Beyond the Bite Aldrete Strategic Partners, LLC

In this episode, host Eddie Aldrete sits down with friend and colleague, Mark McKinnon to delve into an array of pivotal issues impacting the current political landscape. They kick off by addressing the wider challenges posed by political polarization within society. Their dialogue includes McKinnon's insightful observations from his address at Trinity University's Policymaker Speaker Series, and he shares his musings on the unpredictability shrouding the upcoming elections. The duo particularly laments the erosion of bipartisan cooperation and trust in institutions, citing historical instances of cross-party collaboration that seem a distant memory amidst today's toxic stew of partisanship. This shift has engendered stark ideological divides, further hindering legislative progress in Congress, and both Aldrete and McKinnon express concern over how this atmosphere is poisoning civic culture and governance, potentially paving the way for autocratic tendencies.

They explore the profound effects of local journalism's decline and the rise of algorithm-driven platforms on public access to information, alongside a pitch by McKinnon for a new documentary that would uncover the influence of Gen Z on electoral politics, addressing their political tendencies and the cultural divides that may result in electoral apathy.

The episode also doesn't shy away from tackling the contentious issue of immigration, highlighting former President George W. Bush's pro-immigrant policies juxtaposed against the current administration's struggles and the tactical maneuvers involving immigrants by state leaders.

To wrap up the episode, McKinnon reflects on his acclaimed Showtime series "The Circus" and discusses the imperative of civic engagement and political involvement, while also giving listeners a rare glimpse into his personal life and upcoming projects in Hollywood and beyond.




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In this episode of "Beyond the Bite," host Eddie Aldrete sits down with Councilman John Courage, who brings experience and insights into the pressing issues facing our city. Courage unveils his ambitious plan to bolster education by bringing 10,000 volunteers into elementary schools to aid students in critical areas such as reading, writing, and math. Addressing the city’s workforce development program, he identifies key hurdles like childcare and transportation that impede parents' participation in training programs, emphasizing the need for greater collaboration from businesses that have partnered with the workforce initiative.

The conversation takes a critical look at the city's governance and infrastructure, with Courage proposing an extension of the council service term to four years and considering the pros and cons of expanding the council body. He stresses the importance of seasoned experience for mayoral candidates and delves into long-term strategies to combat poverty. Discussing Haven for Hope's financial challenges following NuStar's acquisition by Sunoco, Courage calls on the community to support this crucial facility and underscores the significance of improving mental health services to effectively tackle homelessness.

As the episode unfolds, John Courage and Eddie touch upon the impact of the pandemic on local businesses. They highlight the need to boost the city's appeal to corporations, partly by enhancing transportation options, such as through upgrades to the local airport. Plans for an entertainment district elicit excitement as well as caution over potential costs. Courage closes on the topic of city management, advocating for a reevaluation of city departments and programs to promote efficiency and accountability, demonstrating his vision for a city that not only thrives but also cares for all its residents.

https://www.courageforsa.com/

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Join us on this journey through the multifaceted challenges and profound transformations taking place in Brownsville, Texas, with Mayor John Cowen. Against the backdrop of water scarcity that impacts regional activities, Mayor Cowen outlines groundbreaking initiatives aimed at sustaining the city's economic growth and technological renaissance. He delves deep into the measures the city is taking to navigate the pressing issue of water shortages, from optimizing a desalination plant that already supplies 30% of the city's water to advocating for the construction of a weir dam under the 1944 Water Treaty with Mexico.

The SpaceX phenomenon breathes new life, excitement, and opportunities into the community and is one of the reasons behind Brownsville's rise as one of Texas's fastest-growing job markets. Mayor Cowen speaks candidly about the city's focused efforts to retain and attract skilled workers, thereby fostering intergenerational equity and regional pride.

Finally, we explore the complex dynamism of border politics with insights from both Mayor Cowen and a soundbite from San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. They discuss the significance of “The Brownsville Model” in handling migrant flows and border security, alongside the importance of federal support and regional alliances in addressing such challenges. Highlighting Brownsville's strategic partnership role, Mayor Cowen underlines the importance of collaboration and bipartisan cooperation in a region poised for accelerated development. Don't miss this episode of Beyond the Bite for an in-depth exploration of civic leadership, infrastructure innovation, and the vibrant future shaping South Texas.


