Solly's office is E1.322

Political Pulse: 12.10.06

December 10, 2006

New sheriff gives Realtors dig in the ribs

More than two weeks into his new job, Nueces County Sheriff Jim Kaelin still hasn't lost his sense of humor.

Before swearing in the 2007 association leaders at the Corpus Christi Association of Realtors' year-end luncheon, Kaelin pointed out that he's been in law enforcement for almost three decades. Kaelin said he noticed something before taking his seat on the dais after walking through the packed ballroom at Omni Bayfront Hotel.

"It was nice to see a lot of my former customers," he said to laughter.

Garcia, Ortiz Jr. have freshman orientation

State Rep. Solomon Ortiz Jr. and Rep.-elect Juan Garcia are back from legislator training in Austin. The freshman legislators got a condensed overview of the legislative process, toured Capitol offices and learned about various agencies and departments they will be dealing with when the session starts.

"Everybody seemed to have a very positive attitude, but then again it's kind of like your first day of school," Ortiz said.

Ortiz gets large office, and can move in early

Because Ortiz is filling the last couple of months left in former Rep. Vilma Luna's unexpired term and has already been sworn in, he got a jump-start on picking his office. He had 23 vacant offices from which to choose.

"My office is E1.322," he said. "We are in the Capitol annex. It's not a bad spot to be in. We got one of the larger offices. I guess an interesting footnote is that I get to move in toward the middle or end of December. The rest don't get theirs until Jan 9."

Rain can't keep Garrett, others from ceremony

The emcee had already written off Mayor Henry Garrett as a no-show at the cold, rainy Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony Thursday morning when the mayor dashed up to the podium saying, "I'm here! I'm right here. You didn't think that the rain would keep me away did you?"

Lexington director lauds Neal's presence Thursday

At a second ceremony Thursday afternoon on the Lexington Museum honoring Pearl Harbor survivors, Lexington executive director Rocco Montesano pointed out county judge-elect Loyd Neal, who was sitting on the front row.

"I'd like to acknowledge judge-elect Loyd Neal," Montesano said to scattered applause. "The election is over. He doesn't have to be here. Loyd's here because he wants to be here."

County judge-elect invites vets to his swearing-in

Neal invited veterans at the ceremony to his Jan. 2 swearing-in ceremony, where he will bring out several high profile supporters. Bishop Edmond Carmody will give the invocation, CCISD Board Secretary Harry Williams will lead the Pledge of Allegiance, Port of Corpus Christi Chairman Ruben Bonilla will serve as master of ceremonies and U.S. District Judge Hayden Head will swear in Neal.

Lexington head irked about Hawaii memorial

In front of a group of Pearl Harbor survivors, all of whom are older than 80, Montesano was infuriated about reports that the Pearl Harbor Memorial Museum in Hawaii is sinking and that there are questions about where the money will come from to fix it.

"It won't be too much longer when we don't have these Pearl Harbor survivors," Montesano said. "We can find a million dollars for a gopher museum in Michigan, but we can't find money for Pearl Harbor."

Ortiz and staff win D.C. office lottery

U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz finished moving into roomy new digs late Tuesday night on Capitol Hill.

His first-floor office has a "straight-on, dead-on view of the Capitol" and an additional 75 square feet, spokeswoman Cathy Travis said.

Luck was with his office manager, former Corpus Christi resident Nina Ramon, when she showed up at a drawing for office space. She reached into a little velvet box stocked with numbers and came out with No. 1.

That meant Ramon had first choice among the offices up for grabs - and 10 minutes to make a decision.

She snagged the old stomping grounds of Rep. Henry J. Hyde, R-Illinois. Hyde is retiring, leaving his former space at 2110 Rayburn House Office Building there for the taking. Ortiz's office previously was on the fourth floor.

"We looked like the Clampetts going down the hall with all of our stuff Tuesday," Travis said. "For most of the day, the staff was homeless. Congressman (Ruben) Hinojosa (D-Mercedes) invited us down for lunch."

Neal reminded of A&M by flower arrangement

During County judge-elect Loyd Neal's introduction of Mayor Henry Garrett at a Corpus Christi Rotary Club luncheon Thursday, Neal commented on the head table's flower arrangement that featured 12 maroon flowers and seven orange ones.

"When it's 6:48 in Austin, it's 12 to seven in College Station," Neal joked about Texas A&M University's 12-7 win last month over the University of Texas at Austin.

Garrett hints at bid to seek re-election

At the luncheon, Garrett hinted at his political future.

"It is my hope we will have at least two more years together," Garrett told Neal. "If that sounds like a re-election bid, I guess it is."

Mayor chalks up beach missteps to momentum

Garrett continued his comments, touching on the lengthy beach access debate and mistakes the city made leading up to the November election. Garrett said the council moved at a fast pace leading up to the vote on Charter Amendment No. 1, which may have rubbed some people the wrong way.

"When you have momentum on your side, you dare not let it subside," Garrett said. "I know there are some people who have come to feel the same when council is in session, as when the baby gets hold of a hammer."

Questions to Garrett center on crime, lights

After his speech, Garrett opened the field to questions, one of which was, "Is crime on the rise in Corpus Christi?"

"If you're a victim you think that way," Garrett said to laughter.

Another Rotary Club member asked if he could talk about the red-light cameras the city is considering to snap photos of offenders as they run red lights.

"You've got to smile," Garrett joked.

Public invited to official Juan Garcia victory bash

The official victory party for the Juan Garcia campaign is scheduled for Monday evening at the Executive Surf Club and the public is invited. Garcia's band, The Apes of Wrath, will provide musical entertainment.

Political Pulse is compiled and written by Caller-Times politics reporter Jaime Powell. This week's contributors include Powell, David Kassabian, Stephanie Jordan and Washington correspondent Trish Choate. Have a tip? Contact Powell at 886-3716 or HYPERLINK mailto:powellj@caller.com powellj@caller.com