23 September 2006
The job description from hell
The Chron's Mike Snyder reports that Mayor White's director of Neighborhoods and Housing has resigned, citing the desire to get his life back (not exactly using those words):
John Walsh, who signed on to help Mayor Bill White improve housing and neighborhoods for poor Houstonians and ended up directing the massive housing program for hurricane evacuees, has resigned from White's administration.
Walsh, 62, said this week that the overwhelming challenge of housing evacuees had made it increasingly difficult to fulfill his other duties as White's deputy chief of staff for neighborhoods and housing.
Heading the city's Joint Hurricane Housing Task Force, Walsh said, "became more than a full-time job."
[snip]
When evacuees began streaming into Houston a year ago after Hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans area, Walsh took charge of a program that would provide free rent and utilities to some 35,000 evacuee households in apartments throughout the Houston area. His staff of three expanded to more than 600.[Wow!]
"We worked 12 to 14 hours a day, seven days a week, for five months," Walsh said.
Walsh's duties will be divided among various city officials, but his position will not be filled, mayoral spokesman Frank Michel said.
One can hardly blame the guy.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/23/06 08:46 AM |
22 September 2006
YouTube: Council gets egged
Last week, "Senator Robert Horton" (who regularly addresses City Council) was arrested for tossing an egg at Council.
Here's my video capture of the event. The audio is slightly out of sync with the video, but a loud bang accompanies the egg toss. Poor Mayor White truly looks as if a gun was fired, but then soldiers on admirably.
Note the egg that slowly drips down the Council wall over his shoulder, and to the left.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/22/06 10:17 PM |
Poor taste: Chron.com runs front-page photo of smirking cop killer
On its front page, Chron.com is currently running an image identified as a "2003 family photo" of Juan Leonardo Quintero, the illegal alien who shot an HPD officer in the back yesterday, killing him.
I will submit to readers that it shows incredibly poor taste for Chron.com to be running a photo of a smirking cop killer today. I hope they're not planning a Chron Eye For the Undocumented-Immigrant Cop-Killer Guy tomorrow.
What do you think?
ANNE LINEHAN ADDS: After being out most of the day and evening, I was surprised to click over to Chron.com and see a picture of Officer Johnson's killer. Why isn't Officer Johnson's picture prominently displayed on Chron.com's front page? And where did the Chron get that terrible picture? Did they search it out? Did someone send it to the Chron? It's very strange and shows poor judgment.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/22/06 08:14 PM |
KTRH: Cop killer is illegal immigrant
KTRH-740 is reporting (mp3 download) that "sources" tell them that the man who killed the HPD officer yesterday was an illegal immigrant, in addition to having a rap sheet.
This is a hot topic on the Chris Baker show at the moment, which began at 1pm today.
It's odd that no other news source bothered to dig up this information that KTRH is reporting.
UPDATE: KTRH-740's report has been updated online. The Chronicle is also now reporting that the killer is an illegal immigrant.
UPDATE 2: KTRH-740, KPRC-2, and KTRK-13 went to live coverage of the 4pm press conference on this topic. KHOU-11 declined to switch from ratings powerhouse Oprah (very nice use of the public airwaves, KHOU -- thanks). Chief Hurtt concluded his statement by referencing "Rodney Brown... uh Rodney Johnson." Very impressive, Chief. Probably in a hurry to catch that flight to Phoenix.
UPDATE 3: On KTRK-13's 6:00 pm news, anchor Tom Koch reported that the Mayor's office contacted KTRK to dispute the use of the term "sanctuary" to describe HPD's policy banning officers from asking about immigration status. It's good to know the Mayor's communications shop has ITS priorities in order following the tragic death of a police officer!
BLOGVERSATION: Lone Star Times, Cigars, Donuts, and Coffee.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/22/06 01:29 PM |
Officer Rodney Johnson, RIP
Various media outlets reported the bad news yesterday: An HPD officer had been shot and killed in the line of duty.
Here is the Chronicle's account:
A 12-year veteran of the Houston Police Department was fatally wounded during a routine traffic stop in southeast Houston this evening.
Police Chief Harold Hurtt identified the dead officer as Rodney Johnson, a 40-year-old Houston native.
Hurtt said Johnson was fatally wounded shortly after stopping an unidentified 32-year-old man, who was driving a white Dodge truck near the intersection of Randolph and Braniff.
