30 September 2007
Mother wins lawsuit; article forgets to mention the gun
Back in 2002, Michael Wayne Goodman was approached by a Pct. 4 Deputy Constable. Goodman assaulted the deputy and fled. The deputy sent his dog after him. Goodman got a hold of the dog and attempted to drown it. The deputy caught up, and pulled Goodman off of him and the two fought. Goodman reached for something behind his back and the deputy shot and killed him fearing it was a weapon. At the scene, the sheriff's detectives never found the weapon. That's because Goodman had either thrown or tossed it in a nearby ditch (filled with water) when he was shot. A day or two later, a relative of Goodman (who, if memory serves, was a Texas Ranger) came to the scene and found Goodman's pistol in the ditch after the water had level dropped.
Goodman's mother sued Harris County, and won.
I wasn't in the court room so I missed all the arguments, but that's not what I'm writing this post for. What struck me about this article is that it failed to mention the fact that Goodman did indeed have a weapon. The pistol recovered later was traced back to him. Even Goodman's own relatives told investigators that he was known to carry a pistol. County Attorney Mike Stafford said he will "aggressively appeal." It will be interesting to see how this turns out.
While looking up other articles in this case, I found this site, which is a table of officer-involved shootings the Chronicle put together. Scroll down to 04/14/2002. It says whether or not Goodman had a gun is "in dispute." Yet, the summary says his gun was found later. That same summary says that the deputy sent his dog to attack Goodman, failing to mention that Goodman assaulted him first. Funny, the Chronicle sometimes contradicts itself in the same breath.
Posted by Jason @ 09/30/07 10:18 AM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (0)
The problem with zoning...
...is that self-designated elite sophisticates would be in charge of determining what's okay and what's not.
I thought a 23-story mixed-use project was exactly the kind of development new urbanists long for. I guess it's not so good when it's in your own neighborhood:
The Bissonnet high-rise, Brown said, is a glaring example of out-of-scale development.
The project "would literally dwarf the surrounding homes in Southampton," said Brown, who lives in the neighborhood. "The city simply lacks the basic development standards to protect our neighborhoods and property values."
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/30/07 09:29 AM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (16)
This IS unfortunate
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/30/07 09:18 AM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (0)
James Campbell is leaving the Chronicle
In his column today, the Chronicle's reader representative informs that he's moving on:
Next week will be my last at the Chronicle and as Readers' Representative (so, fire away or forever hold your abuse). I always wondered what this day would be like. In a week or so, I'll be stepping outside of the comfort zone I've known for more than 25 years as a journalist to begin a new career. It has not been easy grasping that.
Best wishes, James. You'll be missed.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/30/07 05:40 AM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (3)
29 September 2007
Aha! This is why Houston rushed installation of 20 more red light cameras
Remember when the city hurriedly installed 20 more red light cameras, even though the 50 that Council approved had already been installed? Suspicion was that this was to beat a new state law that imposed some limitations on the revenue-generating devices. Now we know how true that suspicion was. From TheNewspaper.com:
A little-noticed provision of Texas law took effect at the beginning of the month to force cities using red light cameras to appoint citizen oversight panels. The provision caused disruption in the city of Lubbock's red light camera plans yesterday.
According to Texas Transportation Code Section 707.003: "A local authority shall report results of the traffic engineering study required by Subsection (c) to a citizen advisory committee consisting of one person appointed by each member of the governing body of the local authority. The committee shall advise the local authority on the installation and operation of a photographic traffic signal enforcement system established under this chapter."
No camera installed after September 1 may issue a citation without this citizen's panel first reviewing a detailed engineering assessment that presents alternatives to photo ticketing. The Texas Transportation Institute, for example, found in 2005 that merely adding one second of yellow warning time at traffic signals beyond the minimum amount yielded a forty percent accident reduction (view report).
The wording of the law ensures that city council members who oppose the use of red light cameras have the right to appoint representatives to the oversight panel.
MayorWhiteChiefHurttMarthaMontalvo had to be concerned about their chances to add more cameras with this obstacle. You'll notice that Houstonians weren't allowed to vote on the red light camera program; it's not hard to guess it'd probably be voted down.
Let's recall what Asst. Chief Montalvo said when those 20 cameras were added at the last minute:
Montalvo said the decision to add the new cameras had nothing to do with a new state law, which takes effect Saturday, that could require some cities to do engineering studies at new locations.
Boy, that's ringing even more hollow now!
And then there's Matt Stiles' latest reporting on city-owned vehicles running red lights, including Houston police officers:
Houston police commanders say the city's red-light camera enforcement program should increase safety at intersections by prompting "behavior modifications" in motorists.
Not all of their own employees are getting the message, however.
More than 100 Houston police vehicles moving through intersections without emergency lights were cited in the first year of the cameras' operation, according to ticket data.
"We're just like regular citizens. We're only human," said Martha Montalvo, an executive assistant chief with the Houston Police Department who oversees the program.
"We're hoping for some behavior modifications from all angles, not only from our citizens but also from our city employees."
Back when it was just the general citizenry she thought needed behavior modification, Montalvo wasn't so forgiving.
She's got a bit more empathy going now: We're only human.
Maybe some longer yellow light times would help, Martha.
RELATED: Red-light cameras to city: You owe $16,425 (City Hall blog); HPD, METRO lead in red-light camera citations (City Hall blog)
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/29/07 04:06 PM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (14)
28 September 2007
Some mobility concerns get Mayor White's attention
Mayor White has come out against a big high-rise condo project in the Rice University area, and he has promised legislation to deal with projects like this in the future.
Cory blogs about this at Lose an Eye, It's a Sport, with a focus on future zoning laws.
On the Chron's City Hall blog, Mike Snyder notes that Mayor White's concern primarily deals with traffic around the project:
White's letter gets straight to the point: "I believe that the proposed development of a 23-story mixed-use development with over 450 parking spaces, on the site of the Maryland Manor apartments, will impair mobility on Bissonnet, a two-lane street." He concludes with a promise to "use any appropriate power under law to alter the proposed project as currently planned."
So far, however, city officials have not identified any regulation violated by the project as proposed. Work is under way on a new traffic impact ordinance [PDF], but for now the city is powerless to require developers to alter their projects based on the findings of traffic impact studies.
It's a shame Mayor White isn't as concerned with the impaired traffic mobility that will wreak havoc on Richmond when Metro tears things up for light rail.
Or how about the concerns of MacGregor Place residents in getting the new Bus Rapid Transit line moved off MLK Blvd.?
MacGregor Place residents played the King card in their efforts to get Metro's planned Bus Rapid Transit line for the Southeast Corridor moved off Martin Luther King Boulevard.
A Sept. 7 letter, sent at their request by Martin Luther King III to Mayor Bill White, suggests that he use his influence to "maintain the positive character and integrity of this particular neighborhood."
While the letter does not flatly ask White to overturn Metro's route selection, it does say that correspondence from residents expresses "valid concerns" for "the wisdom of selecting another location."
[snip]
Metro spokeswoman Sandra Salazar said the MLK route was judged best in a Final Environmental Impact Statement and approved by the Metro board. It is also in the federal funding pipeline for construction to start in 2008, she said.
That's what will happen with the Richmond route, too.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/28/07 05:11 AM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (10)
27 September 2007
Houston Press "Best Of" time
The Houston Press' annual "Best Of" issue is out, and lots of interesting choices have been made. Perhaps some could even be called...unexpected. Check it out, if you haven't already.
Thanks to Banjo Jones for the heads up.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/27/07 07:13 PM | Houston Life | Technorati | Comments (4)
Wayne Dolcefino vs. Metro, part 2
As promised, KTRK-13's Wayne Dolcefino tells us how to ride Metro's transit offerings for free:
we've found a way you can ride the bus or the rail absolutely free anytime you want.
"Are you referring to METRO employees?" asked Smalley.
That's right. METRO employees ride free.
"Why should they ride free if we have to pay?" asked passenger Jackie Harris.
"How can we compete with the private sector? One of those ways is a transportation benefit," said Smalley.
The perk on the park and ride is worth up to $1,700 a year just for one employee. It's a perk that's costing Houston taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Unless you buy METRO's logic.
"It's an existing seat," he said. "It's an empty seat."
Don't forget, the City of Houston pays hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy its employees Metro passes. It's all taxpayer money, you know, so no biggie.
Then Dolcefino digs where local media rarely goes: Metro's generous compensation:
But do METRO officials need a free ride? Sixty-nine executives make more than $100,000 a year. Smalley makes $175,000. Dionne Smith spends $400 a year commuting on the bus.
"If I've got to pay, they should too," she said.
"Did anyone say at METRO, this isn't a good idea?" we asked Smalley.
"We think it's a good idea," he answered.
And now, we've learned it's not just employees. Their spouses' get free bus and rail, too -- 3,000 more people. But METRO won't show us the list.
