"We need Sylvia Atkinson to do the dirty work!" states Catalina Presas-Garcia

 

by Jim Barton on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 7:17pm

A few observations based on the Novermber 7, 2011 deposition by Mary S. Rey:
     After Springston was fired as superintendent of BISD, some on the board clamored for Sylvia Atkinson to be named superintendant.  The topic came up at a meeting at Mary Rey's house including Quintanilla, Presas-Garcia, Rey, Longoria and Miller.  Luci Longoria was not on board, feeling Atkinson would be difficult to work with.  "Still, we need Sylvia Atkinson here to do the dirty work,"  stated Presas-Garcia.  The board settled on Carl Montoya who became simply a "pawn in their game."  Soon Atkinson would be brought in as Human Resources Director.
     Mary Rey has hours of recorded conversations  between her and Quintanilla, her and Presas-Garcia.  Nena and I listened to them Monday night.  The recordings make it clear that Quintanilla has undue influence on the board, calling many shots, prompting Rey to ask Presas-Garcia:  "Why is he here?  Why do you listen to him?  You need to distance yourself from him!"  Presas-Garcia's response is "Why can't we all get along?"  Actually, I had first heard the threat from Quintanilla to rally support against her son in the lobby of the Amigoland Event Center for Pat Ahumada's Town Forum.
     Of interest is also a phone conversation Mary overheard at her home between Quintanilla and Luci Longoria trying to get Longoria to support the firing of Springston.  Ms. Rey heard angry words, then Quintanilla's words "You bitch!" to Luci Longoria.  Ms. Rey said she went over to Quintanilla at that point: "Is everything OK??"  "This woman just isn't coming through,"  Quintanilla responded, referring to Luci Longoria.  . . . . . . .
     Then, there is the whole matter of the DefeatZayasCortezPowers PAC or Political Action Committee.  It's instructive that Quintanilla and his cohorts wanted Mary S. Rey to be the President of the PAC, although she has no political experience.  In retrospect, Mary now thinks that may have been EXACTLY why they wanted her, her inexperience, along with her clean criminal record.  The group that greeted her at VSOT, Lehman''s Central Blvd. "office" included Carlos Quintanilla, Pat Lehmann, Argelia Miller and Ben Neece.  Read into that collective what you will.  With Nena and I being away from Brownsville for so many years, we've only recently become acquainted with these folks.  I've had only one interaction with Pat Lehmann, who I personally pegged as a con artist within a minute or so of my our introduction.  He sells Chinese made scooters which can be purchased new on the internet for half of what he charges.  My nephew was enamored with one and despite my recommendation otherwise, purchased one from Lehmann.  Within a few weeks, the hideously contructed motorbike was self-destructing.  Parts were falling off.  The transmission seized, etc.  My nephew pushed the scooter back to Lehmann's place of business, trying to get Lehmann to honor the warranty.  He initially refused.  The nephew called my son, who called me.  We went down to see Lehmann and were successful with some gentle persuasion to get the warranty honored.  The scooter lasted another month or so.
     This deposition will be carefully scrutinized as will subsequent sessions with Mary S. Rey.  Mary has done our community a great service.  There seems to be a core of corruption here that needs to surgically removed from BISD.  This courageous step by Mary to come forward is a start.