I Love My Corpus Christi

Who are the superdelegates? "Watchers" of the gate?

2008-03-05T05:18:00.000-08:00

Superdelegate
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

"Superdelegate" is an informal term for some of the delegates to the Democratic National Convention, the quadrennial convention of the United States Democratic Party.

Unlike most convention delegates, the superdelegates are not selected based on the party primaries and caucuses in each U.S. state. Instead, the superdelegates are seated automatically, based solely on their status as current or former elected officeholders and party officials. They are free to support any candidate for the nomination.

The Democratic Party rules do not use the term "superdelegate". The formal designation (in Rule 9.A) is "unpledged party leader and elected official delegates".[1] In addition to these unpledged "PLEO" delegates, the state parties choose other unpledged delegates (Rule 9.B) and pledged PLEO delegates (Rule 9.C).[1] This article discusses only the unpledged PLEO delegates.

The Republican Party also seats some party officials as delegates without regard to primary or caucus results, but the term "superdelegate" is most commonly applied only in the Democratic Party.

At the 2008 Democratic National Convention the superdelegates will make up approximately one-fifth of the total number of delegates. The unforeseen and unprecedented closeness of the race between the leading contenders Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama following Super Tuesday has focused attention on the potential role of the superdelegates in selecting the Democratic nominee, inasmuch as in the aggregate they could come to be kingmakers to a degree not seen in previous election cycles.[2] Such an outcome would result in the first brokered convention since 1952.
Contents
[hide]

* 1 History
* 2 Superdelegates in 2008
o 2.1 Pledged and unpledged delegates
* 3 Criticism
* 4 See also
* 5 References
* 6 External links

[edit] History

After the 1968 Democratic National Convention, the Democratic Party implemented changes in its delegate selection process, based on the work of the McGovern-Fraser Commission. The purpose of the changes was to make the composition of the convention less subject to control by party leaders and more responsive to the votes cast during the campaign for the nomination.

These comprehensive changes left some Democrats believing that the role of party leaders and elected officials had been unduly diminished, weakening the Democratic tickets of George McGovern and Jimmy Carter. In 1982, a commission chaired by former North Carolina Governor James Hunt created superdelegates. Under the original Hunt plan, superdelegates consisted of 30% of the total delegate count, but when it was finally implemented in 1984, superdelegates consisted of 14% of the total count. The number has steadily increased until today, where superdelegates are approximately 20% of the total delegate count. [3]

In the 1984 election, the major contenders for the Presidential nomination were Gary Hart and Walter Mondale. Each of them won some primaries and caucuses. Hart was only slightly behind Mondale in the total number of votes cast, but Mondale won the support of almost all the superdelegates and became the nominee.[4]

In 1988, a study found that superdelegates and delegates selected through the primary and caucus process are not substantively different in terms of viewpoints on issues from each other. However, it also found that superdelegates are more likely to prefer candidates with Washington experience than outsider candidates.[5]

The superdelegates have not always prevailed, however. In the Democratic primary phase of the 2004 election, Howard Dean acquired an early lead in delegate counts by obtaining the support of a number of superdelegates before even the first primaries were held. Nevertheless, John Kerry defeated Dean in a succession of primaries and caucuses and won the nomination.

[edit] Superdelegates in 2008

Main article: Democratic Party (United States) Superdelegates, 2008

Superdelegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention include all Democratic members of the United States Congress, Democratic governors, various additional elected officials, members of the Democratic National Committee, as well as "all former Democratic Presidents, all former Democratic Vice Presidents, all former Democratic Leaders of the U.S. Senate, all former Democratic Speakers of the U.S. House of Representatives and Democratic Minority Leaders, as applicable, and all former Chairs of the Democratic National Committee."[1] There is an exception, however, for otherwise qualified individuals who endorse another party’s candidate for President; they lose their superdelegate status. In 2008, Senator Joe Lieberman was disqualified as a superdelegate because he endorsed Republican John McCain.[6], although Lieberman's status was questioned because of his status as being elected in the Connecticut for Lieberman party.[7] However, Lieberman was not listed as a superdelegate one month prior to the official disqualification. [8], and the count for Connecticut's delegates has always excluded Lieberman's spot[9][10].

The 2008 Democratic National Convention will have approximately 794 superdelegates,[11][12] although the number can change up to the beginning of the convention (Call to the Convention Section IV(C)(2)). Delegates from state caucuses and primaries will number 3,253, resulting in a total number of delegate votes of 4,047. A candidate needs a majority of that total, or 2,024, to win the nomination.[11] Superdelegates account for approximately one fifth (19.6%) of all votes at the convention. Delegates chosen in the Democratic caucuses and primaries account for approximately four-fifths (80.4%) of the Democratic convention delegates.[11][13] Note: All numbers in this section assume that Michigan and Florida delegates are not counted per current Democratic National Committee rules. If those rules are changed before or during the convention, the numbers above will change as appropriate.

The media commonly cites 796 superdelegates[14] [15] but due to the death of Representative Tom Lantos and the move from Maine to Florida of former Maine Governor (and Distinguished Party Leader) Kenneth Curtis, the total is now approximately 794.[16]

The Politico found that about half of the superdelegates are white men, compared to 28% of the Democratic primary electorate.[17]

In the Republican Party, as in the Democratic Party, members of the party’s national committee automatically become delegates without being pledged to any candidate. In 2008, there are 123 members of the Republican National Committee among the total of 2,380 delegates to the 2008 Republican National Convention.[13] There are three RNC delegates (the national committeeman, national committeewoman, and state party chair) for each state, except for the ones who had primary contests before Super Tuesday. [18] Despite this similarity in procedure, the term "superdelegate" is generally used only about Democratic delegates, although there are exceptions.[19]

[edit] Pledged and unpledged delegates

The Democratic Party rules distinguish between pledged and unpledged delegates, with the selection of the former being based on their announced preferences in the contest for the presidential nomination.[1] In the party primaries and caucuses in each U.S. state, voters express their preference among the contenders for the party’s nomination for President of the United States. Pledged delegates supporting each candidate are chosen in approximate ratio to their candidate’s share of the vote. In some states, the delegates so chosen are legally required to vote for the candidate to whom they are pledged, at least on the first ballot at the convention. By contrast, the superdelegates, selected by virtue of their status as current or former elected officeholders and party officials, without regard to their presidential preferences, are all unpledged delegates. Many of them have chosen to announce endorsements, but they are not bound in any way. They may support any candidate they wish, including one who has dropped out of the presidential race.[20] There are also "unpledged add-on delegates" selected under Rule 9.B and "pledged party leader and elected official delegates" selected under rule 9.C.[1]

The process of selecting delegates is described here and here. To sum up, the Democratic Party's delegates fall into seven categories:

* District-level delegates
* At-large delegates
* Unpledged party-leader delegates
* Unpledged elected-official delegates
* Pledged party-leader delegates
* Pledged elected-official delegates
* Unpledged add-on delegates

Both the Democratic and Republican party have a number of state level unpledged delegates that are chosen by each state's party through convention, caucus, or state party leader vote (depending on how that particular state-party body has decided to choose them).[21] The state level unpledged delegates tend to vote for the candidate who received the most votes from their state (although they are not required to and some state parties give them more leeway than others). Many state Republican party delegations are made up entirely of unpledged delegates which gives them the distinction "winner take all". Even with these traditions, unpledged delegates are allowed to change their vote at any time before the national convention. This is why both the Republican and Democratic parties have the potential for a brokered convention. This is far less likely for the Republican party where the traditions are more strict and there are far fewer unpledged delegates who are given a free hand.

