? Are you going to protest that one also?

If you have a complaint with State infrastructure, then bringing up local politicians is barking up the wrong tree. CommonSense
Posts: 561 Listen Up...
6/3/2006 2:42:04 PM I don''t live in Corpus. I don''t even live in Nueces county. I drive over the harbor bridge maybe 15 times a year. I don''t care what they do with the bridge. I''m sorry they turned off the lights, but you should be used to living in the dark.

What a defeatist attitude. You must be a latent boy who likes to get wiped at an S&M ritual.

What were you thinking when you typed this? I think you should come to one of the threadster meetings we have in Corpus. I think we should attempt to have one this coming Thursday at Barnes and Noble around 4:30 pm. Then you will find out what kind of person I am. I''m definitely not a child who will run because you make a feeble attempt at throwing insults at me. Cato, I spent 20 years in the Navy. I consider you a pup who is barking up the wrong tree. curtis rock
Posts: 751 Re: Listen Up...
6/3/2006 5:59:40 PM See, now CommonSense knows how it feels when someone takes a cheap shot from behind a computer monitor. It really erks me when it happens to me.

I hate when people do it, and I''d love if they''d do it to me in-person. It doesn''t take 20 years of me being in the Navy to physically harm someone.

Cato, why don''t you tell us these things in-person instead of hiding behind your Computer''s monitor? Uriel
Posts: 475 Re: Let''s protest! A Car Caravan to get the lights back on
6/4/2006 10:18:17 AM Is there any way we will get to see pictures of the new bridge construction proposals?

Make it pretty guys!
And safer please. My oldest son will be driving in a year or two. Make a bridge that won''t give me nightmares when he gets his license.
But then...make something so beautiful that my heart will leap in the air higher than the bridge itself.
:D
Uriel skwardupntru
Posts: 1114 Re: Re: Why did Homer bring up the new Harbor Bridge proposal?
6/3/2006 5:12:57 PM I have had the clandestine pleasure of seeing a few mock ups. She will be a spectacular beauty. The naysayers of today will be the charter supporters of tomorrow.
****wink wink**** skwardupntru
Posts: 1114 The same ole BS
6/3/2006 4:54:24 PM Does this never end in Corpus Christi?
I have an old 8mm film of the construction of the Harbor Bridge. It was stated clearly then, that the mortality of the bridge would be experienced no later than 2012!!! That is six years from now for those of you who attended public schools.
This is NOT a point of debate!!!
The bridge is too steep, too narrow, TOOOO OLD!!!

I learned to drive on that bridge, I think it was once a beautiful bridge. I was also at the scene of an accident on the NB side of that bridge, in 1978, that mangled to guys who''s breaks went out.
This is not a Ferris Wheel or a resort, this is a bridge that 80,000 pound trucks navigate. It is a terminal ""Bottle Neck"". Never mind the Ships for now, the damn thing is an outdated road hazard.
For once CC get with the real world. As far as all of you arm chair engineers, concentrate on retrofitting your poorly engineered houses and leave the infrastructures to the experts. If a few of those experts happen to come from CC try supporting them as opposed to ridiculing their right to make money doing what they do best.
If it were up to me I would spend the money and put the main beam and decks at 250'' (the bottom clearance). That by the way is 40'' higher than the top of the super structure of the current bridge. curtis rock
Posts: 751 Re: The same ole BS
6/3/2006 6:04:13 PM Thank God, someone else on the message board with some reason!

Too bad you''re going to be repeating and explaining yourself for a long time Skward. People don''t understand ""Not tall enough,"" ""Out-dated,"" or ""Maintenance Nightmare."" curmudgeon
Posts: 2912 A couple of points . . .
6/3/2006 8:20:36 PM . . . there is nothing other than the port boys wanting a higher bridge that would justify replacing it. It ain''t too steep or too narrow. The fact that it has served almost 50 years should illustrate that point. If it ain''t being properly maintained we might need to replace those responsible for the maintenance.

To give you a hint of the enormity of such a project, at $500,000 million it would cost every man, woman and child in Corpus Christi around two thousand buck. It will likely cost double that. Traditionally we have let the people decide before indebting them for large capital outlays. I say tell them up front how much it will cost (including the part about tolls) and let them decide. Cato
Posts: 158 The Curtis Rocks of this world, want
6/4/2006 3:39:24 AM to railroad us, by making us sign on the dotted line of their contracts before we know the other ""mysterious"" facts and hikes and ""required"" extras.

