Political Pulse

Jones got left off their invitation list. I am sure he gets left off all the Title Insurance Private Political Juntas......and they use all "Tom, D...

2008-05-11T04:46:00.000-07:00

ick and Jones' that will make the turn.
I spy......something Red, Blue, and purple, and can turn into either depending on the
company.

Conservative enters Democrat's camp

Ultra-conservative morning radio talk-show host Bob Jones was spotted sporting a cowboy hat in the field of staunch Democrats at the Garcia fundraiser.

A small circle of Democratic women whispered back and forth, wondering whether Jones, who sits on the State Republican Executive Committee, was a spy for the Hunter camp.

But later, Hunter and Chesney, who is Hunter's former chief of staff, said no way and that Jones got left off their invitation list.

Kenedeno's Texas Monthly: Karl Rove, Never Dreams of Being The President; Working "Under The Radar" Is Much More Satisfying.

2008-04-17T11:56:00.000-07:00

Kenedeno's Texas Monthly: Karl Rove, Never Dreams of Being The President; Working "Under The Radar" Is Much More Satisfying.

Karl Rove Likes What He Sees

With his new gig at Fox and a seven-figure political memoir in the works, Karl Rove has officially crossed over from shadowy 'Wizard of Oz' territory to somewhat approachable public personality. But as Lisa DePaulo finds out, that doesn't mean he's any less…pointed with his opinions

Photograph by Gillian Laub

i can see karl rove standing outside the restaurant, on the phone, yakking, pacing, occasionally peering at me through the etched-glass window and sticking a stubby finger in the air to indicate that he'll just be just one more minute. Eighteen minutes pass. He enters brusquely, with apologies and a crack about my "bright red purse" but also with the clear message that he is in control. Uncomfortable in this position, somewhat wary, constantly checking his watch ("Gotta go soon… Gotta go… Couple more minutes…"), not diggin' it, but always in control. Karl Rove is not a guy who kicks back with a drink—even coffee's a stretch ("I'm a decaf guy," he says)—and shoots the shit for a few hours. This isn't about a charm offensive—he gives the impression that he's not even sure why he's doing this. But: To be with Rove is to listen to a man who is utterly articulate and insightful and at the same time utterly…what's the word? Plain? Normal? Caucasian? If you didn't know he used to be Bush's Brain, if you didn't know he is widely credited/blamed with leading the Republican Party to an era of total world domination, if you didn't recognize him (as numerous gawkers inside the Muse hotel restaurant do) as the man W. famously dubbed "Turd Blossom," you'd think he was a middle-management sales lackey in town to sell Ginsu knives or something. The nondescript gray suit and overcoat, the geeky glasses and bald-on-the-top-with-peach-fuzz do, the briefcase (in middle school, he was the only kid with a briefcase, which pretty much sums it up). In what ways is he cool? We can't help but ask. "None," he says. "I am the antithesis of cool." We should also point out that Rove is exceedingly polite and well-mannered and, at moments, as prickly as the little cactuses on his tie. He has the demeanor of a man who had more power than he'll ever admit but is never really far from the 9-year-old who once got into a schoolyard fight over Richard Nixon, and lost. To a girl.

karl rove: Sorry to be late. I have a lunch with the Big Boss shortly.

gq: The Big Boss?
Mr. Murdoch.

Ah, that big boss. Does that mean you'll be getting more money out of Fox?
No, it doesn't.

Do you like being a TV analyst?
Uh, it's odd. You know, it's weird for me. But it's interesting.

Do you think Fox News is fair and balanced?
I do. I think they go out of their way to be fair and tough in questioning. I'm really impressed with the people I've gotten to know. Brit Hume is a very bright person; Chris Wallace has got a lot of integrity.

You also sold a book recently.
I did.

What'd ya get?
A lot.

And you're doing speeches, too, right? I read that you just gave one at Penn—
I like speaking to the college campuses.

And the first question, someone called you a cancer.
Right. Oh, sure.

You must get that all the time.
Uh, I get it some. When I go to campuses. But did you hear what I did? I just let him rant. And when he was finished, he had no question, he just wanted to accuse me of undermining the Constitution and blah-blah-blah-blah-blah. And I said, "Thanks for your thoughtful rant." And he sat down. And I said, "Now do you feel better about yourself?" And he said, "Yeah." And I said, "Well, I want you to feel better about yourself." And everybody laughed, and we went on.

But is it hard when people—
No. No. Look, everywhere I go, people say nice things to me. I don't live for that. I appreciate it, and I'm grateful for their kind words, but I don't live for it. And similarly, when people say ugly things? It doesn't affect me. They want their words to affect me. And as a result, I'm not gonna let 'em.

But when people say, "You've created this climate of fear—"
I laugh.

You laugh?
Yeah. I laugh. Sure. How? What, exactly? I'm not apologetic about what this administration has done. It's protecting America. It has won important battles in a war that we as a nation better win or we will leave the future to our kids, a much darker and dangerous future.

What's the biggest misconception about your role in the Bush White House?
That it was all about politics.

If that's the misconception, what's the overlooked truth?
Look, I'm a policy geek. What I've most enjoyed about my job was the substantive policy discussions. Being able to dig in deeply and, you know, learn about something, ask questions, listen to smart people, and form a judgment about something that was from a policy perspective.

When you look back at your career, especially in the Bush administration, what's the worst thing you did?
I'm not gonna be good at answering that.

But is there anything you feel guilty about? Or wish you did differently?
[exasperated laugh] Off the record?

No! Don't go off the record.
Off the record.

Okay, let's look back, to the very beginning of the Karl Rove story, when you got handed the keys [from Bush the father, to deliver to Bush the son] until now. And you look at where the president's approval ratings are today—
Yeah.

What did you do wrong?
Oh, look, I did a lot of things wrong. But the main thing is, we're fighting an important but unpopular war.

You still think it was the right thing to do?
Absolutely. Absolutely. And you know, one of our biggest mistakes was, the first time Harry Reid got up and said, "You lied and you deliberately misled the country," we should have gone back immediately and hit back hard, and we didn't. We let that story line develop. In reality, you go back and look at what Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Al Gore—I'd be happy to supply you the quotes—what they said about Saddam Hussein possessing weapons of mass destruction.

What are you most proud of?
Being part of a group of people I have a great deal of respect and admiration for in service of the country.

If you had to make a bet, can Hillary pull it off?
The odds are long, but improbable things have happened almost every month in this race. She wasn't supposed to win New Hampshire, and she did. So we'll see. You know, she's got a lot of strengths, and he does, too. We got two wellmatched opponents going at each other hammer and tongs. It's fun to watch.

If it's mathematically impossible for either of them to get enough delegates, how will this get resolved?
Somebody can get to a majority, but they're gonna have to get to a majority with superdelegates. Neither of them can win enough delegates to win it on just simply the elected delegates.

So if it comes down to superdelegates, doesn't that become a question of who can be more ruthless?
Well, you know, people will have to decide whether they're going to act as reflectors of the popular vote in their districts or states, or whether they're going to exercise independent judgment. I think this is the big dilemma the Democrats face: Are they going to choose a nominee who essentially is chosen, validated, by a minor aristocracy, by essentially an undemocratic group? Because, look. Does anybody think that Patrick Deval [sic], governor of Massachusetts, and Senator Ted Kennedy are gonna respect the wishes of their home-state crowd and go for Hillary Clinton, who won their state? No.

So how ugly is it gonna get?
Well, I—we don't know. We have geological ages that are gonna pass. It's not that ugly today. The wounds are fresh, but there's plenty of time for them to heal. The question is, will the wounds get deeper and more difficult to heal? We don't know. My gut tells me it happens, but I don't know.

If you could run one of their campaigns, which one would be the dream campaign to run?
Neither one.

Why?
Because I don't believe in what they say.

But just as a strategist, just to get in there and—
Yeah, well, see, for me it's not divorced from who they are and what they're all about and what they would do.

What did you think of the red-phone 3 a.m. ad?
It was a gutsy, dangerous move. She figured out that she had to do something to raise the issue of: Is he fit to be president? And this was a way to do it. I happened to be in Texas a week before the ad popped, and all of her surrogates were hitting him pretty hard on the thinness of his experience. They were pretty brutal. And this ad sort of fed into that.

Isn't that the kind of ad you would have done?
Uh, look, that's the problem. She can't run an ad—you know, the more powerful ads she can't run against him, because she's afraid of looking too moderate. He's got essentially… His argument is twofold. "Vote for me because I'll bring Republicans and Democrats together; we're not red states, blue states, we're the United States." And second of all—and he said this most passionately in the Wisconsin victory speech: "There are big issues facing the country, and it requires leadership and energy to solve them." Well, the two best counters to those are Hillary saying, "I've actually worked with Republicans and Democrats to get things done." Or McCain saying, even more pointedly, "On all the big issues where Republicans and Democrats have come together, I've been in the middle of bringing them together, and you've been way out there on the fringe. When we pulled together the Gang of Fourteen, you were out on the fringe. When we pulled together a bipartisan answer on the terrorist-surveillance program, you were way out there on the fringe. When Democrats and Republicans, regardless of where they were on the war, came together to give our troops everything they needed while they were in combat, you were way out there on the fringe." Now, she can do some of that, because she's actually tried to work with Republicans over the years. He has not since he got there. He's been coolly detached and sitting on the side. His fingerprints are on, at most, a couple of small items. And then, on the leadership issue, she can say, "Look, I've been in the middle of these big battles. I've been providing the leadership. Sometimes we won, sometimes we lost. But at least I've been involved." And McCain will be able to sharpen that even more.

It seems like you're talking about authenticity here. Are you saying Obama is inauthentic?
I'm saying that he has adopted two themes for his campaign that are not supported by his actions.

Do you think Obama would be easier to beat?
I try not to think about those things. Because that inevitably leads you to believe, I would like to have A or I would like to have B. You need to keep your mind open about both of them.

You've said—what was the phrase you used about Hillary? "Fatally flawed"?
Fatally flawed. I just thought her flaws would show up in the general election. I didn't know they'd show up as early and as strong as they have.

Which flaws?
Uh, calculating. You know, she went through the period where she had the calculated laugh, she went through the period where she had the calculated accents, and you build that on top of a person who already has the reputation that anything she says is calculating, you know…

Is calculating a terrible thing?
It is if people think it's phony. And that's what her problem is. That and the sense of entitlement. You know, the sense of "This is mine, I deserve it; we're the Clintons, this is ours." And I think that really caused a lot of people to say, "You know what? It's not yours." And do we really want to go back? The '90s were nice in a lot of respects, but do we really want to go back to all that drama?

There is something ironic about Karl Rove criticizing someone for being calculating.
Right. Look, it's one thing to calculate and say, "What's the best way for me to do this?" It's another thing to say, "What's the best way to do this, even if it means the sacrifice of my fundamental principles?" When she stood up there and said, "I'm in front of an African-American group in Alabama, so let me adopt a phony southern accent!" And when she sat there and said, "You know what? I need to warm myself up, so for the next weeklong period I'm gonna sit there and laugh and cackle at anything that is even remotely funny." You know, when both she and he, who are free traders by instinct, went to Ohio and said, "We're gonna renegotiate NAFTA," when they know that (a) there's no provision to renegotiate NAFTA, and (b) the Canadians and the Mexicans are not gonna want to renegotiate NAFTA, and (c) when both of them understand that trade liberalization, particularly with our neighbors, has been to our economic advantage, who are they kidding?

But when people call you calculating, do you take that as a compliment?
Look, what I'm charged with is, in politics, taking the material that I have to work with—which are the views and values, convictions and principles, of my candidate or client—and charting the best path to victory. That's different than saying, "How am I gonna take a fundamental belief or a reality of me as an individual and discard it?"

So there's good calculating and bad calculating?
Absolutely.

If Hillary pulls it out, will Mark Penn [her chief strategist] be considered a genius?
Mark Penn is a very smart guy regardless of whether or not she pulls it out. He's a very smart guy.

But don't you think there've been a lot of mistakes?
Sure. But if you have to lay them at the feet of one person, you lay them at the feet of the candidate. The candidate sets the tone.

Are you surprised at how Obama exploded?
You know, I want to be careful—I think we need to be careful about not getting carried away with a narrative that doesn't truly exist. Like the story this morning in The New York Times about "the Obamacans"—the Republicans who support Obama.

You don't buy that?
No. Do I buy that there are Republicans who support Obama? Sure, I do. But take a look at the last four polls on which there are cross tabs available. There are twice as many Democrats defecting to McCain as there are Republicans defecting to Obama. In the Fox poll, Obama takes 74 percent of Democrats and loses 18 to McCain. And McCain keeps 80 percent of Republicans and loses 10 to Obama. And in every one of the polls, it's nearly twice as many Democrats defect to McCain as Republicans defect to Obama. And against Clinton, it's three times as many. Know why? Well, there are a lot of different reasons why. There are Democrats, particularly blue-collar Democrats, who defect to McCain because they see McCain as a patriotic figure and they see Obama as an elitist who's looking down his nose at 'em. Which he is. That comment where he said, you know, "After 9/11, I didn't wear a flag lapel pin because true patriotism consists of speaking out on the issues, not wearing a flag lapel pin"? Well, to a lot of ordinary people, putting that flag lapel pin on is true patriotism. It's a statement of their patriotic love of the country. And for him to sit there and dismiss it as he did—

You're not wearing a flag pin, Karl.
Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. But I respect those who consciously get up in the morning and put a flag lapel pin on.

Do you see the elitist thing in other ways?
Obama is coolly detached and very arrogant. I think he's very smart and knows he's smart, but as a result doesn't do his homework.

So the Dems have two rattled candidates?
Right. Now, you got one candidate who's got an appeal to the blue-collar Democrats: Clinton. I call them the beer drinkers. And then you got the white-wine crowd, which Obama appeals to. There's a brilliant article by Ron Brownstein in the latest issue of National Journal in which he charts the change in the nature of the Democrat-primary vote, and it's becoming younger, more affluent, and more liberal. And that means that blue-collar Democrats, whatever's left of them, are on their way out of the Democratic Party.

What do you make of this whole thing where Hillary was talking him up as a vice president and he came back saying, "Wait a minute, I'm winning—why are you asking me to be your number two?"
Very calculating on the part of the Clintons, and a mistake for him on his part.

Why?
Because they wanted him to get down to their level. They want him to look like, you know, not the golden inspiring figure but instead, you know, like an average ordinary pol who's got three years in the United States Senate. So they lay it out there. And rather than having it be dismissed by a surrogate, instead he goes out there! And rather than having an inspiring, forward-looking message, instead he's out there as an ordinary pol saying, "Hey, I'm number one, I'm in first place! I won more states than she did. I won more delegates than she did. What the hell's she doing offering it to me? That's insulting." And he did it in an arrogant way that I don't think made him look that good.

So you don't think his response played well?
No. Take a look at the footage. Turn the sound off and look at it. You can tell that he is arrogant, and you can tell that he's a little bit angry, and you can tell he's very dismissive. He takes his hands and he sort of, you know, waves his hand like, "I'm dismissing something." That was the moment to say, you know, "Look, I know what my opponents are saying, but you know what? I'm focused on one thing and one thing only, which is to help bring Republicans and Democrats and independents together to move America forward." Instead of "Hey, lemme just remind you, I'm winning! I'm beatin' her!"

So he took the bait?
He took the bait.

Have you gotten to know Hillary or Barack to any degree?
Yes, I have.

What have been your dealings with them?
Well, you know, I used to have her office at the White House. And I got to know [Obama] because we have a mutual friend, Ken Mehlman, who was his law-school classmate at Harvard. And so as a result, whenever in the last three years he's been around at the White House, I've gotten to see him, and we sort of would hang around and chitchat about things. I'm actually in his book. He wrote that "people like Newt Gingrich, Tom Delay, Ralph Reed, and Karl Rove say we are a Christian nation." And I did not say that. I confronted him about it. At the White House.

And what did he say?
Well, first he denied that I was in the book! And then he denied that it said that I said that it was a Christian nation. And then when I pulled out the thing [he had a copy of the offensive page with him] and showed it to him, he sort of blah-blah-blah-blah-blah- blah-blah. And I thought, That's who he is. I mean, look, he may claim that he's for a different kind of politics, but that was a cheap shot. And I'm not certain if any of the four said it either. But it was like, you know, Let's just strap it in there and see if it goes someplace. Another example: Him saying, "We honor John McCain for his fifty years of service" was a cheap shot. He was going out of his way to say John McCain's old.

Is John McCain too old?
No.

Do you think Obama's gotten a free ride from the press?
Yes.

How so?
I don't think they hold him to the same standards. You know, look, his Web site is full of all kinds of proposals written by academics galore. But he's not required to defend them. He's not required to explain what it is he wants to do. Now I think that's changing. I think, when you have an editorial in USA Today that says, in essence, Where's the beef, what's the substance? When reporters start asking him tough questions about his relationship with Tony Rezko—you know, what was the value of the lot? What was the price that you paid? How many fund-raisers did he do for you? How much money did he raise at those fund-raisers? When they start asking him those questions, then it starts to change. I mean, the kind of questions that have been routinely asked of other candidates—about their background and associations and involvements—have only recently begun to be asked of him.

I get the sense you respect Hillary more than you respect Obama.
Off the record?

Please don't go off the record.
Off the record… [Yeah, it's good. Sorry.]

Damn! Now say that on the record.
No. Nope. Nope. Nope.

Let's try again, then: on the record. I get the sense you respect her more than him.
Uh, I know her better than I know him. And I just, uh—she has been around public life a lot longer and has demonstrated, you know, more involvement than he has.

Let's talk about Bill. You've gotten to know him better, right?
Yeah.

What do you think of him now?
He's a very entertaining rogue. He's a larger-than-life character. You can't help but sort of like him. But boy, he has made some missteps in this campaign.

Yeah, what's up with that? He's supposed to be this political genius. What's going on?
He's all wrapped up in it. He's lost his detachment. Sometimes you can be more detached about yourself than you can be about members of your family. He's all revved up about her and making mistakes.

Do you buy any of the pop psychology that there's a part of him that's sabotaging her?
I—I—that is way beyond. I have never… I don't have a couch that anybody could sit down on, and… I don't know, I don't know.

But you were surprised to see how he handled the South Carolina thing?
Well, it may have been calculated, I don't know. Maybe they made a calculated decision that, Hey, we need to send a message that all he can do is win states with African-American voters. But I don't think it played—even among Democrats.

Recently, in a meeting with some people from the Republican National Committee, you said, "Do not use 'Barack Hussein Obama.' "
Right, right. Um, in politics—

Is that because it's not right?
It's wrong. But not only that, it's counterproductive. In politics, there are arguments that are seen as not factual and not fair, or trivial, and they blow up in your face. And this is one that people look at and say, "You're trying to imply something about him that's not true. I think you're going a bridge too far, and I'm reacting negatively." I mean, he didn't pick his middle name, somebody else did. And he doesn't go out of his way, like Hillary Rodham Clinton to, you know, emphasize it.

You probably never thought, eight years ago, that John McCain would be the nominee.
You know what? In politics, second acts are either really bad or really good. And so the question was gonna be, Who might want to succeed Bush? McCain was always a possibility. He's always harbored a desire.

What do you think of him now?
I like him. We bonded in the '04 campaign.

Do you have to hold your nose to vote for him?
No, no, not at all. I enthusiastically voted for him. I just sent in my absentee ballot [in Texas], and I gave him $2,300.

So what's your life like now, Karl? Are you based in Washington still?
We're splitting our time between Washington and a place we have in the panhandle in Florida. And a little place in Texas. We're looking to be in Texas more permanently starting this fall. We've enjoyed Washington, but look, I don't wanna be like… I got a guy, lives around the corner from us in Washington, who had a prominent role for six months in the Reagan administration, and he's still living off of it twenty-some-odd years later. I don't intend to do that.

What do you intend to do?
I'm trying to figure that out. I've got a couple years between the book and the speeches and Fox and my Newsweek column and my writing for the Wall Street Journal and some things I'm doing in politics under the radar.

What do you do for kicks?
I read and go hunting. And travel with my wife.

Tell us about your wife.
She's a terrific, courageous person.

Is it hard being married to you?
Uh, I don't think it's hard being married to me. I think it's hard being married in public with me.

Let's talk about the last couple of scandals you've been involved in. Don Siegelman in Alabama [the Democratic governor whom Rove was recently accused of trying to sabotage by forcing U.S. attorneys to bring corruption charges against him prior to an election]. What happened?
[rolls his eyes] Will you do me a favor and go on Power Line and Google "Dana Jill Simpson" [the Republican lawyer who told 60 Minutes that Rove asked her to take a picture of Governor Siegelman cheating on his wife]? She's a complete lunatic. I've never met this woman. This woman was not involved in any campaign in which I was involved. I have yet to find anybody who knows her. And what the media has done on this… No one has read the 143-page deposition that she gave congressional investigators—143 pages. When she shows up to give her explanation of all this, do you know how many times my name appears? Zero times. Nobody checked!

Then how did this happen?
Because CBS is a shoddy operation. They said, "Hey, if we can say 'Karl Rove,' 'Siegelman,' that'll be good for ratings. Let's hype it. We'll put out a news release on Thursday and then promo the hell out of it on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday." And Scott Pelley—the question is, Did [60 Minutes correspondent] Scott Pelley say to this woman, "You say you met with him. Where? And you say that he gave you other assignments earlier. When did he begin giving you assignments, and what campaigns did you work with him in? What evidence? I mean, this woman, she said she met with him: Okay, you met with him—where? Did you fly to Washington?" Now she says that she talked to me on the phone and she's got phone records. Of calls to Washington and Virginia. But what's Virginia? I don't live in Virginia. And it's 2001. What is in Virginia? It's not the Bush headquarters; that was in Austin, Texas. What is in Virginia? So—but look, she's a loon.

What about the U.S. attorneys? Should you have had a role in hiring and firing?
[a little peeved now] What was my role in firing those U.S. attorneys?

Your position has been—and tell me if I have this wrong—that you basically relayed complaints?
To the counsel's office. Correct.

And that was an appropriate thing to do?
Oh sure. Sure it is. Sure it is.

What's your relationship with the president now?
Good. Really good.

Do you talk a lot?
Yeah.

Did you know that Laura called you Pigpen?
Yeah. [laughs] Laura Bush intimidates me. All the Bushes—well, most of the Bush men marry incredibly strong women, and they all intimidate me. Barbara Bush I've lived in fear of for thirty-seven years.

What's your goal with this book? You intend to set the record straight, as you see it?
Absolutely, absolutely. Sure. You bet. I intend to set the record straight.

I imagine you're going to have a lot to say.
Yeah, exactly. Available soon for $29.95…. I gotta go! I gotta go!

Wait, quickly: Do you believe Roger Clemens?
Um, yes, I do.

If he gets nailed on perjury charges, is that the kind of guy Bush might pardon?
I'm sorry?

Do you think if he got nailed, that would be the type of person Bush would pardon?
I'm not gonna answer that. I mean, he's done nothing wrong.

Should Scooter Libby be pardoned?
I'm not gonna answer that. Just not. Just not. But thanks for asking.

lisa depaulo is a GQ correspondent.

April 02, 2008

While most of the state lawmakers in town at the invitation of state Rep. Solomon Ortiz Jr. dressed down to tour this invitational on...............

2008-04-14T03:52:00.000-07:00

Local
Political Pulse: 04.13.08

By Jaime Powell (Contact)
Sunday, April 13, 2008

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CORPUS CHRISTI — Rep. Patrick Rose wears suit, boots to tour sites

While most of the state lawmakers in town at the invitation of state Rep. Solomon Ortiz Jr. dressed down to tour local sights including Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, the Port of Corpus Christi and Flint Hills refinery, state Rep. Patrick Rose came slicked up in a suit and cowboy boots.

