Featured Article
Hot debate over the impact of a fee proposal
by Sito Negron
The long-simmering issue of impact fees is back in force, with a full-house presentation at City Hall last week, a resolution in support from the Public Service Board this morning, and a City Council briefing scheduled for next week.
Posted on October 8, 2008
Interactive Poll
If the election were today, would you vote for
NPT Family Tree: Blogging El Chuco
Top Stories
Police, inspectors visit Holguin's in-laws - again
October 10, 2008 (News)
Cobos' conduct on county lobby contract raises ethical questions
October 10, 2008 (News)
Peso Plunge Squeezes Border
October 10, 2008 (News)
The squeeze is on Lomas de Poleo
October 10, 2008 (Features)
Foster named by Bush to National Petroleum Council
October 9, 2008 (News)
Three Downtown projects
October 9, 2008 (News)
Change you can't believe in
October 8, 2008 (Opinion)
My friends, Obama corrals "Maverick"
October 8, 2008 (Opinion)
Special Report
Featured Video
Beck at the Percolator
Surprise performance by Beck and MGMT at The Percolator in El Paso, TX. Thursday night Sept. 25, 2008.
Event Calendar
Cut for the Cure
Sunday, October 12
Ciclovia 2008
Sunday, October 12
Pax Christi Film Series: "At the Death House Door"
Sunday, October 12
4th Annual Legal Day for the Elderly
Monday, October 13
Most Viewed Stories
News
Three Downtown projects
Posted on October 9, 2008
The Doubletree Hotel will "knock your socks off," the Mills Plaza project is over budget but on schedule, and you might soon be eating in the railroad depot visible from I-10 to the east of Downtown.
Hot debate over the impact of a fee proposal
Posted on October 8, 2008
The long-simmering issue of impact fees is back in force, with a full-house presentation at City Hall last week, a resolution in support from the Public Service Board this morning, and a City Council briefing scheduled for next week.
- Holguin ethics complaint dropped, but allegations, and trucks, remain
- “We’re not giving Eddie a pass by dropping it,” John Godinez said. “I can tell you the neighbors are terrified ... They are thankful that Eddie Holguin went out there with his surrogate, Jaime Perez. Once his surrogate gave him permission to speak to the neighbors, Eddie said he did not know it was that horrible out here. The neighbors are accepting that.”
- Police, inspectors visit Holguin's in-laws - again
- In response to a request from Newspaper Tree, the city furnished copies of records of the residents’ complaints, police reports and the city’s actions showing that Bill Dempsey has been cited a number of times in the past year by city inspectors and police over the presence of tractors and trailers on his property.
- Cobos' conduct on county lobby contract raises ethical questions
- County Judge Anthony Cobos did not explain why he directed the purchasing agent not to notify bidders for lobbying contracts about a meeting today. Two representatives, including former County Commissioner Carlos Aguilar, showed up anyway at the meeting, which was posted for action.
- Peso Plunge Squeezes Border
- The dramatic hit to the peso, which had been so strong against the dollar in recent months that talk of the “super peso” reemerged, will have significant effects on the US-Mexico border economy.
- Foster named by Bush to National Petroleum Council
- Paul Foster, President and Chief Executive Officer for Western Refining, Inc. has been appointed by President George W. Bush to serve on the National Petroleum Council.
- Helen of Troy reports
- "The present retail environment continues to remain extremely challenging. Many of our retail customers continue to experience a slowing sales environment as we enter the critical fall and holiday sales season."
- High Stakes: El Paso Firm Takes on America (and Wins)
- Over the past six years, an El Paso law firm has quietly played a key role in a major international trade dispute. The catch is, they don't represent the U.S. government, but that of Antigua and Barbuda in its fight for the lucrative American market for online gaming. After several wins and a drawn-out appeals process, a settlement may be on the horizon.
Opinion
Making it harder for people to vote is undemocratic
Posted on October 9, 2008
There is absolutely no evidence of widespread voter fraud. But politicians seem bent on complicating voting, rather than making it easier. Moreover, election-day intimidation occurs frequently.
Change you can't believe in
Posted on October 8, 2008
Go ahead and claim your victory. Scream at the top of your lungs, "My guy won! My guy won!" Just remember in a few years from now when things haven't changed and you're still unhappy that your foolish pride put you right back where you started.