They''ve cross the line. The Curtus Rocks are ""supporters of economic development -- that is, so called"" due to expediency. Their appetites for such awards are never sated. curtis rock
Posts: 751 Re: The Curtis Rocks of this world, want
6/4/2006 3:42:21 AM Economic Development is our ""award,"" you idiot. curtis rock
Posts: 751 Re: A couple of points . . .
6/4/2006 3:41:30 AM We already pay taxes to the State of Texas that goes towards Highways and Bridges, and that money goes other places like San Antonio or Houston for Bridges and Interchanges.

A local TxDOT project doesn''t necessarily mean everyone Man, Woman, and Child in Corpus Christi is going to pay for it - every Man, Woman, and Child in Texas will - just like we have been. Only now, we finally get to see a return on our investment in Corpus Christi instead of moving our money to just the big TxDOT districts.
Cato
Posts: 158 Curtis Boy this is your big chance to
6/4/2006 3:49:15 AM hit it big. One contract, just one contract can make it happen. The agenda is all you. The whole points that your share center around you, the axis, the one propelling the engine of avarice.

We have a historical bridge. I demand that the light be turned on. The hech with the I LOVE CC bull. Cal
Posts: 623 Re: Curtis Boy this is your big chance to
6/4/2006 10:32:48 AM We have a historical bridge. I demand that the light be turned on. The hech with the I LOVE CC bull.

Yes,Cato,I love the above statement:especially the last sentence.

And please donnot forget the it''s for ""The All America City"". Have not heard that one from the County Judge Republican Wannabe. I think a new bridge has a better chance than him being the next county judge. :D :D :D skwardupntru
Posts: 1114 I is ""I Love MY Corpus Christi"" You Moron
6/4/2006 10:46:00 AM If you want a shot at making the big bucks like Curtis, try working at Mcdonalds and going to college for 6 years. You are such a Knucklehead. curtis rock
Posts: 751 Re: Curtis Boy this is your big chance to
6/4/2006 11:00:59 AM A geotechnical engineering firm will never hit it big with one project. When geotechnical engineers can make more than one-half of one percent of a contract, then maybe. At this point, I consider every project we pick up to be a step forward as a company, whether it''s a 3,000 square foot office building or a 1000 acre Port Container Terminal. They add up. Business isn''t a lottery you ignorant asshole, the company has mouths to feed before the owners see a penny.

Remember that profits come after your legal obligation to pay your employees. Secondly, there are vendors you better pay, or else you get supply interruptions, liens, or visits to the small claims cout - none of which we''ve faced yet and we intend to keep it that way. skwardupntru
Posts: 1114 Re: Re: Curtis Boy this is your big chance to
6/4/2006 11:07:25 AM Now that is what I am talking about!!!
Bully for you Curtis.
:D:D:D:D:D
Five outa Five curmudgeon
Posts: 2912 Hell . . .
6/4/2006 11:41:41 AM . . . 1/2 of 1% will only be $2,500,000-$5,000,000. curtis rock
Posts: 751 Re: Hell . . .
6/4/2006 1:56:55 PM That''s just the rough estimate we tell contractors. We really don''t even come close to the one-half of one percent mark. skwardupntru
Posts: 1114 Re: A couple of points . . .
6/4/2006 10:39:36 AM That is the stupidist utterrance I have ever heard from you. I am dissapointed in you selfishness and ignorance. skwardupntru
Posts: 1114 Re: Why did Homer bring up the new Harbor Bridge proposal?
6/4/2006 10:40:47 AM Homer Who?

HeHeHeHe CommonSense
Posts: 561 He meant...
6/4/2006 1:03:08 PM Goat Boy.

One thing you have to realize Cato, is that when the lights are out, you are paying less in taxes. Who do you think pays the bill for having the lights turned on?

Cato
Posts: 158 I love my CC crap
6/5/2006 1:23:42 AM How can anyone love crap; but because it is endorsed under the mantra of ""Economic Development"".....

Every dollar that goes to Curtis Rock company is a dollar from the table of my family. IT is not fair and time we subjected this bridge project to public scrutiny as well as other projects such as the downtown carnival being proposed. CommonSense
Posts: 561 Cato, could you please explain...
6/5/2006 7:51:59 AM how Rock Engineering is driving the replacement of the harbor bridge?