Rose, D-Dripping Springs, is a Princeton- and University of Texas-educated lawyer and the youngest House member, first elected in 2002 at age 24.

"He's already running for governor," Ortiz joked of Rose. "He's wearing the boots, and he has good hair."

Ortiz spent freshman year at A&M-CC

Detailing Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's history, university president Flavius Killebrew told the gathered lawmakers that Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi, was a freshman at the school in 1994.

"Is he going to graduate soon?" state Rep. Jim Murphy, R-Houston, joked.

Texas A&M University System Chancellor Mike McKinney laughed. "There goes the four-year graduation rate," he said.

After attending the local university, Ortiz graduated from Texas A&M in College Station.

Lawmakers show interest in Veracruz

Showing off the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies to lawmakers, associate director Wes Tunnell said top-ranking research scientists will meet in Veracruz, Mexico, in February and pointed out that maybe some of the lawmakers might want to join them.

"Yeah, we'd like to go," state Rep. Geanie Morrison, R-Victoria, joked about a trip that would fall at the start of the legislative session.

"It's better than Ardmore," state Rep. Jim Murphy said referring to a 2003 exodus to the Oklahoma city by Texas Democratic lawmakers to protest Republican-led redistricting.

"Yes! We can go to Veracruz!" Morrison said.

Learning program simulates conditions

Demonstrating the PULSE!! virtual learning program that, through the use of state-of-the-art technology, will present simulations of medical conditions that include complex combat injuries in the form of a video-game-based learning platform, Claudia McDonald, the university's associate vice president for special projects, explained how the patient on screen reacted to various treatments.

State Rep. Fred Brown's hand shot up.

"Does his heart rate go up if there's a hot nurse working on him?" Brown, R-Bryan, asked.

"We don't have hot nurses," McDonald replied.

Darby suggests attitude adjustment

Touring the university's Early Childhood Development Center, where a group of youngsters performed the song "You Are My Sunshine" for lawmakers, Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, observed quietly that the Legislature should sing the song every day during the session.

"It might help everybody's attitude," he said.

Darby makes sure to clear the air

Offering a welcome to a luncheon held in the lawmakers' honor, Ortiz introduced them individually. When Darby did not stand up, Ortiz noted that he must have stepped out, perhaps to visit the restroom.

A short time later, Killebrew quietly told Ortiz that Darby was back.

Darby waved from the back of the room.

"By the way, I was not in the bathroom. I just want to clear the air on that -- literally," Darby said.

Jokes abound over viewing explosion

Port Commissioner Ruben Bonilla read between the lines during Tuesday's meeting of the Port of Corpus Christi Commission.

John LaRue, the port's executive director, announced port engineers and contractors would be blowing up the support columns of the Tule Lake Lift Bridge. He said commissioners were welcome to watch the demolition.

"You're not encouraging the commission get close to that explosion, are you?" asked Bonilla, smiling, yet shifting in his seat.

"We could set a viewing area very close to the explosion," offered LaRue, causing laughter among the commission and those in attendance.

Commissioner Yolanda Olivarez chimed in, giving LaRue a funny look.

"You say that with such enthusiasm," she said.

"Frank (Brogan, the port's director of engineering services) is already working on it," LaRue said, smiling.

Blue Angels pilots go hunting, eat dinner

Eight wild hogs and three nilgai met their maker when Kleberg County hosted Blue Angels pilots and took them hunting last weekend.

Pilots and other guests went through 2,200 rounds of ammunition shooting skeet and then brought home the bacon, said Dick Messbarger, executive director of the Greater Kingsville Economic Development Council,

"They had a lot better luck than two years ago," he said.

The pilots also got a fried fish dinner complete with jalapeño poppers and fries cooked by AEP crews.

"After we fed them, we put a shotgun in their hands," Messbarger said. "That's one of the reasons Kingsville gets voted one of the top five (air) shows by the Blues."

Ortiz wins award for supporting kids

U.S. Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz picked up a Congressional Appreciation Award from Our Military Kids Inc. for supporting increased resources for children of members of the Armed Forces and Reserves.

Our Military Kids Inc. is a nonprofit foundation that has given more than $1 million to the families of deployed or wounded National Guard and Reserve members. The money helps military children enroll in youth activities and tutoring programs while their deployed parent is often earning less than they would be in civilian life.

"While our service members are serving abroad, we must not forget the families they leave behind," Rep. Ortiz said in a prepared statement. "Organizations like Our Military Kids Inc. are dedicated to minimizing the sacrifices their children must make here at home."

Several military dignitaries, including Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, attended the reception, the statement said.

Political Pulse is compiled and written by Caller-Times politics and Nueces County government reporter Jaime Powell. Powell and Fanny Chirinos contributed this week. Have a tip? Contact Powell at 886-3716 or powellj@caller.com

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Post Your Comments

Post 1 April 13, 2008 at 5:05 a.m.

^---------^--------^------^-----^------^-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------. Corpus Christi Politics continues to flat line.
(Suggest removal)

Post 2 April 13, 2008 at 8:19 a.m.

Post 1
Like your graphics - it tells it all.
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Post 3 April 13, 2008 at 8:42 a.m.

This place is a dump and all the political (leaders?) need to be ashamed for doing nothing about it.
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Post 4 April 13, 2008 at 11:49 a.m.

Lighten up, people!
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Post 5 April 13, 2008 at 12:50 p.m.

political pulseys

no substance all the way around - ortiz jr. cant do anything without his dad, ortiz sr is only motivated by what and how it can help him, and this column just continues to show how our electorate only work to benefit themselves.
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Post 6 April 13, 2008 at 1:44 p.m.

I wish the editors of this column would put in the votes taken in congress and how our elected reps voted. I know it is in the Sunday printed paper, but I am out of town most of the month and do not read the printed paper.

JP
Driving a truck across the country.
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Post 7 April 13, 2008 at 1:58 p.m.

Post 5 - Sounds like the white house or the two George's that can't stop flattering each other in public. It's funny how south Texas politics work , if you are not on the opposing team every Joe Blow want's a shot at the title . Be ever so kind to say and give the KID a break today .
pe5157
re-elect J.R.
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Post 8 April 13, 2008 at 2:56 p.m.

"He's already running for governor," Ortiz joked of Rose. "He's wearing the boots, and he has good hair."

Yeah, that is all that is required for Governor. That is all we need is another Governor Good Hair.

Hope the boots are high enough for the job.
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Post 9 April 13, 2008 at 4:55 p.m.

Post 1 you are so correct. But lets look future into this....................

----^-----^----^----^--------------------^-----------------------------^-------------------------^------------------------------------------------------. Corpus Christi Politics, Building, Road repairs, Health, and Safety, all contune to flat line. Let get real.

^--^--^--^--^--^--^--^--^--^--^--^--^--^--^--^--^--. Crme, Assauts, Rapes, Murders, Drugs, Graft, and Corruption, all alive and well.............

Thank you city leaders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Jaime Powell might be onto something here you think. Go get em Jaime.

2008-03-25T04:37:00.000-07:00

CORPUS CHRISTI — The Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce will audit its business and financial practices in response to concerns raised by three top officials involved in reviewing president Terry Carter's contract.

Three members of the chamber's five-member executive committee demanded an emergency meeting Friday to air concerns about the chamber's financial and management practices, which Carter oversees. But before their grievances could be voiced, two of the three, Judy Hawley and Sylvia Whitmore, were told they no longer are eligible to serve on the committee, meaning they can't participate in the committee's recommendation to the full board on matters involving Carter's contract.

However, they were asked to present their information, in a private meeting at the chamber that lasted most of Friday morning. Carter could be heard shouting during portions of the meeting.

Carter wouldn't comment.

The financial concerns arose after chamber chairman-elect Robert Gonzalez recommended a raise, bonus and contract extension for Carter in January and executive committee treasurer Damon Bentley was asked to review the chamber's financial standing, Hawley said Friday.

Bentley, Gonzalez, Hawley and Whitmore would not describe the financial and management concerns. Attempts to reach chamber chairman Freddie Martinez Jr. were unsuccessful.

Chamber legal counsel Van Huseman, who attended the meeting Friday, described the financial questions as business practice-related, not improprieties. He said Carter's contract runs through the end of the year.

The executive board, with all five members present, met two weeks ago in Martinez's office and agreed to put off making a decision and to continue looking into the finances, Hawley said.

Had there been a vote, it would have been 3-2 to refrain from a raise, bonus and contract extension, with Bentley, Hawley and Whitmore in the majority, until a complete financial picture could be put together, Hawley said.

"We did not have enough information, so Damon continued to go through the books and look at all of the accounts," she said. "A week and a half ago he tried to call Freddie, he called me and called Sylvia ... He said, 'there are some irregularities I am concerned about. We need a full executive committee meeting as soon as possible.'"

Since that meeting, Whitmore, Bentley and Hawley took turns calling Martinez and Gonzalez repeatedly and got no response, Hawley and Bentley said.

"At that point, Damon had shared those things and each message we left was more strident than the last," Hawley said. "Finally we sent hand-delivered letters to Bobby and Freddie requesting that they cancel other meetings to hold an executive session as an executive board to discuss the irregularities."

Martinez sent an e-mail calling for an emergency meeting at 8 a.m. Friday. When Hawley arrived 10 minutes early, with Whitmore and Bentley following a short time later, Martinez was behind closed doors in Carter's office with Huseman.

"Then Terry and Freddie come in and talk to Sylvia and me," Hawley said. "We are the only ones in the room. They tell us, Terry says, 'in anticipation that there may be action taken today, we want you to know we have been looking at the bylaws and it appears you and Sylvia are not voting members because after our attorney scrutinized the bylaws y'all are not eligible to sit on the executive board.'"

Huseman said Martinez asked for legal advice because the question had been raised whether Whitmore and Hawley were legal members of the executive committee. Based on the chamber's bylaws, the executive committee is made up of the chairman, chair-elect, immediate past chair, vice chairs if any, and the treasurer, Huseman said. Under those rules, Bentley, Martinez and Gonzalez are the only members, Huseman said.

Hawley has been the Port of Corpus Christi's representative on the chamber board, but this year, the port didn't renew its funding of the chamber, which last year was $45,000. For that reason, Huseman said Hawley, a port commissioner, no longer should be on the chamber board.

Port Chairman Ruben Bonilla said the chamber had been spearheading a community advisory committee to deal with the closing of Naval Station Ingleside. When it became obvious the port didn't need such a committee, it eliminated the need for the port to have a service agreement with the chamber, which included the funding.

The agreement also called for the chamber and the port to cross-promote each other and included a plan for chamber functions at the port's Solomon P. Ortiz International Center. The chamber had begun using the center less, so neither of the reasons for the original service agreement with the chamber applied, and the port decided not to renew it or the funding, Bonilla said.

After the port's decision in January not to renew, Hawley said she asked Martinez if he wanted her to resign and he indicated that she should stay on the committee because the chamber still was trying to negotiate a deal with port.

Whitmore is past chair, but not immediate past chair.

"The bylaws are clear and they wanted to do this as the bylaws specify," Huseman said.

Whitmore was chairman two terms ago, but remained on the committee in place of refinery manager Dave Allen, who resigned as chairman early after Koch Industries, which owns Flint Hills refinery in Corpus Christi, transferred him from the city. Whitmore remained on the committee at Martinez's request, she, Hawley and Bentley said.

Hawley said their abrupt dismissal Friday, after having been asked to stay, came as a shock.

"I said 'You have got to be kidding.' And Sylvia said, 'What are you talking about?' Our status was fine until today."

Hawley said it was significant that she and Whitmore were the first order of business Friday, instead of their concerns about financial practices.

"I said, 'OK, I guess we will kiss you goodbye.' Then Freddie says you can't vote on anything but let's go ahead and hear what you have to say."

Gonzalez wouldn't comment on Friday's events because, he said, they happened in closed session.

Bentley was outside in a hallway when Hawley and Whitmore were dismissed because Carter had denied him entrance to the meeting.

"I was not privy to the meeting because I was asked not to come in," Bentley said. "He went inside and closed the door. They (Hawley and Whitmore) explained to me what happened. It was a strange scenario. I was saddened and I'm still confused on why two chamber executive board members had been removed from the executive committee after being asked to assist in the evaluation process of our CEO."

Hawley and Whitmore stayed to listen after Bentley came in to report on the financial concerns.

"We wanted full and complete audits of special events, contracts, the building fund, the foundation fund and chamber funds, because there were enough irregularities and according to bylaws we are supposed to have an audit every year," Hawley said. "Last year we had a spot audit. We felt very strongly that we ought to have a full audit."

Regarding the financial matters, Bentley told the Caller-Times:

"We agreed from a statement standpoint to say we are continuing the process of our evaluation and that there are both serious financial and management issues that we need to address."

After Bentley delivered his report, Hawley and Whitmore left the meeting.

"I am still very committed and willing to serve as immediate past chair, as I thought I was serving," Whitmore said. "But Judy and I did leave the chamber office after we told Freddie and Bobby that we recommended a full audit because I no longer had a vote."

Gonzalez said a full audit of chamber finances is in the works. He would not elaborate.

"We are going to conduct our yearly audit of the chamber and that will give us the results of 2007," Gonzalez said. "Frankly I am going to rely on the audit to answer any further questions. In the end the audit will tell us the real facts behind the chamber's 2007 year."

Staff writers Elvia Aguilar and Fanny S. Chirinos contributed to this report. Contact Powell at 886-3716 or powellj@caller.com

Post 1 February 16, 2008 at 4:25 a.m.

Interesting group...the only rule is to not make Carter mad and agree with all the financial and managerial practices if you want to remain part of the group. Seems simple enough.
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Post 2 February 16, 2008 at 5:49 a.m.

It seems to me the name Damon Bentley was recently in the news. Anybody remember?
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Post 3 February 16, 2008 at 6:09 a.m.

some ones sneaking into the cookie jar.
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Post 4 February 16, 2008 at 6:44 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Post 5 February 16, 2008 at 6:46 a.m.

Post 4,

I think you are right. The Caller-Times will delete your post because it hits too close to their private "game" preserve.

It is all too clear now. It's all local politics. Lead by the Caller-Times removing itself from the Chamber.

The Caller-Times angry about their "brood" not being elected for the city council. One of their endorsements connected to Damon Bentley in a business association and maybe more.

The Caller-Times pro Ferris Wheel and kiddie park downtown. The Caller-Times against red-necks (their words) driving on a "private beach".

Yes, it's all too clear now.
(Suggest removal)

Post 6 February 16, 2008 at 7:07 a.m.

THis Worthless organization needs to be shut down. All members investigated and charged with the criminal activities they have done.I wonder how many times big shots from HEB,Valero,and other refinaries,and other CRIMINAL politician names would come to light. i think that the good People of Corpus Christi would be shocked by the back room and shady deals involving the Chamber of Crooks
(Suggest removal)

Post 7 February 16, 2008 at 7:49 a.m.

It's real simple-Carter is a jerk who's style and ethics are borderline. His defenders -on the chamber- say that while he may have taken some anti growth positions and he may be a divisieve character - at least the chamber is making money. The new chamber president -who comes out of nowhere- reccomends a raise for terry based on terrys ability to make the chamber profitable. But -oops- the chambers income statement is totally boggus. The one thing terry has going for him is acvtually a lie created b y terry to justify a raise. When he finds out that he is going to lose a vote he kicks two people off. Maybe they wont find checks written directly to terry, but this is just as bad. I have lived in 4 different towns in my adult life and I have never seen a chamber as counterproductive to commerce as this one - get rid of him - and find someone whose main priority is commerce not confrontation
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Post 8 February 16, 2008 at 7:57 a.m.

Sylvia Whitmore should talk to her boss and Judy Hawley to her fellow Port Commissioner Mike Carrell about the imact of tactics like this. It would be nice if the Caller would devote so many column inches of newsprint to economic issues that would positively impact the business community.
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Post 9 February 16, 2008 at 8:18 a.m.

This does make for some good sitcom material. Really! You could take this whole situation and drop it into 7 episodes of daytime TV. The cliff hanger episode would be Judy and Sylvia being dismissed (on a Friday of course, like today when it's rainy outside). The following week would reveal a few back door shenanigans as well as which 'player' is sleeping with whom.

We could call it simply 'Big Wigs'. That way the show can continue to exploit the highlights of other Big Wigs in this town as they do their dastardly deeds against each other and the fair citizens of 'Coastal Cove'; that sleepy little fishing village that wants to become a big city despite itself.

Who says good daytime TV is only produced in LA.
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Post 10 February 16, 2008 at 8:29 a.m.

Post 4

Spin it however you want to to suit the people you support in this issue but if you stick to the facts your point of view does not hold any water.

The Chamber used to represent business interests in this city but today you see a Chamber that is dominated by a board and led by individuals who are not even close to being representative of business interests. What you have today is more of a group with close polticial ties to an elected official we see every two years when election time comes around and even then you see very little of him. I guess he finally figured out the best way to make an organization less of a pain in your side is to simply take over them.

This issue is about whether or not there have been improprieties in the management of the Chamber. It seems there at the very least some smoke which should be investigated by a third party who is totally independent with no ties or concerns about where that smoke might lead. If there is nothing for Carter to worry about then he should welcome such a group coming in and reviewing what has gone on since he arrived.

Who they select to do the investigation will tell you how serious they are about finding out the truth or if they just want to cover up an concerns that might be there.

Seems people here are more concerned with turning this around and in the end turning it more towards Bentley, Bonilla, Whitmore, Hawley or anyone other than who this is about. There are numerous businesses other than the one's mentioned in the article that refuse to have anything to do with the Chamber under his leadership. They will point to others who have joined during his tenure. Let's see what the trend is as this story unfolds and all the facts come out.

How many of you honestly think we will see a real investigation? I remain hopeful we do but am not overly optimistic that a few in place there will let that happen.
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Post 11 February 16, 2008 at 8:55 a.m.

Carter has been divisive since his arrival and has pushed long time and well respected business members away. He only cares about how much power he thinks he has. I no longer give any credence to anything that comes out of that organization and never will until it is free of Carter and his influence. Join the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce instead, at least they represent thier members and do so with a higher degree of integrity.
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Post 12 February 16, 2008 at 8:57 a.m.

It is Common knowledge the Corpus Christi Chamber is Twisted !

I noticed it my 1st week in town, back in 2005 !

Carter has the credibility of Joe Izusu, in fact the Chamber as a whole is a Black Eye to Corpus Christi.

Unfortunately I feel the same way about 3 people on our City Council also.

Back in 2005 when I ReBooted my life in Corpus, I had High Expectations of Corpus. Native Texans warned me about Corpus Christi, I shunned their advise. If I had it to do over, I would have listened to those in the know.

Corpus has a sickness I can't explain, this is a very corrupt town, where friends and family dictate success or failure. Where City Hall, the Chamber a select few families run the city. All others are subtly encouraged to fall in line.

In Corpus Christi, it's small town politics on steroids. What surprises me is how TV & Radio suck up to the machine. In most cities investigative reporters would be trying to build their careers on a story like this. Here in Corpus, the media is in bed with the machine. My best guess is because of local ownership/management of media.

It's no wonder big business has shunned the city.
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Post 13 February 16, 2008 at 9:09 a.m.

Interesting.

Wasn't Van Huseman part of the group that led the charge against Landry's developing the T-Heads.

What was the latest effort the Chamber led to the fight against.?The Crosstown Commons. And some of the leading voices in that fight are on this board. Does anybody see something here?

It appears to me the Petionista/Smart Growth (which in Corpus means NO growth or growth "our" way) is purging it's ranks at the Chamber. That way they can hide behind a "pro business" sounding organization while at the same keep outsiders out so they can contiume to keep a monoploy on different aspects in this community.

This is one business owner that will tell the Chamber to go away if they come asking me to join.
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Post 14 February 16, 2008 at 9:31 a.m.

Fantastic post #12.

For all too long I along with others on these blogs have connected the dots with these crooked families and good old boys running this city into the ground and treating it as their own little kingdom. The PSM family, Husemans, Loebs, Hummells and a few of the other older families continue the stranglehold choking the life out of Corpus Christi. What should be a strong and vibrant community with outside investment and development all around is suffocated by the above at the expense of the vast majority. It is sickening these fools have such power and control and like you said, the local media is in bed with these people so no worthwhile investigative reporting is done. Maybe the Texas Rangers and Chuck should be given the opportunity to look into these skunks inner workings?
Huseman leads the campaign against the Landry's project, Loeb presents his red herring development and Hummell heads the deceptive yet effective lie-fest against the 1.5 billion dollar resort. Oh yeah, Van Huseman and Hummell have a law practice together! That almost slipped my mind.

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Post 15 February 16, 2008 at 9:36 a.m.

To the bently haters-lets review wehat happened- At the last chamber board meeting the pres. gets up and says - lets give terry a $40,000 raise because his performance - according to some parts of our contract with him- has been just what we asked for. Then they turn to bently ( the tresurer) and say dont you think we should give terry a raise- bently says hold on a minute - i didnt know you guys were going to do this- I havent looked at the books enough to juastify a raise based on our income statement-i promise i will look over them and get back to you. A month or so later bently says we need to have a meeting on these books because something doesnt look right. It seems to me a small business owner like bently standing up to the chamber machine is the only positive in this whole story. Im sure terry was yelling and screaming at bently and he stood his ground - twice.
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Post 16 February 16, 2008 at 9:50 a.m.

Of course the old fartknockers are going to try and deflect the true nature of this. Tying a Mario Celis story into this is quite a reach but I guess expected of the pro-anti-growth crowd. Anything to keep this city stuck in the 20th century and defend the good old boy network of people posted in number 14.
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Post 17 February 16, 2008 at 9:53 a.m.

***
POSTER # 12 & 14 !!!

You Guy's ROCK !!

Keep those caliber of Post's coming
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Post 18 February 16, 2008 at 10:32 a.m.

We native Corpus Christians born in local hospitals, graduated from local high schools, married local girls, come from pioneer local families, worked and retired here, I'll try to say it nicely. WE RULE.
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Post 19 February 16, 2008 at 10:39 a.m.

post 19
Suprised you know how to even use a computer and access the internet at your age. Let me guess - Pentium II ?
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Post 20 February 16, 2008 at 10:55 a.m.

Post #19

And you'll love driving on more pot hole filled roads and less city services because their want be enough taxpayers to support you and your petionista buddies. Why? Because your tax rates will be frozen when you hit 65 and their won't be enough taxpayers to pick up the slack. It will be fun to see you all show up a city council and demand MORE, but you will be told it can't happen because the tax base HAS NOT GROWN ACCORDINGLY. Yes that is in bold so Post 19 can get it thru his or her head.

You Petionista are digging your own graves and you don't know it. The thing is you all won't realize it till the crisis is well underway and then you'll be crawling back to people you thumbed you noses at to save you all Most of them will probably tell you to pound sand like you told them once upon a time.

I've about had it with this city and the lack of forward vision. The lack of decisive action with Downtown, the Beach and the opportunites that have been flushed there, and the many other quality of life issues that have been stopped due to some of the same people that populate the Chamber and other city boards and commissions is the problem. Cetianly not outsiders that have been wanting to take a risk and challenge but were shown the door. The Valley, San Antonio/Austin metro areas among others are kicking our ass because of people like post 19. Maybe we'll just be part of the many that are saying adios to backward thinking and move on. It's pretty sad when even the dust bowl of Texas known as Laredo is even make progress.
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Post 21 February 16, 2008 at 11 a.m.

The Chamber of Commerce was is a community's source of pride and positive attitude proved by its membership roll. I expect my car to start when I turn the key, etc. My cluelessness to the deterioration in the CofC was corrected when the Caller-Times' membership was pulled. Folks, that's not good. Board members form and report their reasonable belief that an audit must be conducted. That's worse. A key administrator shouts so loudly he is heard outside closed doors. "gotcha."

