Obviously conserving more of our precious land, developing sustainable water policies, promoting local food and preserving farmland, encouraging eco-tourism, supporting low impact development, attracting clean industries to our City to employ all of our citizens and prevent further brain drain are key areas of concern. The immediate struggle to preserve land along Transmountain Road next to the State Park has been a pivotal issue. The current City Council race is critical because we want representatives who share our values for conservation, preservation and sustainability. There is a real chance that the balance will swing toward unchecked growth, sprawl and development. Because of the infusion of thousands of dollars into the campaigns of Cortney Niland and Ann Morgan Lilly by the developers' PAC, we must elect candidates who care for people, real jobs and a healthy, clean environment in which to raise children, enjoy recreation, and receive the emotional and spiritual benefits of living in this part of the beautiful, natural Chihuahuan Desert with the Rio Grande, Franklin and Hueco Mountains.
Early voting begins tomorrow and continues through May 10. Election Day is May 14.
Elpasonaturally endorses the following candidates for El Paso City Council:
District 1: Lyda Ness Garcia. Very simply, regarding Transmountain she has made it clear that she supports "expansion through Resler but not beyond". She supports widening but also preserving the corridor - elpasonaturally's position all along. I like Ann Lilly personally and think that she is a real lady. However, her campaign has been principally financed by the development community and her "open space" credentials are not as good as she would have us believe in her campaign literature. Lyda listens to the conservation/environmental community of El Paso. Of all the candidates running, her views on all other issues are closest to mine personally.
District 5: Mayela Mejia. None of the District 5 candidates attended the environmental forum. However Mayela's experience at City Hall, her appreciation of small businesses, and her work with leaders such as Steve Ortega, give her the edge.
District 6: Eddie Holguin. This endorsement may surprise many in the conservation community. Eddie hasn't voted with us often but I don't think it's because he is anti-environmental. I will always remember him when a large group of people protested the construction of the border fence behind the Rio Bosque in the lower valley. Eddie walked over a mile carrying several cases of water for the demonstrators. On that day I knew that we had a representative with a big heart who cares about people. He explained at the recent environmental candidates forum that he is all for solar power, just not for making people who are having a hard time making ends meet subsidizing that energy alternative. Eddie cares for people first - especially people on the margins. The environmental/conservation community needs to begin and continue a conversation with Eddie Holguin. This guy is a thinker with a very big heart.
District 8: Ernesto Villanueva. This race is worrisome. Sergio Contreras is also a strong environmentalist; but I'm afraid he and Ernesto will split votes and make it a run-off between the very conservative, Malcolm McGregor, and PAC recipient, Cortney Niland. Although I like Sergio, Ernesto simply possesses more personal and leadership skills for public office in my opinion.
Please read the blog post (see link) regarding Lyda Ness and her very serious financial issues including walking away from paying for her Yellow Pages advertisement and most importantly the fact that she has federal tax liens against her. Most likely because she did not submit the employer and employee portion of payroll taxes to the IRS. This is absolutely irresponsible and she has made no attempt to set the record straight other than to tell a local newspaper "I had a bad accountant" - really?!?
ReplyDeletehttp://refusethejuice.typepad.com/thinkaboutit/2011/04/all-the-bombs-fit-to-drop.html
The local supporters of solar energy asked only for net metering - something that would LOWER electricity costs for all rate payers if fully implemented. Eddie Hoguin should become informed prior to making pronouncements.
ReplyDeleteI STRONGLY support District 8 candidate Ernesto Villanueva, Jr. for Progressive and Effective leadership! Check his website: http://www.elpasois.com/ or call him with your questions. 915-329-1030.
ReplyDelete- judy Ackerman
Mr Tolbert thank you very much for your endorsement! Ms. Ackerman I would like to thank you for your support in my campaign. As Judy stated please feel free to visit my website at www.elpasois.com or call my cell 915-329-1030! Thank you all once more and I hope we can continue to save El Paso if I get elected.
ReplyDeleteErnesto V.
Although I agree with Ness-Garcia's positions, I cannot support anyone who has not paid their taxes or bills to the private sector. If elected, she will turn out to be yet another public embarassment serving on our Council.
