Saturday, January 13, 2007
Sunday, January 07, 2007
"If I missed anyone, you can stand up and declare your fame."
Political Pulse: 01.07.07
January 7, 2007
Judge Jack Hunter is dressed like younger Don Johnson
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At a recent retirement party for District Judge Jack Hunter, Dr. Allen Garrett noticed the judge's suave appearance in black pants, a black shirt and a black jacket.
"You look like Don Johnson, only a little bit older," Garrett said, grinning.
A little while later, Judge Marisela Saldana offered a toast to Hunter before the crowd gathered at insurance agent Stephanie Waterman's house.
"And he doesn't look a day over 40," she said.
Nueces courts must be
housed in an ivory tower
Grousing about a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles to get new license plates to replace the judge's plates on his car, Hunter said he was surprised when the clerk there handed him a sticker for the windshield.
"What's this?" he queried.
Hunter, who for two decades has had judge's plates which did not require a windshield sticker, said the clerk asked him where he had been.
"The ninth floor!'" he replied, laughing at his own joke.
Several spectators at the party wandered up and asked him whether he was referring to the ninth floor of the courthouse or the ninth floor mental ward at a local hospital.
Titanium hip caused
problems at security
Hunter said one perk of leaving his judgeship behind, is that he won't have to go through electronic security anymore, which went haywire when he went through because he has metal hip replacements.
"You make them beep extra with your platinum hips," Judge Saldana observed.
"No. They are titanium," Hunter corrected.
Judge's survival kit:
meds, shot glass
Hunter put together a "judge's survival kit" for his replacement on the 94th District Bench, Bobby Galvan.
"Hmmmm . . . Aleve, Pepto-Bismol, Tums and a shot glass," Galvan enumerated. "A lot of painkillers."
Pletcher loses his
train of thought
Monday morning, local lawyer and former Port of Corpus Christi Commissioner Tony Pletcher gave an introductory speech at Saldana's swearing-in as district judge.
"I didn't know what my purpose was," Pletcher said. "But it said 'thoughts.' "
A snickering Saldana broke the silence among the reserved crowd.
"Think, Tony! Think!"
Saldana recalls childhood
memories with her sister
Saldana's older sister Mary Ortegon helped her into her new judge's robe.
"I remember when I was in junior high and she helped me do this (get dressed)," Saldana joked.
Galvan described as
'do what we have got to'
After the pomp and circumstance of Saldana's swearing-in, which lasted nearly an hour, Judge Hunter, a long-time running buddy and close friend of Saldana's stood before the crowd gathered to swear in Bobby Galvan.
"My colleague Marisela Saldana is a consummate politician," Hunter said referring to Saldana's ceremony, which included a singer, speakers and a video of her campaign for district judge.
"Judge Galvan is more like me," Hunter joked. "Come in, do what we have got to do and go out the door."
Yowell: Sanchez takes
money, Nardini spends it
At 13th Court of Appeals Justice Rose Vela's swearing-in, former Nueces County Republican Party chairman Joel Yowell introduced San Patricio County Tax Assessor-Collector Dalia Sanchez and joked, "She takes the money and (San Patricio County Commissioner) Fred Nardini spends it."
Yowell points out how
Kaelin will revamp jail
Looking to the back of the room, Yowell pointed to Nueces County's Republican with the badge.
"Sheriff Jim Kaelin, the man with a big broom and a mop," Yowell said, referring to Kaelin's Herculean task of revamping the ailing county jail.
20 counties by day,
Antler Inns by night
At the podium, Justice Vela gave Yowell big kudos for traveling a 20-county campaign circuit with her that helped elect her to the 13th Court of Appeals.
"We stayed in a lot of Antler Inns," she said. "Not in the same room!"
Vela saves best for last
at her swearing-in
Vela thanked her friends, family and in-laws as well as her staff and supporters, shortly before the crowd at her swearing-in was set to head over to a reception in her honor at the Blucher House.
Vela waved her hands and looked awestruck.
"I can't believe I did this, but I forgot to thank my husband, Fil," she gasped. "I saved the best for last!"
Lawyer Filemon Vela grinned as he shook his head and shrugged.
Is there a bomb dog
in the house, please?
County Judge Loyd Neal was joined at his swearing-in Tuesday by dignitaries including U.S. District Judge Hayden Head. Josie Hero, County Commissioner Chuck Cazalas' secretary, joked about the need for security:
"Did we run the bomb dog through here for all the dignitaries? Someone could wipe them all out."
Neal puts college rivalry
aside for two colleagues
Introducing Neal, Port of Corpus Christi Chairman Ruben Bonilla took note of Neal's "Aggie maroon" jacket.
"He won election as Nueces County judge, but more importantly, the Aggies defeated the Longhorns. Judge Hayden Head and I are Longhorns and we have been in mourning since then. That's why he allowed us to participate today."