Would you agree that Shame and Blame are techniques a control freak uses to divert attention from what s/he's been up to with the knowledge and consent of a few? Such individuals "get away with it" because others keep silent. God blesses the Whistleblowers. A complete audit is a beautiful thing to see.
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Post 22 February 16, 2008 at 11:02 a.m.

thats fine post 19 just stop complaining that your taxes are too high- there no growth so the same 100,000 household's keep having to pay more and more in taxes- pick one side or the other -if you bitch about high taxes & utlity rates then stop complaining about new projects and people that help carry your load.

as far as the we rule comment - well your kingdom is becomming increasingly irrelevant to the rest of south texas
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Post 23 February 16, 2008 at 11:20 a.m.

To the disgruntled types who use make up words like "petitionestas" and throw threats around like they are somebody-here's a clue. Highway 77 runs North and South.

An old philospher once said, "It's better to be found doing nothing, than to be found busy doing nothing".

Busy busy busy, arent we?
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Post 24 February 16, 2008 at 11:22 a.m.

Local Families think they rule. Gangstas and taggers think they rule. My 9th grader thinks she rules. Angry White Men think they rule. I've got a Si Senor. I rule.
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Post 25 February 16, 2008 at 12:09 p.m.

Post #25

Whatever. Like Jack Nichoslon said in "A Few Good Men."

"You want the truth? "You can't handle the truth."

Their is plenty of sand on the beach you can't stick your head in. The problems in this city are not going to be solved by telling people to leave whether you like their ideas or not.
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Post 26 February 16, 2008 at 12:12 p.m.

#25 wow --only in corpus can someone find two ways to do nothing
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Post 27 February 16, 2008 at 12:16 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Post 28 February 16, 2008 at 12:30 p.m.

Shame on the Caller Times again. Airing dirty laundry for the world to see.

I'm still waiting for a front page spread on Puddles.
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Post 29 February 16, 2008 at 12:58 p.m.

Terry Carter needs to go. We should start a TRANSFER FUND
with McComb Relocation. The Chamber can probably write all
of Terry's accomplishments on a match head and have room
left!. Bye- bye Terry -- go back to MS. or whereever.
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Post 30 February 16, 2008 at 1:03 p.m.

Terry Carter and Ken Trevino are worthless leaders. My business will withdraw our membership unless they get new blood in there who give a darn about "real" business issues. Trevino is an elitist who barely attends any sponsored chamber mixers, and Carter is a hot head who does not give a "care" for Corpus Christi or the business community, because he feels he does not need too. What is in their real scope of work? As a Chamber member I invest annual dues to pay for business support services for large and small businesses, as well as good policy that will reflect what Chamber members want. I am curious to see if my annual dues are part of some illegal transition within the Chamber or part of a PAC that members are unaware of. Are they contracting a certain congressman’s ex C.O.S.? The Chamber is funded heavily through membership dues and special events, meaning, without members there is no Chamber. Without members, Terry and Ken cannot maintain the lifestyles they have become accustomed to. One is the puppet master and the other the puppet. Let’s get leadership without arrogance like Terry, and leadership with a backbone, unlike Ken. Kudos Caller for breaking the story! Kudos to Damon for wanting to check the books.

To Post #29 Last, “Carter could be heard shouting during portions of the meeting”, what a disgust of calling yourself a professional, yet alone a man, shouting at two women, get over yourself. Down with Carter & Trevino! They do it to themselves.
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Post 31 February 16, 2008 at 1:04 p.m.

I love the idea that Terry, the point man for pro beach closure, has suddenly been spun into a demon from hell thats anti growth. You guys really do eat your young don't you? CT why don't you just tell us where we should be going? So today it's Chamber should fire Terry, or everyone should quit it. When are you all going to start working with people who disagree with the editorial board? All I see is attacks and no new ideas.
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Post 32 February 16, 2008 at 1:21 p.m.

What a slap in the face to the Port of Corpus Christi! See if they ever give money to the 'Shame-ber" again. As a member of the Chamber, we help elect the board, yet they are hand-selected from Carter and his VP....hummm!
Watch, Carter will come out and make promises just like he did last month when he said the Mayor would have a Q&A at his event prior to talking with the Mayor. The pattern is that Carter never thinks before he speaks. And Trevino is basically a mute; he is always behind Carter in his shadow trying to save his own rear saying “yes, sir”. Crack that whip Carter.
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Post 33 February 16, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.

Seriously? Ken Trevino does that much? Our business has been promised a lot by that guy with little or no results.
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Post 34 February 16, 2008 at 1:40 p.m.

That Chamber staff is always on defense mode, trying to always stuck up for Carter and Trevino. Trevino is worthless, he gets paid to wear suits and say "yes sir". I am sure he was handed that job.
What happened to the chamber? 2007 and this year has been rough for them.
PS: I don't hold my breath for that guy.
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Post 35 February 16, 2008 at 2:17 p.m.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Two Best Posts Today !!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.
It is Common knowledge the Corpus Christi Chamber is Twisted !
I noticed it my 1st week in town, back in 2005 !
Carter has the credibility of Joe Izusu, in fact the Chamber as a whole is a Black Eye to Corpus Christi.
Unfortunately I feel the same way about 3 people on our City Council also.
Back in 2005 when I ReBooted my life in Corpus, I had High Expectations of Corpus. Native Texans warned me about Corpus Christi, I shunned their advise. If I had it to do over, I would have listened to those in the know.
Corpus has a sickness I can't explain, this is a very corrupt town, where friends and family dictate success or failure. Where City Hall, the Chamber a select few families run the city. All others are subtly encouraged to fall in line.
In Corpus Christi, it's small town politics on steroids. What surprises me is how TV & Radio suck up to the machine. In most cities investigative reporters would be trying to build their careers on a story like this. Here in Corpus, the media is in bed with the machine. My best guess is because of local ownership/management of media.
It's no wonder big business has shunned the city.

2.
For all too long I along with others on these blogs have connected the dots with these crooked families and good old boys running this city into the ground and treating it as their own little kingdom. The PSM family, Husemans, Loebs, Hummells and a few of the other older families continue the stranglehold choking the life out of Corpus Christi. What should be a strong and vibrant community with outside investment and development all around is suffocated by the above at the expense of the vast majority. It is sickening these fools have such power and control and like you said, the local media is in bed with these people so no worthwhile investigative reporting is done. Maybe the Texas Rangers and Chuck should be given the opportunity to look into these skunks inner workings?
Huseman leads the campaign against the Landry's project, Loeb presents his red herring development and Hummell heads the deceptive yet effective lie-fest against the 1.5 billion dollar resort. Oh yeah, Van Huseman and Hummell have a law practice together! That almost slipped my mind.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Post numbers keep changing, but the truth is. Both of these Posters have a good understanding of Corpus Christi :)

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(Suggest removal)

Post 36 February 16, 2008 at 2:44 p.m.

Loeb is a board member of the Chamber.
(Suggest removal)

Post 37 February 16, 2008 at 2:45 p.m.

how true, how true that we will have to wait til these old families die off to have any progress in CC. The Chamber seems to be the worst . When I moved here with a company of 30 employees , the Chamber sent me a Membership Book and a bill for $100 dollars for it. I did not join because it was worthless even then and sounds like it is worth less even now. I will say that Skip Noe was extremely helpful, but he was the only one. We have since moved out of the city limits just because of high taxes with little in return. Progress in CC will not happen in my lifetime. Just this week we lost Walmart and the Commons due to lack of pro-business leaders.
(Suggest removal)

Post 38 February 16, 2008 at 3:12 p.m.

Didn't Gonzales just get on the chamber board and now he is Chair-elect? What do the bylaws say about that? And for him to already suggest a raise for Terry Carter? And prior to an evaluation? Not good business practices. The chamber used to have some real talent and driven individuals in their staff and board, now wonder why they left!
(Suggest removal)

Post 39 February 16, 2008 at 3:22 p.m.

We dont have any ideas all we care about is hearing the cash register ring. The sole mantra of the disgruntled types. Speak if you have any ideas. You people are always for or against somebody else's ideas. Ya'll are feeble now waiting for people to die is "smart growth"?

You people have nothing substantial to offer but complaints. Your 9 year old daughters do RULE. Hombre?
(Suggest removal)

Post 40 February 16, 2008 at 3:29 p.m.

What a person does in a hot-tub is no reflection of their ability to look over a set of books. Yet, Bill Clinton is the devil incarnate for not having a female run screaming.
(Suggest removal)

Post 41 February 16, 2008 at 3:31 p.m.

What is the business background of the Chair Elect? Would he be considered pro business? Which elected official in Washington has he been very supportive of over the years?

Keep asking the questions and you will find why one business after another have either resigned or will not be paying any additional dues to the Chamber.
(Suggest removal)

Post 42 February 16, 2008 at 3:53 p.m.

I wish we could have a little scandal with our politics instead of the other way around.
(Suggest removal)

Post 43 February 16, 2008 at 4:12 p.m.

Freddie Martinez Jr is Robert Gonzales first cousin. Also, Gonzales law firm allegedly represents Mr. Martinez music business. Martinez and Carter recruited Gonzales only three or four months ago to serve on the board and quickly moved him to Chairman Elect. There seems to be a clear conflict of interest between these two CHamber leaders, or at least, the cloud of a possible collusion in hiding the financial books. Earlier post suggested that Lencho Rendon, former Chief of Staff of Congressman Solomon Ortiz, has been hired by the Chamber on a contract basis for events held at the Fairgrounds. It appears that Ortiz and his followers (Van Huseman and MIke Hummel) are now in control of the Chamber of Commerce, and will never publicly release the financial records of impropriety.

(Suggest removal)

Post 44 February 16, 2008 at 4:24 p.m.

yup 46 -remember the salute to the veterens banq- did the chamber board make that "consulting" agreement public? think they paid a consulting fee of about $7,000.
(Suggest removal)

Post 45 February 16, 2008 at 4:29 p.m.

I'll tell you how skewered and bizarro of a place we occupy here. You got the Huseman spearheading the defeat of the Landry proposal and he is the legal counsel for a CoC for a city with thousands of businesses. Funny whenever outside money wants to come in they are treated as if they are flaming hot with a herpes outbreak. More on the jacked up thought process of the these families. The daughter of Van Huseman works for the Texas bankers association, Wes Hoskins, one of the big dogs for First Community Bank and one of the larger donors to Mike Hummells council campaign. Are dots starting to connect yet?

No wonder we as a city cant get ahead and progress. Its an f'ed up collusion game being played by a few here in our city. Wonder why Hummell, Loeb and John Kelley (our local socialist) and others have s**t grenaded everything from the Landry's, TRT, the Shex resort, TIF for the Commons and so on. But on the other foot these same fools somehow support the re-do of the Memorial Coliseum to the tune of 30 million plus - who benefits huh? John Kelley has continually stroked and petted Hummell. Are they planning on moving the ACLU and local Socialist party HQ to the M.C.? On Mike Hummells website he even offers a link to John Kelley's We the People local fishwrap.

Jaime Powell might be onto something here you think. Go get em Jaime.

(Suggest removal)

Post 46 February 16, 2008 at 4:53 p.m.

Nice to see people finally starting to put together the puzzle. It's about the time the "bad guys" were identified as for so long they have been able to escape the spot light as fingers were pointed at others.
(Suggest removal)

Post 47 February 16, 2008 at 5:24 p.m.

Post #47:

They have to contract out for an event like that because they need to keep Ortiz and his posse happy. Carter supports Ortiz. Another headline! They contracted out Conquer the Coast, to a non-Chamber member Austin group, because they fired their event director two weeks prior to the event. They peeved off the entire biking community. Bertuzzi and Carter stopped doing personal business together and all of a sudden more headlines in the Caller about how shady the Chamber is becoming. Everything the Chamber does is a conflict or an arm's length away from unethical. Crosstown Commons. Remember that headline? Remember when Trevino resigned from the Worksource Board after trying to nail another BIG contract from Worksource. Trevino claims, he didn't vote. Who cares? There was still a conflict; he was still a board member of Worksource. Remember that headline? Remember when carter went on t.v. to debate against McCutcheon and got slaughtered? Now Carter supports Hummel and the BAC. Carter got Martinez’s cousin on the board and is now chair-elect after a couple of months? Headline? The Chamber cannot hold on to good board members or staff. Several board members who have questioned Carter in the past have all resigned; their dedicated employees have all left. Remember that headline? The Chamber is going downhill all too quickly; their best employee resigned over a year ago. Remember that headline? They just fired another employee a week ago. They keep firing and firing and firing. They need to fire starting at the top, not at the bottom. Wait until their HR policies and plan hits the paper!

(Suggest removal)

Post 48 February 16, 2008 at 7:55 p.m.

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So........... We can't count on the T.V. Stations, Talk Radio is scared to death of these characters.

Do any of you have any connections in San Antonio, Houston or Dallas media. This is a big story! It needs to be told. They will never let this Saga be told here in Corpus. Why not drop a dime on this town on a statewide basis?

Hell evan Dateline would get a kick out of this much corruption, it's time to let the world know about South Texas !

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(Suggest removal)

Post 49 February 16, 2008 at 8:08 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Post 50 February 16, 2008 at 8:22 p.m.

stff you are very sore and need to get some therapy
(Suggest removal)

Post 51 February 16, 2008 at 9:34 p.m.

Post 51, why do we need San Antonio,Houston or Dallas. The reasons you are reading about this story is because the Caller broke the story. I agree it is a big story and it is being told by the local paper. As usual local TV doesn't cover this sort of news because they are scared or want it to happen.
(Suggest removal)

Post 52 February 17, 2008 at 2:07 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Post 53 February 17, 2008 at 10:51 a.m.

off tropic but I only got cheap chocolate on Thursday
(Suggest removal)

Post 54 February 17, 2008 at 12:09 p.m.

Whoa! What a bunch of inbreds. Maybe if the Chamber Members would get a real job....

Master Rod
(Suggest removal)

Post 55 February 17, 2008 at 1:03 p.m.

When the audit is done, guess what ... those findings and the DNA results on the dog-loving man will be announced on the very same day.... in the Caller-Times !!!
(Suggest removal)

Post 56 February 19, 2008 at 9:14 a.m.

I'm surprised Carter and the Chamber hasn't been sued for sexual harassment.
(Suggest removal)

Post 57 February 20, 2008 at 4:52 p.m.

This is so sad that the Chamber gets rid of 2 people that are probably extremely ethical and they have probably caught them with their hands in the cookie jar and want to do what's right. The responsibility is of the board and something smells very rotten with this. Why did they really get rid of 2 executive board members? Not the hogwash that they say, what really happened? As in post 50, anyone that does business with the current WorkSource executive can not be on the up and up!!! Records should be checked!!!

Nueces Democrats: Hegemony: Power, Culture & Ideology: Lencho Rendon: The Pimping Out Of The President & Hillary

2008-03-04T00:43:00.000-08:00

Nueces Democrats: Hegemony: Power, Culture & Ideology: Lencho Rendon: The Pimping Out Of The President & Hillary

By themericanprince

LENCHO "THE DICTATOR" RENDON

Here is why Lencho will fail:
1) Shady deals
2) Doesn't have finesse that Solomon had
3) Uses intimidation and muscle himself into power
4) When you use intimidation you can never go back to be civilized. It's all he knows and his henchman Mike Rendon and Joseph.
5) He hasn't reached out fairly to the community
6) He's a third world thug/dictator and that's why he will fail
7) The reason Solomon got rid of him was the bridge to nowhere and backing Alvarez fiasco among God only knows what shady deals.
8) The suppression of the Democratic party.
9) Making enemies of many white and Hispanic influential people
10) Hiring dirtbags like Susie Tuna
11) Trying to manipulate the media and control information which they cannot do on the internet and alternate newspapers.

Nueces Democrats: Hegemony: Power, Culture & Ideology: Lencho Rendon: The Pimping Out Of The President & Hillary

2008-03-03T10:38:00.000-08:00

Nueces Democrats: Hegemony: Power, Culture & Ideology: Lencho Rendon: The Pimping Out Of The President & Hillary:

"It is a simple choice, vote for Joe or vote for the Solomonista."

Nueces Democrats: Robert Zamora:A Man of Strength & Stability ; Winning Back The Nueces County Democratic Party For All South Texas Democrats

2008-01-01T03:36:00.000-08:00

Nueces Democrats: Robert Zamora:A Man of Strength & Stability ; Winning Back The Nueces County Democratic Party For All South Texas Democrats

Zamora Announces for Party Chair

Updated: Jan 1, 2008 12:31 AM

A local attorney has announced he is running for chairman of the Nueces County Democratic Party.

There has been talk that several people might run. On Monday, attorney Robert Zamora officially announced that he has filed for the position, which is now held by Alex Garcia Jr.

"I have not only experience as a lawyer operating my own business for close to 30 years," Zamora said. "What I would like to do is lend the energy and the experience that I have to the operation of the Democratic Party here in Nueces County.

The race will be decided in the state presidential primary in March.

Parkdale Bank: Ray Mc Murrey Is From Here, He Still Believes Like It Says In The Intro, "I'll be a straight-shooter & a square-dealer "& He Does "Reme

2007-12-28T01:07:00.000-08:00

Parkdale Bank: Ray Mc Murrey Is From Here, He Still Believes Like It Says In The Intro, "I'll be a straight-shooter & a square-dealer "& He Does "Remember The Alamo"

"I'll be as hardy of mind as I am of body. I'll be a straight-shooter and a square-dealer. My family name will be sacred My word will be as good as any contract. I'll remember the Alamo. I'll stick by my friends. And I'll eat more chicken-fried steak."

"We do not win by replacing a corporate Republican with a corporate Democrat," said Mr. McMurrey, speaking to about a dozen supporters at an East Austin residence.

Ray told me this before he spoke at his Official Announcement to run against the Corporate Democratic Military Industrial Complex Candidate for Texas US Senator.

A very passionate candidate who is anything other than a fake or what some like to call a politician.

Ray is not a Politician and this is a very very positive attribute.

Dont get me wrong he is very well suited for the Senate and the diplomacy is there but there is a sternness that demands his respect kind of like the respect and command he possesses in the classroom. I think we can all agree, if he can handle our youth in the classroom he will do well for us in Washington.

Two more things

Remember the Alamo

and

Stay tuned for Jan 2 next year.

"We do not win by replacing a corporate Republican with a corporate Democrat," said Mr. McMurrey, speaking to about a dozen supporters at an East Austin residence.

Ray Mc Murrey is from Corpus Christi.

He tells us upfront of his progressive leanings and his disappointment in both of the Hegemonic Parties.

Hegemony,.... Watch the Movie "Hot Fuzz".

Corpus Christi Watchdog Authority: [texaswallstreetjournal] Insurance / Healthcare Industry Vs Trial Lawyers

2007-12-21T01:19:00.000-08:00

Texas Wall Street Journal Insurance / Healthcare Industry Vs Trial Lawyers. We do however, express our disappointment in Sheriff Kaelin's partisan political positioning

We at Los Kenedenos concur (although not in totality) with the Author's take on the linked issue.

We do however, express our disappointment in Sheriff Kaelin's partisan political positioning. In hindsight we look back to the previous administration and many an issue we may question, but we do not recall any investigations (while ongoing) conducted in such boisterous fashion. In the same, we do not believe there are any grounds of civil rights violations due to race or ethnicity. It is evident false statements were made in an attempt to spin public opinion and we do find this to be obtuse to the due process afforded to all Americans. We ask Mr Kaelin to remember the faithless party abandonment of his party who now uses him (and his popularity) to launch political strikes. Mr Kaelin needs to realize these shoes he stands in uncomfortably. Everybody is watching, so just be yourself and quit appeasing to Political Powerbase who did not back you up and will run the first time you are in trouble.

Respectfully,

Anton Haley

Corpus Christi Watchdog Authority: Guy Watts filed for divorce on last Friday 12/07/2007

2007-12-15T00:19:00.000-08:00

The Caller Times continues to censor and manipulate public input while using the same censored material in their own articles and claiming it as their own work product. Below, the most recent material submitted to be included in the public comments for public viewing. On a positive note, we take it as a compliment.

Corpus Christi Watchdog Authority: Guy Watts filed for divorce on last Friday 12/07/2007

B.A.C.A.L.A.: Velacrat is making friends with the Federal Entrapment gang and sycophants up to the ones he believes will elevate his Rose

2007-12-09T03:59:00.000-08:00

B.A.C.A.L.A.: Abel Herrero has proven himself and his record is there for all to see; he is a fine representative

Abel Herrero has proven himself and his record is there for all to see. I am proud of Abel, he is a fine representative.

There is a natural law I always like to follow, "If it isnt broke , then it don't need fixin".

On the other hand,

Velacrat is making friends with the Federal Entrapment gang and sycophants up to the ones he believes will elevate his Rose to a Federal Judicial Bench.

Is Fil Vela going into the fraud abuse prosecution racket & the manufacturing of fraud abuse prosecutions?

Inroads (for GOP) into South Texas?

Hurt? Injured? Need a Lawyer? Too Bad!

TLR?? ..................................three little bitty letters;

nah, I wouldnt worry bout em.

Telemundo South Texas: Senatorial Prevarication: Will Texas Allow Junior John to Poke Our Eyes?,.... He hope so!

2007-08-12T03:25:00.000-07:00

However, we do diverge slightly. A few intangibles most of you guys probably don't know. I support the candidate whose Law Firm employs Attorneys who passionately fight for and support marriage equality. I support the candidate whose Law Firm employs Attorneys whose ideology does not align with his ideology. I support the candidate whose Law Firm employs some Attorneys with very strong progressive ideologies. I support the candidate whose Law Firm employs Attorneys of various ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. I dont think you can say this of Junior John?

"IN THE KNOW": "Mr. and Mrs. North and South America and all ships at sea," "Let’s go to press!

2007-08-06T04:55:00.000-07:00

"IN THE KNOW": "Mr. and Mrs. North and South America and all ships at sea," "Let’s go to press!

Just got back from hooking some Big Reds at the Mother Lagoon. Now, that's WATT I'm talkin bout invoking a FIGHT. I had not had an opportunity to read the Caller Times and Jamie Powell's Political Pulse and one of the guys came up and starting telling us how Junior John attacked the internet community and Mikal WATTSFORSENATE Campaign amateur. He said, "They are talking about you all over the Newspaper today". I asked him, "What do you mean? Who is "they"?

He said that Senator guy Cornyn, he is saying that the blogs and the internet message are an amateur way for WATTS to Campaign. He is saying Mikal Watts but he is talking about you.

Well, I am not with the WATTSFORSENATE Campaign but I am going against Junior John.

The said to me, you must be starting to irritate them, getting to them with things they cannot defend or else he wouldn't say anything.

I told him, "I am a fly, and I am going a Junior John, I am now in his ear, He will scratch and scratch at his ear trying to get me out, he will scratch until he is bleeding, he will himself to death trying to get me out of his ear."

Rothenberg Report, calling Watts' campaign Web site video, "the silliest, most transparent attempt to deliver a message I have ever seen."

Who is Rothenberg and why should we care WATT he says? It is enough to know he is trying to get Junior John re-elected. His writing is meaningless rhetoric. Transparent? Transparency is a good thing, but obviously transparency is a negative attribute of Government according to the GOP?

"If this is Mikal Watts' first attempt to draw attention to his campaign via the Internet he may ought to use another medium," said Texas GOP spokesman Hans Klingler. "Watts invoking the word 'fight' without the slightest idea or experience in any elected or leadership arena is comical."

We (Los Kenedenos) were going after Junior John prior to any Watts intentions to challenge the Junior Senator. Besides, why would a GOP Spokesman advise us? We are definitely in a good medium current or else ole Hans would not be advising us to "use another medium". We are definitely connecting with the "sweet spot" and they keep on changing pitchers. As far as fight, come and get it BOYS. Amateur, we take that as a compliment and it is a true statement, in our case.

WATT are you scared of Junior John?

Bring it now and may we dance everyday until the day when Texas will make their choice.

