Here's what's happening:
The locks on a certain city councilor's office were changed yesterday. It seems as if there's a real fear that an extra key is roaming around. Sometimes when people work for one rep, then another, the old key doesn't get passed back to the city. Who knows? Just a precaution, I guess.
DO YOUR RESEARCH MEDIA! THERE'S A DAMN STORY HERE AND YOU'RE TOO BUSY REPORTING THAT THE POOR KID WHO GOT HIT BY A TRAIN "didn't see it coming." YOU ARE ALL AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE FOURTH ESTATE.
You may not agree with Rep. Lilly's politics, but she is not a liar. And the comments about her age are getting ridiculous. The next time you see your mother or grandmother, say those nasty things to them and see how you feel. There's no need for that. The tree hugger crowd is obviously more sensitive to cacti than they are to people. Just because you didn't get your way, isn't a reason to rip someone's age and accuse them of being "senile" or having Alzheimer's - it's definitely not funny to those who have family members suffering from either ailment. You liberals are walking contradictions.
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District 8 candidate, Lisa Turner was the only person running for a city council seat that noticed that the council raised our "debt ceiling" and borrowed more money (without voter approval) via item 11a and 11b on today's agenda.
Kudos to Lisa Turner for paying attention.
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Bring it on Mayela. You have the goods on me? I have an entire Wal-Mart superstore full of goods on you.
Clean up on aisle five? Better bring something bigger than a mop.
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Has Lyda Ness encouraged others candidates to drop out of her race? Where has Honest Abe Pienado been?
Great strategy for Ness if she wants into the run-off.
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Why is that some people ask certain people for millions of dollars in donations, but turn around and shit on those donors when they give a thousand bucks to a candidate?
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This is hilarious - kudos to Jaime http://thelionstarblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/this-is-what-its-like-talking-to-some.html.
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Who had out of state plates until their campaign manager demand they be changed? And by "out of state" I mean - not New Mexico.
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That's all I have for now. I have a piece coming up on how the anti-Transmountain crowd couldn't use democracy to get their way and are now resorting to bureaucratic terrorism to achieve their goal.
If the city councilor's office is that of Ortega, the media usually doesn't like to print negative stuff about their Golden Boy and his former staffer Mayela. But in fairness, she was also Lilly's assistant. So, this should be interesting. As for the entire City Council pulling the wool over the voters, again, shame on them! Problem is, no one holds them accountable.
Good question; where are the other candidates in District 1? Abe and Ric always seem to be missing. Ware-Asbury has had a very late start in her campaign. Did Lyda Ness threaten them with a law suit or is she offering favors should she win?
Inquiring minds want to know, who was told to change their plates? You mean to say that the woman who caused the backup this morning on the interstate after being thrown from a motorcycle got fined for no registration and someone running for office had to be TOLD to pay up?
Posted by: District 1 Voter | April 19, 2011 at 07:50 PM
Ok, I am all about there being an untold story but come on... its getting kind of old that you blame everything on NessGarcia. Really dont think she is THAAAAAT powerful.... and a lawsuit? Really???? Even that is too far fetched to me.
Everyone knows that Abe only got into the race for the name recognition to start his new business. He hasn't raised any money because he doesnt care if he wins. Its $250 in free advertising.
Ric only enters EVERY race EVERY election on the SAME issue because he has nothing better to do even though he knows he cant win but wants to shake things up - again no money.
Dr. Ware-Asbury might be really smart but is clueless about the issues and has nothing but the same old stuff to say.
If folks are dropping like flies it is cause they know this is a battle between Lilly and Ness Garcia.
Posted by: John | April 19, 2011 at 08:08 PM
I was at the forum last night and voted for Lilly last election but Lilly lied outright. She said she had no money from the PAC before her Transmountain vote. She lied about knowing that Woody Hunt is behind the PAC. Right cause Mark Smith who is advising her campaign isnt known to everyone as hunts right hand lobbyist. If she truly doesnt know that Hunt and the PAC are connected then she really is too old and incompetant to sit on council. I couldnt care less about the upper valley and what they build or and what they do to it but dont play us for fools and LIE bald faced to us.
Shame on her.
Posted by: June | April 19, 2011 at 08:13 PM
Who's locks were changed? What's going on?
I heard Mayela was up there making a fuss but...
Tell us tell us....
Posted by: June | April 19, 2011 at 08:25 PM
Perhaps you're right John, however the piece brings up a good point, it would be a good strategy on Ness (I refuse to call her "Garcia" because that would imply she's Hispanic and try to win over votes, which she isn't)camp part. But then again, that might give them too much credit and by the looks of the motley crew, are as clueless on issues as she is. Maybe Ness got into the race to keep her business running as well. Never heard of her until she decided to jump on the gay bandwagon then drop them like flies, to use your term, to run on whatever issue is thrown at her: Open spaces? Sure! Pro-business? Sure! Gay rights? Sure! Anything else for the people who aren't being funded by the people who gave me no money? Sure!
Posted by: District 1 Voter | April 19, 2011 at 08:26 PM
When and where did Lilly tell all these lies?
Posted by: District 1 Voter | April 19, 2011 at 08:27 PM
You are so laughable. You are suggesting she is acting "hispanic" because she obviously has a "married" hispanic name to win in a district that is predominantly white? How many family law or child abuse specialist do you know until you start looking for one. I hardly think that after 10 years of running her own business, and owning her own home rather then living with his mommy like Abe I am gonna presume the whopping (insert sarcasm) city salary isnt much of an incentive and the time away from her practice is probably not a financial boon.
I couldnt give a crap about the environment but it seems that you guys dont think ANY candidate can have more then one issue. Lilly was pro-gay and wanted to repeal that vote and supported Susy with trying to pass some kind of change to the charter. Manny the preacher has one issue - anti-gay and pro traditional family values (which is laughable from a dude who has been married twice and arrested for domestic violence but I digress). I may not agree with her on the gay issue but I have no problem with her being for rights and pro business. I heard her speak again on gay rights so I am not sure why you think she is dropping them like flies (that doesnt even make sense). I have heard her speak and she has a strong understanding of what is going on at city hall and how to make it more business friendly. It sure looks like she doesnt need the powerful money as she has lots of small donors from the business community and neighborhoods (at least the names I recognize on her report) I trust that more then 17K from a PAC.
Is your little mind not able to think or beleive in more than one issue or cause. I am an old school republican. Log cabin republican who believes like Ness
Garcia in fiscal responsibility and small government and social justice.
Ah but you must be a teabagger.. sorry teapartier.
Posted by: John | April 19, 2011 at 09:02 PM
Watch the SOV video.
Lies Lies Lies.
She did not even have the courage to admit she support the gay rights things and now says she would let it stay. OMG that is such a lie.
The PAC and her votes. Acting like she doesnt know who is profitting from the Transmountain thing
Posted by: June | April 19, 2011 at 09:09 PM
June, thank you. I will go view the video. I wasn't implying you weren't telling the truth, just wanted to know so as to be better informed.
John, I'm glad you had a laugh at my expense. As for the Garcia topic. I'm not wrong when I state that depending on who speaks to sometimes her name has the Garcia, other times it's omitted. That's a fact. As for District 1 being predominantly white, I can't speak to that because I haven't personally checked the census and to assume otherwise would be wrong.
As for owning a business and a home, no one said she didn't. Just implied the new "free" publicity couldn't hurt business. (I'm sure in these times, a steady paycheck no matter how small, is easier than running a business. Especially when it comes with a bit of power.) Assuming Ness is fiscally responsible on your part is laughable; you've obviously not caught on about money owed to the IRS, etc. as mentioned in other mediums, but I digress.
