27 October 2007
Mayor White assists "well-heeled" residents in high-rise fight
As we all know, some wealthy/influential Houstonians are in a tizzy about a high-rise going up in their neighborhood, so Mayor White has sprung into action, proposing a new ordinance aimed directly at cutting the high-rise down in size. Really!
Mayor Bill White's administration has proposed an ordinance that could require developers to reduce the size of a planned high-rise building that's ignited a bitter dispute over what's appropriate to develop in Houston.
The ordinance, distributed to City Council members Tuesday, could be on the council's agenda next week — an unusually fast timetable for a new regulatory law in Houston. Such measures typically take months to work their way through the city bureaucracy.
White acknowledged that the ordinance was drafted in response to a controversial high-rise planned near Rice University that has not yet received a building permit. Residents of the adjoining Southampton and Boulevard Oaks neighborhoods hired a prominent attorney and staged a street protest against the project.
The ordinance would require traffic impact studies of projects on two-lane, two-way streets that include at least 100 dwelling units and increase density 100 percent or more. This description fits the 23-story building that developers Kevin Kirton and Matthew Morgan of Houston-based Buckhead Investment Partners want to build at 1717 Bissonnet.
The measure would give the public works director broad discretion to require steps to ease traffic problems involved. In the case of the Bissonnet project, White said, reducing the building's size would be the most logical solution.
Wow.
New legislation directed at one construction project. Do you think this ordinance could have a wider impact? Of course:
In its current form, the ordinance would have an impact on nearly all multifamily developments, not just high-rises, said Andy Teas, vice president of public affairs for the Houston Apartment Association.
But let's not worry about that right now. Some Houstonians are concerned about their view, and that needs to be addressed, immediately! I mean, it's possible a big shot at the local daily newspaper lives in the vicinity!
Just to emphasize how absurd this is, recall that Councilman Johnson noted his constituents could hardly get anyone to listen when they had complaints about housing developments in their not-quite-as-affluent neighborhoods, a point that didn't impress the Chronicle editors:
Influential opponents of the Ashby Tower have won considerable support at City Hall and are represented by prominent litigator Rusty Hardin. Their clout has led some Houstonians to charge favoritism and inequity.
Well, of course. Well-heeled, civically active voters wield more influence than low-income residents who might have less time or inclination to vote and take part in civic affairs.
Nor have we seen Mayor White propose ordinances to help residents along Metro's University Line. From today's story, here's Mayor White's rationale for the Bissonnet ordinance:
"The development on Bissonnet that will dump more than 2,000 (daily) trips onto a two-lane, two-way street exposed a loophole" in city regulations, White said, explaining why he put the ordinance on such a fast track.
When residents and business owners along Wheeler and Richmond have complained about what the billion-dollar light rail line would do to traffic, Mayor White has ignored their concerns. He says running rail down those streets will ease congestion, contrary to what actual studies have said.
As the Chronicle admits, well-heeled voters wield more influence. We can only conclude this is the case with Mayor White's administration. Something to keep in mind when Mayor White tries to become Governor White.
KEVIN WHITED ADDS: Mayor White previously asserted that no special treatment was being doled out to the well-heeled:
White and other city officials denied that the Southampton and Boulevard Oaks neighborhoods near the site at 1717 Bissonnet had received any special treatment.
We made light of that dubious assertion at the time, and today's story (as highlighted by Anne above) confirms we were right to do so.
The ordinance, distributed to City Council members Tuesday, could be on the council's agenda next week — an unusually fast timetable for a new regulatory law in Houston. Such measures typically take months to work their way through the city bureaucracy.
Clearly, the well-heeled ARE receiving special treatment, and they are receiving special treatment in the form of a punitive, reactionary ordinance that hasn't received proper vetting (committee meetings, input from the public, input from ALL stakeholders, input from municipal and other experts) and thus could have unintended consequences and implications. Even worse, this poorly vetted ordinance moves significant power ("broad discretion" in fact!) from the city's elected officials (Council) to the city's director of public works -- again, without any real vetting or any real guidance.
This is running the city like a business?
