Alexander Crossing Fireworks Show - Could it be Financial Independence Day for local citizens and lawyers?

Well it looks like there may be a parking problem coming soon to the Webb County Courthouse.  Once Laredo finds out just how much the fireworks show at Alexander’s Crossing was insured for, I am sure that many more than the two people who were reported injured will be forming a “lawsuit” line with their attorneys.

Of course there were issues with the venue and layout of the program.  I was there, and was amazed that people were allowed to get as close to the fireworks barge as they did.  The barge was only a couple hundred feet from the crowd, and downwind too boot.

I just hope this does not become a circus.  I am sure there will be much more to come on this story. 

PS, hope you enjoy the photo of the fireworks show.  Also, my banner is a photo from the fireworks show.  Note on the banner, in the lower right you can see the fireworks from the Laredo Country Club displaying at the same time.

Frac-A-Phobe update

How are the local Frac-A-Phobes doing since I have been away from the blog?  Well it looks like they might have slowed down some.  I don’t know if the FAPs have burned up the projector used to show that Academy Award Nominated film “GASLAND”, but I have seen no Facebook page post announcing any future showings.  Maybe HBO stole the show….get it?

Anyway, I would expect ours FAPs to want to investigate and regulate our pipeline industry now that there was a 30 minute leak up in Yellowstone Park.  Never let a crisis go to waste.  Isn’t that what Rahm Emanuel (former chief of staff for President Obama) said?  So, very soon, I expect to see some serious outrage over that.

What I would like is the Frac-A-Phobes to tell us/me, is what do you really want?  And don’t just say better regulation of the industry.  What specifically do you want?  The industry is already heavily regulated by the United States EPA, DOT, as well as every state where fracing occurs has state regulations for drilling and fracing.  Give me the new specific rules you want.  If you can’t, then that means you haven’t read the existing rules.

Don’t just say you want water resources protected.  Tell me how.  What rules do you want that are different than those that are in place today?  Do you want to change property laws and make water rights a thing of the past?  Should all water belong to the “village”?

It is time for Laredo Frac-A-Phobes to lay out their plan.  No more comments like “We just want to make sure that things are safe and regulated properly” because I don’t think that is what you are really after.  Why are you listening to National-Frac-A-Phobe ex-Mayor Calvin Tillman.  I need to clarify that Mayor Tillman didn’t start out as a Frac-A-Phobe.  He was upset that Dish, Tx. was the site of a gas pipeline pressurization station.  He and the other 200 Dish residents started having all kinds of imagined medical problems once the pipeline station came to Dish.  At least that is what they reported to Earthworks.  You know, Earthworks, the environmental group who hate everything that man makes, does, or wants to do.  Yep the Earthworks folks did a survey (not a scientific study, but a dining room survey) asking if people were sick or had any kind of strange symptoms.  But there was no scientific methodology used in this survey.  Tillman continued to complain, so the Texas Department of State Health Services came in and conducted a real survey using blood and tissue samples.  The TDSHS took samples from 28 Dish residents (14% of residents).

From the TDSHS report:  Agency officials collected biological samples from 28 Dish residents in late January to see whether levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in their blood were higher than those in the broader population. “We were looking to see whether a single contaminant or a handful of contaminants were notably elevated in many or all of the people we tested,” said Dr. Carrie Bradford, the toxicologist who led the investigation.*

And here is the summation of that report:  Texas health officials found no connection between pollution from a natural gas compressor station in Dish, Texas and levels of toxins in the blood of people living nearby.*

The new report from the Department of State Health Services says levels of benzene and other contaminants was no higher in Dish residents than in the nation’s population in general.**

But the mayor was not discouraged.  He signed on with Earthworks and now is a national spokesman for the anti-fracing movement.   It goes to show a man with the right cause can reach the national environmental stage with ease.  Just look at Al Gore.  Facts not required, just a good/right message.   

Now is the time for those against natural gas recovery to stand up, be honest, and really tell us why you are upset that our energy companies have found enough natural gas to meet US energy demands for over a century. 

NEW BLOG DUE JULY 6TH

I am reworking the WAKEUPLAREDO website and blog.  Expect to be back online by Wednesday July 6th.  Check back then for new and improved website. 

Thanks for the patience

A Peek At Future Laredo Economic Development

Did we get a peek at Laredo's  economic development future in the San Antonio Express News Saturday when they published an article about HEB being embarrassed by the city for stating that HEB wanted to close a road for future development.

Here are some pieces of the article (full story at:  http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/City-apologizes-to-H-E-B-over-premature-notice-1399502.php#ixzz1NkNdXwwS  )



City officials Friday found themselves backpedaling and apologizing to one of San Antonio's biggest employers in the wake of a premature notice that H-E-B wanted to close part of Main Avenue to build a downtown grocery store.

The city has been courting H-E-B and badly wants a downtown grocery, but the grocer has not, in fact, requested a street closure nor definitively said it will build a downtown store.

“Let me first say, H-E-B has not made a request to close Main,” said Pat DiGiovanni, deputy city manager. “That canvassing sheet that was sent out to a number of entities was premature and unauthorized. We apologize to the company publicly that their name was put on that petition form. It was inappropriate and unsanctioned.”

“We are in discussions with H-E-B, and those discussions will remain private at this point,” DiGiovanni said. “We have not reached any agreements. It is exploratory, and we're each doing our part to advance this project.”

H-E-B spokeswoman Dya Campos said she was surprised when her office received inquiries about the canvassing note.

“We were not aware of any kind of paperwork being in the process at all,” she said.

King William Association president Dick Davis said he had received the survey, and had invited H-E-B to attend the association's meeting next week to share its plans for a store.

“And the answer we got was, ‘We really don't have anything to tell you,'” Davis said.

Davis said he still plans on broaching the topic at the association next meeting to gauge member support.

Again, these are cutouts from the article, and you need to read the whole thing for the flavor.   But, this is what happens when cities try to do economic development.

Cities work under the expectation of "open government" and have processes in place that support that concept.  This is exactly the opposite of the process that is required when in the beginning phases of economic development.

No, repeat, NO company wants their business discussed in the public forum until they are ready for that to happen.  In this case, when and if HEB had decided it was feasible to move forward with the project, then that would have been the time to move forward with city processes for closing a street.

My friends, just imagine the City of Laredo handling a prospective move of a large manufacturing/distribution/retail/etc. company from the upper mid-west.  Now imagine that a labor union is involved.  Do you really think our mayor, city council, or city staffers will keep this prospective move quiet until the company decides whether to embark on its move venture?  I don't think the city could keep it quiet?

