tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post1553349819082571350..comments2024-01-04T07:10:10.122-06:00Comments on The Muckraker: I Say Good-bye.Sal Costellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09480127461297425532noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-32332744279761843192009-01-19T15:20:00.000-06:002009-01-19T15:20:00.000-06:00Good luck Sal. You will be missed. Thanks for al...Good luck Sal. You will be missed. Thanks for all the work you did to clean up politics in Austin!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-11280603672122837182008-11-22T03:09:00.000-06:002008-11-22T03:09:00.000-06:00GOOD LUCK SAL. I HOPE YOU MOVE BACK TO AUSTIN SOME...GOOD LUCK SAL. I HOPE YOU MOVE BACK TO AUSTIN SOMEDAY. IF THE CITY HAD ANY SCRUPLES THEY WOULD NAME A ROAD AFTER YOU CONSIDERING ALL YOUR TIRELESS AND SELFLESS EFFORTS: "THE SAL COSTELLO EXPRESSWAY"...... HAS A NICE RING TO IT!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-22058928191089150592008-11-21T19:46:00.000-06:002008-11-21T19:46:00.000-06:00On November 20, 2008 Pharr District Maintenance Ad...On November 20, 2008 Pharr District Maintenance Administrator Chano Falcon 56 was sentenced in Federal Court in McAllen Tx. to 5 years in Federal Prison for demanding money from contractors before he would certify their work on highway projects as complete, as per “The Monitor” McAllen based newspaper. U.S. District Judge Randy Crane said he intended Falcon’s sentence to send a message to other public officials. The other two section managers Ray Llanes and Noe Beltran will be sentenced on December 4, 2008 on similar charges.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-86788442238508971072008-11-17T08:58:00.000-06:002008-11-17T08:58:00.000-06:00Sal, you inspired me to activism and opened my eye...Sal, you inspired me to activism and opened my eyes to the corruption here in Austin and you definitely will be missed. We will continue to investigate and expose those elitist criminals who put their own interests ahead of the people.<BR/><BR/>God bless you and your family!<BR/><BR/>P.S. Wish I'd known you'd needed more help back when it would have mattered most!Gordon Waltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11560758745386069358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-884507582351319802008-11-17T07:57:00.000-06:002008-11-17T07:57:00.000-06:00I liked knowing you were around, Sal. Best wishes...I liked knowing you were around, Sal. Best wishes downstate and keep blogging!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-71880286417435225982008-11-14T14:48:00.000-06:002008-11-14T14:48:00.000-06:00Man! Again I'm mentioned alongside the great Tim R...Man! Again I'm mentioned alongside the great Tim Russert. To kind. The ultimate compliment that I could never live up to.<BR/><BR/>You the man Dan!<BR/><BR/>Folks, Dan coined the phrase "AustinTollParty" and I made into a website and an informal name for our group.<BR/><BR/>And, yes. I might post something new here a handful of times a year.<BR/><BR/>Your Pal Sal,<BR/>: )Sal Costellohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09480127461297425532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-66536227209210120542008-11-14T14:33:00.000-06:002008-11-14T14:33:00.000-06:00From Dan Jasinski, a heartfelt thanks to Sal and h...From Dan Jasinski, a heartfelt thanks to Sal and his family for his (& their) time, efforts, and sacrifices for the common good of all (against the self-serving greed of special interests). FYI, Sal, I intend to continue to provide citizen's comments locally against the corrupting troller consortium. I, too, miss Russ and Sal with my morning coffee.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-5761799867350539742008-11-14T11:51:00.000-06:002008-11-14T11:51:00.000-06:00Since I told Sal my good-byes a couple of days ago...Since I told Sal my good-byes a couple of days ago on this blog, I just wanted to add a little something. <BR/><BR/>This is totally off-subject, but I thought some of you might want to know...Last night, I saw on KXAN that two candidates are considering a run for Austin mayor in 2009. That is when Wynn's term is up, right? Anyway, it is Brewster McCracken, OF COURSE! And our favorite "Anti-toll Tough Grandma", Carole Keeton Strayhorn. Now, she did not do so well in Austin during the last Gubernatoral race. So she will need a lot of people talking up her anti-toll platform. But she has been Austin's mayor before (from 1977 to 1983), and as Comptroller she was surely against the TTC and PPPs. She would make a great addition to the CAMPO board...definately someone on OUR side. If you haven't seen this in the news yet, I thought ya'll might like to know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-62233198375785122042008-11-14T10:13:00.000-06:002008-11-14T10:13:00.000-06:00Agreed! Even posts every other month or every sem...Agreed! Even posts every other month or every semester about toll road malfeance across the country would be a gem of a resource.