30 April 2005
In California, bus riders are fighting back against rail
In light of Metro's continuing focus on "improving" bus service by changing routes (often so the routes feed light rail) and cancelling routes, here are a couple of stories from the Los Angeles Times relating to bus service in California. First, the Bay Area:
Minority bus riders and community groups from Alameda and Contra Costa counties filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday accusing the Bay Area's Metropolitan Transportation Commission of maintaining a "separate and unequal transit system" that favors white suburban commuters.
The lawsuit is modeled on a 1994 Los Angeles case filed against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority by the Bus Riders Union. The settlement in that case resulted in a federal consent decree mandating improved services for urban riders.
The Bay Area lawsuit alleges that the commission has disproportionately funded Caltrain and BART — rail services used predominantly by white suburbanites with relatively high incomes — while under-funding the East Bay's AC Transit bus system, used mainly by low-income minority city dwellers.
According to the lawsuit — filed on behalf of three minority riders from East Oakland and Richmond, the nonprofit Communities for a Better Environment, and Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 192 — the commission has channeled a per-person public subsidy of $2.78 to AC Transit riders, $6.14 to BART riders, and $13.79 to Caltrain riders.
That lawsuit has per-rider subsidy numbers -- we'd love to see MetroRail's per-rider subsidy!
And in Los Angeles (original LAT article requires subscription; free link here):
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority must put 134 new buses into its Metro Rapid fleet under a legal order issued Thursday.
[snip]
The court action by Special Master Donald Bliss is a victory for the Bus Riders Union. Earlier this year, the transit advocacy group accused the MTA of flouting a consent decree requiring the agency to improve bus service for Los Angeles County residents.
[snip]
Part of the agency's response to the decree was the Rapid Bus service, which features bright red vehicles that make fewer stops than ordinary buses.
"The MTA had implemented the Rapid Buses by reducing local services," said Manuel Criollo, a Bus Riders Union organizer.
Under Bliss' order, the MTA must pay for the new buses mostly with funds currently designated for services such as light rail and the subway that are unrelated to the agreement. The MTA is allowed to recoup only a third of the costs by reducing local service along the Rapid routes.
Steven Carnevale, the county attorney who represents the MTA, said it would cost about $20 million to operate the new buses — at a time when the agency is strapped for funds.
Which, of course, begs several questions: how long can Metro slash bus service to subsidize the 7.5 miles of light rail when its own Metro Solutions goal says it will increase bus service? How long will Houston-area citizens allow Metro to continue the course it's on? And how long will the Chronicle continue to cover for Metro?
via Out of Control
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/30/05 01:43 PM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (0)
Chronicle: U.S. should emulate Iran
Bizarre is the best word to describe this Chronicle editorial that urges the U.S. to be more forward-thinking like the progressive country of Iran, which is now allowing women "reproductive freedom":
Some autonomy for half Iran's population is essential for a functional society. A woman's power over her reproductive system has been proved to be inextricably linked to her country's economic health.
[snip]
Judging from the few English-language press accounts, the Iranian Parliament's decision was strikingly rational in another way. The lawmakers avoided psuedoscience and political pandering and focused on the law and the rights of the disabled.
According to Reuters, "Opponents of the bill argued many disabled people had played important roles in society and that the legislation was open to abuse. Proponents of the law underlined the financial drain of handicapped children on families."
[snip]
Abortion is a serious matter, worthy of mature debate and responsibly crafted law. How ironic that Iran is moving forward toward this goal, while the United States is sliding backward.
That is breathtaking. Literally. And since our progressive judiciary just allowed a disabled person to be dehydrated to death, it's unclear why the Chronicle thinks the U.S. is sliding backward.
We suppose we should be impressed that editorial board member Andrea Georgsson has moved on to more substantive topics than her neighbors refusing her leftovers, except for the disturbing conclusion that she's more concerned about food going to waste than she is about killing innocent babies!
And Orrin Judd observes that Iran and the U.S. are actually "moving towards identical goals."
RELATED: More progressive nations to emulate? North Korea and China
KEVIN WHITED ADDS: Here's the stunner for me from that editorial:
A woman's power over her reproductive system has been proved to be inextricably linked to her country's economic health.
Does Georgsson (the Chronicle editorial board's most outspoken abortion advocate, and the person we assume wrote this editorial) really mean to suggest that a nation's economic health depends upon the extent to which the state promotes abortion?
I'm a careful reader, and that's how I read it. Mouth stayed agape for a while.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/30/05 11:46 AM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (1)
blogHOUSTON on the radio (updated)
Kevin is scheduled to be on the radio (BizRadio 1320) this morning a bit after 10 a.m., discussing a hot topic or two. Charles Kuffner will be on too, if he can drag himself out of the pool.
UPDATE: Charles is so nice. He posts a radio wrap-up, so I can just link to it. Yes, he did manage to get out of the pool -- AND little Olivia decided to weigh in with her opinion, too.
KEVIN WHITED ADDS: I've started an archive of recent shows (look to the box on the far right). So long as Jon-Michial Carter keeps having us on, we'll keep trying to post the most recent three shows, as long as it doesn't suck up all of our bandwidth.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/30/05 09:16 AM | Houston Media | Technorati | Comments (0)
29 April 2005
Neighborhood residents complain about MS-13, HPD reaction
KHOU-11's Vicente Arenas reports that residents of an unnamed Houston neighborhood are complaining that they can't get HPD's brass to take their concerns about suspected MS-13 gang graffiti seriously:
In a neighborhood that 11 News won't identify for security reasons, a number of people are saying their property and cars have been tagged by gang members who they believe may belong to MS-13.Graffiti like this has some Houston residents concerned that MS-13 gang members are trying to send a message.
And the neighborhood wants action from police.
"I do have a real concern," says one resident who asked not be named.
The number 13, they say, seems to be popping up everywhere -- fences, signs, you name it. That is why they are asking for help.
"I came out on Sunday morning and saw that someone had marked up my truck. It's happened two times in less than a month."
Six cars have been tagged since last week.
The markings were similar. All the vehicles this man says belonged to Anglos whom he believes are being targeted through vandalism and messages.
"I do have a real concern. It's always been a real peaceful neighborhood until just the last year, I guess."
Growing graffiti here was the first surprise. The second came when he called police for help.
"And I called the police to have them come and investigate and got no response whatsoever," he says.
"An officer was at the scene in a handful of incidents as I stated and reports were filed with very specific information," says HPD's Lt. Robert Manzo.
The resident 11 News talked to says police showed up only after he contacted a council member and 11 News.
"We have contacted the captain who's responsible for this specific area and he's telling us he will be assigning some resources," says Lt. Manzo.
Police aren't sure how bad the gang problem is here. Graffiti can be cryptic or copycats trying to have fun.
From recent local reporting, we know that MS-13 is active in the Houston area. Yet one wouldn't know that from any public statements or activities from HPD's brass. Of course, HPD's current manpower shortage doesn't help, yet that doesn't seem to be a priority for Chief Hurtt, Mayor White, or council either.
In what can only be described as a rarity, we find ourselves in complete agreement with this Chronicle editorial:
HPD's silence might have some logic when it comes to small, attention-hungry neighborhood gangs. But gangs such as MS 13, the Crips or the Latin Kings are organized crime operations not in it for the publicity. Identifying their habits — the colors they wear, the graffiti they pen, the way they shave their eyebrows and tattoo their foreheads — can't make these vicious gangs more dangerous. However, it will help Houston residents to protect themselves and give law enforcement agencies essential gang-busting intelligence.
To that end, we've reposted the suspect graffiti that appeared in the KHOU story.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 04/29/05 04:10 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (5)
May Day, May Day!
"Before, I thought model workers only recognized ordinary people who worked tirelessly and without asking for anything in return," the 24-year-old Yao said through his agent. "Now the award also includes someone like me, a special kind of migrant worker. That's a sign of progress."
Workers of the world can surely unite behind a twenty something Communist of the Year who earns millions a year from those silly American capitalists.
A tip of the hat to Chris Baker for calling attention to this important award.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 04/29/05 03:38 PM | Houston People | Technorati | Comments (0)
Park and Pillage overcrowding
Metro has issued a press release warning:
On Monday, May 2, METRO Police will begin issuing citations for parking violations at the Northwest Station Park & Ride lot.
