04 January 2011

Sylvia Garcia, Chron keep rhapsodizing

We almost missed the latest Ode to Sylvia Garcia that appeared in the area's newspaper of record a few days ago. Here's a sampling:

The cannonball was still a secret from the public, but for the duration of a car ride, Sylvia Garcia had temporary custody of it. The iron ball was surprisingly small — about the size of an orange - and she cupped it lovingly in her hands.

Garcia, a Harris County commissioner, is the kind of Texan who speaks reverently about the Battle of San Jacinto - the most important battle in our state's history, the battle in which Sam Houston's ragtag army shockingly trounced Santa Anna's larger Mexican force, not only winning Texas' independence from Mexico but also paving the way for California and New Mexico's entry into the United States. It was, as historian T.R. Fehrenbach has written, the battle in which "the West was won."

Given half a chance, Garcia will rhapsodize about the Twin Sisters, the two cannons that Houston's army used. So it thrilled her that right there in her hands, she held the only Twin Sisters cannonball that archaeologists have ever found (Lisa Gray, The shocking defeat: Battle of San Jacinto artifacts are special to Sylvia Garcia, Houston Chronicle).

Well, now that Garcia has some free time, perhaps she can engage in true public service and volunteer to give tours/lectures (perhaps even rhapsodize!) at the monument/museum site.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 01/04/11 08:33 PM |

Chron: "METRO getting houston light rail projects back on track"

Chris Moran slides into the Mike Snyder Endowed Chair For METRO PR Dissemination down at 801 Texas Avenue to share the following news:

After nearly halting light- rail projects last year because of mistakes in its planned purchase of rail cars, the Metropolitan Transit Authority is reviving its rail building program as it becomes more confident the federal government will deliver a $900 million grant.

[snip]

Last month, the Federal Transit Administration sent the first $50 million of the grant money for use on the North and Southeast lines. Last week, the FTA issued pre-clearance letters Metro needed before it could proceed with more than $12 million worth of projects for which it is relying on federal reimbursements. Ultimately, the FTA will pay about half the cost of the North and Southeast lines.

"This is just further evidence that we're on track and the relationship with the FTA is progressing," said Metro board Chairman Gilbert Garcia, one of five board members appointed by Houston Mayor Annise Parker last year to try to rescue the jeopardized federal grant money (Chris Moran, METRO getting Houston light rail projects back on track, Houston Chronicle).

Rah rah!

I wonder how METRO's liquidity ratio is looking these days (which will be a good sign whether it can afford its massive light-rail spending plans). We'll probably have to wait for Michael Reed and the Examiner News to get that info.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 01/04/11 08:19 PM |

03 January 2011

Trinket government update: Houston Pavilions loses an anchor tenant (updated)

Swamplot reports that the Downtown Pavilions project has suffered another blow, with the announcement that Books A Million will be shuttering its 23,000 sq. ft. store this month.

Photo of Books A Million - Pavilions by flickr user Jorge Michel
A source told Swamplot that the bookseller's Katy location, roughly the same size, was doing five times the business of the Pavilions store (surely distressing to the Urban Houtopian types).

About a year and a half ago, the Pavilions developers were hoping to get occupancy up to 60%. We are guessing losing a big tenant like Books A Million just made that a lot harder.

Does anyone else remember how the Danger Train, and then the Pavilions, and then Discovery Green, (and now a soccer stadium!) all were going to make downtown a livable, walkable, thriving world-class destination? Or that Bill White delivered significant assistance to the developers of this particular (struggling*) world-class vision?

That's a big reason we prefer that markets, rather than pols operating the Houston Way, drive these sorts of decisions (which often work out better for connected elites than for taxpayers).

Photo of Books A Million by flickr user Jorge Michel, used via Creative Commons license.

* As an illustration, contrast the number of businesses in the Houston Pavilions and the Denver Pavilions.

UPDATE (01/05/2010): Neal Meyer informs in the comments that Books A Million will be staying after all. The livable, walkable, Houtopian downtown dream lives on!

