City going dark

September 19, 2017

City council agendas and backup materials are supposed to be posted on the city website by 12 Noon on the Thursday.

That leaves very little time for us common citizens to call our city representative to discuss concerns we might have with agenda topics.

The city is closed on Friday.

Council members attend legislative review (pre council) meetings on Mondays.

Regular city council meetings are on Tuesday mornings.

Our former city clerk has retired and whoever is filling in for her did not meet the posting requirements this week.  This is a snapshot of the city’s web site this Thursday afternoon (the date and time were manually entered):

There was a special city council meeting Monday and a regular one on this morning.

We deserve better

Brutus

3 Comments | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Is the city really confused?

September 15, 2017

Our city government is evidently appealing the judge’s ruling in the multipurpose performing art and entertainment center lawsuit.

The Austin, Texas judge in the case said that the city cannot use money from the quality of life bonds that we passed to build a sports arena.  She went further and said that the city cannot use any other source of funds to add on to the center in such a manner as to facilitate making it a sports arena.

The story the city is telling us is that they are appealing the judge’s order to seek clarification on what the city can and cannot do.

It seems to us that a motion for clarification of the judge’s order is what the city should be using if they are really only interested in clarification.

An appeal takes the case to a different court.  A motion for clarification asks the existing judge to be specific on certain points.

Civil appeals are supposed to be based on errors in findings of fact or conclusions of law.

It could be that the appeals court will refuse to hear the case.

We deserve better

Brutus

11 Comments | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Communication from a city representative

September 13, 2017

Evidently a city representative sent this to one of our readers:

Greetings,

     This week, hope took a hold of me at different angles. On the positive side, last Sunday I volunteered at the El Paso Unites for Hurricane Harvey Animal Rescue event downtown. Not only did I donate a print of one of the original posters from the El Paso Transnational Trolley Project, but I helped in the reception of donations. El Pasoans with cars and trucks pulled into San Jacinto Plaza, dropping off loads of pet food, diapers and bottled water to benefit the animals (and, of course, humans) that continue to suffer because of the effects of Hurricane Harvey. Some didn’t even stay for the free concert; they just pulled up, unloaded and left. When you read about the overflow of volunteers and the amount of monetary donations the relief efforts have been receiving, it makes me proud to be American. It gives me hope to see many different Americans and citizens of the world come together to help each other.


On the other side of hope, there is more of a strained hope that I felt as the president proclaimed the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy. I joined a vigil this past Tuesday to speak my mind and to stand in solidarity with those affected by the decision. I, myself, am a son of immigrants and a child of the border. I could have been born in any other country, but my parents had the foresight to have me in the greatest one there is. There is a lack of empathy on the side of this administration to place the fault of one generation onto another. This change in policy had me think more about the empathy we all should for those who are productive members of society that are making the best of the opportunities afforded to them in the United States and had no choice about being born or raised in the USA. For some DREAMers, they do not know life in any other country, like most Americans do. The hope in me is that these DREAMers will be able to fulfill the opportunity  that comes with hard work and dedication in fulfilling the American Dream. At our best, we, as a country, lend a hand to those in need in the name of giving them a chance to be on equal footing to pursue their American Dream. We continue to see it with the efforts in Houston and east Texas and my hope is that we will see it with the DREAMers.

     Lastly, We want to express our deepest heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the Sumrall family on the passing of former District 1 Representative, Janice Sumrall. Representative Sumrall was a very progressive leader who really listened to her district and was instrumental in the formation of the Rim Area Neighborhood Overlay, the Dorris Van Doren library, and was the grand marshal of the first Gay Pride Parade in El Paso. My success in this office is predicated upon the hard work placed upon the shoulders of many office holders before me, and Representative Sumrall was an important civic leader to the people of El Paso and District 1. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to your favorite animal shelter or the Animal Rescue League of El Paso: 915-877-5002, info@arlep.org. Memorial service will be Saturday, September 9, 2017 1:30 pm at Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N. Resler Dr.

Warmly,
Peter Svarzbein
District 1
300 N. Campbell St.
El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 212-1002
District1@elpasotexas.gov

7 Comments | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Property tax ranking

September 8, 2017

El Paso had the 3rd highest property tax rate (considering homestead allowances) among the nation’s 50 largest cities for taxes paid in 2016.

Our rate was 2.58%.

Milwaukee Wisconsin had the second highest rate at 2.669%.

With the community college increase of 4%, the city at 5%, EPISD at 6% and the county hospital at 6.4% it looks like we may sink to second place.

We deserve better

Brutus

6 Comments | City government, County Government, El Paso Independent School District | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Why the advertising campaign?

September 7, 2017

We have to wonder why the sports group has launched an advertising campaign to garner support for a downtown sports arena.

Bonds have been approved for a multipurpose cultural and performing arts facility.

A state judge has ruled that the facility may not be designed to host sporting events.

The city is appealing.

It seems to us that the matter is in the hands of the courts.

Who are they trying to influence?

Do they think that the issue is going to have to go back to the voters?

If it is city council they are seeking to influence, it seems that they already have more direct methods.

We deserve better

Brutus

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

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