tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39426200232507452722024-03-13T21:54:56.688-07:00Corpus Christi Daily DigitalCC Watchdog Authorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15692025297388841246noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3942620023250745272.post-74355615008004839872012-02-06T14:33:00.000-08:002012-02-06T14:33:49.706-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"My husband cannot f*ckin throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time."</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>Why read any further? She said it in a nutshell. It is what it is? Congratulations NFL New York Giants. IMHO Manningham was the MVP of this SuperBowl .<br /><br /><br />"Still, as unusual as it was to hear the quarterback’s wife criticize his teammates, she wasn’t saying anything the team didn’t know" Welcome to the NFL Mrs. Brady.</blockquote>
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<a href="http://corpuschristicallertimes.blogspot.com/2012/02/welcome-to-nfl-mrs.html">Corpus Christi Caller Times Eli was awesome but Manningham was spectacular, Super Mario IMHO should be Super Bowl MVP.</a>CC Watchdog Authorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15692025297388841246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3942620023250745272.post-26156572444207065102008-12-16T23:53:00.000-08:002008-12-16T23:58:09.046-08:00Just To Get A Better Understanding Of An Unlawful Arrest The Only Thing Missing is A Little Dab Of Excessive Force,With A Dash of Taser<!-- end div#sidebar --> <h1><a href="http://www.michaelrighi.com/2007/09/01/arrested-at-circuit-city/" title="Permalink to Papers Please: Arrested At Circuit City">Papers Please: Arrested At Circuit City</a></h1> <p class="postmeta">Written by <a href="http://www.michaelrighi.com/author/administrator/" title="Posts by Michael Amor Righi">Michael Amor Righi</a> on September 1st, 2007. Filed under <a href="http://www.michaelrighi.com/category/legal/" title="View all posts in Legal" rel="category tag">Legal</a></p> <p>Today was an eventful day. I drove to Cleveland, reunited with my father’s side of the family and got arrested. More on that arrested part to come.</p> <p>For the labor day weekend my father decided to host a small family reunion. My sister flew in from California and I drove in from Pittsburgh to visit my father, his wife and my little brother and sister. Shortly after arriving we packed the whole family into my father’s Buick and headed off to the grocery store to buy some ingredients to make monkeybread. (It’s my little sister’s birthday today and that was her cute/bizare birthday request.)</p> <p>Next to the grocery store was a Circuit City. (The Brooklyn, Ohio Circuit City to be exact.) Having forgotten that it was my sister’s birthday I decided to run in and buy her a last minute gift. I settled on Disney’s “Cars” game for the Nintendo Wii. I also needed to purchase a Power Squid surge protector which I paid for separately with my business credit card. As I headed towards the exit doors I passed a gentleman whose name I would later learn is Santura. As I began to walk towards the doors Santura said, “Sir, I need to examine your receipt.” I responded by continuing to walk past him while saying, “No thank you.”</p> <p>As I walked through the double doors I heard Santura yelling for his manager behind me. My father and the family had the Buick pulled up waiting for me outside the doors to Circuit City. I opened the door and got into the back seat while Santura and his manager, whose name I have since learned is Joe Atha, came running up to the vehicle. I closed the door and as my father was just about to pull away the manager, Joe, yelled for us to stop. Of course I knew what this was about, but I played dumb and pretended that I didn’t know what the problem was. I wanted to give Joe the chance to explain what all the fuss was for.</p> <p>I reopened the door to talk with Joe and at this point Joe positioned his body between the open car door and myself. (I was still seated in the Buick.) Joe placed his left hand on the roof of the car and his right hand on the open car door. I asked Joe if there was a problem. The conversation went something like this:</p> <blockquote><p> Me: “Is there a problem?”<br />Joe: “I need to examine your bag and receipt before letting you leave this parking lot.”<br />Me: “I paid for the contents in this bag. Are you accusing me of stealing?”<br />Joe: “I’m not accusing you of anything, but I’m allowed by law to look through your bag when you leave.”<br />Me: “Which law states that? Name the law that gives you the right to examine my bag when I leave a Circuit City.”</p></blockquote> <p>Of course Joe wasn’t able to name the law that gives him, a U.S. citizen and Circuit City employee the right to examine anything that I, a U.S. citizen and Circuit City customer am carrying out of the store. I’ve dealt with these scare tactics at other stores in the past including other Circuit Cities, Best Buys and Guitar Centers. I’ve always taken the stance that retail stores shouldn’t treat their loyal customers as criminals and that customers shouldn’t so willingly give up their rights along with their money. Theft sucks and I wish that shoplifters were treated more harshly than they are, but the fact is that I am not a <strike>shiplifter</strike> shoplifter and shouldn’t have to forfeit my civil rights when leaving a store.</p> <p>I twice asked Joe to back away from the car so that I could close the door. Joe refused. On three occasions I tried to pull the door closed but Joe pushed back on the door with his hip and hands. I then gave Joe three options:</p> <ol><li>“Accuse me of shoplifting and call the police. I will gladly wait for them to arrive.”</li><li>“Back away from the car so that I can close the door and drive away.”</li><li>“If you refuse to let me leave I will be forced to call the police.”</li></ol> <p>Joe didn’t budge. At this point I pushed my way past Joe and walked onto the sidewalk next to the building. I pulled out my phone and dialed 911.</p> <p>Two minutes later Brooklyn, Ohio police officer Ernie Arroyo arrived on the scene. As I began to explain the story leading up to Joe Atha preventing my egress from the parking lot, officer Arroyo began to question why I refused to show my receipt in the first place. I explained that I lawfully purchased the contents in the bag and didn’t feel that it was necessary for me to let a Circuit City employee inspect the bag as I left. Officer Arroyo disagreed. He claimed that stores have the right to inspect all receipts and all bags upon leaving their store.</p> <p>At this point Officer Arroyo asked to see my receipt and driver’s license. I handed over the receipt, and stated that my name is Michael Righi. Again, Officer Arroyo asked to see my driver’s license. The conversation went something like this:</p> <blockquote><p> Me: “I’m required by law to state that my name is Michael Righi, but I do not have to provide you with my driver’s license since I am not operating a vehicle.”<br />Officer Arroyo: “Give me your driver’s license or I will place you under arrest.”<br />Me: “My name is Michael Righi. I am not willing to provide you with my driver’s license.”<br />Officer Arroyo: “Turn around and up against the wall.”</p></blockquote> <p>At this point I was placed in handcuffs, patted down, had my wallet removed from my back pocket and was placed in the back of Officer Arroyo’s police car. My three siblings sat in the back of the Buick crying their eyes out, which is the only part of today that I regret. I wish my little brother and sisters didn’t have to watch this, but I knew exactly what I was doing and was very careful with my words. Other than putting my family through a little scare I don’t regret anything that happened today.</p> <p>Officer Arroyo ran my father’s license plate, my driver’s license and inspected my two receipts along with the contents of my bag. He also handed over my Circuit City bag to Joe Atha and allowed him to ensure that in fact I stole nothing from the store.</p> <p>While being driven down to the station in the back of the police car I struck up a conversation with Officer Arroyo. I asked him if he was surprised that my receipts matched the contents in the bag and in a surprise moment of honesty he admitted that he was. I then asked Officer Arroyo what charges were going to be brought against me. He explained that I had been arrested for failure to produce my driver’s license. I asked him what would happen if I never learned to drive and didn’t have a driver’s license. After all, at the time that he arrested me I was standing on a sidewalk outside a Circuit City. I wasn’t driving a car, and even when I was seated in the Buick I was a back seat passenger. The officer never gave me a satisfactory answer to this question, but promised to explain the law to me after I was booked.</p> <p>This morning I slept through my alarm clock and was in a hurry to drive to Cleveland. I didn’t have time to iron my shirt, and this is what I regretted while my mugshot was being taken. Listen up kids. Always press your clothes because you never know when you’ll be unlawfully arrested.</p> <p>Shortly after being booked, fingerprints and all, Officer Arroyo presented me with my charges:</p> <blockquote><p> <strong>ORD:525.07: Obstructing Official Business (M-2)<br />(a) No person, without privilege to do so and with purpose to prevent, obstruct or delay the performance by a public official of any authorized act within the public official’s offical capacity shall do any act that hampers or impedes a public official in the performance of the public official’s lawful duties.</strong></p></blockquote> <p>Not being able to find the law in the books that states that a citizen must provide a driver’s license while walking through a parking lot, Officer Arroyo had to settle for “obstructing official business.” Keep in mind that the official business that I was supposedly obstructing was business that I initiated by calling the police. <em>I</em> called for help and <em>I</em> got arrested.</p> <p>My father posted the $300 bail that was needed to get me out of jail and back on my way to Park Avenue Place. (Sorry for the lame Monopoly joke, but it’s my first time being arrested. Cut me some humor slack.) After being released I stuck around the police station for a little while to fill out the necessary paper work to press charges against the Circuit City manager who physically prevented me from leaving the parking lot. I’m most interested in seeing my charges dropped for refusing to present identification, but I view that as a completely separate issue from the store manager interfering with my egress.</p> <p>I understand that my day would have gone a lot smoother if I had agreed to let loss prevention inspect my bag. I understand that my day would have gone a lot smoother if I had agreed to hand over my driver’s license when asked by Officer Arroyo. However, I am not interested in living my life smoothly. I am interested in living my life on strong principles and standing up for my rights as a consumer, a U.S. citizen and a human being. Allowing stores to inspect our bags at will might seem like a trivial matter, but it creates an atmosphere of obedience which is a dangerous thing. Allowing police officers to see our papers at will might seem like a trivial matter, but it creates a fear-of-authority atmosphere which can be all too easily abused.</p> <p>I can reluctantly understand having to show a permit to fish, a permit to drive and a permit to carry a weapon. Having to show a permit to exist is a scary idea which I got a strong taste of today.</p> <p>My hearing is scheduled for September 20th, 2007. I will be contacting the <a href="http://www.aclu.org/">ACLU</a> and the <a href="http://www.papersplease.org/">IDP</a> on Tuesday (the next business day), and I plan to fight these charges no matter what it takes. I will provide updates on this page as events unfold.</p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">September 1st, 2007 @ 10:50PM EST Update:</span>The police officer never read me my Miranda rights. I’ve heard differing opinions on how much this really matters and will certainly be bringing this up with my attorney.</p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">September 1st, 2007 @11:34PM EST Update:</span>I found the detail on Ohio’s “stop and identify” law. I encourage you to <a href="http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2921.29">read it in its entirety</a>, but I will spell out the important part:</p> <blockquote><p><strong>2921.29 (C) Nothing in this section requires a person to answer any questions beyond that person’s name, address, or date of birth. Nothing in this section authorizes a law enforcement officer to arrest a person for not providing any information beyond that person’s name, address, or date of birth or for refusing to describe the offense observed.</strong></p></blockquote> <p>I stated my name to the police officer, and if he had asked me for my address and date of birth I would have provided that as well. The officer specifically asked for my driver’s license and this is what I was unwilling to provide. If I’m reading this correctly it would appear that Ohio’s law specifically protects citizens from having to hand over driver’s licenses unless they are operating a motor vehicle. This is what I always believed, but it’s nice to see it in writing.</p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">September 2nd, 2007 @10:01AM EST Update:</span> I was speaking to my father this morning about what unfolded yesterday, and he told me something that I was not aware of until this point. While I was speaking to Joe Atha from the back seat of the car, Santura stood in front of my father’s vehicle with his hands out to the side as a way of preventing him from driving forward. My father would not have been able to drive forward because Santura stood in the way, and he would not have been able to drive backwards because the open door would have hit Joe who was leaning into the car.</p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">September 2nd, 2007 @ 5:05PM EST Update:</span>Thank you for those of you who have submitted donations to help me fight these charges. I have been overwhelmed with the response that this story has received in the past twelve hours. A few people contacted me wanting more information about the case. Here are some answers to your questions:</p> <p><strong>Q: </strong>Which police department arrested you?<br /><strong>A: </strong>I was a arrested by a police officer working for the City of Brooklyn, Ohio located at 7619 Memphis Avenue Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. This is in Cuyahoga County.</p> <p><strong>Q: </strong>What is your case number?<br /><strong>A: </strong>I don’t know if my case number is the same thing as my ticket number, but the officer gave me a summons with the following across the top: “Ticket Number: A10514″</p> <p><strong>Q: </strong>Did you get Officer Ernie Arroyo’s badge number?<br /><strong>A: </strong>Yes, his badge number is #49. His surpervisor is Sgt. Knapp, whose badge number is #36.</p> <p><strong>Q: </strong>Should I be boycotting Circuit City?<br /><strong>A: </strong>At this time I am not recommending a boycott of Circuit City because Circuit City has yet to respond to my complaint. I want to give them a chance to respond to this incident before determining whether or not it makes sense for me to endorse a boycott.</p> <p><strong>Q: </strong>Should I be contacting the Brooklyn, Ohio Police Department?<br /><strong>A: </strong>Thank you for expressing an interest in taking this matter up personally, and thank you to those of you who already contacted the Brooklyn, Ohio police department. However, I urge you to please not tie up their emergency services with complaints. If you would like to voice a complaint I think it would be more appropriate to do so with the mayor or city council. Their contact information is available at the <a href="http://www.brooklynohio.gov/">Brooklyn, Ohio City Government web site</a>.</p> <p><strong>Q: </strong>What is the best way to reach you?<br /><strong>A: </strong>I can be reached by email at michael dot righi at field expert dot com.</p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">September 4th, 2007 @ 2:53PM EST Update:</span>Thank you to everybody who left a comment on this page. My web server has been taking a beating from all the traffic and I’m afraid I had to turn commenting off in order to keep the site alive. If you would like to read the comments that people left you can do so <a href="http://www.michaelrighi.com/papers-please-comments.html">here</a>.</p>CC Watchdog Authorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15692025297388841246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3942620023250745272.post-89874833082137048992008-11-23T21:42:00.000-08:002008-11-23T21:49:58.298-08:00CCPD:Taser Brutality in Our Schools and a Familiar Modus Operandi Similarities Resonate in Corpus Christi<a href="http://ccwatchdog.blogspot.com/2008/11/witnesses-including-faculty-members.html">CORPUS CHRISTI — An off-duty Corpus Christi police officer used a Taser on a 16-year-old charter school student Tuesday, after the officer said the student tried to strike him with a homemade weapon.</a><br /><br /><h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="http://ccwatchdog.blogspot.com/2008/11/witnesses-including-faculty-members.html">CCPD Officer David Mendoza: "If the student would have been swinging, I probably would have shot him"</a></h3><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="overheadlines">A Cop Shoots a 16-Year-Old In His Classroom</span><br /><p> <span class="headlines">Taser Brutality in Our Schools</span><br /> <span class="dateline">Pierre Tristam/Candide’s Notebooks, February 7, 2007</span> </p> <table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="8" width="50"> <tbody><tr> <td><img src="http://www.pierretristam.com/images2/i07a/0207-taser-m26.jpg" width="350" height="240" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="left"><span class="style135"><strong>Barbarism with a Taser's face: the M26 model used against the 16-year-old student at Flagler Palm Coast High School, Florida </strong></span></div></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>I’m not going to mention his name, even though it’s been all over the media. His rights have been violated enough. So has his person, physically, violently, by the high school he attends, by the sheriff’s deputy called to subdue him, and subsequently by the sheriff himself and the school district, who alternately rationalized, justified, excused and in some measures applauded what they should have condemned outright as a barbaric act: The willful electrocution by Taser of a 16-year-old boy, a special education student with emotional or behavioral problems, in his classroom, <em>for refusing to do his work</em>. They’ll tell you that he hit a deputy. He did. But only in reaction to the deputy’s attempt to wrestle the boy off his seat and forcibly remove him from his classroom, <em>simply because the student refused to follow directions</em>. The whole thing unfolded in a matter of minutes, not hours: the school wanted to keep its schedule. By morning’s end a 16-year-old had been booked at the county jail on a felony charge, then shipped off to a juvenile “detention” facility one county over. And the deputy typed “case closed” at the end of his incident report. This is the country we’re living in, the police agencies we have to live with, and the school systems that enable them. This is the county <em>I’m</em> living in: this happened in my school district, in Flagler County, last Thursday, at <a href="http://www.flagler.k12.fl.us/fpchs/">Flagler Palm Coast High School</a>, the school where my daughter would be attending in a couple of years, although I hear the former sheriff, speaking to the school board today, told the five men and women that “if this board doesn’t take a stand you’ll never get a chance to educate my 10-year-old child.” Our daughter is being home-schooled in preparation for ninth grade there. But those words sound right to me. </p> <p>This, then, is what happened, based on what <a href="http://www.flagler.k12.fl.us/default.aspx">school district</a> personnel said, what the sheriff said, and what the sheriff’s incident report says. The student was in Robert Ripley’s classroom. He was refusing to complete an assignment. He was being “disruptive.” He was not being violent: he was not physically hurting anyone or anything. He was acting out. Nothing extraordinary there, in the sense that disruptions like that occur, even with “regular” students, and are expected to occur with special ed students. Paul Peacock, a vice-principal, and another individual whose name was misspelled on the incident report were in Robert Ripley’s classroom when the “school resource deputy,” Scott Vedder, arrived. (For those of you reading this in more civilized places, like New Jersey, cops are routinely assigned to permanent security detail in schools here, even in elementary schools, and euphemistically referred to as “school resource officers” or “school resource deputies.” An uncle of mine from Princeton, N.J., who happened to be visiting here the evening after the incident at the high school, was describing to me a school in Jersey that was testing the law by attempting to forbid cops from entering school grounds even if going after a student suspect; the school was arguing that a school should be a sanctuary. Interesting idea. Heretical, in a semi-police state like Florida . Likely laughable, in a county like mine.) </p> <p>Let Vedder’s account in his incident report pick up the story at this point; the timeline picks up just before Vedder arrives, based on what the adults in the room told Vedder: </p> <blockquote> <p class="style197" align="justify">When [the student] was approached by his teacher R. Ripley, he became very belligerent and refused to participate. [The student] advised R. Ripley that he was not going to do the assignment and pushed all of his books onto the floor and threw his pencil across the room. At that time R. Ripley asked [the student] to leave the room with him. [The student] refused and said “fuck you.” At that time Mr. Peacock walked into the class room [<em>sic</em>.]. Upon Mr. Peacock being advised of the situation he had the other students relocate to the class room next door and asked for my assistance via school radio. While I was responding to the class room Mark Montieth arrived and he and Mr. Peacock continued to coax [the student] to leave the class room. [The student] refused to get out of his chair and go to the dean’s office. I then attempted to talk with [the student]. I attempted to talk [the student] into leaving the class room peacefully. I advised him that we needed to go to Mr. Peacock’s office and talk <em>before the situation gets worse than it needs to be</em>. </p> </blockquote> <p>The emphasis is mine: not only has the deputy already escalated the situation by his presence; he is dropping threats of how much further the situation <em>will</em> escalate. There’s pre-meditation in crime. There’s also such a thing as pre-meditated provocation, a police skill. You see it in action here: the student wasn’t worsening the situation with his obstinacy. The deputy was worsening it by forcing the issue. He had the student psychologically cornered and surrounded. Now he was moving in, making the situation worse than it needed to be. The incident report again: </p> <blockquote> <p align="justify"><span class="style197">[The student] then advised that he was not getting up and nobody was going to get him out of the chair or the class room, Because [<em>sic.</em>] he did not want to go. I then advised [the student] that he did not havwe a choice in the matter, because <em>he was under arrest for disruption of a school function.</em></span></p> </blockquote> <p>The emphasis is again mine. There’s a new one on me. You can get arrested for not doing your work. For not following a teacher’s directions. For not going to “the office.” It’s a wonder I didn’t spend my entire elementary and middle school career in prison. Then again I was attending school in a more civilized place than this (by which I mean, of course, Lebanon, where Jesuits had a more effective weapon than Tasers and guns put together. It’s called persuasion and patience, a deadly combination if you’re an obstinate student like me. Jesuits generally had intelligence on their side, too.) What Deputy Scott Vedder promised, he fulfilled. It got worse: </p> <blockquote> <p class="style197" align="justify">At that time I attempted to physically remove him from the desk with an escort technique of the right arm. [The student] immediately pulled his arm away and tensed up the muscles in his upper body resisting my attempt to remove him from the chair. I advised him that if he did not comply I would deploy my Taser. </p> </blockquote> <p>An extremely important detail here: the deputy made his first threat of using the Taser <em>before</em> the student had acted violently. The school board and I suspect the majority of the public would—because of the way the sheriff’s office conveyed the story—subsequently be under the impression that the Taser was used because the student struck the deputy. Not so. The deputy was ready to use the Taser whether or not the student was going to lift a hand to him, and makes that clear in the record. </p> <blockquote> <p class="style197" align="justify">He again pulled his arm away from me, looked directly at me and pulled his drew his [<em>sic.</em>] left hand back. [The student] then struck me in the left check with the palm of his left hand as I attempted to move out of his reach. </p> </blockquote> <p>At the school board meeting on Tuesday, the deputy’s supervisor, Zane Kelly, exaggerated the situation just as he had exaggerated it when describing it to the press by saying that the student “struck my deputy with a closed fist.” The incident report is clear: the deputy was struck “with the palm of [the student’s] left hand.” So it goes: not only do the authorities — school and police — needlessly escalate a situation, but the perceived gravity of the incident is needlessly escalated as it is subsequently described, and in a way that unequivocally demarcates victim from officer: the victim is a demon out of control; the officer is a hero who had no choice, and followed all protocols. They call these here, proudly, “the matrix of force.” Here it is in action: </p> <blockquote> <p class="style197" align="justify">At that time I disengaged from [the student] and drew my M26 Taser emitting the laser aiming function onto his chest and advised him several times to get down on the ground or I would deploy the Taser [<em>sic.</em>] [The student] refused to comply so I then deployed the Taser by pulling the trigger one time for a five second cycle. [That’s 50,000 volts for five seconds, pronged into the student’s skin.] [The student] then rolled off of the chair onto the ground. [The student] then complied with all of my commands and I was able to secure him without further incident. </p> </blockquote> <p>If irony could speak. A important bit of history: Two years ago when the new sheriff was elected (Don Fleming who, incidentally, had been a police chief in a New Jersey Meadowlands town much like the one portrayed in “Copland”) he immediately talked about arming his school cops with Tasers. The school board discussed it and rejected the idea. The sheriff said he’d comply. He was even quoted to that effect in the papers. Obviously, he didn’t. The school board met on Tuesday. The sense before the meeting was that a clear policy would be drawn up banning Tasers from schools. Not so fast. The board prevaricated. The board attorney advised against a policy, otherwise the school board would be liable should a student be hurt in an incident where, say, a gun was used where a Taser might have done better. So goes the twisted logic of agencies more fearful of lawsuits than protective of their students. No one seemingly condemned the use of the Taser outright. No one seemed, as they should have been, outraged. Doubt was getting more than its benefit. It was sprinkling the whitewash. So the best they could settle on was a workshop to discuss the matter further. Zane Kelly, the school cops’ supervisor, even used the word “proud” when describing his deputy’s reaction after the deputy was allegedly “struck.” Because, Kelly said, the deputy backed up, composed himself, and ordered the student to comply. </p> <p>Then he fired. </p> <p>And we wonder why we’re living in such violent times. And we wonder why, when stories like this make it into the press, the reaction by the general public is revoltingly approving of the use of force under those false rationales that even the local superintendent and cops are quick to use: better a Taser than a gun. As if those were the only two options. As if we have become so barbaric in our algorithms of law and order that the only two variables in the formula <em>have</em> to be force and order. And all this because a 16-year-old boy, a special education student, was acting out. It reminds me of another recent incident in the Daytona Beach area a couple of weeks back that began with a speeding car, was followed by a high-speed chase, and ended with thirty cops’ bullets fired at the car. The two occupants somehow survived, though they were wounded. And the cops didn’t even know if the person on the passenger side was a kidnapping victim or worse. But they fired. What triggered the folly it in the student’s case, and who’s at fault for letting the student escalate to the point where a cop was in the classroom instead of a trained counselor, a conflict-resolution specialist, even a couple of medics for that matter? (The medics turned up later, post-zapping.) </p> <p>The Palm Coast high school student is 275 pounds and 6 or 6-1. His size is used repeatedly as further justification that he could have been trouble. The more reason to invoke conflict-resolution techniques. His size, his age, his status as a special education student are all irrelevant in the end: Tasering a student in his school, in his classroom, a student who was causing no worse harm than upsetting, loudly and maybe aggravatingly, a day’s routine, is a greater crime than anything the student could have been doing. </p> <p>A couple of other details about the incident. The student is black. To my knowledge, every individual involved in his disciplining and cornering was white, even though the school has a black dean and a black assistant principal. Maybe color is irrelevant in this case. Maybe it isn’t. It certainly shouldn’t be ignored. Neither should this: The student’s father died a violent death some years ago. And Tuesday, while the school board discussed his case in a cakewalk of prevarications, the student turned 17. Happy birthday. Oh, and this week is “Disability Awareness Week” at Flagler Palm Coast High School, “in order to create more compassion for those with disabilities.” Great job. </p> <ul><li><a href="http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Opinion/Editorials/opnOPN90020607.htm">No Tasers in schools [Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial] </a></li><li><a href="http://www.palmcoast.biz/portal/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6820&PN=1">A public forum where the Taser matter is debated. Brace yourself. Fox News language ahead. </a></li></ul> <!-- InstanceEndEditable --><!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="comment" --> <hr /> <span class="style185"> <a href="javascript:HaloScan('c020707');" target="_self">Comments (13)</a> </span>CC Watchdog Authorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15692025297388841246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3942620023250745272.post-40158142786147181132008-11-01T01:13:00.000-07:002008-11-01T01:13:31.209-07:00Solomon P. Ortiz: The Obama campaign was "bullying" him out of the page he built.<a href="http://jaimekenedeno.blogspot.com/2006/01/he-doesnt-deserve-name-jaime.html">Who benefited from the legislation Capelo wrote? On the outside, it looks like he wrote the legislation for the doctors who practiced medicine in this day of "lawsuit abuse".