Early voting starts Monday - La Prensa De San Antonio

8-A LA PRENSA DE SAN ANTONIO 28 de abril de 2013
escenario politico
Rep. Doggett testifies on S.A.
Missions National Park boundary
By Sarah Dohl
This past Wednesday U.S.
Congressman Lloyd Doggett
(D-San Antonio) testified before
the House Committee on Natural
Resources about the importance
of expanding the boundary of the
San Antonio Missions National
Park.
The members of the Bexar
County Congressional Delegation,
led by U.S. Rep. Lloyd
Doggett introduced the San
Antonio Missions National Historic
Park Boundary Expansion
Act earlier this year. The act
would expand the boundary of
San Antonio Missions National
Historical Park by approximately
137 acres near Missions San
José, San Juan, and Espada. This
land includes a remnant of the
San Juan Dam, the headgate to
the San Juan Acequia, and the
San José Nature Trail to the San
Antonio River.
“The Spanish Missions in San
Antonio are a unique treasure for
Texans and for all of America,”
said Rep. Doggett during his
testimony. “The Missions National
Historic Park preserves
Rep. Doggett is pictured here with Father David Garcia at Mission
San Juan. Earlier this week the congressman went before
the House Committee of Natural Resources on expanding the
boundary life of the San Antonio Missions National Park.
(Photo, Sarah Dohl)
Texas congressman to improve
Federal Government Customer Service
By Lorraine Carrasco
Earlier this week, Congressmen
Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28)
and Michael McCaul (R-TX-10)
announced the introduction of the
Government Customer Service
Improvement Act of 2013. The
bipartisan legislation works to
improve customer service delivery
across federal agencies, and
a companion bill was introduced
by U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner
(D-VA) and Ron Johnson (R-WI).
Millions of Americans depend on
federal agencies for vital services,
and delays in processing those
requests often result in inconvenience,
frustration and financial
hardship. Passage of this legislation
will make the federal agency
customer service process both
more transparent and efficient
and will focus limited resources
on improving front-line customer
service functions.
“Millions of American families
encounter the federal government
on a daily basis. They deserve
first class customer service. When
trying to navigate the bureaucracy
and cut through the red tape, it is
the job of our federal agencies
to provide helpful answers in a
professional and timely manner.
This bill puts the taxpayer first,”
Legislature must help Child
Protective Services caseworkers
With children’s lives at stake,
the pressure imposed by heavy
workloads at Child Protective
Services (CPS) is pushing many
caseworkers out the door. The
Legislature must use the time
remaining in the 83rd session
to help this agency keep caring
people on the job.
Every day, child abuse investigators
have to deal with
disturbing and heart-wrenching
situations that most people never
encounter. Their decisions can
mean life or death for a child at
risk, and that’s not something to
put away in a desk drawer when
they go home at night.
Other caseworkers — in family-based
services, conservatorship
programs, foster and
adoption programs, child-care
licensing specialists and inspectors
— also make a difference
every day in the lives of Texas
children. It’s not a job they do
for the money, and in fact, it
takes a toll.
Just how challenging are these
jobs? Last year 34 percent of all
child abuse investigators in Texas
resigned, and the turnover rate
among other caseworkers was
26.1 percent.
the largest collection of Spanish
colonial resources anywhere in
America. It is an educational,
historical and cultural resource
that is each year bringing over a
million people to enjoy and learn
from it. The park is important to
the understanding of Texas and
of really the development of the
said Congressman Cuellar, Member
of the House Appropriations
Committee. “Too often we hear
that Americans’ are frustrated
with government service. It is our
responsibility to act when we hear
that students are having difficulty
with federal student loans or when
seniors experience a delay in
their retirement benefits. Every
taxpayer, every day will benefit
from this legislation.”
“The federal government is an
oversized, intimidating bureaucracy
that is too often difficult to
navigate,” said Congressman Mc-
Caul, Chairman of the Homeland
Security Committee. “Whether
it’s a veteran in need of care or
a business with a tax dispute, the
least we can do is ensure that each
federal agency is responsive to the
taxpayers who fund it.”
“Citizens should expect federal
agencies to deliver customer services
at least as well as the private
sector does, but this often is not
the case,” Senator Warner said.
“Many of our military veterans
still wait too long for critical
medical services and benefits,
and I’ve heard from Virginians
waiting over 400 days for their
full retirement benefits from the
federal government. That simply
is not acceptable.”
“For companies operating in
State Senator Carlos Uresti
According to the CPS Data
Book for fiscal 2012, only 45.1
percent of all caseworkers have
been on the job for three years
or more, while almost 30 percent
have been at the job for less than
a year. CPS workers are relatively
young, with an average age of 36,
and the entry-level salary is less
than $37,000 a year.
In February, the commissioner
of the Department of Family and
Protective Services, former San
Antonio Judge John Specia, told
a legislative hearing that child
abuse investigators are overwhelmed
and under paid, and he
asked for help.
“It’s real hard to run a railroad
with 37 percent turnover,” Specia
told the Dallas Morning News,
referring to the number of rookie
investigators who departed the
job last year. Although these
workers care about what they’re
doing, he said, you can’t pay them
enough to stay if “they’ve got
just a completely unreasonable
workload.”
The Legislature is trying to
respond to his plea. While the
final budget for 2014-15 is still
being worked out, Senate Bill 1
as it currently stands provides just
United States and of course is has
a very strong positive economic
impact for San Antonio and
Bexar county. [My bill] would
expand the boundary of the park,
as shown on the map, by 137
acres. It has the support of all five
of us who represent any portion
of Bexar County.”
the private sector, bad customer
service means reduced profits and
the risk of failure,” said Senator
Johnson. “While federal agencies
don’t face that pressure, this
bipartisan measure requires the
development of customer service
standards and performance
measures at each agency. This
is a common sense approach to
help make government operations
more responsive.”
The measure requires the Office
of Management and Budget
(OMB) to set government-wide
customer service standards to
improve response times for citizen
requests and government
services. It holds the Chief Performance
Officer at each agency responsible
for improving customer
service and it would also establish
a specialized team to assist those
agencies which consistently fail to
meet customer service standards.
In addition, the Government
Customer Service Improvement
Act of 2013 sets specific service
improvement targets for the Office
of Personnel Management,
an agency which has experienced
chronic backlogs in processing
retirement benefits for federal
employees. As of March 2013,
OPM still has a backlog of more
than 36,000 claims.
over $2.5 billion in all funds for
CPS, an increase of more than 10
percent over the current budget.
This amount includes about $105
million for Prevention and Early
Intervention programs — a substantial
increase over the current
budget, but still not enough to really
get serious about prevention.
More money will help, but that
alone won’t relieve the stress
caused by heavy caseloads. We
can do more, and that’s why I
am sponsoring bills that would
limit the caseloads of investigators
and other CPS caseworkers,
and enhance training for CPS
supervisors. I’m also seeking to
create a task force to examine
hiring and management practices
at the agency.
Specia is working hard to stem
the flight of caseworkers from
CPS and create a workplace
environment that will encourage
good, caring people to stay on
the job. The Legislature must
continue to help him.
Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio,
District 19; and Sen. Kel
Seliger, R-Amarillo, District 31,
represent large portions of the
Eagle Ford Shale and Permian
Basin energy-producing regions.
political scene
The limits of military intervention
April marked the month that
Iraq held its first election after U.S.
troops completed their withdrawal.
The importance of these governorate
elections, in which over 8,000
candidates competed for 447 provincial
council seats, is akin to that
of U.S. mid-term elections since
they serve as a political barometer
before the national parliamentary
elections, which are set for 2014.
As Iraqis look toward their future
while continuing to struggle with
the challenges of terrorist attacks (a
one-day spate of bombings before
the election killed 75 people and
wounded over 350) and sociopolitical
divisions, they also contemplate
their past and the U.S. occupation
that forever changed their country’s
trajectory.
The Iraq War’s human costs
were substantial. Estimates of Iraqi
deaths range from nearly 100,000
to 140,000, sectarian violence has
caused at least 1.3 million persons
to remain internally displaced as
of 2012, and around 2 million fled
the country, with relatively few
returning. These numbers dwarf
the losses borne by coalition forces,
which include nearly 5,000 deaths,
over 30,000 wounded US troops,
and about 100,000 diagnosed with
PTSD.
At the turn of the millennium,
few would have dared imagine
that this bleak fate would befall the
place where civilization began. Yet,
Iraq’s future undoubtedly changed
on March 2003. Sadly, despite the
best of intentions, the domestic factors
in a post-Saddam Iraq did not
favor internal security.
The need for sociopolitical stability
as a prerequisite for public security
seems to have been severely
underappreciated by the transitional
Coalition Provisional Authority.
The disbanding of the Iraqi Army
in May 2003 left the country without
a bastion of public security and
employment. That same month,
tens of thousands of Ba’athist Party
members were banned from government
jobs, much more than what
had been originally been envisioned
or thought wise. The consequences
that these ill-conceived decisions
were compounded by the need to
delay elections and the drafting
of a permanent constitution until
January 2005.
The Sunni population’s feelings
of political marginalization,
at least in comparison to its prior
prominence, caused a massive
Sunni boycott of the 2005 elections.
The presence of Shiite paramilitary
groups, Sunni militias, and foreign
fighters that included members of
Al Qaeda undermined the public’s
confidence in the interim government.
These armed individuals,
commonly referred to as “insurgents,”
effectively displaced the
state by attacking police stations
or other government institutions,
assassinating politicians, fighting
the coalition forces, and developing
their own bases of support within
society.
By Carlos Castañeda
While the 2007 troop surge had
an obvious military component to it,
its long-term effectiveness depended
on key political developments.
The Sunni Awakening Movement
began in late 2005 and was a result
of growing disillusionment with
Al Qaeda, communities’ need for
self-defense, the U.S.’s willingness
to pay salaries to the tens of thousands
of awakening group fighters,
and Sunnis’ desires to increase
their participation in governmental
decision-making. In addition, the
leader of the powerful Shiite Mahdi
Army, Muqtada al-Sadr, continued
to incorporate his Sadr Movement
into the political mainstream, a
decision that seems to have paid off
since he remains a very influential
figure and his allied political parties
became part of Prime Minister al-
Maliki’s governing coalition after
the 2010 parliamentary elections.
Sociopolitical changes within Iraq
had to change in order for the troop
surge to reduce violence.
In sum, the Iraq War demonstrates
how an aggressive foreign
policy can succeed in effecting
changes within another country’s
government, but will inevitably be
constrained by complex domestic
forces. Internal factors will always
be a greater determinant of stability
and progress than foreign ones,
despite the presence of thousands of
foreign troops.
As Iraqis vote and look toward
their future, they will bear this in
mind.
A fresh start for District 3
By Gabriel Velasquez
Born in 1965, I grew up in District
3 and attended Adams Elementary,
Harlandale Middle and graduated
from Harlandale High School. In
the 11th grade I attained HICEP
employment as a machinist at Kelly
Air Force Base in Building 375. I
resigned in 1986 to earn a degree in
Architecture from UTSA.
While attending college I met
Judge Albert Pena, Jr. who mentored
me as a protégé in coalitionbuilding.
He taught me a rare
quality of service to the community.
Together we directed the Inner City
Advocates. In retrospect, I am honored
to have experienced the real
rewards of a man who never soldout
his community. With Judge
Pena there was always hope for
accountability in city government.
But District 3 has become a
place where the constituent is told
“what will be done” rather than
represented. Compounded by Rolando
Gutierrez and Jennifer Ramos
vacating their respective offices prematurely,
the District 3 council seat
has weakened such that, in 2012,
City Council unanimously positioned
the incumbent Leticia Ozuna
without voter consent, a process that
illustrates the consequences of our
collective lack of involvement in our
own political lives. In District 3 an
abysmal 8% voter turnout means
4.5% wins an election. Still, the
City takes from our wallets while we
complain to each other at the dinner
table about packs of stray dogs that
roam our streets and parks.
While our sidewalks lay as broken
remnants of once-strong inner
city suburbs, City Hall flaunts a million
dollar incentive for a downtown
grocery store to serve new urban
hipsters. While the Bob and Jeanne
Billa Learning and Leadership
Center, Pan American Library, and
Sussex Park deteriorate, a fledgling
foreign corporation receives
a ten-year tax abatement plus a
$7,000,000 commitment at Brooks
City Base.
City Hall has turned a blind eye to
smart growth, balanced city investment,
and the maintenance of our
basic services. It is demonstrated by
seniors walking on damaged roads
to avoid unsafe and inaccessible
sidewalks that our infrastructure is
stressed to the limit. In order to fix
the most obvious problems we must
recognize the simple truth: our tax
dollars are not being spent on our
priorities. It is the right time to start
over in District 3.
That is why I have embarked
on a “Fresh Start for District 3”
campaign. It is important now
more than ever that voters elect a
candidate who’s running with no
strings attached and whose history
illustrates a proven commitment to
the community. We need a track
record of service. I offer that track
record. And my plan is simple.
First, we will unify District 3
across all party lines. National
politics has divided our community.
While many differ on national issues,
collectively most disapproved
of the recent 8.4% SAWS rate hike.
To move District 3 forward we all
must stand together and vote at the
polls in April and May.
Second, we will stand by our
senior community and create an
environment that enables our elders
by investing in senior housing opportunities
and by building accessible
pedestrian routes to Southside
services and amenities. We will
foster neighborhoods that value the
full range of life.
Thirdly, we will pursue a realistic
fare-share of our tax dollars. Bond
investment at Hemisfair Park began
in the tens of millions of dollars
along with millions allocated to
Hardberger Park, the Witte, and the
North US 281/1604 interchange.
We will begin the “Decade of the
Southside” and bring District 3 up
to par with the rest of San Antonio.
Fourth, we will create a neighborhood
commercial revitalization plan
focused on our strong commercial
corridors. Our plan will include a
holistic Southside vision of Military
Drive that transforms our central
lifeline into a world class boulevard
with enhancements to the W.W.
White/Military Drive junction while
reaching out to District 4 to join us
in our vision.
There is no magic wand. One
thing Judge Pena taught me is: the
only promise is hard work ahead. I
am willing to represent us if you’ve
had enough of the past and seek
a fresh start. After all, what good
is free Wi-Fi in the park if you’re
bitten by a dog while accessing the
internet?
Experience, For A Change
It’s time that we put experience in City Hall. Our community has
real issues and needs real solutions. Soy De Aqui. I’m a Lanier
graduate, a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, a small
business owner and I have a passion for the Westside. This election is
about the future of our families. Let’s Revive District 5 together!
-I respectfully ask for your support, Richard-
Early Voting: APRIL 29 - MAY 7 | Election Day: May 11, 2013
I’m Not A Millionaire. I Just Didn’t Move To
The Westside. I Honor My Responsibilities.
Soy De Aqui.
REVIVE strength and
pride in our community!
It’s time to create jobs. To take care of our people. To improve
our quality of life. We must revive the strength of our
community. Here is my vision:
WESTSIDE CORRIDORS
Our Westside anchors of UTSA Downtown, OLLU, Robert B.
Green, Port San Antonio, General McMullen, The Stockyards
and Avenida Guadalupe allow for us to create Education,
Social Service, Industrial and Entertainment corridors that will
generate jobs and improve our infrastructure.
PUBLIC SAFETY
We will work together with our first responders to improve
safety, response times, and include bike patrols.
SENIORS
Bring back neighborhood senior service locations to be closer
to the people that need them. Places like St. Timothy, St.
Alfonsos, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Jude, San Juan De Los
Lagos, Holy Family and others.
STREETS & SIDEWALKS
We need to actively look for other state and federal grants to
improve our streets to provide improved access for wheelchairs
and our families.
IMPROVED ACCESS TO PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION
We need to work to ensure safety and effectiveness of public
transportation to the Westside. Paid
1979
BUSINESS OWNER,
COMMUNITY LEADER
Owner/Operator AVIS Rent-A-Car Brooks City-Base
Board member, South Chamber of Commerce
Parishoner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
Founding ACTs member of St. John Berchman
Member Metropolitan Health District Food Safe Task
Force Hispanic Chamber Embajador
Diez Y Seís Guadalupe Street Parade & Festival
Chairman 1994-2000
Former Director of Special Events for Avenida
Guadalupe Association
Former Assistant Metro Director for the Texas
Restaurant Association
Former Member Diez Y Seis Commission
Former Chairman San Antonio Diabetes Education
Committee
Former Member San Antonio Business Coalition
FAMILY
Born and Raised on the Westside
Husband, Father and Grandfather
Married to Anna M. Cardenas for 31 Years
Graduate Sidney Lanier 1979