Her claim to fame was when she appeared on the cover of the EP Times after making remarks regarding the partner benefits. She then started a group and as soon as she tossed her name in the crowded ballot, she removed herself from it (El Paso for Equality) and had someone else run it. So as to appear not just a gay rights activist, she then jumped on the open space issue. Let me help you understand--these are issues that have been in the forefront. No one said the candidates couldn't have more than one issue, God help us if they did! Now she's bringing up at every opportunity she can, as did you, that money came from PAC for others campaign because she's probably upset she didn't get it. Her list of small donors include money from what I'm assuming family with the largest donation of $1,000 and $2,000 from herself (that she gave herself a few days before having to reveal her treasure chest).
That's all I was trying to say. There was no need for the insults. Perhaps my mind is small, but it's more informed than you think. The only tea bagging done here is appreciating some iced green tea.
Posted by: District 1 Voter | April 20, 2011 at 12:30 AM
david, someone needs to do the research. Mejia was not an "assistant" to Ortega or Lilly. She was not a legislative aid as she claims, nor an interim city rep. She was a PART-TIME CLERK. Check out the HR records. You are right on about her constantly being at HR because of the trouble she caused. This woman SHOULD NOT BE ELECTED unless El Paso wants to be a laughingstock.
As for Ness-Garcia, why has no one connected the dots all the way? You came very close, though. Her campaign manager is the husband of O'Rourke's legislative aid. O'Rourke's legislative aid used to work for Lilly. O'Rourke's legislative aid is going to be out of a job since he is not running. Someone gives what is supposed to be a copy from a city copier that belongs to Lilly's campaign. If Ness-Garcia wins, guess who she will hire?
Posted by: Diana | April 20, 2011 at 08:05 AM
Everyone has a PAC. Engineers, architects, realtors, builders, police, fire and sheriff's unions, liberal women have some PAC. It's not against the law and it's not against the law to accept money. Had Lily taken thousands of dollars from the realtors PAC would that somehow be bad - because of course the realtors would want houses built everywhere and development everywhere so they can sell houses. I attended both the Dist 1 and Dist 8 forums. One of the biggest concerns (besides Redd Rd extension) is the anti-business city council. So a group of businessmen form a PAC to support candidates that are business friendly - what's wrong with that. The members of the PAC were villified when they gave political contributions individually, so they form a PAC and they are villified for donating to candidates. To Save the Valley all I can say is you LOST on Redd Rd. Get over it! You seem to think you are the only people in the Upper Valley and your absolute conceit is so evident. You don't recognize there is a whole other group of people that reside in the Upper Valley that support the extension of Redd Rd and support development. Majority rules in our form of government - not the minority. You lost - move on.
Posted by: pac man | April 20, 2011 at 10:40 AM
Lyda Ness ran against Judge Patricia Macias 3 years ago. I understand she flooded the Judge with Open Records Requests. She had a complaint filed against her for that campaign (TEC)and she was found "guilty" and fined a lot more than $100. So this isn't her first rodeo. She doesn't want to work that hard so she tries the negative campaign tricks hoping something will stick and she will win.
Posted by: silly season watcher | April 20, 2011 at 10:44 AM
District 5 - George Atkins gets my vote. He appears to be the only candidate whose agenda is to simply represent the citizens
Posted by: Tim Collins | April 20, 2011 at 11:03 AM
got news for you pac man. when a councilwoman forms a pac(for the stormwater) and makes friends with bonart and save the valley people and then changes her vote on transmountain after she receives a 17 thou donation from "citizens for their own prosperity" it sure looks like a bribe. maybe luther hunt(or should it be woody jones) and friends bought them a councilwoman. it may be legal, but every voter needs to know it so they can make a decision on whether they want to vote for a "bought" candidate or not and there is definitely nothing wrong with that.
Posted by: blog reader | April 20, 2011 at 12:35 PM
blog reader: so let's scrutinize every single dollar given to every candidate particularly if it's over $200. We all know school board members got arrested for public corruption for as little as a $500 campaign donation. So using your thought process every single dollar given to a candidate can be vote buying. I guess self funded campaigns are the only "honest" way to run. So if a rich guy wants to buy an election for mayor, council, governor or even President, as long as he uses his own money that's okay with you. I think you just flat out hate the individuals that are members of the Prosperity PAC and there isn't anything anyone can say or do to change your mind. I would suggest that with your tremendous hatred of those individuals you should quit doing business with them if you have in the past. I mean you can't give money to people you think are evil. So disclose all the PAC names and get Save the Valley and everyone else in District 1 to boycott the businesses of the PAC donors and somehow that will make it all better for you.
