Do as we say, not as we do

January 27, 2014

Last week the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority (CRRMA) board decided to stop selling their toll tags through a company commonly known as a payday lender.

This post is not in support of the payday lenders, particularly their shameful practices.  I hope that the state takes action to better regulate these businesses.

The CRRMA action seems rather hypocritical to me.  Toll tags are a luxury that people buy so that they can drive from one place to another faster than if they stay on roads that the common folk have to use.  I doubt that many people who have the money to buy these tags find themselves in a position where they need to get a payday loan.   I don’t see the harm of them going into these stores.

Toll lanes that are created to offer expedited travel seem to be something that are not designed to help poor people.  Quite the opposite.  Here we have the CRRMA itself essentially making money from an elitist program and then somehow tying that to sanctioning retail facilities that make money from poorer people.

Lottery

Texas has a lottery system that offers several gambling products.  Some people call lotteries “a tax on the stupid”.   Published information indicates that the chance of winning Texas Lotto is about one in 25 million.

Will we see Texas stop selling lottery products through convenience stores?  After all these stores sell products at much higher prices than one can find in supermarkets and discount stores.  Convenience stores also generally sell alcohol and cigarettes.  Maybe Texas should not sell it’s “morally just”  lottery tickets in these places that cater to the weaknesses of human flesh.

We deserve better

Brutus

1 Comment | City government, State Government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

When will they tell us the truth?

January 26, 2014

Carried over from last year there are at least two issues that citizens would like to know about.

First, our west side city representative was accused of threatening a city employee last October.  The Times wrote:

City Manager Joyce Wilson said all council members have to go through standard investigative procedures when allegations are raised against them.

“They are treated the same as any other citizen. An investigation takes place and the outcome is referred to the District Attorney,” she said in an email.

Standard?

How long does it take to investigate a he-said-she-said?  Is it our district attorney that is burying this or is it the city?  Either way we deserve to know.

El Paso suing Texas attorney general

While many may think that the email issue is over, many are not aware that El Paso is still suing the attorney general over his ruling.

Why?

What are they trying to hide and when will we find out?

We deserve better

Brutus

4 Comments | City government, State Government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Who benefits from the San Jacinto Plaza project?

January 23, 2014

The 2012 quality of life bonds are funding the new Cheryl Ladd neighborhood park in east El Paso.

According to El Paso Development News:

New amenities planned for the park include a new multi-purpose field, playground areas, a canopy shelter, picnic tables, benches, bike racks, paths, rock walls, lighting and an angled parking lot. The picnic tables and parking spaces with be compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

Aside from the multi-purpose field, other athletic improvements include a basketball court, a sand volleyball court, and exercise equipment. Opposite the basketball court will be a “futsal” court. Futsal, from the Portuguese meaning “hall football,” is a form of soccer played on a hard-surface “pitch” which resembles a miniature soccer field.

The site’s landscaping plan includes an underground irrigation system, new grass, mulch, trees, shrubs, and boulders. The majority of landscaping will be focused on the park area closest to the parking lot, as the soccer field takes up much of the rear park space.

The park will be 6.3 acres in size and will cost $1.67 million dollars.

Plazas are expensive

On the other hand we have the San Jacinto Plaza project downtown.  It will remodel for the umpteenth time the square block.  That project will cost $4.5 million  according to the city and over $7 million according to two of the contractors who bid it.

Who benefits?

The neighborhood park probably will be used by residents of the area.  Who will enjoy the benefits of the plaza?

We deserve better

Brutus

3 Comments | Ball park, City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Shocking news

January 22, 2014

El Paso Development News published this article about our coming digital wall.

The wall will be located outside the entrance to our museum of history and will be 180 square feet in size.  It will be made up of four electronic screens and will be interactive with the viewer.

We will have the second one in the world like this.  The city sent some staff members to Copenhagen, Denmark to learn about the first one.

All this for only 3 million dollars!

Oops!

Although the digital wall is being funded out of the 2012 quality of life bonds it seems that something was forgotten.

You see the wall is electronic and it will be outside.  According to El Paso Development News:

Museum officials would like to raise another $1 million in order to build an enclosed glass structure around the courtyard that will help protect the Digital Wall and its users from the elements. 

We deserve better

Brutus

12 Comments | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Real economic development

January 21, 2014

There was a story circulating around El Paso last week that I was happy hear.

Paraphrasing:

A site selection group was in town to evaluate locations for a new operation that would employee more than 200 people.

The group went to dinner and was discussing the day’s activities in the restaurant.

They were interrupted by a man who approached their table.  Again paraphrasing, he said:

Please excuse the interruption and the fact that I overheard part of your conversation.  My name is Oscar Leeser and I am the mayor of El Paso and also a car salesman.  I heard that you are thinking of moving a business to El Paso and I would like to know what I can do to help you do that.

The group was pleasantly surprised and impressed.

Drum roll

We deserve better and we got it this time.

Thank you Mayor Leeser!

Brutus

3 Comments | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »