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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.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH

Dead boy's family says firefighters ignored his pleas By JERRY URBAN 
Copyright 2000 Houston Chronicle 

The city Office of Inspector General will investigate allegations that firefighters at an east Houston fire station ignored repeated requests for medical assistance from a 12-year-old boy, who died hours later. 

Daniel Lopez walked to Fire Station 18 at Lockwood and Telephone three times on June 17 complaining of stomach, chest and back pains, his family said, but each time the firefighters failed to directly assist him. 

Family members later took him to Ben Taub Hospital, where he died of an aortic aneurysm..... Yesenia Escobar, 21, Daniel's sister, said the boy went to the station three times with adult family members that afternoon. 

The first visit was at about 3:30 p.m., she said. Daniel vomited in front of the firefighters, who told him he apparently had a stomach virus and suggested he go home and take a cold bath, Escobar said. On the second trip, after he took a bath, the boy complained of chest and back pain, said Escobar, who wasn't with Daniel at the station..... Escobar said she and her husband had just arrived home from work and he immediately took the boy to Ben Taub, where he died about 8:15 p.m. 

"His artery just exploded," she said. "They (firefighters) should have called an ambulance." 

Escobar said the family has contacted a lawyer......... 
State may aid in researching boy's death 
By JERRY URBAN 
Copyright 2000 Houston Chronicle 
The Texas attorney general's office is exploring whether to help the city in its investigation of allegations that Houston firefighters ignored pleas for medical assistance from a 12-year-old boy, who died a few hours later. 
Texas Attorney General John Cornyn agreed to look into how his office might participate after he received a telephone call Friday from Houston councilman Orlando Sanchez. 
The city's Office of Inspector General is investigating the actions of firefighters at Station 18 in east Houston near Lockwood and Telephone Road. 
On June 17, Daniel Lopez, accompanied by adult family members, walked to the station three times to seek help for stomach, chest and back pains, family members said. The family claims firefighters didn't carefully check him out and sent him away all three times. Lopez died that night at Ben Taub Hospital of an aortic aneurysm.

Housnitch has been, &  still is a friend of the City's Fire Department personnel. But however you look at this, those few at station 18 really have a lot to answer for. The pleas of this child, Hispanic, or otherwise, should have been heeded. And those responsible for not doing so should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Hindsight is ALWAYS 20/20. But in looking into this story, this editor has a few comments & observations to make. First off, NO fireman at station 18 spoke to me about this matter. They are under strict orders not to talk to ANYONE. I do not want them retaliated against for the comments I make here. Second, City of Houston Fire Fighters treat walk ins just as they do calls for emergency help. They are trained for "worse case" scenarios. In speaking with several different persons I understand that especially in our more socio-economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, they see many walk ins every day. (with an increase of children during the summer months.) I have also been given to understand that many of our fire stations in our poorer neighborhoods have become primary health care givers to the residents of these  neighborhoods. A trip to Ben Taub or LBJ Hospital results in sitting for hours waiting to be attended. Health care, whether for our children or for ourselves, not only in this City, this state, but our country does not meet the needs of the people. Perhaps seeing so many walk ins , from minor cuts, to heat exhaustion, to rashes, has made some of our fire fighters lose their "edge". Unfortunately, I understand that a medic unit was not available at station 18 when 12 year old Daniel appealed for assistance. The newspaper reports say that Daniel came in with ADULT family members...WHERE WERE THIS CHILD'S PARENTS???? Since it was an emergency, why were they not contacted & at home to tend for this child, and help in seeking care for him? Daniel's sister is quoted as saying that the fire fighters should have called 911. WHY  DIDN'T THE ADULTS who were with him call 911? The article says they contacted an attorney, why not 911? As a parent of 10 children myself, I would have been home at the first call that I received telling me my child, or any child left in my care, was ill & needed medical assistance. I would have worried about the costs, and my boss later. If I had been denied help at one place I would seek it at another & dealt with the first denial later. The argument that they are immigrants, & didn't know what they were to do is a sad commentary. Not just of the city for not reaching out & educating our residents, on how to use our emergency services but also for every adult in this travesty. I lived in Mexico with 5 children for a year, I spoke no Spanish. Early on in our stay, my 6 month old son fell very ill with dysentery, vomiting, and a very high fever, I banged on doors at 3 in the morning looking for someone to  help me. I had no large amount of money, my husband was here in Texas, and I couldn't communicate with anyone. I was a woman who had gone mad with the necessity to help my child .  NO ONE should have to feel that desperation. NO ONE. From the congress, for not funding affordable health care nationally, to the state, for not dedicating more of our state funds to health care instead of renovations to the TDH offices, to the county for not providing adequate resources to the Hospital District, to the city, for not taking care of the needs of it's residents, by cutting too many corners when it comes to services, we all have some responsibility to shoulder in this matter. I support Council member Sanchez's call for outside help in this investigation. Under the current administration of Lee P. Brown, mayoral appointments, and department heads have shown a pattern of making decisions that are "politically correct" for Lee P. Brown, and not necessarily in the best interests of the people . Outsiders to help investigate?...Oh yes! (any investigation should include HFD Medical Director Dr David Persse ). This Mayor was a plague of inaction for the residents of kidnapped & murdered children in Georgia, he was the director of inaction during the massacre of the Jewish residents in the Crown Heights riots of New York. Under is "out of town" regime as drug czar in Washington DC, drug use & importation skyrocketed. May God have mercy on the souls of this city as long as he and his "buddies" continue to occupy our City Hall.  I'm sorry, but it appears to me that EVERY adult involved in this situation shares some of the blame for the death of 12 year old Daniel Lopez.

 Lo Siento Senoria. Que Dios cuida y bendiga su hijo, y todo su famila ..       Con much carino, y sentimiento ,         Brenda Flynn Flores Housnitch

I'm going to hug my children just a little bit tighter tonight, and for some while afterwards.                                     Brenda Flynn Flores, Housnitch

"Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein." -H. Jackson Brown

"Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter."
-Thomas Jefferson

THE FOLLOWING IS A COPY OF COUNCIL MEMBER CHRIS BELL'S ON-LINE TOWN HALL MEETING HELD THIS PAST MONDAY JUNE 26TH, @ 9PM.   

