all the theme for our TEDx this year is your city or design and we’re anxious to
your city or design and we’re anxious to
your city or design and we’re anxious to hear your your vision about that topic
hear your your vision about that topic
hear your your vision about that topic but most people in our audience have not
but most people in our audience have not
but most people in our audience have not met you and I thought we could dig back
met you and I thought we could dig back
met you and I thought we could dig back a little bit and give people a look at
a little bit and give people a look at
a little bit and give people a look at Paul Foster you were born in Snyder
Paul Foster you were born in Snyder
Paul Foster you were born in Snyder Texas but since nobody knows where that
Texas but since nobody knows where that
Texas but since nobody knows where that is we’ll skip till you were two and you
is we’ll skip till you were two and you
is we’ll skip till you were two and you moved to Lovington spent your formative
moved to Lovington spent your formative
moved to Lovington spent your formative years in Lovington until you graduated
years in Lovington until you graduated
years in Lovington until you graduated from high school right in your in your
from high school right in your in your
from high school right in your in your high school annual there’s a photograph
high school annual there’s a photograph
high school annual there’s a photograph of you and underneath it’s the boy voted
of you and underneath it’s the boy voted
of you and underneath it’s the boy voted most likely to succeed I have a question
most likely to succeed I have a question
most likely to succeed I have a question how did they know what did you do
how did they know what did you do
how did they know what did you do in Lovington that gave the high school
in Lovington that gave the high school
in Lovington that gave the high school some premonition that Paul Foster would
some premonition that Paul Foster would
some premonition that Paul Foster would be successful well I don’t know I always
be successful well I don’t know I always
be successful well I don’t know I always worked from the time I was a very young
worked from the time I was a very young
worked from the time I was a very young child I always trying to figure out how
child I always trying to figure out how
child I always trying to figure out how to make money most of it honestly and I
to make money most of it honestly and I
to make money most of it honestly and I had a paper round when I was 11 years
had a paper round when I was 11 years
had a paper round when I was 11 years old and I sold fireworks and I made
old and I sold fireworks and I made
old and I sold fireworks and I made candles and I did all kinds of sort of
candles and I did all kinds of sort of
candles and I did all kinds of sort of unusual things but I was always trying
unusual things but I was always trying
unusual things but I was always trying to make money and I’m and I don’t really
to make money and I’m and I don’t really
to make money and I’m and I don’t really know why I’m not like I needed money but
know why I’m not like I needed money but
know why I’m not like I needed money but but I think I just was a little bit in a
but I think I just was a little bit in a
but I think I just was a little bit in a very small way very entrepreneurial from
very small way very entrepreneurial from
very small way very entrepreneurial from from a very young age so I pictured this
from a very young age so I pictured this
from a very young age so I pictured this all-american boy in Lovington lots of
all-american boy in Lovington lots of
all-american boy in Lovington lots of friends and riding bicycles what’s the
friends and riding bicycles what’s the
friends and riding bicycles what’s the worst thing you ever did at a kid oh
gosh you can tell us about yeah there’s
gosh you can tell us about yeah there’s one kind of embarrassing one where we
one kind of embarrassing one where we
one kind of embarrassing one where we three three of my good friends and I all
three three of my good friends and I all
three three of my good friends and I all got BB guns for for Christmas and so we
got BB guns for for Christmas and so we
got BB guns for for Christmas and so we went out in this pasture way out behind
went out in this pasture way out behind
went out in this pasture way out behind our house a couple of miles and came
our house a couple of miles and came
our house a couple of miles and came across this this this farm and we knew
across this this this farm and we knew
across this this this farm and we knew the farmer of course everybody’s a small
the farmer of course everybody’s a small
the farmer of course everybody’s a small town everybody nearby
town everybody nearby
town everybody nearby and we had these new BB guns and we
and we had these new BB guns and we
and we had these new BB guns and we started was this chicken ran across and
started was this chicken ran across and
started was this chicken ran across and we started shooting at and of course
we started shooting at and of course
we started shooting at and of course none of us knew how to shoot and all of
none of us knew how to shoot and all of
none of us knew how to shoot and all of a sudden this chicken just fell dead and
a sudden this chicken just fell dead and
a sudden this chicken just fell dead and I’m not gonna say who was made the fatal
I’m not gonna say who was made the fatal
I’m not gonna say who was made the fatal shot but we were horribly embarrassed
shot but we were horribly embarrassed
shot but we were horribly embarrassed and didn’t know what to do and where we
and didn’t know what to do and where we
