1 00:00:03,510 --> 00:00:05,344 a fast growing fast moving 2 00:00:05,346 --> 00:00:06,912 community with something new 3 00:00:06,914 --> 00:00:08,280 happening almost every day. 4 00:00:08,282 --> 00:00:10,483 That's why each week I go right 5 00:00:10,485 --> 00:00:11,350 to the door with one of the 6 00:00:11,352 --> 00:00:13,052 newsmakers who is driving this 7 00:00:13,054 --> 00:00:13,686 train should. 8 00:00:13,688 --> 00:00:15,588 Joining us. 9 00:00:15,590 --> 00:00:17,890 Join us for the conversation a 10 00:00:17,892 --> 00:00:19,225 lively discussion with the 11 00:00:19,227 --> 00:00:21,160 reporters and community leaders 12 00:00:21,162 --> 00:00:22,661 about the issues that matter. 13 00:00:22,663 --> 00:00:25,231 Joining us now as we go to the 14 00:00:25,233 --> 00:00:31,604 record and now Jim Forsyth 15 00:00:31,606 --> 00:00:33,906 allowing them to record an 16 00:00:33,908 --> 00:00:35,641 unrehearsed discussion of the 17 00:00:35,643 --> 00:00:37,243 significant events and 18 00:00:37,245 --> 00:00:38,911 challenges facing us here in San 19 00:00:38,913 --> 00:00:40,146 Antonio and south Texas. 20 00:00:40,148 --> 00:00:41,814 We are fortunate to be joined 21 00:00:41,816 --> 00:00:43,749 today by San Antonio Mayor Ron 22 00:00:43,751 --> 00:00:44,183 Nierenberg. 23 00:00:44,185 --> 00:00:45,584 Mayor welcome to ON THE RECORD. 24 00:00:45,586 --> 00:00:46,452 Good to be with you. 25 00:00:46,454 --> 00:00:48,754 Mayor the city is facing what I 26 00:00:48,756 --> 00:00:51,490 have heard from business groups 27 00:00:51,492 --> 00:00:53,392 from political groups from 28 00:00:53,394 --> 00:00:55,361 neighborhood associations as 29 00:00:55,363 --> 00:00:57,363 being a genuine existential 30 00:00:57,365 --> 00:00:59,532 threat to the city we live in 31 00:00:59,534 --> 00:01:01,033 and that is what happened last 32 00:01:01,035 --> 00:01:02,735 week at City Hall and that was 33 00:01:02,737 --> 00:01:04,203 the certification of the three 34 00:01:04,205 --> 00:01:07,473 petition signature initiatives 35 00:01:07,475 --> 00:01:08,774 gathered by the firefighters 36 00:01:08,776 --> 00:01:09,141 union. 37 00:01:09,143 --> 00:01:10,676 That will be on the ballot in 38 00:01:10,678 --> 00:01:11,243 November. 39 00:01:11,245 --> 00:01:13,479 What is it about these 40 00:01:13,481 --> 00:01:15,181 initiatives that bothers you so 41 00:01:15,183 --> 00:01:15,514 much. 42 00:01:15,516 --> 00:01:18,350 Well it's not just me it's 43 00:01:18,352 --> 00:01:19,785 because the whole community 44 00:01:19,787 --> 00:01:21,420 citizens from around the city 45 00:01:21,422 --> 00:01:22,788 have recognized the threat of 46 00:01:22,790 --> 00:01:25,357 these which would end our whole 47 00:01:25,359 --> 00:01:27,159 democratic system of governance 48 00:01:27,161 --> 00:01:30,696 and that has devastating effects 49 00:01:30,698 --> 00:01:31,964 on the way people are 50 00:01:31,966 --> 00:01:34,266 represented would create 51 00:01:34,268 --> 00:01:36,635 political gridlock on simple 52 00:01:36,637 --> 00:01:37,870 things like creating a city 53 00:01:37,872 --> 00:01:40,239 budget it paves your streets and 54 00:01:40,241 --> 00:01:41,273 takes care of your parks. 55 00:01:41,275 --> 00:01:42,775 But more than that we've gotten 56 00:01:42,777 --> 00:01:44,443 objective economic impact 57 00:01:44,445 --> 00:01:46,545 analysis and warnings from our 58 00:01:46,547 --> 00:01:48,214 rating agencies that the mere 59 00:01:48,216 --> 00:01:50,316 passage of these charter 60 00:01:50,318 --> 00:01:52,518 proposals put forward by a fire 61 00:01:52,520 --> 00:01:56,856 union would impact taxpayers to 62 00:01:56,858 --> 00:01:58,390 the point where we're spending 63 00:01:58,392 --> 00:02:00,326 hundreds of millions of dollars 64 00:02:00,328 --> 00:02:02,495 on interest payments because our 65 00:02:02,497 --> 00:02:04,363 ratings go down because of the 66 00:02:04,365 --> 00:02:05,831 uncertainty it creates. 67 00:02:05,833 --> 00:02:07,600 These are devastating for the 68 00:02:07,602 --> 00:02:08,567 future of the city. 69 00:02:08,569 --> 00:02:11,370 It creates divisiveness and 70 00:02:11,372 --> 00:02:12,638 political gridlock at a time 71 00:02:12,640 --> 00:02:13,939 when we need collective action 72 00:02:13,941 --> 00:02:16,041 on bold ideas to move our city 73 00:02:16,043 --> 00:02:16,375 forward. 74 00:02:16,377 --> 00:02:17,977 Now you told the Hispanic 75 00:02:17,979 --> 00:02:19,078 Chamber last week that you are 76 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:21,580 quote 100 percent certain that 77 00:02:21,582 --> 00:02:23,482 these will be defeated by the 78 00:02:23,484 --> 00:02:24,450 citizens in November. 79 00:02:24,452 --> 00:02:25,684 Now I'm hearing a lot of 80 00:02:25,686 --> 00:02:27,586 populist rhetoric out there 81 00:02:27,588 --> 00:02:28,988 about how City Hall doesn't 82 00:02:28,990 --> 00:02:29,355 listen. 83 00:02:29,357 --> 00:02:31,023 It's time for payback. 84 00:02:31,025 --> 00:02:32,758 They need to start listening to 85 00:02:32,760 --> 00:02:33,192 us. 86 00:02:33,194 --> 00:02:35,094 How do the arguments you just 87 00:02:35,096 --> 00:02:36,562 made overcome. 88 00:02:36,564 --> 00:02:39,265 What in politics recently have 89 00:02:39,267 --> 00:02:40,533 turned out to be very very 90 00:02:40,535 --> 00:02:42,334 powerful populist arguments. 91 00:02:42,336 --> 00:02:43,602 Because this is a city of 92 00:02:43,604 --> 00:02:44,203 teamwork. 93 00:02:44,205 --> 00:02:45,604 It's a city where people work 94 00:02:45,606 --> 00:02:48,240 together to find common ground 95 00:02:48,242 --> 00:02:49,909 amidst our great diversity which 96 00:02:49,911 --> 00:02:51,177 is a strength of our city. 97 00:02:51,179 --> 00:02:53,445 This is a city that's 300 years 98 00:02:53,447 --> 00:02:56,682 old and throughout our our 99 00:02:56,684 --> 00:02:58,817 heritage we have learned to work 100 00:02:58,819 --> 00:02:59,351 together. 101 00:02:59,353 --> 00:03:03,122 And I know and I have seen when 102 00:03:03,124 --> 00:03:04,623 people become informed about 103 00:03:04,625 --> 00:03:06,458 these petitions which were only 104 00:03:06,460 --> 00:03:09,261 signed by about 20000 people 105 00:03:09,263 --> 00:03:11,797 they they know that these will 106 00:03:11,799 --> 00:03:13,499 have devastating impacts and 107 00:03:13,501 --> 00:03:14,300 they believe the truth. 108 00:03:14,302 --> 00:03:15,467 They believe the facts and 109 00:03:15,469 --> 00:03:17,169 they're not persuaded by 110 00:03:17,171 --> 00:03:18,671 petition peddlers who are trying 111 00:03:18,673 --> 00:03:20,306 to upend the system of 112 00:03:20,308 --> 00:03:21,874 governance that we've had for 113 00:03:21,876 --> 00:03:23,876 for decades to suit their own 114 00:03:23,878 --> 00:03:25,277 private self-interest. 115 00:03:25,279 --> 00:03:26,712 Now you mentioned petition 116 00:03:26,714 --> 00:03:27,546 peddlers and that's an 117 00:03:27,548 --> 00:03:29,248 interesting phrase considering 118 00:03:29,250 --> 00:03:30,616 that City Hall in the last month 119 00:03:30,618 --> 00:03:31,550 have had to deal with two 120 00:03:31,552 --> 00:03:33,586 separate petitions this group of 121 00:03:33,588 --> 00:03:35,321 three petitions plus the 122 00:03:35,323 --> 00:03:37,890 petition asking the city to 123 00:03:37,892 --> 00:03:40,559 approve mandatory sick leave for 124 00:03:40,561 --> 00:03:41,927 private employees. 125 00:03:41,929 --> 00:03:44,230 Even though that seems like it 126 00:03:44,232 --> 00:03:45,831 is certain to be thrown out 127 00:03:45,833 --> 00:03:46,999 either in the courts or by the 128 00:03:47,001 --> 00:03:47,700 legislature. 129 00:03:47,702 --> 00:03:49,602 These are two issues that were 130 00:03:49,604 --> 00:03:52,071 foisted on it largely by out of 131 00:03:52,073 --> 00:03:53,372 town petition forums. 132 00:03:53,374 --> 00:03:55,107 What impact might that have on 133 00:03:55,109 --> 00:03:56,175 the city moving forward. 134 00:03:56,177 --> 00:03:57,509 And what's your feeling about 135 00:03:57,511 --> 00:04:00,112 maybe ways to end this petition 136 00:04:00,114 --> 00:04:00,746 madness. 137 00:04:00,748 --> 00:04:03,616 So I would disagree with one of 138 00:04:03,618 --> 00:04:05,117 those things the petitions that 139 00:04:05,119 --> 00:04:06,986 came forward through basically a 140 00:04:06,988 --> 00:04:08,621 proposal were actually generated 141 00:04:08,623 --> 00:04:11,657 from citizens here in the city 142 00:04:11,659 --> 00:04:13,559 and there was about 140000 of 143 00:04:13,561 --> 00:04:15,427 them that signed the petition. 144 00:04:15,429 --> 00:04:17,329 The petition drive that we know 145 00:04:17,331 --> 00:04:19,832 that the charter proposals were 146 00:04:19,834 --> 00:04:21,500 performed by the fire union were 147 00:04:21,502 --> 00:04:23,435 done by hired guns from out of 148 00:04:23,437 --> 00:04:24,169 town in Butte. 149 00:04:24,171 --> 00:04:26,572 In fact it's likely what I'm 150 00:04:26,574 --> 00:04:28,774 hearing illegally hired from 151 00:04:28,776 --> 00:04:29,975 Butere to do this. 152 00:04:29,977 --> 00:04:32,311 And those were about 20000 for 153 00:04:32,313 --> 00:04:33,412 each of those proposals. 154 00:04:33,414 --> 00:04:37,116 So the way we go about 155 00:04:37,118 --> 00:04:38,484 governance in the city of San 156 00:04:38,486 --> 00:04:39,852 Antonio in our American 157 00:04:39,854 --> 00:04:41,253 democracy is that we elect 158 00:04:41,255 --> 00:04:44,490 leaders to find to find 159 00:04:44,492 --> 00:04:45,891 compromise between all the 160 00:04:45,893 --> 00:04:47,092 different opinions that are in 161 00:04:47,094 --> 00:04:48,527 our community and that's what 162 00:04:48,529 --> 00:04:50,529 San Antonio has done so well 163 00:04:50,531 --> 00:04:51,463 during our history. 164 00:04:51,465 --> 00:04:53,899 And so the threat of these 165 00:04:53,901 --> 00:04:55,301 charter proposals driven by the 166 00:04:55,303 --> 00:04:56,568 fire and union that wants to 167 00:04:56,570 --> 00:04:58,971 leverage themselves against 168 00:04:58,973 --> 00:05:00,806 taxpayers is that it's trying to 169 00:05:00,808 --> 00:05:02,675 change the rules of the road to 170 00:05:02,677 --> 00:05:04,443 make it easier for them to get 171 00:05:04,445 --> 00:05:06,545 their ways and to hold leverage 172 00:05:06,547 --> 00:05:08,480 over the taxpayers by lowering 173 00:05:08,482 --> 00:05:09,581 lowering the threshold for 174 00:05:09,583 --> 00:05:10,949 petitions and making these 175 00:05:10,951 --> 00:05:14,186 situations more commonplace the 176 00:05:14,188 --> 00:05:15,821 kind of California style 177 00:05:15,823 --> 00:05:18,390 referendum process that drives 178 00:05:18,392 --> 00:05:19,191 governance there and that 179 00:05:19,193 --> 00:05:20,926 creates gridlock is what they 180 00:05:20,928 --> 00:05:21,994 want to bring to San Antonio and 181 00:05:21,996 --> 00:05:22,528 that's wrong. 182 00:05:22,530 --> 00:05:24,396 One of the things that has been 183 00:05:24,398 --> 00:05:25,864 your recent priority. 184 00:05:25,866 --> 00:05:27,466 Everybody knows that housing is 185 00:05:27,468 --> 00:05:28,901 an issue in San Antonio whether 186 00:05:28,903 --> 00:05:31,337 you see your property tax bill 187 00:05:31,339 --> 00:05:32,571 are your property appraisal. 188 00:05:32,573 --> 00:05:33,806 Whether you live in an area 189 00:05:33,808 --> 00:05:35,341 where you being gentrified out 190 00:05:35,343 --> 00:05:36,508 of the community even in the 191 00:05:36,510 --> 00:05:38,010 larger number of homeless we see 192 00:05:38,012 --> 00:05:38,610 on the streets. 193 00:05:38,612 --> 00:05:40,512 Talk a little bit about your 194 00:05:40,514 --> 00:05:42,948 long term housing initiative and 195 00:05:42,950 --> 00:05:44,350 how that might affect people 196 00:05:44,352 --> 00:05:46,452 across all strata of this of the 197 00:05:46,454 --> 00:05:46,852 community. 198 00:05:46,854 --> 00:05:49,288 Someone's home whether they 199 00:05:49,290 --> 00:05:50,689 rented or they own it is the 200 00:05:50,691 --> 00:05:52,825 basic building block of a strong 201 00:05:52,827 --> 00:05:53,359 economy. 202 00:05:53,361 --> 00:05:55,828 And right now in San Antonio we 203 00:05:55,830 --> 00:05:57,896 are facing what has become a 204 00:05:57,898 --> 00:05:59,398 crisis in other cities. 205 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:01,800 We're starting to see trends in 206 00:06:01,802 --> 00:06:03,569 that direction where the average 207 00:06:03,571 --> 00:06:05,070 San Antonio can no longer afford 208 00:06:05,072 --> 00:06:07,339 the average home here in the 209 00:06:07,341 --> 00:06:09,074 last decade. 210 00:06:09,076 --> 00:06:11,643 Homeownership rates have dropped 211 00:06:11,645 --> 00:06:13,278 dramatically while eviction 212 00:06:13,280 --> 00:06:14,313 rates within the last seven 213 00:06:14,315 --> 00:06:16,048 years are up double. 214 00:06:16,050 --> 00:06:18,484 So housing affordability is 215 00:06:18,486 --> 00:06:19,184 becoming an issue. 216 00:06:19,186 --> 00:06:21,120 And it is largely a result of a 217 00:06:21,122 --> 00:06:22,855 supply demand imbalance. 218 00:06:22,857 --> 00:06:24,823 Some of that has to do with red 219 00:06:24,825 --> 00:06:26,525 tape and the difficulty it is to 220 00:06:26,527 --> 00:06:27,860 develop affordable homes. 221 00:06:27,862 --> 00:06:28,794 And I'm not talking about 222 00:06:28,796 --> 00:06:29,962 subsidized homes I'm talking 223 00:06:29,964 --> 00:06:31,230 about homes that people can 224 00:06:31,232 --> 00:06:31,730 afford. 225 00:06:31,732 --> 00:06:34,533 And so I developed I appointed a 226 00:06:34,535 --> 00:06:35,768 task force with different 227 00:06:35,770 --> 00:06:37,703 experts and involved hundreds of 228 00:06:37,705 --> 00:06:39,571 experts and city citizens from 229 00:06:39,573 --> 00:06:40,973 around the city and they have 230 00:06:40,975 --> 00:06:42,641 put together a report that 231 00:06:42,643 --> 00:06:44,042 addresses these issues in a 232 00:06:44,044 --> 00:06:45,844 comprehensive way and helps us 233 00:06:45,846 --> 00:06:47,880 to create a sustainable housing 234 00:06:47,882 --> 00:06:49,448 market an affordable housing 235 00:06:49,450 --> 00:06:52,117 market so that more families can 236 00:06:52,119 --> 00:06:54,686 enjoy living under a roof and 237 00:06:54,688 --> 00:06:55,654 being able to afford it and 238 00:06:55,656 --> 00:06:57,523 being able to therefore afford 239 00:06:57,525 --> 00:06:58,791 their home and participate in 240 00:06:58,793 --> 00:07:00,793 the local economy by buy food 241 00:07:00,795 --> 00:07:02,528 for their family buy medicine 242 00:07:02,530 --> 00:07:03,395 for their children so they're 243 00:07:03,397 --> 00:07:05,831 not so cost burden here in the 244 00:07:05,833 --> 00:07:06,799 city of San Antonio. 245 00:07:06,801 --> 00:07:08,300 Our participation as a 246 00:07:08,302 --> 00:07:10,736 government is very minimal 247 00:07:10,738 --> 00:07:11,770 concerning the fact that we have 248 00:07:11,772 --> 00:07:13,572 a 2.8 billion dollar budget in 249 00:07:13,574 --> 00:07:15,140 this million and a half people 250 00:07:15,142 --> 00:07:16,141 to serve a million and a half 251 00:07:16,143 --> 00:07:16,608 people. 252 00:07:16,610 --> 00:07:19,611 The budget for housing is seven 253 00:07:19,613 --> 00:07:21,280 million dollars additional in 254 00:07:21,282 --> 00:07:22,114 the general fund. 255 00:07:22,116 --> 00:07:23,849 So it's a very minimal amount 256 00:07:23,851 --> 00:07:25,651 but the housing report indicates 257 00:07:25,653 --> 00:07:29,188 that those funds can help can 258 00:07:29,190 --> 00:07:32,858 help spur the market to be more 259 00:07:32,860 --> 00:07:34,426 affordable to be more 260 00:07:34,428 --> 00:07:35,994 sustainable and to be healthier. 261 00:07:35,996 --> 00:07:37,529 Whether you're a homeowner or 262 00:07:37,531 --> 00:07:39,998 renter a housing developer it 263 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:42,000 all is much more healthy for us 264 00:07:42,002 --> 00:07:43,101 and help and helps us to 265 00:07:43,103 --> 00:07:44,403 maintain a healthier economy. 266 00:07:44,405 --> 00:07:46,004 Now the 7 million will come from 267 00:07:46,006 --> 00:07:47,072 the city budget and it will 268 00:07:47,074 --> 00:07:50,375 presumably be added to by 269 00:07:50,377 --> 00:07:52,144 federal money by funding by the 270 00:07:52,146 --> 00:07:52,578 rappers. 271 00:07:52,580 --> 00:07:54,480 The total budget is 35 million 272 00:07:54,482 --> 00:07:56,315 out of again a 2.8 billion 273 00:07:56,317 --> 00:07:56,982 dollar budget. 274 00:07:56,984 --> 00:07:59,451 In comparison we spend 700 275 00:07:59,453 --> 00:08:01,453 million dollars on public safety 276 00:08:01,455 --> 00:08:02,888 services so that you can get a 277 00:08:02,890 --> 00:08:05,557 sense of the priority and scale. 278 00:08:05,559 --> 00:08:08,293 But yes most of the funds come 279 00:08:08,295 --> 00:08:09,495 through grants and federal 280 00:08:09,497 --> 00:08:09,962 funding. 281 00:08:09,964 --> 00:08:11,997 It's a very small portion comes 282 00:08:11,999 --> 00:08:13,665 directly from the city of San 283 00:08:13,667 --> 00:08:14,099 Antonio. 284 00:08:14,101 --> 00:08:16,602 Something else probably right up 285 00:08:16,604 --> 00:08:17,669 there with housing is 286 00:08:17,671 --> 00:08:19,104 transportation and you and the 287 00:08:19,106 --> 00:08:21,073 judge Wolf have indicated plans 288 00:08:21,075 --> 00:08:24,076 to put before the voters in 2019 289 00:08:24,078 --> 00:08:26,845 could act as say a wide ranging 290 00:08:26,847 --> 00:08:28,347 transportation proposal. 291 00:08:28,349 --> 00:08:29,948 Where do we stand with that now 292 00:08:29,950 --> 00:08:31,450 and what can you tell us about 293 00:08:31,452 --> 00:08:32,951 what that proposal will and will 294 00:08:32,953 --> 00:08:33,519 not include. 295 00:08:33,521 --> 00:08:36,121 Yeah it's a comprehensive 296 00:08:36,123 --> 00:08:37,656 transportation plan for the city 297 00:08:37,658 --> 00:08:38,857 of San Antonio and it's moving 298 00:08:38,859 --> 00:08:39,992 forward quite well as you know 299 00:08:39,994 --> 00:08:43,428 we have a tri chair organization 300 00:08:43,430 --> 00:08:45,364 that includes hope Andrada Henry 301 00:08:45,366 --> 00:08:47,266 Cisneros and Jane Macon they're 302 00:08:47,268 --> 00:08:49,301 putting together the board and 303 00:08:49,303 --> 00:08:50,802 also generating the community 304 00:08:50,804 --> 00:08:52,204 input that we need to move 305 00:08:52,206 --> 00:08:53,372 forward on a comprehensive 306 00:08:53,374 --> 00:08:54,306 transportation plan. 307 00:08:54,308 --> 00:08:55,874 The truth of the matter is we 308 00:08:55,876 --> 00:08:57,442 need to have options here in San 309 00:08:57,444 --> 00:08:57,709 Antonio. 310 00:08:57,711 --> 00:09:00,345 We don't currently your commute 311 00:09:00,347 --> 00:09:01,780 time has increased dramatically 312 00:09:01,782 --> 00:09:03,215 I'm sure your weight and 313 00:09:03,217 --> 00:09:04,116 congestion has. 314 00:09:04,118 --> 00:09:05,851 So we need more options just 315 00:09:05,853 --> 00:09:09,321 besides the roads that we have. 316 00:09:09,323 --> 00:09:12,491 So the plan itself is helping us 317 00:09:12,493 --> 00:09:13,592 to indicate where we need more 318 00:09:13,594 --> 00:09:14,626 capacity on our roads. 319 00:09:14,628 --> 00:09:16,261 But also where we need new 320 00:09:16,263 --> 00:09:18,630 options like mass transit and so 321 00:09:18,632 --> 00:09:21,199 over the next eight to 12 months 322 00:09:21,201 --> 00:09:22,868 their work will be underway and 323 00:09:22,870 --> 00:09:24,870 we will have a ballot initiative 324 00:09:24,872 --> 00:09:27,706 likely in 2019 for citizens to 325 00:09:27,708 --> 00:09:28,907 vote on a better transportation 326 00:09:28,909 --> 00:09:29,608 future for the city. 327 00:09:29,610 --> 00:09:30,943 You've talked about trackless 328 00:09:30,945 --> 00:09:31,410 trains. 329 00:09:31,412 --> 00:09:32,110 What is that. 330 00:09:32,112 --> 00:09:32,978 And how would that work. 331 00:09:32,980 --> 00:09:34,980 Well trackless trains are you 332 00:09:34,982 --> 00:09:37,382 know basically mass transit 333 00:09:37,384 --> 00:09:40,352 vehicles are simply a vehicle 334 00:09:40,354 --> 00:09:43,021 that can move many people on its 335 00:09:43,023 --> 00:09:44,823 own dedicated right of way 336 00:09:44,825 --> 00:09:47,626 whether that's a track or an A 337 00:09:47,628 --> 00:09:49,528 train or it's a bus or something 338 00:09:49,530 --> 00:09:49,861 else. 339 00:09:49,863 --> 00:09:53,131 That is the key to having mass 340 00:09:53,133 --> 00:09:54,032 transit you need to be able to 341 00:09:54,034 --> 00:09:56,635 move a high number of people on 342 00:09:56,637 --> 00:09:58,003 its own dedicated right away. 343 00:09:58,005 --> 00:10:01,239 Tracklist options are becoming 344 00:10:01,241 --> 00:10:03,842 the most attractive option for 345 00:10:03,844 --> 00:10:05,310 cities like ours because they're 346 00:10:05,312 --> 00:10:06,912 cheaper they're more flexible 347 00:10:06,914 --> 00:10:08,046 they can be scaled up for 348 00:10:08,048 --> 00:10:09,748 ridership demand and they 349 00:10:09,750 --> 00:10:11,249 function just like a train 350 00:10:11,251 --> 00:10:12,918 except in a city like ours which 351 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:14,052 is developing rapidly. 