A Prolonged Economic Crisis

Dear Congressman Burgess:

We could not have prevented the passage of a bailout plan and the market meltdown that followed.

People are losing their homes, and now their retirement funds and life’s savings are being gobbled up. (Have mercy on the man when it cost as much to drive back and forth to work as a man makes in a day). Who’s going to bail us out?

I inquired about the sanctity and solvency of our employee retirement funds, put at risk through no fault of the employee. Who eats this loss?

Do our employees understand that their retirement accounts are going up in smoke while they wait for their third quarter retirement earning statement? Everybody else is bailing out. (See “Legislators may be asked to address Texas pension fund losses” by Yamil Berard, Star-Telegram)

The stock portfolios of some of the state’s largest investments funds — supporting government employees’ retirements and public education — have taken quite a beating this year. By summer, the value of some of the funds had dropped by billions of dollars…

Many funds also had significant stakes in some of Wall Street’s highest rollers that went bust. Some even increased their exposure by buying more shares early this year as the stock of those companies was plunging.

None of the funds have yet to make public their third-quarter rates of return, which would give the most up-to-date look at losses. But by the end of the second quarter on June 30 — before the markets rapidly deteriorated, former Wall Street powerhouses like Lehman Bros. failed and Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were taken over — all the funds saw significant erosion of their portfolios.

Status of Employee Retirement Fund Inquiry

City of Fort Worth
1000 Throckmorton St.
Fort Worth, TX 76102

City Manager Dale A. Fisseler

Re: Status of Employee Retirement Fund

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Dear Dale:

In light of the recent developments in the financial markets, I am compelled to ask questions that relate to our city’s solvency. And before writing Congressman Michael Burgess again about voting for the next bailout bill, I would need to know something about our economic condition.

I have included Asst. City Manager Fernando Costa, another man of integrity much like you, who is not afraid of the tough questions. Also, I have included Human Resource Department Director, Karen Marshall, who might provide some insight into how many employees may be at risk due to the city’s retirement investment in troubled financial accounts.

1. How is the City’s “retirement fund” performing at this time?

2. How close are we to resolving the under-funding issue we had before the current Stock Market crisis? Did the current crisis exacerbate the problem on retirement liquidity?

On a personal note, how is your own 401(k) retirement fund performing? Would you recommend putting retirement institutional funds in the current market?

By the way, who is managing our city employee retirement fund? Into what fund is it located?

These questions come to mind as we look at this so-called bailout bill in Washington.

Sincerely,
Eddie Griffin
http://eddiegriffinbasg.blogspot.com

Early Voting Starts in Texas October 20th

Early Voting Starts October 20th through October 31st.

If you reside in any of the precincts below:

TARRANT COUNTY EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS
Revised 08/25/2008 10:14:13 PM

MAIN EARLY VOTING SITE,
Tarrant County Elections Center
2700 Premier Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76111
*Emergency and limited ballots available
At this location only
Arlington

Bob Duncan Community Center
2800 South Center Street
Arlington, Texas 76014
Arlington

Elzie Odom Recreation Center
1601 NE Green Oaks Blvd
Arlington, Texas 76006
Arlington

Fire Training Center
5501 Ron McAndrew Drive
Arlington, Texas 76013
Arlington

Southeast Sub-Courthouse
700 E Abram Street
Arlington, Texas 76010

South Service Center
1100 SW Green Oaks Boulevard
Arlington, Texas 76017

Azle
B. J. Clark Annex
Room 4
603 Southeast Parkway
Azle, Texas 76020

Benbrook YMCA
1899 Winscott Road
Benbrook, Texas 76126

Colleyville City Hall
100 Main Street
Colleyville, Texas 76034

Crowley Community Center
900 East Glendale Street
Crowley, Texas 76036

Dalworthington Gardens City Hall
2600 Roosevelt Drive
Dalworthington Gardens, Texas 76016

Euless Public Library
201 North Ector Drive
Euless, Texas 76039
Forest Hill

Mahaney Community Center
6800 Forest Hill Drive
Forest Hill, Texas 76140

Fort Worth
Diamond Hill/Jarvis Library
1300 Northeast 35th Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76106
Fort Worth

Griffin Sub-Courthouse
3212 Miller Avenue
Fort Worth, Texas 76119

Handley-Meadowbrook Community Center
6201 Beaty Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76112

Lake Como Area Council
3507 Horne Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76107


Summerglen Branch Library
4205 Basswood Boulevard
Fort Worth, Texas 76137


Southside Community Center
959 East Rosedale Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76104

Southwest Community Center
6300 Welch Avenue
Fort Worth, Texas 76133

Southwest Sub-Courthouse
6551 Granbury Road
Fort Worth, Texas 76133

Tarrant County Plaza Building
201 Burnett Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76102