and didn’t know what to do and where we ran home and you know of course it
ran home and you know of course it
ran home and you know of course it didn’t tell her parents or anything and
didn’t tell her parents or anything and
didn’t tell her parents or anything and we had a substitute teacher on Monday
we had a substitute teacher on Monday
we had a substitute teacher on Monday morning that I got a regular teacher was
morning that I got a regular teacher was
morning that I got a regular teacher was was not I guess was sick or whatever and
was not I guess was sick or whatever and
was not I guess was sick or whatever and the substitute teacher was the wife of
the substitute teacher was the wife of
the substitute teacher was the wife of this farmer and we thought they knew and
this farmer and we thought they knew and
this farmer and we thought they knew and so anyway that was that was one very
so anyway that was that was one very
so anyway that was that was one very scary thing we thought we were all going
scary thing we thought we were all going
scary thing we thought we were all going to prison for killing a chicken but what
to prison for killing a chicken but what
to prison for killing a chicken but what we’re glad you did you graduated from
we’re glad you did you graduated from
we’re glad you did you graduated from high school
high school
high school entered Baylor as a pre-med student and
entered Baylor as a pre-med student and
entered Baylor as a pre-med student and then graduated four years later with a
then graduated four years later with a
then graduated four years later with a degree in accounting that’s another
degree in accounting that’s another
degree in accounting that’s another story unto itself but once you graduated
story unto itself but once you graduated
story unto itself but once you graduated you went through a series of about six
you went through a series of about six
you went through a series of about six jobs and ended up at El Paso refinery in
jobs and ended up at El Paso refinery in
jobs and ended up at El Paso refinery in 1990 as a as the controller and and
1990 as a as the controller and and
1990 as a as the controller and and marketing manager at that time it was
marketing manager at that time it was
marketing manager at that time it was your first time in El Paso and then two
your first time in El Paso and then two
your first time in El Paso and then two years later that company went bankrupt
years later that company went bankrupt
years later that company went bankrupt Wow and here you were in El Paso Texas
Wow and here you were in El Paso Texas
Wow and here you were in El Paso Texas 35 years old
35 years old
35 years old recently removed from a difficult
recently removed from a difficult
recently removed from a difficult marriage to young children and broke
marriage to young children and broke
marriage to young children and broke what was going on in your head well it
what was going on in your head well it
what was going on in your head well it was it was a tough time it was in the
was it was a tough time it was in the
was it was a tough time it was in the refining business there were a lot of
refining business there were a lot of
refining business there were a lot of refineries going broke and and so it was
refineries going broke and and so it was
refineries going broke and and so it was a tough business to be in it’s something
a tough business to be in it’s something
a tough business to be in it’s something I had chosen to do and and now I was
I had chosen to do and and now I was
I had chosen to do and and now I was having doubts about whether this was
having doubts about whether this was
having doubts about whether this was really the industry I wanted to be in
really the industry I wanted to be in
really the industry I wanted to be in and so I started you know brushing up
and so I started you know brushing up
and so I started you know brushing up the resume and trying to figure out what
the resume and trying to figure out what
the resume and trying to figure out what I wanted to do next and I was virtually
I wanted to do next and I was virtually
I wanted to do next and I was virtually convinced that that I was going to find
convinced that that I was going to find
convinced that that I was going to find a different industry and and then
a different industry and and then
a different industry and and then the the refinery had gone bank probably
the the refinery had gone bank probably
the the refinery had gone bank probably Chapter seven it was a really nasty
Chapter seven it was a really nasty
Chapter seven it was a really nasty bankruptcy he never restarted and so
bankruptcy he never restarted and so
bankruptcy he never restarted and so everybody got laid off we went from 400
everybody got laid off we went from 400
everybody got laid off we went from 400 employees down to I think five and so I
employees down to I think five and so I
employees down to I think five and so I was one of the five but still they
was one of the five but still they
was one of the five but still they didn’t look good and and the banks that
didn’t look good and and the banks that
didn’t look good and and the banks that had the big the line share that that
had the big the line share that that
had the big the line share that that ended up foreclosing and took ownership
ended up foreclosing and took ownership
ended up foreclosing and took ownership of this asset and so I started looking
of this asset and so I started looking
of this asset and so I started looking at that and I’m like these they don’t
at that and I’m like these they don’t
at that and I’m like these they don’t know what to do with this and so I put a
know what to do with this and so I put a