</a><br /><br /><a href="http://27thcongressionaldistrict.blogspot.com/2008/01/obama-campaign-was-bullying-him-out-of.html">Solomon P. Ortiz: The Obama campaign was "bullying" him out of the page he built.</a><br /><br /><a href="http://tip-of-iceberg.blogspot.com/2008/02/threats-to-affect-harm-ones-livelihood.html">Threats to affect & harm one's livelihood so as to censor free speech>.</a>CC Watchdog Authorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15692025297388841246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3942620023250745272.post-77966958205202298022008-10-21T16:07:00.000-07:002008-10-21T16:07:43.277-07:00Kenedeno's Texas Monthly: B.A.C.A.L.A.: Velacrat is making friends with the Federal Entrapment gang and sycophants up to the ones he believes will elevate his Rose<a href="http://paulburka.blogspot.com/2007/12/bacala-velacrat-is-making-friends-with.html">Kenedeno's Texas Monthly:<br /><br /></a><a href="http://www.stopcornyn.com/2007/08/20/cornyns-broken-promise-on-chip/" rel="nofollow"> TLR??</a> ..................................three little bitty letters; <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_wHuknpJGtBM/R1vKJ4uu2oI/AAAAAAAAAik/0gJVnKE7irg/s1600-h/TLR+collage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_wHuknpJGtBM/R1vKJ4uu2oI/AAAAAAAAAik/0gJVnKE7irg/s400/TLR+collage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141925670769580674" border="0" /></a><b><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />nah, I wouldnt worry bout em.</b>CC Watchdog Authorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15692025297388841246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3942620023250745272.post-91833449600136283332008-10-12T02:52:00.000-07:002008-10-12T03:00:08.326-07:00www.google.com/search "peggy banales"<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier new;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">www.google.com/search "peggy banales" </span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/SPHKIDBPatI/AAAAAAAAAH8/lxZ8Krx-dAE/s1600-h/collage7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/SPHKIDBPatI/AAAAAAAAAH8/lxZ8Krx-dAE/s400/collage7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256204479716354770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" align="center" height="23"><span class="txt_title" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">N</span></td><td style="padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" align="center"><span class="txt_title" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Date/Time</span></td><td style="padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" align="center"><span class="txt_title" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Action</span></td><td style="padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" align="right"><span class="txt_title" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><a href="http://www.ritecounter.com/getsite.php?t=1223704800&te=1223704800#h1154382981_4294967295"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/white_strel.gif" alt="Up" border="0" width="12" height="19" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="3" /></td><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="3" /></td><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="3" /></td><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="3" /></td></tr><tr><td style="background: rgb(236, 237, 241) url(images/small_white.gif) repeat-y scroll left top; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; padding-left: 4px;"><span class="txt_title"> </span><br /></td><td align="center" valign="top"><span class="txt_calend1">Saturday, October 11, 2008 21:26:01</span></td><td bg="" style="color: rgb(236, 237, 241);"><span class="txt_calend1"> </span><br /></td><td width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="padding-left: 6px;" width="50%"><span class="txt_calend1">IP: </span></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1" width="50%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/img/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="5" height="1" /></td><td align="right"><span class="txt_calend1">68.206.124.133</span> </td><td width="100%"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="padding-right: 5px;" align="right"><a href="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/whois.php?ip=68.206.124.133" target="whois" onclick="open('about:blank','whois','resizable=1,scrollbars=1')" class="hits"><span class="hits">WhoIs</span></a></td><td bgcolor="#409ed2"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td style="padding-left: 5px;" align="right"><a href="http://www.ritecounter.com/scripts/traceroute.php?ip=68.206.124.133" target="traceroute" onclick="open('about:blank','traceroute','resizable=1,scrollbars=1')" class="hits"><span class="hits">TraceRoute</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/img/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="5" height="1" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#babdc5"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 6px;"><span class="txt_calend1">State/Country: </span></td><td style="padding-left: 6px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg=""><table><tbody><tr><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/flags/us.gif" alt="Flag US" align="middle" border="0" /></td><td><span class="txt_calend1">United States</span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#babdc5"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 6px;"><span class="txt_calend1">GMT timezone: </span></td><td style="padding-left: 6px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg=""><span class="txt_calend1">-5 (04:48:10)</span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#babdc5"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 6px;"><span class="txt_calend1">Operation system: </span></td><td style="padding-left: 6px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg=""><span class="txt_calend1">Windows NT 5.1</span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#babdc5"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 6px;"><span class="txt_calend1">Browser: </span></td><td style="padding-left: 6px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg=""><span class="txt_calend1">Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0</span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#babdc5"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 6px;"><span class="txt_calend1">Browser interface language: </span></td><td style="padding-left: 6px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg=""><span class="txt_calend1">en</span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#babdc5"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 6px;"><span class="txt_calend1">Cookie: </span></td><td style="padding-left: 6px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg=""><span class="txt_calend1">On</span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#babdc5"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 6px;"><span class="txt_calend1">JavaScript version: </span></td><td style="padding-left: 6px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg=""><span class="txt_calend1">1.3</span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#babdc5"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 6px;"><span class="txt_calend1">Flash version: </span></td><td style="padding-left: 6px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg=""><span class="txt_calend1">9.0</span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#babdc5"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 6px;"><span class="txt_calend1">Display resolution: </span></td><td style="padding-left: 6px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg=""><span class="txt_calend1">1280 x 800</span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#babdc5"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 6px;"><span class="txt_calend1">Color depth: </span></td><td style="padding-left: 6px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg=""><span class="txt_calend1">32</span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" bgcolor="#c1c3c9"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="background: rgb(236, 237, 241) url(images/small_white.gif) repeat-y scroll left top; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">1</span></td><td align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">Saturday, October 11, 2008 21:26:01</span></td><td bg="" style="color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">GO</span></td><td width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>From</b></span></td><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>On</b></span></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td style="padding: 5px;" valign="top" width="50%"><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=GGIH,GGIH:2007-02,GGIH:en&pwst=1&q=%22peggy%20banales%22&start=60&sa=N" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://www.google.com/search<br />hl=en<br />rls=GGIH,GGIH:2007-02,GGIH:en<br />pwst=1<br />q=%22peggy banales%22<br />start=60<br />sa=N</span></a></td><td style="background: transparent url(images/long_bg2.gif) repeat-y scroll left bottom; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="50%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top" width="65" nowrap="nowrap"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Title</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;" width="100%"><span class="txt_calend1">"IN THE KNOW": Los Mamons Terry Shamsie, Joseph Ramirez, Mike Rendon and Bra Lencho Rendon </span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Charset</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><span class="txt_calend1">utf-8</span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Page</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><a href="http://ccintheknow.blogspot.com/2008/03/consulting-firm-discovers-that-peggy.html" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://ccintheknow.blogsp<br />ot.com/2008/03/consulting<br />-firm-discovers-that-pegg<br />y.html</span></a></td></tr><tr><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" bgcolor="#c1c3c9"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="background: rgb(236, 237, 241) url(images/small_white.gif) repeat-y scroll left top; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">2</span></td><td align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">Saturday, October 11, 2008 21:29:55</span></td><td bg="" style="color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">GO</span></td><td width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>From</b></span></td><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>On</b></span></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td style="padding: 5px;" valign="top" width="50%"><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=GGIH,GGIH:2007-02,GGIH:en&pwst=1&q=%22peggy%20banales%22&start=60&sa=N" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://www.google.com/search<br />hl=en<br />rls=GGIH,GGIH:2007-02,GGIH:en<br />pwst=1<br />q=%22peggy banales%22<br />start=60<br />sa=N</span></a></td><td style="background: transparent url(images/long_bg2.gif) repeat-y scroll left bottom; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="50%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top" width="65" nowrap="nowrap"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Title</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;" width="100%"><span class="txt_calend1">The 105th: A judge shall be patient, dignified and courteous to litigants, </span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Charset</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><span class="txt_calend1">utf-8</span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Page</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><a href="http://jmanuelbanales.blogspot.com/2008/04/judge-shall-be-patient-dignified-and_29.html" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://jmanuelbanales.blo<br />gspot.com/2008/04/judge-s<br />hall-be-patient-dignified<br />-and_29.html</span></a></td></tr><tr><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" bgcolor="#c1c3c9"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="background: rgb(236, 237, 241) url(images/small_white.gif) repeat-y scroll left top; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">3</span></td><td align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">Saturday, October 11, 2008 21:31:07</span></td><td bg="" style="color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">GO</span></td><td width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>From</b></span></td><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>On</b></span></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td style="padding: 5px;" valign="top" width="50%"><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=GGIH,GGIH:2007-02,GGIH:en&pwst=1&q=%22peggy%20banales%22&start=70&sa=N" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://www.google.com/search<br />hl=en<br />rls=GGIH,GGIH:2007-02,GGIH:en<br />pwst=1<br />q=%22peggy banales%22<br />start=70<br />sa=N</span></a></td><td style="background: transparent url(images/long_bg2.gif) repeat-y scroll left bottom; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="50%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top" width="65" nowrap="nowrap"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Title</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;" width="100%"><span class="txt_calend1">Corpus Christi Caller Times: SHAMSIE AND RENDON'S TROJAN HORSE </span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Charset</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><span class="txt_calend1">utf-8</span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Page</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><a href="http://corpuschristicallertimes.blogspot.com/2008/02/shamsie-and-rendons-trojan-horse.html" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://corpuschristicalle<br />rtimes.blogspot.com/2008/<br />02/shamsie-and-rendons-tr<br />ojan-horse.html</span></a></td></tr><tr><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" bgcolor="#c1c3c9"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="background: rgb(236, 237, 241) url(images/small_white.gif) repeat-y scroll left top; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">4</span></td><td align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">Saturday, October 11, 2008 21:31:53</span></td><td bg="" style="color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">GO</span></td><td width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>From</b></span></td><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>On</b></span></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td style="padding: 5px;" valign="top" width="50%"><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=GGIH,GGIH:2007-02,GGIH:en&pwst=1&q=%22peggy%20banales%22&start=70&sa=N" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://www.google.com/search<br />hl=en<br />rls=GGIH,GGIH:2007-02,GGIH:en<br />pwst=1<br />q=%22peggy banales%22<br />start=70<br />sa=N</span></a></td><td style="background: transparent url(images/long_bg2.gif) repeat-y scroll left bottom; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="50%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top" width="65" nowrap="nowrap"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Title</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;" width="100%"><span class="txt_calend1">Solomon P. Ortiz: South Texas Chisme: Real Democrats stick around for the business of the Democratic caucus </span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Charset</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><span class="txt_calend1">utf-8</span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Page</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><a href="http://27thcongressionaldistrict.blogspot.com/2008/03/south-texas-chisme-real-democrats-stick.html" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://27thcongressionald<br />istrict.blogspot.com/2008<br />/03/south-texas-chisme-re<br />al-democrats-stick.html</span></a></td></tr><tr><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" bgcolor="#c1c3c9"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="background: rgb(236, 237, 241) url(images/small_white.gif) repeat-y scroll left top; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">5</span></td><td align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">Saturday, October 11, 2008 21:35:49</span></td><td bg="" style="color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">GO</span></td><td width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>From</b></span></td><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>On</b></span></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td style="padding: 5px;" valign="top" width="50%"><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=GGIH,GGIH:2007-02,GGIH:en&pwst=1&q=%22peggy%20banales%22&start=80&sa=N" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://www.google.com/search<br />hl=en<br />rls=GGIH,GGIH:2007-02,GGIH:en<br />pwst=1<br />q=%22peggy banales%22<br />start=80<br />sa=N</span></a></td><td style="background: transparent url(images/long_bg2.gif) repeat-y scroll left bottom; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="50%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top" width="65" nowrap="nowrap"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Title</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;" width="100%"><span class="txt_calend1">South Texas Verdad: Hegemony: Power, Culture & Ideology: Lencho Rendon: The Pimping Out Of The President & Hillary </span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Charset</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><span class="txt_calend1">utf-8</span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Page</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><a href="http://stxv.blogspot.com/2008/03/hegemony-power-culture-ideology-lencho.html" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://stxv.blogspot.com/<br />2008/03/hegemony-power-cu<br />lture-ideology-lencho.htm<br />l</span></a></td></tr><tr><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" bgcolor="#c1c3c9"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="background: rgb(236, 237, 241) url(images/small_white.gif) repeat-y scroll left top; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">6</span></td><td align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">Saturday, October 11, 2008 21:36:30</span></td><td bg="" style="color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">GO</span></td><td width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>From</b></span></td><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>On</b></span></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td style="padding: 5px;" valign="top" width="50%"><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=GGIH,GGIH:2007-02,GGIH:en&pwst=1&q=%22peggy%20banales%22&start=80&sa=N" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://www.google.com/search<br />hl=en<br />rls=GGIH,GGIH:2007-02,GGIH:en<br />pwst=1<br />q=%22peggy banales%22<br />start=80<br />sa=N</span></a></td><td style="background: transparent url(images/long_bg2.gif) repeat-y scroll left bottom; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="50%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top" width="65" nowrap="nowrap"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Title</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;" width="100%"><span class="txt_calend1">Corpus Christi Caller Times </span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Charset</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><span class="txt_calend1">utf-8</span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Page</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><a href="http://corpuschristicallertimes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://corpuschristicalle<br />rtimes.blogspot.com/</span></a></td></tr><tr><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" bgcolor="#c1c3c9"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="background: rgb(236, 237, 241) url(images/small_white.gif) repeat-y scroll left top; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">7</span></td><td align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">Saturday, October 11, 2008 21:36:59</span></td><td bg="" style="color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">GO</span></td><td width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>From</b></span></td><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>On</b></span></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td style="padding: 5px;" valign="top" width="50%"><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=GGIH,GGIH:2007-02,GGIH:en&pwst=1&q=%22peggy%20banales%22&start=80&sa=N" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://www.google.com/search<br />hl=en<br />rls=GGIH,GGIH:2007-02,GGIH:en<br />pwst=1<br />q=%22peggy banales%22<br />start=80<br />sa=N</span></a></td><td style="background: transparent url(images/long_bg2.gif) repeat-y scroll left bottom; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="50%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top" width="65" nowrap="nowrap"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Title</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;" width="100%"><span class="txt_calend1">THE VATICAN & THE RICHEST DIOCESE IN THE WORLD: Sarita Kenedy East is rolling over in her grave right now. She would never let this continue! </span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Charset</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><span class="txt_calend1">utf-8</span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Page</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><a href="http://vaticandotcom.blogspot.com/2006/06/sarita-kenedy-east-is-rolling-over-in.html" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://vaticandotcom.blog<br />spot.com/2006/06/sarita-k<br />enedy-east-is-rolling-ove<br />r-in.html</span></a></td></tr><tr><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" bgcolor="#c1c3c9"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="background: rgb(236, 237, 241) url(images/small_white.gif) repeat-y scroll left top; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">8</span></td><td align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">Saturday, October 11, 2008 21:37:42</span></td><td bg="" style="color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">GO</span></td><td width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>From</b></span></td><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>On</b></span></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td style="padding: 5px;" valign="top" width="50%"><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=GGIH,GGIH:2007-02,GGIH:en&pwst=1&q=%22peggy%20banales%22&start=90&sa=N" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://www.google.com/search<br />hl=en<br />rls=GGIH,GGIH:2007-02,GGIH:en<br />pwst=1<br />q=%22peggy banales%22<br />start=90<br />sa=N</span></a></td><td style="background: transparent url(images/long_bg2.gif) repeat-y scroll left bottom; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="50%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top" width="65" nowrap="nowrap"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Title</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;" width="100%"><span class="txt_calend1">Corpus Christi Ethics Commission: County SID No. : 10041930 </span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Charset</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><span class="txt_calend1">utf-8</span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Page</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><a href="http://corpuschristitexasethics.blogspot.com/2007/05/county-sid-no-10041930.html" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://corpuschristitexas<br />ethics.blogspot.com/2007/<br />05/county-sid-no-10041930<br />.html</span></a></td></tr><tr><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" bgcolor="#c1c3c9"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="background: rgb(236, 237, 241) url(images/small_white.gif) repeat-y scroll left top; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">9</span></td><td align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">Saturday, October 11, 2008 21:37:51</span></td><td bg="" style="color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">CLICK</span></td><td width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>On</b></span></td><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>Click</b></span></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td style="background: transparent url(images/long_bg2.gif) repeat-y scroll left bottom; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="50%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top" width="65" nowrap="nowrap"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Title</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;" width="100%"><span class="txt_calend1">Corpus Christi Ethics Commission: County SID No. : 10041930 </span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Charset</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><span class="txt_calend1">utf-8</span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Page</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><a href="http://corpuschristitexasethics.blogspot.com/2007/05/county-sid-no-10041930.html" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://corpuschristitexas<br />ethics.blogspot.com/2007/<br />05/county-sid-no-10041930<br />.html</span></a></td></tr><tr><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td align="center"><div style="overflow: auto; width: 240px; height: 125px;"><table width="100%" height="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><a href="http://corpuschristitexasethics.blogspot.com/2007/03/commissioner-peggy-banales-voted.html" target="_blank" class="txt_calend1"><span class="txt_calend1">Commissioner <span id="google-navclient-hilite" style="color:yellow;">Peggy Banales</span> voted against the resol...</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" bgcolor="#c1c3c9"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="background: rgb(236, 237, 241) url(images/small_white.gif) repeat-y scroll left top; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">10</span></td><td align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">Saturday, October 11, 2008 21:37:52</span></td><td bg="" style="color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">GO</span></td><td width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>From</b></span></td><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>On</b></span></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td style="padding: 5px;" valign="top" width="50%"><a href="http://corpuschristitexasethics.blogspot.com/2007/05/county-sid-no-10041930.html" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://corpuschristitexasethic<br />s.blogspot.com/2007/05/county-<br />sid-no-10041930.html</span></a></td><td style="background: transparent url(images/long_bg2.gif) repeat-y scroll left bottom; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="50%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top" width="65" nowrap="nowrap"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Title</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;" width="100%"><span class="txt_calend1">Corpus Christi Ethics Commission: Commissioner Peggy Banales voted against the resolution~ looks like Loyd's agenda is billed retroactive to cover past projects and plain to see....... </span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Charset</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><span class="txt_calend1">utf-8</span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Page</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><a href="http://corpuschristitexasethics.blogspot.com/2007/03/commissioner-peggy-banales-voted.html" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://corpuschristitexas<br />ethics.blogspot.com/2007/<br />03/commissioner-peggy-ban<br />ales-voted.html</span></a></td></tr><tr><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" bgcolor="#c1c3c9"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="background: rgb(236, 237, 241) url(images/small_white.gif) repeat-y scroll left top; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">11</span></td><td align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">Saturday, October 11, 2008 21:38:45</span></td><td bg="" style="color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1">GO</span></td><td width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>From</b></span></td><td style="padding-left: 7px; color: rgb(161, 165, 169);" bg="" width="50%" height="23"><span class="txt_calend1" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>On</b></span></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td style="padding: 5px;" valign="top" width="50%"><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=GGIH,GGIH:2007-02,GGIH:en&pwst=1&q=%22peggy%20banales%22&start=90&sa=N" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://www.google.com/search<br />hl=en<br />rls=GGIH,GGIH:2007-02,GGIH:en<br />pwst=1<br />q=%22peggy banales%22<br />start=90<br />sa=N</span></a></td><td style="background: transparent url(images/long_bg2.gif) repeat-y scroll left bottom; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="50%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td><td><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top" width="65" nowrap="nowrap"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Title</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;" width="100%"><span class="txt_calend1">Corpus Christi Ethics Commission: County SID No. : 10041930 </span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Charset</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><span class="txt_calend1">utf-8</span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td><td bgcolor="#ecedf1"><img src="http://www.ritecounter.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 6px 2px 2px; color: rgb(236, 237, 241);" bg="" align="center" valign="top"><span class="txt_calend1"><b>Page</b></span></td><td style="padding: 4px;"><a href="http://corpuschristitexasethics.blogspot.com/2007/05/county-sid-no-10041930.html" target="_blank"><span class="txt_calend1">http://corpuschristitexas<br />ethics.blogspot.com/2007/<br />05/county-sid-no-10041930<br />.html</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>CC Watchdog Authorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15692025297388841246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3942620023250745272.post-39289217093608108102008-04-29T05:11:00.000-07:002008-04-29T05:17:46.016-07:00Solomon Ortiz and his former Chief of Staff Lencho Rendon "Two Peas In A Pod" They Remain.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://conf.ncku.edu.tw/research/news/e/20080118/images/080116092508cF5jKB.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://conf.ncku.edu.tw/research/news/e/20080118/images/080116092508cF5jKB.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span><span>Solomon Ortiz, Senior Member of the United States House of Representative, Visits National Cheng Kung University for the Legacy of Father of Boeing<br />NEWS<br /><br /> </span></span><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Owner/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpg" alt="" /><br /><span><span> <br /> <br /><br /> <br /> Senior Member of the US House of Representative Solomon Ortiz and his former Chief of Staff Lencho Rendon came to visit NCKU at 2:30 pm on January 7th. They had a pleasant conversation with NCKU President Michael M.C. Lai at the Office of President. Mr. Ortiz marveled at the fact that Professor Tsu Wong, Father of Boeing Corporate, had taught in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at NCKU. Congressman Ortiz also admired NCKU’s outstanding achievements in engineering, materials science and biomedicine.