Head shows off UT
pride minus the song
County Judge Neal, a diehard and boisterous Aggie supporter, joked that federal Judge Head had showed off his UT orange phone prior to the swearing in and promised to turn it off so the Eyes of Texas ringer would not go off during the ceremony.
'Guy that sends tax bills'
gets little recognition
Introducing the elected officials in the audience, Bonilla told Nueces County Tax Assessor-Collector Ronnie Canales that he could stand up and be recognized.
Canales stood and Bonilla pointed, grinned and said, "This is the guy that sends the tax bills. You can sit down now, Ronnie."
Bonilla: Anyone I
missed can stand up
Staring around the room after introducing his umpteenth politician, Bonilla observed, "If I missed anyone, you can stand up and declare your fame."
Political Pulse is compiled and written by Caller-Times politics reporter Jaime Powell. Have a tip? Contact Powell at 886-3716 or powellj@ caller.com
January 7, 2007
Judge Jack Hunter is dressed like younger Don Johnson
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At a recent retirement party for District Judge Jack Hunter, Dr. Allen Garrett noticed the judge's suave appearance in black pants, a black shirt and a black jacket.
"You look like Don Johnson, only a little bit older," Garrett said, grinning.
A little while later, Judge Marisela Saldana offered a toast to Hunter before the crowd gathered at insurance agent Stephanie Waterman's house.
"And he doesn't look a day over 40," she said.
Nueces courts must be
housed in an ivory tower
Grousing about a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles to get new license plates to replace the judge's plates on his car, Hunter said he was surprised when the clerk there handed him a sticker for the windshield.
"What's this?" he queried.
Hunter, who for two decades has had judge's plates which did not require a windshield sticker, said the clerk asked him where he had been.
"The ninth floor!'" he replied, laughing at his own joke.
Several spectators at the party wandered up and asked him whether he was referring to the ninth floor of the courthouse or the ninth floor mental ward at a local hospital.
Titanium hip caused
problems at security
Hunter said one perk of leaving his judgeship behind, is that he won't have to go through electronic security anymore, which went haywire when he went through because he has metal hip replacements.
"You make them beep extra with your platinum hips," Judge Saldana observed.
"No. They are titanium," Hunter corrected.
Judge's survival kit:
meds, shot glass
Hunter put together a "judge's survival kit" for his replacement on the 94th District Bench, Bobby Galvan.
"Hmmmm . . . Aleve, Pepto-Bismol, Tums and a shot glass," Galvan enumerated. "A lot of painkillers."
Pletcher loses his
train of thought
Monday morning, local lawyer and former Port of Corpus Christi Commissioner Tony Pletcher gave an introductory speech at Saldana's swearing-in as district judge.
"I didn't know what my purpose was," Pletcher said. "But it said 'thoughts.' "
A snickering Saldana broke the silence among the reserved crowd.
"Think, Tony! Think!"
Saldana recalls childhood
memories with her sister
Saldana's older sister Mary Ortegon helped her into her new judge's robe.
"I remember when I was in junior high and she helped me do this (get dressed)," Saldana joked.
Galvan described as
'do what we have got to'
After the pomp and circumstance of Saldana's swearing-in, which lasted nearly an hour, Judge Hunter, a long-time running buddy and close friend of Saldana's stood before the crowd gathered to swear in Bobby Galvan.
"My colleague Marisela Saldana is a consummate politician," Hunter said referring to Saldana's ceremony, which included a singer, speakers and a video of her campaign for district judge.
"Judge Galvan is more like me," Hunter joked. "Come in, do what we have got to do and go out the door."
Yowell: Sanchez takes
money, Nardini spends it
At 13th Court of Appeals Justice Rose Vela's swearing-in, former Nueces County Republican Party chairman Joel Yowell introduced San Patricio County Tax Assessor-Collector Dalia Sanchez and joked, "She takes the money and (San Patricio County Commissioner) Fred Nardini spends it."
Yowell points out how
Kaelin will revamp jail
Looking to the back of the room, Yowell pointed to Nueces County's Republican with the badge.
"Sheriff Jim Kaelin, the man with a big broom and a mop," Yowell said, referring to Kaelin's Herculean task of revamping the ailing county jail.
20 counties by day,
Antler Inns by night
At the podium, Justice Vela gave Yowell big kudos for traveling a 20-county campaign circuit with her that helped elect her to the 13th Court of Appeals.
"We stayed in a lot of Antler Inns," she said. "Not in the same room!"
Vela saves best for last
at her swearing-in
Vela thanked her friends, family and in-laws as well as her staff and supporters, shortly before the crowd at her swearing-in was set to head over to a reception in her honor at the Blucher House.
