Lisa Marie for City Council Place 5

Item 16 Consent Agenda - 12/01/09 Citizen's Comment Period @ San Marcos City Council

2009-12-07T20:59:00.000-06:00

DEBATE VIDEOS - Uncut Advocacy - In Real Time

2009-12-06T08:24:00.000-06:00

All three debates posted at website.

Early Voting on Campus 12/03/09 Kaela & Scout

2009-12-04T18:07:00.003-06:00

Elections continue: Early voting on campus for City Council tie breaker - University Star

2009-12-02T18:41:00.000-06:00

Elections continue: Early voting on campus for City Council tie breaker
Dec 2 2009 - 1:08am | DJ Nutter

Early voters began casting their ballots Monday as the people of San Marcos head to the polls for the second time to elect a candidate to City Council Place 5.

The only candidates on the ballot this time are Ryan Thomason and Lisa Marie Coppoletta — who got 49.9 percent and 26.2 percent of the votes Election Day Nov. 3, respectively, sending them to a runoff.

Candidates said economic issues are proving to be the No. 1 priority for voters who have been going door-to-door around the city.

“We have a $146 million budget for economic development,” Thomason said. “The most important thing either of us is going to work on is the budget, and well, Lisa has not been a part of that.”

Thomason said his experience as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission and as a finance major make him the more experienced candidate regarding economic issues.

Coppoletta, disagrees, saying her 20-year experience working on grassroots issues in San Marcos make her the more experienced candidate. Coppoletta said she has focused much attention to issues facing veterans.

“(My proposals) are getting the ears of city officials,” Coppoletta said. “I’m also an activist in preserving the San Marcos River, and in making sure that graduating college students get good paying jobs in our community.”

Candidates said they want to set the record straight regarding any factually inaccurate information causing negative opinions among voters.

“I’ve heard people say that I want to fill the river with concrete just because I’m involved with economic development,” Thomason said. “Nothing has been too derogatory, and I’m surprised because five or six years ago we had a different kind of politics in San Marcos.”

Coppoletta said being thrown into the political realm of name-calling was expected. She said putting debate videos on her campaign Web site is an effective way to dispel the legitimacy of any mudslinging.

“People know that I’m the first person to speak up, but I’m also the first one to compliment,” Coppoletta said. “I know what’s in my heart, but I’m still sensitive.”

Coppoletta said she has been receiving donations since November, but still considers herself a grassroots organizer.

Thomason said he spent less money on the runoff election because more than $20,000 was spent on November’s election for less than 2,000 votes. He said the consistent trickle of new people donating to his campaign have helped pay for writers and signage.

“Six different people used money in six different ways last election, and only 7.09 percent of registered voters went to the polls,” Thomason said. “Signs can’t vote, money can’t vote. Only people can vote.”

Early voters can cast their ballots at Hays County Elections Office until Dec. 11 or at LBJ Student Center Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5p.m.
Election Day will be held Dec. 15, with the polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Dr. Katherine Albrecht Interview

2009-11-17T18:23:00.003-06:00

Archives below from today's interview with Dr. Katherine Albrecht

Hour 2 ( Download the MP3 )

Lisa Marie Coppoletta

Good friend of the show, Lisa Marie Coppoletta, is in the midst of a run off for Place 5 on the San Marcos City Council. Early voting for the run-off election will be from Monday, Nov. 30, through Friday, Dec. 11. Early voting will take place only at the Elections Administration Office on Broadway. The proposed Election date will be Tuesday, Dec. 15. Jesse Benton pops in for a brief conversation with Katherine about the proposed health care reform that is underway in Washington D.C..

Lisa Marie Coppoletta for San Marcos City Council

Lisa Marie Coppoletta on MySpace

San Marcos Protest (television coverage)

THE RULE OF LAW RADIO - Interview on Run-Off Election for Place 5

2009-11-09T23:39:00.002-06:00

November 09, 2009 Rule of Law interview about the run-off election.
http://mp3.ruleoflawradio.com/ROL/64k/ROL_2009-11-09_64k.mp3

OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING RUN-OFF ELECTION

2009-11-09T16:32:00.004-06:00

Thank you to the 8% of San Marcos voters who chose to get involved, and made it to the polls on Tuesday November 3rd. Since we did not have a clear majority in the race for place 5, we are asking those who came out to again cast their ballot for a CHOICE on city council, and we welcome those who were not able to cast their vote to add their voices to this historic race to shape our local city council.

I have always fought against outside special interests and my track over the past two decades on this is well documented. The issues have not changed, and I will continue to be the candidate who knows that the role of city council is looking out for the best interests of the citizens, not for the special interests.

Our supporters are dedicated to getting voters to the polls. I received nearly 5000 votes just a year ago; I am confident in my chances in winning this runoff election as I pledge to continue to fight for people of San Marcos.

Social Media Statement

2009-11-06T19:35:00.004-06:00

After official word is received, will be issuing a statement exclusively on facebook/myspace/twitter for all my friends regarding the run-off election this Monday evening. There is much to report that has been occurring behind the scenes.

Election Day - Campaign Team

2009-11-03T19:30:00.001-06:00

Early voting at LBJSC 10/21/09

2009-10-21T20:42:00.006-05:00

Early voting at LBJSC 10/21/09 - Unicycle in the Rain LMC Campaign

2009-10-21T08:40:00.001-05:00

Sunday, October 11, 2009 Block Walk Crew, Part II - Afternoon Walk

2009-10-12T23:08:00.002-05:00

2009-09-27T02:04:00.001-05:00

2009-09-27T01:56:00.006-05:00

2009-09-27T01:56:00.005-05:00

2009-09-27T01:55:00.004-05:00

LMC Campaign Celebration

2009-09-26T02:12:00.003-05:00

LMC Campaign Celebration
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2009
Time: 7:30pm - 11:30pm
Location: Wake the Dead Coffeehouse
City/Town: San Marcos, TX

Carrie Ann will be playing at our Campaign Celebration!

Where else but in San Marcos can ya pick up a groovy t-shirt, eat Daniel's tamales, discuss issues and take home up a special surprise! Wake the Dead at 7:30 PM - 12 midnight please stop by to say hi!

Campaign Photos - LMC Street Team Crew - Block Walks & Visits

2009-09-26T02:11:00.000-05:00

Audio PSA - This Saturday at Wake the Dead

2009-09-26T02:07:00.000-05:00

PSA for event this Saturday.
http://www.lmc4sanmarcos.com/LMC_Celebration.mp3

Downtown Association Debate

2009-09-26T00:11:00.005-05:00

Debate before the San Marcos Downtown Association - Opening Statement

Downtown Association Debate

2009-09-26T00:11:00.004-05:00

Debate before the San Marcos Downtown Association Question 1: What are two problems and solutions regarding the downtown.

Downtown Association Debate

2009-09-26T00:10:00.001-05:00

Debate before the San Marcos Downtown Association Question 2: Imagine it is your birthday and you are at a City Council meeting. What would be your birthday wish?

Downtown Association Debate

2009-09-26T00:09:00.001-05:00

Debate before the San Marcos Downtown Association Question 3: What can the City of San Marcos do to increase transparency in local government?

San Marcos City Council candidates weigh in on growth - Austin American Statesman

2009-09-22T15:22:00.003-05:00

San Marcos City Council candidates weigh in on growth

Austin American Statesman

Seven candidates for two seats say tax incentives for low-paying jobs no longer an option for the city.