In an effort to reduce overcrowding and illegal parking at the Northwest Station Park & Ride, METRO is encouraging customers to sign up for the Northwest Freeway Single Occupant Vehicle (SOV) Program. The Program allows solo commuters to use the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane to travel from the Northwest Station Park & Ride to the less crowded West Little York Park & Ride lot. The SOV Program is free, but only valid for registered solo commuters traveling between the two facilities.
The W. Little York Park & Ride lot is served by the 216 W. Little York/Pinemont route, which stops at the same Downtown locations as the 214 Northwest Station route out of the Northwest Station Park & Ride.
METRO recently completed improvements to the Northwest Station Park & Ride, including new fire lanes, additional parking spaces and new lane striping throughout the facility. However, customers may still encounter difficulty in finding available parking spaces.
Parking violations could result in fines of up to $200 per citation. Jersey Village police officers and other local law enforcement agencies, such as the Harris County Sheriff's Department and Precinct 4 Constables Office, also reserve the right to issue citations at will.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/29/05 02:08 PM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (3)
Metro news
The Chronicle reports that Metro has been given permission by the FTA to "begin preliminary engineering studies for planned north and southeast extensions of its light rail line."
The letters from the Federal Transit Administration do not provide money for the projects but give the transit agency standing to compete for money in the congressional appropriations process, said Frank Wilson, Metro's president and chief executive officer.
Interestingly, the story doesn't have a byline; it simply says "Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle." Hmmmm.
Also, yesterday was supposed to be the day that Metro finally allowed KPMG to deliver its FY2004 financial report (CAFR). I emailed Tom Bazan this morning asking if that had happened. Bazan replied that Metro says the CAFR is now available. I assume it can be picked up at Metro's new Lee P. Brown Administration building!
And here's an item from the Metro Board of Directors Executive Session meeting:
Approval to sell the 12.3 acre of land previously used for the Alief Park & Ride lot to the City of Houston
The link on the Meetings and Notices page says this meeting was held yesterday, but the direct link used above says the item was from March 24. I'm not sure why there's a discrepancy.
RELATED: Another Park and Ride bites the dust (blogHOUSTON)
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/29/05 11:24 AM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (0)
Chron: HISD is the "worst"
It must be nice to be a Chronicle sacred cow, like Metro. How else could a quasi-govenmental body with appointed officials waste millions and millions of dollars, cut bus service for the poor and the elderly, play down a record-setting light rail crash rate, end security service at Park and Rides and watch crime double, and hide from last year's financial report, with nary a word from our lone "watchdog" newspaper?
Of course there are plenty of people and entities in Houston that don't enjoy such a status: there's Harris County DA Chuck Rosenthal -- who is too hard on criminals until Rick Casey's house gets broken into, then the DA is too soft on criminals; and of course, there's HISD. In spite of trying to implement aggressive reform ideas, the Chronicle won't cut HISD or Dr. Saavedra the teensiest bit of slack. The Chronicle will, however, practice lots of selective and shoddy reporting so that the public maintains a negative image of HISD.
Today's editorial about two-thirds of HISD's fifth-graders passing the TAKS math test is especially repugnant, in light of what we know about HISD's attempts to implement change, and because the Chronicle's less-than-stellar reporting has helped turn many local activist groups against HISD's attempt to improve three underachieving high schools.
Here are some questions for Jason Spencer and James Howard Gibbons (who LOVES ideal states): Has the Chronicle examined the test results of any other school district in the Houston area? Where are the results from Cy-Fair ISD? What percentage of Cy-Fair ISD's students are low income or ESL? What about Aldine ISD -- can we get some results and percentages for that district? How about Alief ISD and Spring Branch ISD? Or will those stories, if they are ever written, be stashed away in the "This Week" sections so most Houstonians won't get to see them?
I will point out that it took the Chronicle almost a year to report on Spring Branch ISD's 2004 TAKS results (in "This Week" of course), and the story was glowing and positive. The story didn't provide a single 2004 TAKS statistic; it merely passed on the district's characterizations of the results.
I would never argue that HISD should get Metro-style reporting from the Chronicle, but a fair-shake certainly would be a welcome development.
RELATED: NAA Study: Readership Declines in 2004 (Editor & Publisher), Study: Vast Majority Says News Reporting is Biased (Editor & Publisher)
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/29/05 10:12 AM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (5)
28 April 2005
Rick Mitchell addresses criticism of I-Fest music
Last weekend, we noted that the alt/Texas country music acts at the Houston International Festival didn't seem as strong as usual.
That could be because Rick Mitchell, who did a fabulous job with the bookings for many years, has not handled the music for the festival since 2003.
In a lengthy letter to the Houston Press this week, however, Mitchell does take issue with John Nova Lomax's criticisms of the festival's music.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 04/28/05 10:47 PM | Houston Life | Technorati | Comments (2)
Hospital to remove Houston man from life support
KTRK-13 posts an AP dispatch that checks in on Spiro Nikolouzos, who was mentioned in earlier blogHOUSTON posts:
A man in a persistent vegetative state whose family battled with a Houston hospital to stop his removal from life support is set to be removed from support Tuesday at a San Antonio hospital, his family said.
The family of Spiro Nikolouzos, 68, has vowed to keep him on life support and is trying to get him moved back to the nursing home where he was sent after leaving the Houston hospital. A nursing home official said Thursday they would take him back.
The nursing home will take him back and keep him on the life support his family wants. That doesn't seem particularly controversial.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 04/28/05 09:28 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (0)
Homeowners associations make themselves look bad (updated)
This story about a homeowner's association selling a house without the homeowner even knowing about it, is alarming:
Pamela Bernhardt was close to completing renovations on a house she owned and hoped to sell. She had installed a new roof, new granite tops in the kitchen and new tiles in the bathroom.
Earlier this month, she arrived at the house on the 14200 block of Swallowfield in southwest Houston and found a small, yellow note stuck to the front door.
The handwritten note said that the house had been sold at a foreclosure sale seven months earlier. The local homeowners association had sold the house, valued at about $250,000, saying Bernhardt failed to pay a $420 assessment fee.
"It was so devastating," Bernhardt said. "I was just stunned."
Bernhardt's situation was another example of the excessive power of homeowners associations and the need to reform the use of foreclosure sales to collect fees, state leaders and activists said Wednesday.
A lawyer for the Briarhills Homeowners Association, which foreclosed on the house, said sufficient protection is on the books for homeowners and that Bernhardt was given ample opportunities to pay the debt.
A $420 debt caused her home to be sold. It's bad enough that homeowners associations can tell you what you can and cannot do with your own backyard, but selling a home for a $420 debt is outrageous. That shouldn't even be legal.
RELATED: KHOU-11's coverage
UPDATE: Chris Baker (KTRH-740) is raging about this. And it really is unbelievable -- as Chris says, "this is America; this is TEXAS!" Yeah, there is something very unAmerican about this whole mess.
Chris talked to the homeowner, Pam Bernhardt. The homeowners association attorney, Terry Sears, was on the Debra Duncan show before Chris' show and the homeowner, Pam Bernhardt, said her attorney was scheduled to meet with Sears at 3 p.m. But Sears didn't show up...because he had been on the Debra Duncan show! Sears left copies of the certified letters for Bernhardt's attorney and she says all the notifying letters went to an incorrect address.
Bernhardt also told Chris that her house was sold for (oh my goodness) $1,600!
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/28/05 11:03 AM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (15)
CNN, Washington Post provide balance to Gebe Martinez story
Gebe Martinez's story about House ethics rules changes being reversed is strangely one-sided.
However, we can go to CNN -- yes, CNN! -- to get more information than what Martinez is giving us:
"There's a reason that they don't want to go to the ethics process and as long as they can keep someone dangling out there like they have with Tom DeLay, they take great glee in that," the Illinois Republican said.
And what reason would the Democrats have for wanting the ethics process to be stalled?
Three sources close to House GOP leaders said the Democrats being targeted include Pelosi, of California, Rep. Jim McDermott of Washington, Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio and Rep. Paul Kanjorski of Pennsylvania.
Pelosi was fined by the Federal Election Commission in November 2002 for improperly operating two political action committees.
The commission told Pelosi, then minority whip, to close one of her two PACs, called TEAM Majority, saying she was skirting federal fund-raising limits by operating two PACs.