Invoking the word Fight?
"without the slightest idea or experience in any elected or leadership arena"

We know WATT Junior John's idea of leadership is, it is a sycophantic relationship with the GOP.

Junior John's Experience is his record and there is nothing there for the average Texan, there is nothing in his record for the South Texan or for the hispanic.

We got him building a border fence that was appropriated for, as a Concrete WAll.

Invoke the word FIGHT Mr Hans exclaims?

We will take our chances.

We stand waiting in the ring or in the alley whichever you choose Mr Hans Klingler.

As far as leadership and elected arenas, we got Junior John's record vs the hope that somebody has the balls to run his A$$ out of office.

We are here and the hope begins to grow.

The snowball now, only needs a little downward slope and then we just jump on for the ride.
We wont need to support it anymore and you guys cant stop it, it will just keep rolling and rolling and rolling.

You GOP guys, doncha you got a little better punch than that to throw? Where is all that salty dog experience of the "Professional Politician / Carpet Bagger"?

You know WATT I mean by Professional Carpetbagger?

come around only at election time
say and do WATT ever it takes to get re elected.
Quiet up about the Craddick transgressions even though you should denounce him,
mums the word on building a wall but let the racist haters know you still support it
and charm the Humanities and let them know you are for them and have always supported them
like you tried to you act like you are for the American GI Forum and have always supported the Hispanic culture in that plagiarized article in some East Texas Publication; where you were trying to use the image and spirit of DR Hector P Garcia.

Junior John is now officially a comedian.

Well he must be?
Isn't he trying to make us laugh?

Surely Junior John does not think we are stupid enough to believe his Cotton Eyed Joe song and Dance?

WATTS that word?

B U L L S H / T ! ! !

GOP suggests Watts' campaign is amateur

The Texas Republican Party went on the offensive Friday against lawyer Mikal Watts, who is making a run at Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.

The state GOP cited a recent article by Stuart Rothenberg, author of the national political publication Rothenberg Report, calling Watts' campaign Web site video, "the silliest, most transparent attempt to deliver a message I have ever seen."

"If this is Mikal Watts' first attempt to draw attention to his campaign via the Internet he may ought to use another medium," said Texas GOP spokesman Hans Klingler. "Watts invoking the word 'fight' without the slightest idea or experience in any elected or leadership arena is comical."

Political Pulse: San Patricio County Watchdog Authority

2007-08-05T05:59:00.000-07:00

Political Pulse: San Patricio County Watchdog Authority

San Patricio County Watchdog Authority

2007-08-05T05:51:00.000-07:00

P-2votecanvassisng1109--CALLER TIMES PHOTO BY GEORGE GONGORA---San Patricio county judge, Terry Simpson shows numbers from vote convassing held today at San Patricio County Courthouse in Sinton that overturned the election in Juan Garcia's favor.

"IN THE KNOW": For those of you who are "In the Know"

2007-07-02T04:58:00.000-07:00

"IN THE KNOW": For those of you who are "In the Know"

Quantum meruit: Ask no more and give no less than honesty, courage, loyalty, generosity, and fairness

Corpus Christi Watchdog Authority: "nobody knows Mikal Watts better than Corpus Christi." But does Mikal Watts know us (the people of Corpus Christi)?

The Kenedy Pasture Company: A Civil Action in the Making?

2007-07-02

A Civil Action in the Making?

Why must we flex our muscles?

Nueces County, CCISD, 105th Judicial District Attorney; how many kids were locked up without an attorney?

There is no excuse for violating the basic human rights afforded under the United States Constitution.
How many kids were locked up by a court of nonrecord?
Not even with a parent's consent unless the parent has been given the opportunity to consult with counsel.
How many children taken into custody were advised of their Miranda Rights?
Oh yeah, Plaisted and every CCISD kid for whom, he provided service

.

What do we want?

Go do some homework, we want responsive representation with transparent operation.

We want to not be railroaded for tardies or for absences when the District does not practice due diligence in interdicting but is very diligent in recording the events and adamantly prosecutes and collects half of the fine. When the people cant pay the kids are picked up from class and taken in handcuffs to the court of nonrecord. The Parent is contacted and ordered to appear immediately. When the Parent arrives he or she is told to pay or your kid goes to jail and sometimes the parent is threatened and / or locked up as well. I have never seen a kid who has been provided counsel but I have witnessed many a kid go to jail.

And this from non responsive legislators who have enabled the School Administration to blame the parent when they allow children in their custody to roam at large unaccounted for and the District in coordination with the Courts of non record get paid (profit) from it.

2007-07-01

"Court Appointed Rolodex's". Nanotechnology and "Confessing Error" in a dog and pony show who operate like they are in a Kangaroo Court.

Nanotechnology at work right before our eyes finally an acknowledgment of what has been going on for quite a while now. The information in those "Court Appointed Rolodex's", there is gold in them hills. And this is going to start becoming available when? and for who? We have came to a narrowing of the road here in this alligning of energy fields. I can see it now we got Mikal who who is the adversary of my adversary John Cornyn. We also have the Honorable Judge Manuel Banales who needs to align with Mr Watts and vice versa. Does he want to run for mayor unopposed? I would rather see him correct the errors and run for Governor or Ascend to the Texas Supreme Court. Now, John Cornyn has "Confessed Error" and I assure you it wasn't out of fairness but in the essence of knocking the checkers off of the Table because he was going to lose. And Carlos Valdez & John Hubert "Confess Error" on appeal from the 105th. Hubert & Valdez "confess error" so they can conceal Mary Cano. And that is as painless as it gets.
Anton

CCCT Political Pulse
Mikal Watts seeks to round up list of Democrats for self, others
By Jaime Powell
A Monday noontime fundraiser at Vietnam restaurant for U.S. Senate hopeful Mikal Watts was a who's who of the local bar association and judiciary, including five district judges. Watts, who is living in San Antonio, told the crowd that "nobody knows Mikal Watts better than Corpus Christi."

Watts, a Democrat, who is seeking the seat held by Republican Sen. John Cornyn, asked the gathering to dig through their Rolodexes and e-mail address lists because he hopes to compile a statewide database to reach Democratic voters that can be used by all Texas Democrats.

"That way, when Judge (J. Manuel) Bañales runs for mayor he can use it," Watts joked, to uproarious laughter from the crowd and a big grin from Bañales, who was sitting on the front row.

2007-06-30

If you need an attorney.....if he is any good he will tell you watt an "Ander's Appeal" is? If he tells you not to worry about it.........FIRE HIM !!!

Garcia bitter and as usual all about d'money.......one shoreline rent is expensive...ipod downloadable remedy.....process

2007-06-24T03:41:00.000-07:00

Local
Political Pulse: 06.24.07

By Jaime Powell (Contact)
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Fulton persuaded Neal to come to surprise party.
Fulton persuaded Neal to come to surprise party.
Messbarger joked he went to Neal's 70th birthday 10 years ago.
Messbarger joked he went to Neal's 70th birthday 10 years ago.
McComb hasn't decided on further political campaigns.
McComb hasn't decided on further political campaigns.
Neal hinted for two men to take their hats off during Pledge.
Neal hinted for two men to take their hats off during Pledge.
Seaman has funds that could be used for a race, GOP chair says.
Seaman has funds that could be used for a race, GOP chair says.

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CORPUS CHRISTI — Hunter says rumor he'll oppose Rep. Juan Garcia is just talk

Austin Democratic campaign strategist Kelly Fero e-mailed state Rep. Juan Garcia that former Democratic state Rep. Todd Hunter met with Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick's daughter Christi Craddick last week and has agreed to run against Garcia as a Republican.

Besides being the speaker's child, Christi Craddick also is his well-paid political consultant.

According to Fero, his sourcing on the rumor is impeccable, and big money Republican campaign donors including school voucher proponent James Leininger reportedly are ready to pony up the cash necessary for Hunter to mount a challenge against Garcia.

Hunter denied it.

"The answer is no, and I have not met with anybody," Hunter said Friday. "I am glad to be on the rumor list. I got called night before last by the political papers in Austin. I have been asked if I would consider state rep. or Congress, but I still have not decided. Call me next week when they say I met with George Bush."

Nueces GOP chair cites leftover Seaman funds

Nueces County Republican chairman Mike Bertuzzi said Thursday night that he is not sure if Hunter is going to run. But former Rep. Gene Seaman, whom Garcia beat in the heavily Republican district, is definitely eyeing a rematch, he said.

"He has still got $75,000 in leftover campaign funds, and we can't get any of it out of him," Bertuzzi said.

County GOP chair's wife to run for court

Bertuzzi also officially let the cat out of the bag regarding his wife Caroline's political aspirations. The Democrats have been saying for weeks that Caroline Bertuzzi was planning to run for the 13th Court of Appeals against Justice Dori Contreras Garza.

Bertuzzi said that's a sure thing, and the Republicans believe that she can beat Contreras, a Rio Grande Valley Democrat.

Garcia host list for event spans spectrum

In the meantime, Garcia is raising money for the fight.

The 62-person Host List for his June 27 fundraiser at the Padre Island home of Glenn and Crystal Lyons spans both ends of the political spectrum with stalwart Democrats such as lawyer Mauricio Celis and U.S. Senate hopeful Mikal Watts, and community Republican cornerstones such as American Bank President Al Jones and CCISD board member John Longoria.

"Some people might say that seeing those folks in the same room is the eighth sign of the Apocalypse," Garcia said Thursday. "But in a country increasingly divided into 'Red' and 'Blue' factions, we're speaking 'Purple,' and people are responding."

Search for manager draws suggestions

During Monday's Ingleside City Council special meeting, members discussed the possible state and national employment Web sites on which to post the city's opening for city manager.

Suggestions included the Texas City Managers Association and www.monster.com.

Councilman Willie Vaden tossed in his vote.

"How about eHarmony.com?" he asked before he and other council members broke out in laughter. "I bet you we can get tons of hits."

Mayor Elaine Kemp tried to maintain order by banging her gavel.

"This is serious," said Kemp before breaking into a smile.

Ingleside mayor's cakes are a hit

After almost two hours discussing Naval Station Ingleside and the open city manager's position, Ingleside City Council members took a break before going into closed session to discuss previous applicants for the position.

Mayor Kemp, known for her baking skills, had brought a tray of different cakes to share with those attending the meeting. Vaden, who had grabbed and consumed at least two handfuls of the sweets, appeared to dance a two-step as he walked from his seat to the door for a break.

"I'm just too full from that cake to walk right," he said, smiling and dancing away.

Regents say leader's pay not yet negotiated

When asked Tuesday how much newly selected Del Mar College interim president Travis Kirkland would be paid, college regents Bill Martin and Trey McCampbell said that issue had yet to be negotiated.

With Kirkland listening in only minutes after learning he had been selected, however, Martin jokingly offered a lowball figure.

"We are very pleased that he has agreed to work for free," he kidded.

Neal sternly hints hats-off for Pledge

When it was time to say the Pledge of Allegiance at Wednesday's commissioners court meeting, County Judge Loyd Neal eagle-eyed two veterans at Wednesday's meeting and pointed to the hats that both men had forgotten to take off.

Noticing the mayor's stern look, they both looked baffled until Neal pointed at their hats and both sheepishly removed them.

Port engineer grouses about Wal-Mart fight

Listening to a report from city staff about ongoing developments at a Metropolitan Planning Committee meeting Thursday, Port of Corpus Christi engineer Greg Brubeck grumbled at a presentation about the Wal-Mart Supercenter proposed for the Southside.

The site has been one of the most contentious public fights recently, with some residents near the proposed Wal-Mart complaining they don't want it.

"As many people will complain that they don't have a Wal-Mart when this is over," Brubeck said.

County judge needled at his surprise party

Strolling into the main ballroom of the Corpus Christi Country Club Thursday night with Fulton Coastcon principal Joe Fulton in tow, County Judge Neal was awestruck by the 350 people gathered for his surprise 70th birthday party.

Fulton played a key role in bamboozling Neal into showing up.

"I was just going to dinner with Joe Fulton," a beaming Neal said. "I'm going to kill him."

Standing nearby, Kingsville Economic Council executive director Dick Messbarger was laughing.

"I swear I went to Loyd's 70th birthday 10 years ago! I swear I did."

Difference was wider than fork in the road

Fulton, who is a very active behind-the-scenes player in local politics, strolled up to former County Commissioner Joe McComb, who lost a recent bid for state representative against Solomon Ortiz Jr.

"What do you plan to run for next?" Fulton quizzed.

McComb said he had not decided.

Fulton, with a sly grin, asked if maybe McComb might be interested in retaking his old commissioner's seat, which is currently held by McComb's fellow Republican Chuck Cazalas.

"What about your boy Chuck?" McComb asked.

Fulton replied that he and Cazalas had a parting of ways.

"It wasn't a fork in the road," Fulton continued. "It was a split."

Garcia'd like Coastal Bend to see Obama

Reps. Garcia and Ruth Jones-McClendon, D-San Antonio, are co-hosting Garcia's law school classmate and presidential aspirant Barack Obama in San Antonio today. They'll have a private brunch, followed by a rally at Sunset Station next to the Alamodome.

"I don't agree with Barack on every issue, but he's bringing people to the political process that have never been interested before, and he's speaking in bipartisan terms," Garcia said. "We'll have him down here before the election, and I want the Coastal Bend to meet him."

Political Pulse is compiled and written by Caller Times politics reporter Jaime Powell. This week's contributors include Powell, Israel Saenz and Beth Wilson. Have a tip? Contact Powell at 886-3716 or powellj@caller.com

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Posted by no on June 24, 2007 at 4:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"He has still got $75,000 in leftover campaign funds, and we can't get any of it

Texas Public Education Watchdog Authority: Dear Chuy Hinojosa, Florence Shapiro and distinguished Education Committee Members

2007-05-27T02:26:00.000-07:00

Texas Public Education Watchdog Authority: Dear Chuy Hinojosa, Florence Shapiro and distinguished Education Committee Members

Just give us (Education) the Lottery Proceeds as per original bill of sale. The Lottery was sold to us (the voters of the great State of Texas) as 100% of the proceeds were for Educating our youth.

What percentage of the Lottery proceeds (currently) are dedicated to the education of our youth?

Why is it, the wealth always steals from our children after acting like they were creating, “doing it for th kids” huge reservoirs of Avarice to siphon off.

Like the Lottery originally was ratified by the people of the Great State of Texas with the belief ot was a moneymaker for our Children’s Education. And now how much of the Lottery revenue makes it to Public Education?

Perry Craddick & Corporate Welfare in the name of WIA, ED Byrne Grant, and under the guise of helping the poor.

With the Education funding we should demand that the dedication of lottery money to the Education of our Children be adhered to as it was sold to Texas. The Lottery when legislated was for the Education of Texas Students. Finally, the Private Sector is funded under the WIA slush fund for Corporate Welfare Recipients under the Guise of a Welfare Reform or Welfare to Work / JOB generating program to help the poor. The rich are getting richer in the name of helping the poor. And one needs to always remember it is both parties dippin into the creative crony contractualism. Give it a title, write a grant and set up a front office with a computer and a sign; then get some brochures and a few token clients and funnel the Avarice in a shell game like manner and voila a new ranch or a new house maybe an agency hummer or King Ranch Pickup Truck with a magnetic sign. Give a few JOBS to your network affiliates and send the clients to perform community based work and get rich and richer doing it. Ask Mary Cano or Oscar Martinez to explain it in detail. Charmed I'm sure.

TFT LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE--FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2007
>(copyright 2007 Texas Federation of Teachers)
>
>Proposed State Budget Shortchanges Schools and Educators; Keep Up the Fight
>For House TRS Plan; House at a Standstill as Speaker Clings to Power
>
>Proposed Budget Shortchanges Public Schools, Education Employees: TFT
>President Linda Bridges put out a press statement today deploring the
>results of the House-Senate conference committee on the 2008-2009 budget.
>The state budget plan in House Bill 1 still must win the approval of
>majorities in both the House and Senate. As President Bridges' statement
>below explains, HB 1 in its current form does not deserve that approval:
>
>"Education and educators would be shortchanged badly in the budget proposed
>by House-Senate conferees this afternoon. Based on the information
>currently
>available, school funding would remain static, not even getting back to the
>level of state and local funding school districts had in 2002 in real
>terms, after you take inflation into account. The $850-a-year
>cost-of-living pay raise for teachers passed by the House last month would
>shrivel to about $425, according to the legislative budget staff. If paid
>out to all teachers across the board, this would amount to less than $25 a
>month after taxes and deductions--not even enough to cover the cost of
>rising average health-care premiums. And the conferees took pains today to
>say the money would not even have to be paid out across the board to all
>teachers.
>
>"Worst of all is what this budget proposal would do regarding TRS pension
>benefits. The bill would withhold an eminently affordable and exceedingly
>modest pension boost--a 13th check for TRS retirees--unless other
>legislation passes
>to impose new levies on all current school employees. The only way retirees
>would get a 13th check, under this scheme devised by Sen. Robert Duncan,
>would be if active school employees pay a higher contribution rate, taking
>roughly $50 million a year out of their pockets. This plan totally
>contradicts the House legislation passed unanimously on Wednesday that
>would provide a 13th check for retirees fully funded by the state, without
>imposing any new levies on active employees.
>
>"In short, school districts under this budget would regain none of the
>ground they have lost financially, teachers would get at best a measly pay
>raise of less than $25 a month that wouldn't even keep up with inflation,
>and 300,000 school support personnel would suffer an actual pay cut, as a
>result of the higher levies imposed on them for TRS with no compensating
>increase in pay. You have to give the
>conferees credit--it takes a certain ingenuity to come up with a plan this
>bad at a time when the state is sitting on a record-high budget surplus."
>
>Keep Up the Fight for House TRS Plan! At this writing members of the Texas
>House are standing firm in support of their unanimously approved plan for a
>13th check for TRS retirees, funded by an increase in the state
>contribution rate to 6.7 percent, with no new costs imposed on active
>school employees. Several Senate offices reported to us today that they are
>receiving a high volume of calls in support of this House version of SB
>1846--as well they should be. The Senate alternative proposed by Sen.
>Robert Duncan, Republican of Lubbock, is a thinly veiled attempt to shift
>state costs for TRS pensions onto active employees and their school
>districts.
>
>Duncan let slip the real agenda during floor debate on his plan,
>noting that increasing the TRS levy on active employees and requiring a
>contribution from school districts could "free up general revenue for other
>purposes." In other words, this scheme would allow the state to save money
>by shifting costs onto education employees and local taxpayers.
>
>Duncan's staff in response to callers today reportedly was claiming that
>the freshly hatched budget deal (see above) means that there's no money and
>no time left to provide this session for the 6.7-percent state contribution
>rate that the House proposes. But that's not so. The legislature has
>billions of dollars left to allocate right now, and it would take only a
>tiny fraction of that treasure--less than 1 percent of it, in fact--for the
>state to get to the 6.7-percent TRS contribution rate from the 6.58 percent
>already built into the budget. Even if the budget bill passes in its
>current form, the
>House plan for a fully state-paid 13th check with no new costs imposed on
>active employees could also still pass and become law with full force and
>effect, delivering a 13th check in September.
>
>The upshot is that you have an opportunity right now to shape the outcome
>of this TRS benefit fight in the critical remaining days before adjournment
>of the legislative session on Monday. Just send the letter on this issue to
>your state senator from the TFT Web site. If you don't know your state
>senator, you can find out quickly when you go to that Web letter.
>
>Speaker's Grip on Gavel Threatened: The Texas House came to a standstill at
>8 PM this evening, as Speaker of the House Tom Craddick shut off House
>members' microphones and called a three-hour recess to head off a
>rank-and-file revolt
>threatening to oust him from the speaker's chair. The Midland Republican is
>under heavy fire from both fellow Republicans and Democrats for what many
>consider his tyrannical rule of the House. Tonight he gave them new grist
>for their argument, by ruling that there is no appeal to the membership as
>a whole if he blocks the parliamentary procedure needed to oust him. His
>ruling, epitomizing the arbitrary, one-man rule of which Speaker Craddick
>stands accused, apparently has led to the resignation of the House
>parliamentarian in protest this evening. Like everyone else at the capitol,
>we are now waiting to see if the House will actually reconvene tonight.
>Keep an eye out for news of the latest developments in the daily TFT
>hotlines that will be published each of the next three days as the
>legislative session hurtles toward final adjournment.

Senate Committee on Education

Committee Information

Chair

.Florence Shapiro

Vice-Chair

.Kyle Janek

Members:

.Kip Averitt
.Steve Ogden
.Dan Patrick
.Leticia Van de Putte

.Royce West
.Tommy Williams
.Judith Zaffirini

Texas State Representative House District 33: Keep Your Promises Solly. Remember Miller? Why are CCISD Students still running at large during school d

2007-05-25T02:17:00.000-07:00

Texas State Representative House District 33: Keep Your Promises Solly. Remember Miller? Why are CCISD Students still running at large during school day hours?

Friday, May 25, 2007

Keep Your Promises Solly. Remember Miller? Why are CCISD Students still running at large during school day hours?

CCISD: Why are CCISD Students allowed to run at large during school day hours?

Education is for our Children, our Youth, our Future. Children and Youth need constant redirection and set boundaries at home and at school as well. When a minor is allowed to run at large during the school day hours whether it is in the halls, leaving or returning a closed campus or simply unaccounted for is irresponsible of the caretaker whose custody in which he / she is placed.
Kenedeno

An absent student is one who does not arrive at school in the morning and is absent for the WHOLE Day. The student was never on campus. The Parent is responsible for the student getting to school (requiring the student to attend school). If the student does not get to school it is the Parent’s responsibility not necessarily the Parent’s fault. There are circumstances where the student will walk in the front door and out the back door without attending a single class. This is where the attendance officers need to improve their due diligence like the old days.
Once the student is counted present in the morning; the Parent has required the student (child) to attend school. Once the student is verified in attendance at the beginning of the school day the student is in the custody of the School.
If the student is tardy or skips class (on campus or off campus) this happens on the watch of the school. The Parent if informed should cooperate and communicate with the School Counselors Administrators and the Attendance Officer to correct the behavior. The Security and Attendance officer should take notice and tighten the belt. This is a security issue as well; there is no excuse for students coming and going outside of the lunch period and it is imperative that attendance irregularities be dealt with within 24 hours. This is easily done with our modern technology.
Instead, what we are seeing is the Attendance Officers documenting the absences as they accumulate and filing on the Parent and student when the number of absences are achieved.

Solly, did you forget about the issues and the kids at Miller and CCISD as a whole?

South Texas Chisme: Chisme roundup

Posted on May 15, 2006 at 06:55:18 PM by Jaime Kenedeno ... sources at ccisd downtown have said that a miller hs asst. principal has become a whistleblower. ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/05/chisme-roundup.html - 48k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: Solomon Ortiz Jr. on the ballot for State Rep D33!

I am Jaime Kenedeno of South Texas. A simple Google search will inform you more of WHO I Am. ... The credentials of Noyola and the CCISD / Miller fiasco was ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/08/solomon-ortiz-jr-on-ballot-for-state.html - 31k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: Truth? you cant handle the truth!

That hadn't happened in years, that is why Miller was facing sanctions from the feds (before noyola's time). And Kenedeno is right, we can't support the ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/07/truth-you-cant-handle-truth.html - 35k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: New block walking program in Corpu$

Posted on May 29, 2006 at 01:28:04 AM by Jaime Kenedeno ... Roy Miller’s political skills, vision brought Corpus Christi into the modern era ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/05/new-block-walking-program-in-corpu.html - 42k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: Lets see how you dance to this tune

All the Talk Radio stations will be talking about the Miller HS issue as well as ... From: Jaime Kenedeno [mailto:kingalonzoalvarezdepinedaxiii@gmail.com] ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/07/lets-see-how-you-dance-to-this-tune.html - 46k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: Race for State Rep. District 33 gets HOT

It said that the whistleblowers name at Miller was former assistant ... Jamie Kenedeno, no I just thought it would be fun to do something like that poem. ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/07/race-for-state-rep-district-33-gets.html - 43k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: Who's the REAL enemy?

