31 May 2006
House committee to assist Bromwich with subpoenas
The Chronicle's Steve McVicker reports that three key witnesses who have thus far refused to answer questions from Michael Bromwich about the HPD crime lab may soon be compelled to do so by a Texas House committee:
Three recalcitrant witnesses believed to hold key information concerning the root of problems at the Houston Police Department crime lab could soon be forced to tell what they know.
Michael Bromwich, the city's independent investigator, and Rep. Kevin Bailey, D-Houston, chairman of the House Committee on General Investigating and Ethics, confirmed Tuesday that an unorthodox agreement has been reached that would let Bromwich use the committee's subpoena power to compel the uncooperative former lab employees to testify under oath.
"We're pleased we've been able to reach an agreement with Chairman Bailey and the members of his committee that will advance our investigation," Bromwich said.
In his latest report on the crime lab released earlier this month, Bromwich, a former U.S. Justice Department inspector general, said DNA and serology analysts may have tailored their findings to support predetermined crime theories.
Bromwich also complained that the probe by his team of forensic investigators has been hindered by an absence of cooperation from three ex-crime lab employees: former lab supervisor Don Krueger, former DNA lab chief James Bolding and former analyst Christy Kim.
Krueger retired in February 2003 after the DNA section's widespread problems were exposed. Former Police Chief C.O. Bradford later recommended that Krueger be fired for his role in the lab's problems. Bolding resigned in 2003 to avoid being fired. Kim was fired, but the Civil Service Commission re-instated her and she later retired.
It will be useful finally to have detailed testimony from these three former employees.
FROM THE ARCHIVES: The Bromwich investigation.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/31/06 09:39 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (0)
Dynamo security disregards team policy on water bottles
Richard Connelly reports on the latest gaffe from the Houston Dynamo:
Team president Oliver Luck has worked hard to make Dynamo games a family-friendly, somewhat cheap outing. Knowing that Houston can get slightly warm at times, he publicly announced that the Dynamo would allow fans to bring in bottled water -- unlike those mean old teams like the Astros and Texans.
Such a policy is great for games like the one May 20, when the Dynamo, in order to get on ESPN, played a day game. In Houston. With no dome. And a stadium full of sunshiney aluminum bleachers.
So why were security guards confiscating all the water bottles people tried to bring in? Because severely dehydrated soccer fans will pay anything once they're trapped in their seats!
Actually, Luck says, it was all just a mistake.
"It was just an old-fashioned miscommunication on the security staff's side," he says. "We had our follow-up meeting after the game like we always do and told them, 'Folks, everyone can bring in a bottle of water. It's hot.' "
If it's the same crack security operation that works UH athletics events, the "miscommunication" wasn't the first and probably won't be the last.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/31/06 09:30 PM | Houston Life | Technorati | Comments (3)
Day labor center funding approved (updated)
A controversial proposal for a day labor site on Houston's east side has passed a close vote at city council.
The finally tally was eight to six, mostly along political party lines. Councilmember M-J Khan was the only republican to support the labor site.
I can't find anything on Councilwoman Wiseman's amendment yet.
UPDATE: Chris Baker emails that he contacted Addie Wiseman's office and was told her amendment failed.
MORE: KHOU-11's story includes this:
But the new contract comes with a catch. The day labor site will be required to give these to people hiring workers at the site an I-9 Form, which is supposed to verify whether potential employees are U.S. citizens. But the city government will not require day laborers using the center to fill out the forms.
Gosh, giving employers I-9's, coupled with Houston's really tough stance on illegal immigration ought to make a difference.
How ridiculous. With this being the standard, what can American citizens get away with here in Houston, with this fine model to emulate? Surely Mayor White and city council are sending a message to Houstonians about law and order and the value of citizenship. And oh, what irony: on the same day Council approves red light cameras to catch all those renegade red light runners, Council approves a center that will cater to illegal aliens. Pretty much speaks volumes, doesn't it?
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/31/06 03:20 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (9)
Red light camera contract passes
Houston’s controversial [plan] to install red light cameras at intersections has passed through a divided Houston City Council.
[snip]
Mayor Bill White’s administration worked hard to hustle up the votes for the plan.
It ultimately passed by a margin of 7 to 6.
Council members who voted for the plan were Jarvis Johnson, Anne Clutterbuck, M.J. Khan, Adrian Garcia, Carol Alvarado, Sue Lovell and Ron Green.
Those who voted against were Toni Lawrence, Ada Edwards, Addie Wiseman, M Holm, Shelly Sekula-Gibbs, and Michael Berry.
Councilman Peter Brown was absent.
Mayor White claimed the cameras will increase safety and save lives, but opponents argue that red light cameras are nothing more than an attempt to squeeze more revenues out of taxpayers.
American Traffic Solutions hopes to have the first cameras deployed in six weeks.
All of the yes votes are predictable, I think, except Anne Clutterbuck's. Her vote is disappointing.
It will be interesting to see if any lawsuits are filed once the cameras are installed.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/31/06 01:37 PM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (4)
Will the Chron pay any fines its readers incur?
Here's yesterday's Chronicle correction:
•No city of Houston heavy trash pickup is scheduled today or Wednesday. A schedule on Page B2 Friday-Monday contained incorrect information. A correct schedule for the rest of the week appears on Page B2 today.
Let's remember that Mayor White instituted a heavy trash zero tolerance policy in 2004, and ignorance is not a defense:
Ignorance of the schedule or absentmindedness will not prevent tickets ranging from $50 to $2,000 for schedule violators, he [Houston Police Officer Tony Emanuel] said.
There's no mention of ignorance based on a local newspaper's editing error.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/31/06 11:42 AM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (1)
Clemens signs?
KHOU-11's Giff Neilsen is reporting that Roger Clemens has signed with the Astros, and that the deal will be announced at an 11 am press conference.
That's great news for the Astros.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/31/06 10:07 AM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (11)
It's full steam ahead for Houston's Grand Central Station
Metro is moving ahead with its plans to build an intermodal transit center:
Metro authorities are ready to make a deal with Union Pacific for property just north of downtown, hoping to turn a portion of its sprawling rail yard into a central station for Metro buses and trains.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority board Tuesday voted to have staff negotiate the purchase of nine acres of the railroad's Hardy Yard, bordered roughly by Main to the west, Elysian to the east, Burnett to the North and Lyons and Conti to the south.
The site is near North Main about a half-mile from the University of Houston-Downtown station at the north end of Metro's present Red Line, to which it would connect.
Metro spokesman George Smalley said the agency wants to build an "intermodal" terminal to "provide a nucleus" for buses and pedestrians to connect with the Red Line and future light rail or Bus Rapid Transit on the planned North, East End and Southeast lines.
Metro's long-term plans also call for a commuter rail line from U.S. 290 and northwest Houston that could terminate at the site, he said.
All property owners within a five football field radius of this site should be wary.
Would you like to comment on this project? Rad Sallee's story includes this:
A public meeting on the project is set for 5:30 p.m. June 8 at Ketelsen Elementary School, 600 Quitman.
KEVIN WHITED ADDS: This is my favorite part of the story:
Although the yard is little used today for switching, UP's track through the site is busy and, for safety reasons, probably would not be shared with light rail, Arbona said.
Good thinking! And if it's not safe over there, maybe it's not such a good idea to run it down Richmond? Just a thought!
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/31/06 09:02 AM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (10)
30 May 2006
A new defense for Priscilla Slade
I'm finally back in town and scouring old news (olds!), and couldn't let this Chronicle story go by without comment:
Two Houston-area lawmakers kicked off a campaign Thursday to pressure the state Legislature to continue sending extra money to Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M universities to offset past discrimination.
State Sen. Rodney Ellis and Rep. Garnet Coleman, both Houston Democrats, said they will file a civil rights complaint if the state doesn't renew the $250 million funding that was given to the historically black universities in 2001.
[snip]
Coleman said the Legislature in 2001 gave TSU and Prairie View $125 million each above their regular budgets. The universities used $100 million each for capital improvements....
