31 December 2005
Congratulations to the Texan of the year
The Dallas Morning News has named its Texan of the Year.
It's Houston.
And it's hard to argue with this:
In 2005, Houston became the heart of Texas.
For resilience, resourcefulness and good old Texas neighborliness on a scale that did the whole state proud, Houston is the 2005 Dallas Morning News Texan of the Year.
To this day, an estimated 150,000 survivors of hurricanes Katrina and Rita call the Houston area home, and surveys show that most of them plan to stay. When Katrina hurled them, battered and destitute, onto Houston's doorstep, Houston met the challenge with the largest shelter operation in the nation's history. Singling out Houston is no slight to the scores of other communities that opened their arms to the storms' victims, including those right here in North Texas. They, too, performed nobly and deserve vigorous applause. But the demands on Houston, by dint of simple geography, were of a stunningly higher magnitude.
Talk to the people at the center of the relief effort, and, over and over, you'll hear words that echo those of Issa Dadoush, the city of Houston's director of building services: "These are Americans. They're our neighbors. If not Houston, who else?"
Or, as Harris County Judge Robert Eckels said, "We had no choice. It was just something that needed to be done."
The full story is here.
That pretty much caps off a world-class year for the city (we don't even have to wait until the goofy rising star ascends to say it, something to which the Chronicle devoted TWO reporters to cover for today's edition).
Thanks to everyone who made this a great place to live in 2005. For those who didn't -- well, here's hoping for better things from 2006.
UPDATE (1/1/2006): The downtown rising star celebration was so "world class" that not one local television station chose to cover it live. Let's hope this latest retarded effort from city leaders at being "world class" shall never be mentioned again, let alone be mentioned as the southwest's equivalent to New York's New Year's Eve celebration.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/31/05 05:42 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (6)
LiveJournalists recap 2005
It's year-end reflection time for the Chronicle's LiveJournalists, and they don't disappoint -- this editorial has all the oomph of a middle school essay:
Among the less-happy reports of the past year was news that Africans continue to suffer the scourges of poverty, malaria and AIDS despite the best efforts of Bob Geldorf and Bill and Melinda Gates; and that HIV infection rates in gay American men are on the rise after years of steady decline due to a raging epidemic of methamphetamine addiction.
Bob Geldorf (yes, the "r" is in the dead tree paper, too) and the Gates' couldn't stop poverty, malaria and AIDS? Can you imagine -- thinking that three rich people could actually solve these problems?
Here's a malaria news flash: DDT works. And an African economist begs us to STOP the aid:
Shikwati: ... for God's sake, please just stop.
SPIEGEL: Stop? The industrialized nations of the West want to eliminate hunger and poverty.
Shikwati: Such intentions have been damaging our continent for the past 40 years. If the industrial nations really want to help the Africans, they should finally terminate this awful aid. The countries that have collected the most development aid are also the ones that are in the worst shape. Despite the billions that have poured in to Africa, the continent remains poor.
As for AIDS, Uganda's emphasis on abstinence has worked, much to the chagrin of condom-promoting enthusiasts.
Back to the middle school ess...uh, editorial:
A federal judge staved off academic ignorance in Dover, Pa., when he ruled that teachers would not have to talk about "intelligent design" in public school biology classes.
This is what gets me: there is little difference between evolution-believers and ID/Creationism believers when you get right down to it. Both ideas are sustained by faith. The fact that evolution-proponents feel threatened by the mere idea of Intelligent Design being taught alongside evolution speaks volumes. What are they afraid of? A little diversity of thought? Should students be indoctrinated or be taught to question and reason?
2005 saw the gruesome milestone of the 2,000th U.S. soldier to die in Iraq and reminded us how difficult removing American troops from the region will be, despite three successful elections in that fledgling democracy. Syria withdrew from Lebanon and Israel handed over the Gaza Strip to Palestinian control, but peace remains elusive.
Sigh. The international policy experts are at it again.
But many Americans were appalled to learn that their government "rendered" terrorism suspects to foreign countries for harsh interrogation, maintained secret prisons and engaged in warrantless domestic wire taps.
Well, not really. Oh sure, the media and many on the Left were appalled, but your average American who doesn't regularly talk to al Qaeda-types isn't too appalled. In fact, most of us were applauding President Bush!
Here's hoping that all those little positive changes contribute to the greater common good in 2006.
My wish for the LiveJournalists in 2006 is for better editorials and outside-the-liberal-box thinking. FORE!
BLOGVERSATION: Swing....and a miss... (Sedosi)
UPDATE: Well, this is interesting: the practice of rendition about which the idealists are appalled actually began under former President Bill Clinton. So far Big Media is fairly mum on this new revelation. The filter lives on.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/31/05 03:10 PM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (11)
Get those Dead Pool rosters in...today
Today's the deadline for getting in on Laurence's Dead Pool. Just be sure you follow the rules -- he's not above public humiliation to keep his players in line.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/31/05 01:11 PM | Houston People | Technorati | Comments (0)
If Mayor White wanted to fight graffiti, he'd find the money
In this story on Houston's growing graffiti problem, KTRK-13's Deborah Wrigley says this:
Funding cleanups is another matter for a cash-strapped city budget.
Wouldn't it be interesting if local media actually checked that out? It's stated as a fact, but why? Did the mayor's office tell Wrigley that?
Tom Bazan checks out monthly sales tax revenues reports for the city of Houston, and almost every month he finds that the city is collecting more than in the previous year. Does the city publicize that? Do local media check out monthly sales tax reports?
How come our local media question whether or not CoH has the money to increase police manpower and fight graffiti, yet local media never question whether or not the city has the money to fund an African American museum, a grand new city park, Tasers (that may be problematic), and day labor (wink, wink) sites, among many other dubious expenditures?
Oh, let's just keep going: a $35,000 desk, $2 million for a new orchestra pit in the Wortham Center, $700,000 for shiny new police badges, $85,000 to teach city employees how to be nice, and at least $100,000 to fight the voter-approved Proposition 2.
The city has the money to fund graffiti abatement; the problem is Mayor White hasn't decided to make it a priority.
UPDATE: In the forum, Laurence Simon adds the mayor's (taxpayer-funded) inauguration announcements to the list. Mayor White has to thank his supporters, you know!
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/31/05 09:17 AM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (1)
30 December 2005
AP presents misleading revisionist Katrina sex-offender history
Earlier, Drudge linked an AP story that contained some serious spin by the federal government:
Governors in states that accepted Katrina evacuees are being urged to locate about 2,000 registered sex offenders who fled the Gulf region during the hurricane's mayhem and may have vanished from legally required tracking.
"When sex offenders know they're being watched, when they know they're being monitored, they are less likely to offend again," said Wade Horn, assistant secretary for children and families at the Department of Health and Human Services. "When they no longer believe they are being monitored or watched, they can be tempted to offend again."
The Administration for Children and Families estimated that about 30 states are affected. In November, agency officials matched the names of sex offender registries in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama with the names of evacuees who applied for disaster assistance.
The agency came up with more than 2,000 matches. The find led Horn to work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency on a system that would allow state law enforcement agencies to find registered sex offenders who are receiving disaster assistance.
[snip]
Horn wrote the nation's 50 governors in late November to alert them to the new search they could undertake with FEMA, and the process they were to use.
"I am greatly concerned that known sex offenders who may have relocated to your State may take advantage of their anonymity and harm children once again," Horn wrote in a letter to Gov. Rick Perry of Texas.
KHOU-11 has posted a chopped version of the story on its website (I don't know if they ran the story on television) and KTRK-13 mentioned the story on air earlier (they haven't posted it to their website).
In both instances, our local professional media neglected to highlight a key local angle to the story. blogHOUSTON readers may recall that in mid-November, we pointed out that Houston's media outlets had neglected to report on the sex-offender story, even though several state news organizations and the Washington Times had already reported that officials in Texas were having difficulty getting the federal government to release ANY information on evacuees who might be sex offenders. KTRK-13's Jessica Willey finally reported on the matter several days later, and other local media picked up on it after Chief Hurtt called a press conference (of course).
Thus, the federal officials quoted in the USA Today and AP stories are simply being disingenuous in suggesting that they have somehow led the charge in trying to get states interested in Katrina refugees who might be sex offenders. In Texas, we know that our state officials were very interested in obtaining that information, and had great difficulty getting cooperation from the federal government. It wouldn't have hurt KHOU and KTRK to point that out, instead of simply repeating the misleading spin from Washington.