I only ask this because you seem to indicate that Rock Engineering is the main player in this project. If they aren''t, then tell me who is. curtis rock
Posts: 751 Re: Cato, could you please explain...
6/5/2006 8:45:33 AM I''d also like an explanation on how every dollar my company makes is another dollar Cato is losing.

Last time I checked, everytime another business succeeds then total wealth increases.

I suppose it depends on what sort of business Cato is in, if he''s in the business of helping unemployed people or welfare recipients - then I can see how we''re taking business away from him. We employ people, provide them with Medical/Dental, tuition reimbursements, bonuses, and paid training. I suppose if your line of work involves anything opposite of that, then yes, we''re taking dollars out of your hands. Cato
Posts: 158 Curtis Rock''s statement, ""Yes, we are taking dollars off your hands...
6/5/2006 11:07:00 AM so arrogant. So wrong. What ever my line of employment is irrelevant.

You are a leech in a sense. I believe that is why you became involved with the Republican Chair election. I know you new chair will bring you in to the circle of influentials. I am sure you will have all the Licenses in place before to have a headstart when RFP go out.

This project has an agenda which I will explain later. Giving you dollars or to your company is progress, you claim. IT is not progress, it is retrograding to a time and a place where plutocrats (wealthy) ruled. A dollar off my family''s place, should not go to you. Needed infrastructure is needed in other parts of the city very desperately. You are acting like a feudal Lord, but you puny brain has only put you in quagmire. In this blog you will have to answer for you edacious greed and your morals of a maggot. CommonSense
Posts: 561 Hey Curtis...
6/5/2006 1:00:27 PM It''s obvious that he doesn''t have any clue as to how the world of contractural business works.

He doesn''t want to mention his line of business. Probably because he is embarrassed to say, ""You want fries with that?"" to everyone here. curtis rock
Posts: 751 Cato...
6/5/2006 1:48:26 PM If infrastructure is needed in other parts of the city, and I agree it does, then we should be lobbying to city officials.

The Harbor Bridge is a State Issue.

I''m not a leech because I produce for myself. I was involved in the Republican Chair race because I met with Bertuzzi long before the election and he asked for my help. I actually considered running for the same post, but he could do much better than me. When the Notice of Intent (NOI) goes out, I will not have a better headstart than any other firm in Texas. It''s posted on the TxDOT website, and that''s how I find out. There''s also other firms like mine around Texas with their finger already on the pulse, and are well-aware of the upcoming project.

Projects allows Rock Engineering to continue employing people, and allows our firm to grow. That''s how it became the 30-man operation it is today when it started with only three people. A project like this will require us to hire drillers, more staff, we''ll use supplies that we buy from vendors, and etc. etc. Without a big lesson in economics, this should be suitable.

You can question my ""maggot-morals,"" but my morals are so strong that I don''t want anyone whom I work with to get laid off. You, on the other hand, don''t care about employing people because you''re a true parasite on society. curmudgeon
Posts: 2912 Curtis works . . .
6/5/2006 2:39:38 PM . . . for his daddy! BWAHAHAHA!!! curtis rock
Posts: 751 Yeah, so.
6/5/2006 3:09:20 PM Yeah, and? curmudgeon
Posts: 2912 Never mind . . .
6/5/2006 4:26:39 PM . . . I''m sure there was no affirmative action involved in your hiring. Uriel
Posts: 475 Another thought on the Harbor Bridge...
6/5/2006 5:30:27 PM I just remembered something.
While I was crossing the bridge for the first time with my mother, she said, ""Your doing fine, just keep going.""
I believe she wanted me to cross the bridge even though I was sweating bullets. She wanted me to know that I could cross over anything without fear. I can, I will, and I did.

The lesson was so simple, yet now, years later it is so profound. What I have been through, what I have crossed since then. God, I love that woman. My father was wise to marry her. :)

The bridge is old now, and traffic is increasing. Salts in the air alone have had their way with the structure. Yet it is the bridge in our city that has made almost every heart flutter which ventured to cross it. If it must be rebuilt, build it with respect to what it meant long ago...you can cross anything that stands in your way, just look upwards for the vision, and inwards to your heart for pure courage. You can do it.