Better yet get off your ass and run for office (self financed) and reverse all the decisions you think were made through vote buying.
Posted by: pac man | April 20, 2011 at 12:55 PM
Silly silly silly season watcher. There was no open records request in that judicial race. Dont just make empty allegations. I worked as a Court Coordinator back then and suprise suprise that Judge she ran against filed a complaint against her GASP! (and by the way you arent found "guilty") This is the same Judge who NOBODY in family law likes or supports and who has lost her budget and her associate judge because she is lazy and doesnt work.
Posted by: Rafael | April 21, 2011 at 12:42 AM
Work hard? Are you kidding me.
Lilly sleeps through City Council. Never meets with her constutuents. What a joke. Lyda, Theresa and Manny are walking walking walking so whether you like them or not.. they are working DAMN hard!
Posted by: Jonas | April 21, 2011 at 12:44 AM
District 1 Lilly campaigner/relative.
Please name one place she has gone by Garcia rather then NessGarcia? I met her in December and really - never heard her introduce herself or anyone refer to her as anything but Ness-Garcia. So Back it up mysterious District 1 voter - btw did you just create that so that you could plug your campaign)
Giving up a hundred thousand dollar business for a 29,000 a year job seems a stretch. When you are an attorney charging $250/hr I think you make more in a single month of Tuesdays then you do in a year at city Hall. But Clearly you don't own a business. Underestimating your IRS taxes is so common its a joke.
Irregardless, clearly you are working for one of the other candidates.
I met Lyda Ness Garcia through el paso for equality and I think its Weird how you know all the details about how she is letting someone else run El Paso for Equality. Seems logical to me since they have an issue they may be taking up with City council that she has stepped down as chair. Look at this crazy board corruption issues going on. You would have attacked her if she has stayed on as chair.
I met her through that group and decided to support her because she has a great vision for El Paso. She was talking about opening a non-profit at the time for children's resources. I saw her at the grassroots tonight and she said she was taking a grant class this summer so she could continue to work on that. I am glad she decided to run at the last minute because the candidates in District 1 are scary by all respects. I think the fact that she is financially backing herself and that dollar to dollar she made more then Lilly (without the PAC) from lots of small donations speaks volumes. She has nothing to be embarassed about on that treasurer report. The fact is the PAC didnt give her money because they knew she couldnt be bought and would actually stay awake and ask questions at city Council.
Funny how you never use your real name.
Sigh so boring.
Posted by: J. Luna | April 21, 2011 at 01:06 AM
Lilly is not a Liar ? Well, if you cant remember the way you voted last time or fell asleep i guess you cant lie. You have to remember what you said first to lie. Hell, she couldn't even remember who were the people who donated to her the other day. she needs to go.
Posted by: chucky | April 21, 2011 at 09:20 AM
You call that garbage!? Shit, here's some REAL garbage... Leave it to those dumb asses to still not put up a website for there much-improved radio station after they changed format (thank you Jesus for ending the suffering) over two months ago. I guess this is there way of pouting. Golly jeepers, let's take a nothing town like El Paso and put 11 hours of local talk radio on every day. Real smart-NOT!
Going to Walmart in this town at midnight looks like the 'bar scene' from Star Wars... Does anyone know where I can purchase some earplugs because Yanni is coming to town. I guess if you give yourself a "mystical/new age-y" name and play elevator music with much conviction, you too can be very rich...Please stop going to these 3-D movies because they all suck ass. Watching a terrible movie in 3-D doesn't make it less sucky. Will someone tell "Mad Dog" Donald to stop morphing into Charlie Sheen because we already have a psychotic narcissist in the White House.
Posted by: (:-p) | April 25, 2011 at 05:55 AM