June 26, 2006
Shapleigh v. Margo: Money Talk
Dee Margo has fired the first shot in the money war, sending out a campaign press release touting his donations and attacking state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh for his.
Margo raised $60,331.36 and Shapleigh raised $51,239.50 in the campaign finance reporting period from April 17 to May 15, called the Special Session report, according to reports from the Texas Ethics Commission.
-- Shapleigh Ethics Commission Report [link]
-- Margo Ethics Commission Report [link]
-- Contributors by name and amount [shapleigh] [margo]
Margo's campaign said the report showed two things -- that Shapleigh did not receive money from El Pasoans, and that Margo's lead in raising funds in that period was significant.
“Dee Margo is committed to engaging El Pasoans in his campaign by asking them to join his positive vision for El Paso. Shapleigh has made it clear in his fundraising efforts that his campaign is only open to the wealthiest lobbyist in Austin,” said Jessica Vickery, Margo's campaign manager, in a statement sent to the press June 16. The release broke the contributions down by percentage received from El Paso, with Margo receiving 86 percent from El Pasoans and Shapleigh receiving 5 percent.
Shapleigh shrugged off the notion that his reports do not indicate support from El Pasoans.
"Many of the lobby groups you describe have thousands of El Paso members. So, when TCTA (Texas Classroom Teachers' Association) gives me $1,000 it represents small donations of hundreds of El Paso teachers. I’m very proud of their support," he said in a statement. "The police, firefighters, Deputy Sheriff’s association, doctors and others have all made similar donations. Other individual donations made in El Paso were not recorded on this report since they were made before session. Those reports are due in July and will show how many El Pasoans are supporting our campaign."
Margo, when asked whether Shapleigh's success in raising funds from lobbyists and organizations belies the claim that Shapleigh is ineffective and lacks relationships, said "the amount of funds given were not reflective of strong support and I'm very familiar with what they call the friendly incumbent rule. The response I've been getting from other PACs and business groups is favorable and I'm buoyed by it."
Shapleigh responded: “We’ve never raised much money. We never needed to. But for this race, we’ll raise what we need to run and win.”
The campaign reports that are out July 15 will include donations made from the period of Jan. 1 to June 30.
"We all know the report effective June 30 will reflect more dollars but what this shows is that Mr. Shapleigh was kicked off the Senate Finance Committee and he spent the session in Austin trying to raise money from lobbyists," Margo said.
Shapleigh said the press release was an example of "negative campaigning."
“With Rove’s firm on his team, everyone should expect a steady stream of negative campaigning. During session, we worked hard on equity formulas and got the job done for El Paso," Shapleigh said. "As for lobbyists, when El Paso teachers and firefighters give to political action committees, that’s not a lobbyist, that’s teachers and firefighters supporting their Senator. I am proud and humbled to get their donation.”
Observers said the most recent report is not very significant. What will be significant is the July 15 report, because that will provide a more complete picture, they said. One observer, who works as a political consultant and asked not to be named, said Margo was in an uphill battle.
"The lobby will kick in to Eliot. He's a safe bet," the observer said. "Dee made a big splash, Dee is going to raise some money, but how much of Dee's own money will he put in. He needs half a million to even fundamentally challenge Eliot, even if he runs a grassroots campaign. Grassroots is expensive too, $6 an hour, nobody works for free."
The source said to look for big statewide donors, like Houston homebuilder Bob Perry, and San Antonio businessman James Leininger, both cultural and political conservatives who have given tens of thousands to individual candidates. In addition, some local big-hitters may be asked to kick in, especially if the race tightens.
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City Planning Director Leaves, Sun Metro Boss to Resign
George Sarmiento, the city’s director of planning, has left to take a diplomatic position with the U.S. State Department, based in Washington, D.C.
The move comes as the city is wrestling with several major projects: The Downtown Plan, issues related to annexation, and a subdivision rewrite, among others.