[edit] Criticism

The Democratic Party has been criticized for conducting its nominating process in an undemocratic way,[4][22][23] because superdelegates are generally chosen without regard to their preferences in the presidential race and are not obligated to support the candidate chosen by the voters. Television commentator Dan Abrams has called it "troubling" that the superdelegates might decide the race, arguing, "Each of the superdelegates' votes is now equivalent to about 10,000 Democratic voters."[24]

There have been repeated calls to eliminate the superdelegates from the nomination process to more accurately reflect the popular vote, including an online petition.[25]

Delegates chosen in primaries and caucuses may not exactly reflect the votes cast, although party rules require proportional allocation rather than winner-take-all.[26]

[edit] See also

* Democratic Party (United States) Superdelegates, 2008

[edit] References

1. ^ a b c d e Democratic National Committee (August 19, 2006). "Delegate Selection Rules for the 2008 Democratic National Convention". Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
2. ^ Nagourney, Adam; Hulse, Carl. "Neck and Neck, Democrats Woo Superdelegates", The New York Times, 2008-02-10.
3. ^ Nather, David (February 25, 2008), "Leaping Voters In a Single Bound", CQ Weekly: 482,
4. ^ a b Berman, Ari. "Not So Superdelegates", The Nation, 2008-02-18.
5. ^ Are "Superdelegates" Super? Herrerra, Richard, Political Behavior, Vol. 16, No. 1. (Mar., 1994), pp. 79-92.
6. ^ Pazniokas, Mark (February 6, 2008). Lieberman No Longer a Super Delegate. courant.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-07.
7. ^ http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2008/02/obama-leads-cli.html
8. ^ http://graphics.boston.com/multimedia/politics/2008/superdelegate_list/superdeleg.pdf
9. ^ http://www.ctdems.org/documents/2008planv4FINAL.pdf
10. ^ http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/02/everybody-wrong-on-lieberman.html
11. ^ a b c "The Primary Season: 2008 Democratic Calendar", The New York Times, 2007-01-07,
12. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/13/everything-youve-ever-wa_n_86335.html
13. ^ a b Election Center 2008: Delegate Scorecard. CNN.
14. ^ http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct=us/13-0&fp=47c86d832767ae19&ei=FezIR6raCo7eqgO9ivDPCQ&url=http%3A//www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/02/25/superdelegates/&cid=0
15. ^ http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct=us/10-0&fp=47c89ea33f9bd60c&ei=LuzIR7OyEZ6arAPppczgCQ&url=http%3A//www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/now/stories/2008/02/27/1_OHIO_PRIME_ART_02-27-08_D1_869EDH0.html%3Fsid%3D101&cid=1137561861
16. ^ http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/02/superdelegate-from-maine-moves-to-fl.html
17. ^ http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8535.html
18. ^ http://www.gop.com/images/2008_Call_FINAL.pdf
19. ^ Marcus, Ruth. "Looking Beyond Tsunami Tuesday", The Sacramento Bee, 2008-01-17.
20. ^ "Romney suspends presidential campaign", CNN.com, February 7, 2008,
21. ^ "Maine Caucus Results", The New York Times.
22. ^ Snell, Teddye. "A Presidential Primer", Tahlequah Daily Press, 2008-01-09.
23. ^ Chaddock, Gail Russell. "If Superdelegates Pick Nominee, Democrats Face Backlash", Christian Science Monitor, 2008-02-20.
24. ^ Abrams, Dan (February 8, 2008). "Voters Not Superdelegates". The Huffington Post. Retrieved on 2008-03-01.
25. ^ "Democrats for Democracy Superdelegate Petition"
26. ^ Cook, Rhodes, The Presidential Nominating Process: A Place for Us?, Rowman & Littlefield,

[edit] External links

* Democratic Convention Watch - lists which superdelegates have and have not endorsed a candidate
* List of Democratic superdelegates
* "Delegate Selection Rules for the 2008 Democratic National Convention" - official Democratic Party rules (note: this is a redirect from the link www.democrats.org/page/-/dem_convention/rules.pdf, on http://www.demconvention.com/how-to-become-a-delegate/)

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superdelegate"
Categories: United States presidential nominating conventions
Views

* Article
* Discussion
* Edit this page
* History

Personal tools

* Log in / create account

Navigation

* Main Page
* Contents
* Featured content
* Current events
* Random article

Interaction

* About Wikipedia
* Community portal
* Recent changes
* Contact Wikipedia
* Donate to Wikipedia
* Help

Search

Toolbox

* What links here
* Related changes
* Upload file
* Special pages
* Printable version
* Permanent link
* Cite this page

Languages

* Français
* Tiếng Việt

Powered by MediaWiki
Wikimedia Foundation

* This page was last modified on 5 March 2008, at 04:14.
* All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details.)
Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit charity.
* Privacy policy
* About Wikipedia
* Disclaimers

ilovemycc.blogspot.com/ - A stronger Web presence? We Love Our Corpus Christi

2007-10-07T23:12:00.000-07:00

Local

Has NY no love for CC?

Local effort to stir city pride overcame protest from home state of the famed heart logo

By Denise Malan (Contact)
Originally published 02:54 a.m., October 7, 2007
Updated 02:54 a.m., October 7, 2007

Not even mighty New York could keep Corpus Christi from loving itself.

That state holds the trademark for the instantly recognizable "I NY" logo and picked a brief copyright fight with an "

I Love My Corpus Christi

" campaign.

The local version was the brainchild of Leadership Corpus Christi Class XXXIV sponsored by the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce. The campaign lost some steam after several months, partly because the leadership class was concluded and partly because of the legal discussion with Empire State Development, the state of New York's economic development arm that oversees the "I NY" trademark.

http://ilovemycc.blogspot.com/

Now, the legality of "I My CC" no longer is in question and a company has bought licensing rights from the Chamber of Commerce Foundation to bring the logo back.

The leadership class, which met in 2005-06, wanted to foster a sense of pride in a community that tends to suffer low self-esteem. Mayor Henry Garrett declared Valentine's Day 2006 (and all subsequent Valentine's Days) I Love My Corpus Christi Day.

Among other aims, the campaign "seeks to encourage all the citizens of Corpus Christi to act as ambassadors for the city, sharing positive information with potential visitors, family and friends," the proclamation states.

Soon after, the now-familiar "I My CC" logo began popping up all around Corpus Christi -- bumper stickers, billboards, banners on light posts and television commercials. Full-page ads ran in April, May and June 2006 in the Caller-Times, sponsored by the newspaper's marketing department. Some carried testimonials from prominent residents touting the area's health care, career opportunities and recreation.