352 00:10:14,054 --> 00:10:17,022 When you put a line dedicated 353 00:10:17,024 --> 00:10:18,323 right away for a trackless 354 00:10:18,325 --> 00:10:20,492 vehicle it may not necessarily 355 00:10:20,494 --> 00:10:22,027 have to be there in 100 years. 356 00:10:22,029 --> 00:10:23,862 It can move because the tracks 357 00:10:23,864 --> 00:10:25,197 aren't laid into the cement. 358 00:10:25,199 --> 00:10:26,398 It's a much more flexible 359 00:10:26,400 --> 00:10:26,665 option. 360 00:10:26,667 --> 00:10:27,899 It is adaptable to the 361 00:10:27,901 --> 00:10:30,302 technology it is here today and 362 00:10:30,304 --> 00:10:31,470 and it's much more cost 363 00:10:31,472 --> 00:10:34,306 efficient it allows us to allows 364 00:10:34,308 --> 00:10:35,574 us to develop and implement a 365 00:10:35,576 --> 00:10:37,576 mass transit system and a mass 366 00:10:37,578 --> 00:10:39,845 transportation system much more 367 00:10:39,847 --> 00:10:42,080 effectively for a city our size 368 00:10:42,082 --> 00:10:43,281 which doesn't have current 369 00:10:43,283 --> 00:10:44,383 currently any options. 370 00:10:44,385 --> 00:10:45,951 Now something else is happening 371 00:10:45,953 --> 00:10:47,319 next year as you know is that 372 00:10:47,321 --> 00:10:49,021 San Antonio Missions a baseball 373 00:10:49,023 --> 00:10:50,522 team has indicated that they 374 00:10:50,524 --> 00:10:51,857 want to move up to Tripoli. 375 00:10:51,859 --> 00:10:53,291 And they want a new stadium. 376 00:10:53,293 --> 00:10:55,327 We haven't heard much about that 377 00:10:55,329 --> 00:10:55,861 for a while. 378 00:10:55,863 --> 00:10:57,629 Where do things stand as far as 379 00:10:57,631 --> 00:10:58,964 a new baseball stadium. 380 00:10:58,966 --> 00:11:01,266 Well I'm anxious to hear their 381 00:11:01,268 --> 00:11:01,833 plans. 382 00:11:01,835 --> 00:11:03,335 I know they're developing some 383 00:11:03,337 --> 00:11:03,935 options. 384 00:11:03,937 --> 00:11:05,537 And you know as I've stated 385 00:11:05,539 --> 00:11:06,838 before the center the city of 386 00:11:06,840 --> 00:11:07,639 San Antonio. 387 00:11:07,641 --> 00:11:09,207 Our community loves the 388 00:11:09,209 --> 00:11:09,574 missions. 389 00:11:09,576 --> 00:11:11,643 It's one of the it is the oldest 390 00:11:11,645 --> 00:11:12,978 professional sports franchise in 391 00:11:12,980 --> 00:11:13,345 the city. 392 00:11:13,347 --> 00:11:15,113 It's a very storied minor league 393 00:11:15,115 --> 00:11:15,914 baseball team. 394 00:11:15,916 --> 00:11:18,550 That being said the development 395 00:11:18,552 --> 00:11:20,452 of a new stadium depends on 396 00:11:20,454 --> 00:11:21,753 their action. 397 00:11:21,755 --> 00:11:24,723 I do not support taxpayer 398 00:11:24,725 --> 00:11:26,658 dollars being used for downtown 399 00:11:26,660 --> 00:11:28,093 minor league stadium which has 400 00:11:28,095 --> 00:11:30,862 been the conversation for a 401 00:11:30,864 --> 00:11:31,730 couple of years now. 402 00:11:31,732 --> 00:11:34,700 I believe they are as keen on 403 00:11:34,702 --> 00:11:36,902 their future in play as we've 404 00:11:36,904 --> 00:11:38,770 heard and they're focused on it 405 00:11:38,772 --> 00:11:41,540 and everyone that I've talked to 406 00:11:41,542 --> 00:11:44,176 and the media outside indicate 407 00:11:44,178 --> 00:11:46,378 that San Antonio continues to be 408 00:11:46,380 --> 00:11:47,479 one of the most attractive 409 00:11:47,481 --> 00:11:48,680 places for the expansion of 410 00:11:48,682 --> 00:11:49,648 professional sports. 411 00:11:49,650 --> 00:11:52,284 So I expect the missions to make 412 00:11:52,286 --> 00:11:54,352 their transition make it well 413 00:11:54,354 --> 00:11:55,220 but the development of the 414 00:11:55,222 --> 00:11:56,455 stadium proposal. 415 00:11:56,457 --> 00:11:59,357 You know we're waiting and 416 00:11:59,359 --> 00:12:01,159 seeing what they have to to put 417 00:12:01,161 --> 00:12:01,526 forward. 418 00:12:01,528 --> 00:12:03,462 You're now in the second year of 419 00:12:03,464 --> 00:12:04,429 what we assume will be your 420 00:12:04,431 --> 00:12:04,930 first term. 421 00:12:04,932 --> 00:12:06,998 That's a story for another day. 422 00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:09,468 What is it you're most proud of 423 00:12:09,470 --> 00:12:09,868 so far. 424 00:12:09,870 --> 00:12:11,002 What do you look back on the 425 00:12:11,004 --> 00:12:12,771 last 14 months as mayor of San 426 00:12:12,773 --> 00:12:14,239 Antonio the seventh largest city 427 00:12:14,241 --> 00:12:16,341 in the country and say I'm glad 428 00:12:16,343 --> 00:12:17,642 my name's on that because that's 429 00:12:17,644 --> 00:12:18,343 pretty special. 430 00:12:18,345 --> 00:12:20,512 You know I'm proud of the fact 431 00:12:20,514 --> 00:12:22,347 that for the first time in our 432 00:12:22,349 --> 00:12:23,782 city's history we've taken a 433 00:12:23,784 --> 00:12:25,784 deep look at the community that 434 00:12:25,786 --> 00:12:28,653 we are and we have decided that 435 00:12:28,655 --> 00:12:30,989 we're going to allocate 436 00:12:30,991 --> 00:12:33,158 resources in a way that allows 437 00:12:33,160 --> 00:12:35,060 for us to keep our promises that 438 00:12:35,062 --> 00:12:36,128 it shouldn't matter where you 439 00:12:36,130 --> 00:12:37,729 are in the city what part of 440 00:12:37,731 --> 00:12:39,865 town you live in what zip code 441 00:12:39,867 --> 00:12:41,600 you have in use and have great 442 00:12:41,602 --> 00:12:42,667 services and great 443 00:12:42,669 --> 00:12:43,902 infrastructure from your city 444 00:12:43,904 --> 00:12:45,737 used to have an opportunity to 445 00:12:45,739 --> 00:12:47,305 thrive and to succeed in the 446 00:12:47,307 --> 00:12:48,340 city of San Antonio. 447 00:12:48,342 --> 00:12:50,675 We are using equity as a guide 448 00:12:50,677 --> 00:12:52,944 to allocate our resources here 449 00:12:52,946 --> 00:12:55,514 so that the child that's born on 450 00:12:55,516 --> 00:12:57,082 the east side or the west side 451 00:12:57,084 --> 00:12:59,050 or the north side or the south 452 00:12:59,052 --> 00:13:00,285 side will have an equal 453 00:13:00,287 --> 00:13:01,787 opportunity to succeed in the 454 00:13:01,789 --> 00:13:02,120 city. 455 00:13:02,122 --> 00:13:04,790 That is something that takes 456 00:13:04,792 --> 00:13:06,825 teamwork political fortitude and 457 00:13:06,827 --> 00:13:09,361 I'm glad that we have citizens 458 00:13:09,363 --> 00:13:10,796 who support leaders that do 459 00:13:10,798 --> 00:13:11,163 that. 460 00:13:11,165 --> 00:13:12,330 And that's what we have here in 461 00:13:12,332 --> 00:13:13,698 the city of San Antonio Mayor 462 00:13:13,700 --> 00:13:13,899 Ron. 463 00:13:13,901 --> 00:13:15,734 Thank you for joining us on the 464 00:13:15,736 --> 00:13:16,101 record. 