know what to do with this and so I put a little business plan together and and
little business plan together and and
little business plan together and and basically persuaded them that they
basically persuaded them that they
basically persuaded them that they needed me to help them manage this asset
needed me to help them manage this asset
needed me to help them manage this asset that they had sort of accidentally
that they had sort of accidentally
that they had sort of accidentally acquired and and it all started from
acquired and and it all started from
acquired and and it all started from there you ended up buying the refinery
there you ended up buying the refinery
there you ended up buying the refinery in 2000 was yeah well first we put a
in 2000 was yeah well first we put a
in 2000 was yeah well first we put a management company together and manage
management company together and manage
management company together and manage the asset for the refinery and it was
the asset for the refinery and it was
the asset for the refinery and it was all very complicated because Chevron had
all very complicated because Chevron had
all very complicated because Chevron had a refinery across the street and we put
a refinery across the street and we put
a refinery across the street and we put a deal together with them to manage and
a deal together with them to manage and
a deal together with them to manage and operate the two together and then it
operate the two together and then it
operate the two together and then it became apparent to me that that nobody
became apparent to me that that nobody
became apparent to me that that nobody wanted to own these assets Chevron
wanted to own these assets Chevron
wanted to own these assets Chevron didn’t want it the banks didn’t want it
didn’t want it the banks didn’t want it
didn’t want it the banks didn’t want it and I saw a lot of value there and I was
and I saw a lot of value there and I was
and I saw a lot of value there and I was like I gotta figure out how to do this
like I gotta figure out how to do this
like I gotta figure out how to do this and the problem is I didn’t have any
and the problem is I didn’t have any
and the problem is I didn’t have any money
money
money and so it was you know not an easy thing
and so it was you know not an easy thing
and so it was you know not an easy thing to accomplish but I immediately started
to accomplish but I immediately started
to accomplish but I immediately started working on trying to come up with a plan
working on trying to come up with a plan
working on trying to come up with a plan probably in 1997 started working on
probably in 1997 started working on
probably in 1997 started working on trying to figure out a way to put this
trying to figure out a way to put this
trying to figure out a way to put this thing together and buy and then and it
thing together and buy and then and it
thing together and buy and then and it only worked if you bought both of them
only worked if you bought both of them
only worked if you bought both of them you couldn’t just buy one because they
you couldn’t just buy one because they
you couldn’t just buy one because they they were in you know permanently tied
they were in you know permanently tied
they were in you know permanently tied together and so it was it was very
together and so it was it was very
together and so it was it was very complicated trying to figure out how to
complicated trying to figure out how to
complicated trying to figure out how to how to put it all together and finance
how to put it all together and finance
how to put it all together and finance it well we’re glad you did
it well we’re glad you did
it well we’re glad you did over the years Paul you bought real
over the years Paul you bought real
over the years Paul you bought real property and and built things in this
property and and built things in this
property and and built things in this community and everything from the foster
community and everything from the foster
community and everything from the foster Stevens basketball complex to
Stevens basketball complex to
Stevens basketball complex to found that Farah the mills building the
found that Farah the mills building the
found that Farah the mills building the Center building the Plaza Hotel the blue
Center building the Plaza Hotel the blue
Center building the Plaza Hotel the blue flame building so many real assets that
flame building so many real assets that
flame building so many real assets that you have purchased and and and renovate
you have purchased and and and renovate
you have purchased and and and renovate and preserve which is a great story for
and preserve which is a great story for
and preserve which is a great story for our community but somewhere in your
our community but somewhere in your
our community but somewhere in your career you had to have stopped and said
career you had to have stopped and said
career you had to have stopped and said whoa I’m making a lot of money what am I
whoa I’m making a lot of money what am I
whoa I’m making a lot of money what am I going to do with it is is there a time
going to do with it is is there a time
going to do with it is is there a time that that happened and you and and you
that that happened and you and and you
that that happened and you and and you decided what you were gonna do in El
decided what you were gonna do in El
decided what you were gonna do in El Paso yeah I think so I mean when when we
Paso yeah I think so I mean when when we
Paso yeah I think so I mean when when we started having success with the refinery
started having success with the refinery
started having success with the refinery and and we decided to take it public
