This came in from Max Grossman:
Dear Friends,
I have attached the latest statistics from the City of El Paso detailing the huge cost overruns on twelve QOL bond projects:
FACILITY ORIGINAL SUPPLEMENT OVER
BUDGET ($) FROM COs BUDGET (%)
Irving Schwartz Library 2,150,000 199,000 9.26
Johnson Basin Park 412,664 58,000 14.06
Radford Park 992,158 27,000 2.72
San Jacinto Plaza 3,000,000 3,310,000 110.33
Argal Park at Las Palmas 5,000,000 521,000 10.42
Eastside Sports Complex 48,000,000 11,600,000 24.17
Westside Pool 8,000,000 2,356,000 29.45
Chelsea Aquatic Center 4,000,000 3,100,000 77.50
Forti Aquatic Center 4,000,000 3,400,000 85.00
Childrens Museum 19,250,000 20,800,000 108.05
Hispanic Cultural Center 5,750,000 10,750,000 186.96
MPC (“Arena”) 180,000,000 70,000,000 38.89
TOTAL $280,554,822 $126,121,000 44.95%
We all recall that the original bond proposition, which appeared on the ballot in 2012, called for an expenditure of $475,250,000. That figure has so far been inflated to $601,371,000! The cost overrun on the three “signature” projects alone is $101,550,000 (49.54%)! It is hard to imagine more irresponsible management of public projects, and yet KVIA is the only media network to investigate thoroughly.
Every single El Pasoan should be outraged at our City Manager, Mayor and City Council for bringing us to this point, and yet they continue to insist that we need to spend more money than authorized because “we deserve better!” And where will the extra funds come from? Certificates of obligation (new debt) issued without voter approval. And how will the additional debt be paid for? Higher taxes!
There are three incumbents up for re-election in November: Peter Svarzbein (District 1), Claudia Ordaz-Perez (District 6) and Cissy Lizarraga (District 8). All three own the above figures and all three are being challenged by El Pasoans with significantly more fiscal acumen and management experience.
Have a great day.
elpasospeak 
BILLIONS$$$ in debt. BANKRUPT and no way to ever pay ANY of it, except to constantly fabricate, inflate Property Values, always followed by more TAX INCREASES. The City Council members that are up for re-election should be kicked out. The others, Margo and that MULTI-MILLION$$$ City “Manager”, should be RECALLED, FIRED. THEY don’t represent US, THEY only represent themselves and whatever THEY can take from US. Lies and deception.
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Speaking of spending money the District 1 rep is a friggin idiot. The streetcars aren’t even in service yet and he is looking for more ways to spend money on improvements along the streetcar route. He and his friends must own property along the route. He needs to be voted out.
https://www.kvia.com/news/el-paso/crafting-the-corridor-city-looks-for-streetcar-route-improvements/803886523
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Will need MILLIONS$$$ in construction, RE-construction so the City Councils little MULTI-MILLION$$$ trolleys can get up the “hills”. Just more waste, spend, TAX.
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Anyone know who Stephanie Uribarri is?
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Is this a quiz?
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Those QoL estimates were vetted by Ms. Fuzzy Math, now the CFO at EPISD. Just wait until those projects start to rack up overruns.
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Thank you for sharing, Brutus!
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Why have you not publicly opposed University Medical Center’s use of eminent domain?
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I am mostly focused on two things: (1) issues related to our history and culture, (2) debt/taxes in general. I have a day job and unfortunately don’t have the time to fully investigate every issue. I oppose eminent domain except in cases where there is a critically important public purpose and no other alternative.
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