Goodness it looks like I took a month off in September !! (or the whole summer) Well now … How is everybody doing ?
The city seems to be getting better. I noticed the new web site and it looks great !
I notice CCISD has a committee or two open for the public. I notice that there are also some boards and commissions in our city that are up at the end of the year. So there seems to be a lot to get involved in.
Farmers Market… any thoughts on the subject? Is it going to be for local farmers to sell produce or will someone buy produce in Houston and drive it down to League City to sell?
What about our water tank situation. Now that the council has become aware of the problem what is the progress with that? I understand that the tests did not go as hoped and that the cost will be over half a million just to get it up and running.
Also one or two last thoughts… What about the regulation of golf carts? Mr. Edelman was at the council meeting asking for greater regulation do you think that the government needs to be involved in further regulation?
RED LIGHT cameras My goodness. Any thoughts on those lovely big brother is watching tools?
24 comments:
I'm not fond of the new website, you can't even read the "Live It, Love It" slogan on the bottom without straining your eyes. I also don't enjoy having to scroll down half the page so I can read the information I'm looking for.
There is also the long-standing accessibility issue where I can't right-click to open new tabs or open a page in a new window. This javascript blocking may also raise the issue of Section 508 violations. Some applications utilize the ability to right-click blocks of text for text-readers, or to view/read the alternate text for an image.
The colors aren't that bad though.
Red light cameras? Please... If you're not doing anything wrong, you have nothing to hide, right?
So how do I file a Freedom of Information Act request, anyway? They've got nothing to hide, right?
I can't count the number of times I've nearly been rear-ended or possibly rear-ended someone that has had to slam on their brakes to avoid red light camera tickets. Just about every red light I've encountered with a camera has had their timings altered to where the yellow light is dangerously short. Just try watching some in Downtown Houston or even the one in Clear Lake (Bay Area/El Camino). There's also the bright FLASH that nearly blinds you if you're on the oncoming traffic side and someone trips the camera (they're really bad in the rain, it's like lightning striking in front of you).
With that said, most studies I've read have found that increasing the yellow light times by even a fraction of a second adds more to the safety of the intersection than these cash-cow cameras. As an alternative I say increase the times and increase the fines.
As for the farmers markets, I would love it if there was a good farmers market in League City. The best one I know of around here is in Alvin, but it's a hassle to get to. I wouldn't be too picky on the origin of the food as long as it's organic and from our general region.
I have to agree with regulating golf carts, they do not belong on the streets. The same goes for those 3-4 wheel ATVs. I've seen too many kids driving through neighborhood and city streets on these things, and it's a disaster waiting to happen. At least most of the people on bicycles have the decency to properly signal and have reflectors.
That's about all I have for now, back to my studies. :)
- Richard M.
PS: Glad to see you posting again Chris. :)
The camera on the south-bound I-45 service road at the turn onto west-bound FM-518 will need to have its flash be replaced soon. I was headed downtown at dusk as people were coming home on Saturday and it FLASHED for 4 out of 5 cars making that turn.
The Rules of the Road for that corner are that you pull forward until you can see oncoming traffic, and pull out when you have a clear lane. In 5 years of living here, I've never seen an accident there during my commute home. Trouble is, the "stop line" that the camera is staring at is about 20 feet back where there's no line of sight into oncoming traffic. And yes, I was headed east-bound on FM-518 in the left lane, and that FLASH was bright at dusk... I can't wait until the sun goes down.
I'll be filing a FOIA to get a copy of each photograph that my vehicle or person are visible in, in which I was committing no crime. I'll then ask that the originals of those photos be destroyed. And I'll continue to do this until the cameras are gone. As the saying goes, "If I've done nothing wrong, stop taking pictures of me."
Chris, Richard, Dustin
Good to see you guys back.
Dustin warned about the problems with the traffic cameras and particularly the contractor.
No one seemed to listen.
When they start issuing citations I wonder how much time will be spent listening to citizens comments at city council meetings.
In response to golf carts being driven illegally, this issue must be addressed immediately by the council and public safety officials. Just last week a golf cart driven by a child and LOADED with kids (literally hanging off of it) was being driven down the middle of the entry boulevard in our subdivision - and I don't even live in South Shore! This is a rampant problem. Parents have lost their minds by allowing their children to treat golf carts like over-sized Barbie Dream cars. LCPD, are you listening? The worst possible scenario would be for a golf cart loaded with kids to pull out in front of an adult driver. Hold these idiot parents accountable now.
Amen Morgan.
Also, I would add that the majority, if not all of them are not insured if they do have or cause an accident. I hope that something is done before an accident and or loss of life occurs.
Marc,
I never realized there was golf cart insurance until I read your post... and wow, it even comes with "Roadside Assistance" ...
Oy...
Yes, golf carts must carry laibility insurance just like any other motor vehicle for there to be coverage in case of an accident involving injury or property damage. Many are under the misconception that their golf cart is covered under their existing insurance and this is incorrect. You must tell your insurance company you have a golf cart, and who the licensed driver is for them to issue the coverage, they send you a card for the coverage and charge you for it.
This debate has been going on for years in a number of Texas communities. I do not know for sure, but it seems there are plenty of rules/laws already on the book.
