More Of Dicky's Doodles and Scribbles

2012-01-28T21:41:00.001-08:00

2011-11-28T08:44:00.000-08:00

Brrr! Cold Last Night!

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2011-11-07T10:48:00.000-08:00

Close Encounter of the Dolphin Kind!

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Close encounter of the dolphin kind

It was a crisp, clear and windy October day. The first strong cold front of the season had swept through the Coastal Bend of the Gulf Coast and had dropped the temperature considerably, offering cool relief from the long, lingering heat of summer.
I eagerly ditched work on this morning, calling in sick of course, and loaded my gear onto my van and headed to Port Aransas.
I parked on the beach between the Horace Caldwell Pier and the
south jetty of the Aransas Pass Ship channel. The windsurfing conditions were superb. A north north east wind was blowing around 30 mph and gusting a bit higher. The waves were small but well formed as they swept in towards the beach in long lines wrapping around the jetty. The wind was parallel to the beach helping to give the waves their clean shape.
After quickly rigging up I lifted my board by the rear foot strap and took the mast in my left hand while raising the rig off the sand. The boom was pointed down wind and I slowly backed my way to the water dragging the nose of my 12 foot six inch F2 Lightning over the sand. When I reached the water I pulled the rig towards myself and simultaneously turned the nose of the board out to sea. I let go of the boom and the wind blew the rig so it flipped over which kept the end of the boom downwind. You never want to handle a windsurfing rig by pointing the boom upwind, bad idea!
Now I took the boom by both hands while pushing the board out into the water. As soon as there was enough depth I quickly performed a beach start, stepping up on the board and sheeting in on the boom.
This quickly put me under power and I headed out into the waves.
Sailing on a port tack I pulled in on the boom and my 6.8 sq. m. sail shot me over the wave face, and I skipped over the wave, getting some air, and into the next and the next repeating the action.
Once I was outside of the line of breaking waves I kicked down my center board and sailed as close to the wind as I could intending to tack upwind for a while so I could return to the beach in close proximity of my launch spot. This would also allow me to sail on a broad reach giving me the maximum speed possible.
The conditions were perfect, I thought, and I sailed in and out riding the small waves and getting my little jumps going out, great fun!
The wind seemed to be picking up a bit so I decided to sail further out to sea and ride the swells. As I came about even with the end of the 1,000 foot long Horace Caldwell Pier I saw the splashing of a small school of mullet as they raced along the surface in an apparent panic. Soon I saw the source of their fear as a medium sized bottle nosed dolphin was in hot pursuit.
I realized that I was on a collision course with the sea mammal and the dolphin, concentrating on its prey, did not seem to see me. I held my course until I was very close. The dolphin then looked at me in what I thought was a startled expression of total surprise. It broke off its chase and dove down into the water.
I thought it was pretty funny, and continued sailing. Shortly after I was surprised to see the dolphin again, this time it was swimming straight towards me, on a collision course, moving very rapidly! Suddenly I didn’t think it was all that funny. Just as the dolphin closed in it again dove down into the water and harmlessly passed right beneath my board! Wow!
That wasn’t the end of the encounter. The dolphin appeared again and it came close by and swam on a parallel course right beside me. It was very close; I could have reached down and touched it. We looked each other in the eye. The animal’s expression seemed one of amusement as it let me know who was the real master of the waves.
I talked to it. I said the same things I said to my pet parakeet. “Pretty boy!” I had no idea if it was a male or not. “Good dolphin!” And I whistled to it. It took no notice of my vocalizations but its calm demeanor and expression made me comfortable and unafraid. It followed me for a few hundred yards until it broke formation and swam away. I felt very fortunate to have had a moment of play time with the beautiful cetacean.
I returned to the beach with reinforced admiration for these magnificent animals.

2011-10-07T07:08:00.000-07:00

Water Parks? In Worse Drought In History? Really?

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2011-08-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

Rick Perry: Bat Shit Crazy!

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2011-08-08T12:58:00.000-07:00

Pastor Perry; aka Preacher Rick

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2011-08-08T07:35:00.000-07:00

Black Skimmer Population In Decline

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A story in this morning's paper notes the local black skimmer population is in decline. The story seems to express puzzlement as to the reason. The reason is clear, loss of habitat and pollution.
The demands of economic development always exacts a price on the environment. For years in the nineties I was a windsurfing instructor along the JFK causeway. At that time there was a large nesting colony of these fascinating birds. Several years later prominent real estate developers pushed the construction of the new elevated causeway which chased away the skimmers. This was an obvious cause/effect situation that has been repeated over and over in our area and developers are clamoring for more.

2011-07-24T18:18:00.000-07:00

Blake Farenthold Votes To End Social Security,For US Default

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2011-07-18T11:44:00.000-07:00

Perry says "I will run If I Am Called!"

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2011-06-24T12:35:00.000-07:00

Perry Makes Dumb Joke At Latino Conference

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Texas Gov. Rick Perry addressed the Latino Elected and Appointed Official's conference in San Antonio on the the 28th of last month. Perry has long struggled with the perception he is insensitive to Latino issues and he is eager to appeal to this fast growing demographic.

He used this opportunity to boast about a recent appointment of a Latino, Jose Cuevas, to head the state Alchoholic Beverage Commission. He said that Jose Cuevas sounds like a popular tequila brand name. Reportedly the joke did not go over well.

2011-06-19T10:14:00.000-07:00

Perry Issues Flurry Of Vetoes As Special Session Ends

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2011-06-02T11:34:00.000-07:00

My New Novel Now Listed On Amazon!

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My new novel, The Case of the Grave Accusation, is now listed on Amazon, both in the U.S. and the UK. I am very excited to see my first book in print. The book will be released on June 27 and is now available for pre-orders.
This is a Sherlock Holmes pastiche about Holmes and Watson traveling to the present day to investigate an author who claims that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had plagiarized the Hound of the Baskervilles from a friend, murdered him and committed adultery with his wife. Well! When I heard about this I thought "This is a case for Sherlock Holmes!" Thus came the idea for the story.
The publisher is MX Publishing of London. This company has a large line of Holmsian pastiches and other works. One of their leading authors and Holmes experts, Paul R, Spiring, edited the book and added a section to the book which expands on the actual case which inspired my fiction. I hope Holmes fans and everyone else will enjoy the book.
I am so encouraged I have returned to another novel I have been working on which has been languishing lately.

http://www.amazon.com/Case-Grave-Accusation-Sherlock-Mystery/dp/1908218819/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1307030555&sr=1-2

2011-05-24T14:57:00.000-07:00

City Hall's New $10,000 Timer

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2011-04-27T08:19:00.000-07:00

American Bank To Pay For Harbor Bridge Lights

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The American Bank has announced that they will pick up the tab to light the Harbor bridge. I wonder if they will re-name it the "American Bank Bridge?"

2011-04-24T11:04:00.000-07:00

"I Never worked For A Poor Person." Blake Farenthold

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2011-04-20T14:57:00.000-07:00

New Civic Pride Campaign

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2011-04-20T08:13:00.000-07:00

There Should Be No "Official" Texas Music!