... Sr. attempts to manipulate the vote and his performance at Miller HS last year. ... Jaime Kenedeno/Haley, Who Knows why he writes anything that he does. ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/09/whos-real-enemy.html - 53k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: PULP FICTION & The Award Winning Caller-Times

... an article on July 23rd entitled PAPER WON’T REPORT RUMORS AT MILLER HIGH, ... Thanks for watching my back, Kenedeno. At 4:19 AM, Jaime KenedeÃ±o said. ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/07/pulp-fiction-award-winning-caller.html - 22k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: Dangerous chisme?

When we write something us here at Kenedeno & Associates believe it to be true. ... in example will be the one that Danny Noyola was removed from Miller. ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/06/dangerous-chisme.html - 27k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: HD 33 shuffle

Danny Noyola, Sr., recently reassigned from Miller HS principal to Moody assistant principal, ... Posted on July 3, 2006 at 09:51:17 PM by Jaime Kenedeno ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/07/hd-33-shuffle.html - 37k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: Once again the Caller times tells only half truth

-Jane Wall – Current teacher and former Miller HS journalism instructor “As a Precinct chair, ... Political Pulse: Kenedeno’s Political Pulse ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/08/once-again-caller-times-tells-only.html - 32k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

Royalty Exposed

2007-05-20T02:25:00.001-07:00

Political Pulse: 05.20.07

By Jaime Powell (Contact)
Sunday, May 20, 2007

Hummell gets royal treatment

Incoming at-large City Councilman Mike Hummell has to be feeling a little royal after his friends and cohorts at the law firm Huseman Dodson and Hummell, where he is a partner, sent out invitations to a "Coronation Celebration" honoring Hummell for his recent elevation to what could be called a throne.

Though there is no royal bloodline, incoming District 4 Councilman Mike McCutchon and Hummell are sort of related by virtue of marriage. Hummell's stepsister is McCutchon's wife. Sandra McCutchon's mom is married to Hummell's dad.

Look for Alonzo, Cooper sharing opposite views

Community activist Abel Alonzo said he expects to see more of embattled City Councilwoman Melody Cooper. Both showed up at Wednesday's County Commissioners meeting. Alonzo is a regular, while Cooper is not.

Alonzo said Cooper is following him around to counter his calls for her resignation. Cooper has been under fire for several weeks and is the subject of a recall effort after District Judge Sandra Watts sanctioned her for filing fraudulent and misleading documents in a complex custody case. Cooper has said she wants to get her side of the story -- that she was unfairly sanctioned -- out as often as the other side is.

Terms wind down, and so does some work

Impatience seemed to take over the City Council on Tuesday, even though it wasn't the last meeting before a new council takes over.

Next week's meeting is expected to be highly ceremonial, with speeches by outgoing and incoming council members and the canvassing of election results. But several council members couldn't keep the giggling down Tuesday.

When Councilman Rex Kinnison, who is term-limited, asked why members of the ethics committee failed to turn in their ethics report, Councilman Brent Chesney, who did not run for re-election, said, "It's your second to last council meeting -- just quit."

Council points out sign of things to come

Minutes later, when there was confusion from the council about which vote was happening, Chesney wondered aloud, "How long have you been here?"

In a nod to the five new council members who will take their seats next week, Chesney added: "We're going to see a lot of that in the next couple of weeks."

Jerry Garcia, an at-large representative who was not re-elected, replied: "Next couple of years."

GOP newsletter fires at Garcia, misses mark

The Nueces County Republican Party launched a news offensive in the Nueces County Republican newsletter blasting Rep. Juan Garcia, D-Corpus Christi, for not supporting House Bill 1602, a measure designed to protect maritime interests from frivolous lawsuits.

Mike Bertuzzi went on to accuse Garcia of hiding his vote on the legislation by not calling for a recorded vote. "Garcia should have stood up for Coastal Bend businesses and demanded a record vote on HB 1602," Bertuzzi wrote.

One problem: Garcia voted for the bill. And under the Garcia Amendment, every vote on final passage in the Texas House now is recorded and made available online within one hour, Garcia said.

City's lack of wind had a political solution

Garcia wrote a letter to Jessica Davila-Burnett, president of Epic Sports and Entertainment LP, congratulating her for her efforts in organizing last week's U.S. Wind & Water Open. The games were somewhat marred by a rare lack of wind in the Coastal Bend, which hampered the performances of the many windsurfers and kite-boarders who came to town for the event.

"Had I known, I would have brought down some of the windbags in plentiful supply at the Capitol," he joked.

Can computers sense fear, just like dogs do?

Logging into U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz's comments section on the congressman's Web site, users must fill out their name, address, e-mail address and then pick an issue. Once that is complete, users must enter the letters in a box to prevent the congressman from getting too much spam.

This week, one user was filling out the form and when he got to the bottom to fill out the access code he was prompted to type in letters spelling "fear."

Political Pulse is compiled and written by Caller-Times politics reporter Jaime Powell. This week's contributors include Powell, Dan Kelley and Beth Wilson. Have a tip? Contact Powell at 886-3716 or powellj@caller.com

Parkdale Bank: According to Gambi Gamboa, "John Longoria, Carol Scott and Dwayne Hargis already have chosen and will officially choose Roland Barrera

2007-05-16T01:23:00.000-07:00

Parkdale Bank: According to Gambi Gamboa, "John Longoria, Carol Scott and Dwayne Hargis already have chosen and will officially choose Roland Barrera as soon as Fri

After analyzing the recent events surrounding the resignation of CCISD Board Trustee Harry Williams (1 of 3 at large district positions); one thing IS clear. That one thing is Due Process (or lack of it). Immediately one's memory of search firm fiascos and the CCISD Board tool of choice, the Interim Superintendent buffer / scapegoat. The process was elaborate and ethical reasons or rule were claimed as the reason for the process.

Well, why such a rush fellas?

Why is the CCISD board in such a hurry to fill this position?

A Superintendent position and a Trustee position; one we wine, dine and lodge and the other we announce for applications for a month or so and "narrow the list down" from 20 to 5 in most expedient fashion. Now, making a long story short we have 20 candidates who invested their creative, intellectual and professional abilities into a work product they hope will be scrutinized by the Board and be successfully competitive. A good letter of interest comes only from the heart. The application is at times tedious but at least it is more objective than the TAKS. Updating one's resume and with a list of references most meaningful to the position and all of this for 15 to get thrown in the trash can and the 5 resumes remaining are to place on public display

full story here

"I'll be as hardy of mind as I am of body. I'll be a straight-shooter and a square-dealer. My family name will be sacred My word will be as good as any contract. I'll remember the Alamo. I'll stick by my friends. And I'll eat more chicken-fried steak."

Solly this was the main issue, the players in this thread are your people as well as yourself. it was inconceivable that you hide from little ole ME?

2007-05-13T00:33:00.000-07:00

It is wrong Solly.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Truth? you cant handle the truth!

Roland Garza had quite the radio show tonight on 93.5 fm. He laid out the facts that were on paper, including police reports documenting changing of grades and attendance against the will of teachers. Now does this mean wrong doing? Well not sure? But this certainly justifies an external investigation. Don’t you think?

As usual Mr. Noyola says no comment and that it’s all political.

Well Danny don’t you want to be a politico?

You keep trying to conceal the truth! How can you say with a straight face that you will serve honorably in Austin? Start by answering the questions about Miller H.S. and why you were demoted? The people have a right to know.

Open your eyes people!

17 Comments:

At 10:00 PM, Jaime KenedeÃ±o said...: For us who did not hear Mr Garza's show can you elaborate?

If the facts are laid out and the objections and rebuttals remain non existent; then by default they are true.

Give us the facts and let Danny deny or rebut them?

There is more than one way to handle the "no comment" approach.

If there is pending litigation; it should be public information?

If the above is all there is then CCISD is the one at fault.

Remember Danny as Principal is by far not at the top of the food chain and directives written or other come from above.

To me this is not about Danny or Solly. There are much bigger fish to fry.
At 10:17 PM, TolucaSi said...: When it comes to the education of the poor and downtrodden, how can you say, with any sense of decency, that there are bigger fish to fry. It is obvious that your alliance lies elsewhere rather than those who are in most need. Ohnonoyola should be ostricized for his sins against the most vulneralble of our society. The facts are out there and those who refuse to see it follow blindl/ Are those the kind of leaders we have? If you talk to the majority of the teachers, who are afraid to go on the record for fear of retaliation, they will tell you the kind of tactics ohnonoyola use. idiots. Ohnonoyola lacks the intestinal fortitude to do right by our community. What happened to your WATTS issue, Kenedeno? Have yo conveniently forgotten that WATTS is financing ohnonoyola? What's your problem?
At 10:53 PM, Jaime KenedeÃ±o said...: These un written directives regarding attendance policies and grade changing are prevalent throughout CCISD.

Every Principal has a quota to meet and options are coerced from the above administration.

Why now?

Cause it is the third year no?

As far as WATTS is concerned, nobody is bitchin cause Bobby Galvan or Marisela Saldana are supported by WATTS. Nobody is bitchin about anybody else who a certain WATTS faction supports. Fact is there are at least 2 if not 3 factions of the WATTS slate. Hugo introduced Danny thus this is the "TWO FER" section of the WATTS slate.

Also word has it that there is a rift and part of the WATTS group is separating or breaking off.

WATTS is here and it is a fact we must support his slate if we vote democrat. Whether it is SOLLY or DANNY or JOE MAC they will be forced to work with Mikal also.

Danny is a symptom of a much bigger problem.

Miller will face the same problems as it faced last year and the 5 years before that. I witnessed this myself. It is about the incompetence of CCISD Board and Administration.

Danny is gone and helping the children you speak of will only come from fixing the problem. The problem is CCISD.

So yes, there are bigger fish to fry. Any punishment handed to Danny will not help the children one bit.

Tolucasi, do not insult our intelligence and do not use the kids for your agenda.

Truly it is not I or any of the voters who will decide this issue. it is 23 out of 44 who will make the decision for us and without considering our input.

CCISD is the one who commits the retaliatory acts. I know this for a fact.

I acknowledge the facts and I have no doubt they are true. They are true across the board within CCISD.

I say the TWO FER faction of WATTS is the financiers.

WATTS finances Marisela, Galvan, Rodriguez, Olivarez, Alex Garcia yet I hear no bitchin going on there.

By your arguement then we must vote for the Republicans like Steal Neal and and those like Guy Williams who are on their own?

At this time WATTS is not a factor as he is here for this election.
At 12:53 AM, Jaime KenedeÃ±o said...: I'm flattered La Politica.

I am an Advocate.

I am a Defender of the Little People.

I seldom use a dictionary but only to make sure (that) my use of a word is concise so as to adhere to MY intention of it's use.

If you want to know more you can visit our website, google us, call us or ask around and whisper WATT you hear.

holler back

girl
At 3:07 AM, dannoynted1 said...: why do you care watt jaime does?

is he asking who you are IRL?

FOR YOU TO QUESTION HIS ~~~~~~~~~~Jaime...please do not be offended. I am so curious I get home after a long hard day at work. Where do you find time to post so much??? Are you an attorney or a teacher? You seem to know alot however it also seems like you are getting a whole bunch of words out of the nearest dictionary you can find and you ask 20 questions???
If you don't mind my asking...
Watt do you do for a living?
Tell us all who are.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHY DONT YOU GO FIRST!

"Tell us all who are."

"Watt do you do for a living?"

Jaime cares about his community and the education of the children who are vulnerable to the whims and "choices" of the ccisd and it's recipients of a ccisd paycheck and its cheesy ccisd personnel

"THANK GOD, JAIME KNOWS THE BOSS!"
At 5:43 AM, dannoynted1 said...: This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
At 8:28 AM, GulfCoastLeftie said...: Jaime, you bring up some good points. There's an old saying, the fish rots from the head. I have always gotten the feeling that once the kids get into middle and high schools, the administrators were concerned about meeting all the state benchmarks on attendance, grades, TAKS, etc., rather than on the success or failure of the students. The teachers at the middle and high schools seemed to be the only ones concerned about the students. I don't have any hard facts, just my personal experiences.

However, any school that loses 23 teachers in a single year is showing signs of stress coming from more than the CCISD "ivory tower." A retired teacher once told me I could judge the effectiveness of a new principal by the number of teachers who left the first year. Using this teacher's standard, there were serious problems within the Miller administration, not just CCISD.
At 9:02 AM, nicelady said...: I agree with part of GulfCoastLeftie on the stress adminstrators put on TAKS but that is not CCISD's fault that is Bush (Republicans) and his "No Child left behind" law. And if we judge the first year principal Noyola, it should be on the TAKS scores that were produced. And as was put in the newspaper, Miller did outpace Moody and Ray in science and math of the TAKS. That hadn't happened in years, that is why Miller was facing sanctions from the feds (before noyola's time). And Kenedeno is right, we can't support the Republicans (look what they do when they are in charge)in the General no matter WATT is financing the campaign. Ortiz or Noyola must have a united party whoever wins the nod.
At 9:13 AM, GulfCoastLeftie said...: True, nicelady, the NCLB should be called "No Child's Behind Left." Most of my personal experiences came before NCLB, so I know the pressure must only have gotten worse since then.
At 10:24 AM, Ta1999 said...: Jaime why dont you ASK Noyola?

Its simple, will he comment on the issue of Miller and his demotion?

If not why? Do you hide something Danny? Last time I checked if your demoted from something at work its because you did something WRONG!
At 12:11 PM, TolucaSi said...: I feel sorry for the person who has to clean up after ohnonoyola at Miller High School. People in this community care little about education and so that is why ohnonoyola was/is able to get away with the mess he created at Miller. There is no excuse for incompetency and that's what ohnonoyola will be taking to Austin if the precinct chairs elect him. Why don't you mail out the documents on ohnonoyola kenedeno. You do it to everyone else. You must be on the WATT side of the street. You blame everyone except ohnonoyola. Ohnonoyola is your friend.
At 5:54 PM, Jaime KenedeÃ±o said...: Provide the documents and I will release them.

Noyola is not my friend. He is not my enemy either.

He has done nothing to me personally.

Provide the documentation and I will allow the world to be the Judge.

Also, personally this is about CCISD.

Ask Noyola?

I did and the no comment was more or less the answer I recieved.

I am not defending him, he is a big boy and can defend himself.

I am implementing the opportunity to expose the CCISD BS.

Where is that Golden Granola Bar?
At 5:57 PM, TolucaSi said...: kenedeno, I'm surprised you haven't seen the documents. There are several copies floating around. Maybe a rendezvous is in order with Roland Garza?
At 6:41 PM, lapolitica5 said...: This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
At 10:57 PM, dannoynted1 said...: glad i annoyed you!
politian lol!

or did you mean~ politician
At 11:32 PM, Jaime KenedeÃ±o said...: "Annoying one, the question was addressed to Jamie, not anyone else."

Who is Jamie?

"The facts are out there the choice is obivious in the game of politics you either float or drown and right now Where are you?"

You need to do some homework cuz you are way behind.

Dannoynted1 is my best friend, my wife and when you respond to one you must deal with both of us. Since you have to ask who I am & WATT I do then you are very lazy. Everything you want to know is in writing and cam be found in a simple GOOGLE search.

Where are we?

We are here stepping on toes.

We dont float or sink we produce the current that enables you to float or sink.

In reference to dannoynted1 it says right there on her profile she is "not here to be a politician".

I am not here to be a Politician or for that matter please anybody. You ask who I am?

You question if we have something better to do as if WATT we do is menial or unimportant.

You have not been around very long have you? If you had been around the last three years you would be aware of our accomplishments and the respect we demand and receive.

"Use language that we understand not foul or profanity that makes you seem uncredible. Indulge us with your response I take it this will be very intresting!!!"

We write and if you understand fine if you dont then it was intended to be as such. Learn the colloquialisms of our world if you choose to enter it. Credibility is a mainstay for all of the regulars here at CHISME. Our word is our honor. If we make a mistake we admit it and apologize. Now go ahead and continue to prove your inadequacies or refrain.

Interesting???

Everything we do is interesting. So yes, you are correct in your final statement.

TTFN

;)
At 12:20 AM, lapolitica5 said...: This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

"IN THE KNOW": Carlos Truan | Hugo Berlanga & The Primrose Path & Rangel Law School @ Texas A&I University.

2007-05-07T03:54:00.000-07:00

"IN THE KNOW": Carlos Truan | Hugo Berlanga & The Primrose Path & Rangel Law School @ Texas A&I University.

Subject: ["IN THE KNOW"] Carlos Truan | Hugo Berlanga & The Primrose Path & Rangel Law...
To: kenedenonews@gmail.com

[ http://storkclub-winchell.blogspot.com/2007/05/irma-rangel-legacy-relating-to.html]
http://www.ibcmemorial.org/irma.html

Monday, May 7, 2007
Carlos Truan | Hugo Berlanga | Henry Cuellar | Edwards, Al | Todd Hunter | Luci0 : The Primrose Path & Rangel Law School @ Texas A&I University.

Or posture for another agenda?

Who at that time wanted a Pharmacy College?

Celanese, King Ranch, URI?

Now we have this unorthodox legislation for an Engineering School @ TAMUCC?

This is a Developing Medical Community with the ability to become the finest in the world. Medical Nanotechnology is already here, $ are already here.

The Political Faction at TAMUCC will find their equilibrium eventually. An engineering school @ CCSU / TAMUCC is obtuse to the medical assets we have accumulated and the Philanthropy already well rooted in South Texas.

Irma Rangel Legislation was for the establishment of a law school at Texas A & I

The Age of Winchell: Irma Rangel Legacy : Relating to the establishment of a law school at Texas A&I University.

Hugo Berlanga | Henry Cuellar | Edwards, Al | Todd Hunter | Eddie Lucio

Bill:

SB 646

Legislative Session: 71(R)

Council Document: 71R 1835 MHT-D

Add to Bill List

Last Action:	02/28/1989 S Reported favorably w/o amendments

Caption Version:	Introduced
Caption Text:	Relating to the establishment of a law school at Texas A&I University.

Author:	Truan

Subjects:	Education--Higher-- General (I0231) TEXAS A&I UNIVERSITY (U2467)

Companion:	HB 1630 by Rangel, Identical

Senate Committee:	Education
Status:	Out of committee
Vote:	Ayes=9 Nays=1 Present Not Voting=0 Absent=1

--
Posted By The Advocate to Google Yourself Corpus Christi at 5/07/2007 02:46:00 AM

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

2007-05-03T04:25:00.000-07:00

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.

"IN THE KNOW": Remember The Crime Stoppers "Vandalism" of the Corpus Christi Country Club Golf Coursehigh powered members who control our nation’s eco

2007-04-20T06:17:00.000-07:00

"IN THE KNOW": Remember The Crime Stoppers "Vandalism" of the Corpus Christi Country Club Golf Course? Were there not high powered CCCC members who control our nation’s economy & industry. This work of fiction written by Hal Bray set here in Corpus Christi; I just thought you guys might like it. BTW, cant find that particular Crime Stoppers announcement. They tore up the CCCC Golf Course. Who is they?

As a City Councilman; What can you do for the Taxpayers of Corpus Christi?

2007-04-16T12:10:00.000-07:00

Who will make a contract with their constituents no excuses & NO OVERRUNS & No Cert$ of obligation
Posted on April 16, 2007 at 01:23:10 PM by Jaime Kenedeno

District 3

Priscilla Leal
vs
Jesse Noyola*

District 4

Mike McCutchon
vs
James Duerr

District 5

Larry Elizondo
vs
Kendra Kinnison

As a City Councilman; What can you do for the Taxpayers of Corpus Christi?
Posted on April 16, 2007 at 01:56:34 PM by Jaime Kenedeno

What will you do?

Oversight Watchdog Committee with Teeth?

One Committee Assignment per person, spread the formation of policy around.

As a runner up of City Councilman; What can you do for the Taxpayers of Corpus Christi?
Posted on April 16, 2007 at 02:08:41 PM by dannoynted1

Will Chad Magill still conduct his "meeting" on thursday?

or fade away like all the previous candidates who promise to "advocate for the
average citizen" but yet acts it only at election time?

Can a "contender" actually conduct himself the same or use defeat as an excuse?

Re(1): Who will Purge the 16 or more Attorneys and Fire Skip Noe.
Posted on April 16, 2007 at 01:40:02 PM by Jaime Kenedeno

1) Purge the 16 or more Attorneys and Fire Skip Noe.

2) Joe Obrien has very valid points that have been repeatedly ignored by the City and County. (The City of Corpus Christi is habitually tardy filing their reports and the Crime Control District is being misused).

3) Corpus Christi PD needs a certified ballistics lab. (We will let Skip Noe and the Incumbent explain that one).

Re(2): Who will skip to the looT
Posted on April 16, 2007 at 02:00:26 PM by dannoynted1

yeah mr. noe answer that or will you live up to yuor name and "SKIP" the d'bate?

hey now your an all star get your game on lets play.....

remember......winners never cheat and cheaters never win.... and if you doubt what i say... wiley coyote thought the same thing...... so do you got the balls to do the right thing?

do ya?

sea sea & CC i. s.d. sittin a tree

k i ss i n g.......first comes

GOD then the TRUTH

Ready or Not............
Posted on April 16, 2007 at 01:51:46 PM by Jaime Kenedeno

here we come

"And I hope that you are having the time of your life
But think twice, that's my only advice

Come on now, who do you, who do you, who do you, who do you think you are,
Ha ha ha bless your soul
You really think you're in control

Well, I think you're crazy
I think you're crazy
I think you're crazy
Just like me"

Brother Leo: where your voters are illiterate or they cannot speak, read, and write the English or Spanish languages you have to haul them like cattle

2007-04-01T03:14:00.000-07:00

Brother Leo: where your voters are illiterate or they cannot speak, read, and write the English or Spanish languages you have to haul them like cattle to the polls

Kenedeno Hardcopy: A long line of Kenedeños who have worked for generations as coastal cowboys in S. TX, & the history of the legendary side-by-side K

2007-04-01T03:03:00.000-07:00

Kenedeno Hardcopy: A long line of Kenedeños who have worked for generations as coastal cowboys in S. TX, & the history of the legendary side-by-side Kenedy & King ranch

Hey Mike West, Carlos Garcia & Faux Fact Finders; it's Official, Los Kenedenos are out of the Loop. Juan Garcia is our replacement. TTFN. .

2007-02-11T03:39:00.000-08:00

Hey Dr Carlos Garcia never jokes around with us like that?

Why dont Dr. Garcia joke around with you Joe like he jokes around with Juan?

Garcia remembers joke,

forgets about the kiwis

Prior to his presentation Tuesday to the Del Mar College Board of Regents' Ad Hoc Committee, college President Carlos Garcia broke the ice with trivia.

"Many of you might not know that today is Waitangi Day," Garcia said, referring to a Feb. 6 New Zealand holiday. He added that Feb. 6 also is Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley's birthday.

Ad Hoc Committee Chairman Haysam Dawod then pointed to a table of snacks and asked, "So why aren't there any kiwis in our fruit salad?"

Wow, that really blows my mind. We were told it was a closed meeting. Is that what they told you Joe? Is Juan Garcia afraid to look me in the eyes or is he just afraid to apologize?

And you sycophants, you guys are on your own. Keep your lies and your “paltering” in your own ambulance chasing loop. I am out of the loop.

Now, more to the point,..........