But Dolcefino did get a list of Metro salaries, and it's here.
And then there's this hilarity:
You'd think free passage would be an incentive for METRO officials to use mass transit. The METRO Blog says yes.
"A blog is a good example of new technology we want to capitalize on," said Smalley.
Writing the blog is part of Mary Sitt's $76,000 a year job at METRO.
"Even if she was just blogging, that might in itself be worth the money," said Smalley. Sitt told readers in July she was riding back to work on the train when she ran into four METRO officials, including Vice President Todd Mason and the CEO Frank Wilson.
"I happened to have my camera in my purse and snapped some photos," the blog said.
What a lucky coincidence for Sitt.
"Was that some kind of staged PR stunt and if that's the question, no it wasn't," Smalley told us. "We don't play those kind of games, Wayne."
We asked because Sitt said the pictures were taken on June 18 at 1:18pm. We looked at METRO's Q Card records and there was no record Sitt was even on the train that day or Mason or Wilson.
METRO's explanation -- maybe they just didn't swipe their Q Card and got on the train without a ticket.
"Are there instances when I'm rushing to catch a train and don't swipe my card on the reader? I'm sure there are instances," said Smalley.
Try that explanation the next time a METRO cop asks for your ticket. Let us know how it works.
Yeah, what a coincidence. Here's the Metro blog post to which Dolcefino's referring.
But the indefatigable Dolcefino still wasn't done. He confronted Metro Chairman David Wolff about Metro officials' (lack of) public transit ridership. Go read, and then chuckle.
One last thing: Metro employees are not happy with this, and they're expressing their frustration with Dolcefino at his blog. The comments are quite a read, to say the least.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/27/07 06:22 AM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (19)
26 September 2007
Metro: Frank Wilson's too busy to ride public transit
Last night on KTRK-13, Wayne Dolcefino took a look at what it cost to make those goofy videos on Metro's website:
Just how much of your money is METRO spending to convince you to ride the bus and rail you are already paying for? And is it the job of METRO to convince us in the first place?
"This is the METRO Report, your source for news and happenings with your host, Elliot Roberts," said the ad METRO is running on its website.
Who's Elliot Roberts? Let's go to METRO headquarters and find out.
"I'm looking for Elliot Roberts," we said when we went into METRO headquarters.
"Who's Elliot Roberts? We asked METRO's George Smalley.
"He's an actor," said Smalley.
He's an actor you paid to do an imitation of Steven Colbert. You can catch his show on Comedy Central.
[snip]
"We're trying to add a little levity, a little lightness to an education piece," said Smalley.
We showed the video to bus passengers next to METRO headquarters.
"You think it was funny?" we asked.
"It was stupid," said one person.
That cost $46,000, a mere drop in Metro's overflowing, taxpayer-funded bucket.
Next up, a movie trailer!
The movie trailer cost $68,961 of your money to make and took three days to scout a location to shoot the video, even though METRO has more than 25 park and ride lots.
"Odds are, there's one near you," the ad says. "Maybe even in your own back yard."
Add another $115,000 to run the video before movies in 13 theaters. You paid talent fees of $3,750 for the actors. Apparently, no one in METRO's $3 million a year marketing department could do it as part of their work day.
And then this:
One of the park and rides lots is down in Missouri City. There are plenty of empty spaces there. Its near Frank Wilson's house, METRO's chief executive officer, but he doesn't use it even though the 163 downtown express can drop him off just a couple of blocks from METRO's headquarters. And the other bus connects to the METRO Rail that runs right next to Wilson's office.
"He's busier than the average commuter," I said.
"Certainly there is a higher expectation on a CEO about how they spend their time and make most productive use of time," Smalley replied.
But METRO spends your money telling you how much work you can get done on mass transit
"With the study time I get on the bus, I got a 'C+' in history," said an actor in the spot. "METRO rocks dude!"
But of course, Wilson gets a $1,000 a month car allowance. So maybe gas prices don't hit his wallet the same as yours.
Metro's transit offerings aren't efficient enough for a busy CEO, and the average commuter's busy-ness isn't comparable to Frank Wilson's. He's just more important!
Another fine example of Metro's tone-deafness.
Perhaps Metro officials could spend less time and money trying to sell an inefficient product, and more time making their product work better...for busy commuters AND CEO's.
Tonight, Dolcefino promises to show us how to ride the bus and light rail for free!
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/26/07 05:14 AM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (23)
24 September 2007
The financial benefits of Houston's arts
According to a new study, Houston's vibrant arts scene contributes substantially to the local economy (via Houston Business Journal):
"The Business of the Arts: A Look into The Economic Impact of the Arts on the Houston Region" showed that in 2004, the nonprofit arts in Houston brought in $626.3 million, supported 14,115 full-time jobs and generated $69.5 million in local and state government revenue.
[snip]
The study also found that the 9.2 million people who said they attended
an arts and cultural event in 2004 was twice the number of people attending events related to Houston's three major league professional sports teams in 2005.The 1.6 million visitors to Houston who attended cultural events in 2004 spent $132 million in addition to the cost of their tickets, the survey found.
"Houston is not just a good places for the arts, it is one of the best," said Larry Faulkner, president of Houston Endowment Inc., a philanthropic institution founded in 1937 by Jesse and Mary Gibbs Jones.
"The arts are a powerful business asset and one we need to have for Houston to remain a leading city in the future and to keep its extraordinary economic vitality," he said.
Hear, hear!
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/24/07 07:45 PM | Houston Arts/Culture | Technorati | Comments (7)
Trending in the right direction
Homicides in Houston are down fourteen percent from last year (via the Chronicle):
Between Jan.1 and Sept. 17 last year, the city's homicide count was 290, Police Chief Harold Hurtt said.
In the same period this year, "we've had 248, for a reduction of 14.48 percent," Hurtt said last week. Houston recorded 248 homicides this year through Sept. 17, compared to 290 at this time last year.
Hurtt reviewed Houston crime statistics in a regular monthly press conference last week.
"Total violent crime in January through August 2007, versus 2006, is down 4.9 percent," Hurtt said.
This is very good news, for Houstonians as well as for Houston's hard-working police officers. Let's hope this trend keeps heading in the same direction.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/24/07 07:30 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (7)
23 September 2007
Metro works for the "greater" good...all 0.9% of it
Last week I ran across this post on Reason's Out of Control blog which included a link to some interesting data: Houston's public transit market share in 2005 was 0.9%.
For some clarification, Tom Bazan explained exactly what that means: Out of all the "trips" made by Houstonians, whether by car, bus, rail, whatever, less than one percent was carried by public transit. Think of all the hundreds of millions of dollars Metro collects each year, and then think of what percentage of the population that serves.
Yesterday, Rad Sallee noted that Metro's board approved a new budget for 2008 that totals $875 million:
The sum includes an increase, to $354 million, for operations — a cost that had held steady for three years before going up 4 percent in 2007.
But the biggest difference from the current budget is a 65 percent increase in the general mobility payments that Metro makes to the city of Houston, Harris County and 14 member cities in its service area.
That annual obligation, which amounts to 25 percent of Metro's sales tax revenue as required by a 2003 referendum, is budgeted at $185 million in 2008.
Metro President and CEO Frank Wilson attributed the jump to the city of Houston undertaking more mobility projects and presenting more invoices from those projects for Metro to pay.
Tom Bazan has suspected for a while now that Metro wasn't meeting its general mobility obligation to the city of Houston and Harris County areas where Metro collects sales tax revenues. Does Metro have some making up to do? Sure seems like it!
But what's really amazing is that light rail proponents complain that the 25% set-aside is too much!
METRO’s CFO, Francis Britton, estimates that since the program’s inception, more than $1.3 billion has been reallocated. Houston could have built a LOT of high-quality urban transit with $1.3 billion.
Even though three-fourths of the sales tax Metro collects goes to public transit, that's still not enough. The CTC wants 100% of it to go toward transit that serves a teensy fraction of Houstonians.
Here's an interesting tidbit from Sallee's story:
But 2007 was a busy year too, with detailed engineering and property acquisition starting on four of the lines, purchases of 65 new buses, opening of three new Park & Ride lots, and testing of a new fare card system.
Hmmmm, wonder what kind of property acquisition has been going on?
And then a bit of number crunching:
To pay for all this, Metro forecasts sales tax revenue of at least $450 million, $113 million in federal grants and $256 million from short-term borrowing with commercial paper.
Fares are estimated to bring in about $53 million, which would be 6 percent of total spending and 15 percent of operating costs.
Metro will take $450 million from local taxpayers, and fares from actual transit riders will bring in $53 million. That's a plan only government can love!
Today's Chron carries an op-ed by Roy R. Reynolds who laments the fact that Metro just does whatever it wants, no matter how ill-conceived the project. He starts off with a great point that Kevin Whited also made last week:
Houston Mayor Bill White took to the skies a couple of weeks ago to scope out traffic problems created by at-grade rail crossings. As the mayor's helicopter swooped around the city, he saw for himself how "arrogant" rail operators seemed when blocking intersections and creating long queues of cars.
