Political season is engaged. Candidates can file for treasurers now, allowing them to raise campaign funds. Some key dates for the next year:
-- Nov. 6, 2007: Bond elections for Children's Hospital ($120 million) and Socorro ISD (nearly $400 million)
-- Dec. 3, 2007: Filing for the primary begins
-- Jan. 2, 2008: Filing ends
-- March 4, 2008: Primary election
-- April 8, 2008: Primary runoffs
-- Nov. 4, 2008: General election
***
The names already in place, and those floated, as likely challengers to El Paso County Commissioner Luis Sarinana, have been on the Democratic side. But let us not forget that Daphne Hamilton ran a tough race on the Republican side, and that the seat was held for many years by Bill Hooten, a Republican.
Editor's note Aug. 18.07: Another sharp reader pointed out that Charlie Hooten held the seat for many years. Bill Hooten was his father and a former editor of the El Paso Times.
***
Moreno Watch: State Rep. Paul Moreno has one announced opponent, and a possible opponent. If he does not run, said one observer, "they'll come out of the woodwork."
***
Fund-raiser for County Attorney Jose Rodriguez Wednesday (Aug. 15, 2007) at the El Paso Club. Among those seen: Robert Brown, state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, County Commissioner Veronica Escobar, Dr. Elaine Barron, Patsy Slaughter, Bob Hoy, Rick Francis, Stuart Schwartz (introduced Rodriguez), J.O. Stewart, Jimmy Rogers, Mayor John Cook.
***
Fund-raiser for U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes Aug. 14 at the Hilton Garden Inn, next to UTEP. Among those seen: Enrique Moreno, Hector Gutierrez, Patty Holland Branch, David Austin, Larry Petereson, Doug and Emma Schwartz, Cecilia Levine.
***
Emma Acosta against state Rep. Norma Chavez?
***
Troy Hicks against state Rep. Joe Pickett?
***
More fallout from the FBI public corruption investigation, as reported by The Bond Buyer, which tags itself as "The Daily Newspaper of Public Finance." In the Aug. 16, 2007 edition, the newspaper reports in a story datelined out of Dallas that RBC Capital Markets managing director Mel Schonhorst and vice president Steven Fuller no longer were with the company. "It is our policy not to comment on personnel matters," the company stated, also noting that it "understands that it is not a subject or target of the investigation."
According to the article, Schonhorst previously worked for First Southwest. That company has represented most of El Paso's major government institutions. The article also notes the recent departures of Hector Zavaleta, a vice president of First Southwest who said through his lawyer he is cooperating in the investigation, and Roberto "Bobby" Ruiz, managing director of Bear, Stearns & Co.
***
Speaking of the Garden Inn, El Paso company Diversified Interiors is suing Pride Construction, McMurray Construction and Hartford Fire Insurance Company over unpaid bills from the hotel project. A dispute over payments between the owner of the project, High Desert Investors, run by Russell and Wayne Vandenburg, and the general contractor, Pride Construction, has held up payment to the subcontractors. El Paso Inc. has some good background on the dispute [article] and an interview with Vandenburg. [interview]
A copy of Diversified Interior's lawsuit, and the response by McMurray. [lawsuit] [response]
***
The Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, known as the TIRZ, has not met yet. One board member told NPT he thought he had been appointed to the Tourism Board. Now this, from the Aug. 14, 2007 City Council agenda: "4B. Jim R. Phillips to the Board of Directors of Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number 5 to replace David P. Buchmueller by Mayor John F. Cook. [Mayor John F. Cook, (915) 541-4145]"
***
Father Garcia of Sacred Heart, who has been a critic of the Downtown Plan, has been reassigned to New Orleans. [link]
***
Remember Glass Beach? If not, here's a refresher. [glass beach report]
Here's what Jenni Burton wrote about it. [link]
Here's a question: Does Glass Beach exist? Apparently not. [link]
But Antonio Patric Buchanan, a principal of the Glass Beach that had the contract, does exist. He is chief marketing officer of Sanders Wingo. [link]
***
This quote from Doug Wright, who is leaving as Hunt Communities President: "The Hunt organization is one of the finest groups I’ve ever worked with. Their success in the development and construction industries is no coincidence. Hunt has been able to attract and retain highly qualified personnel, and their decision-making and attention to detail has served them extremely well over the years. The integrity and honesty I have seen in Hunt personnel, top to bottom, is unsurpassed. I have a lot of very good friends at Hunt, and I plan to remain in close touch with them as I depart to form my own real estate development company. Our city is poised to grow tremendously over the next decade, and I think there are many development opportunities associated with that growth. A development company with good business practices and high ethical standards should do well, so I’m going to give it my best shot."
***
Dude must have a nice house. From Aug. 14, 2007 City Council agenda: "7A. An Ordinance vacating a portion of the dam site and drainage right-of-way as shown on the plat of Claussen Canyon, City of El Paso, El Paso County, Texas. Location: Northeast location from the intersection of Lost Padre Mine Drive and Camino Alto Drive, a portion of Claussen Canyon dam site and drainage Right-of-Way. Applicant: Paul L. Foster. SUB07-00021 (District 1) [Development Services/Planning, Christina Stokes, (915) 541-4627]
***
Almost but not quite seen: Rachel Quintana quickly moving out of the shot attempted to by an NPT photographer Monday evening at Club Blu's Upper Rio Grande@Work event.
Seen: Various combinations of City Council members Susie Byrd, Steve Ortega, and Beto O'Rourke, and County Commissioner Veronica Escobar, at various combinations of G2 and Chama on various nights.
***
Help us keep you informed. Keep the tips flowing by contacting Owen at owen@epmediagroup.com, or send them to npt@epmediagroup.com and we'll pass them along.
***
Previous columns:
-- Aug. 3, 2007
