Working El Paso Downtown Ballpark Corruption Timeline
Timeline will be continously updated. Last updated Sept. 19, 2012, 10:15 pm
Timeline will be continously updated. Last updated Sept. 19, 2012, 10:15 pm
Main
Players
Joyce
Wilson - El Paso City Manager
Paul
Foster – Western Refining CEO
Woody
Hunt -
Steve
Ortega – City Representative for District 7
Cortney
Niland - City Representative for District 8
Mayor
John Cooks
Ann
Morgan Lilly - City Representative for District 1
Eddie
Holguin City Representative for District 6
Carl
Robinson - City Representative for District 4
El
Paso Tomorrow PAC – Political Action Committee organized to push
the ballpark
Rick
Harrow – consultant from Harrow Sports Ventures; goes around
selling the ides of sport arenas to cities.
Deborah
Hamlyn – former Assistant City Manager long know for her racism
toward people of color in El Paso. She was hired by El Paso Tomorrow
PAC after her retirement from the city in Aug. 2012.
TORA
– Texas Open Records Act
|
Late 1990s |
Oklahoma City
builds a voter-approved
Triple A baseball park |
|
1999 |
City
Council adopted the recommendation of El Paso’s elite Ad-hoc
Bond Committee, which said all quality of life initiatives, such
as parks, zoos and stadiums, must be approved by voters. Report:
Staying Put but Still
in the Shadows: Undocumented Immigrants Remain in the Country
Despite Strict Laws,
Accessed Aug. 17, 2012:
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/report/2012/02/22/11126/staying-put-but-still-in-the-shadows/
|
|
2007 |
“Oklahoma
City passed anti-immigrant ordinances in 2007 and 2009, well
before states such as Arizona, Georgia, or Alabama.” Report:
Staying Put but Still
in the Shadows: Undocumented Immigrants Remain in the Country
Despite Strict Laws,
Accessed Aug. 17, 2012:
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/report/2012/02/22/11126/staying-put-but-still-in-the-shadows/
|
|
2009 |
Oklahoma
City passes another anti-immigrant ordinance,
|
|
|
Paul Foster and
Hunt Family push to bring a Triple A baseball team to El Paso.
Gray, Robert, “Two Years to Make a Deal,” El
Paso Inc., 07/01/12;
Gray, Robert, “Josh Hunt: Mountainstar Sport Group; Senior VP,
Hunt Companies,” El Paso Inc., 07/01/12;
|
|
2010 |
City Manager
Joyce Wilson begins private meetings with Downtown Ballpark
supporters. |
|
01/30/11 |
El Paso
Times reports that
then City Representative Robert O'Roarke and Steve Ortega are
pushing to renovate San Jacinto Plaza in El Paso's Downtown. This
push comes from Paul Foster. The article mentions the possible
closing of Oregon Street in front of the Foster-owned Mills
Building. Ortega mentions redesigning the park to look like a park
in New York City. Schladen, Marty. “Downtown Evolution: Critics
plan challenge of Plaza face-lift,” El
Paso Times,
1/30/2011. |
|
|
Paul Foster
pushes renovation of San Jacinto Plaza including the removal of
Luis Jimenez' “Los Lagartos Sculpture |
|
11/04/11 |
City Council
votes to keep “Los Lagartos” at the center of San Jacinto
Plaza, with Steve Ortega, Cortney Niland, and Ann Morgan Lilly
voting nay. |
|
11/11/11 |
Western
Refining announced it will move 85 employees from its El Paso
headquarters to Arizona. Mayor Cook meets with Paul Foster to
persuade him not to move these employees. |
|
02/09/12 |
Bill Burton CEO
of Mithoff Burton Partners writes Rep. Ann Morgan Lilly stating,
“Truly enjoyed our lunch and visit last week. I promised I would
follow up on the wayfinding unites that have been reviewed by the
DMD. I am concerned that you may not have seen the final drawings.
You should soon be getting the actual schematics from Veronica
Soto. I have ask her to make sure the renderings are the ones the
DMD has approved, per all the changes that have been made by us.
The first drafts were not good at all, and much was revised.
Please let me know when you receive those, and if they are, in
fact, different from the ones you have concerns about. We want
them to be right.” Email obtained via TORA, dated Feb. 9, 2012. Lilly knew of and was being lobbied for a Downtown Ballpark but failed to inform her constituents. |
|
04/03/12 |
Brian Finkel,
Creative Director of Horrow Sports Ventures writes Leanard
Goodman, Ruben E. Guerra, Bill Burton, Peter Fraire, Steffen
Possiger, Russel Autry, Bill Barnhouse, Assistant City Manager
Deborah Hamlyn, and Rick Harrow: “If it works for everyone's
schedules, I'd like to set a meeting for next Tuesday at 10am for
an all-hands-on-deck, roll up the sleeves to prepare for the City
Council presentation on April 18. The goal will be to organize the
presentation (overview, projects, financing mechanism, etc.) under
the them lines that we're using for the campaign, as well as
conceptualize other marketing material we'll want in the near
future. I'd ask, if at all possible, we not set a meeting end
time, so were're not constrained by a hard out.” Email obtained
via TORA, dated April 3, 2012.