One example is this endorsement from Realtor Kim Erwin: "I love MY Corpus Christi because there's no better place in the world to relax and enjoy laid-back island living in such a pristine setting."

But in May 2006, the Chamber of Commerce Foundation received a letter from CMG Worldwide, a trademark protection firm, on behalf of Empire State Development. The letter demanded the chamber cease and desist from using the logo.

http://ilovemycc.blogspot.com/

Local attorney John Bell responded for the chamber, and the two firms traded several letters, which the Caller-Times obtained under the New York Freedom of Information Law.

"There is no reasonable debate but that the (chamber) built its campaign around the 'I NY' mark," the firm wrote.

Bell responded that many cities use the heart. "If the design trademark originally obtained ever had such distinctiveness, it obviously has been lost," he wrote.

After several months, New York decided to drop its claim, which never progressed as far as a lawsuit. The Corpus Christi logo's font (it's more script than New York's block letters) and the word "my" apparently made all the difference.

"The decision eventually was that it was different enough not to pursue our trademark claim," said A.J. Carter, senior vice president of communications for Empire State Development.

Ken Treviño, chamber executive vice president, said the chamber wanted to carry on the campaign but needed an outside company. It would be difficult for the chamber staff to take on the project, plus a business with experience could build a stronger Web presence.

"We were looking for a company that had the same vision," Treviño said.

Chad Magill, who owns a local identity theft protection business, was in the leadership class that started the campaign. He and his business partner, Cecil Johnson, decided to take it on, hoping to build on the community pride fostered in the first campaign.

"It seems like everybody outside Corpus Christi knows how great it is," Johnson said.

They formed a company, CCLS Marketing LLC, and bought the licensing rights from the chamber foundation for an undisclosed amount. The chamber still owns the trademark and receives a cut of profits to benefit future Leadership Corpus Christi classes, Treviño said.

To regain some of the momentum lost during the lull, CCLS hosted a "kickoff" party at House of Rock downtown. The party was Sept. 20, more than a year and a half after the original "I My CC" kickoff Feb. 13, 2006.

The company sells T-shirts, mugs, Koozies and bumper stickers on its Web site, ilovemycc.com, at the Omni hotels and Corpus Christi Visitor's Center on Chaparral Street. Johnson and Magill said sales have been steady on the Web site.

That's not the case at the Omni Bayfront, which has a table full of "I My CC" merchandise on sale.

"They're not selling," said Sylvia Silva, a gift shop sales clerk at the hotel. "That's why they're 30 percent off."

Contact Denise Malan at 886-4334 or at maland@caller.com

CCISD: Freedom of Information Request: The process the CCISD Board used is unethical and unfair.

2007-05-20T04:43:00.000-07:00

CCISD: Freedom of Information Request: The process the CCISD Board used is unethical and unfair.

CCISD: Freedom of Information Request: The process the CCISD Board used is unethical and unfair.

Freedom of Information Request

This Publication request any and all communications including email and written correspondence from one week before Trustee Harry Williams resigned.

Must I formalize it on Monday?

Think I am bluffing?

You gotta ask yourself

Do you feel lucky?

Well Do ya?

Go ahead.........

You guys get the idea?

Now, don't go and seek the OAG's opinion as it will delay our children.

Just fess up and conduct business with honor and integrity and at least give us an appearance of due process. Not one black appointment. You guys are definitely walking on thin ice or maybe already fallen through but just don't know it. Such inadequacy is unacceptable.

CORPUS CHRISTI - CCISD school board members interviewed five candidates Friday to fill the board position vacated by Reverend Harry Williams.

The school board said it will set another meeting to discuss the finalists, and will possibly make a decision then, but still no word on when that would be.

Williams served the school board for more than seven years before resigning last month.

Nick Adame

"Do not be a disservice to our community and choose because this guy is my friend or this guy is my business associate," Dr. Nick Adame said. "I don't want to hear that. I want to hear that we're going to choose somebody because they're going to do right for the community."

Last week, the board narrowed the list of 20 candidates to five

Kenedeno:

Where is the criteria the process for "narrowing the list"?

The process the CCISD Board used is unethical and unfair. Every single applicant took the time to fill out an application, and the thought process for the letter of interest and update of their resume and references. For all intensive purposes this CCISD Board just threw that work product into the trash can while opting for business partners, friends cronies and industry allies.

It is not about the 5 selected it is about how the 5 were selected. It is not about Barrera or Prezas or Bill Clark or Lucy Rubio.

It is about a change of policy where policy is defined by processes of the past. Lucy is the only one with the guts to make the motion, "for the board to scrap the current process and start over. There was no second to the motion." Are there others in that room who agree with her, but politically, they are bound & gagged. The current process is in conflict with current policy. The current process is now a civil rights issue. Is that what CCISD wanted, another Cisneros v CCISD?

We have 19 Candidates who deserve Equal Opportunity and fair consideration. It is called due process.

1. Herbert Cromwell Arbuckle, III Retired Teacher
2. Rolando G. Barrera Insurance Agent
3. Tony C. Diaz, Ed.D. Retired CCISD Administrator
4. Victor Frazier, Ed.D. Minister and University Instructor
5. Cezar Galindo Business Owner and College Instructor
6. Marsha Lynn Grace Professor of Education
7. Coretta Graham Lawyer
8. Helen Gurley, Ph.D. Educator, Director of Academics
9. Patricia Harris Educator
10. Robert Elliott Jones Pastor and Business Manager
11. Deborah W. Johnson Retired Firefighter
12. Bradford Lee Kisner Director of Music and Fine Arts
13. Verna Faye Portis Retired CCISD Administrator
14. Raul R. Prezas, Ed.D. College Professor
15. Norman Haden Ransleben Certified Public Accountant
16. Woodrow Mac Sanders Medical Social Worker
17. Ronald G. Sepulveda Athletic Aquatic Superintendent
18. George Wetzel Retired Public School Administrator/Consultant
19. Goldie Lamarr Wooten Retired Educator

Rubio has said she disagrees with the selection process and would have preferred to use a scoring system instead.

Trustees selected the five candidates to be interviewed by each nominating one from a pool of 20 applicants.

We elect you guys to represent the district with honor & integrity

But before trustees interviewed the first candidate, trustee Lucy Rubio motioned for the board to scrap the current process and start over. There was no second to the motion.

Rubio has said she disagrees with the selection process and would have preferred to use a scoring system instead.

CCCT Editorial

The trustees' refusal to lay out the cards is beyond irritating; it borders on the outrageous.

Particularly disturbing is the fact that three new trustees elected last year - Carol Scott, John Longoria and Dwayne Hargis, all of whom emphasized their intent to bring new openness to the board - appear to have bought into the mum's-the-word ethos that has dominated this exercise.

To be sure, they (and their colleagues) could, and should, reverse their field.

CCISD Trustees: Pick and choose Policy Making with malice. Shame on YOU.

CORPUS CHRISTI - CCISD school board members have decided not to change their policy which forbids seniors who fail the TAKS from graduating.

