So I'd like to take a POSITIVE set of ideas to the priority of what needs to be done next to our council members as they get started with new positions and a new person on the council.
So give a couple of suggestions of what you've like started - finished - a new direction taken on.
1) What should we do with JB Wells?
2) What priorities is our roads in town? Any particular street need working on?
3) What should we do for our kids in this town?
4) What needs to be done to help downtown thrive?
5) What about all these committees, are they necessary?
6) What should we do with the additional $400,000 in sales tax we just received?
Ok, I'm going to ask that you keep this positive, like a new kid on the block that is looking for suggestions, not complaining about the past, I want to look forward for this post. Not that we're going to forget anything in the past, but for this post, pretend there is no past.
If I were king (queen) for the day I would............................
Let's hear it and I'll make sure you're comments are heard by those up on the bench.
God Bless
Dennis
Since you asked....I would like to see:
ReplyDeleteJB Wells leased to a management company. Gonzales does not have the expertice to manage it to it's full value.
Promote the city. A few lines in Barbara Hands column is not promoting. There are events taking place that people don't know about till they are over. Get the word out!
Improved law enforcement: This is a must, no matter what you do to make Gonzales pretty, running shootouts will keep the people at home.
ALL parks kept user ready, not just JB Wells and the golf course. Kerr Creek Park needs mowing a bit more than twice a year, and it would be nice if the flood debris from the last river flood was removed from Independence Park. Get rid of the bat wing shredder and get a finish mower.
Stop wasting the city council's time and effort. When they go to the trouble to pass an ordinance, enforce it. The horse ordinance, truck route, noise, and exhaust brake ordinances come to mind.
Council members need to remember they are elected or appointed to represent the people, all the people, not to just spend money and do photo ops. Open your eyes and ears and become aware of what is happening in Gonzales. You wanted the job, now do it, and do it right.
Great start, Bill.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to add that city employees be made accountable for what they do and what they screw up.
If they need firing, fire them. Don't let them retire (as in the prior finance officer, among others).
If they need to be indicted, indict them, try them, and get it done with. The current thieves have yet to be brought to trial. And I understood that there were many other employees implicated. When are they going to be indicted and are they still employed with the city?
Lets get St. George done with.
ReplyDeleteAnd how about someone answering who planted the tree under the awning on St. George and who planted the tree that will grow into the utility lines overhead?
Who was responsible for that and didn't any one question that when they were being planted?
Make someone accountable for those problems.
Bill, I agree on this..
ReplyDelete"Promote the city. A few lines in Barbara Hands column is not promoting. There are events taking place that people don't know about till they are over. Get the word out!"
We have a big event each year on the first weekend of October. Promote it. In San Antonio, Austin, Seguin, Victoria, everywhere.
Why doesn't C&TI get a parade marshall from one of the local TV stations, a newscaster. Don't you think that that person will talk about it on his program for several days before the event?
C&TI brings a lot of out-of-town money. Bring more by promoting it more.
Great start. I love the way this is going. I even spoke with one of the council members this afternoon about this posting, and he agrees with a lot that's in here.
ReplyDeleteLet's hear some more!
Dennis
Something else I would like to see the city do...take over mowing the median on Sarah Dewitt. TXDOT only mows twice a year. I for one think the overgrown, litter strewn median shows a lack of pride in the city. In my travels, I see other cities taking care of the medians and they look good. Seguin comes to mind first.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see the city explore an "adopt a......." program. The greatest asset this city has is it's citizens. Let's look into letting citizens volunteer to do of the improvements. I would be the first to step forward and "Adopt a pothole" if the city made materials available. Our streets are going south in a hurry, and the longer potholes have to grow, the worse they get and harder to repair.
There are many small projects that can be done by volunteers, the Beautification Committe has proven that with their tree planting and cemetary cleaning.
Give the citizens a venue to express their ideas, maybe a "Town Hall" type of meetings with the city council, police dept., fire department, and the heads of all the city departments. Maybe if questions were asked and answered attitudes would change for the better.