He could have saved the 45-minute helicopter ride and just walked a few blocks from City Hall to see the same problems created by Houston's own light-rail system.
Further in, he gets to the meat of the problem:
Alas resistance, as they say, is futile. Metro recently held public hearings that allowed opponents of the Richmond rail route to voice their dissent. But surely all those attending the meeting know any words of discord fell on deaf ears.
Seemingly nothing can be said that will convince Metro's leaders of anything other than the plan they're forcing on Houston. Those who live and operate businesses along Richmond are told to sacrifice for the "greater good."
Houstonians are inundated with projected ridership figures aimed at showing how useful a rail line cutting through an already-busy part of town would be.
But those dubious numbers, which must come from some bureaucrat's crystal ball, are designed to secure federal funds. That way, Metro can force a whole nation to pay for a rail system that will serve only a handful.
Never mind that the light rail can't get commuters from the suburbs to their jobs. Or that Houston's decentralized population and wide geographic reach vastly reduce the utility of a static mass transit structure.
Logic hasn't dissuaded Metro in the past. Nor have various political scandals. So don't expect the rights of property owners along Richmond — the same kind of people who created a city of opportunity — to make a difference.
One last note, Kevin sent me this amusing email yesterday:
We caught a bus from Athens airport to nearby port city of
Ruffina. Very nice bus, minimal number of stops, took hardly any time
at all, three euros for the fare. Not like Metro's airport express!
Well, that's what we get with a quasi-governmental agency that has practically no accountability. And those who are in a position to force change aren't interested.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/23/07 05:32 PM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (15)
Houston billionaires give to local politicians
The ever-enterprising Matt Stiles took last week's list of Houston billionaires and gave it a local politics-angle:
Business reporter Purva Patel has a story today about the Houstonians who made Forbes magazine's annual list of the 400 richest Americans.
The list includes John Arnold, a 33-year-old former energy trader at Enron who now heads the energy-market hedge fund Centaurus Energy.
Arnold, the youngest billionaire noted by the magazine, is among several on the Forbes list who donated campaign money to city politicians.
The Houston billionaires and their spouses gave at least 44 donations, totaling more than $100,000, in the 2005 and 2007 election cycles, according to campaign finance records.
Mayor White, of course, received the most money, collecting at least 17 donations totaling $80,000, the data show.
I compiled a list of all the donations, and then the totals by elected official. Check out both files on Google Docs.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/23/07 09:20 AM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (0)
22 September 2007
More supervisors listening in on police chases
Paige Hewitt writes in the Chronicle about HPD's adding some items to its chase policy.
Here is a post I did on my blog and in the Chronicle's blog pages about it:
I read today's article about HPD revising it's pursuit policies. In short, it sounds to me like it just adds more supervisors into the mix. Supervisors are supposed to be monitoring the radio regardless of what is happening on the streets. When a chase starts, supervisors are supposed to be listening. If he/she feels the chase is getting too risky then they already have the power to terminate the pursuit. Don't forget that the officer, who is involved in the chase, also has the discretion to terminate if necessary. Please allow me to present some basic facts and arguments concerning police chases that many in the media and public may not know (or simply may not care).
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Too many people get hurt/killed in police chases.
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-Well yes. One officer or innocent civilian injured or killed is one too many. Personally, I don't care about the crook who is running. If they hurt or kill themselves and nobody else, no big loss in my opinion. The sad reality is that unless we are given the technology that allows us to disable the engine at the start of the chase, the high number of criminals in Harris County will continue to run. Handcuffing the police is not the answer.
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Forbidding chasing for traffic violations and minor non-violent crimes would save lives.
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-No, it wouldn't. If that were the case, why would anyone bother stopping when being pulled over to begin with? That just gives more power to the criminals and it puts the public at their mercy. Would anyone dare suggest the police not show up at a hostage crises? After all, if the criminal is allowed to escape, he/she may not have to take hostages leaving innocent people at the mercy of the criminal.
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Police could simply run license plates and find the driver later.
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-Not necessarily. If the car is already stolen, what good is running the plate going to do? In many parts of town, usually where most of the chases occur, the person driving the car is not the registered owner. Especially with a high illegal immigrant population, someone obtains the car and sells it under the table to an illegal immigrant or an unlicensed driver without ever changing the title over. On top of that, finding the car later on doesn't mean finding the driver. It's hard to get a good look at someone's face when they are fleeing in a vehicle.
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Why risk officer and public chasing someone who ran a red light?
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-Most often the reason the person is fleeing isn't because they ran a red light. Usually they are trying to conceal something else. I can cite two good examples off the bat. I remember one night an officer tried to stop a car for speeding. The car took off and eventually crashed into a tree or a ditch and the occupants took off on foot. The driver was caught. It also turned out the owner of the car had just been kidnapped by those two. He was bound and gagged in the trunk. Had that officer not been allowed to chase what he originally thought was just a speeder, there would have been a homicide later on. One day I tried to stop a car and it took off. Turned out the two inside the car had just robbed a store and I interrupted their getaway. The passenger was caught that day and the driver turned himself in a month later. Now they are both in prison.
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Is the death of an innocent citizen worth catching the bad guy?
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-Of course not. However, no officer who gets involved in a car chase wants an innocent person to get hurt or killed. There is no way we can foresee tragic endings. If we could do that, then we would all play the powerball when the jackpot reaches $1 million. Unfortunately, these things do happen and will continue until these people are stopped from running altogether. Now before you mistakenly criticize me for being dismissive, let me point out something: Everyone who gets into their car everyday and drives to work takes a risk of being involved in a car accident. Drunk drivers cripple and injure far more innocent citizens than police chases. Do you argue for a return to prohibition? When you walk into a bank, or a convenience store, you take a risk of being present when the establishment is robbed. Again, more people are hurt or killed in robberies than in police chases.
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The public is safe when a chase is terminated.
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-This is patently false! I have never seen an instance where a pursuit was terminated that the criminal slowed down and obeyed the traffic laws. When the police stop chasing, the criminal will continue fleeing at high speeds. What would you say in an instance where the police terminated the pursuit for public safety, yet the criminal kept driving 80+ through a neighborhood and killed someone down the road? This has happened before and the police were criticized for terminating the pursuit to begin with!
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In closing, car chases are one of the most dangerous tasks of law enforcement. We have to keep in mind our safety, the safety of the public, and try to figure out why the bad guy is running to start with. The Chronicle points out that there have been about 7 deaths in 900 vehicle pursuits (over what time span I'd like to know). However, I pointed out two instances where one life was spared from a kidnapping, and who knows how many lives were spared when we caught those two armed robbers. Think about it -- more lives are spared when these criminals are stopped and captured. I know that doesn't bring comfort to the families of people killed in chases. However, talk to the family of someone killed by a criminal that was allowed to escape and see if it's any easier.
Posted by Jason @ 09/22/07 11:08 AM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (0)
Mayor White talks leadership...during the week he was lacking some
So, last week Mayor White admitted he lacked leadership by ignoring his instincts, and instead doing what Council wanted:
"One thing I've learned from this experience is to go with my instinct," said White, who originally wanted the contract put out to bid. He said he later decided to negotiate an extension at the request of council members.
Ironically, last week he gave a speech at Rice University detailing what's needed to be a leader:
Speaking as part of the International Leadership Competency Forum at the Baker Institute for Public Policy, White began by dispelling societal misconceptions about what it takes to be a leader.
“Pop culture often confuses leadership with celebrity or wealth, or where you stand in a hierarchy,” White said.
In fact, he said the qualities that make a person well known will not make them a leader. The most important qualities for leadership are not necessarily the most publicized and most appreciated ones, he said. Intelligence and academic proficiency, while valuable assets, are overrated leadership qualities, and trustworthiness and reliability are more important, White said.
“You’re much more likely to succeed as a leader if the people around you are rooting for you to succeed,” he said.
White said leadership styles are highly influenced by one’s parents and the leaders one observes. If people do not deliberately develop a leadership style, they will begin to copy what they see. He said he reads about his political heroes for guidance.
If Mayor White's instinct truly told him that the airport concessions contract should have gone out to bid, he should have followed it. By not doing so, he demonstrated a tremendous lack of leadership.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/22/07 09:07 AM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (2)
21 September 2007
The danger train strikes again
Well, while Kevin and Anne [woops! That should be Kevin and Callie!] are off to the sunny Near East, I'm picking up the slack a bit by noting that the Danger Train has struck (a vehicle) again, just about an hour ago. Since the accident just happened, the details are pretty sketchy:
One of the train's passengers — a person in a wheelchair — was taken to St. Joseph's hospital by ambulance, they said. No other injuries were reported. All passengers of the train will be offloaded while Metro authorities consider whether to start a bus bridge along the route to bypass the accident scene.
