LUBBOCK MOONLIGHT MUSICALS ISSUES STATEMENT

The Board of Directors of Lubbock Moonlight Musicals, Inc. fully supports our executive director, Jill Kerns.

There was a concern brought forward by a patron.  That concern was addressed, and we consider the matter closed.

BEANE: “IT’S A BOLD-FACE LIE”

City Councilman Paul Beane is not happy with a certain morning show in town, and for once it’s not me. Yesterday I wrote a blog on why I haven’t brought up the Paul Beane/Moonlight Musical email that’s been going around. My competitors in the morning apparently received a phone call about the email during the show and decided to run with the allegations and talk about them for 2 hours. Problem is, they never had anyone on record. All they had was a phone call, email, and message board talking about the email. You can’t just believe everything you read on the internet.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying the email was 100% false or Paul Beane is 100% innocent, but at least we have people on record on both sides. Here is the article from FOX 34:

Beane: E-mail a Lie
City Councilman Paul Beane calls a widely-circulated e-mail critical of his behavior at a public event “a bold-faced lie”.

The original message, written by Moonlight Musical’s Executive Director Jill Kerns, addresssed only to her board members, generating two hours of discussion Tuesday on FOX Talk in the Morning on FOX Talk 950.

The e-mail recounts what is described by Kerns as “an ugly incident”. As production staffers were considering cancelling the outdoor performance underway due to an approaching storm, the e-mail says Beane created a public disturbance, repeatedly berating Moonlight cast and staff members with profanities, even after the show was stopped.

The e-mail states an L.P.D. officer working security intervened to calm the councilman. FOX 34 found no police report on record regarding the incident. Here is Councilman Beane’s response:

“My side of the story will be told very soon,” said Beane. When asked how he said “…oh, I suspect that RAMAR will hear from me very soon.”

When asked “are you not happy with what’s been said on the radio, Beane’s response is, “Absolutely not.” When asked what’s not true about what they say Beane says “all of it. It is a bold-face lie. And they know it. Because your television station checked on the authenticity of the story over the weekend and found after talking to the police officer that it was all a lie.”

We did contact L.P.D. Sergeant John Gomez. He says while the councilman was agitated, from his perspective, there is “quite a bit of embellishment in the e-mailed account.”

Sgt. Gomez further says he “witnessed nothing that rose to the level of any type of criminal complaint that needed to be addressed by a police official. Absolutly nothing that rose to the level of a disorderly conduct violation, which what was described, would have constituted”.

The author of the e-mail, Jill Kerns, refused comment to FOX 34.

We do know that the Moonlight Musical’s Board of Directors is adopting new policies, as a result of the incident. They address criteria for suspending performances due to lightning and guidelines for removing anyone for disruptive behavior.  (link)

Again, I’m not ready to say who is right or who is wrong just yet. I’d like to hear more from Beane and those involved in Moonlight Musicals who were there that night. More on this on Thursday’s LFN.

PAUL BEANE, MOONLIGHT MUSICALS, AND THE RUMOR

Since last week I’ve been getting emails from listeners and questions on message boards asking why I’ve been silent on the whole Moonlight musical rumor regarding City Councilman Paul Beane. Yes, I’ve seen the email that has been going around (everyone in the Lubbock media has) and yes I’ve heard it from multiple people.

HOWEVER, as of right now it’s all just a rumor. We at LFN have tried many times to get someone to go on the record about this, but no one has. In fact most people who are tied to the Moonlight Musicals won’t even call us back. So that’s why I’ve been silent on it. Trust me, I’m not someone who holds back from going after elected officials and most of you know that. While some radio shows have gone ahead and discussed this situation, we have not because I want to hear the facts. When I go after people, it’s not because of an email I got or because of what the latest chatter is on the message boards. It’s because they have done something and there is enough proof for me to talk about it.

Through the years of being on the radio and doing the type of radio I do, I’ve never apologized for something I’ve said. I’ve never had to and I don’t plan on doing it anytime soon. It’s not because I haven’t ticked off people… I have. It’s because when I go after them I’m not just making stuff up. I also don’t just accept what a caller, email, message board says as fact.

Having said all that…

Paul Beane needs to address this issue publicly. If Paul would like to be heard by a large audience he knows my phone number and when I’m on the air. Not only does Mr. Beane need to address it, but he needs to be honest about what happened. If the rumors are true, admit you made a mistake and the public will decide whether they forgive you or not. If all the rumors are false, fight them. By letting the rumors continue and the chatter to continue you are only making the situation worse. People will remember the rumors and that Paul Beane stayed silent, and that’s not always a good thing.

Now, when someone finally comments on this whole rumor, I will let you all know what I really think. Until then…

More on this on LFN on Wednesday.

