Once again, city leaders are heading out on a business-related trip ... this time they are going to Central America.
Ahh, nothing like Costa Rica in the winter, eh?
I am quite interested to see how this trip will affect overall business in the Greater Laredo area. From what I understand, there will be some city leaders, led by our esteemed Mayor Raul Salinas, headed down to meet colleagues, develop relationships and shake a lot of hands.
Beautiful.
Didn't a group head down to the Port of Lazaro Cardenas for a similar reason? You know, meet colleagues, develop relationships and shake a lot of hands?
In the immortal words of former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, "You betcha."
I also understand there will be some educators along for the, ahem, ride from Texas A&M International University.
Why? What do they know about international trade?
Isn't this a business trip?
Look, taxpayer money is being spent on a "fishing expedition" which everyone has seen over and over again.
Tell me who will benefit from this trip.
Roll off the names of those who are going and, well, I just wonder if the entire Greater Laredo business community is involved in this effort.
Are the "good buddies" of these people going down to Central America going to get first crack at the business? Just asking here.
I have yet to see one solid, concrete business project announced from Salinas' office or through the Laredo City Council from their Lazaro Cardenas trip. Yeah, yeah, I know ... economic downturn, tough times, peso troubled, yadda, yadda, yadda.
Mind you, I am truly all for building up communities and bringing in new business to the Laredo and Nuevo Laredo region. It would be nice, though, to have a plan.
Is there a plan? Can someone please show me a plan? Show me a plan where it is simply laid out, in black and white and plain English and Spanish, on what are the key expectations city leaders will be asking for from these meetings.
You know, my sense is there is no plan. Oh there's a plan all right ... a plan to keep the wool over our eyes (that means taxpayers like you and me) and entrust our elected leaders to do the bidding.
Here's another thing about this working vacation.
Where are the key business leaders involved in this trip? Are Kansas City Southern Railroad and Union Pacific representatives part of this party? Show me.
What about customs brokers here in Laredo? They actually DO business involving international trade. Are they going on this trip?
How about commercial and residential real estate representatives? They could present concrete ideas on what is available to these Central American representatives which city leaders will speak with on this excursion.
Frankly, I'd like to see people like Les Norton, Gary Jacobs, David Killam and others as part of this trip. Heck, they KNOW about business in Laredo and have family roots that go far, far back. Farther than mine personally, that's for sure.
OK, OK ... call me crazy, call me nuts for simply putting this out there.
I really hope and pray this trip is worth it.
After all, it's all about business.
Uh-huh.
-- Joe Rutland
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
National employment remains in perilous position ...
According to the ADP National Employment Report released Wednesday, October was the seventh consecutive month during which the decline in employment was less than in the previous month.
The report also states, though, employment (despite recent indications showing overall economic activity is stabilizing) which usually trails overall economic activity is likely to decline for at least a few more months.
October's ADP Report estimates nonfarm private employment in the service providing sector fell by 86,000. Employment in the goods-producing sector declined 117,000, with employment in the manufacturing sector dropping 65,000.
In October, construction employment dropped 51,000. This was the 33rd consecutive monthly decline. It brings the total decline in construction jobs since the peak in January 2007 to 1,675,000.
Employment in the financial services sector dropped 18,000, the 23rd consecutive monthly decline.
-- Joe Rutland
The report also states, though, employment (despite recent indications showing overall economic activity is stabilizing) which usually trails overall economic activity is likely to decline for at least a few more months.
October's ADP Report estimates nonfarm private employment in the service providing sector fell by 86,000. Employment in the goods-producing sector declined 117,000, with employment in the manufacturing sector dropping 65,000.
In October, construction employment dropped 51,000. This was the 33rd consecutive monthly decline. It brings the total decline in construction jobs since the peak in January 2007 to 1,675,000.
Employment in the financial services sector dropped 18,000, the 23rd consecutive monthly decline.
-- Joe Rutland
Friday, October 23, 2009
Leave LISD's Nelson alone ...
I don't want to give up all the goodies on this Monday's "Coffee Talk" within the LMT Business Journal. Let me simply say this: It would be wise for Laredo Independent School District officials, especially the Board of Trustees, to allow superintendent A. Marcus Nelson to do his job.
Nelson is a curriculum-focused educator who does care about seeing kids improve in the classroom and doesn't have time for the adult Jedi mind games which have been prevalent within LISD over the past few years.
Let him do his job.
Want more? Read "Coffee Talk" on Monday morning in the LMT Business Journal.
-- Joe Rutland
Nelson is a curriculum-focused educator who does care about seeing kids improve in the classroom and doesn't have time for the adult Jedi mind games which have been prevalent within LISD over the past few years.
Let him do his job.
Want more? Read "Coffee Talk" on Monday morning in the LMT Business Journal.
-- Joe Rutland
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Checking in on the peso ...
Here's a "Coffee Talk Live" video for your enjoyment on this wonderful Tuesday:
Monday, October 12, 2009
Laredo International Airport receives FAA honor ...