Would it be too much to ask to build a train bridge to bypass the entire route? Evidently so, given Metro's expansion plans.
The cause of the accident is under investigation, officials said.
Hint: Elementary physics and stupid design are at fault. Two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time; therefore, putting trains and cars on the same street is a bad idea -- but only if the trains carry freight, apparently!
UPDATE: As Rorschach points out, the story seems to have changed. Most interesting alteration is that the first story mentions a wheelchair-bound person being taken to the hospital. The new story omits any mention of a wheelchair, and mentions only a "motorized scooter." Equally peculiar, we are informed that the scooter "broke in two" but we are given no information on her injuries, other than "they are considered not life-threatening." This seems to be an awfully mild - and vague - description for personal injuries, given that the scooter broke in two.
One still wonders how a person without a vehicle wrapped around them (meaning unrestricted vision) and, presumably, a red light, could miss something the size of a MetroRail train.
Posted by Ubu Roi @ 09/21/07 06:35 PM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (9)
Is Tilman over-compensated?
According to the Houston Business Journal, one group thinks he is:
Proxy Governance Inc. said in its report issued Thursday that the compensation package of CEO Tilman Fertitta is more than 10 times that of the company's other five named executives in its proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Houston-based Landry's (NYSE: LNY) has nominated board members Michael Chadwick, Michael Richmond and former Galveston County Sheriff Joe Max Taylor to be elected to the compensation committee at the company's annual meeting on Sept. 27.
Though the Virginia independent proxy firm believes the board is generally covering its oversight role, it urges voters to withhold votes for those positions because Fertitta's pay package is out of line.
"We have concerns regarding (Fertitta's) compensation," the report states, "given the company's financial performance relative to peers."
Among the 18 peer-group companies included in the group's analysis are California Pizza Kitchen Inc., Isle of Capri Casinos Inc., Ruth Chris Steak House and Trump Entertainment Resorts.
[snip]
According to the report, Fertitta's average annual compensation package for the past three years was $7.1 million, including base salary, bonuses and stock compensation. That is 350 percent higher than the CEOs of the peer group companies.
Not surprisingly, a Landry's executive disagrees:
Steve Scheinthal, Landry's executive vice president and general counsel, said Thursday that the company disputes the methodology used in Proxy Governance peer group calculations.
"When we use comparisons to an appropriate peer group, Fertitta's compensation is well within the group," said Scheinthal. "We disagree with the mechanics of how they've done it."
"If (Fertitta) doesn't get a competitive salary then he won't be here. And he is Landry's."
It's hard to disagree with that last statement.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/21/07 08:04 AM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (5)
20 September 2007
Mayor White: Council made me do it! Really!
After yesterday's Terminal C food contract passed by an 11-2 margin, Mayor White decided to play the victim:
"One thing I've learned from this experience is to go with my instinct," said White, who originally wanted the contract put out to bid. He said he later decided to negotiate an extension at the request of council members.
"From now we're going to put it out for RFP," White said. "And if some council member says it ought to be extended, we'll replay back this debate and be accused of not being transparent."
Right. Because as we all know, Houston has a weak-mayor form of government.
Let's not forget he used a variation of this we'll-do-better-next-time excuse after Council approved the sale of Bolsover to a private developer.
So ... since the Terminal C contract was last bid upon in 1990 and won't be up for bid again until 2016, that means a local government contract will not have been through the process that ensures taxpayers are getting the best value for their money for 26 years.
Imagine if the vendor's name was this.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/20/07 05:07 AM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (12)
19 September 2007
Might the driver have been an "undocumented" person?
A wild driver recently slammed into Westbury Animal Clinic.
Here is the interesting description of the driver from the Chronicle's Betty L. Martin:
The driver, who spoke no English and apparently had neither a driver's license nor insurance, Cooper said, told police that her brakes stopped working moments before the accident.
"She said she had the choice to hit another car or our wall," Cooper said. "Thankfully, no one was hurt."
Apparently?
It seems like that might have been worth further investigation.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/19/07 09:57 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (8)
Happy Birthday to us (and an announcement)
Anne Linehan reminded me a few days ago that the blog's third birthday was approaching.
Sure enough, our first posts here were on September 19, 2004. So, Happy Birthday to us!
We weren't quite sure how our city-specific, LA Examiner-like follow-up to the successful Chronically Biased project would fare, but we at least had in mind a web project that we thought would be fun and different.
It's definitely been fun! That it continues to generate interest among the city's pols, journalists, bloggers, and our wonderful commenters is even more gratifying. Whether you agree with our posts or not, we're pleased when Houstonians take more of an interest in our great city. That's sort of the point of it all.
That and having a drink with our net friends! We'll definitely be planning a birthday celebration in the near future.
But (now for the announcement part)... it will have to wait a couple of weeks. On Friday, Callie and I are off on a long-planned excursion to Greece (and Turkey, if I get my way) for a couple of weeks. We may check our email if we find suitable internet cafes, but we intend mostly to be unplugged. So, starting Friday, no posts from me until sometime in early October. Please play nice while I'm away (and keep an eye on those crafty pols). Opa! :)
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/19/07 08:14 PM | Announcements | Technorati | Comments (6)
If a developer can do it, why not homeowners?
Some Houston residents are tired of their street being used as a shortcut by other drivers, and they have an idea how to stop it (via KHOU-11):
"To us it's very unsafe to have a car going 50 miles an hour next to our horses when we're walking,” said Arango.
His horses do get spooked when a driver veers off busy Westheimer and uses a long, narrow street as a cut-through.
"They come right up to the horse they are blowing the horn and then they speed up to 60 (mph) said Arango. “ This is a real safety issue and that's what it is all about."
But it's more than horses. About 100 homeowners on East and West Rivercrest have long worried that speeding cars here pose a danger to their children.
"We see a hazard,” said attorney George Fleming, who lives on Rivercrest. Neighbors picked him to offer the city a deal.
"A sale of the street. We'd purchase the street,” said Fleming.
The City of Houston would pick the price and the residents would turn the roads private.
A few blocks away, Michael Levy worries if the city lets one wealthy neighborhood buy a public street and put up gates at either end, it could start a trend.
How is this different from the city selling streets to developers?
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/19/07 04:58 AM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (8)
18 September 2007
Carey: Clarence Bradford kicks off DA campaign at the Aquarium
Fortunately, only one of them -- Clarence Bradford -- is returning to local politics.
As Carey reports, Bradford says there is a crime problem in the community (which must come as news to MayorWhiteChiefHurtt) and he is the man to tackle it.
We hope that in the upcoming campaign, reporters will force Clarence Bradford to address the HPD crime lab problems that developed under his tenure as HPD chief. The public (still) deserves answers about his (mis)management of the crime lab.
BLOGVERSATION: Off the Kuff, Greg's Opinion.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/18/07 09:58 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (11)
17 September 2007
Mayor responds to airport concession criticism with press release
Last week, Councilmember Anne Clutterbuck put a tag on Mayor White's proposed sweetheart contract extension for the underperforming (but politically connected) concessionaire at Bush Intercontinental Airport's Terminal C.
Since then, Mayor White (who has trumpeted his administration's transparency) has come under fire in various quarters for refusing to open a bidding process to find a new vendor and upgrade Terminal C's inadequate concessions.
Today, Mayor White's press machine tried to counter some of the criticism. The Chronicle's Matt Stiles posts the press release he received from Patrick Trahan:
Food service at Terminal C provided by a contract inherited by my Administration is worse than at competing airports.
I have proposed to council that we negotiate an extension because our position with the vendor puts us in a unique position to leverage value for the city. Secondly, it is in the best interest of the city to move forward with this proposed agreement that would allow for expedited conversion of Terminal C, without a protracted battle over contracts.
The City of Houston's professional airport managers and I announced publicly last spring our intention to replace the current food contractor when the contract expires next summer, unless there were big changes in management and millions more invested in upgrades. Council Members were updated along the way and had input. The process was transparent. The contractor complied with tough demands. Aviation professionals tell us the City obtained the benefit of competition before the current inadequate contract expires.
Hard-nosed managers in the private and public sectors often tell vendors they must immediately offer better contract terms or face replacement later on. By removing contract extension as a tool for City negotiations, we would lose an effective tool for improving existing contracts.
This Administration does not mix contracts with politics and does not fear fights. I believe the public wants city officials to pay more attention to constituent service and improving public safety, traffic, and neighborhoods, rather than on fights between vendors.
Council spent almost a year debating the vendor for scheduled airport shuttle service, and for months much service was lost after a contract expired, without replacement.
That is a BIZARRE press release that is not convincing.
