STUPID PEOPLE

This publication is dedicated to & maintained by those of us who really care about this city. We are many --- (and growing stronger with more people joining our ranks everyday). We are the nameless , faceless city, county, state, federal, and corporate taxpaying citizens & workers who are sick of the "good ole boy system" here in Houston, Texas --We were born on 7-30-1999. We are --- married & single-male & female, maintenance worker to Deputy Directors. We are the faceless civil servants who year after year do our job. We are the one's who see the hard earned tax $$s of the citizens in this area used & abused and given away to enrich a few greedy people with each new administration. Our hobbies include: Watching our backs---as we try to bring you the truth of what is happening in Houston, and getting the REAL information out to the public

"you have come to see us dance for you,
and dance for you we shall,
but the dance that we will share with you,
is a part that we will choose.
our dance will be filled with our inner passion,
fulfilling our expectations alone.
and if this dance isn't pleasing to you,
then you must find a dance of your own

WE NEED YOUR HELP ... this page costs money to keep on-line PLEASE help us keep it going WE NEED SOME DONATIONS!!!!!!!! ....

"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."-Plato

IF any of you readers love JAZZ as much as Housnitch does....PLEASE.. Do your self a favor, and treat yourself to a great meal and a night of JAZZ that you will want more of join us on Monday's at

Sonoma is Houston's best kept fine-dining secret. Hidden away in the center of the beautiful historic Montrose area, Sonoma boasts a breathtaking view of Downtown's skyline.

They are located at 1415 California Street, between Waugh Drive and Commonwealth Avenue, one block north of Westheimer.

There central location makes us the ideal gathering place for groups converging from all parts of Houston. And the best part is that don't have to deal with the Downtown road destruction to get here.

Monday through Saturday between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Brunch - Sundays between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., or
Cocktails 5:30 p.m. - midnight, except Sundays.

Texas State Fire Marshal Issues Report on Line-of-Duty Death of HFD Captain Jahnke

Before we get on with our regular page...so much has gone on with our lack of adequate fire department staffing and the controversy concerning Captain Jay Jahnke's loss of life that we just had to post this for you guys to peruse.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) has released a report on their investigation of the line-of-duty death of Captain Jay Jahnke in Houston last October. The technical report lists a number of factors that led to Captain Jahnke becoming trapped in the high-rise condo fire.

It is our humble opinion that the conclusion rendered by THE CITY'S INVESTIGATION was not written without undue political pressure being involved in it, So much so, that we tend NOT to give it much credence. Every TOP ECHELON PERSON WITH THIS MAYOR'S ADMINISTRATION NEVER REVEALS THE WHOLE TRUTH.

The people, in delegating authority, Do not give their public servants the Right to decide what is good for the people to know, and what is not good for the people to know.

WE have posted the Summay of events, the Recommendations, and the Comments, To read the full report, click here ~~>

A six-alarm high rise condominium fire claimed the life of a civilian and a veteran Houston firefighter that was attempting to rescue him.

At 4:43 AM on October 13, 2001, the Houston Fire Department received a report of a fire from employees working in the West building of the Four Leaf Towers Condominiums, located at

5110 San Felipe in Houston, Texas. Initial reports to the fire department communications division were of a fire alarm with smoke on the fifth floor and a person trapped. HFD Engine Company 2, a three-man company commanded by Captain Jay Jahnke, was dispatched at 4:48 AM to the scene as part of the first alarm assignment, arriving at 4:54 AM.

Captain Jahnke, firefighter Michael Phillips, and Engineer/Operator Jimmy Johnson traveled to the fifth floor. Shortly afterward, Captain Robert Green and firefighter Dan Matt of Ladder 28 joined them. E/O Johnson returned to L28 and brought a thermal imaging camera to the floor, then returned to his engine to assist in establishing a water supply. The four personnel from E2 and L28 made entry to Unit 52 at approximately 5:03 AM to begin initial firefighting and rescue operations in Unit 52 on the fifth story of the 41-story high-rise condominium building.