One parent we spoke with Thursday said the policy didn't make sense, because while students who fail the TAKS test during the school year aren't allowed to take part in graduation ceremonies. The same doesn't hold true for summer school grads. They're allowed to participate in summer graduation ceremonies without knowing whether they passed the test.

The decision didn't sit well with some parents and students.

School board member Lucy Rubio had hoped to amend the policy, and allow seniors who failed the TAKS to at least walk in with their class during may commencement. But other school board members didn't agree.

Nueces De La Parra: Nobody kicked Joe Elizondo off of the CCREDC Board. He was inebriated and "with" females not his wife. Ask Denise about the "Bache

2007-05-03T04:28:00.000-07:00

Nueces De La Parra: Nobody kicked Joe Elizondo off of the CCREDC Board. He was inebriated and "with" females not his wife. Ask Denise about the "Bachelorettes' dancing w/ her hubby?

If the situation was reversed I would definitely be the bad guy. Maybe I should go yell at Juan's next event "WHO GIVES A F//K" and chant the CCREDC mantra Chorus. "JUAN MORE" "JUAN MORE" and ask him if he remembers? Juan must be held to a higher standard. Keep the reigns tight on him and everytime he starts to veer byte his a$$.

LOL

Joe Elizondo, surely he is a gentle man and a member of our leadership INFRASTRUCTURE? However, there must be HOUSECLEANING and the "Pulling of Weeds" that poisons us from the Top Down.

Elizondo began chanting JUAN MORE, JUAN MORE over and over (increasing in menacing heckle tone). Everyone ignored him so he continued with the JUAN MORE, JUAN MORE escalation. Then the Guitar Guy with the HAt "straight off of the sunset strip" was suggesting songs (lead ins). Elizondo yelled, "WHO GIVES A FUCK" and some other MINUTIA (uncalled for). He was directing his disrespect at the stage. My wife & I at the same time said, "HEY" and we turned to him with a meeting of the eyes. His group separated and Elizondo departed in a new truck. The others with him were friendly & charming before and after.

South Texas Anti Incumbent Candidates: And you can take that to the bank!

2007-02-16T04:55:00.000-08:00

South Texas Anti Incumbent Candidates: And you can take that to the bank!

Romans 8:31 - What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

2007-02-01T04:22:00.000-08:00

Gladiators - Not In My Life Before

Song Lyrics	Biblical Reference
Do you, do you I never, never ever felt this way Not in my life before Visions through the power of the Most High
Thy rod and thy staff protect me	Psalm 23:4 - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Through the night I go to sleep And wake me up safe and sound	Psalm 4:8 - I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
With Jah before us, who can be against us?	Romans 8:31 - What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Oh no, oh, oh no, not one
I will forever sing praises	Psalm 45:17 - I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever. Psalm 61:8 - So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.
I will forever be content I know my troubles are over All my joys coming over I never, never ever felt this way Not in my life before Visions through the power of the Most High Thy rod and thy staff protect me Through the night I go to sleep And wake me up safe and sound With Jah before us, who can be against us? Oh no, oh, oh no, not one Do you feel what I feel? Do you know, do you know what I know? Do you feel what I feel? Do you know, do you know, do you know what I know? I will forever sing praises I will forever be content I know my troubles are over All my joys coming over Never, never ever felt this way Not in my life before Visions through the power of the Most High Thy rod and thy staff protect me Through the night I go to sleep And wake me up safe and sound With Jah before us, who can be against us? Oh no, oh, oh no, not one I will forever sing praises I will forever be content I know my troubles are over All my joys coming over Never, never ever felt this way Not in my life before Visions through the power of the Most High Hey, do you know what I know? Do you feel, do you feel, do you feel what I feel? Do you know what I know? Do you feel, do you feel, do you feel...

underground utility includes replacing, upgrading and relocating water, waste water and storm water lines.....this area is not the colonias is it?

2006-12-27T23:21:00.000-08:00

City approves $95 million in bonds for underground utility work

Sep 26, 2006 07:23 PM CDT

Local News more>>

Tractor-trailer accident kills one, injures two

Former pastor takes religious freedom case to Texas Supreme Court

Flour Bluff graduate killed serving in Iraq

Shoppers flood stores once more for sales and returns

Local ambulance service offers free rides on New Year's Eve

Fireworks crackdown off to good start

Man rescued after being trapped in elevator

Driscoll patients spend Christmas Eve with special visitor

Feast of Sharing draws record crowd

Weather causes power outages across city

CORPUS CHRISTI - The city council approved bonds to be used toward costs for underground utility work around the city at its Tuesday meeting. They approved a total of $95 million, which includes $10 million for refinancing some bonds that were previously issued, at a new, lower interest rate.

The underground utility projects are scheduled to coincide with street projects, such as one currently in progress on Cimarron and Yorktown, near Mireles Elementary, where the city's looking to make some storm water drainage improvements.

The bonds will be used on current projects as well as some that will be started in the next few months. City officials said they're saving money by working on the underground utilities while the construction on the streets are in progress.

"Once the street is paved, we don't have to be digging up an old water line that broke. We would have already replaced that and be good to go for another twenty years, and we won't have to be digging up streets," City Engineer Angel Escobar said.

The underground utility includes replacing, upgrading and relocating water, waste water and storm water lines. At Cimarron and Yorktown, they're laying down new water pipes - just one the 14 underground utilities projects the $95 million will cover.

Another drainage improvements project is in progress is at Kinney and Water Street, and another big project that will begin shortly consists of drainage improvements on the westside in the Mansheim area near Sunnybrook.

Most of the projects were scheduled to be completed within the year and the next fiscal year, which is about 12 months.

Online Reporter: Jenny Suniga

Can you believe the City of Corpus Christi?

2006-12-22T23:55:00.000-08:00

HardcoreHarry
Posts: 2328

HardcoreHarry

Can you believe the City of Corpus Christi...
12/22/2006 5:32:30 PM
is making me go to court for ...get this: PARKING IN A HANDICAPPED SPOT!

I took the ticket downtown early this month and pointed out the OBVIOUS to them. I figured they would do the math and figure it out for themselves.

=sigh=

So I hit my head on the mirror getting out of my wife’s new car while parked at Barnes and Noble and did not notice the handicapped placard had fallen down. (The Suzuki SL7 isn’t as easy to get in and out of as my pickup). Um...the car is even outfitted with hand controls for goodness sake!

Doesn't the city have anything better to do than pursue me on this? I consider this a flagrant waste of my taxpayer dollars.

This is just plain stupid.

Hardcore Harry

Collapse all posts in this thread
Author Replys
curmudgeon
Posts: 3780

Click here to email curmudgeon

This sounds like a story . . .
12/22/2006 6:14:28 PM
. . . for Channel 10 News. I would give all three local newsrooms a call a see which one showed up first. After it hits the airwaves they will handle your citation like a warm turd.

If this doesn''t work just plead not guilty and ask for a jury trial. I will involve you goin'' to court but the outcome will be in your favor.
HardcoreHarry
Posts: 2328

Click here to email HardcoreHarry

Re: This sounds like a story . . .
12/22/2006 6:26:42 PM
Yeah it is a matter of principle for me. If they want to cite me for failure to display because the placard fell down that is one thing. But, pursuing this even after I showed up in person is plain stupid.

