Major federal violations are coming down against METRO related to its Light Rail system — putting two of its three expansion projects on hold.
The Federal Transit Administration on Wednesday said METRO violated federal laws when it came to purchasing rail cars from Spanish manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, or CAF.
In a letter delivered to METRO’s leaders, the FTA claimed METRO and CAF “made an effort to bypass numerous federal rules” during the procurement and awarding of contracts to purchase the cars.
“These rules are designed to ensure the integrity of procurements involving taxpayer funds and the requirement to use taxpayer funds in a manner to maximize the creation and sustainment of well-paying jobs here at home,” wrote Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff.
That means two of the three Light Rail projects in Houston are now on hold. Rogoff added that he believes Houston commuters should still have access to transit improvements, however.
The estimated cost of the North and Southeast Corridor projects is more than $1.5 billion total, with a projected federal investment of $900 million combined.
METRO will now have to rebid in order to quality for the federal grant. The FTA said METRO will be required to submit a written affirmation of its intention to rebid the contract and detail its plan to achieve full compliance with all federal requirements.
More about this investigation will be learned at a 3 p.m. news conference on Wednesday.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.5.2
Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the fatal stabbing of a man at 6120 Bellaire Boulevard about 3:20 a.m. on Tuesday (Sept. 7).
The suspect, Mario Armando Servin-Pedraza (H/m, DOB: 12-4-89), is charged with murder in the 232nd State District Court.
The victim, Hector Medina Guerrero, 36, of the above address, suffered multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
HPD Homicide Division Sergeant W. Meeler and Senior Police Officer J.
Selvera reported:
An ongoing feud between Mr. Guerrero and Servin-Pedraza escalated into Servin-Pedraza stabbing Guerrero at Guerrero’s home. Servin-Pedraza, who confessed to his role in the killing, was arrested without incident.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.5.2
PRESS RELEASE: The Houston Professional Fire Fighters
Association announced today it will immediately appeal the firings of three
Houston Fire Department firefighters after a city investigation failed
to identify who added a racially insensitive comment to an electronic
patient care record several months ago.
Late Tuesday, Acting Fire Chief Rick Flanagan “indefinitely suspended”
the firefighters from Station 55. The firings will be appealed today to an
independent hearing examiner, the HPFFA said.
HPFFA President Jeff Caynon stated, “This inept city investigation –
which could not identify who wrote the comment – caused yet another
injustice for Houston firefighters and their families. Firing three
people for the despicable actions of a single person is legally and morally
wrong.”
When abusive investigative tactics by the city Office of Inspector
General failed, Caynon said, Flanagan simply fired all three firefighters
after they refused to admit to the city’s allegations and rejected 60-day
suspensions. The HPFFA alleges city investigators repeatedly violated state
law by denying the firefighters access to HPFFA or
legal representation during questioning. The firefighters were
questioned for up to six hours at a time.
Caynon added, “It’s ironic that one of Rick Flanagan’s final acts as
acting chief was to protect a firefighter who was videotaped allegedly
committing a crime in an HFD uniform yet he then fired firefighters
after an investigation that proved nothing – except his willingness to
destroy the reputations or careers of men whose innocence or guilt he
cannot determine. We are troubled by the city’s pattern of treatment of
firefighters in recent high-profile investigations – from the debunked
‘noose’ incident last year to the alleged HFD Station 54 graffiti
incident and now this travesty.”
Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.5.2
Statement from the Houston Fire Department
|
|
The Houston Fire Department confirms that disciplinary action was taken against three members regarding an incident in which a racial epithet was entered into an emergency medical record. The discipline was administered following due process for the members. Use of such language as described in the related complaint constitutes a violation of public trust and will not be tolerated by the Houston Fire Department.
One member received an indefinite suspension. Two other members were offered 60-day suspensions in lieu of indefinite suspension. Both chose indefinite suspension. All three are afforded the opportunity to appeal to a hearing examiner, as specified by contract. All three have chosen to appeal.
|
EVERYTHING IS ABOUT THE SCHOOL IS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!
It could be everything you want to know about Southern University right at your fingertips. The
Insite received word
the History of Southern University is now available online. The collection includes photographs, text documents, founding documents and biographies…It’s all you could ever want and need about the Historically Black College in Louisiana!
The link to go there: http://contentdm.auctr.edu/cdm4/browse.php?CISOROOT=/suam
Recent Comments