The commission imposed a $21,000 fine on Pelosi, who continued to run her other fund-raising committee, known as PAC To the Future.
[snip]
McDermott has been the subject of a long-running court case triggered by a 1998 eavesdropping incident involving Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio.
[snip]
The Washington Times reported House documents show a 2001 trip Tubbs Jones took to Puerto Rico was improperly paid for by lobbyists. A spokeswomen for Tubbs Jones denied the charge and blamed the documentation on "human error."
[snip]
Republicans say charges against Kanjorski date to 1998, when the 11-term congressman helped two Pennsylvania-based companies owned and run by his four nephews and daughter by earmarking more than $9 million in federal contracts and grants for the two firms.
Kanjorski insisted he has not profited personally from those deals. The companies, Cornerstone Technologies and Pennsylvania Micronics, research water-jet technology.
And the Washington Post reports that House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) is having to play a little catch-up:
House Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) is reviewing privately financed trips he made after Republicans suggested that he might have violated House rules by not reporting the travel within 30 days.
House records show that Hoyer has filed updated reports with the clerk of the House of Representatives in recent days, detailing at least four trips, dating back to 1999.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/28/05 11:01 AM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (1)
It only took two days to get a Galveston editorial
Someone must have lit a fire underneath editorial page Editor James Howard Gibbons, because today we get an editorial on President Bush's trip to Galveston where he talked about Social Security.
The President's trip out here was on Tuesday and today is Thursday. Wow! That's pretty timely.
As for the editorial itself, the Chronicle doesn't like the president's plan, which isn't too surprising.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/28/05 09:49 AM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (0)
Officer awarded $600,000 in HPD sexual harassment lawsuit
Yesterday, the Chronicle ran a story by Harvey Rice about the number of women on the HPD force that included the following quote:
"I don't know what they've done in Houston, but I suspect they could increase their numbers if they went to the extra effort," said Mary Ann Viverette, first vice president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
The thrust of the story was a sexual harassment lawsuit. Later in the day, Rice posted another story that began as follows:
A jury awarded the first woman on the Houston Police Department's elite motorcycle unit $600,000 today, fully agreeing with her contentions that she was sexually harassed by her supervisor and that his supervisors failed to take appropriate action.
That may partially explain the lower numbers of women on the force compared to large police departments in other cities. Unfortunately, that's $600,000 that would be better spent on cadet classes of new male and female officers, if not for the bad judgment among the HPD brass.
Incidentally, the second story by Rice yesterday was corrected in a timely and transparent manner after an error was apparently discovered. That's exactly the approach to corrections that we've been requesting. Thanks to someone at the Chronicle for listening! We hope that becomes routine.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 04/28/05 08:47 AM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (1)
27 April 2005
Is the Toll Road Authority feeling a bit defensive?
The Harris County Toll Road Authority has sent out a press release trying to temper the idea that it is taking over the Spring segment of the Grand Parkway. I'll reprint the entire release in the extended entry and highlight one paragraph here:
The Harris County Toll Road Authority has no plans to circumvent the right of the public to be heard in this matter, and restates that the Grand Parkway project is still under the state’s jurisdiction and is subject to their public hearing guidelines. As HCTRA is a department under the authority of Harris County Commissioners’ Court, the public does have the opportunity to address their comments and concerns on this or any other issue directly to Commissioners at regularly scheduled Commissioners’ Court meetings. Dates and times for these meetings are available on the internet, as is the contact number to schedule appearances before the Court.
Right. The current spate of publicity pointing out that HCTRA can do practically whatever it wants, whenever it wants must be unwelcome.
But since HCTRA says it is open to public input, let's put that to the test: HCTRA should begin holding monthly, evening meetings at Klein Oak High School which is in the path of one proposed Grand Parkway alignment, so the local citizens who would be most affected by the Grand Parkway can voice their opinions. And don't tell Spring residents to go to Commissioners Court. Spring isn't right around the corner from 1001 Preston, Suite 938, Houston TX, and holding meetings on a weekday morning is NOT what I would call constituent-friendly.
Let's get those county commissioners, including Jerry Eversole who represents Spring, to the area that would be wiped out by the Grand Parkway. Let's get the commissioners face-to-face with the many people whose homes would be razed and otherwise affected.
And if HCTRA is really all for public input, then I would expect it to come out against state Sen. Jon Lindsay's proposed bill that would allow some road building regulations to be circumvented.
And if HCTRA wants to know why folks in Spring are so concerned about being run over by a bunch of bulldozers, think Hardy Toll Road. Here's one excerpt from Houston Freeways that makes it all crystal clear:
If any major transportation facility in Houston can be attributed to the efforts of one individual, it is the Hardy Toll Road. Jon Lindsay made this project happen. Not only did then Harris County Judge Lindsay make the Hardy Toll Road happen, but he did it in the face of substantial opposition to the project. Building an all-new, limited-access transportation facility is a big accomplishment in the modern era. Doing it nearly single-handedly is even more impressive.
Ugh. And who is the Number One Champion of the Grand Parkway being built through Spring? Yep:
Lindsay said he is doing what it takes to get the Grand Parkway built expeditiously through the Spring area, and it may mean taking the state transportation department out of the equation.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/27/05 04:21 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (4)
The Chronicle's road trip to Galveston
It took a visit from President Bush, but the Chronicle has finally covered Galveston's alternative Social Security program:
President Bush touted Galveston's alternative public retirement system as family-friendly Tuesday as he sought to promote his own plan for Social Security private accounts.
[snip]
In 1981, public employees in Galveston, Matagorda and Brazoria counties opted out of Social Security in favor of a private accounts system.
Although different in many key aspects from Bush's proposal, the Galveston program and Bush's plan embrace the concept that Social Security isn't sacrosanct and that taxpayers are better stewards of their own retirement money than the government is.
Seated at the center of a U-shaped table, Bush walked participants through a discussion of the program's success, noting that unlike Social Security, beneficiaries of the Galveston plan can bequeath their earnings to family members.
"Here, the government is saying 'we trust you to make the right decisions for your family,' " Bush said. "It's an interesting concept, isn't it?"
(In about 10 days, we should expect a Chronicle editorial.)
At the end of the story, the reporters cite a new poll that "shows" decreased support for the President's plan:
A new Washington Post-ABC News poll found that 51 percent oppose the accounts, up from 41 percent in mid-March. And support for Bush's proposal to add private accounts to Social Security dropped to 45 percent from 56 percent in March.
Which would be worthwhile to note except that:
If you look at page 16 of the poll data, which can be downloaded from the Post's article, it discloses that 35% of the poll's respondents were Democrats, while only 28% were Republicans. Given that slightly more self-identified Republicans than Democrats voted in last November's election, this represents an egregious, seven-point over-sampling of Democrats.
We know Cragg Hines isn't a Power Line fan, but Julie Mason really should bookmark that blog.
RELATED: Covering Galveston's Social Security program (blogHOUSTON)
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/27/05 11:09 AM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (2)
26 April 2005
Increasingly personal journalism from the Chronicle?
The Chronicle's makeover seems not to have ended with the big layout changes that reduced the amount of actual information in the paper in favor of more text boxes and graphics.
We've been noticing that, more and more, serious journalism is being displaced by what we've deemed the LiveJournal approach -- all sorts of personal accounts taking up space where we'd prefer to see harder news.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 04/26/05 10:40 PM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (3)
Council to take up rules on library behavior (updated)
Chris Elam calls attention to a Chronicle report on new rules being requested by the Houston Public Library.
Yesterday, KHOU-11's Dan Lauck also reported on the matter:
The library house rules haven't officially been changed since 1981.
"Quite a bit has changed since then," says the Houston Public Library's Sandra Fernandez.
The homeless, for example, in 1981 didn't view the city library as a public shower.
Now, some do.
"Unfortunately, a few get carried away," says patron Mike Kane.
"They're washing clothes in the sink," says patron Thomas Goutier, "Y'know, dirty socks."
Kane and Goutier come to the central library a couple days a week to read or use the Internet. They've seen the change.
"There was one gentleman who'd go upstairs and it looked like he'd take a full bath up there," says Kane. "I saw him do it several times, and I was not too enthused about it."