<br /><br />Congressman Ortiz’s visit to NCKU is a result of the invitation issued by President Lai. NCKU is the only university in Taiwan that the Congressman planned to visit. President Lai gave a personal briefing to this special guest who came a long way yesterday (January 7th.), introducing the development of NCKU and our research results, including the fish vaccine developed by the NCKU fisheries bio-medicine team. Ortiz was especially fascinated by the fish vaccine. Mr. Ortiz and President Lai both agree that oceanic issue is in the spotlight around the world, so are the issues of oceanic resources and environmental protection, in addition to the discussion about energy.<br /><br />Due to his background as a senior member and the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Readiness, all he knew about NCKU was Professor Tsu Wong, famed for “the father of Boeing Corporate”, before his visit to NCKU. There was a profound relationship between Professor Wong and NCKU. Wong was crucial to the genesis of Boeing Corporate, for he was the first Chief Engineer at Boeing and he helped Boeing build its first airplane. Boeing in Seattle set up a section in the Museum of Flight especially in memory of Mr. Tsu Wong. Professor Wong came to teach in the Department of Mechanical Engineering after his return to Taiwan, and he, 73, passed away in Tainan in 1965. Congressman Ortiz paid a visit to the Department of Mechanical Engineering to salute Professor Wong for being a pioneer of international airplane design when the industry of international aviation was taking off.<br /><br />SEVP Da-Hsuan Feng, who had accompanied him throughout his visit, said that Congressman Ortiz’s visit had several important implications and impact for us. First, as Dean of the House Hispanic Caucus, he will alert us to the university community the profound economic and intellectual importance of the Spanish speaking world. In addition, with NCKU aggressively promoting globalization as one of its goals, understanding this component of the world is critical. Third, as a senior member of the House Armed Services committee, his deep interest in health and other well being issues of veterans overlaps well with some of the healthcare strengths of our medical school. It was one of the purposes of his visit.<br /><br />Congressman Ortiz, a member of the US House of Representative, has been a highly respected senior member of the US Congress since he was elected in 1982. He is also Dean of the House Hispanic Caucus. He has been to Taiwan for more than 40 times since 1987 upon invitations or personal occasions. He has been close friends with SEVP Feng for many years. One of the purposes of Congressman Ortiz’s visit is to gain a deeper understanding of the research and development capabilities and infrastructures for high technology in the Southern part of Taiwan.<br /><br />Mr. Ortiz visited the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Medical College, NCKU Hospital, Hydraulics Laboratory, and Chi-Lin Technology Co. Ltd. just in half a day. His visit was to adequately understand the development of advanced technology in Southern Taiwan.<br /><br />Congressman Solomon Ortiz, born in Robstown, Texas, 1937, used to served as Neuces County Constable, County Commissioner and Country Sheriff in Texas. He is currently the Ranking Democrat and Chairman on the House Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Readiness.<br /><br />This news story is courtesy of NCKU News Center. It was adopted from its E-newsletter issued on January 7th., 2007, and was translated by Edward Wang. <br /> </span></span>CC Watchdog Authorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15692025297388841246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3942620023250745272.post-6572615417766858132007-08-10T20:55:00.001-07:002007-08-10T21:14:45.151-07:00DMC FOI Request Insurance Production<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/Rr022X3k6qI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/Mri71RYn96I/s1600-h/dmc+insurance+per+month5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/Rr022X3k6qI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/Mri71RYn96I/s400/dmc+insurance+per+month5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097290661001226914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/Rr021n3k6mI/AAAAAAAAAFw/2XDiLIeiqlc/s1600-h/dmc+insurance+per+month1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/Rr021n3k6mI/AAAAAAAAAFw/2XDiLIeiqlc/s400/dmc+insurance+per+month1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097290648116324962" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/Rr02133k6nI/AAAAAAAAAF4/m6Bs7ynHB_o/s1600-h/dmc+insurance+per+month2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/Rr02133k6nI/AAAAAAAAAF4/m6Bs7ynHB_o/s400/dmc+insurance+per+month2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097290652411292274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/Rr022H3k6oI/AAAAAAAAAGA/2VVxaIYD2xI/s1600-h/dmc+insurance+per+month3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/Rr022H3k6oI/AAAAAAAAAGA/2VVxaIYD2xI/s400/dmc+insurance+per+month3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097290656706259586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/Rr022H3k6pI/AAAAAAAAAGI/ivmb8FgsjUc/s1600-h/dmc+insurance+per+month4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/Rr022H3k6pI/AAAAAAAAAGI/ivmb8FgsjUc/s400/dmc+insurance+per+month4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097290656706259602" border="0" /></a>CC Watchdog Authorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15692025297388841246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3942620023250745272.post-76585808388743168212007-08-02T22:36:00.000-07:002007-08-02T23:22:32.585-07:00Linda was the first person in a Corpus Christi Public Housing Dev. to successfully run 4 pub office: a person who picked herself up by her bootstraps<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RrLBqH3k6fI/AAAAAAAAAE4/PWZP-FzfRwM/s1600-h/party_animals.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 371px; height: 263px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RrLBqH3k6fI/AAAAAAAAAE4/PWZP-FzfRwM/s400/party_animals.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094347057920272882" border="0" /></a> <strong>by hkarsh<br /></strong><div class="comment" id="c12162"><p class="comment-info"><strong>August 2, 2007<br /></strong></p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-family: georgia;"></p><blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;">I was a candidate for the Del Mar Board of Regents. I picked up the package to run for office. I am College Educated. I have several degrees. I'm pretty good at reading and writing contracts and such. I'm not a lawyer and believe me I could have used a lawyer to explain all the stuff I was responsible for and had to do. Del Mar wasn't going to explain it to me and the local party bosses wouldn’t have anything to do with me. Del Mar certainly wasn't going to help Linda whose brother they had railroaded out of a job. Now Linda was the first person in a Corpus Christi Public Housing development to successfully run for a public office and her neighbors were very proud of her. So here we have a person who picked herself up by her bootstraps with out the aid of the local democratic or republican bosses and won her election. So what do the local politicos do and that includes our slimy DA, they go after her and shoot her down. Got to keep those lower classes out of local politics or who knows what might happen. Just for those of you who do not know, she wasn't welcomed by the Board either. I have no doubt from my many years of experience with Del Mar College if Linda had been a Regent the College wanted the DA would never have brought charges as much as people like me would have screamed for it. Adler and her cronies were looking for any excuse to get Linda out that they could dig up. Now Gabe Rivas who was voted out of office by the community he was supposed to have served because he mostly served himself and the corrupt DMC administration, wants his job back. We are looking at a long term appointment here. I hope this community puts the College on notice that another election is called for here.<br /><br /><br /></span></blockquote><p></p> </div><span style="font-weight: bold;">CCCT Article w/ Political Discourse and Debate at the bottom. Above is a wonderful article by Howard Karsh which originated in the discussion below.</span><br /><br />Del Mar regent Garcia resigns<br /><br />By Israel Saenz (Contact)<br />Thursday, August 2, 2007<br /><br />CORPUS CHRISTI — Del Mar College regents will begin researching options to fill Linda Garcia’s District 1 seat, officials said.<br /><br />Garcia resigned from the post Wednesday, board president Chris Adler said.<br /><br />Adler said Garcia stated in her resignation letter, dated Wednesday, that she is pursuing a career opportunity outside Corpus Christi that forces her to resign the seat. Garcia was unavailable for comment Wednesday.<br /><br />“It’s something the board will have to meet about and plan what we are to do,” Adler said.<br /><br />District Attorney Carlos Valdez last week filed a lawsuit against Garcia seeking her removal from the board. The suit said Garcia did not meet residency requirements to run for the seat and that her application for candidacy contained false information.<br /><br />Garcia’s attorney, Robert J. Heil, said Wednesday he would fight the lawsuit if it continues.<br /><br />A judge also could order, if Garcia is found guilty, that she be fined or pay court fees. Valdez did not return phone calls late Wednesday seeking comment.<br /><br />A phone number listed for Garcia on the board’s Web page last week has been disconnected.<br /><br />Garcia, a substitute teacher, defeated former board president and local business owner Gabriel Rivas in November. Rivas in January submitted Garcia’s application to run for the seat, as well as a previous statement of residency, to Valdez’s office, which spurred the investigation.<br /><br />Applicants must have lived in the district they wish to represent for at least six months prior to the filing deadline to be eligible for the spot. Garcia filed for candidacy under a District 1 address on the Aug. 29, 2006, deadline; her statement of residency, dated March 3, 2006, lists a Kingsville address.<br /><br />Regents bylaws state a regent vacancy must be filled by appointment after the board has informed the public of the opening. Bylaws do not specify how long the board has to notify the public or fill the seat.<br /><br />Rivas said Wednesday he would consider seeking the seat again.<br /><br />Contact Israel Saenz at<br /><br />886-3767 or saenzi@caller.com<br /><br /><br /><div class="comment" id="c11911"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by kingalonzoalvarezdepineda13 on August 2, 2007 at 5:21 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/11911/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p>This is not the law the under which the Regents are elected.</p> <p>The only law that the DMC Regents have ever been elected under is the one below. Why the change now?</p> <p>TITLE 3. HIGHER EDUCATION SUBTITLE G. NON-BACCALAUREATE SYSTEM CHAPTER 130. JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICTS</p> <p>§ 130.0822. ELECTION FROM SINGLE-MEMBER TRUSTEE<br />DISTRICTS.</p> <p>h). A candidate for trustee must be a resident[0] of the trustee district the candidate seeks to represent. A trustee other than a trustee serving in accordance with Subsection (g) of this section vacates the office if he or she ceases to reside in the trustee district he or she represents.</p> <p>The Texas SOS who is the CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER</p> <p>"CHAPTER 31. OFFICERS TO ADMINISTER ELECTIONS</p> <p>SUBCHAPTER A. SECRETARY OF STATE</p> <p>§ 31.001. CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER. (a) The secretary of<br />state is the chief election officer of the state."</p> <p>Counsel for Del Mar College requested an informal opinion thorn the Texas Secretary of State regarding this matter and received an e-mailed response. "The Secretary of State declared that “There is no direct conflict between the provisions of the Education Code regarding candidate requirements And the Election Code provisions for candidate requirements. Therefore, these provisions should both be read as applicable to the election of a community college district trustee.”</p> <p>And if there is a conflict the Education Code reads that it "supersedes a conflicting statute outside the Education Code".</p> <p>The Election code reads</p> <p>"This code[0] supersedes a conflicting[0] statute outside this<br />code[0] unless this code[0] or the outside statute expressly provides otherwise."</p> <p>The Election Code also reads</p> <p>§ 3.004. ELECTION OF POLITICAL SUBDIVISION. (a) The<br />following authority shall order an election:<br /> (1) the county judge, for the general election for<br />officers of the county government;<br /> (2) the mayor, for the general election for city<br />officers in a city with a population of 1.9 million or more; and<br /> (3) the governing body of a political subdivision,<br />other than a county or a city described by Subdivision (2), that has<br />elective offices, for the general election for those officers.<br /> (b) If a law providing for an election relating to the<br />affairs of a political subdivision does not designate the authority<br />responsible for ordering the election, the governing body of the<br />political subdivision shall order the election.</p> <p>This also demonstrates the controlling code to be within the duties & powers of the Education code</p> </div> <div class="comment" id="c11912"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by kingalonzoalvarezdepineda13 on August 2, 2007 at 5:22 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/11912/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p>And now, they want to go back and refer to the Education Code (Board By Laws) as controlling the appointment?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RrLERH3k6gI/AAAAAAAAAFA/wet-VMMrT0c/s1600-h/scales_jp60_small.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 144px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RrLERH3k6gI/AAAAAAAAAFA/wet-VMMrT0c/s400/scales_jp60_small.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094349926958426626" border="0" /></a></p> <p>"Board bylaws state that if there is a regent vacancy, the seat is to be filled by appointment."</p> <p>If the election code controlled to elect then it should control the appointment as well.</p> <p>Now after all of that I bet not one of you will say one word about this:</p> <p><a href="http://ccwatchdog.blogspot.com/2007/07/fwd-bay-of-pigs-judge-westergren-has.html" rel="nofollow">http://ccwatchdog.blogspot.com/2007/07/f...</a></p> <p>and if that isnt enough, here is some more of the rotten</p> <p><a href="http://delmarhousekeeping.blogspot.com/2006/06/here-is-some-more-of-crap-going-on-at.html" rel="nofollow">http://delmarhousekeeping.blogspot.com/2...</a></p> <p>And there is a whole lot more.</p> </div> <div class="comment" id="c11920"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by intheknow on August 2, 2007 at 6:54 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/11920/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p>If she did nothing wrong then why did she resign? If what you say is true and maybe it is, she should have fought. But it looks funny how she disconnects her phone and did not talk to the press. She just runs away? That is not what a "leader" would do. As far a gabe, he was voted out by the people and should not be picked to fill her spot again. He lost! Move on.</p> </div> <div class="comment" id="c11927"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by kingalonzoalvarezdepineda13 on August 2, 2007 at 7:48 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/11927/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RrLE1H3k6hI/AAAAAAAAAFI/BMgJoozvGEA/s1600-h/balanced_rock_at_m_galleryfull.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RrLE1H3k6hI/AAAAAAAAAFI/BMgJoozvGEA/s400/balanced_rock_at_m_galleryfull.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094350545433717266" border="0" /></a>Have you ever been involved in Litigation?</p> <p>We wanted her to fight and we supported her but her attorney wouldnt answer her calls, documents that were in her file began disappearing and she has received death threats and packages have been left on her doorstep. Linda is staying with a friend and she does not feel safe. Her brother's plight began with a student making a complaint from an incident in the offices of the Criminal Justice department at Del Mar during which an employee of Del Mar verbally abused three Hispanic students. Over the following months, that relatively minor incident mushroomed into a web of perjury, forgery, attempted capital murder, and gross violations of procedural due process. In their efforts to cover up a single violation of the civil rights of three students, the defendants began a long series of illegal actions that have caused unconscionable harm to two individuals who did nothing to harm Del Mar and who merely exercised their constitutional rights.</p> <p>She has rarely talked to mainstream media.</p> <p>A leader in Carlos Valdez? He did not answer the phone or talk to the press. Is he running away.</p> <p>Gabe lost and I agree he should not return unless he is elected.</p> <p>Move on yes, but we cannot allow the inconsistent application of standard / law.</p> <p>In example I submit the City Council position Brent Chesney held while living in Dallas. He was asked to step down and the board was asked to take action as well as requests made to the DA asking for appropriate action to be taken.</p> <p>Now, there is a blatant example.</p> <p>Why Linda and why not Brent?</p> </div> <div class="comment" id="c11933"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by dannoynted1 on August 2, 2007 at 7:57 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/11933/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p>Because he is special.</p> </div> <div class="comment" id="c11936"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by dannoynted1 on August 2, 2007 at 8:01 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/11936/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p>Puppets and those who pull their strings reported above in black and white....and read all over!</p> <p>Reported here first on caller.com.....I bet you erase me.</p> </div> <div class="comment" id="c11971"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by curtis on August 2, 2007 at 9 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/11971/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p>Gabe was Cheated, not Unseated. If I play chess against someone who cheats and "wins," does he really win? In my opinion, no.</p> </div> <div class="comment" id="c11989"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by kingalonzoalvarezdepineda13 on August 2, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/11989/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p>Curtis,</p> <p>Cheating is when the rules get changed after check mate.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RrLFQX3k6iI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/QjGIcw-aUak/s1600-h/strategy1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RrLFQX3k6iI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/QjGIcw-aUak/s400/strategy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094351013585152546" border="0" /></a></p> <p>But, nothing I say will change your mind.</p> <p>Gabe got whooped not by Linda but by the constituents of District 1.</p> <p>That is a mandate for him to vacate.</p> <p>He is unseated and yes he was defeated.</p> <p>How do you cheat in a chess game?</p> </div> <div class="comment" id="c12042"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by clbcode on August 2, 2007 at 11:36 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/12042/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p>The DA was after Ms. Linda.</p> <p>No wonder she is running. The DA usually knows what he's doing.</p> </div> <div class="comment" id="c12065"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by kingalonzoalvarezdepineda13 on August 2, 2007 at 12:43 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/12065/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p>This DA (and it has taken a lot for me to come to this conclusion), the DA has ulterior motives for the selectivity of who he chooses to enforce the law, and to justify, defend or ignore.</p> <p>Why Linda?</p> <p>Why not Brent Chesney?</p> <p>And we all know why Carlos went after Linda.</p> <p>Why did he not go after Chesney?</p> <p>He is no different than Craddick.</p> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RrLH6n3k6jI/AAAAAAAAAFY/ECfwy-e3jQo/s1600-h/selena+having+fun.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RrLH6n3k6jI/AAAAAAAAAFY/ECfwy-e3jQo/s400/selena+having+fun.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094353938457881138" border="0" /></a>When it gets like that it is time to go on the book circuit.</p> <p>Both the DA and the Judge.</p> <p>Linda might be gone but we figure we might as well hang around with our roach spray for a bit.</p> <p>"The DA usually knows what he's doing"</p> <p>Well ask him why he can find time to prosecute linda but he doesnt have the time to file a reply brief.</p> <p>Ask him why he would rather Confess Error than do his JOB?</p> </div> <div class="comment" id="c12111"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by curtis on August 2, 2007 at 2:29 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/12111/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RrLI0X3k6kI/AAAAAAAAAFg/lh2TLYulVQU/s1600-h/caveman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RrLI0X3k6kI/AAAAAAAAAFg/lh2TLYulVQU/s400/caveman.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094354930595326530" border="0" /></a>KingAlonzo, moving pieces around when it's not your turn and without your opponent's knowledge is a way to cheat at chess. It's very similar to what Linda did. Yes, Linda received the most votes but she was ineligible to run, she cheated. If she followed the rules, then would she have won? Nope.</p> </div> <div class="comment" id="c12135"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by caloriewatcher on August 2, 2007 at 3:56 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/12135/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p>Seems like this should have been checked before she was even allowed to run for the position.</p> </div> <div class="comment" id="c12162"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by hkarsh on August 2, 2007 at 7:52 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/12162/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p>I was a candidate for the Del Mar Board of Regents. I picked up the package to run for office. I am College Educated. I have several degrees. I'm pretty good at reading and writing contracts and such. I'm not a lawyer and believe me I could have used a lawyer to explain all the stuff I was responsible for and had to do. Del Mar wasn't going to explain it to me and the local party bosses wouldn’t have anything to do with me. Del Mar certainly wasn't going to help Linda whose brother they had railroaded out of a job. Now Linda was the first person in a Corpus Christi Public Housing development to successfully run for a public office and her neighbors were very proud of her. So here we have a person who picked herself up by her bootstraps with out the aid of the local democratic or republican bosses and won her election. So what do the local politicos do and that includes our slimy DA, they go after her and shoot her down. Got to keep those lower classes out of local politics or who knows what might happen. Just for those of you who do not know, she wasn't welcomed by the Board either. I have no doubt from my many years of experience with Del Mar College if Linda had been a Regent the College wanted the DA would never have brought charges as much as people like me would have screamed for it. Adler and her cronies were looking for any excuse to get Linda out that they could dig up. Now Gabe Rivas who was voted out of office by the community he was supposed to have served because he mostly served himself and the corrupt DMC administration, wants his job back. We are looking at a long term appointment here. I hope this community puts the College on notice that another election is called for here.</p> </div> <div class="comment" id="c12167"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by dvillarreal1981 on August 2, 2007 at 8:09 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/12167/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p>There's no way people should support Gabe Rivas now. He needs to go just as much as she does.</p> </div> <div class="comment" id="c12179"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by kingalonzoalvarezdepineda13 on August 2, 2007 at 9:41 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/12179/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p>Good input Howard.</p> <p>And very accurate.</p> <p>As far as Linda and needing to go, she is gone.</p> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RrLJSn3k6lI/AAAAAAAAAFo/EZzzYJuI_yY/s1600-h/firmly+rooted.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RrLJSn3k6lI/AAAAAAAAAFo/EZzzYJuI_yY/s400/firmly+rooted.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094355450286369362" border="0" /></a>But we're still here.</p> <p>We need to call an election for this position and we might as well recall the whole damn board and the DA as well.</p> <p>And for you Curtis,</p> <p>Still the same hater as always I see.</p> <p>Enjoy it Curtis, eat it up,</p> <p>Bon Appétit</p> </div>CC Watchdog Authorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15692025297388841246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3942620023250745272.post-81031792436342914452007-07-02T04:26:00.000-07:002007-07-02T04:26:42.041-07:00Corpus Christi Watchdog Authority: "nobody knows Mikal Watts better than Corpus Christi." But does Mikal Watts know us (the people of Corpus Christi)?<marquee>Quantum meruit: <span style="font-weight: bold;"> Ask no more and give no less than honesty, courage, loyalty, generosity, and fairness<span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></marquee><br /><br /><a href="http://ccwatchdog.blogspot.com/2007/07/nobody-knows-mikal-watts-better-than.html#links">Corpus Christi Watchdog Authority: "nobody knows Mikal Watts better than Corpus Christi." But does Mikal Watts know us (the people of Corpus Christi)?</a><br /><br /><h3 class="post-title"> <a href="http://kenedypasturecompany.blogspot.com/2007/07/civil-action-in-making.html#links">The Kenedy Pasture Company: A Civil Action in the Making?</a> </h3> <div class="post-body"> <h2 class="date-header">2007-07-02</h2> <div class="post uncustomized-post-template"> <a name="3489515569509881899"></a> <h3 class="post-title"> <a href="http://hectorpgarcia.blogspot.com/2007/06/but-chicano-attorney-who-still-has.html">A Civil Action in the Making?</a> </h3> <div class="post-body"> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Bc77sdkuuEI/RojEKPsBIdI/AAAAAAAAAGE/TiQgxxhddlA/s1600-h/Texas+State+Police+3+badge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Bc77sdkuuEI/RojEKPsBIdI/AAAAAAAAAGE/TiQgxxhddlA/s400/Texas+State+Police+3+badge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082527859776496082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Why must we flex our muscles?</p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nueces County, CCISD, 105th Judicial District Attorney; how many kids were locked up without an attorney?<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Bc77sdkuuEI/RojBEvsBIaI/AAAAAAAAAFs/j6emxN5hSbs/s1600-h/collage.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Bc77sdkuuEI/RojBEvsBIaI/AAAAAAAAAFs/j6emxN5hSbs/s400/collage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082524466752332194" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p><ul><li>There is no excuse for violating the basic human rights afforded under the United States Constitution.</li><li>How many kids were locked up by a court of nonrecord?</li><li>Not even with a parent's consent unless the parent has been given the opportunity to consult with counsel.</li><li>How many children taken into custody were advised of their Miranda Rights?</li><li>Oh yeah, Plaisted and every CCISD kid for whom, he provided service</li></ul> .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Bc77sdkuuEI/RojBEPsBIYI/AAAAAAAAAFc/ltDwHr2eFts/s1600-h/ddisd+new+elect.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Bc77sdkuuEI/RojBEPsBIYI/AAAAAAAAAFc/ltDwHr2eFts/s400/ddisd+new+elect.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082524458162397570" border="0" /></a><br /><br />What do we want?<br /><br />Go do some homework, we want responsive representation with transparent operation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Bc77sdkuuEI/RojBEfsBIZI/AAAAAAAAAFk/nQ7tQ8KZghY/s1600-h/jag.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 193px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Bc77sdkuuEI/RojBEfsBIZI/AAAAAAAAAFk/nQ7tQ8KZghY/s400/jag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082524462457364882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We want to not be railroaded for tardies or for absences when the District does not practice due diligence in interdicting but is very diligent in recording the events and adamantly prosecutes and collects half of the fine. When the people cant pay the kids are picked up from class and taken in handcuffs to the court of nonrecord. The Parent is contacted and ordered to appear immediately. When the Parent arrives he or she is told to pay or your kid goes to jail and sometimes the parent is threatened and / or locked up as well. I have never seen a kid who has been provided counsel but I have witnessed many a kid go to jail.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Bc77sdkuuEI/RojCzvsBIbI/AAAAAAAAAF0/W3QxfC0S4Y0/s1600-h/Solly.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 313px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Bc77sdkuuEI/RojCzvsBIbI/AAAAAAAAAF0/W3QxfC0S4Y0/s400/Solly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082526373717811634" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Bc77sdkuuEI/RojC-_sBIcI/AAAAAAAAAF8/8Xlqj7abPvs/s1600-h/Shapiro.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Bc77sdkuuEI/RojC-_sBIcI/AAAAAAAAAF8/8Xlqj7abPvs/s400/Shapiro.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082526566991339970" border="0" /></a><br />And this from non responsive legislators who have enabled the School Administration to blame the parent when they allow children in their custody to roam at large unaccounted for and the District in coordination with the Courts of non record get paid (profit) from it. </div> <div class="post-footer"> <p class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-1"> <span class="post-author"> Posted by The Advocate </span> <span class="post-timestamp"> at <a class="timestamp-link" href="http://atypicalapolitician.blogspot.com/2007/07/civil-action-in-making.html" title="permanent link">1.12.PD</a> </span> <span class="post-comment-link"> <a class="comment-link" href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5029436195666275175&postID=3489515569509881899" onclick="">0 comments</a> </span> <span class="post-backlinks post-comment-link"> </span> <span class="post-icons"> <span class="item-control blog-admin pid-1430521177"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=5029436195666275175&postID=3489515569509881899" title="Edit Post"> <span class="quick-edit-icon"> </span> </a> </span> </span> </p> <p class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-2"> <span class="post-labels"> </span> </p> </div> </div> <h2 class="date-header">2007-07-01</h2> <div class="post uncustomized-post-template"> <a name="6431356161792390722"></a> <h3 class="post-title"> <a href="http://www.caller.com/news/2007/jul/01/judge-jury-and-attorneys-seek-wake-up-call-in/">"Court Appointed Rolodex's". Nanotechnology and "Confessing Error" in a dog and pony show who operate like they are in a Kangaroo Court.