ANNE ADDS: Parents are advised to (still) keep a close eye on their kids. The story says that Texas knows of 304 sex offenders; how many more are lurking in the shadows...or near schools?
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/30/05 10:08 PM | Houston Media | Technorati | Comments (1)
Dan Patrick files for SD 7, chooses son as replacement host
Kristen Mack gives us the news that Dan Patrick (KSEV-700) has officially filed for SD 7, which means he's off the air for a while now. How long is up to the voters.
With much ballyhoo yesterday, Dan announced that his son Ryan will be taking over the afternoon mike for much of his absence, with Chris Begala filling in whenever Ryan isn't able. Dan reasons that since Ryan sounds just like him, KSEV listeners will be most pleased. He also asked listeners to baby-sit Ryan and let Dan know if Ryan gets out of line. Which means Dan won't be listening to his son? Weird.
Personally I was disappointed in Dan's choices. As substitute hosts go, I'd prefer David Benzion, Orlando Sanchez, a cameo here and there by Walt Cunningham, and Blogger Radio once a week. I'm sure Chris Begala is a nice guy, but as a radio host, he tends to put me to sleep.
The good news is that Chris Baker can rest easy. As if he weren't already (link via Banjo).
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/30/05 08:42 AM | Houston Media | Technorati | Comments (9)
29 December 2005
Will we finally be world-class on New Year's?
Houston officials are preparing for the city's latest, greatest push at being "world class"
Finishing touches are going on what city officials promise will be a "star-studded" New Year's Eve.It is a 9-foot by 9-foot star that will rise and shine in downtown's Main Event district.
"And it will continue to rise until it reaches its ultimate position at midnight on December 31 and January 1, 2006," said John Sotos of the Entertainment District.
[snip]
City officials hope to someday rival the New York City ball drop, but for this year at least, the symbol stays small, and if all goes well, rises to the occasion without a hitch.
"A ball drop, it's been done. A peach pit, it's been done. We want something special. No one has a rising star except us," Sotos said.
Sometimes I don't even know what to say.
Perhaps readers can help me out.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/29/05 11:19 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (15)
Be careful with those lawnmowers (even in December)
The fine folks at KUHF-88.7 seem to be having a bit of a problem with their website.
Here's a story posted today:
Lawn Mower Safety
Thursday, December 29, 2005
By: Alison YoungFull-blown summer is upon Texas and with it comes a noticeable increase in powered lawn mower use. Officials in the state legislature have been seeking ways to increase awareness of the dangers these household machines pose to children.
Pssst.... It's December.
UPDATE: KUHF has updated the story to reflect that it's no longer summer, and the news director sent a very nice note earlier. Obviously, we were just having a little fun with their web operation. KUHF runs a very good, well-respected news shop.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/29/05 11:12 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (2)
Tuesday is Inauguration Day
It's almost time for Mayor White to be sworn in for his second term:
Houston Mayor Bill White will be sworn into office for a second term on Tuesday, KPRC Local 2 reported.
The inauguration ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at the Houston Police Department memorial, located on Memorial Drive at Sawyer, near downtown Houston.
The event will feature Grammy award winner Yolanda Adams, White's inaugural address, as well as other speakers.
The ceremony is open to the public.
Free shuttle service will be provided by Metro. All the city needs to add is refreshing beverages and crudite, and the ceremony would be world class!
RELATED: 2006 Inaugural Ceremony (CoH press release)
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/29/05 01:37 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (4)
Testing Houston's good will?
Today's Chron has a story on the city of Houston's struggle to pay rent for thousands of Katrina evacuees:
Overwhelming participation in Houston's housing voucher program for hurricane evacuees has left the city late paying millions of dollars in rent to property owners.
As of last Friday, the city still had not paid nearly 2,000 invoices, amounting to $7.2 million.
But city officials, who issued a letter to property owners last week apologizing for the backlog, say they are working overtime to get the bills paid and plan to be caught up by Monday.
"The way I would describe it is brute force," said John Walsh, deputy chief of staff for neighborhoods and housing for Mayor Bill White. "We just threw more people at the process."
Walsh said the city expanded its invoice payment staff and extended the hours of its service center to catch up. He said the city is now processing 400 to 500 invoices a day.
[snip]
The city has paid $14.8 million for invoices received through Nov. 22, and is now processing invoices received Nov. 23 through Dec. 12.
[snip]
Walsh said the major challenge has been the unexpected number of people who signed up for the program.
"When we started this in September we estimated we would do 10,000 units," he said. "By the first of October we said it would be 15,000 units. By early November it was more like 30,000 units. We've been having to adjust to a much bigger volume than we ever dreamed we would have to do."
We have praised Mayor White before for how he handled the Katrina evacuee exodus, but has it become too much for Houston to handle?
How much will the city of Houston have to spend in employee salaries to handle Katrina evacuee rent applications and payments? We know that some of our new residents are taking a toll on our (already depleted) police force. And I recall hearing (maybe on a KTRH newsbreak or from Chris Baker) that the vast majority of new applications (in the waning days of the "free" rent and utilities program) were from Katrina evacuees who had been in Houston for three days or less. They hustled down here from wherever they were to get in on the action!
We also know that there is no guarantee that FEMA will come through to pay for all this. That has been made very clear in recent news stories.
So, did Houston get in over its head? And will Houstonians be happy to foot the (increasing) cost of taking care of Katrina evacuees for one or more years, while having to pay for their own housing and living costs?
RELATED: HOUSTON IS FULL (City of Houston press release)
BLOGVERSATION: Time to pay the piper for the City of Houston (John Wagner)
KEVIN WHITED ADDS: Maybe natural attrition will take care of the problem:
A man was shot to death in a hotel in the 1300 block of La Concha on Wednesday night.
The incident occurred in the StudioPLUS hotel, which is in the shadows of Reliant Park.
Police said a fight broke out between two groups inside the hotel.
The hotel is full of people from Louisiana, and according to police, the victim was a Katrina evacuee.
Police said it started as a fight between two groups inside the hotel.
The shooting started around 10 p.m., and police said both groups were shooting at each other. The fight made its way downstairs.
Very nice.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/29/05 09:24 AM | Hurricane Stuff | Technorati | Comments (10)
DeLay gains another (token) primary challenger
The Chronicle's Eric Hanson reports that Rep. Tom DeLay (R) has gained an opponent for the GOP primary:
A 50-year-old attorney from Sugar Land has filed to run against U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay for the 22nd District in the Republican primary in March.
Thomas A. Campbell, who specializes in environmental law, is the third Republican challenger to take on DeLay, who has held the post since 1985.
Campbell paid the filing fee of $3,125 to the Texas Republican Party in Austin on Wednesday and entered his name in the race.
"We need to return some decency and civility to the way we conduct the public's business," Campbell said.
Campbell said he found it has become increasingly difficult for him to vote for DeLay....
Sugar Land political consultant and blogger Chris Elam suggests that Mr. Campbell seems to have found it difficult to bother voting much at all:
My records show that he's voted in two GOP primaries over the last 12 years ('96 / '02).
A glowing profile by Todd Spivak in the Houston Press describes Campbell as a "Washington insider and Republican party loyalist."
Spivak does touch on a matter previously reported by the Chronicle's Kristen Mack about perennial DeLay challenger and loser Mike Fjetland:
After the 2000 primary, Fjetland sent DeLay a letter in which he promised to support him in exchange for a plum political appointment. DeLay never responded. "When we're young and naive, you know, sometimes we do stupid things," Fjetland explains when asked about the incident. He was 50 years old at the time.
And it's not a column on local politics without a few quotes from happening Houston bicyclist and political scientist Bob Stein:
Some Democrats want DeLay re-elected to continue his slow burn in the courts, the media and opinion polls, according to Rice University political science professor Robert Stein. "They see him as a poster child for Republican corruption," Stein says.
[snip]
"Tom DeLay's more likely to resign or be convicted than lose in a straight election," predicts Stein, the Rice professor.
That sounds about right.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/29/05 07:58 AM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (2)
28 December 2005
Did Rep. Vo have too much Moonbat Juice with the egg nog?
Laurence Simon calls attention to recent remarks and writings by state rep. Hubert Vo (D), as reported by the Houston Chronicle:
A Houston lawmaker is urging University of Texas officials to reconsider last week's decision to ban an Asian American-interest fraternity whose members were involved in hazing the night freshman member Phanta "Jack" Phoummarath drank himself to death.