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 10/27/07 11:17 AM |
26 October 2007
Soccer stadium negotiations creep along
The Chronicle sport section's Bernardo Fallas checks in today on the Dynamo's downtown stadium negotiations:
Through the Dynamo, AEG is in the advanced stages of negotiating a public-private partnership with the city of Houston that would facilitate the construction of a 22,000-capacity, open-air facility just east of downtown and priced between $70 million to $80 million.
The agreement also would include the construction of a satellite public soccer complex and training facility likely to be located on the city's south side.
Both sides have indicated in recent weeks that a decision is expected by year's end, but Mayor Bill White warns there's still plenty of work to do.
"There remains a large number of unresolved issues," White said in a statement e-mailed to the Chronicle on Thursday. "However, both parties are optimistic that we can achieve a mutually satisfactory conclusion."
White would not elaborate on the loose ends, adding that at the present time "we do not plan to provide any answers to specific questions."
AEG and the Dynamo also declined to offer specifics. However, all signs point to the entertainment giant bearing the brunt of the stadium cost, an investment that likely would surpass $60 million.
The city would pony up the rest, although how it would finance its share remains unclear after White said earlier this year property taxes will not enter the equation.
AEG and the city also would partner in a public soccer complex at a proposed site about 7 miles south of the stadium along Texas 288 near Reed Road that would include practice facilities for the team.
"That's also part of our discussions with the city," Dynamo president Oliver Luck said.
[snip]
Besides the city figuring out how to fund its share of the proposed agreement, a key aspect that might be pushing back a decision is the issue of a site for the stadium.
The Dynamo first set sights on land owned by the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority just east of Minute Maid Park and U.S. 59, but have since decided against the property, which the Astros lease for stadium parking.
"We know for a fact (the property) is no longer being considered," said Sports Authority head Kenny Friedman, who added that the Sports Authority is not actively involved in the negotiations.
The team might be looking to purchase private land near the same general area as the county-owned property, although Luck declined to confirm or deny it, saying only that a downtown venue is still planned.
It hasn't helped that negotiations have lasted longer than expected.
The Dynamo and the city began formal talks in May and hoped to have a concrete plan of action by mid-July.
"Any stadium discussions take lots of turns and twists," Luck said.
But even a substantial delay will be well worth it if something positive comes out of it, players said.
Manhattan wasn't built in a day, after all!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 10/26/07 08:03 AM |
Red light cameras generate $6 million for HPD
The Chronicle's Mike Glenn has details of what HPD plans on doing with its new windfall:
Red light cameras installed at 50 intersections throughout the city have generated more than $6 million for the city since the program was launched last fall, Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt said Thursday.
HPD officials are now deciding how to spend some of the money.
About $25,000 will be spent on an evaluation of the camera program by Rice University and the Texas Transportation Institute.
"They are going to be looking at everything, including where (the cameras) are placed," said Executive Assistant Chief Martha Montalvo, who supervises the program.
The evaluation will examine accidents at intersections where cameras have been mounted, compared with surrounding areas, officials said.
The results from the review of the first 20 intersections are expected by the end of January, Montalvo said.
Almost $1 million will go toward equipment upgrades and safety programs aimed at troubled youth, and $635,000 to replace aging video cameras in patrol cars.
Also, $240,000 to buy vehicles that can test a driver's blood alcohol level, $229,000 to send officers to school zones, $83,000 to work with students who have drug and alcohol problems, and $20,000 for a teenage driver safety program.
Which still leaves a majority of the money untapped. What will HPD do with the rest?
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 10/26/07 04:52 AM |
25 October 2007
Lennon art to be displayed at Galleria this weekend
As the Chronicle's Andrew Dansby reports, John Lennon fans may be interested in an exhibit running this weekend at the Galleria:
John Lennon was an art student before he started his band. By the time the Beatles were making music, visual art had taken a back seat to music. According to widow Yoko Ono, he'd retreat to his art "and use it like a security blanket. Anytime he was depressed or something, I'd see him drawing something really funny."
Boredom also proved inspirational. She said he never locked himself inside any sort of studio to draw. "He wasn't that way. He'd do it on a plane. Or anytime we had a conference with lawyers. John could get bored easily."
