I started to write one of those hard hitting in depth pieces that you see in other local publications; you know, the ones about the mayor’s beans and cornbread luncheon. But thinking that that would tax my brain way too much, I decided to pull out the ole ride and go “cruzin”.



First Stop: The Gas Pump

When Exxon Mobile CEO Lee Raymond recently retired, he walked away with a $400 million dollar retirement package. The major oil companies are reporting billion dollar profits for the first quarter of this year. Gas prices here are at $2.78 per gallon; and that’s if you buy the cheapest grade. Some Republican Senators headed by Senate Majority Leader, Republican Bill Frist have suggested a $100 rebate; only for Americans who file an income tax return.

Talk about Greed, Gas Gougers and being Grossly Incompetent



Next Stop: The Dixie Chicks Hen House

Back about 20 something years ago, someone came up with the bright idea of a bumper sticker that said, “Lubbock: Love it or Leave it”. This to me meant that you either had to be in love with everything Lubbock, or you should pack up your bags and leave. That’s it. There wasn’t any in between. You either loved the city or you were being asked to leave.

Perhaps that was on the minds of the Dixie Chicks who have been in Lubbock’s hen house since they exercised their right to free speech and criticized George Bush; when they wrote “Lubbock or Leave It”. Question: Since when did we start penalizing American citizens for exercising their rights?

Well, it seems that in this city, quite a while ago. I understand some people disagreed with the Chick’s statement; which is entirely their right. But when did we reach the point of penalizing and censoring artistic creativity; just because we didn’t agree with what someone said?

You know, Lubbock has quite a few things going for it. Unfortunately, for some people, tolerance, open mindedness, and leniency are not high on the list.

Uh oh, better get out of here, I see some cowboy hats and boots coming right at me…



The Mayor’s Race

In a perfect world, this city would see a 100% percent voter turnout and then we could all agree that whichever candidate in each race won, won outright, no questions asked. In an ideal world, Tom Martin does not get to be mayor of this city, only

because people who traditionally do not make an effort to vote (and you know who you are) once again did not make an effort; and only a small percentage of registered voters wound up deciding who will be this city’s next mayor. In a perfect world, all registered voters will get out and vote and decide that it is time for at least a more kinder, open, and tolerant style of governing and deny Mr. Martin what he has been dreaming about since he was first elected to the Lubbock city council.

Is that, naw, can’t be, wait a minute, is that deputy city manger Tom Adams eyeballing me?



All Aboard the School Board

One local governing body that usually flies under the radar screen is the LISD school board. Not this election cycle. At least, not where candidate for school board at large Christy Martinez is concerned. Whether you’re a fan or not, one thing you have to admit is that she has shown a lot of guts in deciding to run. Don’t agree? How many other Hispanic candidates do you see on the ballot or showed an interest in running? Why you ask? Because deciding to run for any elected office is not easy. It is a world in which you are exposed to criticism and disparagement, and appreciative remarks are not something you hear very often. But that’s part of the political game; people who decide to run understand that.

In this case, Ms. Martinez has shown that she can talk the talk, but more importantly walk the walk and has committed her time, work and family; husband Frank and daughter Amaris, to try and improve the educational system in this city.

But she cannot do it alone. She needs the help of people who care about education and the kids; those who too often fall through the cracks.

Gotta go, got a Wilkerson Storage truck bearing down on me…



Last Stop; the Ballot Box

In the first 2 days of early voting, 3,069 Lubbock voters had turned out to cast their vote at the polls; 2,020 more than in the same time period in the May 2004 elections. That’s the good news. The bad news is that only 66 residents had voted at the eastside United on Parkway. The United on North University had seen a total of 184 voters. By contrast, 564 people had shown up

to vote at the United at 82nd & Quaker.

Whether you vote early or on the 13th, the main and most important thing is that you vote. But why wait until the 13th and take the risk of something coming up that will prevent you from voting?

For once, let’s not look back after the election and say that if only this group or that group had voted, the results would have been different.

These city and school board elections are too important to leave it up to others to make the final decision for all of us.

Out of gas, out of “chivitas”; gotta park it!



Email: acruztsc@aol.com