Scattered Thoughts: Will Rose Gowen Next Try to Ban Lard from Tamales? Robert Uresti's Neighbor Speaks Up! DA Luis Saenz Decides to Fight Corruption in Harlingen

City Commissioner Gowen

Imposing wellness on the populace can be a slippery slope as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg found out after trying to ban the Big Gulp in his town.  Mean Mister Brownsville reported 6/28/12 that City Commissioner Rose Gowen, as chairwoman for the Olmito/Brownsville Sports Park, was trying to ban the serving of unhealthy foods in that facility's stadium concession stand.

What's next for Brownsville's nanny?  Will she ban city residents from using lard in flour tortillas and tamale masa?  What about those candy-filled pinatas that contribute to obesity and tooth decay?  With Brownsville's average of 223 sunny days annually, will Gowen push through a sunscreen mandate to prevent malignant melanoma caused by exposure to UV rays?  Since over 50,000 Americans die in auto accidents each year, will Rose try to ban automobile use in Brownsville?

Many find it arrogant when an unsalaried city commissioner has to protect us from ourselves.  Can't mommies and daddies decide if they want their families to consume a hot dog while watching a ball game at the sports park?  A larger question might be:  Is being a health guru the proper role of a city commissioner?
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Robert Uresti

Now that most of my RV park neighbors have departed to Newfoundland, Alberta, Calgary, Quebec, Minnesota and Michigan, Joe from Hinogas doesn't baby those remaining with a slow door-to-door canvass of propane needs.  He just makes a quick loop through the park unless detained by a customer.  I was not quick enough to catch him, so I took my empty bottle to Hinogas on Hwy 281 near FM 802.

While Ramiro was filling my bottle, I noticed the Galaxia Car Wash a couple doors down and remembered  Robert Uresti, a candidate for City Commissioner At-Large B.

"Does Robert Uresti still work at Galaxia?" I asked Ramiro.

"Yes, I think he does," responded the propane manager.  "He's a neighbor of mine."

"Is he a pretty good guy?" I asked.

"Oh, he's a great guy," Ramiro started.  "He's always doing things for the community.  A couple of years ago our streets were all torn up.  The city was building two small dams to control flooding, but after the dams were finished, the city did not release the dams on time.  A lot of our houses were flooded.  Robert walked the neighborhood, taking pictures of all the damage and went to the city with it.  He got the city to pay for the repairs to our homes."

I didn't search the Brownsville Herald archives to find the incident Ramiro related.  In his case, perception is reality.  He saw a neighbor, not even in city government, get results for his community.
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District Attorney Luis Saenz

During the recent district attorney race, Luis Saenz Campaign Manager Zeke Silva was asked if Saenz would pursue corrupt elected officials, if elected.

Silva came back with an answer.  Saenz might not concern himself with trivial election violations but would definitely go after the "head of the snake."  Some of us wrongfully assumed that was a reference to County Commissioner Ernie Hernandez, known for two decades of conflicts of interest, election stealing and heavy-handed, illegal hiring of non-qualified relatives for county positions.  Not so.

Apparently, his "head of the snake" is Kori J. Marra, District 3 City Commissioner in the City of

Kori Marra, the "Head of the Snake?"

Harlingen.  Marra's conviction of failing to file a conflict of interest affidavit was recently overturned by the 13th Court of Appeals on a technicality.  She was also acquitted of a misdemeanor offense.

Is Ernie Safe?

Cameron County District Attorney Saenz wants to refile the 3 year old case.  With the "head of the snake" of Cameron County's political corruption now being dutifully prosecuted, perhaps Ernie Hernandez can breath easily.  He may be safe.