Traffic

I remember about 15 years ago I was at the stop light by McDonald's and there were 6 cars going the same direction at the light.  When I saw then Mayor O'Neal a couple of days later I told him he'd better get a handle on the traffic before it got out of hand.  Joking as I was at the time, it appears I was onto something and didn't even know it.

Now I know that the increase numbers of 18-wheelers have had some impact, especially on Sarah DeWitt and 183.  The city council even created trucking routes to keep 18 wheelers out of the town, and on those 2 streets.

But that's not what I want to address. 

Several times last week I was almost hit by someone running red lights.  Not one of those was an 18-wheeler.  The first one came off of St George and turned right as I was coming from KCTI.  I had to swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid hitting the car. 

Second was by the courthouse when some ran a seriously red light at high speed on St. Louis.  I was already into the intersection (on a green light) and had to slam on my breaks to prevent this pickup truck from ruining my life. 

Now there have been others in the last couple of weeks of people running red lights, but those 2 were not only the closest but the scariest to me.  I'm talking heart pounding, pull the car to a stop and take a deep breath type of close. 

So I've been watching.  I think at least part of it's been that we as a group are not the best of drivers.  We drive like we're the only ones on the road and it's not a big deal, and 15 years ago that kind of driving didn't matter.  There wasn't a car waiting at every corner, so by default we could drive through a lot of intersections and it didn't matter.  Now note I have referenced "we" in this statement.  Until I started teaching my boys how to drive, I was very much in that group.  There is nothing like having a teenager in the car, who by their very nature know everything, and you're trying to tell them not to drive like you are if they want to pass their driving test, to make you change the way you drive.  I'm about to start on #3 teenage about to drive. 

I've also noticed that while teenagers drive like teenagers, especially right before and after school and during lunch, that the lack of driving skills is not limited to teenagers. 

This weekend one of our mainstays of Gonzales, Mr Burchard, was medi-flighted out of here because of an accident.  I don't know the details, but what I do know is that to many people I know have been in accidents over the last 6 months.  That these are local people getting hurt and yes, even killed because of people not paying attention to their driving, or in to much of a rush to wait for a stop light. 

If you're not able to drive in this traffic then you are just as much to blame as those going to fast.  Get off the road.  I know it limits your life style, but when you cause an accident and someone else gets killed what is that trip to Walmart going to mean to you? I know I've heard it 1000 times in the last couple of years, "it's just down the block" or "we're on the back roads after we get off 90a".  This from unlicensed kids driving while their parents are in the car, or worst letting the kids drive without them, and from people, 1 elderly and one who had medical problems and shouldn't be driving.  To young and to old or sick but the laws don't apply to them. *can you hear me rolling my eyes?*

I'm begging you, slow down.  Stop at lights and stop signs.  Pay attention to what's going on around you.  Be responsible about your driving. Don't drive if you shouldn't be (for whatever reason). 

The 18 wheeler deal is a whole other problem and it's just as serious.  But not much 'we' can do individually about that.  The council and police will have to handle those.  BUT we CAN and MUST take care of the problems I've listed above.  I'm tired of hearing about people I know in accidents, and am scared to death, wondering how many we'll have to bury before we'll change the way we think.

God Bless,
Dennis

Following the Rules

In my house hold I make rules.  Now anyone who has kids know the routine.  You make a rule, it goes along for a bit, then all of a sudden the rule has been forgotten.  "I didn't know that was a rule", or "I forgot that was a rule".

I saw that happen at city council on Monday night.

Council made a rule about a year ago that they wanted ALL board vacancies to be posted in the newspaper of record, followed by applications being taken, and then the council would decide who would be appointed.

The last 2 times someone has vacated the city manager has brought a name to the council prior to the procedures being followed.  Last time they tabled the appointment so that the proper procedures could be taken.  This time they (the council) let the kids make the rules.  Why bother having rules and procedures if you're going to circumvent them at every opportunity?

Now I have a couple of points on this.

1) What's the rush?  A single vacancy on any given board can wait a month or two and not stop business from happening.

2) Why didn't the council just table this like they did last time?