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-15680165058765358502008-11-14T02:19:00.000-06:002008-11-14T02:19:00.000-06:00HEY SAL, WHAT ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL: KEEP THE BLOG R...HEY SAL, WHAT ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL: KEEP THE BLOG RUNNING AND JUST ADD A POST WHENEVER YOU HAVE THE TIME. SINCE YOU'RE NOT IN AUSTIN AND WILL NO LONGER BE A LOCAL ACTIVIST, PERHAPS YOU COULD STILL REPORT THE NEWS HERE??? I MEAN WE COULD BEGAN TO HAVE SOME REAL SUCCESS KNOCKING DOWN TOLL ROAD PLANS HERE WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO. WITH MORE AND MORE CAMPO MEMBERS VOTED OUT OF OFFICE. DEMOCRATS GAINING POWER WITHIN THE STATE. AND WITH RICK PERRY POTENTIALLY GETTING KICKED OUT OF OFFICE IN 2010. ETC. ETC. WE COULD REALLY USE THIS SITE AS A POINT OF REFERENCE TO EDUCATE OTHERS- WHICH WOULD HELP IF IT LOOKED UPDATED, EVEN IF ONLY ONCE PER QUARTER.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-46330757550017172432008-11-13T16:26:00.000-06:002008-11-13T16:26:00.000-06:00Hey Everyone,Please see the links to "Muckraker Go...Hey Everyone,<BR/><BR/>Please see the links to "Muckraker Gold" on the right side of this blog to find great articles and dirty corrupt politicos who ignore the public will.<BR/><BR/>Your Pal Sal<BR/>: )Sal Costellohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09480127461297425532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-63472716567482709662008-11-13T16:24:00.000-06:002008-11-13T16:24:00.000-06:00Hey Nate,This blog will stay up.Thanks - EnjoySal:...Hey Nate,<BR/><BR/>This blog will stay up.<BR/><BR/>Thanks - Enjoy<BR/>Sal<BR/>: )Sal Costellohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09480127461297425532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-59295612658396415262008-11-13T16:11:00.000-06:002008-11-13T16:11:00.000-06:00Sal. I've never seen any activist organization th...Sal. I've never seen any activist organization that I was interested in that had the success that yours had. We can all learn by your example. I know it was tough on you and I appreciate and respect the tremendous amount of work and time you spent.<BR/><BR/>Just this blog was an enormous effort. I truly hope you leave up this blog. I know many people still use this as a reference.<BR/><BR/>I wish you and your family well in your new life.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again, you will be missed, NateAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-72328616292990108702008-11-13T14:40:00.000-06:002008-11-13T14:40:00.000-06:00Sal... We're gonna miss you man. A big bucket ...Sal...<BR/> We're gonna miss you man. A big bucket of thanks for your efforts to keep me (us) informed about who was (is) pulling the strings on the Toll ripoff scheme.<BR/> Give your wife a hug from Austin for helping us out... at least 90% of Austin REALLY appreciates what you've done here.<BR/> Take care... and keep in touch.<BR/> W2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-35359789825357187722008-11-13T05:54:00.000-06:002008-11-13T05:54:00.000-06:00One of the great emails I could share:Dear SalWe h...One of the great emails I could share:<BR/><BR/>Dear Sal<BR/><BR/>We have been out of town visiting family, and I just now saw the news about your moving. I thought something was in the works because of your recent slow-down in posting. I hope you and your family enjoy your new community. Coupland is about that size, and we are trying to preserve the good qualities of a very small town.<BR/> <BR/>Thanks for all your work over the years. You accomplished so much, and I don't know if there is anyone else who can or will take your place in the leadership against tolls, first, and then against the Corridor. I remember the first time we talked. I saw your ad against the toll road system in the Statesman and called to talk to you about the Corridor. You said you were getting ready to send out an email against tolls and would add something against the Corridor if I could get you a brief statement, which I did. Thanks for all your subsequent work against the Corridor.<BR/> <BR/>Again, hope you can find peace in your new home. Sometimes I wonder if I had known of all the threats we would have to fight in our area, beginning with the Austin airport north of Manor in the 80's, would we have decided to settle on my husband's family farm, or would we have gone someplace else. Decades of fighting, rather than doing something else. Oh well . . .<BR/> <BR/>Sincerely,<BR/>S.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-41974812639257910462008-11-12T13:59:00.000-06:002008-11-12T13:59:00.000-06:00Sorry to hear you go man! Too bad you didn't have ...Sorry to hear you go man! Too bad you didn't have an apprentice in training, or DID YOU??? Anyone else out there up for taking over the fight?? For the sake of all humanity in Austin I hope someone can fill your shoes Sal................