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.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Tea Partiers Spiking the Drinks?
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.
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.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Accessible Housing and the Hoodwinking of City Council and LRC by Builders
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.
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.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
... let God sort 'em out
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.
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
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.
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
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....
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....
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