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?

THE AJ IS STILL ALIVE…FOR NOW

Morris Communications, the parent company of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, has recieved another extension on their $9.7 million dollar interest payment. They now have until April 24th to pay. Here is the story:

Morris Publishing Obtains Extension of Forbearance Period on Overdue Interest Payment

AUGUSTA, Ga., April 7 /PRNewswire/ — Morris Publishing Group, LLC announced today that it has obtained an extension until April 24, 2009 to make a $9.7 million interest payment on its Senior Subordinated Notes. Holders of more than 80 percent of the outstanding amount of senior subordinated notes have agreed to extend the forbearance period for the payment, which originally was due Feb. 1, 2009.

“We are continuing to address our debt structure,” said William S. Morris IV, chief executive officer of Morris Publishing Group. “We are hopeful that we will reach an agreement that satisfies all parties.”

Morris Publishing’s senior bank group also agreed to extend until April 24, 2009 the waiver of the cross default arising from the overdue interest payment on the senior subordinated notes. The bank group also amended terms of the senior credit agreement to delete the requirement that Morris or related entities consummate a transaction (or at least sign a binding letter of intent to do so) to generate funds to prepay the senior debt by May 30, 2009.

Morris Publishing Group, LLC is a privately held media company based in Augusta, Ga. Morris Publishing currently owns and operates 13 daily newspapers as well as nondaily newspapers, city magazines and free community publications in the Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and Alaska. For more information, visit our Web site, morris.com.

link

tick tick tick tick….

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.

NO CHARGES IN LEONARD ASSAULT

MORE ON THIS ON TOMORROW’S LFN

From the AJ:

A Lubbock County grand jury did not indict three men accused of assaulting Lubbock city councilman John Leonard on Christmas Eve.

Leonard was treated for facial fractures at University Medical Center after the beating at the Dakota Arms Apartments in the 6700 block of 82nd Street.

Leonard told police he was accosted after Harris told the people in the apartment above them to turn down their loud music.

The men followed Harris downstairs, where an argument ensued and turned physical, according to Leonard.

The same grand jury declined to indict the men earlier this month. Leonard was allowed to testify on the case Tuesday after a typo in a letter notifying him that a grand jury would hear his case gave an incorrect date for the hearing.

OBAMA IS COMING TO WASHINGTON!

Hope and change is on its way to D.C. and we will have you covered on both Lubbock’s First News and The Chad Hasty Show. On Tuesday, LFN will go into overtime as we bring you the mysterious 4th hour of the show leading into ABC News and the Inaguration of Barack Obama. In the 4th hour on Tuesday we want to hear from everyone on what they think Obama will change. This includes the Democrats…I know some of you listen to KFYO…right? This will be your chance to call in and gloat tell us what you think Obama will do for the United States.

Oh and will someone tell CNN, FOX, and MSNBC that covering the Obama train ride isn’t that exciting.

HASTY’S MAILBAG!

Since the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal decided that 2 Letters to the Editor per day (more on Sundays?) is a good amount of local opinion, KFYO has decided to put your opinions out there even more. Those of you who listen to Lubbock’s First News and The Chad Hasty Show know that I love hearing from you and now we are giving you another way to voice your opinion.

KFYO has now launched Hasty’s Mailbag. I get lots of email’s a day and I would say most of them are better than what the AJ has put out. So what we will start doing is posting your emails on kfyo.com. Of course your email address won’t be posted and if you don’t want it up there, then that’s fine too. Also, if you want to write something for Lubbock and the world to see, just send it to chad@kfyo.com. At Hasty’s Mailbag you will see emails from people who are responding to topics we discuss or just emails they want to write about any topic. Check it out online HERE and send me an email today!

Senator Randy Neugebauer?

This morning on Lubbock’s First News with Chad Hasty, Congressman Randy Neugebauer called in to discuss the economy, stimulus package, and pay raises. We then asked Neugebauer if he would be interested in Kay Bailey Hutchison’s Senate seat if she decides to resign to run for Governor of Texas. His answer? Well he didn’t exactly say “no”.  If you missed it, here’s the audio: LINK

So would you want to see Neugebauer move to the Senate?

ONE YEAR…THANK YOU LUBBOCK!

A year ago I began hosting Lubbock’s First News and started down the fun road of weekday talk radio. I had been doing The Chad Hasty Show for just about 2 years when I was approached about LFN and of course I jumped at the chance. I love doing radio, it’s who I am and I have fun doing it. My love for radio and expressing ideas while having fun is why I still do the Saturday show.

There were many obstacles to overcome and to be honest I didn’t have 100% support from everyone inside the building at first. Some thought that a 25 year old fresh out of college couldn’t do morning radio. However, and not to brag, but I wasn’t just a 25 year old kid out of college. I started in radio in 2003 at 950AM with Williams and Hyatt as an intern, then moved on to produce the morning show (disaster) at the same station. Then when Williams and Hyatt moved over to 1340AM…so did I. Then I was offered the Saturday show on KFYO. In other words…I knew how to do radio and how not to do radio. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are things I still have to learn and I learn something new it seems everyday. KFYO’s Robert Snyder knew all of this and my passion and because of his effort and confidence I am able to on the radio in the mornings. (Those who can’t stand me can forward your complaints to him). Another person to thank is Ryan Hyatt. Hyatt is a mentor and friend who helped show me the ropes of radio, and still gives me advice today. It always helps to have someone (who isn’t family) that believes in what you do and can be blunt, honest, and trustworthy. I also have to thank Rex Andrew and Matt Coppel. Without them the show wouldn’t be the same. We don’t always agree with each other, but both Rex and Coppel bring a unique and informed opinion and perspective to the show. They are great to work with and well it’s just a lot of fun to do the show with them. There are others in the building…and out of the building to thank, and most of them know who they are, but if I wrote about them all this would be really long.

HOWEVER, there is someone else to thank. YOU. When I first joined LFN it was a much different show and the audience didn’t seem that involved. Since then the ratings have skyrocketed, there are more callers, and more people are emailing the show. We even have more and more younger listeners listening to the show and getting involved in talk radio. I think interaction is the key when it comes to talk radio. Sure I love to give my opinion, but I also enjoy hearing yours. Sure we may disagree on an issue or two, but who said debate was a bad thing? And yes, there are some people who can’t stand me, but…they still listen. The more calls and emails we get, the better. We always have the phone lines open for you and as we head into 2009 I hope we get even more calls, new callers, and emails.

After one year on the air on LFN, I thank each and every one of you. You let us inside your home, car, and business to entertain and inform and without you I wouldn’t get to do what I love doing. It is still amazing one year later that I get to do this as a job. Keep tuning in, keep calling in or emailing in, and tell your friends about us.

Thank You Lubbock!

-Chad

John Leonard Assaulted Update #1

From the City of Lubbock Press Release:

Lubbock City Councilman John Leonard was assaulted Tuesday night on his front porch by three men from the apartment above his apartment. He was treated at the emergency room for facial fractures and contusions, and is now resting at home.