In today’s Galveston County Daily News we see that the AmeriWaste contract is under review. My goodness could it be that what was being said at the time (2007) is true? When you blindly turn your head or bury it in the sand to the facts and truth of a situation you help that situation continue. So where are the good old boys who defended the blatant disregard for the citizens, the small businesses and the city now? Let’s hear from them. Tommy Cones, Marc Edelman, Chris Reed, Councilman Nelson, Pat Hallisey, and of course the leader of the circus Jerry Shults what do you have to say for yourselves now that the truth is out? None of those individuals can claim to be conservative with the taxpayers’ dollars.
My thanks go to Council members Barber and Paulissen who stood up for our citizens and went the extra mile. Of course they took a lot of heat for it, but when the truth came out we find that they we motivated unlike some, not by greed or personal gain (there was never any doubt in my mind) but by the truth and what is best for the citizens.
Council member Paulissen is up for re-election and I will tell you now that he will get every bit of support that I can give. He stood up for the citizens he did what was right and some of the above individuals chastised him for it. Shame on those who did. If all our council members were like council member Paulissen and council member Barber our city and citizens would not have been in the mess that Jerry and his good old boys left us in.
40 comments:
Apologies for double posting, but I posted the following to the previous thread this morning before I saw that this thread was opened up. This post is probably better located here.
Jeff
Jeff Hagen said...
In other old news, the GDN has an interesting article today about the latest developments in the Ameriwaste scandal.
Of particular note are the discussions of the past bids submitted by IESI and Ameriwaste. Apparently IESI (the incumbent contractor at the time) actually bid significantly lower trash collection fees for residents and small businesses, but Ameriwaste (the selected winner) bid lower collection fees for development projects (quote "removal of heavy commercial waste"). Well, at least now we know why they were selected - looks like it was all about giving yet another break to the politically connected developers at the expense (literally) of the folks of League City.
Hardly surprising. Congratulations again to the new occupants of city hall for finally dealing with this issue and here's hoping they can clean up this trashy mess too. And a big thank-you to Mike Barber and Tim Paulissen for trying their best to fight it at the time.
Jeff Hagen
March 7, 2010 12:40 PM
I'm not going to wonder if we'll see this on the "think tank". We all know that answer.
From the GDN comments:
On Watch (Onwatch)
March 7, 2010 11:16 AM #4 of 5
Reply | Request staff review
I was as this council meeting and many others since. Check the minutes Ameriwaste was the low bid. Also what does the garbage truck driver have to do with the company. I think we will see its the same people company to company. This seems like an excuse for the already questionable Mayor, Barber, and Paulisen to cancel. They're just carrying out Ken Clark's orders, he needs the money since IESI left hes a bit short.
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and here we go... Everyone is Ken Clark's puppet. LMHO.
Jan 9th 2007 City Council Meeting
Ms. Joanna Sharp said, "I am President of the Buter Longhorn Museum Board. I want to thank you for passing the motionto go out for an RFQ. IT IS A SHAME WE CAN'T JUST GO AHEAD AND AWARD THIS CONTRACT TO THE STEVE HARDING DESIGN GROUP, that did Dickinson's museum. They are so highly recommended and their dollars are just about what we have managed to scrape up with your hard work. Plus they have given the city a lot of free work during our development."
Note: She irresponsibly went over budget by $401,000.00.
Is this how my opponent does business? She does not even want to try to save tax payer's money but just award someone who has given her free stuff? I am outraged by this, so should every League City citizen. Over 3 million dollars spent on a museum. We all know what that money could have done for youth programs, or Senior Citizen Programs, maybe even helped CCISD build a much needed football stadium for soon to be 5 high schools, or even use the money to help reconcile Glenn Cove Subdivision's situation.
I urge you to google Joanna Sharp's name and do your own research.
As soon as I said I was running for City Council position 7, I had people who I have never met lash out at me saying I was "in for a drubbing." I am going to "be humiliated", and I should "quit the race."