As the initial attack crew entered Unit 52, they were met with moderate heat and heavy smoke conditions. An initial search of the foyer area of Unit 52 did not locate the male resident that was reported trapped. Firefighters Philips and Matt respectively reported their breathing apparatus air supply was running low on air and they exited the fifth floor one at a time. Jahnke and Green then withdrew from Unit 52 into the corridor to make their way to the exit stairs after Jahnke stated he would probably be low on air soon. The self-closing door to Unit # 52 was held open by the abandoned hose line as the firefighters retreated. Heat and smoke were pushed into the north to south exit access corridor by gusty north winds entering broken windows of the north and west sides of the condominium and exiting through the corridor door.

Visibility in the corridor at that time was near zero. Jahnke and Green followed the fire hose as they left Unit 52. Jahnke was disoriented and stated they were going the wrong direction.

Green encouraged Jahnke to continue following the hose. As they reached a tangle of hose near the hose cabinet connection, Jahnke became separated from Green. At 5:10 AM Jahnke called for help on his portable radio and stated he was running out of air. Jahnke's last recorded transmission was at 5:13 AM.

Approximately 5:34 AM, Jahnke was located by a rescue team in the elevator lobby, halfway between Unit 52 and the exit stair door. Captain Jahnke’s SCBA air supply had been depleted, his SCBA mask and helmet were off, and his personal safety alarm was sounding and flashing.

With some difficulty, the rescue team removed Jahnke from the fifth floor and carried him down the stairs to the outside of the building at about 5:36 AM. After aggressive resuscitative efforts at the scene, Jahnke was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital, arriving about 6:03 AM. Jahnke was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival at the hospital.

The Harris County Medical Examiner attributed the cause of Captain Jay Jahnke's death to asphyxia due to lack of oxygen.

· Ten minutes elapsed from the time of first call to the first fire department unit on the scene.

Five minutes of this time elapses between the receipt of the call at 911 to the time fire units are dispatched to the fire 15.

The authority having jurisdiction shall ensure that the number of telecommunicators needed to effect the prompt receipt and processing of alarms shall be as follows:

(1) In jurisdictions receiving 730 or more alarms per year, at least one telecommunication shall be on duty in the communication center.

(2) Ninety-five percent of alarms shall be answered within 30 seconds, and in no case shall the initial call taker’s response to an alarm exceed 60 seconds.

(3) The dispatch of the emergency response agency shall be made within 60 seconds of the completed receipt of an emergency alarm.

· Five engines and three ladders were initially dispatched to the first alarm; seventeen personnel were on scene within seven minutes of dispatch.

Engineers on apparatus not designated for water supply or aerial ladder evolutions should remain with their officer and other company personnel to provide an additional firefighter.

· Personnel stated that their SCBA air cylinders were going empty shortly after they had activated their SCBA. These reports included personnel from different units and stations.

HFD Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in effect at the time of the incident stated that SCBA cylinders must be refilled or replaced when they reach a pressure of less than 3000 psi 40.

Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Chapter 6.3.7 states: "All in-service SCBA cylinders shall be stored fully charged. " Chapter 6.3.7.1 states: "Cylinders shall be filled when the pressure falls to 90 percent of the manufacturer's specified pressure level."

· There was no feedback from the fire attack crew on the fifth floor to Incident Command regarding progress in the fire attack and initial search. The first indication of trouble was the call for help from Captain Jahnke.

· Command was not notified as firefighters exited the fifth floor as they ran out of air.

Additional firefighters could have been committed to the attack to replace departing firefighters and back up those that remained if Command had been notified.

· Over 100 radio transmissions not related to the rescue of Captain Jahnke or the trapped members of Rescue 11 took place on Channel A4 during the critical period between the initial call for help and the firefighters reaching a place of safety.