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By Karen Brooks
Associated Press
An effort to make Western swing the official music of Texas could see miles and miles of opposition, as one Hill Country music lover finds herself in the opening stanzas of a debate over what defines "Texas music."
"When we're talking about a symbol, we're talking about culture and heritage and history, and something that has been long lasting," said Paula Jungmann, a Boerne housewife who is pushing for the legislative declaration. "When I look at Western swing, that is what I see."
But while she counts no time in politics, Jungmann is discovering that elected officials and creative artist types are pages torn from the same songbook in two big ways:
You never know what they're going to do, and you'll never get them all to agree on anything.
Some musicians — and the "Beer-drinkers and Hell-raisers" who love them (thank you, ZZ Top) — are wondering whether lawmakers should be trying to define and symbolize Texas music in terms of one genre.
Particularly if it leaves out Hank Williams' pain songs, Newbury's train songs and "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain."
"The official sound of Texas should be Texas music in all its glorious facets," said Texas writer Joe Nick Patoski. "No official proclamation is necessary when everybody knows we make music better than anybody else."
Do Bob Wills and Asleep at the Wheel get the nod over Janis and Willie and Stevie Ray and Freddie King? Is swing more of a Texas icon than country or Tejano? Does Tommy Duncan trump Selena, Freddy Fender and Flaco Jimenez,
and Buddy Holly? What about the modern sounds of Erykah Badu , Arcade Fire and Explosions in the Sky?
The lilting poetry of George Strait and the raucous protests of Steve Earle and the made-for-the-road tunes of Pat Green and the Dixie Chicks? Let's not forget about jazz great Ornette Coleman, and the hippie favorite Edie Brickell and the Cajun rhythms of Marcia Ball, and the Texas rock of Doug Sahm and Roky Erickson.
And where do the Germans fit into all this?
And how many people will respond to this article listing all the people who haven't been mentioned here?
(For the record, more than 130 Grammy winners alone hail from Texas. So, "I quit. I give up. Nothing's good enough . . . ." Thank you, Edie.)
Jungmann said there is no better icon of the Lone Star State's dance hall heritage than the jazzy, progressive genre first made popular by the likes of Bob Wills and Milton Brown in the 1930s.
It's what drove her to spend the last three years of her life writing to congressmen and state lawmakers to persuade them to add swing to the long list of Texas symbols, which also include the bluebonnet, the mockingbird, the Dutch oven, salsa and the cowboy boot.
A GOP senator from San Antonio rose to the occasion and filed a lyrical resolution singing the praises of the music.
"Born and bred in Texas, Western swing is a musical melting pot that represents the diverse groups that have contributed to the growth and prosperity of our state and the distinctive way of life that has flourished here," reads the resolution by Sen. Jeff Wentworth, "and it is indeed a fitting symbol for the rich cultural heritage that is shared by all Texans."
Of all people, you'd think Ray Benson, founder of the legendary swing band Asleep at the Wheel, would be on the bandwagon.
The front man is as complex and surprising as Western swing itself, and he turned down a request to support the resolution, saying he'd rather see them honor all kinds of Texas music.
"I would hate to have to stand next to my fellow musicians who play blues, rock and roll, jazz, opera, and say, 'Your music is not our official Texas music,'" Benson said.
Eddie Wilson, founder of the Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin in the 1970s, now owns Threadgill's, a cradle of Texas music. And he also has a problem with politicians relegating myriad artists to the B-side.
"The one huge thing Texas music has over all the rest of the world is diversity," Wilson said. "We have more types of good music than any other geographical designation on the globe. Making Texas swing 'official' just cuts it down."
But Jungmann is not alone in her desire to see Western swing and the dance hall tradition, in all its glorious promenade, stay vibrant.
"It's a symbolic way of honoring Texas' musical past and to create an awareness of its history, especially for generations who haven't been fortunate enough to experience that part of Texas culture," said Tom Buckley, editor of Texas Music magazine, who supports the measure.
A few other versions of the idea have been floated: state Rep. Harvey Hilderbran, R-Kerrville, said he may try to change "western swing" to "Texas music." And Benson suggested creating a second official state song, like "San Antonio Rose" or "Miles and Miles of Texas." The Wentworth resolution is awaiting a vote in a Senate committee, and Jungmann is determined to boogie back to Boerne with a victory.
She knows Western swing has made Texans dance all night for generations. She just wants it to stay a little longer.
Highlights of the proposed resolution to make Western swing the official music of Texas:
"In the field of music, Texas has nurtured important developments in a variety of genres, but of the many styles that have thrived here, one is particularly emblematic of our state's unique character: Western swing."
"A lively sound that has enjoyed enduring popularity over the course of nearly a century, Western swing reflects the ethnic diversity of Texas by encompassing many of the musical traditions that were introduced to the state by the groups that settled here."
"A key to the appeal of this spirited music is its exceptional ability to get people dancing; this quality, too, is evocative of Texas, a state in which dance halls have historically been central to the social life of its communities."
"Born and bred in Texas, Western swing is a musical melting pot that represents the diverse groups that have contributed to the growth and prosperity of our state and the distinctive way of life that has flourished here.

This is my take on this "official" music idea!

This is a really bad idea! I love western swing but there can be no one, single type of music named as the "official" Texas music.
I am a Texas born musician who is now semi-retired but I have been playing music since the 60's and I have seen, performed with and listened to thousands of great musicians of many different genre. Are you going to tell one group of musicians and fans that "their" music is not "official?"
What about Willie Nelson fans? Nearly everyone would agree that Willie Nelson is the de facto "official" musician of Texas. He does play some western swing but his music is mostly just plain country music, with a strong helping of blues and other influences.
Well, too bad blues lovers, Lightnin' Hopkins fans, Leadbelly fans, Blind Lemon Jefferson fans. Your music didn't make the cut!
Too bad Tejano fans. Flaco Jimenez, Freddy Fender fans, they didn't make it either.
Sorry rockers, forget the 13th Floor Elevators, Steve Miller, Edie Brickell and all the others, not "official" enough!
I think Texans used to be proud individualists and could think for themselves. Is that no longer the case? If so then I think my personal favorite music, "Texas Blues," should be the "official" music of Texas and as for everybody else that's just tough!

2011-04-19T13:45:00.000-07:00

Texas To Raise Speed Limits

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2011-04-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

Perry Flip Flops On Washington's Involvement In State Affairs !

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Texas Governor Rick Perry has spent the past few years bashing Washington and the Federal government. He has been very critical of the President and has flirted with secession. He produced a book, Fed Up, which outlined his complaints about so called "big government"
Now Texas is beset with a huge and tragic outbreak of wildfires burning across large sections of the state. These fires have caused entire communities to evacuate and have destroyed many homes.
Perry has sent out an urgent appeal to FEMA and the President for help saying that Texas does not have sufficient resources to deal with the scope of the disaster. This is true and it is proper he should do that. It is also true that FEMA and the Federal government will respond with aid. It is correct and proper they do that.
There is some irony in this.

2011-04-05T11:56:00.000-07:00

City Has A Plan To Finish All Of The Unfinished Projects!

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The city is on top of things as usual!

2011-03-26T09:49:00.000-07:00

Carlos And Joe

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2011-03-19T14:48:00.000-07:00

Blake Farenthold Says Safety Net Now Should Be Called "Safety Hammocks!"

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Blake Farenthold has continuously insulted those who need some form of government assistance, including social security. He says instead of safety nets we should now call them safety "hammocks!"
This from someone who inherited a fortune and is listed as the fourth wealthiest member of the current GOP freshman class in Congress.

2011-03-18T08:18:00.001-07:00

Little Lord Farenthold

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Newly elected Congressman Blake Farenthold has repeatedly expressed his scorn for those receiving any kind of government assistance, including social security. He calls it welfare. He may not know that working people pay into these programs throughout their working lives in the form of payroll deductions. Social Security, far from being "welfare," is a mandatory loan a worker makes to the government, which collects no interest and which will not likely ever be paid back in full when a worker retires. Nevertheless it is an extremely important of most retired senior's income.

2011-03-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

Farenthold Displays Hostility Towards The Poor, The Retired and The Disabled

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Appearing on C Span recently Blake Farenthold, the Republican who defeated Solomon Ortiz for his long held seat in Congress, representing the 27th Congressional district, displayed a disdain and even hostility towards the poor, un-employed, Social Security recipients and Lone Star Card Holders. Farenthold suggested those programs should now be referred to as welfare! Just another Marie Antoinette moment for the rookie rep

2011-02-28T09:17:00.001-08:00

Corpus Christi City Council Sends Contradictory Messages!

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2011-02-12T09:55:00.001-08:00

Sphinx of Texas

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Hopefully it want take as long to get rid of Rick Perry as it did Hosni Mubarak!