More than 100 pieces, a few of which were only recently unearthed, will be included in Come Together: The Artwork of John Lennon, a three-day exhibit at the Galleria starting Friday.
The pieces will mostly include Lennon's iconic pen and ink drawings, sometimes with dappled spots of color; "minimalist," Ono, 74, calls them.
The Chron sidebar has more information on hours and such.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 10/25/07 11:06 PM |
24 October 2007
Houston Marathon inadvertently creates market for entries
For its upcoming race in January, the Houston Marathon decided to allow registered runners to transfer their entry to someone else for a fee (the rationale being, if one is unable to participate for some reason, the spot won't go to waste).
Of course, the race only accepts a limited number of participants, and demand is fairly heavy, so the new transferability of entries means... a secondary market for entries has emerged. Judging by a recent email from Marathon officials, they are not happy about this development:
Runners seeking entry into the 2008 marathon or half marathon are still able to do so via registration transfers. Transfers allow registered entrants to transfer their registrations to those seeking entries. If you have an entry that will not be used, we need you to help those who are ready to run but are without an entry. Please be financially considerate in your requests when transferring your entry to another person -- we want you to be able to recover your entry fee if you won't be able to run, but we do not endorse selling your bib for an excessive amount.
NOTE: IN AN EFFORT TO PROTECT AGAINST PRICE GOUGING, IF ANY PERSON FROM THIS DATE ON IS CAUGHT ATTEMPTING TO CHARGE MORE THAN $200 FOR A MARATHON ENTRY OR $140 FOR A HALF MARATHON ENTRY, THEY RUN THE RISK OF BEING BANNED FROM PARTICIPATING IN ANY OF OUR 2009 RACE EVENTS. IF YOU HAVE AN ENTRY FOR SALE ON EBAY, CRAIGSLIST OR ELSEWHERE AND ARE CHARGING ABOVE $200 OR $140, WE SUGGEST YOU CHANGE YOUR ASKING PRICE IMMEDIATELY.
ALL CAPS! THEY MUST REALLY MEAN BUSINESS.
I'm not a huge fan of scalpers, but is it really that surprising that people would take to Craigslist and Ebay to sell transferable items for which demand outstrips supply?
The definition of "gouging" is interesting as well. Selling an $85 entry for $200.01 is "gouging" but anything less is apparently just fine.
The Marathon organizers may have to revisit the "transferability" issue next year.
BLOGVERSATION: HouStoned.
UPDATE (10-26-2007): Houston's leading trailing information source finally decided to cover this story. Better than never, we suppose!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 10/24/07 09:32 PM |
The Gray Lady covers Tex-Mex
Tex-Mex cuisine and the Houston Press' inimitable Robb Walsh get lots of play in this New York Times story.
There's no way to do it justice with an excerpt. Just go read.
BLOGVERSATION: Cook's Tour (we second the shout out for Spanish Village).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 10/24/07 09:09 PM |
Blogging it, METRO-style
METRO's $76,000/year blogger informs that METRO is working with Houston Grand Opera for the first time:
Walk into the lobby of the Wortham Center where two performances of the opera will be staged, and you'll see a huge METRO banner hanging from the ceiling. This is our first partnership with the Houston Grand Opera.
"We thought it was such a good fit for us," said Nicole Adler, advertising account executive at METRO. "It's about the different communities in Houston. We have a lot of refugees in Houston - more than people realize. Since METRO goes to all the different communities and services them, this was a way to acknowledge them, their hardship and be there to serve them."
Of course, a better way to acknowledge them might be to follow through with the 50% increase in bus service that was promised in the 2003 referendum (instead of cuts that are deemed "service adjustments").
Elsewhere, the METRO blogger assures that the next round of rail construction is going to move along right on time, as promised:
METRO's decision yesterday to build light rail on all five lines, instead of Bus Rapid Transit with a later conversion to light rail, represents a hugely ambitious goal.
We've said we would deliver all that by the end of 2012 - along with an Intermodal Terminal.
So how do we plan to do that?