Villages of Woodland Springs
Amenity Building
12209 Timberland Boulevard
Fort Worth, Texas 76248

Worth Heights Community Center
3551 New York Avenue
Fort Worth, Texas 76110

Grand Prairie
Starrett Elementary School
2675 Fairmont Drive
Grand Prairie, Texas 75052

Grapevine Community Activities Center
1175 Municipal Way
Grapevine, Texas 76051

Haltom City Recreation Center
4839 Broadway Avenue
Haltom City, Texas 76117

Hurst
Hurst Recreation Center
700 Mary Drive
Hurst, Texas 76053

Northeast Sub-Courthouse
645 Grapevine Highway
Hurst, Texas 76054

Keller Town Hall
1100 Bear Creek Parkway
Keller, Texas 76248

Kennedale Community Center
316 West 3rd Street
Kennedale, Texas 76060

Lake Worth
Northwest Sheriff’s Patrol
6651 Lake Worth Blvd
Lake Worth, Texas 76135

Mansfield Sub-Courthouse
1100 East Broad Street
Mansfield, Texas 76063

North Richland Hills Recreation Center
6720 Northeast Loop 820
North Richland Hills, Texas 76180

Saginaw City Hall
333 West McLeroy Boulevard
Saginaw, Texas 76179

Southlake Town Hall
1400 Main Street
Southlake, Texas 76092

White Settlement Recreation Center
8213 White Settlement Road
White Settlement, Texas 76108



Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Texas Wesleyan University UNT – Health Science Center in Fort Worth
John Naylor Student Activities Center Brown-Lupton Student Center Building A
1900 West Boyce Avenue 1108 South Collard Street 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard
Fort Worth Texas 76115 Fort Worth, Texas 76105 Fort Worth, Texas 76107

Tarrant County College Northeast Campus Tarrant County College South Campus
Technology & Arts Building NTAB Foyer Student Center Room SSTU 1112
828 Harwood Road 5301 Campus Drive
Hurst, Texas 76054 Fort Worth, Texas 76119

Tarrant County College Northwest Campus Tarrant County College Southeast Campus
WSTU 1303 North Ballroom
4801 Marine Creek Parkway 2100 Southeast Parkway
Fort Worth, Texas 76179 Arlington, Texas76018

UTA – University of Texas at Arlington TCU – Texas Christian University
Student Center Brown-Lupton University Union
300 W. 1st Street 2901 Stadium Drive
Arlington, Texas 76013 Fort Worth, Texas 76129

State Representative Marc Veasey Job Fair

Are you looking for a job???

State Representative Marc Veasey Job Fair

“Save the Date”

Wednesday, September 10, 2008
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Resource Connection Conference Center
2300 Circle Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76112

Business attire encouraged and please be sure to bring a current RESUME!!

This is a free event to the public of all ages.

Marc Veasey, State Representative
James E. Guinn/Tech Fort Worth
1120 South Freeway, Suite 121
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
Phone: (817) 339-1430
Fax: (817) 339-9352
Marc.Veasey@house.state.tx.us

In the Face of Kim Brimer: Courage abandons Republican Incumbent

The coward is not a gentleman, says Eddie Griffin, Fort Worth. So says other constituents:

Republican state Sen. Kim Brimer is so reluctant to face Democratic challenger Wendy Davis that he would rather file non-meritorious lawsuits than have the voters decide who is more qualified to serve as their state senator. State District Judge Tom Lowe upheld Davis’ position on every important disputed point. Brimer is apparently fearful of running on his Senate record and wants to avoid an exchange of ideas with the formidable Davis. This is understandable, given his poor record and her excellent qualifications. — Juana Byrd, Arlington

Brimer’s playing a political game, all right. It’s a new version of hide-and-seek where Brimer hides behind judges. (See J.R. Labbe column, "Blatant political game playing in Senate race?," July 27) Is that the focus of Brimer’s "high-profile" campaign? What about rising utility rates? Rising gas rates? Rising insurance rates? Air quality? Transportation, light rail, rush-hour gridlock? Unemployment and underemployment? High-profile campaigning is where you defend your voting record and lay out your positions on key issues. Possibly Brimer is hoping none of that comes about by playing musical judges.

The constituents of Senate District 10 should be able to choose their representation on the basis of the candidates’ position on issues important to them, not on political gamesmanship. Brimer’s silly games deny them that information and insult their intelligence. — Fred Harper, Fort Worth

Unlike J.R. Labbe, I think the 236th District Court gave a very definitive answer to the legal question of Davis’ eligibility to run for State Senate, and one that is highly unlikely to be overturned on appeal. However, even if there were unanswered legal questions, as Labbe suggests, Brimer has shown quite clearly that he doesn’t care about those questions. He didn’t even bother to show up to the courtroom for his own hearing.