2011-02-10T14:32:00.000-08:00

Does New Ordinance Outlaw Sale Of Pipes In Corpus Christi?

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2011-02-10T14:29:00.000-08:00

Perry's Baby

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2011-02-04T14:09:00.000-08:00

Perry Catches Flak For California Trip During Big Freeze!

From Fort-Worth Star Telegram
By Dave Montgomery
dmontgomery@star-telegram.com

"RICK PERRY WAS CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' WHILE TEXANS ENDURED BLACKOUT NIGHTMARE," screamed the headline of a news release from Texas Democratic Party spokeswoman Kirsten Gray. Perry is in California to participate in the 100th anniversary of President Ronald Reagan's birth. But spokesman Mark Miner said Perry was monitoring storm-related developments back home.
"It shows the Democrats are out of touch," Miner said. "He's been in constant communication with the office and is dealing with the weather situation and other issues facing the state on a regular basis."
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas ordered rolling blackouts Wednesday to deal
with power plant breakdowns. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, serving as acting governor in Perry's absence, oversaw the emergency, but Perry also issued a public statement urging conservation measures to "minimize the impact of this event."
On Thursday, Perry was aboard the USS Ronald Reagan and was to spend the night on the aircraft carrier. Perry is among hundreds of Republican dignitaries who will be at the festivities commemorating the birth of the 40th president, who died in 2004. Perry left Texas on Wednesday and is expected to return Sunday. Miner said the governor is also using the trip to meet with military leaders and discuss economic development issues
with California business leaders in hopes of luring jobs to Texas.
But Democrats accused the governor of "fleeing Texas for California during Wednesday's blackouts." Gray called Perry a "Beverly Hills type of guy" who's "focused on becoming a national GOP celebrity but couldn't seem to care less about everyday Texans."
"While we endured a power grid breakdown that literally left us in the dark and looking for answers, the governor not only offered no leadership -- he was nowhere to be found,"
Gray said.
Dave Montgomery is the Star-Telegram's Austin bureau chief. 512-476-4294

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Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/02/03/2822390/democrats-assail-

perrys-trip-during.html#ixzz1D1pXk3xB

2011-01-25T17:22:00.000-08:00

Dewhurst Proposes Raising Auto Registration Fees To Pay For New Roads And Repairs

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With Texas' budget problems likely to far exceed the modest estimates put forward by the administration of Republican Governor Rick Perry, Lieutenant governor David Dewhurst, of course a Republican as well, has made a proposal to address some infrastructure needs.
It is obvious to anyone driving on Texas roads and highways that there is a huge need for repairs and expansion to help alleviate traffic. Dewhurst wants to supplement the $8 billion dollar annual budget of the Texas Department of Transportation, not by raisng taxes, anathema to Republicans, but by an increase in vehicle registration fees.
Dewhurst claims this is not the same as raising taxes. Of course it is a regressive tax which will hit low income Texans much harder than those with higer incomes.
Dewhurst is considered to be the most wealthy member of the state government with an estate of more than $200 million. He is also widely expectesd to run for the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by Kay Bailey Hutchison in 2012.

2011-01-24T16:25:00.001-08:00

Bob Hall Pier Construction Project Collapses!

Photo: Caller/Times
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Add yet another disaster to the list of uncompleted and delayed local construction-destruction projects supported by local government entities.
A concrete pad under construction on Bob Hall Pier collapsed this morning when crews began pouring concrete. According to news reports the pour was near half way when the structure collapsed. No injuries were reported to any of the work crew.
The pad is part of an expansion project for the pier and is expected to cost about $850,000. The project was expected to be completed by early spring. Wanna bet?
Nueces County Coastal Parks Director Scott Cross said the construction will be delayed about two weeks. We'll see about that.
This collapse raises many questions. Was the project properly designed and was the engineering approved? Were corners cut? Is it really necessary in the first place?

2011-01-19T11:45:00.000-08:00

Rick Perry Coronation

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2011-01-19T11:42:00.000-08:00

City Keeps Cash Pipeline Open To American Bank Center

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2011-01-17T13:41:00.000-08:00

Nuces County Airport Losing Money

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2010-12-17T13:49:00.001-08:00

Christmas At The Port Of Corpus Christi

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2010-12-10T09:33:00.000-08:00

Mayor Says Harbor Bridge Lights To Be Turned On For Christmas!

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However the city will have to lay off some workers to save the money to pay for it! Merry Christmas!

2010-12-10T09:28:00.000-08:00

Carlos Valdez Threatens To Sue Friends Of The Coliseum
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So much for freedom of speech, assembly and the right to protest in Corpus Christi! City Attorney Carlos Valdez has threatened to sue the Friends of the Coliseum group that led the fight to preserve the Memorial Coliseum.
Valdez claimed they are responsible for "delays" which he says cost the city over $30,000. Of Course the building was demolished and the ruins and debris still grace the bayfront.

2010-11-30T19:30:00.001-08:00

Medical Examiner Requests HUGE Raise!

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Medical examiner asks
commissioners for a 46 percent pay hike
By Jessica Savage
Corpus Christi Caller Times
Posted November 29, 2010 at 7:50 p.m., updated November 29, 2010 at 7:50 p.m.

Fernandez is asking commissioners for a $75,000 raise.CORPUS CHRISTI — The
county’s highest paid employee is asking for a 46 percent raise so he can earn a
salary competitive with others in his field.
Nueces County Chief Medical Examiner Ray Fernandez makes $163,634 a year
performing autopsies. He also receives a $1,400 car allowance and 40 percent in commission from autopsies requested by other counties.
Fernandez is asking for a $75,000 raise this year, or a 46 percent raise, and a
$20,000 pay boost over the next three years to bring his pay on par with other
counties.
“It’s not going to be an overnight process,” he said. “It will probably take
years.”
Even if he receives the proposed raise, Fernandez won’t be making what other
counties pay their chief medical examiners. Lubbock County, which is smaller
than Nueces County, pays $450,000 a year. The average pay for Harris, Travis and
Bexar counties, which are larger than Nueces County, is $257,711.
With the raise this year, Fernandez would make $238,634 and receive a $5,000 car
allowance.
Nationwide the shortage of pathologists has caught the attention of those who
rely on their skills to solve crimes. The demand puts Fernandez in a good
position for a raise, which County Judge Loyd Neal said he supports.
“He’s been a very good medical examiner and has a great reputation, so I have no
problem bringing this to court,” Neal said. “We don’t want to lose him. He is
well respected in the courts and it would affect the outcome of so many cases
where he is rendering the opinion.”
Fernandez said he has completed about 16 years of school and training after high
school.
“It’s very comparable to the time a heart surgeon might put in,” he said.
Earlier this year, commissioners approved a $115.2 million budget, which called
for $1.4 million in cuts to keep the tax rate at 35.5 cents per $100 valuation,
the same as last year. At the time, Neal instructed commissioners to watch their
spending as next year could require additional cuts.
Neal said money to pay for Fernandez’s salary increase could come from $144,000
that was set aside to pay for county jail doctor William Flores. Flores canceled
that contract early in the fiscal year, so the item was still included in this
year’s budget, Neal said.
Fernandez has worked for the county since 2003. He and a part-time physician,
who works one week a month, perform an average of 500 autopsies a year. About
100 of those are requested by nearby counties that don’t employee a medical
examiner. Fernandez charges those counties from $1,500 to $3,000 per autopsy,
depending upon the type of autopsy or lab tests.

2010-11-12T11:59:00.000-08:00

Texas Supreme Court Overturns Open Beaches Act!

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2010-11-09T15:13:00.000-08:00

Perry's New Book: F 'ed Up!

