22 June 2008
Riding the METRO #82 to work (Firebolts, Lightning Bolts, and Hell Storms)
The Mighty Wizard documents the time spent using the #82 Westheimer bus to commute to/from work, and compares it to other transportation alternatives (Firebolts, Lightning Bolts, and Hell Storms).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/22/08 10:39 PM |
Peter Brown has figured out the root cause of violence: high gas prices
Really. Anger and violence are caused by high gas prices and job dissatisfaction, so sayeth Councilman Peter Brown:
With word Saturday that yet another parent was implicated in an attack on his children — police say he led them to the partially burned bodies — there was a feeling that something is horribly wrong with some families in the Greater Houston metropolitan area.
"Whether it is high gas prices or people not happy with their jobs or whatever, we have got a lot of anger and violence in our society, way too much, particularly family violence," Houston Councilman Peter Brown said.
It's a complete mystery why the reporter solicited a comment from the elitist mayoral wannabe.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 06/22/08 01:33 PM |
Newsweek: Diversified Houston has no problems (updated)
This column at Newsweek.com points out that Houston's current boom isn't solely centered upon oil and gas, something locals already know of course. It also notes that Houston is weathering the current housing market crisis better than many metro areas "thanks to endless supplies of land and a lack of zoning laws," something mayoral-wannabe Peter Brown would love to change.
And there's a paragraph to make Mayor White smile:
In midtown New York eateries, suddenly strapped investment bankers are limiting themselves to prix fixe lunches. But at noon last week, the 130 seats at The Grove, an expense-account jewel box that overlooks Discovery Green—a downtown parking lot made into a 13-acre park—were filled with jovial diners. As we tucked into our skirt steaks (so big they should have been dress steaks) and a side of French fries smothered in shredded short ribs and cheese, UBS executive Stephen Trauber ticked off a series of recent deals his team worked on that would make his New York counterparts weep: a $3.5 billion oilfield-services acquisition, a giant initial public offering of a Brazilian oil company, several stock offerings.
It's often amusing to read these types of columns, where a Coaster (in this case an East Coaster) tries to shed some light on Houston for other Coasters (East and West), almost as if Houston is a foreign land.
KEVIN WHITED ADDS: The Washington Post gets in on the act with this article on Houston.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 06/22/08 07:25 AM |
21 June 2008
Councilmembers aren't impressed with Frank "Procurement Disaster" Wilson
Michael Reed of the River Oaks Examiner provides some background on councilmembers' reactions when the consent agreement with METRO first came before Council over a week ago:
While voicing varying degrees of support for rail, Pam Holm, Jolanda Jones and Ron Green said they still had unaddressed concerns about the protection of the neighborhoods and the small businesses that would be affected.
“Procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part,” Jones said of questions she submitted to the Metropolitan Transit Authority the day before the June 11 meeting. “I still need answers to those questions.”
[snip]
Green, however, said while he feels the Metro board is competent, “there is a serious management disconnect” when it comes to keeping the council informed.
[snip]
When White said Metro had communicated at several public sessions, many attended by Chief Executive Officer Frank Wilson, Jones responded that at meetings she attended, community concerns and ideas were ignored.
Calling Metro’s attitude at that time “disrespectful,” Jones said, “He (Wilson) told us what he wanted to say … They could have had 1,000 meetings.”
[snip]
After the meeting, Wilson told Examiner broadcast partner ABC-13, ““The delay of a week in a 100-year project is insignificant."
And indeed it was, but it is interesting to see local pols publicly voice doubts about METRO. METRO's leadership IS incredibly arrogant, and does all it can to keep the public in the dark. METRO and Mayor White just wanted this consent agreement to pass so METRO can get on to the ground-breaking. While METRO says ongoing dialogue will continue, METRO, under the leadership of Mr. Procurement Disaster, will do what it wants. As Councilwoman Jones said, Frank Wilson says what he wants to say. Period. He's just not interested in differing opinions.