Bill said: "Something else I would like to see the city do...take over mowing the median on Sarah Dewitt. TXDOT only mows twice a year. I for one think the overgrown, litter strewn median shows a lack of pride in the city. In my travels, I see other cities taking care of the medians and they look good. Seguin comes to mind first."
ReplyDeleteI also agree. It really looks bad 10 months out of the year.
Can ISF take this over, with the city providing the heavy equipment needed?
Bill,
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right in the we the citizens have to step up and take over some of these task. You're also right that even if you're 'in the know' it's difficult sometimes to know where to go to get it started.
I LOVE the idea of the town hall!!! I really think it's about time we have one that we can hear and discuss some ideas in an open forum.
I hadn't put my thoughts out there and I'd like to put them here.
1) St George has to get fix immediately. 3 years of having downtown torn up is to long. It will be fantastic when it's done, so let's get it done.
2) I think we need to do a phase 2 at JB Wells with the original family park concept. Get some of the fields/courts and trails started while we have all the allocated funds that can't be used in other areas of the city.
3) I would like to see a revamping of our committees so that we don't have a lot of duplication of effort. In that I'd also like to see that people are rotated off on a regular basis. Just like I think there should be term limits on council, I think someone can be in a committee to long.
4) I'd like to see something for our kids put in. I've heard an idea of a skate park, and I'm ok with it. Putt Putt, skating, something the kids can do. These teens need to be able to do something in Gonzales, not having to travel to get to the fun.
5) I'd really like to see our city pushed. I agree that our name isn't pushed like it should be. Our CATI crowds are proof of that. Look around at what others are bringing in. I've blogged about this before, and don't understand why we don't have people lined up to come visit Gonzales other than they just don't know about it.
6) While I'm hoping last weeks SWAT raid was just the start of much to come, for this blog I'm going to say our PD needs to take care of some of the problems we seem to have. If guys like me are to well aware of it, then it's to big a problem. Additionally we need to enforce what we've already got on the books. It seems a bit hit or miss when it comes to councils vote being enforced by the police departments.
7) Again, I might be behind the curve on this one, but our roads are starting to look bad. I saw where St. Louis was redone last week, and hope that's the start of the roads identified last year as needing attention. In that I REALLY hope they'll tear up and redo Ft Wahl street.
8) I hope we'll put some money back away for a rainy day. The $20,000,000 we're spending paying off the water should be a lesson we learn, and while money needs to be spent fixing and maintaining, we also need to have a nest egg for the future. Let's plan that part too.
There's so much more that could be, but these are things I'd like to see get taken care of. I think we'd see some change in our citizens attitudes if we saw physical changes in our city.
You have till tomorrow afternoon to add ideas, so keep posting these!
Dennis
There are a LOT of things to consider to inhance the City of Gonzales, lots.
ReplyDeleteI have advocated the town hall idea for the last three years to city managers, city council members, and candidates for office, and have only been met with the old deer in the headlights look. Absolute fear. It's kinda like...."What let the people know what is going on" NO WAY! Maybe if more people started letting the council know a town hall meeting is wanted it could happen.
The crime. Wow! Where to start? Is the problem criminals or is it a lack of enforcement? Or is it too lenient judicial? Seems to be the latter two. A slap on the hand and go home. Following the comments on the Cannon's Facebook page will confirm that.
Drugs...Don't pick and choose, get them all. Oh, and while they are at it, stop the dealing under the 183 bridge.
The tax windfall....don't spend it hiring more office workers, buy some new maintenance equipment for the parks and people to operate them.
Probably the one thing that needs to be addressed by council is...stop approving new projects till some of the old projects are completed! There are projects approved, some started, up to 6 years ago. Finish them, then look at something new!
Dennis replied: "6) While I'm hoping last weeks SWAT raid was just the start of much to come, for this blog I'm going to say our PD needs to take care of some of the problems we seem to have. If guys like me are to well aware of it, then it's to big a problem. Additionally we need to enforce what we've already got on the books. It seems a bit hit or miss when it comes to councils vote being enforced by the police departments."