3) What are we afraid of by following the rules?  That 'one of the boys' won't be selected?  The person selected might be the best person for the job.  But after talking to some of the council members no one has a clue who she was, so how can we know because no application was filled out, and not ads were put out.

I believe Mr Barnes when he states he wants transparency in our city government, but he's failed here.  Transparency is allowing the ENTIRE community getting involved by asking those who are interested in a specific board know that there is a vacancy.  Not allowing the 'good old boy' get selected to the board because of who they know.

Additionally I've mentioned that when they put their ads in the paper that it specifically states what boards have vacancies.  NO ONE is going to apply to "join a committee or board" ad.  They will join a "Library Board" or "Cemetery Board" or other board that they have interest in.  That's simple marketing 101.  

Second item that bugged me was that Mayor Logan was trying to make a statement of fact in response to a public comment made.  Our city attorney, Jackie Williamson, stopped him in his tracks and told him they were not allowed to speak during the public comment section.

WRONG!

I get so upset when either "we've always done it that way" or we just don't know the real answer so we make up a 'safe' answer to look like we do know what we're talking about.

I wish to quote the Texas State 2012 Open Meetings Handbook (Pg 41).

The Act permits a member of the public or a member of the governmental body to raise a subject
that has not been included in the notice for the meeting, but any discussion of the subject must be
limited to a proposal to place the subject on the agenda for a future meeting. Section 551.042 of the
Act provides for this procedure:
 
   (a) If, at a meeting of a governmental body, a member of the public or of the
governmental body inquires about a subject for which notice has not been
given as required by this subchapter, the notice provisions of this subchapter
do not apply to:
 
      (1) a statement of specific factual information given in response
to the inquiry; or
 
      (2) a recitation of existing policy in response to the inquiry.
 
   (b) Any deliberation of or decision about the subject of the inquiry shall be
limited to a proposal to place the subject on the agenda for a subsequent
meeting.214

Mayor Logan was trying to do just that, make a statement of fact, that there was already a law covering the problem in question.  Nothing more.

Third, anyone who knows Mike Hanson knows he's loud and he's not a smooth speaker, but even in his boisterous way he sometimes has valid points.  During the meeting the council decided to go to month stays at JB Wells for the trailers.  Mr Hanson asked the city attorney if that meant that the city would have to start going through court instead of using the police to evict people when necessary.  Jackie wouldn't answer Mr. Hanson.  Well the fact is he had a good question and none of the council members turned to her asking for the answer.  Instead they voted 'aye' to the amendment without all the answers. So the question is still out there, will we have to start going through court to evict people from JB Wells now?

I will give Mr Barnes a thumbs up on one of the points that Mr. Hanson made that SHOULD of been answered during the Public Comments.  Mr. Hanson made the point that many of the agenda items are vague or make no sense unless you have background information on the item, and it was no fair that we as citizens didn't know what they were going to talk about. For those who don't know, about 3 months ago Mr Barnes has had the city secretary started posting the entire booklet that the city council receives online.  This is generally right above or right below the agenda announcement.  This last week it was 122 pages and in Adobe format.  **Note - If for some really odd reason you don't have Adobe reader you may download it here free **  It has background information, backup documentation (sometime to excess), recommendations, actions that would be taken, cost, budget information, and more.  I highly recommend people start reading these even if they don't print them out.

Note - I print these out 2 to a page and double sided for my personal use, it's easy to do in Adobe and allows you to read at your leisure without waiting 122 pages. 

This weeks meeting had a 2 page agenda, and we didn't get out till 8 PM.  I understand that the meeting was long, but we don't stop asking question if that's what it takes to get the right answers so we make informed decisions.  It was almost as if some of the council were afraid of asking the obvious questions in fear of making the meeting 10 minutes longer.  We had a full house in the seats and those citizens who took the time to attend and be part of our city processes deserved the right to hear answers to valid questions.  After all the council is there for the citizens.

God Bless,
Dennis Nesser

JB Wells Park or JB Wells Arena?

If I understand it correctly it was 1996 that the JB Wells idea was brought to life.  It was brought to the citizens of Gonzales as a place for ALL of Gonzales to be able to enjoy. In nearly 170 acres there would be walking trails, sports fields and courts, and much more with a great arena as a crowning jewel.