Rep. Hubert Vo wrote UT President Larry Faulkner last week that the university should consider alternative punishments such as probation, community service or alcohol abuse training for the members of Lambda Phi Epsilon, rather than canceling the registration of the entire group.Group punishment, Vo said, is unfair and could send the wrong message to the Asian community by destroying an important social and support network for Asian students, many of whom are children of immigrants and first-generation college students.
Vo said Tuesday his concern has nothing to do with race and that he doesn't expect Asians to get special treatment at UT.
It's not about race, it's just about Asians. Sure, Rep. Vo. Way to be consistent.
Most universities have adopted strict policies against hazing by affiliated student organizations, especially hazing involving alcohol. A student organization that breaks those policies AND winds up with a dead student certainly isn't an organization that deserves to keep any affiliation with the university. And it's CERTAINLY not an organization that parents should entrust with providing "an important social and support network" for Asian or any other students.
I would suspect Vo was misquoted, except for the fact that the reporter apparently paraphrased from a letter he wrote. Thus, I have to agree with Laurence Simon that it simply appears our fine local state representative has been drinking the Moonbat Juice.
As an aside, it seems as if this story obsesses an awful lot over race in a newspaper whose reader representative says race really doesn't matter all that much. Whatever.
RELATED: Hubert Vo, frat man (Isolated Desolation).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/28/05 10:12 PM | Houston People | Technorati | Comments (1)
That's why they're called Mrs. White
Now that television stations are reporting a spike in violent crime and MayorWhiteChiefHurtt can no longer ignore HPD's manpower shortage, it's not surprising that the Mayor's press office has turned to the previously disinterested Chronicle Editorial LiveJournalists to trumpet the administration's short-term "fixes" for the problem:
The mayor has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide $6.5 million for a police task force to focus on troubled areas. This would be a good use of federal funds.The White administration is expected to push an ordinance next year that will require apartment complexes registering a high number of calls for police assistance to hire in-house security officers to protect residents. Such a law would allow for round-the-clock deterrence and law enforcement in high crime areas and make maximum use of regular police patrols.
It's only fair that apartment complex owners reaping increased revenues from storm-induced high occupancy rates should shoulder their share of the increased security costs. Their residents — and the city — will be safer from the threat of criminal activity. Vigorous anticrime measures are essential to making the rise in homicides a statistical anomaly rather than a long-term trend.
It would be lovely if Mayor White could con the federal government into supplying funds to rectify the HPD manpower shortage he inherited and largely ignored until recently, but a "task force" isn't much of a solution to the problem.
And Mayor White's notion of effectively privatizing policing for people who have the misfortune to live in high-crime areas is as offensive as his (and Dan Patrick's) original SAFEclear notion that people without $75 should stay off of local freeways.
The Editorial LiveJournalists (like MayorWhiteChiefHurtt) really haven't been that interested in HPD's manpower shortage over the last few years. If this is all they have to offer, maybe they shouldn't have bothered. But then, they do have Sedosi's nickname of Mrs. White to live up to.
RELATED: Mayor White's plan for crime -- let other people pay for it! (Lone Star Times).
PREVIOUSLY: Murders skyrocket; HPD chief says good luck protecting yourselves, Continuing the discussion of HPD's woes.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/28/05 09:45 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (0)
FEMA will help catch them, Matt
One of blogHOUSTON's buddies experienced Houston's crime problem, up close and personal:
I got robbed last night. I had some car trouble and was waiting for AAA to arrive when I was approached by three youths. The subsequent exchange went like this:
Punk: Let me see that phone.
Me: NoThen the punk slugged me over the head with something hard, and I dropped like a sack of hammers. When I came to, I was missing my cell phone, PDA and wallet. The wallet was found this morning near a Dumpster at a nearby apartment complex.
[snip]
It’s a shame that good cops are hamstrung by an administration that cares more about jaywalking-ticket revenue than they do about the knot on my head.
Ugh. We hope your head is feeling better soon and are very happy that you are (relatively) okay. (There's a joke in there about Matt's hard head, but I'm not going to make it.)
I suppose it's not very reassuring to think that if the bad guys jaywalk or run a red light, they'll get a ticket.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/28/05 03:00 PM | Houston People | Technorati | Comments (3)
A world-class transit agency needs a world-class website
Following up on Monday's post about Metro's incorrect Holiday Schedule press release, I received an email from Raequel Roberts, Director of Media Relations for Metro and former Assistant City Editor at the Chron, who said that the press release sent out to local news outlets DID include the schedule for December 26:
As Director of Media Relations, I'd like to point out, in fact, that our news release did include our Monday, Dec. 26 schedule. And it appeared in both the Houston Chronicle and Rumbo. Several television stations also noted our holiday schedule.
I appreciate the email from Ms. Roberts, but I pointed out that the information on Metro's own site does not include December 26. She agreed that it was an oversight and added that it would be corrected. I don't know why it should be corrected at this point, since we are past the 26th, but whatever.
All of this illustrates a critical error in thinking: many people don't look to Old Media any longer for information. We don't read newspapers or little flyers and often can't work our schedules around to catch the evening news. We go online to get information and we expect online information to be correct and up-to-date.
And speaking of online information, why is it that when one goes to Metro's site, one cannot easily find the information about the January 23rd public meeting on bus route changes? I have to go to an old bH post to find a link to get to the press release that has the info. If there is an easier way to find the link, please let me know, but should it really be that hard to find public meeting information, for un-techy people like me? Shouldn't it be listed under Metro Meetings?
Perhaps Metro should consider hiring Laurence Simon to run their website. He's about as techy as they come, he's very innovative in his thinking, AND he actually depends on Metro to get around. How many Metro higher-ups can say that?
RELATED: The inadequacy of public notices in newspaper classified sections (bH)
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/28/05 09:22 AM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (9)
27 December 2005
Editorial LiveJournalists inadvertently raise interesting question
In a Christmas Eve followup editorial to an unconvincing and overreaching editorial on the Bush Administration and "warrantless searches," the Chronicle Editorial LiveJournalists revealed the real cause of their distress:
The absence of a plausible justification for government spying without a warrant has raised suspicions that the targets of such eavesdropping might include journalists researching stories about terrorist groups and attorneys representing clients suspected of terrorist activities.
Question for readers: Are you distressed that, in principle, the federal government could possibly be listening to journalists gathering information from terrorists who might harm the country?
Would it change your mind if you learned that information gained from such spying could not be used in criminal prosecutions without raising real Fourth Amendment issues, but that it could be used to head off deadly attacks on the United States?
I'm curious as to what people think.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/27/05 10:55 PM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (9)
Want a piece of Astroworld?
KTRK-13 reported yesterday that Astroworld will be holding an auction (from January 6 to January 8) to sell parts of the park.
More information is available at Astroworldauction.com.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/27/05 10:36 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (2)
Mayor White wants FEMA to help fund HPD
So...MayorWhiteChiefHurtt have come up with a plan to deal with HPD's manpower shortage:
They point out that the hurricane evacuees who came to Houston have increased the city's population making a bigger job for the city's police force.
And because the city's overall population has increased since hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the mayor is optimistic that FEMA will pick up the tab.
Except that Houston's police shortage and related crime problems did not begin when Hurricane Katrina evacuees began rolling into town:
HPD manpower issues begin to affect public parks (9/29/2004)
Hurtt on manpower issues: patrol city desks more vigorously! (10/25/2004)
Maybe White/Hurtt Could Put A Camera On Her house? (12/25/2004)
HPD wants to use unpaid, reserve officers to fill the gaps (3/21/2005)
Another manifestation of HPD's manpower shortage (4/12/2005)
Northside neighborhood losing touch with HPD (KHOU-11, 4/26/2005)
Neighborhood residents complain about MS-13, HPD reaction (4/29/2005)
HPD reallocates resources to deal with MS 13 (5/12/2005)
Tenants on alert after rash of aggravated robberies at complex (KHOU-11, 5/15/2005)
Police Shortage Affects HPD Response Times (KPRC-2, 5/20/2005)
Student asks city to fight murders, shootings, other crime (5/22/2005)
Multi-agency task force targets MS-13 (5/25/2005)
Armed robbers hit Galleria-area pharmacy (6/10/2005)
Up Close: Life is tough in the 'Gulfton Ghetto' (KHOU-11, 6/17/2005)
DeLay criticizes, White/Hurtt support, HPD sanctuary policy (8/07/2005)
HPD warns it may cut services to fund crime lab investigation (8/15/2005)
RELATED: Sanctuary policy could jeopardize federal funding (bH)
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/27/05 11:58 AM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (2)
Hunting for that Pulitzer...at her desk (updated)
You'll recall that Banjo Jones recently pointed to a Chronicle help wanted ad:
The Houston Chronicle, one of the nation's largest newspapers, is looking for reporters who aren’t afraid to get out of the office, poke around in the world and uncover stories that make a difference in the lives of our readers.