From the Austin American Statesman:

Perry's book, the power of an apostrophe, and a slip with the f-word (freedom)
Ken Herman, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMANKen Herman

Here at the Newspaper-by-the-Lake, routine is important. Each day, of course, begins with the Socialist Workers of America meeting during which we swear our allegiance to Marx (for me and Kelso, it's Groucho, not Karl).
Then we put out a newspaper. Sometimes during that process, some of us wander around and tell little newspapery jokes. Don't worry, it is always with the utmost of respect for the people we cover and the readers we serve.
It was during one of these little chats the other day that two of my favorite colleagues noted that with the mere insertion of a punctuation mark, Gov. Rick Perry's new book "Fed Up!" could have a funnier — yet still appropriate — title.
Let's see if I can navigate you to that title without running afoul of our standards about foul language.
The punctuation mark in question is an apostrophe. Insert it between the first two letters of "Fed" and we kind of wind up being something else'd up. You with me here? And the new title would remain appropriate for a book that begins with these words: "Something is terribly wrong."
Please be assured that I scolded the people who pointed this out to me and told them their behavior was immature.
Anyway, our recently re-coronated governor for life is on the road hawking "Fed Up!" (no apostrophe).
"Back now with one of the Republicans who could be a prime contender in the race for the White House in 2012," Meredith Vieira said Thursday in introducing Perry on "Today." (I think Hugh Downs was on vacation.)
"It's about freedom. It's about giving Americans their freedom back," Perry said of his book, noting that freedom has been compromised by the feds and the U.S. Supreme Court "in direct conflict with the Constitution, from my perspective."
He pitched his book as "a good primer" about the Constitution and the federal government's relationship with the states.
Vieira, noting that George W. Bush and Barack Obama wrote books as part of their presidential bids, asked Perry if he is running for president. He said no. Perry cited the book — with its attacks on Washington — as the best evidence of a guy who doesn't want to move there.
"Anyone running for the presidency is not going to go take on these issues with the power that I do," he said.
Vieira asked Perry if he might change his mind about running for president if Republicans said, "We need you in 2012."
"I don't see that scenario at all," he said, dismissing the possibility that his party might find itself in dire need of a self-styled constitutional expert with an animal science degree from Texas A&M.
Despite the ongoing denials of presidential intent, Perry clearly and cleverly is following a game plan successfully employed by a previous Texas governor who became president. There's the book. There's the national spotlight. There's the botched phrases, including this one on "Today."
"George W. Bush did an incredible job in the presidency, defending us from freedom," Perry said.
Defending us from freedom?
A couple of minutes later it was time for "Today" to move on. "Up next," said Vieira, "Laurie David on her new campaign to resurrect the family dinner."
I missed that because I had to leave the house and hurry in for the Socialist Workers meeting. But I did see a previous segment that had me waxing Perrylike about government and what it should do and what it shouldn't do. The story involved San Francisco's proposed ban on toys in kids' meals that don't meet the city's nutritional standards.
Yes, I'm aware that the toys sometimes have higher nutritional value than the food in kids meals. But how far down the in-loco-parentis road do we want government to go?
Your governor, in his book, on some of the things some of us are fed up about:
"We are tired of being told how much salt we can put on our food, what windows we can buy for our house, what kind of cars we can drive, what kind of prayers we are allowed to say and where we can say them, what political speech we are allowed to use to elect candidates, what kind of energy we can use, what kind of food we can grow, what doctor we can see, and countless other restrictions on our right to live as we see fit."
Some of that indeed may be fed up (with the apostrophe).

Editor's note, (That's me!)
I haven't seen Perry's book yet, I made a mock up on Photoshop of what I thought would make an appropriate cover.
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2010-11-08T15:07:00.000-08:00

Mark Skurka; One Of The Last Dems Standing!

Mark Skurka was a notable exception in the recent election. All across the area Democrats were losing their races in a Republican red tide!
In the biggest shocker Solomon Ortiz, long time incumbent in the 27th Congressional district, was defeated by Republican rookie Blake Farenthold. His son, Solomon Ortiz Jr, lost his seat in the state legislature.
But Skurka stood against the tide as he defeated Republican Anna Jimenez who had been appointed by Governor Rick Perry to fill the un-expired term of former District Attorney Carlos Valdez.

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2010-11-03T14:51:00.001-07:00

Perry Wins! Bummer!

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Rick Perry easily took yesterday's election and won his third elected term which makes him the longest serving Governor in Texas history. Political junkies may recall he ascended to the Governor's office in 2000 when G.W. bush won the election to the Presidency. When Bush ran for governor in 1998 he assured all that he was not going to run for the Presidency but absolutely no one believed that!
Now Perry is poised for another term and he is echoing G.W.'s old line but probably few believe him either.

2010-10-21T07:11:00.000-07:00

Blake Farenthold Demonstrates His Qualifications For Congress!

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2010-10-18T13:09:00.000-07:00

Early Voting Began Today!

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I Just returned from the polling place and the liquour store. I voted for Bill White and against Rick Perry, among other votes cast. I also went to the liquor store where I bought a half gallon of cheap whiskey, Benchmark, strictly for medicinal purposes you understand. I was sober when I cast my vote.

2010-10-18T10:26:00.000-07:00

Anna's Rival Back To Haunt Her!

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Anna Jimenez,political appointee For District Attorney for Nueces county, fired Mark Skurka when he made it known he was to run for her office. Skurka is now poised to make a strong run against her.

2010-10-12T21:46:00.000-07:00

Mark Skurka Is The Best Choice For District Attorney

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2010-10-05T20:07:00.001-07:00

On The Bay ...

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2010-09-29T09:58:00.001-07:00

Out Source The City Council!

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2010-09-16T09:12:00.001-07:00

Angel's Golden Parachute !!

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Corpus Christi City Manager Angel Escobar has announced his retirement. He will be taking with him a huge severance pay package. Of course this means the city council will now spend an exorbitant sum in a search for a replacement. In addition they are conducting a study to see how large the salary for the new city manager should be. Count on it being enough to place the lucky winner in the top percentiles of the wealthiest Americans!

2010-09-10T13:20:00.001-07:00

Mayor Adame Tells Council Members "No More Texting During Meetings!"

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Mayor Joe Adame has resembled a junior high principal lately as he has had to admonish the kids to stop texting during city council and other official meetings. He is right. They should be paying attention during these meetings and this texting could possibly be in violation of the provisions of the state open meetings statutes.

2010-08-31T09:17:00.000-07:00

Surveillance Drones Now Flying Out Of NAS Corpus Christi

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2010-08-10T08:56:00.001-07:00

Joe and His Wreckin' Crew!

I'm Mayor Rappin' Joe with my wreckin' crew
You know there aint nothin' we wont do.
To make more money for "The Man"
We work real hard doin' all we can!
We tore down the coliseum with my wreckin' ball
Though not everyone wanted to see it fall.
For high priced salaries we have lots of dough
But when it comes to streets we have to say no!
If you don't like my budget selections
You'll just have to wait for the next elections!

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2010-07-17T12:55:00.001-07:00

RTA Hires New Interim Manager For Big Bucks!

Recently the Corpus Christi Regional Transit Authority, in a move seemingly very typical of local government these days, announced that they were going to fire the current interim director, Jorge Cruz-Aedo, and hire a replacement interim director. That’s a replacement interim director!
Michael Setzer will be the man in charge for the next six months until a new and “permanent” director takes over. Setzer heads a management company, Veolia Transportation, which will be paid $126,000 during that six month period.
In addition Setzer will get reimbursement for his travel expenses, he lives in Ohio and will fly home on weekends.

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2010-07-05T11:19:00.000-07:00

Perry, Texas Gop, Funnel Money To Texas Green Party

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Rick Perry and the Texas GOP are engaging in some political sleight of hand to deceive Texas voters in the upcoming Gubernatorial election this November.
They are cynically making moves to split the ticket by helping funnel money to the Green Party and assisting them to get a spot on the ballot. They feel the Green Party will siphon off unsuspecting assorted left wing types and tree huggers and so on who might otherwise have voted for Bill White. Thus those voters will help the party most antithetical to their values.

