Sue Alexander -snake oil

 It's election time again.  The nasty tricks and underhanded behavior from Sue Alexander and James McFall is back.  Sue Alexander has thrown her hat into the ring as candidate for Mayor but she has McFall and the "golf cart" ladies posting election signs in violation of our code.  Code enforcement will be busy looking after Sue Alexander and McFall and the crew for sure.

  Posting election signs in violation of Windcrest Code is evidence of the candidates true character!  Sue was removed from the WEDC where she tried to float false dollar figures to the citizens.

Sue Alexander seems to follow her own set of laws and rules.  Many say that mentality can not be trusted to follow Texas law let alone any finance laws.  Hold on to your pocket book folks, Sue is pushing snake oil and bending all the laws while running for Mayor.

 

Can Sue Alexander Read?

Sue Alexander, candidate for Mayor of  Windcrest, either does not read or she simply dismisses the laws (codes) of Windcrest?  James McFall was seen posting election signs about Windcrest for Sue Alexander over the Aug 28, 2021 weekend.  Election signs are NOT allowed for another month.  Proof positive that Sue Alexander can't read.  
 Sue Alexander is another "Win at all Costs" type of candidate.  Do you want Sue Alexander for your next Mayor?  Sue Alexander can not follow simple election sign code so why would she follow any other law.  Beware.

 

Potty Mouth & Table Jacobi

  It's official, Gerd Jacobi is trying a come back.  Strange that he has dropped the "Jake" from his filing and using another name.  Trying to distance himself from the terrible image of him making motions to Table agenda items to prevent proper city business from happening.
 Not only is "Jake" trying to come back, but also "Ole Potty Mouth" himself has signs about town. 

  One has to wonder if his Potty Mouth means of communication had anything to do with his recent job change.  He left SA suddenly only to surface in Kerrville Tx. 

Gerd "Jake" Jacobi Windcrest Council

One of the 3 amigos is trying a comeback!  Watch for the other 2 to file soon.

https://www.blogger.com/video-thumbnail.g?contentId=1181fbde77719737&zx=s2uodn7d0689

Jacobi has file for Windcrest city council.  Check out the council video above.  Jacobi flatly says to the three new council members they are trying to dismantle procedures, we will never be able to work together!
  Jacobi is also very very fond of  "Tabling Agenda items" to undermine the entire council- including the Mayor.
  The Garbage fund is still in the red some $50k.  Under Jacobi it was some $280,000 in the RED and all the while Jacobi, Mcfall, Baxter and Shelton smiled and said, we are debt FREE!. 

  The City Manager is responsible for presenting a balanced budget.  You have to wonder why he is still in charge.  Several years of the Garbage Fund being in the RED.  Only recently did Citizen discover there were some 100+ residents that had not paid their Garbage Bill for many many years. 

  Seems the City Manager would have noticed the negative numbers and investigated himself.  No, he smiles and tries to explain the reason for the Red is the fund was being subsidized!  Yep, you have been paying for someones garbage bill thru your taxes. 

The actual addressed of those not paying their Garbage Bill has not been made public.  Wonder why?  Maybe because it would be embarrassing to the ex mayor and his three amigos to see those names and addresses.

Windcrest and the Dark Side

Meetings outside of council chambers, lack of transparency of severance dollars in budget. You guys are not playing by our rules. I pad video

Jacobi, Shelton and McFall vote against budget amendment to assist animal control expenses.

Windcrest Challengers

Three Windcrest citizens have filed for Windcrest City Council positions.

Frank Archulela is a candidate for Windcrest Mayor

Matt Vandenberg is a candidate for Windcrest City Council Place 5

Kim Wright is a candidate for Windcrest City Council Place 4

 Matt Vandenberg has a web sitte: http://www.mattforwindcrest.com

I expect the others will have sites available soon, stay tuned.

City Manger getting Fireed?

Rafael Castillo Fired for Street Fighting??

Windcrest resorts to street fighting to convince citizens what they should do.  Will the City Manager, Rafael Castillo, be fired for street fighting with a Windcrest Citizen in front of Windcrest City Hall.  Yes, right in front of city hall by the Christmas tree..  