Following up on Monday's centerpiece story on the Laredo International Airport in the LMT Business Journal, this information crossed my desk late last week.
The Federal Aviation Administration has selected LIA as the recipient of the 2009 Southwest Region Airport Safety Award for "consistently demonstrating a high level of safety in ensuring compliance with FAA standards and regulations," according to an FAA statement.
Laredo International is one of a number of airports in the FAA's five-state Southwest Region which received honors.
For what it is worth, LIA is the lone South Texas border region airport to receive FAA honors geared toward aviation safety.
Congrats to all those who work hard at Laredo International.
-- Joe Rutland
The Federal Aviation Administration has selected LIA as the recipient of the 2009 Southwest Region Airport Safety Award for "consistently demonstrating a high level of safety in ensuring compliance with FAA standards and regulations," according to an FAA statement.
Laredo International is one of a number of airports in the FAA's five-state Southwest Region which received honors.
For what it is worth, LIA is the lone South Texas border region airport to receive FAA honors geared toward aviation safety.
Congrats to all those who work hard at Laredo International.
-- Joe Rutland
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Raising awareness key for Children's Advocacy Center ...
Sylvia Bruni, Children's Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County executive director, said Tuesday the CAC brings together all local agencies which serve children in crises.
Bruni, who addressed the weekly Kiwanis Club meeting at the Holiday Inn Civic Center, said "CAC is one of 62 centers in Texas."
She said one of the biggest changes taking place in Laredo and Webb County is people are speaking up more about childhood abuse ... whether it's physical, sexual, mental and/or emotional.
Bruni has a background in education, ranging from service as English teacher to principal at a Laredo Independent School District school to an interim role as LISD superintendent. She retired from public education in 2005, then returned to the CAC -- where she worked as a co-chairperson from its initiation in 1993 to 2000.
"Someone asked me recently if it's worse today? No, it's been there all along -- it was just a secret," Bruni said.
That "secret" began to crack apart in the 1980s, Bruni said, which led then-District Attorney Joe Rubio, in 1993, to bring together numerous agencies toward addressing these issues.
Bruni said a majority of children whom are sexually abused are under the age of 12.
The CAC has been focusing more on outreach opportunities in this year, "especially to groups which help children and support similar causes," Bruni said.
In my humble opinion, abuse is abuse. Keeping it a secret doesn't help. It only manifests a continual dysfunctional society ... one which seems more keen to what's happening with Jon and Kate Gosselin than what's happening right in front of their noses.
Let me offer this last piece about childhood abuse and, well, abuse, period.
No more secrets. No more.
-- Joe Rutland
Bruni, who addressed the weekly Kiwanis Club meeting at the Holiday Inn Civic Center, said "CAC is one of 62 centers in Texas."
She said one of the biggest changes taking place in Laredo and Webb County is people are speaking up more about childhood abuse ... whether it's physical, sexual, mental and/or emotional.
Bruni has a background in education, ranging from service as English teacher to principal at a Laredo Independent School District school to an interim role as LISD superintendent. She retired from public education in 2005, then returned to the CAC -- where she worked as a co-chairperson from its initiation in 1993 to 2000.
"Someone asked me recently if it's worse today? No, it's been there all along -- it was just a secret," Bruni said.
That "secret" began to crack apart in the 1980s, Bruni said, which led then-District Attorney Joe Rubio, in 1993, to bring together numerous agencies toward addressing these issues.
Bruni said a majority of children whom are sexually abused are under the age of 12.
The CAC has been focusing more on outreach opportunities in this year, "especially to groups which help children and support similar causes," Bruni said.
In my humble opinion, abuse is abuse. Keeping it a secret doesn't help. It only manifests a continual dysfunctional society ... one which seems more keen to what's happening with Jon and Kate Gosselin than what's happening right in front of their noses.
Let me offer this last piece about childhood abuse and, well, abuse, period.
No more secrets. No more.
-- Joe Rutland
Monday, October 5, 2009
Vocations in health care ...
At Monday's Laredo Gateway Rotary Club weekly meeting, Laredo Medical Center chief executive officer Tim Schmidt spoke on vocational opportunities within health care.
His address was part of Rotary International's worldwide recognition of October as a month which highlights different vocations.
Schmidt said it takes a team of people to run a hospital.
He also said among those vocations include accountants, administrative specialists, admissions department employees, business office and health and information management.
A couple of other high spots in Schmidt's speech not related to the main topic included him saying LMC would undergo a $20 million construction project in 2010. He also reminded those present who had not received their flu shot as of yet to go and get one.
-- Joe Rutland
His address was part of Rotary International's worldwide recognition of October as a month which highlights different vocations.
Schmidt said it takes a team of people to run a hospital.
He also said among those vocations include accountants, administrative specialists, admissions department employees, business office and health and information management.
A couple of other high spots in Schmidt's speech not related to the main topic included him saying LMC would undergo a $20 million construction project in 2010. He also reminded those present who had not received their flu shot as of yet to go and get one.
-- Joe Rutland
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