At the moment their efforts appear to be succeeding but it aint over yet. State Dems vow further legal challenges but it will be difficult going forward. The state Supreme Court is full of Republicans, many Perry appointees.
Texas politics...sigh.

Below are press releases from the state Democratic Party.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RICHIE CALLS ON RICK PERRY To
COME CLEAN WITH TEXAS VOTERS ON
GREEN PARTY BALLOT SCAM CASE

Judge Rules that Green Party Can be Kept Off Ballot;
Source of Secret Corporate Money Tied to Former Perry Chief of Staff
(Corpus Christi, TX) – Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie called on Rick Perry to come clean with Texas voters about what role Perry’s campaign played in funneling over $500,000 in secret corporate funds to fund a Green Party petition drive to help Perry’s floundering campaign.
During testimony today, a witness testified that he was paid approximately $12,000 by Rick Perry’s close friend and former Chief of Staff, lobbyist Mike Toomey, to create a plan to gather signatures to get the Green Party of Texas on the ballot. Today, Travis County District Judge John Dietz blocked the Green Party from a spot on the November ballot for accepting illegal corporate contributions to collect the signatures.
“It is time for Rick Perry to come clean with Texas voters,” Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie said. “Some of Rick Perry’s closest and most trusted political advisors played a role the effort to funnel corporate money into the illegal Green Party petition drive and Texas voters deserve to know the truth about the extent of their involvement in this illegal ballot scam.”
The involvement of Perry’s associates in this illegal scheme was revealed in sworn testimony in a Travis County District Court today.
“The involvement of Perry’s associates in this illegal scheme to tamper with Texas elections is another sign that career politician Rick Perry will do anything to save his floundering campaign and extend his corrupt political career,” Richie concluded.

FACT SHEET – GREEN PARTY BALLOT SCAM
· Today, Travis County District Judge John Dietz blocked the Green Party from a spot on the November ballot due to the use of illegal corporate contributions used to collect the signatures necessary.
During testimony, it was discovered that Mike Toomey, a close friend to Rick Perry and his former Chief of Staff, paid Garrett Mize, a University of Texas student, approximately $12,000 to convince Green Party of Texas leaders to participate in the ballot petition scam.
· Perry’s family friend, Stewart Moss, a former employee of longtime Perry speechwriter Eric Bearse, first approached Mize about collecting signatures to get the Green Party on the ballot.
Mike Toomey and Rick Perry have been described as “close friends” (Source: Texas Monthly, February 2005).
· Mike Toomey was previously implicated in the TRMPAC scandal in 2002, when secret corporate donations were used to illegally elect Republicans in Texas. According to reports from the Austin American-Statesman, the “indictments…noted that TAB board members Mike Toomey and Eric Glenn, both lobbyists, played prominent roles in soliciting money. (Source: Austin American-Statesman, September 8, 2005).

July 02, 2010
Supreme Court allows Green Party to certify ballot UPDATED
The Texas Supreme Court today stayed a district judge's order blocking the Green Party of Texas from certifying its candidates for the general election ballot.
The effect of the order was to allow the Green Party to legally establish a list of candidates for the general election. But the court also set a series of deadlines for lawyers for the Texas Democratic Party and the Green Party to argue whether a ballot petition drive illegally used corporate money.
"We get to put our candidates on the ballot today. We don't know if we get to keep them there," said Green Party lawyer David Rogers.
Rogers said the order signaled that the court wants to take its time to decide whether corporate money can be legally used by a political party for ballot initiatives. He said the court signaled that there is a real legal issue "that needs to be considered carefully and thoughtfully and not in 15 minutes."
Democratic Party lawyer Chad Dunn said he does not believe the fight is over.
"The effect of the order is to give the Supreme Court time before they open up an enormous loophole for potential election fraud," Dunn said.
UPDATE: The Texas Secretary of State reports receiving a Green Party certification for the following statewide candidates:
Deb Shafto of Houston for governor
Herb Gonzales Jr. of San Antonio for lieutenant governor
Art Browning of Cypress for railroad commissioner
Edward Lindsay of Fort Worth for state comptroller

2010-06-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

First rain bands from Tropical Storm Alex, 10:40 am, Tuesday, June 29, 2010.

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More rain bands and more wind on Wednesday

2010-06-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

Rick Perry: EPA Regs Don't Apply To Texas!

Texas Governor Rick Perry Seeks New Battle With Feds; EPA Standards Don't Apply To Texas Says Perry.

The Evironmental Protection Agency recently denied an operating permit from a Corpus Christi refinery saying it was in violation of the Clean Air Act.
EPA director Al Almendariz has threatened to pull permits from 39 other Texas facilities because state regulators are not enforcing strict air quality standards. For some years Texas has had the dubious distinction of having the most polluted air in the nation.
Texas Governor Rick Perry, seizing another opportunity to continue his attack on the federal governnment, has said he will defy these regulations in order to protect jobs.
“Washington just isn’t happy unless they have total control of everything,” he said.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has been underfire for being too cozy with industry and not sufficiently protective of the environment. This battle has been prominent in another local Corpus Christi controversy concerning the proposal to build a large petroleum coke fired power generation plant, Las Brisas. Local opponents of the project fear the TCEQ regs will still allow unacceptable levels of polluting air emissions.

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2010-06-06T16:59:00.000-07:00

Mark Skurka Thrown Overboard!

Cap'n Ana throws Mark Skurka off "her" ship!
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2010-06-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

Wednesday Night Storm Smashes Through Corpus Christi Area

Click on pics for larger image Pics are from my house and my neighbors.

Wednesday night, June 2, a strong pair of storm fronts converged right over Corpus Christi bringing winds in excess of hurricane force, up to 90 mph in some areas, and driving rains. It was something of a mini hurricane which lasted for around 4 hours.

At Corpus Christi Naval air Station, near my home, RV's were blown over and six people were injured. A boat barn which had been newly completed was blown out into the Laguna Madre.

Damage was caused all over the area including roofs blown away, trees down and power was knocked out for over 67,000 people.

As of this morning some still are waiting for power to be restored.

2010-06-02T11:11:00.000-07:00

Perry Turns Down Chance For $700 Million In Federal School Funds

Texas Governor Rick Perry has said that Texas will not compete in the $2 billion Race For The Top federal grants for state education. Texas schools could receive $700 million under this program. Perry says there are too many restrictions and could possibly lead to national standards for education.
That would be a setback for Perry who is more interested in setting school standards which race to the 19th century and as he swings to the right in order to ingratiate himself with Tea Party types as he eyes a run at the Presidency.

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2010-05-25T11:04:00.000-07:00

Rick Perry: Fed Up!

Texas Governor Rick Perry has just announced plans for a new book entitled Fed Up!
The book is scheduled to be released in time for the fall election (what a coincidence!)when Perry will face Democrat Bill White. Perry has a substantial lead in the polls at present.
The book will be published by Little, Brown and Company.
Perry's plans for the future may include a run for the nomination for the Presidency of the federal government he says he hates so.
Perry's book title describes how Texans should feel about him!

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( P.S.:Pic is not a copy of book's actual cover but is, rather, my own invention.)

2010-05-22T09:22:00.000-07:00

New Social Studies Standards Adopted For Texas School Books

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2010-05-17T10:35:00.000-07:00

It's A Good Thing Joe Adame Isn't Mayor Of Rome!

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2010-05-17T09:52:00.000-07:00

Joe Gets His Way!

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2010-05-11T13:10:00.000-07:00

Carlos Valdez Says City Can Ignore Court

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2010-05-05T14:17:00.000-07:00

Perry Says Oil Spill May Be "Act Of God!"