LDRS Local Bree: Good evening everyone! Welcome to Digital City - Houston Chat. 
LDRS Local Bree: Tonight Council Member Chris Bell is here to take your questions live, online!
LDRS Local Bree: Please stand by the chat will be starting in just a few minutes :) 
OnlineHost: *** oovrwrked has entered the room ***
OnlineHost: *** CouncilmanBELL has entered the room ***
CouncilmanBELL: Good evening.
HOUSNITCH: Good evening Councilmember
LDRS Local Bree: Council Member Chris Bell! Welcome to Digital City - Houston. 
CouncilmanBELL: Hi Brenda.
LDRS Local Bree: Would you like to say a few opening words to our guests?
CouncilmanBELL: LDRS...are you running the show this evening?
CouncilmanBELL: Yes. Thanks. 
LDRS Local Bree: Well not exactly sir, but I am your host. :) 
LDRS Local Bree: This is your show :)
HOUSNITCH: LOL
CouncilmanBELL: It's good to see everyone here. We're through with the budget for now.
OnlineHost: *** HOST Local Deee has entered the room ***
CouncilmanBELL: And it should make for some interesting times at City Hall.
HOUSNITCH: ?
CouncilmanBELL: I assume there will be some questions about that. I look forward to them and anything else you would like to talk about. So let's roll.
oovrwrked: ?
LDRS Local Bree: Okie folks We're going to be using chat protocal tonight. 
CouncilmanBELL: LDRS...what would you like for me to type when I'm ready for the next question?
HOUSNITCH: did the taxpayers win ANYTHING in this budget fight?
LDRS Local Bree: Okie folks We're going to be using chat protocal tonight. 
LDRS Local Bree: Please type a '?' to ask a question
LDRS Local Bree: Please type '!' to make a comment
CouncilmanBELL: That's a good question from Housnitch to start things rolling.
HOUSNITCH: i did...you did not respond...you have 2 ?? up there Bree
LDRS Local Bree: Yes sir, please type a /ga when you are done responding to the current question
HOUSNITCH: !
CouncilmanBELL: ok...let's go.
OnlineHost: *** HOST Local Deee has entered the room ***
LDRS Local Bree: I believe Housnitch was up first?
CouncilmanBELL: I think one of the victories came early on when we started talking about cutting the budget by 15 million dollars.
CouncilmanBELL: I was originally called irresponsible by Lee Brown and a couple of his closest supporters for making the suggestion.
CouncilmanBELL: Then, just 6 days later, the City's revenue projection had changed...by how much? well, well, 15 million dollars.
HOUSNITCH: BUT lo & behold they cut it by...oh MY....15 million!!
CouncilmanBELL: So suddenly it wasn't irresponsible but something we had to do.
CouncilmanBELL: And so the budget was scaled back and finally, we went through a budget process without hearing over and over how we simply could not cut one dime.
OnlineHost: *** HOST Local Deee has entered the room ***
CouncilmanBELL: And I think that's a good precedent as we move forward and work to gain the public's trust.
CouncilmanBELL: a/ga
LDRS Local Bree: .
LDRS Local Bree: oovrwrked - your question or comment please. :) 
CouncilmanBELL: There was another ? right at the beginning.
oovrwrked: ? now that the budget is finished, will the Council & mayor begin to earn back public trust by
oovrwrked: cleaning up these depts that are headed by folks due to
OnlineHost: *** BHart3239 has entered the room ***
oovrwrked: political favors instead of competent honest people? One example: PW $E
OnlineHost: *** HOST Local Deee has entered the room ***
oovrwrked: seems the taxpayer can't get the services it pays taxes for because so much
CouncilmanBELL: I can't speak for the mayor and, of course, he's the one that hires the people who head the departments. 
oovrwrked: money is wasted on political payback?
CouncilmanBELL: But I do think there are people on Council reviewing items with a greater degree of scrutiny and not just taking every department head's word.
oovrwrked: But as a councilmember, don't you have any influence on the quality of services delivered?
CouncilmanBELL: And I will also say this and not just because she's in here - through her work on Housnitch, brenda has opened a lot of people's eyes to a lot of what's going on...
HOUSNITCH: Thank you Councilmember
oovrwrked: true, but is anything getting better? If so, how?
CouncilmanBELL: and instead of always viewing her as the enemy, as I think they do, they ought to realize they've been handed a gift.
LDRS Local Bree: .
HOUSNITCH: MOST Councilmembers see me as a friend....it is the Mayor who sees an enemy!
oovrwrked: For instance, she exposed the lady giving her husband's company contracts, but she's still working as a Dept head, isn't she?
CouncilmanBELL: It's hard to know what's going on in the various departments as an elected official...people don't run up and tell you everything...it's nice to have other eyes and ears.
CouncilmanBELL: I think Tom Rolen, the individual who has taken over Public Works understands this
CouncilmanBELL: and I was pleased by the approach he took with me regarding one of my budget proposals.
CouncilmanBELL: a/ga
OnlineHost: *** HOST Local Deee has entered the room ***
LDRS Local Bree: Folks tonight Council Member Chris Bell is here to take your questions.
LDRS Local Bree: Does anyone have anything they'd like to ask?
oovrwrked: ?
CouncilmanBELL: After you ask the question, if you could let me answer before jumping back in, I would really appreciate it.
LDRS Local Bree: oovrwrked your question please.... 
oovrwrked: I heard about all the 'extra' cash in the water/sewer account, why isn't it given back to the ratepayers?
Txbrcat: ?
CouncilmanBELL: That's often talked about but given the City's current financial situation, there's not a lot of emphasis on giving back but rather on getting by. 
Angelsmomx3: ?
oovrwrked: !
CouncilmanBELL: Perhaps a better question would be that with that much money in the account,
LDRS Local Bree: Queue: Texrcat, Angelsmomx3 - please wait to be called upon before asking your question. 
CouncilmanBELL: why were broken mains going unfixed for weeks and sometimes months and sewers backing up all over town.
CouncilmanBELL: Hopefully, my amendment last week, dedicating more money to fixing those types of problems will keep that from happening again in the future.
CouncilmanBELL: a/ga
HOUSNITCH: Because we hand out political contracts instead of giving them to people who know what they are doing
oovrwrked: You've given yourself some good pats tonight, but why does it seem that you're not giving very straightforward answers....sounds a bit too 'political'.....
HOUSNITCH: !
HOUSNITCH: LOL
LDRS Local Bree: Texrcat - your question please. 
CouncilmanBELL: the broken mains were the result of not enough people being assigned to work on the problem and not enough private contracts in place to supplement the labor pool.
CouncilmanBELL: a/ga
Txbrcat: How much of the city funding is supplemented by state or federal block grants or matching funds?
OnlineHost: *** Irsvp4u has entered the room ***
OnlineHost: *** LDRS Local Bree has entered the room ***
LDRS Local Bree: Txbrcat - your question please? 
HOUSNITCH: We have the contracts in place, what we don't have are enough money left to pay the new ones we hire to clean up the foul ups these political contracts create
CouncilmanBELL: I don't have a percentage for you. Obviously, we get a lot of federal money in the way of community block grant funds, in the health department for various programs and transportation dollars but 
CouncilmanBELL: exactly how much, I do not know...I would be glad to get the information for you and get back in touch.
CouncilmanBELL: a/ga
LDRS Local Bree: Queue: Angelsmomx3
Txbrcat: ?I ask because I'm curious how the fairly stringent regs on that type of funding get by-passed. No state or fed audits?
LDRS Local Bree: Angelsmom3x -your question please? 
Angelsmomx3: What was a priority issue of yours that got cut during the budget cuts this year?
oovrwrked: ?
CouncilmanBELL: Gosh, I'll have to give myself another pat and risk the anger of ooverwrked :), but the immunization amendment is something I would have liked to have seen move forward.
Angelsmomx3: ?
CouncilmanBELL: I had proposed that if we were to have excess funds, since some are projecting we will take me money than estimated, that just under $900,000 of that be dedicated to the immunization/ vaccine program 
CouncilmanBELL: it would have brought us up to 1998 funding levels and is very necessary because 
HOUSNITCH: ?
CouncilmanBELL: we only have an immunization rate of 68-70 percent when it should be 90 percent.
LDRS Local Bree: queue: Angelsmoomx3, txbrcat, 
CouncilmanBELL: a/ga and that was a response to Angelsmom
OnlineHost: *** HOST Local Deee has entered the room ***
Angelsmomx3: How can we make sure that all children are immunized? It seems like a very small priced very needed issue!
LDRS Local Bree: Okie Txbrcat you are up next
CouncilmanBELL: who has a question
HOUSNITCH: ?
CouncilmanBELL: i agree angelsmom and I wish Councilmember Boney had not killed the amendment.
CouncilmanBELL: I think TxBrcat is up.
CouncilmanBELL: well, anyone else in the queu
oovrwrked: What percentage of the City's workforce has appr. 20 years of employment with the city? Is there a plan in place for Sept - when they all leave?
HOUSNITCH: ?
OnlineHost: *** HOST Local Deee has entered the room ***
LDRS Local Bree: HOUSNiTCH - you are up next. 
CouncilmanBELL: As I will aptly demonstrate tonight, I am horrible with percentages but suffice it to say it's a large percentage and there is no plan that I have heard about.
CouncilmanBELL: Housnithch?
CouncilmanBELL: Housnithch?
oovrwrked: shouldn't there be a plan?
CouncilmanBELL: Of course there should be. And the only ones who are in a position to come up with one reside in the administration.
LDRS Local Bree: Folks we are using protocol tonight. Please wait your turn before sending your question or comment to the screen. 
OnlineHost: *** HOUSNITCH has entered the room ***
HOUSNITCH: There are many who are leaving in Sept. Chris....because they cannot stomach Hilda Garza Scott & this administration anymore
CouncilmanBELL: that would be a !
CouncilmanBELL: as in comment
OnlineHost: *** HOST Local Deee has entered the room ***
HOUSNITCH: We will lose the actual workers in Sept. They are tired!
CouncilmanBELL: From all reports, morale is extremely low in the Public Works Department and that is going to have to be the number one priority for Tom Rolen or whoever ends up taking the department over...no question
OnlineHost: *** HOST Local Deee has entered the room ***
CouncilmanBELL: a/ga
LDRS Local Bree: Are there any other questions?
HOUSNITCH: ?
OnlineHost: *** HOST Local Deee has entered the room ***
LDRS Local Bree: HOUSNITCH - your question please? 
HOUSNITCH: Do you think the Mayor will name the permanent Dir of PW&E soon
CouncilmanBELL: That's what I have heard. My understanding is that there's a short list of about 3 or 4.
HOUSNITCH: ?
HOUSNITCH: have you seen the list?
LDRS Local Bree: oovrwrked you will be next right after HOUSNITCH is done. 
CouncilmanBELL: no...just rumors.
CouncilmanBELL: a/ga
oovrwrked: That short list.....is everyone from Houston? that will have a lot to do with morale, too. someone from say, New York or Atlanta, wouldn't understand Houston issues and it would just look like 
oovrwrked: more currying of political favors
OnlineHost: *** HOST Local Deee has entered the room ***
OnlineHost: *** Goodyear55846955 has entered the room ***
CouncilmanBELL: Of the three names I have heard, two are local and one used to be with Department but moved.
CouncilmanBELL: that's with the Public Works Department.
HOUSNITCH: LOL---Heck we've heard those names our self!
CouncilmanBELL: I think it's highly unlikely that someone would be willing to come here from NY or Atlanta right now.
HOUSNITCH: Is Roland on the short list?
CouncilmanBELL: That's my understanding. 
HOUSNITCH: Oh yeah...Brown didn't make too many friends in those cities...LOL!
oovrwrked: ! thanks, that was almost a 'real' answer ;-}
CouncilmanBELL: :)
LDRS Local Bree: I think we have time for one or two more questions.... 
HOUSNITCH: ?
CouncilmanBELL: But please try to keep them to things for which i can pat myself on the back...I hate to disappoint oovrwrked
LDRS Local Bree: HOUSNITCH - you are up :)
oovrwrked: ?where's mosquito control?!?!?!?!?!
HOUSNITCH: Who is responsible for all our Debt Chris?
HOUSNITCH: is it Lanier's fault like Brown says?
CouncilmanBELL: it's everyone's fault and I will certainly take my share of the blame.
Swalkerdavies: !mosquito control is a county function
HOUSNITCH: Who is closer to the truth in projections....Mayor or Controller?
HOUSNITCH: (Boy that was a true politician's answer Chris!)!
CouncilmanBELL: I think we all had to wake up to the fact that debt service was going to keep growing 
HOUSNITCH: Haven't revenues? Isn't that what privatization was suppose to do for us?
CouncilmanBELL: It is a political answer but assessing blame does no good whatsoever...you can decide that.
Goodyear55846955: Chris, how much credence do you place in the unsubstantiated reports from disgruntled employees posted on Housnitch?
HOUSNITCH: But we must know the culprit so we don't make the same mistakes!
OnlineHost: *** oovrwrked has entered the room ***
oovrwrked: !if my ditches were properly dug and drained like it should, those bugs wouldn't keep having me as their main course! That's a city thing isn't it?
CouncilmanBELL: No, it's a County thing
CouncilmanBELL: How much credence Goodyear?
oovrwrked: !Councilman, you're a good guy, just quit acting/speaking so much like a politician!!
Goodyear55846955: Can public works really be as corrupt as they say, or do they believe what they choose to believe without the benefit of appropriate perspective?
CouncilmanBELL: All I can say is that I read the reports with great interest and I would read them with a lot greater interest if I was controlling the goings on in the various departments. 
Goodyear55846955: I have enjoyed your jostling with certain conservative councilmembers
CouncilmanBELL: Thanks y'all. One last thing.
HOUSNITCH: and 100,000 + hits a week speaks volumes Goodyear!
oovrwrked: !PW &E IS WORSE THAN THEY SAY
LDRS Local Bree: Council Member Bell, this was a great chat. Do you have any parting words for our guests? 
CouncilmanBELL: It's summer and attendance obviously a little off. Everyone bring a friend in July.
CouncilmanBELL: and my keyboard is a little off because I keep leaving out words...anyway...
HOUSNITCH: LOL---thank you councilmember
oovrwrked: thanks
LDRS Local Bree: Everyone, thank you all for joining us tonight. Council Member Bell! Thanks for sharing this evening with us. 
CouncilmanBELL: it gets a little more fun each time. I appreciate the criticism and the questions and the rare compliment :) and let's keep this going. call my office anytime 713/247-2006.
CouncilmanBELL: or e-mai: cbell@cnl.ci.houston.tx.us
HOUSNITCH: You had to contend with the SEARCH for JESUS tonight....who better to lose out to?
CouncilmanBELL: Gotta go hug the boys goodnight. See you next time.
LDRS Local Bree: Have a great week! We hope to see you back here in Digital City - Houston very soon. 
Swalkerdavies: thanks everyone!
LDRS Local Bree: Nite all! 