Vela waved her hands and looked awestruck.
"I can't believe I did this, but I forgot to thank my husband, Fil," she gasped. "I saved the best for last!"
Lawyer Filemon Vela grinned as he shook his head and shrugged.
Is there a bomb dog
in the house, please?
County Judge Loyd Neal was joined at his swearing-in Tuesday by dignitaries including U.S. District Judge Hayden Head. Josie Hero, County Commissioner Chuck Cazalas' secretary, joked about the need for security:
"Did we run the bomb dog through here for all the dignitaries? Someone could wipe them all out."
Neal puts college rivalry
aside for two colleagues
Introducing Neal, Port of Corpus Christi Chairman Ruben Bonilla took note of Neal's "Aggie maroon" jacket.
"He won election as Nueces County judge, but more importantly, the Aggies defeated the Longhorns. Judge Hayden Head and I are Longhorns and we have been in mourning since then. That's why he allowed us to participate today."
Head shows off UT
pride minus the song
County Judge Neal, a diehard and boisterous Aggie supporter, joked that federal Judge Head had showed off his UT orange phone prior to the swearing in and promised to turn it off so the Eyes of Texas ringer would not go off during the ceremony.
'Guy that sends tax bills'
gets little recognition
Introducing the elected officials in the audience, Bonilla told Nueces County Tax Assessor-Collector Ronnie Canales that he could stand up and be recognized.
Canales stood and Bonilla pointed, grinned and said, "This is the guy that sends the tax bills. You can sit down now, Ronnie."
Bonilla: Anyone I
missed can stand up
Staring around the room after introducing his umpteenth politician, Bonilla observed, "If I missed anyone, you can stand up and declare your fame."
Political Pulse is compiled and written by Caller-Times politics reporter Jaime Powell. Have a tip? Contact Powell at 886-3716 or powellj@ caller.com
Friday, January 05, 2007
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Sunday, December 24, 2006
SECTION 1. Chapter 26, Education Code, Sec. 26.014. EDUCATIONAL INVOLVEMENT AGREEMENT
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to an educational involvement agreement setting forth the
1-3 respective responsibilities of students, parents, teachers, and
1-4 principals in public schools.
1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-6 SECTION 1. Chapter 26, Education Code, is amended by adding
1-7 Section 26.014 to read as follows:
1-8 Sec. 26.014. EDUCATIONAL INVOLVEMENT AGREEMENT. (a) The
1-9 agency shall adopt an educational involvement agreement form for
1-10 use by school districts to be signed by a student, the student's
1-11 parent, each of the student's teachers, and the principal of the
1-12 student's school. The agreement must state the respective
1-13 responsibilities of the student, parent, teacher, and principal. A
1-14 school district shall provide the agreement to each individual who
1-15 is required to sign the agreement not later than the 14th day after
1-16 the first day of instruction for a school year or the 14th day after
1-17 the date a student enrolls in the school, as applicable. A school
1-18 district must provide a parent with a reasonable opportunity to
1-19 sign the agreement.
1-20 (b) The educational involvement agreement must include
1-21 descriptions of:
1-22 (1) the parent's responsibilities regarding the
1-23 student's education, which may include:
1-24 (A) reading to the student, if appropriate for
2-1 the student's grade or reading level;
2-2 (B) reviewing and checking the student's
2-3 homework; and
2-4 (C) contributing at least five hours of the
2-5 parent's time to the school each school year by:
2-6 (i) attending school-related activities;
2-7 (ii) attending parent-teacher association
2-8 meetings;
2-9 (iii) attending parent-teacher
2-10 conferences;
2-11 (iv) volunteering at the school; or
2-12 (v) chaperoning school-sponsored events;
2-13 (2) the responsibility of a student to:
2-14 (A) read each day before or after school, if
2-15 appropriate for the student's grade or reading level;
2-16 (B) use school equipment and property in a safe,
2-17 appropriate manner;
2-18 (C) follow the instructions of school staff;
2-19 (D) complete and submit homework in a timely
2-20 manner; and
2-21 (E) act in a respectful manner; and
2-22 (3) the responsibility of each teacher and principal
2-23 to:
2-24 (A) provide each student with proper
2-25 instruction, supervision, and interaction;
2-26 (B) maximize the educational and social
2-27 experience of each student;
3-1 (C) perform professional responsibilities in a
3-2 manner that is in the best interest of each student; and
3-3 (D) be available to parents to discuss concerns.
3-4 (c) A school district may revise the educational
3-5 involvement agreement form adopted by the agency to include
3-6 information in addition to the information required under this
3-7 section.