The Chronicle's Matthew Tresaugue has done a great job documenting some of former TSU President Priscilla Slade's questionable "capital improvements" to her residence. Maybe she wouldn't have been terminated if she had simply pointed out she spent the $130,000 to remedy the past discrimination against her yard!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/30/06 10:03 PM | Houston People | Technorati | Comments (3)
Today's (very abbreviated) sports report (updated)
Rockets CEO George Postolos has resigned, and Roger Clemens is apparently (maybe?) working on a new deal with the Astros that would pay him $3.5 million per month.
I'm not an Astros expert like some, but last fall was so exciting with the Astros comeback, playoff run, and World Series appearance that I hope Clemens comes back to help make it happen again. (And now I expect all the experts to pipe up and tell me what an expert I am not.)
UPDATE (5-31-2006): It looks to be a done deal:
The Houston Astros have reached a deal with pitcher Roger Clemens, who spoke with 11 News Sports Director Giff Nielsen.
Clemens will come back and pitch for the Astros.
It was reported Wednesday that it will be a one-year deal for about $10.5 million to $11 million for the remainder of the season.
Woo!
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/30/06 04:57 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (1)
May 31st Council meeting
This week's Council meeting includes another chance to consider the day labor center contract, and Councilwoman Addie Wiseman has suggested the following amendment to that contract:
62. WRITTEN Motion by Council Member Wiseman to amend Item 62A below as follows:
E. RECRUITMENT/INTAKE/REGISTRATION/DOCUMENTATION PLAN, OF EXHIBIT B, CONTRACTOR, AND/OR ITS SUBCONTRACTORS OR DESIGNEES, will take action to verify that laborers wishing to utilize services at this location are authorized to work in the United States.
Laborers who do not meet criteria prescribed by OMB No. 1615-0047, will be prohibited from obtaining service at this location.”
Sounds reasonable enough.
Also, the red light camera contract is on the agenda again (Items 58 and 59). And can anyone translate this item?:
57. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, HOUSTON, TEXAS, relating to the Regulation of Parking by providing for the transfer of the Residential Parking Permit Program to the Convention and Entertainment Facilities Department and the clarification of provisions concerning the adjudication of parking violations; containing findings and other provisions relating to the foregoing subject; providing an effective date; providing for severability
TAGGED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WISEMAN
This was Item 20 on Agenda of May 24, 2006
I'm just wondering what that's all about.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/30/06 04:03 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (4)
HPD's mounted patrol -- cuddly and intimidating
The Chron's Allan Turner has an awesome story today on HPD's mounted patrol division, where the point is made that the horses serve a dual purpose:
"When you put an officer on horseback," said mounted patrol Lt. Randall Wallace, "the good guys can see him and the bad guys can see him." Weighing up to 1,200 pounds, the horses, which include purchased and donated animals of all pedigrees, are both cuddly and intimidating.
[snip]
Wills is no stranger to the passion of her horse-based job.
"It's hard to pick out one single incident," she said, "but I recall being on patrol at the zoo. There was one child who was in a wheelchair. You could tell he was disabled. He couldn't move his arms. Then he saw the horse, and the horse put its head in his lap and the boy reacted.
"It was so cool."
Hopefully, reports like this and this are rare exceptions.
Way up north here, The Woodlands uses mounted security patrols in all the areas surrounding The Woodlands Mall, including Market Street. In my own family's case, we have been known to park wherever we see a horse so we can stop and visit. The riders are great, taking the time to let the kids pet the horse and chit chat about the horse. We like the cuddly part of security!
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/30/06 07:49 AM | Houston Life | Technorati | Comments (2)
The Kinder Morgan buyout
Did you hear about Kinder Morgan going private?
Do you want to read between the lines and understand what's really going on? Then read Tom Kirkendall's post explaining the KM background, the reasons for the buyout, and what might've been...for Enron.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/30/06 06:51 AM | Houston People | Technorati | Comments (8)
29 May 2006
It was originally called Decoration Day
The history of Memorial Day is interesting. Is this part of today's public school curriculum? I hope so.
Here's information on today's Memorial Day service at Houston National Cemetery:
Memorial Day ceremony: 9:30 a.m., Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive. Memorial Day service includes keynote speech by Willie Blackmon, a retired Houston municipal judge and Air Force veteran; flyover by the Texas Air National Guard 147th Fighter Wing; cannon salute. For information, call 281-447-8686.
UPDATE: The service at Houston National Cemetery was cancelled due to the rain.
MEMORIAL DAY BLOGVERSATION: Isolated Desolation, Brazosport News, Lone Star Times, Off the Kuff
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/29/06 08:30 AM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (0)
No high school diploma? No problem. Metro's hiring
Metro needs bus drivers:
With ridership increases continuing at a double-digit pace, METRO is actively recruiting nearly 200 full- and part-time Bus Operators.
[snip]
“Most people look up to Bus Operators,” Kennedy said, adding that Operators also have opportunities to get to know fellow employees through METRO’s TEAM program, which sponsors basketball and bowling teams, and other activities.
METRO requires that applicants be at least 21 years old, have been a licensed driver for at least three years, have no more than two moving violations in the last three years, and pass pre-employment screenings that include background investigations, a physical and drug screening. A high school diploma/GED is preferred but not required.
A number of benefits are available to both full- and part-time operators, with pay starting at $12 per hour.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/29/06 07:48 AM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (10)
Happy (soggy) Memorial Day!
Goodness knows we need the rain, but two and a half hours of non-stop thunder, lightning and pouring rain are a bit much.
The bad news is storms scare the bejeebers out of the cat, poor little thing. He'll be in hiding for HOURS after this passes (whenever that is -- the storm cell seems to have parked itself on top of us).
The good news is nothing will have to be watered today. Or tomorrow. Or the next day...
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/29/06 07:39 AM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (2)
28 May 2006
Alvarado emails suggest consultant had interest in COH business
Last week Matt Stiles reported on emails that pointed to city staffers helping arrange meetings between Councilwoman Carol Alvarado and a San Antonio businessman. Here is what Alvarado's spokesman Joe Householder said of the councilwoman's outside work:
Householder said the councilwoman made about $73,000 since 2002 as a consultant for a few businesses on non-city work. Much of that money came from Rodriguez, but she did little consulting work in 2005, he said.
Householder said he did not know the circumstances of Alvarado's request to her chief of staff to give Rodriguez a ride.
Householder said Alvarado never got paid to help Rodriguez or his clients with city-related business.
Now KTRK-13 has obtained more emails and they paint a less certain picture:
Besides her work at city hall, Alvarado is a consultant for a San Antonio businessman named Rudy Rodriguez. Her staff confirmed that in the past three years, Rodriguez paid Alvarado approximately $72,000 for what it calls 'outside consulting.' But from the emails we found, it's clear that Rodriguez had an interest in Houston's city hall and potential contracts. One appears to be a duty-free airport concessions agreement.
And KTRK's Miya Shay has the emails to back up those assertions:
In an email to Alvarado in 2004, Rodriguez writes about Simon Falic, the CEO of a company called Duty Free Americas.
"We need to be prepared to discuss the current status of duty free vender at Bush."
Later, a follow-up email from Alvarado's scheduler asks...
"Do you want to meet with Rodriguez and Falic in your office?"
Here is the email referenced above (there are more emails in the story) :
-----Original Message-----
From: rudy( ***)
Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2004 9:04 AM
Cc: Carol Alvarado
Subject:Simon falic - duty free - tomorrow 3.30 - we need to be prepared to discuss current status of df vendor at bush
i need your direction as to making contact with m moore - ellis told him he was not in favor of extending the current df contract for any reason but would like to discuss how falic might propose something that got the cit new vendor as well as its past due money from current vendor
ellis also suggested meeting with nini foxhall at continental - please advise.
i will spend night wed night
M Moore refers to Mayor White's chief of staff, Michael Moore.
Mayor White's response:
We showed Mayor Bill White what we found.
"I think the red flag is if Councilmember Alvarado was paid to specifically arrange a meeting with somebody at city hall. That would not be proper," he said. "But I have no evidence that that was done."
[snip]
Mayor White maintains he doesn't know if Alvarado did anything improper, but admits...
"It doesn't look good," he told us. "I'll say that."
And Alvarado says:
"...that work was not related to the city of Houston and I am confident that I have always upheld the highest ethical standards."
The councilwoman's actions don't look good and the emails KTRK obtained certainly cloud the issue even further. And the Chronicle editorial board's hopes for this whole untidy mess to go away are dashed again.
