Thursday, March 30, 2006

Line In The Sand!







Battle Lines Are Drawn!












Corpus Christi City Council
Passes Beach Driving Ban,
Calls For Charter Amendment

On Tuesday, March 28, The Corpus Christi City Council voted to pass an ordinance banning vehicular traffic over a 7,200 foot section of beach within the city limits. This ordinance, spearheaded by Councilman Mark Scott, is a gift to Austin developer Paul Shexnailder who has demanded that access should be limited to foot traffic only. He says this is a requirement of the Canadian development company Intrawest which is reported to be planning a huge resort for the area.
This item passed with a 7-1 vote with one, Councilman Bill Kelley, abstaining. John Marez was the only no vote.
A separate ordinance was also passed, over strong objections from Terry Carter, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, which would call for public elections if other beach closures are proposed in the future.
It is a certainty that future controversy awaits.
The charter amendment was an attempt to appease the Beach Coalition and others in opposition to the beach driving ban. Spokesmen for the coalition have not been impressed and said plans for a petition to force the ban to a public vote will go forward.

Council Beach Vote, March 28, 2006

Council Member, vehicle ban, charter amendment
Mayor Garrett, yes, yes
Brent Chesney, yes, no
Melody Cooper, yes, yes
Jerry Garcia, yes, no
Bill Kelly, abstained, no
Rex Kennison, yes, no
John Marez, no, yes
Jesse Noyola, yes, yes
Mark Scott, yes, yes

It is crystal clear, judging from the above vote on the ban, which council members support the interests of big money, big development and the giving away of our beach.
It is clear which one is on our side.
John Marez for mayor!

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Global Warming To Cause Rise In Sea Levels, More, Stronger Storms

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A recent scientific analysis maintains that rising sea levels over the next 100 years could occur because of the erosion of the planet's
polar ice fields. The report says this erosion will be caused in a large part by human activities.The study suggests that by about 2100, average temperatures could be four degrees higher than today. This could cause the oceans to rise 13 to 20 feet. The last time this happened was 129,000 years ago, between the last two ice ages.Jonathan T. Overpeck of the University of Arizona, one of the leading members involved in the study, said there is a strong case that the failure to diminish emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases will lead to greenhouselike effect. Dr. Overpeck acknowledged the uncertainties about the causes. But he said that in a world in which humans, rich and poor, increasingly clustered on coasts, the risks were great enough to justify prompt action. "People driving big old S.U.V.'s to their favorite beach or coastal golf course," he said, should "start to think twice about what they might be doing.

"This was taken from an article, "Climate Data Hint at Irreversible
Rise in Seas," by Andrew C. Revkin in the New York Times.

Hmmm...If this happens I guess Padre Island development will be moot! People will be arguing about beachfront property in the Hill Country! They will be surfing in San Antonio!
Published: March 24, 2006

Thursday, March 23, 2006

City Council Votes For Beach Driving Ban 7-1

City Council Member Mark Scott
It came as no surprise that the Corpus Christi City Council voted 7-1 in the second reading of an ordinance which will ban vehicular traffic on 7,200 feet of city controlled beach. This is a gift to private developer Paul Shexnailder, of Austin, and the Canadian resort developers Intrawest, of Vancouver, B.C.
Shexnailder has purchased the property in the Packery Channel area has proposed leasing the land to Intrawest for developing a $500 million resort. Their plans are contingent on the closing of this stretch of beach to vehicular traffic, which is now allowed on most beaches, but not all, in both Nuces and Kleberg counties.
This will in effect create a de facto private beach for the Intrawest development.
Only council member John Marez had the courage to vote against the ordinance. Bill Kelly has consistently abstained from voting on this issue because he owns property on Padre Island and cites a conflict of interests as his reason.
It is honorable and correct for Kelly to do this. It's a pity that Mark Scott, who has been the spearhead for this and other related beach issues, doesn't follow suit.
Mark Scott is a walking, talking conflict of interests! He has a vested interest in the passage of this ordinance.
Scott works for San Jacinto Title Co. His firm has done work for Paul Shexnailder. He has been out front on the building of the Packery Channel, at Shexnailder's behest. This channel will provide Shexnailder with a private marina, all paid for with taxpayer's money.
Now Shexnailder is demanding another public giveaway, his own beach! Mark Scott is only too ready to accomomdate him and has dominated the mayor and most of the city council.
There will be one more reading of the ordinance soon and the council will, no doubt, pass the ordinance. It will be a sad day for those who love the beach and seek to have more responsible development and more responsible spending of taxpayer money!

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

City Council To vote Today On Beach Driving Ban

Friday, March 10, 2006

Super Tubes

Super Tubes, in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, has been under threat recently from misguided development efforts. A grass roots effort initiated by local surfers and supported by surfers and environmentalists from around the world has apparently been succesful.
This is a great result and should encourage those of us engaged in our own efforts to save as much as possible of our coastline from the clutches of greedy developers and politicians.
Click on the link below to go to the web page where this picture is from and for more information.


www.savesupertubes.com

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