And why does it need to remain quiet?  For one there are specific "closing" laws that require companies to give notice within a specified amount of time of the actual closing.  Companies keep moves close to the vest to keep the announcements within the minimum time frames required.  And if the company is just "exploring" opportunities, then what happens if the employees and or suppliers find out?  Would there be retaliation?  Companies do not want to deal with those possibilites. 

One big question is: "Do we want to give the city more power to suppress information from the public?"  We want and expect our city to be open and transparent in it's business dealings.  In fact, there are several laws that require the city operate in the light of day.  How, when, and where do we draw the line between open government and keeping secrets?  Who will be the one that determines what should be kept quiet?

Should  information should leak to the press/public about a prospective move, what will be the consequences?  I can give you a couple.  One, the company will not move here and will tell everyone they know about the experience.  Two, the word will get out amongst the consulting community that handles company relocation's, and that word will be that you cannot trust Laredo and that you would be best in avoiding the move there if there is any requirement of confidentiality.

What kind of pressure will the city be under by developers and businesses who file open records request/lawsuits wanting to know what prospective clients/competitors may be coming to town?  Should the citizens have to pay for those defenses?  Or should we continue with public/private funding that removes the potential for Laredo's future companies being embarrassed?

Do cities have a role in economic development?

Of course cities have a role in economic development.  They are needed when negotiations are required for such things as tax abatement's, passing of ordinances for zoning, and other local regulation.  But those come much later in the discussions with prospective clients, and usually occur after a very strong commitment is made by the client to locate in a city.  So, the chances that information about the client becoming public are less likely to affect the move.  In the case shown about the HEB above, if the information would have gone public after HEB had decided they did want to open the store, they would have expected the public involvement as that is the process. 

What is the City of Laredo planning to do about economic development?

Talk is that the City of Laredo is getting ready to cut all funding to the Laredo Development Foundation, and that the city will take over economic development.  Is this more than just talk?  Listen to the city manager setting the table for cutting LDF funds when he talks of less revenue coming in.  Listen to, and watch the actions of certain city councilmen who seem to have chips on their shoulders for the LDF.  Look at the city hiring an LDF staffer who has experience in economic development.  The script is there and is being executed. 

My prediction;  LDF will not receive any money from the city of Laredo in the FY2012 budget.  The city will move forward with 4A-4B talks to allow the city to use the sports venue tax for economic development (I am for the 4A-4B plan, but not the city managing it).  Whether or not 4A-4B does or does not pass a required vote of the public, the city will move forward with it's own agenda of economic development.

Those are my predictions, and they will come true unless we citizens stand up and say no to the city trying to manage economic development.

"ONLY IN LAREDO"

I will be compiling photos and habits that can only be found in Laredo, Texas.  They don't have to be good or bad habits to make the list, just be unique to Laredo.  So fill in the blanks after the starting phrase:



"You know you are in Laredo when"

Such as:

You know you are in Laredo when at 7 in the morning you see a person at a convenience store and they have a taco in one hand and a cold 16 oz. beer in the other. 

You know you are in Laredo when every driver around you is racing to be the first in line at the next stoplight.

You know you are in Laredo when the person you are meeting is late, and they say, "Well you know, it's Laredo time."

You know you are in Laredo when you pay at the cash register, and the clerk tells you how much you owe in Spanish, and then when giving you changes, tells you in English how much you got back.

You know you are in Laredo when the person ahead of you in the drive thru lane at the bank is cashing checks for 15 people back at their workplace.

You know you are in Laredo when every other vehicle driving down the road is a tractor trailer rig.

You know you are in Laredo when you avoid the mall on Mexican holidays.

You know you are in Laredo when you drive down a traffic "loop" and hit a stoplight every time you turn around.

You know you are in Laredo when you see the driver ahead of you slam on their brakes just because it started to rain.

You know you are in Laredo, or at least getting close, when you see a citys name taped over on the interstate highway.

You know you are in Laredo when the city council ask the city attorney if something is legal, after they already did it.

You know you are in Laredo when wear a heavy coat when it is 50 degrees outside.

You know you are in Laredo when your TV weatherman is named Heatwave.

You know you are in Laredo when Heatwave tells you a cold front is  moving in and it will only reach 95 degrees tomorrow.

You know you are in Laredo when you go to a Walmart at 7 in the morning and there is only one cashier on duty.




Help me out here...give me your "only in Laredo lines."

BUILD A NEW CONVENTION CENTER WITH THE "SPORTS VENUE TAX", SAY WHAT?

Look out Laredo, you may be financing a new convention center downtown with the 1/4 cent sales tax you approved for building the Laredo Energy Arena  and new baseball stadium.

You heard it hear first.  The city council is looking at options under the ordinance allowing the sales tax that would give them the authority to fund a new convention center.

I was wondering why ol' Mike Garza was questioning the Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau chief about convention centers at the last city council meeting.  Mike wanted to know how many conventions Laredo had lost due to not having an convention center.

Groundwork is being laid.  I am not sure if voters even get to vote on this.

More to come.

FRACK-A-PHOBICS.....GOOD NEWS ON THE WATER FRONT

Well, maybe this new process will help reduce the anxiety of those who fear fracking takes too much water.

From an article on new advances in fracking (link below)

In short, the use of water is the aspect of fracking that worries citizens and drives activism against the technique.

Luckily, there may be a technical fix that addresses these water worries and does an end run around drilling opponents: gas-fracking. Developed by GasFrac Energy Services in Alberta, Canada, gas-fracking uses liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which consists mostly of propane, instead of water to crack open shale formations to release oil and natural gas. Robert Lestz, GasFrac’s chief technology officer, and his colleague Audis Byrd spent 10 years developing the technique. Lestz explains that the company produces a LPG gel using phosphate esters, iron sulfate activator, and magnesium oxide. None are seriously toxic or are thought to be carcinogenic. The injected LPG gel combined with sand fractures shale formations to release trapped oil and/or natural gas.

As a hydrocarbon, propane easily mixes with natural gas and returns to the surface where it can be recovered and reused or flared. Since essentially no water is used and the gelling chemicals are relatively benign, there is no possibility that well wastewater can contaminate wells or streams. 

Gas-fracking is also more efficient than hydrofracking. In conventional hydrofracking, injected water tends to block the pores and cracks through which natural gas would otherwise flow into the well. This does not happen with gas-fracking. As a consequence, Lestz claims that gas-fracked wells often produce 20 to 30 percent more natural gas than do hydrofracked wells. One more advantage: hydrofracked wells often need to be flared for a couple of weeks to purge fracking fluids. This wastes saleable product and emits extra greenhouse gases. Gas-fracked wells, which need far less flaring, save gas and can go into production sooner.