That's how METRO operates, and that's how Mayor White enables Frank Wilson.
PREVIOUSLY: METRO's consent agreement sidesteps committee vote
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 06/21/08 12:21 PM |
“I Can See Us Sittin’ 'Round the Table, When from the Family Koran Dad Would Read …” (Slampo's Place)
Slampo's neighborhood gets free Korans, courtesy of the Book of Signs Foundation (Slampo's Place).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/21/08 11:24 AM |
La Colombe d'Or brings back "oil barrel special" (I've got the Munchies)
Cory Crow likes La Colombe d'Or's creative resurrection of the "oil barrel special" (I've got the Munchies).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/21/08 11:18 AM |
Caffeinated Wi-Fi: Coffee Groundz in Midtown (Chron TechBlog)
Dwight Silverman reviews Coffee Groundz in Midtown (Chron TechBlog).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/21/08 11:12 AM |
Comparing boondoggles (Houston's Clear Thinkers)
Tom Kirkendall reflects on the political forces that lead to boondoggles like METROrail (Houston's Clear Thinkers).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/21/08 11:07 AM |
Mayor White's new revenue stream, er, flood
The Chron's Mike Snyder has the latest on the city's Ready-Fire-Aim! floodway ordinance:
City officials are recommending changes in a controversial law that limits development in flood-prone areas known as floodways, easing some restrictions that have prompted protests and lawsuits from affected property owners.
The changes, which would permit new construction on vacant land in floodways subject to certain conditions and fees, could be considered by the City Council as soon as next week, said Councilman M.J. Kahn, who chairs the flooding and drainage committee.
But of course!
RELATED: Floodway Coalition of Houston
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 06/21/08 06:25 AM |
20 June 2008
We thought Mayor White was against mixed-use developments
At the Chron's Houston Politics blog, Mike Snyder notes that Mayor White shared his vision of Houston in an interview on NPR:
Over the next 20 years, Houston will become a denser city where people won't have to drive as much because they're riding mass transit and living close to where they work and shop.
That might sound like a pie-in-the-sky prediction from a New Urbanist visionary, but it actually came from someone not known for flights of fancy: Mayor Bill White.
In an interview aired today on National Public Radio's Morning Edition, White said the high price of gasoline is increasing demand for urban mixed-use developments, which combine housing, retail and other amenities.
Unless the dense, mixed-use development is a certain high-rise on Bissonnet.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 06/20/08 07:45 PM |
19 June 2008
Mincberg website promises a stand on issues, one day
On the Chron's Houston Politics blog, Alan Bernstein posts about a statement from Harris County Republican Party Chairman Jared Woodfill today calling attention to the issues section of David Mincberg's website:
In case the print isn't clear, the issues section reads "Check back in the weeks and months ahead to learn where David stands on the issues."
We certainly hope he figures out what he hopes to do at some point! Apparently, it's been much easier to trash his opponent (if the front page of the website is any indication).
According to Bernstein, Woodfill's Democratic counterpart was not amused, issuing a competing statement that Ed Emmett's campaign site doesn't even HAVE an issues section.
So there!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/19/08 10:16 PM |
Preserving the old county courthouse won't be cheap
Earlier this week, KTRK-13's Ted Oberg looked into the rising cost of restoring Harris County's historic courthouse:
Inside the building is been gutted in preparation for a $65 million restoration to eventually house just state appeals courts. Proposals to put county commissioners here or a justice museum were dropped from the plans.
"I am for restoring old courthouses and historic buildings," said taxpayer advocate Bob Lemur. "Anytime a project goes from $30 million to $65 million in 7, 8, 9 10 years something is strange there."
This project, when initially proposed as a renovation in 2003, was supposed to cost an estimated $30 million of your tax dollars. Then $36, then $47 million in 2005 before jumping to $65 million in 2006. Twice the cost for the same project and unlike when it was first built, voters have never approved a nickel of the spending.
"The number is getting higher and higher," said Harris County Commissioner Steve Radack.