(Thanks to bH reader Joe for the heads up on the story.)
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/28/06 12:10 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (4)
27 May 2006
Chron's Enron Extra: Vanity issue? Publicity stunt?
At Poynter Online, Steve Klein is amazed that the Chronicle rushed an "Extra" edition to print following the Enron verdict:
I don't know whether I should laugh or cry. Three hours AFTER announcement of the Enron verdict Thursday, according to a story you don't want to miss in the New York Times, the Houston Chronicle published a two-page wrapper to the final newsstand edition with the headline, "Guilty! Guilty!"
Newspapers still do "extras" in the age of 24/7 news on the Internet? What for? Was it a vanity issue? A collector's item?
(Both John Wagner and Mike McGuff scanned copies of the "Extra" edition.)
The New York Times story is an interesting read:
The editor of The Chronicle, Jeff Cohen, suggested an "extra," or a two-page edition that would wrap around Thursday's paper, which was already on newsstands. (That paper's lead headline: "D.C. in Tug of War on Immigration.")
[snip]
The last time The Chronicle published an extra was Feb. 1, 2003, when the Columbia space shuttle disintegrated over East Texas. Before that, the paper distributed an extra on Sept. 11, 2001; on Jan. 28, 1986, when the Challenger exploded; when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963; and when Pearl Harbor was attacked on Dec. 7, 1941.
I'm not sure the Enron verdict ranks up there with 9/11, JFK's assassination, and Pearl Harbor, but then again, I'm just a news consumer, not a newspaper management expert. The fact that Chron.com had to go to a stripped down front page for a period of time on Thursday tells us how many people got their Enron news, I think, and it wasn't from dead trees. (I would also guess that the local television news websites had greatly increased traffic as well. I know I was glued to KHOU.com and KTRK.com for verdict news.)
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/27/06 12:35 PM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (0)
26 May 2006
Evacuee students beat the odds and graduate
There is a wonderful success story coming out of HISD this weekend: among the 7,700 HISD high school graduates are 100+ Katrina evacuee students:
Travis Hill-Williams has always considered himself an optimist.
That attitude was put to the test in August when Hurricane Katrina forced his family to flee New Orleans and make a new life in Houston just as he was starting his senior year in high school.
But even one of the most destructive storms in history wasn't enough to dull his outlook, and he is about to graduate from Houston's Jones High School in the top 10% of his class.
"I consider it a blessing that Hurricane Katrina came. I met new friends. I hold them dear to my heart," the 17-year-old said. "It has been a wonderful experience even though it was in the face of catastrophe and disaster."
Hill-Williams will be one of more than 100 Katrina evacuees set to graduate this weekend from the Houston school district.
"They've hung in there and adapted to a completely different place," said Superintendent Abe Saavedra. "They stayed focused in their studies, made friends and became an important, integral part of our schools."
"We're glad they came," he said. "We've worked hard to give them a good education and a good start to the rest of their lives."
Inexplicably, the Chron is running the AP story, so let's visit HISD's website for more:
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/26/06 02:17 PM | Hurricane Stuff | Technorati | Comments (1)
Tom K. weighs in on the Enron verdict
The Enron verdict opinion I care most about is now posted -- Tom Kirkendall's -- and he doesn't disappoint. It's a treasure-trove of good stuff.
His posts have brought to life a point of view you won't find in the MSM, and the bonus is Tom backs up his opinions with well-reasoned, clearly stated facts and examples that any lay person (especially me!) can understand.
I will be looking forward to his continued insight as the appeals process moves forward (no change of venue and 100+ unindicted co-conspirators!), and sentencing looms for Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/26/06 06:49 AM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (0)
25 May 2006
HISD's summer meal program (how will the LiveJournalists react?)
HISD is publicizing its summer meal program:
Houston-area children ages 1-18 can enjoy free healthy meals starting June 1 at one of the more than 200 HISD schools participating in the HISD Summer Feeding Program.
The program will last from Thursday, June 1, through Wednesday, June 28, and to be eligible, children need not be enrolled in HISD summer-school classes nor do they need to show proof of income or age.
Breakfasts will be served from 7:30–8:30 a.m., and lunches will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Adults may also participate in the program by purchasing breakfast for $1.60 and lunch for $2.85.
Now. Last year we saw the Chron's editorial board throw at least three temper tantrums because HISD doesn't offer its summer meal program from the day after school ends until the day before school starts up again. The Chron never wonders why parents cannot feed their own children breakfast and lunch. No, the editorial board chastises HISD for not taking over parenting duties.
So we'll see how the Chron editors react this year. HISD's press release does point out that the city of Houston's Parks and Recreation Department will offer its free meal program until August 4. School should begin again about a week after that, so perhaps parents could feed their own kids for a whole week. (Or maybe the Chronicle could open up the doors to 801 Texas Avenue and hold a daily buffet for that last week.)
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/25/06 04:45 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (2)
Enron verdict (with updates)
Local media outlets are saying a verdict has been reached in the Enron trial and will be announced beginning at 11 a.m.
All three local tv stations will carry live internet feeds: KPRC-2, KHOU-11, KTRK-13. I would imagine KTRH-740 will also carry live coverage.
MORE: This is from KHOU's Nancy Holland on the News Blog:
I was sitting right behing Daniel Petrocelli as he was told "the verdict is in."
I was in the courtroom with producer Juanita Jimenz. Nobody else from t.v. was there. In fact only one print reporter was in the room. Everybody thought the verdict was days if not weeks away. Then the door opened and Daniel Petrocelli who was sitting just on the other side of the bar glanced up. For a second as the woman announced there was a verdict everyone froze. Then we jumped up, followed closely by Petroceli. We rode down in the elevator together. He said nothing. He looked very serious.
It took about two minutes for chaos to hit as word spread. People kept asking "are we sure? Are we sure?" Yes we are. Now we are just waiting to find out the answer.
On the right side of the Chron.com main page is a "Verdict Scorecard."
KHOU's Jason Whitely is blogging the verdict results here.
****Jeff Skilling has been found not guilty of insider trading charges, but has been found guilty of conspiracy, making false statements, and securities fraud.****
****Ken Lay has been found guilty on all charges, including the charges in the bank fraud trial that was decided by Judge Sim Lake.****
CORRECTION: Skilling WAS found guilty of one insider trading charge.
POST VERDICT: Now all eyes are on sentencing, which could be steep.
BLOGVERSATION: Houstonist has a long roundup of Enron-related news.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/25/06 10:46 AM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (10)
Mayors White, Nagin discuss getting evacuees back to New Orleans
KHOU's News Blog has a post summarizing a meeting between Mayor White and New Orleans' Mayor Ray Nagin:
The mayors of Houston and New Orleans are working on ways to get hurricane evacuees home again.
Bill White and Ray Nagin met to discuss everything from housing to transferring jail inmates back to Louisiana.
Three centers will open in Houston to provide information on housing and job opportunities in New Orleans.
White said a Return to New Orleans task force is also in the works.
The mayors also talked about ways to get evacuees arrested in Texas transferred to Louisiana jails.
White emphasized that evacuees who want to stay in Houston are welcome if they get jobs.
Does that mean if evacuees don't get jobs they need to go back to New Orleans?
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/25/06 09:51 AM | Hurricane Stuff | Technorati | Comments (7)
24 May 2006
City staffers helped facilitate Alvarado's personal business meetings
Matt Stiles has obtained some emails that indicate Councilwoman Carol Alvarado used city personnel to arrange meetings with a San Antonio businessman:
City Councilwoman Carol Alvarado used at least four city employees to arrange meetings with a business associate who paid her tens of thousands of dollars in consulting fees in recent years, according to e-mails obtained by the Houston Chronicle.
At least once, she asked her chief of staff to give the associate a ride, the e-mails show.
The messages from Alvarado's city e-mail account show that the employees scheduled meetings with San Antonio businessman Rudy Rodriguez, recently subpoenaed by local prosecutors who have opened a preliminary investigation into Rodriguez's relationship with Alvarado.
Rodriguez, former chair of the San Antonio River Walk Commission, has said he hired the councilwoman in 2002 to help expand his water-related development business in other cities.
Alvarado's lawyer, Rusty Hardin, says nothing unethical occurred, but others say that is not standard operating procedure:
"We wouldn't allow that," said Councilwoman Addie Wiseman, who owns a small business. "I keep my private life and council life so separate."