To Goodyear55846955:...We receive between 100 and 150 letters/e-mails a day .... that's an awful lot of mail a week. Many times when we run letters from a department ...i t is just a SAMPLING of the ones we have received. Some are so full of hatred & out & out slander that we do not even consider them for printing ... and there are many that are just plan BS from people who have a personal gripe ... but darlin .. SOMETHING is VERRRRY wrong if that many people write here to us. 

Councilmember Bell takes questions in a live, online, town-hall meeting ONCE A MONTH. If you have a question for the Council Member, type a question mark. The online hosts will put you in the queue, and when it's your turn, type in your question. Please remember that this is an open forum for discussion of issues.

To Participate in CouncilmanBELL Live:
AOL Members, go to Keyword: Houston Chat and click on Houston Town Meeting Live! 
If you use a different Web browser, type the following URL: www.home.digitalcity.com/houston/webchat. Click on Town Meeting with CouncilmanBELL. NOTE: You will have to download AOL's Instant Messenger. It is free, and we suggest you download it well before the town hall meeting so you can jump right in with your questions! (Also note that slower computers may have difficulty downloading IM). Download it now! Just click on the icon below.

Dates for 2000 CouncilmanBELL on AOL's Digital City Houston:
Last Monday of the month, except during holiday periods. 9:00 p.m. CDT.
Schedule subject to change.
July 31
August 28
September 25
October 30
November 27
December 18

Down load AOL Instant Messenger NOW .... and be ready for the next meeting. (It's free & a fun way to keep in touch with all your friends while on-line! No waiting for them to log off so you can communicate .. pass it around to your friends, I use it to keep up with my kids and of course the snitches.) The snitches and I would be lost without it! You do not have to be an AOL member to enjoy this feature. You can be on any server, anywhere. Join us on the 31 of July & get an answer to your questions .

"A little rebellion now & then is a good thing ... an observation of this truth should render HONEST republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government" --- Thomas Jefferson

(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.)

Subj: (no subject)
Date: 6/25/00 10:44:31 AM Central Daylight Time
From: 
To: HOUSNITCH

Mayoral 'slush fund'???!!!!!!!!!
The Chronicle, in its stories on the city budget, repeatedly refers to an "excess" of funds in the city water and sewer account. 

This immediately brings several questions to mind: First, why does this "excess" exist, if indeed it does? Second, if this "excess" does exist, why is it not refunded to those from whom it was extorted, namely taxpayers, rather than being used for purposes for which it was not intended? 

The city's exorbitant water and sewer rates should be reduced. This mayoral "slush fund" should be eliminated. 

We think so too!

Subj: OUT OF TOWN BROWN
Date: 7/5/00 1:12:33 AM Central Daylight Time
From: 
To: HOUSNITCH

IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO KNOW HOW MUCH BROWN HAS SPENT ON HIS TRIPS AND HOW MANY DAYS THAT HE HAS BEEN OUT OF TOWN. I AM HAVE WONDERED WHY YOU HAVE NOT DONE THIS YET. 

We have not done it, quite honestly, because to do so costs more money than Housnitch generates in a month. BAD government gets all the funding. The pursuit of good government relies on the good graces & donations of the working class poor, who have little to give for such a pursuit.

Subj: consultant selection
Date: 7/4/00 8:27:13 PM Central Daylight Time
From: 
To: hOUSNITCH@AOL.COM

hi housnitch,

i think you are doing a fine job exposing all the corruption in the public works department. keep up the good work!! i would like to know how the coh can keep incompetent consultants on staff. i guess its the same old rule, "its not what you know but who you know" and it certainly exists in public works. take for example Atser, i hear their coming up for another year of mismanagement of public works projects. i guess with the cooperation of herb lum! and mr. ho, and hilda garza!, fred martinez will be a multi billionaire and is laughing all the way to the bank. you should investigate the management of their projects and if possible call for an internal audit. i can guarantee you will find total incompetence!! they could not manage a doghouse construction project , let alone a real public works job!!. I GUESS WHEN THEY DO GET BUSTED FRED WILL GIVE LUM! AND HO AND HILDA! A JOB!! AS THEIR PAYBACK!! what about that United Engineers, they came out of nowhere and now are prepared to manage a water program for the coh public works. until a few weeks ago they had only a one man department in their construction management department
and had not managed anything and look who their subs are: LAN, Associated Testing Labs  (ha!), our good friends Ratnala & Baal. i wonder how these firms got selected!!! LAN was supposed to be kicked out of the coh because they have too much work with the city already. but how do they do it!! to get on
a new program as a sub to a nobody!! MUST BE A LOT OF MONEY EXCHANGING HANDS DOWNTOWN!! AND A LOT OF LUNCHES!! time will tell!!. OH BY THE WAY ARE THESE SUBS STILL GETTING FREE RENT AT 611 WALKER. MUST BE NICE TO GET PAID AND ALSO GET FREE RENT!!

My, my, my...so many things to address in this letter. YOU are right .."its not what you know but who you know"... and knowing "where the bodies are buried, and which ones are still breathing". Yes ATSER seems to get away with a lot don't they? United Engineers is getting work because Jew Don said to give it to them. They figure prominantely in the Mayor's re election, and of course Jew Don's Mayor Pro Tem status...but it does appear to HOUSNITCH that they just might be a "front" to just funnel money to the other subs ... you know like that MCI deal that was going on in the last administration. (We sure miss George Grenias, too bad this controller doesn't have what he did) About Ratanala & Bahl, we understand our long time friend of the taxpayer, and one of the few decent people at PW&E who can watch out for our money, Mr. Tony  Cresci, was visited by Hilda & Lum & told to NEVER deny payment to them again. To stop questioning the padding of their contracts, & the invoices that come across his desk. He if continued, he would not have a job. (WHEN WILL THIS MAYOR WAKE UP & GET RID OF THIS WOMAN????) As to the free rent issue...we know Gilbane is still on the 14th floor, just as you come off the elevator...but, even after a huge announcement of the opening of a new headquarters last year...ATSER has 6 or 7 people on the 17 floor at 611 Walker... and we ALL applaud Council member Keller's efforts last week in holding BS, (the not so UNIQUE, monique, responsible for continuing to retain Gilbane & offer them free rent) ...

ORDINANCE appropriating $213,218.00 out of General Improvements Consolidated Construction Fund and approving and authorizing third amendment to contract between the City of Houston and GILBANE BUILDING COMPANY for Facilities Construction Management Services – was presented, and was tagged by Council Member Tatro.

Council Member Keller moved to suspend the rules to hear from a representative of Building Services, and was seconded by Council Member Tatro. All voting aye. Nays none. MOTION 2000-0853 ADOPTED

Council Member Tatro removed his tag to hear from the representative.

Upon questions by Council Member Keller, Ms. Phan stated that she was a new member of the Building Services Team, on her fourth month; that she had evaluated and looked at the organization and made responsive changes to create a team that could move in an effective manner. Council Member Keller stated that what he hated was the system in place and not the person or system performing it, but he wanted on record that he would put his entire staff to work on killing this if three months from now there was another renewal of the contract with Building Services for construction management; that he would drop everything for a month to do all he could and he wanted her to know that and to explain why a tag would be damaging. Ms. McGilbra stated that without the extension of this contract the Building Services ability to continue to provide construction management services would be severely hindered and they desperately needed to continue this for at least another three months to finalize their plans and negotiate new contracts with new terms as discussed in the budget hearing and the new process would include a Building Services In-House Team and they would continue to wean themselves off construction management assistance.

BS IS SO TOP HEAVY NOW WITH PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING...THREE MONTHS ISN'T GOING TO HELP. BUT, WE'LL SEE WHO THEY ASK FOR NEXT GO AROUND....