I can''t tell you how many times I have been in that very Barnes and Noble parking lot wishing they would issue citations for customers abusing these very spaces.

=chuckle=

That they issued one to me just plain sucks donkey balls.

Hardcore Harry
Wild Ape
Posts: 3978

Click here to email Wild Ape

Re: Re: This sounds like a story . . .
12/22/2006 6:37:50 PM
I never understood why they don''t have a sticker instead of a placard.
HardcoreHarry
Posts: 2328

Click here to email HardcoreHarry

Re: Re: Re: This sounds like a story . . .
12/22/2006 6:53:21 PM
They used to have one ya put on your plates but retard thieves were always cutting them off and ""extended"" family members were using spaces when no one disabled was in the vehicle.

I used to get both updated at the same time when I got my Purple Heart plates renewed. It was really streamlined and simple then.

NOW, you have to go to any city municipality who issues them and get a doctor to sign off that yes indeed you don’t have any legs sir and no the prospects of them growing back are grim.

The local doc in Port A wanted to charge me 25 dollars to sign this piece of paper. I told him he had a lot of cheek charging me for his signature for a disabled placard and left. I went to the naval hospital in Corpus and corralled the first Chief Petty Officer I could find and he got-er-done. Thus proving the following maxim: If you want a job done in the military ask an NCO. God bless each and every one of them sonsabitches cause they are the heart and soul of this country''s defense!

My placard is due to expire in April. Guess I will have to find me another CPO to work his/her magic.

LOL

Hardcore Harry

curmudgeon
Posts: 3780

Click here to email curmudgeon

Can''t say . . .
12/22/2006 7:09:17 PM
. . . that I disagree with them issuing a citation to your car. It really pisses me off when folks who are obviously not handicapped park in handicaped parkin'' spaces even if they have a sticker. The stupid part is not immediately dismissing the ticket when you appeared in person. Just goes to show that you can be a bureaucrat with a two digit I.Q.

In Texas parking violation are criminal offenses, Class C misdemeanors. You have the same rights as if you had been charged with murder, i.e, the right to a trial by jury if you request. I would love to see that trial. You do need to know how the system works. While I ain''t a lawyer, I did play one on T.V., well not really but I was a bail bondsman and sat through many courtroom dramas.

I would start by calling the city court administrator and explaining the circumstances. If that didn''t work I would call the mayor. Politics works in strange ways. If that fails, you have a court date. At that appearance they will ask you to plead to the charge. Normally everyone just pleads guilty and pays up. If you plead not guilty, they will set a court date. At that time you can request a jury trial. If you request a jury trial they will give you a funny look, go back and find one of the city attournies and try to ""work somethin'' out"", in other words, dismiss the ticket. No city procesutor with an I.Q. above room temperature will go before a jury against a veteran with a Purple Heart and a wheel chair.
bigo
Posts: 691

Re: Can you believe the City of Corpus Christi...
12/22/2006 7:18:58 PM
I can''t believe that dick-head doctor in Port A.

Corpus Christi Aquifer Storage and Recovery Conservation District.

2006-09-25T23:30:00.000-07:00

PECIAL DISTRICT LOCAL LAWS CODE
CHAPTER 8811. CORPUS CHRISTI AQUIFER STORAGE AND RECOVERY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 8811.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Board" means the board of directors of the district.
(2) "Director" means a member of the board.
(3) "District" means the Corpus Christi Aquifer Storage and Recovery Conservation District.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.002. NATURE OF DISTRICT. The district is a conservation and reclamation district in Kleberg, Nueces, and San Patricio Counties created under and essential to accomplish the purposes of Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution. The district is created to develop and protect municipal aquifer storage areas created by the City of Corpus Christi.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.003. CONFIRMATION ELECTION NOT REQUIRED. An election to confirm the creation of the district is not required.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.004. INITIAL DISTRICT TERRITORY. The initial boundaries of the district are coextensive with the city limits of the City of Corpus Christi and include:
(1) property owned by or under contract to the City of Corpus Christi in Nueces and Kleberg Counties; and
(2) in San Patricio County, property owned by or under contract to the City of Corpus Christi and bounded on the west by Interstate Highway 37 and U.S. Highway 77, on the north by the metropolitan planning organization boundary, on the east by County Road 2849, and on the south by the city limits of the City of Corpus Christi.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.005. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, Chapter 36, Water Code, applies to the district.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.006. CREATION OF GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS IN SAN PATRICIO COUNTY. (a) This chapter does not preclude the creation of a groundwater conservation district in San Patricio County.
(b) A groundwater conservation district created in San Patricio County may not limit or restrict the district from recovering water stored by the district in a municipal aquifer storage area in the district, even if the municipal aquifer storage area is also located in the groundwater conservation district.
(c) To the extent that the boundaries of the district and a groundwater conservation district in San Patricio County overlap, the power and authority of the two districts are joint and coextensive.
(d) The district and land in the district are exempt from taxes and fees imposed by a groundwater conservation district created in San Patricio County.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
SUBCHAPTER B. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sec. 8811.021. DIRECTORS; TERMS. (a) The district is governed by a board of five directors.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), directors serve staggered four-year terms.
(c) The initial directors shall draw lots to determine which three directors shall serve four-year terms that expire at the end of the calendar year four years after the effective date of the Act creating this chapter, and which two directors shall serve two-year terms that expire at the end of the calendar year two years after the effective date of the Act creating this chapter.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.022. APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS. The Corpus Christi City Council shall appoint the directors.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.023. VACANCY. If a vacancy occurs on the board, the board may appoint a director to serve the remainder of the term.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.024. OFFICERS. The board shall annually elect officers. The officers must be confirmed by the Corpus Christi City Council.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
SUBCHAPTER C. POWERS AND DUTIES
Sec. 8811.051. AQUIFER STORAGE AND RECOVERY PROJECTS. The district may implement and develop aquifer storage and recovery projects.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.052. MUNICIPAL AQUIFER STORAGE AREAS IN SAN PATRICIO COUNTY. The district may not allow more water to be recovered from a municipal aquifer storage area in San Patricio County than the amount of water stored by the district at the municipal aquifer storage area.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.053. TAXES AND BONDS PROHIBITED. The district may not impose a tax or issue bonds.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 8811.054. EMINENT DOMAIN. The district may not exercise the power of eminent domain.Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.

City's to-do list: WATT about the Leaky Roof at City Hall?

2006-08-13T02:45:00.000-07:00

City's to-do list

August 13, 2006

Asian Cultures Museum and Educational Center

1800 N. Mesquite St.

One of five Asian museums

in the country, the Asian museum provides classes, Asian arts and crafts and traveling exhibits.

Year built: 1945

Bought by the city in 1999 and renovated in 2001

Square footage: 8,366

Estimated maintenance costs through 2015: $149,438

Major costs:

$53,250 for a new roof

$28,200 for new air handler units

$12,672 to sand and paint concrete floors

Heritage Park

(excluding the Asian Museum)

1581 N. Chaparral St.

Park includes the Corpus Christi Visitors Center, Gugenheim House and Seaman's Center, among other buildings.