Through a strategy called design/build. "Design/build, also called a hybrid delivery system, allows us to engineer and design a project while we're beginning construction," said Russ Frank, director of government affairs.
Let's hope it works out better than the promised rollout of the stored-value (Q) cards.
But if it doesn't, we're sure METRO's expensive blogger will spin it well for the organization.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 10/24/07 09:00 PM |
23 October 2007
KTRK-13: Chief Hurtt to take up blogging
KTRK-13's Miya Shay posts that her colleague Andy Cerota has learned that Chief Hurtt will be starting his own blog.
We've missed his podcasts, and hope the blog proves to be as interesting. It will be a real bonus if Martha Montalvo is the executive assistant blogger!
Plus it will allow Chief Hurtt to look plugged in to Houston affairs during those weekends in Arizona.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 10/23/07 09:17 PM |
METRORail: The Frank and Frank show
Neal Meyer has done quite of bit of digging and uncovered some interesting details about a consultant Metro began using a couple of years ago...a consultant who goes way back with Metro CEO Frank "Procurement Disaster" Wilson:
Mr. Wilson stipulated in the contract he awarded to Mr. Russo that he would make $1 million over the first two years of his employment with Metro, at a rate of $300 per hour. The contract was amended this past April, where Mr. Wilson bumped up Russo's pay by $10 per hour and increased the contract ceiling to $1.1 million. Mr. Russo's employment can be extended beyond the inital period, but we will not know on what terms.
That's just a small taste. Follow the link for more.
You know, this light rail business is almost incestuous.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 10/23/07 08:18 PM |
Commissioners Court approves tax rate cut
Today, Commissioners Court took up the matter of Judge Ed Emmett's proposed one cent property tax rate cut:
Harris County Commissioners Court unanimously approved County Judge Ed Emmett’s proposal this morning to cut the county’s property tax rate by one cent, the largest property tax cut ever passed by the court.
The move will lower the county’s overall property tax rate to 62.998 cents per $100 assessed valuation from the previous rate of 63.998 cents. The tax decrease will trigger no cuts in service and is not expected to affect the county’s bond rating.
“Property appraisals have been increasing for several years now, and government has continued to grow as a result. We on Commissioners Court realized it was time to take action to restrain that growth and to allow taxpayers to keep more of their money,” Emmett said. “The true reform now has to come in the appraisal process. The next step is to get the state legislature to pass meaningful tax appraisal reform.”
Today’s tax cut marks only the third time the rate has been lowered in 20 years. The new, lower property tax rate will be reflected in 2007 tax bills being mailed to Harris County property owners next month.
RELATED COVERAGE: Chronicle
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 10/23/07 07:06 PM |
Black Monday at the Chronicle?
Word reaches us that Chronicle publisher Jack Sweeney circulated an email internally at the Chronicle yesterday warning of another round of staff reductions. The downsizing will apparently be "in the 5 percent range," and is set for October 29 and 30 (Jack's Halloween gift?).
While we are sometimes critical of the newspaper (because we want it to be among the best), we certainly aren't happy to hear this news. It's hard for the core news product to improve when this seems to be the only section of the newspaper that is expanding, and the parts put out by professional journalists and editors are shrinking.
The print newspaper business has been bleeding for quite some time, and the hope that online revenues could replace declining print revenues seems to have been misplaced (so far, at least). Do you think newspapers (the Chronicle, and the industry in general) will be able to arrest the decline at some point, or is the daily textual news medium (print and online) simply falling out of favor? Please discuss.
RELATED COVERAGE: Chronicle, Reuters, Houston Business Journal
BLOGVERSATION: Brazosport News, Brains and Eggs.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 10/23/07 08:44 AM |
22 October 2007
KTRH: Quanell the Tenth warns HPD about gangs
KTRH-740's Jarrod Allen reports on some incendiary comments made by Quannel the Tenth at an "excessive force" protest/vigil (take your pick):
"I'm saying to Mayor White: 'Soon, the Bloods and the Crips and the north and south side are going to stop fighting each other. They're gonna see the cops as the natural enemy. And when that happens, only God can handle what happens after that," Quanell X said, in a speech to the crowd, at the spot where the group laid candles where Smith was killed.
