Foolsgold

Customer Service Award Goes to....

2010-01-09T15:11:00.004-07:00

Something really neat happened today.

And it wasn't something I had to battle the gods that be to get.

I was watching tv yesterday and saw a commercial for Lowe's and their advertised special for $98 carpet installation.

Perfect!

I happen to be in the market for some new carpet in my never-ending quest in remodeling/refurbishing my home.

So I went to their website and started reading the small print regarding carpet installation and I ran across something that did not quite strike me in a good way.

The special installation excluded glue-down and carpet without padding.

Ok, glue-down I understand not being included with there being extra steps involved.

But why carpet without padding?

Doesn't Lowe's know that people in wheelchairs have a hard time rolling across a padded carpet? So if a person in a wheelchair wants carpet it would be easier to have no padding.

But why should they not be included in the installation special just because they cannot use the padding because they are in a wheelchair? Why should they have to pay more if they are receiving less- just because they are in a wheelchair and it is safer and easier for them not to have padding?

So I posed this question to Lowe's Customer Care division.

Within the day I had an email back from "Tracy" stating that she will pose the question to my store specifically.

Cool.

I love a prompt response.

Then today I heard again from "Tracy" asking if there is anything else she can do for me.

I answered back YES!

I asked her to pose this question to her higher-ups so that company-wide this customer service question could be addressed. We'll see what happens and see if she runs with it. I asked her to get back with me.

Then "Jesus" called me from my local Lowe's in the NE side of town and explained that they would be more than happy to extend the installation special to someone not needing/wanting the padding under these special circumstances but that the 1-year warranty on installation would have to be waived.

I think that's fair.

And I think that's cool that a company the size of Lowe's didn't have to go through every rung on the ladder for an answer/solution.

(Surprising- isn't Lowe's a part of Walmart- one of my least-favorite corporations?)

Now- it would be even cooler if "Tracy" gets back with me to tell me that her bosses thought it was a great idea for the company to include in the small print that special circumstances would be included in their specials- just talk with your local store manager blah blah blah....

Wouldn't it be neat if a person with special needs were thought of BEFOREhand?

Wouldn't it be the cat's meow if they didn't even have to pose the question or ask for special favors in the pursuit of equality?

I tell ya- it would really be mind-blowing to a person so used to fighting for every bit of consideration!

Thank you, Lowe's NE, for some excellent customer service!

For Her, my Mom

2009-12-24T23:46:00.004-07:00

I lay against the pillow, halfway between dream and remembering...

Faster and faster I fall through the undulating fog of warmth.

Where am I?

The sun beats down on my face and fills my heart. Today is never-ending and perfect.

I run.

I play.

I hear thunder and run back to safety in her arms.

I catch baby birds in their mid baby-flight and learn to let them fly free to be themselves.

I am surrounded by love and hope.

I nuzzle against her bosom, inhaling her crisp spring, content to never move forward.

Why should I?

For today is an eternity and that is all I need.

And want.

Summer arrives.

I didn't know it was coming.

Little bees and big bees nip at me, buzzing in my ears and telling me secrets I didn't want to know.

I thought the bees loved me like the baby birds did.

But she says it's ok and hugs me.

She says to love the bees anyway for what they are. And if I need to run into her arms away from the bees she will always be here to hug me and kiss away their sting.

I run on to look for more baby birds, but they are all gone away home.

I hope just for the night?

The sun slants differently now, beautiful and scary.

Casting shadows that try to speak to me.

But I dream of the spring and they go away.

Falling faster and faster, I am flung into sooner.

The leaves look like leaves, but are crunchy and brown and tired.

I am still delighted, but wary of what the leaves want to tell me.

So she walks with me and later waits for me, her hug is bundled with the cookies she baked for me in anticipation of seeing me.

And everything is ok.

Falling yet faster through eternity I wake to bitter bitter cold.

Leafless gray trees try and snag me in the day and creak their scritchy-scratchy on my window at night.

But I am warm inside and she has locked the door.

I lay against the pillow, halfway between dream and remembering...

It's snowing softly outside and I become lost in it's own eternity of hope.

Content to just be.

But soon I feel the need to want to share these snowflakes with her as they whisper sweet in my ear and I know that no one could hear them the same or appreciate them like her.

I lay against the pillow, halfway between dream and remembering...

and wish I were home right now in her arms.

(Merry Christmas Mom, I love you x)

PC Problems

2009-12-17T06:06:00.001-07:00

Having pc problems at the moment and haven't been able to stay online too long- fan went out. Getting it fixed Friday.

Have a few posts in the works and so will try and get those finished and up in the next few days.....

Powerchairs and the Airline Industry

2009-12-04T17:24:00.004-07:00

http://travel.aol.com/travel-ideas/articles/should-overweight-fliers-pay-more%3Fncid%3DAOLCOMMtravdynlprim0707/

Why has this not been addressed as a safety and customer service issue by the airlines for umpteen years?

Solution:

have 2-4 seats designated for larger persons in a predetermined section of the plane.

Ok-

This also got me to thinking how do persons that need a wheelchair/powerchair travel on a plane?

I have never taken my client on a plane but have wondered about some of the logistics.

I have heard many horror stories of airlines insisting that powerchairs be held in cargo and the many chairs being broken because the crew does not know how to take apart a powerchair, or how to transport it intact.

With all the different manufacturers of powerchairs out there and no set universal chair prototype it's understandable. Though it is pretty basic stuff, for that matter.

The headrest needs to come off beforehand. That's pretty basic- there's usually a push button release by it and then you pull up while keeping your thumb depressed.

There's also the arm that holds the joystick and cables, a very important piece that needs to be handled with care. I don't recommend anyone take apart this piece unless they have prior experience. But that also leads to loss of equipment- the more pieces you take off/apart the odds increase for loss.

So why aren't power wheelchairs, let alone manual chairs, allowed in the passenger seating?

I have read that many airlines object to having that kind of chair in passenger seating because of the batteries.

Sounds valid, but this is also based on old data and the closed gel fuel cells that most chairs use today are completely sealed and safe for transport.

Which also brings up the obvious question- how do people dependant on their chairs use the bathroom on a plane?

The answer is- they don't.

They usually "fast" the night or a few hours before, thus eliminating some of the need to use the bathroom in the first place.

They also are subject to doing what alot of people with disabilities learn to do- and that is to adapt and improvise.

In other words, using a blanket or whatnot to cover themselves and use a hand-held urinal. Easier for the guys, what about the women?

I don't see alot of dignity in the choices for people with disabilities as far as this matter is concerned.

I want to be fair to the airlines, and so later today I will conduct a survey and try to find out as much information as possible on these issues and will update this article.

I am very interested in finding out what the airline industry, governed by a federal entity, is obligated to do to accomodate persons with disabilities.

A Christmas Wish

2009-12-04T08:57:00.004-07:00

Jaime, Jaime, Jaime.

...sigh.....

You agreed to an interview with me months ago and I am still sitting here with a pen and blank paper.

I don't want to do it over the phone- I need to get the feel, tone, mood, nuance of your answers and need to look you in the eye.

That's also why I thought to do the interview while playing pool in a relaxed atmosphere.

But then again, me beating you game after game might change the mood of the interview huh? ;)

I know you're a busy guy, I'm a busy gal.

Christmas is coming up, elections are coming up, taxes will be due......

you're not getting any younger and I really wanted to call the interview "At age 33 (?) the Lionstar Is a Refreshing Young Face with His Thumb on the Pulse of El Paso's Political Scene"- but if we wait any longer I'll have to call it "At Age 93 the Lionstar Is a Cranky Old Man with his Thumb in His Mouth at the Height of His Second Childhood and Saying 'We're in El Paso?' "

So give a girl a break... I'm not getting any younger, either!

The "LIFT" Running Late This Morn

2009-12-04T08:33:00.002-07:00

According to Laura Cruz-Acosta of Sun Metro the LIFT paratransit service is running about 30 to 45 minutes late at this time.

There's alot of roads and highways that are slick and even some road closures, so please be patient.

Any questions please call 544-2514

Noreen Jaramillo Leaving KFOX14

2009-12-04T06:10:00.005-07:00

I watch all the news channels.

No one particular channel is my favorite.

When I was in Chicago channel 7 abc was one of my favorites, also channel 9 WGN, locally.

Here in El Paso I watch them all, especially abc7 and KFOX14, or whatever they're calling themselves now.

Along with my coffee, that is how I like to start my day, watching the morning news.

So it's been interesting to watch KFOX the past few years, especially how the anchors get along.

Noreen Jaramillo and Ben Swann were an interesting duo.

Noreen practically shined sitting next to Ben. There was a good chemistry, almost a flirtation going on, in a good-natured sense and the broadcast flowed smoothly with news and was entertaining at the same time.

Then Ben moved on and Noreen was left to report alone.

Enter Israel Balderas.

I liked Israel immediately.

He was as "square" as they come and seemed like a real gentleman and just cut from a different cloth.

Yeah, he had a few weeks (or more) of getting used to how the show was run, he kept going to weather when it was time for traffic or vice-versa- which annoyed Noreen Jaramillo to no end and she could barely hide her disgust.

In fact, it was so painful to watch at times I had to switch channels.

The two anchors just didn't click. I don't know if it was because Israel didn't flirt with Noreen or if it was because she didn't get his corny jokes or she was acting the prima dona and he was the greenhorn, I don't know.

All I do know is that Noreen's seat was higher than Israel's and she usually had the laptop in front of her, she let everyone know who the big dog was.

One time, many many months since Israel came on to Fox, I wrote him an email about some story reported and also made the observation of how he and Noreen worked together on air. Israel was kind enough to respond promptly, and in true Israel Balderas fashion, went on to write "let's just say it's been an interesting time for the past year and a half. I think St. Paul said it best when he wrote that perseverance produces character and character produces hope. So I hope people now like the character we have on the air."

I did like Israel.

I didn't like how Noreen treated him.

Then Israel left for other pastures and Noreen was left as sole anchor again.

Enter Stephanie Guadian.

I was wondering how Noreen was going to take sharing the spotlight, especially with another woman.

I was surprised they got on well.

Now we know why- Noreen Jaramillo is leaving KFOX.

Just my opinion- Noreen was no sweetheart of El Paso and she certainly couldn't hold a candle to Estela Casas, El Paso's matriarch.

So I wish her luck on her next venture and hope she learns to play nice (and professional).

And maybe for Christmas she'll get a button-down blouse and some new suitcoats, maybe a new hairstyle. She certainly could use some sprucing up besides wearing t-shirts and baggy shirt-jackets.

Sun Metro Shines in Bad Weather

2009-12-02T05:17:00.002-07:00

A super shout-out to Sun Metro for sending me 2 emails yesterday keeping me abreast of road conditions and possible route delays!

The first one arrived in my inbox at 6:30 in the morning and the 2nd at 7:57a.m.

I don't know if everyone can sign up for these kind of updates, but then again, how often do we experience bad weather? And the two I received were quite unexpected.

I doubt at this time they have the capability of sending out emails or mobile alerts to riders that might want to sign up to receive delay notices, especially for certain routes, but I bet our technology will soon be making this "everyday".

The sun is shining for Sun Metro!

I Hate Drunk/Buzzed Drivers!

2009-11-30T01:11:00.004-07:00

Yes, I truly despise the total hypocrisy of grown men and women drinking and then getting behind the wheel of a car and totally disregarding my life and others!

They're not even thinking of their own life, so I'm pretty low on their list.

When I was younger, a teenager, we'd go out drinking at the bars that would serve us or go north about an hour away to Kenosha, Wisconsin where the drinking age was 18 and many bars had nickel beer night.

We'd drink like fishes and then cross our fingers for the long ride home.

That stretch of highway was where my one girlfriend totalled her car and almost lost her life.

That same area was where my friend was driving with me as a passenger and after a night of drinking we decided to get a bite to eat before the long journey home. He turned left to get into the restaurant, only we weren't in our turn lane we were in the right merging lane for the cross traffic, and almost slammed into a state trooper. Sad part was- my friend admitted to drinking about 12 drinks and the state trooper let him off, just took his license and gave him a ticket!

But that was back in the day and thank goodness the laws are alot stiffer now.

Kids (teens) do alot of stupid things for many reasons, and with experience they usually learn not to do certain things that will endanger themselves or others.

I drove drunk.

Once.

And it scared the heck out of me.

My girlfriend and I were on our way home from- you guessed it- a night of drinking up in Wisconsin.

We were so close to my home, within just a few miles, when my girlfriend had an ulcer attack.

We decided that she could no longer drive and so I took the wheel.

Drunk and scared, I literally prayed those few miles to get home safe, because I saw that I was all over the road.

And I have never ever driven drunk or buzzed again in my whole life.

I can be stubborn and a hard-head and sometimes had to learn lessons the hard way- but this was one of those times that once was enough for me. I learned my lesson.

So why do adults that supposedly know better drink and drive?

Is it because they think they are actually more sober and in control than they really are?

Is it because they just don't care?

Is it because they feel the chances of getting caught or in an accident are slim to none?

Is it because they are alcoholics and have given up all hope?

And what about the bars that overserve?

What's their excuse?

Greed is a pretty paltry excuse for overserving, and I don't think it would make a very good defense in a court of law.

Can you hear it now- "Judge, I am just a humble bar owner trying to make a living. I sell liquor, that is my business, so who am I to tell my regulars that they have had enough? I have coffee ready to be made if they seem too drunk and I even have chips and peanuts I sell to help sober them up so I am doing all I can- they are responsible for themselves and I didn't make them drink that much."

Pretty flimsy stuff if you ask me.

For one- bars are set up to walk a tightrope. Why do that to yourself and your livelyhood? Why not open a bar/restaurant and actually CARE about your patrons by not overserving them and firing any bartenders that do?

Yeah, some people hold their liquor better than others and can hide their drunkeness better- we're just asking that you truly do the best you can.

Pay for a taxi for your drunk patrons that slipped through and came to your business seemingly sober but that one drink you served them put them over the edge- alot cheaper than lawsuits, let alone losing someone to drunk driving.

Require that all your bartenders go to TIPS training and have monthly or bi-annual refresher classes or meetings.

The person overindulging at a bar and the bar overserving share responsibility, tho to what percentage of responsibility is up to the courts to decide, sadly, and on a case-by-case basis. Why not do all you can as a responsible bar owner?

Beer and liquor are legal to drink under certain provisions, even though its abuse and use carry some very dire and heavy consequences. But it is more socially acceptable than marijuana use, go figure, but let's just stick to alcohol.

Alcohol can kill you the first time you drink it by overindulging or actually having an allergic reaction to it. It can kill you when you drink and drive and have an accident. It can kill you 20 years later with cirrhosis of the liver. And it can kill you in the sneakiest ways, even when you think you're being semi-responsible.

When I was younger we used to throw house parties and the rule of thumb was that the girls were allowed to use the indoor bathrooms and the guys were to go outside when nature called. Nice idea, huh?

Well, in theory it was. But we lived up north and it could get awful cold at night in the winter- sometimes even -80 degrees with windchill cold!

So one night a boy I was seeing went to a party, I stayed at home.

The next morning my guy was found on the side of the house.

Frozen.

And dead.

They say he must have passed out at some point and just froze there...

Pretty sad way to learn a lesson, this one had no do-overs.

I'm not preaching about drinking or not drinking- that is your decision to make.

I am saying there are ways to have "fun" drinking yet being responsible.

The holidays are in full swing now and there will be more parties to attend and more drinking. I'll be at some of those parties, and I will not hesitate to take your keys from you, I've done it before and lost a friendship over it, and I will do it again if needed.

Don't make a fool out of yourself, please...

and DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!!!!!

Sun City Cab 544-2211

abc7's Xtra

2009-11-29T23:06:00.003-07:00

Caught abc7's xtra show tonight with host Darren Hunt and guests Major General Howard Bromberg and Colonel Manning.

The main focus was on the recent Ft. Hood attack and how Ft. Bliss is stepping up measures in security and mental health services.

Col. Manning was forthcoming on gate times and gate expansion, also explaining that Ft. Bliss has doubled in size since 2005 and that added to tougher security checks will increase gate times but they feel the times are still within reason.

Col. Manning also talked about new facilities opening this week and next year for expanded mental health services and outreach programs.

Sounds like we're on the right path.

What bothered me were some of the remarks made by Maj. Gen. Howard Bromberg.

Randy from the Eastside called in with an observation.

I couldn't understand if he said he was retired or near retirement as a warrant officer, but Randy was talking about visiting the south gym on base a few times a week and that he had noticed a marked difference in the level of esprit (spirit and liveliness, morale). He remarked that the soldiers were less lively and that the mood was more subdued, almost tense.

Maj. Gen. Bromberg answered back that he had just been to the Turkey Trot and that morale was high and that the soldiers he has talked to directly explained that they were concerned about certain things but that it would in no way impede their performance of duties.

What the hell else is a soldier supposed to say?

Randy from the Eastside stated that he was just trying to give another set of eyes and ears to the Maj. Gen. but it looks like that just fell on deaf ears.

Interesting dynamics at play here.

Even if the Maj. Gen were sincere in his inquiries of some soldiers, it's a fine line for soldiers to decide how to actually answer that. It's quite an intimidating situation and at the moment probably seems like a no-win situation so one says things are good, no problem.

It takes a wise man to listen to the ones that are beyond reproach or actually risk being ignored or ridiculed to tell him that the emperor has no clothes.

I hope Maj. Gen. Bromberg takes a closer look/listen to the people that are being honest with him about these issues.

Now on to Darren Hunt.

Ughhhh!

Thanks for messing up my name and using part of my email address instead- real professional!

Then he rambled and mumbled through my question and kept referring to me as "he" since he messed up my name.

At least Col. Manning understood enough to clearly answer my question, which was this...

"so far I am hearing about more security at the gates for Ft. Bliss- all well and good, and needed. And I'm hearing about the stresses- can we expound on that please? What is being done as far as mental health services right now and in the future on the base?"

I was glad to not just hear the usual pat answer that we are looking into it and it is always a priority- Col. Manning told us what was being done and when- thank you!

Let it Snow...

2009-11-29T17:10:00.002-07:00

Amazing enough that we have rain today, more like thundershowers here in NE El Paso, but it is expected to mix and/or turn to snow tonight, but not as much accumulation as first expected.

But who cares how much- it's SNOW- WOOHOOO!!!!

The weather streams on tv are saying the eastern slopes should have the most accumulation, so I am looking forward to getting some good pics of the mountains since I live in the beautiful NE.

I wonder if Trans Mountain Rd will be closed tonight?

Bet your bottom dollar, though, that when the snow comes everyone will be pulling off the side of that road and playing in the snow!

Enjoy it while you can!

Eagles Squeak by 'Skins

2009-11-29T17:03:00.003-07:00

Today was a rare day, and not just because it rained in the desert.

I ended up rooting for the Washington Redskins to beat the Philadelphia Eagles.

Had to, they're both in the Cowboy's division and the Eagles have a better record.

Oh well, so close...

Sorry Jaime.

I have no comment about the Bears at this time :(

Walt Phillips to Receive Conquistador Award

2009-11-28T21:59:00.002-07:00

On City Council's agenda Tuesday, December 1st, Walt Phillips will be receiving the city's Conquistador Award.

A fitting award (maybe not in name but for recognition) at a fitting time (Thanksgiving) for a well-deserving person.

Walt Phillips has given his time over the years to benefit this city in countless ways, and this recognition and thanks seems almost overdue.

But due none the less.

I met Walt going on 3 years ago on the Citizen's Advisory Committee to the Mass Transit Department Board when he was nominated to represent for the Mayor's seat.

To be honest, I didn't know him or know of him at the time, especially having only been in El Paso about 2 1/2 years.

I only knew that an item I had brought up for discussion on the agenda he was against. I didn't understand his thinking behind his point of view, and he didn't understand mine.

I later learned, with time and getting to know him, that he was not unsympathetic to what I was trying to achieve, he was just questioning whether or not it was in our purview of the CAC.

I still believe it was and is, but that is neither here nor there at the moment.

What I learned from Walt is to be slower to judge and to take the time to find out people's agendas before assuming their agendas. Walt doesn't even know he has taught me this, but when we take the time to listen we can learn alot, and I am thankful for that.

Walt and I have had a few more discussions since then on topics that matter to both of us and he has shown nothing but support- he is an excellent cheerleader.

This little snippet does not do justice to the many things Walt has been a part of in shaping NE El Paso and the city as a whole, but I also feel it speaks volumes in the sense that I have only known him a short while and he has made a positive impression on me. I will leave the long list of accolades to those I am expecting to see Tuesday at City Council who have known him longer to honor him. I think we'll see a packed house that morning.

Walt Phillips is truly our "Friend of the NE" and I am proud to call him my friend, too.

Blogger Paranoia?

2009-11-10T18:30:00.003-07:00

VERY INTERESTING!!!

Something to keep an eye on.

I could be jumping the gun, paranoid, or just my cynical self, BUT...

there's a new blog in town that is set up JUST LIKE MINE, or very similar.

Same color background, similar color of post titles (mine yellow theirs light greenish) and same color archive post lettering.

Will be interesting to read what this blogger writes about.

Funny, too, that the blog is called El Paso Juice....

we shall watch and see, could be nothing,

but....

Veterans Day

2009-11-09T05:27:00.006-07:00

Veterans Day is coming up on us Wednesday, Nov 11th and it truly is a day for reflection and thanks for all that have served in our Armed Forces, abroad and domestically.

For some reason I find myself living in yet another military town, though it's different than in the past when we had open bases.

I used to live by Glenview Naval Air Base and Great Lakes Naval Air Base as a kid. My Dad was in the Army/National Guard so we spent time at the armory in Hammond, Indiana, and in my early 20s I lived in Columbus, Georgia, home to Ft. Benning. So I've been around big guns and tanks and the likes all my life. Growing up during the VietNam War and seeing the blue stars in windows of families with serving military and the POW signs was a humbling experience. I would say prayers for them as I passed by their house, but even God didn't bring some home.