Amen!
Uriel :D curtis rock
Posts: 751 Re: Never mind . . .
6/5/2006 7:31:05 PM No, just keeping the business in the family. My dad''s white, FYI. Cato
Posts: 158 A leech by any other name is
6/6/2006 12:52:47 AM Dependency of the government''s titty. It is not true free enterprise.

Free Enterprise means letting the forces of supply and demand determine the market.

Contracts are part of a planned economy, no diffent than China. So what if I sell burgers and fries, which I don''t, so what if I did. Do you have something against a working man?

At least I''m not a leech on the govt titty. Curtis wants one contract. Make it rich, greed is the motivation. curtis rock
Posts: 751 Re: A leech by any other name is
6/6/2006 6:47:20 AM Considering that most of our project participation is private, negotiated work like office buildings, banks, and mega-developments on the Island, you''re off target again. Government work is also work that must be done, you were just telling me ""the city needs infrastructure in other places.""

How do you suppose we get that infrastructure without people building it?

Do you consider postal workers, military (active duty and retired) to be on the government titty too? Cato
Posts: 158 Everyone should work in free enterprise
6/6/2006 4:34:03 PM Depending on govt titty for too long is wrong. No one should make a lifetime career of it. They should go out and keep the wheel of what has made this country great, free enterprise curtis rock
Posts: 751 Re: Everyone should work in free enterprise
6/6/2006 4:36:24 PM What''s your point, nobody is disagreeing with you. I am a champion of free enterprise, and have lobbied at the State Level for Free Enterprise and Merit Shop policy. What have you done besides whine on message boards? CommonSense
Posts: 561 Cato...
6/6/2006 4:39:46 PM I''m going to say this as someone who is attempting to give you some advice and I''m not trying to insult you.

The more you continue to post on this topic, the more everyone here can see that you have no idea what goes on in the world of contractural business.

You are at the point where you aren''t even paying attention to what is being said here. If you understood what is being said you wouldn''t continue to push the ""government titty"" comment. Cato
Posts: 158 If I don''t know about complex business agreements
6/6/2006 5:04:41 PM what am I doing in Texas.

I personally ahve dealt with multimillion dollar contracts. My family as I said prior is into the agricultural business. I am a trained nuisance.

But the above has nothing to do with the issue. Going after Government contracts is not true free enterprise, it is what has corrupted the our free enterprise system.

Curtis Boy is just a trouble shooter for his dad''s company. Govt dependency can never, I repeat, never be justified in this business. BlindBob
Posts: 636 Re: If I don''t know about complex business agreements
6/6/2006 5:14:40 PM I''m really not sure what your beef is with Curtis, Cato.

He has made it quite clear that his company''s revenue is mostly from Private Contracts. This is far from being a leech or on the government ''titty''.

And I see no problem whatsoever with Curtis working for his dad''s company. It is a Family business. It is quite natural and quite normal for family members to work in the family business. That''s why it is referred to as a Family Business.

The Bridge ... is going to be built. Whether it be next week, next year or in the next decade. That decision is a done deal and yapping or belly-aching about it will change nothing. Before the current bridge, there was a bridge and there was one before that one. There will be one that follows the next one.

It is far far better that local businesses be involved with the New Bridge in as many areas as possible, keeping the money here in the Coastal Bend instead of having it go to firms in Dallas or Oklahoma or ... gasp ... New York City.

Personally, I wish Curtis and his company the best of all things with the bridge project.
curmudgeon
Posts: 2912 What y''all seem to fail to realize . . .
6/6/2006 7:35:41 PM . . . is that it will just about double the cost to build a bridge higher than the present height to accomodate large container ships, which is what they are shooting for. Let the people who are making piles of money off the port pay the difference. BlindBob
Posts: 636 Re: What y''all seem to fail to realize . . .
6/6/2006 10:55:39 PM Why do you assume that ""ya''ll"" fail to realize this? There is not a shadow of a doubt that the New Bridge will be expensive as the dickens and that it will most assuredly run over ''budget''. [The term ''budget'' defined as a politico-word employed to get the proles to quiet down and exist in a state of delusional satisfaction that the government is taking care of things properly, exercising good fiscal restraint.]

That said, the bridge WILL be built.

And I want as much of the money as possible to stay here in Corpus. Preferably with me.

OK. OK. Curtis ... you can have some too.

Who else wants some?

