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Former mayor to City Council: Stay the course on drug resolution

Former mayor to City Council: Stay the course on drug resolution

Posted on January 8, 2009

As a former mayor, I understand the position taken by Mayor John Cook, when he decided to veto the resolution at the last moment. With that, the council did the right thing; now that you have gained the attention of the national media, don't drop the ball.

Calendar of Events: 1.8.09

Calendar of Events: 1.8.09

Posted on January 8, 2009

Bach, Kahlo and MLK Jr. start the New Year off right.

Media Watch: Times got Wilson's raise wrong, and some other notes

Media Watch: Times got Wilson's raise wrong, and some other notes

Posted on January 7, 2009

Whether it was on purpose or not, highlighting City Manager Joyce Wilson's gesture served the purpose of getting at least one news outlet to report something that was far more flattering than the whole truth.

Cook's veto not supported by committee that created the drug war, Juarez solidarity resolution

Cook's veto not supported by committee that created the drug war, Juarez solidarity resolution

Posted on January 7, 2009

"My intention is to ask that this be on the Tuesday agenda, as adopted, for reconsideraton, and we'll just see how the votes fall." -- city Rep. Beto O'Rourke on putting the vetoed resolution before City Council next week.

Let's talk about the Drug War

Let's talk about the Drug War

Posted on January 7, 2009

Mayor John Cook's veto was everything that's wrong with the public policy debate on legalizing or decriminalizing or changing the focus of the nearly 40-year War on Drugs.

Police Blotter 1.6/7.09: Gun runners and Most Wanted capture

Police Blotter 1.6/7.09: Gun runners and Most Wanted capture

Posted on January 6, 2009

News and notes from El Paso-area law enforcement, updated as they come in, with most recent on top. Pictured: Guns seized in an ICE-led investigation.

Reyes statement on Panetta

Reyes statement on Panetta

Posted on January 6, 2009

“If Leon Panetta is the final choice for Director of CIA, I look forward to his quick confirmation and to working with one of the most loyal public servants this country has known.” -- U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, chairman of House Intelligence.

Mayor vetos unanimous resolution urging Washington to consider drug legalization

Mayor vetos unanimous resolution urging Washington to consider drug legalization

Posted on January 6, 2009

"Legalizing the types of drugs that are being smuggled across the border is not an effective way to combat the violence in Mexico, and I would not support efforts in Congress that would seek to do so.” -- U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes' comment on the council's resolution.

Smithee out, Straus in, Craddick's in the basement UPDATED

Smithee out, Straus in, Craddick's in the basement UPDATED

Posted on January 6, 2009

With Straus now a shoe-in, speculation is mounting in regard to the new pecking order in the House.

Media Watch:

Media Watch: "The Mouth" silenced, but perhaps not for long

Posted on January 5, 2009

Paul Strelzin, affectionately known as "The Mouth" and a fixture in El Paso media for years, is off the air on KHRO 1150 as of Monday.

Guzman, Sambrano plead guilty to conspiracy in South Texas corruption case

Guzman, Sambrano plead guilty to conspiracy in South Texas corruption case

Posted on January 5, 2009

Both were indicted in March on charges of conspiring to defraud the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District by giving things of value to school board members in an effort to bribe them for their votes.

Police Blotter 1.5.08: Guzman, Sambrano plead guilty in South Texas; Wanted; Crime Stoppers

Police Blotter 1.5.08: Guzman, Sambrano plead guilty in South Texas; Wanted; Crime Stoppers

Posted on January 5, 2009

News and notes from El Paso-area law enforcement, updated as they come in, with most recent on top. Pictured: Jaime Dominguez, wanted for assault.

County OKs Byrd's affordable housing proposal; hears Big League Dreams raised its price

County OKs Byrd's affordable housing proposal; hears Big League Dreams raised its price

Posted on January 5, 2009

County Judge Anthony Cobos had serious reservations about the program but voted for it with two changes: the program will sunset, or effectively end, unless the county renews it by Sept. 30, and a member of Commissioners Court will sit on the committee that reviews bids on properties.