Other council employees, who asked not to be identified, confirmed the approach that Wiseman described: Council members block off time on their schedules for non-city events, but don't ask employees to schedule personal business appointments.
Alvarado's activities are of interest to prosecutors because she was mayor pro tem during a period when four employees in the Office of Mayor Pro Tem received bonuses that Alvarado and other city officials say were unauthorized. The employees have been fired.
At least one of them, office manager Rosita Hernandez, has said Alvarado authorized her bonuses because of extra work she did for the councilwoman. Alvarado has denied authorizing bonuses or requiring any staffers to perform non-city work.
Hernandez, who also served as the councilwoman's scheduler, was one of at least four Alvarado employees who helped arrange meetings with Rodriguez, according to e-mails. The e-mails examined by the Chronicle don't show other pro tem employees had contact with Rodriguez.
The messages, among thousands released to the Chronicle under the Texas Public Information Act, contain dozens of instances of Alvarado's employees arranging meetings with or fielding calls from Rodriguez.
There is much more in Stiles' story.
Even if Alvarado didn't do anything unethical, she has shown an amazing lack of good judgment for an elected official.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/24/06 08:46 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (3)
City Council action
A couple of items were (temporarily) put on hold during today's Council meeting.
First, funding for a day labor site was tagged by Councilmembers Toni Lawrence, Pam Holm, Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, Michael Berry and Anne Clutterbuck (Item 54). Councilwoman Carol Alvarado was not pleased.
Second, approval of the red light camera contract with ATS was stalled again, this time by Councilmembers Addie Wiseman, Ron Green, Jarvis Johnson, Pam Holm, and Toni Lawrence (Item 22).
UPDATE: KTRH-740's story says the day labor site contract was delayed by Councilwoman Addie Wiseman, too.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/24/06 03:14 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (11)
Houston goes head-to-head with Medillin, Colombia
Did you know that Houston is participating in a one-day competition?
Mayor Bill White is asking citizens to exercise as part of a world-wide contest.
The "Challenge Day" competition has Houston going head to head against Medellin, Columbia to see who can do the most exercise.
This is not a joke:
Challenge Day 2006 is a fitness contest between Houston and the rest of the world. Its purpose is to encourage individuals and groups to "Get Moving" by exercising for 15 consecutive minutes on this one day ... all in the name of health.
This year Houston is in competition with Medellín, Colombia to see which city is the most physically active on this one day.
[snip]
Ready to accept the challenge? Here's what you need to do:
* Step 1: On May 24 participating in your favorite fitness activity by yourself, as a group, or with your company.
* Step 2: Report your / your group's involvement by phone at 713-437-6500 or by email at challengeday2006@cityofhouston.net
* Step 3: Leave message to let us know the number of people who accepted the challenge, the type of activity you participated in, and how long you exercised.
I think Sedosi will be sitting this one out.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/24/06 12:21 PM | Houston Life | Technorati | Comments (8)
If you watch your step and don't breathe, Houston is cleanest city
Proving that there is an award for just about anything, Houston has been named the cleanest city, excluding dog poop and air quality apparently:
Houston has been ranked as the nation's "cleanest city" according to a recent survey conducted by Verizon Information Services.
The survey ranked cities based on the number of vendors in the area selling cleaning services via Verizon's SuperPages.com site, an online information directory.
What award will Houston win next?
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/24/06 11:41 AM | Houston Life | Technorati | Comments (18)
Red light camera "trial and error"
Look at what happened in Capitola, CA, with a fairly new red light camera program:
The city of Capitola, California admits that it issued at least $9525 in bogus red light camera citations this month. The Santa Cruz Superior Court notified the police that their failure to review citations issued by red light camera vendor ATS allowed 25 duplicate citations, each worth $381, to be issued. "With a new program there's a lot of trial and error," Capitola Police Chief Richard Ehle told the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
And which company is about to get the Houston contract? Yep, ATS.
Do you suppose Chief Hurtt told city council that "with a new program there's a lot of trial and error"?
This was not the first time [Capitola] has allowed improper citations. In January, the city had allowed 134 citations worth $51,054 to be issued despite the lack of required information on the ticket. In December, an ambulance driver had to go to court to have a ticket reversed even though the photograph clearly showed his emergency lights were active.
Lots and lots of trial and error!
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/24/06 11:20 AM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (3)
Debate over day labor center heats up
KHOU-11 and KTRH-740 report that city council, after a contentious public comments time yesterday, is likely to approve funding for a day labor site.
KHOU's story provides a taste of yesterday's debate:
“When we have drug dealers and prostitutes coming along, we do not build crack houses or brothels. Instead we send law enforcement into these areas to enforce the law,” said opponent Curtis Collier.
[snip]
"The operation of a day labor center violates the law by aiding and abetting illegal criminals looking for work,” said opponent Leslie Wetzel.
The afternoon’s most tense moment came when Councilman Adrian Garcia, who supports the funding, had a question for that woman.
“If you were unable to produce the necessary documents that would allow someone to employ you right now, would you see it as favorable to be put in the category of an illegal alien?” asked Garcia.
[snip]
Supporters countered that the center could support anyone legal or not, and that the real question is dignity.
“The clumps of unemployed men standing in the extreme heat and cold, lining several blocks of Canal Street in search of an honest day’s work need assistance in getting off the streets,” said Joe Rubio.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/24/06 06:54 AM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (9)
Slow posting; Rescheduled gathering
I'm heading off camping, and won't be doing any posting for a few days (through the Memorial Day weekend).
We have tentatively rescheduled the blogHOUSTON gathering at Byzantio for Wednesday, June 7. Final details to follow after the Memorial Day holiday.
See ya'll on the other side!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/24/06 06:47 AM | Announcements | Technorati | Comments (1)
23 May 2006
Chron frets that lethal injection might be painful
The LiveJournalists are concerned that death row killers might feel some pain when the lethal injection cocktail is administered:
Because capital punishment is irreversible, it deserves the closest scrutiny, whether the issue is the evidence that put someone on death row or the method by which they are executed. Texas loses nothing by delaying the use of lethal injection until the substantial doubts about its supposedly painless administration are thoroughly investigated and answered.
Great idea! Over at Lone Star Times, Matt Bramanti has some alternatives for the LJ's to consider, but I've got one of my own: dehydration. Last year the Chronicle published a letter to the editor from a Dr. Martin Steiner that said:
Until the introduction of a feeding tube in the late 1890s, if patients could not eat or drink, they would die.
That has been the way millions on Earth have passed on. Dying in this manner is a natural way to die.
There is nothing cruel or inhumane about dying from dehydration the way Terri Schiavo did. In fact, the building up in the body of various electrolytes produces a natural sedation and a peaceful death.
So there you go. Problem solved. From now on, officials in Huntsville should just take away food and water from death row killers. It's the natural, peaceful way to die. And as an added bonus, there'll be an extra week or so to find any new, exonerating evidence that might prove the bad guy's innocence.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/23/06 07:22 AM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (9)
22 May 2006
Is a new trash-collection revenue stream in the works?
The Chronicle's Matt Stiles reports that some residents of Houston's new, dense townhouse developments are in a sort of limbo when it comes to municipal trash collections:
WHEN lawyer Mark Kressenberg bought a loft-style townhouse in the Third Ward last year, he assumed the city would pick up his trash, as it does for about 300,000 other Houston homes.
He was wrong.
City solid waste officials told Kressenberg and his neighbors in the Calumet Street Lofts that they weren't covered by the city's garbage pickup ordinance because their new development had narrow, private driveways. They made that ruling even though many of the townhouses are bordered by public streets, or aren't far from them, and despite the fact that the city collects from some similar properties elsewhere.
"The interior units are probably no more than 60 yards away from a curbside," Kressenberg told the City Council recently, arguing that he and his neighbors are eligible for service. "To use that as the basis for denying us trash collection is ludicrous."
Obviously, city garbage trucks can't be expected to go down narrow private driveways for trash collection. Then again, these people are paying taxes, and it's not unreasonable for them to expect trash collection. Surely some of the brighter minds of our city can come up with a compromise solution.