ReplyDeleteI have personally known "Mayela" Mejia for many years and would like to caution everyone regarding her character and ambition. She is unethical and very deceptive. She was fired from a credit union on Ft. Bliss many years ago for unethical practices. She was required by the State of Texas to pay back funds that she was receiving fraudently for child support. She claimed that she was not receiving child support from her ex-husband and when the State took him to court he provided years of receipts verifying otherwise and she was required to pay back all of the funds that she received from the state. She has three children from three different fathers. Her most recent marriage was to a drug dealer in Juarez with ties to one of the cartels. He was murdered a couple of years ago in Juarez. In her previous election run she approached a local business asking them to provide a fictious receipt for services that were not rendered by the business. She had taken credit cards out in her daughter's name without her daughters acknowledgement ruining her credit because "Mayela" never paid back the obligations. Take caution when dealing with her. I feel that the City of El Paso will be dealing with corruption issues in the future if she is elected onto the council.
ReplyDeleteI do not have any collaborative evidence supporting what "anonymous" has said about Ms. Mejia. I will appreciate further comments and any supporting documents one way or the other.
ReplyDeleteI think you should take a hard look at Eddie Holguin's campaign finance reports. He has received a substantial amount of money from Luther Jones, Stanley Jobe, the Bowling Family (Tropicana Homes / El Paso Association of Builders), Miguel Teran, Gary Porras, Anthony Cobos, Delgado Acosta Law Firm, and others who are associated with that group. Here is where you can find the reports:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.elpasotexas.gov/district6/campaign.asp
http://www.elpasotexas.gov/muni_clerk/2007election.asp
http://www.elpasotexas.gov/muni_clerk/2011_05_14_general_election_campaign_records.asp
Mayela Mejia also has received money from people associated with Luther Jones: Stanley Jobe, Gary Porras, the Bowling Family, Susan Austin, Carlos Aguilar.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.elpasotexas.gov/muni_clerk/2011_05_14_general_election_campaign_records.asp
Here is a good story that provides insight into Luther Jones' relationship with some of the people I have previously mentioned. Please read the pdf files at the bottom of the story.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newspapertree.com/news/3626-county-cites-flores-plea-in-suit-over-catalina-land-deal-luther-jones-david-escobar-martie-jobe-tropicana-homes-bowlings-others
Check out Mejia's personnel records at city hall. First of all, she was NOT a legislative aide as she is claiming. She was a part-time clerk. All she did was create chaos and cause a married man his job. She played a disgusting recording to anyone and everyone who would listen ON CITY TIME.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but you got all endorsements wrong. You need to check your people out a little bit better.
Last Anonymous Commenter: At least I have the integrity to give my name with my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI respect that. There are reasons I cannot post my name. I respect you for rethinking your endorsements. I understand why you endorsed who you did but you are not seeing the whole picture. Many people will give lip service and not follow through.
ReplyDeleteNess-Garcia owes a whole lot in taxes. She is also a dirty politician. Connect the dots. She came out with a supposed copy that was found at a city hall copier. Fact, her campaign manager is married to Beto O'Rourke's legislative aid. Fact, said legislative aid used to work for Lilly. Fact, said legislative aid is without a job unless she can get in good with a new representative. Lilly or Lisa Turner are better choices.
I agree about District 5. None are good candidates. Noe is the best but there are concerns about him being a full-time rep.
District 6 is in the same boat as 5. Holguin has NO idea what he is talking about half the time and can be very mean. Lazrin is a joke. However, the other candidate is too wet behind the ears.
I am disturbed by the childish pictures posted of Villanueva. He was at a public bar acting like a child throwing fingers. He claims it was his house but one picture is very obviously a bar.
Pictures? Show us please.
ReplyDeleteLyda Ness owed taxes on her personal tax return, form 1040.
ReplyDeleteIf it was for employee tax withholding, then the liens would say form 941, or possibly form 940, but not form 1040.
Lyda Ness owed taxes on her personal tax return, form 1040.
ReplyDeleteIf it was for employee tax withholding, then the liens would say form 941, or possibly form 940, but not form 1040.