By Patrick George
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Monday, September 21, 2009

"The Place 5 race features Lisa Marie Coppoletta, Shaune Maycock and Ryan Thomason.
Coppoletta, an academic adviser at Texas State, said she favors limiting urban sprawl and increasing the number of green jobs in the community. An opponent of incentives to Springtown and city subsidies for outlet mall advertising, Coppoletta, who lost to Place 4 Council Member Chris Jones in the 2008 election, said she'd like to build up local businesses instead."

Downtown association to grill candidates at Tap Room

2009-09-21T00:12:00.001-05:00

Downtown association to grill candidates at Tap Room

Posted on September 21, 2009 at 9:53 am • Print • Share

http://www.newstreamz.com/2009/09/21/downtown-association-to-grill-candidates-at-tap-room/

STAFF REPORT

The Downtown Association will play host to the six candidates running for the two city council positions at its monthly meeting on Wednesday. The meeting will be held at the Tap Room, 129 East Hopkins Street.

Downtown Association President Brian Montgomery said the candidates were invited to meet with the association because of its focus on issues involving the downtown area.

Issues of interest to downtown include revitalization, parking, late hour bar closing, police presence and an overall city commitment to a vital business and entertainment district.

The six candidates include Lisa Marie Coppoletta, Shaune C. Maycock and Ryan Thomason for Place 5 and incumbent John Thomaides, Anita Fuller and Monica Garcia for Place 6.

The Downtown Association of San Marcos is a volunteer organization comprised of people interested in promoting the appearance, safety, vitality and economic development of the downtown area.

For more information, contact Montgomery at The Wine Cellar Bistro and Boutique, 200 N. LBJ Drive, Suite 101, or call him at (512) 805-9463.

Ballot for City Races

2009-09-20T13:23:00.004-05:00

Drainage Issues in Victory Gardens

2009-09-15T21:41:00.004-05:00

Water breeding unhealthy conditions for residents in Victory Gardens. This is just one spot where this is an issue. The last part of the audio is a little bit loud because of the wind. Daniel is burying a cat in the back ground b/c the city took to long to pick it up off the side of the road!

Coppoletta, Thomaides draw top ballot spots

2009-09-04T10:16:00.003-05:00

Coppoletta, Thomaides draw top ballot spots

Posted on September 3, 2009 at 5:05 pm • Print • Share

San Marcos City Clerk Sherry Mashburn, left, and Daley Heller of the clerk’s office draw ballot places for the Novemeber city council election. Photo by Andy Sevilla.

By ANDY SEVILLA
Associate Editor

City Council hopeful Lisa Marie Coppoletta and incumbent John Thomaides appear to hold the favored positions on the November San Marcos city council ballot after a placement drawing conducted by City Clerk Sherry Mashburn.

Thomaides drew the top spot on the ballot for his Place 6 position, while Coppoletta drew the top spot for Place 5.

Some electoral experts suggest that the higher position on the ballot has at least a subtle psychological influence on voters, especially when they’re unfamiliar with the names in a race. However, that is unlikely to factor into this November’s election, which will include only the San Marcos council race and state constitutional amendments. Thus, a reduced turnout of voters is likely to know who they will select long before encountering a ballot.

Pieces of paper with the candidates’ names were mixed in a bowl and pulled out one-by-one by Daley Heller of the city clerk’s office. The order in which the names were pulled out of the bowl is the order in which they will appear on the ballot.

“Oh wow,” Mashburn said as she read aloud the order for Place 5. “They’re in alphabetical order.”

Coppoletta took the coveted number one position on the ballot for Place 5, followed by, in order, Shaune Maycock, John Nesselhauf, and Ryan Thomason.

Place 6 did not go in alphabetical order, with Thomaides to be followed by Anita Fuller, and Monica Garcia.

All candidates were present except Coppoletta, who missed the presentation due to illness.

Signs

2009-08-30T14:59:00.006-05:00

Video taken by Lotus LG and seamlessly loaded to mac via blue tooth and uploaded in .3g2 format to youtube. The youtube interface deletes the audio, the audio works just fine in the facebook interface.

"Next Turn in Liberty Dont Internalize! But Rather Mobilize, Energize, and Harmonize!"

2009-08-29T17:42:00.015-05:00

08/28/09 Texans for Accountable Government Event in Austin, Texas. Speaking immediately before Debra Medina who is running for Texas Governor in GOP and cutting my speech "Next Turn in Liberty Dont Internalize! But Rather Mobilize, Energize, and Harmonize!" as i go because Jimmie Vaughan is coming up. What an awesome end to a very busy week. I have NOT decided who I am supporting for Texas Governor as of yet.

Photo with Penny Langford Freeman, campaign strategist to Ron Paul and one brilliant, humble and inspiring Texas Liberty Activist.

City decides against tax abatements for outlet mall projects

2009-08-25T07:35:00.005-05:00

San Marcos Daily Record, Tuesday March 23, 1993 - My letter defeated the abatements

Same song, second verse: San Marcos City Council and tax abatements - La Prensa Feb 5, 1993

2009-08-22T18:04:00.009-05:00

Click on images above to view article.
This is a letter to the editor I wrote as a student attending Southwest Texas State University SWTSU. Topic: Outlet mall abatement. It appears that not much has changed since the early nineties. For my advocacy in 2009 please visit this link to my bookmarks.

Old School Student Activism - SMDR Coverage of elections from 1990's

2009-08-22T16:09:00.006-05:00

Click on images below to read article. The paper was just 35 Cents!!

Abatement Policy Needs Some Changes - January 31, 1993

2009-08-22T14:22:00.010-05:00

Click on image above to view article.
My advocacy as a Southwest Texas State University student activist.
Re: the Outlet Mall, abatement handouts, not much has changed since the early nineties. The entire article also appears in the La Prensa article and is fully scanned in here.

Sign Gate - The Uncut Story

2009-08-19T17:38:00.012-05:00

This is the placeholder for my future blog entry "Sign Gate: The Uncut Story" which discusses the enumeration of specifics, justification for making this public and follow up documentation. The extended response I post at my websites will be the one and only time we will discuss this matter via public forum, electronic or otherwise.

All Daniel did was call to advise that we had NOT removed any of the opponent's signs. Rather, property owners and the city had removed the opponent's signs. What follows and discussed in my blog post should be known by our community. And, the myspace page discussion will be relevant, a page which was deleted 24 hours after our press release went out.

Here is an article for now at Newstreamz.com

Expensive Tagging of Town - Large & Small Yard Signs Going Out

2009-08-11T19:24:00.003-05:00

Expensive Tagging of Town - Large & Small Yard Signs Going Out

2009-08-08T17:13:00.004-05:00

First week of filing - Newstreamz.com updates

2009-08-07T00:10:00.006-05:00

Lisa Marie Coppoletta, left, and Shaune Maycock, right, have each filed to run for the San Marcos City Council seat being vacated by Pam Couch. Staff photo.

"Maycock runs, Perkins still deciding"
By ANDY SEVILLA Associate Editor

"Maycock’s opponent, Coppoletta, also ran for city council in 2008, but missed the mark by 10 percent to incumbent Chris Jones. Coppoletta has since been very involved in community activism.

“I am pleased that another of our citizens has decided to be of service to our community,” Coppoletta said."

Thomaides, Coppoletta file for council race - Newstreamz

2009-08-04T08:04:00.003-05:00

Thomaides, Coppoletta file for council race

Posted on August 4, 2009 at 12:40 am Newstreamz.com

Councilmember Pam Couch, left, said she will not run for re-election this year, while Councilmember John Thomaides, right, filed for re-election Monday, the first day of filing. Photo by Andy Sevilla.