Of course, it wouldn't be the White Administration if the possibility of a new fee weren't lurking:
White said his task force will explore the private collection issue and the possibility of creating a garbage enterprise fund, separate from the tax-supported general fund that now pays for solid waste management. Such a fund, like those used by other cities, would need revenue — perhaps from a new trash-collection fee.
It's not as if these dense, expensive townhouse developments aren't boosting the property tax rolls. Indeed, as the story points out, some of these townhouses were built on previously vacant lots, significantly boosting property tax revenues. The city doesn't need to use this relatively simple problem as an excuse to create a trash-collection revenue stream.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/22/06 10:12 PM | Houston Life | Technorati | Comments (5)
Richardson: Westpark means Westpark
A Sunday Chronicle op-ed by Edward R. "Ted" Richardson drives home a point that continues to frustrate pro-Richmond-rail advocates:
Where are the best locations for the rail line and stations?
In the 2003 Notice of Special Election, that location was described this way: "Westpark. Approximately 6.6 miles westward from the Wheeler station on Phase 1 METRORail to the Hillcroft Transit Center, serving Greenway Plaza, West University, Bellaire and the Uptown/Galleria area." The segment was stipulated to have "approximately 4 stations."
Now, however, Metro says Westpark can also mean Richmond Avenue — despite the fact that Richmond was never mentioned in the special election notice and that for more than 25 years the public has been led to believe that rail serving this area would be in the Southwest/Westpark Corridor.
The Richmond-rail enthusiasts continue to have difficulty when they try to explain that Westpark really means Richmond.
Richardson goes on to discuss reasons that Richmond has historically not been regarded as a good route for Southwest/Westpark rail, and stresses the need for grade-separated stations at certain locations.
It's a shame that editing errors plague the first three paragraphs of the online version of the op-ed.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/22/06 09:57 PM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (12)
Chron editorial board member calls Attorney General a liar
The Chronicle Editorial LiveJournalists sat down with Attorney General Alberto Gonzales recently, and if Sunday's editorial was any indication, they seemed more inclined to beat him up (perhaps for the supposed sins of the Bush Administration?) than to have any sort of constructive visit with him:
The government's highest-ranking Latino, Gonzales often has spoken compellingly about his Houston upbringing and humble immigrant origins. But his background also gives him a unique chance to amplify the moderate, generally realistic principles the president voices on immigration.
Unfortunately, Gonzales has let this chance pass. In recent interviews, he has said that he knows nothing of the circumstances in which three of his grandparents came here from Mexico. That's perfectly believable. Immigrants who flee violence or poverty, as well as those who enter illegally, may choose not to dwell on those experiences after they arrive here.
Still, Gonzales' personal history provides him an insider's perspective, a view he could draw upon more skillfully to elevate the debate on immigration law. Like the president, he has good leadership to offer on this issue. On Friday, Gonzales rightly endorsed employer enforcement, critiqued the practicality of a border-long fence, and insisted he opposes punishing Good Samaritans.
With more thoughtful answers about his background, Gonzales also could have shown respect for the work ethic fueling immigration, a point Bush has emphasized consistently in his lobbying for reasonable immigration reform.
As usual with the Chronicle editorial board, it seems like two writers with different opinions wrote this snippet! It starts with the hope that Gonzales' background will give him authority if he speaks out on immigration reform. Then it says he has squandered any chance to speak out, seemingly faulting him for not knowing more about his grandparents' immigration. Then it says it's perfectly believable that he doesn't know. Then it says he could have have "more thoughtful answers about his background!"
Goodness, they seem to be taking a page from a certain Chronicle sports columnist who frequently changes his mind, although he usually does so after several columns, and not from one sentence to another.
Since the Chronicle doesn't actually record its editorial board meetings (it's hard to blame them for not wanting a public record of the performance of their stellar board), its difficult to know exactly how the meeting with Gonzales went. However, we have some idea from Chronicle reporter and immigration blogger Tracy Eaton, who posted an account of at least part of the meeting:
Gonzales, who told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday that he wasn't sure if his grandparents immigrated legally to the U.S. from Mexico (see transcript), also got into a spirited exchange with Veronica Bucio, an assistant opinion page editor at the Chronicle.
Moving to another country is a momentous event, something that Gonzales' relatives must certainly remember, Bucio told Gonzales. And when the attorney general says he isn't sure if his grandparents immigrated legally or not, that doesn't ring true, she said.
"You think I'm being untrue?" Gonzales asked Bucio.
"Yeah," she said.
Gonzales explained that both his grandparents and his father are dead -- so they can't be asked -- and his mother doesn't know. And that's why he told CNN he wasn't sure about his grandparents' immigration status.
"I was trying to be honest," he said.
He said the only clue he has is that his mother remembers having to go to the post office regularly in the United States. That, Gonzales contends, could mean that family members were taking care of residency paperwork.
But he doesn't know for sure.
For the record, Bucio said after the meeting with Gonzales that her grandfather immigrated from Mexico to the United States when he was a child, and she doesn't know whether he was an illegal immigrant, either.
But whatever his status, she said, her point is this: "It's nothing to be ashamed of." And so Gonzales should just 'fess up.
In other words, a member of the Houston Chronicle's editorial board called the Attorney General of the United States a liar, advised him to "'fess up," and then admitted she doesn't know if her own grandfather was illegal or legal either?
That's a jaw-dropper of a bad performance from Veronica Bucio, who owes the Attorney General and Chronicle readers an apology.
One can understand why that crew wouldn't want their meetings recorded and transcripts posted for all to see, if that sort of boorish treatment of respected public servants is the norm.
ANNE LINEHAN ADDS: Wow.
Ms. Bucio needs to step back and remember that she's not on a college campus, or in a Daily Kos forum, or even in a Houston City Council meeting. She IS representing a major national newspaper in a meeting with the attorney general of the United States.
That was disgraceful.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/22/06 08:38 PM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (8)
HPD introduces New Orleans criminals to Texas law
blogHOUSTON reader Vernon Guy passes on this Time magazine story entitled, "What Happened To The Gangs of New Orleans? Before Katrina, New Orleans had a murder rate 10 times worse than the U.S. average. The killers evacuated too. Tracing the criminal exodus."
Here's an interesting excerpt:
In January, Houston police officers held a press conference and promised to introduce the evacuees to "Texas law." They arrested eight New Orleanians suspected in 11 murders in the Houston area. The department spent $6.5 million on overtime.
But when police interviewed the suspects, they suddenly understood why New Orleans was so violent. No matter what police said, they couldn't get the suspects to talk. They had no leverage because no one took their threats seriously. It was a logical response: in New Orleans, 93% of people arrested from 2003 to 2004 never went to prison. "It was a real eye-opening experience," says Sergeant Harris. "People born and raised in Houston seem to have an understanding of consequences, of punishment. You can show them the options, and they start thinking, Wow, maybe I should start cooperating." With New Orleans evacuees, Sergeant Harris says, "there is no baseline. They have no concept of consequence."
It was the first time the Houston police had heard the phrase "60-day homicide." Suspects would say, "This ain't nothing but a 60-day homicide," meaning that if they kept quiet for 60 days, they would walk--just as they had too often in New Orleans. So Houston police started letting evacuees spend a few days in jail before questioning them in depth. While they waited, the suspects talked with other inmates and had court appearances--which did not end with release. Eventually, for some, the reality of Texas law began to sink in. "As they stay here more, they seem to talk more," Sergeant Harris says.
That bolded part is outstanding (but please don't tell the ACLU or the Chron's editorial board).
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/22/06 08:37 PM | Hurricane Stuff | Technorati | Comments (2)
Stiles: HPD modifies bonus program, neglects to brief press
Over the weekend, Matt Stiles reported that HPD has quietly modified a bonus program after questions were raised by Chronicle reporting on the subject:
Houston police have quietly removed supervisors from a bonus program intended to reward top fleet mechanics, according to a month-old department memo released Friday.
Assistant Chief Norman Wong said Friday that he issued the directive April 12 because he couldn't find documentation that the supervisors and certain other employees were eligible for the program, which had been started by a previous fleet manager.
Fleet supervisors were paid $300,000 from January 2004 to March, the Houston Chronicle reported last month based on an analysis of payroll records.
[snip]
The memo was issued on the same day a Chronicle reporter interviewed Mayor Bill White about the supervisors' bonuses and two days after an interview with Wong's immediate boss about the same topic.