 Sources say Rafael Castillo initiated a conversation with the Citizen about the Bexar County Water Control and Improvement District #10 construction project.  During the conversation a scuffle began, some injuries were incurred before Mayor Baxter broke up the fight.

 Totally unacceptable conduct for a City Manager or any public official under any circumstances.  Rafael Castillo should be fired, but will Mayor Baxter release his main straw puppet. 

  The Water District General Manager submitted his resignation letter this month, maybe Rafael should follow suit.  

 Enjoy viewing the Christmas lights in Windcrest.

Keep Water District "Superior"

 Three Water Board Directors are up for Election Tuesday Nov 4, 2014.  There are Six (6) candidates listed on the Windcrest ballot, voters Select 3 from the 6.  Te Bexar County Water Control and Improvement District #10 currently has an outstanding board of Directors.  The District provides the lowest rates in the area, the service is exceptional and the Water is Superior.

 Melroy Brandt and Paul Greenwood are the incumbents.with John Fagin looking forward to serving with Brandt and Greenwood.  All six candidates are pictured below.

  Vote
 Melroy Brandt,
Paul Greenwood
John Fagin 

   Keep the fantastic Water District out of the politician's hands.  Don't let the special interest puppets take over the Water District.

Benefits for SALE in Windcrest

 During the Oct 6, 2014 City Council meeting Council approved giving the municipal finance officer (she is a contract employee @ $80,000+ per year) city employee health benefits at a cost of $869.17 per month.  Yes, giving her this in addition to her salary $80k plus.  I guess 'giving' may be the wrong word as she has to work an additional 16 hours per Month.  Now, remember she does NOT work a 40 hour week now, it's more like 30 hours.  No one really keeps track anyway.
  Remember, Robert Colunga, WEDC (a contract employee too) also received city employee health benefits for an additional 8 hours per week.  Then when he actually worked those additional hours he submitted an invoice for $1500 for additional hours worked.  You can find that expenditure listed under the budget sub code of Special Legal Fees, NOT under contract labor.

    John Gretz, James McFall, Jim Shelton, Jake Jacobi and Pam Dodson voted FOR selling the benefits designed for City Employees to a select few.  No discussion, no questions, just a 5/0 vote.  We need to a change at council.

  These fellas will weed out the cronies and get the city headed in the proper direction.

Windcrest Cover UP

  Remember the city stopped using Crack Seal on our streets a few years back.  The Mayor stated during council that the new process was better, so they were no longer using Crack Seal.  Matter a fact Public Works sold (or selling) the machine used in Crack Filling.

  Now the latest!!  Major street repairs were completed on BlueGrass Dr, between Balfour about 6 months ago.  I said Major, because they lowered the entire intersection by some 18" to allow for drainage from Bluegrass.

  Walking along that new section I noticed a bunch of CRACKS, yep, cracks in this newly completed major road repair job.  Some about 24" from the new concrete curbs, other right down the middle of the street.  This week I observed a white suv parked on Bluegrass and several gentleman were looking and measuring those cracks.

  Today I noticed those crack has been SEALED.  Yes, Crack Seal was used by the contractor to cover up those cracks.

  Now, why would the contractor use Crack Seal on his 6 month old project?  Seems a major repair job should last more than 6 months before needing repairs.  Must have been the low bidder I bet.

Notice,the City has chosen NOT to use Crack Seal on the rest of our streets.  Yet the contractor uses crack seal to protect his work.

  Jim Shelton and Jake Jacobi are on the Stree Repair Committee that brought us this fantastic piece of work.
  It's time to change the leadership on City Council.  Vote Reese, Moncada and Scott.

Windcrest Elections- Time for Change

  The Political atmosphere in Windcrest is heating up.  The Mayor is spending lots of tax payers money trying to get his slate of candidates elected to keep his misguided, somewhat corrupt agenda alive.