By ANDY SEVILLA
Associate Editor

Election season is gearing up in San Marcos, where two candidates threw their hats in the ring for city council positions Monday, while an incumbent stepped away.

As expected, Place 6 council incumbent John Thomaides filed Monday, the first day of filings for city offices. Thomaides will seek his third term on the council. As yet, no opponent has emerged.

Lisa Marie Coppoletta, defeated in a council race by Chris Jones in 2008, announced in the spring that she would run for the Place 5 city council seat presently held by Pam Couch. Coppoletta did, indeed, file Monday. But Couch did not.

Couch said she will not run for office in 2009. Thus, two open city council seats are, to this point, uncontested. But prospective candidates have until Sept. 2 to change that.

“This has been a hard decision to make because it has been an honor and privilege to serve on the city council for three years,” Couch said Monday.

Couch, who won the seat without an opponent in 2006, did not give a reason for declining to seek re-election. Coppoletta moved quickly to be sure Couch would have an opponent this year, announcing her run for council in late January.

After campaigning without a treasurer and signing a state ethics agreement to neither raise nor spend $500 in the 2008 election, Coppoletta has taken a different approach in 2009, hiring Griffin Spell as her treasurer and saying in January that she planned several fundraisers.

“My work production as a candidate has been consistent: gather the data, make sense of the root cause and effects of the problem and offer workable solutions,” Coppoletta said. ” I will continue to campaign on the issues of protection of natural resources, neighborhood integrity, veterans initiatives, affordable housing, green collar jobs, transition to no kill shelter, programs for at-risk-youth and online availability of data for citizens via the city website.”

Thomaides said he has enjoyed his years on the council, despite quite often being on the minority end of split votes opposite Mayor Susan Narvaiz. He added that there’s much work to be done.

“I have the passion, the desire, and the commitment to serve the people of San Marcos,” Thomaides said. “That’s the driving force behind my decision.”

Thomaides said he will push to work with regional partners on freight relocation and commuter rail, build on the city’s success with the state and federal levels of government, work for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, protect the San Marcos River, help attract business, revitalize downtown, and learn from the council’s shortcomings.

“It’s wonderful to look back and see some of the successes while on council,” Thomaides said, “to really make great improvements and really make a difference in the long-run.”

While Thomaides has wrestled with the mayor about water conservation and economic development policies from the dais, Coppoletta has made herself visible protesting policies considered by the city council, ranging from mandatory microchipping of pet dogs and cats, to a proposed subsidy for a Springtown Center re-development, to asking for an ethics policy much like that recently enacted by Hays County.

“(I) recently spoke in opposition to Springtown abatements and submitted models of green industry in which a small business paradigm is fostered,” Coppoletta said. “I discussed this philosophy in a variety of forums, and after all, this makes sound economic dollars and sense to allow the downtown dollar to circulate via small businesses, thereby enhancing perceptions of tourists travelling the IH-35 corridor.”

Thomaides said his campaign is fundraising and will officially kick-off with fundraiser on Sept. 14 at the Root Cellar by the Courthouse Square. Thomaides said he wants to make the square “into a first class downtown and core of the city.”

Said Thomaides, “I will accomplish things on council. I will accomplish things (San Marcos residents) want to occur. And I have the experience to get them done.”

Coppoletta’s campaign is mobilizing through new and innovative social measures, much like those used by President Barak Obama during his 2008 presidential bid. Coppoletta said she is a host of two radio talk shows on the Internet.

“Throughout 2009, I have focused the campaign’s energy via online communication, Myspace, Twitter, Blogging, Website, Youtube, Skype, Facebook, Blogtalk Radio, Meebo, LinkedIn,” Coppoletta said. “More importantly, our campaign has been walking door to door and has over 2,000 leaflets out and posted online via Google map of speaking directly with residents.”

"The pen is mightier than the sword"

2009-08-03T17:58:00.003-05:00

Council filing to begin - San Marcos Daily Record

2009-08-02T11:10:00.003-05:00

"Council member Pam Couch issued a statement Friday saying she would not seek another term for her Place 5 post."

San Marcos Daily Record reports on August 1, 2009.

Quote Corner Newstreamz - Sunday August 02, 2009

2009-08-02T08:51:00.001-05:00

QUOTE CORNER

“I am perplexed why you would ask for a public hearing when we’ve already told you what we think.”

San Marcos City Council candidate Lisa Marie Coppoletta, wondering why the city’s animal services advisory board would make a new pet microchipping proposal.

- Read More >>

San Marcos council filings to start Monday - Newstreamz

2009-07-31T20:13:00.003-05:00

San Marcos council filings to start Monday

Posted on July 31, 2009 at 6:05 pm • Print • Share

STAFF REPORT

The next city election in San Marcos is coming up fast.

Monday, Aug. 3, is the first day for candidates in the San Marcos City Council election to file for a place on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Lisa Marie Coppoletta, who lost her bid for the council against Chris Jones last Nov., long ago declared her candidacy for the Place 5 seat occupied by Councilmember Pam Couch. The incumbent has not declared if she will seek re-election.
ENTIRE STORY LOCATED HERE

It is a Good Friday with Dr. Katherine Albrecht

2009-07-31T18:50:00.002-05:00

Show Archives

Fri., July 31, 2009

Full show ( Listen as streaming MP3 | Listen as streaming RealAudio )

Hour 1 ( Download the MP3 )

Good News Friday // Lisa Marie Coppeletta

Katherine opens the show with the age old wisdom to hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil. She celebrates the fact that Legoland (California) is no longer using RFID tags to track visitors during their stays. Lisa Marie Coppeletta updates Katherine on the pet microchipping situation in San Marcos, TX.

Lisa Marie Coppeletta

Backwoods Home Magazine

Council approves KBR for projects - San Marcos Daily Record

2009-07-28T17:35:00.002-05:00

"Council approves KBR for projects" San Marcos Daily Record, July 25, 2009 03:23 pm

“Our county has given us a wonderful model by which to reject businesses with unsavory practices,” said Lisa Marie Coppoletta, who ran unsuccessfully for the council last year.

Council stays with KBR contracts - Newstreamz

2009-07-28T17:31:00.002-05:00

Council stays with KBR contracts

Posted on July 27, 2009 at 2:40 pm By ED MIHALKANIN News Reporter

City council candidate Lisa Marie Coppoletta asked the Council to vote away the contract. Former mayoral candidate Daniel McCarthy spoke against the city having a contract with KBR, saying the company was “the equivalent of Wal-Mart.” San Marcos resident Bobby Sira opposed the contract because, in his opinion, KBR “has done unsavory things” and “has hurt our soldiers overseas.” Griffin Spell, who is managing Coppoletta’s campaign, asked the council to develop an ethics law that would prohibit the city government “from doing business with businesses that have been guilty of defrauding the US government.”

THE CITIZENS RESOUNDINGLY WEIGH IN
AT THE NEW STORY COMMENTS SECTION

Chip law proposal could range byond city by Newstreamz

2009-07-27T11:54:00.001-05:00

Chip law proposal could range beyond city

Posted on July 23, 2009 at 3:11 am • Print • Share

Protesters came from the dog park to City Hall in March to protest a mandatory microchip registration law in San Marcos this past march. Photo by Andy Sevilla.