This email point to the fact that the City Manager's office has opened its doors to lobbyists in that a meeting is arrange between a lobbyist with no City Council member present. It's no wonder that the ballpark issues was a surprise to many of the representatives. It is knows that Deberah Hamlyn who would later retire in August 2012 and go straight to work with the PAC supporting the ballpark, attended this meeting. Email obtained via TORA, dated April 5, 2012 from Deborah Hamlyn. This was an all-day meeting. City Manager Joyce Wilson also attended this meeting. Email obtained via TORA, Dated April 5, 2012, 12:24pm and 12:42pm. |
|
04/11/12 |
Hamlyn writes
Bill Burton, “ Bill, Attached is the back up for the 4 main
categories of request that relate to the specific slides that list
the proposed project. So, what you have is a Zoo; Parks; Library
and Museums. These project are what make up the totals that appear
on the sheet.” Email obtained via TORA, dated April 11, 2012,
4:19pmn writes Deborah Hamlyn, Assistant City Manager and future
El Paso Tomorrow PAC consultant: “Our #1 needed now: the digital
rendering of the Downtown sites plan. Showing baseball, Union
Plaza, etc. We have print but need digital.” Email obtained via
TORA from Bill Burton via TORA, Dated April 11, 2012, 4:29pm Deborah Hamlyn's office would be accused of “cheating, ballot stuffing, ...fraud” by the El Paso Inc. in a Sept. 16, 2012 article. Of the items listed above, including zoos and parks, many Quality of Life Surveys were forged. Records show when this was brought to light, Hamlyn choose to disregard. Crowder, David, “Stadium Tainted,” El Paso Inc., Sept. 16, 2012. |
|
04/12/12 |
Assistant City
Manager Mark Sutter writes William Studer and Linda Roa: “Bill
Please find attached the ppt slide we talked about showing
property tax impact of issuing additional $500 million in debt.
(Graph only goes to 2036, but tax rate continues to decline
through the last year of the debt service in 2055.)...Key feature
in graph – current property tax ate per $100 assessed value for
debt is about $0.23 and then increased to approx $0.26 when
currently authorized is issued; the max when the new issues begin
is about $0.27.” Email obtained via TORA from Mark Sutter, Dated
April 12, 2012.
In a
New 7 Extra Debate, Former Mayor Ray Salazar would get City
Manager Joyce Wilson and Bill Studer to admit the City of El Paso
is $850 million in debt.
|
|
04/17/12 |
Bill Burton
writes Joyce Wilson and William Studer regarding the presentation
that will be given during the Quality of Life Special Meeting by
the City Council: “There are two changes, based on comments from
the Task Force today; 1. We remove the map, “How El Paso Might
Look”. Was contentious and was the ONLY slide that got negative
feedback (caps in original). 2. We changed the heading on the
Downtown Projects to read, “Quality of Life/Jobs”. Its our
belief that “Signature Projects” means different things to
people – let's talk about what these project REALLY do (caps in
original). Joyce, we will have one of our guys there to run the
show, if that's oky with you. We will all meet at MBP to rehearse
at 9:15 a.m. Tomorrow. Everyone is invited. Confirmed is Rick
Horrow, Tripper Goodman, and technician.” Emai obtained via
TORA, from Bill Burton dated April 15, 2012. |
|
04/19/12 |
El
Paso Times: “El
Pasoans may be asked to vote for a $655 million to $835 million
bond issue that could include a new multipurpose arena and
stadiums for major league soccer and Triple-A baseball teams, as
well as parks, pools and community centers and the reconstruction
of streets.”
“Among the
signature Downtown projects that may be included in the bond are a
$150 million multipurpose arena; $10 million to $20 million for
general Downtown improvements; and $30 million for new museums and
museum upgrades.”
“Also
proposed is a $45 million Triple-A baseball stadium, which would
be contingent on securing a team, and up to $50 million in Sun
Bowl upgrades, which would be contingent on a long-term commitment
to retain the annual Sun Bowl game and host major league soccer
tournaments.”
“East
Side city Rep. Dr. Michael Noe said that he "wholeheartedly"
supported the bond and all the projects in it, but not at the
expense of his district not getting any new community centers.”
“Reps.
Ann Morgan Lilly, Cortney Niland and Emma Acosta each asked
specifically that recreation or senior centers be included in
neighborhoods in their districts, while others said they had
provided Wilson a wish list of projects for theirs.”
“Officials
with EPISO, a nonprofit inter-religious organization, strongly
advocated that street improvements be included in the bond.
Street projects
will probably be on the ballot for up to $200 million to
completely rebuild aging and deteriorating roads, Wilson said.”“Street improvement projects will be discussed in more detail during a special council work session May 24.” Preliminary Proposals for 2012 Bond Issue
Total:
$655 to $835 million over 15 years
Ramirez, Cindy.
“El Paso City Council eyes $600-$800M bond: New arena, stadiums
part of Nov. ballot plan,” El
Paso Times, April
19, 2012.
|
|
|
|
|
04/29/12 |
Rabbi
Larry
Bach of Border Interfaith and Temple Mount Sinai; and Tina
Vasquez, for EPISO and Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
write the following opinion editorial for the El
Paso Times:
“EPISO
and Border Interfaith, two organizations which together represent
25 religious congregations, neighborhoods, and labor unions, spent
a good deal of time and energy organizing meetings in many of our
congregations over the last several weeks. “
“More than
700 people came out to talk about what 'Quality of Life' meant to
them, and to share stories about why that is so.”