There are, however, additional safety concerns when dealing with large quantities of propane. Unlike water, LPG is flammable. In January 2008, a well site in Alberta suffered a blast as a result of a propane leak. Three workers suffered non-life-threatening burns and GasFrac suspended its operations to devise techniques aimed at preventing future accidents. Lestz claims that insurers give the company the same risk rating as conventional hydrofrackers. So far the company has fractured 300 oil and gas wells in both Canada and the United States.

From this link:  http://reason.com/archives/2011/05/17/a-better-way-to-frack

If this process really works.  It should quell most complaints.  Fix the propane issue and cheap and affordable energy, without protest, could be the norm.

TOP TEN STUPIDEST THINGS I HAVE SEEN HAPPEN IN LAREDO

Here is my list of the top ten stupidest things I have seen happen in Laredo since I moved here in 1992.  This one was hard, as there are a lot of stupid things that have been done by elected officials and supposed city leaders in this town.

10. Not finishing the construction that would make Del Mar Blvd. 4 lanes from I-35 to Loop 20.

9.  Not making Loop 20 a limited access highway.  A limited access highway would have no stop lights and would require vehicle entry/exit to be handled via on/off ramps, just like I-35.  Now we are paying double to fix traffic issues, and the cost will continue.  No wonder TxDOT has no money.

8.  Put stop light at Yeary and Calton Road.  This has caused more traffic headaches than one can imagine.  The I-35/Calton road intersection has to be the worst in Texas, and maybe the United States.

7.  City councilman Pancho Casso demanding that a "staging" area be built along Santa Maria to stage trucks going to Mexico via I-35 and bridge 2.  (Pre-April 2000 when WTB built)  Casso said Mexican truck drivers would enter the staging area and leave in the order that they arrived on their own. 

6.  Webb County Commissioner's Court approving a "rain-making" machine for Webb County by unanimous vote.  Then two weeks later changing their minds after Heatwave Burler said the machine would not work and the citizens were in an uproar.  The commishs said they misunderstood the vote.

5.  The city of Laredo allowing TxDOT to put a covenant in the agreement to build the Camino Colombia Toll Road that would prohibit TxDOT from funding any roadway that would "compete" for traffic with the toll road.  Now, the city, or a developer will have to totally fund any roadway connecting I-35 with Mines Road near dead man's curve.

4.  The idea of building Bridge 5 in South Laredo for commercial vehicles.  Laredo just doubled the capacity at World Trade Bridge, and still has Camino Colombia for commercial traffic.  A third commercial facility is not needed, and may never be needed.  Also included in this item should be the note that some persons think a new bridge will bring in "new" revenue versus just taking traffic from one bridge and have it cross at another.

3.  The City of Laredo stopping the construction of Town Center.  Because of a dispute over an overgrown retention pond, which a local environmental group claimed was a wetland, the city council voted to stop construction of the Town Center on Loop 20 across from the airport.   The owners of the Town Center had actually started construction on the project, but local environmentalist fought back with a petition signed by school kids and parents who were told that Lake Casablanca was going to be polluted by the development, and that the beavers, and animal life in the wetland would die. The developer had planned to build a water retention system that was better than the original retention pond, and with more capacity to clean runoff water that might enter Lake Casablanca.   The environmentalist did not want to accept this fix, and still fought, and won the right to keep the retention pond intact.   Because of this action, Laredo lost out on the sales tax, property taxes, and jobs that would have been created by the building of a retail center composed of outlet shops.  Laredo also became known as a city who cannot be trusted, even after a contract has been signed.    Note:  The wetland is dry as a bone right now.  I wonder if the animals all died.

2.  The Laredo Chamber of Commerce asking that Nuevo Laredo be removed from highway mileage information signs on I-35, so Laredo would not be confused with Nuevo Laredo.  This action by the COC was designed to let travelers know there is a difference between Nuevo Laredo and Laredo.  The action was rescinded in two days after locals decried the action.

1.  The City of Laredo cutting funding of the Laredo Development Foundation by 50% in 2011 budget.  Laredo spends less than % .00325 on economic development.  Expect the number spent by the city to decrease in the 2012 budget cycle as the city will cut off all funding to the LDF.  When someone at city hall uses the phrase "It's for the children" remember that cutting off economic development funds will assure that our children will have no place to work in Laredo.

TOP TEN SMARTEST THINGS THAT HAVE I HAVE SEEN HAPPEN IN LAREDO

Here is my top ten list of smartest things I have seen happen since I moved here in 1992:

10.  Increase funding to Laredo Development Foundation under Mayor Betty Flores.

9.  Move city and school district elections to first Tuesday in November.  This has helped turnout and helped ease voter burnout.

8.  Laredo Transportation Association suggesting that truck crossing fees increase enough to fund the police to monitor the intersections along I-35 near bridge 2, and place a police officer on I-35 to assist the public in avoiding collisions with the trucks stacked up waiting to enter Mexico.    Remember when the trucks backed up on I-35 waiting to enter Mexico before the World Trade Bridge opened in April 2000.

7.  Mayor Saul Ramirez punching councilman Pancho Casso after a city council meeting. 

6.  Build Laredo Energy Arena.   Over 2.5 million people have visted the arena.

5.  Build I-35 and Loop 20 (Milo) interchange.  This project opened the warehouse district and allowed easy access to I-35 without the blockage due to train traffic.

4.  City council supported the North American Free Trade Agreement.

3.  Texas A&M International University was built.

2.  Loop 20 was constructed.

1.  The World Trade Bridge was built, and expanded.   By building WTB, Laredo was able to continue as the number one port along the US/Mexico border.  By expanding WTB by 8 lanes, Laredo was able to double its current capacity and throughput.   Laredo did what other cities only dream of, have 16 lanes for commercial truck traffic.

These are mine.  What are yours?

TOP TEN STUPID

The Laredo Chamber of Commerce has made my top ten list of most stupid things I have seen since I moved here in 1992.

By urging the removal of Nuevo Laredo from the highway information signs along I-35, the chamber has shown just how superficial they are when trying to distance Laredo from the violence in Mexico.

I remember several different meetings which I attended with Laredo Development Foundation, Chamber of Commerce, and Logistics and Manufacturing Association members where I pointed out that the only way Laredo can distance itself from the perception of high crime rates in Laredo is to publish our crime statistics in a package where we compare ourselves with other cities in the northern parts of the US.  By doing so, we can show we are as safe as other cities that those inquiring about us would know.

For instance, if we say and document that Laredo is safer than Kansas City, that would go along way to helping our image.