By BILL PETERSON
Executive Editor

A potential change in the animal enforcement code for San Marcos figures to have impacts in Kyle and in unincorporated areas of Hays County, as well.

More directly, dogs and cats in Kyle and unincorporated Hays County could soon wind up with mandatory microchip registration, even though neither Kyle nor Hays County provide for microchipping in their animal control ordinances.

The scenario emerges because Kyle and Hays County each contract for animal control services with the San Marcos animal shelter, the policies for which are set by the City of San Marcos. As it happens, San Marcos is once again about to consider mandatory microchip registration of pets, though under special circumstances. The measure would apply to animals that have been brought to the shelter for a second time.

The animal services advisory board in San Marcos reprised the issue of pet microchipping Wedenesday night with a public hearing on the potential revisions to the city’s animal control ordinance.

San Marcos took center stage in the national controversy about microchipping during the spring, after the city council passed mandatory microchip identification for pet dogs and cats last December. Citizens objected, turning out 300 to a March city council meeting before the council relented and asked the animal board to bring back a recommendation for voluntary microchipping.

The board brought back that recommendation, council enacted it and, four months later, the animal board is coming back with a new approach to microchipping, the ramifications of which go well beyond San Marcos.

The expunged legislation calling for mandatory microchipping across the board applied only to San Marcos, in effect, because it would be up to San Marcos animal control officers to enforce it. But the new measure would apply to any pet brought to the animal shelter, which takes pets from Kyle and unincorporated Hays County because the City of Kyle and Hays County contract with the city animal shelter for their sheltering needs.

Kyle and Hays County each has a representative on the animal services advisory board in San Marcos by virtue of those contracts. Kyle CIty Councilmember David Salazar, the Kyle representative on the San Marcos animal board, chaired Wednesday night’s meeting.

San Marcos Assistant Director of Community Services Mark Brinkley and Animal Services Director Bert Stratemann confirmed Wednesday night that the proposed policy would apply to any animal that winds up in the shelter for the second time, regardless of the animal’s residence.

Stratemann said that though Kyle and doesn’t require microchipping, its agreement with the San Marcos animal shelter provides that it abide by the animal shelter’s policies, even though that policy might be set by the San Marcos city government.

Salazar said he expects to bring the matter before the Kyle City Council for discussion, though he didn’t indicate that he would advocate for Kyle to institute a pet microchipping policy.

Only three people showed up for Wednesday night’s public hearing on pet microchipping - San Marcos City Council candidate Lisa Marie Coppoletta, her husband (Daniel Scales) and her campaign manager (Griffin Spell).

Coppoletta spoke passionately against the proposal, wondering aloud why the animal services board would bring up microchipping when the citizens and the city council have said they don’t want it.

“I believe, in March, our citizens resoundingly told our city council that we oppose mandatory microchipping for our pets,” Coppoletta said. ” … I am perplexed why you would ask for a public hearing when we’ve already told you what we think.”

Coppoletta added that the animal board is being “paternalistic” instead of listening to the people, that the animal board has not followed up on education measures promised during the microchip debate this spring and that a lack of transparency characterizes the board’s documentation.

Coppoletta told the board that if the proposal makes it to city council, the 300 protesters in March will be considerably exceeded by the next protest at City Hall. Furthermore, Coppoletta added, she will make numerous open records requests in an attempt to find out what’s really motivating the board’s persistence on the microchipping issue.

Spell also spoke against microchipping, saying that if the board forwards the question to city council, “All you’ll end up doing is embarrassing this board and getting us back on TV.”

In addition to the two citizens who commented on microchipping Wednesday night, Stratemann said the board has received two emails on the matter from citizens. Stratemann said both emails were in favor of the latest microchipping measure.

THE CITIZENS RESOUNDINGLY WEIGH IN AT THE NEW STORY COMMENTS SECTION

Podkast #4 - "Citizen Outsider Radio" - Monday @ 6:30 PM

2009-07-26T17:49:00.012-05:00

I felt the most holistic way to begin the counter offensive regarding Animal Services Control Board advocacy regarding MANDATORY microchipping would be to deconstruct all my documentary footage and reconstruct a montage of how the advocacy has unveiled from February thru July. In the performance argument kritik "RFID Free Flow Show" we edit clips in February next to March for listeners to see how the advocacy is in motion like a moving target. Check out never before clips from our youtube videos archives.

Worked on this piece last night from 8:00 PM thru 8:00 AM after running into Furly Travis and Molly Hayes. Daniel and I were supposed to broadcast live at Wake the Dead, however we could not lock it in because our laptop computer could not sync with the server. However, throughout the week i kept being called to go to WTD. It was Furly's birthday and I am glad we went. Furly and Molly do much of their own independent music and it got me to thinking.

SHOW AIRS : Monday PM @ 6:30 Live - the montage is 18:33 minutes
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lmc4sanmarcos

Please feel free to copy and paste the html in the widget on the right hand side at blog talk radio. You can put the player on a website, myspace, your blog. There are also share functions for twitter and facebook. Please get the message out so that we will be mobilized to strike.

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Podkast #4 description below:

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performance argument kritik
audio montage
by Citizen Outsider Radio

The citizens have told the Animal Services Control Board thru participation at Educational Hearings, Pubic Hearings and City Council meetings how they feel about mandatory RFID microchipping of their critters. For this week’s edition of Citizen Outsider Radio we composed a “Free Flow RFID Show”.

Our podkast montage incorporates clips from heated public hearings, packed council meetings, live talk radios interviews, discussions with citizens, and protests to give insight into the deeper issues regarding mandating RFID in our community. One, Ethical/Religious issues and Two, the microchip does not get at the root cause of the problems of animal euthanasia and owners not finding their lost pets. Clearly San Marcos is taking care of a countywide problem regarding animal services.

Thank you to the hundreds of residents who stood up for our rights back in March to make San Marcos the first city in the nation to overturn a mandated RFID pet ordnance. Lets continue our fight because the Animal Services Control Board is back this July placing it on their table.

So, short cut open a new window in your browser, hit f12 to pump up the volume and lock it in for a Free Flow RFID Show on Citizen Outsider Radio.

Microchip Board Speech

2009-07-22T20:45:00.004-05:00

Tuesday's Interview with Dr Katherine Albrecht

2009-07-22T00:44:00.000-05:00

Tue., July 21, 2009

Full show ( Listen as streaming MP3 | Listen as streaming RealAudio )

Hour 1 ( Download the MP3 )

"No" evidently does not mean "No" in San Marcos, TX. Katherine speaks again with Lisa Marie Copoletta about the fresh attempt by the San Marcos Animal Shelter Advisory Board to mandate the microchipping of pets. Katherine makes and substantiates the claim that microchips can and do cause cancer when injected into animals. She makes the connection between microchipping of pets, RFID chips in driver licenses and the Mark of the Beast.

Antichips.com

City of San Marcos Animal Services Department

Lisa Marie Copoletta for San Marcos City Council

Tonight's Speech Before Council - Citizen Comments Period

2009-07-21T20:23:00.000-05:00

Dr. Albrecht Speaks about my interview on Tuesday on her Monday show

2009-07-21T19:58:00.003-05:00

On Monday's show, Dr. Albrecht speaks about the San Marcos microchipping issue which is coming back up again.

"Mandatory pet microchipping is on the agenda again in San Marcos, Texas. An update will be provided by Lisa Marie Copoletta on the July 21 broadcast."

Dr. Katherine Albrecht Steps Up for San Marcos Again!