My mother always told me that actions speak louder than words, and Brimer’s actions make him look like he is afraid to let the voters have their say in who represents them. I can only guess that’s because he knows that Davis is the stronger of the two candidates. — Jim Klimchock, Arlington

I have always voted Republican. But I’m voting for Wendy Davis. Sen. Kim Brimer has turned into "one of them." One of the "good guys" who have turned their backs on their constituents and are now part of the Big Business Machine running things in Austin.

Case in point: Brimer was in a key position as a state senator, along with Chris Harris, to put some limits on just how badly the deregulated electricity market was going to be able to put the screws to us. They helped squelch every law out of the Regulated Industries Committee that would have somewhat protected consumers. Don’t believe me? Check it out. Their excuse? They didn’t want to regulate "free enterprise." What a joke! — John T. Johnson III, Arlington

Free Online Training on Economic Stimulus Payments

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

ALERT TO: Low-Income Retirees, Disabled Veterans and Low-Wage Earners

Starting in May, more than 130 million households will receive an economic stimulus payment from the Internal Revenue Service. Most people don't need to do anything special to get a payment; they can just file their taxes as usual and the IRS will do the rest.

But millions of people who are usually exempt from filing tax returns -- including low-income retirees, disabled veterans and low-wage earners -- must file a return in order to receive their payment.

You can help by serving as a resource for the individuals and families in your community.

The National Women's Law Center is hosting a free webinar to give service providers and advocates the information they need on the economic stimulus payments, including:

* Who's eligible for the payments
* How much the payments can be worth
* What individuals and families need to do to apply for the payments
* When individuals and families will receive the payments
* Tools that can help organizations educate the public

Register today for this webinar (free but registration required):

"Economic Stimulus Payments: What Families Need to Know"

Thursday, March 20, 2008 - 3:00 p.m. Eastern (Note: 2 pm CST)

To register, go to: http://action.nwlc.org/stimuluswebinar

These webinars are part of the National Women's Law Center's Citi Education Series on Family Economic Security: www.nwlc.org/educationseries

The Cause of the Poor: Ever before Me

Mosley Knocked Out of Commissioner Court Race via Self-Defeat

Commentary by Eddie Griffin

Thursday, January 31, 2008

I am not ashamed to say that I represent “the poorest of the poor”. Any local public official knows that I will engage in protests and demonstrations on behalf of the poor. If necessary, I use grassroots organizing to put people in front of the faces of our elected officeholders. I don’t think kindly of criticism, because you criticize, not me, but the poor in destitute.

There is no greater defender of the cause of the poor than incumbent Roy C. Brooks, Tarrant County Commissioner, Precinct 1. Challenging his seat is an unknown Cory L. Mosley.

What do we know about the challenger?

I know nothing of Ms. Mosley except that, by entering the race for Commissioners Court, she impedes the cause of the poor. A leader must be proven in the field, and Lord knows I have beaten Roy Brooks over the head with the plight of the poor, and he heard our cry through this incumbent’s voice.

I have never seen this woman, Cora Mosley, in my life, and Roy Brook should be tired of looking at me every day, and hearing me cry in his ear, everywhere he goes. I guess you can call me a stalker. But that’s my job, stalking officeholders and office seekers.

Brooks, the lone Democrat on the Commissioners Court, is always challenged to raise the issues of the poor, such as addressing the high infant mortality in the African-American community, poverty and homelessness- not to say the less, also for ex-offenders like me, to become re-socialized and integrated back into the community through the Commissioner’s Reentry Initiative.

A Whiff of Mosley

I caught a brief glance of Ms. Mosley and a whiff of her as she made a swift exit- even before she took the podium at the TCU Democratic Rally on Saturday. At the rally were all the powerhouse Democrats, supporters, and volunteers. There was energy in the room, from all races and economic and class background- the broadest base of the local Democratic power base- and Ms. Mosley exited the rally, “with a more important function”, i.e. her “political club” meeting.

Here was the largest political club of allegiance, and Ms. Mosley cut out before I could light into her. On the other hand, when Roy Brooks mounted the podium, FIRED UP & READY TO GO, he inspired the room, a proven leader among the Democratic Party, second generation of the famous Brooks family civil rights legacy, son of the eminent late Dr. Marion Brooks, Ms. Mosley “Knocked Out of Commissioner Court via Self-Defeat”. She bowed out of a room, full of greatest, to get together with petty little friends in a lust for office. On the Commissioners court, she would be lion’s food.