An unidentified woman was a passenger in the truck, Hurtt said.
Johnson, Hurtt said, handcuffed the man and placed him in the back of his squad car.
``Shortly thereafter, the officer was shot while sitting inside the vehicle,'' Hurtt said.
Our sincere condolences go out to the family of officer Johnson.
Our ongoing thanks go out to the law-enforcement professionals who go out every day and take this chance to keep our community safe.
We'd additionally ask you to consider a donation to The 100 Club, which helps survivors and dependents of officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
ADDITIONAL COVERAGE: Chronicle, KTRH-740, KPRC-2, KHOU-11, KTRK-13, KRIV-26.
BLOGVERSATION: Cigars, Donuts, and Coffee, Ain't Chicken, Lone Star Times, Greg's Opinion.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/22/06 09:08 AM |
Houston blogger nominated for four Emmys
Local blogger and KTRK-13 producer (and blogHOUSTON friend) Mike McGuff has been nominated for several Lone Star Emmys:
I have to take a moment to pat myself and others on the back after some hard TV work. The Lone Star Chapter Emmy Award nominations were announced and I received four!
Interactivity
Stossel Interactive
KTRK-TV ABC 13, Houston
Michael McGuff, ProducerNews Special
Jeff on the Job
KTRK-TV ABC 13, Houston
Michael McGuff, Producer
Michael Carl, EditorBusiness/Consumer - News Series
Sales Tax
KTRK-TV ABC 13, Houston
Michael McGuff, Producer
Michael Carl, Editor
Jeff Ehling, ReporterSpecialty Assignment Report - News Single Story
Valuable Coins
KTRK-TV ABC 13, Houston
Michael McGuff, Producer
Michael Carl, Editor
Congratulations to Mike and his Ch. 13 compatriots, Mike Carl and Jeff Ehling. We'll be rooting for you!
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/22/06 05:57 AM |
21 September 2006
Charity events won't tie up Chief Hurtt's weekend
This is amusing: You know how Chief Hurtt likes to spend his weekends in Phoenix, right? Well, here's an HPD press release with details of a benefit golf tournament the chief is hosting:
Texas Cops & Kids and Kids at Hope is pleased to announce it is hosting Chief Hurtt's Empowering Our Youth Golf Tournament benefiting the Kids at Hope Initiative on Monday, September 25, 2006 at Tour 18 Golf Course located at 3102 FM 1960.
[snip]Golfers are asked to check in at 7 a.m. for a four-person scramble shotgun start at 8 a.m. This event supports Chief Hurtt's Empowering Our Youth Stomp Out Illiteracy Campaign. Other events in support of this effort are:
- Kick-off for the Kids at Hope -Kid's Village being held at Hartsfield Elementary, 5001 Perry Street on Friday, September 22, 2006 at 8 a.m.
- Friday, September 22, 2006 and the HPD Empowering Our Youth Dinner at the Hyatt Regency, 1200 Louisiana at 8 p.m.
Related events will be held on Friday (as in tomorrow), and the golf tournament will be on Monday, keeping Chief Hurtt's weekend free so he can head home to Phoenix.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/21/06 05:44 PM |
20 September 2006
Wong asks governor for help with Houston crime
KTRK-13 reports that State Rep. Martha Wong has asked Gov. Rick Perry for help with Houston's surging crime problem:
A local lawmaker is demanding the governor step in to help fight crime in our area. It's a plan that's raising some eyebrows.
State Representative Martha Wong made the plea after being inundated with concerns by several Meyerland area residents -- people who say they have been victimized by crime. Those who've lived in Meyerland for years now say they've never seen as much fear about crime as they see now.[snip]
Wong asked specifically for a "unified command," similar to that implemented by the state near the border, which she says helped cut crime there by 67%. Wong stopped short, though, of calling her request a call for military intervention.
"I just said state help, any law enforcement officers that he could send and help," Wong explained.
Mayor White, who inexplicably does not have opinions on some important city issues, sure had an opinion on Rep. Wong's action:
Houston Mayor Bill White applauds Wong's efforts, but says sending state law enforcement is not the best solution to the problem.
"It's more important that we get funds," said Mayor White. "We want any help we can get, particularly federal help, so we can maintain a very aggressive level of police. I don't think it's necessary to bring the national guards in."
