Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Matamoros Mayoral Candidate Lety Salazar, Unlike Mayor Martinez, Invites Public Comment

At least in the campaign, one of the candidates for Mayor of Matamoros, Lety Salazar seems more open to citizen participation than Brownsville Mayor Tony Martinez.  She is inviting public comment through electronic modules.

Perhaps, Salazar is only feigning that she "Believes in Matamoros" as a campaign strategy.  She does have the same primary campaign color as Tony.

I did receive this comment a few minutes ago from a Brownsville resident about this approach of the Lety Salazar campaign:

"This is from Lety Salazar on FB page who is running for Mayor of Matamoros. I find this interesting that this type of new technology exists just south of our border so the community can engage directly with the candidate. Maybe we could have a few installed in Brownsville city hall since we lost our public voice during the commissioner meetings. Just saying."

Here is a rough translation from Salazar campaign ad:

"I would love to invite all citizens to express themselves in our citizen service modules.   Reviews and opinions are very important and help us to better understand the needs of our people.  Your voice counts and will be heard!"


Mayor Tony Martinez
Brownsville Mayor Tony Martinez sends a nearly opposite message.  Only his words and comments and those of his fellow commissioners are worthy of being in the broadcast of City Commission meetings.  Citizens who voice their opinions at such meetings are treated as second class.  Their comments are undemocratically blocked from the broadcast.

The Martinez mayorship has been noted for backdoor deals, behind-the-scenes manipulation and no input from the citizenry.  He feels not the slightest need to explain millions of dollars of speculative real estate deals, obligating the taxpayers without even an attempt at an explanation.

How ironic that Tony Martinez could take a lesson in participatory democracy from south of our border.

4 comments:

  1. Why is it ironic? Do you see the residents of Mexico as being lesser human beings? sad, Jim.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What's ironic is that our mayor rejects democratic principles in a democracy, but nice try at ethnic baiting.

      Jim

      Delete
  2. as a long time citizen of matamoros, fuck off wannabe blogger. we dont need to come out in your shammy derelict blog, if you want to do something for your community, look inside yourself and get help.


    araceli longoria.

    ReplyDelete
  3. We must look back and remember that, as a candidate for mayor, Tony Martinez campaigned for inclusion and transparency. After election, he immediately proved that his campaign was fluff to get elected and soon ended public participation at commission meetings and continues to oppose public debate and transparency in his autocratic administration. Perhaps Lety is merely using campaign rhetoric which will also vaporize when and if she is elected. We are now seeing with Mayor Martinez that voters should beware of buying in to campaign rhetoric.

    ReplyDelete

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