Monthly Archives: June 2009

(Community Matters) The two dissident NY Senate Democrats

Espada [Sen. Pedro Espada Jr.] has sided with Republicans in the past and threatened Smith’s leadership as soon as it began in January.

He still has two pending election violation cases, but has pledged to resolve them.

In one case, he and his campaign committees owe the state $13,000 in fines for not filing contribution records related to his 2008 election campaign. In the other, he was ordered by a court in December to pay the New York City Campaign Finance Board $60,000 in fines related to his 2001 campaign for Bronx borough president.

Separately, state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has announced he is investigating managers at the Soundview Health Center, founded by Espada. Cuomo is looking into allegations that state funds earmarked for programs designed to serve impoverished women, children and people with HIV and AIDS were instead diverted to finance political campaigns.

Monserrate [Hiram Monserrate of Queens], the other dissident, is charged with slashing his girlfriend’s face with a piece of broken glass. He has maintained his innocence and called his prosecution politically motivated. A conviction on the felony assault charge could cost him his Senate seat and put him in jail for up to seven years.

story

(Community Matters) So, I can only write this now because no one has shared any insider information with me. I’m about to make some calls, send some emails and I’m sure to be told, “you can’t blog about this.”

Prior to . . . rumors afloat . . . Kay won’t run for governor afterall . . . so Dewhurst staying put, Abbott same.

Hmm, an incumbent lt governor, so speculation Senator Kirk Watson will then run for governor instead of lt. gov. What about Tom Schieffer – exactly, what about him? Hasn’t excited the base.

And, if Kirk runs for governor, will he keep his Senate seat in the interim? I have no idea but why not? Who’d want to replace him? Good gosh, who won’t want to? I’ve heard rumblings from friends of Strama, Nashitat and Rodriguez, not to mention that surely an R would try too. Ben Bentzin, has he given up? My bet would be on Mark.

Ok, remember, NONE of this is from ANY discussions with a principal. And, undoubtedly, I will be prohibited (for now at least) from clarifying if anyone willing to share.

(Community Matters) . . . . potentially very cool. They’ve purchased the block bounded by Seventh, Eighth, Trinity & Neches streets. Plans for common spaces, meeting spaces – very likely quite an amenity for groups in Austin.

Reminds me of recent reflections how our Texas Diocese has evolved to being so much more progressive, rather than conservative. btw . . . Texas Diocese refers to a regional area of the state including Houston, Galveston, Matagorda, Austin, Waco, Tyler, Marshall & Beaumont.

We have a new bishop, Bishop Andrew Doyle, who Steven and I like a lot. We must acknowledge that now retired Bishop Don Wimberly led well and oversaw the diocese during tough times.

(Community Matters) Steven’s off to the misty Highlands, out by the purple islands.

I’m home alone for another week. Well, not alone – our favorite house guest Luke Hayes still with us and an architect grad student, Alexer Taganas, signing a lease on the apartment this morning.

Still, I am available for dinners!

(Community Matters) Michael Barnes, Kip Keller and friends all having way much fun in Colorado.

Here celebrating Joe Starr’s birthday. MB’s story

(Community Matters) I haven’t seen details of the deal. Margaret Shaw, Francie Ferguson, Walter Moreau and Frank Fernandez all good friends and there’s obviously such diversity of opinion on this project.

(Community Matters)

(Community Matters) Wow, a lot harder than I imagined it would be. But, we shall prevail.

(Community Matters) Anthony Woods is black, young, a West Point grad, a Bronze Star decorated Iraq veteran, Harvard Kennedy School grad, gay and running for Congress.

(Community Matters) One can only wonder how judiciously our Texas elected judges will follow today’s US Supreme Court instructions

The Supreme Court ruled Monday that elected judges must step aside from cases when large campaign contributions from interested parties create the appearance of bias.

(Community Matters) Federal stimulus monies for weatherizing, boosting energy efficiencies – article in today’s NYTimes.

I had no idea heating was so much more expensive than cooling. I suppose they have good, defendable studies, though the conclusion surprises me.

Anyhow, since the money is there, wondering about availability of stimulus funds locally to supplement our low income, elderly housing renovation program monies.

(Community Matters) I especially like this morning’s NYT article about White House economic deliberations. I’m wondering if Volcker and Buffett aren’t still weighing in directly with the President and sure hope they are.