It was for the vast majority of its patrons that library officials decided to officially prohibit anyone from using the restrooms for bathing, shaving and changing clothes. .
City councilman Gordon Quan said he is concerned about the way the homeless will be treated if the new rules pass city council Wednesday.
At some point, it seems likely that a court will rule that the homeless have a right to bathe, wash clothes, and otherwise abuse the library facilities generously provided by taxpayers. In the meantime, they seem to have Councilmember Quan as their advocate.
UPDATE (04-27-2005): Council passed the new rules for the libraries. The full list of rules is available here (in PDF format).
UPDATE (04-29-2005): Laurence Simon takes apart the contentions of councilmember Ada Edwards, who opposed the new rules.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 04/26/05 09:30 PM | Houston Life | Technorati | Comments (16)
Chronicle corrections that make you say, "oh my!"
From a Saturday Chronicle story:
Education Secretary Margaret Spellings fined Texas $444,282 Friday for the state's continued defiance of the No Child Left Behind Act.
For the last two years, the Texas Education Agency has exceeded the federal cap on how many students with learning disabilities can be exempted from regular state testing, mandated by the act, in favor of an easier exam.
In a stern letter addressed to Texas Education Commissioner Shirley Neeley, Spellings said "the TEA has not shown cause why" she should not withhold the money from the agency's 2004 federal grant.
So, after reading that, I think that the TEA was fined because it allowed more special ed students to take the easier TAKS test than NCLB allows.
But wait -- there's a correction today:
The Texas Education Agency was fined by the U.S. Education Department for not providing state test results to school districts on time, not for exceeding a federal cap on special education testing exemptions, as the Chronicle reported on Page A1 Saturday. See story, this page.
Oh my! That's quite an error.
And today we get a new story:
Texas Education Agency Commissioner Shirley Neeley said Monday a federal fine levied against the agency would not affect the state's classrooms.
The agency was fined $444,282 by the U.S. Education Department on Friday for not providing state test results to school districts on time. The Houston Chronicle erroneously reported Saturday that it was for exceeding a federal cap on special education testing exemptions.
Now, the Chronicle does admit in the story that it got the original story wrong -- which is a new development -- but still...that's something.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/26/05 06:02 PM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (1)
An editorial NOT in its ideal state
If today's Chronicle editorial on HISD's acceptance of bids to reform three underachieving high schools is an example of an editorial in its ideal state, then I want a new definition of ideal.
We all know the Chronicle torpedoed Dr. Saavedra's efforts at reform (unwittingly, of course -- the professional journalists at the Chronicle would never misreport the news on purpose) by using misleading, gigantic headlines to put the fear of privatization into every special interest group in Houston. And then the Chronicle strolls along -- tra la la -- reporting the outrage that its shoddy reporting inspired.
Today's editorial -- 10 days after the Chronicle's news story on the bids -- is the same regurgitated garbage:
After his initial announcement provoked protests from minority organizations, including LULAC and the NAACP, Saavedra promised their leaders that he would seek their approval before making major changes at the high schools. Houston Federation of Teachers President Gayle Fallon says, "If I ever had to give a superintendent advice, I would strongly suggest he keep his word on that one."
The difficulties that HISD is encountering should also send warnings to education reform groups that have proposed the so-called death penalties for chronically underachieving schools.
No kidding. Those warnings would be not to invite Jason Spencer to any press conferences!
Here's what the educational experts/editorial board members think is the answer for HISD:
Citizens pay hefty property taxes to fund top-flight district educators and have approved bond issues to build a decent education system. Privatization might work for certain school functions, including food service, but when it comes to school management, it's a copout to hire a private educational firm to solve district problems.
Saavedra should use HISD's resources to make necessary improvements. If the district needs talent, it should recruit and hire the administrators and teachers needed to get the job done. If the job doesn't get done, taxpayers won't have to look beyond the superintendent's office to find the person they can hold responsible.
Oh please. Do the editors really think they know better than Dr. Saavedra how to fix these three schools? Do the editors WANT the state to take over the schools? If it was within HISD's abilities to fix them, don't the editors think Dr. Saavedra would do it? And who knows, maybe the best bid to fix the schools will come from a group within HISD. But the constant Chronicle screeching of "PRIVATIZATION, PRIVATIZATION, PRIVATIZATION," does nothing to improve the education of students; it only inflames an already tense situation. (How did the situation get tense? Oh yeah.)
I've made this point before (sorry to be repetitive): the elites at the Chronicle are always pushing new urbanism ideas. A key component of getting families to move back to the city is good schools. Dr. Saavedra has shown a willingness to think outside the public education box to improve the education HISD provides. The Chronicle, however, seems to be doing its utmost to put up obstacles and stop any talk of reform and improvement.
Why?
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/26/05 05:04 PM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (5)
Chron sees glass one third empty
Chronicle headline this morning:
Two-thirds of HISD fifth-graders pass tougher math TAKS test
Oh, sorry. That wasn't it at all:
Third of 5th-graders here fail math exam
(online headline has been changed: Third of 5th-graders fail harder-to-pass math test)
Well, the Chronicle is nothing if not predictable. (Too bad we can't get some of this "skeptical" press for Metro)
Jason Spencer has written a very odd story, and not just because of the headline:
A third of Houston's fifth-graders failed the state's math exam, the school district announced Monday, meaning 4,500 students face the threat of summer school, and perhaps another year in elementary school, if they don't manage to pass by August.
This is the first year that fifth-graders are required to pass the math and reading portions of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills exam in order to move on to the sixth-grade.
Those who haven't passed both subjects after the third try in June can still be promoted if their parent, teacher and principal unanimously agree that promotion is in the child's best interest.
Even fewer Houston Independent School District fifth-graders — 62 percent — passed the reading exam on the first try, according to results released last month
Wait. Does one-third of Houston's fifth graders equal 4,500? That seems like a very low number. Is it Houston's fifth graders, or HISD's fifth graders? Because -- and this may come as a surprise to Spencer -- there is a difference.
Spring Branch ISD, Cy-Fair ISD, "the largest recognized school district in Texas," Aldine ISD, North Forest ISD, Alief ISD, Galena Park ISD, Sheldon ISD and Spring ISD all have schools in Houston.
That appears to be some sloppy reporting.
And if the two-thirds of HISD students who did pass the test see the paper this morning, what do you suppose they are thinking? Since we know that 80% of HISD's students are classified as low-income, a two-thirds passing rate on a math test with a tougher standard is not the end of the world. Let's celebrate the students who did pass! Plus, there will now be special tutoring and two more chances to take the test for those who didn't pass.
What is really incredible about Spencer's story is that HISD's news about the 18 new executive principals announced to facilitate improved instruction and learning in HISD, is added to the end of the story almost as an afterthought. Why? It should be bigger news than that, since it is the next step in Dr. Saavedra's reorganization plan -- a reorganization plan that aims to improve the test scores Spencer is reporting negatively.
Would you like to know who those new executive principals are? You can visit KTRK-13's story I linked to yesterday, or you can read HISD's press release, because the Chronicle won't tell you.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/26/05 11:05 AM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (2)
25 April 2005
A public-service suggestion from the Houston-area coven
The blog has been a little quiet tonight, as Anne and I have been in a conclave with other members of the Houston-area coven.
We've been trying to come up with a solution to METRO's Park and Pillage problem.
Really.
No security presence in the lots, but a Task Force and Crime Stoppers!
We weren't satisfied with that. So we've conjured a few spells. We've looked into the crystal ball. We've even re-read Reagan's famous 1964 speech (being a "hard-right" coven and all).
And we think we've come up with a much better proposal.
Much like the volunteers of the Minuteman Project are guarding the border with Mexico because the government has abdicated its responsibility to do so, we propose that Houstonians form a voluntary security detail for the Park and Rides, since METRO has basically said you're on your own if you choose to use their lots. Just to give METRO grief and prompt James Howard Gibbons to write a new LiveJournal entry, we propose limiting the security detail to volunteers with concealed-carry permits.
Now, before anyone starts complaining that we're advocating vigilante justice -- that's not what we're advocating at all. We don't actually want anyone shot. We think a local Minuteman Project would simply provide a deterrent to thieves and vandals that METRO isn't providing at the moment. Or, the very thought of it will scare METRO into staffing the Park and Rides with security, like they should be doing already.