2009-07-20T23:54:00.006-05:00

Tomorrow I will be on the Katherine Albrecht Show from 3 to 4:00! We will discuss the RFID which is being proposed AGAIN here in San Marcos, Texas.

Sunday's Radio Show from "Live and Let Live" The Rule of Law Radio

2009-07-20T07:10:00.002-05:00

This is the podcast from Sunday's world wide coverage from The Rule of Law Radio. Gary Johnson, host of "Live and Let Live" is a wonderful and I enjoyed the hour long interview.

"Hour 1 Guest: Lisa Marie Coppoletta. Lisa discusses the latest situation regarding forced rfid microchip implanting in pets in San Marcos, Tx. The municipality is attempting to institute the practice only 3 months after citizens stopped the county from requiring mandatory pet chipping. City Council will hear citizens speak on the issue this Tuesday night, July 21. Visit Lisa’s website at http://lmc4sanmarcos.blogspot.com/ for info on how to participate. Very enlightening concerning the power we really have to make change."

Podkast #3 - "Citizen Outsider Radio" - Tuesday @ 10:00 PM

2009-07-20T00:09:00.006-05:00

"City Council Agenda Items LIne by Line"

Call in on Monday night to discuss Tuesday evening's San Marcos City Council agenda items.

What are your concerns and solutions?

Call-in Number: (646) 595-4831

7/20/2009 @10:00 PM - 60 Minutes

Listen to Citizen Outsider on Blog Talk Radio

Victory Garden - Harvey - Urban Gardening

2009-07-19T15:14:00.003-05:00

Throughout the week we will post photos from our yield as it develops from our own Victory Garden here on Harvey. This is just one section of our small urban garden. Next we will have photos of our home made compost heap and thriving cucumber mound.

Podkast - Citizen Outsider Radio - Podkasts 1 & 2

2009-07-18T15:20:00.004-05:00

3 Issues: Veterans, Springtown, & RFID w/3 Live Radio Shows

2009-07-16T19:17:00.006-05:00

There are three upcoming radio events where issues will be discussed regarding San Marcos City Council policies.

Live & Let Live - 90.1 FM
Sunday 7/19/09 @8:00 PM 1 hour interview with Gary Johnson

Lisa Marie's Podcast - Saturday 7/18/2009 @11:00 AM - 60 Minutes
Podkast #1 - "Citizen Outsider Radio" on Blog Talk Radio premiers this Saturday.
Topics Include: proposals for Veterans initiatives, economics of a vibrant downtown economy in San Marcos and prospects for creating sustainable green collar jobs. Then, we turn to Smart Action Events: City Council meeting this Tuesday where citizens should be aware of the agenda items relating to the Springtown & KBR issues.

Lisa Marie's Podcast - Sunday 7/18/2009 @11:00 AM - 60 Minutes
Podkast #2 - "Victory Gardens Revival Movement"
Topics Include: The history of Victory Gardens in America. The show will provide tips on getting started and special topics for gardening in apartments or duplexes aka urban gardening. Then, we turn to Smart Action Events: Animal Control Board is at it again. Do they really think the citizens of San Marcos want to microchip their pets.
7/19/2009 @11:00 AM - 60 Minutes

Citizen Outsider Radio: Podkast #1 - This Saturday

2009-07-15T20:11:00.006-05:00

Another Victory for Activism in San Marcos - Springtown Boondoggle Goes Down!

2009-07-08T20:48:00.011-05:00

Newstreamz Video Extra - Springtown Mall Citizen Comments

"In this Newstreamz City Beat, we’ll bring you the citizen comment on the subject of the Springtown Mall redevelopment. Citizens and business owners spoke at Tuesday’s city council meeting."

Council denies incentive plan for center, By Anita Miller

“We need to focus on retaining businesses,” said Lisa Marie Coppeletta, a former council candidate. She noted that residential areas including those for senior citizens are in close proximity to Springtown and would be impacted by the redevelopment as planned.

“Your focus should be not to compete but rather complement pre-existing businesses,” she continued. “I stand firm against the item.”

Holding the Line With Local Activism: Two Victories for Liberty in San Marcos, Texas

2009-07-03T10:33:00.006-05:00

Below is the video from speech on July 02, 2009 in Victoria, Texas. Congressman Dr. Ron Paul delivered the Keynote Address and my speech "Holding the Line With Local Activism: Two Victories for Liberty in San Marcos, Texas” immediately followed. The crowd of 500 withstood the triple digit June heat.

Going to Victoria: Congressman Dr. Ron Paul Keynote, Working on my speech to follow

2009-06-30T22:30:00.003-05:00

I am so honored to be invited to give a speech following Congressman Dr. Ron Paul's Keynote Address in Victoria, Texas this Thursday, July 02, 2009. The event is scheduled to begin at 5:30.

Google Map of Door-to-Door - LMC Street Team Walks

2009-06-25T23:18:00.016-05:00

GOOGLE MAP OF DOOR-TO-DOOR
I am most appreciative to the volunteers who are working every day in the hot June sun walking door-to-door to spread the word of our campaign. Daniel set up a google map of the walks this June and below is the progress thus far. Thank YOU again everyone who is helping out in the campaign! The nice part about google maps is the one can zoom and in out to view details of the city.

View Door to Door in June 2009 in a larger map

June 20, 2009 MapMyWalk Entry

2009-06-25T21:39:00.007-05:00

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmywalk.com/walk/united-states/tx/san-marcos/726124598391244860"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;06/20/2009 Route&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br/&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmywalk.com/find-walk/united-states/tx/san-marcos"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Find more Walks in San Marcos, Texas&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

Thank A Soldier this 4th of July

2009-06-21T18:48:00.005-05:00

Facebook event has all the details. Why not celebrate your fourth of July this year thanking a solider? Simply display a sign and take a photo and upload it to facebook.

website launched

2009-06-13T18:48:00.001-05:00

website launched

http://www.lmc4sanmarcos.com

after our cleanup downtown, felt inspired to build the website

8:45 Sat AM - Clean UP Downtown

2009-06-12T18:09:00.003-05:00

This is a re-post from facebook note that Nina wrote and it is a wonderful sponantenous act of kindness for San Marcos. Please consider joining us as we walk
to pick up trash.

--------

Pickin up Trash- depressed into a bit of action
Share
Yesterday at 12:44am
so, i walk and ride my bike everywhere and everytime i do i see trash, trash, and more trash all over the streets of san marcos. pickin up a bit here and a bit here just ain't satisfying- so i'm getting serious.

Saturday morning i'll be picking up trash through the downtown area, comanche, and san antonio street. i would welcome any company! If you'd like to help:

meet me @ Tantra about 845am. I wanna get started around 9am.
Bring trash bags and probably some gloves- even just dish gloves to keep your hands safe from germs and broken glass.

depending on how many people show up, we'll split into groups to make it quick and fun. After, I will be serving fresh lemonade and pb&j sandwiches on my front porch (San Antonio Street).

Drop me a line if you plan on joining me, so I know how much pb&j to make. I hope to do this more often, perhaps every other week.

hope to see you saturday morning! peace.
-nina linda

rough cut from debates section for "Citizen Outsider" documentary

2009-06-06T22:42:00.001-05:00

Facebook Group Breaks 300

2009-05-23T07:26:00.001-05:00

We broke 300 supporters to our facebook group last night!

There is always a first time for everything!