Multiple unrelated radio transmissions took place after Rescue 11's mayday call. Fire Dispatch or Command made no announcement terminating the mayday condition after Rescue 11 extricated themselves from their entrapment.

Rescue efforts take priority over all unrelated radio transmissions until Dispatch announces the emergency situation has been concluded. All units should go to face-to face communications and refrain from using radios unless they are involved in the rescue effort. A second radio channel should be designated for command functions not related to rescue efforts. The radio channels should remain clear of normal traffic until released by Command or Dispatch.

· The initial dispatch reported that the fire was located on the fifth floor, followed by transmissions from E2 that they had located the fire on the fifth floor. Despite this, several companies were sent to, or on their own initiative, traveled to the wrong floor.

The correct location of a high-rise fire should be repeated periodically on the radio for clarity. Companies should understand their assignments and the building floor arrangement.

· NFPA 1500, Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Programs, Chapter 8.3.1:

Personnel running out of air should depart as a team (minimum of two) to maintain safety and accountability standards.

A Safety or Accountability officer should be assigned to assure that accountability is accomplished.

· NFPA 1500 Chapter 8.1.3: The incident management system shall be utilized at all emergency incidents.

· NFPA 1500 Chapter 8.4.7 (Texas Senate Bill 382): "In the initial stages of an incident where only one crew is operating in the hazardous area at a working structural fire, a minimum of four individuals shall be required, consisting of two individuals working as a crew in the hazard area and two individuals present outside thi hazard area available for assistance or rescue at emergency operations where entry into the danger area is required."

· NFPA 1500 Chapter 8.3.5: "Officers assigned the responsibility for a specific tactical level management component at an incident shall directly supervise and account for the companies and/or crews operating in their specific area of responsibility."

· NFPA 1500 Chapter 7.1.2: "Protective clothing and protective equipment shall be used whenever the member is exposed or potentially exposed to the hazards for which it is provided."

All personnel, including engineers and medics, should wear full protective equipment when entering a building that is on fire.

· When a mayday or trapped personnel is reported, Command should assign a Rescue Sector/ Group to specifically be responsible for rescue efforts. All units should go to face-to face communications and refrain from using radios unless they are involved in the rescue effort. Attack units attempting to change channels under stress can cause confusion and missed transmissions. A second radio channel should be designated for command functions not related to rescue efforts. The radio channels should remain clear of normal traffic until released by Command or Dispatch.

All other firefighting operations must continue for the safety of the personnel and the victims.

· NFPA 1500 Chapter 8.5.4: "The incident commander shall evaluate the situation and the risks to operating crews and shall provide one or more rapid intervention crew/company commensurate with the needs of the situation."

· NFPA 1500 Chapter 4.1.2: "The fire department shall prepare and maintain written policies and standard operating procedures that roles and responsibilities, expected functions, and training requirements, including the following:

(2) The minimum number of members who are required to perform each function or evolution and the manner in which the function is to be performed

· NFPA 1404, Standard for Fire Department SCBA Programs, Chapter 7.2.1:" Air cylinders shall be maintained at 90%" (4050 psi for 4500 psi cylinder), low air cylinders should be segregated from full cylinders until filled.

Command to Dispatch communications should be on a separate frequency on large incidents.

· Firefighting personnel should be familiar with features of fire protection in buildings and use them to their advantage during fire ground operations.

· If personnel leave a fire area without extinguishing the fire, they should close the door to help confine the fire and provide a protective barrier between exiting firefighters and the fire.

· Personnel should not leave their attack lines in warehouses, large structures or high rise buildings. Search ropes are not as easy to find as a hoseline, unless the ropes are tied directly to the personnel.

· Radio-facemask interfaces should be provided for at least all company officers.

· Flashlights should be attached to turnout gear to prevent loss on the fireground.

· Command should designate one stairwell for firefighting operations and deploy personnel to route evacuating occupants to a separate exit stairwell. Fire alarm systems with voice announcement capabilities may be used to provide evacuation information to occupants.

