Friday, January 8, 2010

Friday afternoon quarterback: Your predications for today's South Park ruling?

Today's the big day: the South Park decision is supposed to come down at around 3 p.m. Figures! Late on a Friday, nothing is easy for us scribes.

Before the big ruling, we thought we'd toss out this "open thread." We're curious to hear what y'all think. Any predictions? We'll revisit right back here after the BISD loses the judgement is released.

If you're right, it shall be immortalized on the intertubes -- and you can brag to all your pals. Go ahead, take a stab at it.



UPDATE 3:23 PM:

Here's how cold it is: we agree with S.

Hell has morphed into a hockey rink. Judge Wortham granted the Beaumont Heritage Society's injunction, giving the "Greenies" a victory and preserving South Park Middle School...for now. He kinda took the easy way out -- granting the injunction, yet not explicitly saying the district could not demolish the school using other monies (namely, ours). Now we begin the long slog towards, well, who knows: potential appeal, possible continued litigation and more dollars poured into the rabbit hole. All to see whether the district can possibly use non-bond funds to tear down South Park.

"Michael Getz, attorney for the plaintiffs, said he anticipates the district will try to make an "end run" to find a way to demolish the school using non bond funds." That sounds about right.

We use that term, victory, very loosely. If we were to make a little list, there are losers aplenty in this power grab.

The BISD, who will have a lot of 'splainin' to do
Taxpayers, who have (and will continue) to foot the litigation bill AND the possible non-bond funded demolition of the school
"Doc" Thomas, for obvious reasons
The public's trust in the district, who say one thing yet do another
The BISD bond, which voters approved and is now changing on a seemingly daily basis
And the biggest losers: The current South Park students, that will spend additional time (years even) in makeshift portables
The only winners here are the former South Park folk who fought so vociferously for their alma-mater; many of whom no longer live in Southeast Texas anymore. They win. They've cost the taxpayers a great deal of money, and the children who attend South Park a lot of time.


Everyone else? Not so much.

A cold day, indeed.


Posted by GATOR at 3:25 PM


32 Gator-baiters:

S. said...
BISD owns the property and should be able to do with it as it see fit.

Screw the Greenies.

Wortham is going to toss this out, Dr. Thomas scores another win, the kids in South Park win with a new school.

If he stupidly rules against BISD, I'm sure they can/will appeal, then they'll win.

It doesn't matter what Dr. Thomas promised to get votes, that has no bearing on what BISD can do with the property.

This whole thing is ridiculous. It's just a goddamn building.
January 8, 2010 12:49 PM

Anonymous said...
He will rule in favor of BISD.
January 8, 2010 1:24 PM

BQE said...
some of the greenies likely know wortham and so the tried and trusted "good ole boy" method will once again prevail and wortham will find some weak case law to once again prevent the people of southpark from getting the new school THEY want!!
January 8, 2010 1:49 PM

Jukebox said...
What a horrible lesson to teach our children.......that lying is okay. And, from no less than the superintendent of the school district. That sends a powerful message to the voters too. Promise anything. Reneg at will afterward. Wow. Whatever happened to honesty and trustworthyness from our leaders? Should those traits be a casualty as well? Let's hope not. Save South Park, please. It's NOT just a building. It's a Beaumont landmark. It's a piece of history. It belongs to the people. It belongs to future generations as well as a tangible place for it's alumni. Please save South Park.
January 8, 2010 1:59 PM

Anonymous said...
this is excatly why ppl dont like u guys. jukebox type all that and not one mention about the children in the community that the school serves!!

not to mention a majority of yall dont even live in soutpark!
January 8, 2010 2:06 PM

FF said...
In the great scheme of human activity, only a bunch of misguided, albeit retarded, Greenie rednecks would spend this much effort to save a goddamned building that should face the wrecking ball.

The Beaumont Enterprise was again (pooper) scooped by KBMT with its lead top story of the day:

“DOG FREEZES TO DEATH IN FRIGID TEMPERATURES.”

KBMT understands its audience of West End Wandas! Can’t argue with their priorities.

And why hasn’t The Bayou done a canine interest story about this poor, unfortunate pit bull’s ascension into Houndog Heaven?