3-8 (d) The educational involvement agreement provided to a
3-9 student's parent must be accompanied by information regarding:
3-10 (1) the manner in which a parent may contact the
3-11 student's teacher or principal;
3-12 (2) the curriculum for each course in which the
3-13 student is enrolled or standards for the student's grade level,
3-14 including a calendar that indicates the dates that assessment
3-15 instruments will be administered under Subchapter B, Chapter 39,
3-16 and the due dates of significant projects, if those dates are known
3-17 at the time the information is provided to the parent;
3-18 (3) homework and grading policies;
3-19 (4) directions for locating resource material for the
3-20 courses in which the student is enrolled or for the student's grade
3-21 level, as applicable;
3-22 (5) methods for assisting the student with school work
3-23 at home;
3-24 (6) dates of scheduled conferences between teachers or
3-25 administrators and the parent;
3-26 (7) details on how reports of the student's progress
3-27 will be sent to the parent and how a parent may request a progress
4-1 report;
4-2 (8) classroom rules and policies;
4-3 (9) dress code;
4-4 (10) the availability of assistance to a parent of
4-5 limited English proficiency;
4-6 (11) information on free and reduced-price meals; and
4-7 (12) opportunities for parents to become involved in
4-8 the student's education or volunteer at the school.
4-9 (e) The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to
4-10 implement this section.
4-11 SECTION 2. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective
4-12 date of this Act, the Texas Education Agency shall adopt an
4-13 educational involvement agreement form for use by school districts
4-14 as required by Section 26.014, Education Code, as added by this Act.
4-15 (b) Each school district shall use the educational
4-16 involvement agreement form in the manner required by Section
4-17 26.014, Education Code, as added by this Act, beginning with the
4-18 2008-2009 school year.
4-19 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
4-20 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
4-21 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
4-22 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
4-23 Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to an educational involvement agreement setting forth the
1-3 respective responsibilities of students, parents, teachers, and
1-4 principals in public schools.
1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-6 SECTION 1. Chapter 26, Education Code, is amended by adding
1-7 Section 26.014 to read as follows:
1-8 Sec. 26.014. EDUCATIONAL INVOLVEMENT AGREEMENT. (a) The
1-9 agency shall adopt an educational involvement agreement form for
1-10 use by school districts to be signed by a student, the student's
1-11 parent, each of the student's teachers, and the principal of the
1-12 student's school. The agreement must state the respective
1-13 responsibilities of the student, parent, teacher, and principal. A
1-14 school district shall provide the agreement to each individual who
1-15 is required to sign the agreement not later than the 14th day after
1-16 the first day of instruction for a school year or the 14th day after
1-17 the date a student enrolls in the school, as applicable. A school
1-18 district must provide a parent with a reasonable opportunity to
1-19 sign the agreement.
1-20 (b) The educational involvement agreement must include
1-21 descriptions of:
1-22 (1) the parent's responsibilities regarding the
1-23 student's education, which may include:
1-24 (A) reading to the student, if appropriate for
2-1 the student's grade or reading level;
2-2 (B) reviewing and checking the student's
2-3 homework; and
2-4 (C) contributing at least five hours of the
2-5 parent's time to the school each school year by:
2-6 (i) attending school-related activities;
2-7 (ii) attending parent-teacher association
2-8 meetings;
2-9 (iii) attending parent-teacher
2-10 conferences;
2-11 (iv) volunteering at the school; or
2-12 (v) chaperoning school-sponsored events;
2-13 (2) the responsibility of a student to:
2-14 (A) read each day before or after school, if
2-15 appropriate for the student's grade or reading level;
2-16 (B) use school equipment and property in a safe,
2-17 appropriate manner;
2-18 (C) follow the instructions of school staff;
2-19 (D) complete and submit homework in a timely
2-20 manner; and
2-21 (E) act in a respectful manner; and
2-22 (3) the responsibility of each teacher and principal
2-23 to:
2-24 (A) provide each student with proper
2-25 instruction, supervision, and interaction;
2-26 (B) maximize the educational and social
2-27 experience of each student;
3-1 (C) perform professional responsibilities in a
3-2 manner that is in the best interest of each student; and
3-3 (D) be available to parents to discuss concerns.
3-4 (c) A school district may revise the educational
3-5 involvement agreement form adopted by the agency to include
3-6 information in addition to the information required under this
3-7 section.
