This does not to say that the project will only cost 2 million in total, but rather it will cost no less than a total of 2 million dollars (one million of which is coming from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department).

The fact of the matter is that they City does not know how much it will cost to renovate or rebuild this property, which is why:

‘…the city is currently accepting statements of qualifications from interested firms to renovate or construct a new facility that will be adequate to serve the community’s fitness, leisure and recreation needs.’

Would it be too much to ask for a little due diligence – to know what they are getting into BEFORE they purchase the property, instead of flying by the seat of their pants?

If the City has already approved spending on the ‘$1.076 million land facilities,’ does this mean the City will cap improvements, renovations, or rebuilds at $924,000 (the money left over from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department)? I doubt it.

Developers have been so busy in top loading their developments with unsustainable “amenities” just to sell them to unsuspecting new homebuyers and now the problem seems to be coming home to roost. As much as I like Parks and recreation, there is a limit to what is reasonable and rational.

Also Parks and Recreation departments seem to be vendor feedlots for some rather unscrupulous fellows. Just look at Sugar Land’s new hire!

I can’t argue with that FS.

Many of the current group of elected officials are brought up through a system that is set for failure. For example, just look at the initial MUD , LID, MMDs and most special interest taxing zones (or even Toll Road boards). These committees/boards are set-up by “insiders” (involved vendor corps, lobbyist) and their politicians. From these lower level initial crony boards we often get our first round crop of council and commission candidates. This is not conducive to open and transparent government or independently elected bodies that will adequately represent us. So yes, along with not allowing these self-perpetuating systems to exist (closed systems, model 1), enforcing current codes, laws and related ethics panels we need candidates of strong character and principles (yes we are back to that again). Currently we don’t have that in large numbers.

I remember a few years ago when the MC city code of ethics was basically dismissed when citizens called for an investigation into voting by the mayor for special interest projects that involved some of his contributors. We saw this again, without a formal complaint when he engaged in several recent votes involving contributors and use of taxpayers funding, which according to their city ordinances violates their ethics rules (remember the rule states “perceived ethics violations or conflicts”). Has anything been done or has the mayor changed his behavior via recusal from these votes? No, of course not, nor has the DA looked into these apparent conflicts of interest. After the citizens group called for his investigation a few years ago, the city disbanded its ethics committee.

Yes, the financial strings still run our system and not the electorate. We allow the vendors to run the show and make the rules.

‘I wonder if it is the same developer too?’

That is a great question. I don’t recall, although I am sure it was printed. I will look to see if I still have the article in my office. I cleaned up my office before the holidays and it is likely that I threw it out.

‘…as for the the Delay example, I don’t [think] he makes a good proactive, positive example for politicians to follow…’

I’d agree. I am just saying that before Delay came into office, most folks would likely have said he was a good person. I guess my point is that people tend to change once in office and it is hard to tell the good folks from the easily corruptible until they are put to the test. Electing based on the goodness of an individual is like voting for someone because they are related to your sister’s live-in boyfriend. Other than what you have heard about the guy, you really won’t really know how he will perform until he is sitting in the big chair.

“On a completely different note – I read in the Business Journal a few weeks ago that Christus (through developers) is building a hospital in Alvin.”

Mcty-as for the the Delay example, I don’t he makes a good proactive, positive example for politicians to follow. The same financial strings that steered him steer many of our top officials now. I was using him as a negative example (if you remember his close working relationship with Abramoff and his gang and eventual the fall). So yes that would be a very good example of the point I was supporting above. Character and principles do matter and electing people that won’t sell those out is very important and part of the problem at the national, regional and local levels. We’ve had plenty of those of weak character who are easily bought. You are right though, nothing will change until the voters/taxpayers decide they are sick of paying for the corruption.

“Those who corrupt the public mind are just as evil as those who steal from the public purse.” Stevenson

Actually, the two areas, the “good’ part of Missouri City and/or Sugar Land, blend so seamless in that area where the both intertwined I cannot tell one from the other and neither can does who capitalize from being in close proximity and, certainly, any area close by leading outward from do not bother to try and make distinctions, I’m sure. As a casual, simplistic thinking observer, it is probably a selling point for developers, I would venture to guesstimate.

‘They were caught spreading numerous lies about several of the candidates as well as the last 3 tax increases.’

They are constantly caught spreading lies when they aren’t running for office, so this shouldn’t surprise anyone at this point. The uninformed do not realize this though or are too blind to notice. I certainly was until, as my neighbor says, my ox was gored. They way to fight this battle isn’t to (a month or two before election) bring the lies to the public at-larges attention. It will only muddy the water and create confusion. When confusion is entered into the mix, people tend to vote normalcy – whatever the currently have is what they currently want. Why? Because at least they know what they are getting. (Or at least they think they know.)

‘Hopefully you are not defending such illegal activity.’

I am sure you wrote this for shock value, because just based on my posts from the last several months, I would hope you would know that I don’t support illegal activity, injustice, or any other such nonsense. I call it like it is. Democrat, Republican, Independent, etc – it doesn’t matter to me. Wrong is wrong.

‘One QV resident told me recently that the face of QV is changing and we can hope that is true…’

The face is changing. Within three months of my wife and my moving to QV, three homes on our street went up for sale. One was due to the couple moving into a retirement home and the other two were from people passing away. We have more minorities moving in and more families with young children planting their roots. Let’s face it – the homes are unique, there are mature trees, there is a golf course or two, plenty of green space, and the homes are down right cheap. $65 – $75 a square foot to live in a golf course community? What a bargain.

‘Or maybe not, but this is a pretty good guess given the current chatter.’

I would tend to agree with you… not a bad guess at all. We’ll see in the upcoming months.

‘But good luck what ever you decide, but don’t wait too long because filing for those races is in March and if you are planning a grass-roots campaign then you will need to get started.’

I personally am not planning anything. If I were to run, I would fit into the category of one running on spite and that again, would not be appropriate. At this point, I don’t have enough information on the potential candidates because most of them haven’t given notice that they are running.

‘“Whether the candidate is a good person or not does not make a difference.” As for this statement above, I completely disagree.’

I have to disagree with your disagreement. :)

Take Tom Delay (as you mentioned in your above comments). He was a church going individual. He was an advocate for foster care and donated a ton of money to the cause. He had humble beginnings as a pest control service provider. He was a ‘nice’ guy outside of the political realm. A ‘good’ person. But obviously him being a good person wasn’t enough. Should we elect drug dealers and pimps? Of course not, but being a good person doesn’t qualify them to an elected position. There are lots of good people out there, but who defines whether or not a person is good?

On a completely different note – I read in the Business Journal a few weeks ago that Christus (through developers) is building a hospital in Alvin.