Here in Port Arthur we had other forms of animal life that almost froze to death last night….but none so important as household pets.
January 8, 2010 2:18 PM

Greenie class of........... said...
We live in such a disposable day and time anyway. Ipods and cellphones mean more to a school kid today than learning from history anyhow. Let's just flush this whole silly education building thing down the tubes. New is better. Old is blahsay. A diploma is just a ticket for a job. It doesn't matter where it comes from. School pride is so outdated too. I mean, who cares anymore? Who cares about anything but getting the hell out anyway? Well..............we used to care a lot. Those of us who still do take pride in our halls of education. We LEARNED. We didn't just memorize to pass this week's test. And, you know something? It really didn't matter in what building or structure we were sitting in when we got our education. But, as time meanders on, it does. Places like Kyle Field mean the world to Aggies. But, to some of us, the best we can ever hope for is to preserve that little dab of brick and motar down on Highland Avenue that we call South Park. BISD has taken so much from us over the years. Why is it asking too much to save that one special building?
January 8, 2010 2:26 PM

Sneeky said...
Good for South Park. Between Thomas and the Clowns downtown they'd like to tear every old anything down and rebuild to suit their fancy and put a feather in their cap. I'd like to know how many of these kids are here illegally or their parents are - getting free educations while us tax payers are bent over the barrell being screwed in taxes! That's the "vast majority" that they are wanting to cater too - and I for one - even though I am of the same raza - am sick and tired of these people abusing our tax dollars to educate their kids for free. I congratulate Judge Wortham on his decision - and I hope this shows the people that Carrol Thomas is a broken record of wanting to constantly spend money instead of saving the tax payers money. When does he leave by the way?
January 8, 2010 4:02 PM

Anonymous said...
@ Sneeky,

You should read the press releases better an more carefully.

south park will be demolished.

South Park can not be demolished using BOND MONEY.

It CAN be demolished using other money though.
January 8, 2010 4:14 PM

Texie said...
God bless Judge Wortham for making the right decision and knocking Carroll Thomas off his throne. Thomas is a crook and a liar. He feels he is above the law and could care less about what the students/parents either need or want. Thomas lied when he said they wouldn't tear down South Park. The school is in good shape. The school board is nothing more than YES men/women to Thomas. The students have won...the only way they can lose is if Thomas keeps this going thru the courts. The Greenies are winners. Those who don't understand and I see two on here who don't...well ya'll are the losers...
January 8, 2010 4:28 PM

Anonymous said...
Anglo people of Beaumont, leave, the battle is lost. Move to Lumberton, Orange County, Hardin Jefferson ISD. You can still go to work in Beaumont, but don't stay there after dark. It will become just like Pt Arthur AKA Little Detroit. The city government stinks, the county government stinks, and BISD is a joke. Why are you staying?????
January 8, 2010 4:51 PM

Anonymous said...
Thomas needs to go! If he demolishes the school with non-bond money, it will only solidify the inherent finding by the court that he is deceptive.
January 8, 2010 4:52 PM

Uncle Remus said...
Gator, answer this for me (seriously). Why do the black race think they are due special treatment or entitlements? Really Why? Its like they think every other nationality because they are not black dont exist. Just thinking out loud.
January 8, 2010 4:57 PM

edoyle7 said...
thomas wants it torn down, let him use his own money. He makes plenty.
January 8, 2010 5:19 PM

Sneeky said...
@anonymous - thank you for your suggestion - however I DID read the press release - thank you ever so much - and I think this is a victory for the Greenies - and still think that it won't be torn down - Thomas knows he still has a fight on his hands.
January 8, 2010 5:35 PM

Congratulations said...
Why does Thomas HAVE to build a new school on the EXACT spot of the landmark building when there is plenty of room on the back lot facing Maddox Street? It's a personal vendetta to make sure that the last remaining original building of the former South Park ISD is vanquished from the face of the earth. That's evil pure and simple. Thomas is the face of satan. He's taken your money, your integrity and damaged the entire school district with lies and scandal. And, you fools will probably reward this evil with more money and acolades beyond the taxpayers wildest dreams. Sleep with the devil. Thomas owns Beaumont ISD. It's his and his alone. Sieg heil. Sieg heil. Sieg heil.
January 8, 2010 5:59 PM

Anonymous said...
I am glad Judge Wortham made his ruling this way. There is a win/win scenario. Try this one on for size. Why don't they sell the Admin building on IH10 (which is prime real estate), take the money and renovate the SPHS building for a new Admin building, build the new school on the open land behind the stadium. This would also bring much needed jobs to the south end. NO ONE would lose - and everyone would be winners. Does anyone at BISD or the media have the initiative to research this option so EVERYONE can WIN?
January 8, 2010 6:26 PM

Anonymous said...
Good for the judge - he finally preserved a building. I just hope BISD will lay this to rest and now do something useful with the building and not try to find some loophole to tear it down. BISD wake up and try to find a compromise now. I've seen a few good one's posted over the last few weeks. Step back, take a breath and do something positive to win back the trust of the public.
January 8, 2010 6:28 PM

Anonymous said...
This is not about race. It's about preserving history. People pay a lot of money to go visit Europe and wonder at old buildings. They go to the East Coast and marvel at the historic old homes and buildings. If we don't preserve them in our area, we'll have nothing of our past to look and marvel. It's a wonderful building. Save it. Do something constructive, not destructive. The kids can still have a new building, just don't tear down the old one. think outside the box!
January 8, 2010 6:30 PM

Anonymous said...
This is comical to watch. Jeff Co, along with Beaumont has been a Democrat stronghold since Reconstruction. It's been an uneasy alliance with the old money, lawyers and blacks. Like it or not, Beaumont has a black majority now.