Maintain a very aggressive level of police? Right! Good ones!
Let me translate Mayor White's statement: No way in heck does he want Gov. Perry to help out with Houston's surging crime problem, because that would be admitting that the city under White's leadership can't get a grip on the problem, and that would really look bad when the mayor runs for higher political office.
Gov. Perry told KTRK-13 that he would consider sending in DPS officers. Rep. Wong's opponent in the November election sent word through a spokesperson that she is concerned state officers could undermine the jurisdiction of local law enforcement.
It would be nice if more of our elected leaders and those who aspire to lead would concern themselves with undermining the criminals!
BLOGVERSATION: Lone Star Pundit.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/20/06 10:44 PM |
METRO has a nice approach to customer service
On Monday, the Chronicle ran a Q&A column featuring METRO officials addressing questions about the coming changes to the fare structure.
One exchange was enlightening:
Q: Travis Chatman, interviewed at a bus stop after the changes were announced, said some of his bus rides are longer than an hour, and if the connecting bus takes more than 30 minutes to arrive, he would have to pay again under the new policy. At present, he has three hours to use a paper transfer.
A: Metro's analysis shows that most transfers occur within an hour and a half, [METRO spokesperson Raequel] Roberts said.
It's worth mentioning that transfers have been a sore point with Metro, whose officials said transfers often are sold or given to other riders instead of being used for their intended purpose.
Okay, that really wasn't a question, but a statement. Then again, Roberts didn't really answer the implied question either ("What happens if METRO screws up and I don't get my transfer in time"). But her implied answer is, "You're the exception. You pay again. So sad for you."
That's always a nice attitude from public officials at your regional mass transit agency.
RELATED COVERAGE: METRO urged to keep discounted fares (Rad Sallee, Houston Chronicle).
BLOGVERSATION: TBIFOC.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/20/06 10:08 PM |
Audit of GHCVB is complete; Jordy Tollett unavailable for comment
City Controller Annise Parker has released the findings of the city's audit of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, which (not surprisingly) found a few problems. KPRC-2 had the story on last night's 10 o'clock news, but I can't find a link to it on their site. Kristen Mack, however, has a story posted for the Chronicle:
[Parker] said the audit did identify "sloppy procedures, lack of internal controls and the need for more cooperation between entities working to sell the city."
The bureau's success — and a portion of Tollett's annual bonus — has long been determined by the number of hotel-room nights booked each year. The audit found that the bureau is using "subjective estimates" to determine hotel-room-night bookings.
The bureau's goal for this fiscal year, which ended June 30, was 675,000 room nights. It booked 638,000.
"Room nights are almost an impossible thing to quantify," Parker said. "It's easy to inflate room-night bookings."
KPRC's story also indicated that the GHCVB hands out bonuses based on room-night bookings; therefore, inflated booking numbers are quite a problem. Another problem -- and this one blows me away -- is that the bureau has no accountability controls in place for when officials woo prospective clients:
Auditors concluded that the bureau has no policy on entertaining prospective city visitors, including expenses for food and alcoholic beverages.
But these problems are nothing to get too excited about, according to some folks:
Doug Horn, chairman of the board, said the audit will be a learning tool for the bureau and that he is open to looking at how it accounts for room nights.
"It's a real nebulous, ambiguous issue," he said. "This audit, all in all, reveals that we have some areas to work on. There is nothing in here that is egregious or dishonest."
Eh, no biggie. Inflated room-night numbers? Wining and dining clients without backup and accountability? It's all so vague and complicated.
The audit also noted low staff morale, high turnover, inadequate record keeping to document use of free air travel and sporting-event tickets, and strained relations with the city-run Department of Convention and Entertainment Facilities.
That sounds about par for the government entity-course. No doubt lots of bonuses will be handed out again at the end of this fiscal year.
Tollett, who returned to the job late last month after taking a six-week leave from the bureau for unspecified treatment, did not return phone calls seeking comment.
[snip]
Horn said it is too early to tie the audit to Tollett's future at the bureau. "We ought to allow him to get reacclimated to his job properly and given all the confidence this board can give him in order to succeed," he said.
Oh, absolutely. A government employee who makes over $200,000 per year, plus bonus, shouldn't be expected to answer any questions.