PAUL BEANE FORGOT WHO HE REPRESENTS

I really would like for this whole balloon deal to go away and hopefully after this weekend I won’t have to bring it up again. Unless of course, people keep acting foolish on the City Council. In this mornings AJ we found out that Paul Beane brought up the ordinance banning balloon releases because of a promise he made to a rancher outside of Lubbock County. (link)

Beane is even quoted saying, “The balloon ordinance was not on my top-ten radar,” Beane said. “As a matter of fact, it’s not in the top 50, but a promise is a promise.”

I’ve posted the audio from my thoughts on this in the podcast section of the website (link) but I think this needs to be written as well.

Mr. Beane, you represent District 4 of the City of Lubbock. Not a rancher outside of Lubbock County. You were elected by the people of District 4 of the City of Lubbock. Not a rancher outside of Lubbock County. You serve the PEOPLE of the CITY of LUBBOCK. NOT a rancher outside the County. Do you get it?

If Linda Deleon or Floyd Price had made a promise to someone outside of Lubbock to make an ordinance affecting the citizens of Lubbock, many people would be outraged. And I hope you are now. Paul Beane tried to grow government with an ordinance that was unenforceable, and made Lubbock look bad all because of a promise to some rancher who has no vote in Lubbock, and pays no taxes in Lubbock.

Mr. Beane, you should only make promises to those you serve. You should concentrate on District 4 and the City of Lubbock, nothing else. You serve no one outside of Lubbock County. If you’d like to serve people outside of Lubbock and force laws on people and increase government then it’s time you leave City Hall and run for State Representative.

LUBBOCK BUDGET RAISES TAXE… FEES.

The city budget that was proposed today by City of Lubbock staffers keeps taxes flat, BUT would raise stormwater fees by 50% on homeowners and steep hikes to businesses to cover road maintenance.

The council will decide later on the budget and how much more (if any) you will fork over.

The word fee is funny. For some reason people are OK with fees, but not taxes. I hope people remember that fees ARE taxes! It’s just a nicer word than tax. We’ve all heard that some want to raise the gas TAX to pay for roads. Well if the City Council wants to raise your stormwater FEE by 50% to maintain roads, what’s the difference?

Fees=Taxes. Just remember.

BALLOON ORDINANCE PASSED BY THE LUBBOCK CITY COUNCIL

Again, having solved all major issues facing the City of Lubbock, the council passed the idiotic Balloon Ordinance by a vote of 4-3. So who voted for it? Mayor Tom Martin, Councilman Paul Beane, Councilman John Leonard, and Council Todd Klein. Here was the proposed ordinance:

Sec. 23-34. Intentional Balloon Releases.

(a) No person shall intentionally release or cause to be released outdoors:

(1) any balloon made of a non-biodegradable material filled with a lighter than air gas;

(2) any balloon made of an electrically conductive material filled with a lighter than air gas; or

(3) more than 30* balloons made of a biodegradable material filled with a lighter than air gas at one time. **Klein amended from 10 to 30**

(b) Biodegradable balloons that are attached to any non-biodegradable material or electrically conductive material shall not intentionally be released outdoors.

(c) It shall be an exception to this section that balloons are released by a governmental agency for a governmental purpose.

So the 3 conservatives on the council, which they are proud to call themselves, just voted to increase government. Nice. They wasted time on an issue that even the Mayor said comes up about twice a year. I wonder when this council will get around to banning plastic bags from stores? There are many more bags flying around Lubbock. Who’s going to enforce this ordinance anyway? The city can’t even patrol the water ordinances and we expect the Police, who are understaffed, to deal with balloons?

Here’s a quote from the AJOnline and Floyd Price, “Balloons was today. What’s next?” Councilman Floyd Price asked later. “I think it’s time for government to back off and look at serious issues.”

So Floyd Price, who isn’t the most conservative, understands that government needs to back off, yet Martin, Beane, and Leonard don’t. Amazing.

Thanks for dealing with the real issues facing Lubbock council members! Pathetic. Oh, and about being mocked over this vote guys… you deserve it.

More on this later and on LFN tomorrow.

LUBBOCK CITY HALL NEEDS TO GET IT TOGETHER

Last night the City Planing and Zoning Comission voted 8-0 on new zoning restrictions. In large shopping centers the stores can be any size they want. In other locations they will be limited to 8,750 sq.ft. which is up from the original 3,000. I’m fine with these changes and I think most people will be as well.