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 01/03/11 08:59 PM |

Chron: Garnet Coleman touts "temporary" tax increase

In a column two weeks ago, the Chron/Hearst Austin bureau weighed in on the important state news of an angry lefty blogger taking away Aaron Pena's tilde (there's a related correction this week) and liberal Democrat Garnet Coleman basically calling Texas Tea Partiers racist and extremist (with no balance).

This week, the Chron/Heart Austin bureau turns over column space again to liberal Democrat* Garnet Coleman, so he can tout a "temporary" tax increase (right!). At least Coleman is balanced this week by some Republicans who say his tax probably isn't happening.

But like David Jennings and Cory Crow, we question why anyone even thought this was column fodder. Surely there is some actual political news that might be covered in Austin, and covered somewhat more professionally.

* The Chron/Hearst Austin bureau prefers to identify him as a champion for "those who'd be hardest-hit by state-services cuts." They also identify the liberal Center for Public Policy Priorities as a "center that focuses on low- and moderate-income Texans." It's almost like Clay Robison has returned!

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 01/03/11 08:19 PM |

Chron: Population growth could alter METRO Board composition (update)

Chron.com posts an interesting story by Chris Moran that first appeared in Sunday print editions of the newspaper. Here's a brief excerpt:

The Metropolitan Transit Authority, struggling to build light rail lines through Houston's urban core, could face the prospect of predominantly suburban leadership as a result of new census figures later this year.

The city of Houston could lose its majority control of the Metro board if the 2010 Census shows that population in the part of Metro's service area outside the city limits has grown enough to trigger a provision in state law that calls for adding two seats to the Metro board (Chris Moran, Population growth could shift METRO control to suburbs, Houston Chronicle).


The inner-loop-urban-rail Houtopians must have nearly choked on their frittatas Sunday morning reading the ominous news that Houston's mayor might lose some influence over METRO (to the dreaded suburbs)!

In reality, such a shift in power may not emerge for quite some time (if ever). Even if the census numbers support the additional board members, the largest single bloc of members will still be appointed by the Mayor of Houston. On some issues, the story's so-called "suburban" bloc might well find common ground, but in general the Mayor's bloc will probably still move most policy as per the Mayor's vision.

Now, if a reconfigured METRO board actually saw its members elected...

UPDATE (01/16/2011): The Chron has issued a lengthy correction to the original story:

Correction: A story on page B1 of Sunday's Houston Chronicle incorrectly stated the manner of appointment of new board members if the Metropolitan Transit Authority board were to expand from nine to 11 members as a result of the federal census. The Texas Transportation Code calls for one new member to be appointed by Commissioners Court and an 11th member, who would be the chairman, to be appointed by a majority of the 10 other members.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 01/03/11 07:38 AM |

02 January 2011

2011 Shocker: Chron ed board STILL doesn't like death penalty

Two days into 2011, and just in case you've forgotten where they stand, the Chron editorial board reiterates Mrs. Jeff Cohen's its views on the death penalty:

Guillotine
The death penalty :It's time for capital punishment to become Texas history

At least one good thing has come of the massive cutbacks in the Chron newsroom, in the form of far fewer Chron Eye For The Death Row Killer Guy installments presented on the news pages. On the down side, there frequently is one guy trying to cover Harris County, the Port, and METRO (just as one ludicrous example of the newsroom being WAY overtaxed).

Too bad the newspaper will never consider a bold move like killing off that useless editorial board (which really had a tough 2010, with so many rewrites of work that appeared elsewhere much earlier and so many odd reversals like these) and using the freed resources to beef up the local news desks.

Photo of a guillotine in Miami by flickr user xynntii used via Creative Commons license.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 01/02/11 08:45 AM |

01 January 2011

"A signature New Years Eve event is a must for downtown"

We were excited to see the city is no longer "event-ed out" and able to put on a New Year's Eve party this year: Gloworama!

Yes, Gloworama. It's a dorky name, but who could resist this "Inaugural New Years Eve Celebration to Glow, Twinkle and Flame in Downtown Houston!"?

The family-friendly event -- with ice skating demonstrations, illuminated art car parade, and a light show on the side of the GRB -- was alcohol-free, but for only $75 or $150, a limited number of VIP tickets were available where revelers could "get their glow on," and enjoy an open bar with hors d’oeuvres.