Since then citizens and city have worked together with state agencies to make phase 1 happen.  The areans and several other buildings are out there.  We've even added to the original parking/rv slots not once, but twice.  We've had several attempts to basically double the size of the rodeo facilities.  We've had additional 'studies' done about the arena portion of the JB Wells Park.

Then Tuesday night came.  That's right our city council had on their agenda to spend $18,000 for a feasibility study for...wait....oh do you know already?.....it coming...yes a second arena AND...here's the good part, the 20,000-50,000 sq ft building (*snifff...yes, that's the smell of the Texas Center coming back*...the rat sticks to high heaven!).

Now during the meeting City Manager Barnes alluded to the fact that every time we have an event that the work crews had to move the sand from the current arena to replace the sand and it cost the city serious money.  Not so.  What he told me the next day was fees are about $4000 to move the sand, and the cost to Gonzales is about $500 to do.  He made it sound like it was costing us serious money every time we had to this, not that we were making $3500. (**** insetered 10/11 - I was told I misunderstood, and that's we make about $4k a rodeo so the $500 is covered****) He then told me the next day he's more concerned about manpower than dollars.  REALLY?  I understand we're fighting oil companies for labor, but there is manpower out there.

I spoke before the meeting  addressing the fact that 1 segment of Gonzales has been promised, and promise delivered for what belongs out at JB Wells.  And while I love the arena, there is a huge portion of Gonzales that are still waiting for their end of the promise to be upheld.  That once the rest of the community had been delivered their end of the promise I would, if it was fiscally responsible, support growing the arena, but not until.

This was NEVER meant to be JB Wells Arena.  It was always JB Wells Park, that had an arena in it.

I understand that we could get larger rodeos if we kept expanding.  But I know that we have soccer leagues playing in cramped quarters instead of nice fields at JB Wells.  I know that there are lots of people that would use walking trails.  I know we have a great volley ball league.  I know that a pool over there would be used not only by citizens but by visitors alike.  And that's just a start.

And for the records, feasibility studies were done BEFORE we started working on JB Wells.  Texas Parks and Rec gave us money to build not an arena, but a park.  I'm a bit miffed the state hasn't come down and asked for their money back or for the project to be completed as approved.

With the exception of maybe the museum, there hasn't been a bigger drain on our tax dollars than JB Wells arena over the last several years.  Even now we still don't have it where we can just pull a budget and P&L on JUST the arena like we were promised 2 years ago.  But last I heard Mr Barnes anticipated it to break even, but said it was definitely NOT in the black this year to date at the downtown town hall meeting.

So that's on the arena, what about this building?  "Oh, no this is not the Texas Center".  Really?  A large building for community usage is the Texas Center.  Metal building or not.

"We rent tents at about $15,000 a year for rodeos, and this would eliminate that need".  And apparently there is some private money willing to help with this.  THEN WHY AREN'T THEY PAYING THE $18,000 FOR THIS STUDY???  That's yours and my dollars.  Trust me I understand the difference between renting and buying.

So am I for a second arena and a building out there?  Yes RIGHT AFTER the rest of the citizens see what they were promised almost 25 years ago when this started.  Put the bulldozers out and start the courts and playing fields, the paths and THEN and ONLY THEN am I for spending another dime on the arena expansion.

If Dr Graham would like to haul his bulldozers over there to make it happen, I'm all for it.  Even better.  But the 97% of Gonzales that is still not represented out at JB Wells needs to get their fair due before we lose all vision of a great family park and it becomes what most people grumble about it has ALREADY become JB Wells Arena. 

I heard this week a quote that I loved and think applies here, "Our projects started need to equal our projects finished."  Well we have an outstanding project out at JB Wells that needs to be finished before we start another project.

God Bless,
Dennis Nesser

Verizon Poles

So after almost a half a million dollars we finally have St. George street finished and ready for public usage.  But like a teenager it has 6 pimples on it.  Seems our city engineer didn't do any due diligence and missed the fact that there were 6 poles not belonging to the City of Gonzales were on the street.  So all the money the city spent moving poles to the rear of the buildings were for not when Verizon told the city they weren't going to be good corporate citizens and either move their poles or their lines.