Since I was about 12 or 13 years old my parents sponsored sailors every Thanksgiving at our house. That was always fun. The majority of sailors were pretty shy and very respectful and we got to learn about their reasons for joining, what basic training was all about and different scenarios they encountered meant to teach them comaraderie and working as a team. My Mom still sponsors sailors even though there was a suspension of the program one or two times since the War in Iraq. One time we were even documented on a cable tv news channel for the day and we had alot of fun with the film crew and sailors. It was also nice to see more and more young women joining the Armed Forces and become more accepted as the years went by.

I was almost one of them.

I was 18 years old and without direction and my brother had just gone off and joined the Marines. I knew I needed a similar scenario if I wanted to do the things I wanted to do in life so I called the army recruiting center in Deerfield, Illinois. This was in 1981 and there weren't alot of women joining at that time.

A recruiting officer came to my home and gave me the spiel and I was ready to join, so I went down to their office and took the written exam. The officers there (all male) were amazed at how smart I was, for a girl. I had heard this all my life- I grew up in a time when women's rights were just coming to the forefront. In Jr. High school I even had to join the boys' cross country team if I wanted to play organized sports, but thank goodness Title IX soon became law and so I was on our school's first girl's basketball team (with "regular" rules- not the old rules that girls used to be bound to play with half-court restrictions) and track and field etc, besides participating in science fairs and the like. Anyway, people have told me all my life I won't make it or can't. I was born 3 lbs 10 oz and went down to 2 lbs because of complications with my parents Rh factor not being compatible and my body's reaction to that, so if I were to survive at all they expected me to have many complications and disabilities. I showed them! I excelled in sports and academics and loved school.

Anyway, my next step was to go down to Chicago and take my physical exam. My recruiting officer offered to take me and we made the appointment. I waited and waited yet he never showed. I thought this might be a test to see how bad I wanted to join but in fact he had just overlooked the appointment! So we set yet another appointment and he didn't show up again! I took this to be an omen and decided that the army was not for me. Of course now that I'm older I'm kicking myself as I would have been retired for a number of years! Oh well.

I'm not knocking the army or any of the armed forces branches- this is just the experience I had when trying to join.

My father ended up putting in more than 25 years with the Army/National Guard and ended up serving stateside in the Gulf War while my Marine brother spent it in the mix and ended up writing a book about his experience called "Always Faithful" by John Hartnett. It's not your typical wartime book, it's more a study of moral dilemma dealing with marriage, happiness and war, along with bravery, in a crazy situation called war. Pick it up through amazon.com or Barnes & Noble- it's a fast read and a refreshing outlook, besides excellent storytelling!

Anyway, I find the coverage of the two wars going on right now quite lacking. During WWII us Americans had fireside chats and movie theater updates. Radio, to me, is much more intimate, plus anything filmed in black and white seems much scarier and more dire than color, as most old horror film buffs would most likely attest to. When the VietNam War was covered by reporters in the field that was new and exciting in the genre of covering war. By the time the Gulf War came we were used to cable and full-color blood and gore, so we were getting more desensitized to that, but there was still a feeling of importance every time CNN broadcast on regular tv with the missile attacks etc. It was such a fast war for those not directly involved, it almost seemed a video game.

Enter the Iraq War. Patriotism and revenge against any and all involved with terrorism was force-fed us on a daily basis. The Bush administration tried to keep us in a constant state of terror and alert, though there were degrees- yellow, orange.... Every day in the beginning of the war we got to watch the mighty Americans battling the terroristic government of Saddam Hussein and who can forget the pulling down of his statue! This stuff was made for tv! It was quick, like the Gulf War, and gave us the instant satisfaction in images to keep the public interested.

But alas, the war dragged on and on.... we heard our president declare "Mission accomplished" and the photo op reassured us all that our men and women would be home soon, but the days and casualties added up to years and thousands, no weapons of mass destruction were found and some people were starting to realize we may have been sold a bill of goods with this war with no direction, while losing alot of support of the world.

But that's a government bumble and not a soldier's to bear. We need to respect all that have served and are serving for their many reasons and beliefs.

And I believe that one of the highest forms of respect we can offer our veterans besides thanking them is to support them when they come back with the services they need.

Housing.

Close, accessible veteran hospitals, including increased mental health services.

College incentives.

To name a few.

My flag in front of my house is at half-staff in rememberance of our vets serving now and in the past, and in honor of the fallen at Ft. Hood, where I was supposed to be stationed.

Let's take a moment now and offer our prayers and thanks.........

Ray Gilbert Wakes Up City Council to Public Health Debacle

2009-11-02T08:30:00.005-07:00

Sorry there hasn't been alot of posts lately, I've been quite ill with a bout with the flu and then a nasty cold- but I am still alive and kickin'!!!

Speaking of the flu, particularly the H1N1 vaccine, did anyone attend or watch last week's city council meeting with the health department update?

Was anyone else's jaws falling to the floor???

Thanks to Ray Gilbert, government watchdog and a man with some real horse sense, the public (and city council) got to find out just what was and wasn't being done with regards to the H1N1 vaccine and it's political redtape and bumbling of its distribution and funding.

I was appalled at the lack of foresight and lack of actions taken by Mr. Hill, director of the City of El Paso Department of Public Health!!!

After talking with area hospitals last spring and receiving their assessment that they were overwhelmed with the everyday, let alone people coming in with flu-like symptoms, Hill decided to wait for people and agencies and our government to come to HIM with volunteers of help and an action plan for this coming flu season!!!

Can you believe that?!

Many on city council were pretty outraged, too, that he was not more forthcoming with the needs of the county.

It was back to the "don't ask, don't tell" that Hill relied on, but this time some on city council kept asking the tough questions until they got the full and accurate answers needed.

I think Hill's position should definitely be reviewed, and publicly.

It was embarrassing to see company after company, agency after agency, come up to the podium and offer their assistance for distribution and staff resources during this projected pandemic- especially when they all said they had NOT been contacted for support!

Just WHAT was the plan by Hill- wait for federal money before doing anything?

He should have brought his concerns to city council time and again until everyone got it that we need to look at this and plan for it, whether it be asking for more money in the budget or at the very least- getting that vendor list contacted so everyone there was on the same page!!!

It sucked that I could not go and receive the vaccine since I was ill. I "qualified" since I am in home health, but it didn't matter anyway since I was ill and there were only 4 distribution sites!

Only 4!!! Guaranteeing that there would be long lines!

It didn't have to be that way!

And remember what the weather was like last week? Cold, wind and SNOW.

Another thing that gets my goat was watching Channel 7's Stephanie Valle reporting "on the scene" at 6 in the morning. Stephanie was amazed that there were not lines already at that hour. Even though the clinics didn't open until 7 a.m.

Hello?

Is everyone out of touch here?

For one, the weather was horrific for El Paso. Coming from Chicago myself it was pretty much a nuisance but everyday par for the course, even though I am starting to get acclimated to El Paso.

But another thing is, these vaccines were for the pregnant, young children, and elderly, besides those in the medical field etc.

And alot of us take the bus!

And alot of them don't start running until 6, 7, 8 in the morning- or they don't get to certain destinations until at least that time or later.

So I don't understand why Stephanie Valle was so surprised.

Of course, as it got later in the day the lines formed and then that was the news.

Okayyyy....

Umm, why didn't we start giving out this vaccine sooner, like BEFORE flu season?

Was it people in our government, like Mr. Hill, that were asleep at the wheel?

Looks like a duck...

walks like a duck....

Medical Marijuana Taken More Seriously Financially, if not Medically/Scientifically

2009-10-19T19:07:00.006-06:00

Obama's administration has sent out a memo to our Justice Department declaring the pursuit of medical marijuana users/cardholders and dispensaries criminally are a waste of their time and our tax dollars. Unless, of course, they are involved in any other criminal activity involving marijuana or not.

Sounds like a good start.

Yes, there still does need to be more clarification in all aspects of this issue and state's laws and I do agree with the attorney general of Colorado when he states there needs to be regulation of these dispensaries. Otherwise we have let the wrong people free reign in setting up shop in our backyard.

Ok- so if that's what's needed, when are we going to discuss the regulation and taxation of legal dispensaries?

How is this going to affect people on Medicare/Aid when they go and try and fill their prescriptions in medical marijuana-legal states?

And are Medicare/Aid participants even allowed to use medical marijuana?

I searched the Internet yesterday for 3 1/2 hours reading page after page, article after article (and alot were from Ron Paul) and I couldn't find a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g even addressing this issue.

I did find out that some guy who was on Medicare and needed a liver transplant was found to have marijuana in his system and was thus denied the transplant- resulting in his death. Seems the feds mean business and that medical necessity being the lesser of two evils was no defense.
That was a couple years ago, though- I wonder how scenarios like this will play out in the future?

Wonder what Carl Starr has on this issue?

So what I will do Wednesday is call New Mexico and Texas' offices and find out what I can- even medicare.gov didn't have any info- and I'll update you on this when I have an answer.

for background please refer to my August 20th, 2009 piece "Marijuana and Reformed Health Insurance"

Update on Newspaper Tree

2009-10-18T15:08:00.002-06:00

Ok, so Newspaper Tree has not officially folded but are walking wounded.

I don't know what they have in their back pocket, but with Sito and David's creativity and tenacity I'm sure we'll see what unfolds soon.

I hope, I hope.

http://newspapertree.com/opinion/4311-letter-from-the-editors/

Newspaper Tree Needs Our Support

2009-10-17T09:36:00.004-06:00

Was nice to see a couple columns on Newspaper Tree's site yesterday. it's been awful quiet lately and now we know why.

Unfortunately, a great alternative to the El Paso Times has folded to the pressure of our economic times and it is a sad day of many in El Paso and also our sister city of Ciudad Juarez.

Sito Negron and David Crowder, among others, brought a smart and professional paper to the forefront of online papers and was a meeting site for many here in our region.

The two were at the forefront of investigative reporting in a time where no other papers in our region have time/money/commitment for follow-through.

The Newspaper Tree celebrated everything El Pasoan, Mexican and American- I guess you could say they were pro human rights. They kept the spotlight on Juarez and its many untold stories of struggle, El Paso's own struggles in keeping its autonomy as a border city but reminding everyone we are part of the U.S. and not just a dusty old Western town overtaken by tumbleweeds and they also shined the spotlight on free thinking Americans. They welcomed bloggers with all their different viewpoints and through their blog, other blogs, and reader comments El Paso had open discussion on so many topics of importance.

In fact, I will go as far as to say that because of online papers like the Newspaper Tree and its support of different viewpoints and the open forum it allows Americans and other readers of other nations in discussing hot, taboo or controversial topics we are moving forward and realizing that changes are needed and the air is thick- healthcare reform, narco-wars, celebration of culture and marijuana decriminalization or legalization are some subjects that stand out.

And I will go even further by saying that papers like these are even more important than mass/cable media on tv. So much tv media has gone the way of entertainment and what will fit into sound bytes that I feel much of the credibility has been watered down for quick sensationalism. It is papers like the Newspaper Tree that was in our own backyard that spoke from our hearts and gave hope that reasoning, transparency and commitment were more important than one man's agenda on op-ed that now passes for news to many that are too busy to do their own research or form their own opinions.

The niche for Newspaper Tree has been dug and we will not be happy until they can find the proper backing to keep this paper or a new alternative going. This kind of paper is far too important to be let by the wayside.

"one is content until he sees better, one isn't appreciative until he sees less" Henry Mulzac Peace Corps volunteer '75- '77 Belize

Bert Williams Downtown Transfer Terminal

2009-10-17T03:02:00.006-06:00

Someone I know is going to like this post, or at least most of it :)

Fair is fair.

Couldn't make it to the grand opening ceremonies Friday morning of the Bert Williams Downtown Transfer Center, but was lucky to have a tour later on in the afternoon thanks to Mr. Jay Banasiak, Director of Sun Metro.

It was beautiful!

Yeah, there's some minor kinks to be worked out, and some bigger ones, but overall it was such a breath of fresh air to see an updated modern city facility.

Breakdown-
the bathrooms (at least the women's and I'm sure the men's is similar) had a fair amount of stalls including one wheelchair-accessible stall. It was occupied when I 'toured' it and I wished that at least one other stall would have at least grab bars for ease of accessibility- maybe put in a set in the stall next to the wheelchair accessible stall and place a sign on it saying 'grab bar accessible'- that would be very helpful for us needing the bars if the other stall is occupied.

the outside benches- just enough room for people to sit on both sides, could use another 2-4 inches width, tho. Was nice to see little slots for wheelchairs to fit in under the canopy, but don't know if too many people are aware that that's why it's narrower there- we'll see as it's being used more if that creates any problem or confusion, if so then maybe a sign would help out above the area.

cafe- good eats, reasonable prices- burgers, hot dogs, coffee, soda and the likes. The tables and chairs arrived Friday morning so that was a relief- it is a bit crowded, tho, for wheelchairs.

air conditioning- need I say more? It wasn't hot Friday but the air sure felt good:)

security- Mr. B. said there were 4 security guards in the day and 2 in the evening hours- excellent!

lighting- too bad we couldn't get any stimulus money for solar on this project, but we should be able to convert sometime in the future- there's alot of incentives and tax credits out there to be had. Maybe we can work with the BRAC projects that want to include solar for certain city/base projects?

All in all- a great leap in the right direction!

I even like the outside sculpture, alot, even tho it wasn't made by an El Paso artist- would like to see more art at the other new terminals by local artists.

Community Choice Act NOW!!!!!

2009-10-12T04:59:00.005-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OK2Hwp5by64&NR=1

video of ADAPTers in action- towards the end of the video is our own Frank Lozano of DesertADAPT- GO BROTHER!!!

ADAPT is in Atlanta, Ga. right now on one of their bi-annual actions.

The Community Choice Act is one of the issues being brought up, along with treating the individual not the medical condition and fighting for better wages and benefits for personal attendants.

The Community Choice Act includes and expands on "the money follows the person". For years many disabled and elderly have had to be institutionalized in order to receive their "benefits" that keep them alive. They have been taken from loved ones and forced to live in nursing homes and institutions just because they receive some sort of government assistance. There they are told when to eat, what to eat, where they can go, when they must go to sleep etc. And we all have heard the horror stories of the neglect and abuses many have had to endure while in this "care".

The Community Choice Act allows the receiver of the benefits to dictate where they want to live and how they receive their services. And alot of people want to live at home with family or independantly. As free Americans that should be their choice. This Act also allows the receiver to hire, fire and train their own personal attendant, no longer would they be subjected to abuse and neglect at the hands of others making their decisions. Instead of an institution having the say in how the money is spent the receiver of the benefits has a voice. Along with a caseworker, the individual plans his own care and where and how they receive the services. It is already proven to be more cost-effective, let alone the individual is happier having more control over their life.

Another issue ADAPT is fighting for is individual need vs medical condition. What that means in a nutshell is that not every person with cerebral palsy, for example, is going to have the same needs as another with the same general condition. Included with this would be maintaining and upgrading necessary equipment or aids tailored to the individual's needs and lifestyle- no more waiting another 4 months for new wheels on a wheelchair that has worn out wheels just because the individual has reached their "cap" for the year and must wait until the next fiscal year of benefits to kick in. Imagine the productivity this individual could attain if not impeded by bureaucratic red tape and unecessary rules of benefit distribution!

The other issue ADAPT is currently fighting for is for personal attendants rights to a livable wage and benefits. Right now many agencies paid by the government aid in the hiring of attendants and keep them at a low wage and usually without benefits- these same agencies also takes out a percentage of money earmarked for the individual receiver in administrative costs, and usually at an unfair amount. With community based alternatives the individual, along with their caseworker and/or representative, decides what rate of pay the attendant receives and what benefits out of the monies they receive annually for the individual's care. A plan is written annually and a budget made and any help from outside agencies is paid a nominal portion out of those monies for administrative support. It is a more cost-effective way of using the monies and results in a happier individual receiving the benefits and keeps the personal attendant happier by giving them a livable wage and chance for advancement within their field.

As a senator, Obama promised to help push through the Community Choice Act. As President, he has stalled the process.

The time for change is NOW!

Many Tea Partiers have been protesting for months now that they don't want to give up control in how their taxes are spent with regard to healthcare and this is one big issue they should all be backing. Reforming Medicare/Medicaid and voting for the Community Choice Act now not only makes better use of all our tax money but makes life more fair, dignified and livable for our disabled and elderly.

Gripes from Under the Weather

2009-10-09T15:22:00.003-06:00

Haven't posted in awhile, been extremely busy with the planning and execution of my birthday party, and now I'm sick.

But I'm going to post on a few subjects that are on my mind and some that are out there dangling, waiting for answers still.

Never did hear back from Tom Bohannon about my offer to help him in his PR department his staff is lacking so that we can get those accessible apartments rented he so desperately can't rent to the very people they are intended for. Guess he's busy playing with numbers and figuring how he can skew them in his favor when this comes back to city council. Don't worry, Tom, I'm working hard, too- gathering FACTS.

Haven't been by or heard anything back on the leak at city hall in the planter out front- another email written to them going unanswered- imagine! As soon as I can hear over the phone (my cold/flu is really messing with me) I will give them a call and try and get answers.

Have other emails out there still pending that will be full stories, if they go unanswered too much longer that will end up being the story!

Funny how some people schmooze you to no end to get support for a project they are working on and promise they will work with you because they know how busy you are because of the line of work you are in, but when it comes right down to it they really don't care. I will expound on this much more as it unfolds, it's a doozy.

City Hall must be in a "dead zone" as far as returned phone calls, emails and the like... waiting on another response from one department and waiting to hear about a supposed meeting that was to take place a month and a half ago yet it's been 3 months. And I AM being serious, many times when I call I get a terrible connection over there or the call gets dropped- even have a hard time accessing the city's website if it's early in the morning the day of a city council meeting. Hmmmmmm. Anyone else experience any troubles with the website the day of?

Even waiting to hear back from a news source on a hot yet forgotten story (but not forgotten by me).

Is it just me? Or is it me? People don't write letters much anymore since phones have been around (what- the last 100 years?) and now email. What's the deal with not responding to phone calls or emails? Isn't that part of the city's job working on our behalf? To have a fair and transparent government? What's with the games? Must I put in an open records request for everything?

Geez, for being in a desert it sure is shady around here!

"Anonymous" Hides Behind Blanket Statements - What an Oxymoron!

2009-09-28T05:45:00.007-06:00

There's a couple people hiding behind the name "anonymous" that like to comment on my blog, and they're both usually critical of what I write, one especially when it comes to Sun Metro.

That's all well and good, we're all allowed our own opinions, and I post all comments whether I agree with them or not. As long as they don't contain filthy language or threaten anyone I will continue to show their side.

One "anonymous" has chosen to disclose their identity to me. I don't know why. . Actually, they could be one and the same, they do write very similar. If they are, that would be very sad for many reasons. Mainly because they are a pretty public person and on one hand they praise what I say or do to certain people or on other blogs or forums under their true name, yet here they hide behind "anonymous", which I guess gives them a little more superficial guts, and they not only comment critically to what I write but go even further by making blanket statements about what they perceive me to be, usually in a negative light. That's being a little on the passive-aggressive side if you ask me.

I don't care if we have differing opinions, we're all different and think different. "Anonymous" can slam my opinion all day- it still won't change the facts. I just find it funny that "anonymous" doesn't have anything to say about the bumbling government red tape and mistakes I have encountered and have posted about. Where's your voice then, "anonymous"?

Even funnier is when "anonymous" resorts to using blanket statements.

Blanket statements are used by people to try to disassociate themselves from and to dehumanize others. That is one of the core tactics used to separate people, not to bring together, and to judge (or pre-judge).

"Anonymous' is fond of lumping me into their neat little prejudicial box. They have called me a "messican" and in the same breath that I come from the "country club" set. Ummm hello?!! Make up your mind.

Then they go on to say I have contributed less to society, in their all-knowing opinion, because I speak out and shed light on things that matter to me. I didn't know you knew me so well, "anonymous". Lol. You must be an ex lover or good friend to know me so well. I do like older men (and younger for that matter- my last bf happened to be 8 years younger than me and the one before that 9 years older than me)- but there is a line, and if you are the "anonymous" I know then you're about 20 or 25 years older than me, not quite my cup of tea.

So that only leaves a good friend. If you are a good friend and know me so well then you would have never written these untrue statements like you did.

So I guess you are neither. So what qualifies you to make outrageous statements?

Then "anonymous" goes on that people like me milk the government and use government assistance as much as I can. What is this based on? I have been in the workforce and paying taxes for 33 years, never been on welfare, never had children and expected my government to feed and clothe them, never been on food stamps, never been on unemployment. That shoots that theory down. And to imply that people who do use these services are bad or should be ashamed is just plain wrong. It's the abusers of the system that you should be worried about.

"Anonymous" talks about my negativity, but they are completely negative and false in their statements about me. Kind of like the pot calling the kettle black.

So keep commenting, "anonymous", and I'll keep posting what you have to say- the more you talk the more we all see how disjointed, out of touch, and hypocritical you are.

www.transittalent.com/ makes my point in their link to my blog under the Squeaky Wheels category quite simple and direct in that I feel other projects (some that Sun Metro are in the process of doing now and in the future) will increase ridership more than free WIFI.

Common Sense vs Scare Tactics for Real Healthcare Reform

2009-09-27T08:37:00.002-06:00

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/08/21

Free WIFI not the Key to Increasing Sun Metro Ridership

2009-09-27T06:14:00.005-06:00

Did something rather unorthodox this morning, Sunday morning. Actually visited the El Paso Times' website.

I do that once in awhile when I'm bored.

Was reading Gustavo Reveles' article on Sun Metro enticing "choice" riders (as they are called by the FTA) with free WIFI at the new transfer centers.

"Choice" riders are what the FTA terms people that have cars but choose public transportation. When I first heard about this term I was a little put off. I thought it meant that people who may not choose public transportation but must use it because they do not have cars were less than "choice"- more like chopped liver. Now I understand it better, but still wish there were another term being used.

Anyway, I don't think free WIFI will be the determining factor in a choice rider's decision.

User-friendliness will always be the first determining factor.

User-friendliness includes many concepts. Most importantly, speed and ease of use.

