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.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Kenedeno's Texas Monthly: Karl Rove, Never Dreams of Being The President; Working "Under The Radar" Is Much More Satisfying.
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
Monday, April 14, 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...............
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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.
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
Post 4 April 13, 2008 at 11:49 a.m.
Lighten up, people!
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Suggest removal)
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
View latest stories with comments »
Before you post a comment, consider this:
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* 1. Keep it clean.Comments that are obscene, vulgar, lewd or sexually-oriented will get the ax. Creative spelling of such terms also will be banned.
* 2. Don't threaten to hurt or kill anyone.
* 3. Be truthful. Don't lie about anyone or anything.
* 4. Be nice. No racism, sexism or any other sort of -ism that degrades another person.
* 6. Keep it local. Do not post direct links to sites outside of Caller.com.
* 7. Police yourselves. Hit the "Suggest Removal" button on offensive comments.
* 8. Share what you know. Give us your eyewitness accounts, background, observations and history.
* 9. Ask questions. What more do you want to know about the story?
* 10. Stay focused. Keep on the story's topic.
* 11.Help us get it right. If you find a factual error or misspelling, email newmedia@caller.com or metrodesk@caller.com, or call 886-3697.
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.
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
Post 4 April 13, 2008 at 11:49 a.m.
Lighten up, people!
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Suggest removal)
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Jaime Powell might be onto something here you think. Go get em Jaime.
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.
(Suggest removal)
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?
(Suggest removal)
Post 3 February 16, 2008 at 6:09 a.m.
some ones sneaking into the cookie jar.
(Suggest removal)
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
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
Post 14 February 16, 2008 at 9:31 a.m.
Fantastic post #12.
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
Post 17 February 16, 2008 at 9:53 a.m.
***
POSTER # 12 & 14 !!!
You Guy's ROCK !!
Keep those caliber of Post's coming
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
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.
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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 !!
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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.
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The Post numbers keep changing, but the truth is. Both of these Posters have a good understanding of Corpus Christi :)
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Post 36 February 16, 2008 at 2:44 p.m.
Loeb is a board member of the Chamber.
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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.
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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!
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Post 43 February 16, 2008 at 4:12 p.m.
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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.
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Post 45 February 16, 2008 at 4:29 p.m.
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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.
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Post 47 February 16, 2008 at 5:24 p.m.
Post #47:
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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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Post 49 February 16, 2008 at 8:08 p.m.
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Post 50 February 16, 2008 at 8:22 p.m.
stff you are very sore and need to get some therapy
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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.
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Post 52 February 17, 2008 at 2:07 a.m.
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Post 53 February 17, 2008 at 10:51 a.m.
off tropic but I only got cheap chocolate on Thursday
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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
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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 !!!
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Post 56 February 19, 2008 at 9:14 a.m.
I'm surprised Carter and the Chamber hasn't been sued for sexual harassment.
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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!!!
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.
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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.
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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
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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.
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
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.
(Suggest removal)
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 !!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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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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
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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.
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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
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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!!!
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Nueces Democrats: Hegemony: Power, Culture & Ideology: Lencho Rendon: The Pimping Out Of The President & Hillary
Nueces Democrats: Hegemony: Power, Culture & Ideology: Lencho Rendon: The Pimping Out Of The President & Hillary
By themericanprince
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.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Nueces Democrats: Hegemony: Power, Culture & Ideology: Lencho Rendon: The Pimping Out Of The President & Hillary
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."
"It is a simple choice, vote for Joe or vote for the Solomonista."
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Nueces Democrats: Robert Zamora:A Man of Strength & Stability ; Winning Back The Nueces County Democratic Party For All South Texas Democrats
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
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.
Friday, December 28, 2007
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
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."
Friday, December 21, 2007
Corpus Christi Watchdog Authority: [texaswallstreetjournal] Insurance / Healthcare Industry Vs Trial Lawyers
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
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
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Corpus Christi Watchdog Authority: Guy Watts filed for divorce on last Friday 12/07/2007
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
Corpus Christi Watchdog Authority: Guy Watts filed for divorce on last Friday 12/07/2007
Sunday, December 09, 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
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.
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.
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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.
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".