So, do you think the city has finally come up with an event it can stick with for more than a year or two, that won't be subject to the energy-level of local pols? And, do you think the event was paid for by the sponsors and not the cash-strapped city?

Posted by Anne Linehan @ 01/01/11 04:21 PM |

Poo poo in Buffalo Bayou...again!

There's been another city sewage treatment plant failure:

The collection system at the 69th Street wastewater treatment plant failed at about 5 p.m., said Alvin Wright, a spokesman with the city's Public Works Department. More than 100,000 gallons of sewage was discharged near Lockwood over the next four hours.

Wonder how the Buffalo Bayou New Year's Eve Cruise went...

Posted by Anne Linehan @ 01/01/11 12:50 PM |

31 December 2010

The "goodbye 2010, hello 2011" link roundup

We'll close out 2010 with a media-crit-heavy link roundup:

May you all enjoy a happy and prosperous New Year.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/31/10 06:09 PM |

No credibility: Chron editorial board on muni pensions

Just before Christmas, we were amused by a Chronicle editorial with the following headline:

Pension perils: Our city cannot keep avoiding this issue. Leaders must deal with unfunded liability

The editorial praised Mayor Annise Parker, who has lately been talking tough about tackling Houston's massive unfunded municipal pension liabilities.

The existence of those massive unfunded liabilities must come as a shock to folks who ran with the "Bill White for Texas" campaign talking points, like some gullible columnists in the DFW area.

For that matter, the existence of massive unfunded liabilities might come as a surprise to readers of the Chronicle editorial page. Here's what the editorial board had to say in May 2007 about the problem:

While Mayor White has not yet solved the city's pension problems, the rampant cost overruns are slowly being brought under control. With a maximum three years left at the city's helm should he seek another term, the mayor should focus on bequeathing to his successor a pension system on a permanent and firm financial footing.

And here's what the same editorial board had to say in February 2010 when the newspaper endorsed Bill White in the Democratic primary for governor:

In his six years running City Hall, White presided over a financial reorganization that reduced unfunded employee pension liabilities, aggressively promoted toxic air pollution enforcement, crafted innovative public safety programs, and ably directed the city's response to an influx of Hurricane Katrina refugees from New Orleans and the subsequent threats of Hurricanes Rita and Ike. In doing so he proved his executive mettle and worthiness to lead state government.

As the editorial board says now, "our city cannot keep avoiding this issue." So apparently things were not quite as rosy as this board once said.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/31/10 05:41 PM |

29 December 2010

Maybe she can become a Chron Bright in her spare time

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE HAND JOE HOLLEY A HANKY? He's overcome:

Afterward, the 60-year-old Democratic Precinct 2 commissioner professed not to know what's next. A public official since 1985, when she was appointed chief judge of Houston's municipal courts, she knows only that she'll be officially unemployed come Saturday.

"I'll have a significant, significant drop in income, so that means I'll be even more of a watchdog on my own pocketbook," she said during an interview in her ninth-floor office, the walls shorn of art and photographs. "All those years of watching the taxpayers' pocketbook, now it's time to watch my own."

Unemployed lawmakers tend to do okay for themselves. We're sure she'll land on her feet somewhere.

UPDATE: A constituent emails that he wishes Garcia had been a watchdog for HIS pocketbook during her years of public service.

Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/29/10 08:25 AM |

25 December 2010

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, etc

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays everyone.

Here's hoping Pancho Claus left lots of goodies under your holiday tree.

Thanks to everyone who visits and contributes to the little blog. We're looking forward to a happy and prosperous 2011!

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/25/10 08:44 AM |

22 December 2010

Saying goodbye to the big C

A LESSON IN PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE: I completed my final chemo treatment last week, and I'm in the homestretch of this little journey that began last March.

I have one more step -- another surgery -- and then I'll be done. That surgery should happen in February after all the chemo drugs are out of my system.

My long-term prognosis is very encouraging. When I was first diagnosed, testing showed that I was Stage 3 with multiple lymph nodes involved; therefore, I had chemo and radiation prior to surgery, which was incredibly successful. Post-surgical pathology reduced my staging to Stage 1!