3-8 (d) The educational involvement agreement provided to a
3-9 student's parent must be accompanied by information regarding:
3-10 (1) the manner in which a parent may contact the
3-11 student's teacher or principal;
3-12 (2) the curriculum for each course in which the
3-13 student is enrolled or standards for the student's grade level,
3-14 including a calendar that indicates the dates that assessment
3-15 instruments will be administered under Subchapter B, Chapter 39,
3-16 and the due dates of significant projects, if those dates are known
3-17 at the time the information is provided to the parent;
3-18 (3) homework and grading policies;
3-19 (4) directions for locating resource material for the
3-20 courses in which the student is enrolled or for the student's grade
3-21 level, as applicable;
3-22 (5) methods for assisting the student with school work
3-23 at home;
3-24 (6) dates of scheduled conferences between teachers or
3-25 administrators and the parent;
3-26 (7) details on how reports of the student's progress
3-27 will be sent to the parent and how a parent may request a progress
4-1 report;
4-2 (8) classroom rules and policies;
4-3 (9) dress code;
4-4 (10) the availability of assistance to a parent of
4-5 limited English proficiency;
4-6 (11) information on free and reduced-price meals; and
4-7 (12) opportunities for parents to become involved in
4-8 the student's education or volunteer at the school.
4-9 (e) The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to
4-10 implement this section.
4-11 SECTION 2. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective
4-12 date of this Act, the Texas Education Agency shall adopt an
4-13 educational involvement agreement form for use by school districts
4-14 as required by Section 26.014, Education Code, as added by this Act.
4-15 (b) Each school district shall use the educational
4-16 involvement agreement form in the manner required by Section
4-17 26.014, Education Code, as added by this Act, beginning with the
4-18 2008-2009 school year.
4-19 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
4-20 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
4-21 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
4-22 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
4-23 Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Pinkertons~"demonstrate initiative and investigate"
Entities would have appreciated more notice
By Jaime Powell and David Kassabian Caller-Times
December 17, 2006
Nueces County officials say their plan to implement Texas' strictest beach development limit was no secret. They voted twice in public meetings more than a year ago, and they say it's not their fault opponents didn't know until a month ago.
Corpus Christi and Port Aransas city officials, landowners and developers say they were not asked for their opinions on this issue and received no warning about an issue in which they are stakeholders. Several said they'd have appreciated a courtesy call.
The Commissioners Court's first vote to restrict development to 350 feet from the beach vegetation line - 150 feet farther inland than the rest of the state - was July 13, 2005.
Here's how the pending vote was announced in the meeting agenda, listed as Item No. 7: "Discuss and consider authorizing staff to proceed with implementation of amendments to the Nueces County Beach Management Plan for stricter criminal penalties for crimes on the Beaches of Nueces County, including but not limited to littering."
Item No. 7 passed unanimously.
The next unanimous vote, on Dec. 7, 2005, was preceded by the following agenda item: "Discuss and consider proposed amendments to the Nueces County Beach Management Plan."
No supplemental written material further explaining those two agenda items is available. The county maintains one binder of supplemental material as reference for agenda items, open to the public but used mostly by county staff and news media, said Tyner Little, executive assistant to County Judge Terry Shamsie. That material is destroyed a few days after a meeting, Little said.
The Corpus Christi city staff and Corpus Christi Independent School District distribute and maintain extensive background materials with City Council and school board meeting agendas, including several copies distributed to news media.
In August, the county sent the plan to the Texas General Land Office for approval. The state agency published a notice Nov. 10, 2006, in the Texas Register seeking public comment. The Texas Register catalogs state agency rulemaking, gubernatorial appointments, attorney general opinions and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals.
"Everybody has been notified because it has been talked about in a public meeting and published in the Texas Register," said Jennifer Smith-Engle, the county's dune consultant and a professor of environmental science at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
City officials say the Texas Register isn't on the average citizen's reading list.
County Commissioner Chuck Cazalas, whose precinct includes the county's beaches, requested the agenda items and was responsible for the wording, according to Little.
Cazalas offers no apologies for the wording, or for not notifying Corpus Christi or Port Aransas city officials. Dune protection is the county's responsibility, Cazalas said.
The city of Corpus Christi has permitting responsibility for everything except dune permitting, including beachfront construction permits. The county's proposed 350-foot setback plan could override the city's building permit authority and beachfront construction authority within that 350-foot area.
According to the state land office, this would be the only place along the Texas Gulf coast where a county overrides municipal authority for construction on barrier islands.
Cazalas said the two cities could have found out more information on their own.
"I don't think it is incumbent upon the government to spoon-feed people," Cazalas said. "Rather, people have got to demonstrate initiative and investigate, much the same way that they vote when they go to the polls. If they want additional detail, it should be asked.
"This has been out and been published and posted. It is not a surprise to most people. At least, I don't think it is."
Count the top officials at City Hall and several landowners and developers among the uninformed.
"We heard about it from Port Aransas, not the county," said Tom Utter, special assistant to City Manager Skip Noe. Utter couldn't recall the day, but it was in November, he said.
"When you are brother and sister governmental organizations and you are doing something that will significantly impact the other," Utter said, "it is only good form to work together and keep each other notified."