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From Politico:
Perry warned against a 'a knee-jerk reaction' to the spill and said the government doesn’t know what caused the leak.
AP
Texas Gov. Rick Perry Monday offered a stern warning against halting oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico in the wake of a massive oil leak, and he raised the question of whether the explosion was an “act of God.”
The Republican governor, speaking at the Chamber of Commerce in Washington, warned against a “a knee-jerk reaction” to the spill and said the government doesn’t know what caused the leak, which took 11 lives and threatens the Gulf coast’s vast fishing industry.
“We don’t know what the event that has allowed for this massive oil to be released,” Perry said alongside several other governors on a panel Monday. “And until we know that, I hope we don’t see a knee-jerk reaction across this country that says we’re going to shut down drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, because the
cost to this country will be staggering.”
Perry questioned whether the spill was “just an act of God that occurred” and said that any “politically driven” decisions could put the U.S. in further economic peril.
“From time to time there are going to be things that occur that are acts of God
that cannot be prevented,” Perry said.
His line of thinking offers a foil to liberal groups and lawmakers who are calling for an immediate halting in off-shore drilling, something that the Obama administration has championed. MoveOn called for President Barack Obama to reinstate the ban on off-shore drilling Monday.

2010-04-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

Perry Plugs Pesky Coyote!

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Texas Governor Rick Perry recently reported that he shot and killed, with one shot he claimed, a coyote who threatened his pet dog as he was jogging in his gated community Austin neighborhood.
It is illegal to fire a gun within the city limits but Gov. Perry, who has a concealed carry permit, claimed he fired in defense of his pet which is legally permissible.

2010-04-22T14:22:00.000-07:00

Two Guys Named Joe Make A Deal!

So these two guys named Joe can speak for everyone in the community? Really?

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2010-04-16T12:56:00.000-07:00

Tea Bagger Blake Farenthold To Be Next Challenger To Solomom Ortiz

2010-04-10T10:22:00.000-07:00

As Corpus Christi Turns! ...And The Wheel Goes 'Round And 'Round...

Carlos Valdez

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Anna Jimenez

Well, where do we start? Carlos Valdez, longtime County DA retires and is immediately hired by Corpus Chrsit City Manager Angel Escobar. with no preliimnary searches or other candidates even considered, to be the new city attorney. This is approved by a vote on the city council and is done in record time.
Then Governor Rick Perry appoints Republican Anna Jimenez to fill Valdez' former position on an interim basis until the next elections when the position will be voted on by the public.
Jimenez immediately shakes up the DA's office, demoting some longtime staff attorneys, like Mark Skurka, who has worked in the department for 23 years, thus causing them to take large salary cuts. She also hired a private attorney to become her assistant and promoted other staff members within the department. Two former prosecutors resigned rather than take the pay cuts or the reassignment.
Jimenez has worked there for 4 years.
County Judge Loyd Neal allowed Jimenez to do this without advertising the jobs for seven days, which the county requires, under an exemption rule which allows the County Judge to give verbal approval for such changes.
The question is, does an interim appointment, with much less tenure or experience, have the authority and know how to so drastically overturn this department?.

Mark Skurka

2010-04-02T16:54:00.000-07:00

Corpus Christi Church Celebrates Easter With $2 MIllion Giveaway!

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A local church plans to give away cars, including a BMW, and other items totalling $2 million. Must be sweeps week for local churches.

2010-03-31T14:09:00.000-07:00

Battle For Ingleside Naval Station!

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2010-03-23T14:49:00.000-07:00

Texas Health Insurance Nazis!

Texas Governor Rick Perry and State Attorney General Gregg Abott have declared they would challenge the just passed national health care reform in Texas courts.

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2010-03-19T11:26:00.000-07:00

Corpus Christi Mayor Mired In Conflicts Of Interest

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2010-03-17T18:52:00.000-07:00

Go Away Kid! You Bother Me!

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Mayor Adame Always has tax breaks for big companies such as Las Brisas, refineries, developers and others but doesn't mind if this shuts out money for school districts.

2010-03-16T18:45:00.000-07:00

Little Nell Goes To School In Texas

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2010-03-05T10:47:00.000-08:00

County Needs To Change Election Method

Change Needed In County Elections

The current system for the elections of county officials is flawed. Currently we have a partisan primary election with the winners facing off in a November election.
In the recent primary election many ran unopposed in their primary and some offices had primary races for one party but none in any other. Therefore if a candidate wins his primary and there was no primary in other parties then that person has won the seat.
This is basically unfair. This means that all voters who are independents or belong to opposing parties get no say in the election for that position.
Partisan politics should have no place in the election of County Commissioners or in judicial races.
Just as the City Council elections do not indulge in party politics, the County should follow suit.
In the past primary the Commissioner for Precinct 4 had a primary opponent and he lost. Since there was no Democrat running the winner of the Republican primary will be the next commissioner for that seat.
It is a certainty that there are many people in Nueces County who are not Republicans would vote for the incumbent but will not get that chance, they will have no one to cast their vote for.
This is wrong and should be changed.
Ideally a number of candidates for an office should be able to file and have themselves presented to the voters. If none of that group obtains 50% or more of the vote then the two top vote getters would have a runoff.
This way all of the voters would get their say, that’s the fair way to do it.
To change this would require an amemmndement to the State Constitution. That is a tall order but every general election in Texas finds amendments on the ballot. This is one that should be proposed.

2010-03-04T18:10:00.000-08:00

Growth! Growth! We Need More Growth!

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In the recent local primary elections all those running for office echoed calls for more growth. Growth, mindless growth, never mind that our streets, sewers, drainage systems and other parts of the infrastructure are hopelessly inadequate for our present occupants.

Ah yes, 'infrastructure!" Another word that candidates like to bandy around, even if it may sometimes seem that some of them haven't the foggiest idea of exactly what that word means!

2010-03-02T21:50:00.000-08:00

Perry Wins Big! Appoints Self As Governor For Life!

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Flush with a big victory on primary election night Texas Governor Rick Perry exuberantly declares if he wins the race over Bill White he will appoint himself Governor For Life!

2010-03-02T17:07:00.000-08:00

Today Is Texas Independence Day

On this day in 1836 Texas declared independence from Mexico.
Texas independence is still a dream for some it seems.
Texas Governor Perry is in a primary race for an unprecedented fourth term. During the campaign he suggested Texas might consider secession from the union and he palled around with members of a state secessionist group.
I suppose Perry fantasizes about himself at the helm of the New Texas Republic.

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2010-02-26T17:12:00.000-08:00

Joe's New Plans For Corpus Christi

Big ideas, same old problems!

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2010-02-24T15:48:00.000-08:00

City Council Votes To Demolish Coliseum!

The Corpus Christi city council voted yesterday to demolish the Memorial Coliseum.
What to do with the coliseum has been an issue for years, ever since it has been allowed to deteriorate following the opening of the ABC Bank Center which now hosts the events the coliseum used to book.
It has been a highly contentious issue and probably will continue to be so.
At present there are no plans as to what the site will become. You can bet the prevailing attitude on the city council will be to once again to solicit more over the top and over reaching projects. Sadly these developers and pro-development types just cannot abide empty space, especially on a waterfront property! All they see is money money money there.

Pic: One proposal that was turned down. Click on pic for larger image

2010-02-23T14:05:00.000-08:00

Mayor Joe Adame And Corpus Christi City Council Considering
School Crossing Guard Pay And Benefit Cuts!

Mayor Adame and the Corpus Christi City Council are considering cutting pay and benefits of the school crossing guards to cut expenses. School crossing guards are among the lowest paid, with the least benefits, of all city employees. What a courageous idea. It is time to put a new mayor and a new city council in place. The current group has lost its credibility and ability to make decisions.
If they have so little regard for these important employees they should consider going to old style, low tech as shown in the lower pic!

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2010-02-16T12:35:00.000-08:00

I Voted Early Today!

2010-02-15T13:32:00.000-08:00

Fat Cats In Port Board Of Commisioners Need To Cut Budget...

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2010-02-02T18:48:00.000-08:00

City Of Corpus Christi To Consider "Privatization" Of Many City Services

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2010-01-27T13:34:00.000-08:00

City Budget Ax Wielded By Unsteady Hands!

