Looks like the judge in Austin isn't going to issue an injunction on the city hall/ballpark deal. He says the city can sell bonds and move forward as things sit right now. However, he basically said that a ballot initiative would change everything - without saying it.
The judge decided not to rule on the issue of putting the issue on the ballot. This means that the council's affirmative vote to put the latest petition on the ballot will give the anti-ballpark chance another shot to stop the demolition of city hall.
If the city puts the Gomez petition on the ballot, this same judge will stop everything. Sorry to say that, but council truly screwed this one up. Ortega had the right idea - vote against putting on the ballot because the language of the petition doesn't work. That's a perfectly valid reason for keeping it off.
I'll be in town tomorrow to fix all of this...
"...a second petition...and thereafter must place the reproposed ordinance on the ballot at the next general election..."
The Charter 3.11 seems to mandate that the 2nd certified petition be placed on the ballot, no matter what Stole-Ur-Vote-Steve says.
Posted by: Rotten Peppers | February 20, 2013 at 09:39 PM
I would explain the Fosterwood scam to the judge like this, the deal that was so masterfully analyzed by the City finance team:
Me: I want to go into the taxi business and I have a deal for you.
City Finance Team: What deal?
Me: You buy a $100MM fleet of taxis for me, pay for parking, maintenance and outlaw my competitors. I'll buy the licenses and gas and keep the revenue for 25 years, except for 10 cents per fare I'll share with you. It will create skads of jobs. How does that sound?
City Finance Team: Deal! We'll put it on the Council agenda right away. Anything else we should do?
Me: Word the resolution so that it happens no matter which way people vote on it.
The judge seems to have left to door open for the people to petition their government for redress of wrongs. We will, and if we are not given the right to vote on it, we'll go after the bond issue and lay a moose muffin on the bond indenture so that the only buyer will be that North Korean psycho for his retirement portfolio; paid for in NK wons. Maybe the City can spend them in Juarez.
Posted by: Rotten Peppers | February 20, 2013 at 10:54 PM
Jesus Christ, Rotten, voters overwhelmingly voted in bonds 1 and 2, and despite Norma's best efforts to beat the 'hell no I won't vote yes on 3' drum, we approved that one too. What part of 'we are sick and tired of a city that does nothing to improve itself' do you not understand?
I keep hearing about 'stole ur vote' and 'ohmygodtherewasnothingbutcorruptioninthisdealwiththewhitedevilsFosterandHunt' but a zillion freaking emails later, you've come up with nothing. Eddie Holguin, Emma Acosta, and Carl Robinson, who's eyes were on the entire deal, have come up with nothing. Norma and Stephanie have come up with nothing. KVIA's News Director has come up with nothing. Sal Gomez, that moron Ray Salazar and his idiot spawn have come up with nothing. When the hell are you going to figure out that you and your line of thinking are dinosaurs?
Read David's post about Texas Monthly and realize that the rest of the world thinks we not only have our collective heads up our asses, but they wonder why we printed up t-shirts touting that fact. Stop being so proud of being so damned retarded, Rotten, and get the hell out of the way.
Or don't, and let the wrecking ball take you down along with City Hall!
Posted by: been in the CV for 15 years | February 21, 2013 at 09:38 AM
So well said CV!! Rotten Peppers and people like her/him are the same ones that rant about their divorce for years and years and years. They just can't move on.
Wish I had enough time in my life to hate things like Rotten peppers does - really - its Lent - be nice - stop it for the next 5 weeks.
Posted by: Lslsls | February 21, 2013 at 10:07 AM
Not until a "Yes" vote means yes and a "No" vote means no. In November, either way you voted, you got CH demolished and a stadium. That is not a vote, IMO.
When that happens, Peppers will abide by the voter's choice and cease the protest. But not until! Peppers will have to live with the $100MM of corporate welfare to Fosterwood's private business entity, Mountainstar, and their blood funnel into the El Paso tax base. Which is probably only the start for Fosterwood now that they have a compliant CC.
Posted by: Rotten Peppers | February 21, 2013 at 10:58 AM
The sign at the city limits should say "Welcome to El Paso! We hate you and your millions that have brought us a medical school, upgraded facilities at our university, and completely redone iconic downtown building. Get your white ass out of here and leave us to wallow in our blindness! Have a great day!"
