Here is a little background from History.com on Thanksgiving. Living in the U.S.A. we have plenty to be thankful for. If you would like take a moment to share with us what are you thankful for?
Thanksgiving at the Mallios house will have about 17 or so family members and will include all the traditional items as well as a few that may not be. Family, football and food, thank you God for blessing our family, city and nation.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
The Mighty Wildcats !!!
The Clear Creek Wildcats are on their way to the Regional Semi-finals on Sat. Nov. 27, (Road Trip anyone?) after the 16-0 defeat of the LaPort Bulldogs. Go CREEK !!! God Bless the MIGHTY WILDCATS !!!Now that is something we can all be LEAGUE CITY PROUD about !!!
Monday, November 1, 2010
GET OUT AND VOTE !!!!
Ok, click here to find out where your polling location is
Below are a few lessons we should all think about before we go and vote. These lessons are from over 25 years of working elections in our county.
Lesson # 1 campaign volunteers upset that the poll workers won't let them inside to use the "facilities" should Take a change of shirts so they may change their shirts and take off all campaign buttons so that they may be able to go into a polling place. It is not the Election Judges fault. They are trying to insure a fair election.
Lesson # 2 Please try to locate your BLUE voter card (that is the color for this election cycle) If you cannot please bring you Tx DL. You must be able to identify yourself and your residence.
Lesson # 3 When you work the polls outside be kind to your fellow worker. They are supporting a cause just as you are and have every right to express their opinion as you do. There is no need for rudeness or ill manners.
Lesson # 4 Respect the people who are working in the election. Remember it is not their fault you decided to wait to the last day (and possibly hour) to cast your vote. You could have done it in the weeks prior but you chose not to. Long line are bound to occur in the Morning and the evening so plan around it.
Lesson # 5 If you feel there has been shanangens at your polling place call the County Clerks office and report the incident. Ms. Daigle will investigate the matter and resolve it in the proper way. All anyone else can do is call Ms. Daigle.
Lesson # 6 Know what precinct you live and vote in. You have a right to vote. Period. If an election judge will not let you vote, you have a right to request a provisional ballot. You may vote a provisional ballot but it will not be counted unless you are a voter in the pct. and meet the requirements that all voters must.
Ultimately remember this. This is an election and not the end of the world or the beginning of it. On November 3rd the sun will rise and life will go on. Politics should unite our county not divide it.
Below are a few lessons we should all think about before we go and vote. These lessons are from over 25 years of working elections in our county.
Lesson # 1 campaign volunteers upset that the poll workers won't let them inside to use the "facilities" should Take a change of shirts so they may change their shirts and take off all campaign buttons so that they may be able to go into a polling place. It is not the Election Judges fault. They are trying to insure a fair election.
Lesson # 2 Please try to locate your BLUE voter card (that is the color for this election cycle) If you cannot please bring you Tx DL. You must be able to identify yourself and your residence.
Lesson # 3 When you work the polls outside be kind to your fellow worker. They are supporting a cause just as you are and have every right to express their opinion as you do. There is no need for rudeness or ill manners.
Lesson # 4 Respect the people who are working in the election. Remember it is not their fault you decided to wait to the last day (and possibly hour) to cast your vote. You could have done it in the weeks prior but you chose not to. Long line are bound to occur in the Morning and the evening so plan around it.
Lesson # 5 If you feel there has been shanangens at your polling place call the County Clerks office and report the incident. Ms. Daigle will investigate the matter and resolve it in the proper way. All anyone else can do is call Ms. Daigle.
Lesson # 6 Know what precinct you live and vote in. You have a right to vote. Period. If an election judge will not let you vote, you have a right to request a provisional ballot. You may vote a provisional ballot but it will not be counted unless you are a voter in the pct. and meet the requirements that all voters must.
Ultimately remember this. This is an election and not the end of the world or the beginning of it. On November 3rd the sun will rise and life will go on. Politics should unite our county not divide it.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
League City Shroud?
I applaud the backbone Councilmember Dawson displayed when she voted against League City Proud’s “offer they can’t refuse” The offer was pay us or there will be no Christmas parade. The majority of council decided to pay up with our tax dollar to fund this parade for the citizens.
Going unanswered are the details. League City Proud has thus far been unable to show the city their books and has not shown where all the “non profit” organizations money is spent. In other words they prefer to keep the people who are paying for the parade (the citizens of League City) in the dark. No transparency there. (Where have we seen this before?) They refuse to sign a contract to obligate them to reimburse the city for security expenses relating to their production. Why?
