Bill Smith

The Executive Course

Fore!

Privatization of Houston's municipal golf courses has been a bad deal for everybody but the operators. But golfers and taxpayers had best look out: the city's on the verge of giving away two more of it courses.

In the Rough

The golf course giveaway is falling apart, but some city workers are paying the price

Political Futbol

For the city, both money and employees are expendable when it comes to youth soccer

Net Compensation

The city's sparing no expense for its youth soccer director

Field Day

Under Bob Lanier and director Bill Smith, the city's Parks Department has been on a budget-busting blowout. But who's counting, right?

Letters

Under Bob Lanier and director Bill Smith, the city's Parks Department has been on a budget-busting blowout. But who's counting, right?

The Insider

Under Bob Lanier and director Bill Smith, the city's Parks Department has been on a budget-busting blowout. But who's counting, right?

The Insider

Under Bob Lanier and director Bill Smith, the city's Parks Department has been on a budget-busting blowout. But who's counting, right?

The Insider

Under Bob Lanier and director Bill Smith, the city's Parks Department has been on a budget-busting blowout. But who's counting, right?

Golfin' Fools

Another dubious deal for private operators raises the question: Who's serving the public here?

The Insider

Another dubious deal for private operators raises the question: Who's serving the public here?

The Insider

Another dubious deal for private operators raises the question: Who's serving the public here?

Waiting for Get Done

The renovation of Miller Outdoor Theatre continues to crawl along

The Insider

The renovation of Miller Outdoor Theatre continues to crawl along

The Great Non-Communicator

Houston's new mayor is working as hard as, or harder than, his predecessors. Now if only he could find a way to tell people about it.

Parks War: Turks Versus Christians

A rebellion spreads within a city department

Olympic Moments

A marathon through the downtown tunnel, a rowing venue in a flooded Katy Freeway, the javelina throw -- how splendid, how Houston!

Best Bureaucrat

City Parks Director Oliver Spellman

Five More Severely Depressing Christmas Songs

​Last year, we rounded up quite a collection of depressing Christmas songs to darken your mood just in time for the holidays, but - as many people were quick to point out - we left a few off the list. Well, we're nothing if not thorough, and this year we've found five more monsters of morosen ... More >>