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‘Other debate’ finds Mincberg not mincing words
  
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By MICHAEL REED
Some might have found it kind of heavy fare right after lunch, but at the county judge’s debate Friday, challenger David Mincberg certainly supplied plenty of choice words for guests to chew on during their drives back to work.
Held at the Junior League Tea Room, the Democratic challenger to Ed Emmett came out swinging from the onset, assailing the county judge over his handling of the fate of the Astrodome moments after the first question was asked.
“He wanted it torn down,” Mincberg said. “He fails to be consistent.”
Emmett responded that he favors saving the structure, but while the Astrodome Redevelopment Corporation is furthest along with plans toward that end, “they have to show me the money … they haven’t done that yet.”
He added that in its present condition the fire marshal would not allow it to be used as office space, let alone a public venue.
Mincberg stepped up his attack on the topic of care given by the hospital district, saying the focus should shift to preventative care, and that Emmett’s policies are part of the reason Harris County is among the most unisured metropolitan areas in the nation.
Emmett, seeming slightly taken aback, responded, “The good news is, David, you aren’t accusing me wanting to tear down the hospitals.”
The judge then said he supported having better clinics and wants to rely more on mobile units for health care, adding, “a lot of the time people aren’t able to go (to health facilities).”
Both Emmett and Mincberg said they have taken campaign money from political action committees with the former describing his PAC contributions as “not a huge number,” and latter saying his total amounted to about “one-half of a percent” of his contributions.
At that point, Mincberg took up one his chief campaign themes — county corruption. He asked Emmett why it was OK for the county judge to take campaign contributions from people who have contracts coming before the county commission for approval.
He pointed to a statement made two decades ago by Emmett, while he campaigned for railroad commissioner, saying such practices were “fundamentally wrong.”
Emmett responded that the situations were different, in part, because the county cannot legally put contracts up for bid without violating state laws on architecture.
He added that, “I'm the only person who's on this stand who's presented an ethics plan at all. In fact, David's called my plan terrific.”
Emmett questioned his opponent’s tenure as chairman and chief executive officer of Flagship Properties Corporation, saying “he’s been sued hundreds of times” for injuries and safety issues before doing a commendable job of making needed improvements.
Mincberg thanked him for the “backhanded compliment,” but said the judge exaggerated the number of legal actions, adding there were 100,000 people living on the properties and “for $45” anyone can file a lawsuit.
“I’m proud of fixing them up,” Mincberg said. “I’ll put that against being an influence peddler and a lobbyist.”
Emmett said he has never been a lobbyist, but had to register as one “10 or 12 years ago,” because he was in charge of a trade association.
“Registered as a lobbyist, but not a lobbyist,” Mincberg said, “to me just epitomizes folks who have made a career out of being politicians. ”
On other points made at the event sponsored by Houston Intown Chamber of Commerce and Houston Association of Realtors:
Mincberg said the promise of free roads would never be kept under Emmett, who countered roads are not paid for individually, roadway systems are.
On appraisal district caps lower than 10 percent, Emmett was in favor, but only as “Band-Aids,” while Mincberg opposed such a move.
Emmett said during his tenure the county’s bond rating had gone from AA to AAA. Mincberg said the county had “embarked on risky financial moves.”
Emmett took exception to his opponent’s advertisements criticizing the handling of Hurricane Ike.
Both candidates boasted of good relationships with Houston Mayor Bill White.
What the county judge does:
Presides over the Commissioners Court, which is the administrative head of Harris County government;
Serves as chairman of the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department;
Administers applications for beer and wine licenses;
Presides over requests for delayed birth and death certificates;
Serves as spokesman ceremonial leader of the county;
Oversees the Office of Emergency Management and the Planning Council for the Ryan White HIV services program.
Held at the Junior League Tea Room, the Democratic challenger to Ed Emmett came out swinging from the onset, assailing the county judge over his handling of the fate of the Astrodome moments after the first question was asked.
“He wanted it torn down,” Mincberg said. “He fails to be consistent.”
Emmett responded that he favors saving the structure, but while the Astrodome Redevelopment Corporation is furthest along with plans toward that end, “they have to show me the money … they haven’t done that yet.”
He added that in its present condition the fire marshal would not allow it to be used as office space, let alone a public venue.
Mincberg stepped up his attack on the topic of care given by the hospital district, saying the focus should shift to preventative care, and that Emmett’s policies are part of the reason Harris County is among the most unisured metropolitan areas in the nation.
Emmett, seeming slightly taken aback, responded, “The good news is, David, you aren’t accusing me wanting to tear down the hospitals.”
The judge then said he supported having better clinics and wants to rely more on mobile units for health care, adding, “a lot of the time people aren’t able to go (to health facilities).”
Both Emmett and Mincberg said they have taken campaign money from political action committees with the former describing his PAC contributions as “not a huge number,” and latter saying his total amounted to about “one-half of a percent” of his contributions.
At that point, Mincberg took up one his chief campaign themes — county corruption. He asked Emmett why it was OK for the county judge to take campaign contributions from people who have contracts coming before the county commission for approval.
He pointed to a statement made two decades ago by Emmett, while he campaigned for railroad commissioner, saying such practices were “fundamentally wrong.”
Emmett responded that the situations were different, in part, because the county cannot legally put contracts up for bid without violating state laws on architecture.
He added that, “I'm the only person who's on this stand who's presented an ethics plan at all. In fact, David's called my plan terrific.”
Emmett questioned his opponent’s tenure as chairman and chief executive officer of Flagship Properties Corporation, saying “he’s been sued hundreds of times” for injuries and safety issues before doing a commendable job of making needed improvements.
Mincberg thanked him for the “backhanded compliment,” but said the judge exaggerated the number of legal actions, adding there were 100,000 people living on the properties and “for $45” anyone can file a lawsuit.
“I’m proud of fixing them up,” Mincberg said. “I’ll put that against being an influence peddler and a lobbyist.”
Emmett said he has never been a lobbyist, but had to register as one “10 or 12 years ago,” because he was in charge of a trade association.
“Registered as a lobbyist, but not a lobbyist,” Mincberg said, “to me just epitomizes folks who have made a career out of being politicians. ”
On other points made at the event sponsored by Houston Intown Chamber of Commerce and Houston Association of Realtors:
Mincberg said the promise of free roads would never be kept under Emmett, who countered roads are not paid for individually, roadway systems are.
On appraisal district caps lower than 10 percent, Emmett was in favor, but only as “Band-Aids,” while Mincberg opposed such a move.
Emmett said during his tenure the county’s bond rating had gone from AA to AAA. Mincberg said the county had “embarked on risky financial moves.”
Emmett took exception to his opponent’s advertisements criticizing the handling of Hurricane Ike.
Both candidates boasted of good relationships with Houston Mayor Bill White.
What the county judge does:
Presides over the Commissioners Court, which is the administrative head of Harris County government;
Serves as chairman of the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department;
Administers applications for beer and wine licenses;
Presides over requests for delayed birth and death certificates;
Serves as spokesman ceremonial leader of the county;
Oversees the Office of Emergency Management and the Planning Council for the Ryan White HIV services program.
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