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LeftInTX
LeftInTX's Journal
LeftInTX's Journal
May 27, 2013
Much more at link: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/west-explosion/investigation/20130525-texas-prohibits-nearly-70-percent-of-its-counties-from-having-a-fire-code.ece
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Dallas Morning News coverage of the West Fertilizer explosion has been excellent.
Texas prohibits nearly 70 percent of its counties from having a fire code
By RANDY LEE LOFTIS
Environmental Writer
rloftis@dallasnews.com
Published: 25 May 2013 11:17 PM
Updated: 26 May 2013 12:48 PM
Victoria County, a little slice of the Texas chemical coast, has nearly 39 million pounds of concoctions that can poison and nearly 11 million pounds that can catch fire.
“A potential for a catastrophic event” is how one federal agency described the risk if they leak. A temptation for terrorists, added another.
But Victoria County cannot use a firefighter’s basic tool for preventing industrial disaster: a fire code.
Texas won’t let the county adopt one.
In piney-woods southeast Texas, nearly 250,000 people within 25 miles of a paper mill could breathe chlorine or chlorine-dioxide gas after a worst-case fire or accident. Some could die.
Much more at link: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/west-explosion/investigation/20130525-texas-prohibits-nearly-70-percent-of-its-counties-from-having-a-fire-code.ece
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Dallas Morning News coverage of the West Fertilizer explosion has been excellent.
May 25, 2013
AUSTIN — The Capitol was buzzing Friday with talk of Gov. Rick Perry calling a special session to deal with issues like redistricting, school choice and others left pending when the regular session ends Monday.
Perry is the only one who can call lawmakers into special session, and he'll set its agenda if he calls one.
He would not say Friday if that was his plan. “We're headed for the end of the session,” is all Perry said, though he earlier hinted a special session could occur if lawmakers didn't send him enough tax relief or investment in water infrastructure.
A laundry list of topics is possible for a potential special session agenda, including anti-abortion and pro-gun measures, expressing frustration that they were blocked in the regular session by Democrats, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said.
snip - 2 paragraphs left.................
Capital Buzzes with Talk of Special Session
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/politics/texas_legislature/article/Capitol-buzzes-with-talk-of-special-session-4547703.phpAUSTIN — The Capitol was buzzing Friday with talk of Gov. Rick Perry calling a special session to deal with issues like redistricting, school choice and others left pending when the regular session ends Monday.
Perry is the only one who can call lawmakers into special session, and he'll set its agenda if he calls one.
He would not say Friday if that was his plan. “We're headed for the end of the session,” is all Perry said, though he earlier hinted a special session could occur if lawmakers didn't send him enough tax relief or investment in water infrastructure.
A laundry list of topics is possible for a potential special session agenda, including anti-abortion and pro-gun measures, expressing frustration that they were blocked in the regular session by Democrats, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said.
snip - 2 paragraphs left.................
May 15, 2013
Lackland airman barred from contact with O’Connor HS student
SAN ANTONIO -
Northside ISD confirms retired Lt. Colonel James Payne, a respected JROTC instructor and founder of the program at O’Connor High School, has been suspended with pay pending an investigation by the district.
“He was placed on administrative leave because he did not follow district policy when it comes to field trips,” said Pascual Gonzalez, NISD spokesman.
He said Payne should have cancelled a field trip late last month to Camp Eagle in Rocksprings with 29 students after two parents had backed out as chaperones a few days earlier, or notified the principal of the problem.
Gonzalez said the district requires three parent chaperones on field trips.
He said instead, the 48-year-old instructor, who was on the trip as well, relied on a 21-year-old airman who claimed to be writing a story about developing responsibility and leadership among JROTC students, and their retired military instructors.
Gonzalez said the airman was not authorized to be with students because he had not been cleared by the principal and did not undergo a required criminal background check.
When they returned, Gonzalez said a parent told Payne of serious allegations.
“This airman from Lackland Air Force Base had inappropriate contact, communication and behavior with Northside students,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez would not discuss the specific nature of those allegations.
The military sex assault stuff is now infiltrating Junior ROTC
JROTC instructor suspended with pay
http://www.ksat.com/news/nisd-jrotc-instructor-suspended-with-pay/-/478452/20054620/-/14pkpd2z/-/index.htmlLackland airman barred from contact with O’Connor HS student
SAN ANTONIO -
Northside ISD confirms retired Lt. Colonel James Payne, a respected JROTC instructor and founder of the program at O’Connor High School, has been suspended with pay pending an investigation by the district.
“He was placed on administrative leave because he did not follow district policy when it comes to field trips,” said Pascual Gonzalez, NISD spokesman.
He said Payne should have cancelled a field trip late last month to Camp Eagle in Rocksprings with 29 students after two parents had backed out as chaperones a few days earlier, or notified the principal of the problem.
Gonzalez said the district requires three parent chaperones on field trips.
He said instead, the 48-year-old instructor, who was on the trip as well, relied on a 21-year-old airman who claimed to be writing a story about developing responsibility and leadership among JROTC students, and their retired military instructors.
Gonzalez said the airman was not authorized to be with students because he had not been cleared by the principal and did not undergo a required criminal background check.
When they returned, Gonzalez said a parent told Payne of serious allegations.
“This airman from Lackland Air Force Base had inappropriate contact, communication and behavior with Northside students,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez would not discuss the specific nature of those allegations.
The military sex assault stuff is now infiltrating Junior ROTC
May 3, 2013
snip........
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What the heck?? I can understand small town, but this just doesn't make sense. Even liquor stores and banks in small towns have decent security.
Exclusive: At Texas fertilizer plant, a history of theft, tampering
Saw this on General Discussion:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/03/us-usa-explosion-texas-idUSBRE94206020130503
By Selam Gebrekidan and Joshua Schneyer
NEW YORK | Fri May 3, 2013 11:23am EDT
(Reuters) - The Texas fertilizer plant that exploded two weeks ago, killing 14 people and injuring about 200, was a repeat target of theft by intruders who tampered with tanks and caused the release of toxic chemicals, police records reviewed by Reuters show.
Police responded to at least 11 reports of burglaries and five separate ammonia leaks at West Fertilizer Co over the past 12 years, according to 911 dispatch logs and criminal offense reports Reuters obtained from the McLennan County Sheriff's office in Waco, Texas through an Open Records Request.
Some of the leaks, including one reported in October 2012, were linked to theft or interference with tank valves.
According to one 2002 crime report, a plant manager told police that intruders were stealing four to five gallons of anhydrous ammonia every three days. The liquid gas can be used to cook methamphetamine, the addictive and illicit stimulant.
snip........
The perimeter was not fenced, and the facility had no burglar alarms or security guards, he said. "It was a hometown-like situation. Everybody trusts everybody.
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What the heck?? I can understand small town, but this just doesn't make sense. Even liquor stores and banks in small towns have decent security.
Profile Information
Gender: FemaleHometown: San Antonio, Texas
Member since: Sun Oct 14, 2012, 11:45 AM
Number of posts: 25,224