The high taxes have led to white flight. What's remained are the blacks and illegals. Each passing year there will be fewer white people and middle class earners. What's left are the welfare class.

Beaumont's chickens are coming home to roost. The lawyers and old money have stifled (with superb mastery) any political opposition whatsover.

The blacks are fond of the southerner's (even you Dems) out there treatment of them and now they have a consensus. The building will be on the ground within two years. Next.
January 8, 2010 6:54 PM

Anonymous said...
are NOT fond, I mean to say above.
January 8, 2010 6:54 PM

Anonymous said...
"Try this one on for size. Why don't they sell the Admin building on IH10 (which is prime real estate), take the money and renovate the SPHS building for a new Admin building, build the new school on the open land behind the stadium. This would also bring much needed jobs to the south end. NO ONE would lose - and everyone would be winners. Does anyone at BISD or the media have the initiative to research this option so EVERYONE can WIN?"

This is freakin genius! Anon 6:26 you should run for some kind of local office!
January 8, 2010 8:34 PM

One Voice said...
If you read these comments carefully and completely, you will find the common thread of racism is well woven within them. The "Greenies" or whatever they call themselves, don't live in South Park. It is no longer good enough for them, but because they view this building as the site of the last bastion of segregation, they want to preserve it. Sad but true; racism is alive in Southeast Texas.
January 8, 2010 8:41 PM

Eva LaCour said...
THIS SCHOOL BOARD IS THE MOST CROOKED AND SNEAKY AND VENGEFUL I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE. SEVERAL MEMBERS HAVE SAID THEY HATE LOOKING AT SOUTH PARK B/C IT REMINDS THEM OF DESEGREGATION. MY GOD. GIVE ME A BREAK. THIS WAS HOW LONG AGO? WE ARE SUPPOSED TO MOVE ON, BUT WITH PEOPLE LIKE PAUL BROWN AND CARROLL THOMAS, HISTORY HAS NO CHANCE IN BEAUMONT AND TENSE RACE RELATIONS WILL REMAIN AS LONG AS BROWN AND HIS CRONIES AND VENDETTAS REMAIN AND FUEL THE FIRE
January 8, 2010 10:06 PM

WrinkledShirts said...
Gator, I would love to bust at the seams on ye ole blog but for some reason I am biting my tongue on this bitterly cold evening. For now I'll continue to protect my sweet, southern reputation.
January 8, 2010 10:12 PM

Buddy said...
Thomas and the board should be present for the demolition. They should be seated inside the school so they can get a first hand look at its destruction so they can be sure its done right.
January 9, 2010 7:07 AM

PJ said...
Now can they just go ahead and start the renovations, get those kids out of the portables, and spend no more money on litigation, please?

One more thing -- how do the out-of-town Greenies plan to support the school?
January 9, 2010 7:34 AM

Anne said...
Isn't it true that the South Park building is still full of asbestos? Removing all that would be a huge, expensive operation. Maybe it's already been done, can't remember. When reunions are held for SPHS grads of all ages, they always enjoy re-visiting the school. That said, I think the youth of the South Park community deserve a modern, clean, air conditioned school to be proud of. School memories should be of good times, friends and teachers and the quality of education that students share. The building is just the vessel. My parents, my siblings, my children and my grandchildren all went to South Park. Go out there, take some nice photos and remember the place that way.Time marches on.
January 9, 2010 7:49 AM

S. said...
Wow!

This ruling either makes Bob Wortham the slickest politician this side of the Pedernales River or he really IS as dumb as he looks.
January 9, 2010 9:31 AM

Anonymous said...
Hear, hear Anne!! Very well stated!!!
January 9, 2010 10:45 AM

S. said...
Hey FF!

Did you hear the one about how the taxpayers of Beaumont paid for a DOG AUTOPSY?

But the DOG PATHOLOGIST couldn't figure out if the cur popsicle froze to death before it starved.

Yeah, I thought it was a joke too.
January 9, 2010 5:35 PM

What's up with that? said...
I thought the FBI was looking into alegations against Thomas. Isn't tearing down the South Park building the same as tampering with evidence?
January 9, 2010 5:38 PM