For example, here are the FBI’s 2010 crime statistics for violent crime per 1,000 people. 
Laredo – 2.51
Providence RI – 3.61
Baton Rouge, LA – 5.43
Springfield IL – 6.11
and my hometown of Kansas City, Missouri, which no one calls a violent city, had a violent crime rate of 5.26 per 1,000 population.

Comparisons of Laredo’s violent crime statistics to other well  known cities is something that people from anywhere in the world can relate to.

By asking TxDOT to remove Nuevo Laredo from the highway signs, the CoC has opened a can of worms that will have long lasting effects, and open wounds that may not heal. 

By the way, there is NOT ONE place on the Laredo Chamber of Commerce website that talks about the violence in Nuevo Laredo, nor any mention of how safe Laredo really is. 

Laredo CoC, work on real solutions, not gimmicks, to show that Laredo is safe.

PS, I hope our city leaders were not involved in this fiasco.

HIGH SPEED RAIL IN TEXAS-----WHOOPEEEEEE

Here is a press release just sent out by TxDOT.  Remember when TxDOT said we are out of money to fix highways, and have no money to build new roads.  Well, here is $2 billion being spent by the federal government for "studying" high speed rail in the country.

 

TxDOT should use that money to buy one of several studies show how much it cost to run AMTRAC.  Then use the leftover money for our highway system.  We do not need trains like Europe.  We have cars and trucks and airplanes. 

 

 

$15 million in high-speed rail funds awarded to Texas

 

 AUSTIN—The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced today that the state will receive $15 million in federal funds to advance preliminary engineering and environmental studies for the development of a proposed high-speed rail corridor between Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston.

On Monday, US Department of Transportation officials released the list of recipients for $2 billion in High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) funds that became available earlier this year.

TxDOT will use the money to fund preliminary engineering and environmental studies for the proposed Dallas/Fort Worth to Houston High Speed Rail Line, a corridor that would connect two of the nation’s most populated metropolitan areas. Proposed speeds would be up to 150 mph. This project is identified as a priority corridor in the Texas Rail Plan.

Bill Glavin, TxDOT Rail Division director, said the funding is crucial to advancing high-speed rail projects in the state.

“Texas is fortunate to be selected for this award,” he noted. “Money is in short supply and competition is tough. We really appreciate the funding that does come our way.”

So far, Texas has received about $53 million in federal rail funds including $34 million to the Fort Worth Tower 55 project for improvements to ease congestion and improve safety and a $5.6 million planning grant for high-speed rail on the corridor connecting Oklahoma City and South Texas. 

Additional awards include $4 million in high-speed stimulus funds to adjust signal timing for several at-grade crossings for Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer and approximately $7 million from the 2009 appropriations bill to lay additional track along a portion of the Trinity Rail Express (TRE) in Fort Worth. Texas also received $2 million for projects on the state owned South Orient Railroad in West Texas.

More than 90 applications from 24 states, the District of Columbia and Amtrak were submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration with requests totaling about $10 billion dollars.

TxDOT originally requested close to $43 million for two projects—the Fort Worth to Houston corridor and safety improvements on the Trinity Rail Express corridor between Dallas Union Station and the T&P Station in Fort Worth.

For more information call TxDOT’s Government & Public Affairs Division at (512) 463-8700.

FRACK-A-PHOBIA.......It just keeps getting better

A new report on "fracking" hit the news wires yesterday. 

Most headlines for the article looked like this, "New study finds high levels of methane in water from wells near fracking sites."  However, on the Rio Grande International Study Center's Facebook page, they linked to the article via a group called "Pro-Publica.com.  And the same article had a title that read: "Scientific Study Links Flammable Drinking Water to Fracking."  A pretty big leap considering that the article did not make that leap at all.

Please read the Pro-Publica article, http://www.propublica.org/article/scientific-study-links-flammable-drinking-water-to-fracking, then read the AP article,http://www.buffalonews.com/business/article418710.ece .

The bottom line is that you need to read the whole article, not just the headlines.

Here is the conclusion reached by the researchers: 
In a white paper [10] the group issued along with the journal article, Jackson and the others acknowledged the uncertainty and called for more research. “Contamination is often stated to be impossible due to the distance between the well and the drinking water,” they wrote. “Although this seems reasonable in most (and possibly all) cases, field and modeling studies should be undertaken to confirm this assumption [2]… Understanding any cases where this assumption is incorrect will be important—when, where, and why they occur—to limit problems with hydraulic fracturing operations.”

Another of the final thoughts of the article:
A hydrogeologist closely affiliated with the drilling industry raised questions about the study. "It's possible, assuming their measurements are accurate, that all they have done is document the natural conditions of the aquifer," said John Conrad, president of Conrad Geosciences in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Conrad spoke with ProPublica at the suggestion of Energy In Depth, a drilling industry advocacy group, but said that he did not work for EID.
He said that the thermogenic methane -- which many scientists say comes from the same deep gas layers where drilling occurs -- could be naturally occurring. He also said the researchers didn't test enough wells to support their conclusions, though he could not say how many wells would have been appropriate.
Conrad said the most likely cause for the contamination identified by the Duke researchers -- that the gas was leaking out of faulty well casings -- seemed implausible.
"For their assumptions to hold up there would have to be more than just the occasional bad cement job," he said. "They are implying that where you see hydraulic fracturing you should expect to see elevated methane. We are aware of faulty cement jobs. But we don't believe that it is common and we certainly don't believe that it is universal."

The conclusion that I reached reading the article in two formats is that while the study shows there is contamination in the drinking water, there is no direct, scientific evidence that it was caused by fracking, or even drilling.  This should make the RGISC happy.  Yet, it does not.

Again, an article that answers none of the questions being raised by RGISC.  And yet, they link the Pro-Publica article on Facebook via Earthworks,  

Earthworks describes their purpose as:  EARTHWORKS' Oil & Gas Accountability Project works with tribal, urban and rural communities to protect their homes and the environment from the devastating impacts of oil and gas development.

I wonder what the RGISC is trying to really accomplish.  Are they asking for answers to questions about drilling and contamination?  Or, are they trying to push an agenda that wants to end natural gas capture?

RGISC, which is it?

STILL OFF THE AIR - EXPECT TO BE BACK TOMORROW MORNING

We are still having problems in Nuevo Laredo with the transmitting boards.  I should be back on the air in the morning.  We will have lot to cover.

Oil Subsidies

President Obama is right in saying we should end subsidies to oil companies.  Where he is wrong, is that he wants to "re-invest" that money in wind and solar (big waste).  

All subsidies should be ended.  If a product, or process is not economically viable, it should die on the vine like any product nobody will buy. 

This goes for farming, alternative energy, and any other government funded business capable of making a profit if their product is for sale on the open market.