UPDATE: Tollett did speak to KHOU-11:
“If you are trying to book a convention like the Offshore Technology Conference that is worth say, $70 million, and you have to spend $1,000, that’s a good expenditure,” said Jordy Tollett, President GHCVB.
[snip]
“Any resources for food or entertainment come out of that private money. We just thought that was more appropriate. And let me say this, all of the food and entertainment bills are approved in advance,” said Tollett.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/20/06 06:28 AM |
19 September 2006
Chief Hurtt's multi-faceted crime-fighting plan
Recently Chief Hurtt gave a speech where he detailed some new crime-fighting plans (via the Chronicle):
New programs include creating a new police division in the Westside area, an anti-gang initiative and overtime programs. Hurtt spoke about the crime-fighting plans Tuesday in a speech at the Citywide Positive Interaction Program.
[snip]
Hurtt also mentioned several other ongoing programs the department is working on.
The new red light camera program is under way and motorists who run red ligths will be ticketed with a $75 fine. In the first week, cameras were up at 10 intersections and police identified 600 violations.
On the technology front, Hurtt said the department is developing a 24-hour call information center to monitor criminal activity and pass information on to the divisions to more quickly shift officers from anywhere in the city to the location of an ongoing crime.
The department is also developing an online crime reporting system.
Hurtt said the department is also trying to get three ordinances through City Hall. The ordinances would hold apartment complex owners responsible for crimes committed on their property; drop weeknight curfew for juveniles from midnight to 10 p.m.; and a graffiti abatement measure.
That one ordinance Hurtt is trying to get passed, the one that punishes apartment owners for criminal activity on their property, is really underhanded. The city of Houston encouraged apartment owners to take in Katrina evacuees last year, and this is how the chief wants to thank them. Very nice.
There is one new policy Chief Hurtt failed to mention as this meeting. KHOU-11 got hold of an internal HPD memo that says officers will now have to handle DWI arrests differently:
It’s a memo some say means officers will be forced off the streets to take care of paperwork they’ve been handing off to others.
[snip]
The paperwork can take longer on a DWI than on a murder case.
So Tuesday, as Marticiuc was reading the department’s new policy, which requires the patrol officers to carry the case almost to the cell door, some patrol officers were telling 11 News they’d write fewer DWIs in the future.
KHOU's story is a bit light on specifics; maybe a local journalist will explore this new policy more in-depth to find out what's really going on.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/19/06 10:17 PM |
Crime lab investigation stalled; Mayor has no opinion
The Chronicle reports that the city is still dragging its feet on spending the money necessary for Michael Bromwich's team to finish its investigation of HPD's crime lab:
The only comprehensive investigation of the Houston crime lab remains on hold, three months after dwindling funds stalled the probe that first exposed evidence of serious problems such as falsified test results and the tailoring of reports to fit police theories.
While Police Chief Harold Hurtt has expressed support for completing the inquiry, another high-ranking police official has said it is not worth the $1.5 million investigators are seeking. Several City Council members also have raised doubts, and Mayor Bill White has been noncommittal.
[snip]
"My question to Mr. Bromwich is, basically, 'What are you going to provide in that $1.5 million that we haven't already received?' " Executive Assistant Police Chief Martha Montalvo said at a July 25 council committee meeting.
Hurtt, however, has said he would like to see Bromwich complete the probe.
"The money would have to be worked out by City Council," he said after Montalvo's comments, "but we ought to let him finish up his job."
Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal, who last year provided $500,000 to help with the probe, agreed Monday that the team should be allowed to complete its work.
Hurtt and Rosenthal are right. The city has already spent a considerable amount of money on this investigation, which is not complete. HPD's crime lab fiasco has cast doubt on this area's criminal justice system. Finishing this important investigation into what went wrong really is not optional.
The stunner here is Mayor White's refusal to take a stand one way or the other, just as he has refused to take a stand on his soft-on-crime police chief's temporarily suspended no-chase policy. We elect leaders to lead. So it's time for Mayor White to push this investigation to its rightful conclusion, or to explain why investigating past problems with our criminal justice system does not merit the expenditure (instead of hiding behind an executive assistant police chief).