Pax
BB
curtis rock
Posts: 751 Who should do the work then?
6/6/2006 5:38:24 PM Ok, so who should do the government work? Government employees? That''s a step back from free enterprise than awarding it to private companies. I see nothing wrong with governments awarding work to companies, because the work has to be done. It''s not like it''s a handout either, companies have to compete for government work and that''s the basis of free enterprise.

As far as trouble-shooting, that''s not really anywhere on my job description. I''m the Business Development Manager, which means I''m charge of forecasting, marketing, client relations, and public/government relations.

Our company is by no means dependent on the government for work, which I''ve already stated. Every new Whataburger, IBC Bank, Navy Army Federal Credit Union is private work done by our firm. Many of the current and upcoming projects at Citgo, Valero, and Flint Hills are Rock Engineering projects - private work. Probably 99.9% of the new subdivisions on the South Side and surrounding areas of Corpus Christi are Rock Engineering projects - private work. We also participate on many of the docking and container facilities with the Port of Corpus Christi - private work.

You can''t win, our firm isn''t dependent on the government - but we certainly attempt to participate in government contracts as they become available. If you were in business to make money, then you probably would too. Cato
Posts: 158 The Curtis Rocks of these world will work for the ones with the biggest
6/7/2006 12:12:13 AM tit.

Dressing aside. It is the mentality that never questions the fical responsiblity that the state and region has to the proper location of infrastrucuture.

Greed, can never be justified. As curdumdeon said, let cito and valero pay for their ""infrastrucutre."" Cato
Posts: 158 Re: The Curtis Rocks will suk if
6/7/2006 12:06:07 AM If sucking a man''s toe was legal, he would do it.

Major Carrales
Posts: 421 Its my understanding that...
6/7/2006 11:31:31 AM ...this is a State project.

Also, that Curtis Rock''s company stands to make only a small contribution to the whole of the project, main geotechnical things like soil testing and the like.

The Contractor that will actually build the structure will be reaping the loads of cash.

I think Curtis is taking it on the chin here for little reason. Cato
Posts: 171 Point is Curtis was not sincere on his position on the bridge; his was gree
6/7/2006 12:12:20 PM Point is Curtis Rock was not sincere in his postion on the bridge. CommonSense
Posts: 568 I think it is time to bring this thread...
6/7/2006 9:28:41 PM to a close. Obviously there is a lot of ""disagree to disagree"" here and in my opinion, nothing further can be said to change anyone''s mind. There is a lot of good information here but I do believe it''s time has come.

=taps= Cato
Posts: 171 U want to bring it to a close, because u can''t win?
6/8/2006 12:16:23 AM Curtin Rock''s myopic, greed can never be justified. That is why he will never win his argument. Cato
Posts: 171 curtis goes crazy when he hears eco progress
6/8/2006 12:17:55 AM its rape of taxpayers. Cato
Posts: 171 curtis: in one phrase
6/8/2006 12:30:46 AM motivated exclusively by monetary or material gain. IT is not about honorable principles. As long as there are guys like him; there will be hillbillies like me to unveil their intentions. CommonSense
Posts: 568 To be honest Cato...
6/8/2006 7:50:42 AM I am really starting to believe that this may be more about you trying to reach 100 posts in your thread than the topic at hand. Just my opinion.

If you want to have a civil discussion about this matter, come to Barnes and Nobles at 4pm next Tuesday for a Corpus Threadster meeting. I guarantee you will enjoy it. CommonSense
Posts: 568 To be honest Cato...
6/8/2006 7:53:03 AM I am really starting to believe that this may be more about you trying to reach 100 posts in your thread than the topic at hand. Just my opinion.

If you want to have a civil discussion about this matter, come to Barnes and Nobles at 4pm next Tuesday for a Corpus Threadster meeting. I guarantee you will enjoy it. Cato
Posts: 171 I got to say this
6/8/2006 9:50:10 AM Corpus Christi has one ugly, awfully designed City Hall. The colors are terrible, the design, immaturish, the location, displaced. And now you want to built a new bridge?