465 00:13:16,103 --> 00:13:17,469 And stick around with us. 466 00:13:17,471 --> 00:13:18,970 Next up is the conversation. 467 00:13:18,972 --> 00:13:24,509 And welcome back to the 468 00:13:24,511 --> 00:13:25,177 conversation. 469 00:13:25,179 --> 00:13:26,878 Let me introduce our all star 470 00:13:26,880 --> 00:13:28,280 panel for today starting out 471 00:13:28,282 --> 00:13:29,981 with Brian Chazov metro 472 00:13:29,983 --> 00:13:31,383 columnist for The San Antonio 473 00:13:31,385 --> 00:13:33,351 Express News and Northwest Side 474 00:13:33,353 --> 00:13:34,719 San Antonio City Councilman 475 00:13:34,721 --> 00:13:35,620 Manny Elias. 476 00:13:35,622 --> 00:13:37,122 Thank you both for joining us 477 00:13:37,124 --> 00:13:38,390 and welcome to the conversation. 478 00:13:38,392 --> 00:13:38,824 Thank you. 479 00:13:38,826 --> 00:13:40,225 Councilman if we can start with 480 00:13:40,227 --> 00:13:40,458 you. 481 00:13:40,460 --> 00:13:42,527 You have raised a very very 482 00:13:42,529 --> 00:13:44,429 important issue just recently 483 00:13:44,431 --> 00:13:46,364 about some clear cutting of 484 00:13:46,366 --> 00:13:48,500 forest lands by developers in 485 00:13:48,502 --> 00:13:50,001 your district and just outside 486 00:13:50,003 --> 00:13:51,036 your district at Bear County. 487 00:13:51,038 --> 00:13:51,503 Right. 488 00:13:51,505 --> 00:13:52,604 What are the issues that are 489 00:13:52,606 --> 00:13:54,039 brought up by this and why is 490 00:13:54,041 --> 00:13:55,273 this important in your opinion. 491 00:13:55,275 --> 00:13:56,241 So let's be clear. 492 00:13:56,243 --> 00:13:59,678 It's about 40 acres of beautiful 493 00:13:59,680 --> 00:14:02,781 pristine land thousands of trees 494 00:14:02,783 --> 00:14:05,450 a really important asset as far 495 00:14:05,452 --> 00:14:07,285 as views and tree canopy goes. 496 00:14:07,287 --> 00:14:09,621 And it's not developers it's a 497 00:14:09,623 --> 00:14:11,656 developer who is not a San 498 00:14:11,658 --> 00:14:13,391 Antonio developer who decided 499 00:14:13,393 --> 00:14:14,526 that just a good idea. 500 00:14:14,528 --> 00:14:16,895 You know drop a bomb and shave 501 00:14:16,897 --> 00:14:17,829 off every tree on this hill. 502 00:14:17,831 --> 00:14:20,198 But he did so with what appears 503 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:22,367 to be now you know using 504 00:14:22,369 --> 00:14:23,902 documents that contain false 505 00:14:23,904 --> 00:14:24,436 information. 506 00:14:24,438 --> 00:14:26,771 He raised his right hand in 507 00:14:26,773 --> 00:14:28,607 front of a notary and certified 508 00:14:28,609 --> 00:14:29,741 that a lot of the information in 509 00:14:29,743 --> 00:14:31,042 the documents he submitted in 510 00:14:31,044 --> 00:14:32,344 order to get the permits to do 511 00:14:32,346 --> 00:14:35,413 what he did he swore that they 512 00:14:35,415 --> 00:14:36,715 were true and we've been looking 513 00:14:36,717 --> 00:14:37,482 at and it looks like they 514 00:14:37,484 --> 00:14:37,816 weren't. 515 00:14:37,818 --> 00:14:40,218 And so I've got some very 516 00:14:40,220 --> 00:14:42,053 serious concerns about of course 517 00:14:42,055 --> 00:14:43,521 the trees and of course what it 518 00:14:43,523 --> 00:14:45,390 means to endangered species and 519 00:14:45,392 --> 00:14:46,558 all that but also what it means 520 00:14:46,560 --> 00:14:48,226 to the military but also just 521 00:14:48,228 --> 00:14:50,262 from a process point of view and 522 00:14:50,264 --> 00:14:53,064 from a fairness and rule of law 523 00:14:53,066 --> 00:14:55,066 point of view you know we ask 524 00:14:55,068 --> 00:14:56,201 people to raise their right hand 525 00:14:56,203 --> 00:14:57,569 and take an oath before signing 526 00:14:57,571 --> 00:14:58,970 very important documents for a 527 00:14:58,972 --> 00:15:00,772 reason because it's important. 528 00:15:00,774 --> 00:15:03,341 And you know if you or I or you 529 00:15:03,343 --> 00:15:06,177 were to file a false document 530 00:15:06,179 --> 00:15:08,046 we'd be facing possibly third 531 00:15:08,048 --> 00:15:09,714 degree felony charges which 532 00:15:09,716 --> 00:15:11,516 include jail and fines. 533 00:15:11,518 --> 00:15:13,852 And I'm asking for a very 534 00:15:13,854 --> 00:15:15,420 thorough investigation by the 535 00:15:15,422 --> 00:15:16,421 law enforcement agencies. 536 00:15:16,423 --> 00:15:17,656 As you know it's long been 537 00:15:17,658 --> 00:15:18,623 claimed the developer has 538 00:15:18,625 --> 00:15:20,225 essentially run the city and to 539 00:15:20,227 --> 00:15:21,559 have their way with many 540 00:15:21,561 --> 00:15:22,761 neighborhoods because 541 00:15:22,763 --> 00:15:24,496 development is obviously 542 00:15:24,498 --> 00:15:25,730 something that members of city 543 00:15:25,732 --> 00:15:27,132 council the leaders of the city 544 00:15:27,134 --> 00:15:28,266 want to have happen in their 545 00:15:28,268 --> 00:15:29,534 communities and across the city. 546 00:15:29,536 --> 00:15:32,037 What tools does the city have to 547 00:15:32,039 --> 00:15:33,538 deal with situations like this 548 00:15:33,540 --> 00:15:35,040 and can this be settled without 549 00:15:35,042 --> 00:15:36,541 a long protracted court fight. 550 00:15:36,543 --> 00:15:37,375 I'll tell you that the 551 00:15:37,377 --> 00:15:39,244 overwhelming majority of all the 552 00:15:39,246 --> 00:15:40,979 developers in San Antonio live 553 00:15:40,981 --> 00:15:41,579 in San Antonio. 554 00:15:41,581 --> 00:15:43,214 And they've got a stake in San 555 00:15:43,216 --> 00:15:45,784 Antonio doing well and I have 556 00:15:45,786 --> 00:15:47,852 yet to come across one that has 557 00:15:47,854 --> 00:15:49,788 done anything as egregious as 558 00:15:49,790 --> 00:15:50,822 what has happened here. 559 00:15:50,824 --> 00:15:51,890 Maybe it's a product of this 560 00:15:51,892 --> 00:15:53,124 fella not living in San Antonio 561 00:15:53,126 --> 00:15:53,858 or not caring. 562 00:15:53,860 --> 00:15:56,328 But what we've got in place in 563 00:15:56,330 --> 00:15:59,064 San Antonio is a very robust 564 00:15:59,066 --> 00:16:00,832 system run by our Office of 565 00:16:00,834 --> 00:16:02,100 Development Services where we do 566 00:16:02,102 --> 00:16:03,001 code enforcement. 567 00:16:03,003 --> 00:16:04,970 We do restrictions on the number 568 00:16:04,972 --> 00:16:06,571 of trees you can cut down. 569 00:16:06,573 --> 00:16:09,374 We do you know mitigate we 570 00:16:09,376 --> 00:16:11,242 require mitigation for drainage 571 00:16:11,244 --> 00:16:12,410 and we require them to really 572 00:16:12,412 --> 00:16:14,512 think about the impact that they 573 00:16:14,514 --> 00:16:16,614 have on traffic and on foot 574 00:16:16,616 --> 00:16:18,783 traffic and transportation and 575 00:16:18,785 --> 00:16:21,586 so the air quality we've got in 576 00:16:21,588 --> 00:16:23,555 place a lot of restrictions. 