Executive Assistant Chief Martha Montalvo said during an April 10 interview that the program was "obviously meant for mechanics, parts people, service writers." She and the mayor said at the time they would look into the matter, and the date of Wong's memo suggests the department took quick action.
But Wong said Friday that the timing was coincidental and that when he issued the memo he was unaware of the Chronicle's inquiries about bonuses for supervisors.
It was unclear why police officials didn't mention the policy change when interviewed in April, or for more than a month after the story was published.
Actually, it seems fairly clear that someone at HPD probably hoped Stiles would drop the ball after the initial watchdog reporting, and that the program could quietly be changed without anyone at HPD ever having to explain it to the public more fully. Somebody at HPD is most certainly underestimating Stiles.
Back in April when Stiles and Steve McVicker reported on another HPD bonus program, our intrepid police chief had this reaction:
Hurtt, who learned about the high overtime pay after Chronicle inquiries, said he doesn't worry about the public's perception of the spending.
Apparently somebody at HPD must be worried about the public's perception about the first program, if they tried to sneak this change in the program by the local press.
UPDATE: Post edited for clarity, since it is referencing two different bonus programs.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/22/06 07:48 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (7)
Hurtt: It's cheaper to hire civilian pseudo-cops than real cops
As KTRK-13 reported Friday, Hans Marticiuc is critical of the proposal:
"There's a lot of issues going about," said Houston Police Union President Hans Marticuic [sic]. "Is this the best use of money?"
Marticuic takes issue with the mayor's proposal. Not only does he think the money could be better spent elsewhere, he's not sure the public will respect a civilian the way they would a cop.
"There's a distinction between a police officer and someone else who is just working out there with the uniform who doesn't really have any authority or power," he told us.
What is most interesting about the KTRK report is not Marticiuc's criticism, but this paraphrase of Chief Hurtt:
Chief Hurtt says in the long run, it would be less expensive to do this than hire more officers.
Perhaps the paraphrase isn't accurate, but that sure makes Chief Hurtt sound unconcerned about HPD's critical manpower shortage, since the civilian officer proposal should, at most be considered a possible short-term solution to a manpower shortage at HPD that went ignored for too long by Houston's pols.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/22/06 07:28 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (2)
Metro's continuing stray current headache
Metro's still trying to fix the problem of stray current leaking from its light rail tracks into the ground, potentially leading to the corrosion of anything metal underground. Metro learned of the problem last year from CenterPoint Energy.
Credit for this continuing sunshine goes to Tom Bazan, the Chron's Rad Sallee, and KTRH-740's Brent Fuller for not allowing Metro to sweep this problem aside:
Metro and the Texas Department of Transportation say the stray current poses no danger to such steel-reinforced concrete structures as freeway overpasses.
But because that issue has been raised by others, Metro recently asked TxDOT for permission to test steel in its bridge foundations at the Pierce Elevated, Southwest Freeway and South Loop. The three freeways pass over the rail system.
You go, Tom!
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/22/06 07:27 PM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (2)
A very poor choice of words
Today, the LiveJournalists are upset about money the Legislature took away from "family planning" clinics last year, forcing some to close down. Now partial funding has been restored, but all is still not well:
Planned Parenthood of Houston, the family planning clinic at Dallas' Parkland Memorial Hospital and other longtime providers have three months to use the new injection of cash. But their infrastructure has now been mangled.
If editorial board members think Planned Parenthood's infrastructure has been mangled, they ought to look at a picture of an aborted baby.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/22/06 06:34 AM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (12)
21 May 2006
Slampo: How about those Evan Smith/Jeff Cohen profiles!
Earlier in the week, the Chronicle ran a glowing profile of Evan Smith, editor of Texas Monthly.
While the Chronicle isn't usually known for profiles of Texas literary or media figures, we didn't think too much about it, since it seemed like a better use of writer Kristin Finan's talents than, say, masquerading as a Katrina evacuee.
Slampo found the profile a bit odd as well, and offered this explanation:
Still, there was something odd about the story, perhaps because there was no apparent news peg on which to hang its appearance, or perhaps because the daily newspaper generally doesn’t do profiles---even of people who actually live in Houston and might have some impact on the city.
We scanned the piece and moved on, having learned only that the writer appeared to take the Texas Monthly editor almost as seriously as he seems to take himself. Then correspondent Il Pinguino reminded us that Evan Smith was the author of an equally fawning profile of Chronicle editor Jeff “A.M.” Cohen that appeared in Texas Monthly shortly after Cohen’s arrival at the daily (and before the loathing in which he is reportedly held by a large part of his newsroom had fully set in). It was also pointed out to us that the wife of Cohen's No. 2 man at the paper works for Smith at Texas Monthly.
That’s how it is in the big-media world: Incestuous. And incest breeds … well, you know.
Some years ago, the Houston Press ran a good piece on Texas Monthly during its... tired phase. Unfortunately, I can't find the story in the Press archives (it was probably written in the mid or late 1990s). Texas Monthly has improved since then, so maybe Mr. Smith is all that.
UPDATE: That Houston Press story is here.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/21/06 11:27 PM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (0)
Competition benefits users of airport parking
The Chronicle's Purva Patel reports that competition among parking providers at the city's airports has had positive benefits for Houstonians:
With competition heating up, airport parking companies are offering more perks and bigger discounts to lure travelers into their lots, making Houston one of the cheapest big cities in the nation for airport parking.
[snip]
Local parking operators say the abundance of land around Houston airports has given companies a cheap way to get good returns on their investments. But with so many companies now, they have to fight for every customer.
Complimentary newspapers and bottled water are common, and almost all offer discount coupons in the newspaper, online or in the mail, but the services offered by some can be more elaborate.
Air Park, for example, offers curbside valet service for a premium, and Xpress Park sells car-washing and auto detailing services for those willing to pay $25 to $95 extra.
As part of its marketing push, the Parking Spot is launching a sweepstakes in which it will give away three Hummer H3s and a parking spot for each. One vehicle will go to a Houston customer.
Such marketing blitzes mean the Houston Airport System has to work harder, too.
The story concludes with what appears to be an editing error:
Barbara Mingarelli, who travels as part of her job at GlaxoSmithKline, has always used Park 'N Fly when flying out of Intercontinental, even though it's more expensive than most of her other options.
"The service is so good I just wouldn't. The drivers are always happy and are always willing to help," she said. "It's worth paying for the extra vans and the help."
The service is so good you just wouldn't WHAT? It's likely that Patel's original version included a reference to switching parking services, and a crack Chron line editor whacked it, thereby screwing up the conclusion.
Perhaps someone should show Richard Vacar this Chronicle article extolling the benefits to travelers of competition among service providers at the airport, given Vacar's past history of restricting competition in ways that seem to benefit the Yellow Cab company.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/21/06 08:08 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (0)
Former KPRC anchor lands at KRIV
On Thursday, KRIV-26's Isiah Carey noted on his blog that former KPRC-2 anchor Linda Lorelle has joined the Fox 26 family:
She made her debut on FOX 26 this morning with a special report about people in the Houston area who have started over. She was included in the piece as well. Here are some shots from her making her first appearance on FOX 26. According to management she will work at the company on a freelance basis preparing special reports.
The Chronicle's Ken Hoffman speculates that it's an audition of sorts:
Former longtime Channel 2 anchor Linda Lorelle is starting over on Channel 26's morning news today and Friday. She'll be doing a series called just that — Starting Over — focusing on unexpected midlife career changes.
News imitating life and vice-versa.Channel 26 is saying that this is just a freelance job for Lorelle, but my sniffer says something might be in the works for Lorelle and the Fox affiliate. I'm guessing this is more of an audition than a freelance piece.
When was the last time a former lead anchor from one station did a freelance piece on a rival station — and it didn't lead to a hire? I can't remember it happening any time recently.
Lorelle resigned from KPRC in February.
BLOGVERSATION: TBIFOC, Mike McGuff.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/21/06 07:15 PM | Houston Media | Technorati | Comments (1)
Sen. Lindsay: Constituents are hard to deal with
You know, it's difficult to serve as an elected official. Really! The constituents are so entrenched in their ways. You don't believe me? Just ask retiring state Sen. Jon Lindsay. Janet Elliott did in today's Chron Q and A:
Q: How has public service changed over the past 30 years?