2009-05-16T12:49:00.005-05:00

Here we are, my very first time at Cheatham Street Warehouse. Yes, after 20 years of living in this town and a HUGE fan of the Singer Songwriter genre, I have NEVER been to CSW! And, to get to see HalleyAnna Finlay play was such kismet!

I was so honored to get a picture with the artist!!! And, what an awesome first show to catch!! Humble, talented, dynamic and authentic - that is Halleyanna!!

Donate Widget Now at Blog

2009-05-15T07:44:00.004-05:00

New Cuts from "Citizen Outsider"

2009-05-14T21:23:00.007-05:00

Our Soldiers are LITERALLY dying for WATER

2009-05-13T18:54:00.003-05:00

"Our City, Our Pets, Our Right!" @ 599 HIts!

2009-05-10T17:26:00.008-05:00

Here is the video:

For the Love or Money

2009-05-08T10:59:00.001-05:00

For love or money:

Become a pro on the Internet sites Twitter, Facebook, etc.
• to stay in touch with family, friends, and neighbors,
• to get ahead in your job, or
• to find a job.
Your kids and grandkids are using these sites.

May 14 7 p.m. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church computer classroom
Guadalupe and Wood Street $4 a person

This is a hands on workshop taught by Lisa Marie Coppoletta, experienced teacher of Internet skills.

Please pre-register if you would like to attend.

Master Plan Survey & Artist Funding Application Link

2009-05-08T10:49:00.002-05:00

Have been speaking in these last meetings, as we begin to formulate the arts master plan, that many artists in town are not necessarily part of an organized art group. And, that many of us have mediums which cross/ experiment with boundaries/ content of traditional Art.

So please give voice to your medium in the survey and in applying for funding for your projects.

Recent Link Updates

http://twurl.nl/0keyp6 Artists master plan survey

http://www.ci.san-marcos.tx.us/news/Docs/09April17_ArtsAppl.pdf Applications to fund projects by San Marcos artists

Overarching Issues Facing Artists

For me right now the main tenant as a commissioner/ artist is that we are afforded funding opportunities to continue to do our work as self-employed citizens. This goes hand in hand with venues as well as community support. This means supporting venues that support our work. There are also opportunities to intertwine campus and community culture thru the arts community here in San Marcos. Finally, we can offer opportunities to train our youth with holistic ways of resolving challenges thru art as medium for empowerment and self expression.

Arts Commission Updates: Citizen Input Sought and Funding Available

We are in formulation stages and aforementioned is just a snippet of some of the topics that I am reflecting. My colleagues have many insights and active here in our community. City staff are offering their thoughts and resources. The Arts Master Plan will guide our vision here in San Marcos for your passion of art. So, check out the online form and the funding opportunity.

Blog Talk Radio - "Liberty San Marcos" Goes Live this Saturday at 10:00 PM

2009-05-07T18:58:00.008-05:00

SHOW CANCELLED UNITL FEELING BETTER AND A TEK REHEARSAL

however, fyi we have a new talk radio show with guests, call in and San Marcos bands providing entertainment between segments - more info soon!

Our Blog Talk Radio page and first episode are in the works. "Liberty San Marcos" goes live this Saturday at 10:00 PM. If you miss the show, then it will be available on demand archived at the Blog Talk Radio page.

May Election Voters Guide

2009-05-05T19:11:00.003-05:00

Voters guide for elections http://twurl.nl/pd1vd8

Tell USDA What You Think About NAIS!

2009-05-05T17:52:00.005-05:00

Tell USDA What You Think About NAIS!

USDA has announced the locations for seven "listening sessions" about the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The NAIS would impose severe hardships on small farmers, and impact anyone who owns even one livestock or poultry animal, even those raising animals for their own food or as pets. While benefiting Big Ag's export market, NAIS could cripple small farmers providing grass-fed meats, eggs, and dairy to local consumers.

Key Congressional leaders have called for a mandatory NAIS, and Secretary Vilsack has indicated that he plans to push forward with some sort of program soon. It's going to take a lot of people speaking up loud and clear to keep a mandatory NAIS from being imposed on every livestock owner in America! These listening sessions are a critical opportunity to get media attention on NAIS and demonstrate the level of opposition to the program.

Please come to these meetings! You can have an impact simply by being there and showing that a lot of people are opposed to NAIS!

For more information about NAIS, go to www.farmandranchfreedom.org

Take Action - #1 Attend to the Meeting!
Austin, Texas
Wednesday, May 20
Embassy Suites Hotel Austin Central, 5901 N IH-35

The meetings will take place from 9 am to 4 pm. Registration is from 8 am -9 am.
1) If you want to speak, plan a short statement (3-5 minutes). We will send sample talking points in our next alert.

2) You can also bring written comments. It's best to bring two copies - one to hand to the USDA staff and one to keep so that you have a record of what you submitted.

3) The USDA coordinator has stated that the afternoon will consist of "facilitated sessions," where the attendees will be divided into groups to develop solutions. Be prepared to politely disagree with the facilitator. If they claim that a "consensus" has been reached with an answer that you don't agree with, say so!

Registration
If you want to speak in the morning or participate in the afternoon sessions, you must register.

Pre-registration:
1) Online: Send an email to NAISSessions@aphis.usda.gov In the subject line of the e-mail, indicate your name (or organization name) and the location of the meeting you plan to attend. If you wish to present public comments, please include your name (or organization name) and address in the body of the message.

2) By Phone: call 301-734-0799
On-site registration: From 8 am - 9am on the day of the meeting
You can also check USDA's website for more information: http://www.usda.gov/nais/feedback

Take Action #2 - Submit written comments online

You can also submit comments online at:
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2009-0027

Although the USDA did not specify a deadline in its notice, a USDA official has stated that the deadline is Monday, June 1.

We will provide sample comments in our next alert. If you want to comment before then, you can get ideas from the sample comments we provided in an earlier action alert: http://farmandranchfreedom.org/content/action-02-02-09

Please Support Judith and her work for our liberty!
If you are not yet a member, please consider joining at http://farmandranchfreedom.org/content/join-farfa

Judith needs your financial support. And, just as importantly, the strength of our voice depends on our membership! We are frequently asked, by both legislators and staffers, how many members we have. The more members, the more they will listen. Please help us be a strong voice. Congress held another hearing about NAIS this afternoon. Stay tuned for our response!
Working together, we can make our voices heard.

Judith McGeary
Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance
http://farmandranchfreedom.org/content
Phone: 512-243-9404
Toll-free: 866-687-6452

Bloggers Speak Out

2009-05-04T22:21:00.009-05:00

Recently surfed upon this blog post about the anti-mandatory microchipping movement in San Marcos.

Coverage of our protest was included at beatthechip.

This blogger also posted the story about our protest.

Arts Commission Calling Artists

2009-05-04T22:08:00.004-05:00

http://twurl.nl/0keyp6 Arts Commission Master Plan Survey
http://tinyurl.com/ckrp63 Applications to Fund Projects for San Marcos Artists

"Austin Liberty Beat" 04/15/09 Show

2009-04-16T07:26:00.004-05:00

Last night's show, second hour with John Bush and Chuck Young, "Austin Liberty Beat" World Premier Show!

"Austin Liberty Beat" - WORLD PREMIERE SHOW!!!

