Voting Part 2

How did I let it slide that we ALSO have an election for school board? I'm not much happier with our school board and their misplaced priorities than I am with our City Council with twiddle dee and twiddle dum that are sitting there.

I have to ask you, do you think it was smart of these guys to have picked "Coach" for our superintendent?I'm not happy that we are spending money upgrading our sports facility when we've have temporary buildings for our educational classes. I'm not happy that our high school has teachers that need to be fired, so that those who want to teach can.  I'm not happy with the way the school board did the dress code (I'm not opposed to the dress code, heck I think it should be tighter, but why wait till the last minute to do it?).  I'm not happy with the moving ACE back to a campus when these students have proven they can not function in that environment and I truly believe personalities with the superintendent that were not in control by the school board was the real reason it's being moved.

These are just a few of the items I can come up with off the top of my head.

Did you realize that the largest portion of your house taxes are for the school board? Off the top of my head I think it's 4x that of the city. And why? Because of bad decisions of the school board!

Gonzales, find the candidates personally if you want to and ask them what do they believe in.  Ask them if they promise to do something about these and any other issue you know of. Worst case educate yourself on what these people believe in.

Pray about the answers you heard.

Then GET OUT AND VOTE! VOTE VOTE! Please, it's at the School Central Office.  Don't wait till election day when you might forget.  Get out NOW AND VOTE!

God Bless
Dennis Nesser

Vote!

Ok, it's that time to speak out Gonzales!!! You have the voice to make change in Gonzales.  Don't believe your vote doesn't count.  Even it there are those who try to steal elections with ballot tampering, numbers can over come any of that.

If you really think that the pot holes, the attempt to raise taxes, the massive spending, the letting the city manager run out of control (oh wait there will be more on that soon), believing that there is nothing about large donations influencing votes on the council, then don't make a change.  In a couple of years we'll be bankrupt, our we'll find some remnants of streets between the pot holes, our parks will still not have what is needed to take care of the kids (coming soon in my blog), and our property taxes will be 2x what they are now.

Look at their record, only one councilman has consistently voted to NOT raise taxes.  To DEMAND of our city manager accountability of expenditures.  One has had the guts to question WHY and vote against the group, and that's Lorenzo.

I would LOVE to see where Bobby Logan has voted 1 time against Bobby O'Neil.  In all those years, I don't think there has been one time that the Bobby and Bobby team has voted apart.  You'd think they were Siamese twins. I'm not sure if there is one brain between the 2 of them, and they definitely are trying to share one.

So I don't want to hear you complain if you don't vote!!! You can vote for someone, you can vote against someone, I don't care, but go VOTE!!! Even if you disagree with me on the candidates, go vote, it's your right, it's your obligation for living in a free country!

So for everyone, Pray for guidance, Educate yourself, then GO VOTE!!!

God Bless,
Dennis Nesser

Wise leadership

I was reminded of Proverbs 11:14 - Without wise leadership a nation falls. I sat for a minute, almost in tears thinking how much we can see that in our time right now.

You see, there is a huge difference between being smart, and being wise. I have no doubt that several of those in leadership on our city and school board are smart.  Most probably have degrees from respected universities. I don't doubt their abilities to add 1 + 1, or to be able to read the documentation that is sit in front of them for their review.

What I have a problem with is that they don't seem to know what it is they have.  They can't see that their actions, or as often as not, their in-actions have a resounding effect on things other than the simple answer right in front of them. Need an example?

Smart is seeing that the road by Ft. Wahl street needs repairs, and makes repairs.  Wise is understanding that 1/2 of our tax payer dollar vehicles drive on Ft. Wahl street, and when it's barely passable because of the potholes, then not only haven't we taken care of the tax payers with basic working functional roads, but we've caused our city vehicles to be damaged which will cost use more tax payer money to fix.  So in the end, there will be more roads NOT repaired, and more vehicles torn up because instead of fixing the road correct the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, heck who am I kidding, the dang road has NEVER been fixed right in the time I've lived here in Gonzales. And yet the maintenance department wants a new truck because theirs is torn up. *Slapping forehead* A wise person would have seen that one coming.