The City of Windcrest Elections  for City Council (3 Places) and Elections for the Bexar County Water Control and Improvement District #10 (3 Directors)
 
  The current Windcrest administration has created a web site supporting certain candidates while using the official city logo and probably even using city staff to develop and maintain the web page.

  The Mayor is throwing a private Meet the Candidates, meaning meet HIS candidates, hand picked, loyal soldiers that will follow his commands.  The opposing candidates are NOT invited.

   Using an elected position and city resources to campaign for selective candidates is wrong.  Supporting candidates of his choice is ok, but on his own dime, not on  the tax payers dime.

  Notice the signs.  Signs with three candidates on the same sign.  What is that??  So much for independent thinkers, candidates with integrity etc.  These candidates have scripted agendas.

  We need responsible leadership in City Council.  Honest people with integrity that will put an end to this "good Ole Boy" mentality currently on City Council.

Here are a  few examples of what the current council is condoning.

 High paid consultants working less than 20 hours per month, costing us $33,000 a year.

 Hiring part time employees @ $75,000 year without even a job application!

 Paying Health Benefits for Contract Employees!

Contract employee working less than full time at $80,000 per year.

Contract employee working full time at $95,000 plus receives addition health benefits.

Paying annual "Stipends" to  contract LLC's.

Paying Contract employees additional money and hiding it under Special Legal Fees so you won't notice.

Every example listed can be verified in the financial documents.  Most are hidden or disguised to look like something else, but they are there.

Please support these candidates:  Vote For

Dan Reese for City Council Place 1Henry Monacada, City Council Plate 2Mike Scott, City Council Plate 3
MelRoy Brandt, Water District #10 DirectorPaul Greenwood, Water District #10 DirectorJohn Fagin, Water District #10 Director.

These candidates are all honest, independent thinkers with integrity.

Windcrest Politics Shameful!!

  The current administration is always saying the past administration was not open and transparent.

News Flash!  The current administration with Jim Shelton, Jake Jacobi and Pam Dodson running for re-election is a slap in the face.

  I don't broadcast my opinions like our Mayor and Council do in their monthly political magazine, I deal with hard facts.  Facts that can be verified with documents and official videos.

  Fact.. In May 2014 council passed a resolution approving a month to month contract for Contract Planning services.  Ms Cedillo is being paid $2750 per month.  That's for a max of 20 hours per month too folks.

 

  The finance officer briefed council of the effects of this resolution and said the money, some $24,000 was available.  That part is true.  It's in the budget under 514-321 alright.

  Now the facts.  She has been working since May of 2013 and turning in invoices each month for her $2750.  I have seen the budget entries for multiple payments to Ms Cedillo, she is in fact being paid and has been for the past 13 months.  

  Now, look at the budget.  There is still $24,000 in 514-321 line item.  It has not changed!  Why?

She was hired as a contractor for Planing services and the budget does not reflect one penny being spent.  Not very OPEN and TRANSPARENT is you ask me.  What slush fund is she being paid from?

  Jake Jacobi, Jim Shelton, and Pam Dodson voted for this resolution.  They must have blinders on or sleeping at the wheel.

  Rafael Castillo, City Manager is responsible for the budget.  They (council) just gave him a huge pay increase for doing his job.  Where is he hiding the expenditures?  

Who Approved this When?

  Council Persons John Gretz, Pam Dodson, Jake Jacobi, and Jim Shelton, voted in favor of approving a severance package for Police Chief Pabon during SCCM on Sept 29th, 2011. (Rita Davis was absent)
  This agreement in the severance package was drafted by the Windcrest City Attorney and I find this extract appalling: 

   (Chief Pabon is the Employee) 

“… Employee understands that this agreement not to disclose applies to everyone to whom Employee may so disclose, specifically including, but not limited to all citizens of the City, present and former employees of the City, applicants for any position with the City, and any persons or entities with actual or proposed business dealings with the City.”….(emphasis added)

  What is going on when the City Attorney includes wording in an agreement that even the existence of this agreement can NOT be disclosed to any persons, Specifically Citizens of Windcrest. 