The problem I have is with City Hall. Who exactly screwed this thing up? According to Thursday’s AJ, the owner of Pinkies went to Mayor Tom Martin in DECEMBER, EARLY DECEMBER, about this very issue. Martin got ticked and it seems like he refused to sit down at the table with Pinkies. Here’s part of the AJ’s story:

But Majestic Liquor Stores Inc. and Pinkie’s Inc. argued Lubbock violated state laws by setting stricter rules for businesses that sold alcohol than Texas allows.
Pinkie’s representatives said as much in early December, when the city gave final passage to the ordinance and the retailer warned they could “challenge” the size requirements council members eventually passed for the predominant retail zone throughout the city.
The warning frustrated Mayor Tom Martin, who opposed allowing the city’s ordinances on alcohol to fall apart like building restrictions in North Overton before the modern redevelopment project.
“I’m sick of this,” Martin said. “Somebody’s been going around trying to lobby for the whiskey zoning all over town, like we need to have it on every street corner.

That last quote sounds like something a member of TAAS would say, but remember the Mayor didn’t take a side. If Pinkies went to the Mayor in December about this very issue, why did he not listen? This could have been settled long before the election.

Now, lets take a look at what Randy Henson, the chief planner has to say about the Law in the AJ today. Remember the comission passed the new zoning last night.

Package stores could not compete in the same areas as grocery stores, which can soon legally sell beer and wine, under the ordinances, Majestic Liquor Stores Inc. and Pinkie’s Liquor argued in a lawsuit seeking the order.
The retailers’ filing also opposed size restrictions placed on alcohol stores not imposed on other businesses.
City attorneys agreed the objection had merit and will spend the summer changing their ordinances to comply with Texas law.

“It’s about the clearest piece of state law I have ever seen,” Henson said.

So it’s clear today, but in December it wasn’t? If it’s so clear then why did the planing and zoning comission and the City Council BOTH pass these regulations? Why did the Council pass something that was against the law?

I also don’t like the fact that the Mayor seems to be inviting lawsuits over this issue. Remember folks, if the City is sued, then YOUR tax dollars will be used. Shouldn’t the Mayor be saying that this is it and should result in NO lawsuits? It seems like everytime a mic is put in front of him lately he talks about “possible lawsuits”. This from KCBD:

Mayor Tom Martin says regardless of what the council decides there’s nothing stopping anyone from filing a lawsuit. “Whatever the council decides still could be challenged by this group of plaintiffs or any other group of plaintiffs. Hate to say it but, it’s almost a never ending battle because anyone who feels a grief can go pay their few dollars to file a suit. There is no magic bullet,” says Mayor Martin.

Mr. Mayor, many cities have gone through this and they can do it without lawsuits and without their Mayor thinking there might possible be a lawsuit. Why can’t Lubbock?

Someone is to blame for this issue continuing and the longer it takes, the worse it looks for City Hall. So who is to blame? I’m not sure exactly who and maybe (probably) there is more than one person to blame. Could it be that someone is deliberately holding up the process because of their own personal views on alcohol sales?

Another question to ask is, if the Council and Zoning comission folks knowingly voted on zoning that was against the law which meant putting a hold on the process, should they still be around?

Just a few things to think about. Leave your comments.

LUBBOCK COUNTY WET, BUT…

Well it looks as though the election was legal, but of course there are some people out there still trying to cause problems for all of us heathens that would like lower prices and the ability to buy wine at the store. Here is the latest from the county:

No previous elections conflict with the wet status of any area in Lubbock County, according to an opinion sent from the county’s civil division to the clerk’s office.
John Grace, an assistant criminal district attorney in the county’s civil division, wrote in a letter released Monday afternoon that “all areas of Lubbock County should now be considered ‘wet’” for the sale of off-premise alcohol and mixed drinks.
“I note specifically that I can find no record of any election to prohibit any type of alcohol by any jurisdiction within the county,” Grace wrote.
Issues in the state’s alcohol code and a recent attorney general’s ruling had called the wet or dry status of some areas into question after May 9’s landslide vote to allow alcohol sales.
County commissioners certified the results of that vote at a special morning meeting.
The letter refers to a request by County Clerk Kelly Pinion for an analysis on the county’s wet and dry status. (link)

Sounds great right? Time to kick this thing off and start giving out licenses! Wrong. Remember the Strip? Well they are still in negotiations with the City of Lubbock regarding zoning and building size. Should the stores be able to be larger than 3,000 sq. ft.? Maybe, but that’s not MY issue right now. Here is the latest regarding the lawsuit by the strip:

Medina approved a 90-day extension to the temporary restraining order against alcohol licenses he gave in early May. Both sides had agreed to the extension last week.
The lengthy extension covers the amount of time it could take to approve new zoning rules. The ordinance could go before Lubbock’s planning and zoning commission in early June and before the council by July. (full story)

So, it could be August or later before Lubbock starts seeing alcohol sold in stores. Of course the Strip wanted 90 days to figure everything out because they still want the money (I don’t blame them). If you wait until July before the City Council decides anything then the Strip has been able to cash in on all the Summer sales. Memorial Day, 4th of July, weekends at the pool, etc., nice isn’t it? The City of Lubbock needs to get this zoning deal hammered out fast. No one on the Council has any reason to want to see this play out for months. The people of Lubbock have spoken, and it’s time for the City to act. At the end of the day the Mayor nor any of the council members would benefit from the Strip raking in more money while they draw this thing out.