P. Morrato said I was an "air head who was going to be beaten to a bloody pulp."
Irresponsible words from people who I have never met in my life nor even had a simple conversation with. It speaks volumes to me that they are just covering for their own special interest! Let's stop the buddy system!!!
Dear Chris,
I am not sure what the purpose of bringing my name up is in your thread. Don't forget, I am one of those businesses paying more for Ameriwaste services. I don't think you will find that I supported the choice of changing to Ameriwaste for garbage service. So again, I am asking you, what is the purpose of posting my name? trying to increase traffic on your site?
Best Regards,
Marc
Mr. Holloway,
I have yet to learn much about your candidacy nor am I publicly endorsing any candidate at this time. Regardless, I welcome your candidacy and that of anyone else willing to run. I believe the community is best served by presenting a variety of choices and letting the voters decide. Regardless of who I may or may not ultimately decide to support or vote for, I certainly hope to see your name on the ballot come election day and I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
Additionally, thank you for the opening to address an important related topic. I have heard a variety of rumors of behind the scenes dealing and haggling over who will or won't run in this and past elections. I for one find such dealing or attempts at dealing very irritating and inappropriate. Suffice to say that this is fair warning that any such games will be viewed in a very negative and very public light.
Jeff Hagen
Jeff Hagen,
When you called me and ask to come and speak to the HOA of glen cove.With the other candidates you told me that you are supporting Joanna Sharp cause you have been friends with her for along time. But you were going to keep an open mind and let all of us speak before you endorse anyone. I am sorry if you take my post negative.That is the last thing I want. I am just doing fact finding. Just going on past record. I am not and will not go after anyone on a personal level. I am and will leave all of that out of the race and be very positive. I am excited about coming and sharing with the good people of Glen cove. Letting everyone know exactly where I stand on my issues. I am even going to unveil my Safe house program that will make us the safest community in America. And not costing us any money in doing so. So I really do hope you and Glen Cove keep an open mind. I have a lot of new fresh Ideas to bring to our City.
Marc,
C’mon it’s me you are talking to. We had many heated discussions about ameriwaste. You told me that I did not have all the facts. You told me I had no idea what I was talking about. This is the first time you have said to me anything about paying more for your service. You only make this statement now because it is convenient. Isn’t this where you said to me you needed “concrete” evidence? Well here it is but yet you still say nothing. Why because it’s all about the dollar to some. I understand Marc, but please don’t try to make it look like you had an objection to the situation when you did nothing.
Dear Chris,
As usual, you are full of it. You and I never had any dialogue about the garbage contract where I supported Ameriwaste getting the contract. This is because I never supported it. When it was happening, I thought it was strange how a crisis was manufactured making it urgent to change garbage companies. As a matter of fact I contacted council persons and questioned them about the mounting assembly of red dumpsters in League City two weeks prior to the contract vote. Please provide the readers with one single shred of evidence that says I supported the change or this company getting the contract. You will not be able to, because none exists.
Further, you state that I did nothing about it. First I would like to point out that I was not in any position of authority to have any impact on the decision by council. However, I did alert our council persons to my concerns about what was happening. What earth shaking action did you take?
You are just up to your old sneaky tricks. You fancy yourself some uberman of League City politics. Unfortunately, you are a self proclaimed superhero who performs zero positive work for the community. You are just an old man waking around in a skin tight red and blue suit looking foolish. At this point raising the names of the people you did in your thread has the same effect as blaming G.W. Bush for our problems in the U.S. People are weary of people using scapegoats and want real change from their government that makes their lives better. The people don’t want action that takes away their freedoms. Find some new material, your writing is stale. Enjoy your tea this morning.
It's a shame that previous blog sites were taken down, thus making the actual discussions unavailable for review.
To be honest, I can't recall Mr E making any statement one way or the other regarding the contract specifics. Although I do recall him railing against what he perceived to be comments indicting his good friend as part of being involved in a backdoor arrangement.
Marc, Perhaps you could share with us what TC was thinking in regards to the Ameriwaste contract.
