elpasospeak

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

A loyal reader sent this in:

Teachers,

Beginning with the 2018-19 school year, all secondary school schedules will now be a 6 of 8 model, including all core and non-core teachers. All core and non-core teachers will have a prep period and a planning period. This allows for better use of schedules to benefit students, and allows teachers the time needed to plan, grade, and meet with colleagues.

To accommodate this change, the teacher-student ratio has been changed to 25:1. This has resulted in some teachers being shifted or displaced. All displaced teachers are guaranteed a position with the District and this will not affect campus seniority. Displaced teachers will be assigned to their current campus until further notice.

Teachers impacted by the change will be notified on July 10. We ask that you please respond promptly so that we can meet and discuss your assignment.

Administration has been working diligently with our teacher associations to ensure this is a smooth transition for everyone. Thank you for your cooperation and for being part of Team EPISD. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Thank you,

Marc Escareno

Principal, Coronado High School

Max Grossman sent in a more lengthy post than the portion that we post today.

We have found that shorter articles make a stronger point with our readers.

From Mr. Grossman:

What a difference 20 years makes! I have attached a Wall Street Journal report by Patrick Barta entitled “El Paso Bets Union Plaza Will Enliven Downtown.” Back in those days, Union Plaza was a 19-block neighborhood that was designated as an entertainment district. We read: “By the end of 1999, $53 million will have been spent to make Union Plaza such an attractive entertainment district that Mayor Carlos Ramirez and City Council members figure businesses will be fighting to lease space. And proponents see a revitalized Union Plaza with new retail stores and restaurants as a boost for the entire downtown, bringing in more jobs and greater tax revenue.” That was about the time when the City of El Paso published its now-famous 1998 cultural resources survey of downtown El Paso, which identified numerous potential landmarks and historic sites throughout the Union Plaza neighborhood.

The link to the original article.  WSJ 22 Apr 1998

I enjoyed driving through neighborhoods on Memorial Day and seeing the American flags.

The Kiwanis Clubs of El Paso Foundation is responsible for placing several hundred of them each Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July, Labor Day and Veterans Day.

They partner with local scout troops and youth groups, giving most of the money to them and thus helping them both to instill a sense of responsibility in the kids and to raise money for their organization.

The Kiwanis have a web page that explains the program:  http://elpasokiwanisflags.org/index.html

We wrote about them back in 2015 in this post.  Since then Mr. Hendrix has done a great job of expanding the program.

This is better

Brutus

Max Grossman sent this in:

Citizens of El Paso,

This comes from our friend Rick Bonart, who is leading the fight against the latest taxpayer rip-off.

Max

This Tuesday, El Paso City Council will vote on whether to create two TIRZ on the West Side: TIRZ 10 and 12. These will rob the general fund of much needed tax dollars and adversely affect every citizen in every district.

See the Council agenda items 21.1, 21.2 and 21.3 here. See David Crowder’s report for the El Paso Inc here. See also El Chuqueno and  the discussion in El Paso Speak entitled “Developers Have Special Needs.”

TIRZ are not hard to understand. An area is created and property values are frozen in that area. As that area improves and tax values increases, the tax dollars generated from the increased value go back to the TIRZ. These TIRZ dollars can only be spent within the TIRZ. In other words, TIRZ rob the general fund of much needed revenue that would help keep all our taxes lower, while still requiring general fund dollars to provide basic city services.

TIRZ 10  and 12 will be some of the worst examples of government using public dollars to enrich private developers. These two TIRZ are huge. They prevent 5,000 acres of prime commercial and residential property along Interstate 10 and Transmountain Road from contributing to the general fund. This area is booming, not blighted. This area does not need public money to stimulate new growth or rebuild old buildings. The TIRZ funds will be used to repay developers for roads, sewers, water, storm water, parks and other things that are normal developer costs. Once established, TIRZ last for decades!

How bad is it?  TIRZ 12 will generate just $3 million in 36 years for the general fund while giving private developers $188 million. That’s $188 million that will not go to the general fund. These TIRZ are reverse Robin Hoods, robbing from the poor to give to the very richest men in our community.

TIRZ 10 and 12  are located within District 1, represented by Peter Svarzbein. However, instead of standing up for his constituents and leading the charge against the TIRZ, he has received campaign donations from all the developers who will benefit from the TIRZ! Mr. Svarzbein is running for re-election in November.

TIRZ can be a valuable development tool to help rehabilitate blighted areas. Unfortunately TIRZ have been used to line the pockets of the rich while harming poor neighborhoods. See this report from Houston, where folks have firsthand experience with TIRZ abuses.

It’s not too late to stop this! Come to City Council this Tuesday and stand with us. Let’s let Council know we will not be victims, and let’s remind them that they serve at our pleasure and not vice-versa! TIRZ 10 and 12 are not just unnecessary, they are harmful.

The City of El Paso has the second highest tax rate of the 50 largest cities in America. TIRZ will not lower your taxes, but will eventually result in higher taxes for all of us. This is very regressive and will hurt lower-income folks the most.

Rick Bonart