Corpusfishing.com

The Trash Heap · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:36 am Post subject: LTTEs Needed ASAP

There's good news and bad news....

The good news is that the complaint filed in McCutchon v. City of Corpus Christi has opened up another front in the battle to save the open beaches.

The bad news is that the news media didn't pick up on some of the issues raised by the complaint, making it seem like the dispute is merely over the form of the ballot rather than about the substance of the City Charter Amendments.

The good news is that by writing some Letters to the Editor - ctletters@caller.com - anyone can point that out before the judge holds the hearing on October 6 and long before the November election.

The bad news I already wrote such a LTTE, but it's been too soon since the Caller-Times published my last one. Because of a one-a-month policy, the one below can't be printed before October 13.

Won't someone else point out in a timely LTTE that the ballot language for proposed City Charter Amendment No. 1 doesn't tell the whole story, which is that, if the amendment passes, the City Council won't approve new ordinances containing the details for the 7200-foot beach closure until after the November election, and that no one will be able to petition to overturn those ordinances? I'd sure like to hear the judge's public explanation, much less the City's, for allowing that to happen.

----- Original Message -----
From: Johnny French
To: Caller Times
Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2006 3:00 PM
Subject: Amendment 1 versus 1st Amendment

Just before the August 29 Council Meeting, I emailed the City Secretary about this line in proposed City Charter Amendment No. 1:
"The ordinance effecting the creation of a public pedestrian-safe beach is not subject to initiative or referendum."

Then I invoked the Public Information Act "to request copies of meeting notes, memoranda, and/or other documents which identify the originator(s) and stated purpose of the quoted subject line," seeking "documentation of how, when, why and by what authority the City seeks to prevent the public from petitioning to overturn City ordinances, in apparent violation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution."

The response two weeks later: "This information may be excepted from public disclosure. The City is seeking a ruling from the Attorney General of Texas on these records."

The City has something embarrassing to hide, apparently. Don't decide to vote for Charter Amendment No. 1 until the City tells you what that is.

Johnny French
4417 Carlton Street
Corpus Christi, TX 78415-5211
(361) 853-9331
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fishmicki · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 9:32 am Post subject:

I'd be happy to send something in...does it matter that I am NOT from Corpus Christi?
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The Trash Heap · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 9:42 am Post subject: Send Away

fishmicki, it may even help that the letter comes from out of town. The Corpus Christi City Council has this funny idea that the beach belongs only to CC, and that it can somehow attract more tourist dollars by making the public beach accessible only from a condo or hotel.

Besides the Caller-Times, send LTTEs to any newspaper you can find, and cc your legislative reps, too.
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fishmicki · Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:49 am Post subject: Beach closure wording vague

ok, this is what I sent in this morning.....I'll also send to my paper.

Although I don't live in the Corpus Christi area, I do spend at least 20-30 days a year fishing and enjoying the waterways, including the shoreline. I have been following the beach road closure issue and although I am unable to vote (unfortunately) I do question why the city council chose to use vague wording on the ballot. "Pedestrian-safe Beaches" does not equate to no vehicles, which is what the council wants your city to vote on. Why not make it crystal clear and state "NO VEHICLE ACCESS"? I have a 16 year old son who is very skilled at finding loopholes in rules/authority, and he would state that "pedestrian safe beaches" could indeed include vehicles.....Port Aransas has "pedestrian safe beaches" along with vehicle access.

Michelle J. Geyer
"Fishmicki"
San Antonio, TX
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No matter where you go, there you are....

The Trash Heap · Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 10:15 am Post subject: Good Job, fishmicki

That was a fine LTTE, fishmicki.

Here's another I sent in this morning, based on that Carlos Guerra column you found in the San Antonio Express-News. Sent mine to the SAE-N, of course.
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Loved Carlos Guerra's September 28 column about how little the past 5 centuries have changed the grandiose language of the Padre Island entrepreneurs. Look forward to reading what else he has to write about attempts by the City of Corpus Christi and its local newspaper's editors to justify taking vehicular access to a Gulf beach, other state lands and half a federal project away from all Texans to pursue the latest entrepreneur's big money delusions.

Since San Antonians and most other Texans have no direct say in this process, which climaxes when concerned Corpus Christi voters head to the polls in November, I hope Mr. Guerra will provide the addresses of the elected officials at the Texas General Land Office, in the Texas Legislature, and in the U.S Congress who might have a way to restore these resources to the public if Corpus Christi votes to privatize them.
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The Trash Heap Has Spoken!
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