This is one area where money shouldn't even be that big a concern, but here's a win-win proposal -- since Mayor White continues to insist that his red-light-camera revenue stream really isn't about the money, surely he can't object to setting aside revenues generated by the red light cameras to fund the conclusion of Michael Bromwich's investigation of HPD's crime lab.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/19/06 12:11 PM |
AP: Houston fourth most dangerous big city in US in 2005
There's good news and bad news in the FBI's latest statistics on crime in the nation's ten largest cities.
The good news is, Houston isn't worst. That dishonor goes to Dallas.
The bad news is, Houston (and Phoenix, the last stop for Chief Hurtt's soft-on-crime policies) are much closer statistically to Dallas than they are to America's safest big city, New York.
Here is the AP's breakdown of large cities and per capita crime in 2005, from the Chronicle:
1. New York: one crime per 37.38 residents.
2. San Jose, Calif.: one crime per 34.46 residents.
3. Los Angeles: one crime per 25.97 residents.
4. San Diego: one crime per 24.09 residents.
5. Chicago: one crime per 21.9 residents.
6. Philadelphia: one crime per 17.96 residents.
7. Houston: one crime per 14.17 residents.
8. San Antonio: one crime per 14.12 residents.
9. Phoenix: one crime per 14.10 residents.
10. Dallas: one crime per 11.79 residents.
UPDATE: Some useful caveats on the use of the FBI's crime data are located here.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/19/06 10:24 AM |
18 September 2006
Editorial LiveJournal: Oriana Fallaci
James Howard Gibbons, editor of the Chronicle's opinion pages, today offers up another personal reflection that the newspaper calls an Editorial Journal (we prefer the term Editorial LiveJournal).
The title of this one is kind of fun:
So it is, Mr. Gibbons, so it is!
The Editorial LiveJournal reflects on the late Oriana Fallaci, for whom a young Mr. Gibbons worked when he was 18. Fallaci passed away last week.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/18/06 11:36 PM |
If Alvarado has her way, cigar bars will be history in Houston
If (temporarily only a) Councilwoman Carol Alvarado gets her way, Houston's cigar bars will have to shut down to comply with her push to get a citywide smoking ban passed (via Greater Houston Weekly):
The Houston City Council is looking at broadening the current antismoking ordinance that currently bans smoking in restaurants. That means bars and even cigar bars could soon be hanging up no-smoking signs.
"We'll look at what other cities have done," Councilmember Carol Alvarado, chair of the Environmental and Public Health Committee, said regarding cigar bars and stores. "But my goal has been to ban smoking in any workplace.
Well, one might think a councilmember would be interested in keeping thriving businesses thriving, not shutting them down. One might also think that cigar bar patrons would expect to be exposed to cigar smoke. But the former mayor pro tem has a goal, and what Carol wants, Carol gets.
"I guess they're trying to put us out of business," said Geoff Neal, general manager at Downing Street. "I'd like to tell City Council what I think about that. They should leave it up to the marketplace. There should be smoking bars and nonsmoking bars and let the public decide where they want to go."
Downing Street, frequented by state senators, city councilmembers (including Alvarado, on occasion), lawyers, pro athletes and even doctors, is the premier cigar spot in town, but it's hardly the only place one can light up a stogie.
Mike Wells, the former general manager at Downing Street, now owns the infamous no-sign-lounge Marfreless, a well-known spot for romantic liaisons, martinis and smokers.
"I don't smoke, I don't like it, but most of my customers do," Wells said. "They need to stay out of it and let us run our business. It's not illegal to smoke so don't tell me they can't do it in my bar. If they want to make it illegal than make it illegal to make them and sell them."
Geez, don't give Councilwoman Alvarado any ideas. Mayor White's liable to let her run with that one, too.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/18/06 08:29 PM |
City Council agenda item #50
From this week's agenda; it's also a carry-over item from last week:
50. ORDINANCE amending Ordinance #2005-1272 to provide a maximum contract amount for contracts between the City and Various Tow Company Operators for the Safe Clear Program $1,882,414.00 - Police Special Services Fund (From METRO)
TAGGED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS WISEMAN and SEKULA-GIBBS
This was Item 26 on Agenda of September 13, 2006
Almost $1.9 million...for what? Is that Metro's contribution? Does that include the city's share of the cost? What time frame will the money cover? Agendas are woefully inadequate information sources. How typical of government.