The activist then made a dark prediction for the future of relations between Houston Police and gangs in the city. "It's soon to come to an end, and this city will burn if they don't do something about these killer cops. I don't want to see that, and I'm not advocating that. But I'm speaking to the hurt and the pain of the people.
Interestingly, the reports from the Chronicle and from KPRC-2 neglect to mention the warning from Quanell the Tenth.
BLOGVERSATION: Lou Minatti, Cigars, Donuts, and Coffee.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 10/22/07 08:19 PM |
Chron announces cool front with fantastic headlines
The temperature dropped today, and Chron.com had several interesting headlines on the story through the day.
Here's the one that first appeared in the site's RSS feed:
Temperature drop to bring winter to Houston
And here's the headline that's still on Chron.com mobile:
The lows are going to be in the 50s. That's not winter.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 10/22/07 08:06 PM |
21 October 2007
Helfman, et al., on reinventing HPD
Alan Helfman, Jay Wall, and William Wolff offer another of their periodic op-eds on HPD and Houston crime. Here is an excerpt:
In his inaugural speech as NYPD commissioner, [William] Bratton promised to cut serious crime by 10 percent his first year and 15 percent the second. Bratton underpromised, then overdelivered. In the 27 months of Bill Bratton's tenure as NYPD commissioner, homicide was cut by 50 percent and serious crime was cut by 33 percent. Similar results should be achievable in Houston, not the mere 10 percent reduction in violent crime Chief Hurtt promised (over three years) on Oct. 2.
When looking back on the pre-1994 NYPD, CompStat originator Jack Maple observed that there was no question that some small percentage of police officers were thoroughly lazy, demoralized and actively sought to do as little as possible — they showed up for work, but didn't get actively involved in crime fighting (Maple called these cops "conscientious objectors"). However, the majority of the force was "on the job," performed to the best of their abilities and maintained high levels of performance despite the lack of supportive leadership and the cynicism of other cops. Most wanted to be good, assertive cops, but instead of leading them to excellence, NYPD command had all too often placed obstacles in their way and they became satisfied with a level of performance that was merely adequate. By using CompStat, by empowering and transforming management through the imposition of accountability systems and by forging alliances with the best and most effective operational officers, NYPD's executive corps rapidly transformed the department into one in which the highest standards of performance became the norm.
During his original campaign for mayor, Bill White promised to run the city of Houston in a businesslike fashion. He promised a "bottom-line" focus that would be results-driven. As any good businessman knows, you can't manage what you can't (or won't) measure. We are asking that HPD be managed in a businesslike manner with a true profit and loss sort of approach. HPD should be in the business of "controlling crime," not just reacting to it.
We don't know what Bill White's political aspirations are, but we do know that Rudy Giuliani was propelled to national prominence and now is taking a shot at the presidency, in large part due to the fact that he was the mayor of New York City when NYPD got smart on crime. Will a major reduction in crime in Houston be seen as part of Bill White's legacy? There is still time.
In other parts of the op-ed, the authors discuss how CompStat was implemented -- with great success -- in New York City.
Interestingly, the approach in New York apparently did not call for Bratton to jet off to Phoenix on weekends, like some big-city chiefs.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 10/21/07 09:30 PM |
Reflecting on White, Brown
Roy Reynolds comments on Mayor White and reminisces about his predecessor in today's Chronicle:
[Mayor] initially concentrated on long-neglected financial restructuring, including the unfunded liabilities of the employee pension fund, to put the city on a firm fiscal base.Few can deny that White has made certain strides in the right direction for the city. But the reason for his popularity might have less to do with his initiatives than outsiders might perceive.
Bill White brought Houston some sorely needed credibility in the city's head office. He actually kept some campaign promises, including syncing up the green lights downtown. Never mind that the light rail keeps traffic moving in a distinctly staccato manner.
Working with then-County Judge Robert Eckels in giving refuge to victims of Hurricane Katrina was not only noble, but provided a boost to the city's reputation around the nation.