Now, we know that Dina Cappiello reads Banjo, as evidenced by her recent Wrap Up olds, and we had hoped that Dina would follow Banjo's lead for enterprising environmental reporting, because NO ONE makes emissions reporting as entertaining as Banjo.
Alas, it appears Dina is afraid to get out of the office:
The majority of Houston-area lawmakers in the Texas House voted against legislation intended to protect the public from toxic air pollution, a Houston Chronicle analysis of 2005 voting records has found.
Penetrating stuff.
PREVIOUSLY: Nothing like a six-week lag in environmental reporting (bH)
UPDATE: See what I mean? NO ONE makes emission oopses as entertaining as Banjo!
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/27/05 10:22 AM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (4)
26 December 2005
Is there a grade below F-?
Speaking of pitiful Metro, it appears as though Metro decided to run on a Sunday schedule today.
The problem is that Metro's Holiday Schedule press release doesn't include that information.
How many Metro customers were left hanging? Will Metro Bigs issue an apology, or will they blame the problem on Metro's customers? I'm fairly certain no Metro Bigs had to rely on Metro transportation today, if they even went to work.
(Or did the 9 route decide on a whim not to run today? Metro may not realize that in the REAL world -- meaning non-governmental-job world -- some folks have to go to work on the day after Christmas. Really!)
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/26/05 09:01 AM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (6)
Sanchez to make political comeback... as treasurer?
In her Friday politics column, Kristen Mack reported on news that's been circulating among Republicans for a few weeks now:
Former City Councilman and twice-defeated mayoral candidate Orlando Sanchez wants to wage a comeback — as Harris County treasurer.If he goes through with it, he will have to take on incumbent Jack Cato in the Republican primary in March. Cato first was elected in 1998 after 25 years as a television reporter and four as a spokesman for the Houston Police Department.
The job is strictly administrative and carries no real power. The county treasurer is the chief custodian of county money and accounts for and disburses funds as directed by Commissioners Court.
Local lawmakers have tried to kill the position in the Legislature, following in the footsteps of other Texas counties and of the state itself. Texas abolished the state treasurer's position by constitutional amendment in 1995 after voters elected a treasurer who campaigned to eliminate the job.
The low-profile county job wouldn't exactly be a move up the political ladder for Sanchez. It's not a steppingstone. But the pay isn't bad at $96,000 a year.
A position that has no real authority, pays nearly $100k per year, and can serve as a springboard to "bigger and better" things?
That seems about Sanchez's speed.
It would probably be much better for taxpayers if the position were abolished altogether, though.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/26/05 08:59 AM | Houston People | Technorati | Comments (0)
A tale of two (pitiful) Metros
Rad Sallee looks at and compares accident problems with the Danger Train and Los Angeles' new (don't say Bus) Rapid Transit:
•The 7.5-mile Main Street route here is designated the Red Line. The 14-mile busway in the former citrus country of San Fernando Valley is, appropriately, the Orange Line.
•By uncanny coincidence, the initial price tag for each was $324 million, according to the metropolitan transit authority in each metropolis.
•Critics of each project warned about the collision hazard.
MetroRail had collisions with five vehicles in test runs before opening to the public on New Year's Day 2004. The total is now 121, including 54 in 2005, according to a Chronicle count based on Metro reports. A collision between a train and a pickup Friday sent eight people to hospitals with minor injuries.The Orange Line in Los Angeles opened Oct. 29 with 30,000 riders, but four days later it had experienced two collisions, injuring 17 people. As of Friday, the accident count stood at eight, with the others described as minor. L.A. Metro spokesman Marc Littman said the rate per miles traveled is about the same as for the overall bus system.
•Both Metros blame bad driving rather than flawed design.
Motorists were held responsible for all but four collisions on Houston's Red Line — and in all the Orange Line accidents to date, said Los Angeles Metro spokesman Dave Sotero. Nonetheless, both have taken measures to improve safety.After racking up 36 collisions in its first five months, Houston's MetroRail adopted such measures as having Midtown stoplights show red in all directions when the train approaches. These cut the per-mile accident rate by 75 percent even as service doubled in June 2004.
Orange Line operators have been ordered to slow to 10 mph at intersections, and white-gloved traffic officers have been deployed to problem intersections. Sotero said there also are plans for more signs that flash "BUS COMING."
Although each line has its own right of way, separated from other vehicles, both are vulnerable to crashes at intersecting streets. The Orange Line has 36 such crossings, none with gates. Metro's Red Line has 62 crossings, 10 with gates.
The Red Line has light rail tracks instead of a busway, but Metro intends for four future extensions — the North, Southeast, Harrisburg and Uptown lines — to run specially designed buses on a rail-like right of way until ridership grows enough to justify trains.
Gosh, it's comforting to know that our Metro isn't the only one doing such a bang-up job.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/26/05 07:07 AM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (1)
25 December 2005
The sorry state of Chronicle headlines
We've pointed out numerous times the Chronicle's lousy headline writing, and today we have a fine example:
Wow! HISD has absorbed 20,000 evacuee students? I didn't know that!
Of course, HISD hasn't taken in that many students (HISD has taken in about 6,000) but the headline makes it sound as though HISD has reached its limit of helping displaced Louisiana students. And in fact, the story focuses very little on HISD, contrary to the blaring headline.
Here's a suggestion for the Chron's headline writer: if Houston-area school districts really are suffering from "compassion fatigue" (and if you read the story you will find that the story is more about the dynamics of Houston students interacting with evacuee students), then write it up correctly:
Houston-area schools suffering 'compassion fatigue'
(a little editorial oversight wouldn't hurt either.)
UPDATE AS I AM WRITING THE POST: Poof! The online story's headline has changed:
Area schools suffering 'compassion fatigue'
But the BIG headline in today's paper still says, "HISD schools suffering 'compassion fatigue'."
UPDATE 2: Google News has the headline as "HISD schools suffering 'compassion fatigue'." It's really hard to undo these things, isn't it?
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/25/05 11:06 AM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (1)
Chron LiveJournalists' wish for Christmas: even profit distribution
From today's Christmas editorial:
Christmas, which this year falls on the same day as Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is a Christian holy day that has become a large part of the nation's diverse culture and economy. While the economy is healthy and growing, the distribution of profits — like the apportionment of sorrow and joy — is hugely uneven. Even as it lures Americans to splurge on gifts and celebration, the holiday season calls on us to remember those in need and give generously of time and money.
At least this year the LiveJournalists didn't wish for Christianity to be taken out of Christmas.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/25/05 09:28 AM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (1)
24 December 2005
Metro gets an F-
Laurence Simon had quite a Friday night, thanks to Metro. It included walking 4.5 miles!
Do you suppose George DeMontrond, Frank Wilson, David Wolff or Mayor White have ever used Metro's services?
Privatize Metro!
KEVIN WHITED ADDS: But how can this be? Just a few days ago, the Chronicle Editorial LiveJournalists wrote:
It was important for Metro to register increased ridership at this moment. If the transit agency can't furnish an attractive alternative to single-passenger commuting in an era of spiking fuel costs and an influx of hurricane evacuees needing transportation, the agency cannot be relied upon to play a decisive role in increasing Houstonians' mobility while reducing congestion and pollution.
Perhaps as important as the ridership gain, Metro has been able to keep its budget static, matching higher fuel costs with increased efficiency. High fuel prices are a mixed curse for Metro. While its operating costs go up, so does the number of riders, who help to defray the cost.
In order to build on its momentum, Metro is moving ahead on five rail line expansions, some of which initially will accommodate rubber-tired vehicles. It is looking to churches and other private venues to help it swiftly expand Park and Ride service. It is becoming partners with retail outlets and other private businesses to enhance the transit experience, encourage a healthier, pedestrian lifestyle and thus further increase ridership. As service improves and energy costs remain high, Houstonians owe it to themselves to give public transit a try.
It is difficult to imagine people more out of touch with Houston and Houstonians than the Editorial LiveJournalists who wrote that.