Never Before Seen Civil War Photo At Laredo

You are the first to see this civil war era photo showing a Confederate soldier at a Laredo building.

WEBB COUNTY CAA FIASCO AND CITY OF LAREDO AIRPORT NOISE REDUCTIION PROGRAM

I hope the city does a better job of fund management with the airport noise abatement money ($4M) than the county did with the two million they had.

Of course, any sane person would ask:  Why would someone who moved into a house near an airport that has been in place for over 50 years not know that airplanes were going to take off and land.

Maybe the fund should be called the "The Idiot Fund for Those That Think Airplanes Make No Noise."   Yes a fund for those people who think airplanes make no noise, "Look honey at that airplane way up in the sky, it makes no noise.  Ok, let's move into a new house near the airport.  There will be no noise."

The TIFFTTTAMNN fund is ripe for political favoritism since the only houses that should qualify are in Alexander Estates and Winfield.

Go figure that no one in Laredo is concerned.  Especially city council.  How sad.

FRACK-A-PHOBIA LINKS

Here are some of the links I used on the show today.  The best link though is the first one.  A comprehensive look at fracking and the laws concerning the process. 

More later.

http://www.haynesboone.com/law_applicable_to_hydraulic_fracturing/  (note, go to bottom of page and open the two pdf links for the overview and the report)

http://fracfocus.org/

http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/03/28/2954643/texas-railroad-commission-says.html

Can anyone on city council spell: ETHICS?????

Let's look at this example of the city council showing a total disregard for ethical bidding practices, as well as spending over $300,000 on a higher bid with a less qualified (according to city staff)  service provider.

How it happened:

The city is going to build a baseball park that was approved by the voters.  The city wants to hire a construction manager to oversee construction and assure that the project is completed on time and at the cost allocated for the project.

A bid was posted for the service.

Seven companies submitted bids.

City of Laredo staff rated the companies based on cost, ability to complete the project, and past experience in building baseball fields.

The number 1. ranked (by Laredo city staff)  bidder was Bartlett and Cocke from San Antonio.  Their bid around $600,000.

Read their own words about themselves:

For over 50 years, Bartlett Cocke General Contractors has been on the cutting edge of commercial construction. As the largest commercial building contractor in San Antonio, Texas, we are one of the most qualified firms with a reputation of timely completion, a commitment to safety, honoring warranty services, financial stability and prompt payment that is unequaled. We are experts in CM-at-Risk, Design-Build and Bid services.

Our foundation is our people and their proven ability to build the best possible project for the greatest possible value. Many of our employees, skilled craftsmen, officers and shareholders have been with us for over 20 years. Because we are employee-owned and well managed financially, many of our employees are motivated to stay with us throughout their careers.

The number 7, repeat number 7 ranked (by city staff) was Leyendecker Construction.  Their bid was around $1,200,000.

I could find no self description of their company, as they have no web site, at least that I could locate.  However, they are a locally owned and operated construction company that does all types of construction throughout Laredo.  They have done projects for both school districts,  the city and county.  I have not heard of any serious complaints about their company.  As far as I know they are a good company and capable of doing the job they bid for.

However, Leyendecker has not built any professional baseball fields, nor manged that type of construction.  Bartlett and Cocke built the Nelson Wolff Stadium in San Antonio, Tx. home of the AA San Antonio Missions. 

This, along with the bid amount must be why the city staff ranked Bartlett and Cocke number 1, and for whatever reasons, Leyendecker was ranked number 7.

Now what happens next is beyond words.  And no, this is not fiction.

On April 7th, the city has a council meeting with only one item on the agenda:

IV. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. Discussion with possible action regarding the selection of the construction manager

at risk for the future baseball stadium to be constructed in the immediate vicinity of

the Laredo Entertainment Arena, and any related matters.

It has been reported to me that Bartlett and Cocke had representatives at this meeting.  I am not sure which other bidders were present. 

In the 15 minutes that the meeting lasted, repeat, in the 15 minutes that the meeting lasted, the city council approved Leyendecker Construction for the job of construction manager for the sum of around $920,000.  That is $320,000 higher than the NUMBER 1 selection made by city staff based on several criteria.

So, what happened (and I am not sure if this was during the meeting) was that Leyendecker was allowed to change their bid to a reduced price and was awarded the contract.  Bartlett and Cocke, nor any of the other bidders was allowed to re-submit any bid changes whatsoever.

So, we the taxpayers are now going to pay somewhere around $320.000 more for the ballpark, all in the name of keeping a "local" company in charge of construction. 

And to make things only more murkey is the fact that Leyendecker Construction has contributed cash to several city councilmans campaigns (again not  illegal but what about ethical).  And also, that Mike Garza does a lot of business with Leyendecker through the school district (again not illegal).

Not only did Laredo taxpayers get taken for a ride, but the companies that were at the "15 minute" meeting got no input, no comments.  All they got was a look at one of the most UNETHICAL city councils in Texas.  What the Laredo city council did, while not illegal, will harm this city for years to come. 

What vendor in their right mind will want to bid on a Laredo project when they know that the city council only cares about themselves, and their special relationships, forgetting all ethical behavior on bid projects.

The real loser is not Bartlett and Cocke, but the citizens of Laredo who win the future will now have fewer choices when we ask for bids on projects.  We will pay more for projects.  You can bet on it.

Mike Garza was right, $15 million in 15 minutes.  What a waste.

Actual Beer Run Ordinance

I cannot get the actual beer run ordinance to post properly.  If you want to view it, go http://www.cityoflaredo.com/ and follow:

>Agendas
>Council Agendas
>April 18th Full Packet (takes a while to download)

Once open the complete ordinance can be found under public hearings, item number 3 (this is page 23 in the full packet).

Sorry I could not copy and paste it.

DOES CITY COUNCIL HAVE A COPY OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION? ME THINKS NOT!

Check out this listed on the April 18th Laredo city council agenda.

VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS

3. Public hearing and introductory ordinance prohibiting any person from intentionally or knowingly displaying or distributing any obscene materials visual representations or performances with reckless disregard about whether a person is present who will be offended or alarmed by the display.

The item calls for a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to basically prohibit any act, or display of obscene materials that will offend or alarm any person in the presence of such act or display.  Now let it be known that I am not a Constitutional scholar.  But even with my rudimentary understanding of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights, I would say that any appelate judge would rule this proposed ordinance unconstitutional.

Here is the First Amendment from the U.S. Constitution


Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

That sentence that says that Congress (government) shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech will be used to defeat any attempt by the Laredo city council to implement the proposed ordinance.  I understand a certain city councilman's desire to restrict the dancing of scantily clad women outside of some beer runs in his district.  If it is not illegal to burn the United States flag in public, or cover a statue of Jesus Christ with human waste, then dancing girls with few clothes will not qualify as obscene.
In this case it means that the city of Laredo does not have the power to limit these dancing girls if they are not nude.  It is that simple.