· All fire department personnel should be familiar with pre-plans in first-in districts.

· Buildings with restricted access or locked stairwells should provide a way for the fire department to access them in the case of an emergency

· Personnel should check out the floor below a fire for the layout of the fire floor. A preplan would assist firefighters in determining if the floor layout is the same from floor to floor.

· Dispatchers and/or call takers should be educated on evacuation and shelter-inplace information is to be given to citizens in emergency situations.

· The State Fire Marshal’s Office should regulate fire protection companies that install, test, and maintain smoke control systems including stairwell pressurization and exhaust systems. Adoption of a nationally recognized standard such as NFPA 92A, Smoke Control Systems by SFMO as the industry standard is recommended.

· Installation of floor level exit signs and illumination of exit paths may assist occupants and firefighter in escaping when standard exit signs and lights are obscured by smoke.

· All high-rise buildings, regardless of date of construction, should be equipped with a complete coverage automatic fire sprinkler system. document the organization structure, membership,

(All letters and e-mail correspondence become the property of HOUSNITCH and housnitch.com. Unless otherwise expressly requested, we are entitled to publish all such correspondence. We reserve the right to edit letters for length and clarity, and for content that might get us sued, or to withhold their publication. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of our editors or sponsors.)

Subject: Andy Rooney on Stupid People

From Andy Rooney:
Stupid people should have to wear signs that just say, "I'm Stupid."
That way you wouldn't rely on them, would you? You wouldn't ask them anything.
It would be like, "Excuse me...oops...never mind, didn't see your sign."
It's like before my wife and I moved. Our house was full of boxes and there was a U-Haul truck in our driveway. My neighbor comes over and says, "Hey, you moving?" "Nope. We just pack our stuff up once or twice a week to see how many boxes it takes. Here's your sign."
A couple of months ago I went fishing with a buddy of mine, we pulled his boat into the dock, I lifted up this big ol' stringer of bass and this idiot on the dock goes, "Hey, y'all catch all them fish?" "Nope. Talked 'em into giving up. Here's your sign."
I was watching one of those animal shows on the Discovery Channel.
There was a guy inventing a shark bite suit. And there's only one way to test it. "Alright, Jimmy, you got that shark suit on, it looks good... They want you to jump into this pool of sharks, and you tell us if it hurts when they bite you." "Well, all right, but hold my sign. I don't wanna lose it."
Last time I had a flat tire, I pulled my truck into one of those
side-of-the-road gas stations. The attendant walks out, looks at my truck, looks at me, and I SWEAR he said, "Tire go flat?" I couldn't resist.
I said, "Nope. I was driving around and those other three just swelled right up on me. Here's your sign."
We were trying to sell our car about a year ago. A guy came over to the house and drove the car around for about 45 minutes. We get back to the house, he gets out of the car, reaches down and grabs the exhaust pipe, then says, "Darn that's hot!" See, if he'd been wearing his sign, I could
have stopped him.
I learned to drive an 18-wheeler in my days of adventure. Wouldn't you know, I misjudged the height of a bridge. The truck got stuck and I couldn't get it out, no matter how I tried. I radioed in for help and eventually a local cop shows up to take the report. He went through his basic questioning . okay...no problem. I thought for sure he was clear of needing a sign ... until he asked, "So, is your truck stuck?" I couldn't
help myself! I looked at him, looked back at the rig and then back to him and said, "No, I'm delivering a bridge... here's your sign."
I stayed late at work one night and a co-worker looked at me and said, "Are you still here?" I replied, "No. I left about 10 minutes ago. Here's your sign."
Anybody you know need a sign today? Send this to all your friends.
The next time someone says something stupid ask them where their sign is.

Gary Ordat and his new paramour...uh......sidekick, Karen Leback, Senior Assistant Director.