It''s like a lady that needs a car, but is investing in something that is not indispensable, just because the Curtis Rock''s of this world are courting her. Promosing this, that and the other. I really feel that Rock Engineering should not apply for this contract. They will loose credibility in that Curtis has already defined in detail his insatiable, edacioius agenda. Cato
Posts: 171 Curmudgeon seems to have a point
6/9/2006 1:47:42 AM His point is short and brief. Why not let refinery row and the Port, Bonilla and Cazalas pay via their enormous budgets for the new bridge. The only one is historical; it has to be perserved. I will ask around if papers can be filed. Cato
Posts: 171 Harbor Bridge and Beach Issue are related
6/9/2006 1:59:10 AM I LOVE CC pitches are the same. Cato
Posts: 171 Re: Harbor Bridge and Beach Issue are related
6/9/2006 3:23:40 AM Still Pissed off at all the voyeurs. Look what happen to your beach. Now the harbor bridge, where is the pride? Did the shower of cold reality spur you to a new pro active state?

Roy Miller "Loved His Corpus Christi"!

2006-05-30T19:39:00.000-07:00

Leadership lessons from the past
Roy Miller’s political skills, vision brought Corpus Christi into the modern era
By Mike Carlisle

Before Henry Pomeroy “Roy” Miller, became mayor of Corpus Christi in 1913, streets were made of sand, the bluff was a muddy mess, and water needed to be hauled in, said Bill Walraven, a local historian, author and journalist.

“Miller took the lead in building a water works, storm and sanitary sewer system, a garbage incinerator, installing electric lights, (building) paved streets, improving the bluff, creating a fire department, pushing for causeways, and rebuilding the city after it lay in ruins following the 1919 hurricane,” Walraven said. “He was also a leader in the fight for the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.”

In one of his biggest achievements, Miller used his leadership skills to secure Corpus Christi a deep-water port in 1922 after the city had lost a fight for such a port in 1910.
Historian Mary Jo O’Rear also has researched Roy Miller and written about Corpus Christi politics through her work to expand on an article she wrote for the January 2005 Southwestern Historical Quarterly. O’Rear taught history for more than 32 years in Corpus Christi secondary schools and six years at Del Mar College.

CorpusBeat: What brought Miller to Corpus Christi?
Mary Jo O’Rear: Robert Kle-berg, who took over King Ranch, wanted to push South Texas. The Kleberg family was funding a railroad line from St. Louis to Brownsville through South Texas. During a trip to Houston, Kleberg ran into Roy Miller ... and brought him to Corpus Christi in 1904 as a booking agent for the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railroad. Robert Kleberg and other ranchers were selling off the pastureland to farmers. The ranchers needed someone to convince farmers they could grow great crops in South Texas, which is scrub desert. Kleberg needed someone to sell the idea to Midwesterners, Czechoslovakians, and Germans who were desperate for land.

As mayor, then newspaper editor, Roy Miller worked to secure a port of Corpus Christi. Photo courtesy of Jim Moloney.

CB: Was Miller successful?
MO: Miller was doing a marvelous job bringing in farmers who were tired of living up north, or fresh off the boat from Europe. Miller would load them up on trains called “Blackland Specials” to bring them down to South Texas and show them the land.

CB: Why did Roy Miller have such conviction about a deep-water port for the economic growth and industrial development of Corpus Christi?
MO: Many of the farmers who had come down and set up their farms around Kingsville could not get their crops to Galveston or Houston ports soon enough before spoiling. Miller was convinced a deep-water port in Corpus Christi was the solution. Rockport and Aransas Pass thought they should be the port location as well, so an intense rivalry emerged.

CB: How did Miller build support for the deep-water port in Corpus Christi?
MO: Miller re-invigorated the Corpus Christi Commercial Club, which was similar to a Chamber of Commerce. Miller brought a lot of young men into the club interested in developing the city. This is when he really began to push Corpus Christi as an economic entity. Miller realized politics was the only way economic growth was going to work successfully. Eventually the work propelled Miller onto a city commission and into city politics.

CB: How did people react to Roy Miller being in city politics?
MO: City politics came easy to Miller because he was such an outgoing person. He was full of energy and full of sincerity, but more than that he was a great speaker. He loved speaking and he wrote the same way he delivered speeches.

Miller used the word “excellent” all the time. People flocked to hear him speak. Whether he was selling a candidate, right of way on the “Blackland Special,” or even himself, whatever it was, he was a firm believer.

Miller moved straight ahead to secure the port after being elected mayor in 1913, with backing from Kleberg and local businesses. Corpus Christi had lost the fight for a port in 1910 because the Army Corps of Engneers did not consider it big enough nor developed enough. So when Miller became mayor in 1913, he began to accelerate the changes that former Mayor Clark Pease had started.