No- not the speed of the bus! More like how fast can a rider get from Point A to Point B and with as few transfers as possible. Does the bus run only once an hour or 3x an hour? Is there a reverse route on this same route? (why don't we have reverse routes here?) How late do the buses run or how early do they start? Are there machines or people in a booth at the transfer centers (and grocery stores, 7-11's, libraries) where one can buy a daily/weekly/monthly pass? Eliminating having to count coins and drop them into the fare box on the bus will save us all time- we should be using ticket machines right now.

User-friendliness also includes showing routes on bus stop signs, finally being able to use Google Transit in our area, and having FULL audio and streaming announcements at transfer centers. It also includes clean, accessible, and safe bus stops and shelters. No more overflowing trash bins, no more carts blocking pathways (hello Walmart) and lights- lots of lights! And we can go even further and be environmentally-friendly and use energy-saving bulbs or solar.

Another way to entice more riders would be the advertising on the bus. I don't really have a problem with what is being advertised but how it is displayed. The ads are falling down, torn and just generally displayed in a non-pleasing manner. I don't think anyone looks at the bus daily and makes sure the ads look nice and without having that strip that holds them run across the middle of the ad etc. The devil's in the details! I simply like to call it follow-through. This small but important detail can be part of the daily checklist before a bus pulls out for the first shift and checked in between shift changes. I think all us riders, choice or not, would like a more aesthetically-pleasing environment and experience on the bus.

More bus shelters are needed also, all part of user-friendliness. Yes, Sun Metro is in the process of erecting 200 new shelters at the moment, but until we are at about 1:4 or even 1:3 shelters per bus stops I won't be happy waiting at a stop in this desert heat. Only need about 700 more shelters to get there! Sun Metro is also working on more landing pads or boarding pads, whatever they're called- those thingees made of concrete that we step onto or from that is connected to a sidewalk and cut curb for true accessibility- instead of being left in a bunch of volcanic rock or desert scrub.

I think all these would be first on my wish list BEFORE WIFI.

But let's take this even further- if we had an "el" (elevated train) and commuter rail we would REALLY be in the 20th century, even though we're actually in the 21st already!

But let's not forget.... it is the "non-choice" riders that have been the loyal customers of mass transit, without them there wouldn't be mass transit.

Amen.

Disabled Being Taken Advantage of and Endangered by Walmart's Laziness and Greed

2009-09-25T16:36:00.006-06:00

Two Sun Metro riders, both in wheelchairs, having to move carts to gain an accessible pathway to the bus that is stopped at the Walmart at Trans Mtn/Woodrow Bean bus stop.

Just what in the heck does Walmart not get when it comes to accessibility issues?

The disabled community, including advocates, have had numerous meetings with Walmart and Sun Metro about the blocking of the bus stop of carts being used by Walmart customers.

Seems to no avail.

Yes, I understand that it's the people that should not be placing the carts there.

But Walmart cannot have their cake and eat it, too. They benefit from Sun Metro having a bus stop in front of their store, but they don't want to maintain the pathway for their customers.

It makes absolutely no sense that there is not a cart caddy up by the bus stop.

And even more senseless is the fact that Walmart employees don't check the bus stop in a timely and consistent manner for carts.

So Sun Metro's riders are now assuming what is Walmart's job out of necessity.

The disabled are forced to move carts, risking possible injury or accident to themselves or others around them, just to board the bus. Let alone able bodied riders are forced to move these carts.

Why is Walmart so lazy? Didn't they make a profit last year? We should all be protesting them, they are as bad as the banks and car manufacturers with their greed.

They promised the disabled community an accessible pathway LAST YEAR- where is it? A lady in a scooter was just hit by a car in the parking lot there a couple weeks ago. Yes, the onus falls on the driver, but Walmart has created an unsafe condition for the disabled with their huge parking lots and lack of a safe pathway through that parking lot.

When I call for them to clear the carts they promise they'll be right on it- management tells me that. Why lie to me when it takes less effort just to take care of your customers?

Didn't Walmart just get done with a lawsuit by a disabled person in a wheelchair about these very issues? What lesson has not been learned?

I am still waiting to see if Sun Metro and Walmart can ever come to a clear conclusion about Sun Metro buses being allowed to come further into Walmart's property and have the bus stop at their door. Sun Metro has said they have been denied that option, Walmart says they never said no- but no one is willing to have a meeting of the minds. Ft. Bliss has buses that come onto their property and pick up civilian employees that play "insurgents" in mock simulations- why can't Sun Metro come on the property also?

When is enough enough? How many lawsuits does it have to take for a company the size of Walmart to start really giving a hoot about their customers? They already don't care about the American worker- most of their stuff is from China. And what's up with the re-labelling they have done, making the Great Value brand (theirs) look more generic so one thinks they are getting a cheaper brand, tho the prices have risen? Before they labelled to have their brand say "we are as good as name brands but are cheaper"- now they're doing the opposite for the same effect!

Greed. It all comes down to that ugly word. It's what makes the corporate world go 'round. Haven't we really had enough of all that world has done for us?

Back!!!!!!

2009-09-24T17:56:00.002-06:00

I'm baaaack!

My sincere aplologies to people that posted comments that I couldn't post until now. I had a family emergency but things are looking ok for now. I won't bore you with the details now, I may decide to post a piece about it later though.

So anyway, gimme a few days to get back in the loop and catch up on over 200 emails and we'll get together for a chat.

Shout out to Richard Sheldon- today's his birthday! He's an advocate with ADAPT and chair of the City Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Citizen's Advisory Committee to the Mass Transit Board/Sun Metro. He also speaks out once in a while over at city council- a real go-getter for someone in a power wheelchair and with all his challenges with his disabilities. Like I've said before, I have never met stronger people than the ones I've met and befriended that have some sort of disability- they are some phenomenol folks!

Spankin'-hot Feuds in the Blogosphere

2009-09-16T13:07:00.005-06:00

So it's been a few days since I've posted anything new. Sometimes one just needs to take a break from all the buzz of the world and take care of their own personal business.

Every once in awhile I need to take a break from all the bs. Yes, I like to be involved and I do what I can with community events/activities, but sometimes people forget that this is not all I have in my life.

I am not a full-time political blogger, but some things I write about are political in nature. I am not a full-time campaign volunteer, though I dabble in different ways learning about a candidate, and their volunteers. And wow!- have I learned alot in the last few weeks! I am not a public speaker, as some of you can attest to, so I use my voice in the ways that are most clear and beneficial to my causes. By writing. What I want, when I want. Guess I'm selfish.

I really hate politics and when I end up getting a little too involved in trying to figure out all the games I not only feel exhausted but need a sort of respite. I seek balance and fairness.

I haven't read fully the other blogs out there until today since my break of the last few days. I got so much accomplished in my days off I didn't miss them. But everytime I take a break I come back and the bs is flying faster and smellier than before!

Specifically, the DavidK-Lionstar feuds.

One has to wonder if these two are for real in their disputes or if they are both master-minds in keeping the blogosphere buzz going fast and furious?!

I could call Jaime and ask his side of all this, but that wouldn't be fair to DavidK, and I don't have David's phone number.

I like Jaime Abeytia's views on alot of things and I read DavidK's blog to read the "opposition", tho sometimes he does make perfect sense on some issues.

They both do, to me.

At times.

So I'm sitting here wondering if the whole Chicano vs White Guy theme is planned or their real views?

But what it really comes down to is............

When the two of you resort to using the race card for whatever reason I just want to spank you! (and not in a good way, okay?!)

Two grown intelligent men resorting to a place where no one wins. It kills both their credibility.

Some may argue that they are only speaking the truth and their viewpont is valid. Yes, that's true. But one also has to ask- what gets accomplished when all is said and done?

They are not engaging in open discussion to come together, but to separate.

If their viewpoints are real then that's sad. Neither will accomplish what they set out to get. Be that equality, wrongs righted, credibility, looked at as intelligent and fair- whatever. They will leave that small irritating stain.

If it's all just a spin and a way to manipulate us readers into a tizzy and involve us in a revolving door of no consequence- I say community theater may be a better outlet for your creativity. I don't like big issues being used in a casual manner for your own entertainment. Especially when you are trying to involve others, and that's what you are doing by writing your blogs.

But did you also notice that I didn't touch on the subjects you two bloggers/column writers were actually writing about? That's because you lost me the moment you started with the race thing. Actually, one of you was low-down in your insinuations, but maybe we can talk about that another day since that real issue got bogged down by other bs.

Robert Talhami, Childhood Friend, 9/11 Victim

2009-09-11T03:21:00.005-06:00

In memory of Robert Talhami, victim in the WTC 9/11 attacks, my childhood friend.

You will not be forgotten.

The Talhamis moved to the U.S. from Jordan in 1967 to my little town of Northbrook, Il. Robert and his brother George were very kind boys, and I know they grew into incredible men. The family was beautiful and raised their children right.

The boys were sort of neighborhood protectors, not necessarily by force but by their presence and demeanor. If someone was being picked on, especially a girl, these guys would handle the situation so that no one lost face.

To me, they were pretty darn cute with their carmel skin and dark brown/black shiny hair- and nice guys to boot- wow, the girls they met later in life surely didn't stand a chance of not falling under their spell! And they were smart as a whip, too!

The family eventually moved on, to Venezuela, I believe, and then back to the U.S., though they still have family in Jordan.

Robert worked for Cantor Fitzgerald and had a young family. I pray they are celebrating his memory today and that it is not just filled with sorrow.

If anyone in Northbrook today is over by the Village Green, maybe having lunch at Little Louie's or Sunset Foods, take a moment and head over to the Village Green Park and sit on Robert's memorial bench and give a moment of silence. He is worth remembering and honoring.

And say a prayer for all the other victims and heroes of 9/11, they were all loved by someone and families are grieving today.

City Council Sets Wheels in Motion for Database of Accessible Apartments

2009-09-10T16:26:00.006-06:00

Tuesday's City Council meeting was a long and arduous day. Waiting for agenda item #10, heard after 11 a.m. was just the beginning.

I arrived at 8:15 and gathered with my ADAPT friends down in the cafeteria after signing up to speak. One thing I learned being in health care is arrive early and expect everything to take longer than you think it should. That's the only way to be prepared.

I have to give kudos to Mayor Cook on his patience and flexibility when Desert ADAPT appears, meaning there were alot of speakers signed up and he really gave us all a fair shake and a chance to speak. I DO wish, tho, that when he anticipates a showing of ADAPT or other people with disabilities or the elderly on certain agenda items that the agenda item be heard earlier. It takes a tremendous toll on some to wait hours and hours for the item to come up. I had to leave with my patient around 2:30, after we both spoke, as we both needed to eat and take care of other business.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to stay and rebut a few items that Tom Bohannon brought up, but I did so later in the comment section on the article by Newspaper Tree about the action by Desert ADAPT last Thursday at Festival and Mesa streets.

My points in that comment were these:

- How come Tom Bohannon, for 16 years, accepted the 5% rule and did nothing about it, especially if it supposedly hurt his business so much? Now when there's a real need for apartments and the demand is there, economics are at an all-time low, Mr. Bohannon wants to put the squeeze on the city to build fewer accessible apartments- even though he already would be getting tax breaks? It's like the guy selling ice or water during Hurricane Katrina for over-inflated prices! And then he threatens to take his business elsewhere?!!!

- Tom Bohannon is a businessman, right? He's in the business to make money. I think he's doing okay living up there on Cherry Hill. But instead of training his staff to tap into their pool of complexes he owns and manages for an accessible apartment for myself and my client when I was looking at his property The Pointe, which had no accessible apartments at the time I looked 5 years ago, he would rather ask the city to lower their standard for accessible apartments and take tax breaks. Sounds kinda lazy and greedy to me. He hid behind the law that says he doesn't have to do squat for transition if the building was built before 1993. My rebut was- aren't you going to eventually remodel these apartments? Can't you convert or retrofit some to be more accessible? Or at the very least, show me properties that ARE accessible? I hate it when businesses hide behind the "I don't have to, I'm not bound by law to care" excuse. You're leaving out a large part of the community when you don't remodel your bathroom to be accessible and welcoming to the disabled/elderly community, when your aisles are too full of merchandise and a wheelchair can't get through etc- that all screams "you're not important enough to me and my business"!

- My last point was a business proposal I made to Tom Bohannon. I basically said let me take over your PR and do some damage control cause what he's been doing just ain't working. I have good contacts in the disabled community, let's sort out all this disorganization and work on getting disabled and elderly into your apartments. This isn't rocket science. I am good at organizing, as a matter of fact, in my past life when I was married my husband and I had our own business and that was to look at small businesses and streamline and condense almost every aspect of that business. We re-trained sales staff, hired staff, did data entry, picked apart every expense and looked for ways to save money etc. Some jobs took a year or more, and when they got computers that was a whole other way to streamline the business and they called us back to do that.
Anyway- I offered to work with Tom Bohannon in a field that I have a vested interest in and we all would have benefitted- Tom would change his image in the disabled community as a man that cares, he'd make money, I'd have more money coming in and the disabled community would have more choices in apartments as they'd be advertised specifically for them and not given away at a discount to non-disabled. All I asked for was an apartment and a small stipend for my work. But Tom Bohannon has not bothered to answer yet. At first my proposal was in jest, tongue-in-cheek, but then I was like heck- this could work!

Anyway- council DID bring up some good points about getting a database together by Volar and the Apartment Association- shoulda been done years ago!

Representative Acosta brought up a good point, too, that many people may be disabled and may not feel comfortable to speak up about their disability and that many disabilities are not seen on the outside, such as heart patients, people with arthritis etc. And there was alot of confusion about how to legally place the disabled and elderly in accessible apartments that are intended for their use without stepping on toes and outright asking if they are disabled or the nature of the disability.

To me, that's a no-brainer. You don't have to ask someone what their ailments are (or aren't)- you can find out their needs by offering the amenities you have. If you are talking to a prospective client looking for an apartment and they have a cane you can offer that you have apartments that have walk-in or roll-in showers- these are amenities that should be celebrated, not shyed away from, and then you can go on and say "or would you prefer having a tub to soak in? We all love baths blah blah blah". TALK to the people, find out about them, show an interest. Yes, there's always going to be someone that might be offended, no one likes the stigma that as we age our needs may change and we are looked at as frail etc, but the majority of us aren't in Ironman competitions in our 40s, 50s, 60s etc ok? Let's be real. This is just one example of ways to try and meet the needs of the disabled/elderly- every case will be different. And all you can do is your best. Maybe a heart patient that looks fit, no cane, doesn't let you know an accessible apartment would be easier on them, for example. You don't want to question every person to find out if they may need an accessible apartment, and actually what I've seen for the most part is that the disabled/elderly community that has started or is in touch with the reality of their needs will be more than forthcoming with their requirements.

The six month hold on this agenda item to get organized and compile the database of accessible apartments is a good start but I don't believe we will truly see the need vs # of units available until guidelines are set and implemented on the advertising end of this issue. And that may take another 6 months or more to gather and decipher information found from that. I also suggest that the apartments do a survey of their tenants in accessible units and ask if they are meeting their needs or if they are even using those amenities. I'm sure that won't go over too good with some tenants that are taking advantage of accessible units at a discount, but you know what? I'd rather piss off that kind of tenant than deny a disabled person an accessible unit because JoeBlow Idontcare wants to save a few bucks.

Just my opinion.

New or Old City Hall Leak?

2009-09-09T08:37:00.005-06:00

While at city hall yesterday I was killing time talking with Lisa Turner while we waited for the "desk lady" to bring the signup sheet for the agenda.

I like alot of the common sense Ms. Turner has and admire that she can pretty much get her point across without pages of notes. Me, I'm a dork. I spoke on agenda item 10 yesterday, the one about the city possibly changing the building code so developers won't have to build 5 p/100 accessible apartments but just 2. I even lost my place at one time in my pages of notes, but that was my fault, I didn't want to keep repeating points that others made before me so I shortened my comments. More on that in another post.

Anyway, during a lull I wandered by the windows and looked down at the front of city hall. I noticed one of the concrete planters had an awful lot of water accumulated in it and there was a sprinkler head bubbling just over the water line.

Probably about 2 inches or more accumulated in there.

I went down and took a few pics of this and this morning I emailed building maintenance and informed them of this problem.

I know things break, but because the trees and vegetation were quite lush in that planter I wonder how long this has been going on unchecked?

I'm waiting to see how long this takes to be repaired, and will update you when I hear back from them.

Free Speech vs Lack of Respect for our President

2009-09-07T02:57:00.004-06:00

What's all this baloney goin' on now about the President supposedly wanting to "indoctrinate" our schoolchildren?

People who don't agree with some things the President has done or is doing, even though the burden falls on many others besides the President for the implementation, are now spreading the infection that we don't have to show any kind of respect to our President?

What does that tell our children?

They're so afraid the President is going to try and slip in subliminal messages and propoganda and that one speech will magically turn their kids into raving rebels of the Left! Are people really that ignorant?

Doesn't indoctrination need a series of actions, studies, disciplines to meet it's end result?

Parents have always held the key to their children's successes. Unfortunately, over half our children do not live in a two-parent household. Many of those do not have the proper supervision, so the streets or tv or gangs are taking the place of those parents.

It takes a village to raise a child. Ever heard that saying? It's true. It takes mentors of every sort to help shape our children and parents need to tap into that resource, with a watchful eye of course. It takes good teachers, a trusted church, extended family and friends, and neighbors. But the parents are the ultimate sayers in how the kids are raised.

We all have the right of free speech and to question our government. But instilling a fear into your children of our own President is taking that right really far! And it's downright disrespectful.

Children do not have the capacity of reason an adult has (sometimes that's a good thing!). They will not fully understand the nuances and depth of why they have to sit out of class while the rest of their classmates gets to participate in hearing and talking about the President's speech. All alot will know is that Mommy and Daddy said they don't have to listen to the President. WOW! What a learning experience!

As a child in the 60s and 70s I remember us schoolchildren participating in school activities that included a mock vote for our President, Nixon vs McGovern. For weeks we held debates and walked around the schoolyard with our signs trying to woo more people to our side. It was participation and discussion.

Let me say that again, louder...

We were allowed to PARTICIPATE and DISCUSS pros and cons of our candidates.

Our parents thought it was a good thing and didn't make us sit out. They embraced different opinions and they were conducted with decorum and respect. Not that we didn't get passionate at times.

So, why now is it an "us vs them" attitude and if you don't believe what I believe then I don't have to show you any respect and I will not participate?

I am clueless on this new attitude.

Some people are taking their rights way out of context and no one benefits or wins. It promotes closed-mindedness and perpetuates fears vs reasoning or debating.

Kinda anti-free speech!

"ACCESSIBLE APARTMENTS NOW! "

2009-09-04T07:22:00.003-06:00

Participated in the action yesterday attended mostly by ADAPT/Pact people and other interested parties over at Festival and Mesa streets. ADAPT people never cease to amaze me with their strength and gumption!

This was to voice our concerns over the city possibly changing code to appease developers wanting to only build 2 handicap accessible apartments per 100 instead of the current code of 5.

I want to give a shout out to everyone that organized, participated and helped out in so many ways! Thanks for your strong direction and other support!

And a big thank you to the downtown businesses that donated cases of water for us! And thank you to the young gentleman that actually came and passed it out- I'm terrible with names so please forgive me!

I didn't get to take any pics as I was holding up a banner most of the time. And it almost looked as if it were going to rain, but we would have stayed anyway.

I received information from a Ft. Bliss public information office that there are about 80,000 disabled vets in El Paso County! (I hope I heard right on that number- I was pretty amazed at it!). And according to stats for the city there are about 60,000 disabled/elderly disabled in our area. I don't know if the two figures overlap. But these are astounding numbers!

Even if you take just the lower number of 60,000 disabled- that's just under 1/10th of our population! And builders just want to build 2 units per 100??? What's wrong with this picture? Do you know how many people are living in in-accessible housing because they can't find a vacancy in accessible apartments (let alone a shortage of houses handicap accessible)? Tea Partiers are shouting about their liberties and choices, but what do our disabled have? Very little- and the developers want to give them even less.

BYOH- Bring Your Own Healthcare

2009-09-03T07:15:00.004-06:00

I really am having a hard time trying to start this piece.

There's so many nuances of importance that add to and affect my feelings on the health care reform issue, but I'm afraid to expound too much on some of them for fear of taking away from my overall point, and, of course, of rambling on a bit, which I can slide into easily.

So, I will trudge forward and hope that you all will follow with patience.

I was waiting at my bus stop for the 46 to arrive around 9:15 Wednesday morning to check out the Tea Party Express rally, I wanted to see for myself what was being said. Up pulled a supervisor's van instead of the bus. Seems 46 broke down with air pressure problems at around 7:30 a.m. I thought it was great I still had a ride to scope out the rally but then I also wondered how people in wheelchairs in the NE that were relying on a bus with a lift/ramp were going to get there? (A working bus DID meet us at NorthGate)

On the bus was a gentleman I had seen around the Walmart/Trans Mtn area. Maybe late 40s or early 50s, raggedy clothes, with his cane and his walker with a seat. I have spoken with him before while waiting for buses. I know some of his plight and that he is waiting for SS/Disability to kick in. In the meantime he resorts to panhandling, walking (if you wanna call it that) the rock median and asking for help from passersby. Now before you judge- I have never smelled alcohol on this man's breath nor does he seem to have other characteristics to imply other socially unacceptable problems, except that he doesn't have a job and is disabled. He was sitting on the bus praying with a dollar in his cupped hands- and it wasn't a quick one. He then took his package of 2 poptarts and was praying over that. It was quite a humbling site, and ironic, as I was heading to a group of people at the Tea Party that I feel don't want to be their brother's keeper.

I cried behind my sunglasses.

And I cried that I did not have any money to give him as I live paycheck to paycheck, literally. And this was right before payday. But that day I did not feel hopeless for him, in fact the opposite. He had someone on his side stronger than me and I felt it!

So I exited the bus right at Sue Young Park and started walking to the gathering. The parking lot was full of cars and no one got off the bus with me. I was met with people trying to sell me "Don't Tread on Me" flags and pieces of conversation- mainly of the nature breaking down to "us and them". But there were two "thems". Government and Democrats.

It was not "us Americans" plurally.

