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Ed Cyganiewicz is doing great in his quest to become District 43's State Representative. Early voting is already underway and will end November 1st. Of course if you miss out on the early voting, the general election is November 5th. For those readers who do not know Ed, he has been a guiding force for many years in South Padre Island's local government. The VGTSPI has endorsed Ed as its candidate of choice. Whether you are Democrat or Republican, it is obvious that Ed would be an asset to have in Austin to benefit the Island and the area. A vote for his opponent is a vote for a state income tax!

Ed's website is: http://www.edforrep.com

Look close, the picture at left shows a transparent ghostly image below the arrow. It is a pretty good shot but the very best Internet ghost picture is found at the link: http://home.attbi.com/~n9ivo/whatswrong.swf. Before you check out the greatest Optical Illusion Ghost Picture you have ever seen, make sure your speaker volume is turned up louder than normal so you can hear the faint, but low murmur that got the photographer's attention first. Round up your whole family and see who will see it first! It took me a couple of minutes to see it, but when I did, it really stands out! To help you, concentrate around the table in the picture and don't focus too much on one spot. Keep looking at the table and toward the window and you'll eventually see it. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VERY BEST GHOST PICTURE EVER!

25th Sea Turtle Anniversary? Ila Loetscher aka "The Turtle Lady" has been broadcast to locations worldwide. Although she is no longer with us, her legacy lives on. Her work and love of the Kemp's Ridley turtle continues at Sea Turtle, Inc., a non-profit organization, staffed primarily by volunteers, that she founded in 1977. The organization not only serves to preserve the Kemp's Ridley turtle, but does more than its share to promote South Padre Island. We are very fortunate to have such an organization in our town. Thousands of visitors have taken the tour at Sea Turtle, Inc. and leave with more respect for these endangered creatures. We were unable talk with STI representatives about the anniversary but will provide the details in a subsequent issue. Check out their website: http://www.seaturtleinc.com

In My Email: Thanks to Shane Wilson for the email concerning two of this week's topics and also to inform me that the free email address I am provided by VGTSPI was incorrect in the last issue. I have made the correction in this issue and am sorry for the mistake! Dennis Bortko sent a nice email in appreciation of the newsletter and concerning my comments last week about the round ball tournament at the Convention Centre. Thanks again to Shane and Dennis!

Purchase Your Own Star? Have you ever seen an advertisement stating you could purchase a star and give it a name? After my last failed investment for a lot on the moon, I decided I would be more skeptical with my future investments. While surfing the net, I got the pop-up ad, regarding star purchases. I decided I needed to do some investigation before acquiring such a heavenly body. Thank God I did! If you are interested buying your own star, you need to check this link before you do: http://home.columbus.rr.com/starfaq/ When you read the article, you will probably decide that buying a star is not what you need to do. You would probably be happier with your very own acreage on Pluto, that includes the mineral rights! If so, send me an email, I am having a pre-Christmas sale and everything is half price!

TV Scholars and Experts: I am very grateful that the atrocities of the sniper incidents apparently have ended. I am really bummed out by some of the nitwit media and presumed expert comments in the headlines over the past of weeks. One "expert" stated that the public should not be alarmed because their chance of being shot was far less than being struck by lighting. In thinking about this, I do not recall the same number of people being killed by lightning in the Maryland & Virginia area and within the same time frame? Another "duh" point was that this scholar lived in the New York city area. He is probably a chili expert, too!

Crash the Internet System? The general public, because of media attention to the sniper story, does not know that on October 21st our nation's Internet system, consisting of 13 servers, was attacked. Nine of the 13 servers were taken completely out of service by unknown hackers. If one more of the servers had gone down, it would have interrupted the flow of email. There would be no value in accomplishing a shut down by just any ordinary hacking club. If they were successful, they couldn't use their computers either. However, If a terrorist organization could disrupt our Internet system, it would be a severe economic loss to our nation. With all due respect to the sniper coverage, the attack on our Internet system deserved more media coverage because of the magnitude of the potential outcome. It is evident the media has misplaced priorities. All of them would claim there have been no more child abductions in recent weeks because of their past coverage's which is BS! If there is not anything newsworthy, they will find something and amplify it.

SPI Planning and Zoning Scratch Their Heads? What should they do about commercial construction using animal theme entry ways? Well, let me say that when the local beach shop, Jaws (click here to see building), first made its appearance, I was rather astounded and did not necessarily care for it. Later, I had an opportunity to observe traffic at the location while eating a Big Mac this past summer. I had to stop counting the number of families posing for pictures in the entryway. It is evident that the appeal of the building is more popular with the children than the adults. That is a great thing! I shudder to think where Disneyland would be today, if our P&Z members had right of review? Perhaps the existing P & Z Committee needs to engage the services of an architectural firm to draw plans for all future construction on the Island? This would alleviate knee-jerk responses to structures such as Jaws and future construction.