I am curiously awaiting to see the city's definition of "obscene" materials, visual representations, or performances.  Also, what is the city's definition of "reckless disregard"?

Also, under what circumstances will a person be deemed to be "offended or alarmed" by the above acts?

Does this mean if I am driving down the street and see an advertisement for beer showing scantily clad women, and I feel offended, that the sign will have to come down.  What about the political cartoons in the Laredo Morning Times?  What if I am offended by one of those cartoons?  Will the LMT editor be held in violation of the ordinance?

My bet, that no one, repeat no one will stand up and speak against this proposed ordinance.  I bet there will folks who stand up and speak against the idea of scantily clad ladies dancing in public though.  And the city council will move forward with this ordinance.

College kids, high school students interested in government, this should be a MUST WATCH for you.  You might see history made in that you will watch the birth of a city ordinance that will be later struck down by our court system. 

Off The Air

We had a power failure in Nuevo Laredo (transmitter site) and were off the air for a while.  Back tomorrow.

WHY WON'T LAREDO FIRE DEPARTMENT UNION AGREE TO DRUG TESTING?

I can't understand why the Laredo Firefighters Union will not agree to random drug testing of firefighters.  They operate heavy equipment (owned by the taxpayers), respond to emergency calls, and make life and death decisions.  Why wouldn't a  fellow firefighter want to know if his partner in fighting a fire is under the influence of drugs.

Someone help me please understand this position.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE NUMBERS CHARLIE?

A couple of city council meetings ago I asked Laredo councilman Charlie San Miguel if he would get information from the city on the amount of revenue that is generated at the Laredo Energy Arena.  As of today, he has not produced any numbers. Nor have I seen a request for those numbers posted on the city council agenda as he promised he would.

Now I am wondering, what is going on, is there something to hide?  If not, why not produce those simple numbers so the citizens of Laredo can see just how much the LEA generates in city revenue.

We have been told over and over again that the city has to pay $150,000 in operating cost every year to run the arena.   But no one, repeat no one, has ever shown us the amount of money generated for the city by the arena.

The city is paid the following by the arena:

Sales tax                                        (all tickets, items sold, and food sold)
Rent                                              (on EVERY event that takes place at the arena)
Portion of ticket sales                    (on EVERY ticket sold)
Liquor tax                                     (on every drink sold)

Does that equate to $150,000?  I don't know, but would like to know.  The arena belongs to the citizens of Laredo, not city hall.  We have the right to know, and the city must supply these numbers.

I am tired of the "white elephant" argument some want to use against the arena.  It is not a white elephant and does produce revenue.  If you want white elephants, look at some of the parks in Laredo that are never used, and take money from the budget for maintenance.  And, not one park that I am aware of generates any revenue.  They are quality of life issues, just like the arena.

DPS SOUTHBOUND CHECKPOINTS? DO WE REALLY NEED THEM, AND HOW EFFECTIVE CAN THEY BE?

According to the LMT, the mayor is headed to Austin to back a proposal that DPS conduct southbound inspections on vehicle entering Mexico to search for guns and money(maybe money is the real target).
We all know that the gun inspection process has shown very few if any significant results.  Less than a couple of hundred guns recovered in over a years time.  Not very cost or gun reduction effective.

A couple of issues that are not being discussed:

1.  Where will these checkpoints be set up?  Along the highways, on back roads, or at the bridge head.  If at the bridge head, CBP and LPD are already there.  More confusion to be sure.  If out on the highway, it will mean more inspections for US citizens just going about their business.

2.  Under what law will DPS have to "inspect" a vehicle.  DPS will not have the constitutional authority, as does CBP, to search a vehicle without a warrant.  So, just how effective can these checkpoints really be.  LPD has no authority to search a vehicle without a search warrant unless permission is given by the owner/operator.  DPS has the same limitations.

So, is this whole checkpoint thing political in nature, or is it just a "feel good" initiative meant to make us all warm and fuzzy about crime?

FIREWORKS WITH FIRE DEPARTMENT CONTRACT

A little birde has told me to expect some fireworks tonight at city hall when some city council persons bring up the issue of the Laredo Fire Department Union contract.

It will be interesting for the LFD to explain why they do not want drug testing?  Why not?  Maybe there is a good reason, but make it public.

Also, the issue of the LFD family insurance coverage could be a hot topic.

We will find out tomorrow morning if the Laredo Morning Times does its job.

TAKE YOUR DINNER TO CITY HALL

I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner.  Why should we, the public, wait on city council to have dinner behind closed doors?  Why should we, the people, who are paying for their dinner go without?

My solution is simple.  Just stop off at your local eatery and have them fix you a dinner to go.  When the council breaks for dinner, you will have your own meal, ready to eat.

I would propose that the city invest some money in a rack along one of the city council walls to hold condiments, such as, mustard, mayo, ketchup, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and of course napkins.  This could, or could not be stocked by the city.  If not, then, we the citizens can keep the shelf stocked.  And while we are spending OUR money, why not install "seat back trays" to each city council chamber seat, so we have someplace to put our food and drink.

Once the city council sees that we bring our own food, maybe, just maybe, we can all eat toghther in the city council chambers and continue the meeting.  Of course when we see them eating steak, and us eating tacos, that could cause some complaining.

Nah, they won't come out of their hidout for dinner.  What was I thinking.  They are much more refined and responsible, than we are.  They need their private dinner time, probably for illegal deal making (remember they cannot meet without posting an agenda) or the like.  Opps, maybe we need to see the dinner time discussion agenda posted. 

Or how about this.  Before we turn city council chambers into a mustard, mayo, salsa, stained garbage pit (insert your own joke here), how about we cancel all dinners at city hall while the council is meeting.  That would be cleaner, and eliminate steak/taco envy.

Oh Oh, Another Denier.......