  The same City Attorney denied an open records request for a copy of the Severance Agreement. However, the Texas Attorney General issued an opinion the city had to release the Severance Agreement.

The total cost to the City of Windcrest for this Severance Package was $49,360.27. 

 Now Consider this:

1. The Motion was approved Sept 29th during the 3pm council meeting.
2. The Check was signed and Dated Sept 28th!!!  The day before Council Met!!

Yes!! Check  was cut BEFORE council voted to approve Chief Pabon’s Severance Package!!!

Is this not proof positive of a back room deal?  Seems the council meeting and vote was for SHOW folks, the decision had already been made.  

  Do you think signing a check prior to Council approval violated city finance policies and procedures?  

  Windcrest needs NEW leadership!  

Racker Road Change Orders

 Racker Road is very near completion, however, a WEDC board members indicated having two way traffic at the frontage road entrance was very dangerous and Racker Alley should be changed to One Way.

 Racker Alley in case you wondered is the drive/street off IH 35 Frontage Road that runs between Applebee's and Olive Garden.  
 
  The changing of the signage, road markings etc were approved "verbally"  according to the engineer overseeing the Rack Road project.  Racker Alley is being changed from a Two Way Street to a One Way street right now.
 
  This Change Order comes in the final days of the entire Racker Road project and a road way approved by two engineer firms, RackSpace, WEDC and I assume Texdot at some point, being an entrance to their frontage road.  Who overlooked this dangerous situation at the beginning?

  The engineer hired to oversee the Racker Road project for WEDC said there were several change orders he had not approved.  The engineer indicated the work had been completed, he just had not approved the payment of the change order.

 The WEDC board president indicated he would assist the engineer in negotiating the amount being charged for these outstanding change orders.
 
"Change Orders" are normally approved before changes are made to the construction plans.  How do you complete the work indicated on a change order without having the cost approved?  Can a contractor charge what ever he wants for a change order?

 

 

Windsor Park Mall Trailer Park!

Follow up to the recent post concerning Termination of Restrictive Covenants.  The original document is huge so only the first two pages were scanned (see below) which details the prohibited establishments for the 111 acres of newly annexed property. These are NO longer prohibited.

The original WEDC board had the right idea, they established a Declaration of Restrictive Covenants in August 2007 when the property was purchased by WEDC.  The restrictions was meant to prohibit busniesses such as mobile home parks, sexually oriented businesses, and those small used car lots,  etc.  
 The WEDC Board approved a motion to Terminate the entire Declaration of Restrictive Covenants!!
  Trailer Parks, Mobile Home Parks are no longer prohibited.  I'm not expecting anything like this in the immediate future, but 5-10 years down the road, guess what!!

WEDC Terminates Restrictive Covenants!!

My take on the WEDC during the July 18, 2013 meeting concerning the 111 acres.  The Declaration of Restrictive Covenants was made August 2, 2007 and filed at Bexar county 0n August 20, 201.  list This list the restriction on the 111 acres, such as prohibiting trailer parks, adult clubs, anything that generates lots of noise etc, a shopping list of prohibited uses for the 111 acres.  Now there are No restrictive covenants.    

Background:

 Jan 23, 2008, WEDC originally paid $17,179,045.03 for the 111 acres from Windcrest Revitalization Partners II, LLC (Actually Gary Cain & Company paid it I think) But according to the spin, I understand the city was possibly under obligation for the total $17 Mil.  Any way later the 111 acres went into bankruptcy.

Jan 3, 2012 - Stafford Properties or SLF IV Eisenhauer Point, LP purchased the 111 acres from Bankruptcy for a cool $6,200,000 (what  a discount!!!)

Well, Thursday evening Stafford asked theWEDC to terminate the covenants on the property.  The WEDC did just that.   WEDC passed a motion to terminate the declaration of Restrictive Covenants to the 111 acres. Done!

It appears Stafford was saying that by purchasing the property from Bankruptcy that  terminated the Declaration by operation of law.  I guess they are saying buying from bankruptcy null in voids and declaration of covenants.  If  that  

Is the case, why the motion to terminate?   I’ll let you ponder the reasons.

Windcrest WEDC OWNS Property in San Antonio?

Often, during conversations, people are surprised to learn that Windcrest is on the Deeds to vacant land which is located in San Antonio.  Actually the tax records reflect City of Windcrest Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Many people assume the vacant land they hear being discussed is the vacant land adjacent to Rackspace, often referred to as the 111 Acres.  But this is absolutely Wrong.  The City of Windcrest Economic Development Corporation holds the title to some 150+ acres in San Antonio City limits.  I'm Not talking about the 111 acres, I'm talking about another 150+ acres that San Antonio does not collect property tax on because WEDC is tax exempt.
 
  There are 6 parcels for an approx total of 150+ acres still in WEDC name as of July 2013.  The property between McDonald's and Pep Boys (little less than 30 acres) along Walzem Road was recently transferred from WEDC's name to IWANTAOIL, LLC .  IWantaOil then sold it to Walmart as of May 2013.

  However, the vacant property behind this Walmart property all the way to Eisenhauer and north to the nursing home and even 3 parcels on the West side of Eisenhauer are still deeded to WEDC.

 During a recent WEDC board meeting the acting Executive Director said he was working on getting those properties out of WEDC's name because of "liability Issues," but nothing has happened to date.

The original agreement to place the property (then 180acres) in WEDC name was part of the incentive to get Gary Cain and Michael White to purchase Mall (now Rackspace) and the 111 acres.  They get to hold the 180 acres, tax free until they find a buyer, sweet deal.  They found a buyer (Walmart) for about 30 acres so that was moved back onto the San Antonio  tax rolls.  No telling how long before the rest sells.

  The 111 acres adjacent to RackSpace has been purchase by Stafford Properties and taken out of WEDC name.  The Rackspace building is still deeded in WEDC name as Rackspace has a paid 30 year lease on those facilities.

  During a recent WEDC board meeting, during a presentation on the progress of Racker Road, the WEDC board president asked a rhetorical question "Who owns that property, We do, the WEDC owns it."

That says it all!

WEDC Hires City Employee as Administrative Assistant

Windcrest Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) voted 3-1 to hire Michael McAlear as a part time administrative assistant for the WEDC.  Michael is currently a full time employee in the Windcrest Finance Department. He will work both jobs according to the board members and executive director.
  Michael has a Masters Degree in Public Administration and has the experience needed for the vacancy said board member Sue Alexander.  She conducted the interview with applicants for the job.
  Another WEDC board member asked if there was a job description because she had not seen it.  Sue Alexander said yes and produced a copy to hand over.
  Strange that fellow board members do not already have a job description for a vacancy the board is trying to fill.

  In this part time position Michael will work between 20-30 hours per week.  For special events he may work more hours and the city is OK with that.   Michael already receives benefits with his full time finance job so WEDC will pay Michael a flat rate of $23,000 per year as a contract employee.

  The WEDC lawyer did not have a problem with the arrangement.  The WEDC president is also an Attorney, he did not voice any concerns, but I think the deal stinks!
   This does not pass the smell test!  Michael will have to work 60 hours a week minimum to satisfy both job requirements.  Now he could answer calls to WEDC while at his Finance Desk and conduct WEDC business from that same desk, how is that a sweet deal or what.
  He could move his finance work to the WEDC trailer and work both jobs from the same phone.
  No one works at city hall after 6 PM (i'm being generous, it really 4:30 PM), so what will Michael be doing to reach 20 hrs each week.  The Launch party at Rackspace on July 25 will net him a few actual working hours.  Paid to Party, can't beat that deal!
  Only with this current administration could something like this happen.

Comments Welcome.

Anyone can now comment on this blog.  Comments will be monitored prior to posting.

Get involved and help make constructive change to our current political situation.  There will be 3 opening on the ballot this year.
  City Council Place 4
  City Council Place 5
  City Mayor.

  The filing packages for those wishing to file for one of these positions will be available for pickup at city hall in late July.