Why though? Answers in county records are short on specifics.
Looks as if it's time for some specifics.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 06/19/08 07:58 PM |
Today was "Dump the Pump Day"
METRO blogger Mary Sit wants us to give transit a try:
[Thursday] is the third annual, national Dump the Pump Day in which transit agencies nationwide are urging people to take public transit, save gas and help save the environment.
If you’ve never tried METRO before, it’s a good day to take a ride – and then make a commitment to ride public transit one day a week.
What does she suggest for folks who live within METRO's tax boundaries, but who are provided no transit services?
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 06/19/08 06:56 PM |
Continental announces move to Star Alliance
Continental Airlines today announced intentions to move from its current alliance with SkyTeam to the Star Alliance (which includes United, Lufthansa, and Air Canada, among others):
Continental Airlines today announced that it intends to transition into the Star Alliance from the SkyTeam alliance as a result of a review that was conducted following the Delta-Northwest merger announcement.
For the time being, the Continental/SkyTeam relationships are business-as-usual. Continental is committed to making this transition in a very customer-friendly manner. There will be a significant transition period, including regulatory approvals, for Continental to move from one alliance to another. Until further notice, OnePass members can continue to earn and redeem miles on SkyTeam airlines and SkyTeam lounge reciprocity continues as usual for SkyTeam Elite Plus members traveling on international SkyTeam itineraries.
The change in alliances will allow Continental's customers to benefit from the larger Star Alliance network, which has truly global coverage including 20 airlines. Continental's customers can continue with all of their travel plans as they exist today, and no changes to OnePass accounts are necessary. In the future, after a transition period that we expect will last at least a year, OnePass members will start to have reciprocity for earning/redeeming miles on other Star Alliance airlines and the SkyTeam reciprocity will end. In addition, Continental's Platinum Elite members traveling on international Star Alliance itineraries will have access to Star Alliance lounges at a future, yet-to-be-determined date. In the U.S., Continental intends to code-share with United Airlines, a primary member of the Star Alliance, and code-sharing with Delta and Northwest will be phased out. We will communicate further details once they are confirmed.
Further information about the Star Alliance is available at staralliance.com. In addition, a complete news release on Continental's Star Alliance announcement on this subject is available at continental.com
The initial reaction of this CO frequent flier is that this is about the best option for Continental in the current environment. I have no problems with SkyTeam, but I like the routes/associations gained through an association with Star Alliance, and either of those two is preferable (in my view) to the mating with OneWorld (AA/BA) that had been tossed out. The alliance allows access to some nice routes, while avoiding the headaches of a merger (United may be too problematic even for Continental's superior management to sort out). The devil is in the details, of course: How reciprocal will elite recognition be? Will Continental's popular OnePass program be watered down as a result? And what will happen to upgrade and reward availability?
As one might expect, the FlyerTalk forums are already burning up over this news.
BLOGVERSATION: Houston Departures.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/19/08 01:57 PM |
Hoffman: Baker nominated to Texas Radio Hall of Fame
The Chronicle's Ken Hoffman checks in on former local talker Chris Baker:
Veteran radio talker Chris Baker, the only local host ever to host two different shows on two different stations (KTRH and KPRC) at the same time, was abruptly dismissed from both stations in November.
Then last week he was nominated for the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.
That's radio for you. One moment you're up, one moment you're down.
Often they're the same moment.
I asked him, how badly do you want to be elected to the Hall of Fame? Most people in Baker's position take the politically correct route ... "I'm happy just to be nominated."
Yeah, right.
If you ever listened to Baker, you know his politics are, well, a little different. Some things never change.
"I don't know how others feel, but to me it's a really big deal," said Baker, who now does his yakking on KTLK-FM in Minneapolis.
KTLK — wow, "talk" about your great radio call letters.
