by Derrick Broze
Intellihub.com
March 25, 2013
On the afternoon of Wednesday March 27th the City Council of Houston will decide whether to approve a contract bid to build Base Camps for Post Disaster relief. This base camp is being planned as an emergency center that will house Police, Fire, and Emergency workers along with other City Departments.
A presentation acquired by Intellihub.com shows a list of the bidders, their requirements and some of the services that will be offered.com
Along with the service requests the presentation also does a great job fear mongering. In the images shown as possible reasons to need these camps we see images of Hurricane Ike in 2008, as well as one labeled” Catastrophic Event”, showing some type of explosion.
According to a press release by council member Helena Brown:
“FEMA has received widespread criticism for its mishandling of Hurricane Katrina, and their waste of resources-there are still thousands of unused portable homes that could have sheltered survivors. When FEMA contracts were leaked to various media sources, the design of supposedly non-existent camps were revealed which were publicly defended as relocation centers for refugees and those displaced by disasters. The contracts reveal design information that contradicts these public claims.”
Concerned citizens have been speaking up. Robin Lennon, a Kingwood resident and community leader, “If a nuclear device was set off by terrorists, do we expect them to warn us in time for City officials to leave and the tents to be set up?” she adds, “It looks as if our City Council members will be having laundry service, barbeque, and other fine amenities at our expense while the citizens are left storming the barriers in search of fresh water, food, and medical care for our loved ones.”
Helena Brown continues, “In light of human history, it is concerning to citizens when their government entertains discussions on establishing government-operated survival camps. This time, the discussion at City Hall has gone further: spending about $ 36 million dollars on a “camp” to supposedly protect a single, privileged group-city employees. Their argument is that this group must be protected so that they can better assist civilians. This argument violates the principles of America’s founding; the excuse of special privileges for those in office went out the window with King George in 1776.”
On a recent visit to the City Council I had the opportunity to question the City Council on this curious topic. After being questioned as to whether the tax payers of the city would be funding an exclusive club for the Council members and others, Council Member C.O. Bradford commented that this was the case. The people of the city are being asked to fund this camp with their tax dollars and fend for themselves.
A copy of the contract requirements reveals that those housed at this Base Camp will be enjoying quite the fancy experience. Under a heading titled “Scope Services” we find:
“Catering 1.3.1.1 The Contractor shall provide catering services to feed approximately 11,500 employees per day, operational up to 24 hours a day.
1.3.1.4 The Contractor shall provide three hot meals, breakfast from 4:00 AM until 10:00 AM; lunch from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM and dinner from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and provide a twenty-four hour operating grill.
1.3.1.5 The Contractor shall provide eight, sixteen ounce bottles and two elctrolite replacement mixes per person, per day.
1.3.1.6 The Contractor shall provide ice making machines that will provide 10-lb’s. of ice per person, per camp site.
The document goes on to list the food requirements for breakfast, lunch and dinner. While the people of this nation are made fun of or called “preppers” for preparing for an emergency, the government is preparing to eat fat during a “catastrophic event”. As a guest at Houston’s Base Camp you have access to any of the following:
“DINNER: Two or more of the following hot meals; Meat Loaf, Roast Chicken Quarters, Salisbury Steak, Fish, Roast Beef, Pasta & Meat Balls and/or Sausage, Chicken Parmesan, Ham Steak, Pork Chops, Liver & Onions, Barbeque, and Cabbage Rolls. One or more of the following; Mash ed Potatoes, Roasted Potatoes, Baked Potatoes or Boiled Red Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes or Rice. Variety of Vegetables Variety of Soups Gravy (when needed) Variety of Salads w/dressings Variety of Fruits Variety of Breads Variety of Chips Cookies Gelatin Coffee, Tea, Carbonated Soft Drinks, Milk and Water Juices Plus all necessary condiments Box Lunches available for pick-up *
MIDNIGHT SNACKS:
Hamburgers & Hot Dogs w/trimmings
French Fries or Tater Tots
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Fried Chicken Tenders
Variety of Delicatessen Type Cold Cut Sandwiches, w/trimmings
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches”
After Council Member Brown’s press release, Mayor Annise Parker responded with the following:
“She doesn’t have it quite right. This is a contingency contract in which we choose a vendor. There are no dollars being spent at this time. In the event this vendor’s services are needed, there will have to be council action to spend the money. These services would be solely for first responders: police, fire and public works employees needed to respond to a disaster. It is done routinely on the west coast to house fire fighters who are brought in from around the country to fight wild fires. Utility companies do the same when they bring in lineman to help restore power after storms. “
When one takes a step back, taking in the ammunition purchases made over the past year by the Department of Homeland Security and other branches of the government, the National Defense Authorization Act, and the growing militarization of the police, a clearer picture seems to emerge. Is the government planning for some type of catastrophe? Should you be concerned?
Looking not only at our domestic situation but the global economic conditions, it would seem wise to invest in strong currencies, have an extra supply of food and water, and generally just be a sustainable person. Noting that national, state and city governments are making preparations should only increase your desire to be forward thinking and to take your own life into your hands.
If you live in the City of Houston and want to do something about this issue please attend City Council Tuesday March 24th off 900 Bagby St. in downtown Houston to voice your opinion. Call the City Secretary (832) 393-1100 before 1:30 pm to sign up to speak. Thanks
Sources:
^https://purchasing.houstontx.gov/bids/L24034/L24034%20Clarification7.pdf
^http://www.isiahfactor.com/2013/03/21/a-special-base-camp-for-city-employees-if-there-is-a-major-disaster-is-this-for-real/
^http://www.houstontx.gov/citysec/agenda.html
*****
Derrick Broze is a founding member of The Houston Free Thinkers.
He writes for IntelliHub.com a popular independent news website.
He can be heard on Orion Talk Radio, Local Live Houston and the upcoming Unbound Radio.
Find his workatwww.theconsciousresistance.com and www.thehoustonfreethinkers.com
Intellihub.com
City of Houston to Vote On “Base Camps” Exclusively for City Employees
No comments:
Post a Comment