Ricardo Longoria, City Commissioner, District 1, Finds Brownsville Fire Fighters Petition Hilarious

George Lerma decided to approach the City Commission during public comment Tuesday when all of the emails he sent to the Mayor, City Commissioners and City Manager that included the Brownsville Fire Fighters Association petition of "No Confidence" in Fire Chief Lenny Perez were returned:  "Undeliverable for security reasons."

So, Lerma went to Plan B:  "We'll make copies of the petition and hand them out during public comment," Lerma explained.  In Brownsville, Texas just before citizens address the City Commission, the cameras are turned off in sort of an anti-democratic backslap at the citizenry, sending the distinct message that their participation in city government is a mere nuisance, that their words and ideas have no possibility of merit.  It's a great lesson in participatory democracy by the Tony Martinez regime, just the tonic a city needs that only has 5% of registered voters actually voting.

Ricardo Longoria(behind laptop)

As Lerma strode to the podium, Carlos Elizondo, President of the Brownsville Fire Fighters Association, stood at his side.  As Lerma began his remarks, City Commissioner Ricardo Longoria began guffawing in an obvious way, not a spontaneous laugh or an embarrassed laugh, but a contrived laugh of derision and disdain.  He tried to get John Villarreal to his left to join in the knee-slapping hilarity, but Villarreal kept a poker face.  Then he turned to Commissioner Gowen to his right who also saw no particular humor.  It is rumored, Longoria may seek higher office.  He should reconsider until he matures somewhat.

Describing the handling of the recent funeral of Firefighter Juan Casanova as the central issue of the petition would be an error.  That incident was an emotional touchstone to be sure, sending a clear message to the firefighters the control the fire chief can demonstrate over the death and other benefits due a comrade falling in the line of duty or simply retiring.  It was not a message of reassurance to be sure.

Lerma and the BFA leadership realize that coming before the City Commission will not flip some magical switch, but view it as a way of initiating dialogue.  Interestingly, moments ago, a Brownsville Herald article by Ty Johnson was released online paraphrasing Mayor Martinez after the commission meeting:  "Mayor Tony Martinez said following the meeting that while he respected the union’s decision to bring the issue to the public’s attention, he felt the formal procedure for registering issues, both concerning collective bargaining and personnel, was being overlooked."

Actually, the ball has been in the city's court for two years, ever since a visiting judge from Corpus Christi ruled in Judge Rolando Olvera's 445th court room in favor of the Brownsville Fire Fighters in their "me-too" lawsuit against the city.  The visiting judge also added 6% interest retroactive to when the Brownville Police Department received a 15% raise in 2009 and 5% on the lump sum due going forward.  That could possibly add several hundred thousand dollars to the city's liability.

John Villarreal

It's ironic, but as we entered the City Commission room late, City Financial Director Pete Gonzalez was finishing his presentation of the new budget calling for a property tax increase.  Commissioner John Villarreal had a question about the $37,000 subsidy to the Brownsville Country Club.  I sometimes think the City Commission must not be aware of the monetary urgency to take their collective heads out of the sand with respect to dealing with the court ruling on the firefighters' "me-too" lawsuit.  Possibly, Attorney Ricardo Navarro has assured them it will be overturned on appeal, but counting on that happening is a very risky approach.  I'm told that the judge told both legal teams October 24, 2011, that he had been an appellate judge for 20 years: "Trust me.  This won't be successfully appealed."