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Tell us what’s on your mind.
We deserve better
Brutus
Republican ballot propositions
February 28, 2020The republican ballot in the March 3, 2020 primary election contains 9 non-binding propositions.
You can read them here
The propositions are on the ballot after the elected positions.
We deserve better
Brutus
6 Comments | 
State Government | 
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Posted by Brutus
The BRIO is being used
February 27, 2020The other day I rode the Mesa BRIO from west El Paso to the downtown transfer station.
I then took the new Alameda BRIO over to University Medical Center.
Next I went from UMC to the downtown transfer station and then back out to west El Paso.
The buses were heavily used. Most legs of the journey the buses were almost full.
I also saw that the riders were required to pay their fares.
Other than the fact that the ride was rough I was impressed.
This is better
Brutus
10 Comments | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus
elpasomatters.org
February 26, 2020elpasomatters.org is up and running.
The organization is led by the former executive editor of The El Paso Times.
It will be interesting to see if his editorial slant remains the same or if the El Paso Community Foundation will influence his writing.
Hopefully he will write as an objective journalist and clearly label his writing as opinion when he takes sides.
We welcome the new organization. Look to Mr. Moore to be effective in getting information through open records requests.
We deserve better
Brutus
11 Comments | El Paso Times | Permalink
Posted by Brutus
EPISD feathering their nest
February 25, 2020Item J on the EPISD February 18, 2020 board of trustees meeting consent agenda reads:
Approval of Change Order No. 05 for EPISD Downtown Administration Building 1100 N. Stanton, CMAR #18-030, Project No, 17.634A, to HB Construction, for $428,537.00 (177X Maintenance Tax Notes)
The backup material explains:
The change order is for an Owner-initiated request for modifications to the floor plans on the second through the eighth floor. These modifications are a result of changes in the District’s organizational structure. This change order, if approved, will increase the contract sum by $428,537.00, or 1.9%, bringing the contract amount to $21,914,439. Prior change orders to date total $151,323, and are included in the contract amount of $21,914,439. Board Policy CV (Local) requires administration to present any changes for an adjustment of cost greater than or equal to $50,000.00 or changes in the aggregate above fifteen percent (15%) of the original contract value be taken to the Board for approval. The project includes a contingency of $794,852.09 of which $210,954 has already been used leaving a balance of $585,898.09. Staff is recommending this change order be funded from other project funding and not the contingency account as doing so would leave a balance of $155,361.09 in contingency for any potential change orders. Given that the project is approximately 28% complete, reducing the contingency to that amount is not recommended.
Organizational structure
We haven’t heard anything from the district about changes to their organizational structure. Yet they want to make changes on the second through the eighth floor.
It is in particular troubling to see that they don’t want to take the money out of the contingency fund out of fear that they will not have enough money left to make any more changes.
We deserve better
Brutus
10 Comments | El Paso Independent School District | Permalink
Posted by Brutus
elpasospeak 
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