First, I don't think I would have concluded a press statement trumpeting the White Administration's transparency by... citing an earlier airport-related sweetheart deal that benefited one bigtime political contributor (Yellow Cab) and effectively put an existing airport shuttle operation out of business. That example isn't really consistent with the message (as the expensive political consultants might say).
Second, calling a non-transparent process transparent doesn't make it so. The Mayor may not like the criticism of this sweetheart extension, but he's getting criticism because he claims to govern transparently, yet has promulgated a sweetheart contract extension for an underperforming vendor who just happens to be politically connected. Even Mrs. White admitted that this doesn't pass the smell test.
Third, the whining in the first paragraph about inheriting this underperforming vendor from a previous administration is just odd, since the lengthy contract extension being proposed by Mayor White would only saddle future administration(s) with the underperforming vendor. Why is saddling the next mayor(s) with an underperforming vendor preferable to a competitive bid process?
Fourth, the notion that the public wants the Mayor and Council to avoid a protracted fight on this matter is curious. Surely Mayor White does not really mean to suggest that his administration is incapable of pulling off a basic function of government (structuring a bid for services and going through a fair process that secures the best deal for taxpayers). That is not a reassuring signal from a big-city mayor with aspirations for higher political office. It's hard to imagine such an admission (implicit or explicit) coming from Mayors Bloomberg or Daley.
Or even from Albuquerque's Mayor!
In fact, we've heard quite a bit about Houston's lax residency requirements of late. If Mayor White doesn't feel like he's capable of conducting a fair bid process for IAH Terminal C concessions and forging political consensus on Council for such a move, perhaps we could run Albuquerque's mayor in the next election?
ANNE ADDS: Here's the first paragraph of Carolyn Feibel's story in today's Chronicle:
Mayor Bill White called the food service at Bush Intercontinental Airport's Terminal C inferior to that of other airports and said the fastest way to improve it was to extend the contract of the company that dishes it out.
That's just insane. This is not how good government operates, and taxpayers should demand better. Also in Feibel's story, Councilwoman Anne Clutterbuck asks:
"I think it's a terrible precedent," Clutterbuck said. "The way it is now, it begs the question of why do we bid any contract? To what other contracts will this process be applied?"
Indeed, but maybe we already do have a precedent: Will all airport contracts be set aside for City Hall's political friends? We certainly seem to see a pattern.
And Councilwoman Clutterbuck's greater point is extremely important as related to government: What other city vendors will now come forward and demand the same preferential treatment Jason Yoo gets -- provide a lousy service, give plenty of political donations, and land a sweetheart deal?
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/17/07 09:44 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (12)
That's our Sheila Jackson Lee
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee made an appearance for KPRC-2 at Key Middle School today.
The best part of this story, though, is that as she is touring the school, the Congresswoman actually stops, pulls her mask aside for a good camera shot, and proceeds to complain that people should be "out of here" until proper testing can be done. The video is available on the right side of the page here.
We wouldn't expect Sheila Jackson Lee to let allegedly hazardous airborne contaminants get in the way of a good camera shot!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/17/07 08:29 PM | Houston People | Technorati | Comments (23)
16 September 2007
Mayor, federal official observe at-grade freight-rail congestion
The congestion caused by Houston's at-grade freight-rail lines made the news earlier this week.
Here's an excerpt from Rad Sallee's reporting for the Chronicle:
A federal transportation official, invited by Mayor Bill White to see how freight trains often block street traffic here, got a bird's-eye view of exactly that on a helicopter tour of the area Monday.
Toward the end of their 45-minute tour, the copter flew over a four-lane street by a rail switching yard near southeast Houston, where a Metro bus and several tractor-trailers were waiting at a crossing, blocked by a stopped train.
"They're so arrogant," White told Surface Transportation Board Chairman Charles "Chip" Nottingham. "That train does not have to be stopped over those tracks. The railroad does not give a darn."
It has always been surprising to me that so many important side streets in Houston are cut off by freight rail tracks, which are elevated or routed away from traffic in many major cities. It's good to see Mayor White trying to address the issue.
Then again, Mayor White's argument may be undercut somewhat by the fact that the area's regional transit organization (METRO) is proceeding full speed ahead with plans to lay many more miles of light rail down the middle of busy streets, thereby contributing to congestion. That's a problem that some critics of congestion caused by at-grade freight-rail prefer to ignore.
RELATED: Rail issues "a giant challenge" for Houston (Houston Business Journal), Mayor wants trains to stop blocking roads (Jeremy Desel, KHOU-11 News).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/16/07 09:08 PM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (21)
Not every city is afraid of a "food fight"
Mayor White and City Council may not have the stomach for a bidding battle over the right to operate food concessions at Bush Intercontinental, but Albuquerque, New Mexico, has no such qualms. That city is currently soliciting Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for its airport food concessions contract:
DESIGN, DEVELOP AND OPERATE FOOD CONCESSIONS AT THE ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL SUNPORT - MANDATORY PRE-PROPOSAL MEETING: 09/13/2007, 10:00 A.M. (LOCAL TIME)
RFP Number : RFP2008-003-SB
Closing Date: 11/15/2007
Albuquerque's website even includes a helpful definition of an RFP:
Request for Proposals (RFP) involve situations where the award cannot be made on lowest price alone. Proposals are primarily for services, or include services, and a scope of services is provided by the City. Responses are evaluated by a committee with a predetermined evaluation criteria that encompasses more than price and allows for evaluation of proposals best accomplishing the scope of services. Full details of all current Requests for Proposals are available for free to everyone.
The definition doesn't mention donations to elected officials, or a current vendor's less-than-expected revenues as part of the evaluation process. Go figure.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/16/07 01:39 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (3)
15 September 2007
The price tag for downtown's "revitalization"? Five billion dollars!
Last week, Kevin noted a KHOU-11 story on the continuing decline of downtown's nightlife. Then, Tom Kirkendall added this bit of context:
This [decline] despite the fact that various local governmental entities have invested at least $1 billion in the downtown area by building a baseball stadium, a basketball arena, a convention center hotel, a light rail system and assorted other goodies.
Sort of makes you wonder what would happen if even a portion of that $1 billion were invested in something that Houston really needs, such as improvements to flood control and traffic hotspots?
Last Sunday, a GHCVB advertising insert in the Chronicle added even more details:
Downtown Houston continues to evolve as a bustling business, theater, and entertainment district. Home to four professional sports teams, eight performing arts companies and a wide selection of restaurants and nightlife, the consensus is in -- Downtown is alive and fun.
Since 1999, public and private investors have spent nearly $5 billion to revitalize downtown. This includes the METRORail, a light rail system to ensure convenient and accessible public transportation, two sparkling new professional sports stadiums, numerous new hotels and renovations to expand the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Five billion dollars. We're sure the homeless appreciate it.
PREVIOUSLY: KHOU: Downtown or ghost town?
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/15/07 06:27 PM | Houston Life | Technorati | Comments (2)
MayorWhiteChiefHurtt's latest big idea
HPD wants drones. For traffic management. Really.
KHOU-11's Jeff McShan has the story:
Sources tell 11 News that Mayor Bill White, and Police Chief Harold Hurtt came up with the idea to use drones -- unmanned flying machines -- to help with traffic mobility.
They could also be used for police tactical situations. Like the SWAT incident at NASA in April.Executive Assistant Chief Martha Montalva confirmed the department is close to making it happen.
“And what's important and what needs to get out there is we are doing this in cooperation and assistance with the FAA,” said Montalva.
A few police agencies across the country have tried to use drones in the past two years, but most have been unsuccessful.
11 News learned the drones that were used were like small model airplanes, some costing just $30,000.
Houston will be different, Montalvo says.
“I can tell you right now, I don't want to get into specifics, but we are looking at state of the art, actually drones that have been used by the military,” said Montalvo.
HPD and Miami's police department have been talking with the FAA and drone manufactures about testing these large drones that cost about $1 million each.
Unbelievable.
KEVIN WHITED ADDS: TranStar has state of the art freeway monitoring capabilities, yet MayorWhiteChiefHurttMarthaMontalvo want to invest in drones at $1 million a pop to solve a traffic-monitoring "problem" that isn't a problem (money that could be better invested in fighting crime on the ground)? That truly is unbelievable. Is there a drone manufacturer in the Phoenix area that stands to benefit from this? (Just to clarify, as per the comments -- KHOU points out the drones will be "free" to the cities testing them. But, of course, they won't be free forever, and it's not clear that they are needed regardless).
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/15/07 09:32 AM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (17)
14 September 2007
LULAC wipes egg from its face...
