17 June 2010
Dueling special interests battle over red-light cameras
KHOU-11 NEWS checks in on the ongoing red-light camera battle.
Big Jolly Politics posts more.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/17/10 12:34 PM |
Chron: All of METRO's problems are fixed. Rah rah!
AS A PRO-ESTABLISHMENT, PRO-METRO CHEERLEADER, the Houston Chronicle metro desk doesn't aggresively promote or deliver watchdog reporting in the public interest on a regular basis. Too often, the newspaper is simply pulled along by events; sometimes, it even pushes back against those who actually do watchdog reporting in the public interest.
This is the sort of rah-rah "journalism" that the newspaper and certain reporters much prefer to do (and, as we've said before, that they do pretty well). In fact, it wouldn't surprise if the "bones" of this story were laid out some time ago, with only a few quotes needed to fill space in the print newspaper when the time was right (so to speak).
In any case, it's good to know that the new leadership has fixed all the problems at METRO after just a few weeks on the job. That was certainly a fast learning curve! Obviously, there won't be any need for anything but a return to METRO cheerleading now from the Chron -- certainly not skeptical/watchdog reporting in the public interest -- until the next change of mayoral administration! Rah rah!
To be completely serious: It's good if the new METRO leadership recognizes some of the old problems at the agency, and will strive to promote transparency and accountability (to taxpayers and to customers). But an engaged, watchdog press is an important component of ensuring transparent, accountable, efficient performance from government. METRO has a large staff to handle PR. Most of the public, on the other hand, relies upon a small "staff" of watchdog journalists to help keep an eye out for their interests.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/17/10 12:29 PM |
16 June 2010
The costs of bad government (cont'd)
KHOU-11 reports that City Council today approved a $70,000 settlement with a veterinarian whistleblower who was fired from BARC during Bill White's administration.
Between Frank Wilson's golden parachute, the BARC issue, and ongoing problems of the crime lab and municipal pension funds, the costs of problems that date back to previous mayoral administration(s) just keep going up.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/16/10 09:44 PM |
Chron on more Sheltering Arms problems
THE CHRON'S JUNIOR METRO/STATE DIARIST follows up again on earlier reporting by Texas Watchdog on Sheltering Arms with a specific report on how an organization with little accountability/transparency helped weatherize one Houston home.
It's too bad the Chron no longer encourages its journalists to do video. It would have been interesting actually to see some of the shoddy workmanship purchased by the public's money.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/16/10 06:24 AM |
14 June 2010
Astrodome redevelopment boondoggle's cost could be $1 billion+ (updated)
RELIANT PARK officials unveiled their options for revamping the Astrodome space, and one plan could cost taxpayers nearly a billion dollars according to the Chronicle's Chris Moran. The most ambitious proposal, he reports, "would require public approval of as much as $900 million in taxpayer financing. Not only would the architects of such a plan not seek voter approval until at least 2012, but they likely would approach the public in phases for piecemeal approval to tackle the costs incrementally."
The least expensive option -- demolition and the construction of a park -- would cost an estimated $88 million (likely inflated).
That seems like a relative bargain compared to the other madness. Demolish the thing before the upkeep costs us any more millions.
UPDATE: Edgar Colon points out to Marc Campos that the rehab of the Astrodome itself is not the sole driver of the billion dollar + price tag of one option. That price tag apparently includes a spending orgy on other dubious projects as well (but thanks for the clarification -- clarity in terms of the madness of local "leaders" and their delusional spending preferences is always appreciated).
BLOGVERSATION: Hair Balls, Harris County Almanac, Swamplot.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/14/10 10:54 PM |
Crime down in Westchase
KTRK-13's ANDY CEROTA reports that crime is down in my neck of the woods (west Houston), and attributes the decline to added security cameras. They may be having some effect, but so may more active measures:
In addition to the mobile cameras and part-time security patrols, Westchase has hired four part-time investigators.
"They'll actually review every report on those crimes that happen within the district's boundaries, look for any leads, any trends, develop suspects," said Mark Hubanek with the Westchase District.
In other words, Westchase has more boots on the ground in the form of a private security/investigation force. And it seems to be making a difference!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/14/10 10:46 PM |
METRO posts "Buy America" response to FTA
METRO posts its official response to the FTA's questions regarding its "Buy America" compliance.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/14/10 09:09 AM |
Live Oaks: Preserve Houston's Culture
LIVE OAKS suggests preserving some Houston buildings is not the same as preserving Houston's culture.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/14/10 08:53 AM |
Lifestyles of the self-important?
HAIRBALLS posts a fun, gossipy little story on some apparent differences between HISD chief Terry Grier and Councilmember Melissa Noriega.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/14/10 08:49 AM |
11 June 2010
Texas Watchdog reviews HISD travel expenses
TEXAS WATCHDOG posts an analysis of recent HISD travel records that suggests the school district isn't spending the public's travel dollars as wisely as it could be.
We'd be curious what Terry Grier thinks of this.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/11/10 02:12 PM |
10 June 2010
Prime Property: River Oaks center bags new tenants
NANCY SARNOFF reports that Weingarten's expanded River Oaks Shopping Center is filling out its new space, despite the sluggish economy.
