This week we dust off the “cruz mobile”, and there’s a lot of dust, and take off on a whirlwind tour of what some still call “the giant side of Texas” while most of us still just call it, well… Lubbock; with a few detours along the way…



First Stop: “Distrito Numero Uno”

Looks like things are getting hotter than a steaming bowl of menudo! You know, the kind, with chile so hot it literally cures a cold; among other self induced conditions. (My apologies to those of you unfamiliar with menudo, just think of it in terms of the tastiest and hottest Mexican food you have ever eaten)

Well, that might be exaggerating a little but things are heating up in the election for the District 1 council seat presently held by Linda DeLeon. Seems that Victor “I shall return” Hernandez is really getting ready to return to try and recapture his former seat on the Lubbock City Council; although no official word yet from the Hernandez camp.

Just what a DeLeon vs. Hernandez race will mean to District 1 voters, if Hernandez decides to challenge for the seat, remains to be seen. It has the potential though to generate a lot of interest; with a possible positive outcome being a higher than normal voter turnout. Plus, who knows if there are other civic minded individuals out there just waiting to see how things play out in the preliminaries before they decide to throw their name in the ring for the final bout?

One thing is for sure though; District 1 is quickly becoming a District that people are beginning to pay more attention to. With the development of North Overton, the proposed zoning changes between University and Ave Q and other projects in the works, the district’s landscape has changed both physically and economically.

The beauty of the whole things is that it will be up to District 1 voters to decide, (regardless of whoever decides to run or not to run) who they want to lead them in promoting and protecting the interests of the district for the upcoming 4 years.

Oh, oh, let’s get out of here; I don’t like the looks I’m getting.

Second Stop: Mayoral Elections

If you’ve seen any of the ads championing Tom, I want to be Mayor so bad I can taste it and will continue to act like it because

our own Mayor has to recuse himself all the time, Martin’s candidacy for mayor, you might reach the conclusion that he single handedly has brought the city to the heavenly state where it is today. If that’s the case, I say, what was the rest of the council doing all this time? (Except for hizzoner, the mayor of course)

Need I remind “ya’ll” that contrary to popular belief, Lubbock is far from perfect and if you are going to take credit for all the good, does that mean you’ll accept equal credit for the bad?

Better not burn rubber here, Martin used to be a cop, ahem excuse me, I meant police officer!

Four **** Stop

What is it about the possibility of having a Four Star hotel here in Lubbock that absolutely has some people ready to go in their one star pants? (Sorry, didn’t mean to get so graphic) Besides, the way I understand this deal, the tax revenues and motel/hotel taxes generated from this particular location will be pumped right back into the development to help pay for the cost of the conference center which will be built as part of the hotel. If that’s the case, how long will it be before those of us who live in other parts of the city benefit?

What’s that, not in my !*!#'*! lifetime? Yeah, that’s what I thought…

Quick Detour in the “BUSH–ES”

Never mind, been here before, same old empty state of the union song and dance, same tired Texas side step, same old “fighting them over there so we don’t have to fight em here” fear slogans designed to scare my American brethren. Note to the Prez: You just now noticed that this country is addicted to oil? Please!

Oops, Cheney’s on the prowl, better boogie!

Crossing Independence and Constitution Avenue

With the confirmation of Samuel Alito to replace Sandra Day O’Conner as associate Supreme Court Justice; you can forget about the court’s independence. The road to future equal justice for those of us who at times find ourselves on the other side of Scalia/Thomas/Roberts and Alito; the road just narrowed and the interpretation of the constitution just got conservatively narrower.

Got to go now; exit right, that’s right, just stay on the straight and narrow, you’ll be fine…

Lubbock or Leave It

The Dixie Chicks will release a new CD in April with a new song titled “Lubbock or Leave It”. But don’t expect

to hear it over Lubbock airwaves. Unfortunately, mainstream media only promotes one of this city’s own when they tow the line. Need proof? How much coverage did Sheryl Swoops get before; compared to after, exiting the closet?

‘Nuff said, probably TMI…

Million Dollar Baby

One million maracas to Texas Tech ex chancellor David Smith as severance pay plus a tenured position at $250,000 a year, plus moving expenses, plus whatever the heck else he wants! Wow! While student tuition and college costs spiral out of control, Tech regents approved a severance package that would make even the greediest among us blush like a “red herring”. All I can say is that it takes a lot of maracas to accept that many maracas considering the dire straits some college students find themselves in.

What a city we live in huh? The ex chancellor gets a cool million, while the poor souls who can’t afford to pay their gas bill get $30,000 to split among themselves; kind of sad really.

We’re outta here; Tech police are eyeballing me bad!



And just like that we’re back home, left wondering how one can travel so far and yet remain so close…



Email: acruztsc@aol.com