But honestly, White benefited most from the man he replaced. The lowered bar helped curve up White's reputation before he ever put a photo of his wife on the mayoral desk. Anyone would have looked good compared with the previous administration of Lee Brown, who inexplicably stuck to Houston like some political napalm of mismanagement.
The day city workers took a crowbar to remove Brown's photo from the airport sign, flowers began to bloom. Birds chirped. Off in the distance, a small child laughed.
Lee Brown was a constant source of entertainment and embarrassment for many of us. He was EXACTLY the guy you want to follow if you are an ambitious pol. Of course, the Chronicle endorsed Lee Brown repeatedly for mayor, which just goes to show what those sorts of endorsements are worth.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 10/21/07 09:17 PM |
City ordinance kills property values; councilman pleads ignorance
In today's Chronicle, Mike Snyder looks at the effect of the city's floodplain ordinance that prohibits construction on vacant land that sits in a floodplain:
The ordinance, adopted unanimously by the City Council on Aug. 30, 2006, affects almost 10,000 developed or vacant properties around the city, including nearly 2,400 single-family houses.
It has triggered at least five lawsuits in the past few months by Norcini and other property owners who say the city is essentially taking their property — robbing it of most of its value — without providing compensation.
"This is one of the greatest land takings in the history of Texas," said Norcini, 48, an oil company engineer whose lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.
The growing revolt against the ordinance illustrates the painful choices public officials face as they struggle to craft policies that effectively manage the impact of development on flood hazards in one of the nation's most flood-prone metropolitan areas.
[snip]
A few months after the ordinance was approved, city officials began getting phone calls from residents of Shady Acres, a 100-year-old neighborhood off T.C. Jester just inside Loop 610 near White Oak Bayou.
These residents were gradually learning not only that their property was now in the floodway, but that the city had adopted rules prohibiting new construction or expansion of buildings in the floodway.
What comes next is just typical of how the city operates:
Nancy Wilcox, another Shady Acres resident whose home is in the floodway along with her mother's nearby house, said the city should have explored other options to help reduce flooding risks.
"Instead of taking my property and my mother's property as a last resort, it was a first resort," she told the council's flooding and drainage committee on Sept. 20. "It is wrong to sacrifice a few thousand people."
[snip]
Councilman Adrian Garcia, whose district includes Shady Acres, said during the Sept. 20 committee meeting that council members didn't get enough information about the measure's impact before they voted on it.
"Why didn't we let folks know in advance that we were going to be going down this track?" Garcia asked. "Everybody has reared up because a lot of people were caught by surprise. At council, we had almost no discussion on this."
Garcia also noted that many property owners whose land is now in the floodway have rarely, if ever, experienced serious flooding.
"How do we justify the restrictions on property that since (Tropical Storm) Allison, have never been flooded, but are currently under the restrictions?" Garcia asked. "How do we justify that?"
Because that's how things happen in Houston: The city imposes the most punitive actions as a first resort, instead of exploring alternatives. Think $AFEclear, and red light cameras, to name just a couple of examples.
And then Councilman Garcia complains that council wasn't given enough information. Well, why in the heck is council passing these laws, if councilmembers don't know what's going on?
It's stunning.
MORE: In the forum, Neal Meyer notes that he wrote about this on his blog back in June. It's very interesting reading.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 10/21/07 08:29 AM |
20 October 2007
Metro: Yeah, we know light rail construction is a pain...
A METRO spokeswoman said the concerns of residents and business owners are legitimate.
"It's a pain. It's a pain that we all have to bear in the meantime (but) will bring benefits in the long run," said Sandra Aponte Salazar, a METRO spokeswoman.
More than $2 billion-worth of pain that all must bear for the good of less than one percent of the public.
As for the long-term benefits, look how Main Street has thrived...
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 10/20/07 09:22 AM |
18 October 2007
METRO picks Richmond route, scraps BRT
METRO's board issued two big decisions today after several hours of sham testimony. Here is Rad Sallee's coverage for the Chronicle.
First, METRO chose the Richmond rail option that it has seemingly favored all along.