Apparently, that cute little Facebook petition hasn't had much impact on Weingarten's expanded development. It's a good thing Weingarten made room for all those new businesses (in a down economy no less) before Councilmember Sue Lovell could dictate to them how they might use their property!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/10/10 10:14 PM |
Council blasts forward with CM Lovell's property rights restrictions
COUNCIL yesterday passed a "temporary" set of property-rights restrictions that will apply to certain neighborhoods (most media reports characterized it differently than that, of course).
The restrictions will stand until Councilmember Sue Lovell can craft more permanent property-rights restrictions.
As Cory Crow suggests, we wouldn't want to let little things like low cost of living and economic growth get in the way of our pursuit of World Class Urban Houtopia!
BLOGVERSATION: Live Oaks.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/10/10 10:03 PM |
Gattis: Pros/Cons of Renew Houston initiative
TORY GATTIS posts his "pros and cons of Renew Houston."
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/10/10 10:48 AM |
Complaints: City-mandated compostable bags break down
KTRK-13'S GENE APODACA reported Tuesday that the city's biodegradable yard-waste bag program has hit another snag -- apparently some of the bags are breaking down too quickly, so the City has ordered a stop to citations while the problem is investigated.
The Chronicle follows up with more information here.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/10/10 10:45 AM |
Who's left to gather news?
CORY CROW notices that the Chron has been outsourcing quite a few stories with a local angle.
Maybe they should redirect some of the resources devoted to lackluster columnists, lackluster editorialists, and even twitterers to.... really owning the local/regional news space?
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/10/10 10:40 AM |
09 June 2010
County officials to discuss future of Astrodome
KRIV-26'S MARK BERMAN reports that Harris County officials next week plan a news conference that will discuss options for the Astrodome. The options that will reportedly be presented include demolition, redevelopment into a planetarium, and redevelopment into a planetarium with associated science institutes. The Chronicle has more.
My preference is demolition, and it would be nice to start moving the process along. What do you think?
BLOGVERSATION: Houston's Clear Thinkers.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/09/10 10:50 PM |
Bill White's tax returns and The Houston Way (updated)
THE AP'S JAY ROOT has reported an interesting finding in the tax returns finally released by former Mayor Bill White yesterday.
In preparation for Hurricane Rita, Mayor White lined up several companies whose services might be needed for emergency response, including Btec Turbines, a private company that would be able to supply generators to ensure the operation of the water system in the event of widespread power outages.
After one year, according to Root, White invested $1 million in the company. His tax records show that he has profited by about $500,000 from that investment.
Critics have pounced on the arrangement because of the potential conflict of interest, but White defends the investment:
White says he made the investment for the same reason that he called the company during a crisis.
"I thought the company was good at what it did," White said. He said he considered keeping the water supply flowing to refineries a "matter of national importance." While acknowledging he has made money from Btec, White said he saw no conflict of interest in the arrangement.
That rationale seems fair enough on its face, right?
Here's where The Houston Way comes into play. As noted by Root in his reporting (and above), Btec Turbines is a private company. That means small-time investors like you and me don't generally have any ability to invest in the company, no matter how impressed we might be with their performance during a regional weather event or otherwise. It also means that even while serving as an elected public official, Mayor Bill White was actively building his personal wealth in part from knowledge gained as a public official and in part by taking advantage of an apparently fantastic investment opportunity that most members of the public could not.
That arrogant little exercise in investing may not shock locals familiar with The Houston Way (by which Houston's elites sometimes do "bidness"), but perhaps it does explain why the White campaign resisted for so long releasing the candidate's tax records. The way Houston's elites sometimes do "bidness" may not appeal to a statewide audience!
UPDATE (06/10/2010): In a press conference today, Bill White petulantly told reporters, "I didn't stop investing because I was mayor."
That's kind of the problem, isn't it? I prefer my elected officials to be tending to the public's business, not profiteering through knowledge and connections directly related to the office they currently hold.
Incidentally, the AP report (linked above) and KTRK-13's Tom Abrahams (no link available yet) both reported that comment. Most media outlets apparently decided it was not worth reporting.
BLOGVERSATION: Texas Watchdog, Harris County Almanac, Campos Communications, Perry vs World.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/09/10 12:59 PM |
Obfuscation, UTMB-style
TEXAS WATCHDOG'S STEVE MILLER posts a story about former UTMB police chief Charles Brown, who was fired in February but apparently still continues to be paid.
That seems odd, but perhaps there is a good explanation. Unfortunately, the disdain for the reporter (and, by extension, the public) shown by UTMB's public information officials means we still haven't heard it. As Miller is left to wonder, "do they just cut him checks because he's a good guy?"
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/09/10 10:14 AM |
08 June 2010
No press conference from Queen Sheila to announce this proposal?
THE HILL reports that Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee is one of several co-sponsors of a bill that would weaken the ability of the independent Office of Congressional Ethics to investigate member behavior.
Interestingly, we can't recall seeing Queen Sheila knock anyone out of the way to commandeer a camera to announce this particular initiative to news outlets.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/08/10 05:22 PM |
Emmett: Let's study elections administrator issue
HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE ED EMMETT makes the case that Harris County should seriously consider creating a nonpartisan office of elections administration (and corrects a Chron editorial board error).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/08/10 01:15 PM |
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