I think it’s time the city take control of city functions like this parade or at least get bids on it. There is no village fair parade and now the people who put on the Christmas Parade are putting the proverbial gun to the head of the citizens and saying Pay up or there will be no Christmas parade ! Now that is what I call exhibiting the Christmas spirit. Doesn’t that make you League City Proud ???
Going unanswered are the details. League City Proud has thus far been unable to show the city their books and has not shown where all the “non profit” organizations money is spent. In other words they prefer to keep the people who are paying for the parade (the citizens of League City) in the dark. No transparency there. (Where have we seen this before?) They refuse to sign a contract to obligate them to reimburse the city for security expenses relating to their production. Why?
I think it’s time the city take control of city functions like this parade or at least get bids on it. There is no village fair parade and now the people who put on the Christmas Parade are putting the proverbial gun to the head of the citizens and saying Pay up or there will be no Christmas parade ! Now that is what I call exhibiting the Christmas spirit. Doesn’t that make you League City Proud ???
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Drill baby Drill ?
This was in the Daily News this morning. What are your thoughts about drillin’ for oil in League City.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
What a difference a new administration makes.
The Mayor and Council should be commended for their work on the budget ! It is truly different then the “last minute” budgets of administrations past. One must recognize the efforts, professionalism and just plain hard work our great City Manager, Marcus Jahns has done and is doing for our city. He has assembled a team of professionals who care about our city but understand making every tax dollar count.
Even the Galveston County Daily News stated “ The budget the city council in League City adopted ought to be a model for cities in Galveston County.” Click here for the full story.
So are we moving in the right direction? Is this administration better than the last or even past ones?
Even the Galveston County Daily News stated “ The budget the city council in League City adopted ought to be a model for cities in Galveston County.” Click here for the full story.
So are we moving in the right direction? Is this administration better than the last or even past ones?
Monday, August 30, 2010
Attorney directs city to avoid learning the truth in bridge lawsuit?!
For those who might not have seen it yet, there has been some lively discussion over on the Galveston Daily News web site following their article on Saturday that the outside attorney for the city has overruled the decision of city council to release the title opinion obtained by the city with regard to the Glen Cove bridge properties.
Of particular note in this discussion, Marc Edelman has posted that the city's attorney has advised the city council not to get a title search. Allow me to reiterate; the city's attorney in the bridge lawsuit has advised the city to not take the most basic step to discover the truth about the ownership of the bridge properties. (A step which by all rights should have been taken before the city ever agreed to anything with anyone about the bridge.)
At least according to Marc's statements in the GDN comments, excerpted here:
@Evan, The larger issue at hand is who owned the bridge, HL&P, The City, or the residents of Glen Cove. [...] Of Course the City's Lawyer is not going to sign off on releasing executive session information. He advised them never to perform a title search, but they did it anyway. Now they want to release the results. Elected officials have a fiduciary responsibility to their citizens. These actions violate that fiduciary responsibility.
And again:
Let's see Jeff,
What I said was the City's attorney advised the City Council not to get a title search after the law suit was filed by Glen Cove residents. I think it is wise for clients to follow thei attorney's advice.
[...]
After pondering this astounding comment (and assuming Marc's knowledge of the attorney's comments is accurate), the question naturally arises;
Just why in the world should the city be advised to avoid learning the truth?!
Is there some other reason than the obvious suspicion that the attorney knows the truth that will be uncovered is not favorable for his client (and his continued billing to the city)?
Another question that comes to mind is just how does Marc Edelman have knowledge of the private advice the city's attorney is giving to the city?
Friday, August 27, 2010
CC Baron's Executive Session
Councilman Attorney Baron’s Special City Council Executive Session
Tuesday August 31, 2010
“Discussion concerning possible amendments to Interlocal Easement Agreement between League City and MB Harbour, LTD” (Council Member Baron)
Also Discussions with City Attorney regarding pending and threatened or contemplated litigation. (Council Member Baron)
OK - So now Attorney Baron wants modify the easement agreement rather than rescinding.
What possible amendments could you have with an easement agreement on property the city can not prove it owns? The only amendment I can see is a termination date of yesterday rather than 96 years in the future.
Mr. Baron how about sharing your ideas with the citizens.
Please tell us what you are thinking.
As far as council's decision to release the title opinion, I have heard Helfand is NOT going to approve the release.
Here's my prediction: MB Harbor will not sue the city over the 99 year lease. It had little value. Suit will likely be over the developer's agreement that was approved by council in February 2006 under the supervision of City Attorney Polanco.
