NRH Issues vs. Personalities

By Ron West

            The initial publicity announcements by the incumbents and their new choices for NRH City Council appear to have followed prior successful campaign efforts.  Smiling faces, name dropping and photo opportunities shown, basically say vote for me because I am important, handsome or have powerful friends.  There was and will probably be, no discussion of issues by the incumbents or their choices about the real issues facing citizens of NRH unless we demand that such discussion occur.  In the letters to the editor on Local News Only, there is already the innuendo, insinuation and name calling started by the NRH4U group (which was the work of Ken Sapp last year.)

            In the election last year, the successful incumbents never discussed any issues at all and directed an onslaught of mud-slinging, innuendo and outright false information against the challengers.  The result of their efforts was the retention of their seats without having to even address any issues at all.  Avoidance of issues and more misinformation may be their theme this year also.

            As a result of the last contested election, Mayor Trevino and his pocket council have made at least a couple of positive changes.  Probably the most notable is the recent change that puts the “council packet” on the internet for downloading by interested citizens prior to council meetings.  This very slight opening of the NRH local government so far only shows that the decision process is deeply hidden from view.  Prior to the release of the packet, citizens could “assume” that decisions and votes were being made based on informed decisions.  Now with the packet viewable, it is obvious that the decisions are being made by city staff and the council – without much discussion – is simply rubber stamping their bureaucratic efforts.

            In the upcoming election, Mayor Trevino is being challenged by Councilwoman Nancy Bielik.  This race is interesting in that Mayor Trevino openly uses his mayoral position for personal benefit of his J. L. Steel, LP road building company.  This is contrary to NRH city charter and normally not tolerated by voters.  Ms. Bielik operates a small business that has no relation to government and may suffer by her active participation in local government.

            On the positive side, Dr. Tim Barth – supported by Mayor Trevino, is running unopposed for the seat that has been held by Joann Johnson for many years.  Dr. Barth may bring refreshing intelligence to the council and hopefully will represent all citizens.

            Councilwoman Jo Cox is  being challenged by the very vocal spokesperson for Trevino and company, Ken Sapp.  Mr. Sapp came into favor with Mayor Trevino by loudly opposing the Senior Tax Freeze.  He also acted as the venomous and vitriolic spokesperson for NRH4U last year on behalf of the incumbents.  Unfortunately, if Mr. Sapp is successful with his challenge, we will have one more council person with “superior knowledge” dictating what is best for us.

            Suzette Christopher is vying with Scott Turnage for the council seat vacated by Ms. Bielik.  This race pits the tireless Ms. Christopher against another of Mayor Trevino’s pocket votes.  Mr. Turnage previously served on the council but was defeated after he opposed the Senior Tax Freeze and supported the taking of property rights of local RV owners.

            With this background, what are some issues that deserve discussion?  How about the following:

 Issue 1:   Closed local government. – New ordinances and changes to existing ordinances made in secret without citizen input.

Issue 2:    Respect of citizen presentations and opinions. -  The Mayor shows disrespect for any citizen presentation  that is in opposition to his position. 

Issue 3:    Illegal Electioneering with city publications.  -  City resources used to campaign for issues supported by Mayor Trevino and his pocket council

Issue 4:    Closed Budget Development – ever increasing tax revenue is spent without the voters even seeing the budget until it is too late to change it.   

Issue 5:     Runaway Spending – We even have money to paint the backs of traffic signs in order to “beautify” our city.  Higher maintenance crooked sidewalks are also considered necessary and affordable.  Street repair is under budgeted.

Issue 6:     Ever Increasing Property Taxes – while the council “holds the rate”, taxes are steadily increasing by valuation increases.  Voters recently showed support for reigning in the council by limiting such increases to no more than 5% instead of the current 10%       

Issue 7:  :  Private property rights – Mayor Trevino recently suggested the use of Eminent Domain to effectively cheat one property owner out of his property for development of the old North Hills Mall.  He has consistently shown disregard for the individual rights of citizens.

Issue 8:      Personal Benefits of City Office – The contract with the City Attorney allows him to benefit from costly litigation against the city.  

Issue 9:       Walking Quorums and Open Meeting Violations – while this should not be an issue, it appears that much of the city business is being held in this manner. 

Issue 10:      Issuing Bonds Without Voter Approval – called “Certificates of Obligation “ for routine expenditures to avoid seeking voter approval.   This has been a “routine” practice of the Trevino led council.

Issue 11:      Real Public Hearings – current city practices make all hearings only fulfill the law without real input to city government.

Issue 12:      Moving Target Budgeting - City Manager Cunningham has authority delegated by the council to transfer money between budget accounts without emergency or specific Council approval.  (This appears to be  contrary to State Law.)

If there are other or more important issues that need discussion, I would encourage the candidates to address them.   If you as a voter have other issues of importance to you, please send them to NRHOnline for publication as additions to this list.  If the above list does not represent real issues then perhaps the candidates should tell us why they are not.  If we as voters, don’t ask questions of our local officials, then they are left to their own devices to essentially tell us what to do.  By inactivity and inattention, we gradually lose our rights and our money by taxation. 

Please take time to participate in the upcoming election.  Express your opinions and ask questions.  After the election, depending on your participation, we will either have more of the same closed government benefiting the special few - or a more open and responsive local government that will benefit all citizens.