Port Aransas officials had heard rumblings about it for more than a year but did not investigate further because they thought their sovereignty over their beaches was safe, said City Manager Michael Kovacs. Unlike the City of Corpus Christi, which has shared permitting authority with the county, Port Aransas for more than a decade has been responsible for its own dune protection and building permitting.
At a public meeting Nov. 20 in Port Aransas, the county's dune advisory committee pushed to rescind Port Aransas' dune authority. Port Aransas residents and officials attended the meeting and made clear they were against it, so the county withdrew the request, Port Aransas officials said.
Kovacs said he called Corpus Christi officials to alert them. He didn't recall whether he placed the call before or after the Nov. 20 meeting.
"Before, we would not have been affected, but we became worried when the county beach and dune committee started considering taking over all of the county," Kovacs said. "That's when we called the City of Corpus Christi and said we had a problem."
City staff doesn't make a practice of monitoring Commissioners Court meetings, Utter said.
"We don't think we ought to have to watch the county. The county is us," he said. "The Commissioners Court and the city councils to a large degree represent the same folks. It's terrible when you disagree with yourself."
Cazalas said many property owners affected by the proposed change may not find out they cannot develop portions of their land until they apply for a dune permit.
Port Aransas real estate agent Travis Mangum said he wished someone had told him.
He sank nearly $650,000 of his savings into two waterfront lots in an upscale Mustang Island development. When he tried to sell one recently, he said he got a rude awakening when he learned from the county that both of his lots fall within the 350-foot setback area.
"About 45 days ago when I went to sell the lot, the deal fell through," he said. "The buyer was not going to buy a lot for well over $500,000 that he could not get a dune permit on."
If the rule passes, Mangum is stuck with two expensive parcels of land that can't be developed.
"Today if I want to build a house I cannot do it," he said. "It's worthless."
Contact Jaime Powell at 886-3716 or powellj@ caller.com
By Jaime Powell and David Kassabian Caller-Times
December 17, 2006
Nueces County officials say their plan to implement Texas' strictest beach development limit was no secret. They voted twice in public meetings more than a year ago, and they say it's not their fault opponents didn't know until a month ago.
Corpus Christi and Port Aransas city officials, landowners and developers say they were not asked for their opinions on this issue and received no warning about an issue in which they are stakeholders. Several said they'd have appreciated a courtesy call.
The Commissioners Court's first vote to restrict development to 350 feet from the beach vegetation line - 150 feet farther inland than the rest of the state - was July 13, 2005.
Here's how the pending vote was announced in the meeting agenda, listed as Item No. 7: "Discuss and consider authorizing staff to proceed with implementation of amendments to the Nueces County Beach Management Plan for stricter criminal penalties for crimes on the Beaches of Nueces County, including but not limited to littering."
Item No. 7 passed unanimously.
The next unanimous vote, on Dec. 7, 2005, was preceded by the following agenda item: "Discuss and consider proposed amendments to the Nueces County Beach Management Plan."
No supplemental written material further explaining those two agenda items is available. The county maintains one binder of supplemental material as reference for agenda items, open to the public but used mostly by county staff and news media, said Tyner Little, executive assistant to County Judge Terry Shamsie. That material is destroyed a few days after a meeting, Little said.
The Corpus Christi city staff and Corpus Christi Independent School District distribute and maintain extensive background materials with City Council and school board meeting agendas, including several copies distributed to news media.
In August, the county sent the plan to the Texas General Land Office for approval. The state agency published a notice Nov. 10, 2006, in the Texas Register seeking public comment. The Texas Register catalogs state agency rulemaking, gubernatorial appointments, attorney general opinions and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals.
"Everybody has been notified because it has been talked about in a public meeting and published in the Texas Register," said Jennifer Smith-Engle, the county's dune consultant and a professor of environmental science at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
City officials say the Texas Register isn't on the average citizen's reading list.
County Commissioner Chuck Cazalas, whose precinct includes the county's beaches, requested the agenda items and was responsible for the wording, according to Little.
Cazalas offers no apologies for the wording, or for not notifying Corpus Christi or Port Aransas city officials. Dune protection is the county's responsibility, Cazalas said.
The city of Corpus Christi has permitting responsibility for everything except dune permitting, including beachfront construction permits. The county's proposed 350-foot setback plan could override the city's building permit authority and beachfront construction authority within that 350-foot area.
According to the state land office, this would be the only place along the Texas Gulf coast where a county overrides municipal authority for construction on barrier islands.
Cazalas said the two cities could have found out more information on their own.
"I don't think it is incumbent upon the government to spoon-feed people," Cazalas said. "Rather, people have got to demonstrate initiative and investigate, much the same way that they vote when they go to the polls. If they want additional detail, it should be asked.
"This has been out and been published and posted. It is not a surprise to most people. At least, I don't think it is."
Count the top officials at City Hall and several landowners and developers among the uninformed.
