More Meanness from Mean Mister Brownsville~Scattered Thoughts

BISD, F.A.F.???????


Item 37 on last Tuesday's agenda: Recommend approval not to offer new employment to (F.A.F.) terminating contract at end of term.

F.A.F., it turns out refers to Fred Anthony Fuller, the former Chief Financial Officer for BISD, who was reassigned on Carl Montoya's first day as interim superintendent, before he even knew where the coffee machine was. Whoever wrote the agenda used initials to shield the action from the tax-paying public and even some board members. So much for transparency! Here is what we wrote back in November of 2011:

" I learned all I need to know about Carl Montoya as superintendent in his first few hours on the job when he suspended the Chief Financial Officer, Tony Fuller, before drinking his first cup of coffee. A thoughtful, careful, discerning leader just assuming oversight does not make a huge personnel decision in his first hours of taking office. He owes his constituents, his staff and his peers more than that. Initially he probes, he questions, he carefully evaluates the needs of the district. He comes up with an evaluation, his evaluation, not someone elses. Even if he decides a change is needed, he still waits until he has carefully evaluated a replacement. Only then does he act.


By making two important personnel moves in the first 48 hours of his new position, Montoya proved that he was not his own man. He was simply following orders. Perhaps, that is why even before the last board meeting Presas-Garcia declared Montoya a good "fit" for the job. That's exactly what Montoya is. He fits perfectly into the plans of those who want to control the district. Do you really think that a district with a $500,000,000 annual budget does not deserve a careful nationwide or even statewide search for a superintendent. The board majority does not. They already have a "fit".'


TRUSTEES TRY TO JUSTIFY $25,000 CONTRIBUTION TO UNITED BROWNSVILLE TO LUCI

I just happened to catch the BISD board meeting as Executive Director Mike Gonzalez had finished his pitch for the annual contribution to the shadowy, do-nothing albatross known as "United Brownsville". Luci Longoria wanted to know a little bit more about the organization before committing. Enrique Escobedo tried to articulate what the organization does, but got tongue-tied and deferred to Carl Montoya. Montoya rambled for about a minute with that weird cadence of his, saying absolutely nothing. Escobedo was on the verge of tabling to allow Gonzalez to come back with a more specific presentation catered to the needs of BISD, but someone quickly called for a vote. The agenda item passed 6-1. Perhaps next year we can learn what BISD gets for their $25,000.


A THREAT TO LIGHTEN MY WALLET AS IF THAT'S POSSIBLE

An anonymous comment received on the article "How Ernie Hernandez, Jr. Stole An Election~Part III":


"Jim, I have some bad news for you. My aunt, Herminia Becerra, is consulting with an attorney as I send you this. You sir are about to get sued."

Of course, I have no way of knowing who initiated this comment. Sylvia Garza Perez has commented on blog articles before with her signature. So, this may be someone trying to present her in a certain light. BTW, Jared Hockema did inform me that Sylvia is the niece of Herminia Becerra. But, this comment may very well not be from her.

Carlos Quintanilla threatened a pending lawsuit last year, but so far that has not materialized. Suing, of course, is one thing. Collecting is quite another. Although I've not kept up with advances in botany, I'm pretty certain a turnip has not been developed with a circulatory system.