No Swimming

Commentary thinks H-Town needs a new parks director.  We have to keep our swimming pools open. Poor planning if you ask me. Here is from today’s Chron:

A lifeguard shortage is keeping most Houston community pools closed as summer arrives with near record temperatures.

Just 12 of 37 aquatic centers operated by the Parks and Recreation Department are scheduled to open for the season, and even fewer were welcoming swimmers Tuesday. The pools will each operate three days a week on a rotating basis as parks department officials seek lifeguards to fill vacancies.

That ratio marks a slight improvement on last year, when 10 aquatic centers opened amid widespread staffing shortages. City officials blamed the paucity of lifeguards on its inability to recruit high school and college students, who make up the majority of its summertime employees.

Here is the entire story: Houston’s lifeguard shortage keeps pools closed amid heat wave (houstonchronicle.com).

The story says H-Town pays $13.66 to $19 per hour for lifeguards.  The city needs to pay them more. Now that is where the pandemic dough should go.

I wonder how we compare to other big cities in terms of pools being kept open.  Not a good look.

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I was watching “Today” this morning and anchor Savannah Guthrie interviewed the lawyers for Johnny Depp. Savannah disclosed at the beginning of the interview that her husband, a PR bigwig, did work for the Depp legal team.  “Today” should have let Hoda Kotb or Craig Melvin handle the legal team interview. Kind of tone deaf. Also, not a good look.

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The Astros have a 9 ½ game lead. That is the biggest lead of any division leader.

I went to The Yard last night and had a couple of Dollar Dogs. Justin Verlander was outstanding.