Cds, books and t-shirts were being sold, also. Nothing was free. Everything had a price. Go Capitalism! The new religion of the selfish! (just a smidgen of sarcasm) I looked around for someone possibly giving out water- none. I was amazed I didn't even see anyone SELLING water- what an opportunity missed! (I've never been to this park and didn't know if there was a water fountain somewhere)

I wasn't walking around with a mini flag, no buttons stating how American I am, no military affiliation colors worn- just me. A free American trying to understand another's point of view.

The thing is, there are many valid points made by some at these rallies. Unfortunately, alot of them are drowned out by the more vocal and radical. Some feel they need to be extreme or dramatic to make their point, which I feel is counter-productive. The fact that health care needs to be reformed is a strong enough point.

If we came together as united Americans we would have more numbers and a bigger impact, and then work out the finer details together.

Anyway, I'm walking around and listening. You could say my ears were perked. The signs that were being held up were everywhere, shouting out the words socialist! marxist! muslim! my money!

It was getting quite hot and humid and I was looking forward to going home and having some cool water. A funny thought ran across my mind. What if I passed out right here in front of everyone from heat exhaustion or dehydration? Would any of these people help me up?

And I thought of the man on the bus, and now probably sweating out there in the street at Trans Mtn/Woodrow Bean, and I was hoping he had enough money for lunch.

And I wondered how long he'd have to be out there before the government powers that be and people that only see him as a beggar decided he was poor enough and sick enough to be worthy of help?

2009-09-02T14:20:00.009-06:00

Some pics from the Tea Party Express rally today at Sue Young Park in the NE.

They pretty much speak for themselves and the rhetoric was pretty much what I expected.

I will add more commentary later tonight.

"Can I borrow a cup of sugar Tom Bohannon?"

2009-08-31T06:37:00.003-06:00

Did anyone read the El Paso Times story on the city council agenda item coming up for consideration Tuesday on developers wanting to change building code and the disabled community's opposition?

I wouldn't have, as I don't read the EP Times- can't even get it delivered properly to my home, let alone their "investigative reporting" is quite lacking.

But a friend of mine called and told me about it so I looked it up online.

The EP Times wrote that Victor Torres, development services director, stated "he met with developers and that the 5% rule was one area identified as a barrier to building more apartments"

WHY DIDN'T VICTOR TORRES MEET WITH ANYONE FROM THE ELDERLY/DISABLED COMMUNITY AND GET THEIR SIDE? I'm sure ADAPT/Pact would have welcomed him in a discussion on accessible housing, let alone senior centers, Volar, Project Bravo etal.

The EP Times further writes "Under the city's existing ordinance, 5% of all ground floor apartments must offer roll-in showers for handicapped accessibility." said Bill Bennett, a city coordinator"

BILL BENNETT IS NOT JUST A NON-DESCRIPT CITY COORDINATOR AS STATED BY THE EP TIMES- BILL BENNETT IS THE ADA COORDINATOR!!!!! That's Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator. Hello?

"Apartment developer Tom Bohannon said there was not enough demand for the 5% rule to make sense.""Bohannon Development Corp. owns and manages 1,000 apartment units in El Paso. Of those, he said 50 are fully-equipped for disabled people, as required by city law, and 390 can easily be converted for that use." "Of those 440 units, I have 1 person in a wheelchair" he said."

SEE HOW TOM BOHANNON LIKES TO USE NUMBERS TO WORK IN HIS FAVOR??? REMEMBER- I WENT TO LOOK AT HIS APARTMENTS AT THE POINTE AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE UNITS AVAILABLE AND NO ONE EVER OFFERED TO CONVERT ONE FOR ME!!!! TOM BOHANNON ONLY HAS 1 PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR IN ALL HIS 1,000 APARTMENTS???? WHY DOESN'T TOM BOHANNON WANT PEOPLE IN WHEELCHAIRS IN HIS UNITS??? WHAT DOES HE HAVE AGAINST THE DISABLED???? DOES THAT INCREASE HIS INSURANCE? OR ARE THE DISABLED A BLIGHT IN HIS EYES?

"Bohannon says it's tough to rent disabled-accessible units to non-disabled residents. He has to offer discounts to fill them up".

THIS STATEMENT SHOULD OUTRAGE US ALL!!! NOT ONLY IS BOHANNON NOT TRYING TO RENT THESE UNITS TO DISABLED PERSONS- HE WOULD RATHER GIVE A NON-DISABLED PERSON A DISCOUNT FOR LIVING IN AN ACCESSIBLE APARTMENT THAN RENT IT TO THE PEOPLE WHOSE USE IT IS INTENDED!!!! THIS IS WALKING A VERY FINE LINE OF DISCRIMINATION!!!

Now, not all disabled persons are in wheelchairs. Some are heart patients, the elderly with balance and other health issues, or any other disability that may not be apparent just from looking at the outside of a person. But Bohannon brought up wheelchairs for some reason. Is that how he compartmentalizes disabled persons? I already got into the argument in another post about affordability- but this looks more and more like not advertising to the disabled/elderly community and I can only come to the opinion that it is because he doesn't want to rent to that sector of our community. For whatever reasons- financial, personal, I don't know.

Either way- there is a need for accessible housing, and done in a fair way. Normally I'd say boycott the guy that doesn't want the disabled community in his apartments- but in this case I say to my disabled and elderly brothers and sisters- get your pens ready and let's all go apply for an apartment with Bohannon!!! Let's be his neighbor and long-term!!! Let's look him in the face everyday and say "I am here and I'm not going anywhere soon and can I borrow a cup of sugar?"

And ask him for a discount because we don't like the aesthetics of his accessible units.

Representative Robinson's Breakfast Meeting

2009-08-29T07:08:00.002-06:00

Ok, attended the weekly breakfast meeting Robinson held at Denny's yesterday.

Besides a couple of county and city employees, I believe I was one of the youngest people in attendance. I just don't understand the apathy of "younger" people not being interested in their city/county/state/country and their elected officials.

They're busy living their lives, but this is part of life!

When I was in school full-time and working full-time I still had time to go to different rallies and meetings, not all, though. Even managed to squeeze in a couple of anti-war protests.

And this September 11th, again, I will place a poster in my window or yard remembering and honoring my childhood friend, Robert Talhami, who was killed in the Twin Towers attack.

Anyway- back to the meeting. We didn't get into much discussion about health care reform, it was more about BRAC and housing and energy needs, very interesting, though.

I liked what Shapleigh was saying about pushing for solar energy for new housing and how now is an opportune time to become a leader in that industry.

He also spoke of preserving Castner Range and all the NE has to offer.

Arne Schonberger, an attorney and member of the City's Accessibility Advisory Committee, spoke about the city council's upcoming agenda item regarding reducing the number of handicap accessible units from 5 per 100 down to 2. He asked a really valid question- he asked people there when was the last time one of you took a bath? There were a few snickers about hygiene but most people agreed that baths were in their past (remember- this was an older crowd) and the general concensus was that most people showered and that it is safer not to have a bathtub to step/fall over. A step-in or roll-in shower is safer.

He also got into speaking about Bohannon and brought up a lawsuit between Bohannon and some employee but Robinson cut him off stating Bohannon wasn't here to defend himself so he didn't want to get into speculation.

Being an attorney I wish Arne had brought a copy of that lawsuit if it concluded- then maybe he would have had more bite as to facts and the argument would have been a moot point as the conclusion would be he had his day in court and his chance to defend himself. I'm really curious to hear what that case was all about.

You see, Bohannon is involved with the agenda item builders are trying to push through about changing city code to build 2 units per 100 instead of 5 handicap accessible units.

Back to Robinson. He spoke about trying to bring businesses to the NE and spoke about buildings having retail on the bottom floor and residences above, all very positive ideas. It's nice to hear ideas and plans for growth. NEsiders can complain all day or do something about improving our neighborhood.

Norma Favela also spoke at the end regarding running for District Clerk. Too bad she didn't come earlier, the audience was pretty restless by the time she spoke. She is currently the chief deputy tax assessor- collector.

I wanted to speak with all these people at the end of the meeting but I had been up all night and was starting to hit "the wall" and just wanted to go home and rest. I shook hands with Representative Robinson and told him "have a good night"- so it was time for me to shut up and leave before I said anything else stupid.

(No- I wasn't up all night partying- couldn't do that even if I had the inclination, I just can't hang like I used to, nor do I want to).

All in all it was a positive meeting, even though some of it was canned, and I walked away with more hope for the NE.

Tea Partiers Spiking the Drinks?

2009-08-29T05:38:00.002-06:00

Checked out some Tea Party Express sites and blogs- made for some funny reading.

On one site there was a list of people in the El Paso area that wish to attend, hope to or can't.

"Militiasam" is hoping to.

A young woman from the NE side wants to attend even though her husband will be working- but she's in a quandary. See, she states that she doesn't drive and she's asking STRANGERS going to the Tea Party for a ride!

UMMM.......... hello.......... it's called mass transit- take the bus!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She's probably scared to ride the bus with those scary..... bus people! The poor, elderly, disabled, blue-collar working stiffs- you know- everyday real Americans- the uninsured or what she probably thinks are the leeches of society- the disabled.

So she'd rather go in a stranger's car - wonder how her hubby feels about that?

Hopefully she doesn't accept a ride with one of those crazies that's packin' an AK47 or what-not on his shoulder or hip- nothing like carrying a firearm to a free speech rally! My bad- it would be concealed in Texas. We're all trying to protect our constitutional rights, but carrying a firearm to a free speech rally is riding the fringe of intimidation.

Anyway- I'm sure DavidK will be there- maybe he'll be selling those 'Nobama" calendars, remember- capitalism is the end-all for him and it's everybody for himself. The good thing is the people buying those calendars will be just like him. I won't waste my money. Part of the proceeds of the calendars will be going into the Tea Party coffers which ends up where? In grassroots organizations or which politician's pocket?

I'm thinking of going to see this spectacle. I'm hoping other free-thinkers will be there, too.

I'll be taking the bus.

Hmmm- maybe that's why the young lady doesn't want to take the bus, no firearms are allowed.

Accessible Housing and the Hoodwinking of City Council and LRC by Builders

2009-08-28T00:16:00.003-06:00

City Council will be introducing changing the building code requirements for the percentage of handicap accessible units from 5 units built per 100 apartments to just 2 on Sept 1st, next Tuesday.

What I'm afraid of is that City Council is scared to turn away any business right now. They will believe the trumped up figures and "logic" the builders will throw at them, saying they can't afford to build the extra 3 units per 100 and that if needed they would rather convert an apartment to specific accessibility needs of the tenant- but at who's cost? That has not been determined. So actually the pool of choices becomes smaller if more units are not built and the elderly and disabled are left to choose from pre-existing units, accessible and not- IF ground-floor apartments become available and IF they fit the size and needs of someone or some family that has accessibility needs then some builders are saying they would be willing to do the work. Then when that family moves on- bet your bottom dollar they will convert it back- another added cost not talked about.

I'm also hearing the argument that handicap-accessible units are not being rented- they are not making any money- they are sitting vacant. If that is the case- if you supposedly can't rent out a unit and times are tough- wouldn't it behoove you to look into lowering the rent on that unit and also look into possible subsidies? Isn't $400 a month in-pocket better than $0?

Are they not being rented because they are too expensive? And the disabled and elderly cannot afford them?

That may be the case in some instances, but I have seen figures that denounce that theory to a degree. There are plenty of disabled vets, retired people and disabled that DO have an adequate income to pay for more "luxury" apartments. And yes, there is a good percentage that cannot.

Are handicap-accessible apartment units being advertised? I don't believe they are to their full-potential. Actually I don't just believe that- I know that for a fact.

You see, 5 years ago when I moved down here to El Paso from "up North" I was used to paying a pretty penny for an apartment. My unit I left was a great find at $735 a month for a 1 bedroom at about 600 sf. So when I came down here I looked for apartments in that price range that could accomodate myself and my client that is disabled and uses a wheelchair. My client had a house and the mindset then was that it would be too much for me to take care of them and a house that was in disrepair. And inaccessible. So apartment hunting we went!

Just so happened to go and look at The Pointe apartments- Bohannon's apartments. I was told they had handicap- accessibile apartments over the phone, even though on the website I didn't see any mention of that. But I liked the floorplan and wanted to take a look. I wanted a 2-bedroom 2-bath. My client, myself, and another caretaker went to the apartments and talked with the girl that greeted us in the office. She asked for an ID before she could show us a unit and I gave her mine. She left it sitting on her desk and was ready to show us around when I asked her to please secure my ID properly before we left- I didn't want my ID just sitting on a desk for anyone to take!

We entered the model unit and realized it would be very UN-accomodating. The doorways were too narrow and my client couldn't even fit through to go into a bedroom. The kitchen was not wide enough for turnarounds in a manual or power wheelchair. Then there were steps down into the livingroom- hardly conducive to accomodating a person in a wheelchair.

While talking with the girl showing us the unit she said there were no handicap accessible units available. She never mentioned that if we DID choose to rent with them they could or would convert it to make it more accessible. That issue was never brought up or offered. Even though now I hear that Bohannon is supposedly willing to convert for tenants. Is he just saying that now because he wants to get by just building 2 units per 100 instead of the current 5 per 100? And would he really convert it at no cost to the tenant if asked?

Hmmmm.

I don't like the tactics these builders are using. They're basically strong-arming the city into giving them carte blanche. They'll build if they get some great tax breaks and don't have to build too many accessible units that they are unwilling to advertise. And the city, instead of standing up for it's disabled community, looks like they might offer anything to builders with the troop crunch coming and not enough affordable multi-family housing units. Isn't "smart growth" and planning supposed to include livability for the elderly and disabled?

I'm the last of the baby-boom generation. And I'm starting to feel the aches and pains that come with getting older. I'm seeing a greater need for accessible housing, not a lesser. And all those people that have single-family units with the island in the kitchens are probably going to kick themselves when they realize they need to pull out that island and re-tile when they find themselves or a family member in need of using a wheelchair and they need their place to be more accessible. But the builders built for a trend and no one looked at the future.

So when the public gets its chance to voice their opinion on this issue at the Sept 8th city council meeting I hope city council is ready to listen without prejudice.

What stake do the elderly and disabled have in gaining (actually keeping) the same amount of units built per 100? Is it choices and dignity and accessibility? True transition? Yes.

What stake do builders have in all this besides profit? Remember, true transition and accessibility is not supposed to be ruled by financial (supposed) inability.

Builders need to build according to the community's needs.

We have over 4,000 single-family units on the market right now and builders are complaining of what they are unwilling to rent out or advertise as far as accessible units? I find that ridiculous. If the builders are crying "tough times" foul and they say that it is cheaper to convert rather than build accessible units- why don't they start buying some of these houses and convert them to be accessible? I bet they'd advertise when they have $125,000 on the line compared to just $600 for an apartment a month. Someone needs to think ahead and not just in the moment, our community has needs and someone needs to be responsible enough and listen.

Builders unwilling to pay for accessible units and think only of their profits should not be making city code. Who else stands to profit in our city off of changing the city code? Let's take a good hard look at who are the players pushing this through. If it's not obvious- you will see on the 8th.

sidenote- one of my goals for the disabled/elderly community is to actually create a tax break to individuals that convert a home into an accessible home and deed it such that it cannot be converted back when sold. That would leave a bigger pool and choice in housing and reduce costs of conversion for future disabled/elderly persons.

Cool Change

2009-08-27T09:32:00.002-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xslO6Qi_kGQ&feature=related/

Just a cool tune with a good message

... let God sort 'em out

2009-08-25T12:06:00.003-06:00

City Council is again hearing from both sides on the domestic partnership/city employees benefits package.

Mayor Cook has quoted again the council's adopted policy of "no personal attacks" and has warned of the consequences. It is very subjective what he will decide is a personal attack. But he has that right as mayor and running the council meeting. He certainly didn't like when he and council were called evil and hypocrites at one meeting. And he's showing he means business by the stern warning today. But since it is subjective- where does free speech fit in? There are degrees of what is acceptable behavior and speech. I'm not for disrupting public meetings with words that are obviously or outrageously incindiery, hurtful, discriminatory etc- but we do all hold the right to our opinions and free speech. We are also responsible for what we say.

Anyway, what gets my goat are the men and women from churches and the private sector that are preaching their interpretation of morality on this issue. Yes, I believe in the Bible. Yes, I believe in laws, God's and man's. But preachers, priests and rabbis are all sinners and they preach to sinners. And Jesus walked and associated with the worst of the worst. And loved them, anyway.

What cracks me up is that we live in a region that has high immorality. We have a huge population of under-age and unmarried people that are having pre-marital sex and having babies. Where is our morality now? Do the parents of these sinners cast their children aside because of their actions? If so, that would be very unloving and not in the best interest of the child or the baby. But how do they deal with these moral convictions? Or is it a matter of convenience?

I have thought long and hard on this and many issues. So I say what may sound like a cop out to some but which is something I do truly believe in with conviction. I'm human. And I don't understand alot of issues. Some I just have to rely on faith as being the right thing. And these I turn over to God to deal with. I don't have to be the moral compass for God just because I believe in Him. He's been doing just fine. So all I can do is do what I think is fair and let the burden of judging rest on God's shoulders.

So I believe in letting domestic partners share in the privilege of these benefits they are paying a portion of. And I say that without judgement and will let God do His work.

Ideas I'm Working On

2009-08-25T02:23:00.002-06:00

Been thinking about this for a loong time and am now in the phase of "yeah- maybe I should get off my arse and do it".

Do any of you remember "Old World Chat"? I was deep in that cyber world in some ways from 2001-2006 until they made many changes, some for the better and much-needed- there was alot of cyber-bullying going on, not to mention other drama.

Well, I'm thinking of writing a book about that whole scene, changing the AKAs, of course. If anyone from the El Paso area walked in that world and has any imput I would love to hear from you- and I know that means positive and negative imput.

I'm talking Old World Chat and then the new World Chat thru Jumbuck from back in the time period stated, and even a little earlier.

For credibility, I will ask for old AKAs to verify what you say and that you were truly part of that scene, but will hold true to my confidentiality claims.

Update on Sun City

2009-08-25T02:01:00.003-06:00

Ok- waited to hear from many sides on the piece I wrote last night on "Part-time Accessibility for Full-time Disabled"- here's the scoop.

Sun City Cab did receive New Freedom monies in their pursuit of van conversions for wheelchairs. Not alot, but some, don't have an exact dollar amount.

Yellow/Checker has not received these monies.

There is no stipulation of having the wheelchair accessible vans available 24 hours a day to get these monies.

The owner of Sun City Cab also apologizes for the mistake made when saying they were now "on-demand". He says they only have 2 vans at the moment and they are still requiring 24-hour notice for these vans.

Ok- now that we have all that straight- it still sucks. It's better than it was- at least now for planned events or errands the disabled can get a ride, but good luck being spontaneous.

There's more possible good news in the works as far as Sun City and the disabled community, can't say now, but we'll hear about it in October possibly.

So the work continues....

Part-time Accessibility for Full-time Disabled

2009-08-24T02:07:00.003-06:00

Yeah, it's 2 a.m. and I'm up and awake.

Par for the course, my sleeping schedule is so out of whack.

But the upside is I like to do alot of work around the house in the wee hours, especially in the summer. It's not as hot or humid- perfect for laundry time. Perfect time to go shopping at Walmart, too.

Or so I thought. I really gotta stop thinking so much.

You see, I've taken Sun City Cab over to Walmart or other places after 9 p.m. when there's no bus service. It's worked out about 4 times that I've used them. And I use Sun City because they advertised to the CAC and the CAAC (city accessibility advisory committee)that they have handicap accessible vans and I'm usually accompanying my client in a wheelchair.

I also know that Yellow/Checker has handicap accessible vans, but I now have a "relationship" with Sun City and try to give business to the ones that want it. Sun City seemed to really want to serve the disabled community.

Last year when they let us know about the vans they said to give them 24- hour notice at first for a ride. Ok- I can understand they wouldn't always be available. They were waiting til word spread about the vans- then they could have them available full-time. The owner and his son gave us their first ride in the vans one night last year and we have been using them since.

Earlier this year they said there would be maybe a couple hour notice needed, then it was "call anytime". And it's worked out like I said the 4 or so times I've used them.

Last I heard, Sun City has 5 handicap accessible vans. I had heard that one got wrecked in an accident in Juarez and is being tied up in red tape as far as getting it fixed. I think it's still in Juarez.

So that would leave 4 vans.

Speaking with one of our usual drivers, we were told that two vans were waiting to be painted with the Sun City graphics- that was a while ago. Where are they now?

See, called for a handicap accessible van just now from Sun City and there isn't one available. It's not on another call- it's not being used. The drivers out tonight are using other vehicles. Or maybe they have a handicap accessible van out on calls but the back back seat is put in and they don't want to drop off that seat over at headquarters, make this call, then go pick it back up? I dunno.

Called Yellow/Checker- no vans available until "maybe" in the morning.

Called Border Cab- no handicap accessible vans in their fleet, according to dispatch.

City Cab- none.

According to our "usual" driver at Sun City, some drivers don't like to use the handicap accessible vans because when they go on certain calls, like picking up soldiers, they can't fit as many into the taxi because the back back seat is taken out of the handicap accessible van to make room for a wheelchair. So in reality, the vans can only carry maybe 4 passengers that way as opposed to 6 or 7 with the back back seat in.

Why don't they just send another van for larger groups?

Bus service and cab service are two separate entities in the transportation industry.

Maybe I'm being selfish, but since cabs run 24 hours a day I believe that if they receive any grant money for handicap accessible vans they should be required to have the handicap accessible vans available 24 hours a day!

I'm pretty sure Sun City received grant monies for these vans, and probably Yellow/Checker, too- I will check in the morning and post an update.

But in the meantime, cabs being the most expensive mode of transportation in the city compared to bus service out-of-pocket to the disabled community, and you have handicap accessible vans- don't you think your advantage would be having them available when bus service doesn't run?

Or am I thinking too much, again?

New Links

2009-08-22T19:36:00.005-06:00

Check out some new links I added for Chicago-style food to order online and links to gardening, plant sites- it's not all about blogs!!! Check out FAVORITE LINKS on the right side of this page.