Indeed, we can recall the petulant outburst from James Howard Gibbons when the editorial page's Chief LiveJournalist was inconvenienced by the sort of ineptitude that normal Houstonians who aren't in charge of an editorial page simply have to deal with.
Can you imagine the hissyfit Mr. Gibbons would have thrown if he had to walk 4.5 miles due to METRO's increased efficiency?!
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/24/05 09:08 AM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (6)
23 December 2005
Pickup truck derails Danger Train
The Danger Train had a bit of a problem Friday:
Several people are recovering after a light rail accident Friday. A pickup truck slammed into the train on Main at Elgin downtown and sent part of the train right off its tracks.
The accident is one of the worst in light rail's nearly two year history. Like most of the crashes that have plagued METRO's trains, the one shortly after noon on Friday is blamed on a driver.
A scene of mass casualties is what Houston paramedics encountered near where the collision took place.
"It kind of shook everybody to the left and got off the track," said passenger Gala Abdul-Aleem.
"We were scared because the train jumped," added passenger Rodolpho Castro.
The impact jarred the several dozen passengers on board.
"We thought the train was going down because it jumped a lot," said Castro.
The train stayed upright, but derailed slightly. As METRO engineers solved that problem, paramedics rushed seven passengers and the pickup truck driver to area hospitals.
Of course, it's the truck driver's fault...and he'll probably be ticketed...and his insurance will be billed...because a train was running down the middle of Main Street.
On a semi-related note, here's a knowledgable Houstonian's experience trying to navigate downtown without getting smooshed by our world-class train.
UPDATE: Rad Sallee's story this morning says that (so far) no ticket has been issued to the truck driver due to differing stories of who had a green light. There have been instances in the past where train operators have blown through intersections when they didn't have the vertical bar (green light).
BUT this KHOU-11 story says the onboard train video shows that the train did have a vertical bar.
And Tom Bazan emails that this is accident number 126. Does any other city even come close to our accident rate?
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/23/05 11:37 PM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (8)
More information on Houston's new soccer team
Here's the City of Houston's press release announcing the new soccer team. It contains some information that's new to me...but maybe not to you.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/23/05 12:12 PM | Houston Life | Technorati | Comments (2)
22 December 2005
Limited holiday posting
I wanted to let readers know that posting from me is likely to be limited until next week.
Here's wishing readers, commenters, local journalists, local politicians, local bloggers, and anyone we've left out a very merry Christmas / Holiday / Hannukah / Kwanzaa / Secular Gift Exchange Day -- or whatever you choose to celebrate.
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to drop by here.
ANNE ADDS: I'll probably be a bit sporadic in my posting as well for the next few days. I'd like to echo Kevin's sentiments and wish everyone a Merry Christmas, etc., and a big Thank You for helping make bH so much fun.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/22/05 11:11 AM | Announcements | Technorati | Comments (5)
Murder rate in Houston skyrockets
KPRC-2 reports that the murder rate in Houston has recently skyrocketed:
The last couple of months have not helped Houston's increased number of homicides, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.
At a news conference on Wednesday, Houston Police Department Chief Harold Hurtt said he is disturbed by the rising trend in the city's homicide rate and is working with city officials to create a plan that will decrease the number of violent crimes.
Police have investigated 324 murders so far this year -- a 24 percent increase over the 263 homicides reported during the same time span in 2004. The percentage increase in the number of homicides that occurred during November and December are more alarming.
"In November and December of this year we had 51. Last year we had 30, and that's an increase of 70 percent over those last two months," Hurtt said.
KTRH-740 reports that two more murders today have only made the statistics worse.
With increased gang activity, not to mention the influx of Katrina refugees, it's a terrible time for HPD (and citizens) to be faced with a police manpower shortage because of politicians who have been slow to recognize and deal with the problem.
RELATED COVERAGE: Houston Chronicle.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/22/05 10:56 AM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (4)
Discussing the soccer stadium
Councilman Michael Berry is on KTRH-740 right now talking about who'll pay for the new soccer stadium. Tune in and give him a call, if you are so inclined.
RELATED: Pro soccer team seeks public partner (Chronicle)
BLOGVERSATION: Sheer balls (Slampo's Place).
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/22/05 10:10 AM | Houston Media | Technorati | Comments (3)
Wanted: More informed debate than "illegal, illegal!"
Yesterday, the Chronicle ran a staff editorial criticizing the use of "warrantless searches" for national security purposes.
Unsurprisingly, the editorialists overreached:
The Constitution grants the president certain powers but withholds others. The power to conduct warrantless searches is explicitly denied to the government.
That's not quite true. Over at NRO, Andrew McCarthy points out that the federal government has well-established powers to:
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/22/05 09:50 AM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (4)
That's some desk!
A blogHOUSTON reader with a keen eye spotted this in City Council's December 13th agenda:
10. Ordinance 2005-1357
ORDINANCE appropriating $36,893.27 out of General Improvement Consolidated Construction Fund for Construction of a Reception Desk at City Hall for Building Services Department,
CIP D-0113a. Motion 2005-1206
FOUR SEASONS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, INC for Construction of a Reception Desk at City Hall for Building Services Department - $35,136.45 and contingencies for a total amount not to exceed $36,893.27
It's hard to top the eagle-eyed reader's comment: "I guess you need a world class desk in order to accept world class bribes."
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/22/05 08:32 AM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (2)
21 December 2005
Person of the Year (updated)
Chris Baker is taking nominations for Man of the Year. He thinks it should be Mayor White.
What do you think?
I say Judge Eckels.
UPDATE: Okay, now Chris is getting in the spirit of it. Between now and Friday the Chris Baker show is taking nominations for local Man of the Year and local Punk of the Year, and he will present plaques to the winners.
Let's help him out. The forum is open and waiting for your nominations.
UPDATE AGAIN: Of course, he changes Man of the Year to Person of the Year, so I have changed the title of the post.
Diversity is beauty!
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/21/05 04:32 PM | Houston People | Technorati | Comments (13)
HISD increases police presence at schools with Katrina students
HISD is beefing up its law enforcement in response to some high-profile incidents involving Katrina evacuee-students:
HISD students will come back to class after the holidays to safer schools.
The school district announced Wednesday it has hired more police officers to help keep order in 18 schools with larger numbers of evacuees from Hurricane Katrina. HISD will increase the police presence in schools by about 10 percent to start 2006 as the district continues to educate more than 6,000 New Orleans area residents who fled Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina.
Most Katrina evacuees have worked and learned alongside the Houston students without incident. The total number of disciplinary incidents in HISD schools is actually down 12 percent this school year compared to last year. But there have been about a dozen significant altercations between evacuees and regular Houston students, and Superintendent Abelardo Saavedra said he wants more police manpower in the schools to keep a watchful eye on the situation.
“Our visitors from Louisiana are getting a good education in Houston, and we’ve heard a lot from parents about how much their children are learning here,” Dr. Saavedra said. “We’re very proud of how our schools have opened up their doors to these children who are in need. At the same time, there have been some disruptions and we will continue to deal swiftly and decisively with those. We will not tolerate disruptions and we won’t allow the education of other children to be interrupted.”
In addition to off-duty Houston Police Department officers who have been hired for 18 secondary schools to work alongside HISD police officers, HISD has coordinated with other local law enforcement agencies to increase patrols around some schools before and after school and during lunch time. The district also will step up random drug and weapons searches by canine units.
The police presence is being increased at Kashmere, Sterling, Jones, Lee, Madison, Westbury, Yates, Sharpstown, Scarborough, and Westside high schools, and at Black, Dowling, Revere, Fondren, Long, Sharpstown, Westbriar and Welch middle schools.
The HISD Police Department also will form a five-member task force that can respond to emergency situations anywhere in the 305-school district.
Maybe after school is out, HISD police officers can help Houston police officers at crime-prone apartment buildings.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/21/05 03:43 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (6)
The stadium-financing fairy will pay for new MLS venue (updated)
John Lopez tries to reassure us that Houston's new soccer team won't be a burden to taxpayers:
And among the first promises [newly named club president Oliver] Luck announced was a most important one that every sports fan should note: A soccer-specific stadium here would not be financed like every other sports mansion on the local landscape.
Financing will not be another tax burden on citizens. Now you're talking our language, Oliver.
It should matter to you that Luck is in charge. Even if you couldn't care less about the beautiful game and all those men with funny hair and short shorts, if the No Names' stadium is put in the right place and run the right way, you benefit.