The consensus: UTEP's Tier 1 status is most important shared legislative goal

The consensus: UTEP's Tier 1 status is most important shared legislative goal

Posted on January 5, 2009

El Paso's six-member legislative delegation appeared shoulder-to-shoulder at a news conference this morning in which they said that while each member has individual goals, and the shared goals are many, getting UTEP to Tier 1 university funding status is at the top of the list.

Straus claims 94 votes -- including the El Paso delegation -- and the Texas House Speaker's gavel

Straus claims 94 votes -- including the El Paso delegation -- and the Texas House Speaker's gavel

Posted on January 5, 2009

“I’m honored to be supported now by 94 of my colleagues to serve as the next speaker of the Texas House of Representatives." -- state Rep. Joe Straus (R-San Antonio).

Castro votes yes, then no, and the complex issue of city debt beats on

Castro votes yes, then no, and the complex issue of city debt beats on

Posted on January 5, 2009

City Rep. Byrd noted aloud that Rep. Castro was voting for her project but against the bonds to finance it. That pointed observation led Castro to reverse her vote, and the episode provided a window through which to view the issue of city spending. Debt, investment, or a bit of both?

Restaurant Assn President Jackson to run for mayor

Restaurant Assn President Jackson to run for mayor

Posted on January 5, 2009

In case you weren't sure, it's full-on election season, with a new filing for mayor. Fred Jackson, president of the El Paso Restaurant Association, becomes the third person to file papers to run for mayor.

Eating the napkins

Eating the napkins

Posted on January 5, 2009

Even as our kids eat the napkins, there is the food for the buffet. The price for this 21st century Library of Alexandria? Free. Zippo. Nada. All you have to do is go there and download.

All that glitters, in a Copper Canyon mega-development

Posted on January 5, 2009

Instead of good fortune, leaders of the Raramuri community of Bacajipare allege they’ve been the target of death threats and bullets because of an escalating land conflict related to the planned Divisadero-Barrancas Adventure Park.

El Paso delegation to announce consensus agenda this morning

El Paso delegation to announce consensus agenda this morning

Posted on January 2, 2009

A news release from the office of state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh.

Democrats discuss the Speaker race. Straus claims numbers. Craddick withdraws.

Democrats discuss the Speaker race. Straus claims numbers. Craddick withdraws.

Posted on January 3, 2009

The drama of the speaker race will continue into next week after a busy weekend. Republicans met Friday, Democrats met Saturday, and Sunday, Craddick withdrew.

Police Blotter 1.3.09: Ag assault; pot party

Police Blotter 1.3.09: Ag assault; pot party

Posted on January 3, 2009

News and notes from El Paso-area law enforcement, updated as they come in, with most recent on top. Pictured: Ramon Salgado III, charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Repubs liking San Antonio's Joe Straus for House speaker over 'autocratic' Craddick

Repubs liking San Antonio's Joe Straus for House speaker over 'autocratic' Craddick

Posted on January 2, 2009

“I’m probably going to support Straus if my guy isn’t going to get in,” said state Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, referring to Rep. Burt Solomons of Carrollton.

Police Blotter 1.1/2.09: Fire safe cigarettes; Shooting and Assault; Most stolen vehicles; Sheriff's Website

Police Blotter 1.1/2.09: Fire safe cigarettes; Shooting and Assault; Most stolen vehicles; Sheriff's Website

Posted on January 1, 2009

News and notes from El Paso-area law enforcement, updated as they come in, with most recent on top. Pictured: New El Paso County Sheriff RIchard Wiles.

A Year of War, Recession and Repression

A Year of War, Recession and Repression

Posted on December 31, 2008

Many people in the borderlands will say good riddance to 2008. On both sides of the border, war, recession and repression were words that will almost certainly stand out in the writings of future historians recapturing a tumultuous year.