I'm so grateful for my doctors, Dr. Tenczynski (oncologist), Dr. Newton (surgeon), and Dr. Hamberger (radiation oncologist), and their terrific staffs. Most of my treatment has been at Memorial Hermann Northwest's Cancer Center, and the folks there are just wonderful.

I'd also like to note that colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable and curable cancers, so pay attention to your body, and if you're due for a colonoscopy, don't put it off. The procedure really isn't that bad, especially compared to the alternative.

Thank you for all the well-wishes and prayers. I'm so appreciative, and God's grace has truly enveloped me during this time. Merry Christmas to all of you, and here's to a fabulous 2011!

Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/22/10 03:46 PM |

Feds to Eversole: Merry Christmas!

The feds delivered Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole an early Christmas gift yesterday:

At least one fellow conservative blogger who comments on local affairs has announced it's time for Eversole to resign, which sounds about right to us.

Thoughts?

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/22/10 09:04 AM |

20 December 2010

News and views roundup (12/20/10 edition)

It's your omnibus Monday morning edition of news and views (because why let this stuff die in the weekend media black hole?):

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/20/10 10:20 AM |

17 December 2010

Bazan on the soccer stadium deal

Friend and government watchdog Tom Bazan passes along his letter on the soccer stadium deal, which apparently was published on the Chron editorial page this week:

The taxpayers paid $15 million for the land that is being so generously donated. Where do the taxpayers benefit from that?

The city and county taxpayers are going to pay for $20 million in special infrastructure for the stadium. ("A new venue; Soccer stadium a done deal for Dynamo," Page A1, Dec. 3).

The debt service payments for 30 years, at 5 percent interest, will be more than $1.3 million per year.

The Sports Authority has twisted the Dynamo's corporate arm and will be charging $65,000 per year in rent. How do taxpayers benefit from that?

The TIRZ 15 — the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone around the stadium - will be floating the bonds for this. The first word in TIRZ is tax. So the taxpayers will have to shoulder the $75 million in bonds to build the boondoggle.

The TIRZ already has special benefits and incentives for the developers, which are passed through to the taxpayers. So how does this benefit the taxpayers?

Sounds like the win-win is for the developer and ruling class at the expense of the taxpayers.

Tom Bazan, Houston

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/17/10 07:34 AM |

16 December 2010

News and views roundup (12/16/10 edition)

It's your Thursday "tax-and-spend" edition of news and views:

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/16/10 08:18 AM |

13 December 2010

News and views roundup (12/13/10 edition)

Time to dump some news and views:

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/13/10 09:38 PM |

12 December 2010

The Good Ship Parker continues to take on water

We've been waiting -- nay, practically begging -- for some local journalist really to dig into the dysfunction within the Parker Administration roughly one year since winning office.

We didn't expect this sort of treatment from Village Voice Houston, even though an alt-weekly would be a perfect outlet in many (world-classier?) cities. And we have to admit that we didn't see it coming from the Chron's senior metro/state columnist/plagiarist.

Yet Rick Casey's column in the Sunday Chronicle print edition (and e-edition -- sorry Kindle subscribers!) delivered today, both in terms of analysis and in terms of actual reporting involving phone calls and such (yes, we were shocked too!).

Since we are not one of Dwight Silverman's Anointed, we dare not reproduce half the column from our Chronicle e-edition (the sort of copyright abuse regularly practiced by Houston's sexiest blockquoter*), but here are some of the highlights (in précis form) of Casey's column:

We'll post a link to the full Casey column when it is finally posted to chron.com. We have to admit it's one of the more entertaining short pieces we've read about City Hall since Tim Fleck fled the local alt-weekly (back when there were still professional journalists there -- perhaps he saw where things were headed) to the anonymity and irrelevancy of the Chron editorial board.

UPDATE: Casey's column is now posted here.

* Hat tip to Slampo.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/12/10 08:25 PM |

09 December 2010

News and views roundup (12/09/10 edition)

Your Thursday news and views:

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/09/10 09:18 AM |

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