Luck's vast experience with projects bigger than the likely 25,000- to 30,000-seat soccer-specific stadium gives this organization a head start succeeding.
With associations with all the usual suspects when it comes to ownership — Chuck Watson, Jim McIngvale, Tilman Fertitta, etc. — Luck is ahead of the game. He also has been contacted by potential owners from Mexico.
And with his experience helping develop Toyota Center and Minute Maid Park, he certainly could hammer out a public-private partnership with, say, HISD.
Being eternally skeptical, I'll await the details our local media will surely dig up.
UPDATE: Do NOT miss Slampo:
In a textbook case of government “empire building,” Oliver Luck and the Sports Authority have been angling for several years to bring an MLS franchise to Houston---a job that by no stretch of the imagination was part of the authority’s initial charge. The Sports Authority should have been shuttered long ago and its bill-paying functions housed in a back office of some non-descript office building with a hand-lettered sign on the door. Didn’t County Judge Robert Eckels raise that possibility a while back? What happened with that?
Last year, in his role as the Sports Authority’s chief officer, Luck gave a speech in which he told an East End group that a revamped Robertson Stadium would be a suitable venue for an MLS franchise. There was no mention of a new stadium, according to the Chronicle story still posted on the authority’s Web site. Now that Luck has taken the revolving door to the former San Jose Earthquakes, Robertson Stadium apparently will be good only as temporary home for the MLS. A new stadium must be built. No doubt the owners of the Earthquakes figure Luck is the man to deliver one, and he's already shown them he knows how to handle the media (was he, by any chance, working out this financing plan of which Lopez writes while drawing some of his $200,00 annual paycheck from the Sports Authority?).
Our olfactories aren’t that sensitive anymore, but this has a very bad smell about it.*
Read it all.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/21/05 11:13 AM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (6)
Nativity scene opponent in high dudgeon, needs Christmas spirit
A Professional Sensitive has himself all worked up in Fort Bend County:
That nativity scene in dispute is in New Territory in Fort Bend County. It's not sitting well with everyone living there.
Opponents say the nativity scene alienates other religions. They also say the scene is on government property and should not be there. The homeowners' association says it's not on government property and they're not going to take it down.
Holiday displays are decorated on the fronts of dozens of neighborhoods in New Territory, but a nativity scene has some non-Christian people offended.
"We represent Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Jews," said Seth Riklin, an opponent to the nativity scene. "Anyone who is not of the Christian faith is relegated to second class citizenship"
Opponents of the nativity scene say they want it taken down because they believe it alienates other religions.
"Relegated to the back of the bus because they're not of the Christian faith," said Riklin.
Mr. Riklin needs to find a (better) hobby...or maybe get a dog.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/21/05 07:55 AM | Houston Life | Technorati | Comments (8)
20 December 2005
Councilmember talk radio: Unions, transit, and Houston
Councilmember Michael Berry emails that he will be subbing for Sam Malone on KTRH-740 again on Wednesday (10 am to Noon).
The topic will be the MTA strike in New York. Berry says he wants to explore two main points:
- This is evidence of the bad side of unions. This shows why we should be concerned with recent SEIU unionization of janitors in our city, and their recently publicized (potentially illegal) campaign to influence city council races. They succeeded, with over $100,000 toward a council race. The Economist magazine in their Dec 10-16 issue make the point that this is the biggest union gain in the South in perhaps 3 decades.
- This is a good indicator of why reliance on public transportation should be reconsidered. If the bus drivers in Houston strike, they can’t cripple our economy. We’re a self-reliant lot, and fiercely individualistic. The collectivist world of public transportation for an entire city took a blow when the strike took effect.
Berry encourages folks to email him (iam -at- michaelberry.com) with their thoughts, or to call in tomorrow.
BLOGVERSATION: Houblog.com.
UPDATE (12-21-2005): Councilmember Berry has led off the show with a discussion of science and faith. Maybe the other topic comes later? Beats me.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/20/05 10:24 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (0)
Atlanta contractor charged with bribing Brown official
Today, the Chronicle's Dan Feldstein continues his reporting on corruption in the Lee Brown Administration with news that Atlanta contractor Floyd Gary Thacker has been charged with bribing Monique McGilbra, Houston's former building services director under former Mayor Brown:
The criminal information alleges that Thacker gave $50,000 to an Atlanta official with the understanding that a portion be passed to a second Atlanta official. Gallagher said he could not name the officials. Thacker attorney Justin Thornton of Washington, D.C., also declined comment.
In Houston, Thacker and McGilbra had a "personal relationship" in 2002, according to his charges and her plea agreement. He got a subcontract with Reliant Energy to improve the energy efficiency of Houston's traffic signals and expected a net profit of more than $250,000.
McGilbra got earrings, a $700 Luis Vuitton gift certificate, expenses for trips to Miami and New Orleans and about $6,000 cash, never disclosing her gifts to the city.
In a wiretapped phone call, Gray and a Honeywell official panicked because of a tip that Reliant might give Thacker some of the business that Honeywell hoped to receive. The tip was provided to them by Mayor Brown's brother, Earl, who was on Gray's payroll.
McGilbra assured Gray it was only because Reliant needed a minority partner. But in fact, she testified at Gray's trial, it was also because she received gifts from Thacker.
The city let Thacker design the energy saving system, but canceled his contract in 2004 before the construction stage and paid him $202,000. New building services director Issa Dadoush said Monday that he had been uncomfortable with how Thacker got the contract.
By 2004, of course, Bill White had taken over as mayor.
No doubt he continues to spend an inordinate amount of time cleaning up other messes left to him by his predecessor, whose legacy continues to grow.
ARCHIVES: Monique McGilbra.
BLOGVERSATION: Houston's Clear Thinkers.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/20/05 09:09 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (0)
Astros say goodbye to Alan Ashby
Did anyone else see this coming?
Alan Ashby, who played 11 years for the Astros and worked in the broadcast booth for eight years, was told today that he will not be retained by the team for the 2006 season.
The Astros announced that they had hired two veteran minor league announcers, Brett Dolan and Dave Raymond, to work together on Astros road games and to split analyst duties with Milo Hamilton during home games.
[snip]
“I was informed the ball club was not of the opinion that I should be their lead broadcaster and that they had determined they wanted to go in an entirely new direction and that, therefore, I was being let go,” Ashby said. “I was completely caught off guard and am devastated by the decision.”
That's a shame -- I really enjoyed listening to him.
BLOGVERSATION: Safety for Dummies.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/20/05 08:52 PM | Houston People | Technorati | Comments (8)
WaPo, Chron call for fairness in DeLay proceedings
Yesterday, the Washington Post suggested that Ronnie Earle might not be playing fair with Rep. Tom DeLay:
In this case, though, the "proceeds of criminal activity" -- the corporate-funded campaign checks -- are the same as the alleged criminal activity itself. Indeed, with the conspiracy charge thrown out, the money-laundering statute is being used as something of a stand-in for the election law -- except that it carries a bigger penalty. And there's always reason to pause when a prosecutor seems to be shaping the law to fit the circumstances.
None of this is to applaud Mr. DeLay's actions in Texas or elsewhere, or to say that he ought to be restored to his role as majority leader. It may be that Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle has more evidence than he has yet revealed about Mr. DeLay's involvement in this ugly episode. More damaging information also may emerge from the continuing federal investigation into the lobbying activities of Jack Abramoff ("one of my closest and dearest friends," Mr. DeLay once called him) and Michael Scanlon, Mr. DeLay's former communications director who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bribe public officials. But the law needs to be applied with care and judgment when it comes to criminalizing political activity -- no matter who is being prosecuted.
Today, the Houston Chronicle went even further:
DeLay's lawyers have done their part to delay the trial. They filed motions to have the charges dismissed on the grounds no law was violated; to have the charges dismissed due to alleged prosecutor misconduct; to have the first trial judge removed; and to have the trial moved from liberal Austin to conservative Fort Bend County. Each motion takes time to consider.
However, there is no reason the appeals court cannot come to a quick decision regarding the dismissed charge. Lawyers for both sides have thoroughly briefed the issue, and neither the law nor the facts have changed.
DeLay has more problems than those presented by his indictment. Even if he is cleared of the charges he faces in Texas, House Republicans might be reluctant to return him to the leadership. That, however, is a decision that should be made by them, not by a district attorney with the tools to postpone the trial indefinitely.