I would like to hear Chief Jez comment on this issue. Looks to me as a matter of local policy and enforcement. State a clear legal and enforcement policy and then take action.
Warning tickets for a few weeks would be OK.
It might take only a couple Saturday or Sunday afternoons and one officer issuing citations to take care of the problem. would driving the streets of South Shore Harbor, Marina Del Sol, Meadow Bend, and Glen Cove would take care of the problems on the east side.
No fancy golf cart in my garage. Dam!!!
What’s the deal with the golf carts? There are laws on the book NOW that should be enforced. If our police department cannot do it then maybe THE PARENTS (like Mr. Campbell said) should do something. My !! what a concept…. the PARENTS policing their own children. I say slap them with a 500 dollar fine a few times and see how long this problem continues ! When we have a problem in our neighborhood parents talk to one another. Just like the fool that was allowing his child to drive a go cart up and down the street with 3 children on it , the neighbors (more than one) went to the parents and had a very good discussion that put an end to the problem. Sometimes it takes a village to raise a child. If the parents do not take action then you can call the police and explain the process that you have been through to resolve this problem.
We can all gripe about it and add more “regulations” but sometimes getting off your rear end and taking action is the best way to resolve the problem. Just a thought.
Marc,
I like your new hair style !!
Mr. Smith,
From what I have been told by many officers from a couple of cities that work under him Mr. Jez lacks the leadership abilities to do much of anything. His good old boy intimidation tactics left with Chris Reed. His way of doing things is what we have been getting rid of in our city. (and the city is better for it) He might gain a little respect if he shows respect to the employees and cleans up his language.
You may want to read this http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?wcd=145259
Seems like Galveston has the same situation. We are not alone !
Chris and the rest: Yes, welcome back. We've missed y'all.
Marc: I agree that the easy way out is to pile on more nanny state government regulations for golf carts. Way to go, comrade.
If the farmer market is going to be anything like the worthless boutique booth market down the road in CLS, forget it. My sister looked at oranges on the back of a truck parked in a ditch in Bacliff, and asked the seller where they came from. "HEB," he said.
More red light cameras? Aren't the eight existing cameras already at SH3 and Main enough?
Greedy politicians have reared their ugly heads yet again, and are making another grab for your money. This time, it takes the form of a constitutional amendment that will facilitate a state homestead tax. Coming next month to a ballot box near you:
tinyurl.com/ygy66vb
tinyurl.com/ykv6xmo
tinyurl.com/yzgrew
In today's GDN, a story reveals that city staff knew about problems with the SH3 water pump station but never told the mayor or council. But no one's left to fire except Jack Murphy, who says his only obligation was to inform his supervisor at the time and that he assumed it would be handled. Here's the whole story:
tinyurl.com/ygvrvfv or
http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=6d3845fd04ed680d
When attempting to make sense of the pump station story, one cannot ignore the following GDN statement:
There were seven city administrators during Peifer’s tenure as public works director.
When THE key city management position is turned over with every election it is no wonder that a problem such as this was swept under the rug. Every City Administrator we've had in the past 10 years shares in the negligence.
As Phalcon 269 elluded to in the GDN Article "Staff knew of water plant troubles for years"
It is City Council that authorized the expenditures of Funds to purchase the Water Pump Station. It is City Council that authorized the expenditures in Fixing the Pump Station. Thus it is the Mayor and City Council they are the ultimate organization that is solely responsible for its lack of functionality.
It is either the Mayor or City Council that placed the responsibility onto the City Manager or the Public Works director and it is the City Council that should be receiving regular updates to its functionality, so the sole persons responsible are the Mayor and City Council. The City Manager is an appointed position but it is the Mayor and Council who are elected to represent the City of League City Residents and Property Owners, and it is the City Council that has the final say in all things financial when allocating Tax Payer Dollars to fund a project.
.
If it is not passed onto the City Manager from City Council or the departing City Manager, then it is the City Council responsibility to keep the City Manager aware of items such as this.
Why don't we put some focus on cleaning up and making the entrance to League City beautiful?
First impressions
Mr. Mallios,
I have to disagree with you on Chief Jez, He is a leader and a strong leader. When it comes down to policing and city government matters he is right on most matters. Thats why he's been able to survive for so long. Chief Jez is actually what this city needs at City hall. I just don't want to lose him as Chief. I have never endorsed a police chief in my 15 years. I endorse Chief Jez.
A vehicle registered in my name appears to have run a red light.
Well, whoopty freakin' doo.
A foreign-based company with an automobile voyeur fetish has financial threatened me with vague and unsubstantiated claims, acting as if they are the police... well, they've got another thing coming.
When *I* run a red light, and the *real* police have verifiable proof, let me know...
Serum,
Fair enough however I respectfully disagree with your opinion because It is my opinion that Mr. Jez was given the job (what process was used to select him?) by a good old boy who has since left (thrown out of) our city. He is part of the same good old boy network that has brought you the water problems (Watergate). In my opinion Mr. Jez forced out a 25 year employee, an employee who had discussed the water situation with his supervisors for years (I have the documents) and had been ignored. That is leadership? No in my opinion he did what he was told to do to try to keep the situation under spin control. He is a very poor example of a leader. They are still cheering in Webster.
Dustin,
You are so correct. You spoke well at the meeting last night.
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