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Responding to the impending city budget shortfall the Corpus Christi City Council announced a series of draconian budget cuts reducing money for road repairs(what a joke considering the condition of our city's roads!)ending city park maintenance on already neglected city parks, cutting city jobs, cutting city employee pay, that is abysmally low already, by requiring employees to pay a higher percentage of their health insurance premiums,ending the city re-cycling program and other items.
Needless to say there was a loud, negative response.
Senior citizens ambushed Mayor Joe Adame and other city council members and made known their opposition to losing their senior centers and school children protested the closing of the re-cycling program.
The council quickly back tracked on some of these items but it is extremely telling of the priorities of this council and this mayor.
An article in the Caller/Times recently mentioned a $30 million plus "slush" fund being held back to pay out to companies in the hope of creating jobs. Many of these proposals were highly dubious and the idea of giving hundreds of thousands of dollars of city money to wealthy developers and businesses while cutting employees pay and benefits and closing and reducing vital services is embarrassing at the least.
The Port of Corpus Christi has been handing out their commissioners hefty pay raises and bonuses. Maybe some of that money should go to the City of Corpus Christi, the counties of Nueces and San Patricio for rent payment since the port is so profitable. Presently the Port is running an expensive propaganda TV ad campaign to try to improve their tawdry image.
As usual, something smells in city government.

2010-01-24T15:35:00.000-08:00

City Backs Down As Seniors Hit The Streets!

Don't throw out grandma!

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The City Council and the Mayor have been talking making up budget shortfalls caused by lower sales tax revenues due to the poor economy. They are ready to cut jobs, close some parks, pick up garbage once a week and other cuts.
Angered by the idea of their center closing a large group of senior citizens "ambushed" Mayor Joe Adame and some city council members recently outside the entrance to city hall. As a result plans to close at least one senior center were dropped!
An article in today's Caller/Times indicates the city has a fund of over $30 million accumulating since 2002 which was intended to be spread out to various businesses and other projects to help boost the local economy. Something seems very wrong with this picture.

2010-01-14T15:33:00.000-08:00

Bill White For Texas Guv

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Bill White has a contest going on to design his campaign poster. This is mine, a tongue-in-cheek effort to be sure.
I do plan on casting my vote for him most enthusiastically!

2010-01-13T10:07:00.000-08:00

SUV'S Rolling Over In The News Today!

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Once again the local noon news featured two stories about SUV's rolling over in accidents. This is a nearly everyday occurrence. The widespread use of SUV's as family cars and high center of gravity station wagons is a disgrace. These vehicles are dangerous if people insist on driving them as a sports car or drag racer! They turn over much more easily than a normal passenger vehicle or truck.
SUV's are fuel inefficient and don't meet safety standards required on normal passenger vehicles.
Where is Ralph Nader when we need him?

2009-12-24T18:05:00.000-08:00

That's My Port!

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2009-12-16T16:11:00.000-08:00

Port of Corpus Christi Executive Board Members Get Obscene Raises, Bonuses!!

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Today's edition of the Corpus Christi Caller/Times carried a story that can only serve to outrage the people who work hard for a living and struggle in today's economy to keep their jobs, much less feed and clothe their families, on the normal working wages paid here in this city. This story outlined the outrageous, obscene bonuses and pay raises given to some on the executive board of the Port of Corpus Christi.
This arrogant, insensitive action comes on the heels of the naming of former CITGO plant manager Bob Kostelnik as Port Commissioner when he was apparently not in compliance with legal residency requirements, that is being a legal resident, registered to vote in the county for at least six months before he could be appointed.
These episodes smack of the smell of the continuation of "the good ole boy" system wherein the insiders of local industry take care of themselves and their friends at the expense of public interests.
Below is an excerpt from the article:

Port executives get raises, bonuses

The top three executives at the Port of Corpus Christi will get
hearty pay raises after port commissioners narrowly approved pay hikes and bonuses totaling nearly $235,000.
For Executive Director John LaRue, it’s the second raise and bonus this year. His 12.6 percent raise Tuesday brings his base salary to $310,000. He also was awarded a $75,000 bonus.
Frank Brogan, the deputy port director of engineering, finance and administration, and Maynard “Sandy” Sanders, the deputy port director of operations and business development, each received 7 percent raises and $50,000 bonuses.
Port commissioners voted 4-3 to approve La-Rue’s raise, with chairman Ruben Bonilla and Commissioners Kenneth Berry, Francis Gandy and Robert Gonzalez in favor and Commissioners Richard Borchard, Mike Carrell and Judy Hawley against.
While Borchard and Carrell voted against all three raises, Hawley joined the other four commissioners and voted for the two deputy port directors’ raises.
There wasn’t public discussion about the raises, which came after an executive session in which commissioners evaluated job performance.
“I don’t believe in giving raises twice in one year,” Borchard said after the meeting. “The amount of the increase, considering the state of the economy, is not right.”
LaRue received a 7 percent raise and $60,000 bonus in March, but that was based on his 2008 job performance, Berry said. Commissioners conducted his 2009 evaluation in December instead of the spring so that Bonilla, whose term expires in January, could weigh in on the staff’s job performance.
Berry said it was essential to pay port staff well to keep them in Corpus Christi. He pointed out that the Port of Houston recently hired a new director with less experience than LaRue and will pay him $325,000.
“How do you let your employees know they are doing a good job?” he said. “A pat on the back is great, but give them a wage increase and a bonus, and they understand.”
Berry said the port has done well during the poor economy,which should be rewarded.
“It’s not the commissioners out there doing the good work,” he said. “It’s port staff.”
By the numbers:
John LaRue Executive director
Old salary: $275,267
New salary: $310,000
Bonus: $75,000
Frank Brogan
Deputy port director: engineering, finance and administration
Old salary: $180,315
New salary:$192,937
Bonus: $50,000
Maynard “Sandy” Sanders
Deputy port director: operations and business development
Old salary: $180,315
New salary:$192,937
Bonus: $50,000

Notice the article said there was no public discussion and was enacted by a vote of the commissioners after an "executive session." This is so over the top of any sense of fairness or reality. It clearly demonstrates that this board needs to be reconstituted and stripped of the power to vote themselves such rich compensation which places these commissioners, supposedly public officials, into the ranks of the most wealthy percentile in the country. And this is in addition to the high paying positions they already hold!
The city and county governments, who are responsible for selecting the members of the Port commissioners, needs to step in and put a stop to this and possibly legislation should be enacted in the state legislature to regulate the pay and terms of service of such boards.
There have been many examples in the past when high powered executives performed governmental leadership roles for the sum of one dollar a year. Such a magnanimous gesture is woefully absent from the Port of Corpus Christi.

2009-12-15T18:15:00.001-08:00

Adame Administration Adrift

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2009-11-27T17:39:00.000-08:00

Neanderthal Rick Perry Opposes Climate Bill

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Texas Governor Rick Perry is now ready to mortgage the future of coming generations and the environment they will live in to further his own political aspirations. The following is an illuminating story from AP.