Chicago-style Food- the Italian Beef

2009-08-21T03:18:00.011-06:00

Here's a small tribute to the best food in the world- Chicago-style food!!!

Let's start with one of my favs- the Italian beef sandwich. On a french or Italian roll, plain or toasted, with or without garlic butter- Gonnella bread is the best.

Next comes the beef. Vienna brand beef. Beautifully slow-cooked and spiced Italian beef that is actually from lesser-cuts, but once it's slow-roasted it will literally melt in your mouth and with no rubbery fat- just pure beef, juicy and tender. Now you have the choice of how you want your beef. If you want it real juicy ask for it "wet" and they'll take your sandwich in tongs and dip the whole sandwich, bread and all, into the au jus.

El Pasoans will understand this next step. You just HAVE to have giardeneira on it. That's pickled jalapeno slices, pickled carrots,pickled sliced celery, pickled cauliflower(some mixes), and/or pickled sliced sport peppers (serrano)in a delicious hot pickling sauce- it's chopped bite-size and is almost as important an ingredient as the beef.

Next comes the sweet peppers. These are blanched green peppers (boiled for 1-2 minutes then thrust into ice cold water to stop the cooking process). They taste nice and sweet and are not too crunchy and not too soggy- just perfect for Italian beefs or Italian sausage sandwiches with marinara sauce- another Chicago Italian specialty.

A good beef will never be fatty and you'll eat it so fast because it melts in your mouth and because they can be messy if you like 'em wet- but don't worry- no one's looking while you eat it to see how messy you are- they're gulping down their own as fast as they can!

The best beefs in Chicago are at Portillo's, Zippy's, Al's Beef (Taylor St), and MY fav- Johnnie's Beef in Elmwood Park, Il. Johnnie's Beef has a "beef nazi" taking your order- just like the soup nazi on Seinfeld- you better know what you want and how you want it when you're next or you'll be skipped over. These guys are serious- there are usually lines traveling half-way around the building to get in. They only have an ordering counter and a counter opposite to eat at- there are a few picnic tables outside and people eat there or in their cars when inside is full. The weekends there's actually security guards to keep order. Oh- you also have to have a real Italian Ice when you go to Chicago- Johnnie's has 'em, of course.

You can go to Chicago for this wonderful food for the true experience, or you can even order it online and they'll ship it to you on dry ice ready to heat and serve through Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, a famous Chicago restaurant that has partnered with other Chicago favorites for ex-pats and other lovers of authentic Chicago-style food at http://www.loutogo.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8yVjXKVDQ8&NR=1

Customer Service the Key to Profits

2009-08-20T17:56:00.002-06:00

What is it with T-Mobile?

Why do they make something so simple to take care of into a loss on their part? Especially in these hard economic times?

You see, my pay date changed when I switched agencies for work. I pay my other bills in the beginning of the month and my T-Mobile bill with my second check in the month. Always have and never had a problem- until the paydate changed.

I pay about $150 a month for all the bells and whistles for my phone. But T-Mobile REFUSES to change my billing date. And I refuse to NOT pay my more important bills just so I can pay my cellphone bill in their time frame.

T-Mobile is losing anywhere from $25- $50 a month from me because I end up paying the lesser pro-rated bill soon after I get my 2nd paycheck of the month, just a few days after they cut me off. I try to explain this every month to "customer care" but no one gets it!

So for the folks that try to call me and get a recording that the customer is not receiving calls at this time- now you know why.

Not a very smart way of doing business on T-Mobile's part, I would say.

I still have a home phone I can be reached at, though I do need to replace the phone as it is difficult to hear on. I use the MagicJack and have no qualms with them overall, just that they don't have a customer service line for their customers- if you have an issue you need to go online and chat with a rep that may or may not be able to help you. But it makes for a good backup if my cell is off- tho I can still use my cell to call 911 if needed.

Advice to T-Mobile- figure out this very intricate glitch- maybe take your right index finger or even left or pinky-finger for all I care, and change the date on my bill and pro-rate the beginning billing cycle for the new date in the POSITIVE, I'll pay the full bill, and next month we'll be back to paying my regular full-price bill on-time.

WOW! What a concept- customer service at it's finest!

Now THAT would be a cool mobile makeover!

Marijuana and Reformed Health Insurance

2009-08-20T14:26:00.000-06:00

I have to admit I had much more hope in Obama addressing the drug wars going on than what he has shown so far.

And not just the drug wars, but of opening up discussion and putting forth real effort in even more scientific and medical research about marijuana. We need overkill to wake up some people that make policy on things they don't understand.

The LaGuardia Report just isn't believable to some people nowadays and I don't understand why. But then again, people will believe what they believe, even when facts stare them straight in the face.

Is Obama afraid to shake things up too much right at the beginning? He's already shelved immigration discussion. He had the momentum in the beginning, now that that moment has passed it is all uphill from now.

Even without the narco wars marijuana is long past due being looked at and discussed on an intelligent level.

But, with the healthcare overhaul looming, do you really think big government is going to start accepting prescriptions for medical marijuana for Medicare patients if states were to pass it's acceptance for medicinal purposes? Not even to mention recreational?

I think not.

Will Medicare or any government funded insurance drop patients that have valid prescriptions for marijuana? Will they be dropped if they go and buy it at a store and pay taxes on it but go and get piss tested by their doctor and it's found in their system? I think we all know the answer to these questions. Big government will stick their 2 cents in, not in the best interest of the patient, but for themselves. Big government will become (even more so than now) the new 'insurance" company that looks at oudated notions and beliefs as factual and not at scientifically proven facts.

Many people I know who are severely disabled and/or in chronic pain receive prescription drugs for their conditions through Medicare. I'm talking powerful drugs and in huge doses that would kill the average person not using drugs. Are they addicted? Well, yes. Do they build a tolerance to these drugs? Yes again. But there is a HUGE difference in most of these patients compared to the everyday addicted drug-user that goes out and commits crimes to get his drugs. Alot of these patients I know actually take less than the dose recommended because they want to be as lucid as possible and not be a vegetable. They even put up with pain to a degree we can't even imagine just so they can be productive, useful and coherent human beings.

So why is it ok to prescribe very heavy drugs in pill form (or sometimes by injection) but it is taboo to smoke a drug? If marijuana came in pill form would that make it more acceptable to the ignorant?

Some I know that have chronic and breakthough pain would definitely benefit from using a small amount of marijuana. These patients are on heavy drugs yet they still wake up from a deep sleep because of their pain. Being able to use marijuana for it's medicinal benefits would help them with their pain and to sleep. It would give them a more quality life. So to drop many of our poor and government-insured patients for their use of marijuana would be shameful and against their civil rights (if state and/or medicinally accepted), let alone against basic human rights. Doctors have to be in the forefont of this issue and should not have to be afraid of non-payment or penalty by the insurance company for their actions based on the Hippocratic Oath and (possible) law. Who has the patient's best interest at heart- a doctor or our government/insurance company?

Do I smoke marijuana? No. Do I believe in alcohol, a legal drug to users of age, being used for medicinal purposes? Rarely. Tho I have been known to have a few beers when my back was hurting and after a couple I was able to move around more easily. But going to a chiropractor helps, too. And so would taking prescribed medication - but I don't like taking pills- too hard for me to swallow and I am cognizant of the possibility of becoming addicted. I believe in marijuana's medicinal qualities based on fact and research. Alcohol cannot be used in conjunction with most prescribed pills to help alleviate pain or induce sleep- the combination can kill- we hear about it all the time. Based on fact and alcohol's makeup. But marijuana CAN be used in conjunction in alot of instances without ill effects. Alcohol is a far more dangerous drug and with more ill effects than marijuana. But the people that drink alcohol already put in their protest years ago and finally won their right to drink for whatever reason. It's time marijuana users have that same right. And it's time people who could benefit from medicinal marijuana have that same right. And without fear of prosecution or being dropped by their doctor or insurance.

We need more updated scientific and medical research studies to diminish the stigma marijuana holds over many. Doctors, scientists, professors need to take this ball and run with it to give it the credibility needed for intelligent analysis. This is one issue that has been so blown out of proportion that I don't even think AARP or other large groups can tackle this alone without these other professionals in their corner.

Gimme 3 Winks

2009-08-19T07:12:00.004-06:00

I know I know... I've been saying this for a few days BUT- I will post some new info and other stuff later today and over the next few days but I can't get into it at the moment. I wanna try and get a couple more hours' sleep in to add to the 3 I got last night- then it's off to a meeting with ADAPT/Pact and Walmart/Trans Mtn then pool league tonight, tomorrow is an LRC meeting.Yesterday was the CAC meeting and pool practice, let alone I work full-time. This stuff used to be a drop in the bucket for me but I'm getting older and have more aches and pains and it takes me hours to travel around to these meetings via mass transit and the heat sure doesn't help any!
Ok I'm done feeling sorry for myself... talk with ya'll soon...

REO Speedwagon's "Golden Country" says it all

2009-08-17T03:38:00.001-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjqjZsw66DE

It Ain't Over til the Fat Lady Sings

2009-08-13T22:03:00.003-06:00

I'm waiting to post some more items about the CAC but I am waiting until certain things become public knowledge at upcoming meetings, sorry folks.

So between that and the ongoing glitches with Time Warner, it's going to be a boring few days.

Just be happy I'm not singing- it could be worse!

Is Your Refrigerator Running?.....

2009-08-09T04:06:00.003-06:00

Remember when we were like 9-13 years old and we thought it was hilarious to crank call people (some we knew, some we didn't) and ask them "is your refrigerator running?- well you better go catch it!!" and hang up laughing our behinds off?

Well, seems it's still going on nowadays only it's a bit different.

Crank texting is the new crank call.

And it seems 9-13 yrs old isn't the case anymore- this guy looks a little older.

The guy in the pic above texted me this morning around 3:45 am.

And he wouldn't leave it alone or give up bugging me even though I texted him that I didn't know him.

You see, I have 'Bev's old cell phone number and her friends that haven't talked to her in over a year and a half are still trying to get ahold of her. Bev is a pretty popular girl it seems- this guy texted me he had a dream about her and wanted to see her.

The guy finally gave it up after I threatened to go to the police with all his info- the sucker even sent me a pic- what a dork!

So it really wasn't crank texting, but it became a nuisance after I told him repeatedly I wasn't Bev and she hasn't had this number in years.

When are we going to have some kind of cellphone directory? I know it'd be a helluva job updating that list- can you imagine?!!!

Maybe Obama can stimulate the economy by creating a national cellphone list and all the people without jobs can work from their home computers doing data entry, with insurance to cover their carpel tunnel syndrome. Moms and Dads can stay at home and do this job and the kids can have both parents home to keep an eye on them. Wow- what a concept!

Looks like this kid in the pic could use a little supervision.

Anyway- these are things that make me go hmmmmm.

Can You Hold it for Another Year and a Half?

2009-08-03T13:31:00.005-06:00

2 of 3 Sun Metro coach operators waiting for the single unisex bathroom at the Northgate Terminal.

It'll be at least another year and a half until we get a new terminal and new bathrooms in the NE.

If you're sick and tired of being treated this way and don't want to take it anymore, please call 533-3333 and voice your complaints and suggestions.

Or do it in person at the Union Depot at 700 San Francisco. The Sun Metro offices are to the left and back of the building.

Or come to the CAC (Citizen's Advisory Committee to Mass Transit Dept Board/Sun Metro) meeting every 3rd Tuesday of the month- all the big guys are there. 2pm.

Or see how long you can just hold it.

"Welcome to Progressive..."

2009-08-03T12:46:00.002-06:00

This is just one cart of about 10 carts I saw lined up at Walmart a couple weeks ago when I visited early in the morning. They were lined up by customer service, waiting for employees to put away. The perishable items (the ham, frozen pizzas etc) were being thrown out.

Now I know where to go next time my pantry gets low, which is most of the time.

What a wasteful society we have become.

Let's see- why are these items being thrown out?

On the consumer end, we go shopping for food for an hour or more, wait in line to pay for what we picked out and when they give us the magic number we find we don't have enough money. So we put things to the side, probably thinking someone will put them away for us. Or we change our minds in mid-shop and instead of walking a football-field's length back to put it away we say to ourselves "oh they'll put it away- I'm giving them job security".

On the store's end, this is a bare-bones-no-customer-service kinda store (as far as baggers go- remember them?) and this waste is just a cost of doing business. Why should they hire another employee at $7.25 an hour to put away (if salvageable) a $10 ham? They can just write it off to waste.

Yes, there's always going to be the r-e-a-l-l-y lazy shoppers who decide not to buy an item and just stick it anywhere on the shelves no matter if it's perishable or not (there's always a 'bad apple' among us). Whatever the reason- it's a waste and it's a shame.

I wanted to call up this Walmart and ask them just how much they throw out in a day. I also wanted to ask them how much they donate to the local food bank. But I knew that I'd probably still be waiting for that answer to go through corporate and back and blah blah blah. I'm still waiting for the accessible pathway promised last year.

And I'm still waiting for the carts to be cleared from the bus stop.

Told ya- I'm available to gather carts, and I can even check food for proper temperature and try to salvage it by placing it back on the shelf to be sold.

But now I'm multi-tasking, so you need to pay me $14 an hour.

And give me a cool title with a tricked-out name tag (like Flo's). It can say "Hello, my name is Suzanne and I give a sh*t".

How Will 'Health Care for All' Affect the Disabled?

2009-07-26T05:53:00.004-06:00

Universal health care, health care for all, whatever you want to call it or however it comes about and the logistics behind it, is long in coming.

Call me idealistic, I've been called worse in life, but yes, I DO feel it is a basic human right to have accessible health care.

Just like I feel food and water are basic human rights.

And being treated with dignity.

I hope more doctors will be able to see that this can be an opportunity for huge advancements in the health care field. I also hope that more doctors can join the grassroots efforts in seeing just how big this can really be.

There could be huge life-changing advances made for currently healthy individuals and disabled individuals alike.

A healthier society is a more productive society. More people can work and pay into the 'system' for longer. Preventative diseases could be just a minor setback in an individual's life, instead of mushrooming into devastating prognoses that end up draining the system from and for the un and under-insured.

Preventative care has always been the key.

But since money became the basis for healthcare and not the Hippocratic oath or basic human dignity, it screwed everything up. Don't think for a minute I'm forgetting about insurance companies! And that includes Medicare and Medicaid and even CBAs and CDSs (community based alternative and consumer direct services). Tho the latter two are more in line of what individuals seek for health care, (especially among disabled) they afford the user more discretion on how and where their healthcare comes from, they are still under the same broken umbrella that has holes in it.

With less restrictions, even some in our disabled community could become more productive, as long as healthcare for all is all-inclusive and takes ADA seriously.

Right now under current Medicare/government insurance programs an individual can receive a power wheelchair every 5 years.

Wow! Sounds generous, doesn't it?

But how many of you know the hoops a disabled person must jump through just to get basic maintenance on one of those power wheelchairs?

It's quite counter-productive, exhausting to a disabled person mentally and sometimes physically, and just plain un-dignified.

And it's a foreseen danger or hazard at times that is shameful!

Let me explain.

A disabled person has to fill out (or have filled out) 'x' papers proving their disability, proving that disability hasn't improved and may have even worsened. This includes visits to their primary or pain management doctor, follow-up visits with their caseworkers, nurses etc, sometimes even judges. Yes, cases need to be reviewed and updated and monitored to protect the client and to protect agencies and insurance companies from fraud. If we could have a database that follows this person maybe he/she wouldn't have to jump through so many hoops, and it would be cost-effective. And until even bigger strides (stem cell or other research) comes to be the norm, maybe a person with MD or some other disease or impairment won't have to keep showing "see, I haven't been cured overnight, I'm still sick and as is the nature of my disability it's not going away". There's always going to be unscrupulous people that try and take advantage of things, but that should not be setting precedent for how one is cared for. It should be the other way around.

Further, a person with a disability that requires a power wheelchair should not be denied maintenance on said chair. (I'm using power wheelchairs as an example in this piece because of the maintenance issues, versus a manual chair that is less complicated, thus cheaper to maintain. Plus, not all disabled people are able to use a manual chair- it depends on their DISABILITY!).

We're right back to the preventative care (maintenance ) issue.

Wanna hear something really stupid? Keep reading.

If a disabled person is too 'active' (uses their power chair too much for shopping, visiting friends etc), you know, doing things mobile people do and take for granted every day, they can be denied certain maintenance on their power chair because they are using said chair "excessively"!!!

Wait- it gets even more ridiculous!!!

I even had a client that was told by the provider of their power wheelchair that their power wheelchair was not made to take the abuses of riding over non-maintained roads! This is the same company that has made almost every service call to my client while "out on the road"! For wheels that fell off, wheels that incurred 'bigwheel-flat-tire-syndrome"- you know, where one side of the wheel goes smooth causing a "clunk-clunk, clunk-clunk" while riding. Pretty painful for the person that is disabled and in chronic pain, let alone it causes it's own pain to healthier persons in a chair. So if this chair could not take the "abuse" and you know your client is out and about alot- why was this chair recommended by YOU?!?!?!!!

Sometimes a claim for maintenance has to be denied by Medicare for it to then go through a CBA, which includes another visit to the doctor for an actual prescription for said part needed. This is such a huge waste of time, effort, paper etc. Maintenance should be a built-in cost without review or restrictions. It's a no-brainer. Client calls BEK or whatever their supply provider is tells them the dilemma they come out and they can actually SEE that said part needs to be fixed they fix it then and there or asap and they document the incident to receive their payment from Medicare or whoever. Simple.

A power chair maintained is a client maintained. A chair taken care of is a client taken care of. A client taken care of is more productive and has a higher quality of life. Quality of life and equal access go hand-in-hand.

Denying maintenance or prolonging or making it a hassle to get maintenance on a power chair is the direct opposite of the ADA Act. Unlawful and shameful.

I would like to see many changes in the way persons with disabilities are cared for, from the process to the product. (And that includes recognizing and compensating proven personal care/home health care aides as the important link they are)

Does anyone remember the big hoopla over the IBOT? It was a power chair that worked on the gyro-scope theory. It was able to maneuver stairs and also could bring the individual using it up to the height of counters to wash dishes or up to eye-level with people they were speaking to, etc. It wasn't the end-all and couldn't be used by all people with disablities, and there were still some kinks to be worked out. But it sure did a helluva lot for alot of people! And just the concept is so exciting and mind-boggling! It sort of fell by the wayside because of the expense, though each year it was in production it became more and more affordable. But so many Medicare patients and poor people were denied the use of this chair because it had too many bells and whistles!!!

Yes, it was labelled as more of a luxury item than a quality of life item! Guess the government didn't want the disabled community to get too used to having an even playing field. I mean, heck, if you're sick then act sick and BE sick, don't ask for all these other extras that might give you some dignity!!! (sarcasm)

If health care for all is to be truly inclusive it must address these issues and many more with the disabled community.

Like also changing the laws that say that only a friend, sibling, boy/girlfriend, neighbor, mother, father, or stranger can care for a disabled person and be compensated. Husbands and wives, probably THE most important and in-tune person involved in the care of a disabled person are excluded from being compensated for their care! It is expected from the husband and wife to care for that person, but to the point of exclusion. So a husband/wife will most likely have to work outside of the home for their income which is time spent away from the beloved disabled person. It should be a choice between the husband/wife and the disabled husband/wife who cares for them and not the government. There should still be caseworkers/managers etc that check in and evaluate situations their client may get into, but also depending on the nature of the disability the choice and supervision should still be in the clients' hands if they are capable for such objective evaluation.. I know, many times than not when there are abuses the family or spouse is looked at more closely than strangers, that is why I am all for some kind of evaluation/supervision even for the spouse as a caretaker.

So the field is wide open for improvement, technology, entrepeneurship. Competition can still be a driving force in health care for all. We NEED more research on diseases and impairments. We need better eqiupment.We need people to think outside the box.

Power wheelchairs need to be sturdier and be able to do more for the client to improve quality of life. Communities need to become more in-tuned and involved with improving roads, sidewalks, general accessibility. Grandfather laws denying access to the disabled should have been addressed and abolished with Obama's stimulus plans. Transition for more accessibility in our communities has been on the books for many years and the original timetable for making these improvements is long overdue.

I hope that doctors become the disabled communities biggest advocates.

And while I'm hoping and wishing, I hope that it really is 'Time for Change'.

Is It Just Me?

2009-07-23T07:23:00.003-06:00

So Tuesday evening we had practice night over at Allen's Lounge for our pool team, league play is anticipated to start in about 2 weeks.

My friend and I are standing outside taking a break, talking and watching the lightning, when all of a sudden we see a tall skinny kid come running around the corner from the 7-11 with 2 cases of beer in his hands. Another beer run!

We 're watching this guy run and like I said, he was pretty skinny, so I guess the beer was pretty heavy for him and he was struggling a bit with it. We were laughing at him cuz his pants were slowly slipping down and I was wondering if he was going to trip or fall or what. It was the "or what" I was most scared of!

He heard us laughing and turned around to look at us, wasting valuable time in his escape. He decided to keep running but I guess the beer in both hands was a bit much for him, so he placed one of the cases behind the dumpster, most likely to retrieve later.

When we saw he was running pretty fast to jump the fence to the trailer parks we decided we were safe. He was far enough away. Hey, we're in our 40s - we do things differently now!

My friend had her poolstick in her hand and I said let's go get that case and bring it back to 7-11. My friend was hesitant but I was like hey you have a poolstick in your hand, just be my look-out and watch our backs in case the guy just threw the other case over the fence and comes back right away.

So we go around the dumpster and grab the case and bring it to 7-11. We did our good deed for the day (night).

If I was a bit younger I woulda chased the kid and tripped him and got all the beer back, just the kinda gal I was, now I'm slower and (sometimes) think things through and look for other strategies to get the same result, or close to.

This is MY neighborhood and I don't appreciate little punks and pranksters stealing. When they grow up and pay taxes and are a contributing member of society then they can call it their neighborhood, not until. They want money for stuff (not beer)- go and cut someone's grass or get a job- be productive!