Posted by: been in the CV for 15 years | February 21, 2013 at 11:12 AM
Rotten Peppers: So you so despise Foster and Hunt to almost a stalker, sicko level. I guess you will never, ever use the UMC, TTU Medical School facility/faculty that Foster gave $50 Million dollars to - no strings attached - no benefit for him whatsoever - Hunt's $10-20M investment in a Nursing School and TTU, MCA Foundation. You can't acknowledge whatsoever their generous contributions to El Paso - it's just beyond you - you have completely lost sight of what these two individuals have done for El Paso. They employ people - not just 10 people - but hundred's of people - that alone contributes a lot to the El Paso economy - a lot more than either of those two people will ever get out of owning a baseball team. Foster's property taxes on Western Refining total in the millions - not $5000 - he contributes to the tax base big time.
But you have such an obsessive hatred of these two individuals that it is scary and weird. You really need to chill out.
Posted by: Lslsls | February 21, 2013 at 11:23 AM
Lslsls: So we're supposed to feel good about giving them $100MM? Maybe they could have told us upfront that they will eventually present us the bill for their charity?
I do not despise them personally? How could I as I have never met them? But I know when I'm being fleeced and my right to vote denied me and that doesn't make them my friends.
Posted by: Rotten Peppers | February 21, 2013 at 12:51 PM
These people rant and rave and understand nothing. We elect representatives so not everything has to be put to a vote. Government would be at a standstill and millions would be wasted on elections. The only ones out of touch with the MAJORITY of the voters in El Paso are Holguin, Acosta, Robinson, and the crazy group. The rest of council voted the way the MAJORITY of the constituents wanted them to.
CV and Lslsls, thanks for the sanity.
Posted by: Josie | February 21, 2013 at 02:15 PM
Lawyer said they can still vote no on second reading
Posted by: Greg | February 21, 2013 at 11:12 PM
Rotten,
Just exactly how much does your personal "fleecing" by Foster & Hunt add up to in actual dollars out of your pocket?
Posted by: Tim | February 22, 2013 at 08:49 PM
I just want to applaud Starr, Gomez, Salazar and Ochoa for their efforts and standing up to the cities top brass lawyers. Everyone thought it would be over in one day and it was not. I know others will post negatives to this comment especially Josie and cv. Oh well so the building comes down and while you sit in the stands watching the baseball game, Hunt and Foster will be viewing the game from the grand stand or maybe a suite. Peace!!!
Posted by: Notary Public/LC | February 22, 2013 at 09:22 PM
Tim; sorry but Peppers is a fiscal conservative and free market advocate (skew libertarian) which means NO PUBLIC SUBSIDIES FOR PRIVATE BUSINESSES. If it is such a good deal, let Fosterwood pay a fair rental for the $80MM stadium, like $5MM to $8MM per year. Obviously people like you and Josie and Lslsls and CV must live in HACEP on food stamps to be such fans of the welfare state. You fit right in here with the other Mexicans.
Posted by: Rotten Peppers | February 23, 2013 at 12:18 AM
Rotten, you have gone way off the deep end with your nonsense. You have absolutely no understanding about the basics of economic development. I urge you to make a small effort and research what big cities do to stimulate economic development. You are shallow, narrow minded, self rightous and just plain ignorant. There needs to be an ignore button on this website.
Posted by: Tim | February 23, 2013 at 12:27 AM
There is an ignore button. You just have to say the right things for it to happen....
Posted by: Notary Public/LC | February 23, 2013 at 12:44 AM
Tim, don't even try having a sane debate with the Salazar family and the rest of their crazy group (Rotten Peppers, some idiot who is proud of being a notary public {ROFLMAO}, etc.) Anyone who applauds those nuts is crazy crazy. Did you read the tweets that were coming from the court? Sal Gomez made an a$$ of himself, as did the rest of them. It was so bad that JB Ochoa told Sal Gomez not to talk to him and then back talked the judge. The only "evidence" they produced was ONE newspaper article, which is NOT evidence. What a joke. Carl Starr needs to get a job for the FIRST time in his life. Enough is enough.
Posted by: Josie Bustos | February 23, 2013 at 11:44 AM
See Josie how you are....a bigot. You must be bored in your life. I guess city work is really getting hard on you. You should retire old lady. You know before you become more senile it is best you do us all favor and quit working. So tell me what great thing have you accomplished for the city of El Paso?
Posted by: Notary Public/LC | February 23, 2013 at 01:30 PM
A bigot? Wow! You are really sick, stalker. What a poor life you have. Yes, I am an old lady and I have learned many things in my life. I don't need to retire from my business. It makes money, unlike you and your worthless family. I am far from senile. But being that you are crazy now, I hate to see what happens when you hit my age. Love, hugs, and kisses!
Posted by: Josie Bustos | February 23, 2013 at 05:44 PM