Regardless, it must be about time for Bob Stein to spring into action and produce another study showing how SafeClear has improved Houston's freeways. Or Mayor White can cite another apples-to-oranges comparison of accident rates from year to year.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 09/18/06 07:09 PM |
"Run from you" now available from KPRC-950
Last week, Michael Berry debuted a fun parody song "Run from you" on his show on KPRC-950.
The song mocks Chief Hurtt's no-chase policy.
It's now posted to the KPRC-950 website for download here.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/18/06 09:18 AM |
Editorial LiveJournalists endorse Orlando Sanchez
The Chronicle Editorial LiveJournalists have issued a handful of endorsements, and one name in particular really stands out. They've endorsed Orlando Sanchez for Harris County treasurer, but with a very important caveat:
If elected, Sanchez, a Republican, says he will shun involvement in political issues that have little bearing on his office, while providing an additional check against improper expenditure of county funds.
Recall that Sanchez's big plea to the Harris County GOP to be their nominee in this race after Jack Cato passed away was that he would use the office as a bully pulpit to advance "conservative" issues (mainly the red-meat issue of immigration).
David Benzion has a few words for Sanchez's naive supporters:
You. Have. Been. Punked.
Pretty much. Benzion also notes that the Editorial LiveJournalists have contradicted an earlier editorial (big surprise!) in which they argued for abolition of the political office.
The candidate in the race who does favor abolition of the office is Democrat Richard Garcia. Conservatives turned off by Sanchez's typical me-first opportunism may wish to give Mr. Garcia some consideration.
BLOGVERSATION: Greg's Opinion, Off the Kuff.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/18/06 08:01 AM |
17 September 2006
Shocker: Editorial LiveJournalists praise METRO
Matt Bramanti calls our attention to this praise for METRO from the Chronicle's Editorial LiveJournalists:
Despite those cost increases and the expensive, locally financed construction of the Main Street light rail line, Metro has kept its spending flat while preserving its $1 base fare.
Overall spending has been flat despite increased operating and light-rail construction costs?
Phrasing it that way allows the Editorial LiveJournalists to ignore METRO's related cuts to bus service, the core of the area's mass transit system.
Of course, METRO promised a 50% increase in bus service in the METRO Solutions plan approved by voters in 2003. As we now know, though, METRO really doesn't think the specifics of the METRO Solutions contract with voters really must be adhered to all that closely.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/17/06 10:43 PM |
Mayor criticizes opponents for misleading rhetoric
Several days ago, the Chronicle's Matt Stiles reported that Mayor White is not very happy about some radio ads by a group opposed to the Mayor's proposal to gut the city's revenue caps:
The new ad, voiced by Proposition 2 supporter and former Councilman Carroll Robinson, encourages voters to reject White's plan, called Proposition G. The ad links the mayor's proposal with recent high energy prices.
"Is your electricity bill too high?" Robinson asks in the ad. "If it is, vote against Proposition G." Moments later, he asks, "Are you paying too much for gas at the pump? If you are, vote against Proposition G."
Speaking to reporters after Wednesday's City Council meeting, White blasted the ad.
"That really discredits their whole campaign," he said, adding that the ad "is intending to mislead people."
Robinson said he wasn't trying to mislead anyone. He said he and other Proposition 2 supporters think that changing the revenue cap could lead to future tax and fee increases.
"If Proposition G passes, it leaves open the potential for unreasonable water and sewer rate increases," he said. "The more you lose in terms of your paycheck in terms of paying property taxes, sewer rates and other city fees, the less money you have to pay your regular bills."
The ads are somewhat misleading, and the local media is doing its job in pointing out the same.
Mayor White's criticism of the ads being misleading is kind of amusing, though. This would be the same Mayor White who insists red-light cameras are all about improving compliance and safety and not revenue (but whose administration refuses to put signage in camera intersections to deter red-light runners), who regularly ties any and all favorable traffic statistics to his SAFEclear program (when the cause/effect relationship isn't clear), and who has made wild assertions (without much investigation by local media) that voters must approve Proposition G because police budgets may have to be cut if the airports have a good year (huh?!).
Mayor White is right that it's a shame when exaggerations and distortions become a prominent part of the political conversation. He isn't always an example of innocence and goodness himself, however.
RELATED COVERAGE: KTRK-13.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/17/06 10:18 PM |
[Previous 20 Entries] [Next 20 Entries]