San Patricio V Nueces

Del Mar College still has Matula underneath. Matula is San Patricio County Economic Development. Think back to November 7 and the EARLY MORNING communications of the Powerbroker who took his ball and bat and ran off to San Antonio but only after successful negotiations or WATTever it was that required him to stay awake. San Patricio County favored Juan (post gliche) while Nueces County decided him a loser. Look at San Patricio County and see who is getting WATT. Is somebody getting to lease office space or provide services unlike before? Yeah, they call that economic development. And Shamsie had to have his hand in this attempted collateral screwing of Nueces County and I bet he didnt even charge a consulting fee. Maybe that is WATT the DOS means in DOS Logistics? To screw us twice.

You know WATT, just pay em that paltry 4 million and cut them off.

Oh yeah and tell them to pay their water bill of $50,000 + + + +

Oh well, you guys made your bed, now lie in it.

Armstrong Ranch

2007-02-11T02:24:00.000-08:00

Armstrong Ranch

Baker Botts: "Dr Garcia Placed Ms. Cox On Admin Leave Under The Circumstances That Have The Appearance of Impropriety"

2007-01-13T20:45:00.000-08:00

Baker Botts: "Dr Garcia Placed Ms. Cox On Admin Leave Under The Circumstances That Have The Appearance of Impropriety"

"If I missed anyone, you can stand up and declare your fame."

2007-01-07T23:34:00.000-08:00

Political Pulse: 01.07.07

January 7, 2007

Judge Jack Hunter is dressed like younger Don Johnson

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At a recent retirement party for District Judge Jack Hunter, Dr. Allen Garrett noticed the judge's suave appearance in black pants, a black shirt and a black jacket.

"You look like Don Johnson, only a little bit older," Garrett said, grinning.

A little while later, Judge Marisela Saldana offered a toast to Hunter before the crowd gathered at insurance agent Stephanie Waterman's house.

"And he doesn't look a day over 40," she said.

Nueces courts must be

housed in an ivory tower

Grousing about a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles to get new license plates to replace the judge's plates on his car, Hunter said he was surprised when the clerk there handed him a sticker for the windshield.

"What's this?" he queried.

Hunter, who for two decades has had judge's plates which did not require a windshield sticker, said the clerk asked him where he had been.

"The ninth floor!'" he replied, laughing at his own joke.

Several spectators at the party wandered up and asked him whether he was referring to the ninth floor of the courthouse or the ninth floor mental ward at a local hospital.

Titanium hip caused

problems at security

Hunter said one perk of leaving his judgeship behind, is that he won't have to go through electronic security anymore, which went haywire when he went through because he has metal hip replacements.

"You make them beep extra with your platinum hips," Judge Saldana observed.

"No. They are titanium," Hunter corrected.

Judge's survival kit:

meds, shot glass

Hunter put together a "judge's survival kit" for his replacement on the 94th District Bench, Bobby Galvan.

"Hmmmm . . . Aleve, Pepto-Bismol, Tums and a shot glass," Galvan enumerated. "A lot of painkillers."

Pletcher loses his

train of thought

Monday morning, local lawyer and former Port of Corpus Christi Commissioner Tony Pletcher gave an introductory speech at Saldana's swearing-in as district judge.

"I didn't know what my purpose was," Pletcher said. "But it said 'thoughts.' "

A snickering Saldana broke the silence among the reserved crowd.

"Think, Tony! Think!"

Saldana recalls childhood

memories with her sister

Saldana's older sister Mary Ortegon helped her into her new judge's robe.

"I remember when I was in junior high and she helped me do this (get dressed)," Saldana joked.

Galvan described as

'do what we have got to'

After the pomp and circumstance of Saldana's swearing-in, which lasted nearly an hour, Judge Hunter, a long-time running buddy and close friend of Saldana's stood before the crowd gathered to swear in Bobby Galvan.

"My colleague Marisela Saldana is a consummate politician," Hunter said referring to Saldana's ceremony, which included a singer, speakers and a video of her campaign for district judge.

"Judge Galvan is more like me," Hunter joked. "Come in, do what we have got to do and go out the door."

Yowell: Sanchez takes

money, Nardini spends it

At 13th Court of Appeals Justice Rose Vela's swearing-in, former Nueces County Republican Party chairman Joel Yowell introduced San Patricio County Tax Assessor-Collector Dalia Sanchez and joked, "She takes the money and (San Patricio County Commissioner) Fred Nardini spends it."

Yowell points out how

Kaelin will revamp jail

Looking to the back of the room, Yowell pointed to Nueces County's Republican with the badge.

"Sheriff Jim Kaelin, the man with a big broom and a mop," Yowell said, referring to Kaelin's Herculean task of revamping the ailing county jail.

20 counties by day,

Antler Inns by night

At the podium, Justice Vela gave Yowell big kudos for traveling a 20-county campaign circuit with her that helped elect her to the 13th Court of Appeals.

"We stayed in a lot of Antler Inns," she said. "Not in the same room!"

Vela saves best for last

at her swearing-in

Vela thanked her friends, family and in-laws as well as her staff and supporters, shortly before the crowd at her swearing-in was set to head over to a reception in her honor at the Blucher House.

Vela waved her hands and looked awestruck.

"I can't believe I did this, but I forgot to thank my husband, Fil," she gasped. "I saved the best for last!"

Lawyer Filemon Vela grinned as he shook his head and shrugged.

Is there a bomb dog

in the house, please?

County Judge Loyd Neal was joined at his swearing-in Tuesday by dignitaries including U.S. District Judge Hayden Head. Josie Hero, County Commissioner Chuck Cazalas' secretary, joked about the need for security:

"Did we run the bomb dog through here for all the dignitaries? Someone could wipe them all out."

Neal puts college rivalry

aside for two colleagues

Introducing Neal, Port of Corpus Christi Chairman Ruben Bonilla took note of Neal's "Aggie maroon" jacket.

"He won election as Nueces County judge, but more importantly, the Aggies defeated the Longhorns. Judge Hayden Head and I are Longhorns and we have been in mourning since then. That's why he allowed us to participate today."

Head shows off UT

pride minus the song

County Judge Neal, a diehard and boisterous Aggie supporter, joked that federal Judge Head had showed off his UT orange phone prior to the swearing in and promised to turn it off so the Eyes of Texas ringer would not go off during the ceremony.

'Guy that sends tax bills'

gets little recognition

Introducing the elected officials in the audience, Bonilla told Nueces County Tax Assessor-Collector Ronnie Canales that he could stand up and be recognized.

Canales stood and Bonilla pointed, grinned and said, "This is the guy that sends the tax bills. You can sit down now, Ronnie."

Bonilla: Anyone I

missed can stand up

Staring around the room after introducing his umpteenth politician, Bonilla observed, "If I missed anyone, you can stand up and declare your fame."

Political Pulse is compiled and written by Caller-Times politics reporter Jaime Powell. Have a tip? Contact Powell at 886-3716 or powellj@ caller.com

"IN THE KNOW": Thank You Councilman John Marez; Indeed You Do Stand Up For The Little People. Keep Up The Good Work!

2007-01-05T00:37:00.000-08:00

"IN THE KNOW": Thank You Councilman John Marez; Indeed You Do Stand Up For The Little People. Keep Up The Good Work!

"IN THE KNOW": Go after the bookkeeper, he is the key to exposing the fraud that involves Mark Scott and others.

2007-01-03T20:11:00.000-08:00

"Google Yourself Corpus Christi": Go after the bookkeeper, he is the key to exposing the fraud that involves Mark Scott and others.

League of United Latin American Citizens & AMERICAN GI FORUM Press Release RE: CCISD Superintendent Position

2006-12-31T14:48:00.000-08:00

SECTION 1. Chapter 26, Education Code, Sec. 26.014. EDUCATIONAL INVOLVEMENT AGREEMENT

2006-12-24T00:59:00.000-08:00

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to an educational involvement agreement setting forth the
1-3 respective responsibilities of students, parents, teachers, and
1-4 principals in public schools.
1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-6 SECTION 1. Chapter 26, Education Code, is amended by adding
1-7 Section 26.014 to read as follows:
1-8 Sec. 26.014. EDUCATIONAL INVOLVEMENT AGREEMENT. (a) The
1-9 agency shall adopt an educational involvement agreement form for
1-10 use by school districts to be signed by a student, the student's
1-11 parent, each of the student's teachers, and the principal of the
1-12 student's school. The agreement must state the respective
1-13 responsibilities of the student, parent, teacher, and principal. A
1-14 school district shall provide the agreement to each individual who
1-15 is required to sign the agreement not later than the 14th day after
1-16 the first day of instruction for a school year or the 14th day after
1-17 the date a student enrolls in the school, as applicable. A school
1-18 district must provide a parent with a reasonable opportunity to
1-19 sign the agreement.
1-20 (b) The educational involvement agreement must include
1-21 descriptions of:
1-22 (1) the parent's responsibilities regarding the
1-23 student's education, which may include:
1-24 (A) reading to the student, if appropriate for
2-1 the student's grade or reading level;
2-2 (B) reviewing and checking the student's
2-3 homework; and
2-4 (C) contributing at least five hours of the
2-5 parent's time to the school each school year by:
2-6 (i) attending school-related activities;
2-7 (ii) attending parent-teacher association
2-8 meetings;
2-9 (iii) attending parent-teacher
2-10 conferences;
2-11 (iv) volunteering at the school; or
2-12 (v) chaperoning school-sponsored events;
2-13 (2) the responsibility of a student to:
2-14 (A) read each day before or after school, if
2-15 appropriate for the student's grade or reading level;
2-16 (B) use school equipment and property in a safe,
2-17 appropriate manner;
2-18 (C) follow the instructions of school staff;
2-19 (D) complete and submit homework in a timely
2-20 manner; and
2-21 (E) act in a respectful manner; and
2-22 (3) the responsibility of each teacher and principal
2-23 to:
2-24 (A) provide each student with proper
2-25 instruction, supervision, and interaction;
2-26 (B) maximize the educational and social
2-27 experience of each student;
3-1 (C) perform professional responsibilities in a
3-2 manner that is in the best interest of each student; and
3-3 (D) be available to parents to discuss concerns.
3-4 (c) A school district may revise the educational
3-5 involvement agreement form adopted by the agency to include
3-6 information in addition to the information required under this
3-7 section.
3-8 (d) The educational involvement agreement provided to a
3-9 student's parent must be accompanied by information regarding:
3-10 (1) the manner in which a parent may contact the
3-11 student's teacher or principal;
3-12 (2) the curriculum for each course in which the
3-13 student is enrolled or standards for the student's grade level,
3-14 including a calendar that indicates the dates that assessment
3-15 instruments will be administered under Subchapter B, Chapter 39,
3-16 and the due dates of significant projects, if those dates are known
3-17 at the time the information is provided to the parent;
3-18 (3) homework and grading policies;
3-19 (4) directions for locating resource material for the
3-20 courses in which the student is enrolled or for the student's grade
3-21 level, as applicable;
3-22 (5) methods for assisting the student with school work
3-23 at home;
3-24 (6) dates of scheduled conferences between teachers or
3-25 administrators and the parent;
3-26 (7) details on how reports of the student's progress
3-27 will be sent to the parent and how a parent may request a progress
4-1 report;
4-2 (8) classroom rules and policies;
4-3 (9) dress code;
4-4 (10) the availability of assistance to a parent of
4-5 limited English proficiency;
4-6 (11) information on free and reduced-price meals; and
4-7 (12) opportunities for parents to become involved in
4-8 the student's education or volunteer at the school.
4-9 (e) The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to
4-10 implement this section.
4-11 SECTION 2. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective
4-12 date of this Act, the Texas Education Agency shall adopt an
4-13 educational involvement agreement form for use by school districts
4-14 as required by Section 26.014, Education Code, as added by this Act.
4-15 (b) Each school district shall use the educational
4-16 involvement agreement form in the manner required by Section
4-17 26.014, Education Code, as added by this Act, beginning with the
4-18 2008-2009 school year.
4-19 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
4-20 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
4-21 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
4-22 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
4-23 Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

Pinkertons~"demonstrate initiative and investigate"

2006-12-18T04:34:00.000-08:00

Entities would have appreciated more notice
By Jaime Powell and David Kassabian Caller-Times
December 17, 2006

Nueces County officials say their plan to implement Texas' strictest beach development limit was no secret. They voted twice in public meetings more than a year ago, and they say it's not their fault opponents didn't know until a month ago.

Corpus Christi and Port Aransas city officials, landowners and developers say they were not asked for their opinions on this issue and received no warning about an issue in which they are stakeholders. Several said they'd have appreciated a courtesy call.

The Commissioners Court's first vote to restrict development to 350 feet from the beach vegetation line - 150 feet farther inland than the rest of the state - was July 13, 2005.

Here's how the pending vote was announced in the meeting agenda, listed as Item No. 7: "Discuss and consider authorizing staff to proceed with implementation of amendments to the Nueces County Beach Management Plan for stricter criminal penalties for crimes on the Beaches of Nueces County, including but not limited to littering."

Item No. 7 passed unanimously.

The next unanimous vote, on Dec. 7, 2005, was preceded by the following agenda item: "Discuss and consider proposed amendments to the Nueces County Beach Management Plan."

No supplemental written material further explaining those two agenda items is available. The county maintains one binder of supplemental material as reference for agenda items, open to the public but used mostly by county staff and news media, said Tyner Little, executive assistant to County Judge Terry Shamsie. That material is destroyed a few days after a meeting, Little said.

The Corpus Christi city staff and Corpus Christi Independent School District distribute and maintain extensive background materials with City Council and school board meeting agendas, including several copies distributed to news media.

In August, the county sent the plan to the Texas General Land Office for approval. The state agency published a notice Nov. 10, 2006, in the Texas Register seeking public comment. The Texas Register catalogs state agency rulemaking, gubernatorial appointments, attorney general opinions and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals.

"Everybody has been notified because it has been talked about in a public meeting and published in the Texas Register," said Jennifer Smith-Engle, the county's dune consultant and a professor of environmental science at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

City officials say the Texas Register isn't on the average citizen's reading list.

County Commissioner Chuck Cazalas, whose precinct includes the county's beaches, requested the agenda items and was responsible for the wording, according to Little.

Cazalas offers no apologies for the wording, or for not notifying Corpus Christi or Port Aransas city officials. Dune protection is the county's responsibility, Cazalas said.

The city of Corpus Christi has permitting responsibility for everything except dune permitting, including beachfront construction permits. The county's proposed 350-foot setback plan could override the city's building permit authority and beachfront construction authority within that 350-foot area.

According to the state land office, this would be the only place along the Texas Gulf coast where a county overrides municipal authority for construction on barrier islands.

Cazalas said the two cities could have found out more information on their own.

"I don't think it is incumbent upon the government to spoon-feed people," Cazalas said. "Rather, people have got to demonstrate initiative and investigate, much the same way that they vote when they go to the polls. If they want additional detail, it should be asked.

"This has been out and been published and posted. It is not a surprise to most people. At least, I don't think it is."

Count the top officials at City Hall and several landowners and developers among the uninformed.

"We heard about it from Port Aransas, not the county," said Tom Utter, special assistant to City Manager Skip Noe. Utter couldn't recall the day, but it was in November, he said.

"When you are brother and sister governmental organizations and you are doing something that will significantly impact the other," Utter said, "it is only good form to work together and keep each other notified."

Port Aransas officials had heard rumblings about it for more than a year but did not investigate further because they thought their sovereignty over their beaches was safe, said City Manager Michael Kovacs. Unlike the City of Corpus Christi, which has shared permitting authority with the county, Port Aransas for more than a decade has been responsible for its own dune protection and building permitting.

At a public meeting Nov. 20 in Port Aransas, the county's dune advisory committee pushed to rescind Port Aransas' dune authority. Port Aransas residents and officials attended the meeting and made clear they were against it, so the county withdrew the request, Port Aransas officials said.

Kovacs said he called Corpus Christi officials to alert them. He didn't recall whether he placed the call before or after the Nov. 20 meeting.

"Before, we would not have been affected, but we became worried when the county beach and dune committee started considering taking over all of the county," Kovacs said. "That's when we called the City of Corpus Christi and said we had a problem."

City staff doesn't make a practice of monitoring Commissioners Court meetings, Utter said.

"We don't think we ought to have to watch the county. The county is us," he said. "The Commissioners Court and the city councils to a large degree represent the same folks. It's terrible when you disagree with yourself."

Cazalas said many property owners affected by the proposed change may not find out they cannot develop portions of their land until they apply for a dune permit.

Port Aransas real estate agent Travis Mangum said he wished someone had told him.

He sank nearly $650,000 of his savings into two waterfront lots in an upscale Mustang Island development. When he tried to sell one recently, he said he got a rude awakening when he learned from the county that both of his lots fall within the 350-foot setback area.

"About 45 days ago when I went to sell the lot, the deal fell through," he said. "The buyer was not going to buy a lot for well over $500,000 that he could not get a dune permit on."

If the rule passes, Mangum is stuck with two expensive parcels of land that can't be developed.

"Today if I want to build a house I cannot do it," he said. "It's worthless."

Contact Jaime Powell at 886-3716 or powellj@ caller.com

Solly's office is E1.322

2006-12-10T06:15:00.000-08:00

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

Kenedeno Hardcopy: Del Mar Taxpayer Present and Appearing for Homework

2006-12-08T01:06:00.000-08:00

Kenedeno Hardcopy: Del Mar Taxpayer Present and Appearing for Homework

We've (Del Mar College Community) got far too many coverups that are occuring

2006-11-14T20:44:00.000-08:00

CORPUS CHRISTI - Taxpayers and faculty at Del Mar College put the Board of Regents in the hot seat Tuesday, demanding an administrative change. And college president, Dr. Carlos Garcia, had a few words to say about the situation.
Questions concerning the administration's actions on a student government event that got out of hand made front page headlines in Del Mar's student newspaper. That was just one of the topics causing a rough start to the monthly Board of Regents meeting.

"We've got far too many coverups that are occuring," Del Mar professor, Jerry Sansing, said.

Sansing was one of three Del Mar professors who faced the board and Garcia during the public comments portion of the meeting, expressing disagreement with how the pending sexual harassment lawsuits involving Garcia are being handled. The professors accused the board of not acting in the best interest of the students.

"I have considered what devilish forces might be at work to produce this sorry state of affairs, and certainly among them, I include the managerial routine at the upper levels of administration in the college," another professor, Ken Weatherbie, said.

But Garcia had an opinion, as well.

"We have a handful of individuals in the community, who are just very much interested in tearing this community college down," Garcia said. "Again, I apologize for those individuals, especially our staff, who chose to divulge private information and be very destructive."

In closed session, the board was also set to discuss the employment, evaluation and reassignment of Garcia, but no action was taken.
6 news learned that Garcia's three-year contract ends next June. He is up for a semi-annual evaluation in January. The four new board memers will be sworn in on Tuesday.

FLASHBACK!!!!!!!!!

2006-11-14T04:39:00.000-08:00

Coup D' Maitre: Nueces County Jail Delayed

2006-11-06T17:28:00.000-08:00

Coup D' Maitre: Nueces County Jail Delayed

Del Mar Electronic Anonymous Input Forum: President of Del Mar College Carlos Garcia DNA CG TA Strands Learning Tool: "Carlos Garcia Loves Tits & Ass"

2006-09-23T20:13:00.000-07:00

Del Mar Electronic Anonymous Input Forum: President of Del Mar College Carlos Garcia DNA CG TA Strands Learning Tool: "Carlos Garcia Loves Tits & Ass"

Texas State Representative House District 33: Solomon P. Ortiz Jr. Defeats Mikal Watts at his Own Game. Or Perhaps GOD intervened.

2006-08-22T22:06:00.000-07:00

Texas State Representative House District 33: Solomon P. Ortiz Jr. Defeats Mikal Watts at his Own Game. Or Perhaps GOD intervened.

Jaime Powell's Political Pulse: Why dont we know about these secret events?

2006-08-20T06:44:00.000-07:00

Political Pulse: 08.20.06

August 20, 2006

Third child's charm: Herrero a dad again

Rep. Abel Herrero will have to juggle lawmaking with additional daddy responsibilities after his wife, Matilde, gave birth to son Abel Jr. Aug. 8. Little Abel has two older sisters, Annalisa, 6, and Andrea, 1.

"Lots of dirty Pampers," Herrero said, discussing having two kids in diapers at the same time. "Andrea is 15 months. I used to follow years, and now with all these babies I am following months."

Greenwell garners bipartisan backing

It was a mix of Republicans and Democrats at a fundraiser for Republican District Judge Tom Greenwell on Tuesday night at Darrell Barger's and Beth Reese's house.

Introducing Greenwell to the crowd, lawyer Michael Terry said he has been a Democrat since his family was kicked out of Ireland for stealing sheep, but he is supporting Greenwell in his re-election campaign. Greenwell has been fair, Terry said, joking that that is important "to Republicans, Democrats and communists like myself."

Greenwell said he appreciates and expects the Republicans to support him, but it's extra nice when he gets support from both sides.

"I know some of you are very solid Democrats, communists, whatever," Greenwell said, grinning and looking imploringly into the crowd. "I'm not trying to make you a Republican or an Independent, just vote for me."

Party HQ moves before man has chance to vote

Standing around at Nueces County Republican headquarters Tuesday night waiting for the vote on a Texas House District 33 nominee, businessman Art Granado's cell phone buzzed.

It was Corpus Christi Independent School District candidate and former City Councilman John Longoria saying he was at Republican Headquarters and no one was there for the vote.

Granado snickered and explained that the headquarters had moved to a new location on Staples.

Arctic analogy welcome in S. Texas August heat

Before the vote to choose between former County Commissioner Joe McComb and his opponent, Raul Torres, Republican precinct chair Mike Bergsma said that if a Republican is to take District 33 from the Democrats, the party would have to pull together after the vote.

"We are going to have to work like sled dogs for whichever one wins," Bergsma said on a day when the temperature soared to nearly 100 degrees.

McComb aims to follow 'work smarter' dictum

Shortly after Republicans nominated McComb, he told precinct chairs and Republicans gathered that he will outwork and outsmart his Democratic opponent for District 33, Solomon Ortiz Jr.

"I don't know if you have ever seen a fat man run for 90 days, but I'm going to be running," he said.

Neal gets in dig about jail at forum for candidates

Republican county judge candidate Loyd Neal got in a dig about the Nueces County Jail against Larry Olivarez, the Democratic candidate and former Nueces County sheriff, during a forum Thursday. A member of the League of Women Voters asked both candidates how they would balance the county budget if elected.

"The first thing we need to do is get the federal prisoners back," Neal said. "That will help the budget."

Neal was referring to U.S. marshals pulling their prisoners from the jail in June after inspections found shoddy living conditions, with the result that the county lost the reimbursement that came with housing the prisoners.

Olivarez ribs Neal for forgetting questions

At the forum, Neal spent some time correcting what he said were errors in Olivarez's answer. Olivarez had touted his experience overseeing the sheriff's department's $18 million budget.

"What was the question?" Neal asked the moderator. "I'd like to forget because Larry talked so long. I got lost in that $18 million sheriff's budget."

Neal forgot other questions before he could answer them, and Olivarez gave his opponent one final ribbing at the end of the event.

"We'll stick around if y'all have questions," Olivarez told the audience. "I'll repeat it to him if he forgets."

Supporter pledges to walk blocks, but not many

At a fundraiser for City Council District 4 candidate Norm Baker at island businesswoman Linda Walsh's house Thursday night, Baker was enlisting supporters.

Carol Rogers raised her hand and said she supports Baker 100 percent and would walk blocks to gather support for him.

"Can I walk two blocks? That's all I can handle," she said.

Another of Baker's supporters grinned and pointed out jokingly that at that rate, Baker is going to need a whole lot of "street walkers."

Political Pulse is compiled and written by Caller-Times politics reporter Jaime Powell. This week's contributors are Powell and Denise Malan. Have a tip? Contact Powell at 886-3716 or powellj@ caller.com

Candidates for Nueces County sheriff discuss jail issues

2006-08-18T00:26:00.000-07:00

NUECES COUNTY - The Nueces County sheriff's race is one of the high profile races this November, and Thursday, both Jimmy Rodriguez and Jim Kaelin addressed business owners in the northwest part of Corpus Christi.

