But, there is another twist to the story of the movement of this dilapidated, albeit historic, structure that needs to be aired.
No, we won't revisit how Mayor Martinez tapped into AEP Texas settlement funds to move the domicile from Kleberg, through Kenedy and Willacy Counties, to open space next to El Cueto Building. That's already part of Tony's sordid public record and his hand has been slapped via resolution by the youthful City Commission for using up $400,000 of the $3,060,000 settlement without asking anyone.
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| Juliet Garcia |
That phone call was all the impetus Tony Martinez needed to take another $14,000 of taxpayer money and move the building desperately to Linear Park.
After the move, interim Planning Director Ramiro Gonzalez was ecstatic over the placement of the old building in Linear Park as his comments reported in the Brownsville Herald, October 18, 2013, indicate:
“Linear Park, as it sits today, I believe is underutilized,” Gonzalez said. “The thought process was: How do we activate the park a little more? How do we really complement what goes on there as far as the farmers market and everything else?”
The idea has also been floated to create an “urban garden” around the house, which would tie in with the farmers market, he said.
“Having the founder of Brownsville’s ranch house as an attraction point at Linear Park kind of makes sense,” Gonzalez said. “The idea is that this would promote further use of the park. I think once it’s restored it’s going to be an amazing addition to the (Mitte Cultural District).”
Ramiro's spin on the house moving has to be taken with the grain of salt that he is an interim planning director, auditioning for the mayor's approval. The old house didn't fit at all at Linear Park. It was moved there because the mayor wanted to please Juliet Garcia, UTB, and someone found an empty spot. Ramiro, currying favor with the mayor, puts a favorable spin on the move.
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| The lot next to El Cueto 3/13/14 |
If Tony could act so quickly to satisfy the needs of Brownsville residents, he would be a great mayor. But he will not and is not.
*We later learned that after Attorney John Shergold filed a complaint with the City of Brownsville about the Stillman House, he was threatened with reported to the state bar by Assistant City Attorney John Chosy. Later, City Manager Charlie Cabler told Shergold that he was "sorry" for the way this had been handled.
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Your headline is not only childish, it is road-tired.
ReplyDeleteThat's all the reassurance I needed.
ReplyDeleteMost of the cultural elements located in The Mitte Cultural District (including Linear Park) are part of an organization to promote the cultural district and some of those on that board, especially Mellanae Conner were responsible for raising the money (including millions of dollars from the "Mitte Foundation" to rebuild Dean Porter Park, build the Children's Museum and the Costumes of the America's Museum.....along with the public pavilion in the park. Why is it that the City Planner, Ramiro Gonzalez didn't seek the counsel of the group before moving the Stillman eyesore to Linear Park. Obviously he feels no need to coordinate...like 'Da Mayor. This autocratic management of the city has made many of us give up volunteer work in the city. Too many people working their personal agenda's and not enough communications. I remember years ago the zoning commission was asked to re-zone along 7th St. to try to get ride of activities that were an eyesore to the cultural district. That's when Commissioner Ricky (DJ) Longoria took the audience down memory lane describing himself walking barefoot down a dusty 7th Street. Longoria completely missed the point (as usual), said he had never heard of the Mitte Cultural District (despite years of city involvement) and was obviously opposed to progress even if it made sense. As usual, with regard to the Stillman shack....the city has become extremely defensive.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr. Shergold for standing up to City Hall, you are a true leader.
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