"We heard about it from Port Aransas, not the county," said Tom Utter, special assistant to City Manager Skip Noe. Utter couldn't recall the day, but it was in November, he said.
"When you are brother and sister governmental organizations and you are doing something that will significantly impact the other," Utter said, "it is only good form to work together and keep each other notified."
Port Aransas officials had heard rumblings about it for more than a year but did not investigate further because they thought their sovereignty over their beaches was safe, said City Manager Michael Kovacs. Unlike the City of Corpus Christi, which has shared permitting authority with the county, Port Aransas for more than a decade has been responsible for its own dune protection and building permitting.
At a public meeting Nov. 20 in Port Aransas, the county's dune advisory committee pushed to rescind Port Aransas' dune authority. Port Aransas residents and officials attended the meeting and made clear they were against it, so the county withdrew the request, Port Aransas officials said.
Kovacs said he called Corpus Christi officials to alert them. He didn't recall whether he placed the call before or after the Nov. 20 meeting.
"Before, we would not have been affected, but we became worried when the county beach and dune committee started considering taking over all of the county," Kovacs said. "That's when we called the City of Corpus Christi and said we had a problem."
City staff doesn't make a practice of monitoring Commissioners Court meetings, Utter said.
"We don't think we ought to have to watch the county. The county is us," he said. "The Commissioners Court and the city councils to a large degree represent the same folks. It's terrible when you disagree with yourself."
Cazalas said many property owners affected by the proposed change may not find out they cannot develop portions of their land until they apply for a dune permit.
Port Aransas real estate agent Travis Mangum said he wished someone had told him.
He sank nearly $650,000 of his savings into two waterfront lots in an upscale Mustang Island development. When he tried to sell one recently, he said he got a rude awakening when he learned from the county that both of his lots fall within the 350-foot setback area.
"About 45 days ago when I went to sell the lot, the deal fell through," he said. "The buyer was not going to buy a lot for well over $500,000 that he could not get a dune permit on."
If the rule passes, Mangum is stuck with two expensive parcels of land that can't be developed.
"Today if I want to build a house I cannot do it," he said. "It's worthless."
Contact Jaime Powell at 886-3716 or powellj@ caller.com
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Solly's office is E1.322
Political Pulse: 12.10.06
December 10, 2006
New sheriff gives Realtors dig in the ribs More than two weeks into his new job, Nueces County Sheriff Jim Kaelin still hasn't lost his sense of humor. Before swearing in the 2007 association leaders at the Corpus Christi Association of Realtors' year-end luncheon, Kaelin pointed out that he's been in law enforcement for almost three decades. Kaelin said he noticed something before taking his seat on the dais after walking through the packed ballroom at Omni Bayfront Hotel. "It was nice to see a lot of my former customers," he said to laughter. Garcia, Ortiz Jr. have freshman orientation State Rep. Solomon Ortiz Jr. and Rep.-elect Juan Garcia are back from legislator training in Austin. The freshman legislators got a condensed overview of the legislative process, toured Capitol offices and learned about various agencies and departments they will be dealing with when the session starts. "Everybody seemed to have a very positive attitude, but then again it's kind of like your first day of school," Ortiz said. Ortiz gets large office, and can move in early Because Ortiz is filling the last couple of months left in former Rep. Vilma Luna's unexpired term and has already been sworn in, he got a jump-start on picking his office. He had 23 vacant offices from which to choose. "My office is E1.322," he said. "We are in the Capitol annex. It's not a bad spot to be in. We got one of the larger offices. I guess an interesting footnote is that I get to move in toward the middle or end of December. The rest don't get theirs until Jan 9." Rain can't keep Garrett, others from ceremony The emcee had already written off Mayor Henry Garrett as a no-show at the cold, rainy Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony Thursday morning when the mayor dashed up to the podium saying, "I'm here! I'm right here. You didn't think that the rain would keep me away did you?" Lexington director lauds Neal's presence Thursday At a second ceremony Thursday afternoon on the Lexington Museum honoring Pearl Harbor survivors, Lexington executive director Rocco Montesano pointed out county judge-elect Loyd Neal, who was sitting on the front row. "I'd like to acknowledge judge-elect Loyd Neal," Montesano said to scattered applause. "The election is over. He doesn't have to be here. Loyd's here because he wants to be here." County judge-elect invites vets to his swearing-in Neal invited veterans at the ceremony to his Jan. 2 swearing-in ceremony, where he will bring out several high profile supporters. Bishop Edmond Carmody will give the invocation, CCISD Board Secretary Harry Williams will lead the Pledge of Allegiance, Port of Corpus Christi Chairman Ruben Bonilla will serve as master of ceremonies and U.S. District Judge Hayden Head will swear in Neal. Lexington head irked about Hawaii memorial In front of a group of