From GDN
"An ordinance prohibiting drivers in League City from talking on mobile phones without using a hands-free device and from sending text messages while driving has been put on hold, Councilman Jim Nelson said."
Pretty soon, I will not be able to scratch my nuts in LC
or rake the leaves
Tim you said "Note: She irresponsibly went over budget by $401,000.00."
I did a Google search as you said. I came across a Houston Chronicle article. League City OKs $401,000 for Butler Longhorn Museum http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/bay/news/4667330.html
According to the article 'The approved funding is about $50,000 more than the original estimate submitted by the three companies in October."
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So according to the Chron, the overrun is 50,000 not 400K as you put forth. Can you provide a basis for your statement?
So much for his touchy-feely "all positive" nonsense. How the gloves come off. Now TH has mercilessly slandered and shamelessly libeled my good name. Like the snake in the grass that he is, TH spews vile vitriol when he says,
"P. Morrato said I was an 'air head who was going to be beaten to a bloody pulp'."
Why I never! I never said anything of the sort. What I said was that the clown will be "trounced," not beaten.
And just so nobody thinks I am bribing TH to drop out of the council race, I have not offered him votes, support or anything else that might constitute electioneering. I merely quoted someone else's suggestion that he to come to his senses, albeit a dream if we're talking about TH. Also, Hollowhead, O Master of Literacy, you misspelled my name.
March 28, 2007, 12:14AM
$401,000 Tuesday night for a trio of Houston-area companies to finish the city's long-delayed Butler Longhorn Museum.
City Council members Mike Barber, Thomas Cones, Jon Keeney and Phyllis Sanborn supported the funding, which was opposed by City Councilmen Tad Nelson and Chris Samuelson. City Councilman Jim Nelson was absent from the meeting.
The interior and exterior work will be done by Steve Harding Design Inc., Graham B. Luhn, FAIA, Architects and The Spigener Corp. It is expected to take 120 days, meaning the construction should be finished by the end of the summer.
The approved funding is about $50,000 more than the original estimate submitted by the three companies in October.
Excluding the new funding, the city has already spent $1.5 million to purchase and refurbish the three-story, 8,000-square-foot museum, which is located at 1220 Coryell. It was supposed to open in Feb.
Mayor Jerry Shults said, "I think that $401,000 is an awful lot of money, but if the council holds true to its convictions and that there's no further funding, then I think the museum would be a wonderful place in League City. We just have to put a stop to the spending."
In February, City Council voted not to put the museum's expenditures, which will be paid for with Tuesday night's funding, on the ballot for the city's May 12 election.
The museum is the former home of League City banker Walter Hall and was purchased by the city for $595,000 in 2002. It will display the city's history, the contributions of its early settlers as well as Galveston County's history of farming and ranching.
There would also be a showcase for Butler Longhorns, one of seven longhorn bloodlines bred by League City rancher Milby Butler in the early 1920s.
After City Council approved the money for the museum Tuesday night, more than a dozen members of the Friends of the Butler Longhorn Museum applauded the decision.
The nonprofit organization, which will operate the facility, hopes to have it open by next summer, said Bette Specion, president of the group.
"I am so shaky, nervous and thankful," Specion said. "I'm ecstatic. We've come this far and we're that much closer. It's just a matter of time before we open the doors."
City Council voted 4-2 to deny Nelson and Samuelson's motion not to allocate any money to the project. Samuelson contended that the Friends of the Butler Longhorn Museum were requesting $530,000 to finish the museum. The city needs to be more fiscally responsible with its money, he said.
"The people who support this museum have a plan," Samuelson said. "The plan is to keep coming back and asking for more money. That's the plan. This is ridiculous."
Nelson also blasted City Council's spending of additional money on the museum.
"It's just ludicrous," Nelson said. "I wouldn't spend another penny on it."
Several people urged City Council to approve the funding for it.
"Anything worth doing, guys, is worth spending some money on and making it a monument," resident Nancy Richards said. "Please help us support and go forward with this worthy process. We can't stop now. Let's just make it bigger and better than they ever thought it was going to be. Something we can all be proud of."