Years built: 1851-1987

Estimated maintenance costs through 2015: $1,387,046 Major costs:

$230,222 for the Buddy Lawrence House

$115,635 for the Sid Richardson Building

$95,935 for the Sidbury

House

Oso Wastewater Plant

501 Nile Drive

Plant includes 32 buildings, including lift stations, pump houses, storage tanks and screening buildings.

Years built: 1950-1992

Estimated maintenance costs through 2015: $1,506,648 Major costs:

$233,981 for the plant

$133,658 for offices/labs

Corpus Christi Police Department Headquarters

321 John Sartain St.

Former Central Power and Light Co. building

Acquired by the city in 1988 for $1.4 million; occupied by the police department since 1991.

Estimated major costs:

$500,000 for a new air conditioning system

$500,000 for elevator replacements

City Vehicle Fleet

Includes all vehicles, from pickup trucks to tractors, beach cleaners and street equipment.

Number of vehicles: 2,000

Average life: 93 months

Expected life: 86 months

Percent past useful life: 46

Cost to replace all vehicles past their useful life: $27 million

Source: City of Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi Police Department

Spin that wheel in a target PR Campaign for Mr Neal

2006-08-13T02:40:00.000-07:00

Preventing breakdowns cheaper than fixing them

City undertakes inventory to organize its efforts better

By Denise Malan and David Kassabian Caller-Times
August 13, 2006

When the police department's 7-year-old air conditioning unit broke again in early May, maintenance officials gave up hope that constant leaks in the system could be fixed permanently. They rented a portable unit that still hums in the officers' parking lot next to rows of squad cars to keep the building operating in the summer heat.

The rental is costing the department $8,700 a month, adding roughly 30 percent to its total monthly utility bill, city officials said. The permanent unit had been expected to last 10 years but has been plagued with problems for years. A new, permanent air conditioner could cost $500,000, and the bidding process could push installation off until January.

"Whenever you get a cost of this nature, it does put you through a tizzy," said Assistant City Manager Oscar Martinez. "We want to be able to plan and anticipate better than we have been, because our facilities are getting older. They haven't been maintained on a strategic basis, and we're trying to get better at that."

It's fairly common every year for one or two of the city's approximately 400 municipal buildings to need an air conditioning overhaul, one of thousands of annual maintenance needs the city faces each year.

Until recently, the city generally dealt with maintenance issues - for buildings and for city vehicles - as problems arose. They let some vehicles drive beyond their life expectancy without replacing them and didn't do some nonessential building upkeep. The result - almost half of the city's fleet is beyond its useful life and some buildings are in need of big-ticket repairs, Martinez said.

The city has ended up paying more in the long term when regular maintenance could have reduced those costs, Martinez said.

To save money and plan for future repairs, the city is undergoing an inventory and long-range planning survey of almost all the city buildings. The survey includes needs for painting, site work, parking lots, floors, ceilings, plumbing, electrical systems, asbestos removal and heating and air conditioning systems.

The goal is to prioritize needs and save money for new roofs, air conditioners and other major work before things break. The survey has been under way for two years and will continue on a rolling basis in the future. It is about 75 percent complete.

The city budgeted $18.5 million for maintenance this year, including security, vehicle parts, equipment purchases, fuel and building maintenance, and other expenses. That number is up from $16.1 million three years ago, but still not enough to meet all maintenance needs immediately.

Under the new system, the city sets aside the same amount in maintenance funds but has started putting away money to go toward anticipated maintenance. It is a more complex version of a savings account for home repairs, Martinez said.

Martinez, who oversees budget preparations, put $100,000 each into two new funds as seed money for future maintenance needs. One fund is for buildings and the other for equipment, such as trucks, tractors and beach cleaners.

The money came from the maintenance budget, a fund to which all city departments contribute for upkeep, and the plan is to set aside money each year.

"It really won't be accessible in the short term," he said. "We have to build up the fund to capacity so it's able to meet the demand as well as have some mechanism so it's constantly replenished."

Michael Neuman, associate professor of urban planning for Texas A&M University, College Station, said the city's approach, known as lifecycle planning, is a relatively new way to manage government infrastructure.

"It's typical that a municipality or county hasn't taken a holistic view of infrastructure and maintenance over the long term," Neuman said. "It seems like it's so common sense. It sounds obvious, but it's not that common, surprisingly."

City staff is creating a database that shows each building's expected needs until 2015 and estimated maintenance costs based on life-cycle projections. City architect Jim Boggs is heading the project with help from someone in each department who is familiar with the buildings. The study is being done internally and doesn't cost the city other than staff time, Martinez said.

"While it's critical to find out what might be hitting us in the near future, it's just as important to know what will be coming in three to four years so we're not surprised," Martinez said.

Most city buildings - including warehouses, park buildings and various departments - are included in the study. However, City Hall has not been included yet because it recently was renovated. The Police Department also was left out because it has a dedicated maintenance supervisor. Those buildings will be included later as the survey continues. Buildings will be surveyed on a rotating basis, so projections will go beyond 2015.

"We can be more aggressive with our preventative maintenance program," Martinez said. "We need to take every step necessary for preventative maintenance so these larger problems don't come along."

Maintenance hasn't been a major budget priority, Martinez said. When it comes time to haggle over the budget, a maintenance issue usually would lose funding to a service, he said.

For instance, the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Health District building is in need of parking lot repairs and some plumbing maintenance, Martinez said. However, city officials put money into health services such as clinics and vaccinations because of their importance, he said.

"Typically, because of competing priorities, a parking lot might not be the first thing you think of," Martinez said.

Neuman said putting off maintenance is not unusual for governments.

"In the city budget, the first thing to go is maintenance," he said. "They say, 'Oh we'll do it next year,' and next year becomes next year, becomes next year and so on."

Parts and labor prices, as well as more sophisticated equipment, have pushed maintenance costs up in recent years, Martinez said. But the study and renewed focus on maintenance should save the city money on repairs and replacements, he said.

"It's on a schedule rather than, 'Can we squeeze it in this year?' or 'We have no choice because it broke down,' " he said.

Neuman, who studied lifecycle planning for the states of California and New Jersey, said few studies have been done, but the results are promising.

"There's no disputing the few studies that have been done that show if you take a life-cycle approach, you'll have significant cost savings," Neuman said.

Contact Denise Malan at 886-4334 or at maland@ caller.com. Contact David Kassabian at 886-3778 or at kassabiand@ caller.com

OMNI: DECEMBER 2001- PORT ROYAL CONDOMINIUMS ~A PRIVATE MEETING WAS HELD BY THE CITY COUNCIL WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE VOTERS

2006-08-05T22:55:00.000-07:00

OMNI: DECEMBER 2001- PORT ROYAL CONDOMINIUMS ~A PRIVATE MEETING WAS HELD BY THE CITY COUNCIL WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE VOTERS

A good article by Abel Cavada

Skip Noe and City Secretary Armando Chapa are leading the city staff and duping the City Council into a number of projects that are in direct contravention to the wishes of the citizens. The various projects that are imposed on the people include the TRT theft of our bay front, the theft of our open beaches, and the theft of democracy in general.