So the city approached them again, and for a mere $72,000 (estimated...could be a bit more), they would move the poles. 

As much as I hate that these poles are a blemish on an otherwise very inviting street, the council did right by not taking Verizon up on their offer to diminish $72,000 from our coffers.  But that's not the gest of todays blog.  Nope, as bad as all that is, it gets worse!

Now I love GVTC.  And I love that they've spent millions coming to town with fiber.  In my industry that's the Rolls Royce of providers.  But they messed up here.  Knowing good and well that the city wanted those poles moved to the rear of the buildings and out of the public eye for aesthetics, they decided to run their fiber right down the front of St George.  REALLY?

Come on guys!  Here we are trying to make a difference and instead we throw another can of trash in the street?  I thought you wanted to be good corporate citizens. I have to say that's not the way to do it. 

Maybe we can hope that Come and Take It will provide a pickup truck driven by "Bubba" that will play pinball with 6 poles down St. George.  Maybe then the City can get the poles, and their eye-sore lines where they belong on the back of St. George and out of site.

Mind you, we the taxpayers spent good money moving electricity poles and even more money and headaches getting St George looking as nice as it is, hundreds of thousands of dollars, not chump change. So I"m a bit upset at the engineer that told council it would work without checking, Verizon for not moving the poles, but even more that GVTC would run new lines down those poles. UGGGGHHHH!

Dennis

PS - I've taken a break from all blogs over the summer.  I haven't read or written any in months as it was a bit overwhelming and I needed a break.  Think it's time I got back on track though.  So if you've got some food for thought email me and I'll look into it.

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

Almost three years to the date and so far over initial budget that it's not even funny, but St. George is open!

It looks great!  It it truly will extend out our town square in a positive direction.  It's sad that the corner store, the old Kotzebue Drug store, isn't there to anchor the street.  I hope that someone will open up there soon, and help not only the downtown square but St. George grow.

Honestly I'm not sure how some of the businesses survived the 3 years of destruction.  It's hard enough in these times when everything works well, but when people can't get to you it's next to impossible to survive.

I know our council were a bit sideswiped when they were told that they had only voted to approve 'phase 1' 3+ years ago, but this is where communication between a city manager and the city council is so important.  Honestly I doubt anything would of been done on St. George had the council been given all the facts up front.

But all things said and done it looks nice, and we're finally there.  Take a moment over the next week, maybe while you're at the Friday Night Concert Series hosted by Main Street and walk over to St George.  It really is a nice addition to your downtown and I hope many folks will go visit the forgotten street.

God Bless,
Dennis

GEDC - $20,000 Position

So part of this weeks agenda at the council meeting was to hire a person as a personal assistant to Carolyn Gibsons. The GEDC board would pay $20,000 of the salary.  (Mind you GEDC just says tax dollars from another pocket)

I'll be honest, I'm not exactly sure what Ms Gibsons position is, though I know that GEDC pays a good bit of her salary.  I do though remember when she was hired that a good part of her position was to get grants and help GEDC with communicating with potential employers wanting to move to or expand in Gonzales.

So this new person will be there to, and I quote, "return phone calls and emails". 

I speak from personal experience, as I'm still awaiting a response to an email sent over 6 weeks ago, that Ms Gibson lacks the discipline or organizational skills to timely return calls and emails. 

My question though is do we need to hire ANOTHER person to do the work Ms Gibson was hired to do in the first place?

Look we've been through this before at JB Wells.  We didn't get the person in charge the training they needed to make them a better employee.  Instead we waited for years until it festered and blew up.

So why don't we, instead of hiring a new person, spend 1/2 that money and send Ms Gibson to school to teach her to be more organized and/or how to do her job better?  There are no excuses not to be able to return phone calls and emails except a lack of organizational skills.  And if we sent her to classes and she started writing grants and communicating with businesses better, don't we as a community think it would pay off 100 fold? 

June 5th the tabled discussion will come back on the floor.  I hope the new council will take a serious look at this issue and make a wise decision for the community.

God Bless
Dennis