IN COMES VANDEN BOSCH AND GIVES EM BOTH MORE POWER TO SCREW OFF OUR TAX DOLLARS ... JEESE HOW STUPID CAN YOU GET???????

AND IN THE MIDDLE...GIGGING BOTH FACTIONS is Joanne Kamman Oropreza, who has helped orchestrate many of the warring chaotic conditions.

WE CATCH ANOTHER "TAILOR MADE" Request For Proposal.... RFP ... (won't ya'll ever learn? SOONER OR LATER...HOUSNITCH GETS 'EM ALL!!!!!!!).THIS ONE COMES FROM THE TOWING INDUSTRY..

DO YOU SEE THAT HIGHLIGHTED AREA? NOTICE HOW THIS IS THE SECOND CLARIFICATION?...IT'S SO SCREWED TO ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE TO GET THIS CONTRACT THAT NOBODY UNDERSTANDS IT...SEE HOW YOU FEEL AFTER READING JUST THE FIRST PAGE!

BESIDES THIS BEING AGAINST FEDERAL LAW.....DID YOU KNOW THAT 60% OF THE TOWING INDUSTRY IS RUN BY HISPANICS?

DID YOU KNOW THAT THE MAJORITY OF CARS TOWED FROM AN ACCIDENT ARE CARS DRIVEN BY HISPANICS? MAJORITY OF WHOM DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH.

8 Workdays & Hours Shift work, including rotation, weekends and holidays * *Subject to change

Responsible for coordination of physical wellness/fitness and special related programs. Maintains confidential department fitness files. Assists supervisors in evaluating data from accidents/injuries and designs personalized fitness programs for all HAS employees. Confers with employees and medical personnel on a routine basis to ensure employees are physically able to perform job function. Develops, coordinates and administers physical wellness/fitness training programs for employees. Educates employees on the importance of maintaining physical fitness.

Assists with conducting on-site accident investigations and facility inspections. Must maintain current certifications and appropriate levels of continuing education. Responsible for ensuring all certifications are met and maintained.

Performing these duties will involve: visually observing and differentiating details, considerable physical exertion such as walking long distances for extended periods and climbing stairs; operating city vehicles; speaking and writing effectively; adjusting to interruptions and changes; working in inclement weather; adjusting to repetitive activities and dealing with people in tense situations; may be required to lift up to eighty (80) pounds. Must be willing and available to work all shifts, including rotation, weekends and holidays. Must be able to obtain and maintain security clearances.

Pertinent professional experience in physical fitness training may be substituted for the above education requirements on a year-for-year basis.

Preference will be given to candidates who are physically fit. Must be knowledgeable of various physical ability and agility tests. Related professional certifications highly desired.

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification. The minimum to midpoint of this salary range is:

Original applications only are accepted and must be received by the Human Resources Department during posting opening and closing dates shown, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at

611 Walker, 1st Floor. The City of Houston, Human Resources TDD phone number is 713/837-9496. Successful candidates will be notified of their application status. All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

AND JUST WHAT THE HELL IS A PHYSICAL FITNESS CO-ORDINATOR NEEDED AT THE AIRPORT FOR?

(MAYBE WE'RE GONNA HELP ALL THOSE PEOPLE THE AIRLINES ARE TRYING TO GOUGE FOR 2 SEATS!!!)

Viewpoints Editor:
Very predictably, Mayor Lee Brown took strong exception in his June 29 Viewpoints letter to the Chronicle's on-the-mark June 22 editorial pointing out that the city's fiscal 2003 budget provides fewer services for more money.
Something is terribly amiss when the mayor lays off those actually interfacing with and serving the public, such as those in the health and library departments, while growing a bloated upper and middle level management staff. If Mayor Brown would take the time to understand his own
budget, he would realize, for example, that the number of bureaucrats in the top 11 of the city's 39 pay grades has exploded by about 40% under his watch.
"I take pride in having protected our city employees from layoffs", indeed!
I am sure those words from the mayor are reassuring to the approximately 1,000 administrative aides and the rest of his city work force that is the second largest in Harris County, governmental or private sector.
However, those words are not very comforting to long-suffering Houstonians, who for fiscal 2003 will have about 70 new or added charges loaded on their backs, to go along with their spiraling property taxes and water and sewer charges already among the highest in the country.
Bob Lemer, CPA, Chairman
Citizens For Public Accountability

