Wouldn’t decreasing the debt make more sense?

November 30, 2016

It seems that at least one of our city council representatives thinks we have a way of getting $25 million in sales tax rebates back from the state.

EL CHUQUENO pointed out to us that in order to get the $25 million the city would have to invest in a project that was “ancillary” to a convention hotel that was within 1,000 feet of our convention center.

The city representative wants to spend the money to expand the arena.  We can’t wait to hear how the arena will be declared to be ancillary to a convention hotel.  That should prove to be another lesson in the kind of wordsmithing that would land a citizen in jail but somehow we allow our politicians to do.

Paying our bills

Even more remarkable is that she seems to want to use the money to make the arena bigger.  That would take it from a planned amount of $180 million to $205 million.  Who knows what the actual cost will turn out to be.

Some of us that pay property taxes to the city would suggest that the $25 million (if it turns out to be available) be used pay down the arena cost.

We deserve better

Brutus

8 Comments | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Undesirable neighbor

November 28, 2016

The railroad/city story continues to get worse.

An article in the Times recently told us that the railroad maintains that  the city never “filled out a form” or scheduled a meeting with the railroad to discuss the land sale.

It’s hard to understand how the city can object to the form–after all they make us sign up just to speak to city council.

According to the article the city never told the railroad what they wanted the land for.  The city attorney was quoted as saying “The end use does not matter–terms of the sale were the same”.

Baloney

Anyone with half of a brain knows that if you are going to sell land and thus create a next door neighbor you will find it important to know what the land will be used for.

Proof

One of the west side city representatives evidently said that the city has recordings and emails that prove the city did reach out to the railroad.

The city is saying is that they need time to compile the records.

If the city representative has identified the recordings and emails it seems to us that those records could be released immediately.

We deserve better

Brutus

3 Comments | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Another thing to be thankful for

November 24, 2016

We have many things to be thankful for.

Will Rogers said this:

“Be thankful we’re not getting all the government we’re paying for.”

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I hope that your holiday is a pleasant one.

We deserve better

Brutus

1 Comment | City government, County Government, El Paso Independent School District, Federal Government, State Government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Money maker?

November 23, 2016

 

Has anyone seen a report or study that tells us what it will cost each year to operate and maintain the arena?

Shouldn’t we ask city council for one?

We deserve better

Brutus

7 Comments | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Refined site

November 22, 2016

Many of us wonder why the new arena cannot be located on the old Asarco land.

It would have easier access and less congestion.

We deserve better

Brutus

8 Comments | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

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