- My friends, Obama corrals "Maverick"
- McCain tried to show his comfort with the format by telling jokes throughout the evening, but he was the only one letting out a (nervous) laugh. I thought the town-hall style was supposed to be McCain's strength?
- "USA! USA! USA!"
- There is something I find creepy about seeing elected officials and presidential candidates cultivating the deep boom of the masses in nationalistic mantras. Such mantras need no qualification, no thought, no nuance and most importantly, no humility. They require only guttural emotion.
- Desert dreams
- I'm all for progress and expansion, but we really need to take stock now. The desert isn't empty nor is it something to be pushed and plowed over simply because there's room to grow.
- Bailing on leadership
- If we need to put money into the economy, instead of assigning it to the part of the system that places value on the idea of potential future value, how can we assign it to the part of the system that actually relates to real, solid goods and services?
- Obama needs to show "huevos" against McCain
- I believe we are almost faced with a Hobson’s choice. The key difference between them is the fact that Sen. McCain represents the past and Sen. Obama the future. But Sen. Obama must not let bullies push him around.
- Gramm’s Bundles of Greed
- Rules created in the 1930s New Deal to protect Americans were removed by Phil Gramm under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999. Now, Gramm’s bundles of greed so taint our financial markets that the U.S. Government must intervene.
- Think about the judges
- The Bush-Reagan-Bush presidencies have succeeded in appointing a majority of the country’s 875 federal judges. With some exceptions, these judges were chosen with a particular philosophy and outlook in mind. And younger judges were typically selected so they would be on the bench for many years.
Politics
Margo and Moody, reduced
Posted on October 3, 2008
Candidates Dee Margo and Joe Moody met again Thursday night. NPT presents the debate digest.
Margo and Moody raise the stakes
Posted on October 7, 2008
Looking at the money from the most recent report. Margo's rolling in dough, but Moody's got some scratch, too.
- Why El Pasoans could help decide the next President
- More than 100 El Pasoans are traveling into New Mexico on the weekends, knocking on doors and registering voters in the nation’s most important swing state.
- Palin did her job, Biden did the same ol', same ol'
- Palin's performance is less about winning or losing than it is about being liked or disliked. In my opinion, it's going to be hard to honestly dislike this woman – you're going to have to work hard to do it.
- Biden won the debate, "You betcha"
- Perhaps Gov. Palin should have considered actually answering a question posed in the debate last night. She ducked questions with a skill and grace not seen since Muhammad Ali rope-a-doped George Foreman.
- The Inner Loop: Moody's answer to Margo's blogbash
- "It's ironic that Dee would attack me for momentarily considering leaving the district before he had even moved into it," wrote Moody. And Moody even worked in the words "corruption" and "cronyism." We're sure there's more to come on that.
- The Source: Arguments to the county opposing the Foster-Regency shopping center rebates
- Two letters given to El Paso County Commissioners in opposition to the proposal for sales and property tax rebates for the Foster-Regency shopping center project on the site of the former Farah Building.
- The Inner Loop: Margo blogs Moody upside the head
- Republican state rep candidate Dee Margo complained last week about Democratic opponent Joseph Moody's negative campaigning. This week, he shows Moody how it's done.
- Sarah Palin's Speech at the RNC
- Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Alaska Governor Sarah Palin Vice Presidential Nominee To Address the 2008 Republican National Convention
Features
Mexico: Wars, Elections and Human Rights
Posted on October 7, 2008
Across the country, more bodies piled up, more grenades were tossed and more psychological warfare banners were displayed in a murky battle for public opinion. A grim roundup.
Interview with Joyce Wilson
Posted on October 6, 2008
To some on City Council and in the community, Wilson has performed far better than expected. To others, Wilson has moved too fast in consolidating power that once belonged to City Council. But no one disputes the fact that Wilson has made a difference.
- In the News: Fences
- Views of the border and its barriers. Around the region, nation, and world, El Paso and El Pasoans are In the News.
- The squeeze is on Lomas de Poleo
- In Juarez, this situation has been overlooked by the authorities. And while El Paso advocacy groups and others have focused on the issue, most of the people in Juarez remain uninformed and indifferent.
- Narco 101
- But pressing questions simmer beneath the ferocity of the conflict that is turning Mexico upside down. How much money is at stake? How many people are involved? Who benefits and who doesn’t? Who controls what? Why are drugs seemingly everywhere?