Bob Rowling: “PRIVATE PLEASURE VENTURE TO STEAL OUR TEXAS TREASURE”

2006-08-05T20:13:00.000-07:00

Bob Rowling: “PRIVATE PLEASURE VENTURE TO STEAL OUR TEXAS TREASURE”

WHY ARE WE THE “PEOPLE ASKED TO PAY THE TAB” WHY THE CARE ABOUT THE DEVELOPER AND HIS NEEDS BUT NOT THE PEOPLE WHO PAY THEIR PAYCHECKS AND CAR ALLOWANCE??

Ø WATT IS THIS PIPELINE THAT BRINGS H2O FROM LAKE TEXANNA TO WHERE?

WATT Revenue is Derived From These City Employees?

2006-08-04T23:25:00.000-07:00

Organization/Firm: City of Corpus Christi


Last Name		First Name
Aguilar		Yvette
Ainsworth		William Reagan
Backens		Charmaine Kay
Bray		Carol Estes
Curtis		Doyle Darce
Harney		Joseph F.
Hundley		Elizabeth Rose Watso
Knox		Jennifer Ann
Madrigal		Melissa K.
Merkl		Peter Gerard
Ocanas		Veronica
Ogden		Wendy Elizabeth
Reining		Robert Jay
Smith		Gary W.

Island Surf & Wear: Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson:“It is my duty to enforce the Texas Open Beaches Act

2006-08-02T02:43:00.000-07:00

Island Surf & Wear: Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson:“It is my duty to enforce the Texas Open Beaches Act

Tuesday Morning El Defenzor Live: Loyd Neal (Politician for Profit)

2006-08-01T21:21:00.000-07:00

When the Callers do the work for US; It is a Great Compliment to El Defenzor Live.

Hypocrisy and contradictions coming from our All American City Council

2006-08-01T02:11:00.000-07:00

Council hypocrisy

Elected city officials have decided to play politics against city residents. Their attempt to rescind an existing city ordinance for a second time, after petitioners twice received an ample supply of signatures, is politics at its worst.

The original intent of the petitioners was to hold an election in April. However, powerful political forces from outside our community continue to pull the strings of a majority of our elected politicians forcing them to choose November.

Councilman Mark Scott states, "I am an elected official who wishes we could resolve an issue like this sooner rather than later." I guess this should be at the expense of the taxpayers, considering that the city secretary has stated that an election in November is more expensive than April. What a waste of taxpayer money.

Councilman Brent Chesney is disguising his argument in favor of November by saying there would be greater voter participation. This argument did not prevail with him when voters wanted to vote on a city charter revision commission recommendation to place Chesney's city election in November.

With this type of hypocrisy and contradictions coming from our elected officials, no wonder Corpus Christi for a third year has earned the spot as being one of America's most illiterate cities.

Rene Saenz

Press Release

2006-08-01T00:35:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
to all media entities and politicos

CONTACT: Jaime@Kenedeno.com

DATE: Monday, July 31, 2006

Expose’ on Loyd Neal (Politician for Profit) tomorrow morning on El Defenzor Live 1440 AM KEYS Radio From 7-9 AM

As I understand from Courthouse conversations today with a certain Democratic Faction; Loyd Neal is a for profit politician. The documentation / public information release will begin tomorrow morning Tuesday. Tune in for what is supposed to be the best of the best show of the year and the Neal for profit politician will be revealed with the documentation to back up the revelations All media entities and politicos are urged to tune in. This is sure to effect the November elections. The Expose’ is based on an extensive investigation into and underneath the thousands of pages where it was buried. This will open the flood gates of controversy with a profound effect on the November election and the finale will culminate in the upcoming shows and Newspaper publications.

Press Release Courtesy of Kenedeno & Associates

Nueces De La Parra: G I Forum Solution Suggestion

2006-07-25T05:27:00.000-07:00

Nueces De La Parra: G I Forum Solution Suggestion

Project name: G I Forum Solution Suggestion

List the objectives for the piece: Re instate Founding Chapter, force them to unify, put the money out in front of the membership for all to control (not just a few people), return National Administration to Corpus Christi (perfect example of Brain Drain)

Who will receive or see the piece?

South Texas, South Texas Politicos, GI Forum Founder Hector P Garcia Familia, Ram Chavez (Founding Chapter GI Forum ex Commander / re-elected Commander), Joe Ortiz (National GI Forum Civil Rights Director), Agnes Horne (title) , Tony Morales (National GI Forum Commander)

Explain the concept in one or two sentences:

Two Options; either the Founding Chapter will be erased or it will be reinstated.

Defiance will destroy, disband and certainly bring forth litigation on both civil and criminal fronts.

The path towards reinstatement begins with a very proud man swallowing a little pride and taking one for the team.

What themes or images come to mind?

A productive modernized Hector P Garcia building / program in Unity with Al Gonzalez Center a skatepark at the Memorial Coliseum and a boardwalk from Oso Pier to Cole Park

What are the main messages for the copy?

Supporting Ram Chavez is noble but will not produce positively for the Founding Chapter of the National GI Forum.

What kinds of illustrations will be used?

Hector P Garcia building with high grass

Timeline selected & created from Caller Times Articles

this community's resilience and ability to unite when the chips were down.

2006-07-11T02:36:00.001-07:00

Homeport was a big coup at a critical time
May 15, 2005

Not many days in Corpus Christi's history could have rivaled the significance of July 2, 1985.

For sure, the day that the Port of Corpus Christi was opened in 1926 had historical signficance; it established this area's economic security.

And the day when the gates of Naval Air Station-Corpus Christi were first opened in 1940 began the modern era of military presence in Corpus Christi.

But July 2, 1985, was the day that it was announced that Homeport would come to Corpus Christi.

That meant, at the time, that a naval surface fleet would be based at a new base, yet to be built, on the north shore of Corpus Christi Bay.

It was a great day for Corpus Christi and the area at a time when this city badly needed a boost.

But the announcement was also a reward for this community's resilience and ability to unite when the chips were down.

A memorable photo

In a memorable photo taken that day, copies of the Corpus Christi Times, the now-defunct afternoon newspaper, carrying the headline "City gets Homeport" were held up by a beaming County Judge Robert N. Barnes, Mayor Luther Jones, state Sen. Carlos Truan and state Rep. Hugo Berlanga.

That photo was a personal coup for me.

As city editor for an afternoon newspaper whose deadlines closed around noon, I didn't have much chances for breaking news. But we did that day.

The Times staff had been preparing for days ahead of the announcement, writing background material that would be ready for the final touches if it turned out that the announcement, long awaited, would come in our news cycle. Otherwise, the baton would be handed off to the morning Caller.

Sure enough, the morning of July 2, as civic leaders gathered, the word came from Washington: Corpus Christi had beat out five other cities for the Homeport designation.

The idea then was that the battleship Wisconsin, revived out of the mothball fleet, would be based at the future Ingleside base.

The Times staff turned out a first edition with the news and headline, the first copies going to the Chamber of Commerce building where dignitaries were still celebrating and Caller-Times photographer George Gongora took the photo that ran in the final edition.