Joanna Sharp, president of the city's Butler Longhorn Museum Board, said, "When the Butler Longhorn Museum opens, it will be another jewel in the center of the Old League City. It will have a cohesive effect on the different parts of the neighboring communities. League City will maintain that it has some character."
But resident Lynn Bryant, a member of the Friends of the Butler Longhorn Museum, said she opposed City Council spending additional money for the museum.
"Vote for a U-turn on this project," Bryant told City Council.
Aaaahhhhh League City. No place but thee be home to me.
I'm running on and talking about what we are doing today and tommorrow. Yesterday and last year are important, I understand, but I am much more interested in going forward.
Oh... The wonderful wife went down to the city secretary and filed my candidacy paperwork this morning.
Now that I'm running, I would like a private sit-down at some point for candidates only; no treasurers, supporters etc.. A time and place where we can meet and humanize each other a bit before the campaigns go into full swing. Probably either a church or a bar would work best. LOL
Anyone out there interested?
So Tim,
What would you have done differently with respect to BLM?
(Ms. Sharp will get her chance to answer the same question)
Paul,
I used the word vile first. Its taken you cant use it!
Go back and read your post. It actually is funny. You use all the legal terms of a law suit you would
use. But at the end you inform me I have misspelled your name..lol
But is it true? I have never met you or have had a simple conversation? The answer is NO!
So you clearly are not looking for the best candidate, but looking to protect your agenda!
If you take my fact finding as gloves coming off??? Trust me! The gloves are not off! I am going to have a positive and fun campaign! But I need to know the rules here? Help me with this. Someone can copy and paste my facebook comment that was a joke and put it on here? But I cant share what I found in Joanna Sharps exact words on the Council minutes? I am all about playing fare with other's. So please inform me of how one sided this is going to be?
Do you mind sharing what candidate you are representing for the record?
Mr. Holloway,
I think I may not have written my post well.
First, to clarify what I said to you on the phone. I felt that it was only being fair to you to be honest about my past connection with Joanna Sharp and to acknowledge that there is an expectation by many that I will support her and in fact that is a possibility. However, I want to make clear that at this time I am not endorsing any candidate yet and my desire is to do all that I can to act as a neutral party to facilitate an equal opportunity for all candidates to come speak to my neighborhood. It is only fair to you that I acknowledge that at some later date I may well take a partisan position, but for now I will do all I can to be open minded and help all candidates to meet my neighbors. I will make up my mind after I learn what each of you are offering to the city.
Aside from that, the point of my post last night was to sympathize with your complaint about being criicized for entering the race and to take that as an opportunity to express my opinion that the every candidate's decission to enter the race deserves to be treated with respect.
I hope this addresses your concern and I aplogize for the poor articulation on my part.
Jeff Hagen
BHL,
Thank you for asking that.
I would have raised the money. If you want a museum than raise the money for it. In the same meeting that I posted. Tommy Cones is asking for emergency money for our Fire department. Our public safety is not one area I would cut cost.
I would not make the tax payer's of League city Pay for a museum that is going to be a money pit.
I would have made sure I got the best price and held the contractor's to that price. If they went over it. Then they have to eat the cost. Not the tax payer's. I was raised. If you don't have the money for it. You don't buy it.
Mr. Holloway,
Now we're talking...about specific issues. Bravo. Anybody is fair game for criticism about Butler Longhorn Museum statements pro or con. My understanding and my hope is that the current contract between the City and BLM really means sink or swim for an independent facility.
Congratulations to Tim . No opponents. This has not happened in over 40 years. "If it isn't broken don't try to fix it". Once again the voters have spoken. Keep up the good work Tim.
Bravo !!
The council recently (again) voted to end additional funding for the BLM. I hope we can all count on no more asking and no more giving?
Regarding the messy trash contract, the wheels of justice sometimes turn slowly, but they do turn. All is almost gone regarding the 4 C trash contract.