Ronnie Earle can't postpone the trial indefinitely, but the point is valid. Surely no legal end is served by the delaying tactics. If Earle can prove his DeLay charges, then that will be that. If not, then it's going to look as if he criminalized politics in order to take down a sitting House Majority Leader. Foot-dragging doesn't tell us anything.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/20/05 08:44 PM | Houston People | Technorati | Comments (5)
Sanctuary policy could jeopardize federal funding
Newly elected Rep. John Campbell (R-CA) was just on Hugh Hewitt's show (KNTH-1070), and one thing they discussed was an amendment Campbell successfully added to recent House legislation on illegal immigration. Rep. Campbell explained that the amendment would stop all federal law enforcement grant funds from going to cities that don't allow local law enforcement to communicate with the feds about illegal immigrants.
An example Rep. Campbell cited was the city of Houston.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/20/05 06:52 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (2)
Metro acquires downtown property for future needs
The Houston Business Journal has a lengthy article with details of the latest done deal by Metro's Real Estate Development Division:
The complicated set of real estate transactions gives Metro control of 20 acres just north of downtown for future transit needs, including a possible intermodal transit center.
Todd Mason, Metro's vice president for real estate, says the transit authority did not need the property -- yet -- but waiting until later would have cost millions more.
"It's not that we're out speculating on land," Mason says. "We'll pay more now to make sure it doesn't cost us and the taxpayers $15 million to $20 million more later."
[snip]
Metro is mulling a number of options for the newly acquired acreage.
A bus layover facility currently on North San Jacinto may have to be moved as part of a flood control measure. If relocation is required, the 17-acre tract on North Main could serve as a replacement facility.
Parking buses at a layover facility close to downtown would save Metro $2 million in annual operating costs, Mason says.
The sites along North Main north of Interstate 10 also are being considered for development of an intermodal center, where a variety of transit vehicles could converge. (See "All Aboard for intermodal transit center," April 22, 2005.)
Even if an intermodal center is not ultimately built there, North Main will still have to be widened because the thoroughfare is an intersecting point for future Metro transit lines.
Light rail is expected to be extended north from the existing line toward the acquired sites. And some form of fixed guided rapid transit is expected to run south from Northline Mall along Main.
Those two transit systems will meet at the narrow tunnel under the Union Pacific railroad tracks, Mason says, so Metro will probably have to widen Main Street and put a station there.
Rice University is also involved in the deal:
Metro, in turn, will lease a portion of the parcel to Rice University for use as a data center on a short-term basis at a rental rate of $100 per year.
Power outage problems at the main campus data center and the need for a back-up tech hub attracted Rice to the well-suited site, which contains an existing data center that was built five years ago for more than $20 million but never opened for business.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/20/05 11:05 AM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (7)
Looking for her best life now
KTRK-13 reports on a little something that happened when the Osteen family was heading off on vacation:
Taking time off from the high profile hustle and bustle of running a mega-church, Lakewood Church Pastor Joel Osteen and his family boarded Continental flight 1602 Monday morning at Houston's big airport. They were bound for the slopes in Colorado.
Their trip was delayed and so was the entire flight by almost two hours. Fellow passengers blame the popular Osteens, specifically Joel's wife, Victoria.
According to passenger accounts, the Osteens were sitting in first class. Soon after the plane's door was closed, the FBI says Victoria Osteen was removed following what Continental would call only a disturbance. The Osteens' spokesman confirms it involved a flight attendant, but that's all. However, one passenger tells Eyewitness News she was alerted to the front of the plane when she heard a commotion.
"She violently ran towards the cockpit, scaring everyone around her," said passenger Knicky Van Slyke. "Everyone was terrified about what was going on. And a bunch of flight attendants ran up and had to restrain her. She was banging on the door."
"Of the cockpit?" we asked.
"Yes."
Passengers say Victoria was removed first. Joel and the children followed. Meantime, everyone waited.
"They unloaded all the luggage to get their luggage and deplaned her, Joel, and the kids," said passenger Dawn Dixon.
[snip]
The Osteens' spokesman says they took another flight to Colorado Monday.
Being Lakewood Church's pastor's wife has got to be unbelievably stressful. Here's hoping the Osteen family has a restful vacation and that all the inconvenienced passengers made it to their final destinations without any further delays.
ADDED: As you might expect, Laurence Simon has his own take. =)
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/20/05 09:32 AM | Houston People | Technorati | Comments (9)
19 December 2005
HPD, feds round up criminals (but not illegal aliens)
KHOU-11 reports on recent cooperation between HPD and the feds:
Houston’s top cop said the city’s streets are safer because of a new initiative between HPD officers and federal agents.
HPD Chief Harold Hurtt credits the six-month initiative with making streets safer but admits the job is not over.
Last week, Houston police officers arrested several gang members and confiscated dozens of weapons.
It was easy to see it was not an ordinary bust when police and federal agents moved in on the wanted suspects who at the time were carrying boxes filled with guns.
One of the gang members happened to be a suspect in a murder.
“It was very important that we be were very aggressive,” said Chief Harold Hurtt. “So we took a zero-tolerance approach in enforcement,” he said. “That is that if any crime was committed, the suspects or individuals we were looking for – they were immediately arrested.”
Excellent!
But wait a second....
Supporters of HPD's sanctuary policy frequently tell us that immigration is a federal matter, and HPD has no business enforcing federal immigration law. Yet in the non-immigration instance above, HPD is happily cooperating with the feds. Not just cooperating, but engaging with federal agents in a "zero-tolerance approach in enforcement" according to Chief Hurtt!
Some cooperation with the feds is apparently okay.
As for the sanctuary policy, recent reporting seems finally to have motivated MayorWhiteChiefHurtt at least to reconsider the matter, according to KTRK-13's Miya Shay:
For more than a decade, HPD's policy has been to not ask anyone about their immigration status. But now Mayor Bill White is asking the police chief to consider possible changes.
The mayor has been under considerable pressure to change the police policy. He has now asked Chief Harold Hurtt to look into the policy. Hurtt has not been asked to change it, but to evaluate the policy at this time.
RELATED COVERAGE: KPRC-2.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/19/05 11:06 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (1)
Goldberg: Let's sue crime-heavy apartment complexes
Councilmember Mark Goldberg has a quaint solution to crime in Southwest Houston:
Mark Goldberg represents District C, which includes Fondren southwest.
According to Goldberg, police calls from 27 apartment complexes in the area cost the city $1.7 million.
That same year, the complexes only paid $775,000 in taxes, he said.
Goldberg said pressuring apartment owners to have security gates and cameras that work will help lower the costs of police calls.
He said his plan is simple.
“File a lawsuit against the apartment complex and make them come to the bargaining table and change the way they do business,” Goldberg said.
We thought Republicans were usually critics of our overly litigious times?
Here's hoping Goldberg's replacement, Anne Clutterbuck, has some better ideas. We're thinking the odds are pretty good.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/19/05 10:43 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (3)
Brain drain at the Houston Chronicle? (cont'd)
Banjo Jones follows up on his earlier "brain drain" post with the news that the Houston Chronicle is hiring.
Along the way, he turns some really nice phrases and even works in Gabriel García Márquez. That guy's talented. Banjo, that is. I'm not such a big fan of GGM.
Feel free to go discuss at Banjo's place.
UPDATE: The post seems to be unavailable now. Blogger glitch? Maybe.
UPDATE 2: The link is working again. Blogger/blogspot has been a little erratic of late.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/19/05 09:57 PM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati |
Food and drink roundup (12-19-2005 edition)
It has been ages since a Food and Drink round up appeared. They stopped about the time of Hurricane Katrina. It didn’t seem appropriate for me to prattle on about such matters while people lost life and home. It’s time we got back to eating and drinking business. I’ve picked a few reviews from the past few weeks.
Alison Cook sees the ghosts of Antone's Po' boys past as she wanders through Gravitas, located in Antone's former digs on Taft. She finds some hits and misses in the new restaurant, but I loved remembering the old place through her descriptions. She also lets us know that Pronto Cucinino does a pretty good job at the fast casual effort.
A few weeks ago, Robb Walsh reviewed one of the bH crew's fave Tex Mex joints, Cyclone Anaya's. His latest review is about the newest sushi seen-and-be-seen spot Uptown Sushi.
Mary Vuong, inspired by a new dish tried, of all places, on an airplane flight, goes off in search of Houston versions of bibimbap. This probably falls in the olds column, but do we know what happened to Dai Huynh? Is she another one for the Chron Brain Drain list?
