Mariana Tumlinson Details United Way's "All-In" Program to United Brownsville Board

Mariana Tumlinson, United Way's
"All-In" Coordinator

From the get-go this was Mariana Tumlinson's meeting.  She welcomed guests, hugged board members, pointed to the abbreviated buffet for the noonish(11:30 AM) meeting and then chaired the bulk of the meeting at South Cameron County's United Way headquarters at 634 E. Levee St.(This was a particularly hospitable board with even Chairman Fred Rusteberg more than once offering drinks and the available buffet, greeting guests.)

The agenda gave notice of a Public Meeting of the United Brownsville Coordinating Board and the City of Brownsville Commissioners. Actually, Estela Chavez-Vasquez was the only City Commissioner in attendance, but then she is also on the United Brownsville Board.  None of the other commissioners nor Mayor Tony Martinez were in attendance, although Martinez and Commissioners John Villarreal and Rose Gowen double as United Brownsville Board members.  City Manager Charlie Cabler and Finance Director Pete Gonzalez also attended as United Brownsville Board members.

The concept of All-In, a program largely jumpstarted by the generosity of the Bill Gates Foundation, is finding the correct post-high school training and/or education for each student with actual, marketable labor skills.  Student ambassadors work with high school seniors, helping them aim for skills actually needed in the labor market and showing them the exact courses or training necessary.  A Curriculum Alignment Program compares what is taught in high school courses to what is expected in the college counterparts, trying to synchronize the two.  A Career Planning Tool shows middle school and high school students the average salaries for specific jobs in the region and outlines the requisite high school and college courses needed.  Finally, The Employer Engagement Program establishes an actual internship, giving practical on-the-job experience to students and providing quality employees to companies.

Irv Downing

All of the above was well articulated by UTB Professor Bill Elliot,  UTB's Economic Development Vice President Irv Downing and Tumlinson. Much is still academic as the internship program seems in its infancy with only 3 current interns and 4 more applicants.  The interns have jobs paying $10.00 per hour with $1,000 of their wages a subsidy of All-In.  The participating employers are the Public Utility Board, the Chamber of Commerce and United Way's Healthy Communities. Pending employers include the Gladys Porter Zoo, C.A.S.A. and United Brownsville.

Several comments referenced the need for practical, job applicable education.  BISD Superintendent Dr. Carl Montoya said:  "The State of Texas is heavy on assessment.  Pass the assessment test and you're done. H.B. 5 opens the door for a more realistic approach."

Francisco Rendon, TSC Board of Trustees Chairman, mentioned his institution's agreement with Amfels:  "We're working with Amfels with grant support to certify welders.  There are areas in Texas right now where a good welder makes more than an M.B.A."

Mariana Tumlinson used this comparison:  "It's like I tell some of the parents and students; if you need an M.R.I., you might hesitate to spend the $1,000, but if your toilet breaks down, you'll borrow from family if necessary to pay the plumber."

Irv Downing declared that human capital is as important as infrastructure in growing economically. He cited a need for GBIC to include the willingness to provide internship in deciding which companies to subsidize with taxpayer dollars.

 Mike Gonzalez, United Brownsville
 Executive Director

United Brownsville CEO Mike Gonzalez opened the meeting with his report.  He cited the board's close cooperation with UTB, cooperation with partners in Mexico, identifying key industrial clusters and resaca restoration.

The last point illustrates the confusion many taxpayers have with United Brownsville, the duplicity, the overlapping of certain functions.  Mayor Tony Martinez cited resaca restoration in his Mayors Report at the City Commission recently, now United Brownsville includes it in their agenda.  Yet, is it not a P.U.B. project?

Despite the articulation and platitudes and lofty goals, United Brownsville remains an unelected board trying to exert control in the city without accountability. Illustrative of this was Finance Director Pete Gonzalez' financial report.  As we know 8 city and county entities contribute $25,000 each to United Brownsville for a total of $200,000.  Gonzalez said his report was ready: "$200,000 received.  $200,000 spent."  The report, unanimously approved, demonstrates the obviously different methodology of a shadowy, behind-the-scenes board compared to a chartered, accountable department of municipal government.