</a> </h3> <div class="post-body"> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/4275/2673/150/z/900104/gse_multipart50634.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 159px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/4275/2673/150/z/900104/gse_multipart50634.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Bc77sdkuuEI/RofdoPsBIWI/AAAAAAAAAFM/bs2pEd49tZk/s1600-h/United-States-Senate-Seal-plaque-L.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 238px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Bc77sdkuuEI/RofdoPsBIWI/AAAAAAAAAFM/bs2pEd49tZk/s400/United-States-Senate-Seal-plaque-L.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082274387986555234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Bc77sdkuuEI/Rofdn_sBIVI/AAAAAAAAAFE/3swH0A_6Ug0/s1600-h/cornyn.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 210px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Bc77sdkuuEI/Rofdn_sBIVI/AAAAAAAAAFE/3swH0A_6Ug0/s400/cornyn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082274383691587922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://mas.scripps.com/CCCT/2006/01/10/p-5banales0110_e.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://mas.scripps.com/CCCT/2006/01/10/p-5banales0110_e.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Bc77sdkuuEI/RofdoPsBIXI/AAAAAAAAAFU/gWMy25eS3SI/s1600-h/Scales-of-Justice.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Bc77sdkuuEI/RofdoPsBIXI/AAAAAAAAAFU/gWMy25eS3SI/s400/Scales-of-Justice.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082274387986555250" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><strong></strong></p><blockquote><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong></strong></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">Nanotechnology at work right before our eyes finally an acknowledgment of what has been going on for quite a while now. The information in those "Court Appointed Rolodex's", there is gold in them hills. And this is going to start becoming available when? and for who?</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">We have came to a narrowing of the road here in this alligning of energy fields. I can see it now we got Mikal who who is the adversary of my adversary John Cornyn. We also have the <a href="http://hectorpgarcia.blogspot.com/2007/06/but-chicano-attorney-who-still-has.html">Honorable Judge Manuel Banales</a> who needs to align with Mr Watts and vice versa. </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">Does he want to run for mayor unopposed? </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">I would rather see him <a href="http://comityoferrors.blogspot.com/">correct the errors</a> and run for Governor or Ascend to the Texas Supreme Court. Now, <a href="http://wattslawfirm.blogspot.com/2007/06/google-yourself-corpus-christi-when_08.html">John Cornyn has "Confessed Error"</a> and I assure you it wasn't out of fairness but in the essence of knocking the checkers off of the Table because he was going to lose. And Carlos Valdez & John Hubert <a href="http://wattslawfirm.blogspot.com/2007/06/google-yourself-corpus-christi-when.html">"Confess Error"</a> on appeal from the 105th. Hubert & Valdez "confess error" so they can conceal Mary Cano. And that is as painless as it gets.</span></p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">Anton<br /></span></p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong><br /></strong></span></p><br />CCCT Political Pulse<br /><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.caller.com/news/2007/jul/01/judge-jury-and-attorneys-seek-wake-up-call-in/"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Mikal Watts seeks to round up list of Democrats for self, others</strong></span></a></p>By Jaime Powell<p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">A Monday noontime fundraiser at Vietnam restaurant for U.S. Senate hopeful Mikal Watts was a who's who of the local bar association and judiciary, including five district judges. Watts, who is living in San Antonio, told the crowd that "nobody knows Mikal Watts better than Corpus Christi."</span></p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">Watts, a Democrat, who is seeking the seat held by Republican Sen. John Cornyn, asked the gathering to dig through their Rolodexes and e-mail address lists because he hopes to compile a statewide database to reach Democratic voters that can be used by all Texas Democrats.</span></p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">"That way, when Judge (J. Manuel) Bañales runs for mayor he can use it," Watts joked, to uproarious laughter from the crowd and a big grin from Bañales, who was sitting on the front row.</span></p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p></blockquote> </div> <div class="post-footer"> <p class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-1"> <span class="post-author"> Posted by The Advocate </span> <span class="post-timestamp"> at <a class="timestamp-link" href="http://atypicalapolitician.blogspot.com/2007/07/court-appointed-rolodexs-nanotechnology.html" title="permanent link">8.58.PD</a> </span> <span class="post-comment-link"> <a class="comment-link" href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5029436195666275175&postID=6431356161792390722" onclick="">0 comments</a> </span> <span class="post-backlinks post-comment-link"> </span> <span class="post-icons"> <span class="item-control blog-admin pid-1430521177"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=5029436195666275175&postID=6431356161792390722" title="Edit Post"> <span class="quick-edit-icon"> </span> </a> </span> </span> </p> <p class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-2"> <span class="post-labels"> </span> </p> </div> </div> <h2 class="date-header">2007-06-30</h2> <a name="5724917185632532242"></a> <h3 class="post-title"> <a href="http://www.cca.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/HTMLopinionInfo.asp?OpinionID=13349">If you need an attorney.....if he is any good he will tell you watt an "Ander's Appeal" is? If he tells you not to worry about it.........FIRE HIM !!!</a> </h3> </div> <p class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-1"><span class="post-timestamp"> at <a class="timestamp-link" href="http://wattslawfirm.blogspot.com/2007/07/kenedy-pasture-company-civil-action-in.html" title="permanent link">2:44:00 AM</a> </span> <span class="post-comment-link"> <a class="comment-link" href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=21901491&postID=3687813494014377469" onclick="">0 responses</a> </span> <span class="post-icons"> <span class="item-action"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=21901491&postID=3687813494014377469" title="Email Post"> <span class="email-post-icon"> </span> </a> </span> </span> <span class="post-backlinks post-comment-link"> <a class="comment-link" href="http://wattslawfirm.blogspot.com/2007/07/kenedy-pasture-company-civil-action-in.html#links">Links to this article</a> </span> </p>CC Watchdog Authorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15692025297388841246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3942620023250745272.post-65051810790076963802007-06-09T22:19:00.000-07:002007-06-09T23:41:42.251-07:00The land is not being given away. This development include the local minority contractors (~40%)<span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Gambi Gamboa, civil rights chairman with LULAC No. 1, said a Westside development can ease traffic congestion in other areas of town.</span></span><br /><br />"We want this out here," he said. "This will enhance our community."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RmuLSPiExCI/AAAAAAAAAEI/0DmMWfhMAwE/s1600-h/crosstown+commons2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RmuLSPiExCI/AAAAAAAAAEI/0DmMWfhMAwE/s400/crosstown+commons2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074302550686352418" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana,helvetica,arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b> </b></span><br /><span style="">Posted on June 10, 2007 at 00:17:44 AM by Jaime Kenedeno<br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Representatives from LULAC, the American GI Forum, the NAACP, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce say the complex would bring jobs and spending to the west side, improving the neighborhood, and the outlook for neighborhood youth. They also say the site would keep dollars in the area, as opposed to shoppers doing their spending in other Texas cities." </span><br /><br />JK: Really, I have not had an interest in this project until it has become apparent there is an issue of fairness involved. Should this center be built there is no assurance that the development will blossom. Then it can be sold or leased by institutions like Del Mar College (Albertsons) and like the Lantana shopping mall has been utilized and others not on the tip of my tongue right now. Nevertheless, the structure will be utilized and the infrastructure usage will be taxed; so yes, IMO the city should take responsibility for the infrastructure cost like all of the other projects and pet projects in the past.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"But, the developer has stated that work could not begin until the city agrees to reimburse any costs for enhancing the site's infrastructure. Water lines and road would would need to be done before construction could begin, and the community groups now speaking out - want to make sure the city commits to picking up the bill." </span><br /><br />JK: I dont know who the Developer is at this point but he or she should be supported in this endeavor. The land is not being given away (if I am not mistaken). The only other issue is that this development include the local minority contractors (at least 40%).<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Joe Ortiz, with the American GI Forum and LULAC, says, "You have a lot of other projects that have been done this way and the city is not committing to that. In other words, mister developer, you're on your own."</span><br /><br />Who is Mister Developer?<br /><br />Why would the city not support this growth?<br /><br />The response I received from my network goes something like this:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"The development probably wont make it but let em build it, it is their money." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"The elite dont want to lose the hispanic westside $$$$$$$$$ while the Mall is booming. They want the west side to shop on the Southside." </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RmuMiviExDI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/uKq91qbhUpA/s1600-h/20070609-034456-pic-692758489_t600.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RmuMiviExDI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/uKq91qbhUpA/s400/20070609-034456-pic-692758489_t600.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074303933665821746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"There shouldn't be any differentiation between the west and the south side. We are all in this South Padre Island Drive corridor," LULAC Council #4444 President Nancy Vera said Friday. "There's plenty of money to go around." </span><br /><br />JK: To me, this area is still part of the southside.<br /><br />This money is not the same money where we can shift it to funding the certification of our ballistics lab but we need to focus on that area as well.<br /><br />CCT Readers Comment on Crosstown Development<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2377"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong></strong></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2377"><p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by abc123 on June 9, 2007 at 7:33 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2377/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">There are many empty storefronts available for businesses on SPID and at the malls. I object to tax incentives for businesses to build new places instead of using what is available. The city will have to get the tax monies somewhere, and guess who will pay? If the new businesses cannot or will not compete with what is already in place they should not be subsidized by me and my tax money.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2378"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by truthincc on June 9, 2007 at 7:36 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2378/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Turning this into a westside-southside issue just indicates the person does not have a clue as to the real issues but that is becoming normal here.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2383"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by Houston_Rider on June 9, 2007 at 7:56 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2383/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">I wouldn't put a mall in that area. Everything North of Saratoga is over 25 years old. 75% of housing in CC is more than 30 years old. There are too many abandon buildings in this city. Even Southside strip malls are losing tenants.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Why would someone want to invest in an area that cant support itself? Attracting mainstream anchor stores and national chains is going to take more than location, its going to take people spending $$. For some reason LULAC thinks its being developed to give people jobs. No money is being spent here, we can't support the mall and shops we have now.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2388"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by jimd on June 9, 2007 at 8:10 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2388/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">This says it all! -- "Nancy Vera, president of League of United Latin American Citizens No. 4444 and members from LULAC No. 1, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the American GI Forum and the Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce"</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Now there's a fine group of business men and women! hah! And those groups are always looking for a handout. They will fight tooth and nail to keep seasoned developers from getting a tax incentive.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2404"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by nl.lozano on June 9, 2007 at 9:18 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2404/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">I am currently in an office space at Sunrise Mall, where retail stores are becoming a thing of the past. Crosstown Commons will actively pursue anchor stores like Dillards and Sears. You should know that small retailers usually have a clause in their lease that allows them to break a lease if the anchor stores are closed. Another half empty mall is not what we need. If Crosstown Commons is so interested in our community, why don't they buy Sunrise Mall? Answer....because then they cannot use tax incentives for "improvements". Large anchor stores like Nordstroms and Bloomingdales will not come to Corpus Christi because our shopping population is not up to their standards. Let's open our eyes people, Crosstown Commons is in it for themselves. I support development in our city, but wrong is wrong, expecially when there are other existing options. By the way, I am Latino, and "we" don't always support LULAC!! haha</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2424"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by browntide on June 9, 2007 at 10:40 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2424/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">This is not a Southside/Westside issue. Any reference to that is ridiculous! It is a Corpus Christi Issue!!</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">The Crosstown Commons wants to use future money they would otherwise have to pay to the City to give incentives to Pull, Rob, Steal and otherwise intice existing retailers in Corpus over to their project.....Just 4 miles away from where they already exist. More empty spaces and blight will result in those existing developments. They call this TIF/380 financing- but this is not what TIFs were intended to be used for.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Using a TIF to relocate existing retail businesses to one development at the expense of other developments is a BAD IDEA. Especially when the existing developments pay 100% of their share of sales taxes and property taxes. No Free Ride.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Has Crosstown promised Neiman Marcus, Nordstroms? NO! Why not? Because We Don't Have the high paying jobs that would support that kind of retail. They're taking Dillards, Macy's and Penny's and moving them up the street. Along with attempting to relocate many others.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Kansas City gave out TIFs and is $250 mil in the hole on broken promises by developers like Crosstown Commons!</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2431"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by curtis on June 9, 2007 at 11:59 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2431/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">I've been looking at all sides of the issue - very open-mindedly I should add. I would support the granting of tax incentives to attract investment in Corpus Christi. This development is not supposed to be your local mall, and the point of this mall is to create something on a regional scale - not to compete with Padre Staples or Sunrise, but rather to compete with Shops at La Canterra in San Antonio. We need to start looking less local, and more regional and more global. Of course it will attract local shoppers, and that certainly is part of their market - but they're really interested in bringing outsiders into Corpus Christi for shopping. I personally don't see anything wrong with this.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Now, in terms of the abandoned and empty buildings throughout Corpus Christi, we all know this is a natural cycle. Look at any advanced economy or economically developed city, and there will be flight and empty buildings that come with it. Businesses want to be where the next big thing is, especially the retail business which is clearly about trends. Eventually, something will happen to redevelop the empty buildings such as the proposed improvements to the Lichenstein Building, or Wal Mart buying Parkdale Plaza with plans to redevelop.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">I think this development will be a good stimulus not just for the Westside of town, but the entire region - ONLY if Crosstown Commons markets it correctly as a regional mall which they say they intend to do. We know that developers aren't always forthright, but then again neither are opponents of development either. My contention is that if the Crosstown Commons intends to make this mall something regional to market throughout South Texas, then I would support it. If not, then there's no point in building this mall or providing tax incentives through a TIF.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2432"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by renesaenz27 on June 9, 2007 at 12:04 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2432/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">I take offense to the statement that individuals living in housing south of Saratoga can not sustain themselves financially. I live in this area and our family household income last year was a little over $96000 and I reside around the proximity where the development is taking place. If you create perimeters around the land where crosstown commons will be located with a radius of about 2 miles you will find housing ranging anywhere from a low of $20000 to a high of $200000-350000. Ask johnny carinos, fuddruckers, or other businesses if they are profiting and I can assure you they are doing just fine. The real problem is that competition is not valued. The Padre Staples mall has so many empty stores because they charge to much rental space. I'm sure that will be going down when we introduce Crosstown Commons. Wake up people! Do you want to continue living the lifestyle of the Geico Neanderthal or are you ready to move into the 21st Century? Lifestyles attract people to live in communities and we must adapt to that change.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2433"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by dcardona on June 9, 2007 at 12:20 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2433/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">How can any one say it's not a West and South issue? If this was being built on the Southside how many of you would remember the issues of our already depleted malls. Westside is becoming run down only because all money is spend on new development on the Southside. How many new shopping centers, gyms, restaurants have opened or will be opened along Staples/Saratoga area? Repaved or adding new and better streets are on the Southside. So...How many of you complained of abandon buildings or traffic conjestions when these were being built in Southside? I can bet none.<br />It's about time Westside will have something to better this part of Corpus Christi. Maybe now Corpus Christi will include us in repaved, better streets, tax revenue to better our area, and more jobs.<br />No matter where you live in we all live in Corpus Christi. Westside, Southside, Northside, Eastside...or wherever we are all one City.<br />By the way...you ever wonder why our malls are lacking traffic, why we have abandon building/shopping centers...where do you all shop? San Antonio, Dallas, San Marcos Outlets..maybe it's time we quit spending our monies in other Cities and take care of ours. This new development just might be what Corpus Christ needs to get new developers in our area, thus making us a Better City. And just maybe, all you out of town shoppers just might considered to shop here if we had the same stores just as SA or the Outlets.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2437"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by nvera43 on June 9, 2007 at 12:53 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2437/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">The Crosstown Commons is a great idea for our entire city. If this community is a ghost town, it is because we continue to succumb to antiquated attitudes and ideas. The tone of some of the letters above reeks with pessimism and bitterness. I have paid taxes in Corpus Christi all of my life - in fact - my family has paid taxes in this city for over a century. It is my belief that this development will bring positive growth for the entire city. I, too, sometimes disagree with the stance that some civic and civil rights organizations take, but that doesn't mean I am always right. The position taken on this development by LULAC, the NAACP, the American GI Forum and the Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is based on extensive quality research and what they believe is in the best interest of ALL the citizens in Corpus Christi - not just for a select few. The opportunities for small business growth will multiply, job opportunities will multiply, and the standard of living for our citizens will increase. If we stick with old ideas, we will be stuck in the economic dark ages for another century. I say out with the old and in with the new. Let's raise our standards rather than sticking with what we believe is safe. Be not afraid. We are jeopardizing our future if we stick to old-fashioned ideas. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for our community. The TIF will be paid for by future property tax on the property on which Crosstown Commons will be developed. Additionally, the sales tax that is generated by this project will be significant. We can use this money for education and for city improvements. We need the roads and we need the development. What we don't need are people who continually stunt the growth of our community because of their brash and loud negativity or because they want to monopolize the economic market in our city to get richer. Do your research, please. It's time for all of us to share in the piece of the pie.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2438"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by nvera43 on June 9, 2007 at 12:58 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2438/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Additionally, the city has spent tax dollars improving the streets around the Sunrise Mall and the Padre Staples Mall. These establishments have had an opportunity to enhance their buildings and business for years. Even the idea of a little competition has spurred renovations at Padre Staples Mall. It seems to me that competition will be a valuable win for the consumer in this city. This is a good thing. :)</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2442"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by mikeisalone on June 9, 2007 at 1:45 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2442/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Looks, like Rene Saenz still has political aspirations. Using this as a photo opportunity and a chance to be seen as a voice for the Westside. A champion for the Westside because he lives on the Westside. Gimme a break, your domicile is an excuse for you to seek a political office.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Were do you teach government at Mr. Saenz? At Carroll High School, on the Central Southside area of the city! Why are you not truly standing up for the Westside by teaching at Miller High School or any of the middle schools located on the Westside? A typical political opportunist, who will be running in the next local election as a champion of the Westside. The hypocrisy.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2444"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by renesaenz27 on June 9, 2007 at 2:24 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2444/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Miller HS did not give me the job although I went to apply several times. I was a soccer coach at miller HS last year. I can't force the principal to give me a job even if I apply for it. Carroll HS saw me as an asset and offered me the job. I am proud to work at Carroll HS. I grew up in the westside and my family still live iin the westside. I guess some people are still taking it hard that I did not endorse their preferred candidate, the one with the least qualifications. I guess mikeisalone is worried that I might be running against their preferred candidate in two years. At least I don't hide behind a hinden name because my name is exposed. You should consider exposing your name unless you were like your preferred candidate who did not expose herself to the public.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2448"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by drtcpip on June 9, 2007 at 3:12 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2448/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Viva La Raza! Tax breaks for the Wal-Marts, man! Power to da people, man! Viva Wal-Mart. Tax breaks for da people man! Eh gringo, subsidize my Wal-Mart man.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2455"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by mikeisalone on June 9, 2007 at 4:57 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2455/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">In an interview with the Caller Times, CCISD Superintendent Scott Elliff stated, "administrators met with the applicants over a week-long period, assessing them in areas of content knowledge, instructional strategies and commitment to Miller and its students."(Garza n.p.) Those that met that criterion were hired. I guess you did not have what it takes to teach and empathize with your people from the Westside. You did try several times.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Elliff also stated that the "idea of reconstitution of staff is to be able to select a team with a common vision, and a passion for educating students in a challenging environment.” (Garza) So your credentials of growing up in the Westside and politics did not help you?!</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">In reference to being hired at Carroll maybe you fit in better with those of your own socioeconomic status. You did state earlier that, "our family household income last year was a little over $96000 and I reside around the proximity where the development is taking place." Well, thanks for your paternalistic concern about us working class, but we do not need that type of mentality attempting to represent us. I guess you are trying to fill the Noyola vacuum? Those are not very big shoes to fill; all you have to do is cry that you are looking out for the “working people.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Priscilla Leal was elected because she was not tied to the politicos who own Noyola and that you are seeking to appeal too. Again, this was nothing more than a photo opportunity and I called you out on it. I will give you the benefit of doubt that economic development is essential as you stated in your political sheet in the Caller Times though on January 4, 2007. (Caller Times n.p.) But, it is not everything and we sure do not need any middle class yuppie paternalism representing us in District 3. Hubris is a dangerous thing.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">My name is Mike Wilson and I am a college student at TAMUCC studying<br />Mexican-American leadership and politics in South Texas. I am not attacking you personally, what I see is a photo opportunity and South Texas paternalism by the Mexican-American middle class. Basically, you and others like you have only replaced the Anglo political system in your communities.<br /><br /> Works Cited</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">“Rene Saenz to run for City Council District 3”. Caller Times 4 Jan. 2007: Scripps Texas Newspapers, L.A.P. Scripps Howard Newspapers. 9 June. 2007 <a href="http://www.caller.com/news/2007/jan/04/rene-saenz-to-run-for-city-council-district-3/" rel="nofollow">http://www.caller.com/news/2007/jan/04/r...</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Garza, Adrian. “Changes at Miller pull heartstrings”. Caller Times 20 May. 2007: Scripps Texas Newspapers, L.P.A.Scripps Howard Newspapers. 9 June. 2007 <a href="http://www.caller.com/news/2007/may/20/changes-at-miller-pull-heartstrings/" rel="nofollow">http://www.caller.com/news/2007/may/20/c...</a>.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2457"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by nvera43 on June 9, 2007 at 5:12 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2457/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">drtcpip - Your statements reflect intolerance and mendacity.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Mr. Wilson, Thank you for studying Mexican-American leadership and politics in South Texas. I would like meet with you to discuss your perspective. My e-mail address is <a href="mailto:nvera43@aol.com">nvera43@aol.com</a>. Priscilla Leal is the lead supporter of the Crosstown Commons. She's doing a fantastic job.