Annise Parker, Ben Hall: Can I be the moderator?

I woke up on Wednesday morning and read the Houston Chronicle editorial that mockingly suggested debate topics for Ben Hall. After reading the editorial, one would have to believe that Houston’s financial condition is the result of Ben Hall’s previous residency in Piney Point. Ben’s old home in Piney Point was located at 11607 Arrowwood Circle, which is one lot away from Houston. I am sure that, when he purchased this home, the realtor didn’t run over to the city line and shout to Ben, “This is Piney Point and this is the City of Houston.”

Ben Hall has paid Houston property taxes for years

Let’s be clear, Ben Hall has continuously owned property in the City of Houston for several decades. It is true that the City of Houston is in financial turmoil; but, Ben Hall has paid many more dollars in property tax and local sales tax than Annise Parker earns. It is illogical to blame Ben Hall for the city’s financial situation simply because he owned a home in Piney Point from 2001 to early 2013.

Annise Parker responsible for debt, not Ben Hall

The City of Houston is in debt because Annise Parker and other elected officials spend more money than the City of Houston receives in revenue. This is a relatively easy concept to understand and anyone who has looked at Houston’s financials would agree, except for the Houston Chronicle. The numbers are now in the billions in debt. Parker has been in Houston leadership for 16 years: an elected city councilmember for six years, city controller for six years, and mayor for four years. So, as a decision maker for 16 years, Parker has approved 16 city budgets – all included deficit spending.

Why did the Chron editorial board attack Ben Hall?

So, we are left to ponder why the Chronicle thinks that Ben Hall’s residency in Piney Point is an issue. Does the Chronicle not like folks who live outside a certain geographic area? The Chronicle editorial author states, “At the same time, infrastructure investment outside of the city, such as the Grand Parkway, makes it all too easy to live far out while availing oneself of what Houston has to offer, leeching our city of economic and civic vitality.” The Grand Parkway, state highway 99, is a scenic highway that covers seven counties while encircling Greater Houston. Readers, be forewarned, if you ever lived outside of the City of Houston, do not even think about running for elected office in Houston. Apparently, only the residents of Montrose understand utopia and its spending concepts and the remainder are geographically undesirable.

Just a hunch, but, I am betting that Piney Point does not have a pension issue. Neither does Bellaire, West University, Southside Place, Hedwig Village, Bunker Hill Village, Nassau Bay, or the majority of the small cities within Greater Houston. Rather than criticizing a man for owning a home in Piney Point, why doesn’t the Chronicle support the concept of recruiting council candidates from these cities with healthy financial situations? Would they rather see the city traverse down the path of bankruptcy?

Let’s look at Bill White, friend and mentor of Parker and the Houston Chronicle. White lives in an enclave of millionaires just a few miles away from the Memorial Villages. What if White owned a home in Piney Point the year before he ran for mayor of Houston? Would it be okay for White? Or, does the Chronicle think it is not okay for Ben because he isn’t white?

Hooper offers to moderate debate

Since the Chronicle was kind enough to offer some debate topics, I thought that I would try my hand at developing some of my own questions for Parker. Of course, she would have to agree to a real debate first.

Don’s Debate Questions

Insert dream sequence music and blurry wave effect since Parker refuses to debate Ben.

1. How does an individual become a millionaire after drawing a city salary for 16 years?

2. Describe all pay increases that you have given your staff as a councilmember, controller, and mayor.

3. You and your department heads are paid very large salaries. With the City obligated for billions in debt, how do you justify these expenditures?

4. When you retire, what is your annual pension from the city?

5. How much do you expect to earn from your partnerships during retirement.

6. Since elected mayor, what is the total amount of money that you have made from speaking engagements?

7. If you knew the City was billions in debt, why would you reverse yourself on employee medical contributions and other benefit largesse? Do you see any problem with seeking an endorsement from the police union, and other municipal unions after satisfying their pension demands?

8. Do you believe that you have ever pandered for political support?

9. Explain your interest in Silver Street Properties. List all of your property holdings related to this partnership.

10. Why did you appoint Steven Kirkland, your business partner, to the Municipal Courts?

11. Is Steven Kirkland now working in the legal department at the city? What is his salary?

12. How many properties do you own or have ownership in outside of the city?

13. Have your rental properties ever benefited from your decisions at the city over the last 16 years?

14. When will you release your partner’s income tax returns from the last 16 years?

15. Over the last 16 years, has any portion of your income been derived from city contracts? Metro contracts?

16. Will you place same sex benefits on the agenda during your mayoral term?

17. Do you intend to place a safety tax on residents post-election?

18. Why did you quit funding school crossing guards?

19. Why is your City Attorney selectively prosecuting Clyde Bryan and Eric Dick for sign violations? How many of your signs will we find in the public right-of-way this election season?

20. When you promoted Proposition One aka Renew Houston, you told taxpayers that the cost would be an average of five dollars per household and compared the cost to one Starbucks coffee each month. When did you know that this cost statement was incorrect? You promised the voters that these funds would be dedicated to flooding prevention. Why are these funds now being used to pay for bike trails and city vehicles? Why are these funds not dedicated to flooding prevention as you promised the voters?

21. How many homes will flood because you are diverting prop1 funds?

22. How many individuals are now employed by the city’s crime laboratory? How much money is being spent outsourcing testing?

23. What efforts have you made to seek a joint crime laboratory with Harris County?

24. The city’s crime laboratory is not accredited by ASCLD/LAB for the trace evidence discipline. What type of testing is being performed by the city’s crime laboratory (and not outsourced)? What is the average completion time for each of these testing types? Are all items submitted to the laboratory actually tested?

25. Why do think it was a good idea to have the rape kits sent outside of Texas?

26. How do people communicate with those doing the testing as to the location of evidence on clothing or other items if they are out of Texas.

27. How many rape kits are linked to Wesley Bernard Gordon? Have the kits been tested and what were the results?

28. One of your five priorities is infrastructure. How would you rate the condition of Houston roads?

29. What have you done to bring jobs to Houston? How many jobs have you actually created during your time as mayor? How many jobs have been lost in Houston during your time as mayor?

30. Do you believe that Houstonians are safer now than they were when you began your service as mayor?

31. What have you done as mayor to improve the quality of life of all Houstonians?

32. How many fees have you increased during your time as mayor?

33. Mayor, you and your department heads are paid very large salaries: with the City obligated for billions in debt how do you justify these expenditures?

In her latest advertisement, Parker asks Ben Hall a question: “Where have you been?” Clearly, this is an attempt to insinuate that Ben has done nothing for the City of Houston. Seemingly, Parker defines “vision…ideas…leadership” as herself – someone who has become a millionaire while working in elected positions for the last 16 years. Why is it okay for Parker to own homes outside of Houston but it is not okay for Ben Hall to own a home in Piney Point?

I am available to moderate any forum or debate that includes Parker. Keeping it real.