577 00:16:23,557 --> 00:16:24,622 I will tell you our friends in 578 00:16:24,624 --> 00:16:25,557 the development community think 579 00:16:25,559 --> 00:16:26,591 that there's too many of them. 580 00:16:26,593 --> 00:16:27,892 There's friends on the other 581 00:16:27,894 --> 00:16:28,626 side of the table who think 582 00:16:28,628 --> 00:16:30,695 there's not enough but we do 583 00:16:30,697 --> 00:16:31,963 work with them on a daily basis 584 00:16:31,965 --> 00:16:33,565 to enforce these rules and make 585 00:16:33,567 --> 00:16:34,632 sure that they're doing 586 00:16:34,634 --> 00:16:36,534 development in a responsible way 587 00:16:36,536 --> 00:16:38,336 with this gentleman did violates 588 00:16:38,338 --> 00:16:39,337 the spirit of everything that 589 00:16:39,339 --> 00:16:40,305 we're trying to accomplish at 590 00:16:40,307 --> 00:16:41,506 the city which is trying to 591 00:16:41,508 --> 00:16:43,341 create vibrant communities. 592 00:16:43,343 --> 00:16:46,511 And that still respects our 593 00:16:46,513 --> 00:16:47,278 natural assets. 594 00:16:47,280 --> 00:16:48,480 Now what did this fellow do or 595 00:16:48,482 --> 00:16:49,247 did he just show up with the 596 00:16:49,249 --> 00:16:50,582 bulldozer at 2:00 a.m. and start 597 00:16:50,584 --> 00:16:51,950 knocking down trees or did he 598 00:16:51,952 --> 00:16:54,853 have as you put it falsely 599 00:16:54,855 --> 00:16:57,589 worded official documentation 600 00:16:57,591 --> 00:16:58,556 that allowed him to do this. 601 00:16:58,558 --> 00:17:00,859 Well we started getting phone 602 00:17:00,861 --> 00:17:03,361 calls at around the same time 603 00:17:03,363 --> 00:17:04,829 just last up started getting Mr. 604 00:17:04,831 --> 00:17:06,097 Chesnoff colleague Mr. Tedesco. 605 00:17:06,099 --> 00:17:08,967 We're getting phone calls and 606 00:17:08,969 --> 00:17:10,268 which is my gosh they're out 607 00:17:10,270 --> 00:17:11,469 here chopping trees and then the 608 00:17:11,471 --> 00:17:12,837 next morning we woke up and all 609 00:17:12,839 --> 00:17:13,605 the trees were gone. 610 00:17:13,607 --> 00:17:15,607 It was really really alarming. 611 00:17:15,609 --> 00:17:17,742 What I've been saying and I'll 612 00:17:17,744 --> 00:17:18,810 say it again to be absolutely 613 00:17:18,812 --> 00:17:20,879 clear is that all signs are 614 00:17:20,881 --> 00:17:22,747 pointing to there being a 615 00:17:22,749 --> 00:17:24,749 violation of civil or criminal 616 00:17:24,751 --> 00:17:25,116 law here. 617 00:17:25,118 --> 00:17:27,452 And all I'm asking for is an 618 00:17:27,454 --> 00:17:29,087 investigation either on the part 619 00:17:29,089 --> 00:17:30,822 of our D.A. or the A.G. or U.S. 620 00:17:30,824 --> 00:17:31,423 Fish and Wildlife. 621 00:17:31,425 --> 00:17:32,991 And if there is a determination 622 00:17:32,993 --> 00:17:34,492 that these laws were broken will 623 00:17:34,494 --> 00:17:35,860 there be consequences. 624 00:17:35,862 --> 00:17:39,464 I would expect someone you know 625 00:17:39,466 --> 00:17:40,765 that law enforcement side to 626 00:17:40,767 --> 00:17:42,000 think that that's a reasonable 627 00:17:42,002 --> 00:17:43,034 request and sure we'll open an 628 00:17:43,036 --> 00:17:43,601 investigation. 629 00:17:43,603 --> 00:17:44,936 U.S. Fish and Wildlife has 630 00:17:44,938 --> 00:17:46,271 indicated that they will in fact 631 00:17:46,273 --> 00:17:47,605 investigate and he wants to put 632 00:17:47,607 --> 00:17:48,640 an up apartment complex. 633 00:17:48,642 --> 00:17:50,708 Yeah it would be 500 plus 634 00:17:50,710 --> 00:17:54,312 apartment units and you know 635 00:17:54,314 --> 00:17:55,680 people have objections about you 636 00:17:55,682 --> 00:17:56,748 know apartments and all that. 637 00:17:56,750 --> 00:17:58,650 But I think it's important to 638 00:17:58,652 --> 00:18:00,285 have a conversation with all of 639 00:18:00,287 --> 00:18:01,653 San Antonio about it's not just 640 00:18:01,655 --> 00:18:03,455 about apartments and it's not 641 00:18:03,457 --> 00:18:05,123 just about chopping down trees 642 00:18:05,125 --> 00:18:06,191 and it's not just about 643 00:18:06,193 --> 00:18:07,859 protecting wildlife right. 644 00:18:07,861 --> 00:18:09,127 Like the golden warbler. 645 00:18:09,129 --> 00:18:11,463 This is a really important point 646 00:18:11,465 --> 00:18:12,330 that I think is being missed. 647 00:18:12,332 --> 00:18:14,265 This is a jobs and economic 648 00:18:14,267 --> 00:18:14,933 development. 649 00:18:14,935 --> 00:18:17,569 Bad mark on our record. 650 00:18:17,571 --> 00:18:19,104 You know the military talks to 651 00:18:19,106 --> 00:18:20,672 us often in the city council we 652 00:18:20,674 --> 00:18:22,373 need you guys to make sure that 653 00:18:22,375 --> 00:18:23,975 encroachment around our military 654 00:18:23,977 --> 00:18:28,079 bases is slowed down and it's 655 00:18:28,081 --> 00:18:28,980 not just encroachment on 656 00:18:28,982 --> 00:18:29,981 buildings and people. 657 00:18:29,983 --> 00:18:32,350 They're very worried that every 658 00:18:32,352 --> 00:18:33,751 single time we chop down a tree 659 00:18:33,753 --> 00:18:35,286 and remove habitat for the 660 00:18:35,288 --> 00:18:37,055 golden Sheik orbit for example 661 00:18:37,057 --> 00:18:38,022 that warbler is going to choose 662 00:18:38,024 --> 00:18:39,991 to fly on to Camp Bullis and 663 00:18:39,993 --> 00:18:41,826 higher concentration of 664 00:18:41,828 --> 00:18:43,561 endangered species on Camp 665 00:18:43,563 --> 00:18:45,263 Bullis threatens the viability 666 00:18:45,265 --> 00:18:46,998 of those missions and we depend 667 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:47,832 on those jobs. 668 00:18:47,834 --> 00:18:49,200 And so we do everything we can 669 00:18:49,202 --> 00:18:51,002 to defend the military's ability 670 00:18:51,004 --> 00:18:53,004 to continue those missions and 671 00:18:53,006 --> 00:18:54,506 the least we can do is hold 672 00:18:54,508 --> 00:18:56,908 developers feet to the fire when 673 00:18:56,910 --> 00:18:58,743 they break very simple rules 674 00:18:58,745 --> 00:18:59,911 which is how about you tell the 675 00:18:59,913 --> 00:19:01,613 truth on documents Bryan if I 676 00:19:01,615 --> 00:19:02,046 could turn to you. 677 00:19:02,048 --> 00:19:03,915 You have done outstanding 678 00:19:03,917 --> 00:19:06,684 journalism on some dysfunction 679 00:19:06,686 --> 00:19:08,686 in the Bear County Democratic 680 00:19:08,688 --> 00:19:10,155 and Republican parties that have 681 00:19:10,157 --> 00:19:11,823 both been really eye opening 682 00:19:11,825 --> 00:19:12,357 pieces. 683 00:19:12,359 --> 00:19:13,591 Could you start out with the 684 00:19:13,593 --> 00:19:15,059 Republican Party which seems to 685 00:19:15,061 --> 00:19:16,728 have its own unique share of 686 00:19:16,730 --> 00:19:18,129 challenges as we head into the 687 00:19:18,131 --> 00:19:18,930 November election. 688 00:19:18,932 --> 00:19:21,032 Sure yeah it's internal war. 689 00:19:21,034 --> 00:19:23,034 Basically you have a faction a 690 00:19:23,036 --> 00:19:24,169 large faction in the Republican 691 00:19:24,171 --> 00:19:25,436 Party who are very upset with 692 00:19:25,438 --> 00:19:26,237 the new chair. 