Retirement...

I don’t know about you but this is the time of the year I start a self-evaluation about myself. I suppose this may be a result of many years of having worked with a state agency that was obsessed with high expectations.

Luckily, I’ve always felt good about myself when I looked back at the year. Being retired concerned me because I did not want to become complacent and idle and so I jumped into a number of activities hoping to still make a difference. So for a while I muddled in community advocacy and area politics but was disillusioned when our issues got lumped into one collective complaint and conveniently labeled a senior citizen’s issue. These were ceremoniously cast aside with promises of more senior recreation, free meals and periodic medical screenings.

Well this led to solitary walks through beautiful parks, contemplating a more meaningful existence.

And so here I am, still walking and thinking.

Embracing technology..please

This is just a short commentary fueled by what I saw at my five-year-old nephew’s elementary school (Kuentz Elementary School). Recently I attended a school performance where my little nephew danced along with other kiddos, all this as part of the school’s opening in Helotes, Texas.

The placed was packed to capacity forcing me to sit at the back of the room. The event went on without a hitch and without any self-aggrandizement on the part of the school administration. The event was simply a recognition of the schools opening and a promise to parents that much would be expected of their 82 teachers assigned to Kuentz. By the way, the district received 1,800 applications for these 82 positions.

Along with the advanced notices sent to parents about the upcoming event, parents were also told that the ceremony would be seen through live streaming on the Internet. And yes it was. Being a high tech junkie, I walked over to the school staff running the live steam and asked questions. I learned that the school like other elementary schools in the area use live steams for school announcements and to communicate with parents in this time of cybertechnics.

Sitting there my thoughts drifted to Eagle Pass and I asked myself why none of that was possible in our own schools. But perhaps it was being done and I just didn’t know it. If its being done, its quite a well kept secret because I have not found any links that give the rest of us access to school events (live-streamed).

So the ever present “what if” question formed and I asked, “What if our schools in Eagle Pass could embrace cybertechnics and match what is being done at my 5 year old nephew’s elementary school?”

Governor's Operation Recon

On September 10, 2009 we heard of the launching of a new joint mission by Governor Rick Perry to deal with what has been characterized as escalating drug trafficking occurring on the Texas-Mexican border. His efforts would consist of sending as many as 200 highly trained personnel from the National Guard. They in turn would join “strike teams” of state police and Texas Rangers. The team operation was referred to as Operation Recon.

It’s been almost a month since this announcement was made and it is not known whether such operation ever materialized. What is known is that the Eagle Pass – Piedras Negras area had seen an increase of law enforcement personnel in months before the announcement. Judging simply from news accounts, it appears that arrests have increased, more so now that in the past.

It’s also known that many more have been arrested in local areas where short term drug warehousing occurred. A large amount of these arrests occurred as a result of calls from the public, especially from those living in those areas.

In the meantime, we wait to hear more about Operation Recon.

Court imposed community service

It’s late at night. Actually, its 1:13am and I have viewed all my networking pages including Facebook, Tweeter, YouTube and my email. I have had plenty of random thoughts today but nothing stuck.

I did give some thought to the final outcome to the student’s case before the municipal judge for minors in possession (of alcohol). I was hoping to make it to Eagle Pass and listen to both sides.

From the prosecutor’s side, I felt that proving possession might be the major obstacle especially arresting 50 people at one time. I wondered if each student was seen with a container in hand or did they admit it to the arresting officers. Was the student advised of his/her right to remain silent thus thwarting an admission of guilt? Then there is that thing called constructive possession, which I don’t understand but kept coming up.

And then what I read about the defense’s argument centered on the legality of officers going onto the property without probable cause. Personally I felt that was a weak point since calls had been made and could they have seen minors with cans and then decided to intervene.