A: Well, it's become more difficult to serve as an elected official, I'll tell you that. I can't explain exactly why that is. There are just a lot of people out there that are hard to deal with.
Q: People?
A: Constituents.
Q: Are they demanding more of their public officials?
A: I'm finding those that get so entrenched in their ways. They're being led by somebody who is not showing any real common sense on what needs to be done in a community. You know who I'm talking about, the guy that's going to take my place. (Radio talk show host Dan Patrick is the Republican nominee and clear favorite for District 7). They say cut the taxes and don't say what services you're going to cut to go with it. You can't have everything. And the thing that bothers me more than anything is that much of the time the system that gets cut is funding for infrastructure — water systems, sewer systems, highways. The infrastructure plus education is what gives us the economy we've got.
Unbelievable. Talk about being out of touch, especially with the people he supposedly represents!
He whines about constituents wanting a (property) tax cut because he has no clue how the little people are getting hammered by property taxes. Let's recall that in 2003 he paid $136.45 in property taxes on his two (48-acre) tree farms that were valued then at $654,350. If we all had his property tax bills, we'd probably be just fine with the status quo!
Good riddance, Senator Lindsay. Have a lovely retirement:
Q: What will you be doing with your time come January?
A: That remains to be seen. I've got a bunch of projects of my own to do, like building a ranch house and stuff like that. I'm old enough where I can spend some time on the porch.
One can only hope he sticks close to his two tree farms.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/21/06 06:19 PM | Houston People | Technorati | Comments (3)
20 May 2006
Council to consider red light camera contract...again
On again, off again. On again, off again.
Now it's on again. Next week, City Council will address the red light camera contract MayorWhiteChiefHurtt want to give to ATS. A five year contract. Has anyone in a watchdog role seen the contract? How is it set up? Does ATS get a percentage of ticket revenue or is there a set fee? Who reviews the photos -- HPD or ATS? What happens when there is a dispute? Who's going to verify yellow-light times to see that intersections getting the cameras have sufficient time now and that they will not be shortened further into the program (to generate more revenue)?
The issue has been contentious, with White and other city officials saying the cameras would increase safety and reduce accidents. Critics contend they are intended mostly to generate revenue, and may increase rear-end collisions.
[snip]
The plan — which officials project could bring in $6.5 million in its first year — almost certainly will be delayed in a procedural move when the council hears it Wednesday.
If Mayor White wants to prove these cameras are all about safety and not revenue, he should send all the money generated by photo tickets to public schools or charity.
But that'll never happen.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/20/06 08:31 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (1)
19 May 2006
Mary Cutrufello returns to Rudz
Former Houstonian Mary Cutrufello returns to town with a gig at Rudyard's tonight.
On this latest swing through Texas, she's put the old "honky tonk" band back together, and is promising to do lots of old material from the "Who to Love and When to Leave" CD and the "Mary Cutrufello and the Havoline Supremes" cassette (remember those?). Her email says she'll have a reissue CD of that great old material available, and she'll be playing with her old bandmates Roland Denny and Terry Kirkendall.
The email says the show starts at 9:30, but that start time may well get pushed back to the end of the Astros game (like the old days).
We don't plug live music very often here, but this one should be pretty good. Feel free to buy me an adult beverage should you make it out tonight. :)
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/19/06 07:10 PM | Houston Life | Technorati | Comments (0)
UNET acronym fails to deter bad guys
Earlier today, Owen Courrèges noted a KPRC-2 report on the latest crimefighting action by the UNET Crime Van:
A new Houston Police Department crime van helped some crime victims Wednesday night in southwest Houston.
U-Net, which stands for Unified Neighborhood Enhancement Team, was parked on Bissonnet at Fondren.
It was across the street from an apartment complex where three shotgun-carrying robbers held up three men at 3:30 a.m. One of the men was beaten.
The crime victims spotted the mobile police unit and ran there for help.
U-Net had only been parked in that location for about 12 hours when the crime happened.
The mobile unit was launched as a high-profile deterrent to crime in high-crime areas.
It's reader participation time. Please feel free to supply your own one-liner
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/19/06 07:02 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (2)
Slade's home searched as part of ongoing investigation
Various media outlets report that police executed a search warrant at the residence of fired Texas Southern University President Priscilla Slade today. Here's KPRC-2's account:
A search warrant was executed Friday morning at Texas Southern University president Priscilla Slade's home, KPRC Local 2 reported.
The Harris County District Attorney's Office issued the warrant as part of a grand jury investigation into a spending scandal involving hundreds of thousands of dollars of state money.
Investigators took photographs of the furnishings, landscape and security system. They are also expected to seize documents.
The Memorial-area home was at the center of a scandal that led to the TSU board voting to fire Slade.
Slade is accused of improperly spending $87,000 to furnish her home, $138,000 on landscaping and exterior improvements, and $56,000 on security related equipment and labor.
"They're looking to document any Texas Southern University property. They had the intent to seize her computer, which is a Texas Southern University computer," Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal said. "One of our investigators got a call from some people at the university that said some documents in the president's office were being shredded. I can't confirm that."
RELATED COVERAGE: KHOU-11, KTRK-13, Chronicle.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/19/06 06:14 PM | Houston People | Technorati | Comments (1)
18 May 2006
Councilman Johnson kills "glitch" that benefitted Yellow Cab
The Chronicle's Alexis Grant reports that a "miscommunication" has temporarily scuttled the city's plan to allow door-to-door airport shuttle service:
Mayor Bill White said Wednesday the delay should only be temporary, and he expects the City Council to approve an amended contract in the next two months.
The five-year contract between the city and a SuperShuttle franchise run by Yellow Cab was scrapped because it would have prohibited vans that transport passengers directly between airports and hotels from continuing to operate at Houston airports.
That stipulation was not included in the city's original request for shared-ride shuttle proposals.
"It was never our intention in this process that it would eliminate another type of service," White said.
[snip]
Councilman Jarvis Johnson, who noticed the contract glitch and brought it to White's attention Tuesday, said both van services should exist to give passengers more options when traveling to the airport.
[snip]
Richard Vacar, the city's airport director, said allowing hotel-to-airport vans to continue to operate would decrease SuperShuttle's odds for success.
He believed the City Council was aware of the stipulation in the contract that is now being disputed, he said.
"Starting this business up in this huge geographic area is an expensive effort," he said. "What we we're trying to do in the contract is give them a chance to succeed."
Thank goodness Councilmember Johnson read the details of the contract before the city simply signed off on it. Had he not done so, the deal would have hurt firms like Texans Shuttle, which competes in the shuttle-hotel business, by effectively freezing them out of that business. Indeed, the details of the contract are so onerous that one wonders if SuperShuttle/Yellow Cab didn't have a big hand in helping write the contract with Vacar.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/18/06 10:19 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (4)
UNET crime van needed at Minute Maid Park!
KTRK-13 reports that the UNET crime van is moving to a new neighborhood:
Houston police's mobile command unit has hit the streets again. It's the department's latest move to beef up its crime-fighting strength.
On Wednesday night, police parked their UNET vehicle on Bissonnet near Fondren in southwest Houston. UNET stands for Unified Neighborhood Enhancement Team and it's part of an initiative to provide a police presence in the city's most violent neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, KHOU-11 reports on a rash of crimes downtown:
Police say thieves are targeting cars parked in parking lots outside Minute Maid Park.
The problem is so bad undercover officers are on rooftops and on the ground near the lots. It was those plainclothes officers who spotted a man breaking into Dacy’s truck
Some fans are worried. “Oh yeah. I hear it all the time that cars are broken into,” said fan Patricia Sparks.
Police say they will continue their undercover sting operation around the park.
[snip]
Police arrested four people Tuesday night and another 10 last week during games.
While police say some cars are being stolen, many are burglaries where major damage is caused by a person stealing music CDs, change and clothing.
Since there apparently are not enough police officers to keep vehicles safe around the ballpark during games, maybe MayorWhiteChiefHurtt could redeploy the UNET crime van in one of the Astros parking lots and come up with a new acronym for the operation!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/18/06 09:23 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (3)
Houston's best moms
I was sitting in the doctor's office waiting room this afternoon (dealing with the rocking chair incident) and saw a magazine I had not seen before: H Texas. In it was a story about Houston's best moms.