Remember this officer-involved shooting? The reaction from LULAC and the robber's own mother were typical knee-jerk reactions without digesting all of the facts. Remember, the officer shot this guy as he ran towards him with a weapon. After the shooting, a gun, and property taken from the robbery victims were found near the suspect's body. He also had been pointed out as the robber. Citizens are tired of being victims, yet LULAC seems to care nothing about the law abiding community. Well, not surprisingly, the grand jury declined to indict the officer. Yet, when you compare KPRC's story with the Chronicle's, you'll notice an important detail was missed by the paper. Remember HPD released the surveillance video from the shooting which the grand jury had. The suspect's mother said her son was just trying to run away. However she's trying to repress the fact that her son was a robber and a coward trying to get away. Make no mistake, he would have continued to prey on innocent citizens. For whatever reason, the Chronicle missed something that KPRC covered:
But on Thursday, LULAC District Director Jose Jimenez said the officer had to protect himself and residents of the apartment complex.
"The Police Department opened up and showed us the videos, especially the video before the shooting and after the shooting, to show us there were children around. This is a very difficult situation and we're going to have to support the grand jury's decision on this," Jimenez said.
Uh oh. I bet Mr. Jimenez had to grind his teeth while making that statement. There was no way that LULAC could exploit this into a ethnic-divisive issue to further its agendas and expand its treasury. When shown the obvious danger this robber posed to innocent citizens (children included) even LULAC has to see the light, even if only once. Why did the Chronicle miss this? Did the reporter not run to LULAC just this time? Or did the Chronicle not want to embarrass LULAC?
KEVIN WHITED ADDS: Everybody welcome aboard our new blogger, the proprietor of Cigars, Donuts, and Coffee. We've been reading and linking Jason for a long time, and finally decided we should try to talk him into posting here on occasion. We're pleased that he agreed!
Posted by Jason @ 09/14/07 11:04 AM | Houston Media | Technorati | Comments (11)
13 September 2007
The Spirit of Marvin lives on at KTRK
Mike McGuff informs that the Spirit of Marvin lives on at KTRK.
Consumer reporter Jeff Ehling will be continuing Zindler's tradition of reporting on restaurants.
Here is the web version of Ehling's first report, which ran on the 6pm broadcast tonight.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/13/07 11:24 PM | Houston Media | Technorati | Comments (1)
KHOU: HPD "cracks down" on downtown-area homeless
KHOU-11's Karla Barguiarena reports that HPD is cracking down on crimes committed by the homeless:
For months, HPD says they’ve been inundated with complaints about crime committed by the homeless.
“You have everything from crimes being committed to cars being broken into, urinating, defecating in a public place,” Captain Gregory Fremin said.
Officers said squatters building shacks on abandoned downtown properties are another problem.
Walter Brooks says he and a handful of others have been living underneath a billboard for five months.
Until now, only two officers have been assigned to deal with the issue on a full-time basis.
The new plan calls for all downtown officers to keep an eye and ear out for homeless crimes while investigating other cases.
Right.
They might start by clearing out the growing homeless encampment under the Spur 527 overpass near Richmond in Midtown (the gateway in and out of downtown). Or the vagrants who have made certain abandoned buildings in Downtown/Midtown their home. Indeed, one doesn't have to look around much in Downtown/Midtown to find any number of places that could be cleaned up, if MayorWhiteChiefHurtt are indeed serious about the problem.
But we strongly suspect that this is just another one of those empty PR announcements that will have no effect on anything. We'll start to believe otherwise if the growing Spur 527 Homeless Encampment is cleared out anytime soon. (I'd take a photo of it, but one homeless person recently informed me angrily that I was not allowed to photograph near the encampment).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/13/07 11:18 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (14)
Arts scene benefits from Houston economic boom
The Chronicle's Charles Ward reports that Houston's booming economy means boom times for the city's arts scene as well:
Houstonians may complain about $3-per-gallon gasoline, but managers of the city's major performing-arts groups have to be smiling about the good fortune the current oil boom is bringing them.
Society for the Performing Arts has already sold a whopping 58 percent more tickets (or seats) through season subscriptions compared to this time last season. Houston Grand Opera is up 43 percent.
Six of the seven major ensembles that perform in downtown theaters have experienced growth in subscription sales for the 2007-08 season compared to the 2006-07 season. Only Da Camera has seen a decline.
Arts managers have done a lot right this year with programming, marketing, pricing and customer service. But the real reason the hard work is paying off is the city's economy.
"Houston's booming," said University of Houston economist Barton Smith, and the biggest reason is the energy business.
"During times of boom, not only are we adding jobs and population but entrepreneurial income — upper-middle-class and upper-class income — is growing proportionally faster.
"What you're observing with regards to the arts is very typical of Houston during (a) boom period."
Houston is still very much an energy city, and when the energy industry is humming (as it is now), Houston arts certainly benefit.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/13/07 10:53 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (0)
12 September 2007
Some trees have all the luck
The Kirby Drive road widening project is threatening nearly 300 trees, and tree-lovers all over Houston are raising a hue and cry:
Save the Kirby Drive trees! (Trees for Houston)
Kirby Drive reconstruction plans pose important questions, trade-offs (CTC's Robin Holzer)
Trees for Houston vs. the Upper Kirby District TIRZ (Houston Strategies)
Kirby widening poses dangers (Gulf Coast Institute Blog)
Tree fight brewing in Upper Kirby district (KTRK-13)
However, the 200 or so trees along the path of Metro's proposed Richmond light rail expansion have few advocates on their behalf. Recall that Metro has said it will replace mature oak trees with crape myrtles and pine trees which will make Richmond "more attractive" than it was to begin with, according to a Metro official.
Other than that, there appears to be little outcry for saving the Richmond trees.
But as we all know, roads are bad and mass transit is good. Therefore, it is okay to sacrifice some trees if it is for the cause of utopian transit.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/12/07 07:09 PM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (7)
Running the city like a (family) business
The Chronicle's Carolyn Feibel reports that Council today is expected to consider a sweetheart airport concession extension for a politically connected contractor, instead of opening the bid process:
Mayor Bill White and the City Council are poised today to extend a lucrative airport food contract for at least eight years rather than go through a potentially messy competitive bid process.
The concession contract, which is scheduled to expire next June, has not been put out to bid since 1990. The original agreement has been amended three times.
"You're essentially making an evergreen contract here," City Controller Annise Parker said. "I'm also really surprised that an administration that really prides itself on its transparency has made a decision in the back room."
The deal would give JDDA Concession Management, owned by local businessman Jason Yoo, until the end of 2016 to manage the food courts in Terminal C at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, with an option for another two years after that.
Since 2003, Yoo has donated at least $28,000 to the campaigns of eight council members and $1,260 to White.
The city's awarding of food and beverage concessions for Bush and Hobby airports has led to public and politicized "food fights" in the past. The concessions are highly desirable; JDDA took in more than $46 million in revenue during the past three fiscal years, and turned over about $4.6 million of that to the city.
Controller Parker's criticism seems spot on.
Mayor White, who often preaches transparency (when he's not preaching about running the city like a business), seeks to deflect blame for this decision:
The mayor said he initially wanted to rebid the contract, but said he was approached by some council members on behalf of JDDA, which wanted the extension.
Sorry, Mayor White, but you control the agenda, and you have demonstrated a winning track record on your priorities (whether it's SAFEclear, red-light cameras, Houston MediaSource, or dumping Jordy Tollett). This notion that "Council made me do it" is unconvincing coming from one of the strongest mayors in recent Houston history.
Feibel does some good work in figuring out which Councilmembers pushed the Mayor in the direction of back-room dealing:
White declined to name the council members who had stepped forward on behalf of JDDA. But when asked, Councilmen Jarvis Johnson and Michael Berry said they had.
"They had, I guess, a slump in business," said Berry, who received a $5,000 contribution from Yoo in 2005. "And they didn't think it was fair that the contract was up as soon as it was."
JDDA purchased the contract from the previous vendor, Entertainment One Inc., in 2005, but the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and renovations at Terminal C meant lower-than-expected revenues, according to JDDA's attorney, Robert Miller.
Johnson said the extension was the "right thing for the city to do," since food sales declined during the airport renovations.
"The new deal gives us what we need. It also gives the city more income," the councilman said. Johnson received a $2,000 contribution from Yoo this May. Yoo's daughter also worked briefly on Johnson's staff in early 2006. But Johnson and Berry denied any political favors or conflict of interest.
Councilman Ronald Green, who got $5,000 from Yoo in March, also supports the contract extension.
"I wanted us not to have a major food fight," Green said. Extending the contract allows "continuity" and brings in more money for the city, he said.
So, transparency and open competition should be tossed out -- and the contract extended until 2016 -- because there was a slump in the business and a political contributor thinks it's unfair that the contract he acquired has an expiration date?
That's a stunningly unconvincing (and condescending) assertion from Berry and his colleagues.
Matt Stiles further breaks down Yoo's political contributions here.
While we do not support the way this deal was constructed, we do understand why Mayor White is on board (despite his previous rhetoric about transparency):
The mayor agreed to negotiate an amended contract, but added conditions: JDDA had to bring in a partner with national experience in airport food management, boost the city's cut on food and beverage sales, and commit to spending $10.5 million for new food courts.