Regardless, the final outcome was a win – win conclusion. These minors got a much lesser charge after the possession charge was dropped and replaced with disorderly conduct. But what was on my mind today was not only all that but the additional court ordered community service imposed on the students. What has been mentioned is that they must go before students (age unknown at this time) and try to convince them of the evil ways of drinking. Will they be able to get their point across? Are they really aware of the total ramifications of what could have happened? More importantly, remorse. Is there any remorse or is it a badge of honor or a rite of passage. And most importantly, does every parent want his or her kids to sit through such a possibility.

Take the butter off the table

I am starting to really notice that restaurants are serving smaller portions while at the same time using smaller plates.

This is the restaurant where I go on Sundays. The place used to be packed but that too has changed. I can see that less people are coming and it could be because they too have noticed the changes.

Today they brought no chips with sauce, which has been a ritual since I can remember.

In a way, I want to thank them for the changes they are making in order to stay afloat and survive as a business.

According to health officials, our nation has become a nation of obese people with the exception of Portland. So I want to thank the owners of this restaurant for helping me come to my senses by lessening my portions. Now if they could bring me two flour tortillas instead of four that would be great. And take the butter off the table too.

For What Its Worth...the song

There's something happening here
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Young people speaking their minds
Getting so much resistance from behind
I think it's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
What a field-day for the heat
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and carrying signs
Mostly say, hooray for our side
It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
You step out of line, the man come and take you away
We better stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, now, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down

The meddling Eagle...

Hectic day today in SA. For those that don't know or have no interest in my personal life, I have been in SA for over 30 years and in the last five I have lived in the Southside. The Southside is a lot like Eagle Pass but without el Chisme. The worse you could have been accused of was stealing somebody's trashcan. But now we all have the same city disposal container, which the trash pickup scans when it is lifted by the mechanical arm and dumped inside the truck. I suppose they can tell if you stole it. So that put a damper on that trade.

The first thing I did today was to meet with a neighborhood activist that was having a fundraiser to pay for flyers and posters. He is going up against the San Antonio Independent School District. SAISD wants to close Burbank High (which is my adopted school being that I am no longer in Eagle Pass). He was selling chicken plates and sales were slow cause everyone is selling something at each corner. At one corner you have the Little Bulldogs Football team and at the other you have mini-cheerleaders going to state competition. Anyway, I hope they don't close Burbank.

Next I hung around with the Dawgs from the Burbank Class of 1969 at their Taco & Hot Dog fundraiser. These guys were very easy going. Maybe cause they move around a little bit slower. I spent most of my time with Mike Rodriguez, the designated DJ for their class. He immediately challenged me to name any oldie and he would play it. That’s when I popped out my MP3 and told him that in my 4G-memory card I had more than 2,000 oldies ranging from Bill Haley and the Comets to Crystal Blue Persuasion.

I asked him if he had noticed that at reunions, most don't play the songs of their high school years but instead they go for the current dance music or that Hot Scoching Boogie. I told him that I grew up with KTSA and Ricci Ware in the sixties. I asked him if they played Mexican/Spanish music in the sixties in San Antonio and he said that it was mostly songs from Sunny, the Royal Jesters, Rene & Rene and Rudy and the Rino-Bobs. And in San Antonio the Malt House on West Commerce and Zarzamora was what the Charcoal was to us in Eagle Pass. I had a good time listening to real oldies and I think the Dawgs of Burbank have finally adopted me as a meddling Eagle.

Nothing...just words

Day two of my liberation from my website that I kept up for 14 years. Its hard to break old habits. I find myself checking my email box from time to time. I don’t get any email anymore and I knew that would happen. But I did read some nasty messages left by someone that is upset that the page is not up anymore. But at the end of his message he accuses me of being bought out by politicians. What I will probably miss more than anything is pursuing stories created by “chismosos”. Those are the ones that would post statements like “is it true that they are closing the bridge?” Now, this poster simply wants to start a rumor and wants to see how far it goes.

Last night I went out to Pico De Gallo (in San Antonio) with a fellow classmate and we talked about others from our class. He suggested that we organize a small reunion; “small” being the operative word. At our last gathering, we had about 14. For about two hours we talked about going to the buck night drive in. We talked about the pep rallies on Main St and the bonfires at the vega before the homecoming game, and the wooden floors at Kress.We all said our goodbyes with hopes and promises that we would meet more often, which did not happen.