ReplyDeleteThe PD called in the big guns from Seguin's SWAT team to make the arrest of these "dangerous" criminals.
Explain to me why one was released on bail the next day, $250,000.
If he is dangerous, no bail.
I agree with saving some of that increase in sales tax as a "rainy day fund".
ReplyDeleteThe same applies to the increase in property taxes due to increased valuations.
You don't have to spend everything you get!
5) What about all these committees, are they necessary?
ReplyDeleteI think yes, they are necessary. But I also think all the official city council appointed committees need to be identified and members names published. Meeting agendas, times and places should be published. And I agree terms should be limited to a couple of years so fresh ideas can be explored.
Citizen committees, those not appointed by the city council, should receive no taxpayer funding. They can get their funds from their sponsors or out of their pockets. NO tax dollars for these committees projects even when approved for public property.
As promised I brought your suggestions and thoughts to the city council meeting tonight, giving both the council members and city manager a copy of all the comments.
ReplyDeleteNow let's keep reminding them nicely that this is the direction we'd like to take.
Dennis
Thank you Dennis. Now let's pray the council and city manager read them with an open mind. Now is the time for everyone, not just a couple of us to let the city admin know what we expect for our tax dollars.
ReplyDeletejust wondering Dennis ,how many citizens attend the council meetings ?
DeleteI would bet not many. Now that there is fresh meat on the council and the musical chairs have been played, I will resume attending the meetings UNTIL they become fifteen minute rubber stamp scripted meetings again. And maybe a little discussion on issues. Insted of saying "I have a problem with this" and then voting yes, discuss it, table it, or whatever, but don't just pass it if you have a problem. All proposals can be rewritten to better serve the city. Maybe that would stop a lot of things being passed and forgotten.
DeleteBill said "Something else I would like to see the city do...take over mowing the median on Sarah Dewitt. TXDOT only mows twice a year. I for one think the overgrown, litter strewn median shows a lack of pride in the city. In my travels, I see other cities taking care of the medians and they look good. Seguin comes to mind first."
ReplyDeleteBill, did you check Sarah DeWitt today? TXDOT needs to check their equipment for damage because it looks like they ran over a dumpster or two while mowing. There is trash from Purina to the high school that was uncovered when the grass/weeds were cut.
I saw it when I got back from Austin. WOW! It's a mess. But look at what the trash is...in front of Wal Mart is Wal Mart plastic bags where people threw them down and the wind blew them till they hung in the weeds. Mixed in with Wal Mart bags are ice bags, and I would bet they came from "The Tote" these oil field guys buy ice, dump it in their water cans and ice chests then throw the bags in the back of their trucks. They get about a mile before the bags blow out. The same for about a mile west of town, except they buy the ice at Bucky's.
DeleteI wish Gonzales would be a leader in either banning plastic bags or charge a deposit on them and use the proceds to clean up the trash.
I'm sure the ISF guys will be out picking up the trash, and Gonzales needs to be thankful they do it. But the ISF guys are getting a pretty good load on them and someone else needs to step up and help them. The high school Science Club is shown as the "Adopt a highway" group for part of the median but in three years I have not seen them out cleaning up the highway. The sign needs to be removed.
The Future Scientists do pick up the trash and did so not long ago. But, as noted by the majority of your posts, you would most likely find some type of negativity with that also.
DeleteThe ISF guys picked it up about a month ago. Unless the students are wearing white jump siuts and have a guard watching them.
DeleteIt must make you feel real tough to post under "anonymous". Don't you have the guts to put your name on your posts? No,you don't people like you never can stand up and speak your piece without hiding. CS!
And the ISF guys were picking it up today too. BUT the future scientist do pick up the trash along that strip the couple of times a year, IAW the program guidelines. My sons have helped several times in the last 5 years. So I'm sorry if you haven't seen it Bill, but it has happened every year that I'm aware of for at least 5 years.