And who are Houston's best moms? According to H Texas they are Elyse Lanier, Melissa Mithoff, Dodie Osteen, Page Parkes Eveleth, and Laura Pettitte.
Now you know.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/18/06 03:37 PM | Houston Life | Technorati | Comments (9)
Houston's civilian accident investigators
Mayor White wants a group of civilians trained to investigate accidents:
Houston Mayor Bill White is proposing the city field a non-police officer "traffic management force" on two wheels — and it's possible they could be armed.
The squad would be made up of 35-40 uniformed individuals authorized to investigate vehicle accidents. As for the unit being armed, White is sidestepping the question for now, saying other cities have put such organizations on a par with parking enforcement officers.
Initial cost of the force would be about $1.5 million, with the money coming from a road-and-street fund. Annual costs could run closer to twice that amount.
How many more police officers could Houston have with $3 million per year?
RELATED COVERAGE: KPRC-2, Chronicle.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/18/06 01:17 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (2)
Houston gets $24 million FEMA grant
The money will pay for evacuee housing:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved a $24 million grant for the city of Houston as reimbursement for evacuee housing expenses, Texas senators said Thursday.
The Public Assistance Program grant will pay for May housing costs, as well as utilities in April and May, said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Sen. John Cornyn.
"Houston has provided shelter for thousands of people displaced by Katrina and the city's generosity will not be forgotten," Cornyn said in a statement.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/18/06 01:09 PM | Hurricane Stuff | Technorati | Comments (5)
17 May 2006
Classless councilmember takes on the doctor (part two)
Several months ago, councilwoman Carol Alvarado called doctor-councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs a profane name during a meeting. Alvarado's breach of decorum provided fodder for bloggers, radio talkers, and journalists for a short time, until Alvarado's inept management of the Mayor Pro Tem's office overshadowed her lack of grace and manners.
The lack of grace and manners made a return today during a contentious debate over municipal funding for a day-labor site, according to Chronicle reporter Alexis Grant:
The national debate over border security fueled a fight at City Hall today when a council member seeking a Republican congressional nomination charged that city funding for a day labor site encouraged illegal immigration.
Supporters of the funding accused Councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs of flip-flopping on the issue to gain conservative voter support for the nomination to succeed U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay of Sugar Land.
"Some people will do or say anything in order to sway with that political climate," said Councilwoman Carol Alvarado, who has a history of squabbling with Sekula-Gibbs. "It's almost like changing your name during an election to gain support from a certain community," she added, sparking gasps and chatter in the Council chambers.
The tactless councilmember was surely pleased with herself afterwards, but her comments really didn't contribute much to the debate.
UPDATE (05-18-2006): The Chronicle posts a longer story today about some of the emotional outbursts that took place during yesterday's Council meeting. Councilmember Ada Edwards joins the fun:
[Sekula=Gibbs'] comments provoked an animated discussion — not typical at weekly City Council meetings — including a tirade by Councilwoman Ada Edwards, who said discriminating against laborers was "the closest thing to fascism I've seen since I've been on the council."
"I am not going to be in the same league as a Hitler or Franco going around telling the big lies, folks, so that I can get my economic and my social agenda passed," said Edwards. "It's demonization of a people and we need to stop it."
Comparing the doctor-councilwoman to Hitler and Franco didn't add much to the debate of a legitimate policy issue. Then again, this is the same member of Council who compared Chief Hurtt's recent efforts to deal with HPD's significant manpower shortage to the establishment of a police state.
Some members of council were able to debate Sekula-Gibbs reasonably:
Councilwoman Sue Lovell criticized Sekula-Gibbs' assumption that workers who use the day-labor site are illegal immigrants.
"It's a really unfair leap by the councilwoman to say because you go there seeking work that, first, you're an immigrant and, second, that you're illegal," she said.
It's not so hard to keep the debate about issues, instead of name-calling and insults. Kudos to those councilmembers who conducted themselves with decorum on this contentious issue.
BLOGVERSATION: TBIFOC, Isolated Desolation.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/17/06 10:34 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (15)
KHOU: Taxpayers help subsidize local businesses
KHOU-11 is promoting a Defenders story that will air tonight which claims the city of Houston is a very generous landlord:
How would you like a landlord that charges you unbelievably cheap rent? How about one that never raises that rent for decades?
[snip]
So who is the landlord? The city of Houston.
But the 11 News Defenders have discovered that you the taxpayer are footing the bill for Houston officials dropping the ball. Plus some of the “tenants” getting those nifty monetary breaks are those who need it least: high‑profile businesses.
Take one example: In midtown Houston there’s the posh restaurant “Brennan’s.” They’ve paid just $200 month for a parking area for 24 years! It turns out the last time the city checked on rental and property values there was 1977.
And that’s just the beginning.
A missed revenue stream? That's not like Mayor White!
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/17/06 05:17 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (2)
UH's big impact on Houston
A new study shows that the UH System generates $3 billion annually in economic benefits for the Houston-area:
According to the study, the UH System's annual impact on the Houston-area economy equates to that of a major corporation -- bringing in annually to the Houston area $1.1 billion in new funds which produce about $3.1 billion in total economic benefits that in turn generate 24,000 jobs.
The report also detailed that the UH System produces 12,500 new graduates every year who enter the work force in Houston and throughout Texas.
"It's important that everyone understands the role that our four universities play in this community," Gogue said. "Frankly, that's often taken for granted. This study clearly spells out the considerable impact we're having. But beyond the impressive numbers, we're also talking about the perception. The value of a university isn't a sum total of academics and research alone. Value is perceived. So we're focusing on making sure the perceptions are accurate. Sharing this study allows us to do that."
The Houston Business Journal story also includes a link to the study.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/17/06 05:02 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (0)
Garfield to host internet chat with Mayor on wifi bubble
Following the blogger conference that took place on Monday, Mayor White will be holding an online conference tonight at 6:30 pm to discuss his proposal to blanket the city with wireless internet service. Michael Garfield will be hosting/moderating the online conference with the mayor, on a wifi connection from outside City Hall. More details are available on Garfield's website.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/17/06 04:25 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (2)
More Metro service improvements, beginning May 28
In keeping with the original Metro Solutions promise to increase bus service by fifty percent, Metro has announced a new round of bus route changes/cancellations:
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/17/06 09:04 AM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (9)
16 May 2006
Quannel X protests release of accused serial killer
KTRK-13 reports that that Quannel X is again engaged in a protest... on behalf of murder victims:
Local activist Quannel X is standing up for the rights of murder victims by protesting the release of a suspected serial killer.
On Monday, a judge reduced Edward Mcgregor's bond from $1 million to $250-thousand, and he was able to post bond. Wednesday afternoon, activist Quannel X is expected to lead a protest in front of Mcgregor's Missouri City home, where he is staying with his mother.
Mcgregor has been charged in the murder of neighbor Kim Wildman 16 years ago, and is also suspected of murdering two Houston women, but no charges have been filed in those cases.
That's an unexpected move from Mr. X.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/16/06 10:38 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (8)
City to spend $100,000 on day-labor site?
KHOU-11's Doug Miller reports that City Council will take up debate on a controversial $100,000 contract tomorrow:
“We bring the workers off the streets,” said Marc Levinson, Neighborhood Centers Inc. “We bring a place for contractors to come in and match what their needs are with the workers who have the ability to fill those needs.”
But this center for laborers has become a center of controversy because it gets $90,000 a year from Houston’s city government.
The contract is up for a $100,000 renewal, during the same week the president addressed the nation on immigration.
[snip]
“I’m guessing somebody wasn’t minding the store, because this is terrible timing. American taxpayers, especially Houstonians, don’t want their taxpayer dollars going for day labor sites. They just don’t want that,” said Houston City Councilmember Michael Berry.
“As a former police officer, I like structure. I like guidelines. I like process,” said Houston City Councilmember Adrian Garcia. “And this is what this item is going to bring to the community.”
The site in question is located in Councilmember Garcia's district.
UPDATE: Councilmembers Sekula-Gibbs, Lawrence, Holm, Berry, and Clutterbuck tagged this item, according to the city's website.
Posted by Kevin Whited