Dead Man Walking
Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth sent this email out yesterday:
“The Commissioners Court recently approved salary increases for certain elected officials, including an increase in my authorized salary to $305,000. I appreciate the Commissioners Court’s action and recognition of the responsibilities and demands of serving in this role.
However, the approved salary increase was not accompanied by additional funding and would have to be absorbed within the County Clerk’s existing budget. At this time, I have chosen not to accept the newly approved salary.
My immediate focus remains ensuring the resources available to the County Clerk’s Office are directed toward filling the positions requested during the budget process and maintaining the staffing needed to effectively serve Harris County residents and fulfill our statutory responsibilities.”
I guess this is a good thing.
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On Flock cameras being misused, if a cop uses the Flock system to check out an ex or an ex’s significant other, it should be an automatic forfeiture of their peace officer license. No ifs, ands, or buts on this. We don’t need these types of folks in law enforcement. This needs to be the law – period.
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From the dead man walking department, this came out yesterday after the Astros fired General Manager Dana Brown. See this from NBC Sports:
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports that “one high-ranking Astros official said that Joe Espada will not receive a new contract after the season.”
Estrada will be able to manage the team for the remainder of the season, which will finish out his current contract. The Astros will then be looking for a new manager in the offseason. The Astros are just 65-66, but they are also tied for first place in the AL West, so there is still a chance Estrada can end his tenure on a high note.
We are now in second place. Interesting to say the least. Espada is a dead man walking and managing a second-place team still in the hunt for the AL West title. It is certainly worth watching if we are contending.
Espada will manage the next 31 games knowing this is his last season. See the featured photo on the front page of the Chron Sports Section today.
The Chron hard copy today has a ton of coverage on the Astros, including the good and bad moves of the fired GM. There is plenty of blame to go around. The GM, the manager, the players, and the owner and his advisors, have all chipped in to get us where we are. Remember José Abreu.
Former GM Brown is the scapegoat for now, with Espada next to be served up. Meanwhile, we have 13 games remaining at Daikin Park where Saint Arnold will still cost close to $20.