1. That’s a non-starter in the current environment of COA government and you know that. Any councilmember who takes on your proposal is writing their political death warrant. I’m not saying that you don’t have a point about you get what you pay for, but in a world where elected officials are concerned about being re-elected they know how exactly unpopular your proposal would be. Add to that, the backlash from APD, AFD and ATCEMS would be tremendous.
2. Project Connect has fucked future bond propositions. It’s going to be an uphill battle from now on. Sure, there was a confluence of issues, but the simple fact that planners totally forgot to take CVC restrictions into account on Congress Avenue is totally incompetent and, contrary to what you might believe, is negligence to sell something to the voters that is not possible given laws that are on the books.
3. Agree. If people paid more attention at a local level, our communities would all be better places to live. I’ve been impressed how accessible my city council member here in Houston is. Given, I do donate to her so I won’t pretend that I’m not buying some level of access.