693 00:19:26,239 --> 00:19:28,973 Cynthia brand and the reason for 694 00:19:28,975 --> 00:19:31,442 this is that her husband who 695 00:19:31,444 --> 00:19:32,544 she's been married to for 22 696 00:19:32,546 --> 00:19:34,112 years some time ago couple of 697 00:19:34,114 --> 00:19:38,116 decades ago he was prosecuted by 698 00:19:38,118 --> 00:19:41,853 the army for some heinous crimes 699 00:19:41,855 --> 00:19:43,922 that include acquitted indecency 700 00:19:43,924 --> 00:19:45,823 with a child and we've since 701 00:19:45,825 --> 00:19:49,494 learned molestation of children 702 00:19:49,496 --> 00:19:51,529 in this case his own relatives 703 00:19:51,531 --> 00:19:52,597 from a very young age. 704 00:19:52,599 --> 00:19:53,798 And this all has kind of 705 00:19:53,800 --> 00:19:55,099 dribbled out over time. 706 00:19:55,101 --> 00:19:57,468 One reason why this faction in 707 00:19:57,470 --> 00:19:59,704 the Republican Party of precinct 708 00:19:59,706 --> 00:20:00,772 chairs are very upset with the 709 00:20:00,774 --> 00:20:02,774 chair is that the chair Cynthia 710 00:20:02,776 --> 00:20:04,509 Barron has not been was not 711 00:20:04,511 --> 00:20:06,744 forthcoming about the extent of 712 00:20:06,746 --> 00:20:07,612 the situation. 713 00:20:07,614 --> 00:20:08,880 She tried to downplay it at 714 00:20:08,882 --> 00:20:10,915 first she she only gave as much 715 00:20:10,917 --> 00:20:12,116 information as she needed to 716 00:20:12,118 --> 00:20:14,152 based on this plea deal that her 717 00:20:14,154 --> 00:20:15,853 husband was given by the army 718 00:20:15,855 --> 00:20:17,422 extremely lenient Predeal 719 00:20:17,424 --> 00:20:18,690 considering that he had fully 720 00:20:18,692 --> 00:20:19,157 confessed. 721 00:20:19,159 --> 00:20:21,059 We've since learned to these 722 00:20:21,061 --> 00:20:21,759 heinous crimes. 723 00:20:21,761 --> 00:20:24,562 And so you have major 724 00:20:24,564 --> 00:20:25,830 dysfunction in the Republican 725 00:20:25,832 --> 00:20:27,865 Party because of this dynamic 726 00:20:27,867 --> 00:20:30,101 and obviously the chief job of 727 00:20:30,103 --> 00:20:31,135 the party chair is to raise 728 00:20:31,137 --> 00:20:31,436 money. 729 00:20:31,438 --> 00:20:32,770 I assume that this is not 730 00:20:32,772 --> 00:20:34,305 helping the Republican Party 731 00:20:34,307 --> 00:20:35,273 raise money moving into 732 00:20:35,275 --> 00:20:35,740 November. 733 00:20:35,742 --> 00:20:36,174 Oh no. 734 00:20:36,176 --> 00:20:38,142 And if you can't even agree on 735 00:20:38,144 --> 00:20:39,544 her position there's that 736 00:20:39,546 --> 00:20:41,412 there's a majority of Precinct 737 00:20:41,414 --> 00:20:43,414 Chairs who think that she should 738 00:20:43,416 --> 00:20:43,982 resign. 739 00:20:43,984 --> 00:20:45,683 They can't force her to resign. 740 00:20:45,685 --> 00:20:48,019 She has to step down on her own. 741 00:20:48,021 --> 00:20:51,956 But yeah it makes organization 742 00:20:51,958 --> 00:20:53,024 virtually impossible. 743 00:20:53,026 --> 00:20:54,926 Now the Democratic Party is on a 744 00:20:54,928 --> 00:20:56,561 roll of Bear County obviously. 745 00:20:56,563 --> 00:20:58,930 Ten years ago we had a 746 00:20:58,932 --> 00:21:00,331 Republican district attorney we 747 00:21:00,333 --> 00:21:01,399 had a Republican sheriff. 748 00:21:01,401 --> 00:21:04,202 Now all three top countywide 749 00:21:04,204 --> 00:21:05,503 offices are held by Democrats. 750 00:21:05,505 --> 00:21:06,971 So should we think Manuel Medina 751 00:21:06,973 --> 00:21:07,272 for that. 752 00:21:07,274 --> 00:21:09,841 What is the situation in the 753 00:21:09,843 --> 00:21:10,942 Democratic Party obviously 754 00:21:10,944 --> 00:21:11,909 that's been happening a lot of 755 00:21:11,911 --> 00:21:13,378 Republicans have been having 756 00:21:13,380 --> 00:21:15,246 good luck in the race in 757 00:21:15,248 --> 00:21:16,080 statewide races. 758 00:21:16,082 --> 00:21:17,782 What is happening in the 759 00:21:17,784 --> 00:21:18,883 Democratic Party and how does 760 00:21:18,885 --> 00:21:20,051 that affect their ability to 761 00:21:20,053 --> 00:21:21,019 continue that streak. 762 00:21:21,021 --> 00:21:22,220 Well I mentioned manman Medina 763 00:21:22,222 --> 00:21:23,321 because he was the previous 764 00:21:23,323 --> 00:21:24,322 chair of the Democratic Party. 765 00:21:24,324 --> 00:21:26,291 He was defeated soundly by 766 00:21:26,293 --> 00:21:29,160 Monica Alcantara in this last 767 00:21:29,162 --> 00:21:29,694 primary. 768 00:21:29,696 --> 00:21:31,629 She is new. 769 00:21:31,631 --> 00:21:34,032 And what we've learned since 770 00:21:34,034 --> 00:21:35,466 she's taken office is that there 771 00:21:35,468 --> 00:21:37,235 are there is a large faction of 772 00:21:37,237 --> 00:21:38,536 Democrats who don't want her 773 00:21:38,538 --> 00:21:40,104 there who are extremely loyal to 774 00:21:40,106 --> 00:21:42,106 them well and they're causing a 775 00:21:42,108 --> 00:21:43,941 lot of trouble for Monica. 776 00:21:43,943 --> 00:21:46,778 They are showing up to meetings 777 00:21:46,780 --> 00:21:48,579 and introducing resolutions that 778 00:21:48,581 --> 00:21:50,248 weren't on the agenda for 779 00:21:50,250 --> 00:21:51,582 example at this past meeting 780 00:21:51,584 --> 00:21:51,783 day. 781 00:21:51,785 --> 00:21:53,251 They introduced a resolution to 782 00:21:53,253 --> 00:21:54,819 support the fire unions charter 783 00:21:54,821 --> 00:21:57,755 amendments and something that 784 00:21:57,757 --> 00:21:59,757 Monica disagrees with as chair. 785 00:21:59,759 --> 00:22:02,260 But they're much like the 786 00:22:02,262 --> 00:22:02,994 Republican Party. 787 00:22:02,996 --> 00:22:04,862 There is a majority of precinct 788 00:22:04,864 --> 00:22:08,966 chairs who are able to overrule 789 00:22:08,968 --> 00:22:10,401 the new chair of the Democratic 790 00:22:10,403 --> 00:22:12,003 Party but they can't remove the 791 00:22:12,005 --> 00:22:12,403 chairs. 792 00:22:12,405 --> 00:22:13,204 How does that work. 793 00:22:13,206 --> 00:22:14,639 That's a good question. 794 00:22:14,641 --> 00:22:16,541 From what my understanding is 795 00:22:16,543 --> 00:22:18,343 you cannot you can't just vote 796 00:22:18,345 --> 00:22:19,911 to remove the chair if she has 797 00:22:19,913 --> 00:22:20,478 to step down. 798 00:22:20,480 --> 00:22:20,912 Wow. 799 00:22:20,914 --> 00:22:21,412 Ok. 800 00:22:21,414 --> 00:22:22,613 It seems though that the 801 00:22:22,615 --> 00:22:23,815 problems facing the Democrats 802 00:22:23,817 --> 00:22:24,949 are a lot less serious than the 803 00:22:24,951 --> 00:22:26,317 problems facing the Republicans 804 00:22:26,319 --> 00:22:27,352 from what you've explained it to 805 00:22:27,354 --> 00:22:29,420 us in a way I mean when you 806 00:22:29,422 --> 00:22:30,822 think about the actual 807 00:22:30,824 --> 00:22:33,358 allegations that that Cynthia's 808 00:22:33,360 --> 00:22:34,459 husband has faced. 809 00:22:34,461 --> 00:22:36,861 Yes I mean not much more serious 810 00:22:36,863 --> 00:22:38,429 than that these allegations. 