Pearl Harbor survivors, all of whom are older than 80, Montesano was infuriated about reports that the Pearl Harbor Memorial Museum in Hawaii is sinking and that there are questions about where the money will come from to fix it. "It won't be too much longer when we don't have these Pearl Harbor survivors," Montesano said. "We can find a million dollars for a gopher museum in Michigan, but we can't find money for Pearl Harbor." Ortiz and staff win D.C. office lottery U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz finished moving into roomy new digs late Tuesday night on Capitol Hill. His first-floor office has a "straight-on, dead-on view of the Capitol" and an additional 75 square feet, spokeswoman Cathy Travis said. Luck was with his office manager, former Corpus Christi resident Nina Ramon, when she showed up at a drawing for office space. She reached into a little velvet box stocked with numbers and came out with No. 1. That meant Ramon had first choice among the offices up for grabs - and 10 minutes to make a decision. She snagged the old stomping grounds of Rep. Henry J. Hyde, R-Illinois. Hyde is retiring, leaving his former space at 2110 Rayburn House Office Building there for the taking. Ortiz's office previously was on the fourth floor. "We looked like the Clampetts going down the hall with all of our stuff Tuesday," Travis said. "For most of the day, the staff was homeless. Congressman (Ruben) Hinojosa (D-Mercedes) invited us down for lunch." Neal reminded of A&M by flower arrangement During County judge-elect Loyd Neal's introduction of Mayor Henry Garrett at a Corpus Christi Rotary Club luncheon Thursday, Neal commented on the head table's flower arrangement that featured 12 maroon flowers and seven orange ones. "When it's 6:48 in Austin, it's 12 to seven in College Station," Neal joked about Texas A&M University's 12-7 win last month over the University of Texas at Austin. Garrett hints at bid to seek re-election At the luncheon, Garrett hinted at his political future. "It is my hope we will have at least two more years together," Garrett told Neal. "If that sounds like a re-election bid, I guess it is." Mayor chalks up beach missteps to momentum Garrett continued his comments, touching on the lengthy beach access debate and mistakes the city made leading up to the November election. Garrett said the council moved at a fast pace leading up to the vote on Charter Amendment No. 1, which may have rubbed some people the wrong way. "When you have momentum on your side, you dare not let it subside," Garrett said. "I know there are some people who have come to feel the same when council is in session, as when the baby gets hold of a hammer." Questions to Garrett center on crime, lights After his speech, Garrett opened the field to questions, one of which was, "Is crime on the rise in Corpus Christi?" "If you're a victim you think that way," Garrett said to laughter. Another Rotary Club member asked if he could talk about the red-light cameras the city is considering to snap photos of offenders as they run red lights. "You've got to smile," Garrett joked. Public invited to official Juan Garcia victory bash The official victory party for the Juan Garcia campaign is scheduled for Monday evening at the Executive Surf Club and the public is invited. Garcia's band, The Apes of Wrath, will provide musical entertainment. Political Pulse is compiled and written by Caller-Times politics reporter Jaime Powell. This week's contributors include Powell, David Kassabian, Stephanie Jordan and Washington correspondent Trish Choate. Have a tip? Contact Powell at 886-3716 or HYPERLINK mailto:powellj@caller.com powellj@caller.com
Friday, December 08, 2006
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
We've (Del Mar College Community) got far too many coverups that are occuring
CORPUS CHRISTI - Taxpayers and faculty at Del Mar College put the Board of Regents in the hot seat Tuesday, demanding an administrative change. And college president, Dr. Carlos Garcia, had a few words to say about the situation.
Questions concerning the administration's actions on a student government event that got out of hand made front page headlines in Del Mar's student newspaper. That was just one of the topics causing a rough start to the monthly Board of Regents meeting.
"We've got far too many coverups that are occuring," Del Mar professor, Jerry Sansing, said.
Sansing was one of three Del Mar professors who faced the board and Garcia during the public comments portion of the meeting, expressing disagreement with how the pending sexual harassment lawsuits involving Garcia are being handled. The professors accused the board of not acting in the best interest of the students.
"I have considered what devilish forces might be at work to produce this sorry state of affairs, and certainly among them, I include the managerial routine at the upper levels of administration in the college," another professor, Ken Weatherbie, said.But Garcia had an opinion, as well.
"We have a handful of individuals in the community, who are just very much interested in tearing this community college down," Garcia said. "Again, I apologize for those individuals, especially our staff, who chose to divulge private information and be very destructive."In closed session, the board was also set to discuss the employment, evaluation and reassignment of Garcia, but no action was taken.
6 news learned that Garcia's three-year contract ends next June. He is up for a semi-annual evaluation in January. The four new board memers will be sworn in on Tuesday.
Monday, November 06, 2006
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