If the concession were publicly bid, the city probably could get only $7 million for renovations, airport officials said.
Mayor White has consistently worked to create new revenue streams or enhance existing revenue streams for the city during his tenure, so it seems in this instance that boosting a revenue stream trumped his previous rhetoric about transparency. And it's consistent with the theme of "running the city like a business" -- even if it's more like the family business.
Kudos go to Councilmember Anne Clutterbuck, who is a sane and compelling voice on this topic:
"We're elected to make the tough decisions," she said. "I don't think we should shy away from the controversial issues because it might not be something we're interested in working on."
"We need to open it up," added Clutterbuck, who received $1,000 from Yoo in 2006.
We concur.
UPDATE: Councilmember Clutterbuck tagged the item today, saying the process should be opened to competition. Mayor White sounds determined to move forward with the sweetheart extension, however. The tag will postpone consideration of the item until next week.
BLOGVERSATION: NewsWatch: City Hall, ABC13.com Political Blog, Slampo's Place, Lose an Eye, It's a Sport.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/12/07 09:48 AM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (11)
11 September 2007
Commissioners Court approves extenstion for Astrodome redevelopment group
KHOU-11's Lee McGuire reports that Commissioners Court has approved an extension for developers to secure financing for the proposed Astrodome redevelopment:
The Harris County Commissioners Court approved an extension Tuesday for developers to come up with financing for a proposed $500 million renovation of the Astrodome.
Mike Surface, chair of the Harris County Sports and Convention Authority, said the entire project will be privately financed at no cost to taxpayers.
[snip]
“Well, I think anybody who looks at the dome will look at it and say, what are we going to do with it? But in this case, the Astrodome redevelopment corporation has a very definitive plan,” County Judge Ed Emmett said.
[snip]
The County Commissioners expect to have a new redevelopment plan to vote on sometime around January.
So far, developers have a bank interested in putting up the money, but they say it will take months to hammer out details on a financial agreement.
That financial agreement could prove fleeting. In the current financial environment, most institutional investors are not looking to finance shaky boondoggles.
It is interesting that our selected-not-elected County Judge is so enthusiastic about the project, but perhaps he doesn't want to be known as the guy who presided over the destruction of the old stadium.
In a related story, KPRC-2 notes that taxpayers continue to fork over a few million dollars a year while the utopians and pols dream of rides that make people say "wow!"
Meantime, the continuing cost of operating the dome is another concern. It costs approximately $2.8 million annually.
There's $30 million in debt still owed on the bonds.
That's just your money, taxpayers. No worries.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/11/07 09:58 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (4)
Slade: To heck with students, so long as I get double points!
The trial of disgraced former TSU president Priscilla Slade is continuing, and the Chronicle's Brian Rogers has an update on Slade's carefree spending of the institution's funds:
Standing in front of a mountain of cardboard boxes filled with crystal, fine china and silverware, the former assistant of ousted TSU President Priscilla Slade testified this afternoon that the school paid almost $40,000 for the 25-person dining set.
She also testified that it was tax-free, because of Texas Southern University's tax-free status.The woman who handled some facets of the finances for the president's office, Erica Vallier, testified that the $39,793.75 bill from Neiman Marcus was paid from funds that were meant for equipment and furniture for the president's office.
Slade is accused of spending more than $500,000 of the cash-strapped university's dollars on personal expenses, including renovations to her house, drapes and bedding.
KRIV-26's Isiah Carey points out that Slade was also earning some serious Neiman Marcus rewards points with her/TSU's purchases:
Prosecutors say Dr. Priscilla Slade took abuse to a new level at Texas Southern University. Assistant District Attorney Donna Goode says Dr. Slade went out and purchased $39,000 in crystal china so that she could earn double points on her Neiman Marcus credit card. It's part of the stores InCircle Friends buying awards program. Goode says Slade purchased the expensive eating ware through TSU and had her staff research if she would be able to claim bonus points on her personal Neiman's card.
It apparently wasn't enough to bilk the university (and the public) with her overly lavish lifestyle, but she had to make sure she got the personal reward points as well? Slade is even more audacious than I originally thought.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/11/07 09:40 PM | Houston People | Technorati | Comments (12)
10 September 2007
KHOU: Downtown nightlife continues decline
KHOU-11's Karla Barguiarena reports on downtown's once-thriving bar/restaurant scene, which continues a steady decline:
You don’t need to walk more than a block to see downtown Houston businesses are hurting.
It is a stark contrast to the way things used to be.
[snip]
Many people believe crime and the sirens that follow are keeping the crowds away.Take this past weekend for example.
A young man was shot and killed inside the nightclub “Next.”
It is located on the eastern edge of downtown.
Business owners tell 11 News they are feeling it in their pocketbooks.
Lately, one bar and restaurant after another has been closing its doors.
The latest victim is St. Pete’s Dancing Marlin.
“St. Pete’s was the probably the toughest one of the bunch, the most determined to stay but almost everything is closed now,” said Bill Sadler who used to own the restaurant Solero’s. Sadler says he has watched downtown go downhill. “It started out the A-list was going Downtown and construction just drove them out and in their absence a lesser element moved in. You got kind of a gangster crowd.”
Downtown really is starting to resemble a ghost town again, compared to what it was like around the Super Bowl. It's a shame to see St. Pete's Dancing Marlin go, as it was always one of the classier joints downtown and a personal favorite.
While the story cites crime as a likely contributor to the collapse of bars/restaurants downtown, parking issues and the worsening problem with vagrants have probably played a part as well. Who wants to head to a place that is thought to have a crime problem, with the added fun of paying for parking and dealing with the pushy vagrants who have been allowed to take over downtown over the past couple of years?
We're sure Discovery Green and the Pavilions will fix everything, though!
PREVIOUSLY: KHOU: Downtown or ghost town?, Nothing says world-class like parking garages and eau de urine, KTRK CrimeTracker: There's some percentage of crime downtown, we think.
BLOGVERSATION: Houston's Clear Thinkers.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/10/07 09:47 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (30)
09 September 2007
Proposed Astrodome Hotel to have rides to make you say "wow!"
The Chronicle's Bill Murphy checked in last week with the latest news on the proposed Astrodome Hotel boondoggle:
Entrepreneurs looking to turn the iconic Astrodome into an upscale convention hotel have scrapped a "best of historic Texas" theme for a more modern, streamlined look.
A faux Texas courthouse and other features that played on the state's past are out. Plans now call for including a section of the Dome's seats, part of the diamond and an overall contemporary design that plays up the building's cutting-edge nature when it opened in 1965.
"We're going to have rides. There could be air rides that take you off the ground and make you say, 'Wow,' " said Scott Hanson, president of Astrodome Redevelopment Co., the firm hoping to transform the Dome. "We're going to have a few of those. They would be easy-going rides that would show off the venue."
Give him credit for honesty, because it does seem likely that some people will be taken for a ride if this thing continues to move forward.
BLOGVERSATION: Lose an Eye, It's a Sport, Houston's Clear Thinkers.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/09/07 09:45 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (26)
HPD announces new overtime/paperwork policy
The Chronicle's Lindsay Wise reports that HPD has revised a policy on overtime (and paperwork):
The Houston Police Department will revise its payroll policies after an audit and media reports criticized the department's lax procedures for monitoring officers' overtime and outside employment.
Starting Nov. 1, HPD will require all officers to complete a weekly report documenting all regular and overtime hours worked, including extra jobs outside the department and time taken off.
The report will consolidate all the information on a single piece of paper, making it easier for supervisors to track the total time worked by their officers, many of whom work long hours with HPD and then supplement that income with depart- ment-approved private security jobs.
"It's a user-friendly tool for them to have all the information in one place so they can get a snapshot picture of what their officers are doing," said HPD's general counsel, Craig Ferrell.
All problems can be solved with just a little more paperwork! Right?
RELATED: HPD ends what we call 'The Superman Rule' (Wayne Dolcefino, KTRK-13 News).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/09/07 09:28 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (2)
08 September 2007
Who are these other "observers"?
The Chronicle's Matthew Tresaugue checks in with an update on the race for HCC trustee positions.
Unsurprisingly, onetime Council candidate and hot local Democratic political prospect Jay Aiyer will not be seeking re-election. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor campaign-finance-related charges earlier this year, although he tells Tresaugue (unconvincingly) that the guilty plea didn't affect his decision.
That would have been enough of a story, but Tresaugue apparently couldn't resist this conclusion:
While the campaign will go on without him, it's possible that Aiyer will resurrect his political career, observers said. He did not provide specific details about his plans after his term ends.
[snip]
"This misdemeanor isn't helpful, but it's not a political career-ender," said Richard Murray, a professor of political science at the University of Houston.
"To re-enter, you need to pick your spot carefully."
What observers? Only one is quoted. It might have been helpful for readers to hear from a few more.