Subj: (no subject)
Date: 7/4/00 5:34:36 PM Central Daylight Time
From: cbell@cnl.ci.houston.tx.us
To: HOUSNITCH

Brenda,

*&^%$#  told me last night that )*&^%$#@! told *^%$# the latest rumor at City Hall is that I wrote the Housnitch piece about Gabriel Vasquez. Interestingly, I had not even read it, much less written it. Anyway, I have read it now...nice work but if you talk to )(*&^%$ or any of your pals in Gabe's office, please set them straight. Thank you. Happy Fourth.

CB 

Interestingly enough, Council member Vasquez asked Council member Tatro if I was quoting him in that piece on the editorial. He told Tatro if I was, I could only hurt my credibility...upon which, Tatro responded that IF I was quoting him it could only HELP Housnitch's credibility...I sent the following to Council member Vasquez...(oh yeah, Chris, I don't have any "Pals" in Gabe's office, Mama says you if you go down in the gutter too often you're gonna get sewage all over you, so I stay away from that office)

Subj: This week's Housnitch
Date: 6/22/00 10:18:22 PM Central Daylight Time
From: HOUSNITCH
To: gvasquez@cnl.ci.houston.tx.us

Gabe, unlike yourself, I don't need anyone to do my writing for me. I speak my own mind, and owe allegiance to no one but the taxpayers of this city. Being a mother with 10 children, I learned quite a long time ago the necessity of making, and keeping a budget. I also learned to plan for the X-factor. Every point I made in this week's Housnitch was of my own mind, Tatro has too many things to do to write, edit or even comment to me. We do talk, but I also talk to Bell, Castillo, Sanchez, Todd, Goldberg, Keller, Parker and Quan. Carol Galloway is most religious in her e-mails to me. I very simply told the truth, and I didn't say anything that others, even here in the community aren't saying. It's just that I have the fortitude to say it. Your ass kissing is obvious, even to those not associated in the political sense. Keep it up, it makes for great fodder. It will also ultimately cause you your own downfall.
This is a failed administration, and those closely aligned & associated with it will go down when it does.
I had hoped you would learn to work for the good of all the city, not just for Gabe Vasquez, but I had not bet money on it so I haven't lost anything. Really, I have gained another stooge to add to the pages. And another stooge to talk about when I am speaking publicly, as I do so many nights. The Civic Assocs. just eat all this Housnitch stuff up. The Shriners love it, and all the political clubs are enjoying it also.
And it makes for great dinner conversations at all the committees & boards, that invite me to speak. We have a ball with it on Sunday's on our radio program....Quit blaming Tatro, I take all blame, criticism & heat for Housnitch.
Brenda Flynn Flores
Housnitch

And this was the Council member's OFFICIAL response:

Subj: RE: This week's Housnitch
Date: 6/28/00 8:22:15 AM Central Daylight Time
From: gvasquez@cnl.ci.houston.tx.us (Gabriel Vasquez)
Sender: gvasquez@cnl.ci.houston.tx.us (Gabriel Vasquez)
To: HOUSNITCH@aol.com

You are sadly mistaken in believing that someone other than myself wrote the
editorial--as a school board member I wrote several editorials and will continue to do so as a council member. All the information is available for anyone to investigate in the monthly financial reports. Debt is one of the biggest issues facing the city for the next six years. I will be a voice to provide solutions to the city's debt problem.

Oh We do so love this.....his e-mails are just as easily disputed as his editorials .... and can be used over & over again each time he votes a "YES" to a project that is BLOATED, INFLATED, & FRIVOLOUS or a CHANGE ORDER calling for more money because it wasn't done right the first time.... as to " All the information is available for anyone to investigate in the monthly financial reports." we know that, how do you think we wrote our piece? and some of us even showed up at the budget hearings...I think the record says you made ONE of them?
 (the UN-official response, snitches tell us is that council member Vasquez wants to do a "Snitch on Brenda", but having found nothing to snitch about, has started looking into the records of her children ...especially the minor children. Even so called organized crime says WIVES & CHILDREN are a no no ... see what Mama meant by that gutter boys & girls? And you can smell it the minute this Council member walks into a room (PSSST GABE.....TATRO did write THE ONE AFTER THE LETTER COMING UP!)

Subj: Bike Lanes!
Date: 6/7/00 8:03:17 PM Central Daylight Time
From:
To: HOUSNITCH@AOL.COM

HOUSNITCH,
I was hoping you could enlighten me or look into why when
traffic congestion inside the loop is getting worse, the city is removing
lanes from main streets and adding bike lanes. Examples are Heights Blvd,
20th Street between Studemont and Sheppard. ( this section goes from 2 lanes
to one lane back to two lanes back to one lane) Dunlavy, and West Alabama to
name a few. The few bikers and skaters I have seen using these lanes I could
count on one hand. Looks like a boondoggle plan to extract federal funds
with know real intelligent planning! Everyone I speak with has expressed
there displeasure with the situation. What do you think?

READ ON BABY...IT GET'S worse!!!!

Subj: Bike trails
Date: 6/30/00 10:00:18 PM Central Daylight Time
From: btatro@cnl.ci.houston.tx.us
To: HOUSNITCH

Be careful what you ask for!

In large part, I have been an advocate of the City’s bike path program, when it
was limited to bike trails along the Bayous and along certain roadways.

However, there are also 2 other types of trails associated with the Bike Path
Program that have to do with putting or designating the bike pathway on
existing Houston streets.
1) A Bike Path can be designated on an existing street merely by putting
up a Bike Path or Bike Route sign along the roadway. No alterations are done
to the street except that the signs are put up at intervals along the stretch
of roadway. 

2) A Bike Path lane is marked or painted on an existing roadway and the other lanes are shifted over, or re-striped, to accommodate the new 4 foot wide bike path. The road is not widened, and existing lanes of traffic, whether 1 or 2 lanes, are then made narrower by re-striping the existing lanes. 
(Examples of this are now on Heights Boulevard north or I-10, Ella Boulevard
south of the 610 loop, and Alabama west of Kirby.)

I have been consistent in my opposition to our roadways being used as bike
paths if it requires shortening of existing lanes and putting a 4-foot bike
path lane on each side. This would now make it illegal to drive in the bike
lane and people could and will be ticketed for doing so.

Currently, most lanes of roadway, which are concrete streets with curbs, on the roadways designated for the bike path, are 12-foot in width. In most cases,
these lanes will be narrowed to 10-foot lanes and the 4-foot bike lane will be
marked off on the right side of the street.

Some streets, like Alabama, have gone from 4 lanes (2 in each direction) to
only 2 lanes (1 in each direction) with a continuous turn lane. The traffic
backups at the intersections is now substantial on these streets.

While I have been a supporter of the Bike Trail System along the White Oak
Bayou, I am strongly opposed to dedicating street right-of-way for exclusive
use as a bikeway. I believe, narrowing these busy commercial and residential
streets from two, 12-foot lanes to two, 10-foot lanes will cause a significant
public safety problem for all automotive users of these streets.

Back in November 1999 I requested the Mayor’s support in requesting the Public Works Department and the Texas Department of Transportation, (TXDOT is coordinating the installation, although the City has designed all the routes) to cease the process of dedicating a portion of such narrow Houston streets for bike use only.

To date I have had no response from the Mayor and installation on many streets is about to be implemented.

I ask your assistance in contacting the Mayor and other Council Members to
voice your opinion.


Thank you.

Bruce Tatro

www.Tatro.net

The mailing address is: 
City of Houston 
P.O. Box 1562 
Houston, TX 77251

Name & Title Bus. Ph. Bus. Fax 
Parker, Anise - City-Council #1 - (713) 247-2014 FX:(713) 247-3519 
Gordon Quan - City-Council #2 - (713) 247-2013 FX:(713) 247-2580 
Sanchez, Orlando City-Council #3 - (713) 247-2005 FX: (713) 247-3322 
Bell, Chris, City- Council #4 - (713) 247-2006 FX:( 713) 247-2676 
Robinson, Carrol - City-Council #5 - (713) 247-2012 FX:(713) 247-1424 
Tatro, Bruce - City-Council A - (713) 247-2010 FX:(713) 247-1858 
Galloway, Carol - City-Council B -(713) 247-2009 FX:(713) 247-2707 
Goldberg, Mark - City-Council C - (713) 247-2004 FX:(713) 247-2676 
Boney, Jew Don - City-Council D - (713) 247-2001 FX:(713) 247-2196 
Todd, Rob - City-Council E - (713) 247-2008 FX:(713) 247-2676 
Ellis, Mark - City-Council F - (713) 247-2002 FX:(713) 247-1851 
Keller, Bert - City-Council G - (713) 247-2007 FX: (713) 247-3322 
Vasquez, Gabriel - City-Council H - (713) 247-2003 FX: (713) 247-1252 
Castillo, John - City-Council I - (713) 247-2011 FX: (713) 247-3322 
Brown, Lee - City-Mayor (713) 247-2545 FX: (713) 247-2710