Or could they?

SCRIPTURES ON DRINKING

Thanks to a listener for finding this: (link)

Matt. 26:27,29; Mark 14:23,25; Luke 22:17-18; 1 Cor. 11:25-27 – Jesus instituted the Eucharist using wine and commanded us to “do this in remembrance of me.” We know that Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Jewish seder meal, which required the use of wine. Yet some Protestant churches forbid drinking wine. Such a prohibition is not based on the Scriptures.

Luke 7:33-34 – God the Son drank wine and was accused of being a drunk. Are those Protestant churches that forbid the drinking of wine doing the same?

John 2:1-11 – Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine which was drunk at the wedding at Cana. Wine is a symbol of the life of the Church, in both the Eucharist and, here, the sanctification of the sacrament of marriage. Verse 10 also indicates that the people drank enough wine at the feast to the point that they might not have recognized good wine from bad wine. Yet Jesus creates for them more wine to drink.

1 Tim. 5:23 – Paul tells Timothy to drink not just water, but a little wine for the sake of his stomach and frequent ailments. If Paul under divine inspiration encourages the drinking of wine, why do some Protestant churches prohibit it?

Gen. 14:18 – Melchizedek offers a bread and wine sacrifice, and Jesus is the Priest in the same manner. Heb. 5:6,10; 6:20; 7:15,17.

Gen. 27:25 – Isaac brought Jacob wine, and he drank, with God’s favor.

Neh. 8:10 – Nehemiah commands the faithful to drink sweet wine to celebrate the Lord and His holy day.

Psalm 104:15 – the Psalmist writes that “wine gladdens the heart of a man.” God gave us the fruit of the vine to enjoy.

Ecclesiastes 9:7 – “drink your wine with a merry heart, for God approves what you do.”

Wisdom 2:7 – “Let us take our fill of costly wine and perfumes!”

Sir. 31:25-28 – “Wine is like life if drunk in moderation.” God created wine to make us glad, so we rejoice in heart, and have gladness of soul.

Sir. 40:20 – “Wine gladdens the heart.”

Isaiah 25:6 – God will provide a feast of rich foods and choice wines.

Amos 9:14 – God declares that His people shall plant their vineyards and drink their wine.

Zech. 10:7 – God says that when He saves His people, their hearts shall be glad as with wine.

2 Mac. 15:39 – this verse also describes the pleasure of drinking wine. The point is that all God made is good, and we are called to enjoy His good gifts, including drinking wine, as long as we do so in moderation. And while we drink in moderation, the miracle that Jesus performed at the wedding feast at Cana suggests that we can have a second glass!

THE CITY OF LUBBOCK NEEDS TO PAY THE POLICE

The City Council said NO to the Lubbock Police and a 15% pay increase yesterday during the council meeting. Lubbock is still 60 officers short of being at full strength and some say, well most say that a pay increase will help Lubbock bring in more qualified applicants and Lubbock would be able to compete for recruits with cities like Plano, Austin, etc.

Lubbock is right around the 11th largest city in Texas, yet we rank 43rd in Police pay. Sorry, but there is something wrong with that. Yes I know it cost less to live here, but these officers are having to deal with a lot of people and a lot of space. We all know the City loves to annex so we aren’t getting any smaller.

In an earlier story about the crime rate going up in Lubbock, the police said that having more officers would absolutely cut down on crime in Lubbock. In a 2008 interview with the AJ, then Mayoral candidate, Tom Martin, said this:

Protecting the citizens of Lubbock and keeping our city as safe as possible has always been a top priority for me – it always will be. I always work to make our neighborhoods safer. Crime rates are down since we established higher levels of police staffing in 2004.

Well Mayor, since the crime rate is higher and the Police can get more applicants and better qualified applicants by offering more money, it only makes sense to pony up the cash.

Police officers put their lives on the line everyday and deal with the scum of the earth, and all they are looking for is a little more pay and better officers. I’ll take a tax increase for this. I’d rather the city use my money for Police than all of the other dumb things they spend money on.

We hear people all the time say that teachers, police, and firefighters deserve more pay. But it’s all just talk. It’s something that sounds good to say, because who could honestly be against it? Yet when it comes time to take action we do nothing. This Mayor, who likes to preach about looking into the future and blames former council’s for not looking into the future in regards to water, all of a sudden can’t see beyond his next election. It’s time for us to put our money where our mouths are. If you don’t want the Police to get a pay raise, then fine, but don’t complain next time about response times. Remember their numbers are dwindling and we can stop it.

City leaders, we are watching.