Review: Maphead

Amazon

From "Maphead," by Ken Jennings:


the way modern mapheads discover maps as children is more like the way cavemen must have discovered fire: as a flash of lightning. You see that first map, and your mind is rewired, probably forever. In my case, the Ur-map was a wooden puzzle of the fifty states"

After the jump, my review.

Point-Counterpoint: Drainage Utility Fee

The agenda for Richardson's Monday night city council meeting contained a public hearing concerning the establishment of a drainage utility fee. (This blog item is being written before that public hearing takes place.)

After the jump, a case for and against this new utility fee.

Towards Ever More Transparent Government

Last week, I summarized the legal arguments against the process used by the Richardson City Council to award City Manager Bill Kefler a 2% raise. I found the arguments either weak or outright bizarre. I asked readers to correct my understanding of the arguments or supply a stronger argument, if they were able. One reader, Nathan Morgan, took me up. What followed was a long comment thread (33 comments now). In my opinion, he offered nothing new, only restating arguments I had included (and rejected) in my original summary of the legal arguments against the city.

So, it's time for me to move on. After the jump, the advice I offered on just how to do that. And to start the ball rolling, a suggestion.

Hoops: Berkner 62, Allen 48

From 2011 11 Berkner Basketball

With football season over for most high school teams (except those making deep runs in the state playoffs), it's time to turn our attention to basketball. Most teams are already well into their non-district tune-up game schedule. Saturday night, the Berkner Rams defeated the Allen Eagles 62-48 on the Ram's home court. The Rams look to be a threat to repeat as District 9-5A champions, so look up the schedule and come out and cheer on the team.

For more photos from Saturday's game, look here.

Get a Raise, Get a Grouse

In a Richardson City Council budget work session in August, the proposed budget was reviewed in great detail. It called for 2% merit increases for many of those at the top of their pay plan. In the posted November 7 city council work session agenda, the council said they planned to go into executive session to discuss this item: "Personnel: Evaluation of City Manager." The agenda said they would "reconvene in open session, and take action, if any, on matters discussed in executive session." Sure enough, when they reconvened in open session, the council unanimously moved to award City Manager Bill Keffler a 2% raise.

The usual critics cried foul. Do they have a case? After the jump, let's consider.

Thanksgiving Day in the Steger Garden (2011)

From Flowers

Give thanks for family and friends. Give thanks for the meal before you and all who labor to grow, prepare and serve the food on our tables every day. Give thanks for the freedom to enjoy this holiday and all who serve to protect our freedom. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Imagine There's No Central

I have a recurring fantasy in which Richardson rips up Central Expressway and replaces it with a pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined boulevard. It's my fantasy, right? Dream big. Hey, the Richardson City Council only dreams of getting access points to the HOV lanes on Central Expressway through Richardson. Talk about having small dreams.

After the jump, imagine there's no Central.

When Abstinence Isn't Enough, Try Asceticism

With the recent death of Andy Rooney, his long-running commentary on "60 Minutes" also comes to an end. If you are of a certain age, you might remember what segment filled the last few minutes of each week's show before Andy took over. It was called Point-Counterpoint.

I was reminded of Point-Counterpoint when browsing my usual news sources today. The subject is sex education in schools. The two commentaries are from Unfair Park's Rob Wilonsky and from my favorite crunchy conservative, The American Conservative's Rod Dreher.

After the jump, two different world views.

Open Meetings Act, Not So Bad After All

I've long had a grudge against the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA). Not with the intent behind the act -- open meetings -- but with the unintended consequences of the act. Two clauses of the act, each fine by itself, work together to suppress open discussion.

• Meeting agendas must be posted 72 hours in advance
  
• Public officials may not discuss subjects not on the agenda
  

After the jump, the harm these rules cause and a possible solution.
 

Coterie "Great Steakout"

From 2011 11 Coterie Steakout

"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 November 2011 Coterie party was a "Great Steakout" dinner party at Hoffbrau Steakhouse in Dallas.

For a slide show of the evening, click here.