Readers of this blog know well my thoughts about the folly of running at-grade rail down busy streets, in the pursuit of being "world class" (hint: it's only thought to be "world class" by people who apparently haven't used transit in much of the world). In a sensible policymaking world, the Main Street experience would have warned decisionmakers away from repeating the same mistake -- actually, making a worse mistake, since Richmond is far more important to vehicular traffic mobility than Main Street is. Alas, we do not have the sorts of decisionmakers in Houston who are capable of constructing a truly "world-class" mobility system that serves current needs and anticipates future growth. So we are likely stuck with a rail route that is going to hurt overall mobility on an important vehicular traffic corridor, hurt the environment by replacing old trees with concrete, metal, and wires, and serve just under 1% of the public. Twenty years from now, Houstonians will likely wonder what we were thinking.
METRO's other big decision today was to scrap its Bus Rapid Transit plans for certain routes, and build all the routes with light rail from the start.
That will be welcome news to the communities that proved instrumental in the 2003 referendum actually getting a majority. It is the right thing to do (at least in terms of keeping a promise made -- whether ridership justifies the expense is, again, a question of policymaking with regard to overall mobility, but as we have seen for some time, policymaking at METRO often focuses on matters such as real-estate development or politics before overall mobility is considered). It should also head off at least one legal argument that METRO is not complying with the requirements of the 2003 referendum.
Feel free to offer your thoughts on today's activities in the forum (please do keep it respectful, though, whether you agree or disagree with today's actions) or on this post over at Lose an Eye, It's a Sport, where we've been having an interesting discussion about Houston transit and mobility and policymaking.
BLOGVERSATION: Houston Strategies, Lou Minatti.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 10/18/07 08:31 PM |
17 October 2007
Houston chefs to appear on "Iron Chef America"
The Houston Business Journal reports that several Houston chefs will be appearing on The Food Network in a few days:
Ibiza Food & Wine Bar chef/owner Charles Clark will take on Iron Chef Mario Batali on the Food Network's "Iron Chef America" on Oct. 21.
Whipping up dishes using a secret ingredient, Clark and Batali will go toe-to-toe in the quest to take home the Kitchen Stadium title.
Joining Clark in the competition are Houston chefs Olivier Ciesielski from Tony's and Lance Warren, formerly of the St. Regis.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 10/17/07 10:25 PM |
KHOU: "City's scrap metal law is full of holes"
KHOU-11's Lee McGuire reports that the City of Houston is lagging in its implementation of the scrap-metal ordinance that Mayor White and his Council passed in March:
Every scrap dealer in Houston was supposed to have a system in place to identify the sellers by now and send all of the information to the police department.
But a lot of scrap dealers don’t have access to the Internet, and the city hasn’t written the computer program needed to make it all work.
It’s been nearly a month since the ordinance took effect, and problems with the sweeping scrap metal changes are now coming to light.
“But I also learned that some of the things we wanted for investigative purposes maybe weren’t entirely practical,” said Houston City Councilman Adrian Garcia.
Later this month, Houston will pick a private company to set up the computer programs needed to put all the city’s scrap metal dealers online, remove requirements that dealers tag every bit of metal that comes through their doors, and drop the requirement that dealers hold scrap metal for a week down to three days.
Back when the ordinance passed, temporarily-not Mayor Pro Tem Carol Alvarado released the following statement:
“This morning, my colleagues and I unanimously passed the Scrap Metal Ordinance, strengthening HPD’s ability to properly respond to the malicious wave of copper theft that has affected our city,” said Council Member Carol Alvarado.
“Areas in my district such as the 3rd and 4th Ward were targeted as vulnerable neighborhoods by these very organized criminals. Non-profits, churches, homebuilders, and most importantly residents were falling victim to this very cost-consuming crime. We have finally closed the loop on a most unfortunate sting of crimes that had a drastic economic impact.
Or perhaps not.
It will be useful down the road to compare the rate of scrap metal thefts before and after the ordinance officially took effect (in September). Of course, if the numbers look bad, Mayor White may just tell us it's because many more copper thieves live in Houston than before the ordinance, and the numbers would be worse without it!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 10/17/07 10:01 PM |
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