2009-04-16T00:09:00.009-05:00

"Austin Liberty Beat", Wednesdays 6-8pm CST with John Bush and Chuck Young. Whoa, I am so totally honored to have been on this World Premier Show for Austin Liberty Beat!! Talk about an awesome control room and with Liberty Cafe's own Nancy Robbins in the haus being the behind the scenes positivity, what an awesome live Tea Party of sorts. Mr. Bush and Mr. Young were top notch hosts! Lots of topics covered and the podcast from 90.1 FM should be online soon at this link: http://ruleoflawradio.com/archive/ at the Rule of Law Radio who just rules.

Liberty Beat - Facebook Feed =)

2009-04-15T17:05:00.003-05:00

Tonight I have an interview with Mr. John Bush activist/radio host. What a wonderful way to get the mojo started from this fab facebook feed.

We Broke 500 Hits

2009-04-12T08:03:00.001-05:00

We are now at 541 =). Video Shot, edited and uploaded on day of protest. Till this day still the most complete coverage of the RFID protest here in San Marcos with regards to animal microchipping. Full documentary will be released sometime in 2010.

San Marcos given PROPS for activism by Austin Chronicle

2009-04-10T17:44:00.004-05:00

The Austin Chronicle gave San Marcos some awesome PROPS for democracy in action in this weeks edition of the publication. "Apparently Hays County is more progressive than Austin: Citing community complaints, Hays Co. commissioners Tuesday canceled a road design contract with KBR, the military contractor and former Haliburton subsidiary maligned for dangerously shoddy, overpriced work in Iraq. To the chagrin of local activists, KBR is still performing engineering work for the city of Austin."

County cuts out of KBR deal - Newstreamz

2009-04-08T07:30:00.002-05:00

County cuts out of KBR deal

Posted on April 8, 2009 at 12:47 am • Print • Share

Hays County Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe (D-San Marcos) motioned for the commissioners to cancel a road engineering deal with KBR. Photos by Andy Sevilla.

By SEAN BATURA
News Reporter

Under pressure from Hays County residents for the past two weeks, county commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to reverse a decision they made in February to award KBR (Kellogg, Brown and Root) an engineering design services contract worth more than $600,000.

“I’m really glad you guys made the right decision,” Hays County resident and Iraq War combat veteran Bryan Hannah said to commissioners after the vote. Hannah, who served in the 1st Calvary Division in Iraq for 15 months, said he risked his life to escort empty KBR trucks during his tour of duty.

“I think it’s really great that we aren’t waiting for the government on a national level to get its act together, but we’re setting a precedent for the country,” Hannah said.

After Hannah and Iraq War veteran Gregory Foster voiced their criticism of KBR at a March 24 commissioners court meeting during which the county was expected to execute the contract, the court instead decided to give Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe (D-San Marcos) time to reconsider moving forward with KBR.

KBR pleaded guilty to charges of bribing loyalists to Nigerian General Sani Abacha in February. Abacha’s government executed nine human rights activists in 1995. Among other controversies, KBR also is under investigation by the U.S. Army’s Criminal Investigative Command for the death of Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth, who was electrocuted in a shower.

Ingalsbe was on the selection committee that chose KBR for work on FM 110/San Marcos Loop, which is in her precinct. Tuesday, she decided against the selection, motioning to rescind the KBR contract and instead negotiate an agreement with S & B Construction, LTD. Hays County Judge Liz Sumter (D-Wimberley) seconded the motion.

“I think that they were very capable of doing the work, but I believe that the concerns were enough for me to really revisit that and reconsider that,” Ingalsbe said.

An audience that grew too large for the available seating in the courtroom broke into applause as commissioners finished their unanimous vote.

“The message I want to send is, ‘You will be held accountable to the American people for your unethical and criminal acts,’” said Foster, who served for a year in Kuwait and Baghdad as a member of the 1st Armored Division.

“We are disappointed with the Commissioner’s decision,” said KBR Director of Corporate Communications Heather L. Browne in an emailed statement. “KBR has a solid track record of high-quality construction and infrastructure work that could serve the county well on this project. Hays County conducted an open and transparent process to select an engineering team for this assignment and determined that the KBR Team was best qualified. It is regrettable that this decision was apparently overturned because of misrepresentations of KBR’s performance on matters completely unrelated to this engineering assignment.”

KBR, a Houston-based, procurement and construction firm that does business worldwide, was the face of Halliburton in Iraq before becoming a separate company in 2007. Plaintiffs involved in ongoing litigation against KBR have alleged the company has engaged in human trafficking, knowingly sending unarmed employees into a dangerous combat zone (the “Good Friday Massacre”), exposing employees and national guardsmen to carcinogenic sodium dichromate and covering up evidence of rapes of its employees.

Former KBR CEO Albert Stanley was involved in the bribery scheme in Nigeria, which garnered contracts from Abacha’s regime worth more than $6 billion. Stanley pleaded guilty in September to violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and KBR agreed to pay the U.S. government $402 million, the “largest fine ever in (an FCPA) prosecution,” according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release.

KBR and former parent company Halliburton jointly agreed to pay $177 million in disgorgement of profits relating to the bribery scheme. In circumstances unrelated to the Nigerian bribery case, seven KBR employees working in Iraq and Afghanistan have been convicted since 2005 of offenses including major fraud, money laundering, fraud conspiracy and breaking anti-kickback laws.

On March 31, a federal judge ruled against KBR’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought against it by relatives of Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth, who died when an electrical current coursed through pipes into his shower water in the Radwaniyah Palace Complex in Baghdad. Plaintiffs in the case allege KBR’s electrical maintenance of the facility was substandard and negligent. KBR denies responsibility for the soldier’s death, which is under investigation by the Army Criminal Investigation Command. No charges have been filed against any company or individual in connection with at least 18 electrocutions that have occurred in Iraq since 2003.

In response to allegations related to ongoing litigation and the Maseth investigation, Heather Browne wrote that “KBR is proud of the work it performs in Iraq,” and praised the company’s employees, who she said “perform their work at great sacrifice to themselves and their families.” Browne said KBR is a company committed to doing business with integrity.

“Our customer, the US Army remains satisfied with our work, as evident by our award fee board scores that have consistently ranged from good to excellent,” Browne wrote. “When issues have been raised about our work, we have fully cooperated with the government to quickly resolve them.”

Said Hays County Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Conley (R-San Marcos), “I think it is responsible for us, while these allegations are going through proper channels, that we move forward on our project with a firm or company that does not have those allegations out there, and we can move forward with clear conscience … in understanding that we’re not part of it, and we’re not a part of it here in Hays County. But, for the record, I do realize this (issue) is part of an anti-war sentiment. And my vote today has nothing to do with anti-war sentiment in Iraq or Afghanistan.”

At the March 24 commissioners court meeting, Foster read aloud a letter from Jude Prather, a candidate for the San Marcos City Council. Prather, who is serving in Iraq as a member of the 100th Battalion 442nd Infantry Regiment, lost his 2007 bid for the San Marcos City Council by three votes.

“The men I serve with, along with myself, strongly believe that we should never give KBR another dime of our taxpayer’s money,” wrote Prather.

Daniel Scales, husband of San Marcos City Council candidate Lisa Marie Coppoletta, addressed the commissioners on behalf of his wife.

“Through your (example), I think we can show the city that they also need to do their homework before (giving) contracts to companies like KBR,” Scales said. “It’s not just KBR … We should have a set of ethics (standards), where we could vet out the companies.”

Hays County Precinct 2 Commissioner Jeff Barton (D-Kyle) said he plans “within the next few weeks” to present a proposal that would revise the selection criteria according to which companies are awarded contracts. New criteria may require an assessment of a company’s past ethical behavior.