“Here's what we heard: Infrastructure is essential. Again and again, our constituents voiced their frustration with streets in dire need of repair. Gaping potholes, nonexistent sidewalks, and inadequate striping make for unsafe conditions which negatively affect people's lives.” “While many of us are excited about parks and libraries (for example), we believe that moving forward with these projects ought to be contingent upon a real commitment to renewing our weak and failing infrastructure all over town.” “If your child has no sidewalk around her elementary school, the Triple-A ballgame or MLS soccer match taking place Downtown doesn't bring nearly as much joy.” “Accountability is critical. Given the high-profile corruption cases that have touched other local taxing entities in recent years, it is not surprising that a call to raise and spend hundreds of millions of dollars is being met with healthy skepticism by many in our community. We heard, loud and clear, that El Pasoans demand transparency throughout this process.” Bach, Larry and Vasquez, Tina. “Bach and Vasquez: EPISO, Border Interfaith gather input on 'quality-of-life' bond,” El Paso Times, April 29, 2012. |
|
|
|
|
05/08/12 |
Mountain
Star Sports Group files incorporation papers with the Texas
Secretary of State. Gene Wolf is listed as the initial organizer.
Initial managers listed are Paul Foster, Joshua Hunt, Woody Hunt,
and Scott D. Weaver. Three “sports” groups formed within a few days of each other by the group (See attached): Mountain Star Sports Group, Franklin Mountain Sports Group, and Hunt Holdings Sports. |
|
05/24/12 |
Franklin
Mountain Sports Group, LCC files incorporation papers with the
Texas Secretary of State with registered agent Sandra Mendez and
organizer Gene Wolf. Initial manager named is Paul Foster. Hunt Holdings Sports Group, LCC files incorporation papers with the Texas Secretary of State. Gene Wolf is listed as organizer and Woody Hunt and Joshua Hunt listed as managers. |
|
Early June,
2012 |
City's
tax office moves to the Well's Fargo Building. Move sparks
investigation by the El Paso District Attorney. Flores, Aileen.
“Consolidated Tax Office to get larger location,” El
Paso Times,
June 1, 2012. |
|
|
|
|
06/11/12 |
Mojito
Email Joyce Wilson writes Rick Harrow her famous “Mojito and Condo Email”: “Hi Rick. Got your voice message and nice comments-which are appreciated. Thanks.” “I will let you know ASAP as soon as I have a firm schedule for the council actions on the bond questions. We are meeting today do discus schedule and draft questions. I will make sure you have all of that information.” “ I will coordinate with Tripper about arranging meetings for you with Council members of (sic) others on 5th and 6th while you are in town. I'll also make myself available as needed to ensure good coordination.” “I'm excited about the great possibilities the election will bring to El Paso. Just watching OKC (Oklahoma City) and the Thunder and all the PR about the team and the city and the fans is really cool. I'm curious who you are rooting for now that the Heat are in the finals. I'm torn but hope that Heat prevails. They worked hard against Boston to get there. Keep the mojitos chilled for me in FLA. Will let you know about my condo ventures.”(underlining added for emphasis). Email obtained via TORA from Joyce Wilson to Rick Horrow dated June 11, 10:35 am. |
|
06/19/12 |
City
Manager Joyce Wilson checks with Bill Burton to see if the City
Council agenda is in the order that he wants it. Asst. City
Manager William Studer writes, (536pm) “Bill, Thanks for guiding
me on this. If you see anything out of place or out of order, let
me know and we'll change it. The public speakers is a rough
outline – we don't have confirmation on any of them.” Emails
obtained via TORA.
|
|
06/20/12 |
City
Manager Joyce Wilson checks with Bill Burton to see if the City
Council agenda is in the order that he wants it. Bill Burton to
Joyce Wilson (2:02pm): “Joyce, Can you let me know two things,
via phone or email: 1. When do you expect the Council Agenda to be
posted tomorrow? 2. Is this order what you have in mind for the
Council presentation?” Email obtained via TORA.
Wilson
writes Burton when he asks when the agenda will be posted: Wilson
(3:21pm), “It should be posted by noon – normally – so you
can expect inquiries after. I think the items generally are
correct in terms of order but will defer to Bill and Carmen to
confirm I will be reviewing the agenda tonite and may post this
item not to be heard before 11 AM so that everyone can show up at
that time and not sit around waiting for it. I will confirm that.
Bill Burton writes (4:09pm), “Just heard from some in the Owner
Group...Since there are so many of the presenters/non-presenters
coming in from out of town, they had planned on thing being first
on the agenda. Any way to leave is as the opening item?” Email
obtained via TORA.
|
|
06/22/12 |
Details
of the City Council's coming vote on the ballpark are released in
the City Councils, June 26, agenda. City Manager Joyce Wilson
pushes to relocate city services to building owned by the ballpark
proponents, namely the Paso Del Norte Group and Paul Foster.