and and we decided to take it public
and and we decided to take it public become a public company and so we were
become a public company and so we were
become a public company and so we were able to monetize some of this investment
able to monetize some of this investment
able to monetize some of this investment that we’ve made over the years yeah I
that we’ve made over the years yeah I
that we’ve made over the years yeah I started trying to figure out you know
started trying to figure out you know
started trying to figure out you know how do I give back to this not not just
how do I give back to this not not just
how do I give back to this not not just to this community but to the sort of the
to this community but to the sort of the
to this community but to the sort of the the the vehicles along the way that
the the vehicles along the way that
the the vehicles along the way that helped me to get to where I am and you
helped me to get to where I am and you
helped me to get to where I am and you know I’ve always felt like I wanted to
know I’ve always felt like I wanted to
know I’ve always felt like I wanted to give back to El Paso because this is
give back to El Paso because this is
give back to El Paso because this is where I had most of my success the same
where I had most of my success the same
where I had most of my success the same with you know Baylor where I went to to
with you know Baylor where I went to to
with you know Baylor where I went to to college and in other places I just have
college and in other places I just have
college and in other places I just have felt not obligated in any way but I felt
felt not obligated in any way but I felt
felt not obligated in any way but I felt like I really wanted to try to improve
like I really wanted to try to improve
like I really wanted to try to improve and give back to those institutions that
and give back to those institutions that
and give back to those institutions that helped me get to where I am certainly El
helped me get to where I am certainly El
helped me get to where I am certainly El Paso was a much better place which
Paso was a much better place which
Paso was a much better place which brings us to the theme today that a lot
brings us to the theme today that a lot
brings us to the theme today that a lot of your investments in giving has a lot
of your investments in giving has a lot
of your investments in giving has a lot to do with what you saw in 1990 when you
to do with what you saw in 1990 when you
to do with what you saw in 1990 when you were here and 2017 where is El Paso
were here and 2017 where is El Paso
were here and 2017 where is El Paso going in your mind I think and I think
going in your mind I think and I think
going in your mind I think and I think most people feel it I think helped Paso
most people feel it I think helped Paso
most people feel it I think helped Paso is is is really in a good place right
is is is really in a good place right
is is is really in a good place right now it’s a great time to be here I think
now it’s a great time to be here I think
now it’s a great time to be here I think we have a great future ahead of us we’re
we have a great future ahead of us we’re
we have a great future ahead of us we’re just getting started
just getting started
just getting started and
and
and terms of downtown you can feel the
terms of downtown you can feel the
terms of downtown you can feel the energy you can you can see the
energy you can you can see the
energy you can you can see the development it takes a lot of money it
development it takes a lot of money it
development it takes a lot of money it takes a lot of time it takes some vision
takes a lot of time it takes some vision
takes a lot of time it takes some vision and and we all need to work together but
and and we all need to work together but
and and we all need to work together but I feel like El Paso is is already a
I feel like El Paso is is already a
I feel like El Paso is is already a great city but poised to be just a
great city but poised to be just a
great city but poised to be just a fantastic city as as we move forward I
fantastic city as as we move forward I
fantastic city as as we move forward I think Juarez is a huge component of that
think Juarez is a huge component of that
think Juarez is a huge component of that we have a very unusual situation I think
we have a very unusual situation I think
we have a very unusual situation I think we’re the largest sort of binational
we’re the largest sort of binational
we’re the largest sort of binational city in the in the world and and not
city in the in the world and and not
city in the in the world and and not just by a national but we’re separated
just by a national but we’re separated
just by a national but we’re separated by a border but but our population is
by a border but but our population is
by a border but but our population is very homogeneous we’re very mixed we you
very homogeneous we’re very mixed we you
very homogeneous we’re very mixed we you know we marry across the border
but you know it’s it’s very fluid and
but you know it’s it’s very fluid and people go back and forth and very
people go back and forth and very
people go back and forth and very comfortable and course after 9/11 that’s
comfortable and course after 9/11 that’s
comfortable and course after 9/11 that’s not as easy as it used to be but we need
not as easy as it used to be but we need
not as easy as it used to be but we need to continue to figure out ways to
to continue to figure out ways to
to continue to figure out ways to capitalize on that and I just think that
capitalize on that and I just think that
capitalize on that and I just think that that that these two cities can be