Our school board wonders why our kids have problems with discipline in school. A smart person makes rules for the kids to abide by. A wise person makes and enforces evenly and equitably the rules. For example, Warior Path is a one way street from Sarah DeWitt to Sedlyer.  So why is it that it takes a phone call from a parent to complain to get the Principal and one of the Vice Principals to quit driving in the wrong way? Wonder why the kids won't follow the rules? It's because their leadership are showing the kids that rules are not to be followed.

A smart person knows how to work the system.  How to cheat the people out of their right to a fair election.  A wise person understands that the division such actions create in a community are irreversible, and are dangerous to our society.  They cause distrust amongst the citizens of the community that will take years and years to overcome.

A smart person knows they've done wrong.  A wise person understands how important it is to fuss up and do what's right for the community.

Look, there is not a person in political power that never makes a mistake.  It happens.  I but the bottom line is a wise person learns from those mistakes, makes amends, and corrects their actions.

By the way, I could go on and on and on about things that are smart, and things that are wise, but I'm wise enough to know I've gotten my point across. :-)

Till Friday!

God Bless,
Dennis Nesser

Most Qualified

First of all I want to say that for once the school board did the right thing in re-instating Coach Lock.  The man made a huge mistake, and I hope he takes this back to the kids and shows them how stupid drinking even 'a couple' was.  That he almost lost everything he's worked for over literally one last one for the road. But I think as a community we've shown we are not perfect and can look past ONE mistake of this nature. Coach it's all up to you now, please don't make us regret the support.

But with that said, I'm hearing to many rumors that the school board is stuck on a candidate at least partially because of race.  I'm sick and tired of hearing about racism in this town!!! It doesn't matter if we're talking about where we live, the church we go to, or our school district race should NEVER be a factor!

What I care about is that the person that comes to Gonzales to take over from the mess that "Coach" Salazar has made is a certified superintendent that knows what they are doing, and will get our kids educated.  I care that they can clear out some riff raft and make sure we have quality educators from pre-K - 12.  I care that we have someone to motivate both kids and staff to bring Gonzales ISD up to a respected school district.  I care that we get someone who will teach our kids priorities in our system.  Education first, sports and all other extra curricular activities come next. All those other things are important, both in life and for the morale of the kids, but if the kids can't read, write, add and subtract, and handle basic sciences, and most of all reasoning skills then they will have wasted 12 years for not, and worst yet will be a drain to our society. 

So school board, get over yourself.  I don't care if it's a pink and purple dotted woman that has a green dot in her forehead, if there is a best candidate that's who this town deserves! So quit the petty stuff and let's get what all of our kids deserve, someone who doesn't answer to "coach" and does answer to the people of Gonzales about how our kids are going to get the best education out there.

God Bless,
Dennis Nesser

A visitor - Gary Schroeder

I was able to catch a bit of our City Council meeting yesterday.

Today I got a visit from Gary Schroeder, Councilman from my district, District 1. I have to give Gary some credit for coming by and visit. It's clear I don't agree with all Gary has done in his first year as a councilman, but I have to give him credit for at least listening.

Gary came and we talked about several issues. The shrinkage of $2,300,000 from our reserve funds, the Texas Center, the city manager, the GEDC, the expenditures at the city, amongst others things.

We spoke about his first year on the job as our councilman and some of the trials and tribulations that have occurred and while it's taken him some time to feel comfortable with some of the things, he's feels like he's starting to really get his feet under him and able to hold his own with the pool of barracudas.

It's clear I think Gary has made a couple of mistakes this year. I also think he is sincere about his desire to do well for his constituents. I encourage you, that if you have a problem with the council, let them know. If it's with Gary, call or go by, I've never known Gary to not take the time to talk to me, and I promise, in this year Gary knows who I am personally.

You want a council person to work for you? Then let them know what you're thinking. Crystal balls are all on the fritz here in Gonzales County, so if you don't tell them what you're thinking they won't know.

In the mean time I'll keep telling the council what I think via my chalkboard.