Somewhere in my 30s, I'm not quite sure when it happened , it just snuck up on me- things like this changed for me. It was no longer a "whatever" reaction to a situation like this or a "well we all go thru our kid stuff" phase kinda sorta thing, I became more responsible, and more pro-active.

I grew up, sorta.

____________________

What's up with the price of cat food lately?

A while ago when we had the scare of contaminated cat and dog food Walmart dropped alot of brands they used to carry. Yes, that was the responsible thing to do at the time, but they never brought them back. So the choices are slimmer at Walmart now.

And the prices are going up up UP!

A large bag of Meow Mix used to be 21 lbs and cost under $10. A four-pak of name-brand cat food was less than $1.

Since then, the Meow Mix went down to 18lbs for the same price, then the price went up. Now it's around $12 for the smaller 'large' bag- ughhh! And it's 16lbs now- what a rip!

The wet cat food went to like $1.06, now it's at $1.42 or so- what the heck?!

I understand prices go up for many reasons, but at least give us more choices.

____________________

I went to Lowe's last week to see what they had as far as odor-eliminating paint goes- am re-decorating the house and a cheap and easy way to make a big change is to paint.

I ask the guy in the paint department what they have as far as that goes and he had no idea what I was talking about. I tried explaining that Home Depot is doing a media blitz about paint being on sale and there are brands out there that have odor eliminator in them, or can be added to the paint. What does Lowe's have?

Still no clue.

He asked me what room I was painting and I said livingroom and he asked do I want semi-gloss paint?

Huh?

Is it just me or what?

Neither Snow Nor Rain Nor Heat Nor Gloom of Night...

2009-07-22T07:33:00.003-06:00

You guys are gonna looove this one!

Put down your coffee so you won't spit it out!

On my post yesterday 'Speedy Delivery' I talked about my certified letter waiting for me at the post office (Northgate Station) from the city clerk's office.

As Murphy's Law would have it, I was rushing around and got sidetracked by some unanticipated visitors etc, so needless to say I was running late.

I take "mass transit" (da bus), so I have to plan out my strategy for the day as far as times and connections. I also had to add in the heat factor.

So 12noon came by pretty fast and I had to go to my bus stop and catch 46 to NorthPark, so that I could catch 42 downtown, then caught a circulator to the Union Depot for the 2pm CAC meeting. There would be no wiggle room for hopping over to the post office after getting off 46. No biggie- I had a plan!

Attended the CAC meeting for 2 hours, and as I usually do, went over to City Hall afterwards. These visits are spent checking in with certain reps and extending a hello to others I have talked to or worked with on projects and concerns of our city, usually on transportation or accessibility issues.

Ok, I'll admit it, these visits are really just to raid the candy coffers of certain reps that are known to have some pretty good pickins'! (Wanted to stop by Robinson's office but it was almost 5pm and had 3 other rounds to make- hopefully soon I'll get a chance to meet him as he is my district rep).

Anyway, my first stop was at, you guessed it, the City clerk's office.

May I add that Sylvia is always a joy to conduct business with. She's warm and friendly and pretty much on top of things.

So I tell Sylvia my dilemma. I tell her I received a notice of a certified letter from her office that needed to be picked up by me from the post office but that I had been ill and today (Tues) was the last day to pick up that letter but there was no way I was going to make it back to the NE post office in time as they close at 5pm. And could I please check her records as to what was sent out to me via certified mail?

Of course, Sylvia was more than accomodating and pulled my file and the only thing she had on record sent out certified to me was ....................

the letter to me from her office stating I needed to fill out my financial disclosure papers for the appointment as full member of the CAC!!!!!

Remember- this letter had been sent in error as I did not need to fill out any paperwork as my info was still on file from last June.

The letter was sent out the end of March!!!!!!!!!!!!

( I did end up getting the 2 letters via regular mail that I spoke about in an earlier post regarding filling out these papers and then the one saying I had been removed for lack of such papers being filled out in the time frame, so I have to give it up to the city clerk's office for following up with the regular mail sent).

The frakalakkn post office 'misplaced' this very important letter and was JUST NOW trying to deliver it to me!!!

Isn't that a kicker?!!!

So not only did I get 'stewed' over by local government, I got a double-whammy from the federal government giving me their two-cents-worth, too!!!

....fade to some patriotic music of your choosing and a calming and assuring male voice reciting 'Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these courriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds...'

disclaimer- no disrespect was intended to any mail courrier, past or present, by the above motto. It was intended for whoever works inside the post office that lost my mail for 4 months!

Speedy Delivery

2009-07-21T09:52:00.000-06:00

Almost forgot to mention...

I have to pick up a certified letter today before the CAC meeting.

I don't know if it's standard procedure, but my mailman has NEVER knocked on my door for me to sign for a certified letter.

Hmmmm?

Oh, and by the way...

the letter is from the City Clerk!

Can't wait to read what's in store today!

To be continued...

The Kiddie Table

2009-07-21T01:56:00.004-06:00

Ahhh the eve of another CAC meeting!

What's in store for us this time?

What little monkey wrenches will be tossed in to take the focus off our business at hand?

Last months' meeting was interesting, to say the least.

You won't read it in the minutes, but here's a few tidbits.

But first a little background...

I was nominated by the CAC members in October 2007. Due to delays and the December CAC meeting being cancelled by Sun Metro (yet another story there), I arrived at the January 2008 CAC meeting and was greeted by a laminated sign with 'Suzanne Fabian Alternate Member' at the conference table. OK- we're off to a good start here, I thought. There I go a-thinkin'!!! Lol.

I was seated next to Raymond Telles, Jr., our assistant city attorney that advised our meetings.

Mind you, everytime I go downtown my ears wreak havoc on me and I end up not being able to hear very well for at least half a day. Forget about going OVER the mountain- that's even worse!

So I'm sitting at the big conference table next to Raymond and our meeting starts and we vote on a chair and vice-chair. A couple minutes later Raymond whispers in my ear and I'm like "What? What?"- I couldn't hear him! So we go outside to talk.

Raymond tells me there's been a mistake (lol) and that my recommendation by the CAC members as an alternate was mistakenly left off the MTDB meeting so they never voted on my position yet! It had not been carried over to the MTDB by the secretary and had not been on the agenda! And I ask well why do I have a name placard? Another oversight, Raymond basically says.

So I ask "Can I still sit at the big table?" and Raymond agrees that that's okay.

And that's where I basically sat at for each meeting, unless it was too crowded at the table.

So we go back in and I sit down at the big table and place my placard face-down. Raymond explains the mix-up and we continue on with the meeting. After a couple more minutes I interrupt and ask the question that since I voted on the record and I'm not really eligible to- shouldn't we revisit that agenda item and take a re-vote without me? Raymond agrees. (Umm- why am I bringing up protocol and legalities to the assistant city attorney?- I'm just a lay person!)

Anyway... speaking of protocol and legalities, I had another incident late last year. This was in November.

I couldn't attend the CAC meeting but I called in to speak on certain agenda items. Our newly-assigned assistant city attorney (Raymond Telles Jr. moved on to other assignments) advised the CAC that I would be allowed to speak as a member of the public but only during the public comment portion of the agenda- not on items! That made no sense to me! I tried to voice my opinion but would not be listened to and was ignored the rest of the meeting!

If I was recognized as a member of the public, as I was, then I should have been afforded every right a member of the public enjoys- meaning being able to speak during public comment on non-agenda items if I so wished, and also on agenda items after the CAC discussed an item! You can't have one without having the other- that's changing the rules without the proper steps taken to change such rules!
And as the city likes to say "that's how we've always done it"- and that's how we've always done it in the CAC since I've been attending, so.....

Needless to say, I brought this up to our chair and the assistant city attorney and directed them to the CAC website where it stated at the time how and when a member of the public may speak at these meetings.

This time I DID receive an apology for the mistake, which was nice. But the damage had been already done- I was shut down from speaking.

Funny thing was- this was an agenda item I had been pushing for. Priority seating being truly 'priority'. I had spoken with Ms. Shang about being denied yet again to ride the bus with my client who is in a wheelchair because no one wanted to move from the priority seats and that the coach operators had nothing to back them up in enforcing the signage of priority seating on the buses. She couldn't believe it but investigated it and found it to be a true problem and soon we had an ordinance enforcing and empowering the coach operators to make it a priority. More on this matter on another post!

So, back to the table.

Last month I go into the conference room and I don't see my placard waiting at a spot at the table. Ok- no biggie- looks like we have a full house.

About a half hour in to the meeting a member had to leave, so there was a space open at the table, but I remained seated where I was.

Soon I wished to speak on an item and rose my hand. I was not recognized by the vice-chair. Maybe they couldn't see me? When another member was done speaking I rose my hand again. Nothing. I was overlooked again. Hmmmm.

After that other member spoke I rose my hand again- guess it was difficult to be seen.

Then someone pointed out that I wished to speak and I waited my turn as someone was already speaking.

In the meantime, 2 CAC members motioned me over to come sit at the big table. I hesitated and they kept motioning. So I scooted my chair to the table. I put down the placard that was in front of me of the absent member whose spot I took. Shortly another member went to a side table and grabbed my name placard and placed it in front of me. Suzanne Fabian Alternate Member.

After I spoke on the item I had wanted to I was told by the assistant city attorney (and I'm not quoting) that me being at the table would confuse people (what people?) and that only seated members should be at the table. This was according to the resolutions the assistant city attorney said.

WOW!

I never knew just sitting at a table would cause such a ruckus or ruffle some people's feathers!

I guess I was spoiled, even being "just" an alternate member. I almost always got to sit at the big people's table. Yes, I also almost always was part of the quorom. My placard said alternate so I thought that made things clear. And if I voted on an item I thought that made it clear if I was in the quorom. If I was silent during voting I thought it made it clear that I was not part of the quorom that day. Either way, as alternate I am allowed to speak on any item at any time- it's just kind of hard to be recognized when you're not at the TABLE!

So I scooted away from the table.

Anyway, it was a kind gesture by a couple of CAC members that tried to make a motion to over-rule the resolutions and have me come back to the table, but they were nixed by the attorney.

I looked at each resolution and I really don't interpret any of them broaching this subject. They can be viewed on the city's website on the Citizen's Advisory Committee to the Mass Transit Board/Sun Metro webpage, before you get to the list of members and alternates.

When the CAC members tried to over-rule the "resolution" they were told that this subject could be brought up in our by-laws under construction. Cool- maybe that would make things clearer. And more collegial.

So, I started this post last night and am just finishing it this Tuesday morning. Let's see what this new day holds, and if I'll be at the "kiddie table" or at the big people's table .

side note- since I had such a hard time being recognized to speak being on the outskirts of an oval table, I wonder if any members of the public that have shown up have had trouble being recognized? We need a larger conference room where the CAC members can face the public.

side note 2- it is stated that alternates will be called to attend a meeting if a full member has said they cannot show. We have always allowed our alternates to show at any meeting they wish and to participate, sometimes we even had all 3 alternates in attendance (when we had 3), and nothing was ever said. I have never been called to ensure my attendance as an alternate. Usually, we don't know if we'll have a quorom until we get to the meeting the day of. Drs appointments, illnesses, family emergencies etc are notalways scheduled, so I guess it's a good thing us alternates like to be there as much as possible!

All Aboard El Paso to Las Cruces!

2009-07-20T12:24:00.002-06:00

Commissioner Haggerty hemmed and hawed and voted nay, but the rest of the Commissioners and Judge Cobos pushed through the pilot program for bus service between El Paso and Las Cruces.

This will basically be an express route from downtown El Paso and UTEP to NMSU and downtown Las Cruces, 3x in the morning and 3x in the afternoon/early evening.

Considering there is no such service at the moment and that NMDot is paying for the largest chunk of it with TxDot the remainder and with no county dollars needed for the first year, it makes perfect sense to try this.

I can't wait to travel to Las Cruces!

I really hope I heard right that it would be $3 on-way! And on a coach that is wheelchair accessible and with a bathroom!

I will be first in line to be able to experience this, and if it is good I will travel to Las Cruces just for the 'halibut' as often as possible just to keep the ridership up for the trial period.

Justice for All?

2009-07-20T11:52:00.003-06:00

Just finished watching Thomas Dorman at Commissioner's Court speaking on behalf of himself and citizens of El Paso regarding the CAD debacle.

Thomas says he is not a public speaker. In my opinion he did a fine job and was clear and concise.

Will he be invited to discuss this issue in Executive Session? I doubt it. But I believe he has put enough info out there for many in our government to want to take a serious look at this. The FBI sure is looking at it.

Quick synopsis-

Thomas placed an open records request with the CAD. From what I understand, he was treated with less than stellar cooperation on their behalf, delaying the process for ridiculous reasons and not abiding by protocol and constitutional rights of due process by the CAD.

Then the CAD compounded the problem by inadvertantly (?) giving him records that were confidential.

Thomas Dorman acted as a good citizen and has been transparent and more than forth-coming with this whole process and now finds himself having to deal with the FBI. Who knows what transpired with THAT meeting, but I'm sure it wasn't pleasant.

Thomas mentioned the saying his friend told him "No good deed goes unpunished"... and I say to Thomas hang in there, there are people that back you up. In my belief, "No good deed goes unseen".

You will have justice, Thomas, I just don't know how much or how fast.

Why Wheelchair-bound are not Allowed to Speak at City Council

2009-07-17T15:39:00.003-06:00

I somehow remember the mayor mentioning something recently (last few months) about keeping items in order on the city council agenda as much as possible.

Hmmmmmm

So why is it that the Mass Transit Board meeting was changed to an earlier time Tuesday, away from it's posted 1:00pm slot?

It's almost like not even posting the meeting and this is why I say this....

From a reliable source I heard that there were 6 people from our disabled community in wheelchairs arriving to speak out on the $10,000 question on the agenda. There were other disabled people not in wheelchairs waiting to speak, too.

When they arrived for the 1pm meeting they were met with "oh well... we bumped the MTDB meeting up"- giving them NO voice on agenda items!

This subject has been brought up before to City Council and I thought they understood.

One- many in the disabled community rely on taking the bus or LIFT for transportation. So they have to plan ahead of time for travel time and can't really be changed at the last minute because City Council/mayor decides to change the order of items/meetings.

Two- this leaves a huge segment of our community out of the loop and not having the opportunity to voice their opinions and suggestions. The city's website says 1pm- why can't they stick to it? Especially knowing that some in the community may be planning on coming to the meeting and speaking- let alone just coming to hear the meeting. Doesn't the website and the sign-in sheet at city hall mention a 1pm cut-off for speaking at the MTDB meeting?

I find this extremely rude and non-transparent. And dare I say- if this is a calculated move I find it very chickenshit. And unprofessional. And a dereliction of true and honest services. And I can go on and on. I think you get the point, tho.

A little more sensitivity on the part of our elected officials should be demanded.

And an apology at the next city council meeting. But don't just talk the talk... walk the walk. I'm trying to measure our elected officials by their character and they're not helping me any!

It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World!

2009-07-16T16:46:00.002-06:00

The heat must really be frying everyone's brains here- this whole debacle now with the CAD f-i-n-a-l-l-y releasing open records to Thomas Dorman (see newspapertree.com and thestrelz.com ) has turned into an FBI and internal (lol) investigation due to the CAD releasing CONFIDENTIAL records!!!

I don't know if I should laugh, cry or pound my fist on the desk. What I DO know is I feel for Thomas. He was just being a good citizen, and dilligent at that, and now he finds himself in this whole mess!

It's about time they have their turn under investigation (if they haven't been already), but I don't know how all this mess will affect the budget hearings going on now.

We'll most likely be kept in the dark, though, as this may all be tied into the blanket investigation going on.

So what does that mean for anyone requesting open records from the CAD at this time?

Probably a whole lotta waiting!

We all make mistakes- we're all human. But like I mentioned in an earlier post- sometimes those mistakes have huge consequences.

There's people like me and Thomas who are everyday citizens trying to keep our government fair and transparent. We do our part to try and make things better, not just complain. And what do we get for all our trouble?

More trouble!

Don't worry- I still believe that no good deed goes unseen- but that's higher power... right now we're dealing with humans!

I had my own little debacle with the city making a mistake in their dealings with me on the Citizen's Advisory Committee to the Mass Transit Board/Sun Metro.

I received a letter saying that I had to contact the city clerk's office as I had not filed my financial disclosure papers as full-voting member of the CAC. I received this letter on a Friday (evening). The next day I received a letter stating that I had not filed those papers so I had been removed as a member! It being the weekend there was nothing I could do about it at the moment. This was the end of March,I believe, and I had just been nominated in February at the MTDB meeting.

Thinking that I had royally screwed up, I took it like the woman I am. Can't say it didn't sting, tho, and my ego was quite bruised for a little bit. I had been working so hard on certain projects on the CAC and had lots of plans for future projects. I had enjoyed an open communication with who became my rep even as an alternate member of the CAC and we would talk in person or on the phone or via email every once in awhile- not every week or month I must add.

Soooo.....

being the person I am, I finally dusted myself off and got to thinking... hey- something's not right here. I'm not going to give up that easily.

In the meantime, my rep nominated someone else for my position.

Then it dawns on me..... wait! I didn't do anything wrong! I had my papers on file with the city clerk's office since last year and good through June 2009! I DIDN'T have to file any papers again as it was not required! The city clerk's office made a HUGE mistake that literally cost me my position on the committee!

And I hate to say that- because I have nothing but respect for Richarda Duffy-Momsen- I think she's the hardest working lady in El Paso- but it was her signature on my letter stating I had not filed in time. It was her office that made that mistake and cost me my position!

I have to say, when all this went down I heard through the grapevine that my rep would try and do what she could for me and to contact her, but remember- I thought I had made the mistake and thought there was no way out of it and felt like a fool for overlooking such a small yet significant detail and I certainly didn't want to speak to anyone- I felt like an idiot! So I acted in accordance with what I had been told by the city clerk's office- I was no longer a member so I had nothing to say, probably wouldn't have changed things anyway.

So- I get on the horn with our assistant city attorney that now attends our meetings of the CAC and is there to advise us and Sun Metro (Raymond Telles used to attend until he went to the MPO). Upon her investigating also and realizing that the city clerk's office made a mistake, we held off on certain discussions until we had clarification from the city clerk and my reps office.

Here's where things get even more weird.

The city clerk's office never bothered to contact me with any kind of apology.

My rep contacted me and the conversation went basically like this-
She had already nominated someone else for my position because she received notice from the city clerk's office that I had been removed. Have to admit she wasted no time in doing so. I have absolutely NO record of her ever trying to contact me but ONCE via a voicemail from her assistant on this matter. She claimed she tried several times to call me and sent me tons of emails trying to sort this out. WRONG! I went through ALL my emails dating back months before and I never received one from her on this matter, nor from her assistant. Mind you, I had sent her an email when I found out she was nominating me thanking her and expounded on some things we had talked about previously- and I never received an email back from her acknowledging anything about that email. I never called her office back that one time her assistant left a vm for the reasons I stated above.

So who is more wrong? The city clerk's office for making the original mistake that led to my behavior and lack of action because of such, or the feeble attempt by my rep's office to communicate with me, or me for believing there was a mistake made on my part and thus taking the action (or inaction) that I did because of such?

My rep also stated that she was going to remain with her other nomination basically because he seemed more willing to talk with her- this really gets my goat! My rep and I had always had open communication before this incident and NOTHING was said or written or agreed upon between the two of us that she was nominating me because I was to call or email her daily or monthly or with any set schedule! She replaced me in a matter of WEEKS of being nominated by her with the sad excuse that we don't communicate!

I have to say, I did get some good backup from CAC members. I was renominated as alternate in case this whole mess did not come out in my favor. Alternate is nothing to sneeze at- last year I voted as a full member more times than not because we didn't have a quorom.

What also burns my behind is that our reps can take back their nomination of a citizen on a board or committee at will and without cause!

That fact seems hardly transparent.

So if they decide they don't like you or what you say or whatever they can dismiss you without any explanation. Yet we hear all the time that we need our citizens for the public input process- but the city doesn't want to treat us with the smallest amount of respect!

There's much more drama with this whole episode- the novella continues sin fin and I will post more on this later.

Stuff That'll Fry Yer Brains

2009-07-12T14:45:00.003-06:00

First off- damn this heat!

Everything takes longer when you throw in the heat factor. Thought I almost had heat stroke the other day, definitely had heat exhaustion. There is a difference- I've had both. Took me about two days to recover from the latter this time around.

Besides going through that and trying to keep up with the usual day-to-day activities my pc decided to go haywire. Well, actually it was just a loose connection. Thanks to my cats. Can't blame the dog- he's outside.

Did you ever wonder what your cats do when you're not around (and sometimes when you ARE around)? They're frkn sending emails and buying stuff off of ebay. Ok- a little dramatic with the ebay part, but I have had my cats send half-written emails that I left unattended and not saved to draft. It can be a little embarrassing and you can never be quite sure that the recipient believes you when you say your cats sent the email- oh well.

So ya turn your back for a minute and what happens? Darren Hunt files a lawsuit against the city for all the humiliation and pain and suffering he went through with that cop.

That in and of itself seems perfectly justifiable. What I take offense to is the amount he is seeking in damages. It is a ridiculous amount and benefits only himself.

Well, you say, isn't that what a lawsuit is about- to right wrongs and compensate for losses and to sometimes make dramatic examples to the defendant?

Yes.

And no.

Sorry- it's the Libra in me and I have to look at all the sides of an issue.

Darren Hunt is a public figure, much like the mayor is.

He is a well-paid public figure, though.

And he is sueing the city. Of which our taxes pay for these services, and lawsuits.

Before David K comes screaming out of a closet claiming I'm another one of those liberal Democrats that doesn't want to pay my share of taxes blah blah blah... let me finish.

There are questions that need to be asked and looked at here.

Darren Hunt has every right to sue for his true damages. True being the operative word here. True = fair.

Is Darren seeking such an exhorbitant amount in "pain and suffering" because he suffered extremely?

Yes, his civil rights may have been violated. But to the tune of $300,00 plus the $150,000?

Was he beat up by the cop? No. Did he suffer broken bones? No. Did he lose his fiancee because she was so embarrassed by his overly-dramatic mugging for the camera even as he was being violated by the over-zealous cop? No.