 

EPA Whistleblower Criticizes Global Warming Science and Policy in New Peer-Reviewed Study

Study Shows Claims of Catastrophic Warming Are Overwhelmingly Contradicted By Real-Word Data

By Christine Hall

April 01, 2011

Washington, D.C., April 1, 2011 – The scientific hypotheses underlying global warming alarmism are overwhelmingly contradicted by real-world data, and for that reason economic studies on the alleged benefits of controlling greenhouse gas emissions are baseless.  That’s the finding of a new peer-reviewed report by a former EPA whistleblower.
Dr. Alan Carlin, now retired, was a career environmental economist at EPA when CEI broke the story of his negative report on the agency’s proposal to regulate greenhouse gases in June, 2009.  Dr. Carlin’s supervisor had ordered him to keep quiet about the report and to stop working on global warming issues.  EPA’s attempt to silence Dr. Carlin became a highly-publicized embarrassment to the agency, given Administrator Lisa Jackson’s supposed commitment to transparency.
Dr. Carlin’s new study, A Multidisciplinary, Science-Based Approach to the Economics of Climate Change, is published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.  It finds that fossil fuel use has little impact on atmospheric CO2 levels.  Moreover, the claim that atmospheric CO2 has a strong positive feedback effect on temperature is contradicted on several grounds, ranging from low atmospheric sensitivity to volcanic eruptions, to the lack of ocean heating and the absence of a predicted tropical “hot spot.”
However, most economic analyses of greenhouse gas emission controls, such as those being imposed by EPA, have been conducted with no consideration of the questionable nature of the underlying science.  For that reason, according to Dr. Carlin, the actual “economic benefits of reducing CO2 emissions may be about two orders of magnitude less” than what is claimed in those reports.
Sam Kazman, CEI General Counsel, stated, “One of the major criticisms of Dr. Carlin’s EPA report was that it was not peer-reviewed, even though peer-review was neither customary for internal agency assessments, nor was it possible due to the time constraints imposed on Dr. Carlin by the agency.  For that reason, we are glad to see this expanded version of Dr. Carlin’s report now appear as a peer-reviewed study.”
Read the full report: A Multidisciplinary, Science-Based Approach to the Economics of Climate Change
See also the CEI OnPoint, “Clearing the Air on the EPA's False Regulatory Benefit-Cost Estimates and Its Anti-Carbon Agenda” by Garrett A. Vaughn

Why is this not on the national news?  Thank God there are people who are exposing the lies everyday, more and more.

Wonder What U.S. Gunstore These Weapons Came From?????????

Large weapons cache seized in Matamoros

April 02, 2011 8:32 PM

The Monitor

The Mexican Army announced the seizure Saturday of a large weapons cache that included machine guns, rocket launchers, grenades, explosives, mortars and even one crossbow.
The seizure occurred about 11:30 p.m. Friday. A military convoy was conducting routine patrols through the city streets when they spotted a group of men who suspiciously ran into a house in order to elude capture.  The soldiers secured the house but were not able to find the men. However, the soldiers did seize a weapons cache and $59,700 in bulk cash.
The weapons seized included 59 assault rifles, 21 handguns, seven  Uzi submachine guns, one .762-cal. machine gun, 412 packs of hydrogel industrial explosive, 12 meters of detonation cord, one rocket launcher, one rocket, one grenade launcher, six rounds for 60 mm mortar, three launchable grenades, one RPG and several other grenades.

This report was compiled by Ildefonso Ortiz

I hope the Mexican government does not try to blame the cartel's possession of these weapons on U.S. gun stores.  Of course, maybe they will.  I know I can go down an purchase a few pounds of plastic explosive, and some 60 mm mortar rounds for my newly aquired motar tube.

My point here is that the Mexican government, through loss of equipment, is the biggest supplier of arms and high powered weapons to the drug cartels.  What are the Zetas anyway, ex-Mexican military.  Don't you think that they have enough contacts still in the military for weapons purchases.

Laredo Teachers March

I attended the Saturday morning march sponsored by the local chapter of the TSTA. 

In speaking with the TSTA representatives, I found out that they are for a tax increase if there is no other way to fund education.  I told them even if the rainy day fund is totally spent, there would still be a shortfall, unless all the budget cuts were directed to other state agencies.  I doubt this will happen.  So, the TSTA representatives said, there were for a tax increase, but would not describe what kind of increase.  When asked directly if they would support an income tax, they said no they would not.  I am not sure the state TSTA would agree with that, but so be it.

Anyway, I am glad that the TSTA got their march off OK.  I believe that as Americans, we have the right of open protest, of which this march was a classic example.

BUCKS HOCKEY TO REMAIN IN PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE - JUST NOT THE CHL

Glen Hart, the majority owner of the Laredo Bucks just announced that the team will remain a professional sports franchise.  Hart said he is in current negotiations that have the Bucks playing in a "new" professional hockey league, but not in the Central Hockey League.  Hart said details about the league cannot be released at this time, as teams that will play in the league are currently playing in other league playoffs.

The Laredo Bucks have officially withdrawn their application to play in the amature North American Hockey League. 

Hart says there will be more information on the new league as early as mid-April. 

Here is my personal take on the announcement.  The Bucks, and most likely other CHL teams will be forming a new league, with other non-CHL teams.  They will create a league that will operate at a lower cost, most likely by changing the league franchise agreements, and other methods to lower team operating cost, through required labor, and equipment issues.

Tune in Tuesday morning as I will have Brian Benway (Media Director for the Laredo Bucks) on the show.

CAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT USE YOUR TAX DOLLARS TO LOBBY FOR YOU TO PAY HIGHER TAXES?

The short answer is yes, the city, county, and school districts can use your money to lobby for you to pay higher taxes to support their spending.  That is what will be taking place this weekend when the city, county and school districts will march in support of raising your taxes. 

Now, none of those entities have come right out and said they want to raise your taxes.  But, none of those groups support  budget cuts in the state budget.  So, what is the alternative?  Of course it is raising taxes.

Yes it is legal for our local governments to lobby to raise your taxes, as shown here in the Texas Local Government Code:

Texas Local Government Code section 556.0055

§ 556.0055. RESTRICTIONS ON LOBBYING EXPENDITURES.  (a) A

political subdivision or private entity that receives state funds

may not use the funds to pay:

                        (1)  lobbying expenses incurred by the recipient of the

funds;             

                        (2)  a person or entity that is required to register

with the Texas Ethics Commission under Chapter 305;

                        (3)  any partner, employee, employer, relative,

contractor, consultant, or related entity of a person or entity

described by Subdivision (2);  or

                        (4)  a person or entity that has been hired to represent

associations or other entities for the purpose of affecting the

outcome of legislation, agency rules, ordinances, or other

government policies.

            (b)  A political subdivision or private entity that violates

Subsection (a) is not eligible to receive additional state funds.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1498, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Note that on the spending of "state" funds is prohibited by law.  So local governments can use local money to lobby for tax increases with your money. 

This law should be changed where no local government can use your money to lobby, only to inform.  There is a big difference.  School districts can only use money to inform about school bond issues, not lobby for or against.  This should be the same practice followed with all local governments. 

Bet the city, county and schools would not lobby for that legislation!

TSTA; WHAT DO YOU WANT?