Buildings named include the Foster-owned Mills Building and Blue
Flame Building. “The
El Paso Independent School District occupied that building (Blue
Flame) on a temporary basis,” says Rep. Robinson in an El Paso
Inc. interview. “The question you need to explore is: 'Why did
they move out abruptly?' There are problems with that building.
You talk about this building needing upgrading? That building is
in much worse condition.” Gray, Robert. “Carl
Robinson: Northeast City Representative,”
El Paso Inc.
July 29, 2012. |
|
|
|
|
06/26/12 |
After a five
hour City Council Meeting, and hours of public comment to the
contrary, City Council votes to demolish City Hall and the
Insights Museum to make way for a Downtown ballpark. They include
a non-compete clause to keep the Ysleta del Sur nation from using
Cohen Stadium. At the end of the meeting, city representatives
Niland, Lilly, Noe, Ortega, and Byrd pull baseball hats from under
their desks and pose for a photo. Demolishing City Hall would
require the move of 600 city employees and scatter them across El
Paso. The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and the Hotel-Motel Association
speak to the contrary. Representatives Holguin and Robinson vote
nay. To fund the stadium, the city wants to increase the Hotel
Motel Tax to make it the highest in the nation. Gray, Robert,
Ballpark Questions
Abound, El
Paso Inc.
06/24/2012; Paredes, Martin, “Stadium for El Paso,” El
PasoNews.Org,
06/25/12; Gray, Robert, “Two Years to Make a Deal,” El
Paso Inc., 07/01/12.
Josh
Hunt tells the El
Paso Inc.,
“In order for us to acquire a Triple-A team, we need the
approval of Minor League Baseball and its
leagues.
Now that we have approval from the city that a ballpark will be
built, league approval will be our next step. But, for us to
secure that approval, we must showcase El Paso as a preferred
Triple-A baseball market. And we feel to do that, we need a
non-compete clause in our term sheet with the city.” “Josh
Hunt: Mountainstar Sport Group; Senior VP, Hunt Companies,” El
Paso Inc., 07/01/12.
|
|
06/29/12 |
Stadium
proponents speak before the Pacific League's executive committee
in Dallas. Bill Burton writes Joyce Wilson, William Studer, Cortney Niland, and Ann Morgan Illy at 9:10am mentioning a photo of them with baseball caps at the June 26, 2012, City Council Meeting. He mentions to Joyce Wilson: “Joyce, will you forward this to Steve, Susie, and Dr. Noe? I can't find their personal emails.” Email obtained via the TORA. This is possible evidence that the El Paso City Council used personal emails to conduct city business which is against the law as it circumvents the Texas Open Meetings Act. |
|
Late June 2012 |
“Stockton,
Calif., made a slew of public investments, including a sports
arena, and
moved
its City Hall in an effort to stimulate its Downtown area. It
filed for bankruptcy last week.” Gray,
Robert, “Josh Hunt: Mountainstar Sport Group; Senior VP, Hunt
Companies,” El
Paso Inc.,
07/01/12;
|
|
|
“Cook
threatened to veto the sale of tax bonds to pay for the $50
million stadium and the
demolition of
City Hall – if a November ballot measure to raise the hotel tax
on visitors fails.” Crowder, David. “Cook: Ballpark del is
locked in,” El Paso
Inc. 07/09/12 |
|
07/09/12 |
Mayor Cook
flips and declares his support for the stadium. Crowder, David.
“Cook: Ballpark del is locked in,” El Paso Inc. 07/09/12. Rep.
Eddie Holguin states, “Yes, there is discrimination against the
tribe (Tigua), there has always been discrimination by the
government against Native Americans...”
“Ven racismo en trato a Tiguas,” Diario
de El Paso,
07/09/12.
City
Attorney Sylvia B. Firth states in an email to Joyce Wilson
(11:00am) “I spoke to the Mayor this morning about his
statements in the media regarding financing the stadium. He did
not understand that there are alternative financing methods in the
event the 2 percent HOT increase does not pass and that council
essentially has decided to move forward whether or not the voters
pass the HOT tax increase. He (mayor) needs someone to explain to
him how you plan to pay for the construction in the event the HOT
increase does not pass.” Texas Open Records Act Request of
E-mail correspondence.
11:25am.
Wilson emails Representatives Steve Ortega and Cortney Niland a
“draft of your
press release....” “let me know if this is close to where you
want to go. I can get staff to assist (underlined for emphasis).”
Wilson's press statement for the representatives admits that the
“ability to host professional sports in El Paso for the
foreseeable future” is “jeopardized,” “perhaps in our
lifetime” she adds. “This has been a two year process (sic),
not something that just came up recently. Yes, it is a risk. Yes,
it will be disruptive in the short-term.” Wilson states that
“City Hall needs between $12-30 million to modernize it for
long-term use. We can either spend that money for the current site
or the same amount for an alternative site.” Email obtained via
TORA.
At
this point in time, she is referring to the Blue Flame Building
which is 45 years older than the City Hall Building.
11:35am.
Wilson writes Bill Burton on advise how to word a press statement
from City Council. “It appears the mayor did not realize there
was an alternative funding option outside of CO's.” Email
obtained via TORA.