For the record, Luis and I had our picture taken at Pico De Gallo and we are calling that our classes reunion for this year. So, we had a good reunion, the food was excellent, we had mariachis and the place was packed. There, that takes care of our 45-year class reunion.

Kids can do wonders...

Recently I got a call from a total stranger, someone I had never met. Someone had given them my name and phone number. Their names were Liz and Paul, both who turned out to be great people. They were planning to get married and wanted a photographer. I told them I would do it and I did.

However during the entire ceremony, I noticed that the bride’s mother would not smile and I pointed this out to Liz, knowing that her wedding album would show this. She wasn’t able to explain why her mother did not smile and left me with the impression that her mother seldom smiled or was uncomfortable in social settings.

I made it a point to catch her smiling so I sort of stalked her hoping to get a candid shot of the illusive smile but to no avail. Finally, after the church ceremony while she sat waiting for her ride to the reception and surrounded by her grandchildren I found the moment and took this shot. I sensed a little annoyance on her part for my intrusion.

Now I had a two-hour break before the reception and decided to develop her photo. I did a little work with the computer and rushed to a nearby drugstore and printed an 8x10 photo.

Two hours later, I arrived at the reception to continue my wedding photography and saw the bride’s mother sitting at a table towards the rear of the hall. I walked towards her with the 8x10 photo in hand and placed it on the table right in front of her. It took a few seconds for the illusive smile to slowing develop. She looked at me and asked, “Is this me?” “Yes,” I replied. For the next hour and a half I saw her walking from table to table showing everyone the photo with a smile that would not go away.

That goes to show that kids can do wonders for us.

Transparency & Accountability

Why is it so difficult to get any information about where our federal stimulus money will be spent? Will the money be used to give teachers a pay raise or will it be used to complete a loop to nowhere or will we be so inept not to apply for additional federal funds aimed at specific environmental projects?

My attempts to get information have not been fruitful and the answers that I have gotten from elected representatives are muddled, unclear, non-specific and total generalizations. I am convinced that the difficulty in getting clear-cut specifics from those that should know is because they don't know either.

What I am asking is simple and not complicated. Let’s suppose that you received a $10,000 bonus from your employer and you informed your spouse. The first question would be "what are you going to spend the money on?” Your answer could be that you will fix the car, buy a new central air conditioner, take a trip to Florida or simply put it in savings. Now that is exactly what citizens want to know. The public wants to know how will the county, city and school district spend the money.

The answer should not be difficult to answer. My assumption is that a needs assessment of sorts has already been done by each entity. So why can't we make that public. Perhaps the submitted preliminary reports did not have such specificity but that doesn't matter.

President Obama made it clear and emphatic that these federal appropriations would have total transparency and accountability. In my opinion we don't have that here nor does it exist across the country.

The public turns to our news media to solicit this information, to analyze it and then present it to the public. That is not happening either. I am lead to believe that our local media chooses not to address this important story because they find it too complicated and time consuming to research.

Perhaps many do not remember Eddie Rodrigues. Eddie served as school board member, city councilman and other positions. Eddie was a good man and a consummate public servant. He would force those with such information to explain it clearly, free of bureaucratic jargon. If any official or administrator tried to gloss over his question, Eddie would not allow it. It was not unusual to see Eddie going over handed material at a coffee shop, in anticipation of that day's board meeting. Eddie always got us answers.

EPISD to Receive $7,193,000

The entire school district has been approved for a total of $7,193,000 from the stimulus bill educational funds enacted by the 111th United States Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama on February 17, 2009.

From this amount, $4,2008,000 is directed for expenditures allowed under the Title 1-A which gives School districts a wide latitude in the expenditure of funds to improve student achievement. Title I funds can be used for tutoring, reducing class size and after school programs.

The remaining $2,985,000 falls under IDEA Part B expenses which are intended to ensure that children with disabilities have access to a appropriate public education that meets a child’s unique needs and prepares him or her for further education, employment, and independent living.