Since the truth challenged President of METRO and their willing accomplices in the media will not tell you the truth about light rail and collective transit in general, may I refer you to the following story. Sorry that it is a little dated, but it is relevant:

Link to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

http://www.jsonline.com/traffic/news/may02/44912.asp

**************

By LARRY SANDLER
of the Journal Sentinel staff

Last Updated: May 21, 2002

Three leading rail transit advocates are jumping off the train to oppose transit plans they say have grown too expensive in Milwaukee and Madison.

Architect David Kahler and attorney Robert Bauman, both longtime light rail supporters, say $91.5 million in federal money earmarked for the Milwaukee Connector project would be better spent on a $176 million Milwaukee-to-Madison high-speed train line than on a $300 million electric bus or light rail system linking downtown to Miller Park and the east side.

Separately, state Railroad Commissioner Rodney Kreunen says a $242 million proposal for commuter trains and express buses in Dane County is "way too grandiose" to attract necessary federal funding. Kreunen, who helped nurture earlier Madison-area commuter rail plans, says the cost could be cut to $30 million or less by using older equipment and running trains less frequently than planners envision.

In Dane County, a $188.6 million commuter rail line, running regular trains on freight rail tracks from Middleton to East Towne Mall, and a $53.4 million express bus network could be just the first phase of the Transport 2020 project. The second phase could follow Kenosha's lead by adding streetcars on city streets, while commuter trains could be extended to McFarland, Sun Prairie and Dane County Regional Airport, at an undetermined cost.

Neither the Milwaukee Connector study nor the Transport 2020 study have produced final recommendations yet. But both are moving away from light rail - running electric vehicles powered by overhead wires on tracks in reserved lanes of streets - because planners believe that technology would be too expensive.

Kahler says he has "been having more and more second thoughts" and no longer believes the Milwaukee area has the population density for light rail transit. He remains enthusiastic about the 110-mph train line to Madison, which is stalled by a congressional debate on Amtrak's future.

Bauman said, "I agree with him 100%" about high-speed rail being more viable than the connector project. The connector study is leaning toward electric buses - guided by rails, lasers or magnets to line up with station platforms as neatly as light rail vehicles - which Bauman considers unproven technology. Only a few such systems now run in France.

Connector study committee Chairman Peter Beitzel said he was baffled by Bauman's stand. High-speed rail will do nothing to improve urban transportation, and the $91.5 million set aside for the connector must be used for public transit in the Milwaukee area, said Beitzel, a vice president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce.

As for Kreunen's comments, Dane County Supervisor Scott McDonell, co-chairman of the Transport 2020 study, said, "The entire capital plan is less expensive than one new airport runway or a few miles of highway bypass."

Dane County is one of three Wisconsin areas considering commuter rail.

The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission is wrapping up a study of whether to extend Chicago's Metra commuter trains from Kenosha to Racine, Milwaukee and the southern suburbs.

And in Rock County, a preliminary study found it would be feasible to extend Metra from Harvard, Ill., to Clinton and the Walworth County community of Sharon.

Milwaukee Connector study: www.milwaukeeconnector.com Dane County Transport 2020 study: www.transport2020.net Southeastern Wisconsin commuter rail study: www.wiseride.com Rock County commuter rail study: www.legis.state.wi.us/senate/sen15/news

Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on May 22, 2002.