David
Crowder of the El
Paso Inc. writes to
Joyce Wilson: “Well what can I say? It seems that the mayor was
wrong all around and that Inc. (El paso Inc.) was as well. The
veto override issues is now corrected and we will be following
that up. Cook now says that Cos (Certificates of Obligation) would
not be used if the hotel-motel tax fails because it would not be
legal, according to Brandon, based on state law. So, if voters
turn down the HOT tax (Hotel Occupancy Tax) increase, it appears
there is a back up mechanism in place over which the mayor would
have no power. He said today that, as he now understands, the
stadium deal is now a fait accompli, a done deal, on the basis of
council's action two weeks ago.” Email obtained via TORA,
11:57am.
12:16pm.
Joyce Wilson writes to Bill Burton, “...it is being diffused now
Mayor fully understands that he make a big mistake (sic) He
doesn't want to kill the project He wasn't here on 26th and did
not really understand council's action.” Email obtained via
TORA.
At
2:30pm, Bill Burton send Joyce Wilson an email that contains
evidence that his firm “edits” her letters regarding the
ballpark. Email obtained via TORA, Dated July 9, 2012.
Around
July 9, Bill Burton and possibly Joyce Wilson meet with the
Insights Museum Board of Directs. She later tells Bill Burton:
“Also had a great meeting with Insights Board They will be a
player and supporter of the larger vision.” Email obtained via
TORA, dated July 9, 2012, 4:15 PM.
|
|
07/10/12 |
Astronaut
Daniel Olivas pays his last visit to the Insight Museum saying
that his visits to the museum inspired his career. “Posible
última visita de astronauta a Museo de Ciencias Insights, “Diario
de El Paso, 07/07/12. On the demolition of the Insights Museum,
Joyce Wilson says, “"Insights leadership has been aware for
some time that their tenure on that site would be limited. Even if
this would not have come forward, there had been other plans to
build out that site and make better utilization of the acreage
than what exists now." Smith, Mathew, “Petitioners
question downtown ballpark,” KVIA Channel 7. July 25, 2012. |
|
07/18/12 |
El Paso
Times reports that
City Manager Joyce Wilson plans to create a “One Stop Shop”
for city services in the 1940s era Blue Flame Building, which is
owned by Paul Foster. “El Paso City Hall: Employee Relocation
Organized,” El Paso
Times. |
|
|
“An
internal city of El Paso audit that was released Thursday shows
nearly $1.2 million in accounting irregularities in the city's
Consolidated Tax Office, which collects property taxes for the
county's 34 taxing entities, officials said.”
“The
audit, which was first reported by KFOX, shows that money from the
Property Tax Overpayment Account -- where overpayments are
supposed to be held for at least three years until taxpayers
request a refund -- was instead used to pay for operational
expenses in connection with the tax office. That resulted in the
office's annual budget being under-reported, officials said. “
|
|
07/22/12 |
Voters opposing
the undemocratic process of the City Council regarding the
demolition of City Hall and the building of a ballpark, gather at
Memorial Park to begin a petition initiative to recall the June 26
vote. “Reúnen firmas
vs estadio de béisbol,” Diario de El Paso, 07/22/12. |
|
07/24/12 |
In a 2:49pm
email from Bill Burton to William Studer, cc to City Manager Joyce
Wilson, Burton admits that he does not want the public to know the
true cost of the Downtown Ballpark: “I need to have an
'official' number that we can use for the estimated tax increase
of an average-value home in El Paso. When Horrow was here we
talked about “less then 5 cents” per $100 valuation... it that
still correct? I just need a figure to plug in to get people from
thinking this is going to be a huge number. Help...?” Email
obtained via Texas Open Records Act. |
|
07/25/12 |
Quality of Life
Voters for Democracy hold a press conference in front of the El
Paso County Court House announcing the start of their petition.
They allege closed meetings in violation of the Open Records Act,
access by lobbyist to the city manager, and that voters should
make the decision regarding quality of life issues. Although the
City Manager and ballpark supporters state that they have been
working on the ballpark two years, and did not informed the public
about this or had no time to take the issue to the voters, Joyce
Wilson: "I believe in an ideal world, the Council would have
liked to put it on a ballot, but throughout this process when we
started the whole Quality of Life bond election, we were very
clear publicly that there was a possibility or prospect of
Triple-A baseball. The reality is the opportunity came forward and
a commitment and a decision had to be made by the city."
Smith, Mathew, “Petitioners question downtown ballpark,” KVIA
Channel 7. July 25, 2012. |
|
07/27/12 |
Even
though not disclosed to the voters or city representatives, City
Manager Joyce Wilson tells the El Paso Times: “"The
perception is that there was no transparency, and that is
absolutely not true,' said Wilson, who added that the possibility
of a baseball team and a new stadium had been discussed for about
two years. 'I believe it's the most extensive analysis anyone has
ever done on any project in the city.'” “Officials with the
Coalition for Responsive Government said they want to rescind the
council's decision to demolish
City
Hall and to finance a Downtown sports complex. The coalition said
it supports a ballpark but objects to the demolition of City
Hall.” “City Rep. Cortney Niland, who represents Downtown and
voted in favor of the resolution, said...the problem may lie in
poor communication.” “'Where we have failed as a council is to
communicate well. I don't think we've done a good job at getting
our message out to the community...' Niland said.” Ramirez,
Cindy. “Groups
seek signatures to save El Paso's City Hall,” El
Paso Times,
July 27, 2012.
|
|
|
Questions
arise whether the ballpark will fit in the City Hall premises
without closing Sante Fe Street, demolishing the Scottish Rite
Temple, building over the Union Pacific right of way, and
demolishing the Sunset Heights Historical District. Former City
Council Representative Alejandro Lozano. Molinet, Jugo. “¿Cabe
estadio en terreno del City Hall y museo que serán tirados?,
Diario
de El Paso,
July 28, 2012.
|
|
07/29/12 |
Rep.