All these funds are at the disposal of our school district that besides improvements in education, they are also intended to stimulate the economy through purchases, hiring and yes even some construction.

In the State of Texas, the Texas Education Agency was entrusted to establish the processes that need to be followed to bring order to the allocation of federal funds. Communities and educational institutions are pleased with the generous amounts available to school districts but many are equally concerned about possible fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement of these federal funds. The Texas Education Agency insists that districts be open with details about how they plan to apply these funds. They have also asked for accountability and transparency and suggested that each district conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to inform the public how they plan to spend these funds.

The House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization was created to provide transparency and accountability of the $16 billion that will be available to Texas.

It behooves everyone in Maverick County to be aware of our district’s need assessment and to participate to the extent allowed for the sake of our children’s education.

More later.

our REACT members....

Perhaps as a departing gesture I want to make an analogy about one of my previous endeavors which gives me pride because it made a difference at the time. In the 1970’s the country saw a surge in the use of electronic technology in CB radios as a form of close range communications.

Initially local use of this technology grew gradually primarily because of cost. But as it developed, people join others and there was an amicable manner among all users. Courtesy was evident much like what you see at an intersection with a stop sign at each corner. Channel 19 was the common channel where you tagged up with another caller but took your conversation to another adjacent channel in order to free 19 so others could use that channel. It wasn’t long before we received calls for help from stranded motorists or to report motor vehicle accidents.

I learned about a nationwide organization called REACT. This organization’s primary objective was to answer emergency calls on Channel 9; the emergency channel on CB radios. A group of us came together and developed procedures to introduce REACT to Maverick County and shortly thereafter received our charter and were operational. During the period that this organization existed, we helped countless motorist with emergencies and in one case were able to get emergency assistance to a truck driver involved in a head-on collision in the early morning hours. Our service received local recognition and we received a city proclamation, at a time when proclamations were not as common as today. Looking back at our members, it is clear that these were all caring individuals that had a strong sense of community and wanted to give back to our county. Local CB radio operators quickly learned that our organization was on Channel 9, willing to help anyone.

But as time went on, more and more CB users started using CB radios. Obscenities became common and users would played music on Channel 9 and 19. Others would hold down the microphone button, which would not allow others to use the radio. The situation worsens to the point that we asked for federal intervention since CB communications fell under their jurisdiction. We soon learned that the federal government had no staff to enforce these FCC regulations. Time and time again we tried to reason with these abusers but to no avail. As we complained, they became more determined to disrupt what many had worked hard to create. Frustrated and discouraged, our membership dwindled and eventually disbanded.

I have very pleasant memories about our REACT members, knowing that they stepped up and helped our community up until the end and all this with absolutely no compensation

Photography – Once Upon a Time

In May of 1966 I walked into a dingy, humid little room that had a rancid smell of vinegar and spoiled fruit not knowing that I had just taken my first step towards a life long interest in photography.

The place was Sweetwater Air Force Station, forty miles east of Abilene, Texas. Sweetwater was my first Air Force duty assignment following electronics training at Keesler AFB in Mississippi. I was 19 and having bouts of homesickness, wondering what my friends were doing back home. I did enjoy my job but dread the time off because there wasn’t much to do.

I mostly spend my time in the “day room” which was a recreation center of sorts. There was a very small library as part of the center. The librarian was a pleasant civil service lady that sat waiting for someone to walk in but for the most part everyone stayed away from. It was she who explained what was available including, table tennis, checkerboards, chess sets and a black and white tv viewing room tuned to Armed Forces Network.

As the months went by, I got to see everything there was to see around the base and as it turned out, the recreation center was the best there was.

There was one room, with a rusted padlock on the only door and it had no sign on the door and it had no windows. I pulled on the padlock several times thinking it would open but it didn’t. I remembered that the librarian had been very thorough about everything but she had not said anything about this room. The room was next to the library. (More Later, time to go to sleep.)

