Councilman Baron Barks

During last night's council meeting Neil Baron made a number of interesting comments during the dog park debate.

He proclaimed:
"The hundreds of petition signers I got"

I am hopeful someone will post a text of Baron's most memorable "dog park" comments.

Nonetheless, I applaud the citizens that spoke on both sides of the issue. In some cases the fuzzy logic was most entertaining. A gentleman spoke connecting the need for a dog park, pet waste, and Clear Lake clean water issues. I am glad someone else cares about Clear Lake water quality.

Does anyone else find it odd that a councilman would be a leader of a special interest group and use his elected position to advocate the group's special-use park?

Some have raised the question of a possible ethics issue. What do you think?

ps.

I did hear a good idea. A private organization could lease city land (or get private land donation) and operate the dog park by volunteer activities and donations. Why not?

The Jez Factor

Today’s Galveston County Daily news states “Jez has been fielding questions about the water supply because the city does not have a permanent city administrator, public works director or water superintendent.” It is now becoming apparent why the public works director took a job out of the country. But why is it that “The city could not immediately provide information late Monday about when it purchased the plant or how much has been spent trying to repair it.” Could it be that Mr. Jez forced the water superintendant, who has been with the city 25 years, to retire? Have we lost another long time city employee to the politics at city hall? Is it true that this employee had recommended voluntary water rationing weeks before the actual start date but was ignored because some in the administration were too busy planning Chris Reed’s going away party and the city employee’s party? So who pays for the problem? You got it …the Taxpayer.

Low pressure or no pressure?

Are you experiencing low pressure or no pressure from the water system? I’m not talking about water breaks, (3 in Newport in the past 6 days) which have been taken care of very quickly; I would like to know if you are having low pressure problems. I have received several emails regarding this problem and I am interested to know if this is an isolated incident or not. Tell me what you are experiencing.

Dog Daze

Directed by the president of the League city dog park association, city council member and council liaison to the parks board, the parks board voted to send a request for funding of a city dog park to our council. Ignoring a parks survey done by the city to set priorities as well as ignoring a phone survey taken only a few days ago that stated that out of 4873 Phone calls made to residence of Leaguer city, 1751 we hang up, 83 were wrong numbers or fax machines and only 201 voted for the park while 2778 voted against the park, the parks board rubberstamped the request. The total amount is not known but I have a spread sheet that says the total cost of phase 1 and 2 will be 377,000 dollars.

It is a disappointment that Council member Baron, who is the president of the League city dog park association, city council member and council liaison to the parks board, has made this a political pet pork barrel project for the chosen few that we must all pay for. Ethically, he should not be involved in this project as he is the president of the dog park association and his organization will directly benefit from it. All that talk about ethics during the campaign and all the citizens get is another special interest project.

A Developer’s Point of View About Dog Parks

I recently received this email. Clearly, it was widely circulated. I have NOT included email addresses.

The email originated from a local developer and list of recipients was lengthy. It was sent to all city council members, some to personal/business addresses and other to their city email address. It was sent personally to Neil Baron, Jim Nelson, The Halliseys, Tommy Cones, and Marc Edelman. The email was also sent to numerous individuals at the Galveston Daily News and many others I will not list.

I have respect for most personal emails. However, it is clear this is not a personal email. The entire text (without signature) follows:
________________________

League City imposes a $1,000 per lot Parks Fee for every building lot created by Developers. Looking around the City you can imagine how much money has been received from this requirement. This “Fee” was created to promote and build public parks for “ALL” League City residents to enjoy. This imposed fee is in addition to the required park areas that developers need to create within their projects as well. This administration and the past election cycle has demonized developers. But the fact is that Developers have improved the life styles of all League City residents. League City residents have a right to know that Developer money (and a lot more than $200,000) is sitting in this dedicated fund waiting to be used for Park areas only.

What is wasteful of our tax dollars (and something every League City resident should be deeply concerned with) is that fact that this Dog Park has already been researched, discussed, voted on and passed. Back tracking on this issue when City council and staff should be focused on flooding, traffic and other serious issues facing this City is the real waste of money, time and energy. The losers here will not be the “dogs”, it will be the people of League City.

Embarrassing for League City, yes but also down right disgraceful.
____________
end of email


My favorite comment is “But the fact is that Developers have improved the life styles of all League City residents.”

What do you think?

Mandatory water Rationing.

Starting July 2,2009 all League City Residence and businesses are required to comply with a mandatory restriction on outside water usage. Read all the details at the League City website or The Galveston County Daily News.

The winner is ….

Marcus Jahns has been named interim city administrator. Mr. Jahns lives in Seguin and is a consultant for Marcus Jahns & Associates. He was the Interim city manager of New Braunfels, 2005 to 2006. He took over for current Seabrook City Manager Chuck Pinto, who had then been hired as city administrator in League City. Read more on the Chronicle blog. I say Welcome to League city Mr. Jahns. What are your thoughts.

The finalists

Today’s Galveston County Daily news gives us some insight in the 3 “Finalists” for the interim city administrator. To me the selection seems like a no brainer. What are your thoughts on the subject? What do you think about the candidates and what is your impression of Texas first group replacement services?

Property measure headed to voters

"Gov. Rick Perry signed a bill Monday that asks voters to amend the state constitution to limit the ability of government entities to take private property using their eminent domain authority." Houston Chronicle June 15, 2009

On the surface this story does not sound like much, but it is huge win for proponents of private property rights. The US Supreme Court Case Kelo vs. City of New London in 2005 gave authority to local governments to take private property for private use. This decision was contrary to long established use of eminent domain whereby governmental entities take private property only for a specific public need and public use. Over 20 states have enacted legislation to severely limit or stop takings of private property for economic reasons.


Last year the Western Seafood (Freeport TX) case was discussed on Marc’s blog. Many argued the local governments have the right to take private property for private use to increase local tax bases and other economic reasons. Generally these types of eminent domain issues are referred to as economic takings. Another local case of interest is a recent district court decision were the Porretto Family won a lawsuit against the General Land Office over beach property.

Looks like Texans will have the opportunity to vote on this issue.

Reed Resigns

In a vote of 7-0 (at 12:36 AM)the city council voted to accept the resignation of Chris Reed effective June 30, 2009. He will get everything that his contract states in the event of his resignation. According to the Houston Chronicle Everything League City blog “As part of his resignation, Reed said he will (be)paid a year's salary and for his sick and vacation time, which he said equates to approximately $211,000.”

Texas First will “send two or three names” to the city for an “interim” city administrator. Then the city staff will go out for RFQs for a search firm to decided on a permanent city administrator. Mr. Baron wanted to hire Ron Cox’s firm and asked if this could be done now, however it was pointed out to him that the agenda item did not allow such action.