Y'all are taking Lamppost way too seriously!

He is no dummy. He knows the land out by the airport that was offered is surrounded by land that is for sale (I'll let you figure out what that means), and that the 'for sale' land will be going at fair market value.

He also knows, like the rest of us, that folks often lower their yearly tax burden by making big ol's fat donations of things of value so they can write them off.

Don't let him fool you--he's just poking at y'all!

Lampost seriously? Duh, I surely hope so. What did you think people are just giving up 400 or 500 acres out of the kindness of their heart? That doesn't happen. If you buy that, well then come see me about the Ocean front property I have for sale in Lubbock.

Please check back into reality friend.

@Lampost, you eventually sell all the land near or around the donated property to anyone and everyone to develop. Just as an example: When an acre may have only sold for 1K, now it sells for 3K per. It's quite simple. Whomever ends up being the lucky "donor", surely will stand to make alot of money, considering they have land around the donated acreage........eventually. It's a given.

Regardless of how desireable the land being offered is or isn't, you have said that the other people wanting to donate couldn't because "the process was never open to anyone." I call BS. There isn't a process, if you want to donate then you do.

Here's a thought, perhaps the university accepts the offer of the land, chooses not to build on it but rather sell it or hold as an assest. I'm not sure of the legal issues, if any, but that is something I was asking when they said they didn't want it.

loudandclear:I also have heard from one UHV employee inparticular (who is a shot caller) that the land that was offered isn't really a desirable location nor does it lend itself favorably for many things the university wants to do. Don't think for a second that UHV people didn't originally tell the UH system to say thanks but no thanks. There is a reason the sytem didn't want that property, believe me when I say that. UHV insiders weren't exactly sold on this piece of property. Of course they won't and cant say this publicly, but trust me when I tell you this.

Please elaborate on your statements. What was the reason the system didn't want the property? What did the employee (shot caller) tell you made it such an ugly sweater?

You ask us to "trust you" and "believe you". Please provide additional information you can support with facts.

holinone- it's quite true. This story broke and several families have recently commented that the process was never open to anyone. And NO, unfortunately at this point it looks as though it is a mute point. The UH system is acceptiong no land from anyone. My intentions in this post was simply to make an observation, and if by some remote miracle this bill made it through all the stages in congress and did pass this session, A&M needs to open the process and solicit. I also have heard from one UHV employee inparticular (who is a shot caller) that the land that was offered isn't really a desirable location nor does it lend itself favorably for many things the university wants to do. Don't think for a second that UHV people didn't originally tell the UH system to say thanks but no thanks. There is a reason the sytem didn't want that property, believe me when I say that. UHV insiders weren't exactly sold on this piece of property. Of course they won't and cant say this publicly, but trust me when I tell you this. It's like the sweater that you get for Christmas from Grandma. You have to smile and take it, but as soon as Grandma leaves you're telling your mother how much you hate it.

"didn't get the opportunity" Please. Tell your friends that it's not too late. They can still make an offer. I'm sure their offer will be accepted. It's not as if they have said they didn't want anyone else to offer. Besides, you rarely hear of a college or university turning down any kind of donation. If they felt so strongly about it they could just donate and the let the system do what they want with the property.

Patillo made a clever little statement about the Buhler's and this "NOT" being a "land grab". Well then if that's the case, then lets open the entire process to all citizens of Victoria County. Lets have an open bid process and if anyone wants to donate land lets take a look at all offers. You never know what families out there may want in on an opportunity like this. Obviously the family that donates the land stands to make a whole lot of money, so Mr. Patillo why don't we do this fair and equitable. Lets solicite potential land donors and then see what we have to choose from. That's only fair, and it will relieve any misconceptions that this is a "land grab." I personally know individuals who are quite upset that they didn't get the opportunity.

writein, you continually refer to the $3,500 campaign contribution from TAMU to Morrison. Did you realize that Friends of University of Houston PAC also contributed $3,000 to her in 2010? (followthemoney.org)

WAIT! OH MY GOSH.... mayyybeee she introduced a bill she knew wouldn't pass in order to placate all constituencies. BRILLIANT!!

The questions that @thewaywardwind raise are right on. @Mytwocents I think you hit the nail on the head when you mention "A&M fans." There seems to be some people who are either former A&M students or t-shirt fans who think that we should switch from our current system without thinking about implications. However, this is far from the supposed huge outpouring of support from the community. This claim is ridiculous. I would say most people in Victoria aren't aware of the situation's actual effects.

I also have a problem with organizers behind this push using the term "destination university" as a way to trump up support and make it seem like Victoria is going to have this good-sized institution that is going to spark the local economy, instantly. First of all, there is a reason that our young people leave town...there is nothing to offer. There is no canvas to paint their dreams or aspirations here. The mindset/culture of this town happens to be really conservative...What is a young person to do after the town turns out the lights at 10pm every night? Also, there happens to be three destination universities within two hours of Victoria (UT, Texas State, UH). Geographically speaking it doesn't make sense to try force another one, especially with nothing to offer in Victoria.

So finally, I ask why can't we be happy with the good institutions that we have now? Let's push to improve what we have. Let's face facts that Victoria, in the forseeable future, will never be capable of having a destination university. And you know what, Victoria doesn't necessarily need to be capable.

TAMUV posted:

"To contact Dan Branch, and the all other Texas House members, you may go to:

www.tamuv.org and click on "Call to Action".

This will provide you all necessary contact information."

This is the same contact information to use if you disagree with the switch.

JackDeuce said: "A and M hasn't made any commitments that I have seen. People just think the grass is greener."

I agree with you completely, and until I hear A&M state what their plans are for Victoria, not Sugarland or Cinco Ranch...I'm inclined to stay with UHV. I have a friend, who has a child attending A&M Kingsville, and I am told that A&M has basically quit on them. Very little funding and very little support. People have to see Victoria for what it is and not for what they wish it could be. Between Victoria College and UHV, Victoria has a nice educational system. Could it be better...of course. Could it be worse....absolutely!

To contact Dan Branch, and the all other Texas House members, you may go to:

www.tamuv.org and click on "Call to Action".

This will provide you all necessary contact information.

Still waiting to see how that $100,000 is being spent. The advocate promised to report on how much went to Sizemore and the 'tamuv.org' website once it went live...that's been several weeks now.

"It is a process", he said. "It is not an event."

While this 'process' is playing out, just remember evertime you run into a pot-hole ... $100,000.00 (so far) of your street repair money went into funding this 'process'.

Jack, two--

This is what we keep hearing--A&M is going to do this, and A&M is going to do that--

Have either of you seen this list of what we're getting with this switch? Everything that has been mentioned so far is stuff based on opinion. The opinion of those with this agenda.

Jack D.

What about the campaign funds from Texas A&M to Morrison?

I've stayed out of this because I don't have a particular interest in it one way or the other.

I do have a question that I've not seen answered. Does anyone think that changing to A&M will provide a better education than one can get at UHV? Will the courses change? Will the professors change? Will the new accounting courses change the way balance sheets are taught? Under the new system, will X+Y still equal A? Will the periodic table change with chemistry classes under TAMU? Will a BS from the TAMU system mean more than a BS from UHV? I guess the big question I have is what's wrong with UHV that A&MVic would fix?

Who cares that LuAnn O'Connor is a UH alumni! That has no bearing on the fate of the college. UH failed Victoria with its limited facilities and limited schedule! It has not impressed anyone I know. UHV is actually a joke of a college here in our town. TAMU can bring more to the area and has the money to back it up. We owe it to our kids and future leaders to provide the best education they can get.