Ken Hoffman tries Margaritaville Calypso Coconut Shrimp from the Jimmy Buffet frozen food line. Yes. The Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville frozen food line. Okay. He also tries the new unorthodox Reuben sandwich at Arby’s.
And Gracie Ochoa checks out Katy's EinStein's Pub.
World Class, all of it. Enjoy!!
UPDATE: Laurence's review of Bubba's is a good read too.
Posted by Callie Markantonis @ 12/19/05 10:44 AM | Houston Life | Technorati | Comments (10)
Councilmember Berry to discuss smoking bans
Councilmember Michael Berry notifies us that he'll be subbing for Sam Malone on KTRH-740 today (10 am to noon).
His topic will be smoking bans in general, but he'll most likely touch on Houston's smoking ban as well.
Feel free to call in and give him your perspective.
UPDATE: Councilmember Berry appears to have switched to a topic (civil liberties v. civil defense) more relevant to the Presidential press conference carried by KTRH.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/19/05 09:48 AM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (0)
Can someone please buy Metro a clue?
Rad Sallee's Move It! column has some Metro tidbits in it today, including this:
The public gave the Metro board some licks Thursday at its last regular meeting of the year.
Janis Scott brought a candle and other items to the rostrum in memory of Rosa Parks, whose refusal to give up her seat and move to the back of the bus sparked a 1955 bus boycott in Montgomery, Ala., and helped get the civil rights movement rolling.
Scott spoke in verse, chastising Metro for not reserving an empty seat on its buses to honor Parks, who died Oct. 24 at age 92. A number of other transit agencies around the country had made the gesture.
Board Chairman David Wolff said Metro showed Parks "a great deal of respect" by displaying her picture instead.
Except that according to KTRK-13's reporting, Metro displayed Parks' picture a month before she died.
PREVIOUSLY: METRO doesn't join other transit agencies in honoring Parks (bH)
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/19/05 07:52 AM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (5)
18 December 2005
Mayor White rides in police car, says crime will end
KTRK-13 reports that Mayor White wanted to get up close and personal with Houston's crime problem:
The shooting death of an evacuee living in a motel is exactly the kind of crime Mayor Bill White and Houston police are working to stop.
The mayor rode along with officers Saturday night in the city's hot spots in southwest and west Houston. Crime is on the rise, specifically around large apartment complexes.
The mayor says several people who lived a life of crime in Louisiana, are now calling Houston home and causing problems. He says that's going to stop.
HPD has increased patrols in the area and the officers are on an overtime program.
MS-13 was here before Louisiana criminals made their way to Houston. It's been an ongoing problem, Mayor White.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/18/05 09:27 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (5)
Campaign finance and double standards - cont'd
Before the City Council runoff election, the Chronicle's Kristen Mack wrote an important column on SEIU's possibly illegal efforts to influence the At Large position 2 race between Jay Aiyer and Sue Lovell.
Mack followed up on the story in her Friday column:
SEIU accompanied its endorsement of Lovell with a $10,000 check. But it went beyond that.
With eight mail pieces and phone banks on her behalf, the union spent an estimated $120,000 to benefit Lovell.
[snip]
Donations by unions and corporations to city candidates are limited by city ordinance to $10,000 per candidate in any election cycle. Aiyer filed an ethics complaint with the city of Houston alleging that SEIU effectively exceeded that limit in that the mailers were a "coordinated campaign expenditure" and were "made in cooperation, consultation or concert with" Lovell.
Larry Veselka, a former county Democratic chairman who spoke on Lovell's behalf at the hearing, said Aiyer has not shown that the SEIU's activities constituted being in concert with Lovell. "He has not presented evidence other than pure speculation," Veselka said. "The existence of an independent mailer is not sufficient alone."
[snip]
The ethics committee is charged with reviewing alleged acts of impropriety and misconduct on the part of city officials and candidates for city office. It didn't make a decision last week. Instead it took the complaint under advisement, with the plan to discuss it further and render a decision at the next meeting.
In the end, it doesn't matter. The race is decided. And the fact is, SEIU did the mail-out and Lovell knew it was coming — though she told the committee that she and the union deliberately avoided communication about the specifics.
As long as Lovell and SEIU maintain that there was no coordination, there is little way to prove there was. And city election rules place no limits on uncoordinated campaign expenditures.
SEIU has indicated it plans to be a major player in municipal politics, and certainly violated the spirit if not the letter of the city's laws on coordinated campaign expenditures by unions and corporations.
Interestingly, the Chronicle Editorial LiveJournalists and many other partisans who love to criticize Rep. Tom DeLay (R) on campaign finance continue their silence on the questionable assistance provided to Democrat Lovell's campaign by SEIU.
BLOGVERSATION: On the wrong side of big money (Houtopia).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/18/05 07:35 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (4)
Chron weekend olds - part two
Back at the start of the month, the blog voice of Brazosport (Banjo Jones) alerted his readers to the fact that his local newspaper had published a fabricated account of a hard-luck kid by a CPS worker. Since then, Banjo has followed up with several posts on the matter (here, here, and here).
Today, Chronicle metro/state editorialist and gossip columnist Rick Casey picked up on the story.
Unlike Banjo, Casey praised the publisher of The Facts and its readers:
The other part of what I like about the story is how publisher Cornwell and the Facts responded, and the reaction of the newspapers' readers.
Cornwell, who was at an ethics seminar in Oklahoma when he received a call from reporter Lauck, immediately stopped the series upon learning that the story about John had been fiction. The paper ran a detailed article about the matter.
Cornwell also met with the appropriate officials to check on how the money raised was being spent. He found nothing improper.
But the readers did. Many were outraged that the Facts had stopped the series.
"What we heard from them was that they didn't care whether the stories were true or false," he said.
Cornwell should have been more diligent about checking the stories and he should have started running the stories again after instituting proper safeguards. And if readers told Cornwell that it doesn't matter if stories in the newspaper are true or false, they are wrong (although we can't imagine many readers putting it that way).
The conclusion to Casey's column of olds is just bizarre:
I can't help but wonder what would have happened had Francis Pharcellus Church written America's most famous editorial in 2005 instead of 1892.
Would he have been flogged by chest-beating bloggers for not telling Virginia who Santa really was?
Huh?
Since Casey's column of olds doesn't mention any bloggers but credits KHOU-11's Dan Lauck for getting to the bottom of the story, I can't make sense of that non sequitur.
UPDATE (12-19-2005): Banjo comments on Casey's column.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/18/05 07:07 PM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (0)
Chron weekend olds - part one
After Chronicle reader representative James Campbell's blunt, critical blog post on his newspaper's decision to bury its coverage of the recent elections in Iraq on page A23, we thought perhaps Campbell would develop that blog post into a timely column for the Sunday print edition, giving his criticism of the blunder a large Sunday print audience instead of the comparatively miniscule web audience.
The turnaround time must have been too short for the Sunday print deadline. Instead, Campbell's column today was largely a reprint of a July 2005 blog post that tried to argue that Chronicle decisions not to identify perpetrators of crimes by race are not motivated by political correctness (except when they are).
From the column:
Political correctness does not prevent the Chronicle and other news media organizations from regularly reporting the race of a suspect. Actually, the reason is more practical than it is PC, though I'll concede that we do at times err on the side of sensitivity.
We're not politically correct. We're just sensitive.
We would have thought the arguments advanced in this column would have been tightened up and improved over the last five months, especially given all the comments generated by the original post, our criticism here, and criticism at Lone Star Times (here and here).
I tend to agree with Banjo Jones, who commented in Campbell's earlier post:
If a criminal is active in my neighborhood, I would want to know the suspect's race, whether or not there is a more detailed description. At least it's something. You're being disingenuous in saying the newspaper's policy is not rooted in political correctness. Instead of deciding what is or isn't relevant, why not let the reading public decide? The Connie Chung-Dan Rather example isn't relevant, unless Connie & Dan have resorted to a life of crime. A newspaper's obligation is to print the truth, not worry about whether the truth incites some groups or feeds stereotypes. Race (and gender) are two of the most basic identifying characteristics. Your policy doesn't make any sense.
I might be insensitive, but I prefer more information to less.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/18/05 06:31 PM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (0)
Astrodome convention center plans are proceeding
The Chronicle runs a Bill Murphy story today on Astrodome Redevelopment Co.'s proposals to turn the Astrodo