Gee, I can’t believe it has been forever since I posted a new blog! I really must apologize, but life has been getting the in the way of a lot of things I’d rather be doing. On the other hand, I’ll take life and all of its distractions. I still have lots to do!
Nevertheless, much has been happening in our fair city and much needs discussing. As always, in no particular order—
The Friends of Victoria vs. the City of Victoria. Like a lot of folks, the Advocate is trying to get to the bottom of this story. They have tried to talk to both sides, mostly without much luck. Doug Cochran, head of the Parks and Rec Department of the city, says he’ll lay it all out at the city council meeting next Tuesday November 1. The Friends of Victoria (FOV) are not inclined to speak at this time, so folks are left wondering.
I have heard that this is actually a good move because, contrary to what they say, the FOV have not been making improvements to Riverside Park as they claim. This has apparently been the situation for the last two years. I tend to believe this as the COV is claiming huge expenses related to Riverside Park. As I suggested on the Advocate forum, let’s see the FOV books. That could enlighten us a great deal, I would think. But you can form your own opinions. Read Brian Cuaron’s blog here.
Jeremy Weaver. Jeremy Weaver is a young man who was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. He has a small variety of associated mental difficulties. He has been accused of sexually molesting two younger children. Weave is confined to jail by Judge Robert Cheshire while he awaits a bed in a state mental facility. His parents are not happy about this and have taken their story to the Advocate.
The Advocate has devoted lots of space to this issue, probably because it draws a lot of comments. The only problem with the Advocate coverage is that it is not the whole story. This kid has a criminal history, and not all of it can be blamed on FAS. When a dude gets whacked on the other side of town, the Advocate will print that person’s criminal history. Why not here? I personally have nothing against Weaver, but he is not in jail because he is mentally ill, he is in jail because he has engaged in criminal behavior.
Additionally, the Advocate has decided to perpetuate the false information that mental illness is being criminalized in Victoria County. This is simply not true. The editorial states, “The Advocate's recent story about Jeremy Weaver (front page, Oct. 16) is a case study for the criminalization of people who have mental illness, a problem we have pressed for more public awareness.” See what I mean? And I am calling big, fat bullshit on this part “...mental illness, a problem we have pressed for more public awareness.” If the Advocate ever did a thing when David Brown closed the mental health unit at Citizens Medical Center—depriving a seven county area of emergency mental health care—it was to virtually sit quietly by and not say a harsh word. Yep, that's exactly what they did.
The Pumphouse Restaurant. The Pedone-Whisenant Wedding. For a minute or so, I was certain Marilyn Waida had miraculously returned to the Society section of the Advocate! I remember when Waida was the ‘society’ editor of the Advocate. She was the Shelby Hodge of Victoria. The wedding was a great excuse to tout the Pumphouse Restaurant in one more way. Sure I get the historic part of the deal, but here’s a newsflash, folks—this is not the only historic structure in the area. Nor is this the first time a historic place is used in a non-traditional manner. And I also get that apparently the Patillos are golden right now. And that’s fine. Every dog has his day. Oh, and congrats to the Pedones. Everything did truly looked lovely.
All right, if you insist. Bootfest. It’s over. It was apparently satisfactory to the organizers in terms of attendance. According to Kurt Johnson at KAVU, an average of 600 $3 drink tickets an hour were sold the first evening. That’s a lot. $9,000 worth. And Johnson reported “That means the $100,000 dollars budgeted by the City was more than recouped by festival organizers over the weekend with Saturday night drawing even larger crowds than Friday.” Did they sell $91,000 worth of beer tickets on Saturday? That would have been over 7500 tickets an hour. It's possible, but doubtful. Remember this was a free event.
But, seriously, I’m sure this inaugural event came very close to meeting the expectations of the organizers. And that is a good thing. And I am done with Bootfest. The suggestions to create an organization like the Turkey Fest, or the Houston Stock Show and Rodeo just fall on deaf ears. Until they make it its own entity, worked on year around, the best it can ever be is a moderate success. You want to be like Turkey Fest, they you have to act like Turkey Fest. And they would not be a bad example to copy.
City Council elections. I understand Denise Rangel, Place 1 City Councilperson will have a challenger in May. Heard it straight from the horse’s mouth.
Well! Did I forget anything? Feel free to add to this short list. Thanks to Jared for the shout out in his blog. Don’t forget to check out the blog, Snarky in the Suburbs. Funny stuff as always!
So, until next time,
Edith Ann
"Be a good listener. Your ears will never get you in trouble."--Frank Tyger
2 hours ago
11 comments:
I'm for sterilization of addicts.
I hear Brian Cuaron the Advocate government reporter, or should I say former Advocate reporter? is now looking for work.
I have no way to verify.
If anyone can verify or shed light that would be great.
If this is true it is too bad, as I thought this paper finally had someone who asked the questions and challenged our leaders on issues.
Then again, if he is no longer at the Advocate, those may be the reasons why?
I understand Jesse Ventura is on his way to Victoria. He'll have the FOV matter and the VA reporter rumor cleared up in no time.
Any truth to the Brian Cuaron rumor? I was looking forward to seeing how he'd progress. He seems to have some potential for objectivity.
Yes Rebecca, I too am for sterilization of idiots. And let us start with Peaches at the Advocate. Obviously, the Vicad has a problem. It may have started before Peaches but Peaches has definitely worsened it. True, the paper belongs to M and R, but their boy has just about killed off what was left of circulation. All in the name of the Good Old Boys Club. The good news Brian, your suspicion that Victoria is run by 20-30 GOBs is true. The bad news, you learned it before Peaches let you spill the beans in HIS paper. Welcome to Victoria, GOB style. Oh BTW, sterilization of peaches should occur so as to stop the blood letting at one generation. Too, bad for the Advocate the 3rd Generation is the End. And you are already there.
I asked a VICAD employee and they confirmed that he is no longer employed at the VICAD but would not provide details.
What interesting developments!
I really hate that about Brian. He had every potential to fill the void left by David Tewes' departure from the Advocate. Brian didn't seem to be afraid to ask questions, and he wries very well. The stories, for the most part, were complete. You weren't always left wanting at the end of the article.
Well, Brian, I wish you the best in your next endeavor.
Advocate seems to be having a bit of bad luck in finding a local governmnet reporter. They get fired or re-assigned. Hope VA will send Peaches out next.
Regarding Brian: I suppose if someone pays you to carry water for them, and you're not carrying it the way they ask, they have the right to replace you with another water carrier. After all, the employer is probably carrying water for someone else who's particular about how the water is carried. It's just a matter of time before the water carriers look down to find they've been carrying buckets of sh!t. It's only natural to ask "why", which is an implied resignation for water carriers.
It seems to me that the plot thickens with the "removal" of Mr. Brain Cuaron. I was hoping there would be some reporting about State Rep. Geanie Morrison, her so-called education commission, and local officials etc. I also desire sterilization of …well never mind. That’s for another time.
I think a lot of folks are disappointed that Brian is gone.
as we've said, he had a lot of promise as a reporter who would dig for the story.
I've heard comments that he might have been poking around where folks didn't want him to be poking. If this is the case, how dreadful for Victoria. It just widens the scope of the Good Ol' Boy Protection Agency if it's true.
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