How Safe Are We........

We do not know why Piedras Negras, Mexico has been spared from the brutal atrocities that have been left in the wake of cartel violence along the Mexican side of the border. What we do know is that the United States military is waiting in the wings, waiting to militarize the community of Eagle Pass. However, many city and county officials along the border appear to be united in their belief that conditions do not require such a drastic step at this time. Others ask “If not now, when?” The exception of course, is El Paso, which has seen plenty of cruelty inflicted on law enforcement on the Mexican side of the river. If you wonder why the community of Eagle Pass is opposed to the occupation of military troops, perhaps there are several reasons. The one that seems clear is that if the need for intervention is not necessary, and it is imposed prematurely, it could have a devastating impact on the economy of the small community of Eagle Pass. One can conjure military equipment, vehicles and troops throughout this community, which is not a poster card invitation to the visiting public that patronize the businesses and events and fill up the local motels. Others see it differently. An influx of military personnel could also stimulate the local economy, which could offset the loss of city and county revenue generated by Mexican nationals and other visitors. And yet, the sensible argument goes against the concerns for the local economy and more for the safety of the citizens of Eagle Pass. Shouldn’t they be prepared in the event of violent escalations or collateral damage caused by confrontations with the cartel? I think so.

What's in a Name....

Parents of newborn know that its not easy picking a name simply because it will identify their son or daughter for the rest of their life and what that name reflects can mean enough to make you happy or not.

Take my case for instance. My mother explained that when she came up with my name she was viewing a movie at the Yolanda Theatre and the actor in the movie happen to be playing the role of an attorney named Roberto. It’s seemed my father had no objections and that was it. When I was born a month later, my name was Roberto.

My father was and is a kind man but in our early years, he was not that demonstrative with his affection but was very dedicated in providing for the family. I suppose that as a term of endearment he called me Bovie; which is spanglish for Bobby. Neighborhood friends also met me as Bovie and so it stuck.

At six, I enter public education and had Mrs. Proctor as my first teacher. My perception at that age was that she was not bilingual and during the first roll call in her classroom she could not pronounce "Roberto" and every time that she tried, all my classmate would laugh because it sound nothing like "Roberto". She decided to call me Bobby which was different that Bovie. So Bobby stuck for the next 12 years.

When I started my professional career, I used Roberto as my name but again changed it to Robert for those that could not pronounce Roberto. So all the years leading up to my retirement, either one was used.

Now I am meeting many of those I grew up with in Eagle Pass and they call me Bobby. Somehow the name Bobby seems odd for an aging person with graying hair. But it must be done simply because those that know me and all my close friends find no problem is calling me Bobby. So from now on it will be Bobby or Bovie if you wish.

Maribel Flores...best candidate

There are many of us that enjoy the tribulations that go with a popular election be it at the national level or at the local. The give and take of candidates doing battle, each trying to persuade the public that they are the best choice is interesting because many times it brings to the forefront those issues that need to be addressed in city government.

Maribel Flores will hold on to her position as city councilperson and rightfully so. Ms. Flores would be a tough opponent and she has performed admirably often lending a sensible and intelligent quality to deliberations at city hall. Aside from that, she is known as an ethical person that would never compromise for the benefit of interest groups and to the detriment of those she serves.

My congratulations to Ms. Flores.

Charcoal Grill gone...

Its remarkable how those that operate the Charcoal Grill at the Mall have been able to keep it going despite the economic situation that has brought down many other businesses. I have seen the slight increase in prices obviously aimed at staying afloat. When in town, the Charcoal Grill has been one of my stops. Each time I have sought that old fashion taste that set their hamburgers apart from all others in the 60's. Perhaps it was the mix of great hamburgers, Mr. Lonely playing in the background and the cherry coke that is no longer there. Neither is the quick wit of then hostess, Thelma that brought your hamberger in the straw basket. So, I want to thank the Brown family for giving me wonderful memories and a place to not only eat great hamburgers in the 60's but a place where I sat along with my peers and discussed our future.