Carl Robinson states that he is “worried
the growing backlash could impact the success of the quality of
life bond, which he supports.” “If you disrespect the citizens
and you alienate them, they may not come out and vote or they may
vote down the bond. This issue with the baseball stadium and
tearing down City Hall could be a lightning rod and the lightning
could strike down the quality of life bond.” Grey, Robert. “Carl
Robinson: Northeast City Representative,” El
Paso Inc., July 29,
2012. After receiving criticism that Foster wants taxpayers to
renovate his buildings, Foster tells the El
Paso Inc. that about
rumors that he is
offering to “vacant Blue Flame to the city for $1 a year as a
new City Hall and to remove the asbestos, install new heating and
cooling and replace the elevators.” Foster says the city could
have to upgrade the HVAC and get new elevators. Crowder, David.
“Foster: Baseball Deal on Track,” July 29, 2012.
El
Paso Inc. reports
“Organizers are accelerating efforts to form a political action
committee to back the proposed
$468-million
quality of life bond, concerned that growing opposition to a new
Downtown ballpark might spill over into the bond election.
Although the ballpark is not part of the quality of life bond
issue, organizers of the El Paso Tomorrow PAC say the backlash
against the city’s decision last month to build one in Downtown
has made them aware of the need to get out and educate people on
why they should approve the bond in November...The PAC is
launching an advertising campaign in newspapers this weekend and
has just begun raising
money...The PAC
is an offshoot of the El Paso Tomorrow Advisory Board, a group
that includes members of the influential Paso del Norte Group and
the Downtown Management District.” Gray, Robert, “New PAC to
Promote Quality of Life Bond,” El
Paso Inc., July 29,
2012. |
|
07/30/12 |
Quality
of Life Voters for Democracy announce they have collected over
1500 signatures on their petition to make it mandatory that
quality of life issues like arenas and stadiums have to go to the
voters. Molinet, Julio Antonio. “Completan mil 500 firmas contra
estadio en el Centro,” Diario
de El Paso, July 30,
2012.
“The
Pacific Coast League's executive committee...announced it had
unanimously approved the preliminary application review (PAR)
application by MountainStar Sports Group, bringing a Triple-A team
one step closer to being moved to El Paso.” Martinez, Leanard,
“City Could Buy El Paso Times Building in City Hall Deal,”
KVIA News 7, POSTED: 07:29 PM MDT Aug 06, 2012 UPDATED: 03:43 PM
MDT Aug 07, 2012.
|
|
07/31/12 |
Quality of Life
Voters for Democracy turn in over 2500 signatures to the El Paso
City Clerk. |
|
08/01/12 |
The
Triple A baseball league, the Pacific League announced that it has
given preliminary approve for MoutainStar to purchase the Tucson
Padres. Molinet, Julio Antonio. “Aprueban equipo Triple A para
EP… y crece oposición,” Diario
de El Paso. Aug. 1,
12.
|
|
08/04/12 |
El Paso Times
publishers and Paso del Norte Group member Sergio Salinas
announced that the second floor of the El Paso Times building is
for lease. Martinez,
Leanard, “City Could Buy El Paso Times Building in City Hall
Deal,” KVIA News 7, POSTED: 07:29 PM MDT Aug 06, 2012 UPDATED:
03:43 PM MDT Aug 07, 2012. |
|
08/06/12 |
City
announced that it may purchase the El Paso Times building. The El
Paso Times had been pro-ballpark and had been known for its lack
of in-depth reporting regarding the ballpark controversy.
Martinez, Leanard, “City Could Buy El Paso Times Building in
City Hall Deal,” KVIA News 7, POSTED: 07:29 PM MDT Aug 06, 2012
UPDATED: 03:43 PM MDT Aug 07, 2012.
|
|
08/07/12 |
The
Texas Watchdog
reports: “El Paso City Council rejects open discussion about
aspect of $50 million stadium plan.”
“Possibly
inexplicably oblivious to the El Paso area public corruption
scandals that have destroyed public trust, half of El Paso City
Council quashed a move to bring a discussion into the open about
the planned baseball stadium.