that that these two cities can be
that that these two cities can be fantastic if we if we do things the
fantastic if we if we do things the
fantastic if we if we do things the right way so in that light
right way so in that light
right way so in that light give us one big idea that you that you
give us one big idea that you that you
give us one big idea that you that you would like to see both cities pursue
would like to see both cities pursue
would like to see both cities pursue well I think that if you look at the
well I think that if you look at the
well I think that if you look at the area down by the the bridge the downtown
area down by the the bridge the downtown
area down by the the bridge the downtown bridge or bridges both sides of the
bridge or bridges both sides of the
bridge or bridges both sides of the border the development hasn’t been great
border the development hasn’t been great
border the development hasn’t been great you know there’s some business there but
you know there’s some business there but
you know there’s some business there but it’s it’s disjointed what I think is
it’s it’s disjointed what I think is
it’s it’s disjointed what I think is that they’re on both sides of the border
that they’re on both sides of the border
that they’re on both sides of the border there should be a sort of a Mercado type
there should be a sort of a Mercado type
there should be a sort of a Mercado type environment the cities need to work
environment the cities need to work
environment the cities need to work together they need to create a safe zone
together they need to create a safe zone
together they need to create a safe zone so people feel safe going to both sides
so people feel safe going to both sides
so people feel safe going to both sides and and back and forth you need to have
and and back and forth you need to have
and and back and forth you need to have bars and restaurants you need to have I
bars and restaurants you need to have I
bars and restaurants you need to have I mean even the pink store I mean that
mean even the pink store I mean that
mean even the pink store I mean that most of us have been to the pink store
most of us have been to the pink store
most of us have been to the pink store out of Columbus little Columbus New
out of Columbus little Columbus New
out of Columbus little Columbus New Mexico you know they’ve got it how do we
Mexico you know they’ve got it how do we
Mexico you know they’ve got it how do we not have something like that here it’s
not have something like that here it’s
not have something like that here it’s just amazing to me that we don’t have
just amazing to me that we don’t have
just amazing to me that we don’t have the shopping and the and the dining and
the shopping and the and the dining and
the shopping and the and the dining and the bars when people come to this town
the bars when people come to this town
the bars when people come to this town like even you know the University of
like even you know the University of
like even you know the University of Arizona was here last night to play ball
Arizona was here last night to play ball
Arizona was here last night to play ball I guarantee you most of the fans that
I guarantee you most of the fans that
I guarantee you most of the fans that came from Tucson wanted to go to once I
came from Tucson wanted to go to once I
came from Tucson wanted to go to once I mean you don’t go to the border without
mean you don’t go to the border without
mean you don’t go to the border without one to the cross and see see what’s over
one to the cross and see see what’s over
one to the cross and see see what’s over there and I don’t know affirm any of
there and I don’t know affirm any of
there and I don’t know affirm any of them did but the fact is it’s not as
them did but the fact is it’s not as
them did but the fact is it’s not as easy as it ought to be and and there
easy as it ought to be and and there
easy as it ought to be and and there ought to be a concerted effort by both
ought to be a concerted effort by both
ought to be a concerted effort by both sides by the business communities and
sides by the business communities and
sides by the business communities and the political communities on both sides
the political communities on both sides
the political communities on both sides to make this a bi-national tourist
to make this a bi-national tourist
to make this a bi-national tourist destination where people
destination where people
destination where people want to go and and I think I think it
want to go and and I think I think it
want to go and and I think I think it can be accomplished it can be safe I
can be accomplished it can be safe I
can be accomplished it can be safe I don’t even think it costs that much
don’t even think it costs that much
don’t even think it costs that much money you’ve you’ve got the properties
money you’ve you’ve got the properties
money you’ve you’ve got the properties we just need to get the business
we just need to get the business
we just need to get the business community in the in the the legislators
community in the in the the legislators
community in the in the the legislators city council state legislators whatever
city council state legislators whatever
city council state legislators whatever whatever is necessary to focus on it
whatever is necessary to focus on it
whatever is necessary to focus on it make it a priority you have to work with
make it a priority you have to work with
make it a priority you have to work with the federal government make the bridge
the federal government make the bridge
the federal government make the bridge crossing experience a little bit better