So I'm being led to the conclusion that Darren is sueing for so much to make an example of the PD because he can.

Is he doing it to pave the way for all reporters to enjoy covering stories in a more congenial manner with the police that are possibly investigating such news story?

I don't think so. Just the mere fact of a lawsuit and the media coverage of this whole event will take care of that- somewhat.

Or is he trying to act like an every-day Joe and stick it to the man? I don't think so, either.

One- he's not us- he's not your every-day Joe. Even if he secretly likes to think that about himself. He's afforded certain luxuries and perks that your every-day Joe just doesn't get privy to. Some are small and inconsequential, some are bigger. Like being able to speak with our city and county officials on certain subjects and getting a response (canned or not, it's at least a response). Some of our city reps like to THINK they have an open door policy but from my experience it really isn't at times.

Anyway- two- Darren isn't just trying to shine a spotlight on a ridiculous situation that got way out of hand- he's being greedy and his ego is running amok.

If he were taking the noble high road he could file his suit for say $10,000- it would prove his point and still afford him a little pocket change.

You see, he's not showing the every-day Joe that everybody can sue and win. He's of the privileged in this community that can afford a lawyer to sue or has found a lawyer willing to take on his case because of who he is and the circumstances. Hardly what the every-day Joe is able to do.

I've seen wayyy too many cases of people that were truly injured physically and mentally and lost their case or were awarded much less.

Example- my ex-husband was hit by a drunk driver and lost his leg. Someone ran out of gas or was having car problems on the highway and my ex pulled over to see if he could help. A cop pulled over, too, but was a little too late. A drunk teacher ran into my ex's car and pinned him between his car and the person's car he was helping push off the road. It came down to degree of responsibility- yes the guy was in the wrong that was drunk, but my ex also shouldn't have been on the road behind that car. My ex lost his football scholarship and a career in the army and never fully adjusted to losing his leg and spent the next 10 years or more deep in the throes of alcoholism. He was awarded $150,000 after medical expenses paid out over 10 years. Sounds like alot, huh? Not when you throw in the careers he lost, the future money he could have made in those careers, let alone the real pain and suffering he has to endure for a lifetime. This is just one example, there are many like this- so when I see the exhorbitant amount Darren is shooting for for his embarrassment and inconvenience it makes my stomach turn.

I'm not making lite of Darren's suit- just the amount he's seeking in damages. As a matter of fact, I side for Darren. The cop has obvious Napolean syndrome symptoms going on, let alone a real power trip problem and he SHOULD be made an example of. But Darren also has some responsibility in this, too, just like my ex. He shouldn't have been where he was and shouldn't have expected to be treated differently because he is in the media.

To what degree he shouldn't have been on the side of the road will be argued in court.

Happy 4th of July!

2009-07-04T07:31:00.003-06:00

Happy 4th all!

Thinking of my brother today and all the fun we had as kids, especially on holidays.

And appreciating that he served in the US Marine Corps for many years, serving in Desert Shield and Desert Storm- 1st in and last out- Go Marines!

My brother is a pretty cool guy- ok, in my book he's REALLY cool.

My brother, Captain John C. Hartnett, has done so many neat things with his life! He has truly taken advantage of all the freedoms afforded us in this country.

Right now he's in Nepal- quite the world traveler.

When we were kids we were made to dress in red, white and blue and had to have our picture taken in the front yard holding up the American flag. One pic I remember my brother's wearing a Marine camo field cap- given to him by a returned vet/neighbor from the Viet Nam war. He sure was proud to wear that and I've often wondered if that experience had any bearing on joining the Marines instead of the Army. Or other branches, for that matter.

Anyway- happy 4th to all! Sure do miss my family and hope you're all doing well!

No Good Deed....

2009-07-04T02:05:00.002-06:00

I really hate when people say

"No good deed goes unpunished".

It's a cynical, untrue statement and a cop-out. It says more about the person saying it then they think.

It's a sad sad statement that lacks hope.

I was brought up in the Catholic church. One thing I was taught was faith, hope, and charity.

I know for a fact without faith we have nothing. There would be no belief in God or much else.

I know that without hope I wouldn't have gotten through some things in life that tried to drag me down- baaad things.

I also know that without charity we wouldn't treat our fellow man as our brother. Which is also treating him as we would like to be treated ourselves. Which is also part of Jesus' teachings.

The true way to say this saying, and the way I learned it as a child is

"No good deed goes unseen".

What a profound statement!

So full of faith, hope, and charity.

We know that if acts alone could get you into heaven we'd ALL be walking lil ole ladies across the street and what-not. That's not the point I'm trying to make.

Sometimes I joke and call it 'karma'. Just like no good deed goes unseen, the same can be said for bad deeds, and sometimes "justice" is swift- thus making it more satisfying for us mere humans, but sometimes you have to resign to the hope that bad deeds are being "tallyed" just as much as good ones and justice will prevail at some time- even if we don't get to witness it. (man, that was a looong sentence and quite improper I'm sure- sorry to all me teachers!).

And now what I am going to say is not at all trivial, though not as profound an example as other times in my life that were more dramatic.

The other day I was bitching and moaning about my grill being stolen. And that it made me mad but I was happy in the fact that whoever took it now has a defective grill (probably easily fixed but...).

So what happens?

My neighbor gives me an old grill she wasn't using any longer. Now THAT was cool!

I live in a really cool neighborhood where alot of us know each other and look out for each other. Yeah, there's some bad apples on the street, but the majority are "true neighbors".

I don't take things lightly. And I am grateful for the little things that make my life easier just as much as the big things. And when I am treated well, even if the other person doesn't know the impact of their action or the value of it, I have to raise it up for the props it deserves.

Thank you, Bobbie, for doing what may be a small thing to you but you know it was a big thing to me, it really helped me out.

And thank you to God, for giving me examples every day of your goodness, even when things look bleak.

What Am I?

2009-07-02T06:46:00.003-06:00

I used to just call it a 'corn plant' for lack of a better word, as its leaves somewhat resemble , you guessed it, a CORN plant/stalk.

I used to trim this as it grows extremely fast and is very hearty and drought resistant.

But this year I didn't trim it, barely even watered it and the darn thing bloomed these beautiful white flowers!

Now I want to know what it is so I can get some more!

This plant makes me look like I have a green thumb!

World Blood Donor Day

2009-07-02T06:42:00.001-06:00

Contact any United Blood Sevices and donate today.

Do I really need to tell you why it's so important?

Happy 4th of July (weekend)!

2009-07-02T05:57:00.002-06:00

MMMMMMMMMMMMMM- perusing the food ads and I want to get some ribs, some hot dogs, some sausages, hamburgers, hot links and steaks!

I got the charcoal and I'm gonna buy all the fixin's to make a perfect holiday feast!

Oh wait!

I CAN'T bbq this weekend!

'Cuz some IDIOT stole my grill from my side yard!

Yeah, I only paid like $30 for the thing about 4 years ago. But it's the principle. Someone STOLE from me, violated my space and sanctity.

Ahhh.... but enter karma.

Sweet sweet karma.

Almost as mouth-watering, juicy, and satisfying as anything I could cook on that grill!

You see, that grill is missing a little tab that holds up one of the four corners of the grate. It's a pain in the ass trying to flip anything without flipping the grate over.

Have fun IDIOT using my messed up grill!

CAC 101/Pt III

2009-07-01T22:24:00.002-06:00

You're probably wondering why I left you hanging yesterday when I told you about Delta Airlines winning the 2008 Green Cross for Safety Medal and First Transit winning for year 2009?

Well, if you remember, I gathered that info straight from First Transit/First Group's website.

And it got me to thinking.

Why would First Transit even want to bother mentioning Delta Airlines on their site? What is the comparison, besides safety?

Safety IS very important and definitely should be at the top of the list. So in that sense, the medal is certainly deserved for both companies. And that, in and of itself, merits mentioning.

But what happens when you look at customer satisfaction surveys?

W

H

O

O

A

H!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You ok?

That was a sharp drop-off there.

OK, so let's look at a few sites and stats on the airline industry/Delta Airlines and see those results.

'Airline Customer Satisfaction Nosedives: Dismal" ' by Dave Carpenter, May 20, 2008.
According to the Huffington Post, the University Of Michigan conducts annual surveys of the airline industry, among other industries. The survey showed the airline industry with the worst grades since 2001. On a scale of 1- 100 here's the stats-
Southwest Airlines 79 points,
AA/Continental 62
Delta 60
Northwest 57
United 56
US Airways 54

Here's what Yahoo finance has to say-
According to the University of Michigan's annual survey for 2009-
"customer satisfaction rose 3.2% (airline industry)earlier this year, the first increase in 6 years..."
"The increase came as the number of passengers dropped and airlines reduced flying".
"Passengers checked fewer bags as luggage fees became more common, making it easier for airlines to keep track of the bags that remained..."
"And if fewer passengers are the reason for the improved satisfaction score, imagine how happy they'll be this year, when the FAA expects domestic boardings to fall 8.8%".
Claes Fornell, a University of Michigan business professor and director of the research center that compiled the customer satisfaction data on airlines and other industries, said "traffic drop-off appears to have as much to do with airline improvement as any action taken by the airlines. The study noted that even though airlines showed some improvement, their average score of 64 was good enough for a tie with newspapers but lower than other industries measured, including utilities (74), the Postal Service (82), expedited delivery companies (82), movies (70), and cellular phone service (69)".

Delta Airlines received a score of 64 for 2009 in the customer satisfaction survey.

So what does Delta have to say about themselves?

According to THEIR website, on the Awards and Recognitions page they have a list of some of their accomplishments, including-
April 2008- Green Cross for Safety Medal from the National Safety Council, outstanding achievement in safety and health, community service, responsible citizenship, and a superior record in advancing safety and health practices.
July 2008- Best Domestic airline for 1st class service, Best Frequent Flyer Program (domestic), and Best airline for Airport lounges in the world- presented by 'Executive Travel'.

So what exactly is Delta Airlines NOT getting when it comes to customer satisfaction?

I know they have a tough industry and not that many places to cut corners but....

when you start charging for pillows, up the price on drinks (remember when you used to get 2 complimentary drinks?), charge for baggage checked, take away the little "lunch bags" that we picked up for FREE in the jetway (and were handed the leftovers if available), LOSE my luggage, don't give me a free night's stay at a hotel and a meal when you overbooked the flight, don't offer me reduced fare or $$$ for going on stand-by- not to mention delays and cooling our heels for HOURS waiting in line to enter or exit the "skyway"- just WHAT exactly do you want from me?

Now I see why they advertise their safety record and mention NOTHING of customer satisfaction!

Meander back to First Transit with me...

First Transit/Sun Metro has made TREMENDOUS strides in the acquisition of new buses and parts the last couple years. The buses are more on-time and with the new ramp style the newer buses have fewer missed rides (refusals) for persons in wheelchairs. YAYYYYYYYY!

But wait...

B

L

O

O

P!

How come the customer complaints have not significantly reduced?

I'm sorry, but I DON'T believe the stats in the monthly director's report that is submitted to the Mass Transit Board meeting and Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC) for that board.

I've seen stats showing less complaints than people I have talked to that I KNOW called in a complaint. I know this because there have been times when it was ME calling in and a couple other reliable sources- and the numbers don't match!

How come when I call in a complaint and I ask for a call back with results/solutions to their investigation I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A CALL ON ANY OF MY COMPLAINTS?!?!?!

How come I'm told to ask for a reference # to track the complaint, and other times I'm told that's not necessary as I can just use my name for reference?

Why can't we get an across-the-board policy on this simplest of tasks?

I just want straight answers.

BTW- last year I had to vote on the budget that Sun Metro submitted for FY2009. Not that that really matters because it's the MTDB's vote that really counts- but they used the CAC majority vote as a recommendation from us in their presentation to the MTDB at the budget hearings. For those that don't know- I voted "Nay", along with another member. They had just gotten the ball rolling on issues that should have been dealt with all along, went over-budget their first year under contract etc- yet they wanted a pay increase! Not on MY watch!

Soon after this they asked for extra money in case fuel prices jumped higher and STAYED that way (they didn't stay as high, plus they would have a locked-in price anyway so....), even though Representative Eddie Holguin tried to put the breaks on that.

Oh, then they raised the fares and transfers!

And us customers went from the first set of 'temporary' bus stops downtown, to another, then to where they're at right now. Yes, at least we have benches and shelters- but the sidewalk is not fit for bus loading and unloading, especially throwing in wheelchairs into the mix. I will delve into these issues in a further post.

So, I guess the moral of the story for First Transit/Sun Metro is...

In place of good old-fashioned customer service-

either have the vendors that sell chips and pop on the corners by the buses downtown sell alcohol

OR put in a really cool lounge in the Transfer Terminal for your customers. Get us good and soused. Things will look rosier all-around.

Who knows, your customer satisfaction stats might rise and you might win an award for that...

just like Delta Airlines!

Have a nice day!

CAC 101/Pt II

2009-06-30T17:08:00.002-06:00

Get ready for a good snooze... here's the scoop on First Transit straight from the horse's website.

First Transit is part of First Group, the world's leading transport operator. They won the 2009 National Safety Council Green Cross for Safety Medal. Delta Airlines won the award in 2008... more on that later.

First Group trades on the London stock exchange under FGP, serving 2.5 billion passengers p/yr in the UK and North America, with a total of 137,000 employees.

First Group America is based in Cincinatti, OH.

They also operate First Student, the leading provider of student transportation in the US and Canada (they bought out Laidlaw).

First Services is also the largest private sector provider of fleet maintenance services.
They also own Greyhound bus lines.

First Transit is the leading provider of transit management/contracting services. Thay have 235 locations in 41 states, with over 51 years of fixed-route. paratransit, and shuttle service.

First Transit revenues are at 760 million dollars p/yr. First Group America has 5 billion dollars in revenue, and First Group has 10 billion dollars in revenue p/yr overall.

First Transit took over management of Sun Metro 10/29/2006.

Now for the good stuff... lol.

Congrats Jaime!

2009-06-28T12:00:00.003-06:00

Just got done watching the premier of EPTV and it has alot going for it.

Had a few moments that were hard to hear and some questionable camera angles with the interviews with Marquez and Perez (didn't care for seeing the back of their heads while they were speaking at times)- the interviews with Escobar and Byrd were better with angles, but didn't get to hear much when Susie Byrd spoke due to audio problems. But overall liked the questions and seemed a relaxed atmosphere and hope this segment gets fine-tuned as was very interesting.

Note to Susie Byrd- you have nice legs but you might want to wear something a little longer next time.

Almost looked as though Jaime was going to mix a coctail behind the bar- would rather see him and the guests behind the bar together and speak to the camera/audience.

Yeah- everyone's an armchair quarterback- I'm still stuck trying to figure out how to enbed pics off the web onto my blog:D- Jaime's more 'techie' so I'm sure they'll smooth out the bumps.

Enjoyed the videos and man-on-the-street interviews. Next time, tho, if someone wants to borrow my Riv just ask, but you brought her home in one piece so it's all good.

Congratulations, Jaime, you worked your ass off.

Look forward to the next show!

yes... I spied a red shirt Jaime was sportin at the taco festival- everybody pay up!!!

CAC 101/ Pt 1

2009-06-26T19:30:00.003-06:00

I HAVE to start off this series with the Meltdown of 2006.

I came down to El Paso in 2004- from Chicago- a transportation dream for the riders. You can't really compare El Paso and Chicago in some ways because Chicago is surrounded by heavily-populated suburbs for 50 miles north, south, and west (not east- there's Lake Michigan in the way!). But when I left Chicago there were around 2 million people and El Paso has now grown to almost 700,000- pretty big.

Anyway, I was quite surprised to be in such a vast area land-wise and not have decent transportation. In 2004!

It was as if the people in El Paso had given up. Meaning, I don't know HOW many years they were probably beating a dead horse trying to get decent transportation and customer service, that they finally resigned the thought of ever being treated decently and have their voice heard.

It was what it was and there were no other choices.

To get a taxi in the NE in the daytime, say from Walmart, was next to impossible, or with 1-2 hour wait times. Kinda defeated the purpose.

That left the bus.

A typical day in summer 2004 was waiting in the blistering heat and wondering if the bus would show at all. Remember, there's only like 136 bus shelters for something like 3,000+ bus stops!

In a desert!

In 2004!

Where was our city governments' head at?

As a health care aide I accompany my client to the grocery store and doctor's appointments etc. On the bus. More times than not the lift ramp on the bus never worked, it was the accordion-type back then. Sometimes the bus drivers wouldn't even attempt to put the lift down, as is required. Many times my client and I were left on the side of the road, probably 4 out of 10 rides. Wasn't really equal access for disabled riders, was it?

The trolleys downtown were a nightmare, not only for the drivers with the heat, but for disabled riders with a narrow entrance, small passenger capacity, and a helluva bumpy ride! My client suffered many a day on these when he had to go to his doctor. Sometimes we were relegated to riding an old old Blue Bird bus that had a backdoor conversion for a wheelchair- now THAT was bumpy!!! The back of the bus is always a harder ride.

Not to mention the lack of air conditioning! Nothing like a sick person on a bus and there being no air- it was NOT fun.

I remember the pivotal day in the Meltdown of 2006. I was in it, I was there!

My client and I were on the buses all day just to go to the doctor for a 15 minute visit. Roundtrip from the NE with 2 missed rides due to the ramps not working. No air conditioning on the 42 on the way down. Now we were trying to get back to the NE. Remember, we were at the 1st temporary bus stops for many routes due to the transition away from San Jacinto Plaza. NO shelters, NO benches! Sidewalks almost inaccessible for wheelchairs and people waiting in line and walking the sidewalks. Not to mention the cracks and craters in the sidewalks.

The first 42 rolled up, we all got in what almost resembled a line, it was pretty much dog-eat-dog as far as that goes, and then it pulled off further down the line. We all scrambled after it- pretty hard for my client in the wheelchair to maneuver through the people. We got to the 42 and then the driver put on his "OUT OF SERVICE" sign! So it was time to hurry up and wait again.

This was an unbearably hot day, if anyone remembers. We all waited about 40 more minutes for the next 42 to come along. He pulls up- we run to get in line and what happens? The bus driver jumps out of the bus literally crying and ranting and raving!!! He had not had a break all day, no air conditioning, no water (remember we were promised water bottles in coolers free to all the passengers and drivers when it was hot and there was no air?). The driver had literally HAD IT! He was saying over and over he quit! He ran through the crowd and disappeared! Now we had a bus but no driver! Couldn't blame him, tho.

A supervisor came by and tried to calm us down, but this was just too much! You can't treat people like animals and not expect to get bitten!

Eventually a driver was called in and we got to make it 2/3 of the way home. Remember, we're going to the NE- we have to catch yet another bus at the Northgate Terminal! We had spent almost 2 1/2 hours downtown just trying to get to this point from one bus.

We did get home, obviously. I'm surprised the City didn't get more lawsuits from that debacle. It was time for change or mass upheaval and I think our elected officials finally heard the people, or got scared enough to do something about this situation.

Meltdown 2006 was a shame for our city and I blame ALL the city reps and mayors of past who did nothing to upgrade this most-needed and important service (next to water, nothing else was more important besides maybe feeding the poor). I blame everyone at Sun Metro who didn't do anything, they were all aware of what was going on yet for whatever reason they didn't see it necessary to do anything- they might lose their job and heaven forbid then they might be stuck having to take the bus!

Meltdown 2006 was a classic example of the haves and have-nots.

Newer buses and regular maintenance for the buses was one of the keys to changing this shamelessness around. We HAD to buy new buses and I will never regret having to pay taxes to be treated as a human being. But this is just one key ingredient to a successful turnaround. Yes, it was the most important and immediate at the time.

Enter First Transit.........

I Want My EPTV!!!

2009-06-26T06:35:00.002-06:00

OK- it's almost here, just a couple more days!

'Bout time we get some intelligent and possibly controversial cable show by locals on our City15 channel. That's what it's there for.

I had tried to get the Citizen's Advisory Committee to the Mass Transit Board/Sun Metro meetings taped and run on City15 but was told it would be very difficult to coordinate and would probably have to be taped in City Council chambers (no biggie)- but when I brought it to the committee they were not as responsive as I had hoped. One committee member was holding out on the hope that we could bring people TO the open meetings without having to video tape it. Great idea in a perfect world. I say we have the technology so let's take advantage of it.

Mr. Jaime Abeytia will be hosting the show and from what I've read he is planning to gear it towards getting more younger people involved and excited about politics and also focusing on different community hot goings-on. I'm sure he'll be doing some cool stuff- music, videos, "live" meanderings to interesting places et al. Can't wait to see the first show this Sunday at 11:00a.m.

For those that live under a rock, Jaime Abeytia has his own blog called the Lionstar blog (http://thelionstarblog.com) that is well-known to many in El Paso who care about how our elected officials conduct themselves, among other topics of interest. Jaime also writes for the Newspaper Tree, El Paso's on-line news source. under the politics tab.

One thing I do hope his show does, too, is try and light a fire under OLDER people's behinds on issues such as VOTING!!! Us 10% that do vote need some back-up!

The one burning question I have is... will Jaime be wearing a red shirt (or tie) in his first airing? I'm just poking fun at him, seems he's always in red and yes it does look good on him- if he is, I'm sure "Newsie girl" will be ecstatic! She's probably even planning a "The hottie's on tv" party with all her girlfriends.

CAC 101

2009-06-26T05:29:00.004-06:00

Being on the Citizen's Advisory Committee to the Mass Transit Board/Sun Metro is one of the most interesting and frustrating ways I know to spend my 3rd Tuesday of each month.

Lemme just say- I did not get nominated to that board because I have relatives in town. Nor did any friends owe me a favor. And I'm definitely not running for any office nor do I ever plan to run (I know- famous last words of so many here). I'm truly interested in improving our transportation woes, especially for the disabled.

That said- I want to write about my experiences of being on this committee. I want "the people" to see just what one goes through in the push for progress and transparency.

Anyone that knows me knows I'm not a public speaker- lol- I'll be the first to admit that- I HATE IT! Thank goodness for writing. When I do speak I call it like I see it. I hate the game-playing and mincing of words that goes on in government.