A former council member has an excellent idea. Before voters decide which candidates to support; "ask them to sign a contract where they stand on feel-good spending; apartments; more red light cameras; drainage; etc."
Maybe a great idea, I wish he had thought about doing this 2 years ago.
Elaine Kosty
Sometimes silence says it all Mr. Mallios.
Dear BHL,
I have no idea what TC was thinking during the time of the Ameirwaste contract issue. I think you should direct your question to him as only he could answer it.
-ME
Marc,
I guess I was being presumptuous. It just seemed reasonable that you had spoken to your good friend and got his side of the story since you were one of the defenders against those making accusation regarding violation of the open meeting law.
Mr. Edelman,
Silent? Oh give me a break. You know the truth Marc, so why do you act so innocent? We had many discussions about the AmeriWaste situation. I believe Mr. Marcom was present during some of them. As for some of the businesses being effected all I can say is that some tend to weight the benefit of paying a few dollars extra to the effect of speaking up on the bottom line of a business.
Oh Chris,
This conversation grows tiresome. It is Marcum and the correct word is weigh.
Chris,
I am not sure what all that blabber means. As usual, your paragraphs are just loosely organized words that when a normal person reads it, they can't find a lucid thought in your expression. Have a great incoherent day.
As for some of the businesses being effected all I can say is CJM: that some tend to weight the benefit of paying a few dollars extra to the effect of speaking up on the bottom line of a business.
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Marc: am not sure what all that blabber means. As usual, your paragraphs are just loosely organized words that when a normal person reads it, they can't find a lucid thought in your expression.
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I didn't think it was blabber; quite the contrary. It was more like a parable or Chinese (although greatly far from approaching the level of Jesus or Confucious) saying where those with a mind inclined towards wisdom and truth understand the meaning within the words.
Chris was saying that some businesses wouldn't mind taking the extra trash hit because the overall deal (i.e. promotion of development) would benefit the bottom-line of said businesses far and above the extra hit when all was done.
p.s. when all anyone can do is point out errors in spelling, they are in affect indicating that they don't have a leg to stand on.
Dear BHL,
I don't think that is at all Chris was saying. I think what our dear blogmaster was trying to say is that all I care about is the bottom line of business and that I worship the dollar. His attempts to frame me as a dollar worshiping, careless business person is tiresome. He never misses and opportunity to try to make me look like a lackey for big business interests. It is not true and it is a lie.
Marc,
I won't comment on that specific, as I have not spoken with Chris nor was I present at your discussions with Marcum.
Speaking as an outsider who has talked LC with others (both outsiders and insiders), that over the myriad of threads and activities, you have managed to create a perception that you wear rose-colored glasses or stick your head in the sand when it comes to the activities of your closest associates.
It may not be right, but that is the perception that has developed right along with all the development. Only you can truly assess if and where you've given cause to these perceptions, and only you can make the necessary adjustments to negate these perceptions.
Name calling Marc? LOL. Your self description paints a very interesting portrait. I understand. Anyway the point is you were not in support of what was going on. It is a matter of fact. Now I am sure you see it a different way. “A lackey for big business” Oh that’s a good one. May even be half right…. LOL Seems to me you are the only person I have run across that does not understand or does not find a lucid thought in my discussion. So I guess you are the only coherent one and everyone else is having an incoherent day. Well goodness gracious what did our city do before you came along. How did it survive? Where shall we place the life size statue of you Marc? LOL !! Call me when you get a chance I’ll take you to lunch……(and you can teach me how to use a fork and knife LOL) I know those high trash bills are keeping you up at night.
BTW thanks for the correct spelling of Mr. Marcum's name, knowing the weight of the situation I am sure you could not wait to weigh in on the matter.
Thank you BHL you are correct. Marc just takes things to personal.
Ah well Marc in the end it doesn’t matter what you or I think or say it is what the voters think and so far they have been paying attention and doing very well ! God Bless League City.
Hmm Chris, What name did I call you???? The world according to Chris Mallios,,,,,yawn!
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