Those who were part of that day can't fail to remember the euphoria.

Homeport was the payoff for an enormous gamble.

Just months before, on April 6, Nueces County voters went to polls to approve, by a margin of 3 to 1, $25 million in bonds to buy land for the yet-undesignated Navy base.

That's right: $25 million in voter money for a federal base that didn't exist, that we had no guarantee we'd get, on land in another county, for another group of taxpayers.

But it was a time for desperate measures.

The oil bust of the 1980s was still reverberating throughout the area. Scores of offices related to the oil industry had closed. The area was in the grip of a stagnating economy.

There was no Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi back then was not yet the home of a regional health-care and hospital complex.

It's amazing how priorities get straight when a crisis looms, or opportunity beckons.

In a space of three days, the Nueces County Commissioners Court, the Corpus Christi City Council and the Port of Corpus Christi all held meetings to approve the Homeport bond election.

The late Hayden Head Sr. organized the fund-raising for the campaign to pass the bonds.

Congressman Solomon Ortiz and Sen. Truan employed their formidable political forces to get out the vote.

All the friction, all the posturing, all the personal agendas seemed to melt away for a community effort.

Those moments of unity have been few and far between since then. We seem to find much more interest in pursuing personal agendas and nursing old wounds than in thinking outside of ourselves to the future.

But Friday's announcement has, I hope, clarified matters.

The loss of Naval Station Ingleside would be a terrific blow to the local economy.

The good thing is that we know we have the capability to mount a unified effort get the prize. Now it's just a matter of keeping it.

Nick Jimenez is editorial page editor of the Caller-Times. Phone: 886-3787; e-mail: jimenezn@caller.com.

MORE JIMENEZ COLUMNS »

this community's resilience and ability to unite when the chips were down.

2006-07-11T02:36:00.000-07:00

Texas State Representative House District 33: El Sol y La Luna

2006-07-10T05:03:00.000-07:00

Texas State Representative House District 33: El Sol y La Luna

Political Pulse: Vilma Luna's Resignation Letter

2006-07-10T04:37:00.000-07:00

Political Pulse: Vilma Luna's Resignation Letter

House District 33 Democratic Precinct Chairs. Who will vote which way?

2006-07-06T22:46:00.000-07:00

JohnM

You guys got it all wrong...

7/6/2006 4:14:36 PM

Noyola will get the Democratic nomination, and you heard it from me first. Countywide Solly would easily take the nomination from Noyola. However, it is only the precinct chairs from Dist. 33 that get a vote. He only needs 23 out of 44 precinct chairs to vote for him to get the nod. Solly''s strengths are in the outlying areas of Nueces County like Robstown. The problem is that district 33 ends in Molina (Noyola''s home turf). Included in these districts is Moody, Sunnybrook, Molina, etc., where Noyola has strong support. I think both of these guys carry some baggage and are not the greatest candidates to get the conservative democrat vote (yes they exist). So I think either candidate opens the door for a moderate Republican (not McComb - too conservative) to step in. When it is all said and done, Noyola will narrowly defeat McComb in November. WRAP IT!

curtis rock

Re: You guys got it all wrong...
7/6/2006 5:06:08 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, sounds like you have a better grasp on local Democratic politics than probably most of us do.

I just know that if Soli gets the nod in this traditionally Democratic district, then Republicans shouldn''t even try.

4
Alex Nieto, 876-7981
HD 33
6
Vic Menard, 937-1142
HD 33
8
Mary Rivera, 334-3261
HD 33
17
Maria M. Gonzalez, 334-1456
HD 33
20
Sylvia Lerma, 855-8058
HD 33
32
Sheri Phillabaum, 992-8048
HD 33
43
Melissa Madrigal, 883-0449
HD 33
48
Rosie Garcia, 855-9066
HD 33
53
Blanche M. DeLos Santos
HD 33
56
Ken Gandy, 888-8205
HD 33
57
Vacant
HD 33
67
Christopher B. Semtner, 994-9266
HD 33
68
Martha Gutierrez, 851-9520
HD 33
69
Pablo Garza, 852-8012
HD 33
70
Joan Veith, 991-0656
HD 33
71
Viola Van Houten, 852-4284
HD 33
72
Susie Luna-Saldana, 851-8137
HD 33
73
Lisa Ann Torres, 853-1517
HD 33
74
Margaret Palacios, 225-0540
HD 33
75
Rose Mary Martinez, 883-9517
HD 33
80
Jose Antonio Lopez, 739-2910
HD 33
83
Gus Munoz, 888-6798
HD 33
84
Jerry Alvarez, 992-9394
HD 33
87
Sylvia Samaniego, 854-4272
HD 33
88
Omar Ozuna, 992-0564
HD 33
89
Barbara Cline, 992-1634
HD 33
90
Coretta Graham, 334-5929
HD 33
93
Connie Gutierrez, 334-3668
HD 33
94
Susan Pizana, 443-5984
HD 33
95
Belinda Pompa, 851-0156
HD 33
96
Crystal S. Hernandez, 549-3170
HD 33
97
Carlos Homero Valdez Sr., 854-1772
HD 33
98
Gloria Lozano, 852-2936
HD 33
106
Flo Martinez, 855-5078
HD 33
112
Olga Bell
HD 33
113
Rowland M. Andrade, 726-6532
HD 33
115
Mike Rendon, 991-4263
HD 33
116
Alma Noyola, 855-0339
HD 33
117
Glenda G. Turner, 937-1790
HD 33
118
Buck Sosa, 852-3710
HD 33
119
Mary J. Saenz, 985-8380
HD 33
121
Katharine Guerra
HD 33
122
Jerrold Towle, 939-8233
HD 33
124
Kenneth Hawkins, 334-1655
HD 33
125
Yvette Ortiz-Sanchez, 991-9947
HD 33

Was there a National search for this position?

2006-07-06T21:42:00.000-07:00

Good Afternoon Jaime,

Breaking News City names new police chief

CORPUS CHRISTI - The City of Corpus Christi has announced that Commander Bryan Smith of the Corpus Christi Police Department as the new Police Chief.

CORPUS CHRISTI - City Manager Skip Noe announced Thursday that he has chosen to recommend Commander Bryan Smith for the position of police chief. 6 News' spoke with him about his plans for the department. "I assure you and everyone else that I'll strive everyday to uphold the honor and integrity of the corpus christi police dept. And the offfice of chief of police," said Smith.Commander Smith said that even though he's been working towards this position, he was still caught off guard by the announcement. "It was shocking, it's a life changing experience," he said. "I've waited for this opportunity for a longtime." Smith might've been shocked, but he already has plans for the department. "The first thing I want to do is to reach out to the officers and let them know they have a police chief who believes in them." Next on his agenda is adressing problems like keeping up with the city's rapid growth, gang problems, and traffic issues. That's a full plate, but it's something Smith said he's used too. "Being a police manager is a 24 hour day job, it's probably going to be a 36 hour day job now."
Commander Smith's appoinmtment will be finalized once the city council approves it next week.Online Reporter: Jenny Suniga
Posted from IAH