So that's the Houston-area coven's public-service suggestion for the evening.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 04/25/05 11:13 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (6)
The Coven's crystal ball is put into action
HISD held a press conference today to make two announcements. First was to announce the executive principals who have been tapped to oversee the new feeder school patterns -- a part of Superintendent Dr. Saavedra's reorganization plan.
The second announcement was HISD's fifth-grade math TAKS results. This year's test required that students get more questions correct, in order to pass, and fifth-graders must pass the test in order to advance to the next grade. HISD announced that 67% of fifth graders passed -- showing a slight increase over last year -- when compared to the same standard as last year (last year's standard to pass was lower; to make an equal comparison one has to take that into account).
Anyway, let's gaze into the Houston-Area Coven's crystal ball: I foresee that the Chronicle's story tomorrow will focus on the students who didn't pass the TAKS test. We can even guess the headline:
One third of HISD students FAIL TAKS test: No hope seen for HISD schools; private companies commence takeover.
RELATED: Wanted: a policy of clear and transparent corrections (blogHOUSTON), Ho-hum: Chron runs another HISD-is-bad story (blogHOUSTON)
UPDATE: KTRK-13 has a short story on HISD's new executive principals.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/25/05 05:30 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (0)
Morrison withdraws from Congressional race
Democrat Richard Morrison, who last year challenged House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R), has apparently announced his withdrawal from the 2006 race, citing a number of familial concerns. Here's wishing Morrison well with those matters.
Former Rep. Nick Lampson and current city councilmember Gordon Quan, both Democrats, have expressed interest in the race.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 04/25/05 05:01 PM | Houston People | Technorati | Comments (0)
Big rig takes out METROrail (updated 04-26-2005)
KPRC-2 reports that a big rig has taken out the city's world-class light-rail line:
METRORail was ground to a halt Monday after an 18-wheeler hit overhead lines and knocked out power to the light-rail train service, officials told Local 2.
Shortly before noon, the big rig accidentally hit the power line at Loop 610 and Fannin, cutting off the power for the line, which runs from Fannin to Reliant Stadium.
Buses were brought in to transport passengers to their destinations.
Crews are on the scene to repair the damage, which is expected to take up to six hours.
Buses certainly are a reliable and flexible form of mass transit, no?
Let's hope they get this fixed quickly. We wouldn't want Lucas Wall to be inconvenienced again.
UPDATE: The news report has been updated, and now states that only service south of Smith Lands station has been affected.
UPDATE 2: The news report has been updated again. Service was disrupted further north on the rail line by a collison with a vehicle at Main and Alabama.
UPDATE (04-26-2005): KTRK-13, KHOU-11, and the Chronicle have coverage.
Also, Don Gallagher, moderator of the Houston-MET Yahoo group, offers the following firsthand account:
Today, Metro had another torn down power line...make that TWO power lines! A flatbed truck tore down both the North and South bound power lines at approximately 11AM. All train traffic ceased between the Fannin Park N Ride and Smith Landing, both prime parking facilities (and the only one's actually).
At around 3:30 this afternoon, another MetroRail train hit a minivan at Alabama and Main. The train was heading South.
I drove by the Smith Landing station at around 5PM and saw total mayhem. There were Metro vehicles and personnel directing trains as the apparently were manually switching trains. It was difficult to see why until one passed by the station. The train involved with the second accident was sitting, out of commission at the station so they only had one side to load and unload passengers to be then transferred to buses. I was also puzzled as the trains there had very few passengers (Metro claims high ridership and it was rush hour).
After leaving that station, I drove down to the 610 interchange to see an even worse situation. Dozens of Metro vehicles and Siemen trucks all over the place and traffic shut down on both sides of the feeder road. All traffic was forced to make major detours and there were no signs in place to advise people how to get around this mess (remember, this had been going on for six hours).
Interesting that there were three workers sitting at the Reliant Station waiting for a train. No one seemed to have placed a sign there saying "Out Of Service". So they simply get to waste time also.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 04/25/05 01:08 PM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (5)
Free ice cream, part 2
It's not Ben & Jerry's; it's Cold Stone Creamery -- yea!
There's no word yet on whether or not there's a Cold Stone Creamery-sponsored effigy rolling around Houston.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/25/05 11:32 AM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (1)
Downtown entities study need for multi-purpose transit center
MSNBC is running a Houston Business Journal article on a study being conducted to determine if Houston needs an "intermodal transit center":
The Houston Downtown Management District is taking the lead in an inter-governmental agency project to study the feasibility of an intermodal center, which is also referred to as a multimodal center. The 32-member steering committee that will analyze the resulting data is co-chaired by Mark Cover of Hines, Bill Franks of Spire Realty Group and Houston City Councilmember Adrian Garcia.
[snip]
The downtown district is spearheading the intermodal center study with several sponsoring entities: The Main Street Coalition, Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) and the Midtown Management District/Midtown Redevelopment Authority.
A total of $430,000 has been raised to pay for the feasibility study, but officials say not all of that may be spent on the process.
The Texas Department of Transportation is contributing $200,000 in grant money earmarked for intercity bus service; the Houston City Council voted this week to allocate $150,000 in federal funds that are designated for Main Street work; the downtown district is paying $40,000; Metro is throwing in $20,000; and the Midtown district and Main Street Coalition are each putting up $10,000.
The consultants will help determine whether Houston needs one large intermodal transit center or whether the area might be better served by several smaller sites throughout the city.
[snip]
As the consultants begin their work, they will likely look to the success of Mockingbird Station in Dallas. The 10-acre, pedestrian-friendly development adjoins the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Mockingbird Station. Commercial development includes more than 90 shops and restaurants, office space, parking, 216 loft apartments and an eight-screen Angelika Film Center and Cafe.
Consultant John Stainback, Stainback's managing partner, says a transit-oriented development that typically includes housing and retail is funded in such a way that does not require voter approval.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/25/05 09:49 AM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (1)
Hybrids in HOV lanes
Here's a question and answer from today's Move It! column:
Q: Other states are allowing single-passenger hybrid vehicles in HOV lanes as a means to promote fuel/emission-friendly vehicles. Has Metro discussed this subject? Are there plans to follow other states? This certainly would help our air quality and would promote more people purchasing hybrid vehicles.
— Paul Faulkner, Seabrook
A: California has approved allowing single-occupant hybrid vehicles in that state's High Occupancy Vehicle lanes. However, because federal funds were used to build the car-pool lanes, the federal government must approve the policy change before it may go into effect. Currently federal law prohibits single-occupant vehicles from using HOV lanes (though there are some exemptions, such as for motorcycles and law enforcement vehicles).
Metropolitan Transit Authority Police Capt. Tim Kelly said his agency is researching how to accommodate some single-occupant vehicles in the Harris County HOV system. One of Metro's goals is to convert some underutilized HOV lanes into High Occupancy Toll lanes. That would allow solo drivers to use the express lane by paying for the privilege. The Katy Freeway reconstruction project is converting the single, reversible-direction HOV lane into four HOT lanes (two each direction). The Katy HOT lanes are scheduled to open in late 2008.
Congress continues debating the six-year transportation reauthorization bill, which has been past due since October 2003. Changes to the HOV policy are among the numerous policies under consideration.
I was surprised that Lucas Wall left out a big component of the hybrids-in-HOV-lanes fad. Virginia implemented that plan and the HOV lanes in Northern Virginia are often more congested than the regular lanes:
A surge in the number of hybrid vehicles has left carpool lanes nearly as congested as the regular lanes they are intended to relieve, a Virginia transportation task force said yesterday.
A detailed study of carpool lanes on Interstate 95 found that the number of hybrids more than tripled between last spring and October. State transportation officials fear that the trend will continue as more hybrids enter the market and more commuters take advantage of an exemption allowing them to ride alone in such vehicles.
The findings reflect the sentiments of carpool-lane users, who have inundated state officials with complaints about increased delays and congestion over the past six months. Many blame hybrids.
Another issue with hybrids: states collect less in gas taxes and that can make them cranky, which could lead states to get even MORE creative at collecting revenue!
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/25/05 09:11 AM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (1)
24 April 2005
Chronicle's Hines deems blogHOUSTON part of a coven
We were delighted this morning to discover that Chronicle D.C. editorialist Cragg Hines is apparently a blogHOUSTON reader -- albeit a disgruntled one.