“'We
use this term all the time that we want to be transparent,' City
Rep. Carl Robinson was reported saying. 'If we really believe in
the word being transparent we should be transparent to the people
that have filed the petition and let them know whatever they’ve
done is all for naught.' Robinson’s comment came during an
effort by council to waive its attorney-client privilege and
discuss the stadium vote petition timeline in public, just as they
had earlier in closed session. Council’s legally allowed to do
that, but the move died, 5-4, with Mayor John Cook casting the
deciding vote.” Olson, Kurt. “El Paso City Council rejects
open discussion about aspect of $50 million stadium plan; petition
likely too late,” Texas
Watchdog, Aug. 9,
2012.
|
|
08/08/12 |
El
Paso City Council votes to purchase the El Paso Times building and
the Gallery San Isidro for $22 million. The Gallery San Isidro is
conveniently one block from bookstore/press (Cinco Puntos Press)
of the parents of Rep. Susy Byrd, who have convincingly just put
it up for sale. Rep. Suzy Byrd made a motion for the city to buy
the Galeria San Ysidro building 801 Texas Avenue. Byrd has been a
critics of EPISD transparency? Owned by Karam Properties, the city
recently overpaid for a building from Karam whose appraisal value
was lower than the purchase price. The City hired RJL Real Estate
Consultants & TVO North America to recommend property for the
city to buy in which to move city services. RJL is currently the
agent for 701 Texas — Cinco Puntos Press. Both consultant
companies have executives who are members of the Paso del Norte
Group. Connecting the Dots: El Paso Ballpork Chart, Anonymous;
“Estiman pagará Ciudad más de 22 mdd por edificios de EP Times
y ex galería”, Diario
de Juarez, Aug. 8,
2012.
Activist
Lisa Turners mention the conflict of interests in that the El Paso
Times editorial board had endorsed the stadium and demolition of
City Hall. Molinet, Julio Antonio. “Estiman pagará Ciudad más
de 22 mdd por edificios de EP Times y ex galería,” Diario de El
Paso, Aug. 20, 2012.
|
|
08/09/12 |
Diario uncovers
that the El Paso Times has apealed its building tax appraisal
since 2004. Figueroa, Lorana. “Evade EP Times pago real de
taxes,” Diario de El Paso, Aug. 9, 2012. |
|
08/12/12 |
Former
Mayor Larry Francis writes an op editorial to the El Paso Inc. He
states: “...the
baseball stadium, which in my opinion is an absolutely
disastrous
idea that will lead to both a financial and a structural
Armageddon to the detriment of our city for decades to come.”
“The
baseball stadium is being proposed as the cornerstone of a new
revitalization for El Paso’s Downtown; however, the economic and
structural drain on city government and ultimately the taxpayers
is horrendous. The list of problems with this deal is massive and
well-documented in the past two weeks by our citizens. The
investment percentages by the city versus the team owners are
lopsided and unfair, to start. There is zero return or repayment
by the team owners.”
“Albuquerque,
N.M., gets about $700,000 rent per year and a percentage of all
concessions. We get $50,000 per year – not the $200,000
advertised. We are giving them the stadium and parking garage for
free. The most troubling aspects of this are the scattering of
city government around town, the secrecy of
negotiations,
the lack of disclosure to our citizens of the cost and impact, and
an apparent deliberate attempt to conceal the whole process from
our citizens. We can no longer trust city government. Since this
will not work, we will be faced with building a new city hall at
some time in the near future.
Paul
Foster, possibly unwittingly, summarized our problem in a recent
interview. It will take a
repopulation
of Downtown by business and government, filling our buildings and
drawing private investments in order to rebuild Downtown. He had
admitted that the employees of his own company “did not like
living in El Paso,” so the company moved to Phoenix.”
“If
we cannot keep his company, who can we get to come to
Downtown?...the baseball stadium, as proposed, is a bad solution.
As a former mayor, I would ask Paul Foster and Woody Hunt to step
back and re-evaluate this entire deal. The burden on the city is
much too one-sided.” Francis,
Larry. “City Hall Armageddon,” El
Paso Inc. Aug. 12,
2012.
|
|
08/19/12 |
David
Crowder, writing for the El
Paso Inc. states
points out that in Oklahoma City, the ballpark was voter-approved.
This is unlike El Paso: “It
was the first of three ambitious Metropolitan Area Projects, or
MAPS, that Oklahoma City voters
approved
between 1993 and 2009, totaling $1.8 billion.” “OKC:
It started with baseball,” Aug. 19, 2012 |
|
08/19/20 |
El
Paso Times published
guest column by Stephanie Townsand Allala: “There
is zero return or repayment by the team owners. Albuquerque, N.M.,
gets about $700,000 rent per year and a
percentage
of all concessions. We get $50,000 per year -- not the $200,000
advertised. We are giving them the stadium and parking garage for
free."
“Contractual
negotiations apparently covered a two-year period with no public
knowledge. Even assuming some part of the negotiations had to be
kept private, the city did a poor job in ending up with one of the
worst deals for any municipality in Triple-A sports. Joyce Wilson,
a member of Paso Del Norte Group, proponent of the stadium, acting
in conflict as El Paso City Manager and c”hief negotiator for
the city, had two years to discuss this with Paul Foster and Woody
Hunt.
Those
meetings apparently sometimes included select City Council members
-- in particular, Susie Byrd, Steve Ortega, Cortney Niland.”
|
|
08/20/12 |
Voters
occupy City Hall hall by setting up tents and tables at the
Insights Museum parking lot near City Hall. Former Mayor Ray
Salazar speak to the crowds. Guavara, Karla. “Inicia
actividades movimiento 'Occupy City Hall' en El Paso,” Diario
de El Paso, Aug. 20,
2012.