Houston Bikeway Program
West Houston On-Street Access Bikeway Network

SEGMENT NAME LIMITS EXISTING & PROPOSED DESCRIPTION LENGTH (MILES) 
Dairy Ashford Old Katy Road to Eldridge ParkwayTrailExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/ median, curb & gutter street, restriped for 2-4' bike lanes; 4-10' thru traffic lanes0.75 
Enclave Parkway - IWest Eldridge Trail to Briar Forest4-12' thru lanes w/
median restriped for 2-4' bike lanes; 4-10' thru lanes1.00 
Enclave Parkway - IIBriar Forest to WestellaExisting wide 35' (2-17.5' shared
lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only0.50 
Briar Forest IHighway 6 to Dairy AshfordExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/
median, curb & gutter, restriped for 2-4' bike lanes; 4-10' thru traffic
lanes2.30 
Briar Forest II Dairy Ashford to Lakeside EstatesExisting 4-12' thru traffic
lanes w/ median, curb & gutter, restriped for 2-4' bike lanes; 4-10' thru
traffic lanes2.20 
West Ella Enclave Parkway to Whittington Existing wide 30' (2-15' shared lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only0.10 
Whittington Westella to Gentryside Existing wide 30' (2-15' shared lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only0.10 
Gentryside Whittington to Avenida La Quinta Existing wide 30' (2-15' shared
lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only0.20 
Avenida La Quinta Gentryside to Sandri Existing wide 28' (2-14' shared lanes)
curb & gutter street - sign only0.20 
SandrAvenida La Quinta to Briar West Existing wide 27' (2-13.5' shared lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only0.07 
Briar West Sandri to Westheimer Existing 4-11' thru traffic lanes w/median,
curb & gutter street, the treatment will be 2-8' parking lanes and 2-14' shared
lanes - sign only0.40 
Ashford Oak Westheimer to Ashford Chase Existing wide 28' (2-14' shared lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only0.20 
Ashford Chase Ashford Oak to Ashford Trail Drive Existing wide 28' (2-14' shared lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only0.10 
Ashford Trail Drive Ashford Chase to Ashford Park Existing wide 28' (2-14' shared lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only0.20 
Ashford Park Ashford Trails to Skynoll Lane Existing wide 28' (2-14' shared
lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only0.30 
Skynoll LaneAshford Park to S. Briarknoll Drive Existing wide 28' (2-14' shared lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only0.10 
S. Briarknoll DriveSkynoll Lane to Existing Trail/BridgeExisting wide 28'
(2-14' shared lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only0.10 
Whittington Gentryside to Shannon ValleyExisting wide 38' (2-19' shared lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only1.30 
Shannon ValleyWhittington to WaldemarExisting wide 28' (2-14' shared lanes)
curb & gutter street - sign only0.20 
WaldemarShannon Valley to SouthlakeExisting wide 30' (2-15' shared lanes)
curb & gutter street - sign only0.80 
SouthlakeWaldemar/Cresent Park to Woodland ParkExisting wide 4-12' lanes
w/median; curb & gutter street. Restripe to 2-10' inside lanes & 2-14' outside
shared lanes and add missing Waldemar sign @ Southlake - sign only0.20 
Woodland ParkSouthlake to RichmondExisting 4-12' lanes w/median, curb & gutter street, restriped for 2-14' outside shared lanes; 2-10' inside lanes; - sign
only1.00 
MeadowglenWoodland Park to WilcrestExisting wide 30' (2-15' shared lanes)
curb & gutter street - sign only0.40 
MeadowglenWilcrest to Walnut BendExisting wide 30' (2-15' shared lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only0.20 
Wilcrest Dr.Meadowglen to High StarExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/ median, curb & gutter street, restriped for 2-4' bike lanes; 4-10' thru traffic
lanes1.50 
Harwin - IWilcrest Drive to RogerdaleExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/
median, curb & gutter street, restriped for 2-4' bike lanes; 4-10' thru traffic
lanes0.90 
Harwin - IIRogerdale to Beltway 8 NB Feeder RoadExisting 3-12' lanes (WB), 3-11' lanes (EB) w/median, curb & gutter, restripe WB to 1-4' bike lane, 2-10' and
1-12' thru lanes; EB 1-6' Buffer, 5' Bike Lane and 2-11' thru lanes.0.20 
High Star Dr.Wilcrest Drive to Boone Rd.Existing 40' wide curb & gutter street; restripe to 2-20' shared lanes0.30 
Boone Rd.High Star to Brays Bayou TrailExisting 4-10' lanes; curb & gutter
street; restripe to 2-6' Bike Lanes and 2-14' thru lanes0.30 
Richmond IWestheimer Rd. to Highway 6Existing 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/
median, curb & gutter street, restriped for 2-4' bike lanes; 4-10' thru traffic
lanes0.70 
Richmond IIHighway 6 to Dairy AshfordExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/
median, curb & gutter street, restriped for 2-4' bike lanes; 4-10' thru traffic
lanes2.30 
Richmond IIIDairy Ashford to Wilcrest Dr.Existing 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/
median, curb & gutter street, restriped for 2-4' bike lanes; 4-10' thru traffic
lanes2.00 
KirkwoodOld Katy Road to WestheimerExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/ median, curb & gutter street, restriped for 2-4' bike lanes; 4-10' thru traffic
lanes3.50 
Old Katy RoadBrittmoore to Dairy AshfordWiden street from 2-12' thru traffic lanes by adding 4' shoulder bike lanes on each side3.18 
Project Sub-Total27.80 

Houston Bikeway Program
CBD Access On-Street Bikeway Network North Segment

W 23rd St.Ella Blvd. to N. ShepherdExisting 4-10' Lanes, curb & gutter,
restriped to 2- 20' shared lanes - sign only1.20 
W 23rd St.N. Shepherd to LawrenceExisting wide 28' street: open ditch (S); curb & gutter (N) 2-14' shared lanes0.10 
LawrenceW. 23rd St. to W. 20th St.Existing wide 28' curb & gutter street (2-14' shared lanes)- sign only0.40 
W. 20th St.Lawrence to N. MainExisting 4-11' lanes, curb & gutter, converted to 2-5' bike lanes; 2-11' thru lanes; 1-12' center turn lane1.20 
ClavacadeN. Main to Homestead Rd.Existing 4-12' lanes w/median, curb & gutter, converted to 2-4' bike lanes; 4-10' thru lanes; retaining median5.20 
FultonN. Loop 610 to QuitmanExisting 4-12' lanes w/median, curb & gutter,
converted to 2-4' bike lanes; 4-10' thru lanes; retaining median1.80 
FultonQuitman to HoganExisting wide 28' curb & gutter street (2-14' shared
lanes)- sign only0.40 
FultonHogan to BurnettExisting wide 24' open ditch street- sign only0.30 
HaysFulton to Moody Park Trail EntranceExisting 4-10' lanes, curb & gutter,
restriped to 2- 20' shared lanes-sign only0.05 
BurnettFulton to GanoExisting narrow 23' open ditch street (being widened
to 24' by COH for 2-12' shared lanes)- sign only0.10 
BurnettGano to HardyExisting wide 40' curb & gutter street (2-20' shared
lanes)- sign only0.10 
HardyBurnett to LeonaExisting wide 35' curb & gutter street (2-17.5' shared
lanes)- sign only0.10 
LeonaHardy to MauryExisting wide 26' open ditch street (2-13' shared lanes)-
sign only0.10 
MauryLeona to OpelousasExisting wide 26' curb & gutter street (2-13' shared
lanes)- sign only0.05 
MauryOpelousas to LyonsExisting wide 30' curb & gutter street (2-15' shared
lanes)- sign only0.08 
LyonsMckee to Port/I.H.10Existing: 2-17'-19' curb & gutter lanes converted to 2-5' bike lanes; 2-12'-14' thru lanes (depending on width)3.50 
Waco/HirschI.H. 10 to N. Loop 610Existing 4-12' lanes w/median, curb & gutter, converted to 2-4' bike lanes; 4-10' thru lanes; retaining median2.50 
MckeeLyons to I.H. 10 WB service Rd.Existing 2 lane, 1-way SB 34' open ditch street. Restripe 5' bike lane and 2-14.5' thru lanes0.05 
MckeeI.H. 10 WB service Rd. to I.H. 10 EB service rd.Existing 3-12' curb &
gutter one-way lanes SB restriped to 1-4' bike lane; 2-11' and 1-10' one-way
lanes0.05 
HardyI.H. 10 EB service Rd. I.H. 10 WB service rd.Existing 3-12' curb & gutter one-way lanes NB restriped to 1-4' bike lane; 2-11' and 1-10' one-way
lanes0.05 
HardyI.H. 10 WB service Rd. to LyonsExisting 2 lane, 1-way SB 27' open ditch street. Restripe 5' bike lane and 2-11' thru lanes0.05 
Heights Blvd.W. 20th St. to I.H. 10Existing 2-18' outside lanes w/parking &
2-12' inside traffic lanes w/median, curb & gutter, restriped to 2-9' parking
lanes; 2-6' bike lanes; 2-15' inside traffic lanes1.90 
W. 12th N. Post Oak to I.H. 610 SB service rd.Add 4' Shoulder bike lanes to
open ditch street with 4" wide solid white line seperating bikes from traffic;
overlay street- sign only0.25 
W. 12th I.H. 610 SB service rd. to I.H. 610 NB service rd.Existing 3-11'
curb & gutter WB one-way traffic lanes restriped to 1-16' WB outside one-way thru traffic lane; 1-6' striped buffer zone; 1-5' WB bike lane; 1-6' EB contraflow (reverse) bike lane0.40 
W. 12th I.H. 610 NB service rd. to HempsteadAdd 4' Shoulder bike lanes to open ditch street with 4" wide solid white line seperating bikes from traffic- sign
only0.25 
W. 12th Hempstead to Ella Blvd.Add 4' Shoulder bike lanes to open ditch street with 4" wide solid white line seperating bikes from traffic; remove and replace trees- sign only1.00 
Ella Blvd.11th st. to N. Loop 610Existing 4-12' lanes w/median, curb & gutter, converted to 2-4' bike lanes; 4-10' thru lanes; retaining median1.50 
PineshadeElla Blvd. to ShirkmereExisting wide 27' curb & gutter street (2-13.5' shared lanes)- sign only0.30 
ShirkmerePineshade to WisterExisting wide 27' curb & gutter street (2-13.5'
shared lanes)- sign only0.10 
WisterShirkmere to ShelterwoodExisting wide 27' curb & gutter street (2-13.5'shared lanes)- sign only0.20 
ShelterwoodWister to WoodbrookExisting wide 27' curb & gutter street (2-13.5' shared lanes)- sign only0.10 
WoodbrookShelterwood to BryceExisting wide 27' curb & gutter street (2-13.5' shared lanes)- sign only0.10 
BryceWoodbrook to W. White Oak Bayou trailExisting wide 31' curb & gutter street (2-15.5' shared lanes)- sign only0.10 
W. 14thHeights Blvd. to 150' past ColumbiaExisting wide 37' curb & gutter
street (2-18.5' shared lanes)- sign only0.20 
W. 14th150' past Columbia to OxfordExisting wide 35' curb & gutter street
(2-17.5' shared lanes)- sign only0.10 
W. 14thOxford to MichauxExisting wide 38' curb & gutter street (2-19' shared lanes)- sign only0.50 
MichauxE. 14th St. to PecoreExisting wide 30' curb & gutter street (2-15'
shared lanes)- sign only0.20 
MichauxPecore to Pecore + 100'Existing wide 40' curb & gutter street (2-20'
shared lanes)- sign only0.10 
MichauxPecore + 100' to OmarExisting wide 24' Open Ditch Street -sign only0.15 
MichauxOmar to 100' before BaylandExisting narrow 22' Open Ditch Street (being widened to 24' by COH for 2-12' shared lanes)-sign only0.15 
Michaux100' before Bayland to BaylandExisting wide 30' curb & gutter street
(2-15' shared lanes)- sign only0.10 
BaylandMichaux to WatsonExisting wide 36' curb & gutter street (2-18' shared lanes)- sign only0.30 
BaylandWatson to HoustonExisting wide 36' curb & gutter street (2-18' shared lanes)- sign only0.50 
HoustonBayland to ParkviewExisting wide 36' curb & gutter street (2-18' shared lanes)- sign only0.20 
HoustonParkview to White Oak Dr. and Heritage Corridor Trail connectionExisting wide 44' curb & gutter street, restriped to 2-5' bike lanes, 2-11' thru lanes and 1-12' center turn lane; 0.30 
Project Sub-Total26.38 