Hines seems not to have liked this post that called attention to a "talking-points memo" he referred to in a column.
We couldn't have known before the post, though, since he neglected to answer multiple emails about his knowledge of the memo.
As we now know -- and as we posted -- the "talking-points memo" originated with a Republican staffer, wasn't a "talking-points memo" for other Republicans, and was mischaracterized by the Washington Post and others in their original reporting. Indeed, if not for the blogger outcry, we probably would never have gotten to the bottom of the matter, and the "Republican leadership" would have been unfairly and inaccurately smeared.
At most, the memo was a dumb document written by a staffer of a freshman Senator -- hardly a "talking points memo" embraced by the Republican leadership.
Interestingly, though, we now understand why Hines preferred to ignore our emails asking about this memo he wrote about authoritatively. It turned out he hadn't seen it:
Although I had not seen a copy of the full memo at the time, I confirmed with a trusted source on Capitol Hill the existence of the memo and the quotes I wanted to use.
My characterization of the memo and its contents was accurate.
Actually, the journalistic process was lazy and the reporting bordered on dishonest (since it gave the impression that Hines had seen the memo, when he had only heard hearsay about it). A broken clock is right twice a day, but that doesn't make it a reliable timepiece!
Hines just can't help taking a few more uninformed shots:
As far as I can tell, the once-blazing bloggers have commented little either on the accuracy of the initial reports about the memo....
We'll repeat our advice in the original post -- maybe Cragg Hines needs to diversify his blog reading! We've posted an update, and the PowerLine crew who drove ABC and the Washington Post to correct their mistaken reporting have posted multiple updates. If Hines hasn't seen them, he's not looking very hard. Or at all.
Here's our favorite whine from Hines:
The reaction of the neander-bloggers? So much noise was followed by what sounded a lot like silence.
A small part of their wrath, especially from the Houston-area coven, had been directed at me.
Neander-bloggers? Houston-area coven?
Houston-area coven has a nice ring to it, actually! We like that! So much so that we worked up the graphic at the bottom of the post. Note the depiction of Cragg Hines in his lovely fur coat, being tormented by the Houston-area Coven of anti-Idiotarian Bloggers, or maybe the Houston-area Coven of the Northern Alliance. We haven't quite decided a good name for like-minded bloggers in the area. Perhaps readers might share suggestions in the comments?
In the future, though, we'd advise the Chronicle's vindictive D.C. columnist to: 1) diversify his blog reading, 2) read this blog more regularly and certainly more carefully, and 3) whine less. Be wary of the coven, Mr. Hines!
The above image is a parody based upon the brilliant original artwork of Ian Churchill
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 04/24/05 09:48 PM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (14)
Food and drink roundup (04-24-2005 edition)
We skipped the food and drink roundup last week, so this installment will include a few extra links.
Alison Cook checked out Romero's Las Brazas located on Highway 6 in far northwest Houston, and found the restaurant to be a real gem. This week, she stayed close to downtown and gave Jenni's Noodle House another try.
Last week, Robb Walsh gave us his opinion of Pronto Cucinino, the area's newest entry in the fast-casual market. This week, he headed over to the city's west side to try Yanti's Restaurant & Bar, and we get another one of his informative cuisine lessons in the process.
Ken Hoffman gives Domino's new American Classic Cheeseburger Pizza a try.
And finally, Mr. C's Irish Pub gets reviewed by the Chron's Lance Scott Walker.
Posted by Callie Markantonis @ 04/24/05 09:47 PM | Houston Life | Technorati | Comments (0)
Chron announces Gibbons promotion
The Chronicle finally got around today to announcing what blogHOUSTON readers learned on Tuesday -- the "interim" tag has been removed from James Howard Gibbons' job title, as he has been named the editorial page editor:
"Editorial pages are designed to help you pause and think about the current and critical issues of the day," said Chronicle Publisher Jack Sweeney. "James Gibbons has demonstrated his ability to do just that in leading our daily discussion with Chronicle readers."[snip]
Chronicle Editor Jeff Cohen said he has asked Gibbons to "discern the community's daily concerns and to lead the discussion with the editorial board as we offer guidance about what is good for the people of Houston."
"We will persuade with reason and without antagonism," Cohen said. "We will be mindful of Texas' diversity. And our focus will not be on who or what is conservative or liberal; our focus will be on what is interesting, important or provocative."
Offer guidance about what is good for the people of Houston?
Spoken like a true liberal mainstream media dinosaur. Seriously, could that be any more condescending?
As for Jack Sweeney's reference to Gibbons' demonstrated ability to lead the daily discussion -- well, we'll just say it's been some discussion! The editorial page under Gibbons has been extremely slow to offer opinions on hot local topics. He's put state Rep. Rick Noriega (D) in Iraq instead of Afghanistan. He's cited a nonexistent treaty. He's gotten so excited about Walter Matthau that he completely blew the numbers on a budget editorial of all things. He's gotten attention from the Wall Street Journal for referring to Afghanistan's president as "Hamid Crazy." He's let way too many serious substantive and copy errors get through. And, of course, there's the now famous editorial from Mr. Gibbons on the ideal state.
Those are just some of our favorites. As they might say in the journalism business, space considerations prevent us from really reflecting on these Chronicle editorial pages in their ideal state! But, we're sure we'll continue to have plenty of opportunities now that Mr. Gibbons' "interim" tag has been removed.
ANNE ADDS: My favorite Chronicle editorial is Hamid Crazy. All those layers of professionally-trained journalists and that whopper makes it into print!
The most stunning example of the Chronicle's mindset is the contrasting editorials on the topic of death: one editorial wondering why an innocent person in an incapacitated state, like Terri Schiavo, would be allowed to live, and another celebrating the end of death sentences for convicted murderers.
Ugh.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 04/24/05 08:02 PM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (2)
We may not be world class, but we're as good as Dallas!
There's nothing that convinces me that Houston's elites no longer have an inferiority complex with regard to Dallas quite like an editorial from those elites that says they no longer have an inferiority complex with regard to Dallas because (among other reasons) the Texans beat the Cowboys in 2002!
That settles it.
Thanks, Chronicle elites, for that little boost to our collective self-esteem!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 04/24/05 07:02 PM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (4)
Casey mimics editorial board on political speech
We've noted before that the column of the Chronicle's Rick Casey is frequently used to flesh out and develop opinions that are taken by the Chronicle editorial board.
Thus, it was hardly surprising on Friday when Rick Casey devoted an entire column to a political campaigning scenario that then got him to this conclusion:
These corporations are forbidden by law to contribute to [Rick Perry's] political campaign, but they can contribute to "issues" ads.
In practical reality, these ads would be part of Perry's campaign for re-election.
Maybe it's better for our elected officials to pay lobbyists than to be in debt to them.
Recall that the Houston Chronicle editorial board has, several times, come out in favor of legislation being considered in Austin that would ban certain "issues" ads. And note how Rick Casey's Friday column cleverly tied such "issues" ads to Chronicle "bad guy" Rick Perry.
There's a reason Chronicle editor Jeff Cohen wasted no time in getting Rick Casey to Houston. He's reliable, and he's good at what he does. Readers can decide for themselves whether it's good journalism, but Casey is rarely (if ever?) out of step with the editorial board on their issues, and consistently fleshes out that perspective on the "news" pages. It's not subtle to careful readers, but it's effective.
Turning back to the "issues" ads that Casey and the editorial board are attacking, we'd just like to remind Houstonians that this is yet another example of their local newspaper criticizing the political speech of others, while continuing to advocate special privileges for professional journalists.
That, in our view, serves a very special interest (the Chronicle and other "professional" journalism outfits), but not the public interest.
Further, if the Chronicle is as philosophically opposed to "issue" ads as they say, we'll be looking forward to a Cragg Hines/Clay Robison/Rick Casey/James Howard Gibbons denouncement of the "issue-oriented" activities of the Center for American Progress. Philosophical consistency would seem to demand no less from the Chronicle.
So long as there is disclosure of funding sources, we don't mind those ads or other issue ads. Indeed, we tend to think of it quaintly as political speech. Then again, we try to practice some degree of consistency here, and don't merely craft our posts to attack "bad guys" or advance pet causes. Maybe the Chronicle could learn from that example?