811 00:22:38,431 --> 00:22:38,830 Yes. 812 00:22:38,832 --> 00:22:41,599 He's currently in Afghanistan I 813 00:22:41,601 --> 00:22:43,000 believe working as a contractor. 814 00:22:43,002 --> 00:22:44,836 So he's not even here in the 815 00:22:44,838 --> 00:22:45,670 United States. 816 00:22:45,672 --> 00:22:48,973 But again people feel that 817 00:22:48,975 --> 00:22:51,876 because of the bad judgment that 818 00:22:51,878 --> 00:22:53,311 has been demonstrated by Cynthia 819 00:22:53,313 --> 00:22:55,046 in choosing to remain with her 820 00:22:55,048 --> 00:22:56,781 husband who has been accused and 821 00:22:56,783 --> 00:22:57,648 who has confessed to these 822 00:22:57,650 --> 00:23:01,319 crimes in addition to her just a 823 00:23:01,321 --> 00:23:03,154 lack of just a lack of trust in 824 00:23:03,156 --> 00:23:05,289 her for not being fully 825 00:23:05,291 --> 00:23:07,658 forthcoming in the extent of 826 00:23:07,660 --> 00:23:08,893 this scandal just to make it 827 00:23:08,895 --> 00:23:10,595 clear she herself is not facing 828 00:23:10,597 --> 00:23:11,295 any charges. 829 00:23:11,297 --> 00:23:13,898 Her concerns are now that she 830 00:23:13,900 --> 00:23:15,566 has chosen to remain with a 831 00:23:15,568 --> 00:23:17,802 husband who has definitely been 832 00:23:17,804 --> 00:23:19,237 found guilty or has pled guilty 833 00:23:19,239 --> 00:23:20,405 to I think some people. 834 00:23:20,407 --> 00:23:22,774 Some people are given pause by 835 00:23:22,776 --> 00:23:23,908 the moral dimensions of that. 836 00:23:23,910 --> 00:23:26,110 Yes but I think an overriding 837 00:23:26,112 --> 00:23:29,147 issue is simply she was not 838 00:23:29,149 --> 00:23:31,349 honest and in her and how she 839 00:23:31,351 --> 00:23:33,184 chose to explain the situation 840 00:23:33,186 --> 00:23:35,820 to two fellow Republicans when 841 00:23:35,822 --> 00:23:37,121 this started when this news 842 00:23:37,123 --> 00:23:37,688 first broke. 843 00:23:37,690 --> 00:23:39,390 And again when it first broke 844 00:23:39,392 --> 00:23:40,725 the full extent of it was not 845 00:23:40,727 --> 00:23:44,262 clear and she tried to downplay 846 00:23:44,264 --> 00:23:45,129 it and she tried to hide the 847 00:23:45,131 --> 00:23:45,463 truth. 848 00:23:45,465 --> 00:23:46,197 Wow. 849 00:23:46,199 --> 00:23:47,732 Councilman if I could turn back 850 00:23:47,734 --> 00:23:47,999 to you. 851 00:23:48,001 --> 00:23:50,501 You have a unique perspective on 852 00:23:50,503 --> 00:23:52,370 the whole mandatory paid sick 853 00:23:52,372 --> 00:23:54,372 leave issue that is now broiling 854 00:23:54,374 --> 00:23:55,072 at city hall. 855 00:23:55,074 --> 00:23:56,541 You're an attorney and one of 856 00:23:56,543 --> 00:23:57,942 your practices I understand is 857 00:23:57,944 --> 00:23:59,010 in wage and hour law. 858 00:23:59,012 --> 00:23:59,710 That's what I do. 859 00:23:59,712 --> 00:24:03,581 So what is your summation as to 860 00:24:03,583 --> 00:24:05,249 this measure that was approved 861 00:24:05,251 --> 00:24:07,418 by the City Council last week to 862 00:24:07,420 --> 00:24:09,120 mandate private employers pay 863 00:24:09,122 --> 00:24:10,288 sick leave to their full time 864 00:24:10,290 --> 00:24:10,655 employees. 865 00:24:10,657 --> 00:24:11,856 What are the chances that this 866 00:24:11,858 --> 00:24:13,090 will survive scrutiny. 867 00:24:13,092 --> 00:24:15,159 So for those that don't remember 868 00:24:15,161 --> 00:24:16,794 you know we've got 140000 869 00:24:16,796 --> 00:24:17,829 signatures attached to a 870 00:24:17,831 --> 00:24:19,397 petition with a proposed 871 00:24:19,399 --> 00:24:21,132 ordinance that ordinance very 872 00:24:21,134 --> 00:24:22,400 detailed would apply to every 873 00:24:22,402 --> 00:24:24,268 single employer in San Antonio 874 00:24:24,270 --> 00:24:25,837 obligating employers to pay 875 00:24:25,839 --> 00:24:28,172 mandatory paid sick leave and 876 00:24:28,174 --> 00:24:29,240 that that would be enforced by 877 00:24:29,242 --> 00:24:29,707 the city. 878 00:24:29,709 --> 00:24:31,943 I expressed very serious 879 00:24:31,945 --> 00:24:33,945 concerns whether you believe in 880 00:24:33,947 --> 00:24:37,181 paid sick leave or not mandatory 881 00:24:37,183 --> 00:24:38,883 municipal paid sick leave seems 882 00:24:38,885 --> 00:24:41,953 to be preempted by state state 883 00:24:41,955 --> 00:24:42,887 ordinance I'm sorry state 884 00:24:42,889 --> 00:24:44,422 statute and the Constitution. 885 00:24:44,424 --> 00:24:45,857 I raised that concern when we 886 00:24:45,859 --> 00:24:46,824 were at city council and was 887 00:24:46,826 --> 00:24:48,025 like Look I would love to live 888 00:24:48,027 --> 00:24:49,193 in a world where everybody has 889 00:24:49,195 --> 00:24:50,928 paid sick leave but the vehicle 890 00:24:50,930 --> 00:24:52,129 by which we were trying to get 891 00:24:52,131 --> 00:24:53,564 there which is a municipal 892 00:24:53,566 --> 00:24:55,032 ordinance doesn't seem to be 893 00:24:55,034 --> 00:24:55,500 enforceable. 894 00:24:55,502 --> 00:24:56,367 Take my word for it. 895 00:24:56,369 --> 00:24:57,768 I do this for a living. 896 00:24:57,770 --> 00:25:00,471 And this week the third quarter 897 00:25:00,473 --> 00:25:01,839 of Appeals seems to have been 898 00:25:01,841 --> 00:25:03,741 affirming exactly seems to have 899 00:25:03,743 --> 00:25:04,542 affirmed exactly what I'm 900 00:25:04,544 --> 00:25:06,878 warning and that is that state 901 00:25:06,880 --> 00:25:09,180 law preempts us from doing this 902 00:25:09,182 --> 00:25:09,413 now. 903 00:25:09,415 --> 00:25:10,615 What does this mean. 904 00:25:10,617 --> 00:25:11,682 We're going to keep our eyes on 905 00:25:11,684 --> 00:25:11,949 this. 906 00:25:11,951 --> 00:25:13,417 You know the San Antonio 907 00:25:13,419 --> 00:25:15,453 ordinance doesn't really kick in 908 00:25:15,455 --> 00:25:18,356 until August 2019 when that's 909 00:25:18,358 --> 00:25:20,691 when you know employers have to 910 00:25:20,693 --> 00:25:23,261 start paying but I will tell you 911 00:25:23,263 --> 00:25:24,762 if I had to bet money on it I'd 912 00:25:24,764 --> 00:25:26,430 bet that either somebody will 913 00:25:26,432 --> 00:25:27,865 file suit sometime in the next 914 00:25:27,867 --> 00:25:29,600 few weeks here in San Antonio 915 00:25:29,602 --> 00:25:31,035 seeking a restraining order and 916 00:25:31,037 --> 00:25:33,070 some injunctive relief or let 917 00:25:33,072 --> 00:25:34,472 you know before that happens the 918 00:25:34,474 --> 00:25:35,840 legislature will end up getting 919 00:25:35,842 --> 00:25:37,008 this and I believe it's dead on 920 00:25:37,010 --> 00:25:37,708 arrival in Aust. 921 00:25:37,710 --> 00:25:38,943 Is far from the end of this 922 00:25:38,945 --> 00:25:39,210 story. 923 00:25:39,212 --> 00:25:41,312 Sure the city councilman Manny 924 00:25:41,314 --> 00:25:44,015 Elias San Antonio Express News 925 00:25:44,017 --> 00:25:45,783 metro columnist Brian Chesnoff 926 00:25:45,785 --> 00:25:47,518 fascinating discussion and join 927 00:25:47,520 --> 00:25:48,920 us again next time for on the 928 00:25:48,922 --> 00:25:49,220 record.