Houston Bikeway Program
TMC/Greenway Plaza/Galleria Area Access On-Street Bikeway North Segment

N. Post Oak Lane Memorial Dr. to Oakford Existing wide 40' (2-20' shared lanes), curb & gutter- sign only0.28 
OakfordN. Post Oak Lane to N. Post OakExisting wide 40' (2-20' shared lanes), curb & gutter- sign only0.10 
N. Post OakOakford to I.H. 10Existing 4-11' lanes w/open ditch seperating
the NB & SB lanes and out on the outer edges. Add 4' shoulder bike lanes0.45 
N. Post OakI.H. 10 to WestviewExisting 4-12' lanes w/median, curb & gutter,
converted to 2-4' bike lanes; 4-10' thru lanes; retaining median0.60 
AntoineWestview. to I.H. 10Existing 4-12' lanes w/median, curb & gutter,
converted to 2-4' bike lanes; 4-10' thru lanes; retaining median1.10 
AntoineI.H. 10 to MemorialExisting 4-12' lanes, curb & gutter, converted to
2-5' bike lanes; 2-11' thru lanes and 1-12' continuous turn lane; 0.25 
Memorial Dr.N. Post Oak Lane to Chimney RockExisting 4-12' lanes w/median, curb & gutter, converted to 2-14' outside shared lanes and; 2-10' thru inside lanes; retaining median1.70 
WestviewWirt Rd, to SliberExisting 4-12' lanes w/median, curb & gutter,
converted to 2-4' bike lanes; 4-10' thru lanes; retaining median1.60 
WestviewSiber to N. Post OakExisting 4-12' lanes w/median, curb & gutter,
converted to 2-4' bike lanes; 4-10' thru lanes; retaining median0.60 
Project Sub-Total6.68 

Houston Bikeway Program
North Houston On-Street Access Bikeway Network

Clay RoadBrittmoore to PinemontExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/ median,
curb & gutter street, restriped to 4-10' thru traffic lanes; 2-4' bike lanes3.35 
43rd StreetPinemont to White Oak Bayou TrailExisting 4-12' thru traffic
lanes w/ median, curb & gutter street, restriped to 4-10' thru traffic lanes; 2-4' bike lanes3.82 
PinemontClay to Hempstead Rd.Existing 4-10' thru traffic lanes, curb & gutter
street, converted to 2-10' thru traffic lanes, 1-12' center turn lane, 2-4'
bike lanes 0.55 
PinemontHollister to T.C. JesterExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/ median,
curb & gutter street, restriped to 4-10' thru traffic lanes; 2-4' bike
lanes2.70
BlalockClay Road to NeuensExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/ median, curb & gutter street, restriped to 4-10' thru traffic lanes; 2-4' bike lanes1.50 
BlalockNeuens to Long PointExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/ median, curb & gutter street, restriped to 4-10' thru traffic lanes; 2-4' bike lanes0.62 
BlalockLong Point to WestviewExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/ median,
curb & gutter street, restriped to 4-10' thru traffic lanes; 2-4' bike lanes0.34 
KempwoodStetson to Wirt RoadExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/ median, curb & gutter street, restriped to 4-10' thru traffic lanes; 2-4' bike lanes3.85 
WirtKempwood to WestviewExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/ median, curb & gutter street, restriped to 4-10' thru traffic lanes; 2-4' bike lanes1.35 
HammerlyWirt to AntoineExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/ median, curb &
gutter street, restriped to 4-10' thru traffic lanes; 2-4' bike lanes0.50 
AntoineWestview to PinemontExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/ median, curb & gutter street, restriped to 4-10' thru traffic lanes; 2-4' bike lanes3.20 
PoinsianaAntoine to Costa RicaExisting wide 27' (2-13.5' shared lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only0.10 
Costa RicaPoinsiana to LamonteExisting wide 28' (2-14' shared lanes) curb &
gutter street - sign only0.10 
LamonteCosta Rica to MangumExisting wide 27' (2-13.5' shared lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only0.60 
Mangum - ILamonte to WatongaExisting 4-10' thru traffic lanes, curb & gutter
street, restriped to 2-4' bike lanes; 2-11' thru traffic lanes; 1-10' center
turn lane0.30 
Mangum - IIWatonga to 34th StreetExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/ median,
curb & gutter street, restriped to 4-10' thru traffic lanes; 2-4' bike
lanes0.20
Ella Blvd34th Street to N. Loop 610 Feeder RdExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes
w/ median, curb & gutter street, restriped to 4-10' thru traffic lanes; 2-4'
bike lanes0.30 
34th StreetMangum to N. ShepherdExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/ median,
curb & gutter street, restriped to 4-10' thru traffic lanes; 2-4' bike
lanes3.30
34th StreetN. Shepherd to LawrenceExisting wide 37' (2-18.5' shared lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only0.05 
Lawrence34th Street to 33rd StreetExisting narrow 16' one-way EB open ditch street - sign only0.10 
Lawrence33rd Street to 34th StreetExisting narrow 18' one-way WB open ditch street - sign only0.10 
33rd StreetLawrence to Yale/34th StreetExisting narrow 16' open ditch street
(being widened to 24' by COH for 2-12' shared lanes) - sign only0.40 
34th StreetYale/33rd Street to CortlandExisting wide 36' (2-18' shared lanes)
curb & gutter - sign only0.20 
Cortland34th Street to 33rd StreetExisting wide 36' (2-18' shared lanes) curb & gutter - sign only0.10 
33rd StreetCortland to N. MainExisting wide 37' (2-18.5' shared lanes) curb & gutter - sign only0.20 
33rd StreetN. Main to LinkExisting narrow 19' open ditch street (being widened to 24' by COH for 2-12' shared lanes) - sign only0.30 
33rd StreetLink to OmegaExisting wide 41' curb & gutter street (2-20.5' shared lanes) - sign only0.10 
33rd StreetOmega to AirlineExisting wide 28' (2-14' shared lanes) curb & gutter - sign only0.20 
33rd StreetAirline to Bayou DriveExisting wide 36' (2-18' shared lanes) curb & gutter - sign only0.20 
Bayou Drive33rd Street to StokesExisting wide 31' (2-15.5' shared lanes) curb & gutter - sign only0.20 
StokesBayou Drive to 180' before IH-45
UnderpassExisting wide 37' - 48' curb & gutter street, restripe street to
accommodate 2 wide outside shared lanes of various widths (make 4 lanes where possible) - sign only0.10 
Stokes180' before IH-45 Underpass to 180' past IH-45 UndepassExisting wide 25'
WB traffic lane, 14' median, 25' EB traffic lane, curb & gutter street,
restriped for 2-15' outside shared lanes; 2-10' inside thru traffic lanes -
sign only0.10 
Stokes180' past IH-45 Underpass to 1st set of RR TracksExisting wide 48' curb & gutter street, restriped for 2-14' outside shared lanes; 2-10' inside thru
traffic lanes - sign only0.10 
Stokes1st set of RR Tracks to 2nd set of RR TracksExisting wide 45' curb &
gutter street, restriped for 2-12.5' outside shared lanes; 2-10' inside thru
traffic lanes - sign only0.10 
Stokes2nd set of RR Tracks to AmasaExisting wide 46' curb & gutter street,
restriped for 2-13' outside shared lanes; 2-10' inside thru traffic lanes -
sign only0.10 
StokesAmasa to FultonExisting wide 48' curb & gutter street, restriped for
2-14'
outside shared lanes; 2-10' inside thru traffic lanes - sign only0.10 
FultonCrosstimbers to N. Loop 610 WB Feeder RoadExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/ median, curb & gutter street, restriped to 4-10' thru traffic lanes; 2-4' bike lanes1.20 
Viking TrailWest White Oak Bayou Trail/West T. C. Jester to T.C. JesterAdd 10' (Concrete or Asphalt) Trail + curb cuts0.02 
Viking T. C. Jester to DonnabellExisting wide 27' (2-13.5' shared lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only0.23 
DonnabellViking Drive to BethlehemExisting wide 27' (2-13.5' shared lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only0.10 
BethlehemDonnabell to HewittExisting wide 28' (2-14' shared lanes) curb &
gutter street - sign only0.55 
BethlehemHewitt to Oak ForestExisting wide 41' Restripe (2-20.5' shared lanes) curb & gutter - sign only0.20 
Oak ForestBethlehem to JudiwayExisting wide 36' (2-18' shared lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only1.10 
Oak ForestJudiway to 34th StreetExisting wide 25' (2-12.5' shared lanes) open ditch street - sign only0.20 
Dubarry TrailW. White Oak Bayou Trail to East T.C. JesterAdd
10' (Concrete or Asphalt) Trail + curb cuts0.10 
WakefieldGolf to DonnabellExisting wide 27' (2-13.5' shared lanes) curb &
gutter street - sign only1.10 
DonnabellWakefield to DubarryExisting wide 27' (2-13.5' shared lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only0.20 
DubarryDonnabell to T.C. JesterExisting wide 27' (2-13.5' shared lanes) curb & gutter street - sign only0.30 
Alba34th Street to WakefieldExisting wide 40' (2-20' shared lanes) curb &
gutter street - sign only0.30 
Garden Oaks (WB one-way)N. Shepherd to N. Shepherd + 64'Existing wide 1-23' WB shared one-way lane, curb & gutter street - sign only0.08 
Garden Oaks (WB one-way)N. Shepherd + 64' to Sue BarnettExisting wide 1-15' WB shared one-way lane, open ditch street - sign only0.02 
Garden Oaks (EB one-way)Sue Barnett to 64' before N. ShepherdExisting wide 1-16'
EB shared one-way lane, open ditch street - sign only0.02 
Garden Oaks (EB one-way)64' before N. Shepherd to N. ShepherdExisting wide 1-23'
EB shared one-way lane, curb & gutter ( street - sign only0.08 
Garden OaksN. Shepherd to CrosstimbersExisting 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/
median, curb & gutter streeet, restriped to 4-10' thru traffic lanes; 2-4' bike
lanes0.50 
CrosstimbersGarden Oaks to Hirsch Rd.Existing 4-12' thru traffic lanes w/
median, curb & gutter streeet, restriped to 4-10' thru traffic lanes; 2-4' bike
lanes5.34 
Hirsch Rd.Kelly to I.H. 610Exist 4-12' lanes w/ median; restripe to 4-10' thru
lanes and 2-4' bike lanes; retain median0.20 
Project Sub-Total41.27 