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 04/24/05 10:43 AM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (1)
23 April 2005
Spring residents meet with HCTRA officials -- finally
Grand Parkway opponents in Spring had a chance to meet with some Harris County Toll Road Authority officials last week -- for the first time. The meeting was prompted by residents receiving survey notices from a HCTRA-contracted company:
For the first time since announcing their opposition four years ago, members of a coalition opposed to the Grand Parkway running through Spring met with transportation officials to resolve issues on the proposed highway projects.
United to Save Our Spring coalition member Connie O'Donnell said the coalition pushed for this meeting because several residents who live in the study area were sent letters last week from a Harris County Toll Road Authority consultant seeking access to their properties for a right-of-way study.
"It was time to get all of the issues on the table with all of the people involved in the project," O'Donnell said.
Remember, HCTRA officials LOVE to tell local media that HCTRA invites public input:
The Toll Road Authority said even though it doesn't have open forums, it has never gone against public outcry to build a project.
And:
Eckels goes on to say the public has a chance to give input on these toll roads at the county commissioners' meeting every two weeks.
And:
Jonnie Bryant, public information officer for the Harris County Toll Road Authority, said that while the toll road authority is not required to hold public hearings, it invites public comment.
"We always welcome comments," Bryant said. "We have an open-door policy, and individuals or groups can meet with our director, Mike Strech."
But this was the first time Spring residents and others interested in the Grand Parkway had been able to meet with HCTRA officials, and according to a first hand account, Art Storey and Mike Strech of HCTRA weren't thrilled at having the meeting. AND state Sen. Jon Lindsay has never met with Grand Parkway opponents, even though they are his constituents.
More of the Chronicle's story is in the extended entry. I get the feeling that HCTRA is a bit defensive and is attempting to keep the focus on TxDOT -- by continuing to say that the project remains in the hands of TxDOT and that no decisions have been made. Of course, opponents aren't buying that. Why else would HCTRA be spending $5.6 million to study the Grand Parkway if it didn't have a good idea that it wants to build the segment through Spring?
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/23/05 02:52 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (2)
Houston International Festival returns to downtown
In the Houston Press, John Nova Lomax is highly critical of the festival's music bookings. Although Taj Mahal is a rare treat for Houstonians, I'm inclined to agree with Lomax -- especially with regard to the booking of Texas and regional alt-country acts. The festival once shined in booking up-and-comers in that genre and getting them exposure. That doesn't appear to be the case this year.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 04/23/05 09:16 AM | Houston Life | Technorati | Comments (3)
MeMo on the radio
MeMo will also be on the radio this morning:
3. And even though Anne Linehan fakes a tooth abcess when she hears this -- I'm on Wait, Wait .. Don't Tell Me on KUHF (88.1 FM) Saturday at 10.
No, really -- it's okay. No fake tooth abscess for me, but thanks for the concern. Since the non-tooth abscess doesn't seem to affect my ears, maybe I'll tune in after the Kevin and Kuff show.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/23/05 07:33 AM | Houston Media | Technorati | Comments (0)
22 April 2005
blogHOUSTON on the radio
Kevin Whited is scheduled to be on BizRadio1320 (KXYZ-AM) Saturday around 10:15 a.m with host Jon-Michial Carter and Charles Kuffner.
What topics and happenings from this past week will they discuss? Be sure to tune and find out.
UPDATE (04-23-2005): For those who can't get the station over the air, the streaming audio link, which seemed to be down last week, is working fine so far this morning.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/22/05 08:42 PM | Houston Media | Technorati | Comments (0)
Fun with headlines
Best of the Web highlights a Galveston County Daily News headline:
If They're Nice, Maybe the Republicans Will Yield the Floor
"County Democrats Still Without Chair"--headline, Daily News (Galveston County, Texas), April 22
Or maybe a local furniture store will give them a good deal.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/22/05 06:58 PM | Houston Media | Technorati | Comments (2)
Metro's Chief Lambert on with Chris Baker today (updated!)
We've received a heads-up that Metro police Chief Tom Lambert will be on with Chris Baker (KTRH-740) at the beginning of the 3:00 p.m. hour. Maybe Chris will ask him if he's interested in Laurence Simon's remote cam technology that can go on the web. Then Park and Ride patrons could keep an eye on their own cars.
It's interesting that talk radio, TV news and blogs are on top of the security problems at Metro's Park and Rides, but the Chronicle (Houston's Daily Information Source) is MIA.
The Chronicle did, however, manage to squeeze in that LULAC story today.
UPDATE: Wow! A whole day to get himself together doesn't appear to have helped Chief Lambert. He has a set of bullet points and he's sticking to them:
-- He's forming a Park and Ride Task Force (PART F) -- 15 officers who will patrol Park and Rides.
-- He's joining up with Crimestoppers (which will provide signs and rewards)
-- The security guards will not be back
-- Metro has learned some lessons
-- Technology to support the PART F officers is the best course of action (technology that Metro is still searching for)
-- Metro must learn to be flexible, adaptable and be open to directive action (whatever the heck THAT means)
He said that he alone made the decision to get rid of the security guards and he anticipated an increase in crime. Really?! Did he warn Park and Ride patrons beforehand? Did he post any signs warning Park and Ride users that they should anticipate increased crime? Good grief. And he says Metro has learned. Well that's nice, but Metro just used a whole bunch of its customers as guinea pigs.
He said that Metro needs to broaden its knowledge, change and learn. Chris pointed out that it sounded like Lambert was in therapy! Chris also pointed out that everything Lambert is proposing is reactive. Chris wondered if valued Metro customers should be worth more than "after-the-fact" thinking.
When Metro made the decision to get rid of the guards, it said cameras would be used instead. Now we find out that there aren't any working cameras in use. Chief Lambert hasn't explained why.
And expecting Crimestoppers to solve Metro's funding problem is unbelievable. That light rail train has sure impacted Metro in ways Metro never warned Houston-area citizens about!
Does all this make Houston world-class?
UPDATE AGAIN: A story finally showed up at Chron.com. In it we learn that Metro is testing some new surveillance cameras on MetroRail platforms and Lambert says the cameras will be installed at Park and Rides by July 1. Of course, that doesn't explain why Metro didn't wait until July 1 to end the security guard service.
The story also includes this:
Metro Police Chief Tom Lambert and Kim Ogg, executive director of Crime Stoppers, also asked bus riders to watch for suspicious activity on the lots and report it to 713-222-TIPS.
Ummm, who's hanging around the lot to call Crime Stoppers? The people who use Park and Rides tend to park and then ride to work, right? (They aren't called Park and Hang Outs) Who do those two think are going to be around to do the job Metro is supposed to do?
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/22/05 02:55 PM | Houston Media | Technorati | Comments (4)
LULAC releases complaint to the media but not the city
LULAC is getting some media attention this morning with its claims that the City of Houston discriminates against Hispanic employees:
"LULAC has received numerous complaints of discrimination against Hispanics who have been subjected to a hostile working environment," Johnny Mata, District VIII spokesman for the League of United Latin American Citizens, said Thursday.
The complaint, which was also sent to the U.S. Department of Transportation and distributed to the media on Thursday, details numerous incidents of alleged mistreatment of Latino city employees. These include allegations of ethnic and sexual harassment and discriminatory hiring, firing and promotions.
However, the city says LULAC wouldn't let it see the complaint:
Frank Michel, Mayor Bill White's spokesman, said LULAC leaders would not release a copy of the complaint to the city legal department...
And:
LULAC officials have advised City Attorney Arturo Michel they were not yet authorized to release a copy of their complaint to us...
LULAC releases its complaint to the media, but not to the city? Why? Maybe LULAC didn't want the city to have a response for the morning news cycle. And since the Friday afternoon news cycle is the beginning of the weekend news tune-out, LULAC gets to have its talking points in the public's mind all weekend, without a city response.
RELATED: KPRC-2, KHOU-11, KTRK-13
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/22/05 08:53 AM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (6)
21 April 2005
Lambert: Park and Rides just need technology -- where do we get some? (updated!)
I was going to add yet another update to the Metro Park and Pillage post, but this KHOU-11 story is too incredible for an update:
In January Metro pulled contract security workers from all 26 Park and Rides. At the time it said safety would not suffer, but the numbers are dramatic as seen in the crime reports for all Park and Rides for the first three months of the year.