Dirty conditions inside the Nueces County Jail was the topic dominating the discussion between the two men, each vying for the seat of the county's top cop. Democratic candidate and Chief Deputy Rodriguez has worked with the department for almost 10 years.

"I'll be the first to accept responsibility for the cleanliness," Rodriguez said. "We could have been cleaning better, and we have, and we will continue to do that."

Republican candidate and former DPS trooper Jim Kaelin agreed that the former administration should shoulder the blame.

"Well I think this election is really gonna be defined by the mismanagement that's gone on in the Nueces County Jail," Kaelin said. "You can't take a facility like that and let it deteriorate to the condition it deteriorated in the nine years that they've been there. It did not happen overnight."

Many wondered if the cleanliness problems just recently developed or developed over time. So 6 News asked Rodriguez if he'd seen the problems developing over the last few years.

"It's a matter or prioritizing the problems," Rodriguez said. "When you look back at the history of the jail, we dealt with the issues of suicide and deaths and abuse and those things, and that's where we've been focused. And now there's problems of maintenance, and we're going to deal with those maintenance problems too."

Rodriguez said pictures of things like clogged toilets only represent a small percentage of the over 500 jail toilets. They are problems that prompted the removal of federal inmates. An issue kaelin said hurts the county on the bottom line.

"But remember, 45 dollars a day is going out that window," he said. "There were 55+ prisoners taken out of that Nueces County Jail. We haven't got them back, and they don't know when they're going to get them back and there's millions and millions of dollars that are going to be lost."

As for the facility itself, Chief Deputy Rodriguez said the sanitation issues at the jail have been addressed. He said contractors are currently working on plumbing issues. Some of the metal walls need to be removed so they can get rid of the rust.

As of Thursday, no re-inspections for the jail are scheduled, but Chief Deputy Rodriguez said state inspectors can come at any time. There was no word on Thursday if or when federal inmates will return.

Online Reporter: Shaun Hegarty

Candidates for Nueces County judge speak at LWV's meeting

2006-08-18T00:25:00.000-07:00

NUECES COUNTY - The race for Nueces County Judge made it's way to the League of Women Voter's Thursday. Republican candidate, Loyd Neal, and Democratic candidate, Larry Olivarez, spoke to the organization at their regular monthly meeting at the Corpus Christi Seaman's Center.

Both candidates laid out their qualifications and spoke on a variety of topics including the need for economic development in Nueces County.

"We must keep our families here," Olivarez said. "We must bring jobs here, broaden our tax base with these jobs to stop these dramatic increases in our property taxes."

Neal concentrated on education.

"You can't attract businesses until you have an educated work force," Neal said. "You can't attract businesses in this community until we quit losing six or eight hundred kids every year who ought to be graduating from high school."

Both men have high name recognition in Nueces County. Olivarez is the former Nueces County sheriff, and Neal is the former mayor of Corpus Christi.

Texas State Representative House District 33: Influence of Precinct Chairs? Threats?

2006-08-14T00:11:00.000-07:00

Texas State Representative House District 33: Influence of Precinct Chairs? Threats? Scum?

But Ortiz disagrees. He said, "I ran a clean campaign." He feels he got the nomination, because he's the right man for the job, and looks forward to the November election.

Jaime Powell's Political Pulse 8-13-2006 features HD #32 Sparring

2006-08-13T03:10:00.000-07:00

Political Pulse: 08.13.06

August 13, 2006

Seaman: Garcia not fighter pilot

During an interview about the race for District 32 State Representative, Republican incumbent Gene Seaman tried to shoot down Democratic opponent Juan Garcia's Naval flight record.

"He's not a fighter pilot," Seaman asserted. "He never flew jets, he flew P-3s. He is not a fighter pilot even though he takes his picture behind a jet."

Garcia did not fly jets, his campaign staff agreed. But he did fly 30 armed missions in the Persian Gulf and served as a top aide to the deputy Commander in Chief of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe. He also served in Operation Allied Force in Kosovo and on the aircraft carrier USS Constellation in support of the enforcement of the no-fly zone in Iraq.

Seaman contributor is a harbinger, Garcia says

Garcia's political camp is saying that one of Seaman's campaign contributions is a harbinger of a nasty time to come.

Seaman's latest campaign finance reports list a $10,000 donation from Houston homebuilder, the ultra-conservative Bob Perry, who is known lately for financing a variety of conservative causes including pro-tort reform measures and an anti-gay marriage initiative.

"Juan Garcia is saying the pilots are backing him," Seaman said in response to questions about the contribution from Perry. "If the pilots want to back him fine. Why should you pick on me for getting donations from a fellow homebuilder?"

Perry also was responsible for financing the 2004 "Swift Boat" ads that played a part in torpedoing Democrat John Kerry's shot at the White House.

Garcia chuckled, "We will not be swift-boated."

Garcia: 'Sharks, chaos' good training for politics

Garcia said he took a few days off the campaign trail a couple of weeks ago to go to southern California. Garcia was at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to complete the Water Survival Refresher training required of all naval aviators every four years. Training includes sessions in a hypoxia chamber, underwater egress from a ditched aircraft, and parachute extraction.

Said Garcia, "Sharks, panic, chaos . . . it's good preparation for politics."

Does disaster follow Benson or vice versa?

When Dr. Lanie Benson, new director of the public health preparedness program at the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District, introduced himself to county commissioners Thursday, he recounted his public health experience in three other Texas cities, all of which were struck by disasters after he moved there. Wichita Falls had severe tornadoes, Victoria flooded and Jasper was hit by Hurricane Rita.

"He starts after hurricane season," Commissioner Chuck Cazalas said. Other commissioners and County Judge Terry Shamsie shared slightly nervous laughs.

"I hope it's some kind of statistical quirk," Benson said.

Port: Smith is always welcome after his praise

Corpus Christi's new Police Chief Bryan Smith stopped by to introduce himself at this week's Port of Corpus Christi commissioners meeting. At the meeting, Smith shared some of his goals in conjunction with working with the port. At the end of his speech, Port chairman Ruben Bonilla thanked him and invited him to attend every monthly meeting.

"It's not every day that a guest refers to us as honored and distinguished," Bonilla said.

Shamsie's wife is a fan of Smith's good looks

Smith also received a compliment when he introduced himself during a Nueces County Commissioners Court meeting this week. County Judge Terry Shamsie told Smith that when his wife saw a man, presumably Smith, on television, she remarked how handsome he was.

"I want a copy of that footage," Smith retorted.

Shamsie kept going. "I was taken aback because I wanted to know who she was watching. I said, 'Oh, you saw the chief of police.' 'No, I saw Oscar Ortiz.' "

Little is modest over minor-league pitch

Commissioner Betty Jean Longoria told the court Shamsie's assistant, Tyner Little, had thrown out the first pitch at the Coastal Bend Aviators game Wednesday during county employee night at the ballpark. Little was bashful about his minor-league appearance.

"Thank you, commissioner," he said. "I almost reached the catcher."

Israeli Consul: U.S. has friendly neighbors

Discussing the crisis in the Middle East on Friday, Asher Yarden, an Israeli Consul General pointed out how lucky the United States is to have friendly neighbors like Mexico and Canada.

"We live in a tough neighborhood," he said matter-of-factly. "Our neighbors include Iran, Iraq and Syria. Fortunately, we don't have a border with Iran because Iran has not hidden its intent to wipe Israel off the map of the Middle East."

Political Pulse is compiled and written by Caller-Times politics reporter Jaime Powell. This week's contributors include Powell, Denise Malan and Fanny Chirinos. Have a tip? Contact Powell at 886-3716 or powellj@ caller.com

Political Pulse: Not a Democraddick Party

2006-08-10T03:20:00.000-07:00

Not a Democraddick Party

Wednesday evening August 9, 2006, Texas State HD #33 Representative Candidate Solomon P. Ortiz Jr. (Solly) held an open invitation to the public to join him at the Texas State Aquarium. The public was included as the message addressed the HD #33 precinct chairs in the spirit of Public Opinion. Solly is engulfed in a controversial battle with Danny Noyola Sr. (note: both enter as loophole candidates) for the precariously vacated HD #33 State Representative seat. In the “spur of the moment” resignation, Democraddick Incumbent, Vilma Luna in one fell swoop abandoned her responsibility to her constituents and the Democratic Party while creating opportunity for the Republican Party to vie for the crucial position by entering their own loophole candidate in Joe Mc Comb. Upon arrival to the Aquarium, the parking lot was filled. Many had to park down the street and walk back to the Aquarium. Surprisingly, Solly and His Father (Congressman Ortiz) had to walk as well. Everybody had a great time. Water Street Oyster Bar catered the festivity although, I did think twice about partaking of the oysters (as August does not end in R) but the thought quickly faded as the oysters disappeared. There were several little food islands throughout the “maze like” assortment of aquatic niches. Guests (many families and their children) got to explore the depths while sampling different cheeses, fruits, beverages, quesadillas and various seafoods. The message to the precinct chairs reverberated innately through the event via the guests. When it came time for the speeches; there wasn’t much left (for Solly, or Terry Shamsie or Oscar Ortiz or the Congressman) to say (in addition). The Chairs all know WATT they must do. If they will make the right choice; remains to be demonstrated? One thing is certain, intimidation and unscrupuality cannot be allowed on Sunday. We need not create any more baggage; for the horses that we run, already labor under a heavy burden. Heaven forbid, should “the wagon tip over”? Everyone is urged to attend the Executive Committee meeting on Sunday at 2:00 PM at the Nueces County Courthouse. This way there will be no question of ambiguity, innuendo, impromptu hugs or hanging chads. LOL.

Now that’s debatable?

Will the two Candidates debate? John Kelley has extended an invitation for the two Democratic HD #33 candidates, Solomon P Ortiz Jr. & Danny Noyola Sr. to debate the issues this Saturday August 12, 2006, the day before the deciding Precinct Chair vote on Sunday. Solly has already answered, he will attend the show whether Danny chooses to show up or not. This will be an excellent time for both men to address the issues they believe are important to us in HD #33. Looking forward to the joust.

CCISD: John Longoria: presents an opportunity for change in CCISD?

2006-08-08T23:15:00.000-07:00

CCISD: John Longoria: presents an opportunity for change in CCISD?

"I present myself as an opportunity for change," Longoria said. Longoria cited problems with dropout rates, budget issues and a lack of a unified vision on the board as areas he would work to help change.

The race for the District 33 Texas House district vacated by Vilma Luna has taken to cyberspace.

2006-08-07T03:33:00.000-07:00

Political Pulse: 08.06.06

August 6, 2006

Candidate e-mails boast of support

The race for the District 33 Texas House district vacated by Vilma Luna has taken to cyberspace.

Rep. Solomon Ortiz Jr., who is vying for the nomination to fill out the term, sent an e-mail at 5:14 p.m. Wednesday touting his support among Democrats, with endorsements from the likes of Susie Luna Saldana, LULAC Council No. 4444 President Nancy Vera and Air America radio host John Kelley. Five hours later, contender Danny Noyola Sr. fired off an e-mail with endorsements from his supporters, including popular educators such as former Moody High School baseball Coach Steve Castillo.

Ortiz Jr. receives some more endorsements

Late Thursday, Ortiz got another endorsement when Regional Transportation Authority chairman Roland Barrera announced he will support Ortiz rather than seek the nomination himself.

He also got endorsements from Corpus Christi Independent School District board member Lucy Rubio, retired deputy sheriff Rachel Gonzales and Port of Corpus Christi Chairman Ruben Bonilla, who has often crossed swords with the younger Ortiz's more powerful papa, Congressman Solomon Sr.

Grandchild wants to keep family tradition

Cheering on Uncle Solomon Ortiz Jr. Thursday, Oscar Andres Sanchez, 3, Congressman Solomon Ortiz's only grandchild, talked about what he wants to be when he grows up.

"Congressman," said Oscar, the son of Ortiz's daughter, Yvette. "Like Baba (his pet name for his grandpa)."

With a little prodding from Solomon Jr., Oscar pointed out that "Baba" works "real far" away in Washington.

Shamsie is kidded about driver's licenses to come

Feria de las Flores queen Imelda Renee "Mellie" Valencia visited county commissioners Wednesday and received praise and shared more about herself.

Imelda, 17, will be a senior this year at Carroll High School.

County Judge Terry Shamsie joked with Imelda's father, who attended the meeting and took pictures, that he should get her a car.

Imelda replied she already has one.

"See what you have to look forward to?" Commissioner Betty Jean Longoria poked Shamsie, who has three children.

Shamsie laughed. "I'm giving them bus tokens," he said.

Candidate Bell unhappy about state of state parks

Touring state parks last weekend was an eye opener, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell said, because the park system, a big state treasure, is falling into massive disrepair, he said

Visiting the San Jacinto Museum of History near Houston, Bell groused this week that the state has not managed to keep the deck sealed on a historic battleship at the museum and that the surface is rusting through.

Touring the San Jacinto Monument, Bell said, "We had heard the elevator at the San Jacinto Monument does not go all the way to top," Bell said, pointing out that it is ludicrous to let the state's parks degrade.

"Then we find out it does not work at all. Sometimes the punchline just writes itself."

Bell is part of a crowded gubernatorial candidate field that also includes independents Carole Keeton Strayhorn and Kinky Friedman, and incumbent GOP governor Rick Perry.

Political Pulse is compiled and written by Caller-Times politics reporter Jaime Powell. This week's contributors include Powell and Denise Malan. Have a tip? Contact Powell at 886-3716 or powellj@ caller.com

Texas State Representative House District 33: Was it a Hug or an assault?

2006-08-04T06:53:00.000-07:00

Texas State Representative House District 33: Was it a Hug or an assault?

Bob Jones @ 1440 KEYS: Corpus Christi Mayors Advisory Committee Member Bob Jones Announcement in a nutshell "Would've made Jaime Proud"

2006-08-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Bob Jones @ 1440 KEYS: Corpus Christi Mayors Advisory Committee Member Bob Jones Announcement in a nutshell "Would've made Jaime Proud"

The Mayors Advisory Board Bob?

Please?

And if we got paid the big bucks, “show me the money” cuz I haven’t seen the Benjamins.

How much were we paid?

Who paid us?

Cause, if we got paid we need to collect.

You sure can talk when nobody is allowed to respond Mr Jones. Try it next Tuesday.

Try letting somebody else say something without interrupting for a change.

And it was Susie who really rattled your chain. And she did a good JOB too. You even opened the door for her. Yeah, I know, she was anticipating that.

there's more

Texas State Representative House District 33: WHO SUPPORTS DANNY NOYOLA FOR STATE REP. DISTRICT 33???

2006-08-03T02:11:00.000-07:00

Texas State Representative House District 33: WHO SUPPORTS DANNY NOYOLA FOR STATE REP. DISTRICT 33???

Thank you for your support!

2006-08-02T19:12:00.000-07:00

In all fairness there are written committments from precinct chairs to Danny Noyola as well. An invitation remains, if you email them we will post them. The validity is to your own discretion. If you disagree then by all means disagree but please sttick to objective issue and by default ad hominem attacks moot any arguement made. Positive support of your candidate & why?

“Increasing property taxes are always a concern to individuals and families on limited incomes. We can count on Solomon Ortiz, Jr. to help fight for tax relief.”
-Ronnie Canales – Nueces County Tax Assessor Collector

”Solomon Jr. has been a teacher at CCISD, worked with at risk children and been a Party leader. We need his compassion, dedication and energy in Austin.”
-Susie Camacho – Miller H.S. Parent

“Protecting our community is my number one priority, and that is why I’m supporting Solomon Ortiz Jr. He knows the important issues for effective law enforcement.”
-Rudy Caceres – Constable Pct. 1

“Since the beginning of the year, 200,000 children have been removed from CHIP leaving them without health insurance. Solomon recognizes that legislation is the first step; much work remains to be done to ensure that CHIP reaches the most vulnerable in our society.”
-Alicia Lopez-Guerra M.D. – Local Pediatrician

“He will be the best representative we need on education issues as well as the candidate we need for the Party in November.”
-John Kelley – Air America Radio Host, former teacher and AFT representative

“This community desperately needs a leader with solid principles, a proud record of achievements and an uncompromising commitment to serve our people NOT special interests.”
-Nancy Vera – Miller H.S. teacher

“Helping the community is important to Solomon and me.
For years I’ve helped train and mold our children into champions! Solomon Jr. has that same commitment and focus to get things done in Austin!”
-Emilio Sanchez – Former community Boxing Coach

“We need someone who will not give in to special interests; but someone who has the community’s best interests at heart, and that person is Solomon Ortiz, Jr.”
-Dr. Victor Frazier – Minister and former CCISD Principal

“I have worked with children and young people all of my life and I often worry about their futures. So many of them drop out of school and face uncertainty. Solomon Ortiz, Jr. will work hard to make sure that all our children will have the opportunities to succeed.”
-Carolyn Keith – Retired school counselor, CCISD

“Education has always been my priority and I know that Solomon Ortiz Jr. shares my feelings. That is why I am supporting him 100%. I hope you do too.”
-Jane Wall – Current teacher and former Miller H.S. journalism instructor

“As a Precinct chair, it is my responsibility to listen to the voters who elected me. I surveyed my neighborhood and it is overwhelmingly in support of Solomon Ortiz, Jr. I will honor their choice and vote for him.”
-Susie Luna Saldana – Precinct Chair #72 and AFT Representative

Thank you for your support!
Solomon Ortiz Jr.
Candidate for State Rep. Dist. 33

*****

HUGO: Must be the Money!

2006-08-02T03:58:00.000-07:00

HUGO: Must be the Money!

I Love My Corpus Christi: Tuesday Morning El Defenzor Live: Loyd Neal (Politician for Profit)

2006-08-01T21:29:00.000-07:00

I Love My Corpus Christi: Tuesday Morning El Defenzor Live: Loyd Neal (Politician for Profit)

I Love My Corpus Christi: Hypocrisy and contradictions coming from our All American City Council

2006-08-01T02:15:00.000-07:00

I Love My Corpus Christi: Rene Saenz calls it as it is. Hypocrisy and contradictions coming from our All American City Council

Kenedeno’s Political Pulse

2006-07-31T01:11:00.000-07:00

Monday, July 31, 2006

Local “Loophole Candidates” and Local “Loophole “Yanqui” Power Broker held Chair Massage Seminars this week.

Local “Loophole Candidates” Solomon Ortiz Jr. and Danny Noyola Sr. have been courting the HD #33 Precinct Chairs in an attempt to solidify a majority vote of 44 precinct chairs who will be voting on ????????. Local “Loophole Yanqui Extraordinaire” / Power Broker Mikal Watts, recently held his own Chair Massage (Whataburger Field) as well.

Capelo Still In The Craw Of the Trial Lawyers

Texas State House District #33 Precinct Chairs are currently very popular since the July 4^th Fireworks of the resignation of Incumbent HD #33 Representative Vilma Luna. In all appearances of spontaneity and quality family time explanations it really turned out to be an accurately tossed piece of tough meat into a pack of ravenous who currently rank lower on the food chain. This was not a woman changing her mind but a coach pulling one of his players after exhausting herself completely on the field of play. I commend her and I wish her the best. Thank you for everything Vilma. You did your JOB and IMO you walked the line with a trueness and loyalty. One must realize Mr. Watts does not like to lose and with respect to the Capelo legislation he is still fighting. This is the one thing that has made Mikal’s goal to be the next Hayden Head. Patron WATTS is not a justiciable title but then again he has a long way to go towards the Hayden Head Award. So WATT is it about him that screws the little people? Well, here is one example where our Primary Vote is USURPED. Another scenario to conceptualize, would be the Judicial arrogance resulting in a denial of justice for the rest of us; as attorneys who did not get their way in another case and the knowledge of the technical maneuvers rendered due to the innate feeling of invincibility our Judges develop due to the effectual relief they provide for Mikal as a “Corporate Predator”. Well that’s enough of that.

Local Politicos Rock & Roll on the Corpus Christi Bay

Solly held his event on the Captain Clark Flagship. Chili was served, Tejano music, an extended cruise around the Corpus Christi Bay and of course free beer. There was a very festive attitude and quite a turnout. I spoke with Solly for the first time. He was a very good host. We didn’t talk that much about the nomination except that he is truly interested and he still believes he can get the votes. It was kind of rough water and a couple of big tough men developed a mild case of seasickness. That stuff will make one kiss mother earth upon return. Who was there? Many I knew but many more I did not know the faces but knew their names. It is kind of nice to put a name with a face. I seen a few Precinct Chairs mainly Susie Luna, Nancy Vera, Rowland Andrade and other Politicos such as René Rodriguez, Rene Saenz and his wife Stephanie, John Kelly, Joe Benavides, Oscar Ortiz (Nueces County Commissioner) and many children running around having a wonderful time.

“that chair is already taken”

by Dannoynted1

We almost decided against going to the LULAC Barbeque for Danny Noyola senior today but I am glad we did the food was delicious!

Especially the pinto beans, I have to get that recipe.

For those of you who missed it, you missed out on a tasty meal, but there was no place to sit as I looked around there was a half a table empty so I went over there to see if I could sit down and the women said yes.

Well, I ate alone while Jaime talked with Danny and his wife Alma. There were pictures along the wall of previous/current LULAC presidents and/or members but I definitely recognized DR. Hector P. Garcia as one of them.

After I scooted over the beer cans to put my plate down, several men arrived and they just stared at me. When my husband whistled and I showed him where I was. He came and sat next to me when the man on my left then told US rudely “that chair is already taken”.

Well, rather than start crap, we got up and left the table. We went and hung out in the front entry by the kitchen where Jesse Olivarez (no relation to Larry) was cutting the brisket. I went to get my husband and his brother a plate of food. His girlfriend was working at the hospital and wanted a plate but Danny’s sister and another woman refused to give me another plate. I told my husband and his brother when Mr. Jesse Olivarez (who was right there cutting brisket) told one of the little girls who were helping him to bring a plate.

Thank you Jesse!

I saw a few of the regulars on the political front Joe Benavides, Brian Miller, Coretta Graham, and Nancy Vera and as we were leaving, we shook hands with DMC Board of Regents Member Gabriel Rivas.

Got some documentation highlighting some precinct chairs statements of their commitment to Danny Noyola. I counted 11 plus Alma Noyola for a total of 12.

Danny Jr. spoke he said, “they already have more than the 22 they need; but they were not all accounted for on the blue handout.

Some serious Partying goin down at the LULAC #1

Danny Noyola held his event at the LULAC #1. Barbeque was served with rice beans and potato salad and of course free beer. It was delicious. The beans were delectable. Danny and his wife Alma treated us with all of the dignity and respect of royalty. During Danny’s speech is when I decided to get a plate and sit down (while all eyes were glued on Danny). At least that is what I thought till I sat down in a vacant row of chairs next to my wife. Some older man, well let’s just say he didn’t like me sitting next to my wife. Out of respect for Danny & Alma and the privilege; I made myself defer. The only thing I did not do, that I wished I had done; was get that guys name. I chalk it up to old school Molina. It is not a big deal and in no way does it affect my respect for Danny or Alma. I believe both Democrats (Danny Noyola & Solomon Ortiz Jr.) are very capable and electable as HD #33 is a Democratic District. The Noyola Event was definitely a serious event and to most of them I am an outsider. I am troubled by the loophole method that the November Candidate will be chosen. After meeting them both I will vote for one of them in November. Good luck to both and should you prevail, we will expect full responsiveness to us the constituency of HD #33. When we call, we want to speak with our Representative or at least return the call. You know? Like it is right now.

Chair Massage cost Mikal much more than “TWO FER A NICKEL”

And Mikal’s bash?

