Jim, Why Are You Supporting Such Weak Candidates?

Weakness

If an election involves selecting from candidates actually on the ballot, the following question posted to the blog anonymously makes little sense.  It is the assumption made by the nameless questioner that may be profitable to discuss:

"Your points about the mayor are all credible, but your candidates, you surely agree, are less-than-stellar. God God, man, open your eyes. If it's a better city you want, then seek out better candidates. Posturing weakness only makes YOU look weak."

Below is my initial response in the comment section of the blog, but I need to expand on it:

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   Jim BartonApril 30, 2013 at 10:14 AM

   Proven weakness exists on the current commission. How could anyone be weaker than John Villarreal? How could anyone say less or do less? Who could possibly be more susceptible to being manipulated by Martinez than Rose Gowen who was financed and managed by him in her campaign?
   
   We're not cloning candidates, but simply identifying those who will be better for the city.
   
   Jim
   
   

   

   Roberto Uresti

   Of course, perceived weakness can be physical, mental or  emotional.   Outside observers may not get a sense of it, but locals wouldn't describe Uresti as "weak."  One local activist, herself with a strong personality, described Roberto as "absolutely fearless."  As detailed in this blog, Uresti stepped in, along with Tad Hasse, when Harlingen lawyer Ron Lozano allegedly got confrontational with candidate Alex Torres at a forum and intervened when someone in an angry crown pushed Commissioner Jessica Tetreau after a City Commission meeting.  
   
   
   Taking pictures of flood damage caused by City of Brownsville negligence to the City Commission, shaming them to make restitution to the homeowners is not something normally done by a weak person.  Going to former Mayor Blanca Vela with pictures showing the dangerously narrow pipe residents were using to cross flooded waters, but then when Vela showed disinterest, taking those pictures to the Brownsville Herald is not weak.  When it comes to not yielding to weakness, Vietnam vet Uresti is well ahead of the curve to objective observers.  
   
   
   Actually, he may be the type of City Commissioner Brownsville has needed for a long time, someone not interested in grandiose schemes to benefit cronies, but in genuine city services.
   
   

   

   Letty Perez-Garzoria

   Do you view Letty Perez-Garzoria as weak?  Do you really think she will jump every time Tony Martinez barks like the opponent, incumbent John Villarreal?  An anonymous commenter to another blog thinks so:
   
   
   "Letty perez garzoria is from that generation of Mexican women who always let the husband have his way.  mayor tony martinez will rule her like a real macho rules."
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Letty Perez-Garzoria is a strong woman.  Husbandly control?  I don't think she has one.  Single mothers are some of the strongest, most versatile humans on the planet.  How is a woman weak when she marches down to the City Commission and BISD bi-week after bi-week and voices her opinion?  Garzoria does raise her voice when she speaks about volunteerism, cleaning up Brownsviile.  She does not treat the mayor, city commission or school board with disrespect. 
2. Like many of us, Garzoria might need an editor if she wrote a column or blog, but she has the common sense and gumption to question the status quo.  Weak?  Never.

Martin Sarkis

Yes, Martin Sarkis is from Mexico. . .   He graduated from the Tecnologico de Matamoras after studying architecture.  He is responsible for 150 buildings in Matamoros.  

Sarkis is definitely ESL with Spanish being his preferred language, but he can navigate quite nicely in English. . Weak?  You think so?  Tell him that.  

Sarkis loves this city and has ideas to improve it.  He is running against a Tony Martinez party girl, a former quarterback and a kid.  You pick the strongest in that field and vote appropriately.

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