There were 27 crimes reported in 2001, 48 in 2002, 63 in 2003 and 44 in 2004. With vacant security shacks, the number for 2005 jumped to 90 before 15 reports were filed Wednesday from the Addicks location.
"We said then and we will still say now that we will redeploy our resources based upon situations that take place. We clearly learned a lesson yesterday," said Chief Tom Lambert, Metro Police.
Does Metro really want a police chief who is learning as he's going along?
Crime Stoppers will be adding signage to all lots, hoping that will help as a deterrent.
"The chances of someone turning you in just got a whole lot better," said Kim Ogg, Crime Stoppers.
Yeah, some signs will be very helpful, no doubt.
And for a strong close:
Metro is assigning 15 officers to a Park and Ride task force working to improve security. The officers will focus on trouble spots and work at all hours, but Metro will not be going back to private security.
"We believe that in the longer term technology is the right approach to take," Chief Lambert said.
Right now Metro doesn't have much technology. There are security cameras at two Park and Ride locations, one of which happens to be the Addicks location, but the cameras there don't work.
Metro is currently researching other possibilities to up their technology to help stop these problems.
Maybe Metro officials could have worked on this research BEFORE they got rid of all the security guards? Just a thought.
And now, after today's many jaw-dropping moments, Metro would be well-advised to get Lambert away from the cameras and microphones.
UPDATE (4-22-2005): Laurence Simon offers Metro an example of his ability to catch thieves on camera. Someone please call Chief Lambert -- I think we have found the technology Metro's seeking!
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/21/05 08:54 PM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (2)
White and Lee oppose ending sports authority
Nearly two weeks ago, Jack Rains appeared on the Dan Patrick show on KSEV-700 to talk about disbanding the Houston Sports Authority, then Billy Burge called in, and finally all sorts of hilarity ensued, as described on various blogs.
Last week, the Chronicle's Rick Casey commented on part of the conversation that took place, although he didn't bother to interview Rains.
This week, Rich Connelly also comments on the Patrick/Rains/Burge exchange for the Houston Press.
It's good to see all the print publications are finally up to speed now on a two-week old story.
In the last election, Bill White ran as a fiscally sensible businessman who would be mindful of the city's purse strings. In office, however, he's overseen a significant expansion of long-term municipal debt, he's opposed Proposition 2's effort to control the growth of municipal revenues (to the tune of being forced by a court to report the outcome of the election), and now we find him in alliance with perennial tax-and-spender El Franco Lee, who seems to support transforming a sports authority that's served its purpose into a perpetual boondoogle authority.
Interestingly, Mack reports that Mayor White claimed to be speaking for council, even though council has not taken a position on dissolving the Sports Authority. Perhaps it's time for Jared Woodfill to encourage certain members of council to express their opinions on the matter.
ANNE ADDS: The story also points out that Oliver Luck is busy trying to secure new sports teams for Houston and specifically mentions Major League Soccer. Well, take a look at what is going on in San Antonio:
The proposal to bring Major League Soccer to San Antonio continues to balloon, with the price tag of the proposal San Antonio City Council is set to vote on today in excess of $22 million, 1200 WOAI news reported today.
That's three times higher than the $6.2 million dollar price tag which was placed on the deal just one week ago.
ONE WEEK! The price of a MLS team went from $6 million to $22 million in ONE WEEK! This is what happens when these governmental authorities get their grimy mitts on taxpayer dollars.
The Aeros need to buy their own ice, Les Alexander needs to pay for his own parking garage (or give up the money he's currently pocketing), El Franco Lee needs to find a Parks and Rec Department to build his pool and youth center, and the Sports Authority needs to close up shop. No more endless boondoggles!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 04/21/05 06:10 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (3)
Metro's Park and Pillage (updated -- Metro's forming a Task Force!)
Remember Metro's bright idea to save some bucks and install security cameras at Park and Rides instead of having security guards? That was some good thinking:
More than a dozen angry commuters could be found among the shattered glass and broken car locks at a Park 'N Ride lot at the Addicks location on Old Katy Road in the far west side of Houston.
As each bus pulled into the lot, more and more passengers, like Noelle Stewart, immediately reached for their cell phones.
"I said whoever did this job over here, they was having party with the cars for a long time. There wasn't no police, no security, no nothing," says one victim.
All of the victims were surprised by the lack of security. There are cameras and security tower, but no one was inside.
When asked if he thought there was security, victim Frank Flores says, "I thought so. When I first started working downtown, I saw a security guard back up there. Recently, I didn't see anybody, but I thought they came in later or they were here earlier, but I guess that's not the case."
Metro stopped putting guards in all the booths as of January 1.
The suspect or suspects took everything from digital cameras to CDs to Walkmans to a lot of satellite radios.
[snip]
Metro officers arrived and began taking reports. Some of them even took the time to take fingerprints.
[snip]
There is no one in the security booth during the day and it appears that the cameras in the lot are pointed toward the traffic to let Metro know how much traffic flow is going through the area.
Oh my! On top of the bad decision to use cameras for security, KHOU-11 says Metro is using the cameras to count cars instead of actually keeping an eye on the cars in the parking lot!
Metro's decision-making continues to defy reason.
KEVIN WHITED ADDS: And where has METRO deployed the manpower that might previously have been out preventing theft and vandalism in its Park and Ride lots?
As I noted previously, three METRO (not HPD) officers were sitting near the Sears parking lot in midtown this past Monday, issuing traffic citations related to an intersection that is confusing and dangerous to motorists because of METRO's own poor planning with regard to the rail line!
Taxpayers deserve better from their transit authority and other municipal leaders.
RELATED: Park and Rape (Laurence Simon)
Yeah, my jaw is on the floor as well...
UPDATE AGAIN: KPRC-2 has more and Metro looks even worse, if that's possible:
Lambert does not believe bringing back the security guards would be effective, and it would cost METRO nearly $1 million a year.
KEVIN WHITED ADDS MORE: Here's a possibility. Have the Task Force meet several times a day. And hold the meetings in the unused guard towers at different Park and Rides throughout the METRO service area! Hey, if they have time to meet in the first place, then why not actually have them do some good while they're meeting?
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/21/05 12:12 PM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (8)
Mack: Jon Lindsay may be vulnerable
Kristen Mack sure knows how to make a girl smile:
Some think [Lindsay] may be vulnerable to a GOP primary challenge.
He didn't schedule any public appearances during a recent weekend visit to the district, and has none planned as the legislative session in Austin heats up during its final weeks. Detractors view that as a sign that constituent contact is not a priority.
One of the area's longest-tenured public servants, Lindsay has spent eight years in the Senate and spent 20 years as Harris County judge.[snip]
He fell from the political pinnacle in the mid-1990s amid corruption allegations that ended his county reign.
Lindsay was indicted in 1993 on misdemeanor charges of lying on campaign finance reports for failing to report the use of $195,000 in campaign money to buy a dive boat for his son.
Later, a federal convict claimed that he had acted as the middleman in the delivery of more than $100,000 in cash to Lindsay in 1986, in return for Lindsay raising the value of private land by rerouting a county road.
The allegations did not result in criminal charges, and Lindsay recently called the convict's claims "totally bogus and absolutely false."
Maybe the claims were bogus, but just for fun, let's visit the archives:
County officials rejected state Sen. Jon Lindsay's offer to work for the county as a consultant who would try to persuade north Harris County developers to donate land for the [Grand Parkway] project.
Lindsay, a Republican who represents much of the area where the segment would be built, has long supported the Grand Parkway.
He said he met last year with 14 developers who own land between Texas 249 and I-45. About 10 of the developers agreed to donate land to the county for the toll road, Lindsay said.
With that land, the toll road could have been built without traversing as many Spring residential areas as called for under TxDOT plans, he said.
Lindsay said he met with Eversole and other officials in the fall and tried to sell them on hiring him as a consultant.
He would have asked the county to pay him about $5,000 or $6,000 a month for his services, Lindsay said.
"I told them I was not going to do it gratis. It was too much work," he said.
County officials balked at the proposal, saying it could appear to be improper for the county to hire a state senator to lobby developers who were his business acquaintances or friends and who would benefit from the highway's construction, Lindsay said. "I did not understand where the conflict of interest was, just because I was a senator," he said.