San Antonio seeks $1 Billion in Federal Stimulus Money: What's on the list? (Alamo: foreclosures, mortgage)

[firstclassflyer]

Originally Posted by TX_AGGIE13

Not sure about a City Manager raise, but I will say our city is great! If he's doing a good job, maybe they are thinking about giving him a raise because he has demanded it or something?? Not assuming, just possible. Great CM's for places the size of SA are like good coaches, they are in demand. As for the handouts, maybe San Antonio isn't in dire stress in the eyes of it's citizen's, and leaders, but San Antonio could use it just as much as many other comparable cities in the US. Im all for our city getting all it can out of the pot if it's gonna go somewhere anyway. We may not be as in need as places like Lansing, or Flint Michigan, or Cleveland, etc..., but I can tell you we need it more than DC, Seattle, Denver, Baltimore, NYC, etc. San Antonians say we don't need it because we are used to a simpler lifestyle. Those NE cities say they need it because they are used to a more elite lyfestyle. I say we take every penny of our share, and invest it into this community. There can never be enough community beautification, parks, transit systems, infastructure maintenance, historical presorvation, education, etc... Just my personal thoughts on the matter. Btw...I heard that El Paso is asking for 1.6 billion, and granted I believe they need it more, but put that into comparison to the 1.1 billion we are proposing in a metro twice as large as El Paso's, and maybe we aren't asking for too much? Does anyone know how these people are finding out these figures btw?

The city manager is a SHE.

[TX_AGGIE13]

Originally Posted by firstclassflyer

The city manager is a SHE.

Lol...who'da thunk it!? Sorry, I've never seen the city manager.

[firstclassflyer]

Here's the web page for ya"....

City Manager's Office

[TX_AGGIE13]

Originally Posted by firstclassflyer

Here's the web page for ya"....

City Manager's Office

Thank you very much. Im gonna have to start doing my homework now! I stay connected to the political, and community scene in my hometown, and also active in it. I guess that's why I feel like throwing my input out there every once in a while, but I really do need to become more pro active here in this community. Just a completely different ballgame when your used to small community "Good ole Boy" politicts, rather than big city stuff.

[ryneone]

Originally Posted by Bowie

I imagine that when FDR chose the SA Riverwalk as a WPA project, the process to select that list of projects was flawed, too. Hopefully we can all agree that San Antonio is better off with the Riverwalk than it would be without it. I think we can all agree that we want stimulus money to be spent on projects that will still be appreciated a few decades from now.

I can also assure you that FDR's stimulus did nothing but lengthen the great depression.

Throwing a lame proposal out their was premature. Obama is not even in office yet nor does anyone know how long it will be before he allocates a dime.

The only thing we seem to learn from history is that we do not learn from history.

Thank you American voters! Great choice

[Sigaven]

I'm tempted to argue but I suppose this is what I get for living in Texas...

[The Man in SATX]

I am simply going to put in my proposal for what I want.. I am sure DC will have to listen to it.. seeings that they got money to throw around on our dime...

[wCat]

Originally Posted by ryneone

I can also assure you that FDR's stimulus did nothing but lengthen the great depression.

Throwing a lame proposal out their was premature. Obama is not even in office yet nor does anyone know how long it will be before he allocates a dime.

The only thing we seem to learn from history is that we do not learn from history.

Thank you American voters! Great choice

Ryneone....you actually make a very important distinction. FDR's plan was not created until we were actually in a very serious "depression". His plan was very much needed as a temporary fix. My personal opinion is that we don't want to go there. There are some major cracks in the financial infrastructure and having the government fund frivolous projects just to get a piece of the pie is insanity. My concern is the "rush" part....holy cow! If we're truly going to be smart about investing in the future, the Federal government and our city council had better spend the time being SMART about what will hold jobs, stabilize the local/national economy, and support the financial foundation that keeps our cities alive and well.

When I keep hearing the "convention center" being mentioned, that makes me feel like our city council is depending on the tourist/business travel to support our financial economy. And while this city's major industry is the tourist/travel business, we would be smart to diversify and build or bring OTHER industries to this area instead of relying on "outsiders" to come to our city and spend their money. The whole travel industry is on the skids....automotive, airlines, (gasoline pricing is unpredictable)....etc. Businesses are going to cut the fat and travel expenses to trade shows, conventions etc will be the first to go. We already have surplus "convention" space with the "Alamodome" being a financial albatross.

I hope the new administration rethinks this fast push to make a quick fix for our country's financial woes.....and I hope city leaders and state representative across the nation speak up and ask for more TIME to plan wisely!!! Heck...they should DEMAND IT!

[hello13685]

I agree with wCat. Today's working age people were largely raised in an era of service industry. I can't imagine them out digging canals and laying ground cables for pennies a day with their Ipods on, and taking breaks every 40 seconds to take off their work gloves so they can text their friends. They would be, like, "Hmm, was that vibration my cell phone, or was it just my jackhammer?"

[lemonfresh]

Originally Posted by NierCosan

City Hall should be ashamed of themselves. San Antonio repeatedly touts the fact that we're not as affected by the dire financial mess most of the country is in, but they want to get in line for handouts? So why are we trying to give the city manager a raise?

This isn't a handout, it's taking advantage of a new administration that wants to invest in the country.

This is smart of the city, though what isn't smart is asking for a lot for a convention center expansion and not as much for road improvments.

Though maybe they think if they ask for a lot for the CC that they'll get a little bit but then get all they ask for in road repairs because it'll seem like a little amount. Who knows.