DeleteI know there are several sections that get cleaned up periodically (I believe 2x a year) by organizations. No organization is expected to continuously clean a section of highway.
But what happened yesterday was above and beyond. Thankfully one of the businesses sent employees out to clean up some, and they did remove a lot of trash. I'm not sure who it was, but THANK YOU!
Bill, you've been called much worst than negative. Hell, you've called me worst than that on this blog. I'm not sure why you even raised an eyebrow, much less got your feathers all ruffled over that comment, but you played right into their hand.
I'm the one who allows anonymous comments. I do it because to many people are afraid of being pounded on personally by others for speaking out, yet want others to know that they aren't alone in their ideas and struggles.
3 years ago it was 'evil' to speak out against certain things here in town, and I provided an outlet for people to do so without fear of their neighbors giving them the stink eye for what they believe in. They could instead take it to the ballot box.
It definitely hasn't always worked the way I wanted it too. There have been comments I've thought about deleting, but haven't, I've let the readers decide who is correct.
Dennis
I have to give credit to either Tuch Tires or Caraway Ford(not sure which it was), they has some of their employees out picking up trash today after the medians had been mowed.
ReplyDeleteWell Dennis...it was positive until one of the gutless idiots had to spoil it. About all I can say is...Have a good day. See you around. Hope you are sucessful in what you seek.
ReplyDeleteif only our lackluster city council would have hired "Bill" this town would be the showplace of south Texas
DeleteMr./Mrs./Ms Anonymous, You are correct. Nut this town can't afford me. You wouldn't be able to pay your taxes. You have to pay for the best.
DeleteBill,Bill,slow down on your drinking before you reply,you're mispelling yourrr wordsss.
DeleteYeah? And which words would that be? You gutless POS.
DeleteAny reason why some posts are published and then deleted?
ReplyDeleteI haven't deleted any comments. Anyone who signs in is capable of deleting their own comments, that would be the only thing I could think of. What comment is missing?
ReplyDelete-Dennis
It says I'm signed in, but there is no delete button or trash can or any other way to delete a post.
DeleteI've checked several blogspot blogs and all of them have it where I've commented, right below my comment the ability to delete it.
DeleteI see it on this one, and checked my wife comment from her computer (so I'm look as a non-admin) on this blog and it's there. So not sure what setting you have that doesn't show that.
Simmer down, Bill. There are at least two of us "anonymous" posters on this site, maybe even more, and maybe more than one on this string of repies, so don't try to lump all of us into one category.
ReplyDeleteThere may be reasons why we desire to post as "anonymous": Job, policital office, or other legitimate reason.
I have posted with my personal name in some instances. Here and on the Cannon website. Other times I just want to post as "anonymous".
If I am going to condemn or confront someone in a situation that needs correcting and only I can do that, I will post my name. But in some of the above comments, posting my name or as "anonymous" doesn't change those comments.
You choose to post your name, so be it. Others don't.
Simmer down yourself. I tried to voice my opinion, but some gutless POS has to attack me personally. Well, the whole damn bunch of you can kiss my ass.
DeleteDonald,does'nt the sign say [come for the history,stay for the hospitality]? what are you people going to do with Bill? just because of him I have thoughts of visiting your city with all the violence and now a madman!!
DeleteGeesch...................
ReplyDeleteDonald Rihn said:
Delete"Geesch..................."
I agree, geesch.......!
Donald Rihn said:
ReplyDelete"Geesch..................."
Gutless POs said:
I agree, geesch.......!
And there lies the problem with Gonzales. Instead of facing the problems and searching for solutions, you attack those that aren't afraid to offer up ideas. But I am a patient man, and I beleve what goes round comes round. You will get your's, some sooner than others.
Look around, and you will see ideas I offered up have become reality. It just takes time, and Tommy you don't have much longer, O great appointed one.
Wow! Did that get off the topic of positive ideas. Bill, you know, you actually have great ideas but you ALWAYS let your anger get the best of you. When you lash out, you hurt your own cause. There are people that don't like me or my ideas and I have been attacked but as the kids say "let the haters hate". Someone has to be the bigger person, so why not let it be you?