Fly the Helicopter: This is a neat little website where you fly a remote controlled helicopter! Two warnings about this site, 1). It is somewhat addictive 2). Don't try this if you have been drinking. It is a fun link! I finally cranked out a score of 803, can you beat it?

SPI Straw Vote Concerning Bullet Voting Booted: Initially, it was decided that the aldermen did not have the authority to change the voting process of electing future aldermen by a "place system" rather than the historic "at large" method. So, an announcement was made that the issue would be decided in a straw vote for Islanders in conjunction with the general election November 5th. Then, in a special meeting October 21st, town attorney Paul Cunningham announced the town could not conduct the straw vote because of the state does not allow the town to spend money on such an activity and the town can't use private money for it. Now, the determination is going to be left up to the aldermen. The suggestion to change the voting process was made by Alderman Troy Giles. Thank you Mr. Giles! For those of you who are not familiar with the existing process, let us look toward the town's election of aldermen coming up next year. We will have three positions open. An "at large" election allows bullet voting which means that you cast one vote for only one candidate although you could vote for three candidates. A bullet vote has a definite effect on the outcome in an "at large" election. Numbers from the last election will prove that bullet voting made the difference in the three candidates running for two positions. A school of thought exists locally that bullet voting does not make a difference. I believe that "school" is not very good in math. The bullet voting practice does not exemplify our current election process in a manner that our forefathers intended and it does not even seem American. Our Island is chided enough about being in northern Mexico and not being a part of the USA without having "at large" elections that allow bullet voting. I hope the alderman will change our voting process to a place system of elections. It is way past time for South Padre Island to enter this century and to get closer to the USA!

Another issue here is whether or not our town really understands the Texas Constitution and the laws governing a TYPE A GENERAL-LAW MUNICIPALITY? Town Attorney, Paul Cunningham, previously indicated that changing alderman terms in office to three years from present two-year terms would present a problem. Given the circle of confusion regarding "at large" versus "by place" elections, perhaps our town needs to revisit the term in office question once again?

Laugh of the Week! A man was stranded on a desert island for 10 years. One day a beautiful girl swims to shore in a wetsuit....

Thought of the Week: A war does not necessarily determine who is right. It does determine who is left!

Teaser of the Week: A cowboy rode into town on Friday and left three days later on Friday. How is that possible? If you know the answer, send me an email: cweed@spisland.com (See the answer in next week's issue!)

Please forward this newsletter to everyone in your address book. Your family and friends can subscribe by clicking on the email address at the bottom of the page. Hey, if you find a great web site, email me the link!

That's another issue! Until the next week, have a great week and enjoy another day in paradise where ever you are!

October 31st
Many tourists are unaware of the popularity of Halloween on the Island. Most of the local bars sponsor costume contests and over the years have evolved into coordinating their contest times whereby local and area residents can participate in several contests over the evening. Lloyd Llove will be at Kelly's Irish Pub again this year to entertain and host the costume contest. Starting time is at 8:00 PM and the costume contest will be held at 11:00 PM. Other times and contests to be announced as soon as the schedules are available.

November 2nd and 3rd
Tails Over South Padre Fun Fly Festival will be held in the "Flats" north of the Convention Centre. B&S Kites is the event sponsor. There is no admission charge. The fun fly is for all ages, featuring kite flying demonstrations, and several giveaways! Call (956) 761-1248 for more information.

November 3rd
The 9th Annual World Championship Texas Gulf Shrimp Cook-Off, sponsored by the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce will be held at Port Isabel Baseball Fields. There will be amateur and professional divisions with cooking teams from all over. Starting time is 11:00 AM. Just follow the signs in Port Isabel. If you have an interest in entering, call (956) 943-2262 or (800) 527-6102.

November 11th-15th
SPI Golf Club & SPI Convention Bureau sponsor the The Texas Senior Open to be held at the South Padre Island Golf Course. The Pro-Am is Nov.12 with Senior open to follow! Call (956) 943-4653 or see http://www.spigolf.com

November 22nd-24th
South Padre Island Roundball Invitational Tournament NCAA Men''s Division 1 Basketball Tournament. New Mexico State, Tulsa, and UT Pan Am will play in a 3 team ''round robin''! This event is sponsored by SPI Hoops, Inc. & SPI CVB and will be held at the South Padre Island Convention Centre. Tickets go on sale October 14, 2002. Call 888-774-8587 for more information.

November 29th
The Lighting the Island is sponsored by the SPI Convention & Visitors Bureau. Plan to join Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus for the official lighting of the Island, refreshments and Christmas carols will be served at SPI Visiters Center, 600 Padre Blvd. beginning at 6:00 PM. The admission is free. Call (800) 657-2373 for more information.

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