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In this episode, Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia focuses on the critical issues facing her district and the city of San Antonio. Councilwoman Rocha Garcia candidly shares her experiences and the challenges she faced during her tenure, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Not shying away from personal anecdotes, she recounts the heartbreaking loss of six family members to the virus and how she had to navigate public service during such a trying time.

The conversion reveals the Councilwoman's deep commitment to bettering her community and strengthening city infrastructure—illustrated through her work on broadband development for telehealth and education, her focus on transportation funding, and her advocacy for a diverse housing strategy to address the shortages affecting San Antonio. Garcia's insights on the need for contingency planning and emergency preparedness resonate with recent events, bringing to light the importance of proactive leadership. She also emphasizes the potential for positive change through initiatives like the astronomy event in partnership with organizations like NASA, which aims to inspire student interest in STEM and create educational opportunities in her district.

As the conversation unfolds, Councilwoman Rocha Garcia does not shy away from the future, sharing her considerations of a mayoral run in 2025, despite managing personal challenges like her father's Alzheimer's diagnosis. Her passion for giving back to her community is palpable as she talks about her life and her desire to be a visionary leader who can usher in a new era of growth, education, and investment for San Antonio. Eddie Aldrete and the Councilwoman's dialogue, rich with authenticity and purpose, leaves listeners enlightened about the critical issues at the local government level and the profound dedication of one of their own to public service.


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This episode of Beyond the Bite features real estate experts Bryan Glasshagel, Senior Vice President of Zonda Metrostudy, and Paul Basaldua, CEO of Versatera Development. They navigate through the complex dynamics of the residential housing market in San Antonio and Bexar County, deliberating on the influences of fluctuating interest rates and evolving demographic trends.
 
Glasshagel offers insights on the building industry's outlook as price adjustments loom amidst affordability challenges. Basaldua shares his experience with Versatera's ventures, underscoring San Antonio’s southward expansion and the ongoing investments in and around San Antonio.
 
The conversation delves into pressing issues such as housing affordability across income levels and the considerations developers make in creating mixed-income communities. Glasshagel highlights the substantial portion of new homes valued under $350,000, painting a picture of a market striving to maintain diversity and accessibility amid economic shifts. Additionally, the two guests discuss the trend of families returning to the south side for its proximity to the city center, with higher-end housing developments marking a notable shift in the local landscape.
 
The episode concludes with a perspective on the escalating impact of material costs, labor shortages, and the inflow of out-of-state buyers, underscoring Texas' burgeoning role in mitigating the nationwide housing quandary.

Links and Resources:
 
https://zondahome.com/person/bryan-glasshagel/https://vtdevco.com/about/



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In this compelling episode of "Beyond the Bite," host Eddie Aldrete welcomes Precinct 3 Bexar County Commissioner Grant Moody, who recently completed his first year in office. Moody reflects on his tenure, discussing his successful advocacy for a 20% homestead tax exemption for the University Health System in Bexar County, and he shares insights on the array of challenges faced, from addressing the county jail's maintenance and understaffing issues to his proposal for combining public and mental health services under the University Health System, emphasizing the importance of finding a capable replacement for the retiring CEO of the $3 billion hospital system.

Throughout the episode, Moody weaves through the nonpartisan nature of his role, where he underscores the importance of building relationships with colleagues across the aisle without compromising on morals, principles, or beliefs. They explore Moody’s multifaceted approach to local governance, from his views on pet-owner accountability to the proposal of a transparent county checkbook. The conversation also touches on Moody's background as a Marine officer and how his experiences have shaped his perspective on issues like the financial ramifications of COVID relief funds and public health funding.

The episode concludes with a poignant reflection on Moody's recent trip to Israel, a journey that noticeably impacts his worldview. Moody addresses the local and international complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, lamenting the lack of global outcry for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and expressing concerns over the general misunderstandings about the conflict. Together, Aldrete and Moody discuss the importance of technological ingenuity demonstrated by Israel and the collaboration between the U.S. and Israel, highlighting the need for awareness and education on these critical international relations issues.

https://www.bexar.org/954/Precinct-3-Commissioner-Grant-Moody
 
https://grantmoody.com/
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantmoody/
 
https://www.universityhealth.com/news/homestead-tax-exemption




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