Thursday, October 30, 2014

Liar, Who Me?

  The mayors blog has a whole list of things labeled Lies.  Funny, he did not add this one.

 Mayor Baxter stated the city bought an additional 1 acre foot of water for $200, then corrected that to $300.
 Now a posts comes out where the Public Works Director submits a request to the Golf Course for $300, described as "Service".  The Golf Course submits an Invoice, titled Misc.  A blog suggested it must be for food and gang gatherings at the Golf Course, because there were 2 different invoices for $300 each and the Mayor had already stated the city only paid $300.
  Who is Lying now?

Next a citizens email Pam Dodson concerning the possibility of the $$ to the Golf Course was for Food and free golf carts.  Pam replied, NO, those invoices were for WATER for the pond.

Someone LIED!!!  Mayor said $300 to fill the pond, Pam says both invoices were for water to fill the pond.

  The Mayor said $300 so now they have to cover their tracks.  The PW Director submits the order called simply Services when he could have been OPEN a& TRANSPARENT and said the truth, Water.

  The Mayor can't double talk his way out of this.  The invoices have different numbers and the Golf Course check was for $600.

  There is a saying you can tell when a teenager is lying, it's when the teenager's lips are moving.

So here we have a LIAR calling the kettle black.  Very Disturbing I do believe.

Vote for Dan Reese, Henry Moncada and Mike Scott and you will get the TRUTH.  Straight forward, OPEN and TRANSPARENT, down to earth Truth, Not Lies.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Water District - Fix our Streets

  Have you noticed how everyone on the Mayor's 'team' wants to run things like a business.  The current Water District is a business, albeit a non profit business, none the less it is a business.

  Now one of the hand picked candidates from Win Brook Estates, Fernando Richards says he want to run the Water District like a business.

                                                       Fernando Richards, aka Mayor's Pick

  The other hand picked mouth piece is Eugenia Snead.  She says she brings 30 years of Military experience to the board.  (The Mayor told her to emphasis that, Windcrest likes it) She wants a Capital Improvement Plan to replace failing streets.  Win Brook Estates streets have evidently met their life expectancy of 10 years and everything needs replacing.



The 3rd Candidate (now pictured) is a semi retired Army Col.  Sue Alexander.  Semi, because she thinks she still commands, and wants the Water District to march to her drum.  Oh, but it's the Mayor's Drum!!

Take note of these candidates.  No one of these candidates have 1 iota of Water Operations experience.  But, they only want the money for their Win Brook Estates streets I guess.

Keep the current Water Board Directors.  Vote MelRoy Brandt, Paul GreenWood and John Fagin to keep an experienced, qualified and proven Water Board in Windcrest!!

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Windcrest sues Water District #10

  Yes, you read it correctly.  On Oct 13, 2014, the City of Windcrest filed a law suit against Bexar County Water Control and Improvement District #10.  Then on Oct 20, 2014 the City Council meeting had an agenda item concerning the law suit.  How did that happen?  Cart before the hourse I do believe.
  Three citizens spoke during the Oct 20 council meeting crying, whining about the Water District purchasing property.  They asked council to "Do Something to Stop it."  Your council that represents all Windcrest residents apparently acted on what those two citizens said.  That's what is wrong with the current administration.  They promote their own agenda with total disregard for the rest of the residents wishes.  Not too long ago council was presented with a non binding petition signed by over 600 windcrest residents to leave the Water District alone.  Council is back at it.

 This latest law suit is a double whammy for the tax payers.  You pay property taxes to support this special agenda and your water rates pay to defend those that special agenda all because of two whiners.  Did you know you also paid for an attorney to sit (spectator) thru the entire 3 week trial of Gary Cain?  Yes, the same law firm that has this law suit.  This law firm also contributed to the Mayor failed attempt at County commissioner.  Pay back time I guess.

  Oh, did I fail to mention those two "Whiners" are also running for an elected positions.  You may want to strike those two from your list of candidates.

  The Water District board voted to purchase property so they can build at some future date.  As you know the City of Windcrest has a five year agreement for the Water District to rent space at City Hall.  I have no doubt when that agreement comes up for renewal the current administration and cronies will have new demands, threats etc

  Meanwhile the Water District has made an investment by purchasing property.  Why is the city against the Water District making an investment?   Most residents own their own home, the city owns their current buildings, why can't the Water District move to Own their own facility?  Sure seems like an excellent long term investment to me.