"I grew up listening to Texas radio stations, like KLIF, the Mighty 1190, in Dallas and KFJZ in Fort Worth. As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be on the radio. I spent many days and nights talking into a broomstick over a giant Zenith stereo in our living room doing talk-ups to Kenny Rogers' Something's Burning, James Brown's Papa's Got a Brand New Bag and Mitch Ryder's Devil With a Blue Dress.
"My heroes are in the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, and if I were to make it, it would be surreal. I had an incredible seven years in Houston, and I am proud of every moment and miss Houston more than you can imagine.
Here's hoping our old friend makes it in.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/19/08 08:02 AM |
18 June 2008
Shakeup at KHCW-39 news
The Chronicle's David Barron reports on big changes to KHCW-39's news operation, as the station gets ready to expand its evening newscast:
Sherry Williams and Alan Hemberger will be replaced by Steve Simon and Mia Gradney as anchors of KHCW's (Channel 39) 9 p.m. newscast, and news director Joe Nolan has resigned, effective June 27, three days before the station expands its nightly newscast from 30 minutes to an hour.
While Hemberger will remain with Channel 39 as a weekend anchor, Williams is no longer employed by the Tribune Co.-owned station, general manager Roger Bare said.
Neither Hemberger nor Williams was available for comment Tuesday afternoon.
Neither Nolan nor Bare would comment specifically on the reasons for the anchor shifts, citing station policy regarding personnel issues.
Hemberger and Nolan gave that operation needed credibility. These moves don't bode well.
UPDATE (06-20-2008): David Barron reports that Hemberger asked for the move to weekends, as the expanded newscast would cut into important family time (he has a special-needs daughter). While the newscast could sure use his credibility, it's understandable (and praiseworthy) that Hemberger's family comes first.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/18/08 10:25 PM |
Metro gets okay to build its toy (Lose an Eye, It's a Sport)
Cory Crow critiques METRO's (and now Council's) blurry vision of Houston transit/mobility (Lose an Eye, It's a Sport).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/18/08 09:57 PM |
Fun with Houston’s Leading Information Source (Lone Star Times)
Matt Bramanti complains about the Chron's Sunday delivery service, and hints at a special project for people who receive unsolicited/unwanted copies of the newspaper (Lone Star Times).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/18/08 09:37 PM |
METRO cops bug reporter, METRO vote today (ABC13.com Political Blog)
KTRK-13's Miya Shay describes how she and a KTRK cameraman were harassed by Tom Lambert's finest at a light-rail station (ABC13.com Political Blog).
It's surprising METRO didn't break out the elite counterterror strike force to help keep the journalists safe. Of course, the notion of four METRO officials keeping Shay and her cameraman off a platform for their own safety rings about as true as euphemisms sometimes used in Burma.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/18/08 08:35 PM |
Real Time Crime Center needs another $1 million
At the Houston Politics blog, Carolyn Feibel notes a budget item for HPD:
$1.06 million for additional software for HPD's crime analysis center.
That's the Real Time Crime Center MayorWhiteChiefHurtt touted as better than CompStat. In fact, Chief Hurtt called it "CompStat on steroids":
Hurtt says that specialized software will link together databases kept by federal, state and county agencies. It will help identify whether local crimes are part of a trend or cluster, even "forecasting" where crimes might occur, so the 60-member "crime reduction" unit can be dispatched quickly to that "hot spot."
The steroids metaphor may have been ill-timed considering the current baseball scandal. That said, however, Hurtt said that HPD visited NYC, Chicago and L.A. and adopted the "best practices" of each of those departments. And all for about $2.9 million, whereas New York's crime center cost $11 million.
Seems almost too good to be true.
Another million dollars? Was the program incomplete when the city bought it? Is this an upgrade? What is the extra million for?
And has anyone cornered Chief Hurtt for a definition of "CompStat on steroids"?
Regarding "best practices" of NYC, Chicago and L.A., do those police departments also undercount homicides?
KEVIN WHITED ADDS: Maybe that should be, CompStat on $teroids?
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 06/18/08 07:14 PM |
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