Even if They Ignore the People, Lincoln Park's History and Purpose Should Be Respected by the City of Brownsville

From the editor:  Even though City Manager Charlie Cabler is now stating that the City Commission will NOT consider the sale or gifting of Lincoln Park to the UT system at tonight's(3/18/14) Executive Session, but instead is waiting for citizen input before making a final decision, that is not totally reassuring.

City officials have little credibility as demonstrated in the recent handling of the proposed parking meter raise.   The matter was referred to a town hall forum, with twenty citizens articulating their views in the Market Square Conference Room.  Despite 18 out of 20 commenters speaking out AGAINST the raise,  interim City Planner Ramiro Gonzalez forged ahead with the plan anyway at the mayor's behest.   Gonzalez told lingerers after the meeting that everyone he had spoken with was FOR the raise.(Days later, someone inside the city informed us of the plan Gonzalez will unveil tonight:  an immediate raise to 60 cents per hour, then the final tripling of the rate within three years.)  

So, what purpose is served by another town hall meeting on the proposed transfer of Lincoln Park?  Is this just an exercise for the citizens to vent, then be ignored as always by the mayor and city commission?  Will it be another dog and pony show by Ramiro Gonzalez and Roman McAllen, pretending to take notes of taxpayer ideas on flip sheets, then trashing those after the meeting to proceed full speed ahead with Tony Martinez' agenda?

In the past few weeks, we've posted articles with testimony from a Brownsville Parks & Recreation Board member, detailing the unique value of Lincoln Park to Brownsville's young and elderly, displayed numerous pictures of the park's amenities and demonstrated the availability of other acreage nearby, some already owned by UTB.  We've emphasized the irreplaceable nature of Lincoln Park, it's value to District 1, including Southmost.

Let's add to the record one more piece of evidence, an article from our local daily, demonstrating the history, purpose and uniqueness of Lincoln Park.


From the Brownsville Herald:

Mayor Blanca S. Vela

The Brownsville Herald, July 6, 2001
By Angeles Negrete Lares

Lincoln Park will celebrate its grand opening in August, Brownsville and Texas
Department of Transportation officials announced Thursday.
The 48-acre park, one-half mile from Veterans International Bridge at Los
Tomates, is among Brownsvilles largest parks, city officials said.

It replaces the old Lincoln Park, which stood east of International Boulevard
where Expressway 77/83 now leads to the Los Tomates bridge. The city gave that
land and the land for the new park to TxDOT.

Park construction started in late 1999 at a cost of $1.5 million, paid for by
TxDOT.

"But, construction was delayed after six months to search for the special brick
that would give the area a historical touch," said Paul Calapa, city
purchasing director.
Officials said the new park has tree-lined paseos, games, trees, grass and an
amphitheater that will seat about 1,500 spectators.

"We need these kinds of projects to unite neighborhoods and their families in
parks like this one," Mayor Blanca S. Vela said when the project started.

"We chose this area because we felt that it was the place where the most
children needed a place to play, have fun and learn," she said.

City officials said Southmosts estimated 55,000 residents will be the main
beneficiaries of the new park.

One of them cant wait for it to open.

"My son is extremely happy. He can barely wait for the afternoon to come by so
he can go play," commented Gloria Miranda, who lives a few blocks from the
park.