– From the President –
Fred Evans
A Retreat? Well… Sort Of!
Please recall my rant last month about the Memorial Park Master Plan, particularly these critical points: “The plan added laughable and totally inappropriate features to a park in a Federal and Local Historic District when what the residents really wanted was for the City to restore the park by undoing harm already done by the City e.g. failure to maintain trees, grass, paths, and the irrigation system, and lack of sufficient lighting. The residents and members of the steering committee including the President of the Manhattan Heights Association were shocked and said that the finished plan was nothing like they were led to believe would be the result. The City’s Architect said no changes could be made other than notes added.”
I received an email from Representative Annello’s office saying she had a follow-up meeting with the Capital Improvements “seers and suzerains” (my words, not hers) about some changes that could be made to the Memorial Park Master Plan (or as I prefer to call it the “Memorial Park Mutilation Plan”). The email refers one to a website “General 1 – ELEV8EP” (how cute, clever, sophomoric and I’m sure expensive) where the plan and changes can be seen. Apparently fearing rebellion of the peasants (formally referred to as residents) in the neighborhood, the “seers and suzerains” decided some concession could be made after all. Lest you be overjoyed prematurely, the changes are incorporated as an Appendix C and the original “Mutilation Plan” still stands. Appendix C is listed as an alternative, not a recommendation, but with some exceptions does speak to a reversion to historical status. It does still include concepts such as a dog park in the traditional park area that are becoming archaic in other cities due to liability issues and that were specifically not wanted by the peasants (oops, residents) at the meeting I attended. At least some of the more egregious proposals e.g. moving the Senior Center to the grassy lawn south of Crockett School were not included.
In this writer’s less-than-humble opinion, the peasants were told they had no right to expect that royal decrees would be withdrawn once issued (and of course created by very high-priced scribes) and this soporific pap, Appendix C, must be expected and accepted as better than no gruel at all. Serfs should be grateful for any crumbs. As it has always been, the only thing that governments shower upon their subjects in copious quantities is taxes. A wise leader, my predecessor, always said when referring to El Paso City Government that we should be thankful that we don’t get all the government we pay for.
Now let me draw your attention to District 2 City Representative Alexsandra Annello who I believe stands head and shoulders above all others in advocating for her constituents and their neighborhoods and the overall best interests of our city. She, along with her office staff Matthew Ibarra and Aimee Santillan make up by far the most responsive City Representative office I have dealt with. Representative Annello did not accept the statement by the City Architect that nothing could be done. She heard her constituents and acted. I thank her and congratulate her on her willingness to extract concessions from the lords of the fiefdom (Capital Improvements seers and suzerains) whose castle battlements (read plans and processes) are so well constructed that they defy assault by the peasants.
Program
Three representatives of El Paso Electric, company line firmly gripped in their jaws, regaled us with the wonderful features of “smart meters for dumb customers” (my words) that are coming to you whether you want it or not. They were so well indoctrinated that they would not admit that these features could be used to jack up consumers’ bills with only a change from the Public Utility Commission who they avowed was not utility friendly. They further could not admit that more detailed information that did not require data collection by EPEC could be acquired by consumers at a lower cost than the “gift” that we are being forced to accept.
We may not always agree with the positions of our programs but when they affect our personal lives and our businesses, Five Points Development Association will see that our members are informed. This is one of those situations.
This month we will hear from Acting Police Chief Peter Pacillas. The El Paso Police Department has been an integral part of our neighborhood since the move of the headquarters to Five Points in 1988. The late Chief, Greg Allen was well-known to us as a frequent speaker and someone who told us with no sugar coating how he saw things.
Acting Chief Pacillas has been with the Department since 1988 and has been Assistant Chief since 2009. He was appointed Acting Chief following the death of Chief Allen at the beginning of this year. We look forward to meeting him and hearing his views on the Police Department both present and future. Chief Pacillas will join those of us who arrive at 11:30 to eat before the meeting. All are invited to be a part of this group.
Mixer
On May 30th we met at another of Board Member Gary Monteleone’s venues and enjoyed an outstanding burger and fries. Unfortunately, because of date changes and some illness, our attendance was not that great. Those of us that have made all of the Mixers at Gary’s have been treated to good food and a good time. We thank him for opening especially for us. We hope that we can arrange a special future Mixer with him—one in which we will secure a head count beforehand to ensure good attendance commensurate with his efforts.
This month, we will move back to the Pershing Inn, Tuesday, June 27th at 5:30. It’s always interesting conversation and sometimes interesting people watching! If you haven’t attended or it’s been awhile, come join us.
See you Wednesday at Timo’s at noon.