Bruce Tatro,
Houston City Council, District A
P.O. Box 1562, Houston TX 77251
Phone-713-247-2010
Fax-713-247-1858
E-Mail: btatro@cnl.ci.houston.tx.us
Website:  www.tatro.net

NOW THIS SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING THOSE SUPERNEIGHBORHOOD COMMITTEES SHOULD TAKE ON... This is going to cause more congestion, more pollution, and God Forbid a child should even try to use any of these proposed trails..

Subj: Wait! Please! on the Bell-Kingwood Deal
Date: 7/1/00 6:39:53 PM Central Daylight Time
From: 
To: HOUSNITCH@aol.com

Hi Brenda,
I hear you are working on a story involving Chris Bell and Kingwood. One
of the people I worked with who escaped from real estate is going to be
the "fall guy" on the deal. I am asking you to investigate it more
before you go to print with it. Not just because he is my friend but
because I think you may not be getting all the facts of the deal and it
could hurt you, too. It's the one about the house sale with the wood
landscape timber fence that had a complaint that Rick Dickson from the
Mayor's Office handled. Rick ran a title company for years, has serious
real estate experience, and knows what the legal details are. When he
followed the "rules" in an effort to keep trouble down - i.e. -
bulldozers from the city coming to take it down surprising the new
buyer, those above him caved in and are trying to incredibly say that
the restrictions don't exist. Even though he knew what the deal was
anyway, Rick checked it out with Public Works and Legal before he
responded. Dern fool just didn't get it in writing because he was
trying to handle it quickly. But all the legal stuff backing him up is
there. Apparently the r.e. agent called Bell and you to intervene and
Bell, not knowing what was going on, cracked the whip over Rick's office
and they caved in. Please, please look into this more before you do a
number on Rick. ...it doesn't
pay much at all....he's worked hard and with great enthusiasm - he
likes! what he does and is extremely sincere. Before he told me about
it, he believed you would burn him big time without checking it all
out. I told him: goodness no....Brenda checks out everything...she's
...well...I gushed over your wonderfulness. Here's Rick's e-mail address
if you want to talk to him (his 1st name is actually (*&^%
*&^%$#@ and his phone number is )(*&^%$#
He's quite befuddled by it all. As in lost sleep. Because he was just
trying to get the thing solved and, of course, no one above him will
back him up on it.  I don't want you to be in a mess on this, or my friend either.
Aside from that, thank you for continuing on. Please...just a couple
more weeks, hang in there. 
Enough of my "dumping" on you. Please check out thoroughly the thing in
Kingwood before you go to print. If you see a problem with the way it
was handled, go on ahead, and I'm behind you. Really, I am. Everyone
messes up, but I don't think it happened this time. 

Subj: Re: Wait! Please! on the Bell-Kingwood Deal
Date: 7/1/00 9:38:01 PM Central Daylight Time
From: HOUSNITCH
To: 
#1....Bell did not come to me with this information NO COUNCILMEMBER OR THEIR OFFICE DID, it came from a taxpaying public citizen who reads our site, and who is involved in that area. (it wasn't the r.e agent either)
#2......the complaint is for an EASEMENT violation...involving a small FLOWER GARDEN that the Property owner has there....
#3...the original complaint (and it's in writing...just as this one is)..was filed in March of 1998...at that time, PW&E went to the site & found.... A.)That the garden, "while on the city's easement, was not a permanent fixture, THOSE are easement violations..... B)The flower garden was not in any line of site even though it was located on the corner...The conclusion by PW&E was...NO VIOLATION.

Now they are back again, and still they find no violation...(this is in writing !)...mean time.....Civic Association President assures me that there are no DEED RESTRICTION VIOLATIONS...The civic association president told me this personally. (this was sent in writing to your friend)

#3....I don't care HOW long he was with real estate...or what kind of licenses he has....he CANNOT mix his private with his representation of the city in his capacity of Mayor's Citizen's assistance. He represents the Mayor (idiot that he is)...and he cannot invoke that WORK persona under the laws & guise of another. AS A CITY OF HOUSTON EMPLOYEE HE CANNOT CALL THE REAL ESTATE AGENT & TELL HER JACK ....as a private citizen he can....HE MIXED THE TWO...

Also, I hear your friend wants to run for Todd's seat next term....are you sure he's telling YOU the truth?

Paperwork tends to NOT support your friend's claim.... I called the number you sent...it was a voice fax....I have sent him an e-mail, I will listen to his side.
Brenda Flynn Flores
Housnitch
713-722-9258

Well he did not call me back, and there you have the e-mails concerning this...what you don't know is that Mr. Dickson ALMOST stopped the sale of a home. He bullied the homeowner until she cried, then his boss Mr. Okeke did the same in defending his employee. (this was all generated by an elderly man across the street from the home ower who does not like the garden) In speaking with the new director of Citizens Assistance Richard Cantu promised he would get to the bottom of this, and assured me this was not city policy. Councilmember Bell's office & Councilmember Todd's office took great care with this taxpayer & helped to avoid the City a nasty lawsuit...but some kind of measures needs to be taken against those concerned at the Kingwood ofice to see this doesn't EVER happen again. Mr. Cantu told this editor he was meeting with the council members to get their feed back, then would meet with Dickson & Okeke before he took any disciplinary action. Housnitch will let you know what that action is.

Subj: administration:
Date: 6/28/00 5:07:43 PM Central Daylight Time
From: 
To: HOUSNITCH@aol.com (Brenda Flores)

There is a solution to the problems with this city administration: RECALL VOTE!!!

Subj: Re: administration
Date: 6/28/00 6:28:16 PM Central Daylight Time
From: HOUSNITCH
To: 

we need 75 volunteers to gather the signatures..... We need 25% of the voters who voted in the last CITY election. The signatures can be gathered at the November elections........Wanna help organize? They did it in Sea Brook...we can do it here!
Brenda Flynn Flores
Housnitch
713-722-9258

Subj: McGilbra and Company/Or is it Building Services Again?
Date: 6/27/00 8:42:13 PM Central Daylight Time
From: 
To: HOUSNITCH

Brenda!

We just cannot say enough about the "GREAT" Director of Building Services! What a fine choice the Mayor made! (yeah right)

I appreciate your letter sent to you the other week about her direction. Word has it t today she tried to bribe employees with donuts introducing the new addition to her web, Ja'Nice Sparks (Division Manager or whatever). Word has it she was miserable in F&A and bribed Monique into bringing her onboard to Building Services. We see why as she carries the same snotty air as her leader!

We certainly hope she with her "Greattt" track record, according to Monique can assist the department with their top heavy budget.