ReplyDeleteYou're right. It just really frustrating to throw ideas out and then be attacked personally. Not sure why attacked for spelling, I'm old, blind in one eye, and it's been 45 years since I was taught to spell. Never took typing, so fat fingering is a common problem for me. But it really gets to me when someone makes fun of my "drinking" It shows they don't know crap about me. I don't drink, haven't in years. Now there are two Coronas in my shop refer, but they have been there for over two years.
DeleteBut I guess what really bothers me the most, at least one of the "haters' is in a position to do something about some of the issues in Gonzales but choses to ignore them. I guess it PO's him when I throw an idea out on the table. He can have the credit for any idea I throw out, I don't want it.
Welcome back, Bill. Now lets get this string of comments back on course.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
ReplyDeleteOK, Code enforcement needs to be completely cleaned out and new young ambitious inspectors hired. It's time to clean up the town and start with old growth that sucks off the life of the town. Look what the City of Nixon did...
ReplyDeleteA user friendly method of reporting things that need attention to the city. Such as trash and heavy trash pickup. Yes, the tree debris crew is great. They seem to go out and look for work. I'm talking about trash such as old couches and matresses on the side of the street for over a month. (Seydler St.)
Funny, if you'll remember about a year ago I mentioned that we spent over $25k for a new reporting system for code enforcement AND reservations out at JB Wells.
DeleteI wasn't exactly thrilled that we spend the money when we were in the red at the time.
Now I mentioned this to our city manager a month ago who didn't know anything about the purchase (it was purchased before his time). I recommended since they were redoing the city website, that they really need to see what they'd purchased first since it needed to be integrated.
Per Sam Lewis the reporting aspect went online a month ago (the week I was asking about it at last months city council meeting), almost a year after it had been purchased. So it will be interesting if fewer things get dropped and if complaints get followed up on.
Dennis
Off topic, but did you know the "ap" for the Tourism Committee is live? But not being advertised.
DeleteI know the IPhone portion of it is up and running. The droid isn't ready yet. They have put it out on facebook, but you're right, it's not been pushed yet.
DeleteI've sent in several complaints to the city. Last one was over a month ago and haven't even gotten a response. Code Enforcement and Sam is a joke. Definately need to get someone new in there to do the job the right way and for the betterment of the City not because they are friends with them or a somebody in Gonzales.
DeleteBill, I agree. The town needs to be cleaned up. The streets, emply lots, the run-down houses, the sidewalks downtown, and on and on and on.
ReplyDeleteSome of those houses are in terrible shape and people live in them. Do they own those homes, are do they belong to slumlords who pocket the rent money and don't do any maintenance?
Slumlord.
DeleteWhat is Gonzales going to look like in 2020? Do we have a plan? Or will we continue to be in a reactive mode instead of a proactive mode? Gonzales is like a fire department, always putting out fires when they flare up. Why not prevent that fire with a little preplanning? It's much more effective way to operate.
ReplyDeleteI think several of those in the management of our city are starting to understand that. Even some of the committees/boards are starting to look ahead with trying to take care of many years of lack of planning.
DeleteAre we there yet? Nope! But at least we have people that are looking that way. They need encouragement to continue down the road of planning and forecasting out our city.
I don't know if I mentioned it in this blog or not, but I recently read "Everyone wants progress, no one wants change". And I've never seen anything like Gonzales that resist change, and yet doesn't like the status quo.
It will take some more time, and some more results before people will be more open to change. But with continued positive results they will come around.
One thing that needs to be done is to convince the city employees, all of them, even the lowest paid person on the totem pole, take pride in their job AND in their city. The city that provides them with a job and all of those benefits that many of us do not have or will receive from our employer.
ReplyDeleteTaking pride in their job means that they will do their job to the best of their ability. And to keep their eyes and ears open and the lines of communication to their superiors to report things that need to be reported.
Seeing waste in their department, seeing others, including supervisors sluffing off on their job, doesn't mean that you can do the same.
