Other Writings

A novel idea: Library looks at new district to help alleviate funding woes

Published: 05/05/2005
English author and politician Augustine Birrell once said of libraries, "They are not made; they grow." If this is the case, San Antonio's public libraries are experiencing a growth slump. According to John Nicholas, chairperson of the San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees, the city's libraries receive less per-capita funding - $12 - than libraries in any other major Texas city. (Read article)

 

Rush to deadline: With three weeks to go in the legislative session, school finance remains unsolved

Published: 05/05/2005
As the story goes, after being captured at a staged archery tournament, English folk hero Robin Hood was sentenced to execution for defying his over-taxing arch-nemesis, Prince John. Robin Hood stood on the gallows with the hangman's noose around his neck, minutes away from death, when his band of merry men suddenly rushed in and saved the day.

Texas' own Robin Hood - the nickname given to the state's school- finance system - faces a similar fate as Austin lawmakers struggle to reach an agreement on a school-finance bill before the legislative session ends May 30. (Read article)

 

Restoring confidence: In District 4, Perez focuses on trust; Resendez is AWOL

Published: 04/28/2005
When Richard Perez ran for City Council two years ago, the indictment of District 4 Councilman Enrique "Kike" Martin was fresh on voters' minds, and the candidates' integrity was an important issue in the race. Now, with Martin set to serve a 13-month sentence in federal prison, past scandals remain on Perez' mind, as he works to regain voters' trust. In a district that has a promising future if it can handle growing pains and balance development with revitalization, the incumbent says his top priority is restoring trust in government. (Read article)

 

Fight Club: While local Dems argue, the party's strength wanes

Published: 04/21/2005
Turf wars, mudslinging, accusations of cronyism and corruption, legal battles: This may be business as usual when Democrats and Republicans butt heads over legislation in Austin, but when it describes the state of the union of your own local party, you know you're in trouble. (Read article)

 

Growing pains: Growth, crime tops in District 6

Published: 04/21/2005
With Councilman Enrique Barrera unable to run because he's maxed his term limit, the race for the District 6 seat is packed. Barrera hasn't endorsed any of the eight candidates, leaving each to establish his or her own identity and name recognition. (Read article)

 

The Money Changers: Blessed are those who leave 20 percent

Published: 03/24/2005
It was Valentine's Day, one of the busiest nights of the year for a waiter. Exhausted from seven hours of taking orders, running food, and pouring wine, I couldn't wait for the shift to end. So when my last customers of the night sat down, I was relieved to find they were a relatively easy-going couple: quiet, unremarkable, probably in their mid-20s. After waiting tables for several months, you become skilled at profiling customers. The man and woman weren't high-maintenance, Alamo Heights big-spenders who frequent the restaurant, but they seemed to enjoy their meal and service. (Read article)

 

Deejays without borders: Local podcasters hitch their 21st-century wagons to the Internet and find a seemingly infinite audience

Published: 03/10/2005
Every Wednesday night Tim sits on his couch with his laptop and a drink and places a call halfway across the country to his best friend Tony. The conversation may begin with a brief recap of the previous week or even a cultured discussion of photography, but each week the dialogue inevitably digresses into wild personal stories involving sex, drinking, or, most likely, both. (Read article)

 

Toeing the county line: Bexar County officials have a packed legislative agenda

Published: 02/10/2005
With the 79th session of the Texas Legislature underway, dozens of special-interest groups have begun lobbying for a piece of the legislative pie, which could be divvied among nearly 5,000 prospective bills. Along with the environmentalists, big businesses, and religious fundamentalists competing for the attention of Austin lawmakers is an entity few would think of as a typical "special interest": Bexar County government. (Read article)

 

What's in a name?: Familiarity could trump issues in District 121 race

Published: 02/03/2005
While many are still recovering from last year's election binge that culminated in a slew of local, state, and federal elections on November 2, residents of House District 121 will go to the polls again this Friday to select a replacement for the representative they elected a mere three months ago. (Read article)