I want to write about past meetings that are already of public record. But I want to tell you what you WON'T read in the heavily condensed minutes. That's where the true story lies.

I want to give you background of struggles I've experienced, so it will take quite a few posts to get everyone up to speed. Bear with me, it's important to see the whole picture and it will take some time.

That said, I'm glad I took a couple days off before posting about my recent frustrations. It gave me time to cool down and hopefully now I can get the whole story out clearly and calmly.

Hang on, we're in for a bumpy ride.....

ZEN pool

2009-06-25T21:17:00.004-06:00

Had to take a day or two off to run around like a chicken with its head cut off and finally for a bit of r&r. The latter consisted of shopping and cooking and attending our private end-of-season party for our pool team.

Talk about fun! I learned how to play 9-ball. Alot faster than 8-ball, obviously, and a whole different kinda game. Hey, I'm new to this so I'm still excited by the concept.

One thing I did during one game of 9-ball that my friend couldn't understand was me taking a risk.

I had semi-easy shots that were more plausible to make and run up the numbers to get to the 9 ball. I did that the first couple games. This time, tho, I had the chance to shoot my next in sequence ball and combo into the 9 ball and into the pocket- winning the game. I had an open and close shot to shoot the other ball into a corner pocket but I like to stretch my learning skills (and luck) and go for it all. I missed, barely. If I had made it the bar would have erupted in applause. But I didn't, and that's the chance I took.

My friend didn't understand why I didn't go for the safe shot. I tried to explain to her it's not all about winning and losing- it's about HOW you play the game and the fun you have. Sounds cheesy but it's my strong feeling/take on things.

I was not playing for a $10,000 jackpot nor the league championship. I was playing to have fun, to practice the "duck shots" that even the best of the best miss at times, and to push the envelope. If I had alot more experience I would say I may have had a 50/50 chance of making that shot. But I don't have that experience, and that's why it was more fun! The risk was higher and the reward would have been bigger.

But there still was a reward. I almost made it. Eventually I WILL be able to make that shot. It was fun and I wouldn't change it for anything.

I just hope that when I get to the point that alot of people are at in our league in skill level that I don't stop taking risks.

I'm not dumb, tho, there IS a difference between taking a risk and taking a calculated risk. But there's a time and place for both kinds, and since I have the "rookie" label I can get away with more- lol!

Our Beloved City Government

2009-06-24T03:00:00.003-06:00

Got some J-U-I-C-Y tidbits to share of my wrangles of late with our city, but you're gonna have to wait as it's 3a.m. n I need some sleep! (awwwwwww)

I'm pissed off n the gloves are coming off. I'm so tired of the game-playing and time-wasting tactics of our city government. And don't get me started on the incompetency!!! WOOHOOO that's a mouthful! But today (Tues) took the cake!

Everybody makes mistakes, I'm the first in line on that one. But sometimes one's mistakes have really bad consequences for others, and just sometimes someone needs not only to try and make it better and right, but apologize! Takes a big person to do that, especially without cameras around. We'll see how this plays out...

NE Fun League (Pool)

2009-06-24T02:18:00.003-06:00

Last season I subbed on a pool league a few times for a friend of mine. Didn't do too hot but had a few moments I wasn't TOO embarrassed about.

This season I went all out and joined the NE Fun League Pool league for Allen's Lounge, a small neighborhood bar off Sun Valley and McCombs. Have to say, I finally started having fun because I started improving!

Our team took 5th out of 8 teams. I'm happy about that. Lotta these people been playing for 20- 30 years!

I was "Most Improved Player" on our team- yayyy!!!! Didn't play in the Women's Tournament last week for 2 reasons. One- I don't think I'm quite ready for prime-time. And 2- it was a $10 buy-in and money is tight right now - didn't feel like throwing money out the window!

So this ol' lady CAN still learn a few new tricks!

"Welcome to Walmart"

2009-06-23T04:16:00.002-06:00

On-going problem, among many others, at the Walmart on Trans Mountain/Woodrow Bean in the NE.

Accessibility issues are important to people in wheelchairs, people using walkers and canes, mothers with baby strollers, even people with those collapsible grocery carts they use to go shopping. Let alone the everyday joe. We all have a stake in accessibility, but some don't think about it until inconvenienced themselves.

I have made several calls to this Walmart when there were too many carts in the way to access the Sun Metro bus stop safely and properly. Every single time no one ever came out to clear the carts, even after the manager on duty promised he'd get someone up there pronto. One time I even waited 40 minutes, with no results. It was left to me to move the carts so that us mass transit riders could board. So that us Walmart shoppers could board.

I've had to clear the carts on average, let's be conservative, oh 20x per/year for the last 5 years. Let's say those 100x I've cleared them I spent 10 minutes per job. At 5 years of employment I'd make about $10 an hour at Walmart, give or take 50 to 75 cents. So I figure Walmart owes me about $166.66 minus taxes.

I'll take it in a Kmart gift card, thank you very much.

Your customer service skills are lacking, Walmart, and I'm not feeling like a valued customer. I'm still waiting on the truly accessible pathway you promised us last year- you know, the one that goes from the sidewalk up by the road ALLLL the way to your crosswalk, the safe one that will go between the cars and will allow people in wheelchairs, walkers, baby strollers etc to be able to walk up and down like a 2-lane highway back up to the intersection to safely cross the street to the bus stop. You were kind enough to do the minimum when you re-built the ramp and cut curbs to go up to the bus stop up by the gas station; after some genius took them out and made us cut through the gas station to go to Walmart- taking our life into our hands with the crazy drivers going 20mph thru a gas station and on their cellphones.

Now can we get a cart caddy up by the bus stop to park the carts that your valued cutomers use? Too expensive? Well, I'd be happy to clear the carts for you every half-hour 5 days a week for only $12 an hour- remember, I have experience.

CRS

2009-06-23T03:31:00.003-06:00

Remember me NOW Jane???

Twitter Me This

2009-06-22T05:11:00.002-06:00

Was just wondering.......

We're in the "information age" now. Everything runs at the speed of light thanks to the internet. Iran is keeping their concerns in the world spotlight thanks to Twitter, Facebook, cellphones....

So why are the minutes of city council NOT on the city website?

Let me clarify. Why are the minutes from RECENT city council meetings not on their website? If one delves deep into the recesses of the site they come upon minutes from 1873-1910 in the archives. Pretty interesting stuff, too, if you can read the authors handwritings. (in Nov 1873 there was an ordinance passed taxing real estate at 1/4 of 1% for the benefit of all in the city for city projects).

To receive minutes from the city council meetings one must file an open records request.

Why is that necessary in this time of superhighway- speed information?

It can't be that big of a money-maker for copies and staff time, could it? It seems an unecessary step.

Haven't ever checked, but I will tomorrow when I spend a day with my city government- but are the minutes posted on the city's bulletin board at the back of city hall? Still doesn't make sense to me if that's the only form of immediate record.

Yes, we hear some of the juicier stuff on the news and in the next day's edition of the paper. That's not the point. I want to view the minutes in its entirety and on the web or on my cellphone at my convenience.

Am I just twittering up the wrong tree, or does anyone else find this to be useful?

BTW- yes, City15 is a useful and needed tool, one of many we have available to us now. But that, too, has its flaws as I don't always have 3-8 hour blocks of time to devote to viewing its rebroadcast.

Committee Seats and the Art of Running for Office

2009-06-21T22:22:00.004-06:00

Every city needs advisory, policy-making and oversight committees/boards. They help to inform the public, keep government transparent, and make invaluable suggestions in public relations and good business practices.

This is usually a voluntary position nominated by other board members or members of City Council (or Mass Transit Board, etc). A non-paid position, usually. The volunteers are basically concerned citizens with a stake in their city/district.

Some use boards as a stepping-stone to publicly-elected offices. Nothing inherently wrong with that- it's good to learn the ins-n-outs of city departments. BUT BUTT BUTTTT- I do have a problem when that seat is then vacated when such publicly-elected position is not attained- IF YOU DIDN'T WIN! You could have just "sat in" at the publicly held meetings- you didn't need to be a voting member that was just using the committee to pad a resume!

I also have a problem with someone holding that position as a voting board member and then bringing nothing to the agenda. For the whole time they were on the board. Then dropping the board when it was of no further interest or use to them. My bad, Alfrank Catucci DID bring stuff up on the Citizen's Advisory Committee to the Mass Transit Board/Sun Metro. He wanted to change the date/time of the meeting to better coincide with his father/daughter duties. I can't say anything bad about that, especially it being Father's Day! But I'm talking about business-at-hand. He was happy to be a "sitting member" in every sense of the phrase. For being such an entrepeneur I expected more creative thinking/problem solving from him. From what I understand, some boards may require that you step down when officially running for a public office. Walt Phillips, our friend of the NE, is on that same board and I didn't see him step down so I don't believe it was a requirement.

Every board member is different. Some are concerned citizens and DO have a stake in the board but don't bring much up to discuss or take action on. They are happy to vote on whatever the city department or other board members bring up. Fine. That's the minimum required of them and it still serves a purpose.

Me, I guess I'm different. I like to do my best in whatever I do. When I see a wrong I try and make it right. When I see obvious problems I try and give not-so-obvious suggestions- think outside of the box. I am on the same board as Walt is and Alfrank was. I started attending the open meetings around the time of the Meltdown of 2006. Besides being in the health care field and obviously having interest in people's physical and mental well-being- I became extremely interested and had a fire lit under my backside when I met Ernesto Dominguez, also a member and past chair. Ernesto was MADE for this board, at times I am amazed at his energy in his pursuit on transportation issues, let alone in keeping Sun Metro transparent (or as transparent as possible!) and with disability access issues. He is a great example of a citizen stakeholder with honest interest in his voting status on a board. He takes it seriously and puts in the time.

Some people just use boards and take a slot that other concerned citizens could use to really make a difference. Instead, truly interested board members have to work harder to make a difference and when you add that to all the usual sop government red tape involved it makes for an uphill climb at best.

I also have a beef with some City Council members who take up valuable time in their selection of board members. I understand they want a good representation in whomever they choose, but it shouldn't take 2 months or more to make that decision. Especially now, when the budget hearings are starting and alot of committees' other projects are put on hold for a month or two to accomodate and wade through the whole process. We need every interested body nominated and seated at this time to make sure we have a quorom. But more on this issue later....

Father's Day

2009-06-20T18:59:00.002-06:00

"Thank you, Father, for welcoming me back home."
"Sit down, son, I've been waiting a long time to see you, I've missed you."
The son sat down nervously at the table his father had prepared. On the table was every kind of food imaginable, every cool drink imaginable, everything he had ever liked- his father never forgot!
"Tell me son, about your life and travels."
His son coughed to clear his throat. He stared at the candles on the table. They were the kind that had that special glow, the kind you only find in churches, and he wondered where and how his Father came upon them.
"As you know, Father, I was lost for many years"
"Yes, son, tell me..."
The son sighed. He had come so far to speak to his Father and had rehearsed every line over and over in his head. Now that it was time to say his peace he could only swallow hard, cough and hold back the tears that wanted to escape. He sat there as the clock ticked, torn up inside, head bowed for what seemed like eternity.
Finally he blurted out "Father forgive me!!!"
His Father put his hands on his son's shoulders. He kept them there, and soon his son was able to continue. "Father. You gave me everything I needed in life and I turned my back on you. I turned my back on my family..." Then his son's unrehearsed story came flowing out like a river, in between sobs and sniffles and at times gut-wrenching guilt-ridden cries that only the mad can understand. Or a Father.
"Father, I had a family that loved me and worshipped the ground I walked on. For years I worked and came home and was welcomed home by them, just as you welcomed me now. I did love them, Father, I really did. I used to play with my children, taught my boy and his younger sister how to play ball, how to run and do high jump etc. The two younger ones were more into girly-stuff at that age but I still loved them. My eldest daughter wanted to be just like me. She wanted to go to Drake University and run the marathons and even go on to the Olympics. So I spent extra time with her, teaching her all I knew." The son laughed a little, thinking back in time when he would try and teach his daughter how to pole-vault, using the brick wall at the back of the house to bounce back from. She was all legs and elbows at that age and it was funny to watch her- but she kept on trying. "I even used to help my kids with their school work so that they could go on to college and live their dreams. My wife was right there helping, too. I had it all! GEEZ! I had it all.... but I got bored at times and had to sneak out and have some fun, relax with a few drinks and be with the guys, you know? Even used to drink with Father Dorney- remember him? Soon it bacame a routine, tho. But I managed. I maintained everything just enough so that everyone got a little of my time, of me. Then I messed up, Father- big time! I met another woman. She was young and fun and soon we started hanging out together at the bars after work and I wanted to just escape with her! She made me feel like a man, not just a husband or father or someone that had thousands of expectations thrust upon them. I left my wife and kids, Father. I was no longer the man I once was. I drowned out the pain by drinking, as I had done for years, but now it was different. Now one or two or three drinks wasn't enough. I had to have more. That was the real beginning of the end, Father. I did unspeakable things to my family."
The son was now in a contorted heap on the floor, having slowly slid off the chair as he was describing the details of his life. Crying and beating his hands across his body, the son cried until almost an hour later.
When the son finally was able to raise his head he saw his Father sitting next to him still. His Father said, "Son, I know. Continue, son, for the story must get better as you are here in my house right now."
"Yes, Father.... for years I struggled with the guilt of what I had done, met and married other women, talked to my two oldest children every few years but kept on drinking. The drinking turned me into a horrible person and I wasted so much of what everyone had given to me. But I knew I was still loved by my children, even though they were so angry at me, as was deserved. And THAT was the hard part, Father, I knew they still loved me. It racked me with guilt, so much so that I was too afraid and ashamed to keep a realtionship with them. I could never feel like a father again to them as I had when they were younger- they knew I was fallible and I felt less-than. How does a man rise above that, Father?"
"I'm here son, continue...."
"Then one day I was in the hospital with a blood infection after having surgery for a burst appendix and they called my son as they didn't know if I would make it. My son called his sister and she came and cleaned my house. I was thankful for their help. But I continued on with my same life after I got out. I went back to work, went back to drinking- my life was in a routine that I didn't want to change nor did I know how to change, even tho it made me sad alot. But it was hard, Father, standing guard outside at the steel mill. It was -30 degrees at times! I had to stand there for 12 hours and my wounds weren't healing from being in the hospital. So one day my daughter offered to have me come live with her. I was amazed! After all I had put her through! But I was scared, I wanted to continue the way my life was going and not answer to anyone. But soon I realized I HAD to take a break or I would never heal. So I moved in with my daughter and she cooked for me and didn't charge me anything to live there- she just wanted me to get better! A few months later I was ready to start working again and my daughter and I were moving to a place closer to work. My daughter took every penny she had for the deposit and I sold my old place and we moved. Then I denied her, Father, once again. I had $10 to my name for a few days until she got paid. We were struggling and all we had in the house to eat were a couple eggs and some bread- that was it, Father! She asked me if I could buy some food until she got paid and I told her I didn't have any money. But I did, Father, and I took that $10 and went out and bought a case of beer for myself. She didn't say anything, but her silence said everything.
Eventually I moved out, I didn't even tell her I was moving! I talked to her a couple more times since then and promised we'd get together, but I never showed. I couldn't, Father. I proved to everyone and myself that I was not worth it. Please forgive me daughter!"
The candles on the table were half-burnt by now. The daylight was slipping into shadow, but the glow from both still made the room feel as if it were daytime. The Father approached his son with his arms wide open. His Father asked, "Son, do you believe everything I have taught you? Do you believe I sent my only son I had to die for all your sins? Tell me, son, I have been waiting to hear the words."
"Yes" the son said with resignation. Immediately the son felt complete. He felt forgiven and loved like he had waited for all his life. Now he could be the man he always hoped to be. He took his last breath and was home to stay.

George Raymond Hartnett was found in his apartment dead of an apparent heart attack. He was alone and the coroner concluded he had been in that state for about a week. RIP Dad, I will always love you.

Citizen's Advisory Committee to the Mass Transit Board/Sun Metro

2009-06-19T09:28:00.002-06:00

Tuesday June 23rd at 2:00pm
700 A San Francisco
Union Depot
(Sun Metro offices and Amtrak station)
Main floor conference room

This coming Tuesday will be a special date for the monthly Citizen's Advisory Committee to the Mass Transit Board/Sun Metro. The committee usually meets every 3rd Tuesday of the month.

The public is more than welcome and encouraged to attend these meetings. Public comment concerning issues not on the agenda will be taken at the beginning of the meeting. Public comment regarding an agenda item will be taken after discussion of that item- please arrive early to sign up if you wish to speak.

The CAC agenda for an upcoming meeting can be viewed on the bulletin board in back of City Hall or viewed on the city's website by the Friday before the meeting at www.ci.el-paso.tx.us/ Click on the Meetings tab at the top of the page, click on Citizen's Advisory Committee to the Mass Transit Board/Sun Metro from the list, scroll down on their page and click on agenda or minutes.

Sisters of the same mother?

2009-06-18T19:04:00.002-06:00

OK- so I told you there'd be some glitches- lol. Click on the 2 posts below for pics of (ex- Chicago mayor) Jane Byrne and El Paso city manager Joyce Wilson- the 2 could be sisters!

( ok quit laughin'- you know who you are!)

Check out Extra News - Snow Birds, by Jane Byrne former Chicago Mayor (1979-1

2009-06-18T18:28:00.001-06:00

Extra News - Snow Birds, by Jane Byrne former Chicago Mayor (1979-1983)

Dell Days of Deals! June 15-24 - A New Deal Everyday!

Check out www.elpasotexas.gov - About the City Manager

2009-06-18T18:27:00.001-06:00

www.elpasotexas.gov - About the City Manager

Dell Days of Deals! June 15-24 - A New Deal Everyday!

CAD being a cad?

2009-06-17T19:46:00.002-06:00

OK- just checked out www.realtor.com and today they have 4,312 listings for sale in the El Paso area. So, these figures are close to the high count during the real estate boom that we were supposedly somewhat insulated from. And since the experts say we are somewhat insulated from the failing economy and job loss- why do we have so many properties for sale?

Compared to the rest of the country, 6 or 7 years ago we were definitely below the average median cost of a home. But the cost of living sort of matched- not alot of good or high-paying jobs, so maybe we were closer to where we should have been.

Now many homes here have increased in value up to and over 50% from just a few years back- quite an increase in the tax base! But the jobs haven't followed. Hmmm?

How did these prices get so over-inflated? Who was it that jumped on the bandwagon, and also convinced other industries here that we were a booming town and could absorb such an increase? And just what have we gotten for the money?

Which came first- CAD or real estate speculation? They both feed off each other, so it was win/win for them on paper.

So what exactly HAVE we gotten with all the extra money we paid out in taxes? My roads are no better off, mark my words- I bet within 3 years my street will be on the news because of a sinkhole occuring- the potholes are getting THAT bad! Well, we have a city manager now that's paid a pretty penny (over $200,000), deputy city managers in the good $100,000s, management at Sun Metro in the $100,000s and on and on. We have been progressing from where we were just a couple years back, but were we ready to leap so far so fast? We have so many COs coming up the next couple years for payment it's mind-boggling.

I suggest we El Pasoans that own property all protest with the CAD- every year until we are taken seriously! I also suggest that our city and county government not only keep the hiring freeze but freeze salary increases until they can balance the budget and prove that they can maintain its balance for at least 2 years consecutively. In the meantime can we see a solid plan for bringing business to the border?

Chicago/El Paso connection

2009-06-17T09:42:00.004-06:00

You're going to hear this line alot from me, sorry, but it's a part of me and it's not like a coat I can take on and off.

Being from Chicago...

Being from Chicago is alot like being from El Paso (especially the NE). There's a certain rough-and-tumble attitude we carry here and a good amount of pride. Anyone can see that pride when they pass by EPCC Trans Mountain campus and the HUGE flag whipping in the wind. Nothing brings a smile to our face quite like when the poppies are in bloom for a few short weeks in the spring... only in the NE. We didn't plant those poppies per se, but we sure take credit for their decided boundaries- they picked us to live by!

In Chicago you see people huddled at bus stops in the winter, battling the wind and cold, yet smiling and laughing and chatting with their fellow survivors. In El Paso you see the same survivors doing the same things. Only they're battling the winds and extreme heat

In Chicago there's a cool rivalry of Northside vs Southside. Northside Cubs. Southside White Sox. Northside Irish neighborhood pubs vs the Southside ones. There's even 2 St Patrick 's Day parades. El Paso has it's separate 4th of July parades, and the NE is proud to host one of them.

In Chicago you can get great Mexican food, even though menudo and caldo de res are usually served with corn tortillas. El Paso has GREAT Mexican food, too, of course, though the above are usually served with delicious francesitos. I prefer the latter.

Chicago had Jane Byrne as mayor, a real tough-as-nails broad. El Paso has Joyce Wilson, city manager- don't think I'd want to meet her in a dark alley unless she was on my side. I have seen her giggle (almost) like a schoolgirl one time, though, when paid a compliment on her outfit one day by a citizen of the male persuasion. It was quite refreshing and unexpected to see.

Chicago has Blagojevic, Ryan, Walker (all past governors with sticky fingers) and Fast Eddie (city councilman) -who reminds me of Cobos in tactics and drama. El paso has (Cobos- lol) Ketner, Jones etc. Guess the FBI is really racking up the frequent flyer miles between our two cities!

So when I go on and on about Chicago please don't be offended. Our cities are more alike than not. Chicago has the stigma of being the Second City (compared to NY) but they turned that around into a positive- the biggest little city, the city that works, the city with big shoulders etc. So I hope El Paso can finally come together and be proud of what she has to offer- great food, great weather, great everyday people with true grit, great music and history..............

Welcome

2009-06-16T05:16:00.002-06:00

Welcome to my little blog spot! This blog is going to run the gamut from rants about our city and leaders to things that make me go hmmmm. Some days it'll be lite fare, other days stuff to sink your teeth into. May even drift off into a short story or two! Bear with me as I am no techie-geek and I'm sure I'll have lots of glitches to work out.
Enjoy!