Christmas At The Port Of Corpus Christi


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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!

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.

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.

Texas Supreme Court Overturns Open Beaches Act!

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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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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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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.

Blake Farenthold Demonstrates His Qualifications For Congress!









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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.

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.

Mark Skurka Is The Best Choice For District Attorney

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On The Bay ...

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Out Source The City Council!




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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!

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.

Surveillance Drones Now Flying Out Of NAS Corpus Christi

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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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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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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