CB: Why did Miller lose his fourth mayoral bid?
MO: Miller ran for a fourth term, the term in which he expected to finally secure the port. But Walter Pope, former city attorney and state representative put his own law partner, Gordon Boone, up against Miller. The action split the city. Then, Pope revealed that Miller had taken money on the side from businesses for special favors. The allegations made it appear that Miller was taking money under the table. Miller never denied the allegation. He explained that he just used the money to finance trips to Washington. He lost the election in April 1919.

CB: What was the result of Miller losing the mayoral election?
MO: All the work ground down to a halt. All the work on the port, the federal efforts, modernization, all of it stopped. Then the hurricane of 1919 struck in September.

CB: How did the new administration respond to the storm? MO: The new mayor, Gordon Boone, set up a relief committee to recover from the storm. Boone placed himself and Miller in charge of the committee.

CB: What did Miller do?
MO: By the next day, Roy Miller had everybody in the city working together, including all the leading political opponents and adversaries. Miller was devastated to lose the election and bitter. But when “his” city, because it was still “his” city, when it was damaged so terribly, he answered the call of Gordon Boone to co-head the relief committee. Miller did a tremendous amount of work during the rehabilitation. But more than that, people discovered through the rehabilitation they could work together despite their differences.

From that point, Miller continued pulling together all of the opposing political factions. People watched Miller work with former political rivals and adversaries like State Sen. Archie Parr and State Rep.Walter Pope to push the port through the state legislature.

CB: What other ways did Miller unite the efforts for a Corpus Christi port?
MO: Miller wrote a series of essays and editorials in the Caller (where he was editor), and canvassed businesses to bring in money for the port. Miller was successful in getting the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce to support Corpus Christi, a major breakthrough because San Antonio had not supported Corpus Christi very well up until that time.

CB: When was the port secured?
MO: In 1922, President Warren Harding signed a bill designating Corpus Christi as a deep-water port, and within four years it was built. Miller was master of ceremonies when the port was dedicated. That is why Roy Miller is considered the “father” of the port. He had a devotion to Corpus Christi. He did everything he could to secure the port.

CB: How do you think people would perceive Roy Miller today?
MO: Well, it’s not fair because people back then looked at things differently. Nobody went about getting votes honestly back then. If you didn’t force people to vote your way because you owned the land they lived on, you were trying to keep people from voting because they were black, or poor or brown.

Roy Miller was a “Progressive” (a faction of the Democratic party). The Progressives wanted to limit the vote to whites only and the Old Guard Democrats like Archie Parr and Walter Pope wanted things the way they were, letting Mexican American and black voters vote as long as they voted the way you wanted them to vote. We have the advantage of looking back. We can say, “Oh, that’s bad, you are using bribery, you are using prejudice, you are using all sorts of things to get votes and that is not right.” I don’t think Miller would fare well at all today, especially if he would try things now that he did back then. Miller was not politically correct.

But, if you put all of that aside, if you look at his enthusiasm, his energy, his love, his personality, I still don’t think he would survive because people are not used to that today. I think we have people who are full of energy and enthusiasm, a passion for whatever cause they have, but we invariably try to tear them down. It is almost like we are uncomfortable with them.

Miller would have been a strong leader, but Corpus would look at him and say, “Now what have you really got going?” Leaders today would love to have Miller’s charisma and sincerity. Because even if people were not quite sure that he was totally on the up and up, they liked him.

CB: Would you describe Roy Miller as a leader who delegated well?
MO: Miller relied on people close to him like his in-laws who were doctors, especially about medical matters, such as closing down everything during the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic. He also made good choices and use of commission members. All the different areas of the city had different commissions to handle, areas like sanitation, or law enforcement. He did not feel the need to control everything.

CB: Did Roy Miller remain in Corpus Christi throughout his life?
MO: He kept his home here in Corpus. He was a leading politician behind the scenes for years, with homes in Houston and Washington, but he always made time for his home in Corpus Christi. Every time, he and his wife would return home to Corpus Christi, they would fly a Texas and American flag to let everyone know they were home and looking for guests to come over and see them.

Sergio Perez contributed to this article.

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2006-05-30T06:08:00.000-07:00

I love my Corpus Christi