“I think we heard serious allegations raised about the company’s performance overseas and elsewhere that raised legitimate questions about their qualifications as a professional firm,” Barton said. “For me, ethics is part of qualifications, but there need to be some broader things that you can point to before you just … disbar a company. And particularly when we have already moved forward down the approval process, and when that’s not a standard part of our contracts — yet.”

State law requires counties and municipalities to choose the lowest responsible bidder for construction work, though they have more latitude in hiring companies for professional services, like design and engineering work.

The City of San Marcos hired KBR for at least five different projects in the last five years. KBR is doing design work for the city’s Wonder World Extension and McCarty Lane projects.

“I would be willing to consider looking at ethical behavior of companies,” said San Marcos City Councilmember Kim Porterfield after the commissioners court meeting. “That’s important to me.”

Continued Porterfield, “I think it’s only fair to judge a company for services or individuals on what you’ve told them you’re going to judge them on. So I think that would be a fair way to do it, like what Commissioner Barton is proposing, to add that to the list of qualifications…because sometimes governments do business with companies like AIG.”

Porterfield declined to say whether she would vote to hire KBR in the future.

Support our Veterans and Protect Your Tax Dollars

2009-04-03T21:04:00.000-05:00

Tweets

2009-03-30T18:32:00.004-05:00

Tickled by these two tweets from Molly Bloom.

Tweets

2009-03-30T18:25:00.005-05:00

Michael De Leon on twitter just sent the most groovy tweets.

36. Consider adoption of Ordinance 2009-19, on emergency

2009-03-29T00:16:00.002-05:00

"36. Consider adoption of Ordinance 2009-19, on emergency, amending sections of the Animal Control Ordinance by deleting the requirement for microchipping of household pets, deleting the prohibition against the sale or adoption of animals in parking lots and allowing the keeping of hens in residential areas, declaring an emergency, and providing an effective date. "

This is on the agenda for Tuesday 31 March 2009.

Council candidate pushes veterans benefits

2009-03-25T09:08:00.002-05:00

Council candidate pushes veterans benefits
Posted on March 24, 2009 at 6:12 pm • Print • Share

San Marcos presently has its veterans commission situated under the parks department. City Council candidate Lisa Marie Coppoletta said the commission should be overseen by the human services advisory board. Photo by Andy Sevilla.

By ANDY SEVILLA
Associate Editor

San Marcos City Council candidate Lisa Marie Coppoletta, still without a specific opponent for the Place 5 seat in her sights, announced positions last week to address benefits for veterans, the handicapped and the elderly.

Coppoletta said she would try to establish a forgivable $5,000 loan for down payment assistance to returning war veterans, provided they purchase homes in the city. Coppoletta said her proposal is modeled on a similar program in which the city provides the same assistance for Texas State faculty.

Coppoletta also said she would move to increase the city property tax exemption for the disabled and citizens 65 years of age and older. Under Coppoletta’s plan, each group would double its property tax exemption to $50,000 of the home’s value from the present exemption of $25,000.

Coppoletta said city government should benefit veterans with programs aiding in job skills and academic endeavors, adding that San Marcos ought to “provide our veterans with good paying jobs.” She said “green collar jobs” would be chief in her vision of living-wage employment. By attracting environmentally oriented professions, Coppoletta said city residents would benefit from higher earnings while leaving behind a less invasive “carbon footprint.”

The candidate’s push on veterans’ issues comes two weeks after Jude Prather, a failed 2007 city council candidate and Iraq war veteran, announced his candidacy for an unspecified seat in the 2009 city council race.

Coppoletta said her proposals and Prather’s candidacy are unrelated, though, she said, “I hope not to run against each other because we share so much in regards to our nation’s veterans.”
Place 5 incumbent Councilmember Pam Couch has stated she will remain quiet on her intentions of seeking re-election until August. Prather did not specify which seat he would seek.
Place 6 Councilmember John Thomaides, whose term expires in November, has not announced if he will seek re-election.

Coppoletta said the city has misplaced its veterans commission, which it implemented after Prather’s advocacy. The candidate said the veterans commission should work under the umbrella of the city’s human services advisory board, rather than under the Parks and Recreation Department. Coppoletta said the advisory board is “better qualified” to address the concerns and needs of returning veterans.

Said Daniel Scales, Coppoletta’s husband and campaign manager, “(Coppoletta) is resolved that the same courtesy be extended to our retuning men and women who have served bravely and unconditionally for our country.”

The human services advisory board’s purpose is “to develop and enhance human services in San Marcos, [and] make recommendations to city council for funding to human services agencies,” according to the city’s website.

Newstreamz Video Extra - City Beat

2009-03-25T09:05:00.001-05:00

Twitter at 67 Followers

2009-03-20T14:10:00.001-05:00

http://twitter.com/lmc4sanmarcos

Wordle.net

2009-03-18T22:48:00.016-05:00

Wordle.net is a fun diversion because one can insert a feed, a url, or copy and paste some words to make a word cloud.

Below is from twitter feed:

And, here is a visual representations of campaign ideals, initial platforms, and qualifications:

Our City. Our Pets. Our Right! Doc Short 400+ Hits

2009-03-17T17:06:00.003-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q48M9a06om0 over 400 views of our doc shot, edited and uploaded on 03 March

Tweets

2009-03-17T14:52:00.008-05:00

Ping.fm is an awesome service to send your status or micro blog to your twitter, facebook myspace, LinkedIn, blogger, etc. Love to help others with new social media.

In this case Andy and YOURS, which works with youth in Baltimore, are working with online functionality for their organization. Just had to blog this nice tweet today!

Victory Gardens - Vision for the Future from Past Success

2009-03-16T13:35:00.003-05:00

The research on Victory Gardens, Depression Relief Gardens, Community Garden Movement and Urban Agriculture is quite telling regarding what a group of citizens can do over the long haul when it comes to providing for their families and community in hard economic times.

Image from "A Victory For the City: Victory Gardens 08+"

Here is a nice collection of links on Victory Gardens. Full position briefing at my blog with online video interview soon.

Here is just a bit of the research:

http://www.recessionwire.com/2009/03/03/redux-digging-the-downturn “Redux: Digging the Downturn”

“FDR’s Federal Emergency Relief Administration paid gardeners to grow and distribute produce to needy people. Individual gardening programs also blossomed in cities around the country. In New York City, a gardening campaign orchestrated by the welfare department and assisted by the Works Progress Administration turned over 5,000 vacant lots into flourishing gardens. These gardens generated $5 worth of vegetables for every dollar invested, resulting in $2.8 million worth of food by 1934. Ornamental gardens, culinary gardens, and medicinal gardens sprang up around the country as part of various civic projects. The Herb Garden in the Brooklyn Botanical Garden was created by WPA laborers, as were the exquisite Boerner Botanical Gardens near Milwaukee.”

http://www.revivevictorygarden.org

“During World War I and World War II, the United States government asked its citizens to plant gardens in order to support the war effort. Millions of people planted gardens. In 1943, Americans planted over 20 million Victory Gardens, and the harvest accounted for nearly a third of all the vegetables consumed in the country that year. Emphasis was placed on making gardening a family or community effort -- not a drudgery, but a pastime, and a national duty.”

Tweets

2009-03-15T12:06:00.002-05:00

This was such a groovy tweet from RichardLopez, had to blog it!

8 New Members Last Night for Facebook Group

2009-03-15T10:31:00.004-05:00

thank YOU to all new members of fb campaign group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=28523851287&ref=ts