crossing experience a little bit better
crossing experience a little bit better and you know they have they have to
and you know they have they have to
and you know they have they have to worry about security and I get that but
worry about security and I get that but
worry about security and I get that but they could still it could still be a
they could still it could still be a
they could still it could still be a better experience crossing the bridge
better experience crossing the bridge
better experience crossing the bridge and I just think it’s a fantastic
and I just think it’s a fantastic
and I just think it’s a fantastic opportunity that’s a Masai dia and it’s
opportunity that’s a Masai dia and it’s
opportunity that’s a Masai dia and it’s one that’s been discussed about putting
one that’s been discussed about putting
one that’s been discussed about putting a Mercado there one of the big questions
a Mercado there one of the big questions
a Mercado there one of the big questions there’s always safety and you address
there’s always safety and you address
there’s always safety and you address that but since you live with the cabinet
that but since you live with the cabinet
that but since you live with the cabinet secretary for innovation and commerce is
secretary for innovation and commerce is
secretary for innovation and commerce is that really possible in in what it oh I
that really possible in in what it oh I
that really possible in in what it oh I think it’s absolutely possible
think it’s absolutely possible
think it’s absolutely possible I mean Mars I mean you look at first of
I mean Mars I mean you look at first of
I mean Mars I mean you look at first of all people think that we live in such a
all people think that we live in such a
all people think that we live in such a dangerous place and I can’t tell you how
dangerous place and I can’t tell you how
dangerous place and I can’t tell you how many times you know I tell people I live
many times you know I tell people I live
many times you know I tell people I live in El Paso and they’re like oh my god
in El Paso and they’re like oh my god
in El Paso and they’re like oh my god you know are you able to stay safe and
you know are you able to stay safe and
you know are you able to stay safe and I’m like we’re the safest large city in
I’m like we’re the safest large city in
I’m like we’re the safest large city in America every single year and those are
America every single year and those are
America every single year and those are FBI statistics those are not Chamber of
FBI statistics those are not Chamber of
FBI statistics those are not Chamber of Commerce statistics and San Diego is
Commerce statistics and San Diego is
Commerce statistics and San Diego is almost always number two and it’s not a
almost always number two and it’s not a
almost always number two and it’s not a coincidence that the two safest cities
coincidence that the two safest cities
coincidence that the two safest cities in America are on the border and on the
in America are on the border and on the
in America are on the border and on the other side of the border granted they
other side of the border granted they
other side of the border granted they have issues they have to be dealt with
have issues they have to be dealt with
have issues they have to be dealt with and and and we have drug violence that
and and and we have drug violence that
and and and we have drug violence that kind of comes up and down or whatever
kind of comes up and down or whatever
kind of comes up and down or whatever but they absolutely have the ability to
but they absolutely have the ability to
but they absolutely have the ability to create a safe zone to make people feel
create a safe zone to make people feel
create a safe zone to make people feel safe and and
safe and and
safe and and and I believe I believe this is
and I believe I believe this is
and I believe I believe this is something that could be done you know we
something that could be done you know we
something that could be done you know we also also have the soccer team over
also also have the soccer team over
also also have the soccer team over there that’s also right on the border
there that’s also right on the border
there that’s also right on the border it’s only about a mile from downtown and
it’s only about a mile from downtown and
it’s only about a mile from downtown and you look at that whole area and if you
you look at that whole area and if you
you look at that whole area and if you develop it the right way it could just
develop it the right way it could just
develop it the right way it could just be fantastic for both sides of the
be fantastic for both sides of the
be fantastic for both sides of the border it would be a big vision for El
border it would be a big vision for El
border it would be a big vision for El Paso and want us to pursue together
Paso and want us to pursue together
Paso and want us to pursue together I want to we’re running out of time I
I want to we’re running out of time I
I want to we’re running out of time I wanna wrap up with this you’re on a the
wanna wrap up with this you’re on a the
wanna wrap up with this you’re on a the side sometimes pall of a lot of
side sometimes pall of a lot of
side sometimes pall of a lot of controversy the ballpark the bond issues
controversy the ballpark the bond issues
controversy the ballpark the bond issues I know you feel about during Guiteau
I know you feel about during Guiteau
I know you feel about during Guiteau what should help in your mind what you
what should help in your mind what you
what should help in your mind what you know Passos stop doing to attain a
know Passos stop doing to attain a
