SpaceX requests special election to make Starbase at Boca Chica a city
In a letter [pdf] sent yesterday to a local judge, SpaceX requested that a special election be held in Cameron County on whether its Starbase facilities in Boca Chica should be incorporated as a city.
To continue growing the workforce necessary to rapidly develop and manufacture Starship, we need the ability to grow Starbase as a community. That is why we are requesting that Cameron County call an election to enable the incorporation of Starbase as the newest city in the Rio Grande Valley.
Incorporating Starbase will streamline the processes required to build the amenities necessary to make the area a world class place to live—for the hundreds already calling it home, as well as for prospective workers eager to help build humanity’s future in space. As you know, through agreements with the County, SpaceX currently performs several civil functions around Starbase due to its remote location, including management of the roads, utilities, and the provision of schooling and medical care for the residents. Incorporation would move the management of some of these functions to a more appropriate public body.
The letter went on to list the many other things SpaceX is already doing to benefit the area, including many of the environmental requirements imposed on it by the FAA and Fish & Wildlife.
At this moment there has been no response from the judge or Cameron County. I suspect there will be no objection, and this vote will take place in the near future. I also expect it will pass, because SpaceX employees now make up almost the entire population of Boca Chica.
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In a letter [pdf] sent yesterday to a local judge, SpaceX requested that a special election be held in Cameron County on whether its Starbase facilities in Boca Chica should be incorporated as a city.
To continue growing the workforce necessary to rapidly develop and manufacture Starship, we need the ability to grow Starbase as a community. That is why we are requesting that Cameron County call an election to enable the incorporation of Starbase as the newest city in the Rio Grande Valley.
Incorporating Starbase will streamline the processes required to build the amenities necessary to make the area a world class place to live—for the hundreds already calling it home, as well as for prospective workers eager to help build humanity’s future in space. As you know, through agreements with the County, SpaceX currently performs several civil functions around Starbase due to its remote location, including management of the roads, utilities, and the provision of schooling and medical care for the residents. Incorporation would move the management of some of these functions to a more appropriate public body.
The letter went on to list the many other things SpaceX is already doing to benefit the area, including many of the environmental requirements imposed on it by the FAA and Fish & Wildlife.
At this moment there has been no response from the judge or Cameron County. I suspect there will be no objection, and this vote will take place in the near future. I also expect it will pass, because SpaceX employees now make up almost the entire population of Boca Chica.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
Sometimes, it’s better if you keep the Town, in the family.
Henry Ford’s Northern Michigan Operations
The Utopian Sawmill Community of Alberta, Michigan
https://youtu.be/KgrlU6D4l-s
(17:42)
“When Henry Ford needed wood and iron ore, he turned to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula — and ended up buying and building entire towns in the process.”
While this may sound fine in theory the concept does scare me bit. I may be too un-trusting, but how long will it be before the “appropriate public body” becomes infiltrated or influenced by foes of SpaceX?
Company Town!
Just a way for new residents to perpetually vote tax increases on themselves until they make it more expensive than where they moved from.
Hershey PA and Kohler Wisconsin are two other company towns. Makes me think to Tennessee Ernie Ford and “16 Tons”.
Ditto for Mr. Pratt.
Not my money but, SpaceX should just build all the infrastructure and keep the government out of it as much as possible.
DJ–
“Kohler, Wisconsin,” I was not aware of that one! Thanks.
Here’s a good one….
Mentha, Michigan (West of Kalamazoo, MI)
“Peppermint Capital of the World”
https://youtu.be/GvNe001khX4?t=286
“In 1901 A.M. Todd purchased 2,000 acres of land in Michigan and began growing peppermint. By 1920 the A.M. Todd Company produced 98% of all peppermint used in the United States, most of it going to Chicago for Wrigley’s double mint gum. At its peak. A.M. Todd grew over 10,500 acres of peppermint. “Todd’s Black Mitchum English Peppermint” being the predominate variety, known for its high peppermint oil content.”
Its more than likely a way to take more local power away from outside forces.
If they have local elected officials they might gain more power over their local environment.
Essentially adding a layer of government for defensive reasons.
Don’t be surprised if Elon runs for mayor of Starbase, Texas. Mayor Musk – has a ring to it.
He will never run for office.
He has far more power and autonomy pulling the strings from a distance.