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2461"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by jpercer on June 9, 2007 at 5:25 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2461/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Why on earth would anyone want to bring a Neiman Marcus to Corpus Christi? I'd challenge everyone here to go into a Neiman Marcus (There's one in San Antonio, On La Cantera), go to the mens section, and look at the price tags for the same T-Shirt you can get at wal mart, for about 80 dollars more. This isn't the kind of development we need for Corpus Christi. I appreciate the initiative, but please keep the development realistic with our population.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2462"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by truthincc on June 9, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2462/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Nvera you have to be kidding yourself if you think that extensive research was done by those organizations. They bought the line by the developer and besides that it was a line they wanted to believe even if it was not true.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2464"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by intheknow on June 9, 2007 at 6:02 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2464/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Folks, look deeper into who has $ intrest in the development. Who will build it, who will fin it, who will rent it, ect. Its the same old establishment. Lets make sure that fin disclousers are filed. Let a little sun in and see what happens. How much you want to bet joe fulton gets the contract to build it! The song remains the same. The same people who back the caller times. Old corpus money. The song remains the same.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2469"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by amadeus3678 on June 9, 2007 at 6:40 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2469/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">why on earth would Dillards or Macy or any other high class store want to build right behind Tinseltown, where just a couple of years ago little hoods killed people at night coming out of the theatre.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">If you don't think that's gang territory over there, I suggest you take a drive down Greenwood and Gollihar, oh yeah, West Point is close by too. And Prescott. And tell me if you saw ONE single house or wood fence that didn't have gang graffiti on it. I dare you.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">And you really think that Dillards and Macy's want to have a store close to THAT neighbourhood?</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2472"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by nvera43 on June 9, 2007 at 7:26 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2472/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">On the contrary, inthe know, it is old money that wants to keep the status quo. Will you please do your research?</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">amadeaus 3678, there have been stabbings, murders and graffiti all over this town. Maybe we should have closed the malls when there was a stabbing? You are stereotyping. We must stop confusing this economic issue with name calling and stereotyping. I live in this neighborhood and I am sorry that you think all of us are thugs. Oh, and my house has never been vandalized or had gang graffiti painted on it. It's time for economic growth!</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2480"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by stff on June 9, 2007 at 9:48 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2480/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Count this white boy from Calallen in favor of this project.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">It sounds like to me the old boy network here in Corpus has done an excellent job brainwashing a certain segment of the population that tax breaks for economic development is bad. Alot of the old boy network as I can tell are the local developers and without naming names, they have done their part in derailing certain projects that have been proposed around this city (think bayfront).</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">You want evidence of the old boy network look no further than the current and soon the be former owners of Padre Staples Mall. They have done ZERO to improve their mall because they were content on what they had because they have managed to keep out the competetion. Finally some developers and proven people in the mall business called their bluff and announced this project at the Crosstown. And what do they do? The very next day they annnounce all of these renovations and now in the last week they annoucned they will be selling a majority stake to a big mall holding company. if I were Macys of Dillards and some one wanted to build something cutting edge and new, I'd jump in heartbeat since the soon to be prior management dragged their feet with improvments. Heck those merchants and others know tthat good money is leaving this town that should be staying here.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">As a former Valley resident that keeps up with the news and happening down there, I can contest the progressive valley cities down there have used tax incentives that make the one asked by CBL look like peanuts for all sorts of development. Mercedes is the home of a new outlets mall and part of the deal was the company that built that mall would get a sizeable % of tax receipts that would decrease by the year. And what has happened ? The net revenues to the city after the company gets their share have increased. And those revenues are being used to pay for city services that otherwise would have to come from the property tax base. What a novel concept that maybe the folks that complain about high property taxes around here should think twice before shutting the door on a business or industry that might be able to help offset those increase or even lower the burden of property taxpayers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Another thing the againers are going to have to get over and realize real quick is if you all that cry about our kids leaving because their are no jobs if you want the big, high tech type business to even give Corpus the time of day, we are going to have to offer tax incentives. Please find a large metro area in this state that does not dangle those type of carrots to get big employers to move in. San Antonio has done with Toyota and Mircrosoft. Why does Corpus have to be different? And yes they do pay attention to how we deal with prior opportunites , no matter how small or big they might be.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Maybe it's going to take the younger generation (under 40) to get this done? Sooner or later we will reverse this attitude in this town.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2491"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by renesaenz27 on June 9, 2007 at 10:11 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2491/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"Those that met that criterion were hired. I guess you did not have what it takes to teach and empathize with your people from the Westside. You did try several times."<br />Twice to be exact. The first time I was offered but I had already accepted another job. The second time non-hispanics interviewed me and I later found out that the one who got the job was a personal friend of one who conducted the interview. Can't compete with politics and getting a job. Sometimes a persons credentials doesn't matter. You've heard the saying "It's not what you know, it's who you know." Maybe it is that kind of decision making that has placed Miller HS, the school that I went to, in the condition that it is in.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"So your credentials of growing up in the Westside and politics did not help you?"<br />When reconstitution went in to effect, I didn't bother to apply. I'm working with the best principal in CCISD. BEsides don't want to be in a working environment where tensions ran high between administration and teachers. The politics of employment does play a factor. Also, wouldn't be able to transfer for two years even if I wanted to.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"In reference to being hired at Carroll maybe you fit in better with those of your own socioeconomic status. You did state earlier that, "our family household income last year was a little over $96000 and I reside around the proximity where the development is taking place." Well, thanks for your paternalistic concern about us working class, but we do not need that type of mentality attempting to represent us. I guess you are trying to fill the Noyola vacuum? Those are not very big shoes to fill; all you have to do is cry that you are looking out for the “working people.”"</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Or maybe I am just a damn good teacher. You seem you prejudge me as if somehow you know everything about me. Yes I live in the area around Carroll and my socioeconomic status has increased. But that comes from hard work and discipline. See I came from the westside and grew up in a three room house on Mohawk St, you know in la quarenta, went to Lozano, Oak Park, Driscoll, and Miller. Went to UT-Austin and graduated with a BA in government with a minor in history. I could have chosen not to come back to CC but I did and have been active in politics before I went to UT and after. My participation in the Crosstown Commons Press Conference came to me by e-mail urging some of us to attend. I did so and when I got there I was asked to speak so I did. I do not know what type of mentality you refer to since you do not know me personally. I guess your classes in Mexican AMerican History and Politics has clouded your mind with false images. As far as trying to fill Noyola's shoes he is his own person and I am my own. My ideals are set in stone built from many years of community involvement and activism.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2492"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by renesaenz27 on June 9, 2007 at 10:12 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2492/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"Priscilla Leal was elected because she was not tied to the politicos who own Noyola and that you are seeking to appeal too."<br />Can you prove that? Nope! that's what I thought. You seem to think you know plenty but unfortunately you don't know anything. I'll be praying for you tonight that the lord help you find some common sense.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"Again, this was nothing more than a photo opportunity and I called you out on it."<br />Again I was asked to attend this event and then asked to speak. At the beginning I was out of the sight of the camara's but when asked to come into the crowd I did. When asked to speak I did based on my strong feelings about the issue at hand. The issue is good for the area, region, but most importantly the westside. Seems to me you don't think this crosstown commons is no good for Corpus Christi. You also seem bothered by me being in the photo. Well I'm sure as a Leal supporter I would be bothered to and be making statements of a conspiracy. Well tough! I already gave my reason for being on tv and the paper.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"I will give you the benefit of doubt that economic development is essential as you stated in your political sheet in the Caller Times though on January 4, 2007. (Caller Times n.p.) But, it is not everything and we sure do not need any middle class yuppie paternalism representing us in District 3. Hubris is a dangerous thing."</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">For a student at TAMUCC you sure don't know very much, especially when it comes to journalism. The Jan. 4, 2007 sheet that they wrote did not include about 90% of what I said. The writer chooses what they write a place in the paper and everything else gets left out. I am not a one issue person and if you'd like, you can give me your address and I will send you my material that I used when I went blockwalking. I agree what was written was not everything and I ran on many issues which is stated in my literature. In fact the TIF I was also advocating included the neighborhoods around certain areas in the district to be utilized for only neighborhood development of infrustructure. That was not mentioned in the article. In fact, I'm the only candidate that took that position. You see there is much you need to learn about the Mexican AMerican and politics and you don't get it from an article on a paper.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2493"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by renesaenz27 on June 9, 2007 at 10:13 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2493/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">'My name is Mike Wilson and I am a college student at TAMUCC studying Mexican-American leadership and politics in South Texas."<br />So who is your instructor and what is your major? What is the argument in your thesis? Would like to see your work if it even exists. I also am doing work on Mexican American History and Politics and it's titled " From Bullets to Ballots: The Origins and Evolution of Mexican American Civil Rights in Texas, 1836-1920."<br />You see you are studying things I studied as an undergraduate taking Chicano Studies courses at UT so what you say is nothing new to me. My study deals with the more radical years of insurrections and revolts with players such as Vicente Cardova (1838), Juan Cortina (1858), Catarino Garza (1890), and the Plan de San Diego years (1915-1918). You are looking at Mexican American Politics from a narrow glass. You still need much to learn about the culture, history, and politics considering your outside status.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"I am not attacking you personally"<br />Yes you are and you demonstrated that above. But I have been attacked and accused of many things that is not true but I laugh it off. And I'm sure that in your study of Mexican American Politics you will encounter (Anglo) people like yourself who make false accusations against a Mexican AMerican who only seek the best for their community regardless of their ethnicity.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"I see is a photo opportunity and South Texas paternalism by the Mexican-American middle class. Basically, you and others like you have only replaced the Anglo political system in your communities."</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Accusations that cannot be proven. You make all these assertions without evidence to back your conclusion. Your work cited is weak and at UT Austin they'd throw you out for making assertions with no evidence to back your conclusions.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2511"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by renesaenz27 on June 9, 2007 at 11:12 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2511/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">OH by the way, everything you make reference to are you accusing all the individuals that showed up to the press conference, including Nancy Vera, Joe Cisneros, etc., all in same category as attempting to replace the Anglo political system? If Priscilla Leal is a strong supporter of this Crosstown Commons project wouldn't that make her part of that class of MExican Americans attempting to the replace the "Anglo" political system?</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2514"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by truthincc on June 9, 2007 at 11:44 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2514/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Not surprising but discussion gets off the real issues and ignores that not a person at that press conference has or could evaluate the information on which they are relying. They are all just supportive of this based on the information provided by the developer combined with their wanting it to be true. If this project were being proposed on the Island or on Saratoga, I have a feeling they would be opposing that and advocating the other location.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2519"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by curtis on June 9, 2007 at 11:59 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2519/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">InTheKnow, I'm pretty sure the General Contractor will be EMJ Corporation and not Fulton Construction. EMJ is a company that is related to CBL. Perhaps Fulton will do some work, and if so good for them, but I'm pretty sure Fulton is out of the equation unless they provide some other construction services on the project which I doubt. So I'm pretty sure Fulton is out of the equation. There's also a lot of subcontractors out there that would have a tremendous opportunity to do work including electricians, HVAC, plumbing, concrete suppliers, etc. This project is estimated to be a two year project, so there's a lot of construction work to be accomplished.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">And I personally know Rene Saenz, and he is a good man, not a political opportunist. He is very involved in politics, and most of the time (99.9%) I disagree with him on issues - but I know he has a good heart and cares about Corpus Christi. He and I just have different ways about caring for the community. I'm actually glad he and I finally agree on a development idea.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2520"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by nvera43 on June 10, 2007 at 12:03 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2520/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Truthincc, How can you make such blanket statements? I have extensive educational and personal experience in analysis, statistics, business and scholarly writings. People at the press conference included business people, educators, attorneys and doctors. Your statements ring hollow when they are based on assumption and personal prejudices.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2522"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by kingalonzoalvarezdepineda13 on June 10, 2007 at 12:29 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2522/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"Representatives from LULAC, the American GI Forum, the NAACP, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce say the complex would bring jobs and spending to the west side, improving the neighborhood, and the outlook for neighborhood youth. They also say the site would keep dollars in the area, as opposed to shoppers doing their spending in other Texas cities."</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">JK: Really, I have not had an interest in this project until it has become apparent there is an issue of fairness involved. Should this center be built there is no assurance that the development will blossom. Then it can be sold or leased by institutions like Del Mar College (Albertsons) and like the Lantana shopping mall has been utilized and others not on the tip of my tongue right now. Nevertheless, the structure will be utilized and the infrastructure usage will be taxed; so yes, IMO the city should take responsibility for the infrastructure cost like all of the other projects and pet projects in the past.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"But, the developer has stated that work could not begin until the city agrees to reimburse any costs for enhancing the site's infrastructure. Water lines and road would would need to be done before construction could begin, and the community groups now speaking out - want to make sure the city commits to picking up the bill."</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">JK: I dont know who the Developer is at this point but he or she should be supported in this endeavor. The land is not being given away (if I am not mistaken). The only other issue is that this development include the local minority contractors (at least 40%).</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Joe Ortiz, with the American GI Forum and LULAC, says, "You have a lot of other projects that have been done this way and the city is not committing to that. In other words, mister developer, you're on your own."</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Who is Mister Developer?</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Why would the city not support this growth?</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">The response I received from my network goes something like this:</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"The development probably wont make it but let em build it, it is their money."</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"The elite dont want to lose the hispanic westside $$$$$$$$$ while the Mall is booming. They want the west side to shop on the Southside."</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"There shouldn't be any differentiation between the west and the south side. We are all in this South Padre Island Drive corridor," LULAC Council #4444 President Nancy Vera said Friday. "There's plenty of money to go around."</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">JK: To me, this area is still part of the southside.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">This money is not the same money where we can shift it to funding the certification of our ballistics lab but we need to focus on that area as well.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2523"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Posted by abc123 on June 9, 2007 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />There are many empty storefronts available for businesses on SPID and at the malls. I object to tax incentives for businesses to build new places instead of using what is available. The city will have to get the tax monies somewhere, and guess who will pay? If the new businesses cannot or will not compete with what is already in place they should not be subsidized by me and my tax money.<br /><br />Posted by truthincc on June 9, 2007 at 7:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />Turning this into a westside-southside issue just indicates the person does not have a clue as to the real issues but that is becoming normal here.<br /><br />Posted by Houston_Rider on June 9, 2007 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />I wouldn't put a mall in that area. Everything North of Saratoga is over 25 years old. 75% of housing in CC is more than 30 years old. There are too many abandon buildings in this city. Even Southside strip malls are losing tenants.<br /><br />Why would someone want to invest in an area that cant support itself? Attracting mainstream anchor stores and national chains is going to take more than location, its going to take people spending $$. For some reason LULAC thinks its being developed to give people jobs. No money is being spent here, we can't support the mall and shops we have now.<br /><br />Posted by jimd on June 9, 2007 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />This says it all! -- "Nancy Vera, president of League of United Latin American Citizens No. 4444 and members from LULAC No. 1, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the American GI Forum and the Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce"<br /><br />Now there's a fine group of business men and women! hah! And those groups are always looking for a handout. They will fight tooth and nail to keep seasoned developers from getting a tax incentive.<br /><br />Posted by nl.lozano on June 9, 2007 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />I am currently in an office space at Sunrise Mall, where retail stores are becoming a thing of the past. Crosstown Commons will actively pursue anchor stores like Dillards and Sears. You should know that small retailers usually have a clause in their lease that allows them to break a lease if the anchor stores are closed. Another half empty mall is not what we need. If Crosstown Commons is so interested in our community, why don't they buy Sunrise Mall? Answer....because then they cannot use tax incentives for "improvements". Large anchor stores like Nordstroms and Bloomingdales will not come to Corpus Christi because our shopping population is not up to their standards. Let's open our eyes people, Crosstown Commons is in it for themselves. I support development in our city, but wrong is wrong, expecially when there are other existing options. By the way, I am Latino, and "we" don't always support LULAC!! haha<br /><br />Posted by browntide on June 9, 2007 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />This is not a Southside/Westside issue. Any reference to that is ridiculous! It is a Corpus Christi Issue!!<br /><br />The Crosstown Commons wants to use future money they would otherwise have to pay to the City to give incentives to Pull, Rob, Steal and otherwise intice existing retailers in Corpus over to their project.....Just 4 miles away from where they already exist. More empty spaces and blight will result in those existing developments. They call this TIF/380 financing- but this is not what TIFs were intended to be used for.<br /><br />Using a TIF to relocate existing retail businesses to one development at the expense of other developments is a BAD IDEA. Especially when the existing developments pay 100% of their share of sales taxes and property taxes. No Free Ride.<br /><br />Has Crosstown promised Neiman Marcus, Nordstroms? NO! Why not? Because We Don't Have the high paying jobs that would support that kind of retail. They're taking Dillards, Macy's and Penny's and moving them up the street. Along with attempting to relocate many others.<br /><br />Kansas City gave out TIFs and is $250 mil in the hole on broken promises by developers like Crosstown Commons!<br /><br />Posted by curtis on June 9, 2007 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />I've been looking at all sides of the issue - very open-mindedly I should add. I would support the granting of tax incentives to attract investment in Corpus Christi. This development is not supposed to be your local mall, and the point of this mall is to create something on a regional scale - not to compete with Padre Staples or Sunrise, but rather to compete with Shops at La Canterra in San Antonio. We need to start looking less local, and more regional and more global. Of course it will attract local shoppers, and that certainly is part of their market - but they're really interested in bringing outsiders into Corpus Christi for shopping. I personally don't see anything wrong with this.<br /><br />Now, in terms of the abandoned and empty buildings throughout Corpus Christi, we all know this is a natural cycle. Look at any advanced economy or economically developed city, and there will be flight and empty buildings that come with it. Businesses want to be where the next big thing is, especially the retail business which is clearly about trends. Eventually, something will happen to redevelop the empty buildings such as the proposed improvements to the Lichenstein Building, or Wal Mart buying Parkdale Plaza with plans to redevelop.<br /><br />I think this development will be a good stimulus not just for the Westside of town, but the entire region - ONLY if Crosstown Commons markets it correctly as a regional mall which they say they intend to do. We know that developers aren't always forthright, but then again neither are opponents of development either. My contention is that if the Crosstown Commons intends to make this mall something regional to market throughout South Texas, then I would support it. If not, then there's no point in building this mall or providing tax incentives through a TIF.<br /><br />Posted by renesaenz27 on June 9, 2007 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />I take offense to the statement that individuals living in housing south of Saratoga can not sustain themselves financially. I live in this area and our family household income last year was a little over $96000 and I reside around the proximity where the development is taking place. If you create perimeters around the land where crosstown commons will be located with a radius of about 2 miles you will find housing ranging anywhere from a low of $20000 to a high of $200000-350000. Ask johnny carinos, fuddruckers, or other businesses if they are profiting and I can assure you they are doing just fine. The real problem is that competition is not valued. The Padre Staples mall has so many empty stores because they charge to much rental space. I'm sure that will be going down when we introduce Crosstown Commons. Wake up people! Do you want to continue living the lifestyle of the Geico Neanderthal or are you ready to move into the 21st Century? Lifestyles attract people to live in communities and we must adapt to that change.<br /><br />Posted by dcardona on June 9, 2007 at 12:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />How can any one say it's not a West and South issue? If this was being built on the Southside how many of you would remember the issues of our already depleted malls. Westside is becoming run down only because all money is spend on new development on the Southside. How many new shopping centers, gyms, restaurants have opened or will be opened along Staples/Saratoga area? Repaved or adding new and better streets are on the Southside. So...How many of you complained of abandon buildings or traffic conjestions when these were being built in Southside? I can bet none.<br />It's about time Westside will have something to better this part of Corpus Christi. Maybe now Corpus Christi will include us in repaved, better streets, tax revenue to better our area, and more jobs.<br />No matter where you live in we all live in Corpus Christi. Westside, Southside, Northside, Eastside...or wherever we are all one City.<br />By the way...you ever wonder why our malls are lacking traffic, why we have abandon building/shopping centers...where do you all shop? San Antonio, Dallas, San Marcos Outlets..maybe it's time we quit spending our monies in other Cities and take care of ours. This new development just might be what Corpus Christ needs to get new developers in our area, thus making us a Better City. And just maybe, all you out of town shoppers just might considered to shop here if we had the same stores just as SA or the Outlets.<br /><br />Posted by nvera43 on June 9, 2007 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />The Crosstown Commons is a great idea for our entire city. If this community is a ghost town, it is because we continue to succumb to antiquated attitudes and ideas. The tone of some of the letters above reeks with pessimism and bitterness. I have paid taxes in Corpus Christi all of my life - in fact - my family has paid taxes in this city for over a century. It is my belief that this development will bring positive growth for the entire city. I, too, sometimes disagree with the stance that some civic and civil rights organizations take, but that doesn't mean I am always right. The position taken on this development by LULAC, the NAACP, the American GI Forum and the Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is based on extensive quality research and what they believe is in the best interest of ALL the citizens in Corpus Christi - not just for a select few. The opportunities for small business growth will multiply, job opportunities will multiply, and the standard of living for our citizens will increase. If we stick with old ideas, we will be stuck in the economic dark ages for another century. I say out with the old and in with the new. Let's raise our standards rather than sticking with what we believe is safe. Be not afraid. We are jeopardizing our future if we stick to old-fashioned ideas. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for our community. The TIF will be paid for by future property tax on the property on which Crosstown Commons will be developed. Additionally, the sales tax that is generated by this project will be significant. We can use this money for education and for city improvements. We need the roads and we need the development. What we don't need are people who continually stunt the growth of our community because of their brash and loud negativity or because they want to monopolize the economic market in our city to get richer. Do your research, please. It's time for all of us to share in the piece of the pie.<br /><br />Posted by nvera43 on June 9, 2007 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />Additionally, the city has spent tax dollars improving the streets around the Sunrise Mall and the Padre Staples Mall. These establishments have had an opportunity to enhance their buildings and business for years. Even the idea of a little competition has spurred renovations at Padre Staples Mall. It seems to me that competition will be a valuable win for the consumer in this city. This is a good thing. :)<br /><br />Posted by mikeisalone on June 9, 2007 at 1:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />Looks, like Rene Saenz still has political aspirations. Using this as a photo opportunity and a chance to be seen as a voice for the Westside. A champion for the Westside because he lives on the Westside. Gimme a break, your domicile is an excuse for you to seek a political office.<br /><br />Were do you teach government at Mr. Saenz? At Carroll High School, on the Central Southside area of the city! Why are you not truly standing up for the Westside by teaching at Miller High School or any of the middle schools located on the Westside? A typical political opportunist, who will be running in the next local election as a champion of the Westside. The hypocrisy.<br /><br />Posted by renesaenz27 on June 9, 2007 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />Miller HS did not give me the job although I went to apply several times. I was a soccer coach at miller HS last year. I can't force the principal to give me a job even if I apply for it. Carroll HS saw me as an asset and offered me the job. I am proud to work at Carroll HS. I grew up in the westside and my family still live iin the westside. I guess some people are still taking it hard that I did not endorse their preferred candidate, the one with the least qualifications. I guess mikeisalone is worried that I might be running against their preferred candidate in two years. At least I don't hide behind a hinden name because my name is exposed. You should consider exposing your name unless you were like your preferred candidate who did not expose herself to the public.<br /><br />Posted by drtcpip on June 9, 2007 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />Viva La Raza! Tax breaks for the Wal-Marts, man! Power to da people, man! Viva Wal-Mart. Tax breaks for da people man! Eh gringo, subsidize my Wal-Mart man.<br /><br />Posted by mikeisalone on June 9, 2007 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />In an interview with the Caller Times, CCISD Superintendent Scott Elliff stated, "administrators met with the applicants over a week-long period, assessing them in areas of content knowledge, instructional strategies and commitment to Miller and its students."(Garza n.p.) Those that met that criterion were hired. I guess you did not have what it takes to teach and empathize with your people from the Westside. You did try several times.<br /><br />Elliff also stated that the "idea of reconstitution of staff is to be able to select a team with a common vision, and a passion for educating students in a challenging environment.” (Garza) So your credentials of growing up in the Westside and politics did not help you?!<br /><br />In reference to being hired at Carroll maybe you fit in better with those of your own socioeconomic status. You did state earlier that, "our family household income last year was a little over $96000 and I reside around the proximity where the development is taking place." Well, thanks for your paternalistic concern about us working class, but we do not need that type of mentality attempting to represent us. I guess you are trying to fill the Noyola vacuum? Those are not very big shoes to fill; all you have to do is cry that you are looking out for the “working people.”<br /><br />Priscilla Leal was elected because she was not tied to the politicos who own Noyola and that you are seeking to appeal too. Again, this was nothing more than a photo opportunity and I called you out on it. I will give you the benefit of doubt that economic development is essential as you stated in your political sheet in the Caller Times though on January 4, 2007. (Caller Times n.p.) But, it is not everything and we sure do not need any middle class yuppie paternalism representing us in District 3. Hubris is a dangerous thing.<br /><br />My name is Mike Wilson and I am a college student at TAMUCC studying<br />Mexican-American leadership and politics in South Texas. I am not attacking you personally, what I see is a photo opportunity and South Texas paternalism by the Mexican-American middle class. Basically, you and others like you have only replaced the Anglo political system in your communities.<br /><br />Works Cited<br /><br />“Rene Saenz to run for City Council District 3”. Caller Times 4 Jan. 2007: Scripps Texas Newspapers, L.A.P. Scripps Howard Newspapers. 9 June. 2007 http://www.caller.com/news/2007/jan/04/r...<br /><br />Garza, Adrian. “Changes at Miller pull heartstrings”. Caller Times 20 May. 2007: Scripps Texas Newspapers, L.P.A.Scripps Howard Newspapers. 9 June. 2007 http://www.caller.com/news/2007/may/20/c....<br /><br />Posted by nvera43 on June 9, 2007 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />drtcpip - Your statements reflect intolerance and mendacity.<br /><br />Mr. Wilson, Thank you for studying Mexican-American leadership and politics in South Texas. I would like meet with you to discuss your perspective. My e-mail address is nvera43@aol.com. Priscilla Leal is the lead supporter of the Crosstown Commons. She's doing a fantastic job.<br /><br />Posted by jpercer on June 9, 2007 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />Why on earth would anyone want to bring a Neiman Marcus to Corpus Christi? I'd challenge everyone here to go into a Neiman Marcus (There's one in San Antonio, On La Cantera), go to the mens section, and look at the price tags for the same T-Shirt you can get at wal mart, for about 80 dollars more. This isn't the kind of development we need for Corpus Christi. I appreciate the initiative, but please keep the development realistic with our population.<br /><br />Posted by truthincc on June 9, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />Nvera you have to be kidding yourself if you think that extensive research was done by those organizations. They bought the line by the developer and besides that it was a line they wanted to believe even if it was not true.<br /><br />Posted by intheknow on June 9, 2007 at 6:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />Folks, look deeper into who has $ intrest in the development. Who will build it, who will fin it, who will rent it, ect. Its the same old establishment. Lets make sure that fin disclousers are filed. Let a little sun in and see what happens. How much you want to bet joe fulton gets the contract to build it! The song remains the same. The same people who back the caller times. Old corpus money. The song remains the same.<br /><br />Posted by amadeus3678 on June 9, 2007 at 6:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />why on earth would Dillards or Macy or any other high class store want to build right behind Tinseltown, where just a couple of years ago little hoods killed people at night coming out of the theatre.<br /><br />If you don't think that's gang territory over there, I suggest you take a drive down Greenwood and Gollihar, oh yeah, West Point is close by too. And Prescott. And tell me if you saw ONE single house or wood fence that didn't have gang graffiti on it. I dare you.<br /><br />And you really think that Dillards and Macy's want to have a store close to THAT neighbourhood?<br /><br />Posted by nvera43 on June 9, 2007 at 7:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />On the contrary, inthe know, it is old money that wants to keep the status quo. Will you please do your research?<br /><br />amadeaus 3678, there have been stabbings, murders and graffiti all over this town. Maybe we should have closed the malls when there was a stabbing? You are stereotyping. We must stop confusing this economic issue with name calling and stereotyping. I live in this neighborhood and I am sorry that you think all of us are thugs. Oh, and my house has never been vandalized or had gang graffiti painted on it. It's time for economic growth!<br /><br />Posted by stff on June 9, 2007 at 9:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />Count this white boy from Calallen in favor of this project.<br /><br />It sounds like to me the old boy network here in Corpus has done an excellent job brainwashing a certain segment of the population that tax breaks for economic development is bad. Alot of the old boy network as I can tell are the local developers and without naming names, they have done their part in derailing certain projects that have been proposed around this city (think bayfront).<br /><br />You want evidence of the old boy network look no further than the current and soon the be former owners of Padre Staples Mall. They have done ZERO to improve their mall because they were content on what they had because they have managed to keep out the competetion. Finally some developers and proven people in the mall business called their bluff and announced this project at the Crosstown. And what do they do? The very next day they annnounce all of these renovations and now in the last week they annoucned they will be selling a majority stake to a big mall holding company. if I were Macys of Dillards and some one wanted to build something cutting edge and new, I'd jump in heartbeat since the soon to be prior management dragged their feet with improvments. Heck those merchants and others know tthat good money is leaving this town that should be staying here.<br /><br />As a former Valley resident that keeps up with the news and happening down there, I can contest the progressive valley cities down there have used tax incentives that make the one asked by CBL look like peanuts for all sorts of development. Mercedes is the home of a new outlets mall and part of the deal was the company that built that mall would get a sizeable % of tax receipts that would decrease by the year. And what has happened ? The net revenues to the city after the company gets their share have increased. And those revenues are being used to pay for city services that otherwise would have to come from the property tax base. What a novel concept that maybe the folks that complain about high property taxes around here should think twice before shutting the door on a business or industry that might be able to help offset those increase or even lower the burden of property taxpayers.<br /><br />Another thing the againers are going to have to get over and realize real quick is if you all that cry about our kids leaving because their are no jobs if you want the big, high tech type business to even give Corpus the time of day, we are going to have to offer tax incentives. Please find a large metro area in this state that does not dangle those type of carrots to get big employers to move in. San Antonio has done with Toyota and Mircrosoft. Why does Corpus have to be different? And yes they do pay attention to how we deal with prior opportunites , no matter how small or big they might be.<br /><br />Maybe it's going to take the younger generation (under 40) to get this done? Sooner or later we will reverse this attitude in this town.<br /><br />Posted by renesaenz27 on June 9, 2007 at 10:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />"Those that met that criterion were hired. I guess you did not have what it takes to teach and empathize with your people from the Westside. You did try several times."<br />Twice to be exact. The first time I was offered but I had already accepted another job. The second time non-hispanics interviewed me and I later found out that the one who got the job was a personal friend of one who conducted the interview. Can't compete with politics and getting a job. Sometimes a persons credentials doesn't matter. You've heard the saying "It's not what you know, it's who you know." Maybe it is that kind of decision making that has placed Miller HS, the school that I went to, in the condition that it is in.<br /><br />"So your credentials of growing up in the Westside and politics did not help you?"<br />When reconstitution went in to effect, I didn't bother to apply. I'm working with the best principal in CCISD. BEsides don't want to be in a working environment where tensions ran high between administration and teachers. The politics of employment does play a factor. Also, wouldn't be able to transfer for two years even if I wanted to.<br /><br />"In reference to being hired at Carroll maybe you fit in better with those of your own socioeconomic status. You did state earlier that, "our family household income last year was a little over $96000 and I reside around the proximity where the development is taking place." Well, thanks for your paternalistic concern about us working class, but we do not need that type of mentality attempting to represent us. I guess you are trying to fill the Noyola vacuum? Those are not very big shoes to fill; all you have to do is cry that you are looking out for the “working people.”"<br /><br />Or maybe I am just a damn good teacher. You seem you prejudge me as if somehow you know everything about me. Yes I live in the area around Carroll and my socioeconomic status has increased. But that comes from hard work and discipline. See I came from the westside and grew up in a three room house on Mohawk St, you know in la quarenta, went to Lozano, Oak Park, Driscoll, and Miller. Went to UT-Austin and graduated with a BA in government with a minor in history. I could have chosen not to come back to CC but I did and have been active in politics before I went to UT and after. My participation in the Crosstown Commons Press Conference came to me by e-mail urging some of us to attend. I did so and when I got there I was asked to speak so I did. I do not know what type of mentality you refer to since you do not know me personally. I guess your classes in Mexican AMerican History and Politics has clouded your mind with false images. As far as trying to fill Noyola's shoes he is his own person and I am my own. My ideals are set in stone built from many years of community involvement and activism.<br /><br />Posted by renesaenz27 on June 9, 2007 at 10:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />"Priscilla Leal was elected because she was not tied to the politicos who own Noyola and that you are seeking to appeal too."<br />Can you prove that? Nope! that's what I thought. You seem to think you know plenty but unfortunately you don't know anything. I'll be praying for you tonight that the lord help you find some common sense.<br /><br />"Again, this was nothing more than a photo opportunity and I called you out on it."<br />Again I was asked to attend this event and then asked to speak. At the beginning I was out of the sight of the camara's but when asked to come into the crowd I did. When asked to speak I did based on my strong feelings about the issue at hand. The issue is good for the area, region, but most importantly the westside. Seems to me you don't think this crosstown commons is no good for Corpus Christi. You also seem bothered by me being in the photo. Well I'm sure as a Leal supporter I would be bothered to and be making statements of a conspiracy. Well tough! I already gave my reason for being on tv and the paper.<br /><br />"I will give you the benefit of doubt that economic development is essential as you stated in your political sheet in the Caller Times though on January 4, 2007. (Caller Times n.p.) But, it is not everything and we sure do not need any middle class yuppie paternalism representing us in District 3. Hubris is a dangerous thing."<br /><br />For a student at TAMUCC you sure don't know very much, especially when it comes to journalism. The Jan. 4, 2007 sheet that they wrote did not include about 90% of what I said. The writer chooses what they write a place in the paper and everything else gets left out. I am not a one issue person and if you'd like, you can give me your address and I will send you my material that I used when I went blockwalking. I agree what was written was not everything and I ran on many issues which is stated in my literature. In fact the TIF I was also advocating included the neighborhoods around certain areas in the district to be utilized for only neighborhood development of infrustructure. That was not mentioned in the article. In fact, I'm the only candidate that took that position. You see there is much you need to learn about the Mexican AMerican and politics and you don't get it from an article on a paper.<br /><br />Posted by renesaenz27 on June 9, 2007 at 10:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />'My name is Mike Wilson and I am a college student at TAMUCC studying Mexican-American leadership and politics in South Texas."<br />So who is your instructor and what is your major? What is the argument in your thesis? Would like to see your work if it even exists. I also am doing work on Mexican American History and Politics and it's titled " From Bullets to Ballots: The Origins and Evolution of Mexican American Civil Rights in Texas, 1836-1920."<br />You see you are studying things I studied as an undergraduate taking Chicano Studies courses at UT so what you say is nothing new to me. My study deals with the more radical years of insurrections and revolts with players such as Vicente Cardova (1838), Juan Cortina (1858), Catarino Garza (1890), and the Plan de San Diego years (1915-1918). You are looking at Mexican American Politics from a narrow glass. You still need much to learn about the culture, history, and politics considering your outside status.<br /><br />"I am not attacking you personally"<br />Yes you are and you demonstrated that above. But I have been attacked and accused of many things that is not true but I laugh it off. And I'm sure that in your study of Mexican American Politics you will encounter (Anglo) people like yourself who make false accusations against a Mexican AMerican who only seek the best for their community regardless of their ethnicity.<br /><br />"I see is a photo opportunity and South Texas paternalism by the Mexican-American middle class. Basically, you and others like you have only replaced the Anglo political system in your communities."<br /><br />Accusations that cannot be proven. You make all these assertions without evidence to back your conclusion. Your work cited is weak and at UT Austin they'd throw you out for making assertions with no evidence to back your conclusions.<br /><br />Posted by renesaenz27 on June 9, 2007 at 11:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />OH by the way, everything you make reference to are you accusing all the individuals that showed up to the press conference, including Nancy Vera, Joe Cisneros, etc., all in same category as attempting to replace the Anglo political system? If Priscilla Leal is a strong supporter of this Crosstown Commons project wouldn't that make her part of that class of MExican Americans attempting to the replace the "Anglo" political system?<br /><br />Posted by truthincc on June 9, 2007 at 11:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />Not surprising but discussion gets off the real issues and ignores that not a person at that press conference has or could evaluate the information on which they are relying. They are all just supportive of this based on the information provided by the developer combined with their wanting it to be true. If this project were being proposed on the Island or on Saratoga, I have a feeling they would be opposing that and advocating the other location.<br /><br />Posted by curtis on June 9, 2007 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />InTheKnow, I'm pretty sure the General Contractor will be EMJ Corporation and not Fulton Construction. EMJ is a company that is related to CBL. Perhaps Fulton will do some work, and if so good for them, but I'm pretty sure Fulton is out of the equation unless they provide some other construction services on the project which I doubt. So I'm pretty sure Fulton is out of the equation. There's also a lot of subcontractors out there that would have a tremendous opportunity to do work including electricians, HVAC, plumbing, concrete suppliers, etc. This project is estimated to be a two year project, so there's a lot of construction work to be accomplished.<br /><br />And I personally know Rene Saenz, and he is a good man, not a political opportunist. He is very involved in politics, and most of the time (99.9%) I disagree with him on issues - but I know he has a good heart and cares about Corpus Christi. He and I just have different ways about caring for the community. I'm actually glad he and I finally agree on a development idea.<br /><br />Posted by nvera43 on June 10, 2007 at 12:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />Truthincc, How can you make such blanket statements? I have extensive educational and personal experience in analysis, statistics, business and scholarly writings. People at the press conference included business people, educators, attorneys and doctors. Your statements ring hollow when they are based on assumption and personal prejudices.<br /><br />Posted by kingalonzoalvarezdepineda13 on June 10, 2007 at 12:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)<br /><br />"Representatives from LULAC, the American GI Forum, the NAACP, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce say the complex would bring jobs and spending to the west side, improving the neighborhood, and the outlook for neighborhood youth. They also say the site would keep dollars in the area, as opposed to shoppers doing their spending in other Texas cities."<br /><br />JK: Really, I have not had an interest in this project until it has become apparent there is an issue of fairness involved. Should this center be built there is no assurance that the development will blossom. Then it can be sold or leased by institutions like Del Mar College (Albertsons) and like the Lantana shopping mall has been utilized and others not on the tip of my tongue right now. Nevertheless, the structure will be utilized and the infrastructure usage will be taxed; so yes, IMO the city should take responsibility for the infrastructure cost like all of the other projects and pet projects in the past.<br /><br />"But, the developer has stated that work could not begin until the city agrees to reimburse any costs for enhancing the site's infrastructure. Water lines and road would would need to be done before construction could begin, and the community groups now speaking out - want to make sure the city commits to picking up the bill."<br /><br />JK: I dont know who the Developer is at this point but he or she should be supported in this endeavor. The land is not being given away (if I am not mistaken). The only other issue is that this development include the local minority contractors (at least 40%).<br /><br />Joe Ortiz, with the American GI Forum and LULAC, says, "You have a lot of other projects that have been done this way and the city is not committing to that. In other words, mister developer, you're on your own."<br /><br />Who is Mister Developer?<br /><br />Why would the city not support this growth?<br /><br />The response I received from my network goes something like this:<br /><br />"The development probably wont make it but let em build it, it is their money."<br /><br />"The elite dont want to lose the hispanic westside $$$$$$$$$ while the Mall is booming. They want the west side to shop on the Southside."<br /><br />"There shouldn't be any differentiation between the west and the south side. We are all in this South Padre Island Drive corridor," LULAC Council #4444 President Nancy Vera said Friday. "There's plenty of money to go around."<br /><br />JK: To me, this area is still part of the southside.<br /><br />This money is not the same money where we can shift it to funding the certification of our ballistics lab but we need to focus on that area as well.<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2377"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by abc123 on June 9, 2007 at 7:33 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2377/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">There are many empty storefronts available for businesses on SPID and at the malls. I object to tax incentives for businesses to build new places instead of using what is available. The city will have to get the tax monies somewhere, and guess who will pay? If the new businesses cannot or will not compete with what is already in place they should not be subsidized by me and my tax money.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2378"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by truthincc on June 9, 2007 at 7:36 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2378/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Turning this into a westside-southside issue just indicates the person does not have a clue as to the real issues but that is becoming normal here.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2383"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by Houston_Rider on June 9, 2007 at 7:56 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2383/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">I wouldn't put a mall in that area. Everything North of Saratoga is over 25 years old. 75% of housing in CC is more than 30 years old. There are too many abandon buildings in this city. Even Southside strip malls are losing tenants.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Why would someone want to invest in an area that cant support itself? Attracting mainstream anchor stores and national chains is going to take more than location, its going to take people spending $$. For some reason LULAC thinks its being developed to give people jobs. No money is being spent here, we can't support the mall and shops we have now.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2388"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by jimd on June 9, 2007 at 8:10 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2388/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">This says it all! -- "Nancy Vera, president of League of United Latin American Citizens No. 4444 and members from LULAC No. 1, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the American GI Forum and the Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce"</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Now there's a fine group of business men and women! hah! And those groups are always looking for a handout. They will fight tooth and nail to keep seasoned developers from getting a tax incentive.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2404"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by nl.lozano on June 9, 2007 at 9:18 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2404/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">I am currently in an office space at Sunrise Mall, where retail stores are becoming a thing of the past. Crosstown Commons will actively pursue anchor stores like Dillards and Sears. You should know that small retailers usually have a clause in their lease that allows them to break a lease if the anchor stores are closed. Another half empty mall is not what we need. If Crosstown Commons is so interested in our community, why don't they buy Sunrise Mall? Answer....because then they cannot use tax incentives for "improvements". Large anchor stores like Nordstroms and Bloomingdales will not come to Corpus Christi because our shopping population is not up to their standards. Let's open our eyes people, Crosstown Commons is in it for themselves. I support development in our city, but wrong is wrong, expecially when there are other existing options. By the way, I am Latino, and "we" don't always support LULAC!! haha</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2424"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by browntide on June 9, 2007 at 10:40 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2424/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">This is not a Southside/Westside issue. Any reference to that is ridiculous! It is a Corpus Christi Issue!!</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">The Crosstown Commons wants to use future money they would otherwise have to pay to the City to give incentives to Pull, Rob, Steal and otherwise intice existing retailers in Corpus over to their project.....Just 4 miles away from where they already exist. More empty spaces and blight will result in those existing developments. They call this TIF/380 financing- but this is not what TIFs were intended to be used for.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Using a TIF to relocate existing retail businesses to one development at the expense of other developments is a BAD IDEA. Especially when the existing developments pay 100% of their share of sales taxes and property taxes. No Free Ride.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Has Crosstown promised Neiman Marcus, Nordstroms? NO! Why not? Because We Don't Have the high paying jobs that would support that kind of retail. They're taking Dillards, Macy's and Penny's and moving them up the street. Along with attempting to relocate many others.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Kansas City gave out TIFs and is $250 mil in the hole on broken promises by developers like Crosstown Commons!</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2431"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by curtis on June 9, 2007 at 11:59 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2431/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">I've been looking at all sides of the issue - very open-mindedly I should add. I would support the granting of tax incentives to attract investment in Corpus Christi. This development is not supposed to be your local mall, and the point of this mall is to create something on a regional scale - not to compete with Padre Staples or Sunrise, but rather to compete with Shops at La Canterra in San Antonio. We need to start looking less local, and more regional and more global. Of course it will attract local shoppers, and that certainly is part of their market - but they're really interested in bringing outsiders into Corpus Christi for shopping. I personally don't see anything wrong with this.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Now, in terms of the abandoned and empty buildings throughout Corpus Christi, we all know this is a natural cycle. Look at any advanced economy or economically developed city, and there will be flight and empty buildings that come with it. Businesses want to be where the next big thing is, especially the retail business which is clearly about trends. Eventually, something will happen to redevelop the empty buildings such as the proposed improvements to the Lichenstein Building, or Wal Mart buying Parkdale Plaza with plans to redevelop.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">I think this development will be a good stimulus not just for the Westside of town, but the entire region - ONLY if Crosstown Commons markets it correctly as a regional mall which they say they intend to do. We know that developers aren't always forthright, but then again neither are opponents of development either. My contention is that if the Crosstown Commons intends to make this mall something regional to market throughout South Texas, then I would support it. If not, then there's no point in building this mall or providing tax incentives through a TIF.