<BR/><BR/>Peace brother and thanks for all you've accomplished here!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-38688084971613010432008-11-12T12:32:00.000-06:002008-11-12T12:32:00.000-06:00Sal,Thanks for shining a big bright light on this ...Sal,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for shining a big bright light on this issue. <BR/><BR/>Good for you for having the wisdom and grace to know when to say when.<BR/><BR/>Best of luck with your endeavors in Illinois!Freak Politicshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18307367849096268865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-40060064474564710382008-11-11T13:27:00.000-06:002008-11-11T13:27:00.000-06:00We'll miss the hell outta you Sal. As a member of...We'll miss the hell outta you Sal. As a member of a 391 commission, I can tell you this blog was an invaluable resource and a constant source of motivation when things looked bleak. I pledge to keep up the fight on the TTC for you and all expatriots. Although your talents can not be replaced, we need someone to take up the mantle in your stead.<BR/><BR/>God speed.............Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-16307445275322584612008-11-10T18:55:00.000-06:002008-11-10T18:55:00.000-06:0011:15 AM,Man, your telling me...I miss Tim Russert...11:15 AM,<BR/><BR/>Man, your telling me...I miss Tim Russert too. He was the best. Great reporter who always did his homework...and he always had the right tone and temperament.<BR/><BR/>Your Pal Sal<BR/>: )Sal Costellohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09480127461297425532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-19705213402114106722008-11-10T17:21:00.000-06:002008-11-10T17:21:00.000-06:00Adios Amigo! I'm sure you can find some tollers up...Adios Amigo! I'm sure you can find some tollers up there.<BR/><BR/>Craig YoungAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-24043116409798832182008-11-10T14:17:00.000-06:002008-11-10T14:17:00.000-06:00Sal, best wishes on your new ventures. Small towns...Sal, best wishes on your new ventures. Small towns are the birthplaces of America. I too am leaving Texas very soon for a town even smaller. Time to leave the rats to their races. I can live self sufficienty much easier where I am going. My plan is also to help others although getting paid for it will be a rarity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-5874796465188198712008-11-10T11:42:00.000-06:002008-11-10T11:42:00.000-06:00Best wishes, Sal.Best wishes, Sal.Wes Benedicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11216101996333962849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-89072041676141942412008-11-10T11:34:00.000-06:002008-11-10T11:34:00.000-06:00Take Care Sal, Great job over the years. You effor...Take Care Sal, Great job over the years. You efforts for Austin were amazing. Good Luck in Illinois.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-45713044478730989552008-11-10T11:15:00.000-06:002008-11-10T11:15:00.000-06:00Sal,I am still mourning the loss of Tim Russert, a...Sal,<BR/><BR/>I am still mourning the loss of Tim Russert, as I always looked forward to Sunday mornings of good coffee and Meet The Press. And what did I do every other morning of the week? Make my coffee and sit down to read your blog, The Muckraker. I have been missing your entries for several months, and to think you are gone for good is almost too much to bear. I have no idea who will fill the void you are leaving. <BR/><BR/>As a fellow citizen of Southwest Travis County, I often spoke out to my friends and neighbors against the pro-toll politicians Gerald Daughterey, Brewster McCracken, Dawna Dukes, Nyle Maxwell, Kirk Watson, and Rick Perry. I learned so much from you. I always admired your obsession for getting documents and information against these crooks. And, it saddens me greatly that there is probably a huge smirk on the face of Kirk Watson and Brewster McCracken knowing that you have moved away, and their lives just got a lot easier. <BR/><BR/>I used to wonder how your family dealt with your public outcry against the Tollroad Establishment. You were the spokesperson against tolls on the news and in the media publications of Central Texas. That must have been so hard on your family. I want to thank your wife for putting up with as much of it as she could while you were here, because you really did an amazing service to us all, especially those of us living in Oak Hill.<BR/><BR/>I wish you well in Illinois. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done for me and my family. Those CAMPO meetings will never be the same without you! :o)<BR/><BR/>VTHAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974737.post-75528726519266842452008-11-10T10:52:00.000-06:002008-11-10T10:52:00.000-06:00I wish you well.I wish you well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com