In May the Federal Government removed a little tax that was tacked on phone bills in 1898 to pay for the Spanish American War. It began as a luxury tax of one cent for each call and grew to three percent of the total phone bill. How often have we heard the additional tax to pay for this bond issue or that program will only be a few dollars each month? I have also never seen the tax be reduced when the need for it has lessened.
Just months ago we witnessed a grassroots uprising that motivated a very large number of folks to get out and vote and elected the candidate who did not buy the election. Mayor Ahumada didn’t run away from who he was or what he believed, in the campaign and in his first days in office. I was particularly impressed when he personally focused on the “pet issue” by taking some pets for adoption to the flea market. This demonstrated some creativity that doesn’t require a lot of government spending. I don’t share the Mayor’s passion for the issue but certainly respect it. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on Monday, July 30th, 2007
Under: Common Sense | No Comments »
Published Brownsville Herald 7/15/2007
On June 10, The Brownsville Herald, published Dan Reyna’s view on his perception of Port of Brownsville “faux pas” and pointed to the development of the small fishing Port of Mezquital. As I have mentioned in my articles previously, I am professionally involved in the Maritime industry and have been disappointed by many of the actions and inactions of the Port of Brownsville management. In an article on March 11, I wrote about my invitation to a Propeller Club meeting of Ernesto Morris Delgado, Director of Strategic Infrastructure, for Tamaulipus and that state’s administrator for Mezquital. Along with several of his associates he attended and made himself available to discuss subjects of interest to both sides of the border. A number of local business persons did participate in in-depth discussions. I would have hoped that port officials would have, as well, but saw no evidence of it.
My associates and I have developed interests in the Mezquital area over the last three or more years and see a great future for a Port to serve Matamoros and Northern Mexico and give a focus to the developing ports in Central and South America that Brownsville is ignoring. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on Sunday, July 15th, 2007
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Published 7/1/2007
My most recent articles have been focused on the creation of and RULES to fix things that may not be broken or to find new ways to create more power and control over “us folks”. Some of these “rules” are well intended but poorly implemented, such as an attempt at agricultural quarantine being conducted by T.S.A.
Last week my wife and I flew to New York on a combination business and pleasure trip visiting relatives. Among the goodies we brought to feed the cravings for some of the bounty found here in the “Valley” was a small bag of “calamundum” fruit from the tree in our yard. They are a small citrus fruit that looks like a small orange and has a mildly sour taste that is favored by many Asians in preference to lemons. The TSA officers during the search of our checked bags found the fruit and politely advised that it was prohibited from being transported, citing a requirement for spraying by the Department of Agriculture. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on Sunday, July 1st, 2007
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