Well, we wouldn’t know; since it was such an elite Chair Massage.

Only the best Massages for our HD #33 Precinct Chairs.

Right Mikal?

Nueces De La Parra: Founder's daughter says financial records will be sent to national office

2006-07-30T05:32:00.000-07:00

Nueces De La Parra: JK: Juan Garcia could donate "JUAN HALF" of his "war chest" to the Foundation (on which he sits as Board member) while personally managing the expenditures / projects / financials in a transparent operation. This act of good faith would single handedly restore the Doctor's name, restore the Landmark Building, produce a reaction of engagement in South Texas, and bring enormous masses of HD #32 Democrats to vote for him. He would blow a Sea Man completely out of the water. Pardon the pun?

Nueces De La Parra: In a final decision Ram Chavez has been expelled from the GI Forum

2006-07-28T20:59:00.000-07:00

Nueces De La Parra: In a final decision Ram Chavez has been expelled from the GI Forum

Nueces De La Parra: G I Forum Solution Suggestion

2006-07-25T04:32:00.000-07:00

Nueces De La Parra: G I Forum Solution Suggestion

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

Nueces Democrats: Roland Barrera vows, "I will diligently serve my "Progressive Democratic

2006-07-18T23:34:00.000-07:00

Nueces Democrats: Roland Barrera vows, "I will diligently serve my "Progressive Democratic

Del Mar Electronic Anonymous Input Forum: A BLUEPRINT for POSITIVE CHANGE (In the order it was binded as recieved)

2006-07-18T00:29:00.000-07:00

Del Mar Electronic Anonymous Input Forum: A BLUEPRINT for POSITIVE CHANGE (In the order it was binded as recieved)

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

2006-07-10T04:57:00.000-07:00

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

Vilma Luna's Resignation Letter

2006-07-10T03:06:00.000-07:00

"Vilma Luna's Resignation Letter"

On Verdades y Chismes (Truth and Gossip), Vicente Carranza's radio show asked the question of the day

2006-07-10T01:54:00.000-07:00

Solomon Ortiz Jr., Continues To Be Coy On Future Intentions
Today's "Political Pulse" section of the Corpus Christi Caller Times tells the story of Solomon Jr.'s dance about the question of whether he is going to run against state Rep. Vilma Luna. On Verdades y Chismes (Truth and Gossip), Vicente Carranza's radio show asked the question of the day - whether he is going to run against state Rep. Vilma Luna. Ortiz' answer: he will consult with friends, supporters and family before making a decision. Here is an insider's view: The rumor that Solomon Ortiz Jr. was interested in running against Rep. Vilma Luna has been widely known. As far back as the beginning of this past session, people in Austin and certainly both potential candidates, were aware of the rumor.To those who do not follow Corpus Christi politics, it should be noted that each of these individuals come from opposing political camps within the Democratic Party in Nueces County. Although not solely based on disputes originating out of the race for Texas Senate between Juan Hinojosa and Barbara Canales, disputes from that race play a key role in the divisions of these two camps.Despite the rumors, Rep. Vilma Luna is seemingly confident that she would win a race against any challenger in her district. Solomon Ortiz, Jr. has held on to the difficult job of leading the different factions in Corpus Christi and by most accounts is ready to move on.This leaves most observers watching to see what happens. The readers of this blog should know that this writer knows both individuals personally. Although I will maintain our discussions in confidence, I can't help from observing the circumstances raised. Much of the speculation on this match-up seemed to have died off until the recent announcement that County Judge Shamsie was not seeking re-election. Speculation arose in the Ortiz camp that Rep. Luna would possibly run for County Judge or as a district judge. Ortiz' decision not to seek re-election as Democratic Party Chair has added to the speculation.Challenging the Vice-Chair of Appropriations and one of the most powerful legislators is a daunting task, which probably explains the hesitation to announce. Many Ortiz supporters would probably rather see the powerful legislator move on to another interest on her own before they see Ortiz announce for the job.For the moment all eyes will be on who files for what in Nueces County as the game of musical chairs continues in the Coastal Bend community

Texas State Representative House District 33: Cast your vote daily: E Vote@kenedeno.com

2006-07-08T23:34:00.000-07:00

http://vilmaluna.blogspot.com/2006/07/cast-your-vote-daily-e-votekenedenocom.html#links

I Love My Corpus Christi: House District 33 Democratic Precinct Chairs. Who will vote which way?

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

I Love My Corpus Christi: House District 33 Democratic Precinct Chairs. Who will vote which way?

John M
"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."

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

I Love My Corpus Christi: Was there a National search for this position?

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

I Love My Corpus Christi: "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 Commander Bryan Smith."

Nueces County Aristocrat Society: Well..it seems the words hadn't even gotten out of Luna's mouth yet,and already the buzzards started circling

2006-07-06T00:03:00.000-07:00

Nueces County Aristocrat Society: Well..it seems the words hadn't even gotten out of Luna's mouth yet,and already the buzzards started circling

Nueces County Aristocrat Society: If Danny Noyola gets the nod, then the Republicans can bring a fight

2006-07-06T00:02:00.000-07:00

Nueces County Aristocrat Society: If Danny Noyola gets the nod, then the Republicans can bring a fight

Danny giving us the details means nothing without supporting documentation

2006-07-05T21:59:00.000-07:00

South Texas Chisme: Luna to resign

Danny giving us the details means nithing without supporting documentation
Wednesday, July 05, 2006Luna to resignVilma Luna has announced she will resign from the Texas House of Representatives, effective July 31. She was mum on her future plans. Looks like elwhatsamatta got it first!posted by GulfCoastLeftie @ 11:33 AM 15 Comments:
At 12:56 PM, John Coby said...Was she that bad?
At 5:49 PM, Tejana Dem said...YES. She was Craddick's trustiest sellout Democrat and we don't like her. You don't get to be Vice Chair of Appropriations, sit on Calendars & Ways & Means by being disagreeable.I wonder what committee assignments Solly will get...
At 6:20 PM, nochisme said...I'm curious to see if her successor wanna be, Danny Noyola, can get us over his tragic scandals if he were to be selected by the precinct chairs as our nominee. Mr. Noyola's recent scandal will damage this party in the November election as the dirt begins to flow out. He is very vulnerable and could cost this party to lose a seat. File an open records request with CCISD and learn in detail what Danny Noyola's incompetency has caused him. Go find out how many teachers have asked for transfers out from the school just this year. The candidate should be selected by the precinct chairs who is electable in November and unfortunately Mr. Noyola is not electable. I wonder if he will still continue his grievance that he recently filed with the board? Danny Noyola is damaged and if you select him, you can bet that he could be the cause of Democrats defeat this November. Think about it? If you love this party, don't choose a loser, crook, and incompetent principal that lasted only one year at Miller
At 7:01 PM, TheRedState.com said...I have a better candidate than either Junior or Noyola. Her name is Gloria Perez and has an impressive history and background (and she actually works for a living). Check out my post on her
At 7:06 PM, herownself said...One cannot file an open records request on personnel records. This school district has a long record of dumping on and blaming people for policies and procedures that they had nothing to do with. Look at how often the principals at Carroll, a supposedly excellent school, change.Now, quick, let's you and him fight. I'll stand over here and win.
At 7:26 PM, Jaime Kenedeño said...Mr WATTS beleives Danny is electable or he would finding somebody else. IMO, Danny is not a bad person and maybe a good choice?
At 8:47 PM, TheRedState.com said...I bet you we will see 5-7 candidates show up by the time this is done.
At 9:06 PM, nochisme said...So then why do you not ask Danny for the details of his transfer? Why does he not publicly provide all of us with those details? We know that an assistant principal at the school became a whisleblower on how grades were and absences were changed at the school. We know that Noyola allowed an assistant prinicpal to take excessive time with out documenting her absences. Tell noyola to release the documentation on his dismisssal as Miller Principal and you will all find the truth. Tell CCISD to let the public know about his incompentency at Miller or unless you really don't want to know the truth. You want to lose this november then vote for Noyola. Remember this man has a history of displaying incompetency. First with West Oso ISD and now CCISD. Wake up Democrats! Noyola will destroy this party.
At 9:29 PM, Jaime Kenedeño said...I was a permanent sub at Miller 2000 - 2002. The class I inherited had ran off the Teacher and 4 other Subs. Nobody wanted the JOB and the CCISD was called 2 or 3 or even 4 time per day. The first day when the security had not received any calls; they came to check on me. I grew to those kids and they to me. I had four or five that just refused to do the work, I was forced to pass them as well. If you can produce the documentation I am prepared to address it.Miller has been going on like this for quite a while now and the orders are coming from the top. Miller was my favorite school to work at. The absence policy is flawed from the beginning. It is being used to generate revenue off of the poor.And once again Mr Noyola has the blessing?Or does he?
At 9:30 PM, Jaime Kenedeño said..."We know that Noyola allowed an assistant prinicpal to take excessive time with out documenting her absences."This happens all the time. And what about the time they spend before and after hours?
At 9:31 PM, lapolitica5 said...Hello, No Chisme, for your information the issues at Miller's tragic scandals are nothing new. How many teachers do the same thing even more so you don't have to be a teacher things always occur. They choose the almighty dollar instead of the student. Regardless of what happen at the high school teachers resigning is nothing new, teachers leaving to take care of business is nothing new and more How would any of us know anything without the almighty whistle blower the problem they have they just got caught due to this person this is what you should report on or live up to your name the (no chisme) my foot what irony. I would have not known if it was not for you. Thanx!!! What does that have to do with anyone wanting to run for a State office? The district which only has 44 pcts will have to rely on a good person you tell me What person has no problems I will show you a perfect person.Just remember:A Lo Dado No Se le busca el lado.
At 9:51 PM, Jaime Kenedeño said...Red StateWhen will Gloria sit down and talk to us?What is her position on some of the key issuesEducationThe Beach BlockadeCraddickDel Mar College Fiasco?
At 10:56 PM, CC_Politico said...The Democrats need a nominee free of any controversy. Whether Mr. Noyola is innocent or not of the charges the fact that he failed to keep track of his subordinates falls directly on him as an Administrator. At least that is what is alleged. It is bad timing for Mr. Noyola that he has an ongoing lawsuit against CCISD and was reassigned to another high school campus only after one year at Miller HS as the head principal. I ask all true Democrats. What if he receives the nomination and the true source of his re-assignment comes out? Then what? Allow the Republican nominee have an easy ride to Austin because we selected someone with legal baggage? Mr. Noyola should do the honorable thing and not seek this position until it is cleared up, if it clears up.
At 11:29 PM, nochisme said...Couldn't agree with you more cc politico. What will happen is that he will be nominated and the true extent of his activities is revealed. One can always place blame on all the higher ups but in the end it was Noyola who lost track of his school. I agree with you that Texas Truancy Law is a joke, but the issue dealt with Special Ed. and an insubordinate administrator tried to cover it up. Bottom line is that he leads the school and is resonsible for the actions of his insubordinates.As far as time spent before and after school by administrators, that no excuse for failing to be present at work. Contracts should state the time of a work day and it is the responsiblity of that individual to be present during that time. If you have presonal issues then you need to take the day off. Just because you are an administrator doesn't mean you are above the hard working laborer of an instructor.If Mr. Noyola had nothing to do with what took place at Miller then he needs to provide an explanation as to what the violation was that he committed and he must do so quickly before he causes this party to lose a Democratic seat.Furthermore, how can you say that a teacher chooses the almighty dollar over the student? Do you know that ths was the case at Miller? I doubt it! Maybe teachers are fat up with this Noyola administration and his incompetency. All could be cleared up if Noyola would just let everything out. So I challenge each and everyone of you who defends this false prophet to tell him to reveal the documentation so that his blind disciples know the truth about their patron.I understand in life that people have problems, this is nothing new. But the man is currently under the microscope and some people want him to be their nominee. well I must give the man credit, he attempts to expand his empire and many idiots fall for it. Wake up people! The ship has hit an iceburg and it is sinking, and all you can say is he did nothing wrong. Again, I ask the Noyola defenders to bring it all out or let the people know the truth about the tragedy that took place at Miller.
At 11:56 PM, Jaime Kenedeño said...Once again, if there is documentation of wrongdoing; then by all means, let us open the can of worms.I have no allegiance to any of these people.If a candidate has a certain muscle behind him, there is not a Republican that can compete with this well oiled machine, with or without the baggage.Soli, best of all knows this.A Republican dont have a snowball's chance in hell of sitting where Vilma vacated.Furthermore, Vilma's district loves her and they will follow who she supports. It is that simple like it or not.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Luna to resign
Vilma Luna has announced she will resign from the Texas House of Representatives, effective July 31. She was mum on her future plans. Looks like elwhatsamatta got it first!
posted by GulfCoastLeftie @ 11:33 AM

15 Comments:
At 12:56 PM, John Coby said...
Was she that bad?
At 5:49 PM, Tejana Dem said...
YES. She was Craddick's trustiest sellout Democrat and we don't like her. You don't get to be Vice Chair of Appropriations, sit on Calendars & Ways & Means by being disagreeable.I wonder what committee assignments Solly will get...
At 6:20 PM, nochisme said...
I'm curious to see if her successor wanna be, Danny Noyola, can get us over his tragic scandals if he were to be selected by the precinct chairs as our nominee. Mr. Noyola's recent scandal will damage this party in the November election as the dirt begins to flow out. He is very vulnerable and could cost this party to lose a seat. File an open records request with CCISD and learn in detail what Danny Noyola's incompetency has caused him. Go find out how many teachers have asked for transfers out from the school just this year. The candidate should be selected by the precinct chairs who is electable in November and unfortunately Mr. Noyola is not electable. I wonder if he will still continue his grievance that he recently filed with the board? Danny Noyola is damaged and if you select him, you can bet that he could be the cause of Democrats defeat this November. Think about it? If you love this party, don't choose a loser, crook, and incompetent principal that lasted only one year at Miller
At 7:01 PM, TheRedState.com said...
I have a better candidate than either Junior or Noyola. Her name is Gloria Perez and has an impressive history and background (and she actually works for a living). Check out my post on her
At 7:06 PM, herownself said...
One cannot file an open records request on personnel records. This school district has a long record of dumping on and blaming people for policies and procedures that they had nothing to do with. Look at how often the principals at Carroll, a supposedly excellent school, change.Now, quick, let's you and him fight. I'll stand over here and win.
At 7:26 PM, Jaime Kenedeño said...
Mr WATTS beleives Danny is electable or he would finding somebody else.IMO, Danny is not a bad person and maybe a good choice?
At 8:47 PM, TheRedState.com said...
I bet you we will see 5-7 candidates show up by the time this is done.
At 9:06 PM, nochisme said...
So then why do you not ask Danny for the details of his transfer? Why doe he not publicly provide all of us with those details? We know that an assistant principal at the school became a whisleblower on how grades were and absences were changed at the school. We know that Noyola allowed an assistant prinicpal to take excessive time with out documenting her absences. Tell noyola to release the documentation on his dismisssal as Miller Principal and you will all find the truth. Tell CCISD to let the public know about his incompentency at Miller or unless you really don't want to know the truth. You want to lose this november then vote for Noyola. Remember this man has a history of displaying incompetency. First with West Oso ISD and now CCISD. Wake up Democrats! Noyola will destroy this party.
At 9:29 PM, Jaime Kenedeño said...
I was a permanent sub at Miller 2000 - 2002. The class I inherited had ran off the Teacher and 4 other Subs. Nobody wanted the JOB and the CCISD was called 2 or 3 or even 4 time per day. The first day when the security had not received any calls; they came to check on me. I grew to those kids and they to me. I had four or five that just refused to do the work, I was forced to pass them as well. If you can produce the documentation I am prepared to address it.Miller has been going on like this for quite a while now and the orders are coming from the top. Miller was my favorite school to work at. The absence policy is flawed from the beginning. It is being used to generate revenue off of the poor.And once again Mr Noyola has the blessing?Or does he?
At 9:30 PM, Jaime Kenedeño said...
"We know that Noyola allowed an assistant prinicpal to take excessive time with out documenting her absences."This happens all the time. And what about the time they spend before and after hours?
At 9:31 PM, lapolitica5 said...
Hello, No Chisme, for your information the issues at Miller's tragic scandals are nothing new. How many teachers do the same thing even more so you don't have to be a teacher things always occur. They choose the almighty dollar instead of the student. Regardless of what happen at the high school teachers resigning is nothing new, teachers leaving to take care of business is nothing new and more How would any of us know anything without the almighty whistle blower the problem they have they just got caught due to this person this is what you should report on or live up to your name the (no chisme) my foot what irony. I would have not known if it was not for you. Thanx!!! What does that have to do with anyone wanting to run for a State office? The district which only has 44 pcts will have to rely on a good person you tell me What person has no problems I will show you a perfect person.Just remember:A Lo Dado No Se le busca el lado.
At 9:51 PM, Jaime Kenedeño said...
Red StateWhen will Gloria sit down and talk to us?What is her position on some of the key issuesEducationThe Beach BlockadeCraddickDel Mar College Fiasco?
At 10:56 PM, CC_Politico said...
The Democrats need a nominee free of any controversy. Whether Mr. Noyola is innocent or not of the charges the fact that he failed to keep track of his subordinates falls directly on him as an Administrator. At least that is what is alleged. It is bad timing for Mr. Noyola that he has an ongoing lawsuit against CCISD and was reassigned to another high school campus only after one year at Miller HS as the head principal. I ask all true Democrats. What if he receives the nomination and the true source of his re-assignment comes out? Then what? Allow the Republican nominee have an easy ride to Austin because we selected someone with legal baggage? Mr. Noyola should do the honorable thing and not seek this position until it is cleared up, if it clears up.
At 11:29 PM, nochisme said...
Couldn't agree with you more cc politico. What will happen is that he will be nominated and the true extent of his activities is revealed. One can always place blame on all the higher ups but in the end it was Noyola who lost track of his school. I agree with you that Texas Truancy Law is a joke, but the issue dealt with Special Ed. and an insubordinate administrator tried to cover it up. Bottom line is that he leads the school and is resonsible for the actions of his insubordinates.As far as time spent before and after school by administrators, that no excuse for failing to be present at work. Contracts should state the time of a work day and it is the responsiblity of that individual to be present during that time. If you have presonal issues then you need to take the day off. Just because you are an administrator doesn't mean you are above the hard working laborer of an instructor.If Mr. Noyola had nothing to do with what took place at Miller then he needs to provide an explanation as to what the violation was that he committed and he must do so quickly before he causes this party to lose a Democratic seat.Furthermore, how can you say that a teacher chooses the almighty dollar over the student? Do you know that ths was the case at Miller? I doubt it! Maybe teachers are fat up with this Noyola administration and his incompetency. All could be cleared up if Noyola would just let everything out. So I challenge each and everyone of you who defends this false prophet to tell him to reveal the documentation so that his blind disciples know the truth about their patron.I understand in life that people have problems, this is nothing new. But the man is currently under the microscope and some people want him to be their nominee. well I must give the man credit, he attempts to expand his empire and many idiots fall for it. Wake up people! The ship has hit an iceburg and it is sinking, and all you can say is he did nothing wrong. Again, I ask the Noyola defenders to bring it all out or let the people know the truth about the tragedy that took place at Miller.
At 11:56 PM, Jaime Kenedeño said...
Once again, if there is documentation of wrongdoing; then by all means, let us open the can of worms.I have no allegiance to any of these people.If a candidate has a certain muscle behind him, there is not a Republican that can compete with this well oiled machine, with or without the baggage.Soli, best of all knows this.A Republican dont have a snowball's chance in hell of sitting where Vilma vacated.Furthermore, Vilma's district loves her and they will follow who she supports. It is that simple like it or not.

South Texas Chisme: HD 33 shuffle

2006-07-05T21:58:00.000-07:00

South Texas Chisme: HD 33 shuffle

Jaime Powell's Political Pulse: 07.02.06

2006-07-02T05:35:00.000-07:00

Political Pulse: 07.02.06

July 2, 2006

Council meeting becomes heated on talk of street

Last week's City Council meeting got heated when the NAACP's Joel Mumphord apparently misunderstood Councilman Mark Scott.

During a discussion of the proposed renaming of one block of Winnebago Street, Mumphord, local president of the National Associated for the Advancement of Colored People, was making the point that if he owned all the land along a block of any city street, he could ask the City Council to change the name on that portion of the street. Scott said, "But he's not going to get it," because the council would not want to break up a street by renaming the middle portion of it.

Mumphord responded, "Why? Because I'm a poor black man? You all don't care about black people."

After Mayor Henry Garrett called order and waved off an approaching security guard, the meeting calmed back down.

"We can 'what if' till the moon falls out of the sky," Garrett said. He later offered to meet with people on both sides of the issue to try to find a compromise.

Scott later apologized to Mumphord, saying he was talking in generalities, not about Mumphord specifically.

Marez gets promoted, then quickly demoted

During an awards recognition break at the council meeting, Mayor Garrett inadvertently referred to Councilman John Marez as "congressman."

"Oh, I mean counselor," the mayor swiftly corrected.

"You've been demoted," other council members blurted while cackling.

Garcia campaign dubs plane 'Air Force Juan'

Democratic House candidate and former Navy pilot Juan Garcia is getting a little help meeting constituents in the outlying areas of District 32 from island developer Glenn Lyons.

At a fundraiser last weekend held at Eddie and Berta Garcia's, Juan Garcia said Lyons has given carte blanche use of Lyons' and wife Crystal's twin-engine airplane, which the Garcia campaign team has dubbed "Air Force Juan."

Former SA mayor supports Garcia run

Former San Antonio Mayor and U.S. Secretary of Housing Henry Cisneros was on tap to be the guest star at Garcia's June 23 campaign events. But when his father fell critically ill the day before, Cisneros instead appeared at the events via telephone PA system, doing so during what he stated were his father's final hours.

Afterward, Garcia opined, "This campaign is about family, and all present understood that Henry needed to be with his father. That he insisted on calling in to support our campaign, from his father's hospital bedside, is something I'll never forget."

Friedman talks Texas to his many supporters

Local architect Raymond Gignac, developer Leon Loeb and legendary criminal defense lawyer Doug Tinker were among the more than 100 guests gathered at the Barbecue Man to support Kinky Friedman for governor.

Toting his trademark cigar, Friedman waxed poetic about the sad state of Texas affairs, posed for pictures and sold a heckuva lot of T-shirts and posters.

Gignac summed up why he was there by saying, "He makes sense."

Strayhorn good with names, superstition

Independent gubernatorial candidate Carole Keeton Strayhorn had an uncanny way of remembering names and faces Thursday at the state Veterans of Foreign Wars convention, hugging at least 25 VFW members and recalling their names and personal details. On stage, Strayhorn drew wild cheering when she commented, "I've never lost an election the year a grandbaby was born, and that grandbaby is one month old."

Demo chairman Garcia uses partisan timepiece

At the Associated Builders and Contractors candidates forum last week, Democratic Party Chairman Alex Garcia stared at his watch and said he would keep an eye on the time so all of the gathered candidates - Democrats and Republicans - would get equal stump time.

"I'll be using my Democratic watch to keep time," Garcia joked.

Larry Olivarez, the Democrat in the county judge's race, grinned, "It's a Mickey Mouse watch, right?"

Simpson ready to stick a fork in Terry Carter

Walking around slapping backs and shaking hands at the release of Citgo's 2006 Gray Book resource guide, Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce director Terry Carter came up behind San Patricio County Judge Terry Simpson.

"Hi, Mr. Shamsie," Carter joked. "Oh! No! It's San Patricio County, isn't it?"

A grinning Simpson turned sideways in his chair and wielded his lunch cutlery, "Have you been forked lately?"

Political Pulse is compiled and written by Caller-Times politics reporter Jaime Powell. This week's contributors include Powell, Denise Malan and Mike Baird. Have a tip? Contact Powell at 886-3716 or powellj@ caller.com