- The Cycle Diaries
- Okhwan Yoon, from Seoul, South Korea has cycled thousands of miles across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. A few days ago he entered his 169th country – the United States, crossing the border at Juarez into El Paso.
- An international perspective on the Juarez and Mexico Drug Wars
- The production team could perceive that some people were uncomfortable. For me, it was no surprise. I am aware that people in Juarez assume foreign reporters are here to portray our city in a negative light. One man told me, “Don’t be a traitor.”
- The Border Wall Chronicles
- Standing in Mexico, Father Peter Hinde, who is a U.S. military veteran, was audibly distraught by the new wall, which sits under the gaze of the Christ statue on nearby Mount Cristo Rey.
- In the News: It's murder
- Murder suspects, drug wars (what's new?), songs and BIG football games. Around the region, nation and world, El Paso and El Pasoans are In the News.
Culture
Calendar of Events 10.09.08: Pink
Posted on October 9, 2008
Think pink, saddle up or get fit. There’s plenty to do around town this month.
El Paso is a Great Street
Posted on October 8, 2008
One of APA's 10 Great Streets in America for 2008, South El Paso Street is noteworthy for its historic architecture, unique bi-cultural heritage, and community activism connected with protecting and maintaining the street's unique character.
- Sleepercar and Coldplay: An Affair to Remember
- Most recently, Ward visited the band in London during the making of their latest album 'Viva la Vida.' And when he finished his Sleepercar record earlier this year, Ward was proud to share it with his Coldplay friends right off.
- Hip to the hop
- A lot was said about hip-hop reflecting rather than constructing its surroundings. But a diagnosis isn’t a cure.
- Calendar of Events 10.2.08: Boots and ball gowns
- Between hiking trails and charity galas, there's plenty to do this week. So grab your boots and ball gown and get going!
- Poetry: Heed The Cause
- Who are these people Screaming to a sea of madness?
- El Arbolito may be felled
- Three months ago, Sergio received a call from a lawyer representing the city. He was told that his bar, the venerable Arbolito, was in the way of the revitalization project. He was offered a small sum of money for the bar; the city of Juarez plans to replace his and neighboring properties with parks, monuments and new businesses.
- The Mars Volta at Club 101
- For those not so familiar with The Mars Volta's work, witnessing their 90-minute performance Monday night was a perfect encapsulation of what this group is all about: expert instrumentation, sonic daring and memorable showmanship.
- Clubbing with The Mars Volta at 101
- Choosing to treat El Paso fans to a gig like this on their day off, The Mars Volta are giving a great nod to the city that cultivated such an acclaimed, trailblazing musical act.
Sports
Haskins Viewing, Memorial Announced
Posted on September 9, 2008
Events honoring the late Don Haskins.
Legendary UTEP Coach Don Haskins Passes Away
Posted on September 7, 2008
Don Haskins, one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history, passed away on Sunday. He was 78.
- Like two moons, tequila and football, together again
- If you like football, and you like tequila, and you want to show some hometown pride, make your way to Dolphin Stadium for a game this year.
- Coronado cheerleaders rock in Colorado
- In cheerleading, girls may stand out individually, but everyone is needed to put up a stunt and bring it down. Spectators never see just one cheerleader on the sidelines, just like they never see one defensive tackle on the line.
- NPT at the Masters
- Winning a online lottery, three El Pasoans gained access to the practice rounds leading up to this weekend's Masters Tournament.
- Lady Miners Come Home
- Welcome home!
- The 74th Annual Brut Sun Bowl: El Paso's Grand Fiesta
- At the end of every year, fans and community leaders gather to celebrate the biggest party of the year -- the Sun Bowl. Got Brut?
- NFL Says Show Me the Money; Fans Say, Show Us the Game
- A brief primer on the issues involved as titans struggle over your money; meanwhile, a few places to watch the game. You know which one we're talking about. If you don't hint: It's a team from the Dallas area playing a team from a cheese-producing state in a sport featuring an oval projectile.
- Miners Coming on, With Three Chances at Postseason
- Though UTEP got knocked out of this tournament, there will be more to come. This was the first of many obstacles that the young Miners will endure this season. After watching the Miners in their first three games, they have the size and the speed to compete for a spot in one of the three post-season tournaments.