TSTA, please tell the taxpayers in Laredo what you want the legislature to do about the budget shortfall.  Since you are opposed to the budget cuts, you obviously have found a way to fund the budget.  What is it?  We know the "Rainy Day Fund" will not cover all the budget requirements.

So TSAT, what is your plan?  One of these?


From the Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP) :
"Unfortunately, our revenue shortfall is so large, that a balanced approach also requires adding new revenue. No one is proposing a "tax-only" solution to our problem, but taxes must be part of the solution. Whether you measure taxes per resident or as a percentage of the economy, Texans pay less than almost any other state. That means we put less into education and the infrastructure we need to maintain our competitive business edge and ensure economic opportunity for our children.
Even in these tough times, we do have options preferred by the public over cuts. For example, we can adopt a Healthy Texas Revenue Package that 1) increases taxes on alcohol, 2) increases taxes on tobacco (raising the cigarette tax a dollar a pack generates $1.9 billion a biennium), and 3) imposes a new one-cent-per-ounce excess tax on sugar-loaded beverages (generating $2.5 billion a biennium). Or, we could eliminate unwarranted sales tax exemptions. Alternatively, we could temporarily increase our state sales tax by half a percent (with a rebate to protect low-income families) and raise about $3 billion a biennium. "  (From Feb 1, 2011 CPPP open letter to Texas Business Leaders)

Or how about this one from the CPPP:

THE BEST CHOICE FOR A PROSPEROUS TEXAS:

January 2006 Contact: Dick Lavine,

lavine@cppp.org

F. Scott McCown,

mccown@cppp.org

INTRODUCTION

Part one of this trilogy of policy briefs explains the challenge facing Texas in funding public education. This policy brief explains why a Texas-style personal income tax is the best way to meet the needs of Texas. Only a personal income tax can significantly reduce reliance on property taxes – cutting the school operations tax from $1.50 to $0.50 – while providing adequately for education – over $5 billion annually.   (From CPPP Policy Brief Number Two)

A TEXAS-STYLE PERSONAL INCOME TAX

LISD POOR PRIVACY POLICY TO COST PARENTS MONEY AND TIME, AND POSSIBLY YOUR CHILDS FINANCIAL FUTURE

Dear LISD parents,

I hope you take seriously the potential consequences that can arise from the loss of your child's personal data.  Your child's Social Security Number and Name (who knows what else was released, address, parents name?????) have been downloaded to a disc for some sort of research and then lost by the Texas Education Association (TEA) in Austin. 
.  Who knows where the disc is, and if it was copied. You must DEMAND that LISD provide you information as to what data on your child was given to TEA.  The disc has been missing too long for you to assume that the data is not compromised.  If you are smart, you will start running credit reports on your LISD child. 
LISD is obviously downplaying this loss of information.  But you should know that the name and social security number (with a clean credit report) are all that is needed to open quick credit card accounts with spending limits up to $1,000+ credit lines.  A scammer can take that information and turn it into lots of cash.  Also, what might happen if you child's data falls into the hands of document forgers.  Your child and a person in this country illegally may share a name and social security number.

Where Is The Press? No Real Reporters Anymore

After reading the LISD story this morning about the release of 24,000 student social security numbers to the TEA and UT at Dallas, I was shocked that the most important question was never asked by a reporter.

The story, if you did not read it, is as follows:

LISD released the names and social security numbers of the ENTIRE LISD student body (24,000 plus names and SSN's on disc) to the Texas Education Agency at the request of a research group at the University of Texas at Dalla.  The CD was sent to TEA in Austin, but was lost.

Yep, if your kid goes to LISD a CD with their name and social security number (and who know what other information) is lost somewhere in Austin, maybe?  Hopefully you have the resources to do a credit check on your kid to find out if identiy theft might be an issue here.  Better to check now that discover in a few months that your child has had a credit card(s) issued to them and bills have be run up on that card.? 

The big question that no one, repeat no one asked, is WHY did UT-Dallas want the information and what were they going to do with it.  If UT-Dallas only wanted student information, and not the social security numbers, WHY did LISD provide the SSN's?

Is there no one in our local media that has an inquisitive mind?   Or do they just print/broadcast whatever is fed to them by those they are writing/broadcasting about? 

Laredo, this is a big deal and you should complain to your media that they are not doing their jobs. 

More on this later.

Let's Declare War on Something Worthwhile

Let's end the wars in Lybia, Afghanistan, and Iraq right now, and then declare war on something that drives me, and I bet you also, crazy.

Let's declare war on those people who have super high powered stereos in their cars and play music (if you call repetitious drumming or humming music) so loud that everything in a two or three block area vibrates and decibel levels exceed that of jet engines.  Let's use our air force and armies to find a way to jam/disable these sound machines.  If need be, as a last resort of course, utilize drones with Hellfire missiles.  Of course we would warn the occupants to "Get out of the car now, in one minute we will blow it up."   Too extreme?  I don't know, maybe.....

We, the public, should not have to have hearing exams just because we drive down the road, or live close to a street frequented by these machines.  Of course if our police enforced the laws in the city we would not have these cars operating in the neighborhoods or on the streets.  But then again, the police are too busy, at least that is what they always tell us.  Reality, only takes a few tickets and the publicizing of those tickets to get the message out that Laredo respects it's hearing.

OK, enough said by an old fogey.

Kell Munoz, A Name to Remember

Watch for the name Kell Munoz to start appearing more and more in Laredo city politics, maybe even Webb county at some point. 

Kell Munoz Architects is a San Antonio based firm (http://www.kellmunoz.com/ ) that has appeared in the San Antonio Express News as a company that  is involved in a controversial contract with the San Antonio Independent School District.  They are becoming very active in Laredo and have started establishing "close" ties to Laredo city council members.  Does a private one on one Austin dinner/drinks hosted by KM Architects ring a bell councilman?

At the bottom of this post I will give you the links to the articles I am talking about.  I urge you to read the articles and look at the comments section also.

The firm was awarded the contract for the City of Laredo downtown master plan on Jan. 4, 2010.  Here is the excerpt from the city's council meeting minute search of Kell Munoz Architects.

Motion to approve Kell Munoz Architects, Inc. as the firm to develop the City of
Laredo Downtown Master Plan.
Moved: Cm. Garcia
Second: Cm. Liendo Espinoza
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

Join me in watching as this firm grows in stature in Laredo politics.

Again, read these links, and the comment section of each link:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/Henry-Mu-oz-s-successes-come-at-the-cost-of-972635.php

http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/SAISD-s-process-is-questioned-937772.php

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/article/SAISDselectsprojectsoverseer-939927.php

Sorry.....been away from blog

Sorry folks, I have been lax in my blog duties for a while...back in the saddle now.