Software bid called `a sham' / Councilman says city funded marketing plan for company
By RACHEL GRAVES
Staff
A month before the deadline to submit proposals for a computer software contract, the city of Houston paid $42,000 for a detailed marketing plan to tout the company that was eventually awarded the contract, documents show.

Councilman Bruce Tatro, who unearthed the marketing plan and invoices to consulting companies, is calling for a criminal investigation into the city's recent selection of the $9.5 million SimHouston software package developed by Internet Access Technologies.

Denny Piper , the city's former chief information officer, lobbied vigorously for SimHouston, then left his city job days after City Council voted for it last month.

SimHouston, also known as SimDesk, is a computer package that allows users to create, edit and store documents online. Houstonians can access the program using their library cards.

Piper , who starts a new job in San Diego next week, could not be reached for comment. Piper 's home phone in Houston has been disconnected, and his new employer in San Diego was unable to reach him. There was no answer at a listing for a Dennis Piper in San Diego.

"This shows without question that the administration, and specifically Dennis Piper , planned all along to use this SimDesk software . . . and that the (bid) process was simply a sham," Tatro said. "This is a violation of state bid law, and that's why we're pursuing this at the district attorney level."

Ray Davis, president and founder of Internet Access Technologies, denied that the contract was rigged or that Piper gave SimHouston an unfair advantage.

"We never had a sense that we were going to win the contract," Davis said. "It was a very difficult and nasty fight."

Davis attributed Tatro's complaints to a "personal vendetta against Denny Piper ."
City Council had approved two contracts giving Piper the authority to spend $90 million on computer hardware and software. Invoices from the consulting companies dating back to September show he used part of that money for the $42,000 marketing contract, most of which went to Austin-based Weeks & Co.

A third draft of the marketing plan for SimHouston dated Nov. 14 - a month before the December deadline for proposals - includes news releases about the software and plans as detailed as the cost to stuff city water bills with promotional material and the number of advertising banners to be hung in public libraries.

"On January XX, IAT procured the RFP (Request for Proposal) from the City of Houston, beating out XX, XX, XX. / number of companies. (Will insert this information once procured.)," reads one draft document.

City Councilwoman Annise Parker said: "It appears that the whole thing was rigged. Corners were cut, deals were made . . . and no one appears to have had any oversight into what Mr. Piper was doing."

Mayor Lee Brown said Tuesday he was unaware of the marketing plan.

"If (Piper ) was doing anything improper, I would certainly be concerned, and in order to give you a definitive answer, I would have to find out if he did anything improper," Brown told KHOU-Channel 11.

Davis said he was unaware of the marketing plan, which includes a biography of him.

"I don't know anything about that," Davis said. "I'd have serious doubts that anyone was doing anything like that."

In addition to software marketing, the Weeks & Co. document included a plan to position the chief information officer, Piper , "in a proactive way that positively highlights his abilities, experience and contribution."

The plan, which included media training and guidance "to prepare the CIO in the unlikely event of a personal or professional crisis," was budgeted to cost the city between $30,000 and $100,000.

Parker called it "just appalling" that the city might have paid for Piper to improve his presentation skills.

"SimHouston may be the right thing done for a myriad of wrong reasons and manipulations, or it may be totally the wrong thing," Parker said. "Unfortunately, we won't know that until we implement it."

ILLEGAL CONTRACT MEANS WE DON'T IMPLEMENT...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FOR ANY REASON!

That's all this time around guys...tell em what you think darlins, we get tired of telling them by ourselves.......

click right there and e-mail them ALL at one time!

********************************************************************

Subj:	FW: Andy Rooney on Stupid People
Date:	7/17/02 1:57:14 PM Central Daylight Time
From:
To:

By LARRY SANDLER of the Journal Sentinel staff

Last Updated: May 21, 2002

Brown backs software program despite probe By RACHEL GRAVES Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle

By LARRY SANDLER
of the Journal Sentinel staff

Brown backs software program despite probe
By RACHEL GRAVES
Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle