Pete Sessions' NRCC "Needs Proctology Exam"

Tuesday was election day in a few states, not Texas, but one story has a north Texas connection. Besides the primary elections, there was a special election in Pennsylvania's 12th District to fill the Congressional seat left vacant by the death of Congressman John Murtha. The head of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), which oversees GOP electoral strategy nationally, is none other than Richardson's own Congressman Pete Sessions.

After the jump, what our Congressman has been up to outside his district.

I Hear The Train A Comin'

Back in the 19th century, communities lived or died based on the route that railroad barons chose for new railroads. Plano and Richardson are about to experience a 21st century version of those long-ago battles. According to a story by Ian McCann of The Dallas Morning News:

"Plano and Richardson are positioning themselves to become transit hubs, connecting the DART Red Line with the proposed Cotton Belt commuter rail. Both city councils have recently approved resolutions that, while effusive in their support of the Cotton Belt, are markedly different in the route they want the new line to take."

After the jump, figuring the odds for this prize fight.

Maggie May USA

There's a new blog about Richardson to check out. It's "Maggie May USA". I'm not saying this because Maggie May USA had some nice things to say about me, although that does demonstrate superior insight and excellent judgment. It's because Maggie May USA offers valuable nuggets of consumer advice like this:

"Raccoons eat tomatoes. Don't let anyone tell you they don't. Their little stealing paws nabbed the best looking ones. They were not even red, still green."

Almost Haiku prose, that, if there were such a form. Or free verse, at least. Let's see how it looks reformatted.

"Raccoons eat tomatoes.
Don't let anyone tell you they don't.
Their little stealing paws nabbed the best looking ones.
They were not even red, still green."

The blog is also worth checking out because Maggie May USA had the scoop that, during Wildflower!, "hotel rooms, in addition to the suites, at the Renaissance Hotel have started being booked up by the City of Richardson" and "customers of the hotel who have reservations are bumped." That's not nice.

Check it out.

Does Texas Open Meetings Act Need Improvement?

Recently I've commented on the unintended negative consequences of the largely beneficial Texas Open Meetings Act. (For example, here, here, and here). The act requires that local governments, e.g., the Richardson City Council, post agendas for meetings in advance. Consequently, it forbids them from discussing issues raised by visitors, at least during that session. I complained that legitimate issues raised by visitors end up getting swept under the rug.

After the jump, one reader takes my criticism to task.

Neighborhood Protection Alliance of Richardson

Neighborhood Protection Alliance. The name might conjure up some kind of organized crime protection racket. Or maybe a vigilante group. The reality is not bad news, but the very existence of such a group indicates that all is not well in Smallville, USA Richardson.

After the jump, what the Neighborhood Protection Alliance means for Richardson.

Coterie Games

From 2010 05 Coterie Games

"Coterie" is an organization of Richardson-area friends who get together three times a year for dinner and entertainment. The theme and activity for each occasion varies. The May 2010 Coterie party's theme was "Coterie Games." For a slide show of festivities, click here.

28 Square

There's a new blog in town, "28 Square," covering all things Richardson by multiple bloggers. From it's "About" page:

"28 Square is your one stop blog for everything Richardson. Sure, we’re all a little bit biased here but the good news is with 8 different viewpoints you’re bound to learn something new about the city you call home. So bookmark us, read us, argue with us and finally agree with us (because just ask our loved ones, we’re always right) and be ready to discover something new within these 28 square miles of Richardson.

Check it out: 28 Square.

Another Loophole In Texas Open Meetings Act

Recently, I've had reasons to be disappointed with the Texas Open Meetings Act. In the words of the Texas Attorney General, "The Texas Open Meetings Act honors the principle that government at all levels in this state should operate in a way that is open and accessible to the people." The Attorney General doesn't say that, in practice, there are enough loopholes to keep the working of government just as opaque as the office holders want it to be. The law is one of those reforms that promises more than it delivers. A more cynical person might think that's not entirely accidental. (I know what you're asking yourself. Who is more cynical than me? Hey, I can be a hopemonger, too.)

My earlier disappointments are spelled out here and here. After the jump, today's lesson.

A Sour Note In Richardson

The City of Richardson supports the arts. Kinda. Sometimes. Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival opens Friday night in Richardson's Galatyn Park. There will be thousands of music fans attending concerts by the likes of the B-52s and American Idol finalist Casey Jones. This is a big effin' deal, to coin a phrase.

After the jump, the one sour note...

Another Thing I Hate About Texas Open Meetings Act

It promises more than it delivers. The Texas Open Meetings Act is one of those good intentions that doesn't work out as well in practice. In the words of the Texas Attorney General, "The Texas Open Meetings Act honors the principle that government at all levels in this state should operate in a way that is open and accessible to the people." In practice, a lot of things still happen behind the curtains.

After the jump, news about Richardson's Lookout Drive Transfer Station.