 Also comments were made that the newly purchase property was not zoned for commercial.  That is False, The part facing Randolph Blvd is already zoned Commercial!  They could start building tomorrow if they so desired.    Do you really want these "Half Cooked", misinformed candidates running your Water District?

  Vote for Mel Roy Brandt, Paul Greenwood and John Fagin,  for the Water District Board of Directors.  These three are level headed, seasoned veterans that are fully capable of keeping our Water District on the correct path.  

  Under their leadership the Water District has brought you the Superior Water System rating from the state of Texas.  They deserve a large part of the recent ISO change that qualifies homeowner for lower Insurance rates.

Vote Brandt, Greenwood and Fagin |Water District

  To compliment the Water District please Vote 

Dan Reese, Place  1 City Council
Henry Moncada, Place 2 City Council
Mike Scott, Place 3 City Council


  


.

Monday, October 13, 2014

More Slush Fund Action

  Did you know we have a new hire, yes, an individual was hired as a Project Manager?  He is being paid $2888.88 every two weeks.  (No idea where that amount came from).  That is $75,110.88 for the year (26 paydays)
  Did you know he was hired as PART TIME?  And being he was hired as part time a job application or resume was NOT required so the city does not have anything on record.
  You will not see his name anywhere in the financial records, just an entry for contract labor every two weeks.  This has to stop.

  The other "Slush Fund" activity involves another contractor.  This one is paid some $2750 per month, and the contract indicates "Not to exceed 20 hours per month."  That's $2750 for only 20 hours of work, and not even that much really, it could be less than 20 hours too.

  Did you read the San Antonio News about the Municipal Judges working less than 5 hours a day and one judge was quoted as saying, This is the sweetest Pig in town, don't say anything.  I've got news for San Antonio, I believe Windcrest is in the running for the the Sweetest Pig award.

  The current City Council approved both of the examples above last year and they both are still working in our City.  Oh, you will not see them often, if at all.  The new Project Manager after all does not have a contract or agreement detailing anything he does for the money.  He is part time, Not required, remember?

  Couple these two examples with the recent blog I read about our WEDC director getting some $90k from the EDC, plus receiving City employee health plan benefits for additional hours (doing??) for the mayor.  Then has the gall to submit an invoice for overtime, which was paid.  Paid, but out of the Special Legal Fees budget, not contractor work!

 Also, the WEDC Director is a Contractor, and is listed in the financial records as Colunga Consulting Group, LLC.  Then he also received the annual "Stipend" given to city employees.  Giving a stipend to a LLC sound a bit questionable.  You decide!

 

Monday, October 6, 2014

Windcrest Slush Fund for Cronies?

  Seems this administration has their very own "Slush Fund"!  

  Case in Point.

The WEDC hired Robert Colunga @ $90,000 as a contract employee.  The WEDC does not pay medical or benefits, just a straight contract for $90,000 working as the WEDC Director.

  Then Robert Colunga goes to Mayor Baxter and request Medical Benefits.  The Mayor and council, (Jim Shelton, Jake Jacobi and Pam Dodson voted for this) approved Resolution 2012-414(R) Colunga receiving city employee medical benefits.  The resolution said medical benefits for working an additional 8 hours per week.

  An open records request for a copy of the contract, agreement etc, for this additional 8 hours per week returned a letter stating, "The Resolution is the contract".

  Are you still with me?  Colunga now works for WEDC, I assume a 40 hour week, plus he works for the City an additonal 8 hours per week doing 'whatever'.

 Those are his TWO contracts.  Now in Feb 2014 Robert Colunga was paid and additional $1500.
The invoice says he worked additional hours.  Plus you will NOT find that $1500 under contract employment or anywhere you would recognize.

  He was paid $1500 out of SPECIAL LEGAL FEES. account!  Talk about hiding the numbers.  So much for being "Transparent" and "Open".  The budget has some $110,000 in 514-255
 
 Rafael Castillo, City Manager is responsible for maintaining a balanced budget.  He evidently sleept thru the ethics portion of those financial management classes.

I believe entering this transaction in the Special Legal Fees subcode reflects either a high level of incompetence, or a high level of corruption, take your pick. Either way the present administration condones this very odd management of our budget.

It is time to get control of the finances folks.  Jake Jacobi, Jim Shelton and Pam Dodson should be replaced.

  A Vote for Dan Reese, Henry Moncada, and Mike Scott can stop this nonsense.!