Perry leads Texas fight against climate bill
By JOHN McFARLAND
Associated Press
Nov. 26, 2009, 7:23PMShare Print Share Del.icio.usDiggTwitterYahoo! BuzzFacebookStumbleUponDALLAS — While the U.S. Senate considers a climate bill aiming to dramatically slash air pollution linked to global warming, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and other Republican leaders in the state that leads the nation in greenhouse gas production are watching closely — and objecting loudly.
Perry, backed by powerful business and industry groups, for months has been denouncing the measure, saying it would cripple the vibrant Texas economy and the heavy-polluting oil, gas and chemical industries it depends on. The governor plans to keep up his campaign against legislation he claims would lead to massive job cuts, industries fleeing overseas and more expensive energy for everyone.
“The bill does not help the environment,” Perry said in an interview with The Associated Press. “It seems like it's more about controlling than it is on having a real impact on the environment.”
The U.S. House narrowly passed the measure in June, with the Texas delegation voting against it 23-9, and a similar version is facing a tough fight in the Senate. Each bill would cut emissions significantly by 2020, with a “cap and trade” system allowing companies to buy and sell permits to release limited amounts of heat-trapping gases.
Most of the nation's 22 Republican governors oppose the measure — including Mississippi's Haley Barbour and Louisiana's Bobby Jindal — but Perry is one of the most vocal. He recently railed against it after being named the head of an oil group that includes elected officials from more than 30 states, and he says he'll use that position and the “bully pulpit” of his office to attack legislation he's called draconian, disastrous and onerous.
Environmental groups and Texans who support the bill say Perry is ignoring the legislation's economic benefits in order to help powerful polluters that support him.
“In short, we can ensure the people of Texas have the responsible and clean energy policies they deserve and that Texas remains at the forefront of the energy field, or we can get left behind,” said state Sen. Rodney Ellis, a Democrat who traveled to Washington with state leaders this year to work with the White House on clean energy legislation. “We can't continue fossilized thinking, pretend there is no problem, and resist innovative thinking.”
Texas leads the nation in industrial pollution and has more oil refineries, chemical manufacturing plants and coal-fired power plants than any other state. The massive oil and chemical plants employ nearly 270,000 people and pay billions in state and local taxes. Texas provides about 20 percent of the nation's oil production, one-third of the natural gas, 25 percent of refining and 60 percent of chemical manufacturing.
Carbon emissions in Texas have dropped in recent years, and Perry says that's happened while those industries have helped build a strong economy that attracts about 1,000 people a day to the state.
“We've been able to reduce emissions and have a growing population and a growing economy, and we didn't do it through regulations and taxes. We did it through incentives,” Perry said. “Put the cap and trade legislation in place, and those businesses at some point will pick up and move offshore. They just can't stay in business.”
Jim Marston, director of the Texas office of the Environmental Defense Fund, doubts that claim. He says Texas companies can be at the forefront of a new green economy and that Perry's employing the same scare tactics used when the 1990 Clean Air Act was considered.
“This is just not credible,” Marston said. “Rick Perry gets extra campaign contributions from industry folks or these people he spends time with at the country club and he's going to say what they want him to say.”
Perry, locked in a tough primary re-election fight with U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison — who also opposes the measure — has been traveling around the state discussing the bill and the predicted consequences for Texas should it pass.
Environmentalists do agree with Perry on one point: his pushing of alternative energy.
Texas tops the country in wind energy, plans to expand a south Texas nuclear plant into the nation's largest and offers incentives for energy efficiency and solar-power use. In fact, Perry's usual speech calls for Washington to follow Texas' lead by offering incentives to cut emissions while promoting all sorts of alternative energy.
“This isn't just the governor of Texas standing up and saying no. I'm an all-of-the-above guy,” Perry said.
But it's his ties to the notoriously polluting big oil and chemical industries that rankle environmentalists. That, and the fact that Perry is skeptical of the science linking climate change and carbon emissions — a stance shared by the three commissioners he appointed to lead the Texas environmental agency.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality contends that capping emissions will not affect global warming, and it would be bad for Texas.
“Due to the significant petroleum and petrochemical industry base of Texas that supplies the rest of the nation with fuel and other commodities, it is certain that cap and trade legislation being discussed will disproportionately affect both citizens and industry of Texas,” spokesman Terry Clawson said.
Environmentalists say Texas needs to quit clinging to the past.
“I would say they are protecting the status quo — or even worse, protecting the status quo of the 1950s,” Marston said. “It's playing to the stereotype that we're yahoos, and we're not.”

2009-11-18T19:47:00.000-08:00

Kay Bailey And Governor Rick Continue Race To The Right
Each Lines Up Endorsement Of Right Wing Heavy Hitters

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Kay Bailey Hutchison may be demonstrating feet of clay as she decides not to resign from the U.S. Senate before the Texas GOP gubernatorial primary next year.

2009-11-03T05:57:00.000-08:00

Texas GOP Selects Nutcase As State Chair!

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Texas Republicans recently selected a bona fide nut job as state chair. Cathie Adams resigned from the Texas Eagle forum in order to take the position. Adams has a history of false, misleading and insulting statements against President Barak Obama and on many issues. She can only help push the Texas GOP even farther to the right than it was already!
Below read some of her more noted quotes:(from The Texas Observer)
- Earlier this month, she compared President Obama to Adolf Hitler, suggesting that his speech to American students was “eerily like Hitler’s youth movement.”

- In an e-mail to far-right activists in 2008, Ms. Adams viciously attacked the faith of then-candidate Barack Obama:

“While many question Barak Hussein Obama’s ‘religion’…, the more important question is whether he has a ‘relationship’ with Jesus Christ because that is the only HOPE that any of us have to obtain eternal life. I personally see NO evidence that Obama has that kind of ‘saving faith.’”

- Two years ago Ms. Adams opposed a ballot measure providing $300 million annually over 10 years for cancer research. Voters approved the measure, which had the support of Gov. Perry and then-President George Bush. But Adams didn’t, falsely claiming that the money would be used in embryonic stem cell research and suggesting that medical researchers are amoral monsters:

“Scientists are on the verge of cloning humans, injecting them with diseases and studying them, then killing them.”

- Defending the dominance of failed abstinence-only programs in Texas schools recently, Ms. Adams blamed the state’s sky-high rates of teen births and sexually transmitted diseases on the supposedly inferior morals of Mexican immigrants:

“If mom had a baby at age 15, are her morals going to be setting different standards than someone who has grown up in the American culture where that is not typical? As a matter of fact, we would look at someone impregnating a 15-year-old as child abuse.”

- She opposes the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which gives children of the working poor access to health care:

“Now illegal aliens will be able to purchase cheap insurance for their children. This is an incentive for them to come here.”

- In May she attacked legislation by fellow Republicans (and signed into law by Gov. Perry) to aid the study of how mental health services might be used in treating patients with other health conditions. Such a thing, she said,

“is now more dangerous than ever with the federal government taking up nationalized/rationed health care. Texans must not surrender our mental and physical health to a socialist State that President Obama is striving toward.”

2009-10-27T16:01:00.001-07:00

Power Lines Went Down As Storm Hits Yesterday

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The storm was like a hurricane with winds clocked over 81 mph and driving rain. It was quite something!
Power lines along the access road near my house were blown down. The fallen power lines trapped motorists in their cars until power was turned off. Power was out at my house from 12:30 pm till 1:30 am.

2009-10-27T15:55:00.000-07:00

A very Strong Storm Wreaked Havoc At My House!

A limb hit my car on the roof as I drove into my parking spot
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2009-10-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

Big Storm Blew Through Yesterday!

Photo: Todd Yates CC Caller/times

Photo: Rachel Denny Clow CC Caller/Times

Photo: Rachel Denny Clow CC Caller/Times

Storm winds up to 81 mph were recorded at the Naval Air Station nearby my home as the storm toppled a series of power lines just down the street from me along the SPID acces road.

2009-10-20T11:44:00.000-07:00

Today I Voted FOR Proposition 9!

2009-10-14T09:32:00.000-07:00

City Guv Plans City Pride Campaign To Clean Up City Yet Plans Still In Place For Once A Week Garbage Pickup

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A new logo was released today to promote a city wide cleanup effort.
This is part of an effort to instill civic pride and decrease litter and trash. A noble idea to be sure.
Mayor Adame formed the Advisory Committee on Community Pride composed of 11 "young professionals" (as described in a Caller/Times story this morning) who worked on his election campaign to lead in this effort.
The logo was created by the company headed by comittee chairwoman Monica Mcleod Sawyer.
The Advisory Committee on Community Pride, the mayor and members of the city council plan to take up trash bags and go to yet to be designated areas of the city to pick up trash on November 14.
It is a good thing to promote city pride and clean streets but this "Pride" campagin sure seems at odds with the notion of going to once a week trash pickup.
Mayor Joe Adame and the Corpus Christi City Council have once again demonstrated they put more store in PR stunts than the public interest.