know Passos stop doing to attain a global city distinction I think we need
global city distinction I think we need
global city distinction I think we need to stop stop beating each other up we
to stop stop beating each other up we
to stop stop beating each other up we need we need to all row in the same
need we need to all row in the same
need we need to all row in the same direction you know my view is that we
direction you know my view is that we
direction you know my view is that we can improve this city if we do it
can improve this city if we do it
can improve this city if we do it together and you know you mentioned the
together and you know you mentioned the
together and you know you mentioned the during Guiteau situation you know I know
during Guiteau situation you know I know
during Guiteau situation you know I know there are a lot of a lot of passionate
there are a lot of a lot of passionate
there are a lot of a lot of passionate feelings about that but the truth is
feelings about that but the truth is
feelings about that but the truth is that the buildings that are there are
that the buildings that are there are
that the buildings that are there are not buildings that need to be saved
not buildings that need to be saved
not buildings that need to be saved there are probably 30 trost buildings in
there are probably 30 trost buildings in
there are probably 30 trost buildings in El Paso
you can’t save all 30 Prost buildings if
you can’t save all 30 Prost buildings if you want to improve downtown if you want
you want to improve downtown if you want
you want to improve downtown if you want to have a great downtown concentrate on
to have a great downtown concentrate on
to have a great downtown concentrate on the ones that make sense to improve and
the ones that make sense to improve and
the ones that make sense to improve and the others you might just have to let a
the others you might just have to let a
the others you might just have to let a few go and there’s that’s okay and if
few go and there’s that’s okay and if
few go and there’s that’s okay and if trust will sell out I think he’d
trust will sell out I think he’d
trust will sell out I think he’d probably tell you that you you look at
probably tell you that you you look at
probably tell you that you you look at you you mentioned you know what do we
you you mentioned you know what do we
you you mentioned you know what do we what do we need to do different or have
what do we need to do different or have
what do we need to do different or have yeah what do we need to quit do it and
yeah what do we need to quit do it and
yeah what do we need to quit do it and it kind of reminds me of the the old
it kind of reminds me of the the old
it kind of reminds me of the the old analogy you hear about the the bucket
analogy you hear about the the bucket
analogy you hear about the the bucket with with the lobsters in it you have a
with with the lobsters in it you have a
with with the lobsters in it you have a big bucket and you have lobsters and one
big bucket and you have lobsters and one
big bucket and you have lobsters and one of them starts climbing
of them starts climbing
of them starts climbing and he’s making progress and he’s going
and he’s making progress and he’s going
and he’s making progress and he’s going to do some great things and right before
to do some great things and right before
to do some great things and right before he gets to the top the others grab him
he gets to the top the others grab him
he gets to the top the others grab him and pull him back down and then they
and pull him back down and then they
and pull him back down and then they start beating each other up and in fact
start beating each other up and in fact
start beating each other up and in fact they start eating each other and
they start eating each other and
they start eating each other and somebody else starts trying to make it
somebody else starts trying to make it
somebody else starts trying to make it to the top and they pull them down and
to the top and they pull them down and
to the top and they pull them down and what they ought to be doing is helping
what they ought to be doing is helping
what they ought to be doing is helping each other get to the top and then when
each other get to the top and then when
each other get to the top and then when this guy gets the top he reaches down
this guy gets the top he reaches down
this guy gets the top he reaches down and helps the next one up and I just am
and helps the next one up and I just am
and helps the next one up and I just am a big believer in trying to collaborate
a big believer in trying to collaborate
a big believer in trying to collaborate trying not to have a lot of controversy
trying not to have a lot of controversy
trying not to have a lot of controversy and trying to accomplish great things
and trying to accomplish great things
and trying to accomplish great things together
together
together well we’re as I said Oh Pass is a better
well we’re as I said Oh Pass is a better
well we’re as I said Oh Pass is a better place because of you and Alejandra and
place because of you and Alejandra and
place because of you and Alejandra and and I know you you both flew back today
and I know you you both flew back today
and I know you you both flew back today to be with us on the TEDx stage it’s an
to be with us on the TEDx stage it’s an
to be with us on the TEDx stage it’s an honor to have you here so it’s a good
honor to have you here so it’s a good
honor to have you here so it’s a good place to stop thank you Paul
place to stop thank you Paul
place to stop thank you Paul thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
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