Scott Freudenburg - Glen Cove HOA Presidents Speaks:
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=7632459
Tuesday August 31, 2010
“Discussion concerning possible amendments to Interlocal Easement Agreement between League City and MB Harbour, LTD” (Council Member Baron)
Also Discussions with City Attorney regarding pending and threatened or contemplated litigation. (Council Member Baron)
OK - So now Attorney Baron wants modify the easement agreement rather than rescinding.
What possible amendments could you have with an easement agreement on property the city can not prove it owns? The only amendment I can see is a termination date of yesterday rather than 96 years in the future.
Mr. Baron how about sharing your ideas with the citizens.
Please tell us what you are thinking.
As far as council's decision to release the title opinion, I have heard Helfand is NOT going to approve the release.
Here's my prediction: MB Harbor will not sue the city over the 99 year lease. It had little value. Suit will likely be over the developer's agreement that was approved by council in February 2006 under the supervision of City Attorney Polanco.
Scott Freudenburg - Glen Cove HOA Presidents Speaks:
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=7632459
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Lipitor for the city
At 6 PM Tuesday the city council will hold a workshop on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY 2011- FY 2015. Take the time and go to the meeting to find out the direction our city will be taking. As we have learned from past projects, it is important to be informed.
What are your thoughts about the priorities of our city? Do you think the local economic situation has an impact on our priorities ? Should we concentrate on updating our streets and drainage? Do you think that the operating budget impact should be considered before a project is underway? As we taxpayers all tighten our belts should all departments be asked to do the same? Should automatic raises and cost of living adjustments continue or should they be put on hold until the economic situation is better ?
As you know tightening the city belt will not be easy. But if you consider our current CIP situation cholesterol and our city the heart, then this 5 year CIP may be the Lipitor needed to prevent a heart attack.
What are your thoughts about the priorities of our city? Do you think the local economic situation has an impact on our priorities ? Should we concentrate on updating our streets and drainage? Do you think that the operating budget impact should be considered before a project is underway? As we taxpayers all tighten our belts should all departments be asked to do the same? Should automatic raises and cost of living adjustments continue or should they be put on hold until the economic situation is better ?
As you know tightening the city belt will not be easy. But if you consider our current CIP situation cholesterol and our city the heart, then this 5 year CIP may be the Lipitor needed to prevent a heart attack.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
The White Elephant in the room
I find it interesting that while we discuss the location of the playground very few wish to discuss the white elephant in the room. Who was the elected official who had staff members tell Councilmember Phalen they would spend what he wanted extra on the park if he changed his vote to move it to the sportsplex? Seems to me that elected official is a snake in the grass and needs to be exposed. Or do you think that is how it should be?
If the merits of moving the playground are so great then why the attempt to change the vote?
Let me get this straight..Some council members wish to move the playground from a specific location to an area in the sportsplex to be determined? How much time will that take? But of course they are not attempting to delay the project? A councilmember says there will be a savings to the taxpayer by moving the project but proposes, without hesitation, an increase to the spending cap set by city council by $ 100,000 ?
Give me a break. In my opinion this project is being delayed because it appears that some who have not been keeping up with current events, woke up and decided they did not want such a project in “their” part of town.
The east side, west side argument is nothing but an attempts to motivate people to their side. Divide and conquer is the old way of doing politics in League City. Will we continue to drink the kool aid?
HAS ANYONE GONE OUT THERE TO LOOK AT THE LOCATION ? If they have they will see many problems that could possibly occur at this location that would not possibly happen in League Park. It is time to do some homework council members. Go out there and have a definite location by Tuesday. Walk the area, look at the boundaries you are attempting to place on the boundless playground.
If the merits of moving the playground are so great then why the attempt to change the vote?
Let me get this straight..Some council members wish to move the playground from a specific location to an area in the sportsplex to be determined? How much time will that take? But of course they are not attempting to delay the project? A councilmember says there will be a savings to the taxpayer by moving the project but proposes, without hesitation, an increase to the spending cap set by city council by $ 100,000 ?
Give me a break. In my opinion this project is being delayed because it appears that some who have not been keeping up with current events, woke up and decided they did not want such a project in “their” part of town.
The east side, west side argument is nothing but an attempts to motivate people to their side. Divide and conquer is the old way of doing politics in League City. Will we continue to drink the kool aid?
HAS ANYONE GONE OUT THERE TO LOOK AT THE LOCATION ? If they have they will see many problems that could possibly occur at this location that would not possibly happen in League Park. It is time to do some homework council members. Go out there and have a definite location by Tuesday. Walk the area, look at the boundaries you are attempting to place on the boundless playground.