At
City Hall, Occupy City Hall reads emails of City Manager Joyce
Wilson that were obtained via the Texas Open Records Act. In an
email from Bill Burton to Wilson, he says that the city does not
want to scare the public to the fact that they will be destroying
the Scottish Rite Temple, closing streets, to make way for the
ballpark.
Occupy
City Hall reads emails from from an attorney for the MountainStar
Sports Group telling Wilson how the order of the agenda for a City
Council meeting should be.
|
|
08/21/12 |
Occupy
City Hall is asked to vacate after City pressures board of
director of Insights Museum not to continue giving permission to
occupy its parking lot. Occupy City Hall moves across the street
to Cleavland Square.
|
|
09/13/12 |
El Paso's
Immobiliare,
“The Paso del Norte Group has announced its support for the
three propositions in the November quality-of-life bond
referendum, including the $473 million in projects and the
proposed hotel occupancy tax increase to support the construction
of a Downtown ballpark.” Ramirez, Cindy. “Paso
del Norte Group backs all 3 ballot issues,”
El
Paso Times,
Sept. 13, 2012.
|
|
09/22/12 |
Codes
Inspection begins harassing occupiers at Cleavland Square over a
sign.
|
|
09/16/12 |
Various groups
questioning El Paso City Council's lack of transparency in
building a Downtown Ballpark and demolishing City Hall joined
forces over the weekend to discuss recent developments. These
included Coalition for Responsive Government, Quality of Life
Voters for Democracy, Occupy City Hall, El Paso No Se Vende,
Occupy El Paso, Save the Diablos, Recall Niland, Los Lagartistas,
among other groups. |
|
09/16/12 |
Former
Mayor Ray Salazar goes 1-against-2 as he debates City Manager
Joyce Wilson and Asst. City Manager and next El Paso Tomorow PAC
employee Bill Studer. Salazar gets to admit the City of El Paso is
850 million in debt.
Former
City Planner Nestor Valencia publishes an op ed critical of the
Downtown Ballpark. He states, “And here is the big problem. The
November vote should be for the voters to decide whether or not to
proceed with construction of the stadium. It is not. The vote on
the tax hike is of little consequence. It matters not the outcome
of the vote. Taxpayers will still be responsible for the stadium
debt, which will last for many years...In the history of El Paso,
projects of this size, cost, and character have always been put
before the voters for approval or defeat. This is clearly a
quality of life project and as such should be placed before the
voters of El Paso. The stadium needs General Obligation bonds to
proceed...Simply stated, a project like the stadium should not be
approved at a regular City Council meeting. Council failed in its
responsibility to its constituency. This project needs voter
consent.”
“Another
major flaw is the complete lack of adequate planning, lack of
alternate stadium sites to be considered, demolition of City Hall
and the lack of an adequate plan to relocate City Hall resulting
in the scattering of city functions at random. It destroys the
purpose of Cohen Stadium.”
“This process
makes no public administration or business sense. It also
nullifies the purpose of General Obligation funding through voter
referendums.”“The citizens of El Paso are not interested in micro-managing the day-to-day operations of city affairs. They are concerned when a large sum of taxpayer dollars is on the table. Council’s responsibility is to listen to the people and protect the interest of the public.” Valencia, Nestor. “Time for City Council to Reconsider,” El Paso Inc., Aug. 16, 2012.
El
Paso Inc. publishes expose on the Quality of Life Bond Surveys
that the city used in the Spring of 2012. Stating that the
overwhelming of survey they received were for a ballpark in
Downtown El Paso, the Inc. discovers that 500 of these ballots
were fradulent. 1000 ballots were for a ballpark and 500 of them
were found to fraudulent. Evidence shows the department under
Deborah Hamlyn former Asst. City Manager now consultant for El
Paso Tomorrow PAC, the organization supporting the ballpark,
decided to disregard the fraud. Crowder, David, “Stadium
Tainted,”
El
Paso Inc.,
Sept. 16, 2012.
|
|
09/17/12 |
United
Opposition to the Downtown Ballpork does a Human Bill Board at
the Downtown I-10 East Off Ramp.
|
|
09/17/12 |
El
Paso Tomorrow PAC hosts a “Let's Play Ball” event at Cleavland
Square. Mostly attended by White El Pasoans, Foster-Hunt security
harass peaceful counter protesters and call the police on them.
Police arrive. Although they give some limited harassment and
ignored agree ballpark supporters, peace was maintained. PAC gives
attendees manufactured signs and T-shirts and “free” tickets.
Congressional
candidate Robert Roarke announces his support for the ballpork and
the demolition of City Hall.
|
|
09/18/12 |
City
votes to reject the petition calling for the non-demolition of
City Hall. Emma Acosta makes motion that the building of a stadium
and the demolition of City Hall should go to the voters. It fails
4-3 with Rep. Michael Noe, Susie Byrd, Cortney Niland, and Ann
Morgan Lilly voting against. The non-compete clause is removed.
Price tag for the ballpark has jumped from $50 million to $80
million. Rep. Niland, Lilly, Noe, and Byrd vote down a tax
reprieve for persons with disabilities and the elderly.
|
Font Resize