God Bless,
Dennis Nesser

Register to Vote

Ok, if you live in Gonzales and are not registered to vote, you have 2 more days to do so and get to vote in this years elections, and personally I wouldn't want to miss this year. I would want to be able to say, "I was a part of making a difference in Gonzales, MY VOTE COUNTED!"

So if you aren't registered, go down to Norma Jean Debous office behind HEB and get your application.  It's simple, fast and puts you in a position to make a difference!

God Bless,
Dennis Nesser

Show me the money!!!

Interesting fact this week.  Since our city manager has taken over our city of Gonzales almost 1/2 of our city reserve money has been spent.  That's right, over $2,300,000.00+ is GONE! Gonzales, the town of 7,000, has had to dip into their rainy day funds to the tune of over $2,300,000.00+.  That's $325+ for every man woman and child in Gonzales. I have a family of 6, that's $2,000 for my family. Hmmmmm, nope, I haven't seen my 2k worth of expenditures.  All I see are pot holes everywhere.  Look on Ft. Wahl, College, Church just for a start.

So when do you stop the bleeding Gonzales? Why isn't our Mayor and council stopping this bleeding right now? This isn't a case of we didn't raise taxes, so we've had to go through the money.  It's a case of we don't want to do what it's going to take to run a balanced budget in the long run. I honestly think it's a case of we don't have a clue of how to stop the spending. I don't think the mayor has ever met a program that cost us money that he didn't like.

If you or I ran our household like this we'd be in bankruptcy court. Guess what? We keep up spending like this the City of Gonzales will also be declaring bankruptcy.  You think it would be bad to have to cut back on some services now? Wait till the town has no money what so ever and we have to cut back! This will effect you and I directly. 

Want to know how they rate you for interest for loans or bonding if we need to get any? It's based on your spending, and on your ability to repay.  I can hear the broker now, "Lets see, you've just spent 5,000,000 and you want another $5,000,000 to replace that? Sure, it will be 21% interest."  Who do you think pays that? It's YOU and me!

Ask your councilman where that money is going.  He's suppose to be on top of it.  Remind him he's running a business here, and right now he's running it into the ground.  He needs to change course and right this ship so that we're not in a bind and going to have to shut down the entire city! And oh, by the way, let's not wait another meeting, let's start now! I don't know about you, but I don't have a spare $2,000,000 to pay in taxes. Times are hard for everyone, and that means cities too. 

I think our city manager and council would rather keep their head in the sand and ignore the problems then to deal with them.  Then WHY ARE YOU SITTING THERE? Move over and let someone who will deal with them take the positions.

I do want to point out there as I have watch the voting in our city council there is consistently one vote against all the spending.  Unfortunately that one vote is not enough to sway the city spending.  But that is councilman Lorenzo Hernandez.  I've watched over the years as the vote has been 3-1 and 4-1 over and over and over again.  I've never seen the others vote against the mayor on anything.  Wondering if they can think on their own? Would love to hear in this forum what they are thinking about and how they plan on stopping the bleeding.  Hear that mayor? Bobby? Gary? I know some of you read these blogs, how about a response and let your constituents know why you are going through our money so fast?

Just more food for thought Gonzales.

On a different note, I will probably repaint the board Wednesday of this week. So weather permitting there will not be anything on the board till Friday morning.  But have no fear, I'll be back Friday morning after breakfast, weather permitting. :-)

God Bless
Dennis Nesser

It's Easter Weekend

Ok, even I believe there are more important things to put up on my chalkboard on Easter weekend then to hit the council, school board, the D.A., congress or President Obama.  It doesn't mean that I don't have my opinions, it means that there are more important things in this world, and the next, then those I've been posting about. I truly hope you feel the same.  So today the board is dedicated to the real reason for Easter, the death of our Savior to pay for our sin, but more importantly the resurrection of Christs to bring us new life. 

Remember, we are all beloved children of God.  How about this weekend we pray for those who are our elected officials, that they learn humility and pray for wisdom? Remember Solomon prayer for wisdom, and we given it in abundance.  We could sure use some of that in our elected officials right now.

God Bless and may you and your families have a blessed Easter weekend.

Dennis Nesser