Seems as though the employee she wrongly fired, Eddy Lovely lost his appeal again.
What a shame. Ever seen an employee have 5 witnesses and still loose a case? One was on vacation. Interesting isn't it? Legal knew that also. Strange, wouldn't you say? Perhaps there is something wrong with the person who is the root of all evil, Danny Gonzales, his supervisor at the time of his (Excuse me Mr. G. Project Manager, something John Baldwin gave him before leaving) Now let's not leave out his road dog, Mrs. Mendi Weinstein who incidentally quit recently who was at the time his manager. She says she quit because of her pregnancy. Yeah right. You know..the person who breathed the same air as Moniqie as the other reader put it. Seems as though they both had a personnel problem with Mr. Lovely. It is well noted, we all have imperfections, strings to pull or shall we say snap, but was this the right thing to do? You know, the indefinite suspension thing, after doing a 7-day suspension consecutively. Naughty, Naughty people, we must not play with one's jobs as we all have obligations to deal with. O incidentally, we all thank you Mr.Gonzales for sharing the past information to Housnitch or oops did we say that? Seems as though you are unhappy also. Tisk, Tisk. Now you know how it feels to be shit on, and let's face it, you are still fortunate because you still have a job, Sir. O well Sir. You know the old saying or do you, the Lord does not like ugly and ugly you are in more ways than one, but it is okay. O by the way, Mr. G. is that large house note up to date? You know, the new one you and your herd is living in. Just checking. You don't want to let that note get behind, just in case situations change around your house.

Well Mrs. McGilbra, what a company you have indeed. First, you have employees who know their jobs but will not be promoted any time soon by you. Your "LITTLE" department is almost as top heavy as some other larger departments. You have only promoted 1 employee within the department to a key position. You have terminated an employee based on lies and your problem for that employee being terminated still remains employed within your department. Your nose is so far up into the air, you should be able to see the clouds surrounding the Most High, you drive that Expedition which is a city owned vehicle like a bat out of hell, you still don't speak to your staff when you can get away with it, and you want us to be happy with donuts!

You are out of your freaking mind! We are not buying swamp land this week either, especially from you!

Think again McGilbra!

There are resignation papers in your HR section your name can be easily placed on, just ask.

We have to let em vent here....this is ONE of 27 letters we received from this department. SOMETHING is VERRRRY wrong over there. 

Subj: Superneighborhoods
Date: 6/26/00 4:41:47 PM Central Daylight Time
From: 
To: HOUSNITCH@aol.com

Brenda,

Have you had any complaints about how the Mayor's Superneighborhood program is being run?

In my neighborhood (Fondren SW), it's been a nightmare!

Two of my Councilmember's (Mark Goldberg's) office staff are involved in our
Superneighborhood. (The actions of one of them, in particular, I question.)
Goldberg voted for whatever the Superneighborhood proposal was before City Council last week. I will be doing more research to get written information
about that.

We had such HIGH hopes for Goldberg...his mom is really a nice lady, and we thought he would become quite the statesman. We say get those superneighborhoods on the bike issue....let them be effective for a change. Actually do some good. Maybe even save a life.

Subj: 
Date: 6/22/00 8:35:56 AM Central Daylight Time
From: 
To: HOUSNITCH

Fred Martinez with ATSER has really (*&^% up the program management on the street construction. He doesn't know what he is doing, and on top of that some of the things that he is doing are dishonest.

Michael Ho and Juan Rendon do not want to give him anymore work, but I think Hilda pushed Herb Lum to extend his contract.

 This is exactly the type of government waste and corruption that you have been working to eliminate.
 

WANNA BE MORE SPECIFIC ON THAT dishonest stuff? and any time those guys in PW&E want to, they can stand up & let the administration know just what is what...at least SOME of the council members anyway. 

Subj: (no subject)
Date: 6/20/00 8:40:54 PM Central Daylight Time
From: 
To: HOUSNITCH

Brenda, I try to stay out of your hair because you have to concentrate. You walk a tight, fine line. But remember that I (and my Family) are your staunchest supporters. You've paid very heavy dues for what you do, but I think this is really a battle. we either fight, die or die as slaves, just live a little longer in misery and humiliation.

Something really strange and good is happening, but it ain't free, Kid. 

Thank you for your support....and all you do.

Subj: Re: Check out Mayor Says & the way it REALLY is
Date: 6/13/00 9:25:36 PM Central Daylight Time
From: 
To: HOUSNITCH@aol.com

HOUSNITCH@aol.com wrote:
> 
> Click here: Mayor Says & the way it
> REALLY is
Hi Brenda!
This issue is one of your very, very best. Just answering everything, with the articles, photos... But especially the one about the p.o.'d building services people. A friend of mine there said they were told not to even bother to apply for the better positions coming up. And, I'm pretty sure she's not the one writing in to you.
Snotty? Why isn't Ms. McGilbra in real estate? Management there thrives
on that attitude. A co-worker who talks with some of the council people says the gossip is that the "lady" is the daughter of Lee. P.'s golf buddy. Can we check this out? I'm not above following and taking car license numbers.
Did you see the Chronicle article yesterday - bottom of 14A - black MBA's, with Jew Don Boney, meet and go on about how only 10% of success is actual work production, quality, 60% who you know, 30% image. Damn,
sounds like the city supervisor class- CAPS- where they're are taught to be "shrewd." A real Brer Rabbit philosophy that pervades the city.
Want a copy of the page of the manual? Would you want to work under  under Showri. Ain't that a great idea?  We've had bad dealings with him before on a grievance, where he was the deciding person. He came in and warmly greeted my supervisor and then glared at us like we were a sack of
dirt. And is he from a country where they set women on fire? those that weren't killed at birth? Bleah. Sometimes I feel like taking pom poms and a megaphone to work - it's all such a silly game - 
When do I get to go to a White something or other meeting? Black Public Administrators, Black MBA's, - why is this allowed? Shouldn't it be against something in America?

we're just gonna leave that one alone....

Subj: Mayor's and HFD IG Inspection
Date: 6/13/00 8:51:24 PM Central Daylight Time
From: 
To: HOUSNITCH@AOL.COM

The City's IG is inspecting the outstanding workorders on the E-One Fire Trucks. Regardless of the outcome, there are a few who believe that the Fire Chief was made aware of the problems when they first started to arrive.

Mr. Denton who works in Fire's purchasing department was present at the time the first few Fire trucks were being delivered. He was there in the inspection bays and was informed of some of the problems and from some peoples impression, he was going to identify these problems to the Fire Chief.

If the IG's office needs to investigate anybody, they should investigate
him. He was the one who is believed to have caused Fire to get stuck with the E-Ones and the problems we have in Fleet.
Fire Trucks were being inspected

OIG doesn't ever find the REAL culprit...some little guy will swing for it

Subj: the Mayors Visit
Date: 6/9/00 9:07:15 PM Central Daylight Time
From: 
To: housnitch@AOL.COM

On June 5 00 the handrails were removed from the steps between the parking 
garage and the terminal building at Hobby Airport. When asked if this would 
endanger the citizens using these steps; The reply of Mr. Ross Underhill 
(Senior Supervisor of Operation) replied "We don't care about the safety of 
the citizens, the Mayor is coming for the ground breaking and we don't want 
the handrail in the pictures."
This shows what is important to the management at Hobby Airport. Not what's 
safe, or even legal, just what makes my boss happy. Management at Hobby 
doesn't care about the citizens, they certainly don't care about the workers, 
only what makes their boss happy.


I double checked with my source and got the same story from two people.
The quote from Underhill, and removing the handrails is a violation of city 
code.

THIS ADMINISTRATION IS BAD ALL THE WAY AROUND....BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THEY HAVE ALL THE MONEY...
________________________________________________________________________

SEEMS AS THOUGH LOCAL 341 FIREFIGHTER PRESIDENT STEVE WILLIAMS SENT  A LETTER TO THE MAYOR STATING THAT THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE READY TO NEGOTIATE, UP TO & INCLUDING MARATHON SESSIONS....MAYOR'S OFFICE RESPONDED BY SAYING THEY WERE KEEPING EVERYTHING TIED UP IN LEGAL...THAT BY DOING SO THE COULD LET THE TIME RUN OUT ON THE UNION'S AUTHORITY TO BE THE ONLY BARGAINING TOOL FOR THE MEMBERS. ACTUALLY IT MEANS THAT THE MEMBERSHIP WILL HAVE TO MEET AGAIN, AND VOTE AGAIN FOR THE COMMITTEE TO REPRESENT THEM, WHICH WE KNOW THEY WILL, BUT I DOES SHOW THE DELAYING TACTICS BEING USED BY THIS ADMINISTRATION TO HURT & ENDANGER THE CITIZENS. SAFETY SHOULD NEVER BE BARGAINED AWAY, STALLED OUT...OR NOT GIVEN EQUITY...HOW MANY OF YOU FIREFIGHTER' VOTED IN THE LAST CITY ELECTION? WANNA SIGN A RECALL PETETION?

HAVE A LISTEN TO HOUSNITCH THIS SUNDAY, JULY 7th ON "THRESHOLDS".... KPFT, 90.1 AT 7 PM. 

CALL IN # IS 713-523-KPFT....TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT, ASK A QUESTION, OFFER A COMMENT HOUSTON

We are empowered, and empowering you the reader, the little guy like us to say NO! No more! IF each and everyone of one of you out there, send us just $10 we can beat them at their own much better funded game ... please take the time & do so now. The stories that are coming in are well worth the effort. You will see the results right here, please , send us a donation. Nothing is too small. $1 dollar will buy 10 pages worth of a document from the City, $5 will buy a ream of paper for printing out our website for those occasions we have speaking engagements, $30 will buy a tank of gas for traveling to and from council meetings and meetings with snitches ...parking costs... WE NEED YOU ... This is your page ..... help us with it...P.O. Box 55423 Houston, Texas 77255   713-722-9258

tell em what you think darlins.......

MAYOR

COUNCIL

HOUSNITCH

"He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice." 
-Albert Einstein