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2432"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by renesaenz27 on June 9, 2007 at 12:04 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2432/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">I take offense to the statement that individuals living in housing south of Saratoga can not sustain themselves financially. I live in this area and our family household income last year was a little over $96000 and I reside around the proximity where the development is taking place. If you create perimeters around the land where crosstown commons will be located with a radius of about 2 miles you will find housing ranging anywhere from a low of $20000 to a high of $200000-350000. Ask johnny carinos, fuddruckers, or other businesses if they are profiting and I can assure you they are doing just fine. The real problem is that competition is not valued. The Padre Staples mall has so many empty stores because they charge to much rental space. I'm sure that will be going down when we introduce Crosstown Commons. Wake up people! Do you want to continue living the lifestyle of the Geico Neanderthal or are you ready to move into the 21st Century? Lifestyles attract people to live in communities and we must adapt to that change.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2433"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by dcardona on June 9, 2007 at 12:20 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2433/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">How can any one say it's not a West and South issue? If this was being built on the Southside how many of you would remember the issues of our already depleted malls. Westside is becoming run down only because all money is spend on new development on the Southside. How many new shopping centers, gyms, restaurants have opened or will be opened along Staples/Saratoga area? Repaved or adding new and better streets are on the Southside. So...How many of you complained of abandon buildings or traffic conjestions when these were being built in Southside? I can bet none.<br />It's about time Westside will have something to better this part of Corpus Christi. Maybe now Corpus Christi will include us in repaved, better streets, tax revenue to better our area, and more jobs.<br />No matter where you live in we all live in Corpus Christi. Westside, Southside, Northside, Eastside...or wherever we are all one City.<br />By the way...you ever wonder why our malls are lacking traffic, why we have abandon building/shopping centers...where do you all shop? San Antonio, Dallas, San Marcos Outlets..maybe it's time we quit spending our monies in other Cities and take care of ours. This new development just might be what Corpus Christ needs to get new developers in our area, thus making us a Better City. And just maybe, all you out of town shoppers just might considered to shop here if we had the same stores just as SA or the Outlets.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2437"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by nvera43 on June 9, 2007 at 12:53 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2437/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">The Crosstown Commons is a great idea for our entire city. If this community is a ghost town, it is because we continue to succumb to antiquated attitudes and ideas. The tone of some of the letters above reeks with pessimism and bitterness. I have paid taxes in Corpus Christi all of my life - in fact - my family has paid taxes in this city for over a century. It is my belief that this development will bring positive growth for the entire city. I, too, sometimes disagree with the stance that some civic and civil rights organizations take, but that doesn't mean I am always right. The position taken on this development by LULAC, the NAACP, the American GI Forum and the Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is based on extensive quality research and what they believe is in the best interest of ALL the citizens in Corpus Christi - not just for a select few. The opportunities for small business growth will multiply, job opportunities will multiply, and the standard of living for our citizens will increase. If we stick with old ideas, we will be stuck in the economic dark ages for another century. I say out with the old and in with the new. Let's raise our standards rather than sticking with what we believe is safe. Be not afraid. We are jeopardizing our future if we stick to old-fashioned ideas. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for our community. The TIF will be paid for by future property tax on the property on which Crosstown Commons will be developed. Additionally, the sales tax that is generated by this project will be significant. We can use this money for education and for city improvements. We need the roads and we need the development. What we don't need are people who continually stunt the growth of our community because of their brash and loud negativity or because they want to monopolize the economic market in our city to get richer. Do your research, please. It's time for all of us to share in the piece of the pie.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2438"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by nvera43 on June 9, 2007 at 12:58 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2438/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Additionally, the city has spent tax dollars improving the streets around the Sunrise Mall and the Padre Staples Mall. These establishments have had an opportunity to enhance their buildings and business for years. Even the idea of a little competition has spurred renovations at Padre Staples Mall. It seems to me that competition will be a valuable win for the consumer in this city. This is a good thing. :)</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2442"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by mikeisalone on June 9, 2007 at 1:45 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2442/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Looks, like Rene Saenz still has political aspirations. Using this as a photo opportunity and a chance to be seen as a voice for the Westside. A champion for the Westside because he lives on the Westside. Gimme a break, your domicile is an excuse for you to seek a political office.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Were do you teach government at Mr. Saenz? At Carroll High School, on the Central Southside area of the city! Why are you not truly standing up for the Westside by teaching at Miller High School or any of the middle schools located on the Westside? A typical political opportunist, who will be running in the next local election as a champion of the Westside. The hypocrisy.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2444"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by renesaenz27 on June 9, 2007 at 2:24 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2444/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Miller HS did not give me the job although I went to apply several times. I was a soccer coach at miller HS last year. I can't force the principal to give me a job even if I apply for it. Carroll HS saw me as an asset and offered me the job. I am proud to work at Carroll HS. I grew up in the westside and my family still live iin the westside. I guess some people are still taking it hard that I did not endorse their preferred candidate, the one with the least qualifications. I guess mikeisalone is worried that I might be running against their preferred candidate in two years. At least I don't hide behind a hinden name because my name is exposed. You should consider exposing your name unless you were like your preferred candidate who did not expose herself to the public.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2448"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by drtcpip on June 9, 2007 at 3:12 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2448/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Viva La Raza! Tax breaks for the Wal-Marts, man! Power to da people, man! Viva Wal-Mart. Tax breaks for da people man! Eh gringo, subsidize my Wal-Mart man.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2455"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by mikeisalone on June 9, 2007 at 4:57 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2455/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">In an interview with the Caller Times, CCISD Superintendent Scott Elliff stated, "administrators met with the applicants over a week-long period, assessing them in areas of content knowledge, instructional strategies and commitment to Miller and its students."(Garza n.p.) Those that met that criterion were hired. I guess you did not have what it takes to teach and empathize with your people from the Westside. You did try several times.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Elliff also stated that the "idea of reconstitution of staff is to be able to select a team with a common vision, and a passion for educating students in a challenging environment.” (Garza) So your credentials of growing up in the Westside and politics did not help you?!</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">In reference to being hired at Carroll maybe you fit in better with those of your own socioeconomic status. You did state earlier that, "our family household income last year was a little over $96000 and I reside around the proximity where the development is taking place." Well, thanks for your paternalistic concern about us working class, but we do not need that type of mentality attempting to represent us. I guess you are trying to fill the Noyola vacuum? Those are not very big shoes to fill; all you have to do is cry that you are looking out for the “working people.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Priscilla Leal was elected because she was not tied to the politicos who own Noyola and that you are seeking to appeal too. Again, this was nothing more than a photo opportunity and I called you out on it. I will give you the benefit of doubt that economic development is essential as you stated in your political sheet in the Caller Times though on January 4, 2007. (Caller Times n.p.) But, it is not everything and we sure do not need any middle class yuppie paternalism representing us in District 3. Hubris is a dangerous thing.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">My name is Mike Wilson and I am a college student at TAMUCC studying<br />Mexican-American leadership and politics in South Texas. I am not attacking you personally, what I see is a photo opportunity and South Texas paternalism by the Mexican-American middle class. Basically, you and others like you have only replaced the Anglo political system in your communities.<br /><br /> Works Cited</span> </p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">“Rene Saenz to run for City Council District 3”. Caller Times 4 Jan. 2007: Scripps Texas Newspapers, L.A.P. Scripps Howard Newspapers. 9 June. 2007 <a href="http://www.caller.com/news/2007/jan/04/rene-saenz-to-run-for-city-council-district-3/" rel="nofollow">http://www.caller.com/news/2007/jan/04/r...</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Garza, Adrian. “Changes at Miller pull heartstrings”. Caller Times 20 May. 2007: Scripps Texas Newspapers, L.P.A.Scripps Howard Newspapers. 9 June. 2007 <a href="http://www.caller.com/news/2007/may/20/changes-at-miller-pull-heartstrings/" rel="nofollow">http://www.caller.com/news/2007/may/20/c...</a>.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2457"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by nvera43 on June 9, 2007 at 5:12 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2457/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">drtcpip - Your statements reflect intolerance and mendacity.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Mr. Wilson, Thank you for studying Mexican-American leadership and politics in South Texas. I would like meet with you to discuss your perspective. My e-mail address is <a href="mailto:nvera43@aol.com">nvera43@aol.com</a>. Priscilla Leal is the lead supporter of the Crosstown Commons. She's doing a fantastic job.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2461"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by jpercer on June 9, 2007 at 5:25 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2461/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Why on earth would anyone want to bring a Neiman Marcus to Corpus Christi? I'd challenge everyone here to go into a Neiman Marcus (There's one in San Antonio, On La Cantera), go to the mens section, and look at the price tags for the same T-Shirt you can get at wal mart, for about 80 dollars more. This isn't the kind of development we need for Corpus Christi. I appreciate the initiative, but please keep the development realistic with our population.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2462"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by truthincc on June 9, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2462/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Nvera you have to be kidding yourself if you think that extensive research was done by those organizations. They bought the line by the developer and besides that it was a line they wanted to believe even if it was not true.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2464"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by intheknow on June 9, 2007 at 6:02 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2464/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Folks, look deeper into who has $ intrest in the development. Who will build it, who will fin it, who will rent it, ect. Its the same old establishment. Lets make sure that fin disclousers are filed. Let a little sun in and see what happens. How much you want to bet joe fulton gets the contract to build it! The song remains the same. The same people who back the caller times. Old corpus money. The song remains the same.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2469"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by amadeus3678 on June 9, 2007 at 6:40 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2469/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">why on earth would Dillards or Macy or any other high class store want to build right behind Tinseltown, where just a couple of years ago little hoods killed people at night coming out of the theatre.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">If you don't think that's gang territory over there, I suggest you take a drive down Greenwood and Gollihar, oh yeah, West Point is close by too. And Prescott. And tell me if you saw ONE single house or wood fence that didn't have gang graffiti on it. I dare you.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">And you really think that Dillards and Macy's want to have a store close to THAT neighbourhood?</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2472"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by nvera43 on June 9, 2007 at 7:26 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2472/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">On the contrary, inthe know, it is old money that wants to keep the status quo. Will you please do your research?</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">amadeaus 3678, there have been stabbings, murders and graffiti all over this town. Maybe we should have closed the malls when there was a stabbing? You are stereotyping. We must stop confusing this economic issue with name calling and stereotyping. I live in this neighborhood and I am sorry that you think all of us are thugs. Oh, and my house has never been vandalized or had gang graffiti painted on it. It's time for economic growth!</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2480"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by stff on June 9, 2007 at 9:48 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2480/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Count this white boy from Calallen in favor of this project.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">It sounds like to me the old boy network here in Corpus has done an excellent job brainwashing a certain segment of the population that tax breaks for economic development is bad. Alot of the old boy network as I can tell are the local developers and without naming names, they have done their part in derailing certain projects that have been proposed around this city (think bayfront).</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">You want evidence of the old boy network look no further than the current and soon the be former owners of Padre Staples Mall. They have done ZERO to improve their mall because they were content on what they had because they have managed to keep out the competetion. Finally some developers and proven people in the mall business called their bluff and announced this project at the Crosstown. And what do they do? The very next day they annnounce all of these renovations and now in the last week they annoucned they will be selling a majority stake to a big mall holding company. if I were Macys of Dillards and some one wanted to build something cutting edge and new, I'd jump in heartbeat since the soon to be prior management dragged their feet with improvments. Heck those merchants and others know tthat good money is leaving this town that should be staying here.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">As a former Valley resident that keeps up with the news and happening down there, I can contest the progressive valley cities down there have used tax incentives that make the one asked by CBL look like peanuts for all sorts of development. Mercedes is the home of a new outlets mall and part of the deal was the company that built that mall would get a sizeable % of tax receipts that would decrease by the year. And what has happened ? The net revenues to the city after the company gets their share have increased. And those revenues are being used to pay for city services that otherwise would have to come from the property tax base. What a novel concept that maybe the folks that complain about high property taxes around here should think twice before shutting the door on a business or industry that might be able to help offset those increase or even lower the burden of property taxpayers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Another thing the againers are going to have to get over and realize real quick is if you all that cry about our kids leaving because their are no jobs if you want the big, high tech type business to even give Corpus the time of day, we are going to have to offer tax incentives. Please find a large metro area in this state that does not dangle those type of carrots to get big employers to move in. San Antonio has done with Toyota and Mircrosoft. Why does Corpus have to be different? And yes they do pay attention to how we deal with prior opportunites , no matter how small or big they might be.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Maybe it's going to take the younger generation (under 40) to get this done? Sooner or later we will reverse this attitude in this town.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2491"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by renesaenz27 on June 9, 2007 at 10:11 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2491/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"Those that met that criterion were hired. I guess you did not have what it takes to teach and empathize with your people from the Westside. You did try several times."<br />Twice to be exact. The first time I was offered but I had already accepted another job. The second time non-hispanics interviewed me and I later found out that the one who got the job was a personal friend of one who conducted the interview. Can't compete with politics and getting a job. Sometimes a persons credentials doesn't matter. You've heard the saying "It's not what you know, it's who you know." Maybe it is that kind of decision making that has placed Miller HS, the school that I went to, in the condition that it is in.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"So your credentials of growing up in the Westside and politics did not help you?"<br />When reconstitution went in to effect, I didn't bother to apply. I'm working with the best principal in CCISD. BEsides don't want to be in a working environment where tensions ran high between administration and teachers. The politics of employment does play a factor. Also, wouldn't be able to transfer for two years even if I wanted to.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"In reference to being hired at Carroll maybe you fit in better with those of your own socioeconomic status. You did state earlier that, "our family household income last year was a little over $96000 and I reside around the proximity where the development is taking place." Well, thanks for your paternalistic concern about us working class, but we do not need that type of mentality attempting to represent us. I guess you are trying to fill the Noyola vacuum? Those are not very big shoes to fill; all you have to do is cry that you are looking out for the “working people.”"</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Or maybe I am just a damn good teacher. You seem you prejudge me as if somehow you know everything about me. Yes I live in the area around Carroll and my socioeconomic status has increased. But that comes from hard work and discipline. See I came from the westside and grew up in a three room house on Mohawk St, you know in la quarenta, went to Lozano, Oak Park, Driscoll, and Miller. Went to UT-Austin and graduated with a BA in government with a minor in history. I could have chosen not to come back to CC but I did and have been active in politics before I went to UT and after. My participation in the Crosstown Commons Press Conference came to me by e-mail urging some of us to attend. I did so and when I got there I was asked to speak so I did. I do not know what type of mentality you refer to since you do not know me personally. I guess your classes in Mexican AMerican History and Politics has clouded your mind with false images. As far as trying to fill Noyola's shoes he is his own person and I am my own. My ideals are set in stone built from many years of community involvement and activism.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2492"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by renesaenz27 on June 9, 2007 at 10:12 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2492/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"Priscilla Leal was elected because she was not tied to the politicos who own Noyola and that you are seeking to appeal too."<br />Can you prove that? Nope! that's what I thought. You seem to think you know plenty but unfortunately you don't know anything. I'll be praying for you tonight that the lord help you find some common sense.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"Again, this was nothing more than a photo opportunity and I called you out on it."<br />Again I was asked to attend this event and then asked to speak. At the beginning I was out of the sight of the camara's but when asked to come into the crowd I did. When asked to speak I did based on my strong feelings about the issue at hand. The issue is good for the area, region, but most importantly the westside. Seems to me you don't think this crosstown commons is no good for Corpus Christi. You also seem bothered by me being in the photo. Well I'm sure as a Leal supporter I would be bothered to and be making statements of a conspiracy. Well tough! I already gave my reason for being on tv and the paper.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"I will give you the benefit of doubt that economic development is essential as you stated in your political sheet in the Caller Times though on January 4, 2007. (Caller Times n.p.) But, it is not everything and we sure do not need any middle class yuppie paternalism representing us in District 3. Hubris is a dangerous thing."</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">For a student at TAMUCC you sure don't know very much, especially when it comes to journalism. The Jan. 4, 2007 sheet that they wrote did not include about 90% of what I said. The writer chooses what they write a place in the paper and everything else gets left out. I am not a one issue person and if you'd like, you can give me your address and I will send you my material that I used when I went blockwalking. I agree what was written was not everything and I ran on many issues which is stated in my literature. In fact the TIF I was also advocating included the neighborhoods around certain areas in the district to be utilized for only neighborhood development of infrustructure. That was not mentioned in the article. In fact, I'm the only candidate that took that position. You see there is much you need to learn about the Mexican AMerican and politics and you don't get it from an article on a paper.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2493"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by renesaenz27 on June 9, 2007 at 10:13 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2493/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">'My name is Mike Wilson and I am a college student at TAMUCC studying Mexican-American leadership and politics in South Texas."<br />So who is your instructor and what is your major? What is the argument in your thesis? Would like to see your work if it even exists. I also am doing work on Mexican American History and Politics and it's titled " From Bullets to Ballots: The Origins and Evolution of Mexican American Civil Rights in Texas, 1836-1920."<br />You see you are studying things I studied as an undergraduate taking Chicano Studies courses at UT so what you say is nothing new to me. My study deals with the more radical years of insurrections and revolts with players such as Vicente Cardova (1838), Juan Cortina (1858), Catarino Garza (1890), and the Plan de San Diego years (1915-1918). You are looking at Mexican American Politics from a narrow glass. You still need much to learn about the culture, history, and politics considering your outside status.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"I am not attacking you personally"<br />Yes you are and you demonstrated that above. But I have been attacked and accused of many things that is not true but I laugh it off. And I'm sure that in your study of Mexican American Politics you will encounter (Anglo) people like yourself who make false accusations against a Mexican AMerican who only seek the best for their community regardless of their ethnicity.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">"I see is a photo opportunity and South Texas paternalism by the Mexican-American middle class. Basically, you and others like you have only replaced the Anglo political system in your communities."</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Accusations that cannot be proven. You make all these assertions without evidence to back your conclusion. Your work cited is weak and at UT Austin they'd throw you out for making assertions with no evidence to back your conclusions.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2511"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by renesaenz27 on June 9, 2007 at 11:12 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2511/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">OH by the way, everything you make reference to are you accusing all the individuals that showed up to the press conference, including Nancy Vera, Joe Cisneros, etc., all in same category as attempting to replace the Anglo political system? If Priscilla Leal is a strong supporter of this Crosstown Commons project wouldn't that make her part of that class of MExican Americans attempting to the replace the "Anglo" political system?</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2514"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by truthincc on June 9, 2007 at 11:44 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2514/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Not surprising but discussion gets off the real issues and ignores that not a person at that press conference has or could evaluate the information on which they are relying. They are all just supportive of this based on the information provided by the developer combined with their wanting it to be true. If this project were being proposed on the Island or on Saratoga, I have a feeling they would be opposing that and advocating the other location.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2519"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by curtis on June 9, 2007 at 11:59 p.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2519/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">InTheKnow, I'm pretty sure the General Contractor will be EMJ Corporation and not Fulton Construction. EMJ is a company that is related to CBL. Perhaps Fulton will do some work, and if so good for them, but I'm pretty sure Fulton is out of the equation unless they provide some other construction services on the project which I doubt. So I'm pretty sure Fulton is out of the equation. There's also a lot of subcontractors out there that would have a tremendous opportunity to do work including electricians, HVAC, plumbing, concrete suppliers, etc. This project is estimated to be a two year project, so there's a lot of construction work to be accomplished.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">And I personally know Rene Saenz, and he is a good man, not a political opportunist. He is very involved in politics, and most of the time (99.9%) I disagree with him on issues - but I know he has a good heart and cares about Corpus Christi. He and I just have different ways about caring for the community. I'm actually glad he and I finally agree on a development idea.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="comment" id="c2520"> <p class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by nvera43 on June 10, 2007 at 12:03 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2520/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Truthincc, How can you make such blanket statements? I have extensive educational and personal experience in analysis, statistics, business and scholarly writings. People at the press conference included business people, educators, attorneys and doctors. Your statements ring hollow when they are based on assumption and personal prejudices.</span></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="comment" id="c2522"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="comment-info"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Posted by kingalonzoalvarezdepineda13 on June 10, 2007 at 12:29 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2522/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"Representatives from LULAC, the American GI Forum, the NAACP, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce say the complex would bring jobs and spending to the west side, improving the neighborhood, and the outlook for neighborhood youth. They also say the site would keep dollars in the area, as opposed to shoppers doing their spending in other Texas cities."</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">JK: Really, I have not had an interest in this project until it has become apparent there is an issue of fairness involved. Should this center be built there is no assurance that the development will blossom. Then it can be sold or leased by institutions like Del Mar College (Albertsons) and like the Lantana shopping mall has been utilized and others not on the tip of my tongue right now. Nevertheless, the structure will be utilized and the infrastructure usage will be taxed; so yes, IMO the city should take responsibility for the infrastructure cost like all of the other projects and pet projects in the past.