When a supervisor in the city makes purchases or does something that really doesn't make sense, or wastes city money, and when the employee can't get satisfaction from the supervisor or an legitimate explanation, the employee needs to go higher up. Even to the city manager. Without fear of losing his/her job.
I would ask our city council to keep their eyes and ears open to situation such as this and to take them directly to the city manager for immediate action.
Amen!
DeleteEnforce the ordinances we have. Isn't there one on the books about these large oil rigs and tankers coming through town on St.Louis, St. Lawrence, and St. Joseph?
ReplyDeleteI go walking every morning between 6:15 and 7:00 and several of these vehicles are coming through town every morning, and I am sure tearing up our streets.
Bill posted: "What is Gonzales going to look like in 2020? Do we have a plan? Or will we continue to be in a reactive mode instead of a proactive mode? Gonzales is like a fire department, always putting out fires when they flare up. Why not prevent that fire with a little preplanning? It's much more effective way to operate."
ReplyDeleteAnd Dennis replied: "I think several of those in the management of our city are starting to understand that. Even some of the committees/boards are starting to look ahead with trying to take care of many years of lack of planning"
I think that all these various boards, committees, and organizations related to the city have had planning sessions. I have sat on some of these boards and committees and organizations, so I know this to be a fact.
Lots of talk, lots of wasted paper for the reports, and lots of wasted time as those in charge failed to follow through with any action or recommendation.
I am amazed that many good recommendations were made and none followed through. And the beat goes on.......
Anonymous May 30, 2012 9:55 AM
ReplyDeleteI've sent in several complaints to the city. Last one was over a month ago and haven't even gotten a response. Code Enforcement and Sam is a joke. Definately need to get someone new in there to do the job the right way and for the betterment of the City not because they are friends with them or a somebody in Gonzales
In response to the above which was posted in the wrong forum:
I have had pretty good luck by e-mailing Allen Barnes, city manager, directly. Sometimes it takes a couple of days, but so far he responds and action is taken.
The makeshift stage in the square? How many people know that there is a perfectly good amphitheater in town. I would like the city make use of the amphitheater at the museum instead of commandeering the parking in the square for months out of the year.
ReplyDeleteScott, the amphitheater wouldn't come close to handling the crowds that come out to the Friday night events, some of them fill up that entire area, and people will park for blocks around.
DeleteThe other problem is that while the amphitheater is used to some extent, there has been some vandalism out there and it's in need of repairs.
Last, those benches are not very comfortable for the 2-3 hours the concerts go on.
I've been out there for short programs, and the annual Come-And-Take-It event, so I know it gets used throughout the year, but it really isn't made for the likes of the summer concert series.
I do agree though, more people should consider using it for their programs, it's a great historical part of our town.
Dennis
Bill said: "OK, Code enforcement needs to be completely cleaned out and new young ambitious inspectors hired. It's time to clean up the town and start with old growth that sucks off the life of the town. Look what the City of Nixon did..."
ReplyDeleteWasn't Sam Lewis responsible for code enforcement? I see on the Cannon website that Sam is no longer a city employee.
One comment about the two words that we have to type in to show that we are human. Stupid.
ReplyDeleteI had to change them 4 times before I could get one that I could read.
If I am not human, I wouldn't be on the computer typing this.
Sorry, that's not me, and I can't 'turn it off'. It's blogspot, and there are times I get frustrated with it too.
DeleteI can tell you though you'd see tons of spam and viagra type links in here if it wasn't for that. I know I have another website with no checks and it gets slammed.
Dennis
"Wasn't Sam Lewis responsible for code enforcement? I see on the Cannon website that Sam is no longer a city employee."
ReplyDeleteI just read that also. I'm sure that will be verified at some point.
William Ince is also a code inspector.
The "other" paper has the story about Sam being terminated on the front page.
DeleteHmmmmmmmmmmm. Did I hear correctly that Kelly Penewitt, Parks & Recreations Director, has been terminated?
ReplyDeleteYes
ReplyDelete