“It's the right time for me personally,” Sarmiento said. “For me, it’s also a bad time professionally, because I wanted to see this thing (Downtown Plan) through to fruition. I’ve been enjoying the last couple of weeks, we're trying to turn this thing around and I know that we can turn this around.”
The city now is looking for at least three department heads -- last issue, NPT reported that the city is seeking an Economic Development director [link], and Terry Lee Scott, Sun Metro director, confirmed Saturday that he plans to resign as department head. Sun Metro has been the subject of numerous citizen complaints. [ep times story]
He said he was planning to talk to City Manager Joyce Wilson Monday (June 26) about the timing, and said he would “be available to help the transition.” He declined further comment.
Sarmiento said that an overall annexation plan is under way with a consultant, as is a subdivision rewrite. He called both major issues and said it would take at least eight months to complete.
He declined to comment on who should replace him, “but I think the list of the qualifications and experience it's right there on the Web site, so they can gauge from that.” [posting]
The job does involve some intangibles, he said: “You really do have to understand that people sometimes have their life savings involved in an investment, and you have to be sensitive to that.”
Alan Shubert, the Development Services director, said the city will not name an interim director to take Sarmiento’s place during the search period.
“I'm probably the guy,” he said. “We feel that would be more disruptive than helpful if the permanent director turns out to be different in six months.”
Shubert said the position is critical.
“So much of what this council wants to do is in planning initiatives,” he said.
The department was budgeted for 36 employees in the current fiscal year. It maintains and updates the city comprehensive plan, which dictates land uses, and checks planning applications against the plan and against land use codes, as well as performing long-range planning.
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Creative Class via First Class Tickets to El Paso
The City Council next week has this as an addition to its consent agenda:
1. A resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign a Creative
Cities Leadership Project Agreement with the Richard Florida
Creativity Group that will result in the creation of initiatives
or similar strategic planning results intended to, among other
things, increase quality of life and economic prosperity for all
citizens of El Paso. (All Districts)
[Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, Yolanda R. Alameda, (915) 541-4896]
In December, Richard Florida lectured in El Paso. His think tank, the Richard Florida Creativity Group will return for seminars in September. His basic thesis is that cities gain value from those he terms the creative class. “Millions of us are beginning to work and live much as creative types like artists and scientists always have - with the result that our values and tastes, our personal relationships, our choices of where to live, and even our sense and use of time are changing. Leading the shift are the nearly 38 million Americans in many diverse fields who create for a living — the Creative Class,” states the Florida Group Web site. [florida group]
“RFCG will provide research related to the City of El Paso’s geographic area and provide instruction through the Creative Cities Leadership Project which will facilitate strategic planning and pilot initiatives that the City of El Paso will utilize toward increased quality of place, prosperity and economic growth,” states the backup to the agenda item.
Florida and two instructors will give a two-day seminar Sept. 27-28 to a group selected by the city. That group will be charged with assessing El Paso’s “creative assets” and comparing them to other cities. At one, three, and eight months following the seminar, the group will provide televised sessions with the El Paso group and create initiatives or strategic planning results that “Client can utilize toward enhanced economic growth and prosperity.”
The contract calls for a seminar fee of $85,000 and a research fee of $10,000, plus hotel and first class airfare. Per day, it also allows for $50 for ground transportation, $40 for documented incidentals, and $44 for meals.
The city already has posted a news release on its Web site seeking applicants. [link]
"Needed are 30 talented and highly motivated individuals who have demonstrated commitment to the advancement of the El Paso Region's development. These individuals will be expected to commit their time and energy to work as members of a team to engage, educate and catalyze the El Paso Region while developing creative initiatives to move us forward along Richard Florida's Three T's - Technology, Talent and Tolerance," states the application.
Applications are due July 11, 2006. Selected applicants will be notified via letter by July 24, 2006. Project begins on Aug. 16, 2006. For information, check www.elpasoregionCCLP.com or call Angela Mora at 915.541.4898.
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