</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"But, the developer has stated that work could not begin until the city agrees to reimburse any costs for enhancing the site's infrastructure. Water lines and road would would need to be done before construction could begin, and the community groups now speaking out - want to make sure the city commits to picking up the bill."</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">JK: I dont know who the Developer is at this point but he or she should be supported in this endeavor. The land is not being given away (if I am not mistaken). The only other issue is that this development include the local minority contractors (at least 40%).</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Joe Ortiz, with the American GI Forum and LULAC, says, "You have a lot of other projects that have been done this way and the city is not committing to that. In other words, mister developer, you're on your own."</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Who is Mister Developer?</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Why would the city not support this growth?</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The response I received from my network goes something like this:</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"The development probably wont make it but let em build it, it is their money."</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"The elite dont want to lose the hispanic westside $$$$$$$$$ while the Mall is booming. They want the west side to shop on the Southside."</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"There shouldn't be any differentiation between the west and the south side. We are all in this South Padre Island Drive corridor," LULAC Council #4444 President Nancy Vera said Friday. "There's plenty of money to go around."</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">JK: To me, this area is still part of the southside.</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This money is not the same money where we can shift it to funding the certification of our ballistics lab but we need to focus on that area as well.</span></p></div></blockquote></div><div class="comment" id="c2522"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p> </div><br /><div class="comment" id="c2522"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by kingalonzoalvarezdepineda13 on June 10, 2007 at 12:29 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2522/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p>"Representatives from LULAC, the American GI Forum, the NAACP, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce say the complex would bring jobs and spending to the west side, improving the neighborhood, and the outlook for neighborhood youth. They also say the site would keep dollars in the area, as opposed to shoppers doing their spending in other Texas cities."</p> <p>JK: Really, I have not had an interest in this project until it has become apparent there is an issue of fairness involved. Should this center be built there is no assurance that the development will blossom. Then it can be sold or leased by institutions like Del Mar College (Albertsons) and like the Lantana shopping mall has been utilized and others not on the tip of my tongue right now. Nevertheless, the structure will be utilized and the infrastructure usage will be taxed; so yes, IMO the city should take responsibility for the infrastructure cost like all of the other projects and pet projects in the past.</p> <p>"But, the developer has stated that work could not begin until the city agrees to reimburse any costs for enhancing the site's infrastructure. Water lines and road would would need to be done before construction could begin, and the community groups now speaking out - want to make sure the city commits to picking up the bill."</p> <p>JK: I dont know who the Developer is at this point but he or she should be supported in this endeavor. The land is not being given away (if I am not mistaken). The only other issue is that this development include the local minority contractors (at least 40%).</p> <p>Joe Ortiz, with the American GI Forum and LULAC, says, "You have a lot of other projects that have been done this way and the city is not committing to that. In other words, mister developer, you're on your own."</p> <p>Who is Mister Developer?</p> <p>Why would the city not support this growth?</p> <p>The response I received from my network goes something like this:</p> <p>"The development probably wont make it but let em build it, it is their money."</p> <p>"The elite dont want to lose the hispanic westside $$$$$$$$$ while the Mall is booming. They want the west side to shop on the Southside."</p> <p>"There shouldn't be any differentiation between the west and the south side. We are all in this South Padre Island Drive corridor," LULAC Council #4444 President Nancy Vera said Friday. "There's plenty of money to go around."</p> <p>JK: To me, this area is still part of the southside.</p> <p>This money is not the same money where we can shift it to funding the certification of our ballistics lab but we need to focus on that area as well.</p> </div> <div class="comment" id="c2523"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by kingalonzoalvarezdepineda13 on June 10, 2007 at 12:33 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2523/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p><a href="http://corpuschristidaily.blogspot.com/2007/06/land-is-not-being-given-away-this.html" rel="nofollow">http://corpuschristidaily.blogspot.com/2...</a></p> </div> <div class="comment" id="c2526"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by renesaenz27 on June 10, 2007 at 12:48 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2526/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p>IF Crosstown Commons was going to be developed anywhere in CC I would be behind 100% and actively supporting it. Just recently I heard that CC could possibly be going into a public-private venture in developing a water park. Hell I would support that to keep our young people occupied. I support the development of Wal-Mart on Staples and Timbergate but I opposed Shuting the beach to vehicles and creating a joke of our bayfront with a ferriswheel. Crosstown Commons will be good for CC and you can bet I'll be at Moody on Monday attempting to influence the residents this project will be good for the area and the region.</p> </div> <div class="comment" id="c2532"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by kingalonzoalvarezdepineda13 on June 10, 2007 at 1:20 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2532/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p>I support Rene Saenz as he is truly acting from his heart and his roots. I know Rene and his wife, they are an asset to our community. Also, I am not a spell checker but when one attacks an educator and make statements as to the modification of his JOB opportunities; when you ask him WHERE he works and already know the answer, learn the difference between where and were. There is no reason for this venture to be treated unlike the pet projects and other developments that receive and benefit from the buddy system. It is good for the city to develop this area, We already engineered the freeway system to readily access this area, there is a booming car dealership, a walmart, a McDonalds and with respect to our neighboring communities to the south and west, the freeway interchange is becoming a hub.</p> </div> <div class="comment" id="c2533"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by kingalonzoalvarezdepineda13 on June 10, 2007 at 1:24 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2533/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p>The City Council works for US.</p> <p>WAKE UP AND GET TO WORK BOYS AND GIRLS.</p> <p>Equality and Fairness await you.</p> </div> <div class="comment" id="c2536"> <p class="comment-info"><strong>Posted by kingalonzoalvarezdepineda13 on June 10, 2007 at 1:34 a.m. (<a href="http://caller.com/comments/flag/2536/">Suggest removal</a>)</strong></p> <p>Who is the Developer?</p> <p>Who is benefiting from the project?</p> <p>Who owns the land?</p> <p>Since the research has already been completed let us see the data.</p> <p>Is it the same ole Yanquis profiting or will there be fresh and deserving players?</p> <p>Absolutely the construction if adhered to the guidelines and local and minority small businesses are fully utilized the positives far outweigh any negatives.</p> <p>"Build it and they will come".</p> </div>CC Watchdog Authorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15692025297388841246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3942620023250745272.post-20558901881758974062007-05-25T01:36:00.000-07:002007-05-25T01:36:08.736-07:00CCISD: Why are CCISD Students allowed to run at large during school day hours?<a href="http://ccisd-kenedeno-edu.blogspot.com/2007/05/why-are-ccisd-students-allowed-to-run.html">CCISD: Why are CCISD Students allowed to run at large during school day hours?</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/Rlac__a42yI/AAAAAAAAAD4/UlcPf-p_rBw/s1600-h/ccisd+board.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 532px; height: 360px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/Rlac__a42yI/AAAAAAAAAD4/UlcPf-p_rBw/s400/ccisd+board.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068411053821975330" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><span><span style="font-style: italic;">Education is for our Children, our Youth, our Future. Children and Youth need constant redirection and set boundaries at home and at school as well. When a minor is allowed to run at large during the school day hours whether it is in the halls, leaving or returning a closed campus or simply unaccounted for is irresponsible of the caretaker whose custody in which he / she is placed.<br /></span></span><span> Kenedeno<br /><br /></span><span><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/Rlac_va42xI/AAAAAAAAADw/UFWDAR0fdaI/s1600-h/jag.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 189px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/Rlac_va42xI/AAAAAAAAADw/UFWDAR0fdaI/s400/jag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068411049527008018" border="0" /></a><br /></div><p></p><blockquote style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;"><p>An absent student is one who does not arrive at school in the morning and is absent for the WHOLE Day. The student was never on campus. The Parent is responsible for the student getting to school (requiring the student to attend school). If the student does not get to school it is the Parent’s responsibility not necessarily the Parent’s fault. There are circumstances where the student will walk in the front door and out the back door without attending a single class. This is where the attendance officers need to improve their due diligence like the old days. </p><p>Once the student is counted present in the morning; the Parent has required the student (child) to attend school. Once the student is verified in attendance at the beginning of the school day the student is in the custody of the School. </p><p>If the student is tardy or skips class (on campus or off campus) this happens on the watch of the school. The Parent if informed should cooperate and communicate with the School Counselors Administrators and the Attendance Officer to correct the behavior. The Security and Attendance officer should take notice and tighten the belt. This is a security issue as well; there is no excuse for students coming and going outside of the lunch period and it is imperative that attendance irregularities be dealt with within 24 hours. This is easily done with our modern technology. </p><p><a href="http://ccisd-kenedeno-edu.blogspot.com/2007/02/ccisd-principals-and-attendance.html">Instead, what we are seeing is the Attendance Officers documenting the absences as they accumulate and filing on the Parent and student when the number of absences are achieved.</a></p></blockquote><p> </p><br /><h1 class="title"><a href="http://robeissler.blogspot.com/2007/05/ccisd-trustee-lucy-rubio-has-said-she.html">Texas Public Education Watchdog Authority</a></h1>CC Watchdog Authorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15692025297388841246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3942620023250745272.post-87546021444275573272007-05-13T06:06:00.000-07:002007-05-13T06:09:31.295-07:00City has stagnated since '60s thanks to Self Dealers<span class="headline1">Developing Corpus Christi: A game of chance</span><p><span class="subhead">City has stagnated since '60s thanks to recurring debates on projects, experts say</span></p><p><span class="smalltext"><b>By DENISE MALAN Caller-Times</b></span><br /><span class="smalltext"><b>May 13, 2007 </b></span></p><p><span class="bodytext"> <p> </p><p> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="130"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="10"><img src="http://caller.com/ccct/images/spacers/spacer.gif" border="0" height="1" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <br />A developer's bayfront project died at the hands of this sharply divided city. He had endured years of bickering, even a bomb threat to his house, and it was time to surrender. </p><p>"No one project is going to save the economy," he said afterward, "but we could have been doing things years ago that would have bolstered our economic situation now." </p><p>That was 1986, when developer Joe Gardner scrapped plans for a new landmass and festival market in Corpus Christi Bay. </p><p>Twenty-one years later, his words just as easily describe today's Corpus Christi, a mid-size city that has struggled for decades to fuel economic growth in a region and state seemingly passing it by. Long-time residents can rattle off nearly a dozen failed ventures that continue to surface in political debates. </p><p>Through all those, the rallying cry of politicians, civic boosters and developers has changed little - the city needs jobs of all types, our young people need reasons to stay, tourists' dollars will lower residents' tax burdens, those who disagree just don't like change. </p><p>Arguments from residents opposed to various projects also remained much the same through the years - city leaders were secretive, they didn't heed public concerns, the public has a stake and therefore should have a vote. What about environmental impact? And why should we give up a public asset just for some developer to get rich? </p><p>Really, about the only changes, from controversy to controversy, are the faces (sometimes) and the specifics of projects. Otherwise, comparing one project to another is like hearing the remake of an old tune - it sounds so familiar, just with a different voice. </p><p>"The hope, energy and argument that surrounded these undertakings can obscure the reality that none of these efforts have so far succeeded in creating a new foundation for growth," historian Alan Lessoff wrote in a recent paper about the local economy. "Four decades of effort have mainly reinforced the city in the situation it already had attained by the early 1960s." </p><p>Corpus Christi nearly quadrupled in size between 1940 and 1970, but the next 30 years saw minimal growth that paled in comparison to nearby cities. Towns across the Southwest were growing rapidly during the Sunbelt boom of the 1960s-80s, and Corpus Christi leaders felt left out, according to Lessoff's paper. </p><p>The feeling pervades even today with the tendency to compare Corpus Christi with San Antonio, Austin and the Rio Grande Valley. </p><p>"We're kind of a perpetual adolescent," said John Trice, a local banker who has pushed for several development projects. "You look at San Antonio, and they're a 40-year-old, full-grown adult. We have been at the same size for so long, it's like our growth is stunted." </p><p>Austin's growth rate tracked Corpus Christi's fairly closely from 1940 to 1970, when Corpus Christi had 205,000 people and Austin 252,000, according to U.S. Census figures. Austin exploded to 657,000 by 2000, while Corpus Christi grew to 277,000. </p><p>By 2005, the capital of Texas was the 16th largest city in the country, up 40 spots from No. 56 in 1970. San Antonio has grown at a steady clip and now is the seventh largest in the United States, compared with 15th in 1970. Houston also moved up from sixth to fourth. </p><p>Corpus Christi in those 35 years dropped from 62nd to 64th. </p><p>"From Fresno to Beaumont, the region is dotted by cities where, as in Corpus Christi, the sense prevailed that the Sunbelt bypassed them and that their most dynamic period was in the past," Lessoff wrote. </p><p>Lessoff, a former Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi professor, now works at Illinois State University but retained his fascination with Coastal Bend history and economics. His recent paper, "Corpus Christi: The Search for a New Direction, 1965-2005," details the city's quest to re-energize an economy based on four pillars - petrochemicals, the port, the military and tourism - that peaked in the 1970s. </p><p>The city hasn't broken from that past, and so has struggled for almost four decades to build upon those industries, Lessoff writes. The only reason Corpus Christi is growing even at its slow rate, he postulates, is the boom elsewhere in Texas and the Gulf Coast. </p><p><b>THE CONTROVERSY CYCLE </b></p><p>Nearly all the major controversies in recent decades have involved two main ingredients - public-private partnerships and waterfront property - that set off debates from Baltimore to Memphis to San Diego. Public-private partnerships are projects in which private developers seek public funds or space. </p><p>Civic leaders met with resistance in the 1960s and '70s to the Bayfront Convention Center, their first effort to revitalize the rapidly declining downtown. Some opposition came from within the city; then-Mayor Jason Luby thought those who would profit from the center should pay for it. </p><p>Starting with Packery Channel, all 11 major debates since the 1950s played out against the public-private dynamic, except one - the city's proposed gift of the Oso Beach Municipal Golf Course to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, a deal between two public entities. </p><p>TRT, the company that in 2005 proposed an amusement park on the Memorial Coliseum site, planned to raze the coliseum and build a carnival on public land. Gardner's company, Bayfront Associates, sought a 40-year lease of underwater public land for its land mass proposal in the 1980s. Landry's Restaurants Inc. also wanted a long lease for its theme park proposal in 2002. </p><p>Sometimes the private interest isn't as direct. In the community debate that led to the dredging of Packery Channel on Padre Island, developer Paul Schexnailder proposed a $677 million resort if the channel was dredged. It was, with public money. </p><p>But the development never was built. Last year, Schexnailder wanted to ban vehicles on a 7,200-foot stretch of beach, which he said was necessary for him to build the resort, which had grown in scope to $1.5 billion. Residents voted the proposal down last year. Opponents noted the unwillingness of Schexnailder and city officials to compromise and set aside some space for vehicular access at the Packery Channel south jetty, coveted by surfers and fishermen. </p><p>The majority of debates involve waterfront or near-waterfront locations - the bayfront, downtown and the island. </p><p>"I think what you have are competing visions regarding the waterfront that people feel very strongly about," said Elizabeth Flores, a political science professor at Del Mar College. "They're not necessarily mutually exclusive, but sometimes when we discuss them they almost appear to be." </p><p><b>BREAKING THE CYCLE </b></p><p>Among those who consider themselves pro-development, there are two basic schools of thought on how to go about it. </p><p>The first is that city leaders should just make the decision, not buckle under opposition and let the success of the project prove them right in the long run. </p><p>"We can't all hold hands in Cole Park and sing 'Kumbaya' on every issue," developer Joe Adame said. "Sometimes a leader just has to say, 'That's it,' and do it." </p><p>Developers sometimes act in secret out of necessity, said Trice, the local banker. </p><p>"The problem is, in lots of deals, particularly development deals, it's hard to be inclusive because you have privacy issues," Trice said. "And it's hard to structure deals so it looks like everybody will win." </p><p>In Corpus Christi, though, projects that left the public in the dark tended to breed petition drives that resulted in public referendums that killed the projects. </p><p>The other approach suggested by pro-developers is to involve the public in the planning, even before development proposals are on the table. That's the process championed by Project for Public Spaces, a nationwide nonprofit that travels at invitation to various cities to plan development in public areas, from transportation hubs to waterfronts and city parks. </p><p>The Project for Public Spaces lists the following as its first step toward creating a successful waterfront: Make public goals the primary objective. Communities need to create a shared vision, and city leaders must ensure development fits in that vision and preserves public access to the waterfront. </p><p>"You're always going to get people saying no about something," said Jennifer Vickers, president of Community Investment Corp., a nonprofit geared toward bringing business and the public together in Austin, and a board member of the Project for Public Spaces. "But if they participate in the planning of it, they are much more likely to support the outcome, even if it's not everything they want." </p><p>Giving this idea lip service - such as holding a public meeting and eventually dismissing the ideas offered by residents - won't work, Vickers said. "You have to have real processes because people get it pretty quickly if you have a meeting and say 'What do you think?' then do something anyway," she said. </p><p>Project opponents in Corpus Christi often complain their voices are not heard. In the beach access case, many opponents said they would have agreed to a compromise with wooden posts to control vehicle traffic around the resort and allow access to the Packery Channel south jetty. But the developers were adamant about an outright vehicle ban. </p><p>Brad Lomax, who owns the Water Street Market businesses downtown, attributes the recent successes - American Bank Center and Whataburger Field - to leadership that had a clear plan and involved city officials and the public. In both cases, the public had a vote and the proposals won at the polls. </p><p>David Engel, a local business consultant who led efforts for voters to approve those projects, said although some people will always oppose developments, an open, public process is the best way to go. </p><p>Nolan Ryan and his sons resolved not to change their plans for a waterfront ballpark, even when many residents thought downtown was the wrong spot. But they weren't afraid to attend public meetings, face criticism and answer questions, Engel said. </p><p>They also had the benefits of Nolan Ryan's celebrity and the support of the entire City Council and Forward Corpus Christi, a citizens group formed two years earlier and chaired by Engel. </p><p>"The Ryans came to this community, they talked to the right people," Engel said. "They were very public. They were very specific about what they would do and wouldn't do." </p><p>Instead of learning lessons from those successes, in Lomax's view, city officials wasted their political capital on secret negotiations with Landry's and asking for 3,000 additional feet of vehicle-free beach after first approving 4,200 feet and saying they wouldn't ask for more. </p><p>The resulting mistrust hampers future efforts and could be a large reason for opposition to the Oso golf course proposal, Lomax said. </p><p>"Somebody wise once said that a reputation is won by many acts and lost by a few," Lomax said. "We've got credibility issues with the business establishment and city government that's hurting us on valuable projects. It's hurting us on the university. </p><p>"There's going to have to be a period of making amends. Somebody's going to have to rebuild a track record to gain the public trust. Everything going forward is going to have to go overboard on informing the public." </p><p>In his recent book "Planners and Politics," Roger S. Waldon outlines eight instances in which city planners successfully carried the banners for various projects. </p><p>Sometimes they dealt with difficult politicians, and sometimes a vocal public, but Waldon emerges with a theme of gathering public input and adjusting plans accordingly. </p><p>Public engagement has become more and more important in the information age, when residents can almost take control of a project, Waldon writes. </p><p>His subjects point out that rowdy neighborhood meetings aren't necessarily bad, and planners need to be flexible and positive when responding to public input. </p><p>"It's great if a planner's preferred approach to planning issues fits a community's values," he writes. "If it doesn't, the planner needs to change his approach so that it fits the community. If he is not willing to do that, he needs to find another community." </p><p>Contact Denise Malan at 886-4334 or at maland@ caller.com</p></span></p>CC Watchdog Authorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15692025297388841246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3942620023250745272.post-89414369201651821332006-12-27T03:59:00.000-08:002006-12-27T04:01:00.504-08:00Didn't we build the arena for all the citizens of Corpus Christi? Apparently not!<h2 class="date-header">Wednesday, December 27, 2006</h2> <!-- Begin .post --> <a name="116721996508884216"></a> <h3 class="post-title"> <a href="http://forums.caller.com/cgi-bin/WebX?caller-13@72.hxCcaiRvgyU%5E1@.ee75483" title="external link"> Didn't we build the arena for all the citizens of Corpus Christi? Apparently not! </a> </h3> af2 team pathetic copy cats<br /><br />Hmpf Toldyouso - 09:51pm Dec 13, 2006 Central<br /><br />I heard a rumor that they're gonna call the new af2 team here in Corpus Christi the "sharks". Either they have NO imaginations; are pathetically copycatting off the Hammerheads; or this is a sleazy marketing idea, hoping that the uninformed with believe this team might still have an association with the Hammerheads and will buy tickets from them anyway. Either way it shows that their statement is loud and clear, they mean to steal the territory and capitalize on all the hard work that the Dittman family has done building the IFL out of thin air. Another hardworking LOCAL family business pushed aside with the overwhelming help of Mark Scott and the rest on the city council, via SMG management and the sleazy Marc Solis. SMG and Marc Solis have ousted the Hammerheads, The Shriners Circus, tradeshows and other groups who had been regular PAYING customers of the Coliseum and refused to help accomodate the Kiwanis Golden Gloves and other non-profit groups that couldn't afford his rates. He won't even give you the time of day if he knows you don't have money. It makes you wonder why we had the Center built because it certainly wasn't for the people of Corpus Christi.<br /><br />When SMG has made all the money they can off of our city and the ABCenter is run down like the coliseum became they will skip off into the sunset laughing at us.<br /><br />Thank god for the good sensible, customer friendly arena in Robstown. At the rate LOCALLY run events are moving over there I bet the possibility of them getting the Ice Rayz and the A&M sports programs should be pretty strong. Support the new Robstown arena and all their LOCAL events. Remember when you buy a ticket from the real Corpus Christi Hammerheads that money stays HERE in our local economy, the players and employees and the owners all live HERE. The money made here stays here! Support Golden Gloves in Robstown this February!<br /><br />Shame on Mark Scott, dog poo on Marc Solis! Only national acts and entities matter to them. Money t<br /><br />Hmpf Toldyouso - 09:52pm Dec 13, 2006 Central (#1 of 1) Reply<br /><br />...Money that does NOT stay here. Didn't we build the arena for all the citizens of Corpus Christi? Apparently not!CC Watchdog Authorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15692025297388841246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3942620023250745272.post-16580285412722888842006-12-25T23:47:00.000-08:002006-12-25T23:50:02.948-08:00Del Mar President Garcia should relinquish his position until the present investigation is completed.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RZDSGsa6acI/AAAAAAAAABY/EDNyLtuCsaI/s1600-h/gi+forum+decal+centered..jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RZDSGsa6acI/AAAAAAAAABY/EDNyLtuCsaI/s400/gi+forum+decal+centered..jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5012737397708450242" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Add_Image" title="Add Image" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="addImage();" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);;ButtonMouseDown(this);"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Should step down</span><br /><br />We know that Del Mar College President Carlos Garcia is responsible to the Board of Regents. However, President Garcia should be more responsible to the public. His actions are compromising education at Del Mar.<br /><br /><a href="http://delmarhousekeeping.blogspot.com/2006/09/dr-carlos-garcia-per-sop-m_115923695338106885.html">Del Mar President Garcia should relinquish his position until the present investigation is completed.</a><br /><br />The <a href="http://ccwatchdog.blogspot.com/2006/12/fwd-del-mar-electronic-anonymous-input_20.html">board is doing a disservice to the public</a> by keeping Del Mar President Garcia as president while there is a cloud of suspicion and his integrity is being questioned and investigated.<br /><br />Joe Ortiz<br /><br />(Civil Rights Director,<br /><br />National GI Forum)CC Watchdog Authorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15692025297388841246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3942620023250745272.post-51883782208961325132006-12-17T21:34:00.000-08:002006-12-17T21:50:18.674-08:00Welcome Corpus Christi (Then Sparkling City by the Sea)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RYYr0ca6aXI/AAAAAAAAAAc/F9xzI1MH4YY/s1600-h/0267Flat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RYYr0ca6aXI/AAAAAAAAAAc/F9xzI1MH4YY/s400/0267Flat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5009739815478520178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RYYr0ca6aYI/AAAAAAAAAAk/3EgoL55bL_c/s1600-h/beach+driving.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 411px; height: 284px;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RYYr0ca6aYI/AAAAAAAAAAk/3EgoL55bL_c/s400/beach+driving.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5009739815478520194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RYYr0ca6aZI/AAAAAAAAAAs/Jly8anYpZu4/s1600-h/beach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 191px;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RYYr0ca6aZI/AAAAAAAAAAs/Jly8anYpZu4/s400/beach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5009739815478520210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RYYr0sa6aaI/AAAAAAAAAA0/VqRWKEiGutw/s1600-h/theads+old+time.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 153px;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RYYr0sa6aaI/AAAAAAAAAA0/VqRWKEiGutw/s400/theads+old+time.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5009739819773487522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RYYr0sa6abI/AAAAAAAAAA8/KvKhq5CUTa4/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 190px;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_r2BODt8_bNA/RYYr0sa6abI/AAAAAAAAAA8/KvKhq5CUTa4/s400/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5009739819773487538" border="0" /></a>CC Watchdog Authorityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15692025297388841246noreply@blogger.com