It might have been especially helpful since Richard Murray is a Democratic activist (and noted political scientist) commenting on a fellow Democrat, and his son Keir Murray was heavily involved in Aiyer's Council campaign. This is not to suggest that Keir Murray isn't an independent guy making his own way or that he was involved in any of the campaign-finance irregularities (I think he is an independent guy and have no reason to believe anyone but Aiyer was involved in irregularities), but simply that Tresaugue might have quoted some different "observers" in addition to Professor Murray. (It's even possible that Tresaugue did, and his work was chopped by an editor).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/08/07 04:16 PM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (9)
07 September 2007
Chron's Mack headed to the Washington Post
The Chronicle's Kristen Mack today writes about Clarence Bradford, who will be officially kicking off his campaign for Harris County District Attorney later this month. Bradford was Lee Brown's chief of police, and has been criticized for the crime lab problems that occurred on his watch (he has not spoken about the fiasco in depth, so the campaign should be an excellent opportunity for the public to learn more about his mis-management of the problem). Lately, Bradford has been working for Lee Brown's consulting group.
There will be plenty of time to consider Bradford and the coming campaign, but this blurb at the end of Mack's column caught my eye:
The race will be the marquee local election on the ballot next November. I, however, won't be here to cover it. This is my last column for the Houston Chronicle. In October, I will begin writing for the Washington Post.
My time in Houston has defined my career. I started out as a general assignment reporter, working nights in 2001. Nine months later, I became a City Hall reporter. While covering people rooted to this city, I began to feel connected as well.
This city and this paper have given me amazing opportunities. Houston, Harris County and Texas politicians always keep it interesting. I'm sure that won't change.
The Washington Post is definitely a step (or several steps) up, so congratulations to Ms. Mack. There's always the potential for local news coverage to take a hit when a veteran hand moves on, so here's hoping that the Chronicle is able to secure quality replacement(s).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/07/07 08:17 AM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (5)
06 September 2007
KPRC: Greek sisters and hometown airline take on fires in Greece
KPRC-2 runs a story on some local Greeks and the hometown airline teaming up to help fight the raging fires in Greece:
A Houston radio personality and her sister need donations to try to save part of their homeland, KPRC Local 2 reported Thursday. Kathy Christie Dasigenis was on vacation in Greece when massive fires broke out.
"Taking off from Greece was quite emotional because you feel so helpless," Dasigenis said. "You are scared. You want to go home. You don't know really how to help. As you're taking off, all you can see is fire after fire after fire."
Dasigenis' sister, Roula Christie of 104.1 KRBE's Roula & Ryan Show, was back home in Houston and already working on a plan to save as much of Greece as she could.
[snip]
A third sister searched the Internet and found Barricade Gel, a fire-blocking product. She called the makers and told them about the plan.
The sisters still had to find a way to buy enough gel to make a difference.
They set up the Arcadians of Texas fund at Washington Mutual Bank. They have raised about $19,000.
Another stumbling block was finding a way to get the gel to Greece.
One of the sisters is a flight attendant for Continental Airlines. Christie sent an e-mail to Chief Executive Officer Larry Kellner.
"Within three minutes he called my cell phone," Christie said.
Continental agreed to ship the gel to Greece.
The sisters planned to fly to Greece on Friday to personally deliver the product.
Several members of the blogHOUSTON crew would be more than happy to help deliver the materials, personally. But it sounds like the three sisters have things under control.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/06/07 10:27 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (1)
Chron headline writers strike again (cont'd)
The Chron's online headline writers seem to be having a rough week.
Here are some of the fun ones that have appeared over the past few days:
Unless Architect-Councilmember Peter Brown is designing historic buildings, we think that should have been "designated."
How about "upheaval?"
The story reveals the man was shot in southeast Houston, near I-45 and Scott St (near UH), and not southeast Harris County or, say, Alabama.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/06/07 10:07 PM | Houston Chronicle | Technorati | Comments (3)
Is this what you expect from an elected official?
Get a load of this: Residents complain about prostitution in their neighborhood, police investigate, someone is busted, that someone hires a local elected official as a defense attorney, and the local elected official gets that someone off the hook.
KHOU-11's Jeff McShan has the details:
So, when residents recently called to complain about prostitution that was allegedly operating out of a spa business in their neighborhood, the complaints made it all the way up to the 16th floor to Police Chief Harold Hurtt's office, and then HPD's vice division was told to take a look.
After an undercover investigation at the business that was called Spa Goz and after reviewing the completed file the Harris County District Attorney's office charged 37-year-old Cynthia Dyann Smith with prostitution.
The prosecutor believed he had a strong case, so did the defendant who hired attorney Ronald Green.
That’s Houston City Councilman Ronald Green.
“I believe that everyone is entitled to a defense. Part of my job as a lawyer is to provide defense, but also part of my job as a city council member is to make sure the city of Houston and HPD makes good cases,” Green said, defending his participation in the case.
Green’s defense strategy proved to be successful. A judge ruled that HPD's evidence against Smith was not good enough and she was found not guilty.
Sources inside the D.A.'s office and HPD tell 11 News it’s frustrating to fight crime for the citizens of Houston and then to have one of their leaders fight back at them.
Look at the bolded statement from Councilman Green. There is absolutely no other way he can think of to help HPD build good cases than to go against the citizens he supposedly represents? Or maybe he doesn't. Which councilmember DOES represent the residents who complained about the prostitution business? I wonder what he or she thinks of Councilman Green's actions?
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/06/07 08:22 PM | Houston People | Technorati | Comments (28)
05 September 2007
bH salutes Mr. Perennial Losing Candidate Guy
Today is the filing deadline for municipal elections, and the Chronicle's resident database/spreadsheet guru has the list of candidates.
There will be plenty of time for the serious candidates to tell us all their serious plans. But for now, we're just happy to note the entertainment value likely to come from official candidates Outlaw Josey Wales IV, Michael "Griff" Griffin, and Roy Morales.
Someone ought to do a "Real Men of Genius" spoof of them!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/05/07 09:37 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (6)
River Oaks Shopping Center is no more
KTRK-13's Mike McGuff has details of the shopping center's demise and, for the non-faint-of-heart, pictures of the before and after:
Crews began demolishing the building Tuesday around noon as supporters of historic preservation looked on and took pictures.
"I think there is a song called they tore down paradise to pave a parking lot," said area resident Tom Horan. "I think they could have saved it and remodeled it to fit their needs."
The building that was torn down once contained businesses like the Black Eyed Pea restaurant, Three Brothers Bakery and clothing stores. As the area is fully cleared, crews will begin building a national bookstore chain and parking garage.
Residents and supporters fear that the change robs the area of the original art deco architecture and design.
"It's an urban death. I feel like I am watching someone die here," said Sarah Gish of Save Our Landmarks. "It's part of our history, it's a part of our community fabric. Tearing into this part of the shopping center makes it not as historic as if this part was still standing."
Well, that might be a bit overly dramatic. Who knows -- maybe 70 years from now someone will consider the Barnes and Noble an historic landmark and fight to keep it standing!
Can we designate the trees along Metro's proposed Richmond route an historic landmark, too?
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/05/07 05:03 AM | Houston Life | Technorati | Comments (16)
04 September 2007
Mayor White gets a big property tax reduction
Mayor White's property value went from $2.2 million last year to $1.2 million this year...because he lives in a floodplain.
[The mayor's] office said he didn’t ask for a reduction, the county just gave it to him.
Wow! That's not something you hear every day.
The other person in KHOU's story, who also lives in a floodplain, used Mayor White's appraisal reduction as an example when he was protesting his own property taxes:
Wilson didn’t get the mayor’s 32-percent discount.
Instead he got 5 percent.
“Five percent is all? That’s great,” he said. “Usually I get it raised every year 10 percent to 20 percent. I felt like I was a winner.”
Wilson estimates he’ll now save $1,200 a year in property taxes. And since FEMA just recently put hundreds of additional lots in the floodway, Wilson believes those owners have a case to lower their taxes at least as much or perhaps more.
If it works for Mayor White, who didn't even have to protest to get his appraisal reduced, it should work for regular folks. Right?
“You know if the mayor is going to get a 32-percent reduction, then everybody that’s in the floodplain should get one also,” Wilson said. “I don’t begrudge the mayor for getting that reduction, because we all pay too much in property taxes. We all should have it.”
Amen.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/04/07 05:01 AM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Comments (16)
03 September 2007
Is she a reporter, editorialist, or unfunny blogger?
We've long suggested that the Chronicle shutter its D.C. news bureau, and either rely on pooled Hearst coverage of Washington or go with wire copy. We've suggested as much because we can't really see why the local newspaper expends the resources required to maintain a bureau that rarely publishes news that isn't covered adequately by many other outlets, especially when those resources could be put to good use boosting the newspaper's local coverage or its woeful editing and headline